Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Amazing progress in research and clinics on molecular
pathophysiology of hypopituitarism has recently attracted broad interest from
endocrinologists.
Particularly noteworthy is the great contribution of
Japanese scientists to such an accomplishment. In the June issue, Dr. Hironori
Bando and colleague at Kobe University provide us with cutting-edge, comprehensive
review article on the update of hypopituitarism with a specific emphasis on
paraneoplastic autoimmune hypopituitarism.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
As well known, Cushing’s disease is a symbolic endocrine disorder in which a variety of basic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic insights are crystallized. Unexpectedly, however, there have still been unsolved issues in early diagnosis, interpretation for endocrinologic testing, and preoperative management. To better understand the latest situation around the clinics on Cushing’s disease, Dr. Hidenori Fukuoka seasonably provides a fascinating and comprehensive overview in the May Issue. Our editorial team has a firm belief that all readers will definitely be satisfied by the empirical knowledge of an expert endocrinologist.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
There are examples
where distinct two peptide ligands respectively act as
an agonist and antagonist on the same receptor. To my knowledge, the
best-known one is related with the story that alpha-MSH and agouti-related
peptide (AgRP) act on the melanocrtin-4 receptor (MC4R) as an agonist and
antagonist, thereby minutely regulating appetite and body weight. In this
issue, Dr. Katsuya Sakai and Professor Masamitsu Nakazato, a world-renowned
physician scientist on research of orexigenic hormone ghrelin, provide us with
well-organized, fabulous review article focusing on the dynamic interaction
between ghrelin and LEAP-2 (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2) in terms
of stomach-liver axis-driven appetite control. Indeed, ghrelin and LEAP-2
respectively act as an agonist and antagonist on the same receptor, GHSR
(growth hormone secretagogue receptor). Our editorial team has
a firm belief that all readers are surely motivated by the real deal of
authentic endocrinology and cutting-edge medicine on GPCR signal transduction
in this article.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Reflecting an expeditious increase in elder patients with sarcopenia notably in industrialized countries, endocrinologic research on molecular basis of muscle mass and strength has attracted great attention in both academic and clinical fields. In this issue, Dr. Tomoya Onishi, Professor Yuuki Imai and colleague provide fresh insight into unexpected interplay between androgens and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) EGFR in the molecular pathophysiology of shrinkage of muscle mass. This excellent article provides all endocrinologists with updated viewpoint of sarcopenia science.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Radiographic diagnosis and therapeutic approach are
requisite for clinics of endocrinology, especially for a series of adrenal
diseases. From the unique standpoint of proficient radiologist, Dr. Oguro and
colleague contribute a comprehensive and extensive review article focusing on
this issue with a particular emphasis on segmental adrenal venous sampling
(SAVS) and radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of unilateral primary aldosteronism
(PA), shedding light on the importance of collaborative approach toward intractable
endocrine diseases.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
It has been well recognized that inorganic iodine persistently suppresses thyroid function in some cases with Graves’ disease, and can be introduced as an alternative for patients with adverse events on antithyroid drugs. However, scientific bases are not fully elucidated and still remains empirical. In this issue, Dr. Natsuko Watanabe, an editorial board member of Endocrine Journal (EJ), contributes a well-organized, insightful narrative review focusing on this issue. The editorial team of EJ has a firm belief that all readers will be fascinated by an implicative “historical tale” around the relation between iodine and thyroid.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Ethnicity-dependent differences in drug responsiveness have attracted
broad attention also in endocrinological science. In this issue, Dr.
Akira Shimatsu and Professor Beverly MK Biller at Massachusetts General
Hospital, an active member of international honorary editors of
Endocrine Journal, contribute an insightful original article focusing on
ethnicity-related impact of oral 11beta-hydroxylase inhibitor,
Osilodrostat between patients with Cushing’s disease of Asian and
non-Asian origin. In comparison with non-Asians, Asian patients required
apparently-lower doses of the drug to achieve clinical benefits,
whereas adverse events related with hypocortisolism were manifested in
Asians. As authors stated, this study is the first to compare the impact
of drug therapy for patients with Cushing’s disease between Asian and
non-Asian origin. Although ethnicity-dependent differences in
bioavailability of the drug would be involved, elucidation of the entire
picture is strongly anticipated.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
It is well recognized that patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D), originally characterized by Professor Imagawa and Hanafusa et al, require expeditious diagnosis and successive intensive care. Inspired by the notion that incidence of FT1D in Caucasians has been extremely rare as compared to Asians, Dr. Mori and colleague propose the index beneficial for the snap diagnosis of FT1D in the November issue. Such a valuable suggestion is strongly anticipated to save lives of previously-undiagnosed FT1D worldwide.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Dr. Hideyasu Asai and colleague report in the October issue an extremely rare case of a pregnant woman with twins suffering from Cushing’s disease, exemplifying hypercortisolism, hypothyroidism and diabetes. After the successful spontaneous vaginal delivery, she received a transsphenoidal surgery, resulting in partial mitigation of hypercortisolism and complete normalization of thyroid function, possibly via the cancellation of cortisol-driven suppression of TSH as well as conversion of T4 to T3. This in-depth case report on a rare situation coupled with pregnancy and hyper ACTH in circulation provides us with fresh insight into elaboration of endocrine networks throughout the body.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
It is well known that growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) share a series of close similarities in molecular developmental, structural, intracellular signaling, physiological and pathophysiological aspects. In the September issue, Professor Yasumasa Iwasaki, one of the Japan’s proud scholars in endocrinologic science, provides us with truly fabulous review article particularly focusing on the unique profile of GH and PRL as “metabo”kines with a perspective of evolutionary endocrinology. Our editorial team has a firm belief that all readers will definitely be fascinated and moved by the full of academic incense contained.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
To further enhance the success rate of fertility therapy, it is critical to understand the elaborate molecular mechanisms for regeneration of endometrium, which are extremely unique regenerative tissue in human body. In the August issue, Dr. Hiroshi Uchida provides us with an exciting review particularly focused on the endocrinologic comparison between epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in common wound healing and endometrial tissue remodeling in the sexual cycle. This excellent article provides all endocrinologists with invaluable and updated insight into menstruation and implantation in humans.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Achondroplasia (ACH) has long been an extremely intractable disease in children characterized by both rhizomelic shortened limbs and considerable shot stature. In the July issue, a world-renowned endocrinologist, Dr. Keiichi Ozono and colleague provide an inspirational and cutting-edge review on the update of molecular mechanisms and brand-new therapeutic modalities for ACH. Our editorial team has a firm belief that such a “making the impossible possible” story in the translational research of endocrinology is a must-read for all readers in Endocrine Journal.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
As well known, the pituitary gland is
composed of two distinct parts originated from both adenohypophyseal placode
and neuroectoderm. For most of endocrinologists, however, not much is known
about the recent research progress in this field. Dr Yukio Kato and Dr Takako
Kato seasonably provide a fascinating and updated overview on the molecular
development of pituitary gland with a cutting-edge insight into cellular and
endocrinologic mechanisms.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
It is widely recognized that androgens play a crucial role not only in developing secondary sexual characteristics in men but in exerting protein anabolic effects as anabolic steroids. In this issue, Professor Yuuki Imai and Dr. Hiroshi Sakai contribute a sophisticated and insightful review on cell-specific functions of androgen receptor within skeletal muscles, particularly in satellite cells, myofibers and mesenchymal progenitors. A variety of indirect effects of androgens via extra-muscle tissue on skeletal muscle are also impressively highlighted.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Fibroblast
growth factor 23 (FGF23) plays a critical role in regulating circulating phosphate
level. To date, however, mechanisms whereby bone senses the change of blood
phosphate level and regulates the production of FGF23 have been poorly
elucidated. In this issue, Dr. Yuichi Takashi contributes an insightful review article
focusing on such long-lasting enigmas. Our editorial team is sure that readers will
be fascinated by the profound world of phosphate homeostasis via unique
endocrine systems.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
Dr. Koji Suzuki and colleague report in the March issue an extremely rare case of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma within a gonadotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET), representing a considerably expeditious progression of a variety of neurological symptoms. This excellent report provides us with invaluable insight into diagnosis and therapeutics for coexisting primary and metastatic tumors in pituitary gland.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
As well known, endocrine organs including pituitary gland, adrenal gland and pancreatic islet of Langerhans et cetera consist of heterogenous cells, and pathophysiological interplay among hormone-producing cells and non-hormone-producing cells within tissue is crucial, at least in part, for molecular basis of a variety of endocrine diseases. In the February issue, Dr. Ryusaku Matsumoto and Takuya Yamamoto provide a comprehensive, fascinating review article focusing on the update of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics in endocrine research. Our editorial team has a firm belief that this review is a must-read for all dedicating clinicians and scientists on endocrinology.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
It is widely recognized that some cases of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) result in life-threatening consequences including adrenal crisis and fatal diabetic ketoacidosis. In this issue, Dr. Tomoko Kobayashi and colleague contribute an insightful and well-organized review article on promising biomarkers to predict the onset of endocrine irAEs, particularly underscoring the mechanism-based management strategies and future prospect for pituitary and thyroid irAEs.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
It
is well known that both Ca2+ and cAMP play critical roles in
ACTH-driven cortisol production by adrenal fasciculate cells. However, the
division of role for Ca2+ and cAMP in this paradigm still remains
obscure. In the December Issue, Dr. Masahiko Kutsukake and colleague elegantly
unraveled such a long-standing enigma via sophisticated cellular experiments,
demonstrating that cortisol production under steady state is preferentially
mediated by Ca2+, but cAMP also participates under stressful
conditions where ACTH demand is increased to adapt exaggerated stress.
Recommendation from the Editor in Chief
As well known, immune checkpoint
inhibitors (ICIs) sometimes cause immune-related adverse events in the thyroid
gland (thyroid irAEs). Dr. Ichiro Yamauchi and colleague conducted an elaborate
retrospective cohort study demonstrating that patients with
rapid-onset severe thyrotoxicosis as well as with positive TgAbs titers were
highly likely to develop subsequent hypothyroidism. This study provides us with
a message that expeditious
replacement of levothyroxine is a crucial precaution against severely
hypothyroid state.