Identifying patient-related barriers in hypertension control: a multi-centered, mixed-method study in Greek rural practices.

Introduction: Treated but uncontrolled hypertension is a worldwide challenge. Exploring patient perspectives in different cultures and contexts could contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of poor blood pressure (BP) control. This study aimed to investigate patients' knowledge and attitudes towards BP management in order to identify possible barriers to achieving effective control.

Should lymphadenectomy be performed in early stage I and II sarcomas of the corpus uteri.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of radical lymphadenectomy as a prognostic factor in the management of uterine sarcomas.

Methods: Sixty patients with histologically-proven uterine sarcomas were recruited for this study. The patients were evaluated retrospectively, during the time period from September 1990 to June 2008, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Aschaffenburg Clinic in Germany.

The contribution of hysteroscopy to the detection malignancy in symptomatic postmenopausal women.

Hysteroscopic evaluation of endometrial cavity is widely used in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding. The aim of the present study is to compare the hysteroscopic and histological findings in women suffering from postmenopausal bleeding. Between 1990 and 2009, 425 women aged 47-83 years were included in the study.

The contribution of laparoscopy to the diagnosis of adnexal masses in young and premenopausal women.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the contribution of laparoscopy to the diagnosis of adnexal masses in young and premenopausal women, in whom surgery was deemed necessary, between the years 2002-2008. A total of 130 young and premenopausal women scheduled for surgery for an adnexal mass with a diameter of 5-10 cm underwent transvaginal ultrasound (US) examination prior to surgery. Laparoscopic management was successfully completed for 118 of the 130 patients in this study; however, 12 required conversion of laparoscopy to laparotomy due to endometriosis with extensive bowel adhesions, or suspected ovarian malignancy and peritoneal implants.

Acute abdomen as initial presentation of gestational choriocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinoma is the most malignant tumor of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Choriocarcinoma presenting as postpartum hemorrhage and spontaneous uterine perforation with intra-abdominal hemorrhage is very rare. We present a 29-year-old woman with spontaneous uterine rupture due to choriocarcinoma following a live birth pregnancy.

Inhibition of renin-angiotensin system and advanced glycation end products formation: a promising therapeutic approach targeting on cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure, through the actions of angiotensin (Ang) II. Excessive RAAS activity may lead to hypertension and associated target organ damage.