A Neglected Point: Frailty in Older Adults with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
This study investigated the risk of frailty in older adults with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and the effect of thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on frailty.
Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in a Non-Diabetic Young Female Population and Its Impact on Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Risk
We evaluated the influence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on insulin resistance (IR), cardiometabolic risk, and obesity in childbearing-age women without diabetes.
Alterations in Adipose Tissue and Adipokines in Heterozygous APE1/Ref-1 Deficient Mice
The role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) in adipose tissue remains poorly understood. This study investigates adipose tissue dysfunction in heterozygous APE1/Ref-1 deficiency (APE1/Ref-1+/-) mice, focusing on changes in adipocyte physiology, oxidative stress, adipokine regulation, and adipose tissue distribution.
Comparative Analysis of Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Radioimmunoassay in Determining Plasma Aldosterone Concentration and Plasma Renin Activity for Primary Aldosteronism Screening
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) accurately measures plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), but its correlation with radioimmunoassay (RIA), equivalent RIA levels, and optimal cutoff for PAC and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) in primary aldosteronism (PA) screening have not been determined in a Korean population. Our study of 127 patients who underwent diagnostic testing for PA showed that the LC-MS/MS and RIA methods have good correlation, with a mean bias of 29.3% for PAC. An LC-MS/MS PAC level of 11.7 ng/dL was equivalent to an RIA PAC level of 15 ng/dL. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that an LC-MS/MS PAC level of 10.3 ng/dL and LC-MS/MS ARR level of 20.0 provided sensitivity of 73.1% with a specificity of 57.3% and sensitivity of 92.3% with a specificity of 14.7%, respectively. When the LC-MS/MS method is used for PA screening, an adjustment of cutoff values is necessary.
Irisin Attenuates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis in Bile Duct Ligation Mice Model and Improves Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver disease and is primarily driven by hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Irisin, a myokine released during physical exercise, is beneficial for metabolic disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the effects of irisin on liver fibrosis in HSCs, a bile duct ligation (BDL) mouse model, and the associated mitochondrial dysfunction.
Genetic Landscape and Clinical Manifestations of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 in a Korean Cohort: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by tumors in multiple endocrine organs, caused by variants in the MEN1 gene. This study analyzed the clinical and genetic features of MEN1 in a Korean cohort, identifying prevalent manifestations and genetic variants, including novel variants.
Association of the Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score with Clinicopathological Characteristics in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an immunonutritional test tool based on serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. It has been studied as a simple prognostic predictor for various carcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative CONUT scores and the clinicopathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.
Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Intellectual disability (ID) may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce, particularly in Asian populations.
Brown Fat and Metabolic Health: The Diverse Functions of Dietary Components
Brown and beige adipocytes utilize a variety of substrates for cold-induced thermogenesis, contributing to the clearance of metabolites in circulation and, consequently, metabolic health. Food-derived compounds that exhibit agonistic activity at temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential channels may serve as cold mimics to elicit thermogenesis and substrate utilization in brown adipose tissue (BAT). In addition to fatty acids and glucose, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are essential amino acids obtained from foods, are actively catabolized in BAT through mitochondrial BCAA carrier (MBC). The relative contribution of BCAAs to fueling the tricarboxylic acid cycle as a substrate (i.e., anaplerosis) is estimated to be relatively small, yet BCAA catabolism in BAT exerts a critical role in systemic insulin sensitivity. The nature of this apparent tension remained unclear until the recent discovery that active BCAA catabolism in BAT through MBC is critical for the synthesis of metabolites such as glutathione, which is delivered to the liver to improve hepatic insulin sensitivity through redox homeostasis. Novel mechanistic insights into the control of BAT function and systemic metabolism reveal the therapeutic potential of food-derived compounds for improving metabolic flexibility and insulin sensitivity.
Reframing the Paradigm: A Nuanced Approach to Prolactinoma Management
Distinct Impacts of Clinicopathological and Mutational Profiles on Long-Term Survival and Recurrence in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has a poorer prognosis than differentiated thyroid cancers; however, comprehensive data on the long-term outcomes of MTC remain scarce. This study investigated the extended clinical outcomes of MTC and aimed to identify prognostic factors.
Association of Delayed Denosumab Dosing with Increased Risk of Fractures: A Population-Based Retrospective Study
Inhibitory effects of denosumab on bone remodeling are reversible and disappear once treatment is discontinued. Herein, we examined whether and to what extent delayed denosumab administration is also associated with fracture risk using nation- wide data.
Thyroid Hormone-Mediated Selective Autophagy and Its Implications in Countering Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
The influence of thyroid hormone (TH) on liver metabolism has attracted the attention of pharmacologists seeking new treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), an increasingly common metabolic disorder. In this context, the selective induction of autophagy by TH in preclinical models has been identified as a promising mechanism. In this process, TH clears intrahepatic fat through lipophagy while protecting against inflammation and mitochondrial damage in hepatocytes via mitophagy. Furthermore, TH-induced aggrephagy may represent a protective mechanism to mitigate the development of MASLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Considering the defects in autophagy observed during the progression of human MASLD, the induction of autophagy by TH, its metabolites, and its analogs represent a novel strategy to combat hepatic damage across the MASLD spectrum.
Total Thyroidectomy: Resection of Two Organs, Not Just One
Small Multi-Gene DNA Panel Can Aid in Reducing the Surgical Resection Rate and Predicting the Malignancy Risk of Thyroid Nodules
We explored the utility of a small multi-gene DNA panel for assessing molecular profiles of thyroid nodules and influencing clinical decisions by comparing outcomes between tested and untested nodules.
Importance of the Hemoglobin Glycation Index for Risk of Cardiovascular and Microvascular Complications and Mortality in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
This study investigated the prognostic importance of the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) for macrovascular and microvascular outcomes, mortality, and hypoglycemia occurrence in a type 2 diabetes cohort and compared it to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Long-Term Antithyroid Drug Therapy in Smoldering or Fluctuating-Type Graves' Hyperthyroidism with Potassium Iodide
Graves' hyperthyroidism is characterized by stimulation of the thyroid gland by thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAbs). Antithyroid drug (ATD) continuation is recommended as long as the thyroid gland is stimulated. Goiter size, thyroidal 123I uptake, serum thyroglobulin level, and TRAb positivity are reliable markers of thyroid stimulation. Attention must also be paid to the responsiveness of the thyroid gland due to the high prevalence of painless thyroiditis and spontaneous hypothyroidism during treatment. TRAbs disappeared at <5 years entering remission in 36.6% of patients (smooth-type), while re-elevation of TRAb activity occurred in 37.7% (fluctuating-type) and remained positive for >5 years in 21.1% (smoldering-type). Seven percent of patients remained positive for TRAbs for >30 years, requiring life-long ATD treatment. Remission occurred after median 6.8 years (interquartile range, 4.0 to 10.9) of ATD treatment in 55% of patients. However, late relapse may occur after stressful events (dormant type). In apparently intractable Graves' disease (GD) with a large goiter (>40 g), 131I therapy should be considered. For initial and long-term ATD treatment, we must choose effective, safe, and economical drugs such as 100 mg potassium iodide (KI), although KI sensitivity varies in patients with GD. Thionamide, which has notorious side effects, is added only during the KI-resistant period.
In Vitro Investigation of HIF-1α as a Therapeutic Target for Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy
Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) involves tissue expansion and inflammation, potentially causing a hypoxic microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is crucial in fibrosis and adipogenesis, which are observed in TAO progression. We investigated the effects of hypoxia on orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in TAO, focusing on the role of HIF-1α in TAO progression.
Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
Sclerostin, initially recognized for its pivotal role in bone metabolism, has gained attention for its multifaceted impact on overall human health. However, its influence on frailty-a condition that best reflects biological age-has not been thoroughly investigated.
Combining Nationwide Cohorts to Unveil the Predictive Role of Insulin Resistance and Impaired Insulin Secretion in Diabetes