Publications by authors named "Konstantellou E"

Evolution of the multimodality management of early lung cancer, including progress in surgical techniques, has introduced the possibility of resection for lung cancer cases that historically were considered unresectable (e.g., select cases of T4 disease and oligometastatic disease).

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The availability of antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 represents a major step for the mass surveillance of the incidence of infection, especially regarding COVID-19 asymptomatic and/or early-stage patients. Recently, we reported the development of a Bioelectric Recognition Assay-based biosensor able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein expressed on the surface of the virus in just three minutes, with high sensitivity and selectivity. The working principle was established by measuring the change of the electric potential of membrane-engineered mammalian cells bearing the human chimeric spike S1 antibody after attachment of the respective viral protein.

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Objectives: Although modern treatment of asthma improves asthma control, some patients still experience exacerbations. The aim of the present study was to detect predictors of asthmatic exacerbations Methods: We included patients with asthma followed up in asthma clinics of 2 tertiary University hospitals. Demographic and functional characteristics, levels of exhaled NO, and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-13, ΕCP και IL-8) and cell counts in induced sputum were recorded at baseline.

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Background: Asthma control refers to the extent to which the manifestations of asthma have been reduced or eradicated by treatment. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has a central role in Th2 response and serves as a possible therapeutic target in uncontrolled asthma. Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils have modest performance in the evaluation of asthma control.

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Background: Some patients with asthma present persistent airflow limitation but their clinical and inflammatory characteristics have not been extensively described. In this study we aimed to identify differences in the clinical, functional and inflammatory characteristics between patients with asthma with and without persistent airflow obstruction.

Methods: Patients (n = 170) were consecutively recruited from two tertiary Asthma Clinics.

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Article Synopsis
  • Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) promotes blood vessel formation, while angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) inhibits it; this study explores their levels in asthma patients.
  • Eighty-seven asthma patients (42 smokers) and 28 healthy controls (14 smokers) underwent various tests to measure these angiopoietins and other related factors in sputum samples.
  • Results showed that both Ang-1 and Ang-2 levels were significantly higher in asthma patients, with smoking being a notable factor influencing these levels.
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Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated acidic glycoprotein that can function as both an extracellular matrix molecule and a cytokine. Published data support that OPN is upregulated in surgical lung tissue samples of patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of OPN in sputum supernatants of patients with COPD and to investigate possible associations with mediators and cells involved in the inflammatory and remodeling process as well as with the extent of emphysema.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A study of 103 asthmatics, including 49 smokers, revealed significant correlations between OPN and inflammatory mediators like IL-8 and TGF-β1, particularly strong in the smoking asthmatic group.
  • * The findings suggest that OPN might play a role in neutrophilic inflammation and airway remodeling among asthmatics who smoke.
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Aim: To investigate the pituary, genitalia, adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid and pancreatic endocrine function of a female patient aged 37 with abetalipoproteinemia at the time of diagnosis and 5 years thereafter (after application of a modified diet). SUBJECT-METHODS: Serum concentrations of cortisol, A4, ACTH, aldosteron, renin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-5), progesterone, 17-OH progesterone, testosterone, SH13G, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, T3, T4, TSH, FT3, FT4, parathormone, osteocalcin, prolactin, proinsuline, insulin, glucagon, somatomedin-C (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, IGF-1), IG171-13P3, 25 (OH) Vitamin D3 and 1-25 (OH) 2 Vitamin D3, were measured by radioimmunoassay. Synactlien test, and 24-hour urine cortisol, were also estimated.

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The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, serum thyroid hormone levels and certain cardiovascular risk factors in normal volunteers. In 110 blood donors (85 men, 25 women, aged 35.6 +/- 9.

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Background: We aimed to determine whether any of various groups of medical and nonmedical staff in a large acute care hospital were at increased risk of acquiring Helicobacter pylori infection over a 5-year period, and we also aimed to identify risk factors or symptoms related to H. pylori positivity and seroconversion.

Methods: A total number of 437 subjects, aged 36.

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Objective: We assessed the current clinical practice in relation to secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in a general district hospital in Greece.

Methods And Results: A total of 819 consecutive patients ( < 75 years) with a history of myocardial infarction (> 6 months) was recruited from the outpatient cardiology clinic. All patients were interviewed and blood was taken for lipids and glycosylated haemoglobin measurements.

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We describe the clinicoepidemiologic features, natural history, and therapeutic manipulations in three Greek patients with A-beta-lipoproteinemia (two brothers aged 15 and 29 years, respectively, and one sister aged 30 years). Diarrhea started in infancy in the two brothers and from the age of 13 in the sister. During the second decade of life, central nervous system symptoms became prominent, with fatigue and disturbance in gait and balance.

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Twelve primary amenorrheic adolescents were treated with transdermal estradiol 100 micrograms (Estraderm TTS-100 (R)) twice weekly for 3 weeks, plus MPA 10 mg per os daily (Provera) for the last 11 days, following an interval of 1 week. A basic examination and a re-examination at 6- and 12-month intervals were carried out for clinical evaluation, hormonal assays, lipid, carbohydrate and bone metabolism. No significant changes were recorded on the FSH, LH, 17 beta-estradiol and PRL serum levels.

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