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Shuang Ye Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

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Yuanyuan Xu Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

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Jiehao Li Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

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Shuhui Zheng Research Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

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Peng Sun Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China

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Tinghuai Wang Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

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The role of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) signaling, including promotion of Ezrin phosphorylation (which could be activated by estrogen), has not yet been clearly identified in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of GPER and Ezrin in TNBC patients. Clinicopathologic features including age, menopausal status, tumor size, nuclear grade, lymph node metastasis, AJCC TNM stage, and ER, PR and HER-2 expression were evaluated from 249 TNBC cases. Immunohistochemical staining of GPER and Ezrin was performed on TNBC pathological sections. Kaplan–Meier analyses, as well as logistic regressive and Cox regression model tests were applied to evaluate the prognostic significance between different subgroups. Compared to the GPER-low group, the GPER-high group exhibited higher TNM staging (P = 0.021), more death (P < 0.001), relapse (P < 0.001) and distant events (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that GPER-high patients had a decreased OS (P < 0.001), PFS (P < 0.001), LRFS (P < 0.001) and DDFS (P < 0.001) than GPER-low patients. However, these differences in prognosis were not statistically significant in post-menopausal patients (OS, P = 0.8617; PFS, P = 0.1905; LRFS, P = 0.4378; DDFS, P = 0.2538). There was a significant positive correlation between GPER and Ezrin expression level (R = 0.508, P < 0.001) and the effect of Ezrin on survival prognosis corresponded with GPER. Moreover, a multivariable analysis confirmed that GPER and Ezrin level were both significantly associated with poor DDFS (HR: 0.346, 95% CI 0.182–0.658, P = 0.001; HR: 0.320, 95% CI 0.162–0.631, P = 0.001). Thus, overexpression of GPER and Ezrin may contribute to aggressive behavior and indicate unfavorable prognosis in TNBC; this may correspond to an individual’s estrogen levels.

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Sharmin Jahan Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Jun Yang Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia

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Jinbo Hu Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Qifu Li Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Peter J Fuller Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia

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Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension and is often underdiagnosed. This condition is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in comparison to age and blood pressure matched individuals with essential hypertension (EH). The diagnostic pathway for PA consists of three phases: screening, confirmatory testing, and subtyping. The lack of specificity in the screening step, which relies on the aldosterone to renin ratio, necessitates confirmatory testing. The Endocrine Society’s clinical practice guideline suggests four confirmatory tests, including the fludrocortisone suppression test (FST), saline suppression test (SST), captopril challenge test (CCT), and oral sodium loading test (SLT). There is no universally accepted choice of confirmatory test, with practices varying among centers. The SST and FST are commonly used, but they can be resource-intensive, carry risks such as volume overload or hypokalemia, and are contraindicated in severe/uncontrolled HTN as well as in cardiac and renal impairment. In contrast, CCT is a safe and inexpensive alternative that can be performed in an outpatient setting and can be applied when other tests are contraindicated. Despite its simplicity and convenience, the variability in captopril dose, testing posture, and diagnostic threshold limit its widespread use. This narrative review evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the CCT across different populations, addresses controversies in its usage, and proposes recommendations for its use in the diagnosis of PA. Furthermore, suggestions for future research aimed at promoting the wider utilization of the CCT as a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective diagnostic test are discussed.

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Luca Boeri Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda – Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

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Paolo Capogrosso Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Walter Cazzaniga Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Edoardo Pozzi Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Luigi Candela Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Federico Belladelli Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Davide Oreggia Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Eugenio Ventimiglia Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Nicolò Schifano Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Giuseppe Fallara Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Marina Pontillo Laboratory Medicine Service, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Costantino Abbate Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Emanuele Montanari Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda – Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

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Francesco Montorsi Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Andrea Salonia Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

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Objective:

We aimed to test the association between age, BMI and sex-hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) in a homogenous cohort of white-European men presenting for primary couple’s infertility.

Design:

Retrospective study.

Methods:

Data from 1547 infertile men were analysed. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Fasting serum hormones were measured in every patient. Age was considered according to quartile groups (<33, 33-41, >41 years) and BMI as normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (>30 kg/m2). Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis tested the associations between age, BMI and SHBG.

Results:

Median SHBG levels increased across quartiles of age and decreased along with BMI increases (all P < 0.001). For each year increase in age, SHBG increased 0.32 nmol/L; conversely, for each unit increase in BMI, SHBG decreased by 1.1 nmol/L (all P < 0.001). SHBG levels decline with increasing BMI was greater than SHBG progressive increase with age. Overall, BMI explained 3.0 times more of the variability in SHBG than did ageing. At multivariate linear model, age and BMI were the most significant factors influencing SHBG concentration (all P < 0.001), after accounting for CCI, albumin levels and smoking status.

Conclusions:

We found a wide distribution of SHBG concentrations across age and BMI values in primary infertile men. The association between BMI and lowered SHBG levels seems to be greater than the association of ageing with increased SHBG.

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Marko Stojanovic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Zida Wu Department of Medicine for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutritional Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany

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Craig E Stiles Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Dragana Miljic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Ivan Soldatovic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia
Insitute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Belgrade, Serbia

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Sandra Pekic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Mirjana Doknic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Milan Petakov Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Vera Popovic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Christian Strasburger Department of Medicine for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutritional Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany

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Márta Korbonits Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Background

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) is evolutionarily conserved and expressed widely throughout the organism. Loss-of-function AIP mutations predispose to young-onset pituitary adenomas. AIP co-localizes with growth hormone in normal and tumorous somatotroph secretory vesicles. AIP protein is detectable in circulation. We aimed to investigate possible AIP and GH co-secretion, by studying serum AIP and GH levels at baseline and after GH stimulation or suppression, in GH deficiency (GHD) and in acromegaly patients.

Subjects and methods

Insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed in GHD patients (n = 13) and age-BMI-matched normal GH axis control patients (n = 31). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in active acromegaly patients (n = 26) and age-BMI-matched normal GH axis control patients (n = 18). In-house immunometric assay was developed for measuring circulating AIP.

Results

Serum AIP levels were in the 0.1 ng/mL range independently of gender, age or BMI. Baseline AIP did not differ between GHD and non-GHD or between acromegaly and patients with no acromegaly. There was no change in peak, trough or area under the curve during OGTT or ITT. Serum AIP did not correlate with GH during ITT or OGTT.

Conclusions

Human circulating serum AIP in vivo was assessed by a novel immunometric assay. AIP levels were independent of age, sex or BMI and unaffected by hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Despite co-localization in secretory vesicles, AIP and GH did not correlate at baseline or during GH stimulation or suppression tests. A platform of reliable serum AIP measurement is established for further research of its circulatory source, role and impact.

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Weidi Wang Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

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Lingjun Kong Department of Thyroid and Breast, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

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Hongkun Guo Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

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Xiangjin Chen Department of Thyroid and Breast, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

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Abstract

Background

The presence of clinically negative nodules on the contralateral lobe is common in patients with unilateral papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). The appropriate operational strategies of contralateral thyroid nodules remain controversial. In this study, we analyzed clinical features that could be predictors for malignancy of contralateral thyroid nodules coexisting with diagnosed unilateral PTMC.

Methods

The literatures published from January 2000 to December 2019 were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wan Fang database. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI was used to describe categorical variables. Heterogeneity among studies was examined by the Q test and I2 test; potential publication bias was detected by Harbord test and ‘trim and fill’ method.

Results

In this meta-analysis, 2541 studies were searched and 8 studies were finally included. The results showed that the rate of carcinoma in contralateral nodules was 23% (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.18–0.29). The pooled data indicated that contralateral malignancy was not associated with age, gender, primary lesion size, ipsilateral central lymph node metastasis and multifocality of contralateral lesion. The following variables have correlations with an increased risk of contralateral malignancy: multifocality of primary carcinomas (OR = 3.93, 95% CI = 2.70–5.73, P < 0.0001), capsular invasion (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.10–2.36, P = 0.01), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.13–2.20, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Based on our meta-analysis, the rate at which contralateral malignancies are preoperatively misdiagnosed as benign is 23%. The risk factors for contralateral malignancy in unilateral PTMC patients with contralateral clinical negative nodules include multifocality of primary carcinomas, capsular invasion, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Open access
J Brossaud Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Bordeaux, France
Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France

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V Pallet Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Bordeaux, France
INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France

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J-B Corcuff Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, Bordeaux, France
Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France

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Vitamin A (retinol) is a micronutrient critical for cell proliferation and differentiation. In adults, vitamin A and metabolites such as retinoic acid (RA) play major roles in vision, immune and brain functions and tissue remodelling and metabolism. This review presents the physiological interactions of retinoids and endocrine tissues and hormonal systems. Two endocrine systems have been particularly studied. In the pituitary, retinoids target the corticotrophs with a possible therapeutic use in corticotropinomas. In the thyroid, retinoids interfere with iodine metabolism and vitamin A deficiency aggravates thyroid dysfunction caused by iodine-deficient diets. Retinoids use in thyroid cancer appears less promising than expected. Recent and still controversial studies investigated the relations between retinoids and metabolic syndrome. Indeed, retinoids contribute to pancreatic development and modify fat and glucose metabolism. However, more detailed studies are needed before planning any therapeutic use. Finally, retinoids probably play more minor roles in adrenal and gonads development and function apart from their major effects on spermatogenesis.

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M Axelstad Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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U Hass Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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M Scholze Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK

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S Christiansen Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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A Kortenkamp Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK

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J Boberg Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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Human semen quality is declining in many parts of the world, but the causes are ill defined. In rodents, impaired sperm production can be seen with early life exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, but the effects of combined exposures are not properly investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of early exposure to the painkiller paracetamol and mixtures of human relevant endocrine-disrupting chemicals in rats. One mixture contained four estrogenic compounds; another contained eight anti-androgenic environmental chemicals and a third mixture contained estrogens, anti-androgens and paracetamol. All exposures were administered by oral gavage to time-mated Wistar dams rats (n = 16–20) throughout gestation and lactation. In the postnatal period, testicular histology was affected by the total mixture, and at the end of weaning, male testis weights were significantly increased by paracetamol and the high doses of the total and the anti-androgenic mixture, compared to controls. In all dose groups, epididymal sperm counts were reduced several months after end of exposure, i.e. at 10 months of age. Interestingly, the same pattern of effects was seen for paracetamol as for mixtures with diverse modes of action. Reduced sperm count was seen at a dose level reflecting human therapeutic exposure to paracetamol. Environmental chemical mixtures affected sperm count at the lowest mixture dose indicating an insufficient margin of safety for the most exposed humans. This causes concern for exposure of pregnant women to paracetamol as well as environmental endocrine disrupters.

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Jian Gong School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Yinjuan Lv School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Yuhao Meng Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Weiheng Zhang Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Xiaocui Jiang Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Min Xiao Laboratory Animal Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Prenatal stress can lead to the programming of the neuroendocrine system in male offspring, disrupting the hypothalamic testicular axis and adversely affecting the reproductive health of male offspring. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of prenatal stress on the KISS1 system in male offspring and the effects on reproductive function in male offspring. Sixteen pregnant females were divided into a prenatal control group (PC, n = 8) and a prenatal stress group (PS, n = 8). The PS group was modeled with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) from day 1 of gestation to full-term delivery. Differences between the two groups in various maternal parameters, including glucocorticoid secretion, litter size, and the effects of male offspring birth weight, the KISS1 system, and reproductive function, were determined. Male offspring of PS dams had lower birth weights compared to prenatal controls.KISS1 gene expression is reduced at birth and in adult PS offspring, and its receptor KISS1-R protein is similarly reduced in PS offspring at birth and adulthood. In adulthood, PS male offspring show significantly reduced sex hormone production, altered testicular morphology, reduced maturation of their supporting cells, and decreased expression of connexin 43 (CX43), leading to an altered sperm microenvironment and reduced sperm quality. In conclusion, prenatal stress leads to adverse changes in the KISS1 system in male offspring and decreased reproductive function.

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Amir Bashkin Department of Endocrinology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel

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Eliran Yaakobi Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel

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Marina Nodelman Department of Endocrinology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel

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Ohad Ronen Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel

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TSH routine testing in hospitalized patients has low efficacy, but may be beneficial in a selected subgroup of patients. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of routine thyroid function tests among patients admitted to internal medicine departments. It is a retrospective study. A randomly selected cohort of hospitalized patients with abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood tests drawn as part of admission protocol. Patient data were collected from the electronic medical files and analyzed for its efficacy. TSH as a screening test was proven unnecessary in 75% (174) of the study population. Leading causes were non-thyroidal illness syndrome, drugs affecting the test results and subclinical disorders. TSH testing was found to be clinically helpful in only 9 patients; however, all of them had other clinical need for TSH testing. We found a clinically abnormal TSH in 20 patients, hypothyroidism in 11 patients and thyrotoxicosis in 9 patients. Low efficacy ascribed to TSH screening test by this study correlates with recent recommendations that indicate TSH screening in admitted patients only with accompanying clinical suspicion. Most probably, the majority of patients found by screening to have thyrotoxicosis have non-thyroidal illness or drug effects so the threshold for FT4 to diagnose overt thyrotoxicosis should be higher than that in ambulatory patients. In elderly patients, clinically relevant TSH disturbances are more frequent and are harder to diagnose, therefore, TSH screening in this group of patients might be beneficial.

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Danielle Christine Maria van der Kaay Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Rotterdam, Netherlands

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Anne Rochtus Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Gerhard Binder University Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

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Ingo Kurth Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

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Dirk Prawitt Center for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany

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Irène Netchine Sorbonne Université, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, INSERM, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France

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Gudmundur Johannsson Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Endocrinology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Anita C S Hokken-Koelega Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Rotterdam, Netherlands

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Miriam Elbracht Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

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Thomas Eggermann Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

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The implementation of high-throughput and deep sequencing methods in routine genetic diagnostics has significantly improved the diagnostic yield in patient cohorts with growth disturbances and becomes increasingly important as the prerequisite of personalized medicine. They provide considerable chances to identify even rare and unexpected situations; nevertheless, we must be aware of their limitations. A simple genetic test in the beginning of a testing cascade might also help to identify the genetic cause of specific growth disorders. However, the clinical picture of genetically caused growth disturbance phenotypes can vary widely, and there is a broad clinical overlap between different growth disturbance disorders. As a consequence, the clinical diagnosis and therewith connected the decision on the appropriate genetic test is often a challenge. In fact, the clinician asking for genetic testing has to weigh different aspects in this decision process, including appropriateness (single gene test, stepwise procedure, comprehensive testing), turnaround time as the basis for rapid intervention, and economic considerations. Therefore, a frequent question in that context is ‘what to test when’. In this review, we aim to review genetic testing strategies and their strengths and limitations and to raise awareness for the future implementation of interdisciplinary genome medicine in diagnoses, treatment, and counselling of growth disturbances.

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