Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Mil Med 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Department of Endocrinology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr, San Antonio, TX 78219.

A 37-year-old active duty male Air Force instructor pilot, with no prior medical history, was found unresponsive at his home after awakening with symptoms of altered mental status when the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was called. The patient was found to be hypoglycemic with a glucose of 37 mg/dL. The patient recovered after administration of a dextrose bolus. Read More

Intern Med 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.

The selective arterial calcium stimulation test (SACST) is one of the most useful localization tests for insulinoma but can cause false-positive and/or unexpected multi arterial positive results that hamper clinical decisions. There are also several adverse effects, such as nausea and hypoglycemia, at the conventional dose (0.025 mEq/kg) of calcium (Ca) injection. Read More

Br J Pharmacol 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.

Background And Purpose: Intra-islet heparan sulfate (HS) plays an important role in the maintenance of the pancreatic islet function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect mechanism of HS loss on the functioning of islets in diabetic mice.

Experimental Approach: The hypoglycemic effect of a heparanase inhibitor, OGT2115, was tested in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2020 Jun 30;14(1):96. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.

Background: Insulinoma is a rare functioning pancreatic endocrine tumor, typically presenting as a sporadic solitary lesion causing hypoglycemia. While these tumors can lead to marked autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms, the diagnosis is often delayed.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian man presenting with a 1-year history of progressive episodic confusion and an unexpected finding of symptomatic hypoglycemia during a lactose tolerance test. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jun 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.

A 3-month-old male intact Shiba Inu dog was evaluated for a seizure disorder initially deemed idiopathic in origin. Seizure frequency remained unchanged despite therapeutic serum phenobarbital concentration and use of levetiracetam. The dog was documented to be markedly hypoglycemic during a seizure episode on reevaluation at 6 months of age. Read More

Pancreas 2020 Jul;49(6):e49-e50

Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan

Pancreas 2020 Jul;49(6):733-736

From the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.

Cureus 2020 May 20;12(5):e8208. Epub 2020 May 20.

Internal Medicine, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, USA.

Insulinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor. It may occur sporadically or as part of the genetic tumor syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Diagnosis is challenging because of the small size of insulin producing tumors that lead to hyperinsulinemia. Read More

Cancer Cytopathol 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Background: Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) has recently emerged as a reliable nuclear immunostaining marker for detecting neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in paraffin-embedded surgical samples and cytologic cell blocks, but the reliability of INSM1 staining on cytologic smears is understudied. This study investigated the performance of INSM1 staining on cytologic smears for the detection of various NETs in comparison with chromogranin (CG) and synaptophysin (SYN).

Methods: INSM1, CG, and SYN were stained on cytologic smears of 70 NETs, including 20 pancreatic NETs, 10 lung carcinoid tumors, 11 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs), 10 medullary thyroid carcinomas, 10 Merkel cell carcinomas, 4 thymic atypical carcinoid tumors, and 5 olfactory neuroblastomas. Read More

Semin Pediatr Surg 2020 Jun 17;29(3):150924. Epub 2020 May 17.

Department of Surgery and the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address:

A multidisciplinary approach to patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) can distinguish focal from diffuse HI, localize focal lesions, and permit partial pancreatectomy with cure in almost all focal patients. Surgery does not cure diffuse disease but can help prevent severe hypoglycemia and brain damage. Surgery can be curative for insulinoma and for some cases of atypical HI. Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

From the Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine.

Purpose: Physiological pancreaticoduodenal uptake of radiolabeled exendin-4 in Brunner glands of the proximal duodenum is the most common pitfall for false interpretation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) imaging. The aim of this study was to analyze the pancreaticoduodenal uptake in GLP-1R PET/CT and SPECT/CT images and to identify additional potential reading pitfalls in patients with suspected insulinoma.

Methods: A post hoc analysis of a prospective study, including 52 consecutive patients, was performed. Read More

Vet Comp Oncol 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Small Animal Specialist Hospital, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.

Canine insulinoma has historically been associated with a poor prognosis, however prolonged survival times have recently been reported. Prognostic indicators that are available preoperatively are of limited predictive accuracy, and consensus on post-operative treatment recommendations is lacking. The objectives of this study were to describe outcomes in dogs with insulinoma treated surgically, and to assess whether selected potential risk factors are strongly associated with outcomes after surgery. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.

Asprosin is a newly discovered adipokine. A recent study showed that asprosin promoted the β-cell apoptosis of MIN6 cells. This study aims to determine whether asprosin induces the apoptosis in β-cell via regulating autophagy. Read More

Diabetologia 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Unit of Public Health Promotion, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.

Aims/hypothesis: This paper presents the relationship between islet autoantibodies, precursors of type 1 diabetes, and the development of persistent asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema.

Methods: A total of 2159 newborns who had a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes and selected HLA genotypes were followed until the youngest participant reached 10 years of age. Islet cell antibodies (ICA) were detected using indirect immunofluorescence. Read More

Pancreas 2020 Jul;49(6):763-767

From the Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy of chemoembolization and radioembolization in treating patients with recurrent hypoglycemia secondary to metastatic insulinoma.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients with metastatic insulinoma treated with liver-directed therapy (LDT) at a large academic medical center from January 1998 to August 2017. Primary outcomes included blood glucose levels, occurrence of symptomatic hypoglycemic episodes, and tumor imaging response rates. Read More

J Vis Exp 2020 May 29(159). Epub 2020 May 29.

Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine;

Islet autoantibodies (IAbs) are widely used in type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis and prediction. Four major IAbs to insulin (IAA), glutamate decarboxylase-65 (GADA), insulinoma antigen-2 (IA-2A), and zinc transporter-8 (ZnT8A) are equally important in disease prediction. Presently, up to 40% of patients diagnosed with T1D go on to develop other autoimmune disorders. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2020 Jun 14;21:e923356. Epub 2020 Jun 14.

Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

BACKGROUND Hypoglycemia is rare in individuals without drug-treated diabetes mellitus. In a seemingly well individual, the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia narrows to 2 major categories: 1) accidental, surreptitious, or intentional hypoglycemia, or 2) endogenous hyperinsulinism (EHH). Insulinomas are the most common cause of EHH. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2020 Jun 11. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.

Background: Insulinoma, owing to the low incidence and small volume of the tumor, is often undiagnosed. The 72-h fast test is centered on diagnosing insulinoma; however, it cannot be performed on outpatients. Our aim was to evaluate the results of a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (3-h OGTT) for insulinoma diagnosis. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Special Projects, NW Zoological Supply, Everett, WA, USA. Electronic address:

Ferrets are considered geriatric at 3 years of age. Twice-yearly physical examinations with additional testing finds problems and leads to prompt treatments that extend quality of life for the ferret. Bloodwork, urinalysis, dental examination, and imaging including radiographs and ultrasonography should be performed at least annually. Read More

Pharmacol Res 2020 Jun 3;159:104983. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, D-66421 Homburg, Germany. Electronic address:

A hallmark of diabetes mellitus is the inability of pancreatic β-cells to secrete sufficient amounts of insulin for maintaining normoglycemia. The formation of smaller islets may underlie the development of a diabetic phenotype, as a decreased β-cell mass will produce an insufficient amount of insulin. For a pharmacological intervention it is crucial to identify the proteins determining β-cell mass. Read More

Chin J Nat Med 2020 Jun;18(6):472-480

Department of pharmacy, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan 411100, China.

Sangguayin preparation (SGY-P) is refined from the traditional Chinese medicinal compound Sangguayin, which "clears heat and promotes fluid" and "tonifies kidney and spleen" for "Xiaoke", commonly known as 'Diabetes mellitus' in clinics. Previous studies have shown that SGY-P could reduce insulin resistance and repair damaged pancreas in db/db mice, but the underlying mechanisms were unclear. Here, we investigated whether treatment with SGY-P could protect pancreatic β-cells from apoptosis and uncovered the underlying mechanisms. Read More

Nat Commun 2020 Jun 4;11(1):2810. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute - a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.

The overexpression of the protein tyrosine kinase, Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), in endothelial cells has implicated its requirement in angiogenesis and tumour growth, but how pericyte FAK regulates tumour angiogenesis is unknown. We show that pericyte FAK regulates tumour growth and angiogenesis in multiple mouse models of melanoma, lung carcinoma and pancreatic B-cell insulinoma and provide evidence that loss of pericyte FAK enhances Gas6-stimulated phosphorylation of the receptor tyrosine kinase, Axl with an upregulation of Cyr61, driving enhanced tumour growth. We further show that pericyte derived Cyr61 instructs tumour cells to elevate expression of the proangiogenic/protumourigenic transmembrane receptor Tissue Factor. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Jun 1;21(11). Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism & Faculty Diabetes Center, University of Geneva Medical Center,1206 Geneva, Switzerland.

Chronic exposure of pancreatic β-cells to elevated nutrient levels impairs their function and potentially induces apoptosis. Like in other cell types, AMPK is activated in β-cells under conditions of nutrient deprivation, while little is known on AMPK responses to metabolic stresses. Here, we first reviewed recent studies on the role of AMPK activation in β-cells. Read More

Endocrine 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, Medical Oncology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.

Insulinoma is a rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) potentially associated with severe hypoglycaemic crisis. The great majority of these tumors are benign. In patients with metastatic malignant insulinoma, systemic therapies aim to control both the syndrome and tumor growth. Read More

Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Estambul, Turquía.

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Genetics, Henan children's hospital (Children's hospital affiliated to Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of severe, persistent hypoglycemia in neonates and infants. Current available treatment is subtotal pancreatectomy if the patient does not respond to medical treatment but some of the patients still experience severe hypoglycemia after the surgery. Sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) inhibitor recently has been reported to be effective in the treatment of insulinoma and CHI patients. Read More

Toxicology 2020 May 27;441:152502. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, PR China. Electronic address:

Cigarette smoking is a well-recognized risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and may result in islet β cell damage and impaired insulin secretion. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. In the present study, we demonstrated that nicotine induced premature senescence of pancreatic β cells in vitro and in vivo. Read More

J Food Biochem 2020 May 27:e13250. Epub 2020 May 27.

School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.

The present study examined the potential of Zingiber officinale-Terminalia chebula extract alone (ZO and TC) and in combination (ZOTC) against type 2 diabetes via downregulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). The 1:4 (ZOTC) ratio showed high cell survival percentage against the rat insulinoma cell line (RIN-5F) when compared to other possible ratios of ZOTC. Oral administration of ZO alone, TC alone, combined ZOTC (1:4), and the positive control metformin (Met) in fructose-streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic rats showed reduced blood glucose levels, reduced insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), increased insulin levels, and increased pancreatic beta cell function (HOMA-β). Read More

Ann Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2020 May;24(2):234-238

Division of HPB Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Insulinomas are rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and the commonest cause for endogenous hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycemia. Small tumours are not easily detected by conventional cross-sectional imaging making localization prior to surgical removal a challenge. Selective arterial calcium stimulation is an invaluable adjunct to localization in such circumstances. Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2020 Jul;45(7):519-524

From the Department of Nuclear Medicine.

Purpose: Insulinomas are predominantly benign neuroendocrine tumors originating from beta cells within the islets of Langerhans of the endocrine pancreas. Because surgical resection represents the only curative therapy option, exact tumor localization and discrimination of insulinomas from focal or diffuse manifestations of congenital hyperinsulinism are crucial for optimal treatment strategies. We investigated the diagnostic value of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor PET/CT using Ga-DOTA-exendin 4 for detecting insulinomas and compared the diagnostic value of PET scans performed at 2 time points. Read More

Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Radiology, General University Hospital and First Faculty Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.

Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a neuroendocrine disease with focal or diffuse abnormalities in pancreas. While drug-resistant diffuse forms require near-total pancreatectomy or prolonged pharmacotherapy, focal CHI may be treated by targeted surgical resection. We evaluated the usefulness of F-DOPA PET/CT to identify the focal pancreatic form. Read More

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020 Jul 11;201:105694. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan.

Progesterone receptor (PgR) inhibits cell proliferation in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNEN). In non-neoplastic pancreas, loss of PgR induces β-cell proliferation and insulin production. However, detailed association between PgR and insulin producing PanNENs is poorly understood. Read More

Antioxidants (Basel) 2020 May 16;9(5). Epub 2020 May 16.

Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 4/10, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.

In this study, the influence of guelder rose () fruit fresh juice (FJ) and a phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) isolated from juice on mice insulinoma MIN6 cells activities was investigated. Extracts were able to decrease intracellular oxidative stress at the highest non-cytotoxic concentrations. They induced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in the presence of an elevated glucose concentration, and they inhibited in vitro activity of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) enzyme. Read More

Nutrients 2020 May 15;12(5). Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomic, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Broniewskiego 24 str, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland.

Nuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of rare neoplasms originating from dispersed neuroendocrine cells, mainly of the digestive and respiratory tract, showing characteristic histology and immunoprofile contributing to classification of NENs. Some NENs have the ability to produce biogenic amines and peptide hormones, which may be associated with clinical syndromes like, e.g. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020 28;11:232. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany.

Mitochondrial dynamics are important for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. The mitochondrial elongation factor MiD51 has been proposed to act as an anchor that recruits Drp1 from the cytosol to the outer mitochondrial membrane. Whether MiD51 promotes mitochondrial fusion by inactivation of Drp1 is a controversial issue. Read More

Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2020 Jun 10;81(2-3):110-117. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Endocrinology, diabetology, metabolism department, Lille university hospital, Lille, France; Inserm U1190 translational research in diabetes, Lille, France; European genomic institute for diabetes EGID, Lille, France. Electronic address:

Hypoglycemia is defined by a low blood glucose level associated to clinical symptoms. Hypoglycemia may be related to treatment of diabetes, but also to drugs, alcohol, critical illness, cortisol insufficiency including hypopituitarism, insulinoma, bariatric or gastric surgery, pancreas transplantation or glucagon deficiency, or may be surreptitious. Some hypoglycemic episodes remain unexplained, and genetic, paraneoplastic and immune causes should be considered. Read More

Antioxidants (Basel) 2020 May 10;9(5). Epub 2020 May 10.

College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea.

Pancreatic beta cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress, which causes beta cell death and dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. Siebold (BK) is a widely used herbal medicine, but its potential effects against beta cell death-induced diabetes have not been studied. Therefore, we investigated the protective effect of an ethanolic extract of BK fruit (BKFE) against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced toxicity in pancreatic beta cells. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

Background/aim: This study represents the first report that evaluates the experience gathered from diagnosis, surgical treatment and outcome of insulinoma patients from Azerbaijan.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively review of insulinoma patients for a ten year period. Collected data included patient demographics, laboratory and imaging tests, detailed surgical reports, histopathological examination of resected specimens, and clinical follow-up. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 May 7;21(9). Epub 2020 May 7.

Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) for Functional Grains, Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

Glucose-induced oxidative stress is associated with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may dysregulate the expression of genes controlling insulin secretion leading to β-cell dysfunction, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the impact of coloured rice phenolic extracts (CRPEs) on the expression of key genes associated with β-cell function in pancreatic β-cells (INS-1E). These genes included glucose transporter 2 () silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 () mitochondrial transcription factor A () pancreatic/duodenal homeobox protein 1 () and insulin 1 (). Read More

Endocr Pathol 2020 May 9. Epub 2020 May 9.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792-8550, USA.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are classified into low-grade neuroendocrine tumors and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). There are significant differences in therapeutic strategies of the different NEN subtypes, and therefore, precise classification of pulmonary NENs is critical. However, challenges in pulmonary NEN classification include overlap of diagnostic histological features among the subtypes and reduced or negative expression of neuroendocrine markers in poorly differentiated pulmonary NECs. Read More

Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 2020 Apr;42(2):139-146

Department of Radiology,PUMC Hospital,CAMS and PUMC,Beijing 100730,China.

To prospectively evaluate the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-derived parameters and CT perfusion parameters as well as the pathological grade in insulinoma. A total of 55 patients with suspected insulinoma undergoing IVIM and CT perfusion scans were prospectively enrolled. The images were post-processed to obtain IVIM parameters including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC),diffusion (D),perfusion correlated diffusion (D*),and f,and CT perfusion parameters including blood flow (BF),blood volume (BV),and permeability (PM). Read More

Pathol Res Pract 2020 Jun 26;216(6):152993. Epub 2020 Apr 26.

Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA. Electronic address:

Confirmation of genitourinary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (GU-HGNECs) often requires immunohistochemical staining. Here we evaluated a novel neuroendocrine marker, insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1), in GU-HGNECs with comparison to chromogranin, synaptophysin and CD56. Immunohistochemical expression of INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 was evaluated in 39 GU-HGNECs using full tissue sections [4 in kidney, 28 in urinary bladder, and 7 in prostate; 31 small cell carcinomas (SmCCs), 6 large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), 2 mixed SmCC-LCNECs]. Read More

Acta Chir Belg 2020 May 18:1-4. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Endocrinology, CHU UCL Namur (Site Godinne), Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.

Surgery is the ideal treatment of insulinoma. However, systemic therapy may be required to prevent severe preoperative hypoglycaemia, when surgery is contraindicated, delayed or refused and in case of unresectable metastatic disease. Diazoxide is commonly used but is not always effective and can cause serious side effects. Read More

ANZ J Surg 2020 May 1. Epub 2020 May 1.

Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Insulinomas are rare tumours of the pancreas and the most common cause of hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic adults. They can be cured by surgery but require precise localization. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the selective intra-arterial calcium stimulation test (SIACST) in patients with an insulinoma to correctly localize the tumour. Read More

Br J Surg 2020 Apr 30. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Department of Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Background: Insulinomas are found in 10-15 per cent of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and lead to life-threatening hypoglycaemia. Surgical outcome and the optimal surgical strategy for MEN1-related insulinoma are unknown.

Methods: Patients with MEN1-related insulinomas were identified in 46 centres in Europe and North America between 1990 and 2016. Read More

J Cell Sci 2020 Jun 18;133(12). Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA

Connexin 37 (Cx37; protein product of ) expression profoundly suppresses proliferation of rat insulinoma (Rin) cells in a manner dependent on gap junction channel (GJCh) functionality and the presence and phosphorylation status of its C-terminus (CT). In Rin cells, growth is arrested upon induced Cx37 expression and serine 319 (S319) is frequently phosphorylated. Here, we show that preventing phosphorylation at this site (alanine substitution; S319A) relieved Cx37 of its growth-suppressive effect whereas mimicking phosphorylation at this site (aspartate substitution; S319D) enhanced the growth-suppressive properties of Cx37. Read More

J Surg Oncol 2020 Apr 28. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Backgrounds And Objectives: Recent studies have suggested that insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) is a useful marker for pathological diagnosis of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. In the present study, we investigated the association between INSM1 expression and prognosis in patients with pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (HGNEC) and assessed the usefulness of INSM1 as a prognostic biomarker in these patients.

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients with HGNEC who underwent complete surgical resections from January 2000 to December 2018 were enrolled in this study. Read More

Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2020 Apr 27;41(1). Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Background: Insulinoma as a cause of epileptic seizure has been thoroughly described but often not considered in differentials for previously established diagnoses of seizure disorder. Hypoglycemic symptoms can mimic neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

Case Presentation: A 52-year-old woman presented with a history of epilepsy on anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) developed repeated episodes consisting of seizures and neuropsychiatric symptoms with no predisposing factors for epilepsy at age 52. Read More

Ann Biomed Eng 2020 Apr 22. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, 500 UTA Blvd., Suite 226, Arlington, TX, 76010, USA.

Electric field stimulation has long been investigated with results supporting its therapeutic potential; however, its effects on insulin secreting cells has yet to be fully elucidated. Herein we explored the effects of physiological direct current (DC) electric field stimulation on the intracellular calcium dynamics of mouse derived βTC-6 insulinoma cells. This electrical stimulation resulted in an elevation in intracellular calcium along with a rise in calcium spiking activity. Read More

Case Rep Endocrinol 2020 3;2020:4510910. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4053 Basel, Switzerland.

Severe cases of postprandial hypoglycaemia after bariatric surgery can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The diagnostic role of Ga-DOTA-Exendin-4 PET/CT in postbariatric hypoglycaemia for further treatment decisions is unclear. We present a case of a 50-year-old woman with frequent and severe postprandial hypoglycaemic (≤2. Read More