Carcinosarcoma of the breast: Facing the challenge of a rare nosologic entity.

Carcinosarcoma (CS), also known as metaplastic breast carcinoma with mesenchymal differentiation, is one of the five distinct subtypes of metaplastic breast cancer. It is considered as a mixed, biphasic neoplasm consisting of a carcinomatous component combined with a malignant nonepithelial element of mesenchymal origin without an intermediate transition zone. Although cellular origin of this neoplasm remains controversial, most researchers declare that neoplastic cells derive from a cellular structure with potential biphasic differentiation.

Emerging Trends in the Management of Gastric Malignancy with Peritoneal Dissemination: Same Disease, Heterogeneous Prognosis.

Gastric cancer is a significant global contributor to cancer-related mortality. Stage IV gastric cancer represents a significant percentage of patients in Western countries, with peritoneal dissemination being the most prevalent site. Peritoneal disease comprises two distinct entities, macroscopic (P1) and microscopic (P0CY1), which are associated with poor long-term survival rates.

DKK1 and Its Receptors in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Promising Molecular Target.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an aggressive gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy with increasing incidence. Despite the recent progress in targeted therapies and surgical approaches, the survival rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients remain poor. The Dickkopf (DKK) proteins are secretory proteins known mainly as antagonists of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is considered an oncogene.

DRESSed for distress: a case of allopurinol-induced DRESS syndrome.

DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) syndrome is a severe systemic drug reaction characterized by a latent period of several weeks following the initiation of drug therapy. Among the most well-known causative agents is allopurinol, commonly prescribed for managing asymptomatic gout. Allopurinol-induced DRESS syndrome is associated with high mortality rates and significant long-term sequelae.

The Effect of Quercetin on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the Role of Beclin1, P62, and LC3: An Experimental Study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major metabolic disorder with no established pharmacotherapy. Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, demonstrates potential hepatoprotective effects but has limited bioavailability. This study evaluates the impact of quercetin on NAFLD and assesses the roles of autophagy-related proteins in disease progression.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) in General Hospital: An Essential Practice.

Antimicrobial drugs are unique among the different categories of medications as their inappropriate use has a negative impact both for the individual patient, as is the case with all other medications, and for the general population as well [...

DNA Damage Response Network and Intracellular Redox Status in the Clinical Outcome of Patients with Lung Cancer.

: DNA damage response (DDR) is a network of molecular pathways associated with the pathogenesis and progression of several diseases, as well as the outcome of chemotherapy. Moreover, the intracellular redox status is essential for maintaining cell viability and controlling cellular signaling. Herein, we analyzed DDR signals and redox status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with lung cancer with different response rates to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Could Fibrin Sealants (TISSEEL) Be Effective in the Management of Burn Injuries? A Histopathological Study in Rats.

Burn injuries remain a major clinical problem worldwide, which require special management by experienced plastic surgeons. However, they cannot be available in every healthcare unit; consequently, there is a need for effective treatment options that could be utilized by a wide range of non-expert healthcare professionals. The aim of the present experimental study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of using a fibrin sealant (TISSEEL) compared to the conventional treatment with sulfadiazine on partial-thickness burn in a rat animal model.

Respiratory Viruses in Patients With Hematological Malignancy in Boreal Autumn/Winter 2023-2024: EPICOVIDEHA-EPIFLUEHA Report.

Community-acquired respiratory viral infections (CARV) significantly impact patients with hematological malignancies (HM), leading to high morbidity and mortality. However, large-scale, real-world data on CARV in these patients is limited. This study analyzed data from the EPICOVIDEHA-EPIFLUEHA registry, focusing on patients with HM diagnosed with CARV during the 2023-2024 autumn-winter season.

The Predictive Role of Preoperative Malnutrition Assessment in Postoperative Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgery Due to Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Malnutrition affects patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal cancers and contributes to poor postoperative outcomes, including increased complication rates, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality. Despite the availability of several malnutrition screening tools and prognostic scores, their effectiveness in predicting postoperative outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the predictive accuracy of Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score for postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal, hepato-pancreato-biliary and upper gastrointestinal cancers.

The Impact of EndoVAC in Addressing Post-Esophagectomy Anastomotic Leak in Esophageal Cancer Management.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains a major complication after esophagectomy, especially in patients with esophagogastric cancers who have undergone neoadjuvant therapies, which can impair tissue healing. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EndoVAC) is an innovative approach aimed at managing AL by facilitating wound drainage, reducing infection, and promoting granulation tissue formation, thus supporting effective healing. This review explores the role and effectiveness of EndoVAC in treating AL post-esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients.

Synthetic vs. biologic mesh for abdominal wall reconstruction in contaminated surgical fields. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

Purpose: Biologic meshes had been the first choice for abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in contaminated surgical fields. However, due to increased cost and questioned effectiveness, synthetic meshes have been also implemented. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to compare synthetic and biologic mesh in terms of recurrence and postoperative outcomes.

A Rare Case of Retroperitoneal Schwannoma in an Adult Male.

Objective: This study aims to illustrate a rare case of retroperitoneal schwannoma by presenting the clinical, imaging, and histological parameters.

Case Report: A 36-year-old patient visited the outpatient clinic because of back pain experienced over the previous two months. There were no complaints regarding the nervous system or urinary system.

Quercetin's Potential in MASLD: Investigating the Role of Autophagy and Key Molecular Pathways in Liver Steatosis and Inflammation.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a widespread liver disorder characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, commonly associated with metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. With a global prevalence of up to 30%, MASLD is projected to affect over 100 million people in the U.S.

What Is the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Anastomotic Leakage After Colorectal Resection? A Scoping Review of Clinical and Experimental Studies.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) still remains a common complication after colorectal anastomosis that leads to increased morbidity and mortality. The gut microbiota has been hypothesized as one of the risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage. The aim of the present study was to summarize all existing clinical and experimental studies that evaluate the impact of intestinal microbiota on anastomotic leakage after colorectal resection.

The Effect of a Care Bundle on the Rate of Blood Culture Contamination in a General Intensive Care Unit.

: Blood culture (BC) contamination is a frequent problem which leads to increased laboratory workload, inappropriate use of antibiotics and the associated adverse events, and increased healthcare costs. This study prospectively examined the effect of a care bundle on BC contamination rates in a high workload ICU. During the study, in total, 4236 BC vials were collected.

Immunogenicity and Safety of the Recombinant Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma.

Background/objectives: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM) are susceptible to viral infections, including varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation due to both disease-related and treatment-induced immunosuppression. The recombinant adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine (RZV) has shown high efficacy in immunocompetent adults, but immunogenicity data in CLL and MM patients are limited. This study evaluates the immunogenicity and safety of RZV in this population.

The Role of Chemerin in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer.

: Chemerin, which is a multifunctional cytokine and adipokine, has been implicated in inflammatory and metabolic processes and might play a role in upper gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, particularly gastric and esophageal cancer. The aim of this review is to explore the role of chemerin in the pathophysiology of upper GI cancers, as well as its potential as a biomarker for early detection and as a therapeutic target. : A comprehensive review of recent studies about chemerin's biochemical properties and interaction with its receptors, as well as its effects on inflammatory responses, immune regulation, and metabolic processes, was conducted.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy in Greek Children: 15 Years of Experience at a Single Center.

Background: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy (PRB) is a key element for diagnosis and management of several renal pathologies. We aimed to lay out the experience of our pediatric nephrology unit performing PRBs. The rationale and findings of these biopsies, safety issues and considerations of the extracted data are going to be analyzed.

A cluster of pediatric vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia-like cases with thrombosis and thrombocytopenia following respiratory infections-case series.

Background: Adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a heparin-independent platelet-activating disorder. An increasing number of VITT-like disorders without previous vaccination are being identified.

Key Clinical Question: To explore the association of the pediatric cluster of postinfectious thrombosis and thrombocytopenia with VITT-like disorders.

A study of platelet function in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia treated with thrombopoietin receptor agonists.

Background: Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are widely used in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and are associated with increased thrombotic risk. However, data regarding their impact on platelet function is scarce.

Methods: Platelet function was evaluated in chronic ITP patients enrolled over one year, using light transmission aggregometry and platelet-derived microparticle (PMP) levels measurement with flow cytometry.