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Biomedical subjects

G S Leight

Publications and source records attributed to G S Leight.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Malignant teratoma in the thyroid gland of an adult: a case report and a review of the literature.

Teratomas in the neck are rare neoplasms. Most occur in the neonate and are benign. In contrast, cervical teratomas in adults are malignant and carry a poor prognosis. Fourteen adult cases have been reported in the world literature, and 11 of these were stated to have arisen in the thyroid gland. A case of a 27-year-old man who presented with a large goiter is reported. A preoperative diagnosis of a malignant thyroid mass was suggested by clinical examination, needle aspiration, and computerized tomography. The patient had a subtotal debulking thyroidectomy. The pathologic specimen confirmed a primary malignant teratoma of the thyroid gland. Despite a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which were well tolerated, the patient died 2 months after surgery.

Adult↗

Hyperparathyroidism associated with the enlargement of two or three parathyroid glands.

Eighty-five (23%) of 375 patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism were found to have enlargement (greater than 50 mg) of two or three parathyroid glands. Of 76 patients followed from 12 to 140 months after surgery, eight (10.5%) developed hypercalcemia at 1, 4, 45, 64, 74, 79, 84, and 133 months. In a comparison of pertinent preoperative biochemical and pathologic data between 55 patients with two- or three-gland hyperparathyroidism and 55 age- and sex-matched patients with single-gland hyperparathyroidism, only the preoperative serum phosphate differed significantly, being lower in the patients with single-gland disease (2.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.1; p less than 0.04). In the eight patients with two- or three-gland hyperparathyroidism who developed postoperative hypercalcemia, the preoperative concentrations of serum calcium were lower (10.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 11.5 +/- 0.2; p less than 0.019), the preoperative concentrations of serum phosphate were higher (3.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.1; p less than 0.020), and the weights of the excised parathyroid tissues were less (356 +/- 72 mg vs. 1354 +/- 215 mg; p less than 0.02) than those of patients with two- or three-gland disease who did not develop postoperative hypercalcemia, indicating a milder form of hyperparathyroidism. In the 68 patients without recurrent hypercalcemia, there was no tendency for the serum calcium concentration to increase with time. Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism associated with two or three enlarged parathyroid glands have an appreciable incidence of persistent or recurrent hypercalcemia, which may increase even further with longer observation.

Aged↗

Parathyroid hormone secretion from dispersed human hyperparathyroid cells: increased secretion in cells from hyperplastic glands versus adenomas.

The in vitro secretion of PTH by dispersed human parathyroid cells was examined under conditions of low and high extracellular Ca+2 using tissue from patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism resulting from chronic renal failure (CRF). The PTH secretion rate (nanograms of PTH per 10(5) cells/h) was lower in adenomatous tissues than in either primary hyperplastic cells or CRF cells under conditions of low (0.5 mM) or high (2.0-3.0 mM) extracellular Ca+2. Among the adenomas, a wide spectrum of degree of suppressibility of PTH secretion by high Ca+2 was found, ranging from 0% (completely nonsuppressible) to 98%. Suppression of the hyperplastic tissues in general was similar. The most suppressible adenomas demonstrated 2-fold greater PTH secretion rates in low Ca+2 conditions than the least suppressible adenomas, but in high Ca+2 conditions, the two groups had similar secretory rates. We conclude that the rate of PTH secretion by cells from adenomas was substantially lower than that of cells from tissues exhibiting either primary hyperplasia or hyperplasia resulting from CRF under these in vitro conditions. Thus, in adenomas, an increase in absolute cell number as well as alterations in the degree of calcium responsiveness may prove to be important etiological factors in the expression of hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗

Divergent effects of forskolin on 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate production and parathyroid hormone secretion.

Forskolin, a diterpene which directly stimulates adenylate cyclase, markedly stimulated cAMP production in intact rat parathyroid glands and dispersed cells from hyperplastic and adenomatous human parathyroid tissues. Stimulation of cAMP production in human parathyroid adenomas occurred as early as 2 min and continued for at least 2 h; furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed, with a maximal 80-fold cAMP response occurring at 100 microM forskolin. When PTH secretion by rat or human parathyroid tissues was studied at low (0.5 mM) and high (2.5 mM) extracellular Ca2+ in either the presence or absence of forskolin, no significant stimulation by forskolin was observed at 15 min, 1 h, and 2 h. When 10 human parathyroid specimens were studied with varying concentrations of forskolin at 1 mM Ca2+, 6 failed to show stimulation of PTH secretion and 4 showed modest but detectable increases in PTH that did not appear dose-related. We conclude that (1) at low and high Ca2+ levels, marked stimulation of cAMP production by forskolin can occur without a corresponding increase in PTH secretion; (2) inhibition of PTH secretion by high extracellular Ca2+ levels continues unchanged despite stimulation of cAMP production by forskolin; and (3) at intermediate Ca2+ levels (1.0 mM), PTH secretion is affected either minimally or not at all by forskolin in human hyperparathyroid tissue preparations. The marked stimulation of parathyroid adenylate cyclase by forskolin without concomitant increases in PTH secretion in the majority of tissues suggests that the level of cAMP production is not a primary or sufficient determinant of hormone secretion.

Adenoma↗

Granular cell tumors of the breast. Steroid receptor analysis and localization of carcinoembryonic antigen, myoglobin, and S100 protein.

Granular cell tumors occur in a variety of sites, including the breast (6%). Origins from histiocytic, myogenic, fibroblastic, and neurogenic elements have been proposed. Female predominance suggests that estrogenic hormones are involved. Four granular cell tumors of the breast and one in an axillary lymph node were studied for sex steroid receptor content, myoglobin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and S100 protein localization. Antimyoglobin antibody did not localize in these tumors. Carcinoembryonic antigen and S100 protein localized in the cytoplasm of these tumors. Neither estrogen nor progesterone receptor protein were present in these tumors in detectable amounts. Ultrastructural features of these granular cell tumors in the breast are similar to those described for extramammary granular cell tumors. These studies agree with previous data that suggest a neurogenic origin for granular cell tumors.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Sex steroid receptor concentration in breast carcinoma tissue: effect of devascularization during mastectomy.

The accurate determination of sex steroid receptors at the time of mastectomy (MX) for breast carcinoma is important for the determination of subsequent therapy of patients who develop metastases in inaccessible sites. The estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) receptor (R) proteins are heat labile, and measured levels may be vulnerable to alterations once the tumor is devascularized. To evaluate potential differences in ER and PR determinations in tumor tissue acquired at biopsy as compared with tumor from the MX specimen, quantitative analyses of ER (21 patients) and PR (17 patients) were performed on dual samples acquired from the initial biopsy (BX) and the subsequent MX specimen. Receptor concentrations were determined both by sucrose density gradient analysis and titration analysis, and results were expressed as fmol/mg cytosol protein. ER values were classified as receptor-rich (greater than 10 fmol/mg), intermediate (3 to 10 fmol/mg), or receptor-poor (less than 3 fmol/mg); PR values greater than 3 fmol/mg were considered positive. ER BX values were found to be rich or intermediate in 18 patients. When compared with BX values, MX ER values were quantitatively unchanged in 11 patients, lower (MX less than BX) in four patients, and higher in three patients (MX greater than BX). In no patient was the BX ER rich or intermediate and the concomitant MX ER poor. In two patients the PR value was "positive" at BX but "negative" at MX. Accordingly, malignant tissue from a pre-MX biopsy specimen is preferred for receptor analysis although it is apparent that tumor tissue from a properly handled MX specimen is satisfactory for the determination of ER status for clinical purposes.

Adult↗

Relationship of age and menopausal status to estrogen receptor content in primary carcinoma of the breast.

The cytosolic estrogen receptor (CER) content of 1037 primary breast carcinomas was evaluated by sucrose density gradient analysis. Tumor specimens from premenopausal patients had significantly lower levels of CER (14.6 +/- 1.5 (mean +/- SEM) 8S binding fmole/mg protein) compared with carcinomas from postmenopausal patients (57.5 +/- 3.9 fmole/mg protein; p less than 0.001). The proportion of specimens with CER levels above threshold values of 3, 7, or 10 fmoles/mg protein were significantly higher for postmenopausal patients (72%, 63%, 59%, respectively) than for premenopausal patients (56%, 42%, 36%, p less than 0.001). When compared within half-decades, no statistically significant differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal patients were observed for mean, median, or rank sums of CER levels (p greater than 0.3). When patients were compared by half-decades, both mean and ranked sums of CER levels were significantly different (p less than 0.001). The proportion of specimens that demonstrated CER levels above a threshold value of 10 fmole/mg protein increased sequentially from a low of 13/51 (26%) for patients less than 35 years to a high of 60/81 (74%) for patients greater than 75 years.

Adult↗

Comparison of four provocative tests for the diagnosis of gastrinoma.

In an attempt to determine the best provocative test for the diagnosis of gastrinoma, ten normal subjects, 13 patients with known gastrinoma, and one patient with presumed gastrinoma were administered four regimens: (1) rapid calcium infusion (2 mg Ca++/kg/min), (2) secretin (2 clinical units (CU)/kg/bolus), (3) long calcium infusion (12 mg Ca++/kg/3 h) and (4) a combination test consisting of a rapid calcium infusion followed immediately by secretin. Blood was drawn for serum gastrin levels before and following infusion of the test agents. The administration of rapid calcium followed by secretin provoked the greatest increases in serum gastrin above basal levels in both normals (29%) and patients (362%). Peak gastrin levels in patients were similar following the long calcium infusion (341%) but were less following the rapid calcium infusion alone (124%) and secretin alone (207%). There were no false-positive or false-negative tests with the calcium plus secretin when the criterion for diagnosis was either a 50% increase or a 200 pg/ml increase above the basal gastrin level. The distinct advantages (short test period, low patient morbidity, and relatively great potency) of the calcium plus secretin test make it an attractive alternative to other previously described provocative tests for the diagnosis of gastrinoma.

Adult↗

Androgen stimulation of gross cystic disease fluid protein and carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma.

Plasma levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the 15,000 molecular weight gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP-15) were determined in 30 patients with metastatic breast carcinoma before, during, and after treatment with fluoxymesterone. Within 2 weeks after initiation of treatment, plasma levels of GCDFP-15 increased 50% above basal values in 15 (79%) of 19 patients. Similar increases in plasma CEA levels occurred in only 5 (23%) of 22 patients. Eight (33%) of 24 patients achieved increases in GCDFP-15 of 500% or more above basal levels after 14-336 days of therapy. Within 2 weeks of fluoxymesterone termination, 14 (93%) of 15 patients had a decrease in plasma GCDFP-15 levels, and in 12 (80%) the decrease exceeded 33% (the inverse of a 50% increase). Conversly, only 5 (33%) of 15 patients experienced a decrease in plasma CEA levels within 2 weeks of therapy termination, and in only 1 (6.7%) subject did the decrement exceed 33%. Nine (90%) of 10 patients who had 50% increases in plasma GCDFP-15 during initial androgen therapy also had significant decreases in plasma GCDFP-15 following termination of therapy. Data on 3 prospectively studied patients demonstrated that plasma GCDFP-15 rose within 24 hours of initiation of fluoxymesterone therapy and continued to rise for at least 6 days. Increased plasma levels of GCDFP-15 were reflected in increased urinary excretion of the glycoprotein.

Apolipoproteins↗

Quantitation of response to therapy in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma by serial analysis of plasma gross cystic disease fluid protein and carcinoembryonic antigen.

The maximum percent change (MPC) of plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and gross cystic disease fluid protein (CDP) were correlated with response to therapy in 92 metastatic breast carcinoma patients. In patients treated with hormone therapy MPC values were significantly different between patients with disease progression (Prog) and regression (Reg): MPC-CEA for Reg = -72 +/- 7%, for Prog = 396 +/- 150%; MPC-CDP for Reg = -86 +/- 6%, for Prog = 702 +/- 330%, P less than 0.001 in a one-way ANOVA for CEA and CDP. Similar differences were noted in patients treated with chemotherapy. Decreased (greater than 50%) plasma CEA levels were observed in 24/29 (83%) of Reg, 18/35 (51%) stable and 0/49 (0%) of Prog; decreased (greater than 50%) plasma CDP levels were noted in 19/24 (79%) of Reg, 21/28 (75%) of stable and 2/35 (6%) of Prog. Patients with plasma marker decreases greater than 50% had significantly longer responses to therapy (14.2 months for CEA, 14.1 months for CDP) compared to patients with less than 20% decrease (2.0 months for CEA, 0.8 months for CDP), P less than 0.001 in a one-way ANOVA. Decreasing marker levels during the initial six weeks of therapy (negative slope) accurately identified Reg or stable patients: the predictive value of a negative slope was 92% for CEA and 86% for CDP. Rising marker values correctly identified treatment failures (Prog): the predictive value of a positive slope was 90% for CEA and 76% for CDP. These data indicated that changes in plasma CEA and CDP levels reflected increasing or decreasing tumor burden during hormone or chemotherapy treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma. Criteria have been established to predict therapeutic outcome based on the slope of CEA or CDP after six weeks of treatment.U

Adrenalectomy↗

The importance of early diagnosis in patients with hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Ninety-two patients from 12 kindreds with hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) were evaluated. We sought to determine if the stimulated plasma calcitonin (CT) level at the time of diagnosis was of prognostic significance. The patients were divided into four groups according to their preoperative stimulated plasma CT levels (1) 250-1,000 pg/ml (n=25); (2) 1,000-5,000 pg/ml (n=36); (3) 5,000-10,000 pg/ml (n=8); (4) greater than 10,000 pg/ml (n=23). Compared between the four groups were several parameters, including incidence of regional lymph node metastases, incidence of residual MTC post-thyroidectomy (as indicated by increased (greater than 300 pg/ml) plasma CT levels after operation), incidence of distant metastases, and incidence of death. Also compared were the incidences of microscopic or gross MTC in thyroidectomy specimens. The incidence of regional lymph node involvement ranged from a minimum of one (4%) of 25 patients in Group 1 to 13 (57%) of 23 patients in Group 4. Similarly, plasma CT levels were elevated in only one (4%) of 25 patients in Group 1 compared to 14 (61%) of 23 patients in Group 4. There was no evidence of distant metastases or death in the patients in Groups 1, 2, or 3. In the 23 patients in group 4, however, four (17.4%) had distant metastases and two (8.7%) died of disease during the period of observation. Of th 25 patients in Group 1, MTC was evident only by microscopic examination in 14 (56%). Eleven (44%) of the patients in Group 1 had macroscopically evident medullary thyroid carcinoma. This is in contrast with patients in Group 4 where all 23 had grossly evident MTC. These data indicate that the stimulated plasma CT level at the time of diagnosis is an excellent prognostic indicator of the extent of a disease in patients with hereditary MTC. Aggressive screening of kindred members at risk is of critical importance for establishing the diagnosis and instituting therapy at a time when the neoplasm is confined to the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin↗

Long-term evaluation of patients with primary parathyroid hyperplasia managed by total parathyroidectomy and heterotopic autotransplantation.

Since 1973, we have performed total parathyroidectomy and forearm parathyroid autotransplantation in 36 patients with generalized (four gland) primary parathyroid hyperplasia. Twenty (56%) patients had nonfamilial parathyroid hyperplasia (NFPH) and 16 (44%) patients had familial parathyroid hyperplasia (FPH). Twenty-one patients (Group A) were undergoing operation for the first time and 15 (Group B) were having either second, third or fourth re-explorations for persistent hyperparathyroidism. All patients in Group A and nine patients in Group B had parathyroid resection and immediate autotransplantation as a single procedure. Six Group B patients had hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue resected, cryopreserved, and subsequently grafted when it was evident that they had been rendered aparathyroid. A sustained differential elevation (13.7 fold +/- 2.7) of parathyroid hormone was detected in the antecubital vein of the grafted compared to the nongrafted arm in 35 (97%) patients. Two (5.6%) of the 36 patients (both with FPH; one Group A and one Group B) required permanent oral calcium and vitamin D replacement therapy and one (3%) patient (NFPH: Group A) had persistent hypercalcemia postoperatively, presumably due to a supernumerary gland. The remaining 33 (92%) patients became normocalcemia after surgery and 23 (70%) of them remained so. Ten (30%) of the 33 patients developed recurrent graft dependent hyperparathyroidism. Eight patients were from the group with FPH (8/14, 57%) and two were from the group with NFPH (2/19, 11%)(FPH vs. NFPH, p < 0.005). Because of symptoms of hypercalcemia or a serum calcium concentration exceeding 11 mg/dl, partial graft resection was performed in five patients and four became normocalcemic. Patients with generalized primary parathyroid hyperplasia may be difficult to cure, especially if the disease is familial. The technique of total parathyroidectomy and heterotopic autotransplantation of fresh or cryopreserved parathyroid tissue offers distinct advantages over alternative techniques.

Humans↗

Transplantation in miniature swine. VI. Factors influencing survival of renal allografts.

Renal allografts were performed between and among animals from three herds of miniature swine that were selectively inbred to homozygosity at the major histocompatibility complex, MSLA. The results suggest several genetic factors which influence the survival of renal allografts in these animals. As expected, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was of dominant importance, and all MSLA-mismatched grafts were rejected promptly (12 +/- 3.7 days). Some MSLA-matched grafts were also rejected (30 +/- 15.0 days), indicating that non-MSLA loci also determine antigens which can lead to kidney rejection. Other MSLA-matched grafts were accepted indefinitely. At least one immune response gene that determined ability to reject kidneys across non-MSLA differences seemed to be segregating in our swine population. Animals that had accepted MSLA-matched renal grafts for extended periods demonstrated markedly prolonged survival of subsequent donor skin grafts compared to skin graft survival across the same non-MSLA difference in normal animals. This finding suggests that failure to reject kidneys across non-MSLA differences indicates systemic tolerance, and that there may be a relationship between the induction of such tolerance and the proposed immune response gene controlling rejection.

Animals↗

Experimental cryopreservation and autotransplantation of parathyroid glands: technique and demonstration of function.

A canine model for cryopreservation and autotransplantation of parathyroid glands was developed as a prototype for cryopreservation of human parathyroid glands; Each of 18 dogs had two parathyroids removed, sectioned, and cooled at a controlled rate to -80 degrees in media containing 10% dimethylsulfoxide and 10% autologous serum. After storage for two months at -196 degrees the tissue was thawed and implanted in muscle; the remaining two parathyroid glands were removed from the neck. Function was assessed by monitoring serum calcium levels and measuring parathyroid hormone levels in venous effluent from the graft beds. Autograft function was demonstrated in ten of 18 dogs; graft failure occurred in four dogs. In the remaining four dogs, function could not be evaluated because of accessory parathyroid tissue. Parathyroid tissue cryopreserved for nine months was documented to function in six of seven dogs. Histologic study of the cryopreserved, autografted tissue showed normal parathyroid architecture.

Animals↗