The history of the Endocrine Society of Australia. The first fifty years.

The Endocrine Society of Australia was formed in 1958 with the aims of advancing knowledge and practice in endocrinology (the study of hormones) and to bring together physicians and scientists in this area of study. It was one of the first medical specialist societies in Australia. From humble beginnings with ninety-nine foundation members, it has flourished to a society with almost 950 members which annually runs three successful clinical and scientific meetings, and provides scholarships, research grants, and travel grants for its young members. Members have received international and national recognition within the field and more generally. Collaboration between scientists and physicians has been a key strength of the Society.

Are Australian children iodine deficient? Results of the Australian National Iodine Nutrition Study.

OBJECTIVE: To document the population iodine nutritional status in Australian schoolchildren. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren aged 8-10 years, based on a one-stage random cluster sample drawn from all Year 4 school classes in government and non-government schools in the five mainland Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. The study was conducted between July 2003 and December 2004. PARTICIPANTS: 1709 students from 88 schools (881 boys and 828 girls), representing 85% of the estimated target number of students. The class participation rate was 65%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) levels (compared with the criteria for the severity of iodine deficiency of the World Health Organization/International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders: iodine replete, UIE > or = 100 microg/L; mild iodine deficiency, UIE 50-99 microg/L; moderate iodine deficiency, UIE 20-49 microg/L; severe iodine deficiency, UIE < 20 microg/L); (ii) Thyroid volumes measured by ultrasound (compared with new international reference values). RESULTS: Overall, children in mainland Australia are borderline iodine deficient, with a national median UIE of 104 microg/L. On a state basis, NSW and Victorian children are mildly iodine deficient, with median UIE levels of 89 microg/L and 73.5 microg/L, respectively. South Australian children are borderline iodine deficient, with a median UIE of 101 microg/L. Both Queensland and Western Australian children are iodine sufficient, with median UIE levels of 136.5 microg/L and 142.5 microg/L, respectively. Thyroid volumes in Australian schoolchildren are marginally increased compared with international normative data obtained from children living in iodine sufficient countries. There was no significant association between UIE and thyroid volume. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the existence of inadequate iodine intake in the Australian population, and we call for the urgent implementation of mandatory iodisation of all edible salt in Australia.

Relationship between the effects of cisapride on gastric emptying and plasma glucose concentrations in diabetic gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The effect of erythromycin on gastric emptying is attenuated during hyperglycaemia. The aim of this study was to determine in patients with diabetic gastroparesis whether the effect of cisapride on gastric emptying of solids and liquids is influenced by the plasma glucose concentration. METHODS: Nineteen patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, who had delayed gastric emptying of solids and/or liquids, were studied. On 2 separate days, each patient received cisapride (20 mg) or placebo orally 60 min before scintigraphic measurement of gastric emptying of a mixed solid (ground beef) and liquid (dextrose) meal. The plasma glucose concentrations were measured at -5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min during each gastric emptying measurement. RESULTS: Cisapride accelerated both solid (retention at 100 min 43 +/- 4 vs. 69 +/- 4%, p < 0.001) and liquid (T50 27 +/- 2 vs. 39 +/- 2 min, p < 0.001) gastric emptying. The mean plasma glucose level was not significantly different after placebo when compared with cisapride (19.5 +/- 1.1 vs. 18.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/l). The change in the 50% emptying time (T50) for liquid, but not solid, emptying was related (r = 0.55, p = 0.01) to the change in the plasma glucose AUC from 0 to 30 min between the placebo and cisapride tests, i.e., the acceleration was greater if the plasma glucose concentration was relatively less during the gastric emptying test performed on cisapride. CONCLUSION: The effect of cisapride on gastric emptying, at least that of liquids, in patients with diabetic gastroparesis appears to be dependent on the plasma glucose concentration.