Effects of growth hormone on glucose and fat metabolism in human subjects.

This article focuses on in vivo data from tests performed in normal subjects and in patients who had abnormal growth hormone (GH) status. Experimental data in human subjects demonstrate that GH acutely inhibits glucose disposal in skeletal muscle. At the same time GH stimulates the turnover and oxidation of free fatty acid (FFA), and experimental evidence suggests a causal link between elevated FFA levels and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Observational data in GH-deficient adults do not indicate that GH replacement is associated with significant impairment of glucose tolerance, but it is recommended that overdosing be avoided and glycemic control be monitored.     

Spécificités de la psycho-oncologie du sujet âgé

The specificity of cancer is at the origin of emotional, cognitive and behavioural reactions in old age as well as in other stages of life. It is important to understand the particularities due to ageing to be able to listen to, to help express emotions, to inform and to better support patients. That is why in this paper the authors envisage the psychological vulnerability of elderly persons, the psychological processes at work from the first symptom of cancer to the treatment phase via investigations and announcing the diagnosis. Finally they evoke the psychopathological disorders that arise with elderly patients with cancer and the specificities of the diagnosis approach.     

Renal artery aneurysm endovascular repair.

A 68-year-old woman with a left renal artery aneurysm underwent successful endovascular repair with the use of a commercial type self-expanding stent-graft. Complete aneurysm exclusion was achieved after stent-graft expansion. A side branch vessel was occluded after stent-placement, resulting in a small upper lobe renal perfusion defect. There were no other complications. The aneurysm remained excluded and its greatest diameter has been reduced from 2.6 cm to 1.95 cm, 10 months after treatment. Renal function remained normal.