Lipoprotein (a) in the Full Spectrum of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Evidence From Histologically and Genetically Characterized Cohorts.

Background & 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.

Long COVID‑19 and pregnancy: A systematic review.

The impact of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or Long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), on pregnant women remains a growing concern. The present systematic review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of Long COVID-19 in pregnant women to improve understanding of its burden and implications for maternal health. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2020 and October 2024.

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.

Risk of death and thrombosis in patients admitted to the emergency department with supraventricular tachycardias.

Background: Few data are available on the clinical course of patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the 1-year risk of adverse events in patients with SVT.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted within TriNetX.

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.

Missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis in Greece: The MORFEAS study, 2019 to 2021.

BackgroundLate HIV diagnosis (CD4+ T-cell count < 350 cells/μL, or with an AIDS-defining event) remains a persistent challenge in Greece, indicating potential missed opportunities (MOs) for earlier testing.AimTo determine the frequency of HIV indicator conditions (ICs) preceding diagnosis and to quantify MOs for earlier testing at a nationwide level in Greece.MethodsThis multicentre retrospective study analysed data on 823 antiretroviral therapy-naive adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with HIV during 2019-21.

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.

The effect of propranolol on gastrointestinal motility and permeability in patients with cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension.

Background: Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension may have alterations in intestinal barrier resulting in increased susceptibility for infections. We investigated the effect of propranolol in gastrointestinal motility, permeability and bacterial overgrowth in cirrhosis.

Methods: Patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices were studied before and after a build-up dose of propranolol according to standard guidelines.

Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver (HASL): revised clinical practice guidelines for autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare liver disease, of unknown origin, characterized by considerable heterogeneity. AIH can affect both sexes, of all ages, ethnicities and races. The revised Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) of the Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver aim to provide updated guidance to clinicians.

Efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination therapy early after recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following resection or ablation with a curative intent.

Background: The pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after resection/ablation is intrahepatic and/or systemic. The efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab treatment as early therapy after recurrence has not been extensively evaluated.

Methods: We evaluated 32 patients (group A) with early HCC recurrence after resection/ablation and 24 patients (group B) initially diagnosed as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-C, all treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab.