Hepatitis C virus and kidney: a strong association with different clinical aspects.

The most frequent kidney disease associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia. The principal clinical manifestations of glomerular disease in HCV-infected patients are the presence of proteinuria and haematuria with or without impaired kidney function. Pharmaceutical regimens vary because the main pathogenesis of renal dysfunction often mediated by cryoglobulins has not been fully elucidated.

Evaluation of treatment with bosentan in patients with carcinoid heart disease: single center study.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate a combined therapeutic intervention, including the dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan, in patients with carcinoid heart disease (CaHD). The efficacy of the treatment protocol was investigated using serological, echocardiographic, and clinical markers.

Patients And Methods: Since 2003, 40 patients with neuroendocrine tumours were identified; 14 had echocardiographic findings consistent with CaHD.

Pneumobilia, chronic diarrhea, vitamin K malabsorption: a pathognomonic triad for cholecystocolonic fistulas.

Cholecystocolonic fistula (CF) is an uncommon type of internal biliary-enteric fistulas, which comprise rare complications of cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis, with a prevalence of about 2% of all biliary tree diseases. We report a case of a spontaneous CF in a 75-year-old diabetic male admitted to hospital for the investigation of chronic watery diarrhea and weight loss. Massive pneumobilia demonstrated on abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography, along with chronic, bile acid-induced diarrhea and a prolonged prothrombin time due to vitamin K malabsorption, led to the clinical suspicion of the fistula.

Pro-brain natriuretic peptide is a sensitive marker for detecting cardiac metastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are important diagnostic tools for patients with suspected cardiac disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of plasma NT-pro-BNP in identifying cardiac metastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and dyspnoea.

Patients And Methods: A total of 120 patients, median age 62 years (range 46-83), with NSCLC and dyspnoea were studied.

Arrhythmogenesis in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: Fatal arrhythmias are a common cause of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Two major hypotheses for arrhythmogenesis in COPD have been proposed: arrhythmias are a consequence of hypoxaemia, hypercapnia or (tissue localised) acid-base disturbances, or arrhythmias are the result of the autonomic neuropathy that characterises COPD. Our objective was to verify these two hypotheses.

A simple telemedicine system to provide second-opinion advice to the patients of an Albanian diagnostic centre.

Since August 2003, the IKEDA Klinika diagnostic centre in Tirana, Albania, has offered patients telemedical help from Greece. The teleconsultation service is based on Internet technologies adapted to telemedical use, including the use of forms (e.g.

The Varna-Thessaloniki telemedical collaboration in setting up a regional transborder transplantation network.

In most Balkan countries, with the exception of Greece, transplantation is very rare and equality of access does not exist. In 2003, a Balkan partnership was established called SETNET (South-Eastern European Transplantation Network) for the promotion of transplantation. The objectives are to bring about the diffusion of transplantation techniques and practices in the Balkans, to increase public support for and participation in transplantation, and to eliminate the disparities in access to good health-care.

A training network for introducing telemedicine, telecare and hospital informatics in the Adriatic-Danube-Black Sea region.

DIMNET is a training mechanism for a region of central Europe. The aim is to upgrade the information technology skills of local hospital personnel and preserve their employability following the introduction of medical informatics. DIMNET uses Internet-based virtual classrooms to provide a 200-hour training course in medical informatics.

A clinical and educational telemedicine link between Bulgaria and Greece.

During its transition to a free economy, Bulgaria benefited from foreign aid provided by Greece. One of the projects was the clinical and educational telemedicine link between the Medical University of Varna in Bulgaria and the Faculty of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. This began in 1997.

The Korydallos, Greece, prisons telemedicine system experience: why technology alone is not a sufficient condition.

In 1999 the Greek Ministry of Justice decided to utilise telemedicine to improve health services in the largest prison in Greece (Korydallos Prison). The Nikea Hospital in Piraeus undertook to support the effort. For 12 months following installation, intensive "hands-on" training on the use of the system was offered to the staff of both the Korydallos Prison and the Nikea Hospital.

Developing prison telemedicine systems: the Greek experience.

Prison telemedicine systems operate in circumstances in which the provision of medical care is very expensive. In 1999 the Greek Ministry of Justice decided to use telemedicine to improve health services in the largest prison in Greece (Korydallos Prison, in Athens). The Nikea Hospital in Piraeus undertook to support the effort in order: to enable prison paramedics and guards to call for remote evaluation of inmates when the prison's doctors were off duty; to provide second opinions; and to allow screening and primary care coverage for inmates through teleconsultations with Nikea Hospital specialists.

A clinical and educational telemedicine link between Bulgaria and Greece.

During its transition to a market economy, Bulgaria benefited from foreign aid provided by Greece. One of the projects was the clinical and educational telemedicine link between the Medical University of Varna in Bulgaria and the Faculty of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. This began in 1997.