Endocrine Abstracts

Two patients have presented to a regional Australian Hospital with intrapericardial paragangliomas in the last decade. In 2011, a 28-year-old Indigenous male presented with a hypertensive crisis. He had a two-year history of symptoms during physical exertion, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. He had also experienced paroxysmal light-headedness and sweats, and had been previously diagnosed with hypertension. Urinary and serum catecholamine testing revealed markedl...

Aims: The introduction of Western diet has changed the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Korean young population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the obesity status and its effect on β-cell function and insulin resistance in a healthy young population in Korea.Methods: This was a large-scale, community-based study conducted from January 2007 to December 2010. A total of 2,587 subjects (1,066 men and 1,521 women) aged 19–29 years who...

Introduction: Accumulating evidence suggests that one of the most significant contributors to endothelial dysfunction is increased oxidative stress. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation can have injurious effects within the vasculature including elevated expression of adhesion molecules, stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and promotion of endothelial cell apoptosis; events which culminate in the formation and progression of atherosclerotic ...

Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) is the commonest co-morbidity in CF leading to increased mortality rates. The pathophysiology includes pancreatic fibrosis, reduction in α and ß-cell mass, delayed insulin secretion and variable insulin insensitivity. Insulin production can fluctuate with progression over time to an insulinopenic state. We report two cases of young people with CFRD with high insulin requirements, poor glycaemic control and improvement with the ...

Introduction: Increased oxidative stress is associated with endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Evidence suggests that tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, may also be involved in the pathogenesis of CVD. Observational studies have demonstrated that serum levels of TRAIL are inversely correlated with severity of coronary artery disease. This concurs ...

Ingested protein has a greater satiating effect than other macronutrients. The underlying mechanism is unknown, but it has been shown that protein induces greater increases in anorectic gut hormone levels than carbohydrate or fat. It was hypothesised that these effects could be mediated by specific amino acids comprising the protein. We therefore examined the effects of specific amino acids on food intake and gut hormone release. Fasted male Wistar rats received an oral gavage...

Objectives: To evaluate the use of Antimüllerian hormone (AMH) measured on day 2 of spontaneous menstrual cycles in the prediction of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).Design: Prospective observational study.Setting: IVF unit within a department of reproductive medicine and surgery.Patients: Women undergoing their first cycle of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for IVF/ICSI.<p class="...

Background and aims: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean youth population has been increased by introduction of Western diet in the past decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of urinary ketosis and correlation with metabolic indices in healthy adolescents in Korea.Materials and methods: This was a large-scale, community-based study conducted from January 2007 to December 2010. A total of 1,349 subjects (749 males and ...

Introduction: IIH is associated with hypo and hyperthyroidism. We report a case of IIH where the likely precipitant was the treatment for hypothyroidism itself, levothyroxine, and the challenges this presents.Case: A 14-year-old girl was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism following investigations for short stature (height 137 cm < 0.4th centile). Serum assay showed TSH 538 mU/l (0.55–4.78 mU/l), T4 0.68 pmol/l, (1.7–22.7 pmol/...

Women with Turner Syndrome (TS) are at significantly increased risk of aortic dilation and dissection. However, predicting the risk of aortic dissection (AoD) is difficult with many women attending annual appointments with time, travel and parking costs and resource implications. We developed a risk-based pathway based on the international guidelines, enabling closer follow up for those with a greater risk and reduce the frequency of appointments for those at the least risk.</...