Inflammation characterizes the course of acute and chronic diseases and is largely responsible for the metabolic and behavioral changes occurring during the clinical journey of patients. Robust data indicate that, during cancer, functional modifications within brain areas regulating energy homeostasis contribute to the onset of anorexia, reduced food intake, and increased catabolism of muscle m...

A clincally useful and reproducible radioimmunoassay for human homologous prolactin, established with commercially available reagents, was studied and validated. We present detailed conditions for iodination and purification of labeled prolactin and the optimal conditions for the assay. By the method, we found values (microgram/liter) as follows for serum prolactin: normal men. 8.9 +/- 5.2 (mea...

The dogma that life without insulin is incompatible has recently been challenged by results showing the viability of insulin-deficient rodents undergoing leptin monotherapy. Yet, the mechanisms underlying these actions of leptin are unknown. Here, the metabolic outcomes of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of leptin in mice devoid of insulin and lacking or re-expressing leptin rec...

This patient has cranial diabetes insipidus and hypoparathyroidism with low serum testosterone level and normal range FSH and LH. There was no evidence of granulomatous diseases, histiocytosis or sarcoidosis despite a history ofpolyuria for more than 10 years, although these may take years to manifest2 and diabetes insipidus may be an early manifestation. However, as has been reported,' about 3...

Mitochondrial dynamics is a term that encompasses the movement of mitochondria along the cytoskeleton, regulation of their architecture, and connectivity mediated by tethering and fusion/fission. The importance of these events in cell physiology and pathology has been partially unraveled with the identification of the genes responsible for the catalysis of mitochondrial fusion and fission. Muta...

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated in response to stress. One of the activated hypothalamic hormones is arginine vasopressin, a hormone involved in hemodynamics and osmoregulation. Copeptin, the C-terminal part of the arginine vasopressin precursor peptide, is a sensitive and stable surrogate marker for arginine vasopressin release. Measurement of copeptin levels has been show...

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones and their receptors expressed in the skin are known to function locally, but how these hormones affect the maintenance of skin homeostasis or the pathogenesis of skin diseases is not fully understood. We comprehensively reviewed the distribution and function of the central and peripheral HPA axis in various stress-related skin diseases. Previou...

“Stress” is a generic term used to describe non-specific responses of the organisms to all kinds of challenges [1]. Stress is an important feature of robustness, as it has important consequences on resistance to diseases (via inflammation processes and immune function). Its main agents are the cortisol (numerous mammals, fish) or corticosteroids (rodents, birds), released by the surrenal cortex...

Two cases of hypothalamic hamartomas causing gelastic epilepsy are described. The clinical presentations and the radiological features are presented, and the mechanisms involved in laughing attacks are discussed. The literature is reviewed and it is suggested the complete extirpation of the hamartomas is the treatment of choice in gelastic epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of hypnotherapy on resumption of menstruation in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). DESIGN Uncontrolled clinical study. SETTING Academic clinical care center. PATIENT(S) Twelve consecutive women with FHA were selected. INTERVENTION(S) A single 45- to 70-minute session of hypnotherapy was administered, and patients were observed for...