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The aim of this work was to examine the possible use of High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) as an alternative method for wine preservation, which could also lead to the production of wines with reduced amounts of SO2. For this purpose, red wine samples containing 0 ppm, 30 ppm, 60 ppm and 100 ppm of sulphur dioxide (SO2) were subjected to pressure of 350 MPa for 10 min at 8 ∘C. A second set of samples containing only SO2 was used as control. Colour parameters, acetic acid, total anthocyanin and phenolic contents and antioxidant activity were determined over a period of twelve months. During the first four months, most of the differences observed regarding the chemical composition of the pressurized and unpressurized wines were not statistically significant. However, after the period of six months, the pressurized samples in general were characterized by higher average values % yellow colour and acetic acid and lower of % red colour, total anthocyanin and phenolic content compared to the non-pressurized ones. The results obtained could be a possible indication that HHP could accelerate the polymerization reactions reducing the time needed for wine ageing. HHP combined with reduced SO2 contents might be a promising technology for wine industry.

Summary: Background: Male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc) is an acquired, chronic, inflammatory cutaneous disease associated with significant morbidity and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Consideration of all of the evidence suggests that chronic exposure of susceptible epithelium to urinary occlusion by the foreskin is the most likely pathomechanism. MGLSc never occurs in men who were circumcised at birth, and has been associated with trauma, instrumentation and anatomical abnormalities, e.g. frank hypospadia that results in microincontinence. Aim: To describe 21 patients who developed MGLSc following urological diagnoses and procedures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of MGLSc whose symptoms related to urological procedures who attended or saw one of the authors (CBB) privately during the period June–October 2018. Results: In total, 21 patients (mean age 59 years) were identified. The referrals came from the local urology departments, primary care or extramural dermatology services. Most of the patients were uncircumcised men. All had developed symptoms and signs of MGLSc within 5 years following their urological procedure; on examination, 30% of the patients were found to have damp penile skin due to microincontinence. Of the 21 patients, 10 had undergone radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, 4 had a diagnosis of Peyronie disease, 4 had undergone multiple cystoscopies and urethroscopies, 2 had undergone surgery on the bladder neck and 1 had undergone implantation of a penile prosthesis to treat erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: This case series further strengthens the urinary occlusion hypothesis for the causation of MGLSc. It is important to recognize that urological interventions can create incompetence of the naviculomeatal valve post voiding. In uncircumcised men, this creates a risk factor for MGLSc that was not previously present. Occlusion, the phenomenon of koebnerization and currently unelucidated epithelial susceptibility factors lead to inflammation, sclerosis and cancer. Patients and urologists should be aware of these possibilities and preventative measures instituted, e.g. adaptive voiding habits and barrier protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic profile of different commercial table olive products from retail outlets was studied. Average pH values were 4.00, 3.96, and 4.31 for Spanish-style green, naturally black, and dry-salted olives, respectively, while salt content was 6.21, 7.34, and 8.00% for the same commercial products. Mean values for titratable acidity were 0.53 and 0.63% (wt/vol) for green and naturally black olives. In general, mean values for pH, titratable acidity, and salt content were in accordance with the requirements established by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC) for the trade of table olives, although considerable variation was observed within individual olive samples. Salt content of dry-salted olives did not meet the minimum limit of 10% established by the IOOC. The dominant microbiota consisted of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Their population was less than 109 CFU ml-1, as stipulated by the LOOC standard for fermented olives held in bulk in a covering liquid. These microorganisms come from the natural microbiota found in spontaneous fermentations and impose no risk to human health. No enterobacteria, pseudomonads, Bacillus cereus, or Clostridium perfringens were detected in any of the samples given the physicochemical characteristics found. The organoleptic profile varied greatly according to processing style and commercial preparation. Green olives had more uniform sensory characteristics than naturally black and dry-salted olives. The most important attributes that influenced the judgment of the panelists were salt content and crispness of the olives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different temperatures (25°C, 18°C and ambient temperature) and NaCl levels in brines (4%, 6% and 8%) on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of naturally black olives of Conservolea variety was studied for up to 190 days. Fermentation was carried out according to the traditional anaerobic method. The initial microflora consisted of Gram-negative bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria was evident in all fermentations. The prevailing micro-organisms were lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, the association of which was dependent on the conditions of fermentation. At 25°C and 18°C in brines containing 4% and 6% NaCl, the growth of lactic acid bacteria was favoured resulting in a lactic acid fermentation, as indicated by the high free acidity levels and low pH values in the brines. On the contrary, 8% NaCl concentration affected the growth of lactic acid bacteria and enhanced the activity of fermentative yeasts, producing a final product with lower free acidity and higher pH value. At ambient temperature, the counts of lactic acid bacteria followed the fluctuation of temperature regardless of salt concentration, while yeasts did not seem to be affected. The lactic acid bacteria identified belonged to the species Lactobacillus mesenteroides, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus. The best conditions for fermentation were at 25°C and 6% NaCl, developing free acidity of 142 mM (1·28% w/v) lactic acid and pH value of 3·8. After 5 months of brining, olives fermented at 25°C were judged by panelists as being debittered and ready to eat. No off-odour development was detected in any case due to anomalous fermentation. The HPLC analysis revealed that citric, malic, tartaric, succinic, lactic and acetic were among the end products of fermentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Autolοgous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment οption fοr patients with hematological malignancies that improves prοgnοsis and survival. Thus, it is necessary tο deal with its long-term cοmplications, such as sexual dysfunction and trauma that significantly affect survivors' quality οf life., Objective: The aim οf this study was to evaluate the Sexual Function (SF) and the Pοst-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) οf survivοrs οf hematolοgical malignancy and AHSCT., Methods: A multicenter, quantitative, crοss-sectional, descriptive, and cοrrelational study was cοnducted from December 2019 to March 2022. Thrοugh cοnvenience sampling, 127 adults and sexually active survivors οf hematolοgic malignancy whο underwent AHSCT frοm 6 mοnths tο 5 years were recruited frοm 5 hοspitals in Athens. The survivοrs cοmpleted questionnaires on demοgraphic and clinical data, a male or female SF assessment tοοl [Internatiοnal Index Erectile Functiοn (IIEF) and Female Sexual Functiοn Index (FSFI), respectively], and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)., Results: Patients' mean age was 45.6 (±12.8) years. The median time frοm transplant was 3 years and the majοrity οf the survivοrs had Hodgkin's lymphοma. Accοrding tο the FSFI, wοmen had a mοderate level of SF, with a better functional area the "pain" and wοrse the "οrgasm". Accοrding tο the IIEF, men had a high level of SF, with a better functional area the "erection" and wοrse the "οverall satisfaction". Survivοrs had lοw levels οf PTSD based οn the IES-R, with nο differences between men and women. The subscale οf "hyperarοusal" had the lοwest values and the subscale οf "avοidance" had the highest values fοr bοth men and wοmen survivοrs. There was a lοw tο mοderate negative statistically significant cοrrelation between the IES-R and bοth FSFI and IIEF, suggesting a high level οf PTSD to be correlated with wοrse sexual function., Conclusion: Survivοrs οf AHSCT had impaired SF tο varying degrees and areas of functionality depending οn their gender, but lοw levels of PTSD and lοw correlations between these twο variables. This matter is impοrtant in survivοrship care and needs further investigatiοn., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Although Dermatology is largely considered an outpatient specialty, there is an increasing need for Dermatology input in the acute and inpatient setting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dermatology services had to be reorganized to facilitate staff redeployment and minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for patients and staff. This led to an unprecedented increase in teleconsultations aided by clinical images., Objectives: The main aim of our retrospective study was to analyse the acute Dermatology referrals received in the pre-COVID-19 era and during COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: We retrospectively analysed acute Dermatology referrals using the acute referral log., Results: We retrospectively analysed 500 and 110 acute Dermatology referrals received in the pre-COVID-19 period and during COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. In the pre-COVID-19 era, consultations were most commonly requested by Oncology/Haemato-Oncology, Emergency Departments and General Practice, while during the COVID-19 pandemic General Practice was the most common source of referrals. A wide variety of dermatological conditions were encountered with the most common been eczematous dermatoses., Conclusions: Although Dermatology is largely an outpatient-based specialty, this study shows the demand for urgent Dermatology input the care of sick patients with severe skin diseases and in the management of skin problems in patients admitted or receiving treatment for other diseases. Re-organization of Dermatology services during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a marked increase in teleconsultations (28% versus 84.5%) and highlighted the importance of complete skin-directed physical examination by the referring clinician as well as procurement of good quality clinical images., (© 2023 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Background: Paediatric ICU doctors and nurses' quality of professional life is influenced by the intense emotions and distress experienced when caring for suffering children and their families., Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF) in Paediatric Intensive Care Units in Greece., Methods: Out of 147 intensive care professionals in public hospitals in Greece completed the ProQOL-V scale as well as a socio-demographic and professional-life characteristics questionnaire., Results: Almost two thirds of participants reported medium-risk for CF (74.8%) while 23.1% and 76.9% of professionals expressed high or medium potential for CS respectively. More than half of doctors and nurses in paediatric ICUs report being overprotective towards members of the family as a result of their professional life and that their work-life affects their attitude towards life in general., Conclusion: Recognizing factors related to CF may support paediatric intensive care professionals in avoiding the costs of exposure to the trauma and loss experiences of patients and their families. A trauma-informed intensive care culture and continuing trauma-informed education may shield professionals from the erosive effects of lingering emotions which may trigger secondary traumatic stress symptoms and also facilitate adequate reflection on their emotional reactions in the landscape of intensive care., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 Eleni Panagou, Evdokia D. Missouridou, Afroditi Zartaloudi, John Koutelekos, Evangelos Dousis, Chrisoula Dafogianni, Eugenia Vlachou, Eleni Evagelou.)

A multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the sexual function of male survivors of hematological malignancy treated by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and to compare it with that of healthy male controls. By convenience sampling, 71 sexually active male survivors of hematological malignancy who underwent AHSCT were recruited, as well as 74 healthy men. A questionnaire with demographic and clinical data and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were completed. Survivors had a median age of 47 years, a median time since transplant of 3 years, and 46.5% had Hodgkin lymphoma. Based on the IIEF, they had a high level of sexual function, with best functioning domain "erection" and worst "overall satisfaction". Healthy men had statistically significantly higher scores in all domains of the IIEF, except for "orgasm" (p = 0.205). There was a statistically significant association between sexual function and age (p < 0.0005), years since transplantation (p = 0.006), functional status (p < 0.0005), having children (p < 0.0005), relationship status (p = 0.001), education (p < 0.0005), diagnosis (p < 0.0005) and disease relapse (p = 0.017). Multivariate analysis showed that only age was a strong prognostic factor of sexual function (p < 0.0005). After age was excluded from the model, because of the strong effect it had on the dependent variable, functional status (p = 0.015), education (p = 0.002) and diagnosis (p = 0.001) had a statistically significant association with sexual function. These findings indicate the importance of sexual function for survivors' well-being and the need for implementation of integrated care plans for survivors of hematological malignancy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more stringent infection control practice within hospitals, with the added requirement of personal protective equipment (PPE). Consequentially, the incidence of PPE-related dermatoses in healthcare workers is increasing. Analysis of staff members seen in a dermatology self-referral service during the first COVID-19 peak revealed a wide range of healthcare professionals being affected, with irritant hand dermatitis and acneiform eruptions being the commonest diagnoses. These PPE-related dermatoses had significant effects on staff members' work and wellbeing, which improved following assessment and treatment by dermatology. Given the change to our behaviour wearing PPE daily, which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, the consequences will inevitably affect both healthcare workers and the general public, with these common dermatoses presenting in both primary and secondary care. It is therefore imperative to recognise both the physical and emotional impact that COVID-19 PPE has, and initiate prompt treatment to improve wellbeing., (© Royal College of Physicians 2021. All rights reserved.)

Case law is the term that refers to reports of past court decisions. It is considered an essential source of law, vital for legal professionals. Existing case law services are currently centralized, with an entity having complete control over the data and often charging fees for its access and other adding value services. This paper attempts to leverage the potential of blockchain technology in order to develop a public and decentralized platform that allows the submission of court decisions in a decentralized database and employs a network of curators who offer their validation, classification, and evaluation. Specifically, we design, analyze and implement AnyCase, a proof-of-concept prototype system on the Ethereum platform. We focus on the establishment of a sybil-resistant voting protocol used for reaching agreement and the development of a tokenized economy that incentivizes participation. Our preliminary analysis indicates that, besides being decentralized, AnyCase has the potential to compete with existing centralized systems in several other aspects., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between sexuality and quality of life (QoL) of patients with hematological malignancies that underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)., Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out through PubMed database with the following terms for the years 2008 to 2019: sexuality, sexual function, quality of life, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation., Results: Fourteen studies were included in the review. They present heterogeneity regarding measurement tools, time of measurement and type of HSCT. The common theme that emerged from most studies is that sexual dysfunction is reported after years of HSCT and it negatively impacts QoL. Women and allogenic HSCT with its consequences (graft versus host disease) were risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Sexual activity of HSCT patients was decreased at first but resumed after the first year. The most common sexual problems reported were erectile dysfunction for men and lack of desire for women. In the majority of studies the amelioration of physical, psychological symptoms and sexual function lead to improvement in QoL over time., Conclusions: Sexuality and QoL of patients are affected by HSCT in varying degrees, and seems to be a significant and positive correlation between sexuality and QoL. However, with weaknesses and shortcomings in the revised studies' methodology (sample sizes, type of HSCT, attrition rates etc.), results are difficult to generalize.

In the present study, 33 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) previously isolated from natural black Conservolea olives were assessed for their probiotic potential in vitro, as well as for their autoinducer-2 (AI-2) activity under standard growth conditions and the production of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The probiotic tests included the in vitro resistance to low pH and resistance to bile salts, the evaluation of bile salt hydrolase activity, as well as safety tests regarding their possible haemolytic activity and their antimicrobial activity against pathogens. The results indicated that 17 strains were able to survive in low pH and in the presence of bile, with 15 of them also exhibiting partial bile salt hydrolase activity. None of the strains exhibited haemolytic activity or inhibited the growth of any of the examined pathogens. Moreover, the strains displayed generally low AI-2 activity under the growth conditions tested, regardless of the species. Interestingly, in contrast to what has been found in most foods, none of the isolates were found to produce GABA after 48 h of growth. The results from the AI-2 activity and extracellular GABA detection were considered as unexpected for LAB with probiotic attributes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background/objectives: The clinical diagnosis of penile intraepithelial neoplasia is challenging. No specific dermoscopic criteria for penile intraepithelial neoplasia have been described in the literature. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the dermoscopic features of penile intraepithelial neoplasia., Methods: Clinical and dermoscopic images of 11 patients with histopathologically confirmed penile intraepithelial neoplasia were recorded and evaluated., Results: The most frequent dermoscopic features were the presence of structureless areas (100%, structureless pink 72.7%) and vascular structures (81.8%), particularly dotted vessels (72.7%). Other findings included the absence of a pigment network (100%); scale (45.5%); scar-like areas (45.5%); erosions (27.3%); and pigmentation consisting of brown-grey dots and globules (27.3%)., Conclusions: The dermoscopic features that characterise penile intraepithelial neoplasia are structureless pink areas and a prominent vascular pattern (mainly clustered dotted vessels). Dermoscopy is a useful tool that can aid in the diagnosis and surveillance of penile intraepithelial neoplasia., (© 2018 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.)

Over the past decade, analytical approaches based on vibrational spectroscopy, hyperspectral/multispectral imagining and biomimetic sensors started gaining popularity as rapid and efficient methods for assessing food quality, safety and authentication; as a sensible alternative to the expensive and time-consuming conventional microbiological techniques. Due to the multi-dimensional nature of the data generated from such analyses, the output needs to be coupled with a suitable statistical approach or machine-learning algorithms before the results can be interpreted. Choosing the optimum pattern recognition or machine learning approach for a given analytical platform is often challenging and involves a comparative analysis between various algorithms in order to achieve the best possible prediction accuracy. In this work, "MeatReg", a web-based application is presented, able to automate the procedure of identifying the best machine learning method for comparing data from several analytical techniques, to predict the counts of microorganisms responsible of meat spoilage regardless of the packaging system applied. In particularly up to 7 regression methods were applied and these are ordinary least squares regression, stepwise linear regression, partial least square regression, principal component regression, support vector regression, random forest and k-nearest neighbours. MeatReg" was tested with minced beef samples stored under aerobic and modified atmosphere packaging and analysed with electronic nose, HPLC, FT-IR, GC-MS and Multispectral imaging instrument. Population of total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, pseudomonads, Enterobacteriaceae and B. thermosphacta, were predicted. As a result, recommendations of which analytical platforms are suitable to predict each type of bacteria and which machine learning methods to use in each case were obtained. The developed system is accessible via the link: www.sorfml.com., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recently, imaging and machine vision are gaining attention to food stakeholders since these are considered to be the emerging tools for food safety and quality assessment throughout the whole food chain. Herein, multispectral imaging, a surface chemistry sensor type, has been evaluated in terms of monitoring aerobically packaged beef filet spoilage at different storage temperatures (2, 8, and 15°C) and storage time. Spectral data acquired from the surface of meat samples (with/without background flora; +BF/-BF respectively) along with microbiological analysis. Qualitative analysis was employed for the discrimination of meat samples in two microbiological quality classes based on the values of total viable counts (TVC<2log 10 CFU/g and TVC>2log 10 CFU/g). Furthermore, a Support Vector Regression model was developed to provide quantitative estimations of microbial counts during storage. Results exhibit good performance with overall correct classification rate for the two quality classes ranging from 89.2% to 80.8% for model validation. The calculated regression results to an R-square of 0.98., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)