Randomized clinical trial of the effects of azithromycin use in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this clinical trial was to establish a proof of concept that the adjunctive use of systemic azithromycin (AZM) in conjunction with mechanical debridement has an increased benefit in reducing soft tissue inflammation in the treatment of peri-implantitis. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, the treatment group (nine patients) received AZM as well as mechanical debridement in a single course of treatment, whereas the control group (eight patients) received a placebo and mechanical debridement. The primary outcome variables studied were bleeding on probing, suppuration, pocket probing depth and gingival recession. The secondary variables studied were gingival index, plaque index, microbiological and interleukin-1ß status. The observation period was 6 months. RESULTS: Over the 6 months' observation period, the treatment patients showed a consistently greater reduction of gingival inflammation and an improvement in soft tissue healing than the control patients. CONCLUSIONS: The adjunctive use of a single course of systemic azithromycin can assist in the control of peri-implant mucositis in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Study of platelet function in patients with sickle cell anemia during steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis.

Although there are many reports providing evidence for platelet hyperactivity during acute infarctive crisis in sickle cell disease, little attention has been paid to the study of platelet release reaction in steady state. Plasma levels of the alpha-granule constituents beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were measured in patients with sickle cell anemia during steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis in order to determine in vivo platelet activity. Significantly higher plasma levels of both proteins were found in steady state and in crisis when compared with those of normal controls. Platelet hyperactivity was also found to be more vigorous in painful crisis, suggesting a possible therapeutic role for drugs that inhibit platelet function.

Serum protein markers (Hp, GC, C3) in patients with colon cancer.

The phenotypes and gene frequencies of three serum protein systems--Hp, GC and C3--were studied in 184 consecutive patients from all over Greece with colon cancer. Healthy Greeks studied previously in our department served as controls. No significant differences were found between patients and controls concerning GC and C3. Significant differences were found in the Hp system; the frequencies of the Hp*1 gene and the Hp 1-1 phenotype were significantly higher in patients than in controls.

Adrenal hyperresponsiveness to ACTH stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an adrenarchal type of response.

Adrenal responsiveness to ACTH stimulation (1 mg, i.m.) was assessed by measuring cortisol (Cort) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) at 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes and progesterone (P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4A), and testosterone (T) at 0, 60, and 90 minutes post-ACTH in 30 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). The results were compared with those from 12 normally menstruating women. Three distinct patterns of responses of the adrenal steroids were observed in PCO patients, while cortisol response was similar to that of normal controls: (a) normal responders (n = 9, 30% of PCO patients), in whom a delta max response similar to that of normals was observed, although basal delta 4A and T levels were found to be elevated; (b) 21-OH dysfunction group (n = 6, 16.6%), in whom delta max 17OHP levels and delta max 17OHP to delta max Cort ratio were significantly higher than those of normals and the other PCO groups, indicating a dysfunction at the 21-hydroxylase level; (c) adrenarchal type of response group (n = 16, 53%), in whom statistically significant (P less than .0001) hyperresponsiveness of DHEA and, in 11 of them, of delta 4A, with high delta max delta 4A to delta max DHEA to delta max Cort ratios were found, indicative of a selective overproduction of the steroids during steroidogenesis. Moreover, the significantly higher delta max delta 4A to delta max 17OHP ratio found in group c is a further indication of increased 17,20-lyase efficiency, as is encountered during adrenarche.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Paradoxical growth hormone response following thyroid-stimulating hormone administration in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) responses after TRH administration were studied in 31 women presenting with the clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic characteristics of the polycystic ovarian (PCO) syndrome; their results were compared with those of 20 normally menstruating women investigated during the early follicular phase of the cycle. Based on the GH responses two PCO subgroups were observed: (a) nonresponders (n = 16) who showed delta max GH responses (0.7 +/- 0.27 ng/ml, x +/- SE) similar to those of the normals (0.97 +/- 0.20 ng/ml), and (b) responders (n = 15), 48.4% of the PCO patients who showed a paradoxical increase in GH levels (delta max GH, 18.0 +/- 1.96 ng/ml) following thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) administration significantly higher than those observed either in nonresponder PCO patients or in normals. Furthermore, basal GH levels were found to be significantly higher in the responder PCO subgroup (5.65 +/- 0.75 ng/ml) compared to either nonresponders (1.58 +/- 0.21 ng/ml) or normals (1.8 +/- 0.18 ng/ml). However, no correlation was found between basal GH levels and delta max GH responses observed. Additionally, basal PRL and delta max PRL levels following TRH administration did not differ either between the two PCO subgroups or those observed in normal controls. delta 4A, T and E2 levels were similar between the two PCO subgroups. No correlation was found between the delta max GH responses to delta max PRL or the post-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone stimulation test delta max luteinizing hormone:follicle-stimulating hormone ratio observed or to steroid levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Complement activation in atherosclerosis: effect of angiography and surgery.

Complement activation in the plasma of patients with severe atherosclerosis (arterial occlusive or aneurysmatic disease) was investigated in this study. The effects of angiography and reconstructive arterial surgery (RAS) were also assessed. Atherosclerosis was not found to be associated with systemic complement activation. Angiography resulted in high levels of C3 breakdown products. Surgery caused a significant degree of systemic complement activation in both patients with atherosclerosis and controls. Post-operative levels of C3 breakdown products were significantly higher in atheromatic patients than in controls, most likely due to the insertion of dacron arterial prostheses in the first group.

A computer automated study of the structure-mutagenicity relationships of non-fused-ring nitroarenes and related compounds.

A quantitative structure-activity analysis of the mutagenicity of non-fused-ring nitroaromatic compounds is reported. The analysis is performed on the basis of substructural fragment descriptors according to a recently developed methodology acronymed CASE (computer automated structure evaluation). The compounds of the data base were reclassified as mutagens or nonmutagens n the basis of probabilistic considerations. The mutagenic potencies of these agents were calculated through a multivariate regression analysis using fragments as descriptors. A good correlation with experimental values is obtained.

NPPD (spy dust) is predicted to be a mutagen.

With the aid of CASE, the Computer Automated Structure Evaluation system, a new artificial intelligence procedure to study structure-activity relationships and a data base consisting of 233 monocyclic nitroarenes, it is predicted that 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadienal will be mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium but that the activity will be very low.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships of beta-adrenergic agents. Application of the computer automated structure evaluation (CASE) technique of molecular fragment recognition.

A quantitative structure-activity analysis of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists in the frog erythrocyte membrane was made. On the basis of molecular structural fragment descriptors, automatically generated by the CASE methodology, catecholamine derivatives were correctly classified as agonists or antagonists. The potency of these agents in each category, as well as their binding-affinity for the beta receptor was correlated through a multivariate regression analysis.

Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in Greek uremics.

Using a simplified competitive protein-binding assay, we measured serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) in 52 patients with chronic renal failure and in 21 normal subjects. Of the patients with chronic renal failure, 21 were undergoing hemodialysis. Low serum levels of 25-OH-D3 were found in nondialysis patients and normal levels in the dialysis group. A positive relationship between the levels of 25-OH-D3 and serum calcium and a negative relationship between the levels of 25-OH-D3 and serum creatinine were found in the nondialysis group. We postulate that the decreased 25-OH-D3 levels in chronic uremics is the result of the low level of vitamin D in their protein-restricted diets.

Reticuloendothelial phagocytosis in patients with chronic renal failure.

Using the clearance of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin, the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system was tested in 73 patients with chronic renal failure and in 30 normal subjects. Of the patients with chronic renal failure 26 were undergoing hemodialysis. Increased reticuloendothelial phagocytosis was shown in all patients with chronic renal failure. No correlation was shown between hematocrit-creatinine and T 1/2 (min) in patients with chronic renal failure.

Serum gastrin concentrations in healthy males and females of various ages.

We measured, by the RIA method, the concentrations of serum gastrin in a fasting state in 80 healthy volunteers of both sexes (M = 43, F = 37) aged 15-81 years. We did not find significant differences in the mean values of gastrin among them and the correlation of gastrin with the ages was insignificant. Further study of various age groups (15-29, 30-59, greater than 60 years) in both sexes and of two more age groups (18-45, 46-71) in the females, did not disclose any significant differences either. People of ages greater than 60 years had the greatest concentration of gastrin. Furthermore, we studied the concentrations of gastrin in the sera of 39 of these 80 people (M = 23, F = 16), aged 15-47 years, 10 min. and 40 min. after a test meal. No differences were found between the two sexes. However, although the mean levels of gastrin were significantly increased 10 min and 40 min after the meal in comparison with the fasting levels in both sexes, only in the men was the increase after 40 min. significantly greater than that after 10 min.

The incidence of gallstones in Greece; an autopsy study.

In the fifty-year period, from 1925 to 1974, 6596 autopsies were performed at three departments of Pathology in Athens. The incidence of gallstones was 5.97% in the total material. The incidence in females was 8.86% and in males 4.52%, with a ratio 2:1. An increase of the incidence has been noticed since 1925. Under the presented data Greece could be included among the countries with an intermediate frequency of gallstones, but with a tendency to follow the Western countries pattern. The significance of the Greek standard of living and the dietary surveys on the gallstone formation, are briefly discussed.