Gigantism Research Articles

An introduction to “Gigantism and Acromegaly: Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment”

An introduction to “Gigantism and Acromegaly: Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment”

Standardization of Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Measurement.

Determination of serum levels of GH and IGF-I is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency and disorders related to GH excess such as acromegaly and pituitary gigantism. However, significant discrepancies in measured GH values among the methods were observed around the world. In Japan, the Study Committee for GH and Its Related Factors of The Foundation for Growth Science standardized GH values measured with various commercially available GH assay kits by creating formulas to adjust them to their averages. The committee also established reference values for IGF-I in Japanese subjects at all ages from childhood to adulthood. Internationally, collaborators have been working on the harmonization of GH measurements.

A REVIEW OF THE BIOLOGY OF RAFFLESIA: WHAT DO WE KNOW AND WHAT’S NEXT?

A literature review was conducted to summarize information, particularly recently published, on the biology of Rafflesia . By far most of the recent papers on Rafflesia have named new species. Since 2002, ten species have been discovered in the Philippines compared to three species in Indonesia. Recent work also has explored phylogenetics (e.g. evolutionary history of the genus and of floral gigantism, horizontal transfer of genes and loss of the chloroplast genome) and anatomy (e.g. endophyte, flower development); other studies have focused on biochemistry. Unfortunately, we still know very little about the life cycle, biology and ecological relations of Rafflesia . Population declines have been noted as related to habitat destruction or natural disturbances but other times the cause(s) are unknown. Questions remain unanswered on its reproductive biology and on its population genetic structure and diversity. With changing climates, long-term population studies in relation to environmental parameters are needed for Rafflesia conservation.

Beyond the Adenoma Valley: from FIPA to gigantism and back

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Gigantism, acromegaly and GPR101

Gigantism, acromegaly and GPR101

The Oldest Recorded Case of Acromegaly and Gigantism in Iran.

Here we commemorate the character and academic authority of Prof. Zabiholah Gorban (1903-2006), the founder of Shiraz medical school. No doubt, in the scope of history of contemporary medicine, he has been efficient and effective. With respect to this fact, his article on a rare case described in Acta anatomica published in Iran in 1966, entitled (Observations on a giant skeleton) is browsed and reviewed. A case named Siah Khan with combined acromegaly and gigantism that appears to have letters to say still after nearly half a century.

AB085. Imprinting mutation of CDKN1C in Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: inheritance, genetic counselling and surveillance

Background Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS), a genetic overgrowth disorder is typified by exomphalos, macroglossia and neonatal gigantism. The molecular basis is known in approximately 80% of patients and is heterogeneous involving epigenetic and genetic changes at chromosome 11p15.5. An uncommon cause is a point mutation at CDKN1C found in approximately 5% of cases. When found, 1/3 of CDKN1C mutation is familial. We describe the first Malaysian family with CDKN1C mutation c.232C > T (Q78X), their clinical features, issues related to genetic counselling and subsequent follow-up.

Relationship between aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein gene expression and clinical characteristics in human pituitary somatotrophinomas

Objective To investigate the expression of aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Interacting protein (AIP)gene mutations and relationship with clinical biochemical characteristics in human somatotropinomas. Methods From October 2009 to September 2012, 96 acromegaly or gigantism patients were diagnosed in a single pituitary center, with consistent treatment and follow-up. Genomic DNA from tumor tissues was extracted and sequenced. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Overall,55 patients(57.3%)had one or more single base substitutions in AIP gene from their tumor tissues. Thirteen point mutations were detected in total, and 5 novel ones(c. 609C> G, c. 646- 38C> T, c. 646- 35C> T, c. 646- 34A> T and c. 692C> T)were firstly reported according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)database. Somatic AIPmut group showed characteristics as younger onset age(P<0.05), larger tumor diameter(P<0.05), higher invasiveness and aggressiveness(P< 0.05), and more prevalence in recurrent tumors(P<0.05),than the negative group. Conclusion Somatic AIP gene mutation screen may be clinically crucial for the substantial treatment and outcome prejudgement, as well as the follow- up duration and frequency. The treatment strategy for AIPmut patients remains stressful; in the meanwhile, the role of AIP gene in the pathogenesis of somatotropinomas await more investigation. Key words: Somatotrophinoma; Growth hormone; Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein gene; Mutation

Industrial Giantism and the Mythos of Progress

Industrial Giantism and the Mythos of Progress

Macrodystrophia Lipomatosa: A casereport

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare congenital anomaly of localized gigantism, characterized by progressive overgrowth of all mesenchymal components, particularly fibroadipose tissue. The anomaly occurs frequently in the distribution regions of the median nerve in the upper extremity and the plantar nerve in the lower extremity. It is usually noticed at birth with predominately unilateral distal involvement of the digits. The cause of this condition is still unknown. Physicians use the patient's clinical history, physical examination, and imaging techniques to diagnose the condition, with characteristic imaging findings revealing macrodactyly with hypertrophy of the soft tissue and osseous structures. This study reports the case of a 3-year-old boy with macrodystrophia lipomatosa affecting the index and middle fingers of the left hand. Clinical presentation and radiographic imaging demonstrated typical findings, as reported in previous studies, but magnetic resonance imaging and histological examination revealed dominant fibrosis, instead of the fatty tissue characteristic to the condition.

The relative analysis of clinical endocrine features and pathological types of pituitary microadenomas

To study the relationship between the clinical presentation, endocrinal findings and pathological types in patients with pituitary microadenomas, so as to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and choose the best therapy strategy before the operation. From January 2007 to June 2009, the clinical data of 94 patients who were surgically removed pituitary microadenomas were obtained, including the clinical presentation, endocrinal findings and pathological diagnosis. The analysis was accomplished with Chi-square test. Hormonal symptoms were found in 86 patients (91.5%), it occurred more frequently in immunopositive patients (85/92, 92.4%) than in immunonegative patients (1/2, 50.0%) (P < 0.05). The coincidence of hormonal symptoms and immunohistochemistry diagnosis was 71.7%; 88.9% patients had the symptoms of amenorrhea, galactorrhea and sexual function diseases in prolactin (PRL) positive group and 28.1% patients had the symptoms of gigantism or acromegaly in growth hormone (GH) positive group. The coincidence of endocrinal findings and immunohistochemistry diagnosis was 69.0%; 87.7% patients had high level of blood PRL in PRL positive group and 21.9% patients had high level of blood GH in GH positive group. There is an obvious relationship between the clinical presentation, endocrinal findings and pathological diagnosis in patients with pituitary microadenomas, which may contribute to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pituitary secreting microadenomas.

Bigger Isn't Always Better: Challenging Corporate Giantism

Bigger Isn't Always Better: Challenging Corporate Giantism

A 9‐year‐old Boy with Giantism

A 9‐year‐old Boy with Giantism

Pathology of growth hormone-producing tumors of the human pituitary.

This paper reviews the morphologic features of growth hormone-producing tumors of the human pituitary. These tumors are associated with elevated blood growth hormone levels and acromegaly or gigantism and can be classified into the following morphologically distinct entities by the combined application of histology, immunocytology, and electron microscopy: densely granulated growth hormone cell adenoma; sparsely granulated growth hormone cell adenoma; mixed growth hormone cell- prolactin cell-adenoma; acidophil stem cell adenoma; mammosomatotroph cell adenoma; growth hormone cell carcinoma; plurihormonal adenoma with growth hormone production.

Long-Term Treatment of a Metastasizing GRFoma with a Somatostatin Analogue (SMS 201-995) in a Girl with Gigantism

(1986). Long-Term Treatment of a Metastasizing GRFoma with a Somatostatin Analogue (SMS 201-995) in a Girl with Gigantism. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 21, No. sup119, pp. 238-242.

Drug-induced pineal gigantism in rabbits as a tool to study the pineal—gonadal interaction

Drug-induced pineal gigantism in rabbits as a tool to study the pineal—gonadal interaction

Corporate Giantism, Degradation of the Plane of Competition, and Countervailance

Corporate Giantism, Degradation of the Plane of Competition, and Countervailance

Sudden gigantism of breasts: Drug induced?

Sudden gigantism of breasts: Drug induced?

Sudden gigantism of breasts: Drug induced?

Sudden gigantism of breasts: Drug induced?

Hypothalamic gigantism

Hypothalamic gigantism