Laboratory simulations of the atmospheric mixed-layer in flow over complex topography.

A laboratory study of the influence of complex terrain on the interface between a well-mixed boundary layer and an elevated stratified layer was conducted in the towing-tank facility of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Defining hypercalciuria in nephrolithiasis.

The classic definition of hypercalciuria, an upper normal limit of 200  mg/day, is based on a constant diet restricted in calcium, sodium, and animal protein; however, random diet data challenge this. Here our retrospective study determined the validity of the classic definition of hypercalciuria by comparing data from 39 publications analyzing urinary calcium excretion on a constant restricted diet and testing whether hypercalciuria could be defined when extraneous dietary influences were controlled. These papers encompassed 300 non-stone-forming patients, 208 patients with absorptive hypercalciuria type I (presumed due to high intestinal calcium absorption), and 234 stone formers without absorptive hypercalciuria; all evaluated on a constant restricted diet.

Effect of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology on thyroidectomy rates and malignancy risk in cytologically indeterminate lesions.

Background: Cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In 2007, the National Cancer Institute recommended The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) as a means of improving the accuracy of thyroid cytopathology. Our objective was to determine the effect of TBSRTC on thyroidectomy rates and malignancy risk in cytologically indeterminate lesions.

"Subclinical Cushing's syndrome" is not subclinical: improvement after adrenalectomy in 9 patients.

Background: A subgroup of patients with adrenal cortisol hypersecretion fails to meet the biochemical criteria for Cushing's syndrome. Appropriate therapy for this entity, subclinical Cushing's syndrome (subclinical CS), is unclear. We examined outcomes for patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for subclinical CS.

Trends in thyroid cancer demographics and surgical therapy in the United States.

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing. Our objective was to characterize the demographic pattern of this increase and to examine trends in surgical therapy for thyroid cancer.

Methods: Analysis of the SEER and NHDS databases was performed from 1974 to 2000 and from 1979 to 2004, respectively.

Primary hyperaldosteronism: effect of adrenal vein sampling on surgical outcome.

Hypothesis: Adrenal vein sampling is superior to computed tomography for subtype differentiation of primary hyperaldosteronism.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: University medical center.

Inframanubrial parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: alternatives to sternotomy.

Deep inframanubrial parathyroid tumors have traditionally been excised through a median sternotomy. With the advent of minimally invasive surgical access, we chose to examine the treatment options and outcomes of patients with inframanubrial mediastinal parathyroid tumors. Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism seen at a university medical center over a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed.

Prevalence of malignancy within cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Background: The optimal management of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules is controversial given the variable malignancy rates reported in this patient population. We examined the prevalence of malignancy within cytologically indeterminate follicular thyroid lesions in an attempt to predict malignancy based on cytologic features.

Methods: Cytopathology reports obtained after fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) examination of indeterminate follicular thyroid lesions were examined over a 4-year period.

Directed parathyroidectomy: feasibility and performance in 100 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Hypothesis: Directed parathyroidectomy (DP) can be successfully completed in most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Design And Setting: Retrospective review at a tertiary referral center.

Patients: One hundred consecutive patients with untreated, sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism operated on by a single surgeon from April 1, 1999, through December 31, 2001.