Non- prosthetic joint infections: A systematic review of treatment.

Background: Non- prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are rare. Optimal treatment involves a two-stage revision surgery in combination with an antifungal agent. However, no clear guidelines have been developed regarding the agent or treatment duration.

Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease and analysis of genetic contributors.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with an increasing prevalence. GERD develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome typical and atypical symptoms and/or complications. Several risk factors of GERD have been identified and evaluated over the years, including a considerable amount of genetic factors.

Point-prevalence survey of healthcare facility-onset healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection in Greek hospitals outside the intensive care unit: The C. DEFINE study.

Background: The correlation of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with in-hospital morbidity is important in hospital settings where broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are routinely used, such as in Greece. The C. DEFINE study aimed to assess point-prevalence of CDI in Greece during two study periods in 2013.

Gastrointestinal and extragastrointestinal stromal tumors: report of two cases and review of the literature.

We present two cases, one of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the stomach and one of an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST) in the hepatogastric ligament, which were discovered as incidental findings during computed tomography (CT) scans performed for other reasons. In both cases the diagnosis of the tumor was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. During the follow-up CT examinations these tumors proved to have a completely different natural course.

Health benefits of probiotics: a review.

Probiotic bacteria have become increasingly popular during the last two decades as a result of the continuously expanding scientific evidence pointing to their beneficial effects on human health. As a result they have been applied as various products with the food industry having been very active in studying and promoting them. Within this market the probiotics have been incorporated in various products, mainly fermented dairy foods.

Pretreatment serum interleukin-12 levels in predicting sustained virological response among hepatitis C patients following Pegylated Interferon-α2β plus Ribavirin treatment.

Background: Dendritic cells activated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) produce high amounts of interleukin (IL)-12, considered to be associated with HCV clearance. The aim of this study was to investigate the IL-12 levels in HCV-infected patients, before and after the application of combination therapy with Pegylated Interferon-α2β plus Ribavirin.

Methods: Laboratory data of IL-12 levels and other clinical characteristics were selected from 26 HCV-infected patients.

Rare Case of Strongyloides stercoralis Hyperinfection in a Greek Patient with Chronic Eosinophilia.

Strongyloidiasis is a disease characterized by a diverse spectrum of unspecific manifestations that complicate its diagnosis. Although, the course of its chronic form is usually benign, in cases of immunosuppression, iatrogenic or not, it can evolve to a hyperifection syndrome with even fatal complications. Herein, we report a case of Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in a Greek patient receiving corticosteroid treatment for chronic eosinophilia and angioedema.

Can soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) be considered an anti-inflammatory mediator in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease?

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) is a novel mediator involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. To investigate the potential role of sTREM-1 in the anti-inflammatory response in chronic gastritis, sTREM-1 was compared with other anti-inflammatory mediators of gastritis. Forty patients with dyspepsia were enrolled: 20 with peptic ulcer and 20 controls without any macroscopic abnormalities.

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1): a new mediator involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease.

Objectives: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) is a promoter of cytokine production triggered by microbial components. To investigate the significance of its soluble counterpart, sTREM-1, for the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease, sTREM-1 was compared with the proinflammatory mediators and the pathology score of gastritis.

Methods: Forty patients with dyspepsia were enrolled: 20 with peptic ulcer and 20 controls without any macroscopic abnormalities.

The contribution of telemedicine to cardiology.

The Telemedicine Centre at Sismanoglion Hospital of Athens is connected to seven primary-care units (HCCs) on the mainland and six HCCs on Aegean islands. Telemedicine activity from 1992 to 1995 was reviewed. During the study period, the data relating to 1947 cardiac patients were transmitted through the telemedicine network: 681 (35%) of the patients presented with cardiological problems and 333 (17%) of them had an urgent cardiac event.