Biodegradation and Thermomechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed PLA Scaffolds Under Static and Stirring Biomimetic Conditions.

3D-printed biomedical polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds were developed, and their biodegradation, as well as their thermomechanical behavior, were studied in a relevant in vitro environment. The scaffold's biodegradability profile has been monitored after immersion in a cell culture medium that contains components of blood and body fluids. Two types of biodegradation experiments were performed-a standard static one and an adapted stirring one, mimicking the body fluids' flow, respectively-to achieve a comparative investigation.

Overall effects of topsoil elements on cancer mortality in rural Greece: A modeling approach.

This ecological study examines cancer mortality rates in 61 rural Greek municipalities, covering in total 7,305,554 person-years from 2000 to 2015, based on the Hellenic Statistical Authority data. Topsoil concentrations of Mn, Ni, Pb, Be, As and Cd in Greek grazing land samples were obtained from the GEMAS (Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural and Grazing land Soil) project. Municipalities of rural regions with population of up to 20,000 people were selected as the study area and were divided into four quartiles, according to their age-specific cancer mortality rates, to identify the most divergent areas of low/high mortality.

Typical dose values for intra-operative fluoroscopy during orthopaedic trauma surgery at Larnaca general hospital in cyprus: A five-year retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to establish typical dose values at orthopaedic operating rooms of the Larnaca General Hospital (LGH). Kerma area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (FT) and cumulative air-kerma (K) measurements were collected for 821 patients who underwent common and reproducible trauma surgery over a five-year period, with three mobile C-arm systems; two equipped with an image-intensifier and one with a flat-panel detector. Dose indices were automatically extracted from radiation dose structured reports or DICOM meta-data files archived in the PACS, using custom-made software.

COVID-19 in pregnancy: Perinatal outcomes and complications.

Background: The risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women is elevated.

Aim: To examine the outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 and report perinatal outcomes and complications, while providing a brief review of current literature.

Methods: The study included pregnant women presenting from April 2020 to February 2022 to the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital.

A Simple Way to Exclude a Lethal Complication Following Atrial Fibrillation Radiofrequency Ablation: A Case Report.

Esophageal injury is a serious complication following atrial fibrillation catheter ablation procedures. It may manifest as atrio-esophageal fistula, pericardio-esophageal fistula (PEF), or restricted perforation, with high mortality rate if left unoperated. Chest computed tomography with intravenous contrast is the mainstay of diagnosis; however, a definite imaging diagnosis is often delayed and may worsen patient outcomes.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in trauma patients with grade IV-V duodenal or pancreatic injuries: a post hoc analysis of an EAST multicenter trial.

Introduction: The utility of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for high-grade traumatic injuries remains unclear and data surrounding its use are limited. We hypothesized that PD does not result in improved outcomes when compared with non-PD surgical management of grade IV-V pancreaticoduodenal injuries.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter analysis from 35 level 1 trauma centers from January 2010 to December 2020.

Seasonal Variations in Birth Patterns in Greece: A Comprehensive Analysis of National Data From 1956 to 2022.

Introduction: The seasonality of human births has been studied globally for over two centuries, revealing diverse patterns across populations shaped by intricate interactions involving both biological and socio-cultural factors. This study offers a thorough examination of national birth data in Greece spanning from 1956 to 2022, aiming to elucidate long-term trends and changes in seasonal birth patterns.

Materials And Methods: Data on live births in Greece were categorized by month based on national registries, and the analysis of birth seasonality was conducted annually.

Talin1 dysfunction is genetically linked to systemic capillary leak syndrome.

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare life-threatening disorder due to profound vascular leak. The trigger and the cause of the disease are currently unknown and there is no specific treatment. Here, we identified a rare heterozygous splice-site variant in the TLN1 gene in a familial SCLS case, suggestive of autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance.

Comparison of fludarabine/melphalan (FM140) with fludarabine/melphalan/BCNU (FBM110) in patients with relapsed/refractory AML undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation - a registry study on behalf of the EBMT Acute Leukemia Working Party.

The treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with a dismal prognosis. The allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is frequently performed as salvage therapy. Reduced intensity conditioning protocols have been developed with the aim of reducing the leukemia burden without increasing their toxicity.

Luminescent Thermometer Based on a Praseodymium(iii) Cyanide-Based Metal-Organic Framework.

Trivalent lanthanide ions have emerged as promising candidates for precise and remote temperature sensing. Among them, Pr-based luminescent thermometers remain underexplored, particularly those operating in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region. This work presents the synthesis and thorough characterization of a novel Pr-based coordination polymer, {[PrPt(CN)(4,4'-bpyO)(HO)]·4HO} (), as a rare example of Pr luminescent thermometry.

Religiosity, attitudes toward science, and public health: Evidence from Finland.

We explore how religiosity influences perceptions and the adoption of protective health behaviours, as reflected in COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates. In the first part of our analysis, we use Finnish data from four nationally representative surveys, we find that individuals with higher self-reported religiosity and those from more conservative religious groups tend to hold less favourable attitudes towards science, technology and medicine, compared to non-religious individuals. In the second part, we observe that municipalities with higher shares of conservative religious groups experienced greater COVID-19 spread and lower vaccination rates, with these trends persisting throughout the pandemic.

A subset of human dermal fibroblasts overexpressing Cockayne syndrome group B protein resist UVB radiation-mediated premature senescence.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is a major contributor to skin photoaging. Although mainly absorbed by the epidermis, UVB photons managing to penetrate the upper dermis affect human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), leading, among others, to the accumulation of senescent cells. In vitro studies have shown that repeated exposures to subcytotoxic UVB radiation doses provoke HDFs' premature senescence shortly after the end of the treatment period.

Effect of dapagliflozin on the serum metabolome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: SGLT-2 inhibitors have been shown to exert cardio- and renoprotective actions. We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms using H-NMR based metabolomics in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus who received dapagliflozin.

Methods: 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy (HbA1c > 7%) received dapagliflozin for 3 months and 30 matched patients received insulin degludec for 3 months.

Can machine learning assist us in the classification of older patients suffering from dementia based on classic neuropsychological tests and a new financial capacity test performance?

Aims: Predicting the diagnosis of an older adult solely based on their financial capacity performance or other neuropsychological test performance is still an open question. The aim of this study is to highlight which tests are of importance in diagnostic protocols by using recent advancements in machine learning.

Methods: For this reason, a neuropsychological battery was administered in 543 older Greek patients already diagnosed with different types of neurocognitive disorders along with a test specifically measuring financial capacity, that is, Legal Capacity for Property Law Transactions Assessment Scale (LCPLTAS).

Renal survival and treatment of adult patients with Primary Focal Segmental glomerulosclerosis: A historical cohort study of the National Greek Registry.

Background/objective: Primary Focal and Segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most common causes of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Our aim was to describe a large cohort of patients with primary FSGS, identify risk factors associated with worse renal survival and assess the impact of different immunosuppressive regiments on renal survival.

Methods: This was a historical cohort study of adults who were diagnosed with primary FSGS from March 26, 1982, to September 16, 2020.

The learning curve for robotic-assisted pyeloplasty in urologists with no prior robotic experience using an ex-vivo model: A prospective, controlled study.

Introduction: Despite the increasing trend of utilizing robotic techniques in pyeloplasty, little is known about the learning curve for robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) amongst urologists with no prior robotic experience. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the learning curve of residents in the last year or recently appointed urologists performing RAP using an ex-vivo model.

Methods: A prospective ex-vivo model study was conducted including participants who were either residents in the last year or recently appointed urologists.

Enhanced ethylenediamine detection using WO-BiVOnanoflakes heterostructure with exceptional adsorption capabilities: experimental and theoretical studies.

The present work describes the synthesis of WO-BiVO-nanoflakes heterostructure (NFHs) by a single step hydrothermal method. The analysis of crystalline phases and structural behavior deduced the formation of good crystal quality WO-BiVONFHs. Under microscopic observation, the as-prepared WO-BiVOdisplayed uniform and conspicuous nanoflakes like structures.

Unlocking the Secrets of Acute Coronary Syndromes Using Intravascular Imaging: From Pathophysiology to Improving Outcomes.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents the most severe manifestation of coronary artery disease. Intravascular imaging, both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), have played crucial roles for the impressive reduction in mortality of ACS. Intravascular imaging is useful for the detection of atherosclerotic mechanism (plaque rupture, calcified nodules, or plaque erosions) and for the evaluation of nonatherosclerotic and nonobstructive types of ACS.

Could APTIMA mRNA Assay Contribute to Predicting Cervical Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Co-Infections? A Colposcopy Population Study.

In addition to chronic hrHPV anogenital infection, continuing inflammatory cervical changes are intrinsic in the development of precancerous lesions. In younger women, much of this inflammatory background parallels the progressive maturation of squamous metaplasia, often rendering treatment interventions redundant; however, patients with persistent cervical precancer, as well as those harboring invasive bacterial pathogens, might benefit from controlling the active inflammatory process by shortening the HPV natural cycle and avoiding subsequent cervical surgery. In a colposcopy population of 336 predominantly young asymptomatic individuals, we explored the impact of molecularly detected bacterial STIs on HPV DNA and APTIMA positivity rates using validated assays.

Functional Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Blood Parameters in Diabetic Rats Following Dietary Intervention with Free or Immobilized SK Cells on Pistachio Nuts.

Background/objectives: The gut microbiota is linked to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), while supplementation with probiotics may result in positive alterations in the composition of the gut microbiome. This research aimed to map the changes in the gut microbiome and blood markers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after a dietary intervention with free or immobilized cells of the presumptive probiotic SK on pistachio nuts.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were studied and divided into four groups (healthy or diabetic) which received the free or the immobilized .

Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films.

Although a lot of recent research revealed advantages of novel biopolymers' implementation as active food packaging polymers, there is not an equivalent effort from industry to use such films, probably because of the required cost to change the supply chain and the equipment. This study investigates the use of two natural abundant nanoclays, laponite (Lap) and montmorillonite (Mt), as eugenol slow-release carriers for enhancing the functionality of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) active packaging films. The target is to combine the spirit of the circular economy with the existent technology and the broadly used materials to develop a novel attractive product for active food packaging applications.

Vibrational Spectrum of Magnesium Monochalcogenide Nanoparticles.

In this work, the vibrational spectra of magnesium monochalcogenide nanoparticles were examined numerically. The calculations were performed with Density Functional Theory and the examined magnesium monochalcogenide nanoparticles were formed from an initial cubic-like unit with type Mg4Y4, where Y=S,Se,Te, after elongating this unit along one, two, and three vertical directions. Therefore, beyond the initial building block, different groups of magnesium monochalcogenide nanoparticles were examined in the form MgxYx, where x=8,16,24.

High-power versus low-power laser settings during endoscopic stone disease management: a systematic review from the EAU endourology section.

Purpose: Optimal laser settings during endoscopic stone disease management still represents a debatable issue. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize all existing evidence regarding the comparison of high-power (HP) versus low-power (LP) laser settings during different endoscopic lithotripsy procedures.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases were systematically screened, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines.