Prenatal stress is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing fetal brain development, with potential long-term risks for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. This review explores the effects of prenatal stress on the fetal brain, with particular emphasis on sex differences and the interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in response to maternal stress leads to increased levels of glucocorticoids, which can cross the placenta and alter fetal brain structure and function. Key regions affected include the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, which are crucial for emotional regulation, memory, and cognitive function. Sex differences play a significant role in fetal stress responses, with males exhibiting greater vulnerability to adverse prenatal conditions. Studies suggest that male fetuses exposed to high maternal cortisol levels exhibit alterations in brain connectivity, increased amygdala volume, and heightened stress reactivity, whereas female fetuses may show adaptive mechanisms that confer resilience. Additionally, maternal nutritional status influences fetal neurodevelopment, with both undernutrition and obesity contributing to structural and functional changes in the fetal brain. Advances in neuroimaging techniques, including high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and placental diffusion imaging have provided valuable insights into how prenatal stress affects fetal brain connectivity. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, are implicated in the long-term programming of stress responses. Furthermore, early-life interventions, including maternal social support and mindfulness-based therapies, may mitigate the adverse effects of prenatal stress on offspring neurodevelopment. Given the profound impact of prenatal stress on fetal brain development, early identification of at-risk populations and the implementation of targeted interventions are crucial. Future research should integrate findings from neuroscience, genetics, and endocrinology to develop preventive strategies that improve neurodevelopmental outcomes and reduce the burden of stress-related disorders in later life.

Background With its abrupt and huge health and socio-economic consequences, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a uniquely demanding, intensely stressful, and even traumatic period. Healthcare workers (HCW), especially nurses, were exposed to mental health challenges during those challenging times. Objectives Review the current literature on mental health problems among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Methods This is a narrative review and critical evaluation of relevant publications. Results Nurses experienced higher levels of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, frustration, stigma, and depersonalization compared to other HCW. Factors that increased this symptomatology included concerns about infection or infection of family members, inadequate staff protective equipment, extended working hours, insufficient information, a reduced sense of security, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The factors that improved the psychopathology included a general positive attitude, job satisfaction, adequate information and education, harmonious group relationships, post-traumatic development, emotional intelligence, psychological counseling, mindfulness-based stress reduction, stable leadership, guidance, and moral and practical administrative support. Conclusions Recent studies clearly show that nurses, especially women, are the most vulnerable subgroup among HCW and are particularly prone to mental health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documented mental health vulnerability of frontline nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic requires preventive nursing management actions to increase resilience and to develop relevant defense mechanisms.

Background and Objectives: In 1989, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), with a considerable number of the Articles of the Convention being related to the health status of children. Therefore, adhering to and assessing the implementation of the rights of children during hospitalization is a very important step towards child protection. Herein, we attempt to highlight the depth of knowledge of employees working in children’s hospitals with regard to children’s rights as well as the degree of adherence to the UNCRC with respect to hospitalized children. Material and Methods: The target group included all healthcare professionals working in the various general pediatric clinics of the three Children’s Hospitals of the Athens metropolitan area in Greece. We conducted a cross-sectional study, with data collection carried out in February and March 2020, using a structured questionnaire consisting of 46 questions which was handed out to all personnel. For the analysis, we used the IBM SPSS 21.0. Results: A total of 251 individuals participated in the study (physicians 20%, nurses 72%, and other employees 8%). A total of 54.5% of health professionals did not know what the UNCRC is, and 59.6% of them were not even aware that their hospital had rules and a bioethical committee related to clinical research involving children. Lack of awareness or trust of health professionals is also observed for other procedures or supervisory measures such as abuse protocols, complaint control, admission control, etc. With regard to the health system, there are shortcomings or weaknesses in (a) procedures followed with regard to respect for gender and privacy, (b) information on basic services provided by pediatric hospitals (such as recreation, education and free meals during hospitalization), (c) the logistical infrastructure (such as recreational facilities and facilities for the disabled), (d) the possibility of recording complaints, and (e) hospitalizations that were not necessary. A difference emerged concerning the nurses’ responses between the three hospitals, with nurses participating in relevant seminars held in one of the hospitals being significantly more informed. Conclusions: The majority of healthcare personnel seem unaware of basic principles with respect to children’s rights during hospitalization as well as relevant procedures and supervisory measures. Moreover, obvious weaknesses of the health system exist with respect to procedures, services, infrastructure, and complaint recording. There is a need for improved education of health professionals with respect to the implementation of children’s rights in pediatric hospitals.

Job satisfaction is a critical factor in healthcare settings, influencing both healthcare professionals’ well-being and patient care quality. Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, experience various stressors that impact their job satisfaction. Organizational culture (OC) and emotional intelligence (EI) have emerged as significant determinants of nurses’ job satisfaction. However, research on how these factors interact in different cultural contexts remains limited. Objective: This study examines the impact of organizational culture and emotional intelligence on nurses’ job satisfaction. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 338 nurses working in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Greece. Data were collected using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore the associations between job satisfaction and study variables. Results: Nurses reported moderate job satisfaction (JSS mean score = 115.24 ± 20.84). Clan culture was the dominant organizational culture, while Hierarchy culture was the most preferred. EI was recorded at high levels among participants (WLEIS mean = 86.52 ± 12.24). Higher emotional intelligence, permanent employment status, and having children emerged as the most significant predictors of job satisfaction (p < 0.05). Notably, Hierarchy culture did not significantly predict job satisfaction, suggesting that while structure influences satisfaction, it does not solely determine it. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of job security, emotional intelligence, and personal responsibilities in shaping job satisfaction. To enhance satisfaction, healthcare organizations should promote EI training, supportive leadership, and flexible policies that align organizational culture with healthcare professionals’ needs. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse healthcare settings.

The progressive nature of dementia necessitates early detection strategies capable of identifying preclinical cognitive decline. Gait disturbances, mediated by higher-order cognitive functions, have emerged as potential digital biomarkers in this context. This bibliometric review systematically maps the scientific output from 2010 to 2025 on the application of wearable sensor technologies and gait analysis in the early diagnosis of dementia. A targeted search of the Scopus database yielded 126 peer-reviewed studies, which were analyzed using VOSviewer for performance metrics, co-authorship networks, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence. The findings delineate a multidisciplinary research landscape, with major contributions spanning neurology, geriatrics, biomedical engineering, and computational sciences. Four principal thematic clusters were identified: (1) Cognitive and Clinical Aspects of Dementia, (2) Physical Activity and Mobility in Older Adults, (3) Technological and Analytical Approaches to Gait and Frailty and (4) Aging, Cognitive Decline, and Emerging Technologies. Despite the proliferation of research, significant gaps persist in longitudinal validation, methodological standardization, and integration into clinical workflows. This review emphasizes the potential of sensor-derived gait metrics to augment early diagnostic protocols and advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance scalable, non-invasive diagnostic solutions for neurodegenerative diseases.

Background: Professional satisfaction affects the quality and the effectiveness of health services provided to patients. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the job satisfaction of paediatric nurses. Participants and setting: Nurses working at two Pediatric Hospitals in Athens (n=176) were included in the study. The data collection took place during the January-May 2022 period. The completion of the questionnaires was anonymous, all participant data were kept confidential. Methods: Data collection was carried out using the ‘Measure of Job Satisfaction-MJS’ (Cronbach's α=0.95). Statistical processing was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23 (SPSS, Inc. Chigago IL, USA). Univariate analysis of variance (univariate ANOVA) was used to evaluate the means of the job satisfaction questionnaire values. The significance level was set at α <0.05. Finally, Pearson's correlation index test was performed to find correlations between the subcategories of the questionnaire Results: The majority of the sample was female (n=161) and most nurses underwent a 3-year nursing education programme (n=147). The results of the study showed that 45.4% of the participants were generally satisfied with their work whereas 55.9% were dissatisfied with their salary. The factors that appeared to affect the professional satisfaction of nurses were age (p=.049), unit (p=.041), work experience (p=.002) and marital status (p=.034). Nurses, despite their high compassion satisfaction, experienced modest levels of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. Pearson's correlation index revealed a positive correlation (r=0.462) between the ‘burnout’ and ‘secondary traumatic stress’ variables. Conclusions: Professional satisfaction of nurses is characterised as moderate. The most important factors influencing professional satisfaction were age, unit, work experience and marital status. Improving nurses' job satisfaction will contribute to effective and safe nursing care provided to paediatric patients. Practical implications: Leaders aiming at optimising nurses' job satisfaction should consider decreasing workload, improving education in the workplace, applying rotation in stressful units, increasing income, increasing the percentage perspectives by improving work circumstances.