Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Early detection of residual or recurrent cancer in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is important, especially, when they do not uptake 131I uptake because these tumors do not likely benefit from radioiodine therapy (RAIT). We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of FDG-PET/CT as an early diagnostic work up in DTC patients with negative radioiodine whole body scan (I-WBS) and elevated stimulated Tg (sTg) levels.Methods: ...

Phaeochromocytomas (PCs) are neuroendocrine tumors derived from neural crest-derived chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and sympathetic ganglia (the latter referred to as paragangliomas), which produce significant amounts of catecholamines. Although PCs are mostly benign, 10% of all PCs can be malignant evidenced by the presence of metastases, predominantly in bone, lungs, liver and lymph. Currently, there is no effective therapy for malignant PCs.I...

Introduction: LXRs are transcription factors that regulate cholesterol homeostasis and likely modulate other aspects of lipid metabolism. In the testis, tightly regulated lipid metabolism is crucial to maintain fertility. Testicular LXRs are highly expressed but their role in regulating lipid homeostasis is not fully understood. Lxrα/β double knockout male mice (Lxrα/β DKO) are sterile by 7 months of age, with aberrations in lipid...

Introduction: Trans-sphenoidal Surgery (TSS) remains the primary treatment for acromegaly in most patients, but no previous data exist on outcomes for patients treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (STRS) as a primary treatment.Methods: 20 patients with acromegaly underwent primary STRS at the National Centre for Radiosurgery, Sheffield, UK between 1985 and 2015. Data collection: note review, database, laboratory results, patient questionnaire, and death...

Grave’s orbitopathy typically presents with symptoms of proptosis and diplopia. It is an autoimmune condition of retro-orbital tissues. We present a case in which the management of orbitopathy has been complex and required escalation to immunosuppression and consideration of biological agents. A 34-year-old female presented with 2 weeks of diplopia. She had normal visual acuity with no past medical or family history. She never smoked. Thyroid eye disease was diagnosed, sh...

Journal of Endocrinology 2014 221 363–369. DOI: 10.1530/JOE-14-0084...

Feral cat numbers in the UK are thought to number around one million and the Dogs Trust estimates it dealt with just over 110 000 stray and abandoned dogs in 2013. This scenario is common across the world and in the developing world in particular the control of feral populations is an ongoing challenge as well as a huge welfare issue. The only options currently available are expensive surgical neutering, or euthanasia of otherwise healthy animals. There is an urgent need to de...

The uterus is an androgen-responsive organ; androgen receptors (AR) are expressed in human endometrial stromal fibroblasts and can regulate proliferation and survival of this cell type. Although chronic androgen exposure results in atrophy of human endometrium, previous studies have suggested that it may have trophic effects in the rodent uterus. We hypothesised that androgens may have different impacts on endometrial function in the presence or absence of oestrogens. In the c...

Introduction: FKBP5 is a protein that regulates glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity, via an ultra-short negative feedback mechanism. Variations in the FKBP5 gene can influence the response to glucocorticoids (GC). Hypercortisolaemia plays a role on impairment of brain function and could be mediated by epigenetic variations of the FKBP5 gene. Cushing’s syndrome (CS), a disease characterized by hypercortisolaemia, is associated with memory deficits, lower ...

Aim: Review of clinical presentation of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) and identify unique features in our cohort.Method: Patients with PHA were identified from patients who underwent adrenal vein sampling (AVS) at our centre until October 2014.Results: 45 PHA patients (32 males, mean age of 50 years, 33 older than 45 years) were identified after confirmation with high aldosterone:renin ratio >15 and/or positive saline suppre...