Greek protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses are well-known for their quality and nutritive value. One hundred and twelve samples from 21 Greek PDO cheeses, a non-PDO and a potential PDO were ...analyzed for fatty acid (FA) profile and several physicochemical parameters including moisture, fat on dry matter (FDM), protein content, pH and salt content. Analyzed hard and semi-hard cheeses were Sfela, Kefalograviera, Kasseri, Ladotyri Mytilinis, Formaella Arachovas Parnassou, Graviera Agrafon, Graviera Kritis, Metsovone, Graviera Naxou, Mastelo, Batzos and San Michali. Soft, spread and whey cheeses included Kopanisti, Xynomyzithra Kritis, White cheese, Kalathaki Limnou, Manouri, Feta, Xygalo Siteias, Galotyri, Katiki Domokou, Pichtogalo Chanion and Anevato. The profile of 37 FAs combined with physiochemical properties was utilized to discriminate cheeses by label (cheese identity), cheese type (hard, semi-hard, soft, spread and whey) and milk type (cow, goat, sheep and combinations). The study found that Sfela had the highest salinity, Manouri the highest FDM and San Michali the highest content of proteins. Regarding FAs, the dominant ones in almost all cheeses were C
14:0
, C
16:0
, C
18:0
and
cis-9
C
18:1
. For classification concerning cheese identity, the most significant parameters were moisture, fat, C
18:2n-6c
, pH and salt. The most significant discriminants by cheese type were pH, moisture, FDM, salt and C
16:0
while C
10:0
, C
11:0
, C
14:1
, C
18:2n-6c
, C
20:0
, C
20:3n-6
and saturated FAs were more influential to separate by milk type. Results depict the FA profile of Greek PDO cheeses and show that in combination with physicochemical characteristics can be used as authenticity markers.
Purpose
To assess the prognostic value of serum TSH in Greek patients with COVID-19 and compare it with that of commonly used prognostic biomarkers.
Methods
Retrospective study of 128 COVID-19 in ...patients with no history of thyroid disease. Serum TSH, albumin, CRP, ferritin, and D-dimers were measured at admission. Outcomes were classified as “favorable” (discharge from hospital) and “adverse” (intubation or in-hospital death of any cause). The prognostic performance of TSH and other indices was assessed using binary logistic regression, machine learning classifiers, and ROC curve analysis.
Results
Patients with adverse outcomes had significantly lower TSH compared to those with favorable outcomes (0.61 versus 1.09 mIU/L,
p
< 0.001). Binary logistic regression with sex, age, TSH, albumin, CRP, ferritin, and D-dimers as covariates showed that only albumin (
p
< 0.001) and TSH (
p
= 0.006) were significantly predictive of the outcome. Serum TSH below the optimal cut-off value of 0.5 mIU/L was associated with an odds ratio of 4.13 (95% C.I.: 1.41–12.05) for adverse outcome. Artificial neural network analysis showed that the prognostic importance of TSH was second only to that of albumin. However, the prognostic accuracy of low TSH was limited, with an AUC of 69.5%, compared to albumin’s 86.9%. A Naïve Bayes classifier based on the combination of serum albumin and TSH levels achieved high prognostic accuracy (AUC 99.2%).
Conclusion
Low serum TSH is independently associated with adverse outcome in hospitalized Greek patients with COVID-19 but its prognostic utility is limited. The integration of serum TSH into machine learning classifiers in combination with other biomarkers enables outcome prediction with high accuracy.
Increased reaction time intra-subject variability (RT-ISV) in fast decision tasks has been confirmed in patients with schizophrenia and has been hypothesized to result from a deficit in the control ...of attention. Here, an attentional task and functional brain imaging were used to probe the neural correlates of increased RT-ISV in schizophrenia. Thirty patients and 30 age and sex matched controls performed the Eriksen flanker spatial attention task with concurrent measurement of brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The behavioral measures included accuracy, mean, standard deviation of RT (RTSD), coefficient of variation of RT (RTCV) and ex-Gaussian model of RT distribution parameters (mu, sigma and tau). Larger mean RT and Ex-Gaussian mu was observed for patients compared to controls. The group difference was larger for incongruent (attentionally demanding) versus congruent trials confirming a deficit in the control of spatial attention for patients. Significant increase in RT-ISV measures (RTSD, sigma and tau) for patients compared to controls was observed and was not modulated by trial congruency. Attention modulation (congruency effect) resulted in activation of bilateral frontal and parietal areas that was not different between patients and controls. Right middle frontal, right superior temporal and bilateral cingulate areas were more active in controls compared to patients independent of congruency. Activation in ROIs extracted from attention (congruency) and group related areas correlated with RT-ISV measures (especially RTCV and tau). Hypo-activation of the right middle frontal area correlated with increased tau specifically in patients. Hypo-activity of the right prefrontal cortex predicted increased RT-ISV in schizophrenia. This effect was unrelated to the effects of spatial attention and might be linked to a deficit in the inhibitory control of action for these patients.
Purpose
The present article reviews data from biomechanical and clinical studies which indicate that rotational instability can cause failure of fixation due to the particular characteristics of the ...fracture, the mechanical properties of the chosen implant or flaws in surgical technique.
Methods
Although radiographs give a similar impression in failure of fractures fixed with cephalomedullary nails, different mechanisms involving rotation of the femoral head may play a key role.
Results
The incidence of failure in pertrochanteric fracture fixation is decreasing as implants continue to evolve. It is possible that currently reported low failure rates do not apply equally to all subtypes of this diverse group of fractures. Since the introduction of sliding hip screws, “cut-out” due to varus collapse of the proximal fracture fragment has been the only reported mode of failure.
Conclusion
Excessive rotation leading to eventual “cut-out” has not been adequately studied, and thus, available evidence is not sufficient to definitely prove this theoretical approach. As nailing is gradually overtaking extramedullary fixation as the treatment of choice, especially for comminuted pertrochanteric fractures which can be rotationally unstable, further research is warranted to improve our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of failure.
Purpose Our aim was to analyze, in a multivariate framework, how sociodemographic, health-service utilization, health needs, and lifestyle risk factors influence drug utilization and polypharmacy ...(PP) in a general population in Greece. Methods The cross-sectional study took place in 2006. In total 1,005 individuals (>18 years old) of 1,388 who were approached (response rate 72.4%) were interviewed by trained interviewers. Thirty-seven reported only over-the-counter (OTC) drug use and were excluded. The final sample was 968 individuals. Multivariable logistic regression and multinomial regression analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of drug use and PP at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The results revealed a high rate of drug use and PP. Drug use and PP were more common among women and increased with age. Advanced age 65+ odds ratio (OR) 11.6), university education (OR 2.3), visits to physician (OR 2.2), comorbidity (OR 6.8), or poor physical and mental health were associated with higher likelihood of using drugs. Minor (two to three drugs) and major (four or more drugs) PP depended on comorbidity, physical health, and increased age. Furthermore, visits to physicians (OR 1.1), smoking (OR 3.0), and obesity (OR 3.8) increased the likelihood of major PP. Conclusions Overall, drug utilization and PP depended on health needs followed by education, utilization of health services, and age. Social disparities do persist and, after adjustments for health needs and obesity, had a significant influence on PP.
The paper focuses on exploring the influence of structural and functional characteristics of demonstrations on their effectiveness.
In the framework of AgriDemo-F2F project, we analysed the responses ...to 345 post-demonstration questionnaires filled out by the attendees of 31 demo events held in 12 EU countries. Factor analysis was employed and on a subsequent step a linear regression to predict general effectiveness.
Results indicate that the very first steps in the organisation of on-farm demonstration are of critical importance for the successful delivery of their objectives, particularly decisions relating to relevance to farmers' needs and the structure of the event. Moreover, the paper offers first evidence that when/if on-farm demonstrations are appropriately structured and delivered they can meet their objectives regardless of the status and strength of the corresponding AKIS.
Demonstration organisers should take special care with regard to the relevance of the topic and the group (demonstrator and attendees) as well as of the structure of the event.
The various elements influencing the success of on-farm demonstrations are examined together and ranked.
The study generates important (theoretical and practical) insights concerning the success of a widely used technique of advisory/extension services, that is on-farm demonstrations, based on a large data-set from demonstration events through out Europe.
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