Publications

Constraining near-fault ground motion simulations : the potential of observations of displaced grave slabs

No abstract is provided for this article.

Anthropometric cut-off values identifying Greek children at risk of hypertension: the Healthy Growth Study

Depression and Osteoporosis in Men: Association or Casual Link?

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in HIV Infection and Disease

Pharmacology of ovine and human CRH.

In primates, ovine and human CRH cause ACTH- and cortisol secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. Ovine CRH has a half-life, which is about three times longer than that of human CRH and results in long lasting ACTH- and cortisol responses. Plasma ACTH- and cortisol rises after administration of human CRH mimic the spontaneously occurring secretory episodes of these hormones in man. Pulsatile administration of human CRH restores the diurnal secretory pattern of ACTH and cortisol to normal in patients with apparent CRH deficiency. Facial and upper body flush occur in about 20% of patients receiving intravenously a 1 microgram/kg dose of CRH. Higher doses result in hypotension due to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. The latter is primarily due to dilatation of the superior mesenteric vessels. In in vitro models desensitization of the pituitary corticotroph by continuous, high-dose CRH administration occurs. No down-regulation of ACTH- and cortisol secretion has been shown in vivo, however. Pituitary-adrenal responsiveness to CRH can be modulated by many factors. These factors are involved in the basal regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and in its activation during the stress response. Such factors include AVP, morphine, DAMME, and drugs modulating the endogenous serotoninergic and GABA/benzodiazepine system. Glucocorticoid feedback inhibition of the pituitary is one of the most important factors modulating ACTH- and cortisol responses to CRH. A negative correlation exists between the net ACTH- and cortisol response to exogenous CRH and the basal cortisol plasma concentration. Replacement doses of glucocorticoid result in a drastic decrease of basal plasma concentrations of cortisol and adrenal androgens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Congenital Hypopituitarism: Various Genes, Various Phenotypes

Abstract The ontogenesis and development of the pituitary gland is a highly complex process that depends on a cascade of transcription factors and signaling molecules. Spontaneous mutations and transgenic murine models have demonstrated a role for many of these factors, including HESX1, PROP1, PIT1, LHX3, LHX4, SOX2, SOX3, OTX2, PAX6, FGFR1, SHH, GLI2, and FGF8 in the etiology of congenital hypopituitarism. Genetic mutations in any of these factors can lead to congenital hypopituitarism, which is characterized by the deficiency in one or more pituitary hormones. The phenotype can be highly variable, consisting of isolated hypopituitarism or more complex disorders. The same phenotype can be attributed to different gene mutations; while a given gene mutation can induce different phenotypes. This review highlights the genetic variations that lead to congenital hypopituitarism and their associated defects. The overall incidence of mutations in known transcription factors in patients with hypopituitarism is low; therefore many gene mutations or even gene- epigenetic interactions have to be unraveled in the future to explain the vast majority of still unclear cases of congenital hypopituitarism.

Intake and contribution of food groups to vitamin D intake in a representative sample of adult Greek population

Development of a Multi-Disciplinary Intervention for the Treatment of Childhood Obesity Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Along the lines of the evidence-based recommendations, we developed a multi-disciplinary intervention for overweight children 7- to 12-years-old, primarily aiming at helping children to adopt healthier eating habits and a physically active lifestyle. The program combined nutrition intervention, based on a non-dieting approach, with physical activity intervention, implemented through the basic principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with parental support. The program was conducted by dieticians with the collaboration of child psychiatrists and pediatricians. Training and regular supervision upon CBT priniciples application was intended to enhance dieticians' efficiency. The intervention is currently being evaluated to determine its effectiveness in treating childhood obesity.

NGAL and cystatin C: two possible early markers of diabetic nephropathy in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: one year follow up

The Hpa Axis and the Stress Response

(2000). The Hpa Axis and the Stress Response. Endocrine Research: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 513-514.

Frontmatter

Future of Exosome Bioinformatics

Seismic Performance Uncertainty Estimation via IDA with Progressive Accelerogram-Wise Latin Hypercube Sampling

An algorithm is proposed for the rapid estimation of the influence of model parameter uncertainties on the seismic performance of structures using incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) and Monte Carlo simulation with Latin hypercube sampling. It builds upon existing methods that quantify the uncertainty for structural models with nondeterministic parameters by performing IDA with multiple ground motion records on each model realization out of a predetermined sample. However, their practical application is restricted due to (1) the inability to determine a priori the required number of samples and (2) the disproportionate increase of the number of analyses in realistic multiparameter models. To address these issues, two fundamental changes are incorporated. First, Latin hypercube sampling is applied progressively by starting with a small sample that is doubled successively until the desired accuracy is achieved. Second, parameter sampling is performed on a record-by-record basis rather than maintaining the same model over an entire record suite, thus expanding the model sample size without increasing the number of nonlinear dynamic analyses. Using strong-column and weak-column models of a steel moment-resisting frame, the algorithm is shown to possess excellent scalability, extending the original methodology to be applicable to large-scale models with hundreds of random variables.

Functional MRI Techniques Suggesting that the Stress System Interacts with Three Large Scale Core Brain Networks to Help Coordinate the Adaptive Response: A Systematic Review

Synthesis of functional MRI (fMRI) and functional connectivity (FC) analysis data on human stress system (SS) function, as it relates to the dynamic function of the Salience (SN), Default Mode (DMN) and Central Executive (CEN) networks.

A Novel Point Mutation in Helix 11 of the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Human Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Causing Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance

Generalized glucocorticoid resistance is a rare condition characterized by partial, end-organ insensitivity to glucocorticoids, compensatory elevations in adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol secretion, and increased production of adrenal steroids with androgenic and/or mineralocorticoid activity. We have identified a new case of glucocorticoid resistance caused by a novel mutation of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) gene and studied the molecular mechanisms through which the mutant receptor impairs glucocorticoid signal transduction.We identified a novel, single, heterozygous nucleotide (T --> C) substitution at position 2209 (exon 9alpha) of the hGR gene, which resulted in phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) substitution at amino acid position 737 within helix 11 of the ligand-binding domain of the protein. Compared with the wild-type receptor, the mutant receptor hGRalphaF737L demonstrated a significant ligand-exposure time-dependent decrease in its ability to transactivate the glucocorticoid-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus promoter in response to dexamethasone and displayed a 2-fold reduction in the affinity for ligand, a 12-fold delay in nuclear translocation, and an abnormal interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 coactivator. The mutant receptor preserved its ability to bind to DNA and exerted a dominant-negative effect on the wild-type hGRalpha only after a short duration of exposure to the ligand.The mutant receptor hGRalphaF737L causes generalized glucocorticoid resistance because of decreased affinity for the ligand, marked delay in nuclear translocation, and/or abnormal interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 coactivator. These findings confirm the importance of the C terminus of the ligand-binding domain of the receptor in conferring transactivational activity.

Women's health and disease : gynecologic, endocrine, and reproductive issues

Sex differences in sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Selective venous sampling from the cavernous sinuses is not a more reliable technique than sampling from the inferior petrosal sinuses in Cushing's syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to compare ACTH levels in unstimulated samples obtained from the cavernous sinuses (CS) to unstimulated and CRH-stimulated samples obtained from the inferior petrosal sinuses (IPS) in 15 patients with surgically proven Cushing's disease. After unstimulated samples were obtained through 5-French catheters placed in both IPS, tracker catheters were introduced into both cavernous sinuses, and unstimulated samples were obtained within 5 min of the initial set. The Tracker catheters were removed, CRH was administered, and CRH-stimulated samples were obtained from the IPS. We compared the central to peripheral ACTH ratios in unstimulated samples from the cavernous sinuses to unstimulated and CRH-stimulated samples from the IPS as a basis for distinguishing pituitary from ectopic ACTH production. In addition, we compared the ability of the intercavernous and interpetrosal ACTH ratios to correctly predict the site of the microadenoma. Unstimulated levels of ACTH in the cavernous sinuses were generally higher than unstimulated levels of ACTH in the petrosal sinuses. However, 3 of 15 patients failed to show central to peripheral ACTH ratios greater than 2 in unstimulated samples from the cavernous sinuses and were thus falsely negative for the diagnosis of Cushing's disease (test sensitivity, 80%). By comparison, the test sensitivity for the petrosal sinus samples was 87% for the unstimulated samples and 100% for the CRH-stimulated samples. Lateralization was correct in 6 of 15 patients based on CS samples and in 9 of 15 patients based on IPS samples. Because of the 20% false negative rate, CS sampling without CRH stimulation is not recommended for the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism.