Position statement on the non-invasive diagnosis of patients with ATTR pardiac amyloidosis, endorsed by the Hellenic Society of Nuclear Cardiology, for the Nuclear Medicine practitioners.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins called amyloids in the heart tissue. These amyloids can disrupt the normal functioning of the heart and lead to a variety of symptoms and complications.

Polymorphisms in LRP2 and CUBN genes and their association with serum vitamin D levels and sleep apnea.

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Megalin (LRP2) and cubilin (CUBN) are implicated in vitamin D metabolism, whereas LRP2 and CUBN polymorphisms have been previously associated with variable serum vitamin D levels. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of LRP2 rs2228171 c.

Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Overlap Syndrome, Is It Associated with Disease Severity?

Background: The coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been defined as overlap syndrome (OVS). Recently, a link between OSA, COPD and Vitamin D (Vit D) serum concentration was reported, however, evidence regarding Vit D status in patients with OVS is scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Vit D serum levels and to explore the association of those levels with anthropometric, pulmonary function and sleep parameters in patients with OVS.

Reduced Serum Vitamin D Levels Are Associated with Insulin Resistance in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, such as insulin resistance. Furthermore, OSAS has been associated with decreased levels of vitamin D (Vit D). The aim of the study was to assess the association between Vit D levels (expressed as 25(OH)D serum levels) and insulin resistance in patients with OSAS.

Genetics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Vitamin D Receptor Gene Variation Affects Both Vitamin D Serum Concentration and Disease Susceptibility.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a multifactorial and common disorder affecting 10-17% of men and 3-9% of women. A low vitamin D serum concentration has been reportedly linked to OSAS susceptibility, but the underlying molecular genetic mechanisms are poorly understood thus far. We report here original findings on the ways in which vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphic variation (FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms) impacts serum vitamin D concentration and, additionally, susceptibility to OSAS.

Metabolic Syndrome and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Background: Numerous studies have indicated that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes. Moreover, OSAS has been associated with lowered vitamin D (Vit D) levels, but reports are inconclusive. Aim of the study was to compare Vit D levels according to the presence of MetS and its components in OSAS patients.

Vitamin D Levels in Middle-Aged Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Background: Vitamin D (Vit D) insufficiency has been implicated in the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), a disorder associated with increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity, has been associated with decreased Vit D levels, but reports are inconclusive.

Aim: To evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a marker of Vit D status, with anthropometric and sleep characteristics of OSAS patients and to compare those levels between OSAS patients and non-apnoeic controls.

Estimating life expectancy of the population in Cyprus with the use of life tables.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the life expectancy of the Cypriot population between 1986 and 2012.

Material And Methods: We used the data reported in the annual editions of the Statistical Service of Cyprus and constructed life tables of the Cypriot population between 1986 and 2012.

Results: For both genders, and for males and females separately, in the year 1986 life expectancy accounted 74.

Association of occupational exposures and work characteristics with the occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders.

Background: Work is a daily activity with various conditions, exposures, and habits that may affect health either positively or negatively. Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational factors and conditions, and the occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders.

Methods: We enrolled in this study a sample of 891 consecutive individuals, who were examined by standard colonoscopy and gastroscopy and interviewed regarding their working conditions and exposures.

Second-look Flexible Nephroscopy Combined With Holmium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Lithotripsy Under Local Anesthesia: A Prospective Study.

Objective: To present a prospectively studied series of patients who underwent second-look flexible nephroscopy combined with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy under local anesthesia for residual stone removal after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Materials And Methods: Thirty consecutive eligible patients who underwent a PCNL procedure in the previous 48-96 hours were included. The inclusion criteria were the following: (1) 1 or 2 residual stones 0.

Survival and Quality of Life Benefit after Endoscopic Management of Malignant Central Airway Obstruction.

Background: Although interventional management of malignant central airway obstruction (mCAO) is well established, its impact on survival and quality of life (QoL) has not been extensively studied.

Aim: We prospectively assessed survival, QoL and dyspnea (using validated EORTC questionnaire) in patients with mCAO 1 day before interventional bronchoscopy, 1 week after and every following month, in comparison to patients who declined this approach. Material/Patients/Methods: 36 patients underwent extensive interventional bronchoscopic management as indicated, whereas 12 declined.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Elderly.

Until few years ago non-specific cytotoxic agents were considered the tip of the arrow as first line treatment for lung cancer. However; age > 75 was considered a major drawback for this kind of therapy. Few exceptions were made by doctors based on the performance status of the patient.

A rare case of anastomosis between the external and internal jugular veins.

Jugular veins bring deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart. There are two sets of external and internal veins. The external jugular vein receives the greater part of the blood from the cranium and the deep parts of the face.

Intravenous Heroin Abuse and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Forensic Study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate chronic intravenous heroin abuse and its potential to induce acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It also aims to examine the causative factors and the incidence of heroin-induced myocardial infarction.

Material And Methods: The hearts of 113 intravenous heroin abusers were studied for a duration exceeding 3 years.

Single sternal metastasis due to malignant melanoma with unexpected long-term survival: a case report.

Metastases from melanoma have a very poor prognosis for the patient. Single metastatic lesions in the sternum due to melanoma are extremely rare. A rare case of a presternal mass in a 56-year-old patient who had undergone excision for malignant melanoma is presented.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery reduces early postoperative stress. A single-institutional prospective randomized study.

Background: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been shown to effectively reduce postoperative pain, enhance mobilization of the patients, shorten in-hospital length of stay, and minimize postoperative morbidity rates. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate neuroendocrine and respiratory parameters as stress markers in cancer patients who underwent lung wedge resections, using both mini muscle-sparing thoracotomy and VATS approach.

Methods: The patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (n=30) involved patients who were operated on using the VATS approach, while in group B (n=30), the mini muscle-sparing thoracotomy approach was used.

Coexistence of squamous cell tracheal papilloma and carcinoma treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy: a case report.

Background: Papillomatosis presents, most frequently, as multiple lesions of the respiratory tract, which are usually considered benign. Malignant degeneration into squamous cell carcinoma is quite common, although curative approaches vary a lot in modern literature.

Case Report: We report a case of a 66-year-old male patient with the coexistence of multiple squamous cell papilloma and carcinoma in the upper trachea with severe airway obstruction that was diagnosed through bronchoscopy and treated by performing an urgent tracheostomy, followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Guided Suction Catheter-Biopsy in Histological Diagnosis of Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions.

Background: EBUS guided trans-bronchial biopsy became routine in diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL). Suction catheter-biopsy is a technique for obtaining a tissue sample from peripheral lung parenchyma. Aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic efficiency, feasibility and safety of EBUS guided suction catheter-biopsy (SCB) in comparison to trans-bronchial biopsy (TBB) in diagnosis of PPL.

Can tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) be used as prognostic markers of infection following ureteroscopic lithrotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones?

Objective: Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) and Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are highly effective for the treatment of uretral lithiasis and remain the treatment option for the majority of patients for more than two decades. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor A (TNFa) and interleucin 6 (IL6) in patients undergoing ESWL and URS.

Subjects And Methods: A total number of seventy patients were involved in our study.

The role of copeptin in patients with subarachnoid haemorrage.

Objective: Subarachnoid haemorrhage is responsible to a great extend for the death rate of patients who are hospitalised in intensive care units (ICU) with haemorrhage. The early detection of its severity plays an important role for the resulting health of the patients. Neurohormone Copeptin is the C-end of pro-arginine vasopressin in plasma has been used as a prognostic marker in a number of various illnesses (acute myocardial infarction, heart and renal failure, acute dyspnoea, intracerebral and subarachnoid haemorrhage, ischaemic stroke, liver cirrhosis, acute pancreatitis).

Serum levels of fetuin-A in patients with coronary artery disease. Corellation with SPET myocardium scintigraphy.

Objective: Fetuin-A is an acidic glycoprotein produced in the liver, as an inhibitor for cysteine protease. Its gene is founded in chromosome 3 (3q27). It is involved in various physiological and pathological conditions.

Tumor necrosis factor A and interleucin 6 serum values in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones.

Objective: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is highly effective for the treatment of uretral lithiasis and remains the first treatment option for the majority of patients when ureteral lithiasis can not be treated otherwise for more than two decades. In the present study we aim to evaluate the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleucin 6 (IL-6) in patients undergoing ESWL and investigate whether preESWL levels of serum TNF-a and IL-6 correllate with any possible infectious complications after ESWL.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty patients (17 males and 13 females), with a mean age of 43 who underwent ESWL for ureteral stones and 10 healthy volunteers serving as the control group were enrolled in this study.