Beneficial Effects of a Nutraceutical Combination on Lipid Profiles in Children with Moderate and Severe Hypercholesterolemia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the long-term use of a dietary supplement containing red yeast rice (RYR), combined with other natural compounds, in children and adolescents with primary hypercholesterolemia. A nutraceutical, containing RYR, policosanols, coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin and folic acid (commercial name: Armolipid), was administered once daily in 84 children/adolescents with moderate or severe primary hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, 19 of the participants consumed 1.

Unveiling Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers: Harnessing Biosensor Technology for Volatile Organic Compound Detection.

Conventional screening options for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection are mainly direct visualization and invasive methods including colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy, which must be performed in a clinical setting and may be linked to adverse effects for some patients. Non-invasive CRC diagnostic tests such as computed tomography colonography and stool tests are either too costly or less reliable than invasive ones. On the other hand, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are potentially ideal non-invasive biomarkers for CRC detection and monitoring.

Complications Following Intraosseous Injections of Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement in Subchondroplasty.

An alternative approach to the major problem of osteoarthritis that has begun to pique the interest of researchers focuses on the pathology of the subchondral bone, its constant cross-talk with the articular cartilage, and its interaction with the joint. The presence of bone marrow lesions, detectable on MRI scans, has proven to be a cause of pain as well as a predictor of the progression of degenerative changes. Subchondroplasty is a relatively new surgical procedure for the treatment of these lesions, in which injectable calcium phosphate bone cement is infused into the affected area percutaneously, under fluoroscopic guidance.

Type I Diabetes Mellitus Suppresses Experimental Skin Carcinogenesis.

This study explores the previously uncharted territory of the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on diabetic skin, compared to its well-documented impact on normal skin, particularly focusing on carcinogenesis and aging. Employing hairless SKH-hr2, Type 1 and 2 diabetic, and nondiabetic male mice, the research subjected these to UV radiation thrice weekly for eight months. The investigation included comprehensive assessments of photoaging and photocarcinogenesis in diabetic versus normal skin, measuring factors such as hydration, trans-epidermal water loss, elasticity, skin thickness, melanin, sebum content, stratum corneum exfoliation and body weight, alongside photo documentation.

Indications of younger age at menarche in Greek adolescents but with no relation to body mass index.

Purpose: This study aimed to present recent trends in the pubertal timing of a Greek female sample.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from medical records of healthy females aged 6-18 years who attended a tertiary Adolescent Friendly Health Center over a 5-year period (2016-2020) and included gestational age, birth anthropometrics, and age of thelarche and/or pubarche and/or menarche, along with corresponding anthropometric, hormonal, and biochemical measurements.

Results: Data from 298 girls' medical records were included in the analysis.

Clinical Presentation of Patients with Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases beyond Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

The clinical presentation of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases beyond eosinophilic esophagitis (non-EoE EGIDs) varies depending on the gastrointestinal segments affected by the eosinophilic inflammation, the extent of eosinophilic inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract and its depth through the bowel wall. Non-EoE EGIDs with mucosal involvement tend to present with diarrhea, malabsorption, and sometimes bleeding, those with muscular involvement may present with symptoms of obstruction or pseudo-obstruction, intussusception, and even perforation, whereas those with serosal involvement may present with eosinophilic ascites. Here we describe the differences in symptoms experienced by children with non-EoE EGIDs with varying degrees of eosinophilic inflammation through the bowel wall.

The state of emergency medicine in Greece: at critical momentum.

Greece is a parliamentary republic in southeastern Europe populated by over 10 million permanent residents: 9 million reside on the mainland, with almost 4 million in the greater Athens area. The remaining 1 million populate the over 1200 Greek islands. In addition, more than 160,000 asylum-seekers reached Greece in 2022, and more than 25 million tourists have visited Greece in the last two years.

Measles-specific antibodies loss after a single dose of MMR vaccine in children with oligo-articular JIA on methotrexate treatment: a single-center case-controlled study.

Novel treatments have revolutionized the care and outcome of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Patients with rheumatic diseases are susceptible to infections, including vaccine preventable ones, due to waning immunity, failing immune system and immunosuppressive treatment received. However, data regarding long-term immunological memory and response to specific vaccines are limited.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among children in Greece during Omicron variant period.

The Omicron variant is associated with increased transmissibility, but evidence about the impact of Omicron in seropositivity of children is limited. This study aims to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children during the different variants' subperiods. A prospective multicenter seroprevalence study was conducted in 7 University public hospitals in Greece from November 2021 to August 2022 (3 subperiods: November 2021-February 2022, March 2022-May 2022, June 2022-August 2022).

Prognostic factors in high-grade pediatric osteosarcoma among children and young adults: Greek Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST) data along with a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The 5-year overall survival of children and adolescents with osteosarcoma has been in plateau during the last 30 years. The present systematic review (1976-2023) and meta-analysis aimed to explore factors implicated in the prognosis of children and young adults with high-grade osteosarcoma. Original studies including patients ≤30 years and the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST) data (2010-2021) referred to children ≤14 years were analysed.

The Psychological Impact on Parents of Children who Receive an Inconclusive Diagnosis for Cystic Fibrosis following Newborn Screening: A Systematic Mini-Review.

Newborn screening (NBS) has been available for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) over the last decades. Through the implementation of NBS, a new designation emerged, that of CF related metabolic syndrome (CRMS) or cystic fibrosis screen positive inconclusive diagnosis (CFSPID). As there is uncertainty regarding the clinical progression of these infants to CF, some studies have investigated the psychological impact of CRMS/CFSPID on their parents.

Predictors of the clinical severity of T1DM presentation at diagnosis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Purpose: We aimed to assess factors associated with the presence and severity of ketoacidosis (DKA) at pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1DM) diagnosis, in relation to pancreatic, associated and familial autoimmunity.

Methods: Antibodies against pancreatic beta-cells, organ specific autoantibodies (thyroid, celiac, and parietal) and family history of autoimmunity were retrospectively evaluated in 116 T1DM patients aged 11.9 ± 4.

Differences in segmental hair cortisol concentration analysis among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity, their parents, and normal weight peers.

Purpose: Dysregulation of the stress system via incidental long exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) can lead to weight gain. In addition, family and maternal stress can also have an impact on children's weight. Hair is used in several studies to evaluate cortisol (GC) levels in children and adolescents with excess weight as a retrospective stress biomarker, depending on the hair length the cortisol measurement depicting different time periods.

Ultrasound-guided pneumatic reduction of intussusception in children: 15-year experience in a tertiary children's hospital.

Background: International practice regarding the method used to nonoperatively reduce pediatric intussusception is variable.

Objective: To provide an overview of ultrasound-guided pneumatic intussusception reduction and assess its safety and effectiveness.

Materials And Methods: A single-center prospective study was conducted in a tertiary referral pediatric hospital during the 15-year period between January 2008 and February 2023.

Psychometric properties of the research competencies assessment instrument for nurses (RCAIN) in Greece.

Background And Purpose: Evidence-based practice can improve quality of care and patient and system outcomes. Healthcare professionals need certain research competencies to achieve evidence-based practice. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the self-reported 19-item (RCAIN) with Greek.

Wrisberg variant of the lateral discoid meniscus in children: review of the literature and presentation of case series.

Introduction: The Wrisberg variant of the discoid lateral meniscus is a very rare disorder and is characterized by the hypermobility and instability of the meniscus caused by the absence of its posterior tibial attachment, with only its meniscofemoral junction (Wrisberg's ligament) maintained, and inserted in the posterior horn of the meniscus. As a result, the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus is mobile; often subluxing into the joint.

Materials And Methods: A total of eight skeletally immature patients with symptomatic Wrisberg variant of the discoid lateral meniscus were included in this study.

Detecting Skin Reactions in Epicutaneous Patch Testing with Deep Learning: An Evaluation of Pre-Processing and Modality Performance.

Epicutaneous patch testing is a well-established diagnostic method for identifying substances that may cause Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), a common skin condition caused by exposure to environmental allergens. While the patch test remains the gold standard for identifying allergens, it is prone to observer bias and consumes valuable human resources. Deep learning models can be employed to address this challenge.

Relationship between molecular pathogen detection and clinical disease in febrile children across Europe: a multicentre, prospective observational study.

Background: The PERFORM study aimed to understand causes of febrile childhood illness by comparing molecular pathogen detection with current clinical practice.

Methods: Febrile children and controls were recruited on presentation to hospital in 9 European countries 2016-2020. Each child was assigned a standardized diagnostic category based on retrospective review of local clinical and microbiological data.

Serum concentrations of BDNF in adolescents with metabolic syndrome: a case-control study between normal - BMI adolescents and adolescents with obesity.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been linked to various conditions of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Scarce data exist about the concentrations of BDNF in children and adolescents in relation with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to examine the serum BDNF concentrations in adolescents with metabolic syndrome and according to their body mass index (BMI) status.

The role of various influence sources on sexual behavior in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in comparison to healthy peers: a cross-sectional study from Greece.

Purpose: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are at increased risk of sexually risky behaviors, such as unintended pregnancies. Adolescents with T1D use different sources of information on sexual education such as parents, friends, teachers, and the media. The study aim was to investigate the effect of different sources of information in development of sexual risk behaviors in T1D adolescents in comparison to healthy peers.

Impact of Presumed Tree Nut and Peanut Allergy on Quality of Life at Different Ages.

Tree nut and/or peanut allergy impairs patients' quality of life, but data on the impact of age and the type of nut or peanut on the quality of life are lacking. To evaluate the impact at different ages, age-appropriate survey questionnaires accompanied by FAQLQ and FAIM were distributed to patients with suspected tree nut and/or peanut allergy who presented at the allergy departments of three hospitals in Athens. Out of 200 questionnaires distributed, 106 met the inclusion criteria (46 children, 26 teenagers, 34 adults).

Educational Stress among Greek Adolescents: Associations between Individual, Study and School-Related Factors.

Greek adolescent students experience high levels of educational stress during the school period. In this cross-sectional study, we examined various factors associated with educational stress in Greece. The study was conducted using a self-report questionnaire survey in Athens, Greece, between November 2021 and April 2022.