bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF CALCITONIN GENE‐RELATED PEPTIDE IN HUMAN MEDULLARY CARCINOMA AND C CELL HYPERPLASIA
Authors: WILLIAMS E. D. , PONDER B. J. , CRAIG R. K. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe distribution of calcitonin and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) has been studied by immunohistochemistry in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic C cells. Fewer normal C cells contained immunoreactive CGRP than calcitonin, though both peptides can be co‐expressed by a single cell. In the hyperplastic C cells that accompany familial medullary carcinoma immunohistochemistry was strongly and diffusely positive for both CGRP and calcitonin. In contrast, in medullary carcinoma, whether sporadic or familial, little CGRP was identified; often only a few strongly positive cells were found in a negative background, while immunoreactive calcitonin was commonly present in large amounts. The findings suggest that CGRP immunohistochemistry may be of value in identifying hyperplastic C cells, and that CGRP levels should be studied in medullary carcinoma families.
LONG‐TERM SUPPRESSION OF A TESTOSTERONE‐PRODUCING OVARIAN TUMOUR BY OESTROGEN/PROGESTOGEN THERAPY
Authors: DRIFE J. O. , O'MALLEY B. P. , ROSENTHAL F. D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA 44‐year‐old lady presenting with hirsutism was found to have a testosterone‐secreting Leydig cell tumour of the right ovary. Serum testosterone levels were adequately suppressed for 8 years by combined oestrogen/progestogen preparation (Microgynon 30, Schering, West Sussex). The fall in gonadotrophin and testosterone levels during therapy and their rise after stopping therapy suggests that the tumour was gonadotrophin dependent.
THE IMPACT OF LONG‐TERM THERAPY BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM ON THE EDUCATION, OCCUPATION AND MARITAL STATUS OF GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENT PATIENTS AFTER TERMINATION OF THERAPY
Authors: GALATZER A. , ARAN O. , BEIT‐HALACHMI N. , NOFAR E. , RUBITCHEK J. , PERTZELAN A. , LARON Z. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYForty‐two GH deficient patients (14 isolated GH deficiency (IGHD), 28 multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD), 23 males and 19 females) were evaluated after termination of hGH therapy and achievement of final height. IGHD patients were found to score higher in intelligence quotients (IQ) than the MPHD patients. The educational and occupational achievements of all patients positively correlated with their IQ level. Three patients achieved only elementary education, 26 completed high school and 13 had higher education. Thirty patients who had completed their education were employed, whereas 12 continued to study. Seventeen of the male patients and five females served in the Army. Eight patients were married and half of the single patients reported having a stable relationship with the opposite sex. The hypopituitary patients did not differ in five out of seven subscales of the human services rehabilitation scale when compared to a normal control group. These results which vary from those previously reported demonstrate the importance of long‐term psychosocial counselling initiated at the time of diagnosis as part of the therapeutic approach in hypopituitary patients.
HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA AND MICROADENOMAS IN PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM
Authors: THOMAS D. J. B. , TOUZEL R. , CHARLESWORTH M. , WASS J. A. H. , BESSER G. M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe presence at presentation of hyperprolactinaemia and abnormalities on high resolution computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the pituitary gland have been documented in 19 patients with primary hypothyroidism. The changes on thyroid hormone replacement were followed for up to 28 months after presentation. At presentation serum PRL was elevated in 12 subjects (454 to 2612 mU/1); after stabilization of thyroid replacement PRL remained raised in 9 patients (525 to 1888 mU/1) despite 10‐18 months of treatment. Pretreatment CT scans showed enlarged pituitaries in 11 patients with suprasellar extension in five. In 11 patients there was initially an area of low attenuation suggesting a microadenoma and on rescanning this appearance remained in five patients. Hyperprolactinaemia in hypothyroid patients does not always return to normal with thyroid hormone replacement.
CONTINUOUS SUBCUTANEOUS PUMP INFUSION OF SOMATOSTATIN ANALOGUE SMS 201‐995 VERSUS SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION SCHEDULE IN ACROMEGALIC PATIENTS
Authors: CHRISTENSEN S. E. , WEEKE J. , ØRSKOV H. , MØLLER N. , FLYVBJERG A. , HARRIS A. G. , LUND E. , JØRGENSEN J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDiurnal serum GH patterns were determined in 10 acromegalic patients before treatment, after 3 d continuous s.c. pump infusion and then after 3 d with three equal daily s.c. injections in both instances totalling 100 μg/24 h. Subcutaneous injections (33 μg) induced impressive suppression of serum GH lasting 3‐6 h in eight patients followed by escape to pretreatment values before the next injection. In contrast, continuous infusion resulted in greater and more stable 24 h suppression to the levels reached at the nadir between injections. Suppression of mean 24 h serum GH below 5 ng/ml was achieved by pump treatment in four patients, while two patients had mean values between 5 rig/ml and 10 ng/ml. In four patients occasional or all levels were above 10 ng/ml (24 h average 12.4‐102 ng/ml) implying either that adequate suppression by the SMS 201‐995, was impossible during the 3 d pump infusion period, or that the dose administered was inadequate. Carbohydrate tolerance was unaffected in either regimen, indicating that reduction in insulin antagonistic hormones balanced inhibition of insulin release. Interestingly, and in contrast to somatostatin, SMS 201‐995 did not inhibit TSH release. No untoward effects were observed at the moderate dosage and blood clinical chemistry was unchanged. Fairly constant diurnal serum SMS 201‐995 values were obtained during pump infusion, while levels undulated inversely with serum GH during injection treatment. Average diurnal serum somatostatin‐C immunoreactivity (all patients) decreased from 496 ± 129 (mean ± SD) to 385 ± 100 ng/ml (P < 0 003) during pump treatment and did not decrease further during the following 3 d injection treatment (363 ± 76 ng/ml).
CORRELATION BETWEEN FUNCTION OF THE PITUITARY‐THYROID AXIS AND METABOLISM OF CATECHOLAMINES BY THE FETUS AT DELIVERY
Authors: FUKUDA S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe relationship between the pituitary‐thyroid axis and the metabolism of catecholamines has been studied in 33 maternal, arterial and venous cord blood specimens obtained at the time of normal vaginal delivery, following uncomplicated pregnancies. Ten fetal cord blood samples were collected at the time of elective caesarean section. Levels of noradrenaline and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl‐acetic acid (DOPAC) were measured in all these samples, using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐electrochemical detection method, and TSH was measured by radioimmunoassay. In cord arterial blood samples at vaginal delivery the levels of plasma noradrenaline and serum TSH were significantly increased, but those of DOPAC, which reflects central dopaminergic activity, were unchanged when compared to samples obtained at elective caesarean section. Within the same samples there was a significant correlation between the levels of plasma noradrenaline and those of serum TSH. Noradrenaline is believed to have a stimulatory and dopamine an inhibitory influence on TSH secretion. The fetal thyroid gland seems to respond adequately to the stimulus of TSH at term. The present study suggests that catecholamines, especially noradrenaline, may regulate secretion of TSH from the pituitary gland in the fetus at delivery and that elevation of TSH probably induces a subsequent rapid increase in thyroid hormones in the neonate.
SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF CUSHING'S DISEASE DURING PREGNANCY BY TRANSSPHENOIDAL ADENECTOMY
Authors: CASSON I. F. , DAVIS J. C. , JEFFREYS R. V. , SILAS J. H. , WILLIAMS J. , BELCHETZ P. E. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPregnancy in patients with Cushing's syndrome is rare. It is associated with a high fetal loss, increased frequency of preterm labour and excessive maternal morbidity. We describe a patient who became pregnant while investigations for hypertension were being done. Cushing's disease was diagnosed and the patient had transsphenoidal pituitary surgery at 22 weeks gestation. To our knowledge this is the first time this operation has been done during pregnancy for this condition. Cushing's disease was controlled, but because of worsening hypertension, she had a caesarean section at 30 weeks gestation. Subsequently her blood pressure fell and her hydrocortisone replacement therapy is being withdrawn. Her daughter is now thriving after initial problems with pneumothoraces.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF PROLACTIN SECRETION IN ACROMEGALIC PATIENTS WITH HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA
Authors: SERRI O. , ROBERT F. , COMTOIS R. , JILWAN N. , BEAUREGARD H. , HARDY J. , SOMMA M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have investigated the relationship between the plasma PRL concentrations of 98 untreated acromegalic patients and the GH levels during basal and dynamic conditions. Hyperprolactinaemia was present in 27 patients. In patients with marked hyperprolactinaemia (PRL > 80 ng/ml or > 1600 mU/l), basal plasma PRL and the TRH‐induced response correlated with basal plasma GH (correlation coefficients of 0‐9, P < 0 001 and 0‐74, P <0 02, respectively). The PRL response to TRH also correlated with GH response to TRH (r= 0 38, P <0 01). In contrast, in patients with moderately elevated PRL (20 to 80 ng/ ml), and in those with normal plasma PRL (< 20 ng/ml or < 400 mU/1), no such correlations were found. Immunostaining for PRL was positive in 24 out of 25 adenomas of patients with hyperprolactinaemia, while no PRL was found in the tumour tissue of 10 normoprolactinaemic patients. In conclusion, our data suggest the existence of two populations of acromegalic patients with hyperprolactinaemia, one group with correlations between GH and PRL secretion, and the other without.
EFFECT OF HIGH DOSE EXOGENOUS OESTROGEN ON MIDCYCLE LUTEINIZING HORMONE SURGE IN HUMAN SPONTANEOUS CYCLES
Authors: MESSINIS I. E. , TEMPLETON A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYInduction of multiple follicular development in women results in supraphysiological serum oestradiol (E2) levels and marked reduction of the endogenous LH surge. To examine whether high serum E2 levels at midcycle can suppress gonadotrophin secretion during the LH surge, five normally ovulating women were given an intramuscular injection of 10 mg oestradiol benzoate 6‐42 h before the expected endogenous LH surge. The results were compared with the preceding untreated control cycle. Serum E2 levels at the onset of the LH surge (mean ± SEM) were significantly higher in the oestrogen‐treated cycles (13 600 ± 1963 pmol/1) than in the control cycles(1012±116pmol/l)(P<0.001). The duration of the LH surge (64‐8 ± 2‐2 h) and LH peak levels (136 ± 9‐6 mIU/ ml) in the oestrogen treated cycles were similar to those in the control cycles (61.2 ± 3‐9 and 119 ± 9‐4 mlU/ml respectively) (mean ± SEM). The cycle day on which the LH surge started and the size of the dominant follicle, as assessed by ultrasound, did not differ significantly between the two groups of cycles. These results show that in spontaneous cycles the endogenous LH surge is neither reduced nor amplified by the induction of supraphysiological serum E2 levels during the immediate preovulatory stage.
RESPONSE OF PITUITARY‐ADRENAL AXIS TO CORTICOTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE IN PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S DISEASE BEFORE AND AFTER KETOCONAZOLE TREATMENT
Authors: BOSCARO M. , SONINO N. , RAMPAZZO A. , MANTERO F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYKetoconazole is an antimycotic agent and a potent inhibitor of gonadal and adrenal steroidogenesis. It has been used successfully as a palliative treatment of Cushing's syndrome due to its ability to lower Cortisol production. However, the effects of ketoconazole on ACTH and aldosterone secretion have not yet been clarified. We evaluated the effect of ovine corticotrophin releasing hormone (oCRH) (100 μg bolus) on plasma ACTH, Cortisol and aldosterone levels in six patients with Cushing's disease before and after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment with ketoconazole 600 mg/d. Before treatment, plasma Cortisol levels were high and significantly increased after oCRH stimulation in all cases, while various patterns of aldosterone secretion were observed. Patients with higher levels showed a greater response to oCRH, while two patients with very low aldosterone showed no response. ACTH showed a marked rise after oCRH administration in all patients with a maximum peak at 30‐45 min. After ketoconazole treatment, both plasma Cortisol and aldosterone were lowered and their response to oCRH was impaired. Basal ACTH levels were increased in four patients and ACTH response to oCRH was enhanced in all, compared to pretreatment. These findings confirm the inhibitory action of ketoconazole on basal and stimulated Cortisol secretion. A similar inhibition affected aldosterone production, indicating that ketoconazole also interferes with the mineralocorti‐coid pathway. The enhanced response of ACTH to oCRH after the administration of ketoconazole argues against an inhibitory effect of this agent at the pituitary level and might best be explained by reduced negative Cortisol feedback.
A STUDY OF BETA‐CELL FUNCTION AFTER GLUCAGON STIMULATION IN THALASSAEMIA MAJOR TREATED BY HIGH TRANSFUSION PROGRAMME
Authors: LIVADAS D. P. , ECONOMOU E. , SOFRONIADOU K. , FOTIADOU‐PAPPA H. , VAN MELLE G. D. , And E. TEMLER , FELBER J. P. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAn increased incidence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance has been reported in thalassaemia major treated with a high transfusion programme (HTP). To investigate beta‐cell function, serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), C‐peptide (CP) and glucose were measured fasting and at 3, 6 and 10 min after i.v. administration of 1 mg glucagon in 20 thalassaemia patients treated by many transfusions and in nine healthy control subjects. Fasting C‐peptide concentrations (mean ± SEM) were higher in the thalassaemic group (2 15 ± 0 17 ng/ml) than in the controls (1 41 ± 0 13 ng/ml). After stimulation with glucagon, C‐peptide concentrations were consistently higher (P<0 01) by approximately 50% in the thalassaemic than in the control group (5‐29 ± 0‐31 vs 3 36 ± 0 21 ng/ml, at 3 min; 5 22 ± 0 30 vs 3 53 + 0 21 ng/ml at 6 min and 4 69 ± 0 27 vs 3 30 ± 0 17 ng/ml after 10 min). Plasma IRI concentrations increased in both groups after glucagon stimulation but were not significantly different. The glucose values were approximately 15% higher at each sampling time in the thalassaemic group than those of the normal subjects. It is concluded that disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism in thalassaemia major treated with HTP are the consequence of hepatic cirrhosis which accompanies secondary haemosiderosis, and possibly iron deposition in the beta‐cells of the pancreas.
PLASMA IMMUNOREACTIVE GHRH AND SERUM GH CONCENTRATIONS FOLLOWING PULSATILE GHRH 1‐40 ADMINISTRATION IN GH DEFICIENT CHILDREN
Authors: SMITH P. J. , PRINGLE P. J. , BROOK C. G. D. , SCHULSTER D. , RAFFERTY B. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have studied the clearance from plasma of immunoreactive growth hormone releasing hormone 1‐40 (IR‐GHRH) following intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration and the relationship between exogenous plasma IR‐GHRH concentrations and GH secretion in five GH insufficient children receiving long term nocturnal pulsatile GHRH 1‐40. The i.v. studies with GHRH 140 1μg/kg demonstrated a distribution half life (t1/2) of 3‐9 (SD 0‐9) min and an elimination t1/2 of 53‐1 (SD 3‐2) min. In the s.c. studies the elimination phase was similar to the i.v. results but the transit time to the GHRH peak was slower than the i.v. distribuition t1/2 9‐9 (SD 3‐6) min. These characteristics were maintained during successive pulses of subcutaneous GHRH. The mean IR‐GHRH peaks following s.c. GHRH 1‐40 administration of 1 μg/kg and 2 μg/kg were 37‐ and 18‐fold lower respectively than the mean IR‐GHRH peak observed after the i.v. 1 μg/kg bolus study. A significant correlation was shown between peak plasma IR‐GHRH and serum GH concentrations during the s.c. (r= 0‐75) but not the i.v. studies. Pulsatile GHRH administration has been shown to stimulate GH secretion and growth acceleration in GH insufficient children. Knowledge of the relationship between GHRH 1^40 absorption from the subcutaneous site and GH secretion is important for the development of an optimal GHRH treatment regimen in GH insufficient children.
AUTOIMMUNE POLYGLANDULAR SYNDROME, PRIMARY EMPTY SELLA, AND ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA
Authors: DE ROSA G. , CASA S. DELLA , CORSELLO S. M. , And L. CECCHINI , CALLA C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA young man is reported with an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) characterized by Addison's disease, primary hypothyroidism, primary hypogonadism, vitiligo, associated with primary empty sella and partial impairment of pituitary hormone secretion. Two years later the patient showed a null cell type acute lymphocytic leukaemia, immediately after surgery for an inguinal hernia. Pathogenetic mechanisms are postulated on the basis of HLA studies and lymphocytic typing.
DOES TESTOSTERONE INFLUENCE THE POST‐STIMULATORY LEVELS OF CALCITONIN IN NORMAL MEN?
Authors: GARCIA‐AMEIJEIRAS A. , DE LA TORRE W. , RODRIGUEZ‐ESPINOSA J. , PEREZ‐PEREZand A. , DE LEIVA A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have analysed the sex difference of calcitonin (CT) levels after combined stimulation with calcium and pentagastrine (Ca‐PG) in the normal population, and the relationshp of the post‐stimulatory CT levels with free testosterone (FT). We have also studied the correlation between CT values and the anthropometric parameters, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BS), as well as the relationship between CT levels and calcium. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between post‐stimulatory CT and the increment over the base‐line of CT and basal FT, and with the anthropometric parameters. However, the increment of CT and the peak values of CT did not have any significant correlation with the Ca levels (basal or post‐stimulation). We conclude that the enhanced CT response found in normal men compared to normal women is at least partially determined by the higher testosterone levels found among normal men.
INVESTIGATION OF THE CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING THE OUTCOME OF TREATMENT IN ACROMEGALY
Authors: LINDHOLM J. , GIWERCMAN B. , GIWERCMAN A. , ASTRUP J. , And P. BJERRE , SKAKKEBÆK N. E. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe outcome of treatment in acromegaly is usually assessed by measuring plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) – either basal spontaneous levels or during hyperglycaemia. There is no consensus on how cure should be defined. Many studies have considered basal plasma growth hormone concentrations below 20 mU/1 (10 ng/ml) as proof of cure, although some recent studies have applied lower values. At present a limit of 10 mU/1 (5 ng/ml) seems to be accepted as evidence of cure. We have studied 28 acromegalic patients after transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Plasma GH concentrations (basal and during hyperglycaemia) as well as plasma somatomedin C (SMC) concentrations were measured and compared to the clinical symptoms. There was a close correlation between plasma GH and SMC concentrations (except when plasma GH levels were low) and between the clinical assessment and SMC concentrations. Very low plasma GH levels (< 1 mU/1 or 0‐5 ng/ml) were associated with normal SMC values and clinical cure, high GH levels (> 10 mU/1 or 5 ng/ml) with elevated SMC levels and persisting acromegaly. Moderately elevated plasma GH concentrations (1.0‐9‐6 mU/1) did not allow any conclusions on the outcome of treatment as assessed from SMC determinations and clinical evaluation. It is concluded that the usual criteria for cure in acromegaly may not be sufficiently strict.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEIGHT VELOCITY AND GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION IN SHORT PREPUBERTAL CHILDREN
Authors: HINDMARSH P. , SMITH P. J. , BROOK C. G. D. , MATTHEWS D. R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have performed 24 h growth hormone (GH) profiles in 50 short prepubertal children aged between 5.2 and 12‐9 years, growing with height velocity standard deviation scores (SDS) between 0.4 and ‐3.9. There was an asymptotic relationship between height velocity and spontaneous G H secretion described by the equation: height velocity SDS = A – B(e cx), where A B and C are constants and x is a measure of spontaneous G H secretion. We considered G H pulse amplitude to be the better description of spontaneous G H secretion as duration of the G H pulse (the time component of area under the curve) contributed little to the relationship between height velocity and area under the pulse. The distribution of G H secretion was continuous and there was no dividing point between G H insufficiency and sufficiency. Similar overlap was observed when the results of G H responses to insulin induced hypoglycaemia were considered; 14% of slowly growing children (height velocity S D S < –0‐8), had a response >15mU/l. Likewise serum I G F‐I concentrations could not clearly separate slowly growing children from normal individuals. We conclude that height velocity, which ultimately determines height achieved, is controlled predominately by G H pulse amplitude. The findings suggest that short normal children growing along or parallel to the third height centile could be made to grow faster by the administration of exogenous G H.
SOMATOMEDIN‐C/INSULIN‐LIKE GROWTH FACTOR‐1 IN INFANTS WITH CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF LIFE
Authors: MITCHELL M. L. , HERMOS R. J. , MOSES A. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYLevels of somatomedin‐C/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (Sm‐C/IGF‐1) were determined in whole blood collected on filter paper from 41 newborns with congenital hypothyroidism and 183 full‐term neonates with normal thyroid function. The mean Sm‐C/IGF‐1 value of the untreated hypothyroid infants (0‐10 U/ml) was virtually identical with that of the normal controls (0‐11 U/ml). We are unable to confirm earlier findings of others that Sm‐C/IGF‐1 concentrations are lower in hypothyroid newborns than in normal infants.