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Biomedical subjects

C Economou

Publications and source records attributed to C Economou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Upper airway edema resulting from use of Ecballium elaterium.

OBJECTIVES: To present a rare occurrence in ear, nose and throat practice of upper airway allergic edema from use of juice extracted from the fruit of Ecballium elaterium. INTRODUCTION: Ecballium elaterium is a plant indigenous to the Mediterranean region that bears the common name squirting cucumber. Many people in this region for the treatment of sinusitis use the juice of its fruit. However, allergy-prone patients after using it may sometimes present with edema at various sites of the upper respiratory tract. Otolaryngologists are frequently asked to diagnose and treat such an emergency situation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of the records of 42 patients with this condition during the last 4 years. METHODS: Patient records were retrospectively reviewed for age, sex, presenting symptoms, physical examination, and medical treatment. Seasonal distribution and data from the history of the patients were also considered. Skin prick and prick-to-prick testing to various allergens was performed in 12 patients. RESULTS: Most of the patients presented with localized swelling of the uvula and the nasal mucosa, whereas in the remainder of the patients various sites of swelling of the upper respiratory tract were observed. Skin tests elicited positive reactions to pollen weeds and to various fruits of the Cucurbitaceae family. Treatment of the patients with corticosteroids and antihistamines resulted in an uneventful recovery, and we did not need to resort to therapeutic modalities, such as intubation or tracheotomy. CONCLUSIONS: We think a further study of the pharmaceutical properties of the plant's fruit juice is needed, especially regarding its curative properties of rhinitis and sinusitis. However, adverse reactions in some patients with a positive history of allergy should always be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Submasseteric abscess.

The masseteric space is an important tissue compartment of the neck, but disease in it is difficult to diagnose and treat. In this paper a case of a young adult male with an abscess of the submasseteric space is presented. Diagnosis was established by computed tomography (CT) of the neck, but the severity of the lesion was not accurately estimated. Surgical intervention was performed and a large quantity of pus was drained. A detailed medical history and clinical examination of the patient as well as CT are important tools in the accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of the disease.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

Periodic alternating nystagmus associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation.

The Arnold-Chiari malformation type I is a rare congenital condition characterized by herniation of the cerebellar tonsils into the upper cervical spinal tract. Various otoneurological manifestations occur in patients with the disease, which has usually been associated with a downbeat type of nystagmus. In this paper a case with this condition is reported presenting with periodic alternating nystagmus (PAN), which is a rare type of nystagmus observed in diseases of the central nervous system of different pathologies. The patient had a complete otoneurological examination and vestibular function testing. Diagnosis was established by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Expression of MAGE and GAGE in high-grade brain tumors: a potential target for specific immunotherapy and diagnostic markers.

The mRNA expression of the tumor-associated antigens MAGE and GAGE was examined in 60 high-grade brain tumors. This analysis was performed by using reverse transcription-PCR, Southern blotting, and sequencing. It was demonstrated that, of the eight GAGE genes, GAGE-2 and -7 were expressed in five of seven normal brains. Four groups of tumors--adult glioblastoma multiforme (n = 20), pediatric glioblastoma multiforme (n = 9), medulloblastomas (n = 15), and ependymomas (n = 14)--were analyzed for mRNA expression. The following frequencies were observed: MAGE-1, 0, 0, 13, and 0%, respectively; MAGE-2, 5, 11, 60, and 57%; MAGE-3 & -6, 0, 0, 13, and 0%; GAGE-1, 65, 11, 13, and 43%; and GAGE-3-6 and -8: 75, 78, 47, and 93%, respectively. Two unclassified tumors expressed GAGE-3-6 and -8 only. The absence of GAGE-1 expression in normal brain, its relatively high frequency of expression in high-grade brain tumors, and its unique 3' sequence, suggest it may represent a useful target for specific immunotherapy. The detection method of reverse transcription-PCR and Southern blotting may also be useful for rapid screening of biopsy specimens both for diagnostic purposes and to determine a patient's eligibility for specific immunotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Structure of the gene encoding the murine dual specificity tyrosine-threonine phosphatase PAC1.

The mitogen-induced early-response gene, PAC-1, encodes a nuclear 32-kDa tyrosine-threonine dual specificity phosphatase, which has been shown to specifically dephosphorylate the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases, ERK1 and ERK2. Here, we describe the structure and sequence of the murine PAC-1 gene. Transcription starts at three major sites located between 80 and 90 nucleotides upstream of the murine PAC-1 initiation codon within a highly G/C-rich region. The gene comprises three exons, with exon 1 encoding the unique N-terminal half of the protein, while exons 2 and 3 encode the C-terminus that is homologous to the closely related phosphatases, 3CH134 and VH1. The conserved catalytic domain common to all tyrosine phosphatases is encompassed by exon 3. The organization of the murine PAC-1 gene suggests that the PAC-1 N-terminus, which may serve a regulatory function, has evolved as a separate domain from the C-terminal catalytic domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A new quantitative polymerase chain reaction-high performance ion exchange liquid chromatographic method for the detection of fibroblast growth factor-beta (FGF-beta) gene amplification.

A method for the quantitative determination of fibroblast growth factor-beta (FGF-beta) genomic amplification based on the use of optimized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures and high performance ion exchange (HPIEX) liquid chromatography has been developed. Co-amplification of a second genomic species permits internal standardization of the techniques during optimization of the reaction conditions, the PCR cycle number and the PCR cycle efficiency, as well as during the analytical HPIEX chromatographic determination of the PCR products. These investigations confirm the versatility of these procedures to quantitatively analyse FGF-beta gene amplification in various cells and tissues.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

[Milk of calcium syndrome: a diagnosis to be made before the scheduling of lithotripsy. Consideration apropos of 6 cases].

The authors report six cases of milk of calcium syndrome. As in previously published cases, the diagnosis was established by the film taken in the standing position: the "lithiasic density" shrinks, densifies and exhibits a horizontal upper edge. Four patients were at first mistakenly diagnosed as having urinary lithiasis for which extracorporeal lithotripsy was scheduled. In one case, the lithotripsy was actually performed and the diagnosis of milk of calcium disease was established only immediately after the procedure. In another patient, lithotripsy was performed because small stones were thought to be present in the milk of calcium. In the two other cases, the diagnosis was made on the day before scheduled lithotripsy and this procedure was therefore cancelled. The purpose of the authors in reporting these cases is above all to point out the diagnostic value of a plain film of the abdomen in the standing position. Diagnosis must be made in time to avoid extracorporeal lithotripsy since, in milk of calcium syndrome, this procedure is illogical, inefficient and probably more hazardous than useful. On the basis of the six cases reported herein and of data from the literature, several characteristics of milk of calcium syndrome can be emphasized. Milk of calcium syndrome predominantly affects individuals with a positive personal or family history for renal lithiasis. It occurs in both sexes and all age groups, including childhood. Milk of calcium syndrome complicates partial or total dilatation of the urinary tract. Crystallization may be of the phosphatic or oxalic type. Concomitant urinary tract infection is common.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Priapism after cavernography. Report of an original case].

The authors report a case of priapism following cavernography with secondary fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa demonstrated histologically. They stress the importance of a rigorous cavernography technique which must take account of the respective tissue toxicity of the various contrast media used.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[The value of echography in scrotal contusions. Personal experience apropos of 20 cases].

We report a serial case study of 20 patients presenting scrotal contusions and for whom an emergency scrotal ultrasonography was performed. This investigation is not a luxury. It was a useful confirmation diagnostic tool for hematocele in 1/3 of cases (7/20) as well as for the detection of associated epididymal and or testicular lesions. In 2/3 of cases (13/20) it detected lesions unsuspected by clinical examination so that a therapeutic decision was taken promptly. Scrotal echography is therefore a useful emergency tool not for major trauma where the surgical decision is evident, but for apparently benign trauma where the clinical examination is currently deficient and needs provided a trained ultrasonography operator is available.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Effects of chemical and radiographic factors on the treatment of renal lithiasis using extracorporeal external shock-wave lithotripsy].

The systematic collection and filtration of urine for three days after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ECSWL) has enabled the chemical analysis of the stones treated in 90% of cases. We have been able to demonstrate a correlation between the chemical nature and the mode of fragmentation of the stones. Calcium oxalate monohydrate, brushite and cystine stones form fairly large, well separated, angular fragments with sharp edges. Calcium oxalate dihydrate, calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium-phosphate (struvite) stones are reduced to an amorphous dust. These findings have direct therapeutic implications, as it is absolutely essential to make sure that no large stone fragments are left in the urinary tract after lithotripsy. These elements led us to try to evaluate the chemical nature and the hardness of the stones on the basis of the radiological findings, in order to adopt the best possible therapeutic strategy. Calcium oxalate dihydrate stones have a striated, spiky and non-homogeneous appearance on plain X-rays. They are frequently responsible for filling defects on intravenous pyelography. They are friable stones which are easily fragmented. In contrast, calcium oxalate monohydrate stones present a regular homogeneous opacity on plain X-rays with no filling defect on intravenous pyelography. These stones are hard and are broken up, with difficulty, into large fragments on the initial fluoroscopic images at the start of treatment. Many stones have a mixed composition (calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dihydrate and calcium phosphates): the plain X-ray does not provide sufficient information and the presence of a filling defect on intravenous pyelography may or may not be suggestive of a friable stone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium Oxalate↗
PubMed1986

[Lipids in the urine after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy].

Lipid corpuscles have been found in the urine in about 40 per cent of women (4/10) after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, however this lipuria is very rare in men (1 or 2 per cent of cases) and less pronounced. During three days after treatment, this post-therapeutic lipuria was found to be independent of the age of patients, of the site of the calculi, of their chemical composition or of the number of shock waves administered. This lipuria probably results from the liquefaction of peri-pelvic fat tissue by exothermic reaction. These lipid corpuscles consist mostly of triglycerides and to a lesser extent phospholipids with a very small proportion of cholesterol and fatty acids.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Fractures of the odontoid process of the axis].

Analysis of 15 cases of fracture of the odontoid process of the axis, with a follow-up time of 18 months to 9 years. In 6 cases (40 p. 100) the diagnosis of the fracture was made with a delay extending from one week to 3 months after the accident. The only case complicated with neurological findings was a fracture of the dens without radiological displacement. All patients have been treated conservatively. Twelve fractures united after 4 to 6 months immobilisation. In two cases a tight and stable non-union has developed. In only one case the pseudarthrosis was loose and unstable, and required a surgical fusion. The functional result was dominated by a restriction of movements of the head, variable in its importance, but practically constant.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enzyme engineering for nonaqueous solvents. II. Additive effects of mutations on the stability and activity of subtilisin E in polar organic media.

Single amino acid substitutions increase the activity and stability of subtilisin E in mixtures of organic solvents and water, and the effects of these mutations are additive. A variant of subtilisin E that exhibits higher activity in mixtures of dimethylformamide (DMF) and water (Q103R) was created by random mutagenesis combined with screening for improved activity (K. Chen and F. H. Arnold, in preparation). Another mutation, N218S, known to improve both the activity and stability of subtilisin BPN', also improves the activity and stability of subtilisin E in the presence of DMF. The effects of the two substitutions on transition-state stabilization are additive. Furthermore, the Q103R mutation that improves activity has no deleterious effect on subtilisin stability. The double mutant Q103R+N218S is 10 times more active than the wild-type enzyme in 20% (v/v) DMF and twice as stable in 40% DMF. Although the effects of single mutations can be impressive, a practical strategy for engineering enzymes that function in nonaqueous solvents will most likely require multiple changes in the amino acid sequence. These results demonstrate the excellent potential for engineering nonaqueous-solvent-compatible enzymes.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of the number of averaged responses in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions on the results of neonatal hearing screening.

This study examined the effect of the number of accepted responses in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions on the results of neonatal hearing screening programmes. The ILO88 Otodynamics Analyzer Quickscreen programme was used for all testing, and a three-stage procedure was adopted by averaging 20, 30, and 260 low-noise samples in total. The results were recorded after each stage of the testing in those cases in which, after the first 20 accepted responses, the "pass" criteria were met. Under these circumstances, 117 ears were included in the study from a total number of 334 screened ears. It was concluded that 20 averaged quiet responses are adequate for screened newborn babies to pass the test if the conditions of the "pass" criteria are fulfilled at this stage. In the rest of the newborn babies, testing should be continued using a larger number of clicks. For diagnostic and clinical purposes, the full 260 quiet samples must be used since the results indicated statistically better scores in response and reproducibility measures after the 260 averaged responses.

Cochlea↗