Quercetin's Potential in MASLD: Investigating the Role of Autophagy and Key Molecular Pathways in Liver Steatosis and Inflammation.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a widespread liver disorder characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, commonly associated with metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. With a global prevalence of up to 30%, MASLD is projected to affect over 100 million people in the U.S.

Hemodynamic instability caused by pneumorrachis and pneumomediastinum following epidural analgesia: a case report.

Background: Pneumomediastinum and pneumorrachis are rare complications following epidural analgesia, that can either be asymptomatic or rarely can produce mild to moderate severity symptoms. Most reported cases regarding the presentation of these two entities with epidural analgesia concern asymptomatic patients, however there are cases reporting post-dural puncture headache and respiratory manifestations.

Case Presentation: We present a case where a combined lumbar epidural and spinal anesthesia was performed using the loss of resistance to air technique (LOR), on a 78-year-old Greek (Caucasian) male undergoing a total hip replacement.

Myocardial Expression of Pluripotency, Longevity, and Proinflammatory Genes in the Context of Hypercholesterolemia and Statin Treatment.

This study sought to assess the effect of statin therapy on myocardial inflammation in a White New Zealand rabbit model of atherogenesis. The mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory, pluripotency, and aging-related markers were quantified following a controlled feeding protocol and statin treatments. Following high-cholesterol diet induction, we observed significant upregulation in the myocardial mRNA levels of MYD88, NF-κB, chemokines (CCL4, CCL20, and CCR2), IFN-γ, interleukins (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-18), and novel markers (klotho, KFL4, NANOG, and HIF1α).

Current aspects in the management of esophageal trauma: a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis.

Trauma-related esophageal injuries (TEIs) are a rare but highly lethal condition. The presentation of TEIs is very diverse depending on the location and mechanism of injury (blunt vs. penetrating), as well as the presence or absence of concurrent injuries.

Multivisceral Resection for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Evidence Quality Assessment.

Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) often require multivisceral resection (MVR) of the involved organs to achieve R0 resection and local disease control. The aim of the present study was to systematically review all available literature on the postoperative and long-term outcomes of MVR for gastric cancer. The PubMed database was systematically searched by two independent investigators for studies concerning MVR for LAGC.

Investigating Non-Pharmacological Stress Reduction Interventions in Pediatric Patients Confirmed with Salivary Cortisol Levels: A Systematic Review.

For many children, hospitalization can lead to a state of increased anxiety. Being away from home, the invasive procedures undertaken, and the uncertainty of the outcome cause an uncomfortable situation in anticipation of real or imagined hazards. This systematic review aims to assess current evidence on the types of non-pharmacological interventions used and their impact on children's anxiety or distress levels when they visit the hospital for planned or unplanned admissions.

Establishing a Multidisciplinary Team-Based Pleural Service in the Era of Financial Austerity: The Role of the Thoracic Surgeon.

Medical thoracoscopy/pleuroscopy has become, after bronchoscopy, the second most commonly utilized endoscopic procedure in interventional pulmonology. Due to their common origin, medical thoracoscopy/pleuroscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are quite similar procedures technically. In contrast to the prevailing attitude that it should predominantly be performed by interventional pulmonologists, we believe that, like all hybrid-in-nature techniques, it should be implemented as part of a combined specialist care service/team.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Treatment of Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Greece.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to health systems, and has significantly affected the healthcare of lung cancer patients. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on early lung cancer patients’ surgical treatment. Methods: All consecutive patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer eligible for surgical treatment stage I/II and resectable stage III, referred to our department during the first wave of COVID-19 between February to May 2020, were included and compared with those on the exact corresponding quarter in 2019, one year before the pandemic.

Large Intrathoracic Desmoid Tumor and Re-Expansion Pulmonary Edema: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Re-expansion pulmonary edema is a potentially life-threatening situation following thoracic surgery of a compromised lung. We report the case of a 24-year-old female scheduled for a resection of a large intrathoracic desmoid tumor that presented with re-expansion pulmonary edema at the conclusion of her surgery and discuss the clinical presentation, mechanism and predictors of this entity and review similar cases reported in the literature.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Pleurodesis: An Experimental Study in Rabbits.

: This study was designed to evaluate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a method of pleurodesis in a rabbit model. Pleurodesis with PRP was compared against the gold-standard use of talc. The secondary evaluation assessed the ideal time for achieving pleurodesis.

Gastrectomy for Cancer: A 15-Year Analysis of Real-World Data from the University of Athens.

: Encouraging data have been reported from referral centers following gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Our goal was to retrospectively review patient outcomes following gastrectomy for gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer at a high-volume unit of the University of Athens. : The enrollment period was from June 2003 to September 2018.

Mechanosensitive Stem-Cell Genes and Klotho in Atherosclerotic Aortas: Regulating Spatially Deranged Expression Patterns Using Colchicine Regimens.

Aims: Inflammatory dysregulation of mechanosensitive developmental genes may be central to atherogenesis. In the present seven-week model, we utilized colchicine regimens to curtail aortic atherogenesis in New Zealand White rabbits. We also explored the effect of colchicine regimens on atheroprotective (, , , and ) and proatherogenic (, , , and ) genes.

Radiation-Induced Esophageal Cancer: Investigating the Pathogenesis, Management, and Prognosis.

One of the most serious late side effects of irradiation is the promotion of tumorigenesis. Radiation-induced esophageal cancer (RIEC) can arise in a previously irradiated field, mostly in patients previously irradiated for thoracic malignancies such as breast cancer, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, head and neck cancers, lung cancer, or previous esophageal cancer. RIEC is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all carcinomas of the esophagus.

Bochdalek hernias in the adult population: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Bochdalek hernia (BH) is characterized by the protrusion of viscera into thorax through the posterolateral section of the diaphragm. The aim of this study was to systematically review current literature concerning Bochdalek hernias in adults and elucidate their clinical characteristics and preferable treatment approach.

Methods: A search of PubMed and Cochrane bibliographical databases for studies regarding BHs was conducted (last search: 31st March 2021).

Review of the Physiology and Anesthetic Considerations for Pleuroscopy/Medical Thoracoscopy.

Pleuroscopy or medical thoracoscopy is the second most common utilized procedure after bronchoscopy in the promising field of interventional pulmonology. Its main application is for the diagnosis and management of benign or malignant pleural effusions. Entry into the hemithorax is associated with pain and patient discomfort, whereas concurrently, notable pathophysiologic alterations occur.

Monitored Anesthesia Care with Dexmedetomidine Supplemented by Midazolam/Fentanyl versus Midazolam/Fentanyl Alone in Patients Undergoing Pleuroscopy: Effect on Oxygenation and Respiratory Function.

Although pleuroscopy is considered a safe and well tolerated procedure with a low complication rate, it requires the administration of procedural sedation and analgesia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of dexmedetomidine administration on oxygenation and respiratory function in patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic pleuroscopy. Through a prospective, single center, cohort study, we studied 55 patients receiving either a dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion supplemented by midazolam/fentanyl (Group DEX + MZ/F) or a conventional sedation protocol with midazolam/fentanyl (Group MZ/F).

Management of Morgagni's Hernia in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Morgagni's hernia (MH) is defined by the protrusion of abdominal viscera through an anterior retrosternal diaphragmatic defect. The objective of this study was to systematically review current literature on MHs in adult population and assess their clinical characteristics and therapeutic approach.

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane bibliographical databases were searched (last search: 15 January 2021) for studies concerning MHs.

The Hard Lessons Learned by the COVID-19 Epidemic in Italy: Rethinking the Role of the National Health Care Service?

The dramatic events precipitated by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus pandemic have highlighted the limitations and contradictions of our country's current health care delivery model plagued by the closure of healthcare delivery structures, staff reductions, privatizations and inadequate funding which have been affecting the Italian National Health System during the past 10 years. The COVID-19 epidemic has a hefty bill: thousands of deaths - mainly elderly, hospitals overwhelmed, residential assistance structures reaching their limits, sick people left alone and uncared in homes, the disruption in life habits and an altered daily way of living never experienced before; all have contributed into making the ongoing tragedy even more painful. Herewith, we present and discuss the information and reflections from our experiences and postulate the rethinking of the established socio-health policies not only in Italy but also in other western countries which have failed to curtail the epidemic via conventional management approaches.