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Morphological studies of fish assemblages are a crucial aspect of ecology, as they can provide insight into functional roles and changes beyond taxonomically oriented approaches. In addition, depth is an important factor that impacts the structure of fish assemblages. In the present study, samples of 115 demersal actinopterygian species were collected during a bottom-trawl survey conducted in the northern Aegean Sea, in the summer of 2020. The samples were collected by 65 hauls across depths ranging from 0 to 650 m. The samples were photographed, and the images were analyzed through geometric morphometric methods, by defining 27 landmarks and semilandmarks on each photo. Principal Components were estimated to construct morphospaces and between group Principal Component Analysis was used to distribute the mean body shape of each assemblage along morphological axes. Ecological, taxonomic and morphological diversity indices were then computed for each haul, and the potential effects of depth on these indices were tested with Generalized Additive models. All indices were significantly affected by depth, except for species richness, on which the effect was marginally insignificant. Concerning the morphological diversity indices, morphological disparity indices, estimated with 2 different methods, as well as the ecomorphological diversity found to increase with depth, whereas morphological richness fluctuated. Next, Generalized Linear Models were employed to examine the variations in the morphological traits of the mean shape of each formed assemblage. The results indicated that assemblages distinguished into two groups, one inhabiting the continental shelf (<200 m), and the other the upper-medium slope (>200 m). Specifically, with increasing depth, fish converge towards an elongated body, with larger mouth and eyes, but smaller pectoral fin. The findings of this study, contribute to better understanding of the impact of depth on the ecological and morphological structure of demersal assemblages, and highlight the importance of morphological diversity indices as a complement to conventional approaches. • Depth is an important driver structuring fish assemblages. • Demersal fish assemblages: continental shelf (<200 m) vs. upper-medium slope (>200 m). • Deeper fish: longer body, bigger mouth and eyes; smaller pectoral fin. • Assemblages in <200 m less diverse than in >200 m, due to morphological redundancy. • Morphological diversity indices enhance conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Pseudocysts of the spleen are usually asymptomatic and associated with a history of trauma, infection or infarction. In this report, we present two uncommon cases of solitary, oversized pseudocysts of the spleen. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Two patients (cases A and B), with symptoms of abdominal pain, were investigated. The laboratory and ultrasound examination confirmed the diagnosis of a large, non-parasitic splenic cyst in both cases. Computed tomography described an oversized pseudocyst occupying almost the entire splenic parenchyma in both cases and in patient A, the cyst was located in the splenic hilum. The medical history revealed a previous abdominal injury only in case A. The two patients underwent an open total splenectomy. The pathology examination verified the diagnosis of a non-parasitic splenic pseudocyst. DISCUSSION: Both patients presented with symptoms, in contrast to the majority of patients with splenic cysts. The medical history of patients with splenic pseudocysts does not always reveal the cause of the pseudocyst formation. Any type of spleen-sparing procedure is not easy to perform in cases of surgical and anatomical difficulty, because of recurrence and the risk of intractable bleeding from the spleen. CONCLUSION: Partial splenectomy is the recommended method for parenchymal preservation, but total splenectomy is preferred when the splenic cyst is oversized or cannot be excised with safety. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Bile duct injuries have been substantially increased after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). They are accompanied by major morbidity, occasional mortality, lengthening of hospital stay, additional health costs, and deterioration of patients' quality of life and life expectancy. The aim of this study was to present the method of "critical view of safety" (CVS) as safe and feasible for the prevention of bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Patients and Methods: During a 6-year period from January 2002 till December 2007, 1,046 LCs (369 men and 677 women) were performed mainly for symptomatic gallstone disease. The CVS technique recommends clearing the triangle of Calot of fat and fibrous tissue and taking the gallbladder off the lowest part of its attachment to the gallbladder bed. The "infundibular" technique (identification of cystic duct and gallbladder junction) was used whenever CVS was not possible to perform.Results: The CVS was performed in 998 patients (95.4%). Overall, 27 patients needed conversion to the open approach (2.6%). This rate was higher in patients with acute inflammation undergoing early operation (nine of 128, 7%) compared with patients operated later or electively (18 of 914, 1.9%). There was no bile duct injury in the 1,046 cholecystectomies. Postoperatively, five patients had bile leaks which were transient and stopped spontaneously after 2-14 days. Two reoperations were performed because of severe bleeding.Conclusion: CVS clarifies the relations of the anatomic structures that should be divided, and therefore, it should be ideally and routinely applied in all LCs because of its highly protective role against bile duct injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Although the most common cause of liver failure (LF) in hematologic patients is viral hepatitis, several episodes of sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC) have been reported as rare but potentially causative of fulminant LF. Reviewing the literature, we have presented a single case of intrahepatic cholestasis after major liver resection, which was effectively treated by exchange transfusion. Methods: Serial hemoglobin S, D levels and liver enzymes were monitored postoperatively. Results: Although the patient’s intra- and postoperative courses were uneventful, an increased serum bilirubin was identified to be due to intrahepatic sinusoid congestion and subsequent cholestasis. Exchange transfusion was required to maintain HbS below 20% and reverse bilirubin levels to normal values. Conclusion: Sickle cell anemia is a rare cause of cholestasis after major hepatic surgery. To our knowledge, this case is the only documented incidence of IHC following major hepatectomy that was effectively treated with exchange transfusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This cross sectional study aimed to compare the differences in psychopathology of Greek homicide and homicide attempters, patients with schizophrenia, with non violent individuals, suffering from schizophrenia. The study compared three Groups of 220 men, diagnosed with schizophrenia: (a) Group Α (Schizophrenia - No violence, (b) Group Β (Schizophrenia - with violence or violent crime), (c) Group C (Schizophrenia - not guilty by reason of insanity - violent crime). Several psychometric tools were used, such as M.I.N·I (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview), PANSS scale (Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale). Most subjects suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. On factors such as demographic characteristics (i.e. current occupational status, living status), statistically significant findings were shown for Groups B and C vs Group A. Predisposing psychosocial factors, such as family conflicts and aggressiveness against family, were found to be statistically significant in differentiating violent versus nonviolent individuals with psychosis. They differed significantly in factors like history of juvenile delinquency, but also in the type of aggressiveness in general. These differences were confirmed on PANSS scale. In conclusion, the longer the history of aggressiveness is presented, the greater the chances are of individuals falling into Group C and it is possible to spend several years from the onset of the disease until the moment of crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mislabeling of seafood products and marketing of protected species remains a worldwide issue despite the labeling regulations set at a local, European and International level. DNA barcoding has proven to be the most popular and accurate method of detection of fraudulent seafood products. This study investigated the batoid meat market of Greece, the mislabeling rates and the protected species occurrence. A total of 114 ray products were collected from fishmongers, open markets, supermarkets, and restaurants across eight Greek cities. The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used to analyze samples, and the sequences were compared against genetic databases for species identification. At least 13 species across nine genera were identified. The results did not indicate significant differences in species utilization among cities, retailers, and labels. However, in the pairwise comparisons, Athens differed from all other locations and a similar trend was followed by the label "salachi". Moderate mislabeling levels were recorded (13.5%), while 3.5% of the identified samples belonged to species with prohibitions on landings, confirming an ongoing market for protected species. Overall, 19.8% of the samples originated from species that are locally listed in threatened categories of the IUCN Red List of species. • 114 ray products were evaluated in Greece. • DNA barcoding revealed 13.5% mislabeling rate. • Raja clavata was the most prevalent fish. • 3.5% were found to originate from species with prohibitions on landings. • Mislabeling rates were moderate (13.5%), facilitating the sale of vulnerable rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]