Early 3‑day course of remdesivir for the prevention of the progression to severe COVID‑19 in the elderly: A single‑centre, real‑life cohort study.

Remdesivir, a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor, has constituted a key component of therapeutic regimens against the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Originally approved for administration in hospitalized patients, remdesivir leads to improved outcomes in patients with moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After proving to be effective in hospitalized patients, its use gained approval in early-stage disease for symptomatic outpatients who are at a high risk of progression to severe disease.

Factors predicting poor outcomes of patients treated with tocilizumab for COVID‑19‑associated pneumonia: A retrospective study.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a significant global issue that has major implications for the healthcare system. The mortality rates associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection vary according to the geographical region and are associated with age, comorbidities and vaccination status. Organ damage is caused by the cytokine release syndrome, which plays a crucial role in the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Biomarkers predicting the 30‑day mortality of patients who underwent elective surgery and were infected with SARS‑CoV‑2 during the post‑operative period: A retrospective study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a significant global concern that has had major implications for the healthcare system. Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) undergoing elective or emergency surgical procedures have a substantial risk of mortality and peri-operative complications. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients who underwent elective surgery and developed nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection post-surgery.

COVID-19 and Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review of Case Reports and Case Series.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents mainly with mild symptoms and involvement of the respiratory system. Acute pancreatitis has also been reported during the course of COVID-19.

Objective: Our aim is to review and analyze all reported cases of COVID-19 associated acute pancreatitis, reporting the demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings, comorbidities and outcomes.

Immature granulocytes: Innovative biomarker for SARS‑CoV‑2 infection.

Immature granulocytes (IGs) include metamyelocytes, myelocytes and promyelocytes, and are the precursors of neutrophils. Increased IG counts found in peripheral blood indicate an enhanced bone marrow activity. In addition, IGs have been evaluated in numerous clinical conditions, such as severe acute pancreatitis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and infectious complications following open‑heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function of Workers in the Waste Management Industry.

Introduction: Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory health of exposed workers in a waste management plant in Attica, Greece.

Methods: 50 field workers exposed to outdoor pollutants (exposure group) and 32 office clerks with no exposure (control group) were evaluated.

The Impact of Peripheral Eosinophil Counts and Eosinophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (ELR) in the Clinical Course of COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Background/aim: Eosinophils are blood cells responsible for response against parasites and allergens. Eosinophil to lymphocyte ratio (ELR) is a biomarker for inflammatory conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the role of eosinophils and ELR in COVID-19 patients.

Flow cytometry analysis of CD4+IFN-γ+ T-cells for the diagnosis of mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Background: CD4+ cells expressing Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), following stimulation with specific mycobacterial antigens, identified with flow cytometry (FCM-CD4+IFN-γ+), is a new method for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of FCM-CD4+IFN-γ+ in comparison with tuberculin skin test (TST) and Quantiferon TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-G-IT) in the diagnosis of latent MTB infection (LTBI), in close contacts and in patients with rheumatic diseases under treatment with anti-TNFa and other biologic agents.

Methods: TST, QFT-G-IT, and FCM-CD4+IFN-γ+ were performed in 56 immunocompetent close contacts and in 65 medically immunosuppressed patients under biologic treatment.

Intracellular ESAT-6: A new biomarker for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Background: Early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) is a virulent factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The identification of intracellular (i/c) ESAT-6 in host cells would be a direct marker of MTB infection. We developed a method to detect i/cESAT-6 by flow cytometry.

Role of quantitative CT in predicting postoperative FEV1 and chronic dyspnea in patients undergoing lung resection.

Lung resection is the mainstay of treatment in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, lung cancer patients often suffer from comorbidities and the respiratory reserve should be carefully evaluated preoperatively in order to avoid postoperative complications. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is considered to be an index that depicts the patient's respiratory efficacy and its prediction has a key role in the preoperative evaluation of lung cancer patients with impaired lung function.