Endocrine Abstracts

The use of gallium-68 (68Ga) is rapidly expanding with new applications arising almost every week. Therefore, the global availability of this nuclide is a critical issue. 68Ga is currently sourced from commercial 68Ge/68Ga generators but their production is limited by the availability of the parent nuclide 68Ge. Alternatively, the use of a 68Zn salt solution in a liquid target has been proposed [1] [2]. With thi...

MEN1, autosomal dominant, is characterized by combined tumours of the parathyroid glands, pancreatic islet cells, and the anterior pituitary, sometimes associated with other endocrine (adrenocortical, foregut carcinoid) and nonendocrine (lipoma, angiofibroma, collagenoma, ependymoma, meningioma) tumors. It is caused by inactivating mutations of the MEN1 tumour suppressor gene (chromosome 11q13), encoding menin. Menin, involved in activation of gene transcription, regu...

Somatostatin (SST), Cortistatin (CORT), Neuronostatin (NST) and their receptors [SST/CORT-receptors (sst1–5/sst5TMD4-TMD5) and NST-receptor (GPR107)] comprise a hormonal pleiotropic system involved in the regulation of multiple pathophysiological functions. Certain components of this system are dysregulated in endocrine-related cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa), wherein we have found that alterations in specific components of this regulatory system [i.e. NST-GPR10...

Bone has three main components: matrix, mostly made up of type 1 collagen, mineral, which is laid down on the matrix by osteoblasts, and bone cells: osteoclasts, which are derived from haemopoietic precursors, osteoclasts, which are of fibroblast precursor origin, and osteocytes, the most numerous, which are derived from osteoblasts.Osteoblasts operate under the influence of several humoral factors including PTH, 1,25(OH)2D and cytokines which...

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Most patients with type 1 diabetes, even children and adolescents, have residual insulin secretion at diagnosis. As long as this can be preserved blood glucose fluctuates less, and the risk of acute and late complications decreases. Gradually the autoimmune process will destroy β-cell function unless immune intervention can stop the destructive process.Several different interventions have been tried. The very first intervention with plasmapheresis m...

The National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) has now been established for 9 years and collects data on standards of care as defined by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). These include demographics of paediatric diabetes, care process completion rates and outcomes.Since April 2011 the NPDA has been managed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) which comprises a project board advised by specific working groups as...

Classically aldosterone acted uniquely on epithelia, and primary aldosteronism (PA) was considered uncommon and relatively benign, all of which we now know to be not the case. In 2013, we should note that:i). Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) evolved millions of years before aldosterone.ii). Cortisol occupies 90–99% of all MR in the human body.iii). MR are promiscuous, binding cortisol, aldosterone and pr...

Osteoporosis is a common complication of oral glucocorticoid therapy and is associated with significant morbidity. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is characterised by rapid bone loss and increased fracture risk during the first few months of therapy. The increase in fracture risk is dose-related and most prominent in the spine. Although awareness of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis has increased in recent years, the condition remains under-diagnosed and under-treated.</...

Strictly speaking, the diagnosis of idiopathic short stature (ISS) can only be made after exclusion of all known causes of growth failure, but for pragmatic and financial reasons there are limits to the investigations that can be carried out. Clinical algorithms can assist decisions on genetic testing. Testing for SHOX is indicated if there are signs of Leri-Weill syndrome, including Madelung deformity, short forearm and lower legs. Short upper arms and legs should lead to tes...