[Biomedical-cybernetics] Call for papers: Research Topic on thyroid homeostasis and allostasis

[Johannes W. Dietrich]

Recently, the prestigious OA journal "frontiers in endocrinology" has  
launched the Research Topic "Homeostasis and allostasis of thyroid  
function". Articles may include basic research papers, commentaries,  
opinions and review articles.

Alterations of thyroid function, especially hypothyroidism, are  
exceptionally common conditions. Studies from several developed  
countries revealed the prevalence of subclinical and overt  
hypothyroidism to be between 5 and 15 % and between 1 and 10%,  
respectively. Diagnosis and treatment of (overt or subclinical)  
hypothyroidism are considered to be easy tasks, since thyrotropin  
(TSH) concentration mirrors the supply with thyroid hormones and is  
therefore accepted as a biomarker for both diagnosis and dose  
calibration for substitution therapy.

Recently, however, a new debate on the width of the TSH reference  
range has emerged. It questions if certain TSH levels in a subrange of  
the traditional reference interval still mirror euthyroidism or if it  
is necessary to narrow the reference range to an upper limit of 2.5  
mIU/L. Additionally, up to 15 % of hypothyroid patient on substitution  
therapy suffer from reduced quality of life, even if normal TSH levels  
suggest an adequate supply of thyroid hormones. The underlying cause  
for this “syndrome T” is at present unclear but is now being  
elucidated by current research. The situation is even more elusive in  
patients with non-thyroidal illness, since a large proportion of  
patients suffering from critical illness, tumors, uremia or starvation  
demonstrate some form of thyroid allostasis that interferes with  
diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction.

In the light of these uncertainties, It is therefore necessary to  
revisit our current understanding of thyroid homeostasis. Recent  
research suggested that the control of thyroid hormone concentrations  
is a complex, dynamic system, which integrates central and peripheral  
mechanisms to adjust for situation-dependent demand of thyroid  
signaling. Combining mathematical modelling of integrative thyroid  
control, molecular research on non-classical thyroid hormones,  
transport and conversion mechanisms and clinical trials with advanced  
methodology promises new insights that may lay the foundation for  
improved diagnosis and therapy of thyroid disorders. Additionally,  
this innovative approach paves the way for personalized treatment of  
hypothyroid patients.

Articles in this research topic include basic research papers and  
review articles that give a comprehensive overview on state-of-the-art  
methodology and recent results from the emerging new world of  
thyroidology, which tries to rationalize a scenario of previously  
unknown complexity.

Important dates:
(Optional) Abstract deadline: February 29th, 2015.
Manuscript submission deadlines: March 31st, 2016.

Please see http://journal.frontiersin.org/researchtopic/4262/homeostasis-and-allostasis-of-thyroid-function 
  for details

J. W. D.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-- Dr. med. Johannes W. Dietrich
-- Oberarzt / Consultant Endocrinologist
-- Laboratory XU44, Endocrine Research
-- Medical Hospital I, Bergmannsheil University Hospitals
-- Ruhr University of Bochum
-- Buerkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, D-44789 Bochum, NRW, Germany
-- Phone: +49:234:302-6400, Fax: +49:234:302-6403
-- eMail: "j.w.dietrich at medical-cybernetics.de"
-- http://www.thyreologie.com.de
-- GND 123571073 | VIAF 69838628 | Researcher ID C-3498-2009
-- ISNI: 0000 0000 1275 0811 | ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1185-3549
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --





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