Publications by authors named "Melpomeni Peppa"
Article Synopsis
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, marked by symptoms like excess androgens, irregular ovulation, and cystic ovaries.
- PCOS not only impacts reproductive health but also poses long-term risks for heart and metabolic issues, leading to conditions like arterial stiffness and potential cardiovascular disease.
- The review explores the causes of PCOS, its connection to insulin resistance and cardiovascular health, along with diagnostic challenges and treatment options, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to manage both reproductive and cardiometabolic health.
Purpose: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) poses a significant challenge in healthcare due to its aggressive nature and rarity. Prior reports suggest a poorer prognosis associated with hormone-secreting neoplasms. This study aims to assess the impact of ACC hormonal status on patients' oncologic survival.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe incidence of thyroid cancer has increased over recent years due to the fact that several diagnostic tools, such as neck ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration, are being ever more widely adopted. Lately, another modality which might provide significant information preoperatively on the aggressiveness of a thyroid tumor, its prognosis, and its recurrence rate is molecular testing. We reviewed the literature with regard to the role of preoperative molecular testing in patients with Bethesda V and Bethesda VI thyroid nodules and its impact on choice of the optimal treatment strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The Thyroidectomy-Related Voice Questionnaire (TVSQ) is a useful tool in the detection of voice changes and dysfunctions and the diagnosis of other symptoms related to transient or permanent laryngeal nerve damage in patients after thyroidectomy. The aim of our study is the translation and validation of (TVSQ) in the Greek language and in Greek population for the first time.
Methods: The TVSQ was translated from English to Greek and vice versa by two independent researchers, while before the application of the TVSQ in clinical practice, a control group of 20 people was used.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While it was previously believed that men have greater susceptibility to CVD, recent research suggests that women face an increased risk of CVD after the onset of menopause, primarily due to the loss of the protective effects of estrogens. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and gestational factors, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), recurrent pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, and preeclampsia, are specific reproductive disorders that may contribute to an elevated risk of CVD at earlier ages, i.
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- * Research indicates that low glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) diets can help stabilize blood sugar levels and may aid in weight management for those with T2DM.
- * Despite promising results, clinical practice guidelines reveal inconsistencies regarding the strength of evidence for adopting low-GI/GL dietary patterns in diabetes management, prompting this review to assess the effectiveness of these diets.
Article Synopsis
- Lung cancer (LC) remains a significant global health issue, but survival rates have improved due to novel treatments, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
- In a study of 983 LC patients treated with ICIs, endocrine immune-related adverse events (e-irAEs) occurred in a median time of 4.1 months, with the most common being hypothyroidism and highlighting that most events were mild in nature.
- Patients who experienced e-irAEs had a notably higher median overall survival (31.6 months) compared to those who did not (10.8 months), suggesting a potential link between these adverse events and improved survival, warranting further research.
Article Synopsis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women, linked to obesity and insulin resistance, leading to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
- Women with PCOS often face low self-esteem due to physical symptoms like obesity, acne, and hirsutism, causing food cravings and binge eating.
- Treatments for PCOS focus on lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), psychological support (like cognitive-behavioral therapy), and medical options such as GLP-1 analogs and naltrexone/bupropion to improve appetite regulation and mitigate the negative cycle.
Lung neuroendocrine tumors (LNETs) and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are two distinct types of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that have traditionally been treated as a single entity despite originating from different sources. Although they share certain phenotypic characteristics and the expression of neuroendocrine markers, they exhibit differences in their microenvironment, molecular mutations, and responses to various therapeutic regimens. Recent research has explored the genetic alterations in these tumors, revealing dissimilarities in the frequently mutated genes, the role of EGFR in carcinogenesis, the presence of transcription factors, and the immunogenicity of the tumor and its microenvironment.
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- - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common condition during pregnancy involving glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, affecting both mothers and their babies.
- - Nutrition plays a vital role in managing GDM, particularly in the balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, with emphasis on the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of foods.
- - Diets low in GI and GL can enhance insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, potentially improving outcomes for mothers and their infants through better weight management and body composition.
Article Synopsis
- * Endocrine issues are a complication of beta thalassemia, often linked to iron overload, chronic anemia, and hypoxia, prompting research into various contributing factors, including genetics and liver health.
- * This review aims to summarize recent findings on the prevalence, causes, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for endocrinopathies in patients with beta thalassemia.
Article Synopsis
- * Traditional and nontraditional risk factors, including hyperglycemia, influence the disease, prompting a shift from focusing solely on blood sugar control to protecting target organs.
- * Sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are key medications that not only lower glucose levels but also provide benefits for heart and kidney health; the review examines how these drugs impact various biomarkers related to cardiovascular and kidney function in diabetes patients.
Premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian aging are complex conditions that affect women's reproductive health and overall well-being. They are both characterized by hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and infertility, and together affect about 1 in 100 women by the age of 40. This review explores the influence of environmental factors on the development and progression of premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian aging.
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- * The hypermetabolic state driven by adrenaline and noradrenaline leads to insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, with different tumor phenotypes causing distinct glycemic issues—mainly insulin resistance in adrenergic tumors and enhanced secretion in noradrenergic tumors.
- * Surgical removal of PPGLs shows a high remission rate for secondary DM (up to 80%), suggesting hormonal co-secretion may play a role, and highlighting the need for more research into the management of DM in these patients,
Article Synopsis
- - Hormone-related cancers (like breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers) are influenced by hormone levels, while diet plays a significant role in their prevalence beyond traditional risk factors.
- - The study highlights how different dietary components, especially concerning carbohydrates (simple vs. complex), might impact cancer risk, particularly through glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) estimates.
- - Diets high in GI and GL are linked to increased cancer development and poorer outcomes due to their negative effects on insulin metabolism, leading to hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hormonal imbalances and various metabolic abnormalities linked to insulin resistance via a vicious cycle. Genetic and environmental factors underlie its pathogenesis and evolution. Nutrition, in terms of nutrient composition, dietary patterns, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and food processing and preparation, has gained significant attention in the pathogenesis and the therapeutic approach of polycystic ovary syndrome.
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- Fetal growth disturbances increase the risk of health complications for babies, and this study investigates the role of the protein apelin in early fetal growth patterns, measuring its levels in the amniotic fluid of 80 pregnant women.
- The research found significant differences in apelin concentrations based on the fetus's growth classification, with lower levels in large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses compared to appropriate (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) ones.
- Results suggest that measuring apelin in amniotic fluid during the early second trimester could help predict the likelihood of a fetus being born LGA, pointing to the need for further studies on apelin's interactions with other factors influencing fetal growth.
Background: Health promotion programs are most beneficial in chronic diseases such as diabetes and morbid obesity, which can be positively affected by changes in attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyle.
Objectives: This study aimed to develop an internet-based modern Health Promotion model using interactive online applications through continuing education and participation.
Methods: The goal was to positively impact knowledge, behavior, and quality of life for patients with obesity and/or diabetes.
Secondary diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common complication of acromegaly, encountered in up to 55% of cases. Vice versa, the prevalence of acromegaly is markedly higher in cohorts of patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). The presence of secondary DM depends primarily on acromegaly status and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity, malignancy rate and overall mortality.
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- - The rise in obesity, diabetes, and aging-related health issues highlights the complex relationship between genetics and environmental factors, particularly diet.
- - Dietary advanced glycation end products (dAGEs), formed during food cooking and processing, can be absorbed by the body, accumulating in various tissues and contributing to disease development.
- - Research shows that limiting dAGEs in the diet can improve health by reducing risks associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and the effects of aging, suggesting dietary changes could be a valuable treatment strategy.
Article Synopsis
- Turner syndrome (TS) is linked to higher cardiovascular risks, and a study examined the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on cardiovascular measures in women with TS.
- The study involved 25 women with TS undergoing various tests during HRT and two months after stopping it, comparing their results to healthy controls.
- Findings showed that while on HRT, women with TS had worse endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness; however, two months after stopping HRT, their endothelial function improved and arterial stiffness decreased.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores the outcomes of pregnant women with gestational primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) who underwent parathyroidectomy, highlighting its importance due to potential risks for both mothers and neonates.
- A systematic review included 53 studies with 92 pregnant patients, showing that most underwent minimally invasive procedures and experienced minimal complications, with only 4 not being cured and 18 facing transient hypocalcemia.
- The findings suggest that parathyroidectomy is a safe and effective treatment during pregnancy, and may be the preferred option for a select group of women with PHPT.
Article Synopsis
- * Treatment varies based on the specific symptoms (or phenotypes), emphasizing weight loss and medication for metabolic issues, contraceptives for high androgen symptoms, and fertility treatments for reproductive concerns.
- * Recent research suggests that factors like hormone levels and gut health may influence the severity of PCOS, and while treatments should be personalized, categorizing the phenotypes could help improve management strategies.