The immunodominant myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide comprising residues 87-99 is a self-antigen in multiple sclerosis (MS). In Lewis rats this epitope induces experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and is a model of MS. Structure-activity studies have shown that Lys(91) and Pro(96) residues are important for encephalitogenicity. Replacement of Lys and/or Pro residues with Arg and/or Ala, respectively, results in suppression of EAE. A potent linear altered peptide ligand of the immunodominant sequence MBP(83-99) has been selected for clinical trial (Nat. Med. 2000, 6, 1167, 1176). In the present report, two cyclic analogues, cyclo(91-99)[Ala(96)]MBP(87-99) and cyclo(87-99)[Arg(91), Ala(96)]MBP(87-99) were designed by NMR and molecular modeling data on human MBP(87-99) epitope (Val(87)-His-Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro(99)) and its linear antagonist peptide analogue [Arg(91), Ala(96)]MBP(87-99). These analogues (altered peptide ligands) inhibited EAE in Lewis rats and decreased inflammation in the spinal cord. In addition, the analogue cyclo(87-99)[Arg(91), Ala(96)]MBP(87-99) induced proliferation of human peripheral blood T-cells. These cyclic MBP(87-99) peptide analogues may lead to the design of potent antagonist mimetics for treating MS.

Objectives:To investigate the expression of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and estrogen receptor-b (ER-b) signalling pathways in bladder urothelial carcinoma according to clinicopathological features, in order to elucidate their role during carcinogenesis. Methods: Immunohistochemical methodology was carried out on formalin-fixed , paraffin-embedded sections from urinary bladder carcinomas of 140 patients (94 males and 46 females) who underwent transurethral resection of bladder neoplasms. Correlations between ER-b and NF-kB, and tumor grade and T-stage were evaluated , along with demographic data, sex and age. Results: A significant decrease in ER-b expression in the nucleus of bladder cells during loss of cell differentiation (rs = -0.61, P-value < 0.001, test of trend P-value = 0.003) and in muscle invasive carcinomas (T2-T4; test of trend P-value < 0.001) was found. p65 Subunit of NF-kB was expressed in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of bladder epithelial cells. A strong positive association between tumor grade and nuclear expression of NF-kB was shown. No correlation between NF-kB, nuclear or cytoplasmic staining, with T-stage was observed. An inverse correlation between ER-b and nuclear p65 immunoreactivity was observed (rs = -0.45, P-value < 0.001). There was no correlation with demographic data. Conclusions: Our immunohistochemical study suggests the possible inverse regulation of NF-kB and ER-b transcription factor during bladder carcinogenesis. Selective ER-b agonists and agents, inhibitors of NF-kB, might represent a possible new treatment strategy for bladder urothelial tumors.

Descriptive epidemiology of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is always interesting and may reveal time-dependent and geographical variations, as well as occupational exposure. Epidemiological data in Greece are not available by now. We have collected and analyzed medical records of all patients with a documented diagnosis of MDS, performed by an expert hematologist and/or hematopathologist, in the geographical area of Western Greece, during the 20-year period, defined between 1990 and 2009. We have then calculated and described demographic and clinical features of the diagnosed MDS patient population, and assessed the incidence and prevalence rates of MDS in Western Greece, during the above-mentioned period. A total of 855 patients with newly diagnosed MDS have been identified. Refractory anemia was the most common subtype in both FAB and WHO classification systems and in both genders. Del-5q and RARS were more commonly encountered among females, and the dysplastic subtype of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia among males. Trisomy 8 was the most common single cytogenetic abnormality. The crude mean annual incidence rate of MDS was 6.0 per 100,000 inhabitants aged ≥15 years old (all subtypes according to FAB), and it was 4.8 per 100,000 when CMML and RAEB-T were excluded. Crude incidence rate was higher in rural than in urban areas, but this finding was not confirmed after age standardization. Age-standardized mean annual incidence rate in men was 7.9/100,000 and in women 3.4/100,000. A continuously increasing incidence rate of MDS has been observed throughout the study period.

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The initial presentation of this rare clinical entity creates difficulties in reaching a correct diagnosis. A presumed acanthamoeba keratitis is the first choice among many similar conditions. Thus abuse of topical ocular anesthetic drops should be included in the differential diagnosis of cases of chronic keratitis as it may masquerade as acanthamoeba keratitis. A current or past history of psychiatric and mental disorders or psychoactive substance abuse is important in the diagnosis. Functional and anatomical results after appropriate treatment are usually poor. Psychiatric counselling is extremely helpful and is in fact mandatory in the management of these patients.

Serum adiponectin and resistin levels are related to liver histology in bariatric patients and may be indicative of the histological severity of NAFLD and the extent of hepatic steatosis, respectively. Serum leptin levels are not informative of underlying liver histology in severely obese patients.

painless range of motion in about 3 months. One-year follow-up revealed no underlying disorder.

The purpose of this retrospective study, the largest unselected series in our country, was to illustrate the clinicopathological features of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid neoplasms. A retrospective analysis was conducted and clinical features of histological subtypes were established in 810 patients (age ≧15 years) with NHL who were treated at 8 major centers representative of Greece. There were 435 males and 375 females 95% of them aged >30 years. B symptoms were present in 34% of the patients, while 45.3% had stages I–II and 54.6% had stages III–IV. LDH was increased in 37% of the patients. B cell lymphomas formed 88% of the cases whereas T cell lymphomas formed 12% of the total. Indolent lymphomas accounted for 31.1%, aggressive ones for 66.7% and very aggressive ones for 2.4% of all NHLs. Among indolent lymphomas extranodal ones (MALT B cell lymphoma) were the most common subset while follicular lymphoma grade I and II and small lymphocytic ones presented with equal frequency. Among the aggressive lymphomas diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) was the most common subtype; this entity along with large-cell immunoblastic lymphomas accounted for 45.2% of all B cell lymphomas. Among the T cell lymphomas, peripheral T cell lymphomas and anaplastic large cell lymphomas of the T/null-cell type were the most common subtypes. The most common extranodal presentation was the gastrointestinal tract (GI). Next in frequency were primary extranodal NHL of the head and neck region. MALT B cell lymphomas were found in almost half of the patients with GI tract NHL, whereas in all other extranodal places DLCL was the predominant histological subtype. The median survival for indolent and aggressive NHL was 123.5 and 55.5 months, respectively. This is the first report of a large series of malignant lymphomas in Greece using the WHO classification. It appears that there are no significant differences between NHL in Greece and other large series as far as clinical and extranodal presentation is concerned. The frequency of follicular lymphoma in the current study is comparable to that reported from Asian countries and mainland Europe, but lower than that of US and Northern European series. There were no important differences in the incidence of the remaining histological subtypes between Greece and other European countries.