Hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia as a possible cause of androgenetic alopecia in the female

31 female patients suffering from androgentic alopecia were examined by means of the TRH test with regard to hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia. Before, as well as 20 and 40 minutes after, application of thyroxine releasing hormone (TRH), the serum concentrations of the hypohyseal thyroxine stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In 7 of the patients (23%), we found increased TSH levels after stimulation with TRH--indicative of hypothyroidism. In 9 of the patients (29%), we observed increased PRL levels after TRH stimulation, indicating prolactinemia. TSH and PRL can interact with androgen metabolism at various levels. Thyroxine may influence the unbound, metabolically active testosterone via the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Prolactine, which is stimulated by TRH, promotes the suprarenal cortisol and androgen production. In 48% of the patients, we found either hypothyroidism or hyperprolactinemia. This suggests that both conditions may contribute to the clinical picture of female androgenetic alopecia, as they interfere with the androgen metabolism.     

Positive affect predicts improved lip movement in facial movement disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Positive affect in individuals with a facial movement disorder may promote lip corner movement (zygomaticus major) during smiling. We investigated whether a positive affect marker (orbicularis oculi activity) observed in an initial clinic visit of individuals with facial movement disorder (N = 28) predicted increased lip corner movement at a subsequent visit. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In this clinical outcomes study, lip corner movement was assessed with the use of automated facial analysis. Asymmetry of movement was compared in individuals who smiled with or without the positive affect marker at an initial clinic visit. RESULTS: The positive affect marker at the initial visit was associated with a reduction in the asymmetry of the lip corner movement at the second visit. CONCLUSION: Positive affect predicts improved facial movement outcomes in patients with facial movement disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: Positive emotion in facial movement patients may be an important factor in recovery of facial movement during therapy.     

Functional or conventional plate prebending in 90° angled blade plate osteosynthesis of intertrochanteric osteotomies

Summary The principle of prebending plates is recommended for intertrochanteric osteotomies to reach satisfactory primary stability. This can be done by conventional or functional prebending. Because of the shape of an overbent plate in conventional prebending, when the tension device is used a sliding of the medial wedge of the proximal fragment medially on the distal osteotomy plane takes place. In functional prebending, the final shape of the plate results in almost no movement of the bone fragments. Therefore the measurable interfragmentary compression of functional prebending is better than in the conventional procedure. The functional prebending also causes no loss of primary installed medialisation and there is no need for an additional- procedure for the prebending during the operation.     

Angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism is not associated with diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND.: There is agreement that a family history of hypertension (HT),is a predictor for the risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) inpatients with type 2 diabetes, and possibly also type 1 diabetes.It follows that genes related to the risk of hypertension mustalso be considered candidate genes for DN. The 235T allele ofthe angiotensinogen gene was found to be related to primaryHT. METHODS.: To examine whether it is predictive for DN as well, we examinedthe angiotensinogen gene polymorphism in 230 healthy local controls,423 patients with type 1 diabetes (n=180 with DN; n=243 withoutDN) and 663 patients with type 2 diabetes (n=310 with DN; n=353without DN). The angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism wasdetermined using PCR amplification. RESULTS.: The following results were obtained (i) no significant differenceof genotype distribution (type 1: MM/MT/TT(%) 27.6/57.2/15.2vs. 27.2/56.1/16.7 (P=0.92); type 2: MM/MT/TT (%) 31.7/48.2/20.1vs. 32.9/46.8/20.3 (P=0.93)) or allele frequencies (type 1:M 0.56 vs. 0.55 (P=0.795); type 2: M 0.56 vs. 0.56 (P=0.86))was found, between diabetic patients with or without DN, (ii)no difference was found between normotensive and hypertensivediabetic patients. CONCLUSION.: The data argue against a role of the angiotensinogen gene M235Tpolymorphism in the manifestation of diabetic nephropathy orhypertension in diabetic patients.     

Microcirculatory changes in livers of mice infected with murine hepatitis virus. Evidence from microcorrosion casts and measurements of red cell velocity

Hepatitis has been considered, classically, as a diffuse hepatocellular necrosis, and little attention has been paid to the relationship of lesions to the microvasculature. In livers of mice (Balbc/J) infected with murine hepatitis virus (MHV-3), microcorrosion casts showed spherical cavities where casting compound was unable to fill sinusoids. At 48 hr postinfection such "lesions" had a mean diameter of 83 micron +/- 26 (SD) and their number/mm2 (at the surface of casts) was 0.95 +/- 1.3. Blind-ended sinusoids formed a distinct boundary between perfused and nonperfused areas, and concave impressions at their ends indicated cells blocking the lumen. In vivo microscopy of transilluminated livers in infected mice showed localized rounded areas without flow, corresponding to lesions seen in casts. RBC velocity measurements in sinusoids adjacent to lesions demonstrated that velocities fall from normal values to zero over a narrow border zone. Beginning with the most proximal sinusoid with visible flow and moving outward from the lesion to the second and third sinusoids, mean RBC velocities (micron/sec, +/- SD) were 17.4 +/- 6.7, 33.9 +/- 8.7, 66.6 +/- 27.3, respectively; this last value was not significantly different from velocities in normal liver (69.2 +/- 30.6). Transmission electron microscopy of livers of infected mice confirmed the presence of sinusoidal lumens blocked by protruding lining cells, RBCs, platelets, swollen hepatocytes, and cellular debris. This study demonstrates that the lesions are focal in origin, microvascular blockage leading to gradually increasing necrosis in all directions.