bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IS SALT‐WASTING IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA DUE TO THE SAME GENE AS THE FASCICULATA DEFECT?
Authors: STONER ELIZABETH , DIMARTINO‐NARDI JOAN , KUHNLE URSULA , LEVINE LENORE S. , OBERFIELD SHARON E. , NEW MARIA I. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYClinical studies in patients with 21‐hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were designed to ascertain the genetics of the salt‐wasting component of the disorder. The gene controlling aldosterone biosynthesis may not be the same gene that controls 21‐hydroxylase in the adrenal zona fasciculata. This we infer from the following clinical observations: (1) concordance for salt‐wasting is not observed in all HLA‐identical sibs with CAH; (2) the defect in aldosterone biosynthesis does not persist throughout life as does the fasciculate defect; (3) there is a significantly increased gene frequency of B40 and Bw47 in salt‐wasting CAH; (4) obligate heterozygote parents of patients with salt‐wasting CAH do not express a partial defect in aldosterone biosynthesis, as they do in the fasciculata. These observations cast doubt on the accepted concept of the autosomal recessive transmission of the glomerulosa 21‐hydroxylase deficiency.
PROLACTIN LEVELS IN HYPOTHYROID AND EUTHYROID INFANTS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF LIFE
Authors: MITCHELL M. L. , HERMOS ROSALIE J. , BENNETT ANN J. E. , McKENNA J. J. , MITCHELL ELIZABETH L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA radioimmunoassay (RIA) procedure was devised for the estimation of PRL in eluates of dried whole blood from filter paper. Levels of PRL were measured in newborn blood obtained during the first week of life from 530 infants of normal birthweight (>2500 g) with normal T4 values, 114 infants of normal birthweight with low T4 values (T4<6.0 μg/dl), 47 infants with congenital hypothyroidism, 57 infants of low birthweight (<2500 g) with normal T4 values, and 114 infants of low birthweight with low T4 values. Examination of PRL concentrations among comparably aged infants from the various groups revealed that the mean PRL values of the hypothyroid group were consistently greater than those of any of the other groups of infants regardless of the mean T4 levels. With the exception of the hypothyroid infants. the groups with both the lowest mean T4 concentrations and mean body weights also had the lowest mean PRL values.
INDUCTION OF OVARIAN ACTIVITY BY PULSATILE INFUSION OF LHRH IN WOMEN WITH LACTATIONAL AMENORRHOEA
Authors: GLASIER A. , McNEILLY A. S. , BAIRD D. T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFour fully breast‐feeding women at 6 weeks post partum were injected with LHRH (0.1 μg/kg) every 94 min by pulsatile infusion pump. While follicular development occurred in all women, and evidence of luteinization was apparent in three out of four, normal ovulation and luteal function did not occur. This suggests that a simple disturbance in the pulsatile pattern of LHRH secretion may not, in itself, be enough to explain the suppression of ovarian activity during lactation.
MEASUREMENT OF INSULIN‐LIKE GROWTH FACTOR‐II BY RADIORECEPTOR ASSAY USING OVINE PLACENTAL MEMBRANES
Authors: BAXTER R. C. , DE MELLOW J. S. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA new radioreceptor assay for insulin‐like growth factor‐II (IGF‐II), using receptors on ovine placental membranes, is described. Half‐maximal displacement of specifically bound radioiodinated human IGF‐II tracer was seen at 1.0 ng/tube of unlabelled IGF‐II. The cross‐reactivity of IGF‐I was 1%, and insulin was entirely without effect. Measured on serum samples from 100 healthy adults, the mean IGF‐II concentration (±SD) was 576 ± 160 ng/ml. Identical mean values were seen for all adult age groups up to 65 years. The mean value for 10 acromegalic adults was 583 ± 155 ng/ml, and for 9 GH‐deficient subjects, 161 ± 26 ng/ml (P < 0.001 compared to normals). Of eight patients with chronic renal failure, none had an IGF‐II level less than 2SD above the normal mean. No significant effect of renal dialysis was seen. In groups of patients with gastric, breast, lung, testicular, oat cell, ovarian, colonic and prostatic carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, sarcoma and teratoma (5–12 patients per group), mean IGF‐II levels were in the lower part of the normal range. Thus this study does not provide evidence supporting a role for excessive IGF‐II production in the growth of any of these tumour types.
A DIVERGENCE OF PLASMA GROWTH HORMONE RESPONSE BETWEEN GROWTH HORMONE‐RELEASING FACTOR AND INSULIN‐INDUCED HYPOGLYCAEMIA AMONG MIDDLE‐AGED HEALTHY MALE SUBJECTS
Authors: WAKABAYASHI I. , SHIBASAKI T. , LING† N. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe capability of the anterior pituitary gland to secrete GH in response to an intravenous injection of growth hormone‐releasing factor (GRF) and insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia was evaluated in 9 healthy male subjects ranging in age between 37 and 52 years old. Plasma GH response to 100 /μg human GRF showed considerable intersubject variation and the increment of the peak value from the basal did not exceed 5 ng/ml in four out of 9 subjects. In contrast, insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia resulted in a consistent stimulation of GH that exceeded 21 ng/ml in all subjects. The mean peak GH response after insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia was significantly higher than that after GRF (27·4±1·6 vs 10·6±1·9 ng/ml). These results demonstrate that a significant divergence exists in plasma GH responses between the two provocative tests in the middle‐aged subjects and suggest that the stimulation of GH following insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia is not mediated solely by endogenous GRF.
DOES MELATONIN DEFICIENCY CAUSE THE ENLARGED GENITALIA OF THE FRAGILE‐X SYNDROME?
Authors: O'HARE J. P. , O'BRIEN I. A. D. , ARENDT J. , ASTLEY P. , RATCLIFFE W. , ANDREWS H. , WALTERS R. , CORRALL R. J. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYMelatonin profiles were studied in five males with cytogenetic and clinical features of the fragile‐X syndrome including megalo‐orchidia and macrogenitosomia. In comparison with age‐matched normal controls, the fragile‐X group showed lower melatonin values and a significant impairment of the nocturnal rise in this hormone. Melatonin deficiency may thus be responsible for some of the phenotypic features of this disorder.
LOPERAMIDE, AN OPIATE ANALOGUE, INHIBITS PLASMA ACTH LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ADDISON'S DISEASE
Authors: AMBROSI B. , BOCHICCHIO D. , FAGLIA G. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of loperamide, an opiate analogue of the piperidine class on pituitary hormone secretion were evaluated in eight patients with Addison's disease. In all patients loperamide administration (16 mg orally) induced a marked fall in plasma ACTH levels (P<0.01), without affecting GH, PRL and LH levels. Plasma ACTH concentration fell significantly from 854±167 pg/ml (mean±SEM) to 460±123 pg/ml at 60 min (P±0.01). The inhibition persisted throughout the whole test period, the nadir being reached at 300 min. Low dose naloxone infusion 180 min after loperamide administration caused plasma ACTH to rise from 181±61 pg/ml to 539±99 pg/ml (P±0.01). The present data suggest that the opiate analogue loperamide is a potent inhibitor of ACTH secretion in patients with Addison's disease, which may be acting on μ receptors, since its effect is blocked by low doses of naloxone.
INTERACTIONS OF OESTRADIOL BENZOATE AND PROMEGESTONE UPON BASAL AND TRH‐INDUCED PROLACTIN SECRETION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: JOSEPH P. JEAN , COUZINET B. , BRAILLY S. , RIGAUD C. , RAYNAUD J. P. , SCHAISON G. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe interactions of ovarian steroids with PRL secretion in women are still controversial. Ten healthy postmenopausal women, on no medication, received during the first period or 2 months later in a cross‐over design study, i.m. injections of 0.625 mg of oestradiol benzoate (EB) alone for 10 d or in combination with 750 μg/d of a pure progestin promegestone for 10 d. A TRH (200 μg i.v.) stimulation test was performed before the start and at the completion of each treatment period. Basal plasma gonadotrophins, PRL and oestradiol were measured every day by radioimmunoassay. The EB‐induced rise in oestradiol levels was similar during the two periods. In response to EB treatment serum PRL levels increased from 6·1±0·9 ng/ml to 22·9±3·4 ng/ml. With the addition of promegestone, the increase in PRL, from 6·7±1·3 ng/ml to 13·8±2·5 ng/ml, was significantly diminished (P<0.001). The PRL release induced by TRH was significantly greater with EB treatment than was the response with the combined treatment (P<0·05, Wilcoxon test to compare the areas under the curves). These data suggest that in postmenopausal women (1) oestrogens act as stimulators of PRL release and (2) promegestone is able to partially counteract the stimulatory effect of oestradiol benzoate upon basal and TRH‐stimulated PRL secretion.
DOES TESTOSTERONE AFFECT THE NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE?
Authors: DEWIS P. , NEWMAN M. , RATCLIFFE W. A. , ANDERSON D. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn order to throw further light on the role of androgens in the aetiology of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) we have examined the effect of artificially increasing serum testosterone levels on menstrual function in a group of ovulating women. Six women were studied who had either severe premenstrual syndrome or loss of libido for which they were treated with 100 mg testosterone by s.c. implantation. All had regular menstrual cycles. For 1 month before implantation serum LH, FSH, oestradiol (E2), progesterone and testosterone were measured three times per week. All women showed normal cyclical variation of LH, FSH, E2 and progesterone. Following implantation, three times weekly blood samples were taken during the first and third cycles. No patient had any disturbance of menstrual pattern. All continued to show cyclical changes of LH, FSH, E2 and progesterone. Serum E2 and progesterone were lower but not significantly so in the luteal phase of the treated cycles. This was despite a mean serum testosterone which rose from 1.3 to 7.1 nmol/1 at the end of the third week following implantation and to 4.1 nmol/1 at the end of the third month. Sex hormone binding globulin levels fell as expected by 18.5% during the first cycle. The lack of significant effect of a markedly elevated serum testosterone level on cyclical hormone changes is indirect evidence that in PCO the primary cause of the menstrual disturbance is not excessive production of ovarian or adrenal testosterone.
EFFECT OF LHRH TREATMENT ON TESTICULAR DESCENT AND HORMONAL RESPONSE IN CRYPTORCHIDISM
Authors: WIT J. M. , DELEMARRE‐VAN DE WAAL H. A. , BAX N. M. A. , VAN DEN BRANDE J. L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study in 49 boys with cryptorchidism the effect of intranasal synthetic LHRH was studied. After 8 weeks improvement in testicular location was found in 13 testes (37%), but this improvement was considered sufficient of only six testes. Placebo resulted in an improved location in 18% of the testes. The mean change in testicular position (expressed in cm) after LHRH therapy was slightly greater than after placebo but only in the squatting position did this difference reach significance. Aggressive behaviour was reported in 23% of the children treated with LHRH. A second LHRH course did not result in significant improvement in any of the patients. At follow‐up reascent was frequently seen. The final results in unilateral cryptorchidism are poorer than those in bilateral cryptorchidism. LHRH therapy leads to higher plasma LH levels and a lower FSH in response to an intravenous LHRH test. In 15 boys plasma testosterone levels rose above 0.4 nmol/1. We conclude that intranasal LHRH application has a limited value for the treatment of cryptorchidism but may be suitable as a diagnostic test.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF DANAZOL AND GESTRINONE ON TESTOSTERONE BINDING TO SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN IN VITRO AND IN VIVO
Authors: DOWSETT M. , FORBES K. L. , ROSE GILLIAN L. , MUDGE JOANNE E. , JEFFCOATE S. L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDanazol and gestrinone are both effective agents in the treatment of endometriosis. Their mechanism of action is unknown but may be related to their androgenic activity, which is at least partly dependent on increases in the proportion of testosterone which circulates unbound to plasma protein. We have quantified these increases in patients on treatment, and by experimentation in vitro have demonstrated the relative importance of (i) the reduction of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) binding capacity and (ii) competition with testosterone for SHBG binding sites by the drugs and some of their metabolites. The mean SHBG binding capacity in patients treated with danazol (400 mg/d, n = 7) and gestrinone (5 mg/week, n = 7) fell from 66.9 and 56.4 nmol/1 to 36.1 and 28.1 nmol/1, after 1 week's treatment and to 11.1 and 7.1 nmol/1 after 4 weeks respectively. Despite the similarity between the falls in SHBG binding capacity there was a significantly greater increase in % free testosterone in plasma samples from patients treated with danazol than in those from patients treated with gestrinone at 1 week. Experiments in vitro suggest that this was largely due to ethisterone (a major metabolite of danazol) competing with testosterone for SHBG binding sites. After 4 weeks on treatment there was a similar, near maximal reduction in SHBG binding of testosterone in both treatment groups. At the low levels of SHBG binding capacity reached by this time the extra effect of any competition for binding sites was much reduced.
EFFECT OF A CALCIUM ENTRY BLOCKER ON BLOOD PRESSURE, PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY, ALDOSTERONE AND CATECHOLAMINES IN NORMOTENSIVE SUBJECTS
Authors: SAITO IKUO , TAKESHITA EIKO , SARUTA TAKAO , NAGANO SHIRO , SEKIHARA TOSHIO 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of the calcium entry blocker nifedipine on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, noradrenaline and adrenaline were studied in 23 normotensive subjects in the supine and upright positions. Nifedipine, 10 mg administered sublingually, lowered mean blood pressure and increased heart rate, plasma noradrenaline and renin activity without increasing plasma aldosterone in the supine position. The increase in plasma aldosterone in response to upright posture was inhibited by nifedipine, whereas the rise in plasma noradrenaline was augmented. These results suggest that intracellular calcium is important as a regulator of aldosterone secretion as well as of vascular tone in normotensive subjects.
SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN IN WOMEN WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Authors: ESTOUR B. , PUGEAT M. , LANG F. , DECHAUD H. , PELLET J. , ROUSSET H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn 29 women with anorexia nervosa, on a blood sample withdrawn at 0900 h before and during weight gain, the binding parameters of serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by a solid phase method and the levels of testosterone, oestradiol and thyroid hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay. The binding capacity of SHBG was higher than the upper limit for normally menstruating women in 23 patients whilst its affinity for binding testosterone at 37°C was normal (0.32–0.53 × 10−9mol/l). The mean levels of testosterone, oestradiol and free thyroxine were normal and the mean level of triiodothyronine was significantly (P< 0·005) decreased. The binding capacity of SHBG did not correlate significantly with body mass index, percent weight lost, thyroid hormone or sex hormone levels. In 9 patients, an i.v. infusion providing 1200–1400 calories daily was given for 1 week. In these patients a significant decrease (P< 0.005) in the binding capacity of SHBG (from 74·7±26·7 to 52·9±21·8 nmol/l) and a significant increase (P<0.001) in T3 levels (from 0·69±0·21 to 0·95±0·13 nmol/l) was observed. In 14 patients, when a weight gain of at least 5% was obtained, the binding capacity of SHBG fell into the normal range (25.6–62.9 nmol/l) while T3 levels rose to normal (0.85–2.30 nmol/l). These findings suggested that variations of calorie intake and/or body weight may influence the binding capacity of SHBG in the human.
THE IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE EFFECT OF METHIMAZOLE ON CELL‐MEDIATED IMMUNITY IS MEDIATED BY ITS CAPACITY TO INHIBIT PEROXIDASE AND TO SCAVENGE FREE OXYGEN RADICALS
Authors: BALAZS CSABA , KISS E. , LEÖVEY A. , FARID N. R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have investigated the effect of methimazole (MMI) on cell‐mediated immunity and ascertained the mechanisms of immunosuppression produced by the drug. Methimazole (≥ 10−5m) produced a dose‐dependent inhibition in ‘active’ (early) rosette formation with sheep red cells and in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)‐induced lymphocyte transformation. A concentration of 10−4 M MMI inhibited the immediate rise in intracellular cAMP triggered by PHA and the subsequent time dependent decrement over 24 h. The drug (10−3 M) also exerted a significant inhibitory effect on antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) over six‐fold difference in target/effector cell ratios. At a concentration of 10−5 M, MMI inhibited zymosan‐induced respiratory burst (determined by change in the chemiluminescence of oxidized luminol) in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell preparations. Ninety‐five per cent of the chemiluminescence in the latter preparation was due to monocytes. At concentrations between 10−7 and 10−6 M, MMI significantly inhibited (in cell‐free systems) horseradish peroxidase‐dependent generation of chemiluminescence as well as the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide. Methimazole exerts its inhibitory effects on measures of cell‐mediated immunity by at least two mechanisms: inhibition of peroxidase and scavenging free oxygen radicals. Insensitivity of the test systems or poor access of MMI to leucocytes may account for the need for ≥ 10−5m MMI to inhibit cell‐mediated immunity significantly.
INTERACTION OF IgG HEAVY‐CHAIN ALLOTYPES (GM) AND HLA IN CONFERRING SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THYROID CARCINOMA
Authors: JUHASZ F. , BALAZS GY. , KOZMA L. , KRASZITS E. , STENSZKY VALERIA , FARID N. R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have recently reported an increase in HLA‐DR1 in 52 patients with thyroid epithelial cancer from Eastern Hungary (Juhasz et al., 1986). We have now investigated the association of IgG heavy chain markers (Gm) in 50 patients with this disease and explored possible interaction between Gm and HLA in modifying the risk for thyroid cancer. No Gm phenotype showed significant increases in the patients compared to 168 local controls. When both Gm and HLA, however, were considered, a marked heterogeneity in risk was noted. The odds ratio for DR1 +fb+ homozygotes was 37.5, for DR1 +fb− individuals 60 and for DR1−fb+ individuals 2.6 (DR1−fb−= 1.0). Thus Gm and HLA interact to enhance greatly the risk of thyroid cancer.
SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS: ACTIVATED HLA‐DR AND INTERFERON‐γ EXPRESSING T CYTOTOXIC/SUPPRESSOR CELLS IN THYROID TISSUE AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD
Authors: KARLSSON F. A. , TÖTTERMAN T. H. , JANSSON R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYUsing a two‐colour direct immunofluorescence staining technique, we investigated activated HLA‐DR‐expressing T helper and T cytotoxic/suppressor cells in peripheral blood of six patients with subacute thyroiditis at referral and at follow‐up and in blood from 20 controls. In three of the patients, thyroid fine‐needle aspirates were examined as well. At referral, all patients had elevated blood levels of activated T helper and T cytotoxic/suppressor cells 2 (2–4)%, median and range, vs 0 (0–2)%, P < 0.001 and 12.5 (2–24)%, vs 0 (0–1)%P < 0001). At follow‐up, the activated proportion of T helper cells had become normal whereas some activated T cytotoxic/suppressor cells remained, 7 (0–8)%. No significant changes in total T cell number were detected when data at referral and at follow‐up were compared. In thyroid aspirates, HLA‐DR expressing thyrocytes were observed; the total proportion of T cytotoxic/suppressor cells was elevated (70% compared with 35% in blood) and 70% of the T cytotoxic/suppressor cells were HLA‐DR+. Furthermore, 55% of the thyroid‐infiltrating lymphoid cells were positive for interferon (IFN‐γ+). The finding of activated T cytotoxic/suppressor cells in the blood and thyroid tissue in subacute thyroiditis is consistent with a viral aetiology. Furthermore, intrathyroidal IFN‐γ+ lymphocytes are likely to contribute to expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens on thyrocytes. No autoantibodies, however, were detected, which suggests that aberrant expression of MHC class II molecules alone is not sufficient to provoke an autoimmune response.
TESTICULAR FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE RECEPTORS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPHIN‐HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN TREATMENT IN INFERTILE MEN
Authors: NAMIKI M. , NAKAMURA M. , OKUYAMA A. , ITATANI H. , SONODA T. , MATSUMOTO K. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn order to investigate the relationship between testicular FSH receptors and the effectiveness of hMG‐hCG treatment in idiopathic male infertility, 36 infertile men were examined. None of the 13 patients without detectable testicular high affinity FSH receptors showed any increase in motile sperm count after the hMG‐hCG treatment, whereas 11 of the 23 patients with FSH receptors responded to the treatment. In patients with FSH receptors, patients with a middle or high Johnsen's score count responded more than those with a low score count did. From the above results, it seems that both the presence or absence of testicular FSH receptors and the histological appearance of spermatogenesis predict responsiveness to hMG‐hCG treatment in infertile men.
CONTINUOUS INFUSION OF GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE DOES NOT ALTER THE GROWTH HORMONE RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT STRESS STIMULI
Authors: SCHULTE H. M. , ALLOLIO B. , FROHWEIN U. S. , BENKER G. , REINWEIN D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYContinuous infusion of GHRH, as well as a bolus injection of GHRH, specifically stimulates the release of GH by the anterior pituitary. However, repetitive bolus injections of GHRH result in diminished responses of GH, while a constant infusion of GHRH cannot maintain high serum GH levels. To investigate whether different GH‐releasing stimuli are able further to challenge the somatotroph being exposed to continuous infusion of GHRH, we determined the GH response to insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia and bicycle exercise. Six normal volunteers received a bolus of 50 μg GHRH or vehicle followed by a continuous infusions of GHRH 1–29 amide (lμg/kg/h) or vehicle for 2.5 h. GHRH bolus and infusion resulted in elevated GH levels, but GH levels fell to values not significantly different from baseline levels after 150 min, GH plasma levels rose again, however, in response to insulin hypoglycaemia and bicycle exercise after both GHRH or vehicle infusion. Thus, the somatotroph's responsiveness to GHRH remains intact to respond to stress stimuli after continuous GHRH infusion.
THE COMPLEX OF MYXOMAS, SPOTTY PIGMENTATION AND ENDOCRINE OVERACTIVITY
Authors: LEEDMAN P. J. , COHEN A. K. , MATZ L. R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe describe a 40‐year‐old male with acromegaly, multiple and recurrent cutaneous myxomas, spotty cutaneous pigmentation, a mammary myxoma, a large‐cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumour of the testis, and an unusual calcifying pigmented neuroectodermal tumour. He presented a combination of clinical and histological features not previously documented within the complex of myxomas, spotty pigmentation and endocrine overactivity, and therefore the findings broaden the spectrum of the syndrome.