Navigating the practical challenges and ethical dilemmas of surplus cryopreserved human embryos.

Cryopreservation, the use of very low temperatures to preserve structurally intact living cells and tissues, has seen exponential growth in the field of fertilization (IVF). In the last decade, cryopreservation of embryos and freeze-all protocols have become an essential aspect and a prerequisite for a successful IVF outcome. Moreover, vitrification, which is a fast and safe cryopreservation method, has proved to be an effective choice for cryopreserving gametes and embryos.

Nebulized aminoglycosides for ventilator-associated pneumonia: Methodological considerations and lessons from experimental studies.

Aminoglycosides are concentration-dependent antibiotics exerting a bactericidal effect when concentrations at the site of infection are equal to or greater than 5 times the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). When administered intravenously, they exhibit poor lung penetration and high systemic renal and ototoxicity, imposing to restrict their administration to 5 days. Experimental studies conducted in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep and pigs provide evidence that high doses of nebulized aminoglycosides induce a rapid and potent bacterial killing in the infected lung parenchyma.

Psoriasis severity in moderate to severe psoriatic Greek patients routinely treated with systemic treatment: a cross-sectional and retrospective chart review study (CRYSTAL-Greece).

Objective: To characterize the systemic treatment patterns and current state of moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients in real-world settings in Greece.

Methods: CRYSTAL-Greece was a multicenter, cross-sectional and retrospective chart review study assessing Psoriasis Area and Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and EuroQol-5-Dimensions 5-Levels (EQ-5D-5L). Eligible patients were consented adults (18-75 years old) on continuous treatment with any approved systemic therapy regimen for ≥24 weeks.

Long-term results of lymphedema treatment with Combined lymph node transfer and collagen scaffolds: An Observational Study.

Aim: Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) accelerates growth factor secretion, lymphatic endothelial cell migration toward the interstitial flow and lymphagiogenesis in a multidirectional pattern. Our observational study aimed to examine the hypothesis that nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds (NCS) combined with VLNT can provide guided lymphagiogenesis creating long-lasting lymphatic pathways.

Methods: Twenty-four patients (21 female, 3 male) underwent a lymphatic microsurgery for upper ( = 11) or lower ( = 13) limb secondary lymphedema and completed at least 18 months follow-up were selected and equally divided in 2 groups; Group-A underwent VLNT, Group-B underwent combined VLNT and NCS procedure.

Anatomic and Functional Outcomes of Scleral Buckling Surgery for Advanced Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Systematic Review and Proportional Meta-Analysis.

A significant percentage of patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who progressed to stages 4 and 5 of ROP will require surgical intervention. Scleral buckling surgery is widely employed for the restoration of retinal detachment in advanced cases of ROP. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to review the anatomical and visual outcomes following scleral buckling surgery in ROP of stages 4 and 5.

Should We Be Treating Affective Symptoms, Like Anxiety and Depression Which May Be Related to LUTD in Patients With OAB? ICI-RS 2024.

Aims: To discuss the role of screening and treatment of affective symptoms, like anxiety and depression in patients with LUTD. A review of the literature regarding the bidirectional association and multidisciplinary approaches integrating psychometric assessments with personalized treatment plans to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes of LUTD.

Methods: This review summarizes discussions and a narrative review of (recent) literature during an International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society 2024 research proposal with respect to the role of screening for anxiety and depression, effect of mental health symptoms on treatment outcomes and future implications.

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.

Nighttime systolic blood pressure a major factor of retinal vascular caliber changes in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Changes in retinal vessel caliber are crucial for detecting early retinopathy, a significant cause of blindness in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (T2DM). This study aims to evaluate the changes in retinal vessel caliber and identify factors associated with these changes in recently diagnosed T2DM patients.

Methods: The study included newly diagnosed T2DM patients (within 6 months of diagnosis) who were free of antidiabetic treatment (except metformin) and matched individuals based on age and blood pressure (BP).

Real-world treatment patterns in patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Greece: the 'EVIDENCE' study.

Background: The treatment landscape of non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NM-NSCLC) is rapidly evolving with recent approvals of immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Methods: This retrospective study included 202 adults diagnosed with NM-NSCLC between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 primarily aiming to capture initial management strategies.

Results: Most frequent treatment patterns among Stage I/II patients ( = 84) were surgery only (48.

HEV Infection in Beta-Thalassemia Patients.

Thalassemia is an inherited hematological disorder characterized by a decrease in the synthesis of or absence of one or more globin chains. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis, constituting a major global health burden and emerging as a critical public health concern. HEV infection is mainly transmitted via the fecal-oral route; however, parenteral transmission through blood components has been reported in both developing and developed countries.

Beyond the "Dominant" and "Recessive" Patterns of Inheritance.

This study aimed to investigate whether genes with different modes of inheritance differ in the presence of promoter-enriched CGI loci. For each autosomal chromosome, the author searched for variations in the total number of diseases' phenotypes with autosomal dominant (AD) and recessive (AR) inheritance for a list of promoter-poor CGI (CGI-) and promoter-enriched CGI (CGI+) genes using the OMIM database. Then, the CGI- and CGI+ genes displaying random allelic or bi-allelic expression were examined.

HER2-Positive Serous Endometrial Cancer Treatment: Current Clinical Practice and Future Directions.

The most common histological subtypes of endometrial cancer consist of endometrioid and uterine serous carcinoma, with the latter being more aggressive and accompanied by poor prognosis. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. HER2 positivity can be diagnosed in many solid tumors.

Ethanol Sclerotherapy for Endometriomas in Infertile Women: A Narrative Review.

Ethanol sclerotherapy (EST) has gained attention as a minimally invasive treatment option for ovarian endometriomas, particularly in infertile women with endometrioma undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Endometriomas are associated with decreased ovarian reserve and impaired fertility outcomes, and traditional surgical approaches, such as cystectomy, often lead to further reductions in ovarian reserve. Ethanol sclerotherapy offers a potential alternative that preserves ovarian function while effectively managing endometriomas.

Transforaminal Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy: A Novel Alternative for Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Objective: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) represents an increasingly encountered condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study is to assess the progress of health-related quality of life following transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) for LDH in patients suffering from RA.

Methods: Seventy-four patients, scheduled to undergo elective TELD for LDH, were prospectively enrolled in the study.

EAES rapid guideline: surgical management of complicated diverticulitis - with ESCP participation.

Background: The surgical management of complicated diverticulitis varies across Europe. EAES members prioritized this topic to be addressed by a clinical practice guideline through an online questionnaire.

Objective: To develop evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations for key stakeholders involved in the treatment of complicated diverticulitis; to improve operative and perioperative outcomes, patient experience and quality of life through a systematic evidence-to-decision approach by a diverse, multidisciplinary panel.

Surgical management of complicated diverticulitis: systematic review and individual patient data network meta-analysis : An EAES/ESCP collaborative project.

Background: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of individualized patient data (IPD) to inform the development of evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central in October 2023 to identify RCTs comparing Hartmann's resection (HR), primary resection and anastomosis (PRA), or laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) among patients with class Ib-IV Hinchey diverticulitis. Outcomes of interest were prioritized by an international, multidisciplinary panel including two patient partners.

Impact of Mast Cell Activation on Neurodegeneration: A Potential Role for Gut-Brain Axis and Infection.

Background: The innate immune response aims to prevent pathogens from entering the organism and/or to facilitate pathogen clearance. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages, mast cells (MCs), natural killer cells and neutrophils, bear pattern recognition receptors and are thus able to recognize common molecular patterns, such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), the later occurring in the context of neuroinflammation. An inflammatory component in the pathology of otherwise "primary cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative" disease has recently been recognized and targeted as a means of therapeutic intervention.

Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study in North Greece.

: The incidence of breast cancer, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), has continuously increased in recent years. The concurrent study of these diseases is particularly important, as there is a strong correlation between them due to hormonal, biochemical, and environmental factors. Moreover, the underlying metabolic dysfunction in this case could affect the treatment of breast cancer, as well as overall survival.

Efficacy and Safety of Mydriatic Microdrops for Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening: The MyMiROPS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Commercial mydriatics administered in preterm infants during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening have been associated with various cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal adverse events.

Objective: To examine whether microdrops of a combined mixture of 1.67% phenylephrine and 0.

COVID-19 in pregnancy: Perinatal outcomes and complications.

Background: The risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women is elevated.

Aim: To examine the outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 and report perinatal outcomes and complications, while providing a brief review of current literature.

Methods: The study included pregnant women presenting from April 2020 to February 2022 to the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital.

Variation in the surgical management of complicated diverticulitis: a cross-sectional study of European surgeons.

Introduction: There are many options for the surgical management of complicated diverticulitis, and standards vary widely despite international practice recommendations. We conducted a survey to capture the variation in practice across Europe.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to fellow and surgeon members of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) via email using the Opinio survey platform.

Accuracy of the Imageless Mode of the ROSA Robotic System for Targeted Resection Thickness in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Single Surgeon Case-Series Study.

Background: We investigated the accuracy of targeted resection thickness in patients undergoing primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using the ROSA robotic system.

Methods: Calliper measurements of the distal femur (DF), proximal tibia (PT), and posterior condyles (PC) were taken in 44 patients from June 2023 to January 2024.

Results: Planned and actual resection depth difference was 0.