Organic Farming as an Essential Tool of the Multifunctional Agriculture

This chapter aims at shedding light on the annals of organic farming and at defining its past and present meaning. Low-profile attempts were made in the first half of the last century when it comes to organic farming as it developed almost independently in the German and English speaking world. Organic farming has been established as a promising and innovative method of meeting agricultural needs and food production with respect to sustainability (climate change, food security and safety, biodiversity, rural development). Its value in terms of environmental benefits is also acknowledged. The differences between organic and conventional food stem directly from the farming methods that were used during the food items’ production. Many people are unaware of some of the differences between the two practices. Agriculture has a direct effect on our environment, so understanding what goes into it is important. There are serious differences between organic and conventional farming; one of the biggest differences that is observed very frequently across all research between the two farming practices is the effect on the land. Conclusively, organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate external agricultural inputs, especially synthetic ones. It is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity

Achaiki Iatriki : official publication of the medical society of western Greece and Peloponnesus

In the current issue, the editorial by Cauchi et al. argues for eco-friendly measures in endoscopy and emphasies the role of healthcare providers in reducing waste. The editorial adeptly employs the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) framework to tackle waste management, offering practical solutions. The editorial by Milionis et al. focuses on the reverse cascade screening for paediatric familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which is an upcoming tool for public health. Advantages, practices, and challenges regarding FH are thoroughly discussed. Lastly, the editorial by Fousekis et al. presents the main aspects of a chronic immune-mediated cutaneous disease, dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), which constitutes an extraintestinal manifestation of celiac disease, including its diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management. Moreover, this issue includes three review articles. The review article by Krontira et al. discusses the evolving data on the epidemiology, diagnostic approach and appropriate management of foreign body and caustic substance ingestion, based on updated guidelines published by gastroenterological and endoscopic societies. The review by Halliasos et al. provides data on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of metastatic acute spinal cord compression, focusing on the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, including spine surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, palliative care clinicians, physiotherapists, and psychologists. Lastly, the review by Schinas et al. outlines the potential of immune modulation in the treatment of infections and the need for individualised approaches in the modern world of personalised medicine by examining some of the key strategies and immune-based therapies being developed to combat infectious diseases.peer-reviewe

Characterisation of the cellular and molecular interactions involved in thymocyte development

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Magnetic resonance imaging of pineal tumors and drop metastases: a review approach

Pineal region tumors represent less than 1% and 3-8% of brain tumors in adults and children respectively. There is a wide range of pineal masses, with the majority being germ cell and pineal parenchymal tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for the assessment of pineal masses. It is considered as the gold standard for the evaluation of the central nervous system. MRI has the ability to produce very detailed images of the brain anatomy and is used to distinguish true pineal masses from parapineal with invasion of the gland. Specific MRI findings are helpful to the differential diagnosis of pineal tumors and the distinction between benign from malignant tumors. Pineal neoplasms may seed the subarachnoid space resulting in the development of intradural extramedullary metastases, known as drop metastases. MRI is the most sensitive method for the assessment of the spinal cord, meninges and nerve roots and the differentiation of the spinal lesions into intra/extra medullary and extradural. Because of its high sensitivity and the advances of the method, drop metastases can be easily diagnosed at an earlier stage than in the past, contributing to the selection of the appropriate treatment. Therefore, the entire neuroaxis should be investigated with MRI for the presence of intradural extramedullary lesions. The present study focuses on the main MR imaging characteristics of pineal masses and drop metastases with reference to the differential diagnosis. There is also a detailed approach to the MR protocol which should be obtained in order to evaluate the lesions

The role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in better delineating the extent of Diffuse Axonal Injury in a pediatric patient: A case report and brief review of the literature

Introduction: Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a major cause of disability in the pediatric patient. Herein we describe the MRI/DWI findings in a case with DAI. We also discuss the current role of CT and MRI with DWI in the evaluation of DAI. Aim of the study: To stress the role of diffusion-weighted imaging in diffuse axonal injury. Methods: A pediatric patient, who was hospitalized in the ICU, was submitted to MRI with DWI for the evaluation of brain lesions. The patient was scanned with T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, FLAIR, T2*-weighted images and diffusion weighted images. Result: Brain lesions caused by DAI were more conspicuous on diffusion-weighted images compared to FLAIR images. T2*-weighted images were a helpful adjunct in showing micro-hemorrhages. Conclusion: T2*-weighted images and FLAIR images alone underestimate the true extent brain lesions in DAI compared to DWI

Χαρισματικό παιδί και σχολικός εκφοβισμός: ανασκόπηση της βιβλιογραφίας

Τα χαρισματικά παιδιά χαρακτηρίζονται από γενικές ικανότητες, σε επίπεδο που υπερβαίνει το μέσο όρο, καθώς και από την ικανότητα να αφοσιώνονται στην εργασία τους. Τα προσόντα των χαρισματικών παιδιών συχνά καθίστανται παράγοντες στοχοποίησης ή και περιθωριοποίησης αυτών των παιδιών από τους συνομηλίκους τους, με αποτέλεσμα τα χαρισματικά παιδιά να συμμετέχουν σε πολλά περιστατικά σχολικού εκφοβισμού σε σχέση με τους μη χαρισματικούς συνομηλίκους τους. Σε πολλές περιπτώσεις, τα χαρισματικά θύματα γίνονται επιθετικά και αναζητώντας εκδίκηση για όσα έχουν υποστεί βρίσκονται σταδιακά στην πλευρά του θύτη σχολικού εκφοβισμού. Το θέμα του σχολικού εκφοβισμού, αν και έχει διερευνηθεί περισσότερο τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες, αποτελεί ένα ενδιαφέρον πεδίο για μελέτη, δεδομένης της συμπεριληπτικής πολιτικής των σημερινών σχολείων. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι να διερευνηθεί το φαινόμενο του εκφοβισμού μεταξύ των χαρισματικών παιδιών και των συνομήλικων τους, εστιάζοντας τόσο στα θύματα, όσο και στους δράστες. Στόχος είναι να αναδειχθεί ο βαθμός στον οποίο οι χαρισματικοί μαθητές γίνονται θύματα ή δράστες του σχολικού εκφοβισμού, τα ψυχολογικά αίτια του εκφοβισμού και οι συνέπειές του για τα χαρισματικά παιδιά.Gifted children are characterized by general abilities, at a level above average, as well as the ability to devote themselves to their work. The qualities of gifted children often become factors in targeting or marginalizing these children from their peers, so gifted children participate in more incidents of school bullying than their non-gifted peers. In many cases, gifted victims become aggressive and seek revenge for what they have suffered and gradually find themselves on the side of the school bully. The topic of school bullying, although more researched in recent decades, is an interesting field for study, given the inclusive policy of modern schools. The purpose of this study is to investigate bullying between gifted children and their peers, focusing on both the victims and the perpetrators and to highlight the extent to which gifted students become victims or perpetrators of school bullying, the psychological causes of bullying and its consequences for gifted children

Frequent Benign, Nontraumatic, Noninflammatory Causes of Low Back Pain in Adolescents: MRI Findings

Introduction. Low back pain (LBP) is common in children and adolescents. There are many factors that cause LBP, including structural disorders, degenerative changes, Scheuermann’s disease, fractures, inflammation, and tumors. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the gold standard for diagnosing spinal abnormalities and is mandatory when neurological symptoms exist. The study focuses on common MRI findings in adolescents with persistent LBP, without history of acute trauma or evidence of either inflammatory or rheumatic disease. Materials and Methods. Eleven adolescents were submitted to thoracic and/or lumbar spine MRI due to persistent LBP. The protocol consisted of T1 WI, T2 WI, and T2 WI with FS, in the axial, sagittal, and coronal plane. Results. MRI revealed structural abnormalities (scoliosis and kyphosis) in 4/11 (36.36%); disc abnormalities and endplate changes were found on 11/11 (100%). Typical Scheuermann’s disease was found in 3/11 (27.27%). Endplate changes were severe in Scheuermann’s patients and mild to moderate in the remaining 8/11 (72.72%). Kyphosis was in all cases secondary to Scheuermann’s disease. Disk bulges and hernias were found in 8/11 (72.72%), all located in the lumbar spine. Conclusion. In adolescents with LBP, structural spinal disorders, degenerative changes, and Scheuermann’s disease are commonly found on MRI; however, degenerative changes prevail

Epstein-Barr infection causing toxic epidermal necrolysis, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and cerebritis in a pediatric patient

Toxic epidermal necrolysis -the most serious variant of Steven Johnson Syndrome -arises as the result of cell-mediated cytotoxic reaction against keratinocytes. Most common inciting factors include drugs, and infections. On the other hand, Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), is a syndrome characterized by enormous immune response in the absence of down-regulation of activated immune cells resulting in cytokine storm causing severe tissue damage. Up to date, several cases of concomitance of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and Hemophagocytic Lympohystiocytosis (HLH) in pediatric patients have been reported. Both situations can be fatal and pediatricians should be aware that these two clinical entities are not mutually exclusive, to the contrary they may coexist. We herein describe a case of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, complicated with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis with Central Nervous System involvement due to EBV infection

Influence of an Organic Fertilizer on Agronomic Characteristics and Herbaceous Plant Diversity in a Greek Ecosystem: The Case of Cretan Dittany (<i>Origanum dictamnus</i> L.)

In recent years, there has been a growing tendency towards using organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the organic fertilizer, Prima Humica, on agronomic characteristics and herbaceous plant diversity on Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) cultivation. A field experiment was carried out in Kalo Xorio (Lasithi, Crete) and included three different nitrogen organic fertilization schemes: 0 g/plant (T0—unfertilized), 300 g/plot (T1), and 600 g/plot (T2). Plant height, fresh and dry weight, Leaf Area Index (LAI), and plant diversity during the growing season were measured. The results showed that when the T2 treatment was compared with the unfertilized and the T1 fertilizer, the increase in plant height ranged between 9.18% and 40.61%. Moreover, the total fresh and dry weight were positively affected by the T2 treatment. The total fresh and dry weight varied from 111.6 to 239.8 g per plant and from 36.7 to 77.6 g per plant, respectively. Furthermore, LAI was ameliorated using the T2 fertilizer scheme. Concerning plant diversity, a key finding in this study is that the O. dictamnus ecosystem favors herbaceous plant species richness and Shannon’s diversity index. In total, 18 plant species in the O. dictamnus ecosystem were recorded in the study area. The most frequently occurring plants were Anthemis arvensis L. and Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss. Finally, the highest Shannon’s diversity index of herbaceous plants was detected using the T2 fertilizer scheme