Volume 12 Issue 11, November 2016

In 1998, two children with congenital adrenal insufficiency and early-onset morbid obesity were found to have causative null mutations in POMC. In a new study, therapy with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist setmelanotide has for the first time brought hope of a normal life to patients with POMC-deficiency.

A new population-based cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has found that systolic blood pressure below the level currently recommended by hypertension guidelines is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events than the present threshold. However, whether blood pressure goals should be lowered remains contentious.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with adverse metabolic and reproductive outcomes and guidelines recommend early diagnosis, screening and management. However, new stricter definitions of the diagnostic features of polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography might in fact exclude some women from a diagnosis of PCOS who could benefit from preventive management.

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and promoting healthy mitochondrial function could benefit patients. This Review discusses novel molecular targets for therapies that enhance mitochondrial function, with an emphasis on nonpharmacological regulation of factors such as nutrition, exercise, temperature and circadian rhythm.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased substantially in many countries over the past few decades. In this Review, Kitahara and Sosa describe the changing incidence of the disease and suggest possible explanations for the trends, emphasizing implications for patients and ongoing strategies to combat this growing public health issue.

The human endometrium repeatedly undergoes specific cyclic changes to prepare for embryo implantation. Understanding the mechanisms involved in endometrial cycling is important for the treatment of reproductive pathologies, and can also provide insight into conditions such as wound healing and even cancer.

Lipidomics uses the principles of analytical chemistry to reveal the total lipid content and composition in a cell. In this Review, Xianlin Han provides an overview of lipidomics as applied to the study of metabolic pathways and how this technique can help in the understanding of metabolic diseases.

Monthly or annual bolus doses of vitamin D have been reported to be harmful rather than beneficial, increasing falls and fractures. In this Perspectives, J. Christopher Gallagher proposes that the vitamin D dose recommended by the Institute of Medicine be revised downwards.