Physical signs and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia: the HELLAS-FH Registry.

Aims: Three physical signs, namely tendon xanthomas, corneal arcus and xanthelasma, have been associated with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH). The prevalence and clinical significance of these signs are not well established among contemporary heFH individuals. This study explored the frequency as well as the association of these physical signs with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in heFH individuals.

Determining the Association Between the Origin of Sepsis and the Severity of Sepsis in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients Using Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV.

Objective The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of hospital mortality, the requirement of invasive ventilation, vasopressor requirement, duration of vasopressor requirement, and duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay among the different causes of sepsis and to determine which cause of sepsis had the most severe outcomes. Methods A retrospective chart review was done in critically ill adult patients who were admitted with sepsis to the ICU from July 2017 until July 2019. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV scores were calculated on patients admitted to ICU on day one of ICU admission.

Structural rearrangements as a recurrent pathogenic mechanism for SETBP1 haploinsufficiency.

Chromosomal structural rearrangements consist of anomalies in genomic architecture that may or may not be associated with genetic material gain and loss. Evaluating the precise breakpoint is crucial from a diagnostic point of view, highlighting possible gene disruption and addressing to appropriate genotype-phenotype association. Structural rearrangements can either occur randomly within the genome or present with a recurrence, mainly due to peculiar genomic features of the surrounding regions.

Causal association between years of schooling and the risk of traumatic brain injury: A two-sample mendelian randomization analysis.

Objective: To investigate whether the number of years of schooling are causally associated traumatic brain injury (TBI). We aimed to investigate whether the number of years of schooling are causally associated TBI.

Methods: We investigate the prospective causal effect of years of schooling on TBI using summary statistical data.

Investigating the Role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal-proBNP in Thrombosis and Acute Ischemic Stroke Etiology.

The need for biomarkers for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) to understand the mechanisms implicated in pathological clot formation is critical. The levels of the brain natriuretic peptides known as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP have been shown to be increased in patients suffering from heart failure and other heart conditions. We measured their expression in AIS clots of cardioembolic (CE) and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) etiology, evaluating their location inside the clots, aiming to uncover their possible role in thrombosis.

Harmonizing Hearts: Exploring the Impact of Music Therapy on Cardiovascular Health.

Music therapy (MT) is a music intervention involving a credentialed professional and a client, which has gained increasing recognition in current practices as an adjunct therapy for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). MT demonstrates notable physiological as well as psychological effects leading to lowered anxiety, depression, and systolic blood pressure in patients with CVDs as well as having effects on heart rate and heart rate variability in healthy subjects. MT emerges as a promising adjunct in the prevention and rehabilitation of CVDs and its holistic impact on physiological and psychological parameters underscores its potential as a noninvasive, cost-effective intervention.

A novel method of neurophysiological brainstem mapping in neurosurgery.

Background: Brainstem mapping with electrical stimulation allows functional identification of neural structures during resection of deep lesions. Single pulses or train of pulses are delivered to map cranial nerves and corticospinal tracts, respectively.

New Method: We introduce a hybrid stimulation technique for mapping the brainstem.

Executive summary of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemias - 2023.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the main cause of death worldwide, and thus its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. Dyslipidemia represents a major ASCVD risk factor that should be adequately managed at different clinical settings. 2023 guidelines of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society focus on the assessment of ASCVD risk, laboratory evaluation of dyslipidemias, new and emerging lipid-lowering drugs, as well as diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders in women, the elderly and in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

infection: history, epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, clinical manifestations, treatment, and future options.

SUMMARY infection (CDI) is one of the major issues in nosocomial infections. This bacterium is constantly evolving and poses complex challenges for clinicians, often encountered in real-life scenarios. In the face of CDI, we are increasingly equipped with new therapeutic strategies, such as monoclonal antibodies and live biotherapeutic products, which need to be thoroughly understood to fully harness their benefits.

Nanotechnology in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections.

The development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), along with the relative reduction in the production of new antimicrobials, significantly limits the therapeutic options in infectious diseases. Thus, novel treatments, especially in the current era, where AMR is increasing, are urgently needed. There are several ongoing studies on non-classical therapies for infectious diseases, such as bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and nanotechnology, among others.

Distinct profiles of proliferating CD8+/TCF1+ T cells and CD163+/PD-L1+ macrophages predict risk of relapse differently among treatment-naïve breast cancer subtypes.

Immunophenotypic analysis of breast cancer microenvironment is gaining attraction as a clinical tool improving breast cancer patient stratification. The aim of this study is to evaluate proliferating CD8 + including CD8 + TCF1 + Τ cells along with PD-L1 expressing tissue-associated macrophages among different breast cancer subtypes. A well-characterized cohort of 791 treatment-naïve breast cancer patients was included.