Publications by authors named "Theocharis Konstantinidis"

Article Synopsis
  • Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) leads to poor prognosis and lower quality of life (QoL), with chemotherapy and immunotherapy both extending survival but causing functional impairments due to toxicity.
  • A study conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 included 111 NSCLC patients, comparing QoL and symptom burdens between 61 receiving second-line chemotherapy and 50 receiving second-line immunotherapy, using the EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire.
  • Results indicated moderate to good QoL in both groups, but the immunotherapy group reported significantly better QoL and functionality scores from cycles 3 to 5, while chemotherapy patients experienced more nausea, fatigue, and financial difficulties; however, immunotherapy
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Patients with hematological malignancies undergo intensive treatment and prolonged hospitalization, thus having a variety of physical and psychosocial symptoms and worse quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to assess the QOL and investigate the symptoms of hospitalized hematological cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the hematology clinics and day units of two general hospitals of Heraklion, Crete.

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Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents with a range of symptoms and is associated with a poor prognosis. Although both immunotherapy and chemotherapy improve survival, they are still associated with psychological disorders due to the reduced quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the levels of anxiety and depression in Greek patients with NSCLC receiving second-line chemotherapy compared to second-line immunotherapy.

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Background: Autolοgous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment οption fοr patients with hematological malignancies that improves prοgnοsis and survival. Thus, it is necessary tο deal with its long-term cοmplications, such as sexual dysfunction and trauma that significantly affect survivors' quality οf life.

Objective: The aim οf this study was to evaluate the Sexual Function (SF) and the Pοst-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) οf survivοrs οf hematolοgical malignancy and AHSCT.

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Article Synopsis
  • The Western diet, which has a lot of sugar, meat, and unhealthy fats, can mess up the good bacteria in your gut and increase the chances of getting autoimmune diseases.
  • The Mediterranean Diet, which is full of healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, helps keep good gut bacteria balanced and reduces inflammation.
  • Studies show that the Mediterranean Diet can lower the risk of autoimmune diseases and heart problems, helping people stay healthier overall.
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Diabetes is known as a "silent epidemic" and is a public health problem that accounts for 9% of all deaths worldwide. The prevention of diabetes is a significant challenge, as its prevalence and incidence are both increasing rapidly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), education is the cornerstone of diabetes treatment.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess parents' knowledge and attitudes towards bullying their children experience, as well as their chosen coping strategies.
  • A survey indicated that many parents lack formal education on bullying, with mothers frequently providing social support and less educated parents often opting for avoidance strategies.
  • The findings highlight the ongoing prevalence of bullying and the urgent need for educational programs to aid parents in effectively managing such incidents.
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(1) Background: Cancer patients are experiencing psychological problems after diagnosis, such as emotional distress and social anxiety, which may increase their demands for emotional and supportive care. This study aimed to assess the influence of both emotional distress and concerns on the supportive care needs of cancer patients receiving home-based healthcare. (2) Methods: In this door-to-door screening program, 97 cancer patients were approached, with a mean age of 73 years old (mean = 73.

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Childhood asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder that can drive tissue remodeling. Neutrophils are amongst the most prominent inflammatory cells contributing to disease manifestations and may exert a potent role in the progression of inflammation to fibrosis. However, their role in asthma exacerbation is still understudied.

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HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) syndrome is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy, which is often secondary to preeclampsia. To date, there is no biomarker in clinical use for the early stratification of women with preeclampsia who are under increased risk of HELLP syndrome. Herein, we show that the levels of circulating developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1), which is an extracellular immunomodulatory protein, are decreased in patients with HELLP syndrome compared to preeclampsia.

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a common cause of viral hepatitis in developing countries, is mainly transmitted via the fecal-oral route, but also may be a prevalent hospital-transmitted agent among patients on regular hemodialysis due to parenteral transmission. Previous epidemiological studies among hemodialysis patients in Greece, using different diagnostic techniques, gave conflicting results. Τhe present study aimed to measure the exposure rate of hemodialysis patients of north-eastern Greece to HEV by estimating the overall seroprevalence, and to identify potential risk factors.

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A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the sexual function of women survivors of hematologic malignancy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), and to compare it with that of healthy women controls. Fifty-six sexually active women survivors of hematologic malignancy who underwent AHSCT were recruited through convenience sampling, as well as 60 healthy women. Demographic and clinical data questionnaires and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were completed.

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Background: Patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often experience severe eating disorders and other problems because of rapid disease progression and various therapies, which significantly affect their quality of life (QoL).

Aims: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and QoL of patients with NSCLC at the start of immunotherapy and 3 months later.

Methods: This study used a prospective, observational, consecutive sampling approach and was carried out between July 2018 and August 2019.

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A multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the sexual function of male survivors of hematological malignancy treated by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and to compare it with that of healthy male controls. By convenience sampling, 71 sexually active male survivors of hematological malignancy who underwent AHSCT were recruited, as well as 74 healthy men. A questionnaire with demographic and clinical data and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were completed.

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An outbreak of a potentially fatal form of pneumonia in 1976 and in the annual convention of the American Legion was the first time that spp. was identified. Thereafter, the term Legionnaires' disease (LD) was established.

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The therapeutic approaches to cancer remain a considerable target for all scientists around the world. Although new cancer treatments are an everyday phenomenon, cancer still remains one of the leading mortality causes. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains in this category, although patients with CRC may have better survival compared with other malignancies.

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Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease caused by intracellular pathogens of the genus . infects macrophages and evades clearance mechanisms, thus resulting in chronic parasitism. Herein, we studied the molecular changes that take place in human brucellosis both and RNA sequencing was performed in primary human macrophages (Mφ) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) infected with a clinical strain of spp.

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Care delivery from nursing staff to patients in hospital environment may involve the exertion of considerable muscular force and, as a result, there is a consequent risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the relationship between reported MSDs and perceived caring behaviors among nursing staff. A total of 250 questionnaires were completed in three Greek hospitals during February and March 2019.

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Introduction: Increasing life expectancy has led to a higher incidence of cancer in the elderly, thus making them vulnerable and worsening their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and their need for support.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the HRQoL and social support in elderly Greek lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 104 elderly cancer patients, who were receiving chemotherapy in the outpatient department and inpatient ward of a General Hospital in Athens.

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The collection of normally non-pathogenic microorganisms that mainly inhabit our gut lumen shapes our health in many ways. Structural and functional perturbations in the gut microbial pool, known as "dysbiosis", have been proven to play a vital role in the pathophysiology of several diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although therapeutic regimes are available to treat this group of diseases, they have long been the main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for the last two years and it has affected our society and, amongst other things, has had a negative impact on blood donation, which has led to a significant reduction in blood supplies worldwide. The imposed restrictions in terms of physical presence and transportation, and the fear of the unknown, have aggravated the situation. In Greece, after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, the blood supplies at the blood transfusion units (BTUs) were dramatically reduced.

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The newly identified human coronavirus was named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), based on a detailed analysis of clinical manifestation. It was reported that blood type O individuals were less likely to become infected by SARS-CoV, while blood type A individuals have an increased risk of severe illness. The Forssman antigen, or Forssman glycolipid synthase (FS), was first described in 1911 by John Frederick Forssman.

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Introduction: Vascular strokes are a primary cause of long-term disability for adults, with many social consequences for the patient, the family and healthcare systems worldwide.

Aim: To investigate the relation between patients' and caregivers' characteristics, as well as burden and depression, and the social support received by carers for stroke victims in Greece.

Method: Patients and caregivers were recruited from community settings in the Attica region of Greece, using purposive sampling.

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Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing students have had a key role in supporting the healthcare sector. They can join healthcare professionals in clinical practice or provide information to increase citizens' levels of knowledge and their compliance with the restriction measures. The study aimed to develop and validate a tool to measure knowledge of and attitudes toward COVID-19 among nursing students in Greece.

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Purpose: To assess patient satisfaction from chemotherapy and investigate the effect of demographic factors, disease symptoms and treatment on satisfaction.

Methods: A non-randomized cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 100 patients undergoing chemotherapy at "Metaxa" Cancer Hospital, Piraeus, Greece for 6 months. A demographic data questionnaire, a Cancer Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (CTSQ) and visual analog scales were used to evaluate pain, anxiety, fatigue, and nausea while presence or absence of vomit were also assessed.

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