Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver (HASL): revised clinical practice guidelines for autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare liver disease, of unknown origin, characterized by considerable heterogeneity. AIH can affect both sexes, of all ages, ethnicities and races. The revised Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) of the Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver aim to provide updated guidance to clinicians.

Efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination therapy early after recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following resection or ablation with a curative intent.

Background: The pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after resection/ablation is intrahepatic and/or systemic. The efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab treatment as early therapy after recurrence has not been extensively evaluated.

Methods: We evaluated 32 patients (group A) with early HCC recurrence after resection/ablation and 24 patients (group B) initially diagnosed as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-C, all treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab.

Physical Activity Habits Among Physicians: Data From the Athens Medical Association.

Background: Physicians' exercise habits vary across different medical specialties and health service infrastructure. We assessed physicians' exercise performance according to the recommendations of the 2020 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 742 physicians of the Athens Medical Association (AMA), Greece.

Natural Compounds and Cancer: Current Evidences.

Natural compounds are constantly gaining ground in the treatment of various chronic diseases and in cancer research. Recent efforts have been focusing on them due to their special features consisting of low toxicity and high bioavailability. These compounds have already demonstrated important antitumor activity against several cancers in vitro through several mechanisms, including cell viability reduction, suppression of cell proliferation, cell death induction and cell cycle arrest.

Lumbar Spinal Rahisynthesis with Plif: a Retrospective Study of 58 Patients Demonstrating Imaging and Clinical Outcomes with One Year Follow-up.

Background/objectives: Nowadays, posterior lumbar cages remain a popular choice among the available options for interbody fusion even when compared with anterior approaches. As the posterior lumbar anatomy permits a relatively easy exposure to the spinal anatomy of interest, expandable cages prove to be a reliable tool for 360-degree fusion. Our study aspires to investigate the postoperative effects of Flarehawk 9 after open posterior lumbar fixation.

CRP to Albumin Ratio as a Prognostic Nutrition-Based Biomarker for Patients With Gastric Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Gastric cancer stands as a significant global health challenge, ranking among the top malignancies worldwide in terms of prevalence and mortality. Despite advances in treatment modalities, including surgical intervention and chemotherapy, its prognosis remains largely unfavorable, with late-stage diagnoses contributing to high mortality rates. In recent years, attention has turned to inflammation-based prognostic markers, notably the CRP to albumin ratio (CAR), as potential indicators of disease progression and patient outcomes postoperatively.

Sex-related differences in the 20-year incidence of CVD and its risk factors: The ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine sex-related differences in the long-term (20-year) incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its determinants.

Methods: In 2002, 3,042 apparently healthy Greek adults were recruited, and in 2022, the 20-year follow-up was conducted with 2,169 participants, 1,988 of whom had completed CVD assessments. Sex-specific analyses using nested Cox proportional hazards were performed, as well as classification and regression tree (CRT) analysis modeling.

Opinions and Knowledge of Midwives Regarding Physical Exercise During Pregnancy: Insights and Implications for Midwifery Practice.

Background Physical exercise during pregnancy offers significant benefits for maternal and fetal health, improving cardiovascular fitness, managing weight, and reducing risks of gestational diabetes and hypertension. Despite these benefits, the role of midwives in promoting exercise is critical but often underexplored. Materials and methods This cross-sectional quantitative study surveyed 172 midwives using a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards physical exercise during pregnancy.

Addressing Postpartum Care Challenges and Information Accessibility for Mothers With Hearing Disability: A Systematic Review.

Access to healthcare significantly impacts the health outcomes of individuals with hearing disability, underscoring the necessity for enhanced accessibility to health services. Despite this situation, there is a paucity of data regarding the provision of postpartum care for women with hearing disability. Understanding the unique experiences and needs of women with hearing disability is crucial for improving not only the health system but also the overall health of their families and, by extension, the broader community.

Midterm Outcomes of the BeGraft and BeGraft Plus Bridging Covered Stents for Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Objective: The aim of this study was to report outcomes of the BeGraft and BeGraft Plus as bridging covered stents in fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (FB-EVAR).

Methods: Patients treated and followed in two institutions receiving at least one BeGraft or BeGraft Plus as bridging covered stent between January 2018 and July 2023 were included.

Results: A total of 765 target vessels (TVs) in 281 patients were aimed to be bridged with the BeGraft or BeGraft Plus.

Exploring the Role of Sigma Receptors in the Treatment of Cancer: A Narrative Review.

This study investigated the association of sigma receptors (SRs) and their selective ligands (because the molecular characteristics of the same SRs, particularly sigma-2 receptor {S2R}, are not completely clear) in carcinogenesis, their potential use as antitumor agents, and their great utility in tumor imaging. The ion channels and transporters enhance the cell's ability to adapt to the metabolic conditions encountered in the tumor tissue. The high expression of SRs in the proliferating cells compared with those at rest indicates that this is a significant clinical biomarker for determining the proliferative status of solid tumors using functional PET imaging techniques.

The clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with glomerular diseases and evaluation of the subsequent risk of relapse.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the clinical course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with glomerular diseases (GDs) and its impact on the probability of relapse.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven GD and positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 from glomerular clinics across Greece were studied retrospectively. Those who received the GD diagnosis after the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or ended in ESKD prior to infection were excluded.

Lung cancer and obesity: A contentious relationship (Review).

The global obesity epidemic, attributed to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, genetics and environmental factors, has led to over 1.9 billion adults being classified as overweight and 650 million living with obesity. Despite advancements in early detection and treatment, lung cancer prognosis remains poor due to late diagnoses and limited therapies.

Penetrating Femoral Trauma: A Report on Its Management and Outcome.

Penetrating trauma of the femur poses significant life-threatening risks due to potential complications, particularly involving the femoral structures such as the femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral nerve. These injuries can lead to severe outcomes, especially when accompanied by soft tissue damage. Effective management requires a thorough understanding of the injury's nature, including the extent of soft tissue involvement and associated complications.

Saharan dust and respiratory health: Understanding the link between airborne particulate matter and chronic lung diseases (Review).

Saharan dust storms, which originate from the Sahara desert, have a significant impact on global health, especially on respiratory conditions of populations exposed to fine particulate matter that travels across continents. Dust events, characterized by the transport of mineral dust such as quartz and feldspar, lead to the suspension of particulate matter in the atmosphere, capable of traversing long distances and affecting air quality adversely. Emerging research links these dust episodes with increased incidence and exacerbation of lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially during peak dust emission seasons from November to March.

Complex interplays: Asthma management and maternal‑fetal outcomes in pregnancy (Review).

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, poses unique challenges in pregnancy, impacting both maternal and fetal health. Of note, 8-13% of pregnant women suffer from asthma, a condition that can worsen, stabilize, or improve during pregnancy. These fluctuations necessitate a nuanced management strategy to ensure the health of both the mother and fetus.

Robotic Single Anastomosis Duodenal-ileal Bypass With Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) for Morbid Obesity: A Systematic Review.

Background/aim: The global obesity epidemic has seen a dramatic increase in prevalence since 1975, posing significant health and economic challenges worldwide. Robotic-assisted single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) has emerged as a promising surgical intervention for morbid obesity, offering potential advantages over traditional laparoscopic approaches in terms of precision, safety, and recovery outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted SADI-S, focusing on perioperative and postoperative outcomes including intraoperative complications, operative time, conversion rates, mortality, length of hospital stay, weight loss, and postoperative complications.

Rapid-Growing Phyllodes Tumor after an Accidental Bump on the Breast: A Case Report.

Introduction: Giant phyllodes tumors are fibroepithelial lesions whose diameters exceed 10 cm. Core biopsy represents the best diagnostic method in order to distinct fibroadenomas from phyllodes tumors. Wide surgical resection with clear margins is the standard of treatment.