Plasma Lipids Profile in the Prediction of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Adults: A Case-Control Study.

Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) show significantly faster progress in the stages of fibrosis compared to those with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) disease. The non-invasive diagnosis of NASH remains an unmet clinical need. Preliminary data have shown that sphingolipids, especially ceramides, fatty acids, and other lipid classes may be related to the presence of NASH and the histological activity of the disease.

Gastrointestinal Imaging Findings in the Era of COVID-19: A Pictorial Review.

The potentially fatal COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a largespectrum of clinical presentations. Beyond the classical pulmonary manifestations, gastrointestinal tract-related symptoms suchas nausea, diarrhea, abdominal distention and pain have been observed in patients, as a consequence of the binding of SARS-CoV-19 to Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The early recognition ofspecific imaging features, including hepatobiliary involvement, pancreatic involvement, development of solid organ infarcts, ischemic bowel changes and vascular occlusion, plays a key role through the course of the disease.

Melanoma: BRAFi Rechallenge.

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Half of melanoma cases are characterized by the mutation BRAF V600. The case presented concerns a 41-year-old patient with locally advanced melanoma, being positive in mutation BRAF V600.

Sporadic parathyroid adenoma: an updated review of molecular genetics.

Introduction: Primary HPT (PHPT) is a common disorder, affecting approximately 1% of the general population. Parathyroid adenomas emerge as non-familial sporadic in 90% of cases. The aim of this review is to give a detailed update of molecular genetics of sporadic parathyroid adenoma reported in international literature.

Minimally Invasive Treatments of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Network Meta-Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes.

Image-guided thermal ablation interventions are novel thermal-based modalities used for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. We conducted a systematic review and a Bayesian network meta-analysis, examining studies using thermal ablation interventions in the treatment of benign nodular thyroid disease (PROSPERO CRD42022367680). The primary endpoints included volume reduction rate (VRR), and symptomatic score and cosmetic score improvement.

Metabolic syndrome and cognitive deficits in the Greek cohort of Epirus Health Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is considered an important risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. However, the evidence in middle-aged individuals is still conflicting. The aim of the study was to explore the association between metabolic syndrome and its individual components with cognitive function and to investigate possible interaction between sex, age and genetic predisposition for metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease in a middle-aged Greek cohort.

Report of consensus panel 5 from the 11th international workshop on Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia on COVID-19 prophylaxis and management.

Consensus Panel 5 (CP5) of the 11th International Workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (IWWM-11; held in October 2022) was tasked with reviewing the current data on the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) prophylaxis and management in patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM). The key recommendations from IWWM-11 CP5 included the following: Booster vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 should be recommended to all patients with WM. Variant-specific booster vaccines, such as the bivalent vaccine for the ancestral Wuhan strain and the Omicron BA.

Association of clinical, laboratory and imaging biomarkers with the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in patients without standard modifiable risk factors - rationale and design of the "Beyond-SMuRFs Study".

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The majority of patients who suffer an AMI have a history of at least one of the standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs): smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. However, emerging scientific evidence recognizes a clinically significant and increasing proportion of patients presenting with AMI without any SMuRF (SMuRF-less patients).

Effect of Parathyroidectomy on Left Ventricular Mass Index in Patients With Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Aim Primary hyperthyroidism (PHPT) is known to affect left ventricular structure and function and may contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Whether parathyroidectomy (PTX) reverses left ventricular hypertrophy/remodeling among PHPT patients remains controversial. Method In this prospective, single-center study, we enrolled patients with the diagnosis of PHPT who were scheduled for PTX.

Views and Experiences of Health Service Users in Greece During 2012-2018.

During the period of 2012-2018, a series of reforms took place in the Greek health care system. These reforms focused on both the health expenditure and the efficiency and quality of health services provided. In this qualitative study, we examined whether these improvements were visible to health service users based on their personal experiences with the health care system, using thematic content analysis to evaluate the research data.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas: two case reports and review of the literature.

Background: Among the total reported cases of pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas, around 1-2.9% are adenosquamous carcinomas of the pancreas. Due to limited data, preoperative diagnosis is a great challenge for physicians, and it is usually set post-operational, based on the pathologist report.

Haemodynamic effects of initial combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although the initial use of combination treatment has been proven to be beneficial for patients' clinical outcomes, there are scarce data on its haemodynamic effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an initial combination of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies on haemodynamic parameters in treatment-naïve PAH patients.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science was performed.

Advances in Noninvasive Carotid Wall Imaging with Ultrasound: A Narrative Review.

Carotid atherosclerosis is a major cause for stroke, with significant associated disease burden morbidity and mortality in Western societies. Diagnosis, grading and follow-up of carotid atherosclerotic disease relies on imaging, specifically ultrasound (US) as the initial modality of choice. Traditionally, the degree of carotid lumen stenosis was considered the sole risk factor to predict brain ischemia.

Exercise training alters autoimmune cell invasion into the brain in autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Background: The mechanisms by which exercise training (ET) elicits beneficial effects on the systemic immune system and the central nervous system (CNS) in autoimmune neuroinflammation are not fully understood.

Objectives: To investigate (1) the systemic effects of high-intensity continuous training (HICT) on the migratory potential of autoimmune cells; (2) the direct effects of HICT on blood-brain-barrier (BBB) properties.

Methods: Healthy mice were subjected to high-intensity continuous training (HICT) by treadmill running.

Gastrocolic fistula in Crohn's disease: A case report and review of the literature.

Gastrointestinal fistulas constitute a rare type of abdominal fistula and an uncommon complication in the setting of Crohn's disease. In this case presentation we study the treatment of a gastrointestinal fistula between the transverse colon and the stomach in a patient with Crohn's disease and present a review of the available literature. A 53-year-old female patient with history of Crohn's disease presented to the Emergency Department of our Hospital due to reported abdominal pain and clinical symptoms of incomplete ileus with no other specific symptoms.

Prognostic value of combined preoperative phase angle and handgrip strength in cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Phase angle (PA) constitutes a bioelectrical impedance measurement, indicating cell membrane health and integrity, hydration, and nutritional status. Handgrip strength (HS) has been also associated with body composition, nutritional status, inflammation, and functional ability in several chronic diseases. Although their prognostic significance as independent biomarkers has been already investigated regarding the outcomes of a cardiac surgery, our study is the first one to assess the combined predictive value of preoperative PA and HS.

Assessment of Atherosclerosis in Ischemic Stroke by means of Ultrasound of Extracranial/Intracranial Circulation and Serum, Urine, and Tissue Biomarkers.

It is a common practice to take into consideration age, diabetes, smoking, treated and untreated systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol for the prediction of atherosclerosis and stroke. There are, however, ultrasound markers in use for the assessment of atherosclerosis and the evaluation of stroke risk. Two areas of investigation are of interest: the carotid artery and the intracranial arterial circulation.

Local and Regional Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Future Combinations.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be treated by local and regional methods of percutaneous interventional radiological techniques. Indications depend on tumor size, type and stage, as well as patient's condition, liver function and co-morbidities. According to international classification systems such as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification, very early, early or intermediate staged tumors can be treated either with ablative methods or with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), depending on tumor characteristics.

"Pseudowashout" artifact on liver haemangioma on CEUS: what to expect and how to avoid!

Not applicable.

Awareness of sex and gender dimensions among physicians: the European federation of internal medicine assessment of gender differences in Europe (EFIM-IMAGINE) survey.

Sociocultural gender is a complex construct encompassing different aspects of individuals' life, whereas sex refers to biological factors. These terms are often misused, although they impact differently on individuals' health. Recognizing the role of sex and gender on health status is fundamental in the pursuit of a personalized medicine.

COVID-19 induced hypoparathyroidism: A case report.

Low levels of serum calcium, elevated levels of serum phosphorus and absent or abnormally low levels of serum parathyroid hormone characterize hypoparathyroidism, a rare endocrine deficiency illness. Hypoparathyroidism is caused by injury to the parathyroid gland as a result of surgery or autoimmune disease. In addition, hypoparathyroidism may develop due to genetic causes or infiltrative diseases.