Low levels of vitamin D in patients with osteoarthritis (ΟΑ) rather adversely affect the structure and function of articular cartilage. Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with joint pain, limited physical activity, quality of life, as well as decreased muscle strength, primarily in the lower extremities with adverse OA progression. A high percentage of low vitamin D levels was found in patients with OA and joint arthroplasty as well as a less satisfactory postoperative follow-up in patients with low vitamin D levels. The administration of vitamin D supplementation in patients with knee osteoarthritis has been associated with improved articular cartilage architecture, and reduced joint pain, combined with improved functionality and quality of life in patients with OA.
Objectives: Health professions such as nursing are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). This study aims to present the most common WRMSDs that occur in nursing personnel, investigate the risk factors associated with their occurrence, and identify preventive and therapeutic strategies. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed using
Knee osteoarthritis is caused by the degeneration of joint tissues through mechanical loading as well as inflammatory effects. The number of total knee arthroplasties is increased and is expected to further be increased by 2050 compared to 2021. The infrapatellar fat pad, also known as Hoffa's fat pad, is often partially or fully resected during total knee arthroplasty to improve the surgeon's view in the upper tibia as well may reduce the risk of soft tissue involvement, when placing the prosthesis. The purpose of this study is to present the importance and functions of Hoffa's fat pad, as well as the latest data on the two conflicting views, on the removal or not of Hoffa's fat pad in total knee arthroplasty. However, there is not a consensus regarding Hoffa's fat pad resection, as its preservation has been associated with increased postoperative anterior knee pain. Due to the fact, that there are no current official guidelines for this issue, it would be preferable that surgeons try to preserve it, but only if there are no visibility and/or access problems during surgery. The choice of complete or partial resection or preservation is based on the surgeon's preferences, experience as well as patient's needs. More high-quality research and randomized clinical trials are needed for better guidance regarding Hoffa’s fat pad management at total knee replacement.
Family dοctοrs and general practitiοners have lοng been thοse whο were tο be the first tο deal with family's health prοblems. After primary care systems administratiοn, general practitiοners acquired a special rοle in the οperatiοn and efficiency οf these systems. Their existence as institutiοn cοntributes tο the mοst cοmplete and better preventiοn and treatment οf health issues, as well as tο the resοurces saving fοr the insurance systems. In Greece, since the fοrmatiοn οf the Greek Natiοnal Health System in 1983, numerοus interventiοns have been legislated, mοst οf them referring tο the institutiοn οf family dοctοr. Hοwever, factοrs related tο pοlitical will, financial interests, administrative and educatiοnal inadequacies, financial prοblems and geοgraphical particularities did nοt allοw the establishment οf a strοng primary healthcare. CΟVID- 19 οutbreak has expοsed the weaknesses οf all types οf health systems. Hοwever, health systems based οn primary care seem tο better cοpe with the pandemic, as well as the cοntinuity οf care and quality οf health services have been secured. In οrder, that Greek primary healthcare be οrganized frοm nοw οn, many actiοns are required such as the establishment οf electrοnic health recοrds, the creatiοn οf prοperly staffed and equipped health centers, as well as mοre gοvernmental financing prοgrams abοut the mοdernizatiοn οf primary care. Last but nοt least, pressure shοuld alsο be exerted οn gοvernments tο pass mοre grοundbreaking bills and implement sοme οf the οlder prοvisiοns.
The accident at Chernobyl occurred in April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Union. The incident occurred during a scheduled safety test. A combination of inherent reactor design flaws and operators’ mistakes resulted in reactor’s No.4 disaster and the emission of a large quantity of radiation. The immediate actions involved the fire extinguishing, the cleanup of radioactive residues and the prevention of a new explosion. For this purpose, plenty of people worked with self-sacrifice. The people who lived nearby were removed. As far as the socio-economic impact for the Soviet Union is concerned, it was quite serious. Moreover, the environmental and human health consequences were also alarming with thyroid cancer being the most studied. Useful conclusions, especially for the safety both of reactors and nuclear power, as well as for the impact of radiation at ecosystems have been drawn. The debate about the use of nuclear power has remained open ever since.
Mass shootings incidents occur with increasing frequency over time. Studying these cases proved that, despite their diversity, several common features could be taken into account in the early detection and possible prevention of certain future cases. Accepting that such incidents may occur anywhere and anytime, societies need to be prepared for their more effective response. Informing citizens about the best way to react to a mass shooting event is considered crucial and essential. The "Run-Hide-Fight" guideline/directive seems to be the most appropriate guideline given to the public. Proper training, of both the Suppression Forces and the emergency medical care providers, is considered of utmost importance. The role of the Incident Commander, regarding the incident management, as well as the external bleeding control of the injured people, are factors of paramount importance in trying to mitigate the casualties from such an incident. The alertness of both citizens and organizations/structures may lead to early detection of potential perpetrators and thereby averting a mass shooting incident. To achieve increased survival and a reduced number of casualties from a mass shooting event it is vital proper education be present at all levels. The response to a mass shooting event should be imprinted in an Emergency plan. Such a plan should have been decided and made, by the Security and Suppression Forces, the Healthcare Institutions, and the Public Safety Answering Point.
