Background: Irisin has attracted growing interest as a potential novel biomarker of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  Aim: A meta-analysis was performed to compare circulating irisin concentrations between PCOS and control women, and to explore the possible relation of irisin and insulin resistance, by associating this hormone with the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Methods: An extended search of the PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases (last updated on 9 March 2019) was performed to identify all articles published in the English la ..read more

Background: African Trypanosomiasis is an endemic vector-borne parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by different parasites of the genus Trypanosoma and is transmitted through a tsetse fly (Glossina sp.) bite during a blood meal. This neglected tropical disease remains difficult to control due to the complexity of treatment protocols and use of toxic drugs. Over the decades, nitroimidazole compounds have been promising molecules for anti-parasite therapy. One of them, megazol, has proven to be an effective anti-trypanosomal drug, but interest dropped after reports were publishe ..read more

Aim: The purpose of this study was to validate a Greek version of the Stress in Children (SiC) Questionnaire and assess its psychometric qualities in a Greek pediatric sample. Materials and Methods: Healthy children aged 8-12 years, attending schools of various areas of Attica, the largest region in Greece, were eligible to participate in the study. Data were collected from May 2016 until June 2017, anonymously, though three self-reported questionnaires, a simple demographic questionnaire, the SiC Questionnaire and the State and Trait Anxiety in Children Questionnaire. Results: Questionnaires ..read more

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention, termed  “Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention” (PSAI). Materials and Methods: The PSAI was applied to a community sample for eight weeks. Measurements included demographic characteristics, daily habits, sleep quality, fatigue, perceived stress levels and depressive symptoms. Cognitive function was measured by the Symbol Digits Modality Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). Results: The hig ..read more

Objective: Decreased 25(OH)-vitamin D concentrations represent a risk factor for the development of cardiometabolic and mental health disorders in adults. We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health symptoms in overweight and obese children, and adolescents with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Patients and Methods: Two hundred and twenty (n=220) overweight and obese children and adolescents [Mean age ± SEM: 10.24±0.17 years; BMI ± SEM: 26.69±0.28 kg/m2; BMI z-score ± SEM: 2.42±0.07; males: 114 (51.8%), females: 106 (48.2%)] w ..read more

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the sort-term benefits of the effects of an 8-week stress management techniques in information technology professionals. Methods: In this parallel randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to either the stress management group (n=40; relaxation breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery) or in the Pythagorean Self awareness group (n=41). Self-reported validated measures were used to evaluate perceived stress, health locus of control, anxiety and depression. Results: All groups were found with significant ..read more

Background: Emotional eating is the tendency to regulate negative emotions (such as stress, depression and anxiety) through increased or unhealthy food intake. Emotion management, such as stress management could be an appropriate approach to prevent or control maladaptive eating behavior among children. Materials and methods: This is a controlled pragmatic trial, testing the effects of Pythagorean Self Awareness Intervention (PSAI), a cognitive stress management program in a primary school setting. The eligibility criterion was being a 4th grade active pupil. Participants were randomly assigne ..read more

Objective: To examine the validity and the reliability of a novel measurement tool, the Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Stress Scale (NDBCSS) in the Greek population. The tool aimed to assess distress in patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: We performed a principal component analysis (PCA) of the 17 items of the scale. Results: The PCA resulted in 4 factors: 1. Personal life, 2. Procedural issues, 3. Facing challenges and 4. Psychological load. All subscales showed satisfactory internal consistency and variance, relative to theoretical score ranges. Subscale scores and total ..read more

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been recently suggested as a new potential mechanism underpinning various organizational aspects of the cell, from the formation of sub-cellular, biomolecule enrichments to the assembly of organelles. In eukaryotes, DNA replication follows a strict temporal and spatial program that is majorly affected by the chromatin structure, the nuclear organization and the availability of limiting initiation factors, however the regulatory mechanisms driving the process have not been fully elucidated. Original data published lately revealed for the first time that ..read more

Respiratory viral infections constitute a global problem in current medicine, veterinary, and plant pathology. Up to now, a vast number of techniques based on microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology have been proposed for virus determination. However, most of these assays are time-consuming, require complicated procedures for sample preparations and sophisticated instrumentation. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for the development of more accurate, rapid, early and cost-effective bioassays for high-throughput measurements. Therefore, the deployment ..read more