Eating behaviors and their relationship with cardiovascular disease. A case/case-control study.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the combined role of eating behaviors and to investigate their effect on the likelihood of developing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or an ischemic stroke. During 2009-2010, 1000 participants were enrolled; 250 consecutive patients with a first ACS (83% males, 60 ± 12 years) and 250 control subjects, as well as 250 consecutive patients with a first ischemic stroke (56% males, 77 ± 9 years) and 250 controls. The controls were population-based and age-sex matched with the patients.

The AGT and the GNB3 polymorphisms and insulin resistance in prehypertension.

Objective: This study surveyed the frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) M235T AGT and C825T GNB3, and their association with insulin resistance, other biochemical markers and qualitative variables in subjects with high normal blood pressure and/or prehypertension in the Greek population.

Design: 330 men and women of Greek origin were divided into 3 groups: a) hypertensive, b) prehypertensive and c) control group. These groups were genetically tested for these polymorphisms and insulin resistance with the HOMA index.

Distant ureteral metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Carcinomas arising from organs neighbouring the ureter can directly infiltrate the ureter. Distant ureteral metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma is extremely rare and usually an incidental finding in performed autopsies. We report a case of a right ureteral metastasis in a 65-year-old Caucasian male with a history of rectal cancer for which he had been treated 4 years before.

Hybrid revascularization procedures in acute limb ischemia.

Background: Although the clinical efficacy of hybrid procedures in patients with chronic limb ischemia has been well reported in the literature, sufficient evidence is lacking in the acute setting. Our aim was to evaluate the immediate and midterm clinical results on 28 patients with acute lower limb ischemia treated with hybrid reconstructions on emergent basis, from January 2010 to March 2013 in our tertiary referral vascular center.

Methods: A total of 28 patients (31 operated limbs) underwent emergent hybrid revascularization, with endovascular treatment performed proximally or distally to the site of open reconstruction.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials on single-incision laparoscopic versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy has emerged as a less invasive alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery. High-quality relevant evidence is limited.

Methods: A systematic review of electronic information sources was undertaken, with the objective of identifying randomized trials that compared single-incision with conventional laparoscopic appendectomy.

The hemodynamic impact of misalignment of fenestrated endografts: a computational study.

Objective: The hemodynamic consequences of misaligned stent-grafts (SG) in fenestrated endografts (EG) have not been adequately studied. Our aim was to study the hemodynamic effects of positional variations of SG, investigating the potential influence on the total displacement forces acting on the EG and the shear stress values at the stented segments.

Methods: This was a computational study.

Meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of outcomes of carotid endarterectomy and stenting in the elderly.

Importance: Uncertainty exists about the influence of advanced age on the outcomes of carotid revascularization.

Objective: To undertake a comprehensive review of the literature and conduct an analysis of the outcomes of carotid interventions in the elderly.

Design And Setting: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles comparing early outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid stenting (CAS) in elderly and young patients.

Endovascular repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm confers an early survival benefit over open repair.

Background: Despite the intuitive advantages of endovascular repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), uncertainty remains about the optimal management in the absence of convincing high-quality evidence. Our objective was to undertake a comprehensive literature review and perform a meta-analysis of outcome data of treatment modalities for ruptured AAAs.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted of electronic information sources to identify studies comparing perioperative outcomes of EVAR and open repair for AAA rupture.

Can an accessory renal artery be safely covered during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair?

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether coverage of an accessory renal artery (ARA) in patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is associated with increased risk of renal impairment. Altogether, 106 papers were located using the reported searches, of which 5 represented the best evidence to answer the question.

Pseudo-polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in a 12-lead Holter Recording.

We present an image of pseudo-polymorphic ventricular tachycardia recording on a 12-lead surface ECG Holter. Although at first glance the appearance of the recording resembled polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, careful investigation revealed normal electrocardiographic findings.

Differential immunohistochemical expression of CD44s, E-cadherin and β-catenin among hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the prostate gland.

Introduction: CD44s, E-cadherin and β-catenin are cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and appear to influence organ development, inflammation, cancer invasion and metastasis. We studied the expression of these CAMs in prostate cancer (PCa), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and nodular adenomatous hyperplasia (NH).

Materials And Methods: 135 paraffin blocks of radical prostatectomy specimens were assessed.

Wound closure of leg fasciotomy: comparison of vacuum-assisted closure versus shoelace technique. A randomised study.

Background: Fasciotomies, though essential for the prevention and management of compartment syndromes, may increase morbidity and prolong hospitalisation. Two widely applied methods of delayed primary closure are compared in leg fasciotomy wounds.

Patients And Methods: Two groups, each of 25 patients with leg fasciotomies due to fractures and soft tissue injuries, who were randomly assigned to be treated either by vacuum assisted closure (VAC®, n=42 wounds, group V) or by the shoelace technique (n=40 wounds, group S), were evaluated in this study.

Palliative treatment of rectal carcinoma recurrence using radiofrequency ablation.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the palliative treatment of recurrent unresectable rectal tumors.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-seven patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer were treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided RF ablation. Therapy was performed with the patient under conscious sedation with a seven- or a nine-array expandable RF electrode for 8-10 min at 80-110°C and a power of 90-110 W.

Efficacy of hemopoietic-stimulating factors in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Anemia has been linked to increased mortality and morbidity in renal hemodialysis patients. Other risk factors that contribute to an adverse outcome include the variability of hemoglobin (Hb) levels and the decreased response to erythropoiesis-stimulating factors (ESFs). In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of four different ESFs (epoetin-A, epoetin-B, darbepoetin, and CERA), assessed the variability of Hb levels, and compared ESF dosages which contributed to the achievement of Hb levels in each individual patient with renal failure undergoing chronic hemodialysis maintenance.

Pyomyositis and septic hip arthritis due to bacteroides fragilis. A case report.

Bacteroides fragilis is a rare cause of pyomyositis or septic arthritis. We present the case of a 74-year-old otherwise healthy male who presented with fever and right hip pain ten days after a course of intramuscular injections. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed septic arthritis of the right hip joint and pyomyositis of the right gluteus minimus muscle.

Likelihood of Brugada ECG pattern confirmed after propafenone administration for atrial fibrillation cardioversion.

It has been reported that Brugada syndrome is responsible for about half of the sudden cardiac death events with no evidence of structural heart disease. We report a case of hidden ECG Brugada pattern, revealed after oral propafenone administration in the setting of pharmaceutical atrial fibrillation cardioversion.

Calcific myonecrosis of the leg: report of three patients presenting with infection.

Background: Calcific myonecrosis is a rare late complication of trauma, affecting almost exclusively the lower limb. Its radiologic appearance is characteristic. Superimposed infection usually is a sequela of biopsy.

Subclinical activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: do risk factors exist?

Purposes: This study examines whether inherent patient-related risk factors (age, gender) modify the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) upon the coagulation and fibrinolysis cascades.

Methods: This observational study included 119 low-risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patients undergoing elective LC, without thromboprophylaxis. Pre-operatively and 24 h post-operatively we measured PT-INR, aPTT, FDP, d-dimer, and fibrinogen.

A case of recurrent benign lymphocytic (Mollaret's) meningitis and review of the literature.

Mollaret's meningitis is a rare form of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis first described in 1944. We report a case of Mollaret's meningitis due to Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV2), diagnosed with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) implementation in the Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the patient and treated successfully with acyclovir. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Mollaret's meningitis reported in Greece.

Long-term results after computed-tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for small renal tumors.

Purpose: To present the long-term results and to identify possible risk factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for renal tumors.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-one patients with a total of 39 renal tumors ranging from 1.3 to 7.

A critical review of the evidence for nurses as information providers to cancer patients.

Aims: To review evidence on the role of oncology nurses in the provision of information to cancer patients and to delineate evidence-based implications for clinical practice and research.

Background: Provision of information is central for the empowerment of patients to participate in their care. There is not enough evidence regarding the nursing role in the information delivery process in cancer patients.

Effect of obesity on atrial size in older women with non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background And Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) typically prevails on male sex in all decades of life. Thus, prevalence rate of AF in older women is elevated, mainly due to their longer survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect that obesity has on atria dimensions of older women with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Influence of intranasal sterile isotonic sea water applications on xylometazoline administration: an experimental study in pigs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how isotonic sea water solution (Physiomer) affects the structure of porcine nasal mucosa when it is applied simultaneously with vasoconstrictors (xylometazoline) for a prolonged period of time.

Methods: Twenty pigs of the PMR-Landraze breed formed the study group. A solution of xylometazoline 0, 1% (Otrivin spray, Novartis) was sprayed every 8h in both nasal cavities of the pigs, with two applications into each nostril for 28 days.