Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Endocrinology News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/endocrinology/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170145.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170145.php The American Thyroid Association has released new, revised Management Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. The new guidelines are published in Thyroid, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Thyroid is the official journal of the American Thyroid Association (ATA). The ATA's revised Management Guidelines and accompanying editorials are available free online at Cancer / Oncology Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170052.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170052.php Melatonin, a natural hormone segregated by the own human body, is an excellent sleep regulator expected to replace somniferous, which are much more aggressive, to correct the sleep/wakefulness pace when human biological clock becomes altered. Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170005.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170005.php Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease in which the patient's own immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too much thyroxine. Thyroxine (T4) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that has four iodine molecules attached to its molecular structure. T4, as well as other thyroid hormones help regulate growth and control metabolism in the body. Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism. Endocrinology Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169959.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169959.php The hormones, called androgens, are important in the development of masculine characteristics such as aggression and strength. It is also thought that prenatal androgens affect finger length during development in the womb. High levels of androgens, such as testosterone, increase the length of the fourth finger in comparison to the second finger. Endocrinology Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169964.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169964.php For estrogen replacement to provide stroke protection, it likely must be given soon after levels drop because of menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries, scientists report in the Journal of Neuroscience. Stroke Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169805.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169805.php Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine report that cutting back on the consumption of processed and fried foods, which are high in toxins called Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), can reduce inflammation and actually help restore the body's natural defenses regardless of age or health status. These benefits are present even without changing caloric or nutrient intake. Biology / Biochemistry Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169806.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169806.php Postmenopausal women who have higher testosterone levels may be at greater risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome compared to women with lower testosterone levels, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). This new information is an important step, say researchers, in understanding the role that hormones play in women's health. Endocrinology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169808.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169808.php According to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), eating a meal quickly, as compared to slowly, curtails the release of hormones in the gut that induce feelings of being full. The decreased release of these hormones, can often lead to overeating. Endocrinology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169750.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169750.php Eighteen years ago this month the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it would sponsor a landmark study to examine women and cardiovascular disease. Known as the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), the study enrolled more than 161,000 women. By 2004 however, the government had ended two arms of the study involving estrogen after researchers found it posed a small but detrimental risk for stroke to postmenopausal women taking the hormone. Stroke Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169743.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169743.php The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) released new medical guidelines for the accurate diagnosis and effective ethical treatment of growth hormone deficiency in affected patients. Growth hormone replacement therapy has proven useful for children and adults with scientifically proven growth hormone deficiency. Endocrinology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169745.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169745.php Enobia Pharma announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical study of ENB-0040, a bone-targeted enzyme replacement therapy, under investigation for the treatment of hypophosphatasia (HPP). The six-month study will assess the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ENB-0040 in up to 12 children with HPP. Endocrinology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169701.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169701.php Penn Medicine will lead a new national $45 million clinical trial to test whether testosterone therapy can favorably affect certain conditions affecting older men. Low serum testosterone may contribute to a number of problems affecting older men, including decreased ability to walk, loss of muscle mass and strength, decreased vitality, decreased sexual function, impaired cognition, cardiovascular disease and anemia. Men's health Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169631.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169631.php A common type of chronic diarrhoea may be caused by a hormone deficiency, according to new research published in the November issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169439.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169439.php UroToday.com - Management of patients with 46, XY cloacal exstrophy is becoming more controversial as long-term studies suggest that prenatal testosterone exposure may imprint the brains of these children prior to puberty, and contributes to male sexual identity. Pediatrics / Children's Health Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169359.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169359.php Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), cells found in the layer of peripheral embryonic stem cells from which the placenta is formed, are thought to exhibit "immune privilege" that aids cell survivability and is potentially beneficial for cell and gene therapies. Further, the survivability of TSCs has been thought to require the presence of ovarian hormones. However, none of these assumptions has ever been verified. Stem Cell Research Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169190.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169190.php A recent study determined glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (OP) is now treatable with Teriparatide, a synthetic form of the human parathyroid hormone. Researchers found patients with glucocorticoid-induced OP who were treated with teriparatide for 36 months had a greater increase in bone mineral density (BMD) and fewer new vertebral fractures than those treated with alendronate. Bones / Orthopaedics Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169161.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169161.php Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal estrogen deficiency has been in widespread use for over 60 years. Several observational studies over the years showed that HRT use by younger postmenopausal women was associated with a significant reduction in total mortality; available evidence supported the routine use of HRT to increase longevity in postmenopausal women. Menopause Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168909.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168909.php Stem cell research holds great promise for the treatment of millions of Americans with debilitating and possibly fatal diseases. Current legislation and guidelines, however, continue to limit researchers' endeavors in unlocking the potential breakthroughs that stem cell research can provide. To address this concern, today The Endocrine Society issued a Position Statement (http://www.endo-society. Stem Cell Research Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168654.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168654.php A new Canadian study has found that lower-than-normal levels of a naturally-occurring fat hormone may increase the risk of death from sepsis - an overwhelming infection of the blood which claims thousands of lives each year. The study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto focused on adiponectin, a hormone secreted by visceral fat surrounding the abdominal organs. Blood / Hematology Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168576.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168576.php Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONXX) announced the companies have begun enrolling patients in an international Phase 3 trial to evaluate Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets for the treatment of patients with radioactive iodine-refractory, locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer. This Phase 3 trial was started based on the results from Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating Nexavar in patients with advanced thyroid cancer. Cancer / Oncology Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168585.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168585.php Absorbing and storing too much iron can cause an array of health problems -- for starters, joint pain, fatigue, weakness and loss of interest in sex. This condition, called hemochromatosis, is the most common genetic disorder in the United States, most frequently occurring in people of Northern European descent. Blood / Hematology Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168343.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168343.php Exposure to a combination of excess stress hormones and chemicals while in the womb could affect a man's fertility in later life, a study suggests. Researchers looked at the effect of stress hormones - glucocorticoids - combined with a common chemical used in glues, paints and plastics. They found that the combination strikingly increased the likelihood of reproductive birth defects. Men's health Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168345.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168345.php Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have uncovered a new genetic signature that correlates strongly with autism and which doesn't involve changes to the DNA sequence itself. Rather, the changes are in the way the genes are turned on and off. The finding may suggest new approaches to diagnosis and treatment of autism. Autism Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168207.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168207.php Embryos that are most likely to result in a pregnancy are crucial to the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) but are difficult to identify. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine, led by Emre Seli, M.D., are developing a fast, non-invasive test to help assess embryo viability for IVF. Fertility Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168079.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168079.php Ferring Pharmaceuticals presented an interim study analysis indicating that MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection, USP) is effective in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. The results were presented in a poster at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Atlanta, October 17-21, 2009. MENOPUR® vs. Fertility