Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Greek Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Objectives: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is regularly used by several patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in many countries. Data concerning the use of CAM in Greek patients with IBD are lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and indicators of CAM use in Greek IBD patients.

Receptor-Binding Cancer Antigen Expression in Thyroid Neoplasms: A Retrospective Study.

Receptor-binding cancer antigen (RCAS1) is a membrane protein, regarded as a tumor-associated antigen. Cancer cells evade immune response with RCAS1 up-regulation, inducing apoptosis to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Thyroid cancer incidence is rising and its accurate diagnosis in early stage is targeted.

Low expression of miR-20b-5p indicates favorable prognosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, especially in patients with non-infiltrated regional lymph nodes.

Purpose: Tumor recurrence and distant metastasis are very common in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). In this study, we examined the potential prognostic value of microRNA-20b-5p (miR-20b-5p), a component of the tumor-related miR-106a/363 cluster.

Materials And Methods: Total RNA was purified from 105 tissue specimens resected from patients having undergone surgical treatment for primary LSCC.

Early Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment for Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a group of relatively rare infections, usually caused by two or more pathogens. It affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues of lower and upper limbs, perineal area (Fournier's gangrene), and the abdominal wall. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical management are of high significance for the management of this potentially lethal disease.

Changes in T-lymphocytes' viability after laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic surgery results in decreased immune and metabolic stress response compared to open surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the suspension of host immune defense in terms of apoptosis, necrosis, and survival of peripheral T-lymphocytes in patients undergoing laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy. Apoptosis, necrosis and viability of peripheral T-lymphocytes were measured preoperatively and postoperatively by means of flow cytometry in 27 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 25 undergoing open cholecystectomy.