Detection of methylation in the CpG islands of the p16INK4A, RASSF 1A and methylguanine methyltransferase gene promoters in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer consists of an accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Recently, aberrant methylation of CpG islands of cancer-related genes has emerged as an important epigenetic mechanism of their transcriptional dysregulation during tumour development [1]. Therefore, new diagnostic methods, for early detection based on a better understanding of the molecular biology of pancreatic cancer, are required. We examined the methylation status of p16INK4A, RASSF 1A and methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) genes considered to be inactivated by promoter methylation in several tumours

Life-threatening hemobilia caused by hepatic pseudoaneurysm after T-tube choledochostomy: report of a case

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hemobilia is a rare but lethal biliary tract complication. There are several causes of hemobilia which might be classified as traumatic or nontraumatic. Hemobilia caused by pseudoaneurysm might result from hepatobiliary surgery or percutaneous interventional hepatobiliary procedures. However, to our knowledge, there are no previous reports pertaining to hemobilia caused by hepatic pseudoaneurysm after T-tube choledochostomy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 65-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of acute calculous cholecystitis and cholangitis. He underwent cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy via a right upper quadrant laparotomy and a temporary T-tube choledochostomy was created. However, on the 19th day after operation, he suffered from sudden onset of hematemesis and massive fresh blood drainage from the T-tube choledochostomy. Imaging studies confirmed the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm associated hemobilia. The probable association of T-tube choledochostomy with pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia is also demonstrated. He underwent emergent selective microcoils emobolization to occlude the feeding artery of the pseudoaneurysm.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pseudoaneurysm associated hemobilia may occur after T-tube choledochostomy. This case also highlights the importance that hemobilia should be highly suspected in a patient presenting with jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal bleeding after liver or biliary surgery.</p

Cutaneous ulcers: An unusual manifestation of inherited thrombophilia

We report two cases with cutaneous lesions found to be associated with factor V Leiden mutation and low S protein levels. At the time of presentation, no other symptoms were reported. Histopathology of both lesions revealed the presence of widespread intravascular thrombi. The therapeutic response to oral anticoagulants in the first case was dramatic, leading to complete healing of the lesions. Inherited causes of thrombophilia manifested as cutaneous lesions, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of occlusive vasculopathy. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Oral manifestations of papular-purpuric &apos;gloves and socks&apos; syndrome due to parvovirus B19 infection: The first case presented in Greece and review of the literature

Papular-purpuric &apos;gloves and socks&apos; syndrome (PPGSS) is a novel, rare, self-limited dermatosis initially described in 1990. It is characterized by painful, pruritic edema and erythema, rapidly evolving to papular-purpuric lesions on the distal extremities, in a gloves-and-socks distribution, accompanied by fever and oral lesions such as petechiae, vesiculopustules and small erosions. Parvovirus B19 has been implicated in most cases as the etiological factor. Herein we present the first case of PPGSS in a 42-year-old Greek man with von Willebrand disease. On admission the patient was febrile, and presented acral edema and erythema rapidly followed by purpuric lesions on the same sites, and palatal petechiae. Complete remission of the exanthem occurred 7 days after hospitalization. Clinical and laboratory evaluation including serologic tests and PCR, confirmed the presence of parvovirus B19. Review of the existing literature on this novel syndrome and its association with parvovirus B19 is also presented

Paucity of Sjogren-like syndrome in a cohort of HIV-1-positive patients in the HAART era. Part II

Objective. This study was performed in order to investigate the prevalence of Sjogren-like syndrome (SLS) in the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) era in a cohort of HIV-1-positive Greek patients. Methods. One hundred and thirty-one unselected patients were screened by the validated European Union (EU) criteria for Sjogren’s syndrome. Of the 31 who gave a positive EU-validated questionnaire, 17 consented to undergo minor salivary gland biopsy and other tests. Results. Only two patients had a positive salivary gland biopsy and both belonged to the non-compliant HAART group, whereas none of the compliant HAART patients had histological findings. Conclusions. It is concluded that SLS, the prevalence of which in the pre-HAART era was 7.8%, has disappeared, possibly as a result of the protective action of HAART