The American journal of the medical sciences
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Intracranial calcification is associated with chronic hypoparathyroidism. The relationship between intracranial calcification, neurological abnormalities and cognitive deficits in this disorder is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether chronic hypoparathyroidism is associated with cognitive impairment. ⋯ We conclude that cognitive and neurological deficits commonly occur in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism and may be pathophysiologically related to the presence of intracranial calcification.
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Obesity is a rapidly increasing health problem among US youth. Hyperinsulinemia is associated with obesity and has been found to be a contributory factor for the development of cardiovascular disease in the obese. It has been suggested that hyperinsulinemia of obesity is a result of increased insulin secretion caused by insulin resistance. However, it has been shown in adults that decreased hepatic insulin clearance (HIC) is the primary cause of hyperinsulinemia in this population. ⋯ Our data suggest that hyperinsulinemia seen in obese children and adolescents is caused by decreased HIC. The cause for this decrease remains unknown, but it is reversible upon weight loss.
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Metabolic acidosis from accumulation of lactic acid is a relatively common condition, whereas its causation by thiamine deficiency is not. ⋯ Lactic acidosis caused by thiamine deficiency must be suspected when pregnant patients at risk for thiamine deficiency present with a high anion gap acidosis. A large dose of thiamine must be administered immediately.
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To present a case of organic arsenic intoxication after consumption of bird's nest soup in a Vietnamese patient. ⋯ This case illustrates the environmental contamination of bird's nest soup with organic arsenic. A prompt removal of the source from the diet resulted in clinical improvement.
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There is substantial evidence from both observational epidemiology studies and randomized controlled trials that dietary intake of sodium and potassium is important in the etiology of hypertension. However, the direct evidence for a direct link between dietary sodium and potassium and risk of cardiovascular and renovascular events is limited. ⋯ These studies should be focused on African Americans because they are at a disproportionately high risk of developing hypertension and blood pressure-related vascular disease. Moreover, this group has been underrepresented in most previous epidemiological studies.