Sotiris Andreou

Mr. Sotiris Andreou


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURASPANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
Panos AntsaklisPanos Antsaklis
Panos Antsaklis
KNKonstantinos Nikolettos
Konstantinos Nikolettos
SKSonia Kotanidou
Sonia Kotanidou
NKNektaria Kritsotaki
Nektaria Kritsotaki
NNNikos Nikolettos
Nikos Nikolettos
Fetal growth restriction (FGR), or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), is still the second most common cause of perinatal mortality. The factors that contribute to fetal growth restriction can be categorized into three distinct groups: placental, fetal, and maternal. The prenatal application of various diagnostic methods can, in many cases, detect the deterioration of the fetal condition in time because the nature of the above disorder is thoroughly investigated by applying a combination of biophysical and biochemical methods, which determine the state of the embryo–placenta unit and assess the possible increased risk of perinatal failure outcome and potential for many later health problems. When considering the potential for therapeutic intervention, the key question is whether it can be utilized during pregnancy. Currently, there are no known treatment interventions that effectively enhance placental function and promote fetal weight development. Nevertheless, in cases with fetuses diagnosed with fetal growth restriction, immediate termination of pregnancy may have advantages not only in terms of minimizing perinatal mortality but primarily in terms of reducing long-term morbidity during childhood and maturity.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURASPANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
EOEfthymios Oikononou
Efthymios Oikononou
KNKonstantinos Nikolettos
Konstantinos Nikolettos
SASotiris Andreou
Sotiris Andreou
DKDimitrios Kyriakou
Dimitrios Kyriakou
NNNikos Nikolettos
Nikos Nikolettos
This review delves into the possible connection between periodontitis and negative pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. It highlights the potential influence of an unidentified microbial factor on preeclampsia and the effects of inflammatory responses on the rate of preterm births. Furthermore, it underscores the prevalent occurrence of oral ailments within the populace and their significant repercussions on quality of life. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy may exacerbate oral conditions such as pregnancy gingivitis and periodontitis, necessitating bespoke therapeutic approaches that take into account potential fetal ramifications. Periodontal disease, characterized by microbial attack and inflammatory response, results in tissue destruction and tooth loss. The oral cavity’s susceptibility to bacterial colonization, which is primarily due to its role as a site for food intake, is highlighted. Furthermore, research indicates a correlation between inflammatory responses and factors such as prostaglandin E2 and IL-1β, and preterm birth. Therapeutic interventions are a focus of international research, with efforts being aimed at optimizing outcomes through larger studies involving pregnant women.

29 January 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURASPANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
KNKonstantinos Nikolettos
Konstantinos Nikolettos
SKSonia Kotanidou
Sonia Kotanidou
NKNektaria Kritsotaki
Nektaria Kritsotaki
EOEfthymios Oikononou
Efthymios Oikononou
NNNikos Nikolettos
Nikos Nikolettos
Objective: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a complex, advancing condition marked either by the recent emergence of hypertension and proteinuria or by the recent onset of hypertension accompanied by notable end-organ impairment, which may occur with or without proteinuria. PE usually appears in the postpartum phase or after the 20th week of gestation, though it might appear sooner in cases of molar pregnancy. Pathophysiology: This disorder is a serious multisystem condition during pregnancy that can lead to serious, life-threatening complications for both the mother and the fetus if it is not diagnosed and managed promptly. These changes result from widespread and intense vasoconstriction caused by renin, angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone, and catecholamines. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and its sequence of signaling reactions demonstrate its crucial role in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance that diverges in PE from that observed in healthy pregnancies. However, it is widely recognized that the above description is incomplete for pre-eclampsia and further relationships should be analyzed. The purpose of this article is to review and synthesize alterations in renal function and the RAAS during normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. We aim to provide clinical gynecologists with a comprehensive understanding of how pregnancy-specific adaptations can impact renal function and the RAAS, as well as the deviations observed in pre-eclampsia. Conclusion: This information is essential to enhance clinical awareness, improve the accuracy of diagnosis, and support evidence-based decision-making in the management of pregnant patients, especially those complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURASPANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
EOEfthymios Oikononou
Efthymios Oikononou
ABAnastasia Bothou
Anastasia Bothou
PCPenelopi Chaitidou
Penelopi Chaitidou
DKDimitrios Kyriakou
Dimitrios Kyriakou
NNNikos Nikolettos
Nikos Nikolettos
Despite the increased frequency of endometriosis, it remains one of the most enigmatic disorders regarding its effects on pregnancy. Endometriosis adversely affects both natural and assisted conception. Impaired folliculogenesis, which causes follicular dysfunction and low egg quality, as well as luteal phase problems, reduced fertilization, and abnormal embryogenesis, are some of the mechanisms advocated to explain reproductive dysfunction. There is a rising need for a comprehensive study of the potential negative consequences of this condition on pregnancy outcomes, including the postpartum period, as more women with a medical history of endometriosis become pregnant. Obstetrical complications (small for gestational age [SGA], cesarean section [CS], miscarriage, hemorrhage, low placental adhesion, and preterm delivery) are statistically elevated in women with endometriosis. Furthermore, ruptured ovarian endometrioma, appendicitis, intestinal perforation, and hemoperitoneum have been described in pregnancy. Obstetricians are largely unfamiliar with these complications, as they have not been thoroughly investigated. The development and pathogenesis of endometriosis is an important field of study and has not yet been fully elucidated. Finding these mechanisms is crucial for the development of new and more effective strategies to treat this condition. Endometriosis can have an impact on obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy, in addition to its potential effects on conception. To date, no additional monitoring is recommended for pregnancies with a history of endometriosis. However, more studies are urgently needed to assess the need for the tailored pregnancy monitoring of women with endometriosis.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURASPANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
SKSonia Kotanidou
Sonia Kotanidou
KNKonstantinos Nikolettos
Konstantinos Nikolettos
NKNektaria Kritsotaki
Nektaria Kritsotaki
ABAnastasia Bothou
Anastasia Bothou
NNNikos Nikolettos
Nikos Nikolettos
The term dystocia refers to labor characterized by a slow progression with delayed rates or even pauses in the dilation of the cervix or the descent of the fetus. Dystocia describes the deviation from the limits that define a normal birth and is often used as a synonym for the term pathological birth. Shoulder dystocia, also known as the manual exit of the shoulders during vaginal delivery on cephalic presentation, is defined as the “failure of the shoulders to spontaneously traverse the pelvis after delivery of the fetal head”. This means that obstetric interventions are necessary to deliver the fetus’s body after the head has been delivered, as gentle traction has failed. Abnormal labor (dystocia) is expressed and represented in partograms or by the prolongation of the latent phase or by slowing and pausing in the phases of cervical dilatation and fetal descent. While partograms are helpful in visualizing the progress of labor, regular use of them has not been shown to enhance obstetric outcomes considerably, and no partogram has been shown to be superior to others in comparative trials. Dystocia can, therefore, appear in any phase of the evolution of childbirth, so it is necessary to simultaneously assess all the factors that may contribute to its abnormal evolution, that is, the forces exerted, the weight, the shape, the presentation and position of the fetus, the integrity and morphology of the pelvis, and its relation to the fetus. When this complication occurs, it can result in an increased incidence of maternal morbidity, as well as an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although several risk factors are associated with shoulder dystocia, it has proven impossible to recognize individual cases of shoulder dystocia in practice before they occur during labor. Various guidelines have been published for the management of shoulder dystocia, with the primary goal of educating the obstetrician and midwife on the importance of a preplanned sequence of maneuvers, thereby reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

22 August 2024 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURASPANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
PANAGIOTIS TSIKOURAS
NKNektaria Kritsotaki
Nektaria Kritsotaki
KNKonstantinos Nikolettos
Konstantinos Nikolettos
SKSonia Kotanidou
Sonia Kotanidou
EOEfthymios Oikononou
Efthymios Oikononou
NNNikos Nikolettos
Nikos Nikolettos
Adenomyosis is characterized by ectopic proliferation of endometrial tissue within the myometrium. Histologically, this condition is marked by the presence of islands of benign endometrial glands surrounded by stromal cells. The myometrium appears thinner, and cross-sectional analysis often reveals signs of recent or chronic hemorrhage. The ectopic endometrial tissue may respond to ovarian hormonal stimulation, exhibiting proliferative or secretory changes during the menstrual cycle, potentially leading to bleeding, uterine swelling, and pain. Adenomyosis can appear as either a diffuse or focal condition. It is crucial to understand that adenomyosis involves the infiltration of the endometrium into the myometrium, rather than its displacement. The surgical management of adenomyosis is contingent upon its anatomical extent. The high incidence of the disease and the myths that develop around it increase the need to study its characteristics and its association with pregnancy and potential obstetric complications. These complications often require quick decisions, appropriate diagnosis, and proper counseling. Therefore, knowing the possible risks associated with adenomyosis is key to decision making. Pregnancy has a positive effect on adenomyosis and its painful symptoms. This improvement is not only due to the inhibition of ovulation, which inhibits the bleeding of adenomyotic tissue, but also to the metabolic, hormonal, immunological, and angiogenic changes associated with pregnancy. Adenomyosis affects pregnancy through disturbances of the endocrine system and the body’s immune response at both local and systemic levels. It leads to bleeding from the adenomyotic tissue, molecular and functional abnormalities of the ectopic endometrium, abnormal placentation, and destruction of the adenomyotic tissue due to changes in the hormonal environment that characterizes pregnancy. Some of the obstetric complications that occur in women with adenomyosis in pregnancy include miscarriage, preterm delivery, placenta previa, low birth weight for gestational age, obstetric hemorrhage, and the need for cesarean section. These complications are an understudied field and remain unknown to the majority of obstetricians. These pathological conditions pose challenges to both the typical progression of pregnancy and the smooth conduct of labor in affected women. Further multicenter studies are imperative to validate the most suitable method for concluding labor following surgical intervention for adenomyosis.