Complex Symplectic Lie Algebras with Large Abelian Subalgebras

We present two constructions of complex symplectic structures on Lie algebras with large abelian ideals. In particular, we completely classify complex symplectic structures on almost abelian Lie algebras. By considering compact quotients of their corresponding connected, simply connected Lie groups we obtain many examples of complex symplectic manifolds which do not carry (hyper)k\"ahler metrics. We also produce examples of compact complex symplectic manifolds endowed with a fibration whose fibers are Lagrangian tori.Comment: 33 pages, no figures. Comments are welcome

Acromegaly is associated with increased cancer risk: A survey in Italy

It is debated if acromegalic patients have an increased risk to develop malignancies. The aim of the present study was to assess the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of different types of cancer in acromegaly on a large series of acromegalic patients managed in the somatostatin analogs era. It was evaluated the incidence of cancer in an Italian nationwide multicenter cohort study of 1512 acromegalic patients, 624 men and 888 women, mean age at diagnosis 45 \uc2\ub1 13 years, followed up for a mean of 10 years (12573 person-years) in respect to the general Italian population. Cancer was diagnosed in 124 patients, 72 women and 52 men. The SIRs for all cancers was significantly increased compared to the general Italian population (expected: 88, SIR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.68, P < 0.001). In the whole series, we found a significantly increased incidence of colorectal cancer (SIR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.07-2.58, P = 0.022), kidney cancer (SIR 2.87; 95% CI, 1.55-5.34, P < 0.001) and thyroid cancer (SIR 3.99; 95% CI, 2.32-6.87, P < 0.001). The exclusion of 11 cancers occurring before diagnosis of acromegaly (all in women) did not change remarkably the study outcome. In multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with an increased risk of malignancy were age and family history of cancer, with a non-significant trend for the estimated duration of acromegaly before diagnosis. In conclusion, we found evidence that acromegaly in Italy is associated with a moderate increase in cancer risk

Acromegaly is associated with increased cancer risk: a survey in Italy

It is debated if acromegalic patients have an increased risk to develop malignancies. The aim of the present study was to assess the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of different types of cancer in acromegaly on a large series of acromegalic patients managed in the somatostatin analogs era. It was evaluated the incidence of cancer in an Italian nationwide multicenter cohort study of 1512 acromegalic patients, 624 men and 888 women, mean age at diagnosis 45\u2009\ub1\u200913 years, followed up for a mean of 10 years (12573 person-years) in respect to the general Italian population. Cancer was diagnosed in 124 patients, 72 women and 52 men. The SIRs for all cancers was significantly increased compared to the general Italian population (expected: 88, SIR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.68, P\u2009<\u20090.001). In the whole series, we found a significantly increased incidence of colorectal cancer (SIR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.07-2.58, P\u2009=\u20090.022), kidney cancer (SIR 2.87; 95% CI, 1.55-5.34, P\u2009<\u20090.001) and thyroid cancer (SIR 3.99; 95% CI, 2.32-6.87, P\u2009<\u20090.001). The exclusion of 11 cancers occurring before diagnosis of acromegaly (all in women) did not change remarkably the study outcome. In multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with an increased risk of malignancy were age and family history of cancer, with a non-significant trend for the estimated duration of acromegaly before diagnosis. In conclusion, we found evidence that acromegaly in Italy is associated with a moderate increase in cancer risk

Predictors of morbidity and mortality in acromegaly, an Italian survey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe demographic and hormonal characteristics, co-morbidities (diabetes mellitus and hypertension), therapeutic procedures and their effectiveness, as well as predictors of morbidity and mortality in a nation-wide survey of Italian acromegalic patients. DESIGN: Retrospective multicentre epidemiological study endorsed by the Italian Society of Endocrinology and performed in 24 tertiary referral Italian centers . The mean follow-up time was 120 months. RESULTS: A total of 1512 patients, 41% M, mean age: 45\ub113 years, mean GH: 31\ub137 mcg/L, IGF-I: 744\ub1318 ng/ml, were included. Diabetes mellitus was reported in 16% of cases, hypertension in 33%. Older age and higher IGF-I levels at diagnosis were significant predictors of diabetes and hypertension. At the last follow-up, 65% of patients had a controlled disease, of whom 55% were off medical therapy. Observed deaths were 61, with a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 1.13 (IC95%: 0.87-1.46). Mortality was significantly higher in the patients with persistently active disease (1.93; IC95%: 1.34-2.70). Main causes of death were vascular diseases and malignancies with similar prevalence. A multivariate analysis showed that older age, higher GH at last follow-up, higher IGF-I levels at diagnosis, malignancy and radiotherapy were independent predictors of mortality.Conclusions. Pre-treatment IGF-I levels are important predictors of morbidity and mortality in acromegaly. The full hormonal control of the disease, nowadays reached in the majority of patients with modern management, reduces greatly the disease-related mortality