Lysyl oxidase-like 1 polymorphisms in a southwestern Greek cataract population with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the possible association of rs1048661 and rs3825942 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) gene of cataract patients from southwestern Greece with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-three patients with PEX syndrome and 74 without PEX syndrome were recruited with the principal diagnosis being cataract. LOXL1 SNPs, rs1048661 and rs3825942, were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction.

Hyaluronan synthases and hyaluronidases in nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps (NPs) are benign lesions of nasal and paranasal sinuses mucosa affecting 1-4 % of all adults. Nasal polyposis affects the quality of patient's life as it causes nasal obstruction, postnasal drainage, purulent nasal discharge, hyposmia or anosmia, chronic sinusitis, facial pain and snoring. Without treatment, the disease can alter the craniofacial skeleton in cases of extended growth of polyps.

Dorsalis Pedis Free Flap: The Salvage Option following Failure of the Radial Forearm Flap in Total Lower Lip Reconstruction.

Reconstruction after resection of large tumors of the lower lip requires the use of free flaps in order to restore the shape and the function of the lip, with the free radial forearm flap being the most popular. In this study we describe our experience in using the dorsalis pedis free flap as a salvage option in reconstruction of total lower lip defect in a patient with an extended lower lip carcinoma after failure of the radial forearm free flap, that was initially used. The flap was integrated excellently and on the followup the patient was free of disease and fully satisfied with the aesthetic and functional result.

Pre-treatment gelatinases' serum levels and post-treatment changes in laryngeal cancer patients.

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer, especially in the advanced stages, is a highly devastating disease, characterized by increased invasiveness and high rates of metastasis. Gelatinases A and B (MMP-2 and -9 respectively) are of particular interest due to their contribution to various stages of carcinogenesis. There is a growing body of evidence with regard to the prognostic value of certain MMPs and their possible role as tumour markers.

Expression and distribution of aggrecanases in human larynx: ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 is the main aggrecanase in laryngeal carcinoma.

Members of the ADAMTS family of proteases degrade proteoglycans and thereby have the potential to alter tissue architecture and regulate cellular functions. Aggrecanases are the main enzymes responsible for aggrecan degradation, due to their specific cleavage pattern. In this study, the expression status, the macromolecular organization and localization of ADAMTS-1, ADAMTS-4/aggrecanase-1 and ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 in human normal larynx and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) were investigated.