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Local anaesthesia in dental procedures is considered safe. Few cases of neurological complication have been reported, most of which involve the lingual or inferior alveolar nerve. We report a case of a woman in her late 40s who 30 min after administration of local anaesthetic in the right pterygomandibular space (articaine and mepivacaine) developed nasal speech and numbness in the area around external auditory meatus. Uvula was deviated to the left. No facial palsy or diplopia were observed. The symptoms subsided gradually after 3 hours. Clinical symptoms were attributed to glossopharyngeal nerve palsy. Glossopharyngeal nerve palsy after mandibular nerve block has never been reported before. Reporting cases of neurological complications of a very common and generally safe procedure help in increasing the awareness of potential risks considering the anatomical complexity and variability of the orofacial area.

The increasing global interest in geologic carbon storage as a feasible way of reducing CO2 atmospheric levels requires extensive onshore high-resolution seismic investigations to characterize suitable storage sites, for example, close to major CO2 emitters. To partly address this challenge and to acquire quality data at shallower and greater depths in a cost and time-effective approach, a tailored acquisition scheme was adopted and tested at a candidate site in Stenlille, Denmark. The survey aims at understanding whether an anticline reservoir structure known to exist at a 1000 m depth can serve for long-term CO2 storage and presents the structural integrity for this purpose. The data were recorded using a combination of nodal arrays, spaced at 10 m in a fixed geometry, and a set of more closely (2 m) spaced digital recorders, mounted on a landstreamer, which was moved at each shot location. Two 12 t mini vibrators were used as seismic sources. The nodal and landstreamer data sets are compared and combined into a unique data set for reflection imaging purposes along five profiles with a total length of approximately 12 km. The seismic sections obtained using this tailored combination of different recorders provide images of the entire shallow and deeper structures with an unprecedented resolution at the different depth levels necessary to assess the full potential of the suggested CO2 storage reservoir. The results significantly increase the existing knowledge of the extent and structural closure of the reservoir as well as a possible fault, all of which are critical for future risk analysis and planning of the storage.

Through several pathological mechanisms, chronic stress contributes to the development of “osteosarcopenic obesity”, a clinical syndrome that includes impairments in the structure and function of a patient’s bones, skeletal muscles, and adipose tissue. This syndrome, which could be alternatively called “chronic stress and inflammation syndrome”, has its genesis in early life and, by the age of 50–60 years, affects up to two-thirds of Western populations. Chronic psycho-socioeconomic stress and lifestyle factors, such as a sedentary life, poor quality nutrition, irregular daily schedules, and inadequate sleep, which all act on a genetic and epigenetic predisposition background, play essential pathogenic roles in the development of this widespread syndrome. Key pathogenic mediators are those of the stress system and inflammatory reaction. Lifestyle changes, in combination with stress management, can prevent, arrest, or reverse this debilitating syndrome.

This specific intervention aims to limit the rates of school dropout. In order to limit the rates of school dropout and to increase the school performance of students with different cultural characteristics, who attend the schools of the Directorate of Secondary Education of West Attica in the school years 2021- 2022, mobilities were implemented in the context of the Erasmus program following intercultural education. Implementing the mobilities was deemed necessary because in the cities of West Attica, during the same period, incidents of delinquency, violence, and battles took place daily between different foreigners or between foreigners and Greeks or Roma. The implementing method of the intervention is an observation with a structured observation sheet with open-ended questions. Positive results, coming out of the mobilities, were that the teachers who served in those schools, who did not always have the required knowledge in intercultural education, were made aware and trained in the effective management of heterogeneity both in students and in their parents for the benefit not only of the school community but more broadly of society—the consequences of this action concern the parents of the children and the society in general.

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative chronic disease accounting for physical pain, tissue stiffness and mobility restriction. Current therapeutic approaches fail to prevent the progression of the disease considering the limited knowledge on OA pathobiology. During OA progression, the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cartilage is aberrantly remodeled by chondrocytes. Chondrocytes, being the main cell population of the cartilage, participate in cartilage regeneration process. To this end, modern tissue engineering strategies involve the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their regenerative capacity as to promote chondrocyte self-regeneration. Methods and results In the present study, we evaluated the role of type II collagen, as the main matrix macromolecule in the cartilage matrix, to promote chondrogenic differentiation in two MSC in vitro culture systems. The chondrogenic differentiation of human Wharton’s jelly- and dental pulp-derived MSCs was investigated over a 24-day culture period on type II collagen coating to improve the binding affinity of MSCs. Functional assays, demonstrated that type II collagen promoted chondrogenic differentiation in both MSCs tested, which was confirmed through gene and protein analysis of major chondrogenic markers. Conclusions Our data support that type II collagen contributes as a natural bioscaffold enhancing chondrogenesis in both MSC models, thus enhancing the commitment of MSC-based therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine to target OA and bring therapy closer to the clinical use.

Background: There has been a rise in the proliferation of technological devices across the globe. Many children use electronic devices from the age of 3 years old, especially mobile phones. The prolonged use of electronic devices has led to a distortion of body posture, leading to musculoskeletal disorders, including neck, thoracic, and back pain, and tendonitis of the upper extremities, primarily when using one hand. Methods: To prove the positive correlation between technology and musculoskeletal disorders and to answer the above questions, an online questionnaire was distributed to 120 students of high school from all over Greece. The questionnaire comprises questions from two standardized questionnaires, the internet addiction test (IAT) and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NQS). In addition, respondents completed a medical history and supplementary questions about their physical condition and their attitudes when using electronic devices. Results: The results show that there is a positive correlation between long-term use of electronic devices and the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems in all parts of the body (neck, chest, lower back, hip, and lower extremities), as well as students who chose the wrong postures, had much more symptoms in contrast to the students who chose the positions with the greatest alignment. Finally, physical activity decreased significantly as the respondents' hours of using electronic devices increased. Conclusions: Uncontrolled use of electronic devices can be a factor in the onset of symptoms, but adopting correct posture while using the devices and the good physical condition of the students would significantly reduce pain.

Background: Leclercia adecarboxylata is a Gram-negative bacillus that can rarely cause infections in humans. We recently treated a case of peritonitis due to L. adecarboxylata in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) pediatric patient, and we systematically reviewed all the relevant reported cases in the literature. Methods: We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases, and we reviewed 13 such cases (2 children, 11 adults) that were reported, including our patient. Results: The mean (±SE) age was 53.2 ± 22.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:1.6. Their mean vintage period on PD prior to L. adecarboxylata peritonitis was 37.5 ± 25.3 months. The VITEK card was the identification diagnostic tool in most cases (63%). The antimicrobial agent that was most frequently used was ceftazidime, which was implemented in 50% of cases as initial therapy, either as a monotherapy or combination therapy; in only two patients (15.3%) was the Tenkhoff catheter removed. The median duration of treatment was 18 days (range of 10–21 days), and all 13 patients that were reviewed were healed. Conclusions: Physicians should be aware that L. adecarboxylata is noted to rarely cause peritonitis in PD patients; however, this pathogen seems to be sensitive to most antimicrobial agents and can result in a favorable outcome with the selection of appropriate treatment.

Background: Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) present microcirculation alterations and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Exercise training programs have been shown to improve the functional status of these patients, however less is known yet about the acute systemic effect of exercise on peripheral muscle microcirculation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effect of a respiratory muscle exercise bout on the microcirculation of non-exercising muscles (systemic effect). Materials and Methods: Thirty-four (30♂/4♀) stable CHF patients, with a mean age of61.4±9.2 years, ejection fraction (EF): 33.9±7.8%, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP): 78.2±27.1 cmH2O, VO2max: 17.5±4.05 ml/kg/min, VE/VCO2 slope: 32.7±6.4 and a New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) ≥ ΙΙ participated in the study. Microcirculatory assessment was performed at rest and immediately after the respiratory exercise program (5 sets/10 repetitions, training load: 60% of MIP). Basal tissue oxygen saturation (StO2),oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and reperfusion rate (RR) were measured utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) at the thenar muscle along with the vascular occlusion test (VOT). Results: RR (%/min), following the release of vascular occlusion, as well as OCR (%/min) increased after the respiratory exercise program (from 3.4±1.6 to 3.9±1.7, p=0.007, and from 12.7±3.8 to 13.2±3.9, p=0.021 respectively), whereas the corresponding basal StO2values difference did not reach the level of statistical significance (from 85.5±6.4. to 84.7±6.2, p=0.065). Conclusions: In the present study, concerning patients with CHF, after an acute respiratory exercise bout, dynamic microcirculatory indices assessed by NIRS in peripheral, non-exercising muscles, were significantly altered.

ObjectivesMacrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD). The objective of this study was to confirm the adequacy of an emapalumab dosing regimen in relation to interferon-γ (IFNγ) activity by assessing efficacy and safety. The efficacy outcome was MAS remission by week 8, based on clinical and laboratory criteria.MethodsWe studied emapalumab, a human anti–IFNγ antibody, administered with background glucocorticoids, in a prospective open-label, single-group trial involving patients who had MAS secondary to sJIA or AOSD and had previously failed high-dose glucocorticoids. The study foresaw 4-week treatment that could be shortened or prolonged based on investigator’s assessment of response. Patients could enter a long-term (12 months) follow-up study.ResultsFourteen patients received emapalumab. All patients completed the trial, entered the long-term follow-up and were alive at the end of the follow-up. The investigated dosing regimen, based on an initial loading dose followed by maintenance doses, was appropriate, as shown by rapid neutralisation of IFNγ activity, demonstrated by prompt decrease in serum C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) levels. By week 8, remission of MAS was achieved in 13 of the 14 patients at a median time of 25 days. Viral infections and positive viral tests were observed during the trial and during the long-term follow-up.ConclusionsNeutralisation of IFNγ with emapalumab was efficacious in inducing remission of MAS secondary to sJIA or AOSD in patients who had failed high-dose glucocorticoids.KEY MESSAGESWhat is already known on this topic?Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult-onset Still’s disease. There are no therapeutic options that have been prospectively investigated in MAS. Data in animal models andex vivodata from humans with MAS led to the hypothesis that interferon-γ (IFNγ) has a pathogenic role in MAS.What does this study add?This open-label multicentre trial using emapalumab, an anti–IFNγ antibody, in patients who have failed to respond to high-dose glucocorticoids, demonstrates that IFNγ has a pathogenic role in MAS and that its neutralisation leads to MAS remission.How might this affect research, clinical practice or policy?The results of this study show that neutralisation of IFNγ with emapalumab is a therapeutic option for patients with severe MAS who have failed standard of care with high-dose glucocorticoids.

This paper describes a proposed method for optimizing the parameters of a Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) system. The MRAC system uses a reference model to control a plant with unknown dynamics and continuously updates its parameters to improve control accuracy. The system requires an adjustment of parameter γ, which participates in the feedback of the system but cannot be adjusted in real time through trial and error. The proposed method uses optimization techniques to adjust the γ parameters in real time, specifically at the start of the control process, when the maximum deviation of the plant from the reference model is observed. The optimization technique varies the parameters and seeks the best solution to quickly reduce the error. Once the optimal solution is found, the optimization is turned off, allowing the MRAC to continue efficiently reducing the error. In the case of sudden changes in the error due to endogenous or exogenous factors, optimization is activated again to redefine the γ parameters. The magnitude of the change depends on the rate of error changes. The response of the IPMC was measured and compared against a reference signal using three different control techniques MRAC, Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC), MRAC-Taguchi, and MRAC-Taguchi-DCT, and the results show that the last penalizes frequencies beyond the fundamental frequency through the cost function, resulting in negligible harmonic distortion.

Objective To assess the pain profile of patients in the levelling/alignment phase of orthodontic treatment, as reported from randomized clinical trials. Materials and methods Five databases were searched in September 2022 for randomized clinical trials assessing pain during levelling/alignment with a visual analogue scale (VAS). After duplicate study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment, random effects meta-analyses of mean differences (MDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed, followed by subgroup/meta-regression, and certainty analyses. Results A total of 37 randomized trials including 2277 patients (40.3% male; mean age 17.5 years) were identified. Data indicated quick pain initiation after insertion of orthodontic appliances (n = 6; average = 12.4 mm VAS), a quick increase to a peak at day 1 (n = 29; average = 42.4 mm), and gradually daily decrease the first week until its end (n = 23; average = 9.0 mm). Every second patient reported analgesic use at least once this week (n = 8; 54.5%), with peak analgesic use at 6 h post-insertion (n = 2; 62.3%). Patients reported reduced pain in the evening compared to morning (n = 3; MD = − 3.0 mm; 95%CI = − 5.3, − 0.6; P = 0.01) and increased pain during chewing (n = 2; MD = 19.2 mm; 95% CI = 7.9, 30.4; P n = 2; MD = 12.4 mm; 95% CI = 1.4, 23.4; P = 0.3), while non-consistent effects were seen for patient age, sex, irregularity, or analgesic use. Subgroup analyses indicated increased pain among extraction cases and during treatment of the lower (rather than the upper) arch, while certainty around estimates was moderate to high. Conclusions Evidence indicated a specific pain profile during orthodontic levelling/alignment, without signs of consistent patient-related influencing factors.

Crohn disease (CD) is often complicated by bowel strictures that can lead to obstructive symptoms, resistant inflammation, and penetrating complications. Endoscopic balloon dilatation of CD strictures has emerged as a safe and effective technique for relieving these strictures, which may obviate the need for surgical intervention in the short and medium term. This technique appears to be underutilized in pediatric CD. This position paper of the Endoscopy Special Interest Group of European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition describes the potential applications, appropriate evaluation, practical technique, and management of complications of this important procedure. The aim being to better integrate this therapeutic strategy in pediatric CD management.

Salinity is one of the most important factors influencing plant growth by participating in abiotic stress. Plants have developed a number of physiological mechanisms responding to abiotic stress. A well-studied response is the concentration of free proline and soluble sugars, which through various mechanisms enhances plant resistance to abiotic stress. What is less studied is that the mechanism of proline and sugars is present in other categories of organisms such as fungi. There are even less bibliographic data on a relationship of the mechanism of proline and soluble sugars accumulation in fungi. The purpose of this study is to investigate proline and soluble sugars accumulation in the fungus Aspergillus creber under salt stress tolerance.

The term "evaluation of the educational work" and, respectively, of the teachers was established in our country during the post-colonial period. The following questions particularly concerned both the educational community and the state in general: "How are or should the results of the evaluation be used?", "Can all aspects of the work produced at the school unit level and the effects of teachers on their students be objectively measured and evaluated?", "How can the subjective element be reduced in the procedure of teacher evaluation?", "Is it possible to apply uniform evaluation criteria to schools that operate in heterogeneous socio-economic, cultural, or geographical environments?", "What is the role of the teachers and the Management of each school and school counselor as well as other actors of the school community (students, parents, other staff)?" The answer to the above questions comes through the research carried out on 405 teachers in Greece and highlights various philosophical, political, and pedagogical dimensions concerning the purpose of Evaluation, the bodies, forms, techniques, and evaluation criteria.

Early Career Members of Assembly 2 (Respiratory Intensive Care) attended the 2022 European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The conference covered acute and chronic respiratory failure. Sessions of interest to our Assembly members and to those interested in respiratory critical care included the state-of-the-art session on respiratory critical care, the journal session (ERS/Lancet) on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) phenotyping into precision medicine, and sessions on specificity of coronavirus disease 2019 ARDS and its post-critical care. A symposium on treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with COPD and innovations in mechanical ventilation either in the intensive care unit or at home were also reported upon. These sessions are summarised in this article.

Background Retinal degeneration leading to optical coherence tomography (OCT) changes is frequent in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Objective To investigate associations among OCT changes, MRI measurements of global and regional brain volume loss, and physical and cognitive impairment in PwMS. Methods 95 PwMS and 52 healthy controls underwent OCT and MRI examinations. Mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness and ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) volume were measured. In PwMS disability was quantified with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Associations between OCT, MRI, and clinical measures were investigated with multivariable regression models. Results In PwMS, pRNFL and GCIPL were associated with the volume of whole brain (p p p ≤ 0.04), and cerebral cortex (p ≤ 0.003) –both globally and regionally–, but not white matter. pRNFL and GCIPL were also inversely associated with T2-lesion volume (T2LV), especially in the optic radiations (p Conclusions In PwMS, pRNFL and GCIPL reflect the integrity of clinically-relevant gray matter structures, underling the value of OCT measures as markers of neurodegeneration and disability in multiple sclerosis.

A single sheepdog can bring together and manoeuvre hundreds of sheep from one location to another. Engineers and ecologists are fascinated by this sheepdog herding because of the potential it provides for ‘bio-herding’: a biologically inspired herding of animal groups by robots. Although many herding algorithms have been proposed, most are studied via simulation. There are a variety of ecological problems where management of wild animal groups is currently impossible, dangerous and/or costly for humans to manage directly, and which may benefit from bio-herding solutions. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) now deliver significant benefits to the economy and society. Here, we suggest the use of UAVs for bio-herding. Given their mobility and speed, UAVs can be used in a wide range of environments and interact with animal groups at sea, over the land and in the air. We present a potential roadmap for achieving bio-herding using a pair of UAVs. In our framework, one UAV performs ‘surveillance’ of animal groups, informing the movement of a second UAV that herds them. We highlight the promise and flexibility of a paired UAV approach while emphasising its practical and ethical challenges. We start by describing the types of experiments and data required to understand individual and collective responses to UAVs. Next, we describe how to develop appropriate herding algorithms. Finally, we describe the integration of bio-herding algorithms into software and hardware architecture.

Background/Aim: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, resulting in pain, numbness, instability, and thus affecting quality of life (QoL), occasionally leading to discontinuation of chemotherapy. Pharmacological treatments are not sufficient. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) have also been tried. This study aimed to systematically review the efficacy of NPIs on pain and QoL in patients suffering from CIPN. Materials and Methods: The databases searched were Pubmed, Cohrane, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the last 5 years (2017- 2022). Studies were considered eligible, if they assessed adult patients suffering from CIPN because of any chemotherapeutic drug for any type and any stage of cancer and if study protocols included non-pharmacological intervention with a structured protocol. Results: A total of 1,496 records were identified. Finally, 10 RCTs including 495 patients (253 in the intervention group and 242 in the control group) were included for meta-analysis. Intervention protocols included acupuncture (n=6), exercise (n=3), and yoga (n=1). NPIs significantly reduced neuropathic pain. However, the effect on QoL was not significant. Conclusion: NPIs are beneficial in the treatment of pain in patients with CIPN but their impact on QoL is not statistically supported. Larger sample sizes, more homogenous in outcome measures and interventions are needed to further explore NPIs’ efficacy on CIPN symptoms.

Introduction: Despite the serious health implications associated with obstructive sleep apnoea, the condition remains under-diagnosed. This study aims to evaluate the awareness of the condition amongst the Australian community. Methods: A total of 2016 respondents recruited from a web-based panel completed an online questionnaire which assessed awareness and experience of obstructive sleep apnoea and sleep-disordered breathing. The association between the level of awareness and various socio-demographic variables was analysed using uni- and multivariate analyses. Results: The results of the questionnaire indicated that 50% and 70% of participants were unaware of adult and paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea. Socio-demographic variables including age, annual household income and education level significantly influenced a participant’s level of awareness. Approximately 8.3% of the participants had previously been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea. However, 65% of participants exhibiting symptoms of daytime sleepiness had not sought health care. Paediatric sleep apnoea had been previously diagnosed in 7.1% of children residing in participant’s households but 49% of children with regular snoring had not been medically evaluated. Conclusion: A deficiency exists in the awareness of sleep apnoea amongst the Australian general public. This is reflected in the discrepancy between the number of participants exhibiting potential symptoms and those who sought medical advice.

Over the last few years it has been understood that the interface between living cells and the underlying materials can be a powerful tool to manipulate cell functions. In this study, we explore the hypothesis that the electrical cell/material interface can regulate the differentiation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Electrospun polymer fibres, either polyamide 66 or poly(lactic acid), with embedded graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), have been fabricated as CSC scaffolds, providing both the 3D microenvironment and a suitable electrical environment favorable for CSCs adhesion, growth and differentiation. We have investigated the impact of these scaffolds on the morphological, immunostaining and electrophysiological properties of CSCs extracted from human glioblastoma multiform (GBM) tumor cell line. Our data provide evidence in favor of the ability of GnP-incorporating scaffolds to promote CSC differentiation to the glial phenotype. Numerical simulations support the hypothesis that the electrical interface promotes the hyperpolarization of the cell membrane potential, thus triggering the CSC differentiation. We propose that the electrical cell/material interface can regulate endogenous bioelectrical cues, through the membrane potential manipulation, resulting in the differentiation of CSCs. Material-induced differentiation of stem cells and particularly of CSCs, can open new horizons in tissue engineering and new approaches to cancer treatment, especially GBM.

The filling process of nanoconduits is an active research topic. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulations to identify the filling process of water molecules in a multiply connected carbon nanotube (MCCNT). For water permeation, a local change in the channel cross-section affects the water filling of MCCNTs because it may lead to irregularities in the permeation profile. A decrease in hydrogen bonds at the junctions of the structure characterizes the permeability of MCCNTs. In contrast to pristine CNTs, the complex nanochannel exhibits a different imbibition profile due to the energy changes at the junction. Next, we examine the local water density and velocity patterns in MCCNT channels to understand how junction regions affect steady-state water transport. We find that there is congestion and irregularities in steady water flow density and velocity profiles. Through this study, we expect to develop effective channels with more complex geometries for water purification and drug delivery. ISSN:1567-1739 ISSN:1878-1675

Τhis article approaches the philosophical work of Aristotle, because it is the basis of all later philosophy. The universality that distinguishes Aristotelian thought and the fundamental truths contained in it make his philosophical view great, universal and timeless with deep insight. In this context, this study focuses mainly on Aristotle's work, Poetics, which mostly refers to tragedy, and derives some elements regarding the ethical dimension and happiness from his work Nicomachean Ethics.

ObjectivesTo define the host mechanisms contributing to the pathological interferon (IFN) type 1 signature in Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).MethodsRNA-sequencing was performed on CD4+, CD8+, CD14+and CD19+cells sorted from pretreatment and on-treatment JDM (pretreatment n=10, on-treatment n=11) and age/sex-matched child healthy-control (CHC n=4) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). Mitochondrial morphology and superoxide were assessed by fluorescence microscopy, cellular metabolism by13C glucose uptake assays, and oxidised mitochondrial DNA (oxmtDNA) content by dot-blot. Healthy-control PBMC and JDM pretreatment PBMC were cultured with IFN-α, oxmtDNA, cGAS-inhibitor, TLR-9 antagonist and/orn-acetyl cysteine (NAC). IFN-stimulated gene (ISGs) expression was measured by qPCR. Total numbers of patient and controls for functional experiments, JDM n=82, total CHC n=35.ResultsDysregulated mitochondrial-associated gene expression correlated with increased ISG expression in JDM CD14+ monocytes. Altered mitochondrial-associated gene expression was paralleled by altered mitochondrial biology, including ‘megamitochondria’, cellular metabolism and a decrease in gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)1. This was associated with enhanced production of oxidised mitochondrial (oxmt)DNA. OxmtDNA induced ISG expression in healthy PBMC, which was blocked by targeting oxidative stress and intracellular nucleic acid sensing pathways. Complementary experiments showed that, under in vitro experimental conditions, targeting these pathways via the antioxidant drug NAC, TLR9 antagonist and to a lesser extent cGAS-inhibitor, suppressed ISG expression in pretreatment JDM PBMC.ConclusionsThese results describe a novel pathway where altered mitochondrial biology in JDM CD14+ monocytes lead to oxmtDNA production and stimulates ISG expression. Targeting this pathway has therapeutical potential in JDM and other IFN type 1-driven autoimmune diseases.

This work presents a corpus of measurement methodologies utilized during a multidisciplinary project, aiming at the protection and conservation of ancient steel joints (clamps and dowels) of the Acropolis monuments, undertaken by the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA). The Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of the National Technical University of Athens collaborated with YSMA in designing and evaluating laboratory scale and field experiments, aiming in testing conservation materials. The first phase involved the application of seven coating systems on uncorroded metal coupons. The application characteristics, physicochemical properties (colour, gloss, hydrophobicity), and the protection performance against accelerated corrosion and polymer photo-oxidation were measured. Poligen CE12 and Paraloid B67 +2% nano-alumina were selected as the two most suitable materials for pilot applications on corroded steel joints and outdoor field exposure at the monument site. The assessment of the two coatings reversibility and of the corroded surfaces chemical alteration was undertaken by Raman spectroscopy analyses and orthophotographic documentation. During the 1-year field exposure, the corrosion development was retarded, but some local events of active corrosion could not be prevented. The joint areas coated with Paraloid B67 enhanced with 2% nano-alumina enabled more uniform application on corroded surfaces and exhibited better corrosion protection. In case of Poligen CE12, the nature of corrosion products indicated local acceleration of corrosion reactions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a novel handheld echocardiography (HHE) device with continuous-wave Doppler (CWD) capability to measure aortic valve peak jet velocity (Vmax) and facilitate aortic stenosis (AS) severity grading.One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with known or suspected AS were prospectively included. All patients were scanned with the HHE device and a high-end echocardiography system (the reference standard) to obtain CWD signal across the aortic valve. Aortic Vmax measurements were acquired from the apical five-chamber view using both methods and were compared to assess method agreement using the intraclass correlation coefficient, linear regression analysis, and Bland-Altman analysis. Diagnostic accuracy for the detection of at least moderate AS (Vmax ≥ 3 m/sec) was calculated. Also, the utility of HHE with CWD to reclassify patients compared with the visual estimation of AS severity was assessed.The acquisition of CWD signal using HHE was feasible in 118 of 121 patients (mean age, 68 ± 17 years; 57% men). There was excellent agreement between the HHE CWD and the cart-based measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97 [95% CI: 0.83-0.99] and r = 0.98 [95% CI: 0.91-0.99], P .001 for both). The Bland-Altman plot showed a small underestimation bias of -0.2 m/sec (P .001), with limits of agreement ±0.44 m/sec for Vmax. Detection of at least moderate AS using HHE with CWD was feasible with sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 83%-98%), specificity of 98% (95% CI: 91%-100%), positive predictive value of 98% (95% CI: 88%-100%), negative predictive value of 94% (95% CI: 85%-97%), and total diagnostic accuracy of 96%. Patients visually assessed as having mild AS were reclassified as having no stenosis (17%), mild AS (72%), or moderate AS (11%) with the addition of CWD imaging.Use of a novel HHE device with CWD spectral analysis by experienced operators can reliably detect clinically significant AS and facilitate AS grading. This technology may improve screening and diagnostic workup of AS compared with current practice.

Prespa Lakes is a transboundary (Greece-Albania-North Macedonia) aquatic ecosystem with a unique ecological value that includes a great variety of habitats and life forms, endemic and rare species. The water quality of this ecosystem is essential to sustain ecosystem services, as well as local economic activity. Climate change may lead to a potential decrease in water quality and availability, increasing the competition among the different water users. Integrated water management and policy approaches that will engage all competing water users is the answer to achieve the sustainability of sensitive and high-value aquatic systems, as the one found in Prespa Lakes. This challenge is even greater when these aquatic systems are transboundary and belong to the Natura2000 network.Recognizing the need for a rational management of high-value water ecosystems, the Greek administration adopted, in 2020, a new governance system, with the establishment of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), an agency responsible for all the protected areas in Greece, with an emphasis on the conservation and protection of biodiversity in the 446 Natura2000 sites in the country . Within this new administrative system, all 446 Natura2000 sites are grouped into 24 decentralized protected area units (DPAU) and at each DPAU, a Local Management Committee (LMC) is appointed, in order to bring together all interested stakeholders at local level such as regional and municipal authorities, technical economic chambers, forest management authorities, environmental NGOs and professional associations. The LMC functions as a consultation body to the DPAU. Its primary focus is on the implementation of the relevant protected area management plan and monitoring scheme, for the conservation of protected habitats and species, but it also participates in every other action related to sustainable development, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Special concern will be given to actions related to water quality, food production, ecosystem health and climate resilience, as critical elements of WEFE Nexus.In this frame, climate resilience of all environmental, economic, and social sectors related to water use is analyzed in the Orhid/Prespa Lakes ecosystem as a whole, to secure a balanced use of available water resources in this transboundary ecosystem. A System Innovation Approach is implemented through the development of Working Groups functioning at national level followed by a transboundary Living Lab focusing on water scarcity issues. Stakeholders related to water management and representing all sectors at local level take part in these Working Groups and in the transboundary Living Lab to shape common pathways of innovations on climate adaptation and resilience. It is envisaged that the results will support the work of the LMC, as well as that of the transboundary Prespa Park Management Committee, and could also be transferred, by NECCA, to other protected areas with similar ecosystem characteristics, and challenges.

This DMP reflects the data management activities of the RAISE Horizon Europe project. RAISE will develop a system for data analysis that adheres to the FAIR principles, i.e. is FAIR-enabling, following best practices and recommendations that connect data outputs and workflows offering to researchers a trustworthy resource for reproducible science. RAISE deals with data handling and processions and therefore a specific task has been introduced to make sure that all data is properly accessed, curated, preserved and eventually made public for analysis after any possible ethical issue has been cleared. The RAISE DMP will capture those elements and continuously describe the research data, code and workflows resulting from use cases and pilots of RAISE components to the research community, together with underlying data of RAISE publications (e.g. the outcomes of the mobility pilots will be publications and studies on mobility patterns and driving behavior). It will also provide insight on the different ways that the system addresses FAIR principles for data and workflows and will be openly published to be utilised as a guide for researchers to consult when describing the FAIRness of RAISE outputs in their own DMPs.

Der Morbus Dowling-Degos ist eine seltene, benigne Genodermatose. Charakteristisch sind lentiginöse Hyperpigmentierungen sowie rotbraune Papeln und Plaques. Häufig sind die Beugeseiten und Intertrigines betroffen, das klinische Bild kann jedoch variieren. Verantwortlich für die klinische Ausprägung sind Mutationen in unterschiedlichen Genen. Während Mutationen im Keratin 5 (KRT5)-Gen ein retikuläres Verteilungsmuster begünstigen, führen Mutationen im POGLUT1-Gen zu einem disseminierten, papulösen klinischen Bild. Die akantholytische Variante des Morbus Dowling-Degos wird historisch als Morbus Galli-Galli bezeichnet, unsere Falluntersuchung zeigt jedoch, dass die histopathologischen Veränderungen auch innerhalb eines Patienten variieren können. Bisher gibt es kein einheitliches Therapiekonzept. Keratolytische Maßnahmen stehen im Vordergrund, mit unterschiedlich gutem Ansprechen. Neue Therapieansätze mit Hilfe der Lasertechnologie scheinen eine vielversprechende Behandlungsoption zu sein.

Professional supervision is considered a key aspect of effective social work practice. In much of the world, front-line social work practitioners prioritise social work supervision as essential to ensuring a supportive working environment. This is crucially the case while working in ethically and politically contentious environments (such as working with refugees). Despite its centrality to effective practice, access to professionally meaningful supervision is nowadays seen by employers as a ‘luxury’, rather than as an integral part of front-line practice. On many occasions, the responsibility for accessing and paying for supervision is delegated to practitioners. Different models of supervision have been proposed over the years. This article provides a unique reflection on the creation and function of a ‘radical supervision’ approach, developed by practitioners and academics in Greece to deal with the complex professional and emotional dilemmas that emerged in the context of working with refugees. By ‘radical supervision’, the participants and authors refer to a non-hierarchical, peer-support supervision model that also prioritises collective action and mobilisation as regards structural challenges, thus departing from than the traditional individualistic approach to supervision. The group consisted of seven front-line practitioners and two academics. All practitioners worked in the field of refugee services. The supervisory group met regularly over a period of eight months from December 2020 to July 2021. The group followed the principles of participatory action research to analyse and report findings and reflections, while the analysis, as well the procedure of the supervision per se, were based on the liberation health model.

Cenobamate (CNB) is a new antiseizure medication (ASM) for the treatment of focal epilepsy in adults. While efficacy of CNB was confirmed in controlled clinical trials, its effects on cognition are unclear. Cognitive adverse effects of ASM affect quality of life and retention rate. Therefore, we investigated whether the adjunctive treatment with CNB is associated with changes in cognitive performance.Efficacy and tolerability of CNB were investigated in an observational study. Fifty patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy aged 18 to 71 years (Mdn = 37.5 years) were tested before (T0) and after reaching the first target dose of CNB, usually after three months (T1). Cognitive performance was assessed using the EpiTrack©, a change-sensitive screening tool for attention and executive functions.The median CNB dose at T1 was 125 mg/day (range: 50 - 250 mg/day). Most patients received 2-3 concomitant ASMs. Individual test scores remained stable in 72%, significantly improved in 16%, and significantly deteriorated in 12% of the patients from T0 to T1. The total group showed a significant improvement in EpiTrack scores (p .01). Changes in EpiTrack performance from T0 to T1 occurred independently of CNB dose, changes in the total drug load or reduction in seizure frequency.Most of the patients showed stable or improved cognitive performance. Thus, there is preliminary evidence that adjunctive CNB is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive side effects for the majority of patients. These findings need to be confirmed in controlled trials encompassing higher doses.