The Role of Erythropoietin in Bovine Sperm Physiology.

Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone secreted mainly by the kidney, exerts its biological function by binding to its cell-surface receptor (EpoR). The presence of EPO and EpoR in the male and female reproductive system has been verified. Therefore, some of the key properties of EPO, such as its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects, could improve the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa.

Vitamin D Binding Protein (DBP), Free Calcidiol, and Total Calcitriol in Adults from Northern Greece.

Background: An ongoing debate has been raised on whether is better to use total or free calcidiol as a screening test in the population.

Methods: In winter and summer, free calcidiol, total calcitriol, and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) concentrations were determined by immunoenzymatic assays in 326 adults (161 males, 165 females). These included 99 osteoporotic patients, 53 type 1 and 51 type 2 diabetics, and 123 athletic healthy persons, all from northern Greece.

The Beneficial Effects of Pterostilbene on Post-Thawed Bovine Spermatozoa.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), primarily produced by cellular metabolism, are highly reactive molecules that modify cellular compounds. During sperm preparation in Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ARTs), intrinsic and extrinsic sources of ROS can impact spermatozoa's oxidative status. The modification of the media with compounds that enhance sperm quality characteristics is of great significance.

Vitamin D Status in Osteoporotic and Diabetic Patients and Athletic Healthy Individuals from Northern Greece.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is recognised as a pandemic in the developed world. However, the importance of prudent sun exposure tends to be overlooked, which is responsible for this pandemic.

Methods: We investigated the vitamin D status in 326 adults, 165 females and 161 males: 99 Osteoporosis patients, 53 Type 1 Diabetes patients, 51 Type 2 Diabetes patients, and 123 Athletic Healthy individuals, from Northern Greece, through the measurement of total calcidiol in winter and summer by immunoenzymatic assay.

Genotoxicity induced in vitro by water-soluble indoor PM fractions in relation to heavy metal concentrations.

The aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxicity induced by water-soluble fractions of particulate matter (PM) and its potential relation with heavy metals. For this purpose, the genotoxicity induced on human peripheral lymphocytes by water-soluble PM (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) collected from the indoor air of various workplaces in Greece (n = 20), was examined by the Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) induction assay and assessed in relation to the concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cr, and Cd.

Evaluation of the Hemocompatibility and Anticancer Potential of Poly(-Caprolactone) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Microcarriers with Encapsulated Chrysin.

In this work, novel chrysin-loaded poly(-caprolactone) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microcarriers were synthesized according to a modified oil-in-water single emulsion/solvent evaporation method, utilizing poly(vinyl alcohol) surfactant as stabilizer and dispersing agent for the emulsification, and were evaluated for their physico-chemical and morphological properties, loading capacity and entrapment efficiency and in vitro release of their load. The findings suggest that the novel micro-formulations possess a spherical and relatively wrinkled structure with sizes ranging between 2.4 and 24.

CYP17A1 and Androgen-Receptor Expression in Prostate Carcinoma Tissues and Cancer Cell Lines.

Background: CYP17A1 is involved in the steroidogenesis of dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione. CYP17A is a target for the hormonal treatment of prostate cancer (PCa).

Objectives: To investigate the role of CYP17A1 as a driver of PCa growth.

Cytoprotective and genotoxic effects of vitamins K1 and B1 on irinotecan in vitro.

Cultured human lymphocytes were treated with vitamins K and B, potential anticancer agents, either alone or in combination with irinotecan, a semisynthetic analogue of camptothecin. The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was measured as an indicator of genotoxicity and the proliferation rate index (PRI) and mitotic index (MI) was measured as indicators of cytostatic effect. Vitamin K alone did not induce SCEs at the concentrations tested and combined with irinotecan does not increase SCE rates induced by irinotecan alone.

In vitro cellular toxicity induced by extractable organic fractions of particles exhausted from urban combustion sources - Role of PAHs.

The bioactivity of the extractable organic matter (EOM) of particulate matter (PM) exhausted from major urban combustion sources, including residential heating installations (wood-burning fireplace and oil-fired boiler) and vehicular exhaust from gasoline and diesel cars), was investigated in vitro by employing multiple complementary cellular and bacterial assays. Cytotoxic responses were investigated by applying the MTT ((3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)) bioassay and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release bioassay on human lung cells (MRC-5). Sister Chromatids Exchange (SCE) genotoxicity was measured on human peripheral lymphocytes.

Docking analysis targeted to the whole enzyme: an application to the prediction of inhibition of PTP1B by thiomorpholine and thiazolyl derivatives.

PTP1b is a protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in the inactivation of insulin receptor. Since inhibition of PTP1b may prolong the action of the receptor, PTP1b has become a drug target for the treatment of type II diabetes. In the present study, prediction of inhibition using docking analysis targeted specifically to the active or allosteric site was performed on 87 compounds structurally belonging to 10 different groups.

Toxic organic substances and marker compounds in size-segregated urban particulate matter - Implications for involvement in the in vitro bioactivity of the extractable organic matter.

Toxic organic substances and polar organic marker compounds, i.e. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitro-derivatives (N-PAHs), as well as dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and sugars/sugar anhydrites (S/SAs) were analyzed in size-segregated PM samples (<0.

Thrombophilic gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss in Greek women.

Introduction: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a multifactorial disorder. The aim of this study was the detection of various genetic polymorphisms and their correlation to RPL, in Greek women.

Methods: The impact of 12 thrombophilic polymorphisms was evaluated, among 48 Greek women with a history of RPL, vs 27 healthy parous women.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced in vitro by solvent-extractable organic matter of size-segregated urban particulate matter.

Three organic fractions of different polarity, including a non polar organic fraction (NPOF), a moderately polar organic fraction (MPOF), and a polar organic fraction (POF) were obtained from size-segregated (<0.49, 0.49-0.

Genotoxic effect of tocolytic drug ritodrine in combination with smoking during pregnancy.

Objective: Tocolytic drugs are used widely in order to prevent preterm birth. Ritodrine, is the only food and drug administration (FDA) approved drug for tocolytic use. We estimated the cytogenetic effect of ritodrine administered as maternal therapy, alone or in combination with smoking, in women and their neonates.

Regional disparities in cancer mortality across the rural-urban axis: a case study from north-eastern Greece.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify differences in cancer mortality in north-eastern Greece, to describe potential drivers operating at the population level and to propose practical interventions and mitigation strategies.

Methods: Cancer mortality data were collected from local registries using the WHO 10th edition of International Classification of Disease (ICD-10). The direct standardization method was used to address demographic differences in the two regions, with the Standard European Population as reference.

Survival Fraction at 2 Gy and γH2AX Expression Kinetics in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes From Cancer Patients: Relationship With Acute Radiation-Induced Toxicities.

Purpose: Predictive assays for acute radiation toxicities would be clinically relevant in radiation oncology. We prospectively examined the predictive role of the survival fraction at 2 Gy (SF2) and of γH2AX (double-strand break [DSB] DNA marker) expression kinetics in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cancer patients before radiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: SF2 was measured with Trypan Blue assay in the PBMCs from 89 cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy at 4 hours (SF2[4h]) and 24 hours (SF2[24h]) after ex vivo irradiation.

Potentiation by caffeine of cytogenetic damage induced by steroidal derivatives in human lymphocytes in vitro.

We studied the effects of three newly synthesized steroidal derivatives of nitrogen mustards, alone or in combination with caffeine, on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies and on human lymphocyte proliferation kinetics. The agents have as alkylator functionalities either P-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenyl-buturate (CHL) or P-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenyl-acetate (PHE), esterified with a modified steroidal nucleus. An enhancement of SCE frequency was seen with compounds which contain either PHE or CHL as alkylators and are esterified with a steroidal nucleus having added a cholestene group in the 17-position of the D-ring.

The cytogenetic action of ifosfamide, mesna, and their combination on peripheral rabbit lymphocytes: an in vivo/in vitro cytogenetic study.

Ifosfamide (IFO) is an alkylating nitrogen mustard, administrated as an antineoplasmic agent. It is characterized by its intense urotoxic action, leading to hemorrhagic cystitis. This side effect of IFO raises the requirement for the co-administration with sodium 2-sulfanylethanesulfonate (Mesna) aiming to avoid or minimize this effect.

Effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on fetus: a cytogenetic perspective.

Objective: The examination of the genotoxic, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of smoking during pregnancy.

Method: Lymphocyte cultures of peripheral blood were received from 20 women who smoked during pregnancy as well as umbilical cord blood of their newborns. Fluorescence Plus Giemsa staining technique was used in order to perform cytogenetic analyses for three indices, Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs), Proliferation Rate Index (PRI) and Mitotic Index (MI).

Cytogenetic evaluation of pre-pregnancy smoking in maternal and newborn lymphocytes.

Objective: To study cytogenetic damage in order to estimate the effect of pre-pregnancy smoking on pregnant women and their foetuses.

Study Design: Lymphocyte cultures were obtained from peripheral blood of 20 women who quit smoking during pregnancy, and umbilical cord blood of their newborns at delivery. Cytogenetic analyses were performed for sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), proliferation rate index (PRI) and mitotic index (MI) using the Fluorescence Plus Giemsa staining technique.

Cytogenetic and antineoplastic effects by newly synthesised steroidal alkylators in lymphocytic leukaemia P388 cells in vivo.

New compounds with potential antitumour activity were synthesised by combining nitrogen mustard with the steroidal skeleton, in an effort to improve specificity and at the same time reduce systemic toxicity. The steroidal part is aimed to serve as a biological platform enabling the alkylating moiety to approach its site of action by altering its physicochemical properties. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate these compounds for anti-neoplastic activity.

Synergistic cytogenetic and antineoplastic effects by the combined action of esteric steroidal derivatives of nitrogen mustards.

We studied the effect of five newly synthesized steroidal derivatives of nitrogen mustards. These derivatives have as alkylators either P-N, N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenyl-butyrate (CHL) or P-N, N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenyl-acetate (PHE) groups esterified with different modified steroidal nuclei. We examined them alone or in combination, on sister chromatid exchange rates and on human lymphocyte proliferation kinetics.

Is psychopathology related to children's unintentional injury?

This research aimed to study children's psychopathology and unintentional accidents in Thrace, northern Greece. We examined whether there was a correlation between each risk factor of the research and the dependent variables: 1) minor accidents, 2) serious accidents that required Emergency Room attendance (ER accidents), 3) serious accidents that led to hospital admission (admission accidents). High school children (n = 1,516) completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding the cause of their accident, as well as the "Strengths and difficulties questionnaire" (SDQ) by Goodman.

Socio-demographic risks of child injury in a Greek region.

Unlabelled: Child injuries are a growing global public health problem and the aim of this research was to study child accidents, their causes and risk factors in a northern part of Greece, Thrace.

Methods: 1,516 high school children completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding the cause, type, activity before the accident, and result of their accident.

Results: The Chi square method showed a high correlation between accidents and variables such as gender (OR .