Investigating a middle‑step COVID‑19 unit in Greece.

During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was an unprecedented requirement for hospital bed availability. The present study aimed to examine the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized in a COVID-19 unit that operated as a novel middle-step unit in Greece. The present study aimed to determine whether the middle-step unit supported the central general hospitals; thus, highlighting the potential of these models in future pandemics.

Cytomegalovirus-Specific Hyperimmune Immunoglobulin Administration for Secondary Prevention after First-Trimester Maternal Primary Infection: A 13-Year Single-Center Cohort Study.

Primary cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy has a high risk of vertical transmission, with severe fetal sequelae mainly associated with first-trimester infections. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 200 IU/kg cytomegalovirus-specific hyperimmune globulin (HIG), used in first-trimester maternal primary infections for congenital infection prevention. The primary outcome was vertical transmission, defined as neonatal viruria or positive amniocentesis if pregnancy was discontinued.

Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections after Booster SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in a Greek Cohort of People Living with HIV during the Delta and Omicron Waves.

Introduction: Currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been proven effective in protecting against severe COVID-19; however, they show variable efficacy against symptomatic infection and disease transmission. We studied the breakthrough COVID-19 infection (BTI) after booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV (PWH).

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, descriptive cohort study involving PWH, who were followed in the HIV Clinic of "Attikon" University Hospital in Athens, Greece.

Multimodal Approach to Neurocognitive Function in People Living with HIV in the cART Era: A Comprehensive Review.

Combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) has revolutionized the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and has markedly improved the disease burden and life expectancy of people living with HIV. HIV enters the central nervous system (CNS) early in the course of infection, establishes latency, and produces a pro-inflammatory milieu that may affect cognitive functions, even in the cART era. Whereas severe forms of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) such as HIV-associated dementia have declined over the last decades, milder forms have become more prevalent, are commonly multifactorial, and are associated with comorbidity burdens, mental health, cART neurotoxicity, and ageing.

The safety and potential efficacy of exosomes overexpressing CD24 (EXO-CD24) in mild-moderate COVID-19 related ARDS.

Introduction: EXO-CD24 are exosomes genetically manipulated to over-express Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 24. It consists of two breakthrough technologies: CD24, the drug, as a novel immunomodulator that is smarter than steroids without any side effects, and exosomes as the ideal natural drug carrier.

Methods: A randomized, single blind, dose-finding phase IIb trial in hospitalized patients with mild to moderate Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) was carried out in two medical centers in Athens.