Micro-Epigenetic Markers in Viral Genome: SARS-CoV-2 Infection Impact on Host Cell MicroRNA Landscape.

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRs) are crucial micro-genetic markers that significantly manipulate gene expression in neoplastic/malignant and non-neoplastic diseases, as viral infections. Different expression patterns of miRs seem to partially influence the response rates to specific chemo-targeted therapeutic regimens and prognosis in cancer patients. Concerning their nature, miRs are short non-coding RNAs including 20-25 nucleotides hosted in intra- or intergenic regions.

Impact of C-FOS/C-JUN Transcriptional Factors Co-Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Significant transcription factors - including c-Fos (gene locus: 14q24.3) and c-Jun (gene locus: 1p32-p31) - regulate cell homeostasis preventing abnormal signal transduction to nucleus. Their over-activation seems to be associated with an aggressive phenotype in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs).

Sensitization to Staphylococcus Enterotoxin: Relationship with Aspects of Disease Severity.

: Sensitization to specific IgE enterotoxins (SEs) is associated with an increased risk for severe asthma development. Limited data exist regarding the association of seropositivity for specific IgE SEs and the different aspects of severe asthma. We aimed to determine whether the presence of SEs is associated with asthma-related parameters such as inflammatory cells in the airways, features of airway remodeling, and other variables relating to asthma assessment and severity.

Evolution of epidemiological characteristics of infective endocarditis in Greece.

Objective: The clinical profile, management and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) may be influenced by socioeconomic issues.

Methods: A nationwide prospective study evaluated IE during the era of deep economic crisis in Greece. Epidemiological data and factors associated with 60-day mortality were analyzed through descriptive statistics, logistic and Cox-regression models.

The effect of mirabegron, used for overactive bladder treatment, on female sexual function: a prospective controlled study.

Background: Αim of the study was to determine the effect of mirabegron, used for overactive bladder (OAB) treatment, on female sexual function.

Methods: Eighty five sexually active women suffering from overactive bladder were prospectively enrolled in this study. Females were divided into two groups.

Translation and validation of the Greek version of the female sexual function index questionnaire.

The clinical evaluation of female sexual dysfunctions should be supplemented by validated questionnaires; however, there is no specific instrument available in Greek language. The study was designed to linguistically validate the Greek version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Ninety-nine healthy women and eighteen women with a sexual dysfunction were recruited through a survey and were asked to voluntarily complete the FSFI questionnaire in Greek (FSFI-Gr) at baseline and after 2 weeks.

The effect of extended release tolterodine used for overactive bladder treatment on female sexual function.

Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition, especially in middle aged women, requiring long term therapy with anticholinergics to maintain symptoms relief. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tolterodine extended release (ER) used for OAB treatment on the sexual function of women.

Materials And Methods: Between August 2010 and August 2014, 220 women with confirmed OAB, attended Urogynecology Outpatient Clinic and were prospectively enrolled in this study.

The role of stress in PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrinopathy affecting a remarkable proportion of premenopausal women. Different studies have shown that stress is widely encountered in women with PCOS. Areas covered: As PCOS is a multifaceted disorder, 'stress' incorporates different translations.

Sexual function in women with overactive bladder.

Objectives: : Overactive bladder (OAB) is a major cause of suffering in many patients, requiring long-term therapy to maintain symptoms relief. Incontinence or even the fear of leaking urine interferes with sexual function. However, studies evaluating the burden of OAB on female sexual function are limited.

Are there any UPP changes in women with stress urinary incontinence after pelvic floor muscle exercises?

Aim: This study examined the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises after 12 months of successful treatment for stress urinary incontinence based on subjective (incontinence episodes and pad test) and objective outcome variables (urethral closure pressure, UCP, functional profile length and pressure transmission ratio, PTR).

Methods: Fifty women aged 24-58 years old with genuine stress urine incontinence who successfully underwent pelvic floor muscle exercises, as measured by incontinence episodes and pad test, were included in the study. All women underwent a comprehensive standardized evaluation of urethral pressure profilometry at baseline assessment and at the end of 12 months of pelvic floor exercise program.

Enterobius vermicularis in the male urinary tract: a case report.

Enterobius vermicularis is an intestinal nematode of humans. Adults usually have low worm burdens and are asymptomatic. Ectopic infections in the pelvic area or urinary tract rarely occur in women.

Pelvic floor muscle training improves sexual function of women with stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a program of supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sexual function, in a group of women with urodynamically diagnosed stress urinary incontinence (SUI), using a validated questionnaire. Incontinence episodes frequency and continence pads used per week were measured before and after treatment using a 7-day bladder diary. Improvements in sexual function were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Maximal bladder capacity is a positive predictor of response to desmopressin treatment in patients with MS and nocturia.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of desmopressin therapy in the symptomatic treatment of nocturia in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neurogenic detrusor overactivity, and to investigate the validity of maximal bladder capacity as a predictor of response to intranasal desmopressin inhalation.

Material And Methods: A set of 20 women with MS and neurogenic detrusor overactivity enrolled in a prospective pilot study and were divided into two groups: Group A, the large bladder capacity group (maximal bladder capacity >250 ml, compliance >20 ml/cm H(2)O, n=10) and Group B, the small bladder capacity group (maximal bladder capacity <250 ml, compliance <20 ml/cm H(2)O, n=10). Maximal bladder capacities were measured by urodynamic evaluation.

The efficacy of duloxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation.

Aim: Though premature ejaculation (PE) has been overshadowed by current attention given to erectile dysfunction, it is the most widespread form of male sexual dysfunction. Delayed or inhibited ejaculation, a known side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has made SSRIs potentially useful in the treatment of this disorder. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of duloxetine, an SSRI, in the treatment of PE.

The use of desmopressin in the management of nocturnal enuresis in patients with spinal cord injury.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) in the management of nocturnal enuresis in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), as well as arginine vasopressin (AVP) daily production, urine output, urine osmolarity and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) before and after the use of desmopressin.

Methods: We studied 11 patients with SCI (7 men 4 women). All patients attended a rehabilitation program and used a wheelchair for locomotion.

Expression of Smad4 and TGF-beta2 in colorectal carcinoma.

Background: TGF-beta, a potent natural antiproliferative agent, is believed to play an important role in suppressing tumorigenicity. This effect is mediated through Smad4, a tumour-suppressor gene, at chromosome 18q21, which affects gene transcription and controls cell growth. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of Smad4 and TGF-beta2 in colorectal carcinomas and to correlate them with pathological parameters and patient survival.

Is HCl duloxetine effective in the management of urinary stress incontinence after radical prostatectomy?

Introduction: Up to 70% of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy complain about urine leakage, but persistent stress incontinence 1 year after surgery affects <5% of them. HCl duloxetine is a dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that relieves the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HCl duloxetine in the management of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy and its impact in urodynamic parameters such as maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP), abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) and retrograde leak point pressure (RLPP).

A rare case of bladder fibroepithelial polyp in childhood.

Objective: To present a rare case of a benign polyp in a child. Very few cases of urinary tract fibroepithelial polyps in the bladder are reported in the international literature and they are even less common in children.

Material And Methods: A 14-year-old boy presented at the Urology Department of "Elpis" Hospital complaining of painless macroscopic hematuria during the last six months.

Skeletal growth factor involvement in the regulation of fracture healing process.

Skeletal growth factors are peptides that serve as signalling agents for living cells, thereby participating in the autocrine, paracrine, intracrine and endocrine bioregulation of tissues and organs in human physiology. Growth factors elicit their cellular actions after binding to specific receptors, which are large transmembrane proteins located on target cells. These receptors relay signals via specific intracellular signal transduction pathways capable of regulating gene transcription, thereby modifying cell proliferation, cell function, cell differentiation and apoptosis.