Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Vertebral Fractures (VF) are recognized as an important aspect of bone health in children and adolescents. The clinical utility of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has not been evaluated in the paediatric population.Method: VFA was performed independently by two non-radiologist observers, in 165 patients (77M/88F) as part of their investigation for low bone mineral density. Lateral thoracolumbar...

The COVID-19 pandemic is significantly affecting the care of chronic conditions globally. Acromegaly is a rare chronic condition with a prevalence ranging between 2.8–13.7 cases/100.000 people. Acromegaly management requires a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals (HCPs), mainly including endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, and specialized endocrine nurses. Frequent consultations, particularly during early stages of the disease, and pre/post-surgery are necess...

In patients presenting with a diffusely enlarged hard thyroid gland the differential diagnosis lies between thyroid carcinoma, lymphoma, and Riedel’s thyroiditis. We present a case of Riedel’s thyroiditis with multifocal nodular sclerosis, which improved with levothyroxine replacement.A 40-year-old woman presented with a 3 months history of neck swelling, dysphagia and breathlessness on exertion. Examination revealed a hard, fixed, diffuse goit...

Oestrogen receptor (ER) activity has a wide spectrum of functions in the human body, including the development, growth and maintenance of the reproductive system. There are two ER subtypes, ERα and ERβ. The latter exists as multiple splice variants (ERβ1, ERβ2 and ERβ5) some of which lack a steroid ligand-binding domain. ERs act as steroid-ligand activated transcription factors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) acting via the MAP kinase pathway has been s...

Steroid receptors are members of a family of ligand-activated transcription factors that mediate tissue responses to a variety of endocrine stimuli. Using the human endometrium as a paradigm of a steroid responsive tissue, we aimed to characterise the expression and function of the oestrogen-receptor related orphan nuclear receptors (ERR) alpha and beta. ERRs share significant sequence homology with oestrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta but are unable to bind oestradiol. The...

Background: The EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes (ELSA) study is screening 20,000 children in the UK aged 3-13 years for type 1 diabetes through measurement of islet autoantibodies. Screening aims to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis at clinical onset of disease, reducing mortality, and identifies the population who could benefit from prevention trials. The ELSA-1 study aimed to explore the perspectives of parents and stakeholders on the relative benefit...

Background: UCSF Cancer Center is committed to offering all patients information on Advance Directives; however, many patients do not have their wishes well-documented in their EMR. Our clinic has implemented a workflow for introducing advance care planning discussion into treatment teaching sessions. We have begun to share this workflow throughout the cancer center. Many patients in our clinic have metastatic disease and are treated for months to years by our team. It is impo...

The role of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in brain function has been suggested. Recent behavior studies by our group clearly demonstrate a powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of a novel growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist of MIAMI class, MIA-690, probably related to modulatory effects on the inflammatory and oxidative status [1]. Our investigation in this work was focused on the potential beneficial effects of MIA-602, another recently ...

A 45-year-old lady presented to her GP with sweating, poor memory, and decreased, concentration. Investigations revealed elevated oestradiol at 2204 pmol/l, LH at 28.1 IU/l, and FSH at 15.0 IU/l. This raised the possibility of a Gonadotrophinoma. A preclinic pituitary MRI showed a subtle rounded nodule of tissue within the right side of the anterior pituitary. In clinic, she revealed that she was consuming aloe vera juice for several years to improve her skin and general well-...

Aim: Healthy adipose tissue contains numerous innate and adaptive immune cells that carry a type 2 cytokine immune signature, controlled by IL-33 and reflected by accumulation of ST2+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), and alternatively activated macrophages. These type 2 responses are lost in mice or humans on high-caloric diets that lead to obesity. Understanding how type 2 immunity is regulated in adipose tissue could contribute to ...