Apostolia Galani

Dr. Apostolia Galani

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 September 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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AGApostolia Galani
Apostolia Galani
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
EMEfthalia Moustakli
Efthalia Moustakli
Anastasios PotirisAnastasios Potiris
Anastasios Potiris
Maria ParaskevaidiMaria Paraskevaidi
Maria Paraskevaidi
SSSofoklis Stavros
Sofoklis Stavros
Background: The widespread use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the rise in digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are causing significant changes in the paradigms surrounding cervical cancer screening. Objective: This review addresses potential future paths toward risk-based, customized screening and prevention while summarizing the available data on how vaccination and digital innovation are changing cervical cancer screening methods. Results: A shift from cytology-based screening to HPV-based primary testing with longer intervals has been supported by the notable decrease in high-grade cervical lesions brought about by HPV vaccination. However, AI and digital health tools, such as digital colposcopy, automated cytology, telemedicine, and self-sampling, have the potential to increase diagnostic access, accuracy, and efficiency, especially in low-resource environments. Implementation hurdles, data security, and algorithmic bias are major obstacles. Conclusions: Digital platforms, molecular diagnostics, and vaccination histories must all be incorporated into screening methods in order to keep up with the decline in HPV-related illness. The elimination of cervical cancer could be accelerated and equality and efficiency increased with customized, risk-based algorithms.

2 March 2023 in Biology
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Journal Article
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Konstantinos KechagiasKonstantinos Kechagias
Konstantinos Kechagias
MZMarina Zafeiri
Marina Zafeiri
KTKonstantinos Katsikas Triantafyllidis
Konstantinos Katsikas Triantafyllidis
GKGeorgios Kyrtsonis
Georgios Kyrtsonis
GGGeorgios Geropoulos
Georgios Geropoulos
Maria KyrgiouMaria Kyrgiou
Maria Kyrgiou
Primary malignant melanoma (MM) of the cervix uteri is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the female reproductive tract. Considering that clinical data on this cancer are scarce, we aimed to comprehensively examine the currently available literature and provide an overview of the reported cases of cervical MM focusing on the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and therapeutic management. We conducted a systematic review of the literature by screening three electronic databases until June 2022. The critical appraisal checklist provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute was employed to evaluate the overall quality of the studies. We included 96 reports, which comprised 137 patients diagnosed with MM of the cervix. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 (median: 58, age range: 33–88). Data regarding menopausal status were provided for 98 patients with 15 being premenopausal and 83 being postmenopausal. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal bleeding (83%, 100/121). Biopsy (either excisional or punch biopsy) was used as the first diagnostic modality in most of the patients (67%, 64/95), followed by cytology (18%, 17/95). In 74 cases, the FIGO staging system for cervical cancer was used with the most common stage being FIGO stage I (38%, 28/74), followed by FIGO stage II (36%, 27/74), FIGO stage III (19%, 14/74) and FIGO stage IV (7%, 5/74). Most of the patients were managed surgically (90%, 119/131) with a hysterectomy (either radical or total), and a salpingo-oophorectomy with/without lymphadenectomy was the most common approach utilized (40%, 48/119). The data of clinical outcomes were provided for 105 patients, of whom 61 died (58%, 61/105) and 44 survived (42%, 44/105). Knowledge regarding the rare occurrence of MM in the cervix and the increased awareness of clinicians can prevent clinical misdiagnosis and ultimately improve further the clinical outcomes of patients developing this rare malignancy.

31 December 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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AGApostolia Galani
Apostolia Galani
SSSofoklis Stavros
Sofoklis Stavros
EMEfthalia Moustakli
Efthalia Moustakli
Anastasios PotirisAnastasios Potiris
Anastasios Potiris
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
EDEkaterini Domali
Ekaterini Domali
Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) comprises a spectrum of abnormal proliferative changes in the endometrium, ranging from benign glandular overgrowth to lesions with substantial malignant potential. The importance of risk stratification and early identification is highlighted by the growing recognition of EH as a precursor to endometrial cancer. The main causes of EH, according to epidemiological research, include obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), metabolic dysfunction, and extended exposure to unopposed estrogen. Emerging molecular markers, histological analysis, and imaging are all necessary for a proper diagnosis of EH because it might appear with vague clinical symptoms such as irregular uterine bleeding. Surgical intervention or progestin therapy are two possible management techniques for EH, depending on the lesion’s intricacy and the patient’s medical history, including fertility issues. Personalized therapy techniques and recent developments in molecular profiling have the potential to enhance patient outcomes by matching treatment to tumor biology and individual risk profiles. This review highlights the translational potential of molecular insights while synthesizing the most recent data on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic techniques, and therapy of EH. A deeper comprehension of these elements is necessary to maximize treatment results and stop the development of endometrial cancer.

21 October 2021 in Cureus
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Journal Article
Open access
AGApostolia Galani
Apostolia Galani
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
LPLampros Papandreou
Lampros Papandreou
EMEirini Mastora
Eirini Mastora
KZKonstantinos Zikopoulos
Konstantinos Zikopoulos
GMGeorge Makrydimas
George Makrydimas
Intestinal atresia is the result of fetal bowel maldevelopment which leads to congenital bowel obstruction. It is a common cause of ileus of the newborn and can occur at any site of the gastrointestinal tract. Prenatal diagnosis relies on the demonstration of dilated loops of the fetal bowel and the presence of polyhydramnios at the end of the second or more frequently the third trimester of pregnancy. This condition requires surgical correction soon after birth, with timely diagnosis improving the prognosis. Here, we present the case of a fetus diagnosed with jejunal atresia at 33 weeks of pregnancy.

24 February 2022 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
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AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
AGApostolia Galani
Apostolia Galani
Charalampos SiristatidisCharalampos Siristatidis
Charalampos Siristatidis
Ioannis GeorgiouIoannis Georgiou
Ioannis Georgiou
EMEirini Mastora
Eirini Mastora
EKEfstratios Kolibianakis
Efstratios Kolibianakis
(1) Background: Nowadays, pregnancy can be achieved by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for many infertile couples. However, implantation failure still remains a significant problem and it can be stressful for both patients and doctors. One of the key players for pregnancy achievement is the uterine environment. Hysteroscopy is the most reliable method to evaluate the uterine cavity and to identify any intauterine pathology. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare live birth ranges in between women who after a first failed IVF/ICSI attempt underwent a hysteroscopy and those who were evaluated by a transvaginal scan. (2) The retrospective study took place at the Assisted Reproductive Unit of the University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece, from 2017 to 2020. It included 334 women with normal findings in a repeat ultrasound scan after a failed IVF/ICSI trial, 137 of whom underwent in turn diagnostic hysteroscopy before the next IVF/ICSI. (3) Results: Live birth rates were higher in the study group (58/137 vs. 52/197 p = 0.0025). Abnormal endometrial findings were identified in 30% of the patients of the study group. (4) Conclusions: The addition of hysteroscopy as an additional investigation to those patients with a first failed IVF/ICSI could improve the rates of live births. A properly conducted RCT could lead to a robust answer.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AGApostolia Galani
Apostolia Galani
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Anastasios PotirisAnastasios Potiris
Anastasios Potiris
EMEfthalia Moustakli
Efthalia Moustakli
Stefania Maneta StavrakakiStefania Maneta Stavrakaki
Stefania Maneta Stavrakaki
SSSofoklis Stavros
Sofoklis Stavros
Background/Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE), characterized by its complex and multisystemic nature, significantly compromises the health outcomes of both mothers and their newborns. According to recent research, its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may be influenced by abnormalities in lipid metabolism. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between unfavorable pregnancy outcomes and increased lipoprotein(a) levels in the first trimester and the subsequent risk of PE. Methods: A prospective cohort study comprising 150 pregnant women with a gestational age of less than 12 weeks and no history of PE was carried out at the University Hospital of Ioannina. In the first trimester, lipoprotein(a) levels were assessed, and individuals were monitored for the emergence of preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational hypertension without proteinuria, and fetal growth limitation. Selection bias was minimized through the use of sequential sampling and rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Associations were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Women with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels had a considerably greater risk of PE than those with normal levels (64.7% vs. 15.5%, p < 0.001). Additionally, elevated lipoprotein(a) was linked to higher odds of fetal growth restriction (p < 0.001), gestational hypertension without proteinuria (p = 0.024), and premature delivery (p = 0.009). These results imply that early lipoprotein(a) screening during pregnancy may help identify women who are at high risk for PE and its associated negative consequences. Conclusions: The association between PE and elevated first-trimester lipoprotein(a) levels highlights the necessity for a deeper understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, which could ultimately improve outcomes for both mothers and newborns.