Advances in experimental medicine and biology最新文献

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the health orientation and health literacy of individuals seeking assistance at a provincial hospital in Greece.

Design: A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data over a four-month period, from July to October 2022. The study was conducted in the outpatient clinics and Emergency Department of the Argolis General Hospital.

Setting: The study was carried out in the healthcare facilities of the Argolis General Hospital, including outpatient clinics and Emergency Department. This hospital is in the provincial region of Argos in Greece.

Participants: A total of 223 individuals participated in this study. The participants were individuals who sought medical assistance at the Argolis General Hospital during the specified four-month period, encompassing a diverse range of sociodemographic and medical backgrounds.

Results: The study involved participants with an average age of approximately 41 years, where the majority were females (63.2%). Most were nonsmokers (65.2%), infrequent exercisers (56.8%), and did not have chronic diseases (80.7%). A significant proportion had been both vaccinated (78.5%) and infected with COVID-19 (67.7%). The average health literacy score was 13.15%, with 69.7% having adequate health literacy, 18.5% showing problematic health literacy, and 11.8% demonstrating insufficient health literacy. Education played a role, with primary school graduates scoring lower and master's degree holders performing better in internal health control. Age correlated with various health aspects, and health literacy was positively associated with factors like private health consciousness, health esteem-confidence, and motivation for healthiness.

Conclusion: Higher health literacy is linked to positive health attitudes and behaviors, including confidence in health, motivation for healthiness, and control over health decisions. In clinical practice, healthcare professionals should routinely assess health literacy and orientation to identify individuals who may need targeted interventions to improve health literacy and promote positive health behaviors.

The oral and craniofacial bones are essential for determining individual appearance and enabling mastication, respiration, and phonation. The cranium exhibits a complex architecture composed of multiple small bones. The development of this structured organization is a consequence of the well-coordinated functions of various bone cells, such as chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes. These cells contribute to both the development and maintenance of bone, known as the modeling and remodeling phases, respectively. The differentiation and function of these bone cells can be influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, resulting in the adaptation of bone morphology and functions when stimulation occurs within physiological ranges. In contrast, excessive or abnormal stimuli, including genetic mutations, endocrine disorders, abnormal mechanical loading, tumor formation, and aberrant immune responses, can lead to bone malformations and dysfunction. The immune system, originally developed as a defense mechanism against non-self entities, can disrupt the physiological structures and functions of organs when dysregulated. Bone metabolism can be influenced by the immune system, both directly and indirectly via other biological systems, and irregular activation of the immune system can cause inflammatory bone diseases as well as bone diseases of other categories. A precise understanding of these bone diseases requires insights into the involvement of the immune system. This chapter summarizes our knowledge of how the immune system functions during the development and maintenance of oral and craniofacial bones.

Periodontitis is a chronic bacterial infection that destroys the epithelial attachment, forming a crevice beneath the gingival margins. The bacteria form dentally attached biofilms that enter the crevice and cause systemic inflammatory diseases (comorbidities). Susceptibility to moderate or severe (established) periodontitis is associated with smoking, diabetes, inadequate oral hygiene, and a genetic factor related to innate immunity function. One key factor in innate immunity function and its significance for periodontitis is related to the essential amino acid lysine. While lysine is absent in saliva, it is present in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), an inflammatory exudate from the gingival crevice that permeates dental biofilms. After 16 periodontally healthy adults refrained from oral hygiene for 1 week, nine exhibited strong and seven exhibited weak GCF exudation, despite similar biofilm lysine concentrations. Strong responders, who effectively moved biofilm bacteria back into saliva, possess the adenine (A) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at site -511 of the interleukin-1β (IL1B) gene instead of guanine (G). Weak responders possess thymidine (T) SNP at site +3877 of IL1B instead of cytidine (C), leading to bacterial retention in gingival crevices where lysine promotes periodontopathic biofilm development. If both IL1B + 3877(T) and IL1B-511(A) are present, an SNP in IL6, IL10, or CD14 determines the GCF response. These genetic profiles identify 40% of the US population as susceptible to periodontitis and comorbidities, causing bacterially driven systemic inflammation.

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that play a crucial role in the innate immune system, particularly in the regulation of inflammatory responses, and play a critical role in different oral pathologies, influencing the development and progression of conditions like periodontal disease and oral cancer by regulating inflammatory responses that contribute to tissue damage and tumorigenesis. The multiprotein inflammasome complexes have a role in the body's innate immune response by detecting pathogens, tissue damage, and other stress signals, leading to the activation of inflammatory cytokines, primarily interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. In the context of periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the tissues supporting the teeth, inflammasomes are integral in mediating the inflammatory response that drives the disease progression. Their activation is pivotal in oral health and the progression of various oral diseases, ranging from periodontal diseases to oral cancer. This review explores the involvement of inflammasomes in oral pathologies, with a focus on their role in periodontal diseases, oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), and oral cancer. Specifically, we examine how dysregulation of inflammasome activity contributes to inflammatory conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis, and how this can transition into more severe oral diseases, such as OPMDs and cancer. This chapter will also highlight the role of epigenetic changes in inflammasome regulation, providing insight into potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral health management. This comprehensive overview underscores the importance of inflammasome research in improving our understanding and treatment of oral pathologies, pointing to future directions for clinical applications.

Hashimoto's disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. The pathophysiology of the disorder is characterized by an increased volume of the thyroid gland, infiltration of the parenchyma by lymphocytes, and the presence of antibodies specific for thyroid antigens. The diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis is based on the presence of clinical symptoms, anti-thyroid antibodies, and certain histologic features. The present study aimed to collect biomarkers and create a web-based application for detecting the disease through machine learning. The web application was created using Python and Random Forest algorithm was selected to train the existing dataset. Taking advantage of machine learning algorithms, the application provides users with a practical means for predicting immortality based on their blood tests. Although there are limitations that need to be addressed, representing a valuable tool for early diagnosis and management of the disease is required.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's disease pose a growing global health challenge due to their prevalence in aging populations and their devastating impact on cognitive and motor functions. Current treatments focus on symptom management, with no options available to reverse neuronal damage. Emerging evidence highlights the potential role of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols in neuroprotection, particularly in the context of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with lower rates of neurodegenerative disorders. EVOO's rich polyphenolic compounds, including hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, tyrosol, and oleocanthal, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. These bioactive molecules have shown potential in modulating disease-specific pathways, such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting abnormal protein aggregation, and regulating neuroinflammation. This paper explores the therapeutic potential of olive oil polyphenols for neurodegenerative diseases, detailing their mechanisms of action across different conditions. Our findings suggest that incorporating EVOO into dietary and medical interventions could serve as a promising strategy for mitigating neurodegenerative disease progression and enhancing cognitive health.

Background: The measures taken to protect public health during the pandemic had a significant impact on the mental, social, and physical well-being of children and adolescents. Restrictive measures had affected their development, behavior, school life, family, and friendships.

Aim: To explore the psychological impact on children and adolescents after the withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods and materials: This study was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. The sample consisted of 100 children and adolescents, and it was conducted in the outpatient department of the pediatric population of the Regional Unit of Trikala. The scale used in the present study explores post-pandemic coping strategies upon life returning to normal for children and teenagers, "PPCSRN-CT." The data were analyzed with the SPSS-12 statistical package, and multiple linear regression was performed. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: In the study, nearly 60% of the participants were girls, and over 80% of the children and adolescents lived in urban areas in Trikala Prefecture. Half of them (50%) were 12 years old or older. The statistical analysis found that children and adolescents worry significantly more about the health of their loved ones when they are alone and don't have anyone to share their concerns with (p = 0.008). Furthermore, children and adolescents who lived with both parents believe that their parents have become less strict with them after the withdrawal of restrictions due to the pandemic (p = 0.001). Additionally, children and adolescents living with both parents believe that their parents care for them more after the withdrawal of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.013). The study also revealed that the desire of children and teenagers to learn more about COVID-19 is positively affected by whether someone close to them has been sick with SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0.009). Furthermore, children and adolescents who want to learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic and whose parents are less strict with them expect their lives to return to normal immediately after the removal of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.016 and p = 0.006, respectively). Finally, the study found that children and adolescents' belief that they will move on in life together with friends is positively influenced by whether they are less emotionally burdened (p = 0.024) and by whether they are more positive about their daily life (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: It is important to evaluate the perceptions of children and adolescents post-pandemic in order to implement interventions to empower this group.

Introduction: Healthcare professionals working with individuals who have experienced trauma are at risk of experiencing secondary trauma.

Purpose: To explore the perspectives and experiences of addiction nurses working in substitution treatment units and harm reduction services regarding the physical or psychological trauma of individuals coping with the dual burden of addiction and trauma.

Methodology: A mixed-method study (quantitative and qualitative) involving 111 addiction nurses. For the collection of quantitative data, the Greek version of the Professional Quality of Life Scale was used, which assesses compassion satisfaction, professional burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, as well as a questionnaire capturing demographic, individual, and professional characteristics. Eight nurses participated in semistructured interviews.

Results: The majority of participants reported (96.4%) moderate to high levels of compassion satisfaction while more than half (54.4%) of the participants reported low levels of professional burnout, and about half (49.5%) reported low levels of secondary traumatic stress. Considering Stamm's interpretation of the triad of high compassion satisfaction, moderate-to-low professional burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, the results of this study fall into the positive results category. Good physical health, participants' readiness to care for individuals with trauma, high levels of cooperation, respect for teamwork, positive work climate, and seamless colleague support were positively related to higher levels of compassion satisfaction.

Conclusions: Recognizing, reflecting on, and understanding trauma processes protected participants from mirroring the helplessness, frustration, and feelings of incompetence they encountered on the trauma responses of the individuals and families they cared for.

Childhood and adolescent obesity is a growing health concern with complex multifactorial origins, encompassing genetic, environmental, physiological, and psychosocial factors. In Greece, the prevalence of childhood obesity is among the highest in Europe, indicating an urgent need to understand its underlying mechanisms. Herein, we explore the genetic basis of obesity, focusing on both monogenic and polygenic factors, and how early life stressors contribute to obesity's onset and progression. Genetic predispositions, such as mutations in leptin-melanocortin pathways, and the role of epigenetic modifications influenced by environmental factors, are examined to understand obesity's complexity. Moreover, stress-related hormonal dysregulation impacts metabolic pathways, exacerbating weight gain and obesity-related complications. Through advanced algorithms like neural networks, decision trees, and clustering techniques, ML/AI approaches have demonstrated high accuracy in predicting obesity, identifying genetic markers, and analyzing interactions between genetic and lifestyle factors. These technologies hold promise for early detection, personalized interventions, and the development of targeted prevention strategies. The integration of ML/AI with genomic, epigenomic, and clinical data offers a comprehensive understanding of childhood obesity, paving the way for more effective management and treatment. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the genetic and environmental factors in childhood obesity and highlights the potential of AI-driven approaches in addressing this critical public health challenge.

This chapter is dedicated to analysing how biological nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has evolved in the more than 70 years from its discovery and to discussing some of the applications of this technique to biological systems. To restrict a vast field, we treat liquid-state NMR leaving out solid-state applications that, although very important, are less consolidated and still fast evolving. We focus in particular on studies in complex environments, such as in-cell and/or crowded environments, that is a subject in which NMR can give its very best. We provide examples of various applications and hopefully show how versatile the technique is. We also briefly discuss how NMR can be coupled with other techniques to expand its horizons, increasing the intrinsic potentialities of this powerful technique.