Publications (60) View all
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Article: Markers of Bone Resorption and Formation During Abstinence in Male Alcoholic Patients.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is commonly found in alcohol-dependent patients. Many risk factors have been reported, yet the course of markers of bone formation and resorption in abstinent alcoholic patients have not received much attention. METHODS: In a prospective longitudinal study, we investigated BMD in male abstinent inpatients of an alcohol rehabilitation clinic aged 21 to 50 years at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. At baseline and at week 8, all patients had blood drawn for the analysis of liver function tests, calcium, phosphate, parathormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, osteocalcin (OC), serum crosslaps, sex hormones, and prolactin. BMD was determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry in the lumbar spine and the proximal right femur. We also determined the amount of physical activity prior to inpatient treatment by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: Low BMD was found in 15.1% of the patients for the lumbar spine, in 5.7% for the femoral neck, and in 1.9% for the total hip. BMD differed significantly from normal values, in the lumbar spine and in the femoral neck. At baseline, crosslaps were elevated in 34% of the patients, while OC levels were lowered in 17%. Over the course of the 8 weeks, we found a significant increase in OC plasma levels, indicating a higher rate of bone formation during continuous abstinence. There were also positive correlations between IPAQ scores and BMD as reflected by Z-scores in all regions, pointing to a protective effect of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this report confirms earlier cross-sectional studies of lowered BMD in alcoholic noncirrhotic men. We could also demonstrate that the initial imbalance between bone formation and resorption seems to adjust toward a balance between the two during abstinence.Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 09/2012; · 3.34 Impact Factor -
Article: Inadequate description of an acupuncture treatment study for polycystic ovaries.
Fertility and sterility 03/2012; 97(5):e20; author reply e21. · 3.97 Impact Factor -
Article: Somatostatin receptor SPECT.
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ABSTRACT: Somatostatin is a peptide with a broad distribution in the nervous system and acts as a neurotransmitter in several organs, having a wide range of mainly inhibiting effects, such as the suppression of growth hormone release, as well as the inhibition of pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormone release. Five somatostatin receptor subtypes have been cloned and demonstrated to have an emphasized expression in all human tumours. In particular, type 2 receptors were identified as the most frequently represented on the surface of neuroendocrine tumour cells, providing the molecular basis for many clinical applications of somatostatin analogues. Towards the end of the 1980s, the in vivo demonstration of somatostatin receptors on the surface of some tumours raised interest in receptor imaging, and indeed the peptide receptor overexpression on tumour cells, as compared to normal tissues, constitutes the basis for molecular imaging of these tumours. This review intends to illustrate the development of single photon emission radiopharmaceuticals for the study of somatostatin receptors and their application in diagnostic imaging.European Journal of Nuclear Medicine 03/2012; 39 Suppl 1:S41-51. · 4.53 Impact Factor -
Chapter: Thyroid Sonography in 3D with Emphasis on Perfusion
02/2012; , ISBN: 978-953-307-947-9 -
Article: [99mTc]demotensin VI: biodistribution and initial clinical results in tumor patients of a pilot/phase I study.
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ABSTRACT: Neurotensin subtype 1 receptor overexpression is found in a variety of human tumors. The aim of this pilot/phase I study was to assess the safety profile, pharmacokinetics, and imaging characteristics of (99m)Tc-Demotensin VI in tumor patients. Scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-Demotensin VI was performed in 14 patients (2 female and 12 male) with advanced tumor stages. The diagnoses were pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n=4), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n=4), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n=4), and colon carcinoma (n=2). Patients were injected with 500-550 MBq (99m)Tc-Demotensin VI. Blood samples were taken at various time points and urine was also collected up to 24 hours post-injection (p.i.) Planar images were acquired at 15-30 minutes, 1-2 hours, 4 hours, and 24 hours p.i. with additional SPECT imaging at 4 hours. Radiochemical purity always exceeded 95% up to 4 hours. Urinary and blood excretion was rapid with 5.05% ID (mean: n=5) in plasma after 4 hours. No side effects were observed after injection of (99m)Tc-Demotensin VI. Focal tracer accumulation was observed in 3 patients with brain metastases due to NSCLC, although specificity of this uptake could not be proven. Further, no tumor-related findings were observed. Although stability tests in human plasma revealed that (99m)Tc-Demotensin VI remained intact up to 2 hours incubation, ex vivo urine analysis indicated rapid metabolism. (99m)Tc-Demotensin VI was well tolerated by patients and showed favorable pharmacokinetics; however, tumor targeting was limited to brain metastases. Further studies on stability issues and receptor characterization in tumors are warranted to introduce neurotensin receptors (NTSR) imaging into the clinic.Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals 09/2011; 26(5):557-63. · 1.44 Impact Factor
