Comprehensive evaluation of a Thorotrast patient: an overview.

For several decades, thousands of people received Thorotrast during the course of angiography and other radiologic procedures. Eventually, as the hazards of this radioactive, radiographic contrast agent became apparent, research was initiated to further evaluate its associated adverse effects. In 1988 and 1989, Charles W. Mays, together with colleagues at a variety of sites, developed a detailed protocol for the comprehensive postmortem evaluation of one subject who had been administered Thorotrast 36 y previously. This case represents the first holistic approach to the analysis of Thorotrast in a whole body, simultaneously assembling clinical and autopsy findings with dosimetric, radiochemical, autoradiographic, and molecular evaluations.

A prospective cohort study of nutrient intake and age at menarche.

A cohort of 213 girls (aged 10 y, range +/- 9 mo) whose parents reported their dietary intakes (including nutritional supplements) using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, was followed for 4 y until 82% of the 194 parents who responded to follow-up letters had reported that their daughters had had their first menstrual periods. The relative risk (RR) of menarche before age 12.5 y was 2.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-3.8] for the tallest girls (greater than 150 cm) compared with the shortest girls (less than 130 cm). The RR was 2.1 (95% CI = 1.1-3.8) for the fattest girls [Quetelet's index of relative weight (in kg/m2) greater than 19] vs the leanest girls (less than 15). After adjusting for height and Quetelet's index, menarcheal age was not associated with intake of energy nor energy-adjusted intake of protein, fat, or carbohydrate. The overall results are consistent with the hypothesis that nutritional factors influence age at menarche mainly through their effects on accumulation of adipose tissue.

Hyperphosphaturia and hypermagnesuria in children with IDDM.

Urinary excretion of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, and creatinine was measured in first-void spot urine samples collected 4 days apart in 220 insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) children (mean age 11.9 yr) attending a summer camp. A single control urine sample was obtained from 33 healthy nondiabetic siblings (mean age 11.2 yr). Mean +/- SD urinary calcium-creatinine ratios (UCa/Cr) did not significantly differ between IDDM and control subjects (0.14 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.09, respectively, P = 0.156). Mean urinary magnesium-creatinine ratios (UMg/Cr) were elevated in IDDM compared with control subjects (0.15 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.03, respectively, P = 0.0001). Similarly, mean urinary phosphorus-creatinine ratios (UP/Cr) were significantly increased over those in control subjects (1.12 +/- 0.33 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.22, respectively, P = 0.0001). UCa/Cr, UMg/Cr, and UP/Cr were correlated with increasing mean urine glucose content (P = 0.0001). No correlations were found when UCa/Cr, UMg/Cr, or UP/Cr were compared with patient age, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin, or insulin dosage. Urine losses of phosphorus and magnesium were present even when glycemic control was considered good by several methods (glycosylated hemoglobin, short-term glycemic index, or urinary glucose content). Glomerular hyperfiltration was unable to account for increased urinary mineral content. In conclusion, the data indicate that urinary excretion of phosphorus and magnesium is elevated in children with IDDM, regardless of glycemic control. In the presence of glucosuria, this loss is further enhanced. Urinary calcium excretion is significantly higher only during periods of glucosuria. The data suggest that children with IDDM could be at risk for mineral deficiencies in the absence of intensive insulin management.

Long-term use of propranolol, ibuprofen, and spironolactone in the management of Bartter's syndrome.

This report concerns two patients with Bartter's syndrome who were treated with propranolol, spironolactone, and potassium supplements. When ibuprofen was added to this regimen, potassium supplements were no longer required. In both patients, plasma renin activity decreased, plasma volumes increased, and a "catch-up" in linear growth ensued. This report confirms others that indicate prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors are a useful adjunct in the therapy of Bartter's syndrome.