Differential expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in small cell lung cancer and subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer and examine their relationships with clinicopathologic factors, response to treatment and survival.

Methods: We examined samples obtained by bronchial endoscopic biopsy from 55 patients with inoperable lung cancer (16 with adenocarcinoma, 17 with squamous cell carcinoma, and 22 with small cell lung cancer). Hypoxiainducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor were detected using immunohistochemistry.

Fetuin-A is associated with disease severity and exacerbation frequency in patients with COPD.

Fetuin-A is a liver protein that may serve as an inhibitor of systemic inflammation in humans. In the present study we assessed the levels of fetuin-A in COPD patients in stable condition and on exacerbation in an attempt to evaluate it as a clinically relevant biomarker that may serve as predictor of exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD). One hundred COPD outpatients (GOLD stage I to IV) were enrolled in a tertiary University hospital and were submitted to a detailed evaluation, including pulmonary function testing, exercise capacity, quality of life and evaluation of the presence of metabolic syndrome and serum CRP.

Leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin levels in female patients with asthma during stable and exacerbation periods.

Objective: The mechanisms underlying the relationship between obesity and asthma have not been fully established. Data in the literature suggest that adipose tissue-derived hormones may be implicated. However, no definite conclusions regarding the role of leptin and adiponectin with asthma are available.

Secondhand smoke exposure induces acutely airway acidification and oxidative stress.

Previous studies have shown that secondhand smoke induces lung function impairment and increases proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of secondhand smoke on airway acidification and airway oxidative stress in never-smokers. In a randomized controlled cross-over trial, 18 young healthy never-smokers were assessed at baseline and 0, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after one-hour secondhand smoke exposure at bar/restaurant levels.

Predicting short-term mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism: a simple model.

Background: The aim of the present study was to develop a simple prognostic rule that could classify patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) into categories of increased risk of 30-day mortality.

Methods: One hundred patients with PE were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory findings were recorded on admission for each patient.

Two-year mortality of patients with COPD in primary health care: an observational study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with high rates of underdiagnosis. There are no studies about following up COPD patients in primary health care. The aim of the current study was to estimate two-year mortality for COPD patients in primary care and assess the parameters associated with mortality.

Clinical phenotypes related to smoking cessation.

Introduction: The aim of the current study is the identification of clinical phenotypes of patients visiting a specialized smoking cessation center and the determination of smoking cessation rate for each phenotype, 1 year after the initial evaluation.

Methods: Seven hundred eighty-three smokers who visited the outpatient clinic were included in the study. Demographic data, smoking habits, tobacco dependence and comorbidities were recorded.

Five-year trends of second-hand smoke exposure in Greece: a comparison between complete, partial, and prelegislation levels.

Background: Our aim was to assess second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in hospitality venues after the smoke-free legislation implemented in September 2010 in Greece and to compare with when a partial ban was in place and in 2006 when no ban was in place.

Methods: Hospitality venues were prospectively assessed for their indoor concentrations of particulate matter (PM(2.5)) during the partial ban phase (n=149) and the complete ban phase (n=120, 80% followed up), while overall and matched by venue comparisons were also performed (no ban vs.

Association of bone mineral density, parameters of bone turnover, and body composition in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often develop osteoporosis. Many hormones regulate bone metabolism and body composition, and some of them are affected in COPD patients vs controls. In 46 COPD patients, we measured hip neck, total hip, lumbar spine, and whole-body T-score with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, parameters of body composition (body mass index [BMI], fat mass index [FMI], and fat-free mass index [FFMI]), and adiponectin, leptin, parathormone, osteocalcin, calcitonin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) serum levels and correlated them with COPD stage.

The association of metabolic syndrome with adipose tissue hormones and insulin resistance in patients with COPD without co-morbidities.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome represent common causes of morbidity and mortality in ageing populations. The effect of the co-existence of COPD and metabolic syndrome on adipose tissue hormones and insulin resistance as well as the differences between COPD patients with and without metabolic syndrome have not been adequately studied. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, based on Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria, was evaluated in 114 male patients with COPD without significant co-morbidities.

Statins and outcome after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation: a prospective study.

Background: Retrospective studies have shown that the use of statins is associated with reduced mortality and decreased hospitalizations from COPD, but data from prospective studies are lacking.

Methods: We followed-up prospectively 245 patients admitted to hospital for exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) with monthly evaluations for one year. The role of statins on outcomes was evaluated by Cox regression analysis after proper adjustments for age, gender, BMI, current smoking status, Charlson comorbidity index and COPD stage.

Exhaled breath condensate pH as a biomarker of COPD severity in ex-smokers.

Endogenous airway acidification, as assessed by exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH, is present in patients with stable COPD. The aim of this study was to measure EBC pH levels in a large cohort of COPD patients and to evaluate associations with functional parameters according to their smoking status.EBC was collected from 161 patients with stable COPD and 112 controls (current and ex-smokers).

Diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers of oxidative stress in parapneumonic pleural effusions.

Background: The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is referred to as oxidative stress and has been associated with various respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was the assessment of 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2α)) and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) in exudative pleural effusions in order to examine the diagnostic accuracy of these markers in the differentiation between complicated and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions.

Methods: The study included 214 consecutive patients with pleural effusions [68 parapneumonic (31 uncomplicated parapneumonic, 20 complicated parapneumonic, 17 empyemas), 24 tuberculous, 88 malignant and 34 transudates].

Exhaled NO and exhaled breath condensate pH in the evaluation of asthma control.

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airways disorder. However, no biomarker of airways inflammation has been included in the assessment of asthma control.

Objective: To evaluate exhaled NO (FeNO) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH in patients with asthma according to the level of control, and their performance in the identification of not well-controlled patients.

Body composition in severe refractory asthma: comparison with COPD patients and healthy smokers.

Background: Body composition is an important parameter for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) whereas the association between asthma and obesity is not fully understood. The impact of severe refractory asthma (SRA) on fat free mass (FFM) has not been investigated.

Methodology And Principal Findings: 213 subjects (70 healthy smokers, 71 COPD patients and 72 asthma patients) without significant comorbidities were included in the study.

Prevalence of chronic diseases and morbidity in primary health care in central Greece: an epidemiological study.

Background: In Greece there is lack of large epidemiological studies regarding morbidity and mortality in primary health care. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and morbidity of the most common diseases in a large population sample from primary health care.

Methods: Four primary health centres were randomly selected.

Comparison of a network of primary care physicians and an open spirometry programme for COPD diagnosis.

Background: Early diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) remains the cornerstone for effective management. In this study we compared an open spirometry programme and a case-finding programme providing spirometry to high-risk subjects selected by primary care physicians.

Methods: A network of primary care physicians was created after invitation and all participants received training on COPD and spirometry.

COPD prevalence and the differences between newly and previously diagnosed COPD patients in a spirometry program.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of COPD in a primary care population participating in a spirometry program. Differences between newly and previously diagnosed COPD patients were identified.

Methods: A spirometry program was conducted in 15 primary care centres.

Association of TLR4-T399I polymorphism with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in smokers.

Tobacco smoking has been considered the most important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. However, not all smokers develop COPD and other environmental and genetic susceptibility factors underlie disease pathogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that the impairment of TLR signaling might play a crucial role in the development of emphysema.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of human brucellosis in Central Greece.

The confirmed cases of human brucellosis in the area of Larissa in Central Greece from 2003 to 2005 were analyzed to assess the features of the affected population and to determine the factors influencing the acquisition of infection. Data of patients infected by Brucella spp. concerning age, gender, occupation, date of diagnosis and the observed symptoms were collected from regional hospitals, health centres and private practitioners.