Chronic periaortitis (retroperitoneal fibrosis) concurrent with giant cell arteritis: a case report.

Introduction: Giant cell arteritis is the most common form of large-vessel vasculitides. However, it is probable that extracranial involvement is underdiagnosed in patients with classical giant cell arteritis. In the recent literature most cases of giant cell arteritis have been described in conjunction with aortic aneurysms or dissections.

Linking pre-diabetes with benign prostate hyperplasia. IGFBP-3: a conductor of benign prostate hyperplasia development orchestra?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a pattern of non-malignant growth of prostatic fibromuscular stroma. Metabolic disturbances such us pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome may have a role in BPH pathophysiology. A potential explanation for the above relationship involves the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis as well as IGF binding proteins, (IGFBPs) of which the most abundant form is IGFBP-3.

Pleiotropic effects of omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids except for their effect on triglycerides levels have cardioprotective properties as well as antiarrhythmic properties.The pleiotropic effects of omega-3 fatty acids, also, include lowering of blood pressure and the favorable effect on endothelial function and high-density cholesterol levels. Furthermore, studies have showed their favorable action in subjects with dementia, Alzheimer's disease and learning disorders.

Challenges for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The present review summarizes the existing literature data regarding the development of newer categories of antidiabetic agents, their mechanism of action and their clinical importance. In this paper, a review of the recent patents for the treatment of diabetes will be presented. In recent years significant achievements have been done, including the development of SGLT2 inhibitors, glucokinase activators as well as the role of free fatty acids and bile acid metabolism in the treatment of diabetes are reviewed.

Serum selenium levels do not differ in type 2 diabetic subjects with and without coronary artery disease.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether selenium levels differ between type 2 diabetic subjects with and without coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A total of 200 subjects with type 2 diabetes (100 with CAD and 100 without CAD), consecutively selected from the diabetes outpatient clinic of our hospital were enrolled into the study. A detailed medical history and a physical examination were obtained by all the participants.

Plasma glucose levels and white blood cell count are related with ankle brachial index in type 2 diabetic subjects.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A simple, noninvasive method for the estimation of PAD is ankle brachial index (ABI). The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between ABI and cardiovascular risk factors in T2DM subjects without apparent macrovascular disease.

Self-medication with antibiotics in rural population in Greece: a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Background: Self-medication is an important driver of antimicrobial overuse as well as a worldwide problem. The aim of the present study was to estimate the use of antibiotics, without medical prescription, in a sample of rural population presenting in primary care in southern Greece.

Methods: The study included data from 1,139 randomly selected adults (545 men/594 women, mean age +/- SD: 56.

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in type 2 diabetic subjects with and without microalbuminuria.

Background: Diabetic subjects, especially women, show high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of ASB in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) with and without microalbuminuria (MA).

Findings: A hundred diabetic subjects with MA (53 males/47 females, mean age +/- standard deviation: 65.

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among greek type 2 diabetic patients attending an outpatient clinic.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) attending an outpatient clinic.

Methods: We examined thyroid dysfunction in a total of 1,092 patients with T2D.

Results: Prevalence rate of thyroid dysfunction was 12.

Familial history of diabetes and clinical characteristics in Greek subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Background: A lot of studies have showed an excess maternal transmission of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim, therefore, of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of familial history of T2D in Greek patients, and to evaluate its potential effect on the patient's metabolic control and the presence of diabetic complications.

Methods: A total of 1,473 T2D patients were recruited.