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1.
Balkan J Med Genet ; 25(2): 77-81, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37265973

ABSTRACT

Ewing sarcoma (ES), described as a diffuse endothelioma of the bone, is divided into two categories: osseous and extraosseous, which mainly affects adolescents. Extraosseous Ewing Sarcomas (EES) are rare tumors originating from soft tissues. Their clinical presentation depends mainly on the primary location of the tumor and are highly chemosensitive and radiosensitive. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 3 children with EES and uncommon presentation treated in our Unit. The diagnosis of EES was confirmed by biopsy and cytogenetic analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Surgical excision was planned as primary treatment, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy according to EURO-E.W.I.N.G protocol. To date, all patients are alive, 1, 3 and 4 years after completion of treatment, with no signs of recurrence or metastasis.

2.
Hippokratia ; 27(2): 41-47, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39056099

ABSTRACT

Background: L-asparaginase is valuable in treating pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), yet its use has been associated with lipid profile disturbances. Methods: We compared the lipid profile [high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein-α1 (Apo-Α1), apolipoprotein-B100 (Αpo-B100), lipoprotein-α (Lp-α), glucose, amylase, and lipase] between newly diagnosed ALL patients, ALL survivors, and healthy controls. We also assessed alterations of the parameters mentioned earlier during induction and consolidation treatment. Results: We recorded significant differences in the lipid profile at diagnosis of children with ALL compared to controls (HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo-A1, and Apo-B100 levels). HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and Apo-Α1 levels increased significantly during induction at most time points. Levels of Αpo-B100, triglycerides, and Lp-α exhibited a downward trend. During re-induction, no change was observed. During the treatment of high-risk patients, we found no statistically significant difference for any of the examined variables. Conclusion: To confirm our preliminary results, the role of the administration of L-asparaginase and other medications in the variations in the lipid profile at diagnosis of children with ALL needs to be further elucidated with larger multicentre studies, including more patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds. HIPPOKRATIA 2023, 27 (2):41-47.

6.
Comput Med Imaging Graph ; 31(3): 117-27, 2007 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17306961

ABSTRACT

A wavelet-based method for speckle suppression in ultrasound images of the thyroid gland is introduced. The classification of image pixels as speckle or part of important image structures is accomplished within the framework of back-propagation tracking and singularity detection of wavelet transform modulus maxima, derived from inter-scale analysis. A comparative study with other de-speckling techniques, employing quantitative indices, demonstrated that our method achieved superior speckle reduction performance and edge preservation properties. Moreover, a questionnaire regarding qualitative imaging parameters, emanating from various visual observations, was employed by two experienced physicians in order to evaluate the algorithm's speckle suppression efficiency.


Subject(s)
Image Enhancement/methods , Thyroid Gland/diagnostic imaging , Algorithms , Greece , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Ultrasonography
7.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 25(9): 576-86, 2006 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16915398

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study of Q fever was conducted in a representative sample of the human and animal population in Cyprus in order to assess the seroprevalence of Q fever and the prevalence of related risk factors. A total of 583 human and 974 ruminant animal serum samples were collected and tested for the detection of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii phase II antigen using an indirect immunofluorescent assay. One hundred forty-one ticks were collected from the infested animals examined; the polymerase chain reaction and the shell-vial technique were used to detect and isolate C. burnetii. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain information concerning inhabitants and their animals. A geographical information system was used to identify high-risk regions. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii phase II antigen was estimated at 52.7% for humans, 48.2% for goats, 18.9% for sheep, and 24% for bovines. C. burnetii was detected in 11 (7.8%) ticks. Using the geographical information system, two villages were identified as high-risk regions on the basis of high seroprevalence rates of IgG antibodies in humans and animals. Risk factors related to Q fever seropositivity were identified by logistic regression analysis and included age, residence, occupation, use of manure in the garden, ownership of animals (especially goats), and the presence of tick-infested or aborting animals. Q fever poses an occupational hazard to humans living in close contact with sheep and/or goats. In parallel, ticks should be considered an important aspect in the epidemiology of Q fever and should be further studied to better elucidate their role.


Subject(s)
Animals, Domestic/microbiology , Geographic Information Systems , Q Fever/epidemiology , Ruminants/microbiology , Ticks/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Child , Coxiella burnetii/immunology , Coxiella burnetii/isolation & purification , Cross-Sectional Studies , Cyprus/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Mass Screening/methods , Seroepidemiologic Studies
8.
Talanta ; 65(1): 92-7, 2005 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18969769

ABSTRACT

A rapid method for the determination of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn and Zn in honey and sugars without prior digestion or ashing of the sample was developed, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The critical instrumental parameters such as sample flow rate and radio frequency incident power were thoroughly optimized. The effect of matrix type and its concentration was also examined for glucose/fructose, sucrose and honey matrices. The sensitivity was investigated using calibration curves obtained in presence of the above matrices. The obtained recoveries for Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Mn at the mugl(-1) level were satisfactory and practically independent of the matrix used for the calibration standards. The recoveries of Pb and Zn were less sufficient. Various commercial samples of honey, sugar, glucose and fructose were analyzed with respect to their toxic metal content. The method can be applied for routine analysis, quality and environmental pollution control purposes at the mugl(-1) level of concentration, after suitable dilution of the samples.

9.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol ; 93(2): 205-8, 2000 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11074144

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the effects of intravenously administered GnRH on plasma beta-endorphin levels in female proestrous rats. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen adult female proestrous Wistar rats, 220-250 g, were implanted with two indwelling catheters, one intracarotid and one intrajugular. Ten ng GnRH/100 microl distilled water or 100 microl saline (control) were infused in eight animals per group every 20 min from 12:30 to 14:30 h. Blood was withdrawn through the intracarotid catheter just before the initial infusion (12:30 h) and at 14:00, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30 h for the determination of plasma beta-endorphin levels. The Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison between GnRH-treated and control rats and the Wilcoxon test within each treatment group. RESULTS: beta-Endorphin levels of GnRH-treated rats were not significantly different at any sampling moment neither compared to preinfusion time nor to the corresponding controls. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenously administered GnRH was not sufficient for any possible effect on the secretion of beta-endorphin from rat pituitary and further investigation is needed to demonstrate if a different experimental model would have any significant effect.


Subject(s)
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology , beta-Endorphin/blood , Animals , Female , Infusions, Intravenous , Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar
10.
Appl Opt ; 39(24): 4205-13, 2000 Aug 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18350001

ABSTRACT

The radiative properties of aerosol-soot mixtures, both internal and external, are determined in the visible and near-infrared bands by use of exact indirect mode-matching solutions to electromagnetic-wave scattering from a sphere with an eccentric spherical inclusion and from a cluster of spheres. Spherical sulfate droplets are assumed to represent aerosol particles. Soot particles are represented by volume-equivalent carbon spheres, the size distribution of which is obtained from the number distribution of the primary carbon particles that aggregate into soot grains. The mean gram-specific absorption cross section and the mean albedo of aerosol-soot mixtures are obtained by integration of the corresponding characteristics of composite sulfate-carbon particles over the size range of carbon spheres. Enhanced absorption of light by soot in aerosol-soot mixtures, a result of lensing by sulfate droplets, is highlighted by maps of the electromagnetic field in a sulfate-carbon particle.

11.
Gynecol Endocrinol ; 13(5): 340-3, 1999 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10599551

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the effects of intraventricularly administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on plasma beta-endorphin levels in female proestrous rats. Adult female Wistar rats (220-250 g) were implanted with an indwelling cannula in the third ventricle. Approximately 20 days later, the animals which had established a regular 4-day cycle were implanted with two indwelling catheters, one intracarotid and one intrajugular, on the morning of proestrus. A single injection of 100 ng GnRH dissolved in 5 microliters distilled water or 5 microliters of saline (control) was infused slowly through the cannula in the third ventricle. Blood was withdrawn via the intracarotid catheter just before the infusion (12.30 h) and at 14.00, 15.30, 16.30 and 17.30 h for the determination of plasma beta-endorphin levels. The results indicated that intracerebroventricular infusion of GnRH causes a significant decline of plasma beta-endorphin levels at all time points. It is postulated that GnRH possibly causes desensitization of GnRH receptors, due to the continuous GnRH supply to the pituitary via the blood circulation.


Subject(s)
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology , Pituitary Gland/metabolism , beta-Endorphin/metabolism , Animals , Female , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/administration & dosage , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/physiology , Injections, Intraventricular , Pituitary Gland/drug effects , Proestrus/physiology , Radioimmunoassay , Rats , Rats, Wistar , beta-Endorphin/blood
12.
J Child Neurol ; 11(3): 197-200, 1996 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8734021

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the size of the subarachnoid space in children with "idiopathic" mental retardation. The extent of various cerebrospinal fluid compartments was measured in 106 brain computed tomographic examinations of children with idiopathic mental retardation, and the results were compared with the corresponding normative data. The third ventricle was enlarged in 77% of the cases. A mild degree of diffuse widening of the subarachnoid spaces was found in about 30% of the patients. These morphologic alterations are additional observations supporting the hypothesis that "idiopathic" mental retardation has a biologic basis.


Subject(s)
Intellectual Disability/diagnostic imaging , Subarachnoid Space/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Brain/abnormalities , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Intellectual Disability/etiology , Male , Reference Values , Subarachnoid Space/abnormalities , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
13.
Rheumatol Int ; 11(4-5): 183-6, 1991.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1784887

ABSTRACT

The knees of fifty-two patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 22 patients with seronegative spondylarthopathies (SA) as well as of 20 healthy volunteers were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Osseous erosions (RA 52%-SA 18%; P less than 0.005), Baker cysts (RA 56%-SA 12%; P less than 0.005), pannus formation (RA 67%-SA 36%; P less than 0.05), and cartilage thinning with narrowing of the joint space (RA 46%-SA 18%; P less than 0.05) proved to be more frequent MRI findings in patients with RA. Additionally, in patients with RA erosions were more extensive. Follow-up MRI examinations of 19 patients revealed an improvement in MRI changes in SA within an average interval of 6 months. No substantial changes were noted in 7 of 13 RA patients. Quantitative and qualitative MRI findings of knee arthritis differ in patients with RA and SA and this was statistically significant. However, as there is considerable overlap of the MRI and radiographic changes in both groups the discriminating diagnostic value in the individual case was limited.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis , Knee Joint/pathology , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Radiography
14.
Radiat Med ; 8(6): 211-4, 1990.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2093940

ABSTRACT

Fifty-six patients with traumatic and 117 patients with inflammatory lesions of the knee and ankle were examined with a 2 T (69 examinations) or 0.23 T (104 examinations) MR system. The quality of all images was assessed by the consensus of three radiologists on a scale of diagnostic (3+, 2+) and nondiagnostic (1+) image quality. More than 90% of images from both systems were diagnostic. However, the proportion of 3+ quality images was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) at the magnetic field strength of 2 T (81% = 56/69 versus 49% = 51/104 at 0.23 T). Motion artifacts were the main cause of reduced image quality independent of field strength. In patients with traumatic and inflammatory diseases of the knee and ankle, high field imaging at 2 T provided better image quality than low field imaging at 0.23 T.


Subject(s)
Ankle Joint/pathology , Knee Joint/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ankle Injuries , Arthritis/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infections/diagnosis , Inflammation/diagnosis , Knee Injuries/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoarthritis/diagnosis , Tenosynovitis/diagnosis
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