The European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report 2016: a summary.

Background: This article summarizes the ERA-EDTA Registry's 2016 Annual Report, by describing the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2016 within 36 countries.

Methods: In 2017 and 2018, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on patients undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2016 from 52 national or regional renal registries. In all, 32 registries provided individual patient data and 20 provided aggregated data.

Early-onset presentation of a new subtype of β-Propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) caused by a de novo WDR45 deletion in a 6 year-old female patient.

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) comprises a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by progressive extrapyramidal and other neurological symptoms due to focal iron accumulation in the basal ganglia (Adidi et al., 2016). β-Propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) is the most recently identified subtype of NBIA caused by heterozygous variants in WDR45 (OMIM: *300526) at Xp11.

Occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association between occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters.

Material And Methods: Data were collected among Cypriot firefighters through a battery of adapted questionnaires completed anonymously.

Results: A total of 430 firefighters (a response rate of 68%) completed the survey (the age range: 21-60 years).

Novel variants in the ACTA2 and MYH11 genes in a Cypriot family with thoracic aortic aneurysms: a case report.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and/or thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is characterized by a considerable risk of morbidity and mortality of affected individuals. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and the 20% of patients with non-syndromic TAA have a positive family history. To date, the genetic basis of Cypriot patients with TAA has not been investigated.

Innovative imaging methods in heart failure: a shifting paradigm in cardiac assessment. Position statement on behalf of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Myriad advances in all fields of cardiac imaging have stimulated and reflected new understanding of cardiac performance, myocardial damage and the mechanisms of heart failure. In this paper, the Heart Failure Association assesses the potential usefulness of innovative imaging modalities in enabling more precise diagnostic and prognostic evaluation, as well as in guiding treatment strategies. Many new methods have gradually penetrated clinical practice and are on their way to becoming a part of routine evaluation.

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Presenting With Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case Report.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare and often underdiagnosed condition, which commonly results from a cerebrospinal fluid leak. The classic clinical presentation of SIH is a postural headache and dizziness. Less frequent complications include nausea, neck stiffness, and even coma.

Utility of video capsule endoscopy for longitudinal monitoring of Crohn's disease activity in the small bowel: a prospective study.

Background And Aims: This prospective, multicenter study evaluated small-bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) for the longitudinal assessment of mucosal inflammation in subjects with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Subjects with known CD underwent clinical evaluation with ileocolonoscopy and CE at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Small-bowel patency was confirmed before CE at both time points.

Diabetic nephropathy: is it always there? Assumptions, weaknesses and pitfalls in the diagnosis.

Diabetic nephropathy is defined as a microvascular complication of the kidneys induced by diabetes mellitus and is characterized by albuminuria and progressive loss of kidney function. However, neither albuminuria nor glomerular filtration rate decline are diabetic nephropathy-specific markers, thus the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy greatly depends on assumptions. Several factors should be taken into account when urinary albumin levels are assessed before establishing the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, while newer more specific markers for diabetic nephropathy are urgently needed.

The European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report 2015: a summary.

Background: This article summarizes the European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry's 2015 Annual Report. It describes the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2015 within 36 countries.

Methods: In 2016 and 2017, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on patients who were undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2015, from 52 national or regional renal registries.

Multicenter, randomized study to optimize bowel preparation for colon capsule endoscopy.

Aim: To assess the cleansing efficacy and safety of a new Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) bowel preparation regimen.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study comparing two CCE regimens. Subjects were asymptomatic and average risk for colorectal cancer.

MicroRNAs as possible biomarkers for screening of aortic aneurysms: a systematic review and validation study.

Context: There is an urgent need to identify non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of aortic aneurysms, preceding a fatal event. The potential role for MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic markers for aortic aneurysms was investigated through the present systematic review.

Objective: To perform a comprehensive review on published studies examining the association of miRNAs with aortic aneurysms and further validate these results with plasma samples collected from thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) patients.

Complete Genome Sequence of West Nile Virus (WNV) from the First Human Case of Neuroinvasive WNV Infection in Cyprus.

We report here the complete genome sequence of a West Nile virus (WNV) strain from the first laboratory-confirmed human case of neuroinvasive WNV infection in Cyprus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this WNV strain grouped clearly into genetic lineage 1, clade 1a, cluster 2.

Time delays to reach dispatch centres in different regions in Europe. Are we losing the window of opportunity? - The EUROCALL study.

Aim: In out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) the start of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by a single rescuer may be delayed considerably if the total time (TT) to connect the telephone call to the Emergency Medical Communication Centre (EMCC) is prolonged. EUROCALL investigated the TT-EMCC and its components using different calling procedures.

Methods: This prospective, multicentre, randomised study was performed in April 2013.

CT-Guided, Ethanol Sympatholysis for Primary Axillary-Palmar Hyperhidrosis.

Purpose: Primary hyperhidrosis is an excessive sweating due to an overactive sympathetic system. Our objective was to test the feasibility and provide early data on the safety/efficacy of CT-guided sympatholysis, for primary hyperhidrosis.

Materials And Methods: Nine consecutive patients with axillary-palmar hyperhidrosis were treated between 2013 and 2015.

Study of the Clinical Outcome between Traumatic and Degenerative (non-traumatic) Meniscal Tears after Arthroscopic Surgery: A 4-Years Follow-up Study.

Introduction: The meniscus is a biconcave fibrocartilage in the knee joint interpose between the femoral condyles and tibial plateau; the meniscus has functions in load bearing, load transmission, shock absorption joint stability, joint lubrication, and joint congruity.

Aim: The aim of this study is to provide orthopeadic surgeon a base of reference in the choice of the optimal course of management for meniscal tears.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients met the criteria of inclusion for the present study.

Psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees living in Jordan: systematic review of unpublished needs assessments.

Background: Humanitarian organisations supporting Syrian refugees in Jordan have conducted needs assessments to direct resources appropriately.

Aims: To present a model of psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees and a peer review of research practices.

Method: Academic and grey literature databases, the United Nations Syria Regional Response website, key humanitarian organisation websites and Google were searched for needs assessments with Syrian refugees in Jordan between February 2011 and June 2015.

Combination of chest compressions and interposed abdominal compressions in a swine model of ventricular fibrillation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combination of chest compressions and interposed abdominal compressions (IAC-CPR) in a swine model of ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Methods: Twenty healthy female Landrace-Large White pigs were the study subjects. At the end of the eighth minute of VF, animals in the control group (Group A) received chest compressions at a rate of 100/min, while animals in the experimental group received chest compressions and simultaneous interposed abdominal compressions (CC-IAC - Group B), both at a rate of 100/min.

Diagnosis and management of isolated pituitary metastasis from adenocarcinoma of unknown origin presenting as loss of libido.

Pituitary gland metastasis from primary tumours is uncommon on its own. Rarely, some of these primary tumours may be of unknown origin. This metastasis to the pituitary gland could manifest as diabetes insipidus, cranial nerve palsies, headaches, fatigue and other symptoms.