Clinical factors affecting the survival of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic malignant pleural effusion, treated with hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy or chemical talc pleurodesis: a monocentric, prospective, randomized trial.

Background: There is a plethora of treatment algorithms for managing patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs), sharing many common points and principles. Our study aims to compare hyperthermic intrapleural chemotherapy (HITHOC) and talc pleurodesis (TALC), as treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic MPE.

Methods: This prospective, randomized trial was conducted at a single thoracic surgery center, the "Theagenio" Cancer Institute, in Greece, under the identification code NCT01409551 and was completed.

Beyond an Obvious Cause of Cholestasis in a Toddler: Compound Heterozygosity for Mutations.

A 27-month-old girl presented with a short history of jaundice initially attributed to drug-induced liver injury. During the preceding 20 days, she had received a 10-day course of cefprozil and 2 doses of a homeopathic preparation of cantharidin for cystitis. Severe conjugated hyperbilirubinemia was present with normal γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity.

Pain Perception during Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine Device Insertion in Nulliparous Women: A Systematic Review.

Study Objective: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) still remain underused in adolescents. Pain during insertion might prevent adolescents to opt for a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and critically appraise published data with respect to the efficacy of various substances (analgesics or not) in preventing pain during levonorgestrel-releasing IUD insertion in nulliparous women as a proxy for adolescents.

Comparison of a new simplified acid-base tool to the original Stewart-Figge approach: a study on cardiac surgical patients.

Purpose: To suggest a simplified method for strong ion gap ([SIG]) calculation.

Patients And Methods: To simplify [SIG] calculation, we used the following assumptions: (1) the major determinants of apparent strong ion difference ([SID]) are [Na], [K] and [Cl] (2) [Ca] and [Mg] do not contribute significantly to [SID] variation and can be replaced by their reference concentrations (3) physiologically relevant pH variation is at the order of 10 and therefore we can assume a standard value of 7.4.

IgA nephropathy in Greece: data from the registry of the Hellenic Society of Nephrology.

Background: Natural history, predisposing factors to an unfavourable outcome and the effect of various therapeutic regimens were evaluated in a cohort of 457 patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and follow-up of at least 12 months.

Methods: Patients with normal renal function and proteinuria <1 g/24 h as well as those with serum creatinine (SCr) >2.5 mg/dL and/or severe glomerulosclerosis received no treatment.

The impact of healthcare professionals' personality and religious beliefs on the decisions to forego life sustaining treatments: an observational, multicentre, cross-sectional study in Greek intensive care units.

Objectives: To assess the opinion of intensive care unit (ICU) personnel and the impact of their personality and religious beliefs on decisions to forego life-sustaining treatments (DFLSTs).

Setting: Cross-sectional, observational, national study in 18 multidisciplinary Greek ICUs, with >6 beds, between June and December 2015.

Participants: 149 doctors and 320 nurses who voluntarily and anonymously answered the End-of-Life (EoL) attitudes, Personality (EPQ) and Religion (SpREUK) questionnaires.

Burnout and job satisfaction of intensive care personnel and the relationship with personality and religious traits: An observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate if burnout in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is influenced by aspects of personality, religiosity and job satisfaction.

Research Methodology: Cross-sectional study, designed to assess burnout in the ICU and to investigate possible determinants. Three different questionnaires were used: the Malach Burnout Inventory, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Spiritual/Religious Attitudes Questionnaire.

Second trimester amniotic fluid uric acid, potassium, and cysteine to methionine ratio levels as possible signs of early preeclampsia: A case report.

Objective: The precise etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) still remains enigmatic. In recent published work, there is a scientific trend aiming to unveil early biomarkers of PE based on amniotic fluid compositional changes before the development of clinical symptoms.

Case Report: We describe a case of an apparently clinically healthy woman, whose amniotic fluid, retrieved after amniocentesis at 22 gestational week, had elevated uric acid and potassium concentration, as well as cysteine to methionine ratio.

Nucleos(t)ide analog(s) prophylaxis after hepatitis B immunoglobulin withdrawal against hepatitis B and D recurrence after liver transplantation.

Background/aims: Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) have made a hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG)-sparing protocol an attractive approach against hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). However, this approach is considered controversial in patients transplanted for HBV and hepatitis D (HDV) co-infection.

Material/methods: All patients transplanted for HBV/HDV cirrhosis were evaluated.

Impaired glucose metabolism and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in obese prepubertal asthmatic children.

Introduction: The prevalence of asthma and obesity has risen in parallel over the last decades, but the exact mechanisms linking these two diseases still remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), impaired glucose metabolism, obesity, and asthma in prepubertal children.

Methods: A total of 71 prepubertal children were included in the study and divided in four groups according to the presence of asthma and their Body Mass Index (BMI): Group 1-Healthy Controls (HC), Group 2-Non Obese Asthmatics (NOA), Group 3-Obese Non Asthmatics (ONA), Group 4-Obese Asthmatics (OA) Αll children underwent spirometry and bronchial hyperresponsiveness testing by using the cumulative Provoking Dose of mannitol (PD primary study variable); homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated in order to evaluate insulin resistance.

A rectovaginal fistula after treatment with bevacizumab. A dangerous side effect needing emergency treatment.

Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of malignant tumors, bevacizumab is associated with a variety of side effects such as the formation of fistulas (i.e., tracheoesophageal, colovaginal, or rectovaginal).

Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction and Increased Left Ventricular Mass in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients: A Longitudinal Study.

Introduction: Within this longitudinal study we investigated the association of inflammation markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and endothelial dysfunction markers intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) with left ventricular mass indexed for height(2.71) (LVMI) in hypertensive predialysis CKD patients.

Material And Methods: From 2004 to 2005, 182 incident consecutive adult patients from the outpatient CKD clinics of two hospitals in Greece with CKD and hypertension or using antihypertensive medication, were included.

MR imaging of transient osteoporosis of the hip: an update on 155 hip joints.

Purpose: Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) presents with acute onset pain and bone marrow edema (BMe) on MR imaging. The purpose of this study is to revise the MR imaging characteristics of TOH by analyzing the data derived from 155 hip examinations. We also sought to explore the relationship between the duration of symptoms and the presence of sparing and subchondral fractures.

Primary pyomyositis and disseminated septic pulmonary emboli: a reactivated staphylococcal infection?

Staphylococcal pyomyositis is a severe invasive soft tissue infection with high mortality rate that is increasingly being recognized even in temperate climates. In most cases predisposing factors are identified that include either source of skin penetration or/and impaired host immunocompetence. A case of primary, community-acquired pyomyositis of the left iliopsoas muscle in a 59-year-old immunocompetent woman, which was complicated with septic pulmonary emboli within 24h after hospital admission, is presented.

Reliability of the posterolateral corner of the acromion as a landmark for the posterior arthroscopic portal of the shoulder.

Hypothesis: The present study aimed to evaluate the variability of the posterolateral corner of the acromion (PCA) position in relation to the glenohumeral joint, in a craniocaudal direction, to assess whether the universal use of a certain distance from that point will always lead to a consistent placement of the posterior arthroscopic portal of the shoulder.

Methods: The study used 140 dried scapulae (36 women and 34 men). Measurements included the glenoid height and the perpendicular distance between the PCA and the most superior point of the glenoid.

Development and validation of the Greek severe impairment battery (SIB).

Background: Most neuropsychological batteries, especially those most often used, are unsuitable for the assessment of patients with severe dementia. The Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) was developed for the evaluation of preserved cognitive functions in these patients. The aim of this study was to formulate a Greek version of the SIB and to conduct a first assessment of its use of patients with mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer's disease (AD), compared to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Congenital broncho-oesophageal fistula: An unusual cause of persistent pneumonia in a young adult.

A 19-year-old female with a 3-day history of high temperature, productive cough and dyspnoea was admitted due to diabetic ketoacidosis and pneumonia of the right lower lobe. Antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid), insulin, fluids and electrolytes were administered, as appropriate. The patient was doing well (normal temperature, normal glucose levels, normal acid-base balance) until the sixth day of hospitalization, when she reported bouts of cough when swallowing liquids.

Severe axial vertebral rotation treated with a modified Boston brace: a case report.

We report the case of a 13-year-old Caucasian girl suffering from severe axial rotation of the T5 to L4 vertebrae. The patient (initially examined during a school screening study) was at first considered to be suspicious of suffering from scoliosis due to a highly positive Adam's forward bending test. However, her radiographic evaluation revealed the existence of axial rotation in 12 of her vertebrae, without inclination in the sagittal and coronal planes.

Does the presence of anti-CCP autoantibodies and their serum levels influence the severity and activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients?

This study aims to investigate the association of the presence and of the titer of autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (aCCP), with clinical manifestations and disease activity in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). From January 2000 through December 2005, 135 patients were diagnosed with RA at the Rheumatology Unit of our hospital. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic parameters were evaluated in all patients at study entry and at every follow-up visit.