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The development of endoscopic ultrasound and lumen-apposing metal stents has resulted in novel therapeutic opportunities with the possibility of establishing a persistent transmural anastomosis for the treatment of multiple gastrointestinal disorders. This review presents the applications and the evidence of endoscopic ultrasound and lumen-apposing metal stents. The modality is an alternative for several upper gastrointestinal disorders. Further research and future technological development will show the final position of this therapy in the current treatment algorithm.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2. High age, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are risk factors for severe COVID-19 with increased mortality. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms by which diabetes and obesity modulate the host viral interactions and host-immune response. Glucose levels should be monitored rigorously, and patient-tailored aggressive treatment of hyperglycaemia is recommended, often with the use of insulin. Persons with diabetes and obesity are susceptible to severe outcomes from COVID-19.We describe a case of severe community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia in an immunocompetent 66-year-old man. He presented with one-day history of malaise, fever and emesis. Initial laboratory tests showed increased C-reactive protein level, normal white blood cell count and mild anaemia. The chest X-ray was unremarkable. A few days following admission his condition deteriorated to respiratory failure and sepsis. Chest CT-images showed bilateral infiltrates and pleural effusion. Pleural fluid and tracheal aspirates were positive for adenovirus by polymerase chain reaction assay. No other microbial pathogens were identified.This is a case report of a 68-year-old female referred to the SARS-CoV-2 ward with one week of intermittent fever and three days of progressive loss of vision. Laboratory work-up revealed severe coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia and hyperleukocytosis. MRI showed multiple ischaemic cortical lesions. Acute treatment with all-trans retinoic acid and cytoreduction was started and coagulation parameters corrected. Patients referred to pandemic wards must undergo stringent examination and be referred for further evaluation irrespective of suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection.Up to 10% of hospitalised patients are registered as penicillin allergic. However, 80-90% will tolerate penicillin after evaluation. Pterostilbene New Danish guidelines suggest criteria for evaluation of patients based on risk stratification according to the severity of the index reaction. The allergy label can be removed immediately, if allergy can be ruled out using the criteria presented in this review, but all other patients should be referred for evaluation in a specialist allergy department. Specific IgE measurement should only be done in adult patients with an immediate reaction (onset less-than 2 h after intake of a tablet) or urticaria.We report a case of Legionella pneumonia in a dishwasher of a restaurant in Rome, Italy, just after the end of the lockdown that was in place to control the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. The case highlights the importance of strict monitoring of water and air systems immediately before reopening business or public sector buildings, and the need to consider Legionella infections among the differential diagnosis of respiratory infections after lockdown due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.We analysed consecutive RT-qPCR results of 537 symptomatic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in home quarantine. Respectively 2, 3, and 4 weeks after symptom onset, 50%, 25% and 10% of patients had detectable RNA from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In patients with mild COVID-19, RNA detection is likely to outlast currently known periods of infectiousness by far and fixed time periods seem more appropriate in determining the length of home isolation than laboratory-based approaches.BackgroundDespite progress in the management of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) it causes significant mortality and sequelae.AimThis study aims to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of IMD in Cyprus and discuss the current immunisation programmes.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of all cases of IMD notified to the Ministry of Health between 2004 and 2018. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data were collected when a new case was notified. Risk factors associated with mortality were investigated using univariable logistic regression.Results54 cases of IMD were recorded, an overall incidence of 0.4 cases per 100,000 population. The incidence rate was highest among infants (7.2/100,000) and adolescents (1.4/100,000). Case fatality rate was 10.4%. Serogroup B accounted for 24 of 40 cases caused by known serogroup. Serogroups W and Y comprised nine cases and were responsible for most fatal cases. Serogroup C was the cause in only four cases. There was an increase in the odds of death with increasing age, while the presence of meningitis in the clinical picture was found to be associated with lower odds of death.ConclusionDespite the low incidence of IMD in Cyprus, it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Serogroup B is the most frequent serogroup, while incidence of serogroups W and Y is rising. Monitoring new cases and yearly evaluation of the immunisation programmes by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) is essential for successful control of the disease.It is well known that radiation damage of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, the glottic larynx, and the supraglottic larynx may lead to dysphagia, an unwanted effect of head and neck radiotherapy. The reduction of radiotherapy-induced dysphagia might be achieved by adaptive radiotherapy. Although the number of studies concerning adaptive radiotherapy of head and neck cancer is continuously increasing, there are only a few studies concerning changes in dysphagia-related structures during radiotherapy.The goal of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about volumetric, dosimetric, and other changes of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles associated with head and neck radiotherapy. A literature search was performed in the MEDLINE database according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The conclusions of 8 studies that passed the criteria indicate a significant increase in the volume and the thickness of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles during radiotherapy.