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Biomedical subjects

A Karameris

Publications and source records attributed to A Karameris.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Relationship of Helicobacter pylori CagA(+) status to gastric juice vitamin C levels.

BACKGROUND: To date it is not known whether gastric juice vitamin C levels are influenced by Helicobacter pylori CagA(+) strains. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to study the impact of H. pylori CagA status on gastric juice vitamin C levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 30 H. pylori(+) patients, and the results were compared with 10 endoscopically and histologically normal H. pylori(-) subjects (control group) who were similar to the H. pylori(+) group in terms of age and sex. In all patients, gastric juice vitamin C levels were determined and the severity of gastritis was graded on a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe). CagA was determined by immunoblotting the sera from patients against H. pylori antigens. RESULTS: Among 30 H. pylori(+) patients, 20 were CagA(+) and 10 CagA(-). In the entire group of H. pylori(+) patients, the median gastric juice vitamin C levels (mg L-1) were 16.35 (range 3.5-33.6) and were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in the control group of H. pylori(-) patients [35.5 (23.1-50.2)]. In addition, in the entire group of H. pylori(+) patients there was a highly significant (P < 0.0001) inverse correlation between the gastritis activity score and the gastric juice vitamin C levels. In the group of H. pylori CagA(+) patients, the median levels of gastric juice vitamin C were 13.8 (3.5-31.2) and were significantly lower than the corresponding levels in both the H. pylori CagA(-) group [24.8 (22-33.6), P < 0.01] and the H. pylori(-) control group [35.5 (23.1-50.2), P < 0.001], the last groups being similar. Furthermore, the gastritis activity median score in the H. pylori CagA(+) group [2 (1-3)] was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the H. pylori CagA(-) group [1 (1-2)]. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that infection with CagA(+) H. pylori strains significantly lowers the gastric juice vitamin C levels in comparison with CagA(-) H. pylori strains, which might have a significant impact on gastric carcinogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining in Helicobacter pylori infection: impact of eradication.

Despite the fact that the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)with an increased risk of gastric cancer has been well documented, the exact mechanisms of this association have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present prospective study was to contribute to the exploration of these mechanisms by studying the relationship between H. pylori infection and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining in endoscopic biopsies in gastric antrum. Furthermore, we examined the impact of H. pylorieradication on this relationship. We studied 28 H. pyloripositive patients and the results were compared with 22 endoscopically and histologically normal H. pylorinegative patients (control group) who were comparable to the H. pyloripositive group for age and sex. In addition all H. pyloripositive patients were examined before and after treatment aiming to eradicate H. pylori. In the H. pylori(+) patients the median PCNA index was 35 (range 8-58) and this was significantly higher than the respective number in the control group [5.5 (2 14), p<0.001]. In patients studied before and after successful eradication of H. pylori(n=10) the corresponding numbers were 35 (8-56) and 7 (4 13) (p<0.01) the latter not being significantly different from the control group of H. pylori(-)patients. On the contrary, in patients without successful H. pylori eradication (n=18) the PCNA indices before and after treatment were similar [35.5 (21-58) vs 31.5 (20-56)]. It is concluded that H. pyloriinfection alters the replication cycle of the gastric mucosa inducing hyperproliferation, which return towards normal after successful H. pylori eradication.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay III, recombinant immunoblot third generation assay, and polymerase chain reaction method in the detection of hepatitis C virus infection in haemodialysis patients.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serotyping assays have evolved from simple antibody screening tests to complex RNA-based qualitative and quantitative methods. The objective of this study was to compare the HCV screening results from 161 patients in long-term maintenance haemodialysis (HD) as assessed by the recently developed Enzyme Linked ImmunosorbantAssay III (ELISA III), confirmed by the Recombinant Immunoblot 3rd generation assay (RIBA 3rd) and determined by the qualitative HCV reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. One hundred sixty-one HD patients were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by the ELISA III and confirmed by the RIBA 3rd. HCV RNA was determined by an HCV RT-PCR method. All reported results that were designated as discrepant, anti-HCV (+) and/or HCV RNA (+) were further investigated by means of a quantitative HCV RT-PCR assay. Reported results obtained from ELISA III and qualitative RT-PCR assays were HCV positive for 16/161 patients (9,93%) and these were designated as anti-HCV (+)/HCV RNA (+). Subsequently, these 16 anti-HCV positive/161 HD patients were confirmed by the RIBA 3rd. Three individuals anti-HCV (-)/RIBA (+)/HCV RNA (-)], the viral load that was reported from the quantitative RT-PCR was less than the assay detection level (< 2,000 viral copies/ml). In view of previous observations, our findings suggest that ELISA III remains still a highly reliable and valuable assay. However, despite the cost, the combination of both ELISA III and qualitative RT-PCR allows a definitive classification on HCV diagnosis.

Adult↗

Huge non-functioning pancreatic cystic neuroendocrine tumour: a case report.

A case of an 18-cm large cystic, non-functioning endocrine (islet cell) tumour located at the tail of the pancreas in a 29-year-old Caucasian female is reported here. Pre-operative radioimmunoassays for pancreatic peptides were negative, while immunohistochemistry confirmed the neuroendocrine nature of the tumour. This is the largest cystic non-functioning islet-cell tumour so far described.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Association of expression of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors with the metastatic potential of squamous-cell lung carcinomas. A molecular and immunohistochemical study.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MPs) constitute a family of proteolytic enzymes (proteases) that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) and promote the local or metastatic potential of carcinoma cells, and whose action is restrained by special inhibitors (metalloproteinase inhibitors; MIs). We assessed the role of the MPs stromelysin-3 (STR-3), putative metalloproteinase-1 (PUMP-I), and the gelatinases of molecular weights 72 kDa and 92 kDa, as well as the role of their inhibitors tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2, as markers of metastatic potential in 25 fresh biopsies of squamous-cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs). We examined levels of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for these MPs and inhibitors through Northern blot analysis in 10 carcinomas of high-to-moderate differentiation without lymph-node involvement, and in 15 infiltrative carcinomas of moderate-to-low differentiation with lymph-node involvement. Five cases with significant epithelial atypia and five samples with normal mucosa were used as controls. Expression of STR-3 and TIMP-2 was also assessed immunohistochemically with the avidin-biotin-complex (ABC) technique. We noticed a progressive increase in the expression levels of MPs, especially of STR-3, and of TIMP-2, from the stage of epithelial atypia to the detection of carcinoma, finding the highest values of these substances among carcinomas of low differentiation with nodal metastases. These findings were also confirmed with immunohistochemical analysis. Our results suggest that there is a significant association of the expression of MPs and MIs with both the local and metastatic potential and the degree of cellular differentiation of SCLC, and that this association is clinically important because of its prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Aged↗

Apoptosis in human pituitary adenomas: a morphologic and in situ end-labeling study.

Apoptosis seems to be an important process in normal tissues and in neoplastic lesions. Although electron microscopic features of apoptosis are characteristic, it is difficult to detect apoptotic cells with accuracy by light microscopy. Labeling of intranucleosomal DNA fragmentation can provide information on the apoptotic status of tumors. We studied apoptosis by the in situ end-labeling technique in 85 pituitary adenomas (63 functioning, 22 nonfunctioning). The functioning tumors included 19 somatotroph, 17 lactotroph, 9 mixed growth hormone/prolactin-producing, 2 thyrotroph, and 16 corticotroph adenomas. A few scattered cells displaying characteristic apoptotic changes were observed by histologic examination and electron microscopy. We estimated the apoptotic labeling index (ALI) of the adenomas by quantitating the percentages of positive nuclei. Overall, functioning adenomas showed a significantly higher ALI (5.64%) than did nonfunctioning tumors (1.84%). The ALI was higher in thyrotroph adenomas (10.26%) and lower in corticotroph (5.94%), somatotroph (5.51%), lactotroph (5.25%), and mixed growth hormone/prolactin-producing adenomas (5.11%). In conclusion, in situ end-labeling showed that apoptosis mostly occurs in functioning pituitary adenomas. These data suggest that assessment of apoptosis can be used to evaluate drug effects and to define which adenoma subtypes are more susceptible to drug therapy.

Adenoma↗

A molecular and immunohistochemical study of the MDM2 protein isoforms and p53 gene product in bronchogenic carcinoma.

Forty-one bronchogenic carcinomas were investigated for expression of MDM2 protein isoforms and their relationship to p53 protein levels and p53 gene alterations using molecular and immunohistochemical techniques. The findings were correlated with the pathological features of the carcinomas. MDM2 protein was overexpressed in 26 cases (63 percent). Western blot analysis with two monoclonal antibodies, 1B10 and IF2, revealed three MDM2 protein isoforms, p90, p57 and p76/74. p90 and p57 are capable of interacting with p53 protein, while p76/74 is not. Various patterns of MDM2 isoforms were seen. Although no correlation between the patterns and pathological features was observed, lymph node metastases were more frequent in the cases with MDM2 overexpression (P < 0.005). In 3 out of 17 specimens of normal lung tissue examined, there was a low level of expression of p90. Molecular analysis revealed that MDM2 overexpression was a consequence of increased transcription rather than MDM2 gene amplification. p53 protein was overexpressed in 21 cases (51 percent) and p53 gene alterations (mutations + allelic deletions) were detected in 23 patients (56 percent). A high degree of concordance (76 percent) between p53 mutations and p53 staining was noticed (P < 10(-5)). p53 gene alterations were significantly associated with lymph node disease (P < 0.01). MDM2 and p53 proteins were simultaneously detected in 21 cases (51 percent), of which 17 (42 percent) showed p53 and MDM2 overexpression. The latter group was positively correlated with p53 mutations (P < 0.05). A strong correlation between MDM2/p53 co-expression and lymph node metastases was observed (P < 0.001). The findings suggest that MDM2 overexpression is a common event in bronchogenic carcinoma. The selective expression of some MDM2 isoforms in neoplastic tissue and not in the surrounding normal areas underscores the pathological role of the various MDM2 products. Finally, the coexistence of MDM2 protein(s) and p53 aberrations (mutations and/or overexpression) in a subset of lung carcinomas may be indicative of a 'gain of function' phenotype, with more aggressive characteristics.

Blotting, Northern↗

Molecular analysis of p53 gene in laryngeal premalignant and malignant lesions. p53 protein immunohistochemical expression is positively related to proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index.

This study was undertaken in order to investigate the molecular nature of the p53 gene in 19 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and dysplasias. Moreover, we have examined the possible relationship between proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and p53 protein detection status in 42 laryngeal premalignant and malignant lesions in which 14 of the 19 samples used in the molecular study were included. p53 gene analysis was performed with the single-strand conformation polymorphism technique. PCNA was stained with the peroxidase/antiperoxidase immunohistochemical method using the monoclonal antibody PC-10. Data from previous work concerning p53 expression was used. We found that 9 of 12 of the immunohistochemically p53 positive (+) cases had mutations in exons 5 or 6. In the remaining immunohistochemically p53(+) and p53 negative (-) specimens there was no indication of sequence alterations. Furthermore, we did not observe any deletions in the chromosomal region 17p31.1 which encodes exons 4-8 of the p53 gene. The PCNA labelling index (LI) increased progressively with p53 protein detection status (percentage of cells immunohistochemically positive for p53). The difference between the group with the higher percentage of p53(+) cells and the others was statistically significant. These data show that although there is a discrepancy between immunohistochemical demonstration of p53 and molecular analysis, a large proportion of the former harbours the mutant form of the protein. In addition, p53 overexpression is positively correlated with PCNA LI, a finding which accompanies tumour progression.

Base Sequence↗

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric juice vitamin C levels. Impact of eradication.

H. pylori has recently been recognized as a novel risk factor of gastric cancer, but its precise role in gastric carcinogenesis is as yet unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between H. pylori infection and vitamin C levels in gastric juice and also to examine whether eradication of H. pylori could have any impact on these levels. Gastric juice and plasma vitamin C levels were measured in 88 dyspeptic patients who had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In the subgroup of H. pylori-positive patients, eradication was attempted with triple therapy. This subgroup was studied on two occasions, ie, before and after treatment. There were 58 H. pylori-positive and 30 -negative patients. Gastric juice vitamin C levels in H. pylori-positive patients were statistically lower (P < 0.001) than the levels in the H. pylori-negative patients. Triple therapy achieved eradication in 45 patients (77.6%) of the 58 H. pylori-positive patients. Before H. pylori was eradicated in these 45 patients gastric juice vitamin C levels were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than those after eradication, the latter being no different than the group of 30 H. pylori-negative patients. There was a significant (P < 0.001) improvement of gastritis after eradication, which paralleled the elevation of gastric juice vitamin C levels. No difference was noted in plasma vitamin C levels between H. pylori-negative and -positive patients or in the latter before and after H. pylori treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori reduces the possibility of rebleeding in peptic ulcer disease.

A close relationship has been found between Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease. Furthermore, eradication of H. pylori is associated with low recurrence rates. The aim of the present study was to examine whether eradication of H. pylori has any impact on the complications of ulcers, such as bleeding. Thirty-one patients hospitalized for duodenal ulcer bleeding, undergoing conservative treatment and with a previous history of bleeding, comprised the group studied. All patients had emergency endoscopy, and tests for H. pylori proved to be positive in all. After discharge, patients were given omeprazole 20 mg daily for 4 weeks for ulcer healing, which was achieved in all patients (100%). After this, patients were randomized to receive either omeprazole 20 mg t.i.d. alone (group O, n = 15) or the combination of omeprazole 20 mg t.i.d. + amoxicillin 500 mg q.i.d. (group O + A, n = 16) for 2 weeks. Endoscopy was performed 4 weeks after treatment ended to check for eradication of H. pylori and again when rebleeding or symptomatic relapse occurred. Groups O and O + A were similar in age, sex, smoking habits, and NSAID use. The follow-up period was 12 months for both groups. Eradication was achieved in 2 of 15 (13.3%) patients in group O and in 13 of 16 (81.3%) patients in group O + A (p < .001). Five patients rebled during follow-up. All of them belonged to group O and were patients in whom eradication had failed. In contrast, none of group O + A had rebleeding (p = 0.18).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Molecular and immunohistochemical study of class I growth factor receptors in squamous cell lung carcinomas.

The class I growth factor receptor family includes epidermal growth factor receptor, i.e. c-erbB-1, c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3 molecules. These receptors have a significant sequence homology and play an important role in cell growth and differentiation. To further investigate their implication in squamous cell lung carcinomas (SqCLCs), we studied the protein expression by immunohistochemistry and examined for possible gene amplification by a novel semi-quantitative differential polymerase chain reaction (DPCR) technique. Expression of c-erbB-1, c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3 was present in 65%, 28% and 10% respectively, of 40 SqCLCs cases. Seven of the 11 cases that expressed c-erbB-2, as well as all 4 c-erbB-3 expressing cases, also stained with the anti-c-erbB-1 mAb. Expression of c-erbB-1, but not of c-erbB-2 or c-erbB-3, correlated with the grade of tumor differentiation (100%, 64% and 36% positive cases of well, moderately and poorly differentiated cases respectively, p < 0.003). In addition, c-erbB-1 expression correlated with the presence of regional lymph node metastases within the moderately differentiated group. The c-erbB-1 gene was amplified in 11/40 (28%) cases, all of which overexpressed c-erbB-1 protein, while c-erbB-2 gene amplification was detected in only one case. There was no c-erbB-3 gene amplification in any of the 40 SqCLCs cases. These findings suggest that c-erbB-1, c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3 receptors do not have a common role and are of different physiological importance, at least at the stage of clinically overt tumor in human SqCLCs.

Base Sequence↗

Expression of p53 protein in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia: possible correlation with human papillomavirus infection and clinicopathological findings.

In order to evaluate the expression of p53 protein in 28 premalignant and 40 malignant squamous cell proliferations of the larynx and its relationship to tobacco consumption, human papillomavirus infection and differentiation grade of the lesions, p53 expression was examined by means of a microwave post-fixation immunohistochemical method using the PAb 240 and PAb 1801 monoclonal antibodies. HPV infection was assessed by non-isotopic in situ hybridization (NISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A large proportion of carcinomas (77.5%) and dysplasias (61%) expressed p53. No difference was found between differentiation grades of the lesions regarding p53 detection (P > 0.1), but moderate or intense p53 expression was more frequent in the carcinomas (P < 0.05). A statistical correlation was found between cigarette consumption and both p53 detection and p53 staining intensity (P < 0.05 in each case). HPV study revealed HPV 16 and 18 infection only in carcinomas. The frequency was 28% and the physical state of the virus as demonstrated by NISH was integration into the genome. We observed an inverse relationship between HPV infection and p53 expression (P = 0.006). Our findings suggest that p53 overexpression is a common and early event which increases in frequency with progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of p53 is influenced by tobacco and high-risk types of HPV.

Base Sequence↗

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in squamous cell lung carcinomas: an immunohistochemical and gene analysis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFr) constitute an important and well-characterized mitogenic system in various ectodermal tissues. We evaluated the expression of EGFr and examined possible EGFr gene alterations in 18 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded squamous cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) by an immunohistochemical assay, Southern blotting and differential polymerase chain reaction (DPCR). The immunohistochemical study employing the F4 and EGF-R1 monoclonal antibodies, directed against the intra- and extra-cellular portion of the receptor respectively, showed EGFr over-expression in 89% of the SCLC cases examined. All cases showed positive immunostaining for both antibodies, thus excluding the possibility of truncated receptors. In addition, analysis of the EGFr gene was carried out by Southern blotting and DPCR on paraffin extracted DNA from the same carcinoma cases. We found amplification of the EGFr gene in 5/18 (27%) SCLCs. All 5 positive cases showed EGFr over-expression, suggesting a possible correlation between the presence of EGFr gene amplification and over-expression of receptor protein. No correlation was observed among EGFr staining, EGFr gene amplification and differentiation of carcinomas. In addition, Southern blot analysis with HER-A2, a probe which hybridizes a sequence of the receptor's intracellular domain, revealed three novel EcoRI restriction fragment patterns. We suggest that these patterns correspond to EcoRI polymorphic sites of the receptor's tyrosine kinase domain.

Base Sequence↗

Expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gastric and colorectal carcinomas. An immunohistological study of 63 cases.

Immunohistochemical study for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 39 colorectal and 24 gastric carcinomas. The carcinomas were placed in one of the following 3 groups: group 1, neither EGF nor EGFR was stained (11 gastric and 21 colorectal carcinomas); group 2, either EGF or EGFR was stained (4 gastric and 4 colorectal carcinomas); and group 3, both EGF and EGFR were stained (9 gastric and 14 colorectal carcinomas). Compared with the carcinomas in groups 1 and 2, those in group 3 had significantly higher rates of lymph node spread and serosal invasion of the gastrointestinal wall. In contrast, no significant differences were found between the EGF and/or EGFR expression and histological differentiation of carcinomas. These results suggest that gastrointestinal carcinomas expressing both EGF and EGFR display pathological features of more aggressive disease. Furthermore, the synchronous expression of EGF and EGFR indicates that these carcinomas may regulate their growth by an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) staining and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) gastric lymphomas.

Nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins (AgNOR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) have been studied by means of a silver staining technique and immunohistochemistry, in paraffin-embedded, gastrectomy specimens of 12 low-grade and 13 high-grade gastric MALT lymphomas respectively. A significant difference was found between the AgNOR count and PCNA index of low-grade lymphomas (mean AgNOR count 2.5 and mean PCNA index 8.33%) and high-grade lymphomas (mean AgNOR count 8.67 and mean PCNA index 49.7%). It is suggested that both methods are useful adjuncts to histopathology for the distinction between low and high grade gastric MALT lymphomas. We also found heterogeneity in AgNOR counts and PCNA index among individual cases of either low or high grade MALT gastric lymphomas. This suggests that the AgNOR count and PCNA index is helpful in the individual approach of the proliferation rate of each tumour, a parameter of potential importance for predicting the biological behaviour of the tumour and the prognosis of the disease.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Multicentricity in breast cancer. A study of 366 cases.

A total of 366 consecutive modified radical mastectomy specimens were studied for determination of multicentricity. The authors found that 187 samples (49.1%) were multicentric. Ten specimens contained in situ carcinoma without an infiltrating component; eight of them were multicentric. Multicentricity was correlated with various laboratory and clinical features, including patient age, tumor size, histologic type of breast cancer, tumor grade, presence and values of estrogen and progesterone receptors, the amount of solid tissue in the breast, and the family history. The data were organized in eight independent dimensions, four ordinal and four cardinal. Correlation analysis was applied to a cross tabulation supplemented with other statistical tests. The authors found that the factors related to multicentricity were the age of the patient, the size and the histologic type of the tumor, levels of the progesterone receptors more than 50 fmol/mg of protein, and the amount of solid tissue in the breasts. Tumor grade, estrogen receptors levels, and family history were not related to multicentricity. It was concluded that multicentricity is a frequent property of breast cancer. It is more common in young and perimenopausal women. Multicentricity occurs in small tumors but is, more common in larger ones.

Adult↗

Small polyps found at sigmoidoscopy: are they significant?

In this study we prospectively examined the significance of small polyps found at screening flexible sigmoidoscopy and studied in particular, the possibility that hyperplastic polyps in the rectosigmoid can serve as potential markers for neoplastic polyps proximal to this area. During the last three years we performed sigmoidoscopy on 1500 patients. One hundred and five patients (7%) had one or more polyps in the rectosigmoid. Exclusion criteria were polyps of > 1 cm in size, a history of bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease or past polypectomy. After excluding 30 patients, 75/1500 (5%) patients with small polyps remained in the study. All these patients were submitted to total colonoscopy with removal of all polyps found. Histopathology showed that 45/75 (60%) patients had hyperplastic polyps and 30/75 (40%) had at least one adenomatous polyp. Among the 45 patients with hyperplastic polyps at flexible sigmoidoscopy, 16 (35.5%) had a more proximal adenomatous polyp. Nine of the 30 patients (30%) who had at least one adenomatous polyp in the rectosigmoid were found to have them more proximally. We conclude that a) size alone is not an accurate predictor of the histology of the polyp, b) because small polyps, either hyperplastic or adenomatous, in the rectosigmoid indicate a risk for adenomatous polyps more proximally, all patients with small polyps found during flexible sigmoidoscopy should be submitted to total colonoscopy.

Adenoma↗