ESPE Abstracts

Drosophila melanogaster as a study model has already significantly contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms of many human diseases. So far D. melanogaster has rarely been exploited as a model for human sex development. Nanda et.al already demonstrated in 2009 that the Drosophila orthologue of SOX9, Sox100B is essential for testis development in Drosophila. Similarly, we could demonstrate that the fly homolog of STARD8, cv-c</...

Introduction: Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) is characterised by severe hyperglycaemia, usually diagnosed in the first 6 months of life. Genetic diagnosis helps distinguishing between its different causes and between transient (TNDM) and permanent (PNDM) forms, with repercussions on the therapeutic approach and follow-up.Aim: Clinical and molecular characterisation of a series of NMD cases under endocrinological follow...

Introduction: A transgender individual’s voice may contribute to the negative psychosocial outcomes. Some studies have shown that an incongruence between one’s voice and internal gender identity can be a potential source of ongoing psychological distress and could impact on their social interactions, employment outcomes, and invite verbal or physical harassment. This study was aimed to examine whether early puberal blockage (PB) impacts on self per...

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in disorders of sexual development (DSD) is still relatively scarce despite the opportunities it offers for understanding the influence of sex hormones on emotion and cognition. In this talk I will give an update on current structural and functional MRI research in different DSDs such as Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, or Familial Male Precocious Puberty. Finally, parallels will be drawn to cu...

Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are rare, partly cystic and calcified embryonic malformations of the sellar/parasellar region with low histological grade (WHO Io). A bimodal age distribution has been shown, with peak incidence rates in childhood-onset at 5–14 yr and adult-onset CP at 50–74 yr. Clinical manifestations are related to hypothalamic/pituitary deficiencies, visual impairment, and increased intracranial pressure. Recent insight in molecular pathogenesis of CP opens...

Background: Childhood onset growth hormone deficiency (CO-GHD) may contribute to low bone mass and alterations of body composition. However, the mechanisms by which CO-GHD effects bone health are not yet clearly defined.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate musculoskeletal health in CO-GHD subjects at initial evaluation and retesting after final height.Method: A cross-sectional study of assessing bone health and body composition by...

Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common genetic disorders in females and occurs in phenotypic females who are missing all or part of one sex chromosome. While the most common mosaic forms of the disorder are 45,X/46,XX and 45,X/46,Xiq, mosaicism for cells containing Y chromosome material is well documented.Objective and hypotheses: Owing to increased risk of gonadoblastoma (GB), current recommendations are for elective gonadectomy foll...

Background: Secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) type 1 is an uncommon salt losing condition of infancy caused by transient resistance of the mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) of the renal tubule to aldosterone. This can be secondary to urinary tract infection (UTI), urinary tract malformation (UTM) or obstructive uropathy. Ninety percent of reported cases present before 3 months and nearly all are under 7 months of age.Objective and hypotheses: The co...

Background: Ireland has a high incidence of type 1 diabetes in childhood (16.8/100, 000 per year (1). A small percentage of children with diabetes have maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) (2). Establishing the correct diagnosis is critical to optimal therapy and future genetic counselling (3).Objective and hypothesis: To review the cohort of children attending our tertiary diabetes service and describe the clinical features of those where MODY wa...

Background: overexpression of the oncogene Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a Hippo pathway target, associates with increased cell proliferation in some human cancers. There is not data on adrenocortical tumors (ACT). YAP1 is a potential target of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which plays an important role in ACTs.Objective and hypotheses: to evaluate the role of YAP1 and its interaction with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ACT.Met...