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Sixteen surface (5) and groundwater (11) samples were collected from the south-eastern part of Attica, Greece, and analysed for physico-chemical parameters and microplastics (MPs) by optical microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy (RS). A total of 3399 particles were optically identified in all sixteen samples, ranging from only 16 particles/L in a sample from a deeper borehole to 513 particles/L in a sample from a shallow water well. They were then visually classified into eight categories based on their color, texture, size, reflectivity, shape, and general morphological properties. Raman microspectroscopy was performed on the particles on the filters and revealed four different types of MPs, namely polyethylene (PE, 35%), polypropylene (PP, 30%), polystyrene (PS, 10%), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 25%). The samples from the shallow phreatic aquifer contained more MPs than the samples from the deeper borehole, which contained fewer MPs and categories. This is to be expected, since the phreatic aquifer (a) is generally more contaminated, as it is close to human activities that generate MPs and its infiltration depth is only a few metres, which means that many microplastics can infiltrate at such shallow depths, and (b) it is exposed to the atmosphere, so they can also be suspended in the air. On the other hand, it is interesting to note that MPs, especially PET and PE, were detected in the borehole sample, suggesting that MPs can migrate to greater depths through water infiltration. Chemical analyses of the groundwater samples revealed high values of E.C., Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, and Na+, which indicate that seawater intrusion is taking place in the coastal aquifer system of the Erasinos basin. The increased concentrations of NO3− and PO43− also indicate the impact of agricultural activities.

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presence and is more pronounced with increasing OSA severity; however, the relationship between these two entities remains unclear. This was a cross-sectional study among 262 adults with in-hospital-attended polysomnography-diagnosed OSA and no additional major comorbidities, aiming to explore possible associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and polysomnographic parameters. Data on demographics, medical history, anthropometric indices, and lifestyle habits were collected at enrolment. Serum 25(OH)D was evaluated using chemiluminescence, with VDD defined as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL. VDD was observed in 63% of the participants. Serum 25(OH)D correlated negatively with apnea–hypopnea index and other polysomnographic indices (all p < 0.05). In logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, dietary vitamin D intake, and season of blood sampling, serum 25(OH)D was associated with lower odds of severe OSA [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.94 (0.90–0.98)]. In the same multivariate model, VDD was associated with ~threefold higher odds of severe OSA [2.75 (1.38–5.48)]. In stratified analyses, VDD predicted OSA severity in the group of participants ≥50 y [3.54 (1.29–9.68)] and among those with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 [3.38 (1.52–7.52)], but not in the younger and non-obese adults. This study provides further evidence of an inverse association between vitamin D levels and OSA severity and underscores the importance of considering vitamin D status as a potential modifiable factor in the comprehensive management of OSA.

Protein function can be modulated by phase transitions in their material properties, which can range from liquid- to solid-like; yet, the mechanisms that drive these transitions and whether they are important for physiology are still unknown. In the model plant Arabidopsis, we show that developmental robustness is reinforced by phase transitions of the plasma membrane-bound lipid-binding protein SEC14-like. Using imaging, genetics, and in vitro reconstitution experiments, we show that SEC14-like undergoes liquid-like phase separation in the root stem cells. Outside the stem cell niche, SEC14-like associates with the caspase-like protease separase and conserved microtubule motors at unique polar plasma membrane interfaces. In these interfaces, SEC14-like undergoes processing by separase, which promotes its liquid-to-solid transition. This transition is important for root development, as lines expressing an uncleavable SEC14-like variant or mutants of separase and associated microtubule motors show similar developmental phenotypes. Furthermore, the processed and solidified but not the liquid form of SEC14-like interacts with and regulates the polarity of the auxin efflux carrier PINFORMED2. This work demonstrates that robust development can involve liquid-to-solid transitions mediated by proteolysis at unique plasma membrane interfaces.

In a recent study of our group with the acronym ACTIVATE, Bacillus Calmete-Guérin (BCG) vaccination reduced the occurrence of new infections compared to placebo vaccination in the elderly. Most benefit was found for respiratory infections. The ACTIVATE-2 study was launched to assess the efficacy of BCG vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this multicenter, double-blind trial, 301 volunteers aged 50 years or older were randomized (1:1) to be vaccinated with BCG or placebo. The trial end points were the incidence of COVID-19 and the presence of anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti–SARS-CoV-2) antibodies, which were both evaluated through 6 months after study intervention. Results revealed 68% relative reduction of the risk to develop COVID-19, using clinical criteria or/and laboratory diagnosis, in the group of BCG vaccine recipients compared with placebo-vaccinated controls, during a 6-month follow-up (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.79). In total, eight patients were in need of hospitalization for COVID-19: six in the placebo group and two in the BCG group. Three months after study intervention, positive anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were noted in 1.3% of volunteers in the placebo group and in 4.7% of participants in BCG-vaccinated group. The ACTIVATE II trial did not meet the primary endpoint of the reduction of the risk for COVID-19 3 months after BCG vaccination; however, the secondary endpoint of the reduction of the risk for COVID-19 6 months after BCG vaccination was met. BCG vaccination may be a promising approach against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Synthetic nesquehonite with a Mg(HCO3)OH·2H2O chemical formula is a solid product of CO2 mineralization with cementitious properties. It constitutes an “MHCH” (magnesium hydroxy-carbonate hydrate) phase and, along with dypingite and hydromagnesite, is considered to be a promising permanent and safe solution for CO2 storage with potential utilization as a supplementary material in “green” building materials. In this work, synthetic nesquehonite-based mortars were evaluated in terms of their compressive strengths. Nesquehonite was synthesized by CO2 mineralization under ambient conditions (25 °C and 1 atm). A saturated Mg2+ solution was used at a pH of 9.3. The synthesized nesquehonite was subsequently studied by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Impurity-free nesquehonite formed elongated fibers, often around a centerpiece, creating a rosette-like structure. The synthesized nesquehonite was mixed with reactive magnesia, natural pozzolan, standard aggregate sand and water to create a mortar. The mortar was cast into 5 × 5 × 5 silicone mold and cured in water for 28 days. A compressive strength of up to 22 MPa was achieved. An X-ray diffraction study of the cured mortars revealed the formation of brucite as the main hydration crystalline phase. Carbon dioxide mineralized nesquehonite is a very promising “green” building material with competitive properties that might prove to be an essential part of the circular economy industrial approach.

In the era of Industry 4.0, gender discrimination still exists especially in be male-dominated workplaces, such as the stone sector. Combating gender discrimination in the stone sector is a demanding task that calls for integrated planning and targeted interventions. This paper presents the results of the “WinSTONE” Erasmus+ project, aiming at the development of suitable training tools for the integration of women in the stone industry. Based on the main challenges, as well as on the emerging opportunities for women in the sector, a training methodology is being developed to deal with the actual needs.

The hydrogeochemical processes and natural background levels (NBLs) of chromium in the ultramafic environment of Vermio Mountain, Western Macedonia, Greece, were studied. Seventy groundwater samples were collected from 15 natural springs between 2014–2020, and an extensive set of physical and chemical parameters were determined. The ultramafic-dominated environment of western Vermio Mt. favors elevated groundwater concentrations of dissolved magnesium (Mg2+), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), and Cr in natural spring waters. Chromium was the principal environmental parameter that exhibited a wide range of concentrations, from 0.5 to 131.5 μg/L, systematically exceeding the permissible limit of 50 μg/L for drinking water. Statistical evaluation of hydrogeological, hydrochemical, and hydrological data highlighted the water-ultramafic rock process as the predominant contributor of Cr in groundwater. The NBL assessment for Cr and Cr(VI) was successfully applied to the typical ultramafic-dominated spring “Potistis” that satisfied all the methodology criteria. The NBLs of Cr and Cr(VI) were defined at 130 μg/L and 100 μg/L, respectively, revealing that a natural ultramafic-dominated environment exhibits the geochemical potential to contribute very high concentrations of geogenic Cr to groundwater. The holistic methodology, proposed herein, could be implemented in any catchment scale to assess geogenic and anthropogenic Cr-sources that degrade groundwater quality.

Background: We directly compared CTC detection rates and prognostic significance, using three different methods in patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods: Early (n=200) and metastatic (n=164) patients were evaluated before initiating adjuvant or first-line chemotherapy, using the CellSearchTM System, an RT-qPCR for CK-19 mRNA detection and by double immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy using A45-B/B3 and CD45 antibodies. Results: Using the CellSearchTM System, 37% and 16.5% of early BC patients were CTC-positive (at ≥1 and ≥2 CTCs/23 ml of blood), 18.0% by RT-qPCR and 16.9% by IF; no agreement was observed between methods. By the CellSearchTM 34.8% and 53.7% (at≥ 5 and ≥ 2 CTCs/7.5 ml) of metastatic patients were CTC-positive, 37.8% by RT-qPCR and 28.5% by IF. A significant agreement existed only between the CellSearchTM and RT-qPCR. In 60.8% of cases, differential EpCAM and CK-19 expression on CTCs by IF could explain the discrepancies between the CellSearchTM and RT-qPCR. CTC-positivity by either method was associated with decreased overall survival in metastatic patients. Conclusion: A significant concordance was observed between the CellSearchTM and RT-qPCR in metastatic but not in early BC. Discordant results could be explained in part by CTC heterogeneity. CTC detection by all methods evaluated had prognostic relevance in metastatic patients.

Plants respond to pathogens through dynamic regulation of plasma membrane-bound signaling pathways. To date, how the plant plasma membrane is involved in responses to viruses is mostly unknown. Here, we show that plant cells sense the Potato virus X (PVX) COAT PROTEIN and TRIPLE GENE BLOCK 1 proteins and subsequently trigger the activation of a membrane-bound calcium-dependent kinase. We show that the Arabidopsis thaliana CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 3-interacts with group 1 REMORINs in vivo, phosphorylates the intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain of the Group 1 REMORIN REM1.3, and restricts PVX cell-to-cell movement. REM1.3's phospho-status defines its plasma membrane nanodomain organization and is crucial for REM1.3-dependent restriction of PVX cell-to-cell movement by regulation of callose deposition at plasmodesmata. This study unveils plasma membrane nanodomain-associated molecular events underlying the plant immune response to viruses.