PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

G Theodoropoulos

Publications and source records attributed to G Theodoropoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of overexpression of p53 tumor suppressor protein in superficial and invasive transitional cell bladder cancer: comparison with DNA ploidy.

OBJECTIVES: p53 tumor suppressor gene is considered to play a significant role in carcinogenesis. Mutations in the p53 are the most frequent genetic abnormalities encountered in human malignancies. Our aim was to investigate the expression of p53 oncoprotein in superficial and invasive transitional cell bladder cancer (TCC) as well as its correlation with established prognostic factors, such as histologic grade, tumor stage, DNA content, and survival. METHODS: Forty-five patients with superficial TCC (Ta-T1) and 42 with invasive TCC (T2-T4) were included in our study. Material from transurethral biopsy was examined using an immunohistochemical method and the monoclonal antibody Pab 1801. RESULTS: p53 tumor suppressor protein was overexpressed in 48.3% of TCC cases and more frequently in invasive than superficial TCCs (P = 0.03) and undetectable in the tumor adjacent to normal tissue. p53 positivity was related to the degree of differentiation and with the stage of the disease of invasive TCCs (P = 0.03 and P = 0.004, respectively), whereas no statistical significance was documented for superficial TCCs. Moreover, p53 overexpression demonstrated a statistical significance with DNA ploidy in superficial Ta-T1 tumors (P = 0.04) and was suggestive in invasive T2-T4 tumors (P = 0.08). There was no correlation of recurrence related to p53-positive superficial tumors (P = 0.29). Patients with p53-positive invasive TCCs showed statistically significant worse survival (P = 0.007), but in multivariate analysis, p53 positivity is not independently related to poor overall survival (P = 0.30). When we combined ploidy and p53 status, we realized that the subset of patients with aneuploidy and p53 positivity had the worst prognosis (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the involvement of p53 protein as a late event in bladder carcinogenesis. p53 does not seem to be a prognostic marker for recurrences of superficial tumors and is not independently related to survival. The aneuploidy of tumors correlates with the p53 positivity in bladder cancer. The combined expression of aneuploidy and p53 positivity in invasive tumors has strong association with the survival of patients.

Adult

[Abdominal actinomycosis in tubo-ovarian abscess].

Diagnosis of actinomycosis as a specific infection is rather difficult. By a case report it is described that preoperative diagnostics and intraoperative situs do not always exactly clarify the situation. In most cases the definite diagnosis can only be achieved by histological findings followed by an adequate therapy.

Abdominal Abscess

Serum protein groups (Hp, GC, C3) in patients with gastric carcinoma.

The phenotypes and gene frequencies of 3 serum protein systems (Hp, GC and C3) were studied in 114 consecutive patients from all over Greece with gastric carcinoma. Healthy Greeks studied previously in our Department served as controls. No significant differences were found between patients and controls concerning Hp. Significant differences were found in the GC and C3 systems; GC 2-1 and C3F phenotype as well as C3*F gene frequencies were significantly higher in patients than in controls.

Adult

Ranitidine and antacids in the prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse in Greece.

The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of ranitidine 150 mg/nocte with that of antacids taken "on demand" in the prevention of recurrence of duodenal ulcer (DU). Two groups (A, B) of patients with DU recently healed by ranitidine or antacids were studied. Patients of Group A (110) healed by ranitidine were put on maintenance treatment with ranitide, and patients of Group B (32) healed by antacids were given antacids "on demand" for a period of one year. Endoscopy was performed at the end of the 6th and 12th months, as well as whenever symptoms appeared. Patients were followed up clinically at 2-month intervals. Relapse rates of 11% (group A) and 34% (group B) were found at the end of the 6th month, (p less than 0.005), while the total relapse rates at the end of the 12th month were 19% and 47%, respectively (p less than 0.005). Recurrences were asymptomatic in 62% (Group A) and 27% (Group B) of patients. No significant side effects were observed. It is concluded that ranitidine 150 mg nocte is significantly superior to antacids "on demand" as far as the recurrence of DU is concerned.

Adult

A compiled computer program for assisting the diagnosis of gastrointestinal helminths of humans and animals.

A compiled computer program for assisting the diagnosis of gastrointestinal helminths in fecal examinations of humans and animals is described. The characteristics of this program which distinguish it from previous similar programs are that it does not require specific software, it does not need a lot of computer memory, and it covers both humans and animals, making it easier to use.

Animals

Change in the isoenzyme composition of acid phosphatase in murine peritoneal macrophages exposed to or infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

The effect of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi on the activity and isoenzyme composition of acid phosphatase within individual murine peritoneal macrophages maintained in vitro was studied. Concentrations of acid phosphatase activity and number of intracellular parasites were quantitated by using a computer-assisted cytospectrophotometry system. Changes in the isoenzyme composition of macrophages during infection with T. cruzi were detected by comparing the patterns of acid phosphatase levels between macrophages treated in the absence and presence of an enzyme inhibitor. It was observed that the concentration levels of acid phosphatase activity in macrophages did not change significantly by infection with T. cruzi. Also, the concentration levels of acid phosphatase activity did not change in macrophages uninfected but exposed to T. cruzi. On the other hand, the isoenzyme composition of acid phosphatase did change in macrophages exposed to or infected with T. cruzi. These results demonstrate that Trypanosoma cruzi affects the acid phosphatase composition of macrophages.

Acid Phosphatase

Therapeutic effect of the triazole Bay R 3783 in mouse models of coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, and histoplasmosis.

A new triazole, Bay R 3783, was compared with ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole, which were given via the alimentary tract at three dosages, and amphotericin B, which was given at 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally, in murine models of the systemic mycoses coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis. In a pulmonary coccidioidomycosis model, Bay R 3783, fluconazole, and itraconazole were essentially equally efficacious and more active than ketoconazole in protecting mice against death; but they were inferior to amphotericin B. In a short-term organ load experiment, Bay R 3783 and amphotericin B were equally effective and were more effective than the other drugs in reducing the amount of Coccidioides immitis in the lungs. Against meningocerebral coccidioidomycosis, Bay R 3783, itraconazole, and fluconazole at 25 mg/kg and amphotericin B prevented death only during therapy, with mortalities ensuing shortly thereafter. In mice with systemic histoplasmosis, Bay R 3783 and itraconazole at 25 mg/kg and amphotericin B prevented death in all mice through a 44-day observation period. Clearance of Histoplasma capsulatum from organs was similar in mice treated with Bay R 3783 and itraconazole; this clearance was greater than that in mice treated with ketoconazole and fluconazole but less than that in mice treated with amphotericin B. In mice with systemic blastomycosis, Bay R 3783 at 25 mg/kg yielded 90% survivors at 60 days, which was greater than that achieved with amphotericin B (60%) or itraconazole (30%). Clearance of Blastomyces dermatitidis from the lungs was greatest with Bay R 3783, followed by that with amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole, in that order. Therefore, Bay R 3783 showed effectiveness comparable to or exceeding those of itraconazole and fluconazole and exceeding that of ketoconazole against these systemic mycoses in mice.

Animals

Decrease of acid phosphatase activity in murine peritoneal macrophages infected with Leishmania donovani.

The effect of infection with Leishmania donovani on the activity and isoenzyme composition of acid phosphatase within individual murine peritoneal macrophages maintained in vitro was studied. Concentrations of acid phosphatase activity and number of intracellular parasites were quantitated using a computer-assisted cytospectrophotometry system. Changes in the isoenzyme composition of macrophages during infection with L. donovani were detected by comparing the patterns of acid phosphatase levels between macrophages treated in the absence and presence of an enzyme inhibitor. It was observed that the concentration levels of acid phosphatase activity in macrophages were decreased significantly by infection with L. donovani. An inverse relation existed between concentration of acid phosphatase activity and the number of intracellular L. donovani. Reduced concentrations of acid phosphatase activity were also observed in macrophages uninfected but exposed to L. donovani. The isoenzyme composition in macrophages did not change during the course of infection with L. donovani. These results demonstrate that L. donovani reduces the acid phosphatase activity of macrophages.

Acid Phosphatase

Computer-assisted diagnosis of gastrointestinal helminths of domestic and experimental animals.

A 'user-friendly' interactive computer program written in BASIC with the objective of assisting the species identification of common gastrointestinal parasites of domestic and experimental animals is described. The computer program operates by prompting the user to select a morphological description from a set of presented descriptions that best fits the observed parasite. Depending on the user's response, the program presents another set of morphological descriptions from which the user must choose again, and so on, until the program concludes with the species of the parasite. A useful feature of this program is the option for the user to go back at any time and see the previous set of descriptions. This option allows the user to choose another description if (s)he thinks that the previous choice was not the correct one.

Animals

Relationship between blood iron parameters and trichinellosis in swine.

Reduced levels of total iron binding capacity and unsaturated iron binding capacity were observed in the blood of trichinous and iron-injected trichinous pigs. No change was observed in their serum iron and saturation concentration levels. Also, reduced iron concentration levels were observed in the livers of trichinous pigs, while increased iron concentration levels were observed in the spleens of trichinous pigs and the livers and spleens of iron-injected pigs. No difference was found with regard to weight gains, number of larvae per gram of tissues, or histologic characteristics of 'nurse cells'.

Animals

Incidence and significance of hepatitis B and A virus serologic markers in Greek cirrhotic patients.

The incidence of serological markers of hepatitis B and A virus infection was studied by radioimmunoassay in 89 Greek cirrhotic patients. Controls consisted of 90 patients without liver disease. HBsAg was detected in 62 (69.5%) patients, anti-HBs in 35 (39.3%), anti-HBc in 60 (67.4%), HBeAg in 13 (14.6%), anti-HBe in 58 (65.1%), and the anti-HAV in 86 (96.6%). The corresponding figures for the control group were: HBsAg 4 (4.5%), anti-HBs 34 (37.7%), anti-HBc 41 (45.5%), HBeAg 3 (3.3%), anti-HBe 21 (23.3%), and anti-HAV 86 (95.5%). This high incidence of positive reactions in cirrhotic patients strongly suggests the possibility that HBV infection may be an important causative factor in the development of cirrhosis in Greece. No association could be established between hepatitis A virus infection and cirrhosis.

Adult

Alpha 1-antitrypsin levels and phenotypes and hepatitis B serology in liver cancer.

Serum levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1 AT) were measured by radial immunodiffusion and phenotypes were determined by electrofocusing in acrylamide gel in 39 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) positive for serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 41 patients with HCC negative for serum HBsAg, and 160 age- and sex-matched hospital controls. There was no difference between the control series and either of the two HCC groups with respect to alpha 1 AT phenotype pattern; also, there was no evidence of association between HCC and either the M2 allele or any of the alpha 1 AT deficiency phenotypes. However, HCC cases negative for HBsAg had significantly higher serum alpha 1 AT values (mean 665 +/- 26 mg 100 ml-1) than HCC cases positive for HBsAg (mean 571 +/- 23 mg 100 ml-1), who in turn, had significantly higher alpha 1 AT values than hospital controls (mean 434 +/- 13 mg 100 ml-1). These results indicate that in Greece, as in other high HCC incidence countries, genetically determined alpha 1 AT deficiency is not aetiologically important; the increase of serum alpha 1 AT is an important correlate of HCC with possible aetiologic significance and diagnostic potential and HBsAg-positive HCC and HBsAg-negative HCC are manifest differently as well as being aetiologically distinct.

Aged

Carcinoembryonic antigen detection by immunocytochemical methods in carcinomas of the colon and stomach.

CEA was studied in paraffin sections from 50 cases of colonic and 50 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence techniques. CEA was positive more frequently in colonic (86 per cent) than in stomach carcinoma (76 per cent). Immunoperoxidase was found to be the more sensitive technique for the detection of CEA in both organs. The non-neoplastic peritumoral colonic mucosa was more often CEA positive than was the peritumoral gastric mucosa. CEA was found more often, and the intensity of the staining was stronger in well-differentiated colonic and gastric carcinoma than it was in poorly differentiated carcinoma. No relation was found between the presence of CEA in colonic and gastric carcinoma and the stages of the disease. CEA was detected more frequently in carcinomas of the left colon than in carcinomas of the right colon.

Adenocarcinoma

HBeAg/anti-HBe antigenic system in liver diseases in Greece.

HBeAg and anti-HBe were sought by RIA in the serum of 320 HBsAg-positive and 27 HBsAg-negative Greek patients with acute and chronic liver diseases. The incidence of HBeAg and anti-HBe in the group of 60 patients with acute hepatitis B was 23% and 77%, respectively. Among the 35 patients with chronic active hepatitis 6 (17%) were HBeAg-positive and 24 (69%) anti-HBe positive; among the 25 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis 3 (12%) were HBeAg-positive and 22 (88%) anti-HBe positive. Similar results were found in the groups of patients with cirrhosis and hepatoma. These findings show that all cases of acute hepatitis B were HBeAg-positive at the onset of the disease and a seroconversion to anti-HBe appeared very early in most of the cases. The extremely high incidence in particular of anti-HBe in the Greek patients with chronic liver diseases is in disagreement with the results of other studies from other populations. These differences may express differences in the immune response of the host in the different populations, or in the nature of the infecting strain commonly present in each country. Most of the HBsAg-negative patients with cirrhosis were found to be HBeAg or anti-HBe-positive.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Demonstration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in paraffin sections of hepatoma and cirrhosis.

Alpha 1-antitrypsin has been examined in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver specimens from Greek patients with cirrhosis (35 cases) and hepatoma (55 cases) by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Ring-like AAT globules were found in the non-neoplastic cells in 12% of the cases of hepatoma and in 11% of the cases of cirrhosis. Atypical globules were seen in neoplastic cells in 5.4% of the cases of hepatoma and in 17% of the cases of liver cirrhosis. A diffuse fine granular pattern of AAT distribution was present in 31% of the cases of hepatoma in the neoplastic cells and in 27% of those in the non-neoplastic cells. The relatively high incidence of ring-like AAT-globules, and of atypical globules in cases of hepatoma and cirrhosis is not in agreement with the extremely low gene frequency of Z allele in a Greek population of patients with cirrhosis and hepatoma. Thus, there is some doubt whether AAT-globules in the liver represent a histopathologic marker of genetically determined AAT deficiency. A relationship between AAT deposits and the degree of differentiation of hepatoma was noted in this series. AAT-positive cells were found in 55% of moderately differentiated, in 29% of highly differentiated and in 20% of poorly differentiated hepatomas.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Alphafetoprotein levels of liver cancer patients and controls in a European population.

Serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay for 80 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC), 40 with metastatic liver cancer (MLC), and 204 controls; all were Caucasians of Greek nationality. Among histologically confirmed PHC cases, 62% had more than 1000 International Units per millilitre (IU/ml) AFP. Only one case with MLC (3%) exceeded 1000 IU/ml AFP, but lower elevations were not uncommon (13%). Among controls, none exceeded 40 IU/ml. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected among 6% of 17 histologically confirmed PHC patients with AFP less than 100 IU/ml and 60% of 63 PHC patients with more than 100 IU/ml of AFP (p < 0.001). Control subjects positive for HBsAg had significantly higher AFP values compared to those negative for it (P < 0.01) and male controls had slightly higher AFP values than female controls.

Carcinoma