bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE CIRCADIAN VARIATION OF THYROTROPHIN IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY THYROIDAL DISEASE
Authors: EVANS P. J. , WEEKS I. , JONES M. K. , WOODHEAD J. S. , SCANLON M. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have used a highly sensitive immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA) for human TSH to study the effect of thyroid status on the circadian variation in TSH levels. Three subjects with Graves' disease, three with toxic multinodular goitre and three with euthyroid multinodular goitre were sampled every hour for 24 h. The results obtained were compared to those from five euthyroid control subjects. It was found that some patients with hyperthyroidism and suppressed basal TSH levels exhibited a 24 h secretory pattern similar to that seen in normal subjects with peak TSH levels occurring at night. In addition two subjects with a euthyroid multinodular goitre demonstrated levels of TSH below the normal range despite being clinically and biochemically euthyroid. TSH suppression in these subjects is probably related to some degree of thyroid autonomy and possible development of hyperthyroidism in the future.
NORMAL CIRCULATING IMMUNOREACTIVE GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING FACTOR (hGRF) CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH FUNCTIONAL HYPOTHALAMIC hGRF DEFICIENCY
Authors: SOPWITH A. M. , PENNY ELIZABETH S. , GROSSMAN A. , SAVAGE M. O. , BESSER G. M. , REES LESLEY H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYUsing a highly specific radioimmunoassay we have measured the concentrations of human growth hormone releasing factor (ir‐hGRF) in the peripheral circulation of six individuals with acquired hypothalamic hGRF deficiency. Despite their hypothalamic dysfunction venous plasma ir‐hGRF increased normally in every patient after the stimulus of a mixed breakfast, from an average concentration basally of 13.6 ± 6.0pg/ml to a maximum of 29.0 ± 8.4 pg/ml (mean ± SEM) at 120 min. The findings indicate that circulating hGRF is at least in large part extrahypothalamic in origin, which in turn implies a physiological role for hGRF in the periphery.
RECURRENT PREGNANCY‐INDUCED POLYURIA AND THIRST DUE TO HYPOTHALAMIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS: AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE MECHANISMS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLYURIA
Authors: BAYLIS P. H. , THOMPSON C. , BURD J. , TUNBRIDGE W. M. G. , SNODGRASS C. A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA young patient developed hypothalamic diabetes insipidus due to histiocytosis in infancy and was satisfactorily treated with Pitressin. As a teenager she no longer had thirst or polyuria after treatment was stopped. These symptoms only returned during her two pregnancies. When non‐pregnant her urine output was 1·7–2·0 1/24 h, basal plasma osmolality 288–290 mOsm/kg, and during pregnancy 24 h urine volume was 4·5–5·21, plasma osmolality 278–280 mOsm/ kg. Studies on osmoregulation of thirst and AVP release, and on renal sensitivity to the V2 agonist desmopressin and endogenous vasopressin were performed in pregnant and non‐pregnant states. She had no circulating antibodies to AVP, and the effect of pregnancy‐associated vasopressinase was eliminated. Results showed lowered basal plasma osmolality and osmolar thirst threshold in pregnancy but no failure of the renal concentrating mechanism. Plasma AVP concentrations after osmotic stimulation were lower in pregnancy. We propose that she developed thirst and polyuria during pregnancy because of lowering of her osmolar thirst threshold to plasma osmolalities which caused her to drink sufficient quantities of fluid to further reduce AVP secretion. We cannot exclude, however, the possibility that there was increased clearance of circulating AVP.
PROLACTIN AND STRESS: SOME ENDOCRINE CORRELATES OF PRE‐OPERATIVE ANXIETY
Authors: BROOKS J. E. , HERBERT M. , WALDER C. P. , SELBY C. , JEFFCOATE W. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAn attempt was made to correlate the serum concentration of PRL, GH and cortisol with anxiety experienced before elective surgery. A significant direct correlation was observed between cortisol and anxiety (P= 0·028), and between GH and anxiety (P= 0·001) although the latter correlation may have reflected the confounding effects of sex and age on GH levels. No correlation was observed between anxiety and PRL and we conclude that psychosocial stress cannot be invoked as an occasional cause of hyperprolactinaemia.
GROWTH HORMONE RESPONSES TO GRF 1–29 IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM BEFORE AND DURING REPLACEMENT THERAPY WITH THYROXINE
Authors: VALCAVI R. , JORDAN V. , DIEGUEZ C. , JOHN R. , MANTCARDI E. , PORTIOLI I. , RODRIGUEZ‐ARNAO M. D. , GOMEZ‐PAN A. , HALL R. , SCANLON M. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIt is well known that hypothyroidism is frequently associated with impaired GH responses to different stimuli. In the present study we have evaluated GH responses to GH‐releasing factor (GRF) in patients with primary hypothyroidism before and during T4 replacement therapy. Fourteen patients (age range 26–60 years) underwent two GRF tests (1 μg/kg) before and during replacement therapy (150 μg/d). Administration of T4 increased peak GH responses to GRF in 9 patients and in the group as a whole (mean ± SEM, 17·0 ± 2·8 vs 32·6 ± 5·7 mU/l, P > 0·02). When the data are analysed by means of area under the curve (AUC), the GH response to GRF was increased by T4 in 10 patients and in the group as a whole (mean ± SEM, 51·7 ± 14·3 vs 101·5 ± 28·1, P > 0·02). These data indicate that thyroid hormone replacement therapy enhances the responsiveness of the somatotroph to GRF 1–29 in patients with primary hypothyroidism.
DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF ACTH‐DEPENDENT CUSHING'S SYNDROME: COMPARISON OF THE FEATURES IN ECTOPIC AND PITUITARY ACTH PRODUCTION
Authors: HOWLETT T. A. , DRURY P. L. , PERRY L. , DONIACH I. , REES LESLEY H. , BESSER G. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe clinical features, diagnosis and management of 16 consecutive patients with ectopic ACTH production are described and biochemical data are compared with those of 48 consecutive patients with pituitary‐dependent Cushing's disease. In 10 cases the ectopic ACTH secreting tumour was completely occult to routine clinical and radiological investigation, and no basal or dynamic investigation of adrenal‐pituitary function was able clearly to differentiate these patients from those with Cushing's disease. High dose dexamethasone suppression testing assessed by plasma cortisol was usually helpful but unexpected responses were seen in both diagnostic groups; the metyrapone test yielded no useful information and should now be abandoned. Hypokalaemia was seen in all patients with ectopic ACTH production but in only 10% of those with Cushing's disease who were not on diuretics at presentation. Successful diagnosis and tumour localization was most frequently achieved by a combination of CT scanning of the chest and abdomen and venous catheter sampling for ACTH. All patients in whom the ectopic ACTH‐secreting tumour was obvious at presentation died of their primary tumour within 8 months, whereas seven of the 10 patients with occult tumours at presentation are alive 1·5–16·5 years later, and appear cured. Occult ectopic ACTH secretion may be impossible to distinguish from pituitary Cushing's disease. Multiple and repeated investigations are often required to make this differential diagnosis, essential for appropriate therapy.
BREAST STIMULATION IN CYCLING WOMEN, PREGNANT WOMEN AND A WOMAN WITH INDUCED LACTATION: PATTERN OF RELEASE OF OXYTOCIN, PROLACTIN AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE
Authors: AMICO JANET A. , FINLEY B. E. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYLevels of oxytocin (OT) and PRL were measured in plasma drawn before and during intermittent mechanical pump and tactile stimulation of the breast in five normal cycling women and 19 women in the third trimester of pregnancy. OT was significantly increased above baseline in response to breast stimulation in two of five cycling women and PRL increased in one of the two OT responders. In pregnant women, mean OT post nipple stimulation was significantly higher than pre nipple stimulation whereas PRL did not increase significantly. The response of OT to nipple stimulation occurred in 18 of 19 pregnant women compared to only two of five normal cycling women but the magnitude of the OT response in pregnant women was less than in cycling women or post‐partum lactating women previously studied in this laboratory. In one non post‐partum woman who induced lactation for the purpose of breast‐feeding an adopted infant, OT and PRL were measured before and during mechanical pump and tactile stimulation before initiation of breast‐feeding. OT increased during mechanical pump and tactile stimulation of the breast, as well as suckling, whereas PRL increased only in response to suckling. Levels of LH were measured in plasma every 20 min for 160 min at the following times: before initiation of breast‐feeding, during induced lactation while breast‐feeding, and 30 d after discontinuation of breast‐feeding. Despite the development of oligomenorrhoea during the period of breast‐feeding, levels of progesterone were not suppressed and LH was released in a normal pulsatile fashion.
HUMAN FETAL HYPOTHALAMIC GnRH NEUROSECRETION: DOPAMINERGIC REGULATION IN VITRO
Authors: RASMUSSEN D. D. , LIU J. H. , SWARTZ W. H. , TUEROS V. S. , YEN S. S. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAn in‐vitro perifusion system was used to investigate GnRH release from fetal (21–23 weeks gestation) human hypothalami in response to dopamine (DA) and the DA receptor antagonist haloperidol. Administration of 1 μmol/l DA during five perifusions in which 1 μmol/l haloperidol was added to the medium failed to alter basal GnRH release. In contrast DA evoked a rapid and sustained 95·8 ± 20·3% increase (P > 0·01) in GnRH release during five matching perifusions with medium containing the α‐adrenergic antagonist phentolamine. While exposure to 0·01 μmol/l DA failed to alter basal GnRH release during three perifusions, 0·1 μmol/l DA elicited a 145·7 ± 65·2% increase (P > 0·05) in GnRH release in three matching perifusions, indicating a dose‐dependent effect. These studies demonstrate that DA can stimulate in‐vitro release of GnRH from the mid‐gestation fetal human hypothalamus by a DA receptor mediated mechanism.
THE ABILITY OF THE SERUM THYROTROPHIN RECEPTOR ANTIBODY (TRAb) INDEX AND HLA STATUS TO PREDICT LONG‐TERM REMISSION OF THYROTOXICOSIS FOLLOWING MEDICAL THERAPY FOR GRAVEs' DISEASE
Authors: WILSON R. , McKILLOP J. H. , HENDERSON N. , PEARSON D. W. , THOMSON J. A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn agreement with previous authors we found patients with Graves' disease to have an increased incidence of the DR 3 antigen. We could find no association, however, between the presence of the antigen and relapse after carbimazole treatment. A concordant HLA status and thyrotrophin receptor antibody (TRAb) index, obtained at either 6 or 12 months after the start of treatment could only predict cases of relapse and remission in a minority of patients making this of very limited clinical use. The TRAb index obtained at 12 months after the start of medical therapy could accurately predict cases of relapse and remission for the next 3 years in 24/30 patients studied.
NOCTURNAL URINARY MELATONIN EXCRETION AND PLASMA CORTISOL LEVELS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AFTER A SINGLE ORAL DOSE OF DEXAMETHASONE
Authors: LANG U. , THEINTZ G. , RIVEST R. W. , SIZONENKO P. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn the present study, the possible relationship between melatonin secretion as reflected by nocturnal melatonin excretion (2000 h‐0800 h) and the pituitary‐adrenocortical axis was investigated. Nocturnal urinary melatonin excretion and plasma cortisol levels were determined in 41 children with weight problems before and after a single oral dose of dexamethasone. A first group of 15 individuals with normal cortisol cycle (12·2 ± 1·4 at 0800 h and 3·1 ± 0·5 μg/100 ml at 1700 h), and levels below 1·0 μg/100 ml after dexamethasone, showed a highly significant increase in melatonin excretion during the night following dexamethasone treatment (63·5 ± 5·5 ng/12 h vs 33·6 ± 3·0 for the control night, P > 0·001). This increase was observed from prepuberty to young adulthood (pubertal stages PI—PV). In a second group of 16 subjects with mean cortisol levels similar at 0800 h and 1700 h (10·7 ± 1·3 and 9·3 ± 1·5 μg/100 ml respectively), but with a normal cortisol suppression after dexamethasone administration, nocturnal melatonin excretion increased from 21·2 ± 2·1 to 33·4 ± 3·0 ng/12 h (P > 0·01). A significant increase was found in prepubertal children (PI) whereas no change was observed at the end of pubertal development (stages PIV‐PV). A third group of 10 patients with both low amplitude cortisol cycles (16·2 ± 2·5 and 10·8 ± 2·4 μg/100 ml) and abnormal cortisol suppression after dexamethasone administration (9·1 ± 2·4 μg/100 ml), showed no increase in melatonin excretion (24·2 ± 2·7 and 24·9 ± 3·7 ng/12 h). However, one patient with delayed puberty had increased melatonin excretion after dexamethasone. No relationship was found between body weight and melatonin excretion. Six subjects with delayed puberty had high melatonin excretion before dexamethasone and showed a marked increase after dexamethasone treatment (76·1 ± 7·2 ng/12 h vs 38·6 ± 6·9 for the control night, P > 0·001), whatever the cortisol cycles and levels of suppression. Our results suggest a relationship between the patterns of cortisol and melatonin secretion. However, further studies are necessary to prove whether there exist interactions between the pituitary‐adrenal axis and the pineal gland and whether the response of melatonin to dexamethasone is also related to the stage of sexual maturation.
THE EFFECT OF OXANDROLONE ON THE GROWTH HORMONE RESPONSE TO GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE IN CHILDREN WITH CONSTITUTIONAL GROWTH DELAY
Authors: LOCHE S. , CORDA R. , LAMPIS A. , PUGGIONI R. , CELLA S. G. , MULLER E. E. , PINTOR C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe effect of treatment with oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, on GH response to GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH) has been evaluated in children with constitutional growth delay. Five subjects, four males and one female, aged 11·0–17·1 years were given oxandrolone 0·1 mg/kg p.o. daily for 2 months, and underwent acute administration of GHRH (GRF 1–40, 1 μg/kg i.v.) before and after withdrawal of oxandrolone therapy. GHRH administration induced a much greater GH response, evaluated either as a peak plasma GH levels or plasma GH integrated area, after than it did before oxandrolone treatment. These findings indicate that in children with constitutional growth delay oxandrolone increases the sensitivity of somatotrophs to exogenous GHRH and, likely, to the endogenously‐released neurohormone.
ASSESSMENT OF THYROXINE SUPPRESSION IN THYROID CARCINOMA PATIENTS WITH A SENSITIVE IMMUNORADIOMETRIC TSH ASSAY
Authors: LAMBERG B.‐A. , HELENIUS T. , LIEWENDAHL K. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSerum TSH was determined with a sensitive radioimmunometric method (TSH IRMA) in 57 patients on suppression therapy with T4 after operation for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. When using a conventional RIA technique basal TSH was not detectable and remained so even after stimulation with TRH. With the TSH IRMA method 46 patients had a basal TSH below the detection limit (0·02 mU/l) (81 %) and in seven patients the values were between 0·02 and 0·05 mU/l (12%). In 23 of these patients there was a small increment of 0·01–0·15 mU/l. In two patients the basal TSH was 0·08 and 0·09 mU/l, and the increment after TRH was less than 0·7 mU/l. In two other patients with basal values close to 0·2 mU/l the increment after TRH was more than 1·0 mU/l. An undetectable basal TSH value did not thus predict an absent response to TRH. The responses were, however, in all but two cases, so small that they could be regarded as clinically insignificant. Therefore, the authors conclude that a basal TSH of 0·1 mU/l, as measured with a TSH IRMA method with a detection limit of 0·05, is a sufficient indication of TSH suppression in carcinoma patients on T4 therapy and that further testing with the TRH‐stimulation test is unnecessary.
THE ASSESSMENT OF DIMINISHED TESTICULAR FUNCTION IN BOYS OF PUBERTAL AGE
Authors: KULIN H. E. , SANTNER S. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYNine boys with anorchia and 9 individuals with diminished testicular function were followed between ages 10 and 18 with serial determinations of urine gonadotrophins and serum testosterone. Ten hCG stimulation tests were performed in eight of these patients. Adult levels of LH (> 500 mIU/h) and low measurements of serum testosterone (> 54 ng/dl) confirmed the anorchic state. Boys with diminished testicular reserve exhibited urinary gonadotrophin changes similar to peripubertal anorchic patients but testosterone levels increased progressively with age (90–715 ng/dl). FSH attained adult castrate levels (> 1700 mIU/h) by age 13 in these boys and served to distinguish them from normal controls. The longitudinal assessment of basal hormone levels can separate anorchia from diminished testicular reserve in boys of pubertal age and testing with hCG is not required for evaluation.
ATROPINE SELECTIVELY BLOCKS GHRH‐INDUCED GH SECRETION WITHOUT ALTERING LH, FSH, TSH, PRL AND ACTH/CORTISOL SECRETION ELICITED BY THEIR SPECIFIC HYPOTHALAMIC RELEASING FACTORS
Authors: CASANUEVA F. F. , VILLANUEVA L. , DIAZ Y. , DEVESA J. , FERNANDEZ‐CRUZ A. , SCHALLY A. V. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe role of acetylcholine in the regulation of the hypothalamo‐pituitary system in man was assessed using atropine, which selectively blocks cholinergic muscarinic receptors. Paired tests were performed in 10 normal men using either GHRH (1 μg/kg i.v.), or TRH (300 μg i.v.) plus LHRH (100 μg i.v.) plus corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) (1 μg/kg i.v.) with or without atropine given 30 min previously (1 mg i.m.). The GHRH‐induced GH secretory peak (17·8 ± 3·0 ng/ml) was completely blocked by atropine administration (2·8 ± 0·6 ng/ml) (P>0·05). Atropine did not, however, modify TRH‐induced TSH and PRL secretion, nor FSH and LH release induced by the LHRH pulse. ACTH/ cortisol secretion elicited by CRH was also unaffected by atropine. These results suggest that atropine blockade of GHRH‐induced GH secretion is highly specific, and constitutes an indication of the importance of cholinergic control of GH function. Furthermore, atropine's lack of action on the other pituitary hormones rules out the possibility that it acts non‐specifically, i.e. via blood flow changes or toxic effects.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOGENOUS LUTEINIZING HORMONE SURGE AND THE DEGREE OF OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION DURING SUPEROVULATION INDUCTION IN WOMEN
Authors: MESSINIS I. E. , TEMPLETON A. , BAIRD D. T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYOvarian hyperstimulation was induced in 17 normally cycling women undergoing in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer with clomiphene (9 cycles), clomiphene followed by pulsatile hMG (12 cycles) or clomiphene followed by pulsatile FSH (11 cycles). Hyperstimulation was greater with the combined treatments than with clomiphene alone. In all 32 cycles an endogenous LH surge occurred. The peak values and the duration of the LH surge showed significant negative correlations with the plasma oestradiol levels, the number of the follicles and the total follicular fluid volume aspirated at laparoscopy. We suggest that during superovulation induction for IVF, the endogenous LH surge is attenuated by factors which are related to the degree of ovarian hyperstimulation.
FAMILIAL DYSALBUMINAEMIC HYPERTHYROXINAEMIA: STUDIES OF ALBUMIN BINDING AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HORMONE ACTION
Authors: BARLOW J. W. , CSICSMANN J. M. , MEINHOLD H. , LIM C.‐F. , STOCKIGT J. R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe abnormal intermediate‐affinity T4 binding to albumin which is characteristic of familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia (FDH) is dependent on buffer, temperature, and ionic composition. Scatchard analysis of T4‐binding to isolated albumin preparations from FDH subjects showed that half the circulating albumin showed the higher‐affinity T4 binding site, assuming one site per molecule. Using dextran‐charcoal separation at 40C the T4 affinity (Ka) of purified albumin from FDH subjects was 7.5 nmol/l in phosphate and 17 nmol/l in Tris‐CI‐ buffer. T4 binding to FDH albumin was inhibited by a range of substances in the order: 8‐anilino‐l‐naphthalene sulphonic acid > merthiolate>propylthiouracil> methyl‐thiouracil > carbimazole > salicylate > barbitone. Binding of T4 was competitively inhibited by low concentrations of dithiothreitol (DTT). The effect of DTT 0.1–0.5 mmol/l was reversed by removal of DTT by dialysis. Competition with a range of iodothyronines indicated that the 3′, 5′‐iodine atoms are most important for binding to this site. Serum binding of salicylate. frusemide. fenclofenac and barbituric acid, and a range of steroid hormones was similar in FDH and normal sera. Serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), were not significantly different from sex‐matched controls. Nuclear [125I]‐T3 binding sites in circulating lymphocytes from two FDH subjects showed affinities (Kd) of 59 and 79 pmol/l (normal 67±7 pmol/l, n= 6. These findings suggest that the highly specific binding anomaly of FDH is due to a disulphide‐dependent structural change in albumin. The normal T3 affinity of lymphocytic receptors and normal SHBG levels are consistent with a normal relationship between free hormone and tissue response in FDH.
ABSORPTION OF ORAL DIPHOSPHONATE IN NORMAL SUBJECTS
Authors: FOGELMAN I. , SMITH L. , MAZESSS R. , WILSON M. A. , BEVAN J. A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAbsorption of the diphosphonate etidronaEe (HEDP) was measured in 20 volunteer subjects at two centres (Glasgow and Madison) using a new method based on simultaneous administration of HEDP and intravenous 99Tc‐HEDP (Osteoscan). The mean absorption of HEDP in fasting subjects in Glasgow was 3.5% (range 1–8.9%) and in Madison 1.5% (0.7–2.8%) (P<0.035). In four subjects studies were repeated with good agreement between results (mean 3.9 cf. 3.5%). Six subjects had studies repeated when drug was ingested with food and in all cases absorption was effectively reduced to zero. We conclude that absorption of HEDP is significantly higher in normal subjects in Glasgow than in Madison. This may be of importance with regard to the finding of histological osteomalacia and fracture associated with HEDP use in Glasgow.
FAMILIAL HYPOPITUITARISM ASSOCIATED WITH AN ENLARGED PITUITARY FOSSA AND AN EMPTY SELLA
Authors: WHITE M. C. , CHAHAL P. , BANKS L. , JOPLIN G. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe report an 8‐year follow‐up of three sisters born of a consanguineous marriage and who originally presented with short stature and enlarged pituitary fossa. All have shown progressive failure of anterior pituitary hormone function. In addition, the two eldest sisters were eventually found to have an empty sella while the youngest, who initially showed an enhancing intrasellar mass consistent with a tumour, later showed an empty sella. A familial pituitary tumour developing early in childhood but subsequently undergoing involution could account for these findings.
AUTONOMOUS OVARIAN HYPERFUNCTION FOLLOWED BY GONADOTROPHIN‐DEPENDENT PUBERTY IN McCUNE‐ALBRIGHT SYNDROME
Authors: KAUFMAN FRANCINE RATNER , COSTIN GERTRUDE , REID BARBARA S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA 5‐year‐old girl with the McCune‐Albright syndrome presented with precocious puberty secondary to autonomously functioning ovarian cysts, followed by true central puberty. Progression from gonadotrophin‐independent to gonadotrophin‐dependent precocious puberty may occur from elevated sex steroid levels leading to the early maturation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis.