The Clinical Significance of MicroRNAs in Colorectal Cancer Signaling Pathways: A Review.

Colorectal carcinoma (colon and rectum) is currently considered among the most prevalent malignancies of Western societies. The pathogenesis and etiological mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer (CRC) development remain complex and heterogeneous. The homeostasis and function of normal human intestinal cells is highly regulated by microRNAs.

, gastric microbiota and gastric cancer relationship: Unrolling the tangle.

infection (I) represents a typical microbial agent intervening in the complex mechanisms of gastric homeostasis by disturbing the balance between the host gastric microbiota and mucosa-related factors, leading to inflammatory changes, dysbiosis and eventually gastric cancer. The normal gastric microbiota shows diversity, with [ () belongs to this family], , , and being the most abundant phyla. Most studies indicate that has inhibitory effects on the colonization of other bacteria, harboring a lower diversity of them in the stomach.

Pancreatic cancer and oligonucleotide therapy: Exploring novel therapeutic options and targeting chemoresistance.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents a malignancy with increased mortality rate, as less than 10% of patients survive for 5 years after diagnosis. Current evolution in basic sciences has revealed promising results by decrypting genetic loci vulnerable to mutations, as potential targets of novel treatment choices. In this regard, the "Oligonucleotide therapeutics", based on synthetic nucleotides, modify the function and expression of their targets.

Laboratory manifestations and pathophysiological aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: focusing on the digestive system.

Since December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has constituted a serious threat to global health. So far, there is little published evidence on the laboratory features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We have reviewed laboratory findings from multiple studies, mostly relating to the digestive system, since the virus outbreak.

Room for improvement in the treatment of pancreatic cancer: Novel opportunities from gene targeted therapy.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the highest and in fact, unchanged mortality-associated tumor, with an exceptionally low survival rate due to its challenging diagnostic approach. So far, its treatment is based on a combination of approaches (such as surgical resection with or rarely without chemotherapeutic agents), but with finite limits. Thus, looking for additional space to improve pancreatic tumorigenesis therapeutic approach, research has focused on gene therapy with unexpectedly growing horizons not only for the treatment of inoperable pancreatic disease, but also for its early stages.

Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in young Greek Army male recruits from 2006 to 2018: a 13-year retrospective study from a tertiary center.

Background: The prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) vary among countries. Data regarding prevalence of IBD in Greece are limited or outdated.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of IBD patients from a population of 551,808 Greek Army recruits in a 13-year period (2006-2018).

Origin and genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and its interaction with angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 receptors, focusing on the gastrointestinal tract.

The emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 induced by a newly identified b-coronavirus, namely severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has constituted a public health emergency. Even though it was considered a zoonotic disease, the virus has also spread among humans respiratory secretions. The expression and distribution of angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) in various human organs might also show other possible infection routes.

COVID-19 pandemic: Pathophysiology and manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a newly identified β-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a dire health problem, causing a massive crisis for global health. Primary method of transmission was firstly thought to be animal to human transmission. However, it has been observed that the virus is transmitted from human to human via respiratory droplets.

Real world data regarding the management of cancer-associated thrombosis.

Purpose Of Review: Patients with cancer are at high risk for thrombotic events, mainly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are among the current treatment options for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). We assessed real world data (RWD) regarding treatment patterns of CAT from 1 September 2018 to 31 January 2020.

Antiproliferative Effect of Above-Label Doses of Somatostatin Analogs for the Management of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Background: Above-label doses of somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are increasingly utilized in the management of inoperable/metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), progressing on standard 4-weekly regimens.

Objective: To evaluate the antiproliferative effect of 3-weekly SSA administration in a retrospective GEP-NET cohort.

Methods: Patients with advanced GEP-NET, treated with long-acting release (LAR) octreotide 30 mg or lanreotide Autogel 120 mg at a 3-weekly interval, after disease progression on standard 4-weekly doses, were retrospectively identified.

Evaluation of the Direct Economic Cost per Eradication Treatment Regimen against Infection in Greece: Do National Health Policy-Makers Need to Care?

() management has undoubtedly resulted in a notable economic burden on healthcare systems globally, including Greece. Its cost has never been estimated so far, especially during the recent 10-year unprecedented financial crisis. Direct medical and procedural costs for one attempt "outpatient" eradication treatment were estimated as the following: (I) first-line regimens: 10 and 14 days standard triple, 10 and 14 days sequential, 10 and 14 days concomitant non-bismuth quadruple, 14 days hybrid, (II) second-line salvage regimens: 10 and 14 days levofloxacin-containing triple regimens.

Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens in an antibiotic high-resistance European area: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection (H pylori-I) affects more than half of the global population and consists an important burden to public health and healthcare expenditures, by contributing to many diseases' pathogenesis.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the current nonbismuth quadruple eradication regimens in a high antibiotic resistance area, such as Greece, concerning their cost-effectiveness, especially during financial crisis period.

Materials And Methods: Eight hundred and nine patients who received eradication treatment against H pylori-I were included to evaluate five different regimens, using amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole as antibiotics and one proton-pump inhibitor, based on their current eradication rates.

Impact of occupational stress on irritable bowel syndrome pathophysiology and potential management in active duty noncombat Greek military personnel: a multicenter prospective survey.

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the gut-brain axis interaction disorders. It has global distribution with varying prevalence and particular financial and psychological consequences. IBS has been associated with stress and anxiety, conditions that are usually prevalent in the army.

Challenging the Current Risk Factors of Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Can They Accurately Predict Local Lymph Nodal Invasion? Results from a Large Case Series.

Background: Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms (ANEN) are uncommon entities, which run mostly an indolent course. Appendicectomy alone is usually curative, except for in a selected group of patients that are deemed to be at risk of loco-regional metastases, in whom a completion right hemicolectomy (RHC) is recommended. The current "Guidelines" criteria for the latter have been controversial, and may result in overtreatment, which is concerning for a young patient population.

Screening and surveillance methods for dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Where do we stand?

Patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis (UC) and extensive Crohn's colitis (CC) are at increased risk for dysplasia and colorectal cancer (CRC). Several studies have shown that UC extending proximal to the rectum, CC involving at least 1/3 of the colon, co-existence of primary sclerosing cholangitis, undetermined or unclassified colitis, family history of CRC and young age at diagnosis appear to be independent risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - related CRC. Therefore, screening and surveillance for CRC in IBD patients is highly recommended by international and national guidelines, whilst colonoscopy remains the unequivocal tool in order to detect potentially resectable dysplastic lesions or CRC at an early stage.

The Problem of Appendiceal Carcinoids.

Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms are uncommon, mostly discovered coincidentally during appendectomy. They usually show a benign clinical course and appendectomy alone is curative. However, some cases may harbor malignant potential; therefore, additional/prophylactic operations, such as right hemicolectomy, are offered.

Advances on systemic treatment for lung neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Lung well-to-moderately differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (also known as carcinoids) and large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma (poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor) are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms, which account for less than 4% of all lung neoplasms. Due to their low incidence, their systemic treatment is greatly influenced by therapeutic evidence derived from the more frequent gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and/or small cell lung carcinoma leading to significant bias. Currently, employed systemic therapies for lung carcinoids, aiming at controlling tumor growth include long acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs), peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, chemotherapy and molecular-targeted therapy.

Advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC): new challenges and new expectations.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies and a major health riddle. The therapeutic options are limited. The combination of etoposide or irinotecan with platinum chemotherapy is the standard of care at any stage.

Secondary metastatic lesions to colon and rectum.

Metastatic lesions of the colon are a rare clinical entity that may present difficulties in management. The incidence of these metastases appears to be increasing, as a result of physicians' greater awareness during follow-up investigations of a primary neoplasm. Furthermore, the presence of a greater proportion of these abnormalities at autopsy should be a triggering factor for further investigation for doctors dealing with colorectal oncology.

Validation of the 'United Registries for Clinical Assessment and Research' [UR-CARE], a European Online Registry for Clinical Care and Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: The 'United Registries for Clinical Assessment and Research' [UR-CARE] database is an initiative of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] to facilitate daily patient care and research studies in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Herein, we sought to validate the database by using fictional case histories of patients with IBD that were to be entered by observers of varying experience in IBD.

Methods: Nineteen observers entered five patient case histories into the database.

Carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 serum levels in non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Τo investigate the potential diagnostic and prognostic role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) serum levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with newly diagnosed primary NSCLC were included in this study (88 men and 12 women). Blood was drawn before any kind of treatment and the collected serum was processed using chemiluminescence in order CEA and CA 19-9 levels to be measured.

Proton pump inhibitor and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy for the management of noncardiac chest pain.

Introduction: Although gastroesophageal reflux disease is the main cause of noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) benefit a minority of patients. Our prospective study evaluated the effect of PPI and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on the different subtypes of NCCP characterized by impedance-pH monitoring.

Methods: All NCCP patients underwent impedance-pH monitoring and on the basis of the results, those with abnormal distal esophageal acid exposure received PPIs twice daily (group A), those with a positive symptom index for chest pain received citalopram 20 mg and PPI once daily (group B), and those with a negative symptom index for chest pain received citalopram 20 mg once daily (group C).

Abnormal DNA methylation as a cell-free circulating DNA biomarker for colorectal cancer detection: A review of literature.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world. CRC-associated morbidity and mortality is continuously increasing, in part due to a lack of early detection. The existing screening tools such as colonoscopy, are invasive and yet high cost, affecting the willingness of patients to participate in screening programs.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Non Small-cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: Lung cancer is the first cause of cancer related deaths in both males and females. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible process by which epithelial cells transform to mesenchymal stem cells by losing their cell polarity and cell-to-cell adhesion, gaining migratory and invasive properties. High levels of E-cadherin are expressed in epithelial cells, whereas mesenchymal cells express high levels of N-cadherin, fibronectin and vimentin.