Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis in Real-Life Setting: Results from Greece of the Multi-Country Registry Proof Study.

Objectives: The aim of the present analysis was to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients from Greece who were enrolled in the global PROOF study, and their longitudinal follow-up over 5 years to determine the impact of the disease on quality of life and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: PROOF was an observational study that enrolled recently diagnosed (<1 year) patients fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria from rheumatology clinical practices from 29 countries across 6 different geographical regions.

Results: Of the 100 Greek patients enrolled, 85 were classified based on local (investigator) evaluation of sacroiliac radiographs [AS: 56 (65.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Patients with Rheumatoid Diseases towards Biosimilars.

Objective: To assess patients' understanding and attitudes towards biosimilars in rheumatoid diseases in Greece.

Methods: A convenience sample of patients with rheumatoid diseases who were members of the largest rheumatoid patient association (RHEUMAZIN) in Greece was selected for this survey. Data on patients' knowledge and attitudes towards biosimilars were collected with a web-based questionnaire.

Major Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Exacerbation after Severe Clostridium Difficile Infection: A Case Report.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease presenting with remission and flares. Relapses may be triggered by various factors, with infections being one of the most common. The following case is the first clostridium difficile infection (CDI)-induced SLE flare that resulted in involvement of organs not previously affected in patient's history before, such as lupus nephritis.

Anemia in diabetes mellitus: Pathogenetic aspects and the value of early erythropoietin therapy.

Anemia is a frequent, yet increasingly recognized, comorbidity in diabetes mellitus (DM), with prevalence often driven by multifactorial mechanisms. Hematinic deficiencies, common in this population, may arise from associated comorbidities or medications, such as metformin, as well as other drugs commonly employed for DM-related conditions. Among contributing factors, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) plays a pivotal role, with anemia developing more frequently and being more pronounced in earlier stages, than in CKD of other causes.

One health investigation following a cluster of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, North Macedonia, July to November 2023.

BackgroundCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe illness characterised by fever, bleeding and high case-fatality rates. The disease is caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV), transmitted by ticks and infectious body fluids and tissues.AimAfter CCHF was diagnosed in three persons in 2023, we aimed to investigate the presence of antibodies against CCHFV in healthcare workers (HCW), sheep and goats, and of CCHFV in ticks, in an area in North Macedonia and characterise virus strains.

The routine use of Rivaroxaban as thromboprophylaxis following endovenous thermal ablation.

We investigated the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban as routine thromboprophylaxis after endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA). Adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a systematic review for studies published up to April 2024. Primary endpoints included endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) class ≥ II, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), major and minor bleeding and the composite endpoint of major thromboembolic complications including any incidents of EHIT ≥ III, DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE).

Scrutinizing the evidence of anthracene toxicity on adrenergic receptor beta-2 and its bioremediation by fungal manganese peroxidase via in silico approaches.

Exposure to anthracene can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, and potential long-term health risks, including carcinogenic effects. It is also toxic to aquatic and human life and has the potential for long-term environmental contamination. This study aims to alleviate the adverse environmental effects of anthracene through fungal degradation, focusing on bioremediation approaches using bioinformatics.

Switching between anti-cgrp monoclonal antibodies in migraine prophylaxis.

Introduction: When a first anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody (anti-CGRP mAb) fails, switching to a different anti-CGRP mAb is an option often considered, despite this approach is not yet systemically studied.

Methods: We present the findings of a systematic review conducted according to the PRISMA recommendations on published studies - of any design - investigating the clinical outcomes after switching for any reason to different anti-CGRP mAbs.

Results: The literature search retrieved 76 records, while 19 papers were eventually reviewed.

Evaluation of navigation and robotic systems for percutaneous image-guided interventions: A novel metric for advanced imaging and artificial intelligence integration.

Purpose: Navigation and robotic systems aim to improve the accuracy and efficiency of percutaneous image-guided interventions, but the evaluation of their autonomy and integration of advanced imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of automation and integration of advanced imaging and artificial intelligence in navigation and robotic systems for percutaneous image-guided interventions, using established and novel metrics to categorize and compare their capabilities.

Materials And Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted to identify studies on clinically validated navigation and robotic systems published between 2000 and May 2024.

The impact of infertility on the mental health of women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.

Background & Problem: Infertility affects a substantial number of couples, posing physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Infertile women experienced a sense of loss of control and planning of life with high stress and anxiety and they must deal with the uncertainty of treatment. The evolution of assisted reproductive techniques has provided hope for couples that struggle with infertility.

Allostatic load and psychological characteristics of transgender individuals. Preliminary case-control findings.

Despite considerable social progress, transgender people still face multiple chronic stressors. This study evaluated the allostatic load index and assessed specific psychological characteristics between transgender and cisgender participants who were matched based on age and assigned-at-birth gender. Twenty-one transgender people (52.

CT-assisted age estimation from the medial clavicular epiphysis in the Greek population according to Schmeling and Kellinghaus classification.

Examining the clavicle by macroscopic or radiologic techniques is a well-established method in forensic age estimation in living and dead individuals. The present study examined 196 CT (computed tomography scan) images of native patients from the archive of the medical imaging laboratory of the University Hospital in Heraklion, Crete, in Greece. The ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis was classified according to Schmeling et al.

The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis is not increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome after adjustment for family predisposition.

Purpose: Several studies suggest a linkage between PCOS and autoimmunity with a high frequency of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) reported in PCOS patients, however, this subject remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of AIT in PCOS women and identify parameters that would serve as independent predictors of AIT.

Methods: Two hundred fifty seven (257) PCOS patients according to the NIH criteria and one hundred forty three (143) controls, women with normal menstrual cycles and without clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, were recruited for the study.

Upcycling industrial peach waste to produce dissolving pulp.

This study investigates the production of high-purity cellulose pulp from peach (Prunus persica) fruit wastes generated during the processing of a Greek compote and juice production industry. A three-step chemical process is used, including alkaline treatment with NaOH, organic acid (acetic and formic) treatment, and hydrogen peroxide treatment, with the goal of cellulose extraction and purification. A fractional factorial design optimized reagent levels, revealing the strong influence of NaOH concentration on α-cellulose content and degree of polymerization.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone signaling and manifestations within the cardiovascular system.

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH), a hypothalamic peptide initially characterized for its role in GH regulation, has gained increasing attention due to its GH-independent action on peripheral physiology, including that of the cardiovascular system. While its effects on the peripheral vasculature are still under investigation, GHRH and synthetic agonists have exhibited remarkable receptor-mediated cardioprotective properties in preclinical models. GHRH and its analogs enhance myocardial function by improving contractility, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and offsetting pathological remodeling.

Cost of lung cancer diagnosis: cost differences between national health system and private sector.

Lung cancer is still diagnosed at an advanced stage due to lack of early disease symptoms. We have techniques and equipment for rapid on site evaluation of pulmonary lesions. However, with new technology or a combination of technologies in the diagnostic suite the cost of biopsy is rising.

Identifying metabolomic mediators of the physical activity and colorectal cancer relationship.

Background: Current evidence suggests higher physical activity (PA) levels are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mediating role of the circulating metabolome in this relationship remains unclear.

Methods: Targeted metabolomics data from 6,055 participants in the EPIC cohort were used to identify metabolites associated with PA and derive a metabolomic signature of PA levels.

Precision nutrition-based interventions for the management of obesity in children and adolescents up to the age of 19 years.

Background: Precision nutrition-based methods develop tailored interventions and/or recommendations accounting for determinants of intra- and inter-individual variation in response to the same diet, compared to current 'one-size-fits-all' population-level approaches. Determinants may include genetics, current dietary habits and eating patterns, circadian rhythms, health status, gut microbiome, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics, and physical activity. ​​​​In this systematic review, we examined the evidence base for the effect of interventions based on precision nutrition approaches on overweight and obesity in children and adolescents to help inform future research and global guidelines.

Multivalvular vs single-valve infective endocarditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Infective endocarditis is characterized by the colonization of heart valves by virulent microorganisms. It commonly manifests as involvement of a single heart valve -single-valve infective endocarditis (SIE), while in some patients, two or more heart valves are concomitantly infected -multivalvular infective endocarditis (MIE). The risk of complications and prognosis of MIE as opposed to SIE are unknown.

Redox biomarker levels in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous clonal disorder characterized by insufficient hematopoiesis, peripheral blood cytopenia and an increased risk for malignant transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Several factors, such as age, sex and lifestyle, promote the development of MDS syndrome. Oxidative stress, along with its detrimental effects, cause hematological disorders; however, its role in the pathogenesis of MDS is unknown.

Metabolomics-based treatment for chronic diseases: results from a multidisciplinary clinical study.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, significantly impact patients' quality of life (QoL) and increase medical expenses. The majority of risk factors are modifiable, and metabolomics has been suggested as a promising strategy for their evaluation, though real-world data are scarce. This study evaluated the QoL improvement and cost-effectiveness of a metabolomics-based treatment for NCDs, aiming to restore metabolic dysfunctions and nutritional deficiencies.