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This study investigates the effectiveness of the "Power of Camp Inclusion" program in enhancing social skills among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an integrated educational environment of a camp. Caregivers, who received pedagogical training on disability issues, evaluated the program. The study involved 22 individuals with ASD, aged 7-25 years (mean age: 14.82), and 22 companions, aged 20-56 years (mean age: 25.27). Caregivers received in vivo training on social skills to support their role in the program. The Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) was used to assess social skills, including Social Reciprocity, Social Participation, and Harmful Social Behaviors, as well as the overall index of social skills. In addition to ASSP, all participants underwent semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis examined demographic data, internal consistency of variables, their correlation, and t-test analyses of a sample and paired observations. The results indicated that the implementation of the "Power of Camp Inclusion" program had positive effects on the development of social reciprocity, social participation, overall index of social skills, and reduction of harmful social behaviors among children with ASD. The findings of this study highlight the importance of educational programs that support the development of social skills for children with ASD and emphasize the need for such programs to be integrated into modern educational policies.

The past decades have illustrated the power of T-cell engineering in the development of new and successful cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells. Despite clinical success in hematological malignancies, it also becomes increasingly clear that additional T-cell engineering will be required to improve efficacy and safety and expand the application to solid tumors. Engineering is most often achieved by viral delivery of transgenes, however, viral vector capacity limitations make efficient and reproducible generation of multi transgene expressing T-cell therapeutics technically challenging. We here describe a convenient and efficient method for the delivery of up to three γ-retroviral CAR vectors in T-cells. We achieved this using virus vector mixtures that are simultaneously produced at high titers by double- or triple- transduced stable virus producer cells. We show that this method is superior in overall efficiency and reproducibility to conventional double or triple CAR transductions, in which separate viral batches are used. Due to its robustness, this method can facilitate the research and the development for advanced T-cell engineering towards more effective and safe therapies.

University student wellbeing, viewed as a crucial factor for academic achievement, has become a significant concern for educational systems worldwide due to the growing incidence of students with increased stress and emotional health problems. Adopting a cross-sectional research design, this study seeks to explore undergraduate students’ academic wellbeing within a Greek academic context by identifying profiles of academic wellbeing as reported by participants in our sample, examine the extent to which these profiles differ by their demographic characteristics, personality traits, and grit, and determine the effects of the big five personality traits and grit on student wellbeing. Data were collected using a convenience sampling method with 206 first-year Greek undergraduate students majoring in Agriculture and Forestry completing an online survey questionnaire. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct academic wellbeing profiles, i.e., low (‘the overwhelmed’), medium (‘the balanced’), and high (‘the resilient’), that statistically differed by gender, age, field of academic studies, grit level, and personality traits. No statistically significant association was found between overall student wellbeing, self-reported grit levels, and personality traits. However, stepwise multiple regression results showed that the grit subscale of consistency of interests negatively predicts certain aspects of student wellbeing outcomes leading to a decline in self-reported levels of wellbeing and increasing levels of negative emotions and meaninglessness. This study further discusses potential initiatives and interventions adopted to enhance student wellbeing in higher education.

Background: A specific deletion on the short arm of chromosome 5 (5p) is the hallmark of the rare genetic syndrome called Cri du Chat Syndrome (CdCS). It causes severe difficulty with swallowing, speech, motor skills, and cognitive deficiencies. These arise from characteristic laryngeal abnormalities and oral–motor dysfunctions. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of speech and language intervention in addressing the multifaceted challenges of CdCS, including speech and language impairments, feeding difficulties, and social communication deficits. Methods: A narrative review was conducted to synthesize existing studies from the last 35 years on therapeutic interventions for individuals with CdCS. This review focused on interventions targeting speech, language, and swallowing therapy. Comprehensive searches were performed in the PubMed and Scopus databases using descriptors such as “Cri du Chat”, “swallowing disorders”, “speech disorders”, “speech and language disorders”, and “speech and language therapy.” From the identified records, 40 peer-reviewed English-language publications that addressed speech, language, and swallowing interventions were selected based on relevance and inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed independently by four reviewers, working in two teams. Any disagreements between the teams were resolved through discussion with an independent researcher to ensure reliability and minimize bias. Results: The findings demonstrate that speech and language therapy (SLT) significantly enhances speech clarity, articulation, and oral–motor coordination. Augmentative communication systems effectively bridge gaps in nonverbal communication, fostering improved social interaction. Specific interventions reduce aspiration risks and improve feeding safety, enhancing the overall quality of life. Early multidisciplinary approaches and tailored therapeutic strategies are key to maximizing the benefits of SLT. Conclusions: SLT is crucial for improving communication, swallowing, and social integration in individuals with CdCS. Regular early intervention involving individualized programs and family participation is recommended to achieve optimal outcomes. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term effects and develop cultural and technologically adaptable therapies.

The specific objective of the present study was to develop computational models, by means of which predictions could be performed regarding the quality of the bulk-tank milk in dairy sheep and goat farms. Our hypothesis was that use of specific variables related to the health management applied in the farm can facilitate the development of predictions regarding values related to milk quality, specifically for fat content, protein content, fat and protein content combined, somatic cell counts, and total bacterial counts. Bulk-tank milk from 325 sheep and 119 goat farms was collected and evaluated by established techniques for analysis of fat and protein content, for somatic cell counting, and for total bacterial counting. Subsequently, computational models were constructed for the prediction of five target values: (a) fat content, (b) protein content, (c) fat and protein, (d) somatic cell counts, and (e) total bacterial counts, through the use of 21 independent variables related to factors prevalent in the farm. Five machine learning tools were employed: decision trees (18 different models evaluated), random forests (16 models), XGBoost (240 models), k-nearest neighbours (72 models), and neural networks (576 models) (in total, 9220 evaluations were performed). Tools found with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between the five tools used to test predictions for each target value were selected. In sheep farms, for the prediction of protein content, k-nearest neighbours was selected (MAPE: 3.95%); for the prediction of fat and protein content combined, neural networks was selected (6.00%); and for the prediction of somatic cell counts, random forests and k-nearest neighbours were selected (6.55%); no tool provided useful predictions for fat content and for total bacterial counts. In goat farms, for the prediction of protein content, k-nearest neighbours was selected (MAPE: 6.17%); for the prediction of somatic cell counts, random forests and k-nearest neighbours were selected (4.93% and 5.00%); and for the prediction of total bacterial counts, neural networks was selected (8.33%); no tool provided useful prediction models for fat content and for fat and protein content combined. The results of the study will be of interest to farmers, as well as to professionals; the findings will also be useful to dairy processing factories. That way, it will be possible to obtain a distance-aware, rapid, quantitative estimation of the milk output from sheep and goat farms with sufficient data attributes. It will thus become easier to monitor and improve milk quality at the farm level as part of the dairy production chain. Moreover, the findings can support the setup of relevant and appropriate measures and interventions in dairy sheep and goat farms.

The objectives of the present work were the investigation of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in dogs in small ruminant farms in Greece, the elucidation of potential predictors for these infections and the description of practices related to administration of anthelmintics to dogs. This study was carried out in 444 small ruminant farms in Greece. Faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of the dogs in the farms. The samples were processed by means of conventional parasitological techniques, specifically, a combined sedimentation flotation technique. There were dogs in 92.8% of the farms, with a median number of four dogs per farm. The following variables were associated with the presence of dogs in the farms: the presence of wild mammal predators near the farms, the increased daily period of farmers’ presence at the farm, goats as the livestock species at the farm and the management system applied in the farm. Helminth eggs were detected in samples from 72.6% of the farms. The main helminth eggs detected were those of hookworms (Uncinaria/Ancylostoma) and Toxocara canis, in 68.6% and 51.3% of the farms, respectively. In our multivariable analyses, an association emerged between the presence of canid predators near a farm and the detection of these helminths in faecal samples: in 76% and 60% of the samples, respectively, versus in 58% and 39% of the samples from farms with no canid presence. Of farmers with dogs, 16.0% reported that they omitted the administration of anthelmintics to the animals. In multivariable analysis, the semi-extensive or extensive management system applied in the farm, the lower annual milk production per animal and the lack of collaboration with a veterinary practice were the significant predictors for the omission of anthelmintic administration to the farm dogs. There was also a clear association in the omission of anthelmintic administration to the dogs and to the livestock on the farm. The most frequently administered anthelmintic was praziquantel, which was used in 93.6% of the farms.

Interactivity, a fundamental aspect of traditional face-to-face teaching, is a central concern in the design planning and organization of technology mediated instructional settings and online learning, because it is crucial in knowledge acquisition and the development of cognitive skills, and is intrinsic to effective instructional practice and individual discovery. The present paper aims to critically review a set of recent representative empirical studies during the period 2010-2019 focusing on the pedagogical expediency of learner-centered interaction in online learning contexts, to identify which aspects of collaborative learning could successfully be integrated within a structured learning management system environment to safeguard high-quality online learning. Searches for the identification of relevant empirical studies were conducted via Science Direct, EdITLib, IRRODL, SpringerLink, IEEE Xplore Digital Library and Scopus using keywords such as learner interactions, online learning, virtual learning environments, student success, e-learner satisfaction and online education. The search yielded 22 key studies focusing on learner-centered types of online interaction in relation to their contribution to student success and satisfaction in virtual learning environments. Our presentation of relevant research is based on five key types of interactive relationships identified in the field of distance education and culminates in a discussion of potential implications for a successful online learning experience and learner satisfaction.

Low computer anxiety (CA) and high computer self-efficacy (CSE) levels are important affective factors that promote students' academic success in the current digital era. In an effort to understand their role in successful and effective participation in online learning environments for language learning purposes, the study investigated their effect on 331 undergraduate L2 learners' self-reported assessments of their digital literacy skills and on the level of satisfaction they express with the online component of their English for Specific Purposes course in higher education in Greece. Data were gathered via four survey questionnaires that elicited relevant information on participants' digital literacy level, learner satisfaction, computer anxiety and self-efficacy respectively. Statistical analysis of the results revealed an overall adequate level of students' digital literacy skills and a high level of satisfaction with all aspects of the online module of the blended learning course. Females reported a lower level of CA and a higher level of CSE. CA was found to be the strongest predictor of learners' digital literacy skills assessments and CSE of learner satisfaction perceptions, resulting in overall higher IT use and positive attitudes to the course.

Background: People with hemophilia often experience pain and suffer from comorbidities related to their bleeding disorder. Consequently, unemployment due to disability is prevalent among people with hemophilia. Objectives: To explore associations between unemployment due to disability and treatment while adjusting for known risk factors for unemployment. Methods: Collecting data from 20 hemophilia centers from 15 European countries, the Age-related DeVelopments ANd ComorbiditiEs in hemophilia study recruited 785 participants aged 40 years and over with hemophilia A or B. A comprehensive electronic case report form included items related to patient characteristics, demographic information, past and current treatment regimens, and medical history, including a lifelong history of comorbidities. Baseline data from the Age-related DeVelopments ANd ComorbiditiEs in hemophilia study was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Results: Employment status was available for 756 of 785 participants aged 40 to 88 years (median, 53 years). We used regression analysis to compare people with hemophilia who were fully employed with those who were unemployed due to disability. This analysis included 424 participants. Using multivariable logistic regression, we found that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; P < .01), severe hemophilia (OR, 10.81; P < .01), current smoker (OR, 2.53; P < .01), and psychiatric disorder (OR, 4.18; P = .02) were associated with increased odds of unemployment due to disability. In contrast, prophylactic treatment (OR, 0.44; P = .01) was associated with decreased odds. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that by maintaining factor levels above a critical threshold (3%-5%), prophylactic treatment for people with hemophilia could help avoid unemployment due to disability. While prophylaxis is more costly and can be burdensome, the benefits to material well-being and quality of life could be substantial.

The number of vascular centers performing endovascular repair of ascending aortic disease is constantly increasing. Accordingly to the guidelines, open surgical repair remains the gold standard for these pathologies. However, approximately one quarter of patients are deemed unfit for open surgery. In this study, we describe three cases of ascending thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) performed at our center. All the patients were deemed unfit for open surgery by the aortic team. Two patients had an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm, and the third had a focal type A aortic dissection. In two cases, we used two abdominal aortic cuffs deployed from zone 0B to zone 0C, with no need for supra-aortic trunk debranching. In one case, we performed a “reverse” extrathoracic debranching, and we deployed a thoracic endograft from zone 0B to zone 2. Complications included one minor stroke and one inguinal hematoma. In one patient with an infected pseudoaneurysm, we performed ascending TEVAR as a bridge strategy for open repair. This patient developed a type Ia endoleak; however, clinical stabilization and infection control were obtained, and he was able to undergo heart surgery successfully. He underwent a second reintervention to treat superior mesenteric embolic occlusion. At 2 years of follow-up, all three patients were alive. Our preliminary experience demonstrates the technical feasibility and clinical appropriateness of ascending TEVAR using standard, commercially available endografts. However, no consensus has been reached regarding some critical aspects, such as the development of a standardized technique or the efficacy of the currently available devices. The improvements in graft design and the adoption of the “aortic team” approach could help in the near future to standardize the procedure, establish appropriate indications, and ensure good clinical outcomes.

In this study, a detailed phytochemical investigation of compounds in the twigs of the mistletoe Loranthus europaeus Jacq., which belongs to the Loranthaceae family, is presented. Specimens were collected from the mistletoe L. europaeus growing on oak trees in the mainland of Greece. The alliance of oaks and mistletoes became a symbol of knowledge and strength for many centuries. Although numerous compounds of aerial tissues of other mistletoes, e.g., Viscum album, have been published, few studies have been conducted to investigate the metabolic and physiological traits of the hemiparasitic, deciduous Loranthus europaeus. LC-HRMS-based analysis led to a detailed characterization of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts of the twigs of L. europaeus, which, to the best of our knowledge, exhibit enhanced antioxidant potential. Hence, twenty-four and twenty-six compounds were tentatively identified from the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane twigs’ extracts, respectively; these compounds belong to fatty acids, flavonoids, and flavonoid glycosides. Also, chlorophyll, soluble sugar, starch, and lipid contents in the twigs of L. europaeus, which have not hitherto been published, were investigated.

The present study refers to an extensive investigation of lameness performed countrywide in Greece, on 325 sheep and 119 goat farms. The specific objectives of this work were to present data on the occurrence of lameness on sheep and goat farms and to identify variables (including variables related to climatic factors) associated with the disorder on the farms. Farms were visited and animals on the farm were assessed for the presence of lameness; further, an interview was carried out with the farmer to obtain information regarding practices applied on the farm. Climatic variables at the location of each farm were derived from NASA research. The within farm prevalence rate varied from 0.0% to 25.0% in sheep flocks and from 0.0% to 30.0% in goat herds. The mean ± standard error (median (interquartile range)) within farm prevalence rate among sheep farms was 1.9% ± 0.2 (0.0% (0.0%)); among goat farms, it was 2.6% ± 0.5% (0.0% (0.0%)). Multivariable analysis for within farm prevalence of lameness revealed three significant predictors in sheep farms: application of vaccination against foot-rot, increased precipitation at the farm location and longer annual grazing period for sheep, and one in goat farms: increased precipitation at the farm location. Treatment of lameness involved mostly administration of antibiotics (on 104 farms); the antibiotics administered most often were lincomycin (on 69 farms) and oxytetracycline (on 33 farms). There was a tendency for higher median within farm prevalence of lameness among farms where no antibiotic administration was practiced. Finally, 6.2% of sheep farmers and 4.2% of goat farmers considered lameness as an important health problem for the animals, specifically the third and fifth most important problem on the respective farms.

The objectives of this study were (a) to detect zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogens in faecal samples of horses using the FilmArray® GI Panel and (b) to identify variables potentially associated with their presence. Faecal samples collected from 224 horses obtained during a countrywide study in Greece were tested by means of the BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel, which uses multiplex-PCR technology for the detection of 22 pathogens. Gastrointestinal pathogens were detected in the faecal samples obtained from 97 horses (43.3%). Zoonotic pathogens were detected more frequently in samples from horses in courtyard housing (56.0%) than in samples from horses in other housing types (39.7%) (p = 0.040). The most frequently detected zoonotic pathogens were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (19.2% of horses) and Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli stx1/stx2 (13.8%). During multivariable analysis, two variables emerged as significant predictors for the outcome ‘detection of at least one zoonotic pathogen in the faecal sample from an animal’: (a) the decreasing age of horses (p = 0.0001) and (b) the presence of livestock at the same premises as the horses (p = 0.013). As a significant predictor for the outcome ‘detection of two zoonotic pathogens concurrently in the faecal sample from an animal’, only the season of sampling of animals (autumn) emerged as significant in the multivariable analysis (p = 0.049). The results indicated a diversity of gastrointestinal pathogens with zoonotic potential in horses and provided evidence for predictors for the infections; also, they can serve to inform horse owners and handlers regarding the possible risk of transmission of pathogens with zoonotic potential. In addition, our findings highlight the importance of continuous surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in domestic animals.

The objective of the study was to develop a computational model with which predictions regarding the level of prevalence of mastitis in dairy sheep farms could be performed. Data for the construction of the model were obtained from a large Greece-wide field study with 111 farms. Unsupervised learning methodology was applied for clustering data into two clusters based on 18 variables (17 independent variables related to health management practices applied in farms, climatological data at the locations of the farms, and the level of prevalence of subclinical mastitis as the target value). The K-means tool showed the highest significance for the classification of farms into two clusters for the construction of the computational model: median (interquartile range) prevalence of subclinical mastitis among farms was 20.0% (interquartile range: 15.8%) and 30.0% (16.0%) (p = 0.002). Supervised learning tools were subsequently used to predict the level of prevalence of the infection: decision trees, k-NN, neural networks, and Support vector machines. For each of these, combinations of hyperparameters were employed; 83 models were produced, and 4150 assessments were made in total. A computational model obtained by means of Support vector machines (kernel: ‘linear’, regularization parameter C = 3) was selected. Thereafter, the model was assessed through the results of the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in 373 records from sheep flocks unrelated to the ones employed for the selection of the model; the model was used for evaluation of the correct classification of the data in each of 373 sets, each of which included a test (prediction) subset with one record that referred to the farm under assessment. The median prevalence of the infection in farms classified by the model in each of the two categories was 10.4% (5.5%) and 36.3% (9.7%) (p < 0.0001). The overall accuracy of the model for the results presented by the K-means tool was 94.1%; for the estimation of the level of prevalence (

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder which is represented by a variety of deficits in all linguistic domains including phonology. Previous research, mainly conducted in the English language, has documented phonological deficits in early childhood in Down syndrome. Given the paucity of research in the area of phonology in the Greek language, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the phonological skills of children with Down syndrome (N = 45) in the Greek language and compare them with those of age-matched and non-verbal age children with language impairment (N = 45). A test, standardized in the Greek language, was used for the above purpose which consisted of four subscales: articulation; phonemic analysis; phonemic completion; and phonemic distinction. The results showed that children with Down syndrome performed poorer on all four subscales than children with language impairment, and provided evidence for distinct difficulties in specific consonants and complex articulations inherent in the Greek language.

Migraine is a common primary headache disorder with both environmental and genetic inputs. Cumulative evidence indicates an association between vitamin D and headache. Unravelling the precise role of vitamin D and its receptor in the pathophysiology of migraine can eventually contribute to more efficient prevention and management of this headache disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation of the three most studied VDR variants, i.e., FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and BsmI (rs1544410), with migraine susceptibility and distinct clinical phenotypes in a Southeastern European case-control population residing in Greece. DNA was extracted from 191 unrelated patients diagnosed with migraine and 265 headache-free controls and genotyped using real-time PCR (LightSNiP assays) followed by melting curve analysis. Genotype frequency distribution analysis of the TaqI and BsmI variants showed a statistically significant difference between migraine cases and controls. In addition, subgroup analyses revealed a significant association between all three studied VDR variants, particularly with a migraine without aura subtype. Therefore, the current study provides supporting evidence for a possible association of VDR variants with migraines, particularly migraine without aura susceptibility in Southeastern Europeans residing in Greece, further reinforcing the emerging role of vitamin D and its receptor in migraines.

Objectives-background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) involves decline in several cognitive domains after surgery and is particularly common after cardiac surgery, while also common among other types of surgery. Given the potential effects of such cognitive dysfunction on the quality of life, it is important to study it in multiple populations in order to limit its occurrence. Study design: We present the long-term neuropsychological outcome of 200 patients, 100 of whom had orthopedic surgery and 100 oncological surgery. Methods: We administered a series of neuropsychological tests assessing attention, complex scanning, verbal working memory, executive functioning, short-term and long-term memory, and visuospatial perception before surgery, prior to discharge, at 3-month follow-up and 6 years after surgery. We compared the performance of these patients to normative datasets. Results: Despite equivalent levels of pre-surgery performance between patients, oncology patients exceeded their preoperative neurocognitive levels, suggesting less postoperative cognitive dysfunction in orthopedic patients overall, in all neuropsychological domains at a 6-year follow-up, except short-term retention. In contrast, orthopedic patients showed no improvement, and, instead, showed some cognitive decline, which remained consistent over time. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the critical role of the type of surgery utilized in the development of POCD and have implications for clinical management and patients’ quality of life in the very long term. Health policy professionals should be aware that patients’ low POCD may persist in the long term, and this is useful from a clinician’s point of view.

Dysautonomia in the post-COVID-19 condition appears to affect a significant number of patients, with reports raising the incidence up to 61%, having an overlap with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Quality of life and daily function are significantly impacted and conservative management interventions, despite the lack of high-quality evidence to date, are needed to ameliorate disability. A total of 50 adults with a dysautonomia post-COVID-19 diagnosis based on the Ewing battery and a NASA lean test will be enrolled in a randomized single blinded controlled trial with a crossover design. Feasibility and lack of definite dysautonomia diagnosis will be the primary outcomes, while secondary outcomes will be health-related, clinical and cardiopulmonary exercise test indicators. Safety and acceptance will also be checked, primarily excluding participants with post-exertional malaise. The Long-COVID patients Causal Diagnosis and Rehabilitation study in patients with Dysautonomia (LoCoDiRE-Dys) intervention will consist of an educational module, breathing retraining and an individualized exercise intervention of biweekly sessions for two months with regular assessment of both groups. LoCoDiRe-Dys aims to be the first post-COVID-19 randomized study in people with dysautonomia offering a multimodal intervention both in diagnosis and management. The need for evidence in effectively supporting patients is eminent.

Abstract Background Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most important factors causing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationships between socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle and depression status and the presence of hypercholesterolemia, among elderly individuals without known CVD. Methods During 2005–2007, 1190 elderly (aged 65 to 100 years) men and women (from Cyprus, Mitilini, Samothraki, Cephalonia, Crete, Lemnos, Corfu and Zakynthos) were enrolled. Socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors were assessed through standard procedures. Symptoms of depression were evaluated using the short-form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS, range 0–15). Dietary habits were assessed through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total serum cholesterol > 200 mg/dL or use of lipids lowering medication. Results 44.6% of males and 61.9% of females had hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.001). Only, 63% of hypercholesterolemic participants were under special diet or pharmaceutical treatment. Hypercholisterolemic individuals had higher prevalence of obesity (43% vs. 25%), hypertension (76% vs. 57%) and diabetes (25% vs. 17%) compared with normal participants (p < 0.001). Furthermore, hypercholisterolemic participants showed higher depression levels (p = 0.002). After adjusting for various confounders, GDS score and BMI correlated with 13% (95%CI 0.98–1.30) and 14% (95%CI 0.99–1.31) higher likelihood of having hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion A considerable proportion of our elderly sample had hypercholesterolemia, while 1/3 of them were untreated. Furthermore, presence of hypercholesterolemia was correlated with depressive symptomatology and increased BMI.