AIM: To develop an experimental model of islet allotransplantation in diabetic rats and to determine the positive or adverse effects of MMF as a single agent. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats and 18 male Lewis rat...AIM: To develop an experimental model of islet allotransplantation in diabetic rats and to determine the positive or adverse effects of MMF as a single agent. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats and 18 male Lewis rats were used as recipients and donors respectively. Diabetes was induced by the use of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Unpurified islets were isolated using the collagenase digestion technique and transplanted into the splenic parenchyma. The recipients were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: group A (control group) had no immunosuppression; group B received cyclosporine (CsA) (5 mg/kg); group C receivedmycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (20 mg/kg). The animalswere killed on the 12th d. Blood and grafted tissues were obtained for laboratory and histological assessment. RESULTS: Median allograft survival was significantly higher in the two therapy groups than that in the controls (10 and 12 d for CsA and MMF respectively vs 0 d for the control group, P＜0.01). No difference in allograft survival between the CsA and MMF groups was found. However,MMF had less renal and hepatic toxicity and allowed weight gain.CONCLUSION: Monotherapy with MMF for immunosu ppression was safe in an experimental model of islet allotransplantation and was equally effective with cyclosporine, with less toxicity.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy to the acute toxicity of a hypofractionated radiotherapy(HFRT) schedule for breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 116 breast cancer patients with T1, 2N0 Mx. T...AIM: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy to the acute toxicity of a hypofractionated radiotherapy(HFRT) schedule for breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 116 breast cancer patients with T1, 2N0 Mx. The patients received3-D conformal radiotherapy with a total physical dose of 50.54 Gy or 53.2 Gy in 19 or 20 fractions according to stage, over 23-24 d. The last three to four fractions were delivered as a sequential tumor boost. All patients were monitored for acute skin toxicity according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The maximum monitored value was taken as the final grading score. Multivariate analysis was performed for the contribution of age, chemotherapy and 19 vs 20 fractions to the radiation acute skin toxicity.RESULTS: The acute radiation induced skin toxicity was as following: grade Ⅰ 27.6%, grade Ⅱ 7.8% and grade Ⅲ 2.6%. No significant correlation was noted between toxicity grading and chemotherapy(P = 0.154, χ2 test). The mean values of acute toxicity score in terms of chemotherapy or not, were 0.64 and 0.46 respectively(P = 0.109, Mann Whitney test). No significant correlation was also noted between acute skin toxicity and radiotherapy fractions(P = 0.47, χ2test). According to univariate analysis, only chemotherapy contributed significantly to the development of acute skin toxicity but with a critical value of P = 0.05. However, in multivariate analysis, chemotherapy lost its statistical significance. None of the patients during the 2-years of follow-up presented any locoregional relapse.CONCLUSION: There is no clear evidence that chemotherapy has an impact to acute skin toxicity after an HFRT schedule. A randomized trial is needed for definite conclusions.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the correlation between rs1568885,rs1813443 and rs4411591 polymorphisms and response to infliximab in a cohort of Greek patients with Crohn’s disease(CD).METHODS:One hundred and twenty-six patients...AIM:To investigate the correlation between rs1568885,rs1813443 and rs4411591 polymorphisms and response to infliximab in a cohort of Greek patients with Crohn’s disease(CD).METHODS:One hundred and twenty-six patients diagnosed with CD based on standard clinical,endoscopic,radiological,and pathological criteria were enrolled in this study at the Gastroenterology Unit of the 2nd Department of Surgery and at the Colorectal Unit of the1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery.Infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg was administered intravenously at weeks 0,2,6 and then every 8 wk.Clinical and serological responses were assessed using the HarveyBradshaw Index and serum C-reactive protein(CRP)levels,respectively,and the endoscopic response was evaluated by ileocolonoscopy performed at baseline and after 12-20 wk of therapy.The changes in endoscopic appearance compared to baseline were classified into four categories,and patients were classified as responders and non-responders.Genomic DNA from whole peripheral blood was extracted and genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reactions.χ2test with Yate’s correction based on the S-Plus was used to compare the genotype frequencies.RESULTS:Eighty patients(63.49%)were classified as complete and 32(25.39%)as partial responders to infliximab,while 14(11.11%)were primary non-responders.No correlation was found between response to infliximab and patients’characteristics such as age,gender and disease duration.There was consistency between Harvey-Bradshaw index scores and serum CRP levels.The TT genotype of the rs1568885 polymorphism was significantly related to partial response(P=0.024)and resistance to infliximab(P=0.007)while the AT genotype was more frequent in partial responders(P=0.035)and in primary non-responders(P=0.032).Regarding rs1813443,the CC genotype was found to be associated with partial response(P=0.005)and primary resistance(P=0.002)to infliximab while no association was found between the rs4411591 polymorphism and the clinical response to infliximab.CONCLUSION:Based on our results,the rs1568885and rs1813443 polymorphisms are associated with clinical and biochemical response to infliximab in Greek patients with Crohn’s disease.展开更多
A case of a large multiplex recurrent hydatid cyst involving the left gluteal muscle and the left iliopsoas, accompanied with degeneration of the musculature of the left upper leg is presented along with a review of t...A case of a large multiplex recurrent hydatid cyst involving the left gluteal muscle and the left iliopsoas, accompanied with degeneration of the musculature of the left upper leg is presented along with a review of the relevant literature. Very few such cases have been reported worldwide. The presented case is also distinguished by the involvement of muscles of distant anatomic areas.展开更多
基金Supported by the Special Research Fund, Account Code: 4280, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
文摘AIM: To develop an experimental model of islet allotransplantation in diabetic rats and to determine the positive or adverse effects of MMF as a single agent. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats and 18 male Lewis rats were used as recipients and donors respectively. Diabetes was induced by the use of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Unpurified islets were isolated using the collagenase digestion technique and transplanted into the splenic parenchyma. The recipients were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: group A (control group) had no immunosuppression; group B received cyclosporine (CsA) (5 mg/kg); group C receivedmycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (20 mg/kg). The animalswere killed on the 12th d. Blood and grafted tissues were obtained for laboratory and histological assessment. RESULTS: Median allograft survival was significantly higher in the two therapy groups than that in the controls (10 and 12 d for CsA and MMF respectively vs 0 d for the control group, P＜0.01). No difference in allograft survival between the CsA and MMF groups was found. However,MMF had less renal and hepatic toxicity and allowed weight gain.CONCLUSION: Monotherapy with MMF for immunosu ppression was safe in an experimental model of islet allotransplantation and was equally effective with cyclosporine, with less toxicity.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy to the acute toxicity of a hypofractionated radiotherapy(HFRT) schedule for breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 116 breast cancer patients with T1, 2N0 Mx. The patients received3-D conformal radiotherapy with a total physical dose of 50.54 Gy or 53.2 Gy in 19 or 20 fractions according to stage, over 23-24 d. The last three to four fractions were delivered as a sequential tumor boost. All patients were monitored for acute skin toxicity according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The maximum monitored value was taken as the final grading score. Multivariate analysis was performed for the contribution of age, chemotherapy and 19 vs 20 fractions to the radiation acute skin toxicity.RESULTS: The acute radiation induced skin toxicity was as following: grade Ⅰ 27.6%, grade Ⅱ 7.8% and grade Ⅲ 2.6%. No significant correlation was noted between toxicity grading and chemotherapy(P = 0.154, χ2 test). The mean values of acute toxicity score in terms of chemotherapy or not, were 0.64 and 0.46 respectively(P = 0.109, Mann Whitney test). No significant correlation was also noted between acute skin toxicity and radiotherapy fractions(P = 0.47, χ2test). According to univariate analysis, only chemotherapy contributed significantly to the development of acute skin toxicity but with a critical value of P = 0.05. However, in multivariate analysis, chemotherapy lost its statistical significance. None of the patients during the 2-years of follow-up presented any locoregional relapse.CONCLUSION: There is no clear evidence that chemotherapy has an impact to acute skin toxicity after an HFRT schedule. A randomized trial is needed for definite conclusions.
文摘AIM:To investigate the correlation between rs1568885,rs1813443 and rs4411591 polymorphisms and response to infliximab in a cohort of Greek patients with Crohn’s disease(CD).METHODS:One hundred and twenty-six patients diagnosed with CD based on standard clinical,endoscopic,radiological,and pathological criteria were enrolled in this study at the Gastroenterology Unit of the 2nd Department of Surgery and at the Colorectal Unit of the1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery.Infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg was administered intravenously at weeks 0,2,6 and then every 8 wk.Clinical and serological responses were assessed using the HarveyBradshaw Index and serum C-reactive protein(CRP)levels,respectively,and the endoscopic response was evaluated by ileocolonoscopy performed at baseline and after 12-20 wk of therapy.The changes in endoscopic appearance compared to baseline were classified into four categories,and patients were classified as responders and non-responders.Genomic DNA from whole peripheral blood was extracted and genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reactions.χ2test with Yate’s correction based on the S-Plus was used to compare the genotype frequencies.RESULTS:Eighty patients(63.49%)were classified as complete and 32(25.39%)as partial responders to infliximab,while 14(11.11%)were primary non-responders.No correlation was found between response to infliximab and patients’characteristics such as age,gender and disease duration.There was consistency between Harvey-Bradshaw index scores and serum CRP levels.The TT genotype of the rs1568885 polymorphism was significantly related to partial response(P=0.024)and resistance to infliximab(P=0.007)while the AT genotype was more frequent in partial responders(P=0.035)and in primary non-responders(P=0.032).Regarding rs1813443,the CC genotype was found to be associated with partial response(P=0.005)and primary resistance(P=0.002)to infliximab while no association was found between the rs4411591 polymorphism and the clinical response to infliximab.CONCLUSION:Based on our results,the rs1568885and rs1813443 polymorphisms are associated with clinical and biochemical response to infliximab in Greek patients with Crohn’s disease.
文摘A case of a large multiplex recurrent hydatid cyst involving the left gluteal muscle and the left iliopsoas, accompanied with degeneration of the musculature of the left upper leg is presented along with a review of the relevant literature. Very few such cases have been reported worldwide. The presented case is also distinguished by the involvement of muscles of distant anatomic areas.
