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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have great potential as biomarkers since their composition and concentration in biofluids are disease state dependent and their cargo can contain disease-related information. Large tumor-derived EVs (tdEVs, >1 μm) in blood from cancer patients are associated with poor outcome, and changes in their number can be used to monitor therapy effectiveness. Whereas, small tumor-derived EVs (

Abstract Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by hypermethylation of expanded CGG repeats (>200) in the FMR1 gene leading to gene silencing and loss of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) expression. FMRP plays important roles in neuronal function, and loss of FMRP in mouse and human FXS cell models leads to aberrant synaptic signaling and hyperexcitability. Multiple drug candidates have advanced into clinical trials for FXS, but no efficacious treatment has been identified to date, possibly as a consequence of poor translation from pre-clinical animal models to human. Here, we use a high resolution all-optical electrophysiology platform applied to multiple FXS patient-derived and CRISPR/Cas9-generated isogenic neuronal cell lines to develop a multi-parametric FXS disease phenotype. This neurophysiological phenotype was optimized and validated into a high throughput assay based on the amount of FMRP re-expression and the number of healthy neurons in a mosaic network necessary for functional rescue. The resulting highly sensitive and multiparameter functional assay can now be applied as a discovery platform to explore new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of FXS.

Midwifery practice inevitably includes miscarriages, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between attitudes toward death and emotional intelligence, personality, resilience, and justice beliefs among midwives in Greece. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 among 348 midwives employed in public hospitals, in regional health authorities, or as independent professionals. Research instruments included the Death Attitude Profile—Revised, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire—Short Form, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Belief in a Just World scale. The results revealed that greater emotional intelligence was significantly associated with higher scores in the escape acceptance subscale. Midwives scored low on the neutral acceptance subscale (2.9 ± 0.8), with the highest score being recorded in the escape acceptance subscale (4.6 ± 1.0), which was significantly associated with greater emotional intelligence. Neuroticism was significantly associated with the death avoidance, approach acceptance, fear of death, and escape acceptance subscales. Finally, the subscale of distributive justice beliefs for self and others was significantly associated with the subscales of death avoidance and approach acceptance. These findings highlight the nuanced perspectives within the healthcare community. As we delve deeper into the complexities of end-of-life care, understanding these diverse attitudes is crucial for providing comprehensive and empathetic support to both patients and healthcare professionals.

In traditional medicine, Ximenia americana (XA) is used to treat mental disorders, and headaches. The current study aimed to show the preventive and biochemical impacts of XA aqueou’s extract on diazepam-induced amnesia. Mice were randomized as follows: distilled water (10 mL/kg); diazepam (3 mg/kg); piracetam (PIR) (150 mg/kg); and XA experimental groups (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg). Mice were then treated in groups, 14 straight days. Radial arm maze (RAM) and T-maze were employed to assess different behaviours 30 min after each treatment. After the test was completed, the brains were isolated for histological and biochemical examinations. The results obtained showed that XA extract seriously (p < 0.001) reversed mistakes in working remembrance in the radial arm maze test contrasted to the normal control factions. In the T-maze test, pretreatment of mice with XA extract seriously (p < 0.001) expanded the time spent in the preferred arm when contrasted to the DZP-only treated faction. The XA-treated DZP groups showed subsequent (p < 0.001) improvement in catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GHS). A diminish in malondialdehyde (MDA) level was observed in brain homogenates of mice treated with the extract contrasted with the DZP- group. These few results regarding the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of XA extract at least partially demonstrate its empirical use in the treatment of certain pathologies.

Predictive tools provide a unique opportunity to explain the observed differences in outcome between patients of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to associate individual demographic and clinical characteristics with disease severity in COVID-19 patients and to highlight the importance of machine learning (ML) in disease prognosis. The study enrolled 344 unvaccinated patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data collected by integrating questionnaires and medical records were imported into various classification machine learning algorithms, and the algorithm and the hyperparameters with the greatest predictive ability were selected for use in a disease outcome prediction web tool. Of 111 independent features, age, sex, hypertension, obesity, and cancer comorbidity were found to be associated with severe COVID-19. Our prognostic tool can contribute to a successful therapeutic approach via personalized treatment. Although at the present time vaccination is not considered mandatory, this algorithm could encourage vulnerable groups to be vaccinated.

Le cancer buccal fait partie des cancers de la tête et du cou. Il entraine des altérations destructives du visage avec des répercussions sociales pour le malade et son entourage. L’objectif de cette étude a consisté à identifier les différents problèmes socio-médicaux, socioéconomiques ; socio-psychologiques et socioreligieux du cancer buccal. Sous l’angle méthodologique, une recherche électronique pertinente a été entreprise au niveau des trois bases des données (Pub Med, Google Scholar, Cross réf). Les articles publiés en anglais et en français entre janvier 1985 et 2022 traitant des aspects sociaux du cancer buccal ont été inclus et discutés dans cette revue de la littérature. A propos des résultats, sur 740 articles retrouvés dans la littérature, 42 ont été sélectionnés. Les différents facteurs sociaux liés au cancer buccal ont été discutés dans cette revue de la littérature. En conclusion, les résultats ont montré que le cancer buccal engendre plusieurs répercussions sociales tant sur le malade que son entourage.

Neonatal brain injury (NBI) is a critical condition for preterm neonates with potential long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This prospective longitudinal case–control study aimed at investigating the levels and prognostic value of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) during the first 3 days of life in preterm neonates (n = 29) with a neonate who had a normal head ultrasound scan (n = 29). We report that serum NSE levels during the first three days of life do not differ significantly between control and preterm neonates with NBI. Nevertheless, subgroup analysis revealed that neonates with IVH had significantly higher concentrations of serum NSE in comparison to controls and neonates with PVL on the third day of life (p = 0.014 and p = 0.033, respectively). The same pattern on the levels of NSE on the third day of life was also observed between (a) neonates with IVH and all other neonates (PVL and control; p = 0.003), (b) neonates with II–IV degree IVH and all other neonates (p = 0.003), and (c) between control and the five (n = 5) neonates that died from the case group (p = 0.023). We conclude that NSE could be an effective and useful biomarker on the third day of life for the identification of preterm neonates at high risk of developing severe forms of IVH.

Marine aggregates have been intensively extracted in the North-East Atlantic over the past decades. This study aimed to assess the effect of sand extraction on benthic ecosystem functioning using a combination of biological traits and functional indices (the bioturbation (BPc) and irrigation potential (IPc) and secondary production (SPc) of the macrobenthic community). Data on macrobenthos, sediment properties and extraction intensity were collected over a time period of ten years (2010 – 2019) for three coarse sediment extraction areas in the Belgian Part of the North Sea, each with a different extraction regime. Sediment parameters such as the medium sand fraction (250 – 500 µm) and median grain size showed a significant effect on all functional indices. Whilst sand extraction variables only significantly affected secondary production estimates. The secondary production of the macrobenthic community decreased following a high yearly extraction intensity, whereas a high cumulative (10-year period) extraction intensity resulted in a slightly increased secondary production. Species-specific responses revealed that these high cumulative extraction volumes increased the abundance of opportunistic species, which could have contributed to the higher SPc values observed in cumulative disturbed areas. Response traits such as tube-living and sessile individuals with a pelagic egg development were positively influenced by a long-term disturbance, an indication of a more disturbance-tolerant community. A short-term disturbance rather seemed to favor a macrobenthic community characterized by a higher burrowing capability. In terms of effect traits, both short- and long-term extraction clearly favored deposit feeders, which can structure organic matter distribution and thus indirectly influence nutrient and oxygen fluxes as well. Future in situ measurements in sand extraction areas could help to unravel and strengthen our understanding of the ecosystem processes linked to these trait-based observations.

Background and Purpose: Evidence-based practice can improve quality of care and patient and system outcomes. Healthcare professionals need certain research competencies to achieve evidence-based practice. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the self-reported 19-item Research Competencies Assessment Instrument for Nurses (RCAIN) with Greek. Methods: This cross-sectional study included in total, 520 respondents (within 33 health organizations) who completed the 5-point Likert-type RCAIN as well as the 8-item “Research Utilization by Nurses” that was used to assess construct validity. Expert scholars translated both survey questionnaires into the Greek language. A baseline one-factor model was compared against three-factor model (i.e., knowledge, skills, and application of knowledge and skills) that were developed based on the hypothetical design of the instrument. Results: Participants were females (86.4%) 50 years old or younger (91%). The RCAIN had a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.937 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.440 (95% CI 0.403 to 0.480, p

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of low quality, wet biogenic residues into intermediate bioenergy carriers can potentially contribute to a more flexible and stable renewable energy system and reduce environmental impacts compared to current residue disposal practices. This study quantifies the environmental impacts via life cycle assessment (LCA) of a novel hydrothermal process for the treatment on an industrial scale of application of three wet biogenic residues (paper bio-sludge, olive pomace, and orange peel) into bioenergy carriers, i.e., solid pellets and biogas. A comprehensive attributional cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted; the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) utilised the ReCiPe impact assessment method. A selection of 10 significant impact categories was prioritised. Reliability of this categorization was also ensured through a sensitivity analysis carried out using Monte Carlo simulation. Climate change, particulate matter formation and terrestrial acidification impact categories showed the highest reliability, while for freshwater ecotoxicity and freshwater eutrophication impact categories in the study suggest the need for more robust data and further investigation. The climate change impact category presents the following values, as kg CO2eq/tresidue: pulp and paper bio-sludge (PPB), 17.9; olive pomace (OP), −1290; orange peel (ORP), −1301. The LCA study compared electricity yields of the hydrothermal treatment process with conventional treatment processes for each of the target residue streams. The environmental performance of the proposed hydrothermal treatment benefits significantly from the combination of intermediate bioenergy carriers (pellets) from the solid fraction with biogas production from the liquid fraction. Avoided emissions due to the heat recovery provide further environmental benefits. The LCIA results show that the carbon footprint of the F-CUBED production system, as kgCO2eq/kWhe, accounts for –4.56, −0.63, and −0.25 for paper bio-sludge, olive pomace and orange peel, respectively.

The adulteration of olive oil is a crucial matter for food safety authorities, global organizations, and consumers. To guarantee olive oil authenticity, the European Union (EU) has promoted the labeling of olive oils with the indices of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Identification (PGI), while food security agencies are also interested in newly emerging technologies capable of operating reliably, fast, and in real-time, either in situ or remotely, for quality control. Among the proposed methods, photonic technologies appear to be suitable and promising for dealing with this issue. In this regard, a laser-based technique, namely, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), assisted via machine learning tools, is proposed for the real-time detection of olive oil adulteration with lower-quality oils (i.e., pomace, soybean, sunflower, and corn oils). The results of the present work demonstrate the high efficiency and potential of the LIBS technique for the rapid detection of olive oil adulteration and the detection of adulterants.

Educational robotics (ER) is a growing interdisciplinary field that is attracting increasing attention in inclusive or special education settings. It provides a suitable educational environment for the participation of students with autism, through which they can utilize their main strengths and interests. Strengths-based vs. deficits-based approaches recognize the strengths and interests of autistic children as the starting point for their inclusion in school and the community. The scoping review was developed as the best knowledge-synthesis method for summarizing the pertinent research on the participation of students with autism in educational robotics for their successful inclusion. Forty-five studies were included and analyzed to address the main objectives, the mapping of contextual dimensions, and the specific characteristics of the educational robotic activities where the participation of students with autism occurred. The data were extracted into a charting framework, and a narrative analysis was adopted for the knowledge synthesis. According to the results, the research on the participation of children with autism is limited and has focused primarily on educational robotic activities, failing to adequately explore other dimensions that affect the successful participation and inclusion of students with autism in educational robotics.

This literature review aims to collect systematically peer-reviewed research articles published in scientific journals that focus on the participation of children with disabilities in collaborative educational robotics activities. After systematic research, using three major digital scientific libraries, we full-screened eleven research studies that were implemented in inclusive or special settings and published during the period 2010-2022. These articles were selected as they described in detail the psycho-pedagogical methods that were used by the researchers to foster the participation of children with disabilities in collaborative educational robotics activities. The psycho-pedagogical methods have been categorized and presented critically in relation to the research methods and results. Finally, the discussion section of this review highlights the need of promoting collaborative methods in the context of inclusive educational robotics environments.

The potential yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and other major crops is curtailed by several biotic, abiotic, and socio-economic constraints. Parasitic weeds, Striga spp., are major constraints to cereal and legume crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yield losses reaching 100% are reported in maize under severe Striga infestation. Breeding for Striga resistance has been shown to be the most economical, feasible, and sustainable approach for resource-poor farmers and for being environmentally friendly. Knowledge of the genetic and genomic resources and components of Striga resistance is vital to guide genetic analysis and precision breeding of maize varieties with desirable product profiles under Striga infestation. This review aims to present the genetic and genomic resources, research progress, and opportunities in the genetic analysis of Striga resistance and yield components in maize for breeding. The paper outlines the vital genetic resources of maize for Striga resistance, including landraces, wild relatives, mutants, and synthetic varieties, followed by breeding technologies and genomic resources. Integrating conventional breeding, mutation breeding, and genomic-assisted breeding [i.e., marker-assisted selection, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, next-generation sequencing, and genome editing] will enhance genetic gains in Striga resistance breeding programs. This review may guide new variety designs for Striga-resistance and desirable product profiles in maize.

Crateva adansonii (CA) is traditionally used in the treatment of epilepsy and memory loss. This work aims to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of the dichloromethane/methanol extract of CA trunk bark in a chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression (UCMS) model in mice. After exposure of mice to UCMS for 42 days, anhedonia was assessed using the sucrose preference test, antidepressant effects by the forced swim and caudal suspension tests, anxiolytic effects by the light/dark compartment (LDB) and open arena (OF) tests. Oxidative stress parameters Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Reduced Glutathione (GSH) were assessed. The results showed that multiple administrations of C. adansonii extract (150 and 300 mg/kg, resulted in a significant increase from 38.5% to 64.9% (p

Background: The human microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms, significantly influences human health and disease. During critical periods like the perinatal phase, the microbiome undergoes significant changes, impacting lifelong health. Tobacco smoke, a known environmental pollutant, has adverse effects on health, particularly during pregnancy. Despite this, its association with the perinatal microbiome remains understudied. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to integrate findings on perinatal tobacco smoke exposure and its association with the maternal and neonatal microbiomes. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to February 2024. We selected studies that met predefined inclusion criteria and performed data extraction. Results: The review included eight studies that revealed diverse associations of perinatal tobacco exposure with the maternal and neonatal microbiome. Active smoking during pregnancy was linked to alterations in microbiome composition and diversity in children. Maternal smoking correlated with increased Firmicutes abundance and decreased Akkermansia muciniphila abundance in offspring. Additionally, exposure to thirdhand smoke in neonatal intensive care units was related to infant microbiome diversity. Infants exposed to tobacco smoke showed various microbial changes, suggesting potential implications for childhood health outcomes, including obesity risk. Conclusions: Perinatal exposure to tobacco smoke exerts significant influence on the maternal and neonatal microbiomes, with potential implications for long-term health outcomes. Addressing socioeconomic and psychological barriers to smoking cessation, implementing stricter smoking regulations, and promoting public health campaigns are essential steps towards reducing tobacco-related harm during the perinatal period. Further longitudinal studies and standardized assessment methods are needed to validate these findings and guide the development of effective preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive tools provide a unique opportunity to explain the observed differences in outcome between patients of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to associate individual demographic and clinical characteristics with disease severity in COVID-19 patients and to highlight the importance of machine learning (ML) in disease prognosis. The study enrolled 344 unvaccinated patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data collected by integrating questionnaires and medical records were imported into various classification machine learning algorithms, and the algorithm and the hyperparameters with the greatest predictive ability were selected for use in a disease outcome prediction web tool. Of 111 independent features, age, sex, hypertension, obesity, and cancer comorbidity were found to be associated with severe COVID-19. Our prognostic tool can contribute to a successful therapeutic approach via personalized treatment. Although at the present time vaccination is not considered mandatory, this algorithm could encourage vulnerable groups to be vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to examine the properties of a curriculum-based pre-referral screening tool. According to the current Greek preschool curriculum, preschoolers' participation is evaluated across five core axes, namely Play, Routines, Daily Activities, Explorations, and Organized Activities. Teacher evaluations sorted 201 preschoolers into one of three groups: (1) referred to a pre-referral intervention program, (2) referred to an educational diagnosis process, or (3) not referred at all. Classification And Regression Tree (CART) analyses revealed that teachers' ratings on the tool can correctly predict the pupils' membership to both of the pre-referral and not referral groups. In fact, depending on the targeted group, prediction accuracy ranged as high as 85% to 100%. The inclusion of participation in activities requiring fine motor skills and body relaxation increased the prediction rates to 97.5% for both groups.

Diospyros mespilliformis (DM) is a plant of the Ebonaceae family that is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy and schizophrenia. Radial arm mazes (RAM), Y mazes, and the novel object recognition test (NOR) were used to assess working and reference memory in mice. After the different tests, the hippocampus of the animals was separated for the determination of biochemical markers such as acetylcholinesterase (AchE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The plant extract produced a significant rise in the percentage of alternation of mice in the Y-maze test, the time to observe the new object at the dose of 50 mg/kg (p

Educational Robotics in inclusive learning environments creates a wide area of research where innovative teaching practices and theoretical approaches are developed and investigated in order for the new growing educational challenges to be met. In this context, an educational intervention research was carried out using mixed research methodology. The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of the“SAS Strategy Training” a strategy that developed to foster the participation of children with autism, at level 2, in inclusive teamwork with peers during construction and programming LEGO Mindstorms. 2 children, 10-11 years old, diagnosed with autism, at level 2, participated in two inclusive educational robotics teams with typical peers. Τhe SaS Strategy has been integrated in the collaboration script that was designed to support the interaction between the team members during their collaboration on programming LEGO Mindstorms. The “SaS Strategy Training” had encouraging results in reducing the barriers of the participation of the children with autism in teamwork with their typical peers. Critical questions, reflections and new research horizons emerged.

The L-type Ca2+ channel Cav1.2 controls multiple functions throughout the body including heart rate and neuronal excitability. It is a key mediator of fight-or-flight stress responses triggered by a signaling pathway involving β-adrenergic receptors (βARs), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and protein kinase A (PKA). PKA readily phosphorylates Ser1928 in Cav1.2 in vitro and in vivo, including in rodents and humans. However, S1928A knock-in (KI) mice have normal PKA-mediated L-type channel regulation in the heart, indicating that Ser1928 is not required for regulation of cardiac Cav1.2 by PKA in this tissue. We report that augmentation of L-type currents by PKA in neurons was absent in S1928A KI mice. Furthermore, S1928A KI mice failed to induce long-term potentiation in response to prolonged theta-tetanus (PTT-LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity that requires Cav1.2 and enhancement of its activity by the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR)-cAMP-PKA cascade. Thus, there is an unexpected dichotomy in the control of Cav1.2 by PKA in cardiomyocytes and hippocampal neurons.

Pharmacological treatment may become a barrier for a mother’s breastfeeding goals. We aimed to investigate maternal medication intake as a factor for non-initiation and cessation of breastfeeding and the effect of professional counseling on maternal decision-making. Throughout 2020, 847 women were recruited from five healthcare institutions. Information was gathered prospectively with an organized questionnaire through interview during hospitalization and through telephone at 1, 3 and 6 months postpartum. Results revealed that from the 57 cases of breastfeeding cessation due to medication intake, only 10.5% received evidence-based counseling from a physician. Unfortunately, 68.4% (n = 39/57) of the participants ceased breastfeeding due to erroneous professional advice. The compatibility of medicines with breastfeeding was examined according to the Lactmed and Hale classification systems, which showed discrepancy in 8 out of 114 medicines used, while 17.5% and 13.2% of the medicines, respectively, were not classified. Educational level, employment at six months postpartum, mode of delivery, previous breastfeeding experience, medication intake for chronic diseases, physician’s recommendation and smoking before pregnancy were factors significantly correlated with breastfeeding discontinuation due to medication intake. The COVID-19 restrictions protected women from ceasing breastfeeding due to medication intake. Maternal and lactation consultancy should be strictly related to evidence-based approaches.

Midwives' self-efficacy can significantly affect the provided care and, therefore, maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations of perceived self-efficacy with emotional intelligence, personality, resilience, and attitudes towards death among midwives in Greece. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 348 midwives were recruited in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The participants were employed as independent professionals, in public hospitals or regional health authorities. Data collection involved five research instruments: the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC), and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) scale. The mean score for the GSES was 29.1 (SD = 4.2), suggesting a moderately elevated level of self-efficacy among midwives. The results revealed that higher scores on the GSES were significantly associated with higher scores on the Extraversion subscale (p < 0.001) and lower scores on the Neuroticism (p < 0.001) and Lie (p = 0.002) subscales of the EPQ. Additionally, high self-efficacy was significantly correlated with high emotional intelligence (p < 0.001), high neutral acceptance of death (p = 0.009), and high resilience (p < 0.001). These findings highlight the relationship between the self-efficacy of Greek midwives and various psychological factors, as well as the multifaceted nature of self-efficacy and its importance for midwives' psychological well-being and professional functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]