Efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination therapy early after recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following resection or ablation with a curative intent.

Background: The pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after resection/ablation is intrahepatic and/or systemic. The efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab treatment as early therapy after recurrence has not been extensively evaluated.

Methods: We evaluated 32 patients (group A) with early HCC recurrence after resection/ablation and 24 patients (group B) initially diagnosed as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-C, all treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab.

Incidence of primary hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs during 2012-2020 in Athens, Greece.

One of the World Health Organization's targets for the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination strategy is to reduce new hepatitis C (HCV) infections. In Athens, Greece, people who inject drugs (PWID) have a high HCV prevalence, with increasing trends since the 2000s. This analysis aims to assess primary HCV incidence among PWID during 2012-2020.

High levels of all-cause mortality among people who inject drugs from 2018 to 2022.

Background: Mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID) is high, with overdose and HIV infection being the main causes of death. In Greece, there have been no data on mortality, and two HIV outbreaks have been recorded in this population in the past decade. In this study, we aim to estimate the all-cause crude mortality rate and the standardised mortality ratio in this population during 2018-2022.

Diagnostic accuracy of serum protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II), serum a-fetoprotein and their combination for hepatocellular carcinoma among Caucasian cirrhotic patients with diagnostic or non-diagnostic serum a-fetoprotein levels.

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum biomarkers (AFP/PIVKA-II) and their combination in HCC diagnosis among Caucasian cirrhotic patients.

Methods: Serum AFP/PIVKA-II levels were evaluated in 218 cirrhotics (163 males, 118 CTP-A, 66 ALBI-I, 111 with varices, 63 with diabetes) with (n = 90) or without (n = 128) HCC. Patients with HCC were categorized to BCLC Stage 0/A (n = 12), B (n = 21), C (n = 48), and D (n = 9).

A Case Report on a Giant Hepatic Inflammatory Adenoma in a Young Female That Presented as Spontaneous Intrahepatic Hematoma.

Among the extensive variety of disorders that can cause acute abdominal pain are hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs), pathological entities that otherwise are asymptomatic. Here, we describe a 33-year-old female who presented in the emergency department with acute abdominal pain and a history of liver focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) diagnosed 10 years ago. An abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the cause of the pain was an intrahepatic hematoma.

Perceptions of Teamwork and Knowledge Attitudes of Hemodialysis Unit Nurses on Infection Prevention.

Introduction: The Nurses of Hemodialysis Units: it is necessary to face HAIs (hospital-acquired infections) as a "well-tuned" teamwork. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of the teamwork as well as the knowledge attitudes of the nurses of hemodialysis units on infection prevention in Greece.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 1018 HCWs (health care workers) of hemodialysis units in Greece.

HERACLIS-HDV cohort for the factors of underdiagnosis and prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection in HBsAg-positive patients.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) underdiagnosis remains common. We assessed the HDV screening and prevalence rates in HBsAg-positive patients seen at tertiary liver centres throughout Greece as well as factors affecting HDV diagnosis.

Methods: All adult HBsAg-positive patients seen within the last 5 years were included.

Efficacy of Αtezolizumab-Βevacizumab in BCLC-C cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma according to the type of disease progression, the type of BCLC-C and liver disease severity.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate, under real-life conditions, survival of patients with advanced HCC (BCLC-C), either initially presenting in that stage or migrating from BCLC-A to BCLC-C within 2 years after curative LR/RFA, treated either with Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab or TKIs.

Methods: Sixty-four cirrhotic patients with advanced HCC, who either initially presented as BCLC-C and were treated with Atezo-Bev (group A, N = 23) or TKIs (group B, N = 15) or who migrated from BCLC-A to BCLC-C stage within 2 years after LR/RFA and were either treated with Atezo-Bev (group C, N = 12) or TKIs (group D, N = 14), were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: The four groups were comparable for all baseline parameters (demographics/platelets/liver disease etiology/diabetes/varices/Child-Pugh stage/ALBI grade) except for CPT score and MELD-Na.

HERACLIS-TAF: a multi-centre prospective cohort study on 2-year safety and efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide in patients with chronic hepatitis B with renal and/or bone disorders or risks.

Background: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has exhibited a favourable safety profile on estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) and bone mineral density (BMD), but has not been extensively studied in patients with renal impairment and/or BMD disorders.

Aims: To assess predictors of eGFR changes and other safety and efficacy outcomes during 24-month TAF therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B with renal and/or BMD disorders/risks.

Methods: Adult patients who started TAF at 13 clinics throughout Greece were prospectively included.

An Uncommon Case of Dulaglutide-Related Morbilliform Drug Eruption.

Dulaglutide is a once-weekly injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that has shown a durable glycemic efficacy as well as beneficial effects on body weight and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) outcomes, making it an important option for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Common side effects of dulaglutide include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal distension, and these are usually mild to moderate in severity and tend to diminish over time. Morbilliform drug eruptions to dulaglutide are very rare, with only one case reported until now.

A study of the evolution of the third COVID-19 pandemic wave in the Athens metropolitan area, Greece, through two cross-sectional seroepidemiological surveys: March, June 2021.

We studied the third coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave in Athens metropolitan area (3 738 901 inhabitants) through two seroepidemiological surveys. Persons presenting in 12 healthcare facilities across Athens in March and June 2021 were studied (764 and 901, respectively). Immunoglobulin G antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein were measured by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) Incidence and the Role of Obesity: A Prospective, Observational Study in Greece.

Introduction: Although central venous catheters (CVCs) provide reliable vascular access, there are several risks linked with their use, with the rates of central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) being the most important ones. CLABSIs have a big impact on mortality rates and health care costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of obesity in the development of central venous catheter infections.

Aiming towards hepatitis C virus elimination in Greece.

There are estimated to be 74,000-134,000 patients living with chronic hepatitis C in Greece, but only 20-30% of them are aware of their disease status. In July 2017, the Hellenic National Plan for Hepatitis C was announced in alignment with the World Health Organization goals for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the year 2030. This article discusses the epidemiology and current treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Greece.

Epidemiology of viral infections among children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Α prospective single-center study.

Background: Viral infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric transplant populations. We analyzed the epidemiology of viral infections in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, including their incidence, associated risk factors, and outcome.

Methods: In a prospective study from September 2011 to September 2015, blood, urine, and stool specimens were monitored weekly from transplantation to day 100 or after if clinically suspected, by use of real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus ribavirin for 24 weeks in patients with HCV GT4 and compensated cirrhosis (AGATE-I Part II).

Background And Aims: AGATE-I Part I previously reported high sustained virologic response rates in hepatitis C genotype 4 patients with cirrhosis, with 12 and 16 weeks' treatment with a combination of two direct-acting antivirals, ombitasvir and paritaprevir (codosed with ritonavir), plus ribavirin. Part II, reported here, extended the trial to include a 24-week treatment arm to fully assess treatment duration in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 infection and compensated cirrhosis.

Methods: Enrollment took place between June and November of 2015.

Presepsin levels in cirrhotic patients with bacterial infections and/or portal hypertension-related bleeding, presenting with or without acute kidney injury.

Background: Bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients remain a challenge. Presepsin has been proposed as a valuable sepsis biomarker. We aimed to assess plasma presepsin levels in uncomplicated cirrhotic patients and to correlate them with liver disease severity and complicating events, defined as documented bacterial infection with or without concomitant portal hypertension-related bleeding, or bleeding without documented bacterial infection, with or without acute kidney injury.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C virus-infected people who inject drugs: a Greek descriptive analysis.

Background: It is estimated that 17,000 people who inject drugs (PWID) in Greece have hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia. The aim of our study was to explore the characteristics of the HCV-infected, direct acting antiviral (DAA)-naïve PWID.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of PWID with HCV infection.

Psychological Disorders and Quality of Life Among Patients With Chronic Viral Hepatitis: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study With Pair-Matched Healthy Controls.

Recent research evidence has shown that patients with chronic viral hepatitis develop symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, which has a strong impact on their health-related quality of life. This study aimed to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life among patients with chronic hepatitis B or C in Greece. It was a cross-sectional study among 111 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, evaluated at a tertiary General Hospital of Athens from March to September of 2014.

The level of anxiety, depression and quality of life among patients with heart failure in Greece.

Purpose: The assessment of the level of anxiety, depression and quality of life among patients with heart failure.

Methods: It was an observational study. The populations were 231 patients with heart failure who were hospitalized in cardiology departments of 2 general hospitals in Athens, from September 1, 2010 through January 31, 2012.

A contaminant-free assessment of Endogenous Retroviral RNA in human plasma.

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) comprise 6-8% of the human genome. HERVs are silenced in most normal tissues, up-regulated in stem cells and in placenta but also in cancer and HIV-1 infection. Crucially, there are conflicting reports on detecting HERV RNA in non-cellular clinical samples such as plasma that suggest the study of HERV RNA can be daunting.

Post-partum reactivation of chronic hepatitis B virus infection among hepatitis B e-antigen-negative women.

Aim: To investigate the frequency and timing of post-partum chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and identify its pre-partum predictors.

Methods: Forty-one hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic HBV infected pregnant women were prospectively evaluated between the 28th and the 32nd week of gestation. Subjects were re-evaluated at 3-mo intervals during the first post-partum year and every 6 mo during the following years.

Fast-track recovery after major liver and pancreatic resection from the nursing point of view.

Postoperative fast-track recovery protocols combine various methods to support immediate care of patients who undergo major surgery. These protocols include control of postoperative pain and early beginning of oral diet and mobilization. The combination of these approaches may reduce the rate of postoperative complications and facilitate hospital discharge.

Liver function tests in viremic and nonviremic chronic hepatitis B virus-infected pregnant women: importance of alanine aminotransferase/sodium ratio.

The major risk factor of perinatal transmission of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the level of maternal HBV-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) during the third trimester of pregnancy. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical status in Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic HBV-infected pregnant women and to correlate the findings with the presence or absence of viremia. Ninety-five consecutive chronic HBV-infected pregnant women were evaluated between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation.

Epidemiological factors affecting "hepatitis C".

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but once established, chronic infection can progress to scarring of the liver (fibrosis), and advanced scarring (cirrhosis) which is generally apparent after many years. The main goal of this work is the investigation of the important factors that affect hepatitis C.