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Article ; Online: The Effect of Health Education on Adolescents’ Awareness of HPV Infections and Attitudes towards HPV Vaccination in Greece

Ioannis Thanasas / Giagkos Lavranos / Pinelopi Gkogkou / Dimitrios Paraskevis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 19, Iss 503, p

2022 Volume 503

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of health education among young adolescents, regarding their level of knowledge about the HPV and the acceptance of the HPV vaccination, with the aim of increasing vaccination coverage, in ... ...

Abstract	Background: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of health education among young adolescents, regarding their level of knowledge about the HPV and the acceptance of the HPV vaccination, with the aim of increasing vaccination coverage, in Trikala city, mainland of Greece. Methods: This study included high school students from all public and private schools of Trikala city. Questionnaires related to knowledge regarding the HPV infection and HPV vaccination were administered in three phases. In the first phase of the study, the questionnaires were completed by the entire study population. During the second and third phases, the completion of the questionnaires concerned only the population that received the intervention (interactive seminars). The second and third phase questionnaires were completed immediately after the interactive seminar and three months later, respectively. The statistical analysis of the results was performed using IBM SPSS 20.0 statistical program. Results: A total of 434 female students completed the questionnaire (response rate 76.26%). Most participants (66.6%) were females. The questionnaires evaluated the respondents’ awareness of the HPV infection. The results show that the percentage of the participants who stated that they “do not know” what HPV is decreased from 44.4% (first phase), to 1.6% (second phase), and 8.1% (third phase). Similarly, the willingness to accept the HPV vaccine increased from 71% (first phase), to 89.1% (second phase), and 83.5% (third phase). Conclusions: The present study shows that targeted interactive informational interventions in the school environment leads to a statistically significant increase in both the level of knowledge about HPV and the willingness of young adolescent students to be vaccinated against cervical cancer.
Keywords	HPV ; HPV vaccines ; teenagers ; health education ; Central Greece ; Medicine ; R
Subject code	370
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Hepatitis B Virus DNA Integration, Chronic Infections and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Maria Bousali / George Papatheodoridis / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Timokratis Karamitros

Microorganisms, Vol 9, Iss 1787, p

2021 Volume 1787

Abstract: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an Old World virus with a high mutation rate, which puts its origins in Africa alongside the origins of Homo sapiens, and is a member of the Hepadnaviridae family that is characterized by a unique viral replication cycle. It ... ...

Abstract	Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an Old World virus with a high mutation rate, which puts its origins in Africa alongside the origins of Homo sapiens, and is a member of the Hepadnaviridae family that is characterized by a unique viral replication cycle. It targets human hepatocytes and can lead to chronic HBV infection either after acute infection via horizontal transmission usually during infancy or childhood or via maternal–fetal transmission. HBV has been found in ~85% of HBV-related Hepatocellular Carcinomas (HCC), and it can integrate the whole or part of its genome into the host genomic DNA. The molecular mechanisms involved in the HBV DNA integration is not yet clear; thus, multiple models have been described with respect to either the relaxed-circular DNA (rcDNA) or the double-stranded linear DNA (dslDNA) of HBV. Various genes have been found to be affected by HBV DNA integration, including cell-proliferation-related genes, oncogenes and long non-coding RNA genes (lincRNAs). The present review summarizes the advances in the research of HBV DNA integration, focusing on the evolutionary and molecular side of the integration events along with the arising clinical aspects in the light of WHO’s commitment to eliminate HBV and viral hepatitis by 2030.
Keywords	hepatitis B virus ; HBV ; viral integration ; pathogen-host interactions ; insertional mutagenesis ; chronic hepatitis ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
Subject code	570
Language	English
Publishing date	2021-08-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Trends in COVID-19 Vaccination Intent, Determinants and Reasons for Vaccine Hesitancy

Vana Sypsa / Sotirios Roussos / Vasiliki Engeli / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Sotirios Tsiodras / Angelos Hatzakis

Vaccines, Vol 10, Iss 470, p

Results from Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys in the Adult General Population of Greece during November 2020–June 2021

2022 Volume 470

Abstract: Vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier to achieving large-scale COVID-19 vaccination. We report trends in vaccination intention and associated determinants from surveys in the adult general population in Greece. Four cross-sectional phone surveys were ... ...

Abstract	Vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier to achieving large-scale COVID-19 vaccination. We report trends in vaccination intention and associated determinants from surveys in the adult general population in Greece. Four cross-sectional phone surveys were conducted in November 2020 and February, April and May 2021 on nationally representative samples of adults in Greece. Multinomial logistic regression was used on the combined data of the surveys to evaluate independent predictors of vaccination unwillingness/uncertainty. Vaccination intention increased from 67.6% in November 2020 to 84.8% in May 2021. Individuals aged 65 years or older were more willing to be vaccinated (May 2021: 92.9% vs. 79.5% in 18–39 years, p < 0.001) but between age-groups differences decreased over time. Vaccination intention increased substantially in both men and women, though earlier among men, and was higher in individuals with prograduate education (May 2021: 91.3% vs. 84.0% up to junior high). From multivariable analysis, unwillingness and/or uncertainty to be vaccinated was associated with younger age, female gender (in particular in the April 2021 survey), lower educational level and living with a child ≤12 years old. Among those with vaccine hesitancy, concerns about vaccine effectiveness declined over time (21.6% in November 2020 vs. 9.6% in May 2021, p = 0.014) and were reported more often by men; safety concerns remained stable over time (66.3% in November 2020 vs. 62.1% in May 2021, p = 0.658) and were reported more often by women. In conclusion, vaccination intention increased substantially over time. Tailored communication is needed to address vaccine hesitancy and concerns regarding vaccine safety.
Keywords	COVID-19 ; vaccination intention ; vaccination hesitancy ; repeated cross-sectional surveys ; Medicine ; R
Subject code	310
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-03-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: HIV RNA/DNA Levels at Diagnosis Can Predict Immune Reconstitution

Dimitrios Basoulis / Nikos Pantazis / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Panos Iliopoulos / Martha Papadopoulou / Karolina Akinosoglou / Angelos Hatzakis / George L. Daikos / Mina Psichogiou

Microorganisms, Vol 11, Iss 1510, p

A Longitudinal Analysis

2023 Volume 1510

Abstract: Background: HIV DNA mirrors the number of infected cells and the size of the HIV viral reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-cART HIV DNA levels as a predictive marker of immune reconstitution and on the post-cART CD4 counts ... ...

Abstract	Background: HIV DNA mirrors the number of infected cells and the size of the HIV viral reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-cART HIV DNA levels as a predictive marker of immune reconstitution and on the post-cART CD4 counts trends. Methods: HIV DNA was isolated from PBMCs and quantified by real-time PCR. Immune reconstitution was assessed up to four years. Piecewise-linear mixed models were used to describe CD4 count changes. Results: 148 people living with HIV (PLWH) were included. The highest rate of immune reconstitution was observed during the first trimester. There was a trend showing that high HIV RNA level resulted in greater increase in CD4 count, especially during the first trimester of cART (difference above vs. below median 15.1 cells/μL/month; 95% CI −1.4–31.5; p = 0.073). Likewise, higher HIV DNA level would predict greater CD4 increases, especially after the first trimester (difference above vs. below median 1.2 cells/μL/month; 95% CI −0.1–2.6; p = 0.071). Higher DNA and RNA levels combined were significantly associated with greater CD4 increase past the first trimester (difference high/high vs. low/low 2.1 cells/μL/month; 95% CI 0.3–4.0; p = 0.024). In multivariable analysis, lower baseline CD4 counts predicted a greater CD4 rise. Conclusions: In successfully treated PLWH, pre-cART HIV DNA and HIV RNA levels are predictors of immune reconstitution.
Keywords	HIV DNA ; immune reconstitution ; viral latency ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
Subject code	570
Language	English
Publishing date	2023-06-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: All-cause mortality in systemic rheumatic diseases under treatment compared with the general population, 2015–2019

Dimitrios Paraskevis / Konstantinos Mathioudakis / Anastasios Tsolakidis / Panagiota Mitrou / Georgia Vourli / George Konstantonis

RMD Open, Vol 7, Iss

2021 Volume 3

Keywords	Medicine ; R
Language	English
Publishing date	2021-12-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	BMJ Publishing Group
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Wastewater Levels of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Associated with Influenza-like Illness Rates in Children—A Case Study in Larissa, Greece (October 2022–January 2023)

Michalis Koureas / Kassiani Mellou / Alexandros Vontas / Maria Kyritsi / Ioannis Panagoulias / Anastasia Koutsolioutsou / Varvara A. Mouchtouri / Matthaios Speletas / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Christos Hadjichristodoulou

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 20, Iss 5219, p

2023 Volume 5219

Abstract: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant progress in the field of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) of respiratory pathogens and highlighted its potential for a wider application in public health surveillance. This study aimed to ... ...

Abstract	The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant progress in the field of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) of respiratory pathogens and highlighted its potential for a wider application in public health surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate whether monitoring of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in wastewater can provide a comprehensive picture of disease transmission at the community level. The study was conducted in Larissa (Central Greece) between October 2022 and January 2023. Forty-six wastewater samples were collected from the inlet of the wastewater treatment plant of Larissa and analyzed with a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based method. RSV and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater viral loads (genome copies/100,000 inhabitants) were analyzed against sentinel surveillance data on influenza-like illness (ILI) to identify potential associations. Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that RSV wastewater viral load (lagged by one week) and ILI notification rates in children up to 14 years old were strongly associated (std. Beta: 0.73 (95% CI: 0.31–1.14), p = 0.002, R 2 = 0.308). A weaker association was found between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and ILI rates in the 15+ age group (std. Beta: 0.56 (95% CI: 0.06–1.05), p = 0.032, R 2 = 0.527). The results support the incorporation of RSV monitoring into existing wastewater-based surveillance systems.
Keywords	respiratory syncytial virus ; wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) ; SARS-CoV-2 ; influenza-like illness ; RT-PCR ; Medicine ; R
Subject code	333
Language	English
Publishing date	2023-03-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Global and regional dispersal patterns of hepatitis B virus genotype E from and in Africa

Luicer Anne Olubayo Ingasia / Evangelia Georgia Kostaki / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Anna Kramvis

PLoS ONE, Vol 15, Iss 10, p e

A full-genome molecular analysis.

2020 Volume 0240375

Abstract: Description of the spatial characteristics of viral dispersal is important in understanding the history of infections. Nine hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes (A-I), and a putative 10th genotype (J), with distinct geographical distribution, are recognized. ...

Abstract	Description of the spatial characteristics of viral dispersal is important in understanding the history of infections. Nine hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes (A-I), and a putative 10th genotype (J), with distinct geographical distribution, are recognized. In sub-Saharan Africa (sub)-genotypes A1, D3 and E circulate, with E predominating in western Africa (WA), where HBV is hyperendemic. The low genetic diversity of genotype E (HBV/E) suggests its recent emergence. Our aim was to study the dispersal of HBV/E using full-length, non-redundant and non-recombinant sequences available in public databases. HBV/E was confirmed, and the phylogeny reconstruction performed using maximum likelihood (ML) with bootstrapping. Phylogeographic analysis was conducted by reconstruction of ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony on the estimated ML phylogeny. 46.5% of HBV/E sequences were found within monophyletic clusters. Country-wise analysis revealed the existence of 50 regional clusters. Sequences from WA were located close to the root of the tree, indicating this region as the most probable origin of the HBV/E epidemic and expanded to other geographical regions, within and outside of Africa. A localized dispersal was observed with sequences from Nigeria and Guinea as compared to other WA countries. Based on the sequences available in the databases, the phylogenetic results suggest that European strains originated primarily from WA whereas a majority of American strains originated in Western Central Africa. The differences in regional dispersal patterns of HBV/E suggest limited cross-border transmissions because of restricted population movements.
Keywords	Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
Subject code	570
Language	English
Publishing date	2020-01-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Temporal Dominance of B.1.1.7 over B.1.354 SARS-CoV-2 Variant

Evangelia Georgia Kostaki / Ioulia Tseti / Sotirios Tsiodras / George N. Pavlakis / Petros P. Sfikakis / Dimitrios Paraskevis

Life, Vol 11, Iss 375, p

A Hypothesis Based on Areas of Variant Co-Circulation

2021 Volume 375

Abstract: Some emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants raise concerns due to their altered biological properties. For both B.1.1.7 and B.1351 variants, named as variants of concern (VOC), increased transmissibility was reported, whereas B.1.351 was more resistant to multiple ...

Abstract	Some emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants raise concerns due to their altered biological properties. For both B.1.1.7 and B.1351 variants, named as variants of concern (VOC), increased transmissibility was reported, whereas B.1.351 was more resistant to multiple monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), as well as convalescent and vaccination sera. To test this hypothesis, we examined the proportion of VOC over time across different geographic areas where the two VOC, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, co-circulate. Our comparative analysis was based on the number of SARS-CoV-2 sequences on GISAID database. We report that B.1.1.7 dominates over B.1.351 in geographic areas where both variants co-circulate and the B.1.1.7 was the first variant introduced in the population. The only areas where B.1.351 was detected at higher proportion were South Africa and Mayotte in Africa, where this strain was associated with increased community transmission before the detection of B.1.1.7. The dominance of B.1.1.7 over B.1.351 could be important since B.1.351 was more resistant to certain mAbs, as well as heterologous convalescent and vaccination sera, thus suggesting that it may be transmitted more effectively in people with pre-existing immunity to other VOC. This scenario would lessen the effectiveness of vaccine and urge the need to update them with new strains.
Keywords	SARS-CoV-2 ; variants ; co-circulation ; dominance ; vaccines ; Science ; Q
Language	English
Publishing date	2021-04-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Health and health needs of migrants in detention in Greece

Kyriakos Souliotis / Maria Saridi / Konstantina Banou / Christina Golna / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Angelos Hatzakis / Alyna Smith

Globalization and Health, Vol 15, Iss 1, Pp 1-

shedding light to an unknown reality

2019 Volume 7

Abstract: Abstract Background Population movements have been increasing over the past years in Europe due to socioeconomic factors, global turbulence and conflicts, especially in the area of Middle East. The presence of migrant populations in Europe challenges ... ...

Abstract	Abstract Background Population movements have been increasing over the past years in Europe due to socioeconomic factors, global turbulence and conflicts, especially in the area of Middle East. The presence of migrant populations in Europe challenges health systems due to increased requirements for health care provision. However, to date there is limited published data on the burden of disease among this population (in Greece and elsewhere). Our objective was to record burden of disease of undocumented migrants hosted in a Detention Center and therefore generate data for migrant and public health planning. Methods Epidemiological data have been collected for 4756 male migrants hosted in a Detention Center from mid 2013 to mid 2015. Of them, 1427 have used health services in the Center, which maintained a detailed record of their medical history and tests. Results The majority of the study population was aged between 18 and 40 years old. Among those who used health services, most suffered from respiratory (45.6%) and digestive (30.1%) diseases. Injury, poisoning and other external causes accounted for 19.6% of service use, diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue for 18.7%, and factors affecting health status and contact with health services for 16.7%. Prevalence of communicable diseases was 15.9% amongst migrants randomly tested. Conclusion Systematic screening and monitoring of diseases and use of health services by migrants in detention centers allows for an evidence based understanding of the burden of disease related to these populations and the investment required to effectively manage it, thus providing critical input to appropriate health planning. Surveillance for communicable diseases amongst migrants in detention centers would also allow for a true picture of the impact of their presence on public health indicators and help address related prejudices and stigma.
Keywords	Migrants ; Public health ; Detention centres ; Screening ; Surveillance ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
Subject code	360
Language	English
Publishing date	2019-01-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	BMC
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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Article ; Online: Automated, phylogeny-based genotype delimitation of the Hepatitis Viruses HBV and HCV

Dora Serdari / Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki / Dimitrios Paraskevis / Alexandros Stamatakis / Paschalia Kapli

PeerJ, Vol 7, p e

2019 Volume 7754

Abstract: Background The classification of hepatitis viruses still predominantly relies on ad hoc criteria, i.e., phenotypic traits and arbitrary genetic distance thresholds. Given the subjectivity of such practices coupled with the constant sequencing of samples ... ...

Abstract	Background The classification of hepatitis viruses still predominantly relies on ad hoc criteria, i.e., phenotypic traits and arbitrary genetic distance thresholds. Given the subjectivity of such practices coupled with the constant sequencing of samples and discovery of new strains, this manual approach to virus classification becomes cumbersome and impossible to generalize. Methods Using two well-studied hepatitis virus datasets, HBV and HCV, we assess if computational methods for molecular species delimitation that are typically applied to barcoding biodiversity studies can also be successfully deployed for hepatitis virus classification. For comparison, we also used ABGD, a tool that in contrast to other distance methods attempts to automatically identify the barcoding gap using pairwise genetic distances for a set of aligned input sequences. Results—Discussion We found that the mPTP species delimitation tool identified even without adapting its default parameters taxonomic clusters that either correspond to the currently acknowledged genotypes or to known subdivision of genotypes (subtypes or subgenotypes). In the cases where the delimited cluster corresponded to subtype or subgenotype, there were previous concerns that their status may be underestimated. The clusters obtained from the ABGD analysis differed depending on the parameters used. However, under certain values the results were very similar to the taxonomy and mPTP which indicates the usefulness of distance based methods in virus taxonomy under appropriate parameter settings. The overlap of predicted clusters with taxonomically acknowledged genotypes implies that virus classification can be successfully automated.
Keywords	Virus ; DNA-barcoding ; Species delimitation ; Phylogeny ; HBV ; HCV ; Medicine ; R ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
Subject code	500
Language	English
Publishing date	2019-10-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	PeerJ Inc.
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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