ESPE Abstracts

Aim: To uncover a feasible tumor expression prognostic signature and potential therapeutic targets for children with pACT.Methods: Tumor RNAseq from 53 pACT children (70% girls, median age: 1.7yrs) was performed (Illumina). Using a robust, state-of-the-art, differential gene expression analysis pipeline, differentially expressed genes (DEGs: adjusted P<0.05 and |log2 fold-change|>1) were identified (DESeq2...

Background: An activation cascade of specific genes sets up the initiation of sex determination leading in males to testes formation and synthesis of testicular hormones. Disruption of this gene cascade may cause a spectrum of disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) phenotypes. Here we describe for the first time two sisters suffering from 46,XY DSD, who by whole exome sequencing were shown to carry a mutation in the X-linked StAR-related lipid transfer...

We report a term male with diazoxide-unresponsive congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) (spontaneous conception, non-consanguineous, no family history). The patient did not have macroglossia, exomphalos or lateralised overgrowth (cardinal Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp) features) (1). There was no polyhydramnios, macrosomia, facial naevus simplex, ear creases/pits, diastasis recti or nephromegaly/hepatomegaly (suggestive BWSp features) (1).A targeted massi...

Background: We recently demonstrated that both ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) and lamivudine (3TC, a nucleoside analogue) given to breastfed infants can reduce the risk of post natal HIV transmission (ANRS 12174 trial; Nagot, Lancet 2016). In another setting we previously showed the occurrence of adrenal dysfunction in newborn perinatally exposed to LPV/r leading to acute adrenal insufficiency in premature babies (Simon, JAMA 2011).Objective and hyp...

Background: The GH/IGF1 axis has important roles in growth, metabolism, lipid profile and body composition. GH receptor disrupted mice (GHRKO mice) are resistant to the action of GH, thereby, GHRKO mice are dwarf, hypoinsulinemic, hypoglycemic and obese. Consumption of a high fat diet (HFD) induces inflammatory processes in a multitude of peripheral tissues, including hypothalamus.Objective and hypotheses: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of HFD intake...

Background: Routine biochemical assessment in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) includes measurement of serum 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T) and their metabolites in urine. Several studies have also described 11 oxygenated 19 carbon (11oxC19) steroids as a clinically relevant androgenetic source and highlighted their potential as markers for evaluation of adrenal androgen excess in patients with 21-hy...

Introduction: Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporarily associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) was first reported by our hospital in the UK. Vitamin D3(25(OH)D) has important roles in cardiac function, immunomodulation, and inflammation. It therefore may be an important biomarker for severity in PIMS-TS, however 25(OH)D status and treatment guidance in PIMS-TS are lacking. We report serum 25(OH)D levels on admission and associations wit...

Background: Thyroid hormones contribute to a wide range of physiological processes and health outcomes. Epigenetic regulation of thyroid development and function has been little explored. PAX8 (Paired Box 8) is a thyroid transcription factor implicated in thyroid gland development and differentiation. PAX8 gene methylation appears to be sensitive to the environment in early pregnancy.Methods and Findings: Using a recall-by-epige...

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</...

Background: Patients with rare monogenic obesity caused by biallelic variants of genes such as proopiomelanocortin (POMC; including variants in PCSK1) or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency, experience hyperphagia (a pathologic, insatiable hunger) and early-onset, severe obesity. This suggests potential increased risk over time of obesity-related comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions associated with increased risk of cardiovascular...