Feasibility and efficacy of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy using a new modified lateral position for the treatment of renal stones in obese patients.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESWL using a modified lateral position in obese patients with renal stones. Nineteen obese patients with renal stones were enrolled (group A). The mean stone diameter was 1.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in the exhaled breath condensate of children with OSA.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children has been associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Limited evidence indicates that pediatric OSA is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in the airway.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the hypothesis that levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of children with OSA are higher than those of control subjects.

Interactions of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing with recurrent wheezing or asthma and their effects on sleep quality.

Snoring is the most characteristic symptom of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and recurrent wheezing is the most common clinical manifestation of asthma. The purpose of the present review is to outline the impact of SDB and recurrent wheezing/asthma on sleep quality and to summarize the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic evidence supporting an association between the two disorders. Enlarged tonsils and adenoid or obesity predispose to obstructive sleep apneas and hypopneas which are accompanied by arousals, restless sleep, and frequently daytime sleepiness, inattention, hyperactivity, and academic difficulties.

p53 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression are directly associated with cyclin D1 expression in radical prostatectomy specimens of patients with hormone-naïve prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a potentially curable disease when diagnosed in early stages and subsequently treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). However, a significant proportion of patients tend to relapse early, with the emergence of biochemical failure (BF) as an established precursor of progression to metastatic disease. Several candidate molecular markers have been studied in an effort to enhance the accuracy of existing predictive tools regarding the risk of BF after RP.

Effects of adenotonsillectomy on R-R interval and brain natriuretic peptide levels in children with sleep apnea: a preliminary report.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with decreased R-R interval length and overall R-R interval variability in the electrocardiogram along with increased morning brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood levels. These findings indicate enhanced sympathetic tone and cardiac strain. In this study, it was hypothesized that adenotonsillectomy (AT) in children with sleep apnea is accompanied by improvement in polysomnography indices, increase in length and variability of R-R interval, and reduction in BNP levels.

Estimating genetic correlations based on phenotypic data: a simulation-based method.

Knowledge of genetic correlations is essential to understand the joint evolution of traits through correlated responses to selection, a difficult and seldom, very precise task even with easy-to-breed species. Here, a simulation-based method to estimate genetic correlations and genetic covariances that relies only on phenotypic measurements is proposed. The method does not require any degree of relatedness in the sampled individuals.

A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of induction treatments in acute myeloid leukemia in the elderly.

Background: The optimal induction treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the clinically and biologically heterogeneous group of elderly patients is not well-defined since direct comparisons between treatments is limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the relative effectiveness of induction treatments in AML elderly patients.

Methods: A network of multiple treatments meta-analysis was performed by combining direct and indirect evidence from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

A mathematical model of HIV dynamics in the presence of a rescuing virus with replication deficiency.

Recently, an enzyme (Cre recombinase) has been developed by directed evolution that successfully removes the HIV genome from the nuclear DNA of infected cells. To explore this idea further, we hypothesized that a replication deficient virus (called "police virus"), added externally, can deliver such a recombinase which excises the integrated HIV DNA from the genome of infected cells. Such a "police virus" could attack and remove the integrated provirus which is not possible using contemporary strategies.

Synopsis and meta-analysis of genetic association studies in osteoporosis for the focal adhesion family genes: the CUMAGAS-OSTEOporosis information system.

Background: Focal adhesion (FA) family genes have been studied as candidate genes for osteoporosis, but the results of genetic association studies (GASs) are controversial. To clarify these data, a systematic assessment of GASs for FA genes in osteoporosis was conducted.

Methods: We developed Cumulative Meta-Analysis of GAS-OSTEOporosis (CUMAGAS-OSTEOporosis), a web-based information system that allows the retrieval, analysis and meta-analysis (for allele contrast, recessive, dominant, additive and codominant models) of data from GASs on osteoporosis with the capability of update.

Effects of obstructive sleep apnea severity on serum lipid levels in Greek children with snoring.

Background: Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to dyslipidemia in adults, limited data are available regarding its effects on serum lipids during childhood. Aim of this study was to assess the potential relationships between severity of OSA and cholesterol or triglyceride levels in a cohort of Greek children.

Methods: Data from children with snoring who underwent polysomnography and complete serum lipids measurements during a specified study period were analyzed retrospectively.

Is catechol-O-methyl transferase 472G/A gene polymorphism a marker associated with alcoholism?

Objectives: The available published evidence from the genetic association studies on the association between alcoholism and catechol-O-methyl transferase 472G/A gene polymorphism have produced inconclusive results. To interpret these results, a meta-analysis of all available studies was conducted.

Methods: PubMed database and HuGE Navigator were searched for all relevant genetic association studies.

The role of leptin in the respiratory system: an overview.

Since its cloning in 1994, leptin has emerged in the literature as a pleiotropic hormone whose actions extend from immune system homeostasis to reproduction and angiogenesis. Recent investigations have identified the lung as a leptin responsive and producing organ, while extensive research has been published concerning the role of leptin in the respiratory system. Animal studies have provided evidence indicating that leptin is a stimulant of ventilation, whereas researchers have proposed an important role for leptin in lung maturation and development.

Polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in breast cancer: a genetic association study and meta-analysis.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) has been proposed as a candidate gene for breast cancer (BC), however, the specific role of variants and haplotypes has not been clarified. We examined the association of two polymorphisms (4b/a and G894T) and their haplotypes in a case-control sample of 306 patients with BC and in 131 healthy females. In addition, a meta-analysis of studies investigating association between NOS3 polymorphisms and BC was conducted.

Correlation of urinary excretion of sodium with severity of sleep-disordered breathing in children: a preliminary study.

Background: Nocturnal urinary sodium excretion is related to blood pressure (BP) levels. Elevated BP and increased nocturnal natriuresis have been demonstrated in adults with sleep apnea. Although evidence indicates increased BP in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), it is unknown whether these children have also enhanced urinary sodium excretion.

The generalized odds ratio as a measure of genetic risk effect in the analysis and meta-analysis of association studies.

The significance of risk effects in genetic association studies is assessed using the odds ratio for various genetic models (dominant, recessive and co-dominant) by merging genotypes. These models are not independent and there is no a priori biological justification for their choice. Consequently, the interpretation of their results can be problematic, especially when multiallelic variants and disease progression are investigated.

Impact of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium deviation on allele-based risk effect of genetic association studies and meta-analysis.

Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in control subjects may bias the estimates of genetic effects in genetic association studies (GAS) and meta-analysis. A large empirical evaluation was carried out to evaluate the impact of HWE deviation and explore the effect of variance adjustment for the allele-based odds ratio in 833 individual GAS and 72 meta-analyses. In individual GAS, the variance adjustment for any deviation from HWE resulted in stronger associations, and 10 GAS (1%) became significant (P < 0.

Forest classification trees and forest support vector machines algorithms: Demonstration using microarray data.

Classification into multiple classes when the measured variables are outnumbered is a major methodological challenge in -omics studies. Two algorithms that overcome the dimensionality problem are presented: the forest classification tree (FCT) and the forest support vector machines (FSVM). In FCT, a set of variables is randomly chosen and a classification tree (CT) is grown using a forward classification algorithm.

Field synopsis and synthesis of genetic association studies in osteoarthritis: the CUMAGAS-OSTEO information system.

A comprehensive and systematic assessment of the current status of genetic association studies (GAS) for osteoarthritis was conducted. Data from 327 GAS involving 187 distinct genetic variants were analyzed and cataloged in CUMAGAS-OSTEO, a Web-based information system (http://biomath.med.

Randomized trials of dopamine agonists in restless legs syndrome: a systematic review, quality assessment, and meta-analysis.

Background: The use of dopamine agonists (DAs) for the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been assessed in numerous randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the reporting quality of published RCTs according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and to synthesize the study results in terms of efficacy and tolerability to inform the clinical management of RLS.

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched for English-language RCTs that assessed the effects of DAs in RLS.

Cardiac systolic function in Greek children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Background: Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children has been associated with increased ventricular strain and decreased left ventricle (LV) diastolic function. The aim of this study was to assess systolic myocardial function in children with SDB of variable severity.

Methods: Children who were referred for polysomnography during the study period underwent echocardiography (two-dimensional, Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging).

Uric acid excretion in North American and Southeast European children with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background And Objectives: Responses to nocturnal hypoxemia accompanying sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may vary in different populations. Aims of this study were to (1) assess whether severity of SDB is related to uric acid excretion in North American and Southeast European children and (2) evaluate the interaction between nocturnal hypoxemia and country of children's origin in uric acid excretion.

Methods: Consecutive US and Greek children with snoring who were referred for polysomnography were recruited.

Serum nitrite and nitrate levels in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Background: Diminished nitric oxide (NO) levels have been reported in adults with obstructive sleep apnea but no data are available for children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Objectives: To assess levels of serum NO metabolites in children with SDB and to explore the effects of NO metabolites, SDB and their interaction on blood pressure.

Methods: Morning nitrite, the sum of nitrite and nitrate (NO(x)), and the average of evening and morning blood pressure were assessed in children with SDB referred for polysomnography and in controls without SDB.

Impact of dietary shift to higher-antioxidant foods in COPD: a randomised trial.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by increased oxidative stress. Dietary factors, such as ample consumption of foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruit and vegetables, might have beneficial effects in COPD patients. The association between dietary shift to foods rich in antioxidants and lung function in COPD was investigated in a 3-yr prospective study.

Genetic variants of homocysteine/folate metabolism pathway and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: a synopsis and meta-analysis of genetic association studies.

A synopsis and meta-analysis of studies that investigated the association between genetic variants involved in the homocysteine/folate metabolism pathway and risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were conducted. Four variants (MTHFR C6TTT, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G and MTRR A66G) showed significant associations in individual studies. In meta-analyses, only the variant MTR A2756G indicated an association with the risk of IBD for the allele contrast and the dominant model (odds ratio (OR) 1.

Synopsis and data synthesis of genetic association studies in hypertension for the adrenergic receptor family genes: the CUMAGAS-HYPERT database.

Background: The adrenergic receptor (adrenoceptor) family genes have been extensively studied as candidate genes in hypertension but the results of individual genetic association studies (GAS) are controversial and inconclusive. To clarify these data, a systematic assessment of GAS for adrenoceptor family genes in hypertension was conducted.

Methods: Data from 163 GAS involving 7 genes and 37 distinct genetic variants were analyzed and cataloged in CUMAGAS-HYPERT (Cumulative Meta-analysis of Genetic Association Studies-HYPERTension; a web-based information system, which allows the retrieval and synthesis of data from GAS in hypertension, available at http://biomath.