Development of the Social Capital Questionnaire in Greece.

The Greek version of the social capital questionnaire (SCQ-G) was evaluated in a sample of 521 adults drawn from three different urban areas in Greece. Exploratory factor analysis followed by multi-trait scaling yielded six factors: Participation in the Community, Feelings of Safety, Family/Friends Connections, Value of Life and Social Agency, Tolerance of Diversity, and Work Connections. The factor solution is similar to the patterns identified originally in Australia and the US.

Relationship between serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 with biochemical markers of bone disease in multiple myeloma.

Background: Multiple myeloma is characterized by accumulation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, with osteolysis and increased marrow angiogenesis. We studied molecules involved in angiogenesis (MMP-9, HGF, VEGF) in relation to disease stage, extent of bone destruction, and markers of bone turnover (Ntx and PICP).

Methods: MMP-9, HGF, VEGF were measured in the serum of 42 newly diagnosed myeloma patients and 24 controls with commercial ELISA kits.

Serum interleukin-17 and its relationship to angiogenic factors in multiple myeloma.

Background: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a CD4 T-cell-derived mediator of angiogenesis that stimulates vascular endothelial cell migration and regulates the production of a variety of proangiogenic factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). Angiogenesis is implicated in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: We measured serum levels of IL-17, TNF-alpha, and VEGF, as well as microvessel density (MVD) in 40 untreated MM patients.

Systemic levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with multiple myeloma may be useful as prognostic indexes of bone disease.

Multiple myeloma is characterized by accelerated production of the proteolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. We hypothesized that myeloma-produced MMP-9 may influence the rate of bone turnover in a paracrine manner. Thus, we examined the correlations of MMP-9 levels, disease severity, and bone turnover rate as evaluated by markers of bone formation and resorption.