Extending the concept of moral distress to parents of infants hospitalized in the NICU: a qualitative study in Greece.

Background: The hospitalization of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is an ethically challenging situation. A limited number of studies have extended the concept of moral distress to parents of infants hospitalized in the NICU. This topic requires further investigation.

Next-Generation Sequencing of microRNAs in Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: MiR-24 as a Biomarker.

Background: Small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are asymptomatic but can potentially lead to rupture if left undetected. To date, there is a lack of simple nonradiologic routine tests available for diagnosing AAAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proven to be good-quality biomarkers in several diseases, including AAA.

Pedunculated Focal Nodular Hyperplasia: When in Doubt, Should We Cut It Out?

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign hepatic tumor and can rarely present as an exophytic solitary mass attached to the liver by a stalk. Most FNH cases are usually detected as incidental findings during surgery, imaging or physical examination and have a high female predominance. However, the pedunculated forms of FNH are particularly rare and commonly associated with severe complications and diagnostic challenges.

Predictive Factors for Anastomotic Leakage Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains one of the most severe complications following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Indeed, leaks that may occur after any type of intestinal anastomosis are commonly associated with a higher reoperation rate and an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. At first, our review aims to identify specific preoperative, intraoperative and perioperative factors that eventually lead to the development of anastomotic dehiscence based on the current literature.

Circulating miRNAs as Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Surveillance, and Postoperative Follow-Up of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Background: To provide a summary of the current state of research in English medical literature on circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Additionally, for the most commonly mentioned circulating miRNAs in the literature, to attempt a documentation of the biological mechanisms underlying their role in AAA development.

Methods: A literature search was undertaken in the MEDLINE database.

A qualitative study of nursing practitioners' experiences with COVID-19 patients dying alone in Greece.

Background: In Greece, there is still limited research on death in isolation due to COVID-19. This deserves attention because of the recent financial crisis, which profoundly impacted public health, and the high relevance of the Hippocratic tradition to the moral values of clinical practice.

Methods: A prospective qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 15 frontline nursing practitioners working in a COVID-19 ward or intensive care unit (ICU) was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021.

Are patients willing to be informed on the risks and complications associated with the proposed therapy? A survey on informed consent.

Introduction: Informed consent is essential to the patient-physician relationship. The paternalistic old-time approach used by physicians to achieve the optimal management is changing today; detailed medical information must be disclosed to the patients regarding their health problem.

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight the value of informed consent in the context of medical practice as well as to emphasize its importance through the prism of human rights.

A Comprehensive Review of the Cardiovascular Protective Properties of Silibinin/Silymarin: A New Kid on the Block.

Silibinin/silymarin has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years and it is well-known for its hepato-protective properties. The present comprehensive literature review aimed to critically summarize the pharmacological properties of silymarin extract and its main ingredient silibinin in relation to classical cardiovascular risk factors (e.g.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1, as biomarkers for the nephro- and pneumoprotective effect of silibinin after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion: Confirmation by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR.

The present study investigated the potential nephro- and pneumoprotective effect of silibinin (Si) after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, by measuring pro-inflammatory factors. Sixty-three rats were randomly assigned into three groups, as follows: (a) the sham group (n = 7 rats), subjected to opening and closing the abdomen; (b) the control group (n = 28 rats), subjected to 45-min hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion; and (c) the silibinin group (n = 28), subjected to 45-min hepatic ischemia followed by intravenous administration of lyophilised SLB-HP-β-CD before reperfusion. Control and silibinin groups were further subdivided into time-point groups, according to the duration of reperfusion.

The medical futility experience of nursing professionals in Greece.

Background: Providing futile medical care is an ever-timely ethical problem in clinical practice. While nursing personnel are very closely involved in providing direct care to patients nearing the end of life, their role in end-of-life decision-making remains unclear.

Methods: This was a prospective qualitative study conducted with experienced nursing professionals from December 2020 through May 2021.

Artificial Intelligence in Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment. A New Era.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms has permeated the medical field with great success. The widespread use of AI technology in diagnosing and treating several types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer (CRC), is now attracting substantial attention. CRC, which represents the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy in both men and women, is considered a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.

The hepatoprotective effect of silibinin after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in a rat model is confirmed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR.

Objectives: We investigated the positive effect of silibinin after IV administration as silibinin-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin lyophilized product, by measuring gene expression and liver tissue protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, matrix metalloproteinases matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-2.

Methods: 63 Wistar rats of age 13.24±4.

Use of natural anti-oxidants in experimental animal models of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a clinical challenge in liver surgery, trauma and transplantation, contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thus, its impact, not only on the liver itself but also on remote tissues, has been studied during the last years. Different natural anti-oxidant substances have been researched in animal models, implementing different times of ischemia, aiming to test new therapeutic interventions.

Silibinin-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (SLB-HP-β-CD) complex prevents apoptosis in liver and kidney after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: We investigated the protective effect of silibinin on rat liver and kidney after hepatic inschemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods And Materials: Sixty three male Wistar-type rats (median age 13 weeks; average weight 314 g) were subjected to I/R injury of the liver. They were randomly divided into three groups: Sham (n = 7), Control (C, n = 28) and Silibinin (Si, n = 28).

Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma B expression after hepatic ischemia reperfusion and the effect of silibinin.

Background: Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma B (GPNMB) is a transmembrane glycoprotein with various roles in inflammation regulation, tissue remodeling and oncogenesis. Clinical situations implicating alterations in its expression include ischemic injury, cirrhosis and fatty liver disease amongst other. We examine its expression in hepatic and renal tissue following hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in a rat model, with and without intravenous silibinin administration, as a silibinin-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin lyophilized complex (SLB-HP-β-CD).

Collision Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background/aim: Collision tumors are rare neoplasms which consist of two or more distinct neoplasms that develop adjacent to one another and coexist with no or minimal intermingling between them. Their diagnosis is often incidental and their behavior remains widely unknown. Several theories have been proposed regarding their pathogenesis.

E and P Selectins as Potential Markers in the Assessment of the Severity of Acute Pancreatitis.

Objectives: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is commonly associated with the release of adhesion molecules such as E and P selectins. We designed the present study to evaluate the role of selectins as potential markers that could reflect the severity of the disease.

Methods: One hundred fifty patients with AP constituted the patient group, whereas 70 healthy volunteers established the control group.

Silibinin Effect on Fas/FasL, HMGB1, and CD45 Expressions in a Rat Model Subjected to Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Purpose: We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Silibinin (SLB) to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) rat model, by evaluating the histological expression of the tissue markers Fas/FasL, HMGB-1 and CD45, and SLB pharmacokinetics.

Methods: Seventy-three Wistar-type male rats were randomized in 11 groups: Sham control group (open-close laparotomy); four I/R control groups (laparotomy, 45 min vascular occlusion, reperfusion, euthanasia after 60, 120, 180, and 240 min); four SLB (Si) groups (laparotomy, 45 min vascular occlusion, IV administration of SLB, reperfusion, euthanasia after 60, 120, 180, and 240 min); two SLB pharmacokinetics (PK) groups (IV administration of SLB, euthanasia after 45 and 240 min).

Results: Fas/FasL increased with reperfusion time in I/R control groups and decreased in the Si groups, reaching, respectively, the highest and lowest values at 240 min of reperfusion (p <.

Autotaxin Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Despite the important progress observed in liver surgery, the survival rates are discouraging. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of autotaxin in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Silibinin Improves TNF-α and M30 Expression and Histological Parameters in Rat Kidneys After Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion.

Background: Remote kidney damage is a sequel of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Silibinin is the main ingredient of the milk thistle plant seed extract with known antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity. Our study investigates the nephroprotective potential of intravenously administered silibinin, as a lyophilized SLB-hydoxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin product, in hepatic I/R injury.

Intraperitoneal administration of apigenin in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury protective effects.

Background/aims: Hepatic injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a clinical problem associated with major liver surgery. Among other flavonoids, apigenin has shown a promising effect on I/R cases. In this study, we have investigated the effects of apigenin after liver I/R injury in rats.

Histological Comparison of the Human Trunk Skin Creases: The Role of the Elastic Fiber Component.

Objective: Skin creases are features of major anatomical, morphological, surgical, and functional interest. This study focuses on the histological comparison of creases of the trunk and participation of the elastic fibers in their formation. The histological structure is a key consideration for the reconstructive planning of the relevant area and its knowledge may contribute in such direction.

Endoscopically Assisted Transumbilical Single-Incision Laparoscopic Gastric Resection for GIST Treatment.

Purpose: Complete surgical resection with negative margins without lymphadenectomy is the treatment of choice for nonmetastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs). Laparoscopic resection of gastric GISTs <5 cm is an acceptable and oncologically feasible, safe, and effective treatment. We present our experience of an endoscopically assisted minimally invasive transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic (SILS) technique for gastric GISTs resection.

Apigenin Attenuates Inflammation in Experimentally Induced Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Lung Injury.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is associated with acute lung injury. The aim of the present study is to evaluate alterations of lungs in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis (AP) following both bilio-pancreatic duct obstruction close to the duodenum. Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with significant mortality.