Association between simple, combined lipid markers and 20-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes: the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between simple, combined lipid biomarkers, and 20-year cumulative incidence of new type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adults participating in the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Methods: The present analysis included data from 2000 individuals free of T2DM at baseline (age 43 ± 13 years; 51% women). Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, clinical, and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examinations; combined lipid markers were evaluated.

Addressing the essentials of the recent guidelines for managing patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation in the Western world, with an approximate prevalence of 30% worldwide which is continuously rising. It is characterized by intrahepatic fat deposition along with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. MASLD consists of a spectrum of liver diseases ranging from simple liver steatosis to steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Aberrant anatomy in the context of the critical view of safety.

Background: The protective impact of the Critical View of Safety (CVS) approach on the vasculo-biliary injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) depends largely upon the understanding of the normal and variant anatomy. Structures exposed during the acquisition of the CVS can deviate from the typical dual configuration of the cystic duct and artery (gallbladder pedicle) representing either a third (supernumerary) or atypical in course (heterotopic) element. The aim of this study was to determine the identity and the frequency of these anatomical elements and to propose anatomic schemata that can guide the achievement of CVS by surgeons.

Renal survival and treatment of adult patients with Primary Focal Segmental glomerulosclerosis: A historical cohort study of the National Greek Registry.

Background/objective: Primary Focal and Segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most common causes of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Our aim was to describe a large cohort of patients with primary FSGS, identify risk factors associated with worse renal survival and assess the impact of different immunosuppressive regiments on renal survival.

Methods: This was a historical cohort study of adults who were diagnosed with primary FSGS from March 26, 1982, to September 16, 2020.

Vitamin D Supplementation as a Therapeutic Strategy in Autoimmune Diabetes: Insights and Implications for LADA Management.

Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) is the most prevalent form of autoimmune diabetes (AI-D) in adulthood; however, its accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment remain challenging. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is commonly observed in LADA patients, while increased vitamin D exposure through supplementation and dietary intake is associated with a reduced incidence of LADA. Although limited, case reports, case-control studies, and randomized clinical trials have examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation-alone or combined with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4-is)-on glucose regulation, residual β-cell function, and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA65) levels.

Exposure to Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances During Pregnancy and Asthma in Childhood: A Systematic Review.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that has been increasing in prevalence among children globally. While genetic factors contribute to asthma risk, there are growing concerns about environmental exposures, such as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may disrupt respiratory and immune development in the prenatal period. This systematic review aimed to assess the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and the development of asthma in childhood, integrating findings from epidemiological studies.

Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Lactation.

Tobacco smoke exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly for lactating women and their infants. Despite widespread awareness of the harms of smoking during pregnancy, many women continue to smoke postpartum, directly impacting lactation success and infant health. Studies have shown that nicotine, the primary component of tobacco smoke, inhibits prolactin production and the milk ejection reflex, resulting in a decreased milk supply and poor breastfeeding outcomes.

Lipoprotein (a) in the Full Spectrum of MASLD; Evidence from Histologically and Genetically Characterized Cohorts.

Background And Aims: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an emerging biomarker for cardiometabolic factors. We studied the role of Lp(a) in the full spectrum of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Methods: Three independent analyses were implemented using a multi-center, cross-sectional, liver biopsy-based study (n=332) (Study 1) and the UK Biobank prospective study (n=270,004) (Study 2, median follow-up=12.

Iatrogenic Budd-chiari Syndrome from Misplacement of Right Internal Jugular Central Vein Catheter: A Case Report.

Introduction/background: Budd-Chiari syndrome is a rare entity that is caused by an obstruction of the flow in the hepatic veins or inferior vena cava.

Case Presentation: Herein, we report a rare case of iatrogenic Budd-Chiari syndrome. A 52-year-old woman with chronic renal failure under hemodialysis, presented to our hospital for dyspnea caused by a large pleural effusion.

A super-giant basal cell carcinoma of the scalp.

Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant skin cancer, originating from basal cells. However, it is regarded more benign than other skin cancers, in the majority of the cases. If left untreated, it can lead to various complications, degradation of quality of life and even mortality to the patient.

Prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of patients with metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In light of the new nomenclature of steatotic liver disease (SLD), we aimed to enhance the existing knowledge on the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane databases to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of MetALD within the SLD population and to compare the characteristics between MetALD patients and those with metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). Nineteen studies from nine countries that evaluated 4,543,341 adult participants with SLD were included.

Evaluating Interleukin-2 and Its Receptors As Indicators of Acute Renal Graft Rejection.

Introduction Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that exerts its actions via binding to a variety of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R), thereby stimulating T-cell response. Acute renal graft rejection (AR) is known to be mediated by CD8+ T-cells, through the IL-2 pathway. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL-2 and IL-2R could work as prognostic biomarkers of AR.

Mortality of Acute Kidney Injury in Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Over 5 Million Patients Across Different Clinical Settings.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a commonly seen condition in the natural course of cirrhosis associated with unfavourable outcomes.

Aims: To evaluate and compare the pooled mortality rates of patients with cirrhosis, with versus without AKI, across different clinical settings and diagnostic criteria.

Methods: A systematic search of several databases was performed up to Oct 2023.

Prevented fractions of cardiovascular disease cases, by long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet; the ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its related co-morbidities, i.e., type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, have an enormous burden on population health and healthcare systems.

Protection conferred by booster vaccine doses in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 epidemics from 2022 to 2023 in Greece.

Background: To estimate the protection that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses conferred to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 against adverse outcomes and longer length of stay during the Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 subvariant epidemics in Greece.

An Updated Review on Arterial Stiffness Measurement Techniques and Arterial Stiffness Alterations After Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Studies over the last years have revealed the possible impact of endovascular repair of abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms on the arterial stiffness and secondary on the cardiac function and the central hemodynamics.

Methods: A literature search was conducted to collect data on current methods of arterial stiffness assessment and the induced changes in arterial stiffness after endovascular or open surgical repair of abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Results: Seventeen studies were analyzed.

Relugolix for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Introduction: Androgen deprivation therapy consists of the cornerstone of prostate cancer medical treatment. Until recently, castration of hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal axial was based on injectable medical agents. A few years ago, a novel per os administered GnRH antagonist was approved leading testosterone to castration level.

Upper Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy Utilizing Prone-Position Thoracoscopy for Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers.

Esophagectomy is the mainstay of treatment in esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) remains a challenging procedure and has been associated with a high rate of complications and mortality. Routine lymphadenectomy includes two-field lymphadenectomy for distal-esophageal or gastroesophageal junction Siewert I-II tumors.

Anti-Diabetic Therapies and Cancer: From Bench to Bedside.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor for various cancers, with the impact of anti-diabetic therapies on cancer progression differing across malignancies. Among these therapies, metformin has gained attention for its potential anti-cancer effects, primarily through modulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) pathway and the induction of autophagy. Beyond metformin, other conventional anti-diabetic treatments, such as insulin, sulfonylureas (SUs), pioglitazone, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, have also been examined for their roles in cancer biology, though findings are often inconclusive.

Annexin A2 in Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Pancreas.

Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is a protein that is involved in many physiological and pathological cellular processes. There is compelling evidence that its dysregulated expression, be it up- or downregulation, contributes to the oncogenesis of various neoplasms, including those of the digestive system. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of ANXA2 in the main tumors of the digestive system.

Pulmonary Endometriosis: A Systematic Review.

: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity, which mainly occurs in the pelvic cavity. Pulmonary endometriosis, or thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES), describes the rare presence of endometrial-like cells in the thoracic cavity and includes catamenial pneumothorax, catamenial hemothorax, hemoptysis, and lung nodules. Our aim is to summarize the results of all reported cases of TES.