First episode of psychosis in rural Greece: A multi-center study of the Mobile Mental Health Units.

Background: Over the last decades the study of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders has been focused on early and comprehensive intervention during the first episode of psychosis (FEP), but studies in rural settings are only rare. In Greece mental healthcare in rural areas is mostly delivered by the locally-based Mobile Mental Health Units (MMHUs).

Aims: The aim of the present study was to address treatment of FEP patients by the MMHUs in rural areas in Greece, focusing on patients with a first episode of schizophrenia.

Sensors and Advanced Sensing Techniques for Computer Vision Applications.

Computer vision is a multidisciplinary field that enables machines to interpret and understand visual information from the world, simulating human vision [...

The Effect of Protein Supplementation and Playing Time on Recovery Kinetics During a Congested Basketball Schedule.

Background/objectives: Despite being widely promoted, protein supplementation's overall effectiveness during demanding basketball schedules remains unclear. This study investigated whether increased protein intake can accelerate recovery of muscle function during a 6-day congested basketball microcycle consisting of three consecutive games while accounting for the impact of playing time.

Methods: In a randomized, two-trial, cross-over, double-blind repeated measures design, eighteen male basketball players were assigned to a high (High PT) or a moderate (Mod PT) playing time group and participated in two trials, receiving daily either milk protein (PRO trial) or an isoenergetic amount of carbohydrates.

Towards a Thriving Workplace: A Feasibility Study on Mindfulness and the Mediterranean Lifestyle for Corporate Wellness.

This study explores the potential of integrating mindfulness and the Mediterranean lifestyle into corporate wellness programs to enhance workplace well-being. A survey of 485 employees from Greece and Cyprus examined how mindfulness, resilience, adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle, and work ability are connected. Pearson correlation analysis showed statistically significant positive relationships between mindfulness, resilience, and work ability ( < 0.

Expression of the IGF‑1Ea isoform in human placentas from third trimester normal and idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction singleton pregnancies: Correlations with clinical and histopathological parameters.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the second most common obstetric complication after preterm labor. Appropriate trophoblast differentiation and placental structure, growth and function are key for the maintenance of pregnancy and normal fetal growth, development and survival. Extravillous trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion are regulated by molecules produced by the fetomaternal interface, including autocrine factors produced by the trophoblast, such as insulin‑like growth factor (IGF)‑1.

A gender breakdown of unexpected benefits generated by work from home in STEM fields - A qualitative analysis of the WiMPBME Task Group survey.

Background: Working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic was perceived differently by men and women working in STEM fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the unexpected benefits generated by working from home during the pandemic.

Methods: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data, collected via survey.

Identification of a Novel Immune-Gene Signature with Prognostic Value in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study.

The tumor microenvironment has a significant input on prognosis and also for predicting clinical outcomes in various types of cancers. However, tumor tissue is not always available, thus, rendering peripheral blood a preferable alternative in the search for prognostic and predictive gene signatures. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) constitutes a quite heterogeneous disease characterized by poor prognosis.

Hospital Costs of Intracranial Haemorrhage in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Possible Implications for Emerging Therapies.

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Prevalence of rare anatomic variants - publication bias due to selective reporting in meta-analyses studies.

Meta-analyses of prevalence studies reporting rare anatomic variants are prone to selective reporting of non-null, confirmatory results, thus resulting in publication bias.

Impact of resistance training on cardiometabolic health-related indices in patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of resistance training on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and overweight/obesity.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to May 2024.

Analytical Equations for the Prediction of the Failure Mode of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joints Based on Interpretable Machine Learning and SHAP Values.

One of the most critical components of reinforced concrete structures are beam-column joint systems, which greatly affect the overall behavior of a structure during a major seismic event. According to modern design codes, if the system fails, it should fail due to the flexural yielding of the beam and not due to the shear failure of the joint. Thus, a reliable tool is required for the prediction of the failure mode of the joints in a preexisting population of structures.

The Effect of Quercetin on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the Role of Beclin1, P62, and LC3: An Experimental Study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major metabolic disorder with no established pharmacotherapy. Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, demonstrates potential hepatoprotective effects but has limited bioavailability. This study evaluates the impact of quercetin on NAFLD and assesses the roles of autophagy-related proteins in disease progression.

The Effectiveness of a Specific Exercise Program in Alleviating Work-Related Neck and Upper Back Pain and Improving Mood State in Various Occupational Populations-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges across governmental, industrial, and social systems. Additionally, numerous studies have reported a sharp increase in both mental health issues and musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. This study aimed to investigate whether a specific exercise program could alleviate neck and upper back pain symptoms and improve mood state among healthcare and office employees during the post-COVID-19 period.

Olfactory Receptors and Aortic Aneurysm: Review of Disease Pathways.

Aortic aneurysm, the pathological dilatation of the aorta at distinct locations, can be attributed to many different genetic and environmental factors. The resulting pathobiological disturbances generate a complex interplay of processes affecting cells and extracellular molecules of the tunica interna, media and externa. In short, aortic aneurysm can affect processes involving the extracellular matrix, lipid trafficking/atherosclerosis, vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammation, platelets and intraluminal thrombus formation, as well as various endothelial functions.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Systematic Literature Review of Current Practices.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for tongue base reduction (TBR) and/or epiglottic surgery is an effective treatment option for selected patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of current practices and challenges associated with TORS for OSA. PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to December 2022 following PRISMA guidelines.

In Vitro Models of Cardiovascular Disease: Embryoid Bodies, Organoids and Everything in Between.

Cardiovascular disease comprises a group of disorders affecting or originating within tissues and organs of the cardiovascular system; most, if not all, will eventually result in cardiomyocyte dysfunction or death, negatively impacting cardiac function. Effective models of cardiac disease are thus important for understanding crucial aspects of disease progression, while recent advancements in stem cell biology have allowed for the use of stem cell populations to derive such models. These include three-dimensional (3D) models such as stem cell-based models of embryos (SCME) as well as organoids, many of which are frequently derived from embryoid bodies (EB).

Assessment of Immobilized OLXAL-1 Cells on Oat Flakes for Functional Regulation of the Intestinal Microbiome in a Type-1 Diabetic Animal Model.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of free or immobilized OLXAL-1 cells on oat flakes on the gut microbiota and metabolic and inflammatory markers in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) animal model. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were assigned into eight groups (n = 6): healthy or diabetic animals that received either a control diet (CD and DCD), an oat-supplemented diet (OD and DOD), a diet supplemented with free OLXAL-1 cells (CFC and DFC), or a diet supplemented with immobilized OLXAL-1 cells on oat flakes (CIC and DIC). Neither OLXAL-1 nor oat supplementation led to any significant positive effects on body weight, insulin levels, plasma glucose concentrations, or lipid profile parameters.

Novel Formulations of Sourdough Bread Based on Supplements Containing Chokeberry Juice Fermented by Potentially Probiotic SP5.

The current study focused on sourdough breads produced with various supplements consisting of freeze-dried black chokeberry juice, (i) unfermented and (ii) fermented by SP5, aiming to enhance their functionality and nutritional value. Specifically, the impact of these supplements on the quality of sourdough breads was evaluated in terms of their nutritional features, antimicrobial capacity, and sensorial characteristics. Sourdough breads produced with freeze-dried fermented chokeberry juice exhibited elevated concentrations of lactic acid (2.

Promoter Methylation as a Biomarker for Metastatic Risk in a Cohort of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Liquid biopsy enables real-time monitoring of tumor development and response to therapy through the analysis of CTCs and ctDNA. NALCN is a sodium leak channel that is frequently involved in tumor evolution and immunity and acts as a tumor suppressor. Deletion of NALCN has been shown to increase cancer metastasis and the number of CTCs in peripheral blood.

Pan-Cancer Insights: A Study of Microbial Metabolite Receptors in Malignancy Dynamics.

Background/objectives: The role of the gut microbiome in cancer biology has become an increasingly prominent area of research, particularly regarding the role of microbial metabolites and their receptors (MMRs). These metabolites, through the various gut-organ axes, have been proven to influence several pathogenetic mechanisms. This study conducted a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of MMR transcriptomic profiles across twenty-three cancer types, exploring the mechanisms through which they can influence cancer development and progression.

Optimizing Nurse Rostering: A Case Study Using Integer Programming to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Care Quality.

This study addresses the complex challenge of Nurse Rostering (NR) in oncology departments, a critical component of healthcare management affecting operational efficiency and patient care quality. Given the intricate dynamics of healthcare settings, particularly in oncology clinics, where patient needs are acute and unpredictable, optimizing nurse schedules is paramount for enhancing care delivery and staff satisfaction. Employing advanced Integer Programming (IP) techniques, this research develops a comprehensive model to optimise NR.

Similar Hepatitis B virus reactivation risk for patients with inflammatory arthritis or connective tissue diseases: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: Hepatitis B reactivation and administration of prophylactic antiviral treatment are considered in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) undergoing immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory treatment. Data are more robust for rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving bDMARDs but are limited for other AIIRD and drug categories.

Methods: Adult patients with AIIRD (inflammatory arthritis [IA] or connective tissue diseases [CTD]) and documented chronic or resolved HBV infection (defined as serum HBsAg positivity or anti-HBcAb positivity in the case of HBsAg non-detection respectively), followed-up in six rheumatology centers in Greece and Italy, were included.

Overlap Syndrome (COPD and OSA): A Treatable Trait for Triple Treatment?

The coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the same patient is referred to as overlap syndrome (OS). Patients with OS suffer more frequently from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and carry a higher risk of COPD-related exacerbations than patients with COPD alone, especially when OSA is left untreated. Based on recent evidence, triple therapy, namely inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting muscarinic antagonist/long-acting beta-agonist (ICS-LABA-LAMA), is a treatment strategy in COPD patients with a history of exacerbations and/or CVD comorbidity.