The role of seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) as microplastics sink and vector to benthic food webs.

Plastic pollution in marine environments is of global concern, yet its distribution within seagrasses remains poorly understood. We explore the efficiency of Posidonia oceanica in trapping microplastics (MPs) across various components (leaves, rhizomes, sediment), examine their potential transfer through the food web and assess their dispersal using advanced modelling techniques. Field surveys confirm that P.

Impact of Mt. Olympus Honeys on Virulence Factors Implicated in Pathogenesis Exerted by .

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of twenty honey samples, harvested in Mt. Olympus (Greece), on the virulence factors implicated in pathogenesis. Six key virulence factors (protease and elastase activity, pyocyanin and pyoverdine concentration, biofilm formation, and swimming motility) were selected in order to assess the effect of the tested honeys compared with Manuka honey.

A Case of Early Keratoconus Associated with Eye Rubbing in a Young Child.

Introduction: Keratoconus usually presents during puberty and is considered rare in young children.

Methods: Case report with clinical findings and computerized corneal tomography.

Results: We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with early bilateral keratoconus who presented with allergic conjunctivitis and persistent eye rubbing.

Lessons learned from an intercalibration exercise on the quantification and characterisation of microplastic particles in sediment and water samples.

An intercalibration exercise on the characterisation of microplastics in marine sediment and water samples was carried out among five laboratories involved in the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in their country. The samples were prepared by mixing cleaned natural sediment and sea water with microplastics sets made of particles of various polymers, shapes and colours. Overall, the errors on total counts were under 25% in absolute value.

Rare Persistent Corneal Infection by Phoma sp. - A Case Report.

We report a case of severe Phoma sp. corneal infection in a middle-aged, otherwise healthy, female patient who was using a soft contact lens. This is the first time that such an infection has been reported in Greece.