Effectiveness of a multicentre randomized controlled trial with three different nurse-led intervention management programmes for patients with heart failure: the main results of the MEETinCY study.

Aims: A single-blinded, multicentred randomized controlled trial (RCT) was employed to examine the effectiveness of a 3-month telephone follow-up, a telephone follow-up with education before discharge, or education only before discharge on the heart failure (HF) knowledge, HF self-care management, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with HF by a nurse specialist.

Methods And Results: This is a multicentre RCT with three different intervention groups (IGs) and one control group. Participants in the first IG received education on HF self-management principles before discharge.

Measurement of multidifferential cross sections for dijet production in proton-proton collisions at .

A measurement of the dijet production cross section is reported based on proton-proton collision data collected in 2016 at by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of up to 36.3 . Jets are reconstructed with the anti- algorithm for distance parameters of and 0.

Assessing Willingness to Pay for IVF Among Infertile Women in Greece: A Single-Center Case Study.

Background And Aims: In recent years, In Vitro fertilization (IVF) science has grown by leaps and bounds in the field of assisted reproduction, helping millions of couples worldwide. The aim of this study is to examine the extent to which infertile women are willing to pay for IVF services in Greece.

Methods: Through the distribution of questionnaires, willingness to pay (WTP) is recorded according to IVF success rates, and the relationship between WTP and the respondents' demographic characteristics is analyzed.

Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis: A Rare Yet Lethal Complication Demanding Timely Intervention.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the rapid spread of infection within the mediastinum. This severe form of mediastinitis poses a significant challenge to clinicians due to its aggressive nature and potential for rapid deterioration. In this case report, we present a challenging case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis in a 39-year-old patient with persistent pyrexia and an extended hospital stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), cardiothoracic unit (CTU), and surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

CompSafeNano project: NanoInformatics approaches for safe-by-design nanomaterials.

The CompSafeNano project, a Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, aims to advance the safety and innovation potential of nanomaterials (NMs) by integrating cutting-edge nanoinformatics, computational modelling, and predictive toxicology to enable design of safer NMs at the earliest stage of materials development. The project leverages Safe-by-Design (SbD) principles to ensure the development of inherently safer NMs, enhancing both regulatory compliance and international collaboration. By building on established nanoinformatics frameworks, such as those developed in the H2020-funded projects NanoSolveIT and NanoCommons, CompSafeNano addresses critical challenges in nanosafety through development and integration of innovative methodologies, including advanced models, approaches including machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven predictive models and 1st-principles computational modelling of NMs properties, interactions and effects on living systems.

Retrieval of conditioned immune response in male mice is mediated by an anterior-posterior insula circuit.

To protect the body from infections, the brain has evolved the ability to coordinate behavioral and immunological responses. The conditioned immune response (CIR) is a form of Pavlovian conditioning wherein a sensory (for example, taste) stimulus, when paired with an immunomodulatory agent, evokes aversive behavior and an anticipatory immune response after re-experiencing the taste. Although taste and its valence are represented in the anterior insular cortex and immune response in the posterior insula and although the insula is pivotal for CIRs, the precise circuitry underlying CIRs remains unknown.

Utilizing large-scale human mobility data to identify determinants of physical activity.

Analyzing the habits of exercisers is crucial for developing targeted interventions that can effectively promote long-term physical activity behavior. While much of existing literature has focused on individual-level factors, there is a growing recognition of the importance of examining how broader determinants impact physical activity. In this study, we analyze large-scale human mobility data from over 20 million individuals to investigate how visits to various locations, such as cafes and restaurants, influence visits to fitness centers.

A study of alpha-synuclein and poly(-isopropylacrylamide) complex formation through detailed atomistic simulations.

This work presents an investigation of the influence of poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) polymer on the structural dynamics of intrinsically disordered alpha-synuclein (α-syn) protein, exploring the formation and intricate features of the resulting α-syn/PNIPAM complexes. Using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, our study analyzes the impact of initial configuration, polymer molecular weight, and protein mutations on the α-syn and the α-syn/PNIPAM complex. Atomistic simulations, of a few μs, of the protein/polymer complex reveal crucial insights into molecular interactions within the complex, emphasizing a delicate balance of forces governing its stability and structural evolution.

Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) Versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) in Elderly Patients: Insights Into Recovery, Complications, and Risk Factors.

Background: We compared the safety and efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in elderly men (aged ≥75 years) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 151 patients (HoLEP: 72; TURP: 79) was conducted. Preoperative and postoperative parameters, including prostate size, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), catheterization duration, hospital stay, and perioperative complications (incontinence and dysuria), were analyzed.

Post-processing enhances protein secondary structure prediction with second order deep learning and embeddings.

Protein Secondary Structure Prediction (PSSP) is regarded as a challenging task in bioinformatics, and numerous approaches to achieve a more accurate prediction have been proposed. Accurate PSSP can be instrumental in inferring protein tertiary structure and their functions. Machine Learning and in particular Deep Learning approaches show promising results for the PSSP problem.

Nitric oxide as integral element in priming- induced tolerance and plant stress memory.

The beneficial effects of priming technology are aimed at the promotion of growth and development and stress tolerance in plants. Different seed pre-treatment and vegetative priming approaches (osmo-, chemical, physical, hormonal, redox treatments) increase the level of nitric oxide (NO) being an active contributor to growth regulation and defence responses. On the other hand, seed pre-treatment or vegetative priming mainly with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) helps to mitigate different abiotic stresses like salinity, cold, drought, excess metals.

Socioeconomic status has direct impact on asthma control: Turkish adult asthma registry.

Background: Asthma is one of the most common causes of chronic respiratory disease, and countries with low socioeconomic status have both a high prevalence of asthma and asthma-related death.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine socioeconomic levels of asthmatic patients according to a national database and investigate the effects of social markers on disease control in our region.

Methods: This is an analysis of data from 2053 adult asthma patients from a multicentre chart study in Turkey.

Clinical relevance of macromolecular complexes involving integrins, potassium and sodium ion channels and the sodium/proton antiporter in human breast cancer.

Background: Mounting evidence underline the relevance of macromolecular complexes in cancer. Integrins frequently recruit ion channels and transporters within complexes which behave as signaling hubs. A complex composed by β1 integrin, hERG1 K channel, the neonatal form of the Na channel Na 1.

Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus.

Introduction: The global healthcare system faced unparalleled challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, potentially reshaping antibiotic usage trends. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and observations of community pharmacists concerning antibiotic utilization during and after the pandemic; and offer crucial insights into its impact on antibiotic usage patterns and infection dynamics.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 162 community pharmacists in Northern Cyprus.

Epidemiology of metabolic syndrome.

The global increase of overweight and obesity in children and adults is one of the most prominent public health threats, often accompanied by insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The simultaneous occurrence of these health problems is referred to as metabolic syndrome. Various criteria have been proposed to define this syndrome, but no general consensus on the specific markers and the respective cut-offs has been achieved yet.

Dietary Intake, Mediterranean and Nordic Diet Adherence in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Dementia is not a single disease but an umbrella term that encompasses a range of symptoms, such as memory loss and cognitive impairments, which are severe enough to disrupt daily life. One of the most common forms of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Recent research has highlighted diet as a potential modifiable risk factor for AD.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies.

Background/objectives: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, with rising incidence rates and significant mortality. While tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and viral infections are established risk factors, the role of dietary patterns, particularly adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in HNC prevention has gained increasing attention. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the association between adherence to the MD and the risk of HNC.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Interrelationships Among Mental Health, Nutritional Status and Lifestyle Factors of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Pre- and Post-Covid Periods.

Background/objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to detrimental effects on diverse aspects of the mental and physical health of the general population worldwide. The elderly are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection compared to younger age groups. In this aspect, the purpose of the current survey is to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the interrelationships among the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, depressive behavior, quality of life, cognition status, physical activity and nutritional status of older adults.

Changes in Lifestyle Behaviors, Shopping Habits and Body Weight Among Adults in Cyprus and Greece During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were asked to stay at home. Places where people interacted such as schools, universities, and cafes were closed, and all gatherings were forbidden. Only stores offering fast-moving consumer goods were open, so citizens could purchase all food categories.

Critical Appraisal of Pharmaceutical Therapy in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy-Challenges and Prospectives.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifaceted disorder with a pandemic spread and a remarkable burden of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DBCM) has been increasingly recognized as the development of cardiac dysfunction, which is accompanied by heart failure (HF) symptoms in the absence of obvious reasons like ischemic heart disease, hypertension, or valvulopathies. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, including metabolic disorders (e.

From Infection to Tumor: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Ciprofloxacin Derivatives as Anticancer Agents.

Ciprofloxacin, a widely used second-generation fluoroquinolone for treating bacterial infections, has recently shown notable anticancer properties. This review explores progress in developing ciprofloxacin derivatives with anticancer properties, emphasizing key structural changes that improve their therapeutic effectiveness by modifying the basic group at position 7, the carboxylic acid group at position 3, or both. It further investigates the mechanisms by which these derivatives fight cancer, such as inducing apoptosis, arresting the cell cycle, inhibiting topoisomerase I and II, preventing tubulin polymerization, suppressing interleukin 6, blocking thymidine phosphorylase, inhibiting multidrug resistance proteins, and hindering angiogenesis.

Multivariate Statistical Analyses of the Temporal Variation in the Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of in Cyprus.

The genus L'Hér., is native to Australia with 61 introduced taxa in Cyprus, including Luehm., which has a wide distribution on the island.

Non-Invasive Determination of the Paternal Inheritance in Pregnancies at Risk for β-Thalassaemia by Analyzing Cell-Free Fetal DNA Using Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been widely adopted for the screening of chromosomal abnormalities; however, its adoption for monogenic disorders, such as β-thalassaemia, has proven challenging. Haemoglobinopathies are the most common monogenic disorders globally, with β-thalassaemia being particularly prevalent in Cyprus. This study introduces a non-invasive prenatal haplotyping (NIPH) assay for β-thalassaemia, utilizing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from maternal plasma.

A Systematic Review of Microbiota in Cirrhosis: A Change Towards a More Pathogenic Predisposition.

The microbiome of the human intestine is a regulator of health that modulates immune response and plays an important role in metabolism. The diversity, and abundance of microbiota communities in the gut have been shown to change in cirrhosis and its complications. We aimed to review the current knowledge regarding microbiota alterations in cirrhosis, its potential differences according to etiology, and its role in the development of cirrhosis complications.

A Multi-Omics Analysis of a Mitophagy-Related Signature in Pan-Cancer.

Mitophagy, an essential process within cellular autophagy, has a critical role in regulating key cellular functions such as reproduction, metabolism, and apoptosis. Its involvement in tumor development is complex and influenced by the cellular environment. Here, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of a mitophagy-related gene signature, composed of , , , , , , and , across various cancer types, revealing significant differential expression patterns associated with molecular subtypes, stages, and patient outcomes.