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Biomedical subjects

C S Cockram

Publications and source records attributed to C S Cockram.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Thyroid function in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Plasma total T4 (TT4), T3 (TT3), free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), thyroxine binding globulin, hCG, and erythrocyte zinc content were measured in 43 women with uncomplicated pregnancy and in 71 patients admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum. Plasma concentration of thyroid hormones in hyperemesis subjects showed wide variability and 32% of subjects had high TT4 (higher than mean +2 SD of normal pregnant subjects), 33% had high FT4, 20% had high TT3, and 20% had high FT3. Red cell zinc content, a tissue marker of thyroid status, in the hyperthyroxinemic subjects was not different from that of normothyroxinemic hyperemesis subjects or of subjects with uncomplicated pregnancy. The elevated TT4 concentration decreased spontaneously in all but two of the hyperemesis subjects to normal pregnant levels. The plasma FT4 concentration at presentation correlated with plasma hCG in hyperemesis gravidarum (partial correlation coefficient r = 0.411, P less than 0.01), but not in normal pregnancy (partial correlation coefficient r = 0.043) after allowing for the effect of gestational age. We conclude that approximately one third of hyperemesis subjects show transient hyperthyroxinemia and suggest that hCG or a molecular variant of hCG may stimulate the thyroid gland.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

T lymphocyte activation in euthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy: soluble interleukin 2 receptor release, cellular interleukin 2 receptor expression and interleukin 2 production.

The present study was undertaken to examine the cellular control arm of the immune response with regard to T lymphocyte proliferation in euthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy. Twenty patients with euthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy (7 on antithyroid drugs and 13 on no treatment) and 18 healthy controls were studied in an infection-free period. Mitogen-stimulated cellular interleukin 2 (IL2) receptor expression, soluble interleukin 2 receptor release, and interleukin 2 production, were studied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured for 24 h. The cellular IL2 receptor expression and soluble IL2 receptor release did not differ between the patients and healthy controls. In contrast, IL2 production in response to pokeweed mitogen stimulation was increased in lymphocytes from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. The IL2 release did not correlate with the quantities of cellular and soluble IL2 receptor. The mitogen-stimulated cellular IL2 receptor expression, IL2 receptor release, and IL2 production did not differ between patients with or without carbimazole therapy. Despite a suggested role of autoreactive T cells in mediating the development and propagation of autoimmune thyroid disease, this study fails to demonstrate a defective T lymphocyte activation state in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy during an euthyroid state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Urinary excretion of transferrin by non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a marker for early complications?

We measured concentrations of transferrin (TRF, in micrograms), and creatinine (Cr, in millimoles) in samples of untimed urine from 53 healthy subjects and 157 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDD) subjects. The urinary TRF/Cr ratio was significantly higher in the NIDD group (P less than 0.001). If NIDD subjects are grouped according to their Alb/Cr ratio into normal albuminuria (Group A, Alb/Cr less than 2.5 mg/mmol), microalbuminuria (Group B, Alb/Cr 2.5-26.8 mg/mmol), and macroalbuminuria (Group C, Alb/Cr greater than 26.8 mg/mmol), the TRF/Cr ratios in all three groups exceeded those for healthy controls. Moreover, this ratio was higher in Group B than in Group A and higher in Group C than in Group B. The value for TRF/Cr was clearly abnormal (i.e., exceeded the 95th percentile value found in healthy subjects) in 61%, 95%, and 100% of Group A, B, and C subjects, respectively. The TRF/Cr ratio was significantly higher in those NIDD subjects with clinical retinopathy, and it correlated with arterial pressure. Evidently, TRF/Cr may be increased early in NIDD subjects, and it may be a sensitive marker for detecting development of complications of diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effectiveness of sodium fluoride as a preservative of glucose in blood.

How effective is sodium fluoride as a preservative of blood glucose? We compared changes in glucose concentration in fluoride-treated blood specimens with those of heparin-treated specimens. The former declined rapidly during the first hour; thereafter the rate of decrease was slower, and after 4 h the glucose concentration in the blood samples remained stable for up to three days. In contrast, the glucose concentration in the heparin-containing samples declined continuously. During the first hour, however, the rates of decline in the two types of samples were similar. Evidently sodium fluoride takes effect slowly but effectively in preserving glucose in blood for at least three days. Its use, however, is unnecessary if the concentration of glucose is to be measured within the first hour after sampling.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Fractures due to severe generalised osteoporosis in a 44-year-old male with diabetes mellitus.

A 44-year-old Chinese male with a 7-year history of diabetes developed spontaneous fractures affecting the femur and distal tibia and fibula within a period of 4 months. Spontaneous rib fractures were also present. There was additional evidence of extensive tissue damage with retinopathy, proteinuria, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. Investigation confirmed the presence of generalised osteoporosis and showed no evidence of other metabolic bone disease or abnormal vitamin D metabolism. Mild hypogonadism was also present and investigation suggested a disturbance of hypothalamic-pituitary control of gonadal function. It is suggested that the severe generalised osteoporosis resulted from poorly controlled diabetes with a possible additional contribution from androgen deficiency secondary to the diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma: a hormone-sensitive tumour?

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma is a rare, slow-growing, malignant tumour which metastasizes frequently to the lungs. Treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy is largely ineffective, and most patients die within 4 years of developing metastases. We report an unusual patient who survived 9 years after detection of pulmonary metastases. Initial treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy was ineffective. However, during subsequent treatment with Chinese herbs when she developed galactorrhoea and amenorrhoea (probably due to drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia), her lung metastases regressed, and it is likely that this contributed to her prolonged survival. We hypothesize that alveolar soft-part sarcoma may be a hormone-sensitive tumour, and hormonal manipulation may be an alternative form of treatment which is worth considering.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

An examination of the role of insulin dimerisation and negative cooperativity using the biological properties of the despentapeptide and deshexapeptide insulins.

The C-terminus of the insulin B chain is essential for dimerisation and expression of negative cooperativity. In order to evaluate the possible physiological role of these phenomena, we have studied the properties in vivo and in vitro of despentapeptide insulin (B26-30 deleted), derived from beef insulin, and deshexapeptide insulin (B25-30 deleted), derived from pork insulin. These materials do not dimerise and have 15% and 0% retention of negative cooperativity respective. Lipogenesis potencies in rat adipocytes were: despentapeptide insulin 19.9 +/- 0.3%; deshexapeptide insulin 19.9 +/- 1.5%. Binding potencies in adipocytes were: despentapeptide insulin 22.6 +/- 7.8%; deshexapeptide insulin 13.2 +/- 3.3%. Metabolic clearance rates were reduced compared to insulin (insulin = 19.1 +/- 0.9; despentapeptide insulin = 9.7 +/- 0.8; deshexapeptide insulin = 6.4 +/- 0.6 ml . min-1 . kg-1 at plasma concentration 0.5 nmol/l). Hypoglycaemic potencies were reduced for both analogues (40% and 30%) when calculated on the basis of plasma concentration although both analogues and insulin were equally effective at lowering plasma glucose concentration in equimolar doses. Plasma half-disappearance time was prolonged (despentapeptide insulin = 7.3 +/- 0.5; deshexapeptide insulin = 9.1 +/- 0.2 min). Both analogues were full agonists and conformed to the general relationship between in vitro and in vivo properties seen with a wide range of modified insulins. They resemble other analogues with modifications which reduce receptor affinity without impairing dimerisation or negative cooperativity. The results do not support a physiological role for dimerisation or negative cooperativity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1987

Insulin binding and effects on pyrimidine nucleoside uptake and incorporation in cultured mouse astrocytes.

Binding of 125I-insulin to primary cultures of differentiated mouse astrocytes was time-dependent, reaching equilibrium after 2 h at 22 degrees C, with equilibrium binding corresponding to 20.79 fmol/mg of protein, representing approximately 5,000 occupied binding sites/cell. The half-life of 125I-insulin dissociation at 22 degrees C was 2 min, with an initial dissociation rate constant of 4.12 X 10(-2) s-1. Dissociation of bound 125I-insulin was not accelerated significantly in the presence of unlabeled insulin (16.7 microM). Porcine and desoctapeptide insulins competed for specific 125I-insulin binding in a dose-dependent manner, whereas growth hormone, glucagon, and somatostatin did not. For porcine insulin, Scatchard analysis suggested multiple-affinity binding sites (high-affinity Ka = 4.92 X 10(8) M-1; low-affinity Ka = 0.95 X 10(7) M-1). After incubation with insulin (0.5 microM) for 2 h at 37 degrees C, increases above basal values of 254 +/- 23 and 189 +/- 34% for [3H]uridine uptake and incorporation, respectively, were observed. After incubation with insulin (0.5 microM) for 24 h at 37 degrees C, there were increases of 145 +/- 6% for [3H]thymidine uptake and 166 +/- 11% for thymidine incorporation. Basal and stimulated uridine and thymidine uptake and incorporation were inhibited by 50 microM dipyridamole. These studies confirm that mouse astrocytes in vitro possess specific insulin receptors and demonstrate an effect of insulin on pyrimidine nucleoside uptake and incorporation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Cretinism and lingual thyroid presenting in an adult.

A 29 year old woman presented with menorrhagia secondary to hypothyroidism. Subsequent investigation confirmed the presence of a lingual thyroid. Features of cretinism were present despite the late presentation. This unusual case is discussed with reference to previous publications.

Adult↗