Endoscopic fibrin sealing of high-output non-healing gastrocutaneous fistulas after vertical gastroplasty in morbidly obese patients.

Background: Fibrin glue was used in a various fields of surgery during the last 15 years, but its use has not been reported in bariatric surgery yet.

Methods: In 2 out of 215 morbidly obese patients who underwent vertical banded gastroplasty, a non-healing gastrocutaneus fistula (GCF) developed. In both patients sepsis occurred, caused by a leak of the posterior gastric wall, which was managed by means of an unsuccessful reoperation.

Unusual variation of the extensor digitorum brevis manus: A case report.

An anomalous muscle, the extensor digitorum brevis manus (EDBM) was found at the dorsum of the right hand arising from the wrist capsule beneath the extensor retinaculum and inserting into the ulnar side of the basis of the proximal phalanx of the long finger. The EDBM was located superficial to the common extensor tendons of the fingers. We analyze the tendency of the dominant hand to be involved and the possible complications such as the appearance of the "fourth compartment syndrome" or attrition ruptures of the common extensor tendons.

Genetic characterization of the M RNA segment of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus strains, China.

We report the genetic characterization of the M RNA segment of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Two CCHFV strains isolated in Xinjiang Province, a region endemic for CCHF in northwestern China, were studied. These strains, designated BA66019 and BA8402, were isolated in 1965 and 1984 from a CCHF patient and Hyalomma ticks, respectively.

Risk factors of ischaemic heart disease and long-term outcome after coronary bypass surgery.

Background: To investigate the effect of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) risk factors on the long-term course of patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, was the aim of our study.

Methods: We studied a total of 128 people, who were classified into 4 groups. Control Group A consisted of 24 healthy adults, Group B of 23 patients who underwent CABG for 3-vessel disease and had no complications in the first two postoperative years, Group C of 41 patients who were hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the first or second post-CABG year and Group D of 40 patients who were hospitalized for AMI without previous CABG.

Differences in self-reported perceived and objective measures of duration and intensity of physical activity for adults in skiing.

The effect of physical activity (PA) on health is well documented. The assessment of PA is a valuable and important issue, however, there are several methodological issues among the available methods of measurement that may have implications for the prevention of specific diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between an objective method of measurement and the subjective estimation of the PA for novice skiers.

Hantavirus infections in Greece--an update.

Hantaviruses are emerging viruses spread worldwide and cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Two pathogenic hantaviruses are present in Greece: Dobrava/Belgrade virus (DOBV) and Puumala virus (PUUV). The predominant one is DOBV, carried in Greece by the rodent Apodemus flavicollis.

Treatment of inoperable stage III and IV non-small-cell lung cancer: the 'average' radiotherapist's point of view.

Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a major therapeutic problem for the radiation oncologist who treats patients outside of clinical trials. It is a heterogeneous disease with great variation of the clinical extent, and the optimal therapeutic decision must be based on various parameters: the most important unfavorable characteristics are represented by a low Karnofsky performance status, weight loss > 5%, locally too advanced disease (e.g.

Cases of swollen head syndrome in broiler chickens in Greece.

From 50 commercial broiler flocks included in a study concerning respiratory disease, signs of swollen head syndrome (SHS) were shown in eight. Postmortem examination was performed in eight birds showing signs of SHS from each flock. The trachea and head from each bird were collected for laboratory investigation.

Cloning and characterization of an alternatively spliced form of SR protein kinase 1 that interacts specifically with scaffold attachment factor-B.

Serine/arginine protein kinases have been conserved throughout evolution and are thought to play important roles in the regulation of mRNA processing, nuclear import, germline development, polyamine transport, and ion homeostasis. Human SRPK1, which was first identified as a kinase specific for the SR family of splicing factors, is located on chromosome 6p21.2-p21.

Tumor immunity and immunotherapy.

Recent advances in understanding fundamental mechanisms of regulation of the immune response are throwing light into mechanisms of tumor growth. The understanding of the immunological aspects of tumor expansion is leading to the development of new strategies to stimulate the immune system to mount more effective responses to tumors. This progress as well as some promising results in clinical trials is generating considerable optimism.

Antioxidant activity of DL omega-phenyl-amino acid octyl esters with anti-inflammatory activity. Correlation of the structure with lipophilicity.

The antioxidant activities (in vitro) and the lipophilicity (as RM values) of 12 DL-omega-phenyl-amino acid octyl esters with anti-inflammatory/analgesic activities were studied. The tested compounds were found to interact with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH), whereas most of them were essentially inactive in other tests. DL-2-Amino-4-(4-aminophenyl)butyric acid octyl ester was found to be the most active.

PCBs and organochlorine pesticide residues in eggs of Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii) in the north-eastern Mediterranean.

Levels of eight PCB congeners (IUPAC 8, 20, 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 180) and 13 organochlorine pesticides (alpha-BHC, beta-BHC, lindane (gamma-BHC), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, 2,4'-DDT, 2,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDE) were measured in unhatched Audouin gull eggs from Aegean Sea (northeastern Mediterranean) colonies in 1997 and 1998. Levels of more persistent congeners 138, 180 and in some colonies 118, predominated among PCBs. Between years significant differences were found in the levels of a variety of contaminants in the same regional colonies (Lipsos, Agathonisi, and Fourni) attributable to temporal changes in diet.

A rat model of liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices.

In an effort to develop a reproducible model of liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices, we administered phenobarbital (PhB) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in 32 rats that had previously undergone complete devascularization of the left renal vein (DLRV). The operation was conducted to enhance the development of cephalad collaterals mainly responsible for the induction of esophageal varices. Thirty-two rats underwent sham operation and PhB and CCl4 administration, and 24 only sham-operated rats comprised the control group.

Comparative study between Wilson and Mitchell metatarsal osteotomies for the treatment of hallux valgus in adults.

Although Mitchell osteotomy and Wilson osteotomy are two popular methods for the treatment of hallux valgus, there are no studies directly comparing their results. Fifty-six patients (73 feet) who underwent a Wilson osteotomy and 30 patients (34 feet) who had a Mitchell osteotomy were followed for a mean period of 33.7 and 38.

Isolation of Dobrava virus from Apodemus flavicollis in Greece.

Dobrava virus (DOBV) carried by Apodemus flavicollis is the causative agent of severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). DOBV was isolated from an A. flavicollis mouse trapped in northeastern Greece.

Effects of spraying the herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T on a population of the tortoise Testudo hermanni in southern Greece.

A population of the tortoise Testudo hermanni near Olympia in southern Greece was studied by mark-recapture from 1975 to 1984. Part of the site was sprayed with the herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) each year from 1980, producing symptoms of poisoning (swollen eyes, fluid discharge from the nose and immobility) in tortoises. Survival rates of tortoises 10 cm or larger were significantly lower in the affected areas, with extra mortality of about 34% year-1, against an annual survival rate of 0.

The efficacy of medication on tinnitus due to acute acoustic trauma.

Seventy-two young males suffering from acute acoustic trauma with tinnitus due to gunshots were included prospectively in the study. Forty of the subjects had the left ear affected, four the right ear and the remaining 28 sustained bilateral acoustic traumas. The mean time of admission after onset of symptoms was 28 days (5-88 days).

Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions as a prognostic indicator in idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISHL) remains a controversial topic. So far, there are no proven objective auditory factors to establish prognosis. Otoacoustic emissions reflect the functional integrity of the outer hair cells.

The use of 3D computerized reconstruction for the study of coronal microleakage.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new method for studying coronal microleakage associated with root-filled teeth.

Methodology: Twenty human mandibular posterior teeth were prepared chemomechanically with the stepback technique and then divided into two groups of 10 teeth each. The canals were filled using lateral condensation of gutta-percha points; Roth's 801 was used as a sealer for the first group, and Ketac-Endo for the second.

Lead and cadmium in eggs of colonially nesting waterbirds of different position in the food chain of Greek wetlands of international importance.

Lead and cadmium concentrations were measured in eggs of collonially nesting waterbirds with different position in the food chains of Greek wetlands of international importance. Differences were found between species in the levels of both lead and cadmium in the Evros and Axios Deltas attributable to their different diets. Nevertheless, the concentration in eggs was unrelated to the position of each species studied in its food chain.

Prevalence of migraine in schoolchildren and some clinical comparisons between migraine with and without aura.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of migraine and its association with age, gender, and social class and to find out whether or not the headache and nonheadache characteristics differ between children with migraine, with and without aura, using the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society for childhood migraine.

Design: Population-based study in two stages comprising an initial screening questionnaire followed by telephone interviews of children with symptoms.

Setting: Eighteen kindergarten and 39 primary and secondary schools in Thessaloniki and its semiurban areas.

Mercury in feathers of Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) chicks in relation to age, hatching order, growth, and sampling dates.

We studied the relationships between mercury content of Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) chick body-feathers and nestling age, hatching order (seniors-juniors) and growth parameters, and the date of feather sampling in the Axios Delta, northern Greece, in 1993 (n = 75 chicks) and 1994 (n = 80). Mercury levels were not significantly correlated with chick age in either year of the study. Most of the variability in mercury (90%) was found among broods, attributable to differential prey selection and/or foraging habitat and patch utilization by parents.

Development of an Internet Security Policy for health care establishments.

The Internet provides unprecedented opportunities for interaction and data sharing among health care providers, patients and researchers. However, the advantages provided by the Internet come with a significantly greater element of risk to the confidentiality and integrity of information. This paper defines the basic security requirements that must be addressed in order to use the Internet to safely transmit patient and/or other sensitive Health Care information.

Three-dimensional reconstruction: a new method for the evaluation of apical microleakage.

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of a new method for studying apical microleakage by using a three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction method. Fourteen human single-rooted mandibular teeth were used for this work. The canals were prepared with hand instruments by using the step-back technique.