EVOLVING ADRENAL DYSFUNCTION AFTER BILATERAL ADRENAL INFARCTION: A CASE REPORT.

Objective: To describe a case of sequential bilateral adrenal infarction and hemorrhage resulting in an unusual pattern of adrenal function over time.

Methods: A 50-year-old male with autoimmune antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) presented to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. Diagnostic studies performed included contrast-enhanced computerized tomographic (IV-CT) imaging of abdomen and pelvis, and laboratory assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

MEDULLARY THYROID CANCER THAT STAINS NEGATIVE FOR CA 19-9 HAS DECREASED METASTATIC POTENTIAL.

Objective: Presently, no clinical tools are available to diagnose the metastatic potential of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) at disease presentation. Surveillance with calcitonin (Ct) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is currently recommended for the observation and diagnosis of metastatic disease after initial treatment of MTC. Recently, carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 staining has been associated with aggressive forms of MTC and metastatic spread.

Potent humanin analog increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion through enhanced metabolism in the β cell.

Humanin (HN) is a 24-aa polypeptide that offers protection from Alzheimer's disease and myocardial infarction, increases insulin sensitivity, improves survival of β cells, and delays onset of diabetes. Here we examined the acute effects of HN on insulin secretion and potential mechanisms through which they are mediated. Effects of a potent HN analog, HNGF6A, on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) were assessed in vivo and in isolated pancreatic islets and cultured murine β cell line (βTC3) in vitro.

Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer presenting with elevated levels of CA 19-9 and CA 125.

Background: Calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are established markers of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), used in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease and its progression. In clinical practice, various other tumor markers are utilized in the follow-up of different malignancies, although their utility has not been well described in MTC. CA 19-9 antigen, routinely used in the monitoring of pancreatic cancer, also has been detected in the tissue of approximately 6% of MTCs.

Switching of mesodermal and endodermal properties in hTERT-modified and expanded fetal human pancreatic progenitor cells.

Introduction: The ability to expand organ-specific stem/progenitor cells is critical for translational applications, although uncertainties often arise in identifying the lineage of expanded cells. Therefore, superior insights into lineage maintenance mechanisms will be helpful for cell/gene therapy.

Methods: We studied epithelial cells isolated from fetal human pancreas to assess their proliferation potential, changes in lineage markers during culture, and capacity for generating insulin-expressing beta cells.

Pancreatic beta-cell overexpression of the glucagon receptor gene results in enhanced beta-cell function and mass.

In addition to its primary role in regulating glucose production from the liver, glucagon has many other actions, reflected by the wide tissue distribution of the glucagon receptor (Gcgr). To investigate the role of glucagon in the regulation of insulin secretion and whole body glucose homeostasis in vivo, we generated mice overexpressing the Gcgr specifically on pancreatic beta-cells (RIP-Gcgr). In vivo and in vitro insulin secretion in response to glucagon and glucose was increased 1.

Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with insulin resistance among older adults with or at risk of HIV infection.

Objectives: To determine the associations of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with insulin resistance and abnormal glucose tolerance in a cohort of older adults with or at risk of HIV infection.

Design: A cross-sectional study of 267 HIV-infected and 179 at-risk-uninfected adults without a history of diabetes mellitus.

Methods: HCV antibody assays and RNA levels were performed to assess HCV status.

Disorders of glucose metabolism among HIV-infected women.

Background: Abnormal glucose metabolism in HIV-infected patients has largely been attributed to the use of protease inhibitors. However, most studies of glucose metabolism in HIV-infected patients have focused on men or have lacked appropriate control groups.

Methods: We assessed the factors associated with previously diagnosed diabetes among 620 middle-aged women with or at risk for HIV infection.

Reversal of hyperglycemia in mice by using human expandable insulin-producing cells differentiated from fetal liver progenitor cells.

Beta-cell replacement is considered to be the most promising approach for treatment of type 1 diabetes. Its application on a large scale is hindered by a shortage of cells for transplantation. Activation of insulin expression, storage, and regulated secretion in stem/progenitor cells offers novel ways to overcome this shortage.