Publications

Intracellular calcium is a major coordinator of numerous aspects of cellular physiology, including muscle contractility and cell survival. In cardiac muscle, aberrant Ca(2+) cycling has been implicated in a range of pathological conditions including cardiomyopathies and heart failure. The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA2a) and its regulator phospholamban (PLN) have a central role in modulating Ca(2+) homeostasis and, therefore, cardiac function. Herein, we discuss the mechanisms through which SERCA2a and PLN control cardiomyocyte function in health and disease. Emphasis is placed on our newly identified PLN-binding partner HS-1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1), which has an anti-apoptotic function and presents with numerous similarities to Bcl-2. Recent evidence indicates that proteins of the Bcl-2 family can influence ER Ca(2+) content, a critical determinant of cellular sensitivity to apoptosis. The discovery of the PLN/HAX-1 interaction therefore unveils an important new link between Ca(2+) homeostasis and cell survival, with significant therapeutic potential.

Mathematical modeling was employed on recent epidemiological data from Mexico in order to assess the impact of intervention strategies on the spread of influenza A(H1N1)v in the setting of the European region. Active surveillance that will ensure timely treatment and home isolation of symptomatic cases in combination with school closure seem to form an efficient strategy to control the spread of influenza A(H1N1)v.

BACKGROUND: Transient symptoms in Alzheimer disease (AD) are frequent and include seizures, syncope, and episodes of inattention or confusion. The incidence of seizures in AD and predictors of which patients with AD might be more predisposed to them is based primarily on retrospective studies and is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and predictors of new-onset unprovoked seizures. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Three academic centers. Patients Four hundred fifty-three patients with probable AD observed prospectively from mild disease stages since 1992. Main Outcome Measure Informant interviews every 6 months included questions about whether the patient had a seizure (convulsion, fainting, or "funny" spell) and whether diagnosis or treatment for epilepsy or seizure was made. Two epileptologists independently retrospectively reviewed all available medical records for 52 patients with positive responses to either of these questions, and using a specific checklist form, events were diagnosed as to whether they were unprovoked seizures (intrarater concordance, kappa = 0.67). Diagnosis of unprovoked seizures constituted the event in survival analyses. Potential predictors included sex, age, race/ethnicity, educational achievement, duration of illness, baseline cognition and function, depression, medical comorbidities, and time-dependent use of cholinesterase inhibitors and neuroleptic agents, apolipoprotein E genotype, and previous electroencephalographic findings. RESULTS: Over the course of 3518 visit-assessments (per patient: mean, 7.8; maximum, 27), 7 patients (1.5%) developed seizures. Younger age was associated with higher risk (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41; P = .003 for each additional year of age) of seizure incidence. No other predictor was significant. The overall incidence of seizures was low (418 per 100 000 person-years of observation) although significantly higher than expected for idiopathic unprovoked seizures in similar age ranges of the general population (hazard ratio, 8.06; 95% confidence interval, 3.23-16.61). CONCLUSIONS: Unprovoked seizures are uncommon in AD, but they do occur more frequently than in the general population. Younger age is a risk factor for seizures in AD.

Surface functionalization of self-organized Ti02 nanotube (NT) arrays produced by electrochemical anodization is implemented by dextrin-coated iron-oxide nanoparticles leading to a composite semiconductor nanostructure. The morphological and structural properties are studied by electron and atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, and resonance micro-Raman spectroscopies revealing successful deposition of maghemite (γ-Fe2o3) nanoparticles on the nanotube walls. The nanocomposite surface simultaneously exhibits high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of model pollutants under UV irradiation at relatively low loading levels of the γ-Fe2o3 nanoparticles and light-independent wetting properties, as the initially superhydrophilic surface is converted to a moderately hydrophilic substrate, while obtaining an additional functionality through the magnetic field response of the iron-oxide component that shows appreciable magnetization anisotropy. Electrochemical impedance investigation including Mott-Schottky analysis attests to a significant improvement of the interfacial electron-transfer kinetics together with a modification of the surface chemistry for the functionalized Ti0 2 nanotubes, promoting electron-hole separation through the polyhydroxyl dextrin shell that mediates charge transfer between the constituent semiconductor oxides and validating their improved photocatalytic performance. These composite nanotubular materials offer the opportunity of advanced applications, where the unique photoinduced reactivity, the controlled wetting behavior, and the magnetic field response can be effectively combined. © 2009 American Chemical Society.

Males and females learn and remember differently at different times in their lives. These differences occur in most species, from invertebrates to humans. We review here sex differences as they occur in laboratory rodent species. We focus on classical and operant conditioning paradigms, including classical eyeblink conditioning, fear-conditioning, active avoidance and conditioned taste aversion. Sex differences have been reported during acquisition, retention and extinction in most of these paradigms. In general, females perform better than males in the classical eyeblink conditioning, in fear-potentiated startle and in most operant conditioning tasks, such as the active avoidance test. However, in the classical fear-conditioning paradigm, in certain lever-pressing paradigms and in the conditioned taste aversion, males outperform females or are more resistant to extinction. Most sex differences in conditioning are dependent on organizational effects of gonadal hormones during early development of the brain, in addition to modulation by activational effects during puberty and adulthood. Critically, sex differences in performance account for some of the reported effects on learning and these are discussed throughout the review. Because so many mental disorders are more prevalent in one sex than the other, it is important to consider sex differences in learning when applying animal models of learning for these disorders. Finally, we discuss how sex differences in learning continue to alter the brain throughout the lifespan. Thus, sex differences in learning are not only mediated by sex differences in the brain, but also contribute to them.

The deterioration of homeostasis between oxidant/antioxidant species may represent an important mechanism linking psychological stress to cardiovascular risk despite the many sex differences in stress responsiveness. The goal of the present study was to investigate the influence of chronic mild stress (CMS), a widely accepted animal model of depression, on oxidative homeostasis-allostasis markers and sICAM-1, a marker of endothelial injury, in the serum of Wistar rats, by taking into account the effect of sex. After six weeks of exposure to mild unpredictable environmental stressors, both male and female rat groups displayed typical changes in hedonic status (anhedonia), which is a core symptom of human depression. Control female rats had higher (nitrite and nitrate) NOx, lower malondealdehyde (MDA) levels with lower activity of antioxidant enzymes and sICAM-1 levels than did control males. CMS induced oxidant/antioxidant responses in both sexes. Females tended to increase their nitric oxide (NO) levels further, while MDA levels did not reach those of males, thus retaining significantly higher NO bioavailability than in males. Concerning the antioxidant enzymes, CMS-females exhibited significantly higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and lower glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to CMS-males. The CMS response in females was accompanied by lower sICAM-1 levels than in males, suggesting lower endothelial injury. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that CMS induces different oxidative stress and compensatory responses in both sexes probably due to differences in the mechanisms regulating oxidant/antioxidant pathways.

Cette étude fut élaborée dans le cadre d’une bourse de recherche du gouvernement canadien (Canadian Studies Faculty Enrichment Award) et s’appuie sur un matériel récolté dans divers centres de recherche (Bibliothèque nationale du Québec à Montréal, Bibliothèque des sciences humaines et sociales de l’université Laval, Centre de documentation de la Centrale de l’enseignement du Québec) et organismes québécois (Centre de documentation et Coordination à la condition féminine au ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport). La recherche ambitionne de combler un vide historiographique : au Québec, une des régions les plus progressistes de la francophonie en matière d’égalité des sexes et de parité, le champ d’investigation des représentations des sexes et du genre dans les manuels scolaires du secondaire est encore inexploré.L’étude porte plus précisément sur les manuels d’histoire des deux dernières classes de l’enseignement secondaire en usage entre 1980 et 2004. Pourquoi des manuels du second cycle du secondaire ? Dépourvus des stéréotypes trop voyants rencontrés parfois dans les manuels de l’école primaire, ils se prêtent plus facilement à l’analyse. Pourquoi des manuels si récents ? Compte tenu de la mission civique dont ils sont investis, l’examen de ces ouvrages permet d’interroger un avenir en train de s’inventer. La démarche méthodologique adoptée est à la fois quantitative et qualitative : constituer un corpus de notations sexuées afin d’examiner la place de chaque sexe dans l’histoire scolaire québécoise ; comparative également : il s’agit de mettre en évidence tant les évolutions advenues au cours de vingt-cinq ans que les lignes de force communes et les disparités entre manuels.Deux axes se profilent : l’examen des sources imprimées (programmes d’études, manuels) qui révèle un certain progrès de la place accordée au sexe féminin dans l’espace historique ; la proposition d’une relecture de deux périodes historiques fondée sur les apports des spécialistes de l’histoire des femmes et du genre, afin de repérer les vides laissés dans le récit historique : il s’agit des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles (étude de l’histoire de la colonie française de la Nouvelle-France) d’une part, de la période de l’entre-deux-guerres (étude de l’histoire de France), d’autre part. L’étude des chapitres correspondants des manuels québécois révèle que l’action des individus est largement mesurée à l’aune des structures du pouvoir interprétées au masculin ; les femmes, n’étant pas toujours concernées par cet aspect de l’histoire, restent souvent invisibles.

Research in affective disorders is often performed without considering sex differences, although women are predominantly affected. Consequently, the potential sex-dependent action of antidepressants remains elusive. We investigated whether Flinders sensitive line (FSL) of rats, a model of depression, would present sex-differentiated responses to antidepressant treatment. FSL and Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with clomipramine 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Subsequently, they were subjected to either a single session of the forced swim test or an estimation of serotonergic function in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Male FSL displayed increased immobility duration, decreased active behaviours, increased serotonin tissue levels and a reduced serotonin turnover rate in most brain areas studied. Female FSL showed a distinct profile, consisting of decreased immobility latency, increased climbing duration, limited serotonergic deviations and no difference in the serotonin turnover rate in comparison with controls. Interestingly, despite baseline differences, clomipramine treatment reversed all relevant behavioural responses and increased the serotonin turnover rate in both sexes. However, the latter effect was remarkably more pronounced in females. It is concluded that, in this animal model of depression, chronic clomipramine treatment attenuated baseline sex differences in the phenotype while maintaining or intensifying the sex differentiation in the serotonergic endophenotype.

Research in affective disorders is often performed without considering sex differences, although women are predominantly affected. Consequently, the potential sex-dependent action of antidepressants remains elusive. We investigated whether Flinders sensitive line (FSL) of rats, a model of depression, would present sex-differentiated responses to antidepressant treatment. FSL and Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with clomipramine 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Subsequently, they were subjected to either a single session of the forced swim test or an estimation of serotonergic function in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Male FSL displayed increased immobility duration, decreased active behaviours, increased serotonin tissue levels and a reduced serotonin turnover rate in most brain areas studied. Female FSL showed a distinct profile, consisting of decreased immobility latency, increased climbing duration, limited serotonergic deviations and no difference in the serotonin turnover rate in comparison with controls. Interestingly, despite baseline differences, clomipramine treatment reversed all relevant behavioural responses and increased the serotonin turnover rate in both sexes. However, the latter effect was remarkably more pronounced in females. It is concluded that, in this animal model of depression, chronic clomipramine treatment attenuated baseline sex differences in the phenotype while maintaining or intensifying the sex differentiation in the serotonergic endophenotype.

Mn5Ge3Cx films with x >= 0.5 were experimentally shown to exhibit a strongly enhanced Curie temperature T-C compared to Mn5Ge3. In this letter we present the results of our first principles calculations within Green's function approach, focusing on the effect of carbon doping on the electronic and magnetic properties of the Mn5Ge3. The calculated exchange coupling constants revealed an enhancement of the ferromagnetic Mn-Mn interactions mediated by carbon. The essentially increased T-C in Mn5Ge3C is well reproduced in our Monte Carlo simulations and together with the decrease of the total magnetization is found to be predominantly of an electronic nature.

The authors investigated the relation between social achievement goals (A. M. Ryan & S. S. Shim, 2006) and aspects of students' socio-emotional adjustment in a sample of elementary school students. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that after controlling for levels of prosocial skills, a social development goal was positively related to perceived belongingness and negatively related to perceptions of loneliness at school. In contrast, a social demonstration-avoid goal was positively associated with perceptions of loneliness, whereas a social demonstration-approach goal was negatively associated with peer acceptance. Last, prosocial skills were positively related to students' peer acceptance, which was negatively associated with feelings of loneliness. The results and their implications on students' school adjustment are discussed within the social achievement goal framework.

Thyroid carcinoma usually presents as asymptomatic thyroid nodule. Thyroid cancer may show microscopic vascular invasion; however, internal jugular vein (IJV) invasion is a rare complication of thyroid cancer. We present a case of unilateral invasion of IJV caused by local nodal recurrence of the primary thyroid carcinoma. The patient had undergone a near total thyroidectomy, followed by modified left lymph node resection with left IJV resection. In this case, the infiltrated part of the right IJV was resected, and the vessel was reconstructed using saphenous vein autograft. In locally advanced, well-differentiated thyroid cancers, only the radical resection relieves symptoms and increases survival.

Wnt pathway signaling is crucial in many cancers and data indicate crosstalk with other key cancer pathways, however in urothelial carcinogenesis it has not been extensively studied. We searched for mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a key regulator of the pathway, and studied b-catenin expression and interactions with the expression of other markers of apoptosis, angiogenesis, and proliferation in patients with invasive urothelial cancer. The mutation cluster region of APC was directly sequenced in 70 patients with muscle invasive disease who were treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. COX-2, p53, Ki67, and b-catenin were studied immunohistochemically and micro vessel density was quantified by CD105 expression. Single somatic amino-acid substitutions (missense) were found in 9 (13%) and frameshift deletions in 2 (3%) tumors, all located in regions adjacent to b-catenin binding sites. Patients having either APC missense mutations or b-catenin nuclear accumulation had less frequent COX-2 overexpression (24% vs. 76%, p = 0.043) and more frequent lymph node involvement (75% vs. 38%, p = 0.023). Patients with either APC mutations or b-catenin accumulation had shorter disease-free interval (13.4 vs. 28 months, p = 0.07), whereas in multivariate analysis they had shorter disease- specific survival (60.5 vs. 20.6 months, p = 0.048). Somatic APC missense mutations are not rare in advanced urothelial neoplasms. Either APC mutations and/or aberrant expression of b-catenin are associated with worse outcome. Further study of the role of the Wnt pathway, potential crosstalk with other pathways and potential candidate therapeutic targets in urothelial cancer is needed. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The paper presents a notional account of the challenges facing the introduction of English as an international lingua franca (ELF) curriculum in the state schools of the expanding circle, taking Greece as a case in point. It broadly delineates an ELF curriculum as one focusing on the skills necessary for carrying out successful communication involving non-native speakers and then highlights a set of challenges linked to both teaching context and teachers’ perceptions of professional identity. It focuses on challenges related to three facets of the professional identity of academically trained Greek state school EFL teachers, namely, their roles as users, specialists, and, ultimately, custodians of English for their learners and wider community. These facets are discussed with reference to a description of the country's current sociolinguistic and educational profile. The paper concludes with an overview of the strengths of an ELF curriculum for Greek state schools and discusses implications for ELF teacher education.

Από τα μέσα της δεκαετίας του 20΄ όλοι οι γηγενείς ελληνικοί θίασοι της Αμερικής συμπεριλαμβάνουν στο δραματολόγιο τους οπερέτες, κωμικές ή δραματικές. Την ίδια περίοδο στις αθηναϊκές σκηνές το ελαφρό θέατρο εκπροσωπείται από δεκάδες θιάσους και παράλληλα διώκεται από τους εκπροσώπους του «σοβαρού» θεάτρου. Αντίθετα στην Αμερική δεν προκύπτει διαμάχη και μάλιστα ακόμα και οι σοσιαλιστικοί θίασοι εντάσσουν στο ρεπερτόριο τους την οπερέτα. Οι θίασοι εμφανίζονται ευέλικτοι και εύκολα μεταπηδούν από το «ελαφρό» στο «σοβαρό» θέατρο, προσπαθώντας να ικανοποιήσουν το ευρύτερο κοινό. Τα έργα κοινωνικοπολιτικού προβληματισμού και «θεάτρου των ιδεών» δεν έβρισκαν απήχηση στην ομογένεια του χαμηλού μορφωτικού επιπέδου, κυρίως την δεκαετία του 1930. Επίσης τα περισσότερα δράματα των Ελλήνων δραματουργών πρόβαλαν διαρκώς το μοντέλο της συμβατικής αστικής οικογένειας προκαλώντας δυσαρέσκεια. Παράλληλα, η οικονομική ανέλιξη των μεταναστών απομάκρυνε το κοινό από τα «σοβαρά» έργα και απαιτούσε το νέο θεατρικό είδος να μην έχει διδακτικό χαρακτήρα και να αποσκοπά στην αβίαστη τέρψη του κοινού μέσω της μουσικής. Τα έργα των Νικόλαου Χατζηαποστόλου και Θεόφραστου Σακελλαρίδη γνώρισαν θριαμβευτική επιτυχία και κυριάρχησαν στις ελληνοαμερικανικές σκηνές. Ωστόσο η παραστατική παραγωγή των Ελλήνων καλλιτεχνών δεν ήταν δυνατόν να καλύψει τις ανάγκες των θιάσων και γι’ αυτό επιστρατεύτηκαν οι ξένες οπερέτες, κυρίως οι γαλλικές, βιεννέζικες και γερμανικές. Η μόδα της ελληνικής οπερέτας θα κρατήσει στην Αμερική έως τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 1930.

The aim of the lab was to combine the theory of orthophony science with the empirical art of theatre education, just as it should be taught in primary education. Blending the science of phonetics and theatrical art constitutes an attractive methodology for the group to which it is addressed (age of reference 8-12 years old). The lab particularly focused on the practice –by means of theatrical games- of the theoretical base of Orthophony. Breathing: Benefits and ways of achieving breathing through the diaphragm. Vocalization: Structure and practice of phonetic organs, which are the organs that produce the sound. Articulation: Proper formation of phonemes and their practice. Those participating in the lab had the opportunity to learn the principles of Orthophony first on a theoretical level and then, on an empirical one; the final stage aimed at creating collective exercises, and its ulterior purpose was to apply them at school.

The highest deformation rate along the Africa/Eurasia convergence zone is welldocumented in the Aegean area, being >4 cm/yr. However, it is still under question whethercontinental deformation is distributed along major faults which extend through the wholelithosphere or over large areas. Furthermore, our knowledge concerning the implication oflithosphere-asthenosphere coupling in lithospheric plates driving forces is poor. Thesequestions can not easily be answered as most of the available information is mainly located ator close to the surface (geodesy, tectonics, seismicity). The high rates and type of surfacecontinental deformation within the Aegean constitute this region particularly interesting in thisperspective.This work is towards contributing to the better knowledge of the physical properties ofthe Aegean lithosphere by introducing experimental elastic and anelastic parameters inferredfrom long period Rayleigh wave. For this scope path-average phase velocities and attenuationcoefficients of fundamental Rayleigh wave crossing the Aegean were extracted over theperiod range 10-100 s. The wavetrains were recorded at the temporary broadband stationsinstalled some years ago in the Aegean region within the framework of a large scaleexperiment (SEISFAULTGREECE project).

The 2nd Canon of the 1st Ecumenical Synod, reads he 1 Tim 3:6 with the word "trap"῾ before the phrase "of the devil". An hermeneutical "deadlock" is now solved.The Canon is a credible "external witness" of the authentic biblical text. In the critical restoration of the holy text we follow the holisitc-rational approach. The real meaning of the particular verse, which is an excerpt of the Holy Scripture is revealed by an equally ῾holy῾ text, the second canon of the First Ecumenical Synod. Apart from the critical restoration, it is noted that the canon "repeats" 1 Tim 3:6 in order to introduce to the canonical corpus of the Church the prohibition of ordination of the recently baptised. We watch the canonical evolution of this prohibition, comparing this first canon with later canonical regulations, as well as, the semantic evolution of the word "neophytus" (=recently baptised). The word is recognized as terminus technicus in canon law, which includes every person who has recently abandoned secular life wishing to be ordained, or a recently ordained clergyman, which is not mature enough to ascend the hierarchy. We observe, that through time penal provisions become more lenient, however the categories of the subjects which are included in the ban expands.

The objective of this study is to find out the spatial and temporal variability of the dry and wet spells in Greece, during the period 1958-2007. The meteorological data with respect to daily precipitation totals were acquired from 27 meteorological stations of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, which are uniformly distributed over the country. The dry spells concern consecutive dry days (CDD); the largest number of consecutive days with daily precipitation amount less than 1 mm, within a year. The wet spells concern consecutive wet days (CWD); the largest number of consecutive days with daily precipitation amount more than or equal to 1 mm, within a year, as defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), jointly sponsored by the Commission for Climatology (CCl) of the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme (WCDMP), the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) Programme of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM). As results from the analysis, the spatial distributions of the mean annual CDD and the mean annual CWD along with their trends, within the examined period, are presented. The findings indicate that CDD obtain maxima in the Cyclades Islands and the southeastern Aegean Sea, while minima are found in the northwestern Greece. On the contrary, the longest CWD are observed in western Greece and western part of Crete Island and the shortest in the eastern continental Greece and in the majority of the Aegean Sea. On an annual basis, the temporal variability of CWD shows statistically significant (confidence level of 95%) negative trends, mainly in the western region of Greece, while insignificant positive trends for CDD appear almost all over the country with emphasis in the southeastern region. Finally, in order to interpret the drier and wetter periods within the examined period, the 850 hPa and the 500 hPa geopotential height (m) composites of the anomalies from 1958-1996 climatological normal (clino), are analysed using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The objective of this study is to find out the spatial and temporal variability of the dry and wet spells in Greece, during the period 1958-2007. The meteorological data with respect to daily precipitation totals were acquired from 27 meteorological stations of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, which are uniformly distributed over the country. The dry spells concern consecutive dry days (CDD); the largest number of consecutive days with daily precipitation amount less than 1 mm, within a year. The wet spells concern consecutive wet days (CWD); the largest number of consecutive days with daily precipitation amount more than or equal to 1 mm, within a year, as defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), jointly sponsored by the Commission for Climatology (CCl) of the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme (WCDMP), the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) Programme of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM). As results from the analysis, the spatial distributions of the mean annual CDD and the mean annual CWD along with their trends, within the examined period, are presented. The findings indicate that CDD obtain maxima in the Cyclades Islands and the southeastern Aegean Sea, while minima are found in the northwestern Greece. On the contrary, the longest CWD are observed in western Greece and western part of Crete Island and the shortest in the eastern continental Greece and in the majority of the Aegean Sea. On an annual basis, the temporal variability of CWD shows statistically significant (confidence level of 95%) negative trends, mainly in the western region of Greece, while insignificant positive trends for CDD appear almost all over the country with emphasis in the southeastern region. Finally, in order to interpret the drier and wetter periods within the examined period, the 850 hPa and the 500 hPa geopotential height (m) composites of the anomalies from 1958-1996 climatological normal (clino), are analysed using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This study explores the influence of air gaseous pollutants-aerosols and solar zenith angle (SZA) on the spectral diffuse-to-direct beam Edλ/Ebλ irradiances ratio. It does so using ground-based spectroradiometric measurements taken over the Athens atmosphere during May 1995. It was found that the spectral Edλ/Ebλ ratio decreases rapidly with increasing wavelength and regression curves of the form EEdλ/Ebλ = aλ-b fitted the experimental data. These curves are strongly modified by aerosols-air pollutants, aerosol optical properties, and SZA. The log-log plot of Edλ/Ebλ versus λ reveals a significant departure from linearity, which is likely to be associated with aerosol physical properties and SZA effects. The effect of atmospheric turbidity, as expressed through the aerosol optical at 500 nm and SZA on the spectral Edλ/ Ebλ ratio, is investigated in detail for two discernible atmospheric conditions observed in the urban Athens atmosphere. The first case includes different atmospheric turbidity levels under the same SZA, while the second corresponds to different SZA values under the same turbidity levels. It was found that the correlation between Edλ/Ebλ and spectral aerosol optical depth can be a useful tool in determining the aerosol optical properties and aerosol types composition. © Springer-Verlag 2009.

Context: A recent survey of the Local Group spiral galaxy M 31 with XMM-Newton yielded a large number of X-ray sources. Aims: This is the second in a series of papers with the aim of identifying the optical counterparts of these X-ray sources. Methods: We have obtained optical spectra for 21 bright optical counterparts of 20 X-ray sources in the direction of M 31, using the 1.3-m Skinakas telescope in Crete, Greece. Results: For 17 of the 20 X-ray sources, we have identified the optical counterpart as a normal late type star (of type F or later) in the foreground (i.e. in the Milky Way). For two more sources, there were two possible optical counterparts, in each case, while two more objects have X-ray properties that are not compatible with the spectral characteristics of late type non-flaring stars.

Using Chandra, XMM-Newton and optical photometric and spectroscopic catalogs we study the young (<100 Myr) X-ray binary populations of the Small Magellanic Cloud, which at ˜60 kpc is our second nearest star-forming galaxy. In particular, we investigate the importance of Be/X-ray binaries as a dominant component of young X-ray binary populations, based on a study of the connection between X-ray source populations and their parent stellar populations. We find that a significant number of Be/X-ray binaries and/or pulsars are connected with a burst of star formation ˜25-60 Myr ago, while regions with weak star-formation rate at ˜42 Myr, such as the SMC Wing, are deficient in Be/X-ray binaries. We argue that the very strong similarity between the age of maximum occurence of Be stars and the age of the parent populations of X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud indicates that the Be phenomenon plays a significant role in the number of X-ray binary populations in this age range. Finally, based on the spatial correlation between the star-formation activity and the X-ray binaries, we set a limit on their kick velocity of ˜15-20 km/s, while there is strong indication for velocities of even a factor of two lower, and we estimate a Be/X-ray binary production rate of ˜1 system per 10^{-6} M_{⊙}/yr.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma is associated with a wide spectrum of para-neoplastic syndromes, which may be precursors of primary or recurrent disease. Non-metastatic hepatic dysfunction in patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma is known as Stauffer's syndrome. It is associated with the production of cytokines by the tumour, and several biochemical abnormalities, including elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. Case presentation: We describe a 36-year-old woman presenting with various non-specific, systemic disease manifestations, and elevated liver enzymes due to cholestasis as the main laboratory abnormality. Imaging studies showed a solid mass in the left kidney, which, after surgical excision, was identified as renal cell carcinoma. No metastasis was found. Conclusion: Stauffer syndrome may precede other manifestations of renal cell carcinoma. In case of unexplained abnormal liver function, particularly in presence of systemic symptoms, underlying renal cell carcinoma should be excluded by focused investigations. © 2009 Kranidiotis et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Stress increases associative learning and the density of dendritic spines in the hippocampus of male rats. In contrast, exposure to the same stressor impairs associative learning and reduces spine density in females. These effects in females are most evident when they are in the proestrus phase of the estrous cycle. An injection of testosterone at the time of birth masculinizes the female brain. In adulthood, masculinized females respond like males do to stress, i.e. they learn better. Here, we hypothesized that stress would increase spine densities on pyramidal neurons in area CA1 of the hippocampus of masculinized females, because stress enhances learning ability in both males and masculinized females. To test this, we used Golgi impregnation to stain tissue from masculinized and cycling females that were exposed to an acute stressor and sacrificed 1 day later. There was a significant interaction between stressor exposure and testosterone treatment at birth (p<0.001). In general, cycling females that were stressed tended to possess fewer spines on apical and basal dendrites in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, whereas the masculinized females possessed significantly more spines after the stressor. These findings underscore the plastic nature of dendritic spines. They suggest that their response to stress in adulthood is organized by the presence of testosterone during very early development. Such a process may represent a mechanism for altering learning abilities after an acute traumatic experience.

Light and scanning electron microscopy as well as histochemical reactions were employed to investigate the leaf structure and secretory activity of an adventive perennial pest that is rapidly dispersing in the Mediterranean region. Interesting structural characteristics, not common among the well-adapted native Mediterranean phanerophytes, were observed. Although 'unconventional', these structural characteristics produce an ecologically equivalent, xeromorphic leaf on a plant that proves to be competitive and very efficient under the Mediterranean climatic conditions. © CSIRO 2009.

This chapter describes the study of the structural control of the Meganissi island coastal zone and its geomorphological evolution; based on these, it presents a coastal hazard risk map. The coastal geomorphology is affected by the lithological configuration, the tectonism, the wider seismotectonic status and the sea activity. For this study, a database has been created in GIS. using all data deriving from the above characteristics as well as from detailed fieldwork, aerial photos, satellite images and pre-existing maps. Data were analysed and processed in order to understand the geomorphological evolution of this island and its close connection with the structural evolution. Finally, we proceeded to develop a coastal hazard risk map using the slope gradient, the wave energy and the structural characteristics of this island as input variables. This has been achieved via a fuzzy inferences model using a loosen coupling between the Mat lab software package and the MapInfo GIS.

The SLC24A5 gene, the human orthologue of the zebrafish golden gene, has been shown to play a key role in human pigmentation. In this study, we investigate the prevalence of the variant allele rs1426654 in a selected sample of Greek subjects. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction was performed in peripheral blood samples from 158 attendants of a dermatology outpatient service. The results were correlated with pigmentary traits and MC1R genotype. The vast majority of subjects (99%) were homozygous for the Thr(111) allele. Only two subjects from the control group (1.26%) were heterozygous for the alanine and threonine allele. Both of these Thr(111)/Ala(111) heterozygotes carried a single polymorphism of MC1R (one with the V92M variant and another with the V60L variant). Following reports of the rs1426654 polymorphism reaching fixation in the European population, our study of Greek subjects showed a prevalence of the Thr(111) allele, even among subjects with darker skin pigmentation or phototype.

The main objectives of this study are to identify, classify and map the badlands area, as well as to identify the underlain soil types and determine the connection between badlands and climatic changes during Quaternary. The area along the southern coast of the Central Corinth graben, near the town of Derveni (North Peloponese) was chosen as a case study, since extended erosion landforms display geomorphological characteristics, typical of badlands. The area is built up by Plio-Quaternary lacustrine clays with intercalations of distal parts of the fan deltas deposits and records an intensive structural elevation from Pliocene until today. The study focuses on the main factors that contributed in the formation and evolution of badlands in the area, with strong emphasis on geological structure, climatic and sea-level changes and human activity, as well as on the interaction of these factors. It concludes in a geomorphological map with the badlands distribution and discusses the impacts on land degradation and the possible actions against further expansion

This chapter studies the counteractive dynamic marine and river environments responsible for a river mouth’s and a delta’s modulation. The Acheloos River (West Greece) was chosen as the case study due to the recent changes taken place in its Delta area; the geotechnical constructions and the agricultural planning have altered the basin’s conditions. The aim of this study is to analyze the present dominant environment and the impact of human activity on this balance with the application of modern technological tools; emphasis is placed on the geomorphological along with the land use changes taking place in the three district parts of the Acheloos’ delta within a period of four decades (1960–2000): delta plain, delta front, pro delta. Bibliographic references, geographical and geological maps, aerial and satellite imagery of different seasons and dates, were utilized in addition to extensive fieldwork measurements and mapping. A geographic database was developed and it is continuously updated.

Measurements of positive and negative small atmospheric ion concentrations have been made regularly since 1968 at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). In this paper the 17-year period 1968-1984 is summarized. The diurnal and annual variations are examined, and Fourier analysis is also used for the study of the diurnal variation. The concentrations of small ions follow a double diurnal course. The maxima occur near 3-5 h and 13-16 h local time (LT = GMT + 2 h). The minima are observed at 6-8 h and 21-23 h. The annual course of small ions presents maximum concentration values around the summer season. The mean of the small ion concentration (SIC) for the 17-year period (1968-1984) is n+ = 188.8 ions/cm3 for positive ions and n- = 151.1 ions/cm3 for negative ions. Their ratio is equal to 1.25. The year-to-year variation of SIC for the examined period shows a negative trend. The results from multiple regression analysis show that wind speed and SIC are positively correlated, while relative humidity, smoke and sulphur dioxide are negatively correlated. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurements of positive and negative small atmospheric ion concentrations have been made regularly since 1968 at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). In this paper the 17-year period 1968-1984 is summarized. The diurnal and annual variations are examined, and Fourier analysis is also used for the study of the diurnal variation. The concentrations of small ions follow a double diurnal course. The maxima occur near 3-5 h and 13-16 h local time (LT = GMT + 2 h). The minima are observed at 6-8 h and 21-23 h. The annual course of small ions presents maximum concentration values around the summer season. The mean of the small ion concentration (SIC) for the 17-year period (1968-1984) is n+ = 188.8 ions/cm3 for positive ions and n- = 151.1 ions/cm3 for negative ions. Their ratio is equal to 1.25. The year-to-year variation of SIC for the examined period shows a negative trend. The results from multiple regression analysis show that wind speed and SIC are positively correlated, while relative humidity, smoke and sulphur dioxide are negatively correlated. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The presence of CD3+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been found to correlate with improved survival in epithelial ovarian cancer, but the association of TIL subpopulations with clinical outcome remains controversial. We performed a prospective analysis of TIL subpopulations from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and their activation status and studied their association with prognosis. Methods: Flow cytometric analysis was performed on TIL subpopulations isolated from 45 fresh ovarian tumor specimens, obtained during surgery, after mechanical dissociation and enzymatic degradation. Vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor α levels in ascites and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Significantly increased numbers of CD56+ cells (natural killer and natural killerYlike T cells; P = 0.045), activated CD4 +HLA-DR+ cells (P = 0.046), and activated CD8 +CD25+ cells (P = 0.028) were found in serous and endometrioid carcinomas compared with mucinous and clear cell carcinomas. A high percentage of CD4+CD25hi cells (regulatory T cells) and activated CD4+HLA-DR+ cells significantly associated with improved median overall survival (not reached vs 35 months [P = 0.0241] and not reached vs 35 months [P = 0.0144], respectively) and median progression-free survival (30 months vs 14 months [P = 0.0819] and 30 months vs 13 months [P = 0.0479], respectively). Vascular endothelial growth factor ascites levels were inversely correlated with CD14+ (ρ = -0.529, P = 0.001), whereas HLA-DR8+CD8 lymphocytes were inversely correlated with both ascites and serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels (ρ = -0.494, P = 0.006, and ρ = -0.586, P = 0.037, respectively). Conclusions: The presence of regulatory T cells and activated CD4+ cells within the tumor microenvironment is associated with improved overall and progression-free survival in patients with ovarian cancer. Coyright © 2009 by IGCS and ESGO.

The present contribution examines the various geomorphological, sedimentological and coastal hydrodymamic conditions that are related to the present erosive situation along the broader coastal area of the N/NW coast of Samos Island. The extended erosion, particularly evident during the past 2-3 decades, is attributed to the rise of sea level (>10 cm over the past 100 years according to IPCC report of 2007) in conjunction with the incoming relatively high wave energy, which favouring the offshore transfer of fine-grained beach material. In addition, the various man-made constructions either inhibit the terrigenous sediment fluxes to reach the coast and/or by altering coastal hydrodynamics contribute to erosion. Finally, the existed defence constructions seem to have served only to the stabilisation of the coastline and not to its natural recovery.

In this paper, we challenge the left-dislocation analysis of preverbal subjects in Greek on the basis of interpretative, syntactic and prosodic evidence. We propose that the derivation of subjects in Greek involves a movement operation which targets an EPP Spec,TP position. This movement operation creates a sequence of copies, the pronunciation and interpretation of which hinges on certain PF and LF requirements. Crucially, the linearization of this sequence of copies on the basis of independently existent PF principles derives the surface distribution of Greek subjects and accounts for its possible patterns of variation.

OBJECTIVE: Skin cancer campaigns have only recently been implemented in a wide scale in Greece. In order to better target those individuals at risk, we aimed to explore sun exposure behaviors in a sample of the Greek population. METHODS: A total of 802 subjects, randomly selected among the residents of the two largest Greek cities, underwent a questionnaire-based telephone interview, assessing the degree of sun exposure patterns and knowledge of skin cancer risk factors. RESULTS: Females more commonly (90%) used sunscreens compared with males (67.5%), and among sunscreen users, only 8% used products with SPF <10. Almost half of the participants (48%) preferred going to the beach during the midday hours. Over exposure to the sun was mostly reported by individuals with phototypes III/IV and of younger age (18-35 years). Most participants were aware of sun exposure as a cause of skin cancer, but among those who did not, 41% were younger than 34 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: In our survey, significant differences in age, sex and phototypes were observed with regard to sun exposure patterns and sunscreen use. Educational campaigns should focus more on younger age groups, encouraging a more complete set of photoprotective measures. However, potential trial limitations inherent in self-reported measures should be taken into account.

Sunitinib is approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). No data are available on sunitinib use specifically in patients with significantly impaired renal function. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of sunitinib in patients with advanced RCC and Grade 4 renal function impairment. Four patients had a calculated creatinine clearance of 15 - 29 ml/min/1.73 m2 prior to initiation of sunitinib. Three patients tolerated treatment well with no renal toxicity: 2 received 17 and 5 cycles of sunitinib at full dose, while 1 received 5 cycles with a dose reduction due to myelotoxicity. We observed one partial response and two patients had stable disease for 24 and 4 months, respectively. The 4th patient had a creatinine clearance of 18 ml/min/1.73 m2 and had treatment discontinued during the first cycle due to poorly controlled hypertension and deterioration of his renal function. We conclude that sunitinib can be administered to the majority of patients with RCC and significant renal function impairment. © 2009 Dustri-Verlag Dr. K. Feistle.

The "Supercritical Pile" is a very economical gamma-ray burst (GRB) model that provides for the efficient conversion of the energy stored in the protons of a relativistic blast wave (RBW) into radiation and at the same time produces—in the prompt GRB phase, even in the absence of any particle acceleration—a spectral peak at energy ~1MeV. We extend this model to include the evolution of the RBW Lorentz factor Γ and thus follow its spectral and temporal features into the early GRB afterglow stage. One of the novel features of the present treatment is the inclusion of the feedback of the GRB produced radiation on the evolution of Γ with radius. This feedback and the presence of kinematic and dynamic thresholds in the model are sources of potentially very rich time evolution which we have began to explore. In particular, one can this way obtain afterglow light curves with steep decays followed by the more conventional flatter afterglow slopes, while at the same time preserving the desirable features of the model, i.e., the well-defined relativistic electron source and radiative processes that produce the proper peak in the νF ν spectra. In this Letter, we present the results of a specific set of parameters of this model with emphasis on the multiwavelength prompt emission and transition to the early afterglow.

We systematically surveyed period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on newly obtained data and past publications. In many systems, the evolution of the superhump period is found to be composed of three distinct stages: an early evolutionary stage with a longer superhump period, a middle stage with systematically varying periods, and a final stage with a shorter, stable superhump period. During the middle stage, many systems with superhump periods of less than 0.08 d show positive period derivatives. We present observational characteristics of these stages and give greatly improved statistics. Contrary to an earlier claim, we found no clear evidence for a variation of period derivatives among different superoutbursts of the same object. We present an interpretation that the lengthening of the superhump period is a result of the outward propagation of an eccentricity wave, which is limited by the radius near the tidal truncation. We interpret that late-stage superhumps are rejuvenated excitation of a 3:1 resonance when superhumps in the outer disk are effectively quenched. The general behavior of the period variation, particularly in systems with short orbital periods, appears to follow a scenario proposed in Kato, Maehara, and Monard (2008, PASJ, 60, L23). We also present an observational summary of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae. Many of them have shown long-enduring superhumps during a post-superoutburst stage having longer periods than those during the main superoutburst. The period derivatives in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae are found to be strongly correlated with the fractional superhump excess, or consequently with the mass ratio. WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with a long-lasting rebrightening or with multiple rebrightenings tend to have smaller period derivatives, and are excellent candidates for those systems around or after the period minimum of evolution of cataclysmic variables.

Background/Aims: Cell membranes facilitate the transport of water, ions, and necessary nutrients by hosting a great variety of transport channels that have either a 'simple' pore-like structure or more complex architecture that is based on the utilization of specific receptors. The present study reveals the impact of AgNO3, a well-known inhibitor of water channel activity, on transport channels that emerge at the membrane of intact red blood cells (iRBCs). Methods: Atomic force microscopy is employed to survey the morphological modification of all transport channels by directly comparing the respective images obtained on the exact same iRBCs prior to and after spraying the AgNO3 solution. Results: Small pores of mean size 50 nm that were assigned to water channels, and extended orifices of mean size 300 nm that exhibit a neck-like extracellular segment were observed at the iRBC membrane. Conclusion: Our results reveal that AgNO3 exerts noticeable influence on all transport channels so that its selective water channel inhibitory action should be reconsidered. For low AgNO3 concentrations extended recovery of the small pore network was observed upon waiting, giving strong evidence that iRBCs have a recovery potential upon simply removing the inhibition cause without the need for specific reducing agents. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Air pollution episodes in urban coastal areas follow certain pre-determined patterns, being associated with certain local meteorological conditions and emission of primary pollutants. In this study, the synoptic and local scale atmospheric circulation that prevails during air pollution episodes in a coastal major city in Greece, Thessaloniki, is examined for a period of 15 years (1989-2004). The study signifies the importance of studying air pollution meteorological patterns between coastal areas with different terrain characteristics. For Thessaloniki, it was found that the episodes occur mainly during the cold period of the year, while four types of synoptic scale circulation were recognized (I, II, III, IV) and five patterns of the local scale circulation (A1, A2, B1, B2 and B3). The highest percentage of episodes is associated with the presence of an anticyclone over the northern Greece (types I and IV), being characterized by weak or very weak surface pressure gradient intensity, according to the position and extension of the anticyclone. Moreover, a temperature increase of at least 1°C during the previous 3 days is required in the lower troposphere. Consistent with the synoptic conditions, the development of the sea breeze plays a crucial role in the occurrence of the episodes, even in the cold period of the year, when the sea breeze can still develop with smaller frequency and intensity. Finally, it was found that a small number of episodes is related with the advection of polluted air masses from the industrial area in the northwest of the city and from the Eordaia area in the west, which is the largest lignite producing area of Balkans. © Springer-Verlag 2008.

The reaction of RhCl3·3H2O with the ligand L = 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline (pqo) in a 1:2 molar ratio formed the mononuclear complex cis-[RhL2Cl2]Cl (1), which has been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H, 13C NMR, electronic absorption spectroscopy and by electrospray mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of 1 (needle like and prismatic polymorphs) in the crystal has been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a bidentate behavior of L, while the geometry around the Rh(III) atom is that of a distorted octahedron.. Preliminary biological tests revealed that this compound inhibited PAF-induced rabbit platelet aggregation. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A range of complexes of the binucleating tetrathio- and tetraseleno-ether ligands, 1,2,4,5-C6H2(CH2EMe)4 (E = S, L3 or Se, L4) or C(CH2EMe)4 (E = S, L5 or Se, L6) and of bidentate analogues 1,2-C6H2(CH2EMe)2 (E = S, L1 or Se = L2) with molybdenum and tungsten carbonyls and manganese carbonyl chloride have been prepared, and characterised by IR and multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C{1H}, 77Se, 55Mn, 95Mo) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Crystal structures are reported for [Mo(CO)4(L2)], [Mo(CO)4(L3)], [Mo(CO)4(μ-L3)Mo(CO)4], [Mo(CO)4(L4)], [Mn(CO)3Cl(μ-L3)Mn(CO)3Cl], [Mo(CO)4(μ-L5)Mo(CO)4], [Mn(CO)3Cl(L5)] and two forms (containing meso and DL diastereoisomers) of [W(CO)4(L5)]. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We present self-consistent global steady state MHD models and synthetic optically thin synchrotron emission maps for the jet of M87. The model consists of two distinct zones: an inner relativistic outflow, which we identify with the observed jet, and an outer cold disk wind. While the former does not self-collimate efficiently due to its high effective inertia, the latter fulfills all the conditions for efficient collimation by the magnetocentrifugal mechanism. Given the right balance between the effective inertia of the inner flow and the collimation efficiency of the outer disk wind, the relativistic flow is magnetically confined into a well-collimated beam and matches the measurements of the opening angle of M87 over several orders of magnitudes in spatial extent. The synthetic synchrotron maps reproduce the morphological structure of the jet of M87, i.e., center bright profiles near the core and limb bright profiles away from the core. At the same time, they also show a local increase of brightness at some distance along the axis associated with a recollimation shock in the MHD model. Its location coincides with the position of the optical knot HST-1. In addition, our best fitting model is consistent with a number of observational constraints such as the magnetic field in the knot HST-1 and the jet-to-counterjet brightness ratio.

We present self-consistent global steady state MHD models and synthetic optically thin synchrotron emission maps for the jet of M87. The model consists of two distinct zones: an inner relativistic outflow, which we identify with the observed jet, and an outer cold disk wind. While the former does not self-collimate efficiently due to its high effective inertia, the latter fulfills all the conditions for efficient collimation by the magnetocentrifugal mechanism. Given the right balance between the effective inertia of the inner flow and the collimation efficiency of the outer disk wind, the relativistic flow is magnetically confined into a well-collimated beam and matches the measurements of the opening angle of M87 over several orders of magnitudes in spatial extent. The synthetic synchrotron maps reproduce the morphological structure of the jet of M87, i.e., center bright profiles near the core and limb bright profiles away from the core. At the same time, they also show a local increase of brightness at some distance along the axis associated with a recollimation shock in the MHD model. Its location coincides with the position of the optical knot HST-1. In addition, our best fitting model is consistent with a number of observational constraints such as the magnetic field in the knot HST-1 and the jet-to-counterjet brightness ratio.

Background: Muscle adaptation which occurs following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage has been associated with an acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (OPG/RANKL) concentrations following muscle damage. We measured changes for several days following muscle damage. Methods: Ten healthy young males performed an eccentric exercise protocol using their quadriceps. Blood samples were withdrawn before and at 6 h, 2 days, 5 days and 16 days post-exercise. Functional and clinical measurements were performed before, and on days 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 16 post-exercise. Results: The exercise protocol resulted in muscle damage, indicated by changes in biochemical markers. An increase in IL-6 and OPG, and a decrease in RANKL concentrations were seen at 6 h and on day 2 post-exercise; the OPG:RANKL ratio was increased at 6 h post-exercise (p<0.05). Conclusions: Changes in IL-6 and OPG/RANKL system may represent systemic responses in muscle inflammation and repair processes. However, further studies are needed to elucidate a potential systemic and/or local role of the OPG/RANKL system in skeletal muscle repair. © 2009 by Walter de Gruyter.

Background: Muscle adaptation which occurs following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage has been associated with an acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (OPG/RANKL) concentrations following muscle damage. We measured changes for several days following muscle damage. Methods: Ten healthy young males performed an eccentric exercise protocol using their quadriceps. Blood samples were withdrawn before and at 6 h, 2 days, 5 days and 16 days post-exercise. Functional and clinical measurements were performed before, and on days 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 16 post-exercise. Results: The exercise protocol resulted in muscle damage, indicated by changes in biochemical markers. An increase in IL-6 and OPG, and a decrease in RANKL concentrations were seen at 6 h and on day 2 post-exercise; the OPG:RANKL ratio was increased at 6 h post-exercise (p<0.05). Conclusions: Changes in IL-6 and OPG/RANKL system may represent systemic responses in muscle inflammation and repair processes. However, further studies are needed to elucidate a potential systemic and/or local role of the OPG/RANKL system in skeletal muscle repair. © 2009 by Walter de Gruyter.

Background: Muscle adaptation which occurs following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage has been associated with an acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (OPG/RANKL) concentrations following muscle damage. We measured changes for several days following muscle damage. Methods: Ten healthy young males performed an eccentric exercise protocol using their quadriceps. Blood samples were withdrawn before and at 6 h, 2 days, 5 days and 16 days post-exercise. Functional and clinical measurements were performed before, and on days 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 16 post-exercise. Results: The exercise protocol resulted in muscle damage, indicated by changes in biochemical markers. An increase in IL-6 and OPG, and a decrease in RANKL concentrations were seen at 6 h and on day 2 post-exercise; the OPG:RANKL ratio was increased at 6 h post-exercise (p<0.05). Conclusions: Changes in IL-6 and OPG/RANKL system may represent systemic responses in muscle inflammation and repair processes. However, further studies are needed to elucidate a potential systemic and/or local role of the OPG/RANKL system in skeletal muscle repair. © 2009 by Walter de Gruyter.

Weathering formations resembling small caves, known by the name of Tafoni, are a characteristic, but not exclusive, feature of the Mediterranean area. Examples of such geomorphological formations have been recorded in Sardinia and Corsica (Klaer, 1956; Frenzel, 1965), in Tuscany (Martini, 1978), in S. Spain (Mellor et al., 1997) and in the Aegean Sea area (Greece) (Riedl, 1991; Hejl, 2005).

We report a thorough theoretical study of the optical response of two- and three-dimensional periodic assemblies of metallic nanorods by means of full-electrodynamic calculations using the extended layer-multiple-scattering method. We show that these systems support various types of resonant- and bound-collective plasmon modes, which are tunable over a broad spectral range, and provide a consistent interpretation of the underlying physics. In particular, we reveal the existence of slab plasmon modes with zero group velocity, which can cause evanescent-wave enhancement and enable subwavelength imaging. We discuss extinction spectra of single-layer and multilayer slabs of nanorods in conjunction with relevant complex band-structure diagrams and present a rigorous analysis of the results using group theory. Moreover, we explain some peculiar spectral features which are due to the existence of surface resonances. These can modify the optical response of the system in a controllable manner by using a supporting substrate.

Increasing knowledge of the biology of multiple myeloma led the way for the development of novel drugs that have changed the management of the disease. New treatments target not only to the malignant plasma cell but also target the interactions of myeloma cells with their microenvironment. Several preclinical studies have identified potential targets and drugs are developed that act on pathways crucial for myeloma cell survival, proliferation, migration and drug resistance. The identification of active agents in the laboratory is followed by rationally designed clinical studies that validate these drugs, either as single agents or in combinations with other active drugs. These novel agents may be either small molecules or monoclonal antibodies targeting receptors, kinase activity of receptors or key molecules within critical pathways, intracellular maintenance mechanisms and immune modulation. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.

The contraction-relaxation cycle of muscle cells translates into large movements of several filament systems in sarcomeres, requiring special molecular mechanisms to maintain their structural integrity. Recent structural and functional data from three filaments harboring extensive arrays of immunoglobulin-like domains - titin, filamin and myomesin--have, for the first time, unraveled a common function of their terminal domains: assembly and anchoring of the respective filaments. In each case, the protein-protein interactions are mediated by antiparallel dimerization modules via intermolecular beta-sheets. These observations on terminal filament assembly indicate an attractive model for several other filament proteins that require structural characterization.

The blazar OJ 287 has produced two major optical outburst events during the years 2005-2008. These are the latest in a series of outbursts that have occurred repeatedly at 12 year intervals since early 1900s. It has been possible to explain the historical light curve fairly well by using a binary black hole model where the secondary black hole impacts the accretion disk of the primary twice during the 12 year orbital cycle. We will ask here how well does the latest light-curve fit with this model. We use a 10 million particle disk to model the accretion disk of the primary black hole. The rate of transfer of particles through the 10 Schwarzschild radius cylinder around the primary is followed. The secondary induces an inward flow through this surface. The inward flow rate is compared with the historical light curve as well as with the most recent observations reported in this paper. The observations have been carried out by using a number of small and medium size telescopes in different locations in order to ensure a dense light-curve coverage. The "inflow light curve" and the optical light curve of OJ 287 have a close resemblance to each other. It suggests that the tidally induced accretion flow is responsible for the main features of the optical light curve, with the exception of the quasi-periodic double peaks. It implies a close connection between the accretion disk and the jet where the optical synchrotron emission is presumably generated.

The timing of tectonic emplacement of the ophiolites is analyzed in the four oceanic terranes of the Hellenides (H2, H4, H6, H8). The criteria for this analysis are based on: a) the post-emplacement sedimentary cover or intrusive rocks, b) the syn-emplacement tectonostratigraphic formations and c) the youngest rocks involved in the structure of the autochthon and the allochthon unit in each case. The timing becomes younger towards the more external tectonic units of the Hellenides with: (i) Late Eocene-Oligocene age in the external ophiolite belt of the Pindos-Cyclades oceanic terrane H2, (ii) Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age in the internal ophiolite belt of the Vardar/Axios oceanic terrane H4 , (iii) Post-Liassic-pre-Late Jurassic age in the ophiolites of Lesvos-Circum Rhodope oceanic terrane H6 and (iv) Pre-Late Jurassic age in the ophiolites of Volvi-Eastern Rhodope terrane H8. An ophiolite obduction model can be applied, with the ophiolitic nappes always emplaced on top of pre-Alpine continental terranes with Mesozoic shallow-water carbonate platforms. The geometry of the continental terranes drifting during the Mesozoic within the Tethys Ocean controls the number and dimensions of the Tethyan oceanic basins. Where a continental terrane dies out, the two adjacent oceanic basins merge into one larger basin. This seems to be the case of the Pelagonian terrane (H3), which is terminated north of Skopje, where the Pindos oceanic basin (H2) merges with the Vardar/Axios oceanic basin (H4).

Abstract  Fusion cross sections are extracted for the $^7$Li + $^{28}$Si system, via reaction cross section and transfer measurements at sub- and near-barrier energies ( E$_{lab}$ = 5.7 to 14 MeV). The energy evolution of transfer to reaction cross section ratios is determined with the aid of CDCC calculations, which subsequently allows the deduction of fusion cross sections at sub- and near-barrier energies. It is shown that fusion can be well represented in a BPM context. Fusion cross sections are compared for the systems $^7$Li + $^{28}$Si and $^6$Li + $^{28}$Si, the latter studied previously, and are found to exhibit different strengths. Last, the direct channels determined at 13 MeV, are found to be dominated by a 2n-transfer mechanism.

Recently there has been increasing interest of scientists forthe performance of singing or reciting voices of the past inutilising analysis-synthesis methods. In the domain ofAncient Greek musicology indeed, where we find theroots of the occidental music, the main research has beendone mostly by scholars of classical Greek literature.However there is still is a vast territory for research inaudio performances to be carried out with the help of newdigital technologies.In this paper, we will present an attempt to decode arecited text of Ancient Greek tragedy and render it intosound. At the first paragraph of this article we underlinethe origin of music arising from the melodicity of speechin Ancient Greek tragedy. In the second paragraph, wedescribe the methodology we have used in order toanalyse the voice of S. Psaroudak&s, himself professor ofAncient Greek music, by an open source prosodic featureextraction tool based on Praat. We give a description ofthe prosodic analysis, implementation details and discussits feature extension capabilities as well. Last, we refer tothe difference between the Ancient and Modern Greekphonological system, the application of this research inmusic and further development.

We review recent progress in the realm of ultra-slow and stored light inside metamaterial waveguides. We elucidate a number of critical issues pertaining to the study of light propagation in various slowlight metamaterial structures. © 2008 Optical Society of America.

We review recent progress in the realm of ultra-slow and stored light inside metamaterial waveguides. We elucidate a number of critical issues pertaining to the study of light propagation in various slow-light metamaterial structures. ©2008 Optical Society of America.

We review recent progress in the realm of ultra-slow and stored light inside metamaterial waveguides. We elucidate a number of critical issues pertaining to the study of light propagation in various slowlight metamaterial structures. © 2008 Optical Society of America.

UNLABELLED: Although acute management of pelvic fractures and their long-term functional outcome have been widely documented, important information regarding malunion and nonunion of these fractures is sparse. Despite their relative rarity, malunions and nonunions cause disabling symptoms and have major socioeconomic implications. We analyzed the factors predisposing a pelvic injury to develop malunion/nonunion, the clinical presentation of these complications, and the efficacy of the reported operative protocols in 437 malunions/nonunions of 25 clinical studies. Treatment of these demanding complications appeared effective in the majority of the cases: overall union rates averaged 86.1%, pain relief as much as 93%, patient satisfaction 79%, and return to a preinjury level of activities 50%. Nevertheless, the patient should be informed about the incidence of perioperative complications, including neurologic injury (5.3%), symptomatic vein thrombosis (5.0%), pulmonary embolism (1.9%), and deep wound infection (1.6%). For a successful outcome, a thorough preoperative plan and methodical operative intervention are essential. In establishing effective evidence-based future clinical practice, the introduction of multicenter networks of pelvic trauma management appears a necessity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Uterine sarcomas are a rare group of neoplasms with aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. They are classified into four main histological subtypes in order of decreasing incidence: carcinosarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, endometrial stromal sarcomas and "other" sarcomas. The pathological subtype demands a tailored approach. Surgical resection is regarded as the mainstay of treatment. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy represents the standard treatment of uterine sarcomas. Pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection in carcinosarcomas is recommended, given their high incidence of lymph node metastases, and may have a role in endometrial stromal sarcomas. Adjuvant radiation therapy has historically been of little survival value, but it appears to improve local control and may delay recurrence. Regarding adjuvant chemotherapy, there is little evidence in the literature supporting its use except for carcinosarcomas. However, more trials are needed to address these issues, especially, their sequential application. Patients with uterine sarcomas should be referred to large academic centers for participation in clinical trials. © 2009 Zagouri et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The introduction of several novel and active treatments and improvements in supportive care of myeloma patients has resulted in a prolongation of the survival of these patients. However, myeloma remains an incurable disease and almost all patients will relapse. Effective management of the relapsing/refractory disease incorporates several different strategies, depending on prior treatments, responses, and duration of responses, as well as residual toxicity, age, and physical condition. High-dose dexamethasone still has a role in the management of disease complications such as cytopenias, renal impairment, or spinal cord compression until another agent is added. High-dose therapy may be considered for selected patients who have a long-term treatment-free interval after their first transplantation. Allogeneic transplantation is limited to selected young patients, preferably with an HLA-matched donor. However, the backbone of current strategies for the management of relapsed/refractory myeloma includes the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide. These agents, either with dexamethasone or in combination with chemotherapy, have shown significant activity both in relapsed and in refractory patients. Based on the results of phase III trials, lenalidomide and bortezomib have increased the post-relapse survival and are active in patients who have received prior novel agents; lenalidomide is active in thalidomide-pretreated or bortezomib-pretreated patients and bortezomib alone or in combination with chemotherapy is active in thalidomide/lenalidomide-pretreated patients. Combinations of novel agents show synergistic activity and may overcome drug resistance. Finally, special consideration is needed for the management of patients with renal impairment or other poor prognostic features. © 2009.

Skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling machinery residing at the triad, a membrane structure formed by the juxtaposition of T-tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) cisternae. The formation and maintenance of this structure is key for muscle function but is not well characterized. We have investigated the mechanisms leading to X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), a severe congenital disorder due to loss of function mutations in the MTM1 gene, encoding myotubularin, a phosphoinositide phosphatase thought to have a role in plasma membrane homeostasis and endocytosis. Using a mouse model of the disease, we report that Mtm1-deficient muscle fibers have a decreased number of triads and abnormal longitudinally oriented T-tubules. In addition, SR Ca(2+) release elicited by voltage-clamp depolarizations is strongly depressed in myotubularin-deficient muscle fibers, with myoplasmic Ca(2+) removal and SR Ca(2+) content essentially unaffected. At the molecular level, Mtm1-deficient myofibers exhibit a 3-fold reduction in type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) protein level. These data reveal a critical role of myotubularin in the proper organization and function of the E-C coupling machinery and strongly suggest that defective RyR1-mediated SR Ca(2+) release is responsible for the failure of muscle function in myotubular myopathy.

Recent observations as well as theoretical studies of YSO jets suggest the presence of two steady components: a disk wind type outflow needed to explain the observed high mass loss rates and a stellar wind type outflow probably accounting for the observed stellar spin down. In this framework, we construct numerical two-component jet models by properly mixing an analytical disk wind solution with a complementary analytically derived stellar outflow. Their combination is controlled by both spatial and temporal parameters, in order to address different physical conditions and time variable features. We study the temporal evolution and the interaction of the two jet components on both small and large scales. The simulations reach steady state configurations close to the initial solutions. Although time variability is not found to considerably affect the dynamics, flow fluctuations generate shocks, whose large scale structures have a strong resemblance to observed YSO jet knots.

Recent observations as well as theoretical studies of YSO jets suggest the presence of two steady components: a disk wind type outflow needed to explain the observed high mass loss rates and a stellar wind type outflow probably accounting for the observed stellar spin down. In this framework, we construct numerical two-component jet models by properly mixing an analytical disk wind solution with a complementary analytically derived stellar outflow. Their combination is controlled by both spatial and temporal parameters, in order to address different physical conditions and time variable features. We study the temporal evolution and the interaction of the two jet components on both small and large scales. The simulations reach steady state configurations close to the initial solutions. Although time variability is not found to considerably affect the dynamics, flow fluctuations generate shocks, whose large scale structures have a strong resemblance to observed YSO jet knots.

Context: Theoretical arguments along with observational data of YSO jets suggest the presence of two steady components: a disk wind type outflow needed to explain the observed high mass loss rates and a stellar wind type outflow probably accounting for the observed stellar spin down. Each component's contribution depends on the intrinsic physical properties of the YSO-disk system and its evolutionary stage. Aims: The main goal of this paper is to understand some of the basic features of the evolution, interaction and co-existence of the two jet components over a parameter space and when time variability is enforced. Methods: Having studied separately the numerical evolution of each type of the complementary disk and stellar analytical wind solutions in Paper I of this series, we proceed here to mix together the two models inside the computational box. The evolution in time is performed with the PLUTO code, investigating the dynamics of the two-component jets, the modifications each solution undergoes and the potential steady state reached. Results: The co-evolution of the two components, indeed, results in final steady state configurations with the disk wind effectively collimating the inner stellar component. The final outcome stays close to the initial solutions, supporting the validity of the analytical studies. Moreover, a weak shock forms, disconnecting the launching region of both outflows with the propagation domain of the two-component jet. On the other hand, several cases are being investigated to identify the role of each two-component jet parameter. Time variability is not found to considerably affect the dynamics, thus making all the conclusions robust. However, the flow fluctuations generate shocks, whose large scale structures have a strong resemblance to observed YSO jet knots. Conclusions: Analytical disk and stellar solutions, even sub modified fast ones, provide a solid foundation to construct two-component jet models. Tuning their physical properties along with the two-component jet parameters allows a broad class of realistic scenarios to be addressed. The applied flow variability provides very promising perspectives for the comparison of the models with observations.

The Book (or Treatise) of Heracleidis is known as the Apology of Nestorius. The comparative examination of its text with the Minutes of the Third Ecumenical Synod, throws new light on Nestorius´ trial and conviction, and brings to light new research elements, regarding the juridical procedures of the era. Last but not least, the survey reveals who is hiding under the pseudonym ῾Heracleidis῾. In contrast to what was beleived until today, the writer of the Treatise is not Nestorius, or a student of him, but, Hereneus of Tyros, his loyal friend and defense counsel before the Emperor, at Nestorius' trial.

A comprehensive investigation of the optical properties of a composite metamaterial in which silver nanowires are aligned inside a finite-thickness dielectric host medium is presented. Using a rigorous finite-element based modelling approach, together with a self-consistent process for the extraction of effective-medium parameters, we find that this structure can enable an effective optical diamagnetic response that is orders of magnitude stronger compared to that of naturally occurring diamagnetic materials. Interestingly, our analysis reveals that there is a frequency region where the nanoforest exhibits a strong diamagnetic response while simultaneously allowing for high transmission of incident electromagnetic waves. We examine the physical origin behind the magnetic properties of this structure, as well as its resilience to fabrication imperfections. Our analysis shows that the structure is robust to the presence of disorder, in the occurrence of which it can still facilitate high figure-of-merit diamagnetic responses. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Recently there has been a considerable interest in metamaterial waveguide structures capable of dramatically slowing down or, even, completely stopping light. Here, we shall explain in some detail the working principle behind the deceleration and/or stopping of light in metamaterial structures, and review the various, metamaterial-enabled, methods that have been proposed thus far towards achieving such a goal. Further, we will concisely describe how one can construct zero-loss metamaterials over a continuous and broad (but not infinite) range of frequencies, which is an essential prerequisite for any slow-light system. Moreover, it will be explained that inside such waveguide structures light can in principle be stopped (zero group velocity, νg = 0) even in the presence of losses. By nature, metamaterial-enabled schemes for stopping/storing light invoke solid-state materials and, as such, are not subject to low-temperature or atomic coherence limitations. Furthermore, these methods simultaneously allow for broad bandwidth operation, since they do not rely on group index resonances; large delay-bandwidth products, since a wave packet can, in principle, be completely stopped and buffered indefinitely; and (for the case, in particular, where a negative-index metamaterial is used) high, almost 100%, in/out-coupling efficiencies. Thus, we conclude that these methods for trapping photons, which can be realised using existing technology, could open the way to a multitude of hybrid optoelectronic devices to be used in 'quantum information' processing, communication networks and signal processors and may conceivably herald a new realm of combined metamaterials and slow light research. © 2009 SPIE.

Anemia is a common side-effect of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and lymphoma. The etiology is complex, but the main cause is the underlying mechanism of anemia of chronic disease, which is characterized among others, by impairment of iron metabolism and consequently iron restricted erythropoiesis (IRE), resulting from the up-regulation of the iron distributing regulator, hepcidin. Erythopoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been the standard of care since early 90's offering high response rates and improving the quality of life of the patients. However, the role of ESAs in the treatment of cancer-related anemia has been questioned recently, due to the growing evidence which support that ESAs may be associated with increased risk for thrombosis and may have a detrimental impact on patients' survival. Under the light of the recent considerations, the place of ESAs in the management of cancer-related anemia has been reassigned. Regarding the management of anemia in MM or lymphoma, the updated American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology (ASCO/ASH) 2007 clinical practice guidelines on the use of ESAs in cancer-related anemia, recommended that ESAs should be preferably omitted in patients planned to receive chemotherapy and applied in case that anemia does not improve over treatment. The quest for reliable predictors for response to ESAs and for indicators of IRE which plays a major etiological role for the development of anemia of cancer still remains an open issue. In the current review we present an update on ESAs use in anemia of MM and lymphoma. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a distinct B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow infiltration along with an immunoglobulin M (lgM) monoclonal gammopathy. Patients with disease-related cytopenias, bulky adenopathy or organomegaly, symptomatic hyperviscosity, severe neuropathy, amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or evidence of disease transformation should be considered for immediate therapy. Initiation of therapy should not be based on serum lgM levels alone, and asymptomatic patients should be observed. Individual patient considerations should be considered when deciding on a first-line agent including the presence of cytopenias, need for rapid disease control, age, and candidacy for autologous transplantation. Therapeutic outcomes should be evaluated using updated criteria. As part of the Fourth International Workshop on Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia, a consensus panel updated its recommendations on both first-line and salvage therapy in view of recently published and ongoing clinical trials. The panel considered encouraging results from recent studies of first-line combinations such as rituximab with nucleoside analogs with or without alkylating agents or with cyclophosphamide-based therapies (eg, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone or cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone) or the combination of rituximab with thalidomide. Such therapeutic approaches are likely to yield responses at least as good as, if not better than, monotherapy with any of the alkylating agents, nucleoside analogs, or rituximab. In the salvage setting, reuse of a first-line regimen or use of a different regimen should be considered along with bortezomib, alemtuzumab, autologous transplantation, and, in selected circumstances, allogeneic transplantation. Finally, the panel reaffirmed its encouragement of the active enrollment of patients with WM onto innovative clinical trials whenever possible. © 2008 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

As flash flood events are becoming more frequent, the development of flood estimation methods for areas with limited or lack of data has attracted the interest of many scientists. The aim of the present paper is to develop a GIS based methodology in order to study the flood risk in Karlovassi basin. The annual probability of a flood event is relatively high at Karlovassi area (Samos Island – Greece). Especially, after the forest fires that took place in the summer of 2000, during which 90.000 hectares were burnt in Kerketeas Mountain, the phenomenon has become more intense. Primary data were collected from maps, literature, aerial photos and field work. The collected information data were analyzed through the use of the software ArcGIS in order to generate the appropriate background for the formation of the flood risk model. All the input parameters were weighted and the model was calibrated in situ through field work. The proposed methodology and the preliminary results, as exported for the Karlovassi area, prove the suitability of GIS-based methods in the creation of flood risk maps.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), an iron-transporting protein rapidly accumulating in the kidney tubules and urine after nephrotoxic and ischemic insults, has been put forward as an early, sensitive, non-invasive biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary NGAL levels as a predictor of early AKI (first 5 days after injury) in multi-trauma patients. Methods: We studied multi-trauma adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a trauma hospital. Exclusion criteria were a) known cardiac or chronic kidney disease, and b) initial evaluation after more than 24 h had elapsed from injury. Urinary NGAL was measured using an ELISA technique upon admission and at 24 and 48 h. Presence of AKI was defined by the risk injury failure loss and end-stage kidney classification (RIFLE) criteria. Data are reported as median and interquartile range. Results: A total of 31 patients (25 male, 6 female) were studied. NGAL levels at admission were significantly higher among patients who subsequently developed AKI [155.5 (50.5-205.9) ng/mL vs. 8.0 (5.7-17.7) ng/mL, p=0.0000] and these higher levels persisted over the following 2 days. On the basis of receiver-operating characteristic analysis both NGAL and serum creatinine baseline measurements could predict AKI [area under the curve (95% confidence interval) 0.977 (0.823-0.980) and 0.789 (0.556-0.906), respectively], but the area under the curve for NGAL was significantly larger (p=0.024). A cut-off point >25 ng/mL for NGAL had a sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 0.95 in predicting AKI. Conclusions: Urinary NGAL can be used from the 1st day of injury as a reliable predictor of early AKI in multi-trauma patients. © 2009 by Walter de Gruyter.

The impact of prioritization and of timing of vaccination strategies on reducing transmission of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) was evaluated in a community with the structure of the Greek population using a stochastic simulation model. Prioritization scenarios were based on the recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and vaccination was assumed to initiate either before or during the ongoing epidemic. In the absence of intervention, an illness attack rate (AR) of 34.5% is anticipated. Vaccinating the priority groups before the epidemic (pregnant women, people who live with or care for children <6 months of age, healthcare/emergency services personnel, children 6 months-4 years old and high-risk children 5-18 years old) will have a negligible impact on the overall AR. Vaccinating the recommended groups before the epidemic (priority groups as well as all persons 6 months-24 years old and high-risk individuals 25-64 years old) is anticipated to result in overall and age-specific ARs within the range of seasonal influenza (5%-15%). Initiating vaccination early during the epidemic (AR

Background: Bisphosphonates (BPs) prevent, reduce, and delay multiple myeloma (MM)-related skeletal complications. Intravenous pamidronate and zoledronic acid, and oral clodronate are used for the management of MM bone disease. The purpose of this paper is to review the current evidence for the use of BPs in MM and provide European Union-specific recommendations to support the clinical practice of treating myeloma bone disease. Design and methods: An interdisciplinary, expert panel of specialists on MM and myeloma-related bone disease convened for a face-to-face meeting to review and assess the evidence and develop the recommendations. The panel reviewed and graded the evidence available from randomized clinical trials, clinical practice guidelines, and the body of published literature. Where published data were weak or unavailable, the panel used their own clinical experience to put forward recommendations based solely on their expert opinions. Results: The panel recommends the use of BPs in MM patients suffering from lytic bone disease or severe osteoporosis. Intravenous administration may be preferable; however, oral administration can be considered for patients unable to make hospital visits. Dosing should follow approved indications with adjustments if necessary. In general, BPs are well tolerated, but preventive steps should be taken to avoid renal impairment and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The panel agrees that BPs should be given for 2 years, but this may be extended if there is evidence of active myeloma bone disease. Initial therapy of ONJ should include discontinuation of BPs until healing occurs. BPs should be restarted if there is disease progression. Conclusions: BPs are an essential component of MM therapy for minimizing skeletal morbidity. Recent retrospective data indicate that a modified dosing regimen and preventive measures can greatly reduce the incidence of ONJ. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.

In this paper we introduce the utilization of novel compounds that can be magnetoelectric, namely Al(2-x)FexO(3) and Ga2-xFexO3, or ferrimagnetic, namely Y3Fe5O12, as effective constituents in patch antennas. Owing to their coupled dielectric and magnetic properties these constituents can probably tune the radiation characteristics of the patch antenna by means of an externally controlled parameter such as a magnetic and/or electric field. We clearly demonstrate that using Y3Fe5O12 in the antenna substrate, the type and the sense of the antenna polarization is strongly influenced by applying an external magnetic field.

Our purpose was to compare the Vascular Closure Staples (VCS) clips to a standard suture technique for vein patch angioplasty in a porcine model. Six female pigs underwent vein patch angioplasty of the common iliac arteries with either VCS clips or continuous suturing. The reconstructed vessels were evaluated macroscopically, angiographically and histologically after two months by re-operation. There was a non significant trend towards shorter reconstruction (6.5 +/- 1.8 min. for clips vs. 8.5 +/- 1.7 min. for sutures, p = 0.15) and clamp times when clips were used (8.4 +/- 1.5 min. vs. 10.1 +/- 1.3 min., p = 0.15). At re-operation all vessels were found patent without significant histological differences regarding the intimal reaction. VCS clips are a reliable alternative to sutures for vein patch angioplasty.

Purpose: To assess bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone (VMP) and melphalan and prednisone (MP) in previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM) with renal impairment enrolled on the phase III VISTA study, and to evaluate renal impairment reversibility. Patients and Methods: Patients received nine 6-week cycles of VMP (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2, melphalan 9 mg/m2, prednisone 60 mg/m2) or MP. Patients with serum creatinine higher than 2 mg/dL were excluded. Results: In the VMP/MP arms, 6%/4%, 27%/30%, and 67%/66% of patients had baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of ≤ 30, 31 to 50, and higher than 50 mL/min, respectively. Response rates were higher and time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) longer with VMP versus MP across renal cohorts. Response rates with VMP and TTP in both arms did not appear significantly different between patients with GFR ≤ 50 or higher than 50 mL/min; OS appeared somewhat longer in patients with normal renal function in both arms. Renal impairment reversal (baseline GFR < 50 improving to > 60 mL/min) was seen in 49 (44%) of 111 patients receiving VMP versus 40 (34%) of 116 patients receiving MP. By multivariate analysis, younger age (< 75 years; P = .006) and less severe impairment (GFR ≥ 30 mL/min; P = .027) were associated with higher reversal rates. In addition, treatment with VMP approached significance (P = .07). In both arms, rates of grade 4 and 5 adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs appeared higher in patients with renal impairment; with VMP, rates of discontinuations/bortezomib dose reductions due to AEs did not appear affected. Conclusion: VMP is a feasible, active, and well-tolerated treatment option for previously untreated patients with MM with moderate renal impairment, resulting in 44% renal impairment reversal. © 2009 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Objective: A randomized phase II trial was conducted to test whether the addition of gemcitabine to weekly docetaxel could improve the objective response rate and survival outcomes as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have failed a paclitaxel-containing regimen. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either weekly docetaxel 40 mg/m2 (group A, n = 34) or the combination of weekly docetaxel 35 mg/m2 with gemcitabine 600 mg/m2 (group B, n = 41). Three consecutive weekly infusions followed by a 1-week rest period represented 1 chemotherapy cycle. Results: The objective response rate was 18% and 27.5% in group A and B, respectively (p = 0.413). No statistically significant differences were demonstrated in terms of median overall survival and time to disease progression. The rate and grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were higher in group B (23 vs. 3%). Conclusions: The weekly administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine did not result in superior clinical outcomes over weekly docetaxel. © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The purpose of the present study is to identify the various factors that decision makers must take into account when ranking destinations for placing a spa resort/hotel in the thriving health and wellness industry. The study will suggest a decision support system (DSS) based on key factors as climate, tourism development and attractions. The DSS, using a computer based information system, will evaluate the aforementioned factors and will propose a hierarchical structure for rating destinations, useful for private or public planners in the wellness market. The research categorized the prefectures of Ahaia, Arkadia, Ilia, Korinthia, Messinia in the region of Peloponnese. © University of the Aegean.

The purpose of the present study is to identify the various factors that decision makers must take into account when ranking destinations for placing a spa resort/hotel in the thriving health and wellness industry. The study will suggest a decision support system (DSS) based on key factors as climate, tourism development and attractions. The DSS, using a computer based information system, will evaluate the aforementioned factors and will propose a hierarchical structure for rating destinations, useful for private or public planners in the wellness market. The research categorized the prefectures of Ahaia, Arkadia, Ilia, Korinthia, Messinia in the region of Peloponnese. © University of the Aegean.

We present results on the X-ray source populations of nearby spiral and star-forming galaxies. The sample of galaxies includes the nearby spiral galaxy M81 and star-forming galaxies with stellar populations in the 10-100Myr range. We use HST data in order to classify the X-ray sources to HMXBs, LMXBs and globular clusters, and identify any SNRs or background AGNs. We discuss the spectral and temporal characteristics of the different sub-populations in these galaxies, and their implications for the sources' nature. We present the X-ray luminosity functions (XLF) of the discrete sources from the individual as well as the co-added observations and we discuss the dependence of the XLF on the age of the stellar populations. In the case of M81 we find a population of sources in the 10^{36}-10^{37} erg s^{-1} luminosity range with early-type counterparts, while the HMXBs in the star-forming galaxies have generally higher luminosities. We also present results from Chandra observations of the SMC which extend the XLFs down to luminosities of 10^{32} erg s^{-1} and show evidence for the onset of the propeller effect at low luminosities.

ISBN 978-9963-561-61-2. Η παρούσα δημοσίευση αποτελεί την εισήγηση στο Θεολογικό Σεμινάριο που πραγματοποιήθηκε στην Λευκωσία στην  Κύπρο τον Μάιο του 2009 και αποτελεί πρωτότυπη προσπάθεια για τη διατύπωση θεολογικής άποψης για τον προγεννητικό έλεγχο και την προεμφυτευτική διάγνωση των εμβρύων. Στο τέλος της εισήγησης, που δημοσιεύθηκε στον τόμο των πρακτικών, παρουσιάζονται  πραγματικές περιπτώσεις αντιμετώπισης διαγνώσεων προγεννητικού ελέγχου από γονείς, οι οποίες συγκίνησαν και προβλημάτισαν το πολυπληθές κοινό στην αίθουσα του Μακαρίου β’ της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Κύπρου, όπου πραγματοποιήθηκε η εισήγηση.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of bullying/victimization during preadolescence and early adolescence in Greece, in relation to age and gender. Participants were 655 fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth graders from Athenian schools. They completed the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (Olweus, 2006). Data showed a high prevalence of bullying and victimization, with verbal bullying and social exclusion as the most frequent forms. Self-reported victimization decreased with age, with the exception of electronic victimization which increased, whereas self-reported verbal, sexual, and electronic bullying increased with age. Boys preferred verbal, physical, racial, sexual, and electronic bullying significantly more than girls. More boys felt bullied for racial reasons than girls, whereas girls felt more sexually victimized than boys. Results are discussed in the framework of the existing literature on bullying and victimization, and some implications for interventions are presented.

Bullying, as a prevalent phenomenon in Greek schools, is a stressful situ­ation, often with a traumatic character. The aim of this research was to examine the associations between bullying/victimization and loneliness in the peer group (social loneliness) and the dyadic friendship (emotional loneliness). Partic­ipants were 208 fifth-grade students from schools located in the center of Athens. They completed the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire-Revised Edi­tion (Olweus, 2006) and the Peer Network and Peer Dyadic Loneliness Scale (Hoza, Bukowski, & Beery, 2000), which showed adequate internal consis­tency. Linear regression analyses indicated that the tendency to be bullied was associated with loneliness in the peer group and in the dyadic friendship, whereas the tendency to bully was not associated with any dimension of lone­liness. Bullies/victims were the children experiencing the highest loneliness of all the other groups. Sexual victimization, social exclusion, and stealing/dam­aging belongings were significantly related to the various dimensions of lone­liness. More boys than girls were bullies/victims, but no gender difference was found for loneliness. Discussion focuses on the importance of knowing the personal, subjective experience of bullies and victims, as well as on the impli­cations of these findings for school-based interventions.

One of the most important evolutions marking modern Greek culture is the ever increasing presence of women in the realms of both economics and politics. This phenomenon has given significant rise to new social concerns among which lies the issue of linguistic adaptation to the new roles of the female gender. The present research is an interdisciplinary one, related both to social sciences and linguistics and dealing with the analytical category of “social gender.”  Specifically, the research in question is interested in the field of politics, which is traditionally the last bulwark of Greek patriarchal society. In other words, this investigation raises the question of whether or not the female presence in the centers of authority and power is adequately reflected in the Greek language. Moreover, the following parameters are thoroughly investigated: firstly it is attempted to register the grammatical problems emerging after the end of the male monopoly concerning power, while at the same time the first linguistic approaches to the aforementioned problem are examined.  There is also mention of the ways in which the State and other official bodies deal with this issue as well as of the everyday use of gender demarcations of various offices in the Media. Lastly, the attitude of women, either individually or collectively, towards this issue is methodically examined.Full texthttps://dspace.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2328/8106/449-466.pdf;jsessionid=9E4B03B46AD0B1B71C19C40869981F67?sequence=1

Το παρόν κείμενο αποτελεί συνέντευξη του Καθηγητή Ιωάννη Μάζη, ο οποίος αναλύει τη γεωπολιτικὴ τῆς Τουρκίας, μὲ στόχο τὴν πληρεστέραν ἐνημέρωση τοῦ ἀναγνωστικοῦ κοινοῦ, γιὰ μιὰ σειρὰ κρισίμων θεμάτων. Ο Καθηγητής αναφέρεται στο “νεο-ὀθωμανισμὸ” καὶ στο ρόλο τοῦ Νταβούτογλου, στις σχέσεις μὲ την Ἑλλάδα, τις ΗΠΑ, τη Ρωσσία καὶ το Ἰσραήλ, τὸν 21ο αἰῶνα, μετὰ τὴν σύγχυση ποὺ προεκλήθη στὴν χώρα μας ἐξ αἰτίας τῆς ἀνακοινώσεως τῆς ἐπίσημης ἐπισκέψεως τοῦ Ἀμερικανοῦ προέδρου Μπαρὰκ Ὀμπάμα στὴν Τουρκία καὶ τῆς δημοσιότητος ποὺ ἔλαβε στὰ ἑλληνικὰ ΜΜΕ, ὁ κύριος σύμβουλος τοῦ Τούρκου πρωθυπουργοῦ, γιὰ θέματα ἐξωτερικῆς πολιτικῆς.

Ποιούς θεωρεῖ "γείτονες" ὁ Ἀ. Νταβούτογλου; Διότι ἀπὸ ὅ,τι φαίνεται ἀπὸ τὰ γραφόμενά του, γιὰ ὅποιον τὰ διαβάζει, τὴν Ἑλλάδα καὶ τὴν Κύπρο δὲν πρέπει νὰ τὴν συμπεριλαμβάνει σὲ αὐτὴν τὴν χορεία. Καὶ ἐπειδὴ τὰ ἀνωτέρω στρουθοκαμηλικὰ ἐγράφησαν ἀναφορικῶς πρὸς τὶς πιθανὲς προοπτικὲς ἐξελίξεων στὸ Κυπριακό, το παρόν κείμενο παρουσιάζει και σχολιάζει αναλυτικά τις απόψεις του Α. Νταβούτογλου, σχετικώς με τις γειτονικές χώρες της Τουρκίας, έτσι όπως αυτές αναφέρονται στο βιβλίο του με τίτλο "Στρατηγικό Βάθος".

The purpose of the present study was to examine children’s loneliness and social dissatisfaction in relation to social support in school, that is, personal and academic support by teachers and classmates. Participants were 221 fifth- and sixth-grade students from primary schools in Athens, Greece. They completed the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Scale (Greek version; Galanaki & Kalantzi-Azizi, 1999) and the Social Support subscales of the Classroom Life Measure (Johnson, Johnson, Buckman, & Scott-Richards, 1985). Results showed high feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction in the school, both of which were significantly associated only with personal support from classmates. The associations were stronger for sixth-grade students and girls. Results are discussed in light of the importance of interpersonal relations for the emergence of loneliness during late childhood. Some suggestions for educational practice are also made.

Στην εργασία αυτή εξετάζονται η νομολογία και του ΣτΕ και του ΔΕΚ , προκειμένου να διαπιστωθεί αν διαφοροποιούνται ως προς το συμπέρασμα και τις κύριες παραδοχές τους  σχετικά με τις ευνοϊκότερες για τις γυναίκες διατάξεις για τη χορήγηση των κοινωνικοασφαλιστικών παροχών και ειδικότερα τα μικρότερα όρια ηλικίας για τη συνταξιοδότησή τους. Η νομολογία του ΣτΕ έχει ασχοληθεί κυρίως με υποθέσεις που αφορούν  στην άνιση κοινωνικοασφαλιστική μεταχείριση των ανδρών έναντι των γυναικών. Η νομολογία των ημεδαπών δικαστηρίων για την άνιση κοινωνικοασφαλιστική μεταχείριση με κριτήριο το φύλο στηρίζεται στα άρθρα 4 παρ. 2 και 116 του Συντάγματος που κατοχυρώνουν την ισότητα των δικαιωμάτων και των υποχρεώσεων ανδρών και γυναικών και έχει αποδειχθεί ιδιαίτερα αποτελεσματική. Υπάρχει ήδη ένας μακρύς κατάλογος δικαστικών αποφάσεων που δικαιώνουν τους άνδρες ως μειονεκτούσα ομάδα έναντι των γυναικών στην κοινωνική ασφάλιση. Και τα ευρωπαϊκά και τα ημεδαπά Δικαστήρια δέχονται ότι επιτρέπεται να ληφθούν θετικά μέτρα για την προαγωγή της αρχής της ίσης μεταχειρίσεως, για να βελτιωθεί η ικανότητα του φύλου που υφίσταται την άνιση μεταχείριση να προλάβει ή αντισταθμίσει τις σε βάρος του ανισότητες. Κρίσιμο για τη νομιμότητα των θετικών μέτρων είναι η αποκατάσταση της ισότητας και η συνάφεια των μέτρων με τον σκοπό αυτό. Τέτοια μέτρα ασφαλώς δεν αποτελούν τα διαφορετικά όρια ηλικίας για τη συνταξιοδότηση των ανδρών και των γυναικών. Επομένως, η απόφαση του ΔΕΚ C-559/2007 Επιτροπή ΕΚ κατά Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας σχετικά με τα ισχύοντα στην Ελλάδα ευνοϊκότερα για τις γυναίκες δημόσιους υπαλλήλους όρια ηλικίας συνταξιοδότησης δεν αποτελεί novum, αφού με βάση το Σύνταγμα η νομολογία του ΣτΕ καταλήγει στο ίδιο ακριβώς συμπέρασμα, ότι δηλαδή απαγορεύεται η άνιση συνταξιοδοτική μεταχείριση με κριτήριο το φύλο. 

Τα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη επιδιώκουν την οικονομικότητα, οικονομική ισορροπία και  βιωσιμότητα  του συστήματος υγείας με δύο διαμετρικά αντίθετους τρόπους: Με τον εσωτερικό ανταγωνισμό των δημόσιων υπηρεσιών υγείας από τη μια και με τη συνεργασία του ιδιωτικού με τον δημόσιο τομέα από την άλλη. Η σχετική αντιπαράθεση στην ΕΕ είναι έντονη και έχει οδηγήσει στην εξαίρεση των υπηρεσιών υγείας από το πεδίο εφαρμογής της Οδηγίας για τις υπηρεσίες. Ωστόσο, η Επιτροπή  συζητά το ενδεχόμενο θεσπίσεως ειδικής Οδηγίας για τις κοινωνικές υπηρεσίες γενικότερου οικονομικού συμφέροντος στις οποίες θα περιλαμβάνονται και τα νοσοκομεία. Ο έλληνας νομοθέτης τελευταία, διστακτικά και αποσπασματικά θεσπίζει ρυθμίσεις για τη συνεργασία του δημόσιου με τον ιδιωτικό τομέα παροχής υπηρεσιών υγείας. Οι σχετικές προβλέψεις όμως δεν συνοδεύονται από το κατάλληλο θεσμικό πλαίσιο για την άσκηση αυτών των αρμοδιοτήτων. Η μεταρρύθμιση των κλάδων ασθένειας των οργανισμών κοινωνικής ασφάλισης πρέπει να συνδυασθεί με μεταρρύθμιση του συστήματος υγείας, να στηρίζεται στις αρχές της υψηλής ποιότητας και της βιωσιμότητας και να αξιοποιεί τα σύγχρονα μέσα για την οργάνωση, τη διοίκηση και τον έλεγχο των υπηρεσιών υγείας και συγκεκριμένα στην αξιολόγηση και τον αποτελεσματικό διοικητικό έλεγχο. Μέχρις ότου το κράτος ανταποκριθεί στην πρόκληση αυτή οι ασφαλισμένοι θα κάνουν όλο και συχνότερα χρήση των διατάξεων για την εσωτερική αγορά και θα ζητούν νοσηλεία ή εξωνοσοκομειακές παροχές σε άλλο κράτος μέλος της ΕΕ. Εκ του αποτελέσματος το ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο συμβάλλει ουσιαστικά στην προστασία της υγείας των ευρωπαίων ασφαλισμένων στο μέτρο που τους επιτρέπει να παρακάμπτουν τις οικονομικές αδυναμίες των εθνικών συστημάτων και τις οργανωτικές τους ελλείψεις. 

Ο Θ. Βερέμης και ο Χ. Γιανναράς αναγνωρίζουν την υπεροχή ισχύος της Τουρκίας αναφερόμενοι σε βασικούς πυλώνες της. Ο μεν Βερέμης αναφέρεται στην οικονομία, στην άμυνα και την δημογραφία, ο δε Γιανναράς αναφέρεται στην άμυνα, στη δημογραφία και σε συγκεκριμένα πολιτισμικά χαρακτηριστικά της γείτονος ιδεολογικού τύπου, όπως το πατριωτικό φρόνημα και η απαίτηση εθνικής αξιοπρέπειας, τα οποία κρίνει ότι "η Ελλάδα παραβλέπει ανέμελη". Θα συμφωνήσουμε με τον Βερέμη αλλά θα διαφωνήσουμε με τον Γιανναρά. 

Το άρθρο αποτελεί την επεξεργασμένη και εμπλουτισμένη μορφή της ανακοίνωσης στο συνέδριο του Τμήματος Γερμανικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας του ΕΚΠΑ για τον Georg Trakl (2007). Διερευνά την πρόσληψη στην Ελλάδα, του γερμανικού εξπρεσιονισμού γενικότερα, και του Trakl ειδικότερα, μέσω μεταφράσεων, δοκιμίων και ποιητικών εκλεκτικών συγγενειών. Αναφέρεται αρχικά στην ποιητική σχέση του Νίκου Εγγονόπουλου με τον αυστριακό ποιητή, τον οποίο ο υπερρεαλιστής ποιητής και ζωγράφος συγκαταλέγει ανάμεσα στους πνευματικούς δημιουργούς που απασχόλησαν τη σκέψη, τη γραφίδα, αλλά και τον χρωστήρα του. Ο Georg Trakl απεικονίζεται σε πίνακα του Εγγονόπουλου του 1968, πίνακας που αναπαράγεται, μεταξύ άλλων πινάκων και ενός σχεδίου, στην έκδοση της ποιητικής συλλογής Στην κοιλάδα με τους ροδώνες του 1978, όπου συμπεριλαμβάνεται το ποίημα με τίτλο Το ποίημα του Γκέοργκ Τρακλ, εις Ριχάρδον Καρικιόπουλον. Η κοινή συνιστώσα των ποιημάτων και των έργων της συλλογής είναι ο διαρκής αναστοχασμός της ποιητικής συνείδησης πάνω στις αισθητικές καταβολές, οφειλές και δεσμεύσεις της, τμήμα των οποίων αποτελεί το έργο του Trakl.  Ύστερα από μια σύντομη αναδρομή στην εργοβιογραφία του Trakl και στη σταδιακή πορεία του από τις ρομαντικές-ιμπρεσσιονιστικές καταβολές του στον τρόπο έκφρασης που θα ονομασθεί αργότερα εξπρεσιονισμός, γίνεται εκτενέστερη αναφορά στην εξπρεσιονιστική τέχνη και λογοτεχνία και στα επί μέρους χαρακτηριστικά της, που εντοπίζονται στην ποίηση του Trakl: έκρηξη του χρώματος, το οποίο λειτουργεί ως αυτόνομη μεταφορά, παράταξη μορφολογικών και υφολογικών στοιχείων, ενορατικό και υποκειμενικό βλέμμα πάνω στην πραγματικότητα. Στη συνέχεια εξετάζεται εν συντομία η έκταση της παρουσίας του γερμανικού εξπρεσιονισμού στην Ελλάδα και η περιορισμένη σχέση του με τον ελληνικό μοντερνισμό, για τον οποίο κυρίαρχο σημείο αναφοράς είναι η γαλλική εκδοχή του μοντερνισμού, ο γαλλικός σουρεαλισμός. Ακολουθεί η λεπτομερής καταγραφή της παρουσίας του Georg Trakl στα ελληνικά γράμματα. Ο ποιητής μεταφράζεται και γίνεται γνωστός στην Ελλάδα μόλις μετά τον Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, όχι νωρίτερα, αρχικά μέσα από τις μεταφράσεις του ασπαζόμενου τον υπερρεαλισμό Δημήτριου Στ. Δήμου το 1950, ο οποίος μπορεί να θεωρηθεί ο εισηγητής του έργου του στην Ελλάδα. Έκτοτε το ενδιαφέρον για τον ποιητή και ο αριθμός των μεταφράσεων από το έργο του και των σχετικών δοκιμίων διαρκώς αυξάνονται, με προεξάρχουσα την φιλολογικά ιδιαίτερα τεκμηριωμένη και εκτενώς σχολιασμένη δίγλωσση έκδοση το 1990 του συνόλου σχεδόν των ποιημάτων του, που επιμελήθηκε η μεταφράστρια, ποιήτρια και πεζογράφος Έλενα Νούσια. Στο πλαίσιο της διερεύνησης των ποιητικών σχέσεων που προέκυψαν από την επαφή με το έργο του Trakl και κατά συνέπεια με τον γερμανικό εξπρεσιονισμό, θα πρέπει να αναφέρουμε και πάλι την Έλενα Νούσια, για την οποία τεκμηριώνονται συσχετισμοί ανάμεσα στην μεταφραστική και στην προσωπική της ποιητική δημιουργία, αλλά και τον Μίλτο Σαχτούρη, για τον οποίο έχει ειπωθεί πως «είναι η πιο εξπρεσιονιστική συνείδηση και ποιητική εκδοχή της λογοτεχνίας μας· θα έλεγα, μάλιστα, η μόνη» (Γ. Δάλλας, 1997). Ο Σαχτούρης γνώριζε εις βάθος και εκτιμούσε τον γερμανικό εξπρεσιονισμό, και ιδιαίτερα τον Georg Trakl, το έργο του οποίου διάβασε εν μέρει στο πρωτότυπο και εν μέρει σε γαλλική μετάφραση. Πράγματι, η εκ του σύνεγγυς θεώρηση του έργου του Σαχτούρη τεκμηριώνει ποιητική συγγένεια με το έργο του Trakl.

The π–π* molecular structure (eigenenergies and eigenfunctions) of flavin tricyclic ring is calculated, using the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method containing only pz atomic orbitals. In respect to FADH− position opposite to DNA lesion in photolyase, flavin's HOMO is found to be distributed in the central and distal side, while LUMO is localized in the distal side of flavin (the side that is closer to the adenine part of FADH− and farther than the DNA dimer lesion). LUMO1 as well as LUMO2 are mainly distributed in the proximal side of flavin (the side that is closer to the DNA dimer). Our findings are compared with previous theoretical results as well as with experimental values of known π–π* transitions.

Στο σχόλιο  αυτό υποστηρίζω ότι η υπόθεση επί της οποίας εκδόθηκε η απόφαση C-559/2007 του ΔΕΚ δεν αναμενόταν να έχει θετική έκβαση για την Ελλάδα. Η  εμμονή της Ελλάδας να διατηρεί ευνοϊκότερα όρια ηλικίας συνταξιοδοτήσεως για τις γυναίκες αντίκειται και στο Σύνταγμα, όπως ήδη είχε κρίνει και το ΣτΕ με την απόφαση (Ολ.) 3088/2007. Η εκ μέρους της Ελλάδας ενώπιον του ΔΕΚ εξάντληση της διαδικασίας και της  επιχειρηματολογίας με βάση τη μεταβατική διάταξη της Οδηγίας 79/7/ΕΟΚ ήταν νομικά αδιέξοδη και πέτυχε έναν και μόνο στόχο, να καθυστερήσει όσο γινόταν περισσότερο την κατάργηση των ευνοϊκότερων για τις γυναίκες ορίων ηλικίας συνταξιοδοτήσεως. Ο στόχος όμως αυτός δεν συνάδει με τις υποχρεώσεις της που απορρέουν από το Σύνταγμα καθώς και από το δίκαιο της ΕΕ.    

Το παρόν έργο οριοθετεί το δημόσιο δίκαιο της υγείας ως αυτοτελή κλάδο του δικαίου της κοινωνικής προστασίας και εξετάζει το ισχύον στην Ελλάδα νομοθετικό πλαίσιο των δημόσιων υπηρεσιών υγείας με βάση τις αρχές που το διέπουν. Στην Ελλάδα οι θεωρητικές μελέτες για το δίκαιο της υγείας περιορίζονται σε αποσπασματικές προσεγγίσεις, κυρίως σχετικά με το συνταγματικό δικαίωμα στην προστασία της υγείας, την αστική ευθύνη των ιατρών του Eθνικού Συστήματος Yγείας (ΕΣΥ) ενώ τα δικαιώματα των ασθενών κατά κανόνα εξετάζονται από πλευράς αστικού δικαίου, δηλαδή με βάση τη συμβατική σχέση του ιατρού με τον ασθενή. Το έργο όμως αυτό συμβάλλει στην καλλιέργεια του κλάδου του δημοσίου δικαίου στην υγεία. Στο πρώτο μέρος οριοθετείται το δημόσιο δίκαιο της υγείας ως ιδιαίτερος κλάδος του δικαίου της κοινωνικής προστασίας. Το δίκαιο της κοινωνικής προστασίας αποτελεί ειδικότερο κλάδο του δημοσίου δικαίου και περιλαμβάνει τη νομοθεσία που ρυθμίζει την εξασφάλιση του ανθρώπου από τους κοινωνικούς κινδύνους. Το δίκαιο της υγείας ορίζεται ως το σύστημα των κανόνων δικαίου που εφαρμόζονται στην υγειοπροστατευτική δραστηριότητα στο κέντρο της οποίας βρίσκεται ο άνθρωπος και η διατήρηση, η αποκατάσταση και η βελτίωση μιας πραγματικής καταστάσεως, της υγείας του. Το δίκαιο της υγείας εντάσσεται συστηματικά στο δίκαιο της κοινωνικής προστασίας, εφόσον η προσβολή ή η υποβάθμιση της υγείας του ανθρώπου θεωρείται κοινωνικός κίνδυνος, τον οποίο η κοινωνική ολότητα αναλαμβάνει να καλύψει. Το δίκαιο της υγείας είναι συγγενές με το δίκαιο της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως και της πρόνοιας και μάλιστα παρατηρούνται επικαλύψεις όταν οι ασφαλιστικοί και προνοιακοί οργανισμοί χορηγούν παροχές ασθενείας και μητρότητας σε είδος. Στη μελέτη εξετάζονται ειδικότερα, τα εννοιολογικά χαρακτηριστικά του ατομικού και συλλογικού δικαιώματος και οι υπερκρατικές πηγές, δηλαδή το διεθνές και ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο. Oι κανόνες δημοσίου δικαίου που διέπουν τη διοίκηση των υπηρεσιών υγείας και τη διασφάλιση της υγειονομικής τάξεως και της ασφάλειας έχουν ειδικό χαρακτήρα σε σχέση με τους κανόνες του ιδιωτικού δικαίου και συγκροτούν το δημόσιο δίκαιο της υγείας. Το δίκαιο αυτό εστιάζεται σε δύο πόλους: Στην παροχή υψηλού επιπέδου υπηρεσιών υγείας και στην εξασφάλιση της υγειονομικής δημόσιας τάξεως. Το ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο έχει συμβάλει ουσιωδώς στην καθιέρωση του αυτοτελούς δικαιώματος στην προστασία της υγείας και έχει επιτύχει την καθιέρωση της ενιαίας αγοράς αγαθών και υπηρεσιών υγείας. Τα κράτη-μέλη είναι αρμόδια για την οργάνωση των εθνικών τους συστημάτων, ωστόσο με νομικά δεσμευτικά και μη μέσα η ΕΕ επιτυγχάνει τη σύγκλιση, τον συντονισμό και σε ορισμένες εξαιρετικές περιπτώσεις την εναρμόνιση των διατάξεων που αναφέρονται στην προστασία της υγείας των ευρωπαίων πολιτών. Στο ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο, η θέση της προστασίας της υγείας υπό τη σκέπη της αλληλεγγύης, μαζί με δικαιώματα, όπως είναι η προστασία του περιβάλλοντος και του καταναλωτή, και το γεγονός ότι η υγεία αποτελεί έναν από τους στόχους της προστασίας του περιβάλλοντος και του καταναλωτή, έχει οδηγήσει στην καθιέρωση και την εφαρμογή κοινών γενικών αρχών και συγκεκριμένα της πρόληψης, της προφύλαξης, της βιωσιμότητας, της υψηλής ποιότητας των παρεχόμενων υπηρεσιών και αγαθών υγείας. Επίσης, οι μέθοδοι τις οποίες προκρίνει το ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο και συγκεκριμένα της αξιολογήσεως, της συνεργασίας με διεθνείς οργανισμούς και άλλα κράτη για τη διαφύλαξη και την προαγωγή της υγείας κ.λπ., καθώς και οι δράσεις της EE έχουν σημειώσει αξιόλογα και ορατά από τους ευρωπαίους πολίτες αποτελέσματα, κυρίως όσον αφορά στην προστασία της δημόσιας υγείας. Πάντως, για τη μελλοντική ανάπτυξη της προστασίας της υγείας στο ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο, θα πρέπει η ΕΕ να αποκτήσει πρόσθετες αρμοδιότητες, κάτι που πιθανότατα θα καθυστερήσει αφού η υγεία εντάσσεται στα νεότερα πεδία της ευρωπαϊκής ολοκληρώσεως, τα οποία κινούνται με μικρή σχετικώς ταχύτητα και δεν φαίνεται ότι προσεχώς θα αποκτήσουν ταχείς ρυθμούς. Στο δεύτερο μέρος εξετάζεται η δημόσια υπηρεσία προστασίας της υγείας και οι αρχές που τη διέπουν. Αναλύονται τα δύο βασικά πρότυπα (Bismarck και Beveridge) και παρατίθενται δύο χαρακτηριστικά παραδείγματα (της Γαλλίας και του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου), τα οποία έχουν αποτελέσει και πηγή εμπνεύσεως για τον έλληνα νομοθέτη. Συγκεκριμένα, το μεν γαλλικό για το ελληνικό διοικητικό δίκαιο και για την οργάνωση της δημόσιας διοικήσεως και των νοσοκομείων στην Ελλάδα μέχρι το 1983, το δε βρετανικό για τη θέσπιση του Εθνικού Συστήματος Υγείας το 1983. Ακολουθεί η παρουσίαση του ελληνικού δημόσιου συστήματος υγείας και, ειδικότερα, αφενός των γενικών του αρχών, που είναι έμφυτες στο πρότυπο το οποίο ο νομοθέτης έχει επιλέξει, και αφετέρου της επιδράσεως των γενικών αρχών του ευρωπαϊκού δικαίου. Βασικά στοιχεία του ΕΣΥ είναι η κρατική ευθύνη για την προστασία της υγείας, η καθολική, ισότιμη και κατάλληλη προστασία της υγείας του πληθυσμού και η οργάνωση σε κρατικές υπηρεσίες ή δημόσια νομικά πρόσωπα που ελέγχονται από το κράτος. Τα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη επιδιώκουν την παροχή υψηλής ποιότητας υπηρεσιών υγείας και την οικονομική βιωσιμότητα  του συστήματος υγείας με δύο διαμετρικά αντίθετους τρόπους: Με τον εσωτερικό ανταγωνισμό των δημόσιων υπηρεσιών υγείας από τη μια και με τη συνεργασία του ιδιωτικού με τον δημόσιο τομέα από την άλλη. Η σχετική επιλογή αναδεικνύει τη σύγκρουση δύο διαμετρικά αντίθετων ιδεολογικών αντιλήψεων. Από τη μια, η υγεία δεν διαφοροποιείται από τα άλλα αγαθά και μπορεί να παρασχεθεί με βάση τους κανόνες του ιδιωτικού δικαίου και τους μηχανισμούς της αγοράς. Από την άλλη, η υγεία αποτελεί κοινωνικό αγαθό και για την εξασφάλιση της προστασίας της δεν επαρκούν οι μηχανισμοί της αγοράς, τουλάχιστον όσον αφορά στη ρύθμιση της ζήτησης σε υπηρεσίες υγείες, καθόσον ο χρήστης των υπηρεσιών δεν έχει τις απαιτούμενες επιστημονικές γνώσεις και επιλέγει ακολουθώντας τη συμβουλή του επαγγελματία υγείας.  Το EΣΥ δεν έχει εισαγάγει την αξιοποίηση όλων των διαθέσιμων πόρων του δημόσιου και του ιδιωτικού τομέα ούτε τις συμβάσεις μεταξύ αυτών που παρέχουν και αυτών που λαμβάνουν υπηρεσίες ούτε την ευαισθητοποίηση των επαγγελματιών υγείας και των χρηστών για τα θέματα υγείας. Το EΣΥ δεν έχει προσανατολισθεί ούτε έχει εισαγάγει κανόνες και μηχανισμούς του ιδιωτικού δικαίου και ειδικότερα του ανταγωνισμού. Oι κανόνες αυτοί, αν προσαρμοσθούν κατάλληλα, μπορούν να συμβάλλουν στην αποδοτική του λειτουργία, παρ’ ότι στην Ελλάδα το κράτος δεν έχει δεσπόζουσα θέση ως προς την παροχή υπηρεσιών υγείας, όπως κατά κανόνα συμβαίνει στα συστήματα τύπου Beveridge. Η οργάνωση και η λειτουργία του δημόσιου συστήματος υγείας πρέπει να προσανατολισθεί σε διαρθρωτικές αλλαγές αντίστοιχες με αυτές που συντελούνται στις περισσότερες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες. Στο τρίτο μέρος εξετάζονται τα δικαιώματα του χρήστη των δημόσιων υπηρεσιών υγείας και διακρίνονται σε δύο κατηγορίες: α) Στα δικαιώματα του χρήστη της δημόσιας υπηρεσίας, τα οποία αποτελούν τον κορμό για την εξασφάλιση του κοινωνικού δικαιώματος των πολιτών στην προστασία της υγείας τους. Το κύριο δικαίωμα του χρήστη των δημόσιων υπηρεσιών υγείας είναι η παροχή υψηλής ποιότητας υπηρεσιών υγείας προληπτικού ή θεραπευτικού χαρακτήρα. Αυτή καθεαυτή η πρόσβαση στις υπηρεσίες υγείας διασφαλίζεται από την εφαρμογή των αρχών της ισότητας και της συνέχειας. Για παράδειγμα, οι εφημερίες εξασφαλίζουν την αδιάκοπη λειτουργία των υπηρεσιών υγείας και συνακόλουθα το δικαίωμα του χρήστη να έχει πρόσβαση κάθε στιγμή σε αυτές. Η αρχή της ασφάλειας περιλαμβάνει αφενός τις ιατρικές και τις συνδεόμενες με αυτές φροντίδες και αφετέρου την ατομική και τη συλλογική ασφάλεια των πολιτών στο πλαίσιο της πολιτικής για τη δημόσια υγεία (υγειονομική ασφάλεια). Νέες ισορροπίες πρέπει να βρεθούν μεταξύ του κινδύνου και της ασφάλειας και μεταξύ της ασφάλειας και του κόστους. Στο σημείο αυτό, η αρχή της ασφάλειας έχει ανανεωθεί και στο ουσιαστικό και στο δικονομικό δίκαιο από τον συνδυασμό της με την αρχή της προφυλάξεως και από την αντιστροφή του βάρους της αποδείξεως υπέρ του χρήστη των υπηρεσιών αντίστοιχα. Γόνιμο πεδίο για τη νομική επιστήμη παρέχει το δικαίωμα στην ασφάλεια όταν συγκρούεται με το δικαίωμα στην έρευνα, ενώ πεδίο περισσότερο τεχνικό, αλλά με μεγάλο αντίκτυπο στην προστασία των δικαιωμάτων του ανθρώπου, προσφέρει η ασφάλεια των πληροφοριών υγείας. β) Δεύτερη κατηγορία δικαιωμάτων είναι αυτά που απορρέουν από την προστασία της προσωπικότητας του ανθρώπου και εξασφαλίζουν την προστασία από την αυξημένη, λόγω της ραγδαίας επιστημονικής και τεχνολογικής προόδου, εξουσία των επαγγελματιών υγείας. Τα δικαιώματα της ενημερώσεως, της προστασίας της ιδιωτικότητας και των πληροφοριών που αφορούν στην υγεία, καθώς και της προστασίας της αξιοπρέπειας του ανθρώπου μπροστά στον πόνο και στον θάνατο έχουν έρεισμα στον σεβασμό της προσωπικότητας του χρήστη των υπηρεσιών υγείας. Όσον αφορά στο δικαίωμα της ενημερώσεως απαιτείται οι εξαιρέσεις και οι περιορισμοί του δικαιώματος να προβλεφθούν με ειδικό νόμο που θα ρυθμίζει συνολικά και ολοκληρωμένα τα δικαιώματα των ασθενών. Όσον αφορά στην προστασία του απορρήτου, η νομική του βάση έχει διευρυνθεί με το άρθρο 8 της ΕΣΔΑ, το οποίο εξειδικεύεται στους κώδικες δεοντολογίας των επαγγελματιών υγείας ή –σπανιότερα– σε νόμους για τα δικαιώματα των ασθενών. Τέλος, όσον αφορά στη νομοθεσία για την προστασία των προσωπικών δεδομένων δεν φαίνεται να έχει εμπεδωθεί από τους αρμόδιους επαγγελματίες υγείας, οι οποίοι συχνά προβληματίζονται σε σχέση με το εάν και τι είδους στοιχεία πρέπει να χορηγούν κατόπιν αιτήσεως είτε του χρήστη είτε τρίτων που συνδέονται με αυτόν. Επίσης, ζητήματα τίθενται, ως προς την τήρηση των αρχείων από τις υπηρεσίες και τους επαγγελματίες υγείας, διότι τα δημόσια νοσοκομεία δεν έχουν μέχρι σήμερα εγκαταστήσει ολοκληρωμένα συστήματα πληροφορικής. Το δικαίωμα στη ζωή και το δικαίωμα συναινέσεως στις ιατρικές πράξεις εξειδικεύουν την αυτονομία του χρήστη. Γίνεται δεκτό ότι ο άνθρωπος έχει δικαίωμα σε αξιοπρεπή ζωή όχι όμως στον θάνατο. Συνέπεια αυτής της παραδοχής είναι η δυνατότητα του χρήστη αφενός να μη συναινεί σε ανώφελες θεραπείες που παρατείνουν επ’ ολίγον τη ζωή υποβαθμίζοντας όμως την ποιότητά της. Αφετέρου να δικαιούται παρηγορητικές φροντίδες, ώστε να υποστηριχθεί ψυχικά και να ανακουφισθεί από τους πόνους, ακόμη και αν τα φάρμακα που του χορηγούνται ενδέχεται να έχουν ως παρενέργεια τη συντόμευση της ζωής του. Η διατήρηση της αξιοπρέπειας απέναντι στον πόνο και/ή στον θάνατο δεν είναι αποκλειστικά προσωπική υπόθεση του ασθενή ή των οικείων του ούτε αποκλειστικά του ιατρού. Στην Ελλάδα απαιτείται να οργανωθούν ειδικές υπηρεσίες για τη στήριξη του ασθενή και των οικείων του. Η πραγματική κατοχύρωση αυτών των δικαιωμάτων φέρνει τον χρήστη στο επίκεντρο του δημοσίου δικαίου της υγείας. Ωστόσο, οι αποφάσεις του χρήστη συναρτώνται από την πληροφόρηση και τη σχέση εμπιστοσύνης που αναπτύσσει με τον επαγγελματία υγείας. Συνεπώς, τα δικαιώματα του χρήστη των υπηρεσιών υγείας φαινομενικά και μόνο καθαιρούν την εξουσία των επαγγελματιών υγείας. Στην πραγματικότητα, αναβαθμίζουν την εξουσία αυτή και τη στηρίζουν στην κατεύθυνση εδραιώσεως σχέσεων εμπιστοσύνης και συνακόλουθα στη συνεργασία των χρηστών με τους επαγγελματίες υγείας και στην υψηλή ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών υγείας.  

Στη σημερινή μετανεωτερική ολυμπιακή πραγματικότητα, η χρήση αναχρονιστικών βιολογικών ‘δεδομένων’ ή βιολογίστικων θεωρήσεων (Sandow 1898, Möbius 1908, Coubertin 1912, Weininger 1917, Webster 1930, Pfister 1990), βάσει των οποίων θεσμοθετήθηκαν και δομήθηκαν οι έμφυλες ιεραρχίες στον αθλητισμό αμφισβητούνται και επαναπροσδιορίζονται. Σ’ ένα υπό εξέλιξη θεωρητικό διάλογο στην κοινωνική περιοχή του αθλητισμού και της φυσικής αγωγής, είναι ερευνητικά τεκμηριωμένο ότι το «ανήκειν σε ένα φύλο» είναι αποτέλεσμα πολλών και πολύπλοκων κοινωνικών διεργασιών—πέραν της βιολογικής διαφοράς (Hargreaves 2000, McNay 2000, Evans and Penney 2002, Kirk 2002, Heywood and Dworkin 2003, Χαραχούσου 2003, Creedon 2006, Messner & Raewyn 2007, McDonagh & Pappano 2007, Kamberidou 2007). Στις σύγχρονες συζητήσεις για το φύλο, το έμφυλο υποκείμενο (gendered subject) την έμφυλη ταυτότητα και το ανθρώπινο σώμα, το βιολογικό φύλο (sex) δεν αποτελεί αποκλειστική αναλυτική κατηγορία. Τη θέση του παίρνει το κοινωνικό φύλο (gender) το οποίο διαμορφώνει, προσδιορίζει και επαναπροσδιορίζει την ταυτότητα σύμφωνα με κοινωνικές-πολιτισμικές ερμηνείες και εξελίξεις (Λεοντσίνι 1996, McNay 2000, Μαλουτά 2002, Aitchison 2003, Kimmel 2004, Holmes 2007). Το νόημα του αγγλοσαξονικής προέλευσης όρου gender (φύλο/κοινωνικό φύλο), παραπέμπει στο κοινωνικό υποκείμενο. Ερμηνεύεται σε κοινωνικό-ιστορικό πλαίσιο και δεν αφορά μόνο τις γυναίκες. Έμφυλο υποκείμενο είναι και ο άνδρας... ... Cite as:Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2009) Φύλο & Αθλητισμός. FYLOPAEDIA-Φύλο Παιδεία. Ηλεκτρονικό Εγκυκλοπαιδικό Λεξικό του Προγράμματος ΘΕ.ΦΥΛ.ΙΣ., Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών  www.thefylis.uoa.gr/fylopedia). Φύλο-Παιδεία  e-λεξικό, ΕΚΠΑ, http://www.fylopedia.uoa.gr/index.php?title=%CE%A6%CF%8D%CE%BB%CE%BF_%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9_%CE%B1%CE%B8%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%82 [τροποποιήθηκε τελευταία φορά στις 20:45, 22 Ιουλίου 2009: Αυτή η σελίδα έχει προσπελαστεί 2.345 φορές (τελευταία πρόσβαση 4/5/2015)

Parotid acinic cell carcinoma is a rare malignancy in childhood. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl presenting with a palpable mass in the left maxillofacial area. The radiologic evaluation showed a parotid mass. Tumour resection revealed acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. She underwent complementary total parotidectomy without any adjuvant treatment. The patient has been disease-free for the last five years. We review the literature on acinic cell carcinomas of parotid glands in childhood.

AIM: Obesity has been implicated in the aetiology of myelogenous leukaemia and myelodysplasia (MDS). We hypothesised that altered secretion of adiponectin and resistin may underlie this association. We thus investigated the role of both total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and resistin in MDS. METHODS: In a case-control study, we studied 101 cases with incident, histologically confirmed primary MDS and 101 controls matched on gender and age between 2004 and 2007. Total and HMW adiponectin, resistin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) were determined. RESULTS: Lower serum total or HMW adiponectin and/or resistin levels were independently associated with higher risk of MDS controlling for age, gender, BMI and serum levels of leptin, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 (p<0.002). Although total and HMW adiponectin were both significantly inversely associated with MDS when modelled either in quartiles or continuously, HMW did not offer any substantial additional predictive value over total adiponectin (Odds ratio (OR)=0.91 versus 0.93 for a 1 microg/ml change, respectively). IGF-I was positively associated with MDS by bivariate analysis and both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were higher in advanced MDS and higher risk stages, but were not significantly and independently associated with MDS. CONCLUSION: Total and HMW adiponectin may have a protective role in MDS, whereas resistin levels may be decreased via a compensatory mechanism.

Adolescent gynaecology is increasingly recognized as an area in which specific knowledge and expertise is required to ensure the best outcome. Gynaecological problems in adolescents are common and, although serious disease is rare, distress and discomfort can be significant. Adolescent girls are under great pressure, particularly in terms of examination performance, and problems such as menstrual dysfunction can be particularly difficult to manage. Careful and sympathetic assessment is crucial, and simple treatment remedies may be sufficient. Complex and rare medical conditions can also occur and must not be missed. Some congenital disorders present for the first time in adolescence. Early detection and appropriate treatment ensures the best possible outcome in terms of sexual function and potential fertility. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The remarks presented in this article focus on the importance of Afghan-Pakistani Islam with the Salafist, Takfirist and internationalist holy war tendencies and linkages within the context of the Iraq-Lebanon axis. The subversive potential of the Islamist movement, combined with the export of Shiite Islamist extremism through Tehran, emerge as significant factors of instability in the region. Also, the tolerance exhibited by Washington, with regard to the formation and activity of extremist Salafist movements, to counterbalance Iran’s export of Islamist subversive practices to the countries of the region (Lebanon, Iraq, Hamas-Gaza), is considered dangerous and requiring revision. Finally, a general strategy plan is proposed for establishing peace in the region, by removing the ideological footholds of the cores of the nationalist and internationalist Islamist movement.

In this study, the variability and trends of the mean annual and seasonal surface air temperature in Greek peninsula are examined. The climatic data used, concern mean monthly values of air temperature of 20 meteorological stations of the Hellenic Meteorological Service, for the period 1951-2000. The air temperature time series for each station are analyzed, so that the variability and trends be described. Regarding the annual time series, a cooling trend is observed since the early 1960's till the middle of the decade of 1970, when the trend reverses to heating till nowadays. It is remarkable that the today air temperature levels do not exceed the levels of the middle of the century. During the winter, it is crystal clear that a cooling trend exists from the middle of the decade of 1950 to the end of the decade of 1980, especially in the south region of the country. Afterwards an increasing trend is obvious till nowadays. The pattern in spring appears a slight heating trend in the northern region of Greece and a cooling trend in the south. The summer time series are similar to the annual ones, so the contribution of summer to annual variability is unquestionable. Generally speaking, the air temperature in autumn follows the same distribution in time. In the process, the Factor Analysis is applied on the mean annual and seasonal air temperature and thereafter the regions, within the air temperature covariates, are defined. Finally, the application of spectral analysis to annual and seasonal air temperature is regarded necessary so that the periodicities are derived. © 2008 Global NEST Printed in Greece. All rights reserved.

CCD photometric observations of the Algol-type eclipsing binary TZ Eri have been obtained in B and V filters during 26 nights from December 2007 to February 2008 at the Athens University Observatory. The light curves are analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney code, new geometric and photometric elements are derived, a time series analysis of the observations is applied and a multiperiodic behavior is also discussed. The presence of a third light in the system is considered and our results are compared with those of the O-C analysis for a third body in the system, given by Zasche et al. (2008).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alpha-1 antichymotrypsin (ACT), a serine proteinase inhibitor, has been implicated in vascular pathology. The TT genotype of the ACT signal peptide A/T polymorphism has been reported to confer susceptibility to primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH). We conducted a prospective study to test possible association of ACT signal peptide A/T polymorphism with PICH in a Greek cohort with enough power (80%) to detect a twofold increase in the odds ratio. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 147 patients with PICH. ACT signal peptide A/T genotypes were determined in patients and 206 healthy, age- and sex-matched control subjects from the neurology outpatient clinic using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: Our study did not show an association between ACT signal peptide A/T polymorphism and PICH. We also failed to find any influence on age at onset, the location and volume of PICH as well as on clinical severity at admission or 6-month outcome. CONCLUSION: Our data failed to confirm an association between ACT signal peptide A/T polymorphism and PICH. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that the TT genotype confers susceptibility at less than a twofold increase.

Various scenarios of contact binary evolution have been proposed in the past, giving hints of (sometimes contradictory) evolutionary sequences connecting A- and W-type systems. As the components of close detached binaries approach each other and contact binaries are formed, following evolutionary paths transforms them into systems of two categories: A-type and W-type. The systems evolve in a similar way but under slightly different circumstances. The mass/energy transfer rate is different, leading to quite different evolutionary results. An alternative scenario of evolution in contact is presented and discussed, based on the observational data of over one hundred low-temperature contact binaries. It results from the observed correlations among contact binary physical and orbital parameters. Theoretical tracks are computed assuming angular momentum loss from a system via stellar wind, accompanied by mass transfer from an advanced evolutionary secondary to the main-sequence primary. A good agreement is seen between the tracks and the observed graphs. Independently of details of the evolution in contact and a relation between A- and W-type systems, the ultimate fate of contact binaries involves the coalescence of both components into a single fast rotating star.

This study examined selected anthropometric characteristics of young rowers and compared them with those of senior national level athletes and untrained children, in order to establish a rowing specific anthropometric profile for young athletes. Anthropometric characteristics were measured in 509 club-level rowers aged 11-16 years and 29 male senior national level rowers. Club-level athletes were categorized in 6 age groups (11-16 y), while the senior national level rowers were divided into heavyweight (H-W) and lightweight (L-W). Rowers aged 15 and 16 y had similar height, body weight, arm length and leg length, but lower lean body mass (5 to 8.3 Kg less) compared with senior L-W rowers. Comparison of the young rowers with a reference group of untrained Greek children by means of percentiles (P) revealed that rowers in all age groups were heavier (P63 to P75), taller (P82 to P90) but had a lower body mass index than the mean values (P50) of the reference group after the age of 14 (P48 to P43). Skinfold thicknesses and body fat decreased from the 11 y through to the 16 y group (from 22.9% to 17.8%), and were lower in the two senior groups (9.6% for the L-W and 12.3% for the H-W). Endomorphy ratings decreased with age from 11 to 14 y, but there was no difference between the 14 to 16 y old groups. Mesomorphy was similar across all groups examined and ectomorphy did not show large fluctuations from the 13 y old group onwards. Somatotype of the 15 y old group was 2.4-4.4-3.4 (endo-mesoectomorphy) and was identical to that of the 16 y group and the lightweight senior rowers. The results of this study showed that the club level rowers aged 15 and 16 yrs have similar body structure but different body composition compared with the senior L-W rowers. Anthropometric characteristics can be used as a criterion for selection of rowers by the coaches from an early age.

This study examined selected anthropometric characteristics of young rowers and compared them with those of senior national level athletes and untrained children, in order to establish a rowing specific anthropometric profile for young athletes. Anthropometric characteristics were measured in 509 club-level rowers aged 11-16 years and 29 male senior national level rowers. Club-level athletes were categorized in 6 age groups (11-16 y), while the senior national level rowers were divided into heavyweight (H-W) and lightweight (L-W). Rowers aged 15 and 16 y had similar height, body weight, arm length and leg length, but lower lean body mass (5 to 8.3 Kg less) compared with senior L-W rowers. Comparison of the young rowers with a reference group of untrained Greek children by means of percentiles (P) revealed that rowers in all age groups were heavier (P63 to P75), taller (P82 to P90) but had a lower body mass index than the mean values (P50) of the reference group after the age of 14 (P48 to P43). Skinfold thicknesses and body fat decreased from the 11 y through to the 16 y group (from 22.9% to 17.8%), and were lower in the two senior groups (9.6% for the L-W and 12.3% for the H-W). Endomorphy ratings decreased with age from 11 to 14 y, but there was no difference between the 14 to 16 y old groups. Mesomorphy was similar across all groups examined and ectomorphy did not show large fluctuations from the 13 y old group onwards. Somatotype of the 15 y old group was 2.4-4.4-3.4 (endo-mesoectomorphy) and was identical to that of the 16 y group and the lightweight senior rowers. The results of this study showed that the club level rowers aged 15 and 16 yrs have similar body structure but different body composition compared with the senior L-W rowers. Anthropometric characteristics can be used as a criterion for selection of rowers by the coaches from an early age.

This study examined selected anthropometric characteristics of young rowers and compared them with those of senior national level athletes and untrained children, in order to establish a rowing specific anthropometric profile for young athletes. Anthropometric characteristics were measured in 509 club-level rowers aged 11-16 years and 29 male senior national level rowers. Club-level athletes were categorized in 6 age groups (11-16 y), while the senior national level rowers were divided into heavyweight (H-W) and lightweight (L-W). Rowers aged 15 and 16 y had similar height, body weight, arm length and leg length, but lower lean body mass (5 to 8.3 Kg less) compared with senior L-W rowers. Comparison of the young rowers with a reference group of untrained Greek children by means of percentiles (P) revealed that rowers in all age groups were heavier (P63 to P75), taller (P82 to P90) but had a lower body mass index than the mean values (P50) of the reference group after the age of 14 (P48 to P43). Skinfold thicknesses and body fat decreased from the 11 y through to the 16 y group (from 22.9% to 17.8%), and were lower in the two senior groups (9.6% for the L-W and 12.3% for the H-W). Endomorphy ratings decreased with age from 11 to 14 y, but there was no difference between the 14 to 16 y old groups. Mesomorphy was similar across all groups examined and ectomorphy did not show large fluctuations from the 13 y old group onwards. Somatotype of the 15 y old group was 2.4-4.4-3.4 (endo-mesoectomorphy) and was identical to that of the 16 y group and the lightweight senior rowers. The results of this study showed that the club level rowers aged 15 and 16 yrs have similar body structure but different body composition compared with the senior L-W rowers. Anthropometric characteristics can be used as a criterion for selection of rowers by the coaches from an early age.

Patent WO02095012A1 claims for the development of antibodies against receptor activator of nuclear factor-κ B ligand (RANKL) and immunologically functional fragments that neutralize RANKL. These molecules can be used to detect RANKL in biological samples, allowing the identification of pathological conditions in which RANKL alteration contributes to their pathophysiology. The use of anti-RANKL antibodies is of high importance in the treatment of bone disorders characterized by the stimulation of osteoclast function and subsequent bone loss. Postmenopausal and steroid-induced osteoporosis, myeloma bone disease, cancer bone metastases with lytic lesions and bone loss due to rheumatoid disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis) are candidates for anti-RANKL therapy, as RANKL is implicated in their pathogenesis. © 2008 Informa UK Ltd.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether APOE epsilon 4 predicts rate of cognitive change in incident and prevalent Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS: Individuals were recruited from two longitudinal cohort studies-the Washington Heights and Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP; population-based) and the Predictors Study (clinic-based)--and were followed for an average of 4 years. Three samples of participants diagnosed with AD, with diverse demographic characteristics and baseline cognitive functioning, were studied: 1) 199 (48%) of the incident WHICAP cases; 2) 215 (54%) of the prevalent WHICAP cases; and 3) 156 (71%) of the individuals diagnosed with AD in the Predictors Study. Generalized estimating equations were used to test whether rate of cognitive change, measured using a composite cognitive score in WHICAP and the Mini-Mental State Examination in Predictors, varied as a function of epsilon 4 status in each sample. RESULTS: The presence of at least one epsilon 4 allele was associated with faster cognitive decline in the incident population-based AD group (p = 0.01). Parallel results were produced for the two prevalent dementia samples only when adjusting for disease severity or excluding the most impaired participants from the analyses. CONCLUSION: APOE epsilon 4 may influence rate of cognitive decline most significantly in the earliest stages of Alzheimer disease.

Controlling healthcare costs is a multifaceted problem for governments all over the world, as they have the difficult task of ensuring that patients receive high quality care, and that this is delivered as efficiently as possible. Through the use of quantitative analysis, an attempt is made to determine the areas of activity of 32 Greek Public Obstetrical and Gynaecological Units which present problems with regard to their performance. Based on the results that emerge from the application of Data Envelopment Analysis in the 32 hospital units of the sample, information is provided to their managers, which refer to: (i) the degree of utilization of their production factors, (ii) the particular weight of each factor of production in the formation of the relative efficiency score, (iii) the utilization level of each factor of production, and (iv) those hospital units that utilize their factors of production in an optimal way and constitute models for the exercising of effective management. The derived information assists in the formulation of an appropriate policy mix per hospital unit which should be applied by their management teams along with a set of administrative measures that need to be undertaken in order to promote efficiency. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background in musicThis paper compounds an approach of music creation in ancient Greek tragedy in Greece, during the XXthcentury, focusing in the avant- guard composition techniques and especially in mixing instrumental, vocal ande/a (electroacoustic) means with a critical view on the works of Xenakis, Christou, Adamis and Vasiliadisconcerning the reforming of the micro-macro-musical structure.Background in compositionThis paper refers also, to a particular point of view in composition using e/a material in order to achieve thissound structure that conventional means could not create. This is an advantage of the e/a sound editing,based on the flexibility of handling the sound as a plastic material. This technical topic brings new aestheticand structural questions so at the conception of a work as at its realization too. A critical confrontation ofediting ready given samples to newly made.AimsDistinguishing the recorded playback music from the e/a material we realize the second one gives theopportunity to keep an eye open closer to the “ethos” of the text. Independently of specified styles andtechniques, the challenge transforming symbolism in abstract sound is risky and if stylized becomes guide tosuperficial performance so often in the (recent) past.Aiming to approve this interaction between music structure - aesthetic approach and text - sound, formcomes to be a servant of nowadays needs in realizing an ancient tragedy.ContributionAs the technological contribution in sound editing and composition leads to new fields of aesthetic andstructural quest it was expected to influence the music for theatre. Through these new tendencies thelimitation in serving the text is also the freedom to give the abstract and symbolic light of it. As directorswade into ancient tragic theme through contemporary hypocritical techniques and directing views, composersare capable to rely upon new technology.ImplicationsMoving away form the classical techniques for composing music for the ancient Greek tragedy based on theancient and Byzantin melos as it was seen the first half of the XXth century by many Greek composers andbringing the avant-garde techniques in combination to the new e/a media as a ritualistic reinforcement of thetext , this paper intends to focus on the new structures, means and compositional techniques through acomposer’s view . The above points that this novel study in e/a techniques may have many implications bothin musicological as in music theory domain. Firstly, because it scopes to redefine the compositional strategiesthrough the digital medium according the needs of the text and secondly because it introduces new aestheticapproaches that reinforce the “tragic| element through the e/a media.Aspects of musical structure and functionality of electroacoustic media in the performance of ancient Greek tragedy. A composers’ point of view Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; text-shadow:auto; mso-fareast-language:JA;}

We cloned and characterized an Aspergillus nidulans gene, called fcyB, encoding the closest homologue to the yeast Fcy2p/Fcy21p permeases. Deletion of fcyB (DeltafcyB) does not affect growth, development, reproduction or bulk purine uptake, but eliminates the leaky growth on purines of DeltaazgADeltauapCDeltauapA strains, lacking all known purine transporters, and confers resistance to the antifungal 5-fluorocytosine. Kinetic analyses showed FcyB is a low-capacity, high-affinity, cytosine-purine transporter sharing similar molecular interactions for substrate recognition with the yeast Fcy2p/Fcy21p carriers. fcyB transcription is highly activated during germination but drops at low constitutive levels throughout vegetative development. UaY-mediated purine induction of fcyB transcription is only moderate, while ammonium represses transcription through an AreA-dependent mechanism. A strain expressing FcyB-GFP confirms a low protein expression level in the plasma membrane of vegetative mycelia, but reveals an abundant expression in sexual and asexual compartments. FcyB-GFP was also shown to be downregulated by endocytosis in response to ammonia or the presence of cytosine. The expression profile of FcyB supports that its main physiological role is cytosine-purine scavenging.

Thyroid disease has been associated with lymphohematopoietic cancer (LHC). No previous study using clinical, sonographic and laboratory data has explored whether thyroid disease and specifically autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) is associated with multiple myeloma (MM) risk. 73 patients with incident primary MM and 73 hospital controls admitted for non-neoplastic and non-infectious conditions, matched on gender and age were studied between 2001 and 2007. Blood samples were collected. All subjects were submitted to clinical, ultrasound and laboratory thyroid evaluation. The prevalence of clinical thyroid disease in MM patients was significantly higher than in controls (p = 0.002). ATD was associated with increased risk of MM, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index and familial history of LHC [OR = 5.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.69-19.13]. Controlling for the above variables, an individual suffering from any thyroid disease more than 10 years has about 2.41 times more likely the risk to develop MM than an individual without any thyroid disease (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.35-4.29). Also, adjusting for age, gender, BMI and family history of LHC, a familial history of thyroid disease is associated with increased risk of MM (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.25-8.31). Further studies are needed to explore underlying mechanisms associating thyroid autoimmunity with plasma cell transformation.

BACKGROUND: 5382insC BRCA1 frameshift mutation is a common founder mutation for many populations worldwide and a high-risk allele for the development of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer. Our goal was to develop a novel, reliable and rapid method for its detection. METHODS: We developed an asymmetric real-time PCR method with hybridization probes in the LightCycler. Genotyping was performed by melting curve analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The developed method was in concordance with reference methods when tested in 85 peripheral blood and 107 tumor DNA samples from Greek breast and/or ovarian cancer patients. The described method proved to be simple, cost-effective, easy to perform and rapid enough for routine use as a screening method in high-risk families and especially in the Greek, Slavic and Jewish populations where 5382insC mutation is the most common BRCA1 mutation

We calculate the ground and excited electron and hole levels in spherical Si nanocrystals (quantum dots) embedded within SiO 2 in a multiband effective mass approximation. The obtained energies of electron and hole are used to estimate the Auger Recombination (AR) lifetime in Si Nanocrystals (NCs). The excited electron, excited hole and biexciton AR types are considered. © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Aurora kinases represent a family of serine/threonine kinases highly conserved during evolution, whose main function is to promote mitotic spindle assembly by regulating centrosome duplication and separation. Inhibition of Aurora kinase activity may lead to defects in centrosome function, misaligned sister chromatides, mitotic spindle malformation, problematic cytokinesis and eventually mitotic arrest. Aurora kinases are overexpressed in a variety of tumor cell lines, suggesting their potential role in tumorigenesis and indicating that they could represent an appealing target for molecular therapies. Extensive pre-clinical information supports the development of Aurora kinase inhibitors in specific tumor types and a number of these novel agents are currently being extensively studied in phase I and II clinical trials exhibiting an acceptable toxicity profile and promising clinical efficacy. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of Aurora kinases as molecular targets for anticancer therapy by focusing on their physiological role in mitosis, their implication in oncogenesis and the potential ways of inhibiting their activity. The main pre-clinical and clinical studies concerning Aurora kinase inhibitors currently under investigation are reported and important considerations for their future development are discussed. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetically assisted hemodialysis is a development of conventional hemodialysis and is based on the circulation of ferromagnetic nanoparticle-targeted binding substance conjugates (FN-TBS Cs) in the bloodstream of the patient and their eventual removal by means of a 'magnetic dialyzer'. Presented here is an in vitro investigation on the biocompatibility of bare Fe3O4 FNs and Fe3O4-bovine serum albumin Cs with blood cells, namely red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets (Plts). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical microscopy (OM) enabled the examination of blood cells at the nanometer and micrometer level, respectively. The observations made on FN- and C-maturated blood samples are contrasted to those obtained on FN- and C-free reference blood samples subjected to exactly the same maturation procedure. Qualitatively, both AFM and OM revealed no changes in the overall shape of RBCs, WBCs and Plts. Incidents where bare FNs or Cs were bound onto the surface of RBCs or internalized by WBCs were very rare. Detailed examination by means of OM proved that impaired coagulation of Plts is not initiated/promoted either by FNs or Cs. Quantitatively, the statistical analysis of the obtained AFM images from RBC surfaces clearly revealed that the mean surface roughness of RBCs maturated with bare FNs or Cs was identical to the one of reference RBCs.

This is a summary report of the EUFEPS & COST B25 conference on Bioavailability and Bioequivalence which focused on physiological factors and variability. This conference was held at The Royal Olympic Hotel in the centre of Athens (Greece) during the 1-2 of October in 2007. The issues discussed in the conference involved physiological factors affecting drug absorption, the role of pre-systemic effects on bioavailability (BA), the impact of variability in bioequivalence (BE) studies, and a final closing panel session on unresolved issues in BA/BE regulations. Several important aspects of drug absorption were highlighted. It was presented how the complexity of gastrointestinal (GI) physiology and the site dependent absorption can impact on drug BA. Similarly, the effects of food and formulation were also studied. The second session focused on integrating the complexities of GI into modeling the inter-individual variability of absorption and the prediction of first-pass metabolism from in-vitro data. The necessity to measure metabolites, the value of Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), and the more recently proposed Biopharmaceutical Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) were assessed as well. This session closed with presentations of pharmacokinetic software delegates. In the second day of the conference, the problem of high intra-subject variability in BE studies was analyzed. Study design considerations, the use of multiple-dose studies and the role of statistics in BE were also highlighted. Finally, the current thinking of regulatory authorities (EMEA and US-FDA) was presented. The conference closed with a last session on unresolved issues in the regulatory level.

Objectives: Docetaxel is an effective first-line treatment for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Nevertheless, the prognosis subsequent to progression after first-line therapy is poor and no second-line treatment has been established. Methods: A total of 34 patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer received doxorubicin, 30 mg/m2, every 2 weeks and ketoconazole daily, 400 mg orally every 8 hours. All patients had been treated with docetaxel and had disease progression within 6 months after completion of first-line treatment. Results: Of the 32 evaluable patients, 13 (43.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 26.3% to 62.3%) had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, and 4 (28%, 95% CI 8.4% to 58.1%) of 14 patients with measurable disease had a response to therapy. The median time to progression (TTP) was 3.9 months (95% CI 2.0 to 5.9), and the median overall survival (OS) was 13 months (95% CI 8.7 to 17.3). Toxicity was mild, with only 4 cases of nonhematologic grade 3 or 4 toxicity. The most frequent toxicity was nail changes (33 of 34 patients), which was mainly grade 1 (30 cases). Conclusions: The combination of biweekly doxorubicin and ketoconazole is an effective, well-tolerated, second-line therapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: Bortezomib is a novel, first-in-class proteasome inhibitor that has improved outcomes in multiple myeloma. with manageable toxicities. Objective: To summarise the chemistry, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of bortezomib, and review its clinical efficacy and toxicity, including use in elderly patients, use in patients with renal impairment and/or a poor prognosis, and effects on bone metabolism. Methods: Literature search of bortezomib studies (within 10 years) and recent congress abstracts. Results/conclusions: Bortezomib has improved response rates, overall survival, and time to progression in relapsed or refractory disease, both as a single agent and as part of combination regimens. Promising results have also been reported with bortezomib combinations in frontline induction therapy. Patient subgroups where conventional approaches are inappropriate may also benefit, thereby expanding the therapeutic armamentarium against this debilitating disease. © 2008 Informa UK Ltd.

Background: The standard treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who are not candidates for high-dose therapy is melphalan and prednisone. This phase 3 study compared the use of melphalan and prednisone with or without bortezomib in previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma who were ineligible for high-dose therapy. Methods: We randomly assigned 682 patients to receive nine 6-week cycles of melphalan (at a dose of 9 mg per square meter of body-surface area) and prednisone (at a dose of 60 mg per square meter) on days 1 to 4, either alone or with bortezomib (at a dose of 1.3 mg per square meter) on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25, 29, and 32 during cycles 1 to 4 and on days 1, 8, 22, and 29 during cycles 5 to 9. The primary end point was the time to disease progression. Results: The time to progression among patients receiving bortezomib plus melphalan-prednisone (bortezomib group) was 24.0 months, as compared with 16.6 months among those receiving melphalan-prednisone alone (control group) (hazard ratio for the bortezomib group, 0.48; P<0.001). The proportions of patients with a partial response or better were 71% in the bortezomib group and 35% in the control group; complete-response rates were 30% and 4%, respectively (P<0.001). The median duration of the response was 19.9 months in the bortezomib group and 13.1 months in the control group. The hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.61 for the bortezomib group (P=0.008). Adverse events were consistent with established profiles of toxic events associated with bortezomib and melphalan-prednisone. Grade 3 events occurred in a higher proportion of patients in the bortezomib group than in the control group (53% vs. 44%, P=0.02), but there were no significant differences in grade 4 events (28% and 27%, respectively) or treatment-related deaths (1% and 2%). Conclusions: Bortezomib plus melphalan-prednisone was superior to melphalan-prednisone alone in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma who were ineligible for high-dose therapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00111319.). Copyright © 2008 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.

We present an efficient computational methodology for full electrodynamic calculations of metallodielectric nanostructures based on a multiple-scattering formulation of Maxwell's equations. The method, originally developed for systems of spherical particles (MULTEM code), is extended to systems of particles of arbitrary shape and applied to ordered structures of metallic nanodisks with an aspect ratio as large as five. We first discuss the particle plasmon resonances of single metallic nanocylinders of different aspect ratios. Then, we study the plasmonic excitations of square arrays of metal-dielectric-metal nanosandwiches and the optical response of a rectangular lattice of metallic nanodisks on a dielectric waveguide. Finally we analyse the photonic band structure of a simple cubic crystal of metallic nanodisks.

Introduction: The combination of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel is considered the standard of care as initial chemotherapy for Advanced Ovarian Cancer (AOC). We compared this regimen with the combination of Cisplatin, Paclitaxel and Doxorubicin. Patients and methods: Patients with AOC were randomised to either six courses of Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 plus Carboplatin 7AUC or Paclitaxel at the same dose plus Cisplatin 75 mg/m2 plus Doxorubicin 40 mg/m2. Results: Analysis was performed on 451 patients. The treatment groups were well balanced with regard to patient and disease characteristics. Performance status (PS) was better in the anthracycline arm. In terms of severe toxicity, the only significant difference between the two groups was the development of febrile neutropaenia in the anthracycline arm. Overall response rate was similar in both groups. With a median follow-up of 57.5 months, a marginal significance towards improved Progression-Free Survival (PFS) was noted in favour of the anthracycline arm, whilst there was no difference in overall survival. In multivariate analysis the hazard of disease progression at any time was significantly decreased by 25.5% for patients of the anthracycline arm. Conclusion: The combination of Cisplatin, Paclitaxel and Doxorubicin demonstrates a marginal PFS improvement, but no additional survival benefit when compared with the standard Carboplatin/Paclitaxel regimen. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

There is evidence that selenium levels are relatively low in Europe and may be falling. Low levels of selenium or low activity of some of the enzymes dependent on selenium have been associated with asthma.|The GA(2)LEN network has organized a multicentre case-control study in Europe to assess the relation of plasma selenium to asthma. The network compared 569 cases in 14 European centres with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting asthma symptoms in the last 12 months with 576 controls from the same centres with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms in the last 12 months.|All cases and controls were selected from the same population defined by age and place of residence. Mean plasma selenium concentrations among the controls ranged from 116.3 microg/l in Palermo to 67.7 microg/l in Vienna and 56.1 microg/l among the children in Oslo. Random effects meta-analysis of the results from the centres showed no overall association between asthma and plasma selenium [odds ratio (OR)/10 microg/l increase in plasma selenium: 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89-1.21] though there was a significantly protective effect in Lodz (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.29-0.78) and a marginally significant adverse effect in Amsterdam (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 0.98-2.90) and Ghent (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.03-1.77).|This study does not support a role for selenium in protection against asthma, but effect modification and confounding cannot be ruled out.

Greek has always been assumed to possess a verbal system organized on the basis of aspect, with tense playing only a secondary part, and to have retained this state of affairs throughout its history. This article claims that it has changed substantially, moving from the expression of oppositions of Aktionsart (states – telic activities – atelic activities) to the expression of oppositions of grammatical aspect (perfective – imperfective) and tense (past – non past and later past – present – future). The current system is claimed to display an almost perfect balance between tense and aspect. Keywords: tense; aspect; verbal system; Aktionsart; perfectivity

The aim of this study was to examine if Hymel, Tarulli, Hayden Thomson, and Terrell-Deutsch's (1999) three-dimension model of children's loneliness perceptions could be applied in Greece, and to examine age and gender differences in these perceptions. In addition, a more detailed examination of the emotional dimension in the perceptions of loneliness was attempted, based on Parkhurst and Hopmeyer's (1999) hypotheses for the emotions associated with loneliness. One-hundred and eighty 2nd-, 4th-, and 6th-grade children from Athens were interviewed about their understanding and experience of loneliness. Responses fit Hymel et al.'s (1999) model for the perceptions of loneliness, with some additions. Children perceived loneliness as a painful experience with emotional, cognitive, and contextual dimensions. Statistically significant age and gender differences were found in these dimensions, as well as in the loneliness-related emotions. The implications of these findings for the existing theoretical views on loneliness are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.

Adiponectin has potent insulin-sensitizing effects, improves lipid metabolism, and potentially protects against the development of metabolic syndrome. Thus, increasing adiponectin levels in preterm infants at risk for developing metabolic syndrome may be of special interest. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on serum adiponectin and lipid concentrations in preterm infants. Adiponectin and lipid levels of 60 healthy preterm infants [gestational age 32.7 (1.9) wk] randomly assigned to be fed either 1) a formula containing LCPUFA [arachidonic and docosahexanoic] (+LCPUFA group) or 2) the same formula without LCPUFA (-LCPUFA/control group), were determined at mean (SD) 33.8 (11.7) d. Adiponectin and HDL-C concentrations were significantly higher in the +LCPUFA group than in controls (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively); whereas, triglyceride levels were lower (p = 0.06). Adiponectin correlated positively with HDL-C levels and negatively with triglyceride levels in the +LCPUFA group but not in the controls. In conclusion, circulating adiponectin concentrations were higher in preterm infants fed a formula containing LCPUFA than infants fed an LCPUFA-free formula and they correlated with lipidemic profile.

Τhe main scope of this book is to illustrate a magnificent marine micro world in eastern Mediterranean Sea waters, the world of Coccolithophores. The eastern Mediterranean Coccolithophores presented in this book have been collected during several cruises and samplings in the Ionian and Aegean Sea at different seasons, between the years 1997-2006. The collected material has been analyzed and photographed by Scanning Electron Microscope and Light Microscope techniques. Αs a result 375 SEM and LM microphotographs are presented together with thorough systematic taxonomy and detailed description of 132 Coccolithophore species. A novelty of this book, compared to traditional atlases, is the trilingual approach of Coccolithophore taxonomy. Each species is described in three languages, English, Greek and Italian. In this way these astonishing beautiful marine microorganisms are getting introduced to a broad public and it becomes easier for non-native English speakers - students and researchers - to get acquainted with the scientific terminology. Additionally the combination of both scanning and light microscope techniques provides the most comprehensive documentation of Coccolithophore species morphology.

Collective plasmonic modes in two- and three-dimensional periodic assemblies of metallic nanoshells are studied by means of full electrodynamic calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method. We consider structures made of a single type of nanoshell as well as binary heterostructures made of two different types of nanoshells. The complex photonic band structure of such three-dimensional photonic crystals is analyzed in conjunction with relevant transmission diagrams of corresponding finite slabs and the physical origin of the different optical modes is elucidated. Moreover, we discuss associated absorption spectra and provide a consistent interpretation of the underlying physics. In the case of the binary systems, the plasmonic modes of the two building components coexist, leading to a rich structure of resonances over an extended frequency range and to broadband absorption.

Ultra-thin nanocrystalline silicon films with varying thickness from 5 to 30nm were grown on quartz by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of Si. Observations on cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimens revealed that the films had a columnar growth, i.e. the third dimension of the nanocrystals, perpendicular to the Si/SiO 2 interface, was approximately equal to the film thickness, while the lateral size of nanocrystals was defined during the initial stage of growth and was not very much affected bythe film thickness. The observed columnar growth gives the possibility to obtain two-dimensional nanocrystal arrays on quartz with well defined size in the z-direction. Plane view images showed that the lateral distribution of nanocrystal size presents a well-defined maximum in all the films. The mean lateral size of the nanocrystals did not change very much with the film thickness, being in the range of 11-13 nm. The number of grains with size larger than the mean one tended to increase with the thickness of the film. © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

This phase 2 study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of the combination of bortezomib, melphalan, dexamethasone and intermittent thalidomide (VMDT) and its effect on bone remodeling and angiogenesis in relapsed/refractory myeloma. Bortezomib (1.0 mg/m2) was given on days 1, 4, 8, 11, oral melphalan (0.15 mg/kg) on days 1-4, whereas thalidomide (100mg per day) and dexamethasone (12 mg/m2) were administered on days 1-4 and 17-20 of a 28-day cycle, for four cycles. Patients without disease progression continued for up to eight cycles. VMDT effect on bone remodeling was evaluated by measuring osteoclast regulators (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κ B ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio, osteopontin, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α), dickkopf-1 protein, bone resorption and formation markers, whereas its effect on angiogenesis was assessed by measuring serum vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenin, angiopoietin-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor, after four cycles and at the study end. A total of 62 patients were enrolled. The overall response rate was 66%: CR 13%, vgPR 27% and PR 26%. Median time to response was 35 days and median time to progression was 9.3 months. Common adverse events included cytopenias, peripheral neuropathy and infections. No patient experienced deep-vein thrombosis. VMDT reduced angiogenic cytokines, osteoclast regulators, dickkopf-1 and bone resorption. We conclude that VMDT with intermittent thalidomide is an active and well-tolerated regimen for relapsed/refractory myeloma, affecting abnormal bone remodeling and angiogenesis.

The present study investigates the principal morphological and sedimentological (textural) characteristics of the beach-zones along the Tigani and Mikalis Bays, which are located at the southeastern coast of Samos Island. It is also examined their retreat due to the expected sea level rise induced by the climatic change. The beach zones under investigation has been formed in front of alluvial coastal plains, while at their western end host the mouth of small (ephemeral) rivers. Their width varies between 12 and 25 m, becoming narrower towards their eastern ends; this shows that the longshore sediment transport, which is from W to E due to their coastline orientation relatively to incoming waves, has not been strong enough to move most of the sediment eastwards. The subaerial part of both beach zones consists of gravels, while their subaqueous part is covered by sand. The presence of low dunes at the backshore odf the Thiogani Bay in association with the lack of sand between the dunes and the shoreface indicate that the beach zone is under erosion. Furthermore, with respect to the expected sea-level rise the shoreline of Tigani bay may be retreat by 15-20 m, when the nearby shoreline of Mikalis bay could retreat 12-15 m.

In the context of the Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence, six European research teams developed a methodology for integrating their research approaches. In this paper, we present the methodology based on a cross-experimentation, showing how it gave insight to the understanding of each team’s research and on the relationship between theoretical frameworks and experimental research.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare total costs of care and its major components for community-living patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Predictors II Study took place in three university-based AD centers in the U.S. METHODS: Community-living patients clinically diagnosed with probable AD (n = 170) or DLB (n = 25) with a modified Mini-Mental State examination (mMMS) score > or =30, equivalent to a score of approximately > or =16 on the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), participated in this study. Patient and informant reported on patients' use of direct medical care, direct nonmedical care, and informal care. Patients' clinical and demographic characteristics included global cognitive status (measured by MMSE), functional capacity (measured by Blessed Dementia Rating Scale), psychotic symptoms, behavioral problems, depressive symptoms, extrapyramidal signs, comorbidities, age, and sex. Costs were compared by using covariate matching methods. RESULTS: Unadjusted total costs and direct medical costs were not significantly different between AD and DLB patients. Compared with AD patients, unadjusted indirect costs were significantly higher and unadjusted direct nonmedical costs were significantly lower among DLB patients. After adjusting for age, sex, cognitive and functional status, differences in all cost components between DLB and AD patients were no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Apparent cost differences were largely attributed to differences in patients' cognitive and functional status. However, the small sample size for DLB patients might have limited power to detect statistically significant differences in costs of care between these groups.

BACKGROUND: Discrepancies in primary health care (PHC) services between urban and rural settings have already been studied in many countries; however, limited information exists regarding countries, such as Greece, where public Health Centres dedicated to primary care have not been in existence in major cities. The objective of this study was to evaluate points of divergence or convergence between an urban and a rural health centre, in an attempt to underline challenges faced by the introduction of urban health centres in Greece. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in the Health Centre of Vyronas, Athens, Greece and in the Health Centre of Nea (New) Madytos, Thessaloniki Prefecture, Greece between February 2004 and February 2006. The profile of the population seeking care, as well as data on the services provided were collected and compared. In addition, the reason for choosing each primary health care unit was also recorded. RESULTS: More patients visited the urban centre (145415 vs. 112513), while the pattern of services utilized by the citizens differed significantly (p < 0.001) between the two Health Centres. The frequency of diagnoses made according to ICPC-2 was not similar in the two Health Centres (p < 0.001). The three most frequent reasons for the adults choosing the Health Centre for their problem were low waiting time, proximity to residence and satisfaction with the services provided in previous visits in Vyronas. CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the significant differences regarding PHC services utilization between an urban and a rural population. Urban citizens seem to have different health needs and reasons for choosing a PHC unit than residents of the Greek countryside. Proximity to health services and the public character of the urban health centre seem to be its main advantages.

The authors theoretically demonstrate a practical scheme for robust and complete photonic bandgap switching using a three-dimensional double-inverse-opal photonic crystal. The investigated structure consists of a close-packed face-centered-cubic arrangement of spherical air pores, interconnected via air channels and embedded in a high-index (tin disulfide) backbone. We show that by placing lower-index movable dielectric scatterers (titania) inside the air pores, a complete photonic bandgap opens for certain positions of the scatterers, which altogether closes for other positions. Our analysis reveals that this switching scheme is robust to geometric imperfections and allows for sizeable bandgap switching. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence was determined for the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. It is 34,477 bp long, maps circularly, and encodes for 14 protein-coding, 25 tRNA and 2 rRNA genes. The nucleotide and amino acid data sets from its 14 concatenated protein-coding mitochondrial (mt) genes were used along with gene order comparisons for an extensive phylogenetic study of the Subphylum Pezizomycotina. Our results are in agreement with current taxonomic treatments and additionally provide better statistical support for all relationships within Pezizomycotina when compared to analyses based on single or few gene data sets. The gene order of F. oxysporum was consistent with that established in the order Hypocreales (Class: Sordariomycetes) and enhanced previous suppositions on the ancestral state of Sordariomycetes. In comparison with mt genomes of the other orders it added further insights to the evolution of Pezizomycotina.

The mtDNA of the ascomycetous wine yeast Candida zemplinina is a circularly mapping genome of 23,114 bp. It contains 35 genes coding for the seven basic subunits of oxidative phosporylation found in yeasts (the genes encoding for NADH oxidoreductase subunits are absent), the ribosomal protein Var1, two rRNAs and 25 tRNA genes. Although protein phylogenetic analysis showed a divergent mitochondrial genome, several traits appeared preserved. The conserved gene blocks between the mtDNAs of C. zemplinina and Candida glabrata were maintained and changes in gene order and putative promoters were due to restricted genome reshuffling. New heterogeneous hairpin elements were identified scattered throughout cox1 introns. The large subunit rRNA gene harboured the first group-IIB1 intron containing a putative active reverse transcriptase (RT) in mitochondrial genomes of fungi. Phylogenetic analysis of the RT protein confirmed its closer relationship to eubacterial intronic RTs, while being only distantly related to all other fungal mitochondrial group-II introns and RTs. The findings point towards an early migration event of a eubacterial group-II intron to the mitochondrial genome of C. zemplinina.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical assessment of facial type and facial proportions is an important element of orthodontic diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning. Because of the subjective nature of this procedure, it is important to identify factors that could affect final judgment. One such factor that has been shown to affect facial perception in general might be the configural relationship of internal parts of the face. Our aim in this study was to assess whether configural changes in a face affect the subjective evaluation of facial type. METHODS: The frontal photographs of 2 white boys, aged 12 years, with harmonious face were used. The photographs were manipulated by computer to produce realistic images of faces with various configural relationships of the features. The modifications were interocular distance enlarged by 3 mm or reduced by 3.6 mm, mouth width enlarged by 4.5 mm or reduced by 4.2 mm, and mouth moved vertically upward or downward by 2.8 mm. Two images with a true change of the frontal facial height by 4 mm were also produced. The images were presented in pairs to 20 experienced orthodontists. Each judge evaluated 36 pairs of images (including pairs of identical images), all belonging to the same patient, in a random sequence. The judges were unaware of the changes that had been made to the photographs and were asked to evaluate which of the 2 faces appeared longer. RESULTS: The judges correctly identified pairs of identical images with an accuracy of 42%. Reduction of the interocular distance and downward movement of the mouth caused the illusion of a longer face. The opposite changes had the reverse effect. Enlargement of the width of the mouth did not appear to influence the subjective impression of facial type, but reduction of mouth width had a statistically significant result, giving the impression of a longer face. CONCLUSIONS: Configural relationships among the constituent features of a face can influence our judgment about external facial proportions. Because of the importance of these factors in treatment planning, clinical evaluation of faces should be accompanied by objective assessment (measurement) of photographs, so that any illusory visual effects can be identified.

The essays collected in this volume – the outcome of the EAAS convention in Cyprus in 2006 – form a crossroads between a number of disciplines (literary theory and criticism, film studies, history, cultural studies, sociology); they are all animated – in different ways and to different extents – by a healthy suspicion towards the idea that the concepts of conformism, non-conformism and anti-conformism are transhistorically static or transcendentally self-evident. The conceptual contours of the subject are investigated before the topic is then explored in historical perspective, in its textual manifestations, and with regard to its stakes in visual culture. The collection is rounded off with a critical glance at commercial aspects of conformism and anti-conformism. The volume includes essays by Donald Pease, Heinz Ickstadt, Susana Delfino, Albena Bakratcheva, Marek Wilczynski, Johannes Völz, Marc Amfreville, Andrew S. Gross, Yves-Charles Grandjeat, Thomas Pughe, Susanne Rohr, Peter Loizos, Dimitris Liokaftos, Hilaria Loyo, Alexandra Ganser and Karin Hoepker, Frank Mehring, Berndt Ostendorf, and Arthur Redding.

Purpose– Corporate governance (CG) has mainly focused on highly dispersed corporations. This paper has two objectives: to enrich the debate in this area and to contribute to the increasing body of literature by exploring the CG of the listed family firms in Greece; and to place the CG practices of Greek family firms within the international debate, especially in the framework of a small open capital market. In addition, this paper presents an attempt to quantify the compliance of family firms with international best practices. Design/methodology/approach– The methodology consisted of the creation of a questionnaire reflecting the Greek CG code and other well‐regarded CG codes, like the OECD principles. The authors constructed a CG rating system and applied it to distinguish family from non‐family firms. Findings– The main conclusion is that the family firms lack an efficient CG mechanism and they demonstrated poor governance compared with non‐family firms. Practical implications– The results disclose the potential strengths and weaknesses of the existing CG framework of the family‐owned firms. The methodology applies in a small open economy and may have significant implications in other similar capital markets. Originality/value– Methodologically, the merit of the exercise lies in its approach toward the creation of “collectively subjective” weightings, and is valuable to policymakers and academics.

Background: Several cytokines have been associated with immune regulation and prognosis in ovarian cancer. CD4+CD25+ Tregs and CD3+CD56+ NK-like T cells are involved in the immune response against the tumor. We have investigated the association of cytokines in the ascites from patients with ovarian cancer with these populations, the platinum resistance and the prognosis of these patients. Patients and methods: Ascites from 64 patients with ovarian cancer was analysed. Forty-two patients were studied at diagnosis (FIGO stage III in 40 cases) and were treated with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. Ascites from 9 patients with cirrhosis was used as control. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interferon-gamma (IFNγ), inteleukin-10 (IL10) and interleukin-12 (IL12) in ascites and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while lymphocytic populations were studied with three-colour flow cytometry. Results: VEGF ascites levels were inversely correlated with CD3+CD56+ cells (rho = - 0.316, p = 0.012), while a similar correlation was observed between TNFα ascites levels and CD4+CD25+(hi) cells (rho = - 0.332, p = 0.041). Among patients receiving first-line chemotherapy, VEGF levels < 1900 pg/ml and TNFα levels > 35 pg/ml were associated with platinum sensitivity (p = 0.021 and p = 0.028, respectively) and improved progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.007 and p = 0.045, respectively). Low VEGF levels were also associated with improved overall survival (p = 0.026). Conclusion: VEGF and TNFα ascites levels are associated with prognosis in advanced ovarian cancer. Their prognostic significance may be due to their association with immunologically important populations, namely the NK T-like CD3+CD56+ cells and the Tregs CD4+CD25+(hi) cells. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Il reste juste à souligner qu’en ce qui concerne la terminologie arbitraire du discours en apparence historique ou géographique, la responsabilité n’incombe ni à l’Histoire ni à la Géographie, mais à ceux qui se prétendent historiens ou géographes. La question est posée en ces termes chez Gearóid Ó Tuathail (dorénavant G.T.) et son essai intitulé Critical Geopolitics (Géopolitique Critique).1 Il s’agit d’un ouvrage ambivalent, qui présente au lecteur d’une part le plaisir intellectuel de pouvoir trouver et identifier des événements internationaux, méticuleusement groupés en catégories d’ordre chronologique, accompagnés d’une analyse intelligente en fonction de leurs éléments constitutifs, à savoir des données économiques, idéologiques et culturelles. D’autre part, nous autres lecteurs avons eu la satisfaction d’y retrouver en partie nos propres analyses sur les événements présentés par G.T. sans que cela ne nous pose un certain nombre de questions. Tout de même, pour l’auteur du présent article, l’analyse géopolitique n’a pas d’idéologie, ni de fixations ethnocentriques; elle n’est pas sous le contrôle des éléments nationalistes qui rendent service aux impérialismes des Métropoles contemporaines.

We tested 27 microsatellite loci for cross-species amplification in the lacertids Podarcis gaigeae and Podarcis hispanica. We detected 11 and 15 polymorphic loci in the former and the latter species, respectively. In a larger sample of individuals from a single population of each species, the number of alleles ranged from five to 23 in 10 of the polymorphic loci in P. gaigeae, and between four and 13 in nine of polymorphic loci in P. hispanica. Two locus deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in P. hispanica. Between 11 and 16 of the 27 loci also amplified successfully in three other Podarcis species. © 2008 The Authors.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous lesions in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may be specific or not and may reveal bone marrow transformation. Our purpose was to investigate in a cohort of 84 MDS patients the correlation of cutaneous findings with immunologic parameters and prognostic features of MDS in order to clarify their potential clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a cohort of 84 newly diagnosed MDS patients in order to assess the cutaneous findings present at the time of diagnosis and during 1 to 3 years of follow-up. We described the clinical variety of cutaneous findings ascertained by histology. We also looked for any association between the group of MDS patients with skin manifestations and MDS subtype, immunologic and prognostic features highlighting transformation to acute leukaemia. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients presented cutaneous manifestations: 1 patient developed leukaemia cutis, 6 patients photosensitivity not associated with autoimmune disease, 3 prurigo nodularis, 2 Sweet's syndrome, 6 leucocytoclastic vasculitis, 2 ecchymoses and purpura associated with preexisting relapsing polychondritis, 1 patient subcutaneous nodules associated with Wegener's granulomatosis and 1 patient with malar rash and oral ulcers associated with preexisting systemic lupus erythematosus. Adjusted for age and gender, the presence of skin findings constitutes a significant predictor of the high-risk MDS subgroup (odds ratio, 3.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-10.92). Hypergammaglobulinemia was significantly higher in the MDS subgroup with skin manifestations (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Most MDS patients with cutaneous manifestations belong to the high-risk MDS subgroup and present hypergammaglobulinemia. Early biopsy of skin lesions in myelodysplasia is indicated.

WHEN CITING:   

1. Καμπερίδου, Ρένα (2008). Το 'Σκοτεινό' Κοινωνικό Κεφάλαιο του Αθλητισμού:  η γυάλινη οροφή και  'ο αγωγός διαρροής' .  Ημερίδα «Γυναίκες και Αθλητισμός», Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο Κοινωνικών και Πολιτικών Επιστημών του Διατμηματικού Προγράμματος Σπουδές Φύλου και Ισότητας στις Κοινωνικές και Πολιτικές Επιστήμες, αμφιθέατρο "Σάκη Καράγιωργα", Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο, Λ. Συγγρού 136, Νέο Κτήριο, 11 Ιουνίου 2008. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2277.3600 , ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ Ι.2.1 in Apella Επίσης βλ. http://www.genderpanteion.gr/gr/2008pdf/imerida11062008.pdf    

•  Kamberidou, I. (2008). 'Dark' Social Capital in Sport: the glass ceiling and the leaky pipeline. Presentation [keynote speaker: http://www.genderpanteion.gr/gr/2008pdf/imerida11062008.pdf] at the “WOMEN AND SPORT” Seminar, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. Gender Studies Centre of Panteios University, Athens, Greece: http://www.genderpanteion.gr/gr/2008pdf/imerida11062008.pdf , http://www.genderpanteion.gr/gr/dialsem\_im.php [presentation in Greek].  I.2  in Apella. Also see I.2.2 in Apella), and Book of Abstracts in Ι.2.1

The changes in daily precipitation totals in Greece, during the 45-year period (1957–2001) are examined. The precipitation datasets concern daily totals recorded at 21 surface meteorological stations of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, which are uniformly distributed over the Greek region. First and foremost, the application of Factor Analysis resulted in grouping the meteorological stations with similar variation in time. The main sub groups represent the northern, southern, western, eastern and central regions of Greece with common precipitation characteristics. For representative stations of the extracted sub groups we estimated the trends and the time variability for the number of days (%) exceeding 30 mm (equal to the 95% percentile of daily precipitation for eastern and western regions and equal to the 97.5% percentile for the rest of the country) and 50 mm which is the threshold for very extreme and rare events. Furthermore, the scale and shape parameters of the well fitted gamma distribution to the daily precipitation data with respect to the whole examined period and to the 10-year sub periods reveal the changes in the intensity of the precipitation.

This study presents results of ambient noise measurements carried out in 78locations in the town of Lefkada. The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios of ambient noise were used to approximate the fundamental resonance frequencies of the subsurface and their associated amplitudes. Summarizing the experiences of different authors with respect to ambient vibration processing, we selected transient free time windows for further analysis. Additionally, we calculated the site responses with respect to the reference site and compared the results with those obtained from the H/V technique. The fundamental frequency and the corresponding amplification factor were calculated for each site. Under the assumption that the H/V spectral ratios of ambient noise coincide with the amplification levels at the dominant frequency of the site response functions, the fundamental frequencies (f0) and amplification factors (A0) were compiled on ARC-INFO GIS software and corresponding maps were developed.

A reaction-limited model for drug dissolution is developed assuming that the reaction at the solid-liquid interface is controlling the rate of dissolution. The dissolution process is considered as a bidirectional chemical reaction of the undissolved drug species with the free solvent molecules, yielding the dissolved species of drug complex with solvent. This reaction was considered in either sink conditions, where it corresponds to the unidirectional case and the entire amount of the drug is dissolved, or reaching chemical equilibrium, which corresponds to saturation of the solution. The model equation was fitted successfully to dissolution data sets of naproxen and nitrofurantoin formulations measured in the paddle and basket apparatuses, respectively, under various experimental conditions. For comparative purposes these data were also analyzed using three functions based on the diffusion layer model. All functions failed to reveal the governing role of saturation solubility in the dissolution process associated with the diffusion layer model when the conditions for the valid estimation of saturation solubility, established theoretically in this study, were met by the experimental set up employed. Overall, the model developed provides an interesting alternative to the classic approaches of drug dissolution modeling, quantifying the case of reaction-limited dissolution of drugs. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION Plasma cell dyscrasias include a wide variety of diseases characterized by the abnormal accumulation of plasma cells resulting in various systemic symptoms and signs. Plasma cells are usually widespread throughout the bone marrow; however, in a minority of patients malignant plasma cells may form a single lesion. These lesions are usually confined to the bone and, less frequently, in extramedullary sites. They are composed of monoclonal plasma cells that are otherwise identical to plasma cells found in myeloma. However, these patients do not have evidence of systemic multiple myeloma (MM), and an extensive work up shows no other foci of disease. When this solitary lesion is confined to bone it is characterized as a solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) while when this lesion is confined to extraosseous sites it is characterized as a solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP). DEFINITIONS According to criteria reported by the International Myeloma Working Group, diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of bone is based on histological evidence of a tumor consisting of monoclonal plasma cells identical to those seen in MM (Table 12.1). In addition, complete skeletal radiographs must show no other lesions of MM. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has significantly increased sensitivity over conventional radiographs, especially in the imaging of the axial skeleton, and an MRI of the spine and pelvis may show unsuspected and asymptomatic skeletal lesions. Patients with multiple lesions in MRI should be considered as having myeloma and not SBP even if conventional radiographs show no other evidence of skeletal involvement. © Cambridge University Press 2009.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences in eating disorder symptomatology between a group of athletes and a group of university students as well as to investigate the risk factors for developing of eating disorders symptomatology in females. METHOD: The EAT-26, BDI, STAI and SPAS (trait) questionnaires were administered to 60 adult athletes (27 female and 33 male) and 60 non-athlete university students (40 female and 20 male). Each subject was asked to indicate on a series of 12 male and 12 female human figures those that they considered as the ideal male and female body, and the figure that in their mind resembled most their own body. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each subject. RESULTS: Male athletes scored higher in the oral control dimension of EAT-26 than male non athletes. Female athletes also perceived their body as leaner than female non-athletes did (P=0.003), although there was no statistically significant difference between the BMI of the two groups. A subgroup of women (n=7, 10.4%) who had disordered eating attitudes (EAT >20) chose leaner ideal female figures and also scored higher on the BDI, STAI trait and SPAS questionnaires. Younger age (P=0.04), being an athlete (P=0.03) and SPAS score (P=0.02) were found in logistic regression analysis to influence significantly the risk of development for developing disordered. CONCLUSIONS: There were only minor differences in eating disorder measurements between athletes and non-athletes. A small group of young women who are preoccupied with their physical appearance and are involved in athletic activities appears to run a greater risk for developing disordered. Copyright © Athens Medical Society.

INTRODUCTION: Access to local providers of primary health care (PHC) services and their utilisation is a challenge faced by the authorities of developed as well as developing countries. The aim of our study was to assess and evaluate the level of satisfaction with the currently provided cardiovascular and PHC services in the southernmost region of continental Greece (and of the European Union), Southern Mani. METHODS: The sample (422 individuals, 375 of whom finally participated: 187 men and 188 women, response ratio: 88.86%), was selected between January-December 2006, using stratified randomisation by sex and age. Participants were asked to fill in a validated questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and items about the health needs/level of satisfaction with cardiovascular health and PHC services, as well as two indices for cardiovascular health: i) frequency of international normalised ratio (INR) measurement in case of atrial fibrillation, and ii) history of timely thrombolysis in case of acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: The majority of the responders stated that their level of satisfaction with PHC services was "low" or "very low" (total: 52.80%), while the percentage of dissatisfaction with cardiovascular health services was 56.0%. In addition, most of the participants expressed a strong wish for improvement of PHC services (71.33%). The level of satisfaction with PHC services was higher than with cardiovascular health services (2.49 +/- 1.26 vs. 2.38 +/- 1.24; p < 0.001). Satisfaction scores for both cardiovascular health and PHC services were negatively associated with the distance from the nearest PHC Unit. Only 11.1% of patients (95% CI: 0.3%-48.2%) reported annual testing of prothrombin time more than once, while among those with a history of acute myocardial infarction, none reported timely thrombolysis (0%, one-sided 97.5% CI: 0%-41.0%). CONCLUSION: It is evident that a large portion of the Southern Mani population perceives the provided cardiovascular health and PHC services as problematic, while the distance from the nearest PHC unit seems to be one of the most important factors and predictors of dissatisfaction. The provision of efficient PHC services in isolated areas is a matter that should be re-evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides segregated into distinct biochemical compartments would differentially correlate with clinical severity of Alzheimer disease (AD). DESIGN: Clinicopathologic correlation study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven patients from a longitudinal study of AD and 13 age- and sex-matched controls without a known history of cognitive impairment or dementia were included in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Temporal and cingulate neocortex were processed using a 4-step extraction, yielding biochemical fractions that are hypothesized to be enriched with proteins from distinct anatomical compartments: TRIS (extracellular soluble), Triton (intracellular soluble), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (membrane associated), and formic acid (extracellular insoluble). Levels of Abeta(40) and Abeta(42) were quantified in each biochemical compartment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The Abeta(42) level in all biochemical compartments was significantly elevated in patients with AD vs controls (P < .01). The Abeta(40) levels in the TRIS and formic acid fractions were elevated in patients with AD (temporal, P < .01; cingulate, P = .03); however, Triton and SDS Abeta(40) levels were similar in patients with AD and in controls. Functional impairment proximal to death correlated with Triton Abeta(42) (r = 0.48, P = .02) and SDS Abeta(42) (r = 0.41, P = .04) in the temporal cortex. Faster cognitive decline was associated with elevated temporal SDS Abeta(42) levels (P < .001), whereas slower decline was associated with elevated cingulate formic acid Abeta(42) and SDS Abeta(42) levels (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intracellular and membrane-associated Abeta, especially Abeta(42) in the temporal neocortex, may be more closely related to AD symptoms than other measured Abeta species.