Bortezomib downregulates MGMT expression in T98G glioblastoma cells.

The efficacy of treatment for glioblastoma multiforme is currently limited by the development of resistance, particularly, but not exclusively, due to the expression of the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) in a significant proportion of astrocytic tumors. MGMT is post-translationally regulated by the 26S proteasome, a multi-subunit organelle responsible for degradation of misfolded cellular proteins. The boronic acid dipeptide bortezomib is the first and only proteasome inhibitor in clinical use so far, and has been reported as a strategy to restrict growth and promote apoptosis of glioblastoma cells.

High rates of obesity prevalence in adults living in central Greece: data from the ARGOS study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of obesity in adults of a large region of Central Greece.

Design: The target group was adults aged 18 to 79 years who were residents of the region of Thessaly for at least one year. A sample of 852 individuals stratified for sex and age were included.

Additive inhibition of colorectal cancer cell lines by aspirin and bortezomib.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) inhibitor aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) and proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cell lines.

Methods: MTT assay, trypan blue exclusion and DNA fragmentation have been used to investigate cell proliferation and apoptosis in the presence of drugs. For the determination of Cox activity a colorimetric method was used.

Hematogenous spinal infection in central Greece.

Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed spinal infection (SpI), in a teaching Hospital, in Central Greece.

Objective: To study presentation, etiology, and outcome of SpI in Central Greece.

Summary Of Background Data: SpI most frequently involves the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral bodies and can cause neurologic impairment.

Legionella species colonization of water distribution systems, pools and air conditioning systems in cruise ships and ferries.

Background: Legionnaires' disease continues to be a public health concern in passenger ships. This study was scheduled in order to investigate Legionella spp. colonization of water distribution systems (WDS), recreational pools, and air-conditioning systems on board ferries and cruise ships in an attempt to identify risk factors for Legionella spp.

Immunological features of visceral leishmaniasis may mimic systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania, can present with fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenias, hypergammaglobulinemia, and autoantibody production. These features may mimic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective was to study features of VL that shared with and differed from SLE.

Transferrin receptor-1 and 2 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Transferrin receptor (TfR)-1 and 2 mRNA and CD71 (TfR1) expression was analyzed in 118 CLL patients. Ninety-five out of 109 analyzed cases expressed CD71, mostly at a high level; 60% of CD71 (+) cases were IGH-mutated. All samples were TfR1 mRNA (+); TfR2-alpha/beta mRNA was detected in, respectively, 52/102 and 100/109 cases.

Primary biliary cirrhosis presented as peripheral eosinophilia in asymptomatic women with or without elevated alkaline phosphatase.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by the destruction of biliary epithelial cells, presumably by autoimmune mechanism(s). Although lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PBC, the possible involvement of eosinophils has also been suggested. Recent studies have shown that eosinophilia possibly occurs in the peripheral blood of PBC patients.

Hemopoietic progenitor cells and bone marrow stromal cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 1 and primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been used in severe cases of autoimmunity. We investigated whether hemopoietic progenitor cells and/or bone marrow (BM) microenvironment are affected in autoimmune hepatitis type-1 (AIH-1) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

Methods: We studied 13 AIH-1 patients, 13 PBC patients, 12 cirrhotic controls (CC) and ten healthy controls (HC).

Diabetes mellitus and lung function.

Objectives: To assess the nature of pulmonary dysfunction in type 1 diabetes and the relationship of pulmonary function tests to diabetic factors and complication.

Subjects And Methods: Sixteen type 1 diabetic patients and 26 control subjects matched for age and sex were studied. We performed spirometry measurements and measured pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL(CO)) in sitting and supine position by the single-breath method corrected by alveolar volume (VA).