Endocrine Abstracts

Cushing’s disease (CD) and Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) stem from excess circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and resulting hypercortisolemia. In CD, excess ACTH is secreted from pituitary tumors, whereas excess ACTH in EAS arises from nonpituitary tumors. ACTH acts on the adrenal melanocortin type 2 (MC2) receptor to control the synthesis and secretion of adrenal hormones, including the stress hormone cortisol (corticosterone in rats) which accounts for the com...

Objective We aimed to immunopurify GnSAF, using antibodies with demonstrated GnSAF bioactivity-blocking/binding activity, in order to confirm 2 new candidate amino acid sequences for human ovarian GnSAF (Fowler et al. Mol Human Reprod 2002;8:823-832).Methods Rat antiserum, raised against a 60-70 kDa band of partially purified GnSAF, was immobilised on anti-rat IgG Dynabeads. In addition, a human antibody, derived from a phage display antibody library a...

While axiomatic, it is worth reflecting carefully when planning research. The first step requires careful review of the sequence of processes linking the current state of the art of the evidence, to the hypothesis, then to the question/s testing the hypothesis and on to the nature of evidence required to answer those questions., This is of course required well before any consideration of the “how” those questions can be answered. One of the confounders in this carefu...

While axiomatic, it is worth reflecting carefully when planning research. The first step requires careful review of the sequence of processes linking the current state of the art of the evidence, to the hypothesis, then to the question/s testing the hypothesis and on to the nature of evidence required to answer those questions., This is of course required well before any consideration of the “how” those questions can be answered. One of the confounders in this carefu...

Background: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of the thyroid is rare. It is often identified in its advanced stage, with distant metastasis, and has poor prognosis. This paper presents one of the less than 30 cases that have been documented ever since it was first identified in 1989. In the Philippines, there is no published report of a primary thyroid sarcoma.Case Presentation: The author describes a 73-year-ol...

Objectives: To evaluate the precipitants of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to audit its management in a busy District General Hospital following the introduction of local guidelines.Methods: Data on all patients admitted with DKA between January 2003 and March 2004 were collected and analysed and clinical management was audited against the standards set in the guidelines.Results: Seventy eight episodes were recorded in 70 patients...

Objectives: To evaluate the precipitants of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to audit its management in a busy District General Hospital following the introduction of local guidelines.Methods: Data on all patients admitted with DKA between January 2003 and March 2004 were collected and analysed and clinical management was audited against the standards set in the guidelines.Results: Seventy eight episodes were recorded in 70 patients...

Adults with brain tumours experience changes in multiple aspects of quality of life and this is associated with their medical condition and its treatment. There is some evidence to suggest that the mode of treatment is also a significant factor in the development of affective symptomatology. The primary aim is to explore within our cohort of patients treated for pituitary tumours, whether there are significant differences in multiple domains of quality of life and the severity...

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer is the commonest thyroid malignancy. Surgery is first-line treatment, followed by radioiodine and long-term, high dose levothyroxine to suppress TSH.Cortisol is known to suppress TSH secretion by the pituitary, although the mechanism remains unclear. Correspondingly, hypocortisolism may raise TSH levels.Case Summary: A 64 year old woman presented with a right-sided thyroid nodule, normal TSH and...

Introduction: The highly active human fetal adrenal gland plays a critical role in long term health. Maternal cigarette smoking alters post-natal health of the fetus and the mechanisms involved may include the fetal adrenal. However, understanding of human fetal adrenal development is limited.Aim: To examine the effects of nicotine, its metabolite cotinine, and cigarette smoke extract on H295R adrenocortical cell line steroidogenic capacity.<p class=...