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Objective The objective of the present study was to identify the leptin gene expression and the leptin receptor polymorphisms in blood samples and to correlate gene expression values with anthropometric characteristics. Methods Blood from 140 Greek young volunteers was subjected to polymerase chain reaction–restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP), for the genomic region of Q223R polymorphism at codon 223 in the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) coding region. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and Quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed for assessing the expression of the leptin gene (LEP). Results Leptin gene was identified in all tested specimens and the gene was expressed in 88.9% of all volunteers with BMI < 25. In addition, it was observed that gene expression is affected by various external factors, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), eating behavior, gender and age. It was also shown that as for the Q223R polymorphism (A to G) allele G occurs with a frequency of 100% in men with BMI > 30 and 75.9% in men and 88.9% in women with BMI 25–30. Volunteers with BMI 25–30 who were homozygous on the G allele were 50% and 77.8% in men and women respectively. All subjects with a BMI > 30 were homozygous on the G allele at 100%. Conclusions In this small-scale study, results have shown that the leptin gene expression correlates with BMI and that the allele G in Q223R polymorphism is linked to overweight individuals.

The aim of this study is to investigate the circulating variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from Athens and from rural areas in Greece during July and August 2021. We also present a rapid review of literature regarding significant SARS-CoV-2 mutations and their impact on public health. A total of 2500 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from suspected COVID-19 cases (definition by WHO 2021b). Viral nucleic acid extraction was implemented using an automatic extractor and the RNA recovered underwent qRT-PCR in order to characterize the specimens as positive or negative for SARS-CoV-2. The positive specimens were then used to identify specific Spike gene mutations and characterize the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. For this step, various kits were utilized. From the 2500 clinical specimens, 220 were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 indicating a prevalence of 8.8% among suspected cases. The RT-PCR Ct (Cycle threshold) Value ranged from 19 to 25 which corresponds to medium to high copy numbers of the virus in the positive samples. From the 220 positive specimens 148 (67.3%) were from Athens and 72 (32.7%) from Greek rural areas. As far as the Spike mutations investigated: N501Y appeared in all the samples, D614G mutation appeared in 212 (96.4%) samples with a prevalence of 87.2% in Athens and 98.6% in the countryside, E484K had a prevalence of 10.8% and 12.5% in Athens and the rural areas, respectively. K417N was found in 18 (12.2%) samples from Athens and four (5.6%) from the countryside, P681H was present in 51 (34.5%) Athenian specimens and 14 (19.4%) specimens from rural areas, HV69-70 was carried in 32.4% and 19.4% of the samples from Athens and the countryside, respectively. P681R had a prevalence of 87.2% in Athens and 98.6% in rural areas, and none of the specimens carried the L452R mutation. 62 (28.2%) samples carried the N501Y, P681H, D614G and HV69-70 mutations simultaneously and the corresponding variant was characterized as the Alpha (UK) variant (B 1.1.7). Only six (2.7%) samples from the center of Athens had the N501Y, E484K, K417N and D614G mutations simultaneously and the virus responsible was characterized as the Beta (South African) variant (B 1.351). Our study explored the SARS-CoV-2 variants using RT-PCR in a representative cohort of samples collected from Greece in July and August 2021. The prevalent mutations identified were N501Y (100%), D614G (96.4%), P681R (90.1%) and the variants identified were the Delta (90.1%), Alpha (28.2%) and Beta (2.7%). © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

The objective of the present study was to identify the association of the TNF-alpha- 308G/A and leptin receptor (LEPR) Gln223Arg polymorphisms with the risk of development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 160 volunteers were studied: 108 with T2DM and 52 participants as control, who served as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the genomic region of TNF-alpha- 308G/A and LEPR Gln223Arg were carried out. Results: The frequency of LEPR Gln223Arg genotypes in T2DM and control groups showed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes (p < 0.05). The frequency also of TNF-alpha- 308G/A genotypes in T2DM and control subjects showed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that there are significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles between the individuals with T2DM and control subjects (p < 0.05).

The objective of the present study was to identify the association of the TNF-α- 308G/A and leptin receptor (LEPR) Gln223Arg polymorphisms with the risk of development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 160 volunteers were studied: 108 with T2DM and 52 participants as control, who served as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the genomic region of TNF-α- 308G/A and LEPR Gln223Arg were carried out. Results: The frequency of LEPR Gln223Arg genotypes in T2DM and control groups showed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes (p < 0.05). The frequency also of TNF-α- 308G/A genotypes in T2DM and control subjects showed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that there are significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles between the individuals with T2DM and control subjects (p < 0.05).

The objective of the present study was to identify the association of the TNF-α- 308G/A and leptin receptor (LEPR) Gln223Arg polymorphisms with the risk of development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 160 volunteers were studied: 108 with T2DM and 52 participants as control, who served as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the genomic region of TNF-α- 308G/A and LEPR Gln223Arg were carried out. Results: The frequency of LEPR Gln223Arg genotypes in T2DM and control groups showed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes (p < 0.05). The frequency also of TNF-α- 308G/A genotypes in T2DM and control subjects showed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that there are significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles between the individuals with T2DM and control subjects (p < 0.05).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) along with identifying prognostic factors affecting the progression survival rate. Institutional database retrospective research identified 69 patients with a biopsy proven solitary T1a (82.6%) or TIb (17.4%) RCC who have underwent percutaneous CT-guided MWA. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates for events were graphed and Cox regression analysis was conducted. Mean patient age was 70.4 ± 11.5 years. Mean size of the lesions was 3 ± 1.3 cm. Mean follow up time was 35.6 months (SD = 21.1). The mean progression free survival time from last ablation was 84.2 months. For T1a tumors, the cumulative progression free survival rate for 1, 6, 12 and 36 months were 100% (SE = 0%), 91.2% (SE = 3.7%), 91.2% (SE = 3.7%) and 87.5% (SE = 4.4%); the recurrence free survival rate for T1a RCC was 94.9%. For T1b tumors, the cumulative progression free survival rate for 1, 6, 12 and 36 months were 100% (SE = 0%), 63.6% (SE = 14.5%), 63.6% (SE = 14.5%) and 63.6% (SE = 14.5%). Grade 1 complications were recorded in 5 (7.2%) patients. Significantly greater hazard for progression was found in cases with a tumor size > 4 cm (HR = 9.09, p = 0.048). No statistically important difference regarding tumor progression was recorded between T1a tumors with a diameter ≤3 cm and >3 cm. In summary, the results of the present study show that CT guided percutaneous MWA is an effective technique for treatment of T1a renal cell carcinomas, irrespective of tumor size. T1b tumors were associated with higher progression rates.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to identify the leptin gene expression and the leptin receptor polymorphisms in blood samples and to correlate gene expression values with an-thropometric characteristics. Methods: Blood from 140 Greek young volunteers was subjected to pol-ymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), for the genomic re-gion of Q223R polymorphism at codon 223 in the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) coding region. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and Quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed for assessing the expres-sion of the leptin gene (LEP). Results: Leptin gene was identified in all tested specimens and the gene was expressed in 88.9% of all volunteers with BMI < 25. In addition, it was observed that gene ex -pression is affected by various external factors, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), eating behavior, gender and age. It was also shown that as for the Q223R polymorphism (A to G) allele G occurs with a frequency of 100% in men with BMI > 30 and 75.9% in men and 88.9% in women with BMI 25-30.Volunteers with BMI 25-30 who were homozygous on the G allele were 50% and 77.8% in men and women respectively. All subjects with a BMI > 30 were homozygous on the G allele at 100%. Conclusions: In this small-scale study, results have shown that the leptin gene expression correlates with BMI and that the allele G in Q223R polymorphism is linked to overweight individuals.

Percutaneous ablation is an expanding, minimally invasive approach for small- to medium-sized renal masses. The purpose of this study is to review safety, and mid-term efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) treatment using a high power microwave system.Institutional database research identified 50 consecutive patients with a single lesion resembling renal cell carcinoma in CT and MRI who underwent percutaneous microwave ablation using a high power microwave system. All patients underwent biopsy on the same session with ablation using an 18G semi-automatic soft tissue biopsy needle. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was used for post-ablation follow-up. Patient and tumour characteristics, microwave technique, complications and pattern of recurrence were evaluated.Mean patient age was 74 years (male-female: 31-19). Average lesion size was 3.1 cm (range 2.0-4.3 cm). Biopsy results report RCC (n = 48), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (n = 1), and non-diagnostic sample (n = 1). The 3-year overall survival was 95.8% (46/48). Two patients died during the 3-year follow-up period due to causes unrelated to the MW ablation and to the RCC. Minor complications including haematomas requiring nothing but observation occurred at 4% (2/50) of the cases. Local recurrence of 6.25% (3/48) was observed with 2/3 cases being re-treated achieving a total clinical success of 97.9% (47/48 lesions).Percutaneous microwave ablation of RCC using a high power microwave system is a safe and efficacious technique for the treatment of small- to medium-sized renal masses.

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is one of the most drastic operations in surgical oncology, associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study was to review our experience of PE in terms of surgical characteristics, complications, and overall survival. All patients who had PE surgery between January 1999 and December 2015 were identified. Patients with verified distant metastatic disease were excluded. Patients with advanced pelvic tumors experiencing incapacitating postradiation severe damages were included. The following parameters were recorded: age, sex, indication for surgery, tumor histology, type of exenteration, urinary tract and colon reconstruction methods, operative time, blood transfusion, intensive care unit admissions, length of hospital stay and readmissions, and characteristics of perioperative morbidity and mortality. A total of 25 patients were submitted to PE by our surgical team. Most of the patients suffered from cervical cancer followed by bowel cancer. There was no perioperative mortality. Early postoperative complications ensued in 56% of the patients. Most complications involved the urinary system. Five years survival was estimated at 38%. Most patients (n = 9, 36%) died due to their primary disease, 5 (20%) died because of complications following operation, and 2 (8%) died because they denied oral feeding, which was associated with depression. Patients with a variety of malignancies can benefit from PE. Meticulous surgical technique, perioperative care, counseling, and nutritional support play an important role.

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is one of the most drastic operations in surgical oncology, associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study was to review our experience of PE in terms of surgical characteristics, complications, and overall survival. All patients who had PE surgery between January 1999 and December 2015 were identified. Patients with verified distant metastatic disease were excluded. Patients with advanced pelvic tumors experiencing incapacitating postradiation severe damages were included. The following parameters were recorded: age, sex, indication for surgery, tumor histology, type of exenteration, urinary tract and colon reconstruction methods, operative time, blood transfusion, intensive care unit admissions, length of hospital stay and readmissions, and characteristics of perioperative morbidity and mortality. A total of 25 patients were submitted to PE by our surgical team. Most of the patients suffered from cervical cancer followed by bowel cancer. There was no perioperative mortality. Early postoperative complications ensued in 56% of the patients. Most complications involved the urinary system. Five years survival was estimated at 38%. Most patients (n=9, 36%) died due to their primary disease, 5 (20%) died because of complications following operation, and 2 (8%) died because they denied oral feeding, which was associated with depression. Patients with a variety of malignancies can benefit from PE. Meticulous surgical technique, perioperative care, counseling, and nutritional support play an important role.

Objectives: Percutaneous ablation is an expanding, minimally invasive approach for small- to medium-sized renal masses. The purpose of this study is to review safety, and mid-term efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) treatment using a high power microwave system.Methods and materials: Institutional database research identified 50 consecutive patients with a single lesion resembling renal cell carcinoma in CT and MRI who underwent percutaneous microwave ablation using a high power microwave system. All patients underwent biopsy on the same session with ablation using an 18G semi-automatic soft tissue biopsy needle. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was used for post-ablation follow-up. Patient and tumour characteristics, microwave technique, complications and pattern of recurrence were evaluated.Results: Mean patient age was 74 years (male-female: 31-19). Average lesion size was 3.1cm (range 2.0-4.3cm). Biopsy results report RCC (n=48), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (n=1), and non-diagnostic sample (n=1). The 3-year overall survival was 95.8% (46/48). Two patients died during the 3-year follow-up period due to causes unrelated to the MW ablation and to the RCC. Minor complications including haematomas requiring nothing but observation occurred at 4% (2/50) of the cases. Local recurrence of 6.25% (3/48) was observed with 2/3 cases being re-treated achieving a total clinical success of 97.9% (47/48 lesions).Conclusions: Percutaneous microwave ablation of RCC using a high power microwave system is a safe and efficacious technique for the treatment of small- to medium-sized renal masses.

The primary endpoint was to assess the late toxicity of a hypofractionated radiotherapy schedule in relation to radiation parameters concerning the rectum and bladder. The second endpoint was to assess a composite of biochemical and clinical failure.Sixty-four prospectively selected patients diagnosed with localized low risk prostate cancer, Gleason score (GS)7, PSA10, and T1-2N0, were treated with external 3- dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Patients received 57.75 Gy in 21 daily fractions of 2.75 Gy/fraction.Late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was as follows: grade 0: 47 (73.4 %) patients, grade 1: 12 (19.2 %), grade 2: 4 (6.3%), and grade 3: 1 (1.6%). There was a significant correlation between D50, V70 and EORTC/RTOG late rectal toxicity score (p0.001 and p=0.006, respectively). Grade 1 and 2 late bladder toxicity was seen in 4.7 and 1.6% of the patients, respectively. With a median follow up of 18 months no biochemical relapse was observed.The present study supports the use of hypofractionated radiation therapy which showed a high therapeutic ratio with acceptable toxicity and no biochemical relapse during follow-up.

intravesical treatment for the radiation induced cystitis. Materials and Methods: Between September 2009 and December 2012, in a prospective way, 20 patients with prostate cancer that had showed radiation induced cystitis after radiotherapy, were selected for the present analysis and were treated with intravesical instillations of CYSTISTAT. All candidates had undergone three-dimensional confomal radiotherapy with a total dose of 72-74 Gy. They all suffered from radiation induced cystitis and painfull bladder syndrome and treated with 4 weekly bladder instillations of CYSTISTAT and 2 monthly instillations thereafter. Patients were started to be clinically evaluated 6 months post radiotherapy. Symptoms of haematuria, frequency of voiding and findings from cystoscopy were assessed before and 3 months after CYSTISTAT treatment, according the EORTC/RTOG criteria. Results: The median age was 66 years. Treatment response was evaluated up to 20 months post radiotherapy. The patients were undergone cystoscopy before and after the CYSTISTAT treatment. All candidates completed the treatment scheme and no serious side effects of intravesical instillation of CYSTISTAT were recorded. A significant reduce of radiation induced cystitis was noted, since the mean score of radio-cystitis before and after the CYSTISTAT instillation was 2.70 ± 0.47 and 1.45 ± 0.51, respectively (P

Traumatic dislocation of the testis is a rare event after blunt trauma of the scrotum or abdominopelvic injury. The diagnosis may be overlooked because of associated major injuries. In this study, we report on an adult who presented with a left traumatic dislocation of the testis after a falling astride injury. A brief literature review is also cited. © 2014 The Authors.

To evaluate the efficacy as well as acute and late toxicity of two different accelerated hypofractionated 3D-conformal radiotherapy (Hypo-3DCRT) schedules in patients with bladder cancer.Between February 2006 and June 2011, 50 elderly patients with cT1-2N0 bladder carcinoma were treated with Hypo-3DCRT. Mean age was 75 years. All patients were medically inoperable, with poor performance status, who couldn't tolerate either cystectomy or radical external beam irradiation on a daily basis. A dose of 36 Gy in 6 weekly fractions (arm A, N=39) or 39.96 Gy of 3.33 Gy twice daily, once a week, for 6 weeks (arm B, N=11) were prescribed. The primary study endpoints were the evaluation of acute/late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity according to the EORTC/RTOG scale together with the visual analogue bladder-related pain score (VAS).The GI acute toxicities were: grade 1: arm A 24/39 (61.5%), arm B 9/11 (81.8%); grade 2: arm A 14/39 (35.9%), arm B 1/11 (9.1%); grade 3: arm A 1/39 (9.1%) (x(2), p=0.29). Only grade 1 late GI toxicity was seen and was significantly higher in arm A: arm A 17/39 (43.6%) and arm B 1/11 (9.1%) (x(2), p=0.037). The reduction of VAS score was similar in both arms (p=0.065). The median relapse free survival (RFS) was 15 and 16 months for arm A and B, respectively (log rank, p=0.71).Beyond the non-randomized design of the trial, the Hypo-3DCRT schedules used appear to be an acceptable alternative to the traditional longer radiotherapy (RT) schedules for elderly patients unfit for daily irradiation.

Cancer represents the second cause of death in prepubertal children and adolescents, although it is currently associated with an overall survival rate of 80%–85%. The annual incidence rate is 186.6 per 1 million children and adolescents aged up to 19 years. Both disease and treatment options are associated with life-altering, long-term effects that require monitoring. Infertility is a common issue, and as such, fertility preservation represents an essential part in the management of young patients with cancer who are at risk of premature gonadal failure. This review deals with the up-to-date available data on fertility risk assessment and preservation strategies that should be addressed prior to antineoplastic therapy in this vulnerable subgroup of cancer patients.

A real-time PCR targeting IS 6110 was employed for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in specimens collected from 10 patients treated with intravesical M. bovis bacillus Galmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder malignancy. BCG DNA was detected in all urine specimens taken 24 h after the instillations, as well as in 24% of the specimens collected 7 days after the instillations; it was also detected in a single specimen taken 6 weeks after the last instillation. BCG DNA was detected in 8.3% of the blood specimens taken 1 day after instillation, and its amplification was associated with cases of self-limiting fever. These findings give indications that this real-time PCR is helpful to recognize BCG bacteremic cases, which may lead to mycobacterial infection.

A real-time PCR targeting IS6110 was employed for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in specimens collected from 10 patients treated with intravesical M. bovis bacillus Galmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder malignancy. BCG DNA was detected in all urine specimens taken 24 h after the instillations, as well as in 24% of the specimens collected 7 days after the instillations; it was also detected in a single specimen taken 6 weeks after the last instillation. BCG DNA was detected in 8.3% of the blood specimens taken 1 day after instillation, and its amplification was associated with cases of self-limiting fever. These findings give indications that this real-time PCR is helpful to recognize BCG bacteremic cases, which may lead to mycobacterial infection. Copyright © 2011, American Society for Microbiology.

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity controlling the breakdown of extracellular matrix components and, thus, play an important role in the process of invasion and metastasis. Moreover, there are several new functions, growth control, apoptosis, and angiogenesis-, in which TIMPs seem to be involved. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of TIMP-2 in human urothelial cancer assessing TIMP-2 protein expression in 106 urothelial bladder carcinomas and evaluating its importance relative to clinicopathologic parameters (age, gender, histological grade, and stage) and patient survival, as well as to markers associated with cell growth and apoptosis (Ki-67, p53, and bcl-2).Immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin complex method-horseradish peroxidase) was performed to detect TIMP-2, Ki-67, p53, and bcl-2 proteins using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Statistical analysis was univariate and multivariate.TIMP-2 immunohistochemical expression was observed in stromal fibroblasts and in cancerous cells in 26.4% and 69.8% of cases, respectively. TIMP-2 stromal but not cancerous cell expression associated significantly with the high histological grade of carcinomas (P0.0001) and the advanced stage of the disease (P = 0.001). TIMP-2 either stromal or cancerous cell expression correlated significantly with the expression of Ki-67 proliferation indice (P = 0.02 and P = 0.044, respectively) and the mutant p53 protein (P = 0.043 and P = 0.045, respectively). In univariate survival analysis patients with positive TIMP-2 stromal cell immunohistochemical expression had a significantly worse overall survival in comparison with TIMP-2 stromal cell-negative patients (log rank test: P = 0.0002). However, in multivariate survival analysis the only independent survival factors were the stage of the disease and patient age.TIMP-2 protein expression in either the stromal or cancerous cells is associated with the proliferation index Ki-67 and the apoptosis-related protein p53. These findings are in keeping with in vitro studies reporting a growth-promoting ability of TIMP-2 and its involvement in apoptosis regulation. On the other hand, TIMP-2 stromal cell expression only was associated with adverse prognosis of urothelial bladder cancer patients.

Although real-time PCR (RT-PCR) has been extensively evaluated for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections ([5][1]), data are limited on molecular-beacon (MB) applications. An MB-based RT-PCR protocol was designed and evaluated for direct M. tuberculosis detection and quantification in

Traumatic dislocation of the testis is a rare event after blunt trauma of the scrotum or abdominopelvic injury. The diagnosis may be overlooked because of associated major injuries. In this study, we report on an adult who presented with a left traumatic dislocation of the testis after a falling astride injury. A brief literature review is also cited.