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Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) are two very common organ-specific autoimmune diseases which are characterized by circulating antibodies and lymphocyte infiltration. Although humoral and cellular mechanisms have been classically considered separately in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), recent research suggests a close reciprocal relationship between these two immune pathways. Several B- and T-cell activation pathways through antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and cytokine production lead to specific differentiation of T helper (Th) and T regulatory (Treg) cells. This review will focus on the cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AITD. Specifically, it will provide reasons for discarding the traditional simplistic dichotomous view of the T helper type 1 and 2 pathways (Th1/Th2) and will focus on the role of the recently characterized T cells, Treg and Th17 lymphocytes, as well as B lymphocytes and APCs, especially dendritic cells (DCs)., (Copyright © 2016 SEEN. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

In the era of predictive medicine, management of diseases is evolving into a more personal and individualized approach, as more data are available regarding clinical, biochemical, radiological, molecular, histopathological, and genetic aspects. In the particular setting of acromegaly, which is a rare, chronic, debilitating, and disfiguring disease, an optimized approach deems even more necessary, especially because of an associated increased morbidity and mortality, the impact on patients' quality of life, and the increased cost of frequently necessary life-long treatments. In this paper, we review the available studies that address potential genetic influences on acromegaly, their role in the outcome, and response to treatments, as well as their contribution to the risk of developing side effects. We focus mainly on pharmacogenetic factors involved during treatment with dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogs, and pegvisomant. Specifically, mutations in dopamine receptors, somatostatin receptors, growth hormone receptors, and metabolic pathways involved in growth hormone action; polymorphisms in the insulin-like growth factor and the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins; and polymorphisms in other genes that may determine differences in the frequency of developing adverse events., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The impact of bariatric surgery beyond its effect on weight loss has entailed a change in the way of regarding it. The term metabolic surgery has become more popular to designate those interventions that aim at resolving diseases that have been traditionally considered as of exclusive medical management, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Recommendations for metabolic surgery have been largely addressed and discussed in worldwide meetings, but no definitive consensus has been reached yet. Rates of diabetes remission after metabolic surgery have been one of the most debated hot topics, with heterogeneity being a current concern. This review aims to identify and clarify controversies regarding metabolic surgery, by focusing on a critical analysis of T2D remission rates achieved with different bariatric procedures, and using different criteria for its definition. Indications for metabolic surgery for patients with T2D who are not morbidly obese are also discussed., (Copyright © 2013 SEEN. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

The prevalence of obesity in Western countries has increased at a much greater pace than the development of new efficient and safe drugs, beyond mere lifestyle changes, for the treatment of overweight. Numerous different types of drugs which had been used in the past for the treatment of obesity have currently been withdrawn due to undesirable long-term side effects. The only available drug in Europe is orlistat, which serves only as an aid for the treatment of obesity. In the USA, however, a few central adrenergic-mediators, for instance, diethylpropion and phentermine, have been available for decades to treat obesity during a short-term period (less than 12 weeks). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved lorcaserin and the combination phentermine/ topiramate for the treatment of obesity. The first one is a selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist that works by decreasing food intake with few side effects. Its outcomes on weight are modest, but may be helpful in certain selected patients. The phentermine/topiramate combination has proved to be highly effective, achieving a 10% reduction in weight in the majority of patients, although attention must be drawn to the possible development of side effects in both the short and the long-term follow-up. Further investigation regarding the mechanisms involved in weight balance will anticipate the development of new expectations for the treatment of obesity in the near future., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Background: C-peptide (Cp) serves as a surrogate of pancreatic beta-cell reserve. This study evaluates the clinical significance of basal Cp as a predictor of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission after bariatric surgery (BS)., Research Design and Methods: Retrospective study of 22 patients with BMI > 35 kg/m² and T2D who underwent BS. Evaluation of anthropometric and glucose metabolism parameters before BS and at one-year follow-up. Analysis of patients with T2D remission (HbA1c < 6%, fasting glucose (FG) < 100 mg/dl, absence of pharmacologic treatment) and preoperative characteristics associated (logistic binary regression model). ROC curve to estimate an optimal Cp value to predict T2D remission., Results: Preoperativeley (mean ± SD): age 53.3 ± 9.4 years, BMI 42.9 ± 6.8 kg/m², T2D duration 6.9 ± 5.2 years, FG 159.6 ± 56.6 mg/dL, HbA1c 7.5 ± 1.1%, Cp 4.0 ± 2.0 (median 3.8, range 0.1-8.9) ng/mL. At one year follow-up, remission of T2D in 12 cases (54.5%). Preoperative Cp correlated with 12-month HbA1c (r = -0.519, p = 0.013). Preoperative Cp was higher in those who achieved remission: 5.0 ± 1.7 vs 3.0 ± 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0,013. A Cp concentration > 3.75 ng/mL provided a clinically useful cut-off for prediction of T2D remission. T2D remission rates were different according to median preoperative Cp: 27.3% if Cp < 3.8 ng/mL and 81.7% if Cp > 3.8 ng/mL (p = 0.010)., Conclusions: Patients with elevated preoperative Cp levels achieve higher rates of T2D remission one year after BS. A Cp concentration > 3.75 ng/mL seems clinically useful., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Vitamin A deficiency may occur after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. However, it rarely entails important functionally limiting symptoms. We present the case of a woman who underwent bariatric surgery and developed ocular dryness, xeroderma and hearing loss due to severe vitamin A deficiency. We illustrate an outstanding and exceptional case of the consequences of an excessive and uncontrolled malabsorption., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

We present a patient who underwent successful classic duodenal switch and developed a marked dermatitis with a significant functional limitation. This is an unusual complication, despite the relatively moderate prevalence of nutrient deficiency after this type of bariatric surgery. We discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms and emphasize the importance of an appropriate nutritional management., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

We present two patients who underwent successful bariatric surgery and developed peroneal nerve palsy six months after the procedure. This is an unusual complication which determines a significant functional limitation, mainly because of foot drop, and its presence may be a hallmark of excessive and rapid weight loss. We discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic options, and we emphasize the important role of an adequate nutritional management, in order to avoid the need for a surgical nerve decompression., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)