Volume 12 Issue 5, May 2016

In a new study, a dramatic decrease in the frequency of implantation, pregnancy and live birth is associated with increased urine levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, in women who consume soy-containing foods, the interfering effect of BPA on IVF success is negated.

Cold exposure enhances brown adipose tissue activity, the beiging of white adipose tissue and might have antidiabetic and antiobesity effects. In new data, cold exposure induces and sustains brown adipose tissue in metabolically healthy individuals with obesity, suggesting that cold treatment might be clinically beneficial, even for those with increased BMI.

Here, Lodish and Stratakis discuss the genetic mutations that give rise to Cushing syndrome, specifically those leading to the dysregulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A signalling. The authors also highlight howARMC5mutations contribute to adrenocortical hyperplasia, and discuss the role of this knowledge in patient care.

Epidemiological, clinical and pathology studies in humans support viral infection, particularly by enteroviruses, as an environmental trigger for the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In this Review, Op de Beeck and Eizirik discuss potential mechanisms by which enteroviruses could contribute to the specific destruction of pancreatic β cells in T1DM, focusing on data obtained in clinical studies and human samples.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies during pregnancy can have a major effect on neonatal development. In this Review, Gernand and colleagues discuss the evidence supporting the need for micronutrient supplementation and how it can benefit pregnancy, especially in low-income settings.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common disorder, highly prevalent in patients with obesity and an independent risk factor for metabolic disease. Here, Gileles-Hillel and colleagues discuss the evidence from animal models and clinical studies of mechanisms linking obstructive sleep apnoea with metabolic dysfunction.

Theodore Friedman and colleagues discuss the metabolic effects of smoking cessation, focusing mainly on post-cessation weight gain. The authors highlight considerations for future smoking-cessation programs and therapies, which should be designed with an emphasis on reducing post-cessation weight gain.