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.

The Impact of Surgery Delay on Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer.

(1) Background: Suspicious adnexal masses should be referred to gynecological oncology units. However, when surgery waiting lists are prolonged, these patients usually suffer from a delay in surgery. This could have a negative impact on their prognosis when the final diagnosis is ovarian cancer (OC).

Does Nocturnal Blood Pressure Matter in Retinal Small Vessels? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature.

Purpose Of The Review: Τhe association between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and alterations in the retinal microvasculature remains understudied, with few available studies to provide conflicting results. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether an association exists between retinal microvascular alterations and nocturnal BP patterns, determined by 24h ambulatory BP measurement.

Recent Findings: Our search concluded to 1002 patients (6 studies).

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).

Abstracts of the 16th European Congress of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology .

PAG aims to foster a collaborative environment that bridges knowledge from various disciplines to ensure the highest quality of care for children and adolescents with gynaecological issues. The European Association of PAG and HellenicPAG, like all National PAG Societies, support research and education to advance new insights, improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and protect future fertility. Additionally, PAG promotes international cooperation by proposing guidelines for good clinical practice in terms of prevention, diagnosis, procedures, and treatment.

Molecular classification of endometrial cancer: Impact on adjuvant treatment planning.

Objective: The traditional histopathological analysis of endometrial cancer (EC) is the main risk group classification tool (low, intermediate, high-intermediate, and high) for the implementation of adjuvant treatment. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system of EC has incorporated a new molecular classification that serves as a new triage tool for optimal treatment planning for these patients. Our study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of the new molecular classification in EC.

Accuracy of Controlled Attenuation Parameter for Liver Steatosis in High-Risk Patients for MASLD Using MRI-Proton Density Fat Fraction as Reference Standard.

Aim: Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) enables the noninvasive diagnosis of liver steatosis. Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) is increasingly used over biopsy for the assessment of steatosis in patients at risk for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We assessed the accuracy of CAP for liver steatosis defined as MRI-PDFF ≥ 5%.

A worldwide assessment of the mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Analysis of the VENTILAGROUP over time. A retrospective, multicenter study.

Background: The trend over time and across different geographical areas of outcomes and management with noninvasive ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation in patients admitted for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and treated with ventilatory support is unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe outcomes and identify variables associated with survival for patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [aeCOPD] who received noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation worldwide.

Methods: Retrospective, multi-national, and multicenter studies, including four observational cohort studies, were carried out in 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2016 for the VENTILAGROUP following the same methodology.

The impact of delay from diagnosis to surgery in endometrial cancer.

Purpose: When oncological waiting lists are prolonged, gynecological oncology units are forced to delay operations, especially for endometrial cancer (EC) due to its good prognosis among gynecological cancers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of delay in the oncological outcomes of these patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all women with EC treated in our clinic, 2012-2019.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma within a Second Branchial Cleft Cyst. A Diagnostic and Treatment Challenge.

Introduction: Lateral cervical cystic masses are a relatively common occurrence in the otolaryngology practice, which are often attributed to second branchial cleft cysts. However, there should always be a high suspicion for malignancy until proven otherwise.

Case Presentation: We present a clinical report of a lateral cervical cyst surgical excision where histopathological examination has revealed features of a branchial cleft cyst harboring a papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The Microbial Perspective: A Systematic Literature Review on Hypertension and Gut Microbiota.

Background: Understanding the causes of hypertension is important in order to prevent the disease. Gut microbiota (GM) seems to play an important role, but the detailed physiology remains elusive, with alpha diversity being the most studied indicator.

Objectives: This review aimed to systematically synthesize data on gut microbiota (alpha diversity) and hypertension.

Scanning more corresponds to more accuracy in hemodialysis patients: 28-zone protocol's superior findings from an observational study.

Aims: Hypervolemia remains a problem in hemodialysis patients and is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular events and mortality. Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is a technique that detects hypervolemia via 4 different protocols depending on the number of sites checked on the chest wall. It has not been established which protocol should be preferred in the literature.

The Association between Food Groups, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements Consumption on Vascular Health Outcomes: A Literature Review.

Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in vascular aging. Engaging in healthy dietary habits could enhance the functioning of blood vessels.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin K Antagonists for the Management of Left Ventricular Thrombus After Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation remains a post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complication even in the modern era of early reperfusion. The optimal anticoagulation regimen in this clinical scenario is poorly defined. The present meta-analysis sought to investigate the efficacy and safety profile of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the management of LV thrombus after AMI.