bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PREDICTION OF OVULATION IN WOMEN USING A RAPID PROGESTERONE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
Authors: FLEMING R. , COUTTS J. R. T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA rapid (3‐h) radioimmunoassay of plasma progesterone has been developed and used successfully to predict the time of ovulation in women undergoing artificial insemination. The results obtained using progesterone levels to date the stage of the cycle were analysed retrospectively by (1) estimation of the length of the ensuing luteal phases and comparison of these with luteal phase lengths of a control group (2) comparison of the dating using progesterone levels with retrospective determination of LH values and (3) by analysis of the dating in cycles in which conception occurred.
ACID GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS IN MYXOEDEMA
Authors: PARVING H‐H. , HELIN G. , GARBARSCH C. , JOHANSEN A.A. , JENSEN B. A. , HELIN P. , LUND P. , LYNGSØE J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAcid glycosaminoglycans were measured in the tissues of a virtually untreated 83‐year‐old woman with myxoedema. Intercellular oedema was demonstrated histologically in the tongue, myocardium, striated muscles, and in the skin. Tissue oedema was absent in two female control patients. All tissues from the patient with myxoedema, apart from the stomach, showed high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, but there was no consistent elevation of chondroitin‐4,6‐sulphate, heparan sulphate or dermatan sulphate. The accumulation of hyaluronic acid might contribute to the oedema formation in myxoedema.
PROPRANOLOL IMPROVES THE IMPAIRED TSH RESPONSE TO TRH IN PATIENTS WITH AUTONOMOUSLY FUNCTIONING EUTHYROID MULTINODULAR GOITRE
Authors: ELTE J. W. F. , HAAK A. , WIARDA K. S. , FRÖLICH M. , VAN DER VELDE E. A. , VAN DER HEIDE D. , QUERIDO A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTen patients with autonomously functioning euthyroid multinodular goitre received propranolol (Inderal® Retard 160 mg daily) for 4 weeks in order to investigate whether normalization of the TRH test or an increased TSH response to TRH could be obtained by decreasing serum T3 levels.Serum T3 decreased significantly after 2 and 4 weeks of propranolol administration. Serum T4 increased during this period, although the change was only significant after 4 weeks of propranolol. T3 resin uptake did not change. The TSH response to TRH increased significantly during the administration of propranolol. Mean Δ TSH basally was 1·0, range 0–3·9 mU/1, and mean Δ TSH after 4 weeks of propranolol was 2·4, range 0–9·3 mU/1. A strong correlation was found between the increase in Δ TSH and the decrease in serum T3 after 4 weeks of propranolol. After withdrawal, Δ TSH and T3 returned to premedication levels.Our data suggest that T3 is an important factor in the impairment of the TSH response to TRH in our patients. Normalization of the TRH test was, however, not obtained. These findings support the concept of subclinical hyperthyroidism in ‘euthyroid’multinodular goitre with autonomous function.
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS IN HYPERTHYROIDISM, WHICH DETERMINE THE DURATION OF SUPPRESSIVE TREATMENT BEFORE RECOVERY OF THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE SECRETION
Authors: FISCHER H. R. A. , HACKENG W. H. L. , SCHOPMAN W. , SILBERBUSCH J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn twenty‐three thyrotoxic patients a prospective study was undertaken to assess the time until restoration of TSH secretion. For several methodological reasons we chose to study a model in which the patients were deliberately continued on full dose treatment until biochemical hypothyroidism was established.The period until reappearance of TSH secretion varied between 42 and 293 days. In this time FTI had become subnormal, while T3 and the clinical index remained in the normal range. The interval until TSH restoration was not correlated with the parameters of thyroid status from the initial evaluation with the exception of a negative correlation with log PB131I 48 h (r= 0·511; P < 0·02).The average follow up period in our patients was 115 days during which FTI decreased exponentially to 19±7 ± 20±5. The disappearance of T3 followed a biphasic course in which after 2–4 weeks T3 decline practically ceased and concentrations remained normal.Assuming that a FTI between 100 and 65 was the threshold value beneath which hypophyseal TSH synthesis and secretion could be expected, we were able to determine the interval between the corresponding date and the date of returning TSH secretion in twenty‐one patients. This latency time was 34 ± 9±7 days and proved completely independent of the total time until TSH reappearance. In contrast there was a highly significant correlation (r= 0·987; P<0·001) between the time to reach the assumed threshold level and the time to recovery of TSH secretion.The disappearance of FTI, although widely variable from patient to patient, showed a constant rate throughout the full scale from elevated to practically absent concentrations. Thus, the initial part of the disappearance curve determines the length of time until restoration of TSH secretion. This is illustrated by the tight relationship (r= 0·92; P < 0·001) between FTI after 28 days of treatment and the time when TSH started to rise. Knowledge of the FTI on day 28 allows treatment to be tailored to the needs of the individual patient.
PROLACTIN STIMULATION BY INTRAVENOUS LABETALOL IS MEDIATED INSIDE THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Authors: BARBIERI CRISTIANO , LAROVERE MARIA TERESA , MARIOTTI GIANCARLO , FERRARI CARLO , CALDARA ROBERTO 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have previously reported that labetalol infusion increases prolactin (PRL) secretion in hypertensive patients. In an attempt to investigate the site where labetalol stimulates PRL, the drug was infused intravenously (100 mg) into healthy subjects, both under basal conditions and after pretreatment with l‐dopa plus carbidopa (250 mg and 25 mg respectively every 6 h for 1 day), since this regimen has been reported to blunt the PRL responses to centrally acting stimuli. The effects of oral labetalol administration (100 and 200 mg) on PRL was also evaluated. Serum PRL concentration did not change after oral labetalol, whereas it was increased by intravenous drug administration. This effect was completely abolished by pretreatment with l‐dopa plus carbidopa. These findings, though they do not demonstrate the mechanism, suggest that the hyperprolactinaemia induced by labetalol is mediated inside the blood–brain barrier.
TSH RECEPTOR BINDING AND THYROID STIMULATION BY SERA FROM PATIENTS WITH GRAVES' DISEASE
Authors: GINSBERG J. , SHEWRING G. , SMITH B. REES 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAn investigation of the ability of TSH receptor antibodies to bind to the TSH receptor and stimulate thyroid function is described. Binding studies were carried out using 125I‐labelled TSH and detergent solubilised porcine TSH receptors, and the parameter of thyroid stimulation employed was 125I‐organifi‐cation in isolated porcine thyroid cells. Different GRAVES' sera were found to show different dose‐response relationships and three types of antibody activity were evident in the six samples studied. In two samples receptor binding and thyroid stimulating activities were approximately parallel. In two receptor binding was detectable at lower doses than stimulation while in the last two stimulation was detectable at lower doses than binding.It is proposed that these characteristics are due to different populations of receptor antibodies which exhibit different degrees of TSH agonism. Furthermore one of the reasons for the relatively poor correlation between TSH receptor binding and thyroid stimulation observed in series of individual GRAVES' sera may be the presence of different populations of antibodies showing different dose‐response relationships with regard to binding and stimulation.
GONADOTROPHIN AND ALPHA SUBUNIT SECRETION BY HUMAN ‘FUNCTIONLESS’ PITUITARY ADENOMAS IN CELL CULTURE: LONG TERM EFFECTS OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE AND THYROTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE
Authors: SURMONT D. W. A. , WINSLOW C. L. J. , LOIZOU M. , WHITE M. C. , ADAMS E. F. , MASHITER K. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe long‐term effects of LHRH and TRH on gonadotrophin alpha subunit, FSH and LH secretion by cell cultures of four human chromophobic pituitary tumours have been examined. The tumours derived from one male and three female patients who presented because of visual disturbance but had no evident endocrine symptoms. Subsequent serum hormone analysis showed the FSH to be high in the male but low or normal in the post‐menopausal females whereas LH levels were low in all patients. In culture, basal hormone secretion could be maintained for periods up to 63 d. All tumours secreted alpha subunit and FSH, but much lower amounts of LH. Addition of LHRH or TRH for a period of 12 to 41 d showed that alpha subunit, FSH and LH secretion were stimulated by LHRH from one tumour, by LHRH and TRH from two tumours. There was always a rapid decline in the LH secretion. The tumour which secreted FSH predominantly was stimulated by TRH. We conclude that human pituitary ‘functionless’ adenomas can secrete gonadotrophin alpha subunit and FSH in vitro and that secretion can be stimulated during long term releasing hormone experiments. LH secretion, however, cannot be maintained.
SERUM CALCIUM CONCENTRATION IN HYPERTHYROIDISM AT DIAGNOSIS AND AFTER TREATMENT
Authors: DALY J. G. , GREENWOOD R. M. , HIMSWORTH R. L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn a large, mainly outpatient, series of hyperthyroid patients who attended a district general hospital the serum concentrations of calcium and albumin were measured before and in many cases after treatment. The calcium level (mean ± SD) before treatment (2·41·0±21 mmol/1, n= 437) was significantly higher (P < 0·01) than afterwards (2·36 ± 0·15 mmol/1, n= 232) and the albumin level rose when the patients became euthyroid (from 40·5±3·1 g/1 to 44·0 ± 2·4 g/1; P < 0·01). After treatment neither value differed from those of an unselected group of out‐patients. The usual relation between the serum concentrations of calcium and albumin did not hold in the hyperthyroid subjects but reverted to normal on treatment; the variation, probably due to an increase in ionized calcium, leads to an overestimate of the ‘corrected calcium’ when conventional methods are used to calculate this figure. Thus, using a conventional formula 8·5% of our hyperthyroid patients would appear to have a calcium greater than 2·65 mmol/1 (normal mean plus 2 standard deviations) whereas using a correction factor specific for the hyperthyroid situation the figure is reduced to 5·7% which is only twice the expected proportion. The calcium level was significantly greater (P < 0·001) in those patients in whom initial T3 concentration was high (>7·2 nmol/1). There was no effect of T4 upon serum calcium which could not be accounted for by the action of T3. In this series of 437 patients there was no case of symptomatic hypercalcaemia. The maximum value was 2·80 mmol/1 in a patient with coincident primary hyperparathyroidism. Significant hypercalcaemia is rare in hyperthyroidism.
DOPAMINERGIC BLOCKADE OF THE RENIN‐ANGIOTENSIN‐ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM: EFFECT OF HIGH AND LOW SODIUM INTAKES
Authors: GORDON M. B. , MOORE T. J. , DLUHY R. G. , WILLIAMS G. H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYRecent investigations suggest that dopamine inhibits aldosterone secretion. To test the hypothesis that dopamine contributes to the reduced aldosterone secretion on a high sodium intake, eight normal subjects were studied in metabolic balance on both 200 and 10 mmol sodium diets. On each diet, the subjects received a constant 4 h intravenous infusion of the dopamine antagonist, metoclopramide (MCP). Although MCP significantly increased plasma aldosterone (PA) throughout the infusion on both diets, the maximum increment in PA was greater on the low (37 ± 5 ng/dl) than on the high (14 ± 4 ng/dl) sodium intake (P <0·02). The greater response on the low sodium intake could not be ascribed to changes in potassium, cortisol or ACTH. However, plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (AII) levels were significantly (P <0·01) increased by MCP while on the low but not the high sodium intake.We conclude that the rise in PA while on a high sodium intake reflects dopaminergic antagonism by MCP directly at the level of the adrenal gland. On the low sodium intake, the enhanced PA response to MCP probably reflects both a direct adrenal effect and an indirect effect mediated via activation of the renin‐angiotensin system.
CIRCANNUAL RHYTHMS OF PLASMA LUTEINIZING HORMONE, FOLLICLE‐STIMULATING HORMONE, TESTOSTERONE, PROLACTIN AND CORTISOL IN PREPUBERTY
Authors: BELLASTELLA A. , CRISCUOLO T. , MANGO A. , PERRONE L. , SINISI A. A. , FAGGIANO M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFor a period of four years we have been studying 106 healthy males and 66 healthy females, aged 6–10, by cross‐sectional design, to look for evidence of a circannual rhythm in LH, FSH, testosterone, PRL, and cortisol secretion. Plasma samples were taken at 0800 h and all hormones were measured by RIA. A cosine function was fitted to the single data to indicate any significant circannual (about 1 year) rhythm and to estimate its parameters: mesor, amplitude, and acrophase. Annual changes were validated in the secretion of: LH (annual crest time in January in both sexes), testosterone (studied only in males, annual crest time in July), and PRL (significant rhythm only in females with annual crest time in March). FSH and cortisol did not show an annual rhythm in both sexes. Our data suggest that sex influences the circannual hormonal rhythms from prepuberty onwards.
LACK OF EFFECT OF ETHANOL ON PLASMA CORTISOL IN MAN
Authors: DAVIS J. R. E. , JEFFCOATE W. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of acute administration of ethanol were studied in a total of 18 normal male subjects. Sixteen men were given oral ethanol (2·5 ml/kg vodka or gin) and four received intravenous infusions of ethanol (1 ml/kg), at two times of day, 0900 h and 1800 h. Neither intravenous nor oral ethanol caused a specific rise in plasma cortisol, in contrast to previously reported work. There was no evidence for circadian variation in response.Since ethanol does not release plasma cortisol in normal individuals, the pathogenesis of ‘alcohol‐induced pseudo‐Cushing's syndrome’ should be re‐considered.
THROMBOEMBOLIC COMPLICATIONS IN CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: SMALL M. , LOWE G. D. O. , FORBES C. D. , THOMSON J. A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThromboembolic events are thought to occur with increased frequency in Cushing's syndrome due to the predisposing factors, obesity, hypertension, a raised haematocrit and major surgery plus a ‘hypercoagulable state’. To examine this postulate further we have studied 43 patients with Cushing's syndrome retrospectively and 10 patients prospectively to determine the incidence of arterial and venous thrombosis, both spontaneous and post‐operative.Arterial events were noted in four cases (9%) and deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) occurred in six cases (11%). Post‐operative PTE occurred in 2‐7% of all operations. These vascular complications tended to occur in the older patients with Cushing's syndrome.In our series, clinically significant thromboembolic episodes appear no more common than expected and the indications for prophylactic anticoagulation (the older and more obese patients) may not be different from other patients undergoing major surgery. An incidental finding was of a greater frequency of hypertension in Cushing's patients due to an adrenal adenoma.
STUDIES ON THE TREATMENT OF IDIOPATHIC GYNAECOMASTIA WITH PERCUTANEOUS DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE
Authors: KUHN J‐M. , ROCA R. , LAUDAT MARIE‐HÉLÈNE , RIEU M. , LUTON J‐P. , BRICAIRE H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have studied clinical and endocrine parameters in a group (group A) of forty men referred to us because of persistent idiopathic gynaecomastia (of more than 18 months duration), before and during the administration of percutaneous dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The endocrine parameters (testosterone (T), 17 β‐oestradiol (E2), DHT, gonadotrophins (FSH and LH) and prolactin (PRL)), were compared to those of control groups of 12 healthy men on DHT therapy (group B) and 10 on placebo (group C).Local administration of DHT was followed by the complete disappearance of gynaecomastia in 10 patients, partial regression in 19 and no change in 11 patients after 4 to 20 weeks of percutaneous DHT (125 mg twice daily). Before treatment the T + DHT/E2 ratio was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in group A 244·21 (SEM) than in groups B and C (361·21) while T, DHT and E2 concentrations were all within the normal range. During DHT treatment plasma hormone levels were measured in 26 patients from group A: DHT levels increased significantly (day 0: 1.63 ± 0.14 nmol/1; day 15: 12.8 ± 1.6 nmol/1, P < 0.001) while T and E2 levels fell significantly (T: day 0:22.6 ± 1.2 nmol/1; day 15:11.0 ± 1.5 nmol/1, /)<0.001;E2: day 0: 110.5 ± 7.1 pmol/1; day 15:86.79 ± 9.4 pmol/1, P < 0.01). The T/E2 ratio decreased from 231 ± 20 to 164 ± 27 (P < 0.05) while the T + DHT/E2 ratio increased significantly (P < 0.02) to a normal mean value (day 15: 354 + 57). Identical hormonal changes were observed in group B. Furthermore it was observed that LH plasma levels decreased (day 0: 7.8 ± 1.0 mU/ml; day 10: 4.2 ± 0.8 mU/ml, P < 0.05), while there was no significant variation of hormonal parameters in group C.Chronic percutaneous DHT administration appears to be an efficient treatment for persistent idiopathic gynaecomastia since it caused a reduction in 29 out of 40 cases. The effectiveness seems to be due principally to systemic effects which include an increase in DHT levels and a decrease in testicular E2 and T secretion following a reduction in LH secretion.
LACK OF RISE IN SERUM PROLACTIN FOLLOWING YTTRIUM‐90 INTERSTITIAL IRRADIATION FOR ACROMEGALY
Authors: CLARK A. J. L. , CHAHAL P. , MASHITER K. , JOPLIN G. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have investigated the possibility that the increase in serum PRL levels observed in patients with acromegaly treated with external irradiation could be due to damage to the hypothalamus or portal vessels, by comparing the effects of yttrium‐90 interstitial irradiation, which is highly localised and does not normally extend to the hypothalamus, in a similar series of patients.Sixteen acromegalic patients treated by interstitial irradiation with yttrium‐90 are described; GH fell from a mean of 131 mU/1 (median 113 mU/1) to 17 mU/1 (median 8 mU/1) after one year (P< 0·001). PRL fell in the five initially hyperprolactinaemic patients (mean fall ± SD: 39 ± 17 μg/1 at one year), but remained unchanged in the normoprolactinaemic group; PRL responsiveness to TRH was retained. Five, out of the seven normoprolactinaemic patients examined, were shown by in vitro studies of their pituitary biopsies, to have tumours that also synthesised or secreted PRL.These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the rise in PRL following external irradiation is the result of damage to the hypothalamus or portal vessels. A less likely explanation is that an overgrowth of radio‐resistant PRL‐secreting tumour cells is occurring after external irradiation, but not after yttrium‐90 implantation.
INCOMPLETE ANDROGEN INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME: PARTIALLY MASCULINIZED GENITALIA IN TWO PATIENTS WITH ABSENCE OF ANDROGEN RECEPTOR IN CULTURED FIBROBLASTS
Authors: SULTAN C. , PICARD J.‐Y. , JOSSO NATHALIE , MIGEON C. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn male pseudo‐hermaphroditism due to end organ unresponsiveness, partial androgen insensitivity can usually be related to low but detectable dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding activity in cultured sexual skin fibroblasts. We have studied two patients with partial virilization and total absence of androgen receptors in cultured fibroblasts. A lack of DHT binding could be related to a selection of a fibroblast strain with no androgen receptor activity, to insufficient sensitivity of the method in detecting very low receptor concentrations or to an instability of the receptor or the androgen‐receptor complex. However, these observations raise the question of masculinization of external genitalia with undetectable androgen receptor.
DETECTION OF THYROID GROWTH IMMUNOGLOBULINS (TGI) BY [3H]‐THYMIDINE INCORPORATION IN CULTURED RAT THYROID FOLLICLES
Authors: CHIOVATO L. , HAMMOND L. J. , HANAFUSA T. , PUJOL‐BORRELL R. , DONIACH D. , BOTTAZZO G. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA new bioassay is described for detecting the growth stimulating immunoglobulins (TGI)* that contribute to goitre formation in human thyroid autoimmune diseases. It measures the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into intact rat thyroid follicles grown in tissue culture. This radiometric assay demands much less technical skill than the cytochemical bioassays (CBA) previously employed. It has good reproducibility and the techniques and apparatus are available in many clinical laboratories.Immunoglobulins (Igs) from 68% of patients with goitrous GRAVES' disease were positive, in proportion with goitre size, and this showed no correlation with T3 levels, or three accepted methods for conventional thyroid stimulating antibodies. Non‐toxic nodular goitre cases gave positive results in 3/9 who had recurrences after one or more thyroidectomies and in 1/10 cases of familial simple goitre. All normal subjects and all endemic goitre cases were negative as well as 21 cases of sporadic non‐toxic nodular goitre. Although it is less sensitive than the ‘growth CBA’ it clearly emphasizes the essential difference between the intensity of growth stimulus which leads to the regular hyperplasia of thyroid epithelium seen in GRAVES' thyrotoxicosis and the disorganized and metabolically uncoordinated hyperplasia typical of non‐toxic nodular goitre.
EFFECT OF HEPARIN ON SERUM FREE THYROXINE LINKED TO POST‐HEPARIN LIPOLYTIC ACTIVITY
Authors: BAYER MONIKA F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA possible association between free T4 (fT4) changes, occuring after heparin administration, and the post‐heparin lipolytic activity, i.e., the release of lipases and the lipolysis of triglycerides to non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) was studied. In 19 patients heparin increased mean fT4 values obtained by equilibrium dialysis from 23·4 to 38·6 pmol/l (P<0·01) and mean fT4 values measured by GammaCoat two‐step RIA from 17·0 to 24·1 pmol/l (P < 0·01), the results of the two methods agreeing well (rS= 0·88). Concurrently, NEFAs increased from a mean of 0·55 to 2·20 mmol/l (P < 0·01) and fT4 increases were significantly correlated with post‐heparin NEFAs (rS= 0·69, P < 0·001). In vitro addition of palmitic acid to sera increased fT4 concentrations to values similar to those observed in vivo. Post‐heparin fT4 increases were also strongly correlated to the concentrations of triglycerides (rS= 0·63, P < 0·01). Hypertrig‐lyceridaemia was associated with pronounced fT4 increases after heparin administration, and normolipidaemia with moderate or no changes. These results suggest that the effect of heparin on fT4 is linked to the activation of lipases by heparin and is mediated by NEFAs, which, at high concentrations, compete with thyroxine for binding proteins.
HIGH INCIDENCE OF NORMAL THYROID GLAND VOLUME IN PATIENTS WITH GRAVES' DISEASE
Authors: HEGEDÜS L. , HANSEN J. MØCSLHOLM , KARSTRUP S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThyroid function and thyroid gland volume, ultrasonically determined, were investigated in ninety consecutive untreated patients with GRAVES' disease.Twenty‐eight patients (31%) had no clinically detectable goitre. Median thyroid gland volume was 31 ml (range 12–99 ml). Twenty‐one patients (23%) had a normal calculated thyroid volume. Thyroid volume did not correlate with any measure of thyroid function. The lack of a goitre in a large portion of patients with GRAVES' disease could be responsible for delayed diagnosis and subsequent treatment of these patients.