Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Metformin: AME-MET Study - A Multicentric Real-world Study in Italy.

Aims: Metformin is the most widely used drug for the first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but its use and schedule have been poorly investigated in elderly patients.

Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicentric study on metformin in T2DM outpatients older than 65 years who were taking the drug for at least 6 months and referred to Italian Endocrinology and Diabetology Services. The primary endpoint was daily metformin dose, and secondary endpoints were the correlations between metformin dose and age, comorbidities, and concomitant use of other drugs.

The Short Synacthen (Corticotropin) Test Can Be Used to Predict Recovery of Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function.

Context: The 250-μg short Synacthen (corticotropin) test (SST) is the most commonly used tool to assess hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. There are many potentially reversible causes of adrenal insufficiency (AI), but no data to guide clinicians as to the frequency of repeat testing or likelihood of HPA axis recovery.

Objective: To use the SST results to predict adrenal recovery.

Baseline morning cortisol level as a predictor of pituitary-adrenal reserve: a comparison across three assays.

Context: The short ACTH stimulation test (250 μg) is the dynamic test most frequently used to assess adrenal function. It is possible that a single basal cortisol could be used to predict the dynamic response, but research has been hampered by the use of different assays and thresholds.

Objective: To propose a morning baseline cortisol criterion of three of the most commonly used modern cortisol immunoassays - Advia Centaur (Siemens), Architect (Abbott) and the Roche Modular System (Roche) - that could predict adrenal sufficiency.

Adrenal suppression in patients taking inhaled glucocorticoids is highly prevalent and management can be guided by morning cortisol.

Context: Up to 3% of US and UK populations are prescribed glucocorticoids (GC). Suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis with the potential risk of adrenal crisis is a recognized complication of therapy. The 250 μg short Synacthen stimulation test (SST) is the most commonly used dynamic assessment to diagnose adrenal insufficiency.

C-MYC modulation induces responsiveness to paclitaxel in adrenocortical cancer cell lines.

C-MYC is overexpressed in many types of cancer linked to poor prognosis. We examined the c-Myc protein expression in adrenocortical cancer (ACC) cells to investigate the role of this protein in the neoplasm, its involvement in chemotherapy and finally to determine whether c-Myc could be considered a prognostic factor in patients with ACC. H295R and SW13 cell lines were treated with paclitaxel.

Testicular adrenal rest tumors in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: prevalence and sonographic, hormonal, and seminal characteristics.

Objective: Testicular adrenal rest tumors have been described in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The aim of this work was to (1) evaluate the prevalence of testicular adrenal rest tumors in patients with CAH; (2) study the hormonal profile; (3) define the sonographic features; (4) assess the seminal profile; and (5) initiate a longitudinal study on the possible role of corticotropin (ACTH) plasma levels in the induction and persistence of testicular adrenal rest tumors.

Methods: Eighteen patients affected by CAH, aged 21 to 41 years, were studied.

Intratesticular isolated anechoic areas: prevalence, seminal profile, and longitudinal study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intratesticular isolated anechoic areas (ITIAAs) in a large population, the seminal profile, and follow-up of patients with ITIAAs.

Methods: A total of 2223 patients underwent an andrologic examination and scrotal sonography. In the patients with ITIAAs, a hormonal profile was obtained, and screening for neoplastic markers was performed.