Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate if apoptosis dysregulation is present in type 1 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria. Subjects and Methods: The following variables were determined in 29 type 1 diabetic patients: the duration of diabetes, soluble Fas (sFas), Bcl-2, hemoglobin A1c levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and microalbuminuria, using the urine albumin to urine creatinine ratio (ACR). Age and gender were assessed and patients were categorized into two groups, according to their ACR: the microalbuminuric (MA) group with an ACR ≧30 mg/g, and the normoalbuminuric (NA) group with an ACR <30 mg/g. Results: The differences between the two groups regarding sFas, Bcl-2 and GFR were not statistically significant. However, in the MA group, a significant positive relationship between sFas and ACR was observed (r = 0.736, p = 0.015). Dividing patients into two subgroups – mild versus severe (ACR ≧150 mg/g) microalbuminuric patients – significant differences in sFas (60.4 vs. 87.2 pg/ml; p = 0.047) and GFR (113 vs. 69.5 ml min–1 1.73 m–2; p = 0.021) were observed, whereas in Bcl-2, the difference was not significant (77.96 vs. 71.13 ng/ml). Conclusions: At the early stages of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients, there seems to be a dysregulation of apoptosis, as expressed by enhanced sFas levels, leading to the speculation that the prevalence of antiapoptotic mechanisms (sFas) may promote mesangial proliferation.
HBV prevalence in pregnant women did not seem to be affected by the increase of immigrants in our obstetric population over the course of time. HCV prevalence in the pregnant women, however, did seem to follow the increase of immigrants in our obstetric population. Economic and security issues unfortunately deprive some neonates, born to mothers with HBV infection, from the use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
HBV prevalence in pregnant women did not seem to be affected by the increase of immigrants in our obstetric population over the course of time. HCV prevalence in the pregnant women, however, did seem to follow the increase of immigrants in our obstetric population. Economic and security issues unfortunately deprive some neonates, born to mothers with HBV infection, from the use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
Intracoronary imaging has brought new insight in the field of interventional cardiology. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are the most commonly used imaging modalities. Regarding their technical characteristics IVUS and OCT have similarities as well as differences, a fact that could have significant clinical implications. Both techniques play an important role in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guidance and demonstrated superiority compared to intravascular coronary angiography (ICA) guidance alone. Furthermore, their use can notably assist coronary plaque evaluation; both provide additional information of plaque characteristics, which can lead to a better understanding of the cause of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and better clinical outcomes. However, there is not enough clinical evidence for the superiority of one method compared to the other, something that is, also, reflected in the guidelines. In this review, we aim to compare role of IVUS and OCT in the different aspects of coronary artery disease (CAD), according to the latest scientific data. In addition, we present the future perspectives regarding the IVUS and OCT, with co-registration of the two methods or hybrid OCT-IVUS catheters.
In Greece, there is no officially organized training in clinical chemistry for scientists. The Greek Society of Clinical Chemistry-Clinical Biochemistry (GSCC-CB), following the encouragement of the EC4/RC decided to organize a voluntary Register for specialists in clinical chemistry. The following criteria for registration were defined: 1) University degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy or other relevant subject. 2) A total of 9 years of university studies and postgraduate specialization in clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry. 3) A minimum of 4 years of postgraduate specialization in clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry on the job. 4) The candidate must be practicing clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry in a laboratory in a medical environment in Greece. The postgraduate specialization in clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry includes the laboratory training and the theoretical education. The laboratory training is organized by the GSCC-CB according to the Professional Training Dossier. The theoretical education was organized in a series of 18 "Seminars" which was the content of the "Educational program" of the GSCC-CB. Successful completion of the Educational program leads to a Certificate of Competence. The Greek Register has gained equivalence with the EC4 Register and it has 218 members, more than 80 of whom are European clinical chemists.
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