Summary Familial gastric cancer comprises at least three major syndromes: hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach, and familial intestinal ...gastric cancer. The risk of development of gastric cancer is high in families affected b-y these syndromes, but only hereditary diffuse gastric cancer is genetically explained (caused by germline alterations of CDH1 , which encodes E-cadherin). Gastric cancer is also associated with a range of several cancer-associated syndromes with known genetic causes, such as Lynch, Li-Fraumeni, Peutz-Jeghers, hereditary breast–ovarian cancer syndromes, familial adenomatous polyposis, and juvenile polyposis. We present contemporary knowledge on the genetics, pathogenesis, and clinical features of familial gastric cancer, and discuss research and technological developments, which together are expected to open avenues for new genetic testing approaches and novel therapeutic strategies.
We present (homepage: www.ufsm.br) herein the application of copper nanoparticles/diorganyl dichalcogenides to promote the synthesis of 2‐(organochalcogen)thiazoles via direct carbon‐hydrogen bond ...activation in thiazoles. A systematic study of the catalytic system revealed that the presence and amount of base played an essential role in this reaction. The results revealed that electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents, in the aromatic ring bonded to the chalcogen atom of diorganyl dichalcogenides, required one equiv. of base, while when neutral substituents were present two equiv. of base were needed to deliver the products in similar yields.
Reduced inflammation, increased insulin sensitivity, and protection against cancer are shared between humans and mice with GH/IGF1 deficiency. Beyond hormone levels, miRNAs are important regulators ...of metabolic changes associated with healthy aging. We hypothesized that GH deficiency in humans alters the abundance of circulating miRNAs and that a subset of those miRNAs may overlap with those found in GH‐deficient mice. In this study, subjects with untreated congenital isolated GH deficiency (IGHD; n = 23) and control subjects matched by age and sex (n = 23) were recruited and serum was collected for miRNA sequencing. Serum miRNAs from young (6 month) and old (22 month) Ames dwarf (df/df) mice with GH deficiency and their WT littermates (n = 5/age/genotype group) were used for comparison. We observed 14 miRNAs regulated with a genotype by age effect and 19 miRNAs regulated with a genotype effect independent of age in serum of IGHD subjects. These regulated miRNAs are known for targeting pathways associated with longevity such as mTOR, insulin signaling, and FoxO. The aging function was overrepresented in IGHD individuals, mediated by hsa‐miR‐31, hsa‐miR‐146b, hsa‐miR‐30e, hsa‐miR‐100, hsa‐miR‐181b‐2, hsa‐miR‐195, and hsa‐miR‐181b‐1, which target the FoxO and mTOR pathways. Intriguingly, miR‐181b‐5p, miR‐361‐3p, miR‐144‐3p, and miR‐155‐5p were commonly regulated in the serum of humans and GH‐deficient mice. In vitro assays confirmed target genes for the main up‐regulated miRNAs, suggesting miRNAs regulated in IGHD individuals can regulate the expression of age‐related genes. These findings indicate that systemic miRNAs regulated in IGHD individuals target pathways involved in aging in both humans and mice.
In this study we investigated serum regulated miRNAs in GH deficient humans and mice. We observed that some miRNAs are commonly regulated in both species. These miRNAs target pathways involved in aging in both humans and mice.
Objectives
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the entire human body. During arm elevation, it requires the integrity of a set of muscles, bones, and tendons. Individuals with short stature ...often need to raise their arms above the shoulder girdle and may have functional restriction or shoulder injuries. The impact of isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) on joints remains not well defined. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the function and structure of the shoulder in short-statured adult individuals with untreated IGHD due to the same homozygous mutation in the GHRH receptor gene.
Methods
A cross-sectional study (evidence 3) was carried out in 20 GH-naive IGHD subjects and 20 age-matched controls. They completed the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire and shoulder ultrasound (US). Thickness of the anterior, medial, and posterior portions of the supraspinatus tendon and of subacromial space was measured, and the number of individuals with tendinosis or tearing of the supraspinatus tendon was registered.
Results
DASH score was similar between IGHD and controls, but IGHD subjects complained less of symptoms (
p
= 0.002). The number of individual with tears was higher in the controls (
p
= 0.02). As expected, the absolute US measurements were lower in IGHD, but the magnitude of the reduction was most pronounced in the thickness of the anterior portion of the supraspinatus tendon.
Conclusion
Adults with lifetime IGHD do not have functional shoulder restrictions, complain less of problems in performing upper extremity activities, and have fewer tendinous injuries than controls.
Purpose
The separation between the inside and outside through the skin was fundamental for the evolution of prevertebrates, which grow through extrapituitary circuits, to vertebrates, which grow ...through the somatotrophic axis, namely pituitary growth hormone (GH). and circulating IGF1.Individuals with untreated isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency (IGHD) due to a mutation in the GH-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH) gene, residing in Itabaianinha, Brazil, are vulnerable to skin cancer and have reduced sweating. However other aspects of their skin physiology are still unknown. Our objectives were to evaluate the number of skin cancers, skin aging, and functional aspects of the skin in this IGHD cohort.
Methods
Twenty-six IGHD individuals and 26 controls matched by age, sex, ethnicity, and occupation were submitted to a biochemical, dermatological and a functional skin assessment by the Multi Probe Adapter Cutometer® MPA 580.
Results
There was no difference in the number of skin cancers and in the degrees of photodamage between the groups. The melanin content in the forearm was similar between the groups but was lower in the buttocks (
p
= 0.005), as well as skin resistance (
p
< 0.0001) and elasticity (
p
= 0.003), lower in the IGHD. There was no difference in hydration and sebum content between the two groups.
Conclusion
IGHD is apparently associated with a neutral profile in terms of skin cancer and photodamage, with similar melanin on the forearm and lower buttocks, lower skin resistance and elasticity, with hydration and sebum similar to controls.
Trauma is the leading cause of death in individuals less than 45 years old worldwide, and up to 50% of trauma fatalities are because of brain injury. Prediction of outcome is one of the major ...problems associated with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and research efforts have focused on the investigation of biomarkers with prognostic value after TBI. Therefore, our aim was to investigate whether cell-free DNA concentrations correlated to short-term primary outcome (survival or death) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores after severe TBI. A total of 188 patients with severe TBI were enrolled in this prospective study; outcome variables comprised survival and neurological assessment using the GCS at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Control blood samples were obtained from 25 healthy volunteers. Peripheral venous blood was collected at admission to the ICU. Plasma DNA was measured using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the β-globin gene. There was correlation between higher DNA levels and both fatal outcome and lower hospital admission GCS scores. Plasma DNA concentrations at the chosen cutoff point (≥171,381 kilogenomes-equivalents/L) predicted mortality with a specificity of 90% and a sensitivity of 43%. Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated plasma DNA levels were independently associated with death (p<0.001). In conclusion, high cell-free DNA concentration was a predictor of short-term mortality after severe TBI.
Objectives
Cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) is a major cause of death and disability. The role of the GH/IGF-I axis on CeVD risk is controversial. Patients with GH deficiency (GHD) in the setting of ...hypopituitarism often exhibit CeVD predisposing factors, like low nitric oxide generation, endothelial dysfunction, increased visceral fat mass, increased levels of LDL cholesterol, and increased intima-media thickness, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. However, several confounders such as the primary hypothalamic–pituitary lesion, hormonal replacement therapies, consequences of surgery and radiotherapy, may influence this relationship. Therefore, we decided to assess cerebral vasoreactivity, a surrogate marker of CeVD, in adult subjects with untreated isolated GHD (IGHD) due to the same homozygous null mutation in the GHRH receptor gene.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 25 adult IGHD subjects and 25 age- and gender-matched controls. Interview, physical examination, laboratory data, intima-media thickness measurement, and transcranial Doppler were performed. The intracranial hemodynamics (mean flow velocity, pulsatility and resistance indexes) were measured, and the response to the vasodilatory stimulus by breath-holding maneuver (breath-holding index) was calculated.
Results
IGHD and control groups were similar in Framingham risk score and intima-media thickness. Similarly, there was no difference in mean flow velocity, pulsatility, resistance, and breath-holding index.
Conclusions
Lifetime, untreated IGHD does not cause impaired cerebral vasoreactivity.
Abstract
Context
GH and IGF-1 are crucial for attainment of normal body size and regulation of food intake, nutrient storage, and insulin sensitivity. Enteroendocrine connections exist between the ...GH–IGF-1 axis and insulin, ghrelin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). The status of these connections in GH deficiency (GHD) is unknown.
Objective
To study the enteroendocrine connections before and after a standard meal test in a homogeneous population of adults with congenital untreated isolated GHD (IGHD) due to a mutation in the GHRH receptor gene.
Design
In a cross-sectional study of 20 individuals with IGHD and 20 control subjects, we measured glucose, insulin, ghrelin, and GLP-1 before and 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after a standardized test meal. Homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-β were calculated. Participants scored feelings of hunger, fullness, and prospective food consumption on a visual analog scale.
Main Outcome Measures
Area under the curve (AUC) values of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, GLP-1, hunger, fullness, and prospective food consumption.
Results
Fasting HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were lower in individuals with IGHD than in control subjects (P = 0.002 and P = 0.023, respectively). AUC was higher for hunger (P < 0.0001), glucose (P = 0.0157), ghrelin (P < 0.0001), and GLP-1 (P < 0.0001) and smaller for fullness (P < 0.0001) in individuals with IGHD compared with control subjects. There was no difference in AUC for prospective food consumption or insulin.
Conclusions
Untreated IGHD is associated with increased GLP-1 secretion and reduced postprandial ghrelin and hunger attenuation in response to a mixed meal. These enteroendocrine connections can result in a favorable outcome in terms of environmental adaptation and guaranteeing appropriate food intake and can confer metabolic benefits.
In response to a mixed meal, subjects with isolated GH deficiency have blunted ghrelin suppression and secrete more GLP-1.
Post-mortem tissues samples are a key resource for investigating patterns of gene expression. However, the processes triggered by death and the post-mortem interval (PMI) can significantly alter ...physiologically normal RNA levels. We investigate the impact of PMI on gene expression using data from multiple tissues of post-mortem donors obtained from the GTEx project. We find that many genes change expression over relatively short PMIs in a tissue-specific manner, but this potentially confounding effect in a biological analysis can be minimized by taking into account appropriate covariates. By comparing ante- and post-mortem blood samples, we identify the cascade of transcriptional events triggered by death of the organism. These events do not appear to simply reflect stochastic variation resulting from mRNA degradation, but active and ongoing regulation of transcription. Finally, we develop a model to predict the time since death from the analysis of the transcriptome of a few readily accessible tissues.
PDF
