bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocrine pancreatic function in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Kühl Claus , Hornnes Peter J.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Glucose tolerance deteriorates in normal human pregnancy but 99% of all pregnant women retain normal glucose tolerance whereas the remaining 1% develop abnormal glucose tolerance and are designated gestational diabetics. The possibility that glucose tolerance deteriorates in pregnancy because of diabetes-like changes in the secretory function of the endocrine pancreas has been investigated in gestational diabetics and healthy controls. Even though the insulin responses to oral glucose and mixed meals are equally large in gestational diabetics and normal pregnant women, the insulin responses of the gestational diabetics differ in two pertinent ways from those of the normals. First, a delayed insulin response is frequently seen, and second, the insulin response per unit of glycaemic stimulus (the 'insulinogenic index') is normally significantly lower than that of the normal pregnant women. Diabetes-like changes in the secretion of glucagon are not seen in neither group. Insulin degradation is unaffected by pregnancy and the proinsulin share of the total plasma insulin immunoreactivity does not increase in pregnancy. It is therefore likely that the main reason for the diabetogenicity of pregnancy is insulin resistance. Most pregnant women are able to increase their insulin secretion and thus overcome the resistance. Some pregnant women do, however, seem to have a more limited insulin secretory capacity which eventually may lead to the development of gestational diabetes.
Growth impairment due to transient hypercortisolism
Authors: ARMOUR KAREN , CHALEW STUART , KOWARSKI A. AVINOAM
Published: October 2009

Cushing's syndrome in childhood is generally recognized by classical features such as truncal obesity, striae, easy bruising, moon facies, hypertension and growth retardation. Exceptionally, Cushing's syndrome has been reported to present as growth failure alone.

We diagnosed transient hypercortisolism in 6 children who had poor growth as their only presenting abnormality. The 6 children all had integrated concentrations of cortisols (IC-F) (14.1+1.7 μg/dl; mean±ISD) which exceeded the IC-F in healthy children and adults (5.7±1.5 μg/dl; P<0.001). The IC-F of these 6 index cases overlapped the range of IC-F in patients with pathologically proven Cushing's syndrome (20.2±4.7 μg/dl). Four of the 6 patients were treated with human growth hormone for 8 months and showed a marked improvement in their growth rates. Four patients have entered puberty and are growing at normal rates. Three of the 6 children had normal repeat IC-Fs, subsequently, at a time they had normal growth rates. In 1-1/2 to 3 years of follow-up, none of the patients developed any other stigmata of Cushing's syndrome.

We conclude that transient hypercortisolism, documented by the IC-F, may cause growth failure without other symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. Growth hormone therapy may improve the growth rate of these children at the time of their poor growth.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficient children
Authors: ROSS R.J.M. , GROSSMAN A. , BESSER G.M. , SAVAGE M.O.
Published: October 2009

A growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) has recently been extracted and synthesised, and appears to be identical to human hypothalamic GHRH.

Immunoreactive GHRH is found in the venous blood of normal subjects and GH-deficient children, but is probably not hypothalamic in origin and therefore not important in GH regulation. GHRH is a potent specific stimulator of GH secretion in man, and provides a valuable diagnostic test in differentiating hypothalamic from pituitary causes of GH deficiency.

Preliminary data suggests that GHRH may promote linear growth in some GH deficient children. GHRH may well prove an important alternative therapy for GH deficient children especially if depot preparations or intranasal administration prove effective.
Growth and development in girls with Turner's syndrome during early therapy with low doses of estradiol
Authors: KASTRUP K.W. , _ _
Published: October 2009

Early therapy with a low dose of estrogen (estradiol-17β) was given to 33 girls with Turner's syndrome (T.s.) for a period of 4 years. The dose (0.25-2 mg/day) was adjusted every 3 months to maintain plasma estradiol in the normal concentration range for bone age. Growth velocity was compared with that of untreated girls with T.s. All girls were above age 10 years. Bone age was below 10 years in 11 girls (group I) and above 10 years in 22 girls (group II). Growth velocity in the first year of treatment in group I 7.5 ± 1.3 cm (SD) with mean SD score (SDS) of +4.3 and in group II 4.9 ± 1.3 with mean SDS of +3.5. Growth velocity decreased in the following years to 1.6 ± 1.0 cm, SDS -1.44 in group I and 0.9 ± 0.6cm, SDS -2.34 in group II during the fourth year. Withdrawal bleeding occurred in 16 girls of group II after the mean of 23 (range 15-33) months and in 3 girls of group I after 15 to 51 months of treatment. The treatment did not cause an inappropriate acceleration of pubertal development. Breast development appeared in most girls by 3 months of treatment. Pubic hair appeared by 12 months of treatment in group I; it was present in most girls in group II at start of treatment. Final height is known for 12 girls of group II; it was 144.2 ± 4.5 cm. The final height as predicted at the start of therapy was 142.2 ± 5.3 cm. Bone age advanced in the first year of treatment by 2 years. Early treatment with small doses of estrogens induces a growth spurt and normalizes the events of puberty. This will presumably decrease the psychological risks associated with abnormally delayed development.
Adolescent sexology and ephebiatric sexual medicine
Authors: MONEY JOHN
Published: October 2009

Ephebiatric sexual medicine is a specialty that still awaits its Vesalius. The age of onset of puberty has decreased by four years in the past two centuries, without a concordant change in social and legal institutions governing sexual and economic autonomy. Concomitant with the reintroduction of the ancient European betrothal system, the adolescent age of first coitus has lowered and averages two years earlier than first contraception. The hiatus is attributed to the moral sanctions against open access to contraception in adolescence. The neglect of sexual learning in teenage allows cases of suicidal and homicidal lovesickness to be undetected and likewise the mental template or "lovemap" of paraphilic pathology in adolescence lacks both preventive measures and treatment. The newest treatment of the paraphilias is with antiandrogen combined with counseling. Positive or negative preparedness for first orgasm or first coitus correlate with positive or negative outcome in subsequent sexuoerotic health. Knowing the sexology of syndromes, for example genetic and endocrine syndromes of childhood, expedites the delivery of sexological health care service in adolescence.
Plasma ACTH in diagnosis and control of adrenal disorders
Authors: Girard J. , Eberle A.N. , Baumann J.B.
Published: October 2009

Unstimulated plasma ACTH concentrations remain at or below the detection limit of conventional immunoassays. Grossly elevated ACTH concentrations are diganostic in suspected adrenal insufficiency, remain elevated well above 200 ng/l during substitution therapy and obviate the need of further tests. For the diagnosis of secondary adrenal failure, plasma ACTH, cortisol and 11-desoxycortisol response to a single midnight dose of metyrapone (1.2 g/m2 = 30 mg/kg) discriminates between a normal (morning ACTH above 100 ng/l), diminished (morning ACTH detectable, but below 100 ng/l), and an absent (ACTH below 20 - 40 ng/l) ACTH reserve. In congenital adrenal hyperplasia, plasma ACTH concentrations mirror, together with 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, the extent of ACTH suppression. Elevated ACTH concentrations were suppressed by prednisolone (25 %), dexamethasone (2 % of the hydrocortisone dose) or by addition of cyproterone acetate (100 mg/m2/day). Using selective venous catheterisation in clinically and biochemically proven Cushing's syndromes, a pituitary adenoma could be identified and localized in 6 of 8 patients by measuring ACTH concentrations in the left and right petrosal sinus before and after stimulation with corticotrophin releasing hormone.
Usefulness of plasma pregnenolone sulfate in testing pituitary-adrenal function in children
Authors: de Peretti E. , Forest M.G. , Loras B. , Morel Y. , David M. , François R. , Bertrand J.
Published: October 2009

In normal subjects, plasma pregnenolone sulfate (PS) levels high at birth, decreased during the first year of life in relation to the pattern of involution of the fetal adrenal zone. Thereafter, PS levels, in contrast with those of DHAS, did not show the abrupt rise characteristic of the adrenarche, but increased very progressively till adulthood. The response of PS to various provocative tests of adrenal and pituitary function (ACTH and Metyrapone stimulation, dexamethasone suppression), has been established in normal subjects. The measurement of plasma PS levels in basal conditions as well as in response to dynamic tests was very useful in the diagnosis of various adrenal and pituitary diseases in children.
Adrenocortical tumours in children: our experience with nine cases
Authors: CACCIARI E. , CICOGNANI A. , PIRAZZOLI P. , PAOLUCCI G. , MANCINI A. , TASSINARI D. , PASCUCCI M.G. , TACCONI M.
Published: October 2009

Nine cases of adrenocortical tumor are presented, six were males. Four were less than three years and five were between 5 and 10 years of age. Clinical virilization was found in 8 children, one had only signs of hypercortisolism and another showed signs of virilization and hypercortisolism simultaneously. Urinary 17-KS and 17-OHCS were high in all patients. Plasma levels of testosterone and of the other adrenal androgens were high in all the cases tested. Plasma level of cortisol was elevated only in few cases. In two out of five cases steroids were only partially suppressed by dexamethasone. Computed tomography and abdominal sonography have been useful tods for the localization of the tumour. The resection of the tumour, indipendent of hystopathological diagnosis, led to a complete normalization of the clinical and hormonal picture in eight cases evaluated at a distance of 2 months 10 years after surgery. In one case a hepatic metastasis was observed and removed three years after surgery.

Adrenocortical tumours are rare (Javadpour et al., 1980) and the vast majority of them are hormone secreting. Although cases have been described which showed feminilization and hyperaldosteronism (Bacon & Lowrey, 1965; Bhettay & Bormici, 1977; Crane et al., 1961; Gauguly et al., 1980), virilization and hypercortisolism are most commonly found (Hayles et al., 1966).

This paper illustrates our experience with nine cases of adrenocortical tumour, eight of whom showed inappropriate virilization with or without hypercortisolism and one of whom was a classic case of Cushing's syndrome.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: molecular mechanisms resulting in 21-hydroxylase deficiency
Authors: Donohoue Patricia A. , Van Dop Cornelis , Jospe Nicholas , Migeon Claude J.
Published: October 2009

21-Hydroxylase deficiency resulting in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a HLA-linked autosomal recessive disorder that has a wide range of phenotypic expression. Two homologous 21-hydroxylase genes (21-OHA and 21-OHB) occur within the Class III region of the major histocompatibility complex, but only one (21-OHB) appears to function in adrenal steroidogenesis. Our restriction maps, and initial sequence data from White et al. (Pediatr Res 20:274A (1986)) for the two human 21-OH genes reveal a high degree of homology between these genes and a reading frame shift mutation in the 21-OHA gene respectively. Among fourteen control subjects, the intragenic restriction patterns of the 21-OHA and 21-OHB genes are invariant. The few restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) found in some controls result from polymorphic restriction sites outside the 21-OH genes. In patients with CAH, several different mechanisms for mutation of the 21-OHB gene have been described: 1) deletion of the unique sequences of the 21-OHB gene, 2) conversion of the unique sequences of the 21-OHB gene to those of 21-OHA, and 3) mutations of 21-OHB which do not result in a detectable alteration of restriction pattern (e.g., point mutations). Duplication of the 21-OHA gene has been found in some patients with attenuated CAH; however, the significance of this finding remains unclear.
The interrelationships of thyroid and growth hormones: effect of growth hormone releasing hormone in hypo- and hyperthyroid male rats
Authors: ROOT Allen W. , SHULMAN Dorothy , ROOT Jennifer , DIAMOND Frank
Published: October 2009

Growth hormone (GH) and the thyroid hormones interact in the hypothalamus, pituitary and peripheral tissues. Thyroid hormone exerts a permissive effect upon the anabolic and metabolic effects of GH, and increases pituitary synthesis of this protein hormone. GH depresses the secretion of thyrotropin and the thyroid hormones and increases the peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine. In the adult male rat experimental hypothyroidism produced by ingestion of propylthiouracil depresses the GH secretory response to GH-releasing hormone in vivo and in vitro, reflecting the lowered pituitary stores of GH in the hypothyroid state. Short term administration of large amounts of thyroxine with induction of the hyperthyroid state does not affect the in vivo GH secretory response to GH-releasing hormone in this animal.
Pathogenesis of congenital defects associated with Turner's syndrome: the role of hypoalbuminemia and edema
Authors: SHEPARD THOMAS H. , FANTEL ALAN G.
Published: October 2009

Abstract: Studies of prenatal fetuses with 45,X Turner syndrome have allowed for plausible hypotheses of how their pitting edema may lead to production of the associated congenital defects found in the condition. Hypoalbuminemia in these fetuses which are only about one-sixth the levels found in newborns and one-third the level in "control" fetuses may explain the edema. Malformation of the ear, hairline, neck webbing, nipples, coarctation, nails and horseshoe kidney can be related to embryonic and fetal deformation from edema.
Thyroid peroxidase is the organ-specific 'microsomal' autoantigen involved in thyroid autoimmunity
Authors: Ruf Jean , Czarnocka Barbara , De Micco Catherine , Dutoit Catherine , Ferrand Mireille , Carayon Pierre
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Autoantibodies (aAb) in serum of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are directed to an antigen associated with thyroid microsomes. Although it has been investigated over almost three decades, the nature of this autoantigen remained unknown. Taking advantage of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) produced in our laboratory, we have demonstrated that thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is the 'microsomal' antigen. Sera of patients with AITD strongly inhibited the binding of only one of 19 mAb raised against human thyroid plasma membranes. This mAb did not react with thyroglobulin but achieved significant binding to preparations of human, bovine and porcine TPO, bovine lactoperoxidase and human myeloperoxidase without altering the enzyme activity. The mAb has been used to immunopurify the human TPO from solubilized thyroid microsomes. The procedure allowed high purification (∼ 3500-fold) of the native enzyme with a reasonable yield (∼ 10 mg TPO/kg thyroid tissue). Human TPO exhibited a specific activity of 350–400 guaiacol U/mg, a peak in the Soret region and a ratio of A411 nm to A280 nm of 0.20–0.25. Upon SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified enzyme gave two contiguous bands in the 100 kDa region. Performed in non-reducing conditions, electrophoresis of TPO showed one band in the same 100 kDa region. Sera with aAb to the microsomal antigen immunoprecipitated purified TPO to an extent ranging from 80 to 100% of the initial enzyme amount while sera from normal subjects or from patients with undectable level of anti-microsomal aAb elicit a decrease of less than 30% of the total TPO activity. IgG from sera of patients with AITD were also shown to bind to purified TPO and to inhibit, in a dose-dependent manner the mAb binding to TPO. Furthermore anti-microsomal aAb were specifically adsorbed onto TPO-sepharose column and eluted only with high ionic strength buffers. Taking into account that TPO shares almost all the characteristics attributed to the microsomal antigen and that anti-TPO and anti-microsomal aAb are undistinguishable, it can be concluded that TPO is the thyroid autoantigen termed to date the 'microsomal' antigen.
Concept of a multigenic basis for the pathogenesis of spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Wick G.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. The review presents a concept for the pathogenesis of spontaneous, organ-specific autoimmune diseases that take into account an altered immune regulation, modulating hormonal influences and a genetically determined primary susceptibility of the target organ for the autoimmune attack. The concept is exemplified by means of the Obese strain (OS) chicken model which develops a spontaneous hereditary auto-immune thyroiditis. In repect to the the altered function of the immune system both, MHC associated (Ir) and non-MHC associated genes are involved. The MHC, i.e. a certain haplotype, only plays a modulatory role in determining the frequency and severity of spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis, while the presence of certain non-MHC associated genes is a absolute prerequisite for the emergence of the disease. The latter is also true for the genetically determined target organ susce ptibility, while hormonal factors, notably sex-steroids and glucocorticoids, again only have a facultative, modulatory effect. Only if an appropriate genetic constellation concerning the non-MHC encoded aberrant immunological function and genes coding for the susceptibility of the thyroid gland for the autoimmune proces is present, severe autoimmune thyroids develops.
Effect of iodine intake and methimazole on lymphocytic thyroiditis in the BB/W rat
Authors: Braverman Lewis E. , Paul Terri , Reinhardt Walter , Appel Michael C. , Allen Elsie M.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Spontaneous LT and elevated serum anti-Tg occur in the diabetes prone BB/W rat, but thyroid function is essentially normal in the rats with LT.

Prolonged low dose MMI decreases the incidence of LT in BB/W rats.

The administration of excess iodine beginning at 30 days of age markedly accelerates the occurrence of LT and anti-Tg at 90 days of age. Low iodine intake decreases the incidence of LT. Excess iodine intake did not induce LT in W-line, Wistar-Furth, and SpragueDawley rats. This suggests that iodine induced LT occurs only in genetically susceptible rats.

Despite the increased incidence of LT during iodine administration, thyroid function remains essentially normal. This is in contrast to the frequent induction of hypothyroidism following iodine administration to euthyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

In order to decrease thyroid reserve, rats were hemiTX at 30 days of age. The administration of iodine markedly increased the incidence of LT and serum anti-Tg, increased the weight of the remaining lobe, and induced hypothyroidism as determined by significantly lower serum T4 and T3 concentrations and elevated serum TSH concentrations.

Excess iodine administration to hemi-TX W-line rats (genetically equivalent, non-diabetes, non-LT prone BB/W rats) did not induce LT but did induce hypothyroidism, suggesting that BB/W and W-line rats are susceptible to iodine induced hypothyroidism, perhaps unrelated to the induction of LT.

Excess iodine did not induce LT or affect thyroid function in hemi-TX Wistar-Furth and Sprague-Dawley rats.
Graves' IgG stimulates thyroid epithelial cell proliferation in xenotransplanted human toxic diffuse goitre
Authors: Jörtsö Erik , Tegler Lennart , Smeds Staffan
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Human toxic diffuse goitre tissue was xenotransplanted to athymic mice. Transplant function was analyzed as 18 h [125I]thyroid transplant uptake at day 21 and at 10 weeks after transplantation. Graves' IgG or normal IgG was given ip daily day 22–35. Epithelial cell proliferation in the thyroid transplants was analyzed by continuous [3H]thymidine administration for 12 days between day 28 and 39 in a separate series given Graves' or normal IgG daily during the same period. The 18 h transplant uptake increased 12.8 times from 3 to 10 weeks in the Graves' IgG group but only 3.6 times in the controls (P < 0.05). The fraction of labelled cells after [3H]thymidine incorporation was 51% ± 6 (sem) after parallel Graves' IgG administration but only 2 ± 0.3% (P < 0.002) in the controls. The increased 10 weeks iodide uptake after Graves' IgG may be explained by an increased vascularisation or capillary maturation, by an increased individual cell sensitivity to stimulation or by an increased number of cells. Our results indicate that serum from patients with toxic diffuse goitre, i.e. Graves' IgG, contains a factor which promotes thyroid epithelial cell proliferation. Whether this is identical to TSI or is another IgG fraction remains to be shown.
The TSH receptor: Structure and interaction with autoantibodies in thyroid disease
Authors: Furmaniak J. , Nakajima Y. , Hashim F. A. , Creagh F. M. , Jones E. Davies , Howells R. D. , McLachlan S. M. , Smith B. Rees
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Studies of the TSH receptor using affinity labelling with photoactive derivatives of TSH and analysis by SDS-PAGE have shown that the receptor contains 2 subunits (A and B), linked by a disulphide bridge. Similar results are obtained with TSH receptors from human, porcine and guinea pig thyroid tissue and from guinea pig fat. Analysis of affinity labelled receptors under non-denaturing conditions suggest that subunits additional to the A and B subunits are not present. Hydrodynamic measurements indicate that the receptor A subunit has an approximately spherical structure (Stokes' radius 70Å) and when this interacts with TSH (an elongated structure with Stokes' radius 56Å) a very elongated complex (Stokes' radius 104Å) is formed. Isoelectric focusing studies of the TSH receptor A subunit, TSH and TSH receptor antibodies indicate that charge-charge interactions are of considerable importance in the binding of hormone and antibody to the receptor.
Paracrine interaction between thyrocytes and fibroblasts
Authors: Gärtner R. , Bechtner G. , Stübner D. , Greil W.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Cell free supernatants (conditioned medium) of isolated porcine thyroid follicles, stimulated with EGF (5 ng/ml) or TSH (1–1000 μU/ml), were tested for a mitogenic activity for fibroblasts. Whereas TSH-conditioned medium dose-dependently stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA of fibroblasts, only a weak stimulation was found with EGF. However, when the changes in cell number were determined, a significant increase was only found with EGF-conditioned medium from thyroid follicles. The cause of this discrepancy is a dose-dependent stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into fibroblasts by cAMP and thyroid hormones. Cyclic AMP, however, does not stimulate growth of fibroblasts. IGF I production is stimulated in fibroblasts by basal as well as EGF stimulated conditioned medium of thyroid follicles. In contrast, TSH-conditioned medium inhibited IGF I production in fibroblasts. Conditioned medium itself is free of detectable IGF I. As IGF I stimulates not only growth of fibroblasts, but also of thyrocytes, we conclude, that conditioned medium from thyrocytes stimulates IGF I production in fibroblasts, which itself stimulates fibroblast and thyrocyte growth.
Expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene in growth stimulated porcine thyroid follicle cells
Authors: Heldin N.-E. , Karlsson F. A. , Westermark B.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. In the present investigation the expression of c-myc in porcine thyroid follicle cells following the incubation with TSH or EGF was studied. EGF did not only have a mitotic effect on thyroid follicles but also increased c-myc mRNA. The increase in c-myc RNA is an early event in EGF stimulated thyroid cells. TSH had no effect on c-myc RNA levels of porcine thyroid cells. EGF-binding and sensitization to the mitotic activity of EGF, however, is increased by TSH. While TSH stimulates cAMP production and functional activity but not growth or c-myc expression of porcine thyroid cells, EGF produces cell division accompanied with c-myc expression.
Evidence that thyroid growth promoting activity of immunoglobulin preparations is due to contamination with EGF
Authors: Gärtner R. , Tsavella C. , Bechtner G. , Greil W.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Immunoglobulin (IG) preparations may be contaminated with growth factors. Therefore, we investigated whether the growth promoting activity in IG preparations (thyroid growth stimulating immunoglobulins = TGI) from patients with sporadic goitre may be caused by contaminating EGF (epidermal growth factor). EGF in sera as well as in indifferently prepared IG of patients with recurrent goitre (n = 23), Graves' disease (n = 19) and normals (n = 17) was determined by EGF receptor assay. Comparatively, the ability for stimulating thyroid cell growth was determined in these IG preparations (2 mg/ml). EGF in ammoniumsulphate (AS) precipitates was about 2-fold higher than serum EGF. The growth promoting activity of indifferent IG preparations correlated with the EGF content. After additional purification on protein A-sepharose, neither EGF, nor a growth promoting activity was found in these IG preparations. We therefore conclude, that the growth promoting activity of crude IG preparations may be due to a contamination with EGF.
On the clinical importance of thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin antibody determination
Authors: Scherbaum W. A.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Among the various autoantibody tests applied in research and clinical practice, the determination of thyroid microsomal (TMAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) still retains its strong value in the screening for thyroid autoimmunity. The presence in the serum of TMAb is almost invariably associated with thyroid autoimmune disease or focal thyroiditis. The appearance of TMAb together with elevated serum-TSH in subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis strongly suggests progression to overt hypothyroidism. Pregnant women with positive TMAb and/or TgAb run an increased risk for post-partum painless thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis and subsequent hypothyroidism. After delivery also a relapse of previously unrecognized Graves' thyrotoxicosis may occur. Thyroid antibody determination is not a valuable tool to discriminate autoimmune thyroiditis from thyroid malignancies. TMAb and TgAb determination helps to recognize individuals with thyroid autoimmunity among patients with non-thyroid autoimmune diseases such as Addison's disease and Type I diabetes mellitus.
Clinical and pathophysiological aspects of somatostatin and the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Lamers C. B.H.W.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Somatostatin is present in the gastrointestinal tract in appreciable amounts. The highest concentrations of the polypeptide are found in the stomach, the upper small intestine, and the pancreas. Within the gastrointestinal tract, somatostatin inhibits various functions, including endocrine and exocrine secretion, motility, blood flow, absorption, and growth. The polypeptide regulates these functions by endocrine, paracrine, neurocrine or luminal mechanisms. Abnormalities of endogenous somatostatin have been implicated in several gastrointestinal disorders, including the somatostatinoma syndrome, antroduodenal D-cell hyperplasia, peptic ulcer, obesity, and liver cirrhosis. Because of its potent inhibitory effects, somatostatin or somatostatin-analogues have been used as therapeutic agents in various clinical conditions, such as upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, endocrine pancreatic tumours, gastrointestinal and pancreatic fistulas, pancreatitis, secretory diarrhoea, and dumping syndrome. The recent availability of the synthetic long-acting somatostatin-analogue SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin) has greatly facilitated the therapeutical application of somatostatin-polypeptides.
Clinical evaluation of SMS 201-995
Authors: Williams Gareth , Anderson John V. , Williams Susan J. , Bloom Stephen R.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Long-acting somatostatin analogues such as SMS 201-995 (Sandoz) are being evaluated in a wide range of clinical indications, including gut neuroendocrine tumours and acrogemaly. Long-term continuous SMS 201-995 treatment has achieved useful symptomatic improvement in diarrhoea in 4 patients with metastatic VIPomas who had relapsed following previous treatment. Clinical improvement has outlasted suppression of VIP secretion (suggesting an additional direct antisecretory action of SMS 201-995) and has occurred despite expansion of hepatic metastases. In 6 patients with tumours secreting gastrin and/or glucagon, secretion of these peptides was acutely inhibited by SMS 201-995. However, endocrine and clinical responses to chronic treatment have been less consistent. SMS 201-995 is active orally at doses of 4–8 mg and when given thrice-daily to 6 patients with active acromegaly, suppressed mean 24-h growth hormone levels by 51–88%. Despite significantly reduced plasma insulin concentrations, glucose tolerance did not deteriorate. SMS 201-995 was also effective in suppressing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone secretion in a patient with mild thyrotoxicosis due to non-tumoural inappropriate TSH hypersecretion. In all cases SMS 201-995 treatment has been been well tolerated and has few side-effects.
A guide to the clinical use of the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin)
Authors: Lamberts Steven W.J.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin) is an octapeptide which differs in its action from native somatostatin in four ways: 1) it inhibits GH hormone secretion in preference to insulin secretion; 2) it can be administered subcutaneously or even orally; 3) it is long-acting (t1/2 after sc administration 113 min), and 4) there is no rebound hypersecretion of hormones when the effect of the analogue lingers off. In this paper a guide is offered for the use of Sandostatin in the treatment of acromegaly (after unsuccessful operation and/or radiotherapy) and of metastatic endocrine pancreatic tumours and carcinoids. A dose regimen for these two types of patients is suggested and the adverse reactions which can be expected are summarized. In addition, preliminary data are shown and the limitations are discussed of possible future indications of the analogue in the treatment of cancer, diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal diseases.
Identification of Rat Prostatic Secreted Proteins Using Mass Spectrometric Analysis and Androgen‐Dependent mRNA Expression
Authors: Fujimoto Nariaki , Suzuki Tomoharu , Ohta Shigeru , Kitamura Shigeyuki
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Rats have been used to study the function and development of the mammalian prostate. Identification of prostatic secreted proteins is important in order to better understand their physiological function. Previous investigations have showed that prostatein, cysteine‐related protein 1, and kallikrein S3 are in the ventral prostate (VP), whereas the proteins probasin, prostate secretory peptide 94, transglutaminase 4, and carbonic anhydrase II are produced in the lateral prostate, dorsal prostate (DP), and anterior prostate. They are also useful markers when looking at androgen dependency as well as prostate‐specific expression. Although some of the rat prostatic proteins have been investigated well, the overall protein expression profile of the prostate has not been examined. In the present study, the secretions from the rat prostate were subjected to 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometric analysis. In addition to the previously known proteins, proteome analysis revealed several new secreted proteins, including spermine‐binding protein and a protein similar to immunoglobulin‐binding protein. In addition, epididymal secreted protein 1 and peroxiredoxin 6 were found in the DP, while glucose‐regulated protein 78 was identified in all lobes of the prostate. Castration of the animals led to a decrease in the mRNAs of all of these secreted proteins. While the mRNAs of prostatic proteins became almost completely absent in the VP, the reductions in the other lobes were limited. A novel view of rat prostate secretion from our results should contribute to an understanding of the biological functions of the prostate gland.
Measurement of Testicular Volume in Smaller Testes: How Accurate Is the Conventional Orchidometer?
Authors: Lin Chih‐Chieh , Huang William J. S. , Chen Kuang‐Kuo
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different methods, including the Seager orchidometer (SO) and ultrasonography (US), for assessing testicular volume of smaller testes (testes volume less than 18 mL). Moreover, the equations used for the calculations—the Hansen formula (length [L] × width [W]2 × 0.52, equation A), the prolate ellipsoid formula (L × W × height [H] × 0.52, equation B), and the Lambert equation (L × W × H × 0.71, equation C)—were also examined and compared with the gold standard testicular volume obtained by water displacement (Archimedes principle). In this study, 30 testes from 15 men, mean age 75.3 (±8.3) years, were included. They all had advanced prostate cancer and were admitted for orchiectomy. Before the procedure, all the testes were assessed using SO and US. The dimensions were then input into each equation to obtain the volume estimates. The testicular volume by water displacement was 8.1 ± 3.5 mL. Correlation coefficients (R2) of the 2 different methods (SO, US) to the gold standard were 0.70 and 0.85, respectively. The calculated testicular volumes were 9.2 ± 3.9 mL (measured by SO, equation A), 11.9 ± 5.2 mL (measured by SO, equation C), 7.3 ± 4.2 mL (measured by US, equation A), 6.5 ± 3.3 mL (measured by US, equation B) and 8.9 ± 4.5 mL (measured by US, equation C). Only the mean size measured by US and volume calculated with the Hansen equation (equation A) and the mean size measured by US and volume calculated with the Lambert equation (equation C) showed no significant differences when compared with the volumes estimated by water displacement (mean difference 0.81 mL, P = .053, and 0.81 mL, P = .056, respectively). Based on our measurements, we categorized testicular volume by different cutoff values (7.0 mL, 7.5 mL, 8.0 mL, and 8.5 mL) to calculate a new constant for use in the Hansen equation. The new constant was 0.59. We then reexamined the equations using the new 0.59 constant, and found that the equation Volume (V) = L × W2 × 0.59 was the best for describing testicular volume among our subjects (difference between the new equation and the gold standard of water displacement = 0.19 mL, P = .726). We also found that US was more precise in measuring testicular dimensions. We propose a new formula, V = L × W2 × 0.59, to assess the volumes of smaller testes.
Identification of the Major Proteins Produced by Cultured Germline Stem Cells in Chicken
Authors: Han Beom Ku , Jung Jin Gyoung , Nam Jungrye , Moon Jong Kook , Kim Jin Nam , Lee Sang In , Kim Jin Kyoo , Kim Heebal , Han Jae Yong
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Although chicken spermatogonial stem cells (SCs) are important in spermatogenesis and transgenic research, little is known about these cells. Recently, our group constructed an in vitro culture system to establish germline stem cells (GSCs). To examine the mechanism of chicken spermatogonial SC development, we constructed a proteome map of GSCs from 4‐week‐old chicken testes. Soluble extracts of the GSCs were fractionated by 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (pH 4–7). Several protein spots, including those that displayed significantly high levels, were identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry. Of the 82/250 GSC spots examined, 56 yielded mass spectra that matched avian proteins found in the on‐line databases. All of the identified proteins were classified into functional groups. This type of proteome map is an important resource for research on spermatogenesis and transgenesis.
Genome‐Wide Study of Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated With Azoospermia and Severe Oligozoospermia
Authors: Aston Kenneth I. , Carrell Douglas T.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Male infertility affects a large proportion of the population. In spite of the magnitude of the problem and the considerable research effort that has been made to understand its causes, a large proportion of male infertility cases remain idiopathic in nature. This pilot genome‐wide association study employed genotyping microarray technology to interrogate over 370 000 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in men with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, along with normozoospermic controls, in an effort to discover novel genetic variants significantly associated with male infertility. We found 20 SNPs significantly associated with azoospermia or oligozoospermia (P value for association of <1 × 10−5). Using a gene‐centric approach evaluating SNPs associated with genes of known fertility function, we found 1 additional SNP with P < 1 × 10−4. Although additional studies with larger numbers of samples will be required to validate these results and to identify causal variants, this study represents an important first step in applying genome‐wide approaches to identify the genetic causes of male infertility.
Activated sludge modelling in practice: an international survey
Authors: Hauduc H. , Gillot S. , Rieger L. , Ohtsuki T. , Shaw A. , Takács I. , Winkler S.
Published: October 2009

The Good Modelling Practice Task Group (GMP-TG) of the International Water Association (IWA) is developing guidelines for the use of Activated Sludge Models (ASM). As part of this work the group created and sent out a questionnaire to current and potential activated sludge model users in 2007. The objectives of the questionnaire were (i) to better define the profile of ASM users, (ii) to identify the tools and procedures that are actually used and (iii) to highlight the main limitations while building and using ASM-type models. Ninety-six answers were received from all over the world, from several types of organisation. The results were analysed to identify the modellers' perceptions of models depending on their profile. The results also highlighted the main topics of interest for improving modelling procedures which are standardisation of the available modelling guidelines and better experience and knowledge transfer.
Effect of ultrasound on particle surface charge and filterability during sludge anaerobic digestion
Authors: Braguglia C. M. , Gianico A. , Mininni G.
Published: October 2009

The goal of this study was to follow and compare dewaterability parameters of untreated and “pre-sonicated” sludge during semicontinuous anaerobic digestion by particle charge density and sludge filterability measurements. Floc disintegration due to sonication resulted in a significant increase of soluble COD and colloidal charge density. It is interesting to note that in all the tests despite the higher specific charge density and soluble COD values of the sonicated feed, the digested sludge at steady state present in both reactors statistically comparable values, independently on the pretreatment. The biological hydrolysis of the untreated sludge causes a large release of dispersed charged fines whereas the digestion of the sonicated sludge is characterized by a significant removal of fines and colloids already present in the pretreated feed. The amelioration of the filterability during the digestion of the sonicated sludge in test #2 suggest that anaerobic digestion may be very effective for degrading fine dispersed particles produced by mechanical pre-hydrolysis. Nevertheless, ultrasound pre-treatment does not improve the dewaterability of the digested sludge with respect to the untreated one. Optimisation of both disintegration degree and hydraulic residence time is necessary to improve the dewaterability of the digested sonicated sludge.
Integrated monitoring of South Portugal water bodies: a methodology towards WFD
Authors: Martins F. A. , Janeiro J. , Gabriel S. , Venâncio A. , Neves R.
Published: October 2009

The challenge on implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) fosters the development of new monitoring approaches. The directive promotes the use of modelling techniques to assist all phases of the process, from characterization and establishment of reference conditions to identification of pressures and assessment of impact. This work is based on the above principles. A classical monitoring of the water status of the main transitional water bodies of Algarve (South of Portugal) is combined with advanced in situ water profiling and hydrodynamic, water quality and ecological modelling to build a complete description of the system. The aim is to demonstrate a methodology where traditional monitoring and modelling tools can be joined together to draw a holistic picture. The results show that globally the water bodies present a good trophic status. Eutrophication symptoms are not generalized. Due to physical transport and dispersion, nutrient enrichment is not the only factor limiting growth; residence time is also an important factor. Some confined regions with high residence times are at present endangered by point and diffuse sources of pollution. The microbiologic impact of waste water treatment plants (WWTP) is confined to regions between 500 m and 1 km from the discharges.
Distinguishing stage 1 and 2 reverse osmosis permeates using fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Singh S. , Henderson R. K. , Baker A. , Stuetz R. M. , Khan S. J.
Published: October 2009

Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy was used to distinguish between two stages of reverse osmosis (RO) permeates as the first step towards investigating the potential application of fluorescence as a monitoring tool for membrane performance. The signal response of several fluorescence peaks present in Stage 1 and Stage 2 RO permeates of an advanced water treatment plant were compared. The humic-like fluorescence region was found to have the largest percentage difference between stages and therefore was the most appropriate for enabling differentiation. Increases in humic-like fluorescence did not correlate with increases in conductivity or dissolved organic carbon measurements. This suggests that fluorescence is a more selective and sensitive method for monitoring the organic composition of RO permeates than established methods. Fluorescence is therefore a promising tool for improved water quality monitoring of RO permeates.
Sustainable membrane operation design for the treatment of the synthetic coke wastewater in SMBR
Authors: Zhou Ying , Xu Zhen-liang , Munib Shahda , Chen Gui-e , Lu Qiong
Published: October 2009

Membrane fouling in the membrane bioreactor (MBR) is typically caused by the interaction of microbial characteristics, hydrodynamic behavior, operation environment, wastewater characteristics and membrane properties, which result in the deterioration of performance and increasing energy consumption and cost of membrane replacement. The effect of the crucial MBR parameters (the microbial loading and characteristics, dissolved oxygen (DO), hydraulic retention time (HRT), backwashing conditions and membrane characteristics) on membrane fouling was investigated in a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) during the long term treatment of synthetic coke wastewater. Also the optimum operation strategies were further utilized in order to satisfy the minimal membrane fouling operation through a long-term evaluation of the MBR performance. It has been demonstrated that with application of these optimal designed conditions, significant membrane fouling improvements were achieved over a long operating time, so it was possible to perform in sustainable operation for MBR. In this study, the upper limit of the sustainable flux is found to be as much as 18.6 L/m2 h and the optimum sustainable flux value should be 50 ∼ 75% of critical flux to satisfy the desired sustainable operation period.
Gold coast seaway smartrelease decision support system: optimising recycled water release in a sub tropical estuarine environment
Authors: Stuart G. , Hollingsworth A. , Thomsen F. , Szylkarski S. , Khan S. , Tomlinson R. , Kirkpatrick S. , Catterall K. , Capati B.
Published: October 2009

Gold Coast Water is responsible for the management of the water, recycled water and wastewater assets of the City of the Gold Coast on Australia's east coast. Excess treated recycled water is released at the Gold Coast Seaway, a man-made channel connecting the Broadwater Estuary with the Pacific Ocean, on an outgoing tide in order for the recycled water to be dispersed before the tide changes and re-enters the Broadwater estuary. Rapid population growth has placed increasing demands on the city's recycled water release system and an investigation of the capacity of the Broadwater to assimilate a greater volume of recycled water over a longer release period was undertaken in 2007. As an outcome, Gold Coast Water was granted an extension of the existing release licence from 10.5 hours per day to 13.3 hours per day from the Coombabah wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The Seaway SmartRelease Project has been designed to optimise the release of the recycled water from the Coombabah WWTP in order to minimise the impact to the receiving estuarine water quality and maximise the cost efficiency of pumping. In order achieve this; an optimisation study that involves intensive hydrodynamic and water quality monitoring, numerical modelling and a web-based decision support system is underway. An intensive monitoring campaign provided information on water levels, currents, winds, waves, nutrients and bacterial levels within the Broadwater. This data was then used to calibrate and verify numerical models using the MIKE by DHI suite of software. The Decision Support System will then collect continually measured data such as water levels, interact with the WWTP SCADA system, run the numerical models and provide the optimal time window to release the required amount of recycled water from the WWTP within the licence specifications.
Design and study of a cost-effective solar photoreactor for pesticide removal from water
Authors: Atheba Patrick , Robert Didier , Trokourey Albert , Bamba Drissa , Weber Jean-Victor
Published: October 2009

In order to remove pesticides from water, a basic photoreactor has been built. We evaluated the performance of this photoreactor using two commercial photocatalytic materials from Ahlstrom group and from Saint-Gobain, with solar and artificial UV-lamps. We compared the kinetics of photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of Diuron in the same reactor with of both photocatalyst supports. We showed that Diuron is easily degraded under solar or artificial irradiation, while the kinetics of mineralization in the same condition are very slow. The behaviour of these commercial materials has been studied after several uses in the same conditions. We showed the effectiveness of this basic and cheap photoreactor for the elimination of pesticide in water.