ECE 2006
The abstract deadline for the 8th European Congress of Endocrinology 2006 has been extended. The deadline is now 4th November 2005. To submit your abstract please go to http://www.euro-endo.org/ece2006/abstract.html. The preliminary programme is now available to view at www.euro-endo.org/ece2006.

ECE 2005 facts and figures
This year’s ECE attracted 2005 delegates from 74 countries, including many from outside Europe. 968 abstracts submitted of which 902 were accepted. There were 72 oral communications from 19 countries, including 10 plenary lectures, 25 symposia, 12 oral communication sessions, 14 ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions and 9 commercial satellites.

EJE's impact factor at all time high
European Journal of Endocrinology is making its strongest showing ever in the new impact factors, which have just been released. Its new figure is 3.140, up from 2.941 last time. This continues a trend of steady increases in EJE’s impact factor over the last few years. Congratulations to the Chief Editor, Professor Paolo Beck-Beccoz, and his Editorial Board. See EJE’s recently launched new web site at http://www.eje-online.org/, which offers greatly improved online functionality.

EJE takes off with HighWire
EJE has been on HighWire since January 2005 and latest figures show that the numbers of 'hits', which was already substantial under the old system, has increased by 50%, meaning that EJE is substantially used by endocrinologists all around the world. See http://www.eje -online.org/

EFES News
Issue 14 of EFES News is out now and available online at http://www.euro-endo.org/news/newsletter/default.htm

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2006 prohibited list now available
Following its approval by WADA's Executive Committee on September 20, the 2006 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is now available on WADA's website (www.wada-ama.org) . This List will go into effect January 1, 2006. To see the 2006 List, the 2006 Monitoring Program and a summary of major modifications, go to http://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibitedlist.ch2

WTO Opens Trade Dispute Proceedings to Public for First Time (www.bloomberg.com Sept 12 2005)
The World Trade Organization opened its doors to the public for the first time for hearings in a legal dispute over whether U.S. and Canadian sanctions against the European Union's ban on hormone-treated meat are illegal.

EU governments set to defy industry on Reach (www.edie.net Sept 02 2005)
EU governments look set to reject industry demands to water down the substance registration procedure in the Reach chemicals reform. Draft legislation circulated by the UK presidency is the first attempt to draw up a revised legal text since Reach was tabled by the European Commission almost two years ago (ED 29/10/05).

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons issue a position statement on diagnosis and management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) (www.guideline.gov)
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons have stated that 'PHPT remains a relatively common disorder of calcium metabolism that is readily cured by a low-risk operation in 95 to 98% of patients when performed by a qualified surgeon'.

They recommend thyroidectomy as the treatment of choice for all symptomatic patients and all symptomatic patients younger than age 50 years or for patients without adequate medical follow-up. Thyroidectomy should also be considered for all other asymptomatic patients with suitable risk and a reasonable life expectancy.

EUROPA, the website of the European Union, have dedicated an entire section of their website to research in endocrine disrupters:

Effects of GH replacement therapy in adults on serum levels of leptin and ghrelin: the role of lipolysis

ET Vestergaard, TK Hansen, S Nielsen, N Moller, JS Christiansen and JOL Jorgensen

The level of circulating (gut-derived) ghrelin is suggested to act as a meal initiator and is strongly linked with food intake and energy levels, as indicated by its preprandial increase and postprandial suppression. There is also a possibility that the levels of this ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor are linked to growth hormone (GH) secretion. However, increased GH secretion during exercise, fasting or hypoglycaemia does not seem to influence ghrelin levels. It does, however, induce insulin resistance, lipolysis and hyperinsulinaemia.

Using controlled administration of GH and reduction of FFA levels using acipimox – a potent inhibitor of lipolysis – Vestergaard and colleagues here investigate the independent and collective effects of GH, free fatty acids (FFA) and insulin sensitivity on ghrelin levels in humans in both the basal state and in hyperinsulinaemia.

Their results indicate that combined GH and acipimox suppress ghrelin secretion, although via apparently discrete mechanisms. Antilipolysis may suppress ghrelin secretion by reducing the mobilization of FFA, thus simulating postprandial status. The significance of the influence of GH alone remains unclear but Vestergaard et al’s data indicate a moderate suppression of ghrelin secretion by high GH levels through a process of feedback inhibition. These observations support existing evidence that ghrelin secretion is primarily governed by changes in dietary background.

EJE 153(4) pp 545-549

NEW! WEBSITE FOR EJE: www.eje-online.org/

EJE Geoffrey Harris prizes: deadline 31 December 2005
EFES is pleased to announce that both the EJE and Geoffrey Harris prizes will be awarded again in 2006. Winners will present plenary lectures at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Glasgow on 1-5 April 2006. The Geoffrey Harris prize, generously sponsored by Ipsen, is 12000 Euros. The winner will lecture at two EFES meetings in addition to the ECE in Glasgow. The EJE prize is 7250 Euros plus travelling expenses. The deadline for applications for both prizes is 31 December 2005. Full details of how to apply are available on the EFES web site at:

Geoffrey Harris prize : http://www.euro-endo.org/about/harrisprize.htm

The Entente Cordiale Cancer Prize
A recent call for candidates for the prize, which is supported by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN, Association pour la Recherché sur le Cancer (ARC) and Institut National du Cancer (INCa) has been launched with the intention of rewarding the best young cancer researchers from the UK and France. Further information is available from the ntrac website at: http://www.ntrac.org.uk/Opportunities/Funding/CallforCandidates2005.pdf. British candidates should send their applications both by e-mail and post to: cancer@britishcouncil.fr. Sarah Bagshaw Entente Cordiale Cancer Prize British Council 9 rue de Constantine 75340 Paris Cedex 07

European Science Foundation (ESF) Call for Scientific Programmes
Scientific Programmes are medium- to long-term activities focused on specific themes. They bring together substantive research projects carried out by multinational teams of researchers, and may include limited fellowship schemes. They concentrate on how expertise can be co-ordinated and developed effectively at a European level.  Programmes last an average of four to five years and are funded on an à la carte basis by the Foundation's Member Organisations. 

For more information on Scientific Programmes please go to: http://www.esf.org/programmes

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 4 November 2005; midnight CET.

ESF-EMBO Symposia  - Second call for proposals
The European Science Foundation (ESF) is developing a new high-level Conference Scheme in partnership with national and international organisations. The new Scheme will be known as ESF Research Conferences. Topics will be at the forefront of scientific research and interdisciplinary when appropriate. The Scheme will provide the opportunity for the world’s leading scientists and other participants, including young researchers, to meet informally for discussions at the highest level on the most recent developments in their fields of research. Furthermore, it will act as a catalyst for creating new synergistic contacts throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

http://www.esf.org/esf_genericpage.php?section=10&language=0&genericpage=2283

Fourth IOF-SERVIER Young Investigator Research Award
The IOF-SERVIER Research Award is a grant of 40,000 Euros awarded every 2 years to a project within the field of osteoporosis. The award is aimed at encouraging young scientists and therefore is limited to applicants up to 40 years of age. The Award is officially granted during the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis to which the winner is invited.
Deadline for submission of completed applications: 1 December 2005

http://www.servier.com/pro/osteoporose/general/bourseiof_2.asp

Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) are inviting submissions for an opinion with regards to "The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) Report on a non-animal testing approach for endocrine disrupting chemicals". Post or email submissions to:

Gigliola Fontanesi
Scientific Secretary to the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks
European Commission - Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General Directorate C
Unit C7: Risk Assessment, Office: G1--01/53, B-1140 Brussels
Email: Sanco-Sc8 -Secretar iat@ cec.eu.int

Funding opportunities on the EUROPA website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/endocrine/projects_opportunities_en.html

LSH-2005-1.2.3-1: Predictive in vitro testing strategies for human exposure to chemicals - Integrated Project
This project should deliver a battery of non-animal test methods and models capable of predicting effects of human exposure to chemicals. It could focus on particular organs, such as skin, eye or lung. Since it should envisage hazard and risk evaluation studies, individual susceptibility factors, multiple agents of exposure and genomics will play a major role. The project must take into account existing legislation and recent regulatory initiatives.

Funding opportunities on the RDInfo website (www.rdinfo.org.uk - Robert Feulgen Prize 2006)
To be awarded for an outstanding achievement in the field of histochemistry. The contributions may be either towards the development of new histochemical and cytochemical techniques or in the application of existing technology towards solving important problems in biology and/or medicine. Addressed are scientists working in microscopical sciences (in the widest sense) as well as in biochemistry, cell biology, endocrinology, in situ molecular techniques, and neurosciences. Scientists in their mid-career (assistant- or associate professor, Priv. Doz.) are encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 31 January 2006

Christie Hospital NHS Trust - Consultant Endocrinologist
An excellent opportunity in clinical endocrinology has arisen in Manchester, UK, caused by the retirement of Professor Steven Shalet. The application deadline is imminent, but for more information please contact Dr Peter Trainer on Tel: +44 (0) 161 446 3664. For a recruitment pack please contact the Human Resources Department on +44 (0) 161 446 3828 (24 hours) or email hr@christie-tr.nwest.nhs.uk.

German Research Foundation positions available
Several PhD/MD fellowships are now available in the DFG (German Research Foundation) funded international graduate Programme (Graduiertenkolleg 1208) “Hormonal Regulation of Energy Metabolism, Body Weight and Growth”. This programme commences in October 2005. For further information go to: http://www.medizin.fu-berlin.de/endo/GK/index.htm

Positions are still available for the following projects:

Transcriptional and posttranslational modulation of hypothalamic receptor function in the adaptation of body weight

Hormonal regulation of glucose transport and whole-body glucose homeostasis.

Molecular isoforms of human growth hormone: modulation during life span and in pathophysiological conditions, consequences for insulin sensitivity

For more information contact: Prof. Dr. J. Köhrle (Secretariate: Elke Abdel-Karim); Email: expendo@charite.de

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.

AstraZeneca request for patient participation
Testotoxicosis is characterised by sexual precocity, rapid growth velocity, and premature epiphyseal fusion driven by testosterone and oestradiol. Because anti-androgens have been shown to inhibit peripheral androgen activity at the receptor level, and aromatase inhibitors reduce oestrogen levels by blocking the conversion of androgens to oestrogens, treatment with a combination of an anti-androgen and an aromatase inhibitor is being evaluated in this condition. If you have patients which may be eligible, and would like further information, please register your interest at the following email address: E-mail: UKAPBattStudyQueries@astrazeneca.com At the recent ESPE/LWPES meeting in Lyon , a symposium was held on Precocious Puberty where this condition was presented . If you would like a copy of the presentation, it is available on request at the above email address.

Abbott give all clear to sell Meridia (Reuters, August 17 2005)
Abbott Laboratories Inc. will still be able to sell its obesity drug Meridia after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected a consumer group's petition to take it off the market, according to government documents released on Wednesday....