Table of contents
September 2006 Volume 2 No 9
Editorial
Viewpoints
Gene expression profiling of thyroid tumors—clinical applicability
472Gene expression profiling techniques have revolutionized molecular biology, allowing researchers to analyze the expression of thousands of genes in a single assay. This Viewpoint asks whether microarray technology can also be applied to clinical practice, and focuses on the diagnosis, prognosis and risk stratification of thyroid carcinoma.
Levothyroxine dosage and the limitations of current bioequivalence standards
474FDA regulation of levothyroxine formulations aims to ensure consistent drug content and bioavailability of brand name and generic products. This Viewpoint suggests that the pharmacokinetic measure of therapeutic equivalence in current use—measurement of total T4 levels in the blood—might not be sufficiently reliable to achieve these goals.
Research Highlights
Testosterone therapy rebuilds muscle in older men
476Alendronate limits the effectiveness of teriparatide in combination therapy
476PTH nasal spray could replace daily injections in patients with osteoporosis
477Commercially available diet plans can help with weight loss
477In growth-hormone-deficient adults, hormone replacement can boost cognitive performance
478Defining the prevalence of diabetes in children with Down's syndrome
479Diet influences the development of advanced 
-cell autoimmunity in children
479Combination therapy with niacin and ezetimibe lowers LDL cholesterol
479US adolescents from poor families are at risk of developing obesity
480Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an effective procedure for large adrenal tumors
481Practice Points
How effective is octreotide-LAR as a primary treatment for growth-hormone-secreting tumors?
482Does warfarin increase the risk of osteoporotic fracture?
484How effective is biphasic insulin aspart in the treatment of adolescents with type 1 diabetes?
486Does the metabolic activity of metastatic thyroid carcinoma correlate with prognosis?
488How useful is autoantibody screening in adult-onset diabetes?
490Reviews
The diagnosis and management of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism
494In many countries, the clinical profile of primary hyperparathyroidism has changed to one with few of the disease's "classical" features. Although the reason for this change is unknown, various organs remain targets of the hyperparathyroid process. NIH treatment guidelines were recently updated, as the need for surgery in all patients remains controversial.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0265 | Full Text | PDF (180K)
Mechanisms of Disease: proatherogenic HDL—an evolving field
504Not only the levels, but also the function and components of HDL-cholesterol appear to play a role in atherosclerosis. Levels of anti-oxidants and pro-oxidants can vary in HDL-cholesterol, as can its effects on LDL-induced inflammation. This Review describes recent progress that might lead to new therapeutic approaches.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0245 | Full Text | PDF (160K)
Mechanisms of Disease: psychomotor retardation and high T3 levels caused by mutations in monocarboxylate transporter 8
512Thyroid hormone transport across the plasma membrane is essential for hormone functions. As detailed here, novel mutations in monocarboxylate transporter 8 reveal important roles in thyroid hormone access to the brain and might explain the pathogenesis of Allan–Herndon–Dudley syndrome, which is now known to feature thyroid hormone resistance.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0262 | Full Text | PDF (402K)
Case Study
TSH-induced hyperthyroidism caused by a pituitary tumor
524doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0276 | Full Text | PDF (146K)
