Distribution of MICA alleles and haplotypes associated with HLA-B in Greek population.

INTRODUCTION: The Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-related chain A gene (MICA) is a highly polymorphic functional gene located close to the HLA-B locus. Certain MICA alleles have been related to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases while MICA antibodies have been implicated in organ allograft rejection or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the frequencies of MICA alleles and MICA ~ HLA-B haplotypes in the Greek population since, as far as we know, these data are still limited. METHODS: DNA was obtained from 277 unrelated healthy Greek individuals of Caucasian origin, volunteer donors of blood stem cells. HLA-B* and MICA* genotyping was performed by reverse PCR-SSOP. RESULTS: A total of 18 MICA alleles were defined in the present study. The five most frequent alleles in the Greek population were MICA*008 (24.6%), MICA*009 (22.36%), MICA*018 (16.03%), MICA*002 (8.02%) and MICA*004 (7.17%) which altogether account for 77.8% of all alleles. The most common MICA ~ HLA-B haplotypes were MICA*018 ~ B*18 (12.5%) and MICA*009 ~ B*51(11.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The five most frequent MICA alleles in the Greek population were *008, *009, *018, *002, *004. In other Caucasian populations, two of these alleles (*008, and *004) were observed in similar frequencies. MICA*002 was observed less frequently (8.02%) in the Greek population compared to other Caucasian groups (frequencies > 15%). Also, MICA*009 and MICA*018 had elevated frequencies (above 15%) whereas in other Caucasian populations they were found around 10% or less. These data may be important for the elucidation of the role that MICA polymorphisms play in organ and stem cell transplantation and to identify the relation of certain MICA with susceptibility to specific diseases.

The Knights Hospitaller of Rhodes and the Black Death of 1498: a poetic description of the plague.

The study is a presentation of the sole written testimony of the great plague epidemic that struck the island of Rhodes in 1498, at the time when the Order of the Knights of St. John was settled there. The Greek poem "The Thanatikon (i.e., plague) of Rhodes", which was written by Emmanuel Georgillas Limenitis in the late 15th century and recounts the terrible events of the epidemic, was used as a source of information. Among the 644 verses of the poem, elements like the place, time, duration and how the epidemic spread can be identified. Within the historical context of the era, evaluation and analysis of the data reveal the correlation between human activities and the physical history of the disease in the Mediterranean during the 15th century. The Plague of Rhodes confirms the value of non-medical sources in the medico-historical and historico-epidemiological study of the evolution of the disease caused by Yersinia pestis while highlighting an enduring intrinsic weakness of surveillance systems. Despite modern means of epidemiological surveillance, the risk of relaxation of a health system after a long period of absence of an infectious disease constitutes a major factor for future resurgence of the specific disease.

Western Dietary Pattern Is Associated With Severe Coronary Artery Disease.

The independent predictive value of an unhealthy diet on the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) requires further investigation. We assessed the impact of dietary pattern on CAD severity. In this cohort study, we included 188 symptomatic stable patients with CAD. Patients were categorized as having severe CAD or nonsevere CAD by coronary angiography. Among several demographics and clinical characteristics, all patients were tested using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Concerning baseline demographic characteristics, there was no difference between patients with severe CAD and nonsevere CAD. Principal component analysis revealed 8 distinct dietary patterns. The first component Western dietary pattern (increased intake of fat, red meat, and carbohydrates and minimal consumption of fruits and green leafy vegetables) was predictive of severe CAD (area under the curve: 0.73, 95% confidence intervals: 0.64-0.83, P < .001). In conclusion, an unhealthy Western type of diet is associated with the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with stable CAD. These findings highlight the role of dietary patterns when estimating cardiovascular risk for the management of patients with CAD.

Emergence of OXA-162 Carbapenemase- and DHA-1 AmpC Cephalosporinase-Producing Sequence Type 11 Klebsiella pneumoniae Causing Community-Onset Infection in Greece.

OXA-48-like carbapenemases have only recently emerged in Europe. OXA-162 is a rare OXA-48 variant usually coexpressed with extended-spectrum ß-lactamases. Here, we report the identification of the first OXA-162 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, which coexpressed an AmpC cephalosporinase (DHA-1), retrieved from a patient in Greece. They belonged to a single sequence type (ST11) and caused the first documented community-onset urinary tract infections attributable to an OXA-48-like-producing Enterobacteriaceae strain.

The Amount of Phosphorus in the Blood of Heroin Abusers Compared to that of Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current retrospective study was to assess any difference in terms of serum phosphate (P) between heroin addicts and healthy subjects. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012, under the authority of the Greek Organization Against Drugs (OKANA), 30 regular heroin addicts, 22 males and 8 females (Group A) participated at the study. Between 2010 and 2011, 30 healthy individuals, 22 males and 8 females (Group B), presented on an outpatient basis for either fatigue or common flu symptoms without fever at the 424 Military Hospital of Thessaloniki. RESULTS: No significant difference between group A and B, in terms of either age (p = 0.454, Mann-Whitney test) or male/female ratio (p = 0.573, Chi2 test), suggesting a homogeneity for the population of individuals participating in the study. The mean values of serum-P in group A and B were 3.47 ± 0.65 and 3.35 ± 0.58, respectively (p = 0.45, Mann Whitney test). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of statistical difference of serum-P between heroin addicts and healthy subjects as shown in our results should be confirmed in further studies.

Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment in Cancer Patients.

The authors sought to determine the reliability and validity of psychometric properties of the Greek Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in cancer patients attending a palliative care unit. The scale was translated into Greek. The study took place in an outpatient palliative care unit and 238 cancer patients completed the nutrition assessment. For treatment effect, the index was administered to 164 patients, whereas for the test of the instrument's robustness to 100 patients. Both assessments took place 15 days after the baseline assessment. Ninety-three patients were well-nourished, 104 were moderately malnourished, and 41 were severely malnourished. Reliability was assessed by the internal consistency and test-retest of the instrument. Validity was assessed with construct validity using the PG-SGA items, treatment effect, and criterion validity. Weight loss, physical examination, activities and function, and symptoms were predictors to the classification. Mean values in male patients classified as severely malnourished had the lowest values in all objective parameters except serum albumin, whereas severely malnourished female patients had the lowest values in all objective parameters except serum albumin and arm muscle circumference (AMC). Values of serum transferrin, AMC, and body mass index were significantly lower in patients classified as severely malnourished. The Greek PG-SGA is a psychometrically sound assessment in Greek cancer patients.

Prevalence of Brucella antibodies on a previously acute brucellosis infected population: sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of Rose Bengal and Wright standard tube agglutination tests.

PURPOSE: Brucellosis is a zoonosis with worldwide distribution. The presence of antibodies after acute infection and the prevalence of positive serology in endemic area are not well documented. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with acute brucellosis were relocated 3-13 years after the initial infection. Hospital records of the initial infection were retrieved, and examination of Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal test (RBT) and Wright standard tube agglutination (STA) test was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were hospitalized from 2000 to 2010; 50.6 % were farmers and 37.4 % livestock farmers. All had febrile illness and various focal complications. All had positive serology, and 82.2 % had positive blood cultures; 91.5 % were treated with streptomycin plus doxycycline. Seventy-two (86.7 %) were relocated on follow-up. Nine (12.5 %) had positive RBT and STA up to 1/320. Occupational history was associated with positive serology (p = 0.0172), and 8/9 of the positive individuals were livestock farmers (38.0 % of the livestock farmers checked). Residence, years after the infection, clinical presentation of brucellosis and treatment were not associated with serology results. Both tests had excellent sensitivity (nearly 100 %), specificity 87.5 % and excellent negative predictive value (nearly 100 %); however, positive predictive value was only 11.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid and low-cost tests as RBT and STA are still very useful in diagnosing acute brucellosis; however, every positive test must be examined together with clinical symptoms and occupational history. The tests can be used as screening tests in endemic populations to rule out acute brucellosis.

Wide dissemination of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in Greece is associated with a linezolid-dependent ST22 clone.

OBJECTIVES: Dependence on linezolid was recently described as significant growth acceleration of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (LRSE) isolates upon linezolid exposure. We investigated the possible contribution of linezolid dependence to LRSE dissemination in Greece. METHODS: Linezolid resistance rates were estimated in six tertiary hospitals located throughout Greece between 2011 and 2013. Sixty-three randomly selected LRSE recovered in these hospitals during this period were studied. Growth curve analysis was conducted with and without linezolid. Clonality of the isolates was investigated by PFGE and MLST. RESULTS: During the study period, the LRSE rate in the participating hospitals rose significantly from 6.9% to 9% (P = 0.006); the increase was more prominent in ICUs (from 15.1% to 20.9%; P = 0.005). Forty-seven (74.6%) of the 63 LRSE, derived from all study hospitals, clearly exhibited linezolid dependence, growing significantly faster in the presence of 16 and 32 mg/L linezolid. Of note, 61 (96.8%) LRSE exhibited a single macrorestriction pattern and belonged to ST22, which included all linezolid-dependent LRSE. The remaining two LRSE belonged to unique STs. Five of six linezolid-dependent isolates tested also exhibited linezolid dependence upon exposure to 8 mg/L linezolid. Interestingly, five of six ST22 linezolid-non-dependent isolates tested developed linezolid dependence when linezolid exposure preceded growth analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid LRSE dissemination in Greek hospitals threatens linezolid activity. The observation that most LRSE belonged to ST22 and expressed dependence on linezolid clearly implies that the spread of linezolid resistance should have been driven by this trait, which provided the LRSE with a selective advantage under linezolid pressure.

Elderly cancer patients' psychopathology: a systematic review: aging and mental health.

This review of the literature on elderly cancer patients and their psychiatric disorders was undertaken to determine the extent of the problem. It consists of articles with elderly cancer patients. Keyword terms included "cancer", "elderly", "aging", "geriatric", "psychiatric disorders", "psychiatric symptoms", "psychological problems", "aged >60 years", "sucidal ideation, geriatric, cancer", "suicide geriatric cancer". We conducted searches on the following databases: PubMed; PsychINFO (1980-2013); finally, 102 publications were suitable for the current review. Depression in elderly cancer patients is the most common disorder in elderly cancer patients associated with disability, morbidity and mortality. Anxiety disorders may be less frequent in geriatric patients; however, it seemed to be a major problem in late life. Psychiatric disorders are common in geriatric patients with cancer especially at advanced stages of the disease. In addition, health care professionals can help provide treatment and emotional support. Future research should aim to provide data about the real prevalence and severity of psychiatric disorders in elderly patients with cancer, for the improvement of patients' quality of life and their caregivers.

Samarium-153Sm-EDTMP as an equivalent variant to pharmaceutical analgesic treatment.

PURPOSE: Cancer pain is the most serious symptom for patients, especially during their terminal phase, when palliative medicine is needed. Our study tried to verify the usefulness of single-shot intravenous administration of Samarium (Sm)-153EDTMP in patients with bone metastases (group-A, N=53, males=25, females=28, age range: 30-69 years), as well as to compare a series of variables, using as a control group (group-B, N=37, males=17, females=20, age range: 30-69 years) with patients who were under drug treatment given from a physician specialized in palliative medicine. METHODS: Both groups answered the following questionnaires: Greek Brief Pain Inventory (GBPI), Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (BMLSS), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and ECOG performance status. RESULTS: Pain severity and pain interference improvement p=0.0005 for both groups. HADS-anxiety: Samarium group, p= 0.397, drugs group p= 0.031. HADS-depression improvement for both groups p=0.031 and p=0.003, respectively. BMLSS improvement p=0.029 and p=0.265, while EGOG PS improvement was p=0.005 and p=0.014, respectively (numeric values). CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of Sm-153EDTMP was equivalent to drug treatment against cancer pain for patients with multiple bone metastasis, an option for those patients who are intolerant or resistant to drug treatment. Samarium-treated patients needed less or not at all pain killers, having a better cost-effective result.

A review of neuraminidase inhibitor susceptibility in influenza strains.

Influenza human infections are considered as a persistent global public health issue. Whereas vaccination is important for prevention, given its limitations, antiviral therapy is at the forefront of treatment, while it also plays a significant role in prevention. Currently, two classes of drugs, adamantanes (M2 blockers) and neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), are available for treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza infections. Given the resistance patterns of circulating influenza strains, adamantanes are not currently recommended. The current review mainly focuses on the development of resistance to NAIs among A and B subtypes of influenza virus strains over the last 5 years. 'Permissive' drift mutations and reassortment of viral gene segments have resulted in NAI oseltamivir-resistant A/(H1N1) variants that rapidly became predominant worldwide in the period 2007-2009. However, the prevalence of antiviral resistance to NAI zanamivir remains relatively low. In addition, the recently developed NAIs, peramivir and laninamivir, while licensed in certain countries, are still under evaluation and only a few reports have described resistance to peramivir. Although in 2014, the majority of circulating human influenza viruses remains susceptible to all NAIs, the emergence of oseltamivir-resistant influenza variants that could retain viral transmissibility, highlights the necessity for enhanced epidemiological and microbiological surveillance and clinical assessment of antiviral resistance.

The "torpedo" effect in medicine.

The natural electrical phenomena fascinated humans since antiquity. The electrical discharges produced by the torpedo fish were highly appreciated among ancient physicians as Hippocrates, Scribonius Largus and Galen and were prescribed for headache, gout and prolapsed anus. In the medieval period, torpedo's electrical properties were attributed to occult powers, while Renaissance physicians' and scientists' studied the anatomy and mechanical nature of the provoked shock paving the way for the discovery of the electrical nature of torpedo's activity and the evolution of electrotherapy.

Lipid lipoprotein profile alterations in Greek infertile women with polycystic ovaries: influence of adipocytokines levels.

AIM: To correlate serum and follicular fluid (FF) leptin and visfatin levels with lipid lipoprotein levels in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing ovarian stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 90 PCOS women and 94 age- and weight-matched controls, enrolled in the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program. RESULTS: Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) levels were significantly elevated, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1, lower in PCOS subjects. Serum and FF visfatin levels were increased in PCOS women and correlated positively with body-mass index (BMI), lipoprotein(a) and triglycerides, and negatively with apolipoprotein A1. Leptin levels were comparable between groups and positively correlated with BMI and LDL-cholesterol, and negatively with apolipoprotein B. CONCLUSION: Lipid lipoprotein alterations are common in reproductive-age PCOS women increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases later in life. Leptin and visfatin play significant roles in lipid metabolism and further research is required in this area.

Leptin levels in women with polycystic ovaries undergoing ovarian stimulation: relation to lipoprotein profiles.

AIM: To investigate serum and follicular fluid (FF) leptin levels in normally-ovulating women and subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation and correlate them with their lipid lipoprotein profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 70 PCOS women (35 lean and 35 overweight or obese) and 76 age- and weight-matched non-PCOS controls (39 lean and 37 overweight or obese). RESULTS: Serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine in women with PCOS were significantly higher compared to control groups while levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 were significantly lower. Serum leptin levels did not differ between groups and were lower than FF levels. Serum and FF leptin levels were positively correlated and were significantly decreased when apolipoprotein B levels increased. CONCLUSION: PCOS women exhibit lipid metabolism abnormalities putting them at increased risk of developing early atherosclerosis.

Inflammation on the cervical papanicolaou smear: evidence for infection in asymptomatic women?

BACKGROUND: The significance of the possible presence of infection on the Pap smear of asymptomatic women based on cytological criteria is practically unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1117 asymptomatic nonpregnant women had Pap smear tests and vaginal as well as cervical cultures completed (622 with and 495 without inflammation on the Pap smear). RESULTS: Out of the 622 women with inflammation on Pap test, 251 (40.4%) had negative cultures (normal flora present), while 371 (59.6%) women had positive cultures with different pathogens. In contrast, the group of women without inflammation on Pap test displayed significantly increased percentage of negative cultures (67.1%, P < 0.001) and decreased percentage of positive cultures (32.9%, P < 0.001). Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed more frequently in both groups and significantly more in the group with inflammation on Pap smear compared to the group without inflammation (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A report of inflammatory changes on the cervical Pap smear cannot be used to reliably predict the presence of a genital tract infection, especially in asymptomatic women. Nevertheless, the isolation of different pathogens in about 60% of the women with inflammation on the Pap smear cannot be overlooked and must be regarded with concern.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and Epstein-Barr antibodies are not associated with carotid thickness: the effect of hypertension.

BACKGROUND: To examine the relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) seropositivity and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in three selected groups: 1) hypertensives; 2) white coat hypertensives; and 3) normotensives. Epstein-Barr antibodies were also measured. METHODS: The 340 participants underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring, clinic BP measurements, ultrasound carotid measurements, and serologic analysis (microimmunofluorescence and ELISA). RESULTS: Significant differences in IMT were found between the three groups, regarding both mean internal carotid artery (MICA) and mean common carotid artery (MCCA) (one-way ANOVA). In all three groups, no association was found between the carotid IMT and the C. pneumoniae or Epstein-Barr seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: When the effect of BP is isolated, there is no association between C. pneumoniae antibody levels and carotid IMT.

Multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa serogroup O:11 outbreak in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether 15 multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from an intensive care unit (ICU) outbreak were related, were endemic, and belonged to the O:12 European clone. METHODS: Forty-six P. aeruginosa isolates from a large hospital were investigated with respect to their antibiotic resistance profiles, serogroups, bacteriocin types and DNA fingerprints obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of genomic DNA digested with Xbal. RESULTS: Fourteen of the ICU outbreak isolates were indeed identical with respect to their serogroup, O:11, pyocin type, 10/a, and PFGE type, A. Clone A was endemic and dominant throughout the hospital, even though, within the ICU, it underwent phenotypic alterations, such as loss of cell wall lipopolysaccharide side-chains, or acquisition of ceftazidime and imipenem resistance. Bacteriocin typing was more discriminatory than serotyping, but PFGE could differentiate further among phenotypically identical strains. It also allowed the tracking of an O:6 strain, as it was becoming gradually more resistant and undergoing a bacteriocin-type conversion while remaining genotypically unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: Using three typing methods, a nosocomial multiresistant strain distinct from the previously described dominant European O:12 clone was characterized, and the ability of PFGE to identify clonal isolates even when these appear phenotypically distinct was demonstrated.