''Amis du monde'' : un projet collaboratif

Notre proposition d’intervention a comme but de montrer et de faire connaître un projet collaboratif dont les acteurs principaux ont été des étudiants du Centre d’Enseignement de Langues Étrangères – Didaskaleio – de l’Université nationale et capodistrienne d’Athènes. Ce projet a été réalisé dans le but de participer au Concours « Amis du Monde » organisé par l’APF-fu (Grèce) et la Commission de l’Europe de l’Ouest (CEO) pendant l’année universitaire 2015-2016. La production conçue et réalisée par les étudiant-e-s s’inscrit dans le cadre de la perspective actionnelle («  je préfère personnellement “perspective actionnelle” à “approche actionnelle” », Puren, 2011 : 7) et de l’enseignement collaboratif à des fins éducatives ; l’apprentissage de la langue française à travers la mise en priorité des objectifs communicatifs et socio-humanistes ; ces derniers renvoyant aux approches plurielles en classe de langue et à l’interculturalité. Le projet « Amis du Monde » a été l’opportunité pour les étudiante-s de se sensibiliser en ce qui concerne les réfugiés qui ont quitté la Syrie et qui sont arrivés en Grèce, il y a sept mois. Ainsi, ils ont donné naissance à une œuvre, en langue française, après avoir suivi toute une démarche de collecte de matériel, de recherche bibliographique ainsi que de conception sur le contenu de la production-vidéo. La participation des étudiant-e-s au concours, a contribué au renforcement de l’esprit d’équipe tant des étudiants que des enseignants, à la collaboration entre les enseignants et les étudiants afin de créer un produit en langue cible ainsi qu’à l’autonomie de l’apprenant en langue étrangère. À part l’actualité qui a beaucoup motivé les étudiants à s’occuper de ce projet, ce sont aussi les enseignants qui les ont conduits à la signature d’un contrat pédagogique – de façon implicite – qui mettait en valeur des objectifs sociaux, communicatifs toujours caractérisés de ce qui nous semble être indispensable en pédagogie et en classe de langue, c’est-à-dire d’une certaine humanité qui met au centre de l’action l’être humain et qui contribue à la connaissance de l’Autre. Par cette présentation, nous voulons partager avec vous tant des témoignages des étudiant-e-s que leur production, mais nous avons aussi le but de montrer en détail l’approche humaniste qui a été suivie pour l’accomplissement de ce projet collaboratif par un public adulte, universitaire

Use of wild bird surveillance, human case data and GIS spatial analysis for predicting spatial distributions of West Nile Virus in Greece

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the causative agent of a vector-borne, zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Recent expansion and introduction of WNV into new areas, including southern Europe, has been associated with severe disease in humans and equids, and has increased concerns regarding the need to prevent and control future WNV outbreaks. Since 2010, 524 confirmed human cases of the disease have been reported in Greece with greater than 10% mortality. Infected mosquitoes, wild birds, equids, and chickens have been detected and associated with human disease. The aim of our study was to establish a monitoring system with wild birds and reported human cases data using Geographical Information System (GIS). Potential distribution of WNV was modelled by combining wild bird serological surveillance data with environmental factors (e.g. elevation, slope, land use, vegetation density, temperature, precipitation indices, and population density). Local factors including areas of low altitude and proximity to water were important predictors of appearance of both human and wild bird cases (Odds Ratio = 1,001 95%CI = 0,723–1,386). Using GIS analysis, the identified risk factors were applied across Greece identifying the northern part of Greece (Macedonia, Thrace) western Greece and a number of Greek islands as being at highest risk of future outbreaks. The results of the analysis were evaluated and confirmed using the 161 reported human cases of the 2012 outbreak predicting correctly (Odds = 130/31 = 4,194 95%CI = 2,841–6,189) and more areas were identified for potential dispersion in the following years. Our approach verified that WNV risk can be modelled in a fast cost-effective way indicating high risk areas where prevention measures should be implemented in order to reduce the disease incidence

Rabies outbreak in Greece during 2012-2014: use of Geographical Information System for analysis, risk assessment and control

The objectives of this work were (i) geographical analysis of the 2012–2014 outbreak of rabies in Greece using GIS and (ii) comparative analysis of animal cases with data of potential human exposure to rabies together with environmental data, in order to provide information for risk assessment, effective monitoring and control. Most animal cases (40/48) involved red foxes, while domestic animals were also diagnosed with rabies. Overall, 80% of the cases were diagnosed in central northern Greece; 75% of the cases were diagnosed in low altitudes (<343·5 m), within a distance of 1 km from human settlements. Median distance from livestock farms was 201·25 m. Most people potentially exposed to rabies (889/1060) presented with dog bite injuries. Maximum entropy analysis revealed that distance from farms contributed the highest percentage in defining environmental niche profiles for rabid foxes. Oral vaccination programmes were implemented in 24 administrative units of the country during 2013 and 2014, covering a total surface area of ~60 000 km2. Rabies re-occurrence in Greece emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance in cross-border areas and in areas with intense human activity

Exposure assessment on aflatoxin M1 from milk and dairy products-relation to public health

Background-aim: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contaminates milk and dairy products that are widely consumed foods. Therefore, there is increased concern for human exposure to the toxic action and the negative health effects that AFM1 presents. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination levels with AFM1, of dairy products available in the Greek market (Thessaly), and also to estimate the relevant nutritional exposure. Methods: A total of 52 infant milk, 25 Feta cheese and 32 pasteurized milk samples were randomly selected from the market. The determination of AFM1 was based on indirect immunoenzymatic ELISA method with two analytical packages; namely Tecna (Italy) and Prognosis Biotech (Greece), for comparison purposes, strictly following the manufacturer's instructions. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFM1 through dairy consumption and the relevant hazard index (HI) were calculated. Results: The levels of AFM1, in all samples tested, were below the tolerable maximum level of 50 ng/L for milk and 25 ng/L for infant formulas (EC Regulation 1881/2006), while concentrations were very low (0.23–9.38 ng/L for infant formula, 0.54–4.09 ng/L for cheese and 0.20–17.84 ng/L for pasteurized milk). The exposure assessment revealed that infants, toddlers and children were the most exposed groups in AFM1 via milk and formula consumption (0.65, 0.35 and 0.35 respectively). The HI was also noticed higher in those ages, with the maximum value to reach 1.90. Though, for feta cheese the exposure was calculated as very low (EDI: 0.01 and HI: 0.05). Comparing the two analytical packages used, no statistically significant difference was found (p-value &gt;0.05). Conclusions: Milk and dairy products tested were found safe for consumption, regarding the AFM1 levels. From a public health perspective, the results are satisfactory, given that the population exposure to AFM1, based on the nutrient profile, was rather limited. © 2021 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolis

Organic food: A Study of consumer perception and preferences in Greece.

The last decades, organic food shows an increasing trend in production and consumption worldwide. The present study dealt with the depiction of the attitude of Greek consumers towards organic food. The objective was to illustrate whether Greek consumers are aware of the dynamics that organic foods possess, mainly to protect the environment and to maintain healthy life. A survey was conducted and in total 1945 questionnaires were collected from the general public and analyzed statistically, in order to assess the level of awareness and the profile of the consumers. The results revealed that the level of awareness is average and organic food price is considered prohibitive for systematic consumption. In terms of choice, Greeks believe that organic food is mainly safer, though without strongly supporting their environmental aspect. Based on these facts, it is necessary to systematically and intensively inform and increase consumers’ awareness about the essential reasons for supporting organic food, which are mainly related to the protection of the environment. © 202

Resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from pig faecal samples and pig farm workers, Greece

In this study, we compare the degree of antibiotic resistance between the E. coli strains isolated from swine faecal and farm workers. Resistance in nine widely used antibiotics was assessed by the determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration. Sixty-four out of 72 E. coli isolates derived from pigs and sixty out of 72 derived from farm workers showed resistance to at least one antibiotic. High resistance in tetracycline, ampicillin and amoxicillin was detected in both human and swine E. coli isolates, showing similar resistance patterns. This finding indicates that the use of antibiotics in pig industry and the increased antibiotic resistance of animal E. coli isolates, also affects the resistance of isolates collected from farm workers, at least in the area of study. © 2016 George Valiakos, Alexandros Vontas, Constantina N. Tsokana, Alexios Giannakopoulos, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos and Charalambos Billinis

Population density, roads and altitude influences on spatial distribution of hares positive to EBHSV

Understanding of the ecology of infected animals facilitates disease risk assessment and is also crucial for wildlife conservation. Relatively little is known about the spatial distribution of infected wild mammals in relation to environmental factors. In neighboring Mediterranean ecosystems 250 European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) were collected and examined with RT-PCR to detect European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus (EBHSV). Multivariate statistics and Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis were applied to estimate spatial patterns of biotic and abiotic factors and human activities as determinants of EBHSV positivity. Hare population abundance was estimated using faeces counts and belt drive censuses. The study showed that EBHSV infected hares had widespread distribution even in isolated areas. However, EBHSV infection prevalence was higher in areas with higher hare abundance, closer to paved road networks and at lower altitudes. The risk map revealed the potential distribution of EBHSV-infected hares. This study shows that host abundance and landscape influence the ecology of the disease, a finding that should be taken into account in future studies. The management of harvest and restocking of hares is also discussed for population conservation. © 201

Detection of Antibodies Against Toxoplasma gondii in Filter Paper-Dried Blood Dot Spots Compared with Serum in Pigs and Assessment of Variation Associated with Packed Cell Volume

The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody detection in serum and filter paper (FP) blood spots using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA) and to evaluate the potential impact of the packed cell volume (PCV) on antibody detection in FPs. A pair of a serum and an FP sample was collected from 96 sows at various farms in Greece, with previously identified high seropositivity and/or risk factors associated with high seropositivity against T. gondii. The PCV value was determined using the microhematocrit method. IFA was used for the detection of antibodies against T. gondii. T. gondii-specific antibodies were detected in 45.8% serum samples and 41.6% FP samples showing almost perfect agreement. Detection in FP samples presented high sensitivity (87.1-92.8%) and excellent specificity (100%) when compared with detection in serum, regardless of the PCV values. The findings of this study support the reliability of FPs for the evaluation of the serological status of swine against T. gondii. FPs could be a good alternative sample type compared with serum for large-scale epidemiological studies. © 2022, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

European Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) as a source of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of Public Health importance: A review

European brown hare (Lepus europaeus, EBH) is probably the most important game animal in Europe throughout its historical distribution. The decline in its populations across its geographic range in Europe have been attributed to factors such as reproductive rate and the ability for adaptation, climate, feed availability, predators, anthropogenic factors and diseases. Apart from common diseases of hares with a high impact on their mortality such as European Brown hare Syndrome, EBH has been involved in the epidemiology of pathogens with zoonotic potential. In this work, the role of EBH as a source of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV), Yersinia spp., Brucella spp., Francisella tularensis, Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum is discussed. Hares may significantly contribute to the epidemiology of important emerging zoonotic pathogens through maintenance of high endemicity levels as in the case of CCHFV, as a reservoir of important pathogens such as Yersinia spp., B. suis, F. tularensis and L. infantum and as a potential source of T. gondii for other animals, especially for carnivores but also for humans. However, EBH may also be a host of minor importance as in the case of HEV. The continuous surveillance of hare populations will enable the collection of information on the population health status and the pathogens currently circulating in the area posing risk for wildlife, domestic animals and humans. The possible live animal translocations of infected hares, the fact that this species acts as a host of vectors (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and sandflies) and the prey of carnivores and omnivores that travel in great distances getting into contact with domestic animals and humans, further highlights the need to be included in surveillance studies. Besides, the hunter-harvested EBH population is an excellent indicator for recent pathogen transmission due to its short lifespan. © 2020 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt