The value of preoperative molecular testing in the management of Bethesda V and Bethesda VI thyroid tumors.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased over recent years due to the fact that several diagnostic tools, such as neck ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration, are being ever more widely adopted. Lately, another modality which might provide significant information preoperatively on the aggressiveness of a thyroid tumor, its prognosis, and its recurrence rate is molecular testing. We reviewed the literature with regard to the role of preoperative molecular testing in patients with Bethesda V and Bethesda VI thyroid nodules and its impact on choice of the optimal treatment strategy.

Gastrointestinal Metastases From Lobular Breast Carcinoma: A Literature Review.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) represents a rare subtype of breast carcinoma, originating from the lobule. Unlike ductal carcinoma, ILC does not express E-cadherin and thus can metastasize to uncommon sites. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of the rare subgroup of ILC patients with gastrointestinal (GI) metastases.

Pathologic complete response in patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma treated with neoadjuvant therapy and its correlation with clinical outcomes: A systematic review.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS), comprising approximately 1% of adult solid malignancies, are primarily treated with surgery, with the choice of perioperative treatment being a challenging and highly individualized decision. Clinical trials assessing neoadjuvant modalities in STS predominantly use clinical outcomes or radiologic response as endpoints, with pathologic complete response (pCR) not being employed as a designated study endpoint. Our systematic review aimed to assess the rates of pCR in clinical trials of different neoadjuvant modalities for STS and its correlation with patient clinical outcomes.

Comparison of outcomes of open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The treatment of children with pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) has naturally progressed from open, to minimally invasive approaches, including laparoscopic pyeloplasty and robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). The RALP is now considered to be the gold standard for paediatric patients with PUJO, except for smaller infants due to size limitations. Our systematic review aims to synthesise all the available evidence regarding key postoperative outcomes for the three surgical approaches to pyeloplasties in children.

Individual-based socioeconomic vulnerability and deprivation indices: a scoping review.

Several individual-based social deprivation and vulnerability indices have been developed to measure the negative impact of low socioeconomic status on health outcomes. However, their variables and measurable characteristics have not been unequivocally assessed. A comprehensive database literature scoping review was performed to identify all individual-based social deprivation and vulnerability indices.

Specific Gut Microbiome Signatures in Children with Cow's Milk Allergy.

Although gut dysbiosis is associated with cow's milk allergy (CMA), causality remains uncertain. This study aimed to identify specific bacterial signatures that influence the development and outcome of the disease. We also investigated the effect of hypoallergenic formula (HF) consumption on the gut microbiome of milk-allergic children.

A Change in Nosocomial Infections among Surgical ICU Patients in the COVID-19 Era and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry-A Cross-Sectional Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes occurred within the surgical patient population. An increase in the frequency of resistant Gram-negative bacteria has since been recorded worldwide. After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, microbiological diagnostics in our institution was performed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) Combined with NGS Panel Testing Increases Accuracy in Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Estimation.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prominent tumor type among women, accounting for 32% of newly diagnosed cancer cases. BC risk factors include inherited germline pathogenic gene variants and family history of disease. However, the etiology of the disease remains occult in most cases.

Increase in Breastfeeding Rates in Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Greece: Comparison with the National Study of 2017.

Background/objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to correlate the factors influencing the onset and duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and breastfeeding (BF) rates at different time points in baby-friendly hospitals (BFHs) in Greece.

Methods: This study was conducted from October 2020 to January 2022. The sample consisted of 1201 mothers with corresponding newborn births out of the total 7201 that took place during the same period.

Antimicrobial Regimens in Cement Spacers for Periprosthetic Joint Infections: A Critical Review.

Antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ALCSs) are essential for treating periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) by providing mechanical support and local antibiotic delivery. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively examine the various types of spacers utilised in the management of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), including both static and articulating variants and to analyse the fundamental principles underlying spacer use, their clinical benefits, the selection and administration of antimicrobial agents, appropriate dosages, and potential adverse effects. Articulating spacers, which allow joint mobility, often yield better outcomes than static ones.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Co-Culture in a Bone-Marrow-on-a-Chip Device toward the Generation and Maintenance of the Hematopoietic Niche.

Bone marrow has raised a great deal of scientific interest, since it is responsible for the vital process of hematopoiesis and is affiliated with many normal and pathological conditions of the human body. In recent years, organs-on-chips (OoCs) have emerged as the epitome of biomimetic systems, combining the advantages of microfluidic technology with cellular biology to surpass conventional 2D/3D cell culture techniques and animal testing. Bone-marrow-on-a-chip (BMoC) devices are usually focused only on the maintenance of the hematopoietic niche; otherwise, they incorporate at least three types of cells for on-chip generation.

Oxidative Stress and Erectile Dysfunction: Pathophysiology, Impacts, and Potential Treatments.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition affecting men's sexual health, with oxidative stress (OS) having recently been identified as a significant contributing causative factor. This narrative review aims to elucidate the role of OS in the pathophysiology of ED, focusing on impact, mechanisms, and potential therapeutic interventions. Key findings indicate that OS disrupts endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO) signaling, crucial for erectile function.

The Multiple Faces of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pearls and Pitfalls for Diagnosis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is the prototype multisystem autoimmune disorder characterised by a broad spectrum of organ involvement and a multitude of laboratory abnormalities. Clinical heterogeneity, unpredictable course and lack of pathognomonic clinical and serological features pose a considerable challenge in the diagnosis of SLE. The latter remains largely clinical, typically accompanied however by features of serologic autoimmunity, which are characteristic for the disease.

Clinical Trials of Interferon Inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Preliminary Real-World Efficacy of Anifrolumab.

Approval of anifrolumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2021 marked the success of a long quest to target the interferon system, in a disease wherein the latter has long been considered to play a pivotal role. Prior to anifrolumab, a number of agents had been tested in early phase clinical trials in patients with SLE, with equivocal results. Following its approval and marketing in several countries, the first reports regarding efficacy and safety in real-life clinical settings have been published, which suggest remarkable efficacy in skin manifestations of the disease, even after prior failure to multiple immunosuppressive therapies.

The NYMERIA Study: A Real-World, Multicentre Contemporary Assessment of Disease- and Patient-Related Burden and Treatment Strategies in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a spectrum of phenotypes. Its management should target remission or low disease activity, prevention of relapses and organ damage, minimisation of drug-related harms, and optimisation of health-related quality of life. Advances in our understanding of the disease pathophysiology have expanded the treatment armamentarium with targeted biologics that demonstrate superiority over conventional drugs in controlling activity, reducing flares and glucocorticoid exposure, and improving patient-related outcomes.

The Clinical and Genetic Landscape of Hereditary Cancer: Experience from a Single Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Background/aim: The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the genetic investigation of hereditary cancer is important for clinical surveillance, therapeutic approach, and reducing the risk of developing new malignancies. The aim of the study was to explore genetic predisposition in individuals referred for hereditary cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 8,261 individuals were referred for multigene genetic testing, during the period 2020-2023, in the laboratory, and underwent multigene genetic testing using NGS.