Adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-4 and TGF-β2 levels in treatment resistant schizophrenia patients.

Background: The aim of the present study was to measure adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-4 and TGF-β levels in first episode, treatment resistant patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: In total, fifty-three treatment-resistant patients were included in the study. In subgroups of these patients, we measured Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Tumor Growth Factor-β2 (TGF-β2), adiponectin and resistin levels at three different timepoints: in the drug-naïve state, after two rounds of treatment with different antipsychotic drugs for a total of 16 weeks and, after clozapine treatment for 12 weeks.

Developing MYC Degraders Bearing the Von Hippel-Lindau Ligand to Target the "Undruggable" MYC.

Although small-molecule inhibitors with moderate efficacy targeting MYC have been previously described, to this point, research efforts have failed to bring a suitable small-molecule MYC inhibitor to the clinic. Herein, the discovery of a series of novel MYC degraders bearing VHL to target the "undruggable" MYC is presented. The molecules are based on connecting a known MYC binder to a VHL ligand or pomalidomide to induce MYC degradation in various cancer cells known to express MYC.

Combined Neoadjuvant-Adjuvant Immunotherapy and Abdominoperineal Resection for a Primary Anorectal Melanoma: A Case Report.

Anorectal melanoma (ARM) is a rare entity with aggressive biological behavior and poor prognosis. Clinically, ARM presents with atypical symptoms, such as anal pain and bleeding, thus often being misdiagnosed as a benign anorectal pathology and leading to delayed diagnosis. We present a case of a 73-year-old female patient with stage I ARM, treated successfully with a combination of neoadjuvant-adjuvant immunotherapy (nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) and abdominoperineal resection.

Effect of dapagliflozin on the serum metabolome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: SGLT-2 inhibitors have been shown to exert cardio- and renoprotective actions. We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms using H-NMR based metabolomics in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus who received dapagliflozin.

Methods: 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy (HbA1c > 7%) received dapagliflozin for 3 months and 30 matched patients received insulin degludec for 3 months.

Aberrant anatomy in the context of the critical view of safety.

Background: The protective impact of the Critical View of Safety (CVS) approach on the vasculo-biliary injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) depends largely upon the understanding of the normal and variant anatomy. Structures exposed during the acquisition of the CVS can deviate from the typical dual configuration of the cystic duct and artery (gallbladder pedicle) representing either a third (supernumerary) or atypical in course (heterotopic) element. The aim of this study was to determine the identity and the frequency of these anatomical elements and to propose anatomic schemata that can guide the achievement of CVS by surgeons.

Renal survival and treatment of adult patients with Primary Focal Segmental glomerulosclerosis: A historical cohort study of the National Greek Registry.

Background/objective: Primary Focal and Segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most common causes of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Our aim was to describe a large cohort of patients with primary FSGS, identify risk factors associated with worse renal survival and assess the impact of different immunosuppressive regiments on renal survival.

Methods: This was a historical cohort study of adults who were diagnosed with primary FSGS from March 26, 1982, to September 16, 2020.

Gender-stereotypical attribution of fear and fearlessness in preschool children.

Fear and fearlessness are two distinct emotional responses that can occur when a person faces a potentially dangerous situation. These responses seem to be linked to gender stereotypes (fearful female and fearless male). This study examines whether preschool children attribute fear and fearlessness stereotypically in relation to gender and whether their attributions vary as a function of age and gender.

Factors influencing medication adherence among patients with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in Greece and Cyprus: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: . Aim: To examine the level of medication adherence among individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Greece and Cyprus and assess the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables affecting it.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was administered to adult patients attending hospitals and treatment centers in Greece and Cyprus.

Characteristics, outcomes and the necessity of continued guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with heart failure with improved ejection fraction.

Background: Much remains to be learned about patients with heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF).

Objective: This study sheds light on the characteristics and clinical outcomes of HFimpEF patients, including the consequences of halting guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who underwent a second echocardiogram at least 6 months apart between January 2009 and February 2023.

Proteomics and Metabolomics in Varicocele-Associated Male Infertility: Advancing Precision Diagnostics and Therapy.

Varicoceles are a common contributor to male infertility, significantly impacting male-factor infertility cases. Traditional diagnostic methods often lack the sensitivity to detect the molecular and cellular disruptions caused by varicoceles, limiting the development of effective, personalized treatments. This narrative review aims to explore the advancements in proteomics and metabolomics as innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tools for varicocele-associated male infertility and their potential in guiding personalized therapeutic strategies.

LINE-1-Induced Retrotransposition Affects Early Preimplantation Embryo DNA Integrity and Pluripotency.

Retrotransposable elements are implicated in genome rearrangements and gene expression alterations that result in various human disorders. In the current study, we sought to investigate the potential effects of long interspersed elements-1 (LINE-1) overexpression on the integrity and methylation of DNA and on the expression of three major pluripotency factors (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG) during the preimplantation stages of human embryo development. Human MI oocytes were matured in vitro to MII and transfected through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) either with an EGFP vector carrying a cloned active human LINE-1 retroelement or with the same EGFP vector without insert as control.

Encapsulation of Thymol in Ethyl Cellulose-Based Microspheres and Evaluation of Its Sustained Release for Food Applications.

Food waste is a global concern with enormous economic, environmental and social impacts that has contributed to active packaging evolution. However, incorporating bioactive substances into the packaging can deteriorate its physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. Thus, the objective of this work was to entrap the natural bioactive compound thymol into microparticles and apply them in the form of pads for the controlled release of bioactivity in food packaging material.

Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films.

Although a lot of recent research revealed advantages of novel biopolymers' implementation as active food packaging polymers, there is not an equivalent effort from industry to use such films, probably because of the required cost to change the supply chain and the equipment. This study investigates the use of two natural abundant nanoclays, laponite (Lap) and montmorillonite (Mt), as eugenol slow-release carriers for enhancing the functionality of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) active packaging films. The target is to combine the spirit of the circular economy with the existent technology and the broadly used materials to develop a novel attractive product for active food packaging applications.

Probing Electronic Doping in CVD Graphene Crystals Treated by HNO Vapors.

In this work, we present a comprehensive protocol for achieving hole doping in graphene through exposure to nitric acid (HNO) vapors. We demonstrate gradual p-type surface doping of CVD-grown graphene on a Si/SiO substrate by thermally depositing nitric acid molecules to form self-assembled charge transfer complexes. Detailed analysis of charge carrier concentration and Fermi energy shifts was conducted using Raman, X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS/UPS).

Multinodular and Vacuolating Neuronal Tumors of the Cerebrum: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumors (MVNTs) of the cerebrum are rare, seizure-related, low-grade tumors of the central nervous system that usually affect young adults. First described by Huse et al. in 2013, these neoplasms are usually located within the deep cortical ribbon and the superficial white matter and have a characteristic cytoarchitecture of cells with neuronal and glial differentiation that form multiple nodules with conspicuous vacuolation.

Executive functions in inductive and deductive reasoning.

Inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning share common cognitive abilities and develop substantially during childhood, but still which executive functions (EFs) underlie this development is debated. The current study assessed three EFs-working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility-and examined their interrelations and their relationship with inductive and deductive reasoning. To examine how these types of reasoning and EFs relate in young children, we recruited 155 children (4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-year-olds) to complete two reasoning tasks and three EF tasks.

Evaluating Plastic Surgery Resident Satisfaction Globally: Predictors and Recommendations for Training Enhancement.

Background: Measures of quality in resident training in plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) programs are scarce and often methodologically inconsistent. Our research provides insights from current PRS trainees globally, mapping their training inputs, expected outputs, and recommendations for program improvements.

Methods: A global online survey was conducted among PRS residents across 70 countries to gauge their satisfaction with residency training, capturing training inputs such as the number of surgeries attended and seminars they participated in.

Atrial and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation: prevalence, characteristics, outcomes, and disease progression.

Aims: Limited data exist on the natural history of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), including atrial (AFMR), ventricular (VFMR), and dual FMR. This study examined the prevalence, characteristics, outcomes, and progression of these FMR subtypes.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients with ≥mild to moderate FMR were included and classified as AFMR, VFMR, or dual FMR.

An Unusual Case of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: A Case Report.

This manuscript presents a case of a 35-year-old nulligravida premenopausal woman who presented with acute abdominal pain due to pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). PCS is characterized by multiple pathophysiological mechanisms and various clinical presentations. Our patient was nulliparous with no history of abdominal surgery.

Attrition and discontinuation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trials: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Attrition due to adverse events and disease progression impacts the integrity and generalizability of clinical trials. The aim of this study is to provide evidence-based estimates of attrition for clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and identify study-related predictors, through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature to identify all randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in ALS and determined the number of patients who discontinued the study per randomized arm.

The state of mental health in Greece: An international comparative analysis using data from the Global Mental Health Countdown 2030.

Background: Effective mental health systems depend on the functioning of a variety of factors that can be systematically monitored across countries. Macro-level assessments are needed to identify potential areas for improvement in the health sector, particularly in countries that face significant access barriers such as Greece.

Aim: To analyze Greece's mental health-related indicators in comparison to countries with similar socioeconomic contexts and geography and identify priority areas for the national mental health system.

Survival prospects of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease: Insights from the HOPE registry.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication among adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). This study presents real-world data on risk stratification, pharmacotherapy and survival rates in PAH-ACHD.

Methods: Data from PAH-ACHD patients were analyzed using The Hellenic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry (HOPE), spanning eight specialized centers between 2015 and 2023.

The clinical phenotype of isolated ocular or oral dryness in Sjögren's disease.

Objectives: To assess if isolated mouth or eye dryness constitutes distinct clinical phenotypes in Sjögren's disease (SjD).

Methods: We analysed 1765 patients meeting the 2016 ACR-EULAR SjD criteria, followed up at four centres in Greece and Italy (Universities of Pisa, Italy, and Athens, Harokopion, and Ioannina, Greece). Patients with isolated mouth or eye dryness were identified and matched 1:2 with those experiencing both symptoms, according to age at SjD diagnosis, gender, and disease duration.