Nuclear deformation and neutron excess as competing effects for dipole strength in the pygmy region.

The electromagnetic dipole strength below the neutron-separation energy has been studied for the xenon isotopes with mass numbers A=124, 128, 132, and 134 in nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments using the γELBE bremsstrahlung facility at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and the HIγS facility at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory Durham. The systematic study gained new information about the influence of the neutron excess as well as of nuclear deformation on the strength in the region of the pygmy dipole resonance. The results are compared with those obtained for the chain of molybdenum isotopes and with predictions of a random-phase approximation in a deformed basis. It turned out that the effect of nuclear deformation plays a minor role compared with the one caused by neutron excess. A global parametrization of the strength in terms of neutron and proton numbers allowed us to derive a formula capable of predicting the summed E1 strengths in the pygmy region for a wide mass range of nuclides.

Serological analysis of the outcome of treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infections with praziquantel.

A serological assay was developed to assess the outcome of the treatment of intestinal schistosomiasis with praziquantel, in patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection. Each of 33 patients (seven found to be excreting S. mansoni eggs and 26 egg-negatives found seropositive for antibodies against antigens from S. mansoni eggs) had two to five serum specimens assayed, the sera being collected at the time of diagnosis and at least once after praziquantel treatment. The sera were tested in ELISA against three antigen preparations: the unfractionated soluble egg antigens of S. margrebowiei and S. mansoni (SmSEA) and a cationic antigen fraction (CEF6) purified from the SmSEA. The dynamics of the post-treatment antibody levels were variable. In a minority of the patients, antibody levels declined relatively rapidly (within 5-12 months), to ELISA negativity, with the levels of the anti-CEF6 antibodies declining more rapidly than those of the anti-SmSEA antibodies. In the remaining patients, however, the levels of these specific antibodies declined only slowly or not at all over a 2- to 3-year period. The post-treatment monitoring of the levels of anti-schistosome-egg antibodies, particularly those of anti-CEF6 antibodies, may help to distinguish the treatments that result in parasitological cure from those that are only partially successful.

Antibody responses induced by Trichobilharzia regenti antigens in murine and human hosts exhibiting cercarial dermatitis.

Cercariae of bird schistosomes (genus Trichobilharzia) are able to penetrate the skin of mammals (noncompatible hosts), including humans, and cause a Th2-associated inflammatory cutaneous reaction termed cercarial dermatitis. The present study measured the antibody reactivity and antigen specificity of sera obtained after experimental infection of mice and natural infection of humans. Sera from mice re-infected with T. regenti showed a bias towards the development of antigen-specific IgM and IgG1 antibodies and elevated levels of total serum IgE, indicative of a Th2 polarized immune response. We also demonstrate that cercariae are a source of antigens triggering IL-4 release from basophils collected from healthy human volunteers. Analysis of sera from patients with a history of cercarial dermatitis revealed elevated levels of cercarial-specific IgG, particularly for samples collected from adults (> 14 years old) compared with children (8-14 years old), although elevated levels of antigen-specific IgE were not detected. In terms of antigen recognition, IgG and IgE antibodies in the sera of both mice and humans preferentially bound an antigen of 34 kDa. The 34 kDa molecule was present in both homogenate of cercariae, as well as cercarial excretory/secretory products, and we speculate it may represent a major immunogen initiating the Th2-immune response associated with cercarial dermatitis.

A novel tool for the detection of allergic sensitization combining protein microarrays with human basophils.

BACKGROUND: Protein microarray (PM) is a powerful alternative to costly or labour-intensive diagnostic for the large-scale detection of allergen-specific IgE. In this study, we established a proof-of-concept that coupling the diversity of protein array with the biological output of basophilic cells is a feasible proposition. METHOD: Human basophils purified from the peripheral blood of healthy donors were stripped, re-sensitized with the serum or IgE preparation to be tested, and incubated with manually spotted protein array chips (FAST slides). The basophilic cell lines KU-812 and RBL-703/21 likewise sensitized were compared with peripheral blood basophils by the same approach. Purified basophils or other basophilic cells were incubated with FAST slides for various periods of time, washed, and cell binding was visualized by light microscopy. Basophil activation, indicating the effective cross-linking of IgE by allergens, was monitored via up-regulation of basophil activation surface marker (CD 63). RESULTS: Purified stripped peripheral basophils, re-sensitized with the serum of a grass pollen-allergic patient, displayed strong binding to anti-IgE antibody and grass pollen extract with relatively low unspecific binding. Similar results were obtained with RBL-703/21, which may be a good replacement for peripheral basophils to avoid the costly, cumbersome and time-consuming basophil purification. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that coupling the diversity of a PM approach with the potential functionality and biological activity of a cell-based test is feasible and may result in a new system to detect allergic sensitization.

IPSE/alpha-1: a major immunogenic component secreted from Schistosoma mansoni eggs.

During infection with Schistosoma mansoni the egg stage of this parasite modulates the initial T helper (Th1) response into a Th2 response. This suggests that schistosome eggs contain factors responsible for that effect. We have recently described a glycoprotein (IPSE) from S. mansoni eggs that has a potent IL-4-inducing effect on human basophils. Here we demonstrate that IPSE is identical to a previously described molecule, the S. mansoni egg antigen alpha-1. We furthermore show that the expression of IPSE/alpha-1 at the level of both mRNA and protein is restricted to the egg stage. IPSE/alpha-1 is produced in and released from the subshell area of the egg and comes into close contact with inflammatory cells recruited to the vicinity of the egg surface. In line with this IPSE/alpha-1 is one of three major S. mansoni egg glycoproteins that induce pronounced antibody responses. Its IL-4-inducing capacity, moreover, suggests that IPSE/alpha-1 plays a role in initiating the Th2 response induced by patent S. mansoni infections.

A simple and reliable 5'-RACE approach.

A novel approach for the amplification of cDNA ends is described. It requires only minimal amounts of material, a simple cDNA synthesis reaction and a single PCR reaction to amplify the desired 5'- or 3'-ends of a certain cDNA of interest. It combines the so called CapFinder approach with solid phase cDNA synthesis, thus almost eliminating background problems usually associated with 5'-RACE protocols. This approach could be used to generate complete 5'-ends of numerous cDNAs using only one cDNA synthesis reaction. In combination with LA PCR, several kilobases of unknown 5'-ends could be amplified. It is easy to perform, quick, inexpensive and reliable, which should enable it to replace most currently used 5'-RACE protocols.

Detection of mRNA for eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 in human dermal fibroblasts and their distinct activation profile on human eosinophils.

As many new biologically active chemokines have been cloned exploring the genomic DNA sequence database in the vicinity of already known chemokine sequences without demonstrating their natural origin, it is important to transfer findings from in vitro experiments with chemokines into the in vivo situation. With respect to eosinophils and fibroblasts that play an important part in the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases, the role of the recently discovered members of the eotaxin family, eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3, is not really understood. In order to elucidate the origin and biologic potency of the eotaxin family this study was performed. Conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was suitable to detect mRNA for eotaxin and eotaxin-3 but not for eotaxin-2 in dermal fibroblasts. In contrast to conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, LightCycler analysis revealed that dermal fibroblasts constitutively expressed mRNA not only for eotaxin and eotaxin-3 but also for eotaxin-2. Moreover, with this technique we investigated mRNA expression levels after stimulation of fibroblasts with interleukin-4 and interleukin-4 plus tumor necrosis factor-alpha: the rank order of expression levels within the eotaxin family was eotaxin > eotaxin-3 > eotaxin-2. To address the question of the efficacy of eotaxin-3, we compared its activity with eotaxin, eotaxin-2, monocyte chemotactic protein-3, monocyte chemotactic protein-4, and RANTES in different test systems for eosinophils. The efficacy of the CC chemokines at equimolar concentrations with respect to the chemotactic response of human eosinophils was eotaxin-3 = eotaxin = eotaxin-2 > RANTES > monocyte chemotactic protein-4. The rank order of activity with respect to actin polymerization and release of toxic reactive oxygen species was eotaxin-3 = eotaxin = eotaxin-2 and eotaxin = eotaxin-2 > eotaxin-3 = monocyte chemotactic protein-3 = monocyte chemotactic protein-4 = RANTES, respectively. This study indicated a distinct profile in expression levels of the members of the eotaxin family in dermal fibroblasts. Indeed, all three eotaxin ligands demonstrated activation of human eosinophils with similar efficacies for chemotaxis, cytoskeletal rearrangements, activation of Gi proteins and transients of [Ca2+]i, but a distinct profile of activity with respect to the binding to CCR3 and the release of toxic reactive oxygen species. These findings may help to understand further the role of CC chemokines in fibroblast/eosinophil activation, which is of interest particularly in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Major allergen Phl p Vb in timothy grass is a novel pollen RNase.

A cDNA coding for the major group V allergen Phl p Vb was isolated from a timothy grass pollen cDNA library by immunoscreening with a specific monoclonal antibody. It was discovered for the first time that the recombinant Phl p Vb pollen allergen after expression and purification has ribonuclease activity. High homology of Phl p Vb to other group V allergens in grass pollen indicates similar function. By RNase activity gel of natural pollen extract of timothy grass and consecutive Western blot analysis of the excised proteins, the RNase active bands were shown to be group V allergens. Additionally it was demonstrated that an homologous protein to Phl p Vb in the mother plant could be induced by salicylic acid. This indicates that group Vb allergens may be involved in host-pathogen interactions because in pollen they are quickly exported RNases and in the mother plant they depend on a hormone which is related to expression of plant resistance genes.

Demonstration in human atrial preparations of alpha-adrenoceptors mediating positive inotropic effects.

In isolated, electrically driven right auricular strips of the human heart the inotropic effect of phenylephrine was studied. 1. First, the influence of the driving rate on the tension developed (i.e., the frequency-force relationship) was determined by stimulation of the preparations at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 HZ. The force of contraction was lowest at a stimulation rate of 0.1 HZ (36.9 g/g dry weight). The maximally developed force of contraction observed at frequencies of 0.5, 1 and 2 HZ amounted to about 200 g/g dry weight. The values did not significantly differ from each other. 2. The negative log of the EC50 (-log EC50) for the positive inotropic effect of phenylephrine determined at a frequency of 0.5 and 1.0 HZ amounted to 5.28 +/- 0.08 and 5.34 +/- 0.11, respectively. The alpha-adrenolytic drug phentolamine (3 x 10(-6) M) diminished significantly the -log EC50 to 5.01 +/- 0.04 and 4.89 +/- 0.10, respectively. 3. At a frequency of 1 HZ a shift of the concentration-response curve to the right was observed after treatment with the beta-adrenolytic drug pindolol (3 x 10(-8) M); the -log EC50 of phenylephrine decreased significantly to 4.08 +/- 0.07. 4. From these results it is concluded that alpha-adrenoceptors are present in human atria; they mediate positive inotropic effects and are stimulated by phenylephrine.

A comparative randomized trial on the impact of two low-dose oral contraceptives on ovarian activity, cervical permeability, and endometrial receptivity.

In a double-blind randomized study, the suppression of ovarian activity and anti-conceptive effects on the cervix and endometrium were assessed during administration of two low-dose monophasic oral contraceptives (20 micrograms ethinyl estradiol [EE], 500 micrograms norethisterone--Eve 20 [Grünenthal, Aachen, Germany]; 20 micrograms EE, 150 micrograms desogestrel --Lovelle [Organon, Munich, Germany]). One hundred eighteen healthy women (ages: 18-35 years) were studied in 10 investigation centers during medication with either Eve 20 (n = 59) or Lovelle (n = 59). During three treatment cycles, ovarian activity was evaluated by sonographic determination of follicle-like structures (FLS) and by simultaneous assessment of serum endocrine profiles (gonadotropins LH and FSH, ovarian steroids estradiol [E2] and progesterone [P]). While on either treatment, no ovarian activity (as judged by no FLS and/or reduced sex steroid levels) was found in 90.8% (Eve 20) and 97.2% (Lovelle) of all investigated cycles. Follicular activity or cyst formation were detected in 18 of 173 cycles (Eve 20) and in 5 of 175 cycles (Lovelle), respectively. Gonadotropin levels were suppressed (LH < 6 IU/L, FSH < 8 IU/L) in most treatment cycles (Eve 20 76.6% vs. Lovelle: 84.8%). Serum E2 concentrations exceeding 0.1 nmol/L indicated residual follicular activity in 19.3% (Eve 20) versus 12.2% (Lovelle) of all cycles. An estimated by serum P levels over 5 nmol/L, ovulation had presumably occurred in 4.1% (Eve 20) versus 2.9% (Lovelle) of treatment cycles. However, when the sonographical and endocrinological data were combined, no ovulation was documented in any pill cycle. The quality and quantity of the cervical mucus was found to be minimal in the majority of women. Moreover, the endometrial layer was determined to be low by ultrasound during most pill cycles, indicating equally strong suppressive effects on endometrial receptivity by the two contraceptives. These observations suggest that ovarian activity is suppressed in the majority of cycles during use of low-dose contraceptives. This effect may mainly be medicated by pronounced suppression of serum gonadotropin levels. Strong anti-conceptive effects of these formulations on both cervical permeability and endometrial receptivity are additional factors ensuring the contraceptive efficacy of these formulations.

PIP: The impact of two low-dose monophasic oral contraceptives (OCs) on suppression of ovarian activity, cervical permeability, and endometrial receptivity was investigated in a randomized double-blind study involving 118 healthy women 18-35 years of age recruited from 10 study centers in Germany. 59 women received Eve (20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 500 mcg of norethisterone) and 59 were given Lovelle (20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel) for a total of 3 cycles. No ovarian activity, as assessed by sonographic determinations of follicle-like structures and serum endocrine profiles, was detected in 90.8% of cycles of Eve users and 97.2% of cycles in the Lovelle group. Follicular activity or cyst formation was found in 18 of 173 cycles of Eve users and 5 of 175 cycles of Lovelle users. Gonadotropin levels were suppressed (luteinizing hormone under 6 IU/L and follicle-stimulating hormone less than 8 IU/L) in 76.6% of treatment cycles in the Eve group and 84.8% of cycles in the Lovelle group. Serum estradiol concentrations exceeding 0.1 nmol/L, indicative of follicular activity, were recorded in 19.3% of cycles of Eve users and 12.2% of cycles in the Lovelle group. Although serum progesterone levels were over 5 nmol/L in 4.1% of cycles in the Eve group and 2.9% of those in the Lovelle group, consolidation of sonographic and endocrinologic data failed to document ovulation in any treatment cycles. The quantity and quality of cervical mucus was minimal in most women in both groups. Finally, the endometrial layer was determined to be low by ultrasonography during most pill cycles, confirming the OCs' equally strong suppressive effects on endometrial receptivity.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. X. Scorodonin, a new antibacterial and antifungal metabolite from Marasmius scorodonius (Fr.) Fr.

Scorodonin (1), a novel biologically active metabolite, was isolated from submerged cultures of the mushroom Marasmius scorodonius (FR.) FR. Its structure has been determined by chemical and physical methods. The antibiotic inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. In cells of the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma the incorporation of thymidine and uridine into DNA and RNA is strongly inhibited by scorodonin whereas the incorporation of leucine into protein is not affected.

The strobilurins--new antifungal antibiotics from the basidiomycete Strobilurus tenacellus.

The strobilurins are two antifungal antibiotics which were isolated from the mycelium of Strobilurus tenacellus strain No. 21602. The strobilurins A and B are highly active against yeasts and filamentous fungi. In vitro antitumor activity was tested using cells of the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma. The strobilurins strongly inhibited the incorporation of radioactive leucine, uridine, and thymidine into the acid-insoluble fraction of cells (protein, RNA, and DNA). The molecular formulas as determined by high resolution mass spectrometry are C16H18O3 for strobilurin A and C17H19C1O4 for strobilurin B.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. VII. Crinipellin, a new antibiotic from the basidiomycetous fungus Crinipellis stipitaria (Fr.) Pat.

A crystalline antibiotic, which we have named crinipellin, was isolated from submerged cultures of the basidiomycete Crinipellis stipitaria, strain No. 7612. High resolution mass spectrometry yielded the formula C22H28O5. The antibiotic is most active against Gram-positive bacteria, although yeasts and filamentous fungi are affected to a lesser extent. Crinipellin exhibits high in vitro inhibitory activity against the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma. The incorporation of precursors of DNA-, RNA-, and protein syntheses in EHRLICH carcinoma (and in Bacillus brevis) cells was completely inhibited at 5(10) microgram/ml. In Bacillus brevis the inhibition of the incorporation of uridine was found to be due to an interference by crinipellin with the transport of the precursor into the cells.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. IX. Oudemansin, an antifungal antibiotic from Oudemansiella mucida (Schrader ex Fr.) Hoehnel (Agaricales).

From mycelial cultures of Oudemansiella mucida a crystalline optically active antibiotic, oudemansin (2), has been isolated; its structure is closely related to strobilurin A (1). The relative configuration of oudemansin have been determined by X-ray analysis. The antibiotic exhibits strong antifungal properties and inhibits respiration in fungi, cells of the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma, and rat liver mitochondria.

Diagnosis of a papillary hidradenoma of the vulva by simultaneous cytology and colposcopy.

A case of papillary hidradenoma of the vulva is reported, and the simultaneous use of cytology and colposcopy as diagnostic aids is suggested. The cytologic and colposcopic findings are described in detail. The cytologic findings correspond with the histologic pattern of these benign growths.

[Indications for thoracotomy and rib stabilization in thoracic trauma in the aged]. / Indikation zur Thoracotomie und Rippenstabilisierung beim Thoraxtrauma im hohen Lebensalter.

In trauma patients with chest injuries, serial rib fractures and intrathoracic lacerations, the indication for primary thoracotomy is usually limited to life-threatening organ ruptures. In our own experience with 13 patients, primary thoracotomy offers the chance of immediate closure of lung lacerations, suture of pleural and pericardial tears, ligature of torn intercostal vessels, and stabilization of the chest wall by rib plating. Postoperative, respiration, free of pain, is restored immediately. Complications and duration of respirator treatment can be reduced. This will reduce the high lethality rates of chest injuries significantly.

Pharmaceutical container/closure integrity. V: An evaluation of the WILCO "LFC" method for leak testing pharmaceutical glass-stoppered vials.

The sensitivity, reliability, reproducibility and ease of use of the WILCO LFC package integrity test method was evaluated by preparing and testing a series of rubber-stoppered glass vials which were modified by affixing a glass micropipette through the vial side wall. The test units contained water, 50% aqueous ethanol, 20% lithium chloride or 20% aqueous glycerol. Leakage measurement obtained by LFC testing were compared to helium leak rate measurements. The LFC methods detected all leak > 0.0014 standard cubic centimeters per second (sccs), which represents a sensitivity about fourteen-fold greater than standard vacuum decay methods. The minimum detectable leak corresponded to a nominal micropipette internal diameter of between 1 and 2 microns. The effective detection range corresponded to a leak size associated with a 40 to 100% probability of microbial ingress based on a previously reported logistical regression model between helium leak rate and microbial immersion. The sensitivity did not vary with solvent or testing duration in range of 5 to 10 seconds. The coefficient of variation was about 3%. The LFC operation was rapid and without apparent mechanical or electronic problems over the two day testing period used in these studies.

A volume of intersection approach for on-the-fly system matrix calculation in 3D PET image reconstruction.

The aim of this study is the evaluation of on-the-fly volume of intersection computation for system's geometry modelling in 3D PET image reconstruction. For this purpose we propose a simple geometrical model in which the cubic image voxels on the given Cartesian grid are approximated with spheres and the rectangular tubes of response (ToRs) are approximated with cylinders. The model was integrated into a fully 3D list-mode PET reconstruction for performance evaluation. In our model the volume of intersection between a voxel and the ToR is only a function of the impact parameter (the distance between voxel centre to ToR axis) but is independent of the relative orientation of voxel and ToR. This substantially reduces the computational complexity of the system matrix calculation. Based on phantom measurements it was determined that adjusting the diameters of the spherical voxel size and the ToR in such a way that the actual voxel and ToR volumes are conserved leads to the best compromise between high spatial resolution, low noise, and suppression of Gibbs artefacts in the reconstructed images. Phantom as well as clinical datasets from two different PET systems (Siemens ECAT HR(+) and Philips Ingenuity-TF PET/MR) were processed using the developed and the respective vendor-provided (line of intersection related) reconstruction algorithms. A comparison of the reconstructed images demonstrated very good performance of the new approach. The evaluation showed the respective vendor-provided reconstruction algorithms to possess 34-41% lower resolution compared to the developed one while exhibiting comparable noise levels. Contrary to explicit point spread function modelling our model has a simple straight-forward implementation and it should be easy to integrate into existing reconstruction software, making it competitive to other existing resolution recovery techniques.

Evaluation of PET quantification accuracy in vivo. Comparison of measured FDG concentration in the bladder with urine samples.

UNLABELLED: Quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) requires accurate scanner calibration, which is commonly performed using phantoms. It is not clear to what extent this procedure ensures quantitatively correct results in vivo, since certain conditions differ between phantom and patient scans. AIM: We, therefore, have evaluated the actual quantification accuracy in vivo of PET under clinical routine conditions. PATIENTS, METHODS: We determined the activity concentration in the bladder in patients undergoing routine [18F]FDG whole body investigations with three different PET scanners (Siemens ECAT EXACT HR+ PET: n = 21; Siemens Biograph 16 PET/CT: n = 16; Philips Gemini-TF PET/CT: n = 19). Urine samples were collected immediately after scan. Activity concentration in the samples was determined in well counters cross-calibrated against the respective scanner. The PET (bladder) to well counter (urine sample) activity concentration ratio was determined. RESULTS: Activity concentration in the bladder (PET) was systematically lower than in the urine samples (well counter). The patient-averaged PET to well counter ratios for the investigated scanners are (mean ± SEM): 0.881 ± 0.015 (ECAT HR+), 0.898 ± 0.024 (Biograph 16), 0.932 ± 0.024 (Gemini-TF). These values correspond to underestimates by PET of 11.9%, 10.2%, and 6.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The investigated PET systems consistently underestimate activity concentration in the bladder. The comparison of urine samples with PET scans of the bladder is a straightforward means for in vivo evaluation of the expectable quantification accuracy. The method might be interesting for multi-center trials, for additional quality assurance in PET and for investigation of PET/MR systems for which clear proof of sufficient quantitative accuracy in vivo is still missing.

Evaluation and automatic correction of metal-implant-induced artifacts in MR-based attenuation correction in whole-body PET/MR imaging.

The aim of this paper is to describe a new automatic method for compensation of metal-implant-induced segmentation errors in MR-based attenuation maps (MRMaps) and to evaluate the quantitative influence of those artifacts on the reconstructed PET activity concentration. The developed method uses a PET-based delineation of the patient contour to compensate metal-implant-caused signal voids in the MR scan that is segmented for PET attenuation correction. PET emission data of 13 patients with metal implants examined in a Philips Ingenuity PET/MR were reconstructed with the vendor-provided method for attenuation correction (MRMap(orig), PET(orig)) and additionally with a method for attenuation correction (MRMap(cor), PET(cor)) developed by our group. MRMaps produced by both methods were visually inspected for segmentation errors. The segmentation errors in MRMap(orig) were classified into four classes (L1 and L2 artifacts inside the lung and B1 and B2 artifacts inside the remaining body depending on the assigned attenuation coefficients). The average relative SUV differences (ε(rel)(av)) between PET(orig) and PET(cor) of all regions showing wrong attenuation coefficients in MRMap(orig) were calculated. Additionally, relative SUV(mean) differences (ε(rel)) of tracer accumulations in hot focal structures inside or in the vicinity of these regions were evaluated. MRMap(orig) showed erroneous attenuation coefficients inside the regions affected by metal artifacts and inside the patients' lung in all 13 cases. In MRMap(cor), all regions with metal artifacts, except for the sternum, were filled with the soft-tissue attenuation coefficient and the lung was correctly segmented in all patients. MRMap(cor) only showed small residual segmentation errors in eight patients. ε(rel)(av) (mean ± standard deviation) were: (-56 ± 3)% for B1, (-43 ± 4)% for B2, (21 ± 18)% for L1, (120 ± 47)% for L2 regions. ε(rel) (mean ± standard deviation) of hot focal structures were: (-52 ± 12)% in B1, (-45 ± 13)% in B2, (19 ± 19)% in L1, (51 ± 31)% in L2 regions. Consequently, metal-implant-induced artifacts severely disturb MR-based attenuation correction and SUV quantification in PET/MR. The developed algorithm is able to compensate for these artifacts and improves SUV quantification accuracy distinctly.