Immunohistochemical Profile of Tumor Suppressor Proteins RASSF1A and LATS1/2 in Relation to p73 and YAP Expression, of Human Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Normal Intestine.

The intestinal neoplastic transformation is a possible risk of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previous evidence in mice IBD provides a role for the RAS-association domain family tumor suppressor protein 1 A (RASSF1A), in the repairing process following mucosa epithelium damage, through cooperation with the HIPPO-signaling molecules p73, and YAP. HIPPO pathway which has been implicated in stem cell activity includes as key components for signal transduction the large tumor suppressor homology Ser/Thr kinases LATS1/2.

The outcome of patients with high-risk MDS achieving stable disease after treatment with 5-azacytidine: A retrospective analysis of the Hellenic (Greek) MDS Study Group.

The demethylating factor 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) improves survival in intermediate-2 and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients [according to the International Prognostic Score System (IPSS)] responding to treatment. However, the outcome of patients achieving stable disease (SD) is unclear. This retrospective study of the Hellenic MDS Study Group included 353 intermediate-2 or high IPSS risk patients treated with 5-AZA.

Correction to: Real-world data on Len/Dex combination at second-line therapy of multiple myeloma: treatment at biochemical relapse is a significant prognostic factor for progression-free survival.

The original version of this article contained a mistake. The name of Eirini Katroditou should have been Eirini Katodritou. The original article has been corrected.

Decreased CD22 expression and intracellular signaling aberrations in B cells of patients with systemic sclerosis.

The objective of the study was to explore the phenotype and intracellular signaling events of B cells in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Peripheral blood B cell surface markers CD19 and CD22 were evaluated by flow cytometry in 23 patients with SSc and seven healthy individuals. Levels of intracellular kinases Lyn, Syk and P-Y 348 Syk along with phosphatase SHP-1 were examined with Western immunoblotting in selected patients.

Real-world data on Len/Dex combination at second-line therapy of multiple myeloma: treatment at biochemical relapse is a significant prognostic factor for progression-free survival.

We evaluated progression-free survival (PFS) rate of patients treated with lenalidomide/dexamethasone (Len/Dex), the efficacy of the combination, and the prognostic significance of treatment at biochemical vs. clinical relapse on PFS in 207 consecutive myeloma patients treated with Len/Dex in second line, according to routine clinical practice in Greece. First-line treatment included bortezomib-based (63.

Ectopic Lck expression in CLL demarcates intratumoral subpopulations with aberrant B-cell receptor signaling.

Ectopic Lck expression signifies interpatient and intratumoral heterogeneity in CLL. Lck expression identifies CLL subpopulations with aberrant BCR signaling.

The prognostic value of monosomal karyotype (MK) in higher-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndromes treated with 5-Azacitidine: A retrospective analysis of the Hellenic (Greek) Myelodysplastic syndromes Study Group.

In this study, we investigated the incidence and prognostic impact of monosomal karyotype (MK) in 405 higher-risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) patients treated with 5-AZA. The MK was present in 66 out of 405 (16.3%) patients, most of whom had complex karyotype (CK).

Multicenter Cross-sectional Study of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Greece: Results from a cohort of 2.491 patients.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the current disease characteristics, treatment and comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Greece.

Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional study with a 9-month recruitment period between 2015 and 2016. Demographics, disease characteristics, treatment and comorbidities were collected via a web-based platform.

A retrospective study of azacitidine treatment in patients with intermediate-2 or high risk myelodysplastic syndromes in a real-world clinical setting in Greece.

For patients with intermediate-2 or high risk [according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS)] myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), azacitidine treatment offers hematologic improvement (HI) but also has the potential to modify the natural disease course. 'RETRO-AZA-MDS-001', a retrospective chart review study was conducted from February to November 2012 across 17 hematology hospital sites of Greece, aiming to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety profile of azacitidine in IPSS intermediate-2/high risk adult MDS patients in routine care. A total of 88 patients (median age 74.

Clinical significance of AGE-RAGE axis in colorectal cancer: associations with glyoxalase-I, adiponectin receptor expression and prognosis.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor RAGE emerge as important pathogenic contributors in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, their relationship to the detoxification enzyme Glyoxalase (GLO)-I and Adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1, AdipoR2) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is currently understudied. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of the above molecules in CRC compared to adjacent non-tumoral tissue and their potential correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and patients' survival.

Correlation between Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure Measured by Goldmann Applanation Tonometry or Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometry.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry and Pascal dynamic contour tonometry.

Patients And Methods: The study included 45 persons (90 eyes), divided into 4 groups: a) 10 normal volunteers (20 eyes); b) 16 patients (32 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma; c) 8 patients (16 eyes) with normal-tension glaucoma; and d) 11 patients (22 eyes) with ocular hypertension. Intraocular pressure was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry and Pascal dynamic contour tonometry, and central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasound pachymetry.

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.

Ocular pulse amplitude measurement using pascal dynamic contour tonometer in glaucoma patients.

Aim: This study aims to measure and compare the ocular pulse amplitude using Pascal dynamic contour tonometry in normal persons and in glaucoma patients.

Patients And Methods: 20 patients (40 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma (Group A), 8 patients (16 eyes) with normal tension glaucoma (Group B), and 12 patients (24 eyes) with ocular hypertension (Group C) were included in the study. Control group (Group D) comprised 25 normal volunteers (50 eyes).

Comparison of minimally invasive approach versus conventional anterolateral approach for total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: It is a general belief among hip surgeons that minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach for implantation of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) allows an improved and faster postoperative rehabilitation because of reduced muscle and soft-tissue damage, less postoperative pain and blood loss, and shorter hospital stay compared with conventional approaches. In the published relative literature though, there are controversial reports and debates on this matter. To our knowledge, there is no study on the medium-term functional results comparing MIS and traditional approaches for total hip replacement.

Hybrid circumferential fixation for degenerative lumbosacral spine disease: posterior lumbar interbody fusion plus universal clamp rod-band instrumentation: a novel technique for lumbosacral fixation.

Study Design: Retrospective study on circumferential hybrid instrumentation with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and the novel posterior Universal Clamp (UC) instrumentation.

Objective: This study evaluated the roentgenographic and clinical outcome after PLIF with PEEK cage augmented with UC posterior sublaminar fixation without posterior fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Although UC has been successfully used in scoliosis surgery, to our knowledge, this is the first report on its use in degenerative lumbosacral disease.

Biclonal IgD and IgM Plasma Cell Myeloma: A Report of Two Cases and a Literature Review.

Biclonal plasma cell myelomas producing two different isotypes of immunoglobulins are extremely rare entities; to date, the combination of IgD and IgM secretion by a biclonal plasma cell myeloma has not been reported. Bone marrow biopsy immunohistochemical studies in two cases revealed neoplastic plasma cells coexpressing IgD and IgM, but serum protein electrophoresis identified only the IgM monoclonal paraprotein in both cases. Biclonal plasma cell myelomas, while currently not well characterized in terms of their clinical behavior, should be distinguished from B-cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation, given the different therapeutic implications.

Is Kiva implant advantageous to balloon kyphoplasty in treating osteolytic metastasis to the spine? Comparison of 2 percutaneous minimal invasive spine techniques: a prospective randomized controlled short-term study.

Study Design: Prospective, parallel-group, controlled, comparative randomized study.

Objective: To compare cement leakage rate and efficacy for vertebral body restoration of balloon kyphoplasty (BK) versus Kiva novel implant with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for treating osteolytic vertebral body metastasis.

Summary Of Background Data: Minimally invasively vertebral augmentation techniques with PMMA are mostly performed for treating osteoporotic compression fractures.

Less invasive reduction and fusion of fresh A2 and A 3 traumatic L 1-L 4 fractures with a novel vertebral body augmentation implant and short pedicle screw fixation and fusion.

The aim of this clinical study was to report on the efficacy in reduction and safety in PMMA leakage of a novel vertebral augmentation technique with PEEK and PMMA, together with pedicle screws in the treatment of fresh vertebral fractures in young adults. Twenty consecutive young adults aged 45 ± 11 years with fresh burst A3/AO or severely compressed A2/AO fractures underwent via a less invasive posterior approach one-staged reduction with a novel augmentation implant and PMMA plus 3-vertebrae pedicle screw fixation and fusion. Radiologic parameters as segmental kyphosis (SKA), anterior (AVBHr) and posterior vertebral body height ratio (PVBHr), spinal canal encroachment (SCE), cement leakage and functional parameters as VAS, SF-36 were measured pre- and post-operatively.

Low aseptic loosening and revision rate in Zweymüller-Plus total hip arthroplasty with ceramic-on-ceramic bearings.

Unlabelled: A recent comparative study reported lower revision rate and higher survival in ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) than in metal-on-metal (MoM) coupling in Zweymüller-Plus THA. We retrospectively studied 87 consecutive patients (94 hips), who primarily received Zweymüller-Plus THA (SL-Plus stem, ceramic 28-mm ball head, Bicon cup) with third-generation CoC bearing surfaces for osteoarthritis. Survival, revision and osteolysis rate were studied and compared to those observed in historical series from this institution with the same THA and MoM articulation.