Correlation of telomere length between full and preterm neonates and their mothers.

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that serve as protective caps from the DNA damage response at the ends of chromosomes. During aging, telomeres gradually shorten, and genomic instability arises through the induction of senescence. The present study aimed to elucidate the association between maternal characteristics, their medical history and pregnancy details with the telomere length (TL) of neonates.

Health Professionals' Views on Euthanasia: Impact of Traits, Religiosity, Death Perceptions, and Empathy.

Context: A plethora of actors like individual and professional characteristics, religiosity, personality-related factors, personal experience of death, and empathy form the attitude of health professionals in patient care in clinical settings and euthanasia.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to measure the attitudes of health professionals toward euthanasia. In addition, we examined how individual and professional characteristics, religiosity, death perspectives, and empathy may predict health professionals' attitudes toward euthanasia.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic and Predictive Significance of Postoperative C-Reactive Protein to Transferrin or Albumin Ratio in Identifying Septic Events Following Major Abdominal Surgery.

Postoperative septic events represent a major paramevter of morbidity and mortality following major abdominal surgery. Early identification and prediction can have a major impact on clinical management, reduction of hospitalization costs, and restriction of irrational use of antibiotics. For this purpose, two novel biomarkers (C-reactive protein to albumin or transferrin ratios, CAR and CTR, respectively) were evaluated.

Cyclin E Expression and p16 Loss Are Strong Prognostic Biomarkers in Primary Invasive Cutaneous Melanoma.

Background/aim: The traditional melanoma staging system is not ideal for predicting patients' individual risk of disease recurrence and death. Subsequently, suboptimal adjuvant treatment may be offered. Hence, identification of biomarkers to optimize risk stratification is warranted.

The Association between Short Telomere Length and Cardiovascular Disease.

Introduction: Telomeres, repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends, shorten with cell division, countered by telomerase. Short telomeres are linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), alongside its risk factors like aging, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, and smoking. Many studies have claimed the implication of telomere length (TL) in cardiac diseases.

Evaluation of various blood biomarkers associated with the outcomes of patients with COVID‑19 treated in intensive care units.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represented a global public health crisis and the most significant pandemic in modern times. Transmission characteristics, and the lack of effective antiviral treatment protocol and protective vaccines, pushed healthcare systems, particularly intensive care units (ICUs), to their limits and led to extreme quarantine measures to control the pandemic. It was evident from an early stage that patient stratification approaches needed to be developed to better predict disease progression.

Advancing athletic assessment by integrating conventional methods with cutting-edge biomedical technologies for comprehensive performance, wellness, and longevity insights.

In modern athlete assessment, the integration of conventional biochemical and ergophysiologic monitoring with innovative methods like telomere analysis, genotyping/phenotypic profiling, and metabolomics has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of athletes' performance and potential longevity. Telomeres provide insights into cellular functioning, aging, and adaptation and elucidate the effects of training on cellular health. Genotype/phenotype analysis explores genetic variations associated with athletic performance, injury predisposition, and recovery needs, enabling personalization of training plans and interventions.

A novel nutraceutical formulation increases telomere length and activates telomerase activity in middle‑aged rats.

Telomeres are major contributors to cell fate and aging through their involvement in cell cycle arrest and senescence. The accelerated attrition of telomeres is associated with aging‑related diseases, and agents able to maintain telomere length (TL) through telomerase activation may serve as potential treatment strategies. The aim of the present study was to assess the potency of a novel telomerase activator on TL and telomerase activity .

Stress and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among the Nursing Personnel of a Tertiary Hospital Unit in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (WMSD) are a significant cause of morbidity in the health care sector. Healthcare professionals are routinely exposed to various physical and psychosocial factors that increase the risk of developing a WMSD. Nurses are more susceptible to the manifestation of such disorders.

DNA Damage Estimation after Chronic and Combined Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors: An In Vivo Real-Life Risk Simulation Approach.

Exposure to chemical substances has always been a matter of concern for the scientific community. During the last few years, researchers have been focusing on studying the effects resulting from combined exposure to different substances. In this study, we aimed to determine the DNA damage caused after chronic and combined exposure to substances characterized as endocrine disruptors using comet and micronuclei assays, specifically glyphosate (pure and commercial form), bisphenol A, parabens (methyl-, propyl- and butylparaben), triclosan and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Antibiotics in Raw Meat Samples: Estimation of Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment.

The extensive use of antibiotics in livestock farming poses increased concerns for human health as residues of these substances are present in edible tissues. The aim of this study was the determination of the levels of four groups of antibiotics (sulfonamides-SAs, tetracyclines-TCs, streptomycines-STr and quinolones-QNLs) in meat samples (muscles, livers and kidneys from beef, chicken and pork) and the estimation of the dietary exposure to antibiotics from meat consumption and the potential hazard for human health. Fifty-four samples of raw meat were randomly collected in 2018 from the Cretan market, Greece and analyzed both with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

In Vivo Estimation of the Biological Effects of Endocrine Disruptors in Rabbits after Combined and Long-Term Exposure: Study Protocol.

Recently, an increasing number of chemical compounds are being characterized as endocrine disruptors since they have been proven to interact with the endocrine system, which plays a crucial role in the maintenance of homeostasis. Glyphosate is the active substance of the herbicide Roundup, bisphenol A (BPA) and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are used as plasticizers, while triclosan (TCS), methyl (MePB), propyl (PrPB), and butyl (BuPB) parabens are used as antimicrobial agents and preservatives mainly in personal care products. Studies indicate that exposure to these substances can affect humans causing developmental problems and problems in the endocrine, reproductive, nervous, immune, and respiratory systems.

Novel Prognostic Biomarkers in Metastatic and Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Micronuclei Frequency and Telomerase Activity in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes.

Purpose: Due to the current practice on colorectal cancer (CRC) management, chemoresistance is most often recognized at the end of the treatment. Therefore, effective and easy-to-use prognostic biomarkers are needed.

Experimental Design: We evaluated the prognostic significance of two novel CRC biomarkers: a) micronuclei frequency (MNf) in 55 metastatic CRC (mCRC) and 21 locally advanced rectal cancer (laRC) patients using cytokinesis block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay) and b) telomerase activity (TA) in 23 mCRC and five laRC patients using TRAP-ELISA.

Determination of prenatal exposure to parabens and triclosan and estimation of maternal and fetal burden.

Background: Parabens (PBs) and triclosan (TCS) are generally used as antimicrobials mostly in personal care products. Their wide prevalence in daily products raised an acute need for the biomonitoring of these contaminants and the investigation of possible health impacts.

Material And Methods: In this study we aimed to quantitatively determine PBs and TCS levels in urine and amniotic fluid samples using a liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry system (LC-MS).

Self-Reported Assessment of Empathy and Its Variations in a Sample of Greek Social Workers.

The aim of the study was twofold: (a) to examine the way in which professional social workers perceive and apply in their practice the concept of empathy; (b) to explore sociodemographic factors, education/special training and work characteristics associated with their empathic skills. This is a cross-sectional study with a purposive sample of 203 Greek social workers. For the assessment of empathy, the Empathy Scale for Social Workers (ESSW) was used.

Role of Inherited Thrombophilia Risk Factors in Patients with CKD-5 Receiving Haemodialysis.

Background: The inherited thrombophilic mutations of the factor V gene (FVG1691A Leiden-FVL), prothrombin gene (PTG20210A), and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T (MTHFR C677T) are risk factors for thromboembolic events and are related to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to explore the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and survival of patients with CKD-5 receiving haemodialysis.

Methods: A cohort of 395 patients with CKD-5 on haemodialysis, from 6 dialysis units in Crete, Greece were recruited based on their medical records and were followed for 5 years.

Carcinogenic, ethanol, acetaldehyde and noncarcinogenic higher alcohols, esters, and methanol compounds found in traditional alcoholic beverages. A risk assessment approach.

Greek fermentation and distillation industries produce traditional spirit beverages, such as tsipouro and tsikoudia, consumed both in bottles and bulk quantities by the general population or tourists. The same spirits are also produced by individuals at home since previous centuries, as a part of the local culture but mainly due to the Greek agricultural sector unique characteristics (small cultivation areas with great number of farmers). In this study, the concentrations of carcinogenic compounds: ethanol and acetaldehyde; and noncarcinogenic: higher alcohols (1-propanol, isobutanol, and isoamyl alcohol), esters (ethyl acetate), and methanol were measured to estimate the potential cancer risk and daily intake of these compounds.

Phthalate metabolites concentrations in amniotic fluid and maternal urine: Cumulative exposure and risk assessment.

Phthalates are used in industry as plasticizers or additives in everyday products and they have been considered as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Maternal exposure during pregnancy has been associated with neonatal exposure, preterm birth and impacts in the reproductive and respiratory systems. The aim of this study is to determine six phthalate metabolites (mono isobutyl phthalate, miBP, mono n-butyl phthalate, mnBP, mono benzyl phthalate, mBzP, mono ethylhexyl phthalate, mEHP, mono 2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate, mEHHP, mono 2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl-phthalate, mEOHP) in amniotic fluid and urine from 100 pregnant women.

Biomonitoring of bisphenols A and S and phthalate metabolites in hair from pregnant women in Crete.

Phthalates, bisphenols A and S (BPA, BPS) are used as plasticizers and many of them are documented or suspected of being endocrine disruptors. Several studies indicate that exposure during pregnancy may affect the newborn's health and development. The aim of this cross-sectional study is the biomonitoring of seven phthalate metabolites, BPA and BPS in hair from 100 pregnant women in Crete.

Organochlorine pollutants' levels in hair, amniotic fluid and serum samples of pregnant women in Greece. A cohort study.

Persistent organic pollutants are synthetic chemicals highly resistant to degradation with strong tendency to bioaccumulation. Assessment of human exposure to these compounds is crucial for public health protection, especially during vulnerable periods. The aim of the present cohort study was to evaluate the level of contamination to PCBs, o,p'- and p,p'-DDE, o,p' and p,p'-DDD, o,p' and p,p'-DDT and HCB in pregnant women.

Investigating exposure to endocrine disruptors via hair analysis of pregnant women.

The aim of this study was the monitoring of the levels of parabens (PBs) and triclosan (TCS) in head hair samples of women collected during the first months of their pregnancy. Personal details concerning somatometric and demographic characteristics, dietary habits, use of personal care products and the medical and obstetrical history of the pregnant women as well as infants' somatometric characteristics and health condition were recorded through relevant questionnaires. Ninety five hair samples were collected, extracted by solid-liquid extraction and analysed using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system (LC-MS).

Discovery of potent telomerase activators: Unfolding new therapeutic and anti-aging perspectives.

Telomere length, a marker of cellular aging, decreases with age and it has been associated with aging‑related diseases. Environmental factors, including diet and lifestyle factors, affect the rate of telomere shortening which can be reversed by telomerase. Telomerase activation by natural molecules has been suggested to be an anti‑aging modulator that can play a role in the treatment of aging‑related diseases.

Association of nutraceutical supplements with longer telomere length.

Telomeres are nucleotide tandem repeats located at the tip of eukaryotic chromosomes that maintain genomic integrity. The gradual shortening of telomeres leads to cellular senescence and apoptosis, a key mechanism of aging and age‑related chronic diseases. Epigenetic factors, such as nutrition, exercise and tobacco can affect the rate at which telomeres shorten and can modify the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Indicator PCBs in farmed and wild fish in Greece - Risk assessment for the Greek population.

Health benefits of fish consumption could be counterbalanced by the intake of contaminants after long term fish consumption, burdened even in trace levels. The presence of the indicator PCBs (NDL-PCBs and PCB 118) in farmed and wild seabream and seabass was evaluated. For the determination of PCB, a GC-MS method was developed and evaluated.

Developing BIOTEL: A Semi-Automated Spreadsheet for Estimating Telomere Length and Biological Age.

Telomere length (TL) is causally related to aging and several age-related diseases. Specifically, the abundance of short telomeres and the rate of telomere shortening are strong determinants of cell homeostasis. Thus, tools for analyzing and manipulating TL data can vastly improve research focused on aging.