Pediculosis in humans and especially in children is a very common dermatological disorder caused by the ectoparasite Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer. We investigated the socioeconomic factors affecting the prevalence of pediculosis in the Greek urban area of Athens during 2004–2006. The target population consisted of children from kindergartens. In total, 434 children from single- or two-parent families were investigated with respect to socioeconomic factors such as education, income and family composition, and the prevalence of pediculosis. The overall pediculosis rate was 5.30%. Head louse infestations were significantly higher in female children and in two-parent families. Lice infestations peaked in low- and medium-income families. Head louse infestation rates were influenced by income, parents’ education, and nationality.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interconnected factors that directly increase the risk of DM2 and CVD. Stevia rebaudiana (a low calorie natural sweetener) and its compounds are known for anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-hypertensive effects. Methods: Thirty-eight patients (age 47.3±10.3 years) (n_males=14, n_females=24) with MetS (NCEP/ATPIII criteria) were included. MetS patients were following the same low calorie diet and were randomly assigned to consume either a Stevia snack (n=19) four times/week (Stevia group) or a sweet of their choice (n=19) once a week (control group), for 4 months. BMI, W/H ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (sBP, dBP) were measured before and after intervention. Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol (LDL, HDL), uric acid, renal and liver functions were determined. Insulin was measured with CLIA, and HOMA-IR was calculated. leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), IL-6,ox-LDL, suPAR were measured with ELISA, HbA1c in DCA BAYER analyzer and total oxidant status: (Perox) photometrically. Results: After 4 months dietary intervention, a decrease in BMI (P=0.01) sBP (P=0.02), SGOT (P=0.004), γGT (P=0.035), alk.phospatase (P=0.008) was observed in the control group while Patients in the Stevia group presented significantly lower levels in TCHOL (P=0.022), SGOT (P<0.001), γ-GT (P<0.001), ox-LDL(P=0.016), BMI (P<0.001), sBP (P<0.001), dBP (P<0.001) and W/H (P=0.001). A marginally significant decrease in suPAR (P=0.078), as well as in HbA1c (P=0.07), LDL (P=0.072), and leptin (P=0.071) was also observed. Comparing the changes in serum values, BMI, W/H, BP and HOMA-IR between the two groups over the 4 months period, patients in Stevia group presented significantly lower levels of ox-LDL (P=0.01) and sBP (P=0.003) and marginally significant decrease in fasting Glu (P=0.058) and leptin (P=0.054) compared to control group. Conclusion: The introduction of low glycemic load snacks based on Stevia in a low calorie diet in patients with MetS is safe and can lead to a further reduction in BP, fasting glucose, ox-LDL and leptin compared to a hypocaloric diet alone.

Background: Pathogenic variants within the gene encoding transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) are responsible for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), a heritable thoracic aortic disease sharing clinical features with Marfan syndrome, including craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities as well as aortic root aneurysms and dissections. In contrast to Marfan syndrome patients, who rarely develop aneurysms or dissections beyond the aortic root, LDS patients frequently exhibit vessel aneurysms in locations other than the aortic root. Here, we report the case of a 61-year-old patient who initially presented with marfanoid characteristics and an aortic root aneurysm and was presumed to have Marfan syndrome two decades ago. Later, the patient developed an abdominal aorta aneurysm, necessitating endovascular repair and stent placement. That fact raised doubts regarding the initial diagnosis of Marfan syndrome, and we decided to investigate the genetic cause of the disorder. Methods: Genetic testing was performed using WES analysis and Sanger sequencing. Results: The genetic analysis detected a de novo heterozygous pathogenic variant c.896G>A in exon 5 of the TGFB2 gene, resulting in the amino acid substitution p. Arg299Gln that has devastating destabilizing structural effects on 3D folding of the protein, as demonstrated by the molecular modeling study we performed. This variant is pathogenic for LDS type 4, partially consistent with the patient’s clinical presentation. Conclusions: Our case emphasizes the significance of precise clinical assessment and genetic verification in patients exhibiting marfanoid characteristics. Furthermore, our findings contribute to the understanding of the diverse clinical spectrum associated with this specific pathogenic variant of TGFB2, underscoring the importance of detailed clinical assessment in expanding knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlations. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for tailored and appropriate management of individuals with heritable thoracic aortic diseases.

Background: Population models assume that parents make investment decisions that maximize reproductive success in the face of limited resources. Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the dynamics of offspring and the patterns of male to female ratio in the urban area of Athens. In addition, the role of socioeconomic factors to their dynamics was examined. The study was conducted in the urban area of Athens. The target group consisted of children in the area’s kindergartens. A total of 435 single parents or parent couples were investigated with respect to their socioeconomic background and the number of children. Result: The main factors affecting the number of children included the income which was influenced by both education and nationality. At the same time, nationality appeared to play a significant role in the male to female ratio with mixed couples manifesting the largest ratio. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work in the literature examining the dynamics of offspring by calculating the effects of socioeconomic factors such as education, income and nationality. At the same time, such works are extremely important both towards the understanding of population dynamics but also towards policy making, which includes both demographical and fiscal policies.

Background: Osteodysplastic syndromes compose a very diverse group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by defects in bone and connective tissue development, as well as in bone density. Here, we report the case of a 48-year-old female with a complex medical history characterized by bone dysplasia, hyperostosis, and partial tooth agenesis. Methods: Genetic testing was performed using WES analysis and Sanger sequencing. Molecular modeling analysis and dynamics simulation explored the impact of detected pathogenic variants. Results: The genetic analysis detected multiple pathogenic variants in genes CREB3L1, SLCO2A1, SFRP4, LRP5 and LRP6, which are associated with rare osteodysplastic syndromes. The patient was homozygous for the same rare alleles associated with three of the identified autosomal recessive disorders, such as osteogenesis imperfecta type XVI, primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, and metaphyseal dysplasia Pyle type. She also had a variant linked to autosomal dominant endosteal hyperostosis and a variant previously associated with increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Two of the detected variants are predicted to cause abnormal splicing, while molecular modelling and dynamics simulations analysis suggest that the other three variants probably confer altered local secondary structure and flexibility that may be functionally devastating consequences. Conclusions: Our case highlights the rare coexistence of multiple osteodysplastic syndromes in a single patient that may complicate differential diagnosis. Furthermore, this case emphasizes the necessity for early genetic investigation of such complex cases with overlying phenotypic traits, followed by genetic counseling, in order to orchestrate clinical interventions and prevent or promptly manage manifestations.