Endocrine Abstracts

A 42 year old lady initially presented in Poland with haematuria while she was on holiday over Christmas. She had some tests including an ultrasound of the kidney which showed a mass adjacent to the left kidney. The haematuria had settled and she was feeling well apart from non-specific back ache. She worked in a cake factory which she continued to do here in the UK. Her GP requested another ultrasound of her kidneys which showed a solid mass adjacent to the left kidney and a ...

Discussion of environmental factors in the development and maintenance of obesity has overwhelmingly focused on the effects of an energy-dense and plentiful food supply and an environment conducive to physical inactivity. In recent years, however, an increased understanding of epigenetics has led to an explosion of interest in the mechanisms through which environmental exposures can exert an influence on energy intake and energy expenditure. Upward trends in domestic winter in...

Ovarian ageing is a naturally occurring physiological process, marked by dynamic changes in ovarian function and hormone secretion. A key of ovarian regulator is follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is secreted as two glycosylation variants: partially glycosylated FSH (FSH21) and fully glycosylated FSH (FSH24). Analysis has shown that the ratio of FSH21:FSH24 changes with age, with FSH21 predominant during reproductive prime, and FSH24 predominant around menopause. How FSH ...

Background: Setting a goal helps individuals achieve their long-term aims. A goal that challenges an individual, but at the same time is achievable, is likely to be attained. Candidates for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) may have different long-term goals, which may include achieving a particular weight loss or clothes size.Methods: 39 individuals undergoing LAGB were prospectively monitored for 5 years. Participants were weighed, had a 1...

Introduction: Despite the usefulness of using theory to underpin analysis, there is a paucity of literature applying this to experiences of gastric banding (GB) surgery. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is useful for exploring beliefs underlying behaviour. The present study uses a TPB framework to explore individuals’ beliefs towards GB both prior to and five years post-surgery.Methods: A prospective longitudinal qualitative study. Semi-structu...

A prolonged course of antithyroid drugs (ATD) is commonly used as first line treatment in patients with hyperthyroidism, although long term cure rates are poor – 40–50%. We performed a longitudinal analysis of outcomes in patients treated with a complete course of ATD and identified factors predicting remission.583 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism presenting between 2005 and 2014 and treated with ATD for a minimum of 6 ...

Background: Haploinsufficiency of the GATA3 gene located on chromosome 10p15, is well-recognised as the cause of hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness and renal dysgenesis; the HDR syndrome. A number of abnormalities within the GATA3 gene have been identified, with varying phenotypic characteristics. GATA3 is associated with other abnormalities including, abnormalities of Mullerian structures, hypomagnesia, hemimegalenencephaly and diabetes mell...

Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is the most common first-line treatment for Cushing's disease (CD). We have examined the outcome of this intervention to identify pre-operative clinical factors that predict good surgical outcome and to determine the risk of adverse events.We performed a case-notes review of 30 consecutive patients, 20 (67%) female, treated by a single surgeon over a 14-year period. The mean (SE) age was 34.2 (2.1) years and median (range) ...

Ovarian ageing is a naturally occurring physiological process, marked by dynamic changes in ovarian function and hormone secretion. A key endocrine regulator of ovarian function is the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is secreted as two glycosylation variants: partially glycosylated FSH (FSH21) and fully glycosylated FSH (FSH24). These variants have different in-vitro activities, with FSH21 more bioactive than FSH24. Interest...

Background: MBDP describes inadequate mineralisation of bones in the preterm infant. Traditionally, neonatologists have used a raised ALP and low phosphate to diagnose MBDP, with phosphate supplements as first-line treatment. An alternative management approach, published by Chinoy et al (2019), recommended PTH and vitamin D in the routine work-up. Objectives: We undertook a review of data across two neonatal intensive care units:<p class="ab...