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Introduction: Vault particles are large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles that participate in inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of major vault protein (MVP) in patients with inflammation, in order to determine whether MVP could be used as a biomarker for infection or inflammation. We also aimed to compare the diagnostic impact of MVP compared to other conventional measurements, such as CRP or white blood cell (WBC) counts. Methods: CRP and MVP levels were measured in 111 sera samples from 85 patients with inflammation admitted to a tertiary-care hospital and 26 healthy individuals during an 18-month period (2019–2020), using nephelometry and a custom MVP sandwich ELISA assay, respectively. In addition, WBC counts were measured using a commercial assay. Results: MVP levels were found to be elevated in patients with inflammation compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.0001). Moreover, MVP levels were higher in patients with inflammation due to an infectious etiology compared to those with non-infectious etiology (p = 0.0006). MVP levels significantly decreased during the first four days of infection in response to antibiotic treatment, while CRP levels showed a less-sensitive decline. An ROC curve analysis demonstrated that MVP and CRP have similarly high diagnostic accuracy, with AUCs of 0.955 and 0.995, respectively, followed by WBCs with an AUC of 0.805. Conclusions: The ROC curves demonstrated that MVP has the potential to serve as a diagnostic biomarker for inflammation and infection. Additionally, MVP levels may reflect the efficacy of antibiotic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4 February 1867 Cephalonia (Western Greece) earthquake is the largest in the Ionian Islands and one of the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it remained one of the least studied historical events. For reconstructing this earthquake, we reevaluated existing knowledge and used new contemporary and modern sources, including scientific and local writers' reports and books, local and national journals, newspapers, and ecclesiastical chronicles. The extracted information covered the earthquake parameters, population impact, building damage, and earthquake environmental effects (EEEs). The earthquake parameters included the origin time and duration of the main shock, epicenter location, precursors, aftershocks, and characteristics of the earthquake ground motion. The population impact involved direct and indirect health effects and population change. Building data highlighted the dominant building types and the types, grades, and distribution of damage. The EEEs included ground cracks, landslides, liquefaction, hydrological anomalies, and mild sea disturbances. Field surveys were also conducted for validation. The quantitative and qualitative information enabled the application of seismic intensity scales (EMS-98, ESI-07). The study concluded that since the affected areas were mainly composed of post-alpine deposits and secondarily of clay–clastic alpine formations with poor geotechnical properties, they were highly susceptible to failure. Effects and maximum intensities occurred in highly susceptible areas with a rich inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storm Daniel and subsequent floods hit the Region of Thessaly (Greece) in early September 2023, causing extensive damage to the built environment (buildings, networks, and infrastructure), the natural environment (water bodies and soil), and the population (fatalities, injured, homeless, and displaced people). Additionally, the conditions and factors favorable for indirect public health impact (infectious diseases) emerged in the flood-affected communities. The factors had to do with infectious diseases from rodents and vectors, injuries, respiratory infections, water contamination, flood waste and their disposal sites as well as structural damage to buildings and the failures of infrastructure. The conditions that evolved necessitated the mobilization of the Civil Protection and Public Health agencies not only to cope with the storm and subsequent floods but also to avoid and manage indirect public health impact. The instructions provided to affected residents, health experts, and Civil Protection staff were consistent with the best practices and lessons learned from previous disasters. The emphasis should be on training actions for competent agencies, as well as education and increasing the awareness of the general population. Non-structural and structural measures should be implemented for increasing the climate resilience of infrastructures including the health care systems within a One Health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes have the potential to cause severe and widespread structural damage to buildings and infrastructure in the affected area. Earthquake debris mainly results from building collapses during intense ground motion and the emergency demolition of damaged and unstable buildings following a devastating earthquake. Debris management constitutes a major challenge that must be met by all those participating in disaster management as it poses threats to both the natural environment and public health in an earthquake-affected area. This narrative review examines the hazards that arise throughout the early phases of debris removal, when personnel operate in disaster-affected areas, to the last steps of sorting and disposal. Furthermore, emphasis is also given to the environmental impact caused by unregulated debris disposal on natural habitats that are highly sensitive and susceptible to hazardous substances and materials found in the debris. In the same framework, measures are proposed for alleviating the negative impacts of debris management on the well-being of all individuals involved, including workers, volunteers, and the local community, as well as the surrounding natural environment, encompassing soil, surface and groundwater, as well as air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the third coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic wave in Athens metropolitan area (3 738 901 inhabitants) through two seroepidemiological surveys. Persons presenting in 12 healthcare facilities across Athens in March and June 2021 were studied (764 and 901, respectively). Immunoglobulin G antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike protein were measured by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. In March the seroprevalence rate was 11.6%, meaning that 435 208 residents of Athens had evidence of immunity. The respective values in June were 55.7% and 2 082 568 residents. The highest seroprevalence rates attributed to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were recorded in persons <18 years (16.3% in March and 31.6% in June), while immunity was mainly vaccine‐induced in persons 18–64 years and >65 years. Infection‐attributed immunity also increased in older‐age groups. Wide ranges in seroprevalence rates were noted across areas in March and June. The highest seroprevalence rates were recorded in Piraeus (47.2%) and West Attica (37.5%). However, the highest increase (>5 times) occurred in Piraeus and the South Section of Athens, which are among the most densely populated areas in Athens. In both study periods, history of COVID‐19 or febrile episode, and having a cohabitant with COVID‐19 were associated with increased risk for seropositivity among unvaccinated persons (p values <0.001 for all). Residing in Piraeus, the South Section or West Attica was associated with increased risk for seropositivity in June (p values <0.001). Wide heterogeneity in seroprevalence rates was found across areas in Athens, which is mainly attributed to population density. The impact of population mobility and socioeconomic status should be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) disease were recorded for three consecutive years in Greece following the year 2010 outbreak. A cross-sectional serologic survey was conducted to estimate the WNV seroprevalence and assess the ratio of infection to neuroinvasive disease. A stratified left-over sampling methodology was used including age and residence strata. A total of 3,962 serum samples was collected and tested for WNV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by Enzyme–Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All positive samples were further tested by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) and WNV Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. WNV IgG antibodies were detected in 82 samples and 61 were also positive in PRNT representing a weighted seroprevalence of 2.1% (95% C.I.: 1.7–2.6) and 1.5% (95% C.I.: 1.2–2.0), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that seroprevalence was associated with age and residence. The overall ratio of neuroinvasive disease to infected persons was estimated at 1:376 (95% C.I.: 1:421–1:338), while the elderly people had the highest ratio. This nationwide study provided valuable data regarding the epidemiology of WNV in Greece based on the fact that elderly people have higher risk of being both infected and having severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination against rabies and routine antibody testing of subjects participating in programs for the surveillance and control of rabies in animals is strongly recommended. The scope of this study is to describe the antibody level as measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after primary and booster intramuscular vaccination with a purified vero-cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) in high-risk professionals and to determine the influence of an array of factors on antibody level, that is, time elapsed since primary immunization series and booster dose, sex, age, pathologic conditions, high-risk occupation, and peak antibody level after initial scheme and booster dose. A primary series of three doses of PVRV was administered and a commercial ELISA was recommended 14 days postimmunization with continuous repetition at 6 months and yearly intervals for the laboratory personnel and the rest of the professionals, respectively. The protective antibody titer was defined as a minimum of 0.5 equivalent units/mL (EU/mL) (seroconvertion) and a booster dose was applied if the titer was determined nonprotective. The seroconversion rate (SCR) after primary vaccination was 100%, with a geometric mean titer (GMT) of 2.90 EU/mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.85-3.45). After booster vaccination due to nonprotective titer, the SCR was 100% and the GMT increased by 678% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 514-887) reaching 4.25 EU/mL (IQR: 4.00-4.60), 2.5 times higher than the GMT elicited by the primary vaccine scheme in the respective recipients. The titer dropped by 1.20% per month (95% CI: 0.52-1.89) regardless of booster administration or any other factor. Women had 51% higher titer compared with men (95% CI: 6-116). High-risk professionals should be verified for adequate antibody titers, but routine administration of a single booster dose of PVRV 1 year after the primary series could be considered; more evidence is needed to support the benefit in terms of immunity and logistics.