PLoS Curr 2017 Jun 27;9. Epub 2017 Jun 27.

Complex Care, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD or Duchenne) is a progressive, life-limiting muscle-wasting disease that requires comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. This care, at minimum, should include neuromuscular, respiratory, cardiac, orthopedic, endocrine and rehabilitative interventions that address both the primary and secondary manifestations of the disease. The care needs of patients evolve over the cdourse of the disease and as they transition from childhood into young adulthood. Read More

J Atheroscler Thromb 2017 Aug 10;24(8):765-778. Epub 2017 Jun 10.

Medical Center, Miyagi University of Education.

Arteriosclerosis, particularly aortosclerosis, is the most critical risk factor associated with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases. The pulsatile hemodynamics in the central aorta consists of blood pressure, flow, and stiffness and substantially differs from the peripheral hemodynamics in muscular arteries. Arteriosclerotic changes with age appear earlier in the elastic aorta, and age-dependent increases in central pulse pressure are more marked than those apparent from brachial pressure measurement. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2017 Aug 23;37(8):1341-1345. Epub 2017 May 23.

Department of Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.

Adipokines are cytokines not only regulating metabolic and endocrine activities, but also modulating inflammatory and immune responses in several clinical settings, including autoimmunity. This study was aimed to evaluate whether serum adipokine levels may be useful as markers of disease activity in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Adiponectin, leptin, chemokine C-C motif ligand-2 (CCL2), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured in the serum of all participants. Read More

Neuropediatrics 2017 Aug 15;48(4):226-232. Epub 2017 Apr 15.

Friedrich-Baur-Institut, Neurologische Klinik, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.

Inherited and acquired muscular weakness is caused by multiple conditions. While the inherited ones are mostly caused by mutations in genes coding for myopathic or neurogenic diseases, the acquired ones occur due to inflammatory, endocrine, or toxic etiologies. Precise diagnosis of a specific disease may be challenging and may require a multidisciplinary approach. Read More

Fish Physiol Biochem 2017 Aug 7;43(4):1175-1185. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.

The present research was conducted to study the morphology, histology and enzymatic activities of the digestive tract of Gymnocypris eckloni by light and transmission electron microscopes as well as by enzyme assays. The digestive tract of G. eckloni consisted of the oropharyngeal cavity, oesophagus and intestine. Read More

Pathol Int 2017 Apr 5;67(4):214-221. Epub 2017 Mar 5.

Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Japan.

Unilateral multiple adrenocortical micronodules (UMNs) constitute a rare subset of primary aldosteronism (PA) characterized by the hypersecretion of aldosterone derived from multiple small nodules in the zona glomerulosa of the unilateral adrenal grand. This case study describes a 49-year-old man with PA and UMNs who presented with muscle cramps at rest due to hypokalemia. The patient had a 6-year history of hypertension treated with antihypertensive drugs. Read More

J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2017 Mar;18(3):132-134

Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.

Objectives: To present a case of asymptomatic inclusion body myositis.

Methods: The authors report a case of a 67-year-old man who presented with idiopathic hyperCKemia. Physical examination including a complete neurological evaluation was unremarkable. Read More

Nat Rev Drug Discov 2017 Feb;16(2):88

BMC Genomics 2016 Dec 28;17(Suppl 14):995. Epub 2016 Dec 28.

Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Avenue, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.

Background: Aggressiveness in humans is a hereditary behavioral trait that mobilizes all systems of the body-first of all, the nervous and endocrine systems, and then the respiratory, vascular, muscular, and others-e.g., for the defense of oneself, children, family, shelter, territory, and other possessions as well as personal interests. Read More

Nat Genet 2017 Feb 9;49(2):238-248. Epub 2017 Jan 9.

Molecular Neurogenetics Unit and Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Arhinia, or absence of the nose, is a rare malformation of unknown etiology that is often accompanied by ocular and reproductive defects. Sequencing of 40 people with arhinia revealed that 84% of probands harbor a missense mutation localized to a constrained region of SMCHD1 encompassing the ATPase domain. SMCHD1 mutations cause facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 2 (FSHD2) via a trans-acting loss-of-function epigenetic mechanism. Read More

Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2016 Dec;22(6, Muscle and Neuromuscular Junction Disorders):1815-1828

Purpose Of Review: This article discusses the clinical features, pathophysiology, and management of toxic and endocrine myopathies.

Recent Findings: Early detection and expeditious correction of metabolic disturbances in endocrinopathies such as Cushing syndrome, thyroid and parathyroid diseases, and acromegaly can minimize and prevent neurologic complications including myopathy. Recently proposed mechanisms of injury in patients with critical illness myopathy include inhibition of protein synthesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, disruption of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, oxidative stress, and disruption of intramuscular calcium homeostasis, which can cause a myosin-loss myopathy. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2016 Nov 29;2016. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical College Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Thyroid abscess is a very rare clinical condition. It usually occurs in immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying malignancy. We report a case of multiple thyroid abscesses in the patient with Pre B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia which developed secondary to hematogenous spread from pyomyositis of right calf muscle. Read More

Intern Med 2016;55(21):3185-3190. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

Department of Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Niigata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.

A 39-year-old woman with a 3-year history of a rounded face developed widespread myalgia. Detailed examinations revealed no disorders that could explain the pain other than concomitant Cushing's disease and central hypothyroidism. Both the hypercortisolemia and hypothyroidism completely resolved after the patient underwent surgery to treat Cushing's disease, but she continued to experience unresolved myalgia and met the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. Read More

Trends Endocrinol Metab 2016 Dec 13;27(12):881-892. Epub 2016 Sep 13.

Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona, Orlando, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Skeletal muscle constitutes ∼40% of body mass and has the capacity to play a major role as thermogenic, metabolic, and endocrine organ. In addition to shivering, muscle also contributes to nonshivering thermogenesis via futile sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA) activity. Sarcolipin (SLN), a regulator of SERCA activity in muscle, plays an important role in regulating muscle thermogenesis and metabolism. Read More

J Strength Cond Res 2016 Nov;30(11):3098-3106

1Strength and Conditioning Department, English Institute of Sport, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom; 2Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom; 3School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom; 4Strength and Conditioning Department, Ulster Rugby, Newforge Lane, Belfast, United Kingdom; 5Strength and Conditioning Department, Ulster Sports Academy, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, United Kingdom; and 6Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Johnston, MJ, Cook, CJ, Drake, D, Costley, L, Johnston, JP, and Kilduff, LP. The neuromuscular, biochemical, and endocrine responses to a single-session vs. double-session training day in elite athletes. Read More

Acta Neurol Scand 2016 Dec 25;134(6):388-402. Epub 2016 Feb 25.

Department of Neurology, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Spital, Vienna, Austria.

Background: Some systemic diseases also affect the skeletal muscle to various degrees and with different manifestations. This review aimed at summarizing and discussing recent advances concerning the management of muscle disease in systemic diseases.

Method: Literature review by search of MEDLINE, and Current Contents with appropriate search terms. Read More

Intern Med 2016;55(20):2975-2978. Epub 2016 Oct 15.

Department of General Internal Medicine, Tazuke-Kofukai, Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Japan.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency (IAD) is a rare disorder with diverse clinical presentations. A 79-year-old man was bedridden for six months due to flexion contractures of the bilateral hips and knees, along with hyponatremia. He was diagnosed with IAD based on the results of endocrine tests. Read More

Endocrine 2016 Dec 5;54(3):642-647. Epub 2016 Oct 5.

Center for Bone Quality and Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia is a rare acquired metabolic bone disorder characterized by isolated renal phosphate wasting due to abnormal tumor production of fibroblast growth factor 23. We report the case of a 59 year old woman referred to our department with a long history of progressive diffuse muscle weakness and pain, generalized bone pains and multiple insufficiency fractures of heels, ankles and hips due to a hypophosphatemic osteomalacia. A fibroblast growth factor 23-producing phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor localized in the left quadriceps femoris muscle was identified 7 years after onset of symptoms. Read More

PLoS One 2016 1;11(9):e0161948. Epub 2016 Sep 1.

Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), INSERM U596, CNRS UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France.

There is growing evidence that bisphenol A (BPA), a molecule largely released in the environment, has detrimental effects on ecosystems and on human health. It acts as an endocrine disruptor targeting steroid hormone receptors, such as the estrogen receptor (ER), estrogen-related receptor (ERR) and androgen receptor (AR). BPA-derived molecules have recently been shown to interact with the AR N-terminal domain (AR-NTD), which is known to be largely intrinsically disordered. Read More

Chin J Traumatol 2016 Aug;19(4):199-205

State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Trauma Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.

Purpose: To enhance the awareness of rare complications of pelvic fracture and describe the correct diagnosis and effective treatment.

Methods: A total of 188 cases of pelvic fractures were retrospectively reviewed, and four patients who suffered from four types of rare pelvic fracture complications were described, namely ureteral obstruction caused by retroperitoneal hematoma-induced abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), bowel entrapment, external iliac artery injury, and open scrotal sac injury.

Results: We demonstrated that combined measures should be employed to prevent the occurrence of ACS following major pelvic fractures. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2016 Jul 20;2016. Epub 2016 Jul 20.

Department of Radiology, St. George's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK Department of Head & Neck Radiology, University College Hospital, London, UK.

A 19-year-old patient presented with slowly enlarging, painless, left-sided cervical mass. She had a background of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B and had undergone a total thyroidectomy for medullary thyroid carcinoma during childhood. A cervical recurrence was therefore suspected. Read More

Intern Med J 2016 Oct;46(10):1153-1159

Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Background: Goserelin, a form of medical ovarian suppression, is an effective treatment for pre-menopausal women with breast cancer (PMBC). Meta-analysis data showed that similar efficacy is achieved with medical ovarian suppression and non-pharmacological ovarian suppression (NPOS) - oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation. The acceptance rate of NPOS remains low. Read More

Mol Biosyst 2016 Aug;12(9):2722-34

INRA, UMR1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France. and Clermont Université, VetAgro Sup, UMR1213 Herbivores, BP 10448, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Adipose tissue and muscle are endocrine organs releasing signalling and mediator proteins termed adipokines and myokines, enabling functioning of the organism and its adaption to a wide range of different challenges such as starvation, overfeeding, stress and diseases. They also contribute to the "adipose-muscular" cross-talk for an integrated control of body mass composition. This article integrates transcriptomic and proteomic data available in ruminant species (mainly in bovine, and when available in ovine and caprine) to computationally predict the large-scale secretome of adipose tissues and muscles. Read More

QJM 2016 Sep 26;109(9):629-30. Epub 2016 Jun 26.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Endocrine Institute and the Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, People's Republic of China.

QJM 2016 Sep 17;109(9):613-4. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

From the SUNY Upstate Medical University, Endocrinology, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA.

Rev Med Interne 2016 Dec 31;37(12):811-819. Epub 2016 May 31.

Pôle biologie-pathologie-physiologie, hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, université Paris-Diderot-Paris-7, 1, avenue Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.

More than 30 years after its individualization, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remains a debilitating condition for the patient and a confusing one to the physicians, both because of diagnostic difficulties and poorly codified management. Despite the numerous work carried out, its pathophysiology remains unclear, but a multifactorial origin is suggested with triggering (infections) and maintenance (psychological) factors as well as the persistence of inflammatory (low grade inflammation, microglial activation…), immunologic (decrease of NK cells, abnormal cytokine production, reactivity to a variety of allergens, role of estrogens…) and muscular (mitochondrial dysfunction and failure of bioenergetic performance) abnormalities at the origin of multiple dysfunctions (endocrine, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, digestive…). The complexity of the problem and the sometimes contradictory results of available studies performed so far are at the origin of different pathophysiological and diagnostic concepts. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2016 Sep;81(3):575-84

From the Department of General and Oncologic Surgery (R.C.), University of Perugia, Terni, Italy; General Surgery (A.B.), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Acute Care Surgery (W.L.B.), Queen's Medical Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Surgery (V.M.), and Clinic of Endoscopic, Endocrine Surgery and Coloproctology (G.P.), Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria; Niguarda Hospital Trauma Center (O.C.), Milan, Italy; Trauma Surgery Unit (G.T., S.D.S.), Maggiore Hospital Regional Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center, Bologna Local Health District, Bologna, Italy.

Background: The open abdomen technique may be used in critically ill patients to manage abdominal injury, reduce the septic complications, and prevent the abdominal compartment syndrome. Many different techniques have been proposed and multiple studies have been conducted, but the best method of temporary abdominal closure has not been determined yet. Recently, new randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials have been published on this topic. Read More

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2016 Sep 18;8(3):330-3. Epub 2016 Apr 18.

Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology, Bursa, Turkey, E-mail:

Objective: Inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) can affect many organ systems, including the endocrine system. There are limited data regarding endocrine dysfunctions related to IMDs in adults, however, no data exist in pediatric patients with IMDs. The aim of this study was to investigate endocrine dysfunctions in patients with IMDs by assessing their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Read More

WMJ 2016 Feb;115(1):47-8

Objective: Ectopic thyroid gland is a rare occurrence with a prevalence of 1 per 100,000 to 300,000 people. Hashimoto's thyroiditis involving ectopic thyroid tissue is particularly unusual. We describe the presentation, workup, surgical management, and brief review of the literature. Read More

Orphanet J Rare Dis 2016 Apr 4;11:34. Epub 2016 Apr 4.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Unit, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy.

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Steinert's disease or DM1), the most common form of autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy in adults, is a multisystem disorder, affecting skeletal muscle as well as eyes, heart, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, and central nervous system, finally responsible of increasing disabilities and secondary social consequences. To date, DM1-related brain involvement represents a challenging field of research. It is well known that DM1 patients frequently present neuropsychological disturbances and psychiatric comorbidities among which reduced awareness of disease burden and its progression, also defined as anosognosia, is common in clinical practice, this leading to secondary misattribution of symptoms, delay in timely diagnostic procedures and low compliance to treatment. Read More

J Clin Oncol 2016 Jul 21;34(21):2509-15. Epub 2016 Mar 21.

Carmen L. Wilson, Wassim Chemaitilly, Kendra E. Jones, Sue C. Kaste, Deo Kumar Srivastava, Rohit P. Ojha, Yutaka Yasui, Ching-Hon Pui, Leslie L. Robison, Melissa M. Hudson, and Kirsten K. Ness, St Jude Children's Research Hospital; Sue C. Kaste and Ching-Hon Pui, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN.

Purpose: Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for low bone mineral density (BMD) and frail health, outcomes potentially modifiable by altering health behaviors and/or treating endocrine abnormalities. We evaluated associations between lifestyle and hormonal deficits with risk of low BMD and frailty among survivors of ALL.

Patients And Methods: Participants included 862 survivors of ALL (median age, 31. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2016 Mar 2;2016. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Mitochondrial diseases are rare and devastating, with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and systemic symptoms. The majority of the published literature focuses on the neuromuscular manifestations and genetic components of this mitochondrial cytopathy, however, cardiac, renal, endocrine and gastrointestinal manifestations may also be present. The authors report a case detailing a 56-year-old woman's final hospitalisation from the gastrointestinal sequelae of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) (Co Q10 deficiency variant). Read More

S Afr Med J 2015 Dec;105(12):1076

Inflammatory myopathy (IM) is a rubric term to describe a heterogeneous group of muscle diseases typified by dermatomyositis and polymyositis. The current classifications are unsatisfactory, but IM associated with other connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as systemic lupus erythematosus, underlying malignancy and HIV, should also be included. Although uncommon, IM should always be considered in a patient who presents with proximal weakness of gradual onset and has raised serum muscle enzymes. Read More

Br Med Bull 2016 Mar 12;117(1):139-48. Epub 2016 Feb 12.

Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Clinical Academic Office, 3rd Floor, William Leech Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common condition characterized by severe fatigue with post-exertional malaise, impaired cognitive ability, poor sleep quality, muscle pain, multi-joint pain, tender lymph nodes, sore throat or headache. Its defining symptom, fatigue is common to several diseases.

Areas Of Agreement: Research has established a broad picture of impairment across autonomic, endocrine and inflammatory systems though progress seems to have reached an impasse. Read More

Curr Mol Med 2016 ;16(2):119-36

Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Rua Prof. Costa Mendes 1608, 4o andar, 60430-040, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent disorder defined by the presence of chronic widespread pain in association with fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive dysfunction. Recent studies indicate that bipolar spectrum disorders frequently co-occur in individuals with FM. Furthermore, shared pathophysiological mechanisms anticipate remarkable phenomenological similarities between FM and BD. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2016 Mar 19;56:31-6. Epub 2016 Jan 19.

Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Background: Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy is associated with musculoskeletal (MS) toxicity, which adversely affects quality of life and therapy adherence. Our objective was to evaluate whether genetic variants may predict endocrine therapy-related MS pain and hot flashes in a prospective observational cohort study.

Patients & Methods: 254 early breast cancer patients starting AI (n = 159) or tamoxifen therapy (n = 95) were included in this genetic biomarker study. Read More

Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2016 May 31;24(5):921-31. Epub 2015 Dec 31.

State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Oral Anatomy and Physiology and TMD, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To investigate whether mechanical stress induces mineral deposits that contribute to matrix degradation at the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cartilage.

Design: Female Spraguee-Dawley rats were subjected to an unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) procedure. Histology, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used to examine cartilage matrix structures and composition of mineral deposit in the affected TMJ cartilage. Read More

FP Essent 2016 Jan;440:23-7

David Grant Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program - Travis Air Force Base, 101 Bodin Circle, Travis AFB, California 94535.

Drugs can cause myalgias and myopathies through a variety of mechanisms. Most drug-induced myopathies are potentially reversible if recognized early. Prescribers should be familiar with common drug-induced myopathies and drug-drug interactions. Read More

Health Psychol 2016 Mar 21;35(3):298-307. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, University of Leuven.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that self-critical perfectionism (SCP) may play a role in the development and maintenance of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). In this study we investigated whether SCP is related to a hypofunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which has been shown to be a key factor in the pathophysiology of CFS.

Method: We conducted a quasi-experimental study to examine the association between SCP (as measured with the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire) and stress reactivity in a sample of 41 female CFS patients. Read More

Annu Rev Physiol 2016 19;78:223-41. Epub 2015 Nov 19.

Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215; email:

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a peptide hormone that is synthesized by several organs and regulates energy homeostasis. Excitement surrounding this relatively recently identified hormone is based on the documented metabolic beneficial effects of FGF21, which include weight loss and improved glycemia. The biology of FGF21 is intrinsically complicated owing to its diverse metabolic functions in multiple target organs and its ability to act as an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine factor. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2015 Dec 10;17:355. Epub 2015 Dec 10.

School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Background: In this study, we investigated whether an abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to psychosocial stress at 18 years of age is associated with musculoskeletal (MS) pain alone and MS pain combined with increased pain sensitivity at 22 years of age.

Methods: The study sample included 805 participants from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study who participated in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) at age 18 years. Number of pain sites, pain duration, pain intensity and pain frequency were assessed at age 22 to measure severity of MS pain. Read More

Stem Cell Reports 2015 Dec 26;5(6):963-70. Epub 2015 Nov 26.

Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disease characterized by progressive ossification of soft tissues, for which there is no effective treatment. Mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ACVR1/ALK2) are the main cause of FOP. We generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from FOP patients with the ALK2 R206H mutation. Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2015 Nov;25(11):811-4

Department of Orthodontics, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi.

Objective: To determine the mean difference of arch dimensions (both intercanine and intermolar width) between cleft lip palate and normal class I occlusion group.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytic study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Dr. Read More

Eur J Clin Invest 2015 Dec 9;45(12):1341-9. Epub 2015 Nov 9.

Respiratory Disease Clinic Department of Oncology, Haematology and Respiratory Disease, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

Background: The evolution of the techniques used in the intensive care setting over the past decades has led on one side to better survival rates in patients with acute conditions and severely impaired vital functions. On the other side, it has resulted in a growing number of patients who survive an acute event, but who then become dependent on one or more life support techniques. Such patients are called chronically critically ill patients. Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2015 Oct;25(10):717-20

Department of Medicine, Amjad Hospital, Karachi.

Objective: To assess the clinical presentations and short-term outcomes of patients with thyroiditis presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design: Case series.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Endocrinology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from June 2014 to February 2015. Read More

Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov 2015 ;9(2):111-20

B4237, Research Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, 4646 John R, Detroit, MI 48201; USA.

Nuclear lamins, namely lamins A, B and C, surround the nucleoplasmic contents in a meshlike network called the nuclear lamina. These intermediate filaments provide a structural framework to the nuclear envelope (NE), play a role in arrangement of the chromatin within the nucleus, in DNA replication and also participate in DNA damage repair. In order for lamins to be involved in these important nuclear processes and to be functionally active, they undergo a series of post-translational modifications (farnesylation, endoproteolytic cleavage, carboxylmethylation etc. Read More

Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016 Jan 21;63:68-77. Epub 2015 Sep 21.

Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Objective: Although fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition, its cardinal symptom pain is known to fluctuate over the day. Stress has often been claimed to exacerbate pain; however, there is barely any evidence on whether or not this is true on a day-to-day basis (and, alternatively, on whether pain leads to increased stress levels). Using an ecologically valid measurement design, we tested whether and how stress and pain are intertwined in participants with FMS. Read More

Endocrine 2016 Apr 1;52(1):86-92. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, No. 2, Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan.

We investigated the relationship between dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) and the risk of subsequent osteoporosis development. A population-based retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database and the Catastrophic Illness Patients Database of Taiwan. We included 1179 patients and 4716 patients from 1999 to 2008 as the DM/PM cohort and the comparison cohort, respectively, and calculated the incidence rates of newly diagnosed osteoporosis. Read More

Ann Behav Med 2016 Feb;50(1):87-97

Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, PO Box 871104, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1104, USA.

Background: The relation between childhood trauma and chronic pain and emotional symptoms in adulthood has been well-documented, although physiological mechanisms mediating this link have not been elaborated.

Purpose: This study examined the mediating role of cortisol profile in the linkage between childhood maltreatment and pain and emotional symptoms in individuals with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: One hundred seventy-nine adults with FM first provided retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment, then attended a standardized session during which cortisol was sampled across 1. Read More

Pancreas 2016 Jan;45(1):127-33

From the*General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province; †Department of Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province; ‡Department of Urology Surgery, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

Objectives: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a fatal disease with natural course of early SAP (ESAP) and late SAP (LSAP) phases. Peripancreatic percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is effective in management of LSAP. Although our previous study indicates that intra-abdominal PCD ahead of peripancreatic PCD benefits ESAP patients with sterile fluid collections, the mechanism is still uncovered. Read More