Endocrine Abstracts

Aims: Develop and validate a LC–MS/MS assay for the measurement of serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and to establish reference ranges for levels observed in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.Method: Serum samples (200 μl) underwent liquid extraction using di-ethyl ether (1 ml). A deuterated internal standard was used. 20 μl extract was injected onto a Waters Atlantis C18 column using a Waters 2795 Alliance HPLC s...

Although neuroactive steroids are well characterized, their physiological relevance in human pregnancy remains indecisive. Hence, we attempted to derive this information from the combination of our metabolomic data, pharmacological data found in the literature and knowledge contained in gene expression databases. These results indicate that GABAergic steroids influence maternal CNS but have limited effect in the fetal brain and maternal and fetal periphery, partly because of t...

BackgroundRapid induction of eu/hypothyroidism in patients with immune hyperthyroidism has been known to precipitate Thyroid eye disease (TED). Our aim was to investigate the incidence of TED in patients treated with radio-iodine therapy (RIT) at our hospital.MethodsWe examined case notes of 45 patients who underwent radio-iodine therapy for Graves’ disease with 544.7 (95% CI- 522.3 – 567.1) MBq bet...

Introduction: In endocrine tumours, such as that of the breast, the protein survivin has emerged as a unique regulator of cell death. We have previously shown that bFGF regulates survivin expression through the MAP kinase cascade. The transcriptional complex myc/max is an oncogene that lies downstream of the MAP kinase pathway suggesting a possible role in survivin's regulation.Aim: To determine if bFGF can mediate survivin expression by signalling throu...

A previously fit 36 year old lady presented with 3 days of pleuritic chest pain and SOB. A CxR showed consolidation at the left heart border. Following antibiotics she made a good recovery. On examination an incidental right thyroid nodule was identified. She was clinically euthyroid. FT4,FT3 were normal and TSH suppressed. The CxR a month later did not change. A CT scan revealed a 5x4cm mass in the left lower lobe, abutting the descending aorta and left atrium. Bronchoscopy r...

Introduction: Racism is a fundamental determinant of health, described by Prof Kevin Fenton (PHE) as a "wicked problem"- a complex problem highly resistant to solutions. The amplification of the voice of black lives matter” and disproportionate number of deaths from Covid-19 in Black and Asian people has re-focussed attention on racial health inequalities. Structural racism and unconscious bias is present throughout medicine. The National Paediatric Diabetes Audit...

Introduction: Many children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and their parents/carers anecdotally report poor sleep quality. This is particularly problematic in patients experiencing frequent hypoglycaemia despite intensive blood glucose monitoring (BGM). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) overcomes some of the burdens of BGM and can reduce overnight hypoglycaemia.Objectives: This pilot study explored the impact of CGM on sleep quality in children and adolesc...

Androgenetic alopecia, not only caused psychological distress, but also is the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, glucose metabolism disorders, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma and suspected to present the sign of male equivalent of polycystic ovary syndrome. Finasteride, used for treatment of androgenetic alopecia in dose of 1 mg/day, is the first 5α-reductase type II inhibitor. The 5α-reductase is enzyme responsible for the reduction of testo...

The LRP5 gene is believed to be primarily associated with bone metabolism via Wnt signalling. The latter pathway, however, seems to control various other systems outside the skeleton. We identified the C/T (c.4037:A1330V) polymorphism in the LRP5 gene using a restriction analysis of the PCR product in a cohort of 165 white untreated pre-and post-menopausal women. In a subset of 84 post-menopausal women we analysed the association between the LRP5 genotype and circulatin...

Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition of the orbit occurring in the setting of thyroid disease. Prevention of the distressing physical and psychological sequelae of TED depends on accurate quantification of disease activity to allow selection of the most appropriate treatment modality. Current practice is based on the use of a Clinical Activity Score (CAS). As an alternative approach, and with the potential benefits of reproducibility and ease of us...