Impact of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme activity in neuroendocrine tumors.

Introduction: Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) converts L-tryptophan (T) to L-kynurenine (K) resulting in an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Aim of the current study is to evaluate in patients with neuroendocrine tumor (NET): 1) T and K concentrations; 2) correlation with clinical outcome; 3) relationship between IDO activity and inflammatory cytokines.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the IDO pathway in patients in follow-up for NET.

Neuroendocrine tumors and diabetes mellitus: which treatment and which effect.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and neuroendocrine tumors (NET) can exert unfavorable effects on each other prognosis. In this narrative review, we evaluated the effects of NET therapies on glycemic control and DM management and the effects of anti-diabetic therapies on NET outcome and management. For this purpose, we searched the PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases for studies reporting the effects of NET therapy on DM as well as the effect of DM therapy on NET.

Impact of dyslipidemia and lipid-lowering therapy with statins in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Dyslipidemia is a potential unfavorable prognostic factor in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); conversely, statins proved to have antiproliferative effects in NET cell lines and could be a helpful therapeutic strategy for these patients. The main objective of this observational cohort retrospective study is to explore the associations between dyslipidemia and NET progression and evaluate the potential influence of statins in this context. 393 patients with histologically confirmed gastroenteropancreatic or bronchopulmonary NETs from six Italian centres didicated to NET diagnosis and therapy were included.

ICSI and PGT-A in PCOS phenotype-D patients: a matched case-control study versus idiopathic infertile women.

Purpose: To assess oocyte competence and embryo chromosomal constitution in phenotype-D PCOS women undergoing ICSI for PGT-A at the blastocyst stage.

Methods: Retrospective study at a private IVF center. In the period 2013-2021, 58 naïve phenotype-D PCOS women (i.

Sexual and reproductive health: level of knowledge and source of information in adolescence.

Background: To date, there is a lack of a structured national plan of sexual education in Italy, with large interregional differences and poor uniformity in the promotion and learning of sexual health.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge on sexuality and reproductive function among adolescents before and after a sexual education program, considering gender differences in the results.

Methods: A longitudinal and interventional study was conducted on high school students.

Seminological, Hormonal and Ultrasonographic Features of Male Factor Infertility Due to Genetic Causes: Results from a Large Monocentric Retrospective Study.

Evaluate the prevalence of genetic factors in a large population of infertile subjects and define the seminological, hormonal, and ultrasonographic features for each alteration. : This single-center retrospective study included male partners of infertile couples undergoing genetic investigations due to oligozoospermia or azoospermia evaluated from January 2012 to January 2022. The genetic investigations consist of karyotype, gene mutations plus variant of the IVS8-5T polymorphic trait, Y chromosome microdeletion, and Next Generation Sequencing panel to analyze genes implicated in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH).

Glycemic control and cancer outcomes in oncologic patients with diabetes: an Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Italian Association of Medical Diabetologists (AMD), Italian Society of Diabetology (SID), Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE), Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) multidisciplinary critical view.

Background:  Increasing evidence suggests that diabetes increases the risk of developing different types of cancer. Hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation, characteristic of diabetes, could represent possible mechanisms involved in cancer development in diabetic patients. At the same time, cancer increases the risk of developing new-onset diabetes, mainly caused by the use of specific anticancer therapies.

The interlink between thyroid autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes and the impact on male and female fertility.

The aim of this review is to discuss the several interconnections between thyroid autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in terms of epidemiology, immunoserology, genetic predisposition, and pathogenic mechanisms. We will also analyze the impact of these conditions on both male and female fertility. A literature search was carried out using the MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Clinical Trials Registry databases with a combination of keywords.

Rachel score: a nomogram model for predicting the prognosis of lung neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Lung NET, classified in typical carcinoids (TC) and atypical carcinoids (AC), are highly heterogeneous in their biology and prognosis. The histological subtype and TNM stage are well-established prognostic factors for lung NET. In a previous work by our group, we demonstrated a significant impact of laterality on lung NET survival outcomes.

Short fasting test as a reliable and effective tool to diagnose insulinoma.

Purpose: The diagnosis of insulinoma can be challenging, requiring documentation of hypoglycaemia associated with non-suppressed insulin and C-peptide, often achieved during a prolonged 72 h fast performed in inpatient setting. Our goal is to predict weather a shorter outpatient fasting test initiated overnight and prolonged up until 24 h could be a sensitive method for diagnosing insulinoma.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective monocentric study on subjects admitted to our Unit of Endocrinology from 2019 to 2022 for clinical suspicion of insulinoma and underwent the short fasting test.

Role of thyroid stimulating hormone in the maintenance and functioning of the human corpus luteum.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on human granulosa-luteal (hGL) cells.

Methods: hGL cells were isolated from follicular aspirates derived from patients undergoing IVF treatment without any thyroid disorder (serum TSH 0.5-2 mU/L).

Diabetes management in cancer patients. An Italian Association of Medical Oncology, Italian Association of Medical Diabetologists, Italian Society of Diabetology, Italian Society of Endocrinology and Italian Society of Pharmacology multidisciplinary consensus position paper.

Cancer management has significantly evolved in recent years, focusing on a multidisciplinary team approach to provide the best possible patient care and address the various comorbidities, toxicities, and complications that may arise during the patient's treatment journey. The co-occurrence of diabetes and cancer presents a significant challenge for health care professionals worldwide. Management of these conditions requires a holistic approach to improve patients' overall health, treatment outcomes, and quality of life, preventing diabetes complications and cancer treatment side-effects.

Postbariatric surgery hypoglycemia: Nutritional, pharmacological and surgical perspectives.

Post-bariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH) is a metabolic complication of bariatric surgery (BS), consisting of low post-prandial glucose levels in patients having undergone bariatric procedures. While BS is currently the most effective and relatively safe treatment for obesity and its complications, the development of PBH can significantly impact patients' quality of life and mental health. The diagnosis of PBH is still challenging, considering the lack of definitive and reliable diagnostic tools, and the fact that this condition is frequently asymptomatic.

Diabetes technology and sexual health: which role?

Purpose: The aim of this review is to evaluate the effects of new technology used in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), including the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and the administration of insulin through continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), on male and female sexual function.

Methods: This narrative review was performed for all available prospective, retrospective and review articles, published up to June 2023 in PubMed. Data were extracted from the text and from the tables of the manuscript.

Gender-related differences in patients with carcinoid syndrome: new insights from an Italian multicenter cohort study.

Background: The incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) and related carcinoid syndrome (CaS) has increased markedly in recent decades, and women appear to be more at risk than men. As per other tumors, gender may be relevant in influencing the clinical and prognostic characteristics of NEN-associated CS. However, specific data on carcinoid syndrome (CaS) are still lacking.

Clinical Factors Predicting Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 and Type 4 in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive role of specific clinical factors for the diagnosis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type-1 (MEN1) and type-4 (MEN4) in patients with an initial diagnosis of gastrointestinal, bronchial, or thymic neuroendocrine tumor (NET).

Methods: Patients referred to the NET Unit between June 2021 and December 2022 with a diagnosis of NET and at least one clinical criterion of suspicion for MEN1 and MEN4 underwent molecular analysis of the and genes. Phenotypic criteria were: (1) age ≤ 40 years; (2) NET multifocality; (3) MEN1/4-associated manifestations other than NETs; and (4) endocrine syndrome related to NETs or pituitary/adrenal tumors.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Human Health: Effects on Metabolism, Diabetes and Cancer.

There is increasing evidence of the role of endocrine disruptors (EDs) derived from commonly employed compounds for manufacturing and processing in altering hormonal signaling and function. Due to their prolonged half-life and persistence, EDs can usually be found not only in industrial products but also in households and in the environment, creating the premises for long-lasting exposure. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are common EDs used in industrial products such as flame retardants, and recent studies are increasingly showing that they may interfere with both metabolic and oncogenic pathways.

The Impact of Non-Andrological Medications on Semen Characteristics, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Parameters.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of medications on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers and semen characteristics in males with idiopathic infertility. : In this observational case-control clinical study, 50 men with idiopathic infertility were enrolled, of whom 38 (the study group) were on pharmacological treatment and 12 made up the control group. The study group was clustered according to the medications (Group A: anti-hypertensive, = 10; Group B: thyroxine, = 6; Group C: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, = 13; Group D: miscellaneous, = 6; Group E: lipid-lowering drugs, = 4).

Women with type 1 diabetes gain more weight during pregnancy compared to age-matched healthy women despite a healthier diet: a prospective case-control observational study.

Purpose: Women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), especially those with suboptimal glucose control, have 3-4 greater chances of having babies with birth defects compared to healthy women. We aimed to evaluate glucose control and insulin regimen modifications during the pregnancy of women with T1D, comparing the offspring's weight and the mother's weight change and diet with those of non-diabetic, normal-weight pregnant women.

Methods: Women with T1D and age-matched healthy women controls (CTR) were consecutively enrolled among pregnant women with normal weight visiting our center.

Diabetes and erectile dysfunction: The relationships with health literacy, treatment adherence, unrealistic optimism, and glycaemic control.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between health literacy, unrealistic optimism, and adherence to glycometabolic disease management related to erectile dysfunction (ED) in male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or preDM.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study enroled 167 consecutive patients with T2D and ED. All patients underwent the following examinations: (a) medical history collection; (b) Body Mass Index (BMI) determination; (c) hormonal and biochemical assessment; (d) duration of T2D, complications and treatment; (e) International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire to assess ED; and (f) validated questionnaire to evaluate health literacy, unrealistic optimism, and treatment adherence.