Richard P. Doe

Vertebrate distribution of corticosteroid-binding globulin and some endocrine effects on concentration

Abstract Corticosteroid-binding globulin was measured by means of a gel-filtration technic in 131 species representing all of the vertebrate classes. Evidence for the presence of a binding protein was found in every instance. The concentration varied widely but consistencies within taxonomic groupings were observed. Estimates of the relative affinity for cortisol and corticosterone revealed no consistent relationship with the predominant circulating corticosteroid. Striking differences in affinity were found in the porcupine fish and iguana which would make these species particularly useful for binding site studies. Studies of endocrine-deficient and endocrine-treated animals demonstrated changes in CBG concentration in several species; however, no single response occurred in all species.

Incidence of cardiovascular disease and death in patients receiving diethylstilbestrol for carcinoma of the prostate

Patients treated with a 5.0‐mg daily dose of diethylstilbestrol (DES) had an increased incidence of fatal and non‐fatal cardiovascular disease when compared to placebo in all stages of prostatic cancer (p < 0.025). The pretreatment cardiovascular status of estrogen‐treated patients was generally better than those treated with placebo. Therapy with DES 5.0 mg did not increase survival of Stage III or IV patients significantly when compared to placebo. The decrease in cancer mortality associated with the 5.0‐mg dose of DES was offset by an increase in deaths from cardiovascular causes. Early endocrine treatment of patients with asymptomatic Stage III carcinoma is not indicated. Endocrine therapy should be started early only in Stage IV patients. When DES is preferred, it should be administered in a dose lower than 5.0 mg. Complications of estrogen therapy may be due to an increased incidence of thromboembolism.

EVIDENCES FOR CLINICAL MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY

Excerpt We shall attempt to present evidence that magnesium deficiency is a clinical problem, that it presents distinctive clinical features, and that it is not uncommon. A brief review of some of ...

Low Platelet Adhesiveness and Other Hemostatic Abnormalities in Hypothyroidism

Fifteen patients with definite hypothyroidism and two with probable hypothyroidism had extensive hemostatic profiles done. In 12 of the 16 patients tested, the platelet adhesiveness (platelet retention in a glass bead column) was abnormal, and in 1 more it was borderline. In the six patients who were studied repeatedly, hemostatic abnormalities either markedly improved or disappeared after treatment with L-thyroxine. It is concluded that, in addition to the previously reported coagulation factor deficiencies (which we also observed in some of our patients), low platelet adhesiveness occurs frequently in patients with hypothyroidism.

Familial Occurrence of Parathyroid Adenomas, Pheochromocytoma, and Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid with Amyloid Stroma (Sipple's Syndrome)

Abstract An additional family is reported with the association of bilateral pheochromocytoma, bilateral medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with amyloid stroma, and bilateral parathyroid adenomas. T...

Plasma and urinary amino acids in laennec's cirrhosis

Plasma amino acid concentrations and urinary excretion of free amino acids were measured in 7 patients with severe hepatic decompensation (precoma) in Laennecs cirrhosis. Upon maximal improvement these patients served as their own controls. Contrary to earlier reports, the changes were found to be unspectacular. Plasma concentrations of amino acids proved to be remarkably stable. Decreased plasma concentrations of valine, leucine, and isoleucine pointed to a component of steatonecrosis, which was found in liver biopsy specimens and laboratory parameters. The urinary excretion of threonine, serine, asparagine/glutamine, alanine, ethanolamine, and histidine was increased significantly during hepatic decompensation when compared to the excretion values of the same patients at maximal compensation; but even here the changes were within the normal range. General aminoaciduria was observed in 3 cirrhotic patients who had undergone surgical portacaval shunts. It is possible that these changes are a sequence of the surgical procedure.

The in vitro localization of H3 estradiol in human prostatic carcinoma. An electron microscopic autoradiographic study

The in vitro localization of H3 estradiol in human prostatic carcinoma was studied in five patients who had not been treated with hormones previously. The isotope was incorporated into the basal and invasive cells but rarely in the differentiated ones of carcinomatous acini. In basal and invasive cells, the grains were localized on the nuclear membranes and associated condensed heterochromatin, and on some mitochondria. The binding of estradiol in prostatic tissues appeared covalent and nonreversible in our preparative techniques for autoradiography. It is tentatively suggested that cytoplasmic binding of estradiol in mitochondria may be associated with the nucleic‐acid‐protein complex found with the organelle membranes. The nuclear binding of the hormone appears associated with the protein portion of the heterochromatin material. Furthermore, the in vitro study has shown that estrogen directly affects some of the prostatic cancer cells within two hours, but the extent of changes in the tumor cells remains undetermined.

Adrenal function in cancer of the lung, with and without Cushing's syndrome

Abstract Adrenal function has been studied in fifty-five unselected cases of bronchogenic carcinoma. In addition, two cases of bronchogenic carcinoma associated with Cushings syndrome are reported. The following observations were made: 1.(1) Plasma 17-OH-CS hyperresponsiveness to the administration of ACTH was common in cases of bronchogenic carcinoma. Impaired glucose tolerance also was frequently present. 2.(2) In patients with extensive disease, those with undifferentiated or anaplastic bronchogenic neoplasms as a group had a greater plasma 17-OH-CS response to ACTH than those with differentiated neoplasms. 3.(3) Patients with extensive disease whose plasma 17-OH-CS response to ACTH was above 55 μg. per cent had a markedly decreased life expectancy compared to those in the same group whose response was below 55 μg. per cent, irrespective of cell type. Clinical performance ratings, on the other hand, failed to correlate well with life expectancy. 4.(4) Absence of the normal circadian variation in plasma 17-OH-CS occurred in some patients who were selected for study because of unusual hyperresponsiveness to ACTH.

Effect of sudden time displacement by air travel on synchronization of adrenal function.

Summary 1) Excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine was measured at frequent intervals throughout 30 hours at 5 different times following a shift from CST to Japanese and Korean time. The excretion was synchronized with CST immediately after arrival in Japan, but became synchronized with the new time schedule by 9 days. 2) Sodium and potassium excretion patterns are similar to that of a previous study on Central Standard Time but synchronized with the new time schedule also in 9 days.

Lipid cell tumor of the ovary: an ultrastructural study.

An ovarian lipid cell tumor without Reinkes crystalloids in a woman with secondary amenorrhea, minimal hirsutism, and elevated 17‐ketosteroid excretion was studied by light and electron microscopy. Tumor cells were found in small clumps or scattered singly within a collagenous matrix. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells contained abundant smooth endoplasmic reticula, numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae, lipid droplets, lysosomal dense bodies, and concentric membranous whorls, characteristic of steroidogenic cells. In addition, “peripheral canalicular systems” were found at the outer margins of the nests of the tumor cells. These “peripheral canalicular systems” were bordered by the cell membranes and the surrounding collagenous stroma into which microvilli projected. Since the intercellular canalicular system present between the tumor cells was continuous with the “peripheral canalicular system,” both systems probably have a common function related to steroid metabolism. The intercellular and “peripheral” canalicular systems and cytoplasmic microfilaments found in this tumor suggest that this ovarian lipid cell tumor was derived from the ovarian stroma. Cancer 40:234–243, 1977.