Dietary acid load is associated with waist circumference in university students with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet: The potential role of ultra-processed foods.

Background And Aims: Dietary acid load (DAL), as expressed by potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net acid production (NEAP), is connected to cardiometabolic disorders and obesity. Mediterranean diet relates to lower, while western diets to higher DAL values. The present study aimed to assess the association of PRAL and NEAP with adiposity measures in young adults (19.

Relation of Minimally Processed Foods and Ultra-Processed Foods with the Mediterranean Diet Score, Time-Related Meal Patterns and Waist Circumference: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in University Students.

Ultra-processed foods are associated with chronic diseases, cardiometabolic factors and obesity. According to the NOVA system, foods are classified into four categories (from 1 = unprocessed to 4 = ultra-processed foods). The purpose of the present study was to assess the consumption of minimally processed foods (MPF) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) in university students and their relationship with obesity, Mediterranean diet adherence and meal patterns.

Mediterranean Diet, a Posteriori Dietary Patterns, Time-Related Meal Patterns and Adiposity: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in University Students.

The transition to university is connected to potentially obesogenic dietary changes. Our aim was to assess the relation of Mediterranean diet adherence, and a posteriori dietary and meal patterns with adiposity in Greek students at the University of the Peloponnese. A total of 346 students (269 women) participated.

Clinical Application of the Food Compass Score: Positive Association to Mediterranean Diet Score, Health Star Rating System and an Early Eating Pattern in University Students.

Nutrient profiling systems (NPS) assist consumers in food choices. Several scores based on NPS have been proposed, but data on their clinical application are lacking. The food compass score (FCS) is a newly developed NPS per 100 kcal (from 1 “least healthy” to 100 “most healthy”).

Comparison of Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy versus Ultrasound Therapy in the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy.

Introduction: People suffering from rotator cuff tendinopathy exhibit reduced mobility due to pain. The pain and the limited functionality affect negatively the overall quality of life.

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the intensity of pain, the functionality of the upper limbs and the quality of life of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy by using two different therapeutic modalities, shockwave and ultrasound, whose outcomes were assessed pre-treatment and post-treatment as well as after a 4-week follow-up.

Comparison of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy with ultrasound therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Purpose: Patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis exhibit diminished mobility due to pain. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of both shockwave and ultrasound therapies in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Methods: The shockwave group consisted of 117 patients, 63 patients constituted the ultrasound group, and 18 patients made up the control group.

The influence of biphasic positive airway pressure vs. sham biphasic positive airway pressure on pulmonary function in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery.

Background: The effect of biphasic positive airway pressure (BPAP) at individualized pressures on the postoperative pulmonary recovery of morbidly obese patients (MOP) undergoing open bariatric surgery (OBS) and possible device-related effects (sham BPAP) were investigated.

Methods: Forty-eight MOP scheduled for OBS were initially enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to: A) the BPAP group in which BPAP, at individualized inspiratory positive airway pressure/expiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP/EPAP), was applied for 3 days postoperatively and B) the sham BPAP group in which sham BPAP was applied for the same time.

Radial Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy Versus Ultrasound Therapy in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.

Introduction: Patients with plantar fasciitis usually suffer from reduced mobility due to the pain caused by the movement of the tendons involved.

Aim: This study was aimed to compare both shockwave and ultrasound therapies in patients with plantar fasciitis by assessing the pain intensity, and both the functionality of the lower limbs and the quality of life impairments.

Methods: Total amount of 88 patients with plantar fasciitis constituted the shockwave group, 56 the ultrasound group and 15 the control group.

Assessment of fatigue in patients with a permanent cardiac pacemaker: prevalence and associated factors.

Introduction: Fatigue is a debilitating symptom of subjective nature which lacks effective therapy. The aim of the study was to assess levels of fatigue and the associated factors among patients with permanent cardiac pacemaker (PCM).

Material And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Athens.

Effect of anxiety and depression on the fatigue of patients with a permanent pacemaker.

Introduction: Permanent cardiac pacemakers (PPM) are the most common treatment for severe symptomatic bradycardia. This implanted life-saving device may involve a severe psychological burden to recipients or aggravate their symptoms such as fatigue. The aim of the study was to explore the effect of anxiety and depression on fatigue of patients' with a PPM.

The Acute Impact of Different Types of Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Wave Reflections and Inflammation.

Objectives: Whilst physical activity is linked to cardiovascular health, it has lately been recognized that different types of exercise exert diverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, we investigated the acute effects of continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (CAE) and high-intensity interval aerobic exercise (hIAE) on arterial function and inflammation.

Methods: Twenty healthy men (mean age 22.

Ondansetron-droperidol combination vs. ondansetron or droperidol monotherapy in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. In this study we investigated comparatively the efficacy of combination therapy with ondansetron plus droperidol versus monotherapy with each agent alone in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting following elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Material And Methods: One hundred twenty-seven patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were included in the study, and assigned to one of the following three groups according to the antiemetic drug given intravenously at the end of the surgery: droperidol 1.

Effect of 5-HT7 receptor blockade on liver regeneration after 60-70% partial hepatectomy.

Background: Serotonin exhibits a vast repertoire of actions including cell proliferation and differentiation. The effect of serotonin, as an incomplete mitogen, on liver regeneration has recently been unveiled and is mediated through 5-HT2 receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 5-HT7 receptor blockade on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Evaluation of IScore validity in a Greek cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Diabetes constitutes a risk factor for stroke that also aggravates stroke prognosis. Several prognostic models have been developed for the evaluation of neurologic status, severity, short-term functional outcome and mortality of stroke patients. IScore is a novel tool recently developed in order to predict mortality rates within 30 days and 1 year after ischemic stroke and diabetes is not included in the scoring scale of IScore.

Impact of ADMA, endothelial progenitor cells and traditional cardiovascular risk factors on pulse wave velocity among prediabetic individuals.

Background: Central arterial stiffness represents a well-established predictor of cardiovascular disease. Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), increased asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA) levels, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance have all been associated with increased arterial stiffness. The correlations of novel and traditional cardiovascular risk factors with central arterial stiffness in prediabetic individuals were investigated in the present study.

Manuka honey-impregnated dressings in the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers.

In this study, we investigate the effect of manuka honey-impregnated dressings (MHID) on the healing of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers (NDFU). A total of 63 Caucasians, type 2 diabetic patients followed up in the diabetic foot outpatient clinic comprised the study population. Patients were randomised in two groups as follows: group I patients were treated with MHID and group II patients were treated with conventional dressings (CD).

The emerging role of serotonin in liver regeneration.

Serotonin has a multifunctional role in many different organs serving either as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system or a paracrine factor in the gastrointestinal tract. Over 90% of serotonin is synthesised in the enterochromaffin cells of the intestine and subsequently taken up by platelets. The involvement of platelet-derived serotonin in liver mass restoration after partial hepatectomy or toxic injury has been greatly investigated during the last decade.

Gadolinium chloride pretreatment ameliorates acute cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity.

Cadmium is a known industrial and environmental pollutant. It causes hepatotoxicity upon acute administration. Features of cadmium-induced acute hepatoxicity encompass necrosis, apoptosis, peliosis and inflammatory infiltration.

Toll/interleukin-1 receptor member ST2 exhibits higher soluble levels in type 2 diabetes, especially when accompanied with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Soluble ST2, a member of the of the Toll/IL-1 superfamily, is a novel biomarker with exceptional predictive value in heart failure and myocardial infarction- related mortality as well as in acute dyspneic states. Soluble ST2 is considered a decoy receptor of IL 33 that blocks the protective effects of the cytokine in atherosclerosis and cardiac remodeling. In the present study we investigated the differences in the levels of soluble ST2, BNP and hs-CRP between healthy controls and patients with type 2 diabetes with and without left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Effect of 5-HT(2) receptor blockade on cadmium-induced acute toxicity.

The protective effect of 5-HT(2) receptor blockade with ketanserin or ritanserin against cadmium liver injury was investigated. Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with a sublethal dose of cadmium (3.5 mg/kg body weight).

Peliosis hepatis: microscopic and macroscopic type, time pattern, and correlation with liver cell apoptosis in a model of toxic liver injury.

Macroscopic and microscopic types of peliosis hepatis, time pattern, and correlation with hepatocyte and sinusoidal cell apoptosis were investigated. Male Wistar rats were injected with a dose of cadmium (6.5 mg CdCl(2)/kg body weight, intraperitoneally; group I).

Effect of serotonin receptor 2 blockage on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the rat liver.

Unlabelled: The effect of serotonin receptor 2 blockade (5-HT(2)) on liver regeneration after 30-34% and 60-70% partial hepatectomy in the rat liver was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 60-70% (group I) and 30-34% (group II) partial hepatectomy. Serotonin receptor 2 blockade was exerted by intraperitoneal administration of ketanserin at different doses and time points after partial hepatectomy.

The effect of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) on liver regeneration arrest induced by 5-HT2 receptor blockade.

Background: The restorative effect of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) against hepatic regeneration arrest induced by 5-HT2 receptor blockade was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 60-70% partial hepatectomy and to 5-HT2 receptor blockade at 16 h after partial hepatectomy by ketanserin administration (6 mg/kg bodyweight intraperitoneally; group I). HSS at the dose of 100 mg protein/kg bodyweight was administered at 10 or 17 h after partial hepatectomy in ketanserin-treated rats (groups II and III).

The role of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) on liver regeneration arrest induced by cadmium.

Background: The mechanism of cadmium-induced liver regeneration arrest in relation to hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) biological activity was investigated.

Materials And Methods: In Wistar rats subjected to 65 - 70% partial hepatectomy, saline, cadmium, cadmium and HSS were administered. The rats were also subjected to 30 - 34% partial hepatectomy.