Gonadotropin Secretion in Eugonadotropic Human Males and Postmenopausal Females Under Long Term Application of a Potent Analog of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

Long-acting analogs are of special interest in long-term treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). However, inhibitory effects of agonist analogs on gonadotropin secretion or on reproductive processes have been observed in rats as well as in human males. Since these inhibitory effects seem to be dose-related, we checked the findings for d-Leu 6 -des-Gly 10 -GnRH-ethylamide within the dose range proposed by us for treatment. In six eugonadotropic human males, a significant decrease of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone responsiveness to a standard dose of GnRH and significant decrease of testosterone basal secretion were observed after 2 and 4weeks of subcutaneo…

In vitro synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in endocrine ophthalmopathy

The effects of humoral and cell-mediated immunity on the glycosaminoglycan synthesis of retrobulbar fibroblasts was evaluated in patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy. After incubation with IgG and sera, secreted glycosaminoglycans, radiolabeled with D-6-3H-glucosamine and 35sulfate, were precipitated with cetylpyridinium chloride and ethanol. Hyaluronic acid synthesis of human retrobulbar fibroblasts after incubation with sera and IgG and after co-culture with lymphocytes was assessed by means of a radiometric test. Patients' IgG, compared to controls', accounted for a higher secretory stimulation of porcine retrobulbar fibroblasts (as measured by cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation) a…

Relation of endocrine and cardiac findings in acromegalics

Cardiac involvement in 32 acromegalics was related to endocrine parameters, clinical score and duration of the disease as well as compared to that of 50 controls free of cardiac disease. Stress ECG, 24h Holter monitoring and echocardiography revealed that supraventricular premature complexes did not occur more often in acromegalics than in controls, both prevalence and severity of ventricular arrhythmia, however, were higher in patients compared to controls: 15/32 (48%) acromegalics had complex ventricular arrhythmia as compared with 6/50 (12%) normal subjects (p less than 0.01). Repetitive ventricular arrhythmia was manifest in 10/32 (31%) patients but only in 4/50 (8%) controls (p less th…

Exophthalmos and basilar impression. A contribution to differential diagnosis of endocrine orbitopathy.

We report on a male patient with exophthalmos of unclear etiology, basilar impression, syringohydromyelia and type II Arnold-Chiari malformation. Two diseases involving the orbital region were to be considered in differential diagnostic terms: endocrine orbitopathy and osseous orbit dysplasia. The typical physical appearance associated with basilar impression as well as suppurative keratitis in Lagophthalmos was striking. Tetraspasticity with pareses, bulbar symptoms, proximally pronounced muscular atrophy as well as a left hemihypesthesia was shown neurologically. Although the orbit CT was normal, sonography revealed thickened ocular muscles. There was euthyroidism in diffuse goiter with n…

Glycosaminoglycan Antibodies in Endocrine Ophthalmopathy

An increased accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the orbita has been reported in endocrine ophthalmopathy (EO). In this study we investigated whether antibodies directed against GAG are present in the sera of 52 EO patients and 47 healthy controls. Three out of 52 patients exhibited low titers of antinuclear antibodies and all patients were negative for antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens. Isotype IgG antibodies were detected by means of an ELISA using hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate as antigens. Values were expressed as optical density at 405 nm. In comparison to the control group (0.445, 0.364, 0.588; median, 25th, 75th percentile) significantly (p < 0.001) higher…

Ciamexone in endocrine orbitopathy. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract The influence of ciamexone on the activity and course of endocrine orbitopathy was investigated. Fifty-one patients with active orbitopathy classes II-VI were allocated randomly to two groups: over a period of six months, 26 patients received 300 mg/day ciamexone and 25 patients received placebo tablets. In both groups, prednisolone was administered in addition in the first four weeks. Ophthalmological investigations and clinical tests as well as orbit sonography were carried out before as well as one, three and six months after the beginning of therapy. Before and after treatment, computer tomography of the orbit was performed. Symptoms and signs did not show any significant impro…

Age-dependence of bone material quality shown by the measurement of frequency of resonance in the ulna

In women before and after the age of peak bone mass, identical values of bone mineral density (BMD) can be obtained. However, there is a much higher incidence of osteoporotic fractures in older women. We investigated whether a deterioration of bone material quality with increasing age might contribute to this phenomenon. Material properties of bone tissue can be characterized by the modulus of elasticity, which is correlated to the square of sound transmission velocity. In this study, sound transmission velocity was determined in cortical bone by measuring the frequency of resonance in the ulna in the direction of the bone's longitudinal axis and correcting the values by multiplying by ulna…

The effects of equal caloric amounts of xylitol, sucrose and starch on insulin requirements and blood glucose levels in insulin-dependent diabetics

Xylitol has been suggested as a potentially useful sweetener in the diabetic diet. In 14 insulin-dependent diabetics a standard diabetic diet regimen was compared with diets in which starch was isocalorically exchanged in the breakfast meal by either 30 g xylitol or 30 g sucrose. Insulin requirement and blood glucose were measured using a glucose-controlled insulin infusion system. The results following breakfast with xylitol were similar to those after starch breakfasts. Sucrose, in contrast, induced a greater post-prandial rise in blood glucose levels despite counter-regulation by the glucose-controlled insulin infusion system. Insulin requirement after sucrose significantly exceeded (p l…

Suppressed Levels of Serum Cortisol Following High-Dose Oral Dexamethasone Administration Differ between Healthy Postmenopausal Females and Patients with Established Primary Vertebral Osteoporosis

Hypercortisolism and glucocorticoid treatment, even in a low dose or administered topically, may influence bone metabolism. It was the aim of this study to investigate whether there might be differences in the regulation of endogenous cortisol secretion between patients with established primary vertebral osteoporosis and healthy controls. Suppressed morning serum cortisol concentrations in a 3 mg dexamethasone overnight suppression test were compared in well-defined healthy postmenopausal women (n = 149) and osteoporotic patients classified as having established primary vertebral osteoporosis with no clinical features of hypercortisolism (n = 78). Suppressed cortisol in the healthy controls…

Synthesis and first evaluation of new 18F-labelled sulfonylureas for the determination of the beta-cell status in vivo

The syntheses and first in vitro evaluations for two fluoride bearing sulfonylurea derivatives are reported. Firstly, the tolbutamide derivative 1-[4-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy)benzenesulfonyl]-3-butyl urea (2-[18F]fluoroethyl-tolbutamide) could be labeled efficiently with [18F]fluoride. Subsequently, the glibenclamid derivative N-(2-(4-(N-((cyclohexylamino)carbonyl)sulfonylamino)phenyl)ethyl) 2-(5-chloro-2-[18F]fluorethoxy)phenyl) formamide (2-[18F]fluoroethyl-glibenclamide) was labeled with [18F]fluoride in high yields. Its ability to induce insuline secretion from rat beta-cells in relation to the original glibenclamide was determined.

Architecture in cortical bone and ultrasound transmission velocity

The square of ultrasound transmission velocity in a material is correlated to the modulus of elasticity, which is an indicator of its mechanical properties. This might make the measurement of ultrasound transmission velocity useful in the noninvasive diagnosis of bone diseases. Bone, however, is not an isotropic material but is architecturally structured. The aim of our study was to investigate and especially to quantify the influence of architecture in cortical bone on ultrasound transmission velocity. Twenty-two rectangular, flat specimens of cortical bone were prepared from diaphysis of fresh pig radius. Ultrasound transmission velocity was measured parallel and perpendicular to directio…

Rheopheresis in patients with ischemic diabetic foot syndrome: results of an open label prospective pilot trial.

:  Rheopheresis is a specific application of membrane differential filtration, synonymous with double filtration plasmapheresis, for extracorporeal hemorheotherapy. Safety and efficacy of Rheopheresis for wound healing and skin oxygenation were investigated in patients with ischemic diabetic foot syndrome. Eight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-healing foot ulcers caused by severe ischemic diabetic foot syndrome were treated by a series of seven Rheopheresis sessions in a time span of 11 weeks. Wound healing had not been detectable under conditions of standardized wound care during at least 2 months. Wound status was classified by its morphology, severity and location, accordi…

Glycosaminoglycans in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation in the retrobulbar space of patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) has been documented in a number of immunohistochemical studies. In order to gain further insight into possible immunopathogenic mechanisms, the influence of humoral immunity on retrobulbar fibroblasts (RF) as GAG producing cells as well as on GAGs themselves was investigated. The effect of lymphocytes on hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis of RF as well as in turn the influence of RF on lymphocytes were evaluated. In search of methods which would facilitate management of patients with TAO and allow assessment of disease activity, GAGs were determined in both urine and plasma. Im…

Localization of small islet-cell tumors. Preoperative and intraoperative ultrasound, computed tomography, arteriography, digital subtraction angiography, and pancreatic venous sampling

A total of 42 islet-cell tumors were examined between 1972 and 1984. Problems of localization were only encountered in 31 tumors less than 2 cm in diameter. Of 31 small tumors, 27 were correctly localized using a combined diagnostic approach: ultrasound was successful in 12/20 tumors, CT in 9/21, angiography in 20/31, intraarterial digital subtraction angiography in 1/2, and pancreatic venous sampling in 13/16. The smallest tumor found by ultrasound and CT was 7 mm in diameter. Intraoperative ultrasound demonstrated all 9 insulinomas examined. Currently, the most useful techniques for localizing small islet-cell tumors are ultrasound, CT, and angiography. CT is particularly useful for tumor…

The physiological impact of proinsulin C-peptide

Abstract The proinsulin C-peptide fulfills an important function in the biosynthesis of insulin by facilitating the formation of the correct secondary and tertiary structure of the hormone. C-peptide and insulin are released in equimolar amounts to the circulation but C-peptide has generally been considered to be biologically inert. However, recent studies indicate that C-peptide administration to type 1 diabetes patients is accompanied by improved renal function, amelioration of autonomic dysfunction, stimulated tissue glucose utilization and augmented skin and muscle blood flow. The cellular mechanisms underlying these effects may be related to C-peptide's capacity to stimulate both Na + …

Long-term observation of endocrine ophthalmopathy and retrospective appraisal of therapeutic measures.

The course of endocrine ophthalmopathy was investigated on the basis of clinical and biochemical parameters and in relation to different therapeutic strategies. A retrospective appraisal was made of 297 patients (44 +/- 14 yr, 249 women) with inclusion of anamnestic and clinical data as well as the results of computer tomography. At the beginning of therapy, 253 patients were hyperthyroid, 36 were euthyroid and eight were hypothyroid. The HLA typing carried out in 89 patients showed the phenotypes B8 and DR3 in 32% and 42% of the cases, respectively. Raised microsomal antibodies were present in 56% of the patients and there were raised thyroglobulin antibodies in 19%. Sixty-three % of the p…

Stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by proinsulin C-peptide.

There is increasing evidence for biological functions of human C-peptide. Recently, we have described that proinsulin C-peptide increases nutritive capillary blood flow and restores erythrocyte deformability in type 1 diabetic patients, whereas it has no such effect in non-diabetic subjects. The aim of the current study was to elucidate cellular mechanisms of this vasodilator effect in vitro by measuring the nitric oxide (NO)-mediated increase of cGMP production in a RFL-6 reporter cell assay and by demonstrating endothelial calcium influx with the Fluo-3 technique. C-peptide increased the release of NO from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in bovine aortic endothelial cells in a concentratio…

Selective bilateral blood sampling from the inferior petrosal sinus in Cushing's disease: effects of corticotropin-releasing factor and thyrotropin-releasing hormone on pituitary secretion.

We sought to enhance the sensitivity of selective bilateral blood sampling to determine adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and prolactin levels in the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) by administering two stimulatory agents--corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). We then determined the ACTH and prolactin levels in the IPS of 10 patients with Cushing's disease. After peripheral administration of both CRF and TRH, ACTH levels were significantly higher on the tumor side in all patients. The prolactin level was significantly higher on the tumor side when CRF or TRH was used to stimulate pituitary secretion. Postsurgical immunohistochemistry studies revealed productio…

Endokrinologische Vorhersage der Therapieansprechbarkeit depressiver Patienten auf Lofepramin

In a pilot study of 15 depressive patients of the neurotic and endogenous type we could show that some neuroendocrinological parameters are apt to predict the thymoleptic efficacy of lofepramine. These parameters, which were measured with a simple global stimulation test (insulin hypoglycaemia combined with injection of TRH and LHRH), were as follows: high basal blood glucose; high hypoglycaemic blood glucose; high decrease of blood glucose in comparison to the basal level; low basal TSH; low increase of HGH and low increase of cortisol after hypoglycemia. A synopsis of these parameters allowed a correct classification of 14 out of 15 patients according to therapy response and therapy resis…

Treatment of cryptorchidism with a potent analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Pernasal therapy of cryptorchidism with D-Leu6-des-Gly10-gonadotropin-releasing hormone ethylamide (D-Leu6-des-Gly10-GnRH-EA), a potent, long-acting GnRH analog, was attempted. Eleven prepubertal cryptorchid boys received between 25 microgram once daily and 25 to 50 microgram twice daily for 5 to 12 weeks. Complete testicular descent was achieved in 4 of the 11 boys. GnRH tests (1.5 microgram/kg intravenously), conducted in six boys before treatment, after 4 weeks of treatment, and in 2 boys 3 months after treatment, did not reveal changes in gonadotropin secretion indicative of precocious puberty or of decreased hypophyseal sensitivity to GnRH. Antibodies to the GnRH analog or to GnRH coul…

Gonadotropin and Testosterone Secretion in Normal Human Males After Stimulation With Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (Gnrh) or Potent Gnrh Analogs Using Different Modes of Application

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and some potent long-acting GnRH analogs, applied by different routes of administration, were tested in six healthy human males. The effects on gonadotropin secretion were compared with the one after intravenous (i.v.) bolus injection of 25 microgram of GnRH. The net increase of luteinizing hormone (deltaLH) in serum produced by 25 microgram of GnRH i.v. was matched by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 100 microgram of GnRH, dissolved in 20% gelatin or without gelatin; 5 microgram of D-Ser (TBU)6-des-Gly10-GnRH-ethylamide i.v.; 5 microgram of D-Leu6-des-Gly10-GnRH-ethylamide i.v.; and 50 microgram of D-Trp6-des Gly10-GnRH-ethylamide given pernasally (p.n…

Autoimmune endocrine ophthalmopathy and retrobulbar antigens.

Endocrine Ophthalmopathy (EO) is based on autoimmune processes that lead to lymphocyte infiltration of the retrobulbar space. In this study, antigenic character of retrobulbar adipose, connective and muscle tissue as well as of cultured fibroblasts and myoblasts were examined. Samples were obtained from EO patients (n = 13, 8 fem., age 26-82 years, median 47 years) undergoing orbital decompression surgery. Retrobulbar and abdominal tissue from 7 controls (4 fem., 48 - 74 y) was investigated, too. Tissues were homogenized and the proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE according to molecular weight. In order to recover the separated proteins in soluble form, an electroelution technique was emplo…

EFFECT OF MICROENCAPSULATION ON OXYGEN DISTRIBUTION IN ISLETS ORGANS

In islet transplantation, limitation of oxygen supply may restrict graft function, particularly when encapsulated tissue is used. Therefore, oxygen tensions (PO2) in isolated islet organs (Brockmann bodies) of Osphronemus gorami were measured. In a thermostatically (37 degrees C) controlled measuring chamber, PO2 values were recorded at subsequent microelectrode positions on a radial track toward the center of the organ. In 2 independent groups, we studied the effect of fluid convection (n = 12) and microencapsulation (n = 12). In both groups, sigmoidal PO2 profiles were found, which permit differentiation in an oxygen-depleted zone surrounding the surface, a steep decline inside the tissue…

Die rechnergestützte Diabeteseinstellung

Blood glucose self-monitoring is essential to stabilize diabetes on a normoglycemic level. But often patients do not find the correct insulin adaptation. Therefore, we developed a computerized system which adapts insulin doses using a control matrix. During a first in-patient period we had a remarkable blood glucose normalization and stabilization.

Ultrasonic demonstration of small pancreatic islet cell tumors.

In three patients real-time sonography successfully localized small pancreatic islet cell tumors measuring 7, 8, and 17 mm in size. Ultrasound is suggested as the initial radiologic examination for localization of endocrine pancreatic tumors. If ultrasound is negative or equivocal, computerized tomography, arteriography, and pancreatic venous sampling are indicated.

Evaluation of the clonidine-suppression test in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma

In this study we examined the preoperative value of the clonidine-suppression test in 15 patients with surgically proved pheochromocytomas. The result of the clonidine-suppression test was pathological (epinephrine plus norepinephrine above 500 ng/l 3 h after clonidine) in 10 of 15 patients (66%). These patients had relatively large tumors and higher basal norepinephrine plasma levels. Out of the 5 cases without a pathological clonidine test 4 had normal basal plasma catecholamine levels with the result that the clonidine test could not be properly applied and 1 case produced a false negative result. These 5 cases generally had smaller tumors and lower plasma catecholamine levels. Two of th…

Humoral immunity and retrobulbar fibroblasts in endocrine ophthalmopathy

The exact role of retrobulbar fibroblasts in the immunopathogenesis of endocrine ophthalmopathy still remains to be elucidated. To evaluate the in vitro influence of humoral immunity on retrobulbar fibroblasts, the effects of immunoglobulin G as well as of the sera of 50 euthyroid patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy and 30 controls on both porcine and human (patients' and controls') retrobulbar fibroblasts were measured by means of several assays: a colorimetric test involving a heterocyclic chemical, a tetrazolium bromide, was applied to quantify the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenases; the incorporation of 3H-thymidine was determined as a sensitive parameter for cell proliferation…

Interdisziplinäre Diagnostik und Therapie des ischämisch-osteomyelitischen diabetischen Fußsyndroms

Fortgeschrittene Stadien des diabetischen Fussyndroms (DFS) mit ischamischer und osteomyelitischer Komponente fuhren im Rahmen gangiger Versorgungsstrukturen regelhaft zur Minoramputation, gefolgt von ischamisch bedingter Wundheilungsstorung und Extremitatenverlust. Selbst in spezialisierten Behandlungseinrichtungen stellen periphere arterielle Verschlusskrankheit (pAVK) und Osteomyelitis die groste Herausforderung im Bemuhen um den Extremitatenerhalt dar. Wahrend die Behandlung von polyneuropathischen Fuslasionen in den Handen von Diabetologen zur erfolgreichen Domane der konservativen Medizin geworden ist, ist fur die Therapie von fortgeschrittenen, ischamisch und osteomyelitisch komplizi…

Diurnal variation of corticotropin-releasing factor binding sites in the rat brain and pituitary.

1. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is thought to be involved in the regulation of the diurnal activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and to act as a neurotransmitter in the brain. To date it is unknown whether the binding sites of the central CRF system are subject to diurnal variations. 2. We measured the number of CRF binding sites over the course of a complete 24-hr light-dark cycle in the pituitary, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), cingulate cortex, visceral cortex, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and locus ceruleus of rats by in vitro receptor autoradiography with iodinated ovine CRF. A 24-hr time course was also es…

Gonadotropinsekretion nach Stimulation mit einem hochwirksamen Analogon des Gonadotropin-Releasing-Hormon (GnRH) bei gesunden M�nnern

Potente langwirksame GnRH-Analoga sind von besonderem Interesse fur die Therapie des hypogonadotropen Hypogonadismus hypothalamischer Genese und des Kryptorchismus.

The influence of different generations of computer algorithms on diabetes control

With all control schedules, the management of diabetes is possible using Skyler's algorithm. In general, those control algorithms which do not allow the individual adaptation to changing conditions lead to overinsulinisation. So-called meal-related algorithms do usually minimise the fluctuations in blood sugar. The introduction of self-adapting algorithms, detecting peripheral insulin resistance, may further improve metabolic diabetes control.

Konfokale Laser Scanning Mikroskopie (CLSM) kortikalen Knochens – Vergleichende Darstellung mit konventioneller Mikroskopie

Prevalence of myxomatous mitral valve prolapse in patients with lymphocytic thyroiditis

Abstract In conclusion, given the cardiac (mitral regurgitation, endocarditis, thromboembolic complications, arrhythmic sudden death) and neurologic (cerebral embolic event) complications of the pathologic forms of MVP, 6,8 physicians should look carefully for myxomatous involvement of the mitral valve and prolapse in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Patients should be monitored and prophylactic antibiotic treatment recommended when appropriate.

Serum leptin is associated with serum uric acid concentrations in humans.

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between leptin and the cluster of abnormalities often referred to as the metabolic syndrome. The serum leptin concentration, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, total fat mass (FM), waist and hip circumference, waist to hip ratio (WHR), prevalence of hypertension, and triglyceride (TG), lipoprotein, and uric acid concentration were determined in 86 type 2 diabetic (n = 59) and healthy (n = 27) subjects. Multiple regression analyses showed that the estimates of total body obesity (BMI, percent body fat, and total FM), sex, and serum uric acid concentration are independently associated with the serum leptin concentration. The …

Retrobulbar adipocytes and humoral immunity in Graves' ophthalmopathy

As CT and MR-imaging revealed an enlargement of retrobulbar fat tissue in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy, the role of the retrobulbar adipocytes in the pathogenesis of this disorder remains to be elucidated. To evaluate the in vitro influence of humoral immunity on retrobulbar adipose tissue, the effects of IgG and sera from 56 euthyroid ophthalmopathy patients and 53 controls on both porcine and human (patients' and controls') retrobulbar adipocytes were measured by means of several assays: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to reveal specific binding of antibodies to the adipocytes. Metabolic activity was determined by means of a colorimetric dimethyl thiazolium-diphe…

Multilayer capsules: a promising microencapsulation system for transplantation of pancreatic islets

In 1980, Lim and Sun introduced a microcapsule coated with an alginate/polylysine complex for encapsulation of pancreatic islets. Characteristic to this type of capsule is, that it consists of a plain membrane which is formed during a single procedural step. With such a simple process it is difficult to obtain instantly a membrane optimized with respect to all the properties requested for islet transplantation. To overcome these difficulties, it is recommended to build up the membrane in several consecutive steps, each optimized for a certain property. In this study, we have analysed such a multilayer microcapsule for the encapsulation of pancreatic islets. Therefore, empty and islet contai…

Elevated serum leptin concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria

Leptin levels are elevated in end-stage renal disease, suggesting an impairment of renal leptin degradation. The present study aimed to determine whether leptin levels are also elevated in patients with earlier stages of renal disease, ie, microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric nephropathy. A total of 60 subjects were assigned to two study groups. Group A contained 10 type 2 diabetics with macroalbuminuria, 10 type 2 diabetics with normoalbuminuria, and 10 healthy control subjects. Group B contained 10 type 2 diabetics with microalbuminuria, 10 type 2 diabetics with normoalbuminuria, and 10 healthy controls. The subgroups of both study groups were matched for sex and body fatness. In group A…

Associations between type of treatment and illness-specific locus of control in type 1 diabetes patients

Abstract This study examined differences in diabetes-specific locus of control beliefs of 82 insulin-treated Type I diabetes patients undergoing either conventional therapy (CT), intensified conventional therapy (ICT) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Compared to CT with its adherence to a strict regimen, ICT and CSII allow a much greater flexibility in timing of meals and daily activities. On the other hand, such flexibility requires a much more active role of the patient. The hypotheses of higher internality and lower powerful others locus of control beliefs in ICT and CSII patients than in CT patients could be supported for powerful others locus of control only. A one-y…

In-vivo investigation of material quality of bone tissue by measuring apparent phalangeal ultrasound transmission velocity

The square of ultrasound transmission velocity in a material is related to the modulus of elasticity, which is known to be an indicator of stability in bone. The aim of our study was to use ultrasound transmission velocity to obtain information about the material properties of bone tissue, keeping other factors possibly influencing ultrasound transmission as constant as possible. Apparent phalangeal ultrasound transmission velocity (APU) measured in 54 isolated, fresh pig phalanges was shown to be independent of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by SPA. Fastest sound transmission led exclusively through cortical bone so that intertrabecular connectivity in spongious bone could not influen…

Cellular Immunity and Retrobulbar Fibroblasts in Graves' Ophthalmopathy

In Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO), retrobulbar connective tissue is infiltrated by T cells whose role in the pathogenesis of the disease was investigated in the present work. The aims included firstly to characterize subsets of blood lymphocytes and of sessile lymphocytes cloned from a retroorbital tissue specimen. Second, in counterstimulation assays, the ability of patients' T cells to influence cultivated retrobulbar fibroblasts and in turn the enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation by retrobulbar fibroblasts was investigated. Blood lymphocytes of 16 GO patients and 12 controls isolated by density gradient centrifugation and retrobulbar fibroblasts obtained from orbital decompression were …

Role of Octreoscan and Correlation with MR Imaging in Graves' Ophthalmopathy

Since the identification of somatostatin receptors on lymphocytes, orbital infiltration with mononuclear cells in Graves' ophthalmopathy has provided a rationale for receptor imaging with the radiolabeled somatostatin analog Octreotide. In 40 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy and 10 controls, 110 MBq indium-Octreotide were administered i.v., and scans were performed at 4 and 24 h after injection. An uptake ratio between the orbits and the brain was determined. In 20 ophthalmophathy patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbits was performed and the T2 relaxation time was measured within the rectus muscles. Compared to controls (4 h Octreotide uptake: median 6.0 counts/pixel/MB…