Aikaterini Itziou

Prof. Dr. Aikaterini Itziou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

17Years (2010-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 May 2025 in Sustainability
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Journal Article
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ELEvangelia Lakioti
Evangelia Lakioti
NPNikolaos Pagonis
Nikolaos Pagonis
DFDimitrios Flegkas
Dimitrios Flegkas
AIAikaterini Itziou
Aikaterini Itziou
Konstantinos MoustakasKonstantinos Moustakas
Konstantinos Moustakas
VAYOS KARAYANNISVAYOS KARAYANNIS
VAYOS KARAYANNIS
Promoting the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) of Good Health and Well-being of all people requires an approach that ensures that health systems are strengthened with comprehensive social support mechanisms. This interrelation has gained increasing recognition as a foundational pillar in realizing sustainable and equitable healthcare. Economic instabilities and social vulnerabilities have direct implications on health access and outcomes, making focused welfare and security measures important in entrenching SDG 3. This work combines interdisciplinary studies, bridging health policy and economic security, at a time when social policy decisions, more than ever, should be guided by real-world needs and evidence, dealing with key factors, interventions, and contributions from policymakers on strategies that can reinforce health systems. Thus, current achievements of SDG 3 and challenges to successfully integrate health and social support sectors are discussed. The study addresses future pathways to achieve this Goal, including greater public investment in inter-sectoral collaboration, innovative funding models, and data-driven policymaking as part of this next wave in advancing health systems resilience. Important ways to restructure public health with less inequality entail a reinforcement of social safety nets, mitigating health consequences through poverty and adverse economic conditions. Coordinated governance, cross-sectoral collaboration, and evidence-based monitoring frameworks assure policymakers of their effectiveness in achieving these policy priorities. This calls for prioritized planning that invests in scalability, sustainability, and adaptability for resilient health systems supported by inclusive welfare state policies. By aligning social policies with health priorities, this paper aims to contribute to a global agenda regarding universal, sustainable, and equitably achieved health outcomes within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1 August 2024 in Applied Sciences
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Journal Article
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GIGesthimani Iakovidou
Gesthimani Iakovidou
AIAikaterini Itziou
Aikaterini Itziou
ATArsenios Tsiotsias
Arsenios Tsiotsias
ELEvangelia Lakioti
Evangelia Lakioti
PETROS SAMARASPETROS SAMARAS
PETROS SAMARAS
VAYOS KARAYANNISVAYOS KARAYANNIS
VAYOS KARAYANNIS
In the current study, the cultivation of microalgae on wastewater-based substrates is investigated for an effective natural wastewater treatment that also generates biofuels and value-added products beneficial to human health. Additionally, the health of ecosystems can be evaluated via microalgae. The utilization of microalgae as bioindicators, biofuel producers, and wastewater treatment providers, under the biorefinery concept, is covered in this article. In fact, bioremediation is feasible, and microalgae culture can be used to efficiently process a variety of effluents. Along with wastewater processing and the creation of value-added substances, bioconversion concurrently offers a viable and promising alternative for reducing CO2 greenhouse gas emissions to contribute to climate change mitigation. The microalgal biorefinery being considered as the third generation is unique in that it addresses all the aforementioned problems, in contrast to lignocellulosic biomass from agricultural waste in second-generation biorefineries and edible crops in first-generation biorefineries. In particular, one of the most promising natural resources for the manufacture of biofuel, including biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, and biohydrogen, is found to be microalgae. Furthermore, products of high value, like fatty acid methyl esters, astaxanthin, β-carotene, DHA, and EPA can be made. Hence, microalgal biomass offers a substitute for the development of biofertilizers, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal and aquatic feeds, and human nutrition products, thus promoting human and environmental health.

14 August 2010 in Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
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Journal Article
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AIAikaterini Itziou
Aikaterini Itziou
MKMartha Kaloyianni
Martha Kaloyianni
VDV. K. Dimitriadis
V. K. Dimitriadis

29 October 2024 in Applied Sciences
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Journal Article
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AIAikaterini Itziou
Aikaterini Itziou
VBVasileios Balis
Vasileios Balis
ELEvangelia Lakioti
Evangelia Lakioti
VAYOS KARAYANNISVAYOS KARAYANNIS
VAYOS KARAYANNIS
Constantinos TsanaktsidisConstantinos Tsanaktsidis
Constantinos Tsanaktsidis
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defense that can lead to reproductive disorders and poor pregnancy outcomes. Environmental pollution under climate change is involved in reactive oxygen species formation and may cause various dysfunctions of the reproductive system. Oxidative stress is a widespread factor that affects the physiology of the male and female reproductive systems, leading to high levels of DNA damage and infertility. Miscarriage, preeclampsia, and premature birth are all linked to oxidative stress. Environmental pollution induces excesses of oxidative stress by expanding ROS generation or overwhelming the physiological responses of the antioxidant defense system. This increases cellular damage, inflammation, and the development of numerous diseases. Here, we present a brief outline of the physiological and developmental roles that oxidative stress plays during pregnancy. We also offer some insights into the underlying mechanisms that have been put forth, which culminate in a summary of the harmful effects of oxidative stress that have an environmental origin in pregnancy-related complications. The current work may motivate the design of more focused wellbeing measures in order to prevent and promote human health and anticipate unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.

2 February 2026 in Healthcare
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MGMaria Grammenou
Maria Grammenou
VASILIKI MICHOUVASILIKI MICHOU
VASILIKI MICHOU
AIAikaterini Itziou
Aikaterini Itziou
ATArsenios Tsiotsias
Arsenios Tsiotsias
PEPANAGIOTIS ESKITZIS
PANAGIOTIS ESKITZIS
Objective: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized reproductive medicine, offering hope to individuals and couples facing infertility. However, the psychological impact of IVF varies significantly based on gender, necessitating a systematic review of the existing literature. This review explores the emotional effects of IVF on both men and women, highlighting gender-specific psychological responses throughout the treatment process. Methods: A systematic literature search using various databases (such as PubMed) was made. Studies published in English from the years 2000 to 2023 were included in the review. Results: A total of 47 studies examined the psychological impact of IVF on both women and men, covering the IVF programming period, the initial stages of IVF treatment, and subsequent stages, as well as the long-term psychological distress effects of IVF in both genders. Both female and male infertile patients are dealing with anxiety, depression and low quality of life. However, women were found to experience higher levels of psychological distress, including increased anxiety and depression symptoms, compared to men at nearly all stages of IVF treatment. Conclusions: Understanding these gender-specific differences is crucial for developing targeted psychological support interventions to improve mental well-being during IVF treatments.

Verified
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EKEirini Kontopidou
Eirini Kontopidou
Areti KourtiAreti Kourti
Areti Kourti
AAApostolos Athanasiadis
Apostolos Athanasiadis
AIAikaterini Itziou
Aikaterini Itziou
Pregnancy represents a period of heightened oxidative demand in which maternal metabolic adaptations are tightly regulated by redox-sensitive molecular pathways. Imbalances in these systems have been associated with gestational complications, impaired placental function, and long-term effects on offspring health. This review examines the molecular mechanisms through which adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) influences oxidative balance during pregnancy. We summarize evidence on how MD-derived bioactives regulate oxidative stress pathways and affect oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. At the same time, certain MD foods containing environmental contaminants may potentially attenuate its protective effects. In addition, the review explores molecular insights into how the MD may counteract oxidative stress induced by environmental pollutants through modulation of redox signaling and detoxification pathways. By integrating biochemical, molecular, and environmental perspectives, this review highlights the MD as a potential nutrigenomic intervention to optimize oxidative balance, support healthy pregnancy outcomes linked to environmental pollution.