Introduction. This study was undertaken to compare and evaluate the heath-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Greek adult transplant recipients before and 2 years after successful renal transplantation (RT). The SF-36 survey score was used. Methods. Eighty-five Greek hemodialysis patients underwent RT at the Transplant Unit of Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, including 44 men and 41 women (mean age 43.8 years; range 21-59 years). The scale scores of a Greek version of the SF-36 survey were compared between the transplant and the hemodialysis patients. We also examined the relationships of the scale scores with the patients' age and the type of donor. Results. According to the SF-36 health survey, transplant recipients had better results for general health perception (p<0.001), role-physical functioning (p<0.01), role-emotional functioning (p<0.01), and vitality (p< 0.01). In addition, the scale score of physical functioning, general health and vitality of the patients who were younger than 30 years at the time of transplantation were significantly higher than those of the patients who were older than 30 years, while the scores of bodily pain, general health, and physical functioning were significantly lower in cadaveric graft recipients compared with living-related recipients. Conclusions. The SF-36 health survey is a validated and comprehensive instrument for evaluating renal transplant patients' HRQOL. Our data demonstrated an improvement in HRQOL in renal transplant patients 2 years after successful renal transplantation. The data also confirmed that the recipients' age at transplantation and the type of donor were important factors affecting the HRQOL.

Background Toxocara canis is one of the most widespread public health and economically important zoonotic parasitic infections humans share with canids, mainly dogs. Human infection occurs by the accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs or larvae from a range of wild and domestic paratenic hosts. The aim of the present study was to examine the soil contamination of public places by the parasitic ova and to estimate serologically the prevalence of T. canis human infection in the Attica region, Greece. Methods In this region, public areas are permanently inhabited by dogs, mostly stray dog population that is hardly kept down to a manageable level. A total of 1,510 soil samples were collected from 33 public places of six regional units of Attica from March 2014 to April 2014 and ova were detected using a microscopic assay. In addition, sera were collected from 250 residents, routinely active in the sampled areas, and tested for T. canis IgG antibodies using an enzyme immunoassay. Results T. canis eggs were isolated from 31 (94%) of the examined public areas. Of the total samples, T. canis ova were recovered from 258 samples, suggesting an overall T. canis ova contamination of 17.2%. The areas of higher socioeconomic status presented lower percentages of soil contamination in a statistically significant level, compared to the areas of lower socioeconomic status. T. canis IgG seropositivity was detected in 40 (16%) serum samples. Similar rates were established among T. canis seropositivity and soil contamination within the same geographical areas. The proportion of seropositive samples in the group of children was significantly higher compared to the proportion of adults (48% versus 8%, p<0.001). Conclusion The level of environmental T. canis contamination as well as human infection found in the Attica region calls for a greater awareness towards this public issue. Preventing measures should be implemented to control the spread of this parasitic infection.

LC has proven to be a safe and efficacious method for the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis in this high-risk population. Hematologists are now more willing to refer early, well-prepared patients with SCD and uncomplicated gallbladder disease for elective LC.

The use of MB alone is an efficient method for identification of the SLN. The PT injection route yields a higher number of SLNs than the SA route, comparable with the number of SLNs retrieved, when combined tracing agents and multiple injection sites are used.

Although there is an increasing tendency to clear the bile duct with a laparoscopic approach, ERCP and sphincterotomy has a certain role in conjunction with LC in the management of patients with a high suspicion of CBD stones, particularly in institutions where there is easy access to expert interventional endoscopic techniques.

Malpositioning of the catheter in the persistent left superior vena cava occurs in 0.3%-0.5% of patients. The catheter was subsequently removed.

The specific activity of histamine methyltransferase of rat brain increases rapidly from the 16th until the 25th day of gestation (7 days after birth). The specific activity of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl-transferase shows a rapid increase during the 1st and the 2nd week after birth, the adult values being obtained by the end of the 2nd week.

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