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Abstract Background Cupriavidus gilardii is an aerobic, gram-negative, motile, glucose-nonfermenting bacillus, first described in 1999. Typically, it exhibits low pathogenicity in humans, causing opportunistic infections primarily in individuals with compromised immune systems. This bacterium has been also found in various environmental sources such as plants and contaminated soils. Notably, there have been no documented cases of C. gilardii infections in animals. Case presentation This case report outlines a bovine neonatal diarrhea outbreak that occurred in Northern Greece, during which C. gilardii was isolated. Faecal samples from 5-day-old calves were collected and transported to the laboratory for further examination. Bacterial culture and next generation sequencing techniques were employed to confirm the presence of this bacterium in the samples. Following the isolation and identification of C. gilardii from the samples, an autogenous vaccine was produced and administered to the cows within the farm. Subsequent to vaccination, a progressive reduction in calf diarrhea and deaths was observed, leading to their eventual complete resolution. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first documentation of C. gilardii isolation from cases of bovine neonatal diarrhea. Conclusion This case report presents the first isolation case of C. gilardii from animal samples and more specifically from calf faecal samples. It represents an important observation, providing evidence that this opportunistic human pathogen could contribute to clinical symptoms in animals.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Streptococcus pyogenes causes superficial infections but can also cause deep-seated infections and toxin-mediated diseases. In the present study, phylogenetic and in silico prediction analyses were performed on an antimicrobial resistant M1UK S. pyogenes strain causing severe clinical manifestations during the current surge of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease. Methods: A 40-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with fever, chest pain and fatigue. Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, a diagnosis of sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation, community-acquired pneumonia, pleural empyema and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome was made. Microbial identification was performed by multiplex PCR and conventional culturing. Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing, phylogenomic analysis and in silico prediction analysis of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors were performed. Results: S. pyogenes isolates were detected in pleural fluid and sputum of the patient. Both isolates belonged to the M1UK lineage of the emm1/ST28 clone, being closely related with an M1UK GAS strain from Australia. They exhibited resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin and susceptibility-increased exposure to levofloxacin and carried genes encoding for protein homologues of antibiotic efflux pumps. Moreover, several virulence factors, and a previously described single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5′ transcriptional leader sequence of the ssrA gene, which enhances expression of SpeA, were detected. Conclusions: The present antimicrobial-resistant M1UK S. pyogenes strain represents the first report of this emerging lineage associated with such manifestations of iGAS disease.

Astroviruses and caliciviruses are important causative agents of gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. They have been detected in a variety of animal species, including dogs, but their role in the induction of disease in animals remains uncertain. In a molecular study that was conducted in Greece, including healthy and gastroenteritis-affected dogs of different ages, astrovirus (AstV) and sapovirus (SaV) were detected in 15% and 26% of the examined animals, respectively. A specialized questionnaire was filled out for each of the dogs participating in the study, including information about different characteristics and risk factors that could possibly affect their health status. This information was analyzed with the use of two innovative statistical methods, i.e., a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and the Ascending Hierarchical Classification (AHC). Based on their results, it was possible to define various groups of dogs based on their characteristics. AstV seems to occur more often in low-health-status dogs, usually mongrels, living in rural areas, showing vomit, diarrhea, and diet changes. Dogs of this group usually live with other pets in the same household and have frequent contact with stray animals. The presence of SaV does not seem to be associated with any of the examined factors.

MYC family oncoproteins regulate the expression of a large number of genes and broadly stimulate elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). While the factors that control the chromatin association of MYC proteins are well understood, much less is known about how interacting proteins mediate MYC’s effects on transcription. Here, we show that TFIIIC, an architectural protein complex that controls the three-dimensional chromatin organisation at its target sites, binds directly to the amino-terminal transcriptional regulatory domain of MYCN. Surprisingly, TFIIIC has no discernible role in MYCN-dependent gene expression and transcription elongation. Instead, MYCN and TFIIIC preferentially bind to promoters with paused RNAPII and globally limit the accumulation of non-phosphorylated RNAPII at promoters. Consistent with its ubiquitous role in transcription, MYCN broadly participates in hubs of active promoters. Depletion of TFIIIC further increases MYCN localisation to these hubs. This increase correlates with a failure of the nuclear exosome and BRCA1, both of which are involved in nascent RNA degradation, to localise to active promoters. Our data suggest that MYCN and TFIIIC exert an censoring function in early transcription that limits promoter accumulation of inactive RNAPII and facilitates promoter-proximal degradation of nascent RNA.

Aujeszky’s Disease, caused by the pseudorabies virus (PRV), is an acute, often fatal disease affecting mainly pigs and incidentally other animals. While eradicated in several countries, PRV persists in wild boar populations, posing a risk to domestic pigs. This study investigates PRV prevalence in wild boars in the region of Epirus, located in the northwest of Greece. During the 2021–2022 hunting season, 110 lung samples from hunted wild boars were collected and analyzed for PRV DNA and cytopathic effects in cell cultures. PRV DNA was detected in 19 samples (17.3%), 18 of which exhibiting cytopathic effects, allowing for virus titer determination. Notably, in one sample, PRV DNA was detected without a cytopathic effect. These findings underscore the continued presence of PRV in Greek wild boars, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring to prevent transmission to domestic pigs and other animals.

Progress in laser-driven proton acceleration requires increasing the proton maximum energy and laser-to-proton conversion efficiency while reducing the divergence of the proton beam. However, achieving all these qualities simultaneously has proven challenging experimentally, with the increase in beam energy often coming at the cost of beam quality. Numerical simulations suggest that coupling multi-PW laser pulses with ultrathin foils could offer a route for such simultaneous improvement. Yet, experimental investigations have been limited by the scarcity of such lasers and the need for very stringent temporal contrast conditions to prevent premature target expansion before the pulse maximum. Here, combining the newly commissioned Apollon laser facility that delivers high-power ultrashort (∼24fs) pulses with a double plasma mirror scheme to enhance its temporal contrast, we demonstrate the generation of up to 35 MeV protons with only 5 J of laser energy. This approach also achieves improved laser-to-proton energy conversion efficiency, reduced beam divergence, and optimized spatial beam profile. Therefore, despite the laser energy losses induced by the plasma mirror, the proton beams produced by this method are enhanced on all accounts compared to those obtained under standard conditions. Particle-in-cell simulations reveal that this improvement mainly results from a better space–time synchronization of the maximum of the accelerating charge-separation field with the proton bunch.

One fifth of today's workforce is engaged in shift work and exposed to various mental and physical health risks including shift work disorder. Efficiently recovering from shift work through physical and mental interventions allows us to mitigate negative effects on health, enables a better work-life balance and enhances our overall wellbeing. The aim of this review is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of the available literature. The role of sleep timing and naps, light therapy and psychotherapy, diet and exercise in recovery from shift work is presented here. We further review the impact of shift schedules and social support on post-shift unwinding.

This research unveils a versatile Halbach array magnetic device with promising biomedical applications, offering innovative solutions for targeted therapy and disease management in evolving biomedical engineering. This paper explores the potential of a novel Halbach array-based device for harnessing magneto-mechanical phenomena in biomedical applications. The study employs computational modeling using COMSOL Multiphysics to define the device’s magnetic properties and validate its operation within the theoretical prediction. The research catalogs the device’s operational modes and assesses crucial parameters related to magneto-mechanical biomedical modalities, including magnetic field strength, gradient, and force. Experimental validation of numerical findings through magnetic field measurements confirms the device’s multifaceted potential, particularly in targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Finally, the adaptability of the magnetic arrangements for various scenarios is also highlighted. This investigation provides valuable insights into integrating magneto-mechanical principles into biomedical engineering. It paves the way for further research and innovative approaches in theranostics, positioning the presented apparatus as a promising tool with untapped potential for future exploration and discovery in the evolving biomedical field.

We aimed to test the association between serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its isoenzymes and treatment outcomes during hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Thirty-eight AECOPD patients were recruited from a tertiary hospital from December 2017 to June 2018. Serum LDH and LDH isoenzymes were measured on venous blood collected at admission. Treatment outcomes included duration of hospital stay, initiation of non-invasive (NIV) or mechanical ventilation, initiation of antipseudomonal antibiotics, change in empirical antibiotic treatment, need for intravenous corticosteroids or methylxanthines, and percentage of change in C-reactive protein from admission to the third day. Multivariate linear and binary logistic regression analyses were used to test the study’s objectives. We found that, after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, COPD severity, level of hypoxemia, and inflammation markers, each 10 U/L increase in serum LDH was associated with prolongation of the hospital stay by 0.25 (0.03, 0.46) days, 42% higher odds (odds ratio [OR] 1.42 [1.00, 2.03]) for need of NIV, and 25% higher odds (OR 1.25 [1.04, 1.49]) for initiation of antipseudomonal treatment. LDH1 and LDH2 were the LDH isoenzymes that mainly drove these relationships. LDH release in the context of an AECOPD could originate from lung, muscle, or heart tissue damage due to airway inflammation, respiratory muscle recruitment, and myocardial stress. Myocardial injury and aerobic adaptation in respiratory muscles may explain the predominance of LDH1 and LDH2 isoenzymes in these associations.

Although primary caregivers of children with developmental disabilities (DDs) experience higher levels of distress than primary caregivers of typically developing children do, this problem has received limited attention in Greece. Therefore, this study examined mental health and associated factors among primary caregivers of children with and without DDs in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study included 156 participants. Primary caregivers completed a self-report survey on sociodemographic characteristics, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Primary caregivers of children with DDs, particularly mothers, reported more mental health problems and higher levels of psychological distress than the control group. Among families parenting a child with disabilities, caregivers’ psychological distress was significantly related to having a child with autism spectrum disorder and the severity of the child’s behavioral difficulties. Significant predictors of caregivers’ distress were the parent being female, the child being male, a single-parent family, a lower income, and higher depressive symptoms. Caregivers raising children with DDs face unique challenges in terms of care, necessitating the development of family-based interventions to improve the social-emotional well-being and overall quality of life for both parents and children.

Background:. Simulation is integral to the development and maintenance of micro- surgical skills. Several simulation models have been described ranging from bench- top to live animal models. High fidelity models are often burdened by cost and ethical issues limiting widespread implementation. This study aims to determine the feasibility of a microsurgical training platform using the Konjac noodle model. Methods:. A prospective cohort study was conducted at our institution. A progressive microsurgical training curriculum was developed. A bespoke three-dimensional printed training platform was produced to enable residents to record training and assessment tasks. Microsurgical skills were blindly assessed before and after completing the training program using the University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Skills Assessment instrument. Results:. Plastic surgery residents at various stages of training were recruited (n = 10). A significant improvement in vessel preparation from a pre-training median of 3 (IQR 2 -4) versus a post-training of 4 (IQR 3 -5, P = 0.0035) and suturing with a pre-training median of 3 (IQR 2 -4) versus a post-training of 4 (IQR 3 -5, P = 0.0047) domains of the University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Skills Assessment score was demonstrated after completion of the training program. There was a significant improvement in the global rating score (3 ± 1 versus 5 ± 1, P = 0.0045). Participants felt more confident performing a microsurgical anastomosis following the training program. Conclusion:. The use of the Konjac noodle model and video-based assessment using a three-dimensional printed model is an effective teaching tool that improves resident's microsurgical skills.

Abstract The resident macrophages of the central nervous system, microglia, are becoming increasingly implicated as active participants in neuropathology and ageing. Their diverse and changeable morphology is tightly linked with functions they perform, enabling assessment of their activity through image analysis. To better understand the contributions of microglia in health, senescence, and disease, it is necessary to measure morphology with both speed and reliability. A machine learning approach was developed to facilitate automatic classification of images of retinal microglial cells as one of five morphotypes, using a support vector machine (SVM). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this SVM was between 0.99 and 1, indicating strong performance. The densities of the different microglial morphologies were automatically assessed (using the SVM) within wholemount retinal images. Retinas used in the study were sourced from 28 healthy C57/BL6 mice split over three age points (2, 6, and 28-months). The prevalence of ‘activated’ microglial morphology was significantly higher at 6- and 28-months compared to 2-months (p

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy with localized prostate cancer under combined (epidural-spinal) anaesthesia have any benefit over patients undergoing the procedure under general anaesthesia. Material and Methods: Patients with clinically localised prostate cancer, scheduled for radical retropubic prostatectomy, were allocated to undergo the operation under either general anaesthesia (GA) or under combined (epidural-spinal) (CESA) anaesthesia. Several parameters were recorded both preoperatively (medical history, biometric data, PSA, biopsy Gleason score) and postoperatively (blood pressure, heart rate, haemoglobin levels, operation time and total hospital stay). In addition, mean arterial pressure, change in heart rate, total blood loss, blood transfusions, SAS score, intravenous fluid administration and operation time were also noted down intraoperatively. Patient pain levels and total satisfaction were evaluated using appropriate questionnaires. At the 12-month follow-up, biochemical recurrence using PSA levels and urinary continence status were evaluated. Results: A total of 60 patients were included (30 in each group). Intraoperatively, mean MAP and heart rate change was higher in the GA group (MAP+7,46, HR+27) and mean SAS was higher in the CESA group (+0.93). The time needed for patients’ recovery was faster (-3.5 min) and hospitalization was shorter for patients in the CESA group (-0.6 days). Intraoperative blood loss, time for induction and duration of operation were not significantly different. Mean postoperative drop of haemoglobin was greater in the GA group (+0.56) while blood transfusions, VAS pain scores and amount of intravenous fluids did not differ significantly between the two groups. No complications were reported. Patient satisfaction and urinary continence were comparable between the groups and there were no cases of biochemical recurrence. Conclusions: Radical retropubic prostatectomy can safely be performed under combined (spinal epidural anaesthesia, with possible benefits of lower blood loss, less post-operative complications and earlier discharge. Both procedures have equal oncological and functional outcomes at the 12-month follow-up.

Objective: The efficacy of renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been affirmed by a number of recent clinical studies, despite controversies in this field over the last five years. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that hypertension experts debate the merits of RDN by revealing and expressing their personal beliefs and perspectives regarding this procedure. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Greek leaders of the Hypertension Excellence Centers with the use of a closed-type questionnaire specifically designed to elicit information and evaluate the respondent's views and perspectives about RDN efficacy, safety and ideal target patient population. Results: A total of 36 participants completed the survey. Based on the results, RDN was considered efficient (91.7%) and safe (94.5%), while the overwhelming majority of the participants felt confident in the long-term efficacy (88.9%) of the intervention and that it lacks reliable predictors of blood pressure response (94.5%). Patients with resistant (91.7%), ultra-resistant (94.4%), and uncontrolled hypertension (80.6%) were suggested as ideal candidates for RDN. Establishing a close co-operation between interventionalists and hypertension experts was considered essential to ensure the efficacy (97.2%) as well as the safety (97.3%) of the procedure. Conclusion: The vast majority of Greek hypertension experts surveyed were convinced of the efficacy and safety of RDN based on the preponderance of available scientific and clinical data. Identification of the ideal patient group remains controversial. Respondents generally agreed on the necessity of building close collaborative relationships between interventionalists and hypertension experts in order to improve RDN clinical outcome.

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis represents 1% of total tuberculosis cases. It affects young adults from endemic countries or immunocompromised patients, and may lead to severe functional impairment. We report a case of a 27-year-old male from an endemic country presenting with a 4-month history of fever, a major pectoralis abscess, and low back pain. A lumbar spine MRI revealed osteolytic lesions in multiple vertebral bodies along with a large iliopsoas abscess. Both abscesses were drained and the diagnosis was established by positive polymerase chain reaction assay for tuberculosis. The patient was initiated on anti-tuberculous treatment for 9 months. Musculoskeletal tuberculosis is rarely found in Western countries. If left intreated, it can lead to severe complications which may require surgical intervention.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleeping disorder caused by complete or partial disturbance of breathing during the night. Existing screening methods include questionnaire-based evaluations which are time-consuming, vary in specificity, and are not globally adopted. Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), on the other hand, is a painless, inexpensive, portable, and useful tool that has already been introduced for the evaluation of upper airways by anesthetists. PoCUS could also serve as a potential screening tool for the diagnosis of OSA by measuring different airway parameters, including retropalatal pharynx transverse diameter, tongue base thickness, distance between lingual arteries, lateral parapharyngeal wall thickness, palatine tonsil volume, and some non-airway parameters like carotid intima–media thickness, mesenteric fat thickness, and diaphragm characteristics. This study reviewed previously reported studies to highlight the importance of PoCUS as a potential screening tool for OSA.

In a proportion of patients, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a multisystem syndrome characterized by hyperinflammation, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and hypercoagulability. A 68-year-old man with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was admitted to the intensive care unit with respiratory failure, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and skin ischemia – microthrombosis. Specific coagulation and inflammatory markers (D-dimer, ferritin, and C-reactive protein), along with the clinical picture, triggered the trial of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and tocilizumab. This was followed by resolution of the skin ischemia and CRS, while respiratory parameters improved. No major complications associated with rt-PA or tocilizumab occurred. The combination of rt-PA with targeted anti-inflammatory treatment could be a new therapeutic option for patients with COVID-19, ARDS, hyperinflammation, and increased blood viscosity.

Summary: Here, we detail a protocol for the generation of pooled short hairpin RNA (shRNA) libraries. We cover the design of optimized miR-E backbone shRNAs, cloning into a Tet-on vector system, and transformation of competent bacteria. We also describe library quality check by next-generation sequencing, and finally the production of lentiviruses. This protocol will generate high-quality inducible libraries suitable for both genome-wide and targeted functional genomics screens, allowing the high-throughput interrogation of protein depletion effects in the cell system of choice.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Papadopoulos et al. (2022).

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide and in general, the Internet continues to gain importance in the tourism sector. The study focuses on exploration of knowledge of online booking systems and on the views of local students-users concerning the booking rate based on these online systems. Another perspective of this project is to investigate the decision-making process (emotion-focused) that they follow in order to choose a tourist destination via online booking systems. For the purposes of this study, three scales were administered E-WOM and Accommodation Scale, Emotion-Based Decision-Making Scale and Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale. Then, survey data were collected, preprocessed and analyzed based on Data Mining techniques evaluating the results. More specifically, classification and association algorithms were utilized to manage to describe hidden patterns. E-Tourism will continue to be oriented towards the consumers and the technology that surrounds them, providing dynamic communication in electronic business.

Lung cancer is considered one of the most fatal malignant neoplasms because of its late detection. Detecting molecular markers in samples from routine bronchoscopy, including many liquid-based cytology procedures, such as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), could serve as a favorable technique to enhance the efficiency of a lung cancer diagnosis. BALF analysis is a promising approach to evaluating the tumor progression microenvironment. BALF’s cellular and non-cellular components dictate the inflammatory response in a cancer-proliferating microenvironment. Furthermore, it is an essential material for detecting clinically significant predictive and prognostic biomarkers that may aid in guiding treatment choices and evaluating therapy-induced toxicities in lung cancer. In the present article, we have reviewed recent literature about the utility of BALF analysis for detecting markers in different stages of tumor cell metabolism, employing either specific biomarker assays or broader omics approaches.

The COST action “Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control),” aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for selected cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A selected cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002. A CP was defined as surveillance and/or intervention strategies designed to lower the incidence, prevalence, mortality or prove freedom from a specific disease in a region or country. Passive surveillance, and active surveillance of breeding bulls under Council Directive 88/407/EEC were not considered as CPs. A questionnaire was designed to obtain country-specific information about CPs for each disease. Animal health experts from 33 European countries completed the questionnaire. Overall, there are 23 diseases for which a CP exists in one or more of the countries studied. The diseases for which CPs exist in the highest number of countries are enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhoea and anthrax (CPs reported by between 16 and 31 countries). Every participating country has on average, 6 CPs (min–max: 1–13) in place. Most programmes are implemented at a national level (86%) and are applied to both dairy and non-dairy cattle (75%). Approximately one-third of the CPs are voluntary, and the funding structure is divided between government and private resources. Countries that have eradicated diseases like enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhoea have implemented CPs for other diseases to further improve the health status of cattle in their country. The control of the selected cattle diseases is very heterogenous in Europe. Therefore, the standardising of the outputs of these programmes to enable comparison represents a challenge.

Subcutaneous pyelovesical bypasses are the best choice for the long-term palliative treatment of ureteral obstructions. In rare cases this obstruction is due to polyarteritis nodosa. We present the only reported patient with a bilateral Detour bypass in a Hautmann’s neobladder. The patient also suffers from polyarteritis nodosa.

Aging is one of the most important risk factors for the development of several neurodegenerative diseases including progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Cellular senescence (CS) is a key biological process underlying aging. Several stressors associated with aging and MS pathology, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cytokines and replicative exhaustion are known triggers of cellular senescence. Senescent cells exhibit stereotypical metabolic and functional changes, which include cell-cycle arrest and acquiring a pro-inflammatory phenotype secreting cytokines, growth factors, metalloproteinases and reactive oxygen species. They accumulate with aging and can convert neighboring cells to senescence in a paracrine manner. In MS, accelerated cellular senescence may drive disease progression by promoting chronic non-remitting inflammation, loss or altered immune, glial and neuronal function, failure of remyelination, impaired blood-brain barrier integrity and ultimately neurodegeneration. Here we discuss the evidence linking cellular senescence to the pathogenesis of MS and the putative role of senolytic and senomorphic agents as neuroprotective therapies in tackling disease progression.

Abstract Background Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis that presents a worldwide distribution and affects both humans and animals. The route of dispersal of the pathogen by ruminants into the environment usually involves stages of abortion and parturition, nevertheless the agent can, also, be detected in other animal samples. Therefore it is considered as important in terms of proper diagnosis, as well as, for epidemiology and surveillance purposes, to genotype the pathogen. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of different genotypes of the agent in animals that had suffered from abortion during a two-year survey in Greece. Results Sixty nine tissue samples (37 stomach contents, 11 liver samples, 21 cotyledons) were collected from 59 abortion cases in sheep (N = 45) and goats (N = 14) from 65 farms at eight different areas of Greece. Samples were screened by qPCR and positive ones were further genotyped using a 10-locus multiple loci (ms 1, 3, 7, 12, 20, 21, 22, 26, 30 and 36) variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) method. Three genotypes were identified in sheep (A, B, C). Samples representing each of the obtained MLVA profile were further used for MST genotyping. Ten spacers (Cox 2, 5, 6, 18, 20, 22, 37, 51, 56 and 57) were amplified. A close relatedness among the identified MLVA genotypes was confirmed since they all belonged to MST group 32. Conclusions The current study introduces into the aspect of genotyping of C. burnetii in Greece. Further studies are needed to explore the presence of more genotypes, to associate the genotypes circulating in the animal and tick population with those causing human disease in order to further expand on the epidemiological aspects of the pathogen.

Raw-bivalves consumption is a wide trend in Mediterranean countries. Despite the unambiguous nutritional value of seafood, raw consumption of bivalves may involve risks that could pose a significant threat to consumers’ health. Their filter-feeding behavior is responsible for the potential hosting of a wide variety of microorganisms, either pathogenic for the bivalves or public health threats. Under this prism, the current study was conducted in an effort to evaluate the risk of eating raw bivalves originating from the two biggest seafood markets in Thessaloniki, the largest production area of bivalves in Greece. Both microbiological and molecular methodologies were applied in order to assess the presence of various harmful microbes, including noroviruses, Bonamia, Marteilia, Esherichia coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio. Results indicated the presence of several Vibrio strains in the analyzed samples, of which the halophilic Vibrio harveyi was verified by 16S rRNA sequencing; other than this, no enteropathogenic Vibrio spp. was detected. Furthermore, although Esherichia coli was detected in several samples, it was mostly below the European Union (EU) legislation thresholds. Interestingly, the non-target Photobacterium damselae was also detected, which is associated with both wound infections in human and aquatic animals. Regarding host pathogenic microorganisms, apart from Vibrio harveyi, the protozoan parasite Marteilia refrigens was identified in oysters, highlighting the continuous infection of this bivalve in Greece. In conclusion, bivalves can be generally characterized as a safe-to-eat raw food, hosting more bivalve pathogenic microbes than those of public health concern.

Parenting gifted and talented (G/T) children is a journey with unique experiences that can differ from the lived experiences of parents raising non-gifted and talented children. These unique experiences typically raise concerns, influence decisions, and exacerbate stress and anxiety regarding the children’s future development and education. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current literature in order to highlight the topic of parenting G/T children with a focus on their exceptional social-emotional needs. Studies support the conclusion that significant determinants of G/T children’s personal growth are authoritative parenting, which provides autonomy and self-motivation, and parents’ behaviors and attitudes toward the exceptional needs of G/T children. Conversely, authoritarian parenting negatively impacts children’s well-being and mental health, impeding the positive development of the child’s potential. Enhancing the caregiving capacity of family members—by reducing the stress associated with their parenting and caregiving roles—can have a powerful impact on the developmental trajectory of gifted children.

Introduction Coxiella burnetii is an obligatory intracellular bacterial pathogen causing the zoonotic disease Q fever. The most common reservoirs of C. burnetii are wild mammals, birds and ticks. Pregnant domestic ruminants infected with this bacterium are also a major source of human infection. Material and methods The serological prevalence of C. burnetii in goats and sheep diagnosed with adverse pregnancy outcomes was assessed by undertaking a survey on 800 dairy goats and 800 dairy ewes reared in four different regions of Greece (Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, and Peloponnese). A stratified sampling was carried out, taking also as a criterion the age of the animals. Serum antibodies were analyzed by a commercial ELISA according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Results Generally, there was a statistically significantly higher serological prevalence of C. burnetii (14.4%) in goats compared to sheep (8%). Serological prevalence was higher in adults (15.5% in goats and 8.5% in sheep) compared to yearlings (7.4% in goats and 4.6% in sheep). The prevalence increased significantly with age only in goats. Finally, all animals reared in Peloponnese had a prevalence significantly higher (21% in goats and 18% in sheep) than animals reared in the other three regions. Conclusions To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report that associates C. burnetii with reproductive disturbances of domestic ruminants in Greece. However, considering the importance of coxiellosis for public health, further investigations are required on its epidemiology regarding abortion, premature delivery, stillbirth and weak offspring in small ruminants, as well as in other domestic and wild animal species.

Background: Cervical spine fractures (CSFs) are potentially devastating injuries in pediatric population. Fortunately, these injuries are uncommon in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology, the risk factors, mechanisms of injury and to identify possible strategies for prevention. In addition, the aim of the current study was to compare CSF sustained in 2003 to CSF sustained in 2008 and 2013 so as to recognize the trend of pediatric CSFs in the United States. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried for CSF sustained in pediatric population up to 16 years of age for years 2003, 2008, and 2013. Outcomes of interest were patient characteristics (age and sex), causes of CSF, and mechanism of injury. Results: Eighty pediatric patients with CSF were identified. The average age was 10.5 years. Boys sustained significantly more CSF than girls. Statistically significant more CSF were occurred in children of 10–16 years than in children up to 9 years. Sports or recreational activities and home-related accidents were the predominant causes of CSF. Mechanisms of injury were age-related, with younger children sustaining CSF as a result of home-related accidents while adolescents commonly injured during sporting or recreational activities. In contrast to current data in literature, motor vehicle accidents were not a major cause of CSF. Comparing the years 2003, 2008, and 2013, statistically significant differences in the incidence of CSF were not found. Conclusions: Our study confirms previous findings that adolescents who sustain CSF have higher incidence of sport or recreation-related accidents than younger patients who sustain commonly home-related accidents as a consequence of insufficient parental supervision. The perception that motor vehicle accidents comprise major cause of CSF appears not to be true.

The purpose of this research was to characterize the antibiotic resistance patterns of Campylobacter spp. isolated from commercial farrow to finish farms in Greece, and analyze the relevant molecular resistance mechanisms among the resistant Campylobacter isolates. Susceptibility testing to five different classes of antibiotics was performed in 100 C. coli and 100 C. jejuni, previously isolated and identified. All isolates were found susceptible to meropenem. Very high rates of resistance were recorded for tetracyclines (84.5%), medium rates of resistance were recorded regarding quinolones (23%), and low and very low rates of resistance were identified for macrolides such as erythromycin and aminoglycosides (12% and 4%, respectively). Only 12.5% of the Campylobacter isolates displayed MDR. Regarding the molecular mechanisms of resistance, all ciprofloxacin resistant isolates hosted the mutant type Thr-86-Ile region of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the gyrA gene. In all erythromycin resistant isolates, the transitional mutations A2075G and A2074C in the 23S rRNA gene were only amplified. Molecular screening of tetracycline resistance genes indicated that the vast majority of Campylobacter isolates (92.3%) were positive for the tet(O) gene. In summary, these findings and especially the very high and medium rates of resistance for tetracyclines and fluroquinolones, respectively recommend that a continuous monitoring of Campylobacter isolates susceptibility in combination with the proper use of antimicrobials in livestock production is of great importance for public health.

Although childhood is a critical period of development during which all children begin a lifelong process of self-discovery that shapes their identities, few studies have focused on the self-concept and self-esteem of young, gifted children. This study recruited 108 gifted children aged 5–6 years from Greece and their preschool teachers to explore the relationships among cognitive ability, domain-specific self-concepts, and global self-esteem. The Pictorial Scale for Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance was used to assess the domain-specific self-concepts of the participants, whereas behavioral manifestations of self-esteem were rated by the children’s teachers using the Behavioral Academic Self-Esteem Scale. There were positive correlations among IQ, perceived scholastic competence, and global self-esteem. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that significant predictors of global self-esteem were male gender, higher IQ, perceived scholastic competence, and perceived maternal acceptance. Additionally, there were gender differences in global self-esteem and perceived physical competence in favor of boys, whereas perceived maternal acceptance favored girls. This article discusses the need for practitioners working with gifted children to enact a comprehensive social–emotional learning curriculum in schools that promotes academic as well as personal and character strengths. Finally, the limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are also presented.

Although the study of autism is burgeoning with important implications both for public health and society, there is little research exploring the experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the maternal perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of mothers of children with ASD in Greece. Nine mothers of children with ASD were recruited and engaged in semistructured interviews. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three interconnected themes were identified in the analysis: (a) emotional burden, (b) family burden, and (c) social burden. A key finding in the themes was the sense of burden, distress, and vulnerability experienced by the mothers. The findings provide valuable understanding of the experiences of mothers raising children with ASD in one of Europe’s medium-income countries. Further, results can be used by researchers, clinicians, mental health providers, and policy makers to address the unique needs of families caring for and supporting children with ASD.

Over the last 30 years the role of monoclonal antibodies in therapeutics has increased enormously, revolutionizing treatment in most medical specialties, including neurology. Monoclonal antibodies are key therapeutic agents for several neurological conditions with diverse pathophysiological mechanisms, including multiple sclerosis, migraines and neuromuscular disease. In addition, a great number of monoclonal antibodies against several targets are being investigated for many more neurological diseases, which reflects our advances in understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases. Untangling the molecular mechanisms of disease allows monoclonal antibodies to block disease pathways accurately and efficiently with exceptional target specificity, minimizing non-specific effects. On the other hand, accumulating experience shows that monoclonal antibodies may carry class-specific and target-associated risks. This article provides an overview of different types of monoclonal antibodies and their characteristics and reviews monoclonal antibodies currently in use or under development for neurological disease.

Pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) is a developmental anomaly of the lung parenchyma, characterized by a decrease in the number and size of airways, alveoli and vessels. We present a case of a 31-year-old patient with a history of chronic productive cough and frequent respiratory infections, who was referred for investigation of abnormal chest x-ray. The combination of chest computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy set the diagnosis of left pulmonary hypoplasia and the patient was treated surgically with a left pneumonectomy. PH is usually diagnosed immediately after birth, causing severe respiratory failure with high mortality. The less severe, unilateral forms can possibly survive by causing compensatory hyperinflation of the other lung and remain undiagnosed until adulthood, presenting either asymptomatic or with symptoms of chronic bronchitis and recurrent respiratory infections. Chest CT is considered the imaging technique of choice for the diagnosis and for the differential diagnosis from other congenital or acquired conditions. The treatment is usually conservative, although surgical resection is indicated in cases of severe cystic changes and intense symptomatology.

Bone alters its metabolic and anabolic activities in response to the variety of systemic and local factors such as hormones and growth factors. Classical observations describing abundance of the nerve fibers in bone also predict a paradigm that the nervous system influences bone metabolism and anabolism. Since 1916 several investigators tried to analyze the effect of peripheral nervous system in bone growth and most of them advocated for the positive effect of innervation in the bones of growing organisms. Moreover, neuronal tissue controls bone formation and remodeling. The purpose of this mini-review is to present the most recent data concerning the influence of innervation on bone growth, the current understanding of the skeletal innervation and their proposed physiological effects on bone metabolism as well as the implication of denervation in human skeletal biology in the developing organism since the peripheral neural trauma as well as peripheral neuropathies are common and they have impact on the growing skeleton.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a circulating sulfated steroid considered to be a pro-androgen in mammalian physiology. Here we show that at a physiological concentration (1 μM), DHEAS induces the phosphorylation of the kinase Erk1/2 and of the transcription factors CREB and ATF-1 in the murine Sertoli cell line TM4. This signaling cascade stimulates the expression of the tight junction (TJ) proteins claudin-3 and claudin-5. As a consequence of the increased expression, tight junction connections between neighboring Sertoli cells are augmented, as demonstrated by measurements of transepithelial resistance. Phosphorylation of Erk1/2, CREB, or ATF-1 is not affected by the presence of the steroid sulfatase inhibitor STX64. Erk1/2 phosphorylation was not observed when dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was used instead of DHEAS. Abrogation of androgen receptor (AR) expression by siRNA did not affect DHEAS-stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation, nor did it change DHEAS-induced stimulation of claudin-3 and claudin-5 expression. All of the above indicate that desulfation and conversion of DHEAS into a different steroid hormone is not required to trigger the DHEAS-induced signaling cascade. All activating effects of DHEAS, however, are abolished when the expression of the G-protein Gnα11 is suppressed by siRNA, including claudin-3 and -5 expression and TJ formation between neighboring Sertoli cells as indicated by reduced transepithelial resistance. Taken together, these results are consistent with the effects of DHEAS being mediated through a membrane-bound G-protein-coupled receptor interacting with Gnα11 in a signaling pathway that resembles the non-classical signaling pathways of steroid hormones. Considering the fact that DHEAS is produced in reproductive organs, these findings also suggest that DHEAS, by acting as an autonomous steroid hormone and influencing the formation and dynamics of the TJ at the blood-testis barrier, might play a crucial role for the regulation and maintenance of male fertility.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been demonstrated to restrain bacterial growth, while maintaining minimal risk in development of bacterial resistance and human cell toxicity that conventional silver compounds exhibit. Several physical and chemical methods have been reported to synthesize AgNPs. However, these methods are expensive and involve heavy chemical reduction agents. An alternative approach to produce AgNPs in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way employs a biological pathway using various plant extracts to reduce metal ions. The size control issue, and the stability of nanoparticles, remain some of the latest challenges in such methods. In this study, we used two different concentrations of fresh leaf extract of the plant Arbutus unedo (LEA) as a reducing and stabilizing agent to produce two size variations of AgNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and zeta potential were applied for the characterization of AgNPs. Both AgNP variations were evaluated for their antibacterial efficacy against the gram-negative species Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as the gram-positive species Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Although significant differences have been achieved in the nanoparticles’ size by varying the plant extract concentration during synthesis, the antibacterial effect was almost the same.

We report a man aged 68 years old with pneumothorax and chronic bilateral pleural effusion in association with a history of yellow nails. The diagnosis of yellow nail syndrome based on yellow nails, lymphedema, chronic pleural effusion and intestinal lymphangiectasia.