Cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with cancer can be caused by concomitant CV risk factors, cancer itself, and anticancer therapy. Since malignancy can dysregulate the hemostatic system, predisposing cancer patients to both thrombosis and hemorrhage, the administration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to patients with cancer who suffer from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a clinical challenge to cardiologists. Apart from PCI and ACS, other structural interventions, such as TAVR, PFO-ASD closure, and LAA occlusion, and non-cardiac diseases, such as PAD and CVAs, may require DAPT. The aim of the present review is to review the current literature on the optimal antiplatelet therapy and duration of DAPT for oncologic patients, in order to reduce both the ischemic and bleeding risk in this high-risk population.

Anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) are synthetic derivatives of testosterone and are increasingly misused to enhance muscle growth and physical performance, particularly among athletes and recreational bodybuilders. Although AASs affect multiple organ systems, their severe and potentially life-threatening complications involve the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes current knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical manifestations of AAS-induced cardiomyopathy. Chronic supraphysiologic AAS use promotes cardiac injury and adverse cardiac remodeling via oxidative stress, androgen receptor overactivation, RAAS dysregulation, and pro-apoptotic signaling. These changes could lead to hypertension, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy, arrhythmias, heart failure, and kidney injury. Vascular dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness, and a prothrombotic state further compound the cardiovascular risks. Diagnostic approaches involve biomarker evaluation, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, revealing structural and functional cardiac abnormalities such as reduced ejection fraction, concentric hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and impaired diastolic function. Although cessation of AAS use may lead to partial or complete reversal of cardiac dysfunction in some individuals, others may experience irreversible myocardial damage. The reversibility appears to depend on dosage, duration of exposure, and early intervention. This review explores the cardiovascular consequences of AAS use, with a focus on the mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of AAS-induced cardiomyopathy, and underlines the importance of education and early detection.

Research policy and planning for a given country may benefit from reliable data on both its scientific workforce as well as the diaspora of scientists for countries with a substantial brain drain. Here we use a systematic approach using Scopus to generate a comprehensive country-level database of all scientists in Greece. Moreover, we expand that database to include also Greek diaspora scientists. The database that we have compiled includes 63,951 scientists who have published at least five papers indexed in Scopus. Of those, 35,116 have an affiliation in Greece. We validate the sensitivity and specificity of the database against different control sets of scientists. We also analyze the scientific disciplines of these scientists according to the Science Metrix classification (174 subfield disciplines) and provide detailed data on each of the 63,951 scientists using multiple citation indicators and a composite thereof. These analyses demonstrate differential concentrations in specific subfields for the local versus the diaspora cohorts, as well as an advantage of the diaspora cohort in terms of citation indicators, especially among top-impact researchers. The approach that we have taken can also be applied to map the scientific workforce of other countries and nations for evaluation, planning, and policy purposes.

Arterial hypertension is highly prevalent among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), exhibiting a bidirectional association and playing a critical role in the progression of renal dysfunction. CKD affects approximately 10–12% of the global population and is often a common comorbidity in patients with true resistant hypertension. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays a key role in the pathophysiological cascade of CKD-mediated hypertension. Current pharmacological therapies do not directly target SNS overactivity, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. Renal denervation (RDN), an interventional procedure that modulates both afferent and efferent renal nerve signaling, has emerged as a promising strategy for resistant hypertension with multiple pleiotropic benefits. Both preclinical and clinical trial data indicate that RDN is safe, with no significant deterioration of renal function reported in both early-stage CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), as well as effective in reducing both office and ambulatory blood pressure in most studies. This review examines the pathophysiological basis for SNS overactivity in CKD, summarizes preclinical and clinical data on the safety and efficacy of RDN in this population, and discusses ongoing and future trials that may further clarify the role of RDN in CKD management and its long-term impact on renal and cardiovascular outcomes.

The present study attempted to translate and culturally adapt an established research instrument, the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS) questionnaire, to the Greek population and evaluate its validity and internal consistency so that it can be used for the assessment of hypoglycemia fear in Greek children and adolescents with T1DM and their parents. One hundred Greek children and adolescents with T1DM, 54 males, 6–18 years old, and one of their parents participated in this validation study. The participants completed the translated Greek HFS, which includes one version for children (CHFS) and one for parents (PHFS). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to assess construct validity. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and convergent validity was established by estimating the correlation coefficients between the scores of the HFS scales/subscales and the different constructs of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The CHFS and PHFS exhibited adequate internal consistency for the total score and the Worry subscale, but lower consistency for the Behavior subscale. High test–retest reliability was also shown. We conclude that the Greek version of the HFS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the fear of hypoglycemia in Greek children and adolescents with T1DM and their parents.