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Biomedical subjects

T Agorastos

Publications and source records attributed to T Agorastos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human papillomavirus testing for primary screening in women at low risk of developing cervical cancer. The Greek experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection against routine Papanicolaou smear for the detection of low- and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in a low-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1296 women attending six outpatient clinics in Northern Greece (Thessaloniki, Thermi, Mihaniona, Corfu, Veria, and Serres). Women underwent a gynecological examination, including collection of exfoliated cervical cells for Papanicolaou cytology and HPV DNA detection. Cytology was processed according the conventional routine manner, and HPV DNA was determined using the polymerase chain reaction technique. In positive cases of either method, a complete colposcopic evaluation was performed with directed biopsies. Tests (HPV DNA, cytology, and colposcopy) performance characteristics were determined using the histopathologic diagnosis as the reference standard. RESULTS: HPV DNA testing showed a significantly better sensitivity than the Papanicolaou smear in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (75% versus 50% for high-grade lesions and 81.2% versus 50% for lesions of any grade, respectively). Specificity, and positive and negative predictive values did not significantly differ. Even after dividing women in younger or older than 30 years, the sensitivity of the HPV DNA test was greater than cytology (100% and 70% versus 50% for cytology in both groups, respectively), with a 6.3% loss in specificity when performed in women younger than 30 years. CONCLUSION: HPV testing could be useful in screening women at low risk for cervical cancer, either as an adjunct tool to augment existing cytology programs or as a unique test of its own.

Adolescent↗

Self-sampling versus physician-sampling for human papillomavirus testing.

We evaluated the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using two sampling methods of cervical exfoliated cells, consisting of self-sampling of vaginal cells and cervical sampling performed by the physician. Women included were 379 patients of the general population attending outpatient clinics in Northern Greece for routine cytological cervical dysplasia screening. HPV DNA detection was similar with both sampling techniques. The HPV prevalences in self-collected samples were 4.7% and 3.7% in the physician-collected samples (P>0.05). The Kappa statistic for HPV DNA agreement between the two methods was 0.54 (95% Confidence interval = 0.33-0.75). Self-sampling of cervico-vaginal exfoliated cells could be used as an alternative option to test for HPV infection.

Cervix Uteri↗

Cervical human papillomavirus infection in women attending gynaecological outpatient clinics in northern Greece.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the necessary cause for the development of invasive cervical cancer. Identification of HPV determinants may contribute to the targeting of high-risk groups for cervical cancer. The study was aimed at estimating HPV prevalence and its determinants among 1296 women attending six gynaecological outpatient clinics in northern Greece. Information was available through personal interview and the study of cervical exfoliated cells. HPV DNA was detected by reverse line-blot polymerase chain reaction using the L1 primers PGMY09/11. The overall HPV prevalence was 2.5%. After controlling for potential confounders, the two independent risk factors associated with an increased prevalence were young age and parity. The prevalence odds ratio (POR) for those younger than 27 years against those older than 42 years was 5.31 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.53-18.44) and the POR for nulliparous women compared with women with two or more children was 4.15 (95% CI=1.35-12.76). HPV was present in 10 of 12 women with low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) (83.3%) and in 3 of 4 with high-grade CIN (75%). The prevalence of genital HPV infections in the study population was among the lowest ever reported internationally.

Adolescent↗

P53 codon 72 polymorphism and correlation with ovarian and endometrial cancer in Greek women.

The polymorphism of codon 72 in the p53 tumour suppressor gene has been associated in the last decade with the risk of developing various neoplasias. An influence of this polymorphism on ovarian and endometrial cancer has also been suggested. We examined the genotype frequency of this polymorphism in archival samples from 56 patients with endometrial neoplasias and 51 patients with ovarian neoplasias. Cervical smears from 30 healthy, human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative women with normal cytology and colposcopy, served as control sample. Women with ovarian neoplasias, especially adenocarcinomas, had Arg/Arg more often than healthy controls [odds ratio (OR) 4.16 at P = 0.0058]. No statistically significant difference was found between women with endometrial cancer and controls. Differentiation of ovarian tumours did not appear to be associated in a statistically significant manner with the genotype, whereas a positive linear trend of Arg/Arg towards poor differentiation was noted in endometrial malignancies (mainly endometrioid adenocarcinomas). Our results suggest that homozygous arginine at codon 72 of p53 may represent a risk factor for developing ovarian malignancies and may affect the differentiation of endometrial cancer. Further studies need to be carried out in order to establish the clinical use of this polymorphism for risk assessment and possibly outcome prediction of ovarian and endometrial neoplasias.

Adult↗

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism C677T is not associated to the risk of cervical dysplasia.

The aim of the study was to explore a possible association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and cervical neoplasia. A total of 229 women were subjected to cytologic and colposcopic evaluation. Ninety-one of them were found to be normal, and served as the control group, while the other 138 of them had present or past histologically proven cervical pathology (patients group). All patients and controls were investigated for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Statistical analysis between the groups of cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive cervical cancer and the control group did not reveal any statistically significant difference in the frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism.

Adult↗

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in pregnancies with adverse outcome.

BACKGROUND: Inherited thrombophilia has been associated with obstetric complications through mechanisms that are not yet fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between specific obstetric adverse outcomes and factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations. METHODS: Forty-five women with adverse pregnancy outcome defined as severe pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth, were tested for factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations. The control group comprised 100 women with at least one normal pregnancy and no history of thrombosis. RESULTS: Overall, 13 women with one or more of the above-mentioned pregnancy complications (28%) had either thrombophilic mutation, as compared with six in the control group (6%) (p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-20). The factor V Leiden mutation was detected in ten of the women with complicated pregnancies (22%) and in four of the controls (4%) (p < 0.001, OR 6.6; 95% CI 1.7-27.2). The prothrombin G20210A mutation was detected in three women in the group with complications (6%) and in two of the controls (2%) (p = 0.17, OR 3.4; 95% CI 0.4-30.5). Compared to controls, the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation was significantly higher in the subgroups of severe pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae and fetal growth restriction. The prevalence of the prothrombin G20210A mutation does not appear to be significantly different from that in the controls in any of the groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that inherited thrombophilia, and specifically the factor V Leiden mutation, may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. The role of the prothrombin G20210A mutation remains to be elucidated.

Abruptio Placentae↗

Factor V leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations, but not methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T, are associated with recurrent miscarriages.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between recurrent miscarriages and factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A and C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations. In this case-control study the prevalence of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A and C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutations was determined in a consecutive series of 80 recurrent miscarriage patients and 100 controls. Fifteen of 80 recurrent miscarriage patients and four out of 100 controls carried the factor V Leiden mutation (19 versus 4%, P = 0.003, odds ratio 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-17). Seven of 80 recurrent miscarriage patients and two of 100 controls were carriers of the prothrombin G20210A mutation (9 versus 2%, P = 0.038, odds ratio 4.6, 95% CI: 0.9-23.2). Six of 80 recurrent miscarriage women and 15 of 100 controls were homozygotes for the C677T MTHFR mutation (8 versus 15%, P = 0.134, odds ratio: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-1.2). Our results suggest that the presence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A polymorphism, but not MTHFR C677T homozygosity, could be additional risk factors for recurrent miscarriages. Furthermore, it was suggested that the prevalence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations is more prominent in second trimester, primary fetal losses and it is independent of the existence of additional pathology predisposing to recurrent fetal losses.

Abortion, Habitual↗

p53 codon 72 polymorphism and risk of intra-epithelial and invasive cervical neoplasia in Greek women.

In 1998, Storey and co-workers suggested that individuals homozygous for arginine (Arg) at codon 72 of the p53 gene are about seven times more susceptible to human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinogenesis than heterozygotes. Since then, several studies from Northern Europe, Japan and the USA have failed to demonstrate a similar correlation. By contrast, a study in Brazil as well as one recent study in Italian and Swedish populations showed strong positive associations. We examined the frequency of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in samples from both invasive and intra-epithelial cervical neoplasias (CIN), and compared them with samples from healthy controls. All 88 samples came from women with a Greek ethnic background. Tissue specimens were collected from archival material with histologically diagnosed low-grade CIN (LGCIN), high-grade CIN (HGCIN) or cervical cancer (CxCa). As a control, we used cellular material newly collected by cytobrush from the cervices of 30 healthy women with normal cytological and colposcopical examinations. p53 Arg homozygosity (Arg/Arg) alone was associated with four-, six- or eight-fold increased risks for LGCIN, HGCIN or invasive cancer, respectively. The frequency of the p53Arg/Arg genotype and of the proline (Pro) allele showed significant linear trends according to the degree of severity of the lesion (P = 0.0007 and P = 0.0009, respectively). Exclusion of the ten HPV16/18-negative cases did not substantially alter the Arg/Arg frequency among the groups nor the significant linear trend. Our results confirm the initial findings of Storey and co-workers, as well as the data of the Brazilian and the recent European study, but do not accord with those of the other aforementioned studies. Variations in ethnic background, laboratory performance, verification of the HPV status, definition of controls, and sample size are the most plausible explanations for this controversy. In all our samples, the distribution of the p53 alleles fits the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the 0.48 frequency of the Pro allele in our controls accords well with the percentages previously reported for different ethnic groups as characteristic of the assumed north-south cline. Some authors assert that the discrepancy in the results could not be attributed to differences in the methods; however, the Brazilian study emphasized the effect of inter-laboratory variation in detecting the association between p53 polymorphism and cervical cancer. Regarding the control group, our samples were only from women with a cytologically and colposcopically benign cervical epithelium. We think that simply choosing 'normal volunteers' for collecting control DNA blood samples without knowing the status of their cervical epithelium is indeed a possible source of bias. Finally, it is very unlikely that loss of heterozygosity at the p53 locus could be a factor interfering with the allelotype distribution. Our present small study results, which suggest a biologically relevant association, provide strong evidence that homozygous arginine at codon 72 of p53 may confer a higher susceptibility to HPV-associated intra-epithelial and invasive cervical neoplasia.

Adult↗

Ovarian remnant syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

The ovarian remnant syndrome in an unusual complication of bilateral oophorectomy, usually presenting with pelvic mass and pain. A case of the syndrome is described in a 35-year-old woman with a history of abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. We suggest that ovarian remnant syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain after recorded oophorectomy.

Abdominal Pain↗

Treatment of endometrial hyperplasias with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: pathological, clinical, morphometric, and DNA-cytometric data.

On the basis of the recently reported observation that gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) can affect endometrial cell proliferation, both indirectly, through the hormonal axis, and directly, by acting on the GnRH-a receptors, we investigated how far GnRH-a can be used as a new treatment mode for endometrial hyperplasias. Forty-two women, aged 28-60 years, with histologically confirmed simple (n = 30) or complex (n = 12, 2 with atypias) hyperplasia of the endometrium were involved in the study. According to the protocol they were treated for 6 months with GnRH-a (leuprolide acetate or triptorelin), and each patient underwent uterine curettage in the third and the sixth month of treatment, and 6 and at least 12 months after cessation of the treatment, for histological examination and morphometric and DNA-cytometric evaluation of the endometrium (mean pathological follow-up, 19.2 months; mean clinical follow-up, 30.7 months). During treatment, most of the women first revealed endometrial atrophy, and, after cessation of the treatment, again an atrophic or mainly functional endometrium; in 7 women, all with initial diagnosis of simple hyperplasia, the endometrial hyperplasia reappeared, which led in all 7 cases to hysterectomy. The mean values of almost all morphometric and DNA-cytometric parameters during and after treatment showed statistically significant changes in relation to pretreatment values, indicating a decrease in the proliferative activity of the endometrial cells; the GnRH-a antiproliferative effect was still active for a long time after cessation of the therapy. Our results, based for the first time not only on histological but also on serial nuclear morphometric and DNA-cytometric examinations of the endometrial cells and on the longest follow-up time, support the view that in cases of endometrial hyperplasia, especially of complex type, the use of GnRH agonists, which decrease the proliferative tendency of endometrial cells, could represent an alternative conservative therapeutic approach, which, however, requires close monitoring of the endometrium.

Adult↗

The effect of transdermal estradiol on the conjunctiva in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hormonal replacement therapy on the conjunctiva in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study in the setting of a tertiary-care university hospital. Eleven postmenopausal women received hormonal replacement therapy (transdermal estradiol or transdermal estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate) for 4 months. Serum estradiol levels as well as vaginal and conjunctival maturation value (a cytological parameter) were measured before and after the treatment. Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed-Rank test. RESULTS: A significant increase of serum estradiol levels (P < 0.01) and of vaginal maturation value (P < 0.01) were found. Cytological maturation changes in conjunctival epithelium were also observed. These changes, although mild, were statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These data support the view that the hormonal replacement therapy induces cytological maturation changes in conjunctival epithelium in postmenopausal women.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Adenomyosis at hysterectomy: prevalence and relationship to operative findings and reproductive and menstrual factors.

In order to estimate the frequency and risk factors for adenomyosis, the clinical records of 594 women undergoing hysterectomy were retrieved. Data were collected on indications for the intervention, age at surgery, age at menarche, parity, abortions, mode of delivery, abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and menopausal status at surgery. Adenomyosis was found in 116 of the 594 patients (19.5%). A pathologic condition was present in 63 patients with fibroids (20.5%), 11 with genital prolapse (25.6%), 11 with benign ovarian tumors (17.8%), six with endometrial hyperplasia (13.6%), two with cervical cancer (18.2%), ten with endometrial cancer (16.1%), and 13 with ovarian cancer (21.3%). No relationship was found between adenomyosis and endometriosis. On the contrary, a strong relationship was found between adenomyosis and parity, cesarean section, induced abortions, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and late age at menarche. These results show that adenomyosis is a common pathologic finding, significantly related to reproductive and menstrual characteristics of the patients.

Abortion, Induced↗

Lead concentrations in early human milk of urban and rural mothers.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare lead concentrations in breast milk between urban and rural women. Colostrum from 51 women living in the city of Thessaloniki (exposed to increased air lead concentration, 0.54 micrograms/m3) and from 40 women living in rural areas (exposed to significantly lower air lead concentrations) was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Urban women showed slightly higher lead concentrations (mean +/- SD: 0.090 +/- 0.029 micrograms/ml) than rural women (mean +/- SD: 0.084 +/- 0.024 micrograms/ml). This difference was not statistically significant. These results suggest that the lead content of human milk is not influenced by the concentrations of this environmental pollutant in the air.

Adolescent↗

Application of image analysis cytometry in follicular fluid cells obtained from in-vitro fertilization cycles: relationships to patient's age, oocyte maturity, fertilizability and in-vitro fertilization outcome.

In an in-vitro fertilization (IVF)/embryo transfer programme granulosa cells obtained from 59 individual preovulatory follicles were analysed using multiparameter image analysis cytometry, in an attempt to determine whether their morphometric and DNA-cytometric parameters could prove useful in assessing follicle and oocyte maturity and in predicting fertilizability and outcome of these IVF cycles. Almost all morphometric and DNA-cytometric parameters were not correlated with either the patient's age or oocyte maturity, and did not predict oocyte fertilization or occurrence of a clinical pregnancy. The only possible relevant parameter which, despite its inverse correlation to total luteinizing hormone administration, also proved to be inversely correlated to pregnancy outcome (in the seven cases in which a pregnancy occurred), was the percentage of granulosa cell nuclei with increased DNA content (> 5c). Finally, if granulosa cells do not reveal euploid polyploidization in spontaneous or induced ovulatory cycles, the detected cells with increased DNA content should be interpreted as aneuploid, i.e. with chromosomal aberrations, and so their presence could also be discussed in connection with the hypothetical risk of prospective neoplastic transformation of the tissue.

Adult↗

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma: a report of three cases.

Cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratomas of the left ovary are presented. Two of the carcinomas occurred in postmenopausal women 54 and 71 years old and the third in a menstruating woman 42 years old. The two women with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, who had extra ovarian extension of the tumor, died four and eight months postoperatively. The third woman with a poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, which was confined to the ovary, was alive two years after the operation. The special importance in the prognosis and spreading of tumors is emphasized.

Adult↗

Histopathological findings of the endometrium in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

The histopathological examination of the endometrium in cases of abnormal functional uterine bleeding frequently reveals the type of functional disturbance and assists correct treatment. On this basis, 7,000 endometrial curettages from patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were studied. The 1,282 cases with no endometrium in phase, organic changes, or systemic disorders were defined as dysfunctional uterine bleeding; the endometrial lesions were then classified and the histological findings correlated with the patients' ages. The endometrial curettages revealed an anovulatory cycle in 984 (77%) of the patients, and an ovulatory cycle in 298 (23%). Of the cases with an anovulatory cycle, 446 patients (47.5%) showed endometrial hyperplasia, 412 (41.86%) showed abnormal endometrial proliferation due to prolonged persistence of a follicle, while 106 (10.77%) showed deficient endometrial proliferation. Three hundred and thirty four cases (71.67%) of endometrial hyperplasia were (simple) cystic hyperplasias, 124 (26.60%) were (complex) adenomatous hyperplasia, and 8 (1.71%) were atypical hyperplasia. Of the cases with an ovulatory cycle, 252 (84.56%) showed deficient endometrial secretion due to a prolonged proliferative phase, while the other 46 (15.43%) showed deficient secretion due to luteal phase defect. Seven hundred and thirty six patients with an anovulatory cycle and 212 with an ovulatory cycle-i.e. 948 (74%) of the 1282 patients studied-were at the climacteric. The conclusions may be summarised as follows. i) Dysfunctional abnormal uterine bleeding was found more often at the climacteric and chiefly in the form of an anovulatory endometrium; ii) 88.14% of cases (1130 patients) presented histological signs of oestrogen influence in the form of either an anovulatory endometrium or an ovulatory endometrium; iii) Cystic (simple) hyperplasia was the most common form of endometrial hyperplasia.

Animals↗