55 research outputs found
Serologic indices of hepatitis B virus infection in military recruits in Greece (2004–2005)
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Greece has been decreasing over the last decades. However, recent epidemiological data are lacking. METHODS: We studied 1,840 Army recruits from 05/2004 until 10/2005, and performed serological testing for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg. We also examined their association with several factors, including age, residential area, socioeconomic class, and educational level. RESULTS: Mean age (± SD) of the recruits was 20.5 (± 2.1) years. Antibodies to HBV core antigen [anti-HBcAg (+)] were found in 31 (1.68%) of 1,840 participants. Only 6 (0.32%) were HBsAg (+)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+), while 21 (1.14%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (+), and 4 (0.22%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+). Overall, 1,144 recruits (62.17%) had antibodies against HBsAg [HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (-)]; 665 recruits (36.14%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg levels. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.82–0.92) and advanced educational level (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.32–1.93) were independently associated with serologic evidence suggestive of previous HBV vaccination. CONCLUSION: We document a further decline of the prevalence of chronic HBV infection among Greek military recruits, a fact that may support the effectiveness of the ongoing immunization programme
Adherence to the screening program for HBV infection in pregnant women delivering in Greece
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B infection (HBV) is a major Public Health Problem. Perinatal transmission can be prevented with the identification of HBsAg(+) women and administration of immunoprophylaxis to their newborns. A national prevention programme for HBV with universal screening of pregnant women and vaccination of infants is in effect since 1998 in Greece. METHODS: To evaluate adherence to the national guidelines, all women delivering in Greece between 17–30/03/03 were included in the study. Trained health professionals completed a questionnaire on demographic data, prenatal or perinatal screening for HBsAg and the implementation of appropriate immunoprophylaxis. RESULTS: During the study period 3,760 women delivered. Prenatal screening for HBsAg was documented in 91.3%. Greek women were more likely to have had prenatal testing. HBsAg prevalence was 2.89% (95%CI 2.3–3.4%). Higher prevalence of HBV-infection was noted in immigrant women, especially those born in Albania (9.8%). Other risk factors associated with maternal HBsAg (+) included young maternal age and absence of prenatal testing. No prenatal or perinatal HBsAg testing was performed in 3.2% women. Delivering in public hospital and illiteracy were identifiable risk factors for never being tested. All newborns of identified HBsAg (+) mothers received appropriate immunoprophylaxis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBsAg in Greek pregnant women is low and comparable to other European countries. However, immigrant women composing almost 20% of our childbearing population, have significant higher prevalence rates. There are still women who never get tested. Universal vaccination against HBV at birth and reinforcement of perinatal testing of all women not prenatally tested should be discussed with Public Health Authorities
Cross-Regulation between Oncogenic BRAFV600E Kinase and the MST1 Pathway in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
BACKGROUND:The BRAF(V600E) mutation leading to constitutive signaling of MEK-ERK pathways causes papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A), which is an important regulator of MST1 tumor suppressor pathways, is inactivated by hypermethylation of its promoter region in 20 to 32% of PTC. However, in PTC without RASSF1A methylation, the regulatory mechanisms of RASSF1A-MST1 pathways remain to be elucidated, and the functional cooperation or cross regulation between BRAF(V600E) and MST1,which activates Foxo3,has not been investigated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The negative regulators of the cell cycle, p21 and p27, are strongly induced by transcriptional activation of FoxO3 in BRAF(V600E) positive thyroid cancer cells. The FoxO3 transactivation is augmented by RASSF1A and the MST1 signaling pathway. Interestingly, introduction of BRAF(V600E)markedly abolished FoxO3 transactivation and resulted in the suppression of p21 and p27 expression. The suppression of FoxO3 transactivation by BRAF(V600E)is strongly increased by coexpression of MST1 but it is not observed in the cells in which MST1, but not MST2,is silenced. Mechanistically, BRAF(V600E)was able to bind to the C-terminal region of MST1 and resulted in the suppression of MST1 kinase activities. The induction of the G1-checkpoint CDK inhibitors, p21 and p27,by the RASSF1A-MST1-FoxO3 pathway facilitates cellular apoptosis, whereas addition of BRAF(V600E) inhibits the apoptotic processes through the inactivation of MST1. Transgenic induction of BRAF(V600E)in the thyroid gland results in cancers resembling human papillary thyroid cancers. The development of BRAF(V600E)transgenic mice with the MST1 knockout background showed that these mice had abundant foci of poorly differentiated carcinomas and large areas without follicular architecture or colloid formation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:The results of this study revealed that the oncogenic effect of BRAF(V600E) is associated with the inhibition of MST1 tumor suppressor pathways, and that the activity of RASSF1A-MST1-FoxO3 pathways determines the phenotypes of BRAF(V600E) tumors
Molecular subtyping of European swine influenza viruses and scaling to high-throughput analysis
Search for Higgs Boson Pair Production in the Four b Quark Final State in Proton-Proton Collisions at root s=13 TeV
Search for invisible decays of the Higgs boson produced via vector boson fusion in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV
Clinical and histological characterization of oral pemphigus lesions in patients with skin diseases: a cross sectional study from Sudan
HIV-1 infection-associated risk factors among sexually transmitted disease patients in Athens, Greece - 1990 to 1996
Objective: To determine trends in HIV seroprevalence and related risk
factors among patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to
report the respective epidemiologic history characteristics.
Methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study conducted from 1990
to 1996 among 5,669 symptomatic STD cases was carried out.
Results: The overall HIV test acceptance was 98.9%, and 1.2% patients
(n = 66) were seropositive, Highest rates were detected among those who
were born or resided in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seropositivity fluctuates
significantly by age, and is excessive in persons 45 years and older
(2.6%). A significant decreasing trend in STD incidence and HIV
seroprevalence among patients younger than 25 years was detected. Male
homosexuals and bisexuals (MSM) exhibited the highest overall rate of
infection (5.8%) followed by intravenous drug users (2%), Highly
promiscuous STD patients (ie, those who had more than 10 partners during
the past 6 months) presented a significantly increased HIV
seroprevalence when compared with patients of the same sexual
orientation. STD patients infected with HIV mostly belonged to notable
risk categories of AIDS (men who have sex with men, 72.7%), Awareness
of serostatus was law (13.6%). In male patients, the HIV seropositivity
rate was significantly higher among early syphilis and proctitis cases,
whereas in females this higher rate occurred with herpes genitalis.
Conclusions: Promiscuity and sexual orientation significantly influence
the seroprevalence rate. Exposure to HIV remained stable despite the
above declining time trends, which implies the need for additional
preventive interventions targeted to the real health and illness
behavior of the partner
ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS INFLUENCING THE BIOLOGIC BEHAVIOR OF PATTERNS OF PEMPHIGUS-VULGARIS - EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACH
Background. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disorder, in which
environmental factors seem to play a role, both in the pathogenesis and
the activity of the disease. The purpose of the study was to correlate
the biologic activity of pemphigus vulgaris with sun exposure and air
temperature.
Methods. An epidemiologic study was carried out, analyzing results of
serology, skin involvement, and proportional morbidity rates, related to
sun exposure and air temperature. The study was based on retrospective
and prospective series of patients. All data were evaluated in a yearly
seasonal distribution.
Results. Strong correlations were shown between climatologic data and
pemphigus activity in the populations studied.
Conclusions. Environmental factors have a significant impact on the
disease expression. This stresses the necessity of preventive measures
against exposure to sun and high temperature
Recurrent condylomata acuminata: How routine immediate and delayed hypersensitivity parameters might provide a clue to their immunopathogenesis
In 30 male patients suffering from recurrent condylomata acuminata,
immediate hypersensitivity parameters (total IgE, PTT and prick tests)
and delayed hypersensitivity against seven recall antigens (multi test)
were studied. Thirty healthy male volunteers, matched in age, were the
controls. Significantly higher immediate hypersensitivity activity was
shown in the patient group. Qualitative evaluation of delayed type
hypersensitivity showed that controls had a positive test 16 times more
often than patients. A rather homogeneous suppression of delayed type
hypersensitivity was found in the patient group mainly as regards the
presumably most common antigens vs. the control group. This suppression
was proved to be related to disease duration. The hypothesis of a CD4+
Th-2 lymphocyte predominance in recurrent condylomata, owed to
longstanding or repetitive antigenic stimulation seems to adequately
explain the findings of the present study
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