HyperChildNET COST Action CA19115: report of the task force.

Despite dramatic medical advances over the last few decades, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally. High BP is clearly established, but modifiable, risk factor for early disability and death. Although most of the adverse outcomes occur in adulthood it has become clear that high BP is a life course problem that can become evident in early life however, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of high BP in children and adolescents.

Cutaneous lesions in a COVID-19 patient leading to a surprising diagnosis.

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Joint statement for assessing and managing high blood pressure in children and adolescents: Chapter 1. How to correctly measure blood pressure in children and adolescents.

The joint statement is a synergistic action between HyperChildNET and the European Academy of Pediatrics about the diagnosis and management of hypertension in youth, based on the European Society of Hypertension Guidelines published in 2016 with the aim to improve its implementation. The first and most important requirement for the diagnosis and management of hypertension is an accurate measurement of office blood pressure that is currently recommended for screening, diagnosis, and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Blood pressure levels should be screened in all children starting from the age of 3 years.

Joint statement for assessing and managing high blood pressure in children and adolescents: Chapter 2. How to manage high blood pressure in children and adolescents.

The joint statement is a synergistic action between HyperChildNET and the European Academy of Pediatrics about the diagnosis and management of hypertension in youth, based on the European Society of Hypertension Guidelines published in 2016 with the aim to improve its implementation. Arterial hypertension is not only the most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but also the most important modifiable risk factor. Early hypertension-mediated organ damage may already occur in childhood.

Practical guide for the management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, are a worldwide health problem. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect more than 10% of pregnancies and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity for both mother and fetus. Although patients' outcomes and family's experience will always be the primary concern regarding hypertensive complications during pregnancy, the economic aspect of this disease is also worth noting.

Impact of de novo donor-specific HLA antibodies on pediatric kidney transplant prognosis in patients with acute declined or stable allograft function.

Background: This retrospective multicenter long-term cohort study investigates de novo donor-specific HLA antibodies (dnDSA) impact on allograft survival in pediatric kidney transplantation (KTx), depending on allograft function at dnDSA detection.

Methods: Seventy patients with dnDSA screening in the context of acute allograft dysfunction (AAD) (>50% serum creatinine increase) or routine follow-up were included during a 20-year period. Number of dnDSA specificities and HLA total mean fluorescence intensity (MFI-sum) were collected.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on a Greek cohort of patients with epilepsy.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic, the subsequent lockdown, and the measures of social distancing may have had adverse effects on patients with epilepsy (PWE). This study was designed to assess the pandemic's psychological impact on the Greek non-infected PWE and possible changes in their seizure control.

Method: The patients were evaluated utilizing a semi-structured interview consisting of open questions regarding their demographic, social, and clinical characteristics, followed by five questions (on a scale of 0-10) related to the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown, and social distancing measures.

Operative Treatment of Adult Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: A Retrospective Study of 32 Cases.

Background Spondylodiscitis is a potentially life-threatening infection that imposes a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Current reports suggest an increase in the incidence of spondylodiscitis, which could be attributed to the aging population and the growing rates of drug abuse. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis.

Cutaneous Adverse Events of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Literature Review.

Immune checkpoints assist with self-tolerance and minimize collateral tissue damage when immune responses are activated. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are characterized by a favorable risk/benefit ratio, immune checkpoint blockade has been associated with a new subset of autoimmune-like toxicities, named immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Dermatologic reactions are among the most prevalent irAEs triggered by CPIs.

Real-life, long-term data on efficacy, safety, response and discontinuation patterns of omalizumab in a Greek population with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Omalizumab is approved for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) not responding to antihistamines. Data on omalizumab use in real-world settings and in different populations are lacking.

Objectives: To record our five-year experience of omalizumab use in patients with refractory CSU in a real-world setting.

Huge echinococcal cyst of the liver managed by hepatectomy: Report of two cases.

Introduction: Echinococcocal cysts are predominantly located in the right liver. They are usually solitary and asymptomatic, but large cysts can cause compression symptoms.

Case Reports: We report two cases of huge (25cm and 20cm in diameter, respectively) echinococcal cysts located in the left liver, which presented as a large palpable mass causing compression symptoms.

Dealing with Pheochromocytoma during the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Purpose. Pheochromocytoma in association with pregnancy is a very rare, without specific symptoms, life-threatening condition, increasing both maternal and fetal mortality up to 50%. The present paper illustrates the case of a pregnant woman, diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, aiming to demonstrate and discuss the difficulties that arouse during the diagnosis and the problems concerning the treatment.

Serum levels of novel adipokines in patients with acute ischemic stroke: potential contribution to diagnosis and prognosis.

This study evaluated serum levels of novel adipokines in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and their association with prognosis. We enrolled 168 patients with AIS and 58 stroke-free age- and sex-matched individuals (controls). Clinical parameters, carotid ultrasound, metabolic profile, vaspin, apelin, visfatin, and ghrelin were assayed.

The impact of type 2 diabetes and atorvastatin treatment on serum levels of MMP-7 and MMP-8.

Aim: Novel members of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-7 and MMP-8, have emerged as predictors of cardiovascular events. Our study aimed to evaluate serum MMP-7 and MMP-8 concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the effects of atorvastatin on them.

Methods: We enrolled 85 statin-free subjects with concomitant T2DM and hypercholesterolemia, but without overt micro-/macro-vascular complications (diabetic group - DG).

Adipokines: a novel link between adiposity and carotid plaque vulnerability.

Background: In patients with carotid stenosis, we prospectively investigated the association of novel adipokines, apelin and visfatin, with gray-scale median (GSM) score, a valid index of carotid plaque vulnerability. We also assessed the impact of atorvastatin therapy on the above biochemical and imaging markers.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-four overweight [body-mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m(2) , fat-mass > 30%], statin-free patients, with carotid stenosis, but without indications for intervention were enrolled.