Demographic models predict end-Pleistocene arrival and rapid expansion of pre-agropastoralist humans in Cyprus.

The antiquity of human dispersal into Mediterranean islands and ensuing coastal adaptation have remained largely unexplored due to the prevailing assumption that the sea was a barrier to movement and that islands were hostile environments to early hunter-gatherers [J. F. Cherry, T. P. Leppard, J. Isl. Coast. Archaeol. 13, 191-205 (2018), 10.1080/15564894.2016.1276489]. Using the latest archaeological data, hindcasted climate projections, and age-structured demographic models, we demonstrate evidence for early arrival (14,257 to 13,182 calendar years ago) to Cyprus and predicted that large groups of people (~1,000 to 1,375) arrived in 2 to 3 main events occurring within <100 y to ensure low extinction risk. These results indicate that the postglacial settlement of Cyprus involved only a few large-scale, organized events requiring advanced watercraft technology. Our spatially debiased and Signor-Lipps-corrected estimates indicate rapid settlement of the island within <200 y, and expansion to a median of 4,000 to 5,000 people (0.36 to 0.46 km-2) in <11 human generations (<300 y). Our results do not support the hypothesis of inaccessible and inhospitable islands in the Mediterranean for pre-agropastoralists, agreeing with analogous conclusions for other parts of the world [M. I. Bird et al., Sci. Rep. 9, 8220 (2019), 10.1038/s41598-019-42946-9]. Our results also highlight the need to revisit these questions in the Mediterranean and test their validity with new technologies, field methods, and data. By applying stochastic models to the Mediterranean region, we can place Cyprus and large islands in general as attractive and favorable destinations for paleolithic peoples.

Improved childhood asthma control after exposure reduction interventions for desert dust and anthropogenic air pollution: the MEDEA randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations of anthropogenic and/or desert dust origin are associated with increased morbidity among children with asthma. OBJECTIVE: The Mitigating the Health Effects of Desert Dust Storms Using Exposure-Reduction Approaches randomised controlled trial assessed the impact of exposure reduction recommendations, including indoor air filtration, on childhood asthma control during high desert dust storms (DDS) season in Cyprus and Greece. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS AND SETTING: Primary school children with asthma were randomised into three parallel groups: (a) no intervention (controls); (b) outdoor intervention (early alerts notifications, recommendations to stay indoors and limit outdoor physical activity during DDS) and (c) combined intervention (same as (b) combined with indoor air purification with high efficiency particulate air filters in children's homes and school classrooms. Asthma symptom control was assessed using the childhood Asthma Control Test (c-ACT), spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC)) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). RESULTS: In total, 182 children with asthma (age; mean=9.5, SD=1.63) were evaluated during 2019 and 2021. After three follow-up months, the combined intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in c-ACT in comparison to controls (ß=2.63, 95% CI 0.72 to 4.54, p=0.007), which was more profound among atopic children (ß=3.56, 95% CI 0.04 to 7.07, p=0.047). Similarly, FEV1% predicted (ß=4.26, 95% CI 0.54 to 7.99, p=0.025), the need for any asthma medication and unscheduled clinician visits, but not FVC% and FeNO, were significantly improved in the combined intervention compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Recommendations to reduce exposure and use of indoor air filtration in areas with high PM pollution may improve symptom control and lung function in children with asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03503812.

Small populations of Palaeolithic humans in Cyprus hunted endemic megafauna to extinction.

The hypothesized main drivers of megafauna extinctions in the late Quaternary have wavered between over-exploitation by humans and environmental change, with recent investigations demonstrating more nuanced synergies between these drivers depending on taxon, spatial scale, and region. However, most studies still rely on comparing archaeologically based chronologies of timing of initial human arrival into naïve ecosystems and palaeontologically inferred dates of megafauna extinctions. Conclusions arising from comparing chronologies also depend on the reliability of dated evidence, dating uncertainties, and correcting for the low probability of preservation (Signor-Lipps effect). While some models have been developed to test the susceptibility of megafauna to theoretical offtake rates, none has explicitly linked human energetic needs, prey choice, and hunting efficiency to examine the plausibility of human-driven extinctions. Using the island of Cyprus in the terminal Pleistocene as an ideal test case because of its late human settlement (~14.2-13.2 ka), small area (~11 000 km2), and low megafauna diversity (2 species), we developed stochastic models of megafauna population dynamics, with offtake dictated by human energetic requirements, prey choice, and hunting-efficiency functions to test whether the human population at the end of the Pleistocene could have caused the extinction of dwarf hippopotamus (Phanourios minor) and dwarf elephants (Palaeoloxodon cypriotes). Our models reveal not only that the estimated human population sizes (n = 3000-7000) in Late Pleistocene Cyprus could have easily driven both species to extinction within < 1000 years, the model predictions match the observed, Signor-Lipps-corrected chronological sequence of megafauna extinctions inferred from the palaeontological record (P. minor at ~12-11.1 ka, followed by P. cypriotes at ~10.3-9.1 ka).

Not surprising: a rebound in antibacterial consumption in Europe, with Cyprus and Greece on the podium.

Recent European-wide data place Cyprus and Greece in the highest positions of total antimicrobial consumption. While this level of consumption might be partly attributed to the high rates of infections due to MDR bacteria in these countries, several other reasons should be sought to help apply local measures, to decrease inappropriate and excess antimicrobial use. The present viewpoint aims to provide a roadmap for interventions, by briefly discussing the various factors that underlie antimicrobial use and prescribing practices in Greece and Cyprus.

Modeling the HIV epidemic in MSM in Cyprus: reaching only the 95-95-95 cascade of care targets fails to reduce HIV incidence by 90% in 2030.

National responses should be improved and accelerated to meet the target of ending the Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic by 2030. In the Republic of Cyprus, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), accounting approximately for half of all annual HIV diagnoses. This study assesses the evolution of HIV incidence in MSM in Cyprus until 2030 using a model calibrated to Cypriot epidemiological data. Four scenarios were examined: status quo, two scenarios focusing on introducing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and a 90% HIV incidence reduction scenario. Reaching only the 95-95-95 HIV cascade of care targets among MSM would reduce HIV incidence by 48.6% by 2030 compared to 2015. Initiating a PrEP intervention only for high risk MSM would cause a modest further reduction in HIV incidence. To meet the 90% reduction target, PrEP should be expanded to both high and medium risk MSM and, after 2025, behavioral interventions should be implemented so as high-risk MSM gradually move to the medium-risk category. Cyprus will not reach the HIV incidence reduction target by 2030 unless PrEP is gradually promoted and delivered to all high and medium risk MSM along with awareness and behavioral interventions.

Gender-Specific Variations in Greater Palatine Foramen Anatomy: Insights from CBCT Scans in the North Cyprus Population.

BACKGROUND The greater palatine foramen (GPF) is anatomically located distal to the third maxillary molar tooth, midway between the midline of the palate and the dental arch. The GPF contains the major palatine artery, vein, and nerve, traversing the palatine sulcus. This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical position of the GPF in 93 women and 67 men at a single center in Cyprus using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 160 CBCT scans. Measurements of the GPF's horizontal and vertical diameters, distances from GPF to the incisive foramen, posterior nasal spine, anterior nasal spine, and midaxillary suture, and positional relationships to molars were recorded. Statistical analyses compared these measurements between males and females. RESULTS The study included 93 females and 67 males with an average age of 46.6 (±11.6) years. Significant sex differences were observed in most GPF measurements, with males showing larger dimensions such as the anterior nasal spine, posterior nasal spine, mid-maxillary suture, and incisive foramen to the GPF. The GPF was predominantly located in the third molar region (96.25% on the right, 96.9% on the left). The left GPF showed a significantly larger horizontal diameter than the right (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant difference in the average distances from the anterior nasal spine, posterior nasal spine, mid-maxillary suture, and incisive foramen to the GPF, as well as in the size of the GPF, between males and females. Recognizing these variations enhances clinical planning and reduces the risk of complications.

Morphological Variations of the Nasopalatine Canal in the North Cyprus Population: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the anterior maxillary nasopalatine canal and the width of the buccal bone using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in 150 adults in Northern Cyprus. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 150 participants, and their anterior maxillary morphometric measurements (eg, length of the nasopalatine canal and anteroposterior diameter of the nasal foramen) were taken using CBCT with the scanning parameters of 90 kvP, 24 s, 4 mA, voxel size 0.3 mm, and field of view 10×6 cm. The shapes of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) were categorized into 4 types: cylindrical, hourglass, funnel-shaped, and banana (54%, 20.6%, 18.6%, and 4%, respectively). RESULTS The findings showed a clear link between the shape of the NPC and the horizontal dimensions of the anterior maxilla's morphometric properties. In general, decreased horizontal bone dimensions were found in the premaxilla at the banana- and funnel-shaped type for the nasopalatine canal. Also, the anteroposterior diameter of a nasal foramen in the hourglass shape was significantly larger in diameter than all other shapes. Additionally, the morphology of the nasopalatine canal is influenced by its shape. The sagittal cross-section has shown significant correlations with the sizes of the incisive foramen, nasal foramen, and the length of the nasopalatine canal. CONCLUSIONS The study found a correlation between the shape of the NPC and the horizontal dimensions of the anterior maxilla's anatomy. The measurements of NPC in a North Cyprus population slightly differ from the established standards found in the existing literature. Conducting more extensive studies with a larger number of CBCT images will offer additional insights.

Gender-Based Variation in Alveolar Bone Thickness of Maxillary Incisor Teeth: A CBCT Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND This retrospective study from a single center in Cyprus aimed to assess labial (buccal) and palatal bone thickness in 6 anterior maxillary teeth of 120 adults using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS The CBCT scans of 120 patients (720 teeth) were examined, with scanning parameters of 90 kvP, 24 s, 4 mA, voxel size 0.3 mm, and field of view of 10×6 cm. All maxillary incisors were categorized into 3 distinct points in terms of buccal (B) and palatal (P) points, with points B1 (buccal) and P1 (palatal) 4 mm below the cementoenamel junction; points B2 and P2 at the midpoint between the labial and palatal alveolar crest plane extending to the root apex; and points B3 and P3 at the root apex. Evaluation was done by measuring the distance from these points to the labial and palatal alveolar bone. RESULTS When the thicknesses were measured between all 6 points and labial and palatal bone, the thickness of point B3 of tooth 13 in men was significantly higher than that in women. At points P1, P2, and P3 for teeth 11 and 13, the palatal bone thickness of men was significantly higher than that of women. At points P2 and P3 of tooth 12, the palatal bone thickness of men was significantly higher than that of women. CONCLUSIONS The study found a correlation between alveolar bone thickness and patient sex in the North Cyprus population. Alveolar bone thickness in the anterior maxillary should be considered in implant treatment and orthodontic techniques.

The associations between digit ratio (2D:4D and right - left 2D:4D), maximal oxygen consumption and ventilatory thresholds in professional male football players.

INTRODUCTION: Digit ratio (2D:4D: the relative length of the 2nd and 4th digit) is thought to be a negative correlate of prenatal testosterone. The 2D:4D is related to oxygen metabolism, but the precise nature of this relationship is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to consider associations between digit ratios (right 2D:4D, left 2D:4D, right-left 2D:4D [Dr-l]) and VO2max and ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three Caucasian (n = 133) professional football players competing in Cyprus participated in the study. Players underwent anthropometric measurements, and digit lengths were measured from hand scans. They also completed an incremental cardiopulmonary test to exhaustion on a treadmill. RESULTS: There were negative correlations between digit ratios and VO2max (right 2D:4D, r = -.65; left 2D:4D r = -.37, both p < .0001; Dr-l r = -.30, p = .0005). There were no relationships between digit ratios and VT1. For VT2, there were negative relationships with digit ratios (right 2D:4D, r = -.43, p < .0001; left 2D:4D, r = -.21 and Dr-l, r = -.21, both p = .02). Digit ratios are negatively related to VO2max with large (right 2D:4D) and medium (left 2D:4D, Dr-l) effect sizes. For VT2, there were also negative correlations, which were medium (right 2D:4D) and small (left 2D:4D, Dr-l). CONCLUSION: Our findings may help clarify the relationships between digit ratios and high-intensity actions for extended periods, which are dependent on efficient oxygen metabolism.

Behavioral, cognitive and emotional determinants of getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and the mediating role of institutional trust among young adults in Cyprus.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination uptake is a complex behavior, influenced by numerous factors. Behavioral science theories are commonly used to explain the psychosocial determinants of an individual's health behavior. This study examined the behavioural, cognitive, and emotional determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention based on well-established theoretical models: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Additionally, it examined the mediating role of institutional trust in the relationship between determinants of these models and vaccination intentions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2022, where university students in Cyprus completed an online survey. RESULTS: A total of 484 university students completed the online survey, with 23.8% reporting being vaccinated with fewer than three vaccination doses and/or no intention to vaccinate further. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that higher scores in institutional trust, perceived severity, motivation, physical and psychological capability were significantly associated with higher odds of intending to vaccinate. Higher psychological flexibility and not being infected with COVID-19 were also associated with higher odds of vaccination intention, but not in the final model when all determinants were included. Additionally, significant indirect effects of psychological and physical capability, motivation and perceived severity on vaccination intention were found to be mediated by institutional trust. CONCLUSIONS: When tackling COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy, behavioural, cognitive, and emotional aspects should be considered. Stakeholders and policymakers are advised to implement targeted vaccination programs in young people while at the same time building trust and improving their capabilities and motivation towards getting vaccinated.

Prevalence, diagnostic delay and economic burden of endometriosis and its impact on quality of life: results from an Eastern Mediterranean population.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on endometriosis from the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study for the first time estimates the prevalence and impact of endometriosis on women in Northern Cyprus, an under-represented region in Europe. METHODS: Cyprus Women's Health Research Initiative, a cross-sectional study recruited 7646 women aged 18-55 in Northern Cyprus between January 2018 and February 2020. Cases were identified using self-reported and ultrasound data and two control groups were defined, with (n = 2922) and without (n = 4314) pain. Standardized tools, including the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale and the Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2, were used to assess pain and quality of life, respectively. RESULTS: Prevalence and median diagnostic delay of endometriosis were 5.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.9-5.9%, n = 410] and 7 (interquartile range 15.5) years. Endometriosis cases experienced a higher prevalence of bladder pain compared with asymptomatic pain controls (6.3% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.001) and irritable bowel syndrome relating to pelvic pain compared with symptomatic (4.6% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.027) and asymptomatic (0.3%, P < 0.001) controls. The odds of endometriosis cases reporting an anxiety diagnosis was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.03-2.38) higher than the symptomatic and 1.95 (95% CI: 1.30-2.92) times higher than the asymptomatic controls. The physical component score of the health-related quality-of-life instrument suggested a significant difference between the endometriosis cases and the symptomatic controls (46.8 vs. 48.5, P = 0.034). Average annual economic cost of endometriosis cases was Int$9864 (95% CI: $8811-$10 917) including healthcare, costs relating to absence and loss of productivity at work. CONCLUSION: Prevalence was lower than the global 10% estimate, and substantial proportion of women without endometriosis reported moderate/severe pelvic pain hinting at many undiagnosed cases within this population. Coupled with lower quality of life, significant economic burden and underutilized pain management options, the study highlights multiple opportunities to improve care for endometriosis patients and women with pelvic pain.

Factors impacting complementary feeding advice given by paediatricians in Cyprus.

BACKGROUND: Complementary feeding has long-term effects on health but there is heterogeneity in recommendations across Europe. Recommendations include responsive feeding practices and nutritional needs but there is a debate in primary paediatricians as to which one should be the main criterion for complementary feeding. This pilot study investigated (i) the factors affecting the recommendations of paediatricians in Cyprus for starting complementary feeding, (ii) whether their main criterion is the developmental readiness or the nutritional needs of the infant and (iii) how this priority influences recommendations. METHODS: The 11-item questionnaire was completed by 73 Cypriot paediatricians. RESULTS: Approximately 66% of paediatricians recommended starting complementary feeding between 5 and 6 months, 29% between 4 and 5 and 3% between 6 and 7 months. Predefined schemes were recommended by ∼25% of paediatricians, baby-led weaning by 14% and 58% of paediatricians recommended either modality depending on the family circumstances whilst 4% involve the mother in the decision process. Approximately 64% of paediatricians recommended the introduction of parent's diet after the first year of life. Approximately 55% of paediatricians chose developmental readiness and 45% nutritional needs of the infant as their primary criterion for starting complementary feeding. Paediatricians who prioritized developmental readiness were more likely to be younger, less likely to advice on meat quantity and less likely to follow good nutritional practice. CONCLUSIONS: The younger the paediatrician the more likely they are to prioritize developmental readiness over nutritional needs of the infant for complementary feeding. Paediatricians who prioritized developmental readiness were also less likely to provide nutritional advice.

Primary care indicators for disease burden, monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 in 31 European countries: Eurodata Study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of patients received ambulatory treatment, highlighting the importance of primary health care (PHC). However, there is limited knowledge regarding PHC workload in Europe during this period. The utilization of COVID-19 PHC indicators could facilitate the efficient monitoring and coordination of the pandemic response. The objective of this study is to describe PHC indicators for disease surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19's impact in Europe. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study employing data obtained through a semi-structured ad hoc questionnaire, which was collectively agreed upon by all participants. The study encompasses PHC settings in 31 European countries from March 2020 to August 2021. Key-informants from each country answered the questionnaire. Main outcome: the identification of any indicator used to describe PHC COVID-19 activity. RESULTS: Out of the 31 countries surveyed, data on PHC information were obtained from 14. The principal indicators were: total number of cases within PHC (Belarus, Cyprus, Italy, Romania and Spain), number of follow-up cases (Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Spain and Turkey), GP's COVID-19 tests referrals (Poland), proportion of COVID-19 cases among respiratory illnesses consultations (Norway and France), sick leaves issued by GPs (Romania and Spain) and examination and complementary tests (Cyprus). All COVID-19 cases were attended in PHC in Belarus and Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic exposes a crucial deficiency in preparedness for infectious diseases in European health systems highlighting the inconsistent recording of indicators within PHC organizations. PHC standardized indicators and public data accessibility are urgently needed, conforming the foundation for an effective European-level health services response framework against future pandemics.

Epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation and complications of late-onset neonatal sepsis among preterm neonates in Cyprus: a prospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) is common in preterm neonates, with increasing incidence in recent years. In the present study, we examined the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and complications of LOS in Cyprus and quantified possible risk factors for the development of this condition. METHODS: The study subjects were preterm neonates admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, the only neonatal tertiary centre in Cyprus. A prospective, case-control study was designed, and carried out between April 2017-October 2018. Depending on blood culture results, preterm neonates were classified as "Confirmed LOS": positive blood culture - microorganism isolated and LOS symptoms, "Unconfirmed LOS": negative blood culture and LOS symptoms, and "Controls" group: negative blood culture and absence of LOS symptoms. Comparisons between the 3 groups were performed and the associations between demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics with the likelihood of LOS were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 350 preterm neonates were included in the study and the incidence of LOS was 41.1%. 79 (22.6%) and 65 (18.6%) neonates were classified as "Confirmed LOS", and "unconfirmed LOS" cases respectively while 206 (58.9%) served as controls. The rate of confirmed LOS ranged from 12.2% in moderate to late preterm neonates to 78.6% in extremely preterm neonates. In the multivariate model, we demonstrated an independent association between LOS and duration of hospitalization (OR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01-1.10), duration of ventilation (OR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.07-1.43) and necrotising enterocolitis (OR: 3.41, 95%CI: 1.13-10.25). CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the epidemiology of LOS in preterm neonates in Cyprus and its association with the duration of ventilation and hospitalization as well as with necrotizing enterocolitis. Establishment of protocols for the prevention of nosocomial infections during hospitalization in the NICUs and mechanical ventilation of preterm neonates is recommended.

Greek adaptation of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) in adults from the Republic of Cyprus: A bidimensional model may not be universal.

The Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) is a 17-item instrument designed to assess distinct facets of Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) and Healthy Orthorexia (HO). While a bidimensional model of TOS scores has been supported in diverse national and linguistic groups, the psychometric properties of the TOS have not been previously assessed in Greek-speaking populations. To rectify this, we assessed the psychometric properties of a novel Greek translation of the TOS in a sample of adults from Cyprus. A total of 1248 respondents (710 women, 538 men) completed the Greek TOS, as well as previously validated measures of perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, eating restriction, negative affect, and appearance evaluation. Our results showed that a bidimensional model of the TOS had less-than-adequate fit when modelled using both confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Conversely, both exploratory factor analysis and ESEM supported extraction of a 3-factor model consisting of a HO facet and separate components of emotional orthorexia and cognitive-social orthorexia. This 3-factor model showed a lack of measurement bias (measurement invariance across gender identity and lack of differential item functioning as function of age and body mass index), but there were differences in latent factor means as function of respondent age and body mass index. The 3-factor model showed adequate evidence of construct validity, with the latent emotional orthorexia and cognitive-social orthorexia facets showing significant and moderate associations with the additional constructs measured in the survey. Broadly speaking, these findings support the psychometric properties of a 3-factor model of the Greek TOS, but also suggest that the bidimensional model of the TOS may not have universal applicability. We encourage further assessments of factorial validity in other national and linguistic contexts.

Maria Karampouga the first female neurosurgeon graduate in Cyprus.

Promoting the involvement of women in surgery, particularly in neurosurgery, is crucial in today's male-dominated landscape. Without proper recognition and encouragement, many talented and pioneering women may continue to be undervalued, despite their significant impact on the field. Gender inequality has been a persistent issue throughout history, with limited progress despite the increasing presence of women in the workforce. Historically, women were viewed as inferior to men, even within the medical profession, due to perceived physical differences. This perception was reinforced in religious texts, depicting women as bearing the consequences of the first woman's actions. However, it is important to recognize and support these talented women, allowing them to showcase their contributions in their respective fields. One notable figure in this regard is Maria Karampouga, the first female neurosurgeon graduate in Cyprus. Born in Alexandroupolis, Greece, Maria Karampouga began her medical training after passing a national examination and achieving excellence. After successfully completing her studies, attaining the top score in her graduating class she began a residency in general surgery and then neurosurgery in Greece. Seeking the best possible training, she left her studies incomplete and moved to Cyprus to restart her training in Neurosurgery. She was the first woman ever associated with Neurosurgery in Cyprus and in June 2023, she became the first woman to complete the country's residency program in Neurosurgery. Currently, she is a researcher at University of Pittsburg, Medical Center.

Limited effects of culling on the behavior of invasive lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Mediterranean.

Invasive species pose serious threats to ecosystems. To reduce ecological and economic consequences of invasions, efforts are made to control invaders and evaluating the effects of such efforts is paramount. Lionfishes (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) are native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean and pose a major threat to local ecosystems in the invaded Atlantic and Mediterranean. Culling via spearfishing is a widespread measure to limit lionfish population size in invaded ranges. However, like most hunted fishes, lionfish alter their behavior after repeated culling, potentially decreasing the effectiveness of future culls. Previous studies on lionfish in the Caribbean have shown that lionfish are less bold after repeated culling. However, the impact of culling on lionfish in their newest invasive range, the Mediterranean, remains enigmatic. To determine the behavioral changes in response to culling in this second area of invasion, we tested for effects of culling on the behavior of lionfish in Cyprus, a region heavily impacted by the lionfish invasion in the Mediterranean. We compared the response of lionfish to an approaching free diver holding a metal pole (imitating a spear fisher) between protected areas where spearfishing is restricted and areas where culls are frequently conducted. We also assessed whether activity, hiding pattern, and site fidelity differed between these culled and unculled sites. Overall, we found limited effects of culling on the traits measured, indicating surprising resistance to culling-induced behavioral changes in Mediterranean lionfish. Future studies should monitor invasive lionfish population densities and the effects of culling in more detail to tailor management plans and reduce the negative effects of these fish in specific invaded ranges.

Analysis of the relationship between fear of coronavirus and hand hygiene beliefs and practices of surgical nurses: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and hand hygiene beliefs and practices of surgical nurses. METHOD: This article is a descriptive correlational study. It was conducted between February and May 2021 with 306 surgical nurses working at public and private hospitals in Northern Cyprus. A personal information form, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Hand Hygiene Belief Scale and Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory were used for data collection. RESULTS: Of the participants in the study, 25.41% were 29 years old or younger and 85.15% were female. The mean scores obtained from the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Hand Hygiene Belief Scale and the Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory were 23.12 ± 8.03, 81.33 ± 7.67 and 69.15 ± 1.94, respectively. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale scores were negatively correlated with the Hand Hygiene Belief Scale scores and positively correlated with the Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory scores. CONCLUSION: Hand hygiene practices were better for nurses with higher level of COVID-19 fear. Therefore, a high level of seriousness and awareness of nurses about hand hygiene, which was achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be sustained to maintain proper hand hygiene practices.

Promoting Linguistically Based Health Literacy in Doctors for Better Cancer Healthcare in Cyprus.

This paper explores a novel approach in cancer healthcare, underscoring the significance of fostering health literacy among doctors by enhancing their ability to employ linguistically oriented strategies to extract and interpret the linguistic behavior of patients. The focus is on the Greek-Cypriot context, where research on health literacy is still in its nascent stages.

Nursing students' awareness of global climate change: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine nursing students' awareness of global climate change. DESIGN: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 undergraduate nursing students from a foundation university in Northern Cyprus during the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. A descriptive information form and the Awareness Scale of University Students about Global Climate Change (ASUSGCC) were used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean ASUSGCC score was 3.54 ± 0.64, and the participants received the lowest and highest scores from the awareness of the causes of global climate change (3.54 ± 0.64) and awareness of the effects of global climate change on the natural and human environment (4.03 ± 0.70) subscales, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the Global Climate Change scores and the year of education, with fourth-year students obtaining significantly higher scores (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study found that nursing students have a moderate level of awareness of global climate change. To raise the level of awareness among these undergraduates, who will be future healthcare professionals, we recommend including climate change awareness in the national nursing curricula.