bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organ culture of human foetal pancreas: conditions which affect basal and stimulated insulin release
Authors: Maitland Janice E. , Caterson Ian D. , Gauci Rebecca E. , Spaliviero Jennifer A. , Turtle John R. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Human foetal pancreas has been maintained in organ culture with net synthesis and release of insulin for up to 60 days. The age of the donor foetus affected the basal insulin release rate. A plateau of secretion was reached with foetuses of ≥ 16 weeks of gestation. Explants cultured within 2 h of expulsion following prostaglandin induced termination secreted 3.0 times more insulin after 20 days of culture than those cultured within 2–4 h and 8.1 times more than those cultured more than 4 h post-termination. A high oxygen environment was toxic to the explants during culture.
Fresh tissue responded to a high concentration of glucose (19.3 mm) with a small but significant increase in insulin secretion. The addition of 10 mm theophylline caused a major increase in insulin release. Cultured tissue did not respond to glucose alone but did show increased insulin release following stimulation with glucose (22 mm) together with theophylline (10 mm) in static incubation.
The culture of human foetal pancreatic tissue may be useful in maintaining responsive beta cells and may help to ensure an adequate amount of donor tissue for future transplantation into diabetic patients.
Steroid secretion by cumulus cells isolated from human preovulatory follicles
Authors: Hillensjö Torbjörn , Sjögren Anita , Strander Björn , Andino Nieves 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The secretion of progesterone, testosterone, and oestradiol by intact human oocyte-cumulus complexes in vitro was examined in incubations lasting 6–24 h. The complexes were aspirated from preovulatory follicles in 32 women who, due to tubal disease, were participating in an in vitro fertilization program. In 12 of the women follicular maturation was induced with clomiphene and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), in 13 women with human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) and hCG and in 7 women with a combination of clomiphene-hMG plus hCG. The net secretion of steroids into the fertilization medium was studied before (0-6 h) and after (6–24 h) the addition of sperm, by RIA of aliquots removed at specific times.
A high and sustained secretion of progesterone was found both before and after insemination. Testosterone secretion remained at a low and constant level while a net release of oestradiol was found mainly during the first hours of incubation. The release of steroids, particularly progesterone, varied according to the mode of hormonal stimulation in vivo and was highest in complexes from clomiphene-hMG-treated women, probably reflecting different maturity of the aspirated follicles. In a second series of experiments the dispersed cumulus cells were recovered after fertilization and cultured as monolayers for 2–4 days. The cells underwent spontaneous luteinization and secreted high amounts of progesterone.
These results extend previous work in animals showing that also in the human the periovulatory cumulus cells are steroidogenically active. The results also suggest a functional difference in the cumulus cells related to the mode of ovulation induction.
Comparison of histology and immunohistochemistry with thyroglobulin serum levels and radioiodine uptake in recurrences and metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Dralle Henning , Schwarzrock Rüdiger , Lang Walter , Böcker Werner , Ziegler Horst , Schröder Sören , Geerlings Heinz 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The importance of lightmicroscopical and immunohistochemical features of 38 recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinomas (27 papillary carcinomas (PC), 11 follicular carcinomas (FC)) for post-operative serum thyroglobulin (TG) concentrations was analysed in regard to pre-operative serum TG levels with tumour type, histological and cytological differentiation, volume fraction of TG synthesizing tumour cells (TG immunohistomorphometry), tumour volume and radioiodine uptake (RIU).
Serum TG concentrations increased with tumour size and the number of TG synthesizing tumour cells (r = 0.5). PC and FC did not differ in their volume proportions of TG synthesizing tumour cells, while TG serum levels in FC significantly exceeded those of PC of similar size. The low TG serum levels found in PC might be explained by a specific defect in thyroglobulin secretion. Carcinomas with partial or total cytologic metaplasia (e.g. oxyphilic carcinomas) had low volume proportions of TG synthesizing cells and low serum TG levels.
Thirteen of the 38 differentiated carcinomas (34.2%) showed both high TG serum levels and positive RIU, 17 (44.7%) disclosed only elevated TG serum levels and 6 (15.8%) a positive RIU. In two cases (5.3%) TG serum levels were not elevated and RIU's were negative. TG immunostaining was positive in all 38 cases.
In summary, TG serum levels depend on the following morphologic factors in differentiated thyroid carcinomas: 1) Number of TG synthesizing tumour cells, 2) Mode of TG secretion and 3) Cytological differentiation of the tumour cells. Serum TG levels did not predict total body iodine scan.
Functional development and maturation of the rat thyroid gland in the foetal and newborn periods: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Kawaoi Akira , Tsuneda Minoru 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Immunohistochemical detection of T4, T3 and thyroglobulin (Tg) was undertaken in foetal and neonatal rat thyroid glands in an attempt to elucidate the functional development and maturation of the gland during these periods.
Immunoreactive Tg first appeared in the cytoplasm of the immature thyroid epithelium on the 15th day of gestation, followed by the occurrence of T4 and T3 in the lumen of primitive follicles of the thyroid gland 2 days later. The stainability of Tg, T4 and T3 increased as the follicular structure became mature; however, no significant difference in staining patterns was observed during the perinatal periods.
Comparison between the effects of FSH and LH on the steroidogenic pattern in isolated pre-ovulatory rat follicles
Authors: Carlsson Björn , Skånberg Jan-Owe , Roos Paul , Hillensjö Torbjörn 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effects of purified FSH preparations from three different species (ovine, human, rat) on the steroidogenic pattern in isolated pre-ovulatory follicles of PMSG-treated immature rats were examined and compared to the effects of LH (ovine, human). Steroids were analyzed by RIA. During 6 h incubation, all three FSH preparations in a concentration range from 10–100 ng/ml caused a significant increase in progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and oestradiol (E2) accumulation. With LH a significant increase in steroid accumulation was seen in a concentration of 1 ng/ml. The time-course of stimulation by hFSH and hLH in a concentration of 10 ng/ml showed no difference in steroidogenic response between the two hormones, with a significant stimulation of steroids within 2 h.
During prolonged incubation (6–8 h), accumulation of T was measured in the presence or absence of unlabelled 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. Follicles exposed to LH did not increase their T formation, while follicles incubated in plain medium or in the presence of oFSH increased their T formation. In a concentration of 100 ng/ml hFSH showed a tendency to reduce maximal T production.
These results suggest that FSH alone in physiological doses may stimulate T and E2 production in the preovulatory follicle.
Evidence of a circulating growth hormone stimulating factor other than growth hormone releasing hormone in a patient with pituitary tumour and acromegaly
Authors: Hulting A.-L. , Wersäll J. , Werner S. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. This study is a report on the growth hormone (GH) stimulatory effect of serum and plasma from a patient with notably active acromegaly due to a GH producing pituitary adenoma.
Pituitary adenomatous tissue from 7 patients with GH producing adenomas, one with a prolactin (Prl) producing adenoma, one with a TSH producing adenoma, and one with a non-secreting adenoma, were cultured in vitro for 8–10 days. Media were changed every 48–72 h and contained Neumann Tytell buffer with the addition of 1) foetal calf serum, 2) patients' own serum or plasma, 3) serum or plasma from the patient with notably active acromegaly.
GH release expressed as μg GH/I/48–72 h between day 6 and 8 in culture did not differ when adenomatous tissue was cultured in buffer, foetal calf serum or the patients' own serum or plasma. In contrast, GH release was increased in 9/10 patients, when media contained serum or plasma from the patient with notably active acromegaly. This GH stimulatory effect was demonstrated in vitro in human pituitary adenomatous tissue from patients with pathological as well as normal GH secretion in vivo. Furthermore, this GH releasing plasma in a concentration of 10% increased GH release in cultures of dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells. In the same system, synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRF)-44 stimulated the release of GH in a dose-dependent manner. However, at all dose levels including maximally stimulating doses of GRF, an additive effect on GH release was seen with 10% of the GH releasing plasma.
These results indicate that plasma from a patient with acromegaly increases basal GH release from human pituitary adenomatous tissue and also increases basal as well as stimulated GH release from rat anterior pituitary cells in vitro. The additive effect on maximally GRF stimulated GH release, implies that the GH releasing plasma stimulates GH release at least partly by a mechanism different from that of GRF. Furthermore, these results suggest that extrapituitary factors other than GRF are involved in the release of GH from pituitary tumours.
Orbital decompression in endocrine exophthalmos of Graves' disease
Authors: Lamberg B.-A. , Grahne B. , Tommila V. , Pelkonen R. , Rinne J. , Liesmaa M. , Välimäki M. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Transantral decompression was performed bilaterally in 27 and unilaterally in 3 patients with endocrine exophthalmos of Graves' disease. In 28 patients there was an immediate reduction of proptosis and in about half of the patients in addition a marked decrease in chemosis and conjunctival injection indicating that these signs were mostly due to orbital vascular congestion. In one patient with exophthalmos of more than 2 years duration and progressive swelling of the eye muscles no response was observed. In another patient decompression did not reduce proptosis which, however, 4 months later responded to retrobulbar irradiation. In one further patient much more marked reduction of proptosis and disappearance of persistent periorbital swellings were obtained after glucocorticoid treatment given half a year after decompression. Postoperatively diplopia occurred in about half of the patients but corrective operations were required only in a quarter of the patients.
Transantral decompression is an effective method for rapid treatment of progressive exophthalmos of Graves' disease. In patients with unilateral exophthalmos the asymmetry may be reversed after unilateral operation. The authors use decompression not only in the most severe cases (categories 5 and 6a–c according to the classification of the American Thyroid Association) but also in less severe cases (categories 2b–c and 3b–c) when there is a steady progression as a primary treatment possibly combined with other forms of therapy.
Central hyperglycaemic effect of adrenaline and carbachol
Authors: Iguchi A. , Matsunaga H. , Gotoh M. , Nomura T. , Yatomi A. , Sakamoto N. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effect of chemical stimulation of the brain on glucoregulation was studied in anaesthetized rats. Adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, dopamine and carbachol (5 × 10−8 mol/μl saline) were injected directly into the third cerebral ventricle and changes in hepatic venous plasma glucose, immunoreactive glucagon and insulin concentrations were studied.
The injection of adrenaline and carbachol into the third cerebral ventricle resulted in a marked hyperglycaemia associated with increased immunoreactive glucagon. Adrenaline-induced hyperglycaemia was not affected by bilateral adrenalectomy, while carbachol-induced hyperglycaemia was completely inhibited by adrenalectomy.
The injection of somatostatin (1 × 10−9 mol) with adrenaline into the third cerebral ventricle did not influence adrenaline-induced hyperglycaemia, while carbachol-induced hyperglycaemia was inhibited by co-administration with somatostatin.
These results suggest that adrenergic and cholinergic neurons in the central nervous system may increase hepatic glucose output by different mechanism.
Aminoglutethimide and metyrapone in the management of Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Thorén M. , Adamson U. , Sjöberg H. E. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Fifteen patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome were treated with metyrapone and/or aminoglutethimide. The duration of the therapy varied from 19 up to 365 days. In patients with Cushing's disease, metyrapone (0.5–2.5 g/day) and aminoglutethimide (0.5–1.5 g/day) seemed equally effective in reducing the cortisol excretion (54 ± 9 vs 40 ± 7%). The majority of these patients also showed a clinical improvement. In 1 patient with adrenal adenoma, metyrapone induced a remission. In another patient with adrenocortical cancer, and in 2 with the ectopic ACTH syndrome, the cortisol excretion was significantly reduced by the combination of metyrapone and aminoglutethimide but no obvious clinical improvement was observed. Side effects i.e. rash and pruritus attributed to aminoglutethimide was seen in 3 patients which necessitated the omission of treatment in 2. On metyrapone a moderate hypertrichosis was observed in 1 patient.
In conclusion both metyrapone and aminoglutethimide were useful as adjunctive therapy in Cushing's syndrome.
Interactions of an anti-androgen (cyproterone acetate) with the androgen receptor system and its biological action in the rat ventral prostate
Authors: Huang J. K. , Bartsch W. , Voigt K.-D. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Male Wistar rats were castrated and implantated with testosterone-filled silastic depots (in vitro release rate: 60 μg/24 h) prior to treatment with 10 mg cyproterone acetate (CyAc) on day 1, and 5 mg on days 4, 7, 10 and 13. Animals were sacrificed on day 14. Control animals were treated identically, with the exception of CyAc administration. Blood was collected and the ventral prostates of 6–8 animals were pooled, homogenized and processed into cytosol and purified nuclei. Steroid determinations (CyAc, testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol)) were performed by RIA. Specifically bound DHT (charcoal resistant DHT = CR-DHT) represents DHT values (RIA) following treatment of cytosol or nuclear extract with dextran coated charcoal. The androgen receptor was determined in cytosol and nuclear extract by 'exchange assay' using [3H]methyltrienolone (MT) (18 h, 15°C).
The main results were: 1) The steroid levels in plasma (testosterone, DHT, 3α-diol) were in the range of untreated adult animals and not significantly influenced by the CyAc treatment. Final CyAc levels were 305 ± 58 nmol/l (mean ± sd, n = 5). 2) Significantly lower DHT, CR-DHT and testosterone levels (P at least < 0.01) were found in cytosol and in nuclei in the CyAc-treated group (cytosol (fmol/mg protein): DHT 305 ± 61 (n = 5), CR-DHT 54 ± 37 (n = 8), testosterone ≤ 8 (n = 5); nuclei (pmol/mg DNA): DHT 0.4 ± 0.2 (n = 5), CR-DHT 0.7 ± 0.2 (n = 3), testosterone ≤ 0.2 (n = 5)) when compared to controls (cytosol: DHT 645 ± 232 (n = 15), CR-DHT 204 ± 49 (n = 8), testosterone 24 ± 12 (n = 10); nuclei: DHT 5.0 ± 2.5 (n = 12), CR-DHT 3.1 ± 0.7 (n = 5), testosterone 0.9 ± 0.6 (n = 7)). 3α-diol was similar in the cytosol of both groups and could not be detected in the nuclei. 3) The androgen receptor concentration was increased in the cytosol of the CyAc-treated group (216 ± 17 (n = 4), control group 98 ± 10 (n = 5) fmol/mg protein, P < 0.001)) and decreased in the nuclear extract (0.61 ± 0.25 (n = 4), control 1.75 ± 0.25 (n = 5) pmol/mg DNA, P < 0.001). 4) The weight and DNA content of the prostate were reduced following CyAc treatment (weight 191 ± 11 mg (n = 9), DNA 622 ± 61 μg/organ (n = 8), controls 312 ± 9 (n = 8) and 838 ± 103 (n = 8), respectively).
The data demonstrate that an approximate 40-fold excess of CyAc over testosterone in plasma led to a distinct but partial reduction of nuclear DHT and androgen receptor values coinciding with partial effects on prostate weight and DNA content. These results reflect the ability of the prostate to maintain significant androgen stimulation in the presence of low nuclear DHT and androgen receptor values.
Distribution of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gastro-intestinal tract of rats
Authors: Muraki Koutarou , Okahata Hiroyasu , Nishi Yoshikazu , Usui Tomofusa , Yamada Hiroyasu , Fujita Susumu , Miyachi Yukitaka , Yanaihara Noboru , Yajima Haruaki 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The distribution of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) in the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and throughout the gastro-intestinal tract of adult rats was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). NTLI concentrations were higher in the hypothalamus than in the pituitary gland or gastro-intestinal tract.
The anterior and posterior pituitary gland had almost the same concentration of NTLI. In the gastro-intestinal tract, the mucosal layer of the small intestine had abundant NTLI. The mucosal layer had higher NTLI levels than the muscular layer throughout the alimentary tract.
Prenatal diagnosis of a thyroglobulin synthesis defect in goats
Authors: Kok K. , van Dijk J. E. , Fokkens R. H. , Gons M. H. , de Vijlder J. J. M. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. A strain of goats with congenital goitre due to a thyroglobulin (Tg) synthesis defect was studied. All goats excreted low molecular weight iodinated material (LOMWIOM) in their urine, but non-goitrous goats excreted in the LOMWIOM fraction less than 5 μg iodine per 24 h and the goitrous ones more than 15 μg iodine per 24 h.
Prenatal diagnosis of the Tg synthesis defect in goats is possible since non-goitrous goats pregnant with goitrous kids excrete in the LOMWIOM fraction more than 10 μg iodine per 24 h while non-goitrous goats pregnant with non-goitrous kids excrete 10 μg or less iodine per 24 h as LOMWIOM. In 24 out of 25 cases a correct diagnosis could be made in the last 47 days of pregnancy. We argue that prenatal diagnosis of analogous defects in man may also be possible, using the excretion of LOMWIOM in maternal urine as yard-stick.
By means of field desorption mass spectrometry (FOMS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) monoiodohistidine was identified as the major component of the LOMWIOM fraction in the urine of goitrous goats.
Effects of eledoisin on thyrotrophin secretion in rats
Authors: Mitsuma Terunori , Nogimori Tsuyoshi , Sun De Heng , Chaya Masahiro 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effect of peripheral administration of eledoisin on thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyrotrophin (TSH) secretion in rats were studied. Eledoisin (500 μg/kg) was injected iv, and the rats were serially decapitated. TRH, TSH and thyroid hormone were measured by radioimmunoassay.
The hypothalamic immunoreactive TRH (ir-TRH) content increased significantly after eledoisin injection, whereas its plasma concentration tended to decrease, but not significantly. Plasma TSH levels decreased significantly in a dose-related manner with a nadir at 40 min after the injection. Plasma thyroid hormone levels did not change significantly. Plasma ir-TRH and TSH responses to cold were inhibited by eledoisin, but the plasma TSH response to TRH was not affected. In the pimozide- or para-chlorophenylalanine-pretreated group, the inhibitory effect of eledoisin on TSH levels was prevented, but not in the l-dopa- or 5-hydroxytryptophan-pretreated group. These drugs alone did not affect plasma TSH levels at the dose used. The inactivation of TRH immunoreactivity by plasma or hypothalamus in vitro after eledoisin injection did not differ from that of controls.
These findings suggest that eledoisin acts on the hypothalamus to inhibit TRH release, and its effects are modified by amines of the central nervous system.
Circulating immunoreactive somatostatin in man. Effect of age, pregnancy, growth hormone deficiency and achlorhydria
Authors: Webb Susan M. , Wass John A. H. , Penman Erica , Murphy M. , Serrano José , Binimelis Jaume , Pavía Carlos 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Plasma immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) levels were measured fasting at 09.00 h in groups of adult individuals and children of different ages, as well as in pregnant women, in patients with pernicious anaemia documented to be achlorhydric, and in children with growth hormone deficiency.
There was a gradual rise in the mean level of IRS from the third decade (mean 35.8 ± 3.8 pg/ml), which reached significance at the seventh (61.1 ± 8.4 pg/ml), eighth (66.7 ± 5 pg/ml) and ninth decade (82.6 ± 13.8 pg/ml). No change was observed in the second 28.3 ± 3.8 pg/ml) and third (31.1 ± 3.2 pg/ml) trimester of pregnancy when compared with matched, non-pregnant controls (29.7 ± 2.2 pg/ml); however, the children aged under 2 years (69.6 ± 11.2 pg/ml) had significantly higher values than the eldest group (12 to 16 years old) (46.3 ± 7.2 pg/ml) (P < 0.05). In achlorhydric patients, basal (27.2 ± 3.7 pg/ml; P < 0.01) and postprandial IRS (42.8 ± 7.7 pg/ml; P < 0.001) was significantly lower than in a matched, normal control group (basal 59.4 ± 7.2; postprandial 132.1 ± 26.3 pg/ml). Growth hormone deficiency was not associated with any differences in circulating IRS, basally or after insulin hypoglycaemia, when compared with values in normal children.
These results would suggest, 1) that age has a significant effect on plasma IRS, and should be considered in the interpretation of fasting plasma levels of IRS; 2) that pregnancy and growth hormone deficiency is not accompanied by any changes in circulating IRS and presumably, somatostatin binding proteins; 3) that gastric acid is necessary for a normal release of IRS from the gastrointestinal tract to the circulation.
Heterogeneity of human lutropin. Detection and identification of α- and β-subunits
Authors: van Ginkel L. A. , Loeber J. G. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract. A highly purified LH preparation, prepared from human pituitaries (NM14) was studied using immunochemical and in vitro biological techniques. Using isoelectric focusing 5 different biologically active components could be detected, 4 of which were located between pH = 7.0 and 8.6, one was located at pH = 4.9. The biological activity in the acidic part of the pH gradient is probably due to the formation of an artefact during storage in solution. The experiments were performed with special emphasis on the occurrence of LH subunits, for which until now no pI-values have been reported.
Using specific radioimmunochemical (RIA) systems at least 7 different α-subunit components and 4 different β-subunit components could be detected. The presence of even more components is likely. The α-subunit components, with pI-values of: 4.6, 5.2, 6.0, 7.1, 8.1, 8.8 and 9.7, were located spread over the entire pH-gradient whereas all β-subunit components were located above pH = 7.5, the pI-values being 7.7, 8.4, 8.5 and 10.4.
The identification of these components as α- or β-subunit was based on the relative response in the different RIA systems, the absence of biological activity and the response changes during incubation at 37°C.
Refocusing of the above mentioned biologically active components individually resulted each time in a single component with a pI-value identical to its corresponding 'parent'. After incubation at 37°C of these components each time the same variety of subunit components was found with discrete pI-values, identical to those above.