Dimitrios Zachariou

Mr. Dimitrios Zachariou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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15 October 2023 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
Fotios DimitriadisFotios Dimitriadis
Fotios Dimitriadis
DZDimitrios Zachariou
Dimitrios Zachariou
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Evangelos N. SymeonidisEvangelos N. Symeonidis
Evangelos N. Symeonidis
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
Infertility is a global health concern, with male factors playing an especially large role. Unfortunately, however, the contributions made by reproductive urologists in managing male infertility under assisted reproductive technology (ART) often go undervalued. This narrative review highlights the important role played by reproductive urologists in diagnosing and treating male infertility as well as any barriers they face when providing services. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of reproductive urologists’ role in managing male infertility, outlining their expertise in diagnosing and managing male infertility as well as reversible causes and performing surgical techniques such as sperm retrieval. This manuscript investigates the barriers limiting urologist involvement such as limited availability, awareness among healthcare professionals, and financial constraints. This study highlights a decrease in male fertility due to lifestyle factors like sedentary behavior, obesity, and substance abuse. It stresses the significance of conducting an evaluation process involving both male and female partners to identify any underlying factors contributing to infertility and to identify patients who do not require any interventions beyond ART. We conclude that engaging urologists more effectively in infertility management is key to optimizing fertility outcomes among couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments and requires greater education among healthcare providers regarding the role urologists and lifestyle factors that could have an effect on male fertility.

9 January 2024 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CPCHRISTOS PATILAS
CHRISTOS PATILAS
IVIORDANIS VARSAMOS
IORDANIS VARSAMOS
AGAthanasios Galanis
Athanasios Galanis
MVMichail Vavourakis
Michail Vavourakis
DZDimitrios Zachariou
Dimitrios Zachariou
SPSpiros Pneumaticos
Spiros Pneumaticos
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that often leads to severe and permanent neurological deficits. The complex pathophysiology of an SCI involves a cascade of events, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and secondary injury processes. Among the myriad of molecular players involved, interleukin-10 (IL-10) emerges as a key regulator with the potential to modulate both the inflammatory response and promote neuroprotection. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate interplay of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of an SCI and explores its therapeutic implications in the quest for effective treatments. IL-10 has been found to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, and glial scars after an SCI. Its neuroprotective properties have been evaluated in a plethora of animal studies. IL-10 administration, either isolated or in combination with other molecules or biomaterials, has shown neuroprotective effects through a reduction in inflammation, the promotion of tissue repair and regeneration, the modulation of glial scar formation, and improved functional outcomes. In conclusion, IL-10 emerges as a pivotal player in the pathogenesis and treatment of SCIs. Its multifaceted role in modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, glial scars, and neuroprotection positions IL-10 as a promising therapeutic target. The ongoing research exploring various strategies for harnessing the potential of IL-10 offers hope for the development of effective treatments that could significantly improve outcomes for individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries. As our understanding of IL-10′s intricacies deepens, it opens new avenues for innovative and targeted therapeutic interventions, bringing us closer to the goal of alleviating the profound impact of SCIs on patients’ lives.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MVMichail Vavourakis
Michail Vavourakis
ESEvangelos Sakellariou
Evangelos Sakellariou
AGAthanasios Galanis
Athanasios Galanis
PANAGIOTIS K KARAMPINASPANAGIOTIS K KARAMPINAS
PANAGIOTIS K KARAMPINAS
DZDimitrios Zachariou
Dimitrios Zachariou
SPSpiros Pneumaticos
Spiros Pneumaticos
Background: Spinal cord compression is a formidable complication of advanced cancer, and clinicians of copious specialities often have to encounter significant complex challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and prognosis. Metastatic lesions from cancer are a common cause of spinal cord compression, affecting a substantial portion of oncology patients, and only in the US has the percentage risen to 10%. Acute metastasis-correlated spinal cord compression poses a considerable clinical challenge, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention to prevent neurological deficits. Clinical presentation is often non-specific, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation and appropriate differential diagnosis. Diagnostic workup involves various imaging modalities and laboratory studies to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of compression. Treatment strategies focus on pain management and preserving spinal cord function without significantly increasing patient life expectancy, while multidisciplinary approaches are often required for optimal outcomes. Prognosis depends on several factors, highlighting the importance of early intervention. We provide an up-to-date overview of acute spinal cord compression in metastases, accentuating the importance of comprehensive management strategies. Objectives: This paper extensively explores the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, treatment modalities, and prognosis associated with spinal cord metastases. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Conclusions: We aim to help healthcare professionals make informed clinical decisions when treating patients with spinal cord metastases by synthesizing current evidence and clinical insights.

13 October 2023 in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AGAthanasios Galanis
Athanasios Galanis
SDStefania Md Dimopoulou
Stefania Md Dimopoulou
PANAGIOTIS K KARAMPINASPANAGIOTIS K KARAMPINAS
PANAGIOTIS K KARAMPINAS
MVMichail Vavourakis
Michail Vavourakis
EPEftychios Md Papagrigorakis
Eftychios Md Papagrigorakis
JVJohn Vlamis
John Vlamis
Transient osteoporosis of the hip is indubitably a comparatively infrequent entity affecting both men and women worldwide. Its occurrence in the course of pregnancy, specifically in the third trimester, and lactation are of paramount concernment. The exact association between transient hip osteoporosis and pregnancy is precarious. Etiology and potential pathophysiological mechanisms behind this correlation are still to be utterly defined. Magnetic resonance imaging is highly regarded as the gold standard imaging method for assiduous assessment of this disorder. Physicians of copious medical specialties should practice scrupulous techniques for early and pertinent diagnosis when pregnant women are presented with persistent hip pain, as differential diagnosis with femoral head avascular necrosis can be exceedingly arduous. Treatment is predominantly conservative with protected weight-bearing and analgesic medication in the first line of management. In terms of prognosis, the disease ordinarily resolves spontaneously after a few months. Further research is required in order to elucidate the ambiguity surrounding the establishment of globally approved diagnosis and treatment guidelines for pregnancy-associated transient hip osteoporosis. This paper aims to accentuate the significance of this particular disorder by providing a succinct review of the existing literature, augmenting clinicians’ knowledge about the features of pregnancy-related transient proximal femur osteoporosis.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOSKonstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS
Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS
VSVaia Sapouna
Vaia Sapouna
CSCharikleia Skentou
Charikleia Skentou
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
NSNikolaos Sofikitis
Nikolaos Sofikitis
This study investigates the impact of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sexual function and distress in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), a prevalent chronic nervous system disorder associated with sexual dysfunction. This study’s primary aim was to assess the effectiveness of PFMT at improving sexual function and alleviating sexual distress in this population. In a randomised controlled trial, 82 women with MS were divided into two groups: Group A (41 women) underwent 12 weeks of PFMT, while Group B (41 women) served as a control group with no intervention. Both groups were assessed at the beginning and end of this study using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Statistical analysis, including Chi-square tests, was employed to compare the outcomes between the two groups, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed no significant differences in baseline sexual function and distress between the groups. However, at the conclusion of the 12-week period, Group A exhibited statistically significant improvements in nearly all domains of FSFI and FSDS-R compared to Group B, except in the pain domain. This study concludes that PFMT can effectively enhance sexual function and reduce sexual distress in women suffering from MS. These findings underscore the potential of PFMT as a therapeutic intervention in managing sexual dysfunction associated with MS.

14 April 2022 in Cureus
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
EPEftychios Papagrigorakis
Eftychios Papagrigorakis
MVMichail Vavourakis
Michail Vavourakis
CVChristos Vlachos
Christos Vlachos
DZDimitrios Zachariou
Dimitrios Zachariou
AGAthanasios Galanis
Athanasios Galanis
SPSpiros Pneumaticos
Spiros Pneumaticos
Ralstonia spp. are non-fermenting aerobic gram-negative rods found in humid environments, whose role as opportunistic human pathogens has lately been recognized. Ralstonia mannitolilytica is one of the three members of the Ralstonia genus (together with Ralstonia pickettii and Ralstonia insidiosa). Bone infections by Ralstonia spp. are very rare. We report a case of femoral osteomyelitis caused by R. mannitolilytica. Among literature search, only eight cases of bone infection due to the Ralstonia genus have been described, in all of which the causative agent was identified as R. pickettii. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of osteomyelitis attributed to R. mannitolilytica. Despite its low virulence, Ralstonia has specific characteristics that promote its spread and shows high antibiotic resistance, partly due to its ability to create a biofilm. Identification of Ralstonia spp. poses unique difficulties as the distinction between the species of the genus is not straightforward. Additionally, the bacteria may be misidentified as other closely related species. Recent data suggests that modern spectrometry and gene sequencing techniques are essential to avoid these pitfalls. Susceptibility data about the genus is limited and based on a small number of case reports, therefore there is no standardized antibiotic susceptibility testing and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints exist. The report aims is to provide useful information on the antibiotic selection and treatment suggestions to be followed for bone infections caused by the Ralstonia genus, along with a review on the literature of this emerging opportunistic pathogen.