Influence of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels on uptake of FDG in recurrent and metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Unlabelled: The objective of this prospective study was to determine the extent to which the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) influence the uptake of FDG by thyroid carcinoma tumors

Methods: Ten patients with follicular (n = 7) or papillary (n = 3) thyroid carcinoma underwent FDG PET during TSH suppression (<0.05 microU/mL) and TSH stimulation (>22 microU/mL) within an average interval of 42 d (range, 28-73 d). The findings were evaluated by visual criteria.

Evaluation of gastric motility by Fourier analysis of condensed images.

In this study Fourier analysis was applied to condensed images of gastric emptying with the aim of evaluating the amplitude and frequency of gastric contractions as well as gastric emptying in patients with various well-defined disorders. In 15 controls, 65 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), 41 patients with diabetes mellitus type I (DM), 12 patients with pyloric stenosis and 9 patients who had undergone gastric surgery, gastric emptying was determined after ingestion of a semi-solid test meal. In addition, condensed images were generated to evaluate the amplitude and frequency of gastric contractions by means of Fourier analysis.

Differential projection of the posterior paralaminar thalamic nuclei to the amygdaloid complex in the rat.

The thalamic paralaminar nuclei that border the medial and ventral edges of the medial geniculate body, viz. the suprageniculate nucleus (SG), the posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIN), the medial division of the medial geniculate nucleus (MGm), and the peripeduncular nucleus (PP), are regarded as important extralemniscal relay nuclei for sensory stimuli and as an important link for the direct transmission of sensory stimuli to the amygdala. Each of these thalamic nuclei receives a unique pattern of afferent input but an unresolved question is, how each of these thalamic nuclei project to the amygdala and whether there are zones of convergence and/or non-overlapping regions within amygdaloid target nuclei.

Amyloid in a multiple sclerosis lesion in clearly of Alambda type.

In rare multiple sclerosis cases amyloid is deposited in demyelinated plaques. In one such case amyloid was examined immunohistochemically with a panel of antibodies directed against different amyloid types. The amyloid was classified as the Alambda type produced by a local monoclonal B cell population.

[Distortion products of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in acute tinnitus aurium].

Background: The origin of subjective tinnitus is not really known yet. It is possible to investigate the function of outer hair cells by means of the distortion products of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE).

Methods: DPOAE of 56 patients were analysed in a prospective study (tinnitus without any loss of hearing n = 34; hearing loss with a maximum of 35 dB and tinnitus n = 22).

Ictal SPECT hyperperfusion reflects the activation of the symptomatogenic cortex in spontaneous and electrically-induced non-habitual focal epileptic seizures: correlation with subdural EEG recordings.

We report a patient with left temporal lobe epilepsy and a left parietal angioma, in whom ictal SPECT showed hyperperfusion in a spontaneous and an electrically-induced, non-habitual focal seizure. A SPECT investigation during an habitual seizure originating in the left temporal lobe showed a left temporal hyperperfusion. Electrical stimulation of the parietal cortex adjacent to the location of a previously resected angioma using subdural electrodes resulted in a non-habitual seizure beginning with a unilateral somatosensory aura.

Convergent and complementary projections of the caudal paralaminar thalamic nuclei to rat temporal and insular cortex.

Thalamic nuclei adjacent to the medial geniculate body play a pivotal role in processing of sensory stimuli during emotional situations. These nuclei, which include the suprageniculate nucleus (SG), the posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIN), the peripeduncular nucleus (PP) and the medial division of the medial geniculate body (MGm), project to both cortex and amygdala, but target areas and the extent of the projection of individual nuclei are not known yet. The aim of the present study was to analyze the contribution of individual nuclei to the cortical projection with modern sensitive tracing techniques.

Recombinant versus natural human 111In-beta2-microglobulin for scintigraphic detection of Abeta2m amyloid in dialysis patients.

Background: We previously introduced scintigraphy with 131I-labeled beta2-microglobulin (beta2m), purified from uremic hemofiltrate, that is, "natural" beta2m, to specifically detect beta2m-associated amyloidosis (Abeta2m) in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: To improve the safety and resolution of the scan, we covalently bound the chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid to natural beta2m to allow radiolabeling with 111In. In a second step, we generated and evaluated the usage of recombinant human beta2m (rhbeta2m) for scintigraphy.

Influence of cranioplasty on postural blood flow regulation, cerebrovascular reserve capacity, and cerebral glucose metabolism.

Object: The indications for cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy are cosmetic repair and, mainly, restoration of cerebral protection. Although neurological improvement after cranioplasty is repeatedly noted, the reasons for this remain unclear. Few observations concerning the impact of cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamic and/or atmospheric pressure have been published during the last decades.

Highly sensitive diagnosis of amyloid and various amyloid syndromes using Congo red fluorescence.

In order to find how best to diagnose amyloid deposits as early as possible, the sensitivity of three different methods that can be applied to the diagnosis of amyloid in tissue sections have been compared: the Congo red staining method (CR), the combination of CR and immunocytochemistry (CRIC) and Congo red fluorescence (CRF). Tissue blocks were available from 25 patients, including 11 with immunohistochemically distinct and 3 with chemically undefined amyloid diseases. The results revealed (a) that CRF is more sensitive than either CR or CRIC, as shown qualitatively and quantitatively, (b) that CRF can therefore be utilized to track down even minute amyloid deposits, which can be missed by the other two methods; (c) that the specificity of CRF and CRIC is secured on double-stained sections by the demonstration of green birefringence (GB) of the CRF-marked and IC-marked areas; (d) that CRF can be performed on the spot by just changing the light source; and (e) that CRF is not hampered by the congruent IC chromogen overlay, which ensures the specific classification of the amyloid deposits as applied to different amyloid classes.

Reduced striatal dopamine transporters in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder. Comparison with Parkinson's disease and controls.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is characterized by complex behaviour during REM sleep. The aetiology of this disorder is still unknown, but a recent study showed an association between RBD and Parkinson's disease. We therefore studied striatal postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptor density with [123I](S)-2-hydroxy-3-iodo-6-methoxy-(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinylmethyl ) benzamide ([123I]IBZM) and the striatal presynaptic dopamine transporter with (N)-(3-iodopropene-2-yl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-chlorop henyl) tropane ([123I]IPT) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with idiopathic RBD.

Optimization of automated quantification of 123I-IBZM uptake in the striatum applied to parkinsonism.

Unlabelled: Evaluation of therapies for parkinsonism by dopamine receptor SPECT requires a reproducible, optimized quantitation technique. This study presents a new, objective, automated technique for semiquantitative analysis of dopamine receptor density, as applied to the differential diagnosis of parkinsonism.

Methods: Dopamine receptor density measured by 123I-iodobenzamide (IBZM) SPECT was retrospectively analyzed in nonidiopathic parkinsonism (NIPS), in Parkinson's disease (PD), and in healthy volunteers (n = 19, 38, and 13, respectively).

Striatal dopamine transporter binding assessed by [I-123]IPT and single photon emission computed tomography in patients with early Parkinson's disease: implications for a preclinical diagnosis.

Background: Specific binding to dopamine transporters may serve as a tool to detect early loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To determine striatal dopamine transporter binding using the cocaine analogue [I-123]N-(3-iodopropen-2-yl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-chl orophenyl) tropane ([I-123]IPT) and single photon emission computed tomography.

Patients And Methods: We studied 9 control subjects (mean age, 58 years; range, 41-69 years) and 28 patients with early Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages I [n = 14] and II [n = 14] [symptom duration, <5 years]; mean age, 55.

Production of recombinant human beta2-microglobulin for scintigraphic diagnosis of amyloidosis in uremia and hemodialysis.

Amyloid of beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) origin can be diagnosed using 131I-radiolabelled-beta2m scintigraphy in patients with uremia and hemodialysis treatment. As the tracer beta2m is isolated from another patient, it carries the common risks, including viral infections such as Hepatitis B, C and HIV, which are associated with human plasma products. In order to exclude these risks we have produced recombinant human beta2m (rhbeta2m) in Escherichia coli.

Expression and function of serum amyloid A, a major acute-phase protein, in normal and disease states.

Serum amyloid A (SAA), the precursor protein in inflammation-associated reactive amyloidosis (AA-type), is an acute phase reactant whose level in the blood increases in response to various insults. It is expressed in the liver, but its physiological role is not well understood. Recently, a broader view of SAA expression and function has been emerging.

Long-lasting sensitization towards morphine in motoric and limbic areas as determined by c-fos expression in rat brain.

Chronic application of morphine leads to the development of tolerance towards several of its effects, e.g., analgesia or respiratory depression.

Organization of projections to temporal cortex originating in the thalamic posterior intralaminar nucleus of the rat.

Thalamic nuclei surrounding the medial geniculate body, among which the posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIN) is one of the largest, have great importance in fear-potentiated emotional behavior. Due to limited knowledge of the distribution of the cortical projections of the PIN, the connections between the temporal neocortex and the PIN were investigated by means of axonal transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin or Mini-ruby. After iontophoretic injections of either tracer, anterogradely labeled terminals showed a broad, but not a diffuse, distribution in temporal and adjacent cortices (perirhinal, secondary auditory, visceral, secondary somatosensory, agranular insular cortices).

Influence of antenatal ultrasound on the management of fetal exomphalos.

Objective: To determine the influence of antenatal ultrasound on the management of exomphalos.

Methods: Retrospective case note review of 23 fetuses and infants referred to our institution with either a pre- or postnatal diagnosis of exomphalos over a 7-year period.

Results: There were 21 cases of exomphalos of which 18 were correctly diagnosed on antenatal ultrasound by 18 weeks' gestation.

Optimization of phagocyte chemiluminescence measurements using microplates and vials.

In order to cope with large amounts of samples for chemiluminescence (CL), vials were replaced with microplates. Although various types of plates have been commercially available for quite some time and the free-plate mode is advocated by the producer of the counter, little is known about their impact on the outcome of CL measurements. We tested two different 24-well microplates and six different 96-well microplates in two different luminometers, and results were compared with those achieved with vials.

Cerebrovascular involvement in systemic AA and AL amyloidosis: a clear haematogenic pattern.

Amyloid deposits in cerebral vessels are common in beta-amyloid diseases (Alzheimer's disease, congophilic amyloid angiopathy, Down's syndrome and hereditary cerebral amyloidosis with haemorrhage of the Dutch type). We report of 20 autopsies on patients who had died with systemic amyloidosis of the AA, Alambda and Akappa types: the brains were examined for the occurrence of amyloid. Vascular amyloid was detected in choroid plexus (in 17 of 20 cases), infundibulum (5 of 8), area postrema (6 of 11), pineal body (3 of 7) and subfornical organ (2 of 3), but not in cortical and leptomeningeal vessels.

Comparison of two sensitization paradigms of the acoustic startle response in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats.

An increase in general responsiveness after aversive stimulation has provided a most widely accepted and well-understood sensitization paradigm. According to a second paradigm (based on the dual process theory of habituation and sensitization), not only additional aversive stimuli, but also the response-eliciting stimuli themselves, induce sensitization. To relate these two sensitization paradigms, we compared the course of startle response parameters during repetitive acoustic stimulation with the change in startle amplitude after electric footshocks in outbred Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats.

Intravital microscopic investigation of xenogeneic microcirculation and impact of complement depletion by cobra venom factor.

Discordant xenografts are hyperacutely rejected within minutes. Disturbances in the microcirculation are considered to be the central mechanisms of hyperacute xenogeneic rejection (HXR). In this study intravital fluorescence microscopy was applied to investigate the dynamics of microcirculatory alterations in a setting in which HXR was inhibited by complement (C) depletion.

[Diagnosis and staging of liver metastases with imaging methods].

Liver metastases are much more common than primary hepatic malignancies and may occur in up to 80% of patients with extrahepatic malignancies. To optimize the patient's management, precise detection or exclusion of liver metastases, as well as assessment of their number and extent, is indispensable. For imaging of liver metastases, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scintigraphy, and angiography can be utilized.