Diagnosing impaired glucose tolerance using direct infusion mass spectrometry of blood plasma.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the capacity for mass spectrometry of blood plasma to diagnose impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). For this study, blood plasma samples from control subjects (n = 30) and patients with IGT (n = 20) were treated with methanol and low molecular weight fraction were then analyzed by direct infusion mass spectrometry. A total of 51 metabolite ions strongly associated with IGT were detected.

A randomized, double-blind study to assess the efficacy and safety of valtropin, a biosimilar growth hormone, in children with growth hormone deficiency.

Valtropin is a recombinant human GH (rhGH) manufactured using a novel yeast expression system, classed as a 'biosimilar'. Valtropin was compared with Humatrope in children with GH deficiency (GHD). Treatment-naive, prepubertal children with GHD were randomized to Valtropin (n = 98) or Humatrope (n = 49) for 1 year.

Expression of the immediate-early gene cFos in brain of the rats exposed to repeated 2 G influence.

Early gene c-Fos expression was studied by means of c-Fos protein immunostaining in brain locus coeruleus (LC) of the rats exposed to primary and repeated hypergravity. One-hour 2 G influence on rats induced in LC cells expression of c-Fos protein, pointing out early gene c-Fos expression and synaptic activation of LC neurons. After repeated 1-hour 2 G, postponed for 35 days after primary 30-day 2 G influence, expression of c-Fos protein in LC neurons was not found.

Efficacy and safety of Valtropin in the treatment of short stature in girls with Turner's syndrome.

Valtropin (somatropin, BioPartners and LG Life Sciences [LGLS]) is a recombinant human growth hormone (GH) preparation produced using a yeast expression system. An open single-arm phase III study was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety at a dose of 0.16 IU/kg/day (0.

Evaluation of endoscopic and traditional open approaches to pheochromocytoma.

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an excellent alternative to open surgery, while there are doubts in regard to laparoscopic treatment of pheochromocytoma due to its unsteady intraoperative hemodynamics. The goal of the study was to define optimal surgical approach to pheochromocytoma.

Methods: A total of 99 patients with pheochromocytoma were operated from 1990 to 2002.