Validation of gender-equity model for liver allocation (GEMA) and its sodium variant (GEMA-Na) in candidates for liver transplantation.

Background: The current allocation system for liver transplantation (LT) is based on the sickest-first policy, using objective variables to ensure equal priority. However, under-prioritization of female patients for LT, compared to males, is well demonstrated and new scores have been proposed to overcome this systematic bias. This study evaluated the ability of these new scores to predict the long-term outcomes of patients with cirrhosis.

Diagnostic approach to patients with suspected motility disorders: one size does not fit all.

Background: Dysphagia and retrosternal chest pain are considered typical manifestations of major esophageal motility disorders (mEMD). High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for mEMD diagnosis, while endoscopy and barium swallow are ancillary tools. We aimed to investigate the frequency of mEMD among patients referred for HRM with typical compared to non-typical symptoms.

A comparative analysis of smoking status among the Roma and the general population during pregnancy: The critical role of midwives in smoking cessation.

Introduction: Tobacco consumption poses severe health risks, particularly for pregnant women, where it exacerbates maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This issue is especially critical among minority groups such as the Roma, who face unique socio-economic and cultural challenges that contribute to higher smoking rates. This study investigates the smoking behaviors of pregnant Roma women and the general population, highlighting the role of midwives in smoking cessation.

Anorexia nervosa is associated with higher brain mu-opioid receptor availability.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder, characterized by restricted eating, fear to gain weight, and a distorted body image. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) functions as a part of complex opioid system and supports both homeostatic and hedonic control of eating behavior. Thirteen patients with AN and thirteen healthy controls (HC) were included in this study.

The Putative Antidiabetic Effect of on Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a global disease that significantly impacts public health, has become increasingly common over time. In this review, we aim to determine the potential benefits of St. John's Wort (SJW) as an adjunct therapy for DM.

The International System for Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) survey in preparation for TIS 2.0.

Introduction: The International System for Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) has gained acceptance and has led to literature validating original concepts and suggesting refinements. In preparation for the second edition of TIS, editors generated a survey to solicit experience with and opinions about TIS.

Materials And Methods: An online survey available from March 8 to June 15, 2024, included 56 questions, offered in 7 languages, related to the practice of serous fluid cytopathology.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bulevirtide monotherapy for up to 96 weeks in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) 2 mg/day is EMA approved for treatment of compensated chronic hepatitis due to Delta virus (HDV) infection, however real-life data in large cohorts of patients with cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients with cirrhosis starting BLV 2 mg/day since September 2019 were included in a European retrospective multicenter real-life study (SAVE-D). Patient characteristics before and during BLV treatment were collected.

Prognostic factors for first recurrence following meningioma surgery.

The present study investigated the role of the Simpson grade system, MIB-1 immunohistochemical marker, meningioma location and grade in the risk of recurrence. Between January, 2008 and January, 2018, the present study retrospectively evaluated all patients undergoing craniotomy for the resection of a histopathologically confirmed meningioma. Patients with neurofibromatosis, acoustic neurinomas and radiation treatment prior to surgery were excluded.

Prognostic Value of Serum TMAO Measurement in Patients with STEMI: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Gut microbiota-derived metabolite Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is increasingly recognized as a potential novel prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Our research work aimed to investigate the potential utility of TMAO measurement in patients with STelevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed from inception to the 1st of February 2024 to identify all studies examining the association between plasma TMAO levels and disease complexity or clinical outcomes in STEMI patients.

The Conservative Management of the Carpometacarpal Joint Fracture-Dislocation: A Case of the Second to the Fifth Ray.

Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint fractures-dislocations are rare due to the complex structure of the carpal bones and strong ligamentous support; while the clinical image is usually "noisy," they present significant management challenges due to the unstable nature of the injury. These injuries are typically caused by high-energy trauma and frequently result in dorsal dislocations. Treatment requires a careful balance between the immobilization and surgical restoration of the anatomical alignment to prevent complications.

Anatomical Schemata Revealed by the Critical View of Safety Approach: A Proposal of the Hellenic Task Force on the Typology of Safe Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (HETALCHO).

: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most commonly performed operation in general surgery in the Western World. Gallbladder surgery, although most of the time simple, always offers the possibility of unpleasant surprises. Despite progress, the incidence of common bile duct injury is 0.

Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: What's New Regarding Its Diagnostics and Therapeutics?

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is defined as the development of AKI in the context of a potentially life-threatening organ dysfunction attributed to an abnormal immune response to infection. SA-AKI has been associated with increased mortality when compared to sepsis or AKI alone. Therefore, its early recognition is of the utmost importance in terms of its morbidity and mortality rates.

Vaccination as a Promising Approach in Cardiovascular Risk Mitigation: Are We Ready to Embrace a Vaccine Strategy?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading global health concern, with atherosclerosis being its principal cause. Standard CVD treatments primarily focus on mitigating cardiovascular (CV) risk factors through lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering therapies. As atherosclerosis is marked by chronic arterial inflammation, the innate and adaptive immune systems play vital roles in its progression, either exacerbating or alleviating disease development.

Machine learning applications in healthcare clinical practice and research.

Machine learning (ML) is a type of artificial intelligence that assists computers in the acquisition of knowledge through data analysis, thus creating machines that can complete tasks otherwise requiring human intelligence. Among its various applications, it has proven groundbreaking in healthcare as well, both in clinical practice and research. In this editorial, we succinctly introduce ML applications and present a study, featured in the latest issue of the .

New Developments in VHL-Associated Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to outline the current knowledge on epidemiology, diagnosis and management of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) that develop in the context of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome.

Recent Findings: Pancreatic NENs develop in 8-17% of VHL patients (vPNENs) and are mostly multi-focal, cystic and non-functioning. Surgical resection is recommended for vPNENS > 3 cm that exhibit higher metastatic potential or in tumors with short doubling time while in the 20% of cases with metastatic disease the HIF-2 A inhibitor belzutifan is considered a promising option.

Ultra-Processed Foods and Childhood Obesity: Current evidence and perspectives.

Purpose Of The Review: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) represent foods that have undergone substantial industrial processing, such as the addition of preservatives and various other ingredients, thereby making them more tasty, appealing and easy to consume. UPFs are often rich in sugars, saturated fats and salt, while they are low in essential nutrients.The aim of this review is to examine the relationship between the widespread consumption of UPFs and the development of obesity among children and adolescents.

Similar Hepatitis B virus reactivation risk for patients with inflammatory arthritis or connective tissue diseases: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: Hepatitis B reactivation and administration of prophylactic antiviral treatment are considered in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) undergoing immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory treatment. Data are more robust for rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving bDMARDs but are limited for other AIIRD and drug categories.

Methods: Adult patients with AIIRD (inflammatory arthritis [IA] or connective tissue diseases [CTD]) and documented chronic or resolved HBV infection (defined as serum HBsAg positivity or anti-HBcAb positivity in the case of HBsAg non-detection respectively), followed-up in six rheumatology centers in Greece and Italy, were included.

A Narrative Review of Combat Sports Injuries With a Particular Focus on Cervical Spine Injuries.

Combat sports encompass a wide range of disciplines, each associated with distinct injury patterns and mechanisms. From karate to wrestling, athletes face varying degrees of injury risks, with common clinical presentations including head injuries, strains, sprains, fractures, and concussions. These injuries often result from dynamic movements, physical contact, and high-impact collisions inherent to combat sports.

Up-regulation of Cuproptosis-related lncRNAS in Patients Receiving Immunotherapy for Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Indicates Progressive Disease.

Background/aim: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) represents the most common type of renal cancer. When resectable, nephrectomy is the only radical treatment for ccRCC, however metastasis is already present at 30% of the patient population. Although great progress has been made in the field of targeted therapy with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) the cure of metastatic ccRCC (mccRCC) remains far from achieved.

Bone and muscle mass characteristics in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are rare tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells most commonly in the gastrointestinal-tract. In recent years, advancements in therapeutics have increased survival rates in patients with NEN leading to a greater clinical burden compared to the general population.

Methods: The aim of this single-center case-control study was to investigate the incidence of low bone mass and changes in body composition in adult patients diagnosed with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNET).

The relationship between residual insulin secretion and subclinical cardiovascular risk indices in young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1), even in the setting of adequate glycaemic control, have an excess risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Residual insulin secretion (RIS), measured by detectable C-peptide levels in patients with DM1, might protect against diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to examine the relationship between residual insulin secretion and prognostic markers of cardiovascular complications in patients with DM1.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 7704 Individuals: An Analysis from the Greek Registry for the Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH).

The intention of this study was to profile the cohort from the Greek Registry for the prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH) by estimating the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, smoking, abnormal thyroid function (ATF), and lipid values. The GRegistry-FH is a prospective study involving door-to-door interviews conducted by trained interviewers. Overall, 7704 individuals aged ≥18 years, randomly selected from all the regions of Greece, participated.

A Systematic Review of Current Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions for the Use of Robotic Surgery in Otolaryngology in Greece.

Robotic surgery is increasingly used in otolaryngology (ENT), particularly for complex head and neck procedures. It offers various advantages, including limited postoperative pain, excellent aesthetic results, better visualization in the surgical field, enhanced dexterity due to movement adjustment by the robotic system, and minimal complications and hospital stay. However, robotic systems' higher cost and limited availability are a burden for clinical applications.

The Recurrence of Tracheobronchial Papillomatosis Following Prostate Cancer Diagnosis.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a challenging disease to manage, due to its highly recurring nature and the lack of a definitive treatment. It is characterized by the presence of benign papillomatous lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can pose a threat to the patient's airway patency and restrict their breathing ability. We present the case of a 64-year-old patient with a history of papillomas in the trachea and bronchi, treated with endobronchial cryotherapy.