Radiation exposure to cardiologists performing interventional cardiology procedures.

Medical doctors, who practice interventional cardiology, receive a noticeable radiation dose. In this study, we measured the radiation dose to 9 cardiologists during 144 procedures (72 coronary angiographies and 70 percutaneus translumined coronary angioplasties) in two Greek hospitals. Absorbed doses were measured with TLD placed underneath and over the lead apron at the thyroid protective collar.

Radiation doses to paediatric patients up to 5 years of age undergoing micturating cystourethrography examinations and its dependence on patient age: a Monte Carlo study.

The effective dose received by children up to 5 years of age from micturating cystourethrography (MCU) examinations was estimated in this study. The MCU examination consisted of 5 radiological views, 2 anteroposterior (AP) and three oblique (OBL) views. Entrance surface doses (ESD) were measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters for 30 children.

The influence of continuous seven-day elevated intra-abdominal pressure in the renal perfusion in cirrhotic rats.

Since hepatorenal syndrome is a functional renal failure due to renal ischemia in cirrhotics with refractory ascites, we investigated whether increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) impairs the renal function and perfusion in cirrhotic portal hypertensive rats. Eight groups of 32 rats each were studied, including 4 control and 4 CCl(4) cirrhotic groups. These were subdivided into two groups each, with and without an increased IAP, and further subdivided into groups of rats with and without NO inhibition.

Effect of novel anti-inflammatory ethanolamine derivatives with antioxidant properties on drug metabolising enzymes.

The influence of four ethanolamine derivatives with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity on the in vitro aminopyrine N-demethylation was studied. It was found that these compounds inhibit the N-demethylation of aminopyrine. 1-Cyclohexyl-5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-pentan-2-one (compound 4), possessing the highest inhibitory activity and found earlier to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent, is further tested in vivo on zoxazolamine-induced paralysis, after a single administration to rats, and on aminopyrine N-demethylation, rat hepatic total cytochrome P450 and protein (postmitochondrial and microsomal) content, after a prolonged treatment.

A new acetylated glucoside of luteolin and two flavone glucosides from Lavandula stoechas ssp. stoechas.

Fractionation of ethyl acetate extract of Lavandula stoechas aerial parts revealed the presence of a novel acetylated glucoside (1) together with apigenin 7-O-glucoside (2) and luteolin 7-O-glucoside (3). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, notably UV, MS, and NMR.

A case of pleurisy associated with antibodies to Rickettsia conorii.

Rickettsia conorii is endemic in Mediterranean area. We describe an unusual sace of R. Conorii infection, which concerns a farmer with clinical, radiological and cytological findings of pleurisy without evidence of malignancy.

Novel thiazolyl, thiazolinyl and benzothiazolyl Schiff bases as possible lipoxygenase's inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents.

In continuation of our previous research, several new thiazolyl/thiazolinyl/benzothiazolyl Schiff bases have been designed, synthesized and identified. The referred compounds are reported to act as lipoxygenase inhibitors affecting inflammation and/or psoriasis. The compounds were screened for their reducing activity (with the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, DPPH) and for inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase (LOX).

Occurrence of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana in a healthy Greek population.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae and B. quintana in a healthy Greek population using a commercially available immunofluorescent test (Focus test). Five hundred healthy individuals were divided by sex into four age groups and three groups according to contact with cats.

'On-line' alterations of contralateral jugular blood gas profile during carotid clamping.

The aim of this work was to record the metabolic status of the brain (pH, PCO(2) and PO(2)) during carotid endarterectomy (CEA), with the use of an intravascular multiparameter sensor (Paratrend 7) via retrograde catheterization of the contralateral jugular vein. Twenty-four patients with ASA grades II and III scheduled for CEA were included in the study. After induction of anesthesia, the contralateral internal jugular vein was punctured retrogradely and the sensor was introduced.

Review in quantitative structure activity relationships on lipoxygenase inhibitors.

This paper reviews and evaluates all the published QSAR treatments of LOX inhibitors. This reveals that in almost all cases, the clog P parameter plays an important part in the QSAR relationships. In some cases the steric factors (B(1), B(5) and L) as well as the overall molar refractivity (CMR) or the substitutents molar refractivity (MR) are important.

Biological evaluation of several coumarin derivatives designed as possible anti-inflammatory/antioxidant agents.

Several linear and angular coumarins designed and synthesised as possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents were evaluated for their biological activities, using the carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema model. In general, the compounds were found to be potent anti-inflammatory agents. Compound (4) was found to possess protective properties in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

Low-frequency hearing assessment by middle latency responses in children with pervasive developmental disorder.

Objective: In this study, we assessed middle latency responses (MLR) in children diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) in order to detect low-frequency auditory thresholds.

Methods: 35 children, 25 males and 10 females, aged below 5, diagnosed with PDD were referred to rule out any possible hearing deficit. Audiologic evaluation included free-field testing, tympanometry, and both MLR and auditory brainstem responses.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy after bariatric surgery.

Background: This prospective study determines the value of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery.

Methods: Eighty-four consecutive patients who underwent bariatric surgery without concomitant cholecystectomy were studied. Patients were divided in two groups; group A including 50 patients (59.

Cyclosporine a augments P-glycoprotein expression in the regenerating rat liver.

In the liver, the multidrug resistance (MDR) protein P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is physiologically expressed at the bile canalicular membrane, where it participates in the biliary excretion of various lipophilic drugs and xenobiotics. Previous studies showed that the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A (CsA) modulates P-gp and exerts a hepatotrophic influence in the regenerating liver. Hepatocytes isolated from regenerating rat liver, after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH 2/3), were used as an in vivo experimental model of cells with high proliferating activity in order to investigate whether CsA influences cellular levels of P-gp in those cells.

Some aspects of Parasitology and Immunology in general Medicine.

The objective of these studies is to review the role of some parasites and their components in inflammation, allergy and immune system. We also report recent results published by others group as well as our own.

Protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates and activates the SR protein-specific kinase 1.

The serine/arginine subfamily of protein kinases has been conserved throughout evolution and its members are thought to play important roles in the regulation of multiple cellular processes. Mammalian SRPK1 has been considered as a constitutively active kinase that is predominantly expressed in testis. In the present study, recombinant GST-SRPK1 was used as substrate to identify potential protein kinase(s) in testis extracts, involved in phosphorylating and thereby regulating the activity of this enzyme.

Inhibition of neurite outgrowth in N2a cells by leptophos and carbaryl: effects on neurofilament heavy chain, GAP-43 and HSP-70.

The neurodegenerative properties of the organophosphate ester leptophos (LEP) and the carbamate ester carbaryl (CB), both of which can cause neuropathic effects in animals, were investigated in differentiating mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells. At a sublethal concentration of 3 microM, both LEP and CB were able to inhibit the outgrowth of axon-like processes from N2a cells after only 4 h of exposure. Extracts of cells exposed to LEP showed decreased cross-reactivities with monoclonal antibodies that recognise the neurofilament heavy chain (NFH) and the growth-associated protein GAP-43.

Olfactory neuroblastoma. A report of 3 cases.

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumour, usually diagnosed at advanced stages. We studied 3 patients who were treated at our Institute between 1991 and 1999. One patient presented with a stage A and 2 with a stage B tumour.

Nitric oxide releasing morpholine derivatives as hypolipidemic and antioxidant agents.

The synthesis and evaluation of activity of some nitric acid esters of substituted morpholines are presented. All compounds inhibit lipid peroxidation and reduce cholesterol (20-63%) and triglyceride (37-85%) plasma levels. The more potent NO donors 14 and 17 specifically reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Nitric oxide in atherosclerosis.

*NO is produced endogenously from L-arginine by NOSs. Among its multiple activities, the homeostatic control of the vascular endothelium is crucial for atherosclerosis, a pathogenic condition connected with elevated levels of LDL, the main plasma cholesterol carrier. Oxidised LDL is proatheromatic, and toxic peroxidation products contribute to further endothelial damage.

Experimental hyperlipidemia and the effect of NSAIDs.

The effects of ip administration of NSAIDs in experimentally induced hyperlipidemia in rats was studied. An isotonic solution of Triton WR1339 (tyloxapol) was administered ip to rats one hour after ip administration of the examined anti-inflammatory drug. After 24 h, blood was collected for the determination of plasma total cholesterol (TC), LDL and trigluceride (TG) concentrations.

First Report of Charcoal Rot of Sugar Beet Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in Greece.

During the summer of 2000 in the Amyndeon area of northern Greece, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) roots with rot symptoms were observed in many fields. Initially, the plants wilted, and leaves soon turned brown and died.