Greek teachers' resilience levels during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and its association with attitudes towards emergency remote teaching and perceived stress.

The mandatory closure of schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic affected the mental health, and, by extension, the personal and professional life of teachers. This study explored their level of resilience during the pandemic and its association with attitudes towards emergency remote teaching and perceived stress. Data were collected through the administration of three self-report instruments: (a) the "Teachers' Professional Attitudes and Behaviors Scale", (b) the "Teachers' Resilience Scale", and (c) the "Perceived Stress Scale". The sample consisted of 1415 general teachers from central Greece. Teachers were found to possess neutral attitudes towards emergency remote teaching, moderate levels of resilience, and experienced slightly increased levels of stress. The examined constructs were largely influenced by some of the teachers' demographic and professional characteristics. Teachers' perceptions of resilience predicted their attitudes to emergency remote teaching and stress levels during the pandemic. The study has reaffirmed the importance of holding sufficient levels of resilience to cope with adverse circumstances and has offered clear directions about which groups of teachers are in most need for counselling and professional support so that their resilience is strengthened.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children living in shelters and children in the community (Review)

In the first 2 years of the pandemic, from late 2019 to late 2021, several studies were conducted to determine the experience of children during the continuous lockdowns, school closures and isolation from their friends, teachers or relatives. The studies conducted included children being raised in childcare facilities and children being raised in their own homes, in various parts of the world. Numerous children worldwide, in addition to the stress and difficulties experienced by adults and minors during these years of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic, have experienced physical, psychological and sexual abuse. The available data indicate that the number of children presenting to hospitals with injuries from abuse has increased, despite the fact that there was a decrease in the number of reports of child abuse during the lockdowns. The financial difficulties that a number of families have faced, and continue to face, comprise the most prominent risk factor for child neglect. Additionally, a marked decrease has also been noted in the provision of care to children in care homes as regards quality. This has been mainly due to a reduction in the number of employees, either as they themselves or someone they cared for became infected with COVID-19, or as the employees and care givers suffered from exhaustion brought on by the very difficult working conditions and very strict measures taken during this period of the pandemic. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis and computational biology (Review).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease whose prevalence has increased worldwide. The resultant symptoms may be debilitating and can substantially reduce the of patients. Computational biology, which involves the use of computational tools to answer biomedical questions, may provide the basis for novel healthcare approaches in the context of MS. The rapid accumulation of health data, and the ever-increasing computational power and evolving technology have helped to modernize and refine MS research. From the discovery of novel biomarkers to the optimization of treatment and a number of quality-of-life enhancements for patients, computational biology methods and tools are shaping the field of MS diagnosis, management and treatment. The final goal in such a complex disease would be personalized medicine, i.e., providing healthcare services that are tailored to the individual patient, in accordance to the particular biology of their disease and the environmental factors to which they are subjected. The present review article summarizes the current knowledge on MS, modern computational biology and the impact of modern computational approaches of MS.

Novel computational pipelines in antiviral structure­based drug design (Review).

Viral infections constitute a fundamental and continuous challenge for the global scientific and medical community, as highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In combination with prophylactic vaccines, the development of safe and effective antiviral drugs remains a pressing need for the effective management of rare and common pathogenic viruses. The design of potent antivirals can be informed by the study of the three-dimensional structure of viral protein targets. Structure-based design of antivirals in silico provides a solution to the arduous and costly process of conventional drug development pipelines. Furthermore, rapid advances in high-throughput computing, along with the growth of available biomolecular and biochemical data, enable the development of novel computational pipelines in the hunt of antivirals. The incorporation of modern methods, such as deep-learning and artificial intelligence, has the potential to revolutionize the structure-based design and repurposing of antiviral compounds, with minimal side effects and high efficacy. The present review aims to provide an outline of both traditional computational drug design and emerging, high-level computing strategies.

NFB-15. "Cognitive Impairments in Children and Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis"

INTRODUCTION-BACKGROUND: Cognitive, learning and/or behavioral disorders are common (up to 70%) complications of neurofibromatosis (NF). The first multidisciplinary-clinic for neurocutaneous-disorders was established at the Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital in Athens, Greece, in 2016. Since then, more than 200 children and adolescents with NF have been examined. SCOPE: Acknowledging and indicating awareness on the devastating life-long consequences (poor academic performance, behavioral problems, and limited career prospectives) that can result from cognitive impairment, a research collaboration with educational specialists was recently implemented to examine the neurocognitive functions of children and adolescents with NF. MATERIALS: Children and adolescents aged 7-14 years who suffer from NF type I or type II, were eligible for study entry. The third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC-III) was used to measure participants’ cognitive function. RESULTS: Preliminary results of this ongoing study are presented. Patients’ recruitment was limited by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions. At this stage, the research involved 10 participants suffering from NF, with mean (± SD) age of 11.55 (± 1.80) years and a male-to-female ratio of 1. The mean (± SD) full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) was 85.50 (± 18.80), corresponding to the 0.3rd to 73th percentile range. The mean (± SD) scores of performance IQ and verbal IQ were 84.90 (± 17.43) and 89.40 (± 17.23) respectively, corresponding to the 1st to 73rd percentile range for both subscales. CONCLUSION: Significant cognitive deficits, according to the percentile scores of WISC-III, were demonstrated in the small number of children and adolescents suffering from NF (type I or type II). Cognitive assessment, as part of the multidisciplinary approach of these patients is warranted, to aid timely educational interventions and improve patient learning outcomes.

The impact of COVID-19 during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review.

Several months after the onset of the epidemic, COVID-19 remains a global health issue. Scientific data on pregnancy, perinatal outcomes and vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are constantly emerging but are still limited and unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize current evidence on vertical transmission rates, maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes and mode of delivery in pregnancies affected by COVID-19. An extensive search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases up to June 20, 2020. A total of 133 articles (51 case reports, 31 case series, 40 cohort studies and 2 case-control studies) reporting data from 8,092 subjects (6,046 pregnant women and 2,046 neonates) were considered eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. A substantial proportion of pregnant women with COVID-19 underwent caesarean section (case reports 82.2%, case series 74.2% and cohort studies 66.0%). Regarding vertical transmission, most neonates were tested negative (case reports 92.7%, case series studies 84.2%, cohort studies 97.1% and case control studies 100%). Maternal mortality rates ranged from 1% in cohort studies to 5.7% in case reports; neonatal mortality ranged from 2% in case reports to 3.3% in case series. Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to child is rare. Careful screening of pregnant women seems important and specific guidelines with evidence-based decision algorithms for the mode of delivery in the context of a pregnancy affected by COVID-19 should be established.

COVID-19 features in children and adolescents: a systematic review and pooled analysis.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate special features and probable correlations between symptoms, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes of COVID-19 in children and adolescents, through a systematic review and pooled analysis. Following database (Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase) search, forty articles were considered eligible identifying a total of 2,971 confirmed pediatric COVID-19 patients. Fever was reported in 55.1% of the cases, while 28.4% were asymptomatic. Radiological signs of pneumonia were observed in more than half of the cases and in 40.7% of asymptomatic patients. Fever showed the highest sensitivity (sensitivity: 60.3%, specificity: 48.8%), followed by cough (sensitivity: 47.4%, specificity: 76.7%), rhinorrhea (sensitivity: 21.1%, specificity: 88.4%) and diarrhea (sensitivity: 10.3%, specificity: 88.4%), in differentiating cases with positive radiological signs for pneumonia. Compared to school age children, preschoolers (adjusted OR=6.01, 95%CI: 1.73-20.91) were more prone to pneumonia findings. Various combinations of treatments were used across studies, without following any strict guidelines. Most children (>90%) had full recovery and rarely presented complications. Fever seems to be the most frequent symptom in pediatric COVID-19, but pediatricians should additionally evaluate cough, rhinorrhea, and diarrhea as indicators of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Asymptomatic cases were common, but not the majority, and a significant percentage had developed radiologic findings of pneumonia. Thorough reassessment of treatment and management guidelines should be helpful.

Greek teachers' resilience levels during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown and its association with attitudes towards emergency remote teaching and perceived stress

The mandatory closure of schools due to the Covid‐19 pandemic affected the mental health, and, by extension, the personal and professional life of teachers. This study explored their level of resilience during the pandemic and its association with attitudes towards emergency remote teaching and perceived stress. Data were collected through the administration of three self‐report instruments: (a) the “Teachers' Professional Attitudes and Behaviors Scale”, (b) the “Teachers' Resilience Scale”, and (c) the “Perceived Stress Scale”. The sample consisted of 1415 general teachers from central Greece. Teachers were found to possess neutral attitudes towards emergency remote teaching, moderate levels of resilience, and experienced slightly increased levels of stress. The examined constructs were largely influenced by some of the teachers' demographic and professional characteristics. Teachers' perceptions of resilience predicted their attitudes to emergency remote teaching and stress levels during the pandemic. The study has reaffirmed the importance of holding sufficient levels of resilience to cope with adverse circumstances and has offered clear directions about which groups of teachers are in most need for counselling and professional support so that their resilience is strengthened. Highlights Teachers reported neutral attitudes towards emergency remote teaching, moderate levels of resilience, and experienced slightly increased levels of stress—Specific demographic and personal characteristics were found to affect the measured constructs—Teachers' level of resilience significantly predicted their attitudes to emergency remote teaching and experienced stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

The prognostic role of micronutrient status and supplements in COVID-19 outcomes: A systematic review.

Micronutrients constitute an adjuvant treatment for respiratory viral infections. Since there is no effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19 yet, adjuvant intervention for the survival of critically ill patients may be significant. Search of the PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane databases was carried out to find human studies investigating the prognostic role of micronutrient status and the effects of micronutrient supplementation intervention in COVID-19 outcomes of adult patients. Patients with certain comorbidities (diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, renal failure, liver dysfunction etc.) or pregnant women were excluded. 31 studies (27 observational studies and 4 clinical trials) spanning the years 2020-2021, pertaining to 8624 COVID-19 patients (mean age±SD, 61 ± 9 years) were included in this systematic review. Few studies provided direct evidence on the association of serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium to patients' survival or death. Vitamin D and calcium were the most studied micronutrients and those with a probable promising favorable impact on patients. This review highlights the importance of a balanced nutritional status for a favorable outcome in COVID-19. Micronutrients' deficiency on admission to hospital seems to be related to a high risk for ICU admission, intubation and even death. Nevertheless, evidence for intervention remains unclear.

Haematological malignancies implications during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated current healthcare services for cancer patients. Patients with haematological malignancies specifically seem vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their immunosuppressed status. The COVID-19 pandemic influences every step of the assessment and treatment of a haematological malignancy. Clinicians must adhere to strict policies to not spread the virus to their patients while they must also adjust their workflow for maximum productivity. These difficulties accentuate the ever-present need to improve the healthcare services for cancer patients. This improvement is needed not only to combat the problems that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic but also to establish a framework for the management of patients with haematological malignancies in potential future pandemics.

The Epidemic of Obesity in a Pandemic Era: Urgency to Invest in Adolescent Health.

In September 2015, United Nations' 193 member states signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the global development agenda 2030 [...].

A Case of COVID-19-Related Thrombocytopenia and Leukopenia in an Adolescent with Mild Symptoms.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous reports and reviews on the complications caused by the disease, analyzing the acute and chronic consequences. The main symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 are dry cough, fever, and fatigue. COVID-19 appears to affect all systems, including renal, cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory systems, causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We report on a 14-year-old male adolescent, who presented with thrombocytopenia (platelet count 92 × 109 /L) and leukopenia (white blood count 4.2 × 103 /µL) that was observed two months ago. Ten days before the first blood test, a viral infection with nasal congestion and runny nose was reported, without other accompanying symptoms. Viral antibodies screening revealed positivity for all the three specific COVID-19 antibodies. Further haematological evaluation with bone marrow aspiration revealed non-specific dysplastic features of the red cell and megakaryocyte progenitors. Although haematological alterations due to COVID-19 infection are available from adult patients' reports, the effect of COVID-19 infection in the pediatric population is underestimated and this is the first case with such haematological involvement. Noteworthy, in the current case, the impact of the COVID-19 infection was not related to the severity of the disease, as the symptoms were mild. In similar cases, bone marrow aspiration would not be performed as a part of routine work-up. Thus, it is important when evaluating pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection to search and report those alterations in order to better understand the impact and the spectrum of clinical manifestations of the specific viral infection in children and adolescents.

Obesity in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to special circumstances and changes to everyday life due to the worldwide measures that were imposed such as lockdowns. This review aims to evaluate obesity in children, adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to evaluate pertinent studies up to 10 November 2020. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles were eligible; 9 identified 17,028,111 children, adolescents and young adults from 5-25 years old, 5 pertained to studies with an age admixture (n = 20,521) and one study included parents with children 5-18 years old (n = 584). During the COVID-19 era, children, adolescents and young adults gained weight. Changes in dietary behaviors, increased food intake and unhealthy food choices including potatoes, meat and sugary drinks were noted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity associated with financial reasons represents another concern. Moreover, as the restrictions imposed reduced movements out of the house, physical activity was limited, representing another risk factor for weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 restrictions disrupted the everyday routine of children, adolescents and young adults and elicited changes in their eating behaviors and physical activity. To protect them, health care providers should highlight the risk of obesity and provide prevention strategies, ensuring also parental participation. Worldwide policies, guidelines and precautionary measures should ideally be established.

Molecular mechanisms of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and potential anti-COVID19 pharmacological targets since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a severe threat against public health and global economies. COVID-19, the disease caused by this virus, is highly contagious and has led to an ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 affects, mainly, the respiratory system, with most severe cases primarily showcasing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Currently, no targeted therapy exists, and since the number of infections and death toll keeps rising, it has become a necessity to study possible therapeutic targets. Antiviral drugs can target various stages of the viral infection, and in the case of SARS-CoV-2, both structural and non-structural proteins have been proposed as potential drug targets. This review focuses on the most researched SARS-CoV-2 proteins, their structure, function, and possible therapeutic approaches.