STOP PRESS - GREAT NEWS FOR READERS AND AUTHORS OF EJE!

RISING IMPACT FACTOR
The new ISI impact factors – measuring average citations of journal articles – have been released and the official journal of EFES, European Journal of Endocrinology (www.eje.org), has seen its second successive increase from 2.560 to 2.941, reaching its highest value since the journal changed its name in 1995!

HIGHWIRE HOSTING
A factor that should help EJE maintain its healthy increase in citations is that from January 2005 the online host will change to HighWire Press (as used by the US Endocrine Society's journals). Readers will benefit from increased functionality including full-text html and toll-free linking from the reference list to the full text of articles in other journals also hosted by HighWire. Perhaps most importantly, each article on HighWire features a list headed "This article has been cited by...". This should increase the visibility of articles as HighWire also hosts the (US) Endocrine Society’s journals: they will link back to EJE whenever EJE cites them!

DO YOU WANT A EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF ENDOCRINOLOGY?
The Executive Committee of EFES wishes to propose the formation of a European Society of Endocrinology.

Consultation with every European National Endocrine Society and the affiliated endocrine-related societies is essential for the success of this plan and consultation documents have been sent to the Presidents and Secretaries of all Full and Affiliated Members Societies of EFES.

To find out how to get involved in the consultation process go to: http://www.euro-endo.org/news/news.htm

EFES WORLD CALENDAR OF ENDOCRINE EVENTS
You may have noticed a change to the diary section of the EFES website. This is now powered by a new online database called BioSciEvents.com. The database contains information on events in the field of endocrinology. It is free to use, anyone can submit an event notice or use the database to search or browse through the forthcoming events in the field.

The database provides tailored lists of meetings and events for other websites, including EFES, so when you submit a conference or training course to BioSciEvents.com you know that it will appear on national and international websites of interest to your delegate market.

To take a look at the new EFES calendar go to: http://www.euro-endo.org/worldcalendar

To browse or submit events to the online database go to: http://www.bioscievents.com

EFES NEWS - ARE YOU GETTING YOURS?
If you are a member of any of the European national endocrine societies, you should receive a free copy of EFES News (http://www.euro-endo.org/news.htm) each spring and autumn. If you are not receiving this and would like to, please send your full name and address to: jane.shepley@endocrinology.org

The latest issue of EFES news (Spring 2004) is now available on the EFES website at: http://www.euro-endo.org/news/newsletter/Issue11.pdf

WEB LINKS FROM EFES
Please add the EFES website home page to your favourites www.euro-endo.org. Navigate through the pages and give us your feedback and suggestions. Please send any websites you would like to see added to EFES Links to: jane.shepley@endocrinology.org

The EFES Executive Committee sincerely appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.

High-dose treatment with a long-acting somatostatin analogue in patients with advanced midgut carcinoid tumours
SV Welin, ET Janson, A Sundin, M Stridsberg, E Lavenius, D Granberg, B Skogseid, KE Oberg and BK Eriksson
University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden and Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland

European Journal of Endocrinology 151(1) pp 107-112
http://www.eje.org/eje/fca/EJE01673.htm

Several reports have reported a growth-inhibiting effect of somatostatin analogues on tumour cells in vitro. This has lead to research to induce this effect in vivo and a current treatment option for patients with tumours is injection of the long-acting analogue octreotide-LAR. In a previous study patients with neuroendocrine tumours were treated with a high-dose somatostatin analogue, which has shown an antiproliferative effect. To further investigate this effect Welin and co-authors administered a high-dose formula of ocreotide, octreotide pamoate, to 12 patients with advanced progressive midgut carcinoids. Treatment was given every 2 weeks for 2 months and then monthly for a total of 12 months. During this time the cell-cycle proteins, angiogenic and proliferation markers and markers for apoptosis were examined in tumour specimens before and during treatment.

The results were impressive, with stabilisation of tumour growth being recorded in 75% of the patients, and biochemical markers remaining stable in 58% and significantly reduced in 25%. Most patients found that their symptoms were improved with minimal side-effects.

Midgut carcinoid tumours are usually treated by surgery and, due to low success rates, drug treatment is usually also required. Welin’s study confirmed that the patients benefited from the high-dose somatostatin analogue treatment and it would be a significant addition to the therapeutic options available to patients with advanced progressive midgut carcinoid tumours.

The International Bone & Mineral Society Gideon and Sevgi Rodan IBMS Fellowship Award
This is a special fellowship to honour the service of two outstanding individuals to the field of bone and mineral research, this grant is designed for post-doctoral fellows within 10 years of graduation from a postdoctoral degree, and who are full-time in an academic or research (non-industry) institution, who plan to work in the laboratory of an IBMS member.

The application deadline is July 25 2004. For more information and an application form contact IBMS. Phone +1 202 3671221; fax +1 202 3672121; email: info@ibmsonline.org

Current NIH grants
Beta cell biology consortium
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-04-017.html

Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like modifications regulating disease processes
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-145.html

Emerging technologies for the study of reproductive neuroendocrinology
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-079.html

Proteomics in diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-052.html

Geoffrey Harris Prize
We have pleasure in announcing the 2005 Geoffrey Harris Prize generously sponsored by Ipsen.  This prestigious prize is designed for established researchers in the field of neuroendocrinology and is the first of its kind in Europe.  Please contact the EFES Secretary:
 
Prof. Dr. J. Köhrle
Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie und Endokrinologisches Forschungs-Centrum
Charité - Hochschulmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte
Schumannstr. 20/21
D-10098 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 30 450524021
Fax: +49 30 450525922
Email: josef.koehrle@charite.de or elke.abdel-karim@charite.de

The deadline for entries is 31 December 2004 and the award will be presented at the 7th European Congress of Endocrinology which takes place from 3-7 September 2005 in Göteborg, Sweden. More information is available on: http://www.euro-endo.org/about/harrisprize.htm

European Journal of Endocrinology Prize
The EJE Prize is awarded to a candidate who has significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field of endocrinology through publication.

The prize consists of a certificate, award and traveling expenses and will be presented during the 7th European Congresss of Endocrinology to be held in Goteburg, Sweden, 3-7 September 2005

Nominations should be submitted to:-
Prof. Paolo Beck-Peccoz
Istituto di Scienze Endocrine
Piano Terra
Padiglione Granelli
Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS
Via Francesco Sforza 35
20122 Milan
Italy
Email: info@eje.it

The deadline for entries is 31 December 2004. More information on the prize and nomination process is available on http://www.eje.org/eje/ejeprize.htm and http://www.ece2004.

Jobs and Grants Forum on the EFES website
Attention jobseekers! Post your details on the site.
Attention employers! Advertise jobs or search for suitable candidates online.
Attention funders! Add your grant to the EFES forum.

Go to: http://www.euro-endo.org/jobs.htm

More initiatives for better researcher mobility
In addition to the ‘fast-track’ researcher visas (see below), EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin this month launches a number of initiatives to improve the EU’s attractiveness for world researchers and to remove obstacles to the mobility of researchers within Europe.

The European Network of Mobility Centres, ERA-MORE, consists of 200 centres throughout Europe, offering customised assistance to researchers and their families in all aspects of their professional and daily lives related to moving to another country. For more information go to: http://europa.eu.int/eracareers/index_en.cfm?l1=4

A new mobility portal, ERA-Careers, has also been launched, providing information on career opportunities, as well as other relevant information related to moving across Europe. Find the portal at: http://europa.eu.int/eracareers/index_en.cfm

An awareness raising initiative for 2005 is also to be announced by the Commissioner. The aim of the Researchers in Europe Initiative is to educate the global science community about working in the EU. Hopefully we’ll have more information on this scheme in the next issue of EFES news.

Study begun on evolution of European research publishing
A study was launched this month on the economic and technical evolution of the scientific publication markets in Europe. Examination of the European scientific publishing system is one facet of establishing a genuine European Research Area and raising the profile of European research.

Every year 1.5 million scientific articles are published worldwide and while Europe publishes the largest share of these, with 41.3% of all scientific publications, it lags behind in citations in most disciplines.

Fundamental changes have occurred in the sector in the last few years. One in five publications is now available online and over 1000 are ‘open access’. However, the average increase in prices of scientific journals far exceeds the budgets of university libraries.

The Commission launches this study, whose results will available in 2005, to answer these questions:

Making it easier to attract world-class scientific talent
The EC has formally proposed the creation of a specific residence permit for researchers. The proposal recommends a ‘fast track’ procedure through which researchers from outside the Union would be issued with residence permits within 30 days.

Interaction of healthcare across the Member States
A number of initiatives have been proposed by the EC to encourage co-operation among Member States to raise standards of accessible, high quality, but financially sustainable healthcare. There are a number of common healthcare challenges for Member States and these proposals aim to promote co-operation and coordination in order to advance the services in individual countries as part of an international healthcare network.

The package proposed encourages better provision of information for patients on seeking treatment in other Member States. It hopes to enable national healthcare providers to share resources and knowledge. It suggests the development of centres of excellence for health professionals and addresses co-operation at government level, by proposing a framework for reform and modernisation of healthcare, long-term care and social protection.

For more information go to: http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/co_operation/mobility/patient_mobility_en.htm

Increasing Human Resources for Science and Technology in Europe
An international conference in Brussels on 2 April 2004 heard from the high level expert group put together to investigate increasing take-up and retention of talented individuals in science careers across Europe.   Some of the larger Member states currently do not meet their growth targets of the number of science professionals as a proportion of population size. Targets were set out by the March 2002 Barcelona European Council declaration which recommended that Europe increase its research and development investment to 3% of European Gross Domestic Product by 2010.

The expert group observes that at the top level, European governments are failing to support scientists in the public sector. However improvement also needs to come from more fundamental areas such as increasing science knowledge in both primary and secondary school levels and universities should provide more skills for a wider range of science careers. The Commission is also assessing the possibility of launching an awareness-raising campaign in 2005.   A number of the specific recommendations made at the conference will be considered for immediate implementation through the Union's "science and society" work programme.  

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/2004/pr0204en.cfm

Health statistics - Key data on health 2002
An updated version of this document has recently been published by the European Commission as part of the new programme of Community action in the field of public health, adopted in September 2002. The first strand of the programme stresses the importance of dissemination of health information and knowledge to Member States.

Top stories that ‘traveled’ from ENDO2004, 16-19 June, New Orleans, USA

rTSH to avoid hypothyroidism after thyroid cancer surgery
Currently, thyroid hormone therapy is typically withheld during radioidodine remnant ablation following total thyroidectomy to ensure optimal uptake of the isotope in the remnant. This inevitably leads to a period of hypothyroidism in patients. Researchers have found that if recombinant TSH (thyrotropin alpha) is administered during this period, ablation remains 100% effective whilst symptoms of hypothyroidism do not appear.

Prevention of PCOS with Metformin
Researchers at the University of Barcelona have suggested that early use of metformin in girls with insulin resistance can decrease the progression of PCOS. They found that metformin greatly benefits young girls with insulin resistance. Untreated prepubertal girls (of low birth weight) developed more upper body fat and a worsening of endocrine-metabolic markers. Those that were treated saw a reduction in abdominal fat and normalization of several PCOS markers. Discontinuation of treatment saw a rapid decline in clinical benefits.

Rosiglitazone for PCOS
Metformin has been used as an insulin-sensitiser to reduce symptoms of PCOS for many years, but there are some GI side effects. In a recent study at Stanford University, 42 women with PCOS and insulin resistance were randomised to receive one of three rosiglitazone (Avandia™) doses for 12 weeks. The drug improved insulin resistance and reduced insulin levels. In addition, 55% of the women ovulated at least once.

The authors noted that it is envisaged that rosiglitazone would be used on a short-term basis to promote ovulation, as it does not reduce androgen levels and therefore would not be used long-term for other symptoms of PCOS

Hunger hormone PYY
People who are obese do not produce enough of the gut hormone PYY3-6 which limits food intake through satiety. Researchers at Imperial College, London did an experiment providing different sized meals to obese and lean subjects and measuring PYY release 180 minutes after the meals. Obese people need a meal twice the size to achieve the same blood levels of PYY compared to lean individuals. Also, lean people were administered with graded doses of PYY and allowed to choose their meal sizes. As PYY levels increased, the subjects ate less food.

Prenatal thyroid screening
Researchers at John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore conclude that routine thyroid screening for women of reproductive age, particularly before they become pregnant, may save money and limit health risks to children. They studied data from 5,516 women and found that low thyroid hormone levels affect an estimated 40,000 pregnant and 1.6 million non-pregnant women in the US.

DHEA and women’s sex drive
Although testosterone is used effectively for low sexual desire in some women, a study from Monash University, Australia has found no link between blood testosterone levels and sex drive or arousal. They tested hormone levels of 1432 women between 18 and 75, and asked them to fill in a questionnaire on their sexual function. Low DHEA levels were tied to low sexual desire and arousal. Neither DHEA nor testosterone showed a link to sexual responsiveness or pleasure.

Ardana to market erectile dysfunction treatment in Europe
Ardana Bioscience have signed a license agreement allowing them to manufacture and market Invicorp, Senetek PLC’s patented combination drug treatment for male erectile dysfunction, in the European Union and European Free Trade Area.

GSK to publish all clinical trail data online
GlaxoSmithKline are developing the first publicly accessible register of clinical trial data and results. The GSK Clinical Trial Register is thought to be an industry first, as pharmaceutical companies currently publish results in journals or at meetings

Get involved!
The EFES website has a discussion forum facility, please feel free to share your views, comments, and interests with others. To join visit:
http://www.euro-endo.org/discuss.htm