bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SERUM STEROIDS AND PITUITARY HORMONES IN FEMALE PUBERTY: A PARTLY LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Authors: APTER D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPubertal development of 200 normal girls, 7–17 years of age, was investigated in a partly longitudinal manner with two examinations 1·5 years apart. Samples from postmenarchal girls were taken on days 6–9 and 20–23 of the menstrual cycle. Serum pregnenolone, progesterone, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, 5α‐dihydrotestosterone, androsterone, oestradiol and cortisol as well as ACTH, FSH, LH and prolactin were measured radioimmunologically and were related to bone age, breast and pubic hair developmental stages, and gynaecological age. In the samples of premenarchal girls as well as at the follicular phase of postmenarchal girls the concentration of all the steroids increased with age. Of all the steroids measured, serum dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone displayed the earliest increase, from the youngest age group of 7·5 years onwards. Serum oestradiol, testosterone and androstenedione increased rapidly from the bone age group of 9·5 years (subjects 9·0–9·9 years of age) onwards, in close association with the appearance of the first physical signs of puberty. A marked increase in these three steroids continued until 13·5 years, the age at which menarche took place. Menarche was followed by a plateau of 1–2 years duration and then a second increase took place up to the two oldest age groups (17·5 and 18·5 years bone age), a trend seen in the follicular phase levels of all the steroids measured. The 5α‐dihydrotestosterone/testosterone ratio decreased with increasing testosterone concentration. Serum oestradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and FSH showed no overlapping in the 2·5–97·5% range of concentrations and androsterone and LH in the 16–84% range between pre‐pubertal and postmenarchal subjects. Pregnenolone, progesterone, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone, 5α‐dihydrotestosterone, cortisol, ACTH and prolactin overlapped even in the 16–84% range between these two groups of subjects. In postmenarchal girls, about 80% of the cycles were anovulatory in the first year after menarche, 50% in the third and 10% in the sixth year. The background of the majority of the anovulatory cycles seems to be a physiological variant of the pattern seen in the polycystic ovary syndrome: the levels of testosterone, androstenedione and LH were increased in anovulatory cycles compared to ovulatory ones.
CONTROL OF GONADOTROPHIN SECRETION BY STEROID HORMONES IN CASTRATED MALE TRANSSEXUALS. I. EFFECTS OF OESTRADIOL INFUSION ON PLASMA LEVELS OF FOLLICLE‐STIMULATING HORMONE AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE
Authors: GOH H. H. , CHEW P. C. T. , KARIM S. M. M. , RATNAM S. S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTwenty‐four infusions of oestradiol (E2) in graded doses ranging from 0–200 μg administered over a period of 7 hours were carried out in eleven healthy male transsexuals who had undergone sex reassignment at least 3 months previously. Plasma levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and E2 were analysed by radioimmunoassay, while sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was measured using 3H‐testosterone as the saturating ligand. Infusion of 5–200 μg of E2 raised plasma E2 to levels ranging from 38·4–367·8 pg/ml which represent 83%–800% of levels found in a control group of sixty‐three normal males. SHBG capacity remained unchanged at all doses of E2 studied. No change in plasma levels of FSH and LH was observed in control infusions and infusion of 5 μg of E2. From 10 μg‐200 μg, suppression of plasma levels of FSH was noted at the 5–7 hour period. The suppression increased up to 20 μg and thereafter the levels of FSH remained constant. On the other hand, the suppression of LH increased up to the highest E2 dose (200 μg) studied. Further, significant suppression of LH occurred earlier than the 5–7 hours as the dose of E2 increased. These observations are consistent with the conclusions that: (1) E2 plays a part in the regulation of secretion of FSH and LH in men; and (2) at doses higher than physiological, E2 exerts a differential effect on the secretion of FSH and LH.
DOMPERIDONE: A NOVEL AGENT FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY FUNCTION AND CONTROL IN MAN
Authors: POURMAND M. , RODRIGUEZ‐ARNAO M. D. , WEIGHTMAN D. R. , HALL R. , COOK D. B. , LEWIS M. , SCANLON M. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAdministration of the novel agent domperidone (10 mg iv), which combines the properties of specific dopamine receptor blockade and inability to cross the blood‐brain barrier, leads to acute and significant TSH and PRL release in man. This suggests that the in vivo site of action of endogenous dopamine in the inhibitory control of these two hormones is either the anterior pituitary or median eminence, since these tissues lie outside the blood‐brain barrier. This class of drug is of potential value both clinically and experimentally in the investigation of anterior pituitary control mechanisms.
PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM WITH INTERMITTENT HYPERCALCAEMIA: SERIAL OBSERVATIONS AND SIMPLE DIAGNOSIS BY MEANS OF AN ORAL CALCIUM TOLERANCE TEST
Authors: BROADUS A. E. , HORST R. L. , LITTLEDIKE E. T. , MAHAFFEY J. E. , RASMUSSEN H. 
Published: March 2008

Ten patients with subtle primary hyperparathyroidism and intermittent hypercalcaemia were followed serially for periods of 2–18 months (mean 10 months). Fasting serum calcium was elevated (< 10·6 mg/dl) in only 20% of determinations and fluctuated widely (9·1–11·2 mg/dl), yet the patients displayed a continuous, rather than episodic, basic disease process as defined by increases in nephrogenous cyclic AMP and serum iPTH. Identical findings were noted in short‐term (2–3 successive days) studies in twelve patients.In response to a 1000 mg oral calcium tolerance test, twelve patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and intermittent hypercalcaemia (basal serum calcium 10·2 ± 0·2 mg/dl, mean ± SD) displayed: (1) hyperabsorption of calcium (mean calciuric response twice normal); (2) induced‐hypercalcaemia (mean serum calcium 11·4 mg/dl, with a mean increase of 1·2 mg/dl versus 0·2 mg/dl in normal subjects); and (3) abnormal parathyroid suppressibility (nephrogenous cyclic AMP 2·66 ± 0·57 nmol/100 ml GF versus 0·95 ± 0·40 nmol/100 ml GF in normal subjects, mean ± SD). The patients demonstrated striking hypercalciuria (452 ± 123 mg/24 h) on a 1000 mg metabolic calcium diet. Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D3, measured in ten patients, were markedly elevated at 90 ± 20 pg/ml (mean ± SD), and there was a strong positive correlation between the values for 1,25(OH)2D3 and the calciuric response to the calcium tolerance test (r=0·75, P<0·001).These results (1) indicate that the calcium tolerance test is a simple and reliable technique for diagnosis of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and intermittent hypercalcaemia, and (2) emphasize the important pathophysiologic features of this subtle clinical variant of primary hyperparathyroidism.
SEQUENTIAL CHANGES IN SERUM THYROGLOBULIN (Tg) AND ITS AUTOANTIBODIES (TgAb) FOLLOWING SUBTOTAL THYROIDECTOMY OF PATIENTS WITH PREOPERATIVELY DETECTABLE TgAb
Authors: FELDT‐RASMUSSEN ULLA , PETERSEN P. HYLTOFT , DATE J. , MADSEN C. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe changes in serum concentrations of thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were investigated in eight patients with various thyroid disorders before, during and after thyroid surgery. TgAb was measured by a radioassay using 125I‐thyroglobulin.In six patients the TgAb decreased rapidly during operation. Of these patients, four had low concentrations pre‐operatively, and the decrease in TgAb resulted in undetectable concentrations for more than 2 days. Serum thyroglobulin (Tg), measured in the specimens with undetectable TgAb, i.e. immediately following surgery, showed concentrationvstime curves resembling curves from patients with no antibody present.Furthermore, two of these patients had such a high concentration of TgAb pre‐operatively that the initial Tg release was not sufficient to remove the TgAb, resulting in detectable TgAb throughout the investigation period. Serum samples drawn during and after operation were chromatographed according to molecular size, showing measureable Tg corresponding to 19S Tg. TgAb was only measureable in fractions corresponding to 7S IgG. The expected presence of complexed Tg and TgAb could not be demonstrated, but the analytical methods might have been unable to reveal this. The remaining two patients with thyroiditis showed no decrease in TgAb. This was compatible with a low content of Tg in the thyroid measured in one of them.
SIZE REDUCTION OF A PROLACTIN SECRETING ADENOMA DURING LONG‐TERM TREATMENT WITH THE DOPAMINE AGONIST LISURIDE
Authors: CHIODINI P. G. , LIUZZI A. , VERDE G. , COZZI R. , SILVESTRINI F. , MARSILI M. T. , HOROWSKI R. , PASSERINI F. , LUCCARELLI G. , BORGHI P. G. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA 38–year‐old amenorrhoeic woman suffering from a prolactin (PRL) secreting adenoma, which had suprasellar extension as shown by carotid angiography and computed axial tomography (CAT), was treated with a dopamine agonist (lisuride). PRL levels were lowered and after 1 year of treatment CAT showed a marked reduction of the tumour size. After 2 years of treatment menstruation returned and CAT demonstrated a further reduction of the adenomatous tissue. This study supports the suggestion that dopamine agonists possess an anti‐pro‐liferative effect on tumoural lactotrophic cells of humans.
FETAL ORIGIN OF AMNIOTIC FLUID INSULIN IN THE HUMAN MOTHER
Authors: GRECO A. V. , REBUZZI A. G. , BELLATI U. , SERRI F. , ALTOMONTE L. , MANNA R. , GHIRLANDA G. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryTo investigate the origin of insulin in amniotic fluid amniocenteses were carried out in pregnancies with live, dead and anencephalic fetuses. Amniotic fluid insulin of pregnant women bearing live fetuses was 9.0 ± 2.1 μU/ml; in six women with dead foetuses amniotic fluid insulin was not detected. A significant positive correlation was observed between gestational age and the amniotic fluid concentration of insulin. In the amniotic fluid of the four women bearing anencephalic fetuses, the amount of hormone was within normal limits (10.0 ± 1.4 μU/ml). Intravenous glucose administration (0.33 g/kg body weight) to the mother does not influence levels of insulin in amniotic fluid, but brought about changes in amniotic fluid glucose concentration. These findings support the conclusion that human amniotic fluid insulin is of fetal rather than maternal origin.
ENDOCRINE FUNCTION IN THE PRADER‐WILLI SYNDROME
Authors: JEFFCOATE W. J. , LAURANCE B. M. , EDWARDS C. R. W. , BESSER G. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYHypothalamic, pituitary and gonadal function was studied in five male and three female patients with the Prader‐Willi syndrome. All were clinically hypogonadal: all males had low circulating testosterone levels, although in two females basal plasma oestradiol was within the normal range for the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal gonadotrophin levels were low and the response to the intravenous administration of LHRH was subnormal in seven. Repeat administration of LHRH after 10 days and 6 weeks treatment with oral clomiphene (200 mg daily) was followed by a normal rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in four out of five patients tested. All five males were tested with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and the rise in plasma testosterone was subnormal in four. Treatment with hCG was continued for 6 weeks in these four patients, but in only one did testosterone levels rise (transiently) to the normal adult male range. In one female patient studied no rise in plasma oestradiol was detected in response to human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG). These results suggest that the hypogonadism in the Prader‐Willi syndrome is due to combined hypothalamic and primary gonadal abnormalities.
SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AND ITS ALPHA AND BETA SUBUNITS. 1. DURING NORMAL SINGLETON AND TWIN PREGNANCIES
Authors: REUTER AIMÉE M. , GASPARD U. J. , DEVILLE J‐L. , VRINDTS‐GEVAERT YVONNE , FRANCHIMONT P. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYHomologous radioimmunoassays have been developed for native hCG and its α and β subunits. Their specificities were assessed by analysis of the inhibition curves and by gel filtration of purified preparations of native hCG, hCGα and hCGβ, and of sera from pregnant women, on Sephadex G 100. Gel filtration data indicated a true cross‐reaction of native hCG in the hCGβ and hCGα assays of 0.5 and 0.35%, respectively. After validation of the RIA procedures for unfiltered serum assays, we have demonstrated that in 311 maternal sera obtained in 207 normal singleton pregnancies, free circulating hCGα increases continuously, whereas free hCGβ and native hCG peak between the 8th‐10th week. The ratio (hCGβ/hCG) x 100 is greatest during the first trimester (2–3%) and decreases thereafter to around 1%. The ratio (hCGα/hCG) x 100 is < 1% at the beginning of pregnancy, 2% at 14 weeks and 15–20% from the 23rd week onwards. The levels of hCG and its subunits are higher in fifty‐two samples obtained throughout normal twin pregnancies than in corresponding single pregnancies, but the ratios subunit: hCG are the same, suggesting qualitatively similar placental secretion in both types of pregnancy. Analysis of pregnancy sera by gel filtration and assay of hCG and subunits in eluant fractions confirmed that free α and β subunits are present in the circulation and that hCGα rises while hCG and hCGβ fall in late pregnancy. Heterogeneity of the circulating hCGβ subunit is also demonstrated.
LEYDIG CELL TUMOUR OF THE TESTIS WITH GYNAECOMASTIA AND ELEVATED OESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE AND PROLACTIN LEVELS: CASE REPORT
Authors: PEREZ C. , NOVOA J. , ALCANIZ J. , SALTO L. , BARCELO B. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe successful surgical removal of a feminizing interstitial cell tumour of the testis is described. The high oestradiol, progesterone and prolactin levels fell after surgery and the suppressed testosterone, FSH and LH recovered. Oestrogen secretion by the tumour could explain most of the observed hormonal changes.
INFLUENCE OF TREATMENT WITH RADIOIODINE AND PROPYLTHIORACIL ON THYROID STIMULATING IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN GRAVES' DISEASE
Authors: And KARINE BECH , MADSEN S. NISTRUP 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSAb) were measured in fifty‐four patients with Graves' disease before treatment with either radioiodine (seventeen patients) or propylthiouracil (PTU) (thirty‐seven patients), and followed during treatment. After radioiodine TSAb increased to levels exceeding pre‐treatment values, and became detectable in three of six originally TSAb negative patients.In most patients TSAb decreased during treatment with PTU, and became undetectable after a mean of 12 months in patients above 40 years, and after a mean of 6 months in patients below 40 years. In order to eliminate the presumed causative agent in Graves' disease, antithyroid treatment should be at least 18 months in patients above 40 years, and at least 12 months in patients below 40 years of age. In twenty‐nine patients TSAb were measured at cessation of 2 years antithyroid drug therapy. Ten patients were TSAb positive and all except one relapsed. Five of nineteen TSAb negative patients relapsed. Although TSAb positivity predict relapse, it is not an ideal index of prognosis after antithyroid therapy.
ACTH, LPH AND RELATED PEPTIDES IN THE ECTOPIC ACTH SYNDROME
Authors: PULLAN P. T. , CLEMENT‐JONES VICKY , CORDER R. , LOWRY P. J. , BESSER G. M. , REES LESLEY H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAdrenocorticotrophin. lipotrophin and the related peptides α‐MSH, CLIP, β‐endorphin and met‐enkephalin have been measured, and characterized chromatographically in tumour extracts from seven patients with the ectopic ACTH syndrome. Four of the seven tumours contained the complete family of peptides, although the proportion of one to another varied between tumours. In addition, large molecular weight forms of ACTH and met‐enkephalin were seen. The potential clinical importance of these observations is discussed.
AN EVALUATION OF SUPERVOLTAGE ORBITAL IRRADIATION FOR GRAVES' OPHTHALMOPATHY
Authors: TENG C. S. , CROMBIE A. L. , HALL R. , ROSS W. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTwenty patients with moderately severe ophthalmopathy due to Graves' disease or ophthalmic Graves' disease were treated by supervoltage orbital radiotherapy generated by a linear accelerator. Seven patients (35%) showed some response within 3 weeks of the treatment, four patients (20%) improved minimally while nine patients (45%) were unchanged. Improvement was noted mainly in soft tissue changes while proptosis decreased in only four patients. With one exception, ophthalmoplegia did not improve after the radiotherapy. The benefit obtained with the treatment was not impressive.
LIMITED ADRENAL RESERVE IN PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS: CORTISOL AND ALDOSTERONE RESPONSES TO 1–24 ACTH
Authors: NEGRO G. DEL , MELO E. H. L. , RODBARD D. , MELO M. R. , LAYTON J. , WACHSLICHT‐RODBARD H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAdrenal function in twenty‐three patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (South American Blastomycosis) has been assessed by measuring the response to adrenocortical stimulation with 1–24 ACTH. Two patients with overt Addison's disease showed very low basal levels and the complete absence of an increase in either cortisol or aldosterone secretion. Six patients showed probable diminished adrenal reserve in terms of cortisol and three patients showed diminished reserve in terms of aldosterone function. These findings indicate an incidence of significant hypoadrenalism in 44% of hospitalized patients with disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis.
EFFECT OF OESTROGEN TREATMENT ON TESTICULAR LH/hCG RECEPTORS AND ENDOGENOUS STEROIDS IN PROSTATIC CANCER PATIENTS
Authors: HUHTANIEMI I. , LEINONEN P. , HAMMOND G. L. , VIHKO R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYLH/hCG binding and concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone were measured in testicular tissue obtained from patients undergoing orchiectomy for prostatic cancer. One group of the orchiectomized patients had received an injection of 80 mg polyestradiol phosphate 1–9 days before the operation, another group were treated with monthly injections of the oestrogen for several months, and the remainder were not treated with oestrogen. In non‐oestrogen treated patients (n= 8) the hCG‐binding capacity was 28.0±15.0 (SD) ng/g and the equilibrium association constant of binding was 0.69±0.38 x 1010 M−1.The binding capacity was significantly (P<0.025) lower (10.3±8.7 ng/g) in patients (n= 6) receiving the first oestrogen injection 3–9 days prior to the operation. A further decline to the level of 1.77±1.03 ng/g occurred in patients (n= 3) treated over 3 months with the oestrogen injections. At the same time, no significant changes were observed in peripheral serum LH and FSH levels. In the testicular endogenous steroid levels, statistically significant decreases were seen 9 days after the oestrogen injection in pregnenolone (from 505±315 ng/g to 138±86 ng/g) and in testosterone (from 669±243 ng/g to 254±49 ng/g) whereas no significant changes could be seen in the levels of the other steroids analysed. This study gives further evidence for the direct inhibitory action of oestrogens on human testicular steroidogenesis and suggests that the loss of testicular luteinizing hormone receptors may be one facet of this inhibitory action.
PITUITARY‐OVARIAN FUNCTION IN NORMAL WOMEN DURING THE MENOPAUSAL TRANSITION
Authors: METCALF MARY G. , DONALD R. A. , LIVESEY J. H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe excretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestrogens and pregnanediol was measured in weekly urine samples collected for 14–87 weeks (median, 43 weeks) from thirty‐one perimenopausal women aged 36–55 years (median, 50 years). The results were compared with those found in twenty‐two postmenopausal women aged 55·4 ± 5·4 years (mean ± SD), and in twenty premenopausal women aged 44·4 ± 3·4 years with regular, ovulatory, menstrual cycles. Women classed as perimenopausal had a recent history of irregular menstrual cycles following regular cyclicity. The hormone patterns observed in the perimenopausal women varied widely, both between individuals and from time to time in the same individual. They ranged from ovulatory cycles with low premenopausal levels of FSH, to transient episodes indistinguishable from those found in postmenopausal women with high levels of FSH and LH. Between these extremes were patterns rarely seen at other times in reproductive life: namely, (1) in fourteen women on thirty‐two occasions lasting 2–9 weeks, postmenopausal levels of FSH and LH occurred in association with high oestrogen levels; (2) in eighteen women on thirty occasions lasting 2–8 weeks, there was an elevation of LH (but not FSH) into the postmenopausal range; (3) in thirteen women on twenty‐six occasions lasting 1–2 weeks, there was an elevation of FSH (but not LH) into the postmenopausal range. These patterns were not seen in any of the premenopausal women. Typically, the approach of the menopause was marked by an increased incidence of high postmenopausal levels of FSH and LH. Ovulatory cycles were observed at all stages in the perimenopause, and occurred within 16 weeks of the last menstrual period in seven of the thirteen women who became postmenopausal during the study. It is concluded that the appearance of high levels of FSH and LH is characteristic of the perimenopause and often precedes the sustained loss of sex hormone secretion by the ageing ovary. Postmenopausal biochemical parameters are no guarantee of the postmenopausal state.
THE BASAL PLASMA GLUCOSE: A SIMPLE RELEVANT INDEX OF MATURITY‐ONSET DIABETES
Authors: HOLMAN R. R. , TURNER R. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe ‘basal’ plasma glucose, defined as the stable overnight concentration, has been assessed as an index of diabetes control by comparison with plasma glucose measurements during 24‐h profiles in diet‐treated maturity‐onset diabetic patients and normal subjects. The basal plasma glucose correlated with the total (r = 0·98) and incremental (r = 0·86) glucose areas, as well as the 24‐h M value (r = 0·90). In mild diabetes the basal value was more abnormal than the incremental glucose area after meals, since 3 h after meals ‘reactive hypoglycaemia’ lowered the plasma glucose to less than the basal value. Thus diabetics with a raised basal plasma glucose up to 8 mmol/1 can have a normal 3‐h post‐prandial value. A raised basal plasma glucose provides similar diagnostic information to conventional oral glucose tolerance tests and provides an apposite measure of diabetes control. Diabetics who come up to a clinic, or who exercise whilst fasting, have fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations slightly higher than their overnight ‘basal’ levels, whereas there is little change in normal subjects. This higher ‘stressed fasting’ plasma glucose needs to be taken into account when assessing fasting plasma glucose values.This work was presented in part at the 13th Annual Meeting of the European Diabetes Association, Geneva, September 1977.