The prognostic utility of serum thyrotropin in hospitalized Covid-19 patients: statistical and machine learning approaches.

Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of serum TSH in Greek patients with COVID-19 and compare it with that of commonly used prognostic biomarkers.

Methods: Retrospective study of 128 COVID-19 in patients with no history of thyroid disease. Serum TSH, albumin, CRP, ferritin, and D-dimers were measured at admission.

Diuretic-Resistant Ascites Following Laparoscopic Surgery in a Patient With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia on Imatinib Therapy.

Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with high efficacy in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Although fluid retention is a common adverse effect of imatinib, it rarely necessitates discontinuation of therapy. Isolated ascites has not been reported as a complication of imatinib therapy in patients with CML.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Diabetic Patient with Remarkable Radiological Findings and Excellent Outcome without Surgical Intervention or Drainage.

BACKGROUND Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening infection of the renal parenchyma. The purpose of this report is to present a case of EPN with distinctive imaging. CASE REPORT An 87-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the ER with fever and shivering, hypotension, and anuria, which is a clinical presentation of septic shock.

The role of amputative and non-amputative foot deformities severity in the risk for diabetic ulceration classification systems building: a cross-sectional and case-control pilot investigation.

Introduction: Foot deformities and amputations are parameters that have been studied as risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). However, inclusion of "foot deformities" and "amputations" in a single, broad variable and with reference to the severity of these deformities, may better characterize subjects who are prone to develop DFU.

Methods: The objective of the study was the examination of amputative and non-amputative foot deformities severity as risk factor for DFU in relation with the other established risk factors.

Should hot biopsy forceps be abandoned for polypectomy of diminutive colorectal polyps?

Standardized approach to polypectomy of diminutive colorectal polyps (DCPs) is lacking since cold biopsy forceps have been associated with high levels of recurrence, hot biopsy forceps are considered inadequate and risky and cold snaring is currently under investigation for its efficacy and safety. This has led to confusion and a gap in clinical practice. This article discusses the usefulness and contemporary practical applicability of hot biopsy forceps and provides well-intentioned criticism of the new European guidelines for the treatment of DCPs.

Effects of oral paricalcitol therapy on arterial stiffness and osteopontin in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Arterial stiffness is linked to the progression of atherosclerosis, while activation of vitamin D receptor exerts favorable cardiovascular effects in patients with renal insufficiency. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral treatment with paricalcitol, a potent vitamin D receptor activator, on arterial stiffness and osteopontin, a marker of atherosclerosis, in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: We followed up 29 treated hypertensive patients (mean age: 74.

Point-prevalence survey of healthcare facility-onset healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection in Greek hospitals outside the intensive care unit: The C. DEFINE study.

Background: The correlation of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with in-hospital morbidity is important in hospital settings where broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are routinely used, such as in Greece. The C. DEFINE study aimed to assess point-prevalence of CDI in Greece during two study periods in 2013.

Temporal evolution of thoracocentesis-induced changes in spirometry and respiratory muscle pressures.

Background: Several studies investigated the effects of thoracocentesis on aspects of respiratory function without generally ensuring absence of coexistent lung pathology or homogeneity in initial size of the effusion.

Methods: We studied 90 patients aged 61.6±15.

Amiodarone and cardiac arrest: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The 2015 Guidelines for Resuscitation recommend amiodarone as the antiarrhythmic drug of choice in the treatment of resistant ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. We reviewed the effects of amiodarone on survival and neurological outcome after cardiac arrest.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE and Cochrane Library from 1940 to March 2016 without language restrictions.

Absence of human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus from bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsies of selected patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Previous studies have reported very different rates of human rhinovirus (HRV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) genome detection in nasal and sputum samples, but not in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial biopsy samples. Our study aimed to investigate the presence of HRV and RSV in the lungs of 31 consecutive patients with stable COPD (11 GOLD stage I, 11 II, and 9 III) and 22 control subjects (12 current or past smokers, and 10 non-smokers), who underwent diagnostic (e.g.

Nationwide surveillance of resistance rates of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates from Greek hospitals, 2012-2013.

Purpose To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of several anti-staphylococcal agents against a nationwide collection of contemporary Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates from several healthcare centres in Greece. Methods Thirty hospitals throughout Greece (18 in Attica) provided all clinical isolates of S.aureus from April 2012 to May 2013 to a central lab to be re-submitted to susceptibility testing.

Determination of and mutational status in Greek non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

It has been reported that certain patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that harbor activating somatic mutations within the tyrosine kinase domain of the () gene may be effectively treated using targeted therapy. The use of EGFR inhibitors in patient therapy has been demonstrated to improve response and survival rates; therefore, it was suggested that clinical screening for EGFR mutations should be performed for all patients. Numerous clinicopathological factors have been associated with EGFR and (KRAS) mutational status including gender, smoking history and histology.

Steroid-induced hypocalcaemia with tetany in a patient with hypoparathyroidism.

Although glucocorticoids have a known negative effect on calcium balance, they do not normally cause clinically significant hypocalcaemia. A young woman with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism developed symptomatic hypocalcaemia on two occasions following treatment with intravenous hydrocortisone for allergic reactions. Oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation could not prevent the development of hypocalcaemia.

The epidemiology of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria: data from a general hospital in Athens, Greece, 2007-2013.

Background: The epidemiology of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Greece is largely unknown.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and the demographic, microbiological, and clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary NTM infection and pulmonary NTM disease.

Methods: A retrospective review of the demographic, microbiological, and clinical characteristics of patients with NTM culture-positive respiratory specimens from January 2007 to May 2013.

Recurrent inguinal hernia repair: what is the evidence of case series? A meta-analysis and metaregression analysis.

To examine, if case series considered together with observational studies tend to produce similar results as randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), on recurrent hernia repair. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis between 1990 and 2013 revealed 46 nonrandomized studies (NRCTs) and 5 RCTs including 25,730 patients. A direct comparison of the summary estimates between RCTs and NRCTs is presented.

Optimal use of phosphate binders in chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is one of the major factors associated with the development of vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since phosphate is retained in such patients, pharmacological treatment and other measures are necessary to control hyperphosphatemia. Several phosphate binders (calcium salts, magnesium salts, non-calcium-based binders and aluminium) are available for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.

Laparoscopic versus open mesh repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: a meta-analysis of outcomes.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the outcomes of comparisons between laparoscopic and open mesh repairs in the setting of recurrent inguinal hernia.

Methods: The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library were used to search for articles from 1990 to 2008. The present meta-analysis pooled the effects of outcomes of a total of 1,542 patients enrolled into 5 randomized controlled trials and 7 comparative studies, using classic and modern meta-analytic methods.

Effects of interleukin-6 on depression risk in dialysis patients.

Background/aims: Depression represents the most frequent psychiatric disorder in nephrology. Cytokines, and especially IL-6, were found to be elevated in depressed patients with normal renal function. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the relationship between depression and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-10) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

Cardioprotective role of remote ischemic periconditioning in primary percutaneous coronary intervention: enhancement by opioid action.

Objectives: We sought to determine the potential of remote ischemic periconditioning (RIPC), and its combination with morphine, to reduce reperfusion injury in primary percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: Remote ischemic post-conditioning is implemented by applying cycles of ischemia and reperfusion on a remote organ, which result in release of circulating factors inducing the effects of post-conditioning on the myocardium.

Methods: A total of 96 patients (59 men) were enrolled.

Imaging findings of right colon diverticulitis that mimics colon cancer: a case report.

We present a case report of a patient with imaging findings of right colon diverticulitis that mimics colon cancer. The computed tomography showed a segment of narrowing with shoulder formation at ascending colon suggesting cancer. The colonoscopy and the follow-up imaging clarify the diagnosis of diverticulitis.

The syndrome of gastric carcinoid and hyperparathyroidism: a family study and literature review.

Objective: To present evidence supporting the hypothesis that the coexistence of gastric carcinoids (GCs) and hyperparathyroidism may represent a distinct clinical entity, not related to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).

Methods: We studied a cohort of five young siblings (age range 26-42 years), one of whom had been found to have GC and hyperparathyroidism. All siblings underwent serial gastroscopies for the assessment of gastric neuroendocrine cell proliferations over a mean follow-up period of 31.

Paricalcitol treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients on sevelamer hydrochloride: which dialysate calcium concentration to use?

Background: Optimal dialysate calcium concentration (DCa) has not been determined under less hypercalcemic vitamin D analogues and Ca-free phosphate (P) binders.

Methods: Twelve hyperparathyroidic hemodialysis patients under sevelamer hydrochloride were treated with paricalcitol in three periods (A, B and C) under DCa of 3.5, 3 and 2.