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Endocrinology Sep 2021Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are emerging as important carriers of signals in normal and pathological physiology. As EVs are a long-range... (Review)
Review
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are emerging as important carriers of signals in normal and pathological physiology. As EVs are a long-range communication or signaling modality-just like hormones are-the field of endocrinology is uniquely poised to offer insight into their functional biology and regulation. EVs are membrane-bound particles secreted by many different cell types and can have local or systemic effects, being transported in body fluids. They express transmembrane proteins, some of which are shared between EVs and some being specific to the tissue of origin, that can interact with target cells directly (much like hormones can). They also contain cargo within them that includes DNA, RNA, miRNA, and various metabolites. They can fuse with target cells to empty their cargo and alter their target cell physiology in this way also. Similar to the endocrine system, the EV system is likely to be under homeostatic control, making the regulation of their biogenesis and secretion important aspects to study. In this review, we briefly highlight select examples of how EVs are implicated in normal physiology and disease states. We also discuss what is known about their biogenesis and regulation of secretion. We hope that this paper inspires the endocrinology field to use our collective expertise to explore these new multimodal "hormones."
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Biomedical Research; Cell Communication; Endocrinology; Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans
PubMed: 34180968
DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab133 -
Does an endocrinology subspecialty residency rotation enhance resident endocrine clinical knowledge?BMC Medical Education Jan 2022Internal Medicine (IM) programs offer elective subspecialty rotations in which residents may enroll to supplement the experience and knowledge obtained during general...
BACKGROUND
Internal Medicine (IM) programs offer elective subspecialty rotations in which residents may enroll to supplement the experience and knowledge obtained during general inpatient and outpatient rotations. Objective evidence that these rotations provide enhanced subspecialty specific knowledge is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to an endocrinology subspecialty rotation enhanced a resident's endocrinology-specific knowledge beyond that otherwise acquired during IM residency.
METHODS
Data were collected on internal medicine resident scores on the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine In-Training Examinations (IM-ITE) for calendar years 2012 through 2018 along with enrollment data as to whether residents had completed an endocrinology subspecialty rotation prior to sitting for a given IM-ITE. Three hundred and six internal medicine residents in the University of Minnesota Internal Medicine residency program with 664 scores total on the IM-ITE for calendar years 2012 through 2018. Percentage of correct answers on the overall and endocrine subspecialty content areas on the IM-ITE for each exam were determined and the association between prior exposure to an endocrinology subspecialty rotation and percentage of correct answers in the endocrinology content area was analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models.
RESULTS
Two hundred and thirty-three residents (76%) completed an endocrinology subspecialty rotation at some point during their residency; 121 (40%) residents had at least one IM-ITE both before and after exposure to an endocrine subspecialty rotation. Exposure to an endocrinology subspecialty rotation exhibited a positive association with the expected IM-ITE percent correct on the endocrinology content area (5.5% predicted absolute increase). Advancing year of residency was associated with a predicted increase in overall IM-ITE score but did not improve the predictive model for endocrine subspecialty score.
CONCLUSIONS
Completion of an endocrinology subspecialty elective was associated with an increase in resident endocrine specific knowledge as assessed by the IM-ITE. These findings support the value of subspecialty rotations in enhancing a resident's subspecialty specific medical knowledge.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Endocrinology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Internship and Residency; Knowledge
PubMed: 35062936
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03110-6 -
BMC Endocrine Disorders Jul 2022Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are useful tools in paediatric endocrinology to gauge health status in children, especially since they are often unable to...
CONTEXT
Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are useful tools in paediatric endocrinology to gauge health status in children, especially since they are often unable to clearly communicate it themselves. We aimed to systematically search and appraise all available PROMs relevant to paediatric endocrinology and provide a curated resource for health professionals to utilise.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
We identified PROMs in paediatric endocrinology by systematically searching the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature on May 20, 2022. Additional studies were located through hand searching and content area expert contributions. We assessed the quality of each PROM using the COSMIN risk of bias checklist.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
We identified 5003 papers in the initial search. After applying exclusion criteria we included seven PROMs in the review. Six PROMs were specific to Type I Diabetes and one to Hypothyroidism. We gave all studies an overall COSMIN score of 'inadequate' due to poorly detailed PROM development.
CONCLUSION
The scope and quality of PROMs in paediatric endocrinology is limited. Further research and development of PROM tools are required in paediatric endocrinology to allow for improved patient care.
Topics: Checklist; Child; Endocrinology; Health Status; Humans; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35840922
DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01099-z -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Endocrinology has one of the highest proportions of female specialists and trainees, however females have traditionally been underrepresented in leadership positions and...
Background
Endocrinology has one of the highest proportions of female specialists and trainees, however females have traditionally been underrepresented in leadership positions and as speakers at scientific meetings.
Hypothesis
Females would represent less than half of invited speakers (plenary, symposium sessions) at endocrinology conferences and in leadership positions of endocrinology societies.
Method
An audit of Australian diabetes and endocrinology societies and their respective annual scientific meetings between 2016 - 2020. Analysis of the gender of conference speakers across oral, symposium and plenary sessions, session chairs, program organising committees and society committees.
Results
A total of 1638 speakers (females 856, 52.3%) across 550.4 hours (females 273.6, 49.7%) of presentations at the conferences were identified. Among plenary sessions of all 3 societies there were more male (61%) than female speakers. A total of 608 session chairs were identified, with 313 (51.5%) females. The majority of organising committee members (n=116) were female (56%), however the representation across each organising committee varied. There was a low proportion of society female council members (39% female).
Conclusion
There was an equal representation of females and males as conference speakers and session chairs. However, there was an underrepresentation of women in more prestigious roles of plenary speakers and society council members. We implore conscious efforts to address this disparity.
Topics: Australia; Diabetes Mellitus; Endocrinology; Female; Humans; Male; Physicians, Women; Societies, Medical
PubMed: 35360065
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.842909 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... Aug 2020To identify gender differences in leadership and academic rank within academic reproductive endocrinology (REI) programs with fellowships in the USA.
PURPOSE
To identify gender differences in leadership and academic rank within academic reproductive endocrinology (REI) programs with fellowships in the USA.
METHODS
Official institutional websites of the 2017-2018 American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG)-accredited reproductive endocrinology fellowship programs were reviewed, and gender representation at each leadership position and academic rank (Division and Fellowship Director and Full, Associate, and Assistant Professor) was recorded. Univariate comparisons were performed using Chi-square tests, with significance at p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Among 49 ABOG-accredited reproductive endocrinology programs, 263 faculty were identified, 129 (49.0%) male and 134 (51.0%) female. Division directors were 69.3% male and 30.7% female (p = 0.006). Similarly, fellowship directors were 65.3% male and 34.6% female (p = 0.03). Full professors (n = 101) were more frequently male (70.3% vs. 29.7%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in gender among associate professors (n = 60, 51.7% male vs. 48.3% female, p = 0.79), while significantly more assistant professors were female than male (n = 102, 73.6% vs. 26.4%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
While a majority of residents in obstetrics and gynecology and half of reproductive endocrinology academic faculty are female, women are still underrepresented among leadership positions and full professors in academic reproductive endocrinology programs with fellowship programs.
Topics: Academies and Institutes; Endocrinology; Fellowships and Scholarships; Female; Gender Equity; Gynecology; Humans; Leadership; Male; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sex Factors; United States
PubMed: 32564240
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01866-8 -
Endocrine Aug 2021Low-value care exposes patients to ineffective, costly, and potentially harmful care. In endocrinology, low-value care practices are common in the care of patients with... (Review)
Review
Low-value care exposes patients to ineffective, costly, and potentially harmful care. In endocrinology, low-value care practices are common in the care of patients with highly prevalent conditions. There is an urgent need to move past the identification of these practices to an active process of de-implementation. However, clinicians, researchers, and other stakeholders might lack familiarity with the frameworks and processes that can help guide successful de-implementation. To address this gap and support the de-implementation of low-value care, we provide a summary of low-value care practices in endocrinology and a primer on the fundamentals of de-implementation science. Our goal is to increase awareness of low-value care within endocrinology and suggest a path forward for addressing low-value care using principles of de-implementation science.
Topics: Endocrinology; Humans
PubMed: 33977312
DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02732-y -
Endocrinology and Metabolism (Seoul,... Mar 2020Machine learning (ML) applications have received extensive attention in endocrinology research during the last decade. This review summarizes the basic concepts of ML... (Review)
Review
Machine learning (ML) applications have received extensive attention in endocrinology research during the last decade. This review summarizes the basic concepts of ML and certain research topics in endocrinology and metabolism where ML principles have been actively deployed. Relevant studies are discussed to provide an overview of the methodology, main findings, and limitations of ML, with the goal of stimulating insights into future research directions. Clear, testable study hypotheses stem from unmet clinical needs, and the management of data quality (beyond a focus on quantity alone), open collaboration between clinical experts and ML engineers, the development of interpretable high-performance ML models beyond the black-box nature of some algorithms, and a creative environment are the core prerequisites for the foreseeable changes expected to be brought about by ML and artificial intelligence in the field of endocrinology and metabolism, with actual improvements in clinical practice beyond hype. Of note, endocrinologists will continue to play a central role in these developments as domain experts who can properly generate, refine, analyze, and interpret data with a combination of clinical expertise and scientific rigor.
Topics: Animals; Endocrine System Diseases; Endocrinology; Humans; Machine Learning; Metabolic Diseases
PubMed: 32207266
DOI: 10.3803/EnM.2020.35.1.71 -
Endocrine Mar 2021Rare diseases affect <1 in 2000 people. despite their rarity, they collectively affect ~30 million people across europe. the aim of this article is to present view... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Rare diseases affect <1 in 2000 people. Despite their rarity, they collectively affect ~30 million people across Europe. The aim of this article is to present the view of our European endocrine societies on the care of patients with rare endocrine conditions.
METHODS
We evaluated the current situation of patients with rare endocrine disease and present the joint views of the European Society for Endocrinology (ESE) and the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) on how the endocrine disciplines can support and contribute to a better health of patients with rare endocrine conditions in Europe.
RESULTS
Rare diseases pose many challenges, including early diagnosis and innovative treatment options. Rare endocrine diseases can be found among inherited disorders, cancers, and conditions associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, calcium and bone metabolism, lipid metabolism, hypogonadism, and adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid dysfunction. According to the European Registries for Rare Endocrine conditions, there are over 440 distinct rare diseases that affect the endocrine system. Rare endocrine diseases are often chronic and life-threatening.
CONCLUSIONS
ESE and ESPE support a strategic plan to address unmet needs in the area of rare endocrine conditions. The EU should continue to evolve and expand its plans for funding European Reference Networks so that they can expand their activities.
Topics: Child; Diabetes Mellitus; Endocrine System Diseases; Endocrinology; Europe; Humans; Pituitary Gland; Rare Diseases
PubMed: 33740222
DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02652-x -
BMC Medical Education Jul 2019With the development of medicine, new teaching methods, such as flipped classroom and problem-based learning (PBL), have received much attention in medical education....
BACKGROUND
With the development of medicine, new teaching methods, such as flipped classroom and problem-based learning (PBL), have received much attention in medical education. However, the implementation of flipped classroom combined with PBL in endocrinology education has not been well investigated. Considering that both two teaching methods may complement each other, therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate students' learning effectiveness acceptability of the pedagogy between traditional lecture-based teaching methods and the combination of flipped classrooms with PBL teaching methods in the endocrinology internship.
METHODS
74 fourth-year medical students at the Bengbu Medical College were enrolled in the endocrinology internship. Hyperthyroidism was chosen for the content of this study. The participants were randomly allocated into either the combination group of flipped classroom with PBL (CG) or the traditional lecture-based classroom group (TG). Both a pre-quiz and a post-quiz were conducted before and after the classes, respectively. All questions in the quizzes were classified into two aspects, basic theoretical knowledge and clinical case analyses based on the Bloom's Taxonomy. The scores were compared and students were required to complete the questionnaire to evaluate their perceptions and experience.
RESULTS
The mean post-quiz scores of both the TG and the CG were higher than those of the pre-quiz. Additionally, the post-quiz showed that students in the CG had significantly higher scores in the TG. Further analysis found that after class, only the difference in clinical case analysis between CG and TG was significant. The scores of all items in the questionnaires were higher in the CG than in the TG. More students agreed that the combined teaching method could help to improve their performance, at the same time, it could increase their workload.
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of the flipped classroom and PBL teaching approach could be a better option over the traditional lecture-based classroom in the teaching of hyperthyroidism during endocrinology internship, although it can increase students' workload. To be widely accepted and implemented, further optimizations are required.
Topics: China; Endocrinology; Female; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Internship and Residency; Male; Problem-Based Learning; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching; Young Adult
PubMed: 31362729
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-019-1714-8 -
Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2020Pediatric endocrine practices had to rapidly transition to telemedicine care at the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For many, it was an... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pediatric endocrine practices had to rapidly transition to telemedicine care at the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For many, it was an abrupt introduction to providing virtual healthcare, with concerns related to quality of patient care, patient privacy, productivity, and compensation, as workflows had to change.
SUMMARY
The review summarizes the common adaptations for telemedicine during the pandemic with respect to the practice of pediatric endocrinology and discusses the benefits and potential barriers to telemedicine. Key Messages: With adjustments to practice, telemedicine has allowed providers to deliver care to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The broader implementation of telemedicine in pediatric endocrinology practice has the potential for expanding patient access. Research assessing the impact of telemedicine on patient care outcomes in those with pediatric endocrinology conditions will be necessary to justify its continued use beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: COVID-19; Child; Diabetes Mellitus; Endocrinology; Humans; Pandemics; Pediatrics; Telemedicine
PubMed: 33486483
DOI: 10.1159/000513060