Macronutrient content and food exchanges for 48 Greek Mediterranean dishes.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to facilitate the translation of traditional Greek Mediterranean recipes into food exchanges for diabetes. Moreover, it provides a useful food list for meal planning, which can be used by health professionals and nutritionists, as well as researchers and the public.

Methods: A total of 48 traditional Greek Mediterranean dishes were selected in order to include appetisers, sauces, salads, pies, dishes with vegetables and legumes as well as egg, pasta, rice, meat, fish and poultry-based dishes.

Thrombotic risk factors and liver histologic lesions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aims: The pathogenetic mechanisms of development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis are not clear, although thrombosis of small intrahepatic veins has been suggested to trigger liver tissue remodelling and thrombotic risk factors have been associated with more advanced fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis (CVH). We evaluated the prevalence of thrombotic risk factors (RFs) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their possible association with fatty liver or NASH.

Methods: We included 60 patients with histologically documented NAFLD and a historical cohort of 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B (n=39) or C (n=51).

Molecular characterization of occult hepatitis B cases in Greek blood donors.

The use of sensitive nucleic acid testing for hepatitis B virus in blood donors revealed a number of HBV DNA(+) cases among HBsAg(-) donors, a status known as occult HBV infection. The purpose of this study was the serological and molecular characterization of occult HBV infection in Greek blood donors. A prospective study was undertaken in order to identify occult HBV infection cases in blood donors.

High prevalence of elevated liver enzymes in blood donors: associations with male gender and central adiposity.

Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly recognized condition, but its exact prevalence is unknown. In this prospective, multicenter study, we evaluated the prevalence of elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase levels as indirect markers of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in volunteer blood donors as well as their associations with epidemiological and anthropometrical characteristics.

Methods: Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase levels were determined in blood donors from four transfusion centers during the morning sessions of a 3-month period.

Thrombotic risk factors and extent of liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis.

Background And Aims: Thrombosis of the small intrahepatic veins has been suggested to trigger liver tissue remodelling. We evaluated the prevalence of multiple thrombotic risk factors and their association with the extent of fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods: Ninety consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B or C without malignancy, a history of venous thrombosis, or antiviral/immunosuppressive therapy within the last six months were included.