ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

Brief summary: This basic science study in mice shows how melanocortin neurons integrate reproductive signaling with energy homeostasis. In melanocortin neurons, estradiol (E2) enhances the anorectic action of leptin. Cited1 is enriched in these neurons and its loss exacerbates diet-induced obesity in female mice. Using several specific mouse models it is demonstrated how hypothalamic Cited1, via ERα and Stat3 interactions, link the effects of E2 and leptin on food intake...

In Brief: The authors conducted genome sequencing on 151 mother–father–offspring trios from 68 vertebrate animal species in order to estimate and compare germline mutation rates (GMRs). They found a 40-fold variation in GMR per generation between the species. Higher GMRs were observed in species that have a longer generation time, older age at puberty and fewer offspring per generation.Comment: Mutations in germline DNA during gametogenesis are...

To read the full abstract: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020; 117(4): 2187–2193. PMID: 31932420.Since their discovery ~70 years ago, glucocorticoids (GC) have been widely used to elicit a systemic anti-inflammatory response, and currently play a major role in the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases (1). However, unresponsiveness to GC in some individuals i...

Brief summary: Genomic information (nuclear, Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA data) of 13 Neanderthals from two neighboring caves in Siberia have been analysed to infer their social community organization. The data show greater diversity of maternal lineages, which is best explained by female-biased migration between communities.This study is fascinating as it illustrates what information can be gained with genetic data and analysis beyond the medical ...

Brief summary: Over the recent years several publications reported on next generation sequencing (NGS) in cohorts of patients with congenital hypothyroidism (1). Based on these data, diagnostic yield was higher in patients with gland-in-situ, than with thyroid dysgenesis. Further studies performed NGS only in cohorts of patients with gland-in-situ, excluding thyroid dysgenesis forms such as athyreosis, ectopy, or hypoplasia (2). The publication of Levaillant ...

J Clin Invest. 2020 Dec 1;130(12):6338–6353. doi: 10.1172/JCI141455. PMID: 33164986.This manuscript describes a novel disorder due to homozygous mutations in the YIPF5 gene which cause a complex syndrome of neonatal/early onset diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and microcephaly. The underlying mechanism of the diabetes involves the accumulation of proinsulin (unable to be transported to the Golgi...

To read the full abstract: Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2017Aug 22;15(1):68This large prospective study analysed growth in children with JIA during a 3-year period from diagnosis. Interesting findings emerge: the heights and weights of these patients, clearly compromised in historical cohorts, appeared nearly normal. Increased risk of growth impairment was noted in patients with systemic arthr...

In Brief: The authors describe a wide range of studies. Firstly, observational studies showed that circulating taurine concentrations decline with age in mice, monkeys, and humans – and in the latter, low taurine was associated with metabolic disease (abdominal fat, blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes). They then gave oral taurine to mice throughout their lives and showed that this increased lifespan by 10–12% and improved functional outcomes of almost all tissues studie...

Thyroid. 2021:387–419. doi: 10.1089/thy.2020.0333.These updated ENDO-European Reference Network (ENDO-ERN), European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and European Society for Endocrinology (ESE) guidelines for congenital hypothyroidism will serve as comprehensive review of the literature providing recommendations to all aspects of the disease.The first ...

Nat Med. 2020 Oct;26(10):1583–1592 Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32807933/In brief: Improved treatments for osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases are urgently needed. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the synovial microenvironment can be modified to allow resident skeletal stem cells to form hyaline articular cartilage and thereby reg...