Uncoupling protein-2 45-base pair insertion/deletion polymorphism: is there an association with severe obesity and weight loss in morbidly obese subjects?

Background: Uncoupling proteins are attractive candidate genes for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to investigate the potential association of the uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) 45-bp insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism with obesity, as well as the potential effect of this polymorphism on weight loss variability in severely obese subjects.

Methods: A total of 158 severely obese subjects (94 without and 64 with metabolic syndrome) and 91 age and sex-matched lean controls were recruited.

Aortocaval fistula formation due to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: a 12-year series.

This study reports on the frequency and management of aortocaval fistulas (ACFs) in our department between 1998 and 2009. Overall frequency of ACFs among ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms was 5.5%.

Characteristics of patients presenting to the vascular emergency department of a tertiary care hospital: a 2-year study.

Background: The structure of health care in Greece is receiving increased attention to improve its cost-effectiveness. We sought to examine the epidemiological characteristics of patients presenting to the vascular emergency department of a Greek tertiary care hospital during a 2-year period. We studied all patients presenting to the emergency department of vascular surgery at Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010.

Association between foot temperature and sudomotor dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Background And Aims: Increased foot skin temperature has been described as a feature of diabetic neuropathy. The aim of this present study was to investigate the association between foot temperature and sudomotor dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Patients And Methods: This study included 51 patients (group A: 25 men, mean age 61.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor in HCV genotype-1 patients who develop Peg-IFN-alpha2b related severe neutropenia: a preliminary report on treatment, safety and efficacy.

Dose reductions of Peg-IFNa because of severe neutropenia may affect the virologic response in patients with hepatitis C infection (HCV). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used occasionally but studies addressing its safety and efficacy in the current treatment of HCV infection are missing. The database of 232 naïve patients with HCV genotype-1 who received PEG-IFNalpha2b 1.

Resolution of symptoms and serum peptides of collagen type I turnover in acute heart failure patients.

Objectives: Myocardial collagen content as a fundamental component of extracellular matrix, is altered in pathological states including heart failure (HF). Serum peptides related to myocardial collagen synthesis and degregation can be measured and may be used as indices of myocardial collagen turnover. The present study was undertaken to assess the hypothesis that resolution of acute decompensation of chronic HF is associated with changes in serum peptides related to collagen synthesis and degregation.

Serum levels of collagen type-I degradation markers are associated with vascular stiffness in chronic heart failure patients.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) induces peripheral vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness by activation of various neurohormonal pathways. The abnormal collagen turnover observed in CHF may be attributed not only to myocardial remodelling, but also to vascular remodelling. However, the effect of collagen metabolism on progressive large artery stiffening in the setting of CHF is understudied.

The role of serial measurement of serum HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic HBeAg(-) hepatitis B infection: association with liver disease progression. A prospective cohort study.

Background/aims: To evaluate the fluctuating course of serum HBV-DNA levels during the natural history of chronic HBV infection in the general population of North-Eastern Greece, in association with liver disease progression.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty-three adults with chronic HBV, median 34 years of age, were randomly selected and prospectively followed-up for a maximum period of 12 years. Viral markers, liver biochemistry and physical examination were performed every 6 months, and liver biopsy/abdominal ultrasound every 2-4 years.

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion genotype on collagen type I synthesis and degradation in patients with atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphisms on circulating markers of collagen type I synthesis and degradation, and also to study the effect of therapy with ACE inhibitors on these markers in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Research Design And Methods: ACE I/D genotypes were assessed in 158 hypertensive patients (71 +/- 9 years; 72 male) with AF and 174 patients with arterial hypertension in sinus rhythm (SR) (71 +/- 9 years; 88 male). Serum concentrations of amino-terminal propeptide of pro-collagen type I (PINP) and of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP), indices of collagen type I synthesis and degradation, respectively, were measured.

Angiogenic factor expression in hepatic cirrhosis.

The pathogenesis of fibrosis in hepatic cirrhosis remains obscure. This study examines the eventual role of angiogenic factors in the fibrotic process. A series of 55 cirrhotic livers was studied for the proliferation state of fibroblasts, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and the basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, aFGF) in both fibroblasts and hepatic cells.

Natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in children of different ethnic origins: a cohort study with up to 12 years' follow-up in northern Greece.

Aim: To investigate the mode of transmission and the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children of different ethnicities in Greece. This study was part of the Interreg I-II EC project.

Patients And Methods: One hundred seventy-three hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)(+) carriers, median age 6.

Thyroxine replacement dose in patients with Hashimoto disease: a potential role for interleukin-6.

Objective: To investigate the potential association between serum inflammatory cytokine levels and thyroxine replacement dose in patients with Hashimoto disease.

Patients And Methods: The study included 40 patients (12 men) with a mean age of 56.52+/-6.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric emptying rate in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Aim: The pathogenesis of delayed gastric emptying in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) remains unclear. We aimed to examine whether gastric emptying rate in NUD patients was associated with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection and whether it was affected by eradication of the infection.

Methods: Gastric emptying rate of a mixed solid-liquid meal was assessed by the paracetamol absorption method in NUD patients and asymptomatic controls (n=17).