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Biomedical subjects

E Koumantakis

Publications and source records attributed to E Koumantakis.

84 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

ras gene mutations in human endometrial carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of involvement of the ras oncogene activation by point mutations in endometrial carcinoma in the Greek population. The PCR technique was employed, followed by RFLP analysis to identify the point mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras, H-ras and N-ras genes. K-ras gene point mutations were detected in 8 of the 55 cases (15%) of primary endometrial carcinoma, H-ras in 4 (7.3%), while no mutations were found for the N-ras gene. No correlation was found between the presence of ras gene mutations and the clinicopathological parameters, or patient survival. The only association found was between H-ras mutations and the FIGO stage of the tumor (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.011). These results indicate a possible role of ras gene activation in a small subset of endometrial carcinomas.

Carcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interleukin-6 in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men.

Cytokines released by various cell subsets in the male urogenital tract are capable of markedly influencing sperm function and fertility. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined by "sandwich" enzyme immunoassay in the seminal plasma of 77 men divided as follow: (1) into 7 groups according to the etiological diagnosis of fertility, and (2) into 2 groups on the basis of normal or abnormal spermiogram. There was a statistically significant association between IL-6 and the patients' status (P < 0.0014). These results are due to statistically significant differences between the groups with infection of the accessory genital glands and normal controls, as well as between the groups with infection of the accessory genital glands and that with varicocele, indicated by the Honestly Significant Differences (HSD) test for multiple comparisons. There was no significant difference of IL-6 levels between men with normal and those with abnormal spermiograms. Furthermore, there was no correlation between IL-6 levels and the variables of the spermiogram. The prostate seems to be the main site of origin of IL-6 in the seminal plasma. Our data suggest that urogenital infections may lead to elevated levels of IL-6 in the seminal plasma. This measurement of IL-6 in semen may provide clinically useful information for the diagnosis of male accessory gland infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of interleukin-11 in seminal plasma and elevated IL-11 in seminal plasma of infertile patients with urogenital infection.

This study was conducted to confirm the presence of IL-11 in human seminal plasma, to show eventual differences between IL-11 concentration in fertile and infertile subjects, and to show if urogenital infection is a factor determining its elevation. Seminal plasma from 93 men obtained by masturbation was examined for the presence of IL-11 using an IL-11-specific sandwich ELISA. Semen samples were obtained from 93 men divided (1) into seven groups according to the etiological diagnosis of fertility and, (2) into two groups on the basis of normal or abnormal spermiogram. The correlation of amount of IL-11 in seminal plasma with some spermiogram parameters was statistically evaluated. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0007) due to group infection of accessory genital glands, which presents the highest mean rank value as compared to all other groups. The group normal spermiogram had a mean value for IL-11 of 51.83, while the abnormal spermiogram was 66.30. This difference is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between IL-11 levels and the variables of the spermiogram. These findings demonstrate IL-11 to be in seminal plasma, and elevated IL-11 levels are detected in infertile patients with urogenital infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

L-carnitine levels in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men: correlation with sperm quality.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the presence of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma, to show differences between L-carnitine concentrations in fertile and infertile subjects, and to show potential relationships between L-carnitine and semen quality. STUDY DESIGN: Seminal plasma from 101 men obtained by masturbation was examined for the presence of L-carnitine. Semen samples were divided as follows: (a) in eight groups according to the etiology of fertility, (b) in two groups on the basis of normal or abnormal spermiogram, (c) correlation of the amount of L-carnitine in seminal plasma with values of the spermiogram. RESULTS: We found the following: (1) L-carnitine levels differ significantly between controls and the patient groups (P < .0001) (2) The group with normal spermiogram has a mean value for L-carnitine of 478.4 while the abnormal one comes to 100.58. This difference is statistically significant (P < .0001). (3) There is a statistically significant, positive correlation between L-carnitine and the number of spermatozoa, the percentage of motile spermatozoa, and the percentage of normal forms (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that determination of seminal carnitine values might provide the physician with an additional means of evaluating the infertile male.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in maternal plasma levels of VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, ET-1 and sKL during uncomplicated pregnancy, hypertensive pregnancy and gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and soluble c-kit ligand (sKL) are cytokines involved in embryogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maternal plasma cytokines were measured with ELISA during the three trimesters of gestation and on the day of delivery in 93 pregnant women and 18 age-matched non-pregnant control women. RESULTS: The VEGF and bFGF levels increased during the first trimester and declined thereafter, but they remained above the controls' values until delivery. The TGF-beta1 levels increased during the first trimester and remained unchanged thereafter. On the contrary, the ET-1 levels decreased and remained low until delivery. VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1 and ET-1 were increased in hypertensive pregnancy. Except for ET-1, these cytokines were also increased in gestational diabetes. No changes in plasma sKL were documented. CONCLUSION: All the aforementioned cytokines play a role in uncomplicated pregnancy, whereas hypertensive pregnancy is causatively-related with increased ET-1.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of CA-125 in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis: influence of treatment with danazol.

OBJECTIVE: To compare CA-125 levels in endometriotic women with normal controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The level of the oncofetal antigen CA-125 was measured in serum samples taken from 40 women, aged 21 to 33 years. Blood samples for CA-125 from 15 endometriotic women were measured before treatment, during the last 15 days of a 6-month administration of Danazol, and 3 months after treatment, and were compared to findings in 15 women without endometriosis (from whom blood samples were taken only once). RESULTS: The CA-125 levels were significantly higher in patients with endometriosis before treatment as compared with the controls (P < .01). The administration of Danazol significantly reduced the levels of CA-125 (P < .01), and 3 months after treatment the levels of CA-125 remained significantly lower (P < .05) as compared to the respective pretreatment values. CONCLUSION: The results support the view that the determination of CA-125 levels may assist in (a) evaluating women with endometriosis and (b) treatment with Danazol.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cigarette smoking and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.

The atrophy of the vaginal epithelium was studied clinically and cytologically on vaginal smears of 1638 healthy postmenopausal female non smokers and 531 healthy postmenopausal smokers (over 30 years), with a mean age of 58 years. A very strong statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the atrophical vaginal changes between smokers and nonsmokers to the disadvantage of the smokers. Also a very statistically significant association (p < 0.0001) was observed between the cytological expression of the vaginal atrophy and duration at menopause of the non-smokers but no association in the cases of the smokers. Another important result of this study was that the smokers women had an early menopause (p < 0.0001), on average by 2 years sooner (mean age 48.5 years) than non-smokers (mean age 50.5 years). These results suggest that cigarette smoking has an effect on the vaginal squamous epithelium, increasing the atrophical changes and causing early menopause by mechanisms, some of which remain unclear.

Age of Onset↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in immunologic variables (TNF-a, sCD8 and sCD4) during danazol treatment in patients with endometriosis.

DESIGN: The levels of TNF-a, sCD8, and sCD4 were measured in serum samples taken from 20 women. Blood samples for TNF-a, sCD8 and sCD4 levels were taken from 10 endometriotic women before treatment, during the last 15 days of a 6-month administration of danazol and 3 months after treatment. Blood samples were taken only once from 10 women without endometriosis (control group). RESULTS: TNF-a levels were higher in women with endometriosis before treatment compared to controls (P < .05). Administration of the drug significantly reduced the levels of TNF-a (P < .01) and sCD8 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that danazol significantly reduces endometriosis-associated autoimmune abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The sperm deformity and multiple anomalies indices: are they reliable in the identification of fertile and infertile semen?

DESIGN: Two new indices, the sperm deformity index and the multiple anomalies index, were evaluated in order to help identify fertile and infertile semen. RESULTS: It was found that only three out of 94 infertile men presented a sperm deformity index lower than the upper limits of normal. The sperm deformity index sensitivity and specificity were higher than those of the multiple anomalies index. CONCLUSION: The sperm deformity index is a reliable predictor in the identification of fertile and infertile semen, and therefore can help in the selection of patients who require assisted reproduction techniques.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunologic variables in normal pregnancy and spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish if pregnancy belongs to pathological situations, if it changes SIL-2R, sCD4 and sCD8 levels, and to verify if these levels have a prognostic value in the evaluation of pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy were studied. Ten of them had a normal evolution of pregnancy, ten had a threatened abortion with a bad outcome, and ten had an ectopic pregnancy. We determined SIL-2R, sCD4, and sCD8 levels in the serum and in the amniotic fluid in 10 pregnant women in their second trimester, and in 10 healthy women without pregnancy (control group). RESULTS: We found that (a) 50% of the pregnant women in their first trimester had abnormal SIL-2R values, and 90% had abnormal sCD8 values; (b) 9/10 women with threatened abortion and bad outcome had abnormal SIL-2R values; (c) SIL-2R levels were significantly higher in the amniotic fluid than in the serum (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Our results sustain the opinion that pregnancy must be included among those situations that increase SIL-2R, sCD4, and sCD8 levels. SIL-2R levels greater than 1,300 U/mL carried a bad prognosis in the evolution of pregnancy.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗