Publications by authors named "Pitiakoudis M"

Background: The mechanism by which laparoscopic operations induce lower post-operative inflammatory response compared to open surgery was investigated with regard to the effect of the type of gas environment.

Methods: Rats were subjected to midline laparotomy at either CO (group CO) or room-air environment (group Air) or to anesthesia only (group Control) under atmospheric pressure conditions. At various timepoints after surgery (1, 3, 6, 24, or 48 h), the expression of inflammation biomarkers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and nuclear factor-κΒ (NFκΒ) were assessed immunohistochemically in tissue samples excised from the liver, intestine, and kidneys, accompanied by histopathologic analysis, and their levels were measured by ELISA in blood samples.

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  • * EPs can appear in various body parts, including the lungs, breasts, and abdominal organs, making them tough to diagnose due to their similar imaging characteristics to other conditions.
  • * The review highlights the importance of imaging for detecting EPs, but emphasizes that a histological confirmation is essential for an accurate diagnosis, especially for patients with a history of multiple myeloma, as timely diagnosis can greatly improve
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  • Mismatch repair deficiency, immunological fertility, and PD-L1 status are crucial factors for understanding how rectal cancer tumors respond to immunotherapy and their overall prognosis.
  • In a study of advanced rectal cancer patients, higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density correlated with better survival outcomes, while cancer cell PD-L1 expression presented mixed effects on prognosis.
  • The findings suggest that patients with high TIL density combined with high PD-L1 expression might benefit from targeting anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies, along with those with mismatch repair deficiency.
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Postoperative air leak (PAL) is a frequent and potentially serious complication following thoracic surgery, characterized by the persistent escape of air from the lung into the pleural space. It is associated with extended hospitalizations, increased morbidity, and elevated healthcare costs. Understanding the mechanisms, risk factors, and effective management strategies for PAL is crucial in improving surgical outcomes.

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Tertiary hyperparathyroidism develops in patients who have secondary hyperparathyroidism that persists despite successful kidney transplantation or in patients who are on chronic dialysis.

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To define the role of prophylactic parathyroidectomy in the surgical treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa (MEN2A) syndrome through a literature review.

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Gynecological cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with malignancies of the ovary, uterus, fallopian tube, cervix, vagina, and vulva making up 10-18% of all cancers diagnosed in women globally. Gynecological cancer and atherosclerosis are two of the most frequent medical entities that afflict women worldwide; thus the possible correlations between them ought to be explored. Vulvar, cervical, vaginal, endometrial, and ovarian cancers have been found to have common points with atherosclerosis regarding their pathogenesis and predisposing factors.

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: Inflammation and dysregulation in the intestinal barrier function in acute pancreatitis (AP) trigger pancreatic lesions, systemic inflammatory response, and multiple organ dysfunction. Eugenol, as the main component of clove (Syzygium aromaticum), is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the potentially beneficial effect of eugenol in a rodent model of biliopancreatic duct ligation-induced AP.

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Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign hepatic tumor and can rarely present as an exophytic solitary mass attached to the liver by a stalk. Most FNH cases are usually detected as incidental findings during surgery, imaging or physical examination and have a high female predominance. However, the pedunculated forms of FNH are particularly rare and commonly associated with severe complications and diagnostic challenges.

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Introduction: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) represents a common surgical emergency leading to increased hospital admissions. Most patients presenting with adhesive SBO have a history of previous abdominal surgery. Although bowel obstruction secondary to congenital adhesion bands is rare, it should not be ruled out even in patients with a "virgin abdomen".

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Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains one of the most severe complications following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Indeed, leaks that may occur after any type of intestinal anastomosis are commonly associated with a higher reoperation rate and an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. At first, our review aims to identify specific preoperative, intraoperative and perioperative factors that eventually lead to the development of anastomotic dehiscence based on the current literature.

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Background and Objectives: Quercetin, a member of the flavanol family found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains has been found to have a wide range of biological effects on human physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin, when administered orally in the form of the water-soluble inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (Que-HP-β-CD), in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis in mice. Materials and Methods: Animals received either Dextran Sodium Sulphate (DSS), to induce colitis, + Que-HP-β-CD (Group A), DSS alone (Group B) or no intervention (control, Group C) for 7 days.

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Background: Despite considerable progress in surgical techniques, anastomotic leak (AL) is a common complication after gastrointestinal surgery. Stem cells are a promising therapy to improve healing and have been used in gastrointestinal anastomoses. In this study, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of stem cell therapies in preventing ALs among animal studies.

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now considered the main driver and leading cause of chronic liver disease globally. The umbrella term NAFLD describes a range of liver conditions closely related to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia. At the same time, several malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer, are considered to be common causes of death among patients with NAFLD.

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Introduction: Informed consent is essential to the patient-physician relationship. The paternalistic old-time approach used by physicians to achieve the optimal management is changing today; detailed medical information must be disclosed to the patients regarding their health problem.

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight the value of informed consent in the context of medical practice as well as to emphasize its importance through the prism of human rights.

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Background: Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection (RF-LR) techniques minimize intraoperative blood loss, while avoiding the Pringle maneuver. Both surgical excision and radiofrequency ablation of liver parenchyma compromise gut barrier function with subsequent bacterial translocation. The present study sought to investigate in a porcine model the impact of two RF-LR techniques on the integrity and inflammatory response of the gut barrier.

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Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and deadly malignancies worldwide. Helicobacter pylori have been documented as a risk factor for GC. The development of sequencing technology has broadened the knowledge of the gastric microbiome, which is essential in maintaining homeostasis.

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Background: despite the advances in preoperative hypofractionated-accelerated radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, postoperative radiotherapy delivered with standard fractionation (46-50 Gy in 5 weeks) remains a standard adjuvant schedule. The role of hypofractionated-accelerated radiotherapy in a postoperative setting remains largely unexplored.

Methods: eighty-eight patients with rectal cancer infiltrating the rectal wall and/or having metastasis to the perirectal lymph nodes were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and, subsequently, with hypofractionated-accelerated radiotherapy.

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Background: Major liver resection may compromise gut-barrier function, increasing the risk of postoperative infectious complications. The aim of the present experimental study was to compare the effect of the laparoscopic versus the open technique for major liver resection on integrity as well as inflammatory and immune responses of the gut barrier.

Methods: Wistar rats were subjected to open 70% hepatectomy (group H), laparoscopic 70% hepatectomy (group LH), sham operation (group S) or no intervention (group C).

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Acute appendicitis is common in patients with right lower quadrant pain and affects all gender and age groups. Because clinical diagnosis of patients with right lower quadrant pain remains a challenge to emergency physicians and surgeons, imaging is of major importance. Ultrasound has well-established direct and indirect signs for diagnosing acute appendicitis and revealing the presence of an appendicolith.

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The potential of apigenin (APG) to enhance cisplatin's (CDDP) chemotherapeutic efficacy was investigated in HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 liver cancer cell lines. The presence of 20 μM APG sensitized all cell lines to CDDP treatment (degree of sensitization based on the MTT assay: HepG2>Huh7>Hep3B). As reflected by sister chromatid exchange levels, the degree of genetic instability as well as DNA repair by homologous recombination differed among cell lines.

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The development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms has permeated the medical field with great success. The widespread use of AI technology in diagnosing and treating several types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer (CRC), is now attracting substantial attention. CRC, which represents the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy in both men and women, is considered a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.

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Introduction: we present a rat experimental model used to evaluate the possible reduction in the extent of pancreatic tissue injury in acute pancreatitis cases, after administration of eugenol.

Methods: one hundred and twenty Wistar rats were used, which were randomly assigned in 3 groups: sham (n=20), control (n=50) and eugenol (n=50). Acute pancreatitis was induced by biliopancreatic ligation in the control and eugenol groups, but not in the Sham group.

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Sister Mary Joseph's nodule is a rare palpable umbilical cutaneous lesion as a result of an advanced intra-abdominal and/or pelvic malignancy. It may be the initial clinical manifestation of an underlying malignancy, originating mainly from the gastro-digestive or genito-urinary tract. We present here a rare case of a 67-year-old woman with a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule.

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