Biomedical subjects

S Sifakis

Publications and source records attributed to S Sifakis.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Microsatellite mutations in spontaneously aborted embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of microsatellite instability in spontaneously aborted embryos. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Laboratory of Clinical Virology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Medical School, University of Crete. PATIENT(S): Thirty-five women in whom spontaneous abortions occurred between the 6th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. INTERVENTION(S): Thirty-five aborted embryonic tissues were analyzed with seven microsatellite markers, and their haplotypes were compared with the corresponding pattern of their parents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Microsatellite DNA. RESULT(S): Microsatellite instability was observed in 8 of 35 cases (23%). In 7 of 8 positive cases, microsatellite instability was restricted to one of the seven microsatellite markers, whereas in one case, three microsatellite markers were affected by instability. A statistically significant association was found between microsatellite instability and a previous normal childbirth. CONCLUSION(S): Genetic instability is a detectable phenomenon in spontaneous abortions, representing a significant increase in the mutational rate of the embryo and providing evidence for a mechanism associated with the phenomenon of spontaneous abortion. We conclude that this elevated mutational rate affects active genomic sequences that play a critical role in the viability of the embryo, leading to cell death and abortion.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1998

Evaluation of Parvo B19, CMV and HPV viruses in human aborted material using the polymerase chain reaction technique.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of human parvovirus B19 (Parvo B19), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) viruses in the aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortions. STUDY DESIGN: Abortion material from 102 cases of women with spontaneous abortions were analysed for the presence of Parvo B19, CMV and HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Serological assays were used for the detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against Parvo B19 virus and CMV in the maternal sera. RESULTS: Parvo B19 virus genome was detected in two cases of spontaneous abortion, by PCR amplification, while CMV and HPV genomes were not observed. Serological markers were indicative for Parvo B19 virus and CMV infection in ten and four cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is a useful method for investigating the viral contribution to the aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortions and for detecting the viral genome in the abortion material. This study of 102 cases of spontaneous abortion does not implicate CMV and HPV in the aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortion, although it indicates a possible abortional role for Parvo B19 virus.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1998

Detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in aborted material using the polymerase chain reaction technique.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contribution of HSV to the aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortion. DESIGN: A hospital-based, case-control study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. POPULATION AND METHODS: Abortion material from 102 cases of women with spontaneous abortion was analysed for the presence of HSV DNA applying the PCR technique. Serological assays were used for the detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies in the maternal sera of 90 pregnant women with successful outcome of their pregnancy while 70 non-pregnant women at reproductive age were also examined as control. RESULTS: The HSV genome was detected by PCR amplification in 3 cases of spontaneous abortion, 2 of them exhibited serological markers of virus reactivation while the 3rd showed a past infection. There were no obvious clinical manifestations indicating a current herpes infection. Both groups of pregnant women, either with spontaneous abortion or with a successful outcome of pregnancy, displayed serological markers of HSV reactivation at higher rates compared with non-pregnant women (chi2, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using the PCR technique we were able to detect the HSV genome in gestational tissues of spontaneous abortions, even in cases without any clinical symptoms or seropositivity for a primary infection. Serological assays were not very useful for the elucidation of the role of HSV in inducing spontaneous abortions, although they indicate that the state of pregnancy predisposes to HSV reactivation. However, the detection of HSV in 3 out of a total number of 102 cases does not support HSV infection as a major abortion-related factor.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1998

Cytokine levels in seminal plasma.

We have studied IL-2, SIL-2R, and sCD4 concentrations in the seminal plasma of 20 healthy men (controls), 20 oligozoospermics and 20 azoospermics by the "sandwich" enzyme immunoassay technique. We have also measured IL-2, SIL-2R and sCD4 in the two fractions of the split ejaculate of 10 healthy men. Our results show that the mean IL-2 and sCD4 concentrations in the seminal plasma were significantly higher compared to the levels in the serum of normal men; furthermore, there were no significant differences of SIL-2R and sCD4 between the group of normal men and the groups of men with oligozoospermia or azoospermia. On the contrary, significantly higher levels of IL-2 and sCD4 were found in the first compared to the second fraction of the split ejaculates. Our results support the view that the estimation of IL-2 in seminal plasma has value concerning the quality of semen. On the contrary, the estimation of SIL-2R and sCD4 in seminal plasma are valueless concerning normal or abnormal semen. Finally, the prostate seems to be the main site or origin of IL-2 and sCD4.

CD4 Antigens↗

PubMed1997

Comparative study of plasma carnitine: determination in the neonate and in normal delivery.

Free total plasma carnitine and acylcarnitine were determined in 20 mothers with normal deliveries and their neonates. Women of reproductive age and children constituted the comparative control groups. The mothers had lower total and free carnitine concentrations as compared to the neonates and the differences were statistically significant. The acylcarnitine values in the mothers were higher but the differences were not statistically significant. The women had higher total and free carnitine concentrations as compared to the children, while the values of acylcarnitine were higher in the children and the differences were statistically significant. The women had higher total free carnitine concentration as compared to the mothers and the differences were statistically very significant. In contrast the concentration of acylcarnitine was higher in the mothers than in the women and the difference was statistically significant. The children had higher total and free carnitine concentrations as compared to the neonates. On the other hand the concentration of acylcarnitine was higher in the neonates than in the children. The difference was statistically significant. It appears that transfer of maternal carnitine to the fetus constitutes the main factor of determining carnitine concentration in the neonate.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Human papillomavirus (HPV) typing in relation to ras oncogene mRNA expression in HPV-associated human squamous cervical neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the principal etiologic agent for cervical cancer and its precursors. Different HPV types have been associated with different oncogenic potential. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between specific HPV type infection and expression pattern of the ras family oncogenes in different grades of HPV-associated human cervical neoplasia. METHODS: HPV typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 31 HPV-positive human cervical specimens from patients with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) or squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC). The mRNA expression levels of H-, K- and N-ras oncogenes were examined using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Among patients with SCC, H-, K- and N-ras expression levels were higher in HPV 16/18-associated cases compared to HPV 16/18-unassociated samples (p=0.003, p=0.004 and p=0.0001, respectively). The expression levels for H-, K- and N-ras were significantly higher in SCC patients with multiple HPV infection compared with SCC patients with single HPV infection (p=0.009, p=0.01 and p=0.021, respectively). Among patients with SIL, no statistically significant relationship was found between ras expression and HPV status. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the possible role of ras signaling interaction with "high-risk" HPV 16/18 and multiple HPV infection in cervical cancer development.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

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

Transcriptional inactivation of p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and Mdm2 correlates with malignant transformation of the uterine cervix.

Deregulation of the apoptotic machinery plays a major role in cell death, cellular transformation and cancer. p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bax and Mdm2 mRNA expression patterns were evaluated in tissue samples with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer compared to those of normal cervical tissues, and correlated with the underlying cervical lesions. Transcript levels of the above genes were assessed by RT-PCR analysis in a total of 44 cervical specimens. p53, Bcl-2, Bax and Mdm2 transcript levels were significantly different in the normal, CIN and cancer specimen groups (p=0.003, p=0.009, p=0.040 and p=0.001, respectively). Specifically, p53, Bax and Bcl-2 exhibited substantially lower transcript levels in CIN lesions compared to controls, whereas Bax mRNA levels showed a significant decrease in cancer compared to normal specimens. Mdm2 mRNA expression was considerably lower in cancer than in CIN lesions or normal cervix. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions exhibited lower p53 and Bcl-2 mRNA levels than controls (p=0.002, p=0.016). Coexpression analysis revealed more correlations between the above apoptosis-related molecules in normal tissues compared to CIN or cancer specimens. p53 showed significant coexpression with Bax, Bcl-2 and Mdm2 (p=0.040, p=0.013 and p=0.015, respectively) in normal cervical specimens. Bax and Bcl-XL mRNA expression was negatively correlated. Mdm2 transcriptional levels correlated significantly with those of Bax, Bcl-XL and Bcl-2. Our findings show that p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and Mdm2 mRNA expression levels correlate with the malignant transformation of the uterine cervix. mRNA coexpression patterns of the members of the pro- and anti-apoptotic family examined in cervical carcinogenesis were found to be disrupted in CIN and cancer, as already demonstrated at the protein level.

Adult↗