Non CF-bronchiectasis: Aetiologic approach, clinical, radiological, microbiological and functional profile in 277 patients.

Background And Objectives: Non-Cystic Fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is common in Greece but little attention has been paid to the investigation of its aetiology, clinical, radiological, microbiological and lung function profile.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated patients with non-CF bronchiectasis confirmed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. Aetiology, clinical data, radiology score, microbiological profile and lung function were investigated.

Oxidative DNA damage and somatic mutations: a link to the molecular pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory airway diseases.

Background: Acquired somatic mutations induced by oxidative stress may contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory airway diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the intensity of oxidative DNA damage and the presence of microsatellite DNA instability (MSI), a marker of acquired somatic mutations, in patients with COPD, patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and control subjects.

Methods: Induced sputum and peripheral blood from 97 subjects were analyzed; 36 patients with COPD, 36 patients with bronchiectasis, 15 smokers without COPD, and 10 healthy control subjects.

Comparison of cisplatin-paclitaxel combination versus cisplatin-etoposide in patients with small-cell lung cancer: a Phase III study.

Cisplatin-paclitaxel and cisplatin-etoposide combination therapies were compared in limited and extensive disease in patients with small-cell lung cancer. The primary objectives were to determine median and overall survival, time to tumor progression and tolerance and the secondary objective, the response rate. From January 2003 till July 2007, 108 patients were enrolled in the study.