The objective of the present study was to investigate parents’, teachers’ and principals’ views on parental involvement (PI) in Secondary Education Schools in Greece. The research was based on a survey among parents (n = 54), teachers (n = 84) and principals (n = 12) in twelve Secondary Education Schools in Magnesia Region in central East Greece. Different views between each group were exhibited on PI in educational issues, decision making or creating links and communication between the school and the local community. Teachers expressed the view that workload and parental attitudes are factors which discourage parental involvement in their school units. Parents felt that teachers’ professionalism, lack of teachers’ training on parental involvement and parents who hesitate talking to teachers were significant barriers for PI in their school units. School principals agreed with parents and teachers on the barriers established due to teachers’ professionalism and parents’ hesitation in talking to teachers as significant factors which discourage PI in their school units. Contrarily to teachers’ views, school principals expressed their willingness to increase PI in teachers’ and school evaluation. School leaders should explore the possibility of organising meetings with teachers and parents to reduce barriers and misconceptions, paving the way for communication between the school unit and parents, increasing the positive outcomes of PI in school management and students’ success.

Life-threatening sequelae in β-thalassemia major patients (TM), result from transfusion iron overload (Fe load). Combined chelation with desferrioxamine (DFO) and deferiprone (DFP) is well tolerated and produces a synergistic effect superior to either drug alone. Combination can place all TMp in negative net iron balance and effect significant reduction in Fe load. 50 TM (24 males, 26 females) aged 8–48 yrs, were switched from monotherapy with DFO, to an individually tailored regimen (DFO 40–60 mg/kg/day- DFP 75–100 mg/kg/day) for 5–6yrs. Fe load was evaluated by mean ferritin levels (MEIA) and non-invasive heart &hepatic iron quantification, by annual Signa-MRI 1.5 Tesla, multi-echo T2 sequences. The heart was evaluated by Echo Doppler. Endocrine function was assessed by:- thyroid: FT4, FT3 &TSH in TRH-test, - Gonads: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, Free-testosterone levels &LHRH stimulation- Glucose tolerance: OGGT with glucose &insulin measurements at each time and area under the curve (AUC). Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function were assessed by indices of homeostasis model assessment (ISIHOMA &SCHOMA). Subsequently, all patients survived, even though with DFO alone in the previous decade, mortality ranged from 13.3–14.3%. In patients who accepted the treatment well, a trend analysis (PROC MIXED in SAS), revealed a negative trend of ferritin over time (p<0.0001) with a rate of decline equal to −95 ng/ml/month and a cumulative decrease in 5 years. The mean Ferritin value at baseline, 3.421μg/L, decreased dramatically to 87μg/L. MRI measurements led to significant reduction (p<0.0001) of Fe load to virtually Fe free organs (T2Heart from 28,2msec to 38,1msec &T2Liver from 22,7msec to37,2msec). In 12/50 with pre-existing cardiac dysfunction on medication, symptoms reversed and heart medications were stopped. Ventricular dimensions and function normalized in Echo tests. Mean LVEF increased significantly (p<0.0001) from 54% to 72% with no new dysfunction nor deterioration of heart function. In 17/50 with hypothyroidism on replacement therapy, 7/17 (41%) discontinued therapy and their TSH, FT4 normalised and 4/17 reduced their thyroxin dose. Free thyroxin (FT4) was significantly increased in euthyroid patients. In 14/24 males who were initially on testosterone replacement therapy, 4/14(28.5%) discontinued therapy, whereas 10/24 increased their testosterone levels. In 19/26 females with secondary amenorrhea, 2 had spontaneous ovulation with subsequent normal births and 2 gave birth following in vitro fertilization. In 6/50 with Insulin-dependent Diabetes, insulin dose was reduced. Initially, 14/50 TMp had non- Insulin dependent Diabetes (glucose 0>126 mg/dl, 2h>200mg/dl), 16/50 had Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT: glucose 2h>140<200 mg/dl) and 3/50 had Impaired Fasting Glucose (glucose 0>100<126 mg/dl). Following intensive combined chelation, 9/14 (64%), 10/16 (67%) and 3/3 (100%) respectively, normalised their glucose metabolism (p <0.001). An improvement in the glucose AUC was also noted (ANOVA-GENERAL LINEAR MODEL: p<0.002) despite BMI increase (p<0,001). Additionally, insulin secretion increased (SCHOMA: p<0,05 and Friedman/Wilcoxon p<0,004) and insulin sensitivity reduced, (ISIHOMA: p<0,742). These results indicate that in our patient cohort, intensive combination dramatically improved survival and led to reversal of secondary iron overload sequelae.