Robert M. Donaldson

Effects of Induced Hypercalcemia on Human Gastric Secretion

Summary The induction of hypercalcemia in 24 peptic ulcer patients by the intravenous administration of calcium hexonate led to a marked increase in gastric secretion. Acid output rose to 12.2 mEq per hr, a rate which was 29% of the peak response to Histalog. Pepsin output rose to a rate which was 43% of the peak Histalog response. Hypercalcemia failed to produce a significant alteration in the peak response to Histalog. The injection of atropine or pentolinium abolished the effect of hypercalcemia on spontaneous gastric secretion, as did the concomitant induction of hypermagnesemia.

Changes in Circulating Transcobalamin II after Injection of Cyanocobalamin

Since transcobalamin II is the plasma binder of vitamin B12(cobalamin) that mediates delivery of cobalamin to tissues, we measured circulating levels of transcobalamin II after intravenous injection unlabeled cyanocobalamin in 12 control subjects and, because the liver is a major source of transcobalamin II, in eight patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Thirty minutes after injection of cyanocobalamin (200 ng per kilogram of body weight), total transcobalamin II (unsaturated plus cobalamin bound) declined in all 20 subjects to levels that averaged (+/- S.E.) 53.5 +/- 4.6 per cent of initial values. Subsequently, unsaturated transcobalamin II rapidly increased so that by eight hours, total transcobalamin II approached preinjection levels. Rates of regeneration of transcobalamin II were similar in control subjects and patients with liver disease. Unlike total transcobalamin II, total transcobalamin I was unaltered by injection of cyanocobalamin. Moreover, addition of cyanocobalamin to plasma in vitro did not alter measurements of total transcobalamin II. The rapid response of circulating transcobalamin II to cyanocobalamin injection strongly supports a dynamic role for this polypeptide during transport of a relatively large load of cobalamin.

Essential tremor, nystagmus and duodenal ulceration: A “new” dominantly inherited condition*

The familial occurrence of essential tremor combined with (congenital) nystagmus, duodenal ulceration and a narcolepsy‐like sleep disturbance caused by an autosomal dominant gene with high penetrance and fairly uniform expressivity is reported in a family of Swedish‐Finnish ancestry. Twelve of 17 affected family members had essential tremor which began between 30–40 years of age and which could be controlled temporarily by alcohol; this resulted in alcoholism in several affected individuals. The most severely affected persons showed cerebellar signs which may reflect a possible pathogenetic relationship of the syndrome to the genetic cerebellar atrophies. Nystagmus, observed in 12 of 17 affected family members (eight of whom were also affected with tremor) usually was congenital and accompanied by refractive errors. Duodenal ulcers occurred almost exclusively in individuals with the neurological syndrome, and preceded its onset in some cases. The ulcer disease therefore seems to be a component manifestation of the syndrome and is interpreted as a pleiotropic effect of the gene which also causes the nystagmus, tremor and sleep disturbance.

Patterns of Gastric Acid Secretion in Patients with Duodenal Ulcer: Correlations with Clinical and Personality Features

Summary Basal acid output (BAO), peak acid output (PAO), BAO:PAO ratio, and extent of inhibition of gastric acid secretion by medical vagotomy were determined in a small series of male patients with duodenal ulcer. In general, there was a lack of correlation between these measurements and independently assessed clinical and psychiatric features. A positive correlation between BAO and PAO was observed at all levels of secretion. When only those patients with very low or very high BAO were studied, depression was found to be the predominant characteristic among 8 patients with low BAO and low PAO while anxiety was the outstanding feature present in 8 patients with low BAO and high PAO. Inhibition of stimulated secretion by medical vagotomy was more marked among those patients with high BAO and high PAO. The results confirm the wide variation in gastric secretory patterns previously observed among duodenal ulcer patients.

Whipple's Disease — Rare Malady with Uncommon Potential

The general public often wonders why academic medicine focuses so much of its energy on rare diseases when many much more common disorders cry out for attention. Whipples disease is an excellent e...

Breakdown of Barriers in Gastric Ulcer

The cause of benign gastric ulcer has always been pretty much of a mystery. Acid-pepsin must play some part because chronic benign ulceration simply does not develop in a stomach totally incapable ...

Serotonin Studies on Mouse Tissues.

Summary Tissues of mice bearing mastocytomas are rich in serotonin. A significant decrease in serotonin content occurred in kidneys, lungs, small intestine and liver of these mice following anaphylactic shock.

Presentation of Award

At its Annual Meeting on May 22, 1979 in New Orleans, the American Gastroenterological Association presented to Eugene D. Jacobson a certificate of special recognition for his outstanding service and accomplishments while directing the activities of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases. The certificate was presented by Robert M. Donaldson, President of the Association. The following is a transcript of the presentation of the award by Dr. Donaldson and its acceptance by Dr. Jacobson.