The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Private Health Sector: Profiting without Socially Contributing.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the mobilization of all available health care resources, including private, for-profit ones. The aim of this multiple methods study (combination of document and secondary data analysis) was to assess government regulations facilitating the private health sector's participation in the COVID-19 response in Greece. During the pandemic, the government made three successive increases in private providers' reimbursement fees, provided additional financial incentives to private providers, and allocated €280 million of emergency funding for the private sector's involvement in the national COVID-19 response.

An anatomic aberration and a surgical challenge: Mediastinal parathyroid adenoma anterior the pericardium. A case report.

Introduction: Ectopic parathyroid glands occur in 6-16% of cases of PHPT and they constitute a potential cause of failed primary surgical therapy. In particular, aberrant adenomas located deeper in the mediastinum, as in the presented case, remain a severe challenge for the surgeons.

Presentation Of Case: A 54-year-old Caucasian female proceeded to our institution with signs and symptoms of PHPT.

WITHDRAWN: An anatomic aberration and a surgical challenge: Mediastinal parathyroid adenoma anterior the pericardium. A case report.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published in “International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 57C (2019) 106–109”, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.

Safe Popliteal Node Dissection and Utility of Key Anatomical Structures: A Rare Case Series.

Metastasis in popliteal nodes is an extremely rare clinical condition that is scarcely reported in the literature, and popliteal node dissection is an infrequently performed surgical procedure. During the two decades of 2000-2020, 26 patients came to our institution for popliteal node dissection due to metastasis from the primary region to popliteal fossa lymph nodes. We report here that with lymphoscintigraphy, popliteal node dissection is an adequate therapeutic procedure in cases of metastasis to popliteal fossa from acral primary tumors.

The Accessory Soleus Muscle: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Purpose: Although the accessory soleus muscle is a rare supernumerary muscle of the leg, its presence has been well discussed in the literature. This rare anatomic variation has been described mainly in the anatomic, surgical, and radiology literature. Awareness of the muscle's presence and its clinical presentation can help with diagnosis without surgical exploration.

Massive Localized Lymphedema: Two Rare Case Reports of this Peculiar Entity and Anatomic Distortion.

Introduction: Massive localized lymphedema (MLL), also called pseudosarcoma in the literature, constitutes a rare benign clinical disorder presenting in obese patients and characterized by chronic accumulation of lymph and adipose tissue due to lymphatic flow obstruction.

Presentation Of Case: A 43-year-old, morbidly obese white woman proceeded to our institution with extended lymphedema. In addition, a 54-year-old white man sought medical advice for the same clinical issue.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Primaquine-Cinnamic Acid Conjugates of the Amide and Acylsemicarbazide Type.

In this paper design and synthesis of a scaffold comprising primaquine (PQ) motif and cinnamic acid derivatives (CADs) bound directly (compounds -) or via a spacer (compounds -) are reported. In the first series of compounds, PQ and various CADs were connected by amide bonds and in the second series by acylsemicarbazide functional groups built from the PQ amino group, CONHNH spacer and the carbonyl group originating from the CADs. PQ-CAD amides - were prepared by a simple one-step condensation reaction of PQ with a series of CAD chlorides (method A) or benzotriazolides (method B).

Novel urea and bis-urea primaquine derivatives with hydroxyphenyl or halogenphenyl substituents: Synthesis and biological evaluation.

A series of novel compounds 3a-j and 6a-j with primaquine and hydroxyl or halogen substituted benzene moieties bridged by urea or bis-urea functionalities were designed, synthesized and evaluated for biological activity. The title compounds were prepared using benzotriazole as the synthon, through several synthetic steps. 3-[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-{4-[(6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino]pentyl}urea (3j) was the most active urea and 1-[({4-[(6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino]pentyl}carbamoyl)amino]-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea (6h) the most active bis-urea derivative in antiproliferative screening in vitro against eight tested cancer cell lines.

Plasma homocysteine and genetic variants of homocysteine metabolism enzymes in patients from central Greece with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate plasma homocysteine levels and polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes in the metabolic pathway of homocysteine in association with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXFG).

Methods: A total of 156 glaucoma patients (76 with POAG and 80 with PXFG) and 135 controls matched for age and sex were enrolled in this study. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Novel semicarbazides and ureas of primaquine with bulky aryl or hydroxyalkyl substituents: synthesis, cytostatic and antioxidative activity.

Novel primaquine semicarbazides 7a-l and ureas 9a-g with modified benzhydryl, trityl, phenyl or hydroxyalkyl substituents were prepared and evaluated for cytostatic and antioxidative activities. Two synthetic approaches for preparation of the title semicarbazides were applied, both having certain advantages. In the first approach, the products grew from the semicarbazide side and the primaquine residue entered the molecule the last.

Ultrastructural aspects of the effects of L-carnitine administration on epithelial cells in the aging rat tongue.

Background: The investigators hypothesized that degenerative changes accumulate in epithelial cells in the aging rat tongue and that carnitine administration is effective at reversing these alterations.

Material And Methods: To gain insights into the effects of carnitine on epithelial cells of the tongue, the investigators used 15 Wistar rats [3 experimental groups: 5- (A), 12- (B) and 18- (C) month old rats] with 4 rats per group and 1 control group with 1 rat per age group). L-carnitine was administered intraperitoneally to animals of the experimental group for 35 days.

Is copper chelation an effective anti-angiogenic strategy for cancer treatment?

Angiogenesis and the acquisition of an angiogenic phenotype is important for cancer cell proliferation. Copper in an essential trace element that participates in many enzymatic complexes like the cytochrome c, superoxide dismutase and lysyl oxidase and it is involved in processes, like embryogenesis, growth, angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. In particular, its involvement in carcinogenesis was described for the first time in oral submucous fibrosis, where fibroblasts produce large amounts of collagen in the presence of copper.

Cardiοvascular diseases in pregnancy.

Gestation is a period of significant physiological changes that can severely affect the function of many systems, including the cardiovascular. The deviation from the standard that occurs during pregnancy may cause the deterioration of pre-existent cardiovascular diseases or the appearance of new ones. In this review we will present the most common congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases, their clinical expression and therapeutic procedures according to the latest international guidelines.

Gynecologic issues in peritoneal dialysis.

This paper reviews the issues associated with the reproductive system in the special population of female patients with end-stage renal disease on peritoneal dialysis (PD). We summarize current knowledge concerning cancer screening tests, elective and urgent gynecologic procedures, and the issues of menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, and delivery in these patients. Finally, we present the potential effects of gynecologic problems on PD and the complications of PD that can present with symptoms of the female genitalia.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism and target organs in chronic kidney disease.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is characterized by excessive serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, parathyroid hyperplasia and an imbalance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Secondary hyperparathyroidism develops early in the course of CKD and becomes more prominent as kidney function declines.PTH is a major uremic toxin and may be responsible for long-term consequences that include renal osteodystrophy, severe vascular calcifications, alterations in cardiovascular structure and function, immune dysfunction, and anemia.

Role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertension of chronic kidney disease and renoprotection. Study results.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem associated with considerable morbidity and mortality and despite advances in the treatment of end stage renal disease (ESRD) mechanisms to prevent and delay its progression are still being sought. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a pivotal role in many of the pathophysiologic changes that lead to progression of renal disease. Traditionally RAAS was considered as an endocrine system and its principal role was to maintain blood pressure (BP).

The novel amidocarbamate derivatives of ketoprofen: synthesis and biological activity.

A series of novel ketoprofen derivatives - bearing both amide and carbamate functionalities were prepared using the benzotriazole method of carboxylic and hydroxy group activation. Selective reduction of ketoprofen produced hydroxy derivative , which in the reaction with one or two moles of 1-benzotriazole carboxylic acid chloride () gave benzotriazole derivatives and , respectively. Compounds and with various amines afforded amidocarbamates -.

Portal vein thrombosis in a patient with HCV cirrhosis and combined hemophilia A and thrombophilia V Leiden.

Unlabelled: The relation of hemophilia A with thrombophilia V Leiden is extremely rare in the literature. Furthermore, hemophiliac patients have an increased risk of severe life-threatening hemorrhage, blood transfusions, and therefore hepatitis transmission, mainly hepatitis C (HCV).

Aims And Methods: We present a 54-year-old male with a 5-year history of decompensated liver cirrhosis on the grounds of HCV hepatitis, hemophilia A, and thrombophilia V Leiden.

Claw histopathology and parasitic load in natural cases of canine leishmaniosis associated with Leishmania infantum.

Histological lesions and the presence of Leishmania spp. amastigotes in claw tissues were investigated in 40 dogs with leishmaniosis, with (16/40--group A) or without (24/40--group B) generalized onychogryphosis. Following euthanasia, the entire third phalanx with intact claw was amputated, formalin fixed, decalcified in a formic acid solution, embedded in paraffin, sectioned longitudinally and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and acid orcein-Giemsa.

Deeply infiltrating rectal endometriosis with lymph node involvement.

Background: Sigmoidorectal endometriosis accounts for 70% of the cases of intestinal endometriosis. Symptoms are non-specific, frequently resembling adenocarcinomas.

Case: A 45-year-old woman complaining of recurrent rectal bleeding underwent colonoscopy in which a rectal polypoid mass was found.

[Biological factors associated with depression in patients with type ΙΙ diabetes mellitus].

This study was undertaken in order to identify the prevalence and factors associated with depression in a group of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. 200 patients (127 women/73 men) with type II diabetes mellitus, from Diabetic Clinic of 1st Propedeutic Medical Department of Aristotle's University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, were enrolled in our study. Patients, sex, age, duration of diabetes, antidiabetic treatment, diabetic complications, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, smoking, physical exercise and alcohol intake were assessed.

Small bowel incarceration associated with posthysterectomy enterocele.

Enterocele represents a pelvic floor hernia with the sac most commonly protruding between the rectum and vagina. It may occur with or without prior hysterectomy and is very rarely complicated by small bowel obstruction. We report herein the case of a 70-year-old woman with a posthysterectomy enterocele presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction and abdominal tenderness.

Clear cell ovarian carcinoma following polymyositis diagnosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: The association of ovarian malignancy with dermatomyositis (DM) is well established from previous reports, while the relationship with polymyositis (PM) is rare.

Case Report: We report a case of a 50 years old nulliparous woman who developed clear cell ovarian cancer four years after the PM diagnosis. The patient presented with deep lower abdominal pain and distension.

Neuropeptide Y and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone: interaction in obesity and possible role in the development of hypertension.

Aim: Obesity and hypertension frequently coexist and both represent important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms implicated in the regulation of food intake have not been completely elucidated. Recent data suggests that peripheral and central neuropeptides play an important role in the maintenance of energy balance.