Identification of Metabolites Derived from the Anti-trypanosomal Drug Megazol

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 published concerning its mutagenic properties. Objectived: We therefore decided to characterize and identify megazol metabolites, with the hypothesis that they could be less toxic. Methods: We treated groups of mice with different derivatives and then detected metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry in urine, feces, and plasma samples from mice. Results: In vivo results showed that eleven metabolites were detected in urine (M1 to M11); six metabolites were detected in plasma (M1a/b, M2a/b, M5, M7a/b M9, andM10a/b) and in feces, only two (M1 a/b and M5) were found. Conclusions: The structures of metabolites were deduced using chromatograms and mass spectra data combined with usual metabolic patterns.

Validation of the Stress in Children (SiC) Questionnaire in a Sample of Greek Pupils

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 were completed by 100 pupils (54 boys, 46 girls) aged (mean ± SD) 10.6 ± 1.26 years. A three-factor structure (“Distress”, “Presence of well-being”, and “Presence of social support”) accounted for 41.33% of variance. Reliability Cronbach's alpha of “Distress”, “Presence of well-being” and “Presence of social support” factors was equal to 0.75, 0.75 and 0.61, respectively. Regarding concurrent validity, positive correlations were found between “Distress” and both trait anxiety (rho=0.59, p<0.0001) and state anxiety (rho=0.61, p<0.0001). Correlations were also found between “Presence of Wellbeing” and age (rho=-0.24, p=0.019), state (rho=-0.36, p=0.006) and trait anxiety (rho=-0.45, p<0.0001). Conclusions: The Greek version of SiC Questionnaire demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties (content validity, internal reliability) that support its use in Greek children

Reliability and Validity of the Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Stress Scale in the Greek Population

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 score were significantly correlated with perceived stress and hospital anxiety and depression scale, implying good criterion validity. Associations with social, demographic and disease related information were also found. Conclusions: The NDBCSS resulted in acceptable reliability and good validity, and was considered as a valuable tool for health-care workers and oncologists to measure psychological distress in early stage of breast cancer

Τhe Effect of the Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on Psychological, Lifestyle and Cognitive Measures of a Community Sample

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 high-compliance group showed statistically significant differences in healthy lifestyle and personal control choices (HLPCQ; p=0.006), sleep quality (PSQI; p=0.007), self-regulation eating behavior (SREBQ; p=0.009), perceived stress (PSS; p=0.001) and depressive symptoms (p=0.003).  Conclusions: Frequent practice of the PSAI had a positive effect on the psychological, lifestyle, and cognitive measures of the community sample. Larger studies are needed to establish the PSAI as an effective stress management method

DNA replication control: Liquid-liquid phase separation comes into play

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 the components of the pre-replicative complex, ORC, Cdc6 and Cdt1, are able to phase separate indicating a possible connection between LLPS and DNA replication. Here, we critically present these preliminary data and propose mechanistic models that could support this regulatory link and lead to new future research directions

Keeping up with the Spread of SARS-CoV-2: a Review of the Global Response to the Need for Innovative Tests for Global Population Screening

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 of biosensors as well as lateral flow assays provides an alternative means to reliable and fast viral detection with tremendous future perspectives

Effects of the Pythagorean Self Awareness Intervention on Childhood Emotional Eating and Psychological Wellbeing: a Pragmatic Trial

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 assigned to either the intervention group (n = 23) or the control group (n = 22). Self-report measures were used for the evaluation of various variables at the beginning and the end of the 8-week monitoring period. Descriptive and inferential statistic methods were used for the statistical analysis. Results: At the end of the 8-week period pupils in the intervention group experienced statistically significant reduction in stress (SIC, p < 0.001), anxiety (STAIC-trait anxiety, p = 0.019, STAIC-state anxiety, p = 0.006), guilt (p < 0.001) and emotional eating (EES-C, p < 0.001) and an increase in Mediterranean diet quality (KIDMED, p = 0.001) and pride (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences between the two groups were recorded regarding depression symptoms (CDI, p = 0.551) and shame (p = 0.120). Conclusions: PSAI had positive effects on a sample of primary school attendants’ emotional eating and psychological state

An 8-week Stress Management Program in Information Technology Professionals and the Role of a New Cognitive Behavioral Method: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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 significantly better cognitive speed and verbal memory at the end of the follow-up. Taking into account the group by time interaction coefficients, PSAT was found significantly superior to standard SM with regards to depression, emotional intelligence, lifestyle and personal control and verbal memory suggesting that verbal memory improvement through time should be mostly attributed to PSAT. On the other hand, the cognitive speed improvement during follow-up should be attributed to both interventions. Conclusions: These findings provide important insight into the role of stress management. Future studies should focus on randomized, controlled trials with larger samples and longer follow-up times.

Greek Validation of Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents

Aim: In this study, we focused on the Greek validation of the Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents (EES-C). Methods: Our sample consisted of 150 students in primary and secondary school settings from two different areas of Greece. Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and State and Trait Anxiety in Children (STAIC) were also used for validation purposes. Results: The principal component factor analysis for construct validity generated three subscales: eating in response to anger/anxiety, feeling unsettled and depression. The EES-C tool was found with high internal reliability (Cronbach's Alpha 0.917). Conclusions: EES-C is a valid and reliable instrument to detect the emotional eating in children and adolescents in Greece

Antitumor activity of Neem leaf Extract and Nimbolide on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells in Mice

Background: Azadirachta indica (Neem) has been used traditionally for many centuries. Some impressive therapeutic qualities have been discovered. Aim: Our study aims to investigate the in vivo antitumor and antioxidant activities of Ethanolic Neem Leaf Extract (ENLE) and its fraction called Nimbolide, a limonoid present in leaves and flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). Also, to study the side effects of the ethanolic Neem leaf extract and Nimbolide fraction on the liver and kidney. Materials & Methods: We assessed the effect of nimbolide and ethanolic Neem leaves extract (ENLE) on replicative lifespan prolongation in vitro and on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Caspase-3, and Cytochrome c. Also, our study estimated their effect on Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Total Protein (TP), Albumin (Alb), bilirubin, urea and creatinine. Results: Ethanolic neem leaves extract and nimbolide resulted in increases in replicative lifespan. Also, they showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and an increase in catalase, glutathione peroxidase, caspase-3 activities, and cytochrome c concentration. Hence, it may be possible that Nimbolide and ENLE decrease lipid peroxidation level due to their antioxidant effect and enhance apoptosis. The Neem leaves extract and nimbolide showed no side effects on liver and kidney. Also, they showed a significant protection for both liver and kidney histopathologically