Identifying selection strategies based on the practices and preferences of small ruminant farmers to improve the sustainability of their breeding systems.

Small ruminant farming is of socio-economic and environmental importance to many rural communities around the world. The SMARTER H2020 project aims to redefine genetic selection criteria to increase the sustainability of the sector. The objective of this study was to analyse the selection and breeding management practices of small ruminant producers and breeders, linked with socio-technical elements that shape them. The study is based on farm surveys using semi-structured interviews conducted in five countries (France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Uruguay) across 272 producers and breeders of 13 sheep and goat breeds, and 15 breed × system combinations. The information was collected in four sections. The first and second sections dealt with general elements of structure and management of the system and the flock/herd. The third section focused on selection and breeding management practices: criteria for culling and replacement of females, selection criteria for males, use of estimated breeding values and global indexes, and preferences for indexing new traits to increase the sustainability of their system. The fourth section aimed to collect socio-technical information. We used a data abstraction method to standardise the representation of these data. A mixed data factor analysis followed by a hierarchical ascending classification allowed the characterisation of three profiles of selection and breeding management: (1) a profile of producers (n = 93) of small flocks/herds, with little knowledge or use of genetic selection and improvement tools (selection index, artificial insemination, performance recording); these farmers do not feel that new traits are needed to improve the sustainability of their system. (2) a profile of producers (n = 34) of multibreed flocks/herds that rely significantly on grazing; they are familiar with genetic tools, they currently use AI; they would like the indexes to include more health and robustness characteristics, to make their animals more resistant and to increase the sustainability of their system. And (3) a profile of producers or breeders (n = 145) of large flocks/herds, with specific culling criteria; these farmers are satisfied with the current indexes to maintain the sustainability of their system. These results are elements that can be used by private breeding companies and associations to support the evolution of selection objectives to increase the resilience of animals and to improve the sustainability of the small ruminant breeding systems.

Epilepsy and the "dark" literature of the Greek novelist Demosthenes Voutyras: an outstanding epileptic personality.

BACKGROUND: The role of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in determining personality traits and neurobehavioral symptoms, collectively known as the interictal behavioral syndrome (also known as Geschwind syndrome or "Gastaut-Geschwind syndrome"), as well as the syndrome's association with the particular artistic expression of many epileptic litterateurs are well known in neurology and psychiatry. A deepening of emotionality along with a serious, highly ethical, and spiritual behavior have been described as positive personality changes among patients with chronic mesial-TLE. OBJECTIVES: Our narrative-based clinical hypothesis aims at contributing to the ongoing debate on the association between TLE and artistic expression, as well as the latter's supposed implication for epileptology in general and the neuropsychology of epilepsy in particular. METHODS: Through an analysis of the biography, language, and literary work of Greek novelist Demosthenes Voutyras, we hypothesize that his mystical and dark writing style could be attributed to medial temporal interictal dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the psycholiterary profile of Voutyras is consistent with the idiosyncratic characteristics of the temporal lobe personality, while a non-dominant temporal lobe contribution has been proposed.

ANTECEDENTES: O papel da epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) na determinação de traços de personalidade e sintomas neurocomportamentais, coletivamente conhecidos como síndrome comportamental interictal (também conhecida como síndrome de Geschwind ou "síndrome de Gastaut-Geschwind"), bem como a associação da síndrome com o expressão de muitos literatos epilépticos são bem conhecidos em neurologia e psiquiatria. Um aprofundamento da emotividade juntamente com um comportamento sério, altamente ético e espiritual tem sido descrito como mudanças positivas de personalidade em pacientes com ELT mesial crônica. OBJETIVOS: A nossa hipótese clínica narrativa visa contribuir para o debate em curso sobre a associação entre ELT e a expressão artística, bem como a suposta implicação desta última para a epilepsia em geral e a neuropsicologia da epilepsia em particular. MéTODOS: Através de uma análise da biografia, linguagem e obra literária do romancista grego Demóstenes Voutyras, levantamos a hipótese de que seu estilo de escrita místico e sombrio poderia ser atribuído à dinâmica interictal temporal medial. CONCLUSõES: Sugerimos que o perfil psicoliterário de Voutyras é consistente com as características idiossincráticas da personalidade do lobo temporal, enquanto uma contribuição do lobo temporal não dominante foi proposta.

Cumulative trauma predicts hair cortisol concentrations and symptoms of depression and anxiety in pregnant women-an investigation of community samples from Greece, Spain and Perú.

Exposure to traumatic experiences across lifespan shapes the functioning of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and sets individuals at risk to develop symptoms of depression and anxiety. Particularly, HPA axis regulation and the psychological health of the expectant mother have been of interest, as the health of the unborn child may be affected through changes in gestational biology. The present study investigated the potential associations between lifetime trauma, current symptoms (depression and anxiety) and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in pregnant women. A total of 149 pregnant women were interviewed in public outpatient clinics with varying gestational age in Greece, Spain and Perú. Lifetime trauma exposure and current symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed. HCC was measured in scalp-near hair segments (2 cm length) reflecting cumulative cortisol secretion of the past two months. Results showed that trauma load is negatively associated with HCC and higher symptoms of depression and anxiety. There was a negative association between HCC and symptoms. The present findings support the notion that cumulative trauma exposure exerts long-lasting effects on the expectant mother's HPA axis activity functioning and mental health and may thereby potentially create risk trajectories for the unborn child via changes in gestational biology.

Sleeping and dreaming in Greek mythology.

This article aims to emphasize the major influence of Ancient Greek Mythology on modern sleep medicine. An analysis of Greek texts and medical literature using the MeSH terms Greek mythology, sleep, Greek Gods, and myths was conducted to identify mythological references related to sleep medicine. The findings are discussed concerning etymology, the early conceptualization of some disorders, and the developing characterization of sleep disorders in Greek mythology. The search found several observations in clinical sleep medicine concealed in ancient myths. Beyond the etymology of terms and reflective imaginations, these myths and their characters influence concepts that still tantalize our medical practice in modern days.

A coisa em psicanálise e o objeto no lísis de Platão / The thing in psychoanalysis and object in Plato's lysis / La cosa en psicoanálisis y el objeto en lisis de Platón

Este artigo propõe o estudo sobre o conceito de outro como semelhante e como objeto. Partindo de textos que interpelam a alteridade na psicanálise e remetendo aos temas do complexo semelhante, da satisfação, da perda, do luto, da negativa, da repetição; avalia o conceito de outro articulando textos de diversos autores. A partir da psicanálise freudiana, estuda o das Ding e a negação, discriminando com estes termos um objeto estruturante na origem do psiquismo. Aborda textos técnicos da psicanálise para delimitar o tema da repetição. Também a recordação e a repetição são vinculadas ao objeto e estudadas na perspectiva da filosofia moderna. São retomados temas do diálogo platônicos para definir o lugar do erótico e da amizade. No fim do presente artigo, propomos o termo clássico grego Oikos com valor equivalente ao da Coisa freudiana e como esta aparece em escritos psicanalíticos.(AU)

This article studies the concept of other as similar and object. It is based on texts that question the alterity in psychoanalysis and refers to the themes of otherness complex, loss, grief, negative, repetition, and evaluates the concept of other, using articles of diverse authors. Based on Freudian psychoanalysis, it studies the Thing and the denial and discriminates a structuring object in the origin of psychism. It approaches technical texts of psychoanalysis to delimitate the theme of repetition. The recordation and repetition are also linked to the object and studied from the perspective of modern philosophy. Themes of the platonic dialogues are resumed to define the place of the erotic and the friendship. In the end of the article, we propose the greek classic term Oikos, with equal value to the Freudian Thing, as this one appears in psychoanalytic writings.(AU)

Este artículo estudia el concepto Otro como semejante y como objeto. A partir de textos que interpelan la alteridad en psicoanálisis y que se refieren a temas del complejo semejante, de la satisfacción, de la pérdida, del duelo, de la negación, de la repetición, se evalúa el concepto de Otro articulando textos de diferentes autores. Basado en el psicoanálisis freudiano, se aborda Ding y la negación, discriminando con estos términos un objeto estructurante en el origen de lo psíquico. Se abordan textos técnicos del psicoanálisis para delimitar el tema de la repetición; el recuerdo y la repetición son vinculadas al objeto y estudiadas desde la perspectiva de la filosofía moderna; y se retoman temas de los diálogos platónicos para definir el lugar de lo erótico y la amistad. Al culminar este artículo se propone leer el término griego clásico Oikos con un valor equivalente al de la Cosa freudiana como aparece en los escritos psicoanalíticos.(AU)

Do Gender and Country of Residence Matter? A Mixed Methods Study on Lay Causal Beliefs about PTSD.

Laypersons' causal beliefs about mental disorders can differ considerably from medical or psychosocial clinicians' models as they are shaped by social and cultural context and by personal experiences. This study aimed at identifying differences in causal beliefs about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by country and gender. A cross-sectional, vignette-based online survey was conducted with 737 participants from Germany, Greece, Ecuador, Mexico, and Russia. Participants were presented with a short unlabeled case vignette describing a person with symptoms of PTSD. Causal beliefs were assessed using an open-ended question asking for the three most likely causes. Answers were analyzed using thematic analysis. Afterwards, themes were transformed into categorical variables to analyze differences by country and by gender. Qualitative analyses revealed a wide range of different causal beliefs. Themes differed by gender, with women tending to mention more external causal beliefs. Themes also differed between the five countries but the differences between countries were more pronounced for women than for men. In conclusion, causal beliefs were multifaceted among laypersons and shared basic characteristics with empirically derived risk factors. The more pronounced differences for women suggest that potential gender effects should be considered in cross-cultural research.

Scrotal circumference in Karagouniko and Chios sheep in relation to the aerial environment

Local breeds are a valuable asset in sheep farming systems in Greece and other Mediterranean countries. Among these, Karagouniko and Chios sheep hold a special position, participating in numerous genetic improvement programs, but a research gap exists on their scrotal circumference (SC) in relation to the environmental parameters photoperiod (PHOTO), air temperature, sunshine and rainfall. Therefore, four seasons were examined: April-June and July-September (Long days, increasing and decreasing photoperiod length, respectively), and October-December and January-March (Short days, decreasing and increasing photoperiod length, respectively). Repeated measures analysis of variance and linear correlation analysis were used to investigate the effect of the period on SC and the relationships of SC and each of the environmental parameters above, respectively, in both breeds. Also, independent t-tests were used to investigate SC differences between Karagouniko and Chios. A progressive increase of SC in both breeds coincided with the lowering of PHOTO from April-June to October-December. A significant correlation was confirmed between the SC of each breed and PHOTO, shedding light on the importance of this parameter on SC. Chios sheep had significantly larger (P < 0.05) SC (35.23 cm) than the Karagouniko one (34.59 cm). Better exploitation of these sheep breeds could be derived from the current study's findings.

Galilei's mutter, archeoprimatology, and the ´blue´ monkeys of Thera: a comment on Pruetz and Greenlaw (2021).

A recent debate on the taxonomic identification of the monkeys depicted in a fresco from Room 6 of Building Complex Beta in the Bronze Age town of Akrotiri, Thera (Greece) has triggered a multitude of different interpretations deriving from a fruitful exchange of diverse academic approaches. Thus, Pareja et al. (Primates 61:159-168, 2020a) identified those Aegean monkeys as Asian langurs (Semnopithecus spp.), whereas Urbani and Youlatos (Antiquity 94:e9, 2020a) and Binnberg et al. (J Gr Archaeol 6:in press, 2021) argued for the identification as African vervets (Chlorocebus spp.), and recently Pruetz and Greenlaw (Primates 62:703-707, 2021) introduced the African L'Hoest's monkeys (Allochrocebus lhoesti) and Diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana) into the debate. This comment intends to present thoughts on the latter contention. In this context, our approach encompassed the morphological analysis of specific features of the face and torso, the cultural context of the use of the blue color for representing the Aegean monkeys, the detailed artistic rendering of Aegean painters, the geographical distribution ranges of the potential candidate monkey species, and the historical context of trading monkeys or exchanging monkey imageries in the eastern Mediterranean region and Africa. All this evidence supports our contention that vervets still represent the most parsimonious models for the monkeys depicted in Room 6. This debate, based on multidisciplinary research, stands as a constructive example for the perspectives that need to be followed for the development of archeoprimatology.

Genetic characterization of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Greece.

The interest in livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) strains is increasing due to their wide distribution and transmission even in persons without previous contact with livestock, and these strains pose a public health threat. The aim of the study was the genetic characterization of the whole genome of two epidemiologically unrelated t034 LA-MRSA strains previously isolated from the nasal cavities of a goat and a farmer in Greece. Both strains were assigned to the ST398-Vc-t034 type and they were carrying a single transposon identical to Tn6133. They harbored genes conferring resistance to several antibiotics (aminoglycosides, ß-lactams, macrolides, streptogramin B, tetracycline, and trimethoprim), and genes associated with virulence (enterotoxins, γ-hemolysins, and aureolysin). The present study can serve as baseline for further LA-MRSA epidemiological and evolutionary studies in Greece, while awareness and increased surveillance are needed to avoid their spread.

Sleep during COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-cultural study investigating job system relevance.

Our study aimed to assess the change in the sleep patterns during the Coronavirus lockdown in five regions (Austria/Germany, Ukraine, Greece, Cuba and Brazil), using online surveys, translated in each language. Part of the cohort (age 25-65, well-educated) was collected directly during lockdown, to which retrospective cross-sectional data from and after lockdown (retrospective) questionnaires were added. We investigated sleep times and sleep quality changes from before to during lockdown and found that, during lockdown, participants had (i) worse perceived sleep quality if worried by COVID-19, (ii) a shift of bedtimes to later hours during workdays, and (iii) a sleep loss on free days (resulting from more overall sleep during workdays in non-system relevant jobs), leading to (iv) a marked reduction of social jetlag across all cultures. For further analyses we directly compared system relevant and system irrelevant jobs, because it was assumed that the nature of the lockdown's consequences is dependent upon system relevance. System relevant jobs were found to have earlier wake-up times as well as shorter total sleep times on workdays, leading to higher social jetlag for people in system relevant jobs. Cultural differences revealed a general effect that participants from Greece and Ukraine had later bedtimes (on both work and free days) and wake-up times (on workdays) than Cuba, Brazil and Austria, irrespective of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Aristotle, Buddhist scripture and embryology in ancient Mexico: building inclusion by re-thinking what counts as the history of developmental biology.

It has not gone unnoticed in recent times that historical writing about science is heavily Eurocentric. A striking example can be found in the history of developmental biology: textbooks and popular science writing frequently trace an intellectual thread from the Greek philosopher Aristotle through 19th century embryology to 20th century genetics. Few in our field are aware of the depth and breadth of early embryological thinking outside of Europe. Here, I provide a series of vignettes highlighting the rich history of embryological thinking in Asia and Latin America. My goal is to provide an entertaining, even provocative, synopsis of this important but under-studied topic. It is my hope that this work will spur others to carry out more thorough investigations, with the ultimate goal of building a more inclusive discipline.

A Mediterranean paradigm? Convergence and divergence in the Southern European Health Care Systems / Um paradigma mediterrâneo? Convergência e divergência nos Sistemas de Saúde da Europa Meridional / ¿Un paradigma mediterráneo? Convergencia y divergencia en los Sistemas de Salud de Europa Meridional

The concept of a 'Mediterranean paradigm' was raised by Josep Figueras in 1994 as a distinctive Southern European model for the health care systems of Italy, Spain and Greece based on the basis of six factors. The subsequent debate (including Portugal, too) is reconstructed on the basis of pros and cons arguments. The specific contribution of the author to the debate - consisting in the proposal of the concept of 'health macro-region' as an analytic tool to pursue a more comprehensive approach in comparative terms on the basis of a connectionist model - is then presented in details by showing the peculiar characteristics of the Southern European health macro-region. Finally, an historical perspective involving three different kinds of temporality (long, middle and short span) is proposed in order to explain both the substantial similar timing (diachronic convergence) and, at the same time, the significant differences (synchronic divergences) among Southern European health care systems in the way and levels their national health services were implemented. (AU)

O conceito de um "paradigma mediterrâneo" foi levantado por Josep Figueras em 1994, como um modelo distinto do Sul da Europa para os sistemas de saúde da Itália, Espanha e Grécia, com base em seis fatores. O debate subsequente (incluindo também Portugal) é reconstruído com base em argumentos prós e contras. A contribuição específica do autor para o debate - consistindo na proposta do conceito de 'macrorregião da saúde' como ferramenta analítica para buscar uma abordagem mais abrangente em termos comparativos a partir de um modelo conexionista - é então apresentada em detalhes. mostrando as características peculiares da macrorregião da saúde do Sul da Europa. Finalmente, uma perspectiva histórica envolvendo três diferentes tipos de temporalidade (período longo, médio e curto) é proposta para explicar tanto o tempo substancialmente semelhante (convergência diacrônica) quanto, ao mesmo tempo, as diferenças significativas (divergências sincrônicas) entre os sistemas de saúde da Europa Meridional na forma e níveis de como seus serviços nacionais de saúde foram implementados. (AU)

El concepto de un "paradigma mediterráneo" fue levantado por Josep Figueras en 1994, como un modelo distinto del Sur de Europa para los sistemas de salud de Italia, España y Grecia, con base en seis factores. El debate subsecuente (que incluyó también a Portugal) se reconstruye con base en argumentos de pro y contra. La contribución específica del autor para el debate, que consiste en la propuesta del concepto de la 'macrorregión de la salud' como herramienta analítica para buscar un abordaje más incluyente en términos comparativos a partir de un modelo conexionista, se presenta entonces en detalles, mostrando las características peculiares de la macrorregión de la salud del sur de Europa. Finalmente, se propone una perspectiva histórica envolviendo tres diferentes tipos de temporalidad (largo, medio y corto espacio) para explicar tanto el tiempo substancialmente semejante (convergencia diacrónica) como, al mismo tiempo, las diferencias significativas (divergencias sincrónicas) entre los sistemas de salud de Europa Meridional en la forma y niveles en que se implementaron sus servicios nacionales de salud. (AU)

Sleep During "Lockdown" in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this study was to determine if the lockdown measures applied due to the pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected the sleep of the general population and health professionals in six different countries (Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Brazil). We used a web-based survey with a short questionnaire of 13 questions, translated into four languages (Greek, German, French, and Portuguese). The questionnaire included information about demographic and professional data, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sleep, degree of abidance in lockdown measures, and data about illness or close contact with active confirmed cases of COVID-19. Initially, 2093 individuals participated. After exclusion of those who did not report their duration of sleep, the final sample comprised 1908 participants (Greek, n = 1271; German, n = 257, French, n = 48; Portuguese, n = 332), aged 42.6 ± 12.7 years, who were considered for further analysis. A main effect of the lockdown week on sleep duration was observed (+0.25 h; 95% confidence intervals, CI, 0.17, 0.32; p < 0.001), with the total sleep time of the lockdown week being longer than that under normal conditions. A week*occupation interaction on sleep duration was demonstrated (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.012). Sleep duration remained stable in health professionals (-0.18 h; 95% CI -0.36, 0.01; p = 0.063), whereas it increased in other occupations by 0.31 h (95% CI, 0.24, 0.39; p < 0.001). In terms of sleep quality, 15% of participants characterized their sleep as bad and 37.9% as average during the lockdown week. Almost 1 in 3 individuals (31.3%) reported worse quality of sleep during the lockdown week than under normal conditions. Sleep during the lockdown week was characterized as good by 47.1%, but only 38% of the health professionals group. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown affected sleep in different ways, depending on age, level of education, occupation, and country of residence.

Geographic partitioning or environmental selection: What governs the global distribution of bacterial communities inhabiting floral nectar?

Floral nectar harbors microbial communities which have significant impacts on its chemistry, volatiles, nutritional contents, and attractiveness for pollinators. Yet, fundamental knowledge regarding the structure and composition of nectar-associated microbiomes remains largely unknown. Especially elusive are the environmental factors and spatial effects that shape nectar-inhabiting microbial communities. The aim of this study was to explore and analyze the role of geographical and environmental factors affecting the composition and global distribution of floral nectar microbiota. We explored and compared the structure of bacterial communities inhabiting the floral nectar of the widely spread and invasive tobacco tree (Nicotiana glauca) in six continents: South and North America, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Environmental abiotic data for each sampled plant was obtained from the Worldclim database and applied for inferring the effects of environmental conditions on bacterial community structure and diversity. Most abundant in the nectar were the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria phyla, with Acinetobacter and Rosenbergiella (Proteobacteria) being the dominant bacterial genera that contributed most to the dissimilarities between sites. Acinetobacter and Rosenbergiella abundances were negatively correlated and significantly higher in the Mediterranean regions (Greece, Israel, and the Canary Islands) compared to Argentina and Australia. Temperature, site-elevation, rainfall, and density of vegetation were found to have significant effects on the structure and diversity of these bacterial communities in the nectar. Vegetation density was positively correlated with microbial diversity, while increased temperatures and elevation reduced the diversity and evenness of bacterial communities. Mantel's test showed that the similarity between the bacterial communities' composition significantly decreased as distances between them increased. We conclude that both geographical distance and local environmental abiotic conditions affect and shape the composition and diversity of nectar inhabiting bacterial communities.

Roadmap for Establishing Large-Scale Genomic Medicine Initiatives in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

In the post-genomic era, genomic medicine interventions as a key component of personalized medicine and tailored-made health care are greatly anticipated following recent scientific and technological advances. Indeed, large-scale sequencing efforts that explore human genomic variation have been initiated in several, mostly developed, countries across the globe, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few others. Here, we highlight the successful implementation of large-scale national genomic initiatives, namely the Genome of Greece (GoGreece) and the DNA do Brasil (DNABr), aiming to emphasize the importance of implementing such initiatives in developing countries. Based on this experience, we also provide a roadmap for replicating these projects in other low-resource settings, thereby bringing genomic medicine in these countries closer to clinical fruition.

Global Risk Factor Evaluation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Relation to Research Activity and Socioeconomic Factors.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is emerging as a global health epidemic, particularly due to the obesity pandemic. However, comprehensive prevalence data are still lacking and global OSA research has not yet been structurally evaluated. Using the latest comprehensive age/gender-specific BMI and obesity data, a global landscape estimating the risk/burden of OSA was created. Results were presented in relation to an in-depth analysis of OSA research and countries' socioeconomic/scientific background. While the USA, Canada, and Japan are the highest publishing countries on OSA, Iceland, Greece, and Israel appeared at the forefront when relating the scientific output to socioeconomic parameters. Conversely, China, India, and Russia showed relatively low performances in these relations. Analysis of the estimated population at risk (EPR) of OSA showed the USA, China, India, and Brazil as the leading countries. Although the EPR and OSA research correlated strongly, major regional discrepancies between the estimated demand and actual research performances were identified, mainly in, but not limited to, developing nations. Our study highlights regional challenges/imbalances in the global activity on OSA and allows targeted measures to mitigate the burden of undiagnosed/untreated OSA. Furthermore, the inclusion of disadvantaged countries in international collaborations could stimulate local research efforts and provide valuable insights into the regional epidemiology of OSA.