Vagelis Digkas | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (original) (raw)

Papers by Vagelis Digkas

Research paper thumbnail of Increased Chromosome Fragility in Gastric Cancer Patients

Cancer and Clinical …, Jan 1, 2012

Gastric cancer is one of the most common lethal malignancy in global and survival mainly depends ... more Gastric cancer is one of the most common lethal malignancy in global and survival mainly depends on prognosis. Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) assay is a very sensitive method of detecting chromosome fragility. The aim of our study was to determine the chromosomal fragility of gastric cancer patients in vitro. Samples from 32 gastric cancer patients and 12 healthy donors were controlled. Cancer patients lymphocytes' genome is highly fragile as treatment of the cell cultures with MMC caused a statistically significant increase of the mean SCEs frequency (p<0.01). Also, so simultaneous as MMC-induced SCEs frequency of gastric cancer patients was statistically significant (p<0.01) higher compared to the healthy donors. PRI and MI of treated with MMC and untreated lymphocytes of gastric cancer patients were significantly (p<0.01) lower than that of healthy donors. These results suggest that peripheral lymphocyte chromosomes of cancer patients are highly fragile and alkyliotic agents increase their fragility.

Research paper thumbnail of Gossypiboma presenting as mesosigmoid abscess: an experimental study

Techniques in …, Jan 1, 2011

Introduction The term ''gossypiboma'' is used to describe any mass of non-absorbable surgical mat... more Introduction The term ''gossypiboma'' is used to describe any mass of non-absorbable surgical material. It is estimated that this complication appears every 1.000-10.000 procedures. It may lead to peritonitis, acute abdominal pain, intraperitoneal abscess, bowel obstruction, or perforation. Report of a case We present the case of an 80-year-old female patient admitted for chronic abdominal pain and fever. A CT scan and MRI were performed with a probable diagnosis of carcinoma or pelvic abscess. A surgical history of hysterectomy and repair of abdominal wall hernia with a mesh were mentioned. Results Exploratory laparotomy revealed the presence of an irregular, soft mass with characteristics of an abscess located into the mesosigmoid. Hartman's sigmoidectomy was performed, and the patient's postoperative course was uneventful. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of gossypiboma. Conclusions Retained foreign intraperitoneal materials often represent diagnostic dilemmas, since symptomatology is no specific and the time elapsed from surgery is long. The policy of prevention's importance is highly appreciated.

Research paper thumbnail of Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Greece: an update: Blood group distribution in medical school students

International Journal of Immunogenetics, Jan 1, 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying t... more The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying the ABO and Rh blood groups in the Greek population. In this study the 3.5% were first generation immigrants with both their parents immigrants from countries of the USSR, while 1.2% had only one immigrant parent, while the other one was Greek. We compared the frequency of distribution of blood groups ABO and Rh to previous studies conducted at a time before Greece became destination for refugees and immigrants from East and Northeast countries. Blood samples were collected from first year medical students. The frequency of distribution of the ABO and Rh blood groups was slightly differentiated in comparison to previous relevant studies. Significant increase was recorded with respect to the emergence of blood group B in the population investigated, and a considerable reduction was noted in blood group O. In reference to the remaining blood groups, no statistically significant difference was documented. The genetic pool and the genetic inventory of the population residing in Greece have been modified during the last years potentially due to the first generation immigrants. The results of this study could contribute significantly to the National Health System in aiding the prediction of percussions of certain diseases related to blood groups, as well as the requirement for certain blood groups within the blood donation program.

Research paper thumbnail of Inflammation of solitary caecal diverticula: a rare aetiology of acute abdominal pain: an experimental study

Techniques in …, Jan 1, 2011

Caecal diverticula are rare, representing the 3.6% of colonic diverticula. They may have congenit... more Caecal diverticula are rare, representing the 3.6% of colonic diverticula. They may have congenital origin and remain asymptomatic, presenting as an accidental finding. We present a case of a 42-year-old Caucasian woman, admitted with a 12-h history of sudden onset of sharp right iliac fossa pain, anorexia, and nausea. There was leukocytosis (23.49 9 10 3 /ll) and increased C-reactive protein (11.76 mg/dl). CT scan showed an inflamed appendix. At laparotomy, a diffuse caecal phlegmon with an inflammatory solitary caecal diverticula was found. A limited right hemicolectomy was performed. Histological examination confirmed the caecal diverticulitis without malignancy. Post-operative period was uneventful. Three months later, endoscopy showed no diverticula or other pathologies. Solitary caecal diverticulum is very rare, but surgeons must bear this in mind in case of pain in right iliac fossa.

Research paper thumbnail of Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Greece: an update

International …, Jan 1, 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying t... more The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying the ABO and Rh blood groups in the Greek population. In this study the 3.5% were first generation immigrants with both their parents immigrants from countries of the USSR, while 1.2% had only one immigrant parent, while the other one was Greek. We compared the frequency of distribution of blood groups ABO and Rh to previous studies conducted at a time before Greece became destination for refugees and immigrants from East and Northeast countries. Blood samples were collected from first year medical students. The frequency of distribution of the ABO and Rh blood groups was slightly differentiated in comparison to previous relevant studies. Significant increase was recorded with respect to the emergence of blood group B in the population investigated, and a considerable reduction was noted in blood group O. In reference to the remaining blood groups, no statistically significant difference was documented. The genetic pool and the genetic inventory of the population residing in Greece have been modified during the last years potentially due to the first generation immigrants. The results of this study could contribute significantly to the National Health System in aiding the prediction of percussions of certain diseases related to blood groups, as well as the requirement for certain blood groups within the blood donation program.

Research paper thumbnail of Cytogenetic damage after ischemia and reperfusion

Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, Jan 1, 2010

Tourniquets are often used to provide a bloodless operating field. However, they carry the risk o... more Tourniquets are often used to provide a bloodless operating field. However, they carry the risk of adverse effects caused by DNA damage from the free radicals generated during postischemic reperfusion of the blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetic damage caused by postischemic reperfusion on peripheral lymphocytes of five women and six men undergoing total knee arthroplasty &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;bloodless&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; operation using samples received before, during, immediately, and 1 h after the operations. The sister chromatid exchange assay was applied to peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures and the levels of sister chromatid exchanges were analyzed as a quantitative index of genotoxicity, along with the values of mitotic index and proliferation rate index as qualitative indices of cytotoxicity and cytostaticity, respectively. We observed that postischemic reperfusion induced cytogenetic damages specifically through reperfusion. DNA effects were most pronounced after tourniquet release and declined afterward without returning to preischemic baseline values. Our findings suggest the presence of a functional association between postischemic reperfusion and cytogenetic damage that may have important clinical implications.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro and in vivo cytogenetic effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges alone or in combination with Mitomycin C

…, Jan 1, 2010

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein which has a main property, erythropoiesis, but its range o... more Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein which has a main property, erythropoiesis, but its range of action in the human body is very wide. It has been suggested that EPO acts cytoprotectively for many cell lines against many toxic causes in vitro and in vivo. Our aim was to study the action of EPO on DNA of two cell types, human lymphocytes in vitro and on P388 ascites tumor cells inoculated in BDF1 mice in the presence and absence of the genotoxic agent mitomycin C (MMC). The sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay was used as it is a very sensitive, simple and rapid method for detecting DNA damage. Proliferation rate indices (PRI) and mitotic indices (MI) were also counted. EPO did not alter the SCE level when it acted alone on both cell lines. MMC as a potent genotoxic agent increased SCE levels in vitro and in vivo. EPO used in combination with MMC significantly decreased SCE levels and increased PRI and MI values induced by MMC alone both in vitro and in vivo. EPO acts protectively against the genotoxic potential of MMC, and this action may have clinical implications.

Research paper thumbnail of Chromosome Instability in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Genetic testing and …, Jan 1, 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), the ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), the presence of cytostaticity, cytotoxicity, and therefore, the possible genetic instability in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in human cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured from 32 patients with CRF (average 55.2 years) and 18 healthy blood donors (average 44.6 years), and the SCE method was applied afterward. The increase in SCE frequency was evaluated as an immediate DNA damage index, while the reduction in the values of the proliferating rate indices was evaluated as a cytostatic index and the mitotic indices as a cytotoxic index was also measured. A significant increase in the SCE frequencies along with a significant reduction in mitotic indices was observed in patients with CRF compared with the controls. It is notable that there was no significant difference in SCE levels among patients with CRF and cancer, and patients with CRF alone. This study illustrates increased genetic instability in patients with CRF. These results could also be of a great importance in early diagnosis to prognosticate a possible generation of neoplasm in the future.

Research paper thumbnail of Attenuation of cytogenetic effects by erythropoietin in human lymphocytes in vitro and P388 ascites tumor cells in vivo treated with irinotecan (CPT11)

Food and Chemical …, Jan 1, 2010

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a protein widely used against drug induced anemia at cancer patients. Iri... more Erythropoietin (EPO) is a protein widely used against drug induced anemia at cancer patients. Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a genotoxic topoisomerase I inhibitor. We investigated the genotoxic, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of EPO in the presence and in the absence of CPT-11 in human lymphocytes in vitro and in ascites cells of P388 leukemia in vivo. The levels of genotoxicity, cytostaticity and cytotoxicity were evaluated in human lymphocytes in vitro, and in P388 ascites tumor cells in vivo. The results show that EPO is not genotoxic. Unlikely to EPO, CPT-11 caused severe genotoxic, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects by significantly increasing SCE levels and decreasing PRI and MI values in peripheral lymphocytes in vitro and in P388 ascites tumor cells in vivo. Adding EPO in human lymphocyte cultures in vitro and in P388 leukemia bearing mice in vivo in the presence of CPT-11 decreased SCEs levels and increased PRIs and MIs were observed compared with cells treated either in vitro or in vivo with CPT-11 alone, which shows that EPO protected cells from the toxic action of CPT-11. EPO’s protective action on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro and P388 cells in vivo from the topoisomerase I inhibitor CPT-11, lead us to propose it as a geno- and cytoprotective agent.

Research paper thumbnail of Increased Chromosome Fragility in Gastric Cancer Patients

Cancer and Clinical …, Jan 1, 2012

Gastric cancer is one of the most common lethal malignancy in global and survival mainly depends ... more Gastric cancer is one of the most common lethal malignancy in global and survival mainly depends on prognosis. Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) assay is a very sensitive method of detecting chromosome fragility. The aim of our study was to determine the chromosomal fragility of gastric cancer patients in vitro. Samples from 32 gastric cancer patients and 12 healthy donors were controlled. Cancer patients lymphocytes' genome is highly fragile as treatment of the cell cultures with MMC caused a statistically significant increase of the mean SCEs frequency (p<0.01). Also, so simultaneous as MMC-induced SCEs frequency of gastric cancer patients was statistically significant (p<0.01) higher compared to the healthy donors. PRI and MI of treated with MMC and untreated lymphocytes of gastric cancer patients were significantly (p<0.01) lower than that of healthy donors. These results suggest that peripheral lymphocyte chromosomes of cancer patients are highly fragile and alkyliotic agents increase their fragility.

Research paper thumbnail of Gossypiboma presenting as mesosigmoid abscess: an experimental study

Techniques in …, Jan 1, 2011

Introduction The term ''gossypiboma'' is used to describe any mass of non-absorbable surgical mat... more Introduction The term ''gossypiboma'' is used to describe any mass of non-absorbable surgical material. It is estimated that this complication appears every 1.000-10.000 procedures. It may lead to peritonitis, acute abdominal pain, intraperitoneal abscess, bowel obstruction, or perforation. Report of a case We present the case of an 80-year-old female patient admitted for chronic abdominal pain and fever. A CT scan and MRI were performed with a probable diagnosis of carcinoma or pelvic abscess. A surgical history of hysterectomy and repair of abdominal wall hernia with a mesh were mentioned. Results Exploratory laparotomy revealed the presence of an irregular, soft mass with characteristics of an abscess located into the mesosigmoid. Hartman's sigmoidectomy was performed, and the patient's postoperative course was uneventful. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of gossypiboma. Conclusions Retained foreign intraperitoneal materials often represent diagnostic dilemmas, since symptomatology is no specific and the time elapsed from surgery is long. The policy of prevention's importance is highly appreciated.

Research paper thumbnail of Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Greece: an update: Blood group distribution in medical school students

International Journal of Immunogenetics, Jan 1, 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying t... more The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying the ABO and Rh blood groups in the Greek population. In this study the 3.5% were first generation immigrants with both their parents immigrants from countries of the USSR, while 1.2% had only one immigrant parent, while the other one was Greek. We compared the frequency of distribution of blood groups ABO and Rh to previous studies conducted at a time before Greece became destination for refugees and immigrants from East and Northeast countries. Blood samples were collected from first year medical students. The frequency of distribution of the ABO and Rh blood groups was slightly differentiated in comparison to previous relevant studies. Significant increase was recorded with respect to the emergence of blood group B in the population investigated, and a considerable reduction was noted in blood group O. In reference to the remaining blood groups, no statistically significant difference was documented. The genetic pool and the genetic inventory of the population residing in Greece have been modified during the last years potentially due to the first generation immigrants. The results of this study could contribute significantly to the National Health System in aiding the prediction of percussions of certain diseases related to blood groups, as well as the requirement for certain blood groups within the blood donation program.

Research paper thumbnail of Inflammation of solitary caecal diverticula: a rare aetiology of acute abdominal pain: an experimental study

Techniques in …, Jan 1, 2011

Caecal diverticula are rare, representing the 3.6% of colonic diverticula. They may have congenit... more Caecal diverticula are rare, representing the 3.6% of colonic diverticula. They may have congenital origin and remain asymptomatic, presenting as an accidental finding. We present a case of a 42-year-old Caucasian woman, admitted with a 12-h history of sudden onset of sharp right iliac fossa pain, anorexia, and nausea. There was leukocytosis (23.49 9 10 3 /ll) and increased C-reactive protein (11.76 mg/dl). CT scan showed an inflamed appendix. At laparotomy, a diffuse caecal phlegmon with an inflammatory solitary caecal diverticula was found. A limited right hemicolectomy was performed. Histological examination confirmed the caecal diverticulitis without malignancy. Post-operative period was uneventful. Three months later, endoscopy showed no diverticula or other pathologies. Solitary caecal diverticulum is very rare, but surgeons must bear this in mind in case of pain in right iliac fossa.

Research paper thumbnail of Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Greece: an update

International …, Jan 1, 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying t... more The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the frequency of the antigens classifying the ABO and Rh blood groups in the Greek population. In this study the 3.5% were first generation immigrants with both their parents immigrants from countries of the USSR, while 1.2% had only one immigrant parent, while the other one was Greek. We compared the frequency of distribution of blood groups ABO and Rh to previous studies conducted at a time before Greece became destination for refugees and immigrants from East and Northeast countries. Blood samples were collected from first year medical students. The frequency of distribution of the ABO and Rh blood groups was slightly differentiated in comparison to previous relevant studies. Significant increase was recorded with respect to the emergence of blood group B in the population investigated, and a considerable reduction was noted in blood group O. In reference to the remaining blood groups, no statistically significant difference was documented. The genetic pool and the genetic inventory of the population residing in Greece have been modified during the last years potentially due to the first generation immigrants. The results of this study could contribute significantly to the National Health System in aiding the prediction of percussions of certain diseases related to blood groups, as well as the requirement for certain blood groups within the blood donation program.

Research paper thumbnail of Cytogenetic damage after ischemia and reperfusion

Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, Jan 1, 2010

Tourniquets are often used to provide a bloodless operating field. However, they carry the risk o... more Tourniquets are often used to provide a bloodless operating field. However, they carry the risk of adverse effects caused by DNA damage from the free radicals generated during postischemic reperfusion of the blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetic damage caused by postischemic reperfusion on peripheral lymphocytes of five women and six men undergoing total knee arthroplasty &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;bloodless&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; operation using samples received before, during, immediately, and 1 h after the operations. The sister chromatid exchange assay was applied to peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures and the levels of sister chromatid exchanges were analyzed as a quantitative index of genotoxicity, along with the values of mitotic index and proliferation rate index as qualitative indices of cytotoxicity and cytostaticity, respectively. We observed that postischemic reperfusion induced cytogenetic damages specifically through reperfusion. DNA effects were most pronounced after tourniquet release and declined afterward without returning to preischemic baseline values. Our findings suggest the presence of a functional association between postischemic reperfusion and cytogenetic damage that may have important clinical implications.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro and in vivo cytogenetic effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges alone or in combination with Mitomycin C

…, Jan 1, 2010

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein which has a main property, erythropoiesis, but its range o... more Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein which has a main property, erythropoiesis, but its range of action in the human body is very wide. It has been suggested that EPO acts cytoprotectively for many cell lines against many toxic causes in vitro and in vivo. Our aim was to study the action of EPO on DNA of two cell types, human lymphocytes in vitro and on P388 ascites tumor cells inoculated in BDF1 mice in the presence and absence of the genotoxic agent mitomycin C (MMC). The sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay was used as it is a very sensitive, simple and rapid method for detecting DNA damage. Proliferation rate indices (PRI) and mitotic indices (MI) were also counted. EPO did not alter the SCE level when it acted alone on both cell lines. MMC as a potent genotoxic agent increased SCE levels in vitro and in vivo. EPO used in combination with MMC significantly decreased SCE levels and increased PRI and MI values induced by MMC alone both in vitro and in vivo. EPO acts protectively against the genotoxic potential of MMC, and this action may have clinical implications.

Research paper thumbnail of Chromosome Instability in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Genetic testing and …, Jan 1, 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), the ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), the presence of cytostaticity, cytotoxicity, and therefore, the possible genetic instability in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in human cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured from 32 patients with CRF (average 55.2 years) and 18 healthy blood donors (average 44.6 years), and the SCE method was applied afterward. The increase in SCE frequency was evaluated as an immediate DNA damage index, while the reduction in the values of the proliferating rate indices was evaluated as a cytostatic index and the mitotic indices as a cytotoxic index was also measured. A significant increase in the SCE frequencies along with a significant reduction in mitotic indices was observed in patients with CRF compared with the controls. It is notable that there was no significant difference in SCE levels among patients with CRF and cancer, and patients with CRF alone. This study illustrates increased genetic instability in patients with CRF. These results could also be of a great importance in early diagnosis to prognosticate a possible generation of neoplasm in the future.

Research paper thumbnail of Attenuation of cytogenetic effects by erythropoietin in human lymphocytes in vitro and P388 ascites tumor cells in vivo treated with irinotecan (CPT11)

Food and Chemical …, Jan 1, 2010

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a protein widely used against drug induced anemia at cancer patients. Iri... more Erythropoietin (EPO) is a protein widely used against drug induced anemia at cancer patients. Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a genotoxic topoisomerase I inhibitor. We investigated the genotoxic, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of EPO in the presence and in the absence of CPT-11 in human lymphocytes in vitro and in ascites cells of P388 leukemia in vivo. The levels of genotoxicity, cytostaticity and cytotoxicity were evaluated in human lymphocytes in vitro, and in P388 ascites tumor cells in vivo. The results show that EPO is not genotoxic. Unlikely to EPO, CPT-11 caused severe genotoxic, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects by significantly increasing SCE levels and decreasing PRI and MI values in peripheral lymphocytes in vitro and in P388 ascites tumor cells in vivo. Adding EPO in human lymphocyte cultures in vitro and in P388 leukemia bearing mice in vivo in the presence of CPT-11 decreased SCEs levels and increased PRIs and MIs were observed compared with cells treated either in vitro or in vivo with CPT-11 alone, which shows that EPO protected cells from the toxic action of CPT-11. EPO’s protective action on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro and P388 cells in vivo from the topoisomerase I inhibitor CPT-11, lead us to propose it as a geno- and cytoprotective agent.