Tetracaine 0.5% eyedrops with or without lidocaine 2% gel in topical anesthesia for cataract surgery

Anthoula T Tsoumani1,2, Ioannis C Asproudis1, Dimitrios Damigos21Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital of Ioannina, 2Department of Medical Psychology, Postgraduate Course of “Pain Management”, University of Ioannina, GreeceBackground and objective: To evaluate the level of pain during phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation under instillation of tetracaine 0.5% eyedrops versus a combination of lidocaine 2% gel and instillation of tetracaine eyedrops.Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study included 51 patients undergoing phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. They were randomized into two groups based on the topical anesthetic method they were to receive. Preoperatively all patients were asked to answer a questionnaire. One hour postoperatively, they were asked to grade their intraoperative and postoperative pain on a visual analog scale from 0 to 10.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two methods of anesthesia. Gender and the presence of relatives or friends were independent factors playing a significant role in pain sensitivity.Conclusions: The combination of lidocaine 2% gel and tetracaine eyedrops does not have a better analgesic result than a single instillation of tetracaine 0.5% eyedrops.Keywords: ophthalmic pain, cataract, phacoemulsification, tetracaine eyedrops, lidocaine gel, topical anesthesi

Zdravlje i bezbednost zaposlenih u sektoru gajenja morskih riba u grčkoj: inicijalni izvestaj o povredama na radu i zdravstvenom stanju

U ovom radu predstavljene su analize povreda na radu u industriji gajenja morskih riba. Ove analize služe kao osnova za dalje unapređenje zdravlja i bezbednosnih uslova rada. Ovaj inicijalni pristup navodi, izmedju ostalog, indikatore, kao što je učestalost nezgoda tokom sezone i kako one utiču na proizvodnju. LEONARDO DA VINCI program Evropske Unije je finansijski podržao ovaj projekat (Izvršilac za INTRANEMMA projekat, Ugovor br. 2010-1-GR1-LEO 05-03986). Akvakultura u istočnom delu Mediterana se jako brzo razvila u proteklih 20 godina, što je dovelo do povećanog broja ribnjaka, kao i do povećane proizvodnje koja je dostigla 100000 t (u 2001. godini). Takođe, očekuje se trostruki porast proizvonje u bliskoj budućnosti. Ova stopa rasta povećava broj povreda na radu u industriji gajenja. Grčka je najveći proizvođač morskih riba u Mediteranu gde ukupan broj radnika dostize skoro 0.2% ukupne radne snage u Grčkoj, od kojih je 20% zaposljeno u marinskom sektoru, naročito na farmama riba sa kaveznim sistemima. U ovoj studiji razmatran je ukupan broj radnika u oblasti akvakulture u toku jedne godine, iako je, između ostalog, broj radnika u marinskom sektoru sezonski promenljiv. Izveštaji o povredama na radu u ovom sektoru su već dati u godišnjim izveštajima koje je objavila Grčko Društvo za Ispitivanje Rada (SEPE). Analiza trenutne studije zasnovana je na podacima iz 2009-2011 datim u ESAW 2001 (Eurostat, Evropska statistika za nezgode na poslu). Do 2009. godine, bilo je teško dobiti rezultate analiza o nezgodama na radu u akvakulturi i ribarstvu, zato što su Grčke vlasti davale izveštaj o tim podacima zajedno sa podacima o preradi i pakovanju poljoprivrednih i ribljih proizvoda. Iako su nezgode kao i bolesti na radu najvažniji za opisivanje i ustanovljavanje uslova za zdravlje i bezbednost na radu, ne možemo dobiti pouzdane rezulate za ovaj period. Jedini način na koji možemo da stvorimo sliku o ovom sektoru za ovaj izveštaj je da se oslonimo na međunarodne publikacije. U ove nezgode i bolesti spadaju mišićno skeletni poremećaji, efekti UV radijacije, itd. Dalje analize radi dobijanja podataka o nezgodama na radu su već isplanirane. One ce uključiti više faktora koji utiču na uslove pod kojima se nesreće dešavaju. Na primer, slučajevi povreda na radu vezani za klizanje i spoticanje (39%), rukovanje (5%) i objekte koji su pali (16%) nisu sasvim precizni zbog nedostatka izvestaja. Ipak, podaci koje imamo ukazuju da su ove povrede učestalije u ovom sektoru nego u drugim sektorima u Grčkoj (na primer 18%, 23% and 10%, za svaku od ovih nesreca u 2011. godini). Zbog ovoga možemo zaključiti da diskrepance u izveštajima o nesrećama na radu u sektoru akvakulture mogu da dovedu do pogrešnih tumačenja uslova za zdravlje i bezbednost

Η δικονομική θέση του υπόπτου κατά την ΕΣΔΑ και τον νέο ΚΠΔ

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας μελέτης αποτελεί η προβληματική της δικονομικής μεταχείρισης του υπόπτου κατά την ΕΣΔΑ και τον νέο Κώδικα Ποινικής Δικονομίας. Σε ένα πρώτο στάδιο εννοιολογικών οριοθετήσεων εξετάζεται η ιδιότητα του υπόπτου κατά την ΕΣΔΑ, τις οδηγίες του ενωσιακού δικαίου, οι οποίες αναφέρονται ρητά στον όρο «suspect» και το ημεδαπό ποινικοδικονομικό δίκαιο. Κατόπιν, αναδεικνύεται η θεσμική αναβάθμιση της προκαταρκτικής εξέτασης του νέου ΚΠΔ με τις συνακόλουθες δικονομικές προεκτάσεις που αυτή επιφέρει στο πρόσωπο του υπόπτου. Ακολούθως, επιχειρείται μία συγκριτική προσέγγιση των επιμέρους υπερασπιστικών δικαιωμάτων του υπόπτου στο δίκαιο της ΕΣΔΑ, μέσα από την ερευνητική επισκόπηση των αποφάσεων του ΕΔΔΑ και στο νέο ΚΠΔ. Τέλος, αναλύεται η θεματική της δικονομικής κύρωσης ενδεχόμενων προσβολών των υπερασπιστικών δικαιωμάτων του υπόπτου στο πλαίσιο του νέου ΚΠΔ.The subject of the present study is the problematics of the procedural treatment of the suspect according to the ECHR and the new Greek Code of Criminal Procedure (GCCP). At the first stage of the conceptual delimitations, the status of the suspect is examined according to the ECHR, the European Union Directives, which are explicitly using the term "suspect", and according to the domestic criminal law. Then, the institutional upgrade of the procedure of the preliminary examination in the new GCCP emerges with its consequent procedural extensions to the person of the suspect. Following, a comparative approach of the individual defense rights of the suspect according to the ECHR is attempted, through an investigative review of the jurisprudence of the ECHR and the new GCCP. Finally, the topic of the procedural sanction for possible violations of the defense rights of the suspect in the context of the new GCPC is analyzed

«Η Εφαρμογή του Μicrolearning (Μικρομάθηση) στην Τυπική και Μη Τυπική Εκπαίδευση: Μια Συστηματική Βιβλιογραφική Ανασκόπηση»

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία αφορά τη διερέυνηση της μικρομάθησης με τη μέθοδο της συστηματικής βιβλιογραφικής ανασκόπησης. Η μικρομάθηση αποτελεί καινοτόμο διδακτική προσέγγιση για τη διαδικτυακή εκπαίδευση. Σκοπός της μελέτης είναι να ιχνηλατηθεί η δυναμική της τόσο στην τυπική όσο και στη μη τυπική εκπαίδευση αλλά και στον τομέα της επαγγελματικής ανάπτυξης. Για να επιτευχθεί αυτό, αναλύθηκαν περιγραφικά τα αποτελέσματα από 38 εμπειρικές έρευνες που προέρχονται από τα έτη 2015-2020 και εντάχθηκαν στο βιβλιογραφικό υλικό μας. Από τις έρευνες που εντοπίστηκαν, προέκυψε ότι η μικρομάθηση διευκολύνει την κατανόηση του διδακτικού περιεχομένου, κινητοποιεί το ενδιαφέρον των εκπαιδευόμενων, δημιουργεί ευελιξία ως προς τον τόπο και τον χρόνο παρακολούθησης συνεδριών και γίνεται πρόθυμα αποδεκτή από το σύνολο των εκπαιδευόμενων.This thesis concerns the investigation of microlearning according to systematic literature review method. Microlearning is an innovative teaching approach for online education. The aim of this study is to trace its dynamics both in formal and non formal education and in the field of professional development. To achieve this, the results of 38 empirical studies originating from the years 2015 to 2020 were descriptively analyzed and included in our bibliography. From the research identified, it emerged that microlearning facilitates the understanding of learning content, arouses the interest of the trainnes, creates flexibility in terms of the place and time of attending sessions and is willingly accepted by all the trainees

Ekološki, ekonomski i socijalni parametri rekreativnog ribolova na akumulaciji reke Aoos

U cilju prikupljanja podataka o rekreativnom ribolovu sprovedeno je anketiranje ribolovaca na akumulaciji reke Aoos u severozapadnoj Grčkoj. Upitnik je obuhvatio pitanja o demografiji, alatima koje koriste za pecanje, uslovima za ribolov, opremi, ciljnim vrstama, intenzitetu odlaska u ribolov, ribolovnom naporu, sezonama, podacima o ulovu. Prikazani rezultati ukazuju da rekreativni ribolov na tom području ima potencijal za razvoj turizma i poboljšanje socioekonomskog uticaja u čitavom regionu. Ribolovci imaju sve izraženiju svest o životoj sredini. Šaran je trenutno vrsta koja se najviše lovi i koja održava ovu aktivnost, a ukazuje da će ova vrsta moći opstati i na duže ukoliko dodje do promene klimatskih uslova i ukoliko protok bude smanjen kao posledica globalnog otopljavanja i kompeticije sa drugim korisnicima. Rukovodeći se rezultatima u ovom radu koji ukazuju na potencijal za razvoj ribolovnog turizma i povećanje ekološke vrednosti ovog područja, upravljači područjem bi trebalo da razmotre mogućnosti poribljavanja na području akumulacije koju formira brana na reci Aoos. Konačna preporuka za uspešno upravljanje ribolovom na području hidroelektrane treba da bude bazirana na kombinovanju parametara koji uključuju ekonomske, ekološke i ribarstvene podatke

Korelacija između nivoa alkalne fosfataze i fosfata u otpadnoj vodi ribnjaka sa masom pastrmki

Otpadne vode iz pastrmskih ribnjaka se obično ispuštaju u nezagađene akvatične ekosisteme, s obzirom na to da su ribnjaci najčešće locirani na velikim visinama, gde nema drugog izvora antropogenog zagađenja. Cilj ove studije je da se istraži odnos između aktivnosti alkalne fosfataze (APH) izmerene u otpadnim vodama i mase riba u ribnjaku. Uzorci vode sa ribnjaka su prikupljani u proleće i leto i iz nje su određivani nivoi APH, fosfata (PO4-P) i količine bakterija (CFU). Ustanovljena je pozitivna korelacija između mase riba i nivoa APH i PO4-P u efluentu, dok sa druge strane, nije utvrđena korelacija između mase riba i CFU. Rezultati ove studije su pokazali da nivo APH može biti korišćen kao potencijalni indikator zagađenja vodenih ekosistema otpadnih voda iz pastrmskih ribnjaka

Comparison of the Level of Awareness about the Transmission of Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis between Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners in Greece

Ζoonotic parasitic diseases that can occur through animal contact pose risks to pets, their owners and to their bond. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge about zoonoses, specifically echinococcosis and toxocariasis, among cat/dog owners and non-pet owners in Greece. Multiple-choice questionnaires were designed to obtain data regarding the knowledge of pet and non-pet owners on echinococcosis and toxocariasis, including signs and symptoms of these zoonoses, ways of transmission and precautions that need to be taken into account in order to avoid it. A total of 185 questionnaires were retrieved and data was expressed as absolute (Ν) and relative frequencies (%). Associations between pet ownership, residence and outcome variables were evaluated using the Fisher exact test and Chi-squared test, respectively. Multifactorial linear regression analysis was used to investigate the cross-sectional association between demographic characteristics and the awareness of helminthic zoonoses. All tests were two-sided and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Our study revealed a disturbing lack of awareness of echinococcosis and toxocariasis (mean zoonotic knowledge score 8.11 ± 3.18) independently of pet ownership. Surprisingly, in some cases the ignorance of pet owners exceeded that of non-pet owners. Given the progressive impact of toxocariasis in public health and the high prevalence of echinococcosis in the Mediterranean region, measures should be taken to inform people about zoonoses and eliminate their putative transmission

De novo assembly of the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) genome with linked-reads and long-read technologies minimizes gaps and provides exceptional Y chromosome assembly

Background: The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, is the most important pest in the olive fruit agribusiness industry. This is because female flies lay their eggs in the unripe fruits and upon hatching the larvae feed on the fruits thus destroying them. The lack of a high-quality genome and other genomic and transcriptomic data has hindered progress in understanding the fly’s biology and proposing alternative control methods to pesticide use. Results: Genomic DNA was sequenced from male and female Demokritos strain flies, maintained in the laboratory for over 45 years. We used short-, mate-pair-, and long-read sequencing technologies to generate a combined male-female genome assembly (GenBank accession GCA_001188975.2). Genomic DNA sequencing from male insects using 10x Genomics linked-reads technology followed by mate-pair and long-read scaffolding and gap-closing generated a highly contiguous 489 Mb genome with a scaffold N50 of 4.69 Mb and L50 of 30 scaffolds (GenBank accession GCA_001188975.4). RNA-seq data generated from 12 tissues and/or developmental stages allowed for genome annotation. Short reads from both males and females and the chromosome quotient method enabled identification of Y-chromosome scaffolds which were extensively validated by PCR. Conclusions: The high-quality genome generated represents a critical tool in olive fruit fly research. We provide an extensive RNA-seq data set, and genome annotation, critical towards gaining an insight into the biology of the olive fruit fly. In addition, elucidation of Y-chromosome sequences will advance our understanding of the Y-chromosome’s organization, function and evolution and is poised to provide avenues for sterile insect technique approaches

Acute administration of the olive constituent, oleuropein, combined with ischemic postconditioning increases myocardial protection by modulating oxidative defense

Oleuropein, one of the main polyphenolic constituents of olive, is cardioprotective against ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). We aimed to assess the cardioprotection afforded by acute administration of oleuropein and to evaluate the underlying mechanism. Importantly, since antioxidant therapies have yielded inconclusive results in attenuating IRI-induced damage on top of conditioning strategies, we investigated whether oleuropein could enhance or imbed the cardioprotective manifestation of ischemic postconditioning (PostC). Oleuropein, given during ischemia as a single intravenous bolus dose reduced the infarct size compared to the control group both in rabbits and mice subjected to myocardial IRI. None of the inhibitors of the cardioprotective pathways, l-NAME, wortmannin and AG490, influence its infarct size limiting effects. Combined oleuropein and PostC cause further limitation of infarct size in comparison with PostC alone in both animal models. Oleuropein did not inhibit the calcium induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in isolated mitochondria and did not increase cGMP production. To provide further insights to the different cardioprotective mechanism of oleuropein, we sought to characterize its anti-inflammatory potential in vivo. Oleuropein, PostC and their combination reduce inflammatory monocytes infiltration into the heart and the circulating monocyte cell population. Oleuropein's mechanism of action involves a direct protective effect on cardiomyocytes since it significantly increased their viability following simulated IRI as compared to non-treated cells. Οleuropein confers additive cardioprotection on top of PostC, via increasing the expression of the transcription factor Nrf-2 and its downstream targets in vivo. In conclusion, acute oleuropein administration during ischemia in combination with PostC provides robust and synergistic cardioprotection in experimental models of IRI by inducing antioxidant defense genes through Nrf-2 axis and independently of the classic cardioprotective signaling pathways (RISK, cGMP/PKG, SAFE)

Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life (APPEAL): The impact of peanut allergy on children, teenagers, adults and caregivers in the UK and Ireland

The Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life study (APPEAL) explored the psychosocial burden of living with self-reported peanut allergy experienced by children, teenagers, adults and caregivers in the UK and Ireland. A two-stage (quantitative survey and qualitative interview [APPEAL-1]), cross-sectional study of the psychosocial burden of peanut allergy (APPEAL-2) was conducted. Quantitative data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed using MAXQDA software. A conceptual model specific to UK and Ireland was developed using the concepts identified during the analysis. A total of 284 adults in the UK and Ireland completed the APPEAL-1 survey and 42 individuals participated in APPEAL-2. Respondents reported that peanut allergy restricts their choices in various situations, especially with regard to choosing food when eating out (87% moderately or severely restricted), choosing where to eat (82%), special occasions (76%) and when buying food from a shop (71%). Fifty-two percent of survey participants and 40% of interview participants reported being bullied because of PA. Psychological impact of peanut allergy included feeling at least moderate levels of frustration (70%), uncertainty (79%), and stress (71%). The qualitative analysis identified three different types of coping strategies (daily monitoring or vigilance, communication and planning) and four main areas of individuals' lives that are impacted by peanut allergy (social activities, relationships, emotions and work [adults and caregivers only]). The extent of the impact reported varied substantially between participants, with some reporting many negative consequences of living with peanut allergy and others feeling it has minimal impact on their health-related quality of life. This large survey and interview study highlight the psychosocial burden of peanut allergy for adults, teenagers, children and caregivers in the UK and Ireland. The analysis demonstrates the wide variation in level of impact of peanut allergy and the unmet need for those individuals who experience a substantial burden from living with peanut allergy