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Editorial
No full textIn the first issue of 2026, our student scientific journal travels - from the familiar excitement of holiday storytelling to the frontiers of astronomy, quantum science, and the deep ocean - showing how curiosity becomes knowledge when it is paired with method, evidence, and clear thinking. Across the ten contributions that form the issue, a shared message emerges: Scientific progress - whether in “magical” logistics, astronomy in schools, quantum technologies, or ocean sustainability - depends on the same foundations: curiosity guided by structure, imagination tested by evidence, and knowledge communicated with care. We congratulate all student authors for their work and invite readers to approach each article with the same spirit that created it: open-minded, critical, and ready to ask the next question
Impact of Probiotic Administration and Nutrition on Gut Microbiota and Inflammation in Critically Ill Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Prospective Interventional Cohort Study
No full textBackground: The human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in host homeostasis, immune function and the pathophysiology of critical illness. Dysbiosis in the intensive care unit [ICU] is associated with adverse outcomes such as infection, organ dysfunction and prolonged hospitalization. Nutrition and probiotic interventions can restore microbial diversity, modulate inflammation and improve clinical outcomes.
Objective: To investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation and type of nutrition [enteral/mixed/none] on gut microbial diversity, fecal calprotectin levels and clinical outcomes in critically ill ICU patients.
Method and Material: This prospective interventional cohort study included 16 mechanically ventilated ICU patients. The patient admission criteria were age>18 years and mechanical ventilation ≥ three days. The exclusion criteria were immunosuppression, coming from another ICU, history of gastrointestinal, autoimmune or liver disease, terminal illness, HIV and drug use. Demographic data, reason for admission, medical history, medication, duration of mechanical ventilation, sedation, ICU stay and outcome upon discharge were collected for 240 patients. A total of 194 patients were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, stool sample collection was not possible in 17 patients due to critical condition and the relatives of 13 patients refused to provide informed consent. Participants were divided into a probiotic group [n=7] receiving VSL#3 for 10 days and a control group [n=9]. Stool samples were collected on days 1 and 10 for 16S rRNA sequencing and calprotectin measurement and a blood test was performed at the same time. Microbial diversity was assessed by Shannon Index, Richness, and Evenness. Clinical data, infections, SOFA/APACHE II scores, nutritional modality and medication use were recorded. Data were analyzed using IBM© SPSS© v29.
Results: Probiotic administration led to a statistically significant increase in microbial diversity between day 1 and day 10, as evidenced by both the Shannon index [p = 0.007] and Evenness index [p = 0.019], regardless of the type of nutritional support. This restoration of microbial diversity is particularly important in the ICU setting, where critical illness is known to induce dysbiosis through systemic inflammation, antibiotic exposure, and gut barrier dysfunction. By reintroducing beneficial commensal strains, probiotics may promote microbial resilience, restore ecological balance, and reduce the dominance of opportunistic pathogens. Although differences in fecal calprotectin levels, ICU length of stay, and infection rates [particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia and sepsis] did not reach statistical significance, they showed a favorable trend toward the intervention group. Enteral feeding was also associated with a more balanced microbial profile compared to mixed or absent nutrition.
Conclusions: The administration of probiotics led to a significant improvement in microbial diversity [Shannon and Evenness] in critically ill ICU patients, regardless of the nutritional modality. These results support the role of microbiologically targeted interventions in intensive care. Although other parameters such as calprotectin and clinical outcomes did not reach statistical significance, the results emphasize the potential benefit of probiotics in restoring microbial balance in the ICU
Μία ερμηνευτική παραπλάνηση στον όρο «moral reasoning»
No full textΤο παρόν άρθρο μελετά την έννοια του ηθικού διαλογισμού. Η προσέγγιση της έννοιας, σε αυτήν τη μελέτη, ήταν αποτέλεσμα του ρόλου που παίζει στη λειτουργία της ηθικής. Συγκεκριμένα, οι διεργασίες που πραγματοποιούνται στο υπόβαθρο του ηθικού διαλογισμού συμβάλλουν στην καλύτερη κατανόηση μίας ηθικής κρίσης, σχετικά με το τι είναι σωστό και τι λάθος, παρατηρώντας τις μεταβάσεις από στάδιο σε στάδιο ως προς τον τρόπο σκέψης. Σε ό,τι αφορά τη μετάφραση «όρων», από μία ξένη γλώσσα στην ελληνική, είναι κάτι συνηθισμένο σε πολλά πεδία. Η διαδικασία της μετάφρασης πρέπει να πραγματοποιείται στο πλαίσιο κάποιων σχετικών κανόνων, σε αντίθετη περίπτωση η μη τήρηση των σχετικών κανόνων οδηγεί σε λανθασμένη απόδοση των εννοιών των αντίστοιχων όρων. Σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης είναι να κάνει φανερή τη σωστή ερμηνεία του όρου «moral reasoning» από την αγγλική στην ελληνική γλώσσα, τηρώντας τους κανόνες στη διαδικασία της μετάφρασης. Από τη συζήτηση του θέματος στο παρόν άρθρο προκύπτει το συμπέρασμα ότι η καταλληλότερη ερμηνεία του αγγλικού όρου «moral reasoning» στην ελληνική γλώσσα είναι αυτή του ηθικού διαλογισμού
Is there any place for Adult Education in the era of Lifelong Learning?
No full textSince several years, we are in an era where the lifelong learning approach has colonized almost all areas of education. Indeed, we are moving from a view of education characterized by isolated units of organized learning to a different view of learning and education that is mainly defined in terms of the continuum of both the learning phenomena and the educational institutions. In this paper, we argue that this is a paradigm shift from an old paradigm to acquire a new form and content. and in many cases old elements are replacedby new elements. After attempting to substantiate the above-mentioned paradigm shift, we would examine these new elements. The methodological approach will be that of diachronic analysis of policy papers and data concerning key issues of adult education and lifelong learning. The following questions will be addressed: What do these transitions mean for societies and the learning citizen? Is education, including Adult Education, still considered an obligation of the state or is the citizen now obliged to attend programs for reskilling and upskilling? To what extent is the citizen held responsible for the possible mismatches between his or her qualifications and the content of labor demand
Biodiversity and categories of insects on lucerne crop at El-Outaya Bio-Resources station (CRSTRA-Biskra, Algeria)
No full textLucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is the main forage crop cultivated in the El-Outaya plain (Biskra, Algeria); however, information on the associated insect community remains limited for the region. Studying insects associated with this crop allows an assessment of their roles and ecological importance within the production system. This study aims to assess insect diversity, functional guild composition, and ecological roles within a pesticide-free lucerne agro-ecosystem. Insects were sampled weekly during the 2018 growing season, using circular yellow water traps, placed in a lucerne field and an adjacent bare-ground control. A total of 4655 insect specimens were collected and found to represent 80 species, 80 genera, 47 families, and seven orders. The main functional groups recorded were phytophagous species (47.5%), entomophagous (27.5%), and pollinators (13.75%), while detritivorous, hematophagous, scavengers, and saprophagous species accounted altogether for 11.25%. Most phytophagous species belonged to the order Hemiptera, whereas beneficial insects were mainly Hymenoptera. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index was higher in lucerne (H′ = 1.415) than in the bare control (H′ = 1.137), indicating the positive effect of crop presence on insect diversity. Long-term lucerne cultivation (approximately 10 years), providing both favourable microclimate and abundant nutritious food, under pesticide-free conditions, likely promoted the establishment of a structurally diverse and functionally balanced insect community consisting mainly of pollinators and phytophagous species, which in turn support predator populations. These findings provide baseline data for integrated pest management strategies and highlight the ecological value of lucerne agro-ecosystems in arid regions.
Key words: Medicago sativa, beneficial insects, entomofauna, phytophagous insects
The Understanding of Imagination: Remarks to Nicephoros Blemmydes
No full textThe aim of my paper is not to present a schematic overview of the internal senses in late Byzantine thought. What I examine here is how Byzantine intellectuals dealt with the classical sources on the internal senses. I shall devote special attention to significant historical facts which influenced the Byzantine intellectual community, and differentiated it from the Latin West. In the second part of the paper, particular attention is paid to Nicephoros Blemmydes, the most important exponent of Aristotelianism in late Byzantine thought
Η αισθητική αξία της παραβίασης του γλωσσικού κανόνα στην ποίηση
No full textΗ συγγραφέας εξετάζει το θέμα των γλωσσικών επιλογών στην ποίηση και πώς αυτές διαμορφώνουν την αισθητική αξία ενός έργου.Η συγγραφέας εξετάζει το θέμα των γλωσσικών επιλογών στην ποίηση και πώς αυτές διαμορφώνουν την αισθητική αξία ενός έργου
Παρωνύμια από περιοχή της Έξω Μάνης
No full textΣτο άρθρο εξετάζονται παρωνύμια από μία περιοχή της Μάνης. Στο πρώτο μέρος της εργασίας επιχειρείται μία εξέταση των παρωνυμίων από κοινωνιολογική σκοπιά. Στο δεύτερο μέρος της εργασίας τα παρωνύμια εξετάζονται με αμιγώς γλωσσολογικά κριτήρια αφενός ως προς την προέλευση (προσηγορικά ουσιαστικά της Κοινής ΝΕ ως παρωνύμια, ιδιωματικές λέξεις ως παρωνύμια, προέλευση από βαπτιστικά ονόματα, επώνυμα και τοπωνύμια, υποκοριστικά) και αφετέρου ως προς την σημασία (σκωπτικά, αναφερόμενα σε σωματικά ή πνευματικά γνωρίσματα, επαγγελματικά, αναφερόμενα σε συγκριμένα περιστατικά κ.α.).Στο άρθρο εξετάζονται παρωνύμια από μία περιοχή της Μάνης. Στο πρώτο μέρος της εργασίας επιχειρείται μία εξέταση των παρωνυμίων από κοινωνιολογική σκοπιά. Στο δεύτερο μέρος της εργασίας τα παρωνύμια εξετάζονται με αμιγώς γλωσσολογικά κριτήρια αφενός ως προς την προέλευση (προσηγορικά ουσιαστικά της Κοινής ΝΕ ως παρωνύμια, ιδιωματικές λέξεις ως παρωνύμια, προέλευση από βαπτιστικά ονόματα, επώνυμα και τοπωνύμια, υποκοριστικά) και αφετέρου ως προς την σημασία (σκωπτικά, αναφερόμενα σε σωματικά ή πνευματικά γνωρίσματα, επαγγελματικά, αναφερόμενα σε συγκριμένα περιστατικά κ.α.)
Can no-fishing zones in marine protected areas be effective for the conservation of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows?
No full textThis study investigated the coverage and shoot density of Posidonia oceanica seagrass in no-fishing zones, fishing zones, and ports within two Special Environmental Protection Areas (Gökova and Datça Bozburun) in Türkiye that are characterized by intense boating impacts (e.g., anchor damage, mechanical disturbance). The data were collected using information based on diving observations, as well as local ecological knowledge of divers, tour boat owners, and small-scale fishers. The goal was to identify threat factors affecting P. oceanica meadows, evaluate stakeholder observations, interactions, and awareness regarding the species, examine the role of no-fishing zones in its protection, and better understand the potential contributions of stakeholders to its monitoring. Combining ecological metrics with stakeholder perspectives, the present study sought to contribute to the holistic evaluation of P. oceanica in marine protected areas. The results revealed that, in the no-fishing zones of Gökova, the coverage and shoot density of P. oceanica were higher than in the fishing zone, while in Datça Bozburun; furthermore, the coverage and shoot density were found to be relatively high in the fishing zone. Nearly half of the small-scale fishers operating in permitted fishing zones reported that P. oceanica meadows are their preferred fishing habitat. Furthermore, 81% of tour boat owners stated that they anchor in P. oceanica meadows during their tours, with an average of 3 ± 1 anchorages per day. The interviewed stakeholders also reported possessing a strong awareness of the species and being well-positioned to actively contribute to its monitoring. The study concludes with a discussion of management tools needed to protect seagrass meadows in the areas requiring regular monitoring
Prevalence, Seasonal distribution, Risk factors, and Diversity of Ticks in Equines from Sindh Province, Pakistan
No full textTicks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that can infest various hosts and transmit various tick-borne pathogens. There were no comprehensive studies on ticks infesting equines in Sindh province, Pakistan. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence, seasonal distribution, and diversity of ticks infesting equines (donkeys, mules, and horses) in the Sindh province, Pakistan. A total of 403 equines were examined for tick infestation and a total of 158 ticks were collected from May 2023 to May 2024. The prevalence of ticks among equines was 37.5% (151/403). Equines in rural areas had higher (37.9%) tick infestation than urban (30.4%). Female equines (donkeys and horses) had a bit higher (40.8%%) infestation rate followed by males (39.9%) (donkey and horse) and mules showed no infestation. Age-wise infestation showed that 6-10 years had the highest (47.4%) infestation rate followed by 1-6 years (32.5%), 11-15 years (30.4%), and 16-20 years (30%). Horses showed the highest (64.5%) tick infestation rate, followed by donkeys (35.6%) and mules did not experience any tick infestation. Equines of brown color had the highest (43%) infestation rate. Equines that were not treated with acaricides had a higher (40%) infestation rate than acaricide-treated equines. The common preferred attachment sites for tick infestation were ears (14.6%) and thighs (14%). Female ticks were the most prevalent (17.4%) than males (15.4%) and nymphs (4.7%). Three tick genera including Hyalomma (34%), Rhipicephalus (3.7%), and Haemaphysalis (2.5%) were identified in the current study. Hyalomma dromedarii had the highest (15.9%) infestation rate followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (11.2%), Hyalomma scupense (4.2%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (2.7%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (2.5%), Rhipicephalus microplus (1.0%), and Hyalomma isaacii (0.2%). Two species including Hy. isaacii and Ha. bispinosa were reported for the first time infesting donkeys in Sindh province, Pakistan. The highest infestation rate was observed in summer months from June to August, while seasonally, Summer (June-August) had the highest (54.5%) tick infestation rate followed by spring (March-May) (45.8%), autumn (September-November) (36%) and winter (December-February) (12%). Tick management in these areas should involve breed-specific studies, vaccination programs, seasonal control measures, and veterinary infrastructure developmen