The effect of exercise on improving quality of life and self-esteem of inmates in Greek prisons

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of an exercise program on the quality of life and self-esteem of inmates in Greek prisons. Sixty male inmates randomly assigned in two groups (control and experiment). The duration of the training program for the exercise group was 12 weeks. Control group individuals did not participate in the exercise program. SF-12 quality of life questionnaire and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale were administered to both groups prior and after exercise intervention. The findings of this study support the beneficial effect of exercise on quality of life and self-esteem of inmates in Greek prison settings.The research for this paper was financially supported by a PhD Research Fellowship from the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) and Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI)

A Preliminary Study and Implementing Algorithm Using Finite State Automaton for Remote Identification of Drones

Electronic remote identification (ER-ID) is a new radio frequency (RF) technology that is initiated by the Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA). For security reasons, traffic control, and so on, ER-ID has been applied for drones by the FAA to enable them to transmit their unique identification and location so that unauthorized drones can be identified. The current limitation of the existing ER-ID algorithms is that the application is limited to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless controllers, which results in a maximum range of 10–20 m for Bluetooth and 50–100 m for Wi-Fi. In this study, a mathematical computing technique based on finite state automaton (FSA) is introduced to expand the range of the ER-ID RF system and reduce the energy required by the drone to use the technology. A finite number of states have been designed to include a larger range of wireless network techniques, enabling the drones to be recognized while they are further away and in remote areas. This is achieved by including other means of RF channels, such as 4G/5G, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), long range Internet of things (IoT), and satellite communications, in the suggested ER-ID algorithm of this study. The introduced algorithm is tested via a case study. The results showed the ability to detect drones using all types of available radio frequency communication systems (RF-CS) while also minimizing the consumed energy. Hence, the authorities can control the licensed drones by using available RF-CS devices, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which are already widely used for mobile phones, as an example

A Preliminary Study and Implementing Algorithm Using Finite State Automaton for Remote Identification of Drones

Electronic remote identification (ER-ID) is a new radio frequency (RF) technology that is initiated by the Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA). For security reasons, traffic control, and so on, ER-ID has been applied for drones by the FAA to enable them to transmit their unique identification and location so that unauthorized drones can be identified. The current limitation of the existing ER-ID algorithms is that the application is limited to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless controllers, which results in a maximum range of 10–20 m for Bluetooth and 50–100 m for Wi-Fi. In this study, a mathematical computing technique based on finite state automaton (FSA) is introduced to expand the range of the ER-ID RF system and reduce the energy required by the drone to use the technology. A finite number of states have been designed to include a larger range of wireless network techniques, enabling the drones to be recognized while they are further away and in remote areas. This is achieved by including other means of RF channels, such as 4G/5G, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), long range Internet of things (IoT), and satellite communications, in the suggested ER-ID algorithm of this study. The introduced algorithm is tested via a case study. The results showed the ability to detect drones using all types of available radio frequency communication systems (RF-CS) while also minimizing the consumed energy. Hence, the authorities can control the licensed drones by using available RF-CS devices, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which are already widely used for mobile phones, as an example

The health related quality of life of Greek patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

SUMMARY.Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an advancing disease, characterized by progressive deterioration of lung function. The impact of the disease on human health is massive and it affects the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients in every aspect. This study assessed HRQoL of Greek patients with COPD and its association with demographic and clinical factors, and compared the findings with with those of COPD studies in other countries. In addition, the cost of pharmaceutical treatment of these patients was assessed. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 136 Greek patients with COPD (103 men, mean age 64.7±9.2 years, mean FEV1 59±25.6% predicted).I Information was recorded about their demographic and clinical parameters. Their HRQoL was assessed using the Greek versions of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF-12) and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: The HRQoL of Greek patients with COPD was found to be significantly lower than both that in the general population and that of patients COPD reported in other countries. Almost all the HRQoL scores were shown to be associated with gender, educational and financial status, duration of symptoms, age at onset of symptoms, pack-years of cigarettes smoked, disease stage, degree of dyspnoea, pO2 and pCO2 levels, numbers of medical visits and hospital admissions, participation in rehabilitation programmes, and co-morbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (DM). The average cost of pharmaceutical treatment was assessed at 110 ± 63 € / month and was associated with the stage of the disease, the smoking habit, the degree of dyspnoea, annual numbers of medical visits and admissions and nebulizer usage. Conclusions: The HRQoL of Greek patients with COPD is influenced by multiple parameters, which should all be taken into consideration when their treatment is being planned. Cost-effective studies should be made on populations of Greek patients with COPD and more emphasis should be placed on rehabilitation programmes in Greece. Pneumon 2013, 26(2):139-151

Exercise testing and exercise-limiting factors in patients with bilateral bronchiectasis

SUMMARY. Introduction: Exercise capacity is reduced in many patients with bronchiectasis, but there is little information available regarding exercise responses in these patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate exercise capacity and exercise responses in patients with bilateral bronchiectasis in order to identify possible exercise-limiting factors. Population and Methods: Fifteen patients with bronchiectasis aged 50±16 years underwent lung function testing, including assessment of tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFL), and performed a maximum incremental (20 watts/min) symptom-limited bicycle exercise test. Results: Exercise performance was reduced in 7 of the 15 patients, particularly in those with a greater degree of impairment of lung function, and specifically lower FEV1 (p<0.001) and FVC (p<0.001). EFL was detected in 5 of the 7 patients with exercise limitation and absent in all with normal exercise capacity. Patients with reduced exercise capacity exhibited significantly lower maximal ventilation (V.Emax %pred; p<0.001), maximal tidal volume (VTmax; p= 0.03), breathing reserve (higher V.Emax/MVV; p<0.001), peak-exercise oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2, p<0.001), O2-pulse (p<0.001) and anaerobic threshold (AT, p<0.001) and perceived a higher degree of dyspnoea (Borg score; p=0.007). The best correlate of maximal work rate (WRmax, %pred) was the AT (r= 0.90, r2 = 0.81, p<0.001), while for peak oxygen uptake (V.O2max, %pred) the most significant correlation was the peak-exercise SpO2 (r=0.83, r2 = 0.69, p<0.001). Conclusions: Patients with bronchiectasis who have tidal EFL and a low FEV1 exhibit a reduction in exercise capacity. Ventilatory limitation, desaturation and impaired O2-transport/utilization to the periphery appear to be the principal factors limiting exercise. V.O2max can be predicted accurately from parameters obtained by simple means, such as peak-exercise SpO2 obtained by pulse oximetry. Pneumon 2009, 22(4):296-314

Epidemiological characteristics and outcomes from 187 patients with COVID-19 admitted to 6 reference centers in Greece: an observational study during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Epidemiological data from patients with COVID-19 has been recently published in several countries. Nationwide data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Greece remain scarce. Material and methods: This was an observational, retrospective study from 6 reference centers between February 26 and May 15, 2020. Results: The patients were mostly males (65.7%) and never smokers (57.2%) of median age 60 (95% CI: 57.6–64) years. The majority of the subjects (98%) were treated with the standard-of-care therapeutic regimen at that time, including hydroxychlo-roquine and azithromycin. Median time of hospitalization was 10 days (95% CI: 10–12). Twenty-five (13.3%) individuals were intubated and 8 died (4.2%). The patients with high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ( &gt; 3.58) exhibited more severe disease as indicated by significantly increased World Health Organization (WHO) R&amp;D ordinal scale (4; 95% CI: 4–4 vs 3; 95% CI: 3–4, p = 0.0001) and MaxFiO2% (50; 95% CI: 38.2–50 vs 29.5; 95% CI: 21–31, p &lt; 0.0001). The patients with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels ( &gt; 270 IU/ml) also exhibited more advanced disease compared to the low LDH group ( &lt; 270 IU/ml) as indicated by both WHO R&amp;D ordinal scale (4; 95% CI: 4–4 vs 4; 95% CI: 3–4, p = 0.0001) and MaxFiO2% (50; 95% CI: 35–60 vs 28; 95% CI: 21–31, p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: We present the first epidemiological report from a low-incidence and mortality COVID-19 country. NLR and LDH may represent reliable disease prognosticators leading to timely treatment decisions

Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcomes from 187 Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to 6 Reference Centers in Greece: An Observational Study during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Epidemiological data from patients with COVID-19 has been recently published in several countries. Nationwide data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Greece remain scarce. Material and methods:This was an observational, retrospective study from 6 reference centers between February 26 and May 15, 2020. Results: The patients were mostly males (65.7%) and never smokers (57.2%) of median age 60 (95% CI: 57.6–64) years. The majority of the subjects (98%) were treated with the standard-of-care therapeutic regimen at that time, including hydroxychlo-roquine and azithromycin. Median time of hospitalization was 10 days (95% CI: 10–12). Twenty-five (13.3%) individuals were intubated and 8 died (4.2%). The patients with high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (&gt; 3.58) exhibited more severe disease as indicated by significantly increased World Health Organization (WHO) R&amp;D ordinal scale (4; 95% CI: 4–4 vs. 3; 95% CI: 3–4, p = 0.0001) and MaxFiO2% (50; 95% CI: 38.2–50 vs 29.5; 95% CI: 21–31, p &lt; 0.0001). The patients with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (&gt; 270 IU/ml) also exhibited more advanced disease compared to the low LDH group (&lt; 270 IU/ml) as indicated by both WHO R&amp;D ordinal scale (4; 95% CI: 4–4 vs. 4; 95% CI: 3–4, p = 0.0001) and MaxFiO2% (50; 95% CI: 35–60 vs. 28; 95% CI: 21–31, p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: We present the first epidemiological report from a low-incidence and mortality COVID-19 country. NLR and LDH may represent reliable disease prognosticators leading to timely treatment decisions