Progression to type 1 diabetes in the DPT-1 and TN07 clinical trials is critically associated with specific residues in HLA-DQA1-B1 heterodimers.

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this work was to explore molecular amino acids (AAs) and related structures of HLA-DQA1-DQB1 that underlie its contribution to the progression from stages 1 or 2 to stage 3 type 1 diabetes.

Methods: Using high-resolution DQA1 and DQB1 genotypes from 1216 participants in the Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1 and the Diabetes Prevention Trial, we applied hierarchically organised haplotype association analysis (HOH) to decipher which AAs contributed to the associations of DQ with disease and their structural properties. HOH relied on the Cox regression to quantify the association of DQ with time-to-onset of type 1 diabetes.

Cross cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Greek version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool.

: This study's objective was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) into the Greek language and to evaluate its psychometric properties.: CAIT was translated and adapted into Greek according to official cross-cultural adaptation guidelines of self-reported measures. The Greek version of the CAIT (CAIT-GR) was tested for reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability), validity (discriminative and convergent validity) and floor-ceiling effects.

Early initiation of home-based sensori-motor training improves muscle strength, activation and size in patients after knee replacement: a secondary analysis of a controlled clinical trial.

Background: There is accumulating evidence for the advantages of rehabilitation involving sensori-motor training (SMT) following total knee replacement (TKR). However, the best way in which to deliver SMT remains elusive because of potential interference effects amongst concurrent exercise stimuli for optimal neuromuscular and morphological adaptations. The aim of this study was to use additional outcomes (i.

The nurses' own views about the inter-shift handover process.

Nursing handovers provide critical information on the patient, requiring special communication skills and techniques between the nurses' shift-change. Current study investigates the experiences/views of nurses regarding the handover process. An observation method was applied assesing 22 interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and an audio recording system throughout mixed content analysis.

Inorganic and Hybrid Perovskite Based Laser Devices: A Review.

Inorganic and organic-inorganic (hybrid) perovskite semiconductor materials have attracted worldwide scientific attention and research effort as the new wonder semiconductor material in optoelectronics. Their excellent physical and electronic properties have been exploited to boost the solar cells efficiency beyond 23% and captivate their potential as competitors to the dominant silicon solar cells technology. However, the fundamental principles in Physics, dictate that an excellent direct band gap material for photovoltaic applications must be also an excellent light emitter candidate.

Updating the Role of Reduced Graphene Oxide Ink on Field Emission Devices in Synergy with Charge Transfer Materials.

Hydroiodic acid (HI)-treated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) ink/conductive polymeric composites are considered as promising cold cathodes in terms of high geometrical aspect ratio and low field emission (FE) threshold devices. In this study, four simple, cost-effective, solution-processed approaches for rGO-based field effect emitters were developed, optimized, and compared; rGO layers were coated on (a) n+ doped Si substrate, (b) n⁺-Si/P3HT:rGO, (c) n⁺-Si/PCDTBT:rGO, and (d) n⁺-Si/PCDTBT:PCBM:rGO composites, respectively. The fabricated emitters were optimized by tailoring the concentration ratios of their preparation and field emission characteristics.

The Effects of Group and Home-Based Exercise Programs in Elderly with Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Physical exercise is effective for sarcopenic elderly but evidence for the most effective mode of exercise is conflicting. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a three-month group-based versus home-based exercise program on muscular, functional/physical performance and quality of life (QoL) across elderly with sarcopenia. 54 elderly (47 women, 7 men aged 72.

Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases Before Initiating TNF-α Inhibitors Therapy.

Introduction: QFT-GIT is more sensitive than TST in patients under immunosuppressive therapy, but TST detects more cases of LTBI. TST remains an inexpensive test worldwide, which does not need laboratory equipment.

Material And Methods: Overall, 457 patients having autoimmune diseases were referred.

Dynamic balance asymmetries in pre-season injury-prevention screening in healthy young soccer players using the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test-a pilot study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate whether young players with no history of injury, have developed early asymmetries in dynamic balance ability tested via the recommended for screening in sports, Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (MSEBT). [Participants and Methods] Twenty-four young healthy male soccer players participated in the study having at least 4 years of systematic soccer training. The Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire was used to discriminate the stability dominant leg (STAB) from the non-stability dominant leg (NSTAB).

The relationship between isokinetic strength and functional performance tests in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

[Purpose] The main purpose of the study was to examine the relationship of a battery of frequently used functional assessment tests with quadriceps and hamstrings isokinetic strength in Knee-osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Secondarily, the predictability of isokinetic strength on these performance variables was also assessed. [Subjects and Methods] Seventeen males and 23 females with Knee-OA, were assessed via a) the common functional tests: 6-minute walk test, Timed up-and-go test, 30-second chair test and 12-stair test and b) isokinetic concentric extension-flexion at 120°/s and 180°/s.

Fumaric acid production using renewable resources from biodiesel and cane sugar production processes.

The microbial production of fumaric acid by Rhizopus arrhizus NRRL 2582 has been evaluated using soybean cake from biodiesel production processes and very high polarity (VHP) sugar from sugarcane mills. Soybean cake was converted into a nutrient-rich hydrolysate via a two-stage bioprocess involving crude enzyme production via solid state fermentations (SSF) of either Aspergillus oryzae or R. arrhizus cultivated on soybean cake followed by enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean cake.

Electronic health record with computerized decision support tools for the purposes of a pediatric cardiovascular heart disease screening program in Crete.

Background And Objective: Early detection of cardiovascular (CV) disease or associated risk factors during childhood is of paramount importance, allowing for early treatment or lifestyle modifications, respectively. The objective of this study was to describe the development of an electronic health record (EHR), with integrated computerized decision support system (CDSS), specifically designed for supporting the needs of a pilot pediatric CV disease screening program applied on primary school students of a Mediterranean island.

Methods: Evidence-based knowledge, national and international practice guidelines regarding sport preparticipation CV screening of children and young athletes has been used for the design of the designated EHR.

Early self-managed focal sensorimotor rehabilitative training enhances functional mobility and sensorimotor function in patients following total knee replacement: a controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To assess the effects of early self-managed focal sensorimotor training compared to functional exercise training after total knee replacement on functional mobility and sensorimotor function.

Design: A single-blind controlled clinical trial.

Setting: University Hospital of Rion, Greece.

Graphene-Based Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells: Advancements, Fundamental Challenges, and Prospects.

Metal halide based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered among the most promising photovoltaic technologies, and already present certified efficiencies that surpass 22 %. The high performance and low fabrication cost make this technology competitive with that of state-of-the-art thin-film photovoltaics. However, PSCs present some striking disadvantages that hinder their commercialization, including short operational lifetimes, high toxicity, and hysteresis effects, which lower both the performance and long-term stability of the devices.

Solution Processed CHNHPbICl Perovskite Based Self-Powered Ozone Sensing Element Operated at Room Temperature.

Hybrid lead halide spin coated perovskite films have been successfully tested as portable, flexible, operated at room temperature, self-powered, and ultrasensitive ozone sensing elements. The electrical resistance of the hybrid lead mixed halide perovskite (CHNHPbICl) sensing element, was immediately decreased when exposed to an ozone (O) environment and manage to recover its pristine electrical conductivity values within few seconds after the complete removal of ozone gas. The sensing measurements showed different response times at different gas concentrations, good repeatability, ultrahigh sensitivity and fast recovery time.

Improved Carrier Transport in Perovskite Solar Cells Probed by Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy.

CHNHPbI perovskite thin films have been deposited on glass/indium tin oxide/hole transport layer (HTL) substrates, utilizing two different materials as the HTLs. In the first configuration, the super hydrophilic polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate), known as PEDOT:PSS, was employed as the HTL material, whereas in the second case, the nonwetting poly(triarylamine) semiconductor polymer, known as PTAA, was used. It was found that when PTAA is used as the HTL material, the averaged power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remarkably increases from 12.

Does size matter concerning impact of position on oxygenation status in spontaneously breathing patients with unilateral effusion?

Background: Inconsistent and contradictory findings have appeared in the literature concerning the impact of body position on oxygenation in pleural effusion.

Methods: We attempted to elucidate whether the size of the pleural effusion in patients with no parenchymal disease is the main determinant of posture-induced alterations in oxygenation parameters. We studied 62 spontaneously breathing patients aged 65.

Production of wax esters via microbial oil synthesis from food industry waste and by-product streams.

The production of wax esters using microbial oils was demonstrated in this study. Microbial oils produced from food waste and by-product streams by three oleaginous yeasts were converted into wax esters via enzymatic catalysis. Palm oil was initially used to evaluate the influence of temperature and enzyme activity on wax ester synthesis catalysed by Novozyme 435 and Lipozyme lipases using cetyl, oleyl and behenyl alcohols.

How Greek nurses perceive and overcome the barriers in implementing treatment for pressure ulcers: 'against the odds'.

Objective: Although the occurrence of pressure ulcers (PUs) is now considered as an indicator of poor quality nursing care, questions and concerns remain regarding situations where PUs were unavoidable, irrespective of the care provided. The aim of this study was to explore Greek nurses' perceptions about the barriers involved and to identify the factors that influence care planning in PU treatment.

Method: A grounded theory approach was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses who provided pressure care to clients in a rehabilitation centre in Greece.

Using the Assistance on Demand Platform to Set Up a Network of Assistance Services.

The Assistance on Demand (AoD) platform is a novel open-source infrastructure which enables the set-up and web publication of assistance services. This paper focuses on the potential of the AoD functionality to enable the configuration and creation of a Network of Assistance Services (NAS) by non-expert users (e.g.

Advanced Photonic Processes for Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems.

Solar-energy harvesting through photovoltaic (PV) conversion is the most promising technology for long-term renewable energy production. At the same time, significant progress has been made in the development of energy-storage (ES) systems, which are essential components within the cycle of energy generation, transmission, and usage. Toward commercial applications, the enhancement of the performance and competitiveness of PV and ES systems requires the adoption of precise, but simple and low-cost manufacturing solutions, compatible with large-scale and high-throughput production lines.

Attitudes towards people with physical or intellectual disabilities among nursing, social work and medical students.

Aims And Objectives: To examine and compare undergraduate healthcare students' attitudes towards people with physical or intellectual disabilities in Greece.

Background: The experience that people with disabilities have with health care is a complex interaction between their medical condition and the social and physical environment. Attitudes of the nursing and healthcare staff affect the quality of care and people's adaptation to their disability, self-image and rehabilitation outcomes.