The potential role of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in breast carcinogenesis and its correlation with 99mTc-(V)DMSA scintimammography.

Objectives: Experimental data suggest a role for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in normal breast development and angiogenesis. This pilot study correlated CGRP with neoangiogenesis and the uptake of the tumor-seeking, proliferation-imaging radiotracer pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinate (99mTc-(V)DMSA) in invasive and preinvesive breast lesions.

Methods: Among women evaluated preoperatively by 99mTc-(V)DMSA scintimammography, 29 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) were retrospectively studied: 15 isolated (Group I); 14 mixed with preinvasive pathologies (ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS] and/or epithelial hyperplasia [EH]; Group M).

Pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid [99m Tc-(V)DMSA] brain scintitomography--a plausible non-invasive depicter of glioblastoma proliferation and therapy response.

The biological behavior and prognosis of gliomas depend largely on cellular proliferation, resistance to chemotherapy, and metastatic potential. Proliferative propensity has significant implications on patient management but its assessment requires tissue sampling; the non-invasive estimation of brain tumor proliferation represents therefore a major goal. Pentavalent technetium-99 m dimercapto-succinic acid [99m Tc-(V)DMSA] is a tumor-seeking radiotracer displaying affinity for gliomas; its intracellular accumulation is directly linked to cell proliferation.

Intermediate metabolism in association with the amino acid profile during the third trimester of normal pregnancy and diet-controlled gestational diabetes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of fasting maternal plasma amino acids in normal pregnant women and compare them with those in gestational diabetes controlled by diet only. We also wished to delineate the alterations occurring in intermediate metabolic pathways in gestational diabetes.

Study Design: Forty-six (64.

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy and gamma-GT levels in the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to identify extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) as the cause of cholestasis in neonates with prolonged jaundice and thus accelerate the decision for surgical intervention, which is critical for prognosis.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 21 infants (13 girls, 8 boys) aged 2-16 weeks who have undergone( 99m)Tc-mebrofenin iminodiacetate ((99m)Tc-BrIDA) scintigraphy. They were referred because of direct hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice persisting beyond the 2nd postnatal week.

Scintigraphy with technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile in multiple myeloma patients: correlation with the International Staging System.

(99m)Tc-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) scintigraphy has been suggested in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. According to the International Staging System (ISS), serum b2-microglobulin (Sbeta(2)M) and serum albumin (SA) are dominant predictive factors and different cut-off values of these factors can separate patients into various stages of the disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between ISS staging, by Sbeta(2)M and SA, and the (99m)Tc-MIBI scan findings.

Long-term prognostic role of flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery after acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation.

Coronary endothelial vasodilator dysfunction is associated with increased cardiac events; the close relation between coronary vasomotor dysfunction and brachial artery vasoreactivity has been previously described. This study assessed the prognostic value of noninvasively assessed brachial artery vasoreactivity in survivors of acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation. We examined 98 men (63.

Tc-99m pentavalent DMSA scintigraphy in myelofibrosis detection.

In a 62-year-old man with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, a postoperative Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid [(V) DMSA] study was requested. In the Tc-99m (V) DMSA scan. no abnormalities, indicating local recurrence or metastatic disease, were observed.

Concurrent development of testicular seminoma and choriocarcinoma of the superior mediastinum, presented as cervical mass: a case report and implications about pathogenesis of germ-cell tumours.

Background: Synchronous presentation of more than one germ cell tumours of different histology in the same patient is considered to be very rare. In these cases of multiple germ cell tumours, strong theoretical and clinical data suggest an underlying common pathogenetic mechanism concerning genetic instability or abnormalities during the pluripotent embryonic differentiation and maturation of the germ cell.

Case Presentation: A 25 year-old young man presented with an enlarging, slightly painful left cervical mass.

The relative impact of different measures of adiposity on markers of early atherosclerosis.

Background: Although there are several methods available to assess adiposity, there is still controversy on the relative clinical utility of each of these methods. This study examines the relative impact of different measures of adiposity on markers of early atherosclerosis. In particular weight changes over time have been poorly assessed in this setting.

Value of thyroglobulin to 131I uptake ratio in selection of initial therapy dose of 131I in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that the ratio of thyroglobulin (Tg) to 131I uptake in the thyroid bed during the immediate post-thyroidectomy work-up could be used before first 131I treatment to detect patients with residual or metastatic thyroid cancer and justify the administration of a higher ablation dose in selected cases and a possibly better therapeutic effect.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 293 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma that received their first 131I treatment in our department. Patients with Tg >100 ng/mL, 131I uptake >10% and measurable Tg-specific autoantibodies, were excluded.

Scintimammographic detection of usual ductal breast hyperplasia with increased proliferation rate at risk for malignancy.

Objectives: To estimate whether breast uptake of (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA and (99m)Tc-sestamibi in usual ductal epithelial breast hyperplasia (UDH) and apocrine metaplasia is related to cell proliferation rate (Ki-67) and oestrogen receptor (ER) expression, both of which are associated with the potential risk of evolving to malignancy.

Methods: Among patients referred for suspicious breast findings on palpation and/or mammography and evaluated preoperatively with both radiopharmaceuticals, we retrospectively studied 17 (10 with UDH: group I; and seven with apocrine metaplasia: group II). Lesion-to-background (L/B) ratios in early and late acquisitions were calculated for both radiotracers in both groups, as well as their retention ratios.

Increased prevalence of VNTR III of the insulin gene in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Objective: The VNTR polymorphism in the promoter region of the insulin gene (INS-VNTR) affects transcription rate and has been associated with insulin resistance and DM2. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a multifactorial disorder, where both impaired insulin secretion and action may be involved. The aim of the study was to examine the distribution of the INS-VNTRs in women with GDM and to investigate possible associations with features of beta cell function and glycaemic control in this population.

Pressure wave reflections, central blood pressure, and aortic stiffness in patients with Adamantiades-Behcet's disease: a cross-sectional case-control study underlining the role of chronic corticosteroid treatment.

Background: Adamantiades-Behcet's disease (ABD) is a multisystemic inflammatory/autoimmune disease involving both microcirculation and macrocirculation. Aortic stiffness index and aortic augmentation index (AI) are indices for the estimation of arterial stiffness and pressure wave reflections, respectively. The effect of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs used in ABD on these indices is unknown.

Abnormal endothelial function in female patients with hypothyroidism and borderline thyroid function.

Background: It has been suggested that hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess non-invasively NO-dependent endothelial function of resistance arteries in subjects with hypothyroidism of varying severity.

Methods: Ninety-six female subjects (aged: 42+/-13 years) comprised the study population.

Association of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate with endothelial function in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess non-invasively endothelial function of young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with healthy age-matched women and a group of young women with idiopathic hirsutism (IH). The possible role of metabolic and hormonal parameters on endothelial function was also examined.

Design: Descriptive clinical trial.

Increased serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in relapsed ductal breast carcinoma.

Increased serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is a quite uncommon manifestation of breast cancer both on early disease and on relapse. A 53-year-old woman with invasive ductal breast carcinoma underwent left-sided mastectomy. Two years later she palpated a subcutaneous mass at the mastectomy scar, arousing suspicion of local relapse.

Tc-99m depreotide imaging of I-131-negative recurrent metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The detection of radioiodine (I-131)-negative metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) has been hitherto successfully tried by the well-known synthetic somatostatin analogue indium-111-labeled DTPA-octreotide (In-111 pentetreotide). The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of scintiscan with the newer synthetic somatostatin analogue Tc-99m depreotide, in the restaging of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with detectable serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and negative I-131 whole-body scan (WBS). Whole-body planar and cervico-thoracic tomographic scintigraphy (single-photon emission tomography-SPET) with Tc-99m depreotide was performed in a 68-year-old male patient suffering from PTC stage III, with a mild increase in serum Tg levels coupled with a recent negative I-131 WBS.

Spontaneous rupture of a type IVA choledochal cyst in a young adult during radiological imaging.

A case of a 24-year-old male with jaundice and epigastric pain is reported. The patient underwent a thorough clinical, laboratory, and imaging investigation. Computerized tomography revealed a 9 cm mult 10 cm choledochal cyst.

EGF and IGF-I as predictors of ICSI outcome in human preimplantation embryo cultures.

Purpose Of Investigation: Detection of EGF and IGF-I in human embryo cultures and their effect on ICSI outcome.

Methods: Collection of culture medium from embryos of 50 women under ICSI program. EGF and IGF-I were measured via enzyme immunoassay.

The combined effect of augmentation index and carotid intima-media thickness on cardiovascular risk in young and middle-aged men without cardiovascular disease.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) has been used as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and is related to cardiovascular risk. Indices of arterial stiffness are also associated with cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the combination of surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease measured non-invasively in subjects without cardiovascular disease.

Divergent effects of rofecoxib on endothelial function and inflammation in acute coronary syndromes.

Background: The safe use of selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 in patients with cardiovascular disease has been questioned because of studies showing an increased risk of cardiac events. We examined the short-term effect of rofecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on endothelial function, oxidative damage and inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation.

Methods: Forty-three patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation participated in the study.

Arterial stiffness in type 1 diabetes mellitus is aggravated by autoimmune thyroid disease.

Objective: The aim of our study was to measure arterial stiffness in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, its contributing factors and its relation to macrovascular arterial changes.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-one female Type 1 diabetic patients were studied; 11 had concomitant autoimmune thyroid disease although euthyroid during the study period. Stiffness was studied using applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis for evaluation of systolic arterial pressure augmentation secondary to arterial stiffening and early wave reflection.

Effect of nebivolol and atenolol on brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be the first step in atherogenesis as well as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), while endothelial function improvement is associated with improved clinical outcome. Nebivolol is a beta1-adrenoreceptor antagonist with an independent beneficial action on endothelial function, increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of nebivolol on endothelial function in the brachial artery in patients with CAD compared with another selective beta1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, atenolol.