Endocrine Abstracts

Current cortisol dosing regimes for patients with adrenal insufficiency are unable to accurately replicate the physiological profile of healthy patients. This work is part of an interdisciplinary study with the aim of using mathematical approaches to understand the treatment strategies for patients with adrenal insufficiency. We also aim to then tailor treatments specific to an individual or situation. We present a simplified model of hydrocortisone delivery via intravenous bo...

Inguinal subcutaneous fat, the site of murine mammary glands 4 and 5, is a suitable model of mammary white fat adipose tissue (WAT). WAT requires extracellular Ca2+ influx for differentiation and expansion; this primarily occurs via plasma membrane Ca2+ voltage-dependent channels (CaVs). Whereas the neuropeptide oxytocin can mobilise intracellular Ca2+ in WAT which has key roles in lactation. Our aim was to use a combination of molecular biolog...

Devices such as continuous glucose monitoring systems and insulin pumps are being increasingly used, improving quality of life and diabetic control for those with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Skin reactions can occur at the local site which could be allergic, irritant or infective in nature. The history is key in differentiating between these. Typically infective or irritant dermatitis tend to cause intermittent problems and may start within days of a new device being applied to ...

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMDs) for all adults and children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Automated technologies such as hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems can improve outcomes and quality of life for patients, their families and carers. There have been increasing reports of cutaneous allergic reactions to medical devices, including CGMDs, in the literature. These reactions are mostly t...

Introduction: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a novel intervention used to treat both primary and metastatic malignant liver lesions. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer with limited treatment options; evidence for SIRT use in ACC liver metastases is limited to case reports only. In this case we report prolonged and successful disease control using recurrent SIRT in a gentleman with liver-limited ACC.Case study: A 49-year-old g...

Thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity are associated with adverse fertility and pregnancy outcomes. International bodies recommend routine thyroid function screening in women with history of subfertility or miscarriage. Knowledge about the frequency of, and risk factors for, thyroid disease is limited in the asymptomatic preconception population. A prospective multi-centre study of women with history of miscarriage or subfertility conducted at 49 hospitals across the United Kin...

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...

Introduction: There is controversy over which form of biochemical testing is best for screening for phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PHAEO/PGL). Measurement of plasma metanephrines is the most sensitive test but is less specific and lacks widespread availability, and so many centres opt to measure 24-h urinary excretion of catecholamines and metanephrines. However, the standard 24-h urinary catecholamine profile also includes dopamine (DA), vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homo...

Background: Individuals with Down Syndrome are at increased risk of developing thyroid disease. Given thyroid disorders represent a preventable cause of neurodevelopmental impairment, early detection and treatment are essential to maximise cognitive abilities in this already impaired population. This service evaluation sought to assess the efficacy of the Down Syndrome Hypothyroid Screening programme in its uptake and subsequent diagnosis of hypothyroidism.<p class="abstex...

Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) are regularly used in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) to control the symptoms of hormonal hypersecretion. Evidence shows that SSAs can reduce tumour progression, and are therefore also being used in patients with non-functioning tumours. As many NETs present with advanced disease curative therapy is often not possible; therefore, assessing the impact of therapy on quality of life (QoL) is vital to patient management. This is particu...