Endocrine Abstracts

The analysis of mRNA expression (transcriptome) and microRNAs represent powerful tools for elucidating the pathogenesis of tumours, establishment of biomarkers and identifying possible drug targets. Several studies have been performed to date on the mRNA expression profiles of adrenocortical tumours. Some studies on the transcriptome of phaeochromocytomas and the microRNA expression patterns in adrenocortical and adrenomedullary tumours have also been recently reported. Transc...

Understanding the dynamic control of hormonal and metabolic homeostasis requires a description of the input, secretory and output mechanisms that underlie the life cycle of hormone pulses. Whilst input stimuli and hormone output have been measured, in vivo measurements of the blood microcirculation during a secretory pulse, and signalling at the cell and population level in the intact organ have not. To achieve this long-standing question, we recently developed a strate...

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As medical science and technology have advanced health care delivery in diabetes has struggled to provide consistent high quality care. In the United Kingdom the National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes and guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence lay out the direction of care but do not performance manage care to achieve real improvements in health.There remains a shortfall between knowledge acquisition and safe and appropriat...

Pendred syndrome (PS) is an autosomal, recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness, goiter, and a positive perchlorate test. PS, one of the most common forms of syndromic deafness, is caused by biallelic mutations in the SLC26A4 gene, which encodes the anion transporter pendrin. Functionally, pendrin can serve as an exchanger of several anions including chloride, bicarbonate and iodide. Pendrin is expressed in the inner ear, the thyroid and the kidney.</p...

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Thyroid associated orbitopathy affects approximately a third of patients with Graves’ disease. It is responsible for significant symptoms, poor quality of life, and if neglected can cause blindness. Early diagnosis of Graves’ ophthalmopathy is paramount as is early detection of sight-threatening disease. All but the mildest cases are best referred to centres who provide multidisciplinary care and have the experience and expertise on managing this condition. Treatment...

One percent of the UK population takes chronic oral corticosteroids and this rises to 3% in subjects aged over 70 years old. When inhaled, topical and parenteral steroids are added to this burden, iatrogenic Cushing’s becomes a major health issue. High doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate can cause glucocorticoid effects and drug interactions may impair the metabolism of some glucocorticoids (e.g. fluticasone), thereby increasing their potency. In each case, patients may ...

Photoperiodic time measurement is achieved through a hypothalamic pacemaker that generates a circadian rhythm of photoinducibilty. The presence of light during the photoindicible phase of this rhythm induces photoperiodic responses. Coincidence of light and the photoinducible phase induces increased expression of TSH beta in pars tuberalis cells that results in a local increase in TSH in the adjacent medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). This in turn stimulates local ...