Acromegaly caused by growth hormone-releasing hormone-producing tumors: long-term observational studies in three patients

We report on three newly diagnosed patients with extracranial ectopic GHRH-associated acromegaly with long-term follow-up after surgery of the primary tumor. One patient with a pancreatic tumor and two parathyroid adenomas was the index case of a large kindred of MEN-I syndrome. The other two patients had a large bronchial carcinoid. The first patient is still in remission now almost 22 years after surgery. In the two other patients GHRH did not normalize completely after surgery and they are now treated with slow-release octreotide. IGF-I normalized in all patients. During medical treatment basal GH secretion remained (slightly) elevated and secretory regularity was decreased in 24 h blood sampling studies. We did not observe development of tachyphylaxis towards the drug or radiological evidence of (growing) metastases. We propose life-long suppressive therapy with somatostatin analogs in cases with persisting elevated serum GHRH concentrations after removal of the primary tumor. Independent parameters of residual disease are elevated basal (nonpulsatile) GH secretion and decreased GH secretory regularity

Geographical analysis for the integration of a microalgae production and biorefining unit in "Pays de la Loire"

International audienceMicroalgae are photosynthetic species able to transform carbon dioxide, for example from combustion processes, into biomass and valuable molecules (lipids, proteins, antioxidants, polysaccharides etc.). The team “Marine bioprocesses and separations” of GEPEA laboratory has been developing an integrated approach to valorise microalgae, from the culture to the biorefinery, for several years. A new collaboration was build with geographers (LETG-Nantes) to explore the French geographic areas where an industrial microalgae production and biorefining unit could be built. A database on the scale of metropolitan France was realized including the parameters for the culture of microalgae (light, water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, phosphorus, heat, available lands). Three sizes of production unit were taken into account to identify potential zones of installation. Maps were then produced to compare the most interesting sites. This first work was followed by a second, to study more details on the coast of Pays de la Loire. Besides the choice of the site, new criteria were added: regulatory requirements in the installation, perception of the project by local actors (local authorities, public, neighbourhood) that must be known to prepare a local integration

Geographical analysis for the integration of a microalgae production and biorefining unit in "Pays de la Loire"

International audienceMicroalgae are photosynthetic species able to transform carbon dioxide, for example from combustion processes, into biomass and valuable molecules (lipids, proteins, antioxidants, polysaccharides etc.). The team “Marine bioprocesses and separations” of GEPEA laboratory has been developing an integrated approach to valorise microalgae, from the culture to the biorefinery, for several years. A new collaboration was build with geographers (LETG-Nantes) to explore the French geographic areas where an industrial microalgae production and biorefining unit could be built. A database on the scale of metropolitan France was realized including the parameters for the culture of microalgae (light, water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, phosphorus, heat, available lands). Three sizes of production unit were taken into account to identify potential zones of installation. Maps were then produced to compare the most interesting sites. This first work was followed by a second, to study more details on the coast of Pays de la Loire. Besides the choice of the site, new criteria were added: regulatory requirements in the installation, perception of the project by local actors (local authorities, public, neighbourhood) that must be known to prepare a local integration