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Biomedical subjects

M Stefanidou

Publications and source records attributed to M Stefanidou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Programmed cell death of keratinocytes in infliximab-treated plaque-type psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blockade using infliximab, a chimeric anti-TNF-alpha antibody, is an effective treatment for plaque-type psoriasis, inducing remission in about 80% of patients. OBJECTIVES: To examine infliximab-induced programmed cell death (PCD) of keratinocytes in psoriatic plaques on serial skin biopsy samples. METHODS: Five patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis received infliximab infusions intravenously (5 mg kg(-1)) at weeks 0, 2 and 6. Biopsies of nonlesional and lesional skin (days 0, 5, 14 and 21) were obtained. Conventional microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the psoriatic keratinocytes. In situ detection of apoptosis was performed by electron microscopy and by immunohistochemical staining with anti-p53 and anti-caspase-3 antibodies. Results Infusion of infliximab induced a clinical response in all five patients with psoriasis, with a mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index improvement of 24.8% already at day 5. This was accompanied by significant histopathological changes in the skin biopsy samples after infliximab treatment. Light and electron microscopic evaluation revealed apoptosis-like morphological changes in lesional keratinocytes, i.e. nuclear condensation, chromatin fragmentation and cytoplasmic vesiculation, visible already after the first infusion. These damaged keratinocytes stained positively for p53, but not for active caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of infliximab in psoriasis extend beyond merely anti-inflammatory actions, and may include caspase-independent PCD of lesional keratinocytes. The PCD of keratinocytes may be an important mechanism that could explain at least in part the rapid and sustained therapeutic effect of infliximab in psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Zinc: a multipurpose trace element.

Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important trace elements in the body and it is essential as a catalytic, structural and regulatory ion. It is involved in homeostasis, in immune responses, in oxidative stress, in apoptosis and in ageing. Zinc-binding proteins (metallothioneins, MTs), are protective in situations of stress and in situations of exposure to toxic metals, infections and low Zn nutrition. Metallothioneins play a key role in Zn-related cell homeostasis due to their high affinity for Zn, which is in turn relevant against oxidative stress and immune responses, including natural killer (NK) cell activity and ageing, since NK activity and Zn ion bioavailability decrease in ageing. Physiological supplementation of Zn in ageing and in age-related degenerative diseases corrects immune defects, reduces infection relapse and prevents ageing. Zinc is not stored in the body and excess intakes result in reduced absorption and increased excretion. Nevertheless, there are cases of acute and chronic Zn poisoning.

Aging↗
PubMed2005

Adverse effects of anabolic steroids in athletes. A constant threat.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used as ergogenic aids by athletes and non-athletes to enhance performance by augmenting muscular development and strength. AAS administration is often associated with various adverse effects that are generally dose related. High and multi-doses of AAS used for athletic enhancement can lead to serious and irreversible organ damage. Among the most common adverse effects of AAS are some degree of reduced fertility and gynecomastia in males and masculinization in women and children. Other adverse effects include hypertension and atherosclerosis, blood clotting, jaundice, hepatic neoplasms and carcinoma, tendon damage, psychiatric and behavioral disorders. More specifically, this article reviews the reproductive, hepatic, cardiovascular, hematological, cerebrovascular, musculoskeletal, endocrine, renal, immunologic and psychologic effects. Drug-prevention counseling to athletes is highlighted and the use of anabolic steroids is must be avoided, emphasizing that sports goals may be met within the framework of honest competition, free of doping substances.

Aggression↗
PubMed2004

Cutaneous alternariosis revealing acute myeloid leukaemia in an adult patient.

We report a case of cutaneous alternariosis in a 69-year-old male patient. During hospitalization for treatment of the skin disorder, acute myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed. He received multiple chemotherapeutic agents but the leukaemia remained refractory to therapy and the patient died. The clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous alternariosis will be discussed and a review of the literature regarding patients with haematological diseases will be given.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Toxicological aspects of fire.

Most fatalities from fires are not due to burns, but are a result of inhalation of toxic gases produced during combustion. Fire produces a complex toxic environment, involving flame, heat, oxygen depletion, smoke and toxic gases. As a wide variety of synthetic materials is used in buildings (insulation, furniture, carpeting, electric wiring covering, decorative items), the potential for poisoning from inhalation of products of combustion is continuously increasing. In the present review, the problems that are present in a fire event, the toxicology of the toxic substances and the specific chemical hazards to firefighters are described. Regulatory toxicology aspects are presented concerning the use of non-flammable building and furnishing materials to prevent fires and decrease of poisonings and deaths resulting from fires.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an elderly patient.

We present a case of a 78-year-old man suffering from a chronic psoriasiform eruption, with rapid deterioration over the previous 8 weeks. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with skin and bone involvement was diagnosed, and there was evidence of liver and lung dysfunction. The patient was treated with prednisolone and etoposide, and initially experienced a partial improvement. Three weeks later, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and subsequently a large pulmonary abscess with sepsis attributed to opportunistic gram-negative enterobacteriaceae Serratia marcescens developed, and the patient died. The present case of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is of particular interest because of the previously unreported development of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the elderly population.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Occupational exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting pesticides: a Greek case.

The determination of plasma or serum cholinesterase is absolute and it is considered as a reliable index of exposure in workers of organophosphorus pesticides industries. In the present study the plasma cholinesterase of 28 persons working in the packaging of an ortho-thio-phosphate was determined, before and after their exposure to this agent. The results of this study showed a plasma cholinesterase depression of 37%, a decrease which was statistically significant (P<0.001).

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Survey of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from UK patients with cystic fibrosis to six commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is very common in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) but antimicrobial resistance rates of CF isolates across the UK are largely unknown. METHODS: The susceptibility of 417 CF patient isolates of P aeruginosa from 17 hospitals to six commonly prescribed antibiotics were examined. Isolates were tested by an agar break point dilution method and E-tests according to British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy guidelines. Genotyping of isolates was performed by XbaI DNA macrorestriction and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: 38% of isolates were susceptible to all of the agents tested; almost half were resistant to gentamicin compared with ceftazidime (39%), piperacillin (32%), ciprofloxacin (30%), tobramycin (10%), and colistin (3%). Approximately 40% were resistant to two or more compounds with ceftazidime in combination with gentamicin, piperacillin or ciprofloxacin being the most common cross resistances. Resistance rates were generally similar to those reported recently from the USA and Germany. A selection of resistant isolates proved to be predominantly genotypically distinct by XbaI DNA macrorestriction but six pairs from three centres had similar genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The level of resistance to front line antipseudomonal agents, with the exception of colistin, is disturbingly high. The prudent use of antimicrobial drugs and closer monitoring of accumulation of resistant strain populations should be actively considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Assessing food additive toxicity using a cell model.

Food additives are widely used for technological purposes and their presence is often substantial daily diet. They have also been accused forvarious toxic reactions in humans. The toxicity of the food color tartrazine, the preservatives sodium nitrate and sodium benzoate, and the antioxidant BHT, was studied using the protozoan Tetrahymenapyriformis as a toxicological model. The 4 food additives were added to Tetrahymena cultures and DNA content of the protozoan nuclei measured by an image analysis system. These food additives caused a statistically significant increase in DNA content suggesting stimulation of the mitotic process. This system may contribute to the investigation of the cellular action of food additives, since mitogenic stimuli substantially alter susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Mothers with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and their children: outcome of pregnancy, birth and childhood.

OBJECTIVES: Fertility rates in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are reported to be poor, but few data are available. We assessed rates and course of pregnancy, mode of delivery and long-term outcome of offspring from women with CAH. DESIGN: A large cohort of women with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency had initially been diagnosed and followed at one centre. Those women who had given birth were contacted. Information was gathered from hospital records, direct patient contact, structured questionnaire and the Documentation of Pregnancy and Preventive Care Booklets. RESULTS: Between 1978 and 1998, 18 women with CAH (one salt wasting, 12 simple virilizing, five nonclassical) had given birth to 31 children (18 females, 13 males). Delivery was by Caesarean section in 16 out of the 31 children. None of the female newborns was masculinized. Twenty-nine children were born at term, five children were small for gestational age (SGA). Postnatal development was basically normal in all children; 18 are now older than 10 years, seven are between 5 and 10 years old, six are less than 5 years old. CONCLUSIONS: Fertility is reduced in females with CAH, especially those with the severe or salt wasting phenotype. In those women with CAH who do conceive, course and outcome of pregnancy is mostly uneventful, although the rate of SGA offspring may be increased. Psychomotor and somatic long-term development of the children was within normal limits.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed2001

Lead content of fresh milk samples from different sites in Athens.

Milk and dairy products constitute a major food, especially for infants and children, and relatively low levels of toxic elements can contribute significantly to dietary intakes and be hazardous for public health. The purpose of this survey was to define the levels of lead in milk samples of different origin, to establish the presence or absence of contamination. The milks from different sites of the metropolitan area of Athens contained negligible traces of lead and thus are safe for the public health.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Delat9-tetrahydrocannabinol content in cannabis plants of greek origin.

The delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) content was identified and determined quantitatively using a Gas Chromatography Detector (Gas Chromatography-Electron Ion Detector) instrument in samples of illicit herbal cannabis. Law enforcement authorities sent the samples to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, for toxicological analysis. The concentrations of delta9-THC in these samples ranged from 0.08% to 4.41%. Such concentrations suggest that Greece might be at high risk, as an area for the illicit cultivation of "pedigree" cannabis plants. The forensic aspects of cannabis classification are discussed.

Cannabis↗
PubMed2000

Cytotoxic and immunomodulative effects of flunitrazepam, zipeprol and trihexyphenidyl on human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The cytotoxic effects of flunitrazepam, zipeprol and trihexyphenidyl on cell viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were studied at concentrations from 10(-2) to 10(-8) M by 2 colorimetric in vitro assays: the neutral red uptake assay and thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. All tested drugs of abuse were non-cytotoxic at concentrations lower than 10(-5) M. Possible immunomodulative effects of these substances were evaluated through phytohemagglutinin induced lymphocyte proliferation ([3H]-thymidine DNA incorporation assay) and by a 51Cr release natural killer assay. The 3 drugs studied produced statistically significant immunomodulative alterations on both immunological parameters.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

Bee pseudocholinesterase as an indicator of exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides.

The inhibition of pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) activity is a valid and sensitive biochemical indicator of exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides and is often mandatory of the agricultural use of these pesticides. In the present work we developed a modification of an easy and sensitive technique to detect the pseudocholinesterase inhibition due to pesticide exposure. Small amounts of head tissue are needed and low concentrations of the enzyme can be detected. The determination of pseudocholinesterase inhibition is a useful biomonitor of anticholinesterase pesticide exposure for bees in the same way that it is useful for the determination of exposure in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Acute poisoning due to alkalis used during industrial cleaning of soft drinks' glass containers: a case report.

Corrosive alkalis are used in the soft drink and beer industries for the cleaning of the non-disposable glass containers using several different methods. It is well understood that complete cleaning of these vessels by multiple and well-organized rinsing is an absolute necessity. In cases of disturbance of this process, some residuals of alkaline agents may be retained in the glass containers, causing severe health risks to consumers. This case of acute poisoning due to caustic alkalis concerns a young woman who consumed carbonated lemonade from a non-disposable glass container. Clinical signs and symptoms and the treatment of the affected woman are described. Toxicological analysis of the soft drink consumed led to the detection, identification and quantitative determination of the presence of the alkalis.

Adult↗