Endocrine Abstracts

Glucocorticoids have profound effects in development, altering cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and network formation. It has been shown that the developing fetus is protected from high maternal glucocorticoid levels by the presence of 11beta-HSD2 in the placenta and if this enzyme is inhibited, programmed changes of adult health are observed (hypertension, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance). The developing brain is a sensitive target for glucocorticoids and hen...

A 31 year old woman presented to the emergency department after 3 days of diarrhoea and vomiting. She was 18 months post partum and had lost 19 kg in two months. She described sweats, tremor and palpitations which had been attributed to recent emotional stress. There was no history of ingestion of iodinous compounds or family history of thyroid dysfunction. On examination the patient was tremulous, pale, cachexic, and tachycardic. There was a smooth goitre with no retrosternal...

The hypoparathyroidism, deafness and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder that is due to mutations of the dual zinc-finger transcription factor, GATA3. The C-terminal zinc finger (ZF2) is crucial for DNA binding, whilst the N-terminal finger (ZF1) stabilizes the DNA binding by ZF2 and interacts with other multi-type zinc finger proteins, referred to as Friends of GATA (FOG), which modulate GATA3 function. The majority of GATA3 mutations causing HDR ...

A 66-year-old Caucasian male presented with polydipsia, profound weight loss, blood glucose of 29.1 millimoles per litre and mild acidosis. Urinalysis revealed no ketonuria. A mild acidosis was also identified. A bronzed skin appearance was noted which together with deranged liver function raised suspicions of haemochromatosis in conjunction with newly diagnosed diabetes. Initial treatment involved rehydration, intravenous then subcutaneous insulin therapy. Subsequent abdomina...

The secondary sexual characteristics such as a neck mane and antlers seen in the male red deer are unusual in that they are produced on an annual basis and are linked to the breeding season. This cycle is highly controlled and the development of these characteristics coincides with changes in plasma levels of testosterone and IGF-1. We have previously shown that the expression of the androgen receptor in the hair follicle cells of the neck mane are only present during the bree...

A 66-year-old Caucasian male presented with polydipsia, profound weight loss, blood glucose of 29.1 millimoles per litre and mild acidosis. Urinalysis revealed no ketonuria. A mild acidosis was also identified. A bronzed skin appearance was noted which together with deranged liver function raised suspicions of haemochromatosis in conjunction with newly diagnosed diabetes. Initial treatment involved rehydration, intravenous then subcutaneous insulin therapy. Subsequent abdomina...

Much controversy exists surrounding, the screening, diagnosis, treatment and even existence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aims to compare sensitivity and cost of two screening strategy of GDM.2416 pregnant women referred to five university hospital clinics were followed up until delivery. The universal screening performed. Obstetric and family histories were taken followed by a complete physical examination. Retrospectively were conc...

A case - control study was conducted on 2416 pregnant women referred to five university hospital clinics. The universal screening was performed with a 50g 1-hour glucose challenge test and those with plasma glucose level >= 130mg/dl, were diagnosed as having GDM if they had an impaired 100g 3-hour glucose tolerance test based on Carpenter and Coustan criteria. Overall 114 GDM patients were identified who were matched to 220 normoglycemic pregnancies in view of age, BMI, pa...

Epidemiological studies of postmenopausal women on oral oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) show a reduction in the risk of developing colon carcinoma. Our previous study demonstrated that 17beta-oestradiol (E2) induced apoptosis in COLO205, a colonic cancer cell line. The aim of this study is to identify the genes important in the E2-induced apoptosis. cDNA array analysis 24h post E2 treatment showed a decrease in mRNA of erbB3 of 92%, K-RAS of 83% and p68TRK-T3 of 98% wherea...

Aspergillus infection of the paranasal sinuses is an unusual phenomenon but is the commonest fungal infection of these structures. A 67 year-old man was admitted with six months' lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Past history included sinusitis. On examination he was well but dehydrated. BP 100/60. No other abnormal findings. Routine blood results were normal.A provisional diagnosis of upper GI malignancy was made but gastroscopy was normal. The thyro...