New Incretin Combination Treatments under Investigation in Obesity and Metabolism: A Systematic Review.

The worldwide upward trend in obesity in adults and the increased incidence of overweight children suggests that the future risk of obesity-related illnesses will be increased. The existing anti-obesity drugs act either in the central nervous system (CNS) or in the peripheral tissues, controlling the appetite and metabolism. However, weight regain is a common homeostatic response; current anti-obesity medications show limited effectiveness in achieving long-term weight loss maintenance; in addition to being linked to various side effects.

The role of left atrial peak systolic strain in atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic role of left atrial peak systolic longitudinal strain (LA-PLSsys) as a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation.

Methods: We systematically searched major electronic databases and grey literature for studies assessing the role of pre-ablation LA-PLSsys, measured in at least two segments, in post-ablation AF recurrence, after a follow-up period of at least 6 months.

Results: Seventeen eligible studies were included, resulting in 1704 patients (68.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in the era of precision medicine: latest concepts and developments.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an umbrella term entailing a wide variety of genetic and non-genetic etiologies, leading to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and dilatation, not explained by abnormal loading conditions or coronary artery disease. The clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic to heart failure symptoms or sudden cardiac death (SCD) even in previously asymptomatic individuals. In the last 2 decades, there has been striking progress in the understanding of the complex genetic basis of DCM, with the discovery of additional genes and genotype-phenotype correlation studies.

The prognostic role of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and reduced ejection fraction, implanted with cardioverter defibrillators for primary prevention. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies suggest that late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is associated with arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), while others have questioned the role of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as a sole predictor of future events.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of LGE on CMR in identifying patients with NICM and reduced LVEF for whom a benefit from defibrillator implantation for primary prevention is not anticipated, thus they are mainly exposed to potential risks.

Methods: Major electronic databases were searched for studies reporting the incidence of appropriate device therapy (ADT), sudden cardiac death (SCD), and cardiac death based on the presence of LGE on CMR, among patients with NICM and reduced LVEF, implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator for primary prevention.

Benefits and Limitations of TKIs in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been used in patients with advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC); however, data on their effectiveness and safety are limited. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to document clinical response and toxicities of TKIs in advanced MTC.

Methods: We systematically searched major databases for articles or abstracts on TKI use in MTC patients until May 2018.

A stand-alone structured educational programme after myocardial infarction: a randomised study.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a major clinical manifestation of coronary artery disease. Post-MI morbidity and mortality can be reduced by lifestyle changes and aggressive risk factor modification. These changes can be applied more effectively if the patient is actively involved in the process.

The impact of vision impairment on vision-related quality of life of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the validity and reliability of the Greek Impact of Vision Impairment Questionnaire (IVI) and to explore the predictors of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: About 191 patients completed the IVI and the SF-12 Health Survey, and were assessed on visual exams. A random group of 20 participants completed the IVI twice with a 2 weeks interval, to assess test-retest reliability.

Diabetic ketoacidosis in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors: experience at a tertiary hospital.

Purpose: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare and life-threatening complication in patients with diabetes. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have rarely been associated with ketoacidosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate DKA episodes occurring after SGLT2i treatment and to compare them to DKA episodes due to other causes.

Posterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Secondary to High-Grade Glioma: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Neurological deterioration or new focal deficits in patients with primary brain tumors are usually related to intratumoral hemorrhage, disease progression, seizures (Todd paralysis) and, rarely, ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes in this group of patients are usually a postoperative complication, a long-term result of radiation vasculopathy, embolic due to hypercoagulability and, less commonly, caused by vessel occlusion by an adjacent brain tumor. We report a rare case of ischemic stroke secondary to a newly diagnosed high-grade glioma and the possible mechanisms that resulted in this medical condition.

Sporadic Pituitary Stalk Hemangioblastoma: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Supratentorial hemangioblastomas have rarely been described in the literature. Pituitary stalk hemangioblastomas are extremely rare and almost always are associated with von Hippel Lindau disease. Herein, we report a sporadic case of pituitary stalk hemangioblastoma in a 36-year-old male and review the current literature regarding this pathology.

Comparison of Postprandial Serum Triglyceride and Apolipoprotein B Concentrations between the Two Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Women.

Background: Sex hormones influence lipoprotein metabolism; whether the hormonal fluctuation during normal menstrual cycle has impact on non-fasting lipids remains unclear.

Objective: To examine the differences in postprandial triglyceride, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and nonhigh density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentrations using a standardized fat tolerance test during the 2 menstrual cycle phases.

Methods: We enrolled 25 healthy, menstruating women.

Haemorrhage in pre-existing adrenal masses. A case series.

Introduction: Adrenal haemorrhage in the context of a pre-existing adrenal mass is a rare, underestimated and potentially fatal surgical emergency. It is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain.

Presentation Of Cases: Data from 13 patients with adrenal haemorrhage in a pre-existing adrenal mass were prospectively collected during a 9 year period from a single institution.

Expression of clock-related genes in benign and malignant adrenal tumors.

Although the effect of the central clock system on adrenal function has been extensively studied, the role of the peripheral clock system in adrenal tumorigenesis remains largely unexplored. In this study we investigated the expression of clock-related genes in normal adrenocortical tissue and adrenocortical tumors. Twenty-seven fresh frozen human adrenal tissues including 13 cortisol secreting adenomas (CSA), seven aldosterone producing adenomas (APA), and seven adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) were collected.

Risk for Venous Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Advanced Urinary Tract Cancer Treated With First-Line Chemotherapy.

Background: Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) frequently occur in cancer patients. Risk assessment models (RAMs) for cancer-associated thrombosis have been proposed. However, advanced urinary tract cancer (aUTC) was not adequately represented in these models.

Usefulness of a Structured Adult Education Program in Modifying Markers of Cardiovascular Risk After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Patient involvement in therapeutic strategies leading to lifestyle changes and increasing adherence to beneficial treatment is important for high risk coronary artery disease patients. The hypothesis of the present substudy was that a program of education specifically structured to educate postmyocardial infarction patients would lead to measurable differences in specific indices of cardiovascular risk. Post-MI patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups.

PCOS diagnosis in adolescents: the timeline of a controversy in a systematic review.

Study objective Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescence, a disorder of exclusion, has proved to be a timeless diagnostic challenge for the clinician. Since 1990, several attempts to provide clear diagnostic criteria have been published, most of the time leading to inconsistencies. We attempted to elucidate the controversies and convergences of this subject by conducting a systematic review of the literature concerning official guidelines or proposed criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS in adolescent girls.

Effect of cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation for pulmonary vein isolation on left atrial function in patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A prospective randomized study (Cryo-LAEF study).

Background: Isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVI) has become a mainstay in atrial fibrillation (AFib) therapy. Lesions in left atrial tissue lead to scar formation and this may affect left atrial function.

Methods: Patients with paroxysmal AFib were randomly assigned in a 1:2 allocation scheme to radiofrequency (RF) ablation or cryoballoon.

Α very rare case of De Garengeot's hernia: Acute appendicitis within a femoral hernia.

De Garengeot's hernia is a rare clinical entity. Appropriate and acute diagnosis in emergency basis is challenging (usually misdiagnosed as incarcerated femoral hernia), and the surgical management varies from case to case. This report emphasizes the importance of including De Garengeot's hernia in the differential diagnosis of incarcerated groin hernias and the need to establish a well-defined strategy regarding surgical management options.

Effect of Postablation Statin Treatment on Arrhythmia Recurrence in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Statins have been proposed as a means to prevent postablation atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences, mainly on the basis of their pleiotropic effects. The objective of this subanalysis of a prospectively randomized controlled study population of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF was to test the hypothesis that statin treatment is associated with longer time to recurrence.

Methods And Results: This is a subanalysis over an extended follow-up period of a prospective randomized study (ClinicalTrials.

Bacteriophage therapy as an alternative treatment for human infections. A comprehensive review.

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria. They were discovered around a century ago and have been used ever since for therapeutic purposes, particularly in former Soviet Union countries. Their use in Western countries was abandoned after the discovery and broad use of penicillin.

Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Greece: the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke registry 15-year experience.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) remains the only approved systemic reperfusion treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), however there are scarce data regarding outcomes and complications of IVT in Greece. We evaluated safety and efficacy outcomes of IVT for AIS in Greece using the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke: International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR) dataset.

Methods: All AIS patients treated with IVT in Greece between December 2002 and July 2017 and recorded in the SITS-ISTR were evaluated.

Effect of pulmonary vein isolation on left atrial appendage flow in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) functional modification in the context of pulmonary vein isolation has been a focus point of research and LAA emptying flow velocity (LAAEFV) is considered to reflect LAA contractility, stunning, and fibrosis.

Objective: In the present study, we sought to prospectively evaluate short-term LAAEFV changes after radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon ablation in paroxysmal AF.

Methods: This was a prospective substudy of the Effect of Cryoballoon and RF Ablation on Left Atrial Function (CryoLAEF) study (ClinicalTrials.