Mediterranean diet and brain functional connectivity in a population without dementia.

Introduction: Adjustable lifestyle factors, such as diet, are associated with cognitive functions, structural and functional brain measures, but the association between the functional connectivity (FC) and the Mediterranean Diet (Medicine) in population without dementia is yet to be explored.

Methods: The association between MeDi and brain FC in 105 individuals without dementia aged 63 (SD ± 8.72) years old who underwent brain MRI including resting-state (rs) functional MRI (fMRI) was examined.

Prevalence of SARS-COV-2 infection and outcomes in Greek sarcoidosis patients.

Background And Aim: There is limited data on the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 in sarcoidosis patients and the underlying parameters linked to severity. We aimed to conduct a national multicenter study to explore the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 in sarcoidosis patients and investigate its impact on hospitalization and infection rates, describe the characteristics of the infected population and assess the role of these characteristics in determining the likelihood of infection or hospitalization.

Methods: We recruited all the adult sarcoidosis patients with who were examined across eight Greek Health Interstitial Lung Disease Referral Centers from the beginning of the pandemic until August 1, 2022.

Anakinra efficacy in COVID-19 pneumonia guided by soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor: Association with the inflammatory burden of the host.

Background: Anakinra was approved by the European Medicines Agency and received Emergency Use Authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at risk for severe respiratory failure (SRF) with blood levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) ≥ 6 ng/mL. We report the final results of the phase II open-label single-arm SAVE trial in a large population.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and suPAR levels ≥ 6 ng/mL received subcutaneous anakinra 100 mg once daily for 10 days.

Childhood interstitial lung disease survivors in adulthood: a European collaborative study.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is rarer in children (chILD) than adults, but with increasing diagnostic awareness, more cases are being discovered. chILD prognosis is often poor, but increasing numbers are now surviving into adulthood.

Aim: To characterize chILD-survivors and identify their impact on adult-ILD centers.

Mutations Matter: Unravelling the Genetic Blueprint of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma for Progression Insights and Treatment Strategies.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) presents a distinct subtype of breast cancer, representing 10-15% of cases, with unique clinical and molecular features. Characterized by a non-cohesive, single-file invasion pattern, ILC is typically estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive but human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative. Despite favorable prognostic features, its highly metastatic nature and predilection for atypical sites contribute to lower long-term survival compared to invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (NST).

An Acute Gangrenous Cholecystitis Caused by Candida auris: A Case From a Greek Hospital.

Candida-related infections have increased dramatically in recent years, particularly in severely sick or immunocompromised individuals. Furthermore, the discovery of  in 2009 as a fungus resistant to numerous antifungal treatments has increased its significance. This microorganism is linked to high transmission rates among hospitalized patients, resulting in life-threatening infections and complications.

Small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumours.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It can broadly be divided into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nonsmall cell lung cancer. There have been many advances over the recent years in both fields.

Vitamin D Supplementation: Shedding Light on the Role of the Sunshine Vitamin in the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Its Complications.

As the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to increase globally, researchers are keen to investigate various interventions to mitigate its impact. Among these, vitamin D supplementation has attracted significant attention due to its influence on insulin secretion from the pancreas and insulin receptors in body cells. A substantial body of evidence indicates that vitamin D supplementation can reduce low-grade inflammation, a critical factor in developing insulin resistance.

The Clinical Utility of Pulmonary Function Tests in the Diagnosis and Characterization of Central Airway Obstruction: A Narrative Review.

Central airway obstruction is of major clinical importance since it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is usually clinically diagnosed late. Pulmonary function tests, with the recent incorporation of oscillometry, can have a crucial role in earlier diagnosis. In this review, we summarize all recent advances in that view, including the crucial role of oscillometry.

Amikacin Liposomal Inhalation Suspension for Non-Tuberculous Lung Infection: A Greek Observational Study.

Intravenous amikacin, recommended for severe or recurrent (MAC) infections and as initial treatment for lung disease, is often limited by serious adverse effects such as renal and auditory toxicities. Inhaled Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension (ALIS) enhances pulmonary drug deposition while minimizing systemic adverse effects, and it has recently been introduced as an add-on therapy for refractory MAC infections or when other standard treatments are inadequate. This study aims to retrospectively describe the outcomes of Greek patients with difficult-to-treat non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease following the addition of ALIS to guideline-based therapy.

Interferon-gamma driven elevation of CXCL9: a new sepsis endotype independently associated with mortality.

Background: Endotype classification becomes the cornerstone of understanding sepsis pathogenesis. Macrophage activation-like syndrome (MALS) and immunoparalysis are the best recognized major endotypes, so far. Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) action on tissue macrophages stimulates the release of the cytotoxic chemokine CXCL9.

Stage III NSCLC treatment options: too many choices.

Stage III nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a wide range of tumour (T1 to T4) and nodal (N0 to N3) components, requiring variable management and a multidisciplinary approach. Recent advancements in minimally invasive techniques, molecular biology and novel drug discoveries have accelerated the refinement of stage III NSCLC management. The latest developments in staging include the forthcoming update of the nodal component in the 9th TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) edition, which emphasises the critical role for endobronchial ultrasonography in mediastinal staging.

Mechanisms of primary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) redefined the therapeutics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), leading to significant survival benefits and unprecedented durable responses. However, the majority of the patients develop resistance to ICIs, either primary or acquired. Establishing a definition of primary resistance to ICIs in different clinical scenarios is challenging and remains a work in progress due to the changing landscape of ICI-based regimens, mainly in the setting of early-stage NSCLC.

Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: results of PROMIS-I and PROMIS-II, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months.

Background: Chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with increased exacerbations and mortality in people with bronchiectasis. The PROMIS-I and PROMIS-II trials investigated the efficacy and safety of 12-months of inhaled colistimethate sodium delivered via the I-neb.

Methods: Two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of twice per day colistimethate sodium versus placebo were conducted in patients with bronchiectasis with P aeruginosa and a history of at least two exacerbations requiring oral antibiotics or one requiring intravenous antibiotics in the previous year in hospitals in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA.

Occult checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis during adjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab: a smoldering but severe toxicity.

Checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis is a rare but life-threatening toxicity of immunotherapy, occasionally manifesting as persistent troponin elevation. Dual checkpoint blockade with ipilimumab and nivolumab has been found to induce immune-related myocarditis in patients with metastatic melanoma. We herein report a case of smoldering immune-related myocarditis in a 54-year-old male after a single infusion of nivolumab plus ipilimumab as adjuvant treatment for completely resected stage IV melanoma.

Interventional bronchoscopy in lung cancer treatment.

Interventional bronchoscopy has seen significant advancements in recent decades, particularly in the context of lung cancer. This method has expanded not only diagnostic capabilities but also therapeutic options. In this article, we will outline various therapeutic approaches employed through either a rigid or flexible bronchoscope in multimodal lung cancer treatment.

A scoping review of lung cancer surgery with curative intent: workup, fitness assessment, clinical outcomes.

Lung cancer surgery with curative intent has significantly developed over recent years, mainly focusing on minimally invasive approaches that do not compromise medical efficiency and ensure a decreased burden on the patient. It is directly linked with an efficient multidisciplinary team that will perform appropriate pre-operative assessment. Caution is required in complex patients with several comorbidities to ensure a meaningful and informed thoracic surgery referral leading to optimal patient outcomes.

Adjuvant immunotherapy and targeted therapy in early and locally advanced resectable lung cancer: expanding treatment tentacles?

Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy has been the main treatment following surgical resection with curative intent in early and locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) albeit with a 5% improvement in 5-year survival rates. Recent advances in biomarkers pave the way for targeted treatments and immunotherapy in a broader spectrum of patients with subsequently improved clinical outcomes. Targeted treatments and immunotherapy have established their place in the adjuvant setting of resected NSCLC.

The Efficacy of Coronary Sinus Reducer in Patients with Refractory Angina: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Refractory angina is a frequently encountered phenomenon in patients with coronary artery disease, often presenting therapeutic challenges to the clinical cardiologist. Novel treatment methods have been explored in this direction, with the coronary sinus reducer (CSR) being among the most extensively-investigated.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature for studies assessing the efficacy of CSR in patients with refractory angina.

Gestational Metabolic Risk: A Narrative Review of Pregnancy-Related Complications and of the Effectiveness of Dietary, Exercise and Lifestyle Interventions during Pregnancy on Reducing Gestational Weight Gain and Preventing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

This study is a Narrative Review that aims at investigating the implications of obesity, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Additionally, this Review seeks to explore the effectiveness of nutrition, and/or exercise interventions during pregnancy on reducing GWG and preventing GDM. The search in literature included studies that identified obesity, GWG, GDM and associated risks during pregnancy.