Smoking History and Nicotine Dependence Alter Sleep Features in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome.

There are many aspects in the relationship between smoking and sleep that have not been investigated thoroughly yet, especially in regards to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). In this cross-sectional study, 2359 participants, who have visited the sleep clinic of our hospital during a 13-year period and were former or current smokers, were included. Their smoking history, measured in packyears of smoking, and their nicotine dependence, measured with the Fagerström scale, were correlated with various epidemiological and sleep-related variables.

The Interactions between Smoking and Sleep.

Smoking a cigarette before bed or first thing in the morning is a common habit. In this review, the relationship between smoking and sleep is investigated based on the existing literature. Out of 6504 unique items that were identified via a PubMed search related to smoking and sleep, 151 were included in this review.

Bowel Perforation in Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Case Report and Comprehensive Review.

Introduction: Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) comprise a rare variety of genetic disorders, affecting all types of collagen. Herein, we describe a case of the vascular type of EDS, with coexisting segmental absence of intestinal musculature, while simultaneously performing a narrative review of the existing literature.

Case Presentation: A 23-year-old male patient with a history of multiple abdominal operations due to recurrent bowel perforations and the presence of a high-output enterocutaneous fistula was admitted to our surgical department for further evaluation and treatment.

Surgical Management of Groove Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a chronic type of pancreatitis involving the groove area between the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, and the common bile duct. Alcohol abuse is one of the main pathogenetic factors, although its etiology is not clearly defined. Differential diagnosis of pancreatic disorders remains difficult.

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 Significance of Solitary Lymphnode Metastasis and Micrometastasis in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) used to be one of the most common malignancies in the world and still is the second leading cause of malignancy-related death in the Far East. The most significant factors that were found to be associated with the clinical outcome in patients with non-metastatic (M) gastric cancer is tumor's depth of invasion, the presence and the extend of lymphnode involvement, as well as the histological type according to Lauren (intestinal or diffuse). Although it is generally accepted that D2 gastrectomy is the procedure of choice to achieve adequate oncologic excision, there are quite many concerns for its use in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), where N or N specimens are frequently reported.

Health care service in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology throughout Europe: A review of the literature.

Background: Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology is a special field of interest within general gynaecology and obstetrics. The care for children and young people differs from adults. In gynaecology, children should not be treated like little adults.

Does proximity to the subventricular zone and expression of CXCR-4 and nestin affect prognosis in high-grade glioma?

Background: It is suspected that infiltration of stem cell areas with high-grade glioma (HGG) generates a population that compromises treatment results and survival. In this prospective study we set to assess the prognostic value of the proximity of the contrast-enhancing lesion (CEL) on MRI to the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the expression of CXCR4 and nestin as potential factors in the stem cell migration pathway.

Method: All patients diagnosed with high-grade glioma over a three-year period from a single institution were enrolled in this prospective study.

Gallbladder Hypoplasia, a Congenital Abnormality of the Gallbladder: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND There are different variations in the anatomy of the gallbladder. Congenital abnormalities of the gallbladder such as agenesis and hypoplasia are rare conditions and difficult to diagnose with imaging studies. Patients are usually asymptomatic or have symptoms that mimic gallstone disease.

Immunohistochemical investigation of metabolic markers fatty acid synthase (FASN) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial malignancy.

Background: Cancer cells present higher metabolic needs in comparison to their normal, non-neoplastic counterparts, consuming carbohydrates as a source of energy. Moreover, increased fatty acid biosynthesis is noted in many malignancies. In this regard, we investigated specific metabolic markers, the fatty acid synthase (FASN) which catalyzes fatty acid synthesis and the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) which promotes glucose transport through the cellular membrane, in normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial malignancy.

Trigger Finger: An Atraumatic Medical Phenomenon.

Trigger finger is a mechanical problem with many etiological factors as possible causes, such as diabetes mellitus, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive finger movements. Although it can afflict anyone, it is much commoner in middle-aged women than men and the most commonly involved digit is reported to be the thumb. The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms during examination and first-line treatment is conservative with splinting and corticosteroid injections.

Presence of an Isolated Hydatid Cyst in the Left Kidney: Report of a Case of This Rare Condition Managed Surgically.

Introduction. Hydatid cyst disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus is rarely presented in the kidneys, whereas isolated renal occurrence is estimated to be about as low as 2-4% of all cases. We present a case of a female patient suffering from this condition that was treated successfully in our department.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pancreas: Case report and review of the literature.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a mesenchymal tumor typically located in the pleura, but can also be found as an asymptomatic mass in other areas, including the liver, peritoneum, kidney and salivary glands. However, SFT rarely locates in the pancreas. We present such a case of pancreatic SFT, along with a review of all reported cases.

Left Colon Diverticulitis Presenting as Perforated Lumbar Abscess: A Case Report and Review of the Current Literature.

Diverticular perforation is a common complication of diverticulitis and can lead to the creation of abscesses. The presence of such abscesses on the abdominal wall is rare and can lead to misdiagnosis. We present the case of a patient with abdominal pain and the formation of a large left lumbar abscess due to perforation of a diverticulum of the left colon and our surgical treatment of choice with favorable results.

Candida albicans colonization on an intragastric balloon.

Here we present the case of Candida albicans colonization on an intragastric balloon placed for weight loss. A 52-year-old obese woman achieved a BMI reduction of 10.9 kg/m(2) within 7 months as a result of a BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon and a well-balanced, low-calorie diet.

The impact of weight loss on depression status in obese individuals subjected to intragastric balloon treatment.

Background: Although depression is considered to be significantly related to morbid obesity disorder, no information exists on the evolution of depression status after weight loss, in particular when an intragastric balloon is used. This prospective 6-month study examines both the effect on depression status and the relation of weight loss to depression in morbidly obese patients treated by intragastric balloon.

Methods: One hundred consecutive females fulfilling criteria for balloon treatment were assessed for depression and divided into two groups (65 depressed, 35 non-depressed).

Pharmacobezoar in an obese patient with intragastric balloon: a case revealed at endoscopy.

Pharmacobezoar formation is a very rare complication that occurs in cases of altered gastrointestinal motility or to a background of disturbed anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract. The case of an obese and depressed patient treated by an intragastric balloon for weight loss, who was revealed to have a pharmacobezoar during endoscopy for early balloon removal, is presented. The possible causes of pharmacobezoar formation in such a patient treated with an intragastric balloon are discussed.

500 intragastric balloons: what happens 5 years thereafter?

Background: The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) has been considered an effective, less invasive method for weight loss, as it provides a permanent sensation of satiety. However, various non-randomized studies suggest BIB is a temporary anti-obesity treatment, which induces only a short-term weight loss. The purpose of this study was to present data of 500 obese who, after BIB-induced weight reduction, were followed up for up to 5 years.

Complications arising from a misdiagnosed giant lipoma of the hand and palm: a case report.

Introduction: Lipomas are benign tumors which may appear in almost any human organ. Their diagnosis rate in the hand region is not known.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 63-year-old Greek Caucasian woman with a giant lipoma of the hand and palm which was not initially diagnosed.

Surgical management of colorectal injuries: colostomy or primary repair?

Purpose: Several factors have been considered important for the decision between diversion and primary repair in the surgical management of colorectal injuries. The aim of this study is to clarify whether patients with colorectal injuries need diversion or not.

Methods: From 2008 to 2010, ten patients with colorectal injuries were surgically treated by primary repair or by a staged repair.