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Biomedical subjects

S Braithwaite

Publications and source records attributed to S Braithwaite.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Insulinoma presenting with hyperandrogenism: a case report and a literature review.

An 18-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism. Three months later she developed several episodes of fasting hypoglycaemia and was subsequently diagnosed with an insulinoma. Hyperinsulinaemia was observed in association with an elevated serum testosterone level. Surgical removal of the insulinoma resulted in resolution of the clinical and biochemical features of the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Polycystic ovarian syndrome is unusual in a patient having an insulinoma. The rarity of this association may be the result of the late age of onset of this type of tumour, intermittent secretion of excessive insulin by the tumour, the degree of hyperinsulinism or other factors extrinsic to the insulin receptor that may facilitate insulin activity. However, we could not discover how our patient differs in having had PCOS from the majority of women with insulinoma who do not. If other patients with insulinoma are subsequently found to have hyperandrogenism, then this tumour might be added to the differential diagnosis of causes of anovulatory cycles and hyperandrogenaemia, although rare the association would be uncommon.

Adolescent↗

Acute myocardial infarction in the prehospital setting.

Despite research and public education, myocardial disease, infarction, and death from cardiac arrest continue to be one of the top public health issues. Many patients experiencing AMIs access health care and receive initial treatment from EMS personnel in the prehospital setting. Prompt identification and diagnosis of these patients, relief of chest pain, and shortening delays to definitive care can decrease morbidity and mortality. Prehospital diagnosis of AMI is enhanced with the use of 12-lead electrocardiograms, which can shorten time to thrombolysis or angiography. Prehospital use of thrombolytic agents has not gained widespread use in this country; it is, however, commonplace in Europe, where research suggests improved outcomes when thrombolysis is initiated prior to hospital arrival. Resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients is difficult, resulting in dismal survival rates. Factors that appear to be associated with enhanced survival are witnessed arrest, bystander CPR, and short response times to defibrillation.

Ambulances↗

Pioglitazone hydrochloride monotherapy improves glycemic control in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes: a 6-month randomized placebo-controlled dose-response study. The Pioglitazone 001 Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of four doses of pioglitazone monotherapy in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: There were 408 patients randomized in this multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients who had HbA1c > or = 7.0%, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) > or = 140 mg/dl, and C-peptide > 1 ng/ml were randomized to receive placebo or 7.5, 15, 30, or 45 mg pioglitazone administered once a day for 26 weeks. RESULTS: Patients treated with 15, 30, or 45 mg pioglitazone had significant mean decreases in HbA1c (range -1.00 to -1.60% difference from placebo) and FPG (-39.1 to -65.3 mg/dl difference from placebo). The decreases in FPG were observed as early as the second week of therapy; maximal decreases occurred after 10-14 weeks and were maintained until the end of therapy (week 26). In the 15-, 30-, or 45-mg pioglitazone groups, there were significant mean percent decreases in triglycerides, significant mean percent increases in HDL cholesterol, and only small percent changes in total cholesterol and LDL. The subset of patients naive to therapy had greater improvements in HbA1c and FPG (difference from placebo of -2.55% and -79.9 mg/dl for the 45-mg group) compared with previously treated patients. The overall adverse event profile of pioglitazone was similar to that of placebo. There was no evidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity or drug-induced elevations of alanine aminotransferase levels in this study CONCLUSIONS: Pioglitazone monotherapy significantly improves HbA1c and FPG while producing beneficial effects on serum lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes with no evidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

Adult↗

Melbourne AIDS vigil.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Follicular cell predominance in the cytologic examination of dominant thyroid nodules indicates a sixty percent incidence of neoplasia.

The interpretation of aspiration cytologic smears that contain a predominance of follicular components often presents a dilemma to the clinician who is treating a patient who has a dominant thyroid nodule, especially when thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression does not produce any significant involution of the dominant nodule. We reviewed a consecutive series of 555 fine-needle aspiration cytologic examinations of dominant thyroid nodules. All specimens that contained colloid or follicular cells mixed with lymphocytes or Hürthle cells were excluded from this review. Additionally, nine aspirates contained degenerated follicular cells with insufficient material for cytologic diagnosis. The remaining 76 specimens contained a predominance of follicular cells: 27 specimens were interpreted as containing "normal" follicular cells, and the remaining 49 specimens were read as "atypical" follicular cells. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimens indicated a 60% incidence of neoplasia (30% carcinoma, 30% adenoma) in which the aspiration cytologic study was interpreted as "normal" follicular cells. On the other hand, a 63% incidence of neoplasia (27% carcinoma, 36% adenoma) occurred in which the cytologic study was read as "atypical." In conclusion, aspirates showing a predominance of follicular cells, whether "normal" or "atypical" indicate a 60% incidence of neoplasia in dominant thyroid nodules that do not decrease significantly in size with thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis. A surgical emergency.

Three of 27 patients treated for pheochromocytoma between 1974 and 1987 presented with pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis (PMC). This unusual presentation consists of multiple organ system failure, temperature often greater than 40 degrees C, encephalopathy, and hypertension and/or hypotension. Although urgent medical therapy achieved blood pressure control in all three patients, the other manifestations of PMC progressed rapidly in spite of alpha and even beta blockade. The first patient died during attempts to localize a septic focus. The other two patients underwent urgent adrenalectomy and had postoperative improvement in their multiple organ system failure. All three tumors were large and produced markedly elevated levels of epinephrine. In conclusion (1) PMC is an unusual presentation of pheochromocytoma; (2) its manifestations include multiple organ system failure, high fever, encephalopathy, and vascular lability; (3) it may result from increased epinephrine secretion; and (4) successful treatment of PMC demands prompt diagnosis, vigorous medical preparation, and emergency tumor removal if the patient's condition continues to deteriorate.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Pheochromocytoma crisis.

Of 26 patients with pheochromocytoma treated between 1974 and 1986, two presented with pheochromocytoma crisis. This unusual presentation consists of hyper- and/or hypotension, high fevers (greater than 40 degrees C), encephalopathy, and multiple organ system failure. Both patients had large tumors associated with markedly elevated levels of epinephrine. Although hypertension was adequately controlled in both patients with phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine (1 patient) and nitroprusside, both patients deteriorated rapidly. The first patient expired during attempts to identify a source of sepsis. None was found at autopsy. The second patient underwent urgent adrenalectomy which reversed the multiple organ system failure and resulted in patient survival. We conclude from review of these patients and three others in the literature that (a) crisis is an unusual presentation of pheochromocytoma; (b) its manifestations include vascular lability, high fever, encephalopathy and multiple organ system failure; (c) it may be the result of increased epinephrine secretion; (d) successful treatment of pheochromocytoma crisis demands prompt diagnosis, vigorous medical therapy and emergent tumor removal if the patient continues to deteriorate.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

New guidelines on foregoing life-sustaining treatment in incompetent patients: an anti-cruelty policy.

When certain ailments are an overwhelming and irremediable encumbrance, treatment directed at other curable ailments, although life-saving, cannot effectively achieve the goals of medicine. We are morally constrained from perpetuating the effects of a hopeless injury without prospect of benefit to the patient. An anti-cruelty policy is proposed as a new guideline for foregoing life-sustaining treatment that transcends the doctrines of "substituted judgment" or "reasonable persons" for certain incompetent patients. We propose the use of "anti-cruelty care" as an active chart order or progress note, and suggest that institutional ethics committees or governing bodies recommend its implementation.

Adolescent↗

Hyperparathyroid crisis. Successful treatment of ten comatose patients.

Hyperparathyroid crisis is a rare disease manifested by elevated serum calcium, weakness, nausea and vomiting, altered states of consciousness, and elevated circulating parathormone. This hypercalcemic state is noted for a frequently acute presentation and associated high mortality rate, approaching 60% in some series. Ten patients in parathyroid crisis were observed in a consecutive personal series of 325 cases of operatively proved hyperparthyroidism. All 10 patients were successfully treated. Each patient remained or lapsed into persistent coma despite extensive medical management and normalization of serum calcium in some instances. An emergency parathyroidectomy was performed in all cases. Reversal of the comatose state was noted in all patients within 24 hours, followed by gradual normalization of serum calcium. Serum calcium ranged from 15 to 19.6 mg/dl. The blood urea nitrogen level was elevated in six patients. A single adenoma was found in nine patients and multiglandular disease involving the neck and the mediastinum in one. All patients survived. The successful treatment of this disease demands prompt and accurate diagnosis coupled with vigorous medical therapy and emergency parathyroidectomy if the patient's status continues to deteriorate.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of thyroid state on estradiol-17beta metabolism in the rabbit.

It is well known that the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of a hormone is influenced highly by the level of its specific binding protein. It was interesting, therefore, to study the metabolism of estradiol-17beta (E2) in an animal model such as the rabbit where there is a lack for a highly specific binding protein for the steroid. The kinetics of the hormone was studied in relation to the thyroid state, namely in rabbits receiving thyroxin or propylthiouracil. In the absence of any significant decrease of the level of the rabbit androgen binding protein (R-ABP), the accelerated MCRE2 and the elevated conversion ratio of estradiol to estrone (CR E2 leads to E1) observed in hyperthyroid rabbits were attributed to the important role of metabolizing enzymes in the liver and/or extrahepatic tissues. In hypothyroid rabbits, while the CR E2 leads to E1 decreased significantly the MCRE2 was not altered.

Animals↗