Implication of mTOR Signaling in NSCLC: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives.

Mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway represents a central cellular kinase that controls cell survival and metabolism. Increased mTOR activation, along with upregulation of respective upstream and downstream signaling components, have been established as oncogenic features in cancer cells in various tumor types. Nevertheless, mTOR pathway therapeutic targeting has been proven to be quite challenging in various clinical settings.

How can cancer research be illuminated by brain research (and vice versa)?

Cancer and brain research have historically followed concrete pathways and converged mostly to studying brain cancer. Nowadays, the fields of neuro-oncology and neuroendocrine regulation of tumorigenesis are both emerging fields of intense research and promising applications. An increasing body of evidence suggests that somatic mutations in cancer-related genes are prevalent in several noncancerous brain disorders.

Transforming blood pressure control in primary care through a novel remote decision support strategy based on wearable blood pressure monitoring: The NEXTGEN-BP randomized trial protocol.

Background: Despite high blood pressure being the leading preventable risk factor for death, only 1 in 3 patients achieve target blood pressure control. Key contributors to this problem are clinical inertia and uncertainties in relying on clinic blood pressure measurements to make treatment decisions.

Methods: The NEXTGEN-BP open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial will investigate the efficacy, safety, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of a wearable blood pressure monitor-based care strategy for the treatment of hypertension, compared to usual care, in lowering clinic blood pressure over 12 months.

Design and Development of Low- and Medium-Viscosity Alginate Beads Loaded with Pluronic F-127 Nanomicelles.

The anionic polymer sodium alginate, a linear copolymer of guluronic and mannuronic acids, is primarily present in brown algae. Copolymers are used in the sodium alginate preparation process to confer on the material strength and flexibility. Micelles and other polymeric nanoparticles are frequently made using the triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127.

Application of next generation sequencing in cardiology: current and future precision medicine implications.

Inherited cardiovascular diseases are highly heterogeneous conditions with multiple genetic loci involved. The application of advanced molecular tools, such as Next Generation Sequencing, has facilitated the genetic analysis of these disorders. Accurate analysis and variant identification are required to maximize the quality of the sequencing data.

Do 'cancer mutations' stand only for cancer? Translational and clinical implications.

DNA mutations represent a hallmark of cancer. However, next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have revealed that similar somatic mutations are present in healthy tissues as well as in those of several diseases, aging, abnormal vascular formation, and in placental development. These findings call for a reappraisal of whether such mutations are pathognomonic for cancer and provide further mechanistic, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications.

The emerging promise of tumour mechanobiology in cancer treatment.

Tumour cell biomechanics has lately came to the fore as a disparate feature that fosters cancer development and progression. Tumour mechanosensing entails a mechanical interplay amongst tumour cells, extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Sensory receptors (mechanoceptors) detect changes of extracellular mechanical inputs such as various types of mechanical forces/stress and trigger oncogenic signalling pathways advocating for cancer initiation, growth, survival, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and immune evasion.

Levosimendan in the Treatment of Patients with Severe Septic Cardiomyopathy.

(1) Background: The optimal treatment of septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) remains questionable. The aim of the study was to compare the treatment of SCM based on levosimendan versus the best available therapy. (2) Methods: We conducted an observational study including patients with severe septic cardiomyopathy and circulatory failure.

Correlation of Clinical Outcomes with the Prominent Indication of Transcatheter Paravalvular Leak Closure: A Multicenter Experience.

Background: A paravalvular leak (PVL) is a complication following valve replacement, which may lead to heart failure and hemolysis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the clinical outcome after transcatheter PVL closure differs according to the prominent indication of the procedure (symptoms of heart failure or hemolysis).

Methods: The data of consecutive patients who had transcatheter treatment for PVL between July 2011 and September 2022 in five Greek centers were analyzed.

Clinical and Oncological Impact of the Toll-like Receptor-3 and -4 in Esophageal and Gastro-esophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma.

Background/aim: Esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality, with poor prognosis. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a significant role in the innate immune system; their increased expression has been associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to determine the association between TLR-3 and TLR-4 expression with clinical and oncological outcomes of patients that underwent esophagectomy for cancer.

Global blood pressure screening during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the May Measurement Month 2021 campaign.

Background: Raised blood pressure (BP) remains the biggest risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease and mortality, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. May Measurement Month (MMM), an annual global screening campaign aims to highlight the importance of BP measurement by evaluating global awareness, treatment and control rates among adults with hypertension. In 2021, we assessed the global burden of these rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deciphering glioma epitranscriptome: focus on RNA modifications.

Gliomas are highly malignant tumors accounting for the majority of brain neoplasms. They are characterized by nuclear atypia, high mitotic rate and cellular polymorphism that often contributes to aggressiveness and resistance to standard therapy. They often associate with challenging treatment approaches and poor outcomes.

Lung Cancer through Transcription Factors.

The body of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that drive lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is continuously growing [...

Aerosolized Antibiotics to Manage Ventilator-Associated Infections: A Comprehensive Review.

Background: Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infectious complications in critically ill patients cover a wide spectrum of one disease process (respiratory infection), initiating from tracheal tube and/or tracheobronchial colonization, to ventilator associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP occurence has been associated with increased intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity (ventilator days, as well as length of ICU and hospital stay) and ICU mortality. Therefore, treatments that aim at VAP/VAT incidence reduction are a high priority.

Midterm Outcomes in Patients With Aortic Stenosis Treated With Contemporary Balloon-Expandable and Self-Expanding Valves: Does Valve Size Have an Impact on Outcome?

Background No data currently exist comparing the contemporary iterations of balloon-expandable (BE) Edwards SAPIEN 3/Ultra and the self-expanding (SE) Medtronic Evolut PRO/R34 valves. The aim of the study was the comparison of these transcatheter heart valves with emphasis on patients with small aortic annulus. Methods and Results In this retrospective registry, periprocedural outcomes and midterm all-cause mortality were analyzed.

Vistas in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treatment: of Kinome and Signaling Networks.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the prevailing lung cancer type, accounting for ~85% of all lung cancer cases. Despite their initial promise, current chemotherapeutic protocols are reaching their limits. This necessitates the prompt discovery of new molecular drivers and the development of novel regimens for advanced NSCLC.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Disk Tool for Assessing Disability in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Validation of the Greek Version.

Background: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Disk (IBD-Disk) is a physician-administered tool that evaluates the functional status of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The aim of our study was to validate the content of the IBD-Disk in a Greek cohort of IBD patients.

Methods: Two questionnaires [the IBD Disk and the IBD-Disability Index (IBD-DI)] were translated into Greek and administered to IBD patients at baseline visit, after 4 weeks and 6 months.