ECE 2006: ABSTRACT DEADLINE NOW 4 NOVEMBER
The 8th European Congress of Endocrinology (1-5 April 2006, Glasgow, UK) has extended its abstract deadline until the 4 November 2005. You can submit your abstract on line at www.euro-endo.org/ece2006/abstract.html. You can also register on line.

Submit your abstract today and help to make the ECE 2006 the most exciting congress next year!

European Society of Endocrinology launches
At the General Council meeting on 5 September the members of EFES voted overwhelmingly to form a European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). We aim to have it up and running by January 2006. Please note a special introductory offer: all delegates at ECE 2006 will be offered free membership for the rest of 2006 - see the ECE 2006 website for details www.euro-endo.org/ece2006/ . More details will be available online in the newsletter in the first week of October: http://www.euro-endo.org/news/newsletter/default.htm.

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

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: jo.thurston@endocrinology.org

Small Alterations in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocols May Increase Assisted Pregnancy Rates: Presented at American Society of Reproductive Medicine meeting (Doctors Guide, 19 October 2005)
Switching to a fixed start protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, in which the agent is given as early as day 5 of ovarian stimulation, might improve the rates of success after assisted pregnancy procedures, suggests a retrospective review of in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E188525709F004E3D1D

EU study suggests PCBs may damage human sperm
Toxic man-made industrial chemicals in the environment can damage sperm but do not seem to dramatically effect male fertility, EU scientists said on Thursday.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2005-10-12T234510Z_01_DIT285433_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-SPERM-DC.XML&archived=False

International Convention Considered by UNESCO General Conference
The 33rd General Conference of UNESCO - the United Nations body responsible for education, science and culture - will consider the adoption of the first International Convention against Doping in Sport at its current session in Paris.

http://www.wada-ama.org/en/newsarticle.ch2?articleId=3115194

WADA Appoints Director of International Federations and European Regional Office
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean-Pierre Moser to the position of Director of International Federations and European Regional Office.

http://www.wada-ama.org/en/newsarticle.ch2?articleId=3115199

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

Post-surgical use of radioiodine (131I) in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer and the issue of remnant ablation: a consensus report

Furio Pacini, Martin Schlumberger, Clive Harmer, Gertrud G Berg, Ohad Cohen, Leonidas Duntas, Francois Jamar, Barbara Jarzab, Eduard Limbert, Peter Lind, Cristoph Reiners, Franco Sanchez Franco, Johannes Smit and Wilmar Wiersinga

The majority of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are treated with 131-iodine (131I) after thyroidectomy; a practice based on several widely accepted assumptions. Namely that 131I may decrease recurrence and mortality rates by removing residual thyroid tissue, making it easier to identify recurrence from serum thyroglobulin levels and allows a total body scan to be obtained that may reveal other tumour foci.

Here, based on analysis of literature and expert experience, Pacini and colleagues reassess the validity of the rationale for the post-surgical use of 131I and recommend indications and methods for its application.

These authors propose that 131I treatment should be avoided in low risk patients with small primary tumours and/or total resection, with controversy still surrounding the benefit to those with multifocal tumours. Ablation by 131I is, however, recommended for patients with residual cancer in the neck and/or distant sites based on evidence of benefits up to 20 years post-surgery. The authors also advocate assessing residual thyroid volume before ablation and optimisation of 131I uptake by stimulation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) using the recently approved recombinant human TSH, thus avoiding the debilitating hypothyroid symptoms usually experienced prior to 131I administration. Pacini and colleagues conclude that, in selected cases, treatment with 131I may decrease recurrence of DTC but emphasise that uncertainty remains regarding its efficacy.

EJE 153-5 pp 651-659

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

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.

Beckman Coulter to buy Diagnostic Systems
Beckman Coulter Inc. has announced it has agreed to buy privately held Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Inc. for $138 million as it moves to strengthen its diagnostic business. Beckman, a medical instruments maker, expects the deal to dilute earnings by 1 cent in the fourth quarter and by 6 cents next year. But it forecast the acquisition will add to its earnings starting in the fourth quarter of next year.
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=mergersNews&storyID=2005-10-07T192000Z_01_N07730690_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-BECKMAN-UPDATE-2.XML