Comparison of three prognostic indexes in differentiated thyroid cancer.

We investigated epidemiological data and correlation coefficient among three prognostic indexes (TNM, AGES and DeGroot's) in 82 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (mean age: 41.7 +/- 16.6 years and sex ratio F8:M1). Seventy eight cases (95.1%) had papillary and 4 (4.8%) follicular carcinoma. Surgical complications were: vocal cord paralysis 7 cases (8.4%), hypoparathyroidism 10 cases (12.2%) and both in four cases (4.8%). We did not find surgical complications in patients subjected to main limited procedures. After a follow up of 54.5 +/- 44.5 months one patient was dead due to thyroid cancer (1.2%) and 2 patients had tumor relapse (2.4%). We found positive correlation between TNM and AGES, AGES and DeGroot and DeGroot's and TNM indexes, with concordance between them (k = 0.2281, p = 0.001). In our series, follicular cancer prevalence is lower than literature reports. Our results suggest that TNM, DeGroot's and AGES indexes may have similar prognostic value in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Monosomy 20p due to a de novo del(20)(p12.2). Clinical and radiological delineation of the syndrome.

A 16 year-old boy with monosomy 20p was studied. The clinical and radiological data compared with those from the three previously reported cases, permit the delineation of a distinct syndrome of low birthweight, flat face, low nasal bridge, long philtrum, short neck, small overfolded ears, chest deformity, kyphoscoliosis, congenital heart defect, hypoplastic or absent ribs and rachischisis (butterfly-shaped vertebral bodies). The critical chromosome segment causing this syndrome is tentatively defined as 20p13.

Increased potency of four analogues of LH-releasing hormone in man.

Four analogues of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were injected iv. in normal men at a dose of 25 mug: des-Gly-10NH2-LH-RH ethylamide (9-EA-LH-RH); des-Gly-10-NH2-LH-RH propylamide (9-PA-LH-PH), d-ala-6-LH-RH; and D-Ala-6, des Gly10-NH2-LH-RH ethylamide (D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH). Each peptide tested was found to be more potent than LH-RH in releasing LH and, to a lesser extent, FSH. The times of the peak values of LH after the analogues were similar to LH-RH (about 20 minutes). However, LH as well as FSH levels were considerably delayed in returning to baseline after administration of D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH. The half-time disappearances of the 9-EA and 9-PA analogues could be tested and were found to be similar to that of LH-RH. The increased potency and prolonged duration of action of D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH suggest the potential usefulness of this compound in stimulating ovulation and perhaps spermatogenesis.

PIP: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), and 4 of its analogues were each tested in groups of 6 normal men. 25 mcg of des-Gly-10-NH2-LH-RH ethylamide (9-EA-LH-RH), des-Gly-10-NH2-LH-RH propylamide (9-PA-LH-RH), D-Ala-6-LH-RH, D-Ala-6, des Gly-10-nh2-lh-rh ethylamide (D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH), and LH-RH were injected iv and the halftime disappearance from the blood of 2 of these analogues as well as LH and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The peptides tested were found to be more potent than LH-RH in releasing LH and, to a lesser extent, FSH. The time of the peak values of LH and the analogues was about 20 minutes, however, LH and FSH were delayed in returning to baseline after D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH. 9-EA and 9-PA analogues were similar to LH-RH in halftime disappearances. D-Ala-6,9EA-LH-RH showed increased potency and prolonged duration of action, thus suggesting potential usefulness in stimulating ovulation and perhaps spermatogenesis.