Endocrine Abstracts

Context: Pituitary tumorigenesis does not fit into the most common model of cancer development driven by gene mutations. Instead, epigenetic mechanisms have been widely involved. Among them, aberrant DNA methylation at CpG sites is one of epigenetic hallmarks of tumour cells. There are several methods to study the epigenetic regulation of genome activity, from DNA methylation arrays to more specific DNA methylation analysis such as pyrosequencing, Methylation-Specific PCR (MS-...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a master component of the epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome worldwide due to excessive caloric intake. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from simple fatty liver with benign prognosis to a potentially progressive form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis ma...

Large randomized studies have established that early intensive glycemic control reduces the risk of diabetic complications, both micro and macrovascular. However, epidemiological and prospective data support a long-term influence of early metabolic control on clinical outcomes. This phenomenon has recently been defined as ‘Metabolic Memory.’ It was first hypothesized by Brownlee (Nature 2000), and since shown by many researchers that overproduction of free radicals, ...

Thyroid hormone 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) and its precursor thyroxine (T4) are iodinated compounds known to influence gene expression in virtually every vertebrate tissue. Fundamentally, thyroid hormone signaling results from the interaction of nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) with specific target gene promoters, a process that can either enhance or repress transcription. This process is modulated via binding of thyroid hormone, the ligand...

The binding of T3 to its nuclear receptors (TR) triggers T3 signaling, modulating the expression of thousands of genes. These events are reversible and fluctuate according to the T3 levels. In developing tissues, T3 signaling also modifies chromatin folding, permanently affecting gene expression throughout life. Hypothyroidism occurs when, at any time, there is insufficient T3 signaling, frequently due to low plasma thyroid hormone levels. The treatment is with levothyroxine (...

Background: Internet-based education and information resources for young people and families with DM have increased, yet the extent of use and perceived value among this patient group is uncertain. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of parents’ and carers’ experience of currently available DM internet-based resources.Objective: To assess i) level of internet use, ii) perceived quality of patient support information currently available, i...

Background: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is rare in infants and children. Up to 30 percent of cases are idiopathic and its clinical presentation is poorly defined. In critically ill paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patient with CDI, there is increased risk of brain damage and death due to severe hyperosmolarity, hypovolaemic shock, hypernatraemic seizures or complications of treatment.Aim: To assess the causes, management and outcome of CDI in p...

Objectives: In the UK the majority of young people presenting for the first time with signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are initially seen by general practitioners (GPs). Mis- or delayed diagnosis is not uncommon, and it increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis-related morbidity. This study seeks to identify the specific challenges faced by GPs in this setting in order to develop effective care pathways and recommendations for improving the timely diagnosis of T1D...

Objective: Evidence shows type 1 diabetes leads to vascular damage and neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis to asses the evidence of the effects of type 1 diabetes on hearing function.Methods: Three different electronic databases were used to identify eligible studies including a manual searching of references. The articles obtained were independently reviewed by two authors using predefined inclusi...

Introduction: Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are histologically benign tumours but are clinically associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recurrence of CPs is known to influence mortality, but apart from the extent of surgical resection, no clinical characteristics have been shown to predict recurrence. Complete resection is difficult due to their infiltrative behaviour and unacceptable morbidity. Thus, predictors of risk of recurrence are needed....