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New Disease (new + disease)
Selected AbstractsExpanding the Scope of Hypertension: Are We Creating New Diseases?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 9 2006Michael A. Weber MD Senior Editor First page of article [source] Progressive supranuclear palsy: New disease or variant of postencephalitic parkinsonism?MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2004Adolfo Brusa MD Abstract We review the etiological importance of the epidemic encephalitis for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and addresses the question of whether the explosion of PSP literature in the mid-20th century reflects the appearance of a new disease. We examined 2,000 studies on Parkinson's disease from 1861 to 1963 and found PSP-like cases in the past, before the epidemic encephalitis era. It can be assumed that PSP is neither a new disease nor a variant of postencephalitic parkinsonism. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society [source] New disease of coriander in Australia associated with a Microdochium speciesPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2003J. I. Dennis No abstract is available for this article. [source] Pemphigus Foliaceus Masquerading as Postoperative Wound Infection: Report of a Case and Review of the Koebner and Related Phenomenon following Surgical ProceduresDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2005Adam M. Rotunda MD Background The Koebner phenomenon, also known as the isomorphic response, is the development of preexisting skin disease following trauma to uninvolved skin. Various cutaneous disorders have been described to arise at surgical wounds and scars. Moreover, dermatologic procedures, such as cold-steel and laser surgery, can evoke koebnerization. Objective To describe a case of pemphigus foliaceus arising in postoperative wounds and to present a review of dermatologic disorders triggered by surgical procedures. Methods We report a case of pemphigus foliaceus initially presenting at sites of Mohs' micrographic surgery, shave biopsy, and cryotherapy and, subsequently, at a nonsurgical site. We reviewed the English literature in MEDLINE from November 1955 to April 2004 for reports of Koebner and related phenomenon following surgical procedures. Results To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pemphigus foliaceus erupting at surgical and cryotherapy wounds. The clinical appearance can mimic wound infection. In addition to inducing preexisting disease, cutaneous procedures can also trigger the onset of new disease, which can either be limited only to the surgical site or subsequently become generalized. Conclusion Postoperative Koebner or related responses should be included in the differential diagnosis of poorly healing surgical wounds. Skin biopsies for histopathology and immunologic studies may be necessary for definitive diagnosis and optimal management. ADAM M. ROTUNDA, MD, ANAND R. BHUPATHY, DO, ROBERT DYE, MD, AND TERESA T. SORIANO, MD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS. [source] A pre-Columbian case of congenital syphilis from Anatolia (Nicaea, 13th century AD)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Y. S. ErdalArticle first published online: 16 AUG 200 Abstract In this study, the skeleton of an approximately 15-year-old child, dating back to the Late Byzantine period (13th century AD) is examined with the aim of determining where this specimen fits in the continuing arguments on the origins of syphilis. It was unearthed during an excavation at an amphitheatre in Nicaea dating to the Roman period. The Nicaea specimen displays common symptoms found in the majority of people with congenital syphilis such as Hutchinson's incisor, mulberry molar, darkened enamel, radial scar on frontal bone, sabre tibia, syphilitic dactylitis, and gummatous and non-gummatous osteomyelitis on almost every post-cranial bone. Because of the sub-periosteal new bone formation, the medullary spaces in some long bones are narrowed or completely obliterated. These lesions, which were observed via macroscopic and radiological examination, reflect the late stages of congenital syphilis. The specimen, when examined together with increasing numbers of other finds from the Old World, contributes to the argument that venereal syphilis did exist in the Old World before 1493, and brings forward the need to revise the Columbian hypothesis, which maintains that syphilis is a new disease carried to the Old World from the New World by Columbus' crew. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rickets in the 17th Century,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2006Jeffrey LH O'Riordan Abstract Rickets was first documented as a cause of death in the Bills of Mortality for The City of London in 1634, but detailed descriptions were only published between 1645 and 1668. It was thought at the time that this was a new disease in England, but there was no indication as to the cause of the condition. However, air pollution from smoke produced by burning coal caused serious problems at that time, and so it can be suggested that vitamin D deficiency was responsible. [source] Occurrence of Alfalfa Bacterial Stem Blight Disease in Kurdistan Province, IranJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 10 2007B. Harighi Abstract During spring and summer of 2004 and 2005, a new disease of alfalfa was observed for the first time in some areas of the Kurdistan province in Iran. Symptoms were initially yellowed area on leaves, within which water-soaked, irregular spots developed. These spots eventually coalesced to produce large necrotic areas. Symptoms on petiole and stem include water-soaked lesions, which later turned brown. Gram negative and rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from infected tissues. From the results of LOPAT tests (levan production, oxidase reaction, potato soft rot, arginine dihydrolase and tobacco hypersensitivity) and other phenotypic, biochemical and physiological properties investigated, the causal bacterium have been identified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Pathogenicity of selected strains was confirmed by injecting a bacterial suspension into leaf tissue from the underside of leaves. [source] Experience of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Singapore: Importation of Cases, and Defense Strategies at the AirportJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003Annelies Wilder-Smith Background The importation of SARS was responsible for the outbreaks in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Canada at a time when this new disease had not been identified. We report the incidence and impact of cases of SARS imported to Singapore between 25 February and 31 May 2003, and describe national measures to prevent further importation. Methods Information on imported cases of SARS and measures taken at entry points to Singapore was retrieved from the Ministry of Health and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Results Of the 6 imported cases, which all occurred before screening measures were implemented at the airport, only the first resulted in extensive secondary transmission. Of 442,973 air passengers screened after measures were implemented, 136 were sent to a designated hospital for further SARS screening; none was diagnosed as having SARS. Conclusions The SARS outbreak in Singapore can be traced to the first imported case. The absence of transmission from the other imported cases was probably a result of relatively prompt identification and isolation of cases, together with a low potential for transmission. New imported SARS cases therefore need not lead to major outbreaks if systems are in place to identify and isolate them early. Screening at entry points is costly, has a low yield and is not sufficient in itself, but may be justified in light of the major economic, social and international impact which even a single imported SARS case may have. [source] Labyrinthula terrestris: a new pathogen of cool-season turfgrassesMOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2007MARY W. OLSEN ABSTRACT A new disease of turfgrass known as rapid blight is caused by Labyrinthula terrestris, a newly described member of the Labyrinthulids. This unusual group of microorganisms previously has been found in marine systems, and L. terrestris is the only member of the genus Labyrinthula known to be a pathogen of terrestrial plants. Members of this genus are defined by the formation of ectoplasmic networks in which the unicellular somatic cells move or ,glide'. Infections of cool-season turfgrasses occur most commonly when they are irrigated with suboptimal irrigation water with elevated salinity. Disease has been observed in 11 states in the United States and in the United Kingdom. A phylogenetic study indicates that isolates from turfgrass in the United States fall firmly within a clade containing other Labyrinthula spp. and that they came from a common lineage. Its rapid emergence as a turfgrass pathogen may coincide with increased use of relatively high-salinity water or reclaimed water for irrigation. L. terrestris is a potential problem in susceptible turfgrass varieties wherever soil salinity is allowed to accumulate as a result of poor soil structure or suboptimal quality irrigation water is used for irrigation. [source] Progressive supranuclear palsy: New disease or variant of postencephalitic parkinsonism?MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2004Adolfo Brusa MD Abstract We review the etiological importance of the epidemic encephalitis for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and addresses the question of whether the explosion of PSP literature in the mid-20th century reflects the appearance of a new disease. We examined 2,000 studies on Parkinson's disease from 1861 to 1963 and found PSP-like cases in the past, before the epidemic encephalitis era. It can be assumed that PSP is neither a new disease nor a variant of postencephalitic parkinsonism. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society [source] Phytophthora pinifolia sp. nov. associated with a serious needle disease of Pinus radiata in ChilePLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2008A. Durán During the course of the past three years, a new disease of Pinus radiata, referred to as ,Dańo Foliar del Pino' (DFP) has appeared in the Arauco province of Chile and subsequently spread to other areas. The disease is typified by needle infections, exudation of resin at the bases of the needle brachyblasts and, in younger trees, necrotic lesions in the cambium, which eventually girdle the branches. The disease causes the death of young seedlings and mature trees can also succumb after a few years of successive infection, probably hastened by opportunistic fungi such as Diplodia pinea. Isolations on selective medium for Phytophthora spp. led to the consistent isolation of a Phytophthora sp. from needle tissue. DNA sequence comparisons for the ITS rDNA and cox II gene regions, and morphological observation showed that this oomycete represents a previously undescribed species for which the name Phytophthora pinifolia sp. nov. is provided. This new species is characterized by unbranched sporangiophores, and non-papillate, sub-globose to ovoid sporangia that are occasionally free from the sporangiophore with medium length pedicels. Despite using a number of oospore inducing techniques, oogonia/antheridia were not observed in isolates of P. pinifolia. Pathogenicity trials with P. pinifolia showed that it is pathogenic to P. radiata and causes rapid death of the succulent apical parts of young plants. Phytophthora pinifolia is the first Phytophthora known to be associated with needles and shoots of a Pinus sp. and its aerial habit is well matched with the occurrence and symptoms of DFP in Chile. [source] Basil little leaf: a new disease associated with a phytoplasma of the 16SrI (Aster Yellows) group in CubaPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Y. Arocha No abstract is available for this article. [source] Cashew leaf and nut blight , a new disease of cashew in Tanzania caused by Cryptosporiopsis spp.PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2006M. E. R. Sijaona No abstract is available for this article. [source] ,Brotes grandes' (big bud) of potato: a new disease associated with a 16SrI-B subgroup phytoplasma in BoliviaPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005P. Jones No abstract is available for this article. [source] A Generalized Caprine-like Hypoplasia Syndrome is localized within a 6-cM interval on bovine chromosome 13 in the Montbéliarde breedANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2008A. Duchesne Summary Caprine-like Generalized Hypoplasia Syndrome (or SHGC) is a new hereditary disorder described in the Montbéliarde breed. We report here the characterization of this new disease, based on the visual examination of animals affected by SHGC, and on physiological and biochemical studies undertaken on samples of both SHGC and normal animals. Biological samples for more than 150 affected calves and their parents have been collected over the past 4 years within the framework of the Bovine Genetic Disease Observatory. First, pedigree analyses showed that the mode of inheritance is most probably autosomal recessive. Then, a genome scan with 113 animals and 140 microsatellite markers revealed a single locus within a 35-cM region on bovine chromosome 13. Genotypes of 261 animals for 18 new microsatellite markers from the region confirmed the localization of the disorder to a 6-cM interval. Finally, based on the analysis of haplotypes in 463 Montbéliarde sires, we estimated the frequency of the SHGC mutated allele in the population and could propose a strategy for the systematic eradication of this disorder in the near future. [source] Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: implications for the health care systemAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2005R. A. Dunstan The recognition of the first cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1996 and the realisation that this new disease represented the human form of the cattle disease BSE has prompted a considerable investment in research, particularly in the UK, Europe and the United States (US). Much has been learnt about this disease but much is still unknown. Infectivity is not destroyed by conventional sterilisation and disinfection treatment methods. This, combined with the widespread distribution throughout the lymphoid system as well as the central nervous system, raises the spectre of transmission through both surgical and ophthalmological procedures. Reports in 2004 of two likely transfusion-transmitted cases of vCJD suggest the probability of infection through blood transfusion and tissue transplantation. The risk of hospital-based and community-based transmission has not been quantified. To complicate matters even further, there is no suitable ante-mortem screening test or effective treatment for this fatal disease. The incubation period prior to onset of clinical disease is many years and there is good evidence for the existence of subclinical infection and infectivity during this stage. The extent of under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis is probably significant, adding to the risk of human-to-human transmission. [source] Case series of 406 vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients: a demographic and epidemiological studyACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2006Andrea Leonardi Abstract. Purpose:,To evaluate the specific allergic sensitization and epidemiological characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Methods:,This retrospective non-comparative case series included 406 VKC patients. Data included patient and family histories, and results of allergic tests. Annual incidence and prevalence rates were calculated for a cohort of 128 VKC patients from the greater Padua area. Results:,The great majority of VKC patients were male (76%), with a male : female ratio of 3.3 : 1. A skin prick test, specific serum IgE or conjunctival challenge was positive in 43%, 56% and 58% of patients, respectively. In the cohort of patients from the Padua area, the prevalence of the disease was 7.8/100 000, with a higher rate in young males (57/100 000) compared with young females (22/100 000), and lower rates in people over 16 years of age (3.8/100 000 in males, 1/100 000 in females). The incidence of VKC was 1/100 000, with a higher rate in males under 16 years of age (10/100 000) compared with females (4.2/100 000). In people over 16 years of age, the incidence of the disease was 0.06/100 000, with no difference between males and females. Conclusion:,An IgE-mediated sensitization was found in only half of the VKC patients. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is not a rare event in the paediatric population but is an extremely rare new disease in adults. [source] Changes in age-associated neurodegenerative diseases in the last half centuryGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2002Asao Hirano Age-associated neurodegenerative diseases are a serious and growing problem for mankind, and their etiologies are still unknown. The author has been studying the neuropathology of fatal neurodegenerative diseases endemic to the native Chamorro population on Guam during the last half a century. During this time, remarkable advances in scientific technology, such as the application of electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics, have contributed to numerous discoveries in classic neurological diseases. In addition, various new diseases have been recognized. This communication reviews Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase positive Lewy body-like inclusions in the anterior horn cells, in order to elucidate these pathological findings as well as remarkable changes observed in certain other age-related neurodegenerative diseases. [source] The new approach to assignment of ASFA categories,Introduction to the fourth special issue: Clinical applications of therapeutic apheresis,,JOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 3 2007Zbigniew M. Szczepiorkowski Abstract The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Apheresis Applications Committee is responsible for a review and categorization of indications for therapeutic apheresis. The results of the review process were previously published in 1986, 1993, and 2000 as the ASFA Special Issues. The ASFA categories consist of categories I through IV, and category P (pending). This article describes the novel methodology, based on structured systematic review of the published literature, used to assign categories for indications for therapeutic apheresis. This is the first time each entity is presented as a fact sheet, which summarizes the evidence for the use of therapeutic apheresis. A detailed description of the fact sheet format and the individual fact sheets for categories I through III and category P are presented in the main article of this Special Issue. The diseases assigned to category IV are discussed in a separate article in this issue. Information on how the Apheresis Applications Committee proposes to include new diseases for category assignment is also provided. J. Clin. Apheresis., 2007 © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] How to handle the threat of catastropheJOURNAL OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 6 2003Carol Sánchez One major task CEOs face is to minimize risk and vulnerability to catastrophic events. Since 9/11, we know that simply having insurance,and conventional emergency planning,is not enough. And in addition to global terrorism, other catastrophes threaten,including cyber crime and new diseases like SARS. Traditional risk management strategies dealt with two types of danger: known and unknown risk. But now we also have a third kind: unknowable risk! So how should we handle catastrophic threats today? © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Current usage of nomenclature for parasitic diseases, with special reference to those involving arthropodsMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2001R. W. Ashford Abstract. Terminological confusion has been aggravated by efforts to develop a standardized nomenclature for parasitic diseases (SNOPAD) arising from the proposal by Kassai et al., 1988) for a standardized nomenclature of animal diseases (SNOAPAD). To restabilize international nomenclature of parasitic diseases it is recommended that, whenever appropriate, names should follow the ,International Nomenclature of Diseases' (IND) compiled by the Council for International Organizations for Medical Sciences (CIOMS/WHO, 1987). For diseases not included in IND, familiarity should guide the choice of name: traditional English language names of diseases should be preferred, e.g. ,malaria', ,scabies' or, for parasitic diseases having no traditional name, the taxonomic name of the causative organism should be applied, e.g. ,Brugia timori microfilaraemia'; ,Plasmodium malariae infection'; ,Simulium allergy' , instead of the generic derivatives proposed by SNOPAD, i.e. brugiosis, plasmodiosis and simuliidosis, respectively. For names of new diseases or those rarely mentioned, the suffix -osis would normally take precedence. Generally, the name of choice for any disease in any language should be the vernacular term, with commonest English usage preferred for international communication, and publications should include synonyms in the list of keywords. [source] Combating plant diseases,the Darwin connectionPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 11 2009Derek W Hollomon Abstract Although Darwin knew of plant diseases, he did not study them as part of his analysis of natural selection. Effective plant disease control has only been developed after his death. This article explores the relevance of Darwin's ideas to three problem areas with respect to diseases caused by fungi: emergence of new diseases, loss of disease resistance bred into plants and development of fungicide resistance. Darwin's concept of change through natural or artificial selection relied on selection of many small changes, but subsequent genetic research has shown that change can also occur through large steps. Appearance of new diseases can involve gene duplication, transfer or recombination, but all evidence points to both host plant resistance and fungicide susceptibility being overcome through point mutations. Because the population size of diseases such as rusts and powdery and downy mildews is so large, all possible point mutations are likely to occur daily, even during moderate epidemics. Overcoming control measures therefore reflects the overall fitness of these mutants, and much resource effort is being directed towards assessment of their fitness, both in the presence and in the absence of selection. While recent developments in comparative genomics have caused some revision of Darwin's ideas, experience in managing plant disease control measures clearly demonstrates the relevance of concepts he introduced 150 years ago. It also reveals the remarkable speed and the practical impact of adaptation in wild microorganism populations to changes in their environment, and the difficulty of stopping or delaying such adaptation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] ,Hoja de perejil' (parsley leaf) of tomato and morrenia little leaf, two new diseases associated with a phytoplasma in BoliviaPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005P. Jones No abstract is available for this article. [source] Perils of religion: need for spirituality in the public spherePUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2006Paul Collins Abstract On both sides of the Atlantic, there is increased professional concern over roles in international public sector management,whether those of the policy makers, administrators or consultants. Growing numbers across many sectors feel an unprecedented crisis of identity and integrity. In international development, institutions often find themselves subordinated to the military in ever increasing conflict situations (the ,development-security complex'). Locally, the global tendency is for public administration to be ,re-engineered' on the basis of so-called ,market' values (the ,New Public Administration'). Private sector management models are, nevertheless, hardly exemplary. Corporate greed and scandals proliferate in a world featuring increasing poverty extremes, resurgence of old or advent in new diseases (e.g. HIV/Aids), environmental degradation and racism. This article takes, as its starting point, the fact that the workplace has become an insecure and alienating environment. In pursuing the relationship between spirituality and religion, the article next distinguishes between, the dogmatic, institutionalised and potentially dangerous characteristics of many religions and the more intuitively contemplative character of spirituality with its stress on awareness of self, impact on others and feeling of universal connectedness. Bearing in mind the often extremism as well as variety of religions (as distinct from spirituality), the second section examines the interrelationship between the two. A number of models are advanced concerning relationships between belief, belonging, salvation and ritual. It is argued that attention needs to be given to the inner side of religion, which requires individuals to embark on a spiritual journey through contemplation and reflection, rather than the more visible side of religion expressed in ritual. In sum, spiritual dialogue is offered as a way forward and as a mechanism for building spiritual community through engagement. The final part of the article focuses on a trans-Atlantic spiritual engagement initiative. Faith-based discussion groups have been formed amongst business executives and professionals in USA (the Woodstock Business Conference promoted out of Georgetown University) and more recently in the City of London at the St Paul's Cathedral Institute (the Paternoster Pilot Group). These aim to develop more meaningful work orientation: rediscovery of higher purpose and its relevance to restoration of ethical business and public service values, as well as better integration of personal and social domains. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: Journey into the Realm of Requests for Help Presented to Sexual Medicine Specialists: Introducing Male Sexual DistressTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007Edoardo S. Pescatori MD ABSTRACT Introduction., The recent availability of noninvasive pharmacological remedies for male sexual function triggered an exponential increase in the number of men requesting help in the sexuality area. Aim., The Italian Society of Andrology explored requests for help, not included in formerly established clinical categories of sexual medicine. Methods., A central board of 67 andrologists identified new areas of requests for help, instrumental for a web-based questionnaire, forwarded to 912 members of the Italian Society of Andrology. Results were submitted to an independent consensus development panel. Main Outcome Measures., A questionnaire response rate of 30.8% was considered acceptable according to standard response rates of medical specialist samples. Results., The Central Board interaction identified two new domains of requests for help: sexual distress and unconventional requests for pro-erectile medications. Web-based questionnaire results suggested that such domains account for 29% and 9% respectively of all requests for help already presented by male patients at sexual medicine clinics. The Independent Consensus Development Panel issued a final consensus document; herewith, the statement defining male sexual distress: A non-transitory condition and/or feeling of inadequacy such as to impair "sexual health" (WHO working definition). Inadequacy can originate both from physiological modifications of male sexual functions, and from diseases, dysfunctions, dysfunctional symptoms and dysmorphisms, both of andrological and non-andrological origin, which do not relate to "erectile dysfunction" (NIH Consensus Development Panel definition), but that might also induce erectile dysfunction. Sexual Distress can lead to a request for help which needs to be acknowledged. Conclusion., The Italian Society of Andrology identified two new areas of requests for help concerning male sexual issues: sexual distress and unconventional requests for pro-erectile medications. These domains, which do not represent new diseases, nonetheless induce the sufferers to seek help and, accordingly, need to be acknowledged. Pescatori ES, Giammusso B, Piubello G, Gentile V, and Pirozzi Farina F. Journey into the realm of requests for help presented to sexual medicine specialists: Introducing male sexual distress. J Sex Med 2007;4:762,770. [source] Of old and new diseases: genetics of pituitary ACTH excess (Cushing) and deficiencyCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2007J Drouin The pituitary gland orchestrates our endocrine environment: it produces hormones in response to hypothalamic factors that integrate neural inputs and its activity is balanced by the feedback action of peripheral hormones. Disruption of this equilibrium has severe consequences that affect multiple systems and may be fatal. Genetic analysis of pituitary function led to discovery of critical transcription factors that cause hormone deficiencies when mis-expressed. This review will summarize recent findings that led to the first complete clinical description of inherited, isolated corticotropin (ACTH) deficiency (IAD) and to the first molecular mechanism for excessive ACTH production in Cushing's disease. Indeed, mutations in TPIT, a positive or negative regulator of cell fates for different pituitary lineages, cause neonatal IAD, a condition considered anecdotic before discovery of this transcription factor. Cushing's disease is caused by corticotroph adenomas that produce excess ACTH as a result of resistance to glucocorticoids (Gc). Molecular investigation of the normal mechanism of Gc feedback led to identification of two essential proteins for pro-opiomelanocortin repression that are often mis-expressed in corticotroph adenomas thus providing a molecular explanation for Gc resistance. These two proteins, Brg1 and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), are involved in chromatin remodeling and may also participate in the tumorigenic process, as Brg1 is a tumor suppressor. These recent advances have provided improved diagnosis and opened new perspectives for patient management and therapies. [source] | ||||||||||||||||