Mindful eating and eating behaviours in Greece: exploring the validity and reliability of two mindful eating scales and other eating behaviours for Greek-speaking populations

Background Mindful eating has seen an increase in clinical and non-clinical practices of changing health outcomes. Meanwhile, the restriction of not having validated scales in other languages proposes a barrier to exploring the impact of mindful eating cross-culturally, and specific to the present project, across Greek-speaking populations, limiting the potential of exploring the association with Mediterranean dieting. Methods In the present research, volunteers (n = 706) completed online the Mindful Eating Behaviour Scale and the Mindful Eating Scale. A forward–backwards translation, leading to face validity, and was assessed for internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) and followed up by an assessment of the factorial structure of the scales. Divergent and convergent validity was explored using motivations to eat palatable foods, grazing, craving, Dusseldorf orthorexia, Salzburg emotional eating, and the Salzburg stress eating scales. Results Results indicated that both scales displayed good internal consistency, and the assessment of the factorial structure of the scales was equally good and semi-consistent with the English versions, with parallel analyses and item loadings proposing problems that have been shown in critical review literature. Associations of mindful eating scales to other eating behaviours were replicated to previously established findings with English-speaking populations. Conclusions Findings that deviated from the expected outcomes are central to the discussion on the measurement of mindful eating, and further direction highlights the way forward for researchers and clinicians

Τεχνολογικές εφαρμογές για την ανθρώπινη υγεία και απόδοση σε διαφορετικές περιβαλλοντικές συνθήκες

The aim of this thesis was to explore the intersection of technology and its application in optimizing human performance and protecting health under various environmental conditions. Comprising six chapters, the research investigated the use of wearables, artificial intelligence, and data analytics in varying scenarios, from challenging work environments to endurance sports in extreme conditions. The first study utilized machine learning algorithms to analyze the impact of weather parameters on peak performance during endurance running events. It established that weather conditions significantly influence performance and recommended thorough evaluation of weather parameters and adoption of heat mitigation strategies. Using similar machine learning techniques, the research delved into assessing the critical factors that contribute to the risk of heat strain during work and leisure activities. The analysis identified work duration and body mass index as significant factors influencing individuals' exposure to heat stress. The thesis further delved into improving the comfort of bicyclists by developing an adaptive model for monitoring head thermal comfort in helmets. A SmartHelmet prototype, equipped with sensors, was created to ensure continuous data streaming and precise comfort prediction. In a move to more extreme conditions, a case report analyzing the impact of high altitude on sleep quality and heart rate variability in a Mt. Everest climber revealed a progressive reduction in sleep quality and heart rate variability at altitudes above 5500m. Finally, a new web tool was developed, complying with ISO 7933:2018 standards, to estimate heat strain under various environmental conditions. In summary, this thesis significantly enhanced the understanding of how technological innovations can optimize human performance and protect health in diverse environmental conditions, laying the groundwork for future research and technological advancements in these domains.Στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν να εξερευνήσει τη συμβολή της τεχνολογίας στη προάσπιση της υγείας και την βελτίωση της απόδοσης των ανθρώπων κατά την έκθεση σε διάφορες περιβαλλοντικές συνθήκες. Αποτελείται από έξι κεφάλαια, που αναλύουν την εφαρμογή των φορητών συσκευών, της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης και της ανάλυσης δεδομένων σε διάφορες καταστάσεις και ομάδες, όπως εργαζόμενοι και αθλητές. Στην αρχική μελέτη, η μηχανική μάθηση χρησιμοποιήθηκε για να αναλύσει την επίδραση των καιρικών παραμέτρων στην αθλητική απόδοση κατά τη διάρκεια μεγάλων αθλητικών διοργανώσεων σε δρομικά αγωνίσματα αντοχής. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι ο καιρός επηρεάζει σημαντικά την απόδοση των αθλητών και συνιστάτε η αξιολόγηση όλων των παραμέτρων του καιρού και η υιοθέτηση στρατηγικών μετριασμού της ζέστης κατά την διοργάνωση μεγάλων αθλητικών διοργανώσεων. Στη συνέχεια, η έρευνα χρησιμοποιώντας αντίστοιχες τεχνικές μηχανικής μάθησης, διερεύνησε τους κρίσιμους παράγοντες που συνεισφέρουν στον κίνδυνο εμφάνισης θερμικού στρες κατά τη διάρκεια της εργασίας. Από τα αποτελέσματα προέκυψε πως η διάρκεια της εργασίας και ο δείκτης μάζας σώματος αποτελούν τους πιο σημαντικούς παράγοντες εμφάνισης θερμικού στρες κατά την εργασία. Μετέπειτα, οι ερευνητικές προσπάθειες στράφηκαν στην χρήση αισθητήρων, ειδικότερα στη βελτίωση της θερμικής άνεσης των ποδηλατών μέσω της ανάπτυξης ενός μοντέλου για την παρακολούθηση της θερμοκρασίας στο κεφάλι. Για αυτόν τον σκοπό, δημιουργήθηκε ένα πρωτότυπο "έξυπνο" κράνος, εξοπλισμένο με αισθητήρες, που διασφαλίζει την συνεχή παρακολούθηση με στόχο την ακριβή πρόβλεψη της θερμικής άνεσης. Μεταβαίνοντας σε πιο ακραίες συνθήκες, μια περιπτωσιολογική μελέτη διερεύνησε την επίδραση του υψόμετρου στην ποιότητα του ύπνου και την μεταβλητότητα του καρδιακού παλμού κατά την διάρκεια αναρρίχησης στο βουνό Έβερεστ. Τα ευρήματα έδειξαν ότι σε υψόμετρα πάνω από 5500 μέτρα, η ποιότητα του ύπνου και η μεταβλητότητα του καρδιακού παλμού σταδιακά μειώνονται. Ολοκληρώνοντας, αναπτύχθηκε ένα διαδικτυακό εργαλείο το FL-WebPHS. Ακολουθώντας τα πρότυπα ISO 7933:2018 είναι σε θέση να εκτιμήσει το θερμικό στρες σε διάφορες περιβαλλοντικές συνθήκες. Συνοπτικά, αυτή η διατριβή βελτίωσε σημαντικά την κατανόηση του πώς διάφορες τεχνολογίες μπορούν να βελτιστοποιήσουν την ανθρώπινη απόδοση και να προστατεύσουν την υγεία σε διάφορες περιβαλλοντικές συνθήκες, δημιουργώντας τα θεμέλια για μελλοντική έρευνα και τεχνολογικές εξελίξεις γύρω από αυτούς τους τομείς

Night-Time Heart Rate Variability during an Expedition to Mt Everest: A Case Report

Mt Everest has been gaining popularity from casual hiking athletes, climbers, and ultra-endurance marathon runners. However, living and sleeping at altitude increases the risk of injury and illness. This is because travel to high altitudes adversely affects human physiology and performance, with unfavourable changes in body composition, exercise capacity, and mental function. This is a case report of a climber who reached the summit of Mt Everest from the north side. During his 40-day expedition, we collected sleep quality data and night-time heart rate variability. During the night inside the tent, the air temperature ranged from −12.9 to 1.8 °C (−5.8 ± 4.9 °C) and the relative humidity ranged from 26.1 to 78.9% (50.7 ± 16.9%). Awake time was 17.1 ± 6.0% of every sleep-time hour and increased with altitude (r = 0.42). Sleep time (r = −0.51) and subjective quality (r = 0.89) deteriorated with altitude. Resting heart rate increased (r = 0.70) and oxygen saturation decreased (r = −0.94) with altitude. The mean NN, RMSSD, total power, LF/HF, and SD1 and SD2 were computed using the NN time series. Altitude reduced the mean ΝΝ (r = −0.73), RMSSD (r = −0.31), total power (r = −0.60), LF/HF ratio (r = −0.40), SD1 (r = −0.31), and SD2 (r = −0.70). In conclusion, this case report shows that sleeping at high altitudes above 5500 m results in progressively reduced HRV, increased awakenings, as well as deteriorated sleep duration and subjective sleep quality. These findings provide further insight into the effects of high altitude on cardiac autonomic function and sleep quality and may have implications for individuals who frequently spend time at high altitudes, such as climbers

Cardiovascular Stress and Characteristics of Cold-Induced Vasodilation in Women and Men during Cold-Water Immersion: A Randomized Control Study

Background: Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is a phenomenon that refers to a paradoxical increase in finger temperature that sometimes occurs during cold exposure. The aim of this study was to compare CIVD responses between women and men, during exposure to different environmental conditions. Methods: Seven men and seven women participated in a matched controlled study consisting of a familiarization protocol followed by three experimental sessions (cool (10.8 °C WBGT), thermoneutral (17.2 °C WBGT), and hot (27.2 °C WBGT)). In each session, participants were asked to immerse their left hand and foot in warm water (35 ± 1 °C) for five minutes. Thereafter, the left hand and foot were immersed in cold water (8 ± 1 °C) for 40 min. After that, the left hand and foot were removed from the water and participants remained seated for five minutes. Results: For a matched thermal stress, women experienced an elevated cardiovascular strain (heart rate and in some cases mean arterial pressure) and higher frequency of CIVD reactions (men: 31 vs. women: 60) in comparison to their male counterparts. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that women experienced elevated cardiovascular strain and higher frequency of CIVD reactions, particularly in the toes, compared to their male counterparts during cold-water immersion

A Case of Infectious Laryngotracheitis in an Organic Broiler Chicken Farm in Greece

Infectious laryngotracheitis is an economically significant viral disease of chickens, that mainly affects the upper respiratory tract, and is present worldwide. This case reports the first outbreak of infectious laryngotracheitis in a four-week-old organic broiler farm and surrounding flocks in Greece, with typical clinical symptoms and lesions, allegedly provoked by a wild strain of infectious laryngotracheitis virus. Our findings contradict the general perception indicating that the disease appears mainly in older birds and that vaccine strains are the primary cause of infectious laryngotracheitis outbreaks in most continents. A recombinant vectored vaccine was administered, supplementary to biosecurity measures, containing the viral spread. The responsible strain was potentially circulating in the area; therefore, an industry-wide holistic approach was applied, including the vaccination of neighboring broilers and breeders with the same vaccine, the rapid molecular diagnosis of the disease, and strict biosecurity protocols. The results of this holistic effort were effective because, following the application of vaccine and management protocols, manifestations of the disease in regional flocks dropped significantly, and there was no recurrence to date. These findings suggest that vaccination protocols should be modified, especially for organic broilers, to include vaccination against infectious laryngotracheitis

Avian Mycobacteriosis and Molecular Identification of <em>Mycobacterium avium</em> Subsp. <em>avium</em> in Racing Pigeons (<em>Columba livia domestica</em>) in Greece

In this report, cases of avian mycobacteriosis in two lofts of racing pigeons are described. Three racing pigeons of 2-year old from the first loft (A) and four racing pigeons of 4–5 years old from the second loft (B) were submitted to the Unit of Avian Medicine for clinical examination and necropsy. In the case history chronic and debilitating disease was reported. The clinical signs included emaciation, depression, lameness, periorbital swelling and diarrhea, although the appetite was normal. Post mortem lesions involved an enlarged spleen with multiple different sized yellow nodules. Similar lesions were also observed in the liver, conjunctiva of the inferior eyelids and in the femoral bone marrow. The suspicion of avian mycobacteriosis was based on history, clinical signs and typical lesions. In order to confirm the diagnosis, histopathology was performed on tissue sections and revealed the presence of multiple granulomas with central necrosis. In addition, Ziehl-Neelsen positive bacilli were observed in histological sections and smears from the granulomas of the affected tissues. Molecular analysis identified the causative agent as Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium. This is the first case report of avian mycobacteriosis in Greece, which describes the presence of granulomatous conjunctivitis and the molecular identification of M. avium subsp. avium as the causative agent in racing pigeons