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Biomedical subjects

E M Zorn

Publications and source records attributed to E M Zorn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Relative carnitine insufficiency in children with type I diabetes mellitus.

Recognizing the similarity of type I diabetes mellitus to inborn errors of metabolism that have responded to carnitine therapy, we initiated a study of 54 children with type I diabetes mellitus. Examining a fasting blood sample for levels of carnitine, glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, and a urine sample for levels of ketones and glucose, we found 13 children were deficient of free carnitine (less than 20 mumol/L) and 30 had elevated acyl carnitine levels (greater than 11 mumol/L). Statistical tests confirmed a significant difference between the diabetic population and normal population for reduced free carnitine, elevated acyl carnitine, and an elevated ratio of acyl carnitine to free carnitine. Also, a significant correlation was found between the levels of urine glucose and ketones and the level of acyl carnitine. Our data indicate that carnitine deficiency and relative insufficiency may be an overlooked component in the management of diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Amniocentesis before 15 weeks' gestation: outcome, risks, and technical problems.

Between January 1, 1979, and May 30, 1986, 4750 amniocenteses were performed by a single physician at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center. Of these procedures 541 (11.4%) were considered early amniocenteses (performed before the fifteenth week since last menstrual period). The medical records were reviewed for maternal age, amniocentesis indication, ultrasound findings, location of the placenta, location of the needle insertion (transplacental versus nontransplacental), color of the amniotic fluid, results of prenatal testing, complications of procedure, and pregnancy outcome. Complete follow-up data were possible for 308 subjects and obtained for 298 (96.8%). There were 11 miscarriages (3.6%), two stillbirths (0.7%), and one neonatal death (0.3%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 4.7% (14/298). If those patients with a preamniocentesis history of bleeding are eliminated, the total postprocedural rate of loss is 3.3% (7/211). Miscarriage within 2 weeks of amniocentesis occurred in 1.7% of procedures (5/298). No significant difference in pregnancy outcome was noted between transplacental and nontransplacental amniocentesis.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1986

Analysis of the significance of discolored amniotic fluid detected at midtrimester amniocentesis.

In 110 midtrimester amniocenteses of the 3349 procedures done at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center between 1979 and 1984, the fluid obtained was noted to be discolored. The significance of this finding was evaluated with review of pregnancy history and outcome and by using biochemical techniques. A significant increase in miscarriage was seen in the pregnancies where discolored fluid was obtained (9%), in comparison with the entire group of pregnancies in which amniocentesis was done at the same institution over the same period (1.6%). This increase was most marked in the pregnancies in which, in addition to discolored fluid, there was a prior history of pregnancy bleeding. Thirty-four discolored fluid samples and 18 clear fluid samples were studied with spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and chromatography. These studies indicate that in most cases the discoloring pigment is blood rather than fetal bowel contents, as had been suggested by others.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1985

Analysis of 2136 genetic amniocenteses: experience of a single physician.

Between 1979 and 1984, 2136 midtrimester genetic amniocenteses were performed by a single physician at the University of California (Davis) Medical Center. The medical records were reviewed for maternal age, amniocentesis indication, ultrasound findings, location of placenta, location of the needle insertion (transplacental versus nontransplacental), color of the amniotic fluid, results of prenatal testing, complications of procedure, and pregnancy outcome. Follow-up data were available for 88% of the pregnancies. There were 38 miscarriages (1.9%), 18 stillbirths (0.9%), and four neonatal deaths (0.2%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 3.1%. Miscarriage within 2 weeks of amniocentesis occurred in only 0.4% of procedures (seven of 1918). No significant difference in pregnancy outcome was noted between transplacental and nontransplacental amniocentesis. Greenish brown discolored amniotic fluid was found in 3.6% of procedures (76 of 2136). In this group there was a 14.5% fetal loss rate with an overall 22.4% adverse outcome.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1982

FG syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1979

Effect of dietery weight loss on sex steroid binding sex steroids, and gonadotropins in obese postmenopausal women.

Measurements of SSBG, E2, T, and gonadotropins were performed in 12 obese postmenopausal women before, during, and after a supplemented fast. Weight loss (mean 18 kg) was associated with an increase in SSBG to levels above those seen in nonobese postmenopausal women, a decrease in serum E2 levels, unchanged T levels, and an increase in both gonadotropins. Thus we conclude that weight change or the circumstances associated with it lead to alterations in circulating levels of SSBG. These observations are consistent with the presence of elevated free T and possibly higher free E2 levels in obese postmenopausal women.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1976

Impaired Leydig cell reserve and altered serum androgen binding in the aging male.

The hormonal profile of the aging male reveals an associated decrease in free testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels and increased luteinizing hormone levels. Later events consist of a decrease in total testosterone, stable DHT, and increased follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels. Although most available information supports the concept of impaired Leydig cell reserve, our study suggests some degree of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. The signal for increased androgen binding with age is not clear. There is a great deal of individual variation in the time of onset of these events.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

17beta-ol androgens and free index in hirsute and hirsute obese women.

We have found the mean levels of combined serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (T+DHT) and the free index (FI) to be significantly higher and the mean dihydrotestosterone precipitation index (DHT-PI) to be significantly lower in hirsute women than in normal women. Although the mean T+DHT values of the different groups of hirsute patients were comparable, the FI value of the oligomenorrheic and/or obese patient was higher than that of the nonobese, normally menstruating group. In addition, the mean DHT-PI level of obese patients was significantly lower than that of nonobese patients. The lowest androgen binding was found in obese patients with oligomenorrhea. In our experience, hirsutism is associated with T+DHT values of 150 ng/dl or lower. Measurement of androgen binding and androgen levels in unchromatographed serum extracts provides valuable information in the treatment of hirsute women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Effect of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a patient with the "fertile eunuch" syndrome.

A patient with isolated LH deficiency ("fertile eunuch" syndrome) was given synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) by a single intravenous injection and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured. A significant rise in both gonadotropins was found after GnRH and the increase was similar to that reported for normal men. No significant change was noted in the serum androgen levels. The patient was re-tested with another single intravenous injection after a 6-h infusion of GnRH two days later. The rise in serum Fsh and LH levels during the infusion was greater than with the initial bolus. A further increase in LH but not FSH concentration was noted when a 150 mug bolus was given at the end of the infusion. Acute (4 day) treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) resulted in an increase in the serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels to those observed in normal adult males. The "fertile eunuch" syndrome thus appears to be a hypothalamic disorder. It is consistent with the concept of more than one hypothalamic factor controlling gonadotropin secretion. Other possibilities would be deficient or defective production of a releasing factor affecting one or both gonadotropins. The lack of a definite response of serum androgens to GnRH would appear to be secondary to a decreased number of differentiated Leyding cells.

Adult↗