Chronic Complications of Diabetes: Prevalence, Prevention, and Management.

The prevalence of diabetes, especially of type 2 diabetes (T2D), is increasing globally, driven mainly by behavioral and societal factors, related to obesity, nutrition, and physical activity [...

Successful chelation in beta-thalassemia major in the 21st century.

This century has seen a revolution the management of beta-thalassemia major. Over a 12-year period to 2016, we aimed to analyze the benefits of such advances. In 209 patients, independent of the chelation regimen, ferritin, cardiac T2* and liver iron concentration changes were evaluated.

Full-thickness dermal wound regeneration using hypoxia preconditioned blood-derived growth factors: A case series.

Hard-to-heal wounds can be detrimental to patients' quality of life. Currently, there is scarcity of therapeutic alternatives to mainstay surgical treatment, which uses the principles of tissue debridement, temporary wound coverage, and subsequent tissue reconstruction. Here, a new approach is proposed that harnesses the regenerative power of autologous peripheral blood, through a process termed hypoxia-adjusted preconditioning.

Comparison of the Effect of Different Conditioning Media on the Angiogenic Potential of Hypoxia Preconditioned Blood-Derived Secretomes: Towards Engineering Next-Generation Autologous Growth Factor Cocktails.

Hypoxia Preconditioned Plasma (HPP) and Serum (HPS) are regenerative blood-derived growth factor compositions that have been extensively examined for their angiogenic and lymphangiogenic activity towards wound healing and tissue repair. Optimization of these secretomes' growth factor profile, through adjustments of the conditioning parameters, is a key step towards clinical application. In this study, the autologous liquid components (plasma/serum) of HPP and HPS were replaced with various conditioning media (NaCl, PBS, Glucose 5%, AIM V medium) and were analyzed in terms of key pro- (VEGF-A, EGF) and anti-angiogenic (TSP-1, PF-4) protein factors, as well as their ability to promote microvessel formation in vitro.

Prostate Cancer Detection Percentages of Repeat Biopsy in Patients with Positive Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System/Likert 3-5) and Negative Initial Biopsy. A Mini Systematic Review.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has high sensitivity but low specificity for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. The aim of our systematic review was to investigate the proportion of PCa found at a repeat biopsy in patients with a negative initial prostate biopsy, despite initial positive mpMRI. Included patients had a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS)/Likert 3-5 lesion on mpMRI prior to the initial mpMRI-targeted prostate biopsy, which was negative for PCa on histology.

The Future of Adhesion Prophylaxis Trials in Abdominal Surgery: An Expert Global Consensus.

Postoperative adhesions represent a frequent complication of abdominal surgery. Adhesions can result from infection, ischemia, and foreign body reaction, but commonly develop after any surgical procedure. The morbidity caused by adhesions affects quality of life and, therefore, it is paramount to continue to raise awareness and scientific recognition of the burden of adhesions in healthcare and clinical research.

The Advantage of Pinpoint Camera System With Indocyanine Green for Sentinel Lymph Node Micrometastasis Detection in Low Risk Endometrial Cancer.

Background/aim: This report outlines our experience in the management of 10 cases of low-risk endometrial cancer with Indocyanine Green for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping using the Pinpoint 30-degree 4K S1 SPY real-time camera system (Stryker). This system offers simultaneous, real-time, high-definition white light and fluorescence imaging through a single laparoscope, without the need to change camera filters.

Patients And Methods: In our retrospective case series we included all endometrioid endometrial cancers of grade G1 and pre-operative radiological staging FIGO 1A reported on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that were treated laparoscopically from October 2019 to April 2020.

Spontaneous Intraoperative Rupture of a Large Interstitial Pregnancy: Laparoscopic Management.

We present a case of a large interstitial pregnancy which was intraoperatively ruptured, but was eventually laparoscopically treated. The patient experienced 9 weeks of amenorrhea, and a right cornual pregnancy measuring 6 cm was diagnosed. The patient consented on having a minimal surgical treatment, and a laparoscopic right cornuotomy was decided.

Diagnosing adenomyosis: an integrated clinical and imaging approach.

Background: Adenomyosis is a benign uterine disorder where endometrial glands and stroma are pathologically demonstrated within the uterine myometrium. The pathogenesis involves sex steroid hormone abnormalities, inflammation, fibrosis and neuroangiogenesis, even though the proposed mechanisms are not fully understood. For many years, adenomyosis has been considered a histopathological diagnosis made after hysterectomy, classically performed in perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) or pelvic pain.

Pleural Pressure Differences Before Removal Are Greater in Patients Who Develop Residual Pneumothorax Post Chest Drain Removal.

We aimed to investigate whether the difference in pleural pressures (Δ) is wider among patients who develop a residual pneumothorax after chest tube removal following lung resection surgery. Ninety-eight patients who underwent lung resection were included in the study over a period of 12 months. The Δ prior to chest tube removal in patients who developed a residual pneumothorax after chest tube removal was compared with that of patients who did not develop this complication.

Gastrointestinal and Urinary Tract Endometriosis: A Review on the Commonest Locations of Extrapelvic Endometriosis.

Extrapelvic endometriosis is a rare entity that presents serious challenges to researchers and clinicians. Endometriotic lesions have been reported in every part of the female human body and in some instances in males. Organs that are close to the uterus are more often affected than distant locations.

Laparoscopic excision of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the bladder disguised as deep infiltrating endometriosis.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) of the bladder is a rare tumour of indeterminate malignant potential with myofibroblastic differentiation, with a generally benign but rarely aggressive behaviour. Vesical IMT is usually treated by transurethral resection or partial cystectomy. Herein we describe a case of a woman who underwent laparoscopic excision of an IMT of the bladder, initially diagnosed as deep infiltrating endometriosis.

A first-in-human, randomized, controlled, subject- and reviewer-blinded multicenter study of Actamax™ Adhesion Barrier.

Purpose: Post-surgical adhesions remain a significant concern following abdominopelvic surgery. This study was to assess safety, manageability and explore preliminary efficacy of applying a degradable hydrogel adhesion barrier to areas of surgical trauma following gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery.

Methods: This first-in-human, prospective, randomized, multicenter, subject- and reviewer-blinded clinical study was conducted in 78 premenopausal women (18-46 years) wishing to maintain fertility and undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery with planned clinically indicated second-look laparoscopy (SLL) at 4-12 weeks.

Utilization of Systemic Chemotherapy in Advanced Urothelial Cancer: A Retrospective Collaborative Study by the Hellenic Genitourinary Cancer Group (HGUCG).

Background: Advanced urothelial cancer (AUCa) is associated with poor long-term survival. Two major concerns are related to nonexposure to cisplatin-based chemotherapy and poor outcome after relapse. Our purpose was to record patterns of practice in AUCa in Greece, focusing on first-line treatment and management of relapsed disease.

Laparoscopic treatment of a large uterine cystic adenomyosis in a young patient.

We describe a rare case of a young woman with a large cystic adenomyotic lesion that was treated laparoscopically. The patient presented with severe dysmenorrhoea refractory to common analgaesics. She was initially diagnosed with right-sided ovarian endometrioma.

Report of 7 uterine rupture cases after laparoscopic myomectomy: update of the literature.

The objective of this article is to report 7 previously unpublished uterine rupture cases in pregnancy after laparoscopic myomectomy and to update the medical literature. All cases were reported to the Board of Endoscopic Gynecologic Surgery (Athens, Greece) from 1998 to 2011. Myomas were single in 85.

Update of acute kidney injury: intensive care nephrology.

Albeit the considerable progress that has been made both in our understanding of the pathophysiology of acute renal failure (ARF) and in its treatment (continuous renal replacement therapies), the morbidity of this complex syndrome remains unacceptably high. The current review focuses on recent developments concerning the definition of ARF, new strategies for the prevention and pharmacological treatment of specific causes of ARF, dialysis treatment in the intensive care setting and provides an update on critical care issues relevant to the clinical nephrologist.

Atrial fibrillation in chronic hemodialysis patients: prevalence, types, predictors, and treatment practices in Greece.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice, is associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular morbidity both in nonuremic and (recently) in dialysis patients. The aims of this study are: (i) to assess the prevalence of AF, the risk factors, and predictors of its presence in a cohort of incident hemodialysis (HD) patients in Greece and (ii) to report on current practices in the management of these patients. This is a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study of 574 patients on a regular HD program for >6 months.