Endocrine Abstracts

In adults, the absence of a biological marker equivalent to height in children, means the diagnosis of GHD relies exclusively on biochemical tests. Confirmation of GHD when suspected involves use of GH stimulation tests, serum levels of GH-dependent peptides, and 24 h GH profiles.GH stimulation tests have become the mainstay for diagnosis of adult GHD, which superficially appears to be relatively simple. GHD in the adult is accepted as a peak GH response...

Screening is expected to diagnose and treat early stage disease in the hope of deriving survival benefits with decreased iatrogenic morbidity. This model is little argued for malignant disease but triggers intense debate for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Despite an estimated incidence of 20/100 000 persons-years, relatively small numbers of patients undergo parathyroidectomy yearly. In the USA, over 75% of subjects are observed without parathyroid s...

Anabolic agents hold the promise of rebuilding the skeleton and thus producing a greater fracture reduction that antiresorptive agents. PTH (either 1–34 or 1–84) suggests improvements in mass and structure, and for 1-34rhPTH significant reductions in vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Whether the fracture benefits are indeed greater than those seen with bisphosphonates is not clear. The limited duration of clinical trials (and treatment in practice) makes it diff...

Our research has embraced fish, reptilian and mammalian models, including Man. Investigations of endocrine control of sodium and water management and more recently calcium homeostasis, integrate molecular, biochemical, cellular and whole organism approaches. In recognition of the high level of conservation of these vital body processes through the vertebrate series, key research questions have been moved back and forth between species. This has brought experience and knowledge...

In this world, there are no prizes for coming second: the only way to flourish in any field is through excellence, and that includes the leadership of groups and organisations. Leadership, however, is a lazily understood concept. We know about charismatic leaders, with vision and ability to think laterally, who save nations in a state of crisis. Yet these same characteristics are often also needed by those who lead science-based organisations. Furthermore even charismatic lead...

Molecular genetics have yielded many advances in our understanding of endocrine processes. This is particularly true for the mechanisms regulating calcium homeostasis, and the relevance of this to the disorders associated with abnormalities of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) will be reviewed. The human CaSR is a 1078 amino acid cell surface protein, which is predominantly expressed in the parathyroids and kidney, and is a member of the family of G protein-cou...

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In 2006, three major society-endorsed guidelines and consensus reports on the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules were published by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/Associazone Medici Endocrinologi (AACE/AME), the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and the European Thyroid Association (ETA). Despite many similarities and areas with lack of evidence, significant differences between these guidelines are also present, reflecting differences in disease...

In the human adrenal cortex, three mitochondrial cytochromes P450 are involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis. CYP11A1 catalyses side-chain cleavage of cholesterol to yield pregnenolone, whereas P45011B1 is responsible for the conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol to the glucocorticoids, corticosterone and cortisol, respectively. The aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) catalyses the 11β-hydroxylation, 18-hydroxylation and 18-oxidation of deoxycorticosteron...

Ligand activated VDR regulates about 3% the mouse genome. Its classical function is to regulate calcium and bone homeostasis. 1,25-(OH)2D is essential for transepithelial calcium transport in the intestine (by an epithelial calcium channel, TRPV6) and in the kidney (TRPV5). Normal osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption as well as bone mineralisation is possible in the absence of VDR when VDR KO men or animals receive a high calcium diet. VDR.1α,25-(OH)2</s...