bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DIURNAL PATTERNS OF SERUM IMMUNOREACTIVE CALCITONIN IN HEALTHY MALES AND IN INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETICS
Authors: EMMERTSEN K. , CHRISTENSEN S. ENGKJER , SCHMITZ O. , MARQVERSEN J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSerum immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) was measured half‐hourly for 27 h in five healthy males and four insulin dependent juvenile diabetic males during normal activity. In another group of four healthy males studied during 12 h the first meal was postponed 8 h. Duplicate measurements of an internal reference standard in all radioimmunoassay runs gave a mean value of 58 pg/ml with an intra‐assay variation of 4.7 pg/ml (SD) and an interassay variation of 10.8 pg/ml (SD). Results of serum iCT determinations in one subject were excluded as the majority of values were below the lower limit of detection (20 pg/ml).For all three groups serum iCT levels varied little and unsystematically during day and night‐time and no diurnal peaks were observed. Food intake did not affect serum iCT levels significantly. With the present radioimmunoassay, results of serum iCT measurements can thus be interpreted without taking the sampling time or meals into account.Expert technical assistance has been provided by Inga Bisgaard, Joan Hansen, Janet Mikkelsen, and Birgit Mortensen. This work was supported by grants from the Danish Cancer Society, the Danish Medical Research Council, and the Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University of Aarhus.
ACUTE CHANGES IN THYROID FUNCTION TESTS FOLLOWING INGESTION OF THYROXINE
Authors: SYMONS R. G. , MURPHY L. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe timing of blood sample collection in relation to ingestion of thyroxine has been thought to be of no consequence in the assessment of patients receiving thyroxine medication. We have investigated changes in serum thyroid hormones after oral ingestion of thyroxine.Therapeutic doses of thyroxine (100–300 μg) were given to five normal, euthyroid subjects and eleven patients receiving long‐term thyroxine‐replacement medication. Blood samples were collected prior to and following ingestion of thyroxine.A significant increase in total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine index (FTI) and free T4 (FT4) concentration was observed at all doses. No significant change was observed in 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine, 3,3′,5′‐triiodothyronine or thyrotrophin concentrations. Although T4, FT1 and FT4 were significantly elevated 1 h after ingestion of all doses of thyroxine and remained elevated for at least 6 h, supranormal values were observed only after ingestion of the highest dose of thyroxine. The levels of T4, FT1 and FT4 in patients receiving thyroxine should be interpreted in relation to the time of thyroxine administration. Standardisation of blood collection in patients receiving thyroxine replacement would be desirable.
INSULIN HYPOGLYCAEMIA AND CHOLINERGIC BLOCKADE: RESPONSE OF PLASMA IMMUNOREACTIVE β‐ENDORPHIN
Authors: COPOLOV D. , JETHWA J. , STERN A. , CLEMENTS J. , FUNDER J. W. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSix normal subjects were studied to investigate the mechanisms involved in the release of immunoreactive β‐endorphin (ir‐βEP) in response to insulin hypoglycaemia. Insulin alone (0·2 U/kg body weight) was followed after a 30 min lag period by a ≃ 2·5 fold elevation of plasma ir‐βEP, with a return to basal levels by 90 min. Concurrent infusion of 10% dextrose at 250 ml/h for 2 h prevented the increase in plasma ir‐βEP levels, suggesting an effect of hypoglycaemia rather than a direct effect of insulin. Premedication with atropine 0·6 mg at ‐30 min was followed by hypoglycaemia equivalent to that seen with insulin alone, but no increase in plasma ir‐βEP, suggesting the involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in the neural mediation of ir‐βEP release in response to hypoglycaemia.
EFFECT OF THE COMBINATION OF DEXAMETHASONE AND SODIUM IPODATE ON SERUM THYROID HORMONES IN GRAVES' DISEASE
Authors: ARTEAGA E. , LÓPEZ J. M. , RODRÍGUEZ J. A. , MICHAUD P. , LÓPEZ G. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTo investigate the effect of the combination of dexamethasone (Dex) and sodium ipodate (SI) on hyperthyroidism, we studied 24 patients with typical GRAVES' disease, divided into four groups of six persons each. Three groups (Study I) were studied acutely (24 h) to determine the effects of Dex (5 mg every 12 h intramuscularly), SI (one oral dose of 3 g) and both drugs at the same doses, upon T4, T3, and rT3 at 0900 h before therapy was started and 24 h later. The group on Dex and that on SI had a similar T3 decrement of 25·9±4·0% and 35·8±5·0%, respectively, (P < 0·05), whereas the effect of both drugs combined was greater (64·2±3·6%; P<0·01, Dex, and P<0·01, SI, respectively). The increment of rT3 was markedly greater in those patients on SI than in those on Dex (561·3±149·2% and 58·9±11%, respectively, P<0·025). A fourth group (Study II) was studied for seven days while receiving both Dex (1 mg orally three times per day) and SI (500 mg orally three times per day). Both T4 (from 18·8 ± 1·1 to 13·1 ± 1·1 μg/dl, P < 0·02) and T3 (from 593 · 41 to 136·3 ± 12·7 ng/dl, P< 0·001) decreased at day 8. The initial brisk increment of rT3 at 24 h (808 ± 149%, P< 0·005) then diminished concomitantly with the fall of its precursor, T4. The pulse rate correlated with plasma T3 concentration (r= 0·67, P< 0·001) and varied from 104·7 ± 3·9 on day 1 to 77·3 ± 3·0 beats/min (P< 0·001) on day 4 and then remained stable. These results show that Dex and SI have potent inhibitory effects at the level of peripheral conversion of T4 and on the thyroid gland itself and that the combined use of these drugs significantly increases these effects. Considering the rapid clinical improvement of thyrotoxicosis achieved with both drugs, this regimen may be valuable in the initial treatment of some patients.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 17β‐HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY AND OESTROGEN CONCENTRATIONS IN HUMAN BREAST TUMOURS AND IN NORMAL BREAST TISSUE
Authors: BONNEY ROSEMARY C. , REED M. J. , DAVIDSON KATHRYN , BERANEK P. A. , JAMES V. H. T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe activity of 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17βHSD) was measured in human breast tumours and in normal breast tissue from premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Enzyme activity was higher in tumour tissue than in normal tissue from the same breast and under the conditions of the assay the oxidation of oestradiol was higher than the reduction of oestrone. The physiological status of the women in the study did not relate to the activity of the enzyme in either normal or tumour tissue although fibroadenomas had less activity than adenocarcinomas.In postmenopausal women tumour tissue oestrogens were 2–3 fold higher than in normal tissue from the same breast. Furthermore, tumour tissue concentrations of oestradiol tended to be higher than those of oestrone although in normal tissue the two oestrogens were present in similar concentrations. In plasma from the same women oestrone was the predominant oestrogen.There appears to be no direct relationship between 17βHSD activity and oestrogen concentrations but the enzyme may play a part in determining the balance between oestrone and oestradiol according to substrate and cofactor availability.
INSULIN SENSITIVITY IN HYPERTHYROIDISM: MEASUREMENT BY THE GLUCOSE CLAMP TECHNIQUE
Authors: McCULLOCH A. J. , HOME P. D. , HEINE R. , PONCHNER M. , HANNING I. , JOHNSTON D. G. , CLARK F. , ALBERTI K. G. M. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSensitivity to porcine insulin has been compared in overnight fasted hyper‐ thyroid and control subjects using a euglycaemic clamp technique. Basal values for blood glucose, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, serum insulin and C‐peptide were similar in the two groups, whilst blood glycerol (hyperthyroid 0.11 ± 0.02 (mean ± S.E.) vs. control 0.06 ± 0.01 mmol/l,P< 0.01) and blood 3‐hydroxybutyrate (0.28 [0.03–0.79, range] vs 0.09 [0.01–0.29] mmol/l,P< 0.05) were increased in hyperthyroidism. During the 2 hour insulin infusion (0.05 U/kg/h), serum insulin plateaued at the same level (44 ± 4 vs 44 ± 1 mU/l) and insulin metabolic clearance rates were similar (1.21 ± 0.10 vs 1.25 ± 0.03 l/min). Serum C‐peptide levels also decreased by similar amounts (40 ± 8 vs 47 ± 6%). The amount of glucose infused to maintain euglycaemia was identical during the second hour of insulin infusion (290 ± 50 vs 330 ± 30 mg/kg) as were the increments in lactate and pyruvate concentrations. Blood glycerol values decreased in both groups although values in hyperthyroid patients remained significantly higher than in controls. 3‐Hydroxybutyrate concentrations fell to similar values in the two groups. These findings suggest that insulin‐stimulated glucose metabolism and inhibition of ketogenesis are normal in hyperthyroidism.
IDENTIFICATION OF SUBSETS OF PATIENTS WITH GRAVES’DISEASE BY CLUSTER ANALYSIS
Authors: STENSZKY VALERIA , BALÁZS CS. , KOZMA L. , ROCHLITZ SZ. , BEAR J. C. , FARID NADIR R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have applied cluster analysis methods to forty‐nine laboratory and clinical characteristics (including 26 HLA‐A, B antigens) observed in 196 Graves’disease patients. Three subgroups could be identified: group I (seventy‐nine patients) had small goitres, low indices of autoimmunity and a tendency to remission with medical treatment; group IIa (twenty‐nine patients) had clinical and laboratory features of‘Hashitoxicosis'; Group IIb (eighty‐four patients) had a high incidence of ophthalmopathy, familial aggregation, marked evidence of autoaggression and a tendency to relapsing hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of HLA‐B8 was 8.9% in group I, 20.7% in group IIa and 86.9% in group IIb. This study demonstrates that Graves’disease can be subdivided using cluster analysis into clinically relevant subgroups which are further distinguished by their correlation with HLA‐B8. Possible immunological bases for these observed patterns are discussed.
SKIN THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY AND CUSHING'S SYNDROME AND RESPONSE TO TREATMENT
Authors: FERGUSON J. K. , DONALD R. A. , WESTON T. S. , ESPINER E. A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYRadiological assessment of skin thickness (ST) was assessed in 22 patients with acromegaly and 17 patients with Cushing's syndrome. The age ranges of the patients studied and the 55 individuals in the control group were comparable. The skin thickness in males was significantly greater than in females (P < 0.01). Mean skin thickness in patients with acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome was significantly greater and less respectively than the mean skin thickness of the normal controls (P < 0.02). Following successful treatment of acromegaly (growth hormone < 5μg/l) there was a significant reduction in skin thickness (P < 0.02 males: P < 0.01 females). The skin thickness declined at approximately 0.3 mm/year for the first two years and more slowly thereafter. A highly significant correlation was observed between the logarithm of the pre and post treatment plasma GH concentrations and ST values. With one exception, all patients with growth hormone (GH) levels > 5μg/l had ST values above the normal range. At an average of 4.5 years after successful treatment of Cushings syndrome the average increase in ST was 0.23 mm (P < 0.01).It is concluded that the measurement of skin thickness is a useful screening test for both acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome and provides an objective assessment of the clinical response to treatment.
STEROIDOGENIC RESPONSE TO A SINGLE INJECTION OF hCG IN PRE‐ AND EARLY PUBERTAL CRYPTORCHID BOYS
Authors: TAPANAINEN J. , MARTIKAINEN H. , DUNKEL L. , PERHEENTUPA J. , VIHKO R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe temporal response patterns of the concentrations of serum testosterone, oestradiol, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone, progesterone, androstenedione and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone to a single i.m. dose of hCG (5000IU/1.7 m2) were investigated in prepubertal and early pubertal cryptorchid boys, and compared with the response patterns obtained earlier in adult men. The rapid reponse (at approximately 2–4 h) of serum testosterone was lacking in all boys, whereas the slow response at 2–5 days was constant. The relative response (the maximum stimulated concentration vs. the basal level) of serum testosterone was 70‐fold in prepubertal boys and 6‐fold at early puberty, compared with 2.4‐fold in adult men. Serum oestradiol and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone concentrations did not increase in the prepubertal boys, but did increase at early puberty, revealing a pattern similar to thac observed in adult men. Hence, the prepubertal endocrine testis appears to be very responsive to hCG stimulation, and this responsiveness is rapidly lost with advancing puberty. The absolute increases, however, were smallest in prepubertal boys, perhaps reflecting the small potential Leydig cell mass.The responses of serum oestradiol and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone to hCG appeared later during the boys’development than the response of serum testosterone. The relative testosterone response was maximal in the absence of an oestradiol response. It is suggested that testicular oestradiol production in response to LH/hCG appears in the course of puberty and results in intratesticular short‐loop feed‐back inhibition of androgen production. This is reflected by the appearance of a 17‐hydroxyprogesterone response and by a decrease in relative testosterone response.
ADRENAL ABNORMALITIES IN IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM
Authors: MOORE AIDEEN , MAGEE FERGAL , CUNNINGHAM SEAN , CULLITON MARIE , McKENNA T. JOSEPH 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe possibility that abnormal adrenal androgen production may be present in patients with idiopathic hirsutism was examined. Plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione levels were elevated in hirsute patients. In response to exogenous α1–24 ACTH the increments in plasma androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and cortisol were significantly greater in hirsute patients than in normal subjects. The testosterone response was exaggerated following endogenous stimulation induced by metyrapone. Treatment with dexamethasone, 0.5 mg each night for 3 months, corrected both the androgen excess and the exaggerated androgen responses but not the excessive cortisol response to stimulation. These observations indicate adrenal abnormalities in idiopathic hirsutism. The dissociation of cortisol and adrenal androgen responsiveness following dexamethasone suggests that the abnormalities observed may be due to excessive adrenal androgen production stimulated by a dexamethasone‐suppressible factor other than ACTH. Excess adrenal androgen production may be the primary disorder leading to the development of idiopathic hirsutism.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND NORMAL FIBROBLASTS HAVE IDENTICAL GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR PROFILES AND INDUCED PROTEIN RESPONSES
Authors: KHALID B. A. K. , GYORKI S. , WARNE G. L. , FUNDER J. W. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe possibility of differences in glucocorticoid sensitivity between normal and cystic fibrosis fibroblasts was studied in cultured cells derived from forearm skin biopsies. Both normal and cystic fibrosis cells bound tritiated dexamethasone with high affinity (Kd 37°C ± 10 nmol/l) to a limited class of sites (concentration ± 50,000/cell); no difference between cystic fibrosis and normal cells was seen in the nuclear transfer of receptor‐bound tritiated dexamethasone. After 4 h exposure to dexamethasone and analysis of 35S‐methionine labelled proteins by 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, both normal and cystic fibrosis cells showed increased abundance of protein kappa (molecular weight ∼ 41,000; pKi∼6.5) over non‐steroid exposed gels. After 16 h exposure, in both cystic fibrosis and normal cells exposed to dexamethasone a decrease in protein omega (mol. wt ∼ 42,000; pKi∼ 5.4) was seen compared with control. We interpret these data as evidence against a difference in glucocorticoid receptor or effector mechanisms between cystic fibrosis and normal fibroblasts.
INCREASED PLASMA PANCREATIC POLYPEPTIDE IN CHRONIC ALCOHOL ABUSE
Authors: FINK R. S. , ADRIAN T. E. , MARGOT D. H. , BLOOM S. R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPost‐prandial plasma gastrointestinal hormone profiles were measured in nine chronic alcoholics, one and fourteen days after complete alcohol withdrawal. Basal plasma pancreatic polypeptide concentration (PP — mean ± SE mean) was significantly greater in alcoholics (control, 28 ± 5 pmol/l; alcoholics, post‐withdrawal day 1, 62 ± 14 pmol/1, P < 0.05; and post‐withdrawal day 14, 89 ± 17 pmol/l, P < 0.005). The total integrated (TIR) PP response following a test breakfast was similarly elevated (control, 442 ± 63 units; alcoholics, day 1, 1310 ± 231 units, P < 0.005; day 14, 1066 ± 66, P < 0.005). Basal and TIR values for gastrin, gastric inhibitory peptide, insulin and glucagon were similar in alcoholics and controls. As PP has been shown to inhibit pancreatic exocrine enzyme secretion, these findings may help explain the abnormal pancreatic function seen frequently in alcoholics.
REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE CHANGES DURING WEIGHT GAIN IN MALE ANORECTICS
Authors: WHEELER M. J. , CRISP A. H. , HSU L. K. G. , CHEN C. N. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPlasma LH, FSH, testosterone and sex‐hormone‐binding globulin have been measured in a total of ten male anorectics. There was no significant correlation between body weight and FSH levels or body weight and SHBG levels. Both LH and testosterone concentrations were significantly correlated with body weight. They were well below the adult normal range at low body weight and rose with weight gain although in many cases neither hormone reached normal levels at target weight.The plasma LH and FSH response to 50 μg LHRH was measured in five male anorectics on twelve occasions, and compared with the responses of twelve normal adult males. The anorectic patients showed a FSH response which was normal on eleven occasions and slightly raised on one occasion. The LH response was below normal at weights below 40 kg, exaggerated between 45 kg and 50 kg and within normal limits at other weight ranges. These results are compared with previous findings in female anorectics.
SERUM FREE THYROXINE CONCENTRATION AND FREE THYROID HORMONE INDICES IN NORMAL PREGNANCY
Authors: HOPTON M. R. , ASHWELL K. , And I. V. SCOTT , HARROP J. S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSerum free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations were shown to be significantly reduced at 36–38 weeks normal pregnancy, both as measured FT4 by the Amerlex method (P < 0.001), and as calculated FT4 (P < 0.001) using accepted molecular weight and affinity constant data for the binding proteins. Serum FT4 concentrations as determined by the Immophase method were normal at 36–38 weeks normal pregnancy. All methods gave normal serum FT4 concentrations in subjects taking the oral contraceptive pill. FT4I and FT3I, derived using the MAA T3 uptake‐value, were higher than normal at 36–38 weeks pregnancy (P < 0.001), whereas T4/TBG and T3/TBG were both reduced (P < 0.001).The observation that serum FT4 concentrations may fall in late pregnancy, as demonstrated both by the Amerlex radioimmunoassay technique and by calculation, suggests that circulating FT4 may not be the sole determinant of thyroid status at this time. From a practical viewpoint, it is important to note that currently available direct and indirect methods of assessing serum FT4 concentrations produce different patterns of change in pregnancy.
EXPERIENCE WITH TRILOSTANE IN THE TREATMENT OF CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: DEWIS P. , ANDERSON D. C. , BU'LOCK DENISE E. , EARNSHAW ROSEMARY , KELLY W. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFive patients with pituitary dependent Cushing's syndrome and two with adrenal carcinoma were treated with increasing doses of trilostane (up to 1440 mg daily). There was no consistent fall in serum cortisol levels. In addition there was no rise in the levels of precursors immediately preceding the proposed site of action of trilostane. These results suggest that trilostane does not effectively block the enzyme 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Δ4,Δ5 isomerase in patients with Cushing's syndrome and that it should no longer be recommended for their treatment.
THE ENDOCRINE EVALUATION OF THREE CHILDREN WITH VASOMOTOR FLUSHES FOLLOWING
Authors: SURGERY HYPOTHALAMIC , WITT MARY F. , BLETHEN SANDRA L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAlthough vasomotor instability or hot flushes are a well‐known occurrence in women with natural or artificially‐induced menopause, they have not previously been described in children. We report three children in different stages of puberty who developed vasomotor instability following surgery involving the hypothalamic‐pituitary region. One, a 16 7/12 year old female with Tanner III breast development, had low oestradiol levels both pre‐and post‐operatively, but developed vasomotor symptoms only in the post‐operative period. The second, a 124/12 year old boy, was sexually mature and had normal male levels of testosterone and total oestrogen when he developed hot flushes post‐operatively. The third case, a boy, was prepubertal at the time of craniopharyngioma resection.Our results support the conclusion that neither oestrogen deficiency nor gonadotrophin excess are absolute requirements for the development of hot flushes. It is possible that either pressure‐related factors or actual manipulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary region result in biochemical changes which result in the development of post‐operative vasomotor instability in these children.
THYROID HORMONES IN NON‐INSULIN‐DEPENDENT DIABETES BEFORE AND AFTER DIETARY TREATMENT
Authors: SHEPPARD M. C. , RAMSDEN D. B. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn a group of 8 moderately obese non‐insulin‐dependent diabetics, both serum total T3 and T4 concentrations and serum free T3 and T4 concentrations were significantly lower than control values. Serum TBG levels did not differ. Five patients demonstrated an apparently successful response to dietary treatment with loss of symptoms and glycosuria and fall in post‐prandial blood glucose and HbAl. Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones and TBG, however, were not significantly altered. These abnormalities may be unrelated to hyperglycaemia and may reflect the nutritional status of the patients.
MILD HYPOTHYROIDISM AND OEDEMA: EVIDENCE FOR INCREASED CAPILLARY PERMEABILITY TO PROTEIN
Authors: WHEATLEY T. , EDWARDS O. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYNine female patients with normal serum total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) but elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were studied. Six patients had generalised oedema associated with maximal diurnal weight gains in excess of 1.4 kg. Under conditions of forced water diuresis, before and during physiological replacement of 1‐thyroxine, the supine transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERA) was measured, while the venous colloid osmotic pressure (COP), packed cell volume (PCV) and urinary exretion of water and electrolytes were studied in both the supine and upright positions. The TERA, diurnal weight gain and orthostatic increase in COP fell significantly with treatment. In the six patients with oedema and excessive diurnal weight gains, the retention of salt and water on tilting was reduced with thyroxine treatment. In female patients we consider generalised oedema associated with excessive diurnal weight gain, to be a common and early symptom of hypothyroidism, meriting thyroxine replacement therapy.
PLASMA SOMATOSTATIN INCREASES DURING HYPOGLYCAEMIA IN INSULIN‐DEPENDENT PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT B‐CELL FUNCTION
Authors: MADSBAD S. , HILSTED J. , KRARUP T. , TRONIER B. , SESTOFT L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYResponses of somatostatin‐like immunoreactivity (SLI) to hypoglycaemia were investigated in seven type 1 (insulin‐dependent) patients with residual B‐cell function, eight patients without B‐cell function, and six healthy controls. A higher basal level of SLI was found in the group with B‐cell function when compared with the group without B‐cell function. The basal level in the normal subjects was in between the two diabetic groups. All the diabetics had a somatostatin response to hypoglycaemia which was independent of residual B‐cell function and no different from that of normal subjects.