Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2019

By combining genetic, metagenomic and metabolic data in humans, a recent study has identified causal relationships between the capacity of gut microorganisms to produce short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate and propionate, and metabolic traits of the host, including insulin response during an oral glucose tolerance test and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Thyroid ultrasonography is an important element of clinical thyroid diagnostics. Unfortunately, the results of this technique can vary based on the skill and experience of the operator. A new study suggests that assessment of ultrasound images using artificial intelligence has similar sensitivity and improved specificity compared with the judgement of experienced radiologists.

Alterations in lipid metabolism are closely linked to disorders such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A multi-omics study on a mouse genetic reference panel uncovers regulatory networks and potential biomarkers of hepatic lipid metabolism.

T₃ and T₄ are synthesized in the thyroid gland in a process that involves the iodoglycoprotein thyroglobulin. In this Review, we consider the role of thyroglobulin in thyroid hormonogenesis from evolutionary, biochemical, molecular, cellular and physiological angles.

This Review discusses how signals arising from activity are perceived by cell populations and how the cells respond to them, with particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal and adipose systems. The potential of exercise as a non-invasive and non-pharmacological method of regulating osteoporosis and obesity is also outlined.

Prolactin is mainly known for its involvement in the regulation of lactation. In this Review, the authors describe other newly discovered roles of prolactin in human health and disease and discuss new data on the pathological states of hypoprolactinaemia and hyperprolactinaemia.

The aim of the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on Toxicity of BPA (CLARITY–BPA) was to provide a definitive evaluation of bisphenol A (BPA). In this Perspectives, the authors summarize the goals, design and problems of CLARITY–BPA.