Pharmacogenetic Analysis of the rs2910164 and rs767649 Polymorphisms and Response to Anti-TNF Treatment in Patients with Crohn's Disease and Psoriasis.

The clinical heterogeneity regarding the response profile of the antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and psoriasis (PsO) is attributed, amongst others, to genetic factors that influence the regulatory mechanisms which orchestrate the inflammatory response. Here, we investigated the possible associations between the rs2910164 and rs767649 variants and the response to anti-TNF therapy in a Greek cohort of 103 CD and 100 PsO patients. We genotyped 103 CD patients and 100 PsO patients via the PCR-RFLP method, utilizing the de novo formation of a restriction site for the SacI enzyme considering the rs2910164, while Tsp45I was employed for the rs767649 variant.

A multicenter, prospective, observational study of the long-term outcomes of Crohn's disease patients under routine care management in Greece.

Background: Real-world data on management patterns and long-term outcomes of patients with inadequately controlled Crohn's disease (CD) in Greece are scarce.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective observational study of 18-65-year-old CD patients whose physicians judged that their current therapy was inadequate to control their condition and therefore decided to switch treatment. Data were collected at enrollment (time of switch), and 30, 54 and 104 weeks post-enrollment.

The impact of peri-operative anti-TNF treatment on anastomosis-related complications in Crohn's disease patients. A critical review.

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α is a cytokine exerting pleiotropic effects on critical cell functions and, most importantly, is the main regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and a key player in the pathophysiology of numerous autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's disease.

Methods: TNFα became a therapeutic target and TNFα blocking agents are currently used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Beyond the therapeutic benefits deriving from TNFα neutralization, amendments in the cellular functions of the immune system may as well induce potent immunosuppressive effects.

The role of variations within microRNA in inflammatory bowel disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that are implicated in gene expression regulation at both a transcriptional and at a translational level. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms may occur in miRNA biogenesis pathway genes, primary miRNA, pre-miRNA, or a mature miRNA sequence. Such polymorphisms may be functional with respect to biogenesis and actions of mature miRNA.

Greek results of the "ENERGIB" European study on non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Non-variceal upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common and challenging emergency situation. We aimed to describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with NVUGIB in Greece.

Methods: ENERGIB (NCT00797641) was an epidemiological survey conducted in 7 European countries including Greece.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication and antisecretory maintenance therapy on peptic ulcer recurrence in cirrhotic patients: a prospective, cohort 2-year follow-up study.

Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori eradication to cure peptic ulcer disease in patients with cirrhosis is not clear.

Aim: To investigate the course of peptic ulcer disease in cirrhotics, first after healing with either H. pylori eradication or omeprazole therapy and second while on omeprazole maintenance therapy after recurrence.

Hospitalization rates for cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis doubled for the aged population in Greece over the past 30 years.

Objective: Gallbladder disease is becoming increasingly prevalent in Western countries and is a common cause of hospitalization. The objective of this study was to determine time trends in cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis for hospitalization and disease case fatality in Greece between 1970 and 1998.

Material And Methods: Data were obtained from the Annual Bulletin for the Social Welfare and Health Statistics of the National Statistics Service of Greece.

Primary liposarcoma of esophagus: a case report.

Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adult life while esophageal liposarcoma is an extremely rare tumor. In the world literature, only 14 cases of esophageal liposarcomas have been described. We report a 72-year old male patient who was urgently admitted to our hospital for acute epigastric pain with a burning retrosternal sensation, persistent nausea, vomiting and dysphagia.