GnRH-deficient phenotypes in humans and mice with heterozygous variants in KISS1/Kiss1.

Context: KISS1 is a candidate gene for GnRH deficiency.

Objective: Our objective was to identify deleterious mutations in KISS1.

Patients And Methods: DNA sequencing and assessment of the effects of rare sequence variants (RSV) were conducted in 1025 probands with GnRH-deficient conditions.

Central precocious puberty due to hypothalamic hamartomas correlates with anatomic features but not with expression of GnRH, TGFalpha, or KISS1.

Background/aims: Hypothalamic hamartomas are the most common identifiable cause of central precocious puberty (CPP). Hamartoma characteristics proposed to be associated with CPP include specific anatomic features and expression of molecules such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha), and GRM1A, which encodes the type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor alpha isoform. We sought to determine whether hamartomas that cause CPP could be distinguished by anatomic features, expression of these molecules, or expression of KISS1, whose products signal through the receptor GPR54 to stimulate GnRH release.

Urocortin II mediates pro-inflammatory effects in human colonocytes via corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2alpha.

Background/aims: Urocortin II (UcnII) is a neuropeptide that binds with high affinity to the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) in peripheral tissues. UcnII is synthesised in the intestine, but its role in human intestinal inflammation is largely unknown.

Methods: Responses of human colonic epithelial cells expressing CRHR2 to stimulation by UcnII were measured using ELISA, western blot analysis, real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and interleukin (IL)8 promoter activity.

Rifalazil treats and prevents relapse of clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in hamsters.

Although vancomycin and metronidazole effectively treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis (CDAD), their use is associated with a high incidence of relapsing C. difficile infection. Rifalazil is a new benzoxazinorifamycin that possesses activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and gram-positive bacteria.