The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 91, No. 2 17a
Copyright © 2006 by The Endocrine Society
Endocrinology & Metabolism News, February 2006
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Endocrine Discovery
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Intensive insulin treatment of type 1 diabetes reduced risks of cardiovascular events by 42% (95% CI, 9–63%) and nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death by 57% (95% CI, 12–79%) over a mean 6.5 years.
(NEJM (Dec. 22, 2005) 353:2643)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
MRI permits in vivo identification of transplanted human pancreatic islets for real-time noninvasive monitoring of grafts in diabetic mice, offering the future potential of noninvasive monitoring of islet grafts in humans.
(Nat Med (Jan. 2006) 12:144)[Medline]
Lack of the type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (D3) caused neonatal thyrotoxicosis followed by lifelong central hypothyroidism in D3-knockout mice, demonstrating an essential role for D3 in the thyroid axis’ maturation and function.
(J Clin Invest (published electronically ahead of print Jan. 12, 2006))
A subcutaneous implant of GnRH agonist histrelin was effective in suppressing clinical and laboratory parameters of central precocious puberty for one year, avoiding the discomfort and nuisance of monthly injections.
(Pediatrics (Dec. 6, 2005) 116(6):e798)
In U.S. and Danish cohorts, the homozygous and heterozygous expression of transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2), which has previously been implicated in blood glucose regulation, was associated with significantly higher risks of type 2 diabetes (2.41 and 1.45, respectively), corresponding to a population attributable risk of 21%. (
Nat Genet (published electronically ahead of print Jan. 15, 2006))
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Endocrine Practice
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FDA approved the arginine vasopressin antagonist conivaptan (Vaprisol®) as the first drug for treatment of euvolemic hyponatremia in hospitalized patients, and also issued an ‘approvable letter’ for its use in hypervolemic hyponatremia. (For more information, visit: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=35589)
The ADA has launched a Medicare Resource Center to help people with diabetes learn how to take best advantage of the new prescription drug benefit and other changes in Medicare that will have an impact on them. (For more information, call 800-DIABETES or visit: http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/healthcare/healthinsurance/medicare.jsp)
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Endocrine Education & Training
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NIH announced 2006 stipend levels for National Research Service Awards, including a 4% increase for postdoctoral trainees with 0–1 year’s experience, but no change for predoctoral and other postdoctoral trainees. (For more information, visit: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-026.html)
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Endocrine Policy
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FY 2006 appropriations for NIH will be $28.3 billion, necessitating reductions in research project grants awarded for FY 2006 to 97.65% of their original amounts; however, noncompeting awards issued in FY 2006 at the lower level of 80% will now also be awarded at 97.65%. (For more information, visit: http://www.im.org/AAIM/PublicPolicy/MERLIN/2006/January/01-13-06.htm#sets)
VA announced restructuring of its Research Career Development Program, including: for trainees without previous research fellowship training, up to 2 years of salary support for mentored research experience; for mid-level investigators, salary or project funds for 3–5 years of research development and mentoring; for clinicians with approved merit proposal, support for their transition to independent funding; and for senior VA scientists, a career development enhancement award for a six-month sabbatical to learn new research skills or participate in special experiments at a unique facility. (For more information, visit: http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/CDP.cfm)
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Milestones in Endocrinology
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One hundred years ago, Schloffer attempted to resect a pituitary tumor by the transnasal route in Innsbruck, Austria—turning the entire nose to one side and resecting nasal septum and turbinates, medial orbital wall, and maxillary sinus. Postoperatively, the patient developed a CSF leak and died two months later, with much of the tumor found to be remaining at autopsy. (For more information, see:
Neurosurg Focus (Oct. 2001) 11:4
)
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In the Journal 25 Years Ago
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Sequential serum thyroglobulin determinations, I131 scans, and I131 uptakes after triiodothyronine withdrawal in patients with thyroid cancer. Schneider AB, Line BR, Goldman JM, and Robbins J, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981;53:1199–1206.
"A high serum thyroglobulin level with a negative scan defines a new group of patients for whom there is currently no information upon which to estimate their prognosis."
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Footnotes
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Readers are encouraged to suggest items for Endocrinology and Metabolism News by email (sherman@endo-society.org). Submissions will be considered based on their significance and timeliness.
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