bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PLASMA ANDROSTANEDIOL GLUCURONIDE LEVELS DURING PREGNANCY
Authors: VAN DROOGENBROECK J. , VERMEULEN A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn distinction to Braunstein and Horton (1985) who reported an increase in maternal 5α‐androstane‐3α, 17β‐diol glucuronide (ADG) plasma levels during pregnancy, we observed a decrease of these levels from the 10th week of pregnancy; the decrease parallels the decrease in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA‐S) concentration. As the latter is a major precursor of ADG, the decrease in ADG levels during pregnancy is not unexpected and in line with the concept that ADG is a parameter of androgenicity.
THYROID AUTOIMMUNITY IN ENDEMIC GOITRE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE IODINE INTAKE*
Authors: BOYAGES STEVEN C. , BLOOT ANDRE M. , MABERLY GLEN F. , EASTMAN CRESWELL J. , MU LI , QIDONG QIAN , DERUN LIU , VAN DER GAAG REINDERT D. , DREXHAGE HEMMO A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe pathophysiology of endemic goitre caused by excessive iodine intake is not well defined. By interacting with the immune system, iodine excess may trigger the development of autoimmune thyroid disease such as lymphocytic Hashimoto's thyroiditis (LT). In an attempt to examine this further, we compared the presence of thyroid autoantibodies in 29 goitrous children, from an iodine excess area, and in 26 healthy children, from an iodine sufficient area, of north central China. Serum was tested for antimicrosomal (MAb), anti‐thyroglobulin (TgAb), second colloid antigen antibodies (CA2‐Ab) and TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII). Affinity chromatographically purified IgG was tested for thyroid growth‐stimulating activity (TGI) by two different methods: a sensitive cytochemical bioassay (CBA) using guinea‐pig thyroid explants and a mitotic arrest assay (MAA) employing a continuous rat thyroid cell line (FRTL‐5). We found no increased prevalence of LT in patients with endemic iodine goitre. The levels of MAb, TgAb and CA2‐Ab did not differ significantly between the two groups of children. Further, TBII were not present in either group. Thyroid growth‐stimulating immunoglobulins (TGI) were the major autoantibodies found in children with goitres caused by iodine excess. In the CBA, 12 of 20 (60%) goitrous children and 0 of 12 (0% P<0.05) healthy children were positive for TGI. Similar results were found in the MAA, and a good correlation between results of the CBA and MAA was found (P = 0.003). Maximal TGI activity in dose‐response CBA showed a good relation with clinical goitre size (r = 0.63; P < 0.05) indicating a possible pathophysiological role for these antibodies. We conclude that endemic iodine goitre is not associated with Hashimoto's lymphocytic thyroiditis. Nevertheless, autoimmune growth factors such as TGI may play a primary role in the pathogenesis of thyroid growth in this condition.
MELATONIN SECRETION IN TURNER'S SYNDROME: LACK OF EFFECT OF OESTROGEN ADMINISTRATION
Authors: SCHOBER E. , WALDHAUSER F. , FRISCH H. , SCHUSTER E. , BIEGLMAYER CH. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYMelatonin secretion was investigated in 13 girls with Turner's syndrome before and after long‐term oestrogen administration. Oestrogen treatment resulted in an increase in the serum levels of the hormone and a decrease in blood progesterone concentration. No change, however, was observed in the melatonin secretion pattern (in terms of peak values, time of peak level and total melatonin secretion) after oestrogen therapy. A distinct circadian rhythm in serum melatonin was evident in all subjects with peak occurring around 0200 h and concentration similar to those of normal subjects.
BODY COMPOSITION IN ACROMEGALY: THE EFFECT OF TREATMENT
Authors: BENGTSSON BENGT‐ÅKE , BRUMMER ROBERT‐JAN , EDÉN STAFFAN , BOSAEUS INGVAR , LINDSTEDT GÖRAN 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTotal body water (TBW) and total potassium (TBK) were measured in patients participating in a follow‐up investigation of all acromegalic patients seen between 1956 and 1984. The results were compared with population‐based estimates of TBK and TBW calculated from height (BH), weight (BW) age and sex, using data from a large number of healthy subjects (n=476). The findings were compared with values obtained at diagnosis and were also related to growth hormone (GH) and IGF‐I/SmC concentrations at follow‐up. BW at follow‐up was unchanged compared to BW at diagnosis and was 9.7 and 10.0 kg higher in males and females, respectively, than in healthy subjects of the same BH (BWnorm). Growth hormone concentration at follow‐up correlated directly with excess extracellular fluid volume (ECW%) (P < 0.001) and inversely with the ratio observed/predicted body fat (BF%) (P < 0.001) as well as with BW/BWnorm (P < 0.05). On the other hand, GH concentration did not correlate with excess body cell mass (BCM%) estimated from TBK. IGF‐I/SmC concentration correlated with GH concentration at follow‐up (P<0.001) and with ECW % (P< 0.01) but not with BCM% or BF%. In 39 patients, data on body composition were also available at diagnosis. Of these, three males had developed gonadal insufficiency and their BCM had decreased markedly. One patient had suffered from hemiplegia. Five patients had not received any treatment. In the remaining 30 treated patients, those with a post‐treatment GH concentration below 5 mU/1 were normalized with respect to ECW and BF. BCM, however, was unchanged. In contrast, patients with GH concentration |Mg 10 mU/1 displayed unchanged body composition. Furthermore, BH decreased significantly in successfully treated patients.
MUSCARINIC CHOLINERGIC, BUT NOT SEROTONINERGIC MEDIATION OF ARGININE VASOPRESSIN RESPONSE TO METOCLOPRAMIDE IN MAN
Authors: COIRO V. , CAPRETTI L. , SPERONI G. , VOLPI R. , FAGNONI F. , BIANCONI L. , SCHIANCHI L. , CAIAZZA A. , CHIODERA P. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYYThe possibility that metoclopramide (MCP) stimulates arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion in man through a serotoninergic and/or a cholinergic muscarinic pathway was studied. Twenty normal male subjects were tested with MCP (10 mg in an i. v. bolus) alone or in the presence of the 5HT1 serotoninergic antagonist metergoline (10 mg/day p. o. in five divided doses for 4 days), the 5HT2 receptor blocker ketanserin (10 mg i. v. 5 min before MCP) (n= 10), the M1 and M2 muscarinic antagonist atropine (1.2 mg i. v. just before MCP administration) or the M1 muscarinic receptor blocker pirenzepine (40 mg i. v. 10 min before MCP) (n= 10). AVP doubled in response to MCP. The MCP‐induced AVP rise did not change after metergoline, ketanserin or pirenzepine administration, whereas it was abolished by atropine. Additional experiments were performed in order to evaluate the effect of 1.2 mg atropine, given alone, on circulating AVP levels and whether the effect of atropine on the AVP response to MCP depends on the amount of the muscarinic antagonist (dose—response study). For these purposes, atropine was given alone to the same subjects previously tested with MCP plus atropine; furthermore, eight additional male subjects were tested with MCP plus atropine given in doses ranging from 0.8 to 1–4 mg. The results of these additional studies failed to show an effect of atropine alone on AVP secretion and demonstrated a dose‐related inhibition of MCP‐induced AVP rise by increasing atropine administration from 0.8 mg to 1.2 mg. The results of the present study did not show an involvement of 5HT1 and 5HT2 serotoninergic receptors in the AVP response to MCP. On the other hand, the data indicated that atropine‐sensitive muscarinic receptors mediate the AVP response to MCP. Since atropine, but not pirenzepine, crosses the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), the present results might indicate that the AVP releasing effect of MCP is mediated by M2 receptors at places located inside and/or outside the BBB or by M1 receptors in structures located inside the BBB.
SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A PREDICTOR OF OSTEOPOROSIS SUPERIOR TO ENDOGENOUS OESTROGENS
Authors: VAN HEMERT ALBERT M. , BIRKENHÄGER JAN C. , DE JONG FRANK H. , VANDENBROUCKE JAN P. , VALKENBURG HANS A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTo quantify the role of endogenous oestrogen activity in osteoporosis we measured relative metacarpal cortical area (RCA), body mass, serum oestrone, oestradiol, androstenedione, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in 746 postmenopausal women aged 53 to 76 years, sampled from the general population. The occurrence of fractures and the rate of loss of RCA (delta‐RCA) were determined over the previous 9 years. Both RCA and delta‐RCA were significantly related to body mass, serum oestrone, oestradiol, and SHBG. The influence of the first three variables appeared to be bone preserving, whereas the latter appeared to be bone wasting. Serum oestradiol, SHBG and body mass proved to have an independent relationship with RCA in multivariate regression analysis. The relationship to delta‐RCA was statistically independent for serum SHBG only. Serum androstenedione was unrelated to either RCA or delta‐RCA. In the total study population, body mass, serum oestrone, oestradiol and SHBG were not related to the occurrence of fractures over the previous 9 years. In the subgroup of 249 elderly women, aged 65‐76 years, SHBG levels were significantly higher for women with type I osteoporotic fractures (vertebral and forearm fractures) as compared to controls. The results suggest a bone wasting influence of SHBG in postmenopausal women, possibly resulting in an increased risk of type I osteoporotic fractures in elderly women.
LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE SECRETION PATTERNS IN BOYS THROUGHOUT PUBERTY MEASURED USING HIGHLY SENSITIVE IMMUNORADIOMETRIC ASSAYS
Authors: WENNINK JOHANNA M. B. , VAN DE WAAL HENRIETTE A. DELEMARRE‐ , SCHOEMAKER RIK , SCHOEMAKER HELGA , SCHOEMAKER JOOP 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPulsatile gonadotrophin secretion patterns were studied in 32 normal boys (chronological age, CA 7.2‐14.6 years) at different stages of pubertal development (5 in stage G1, 11 in G2, 5 in G3, 4 in G4, 7 in G5). Plasma LH and FSH concentrations were measured at 10 min intervals from 1200 to 1800 h and from 2400 to 0600 h using an immunoradiometric assay with a lower limit of detection of 0.15 IU/1 for both LH and FSH. Plasma testosterone (T) was measured hourly. In the young prepubertal boys plasma LH was not detectable during day or night. In contrast, plasma FSH ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 IU/1. Plasma T was not detectable either (< 0.25 nmol/1). In the older prepubertal boys a discrete pulsatile LH pattern (2 per 6 h) became discernible only during the night (range 0.1‐0.4 IU/1). Plasma FSH also revealed a pulsatile pattern only during the night (2 per 6 h), while plasma T still remained undetectable. In the early pubertal boys (G2) a median daytime LH value of 0.37 IU/1 was determined with 1 pulse per 6 h and at night definite LH pulses (4 per 6 h) were found in all boys (range 0.4‐4.7 IU/1). Plasma FSH increased considerably to a median level of 2.50 IU/1 during the day; most boys had a pulsatile FSH pattern (one per 6 h). Plasma T became detectable during the day (median 0.54 nmol/l) and night (median 1.16 nmol/1). With the progression of puberty the mean plasma level of LH and FSH, the LH/FSH pulse number and the LH/FSH pulse amplitude increased; plasma T rose as well, more obviously during the night. In G5, however, the LH pulse number decreased, while the LH level and pulse amplitude still increased, presumably as a result of the increased negative feedback action of sex steroids. Simultaneous LH/FSH pulses developed during the night at onset of puberty but during the day only towards the end of pubertal development. The use of these novel highly sensitive IRMA methods demonstrated nocturnal LH and both diurnal and nocturnal FSH pulsatility to be present in older prepubertal boys. The early detectable FSH level plus the existence of solitary FSH pulses throughout puberty as well as in adult men support the hypothesis of the existence of a GnRH‐independent FSH secretion in men. Our results are in accordance with the following hypotheses: (1) puberty is brought about by GnRH secretion increasing with time, both in frequency and amplitude, and first appearing during the night. (2) GnRH secretion decreases in frequency at the end of puberty due to the development of a negative feedback action by a testicular factor or factors. (3) FSH secretion in puberty is only partly dependent on GnRH secretion.
MATURATION OF THYROID FUNCTION IN NORMAL HUMAN FOETUSES
Authors: BALLABIO M. , NICOLINI U. , JOWETT T. , DE ELVIRA M. C. RUIZ , EKINS R. P. , RODECK C. H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe functional maturation of an independent foetal thyroid activity was investigated in the present study. Serum concentrations of total T4, free T4, TSH and TBG were measured in 23 foetuses between 18 and 31 weeks' gestational age. Foetal samples were collected by transabdominal needling from the placental cord insertion. TT4, FT4, TBG and TSH levels significantly increased with gestational age. FT4 levels were comparable with the adult range by 28 weeks' gestation; TBG levels reached adult values at approximately 30 weeks, while TT4 was lower than adult levels throughout the whole period studied. TSH values were, in all cases, higher than the normal adult range. A significant positive correlation was present between TT4 and TBG, TT4 and TSH, and TBG and TSH levels; on the contrary, no correlation was demonstrated between FT4 and TSH levels. The TSH/TT4 ratio significantly decreased with gestational age. The results suggest an incomplete responsiveness of the foetal thyroid gland to TSH, while the feedback control system between pituitary and thyroid is operating at a different set point from that in post‐natal life. The normal range of thyroid parameters established is of clinical relevance for the antenatal diagnosis, and eventual treatment, of thyroid disorders that may seriously damage foetal development and maturation.
hCG TEST IN GYNAECOMASTIA: FURTHER STUDY
Authors: KUHN J. M. , REZNIK Y. , MAHOUDEAU J. A. , COURTOIS H. , LEFEBVRE H. , WOLF L. M. , LUTON J. P. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn adult men referred with gynaecomastia, the prolonged plasma oestradiol (E2) response to hCG appears to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of feminizing Leydig cell tumour (LCT) of the testis. However, its specificity is uncertain. The hormonal status was therefore studied in 85 men with gynaecomastia including 17 with LCT, 52 with clinically isolated gynaecomastia and 16 hypogonadal men (13 with Klinefelter's syndrome and three with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism). The data obtained after hCG (5000 IU i.m., n= 85) or GnRH (100 μg i.v., n= 70) administration were compared to those of a group of control men. Means of basal gonadotrophin and of gonadotrophin responses to GnRH were similar in LCT and controls but were significantly (P< 0.001) higher than controls in patients with either Klinefelter's syndrome or isolated gynaecomastia. Half the patients with isolated gynaecomastia had normal gonadotrophin parameters (NGG) while half had significantly (P < 0.001) higher levels (EGG) than controls, suggesting either primary testicular failure or androgen resistance. The T responses to hCG did not differentiate patients with LCT from either isolated gynaecomastia or controls. A prolonged E2 response (> 300 pmol/1 on day 3 following hCG) was observed in all patients with LCT, in 10/21 EGG patients and in 3/13 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome. Such a response was observed in only one NGG patient. We conclude that a prolonged E2 response to hCG does not appear to be specific to LCT but that specificity is greatly improved (from 80 to 98|X%) when the gonadotrophin pattern (basal and/ or responses to GnRH) is also taken into account.
RECOVERY FROM FOETAL HYPOTHYROIDISM: EVIDENCE FOR THE SAFETY OF BREAST‐FEEDING WHILE TAKING PROPYLTHIOURACIL
Authors: MOMOTANI NAOKO , YAMASHITA RYOKO , YOSHIMOTO MIDORI , NOH JAEDUK , ISHIKAWA NAOFUMI , ITO KUNIHIKO 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe assessed the post‐natal thyroid function in eight infants of mothers with Graves' disease whose thyroid function at birth was suppressed by maternal ingestion of propylthiouracil during pregnancy. These mothers continued taking propylthiouracil after delivery and breast‐fed exclusively (two mothers supplemented their breast milk with a small amount of baby food). The cord free T4 level was slightly but uniformly below the normal range in all eight infants, and the cord TSH level was above the normal in seven infants. The dose of propylthiouracil after delivery ranged from 50 to 300 mg daily, which was equal to, or higher than, that before delivery. All these abnormal values normalized in the infant after birth. Serum samples, from seven of the eight mothers, taken at delivery were examined for TSH receptor antibodies; all were positive. The antibody titre, however, was too low, and/or free T4 and TSH levels were examined too long after delivery, for the antibodies to be the cause of the restoration of the infants’thyroid function. These results assure the safety of breast‐feeding for the infants of mothers with Graves' disease taking propylthiouracil.
EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH OESTRADIOL/LEVONORGESTREL ON BONE, LIPOPROTEINS AND HORMONE STATUS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: FARISH ELIZABETH , HART DAVID M. , GRAY CHRISTINA E. , BEASTALL GRAHAM , FLETCHER COLIN D. , LINDSAY ROBERT 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe aim of the study was to investigate the effects of an oestradiol/ levonorgestrel regimen, administered parenterally, on bone metabolism, bone density, lipoprotein metabolism and hormone status. Twenty‐five women who had undergone a surgical menopause had an oestradiol/levonorgestrel‐containing vaginal ring pessary in situ for 6 months. Within the first month there were sustained changes in the biochemical indices of bone metabolism in keeping with a marked reduction in bone turnover and decrease in bone resorption. Bone mineral content in the distal forearm was measured in 14 patients and a small increase was noted in every patient. Levonorgestrel was well absorbed and the serum levels remained almost constant throughout treatment. There was a gradual increase in serum total oestradiol which became significant at 6 months. Dialysable oestradiol levels rose from 26% of total oestradiol at 0 time to 3.3% at 1 month with no further change thereafter. SHBG levels were 23% of pretreatment levels at 6 months. There were sustained decreases in triglyceride, VLDL and HDL cholesterol levels and a transient fall in LDL cholesterol. Total HDL, HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol levels were reduced by 25, 40 and 21% respectively. The results suggest that levonorgestrel exerts a protective influence on bone either directly or by its effect on the proportion of oestradiol circulating in the free, physiologically active form. The effects on lipoproteins were predominately those of the progestogen component, the lipoprotein risk factors for coronary heart disease being adversely affected.
EFFECT OF PORCINE BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (pBNP) ON HUMAN ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDOGENESIS
Authors: HASHIGUCHI TAKASHI , HIGUCHI KAZUMI , OHASHI MASAO , TAKAYANAGI RYOICHI , MATSUO HISAYUKI , NAWATA HAJIME 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPorcine brain natriuretic peptide (pBNP), purified from porcine brain, had a significant suppressive effect on aldosterone and cortisol secretions in ACTH‐treated cultured human adrenal cells. Concomitantly, the intracellular cGMP formation was enhanced by pBNP treatment. A specific pBNP receptor was identified in the human adrenal tissues. Affinity labelling of 125I‐BNP showed two separate molecular weights of specific binding sites for pBNP of 140 and 67 kDa. A 125I‐BNP binding study of the human adrenal membrane fraction demonstrated the presence of high‐affinity and low‐capacity binding sites for pBNP. Moreover, these binding sites for 125I‐pBNP were displaced by unlabelled α‐rANP as well as pBNP. From these studies, we concluded that pBNP had suppressive effects on human adrenocortical steroidogensis, possibly via a receptor which may be shared with ANP.
ELEVATED SERUM INTACT PARATHYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH HIP FRACTURE
Authors: COMPSTON J. E. , SILVER A. C. , CROUCHER P. I. , BROWN R. C. , WOODHEAD J. S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIt has been postulated that secondary hyperparathyroidism contributes to bone loss and the high incidence of hip fractures in the elderly population, but there are no data on serum intact parathyroid hormone concentrations in these patients. In this study, serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels have been measured in 39 elderly patients with hip fracture; in addition, serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations have been measured. Twenty patients (51.3%) had elevated serum intact PTH concentrations whilst five (12.8%) had abnormally low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and serum 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 was reduced in only two. These results provide the first direct evidence for secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly patients with hip fracture. Vitamin D deficiency is unlikely to be the sole cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism in these subjects and calcium deficiency by itself may also contribute.
EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPUTER‐ASSISTED PERIMETRY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PITUITARY ADENOMAS
Authors: CANNAVÓ S. , DE NATALE R. , PRINCI P. , LI CALZI L. , ARAGONA A. , TRIMARCHI F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYComputer‐assisted perimetry (CP) is a new method which quantifies the differential light sensitivity threshold and allows the statistical analysis of the data. It offers advantages as compared with manual methods. This study has been carried out in 27 patients with pituitary adenomas (four males and 23 females; 13 with prolactinomas; six with acromegaly, four with Cushing's disease and four with non‐secreting adenomas). A skull X‐ray and a computed tomodensitometry (CT), a manual Goldman perimeter and a computer assisted visual field examination were performed in all cases. The presence of a pituitary tumour was suggested by the X‐ray and by the CT in 12 and 23 patients respectively out of the 27: the CT scan revealed a suprasellar extension in seven cases. Visual field defects were detected by means of the Goldman perimeter in six patients and by means of the computer‐assisted technique in 25/27. The effectiveness of this new technique was proved by the concordance with the CT scan results in 21 cases and by the histological examination of the four adenomas which were not apparent at CT scan. A significant difference was found for both eyes (right eye, chi squared = 258, P < 0.001; left eye, chi squared = 295.0, P < 0.001) between patients and controls. No correlation existed between visual defects and the pituitary size apparent at CT scan. Six patients were evaluated with the CT and CP after 1 year of bromocriptine treatment; a slight reduction of size was documented with the CT in four cases, whereas a significant positive change in visual acuity was observed in five patients. In conclusion, the computer‐assisted perimetry gives useful information about the optic chiasma region, increasing the chance of recognizing the changes in visual fields in the follow‐up of patients with pituitary adenomas.