bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DIURNAL SALIVARY CORTISOL PATTERNS DURING PREGNANCY AND AFTER DELIVERY: RELATIONSHIP TO PLASMA CORTICOTROPHIN‐RELEASING‐HORMONE
Authors: ALLOLIO BRUNO , HOFFMANN JOCHEN , LINTON E. A. , WINKELMANN WERNER , KUSCHE MARTIN , SCHULTE HEINRICH M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol was studied in 10 healthy women every 4 weeks throughout pregnancy. In addition, in 12 women the diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol, serum cortisol, plasma ACTH, plasma CRH and serum progesterone were analysed in late third trimester pregnancy and again 3–5 days after delivery. Salivary cortisol profiles exhibited a clear circadian rhythm during pregnancy with an increase in mean salivary cortisol from the 25th to 28th week onwards reaching concentrations in late pregnancy more than twice as high as in non‐pregnant controls, rapidly returning to normal concentrations after delivery. The coefficient of variation of salivary cortisol profiles decreased in third trimester pregnancy due to a parallel upward shift of cortisol concentrations (40.2 |Mp 3.4%vs 77.6 |Mp 6.6% after delivery, P > 0.01). A diurnal pattern was also found for plasma ACTH and serum cortisol before and after delivery with lower concentrations post‐partum (P > 0.01). In late pregnancy, progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in the evening (930 + 85 nmol/1 vs 813 |Mp 74 nmol/1 at 0900 h, P > 0.01) but showed no diurnal variation post‐partum. Plasma CRH was significantly elevated in late third trimester pregnancy (1.22 |Mp 0.23 μg/1 at 0900 h) but showed no diurnal change (1.30 |Mp 0.28 μg/1 at 1900 h). Moreover, no correlation between the free cortisol increase in late pregnancy and plasma CRH was noted despite a wide range of CRH levels (0‐13‐3.60 μg/1). In contrast, a significant correlation was observed between the serum progesterone increase and the salivary cortisol increase in late pregnancy (r = 0.70, P > 0‐05). These findings demonstrate that placental CRH is not the only regulator of maternal ACTH and cortisol release. Instead, our study suggests that placental CRH has little influence on baseline maternal adrenocortical function in pregnancy. The elevated salivary cortisol levels in pregnancy may be explained by glucocorticoid resistance owing to the antiglucocorticoid action of high progesterone concentrations.
SERUM SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN 2 RECEPTOR IN HYPERTHYROID Graves'DISEASE AND EFFECT OF CARBIMAZOLE THERAPY
Authors: CHOW C. C. , LAI K. N. , LEUNG J. C. K. , CHAN J. C. N. , COCKRAM C. S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTo study the activation of T lymphocytes in hyperthyroid Graves'disease, the serum concentrations of soluble interleukin 2 receptors (sIL2R) were determined during active thyrotoxicosis and following the return to a euthyroid state with carbimazole therapy. Serum sIL2R was measured by an enzyme linked immunoassay. The mean |Mp SD serum sIL2R concentration during untreated hyperthyroidism was elevated as compared with controls (919.1 |Mp 523.4 vs 374.2|Mp 189‐4 U/ml, P<0.005). However, after carbimazole therapy the serum sIL2R in euthyroid patients fell to 377–9 |Mp 90.3 U/ml, which did not differ from healthy controls. Serum sIL2R correlated significantly with the serum free T3 only during hyperthyroidism (r= 0.678, P < 0.01). Our study suggests that in‐vivo measurement of serum sIL2R released from activated T lymphocytes is a useful immunological indicator of disease activity.
THE EFFECTS OF NAFARELIN AND DANAZOL ON VERTEBRAL TRABECULAR BONE MASS IN PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS
Authors: WHITEHOUSE R. W. , ADAMS J. E. , BANCROFT K. , VAUGHAN‐WILLIAMS C. A. , ELSTEIN M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSingle and dual‐energy quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were used to measure spinal trabecular bone mineral content in 24 women treated with either nafarelin (15 patients) or danazol (nine patients) for endometriosis. Significant loss of bone mineral (‐ 9.6 g/l; ‐ 5.9% P <0.001) was demonstrated after 6 months’treatment with nafarelin. This loss was reversible with no significant difference in the bone mineral measurement made before treatment and that made at 6 months after treatment was stopped (difference ‐ 1.95 g/l, NS). A small but statistically significant (+ 2.2 g/l, P<0.05) increase in bone mineral was measured in the group of patients treated with danazol for 6 months. The dual‐energy QCT gave similar results, indicating little change in trabecular fat content. A significant correlation was demonstrated between mean serum oestradiol levels during treatment with nafarelin and the change in bone mineral (r= 0.655, P < 0.005).
IN‐SITU ANALYSIS OF CALCITONIN AND CGRP EXPRESSION IN MEDULLARY THYROID CARCINOMA
Authors: BOULTWOOD J. , WYNFORD‐THOMAS D. , RICHARDS G. P. , CRAIG R. K. , WILLIAMS E. D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA combination of immunocytochemistry (ICC) and in‐situ hybridization (ISH) applied to formalin‐fixed tissue sections was used to analyse the differential expression of calcitonin and CGRP genes, at both peptide and mRNA levels, in normal and neoplastic human thyroid C cells. Calcitonin peptide was readily detectable in normal C cells but its abundance in the neoplastic C cells of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) was reduced in correlation with the degree of tumour differentiation. Conversely, the content of calcitonin mRNA was higher in MTC than in normal C cells and was not significantly related to tumour differentiation. Both the peptide and mRNA of CGRP were present at much lower levels than those of calcitonin in normal C cells but were increased in neoplastic C cells. We conclude that neoplasia of thyroid C cells is associated with (i) an increase in the content of CGRP mRNA and peptide relative to that of calcitonin, consistent with a defect in control of transcript processing, and (ii) a decrease in the ratio of calcitonin peptide to mRNA abundance relative to the normal, suggesting a defect in synthesis or storage of the peptide. ISH analysis of calcitonin mRNA may therefore be a very valuable addition to ICC analysis of the peptide as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for MTC.
BIOACTIVE AND PERIPHERAL ANDROGENS IN PREPUBERTAL SIMPLE HYPERTRICHOSIS
Authors: BALDUCCI R. , TOSCANO V. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPrepubertal simple hypertrichosis is characterized by excessive growth of vellus hair in children without other signs of endocrinopathies. The aetiology is unknown and it is not clear if it is an abnormal entity or an extreme form of the normal range of hair growth. Sixteen girls (aged 7 |Mp 1‐9 years, mean |Mp SD) with prepubertal simple hypertrichosis and, as controls, 12 normal age‐matched girls were studied. All patients were in preadrenarchal age and in all patients an ACTH test was performed to exclude non‐classical forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHA‐S), dihydrotesterone (DHT), 3α‐androstanediol (3Ad) and its glucuronide (3AG), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were evaluated and free testosterone (FT) and T/SHBG ratio were calculated in all subjects. In all patients we found T, A and DHA‐S plasma levels comparable to controls, excluding an increased glandular androgen secretion. No significant differences, compared to controls, were observed for SHBG, FT and T/SHBG ratio, suggesting a normal T bioavailability. DHT plasma levels were significantly increased with respect to controls (0‐42 |Mp 0‐04 vs 0‐11 |Mp 0.03 nmol/l; P < 0‐002) whereas 3Ad and 3AG were comparable to controls. The very significant increase in DHT plasma levels, without a parallel increase in 3Ad and 3AG found in our cases with prepubertal simple hypertrichosis, is difficult to explain. The clinical and biochemical significance of the high DHT plasma values needs more investigation.
THE GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE (GHRH) RESPONSE TO A MIXED MEAL IS BLUNTED IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH INSULIN‐DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS WHEREAS THE SOMATOSTATIN RESPONSE IS NORMAL
Authors: FOOT A. B. M. , DAVIDSON K. , EDGE J. A. , WASS J. A. H. , DUNGER D. B. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFollowing a standard mixed meal, plasma concentrations of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), somatostatin (SMS) and growth hormone (GH) were measured every 30 min for 300 min in six young adults with type I insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and five normal controls. Mean blood glucose concentrations were higher and mean free insulin levels lower in the diabetics compared with controls both in fasting specimens and at all times following the mixed meal. Basal concentrations (mean±SEM) of GHRH were similar in diabetic (12.7±1.8 pg/ml) and control subjects (11.8±1.1 pg/ml). Following ingestion of the mixed meal, a rise in GHRH was observed in the control subjects maximal between 30 and 240 min (P < 0.025) but the response was blunted in the diabetics. Mean GHRH concentrations were greater in the controls than in the diabetic subjects at all stages during the test, the maximum difference being noted at 120 mins (P < 0.04). Basal SMS concentrations and those observed after the mixed meal were similar in diabetic and control subjects. These results indicate that glucose and insulin may play a role in the regulation of GHRH release following a mixed meal but circulating levels of GHRH and SMS are unlikely to be relevant to the abnormal regulation of GH in IDDM.
VALUE OF SCREENING THYROID FUNCTION IN ACUTE MEDICAL ADMISSIONS TO HOSPITAL
Authors: SMALL M. , BUCHANAN L. , EVANS R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDuring a 4‐month period an audit was performed to assess the value of thyroid function test (TFT) screening of all medical admissions, without known thyroid disease, to a single hospital. Abnormal TFTs were found in 125 of the 630 patients admitted (20%). Carbimazole or thyroxine was started in 13 patients (2.1%) discovered to have thyrotoxicosis (n=4) or hypothyroidism (n=9). In only four of these patients was the diagnosis of thyroid disease apparent clinically. The sick euthyroid state was found in 73 patients (11.6%), while the TSH compensated hypothyroid state was detected in 39 patients (6.2%). The low detection rate of new thyroid disease would suggest that unselective screening of all admissions is unjustified. However, the problem of diagnosing thyroid disease and the morbidity of untreated thyroid disease suggests that biochemical screening of TFTs in a selective group of medical patients admitted to hospital may be justified.
HILUS CELL PATHOLOGY AND HIRSUTISM
Authors: MCLELLAN A. R. , MOWAT A. , CORDINER J. , BEASTALL G. H. , WALLACE A. M. , CONNELL J. M. C. , DAVIES D. L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYHilus cell abnormalities are uncommon causes of hirsutism with virilization. Although hilus cell tumours have been well described, hilus cell hyperplasia is rare and is poorly defined clinically. We describe three cases of hilus cell hyperplasia and compare them with a case of hilus cell tumour. Both pathologies were associated with increased testosterone and oestradiol secretion. Suppression of testosterone to the ‘normal range’in response to exogenous oestrogen was seen only in the cases with hyperplasia; only partial responsiveness was seen in the case with hilus cell tumour. Bilateral oophorectomy offers the potential for cure for both hilus cell hyperplasia and tumour.
DIFFERENCES IN CLINICAL AND ENDOCRINE FEATURES BETWEEN OBESE AND NON‐OBESE SUBJECTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: AN ANALYSIS OF 263 CONSECUTIVE CASES
Authors: KIDDY D. S. , SHARP P. S. , WHITE D. M. , SCANLON M. F. , MASON H. D. , BRAY C. S. , POLSON D. W. , REED M. J. , FRANKS S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTwo hundred and sixty‐three women with ultrasound‐diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome were studied of whom 91 (35%) were obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2‐). Obese women with PCOS had a greater prevalence of hirsutism (73% compared with 56%) and menstrual disorders than non‐obese subjects. Total testosterone and androstenedione concentrations in serum were similar in the two subgroups but SHBG concentrations were significantly lower, and free testosterone levels higher, in obese compared with lean subjects. In addition, concentrations of androsterone glucuronide, a marker of peripheral 5α‐reductase activity, were higher in obese than in non‐obese women with PCOS. There were no significant correlations of either SHBG or free testosterone with androsterone glucuronide suggesting that obesity has independent effects on transport and on metabolism of androgen. There were no significant differences between the subgroups in either baseline gonadotrophin concentrations or the pulsatile pattern of LH and FSH secretion studied over an 8‐h period. There was, however, an inverse correlation of FSH with BMI, but only in the obese subgroup. In conclusion, the increased frequency of hirsutism in obese compared with lean women with PCOS is associated with increased bio‐availability of androgens to peripheral tissues and enhanced activity of 5α‐reductase in obese subjects. The mechanism underlying the higher prevalence of anovulation in obese women remains unexplained.
ANDROSTERONE GLUCURONIDE IS A MARKER OF ADRENAL HYPERANDROGENISM IN HIRSUTE WOMEN
Authors: THOMPSON DAVID L. , HORTON NATALIE , RITTMASTER ROGER S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAndrosterone glucuronide (Andros‐G), a dihydrotestosterone metabolite, is present in serum at concentrations at least tenfold greater than those of androstanediol glucuronide. To investigate the significance of serum androsterone glucuronide, we developed a direct radioimmunoassay for this compound and measured its levels in normal women, women with mild or severe idiopathic hirsutism (IH), hirsute women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO), and non‐hirsute obese women. To determine the source of Andros‐G precursors, serum levels were measured before and after selective ovarian suppression with leuprolide, combined ovarian and adrenal suppression with leuprolide and dexamethasone, and adrenal stimulation with ACTH. Androsterone glucuronide levels (nmol/l; mean±SD) were significantly higher (P < 0.025) in women with mild idiopathic hirsutism (IH) (185±91), severe IH (173±97), and hirsute women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO) (178±102) than in normal women (110±26). Levels in non‐hirsute obese women (64±19) were lower than in normal women (P <0.01). Baseline levels (mean±SEM) in hirsute women given 20 μg/kg/day leuprolide for 5‐9 months (171±15) were not significantly changed after leuprolide alone (153±18), and were decreased after adding dexamethasone (19±6; P < 0.001). Andros‐G levels did not increase significantly in normal women 60 min after i.v. ACTH (112±14 to 126±19), but rose in IH (170±24 to 216±26; P<0.001) and in PCO (179±26 to 238±31; P= 0002). We conclude that Andros‐G in women arises primarily from adrenal gland precursors and is elevated in hirsute women as a group. Its levels do not correlate with the severity of hirsutism, or the presence or absence of PCO, but reflect an increased production of adrenal androgens in both IH and PCO.
THE INFLUENCE OF PREGNANCY AND REPRODUCTIVE SPAN ON THE OCCURRENCE OF AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS
Authors: PHILLIPS D. I. W. , LAZARUS J. H. , BUTLAND B. K. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA study comparing the reproductive histories of 89 women affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) with 89 matched controls has been carried out to determine whether endogenous hormones contribute to the development of the disease. There was no evidence of an association between HT and parity and no trend to an increasing disease risk with increasing parity. However, patients with HT had a longer reproductive span. There was a significant trend to a lower risk with later age at menarche (relative risk (RR) of menarche at 13‐14 years compared with ≤ 12 years =0.71, and ≥ 15 years compared with ≤ 12 years = 0.45), and an increased risk with a later menopause (≥ 51 years compared with ≤ 50 years, RR = 3.00, P < 0.025). An additional finding was an increased hysterectomy rate among the cases. These observations may be explained if the hyperoestrogenic state associated with a longer reproductive span acted to modulate the immune process in autoimmune thyroid disease.
FOLLICULAR FLUID CONCENTRATIONS OF INSULIN‐LIKE GROWTH FACTOR 1, EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR, TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR‐ALPHA AND SEX‐STEROIDS IN VOLUME MATCHED NORMAL AND POLYCYSTIC HUMAN FOLLICLES
Authors: EDEN J. A. , JONES J. , CARTER G. D. , ALAGHBAND‐ZADEH J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThirty‐three samples of follicular fluid (FF) were collected from 14 patients with the polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome and matched for FF‐volume with small follicles collected from subjects with normal ovaries. The median (range) FF concentration of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF1) in the group with PCO, 0.42 (0.13‐1.20) U/ml was significantly higher than that of the controls, 0.33 (0.04‐0.59) U/ml. All samples tested had < 1 ng/ml of FF‐epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor‐alpha (TGF‐α). The patients with PCO syndrome (PCOS) had similar FF‐testosterone (T) and FF‐progesterone (P) concentrations to volume matched controls, but significantly higher levels of FF‐androstenedione (AD) and lower FF‐oestradiol (E2). These results suggest that the granulosa cells within the polycystic follicle have a functional defect in their aromatase enzyme complex.
A COMPARISON OF CALCIUM PENTAGASTRIN AND TRH TESTS IN SCREENING FOR MEDULLARY CARCINOMA OF THE THYROID IN MEN IIA
Authors: O'CONNELL J. E. , DOMINICZAK A. F. , ISLES C. G. , McLELLAN A. R. , DAVIDSON G. , GRAY C. E. , CONNELL J. M. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIntravenous injections of calcium gluconate and pentagastrin (CPG) or TRH were compared as secretagogues for calcitonin (CT) in screening for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIA (MEN IIA). Administration of CPG resulted in a prompt increase in plasma CT in all five patients with MTC studied, one of whom had a normal baseline value (peak 412‐371000 ng/l, 636‐4847% above basal). TRH produced a rise in plasma CT levels only in MTC patients with elevated basal values; the magnitude of increase was less than that observed with CPG (peak 168‐17 200 ng/l, 113‐180% above basal). CT levels did not rise above 300 ng/l with either test in four unaffected first‐degree relatives of MEN IIA patients, three subjects with sporadic unilateral phaeochromocytomas and five controls with essential hypertension. CPG remains the CT secretagogue of choice in screening for MTC in MEN II A.
EFFECT OF DOPAMINE AND A DOPAMINE D‐1 RECEPTOR AGONIST ON PULSATILE THYROTROPHIN SECRETION IN NORMAL WOMEN
Authors: BOESGAARD S. , HAGEN C. , HANGAARD J. , ANDERSEN A. NYBOE , ELDRUP E. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe inhibitory effect of a pharmacological dose of dopamine and the specific dopamine D‐1 receptor agonist fenoldopam on basal and pulsatile TSH secretion was investigated in normal women. The TSH response to fenoldopam and subsequent releasing hormone administration was also studied. Six women received placebo or dopamine infusion (4.0 μg/kg min) for 17 h. After 9 h, blood samples were collected every 10 min between 0800 and 1600 h for measurement of TSH. Eight women received 8‐h (0900‐1700 h) infusions of either fenoldopam (0.5 μg/kg min) or placebo. After 7 h of infusion 10 μg TRH, 5 μg GnRH and 25 CRF was given i.v. Blood samples were collected every 10 min. Dopamine infusion as well as fenoldopam infusion significantly reduced both mean basal TSH secretion and TSH pulse frequency compared with corresponding control infusions (P < 0.05). However, while the effect on TSH pulsatility was comparable (P > 0.05), the percentage decrease in basal TSH levels after 16 h of dopamine infusion was 51±16% (mean±SD) and after 7 h of fenoldopam infusion 19±12% (P < 0.05). Neither of the drugs affected TSH pulse amplitude and fenoldopam did not influence TRH‐stimulated TSH release (P> 0.05). The results suggest that dopamine D‐1 receptors are involved in modulation of TSH pulsatility probably at the hypothalamic level. It is argued that dopaminergic inhibition of basal TSH secretion and TSH pulsatility is predominantly regulated through dopamine D‐2 receptors at the pituitary level, and through D‐1 receptors at the hypothalamic level, respectively.
BIOACTIVE AND IMMUNOREACTIVE FSH IN SERUM OF NORMAL AND OLIGOSPERMIC MEN
Authors: FAUSER B. C. J. M. , BOGERS J. W. , HOP W. C. J. , DE JONG F. H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn men suffering from idiopathic oligospermia and azoospermia the hypothesis was tested that decreased spermatozoa production could be due in part to inadequate hormonal stimulation of spermatogenesis. In 53 healthy male subjects with normal spermatozoa production (n = 10), varying degrees of oligospermia (n = 40), and azoospermia (n = 3), serum immunoreactive LH, testosterone (T), and oestradiol (E2), and immunoreactive and bioactive FSH concentrations were determined. FSH bioactivity was estimated using the rat granulosa cell aromatase bioassay. Mean LH, T, and E2 levels were similar in the control group (spermatozoa concentration > 40 × 106/m1) compared with men exhibiting mild (10‐20 × 106/m1), moderate (5‐10 × 106/m1), or severe oligospermia (1‐5 × 106/ml), and in the azoospermia group. An inverse correlation was found between immunoreactive FSH levels and spermatozoa concentration (P < 0‐05), with elevated levels (twofold increase) of FSH in the combined severe oligospermia and azoospermia (P <0.01) groups. Moreover, augmented (P < 0‐01) bioactive FSH levels were also observed in this group of patients. The mean bioactive to immunoreactive FSH ratio was also negatively correlated with sperm counts (P < 0‐005). In addition, T/LH ratios were inversely correlated with immunoreactive (P <0.05) and bioactive (P <0.05) FSH, which may indicate that altered Leydig cell function is involved in the augmented secretion of FSH. The data presented in this study indicate that immunoreactive FSH, as measured in oligospermia and azoospermia, does not exhibit decreased bioactivity.