Exploring elements of an effective practitioner-patient relationship in dentistry

Purpose: The present study, having human-centered orientation (empathy) as an index of the doctor-patient relationship, aims to record the degree of user/patient satisfaction with the health services provided by the Department of Oral Medicine/ Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Materials and Methods: Quantitative analysis of the research was conducted using a four-item anonymous questionnaire on satisfaction: (a) communication (b) information/ awareness (c) respect/ acceptance and (d) interest/ understanding. The participants were 600 patients with oral diseases of various severity. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistics SPSS 20 and 25.Results: The participants were 61.7% females (median age 58.5 years) and 38.3% males (median age 60 years). According to the scores the patients’ satisfaction was: a) communication (97.8%), (b) information/ awareness (85.8%), (c) respect/ acceptance (78.8%), and (d) interest/ understanding (67.7%).Conclusion: Quantitative analysis of the empirical study established that the patients of Department of Oral Medicine revealed a fairly high rate of satisfaction. However some service parameters (interest/ understanding) need further attention and for this reason improvement proposals have been tabled

Ορυκτολογική μελέτη των πετρωμάτων στη περιοχή Σουσάκι

Η παρούσα έρευνα αποτελεί πτυχιακή εργασία η οποία εκπονήθηκε υπό την επίβλεψη του επίκουρου καθηγητή του πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών Μήτση Ιωάννη. Στην εργασία πραγματοποιείται μελέτη των πετρωμάτων της περιοχής γύρω από το ανενεργό ηφαίστειο Σουσάκι του νομού Κορινθίας. Επίσης μελετάται η μεταβολή της ορυκτολογικής και χημικής σύστασης πετρωμάτων κατά μήκος της περιοχής της δειγματοληψίας. Για τη πραγματοποίηση της παρούσας εργασίας απαιτήθηκε η πραγματοποίηση υπαίθριας δειγματοληψίας και εργαστηριακής μελέτης των πετρωμάτων. Συλλέχτηκαν περίπου 30 δείγματα και στην πορεία αναλύθηκαν τα 20 που κρίθηκαν αντιπροσωπευτικά. Σα γενικό συμπέρασμα προκύπτει ότι στη περιοχή έδρασαν υδροθερμικά διαλύματα πλούσια σε CO2 που μετέτρεψαν τα σχετικά υγιή υπερβασικά πετρώματα της περιοχής από σερπεντινίτες και ανθρακικά βασικών μέταλλων προοδευτικά σε αργιλικά και οξείδια-υδροξείδια με τελικό στάδιο την πλήρη πυριτίωση των πετρωμάτων.The present research is a diploma thesis which was conducted under the supervision of Assistant Professor at the University of Athens, Metsis Ioannis. A study of the rocks around the inactive volcano Sousaki in the prefecture of Korinthia is being carried out. It also studies the change in the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks along the sampling area. For the realization of this work it was necessary to perform outdoor sampling and laboratory study of the rocks. Approximately 30 samples were collected and 20 of them were judged to be representative. The general conclusion is that CO2-rich hydrothermic solutions have turned into the area to convert relatively healthy superbasic rocks of the area from serpentinites and basic metal carbides to aluminates and oxides-hydroxides in the final stage of complete rock silicification

Covid-19 Pandemic and e-learning: The case of the School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

ABSTRACT: Aim: The present study aims to investigate the School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece, undergraduate students’ views on e-learning experience during the Covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Empirical survey was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire which consisted of demographic characteristics and close-ended structured items on e-learning. The results of the survey were processed using MICROSOFT EXCEL IBM SPSS STATISTICS 24 software. Results: The majority of students (69.1%) reported a rather negative evaluation of e-learning, while the 51.8% of students reported positive ones. Conclusion: In the present study, the students attributed more negative than positive features to e-learning during the pandemic, confirming in the most convincing way that the health hazards of the pandemic had a distinctive societal impact and caused turbulence in Education as well, leading to student discontent. On this basis, the positive points and challenges of e-learning are highlighted, and subsequently strategies for educational preparation are proposed, to the benefit of knowledge and progress of society

Management of Harlequin Ichthyosis: A Brief Review of the Recent Literature

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a life-threatening genetic disorder that largely affects the skin of infants. HI is the most severe form of the autosomal recessive disorder known as ichthyosis. It is caused by mutations in the A12 cassette (lipid-transporter adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette A12). Neonates affected by this disease are born with specific morphological characteristics, the most prominent of which is the appearance of platelet keratotic scales separated by erythematous fissures. The facial features include eclabium, ectropion, a distinct flattened nose, and dysplastic ears. A common finding among those with HI is impaired skin barrier function. The purpose of the present narrative review is to assess the most recent literature regarding the management of HI. Emphasis is given to surgical management and consultation, to the indications for timing and surgical intervention, to the risks that are presented with surgery, and to the details of the surgical procedure itself. Management of HI requires a multidisciplinary team of experts, and specific guidelines are needed in order for the risks to be minimized and viability to be increased

Genetic and Epigenetic Factors Associated with Postpartum Psychosis: A 5-Year Systematic Review

Purpose: Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a serious mental health illness affecting women post-parturition. Around 1 in 1000 women are affected by postpartum psychosis, and the symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks after birth. Postpartum mental disorders are classified into 3 main categories starting from the least to most severe types, including baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, genetic and epigenetic factors associated with postpartum psychosis are discussed. A PRISMA flow diagram was followed, and the following databases were used as main sources: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Additional information was retrieved from external sources and organizations. The time period for the articles extracted was 5 years. Results: Initially, a total of 2379 articled were found. After the stated criteria were applied, 58 articles were identified along with 20 articles from additional sources, which were then narrowed down to a final total of 29 articles. Conclusions: It can be concluded that there is an association between PPP and genetic and epigenetic risk factors. However, based on the data retrieved and examined, the association was found to be greater for genetic factors. Additionally, the presence of bipolar disorder and disruption of the circadian cycle played a crucial role in the development of PPP

Stress, Anxiety and Depression Prevalence among Greek University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Two-Year Survey

Background: The negative effect of COVID-19 pandemic on college students’ mental health is well-demonstrated. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the pandemic on the students of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece), in terms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and to analyze the probable correlation of various social and phycological factors. Methods: The survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire, which was first distributed in November 2020 and then re-launched in November 2021. The evaluation was carried out through the DASS21 screening tool. Associations regarding participants’ characteristics and the three variables (stress, anxiety, and depression) were investigated with Pearson’s chi-squared (Χ2) test. Results: The first-year results (November 2020) revealed severe prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression (37.4%, 27.2% and 47% respectively). The second-year results (November 2021) revealed a significant augmentation in all three variables, mainly for the extreme severe scales (47.3%, 41.1% and 55% respectively). Participants who were receiving psychiatric treatment exhibited higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, especially during the second year of the pandemic (p-Value p-Value < 0.00001). Conclusions: The community of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has been greatly affected during the last 2 years. The inherent risks of the confinement measures on students’ well-being and mental health are undeniable. Recurrent annual psychological evaluation in universities and colleges is strongly advised

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD20 in Decidual and Trophoblastic Tissue Specimens of Patients with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Recurrent miscarriages affect up to 5% of couples. CD3+ (T-lymphocytes), CD4+ (helper T-lymphocytes), CD8+ (cytotoxic T-lymphocytes), and CD20+ (B-lymphocytes) cells may participate in the pathophysiology of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was to investigate the complicity of these molecules in RPL. The experimental specimens were obtained from 20 females who underwent miscarriages in the first gestational trimester, while the control group&rsquo;s specimens consisted of 20 females who proceeded with voluntary pregnancy termination during the same period. Tissue samples were taken from the decidua basalis, decidua parietalis, and trophoblast (placental chorionic villi) and were studied using immunohistochemical methods. Monoclonal antibodies were used against CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD20 cells. The lymphocyte levels in the decidua parietalis displayed profound disparities among the two groups. The decidua basalis and trophoblast exhibited almost the same disparities regarding positive CD cells. The comparison of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the endometrial tissue revealed a significant difference between the two groups of study. The analysis uncovered a strong relationship between RPL and the presence of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD20+ cells in the decidua parietalis tissue. The number of positive T cells was decreased in the decidual basalis and chorionic villi, proving that their absence significantly disrupts the balance of the immunological environment

Immunohistochemical study of IL-10 and CD46 in placental tissues in recurrent pregnancy loss

Purpose: The is to clarify the role of IL-10 and CD46 in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), via an immunohistochemical case-control study in placenta tissues.Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study in which the experimental group consisted of 20 women, 30 to 42 years old, who miscarried during the first trimester of pregnancy for unknown reasons, while the control group consisted of 20 women, 27 to 39 years old, who had voluntarily performed in termination of pregnancy in the first trimester. An immunohistochemical study was performed on histological samples of decidua basalis, decidua parietalis and trophoblast, using the immunohistochemical markers IL-10 and CD46. The results were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test.Results: A statistically significant difference in IL-10 expression was detected between the control group and the miscarriage group on decidual cells (p-value .0001). There was increased immunohistochemical staining on the decidua of the control group in comparison to the miscarriage group. Regarding CD46, the immunohistochemical analysis did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the two groups in either the decidual or trophoblastic cells.Conclusion: IL-10 seems to be associated with the RPL phenomena. It is necessary to further investigate the involvement of immune factors with RPL.

QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON DISTANCE LEARNING EDUCATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The scope of this study is to investigate the reaction of school students to distance learning during the period of quarantine and lockdown which were imposed as safety measures against the pandemic of Covid-19. This paper tries also to analyse the emotional and psychological impact of school closure to the students because of the pandemic and whether the e-learning procedure could be the answer in similar future situations. It is attempted to be verified whether this unprecedented situation caused negative feelings to children such like fear, anxiety, anger, reduced appetite, depression and denial. This research was conducted through the method of answering questionnaires by students of the Central Macedonia region. The age of the students was ranged from 13 to 18 years old. The time period in which the study took place was from 1st to 10th of June 2020, two weeks after the re-opening of schools in Greece. The results of the present study recorded that high school students in Greece reported low prevalence of anxiety and a considerable proportion of students remained calm during the COVID-19 outbreak. A further investigation should be undertaken in order to shed some light on the reasons that students in Greece manifested this behaviour

Antidiabetic Drugs in the Treatment of Alzheimer&rsquo;s Disease

The public health burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease is steadily increasing worldwide, especially in the population of older adults. Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest a possible shared pathophysiology between the two diseases and an increased risk of AD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, in recent years, there has been a substantial interest in identifying the mechanisms of action of antidiabetic drugs and their potential use in Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Human studies in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease have shown that administration of some antidiabetic medications, such as intranasal insulin, metformin, incretins, and thiazolidinediones, can improve cognition and memory. This review aims to examine the latest evidence on antidiabetic medications as a potential candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease