The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 90, No. 3 16a
Copyright © 2005 by The Endocrine Society
Endocrinology & Metabolism News March 2005
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Endocrine Discovery
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Obese individuals sat two hours
longer and expended 350 fewer kcal per day than lean individuals
in a study that measured their postures and movements over ten days.
This behavioral difference did not change with weight loss in the obese
or weight gain in the lean subjects, suggesting that it may be
biologically determined.
(Science [Jan. 28] 307:584)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Structure of the human FSH receptor-FSH complex was characterized
to 2.9-Å resolution, showing the hormone to be bound in a
hand-clasp fashion to an elongated, curved receptor. Bound FSH
undergoes a conformational change affecting its protruding loops, which
may activate the receptor. Dimerization of these complexes may
facilitate transmembrane signal transduction.
(Nature [Jan. 20] 433:269)[CrossRef][Medline]
Use of hip DEXA scans to screen for osteoporosis in older adults
was associated with 36% fewer incident hip fractures over 6 years
compared with usual medical care in a prospective cohort study.
(Ann Int Med [Feb. 1] 142:173)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
In 19 patients presenting with severe but reversible left
ventricular dysfunction after sudden emotional stress, plasma
catecholamine concentrations were markedly elevated and are
postulated to have a causative role in this novel "broken heart
syndrome."
(New Engl J Med [Feb. 10] 352:539)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
A prospective controlled trial found no improvement in
neuropsychological outcomes following parathyroidectomy for primary
hyperparathyroidism.
(Clin Endocrinol (Feb.) 62:99)[CrossRef][Medline]
In chronic heart failure patients, a low serum T3
level measured on hospitalization was an independent predictor of
mortality over 12 months follow-up, adding prognostic information
to clinical and cardiac functional parameters.
(Am J Med (Feb.) 118:132)[CrossRef][Medline]
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Endocrine Practice
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After expedited review, FDA approved a liquid potassium
iodide preparation (ThyroShield®) for
radioprotection of children and infants unable to swallow potassium
iodide pills in the face of a nuclear incident. The black
raspberry-flavored liquid will be available through Internet
pharmacies for less than $20 per bottle. (See http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Overview&DrugName=THYROSHIELD
)
Japanese and Canadian surgeons reportedly performed the first
successful living donor islet cell transplant—performing a
partial pancreatectomy on the patient’s mother, isolating islets, and
transplanting them into her diabetic daughter. (See http://beta2.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-02/uoa-wld020305.php)
Eleven pharmaceutical companies launched a card program offering
25–40% discounts to 36 million uninsured Americans for more than
275 branded drugs, including agents used to treat diabetes and
hypertension. (For application information, call 1-800-444-4106 or see
http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/).
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Endocrine Policy
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NIH issued its final public access publication
policy requesting, but not requiring, funded investigators to
submit their research manuscripts to PubMed Central within 12 months of
their acceptance for publication. (See http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-05-022.html)
NIH announced broad restrictions on its employees’ outside
consulting activities and financial interests, as well as
acceptance of certain gifts and awards. (See http://www.nih.gov/about/ethics_COI.htm)
The International Diabetes Federation has established a Tsunami
Disaster fund to help individuals with diabetes in the affected
regions. (See http://www.disasterfund.idf.org).
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Endocrine Education & Training
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A historic high of 248 physicians took the 2004 ABIM
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism subspecialty examination for the
first time; 55% were women and 53% were U.S. medical graduates.
Ninety-one percent of these first-time takers passed, whereas only
39% of 56 repeat test takers passed. Among 54 endocrinologists taking
the re-certification examination, 91% passed. (See http://www.abim.org/resources/statcert.shtm and http://www.abim.org/resources/statmoc.shtm)
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Endocrinologists
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Edward Biglieri, former UCSF Endocrinology Chief and
pioneer in the field of mineralocorticoid-mediated hypertension, died
on February 4.
Victor Montori of the Mayo Clinic and Russell
Rothman of Vanderbilt University are recipients of a $600,000 ADA
Research Foundation grant to support research on educational and
behavioral approaches to diabetes management.
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Milestones in Endocrinology
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One hundred fifty years ago, Thomas Addison
published his classic paper, "On the Constitutional and Local
Effects of Disease of the Supra-renal Capsules," in which he
described 11 patients with the disorder that would come to bear his
name. The apparent causes of adrenal failure were tuberculosis,
metastatic disease, hemorrhage, and simple atrophy and fibrosis.
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In the Journal 25 Years Ago
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Correlation of hyperandrogenism with hyperinsulinism in
polycystic ovarian disease. GA Burghen, JR Givens, AE Kitabchi.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1980;50:113–116. "The present study
provides new evidence showing that hyperandrogenism correlates with
hyperinsulinism in obese patients with PCOD."
Changes in thyroid-stimulating antibody activity in
Graves’ disease treated with antithyroid drug and its relationship to
relapse: a prospective study. Teng CS and Yeung RT. J Clin
Endocrinol Metab 1980:50;144–147. "A positive TSAb index at the
end of drug treatment was a useful indicator in predicting subsequent
relapse because, with one exception, all patients who were still TSAb
positive at drug withdrawal relapsed subsequently."
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Footnotes
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Readers may suggest items for Endocrinology and Metabolism News by email (eic{at}jcem.endo-society.org). Submissions will be considered based on their significance and timeliness.
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