University of Pavia

About: University of Pavia is a education organization based out in Pavia, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 21173 authors who have published 52524 publications receiving 1610492 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Pavia & Università di Pavia.

TNM Staging of Neoplasms of the Endocrine Pancreas: Results From a Large International Cohort Study

Abstract: Results Differences in distribution of sex and age were observed for the ENETS TNM staging system. At Cox regression analysis, only the ENETS TNM staging system perfectly allocated patients into four statistically significantly different and equally populated risk groups (with stage I as the reference; stage II hazard ratio [HR] of death = 16.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.14 to 123, P = .007; stage III HR of death = 51.81, 95% CI = 7.11 to 377, P < .001; and stage IV HR of death = 160, 95% CI = 22.30 to 1143, P < .001). However, the UICC/AJCC/WHO 2010 TNM staging system compressed the disease into three differently populated classes, with most patients in stage I, and with the patients being equally distributed into stages II–III (statistically similar) and IV (with stage I as the reference; stage II HR of death = 9.57, 95% CI = 4.62 to 19.88, P < .001; stage III HR of death = 9.32, 95% CI = 3.69 to 23.53, P = .94; and stage IV HR of death = 30.84, 95% CI = 15.62 to 60.87, P < .001). Multivariable modeling indicated curative surgery, TNM staging, and grading were effective predictors of death, and grading was the second most effective independent predictor of survival in the absence of staging information. Though both TNM staging systems were independent predictors of survival, the UICC/AJCC/WHO 2010 TNM stages showed very large 95% confidence intervals for each stage, indicating an inaccurate predictive ability. Conclusion Our data suggest the ENETS TNM staging system is superior to the UICC/AJCC/WHO 2010 TNM staging system and supports its use in clinical practice.

Mouse Dax1 expression is consistent with a role in sex determination as well as in adrenal and hypothalamus function.

Abstract: Duplications of a chromosome Xp21 locus DSS (dosage sensitive sex reversal) are associated with male to female sex reversal. An unusual member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, DAX1, maps to the DSS critical region and is responsible for X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Here we describe the isolation of the mouse Dax1 gene and its pattern of expression during development. Expression was detected in the first stages of gonadal and adrenal differentiation and in the developing hypothalamus. Moreover, Dax1 expression is down-regulated coincident with overt differentiation in the testis, but persists in the developing ovary. Comparison of the predicted protein products of the human and mouse genes show that specific domains are evolving rapidly. Our results suggest a basis for adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males affected by adrenal hypoplasia congenita and are consistent with a role for DAX1 in gonadal sex determination.

Central Diabetes Insipidus in Children and Young Adults

Abstract: Background Central diabetes insipidus is rare in children and young adults, and up to 50 percent of cases are idiopathic. The clinical presentation and the long-term course of this disorder are largely undefined. Methods We studied all 79 patients with central diabetes insipidus who were seen at four pediatric endocrinology units between 1970 and 1996. There were 37 male and 42 female patients whose median age at diagnosis was 7.0 years (range, 0.1 to 24.8). All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and periodic studies of anterior pituitary function. The median duration of follow-up was 7.6 years (range, 1.6 to 26.2). Results The causes of the central diabetes insipidus were Langerhans'-cell histiocytosis in 12 patients, an intracranial tumor in 18 patients, a skull fracture in 2 patients, and autoimmune polyendocrinopathy in 1 patient; 5 patients had familial disease. The cause was considered to be idiopathic in 41 patients (52 percent). In 74 patients (94 percent) the posterior pituitary ...

Whole-muscle and single-fibre contractile properties and myosin heavy chain isoforms in humans

Abstract: The contractile characteristics of three human muscle groups (triceps surae, quadriceps femoris and triceps brachii) of seven young male subjects were examined. The contractile properties were determined from electrically evoked isometric responses and compared with fibre type composition determined from needle biopsy samples. Fibre types were identified using myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms as molecular markers with gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and histochemical ATPase staining. Four contractile parameters (twitch time to peak torque, the maximal rate of torque development, frequency response and fatiguability) were found to be related to fibre type composition. From the biopsy samples, single muscle fibres were isolated and chemically skinned. Isometric tension (Po) unloaded shortening velocity (Vo) and rate of tension rise (dP/dt) were determined. Each fibre was classified on the basis of its MHC isoform composition determined by SDS-PAGE. Fibres belonging to the same type showed identical contractile parameters regardless of the muscle of origin, except minor differences in Po of the fast fibres and dP/dt of slow fibres. The results are in favour of the conclusion that fibre type composition, determined using MHC isoforms as markers, is the major determinant of the diversity of contractile properties among human muscle groups.