This articles presents a rare case of accidental insertion of an intravascular catheter into an artery by an experienced nurse (RN). Due to the patient's hypotension, this faulty positioning was misdiagnosed and a potential peripheral ischemic necrosis was, fortunately, avoided only because the anesthesia drug injection was performed through another vein. Clinical signs were also present but were also underestimated. After intra-arterial confirmation of the incorrect position, the catheter was subsequently removed. No further complications were observed.
Primary penile tuberculosis associated with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy is described in a previously healthy 10-month old infant, who had been circumcised in Pakistan 4 months earlier. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected by acid fast stain, PCR and culture in specimens obtained from the penile ulcer and the excised inguinal lymph nodes.
AIM: In order to assess the effect of osteoporosis on healing time, the files of 165 patients with femoral shaft fractures that were treated in our institution with locked-reamed intramedullary nailing were retrospectively reviewed.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with open fractures, pathological fractures, revision surgery, severe brain injuries and prolonged ITU stay were excluded. In all patients the Singh-index score for osteoporosis and the canal bone ratio (CBR) were assigned. Sixty-six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups; group A (29 patients) consisted of patients over 65 years old with radiological evidence of osteoporosis and group B (37 patients) of patients between 18 and 40 years old with no signs of osteoporosis.
RESULTS: In all group A patients Singh score < or =4 and CBR>0.50 were assigned, suggesting the presence of osteoporosis, whereas all group B patients were assigned with Singh score > or =5 and CBR<0.48. Fractures of group A healed in 19.38+/-5.9 weeks (12-30) and in group B 16.19+/-5.07 weeks (10-28), P=0.02.
CONCLUSIONS: Fracture healing of nailed femoral diaphyseal fractures is significantly delayed in older osteoporotic patients. Further studies are required to clarify the exact impact of osteoporosis in the whole healing process.
Objective: Modulating effects of genetic and environmental risk factors on severity of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissue inflammation remain unclear. We investigated the influence of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and traditional atherosclerotic risk factors (ARF) on degree of AAA tissue inflammation. Methods: Aneurysm specimens were obtained from 89 male patients aged 52 to 83 years, underwent asymptomatic not ruptured AAA (mean diameter 5.5 cm) open repair and graded for degree of histologic inflammation. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the association of tHcy and ARF, with degree of inflammation. Results: Current cigarette smoking, odds ratio (OR) 4.4, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 15.2, P =.01 and no other ARF, neither tHcy levels OR 0.9 (0.9-1.02), P =.2 were associated with high-grade tissue inflammation. Conclusion: These results provide evidence against a major effect of tHcy levels on AAA tissue inflammation, while current cigarette smoking is a significant modulating factor.
The serum immunoglobulin-free light chain (FLC) assay measures levels of free κ and λ immunoglobulin light chains. There are three major indications for the FLC assay in the evaluation and management of multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders (PCD). In the context of screening, the serum FLC assay in combination with serum protein electrophoresis (PEL) and immunofixation yields high sensitivity, and negates the need for 24-h urine studies for diagnoses other than light chain amyloidosis (AL). Second, the baseline FLC measurement is of major prognostic value in virtually every PCD. Third, the FLC assay allows for quantitative monitoring of patients with oligosecretory PCD, including AL, oligosecretory myeloma and nearly two-thirds of patients who had previously been deemed to have non-secretory myeloma. In AL patients, serial FLC measurements outperform PEL and immunofixation. In oligosecretory myeloma patients, although not formally validated, serial FLC measurements reduce the need for frequent bone marrow biopsies. In contrast, there are no data to support using FLC assay in place of 24-h urine PEL for monitoring or for serial measurements in PCD with measurable disease by serum or urine PEL. This paper provides consensus guidelines for the use of this important assay, in the diagnosis and management of clonal PCD.
In 2005, the first guidelines were published on the management of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). An expert panel reviewed the currently available literature as the basis for a set of revised and updated consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with MM who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. Here we present recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment of newly diagnosed non-transplant-eligible patients and the management of complications occurring during induction therapy among these patients. These guidelines will aid the physician in daily clinical practice and will ensure optimal care for patients with MM.
Multiple myeloma is the most common indication for high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (ASCT) in North America today. Stem cell procurement for ASCT has most commonly been performed with stem cell mobilization using colony-stimulating factors with or without prior chemotherapy. The target CD34+ cell dose to be collected as well as the number of apheresis performed varies throughout the country, but a minimum of 2 million CD34+ cells/kg has been traditionally used for the support of one cycle of high-dose therapy. With the advent of plerixafor (AMD3100) (a novel stem cell mobilization agent), it is pertinent to review the current status of stem cell mobilization for myeloma as well as the role of autologous stem cell transplantation in this disease. On June 1, 2008, a panel of experts was convened by the International Myeloma Foundation to address issues regarding stem cell mobilization and autologous transplantation in myeloma in the context of new therapies. The panel was asked to discuss a variety of issues regarding stem cell collection and transplantation in myeloma especially with the arrival of plerixafor. Herein, is a summary of their deliberations and conclusions.
Resource availability, competition, and predation commonly drive body size evolution. We assess the impact of high food availability and the consequent increased intraspecific competition, as expressed by tail injuries and cannibalism, on body size in Skyros wall lizards ( Podarcis gaigeae ). Lizard populations on islets surrounding Skyros (Aegean Sea) all have fewer predators and competitors than on Skyros but differ in the numbers of nesting seabirds. We predicted the following: (1) the presence of breeding seabirds (providing nutrients) will increase lizard population densities; (2) dense lizard populations will experience stronger intraspecific competition; and (3) such aggression, will be associated with larger average body size. We found a positive correlation between seabird and lizard densities. Cannibalism and tail injuries were considerably higher in dense populations. Increases in cannibalism and tail loss were associated with large body sizes. Adult cannibalism on juveniles may select for rapid growth, fuelled by high food abundance, setting thus the stage for the evolution of gigantism.
Intestinal obstruction in neonatal period is an emergency caused by many surgical causes. An extremely rare surgical cause in this group of age is intussusception which can be easily confused with other surgical entities. In several reports, a significant number of the infants who were included in the study population were believed to have necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We present a rare cause of small intestine obstruction in a preterm female infant that can be easily misdiagnosed and confused preoperatively with other clinical entities particular for this period.
The paper describes a study of the contexts of six teams, expert in research and development of digital media for learning mathematics, who cross-experimented in classrooms with the use of each other’s artefacts. Contextual issues regarding the designed tasks and technologies, the socio-systemic milieu and the ways in which the researchers worked with the teachers were in focus. We analysed the ways in which a set of mutually constructed and negotiated questions aiming to illuminate otherwise tacit contextual issues operated as boundary objects amongst the teams. We discuss the need to develop special tools such as these boundary objects in order to elicit issues of context and the ways they may affect the production of theory.
BACKGROUND: Ischemia modified albumin (IMA), is a new biomarker of oxidative processes involved with coronary artery disease (CAD). We determined serum IMA, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and evaluated their correlation with severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA). Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), CK-MB mass, albumin and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) were also evaluated.
METHODS: The study included 114 patients (88 men and 30 women) aged 43-80 years with documented CAD without evidence of acute coronary syndrome undergoing CA and 163 controls (131 men and 32 women) similarly aged.
RESULTS: IMA, hsCRP and NT-proBNP were higher (p<0.001 and p=0.008 for NT-proBNP) while TAS was lower (p<0.001) in patients than in controls. IMA and TAS were negatively correlated in all subjects (p<0.01). Among patients, there was no correlation between IMA and the number of diseased vessels. For CAD diagnosis the best cut-off point for IMA was 101.5 KU/L with a sensitivity and a specificity of 87.7% and a negative predictive value of 83.3%. IMA was associated with an increased risk for CAD (OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.16-1.31; p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: IMA determination may provide earlier information of CAD presence before hsCRP or NT-proBNP elevation, contributing to early assessment of overall patient risk.
The Itea-Amfissa valley, separating Giona Mountain to the west from Parnassos Mountain to the east, is related to an extensional detachment observed along the eastern slopes of Giona. The detachment is traced for 30 km north of the Corinth Gulf and dips 25{degrees}-40{degrees} to the east, showing an east-west extension parallel to the Hellenic arc. The lower nappes of Pindos, Penteoria, Vardoussia and mainly the basal thrust of the Parnassos unit form part of the footwall, whereas the upper thrusts of the Parnassos unit and the Western Thessaly-Beotia nappe form part of the hanging wall. The eastern slopes of Giona are controlled by the detachment and several hundred metres of syn-tectonic breccia-conglomerates are observed at the top of the hanging wall rocks and are back-tilt towards the detachment plane. Two conglomeratic sequences are distinguished: the lower one consists of argillaceous matrix and abundant ophiolite detritus whereas the upper one bears carbonate matrix with carbonate detritus together with large olistholites of Mesozoic limestones. Based on calcareous nannofossils a middle Miocene age has been determined for the lower formation and a middle-upper Miocene age is probable for the upper. Planation surfaces cut on top of the sediments rise from south to north starting from sea level at Galaxidi to about 1400 m at Prosilio. The throw of the detachment is about 2.5-4.2 km measured mainly from the structural omission of the Alpine tectono-stratigraphic units. A contrast between the footwall and the hanging wall structure is described, with monoclinic sequence of the Parnassos nappe dipping to the west in the footwall but a complex synsedimentary horst and graben structure of sliding blocks of Alpine formations within the Miocene clastic sequences in the hanging wall. The detachment has been deformed by the east-west-trending steep normal faults that have created the Corinth rift during late Pliocene-Quaternary time showing a north-south extension. The Itea-Amfissa detachment forms the northern tip of the broader East Peloponnesus detachment, observed south of the Corinth rift structure from Feneos to Kyparissi. Similar geodynamic phenomena with large olistholites and breccia conglomerates are known from the Serravalian of Crete, related to the activity of the Cretan detachment.
Outflows in the form of jets is a widespread phenomenon in astrophysics. Their main driving mechanism is likely related to magnetic fields. These fields are able to tap the rotational energy of the central object and its surrounding disk, and accelerate and collimate matter ejecta. To zeroth order these outflows can be described within the theory of steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The analytical insight into the equations of the theory (mostly on the transfield component of the momentum equation) gives simple analytical scalings for the flow speed, density, and magnetic field. The analysis is focused on nonrelativistic YSO jets; similar works [1, 2] exist for relativistic AGN, and highly relativistic GRB jets.
We exploit the decoherence of electrons due to magnetic impurities, studied via weak localization, to resolve a long-standing question concerning the classic Kondo systems of Fe impurities in the noble metals gold and silver: which Kondo-type model yields a realistic description of the relevant multiple bands, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom? Previous studies suggest a fully screened spin S Kondo model, but the value of S remained ambiguous. We perform density functional theory calculations that suggest S = 3/2. We also compare previous and new measurements of both the resistivity and decoherence rate in quasi-one-dimensional wires to numerical renormalization group predictions for S = 1/2, 1, and 3/2, finding excellent agreement for S = 3/2.
À travers une approche comparative, la présente étude confronte les récits des voyageurs français du XVIIe siècle, qui ont parcouru l’Orient méditerranéen, au « livre des voyages » d’Evliya Çelebi. Après avoir abordé les relations diplomatiques franco-ottomanes, nous traitons de l’image de l’Empire ottoman communiquée dans les récits, les journaux et les traités des voyageurs français. Plus précisément, nous présentons les récits de Pierre Giles, Jean Thévenot, Joseph-Guillaume Grelot, La Croix et Antoine des Barrès, dont nous analysons les informations relatives à l’administration, la société, la religion et l’art ottomans. Contrairement à la structure déjà formée du récit viatique français, qui exprime l’approche ethnocentriste de ses auteurs, le « livre des voyages », qui dévoile la perception d’un Ottoman, ne suit pas de règles préétablies. Ainsi, à l’opposé des récits viatiques français, qui se réfèrent à la décadence de la force et du prestige du sultan, comme dans le cas des Mémoires de La Croix, le « livre des voyages » de Çelebi, qui comprend souvent des digressions sur la personnalité et les fonctions de Melek Ahmed Pacha, s’attarde sur la puissance du sultan ainsi que sur la structure et les caractéristiques de la hiérarchie de la société ottomane. Notons que la subjectivité des récits des voyageurs français du XVIIe et de Çelebi, malgré la richesse de leurs informations, nous oblige à les traiter avec précaution.
New micropaleontological, palynological, and geochemical results from a relatively shallow (∼500 m) sediment core (NS-14) in the south-eastern Aegean Sea provide a detailed picture of the regional expression of sapropel S1 formation in this sub-basin of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Specifically, freshwater input during ∼10.6–10.0 ka BP has preceded the deposition of S1. Further decrease in surface water salinity is evidenced between 10.0 and 8.5 ka BP at the lower part of S1a, which in respect to S1b, is featured by warmer (∼19.5 °C) and more productive surface waters associated with dysoxic bottom conditions. A series of coolings detected within the S1 depositional interval, may be linked to outbursts of cold northerly air masses and relevant pulses in the deep-intermediate water ventilation that caused the S1 interruption between 7.9 and 7.3 ka BP and culminated during the deposition of S1b, with the decline of deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) at ∼6.5 ka BP. The climate instability and the relevant absence of anoxia weakened the organic matter preservation in the shallow south-eastern Aegean margin during the S1 times. NS-14 record provides evidence for a distinct mid Holocene warm (up to ∼25 °C) and wet phase associated with the deposition of the sapropel-like layer SMH (Sapropel Mid Holocene), between 5.4 and 4.3 ka BP. The SMH layer could represent evidence of on-going, albeit weak, African monsoon forcing, only expressed at the south-eastern edge of the Aegean Sea. Its end is associated with the 4.2 ka BP Northern Hemisphere megadrought event and the termination of the African Humid Period at 3.8 ka BP.
Quantitative analyses of coccolithophores, planktonic foraminifers, dinoflagellate cysts and pollen assemblages were carried out on shallow (NS-14) and deeper (NS-40) sediment cores from the south-eastern Aegean Sea. Nine coccolithophore (ACE 1–9) and nine planktonic foraminifer (APFE 1–9) ecozones, correlated with dinoflagellate cyst evidence, have been defined for the last ~14.5 cal. ka. Additionally, eight pollen assemblage zones (PAZ 1–8) have been recognised and correlated with the plankton ecozones. Although generally consistent with existing schemes for the central and eastern Mediterranean, the established high resolution ecostratigraphy has led to an expanded palaeoecological reconstruction of the Late Glacial–Holocene archive in the south-eastern Aegean Sea, defining two warm and humid phases at 9.3–8.6 and 7.6–6.4 cal. ka B.P., associated with the deposition of the early Holocene sapropel S1, and a third one between 5.2 and 4.2 cal. ka B.P. The high sedimentation rates which characterise the study area enabled the detection of even minor and brief climatic events in the Aegean Sea during S1 deposition times.
We present a pooled update of two large, multicenter MM-009 and MM-010 placebo-controlled randomized phase III trials that included 704 patients and assessed lenalidomide plus dexamethasone versus dexamethasone plus placebo in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Patients in both studies were randomized to receive 25mg daily oral lenalidomide or identical placebo, plus 40mg oral dexamethasone. In this pooled analysis, using data up to unblinding (June 2005 for MM-009 and August 2005 for MM-010), treatment with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone significantly improved overall response (60.6 vs 21.9%, P<0.001), complete response rate (15.0 vs 2.0%, P<0.001), time to progression (median of 13.4 vs 4.6 months, P<0.001) and duration of response (median of 15.8 months vs 7 months, P<0.001) compared with dexamethasone-placebo. At a median follow-up of 48 months for surviving patients, using data up to July 2008, a significant benefit in overall survival (median of 38.0 vs 31.6 months, P=0.045) was retained despite 47.6% of patients who were randomized to dexamethasone-placebo receiving lenalidomide-based treatment after disease progression or study unblinding. Low β2- microglobulin and low bone marrow plasmacytosis were associated with longer survival. In conclusion, these data confirm the significant response and survival benefit with lenalidomide and dexamethasone.
Accumulating evidence supports a role for obesity in the etiology of multiple myeloma (MM). The distinct possibility exists that obesity may be linked to MM through altered adipokine secretion and circulating levels, one of which, adiponectin, has a protective role in several malignancies, including leukemia. In this case-control study, we investigated the role of serum adiponectin, resistin, and leptin levels in the etiopathogenesis of MM and we explored their association with several established prognostic factors. Seventy three patients with incident, histologically confirmed MM and 73 controls matched on gender and age were studied between 2001 and 2007, and blood samples were collected. Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, as well as MM prognostic parameters were determined. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Lower serum adiponectin and resistin levels were associated with higher risk of MM by bivariate analysis and after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and serum levels of leptin (p < 0.0001). Adiponectin may have a protective role in MM, whereas leptin was not associated with risk for MM at a comparable level of significance and resistin levels may be decreased via a compensatory mechanism. Further studies are needed to confirm these associations and to explore the mechanisms underlying adiponectin's role in MM and plasma cell dyscrasias.
We present numerical simulations of axisymmetric, magnetically driven outflows that reproduce the inferred properties of ultrarelativistic gamma-ray burst (GRB) jets. These results extend our previous simulations of outflows accelerated to moderately relativistic speeds, which are applicable to jets of active galactic nuclei. In contrast to several recent investigations, which have employed the magnetodynamics approximation, our numerical scheme solves the full set of equations of special relativistic, ideal magnetohydrodynamics, which enables us to explicitly calculate the jet velocity and magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency - key parameters of interest for astrophysical applications. We confirm that the magnetic acceleration scheme remains robust into the ultrarelativistic regime, as previously indicated by semi-analytic self-similar solutions. We find that all current-carrying outflows exhibit self-collimation and consequent acceleration near the rotation axis, but that unconfined outflows lose causal connectivity across the jet and therefore do not collimate or accelerate efficiently in their outer regions. We show that magnetically accelerated jets confined by an external pressure that varies as z-α (0 < α <= 2) assume a paraboloidal shape z ~ ra (where r,z are cylindrical coordinates and a > 1), and we obtain analytic expressions for the one-to-one correspondence between the pressure distribution and the asymptotic jet shape. We demonstrate that the acceleration efficiency of jets with paraboloidal streamlines is >~50 per cent, with the numerical value being higher the lower the initial magnetization. We derive asymptotic analytic expressions for the acceleration of initially cold outflows along paraboloidal streamlines and verify that they provide good descriptions of the simulated flows. Our modelled jets (corresponding to 3/2 < a < 3) attain Lorentz factors Γ >~ 102 on scales ~ 1010-1012cm, consistent with the possibility that long/soft GRB jets are accelerated within envelopes of collapsing massive stars, and Γ >~ 30 on scales ~9 × 108-3 × 1010cm, consistent with the possibility that short/hard GRB jets are accelerated on scales where they can be confined by moderately relativistic winds from accretion discs. We also find that Γθv ~ 1 for outflows that undergo an efficient magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion, where θv is the opening half-angle of the poloidal streamlines. This relation implies that the γ-ray emitting components of GRB outflows accelerated in this way are very narrow, with θv <~ 1° in regions where Γ >~ 100, and that the afterglow light curves of these components would either exhibit a very early jet break or show no jet break at all.
We present numerical simulations of axisymmetric, magnetically driven outflows that reproduce the inferred properties of ultrarelativistic gamma-ray burst (GRB) jets. These results extend our previous simulations of outflows accelerated to moderately relativistic speeds, which are applicable to jets of active galactic nuclei. In contrast to several recent investigations, which have employed the magnetodynamics approximation, our numerical scheme solves the full set of equations of special relativistic, ideal magnetohydrodynamics, which enables us to explicitly calculate the jet velocity and magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency - key parameters of interest for astrophysical applications. We confirm that the magnetic acceleration scheme remains robust into the ultrarelativistic regime, as previously indicated by semi-analytic self-similar solutions. We find that all current-carrying outflows exhibit self-collimation and consequent acceleration near the rotation axis, but that unconfined outflows lose causal connectivity across the jet and therefore do not collimate or accelerate efficiently in their outer regions. We show that magnetically accelerated jets confined by an external pressure that varies as z-α (0 < α <= 2) assume a paraboloidal shape z ~ ra (where r,z are cylindrical coordinates and a > 1), and we obtain analytic expressions for the one-to-one correspondence between the pressure distribution and the asymptotic jet shape. We demonstrate that the acceleration efficiency of jets with paraboloidal streamlines is >~50 per cent, with the numerical value being higher the lower the initial magnetization. We derive asymptotic analytic expressions for the acceleration of initially cold outflows along paraboloidal streamlines and verify that they provide good descriptions of the simulated flows. Our modelled jets (corresponding to 3/2 < a < 3) attain Lorentz factors Γ >~ 102 on scales ~ 1010-1012cm, consistent with the possibility that long/soft GRB jets are accelerated within envelopes of collapsing massive stars, and Γ >~ 30 on scales ~9 × 108-3 × 1010cm, consistent with the possibility that short/hard GRB jets are accelerated on scales where they can be confined by moderately relativistic winds from accretion discs. We also find that Γθv ~ 1 for outflows that undergo an efficient magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion, where θv is the opening half-angle of the poloidal streamlines. This relation implies that the γ-ray emitting components of GRB outflows accelerated in this way are very narrow, with θv <~ 1° in regions where Γ >~ 100, and that the afterglow light curves of these components would either exhibit a very early jet break or show no jet break at all.
By means of magnetic measurements we have studied the magnetic properties of the NdFeAsO0.82F0.18 superconductor. We estimated the upper critical field H-c2(ab) (T) from the temperature at which the inverse magnetization deviates from linear behavior. Low field magnetic measurements revealed that a external magnetic induction of B = 0.01 T destroys the superconducting path between grains (weak-link behavior). Nd ions behave as isolated paramagnetic centers. This is evident since for magnetic inductions larger than 0.5 T a paramagnetic moment arises from the Nd that overcomes the superconducting diamagnetic signal. Hysteresis loops at several temperatures revealed that the critical current falls rapidly with temperature. The temperature variation of the reversible magnetization shows a behavior that is reminiscent of high-T-c cuprates, indicating the important role of thermal fluctuations.
Uterine sarcomas constitute a rare group of neoplasms characterized by an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. It is this rarity that has resulted in clinical-trial reports and literature reviews including a broad range of histological subtypes of sarcoma. This has a detrimental effect on interpretation and application of the results; the pathological subtype demands a tailored approach. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for non metastatic uterine sarcomas. Although adjuvant radiation therapy has reportedly been of little survival value, it appears to improve local control and may delay recurrence. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy has yet to be established; however, bearing in mind the limitations and assumptions in the pooling of data the therapeutic options should be based on the pathological subtype. Considering the poor overall survival in uterine sarcomas, the need for new therapeutic agents is critical. New drugs with possible activity in uterine sarcomas include trabectedin, temozolomide, liposomal doxorubicin and gemcitabine.
INTRODUCTION: Bile duct injury is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Several series have described a 0.5% to 0.6% incidence of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to analyze the presentation, characteristics, related investigation, and treatment results of major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
CASE PRESENTATION: A rare case of a 48-year-old Greek woman with a triple bile duct injury (right and left hepatic duct ligation and common bile duct cross-section) is presented. A Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed after repeated endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies, percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the ducts and magnetic resonance cholangiographies to delineate the biliary anatomy and assess the level of injury.
CONCLUSION: Early recognition and an adequate multidisciplinary approach are the cornerstones for the optimal final outcome. Suboptimal management of injuries often leads to more extensive damage to the biliary tree and its vasculature. Early referral to a tertiary care center with experienced hepatobiliary surgeons and skilled interventional radiologists would appear to be necessary to assure optimal results.
This paper reports on a case-study design experiment in the domain of fraction as number-measure. We designed and implemented a set of exploratory tasks concerning comparison and ordering of fractions as well as operations with fractions. Two groups of 12-year-old students worked collaboratively using paper and pencil as well as a specially designed microworld which combines graphical and symbolic notation of fractions represented as points on the number line. We used the students interactions with the available representations as a window into their conceptual understanding and struggles in making sense of fraction asnumber-measure. We report on the features of the available representations from an epistemological point of view, on the design of activities aiming at creating meaningful problem contexts for fractions as well as on the meanings generated by the students by some illustrative examples of their work indicating the potential of the activities and tools for expressing and reflecting on the mathematical nature of fraction as number-measure.
BACKGROUND: Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) may protect from Alzheimer disease (AD), but its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been explored.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the MeDi and MCI.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: In a multiethnic community study in New York, we used Cox proportional hazards to investigate the association between adherence to the MeDi (0-9 scale; higher scores indicate higher adherence) and (1) the incidence of MCI and (2) the progression from MCI to AD. All of the models were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, ethnicity, education, APOE genotype, caloric intake, body mass index, and duration between baseline dietary assessment and baseline diagnosis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of MCI and progression from MCI to AD.
RESULTS: There were 1393 cognitively normal participants, 275 of whom developed MCI during a mean (SD) follow-up of 4.5 (2.7) years (range, 0.9-16.4 years). Compared with subjects in the lowest MeDi adherence tertile, subjects in the middle tertile had 17% less risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-1.12; P = .24) of developing MCI and those in the highest tertile had 28% less risk (HR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52-1.00; P = .05) of developing MCI (trend HR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72-1.00; P for trend = .05). There were 482 subjects with MCI, 106 of whom developed AD during a mean (SD) follow-up of 4.3 (2.7) years (range, 1.0-13.8 years). Compared with subjects in the lowest MeDi adherence tertile, subjects in the middle tertile had 45% less risk (HR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34-0.90; P = .01) of developing AD and those in the highest tertile had 48% less risk (HR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.91; P = .02) of developing AD (trend HR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.95; P for trend = .02).
CONCLUSIONS: Higher adherence to the MeDi is associated with a trend for reduced risk of developing MCI and with reduced risk of MCI conversion to AD.
Abstract Pataky, K., Villanueva, G., Liani, A., Zgheib, O., Jenkins, N., Halazonetis, D. J., Halazonetis, T. D. and Brugger, J. Microcollimator for Micrometer-Wide Stripe Irradiation of Cells Using 20-30 keV X Rays. Radiat. Res. 172, 252-259 (2009). The exposure of subnuclear compartments of cells to ionizing radiation is currently not trivial. We describe here a collimator for micrometer-wide stripe irradiation designed to work with conventional high-voltage X-ray tubes and cells cultured on standard glass cover slips. The microcollimator was fabricated by high-precision silicon micromachining and consists of X-ray absorbing chips with grooves of highly controlled depths, between 0.5-10 microm, along their surfaces. These grooves form X-ray collimating slits when the chips are stacked against each other. The use of this device for radiation biology was examined by irradiating human cells with X rays having energies between 20-30 keV. After irradiation, p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1), a nuclear protein that is recruited at sites of DNA double-strand breaks, clustered in lines corresponding to the irradiated stripes.
After a brief description of the multiple-scattering method for photonic crystals, we present some results obtained by this method, relating to various types of plasmonic nanostructures in one, two and three dimensions: cavity plasmon waveguides, systems of metallic particles, and arrays of metallic shells. We analyse the optical response of these structures and emphasise some interesting aspects of the underlying physics.
Using a fully self-consistent envelope function approach, we focus on wide conduction band NMS (non-magnetic semiconductor)/DMS (dilute magnetic semiconductor)/NMS quantum wells, under weak external parallel magnetic field, where many spin-subbands are usually present. We concentrate on small values of the magnetic field because we want to investigate the influence of the feedback mechanism due to the difference of the concentrations of spin-up and spin-down carriers which could induce spontaneous spin-polarization i.e. in the absence of a magnetic field. We study the spin-subband structure, the spin-subband populations and the spin-polarization as functions of the sheet carrier concentration, Ns, for different values of the magnitude of the exchange interaction, | J |, between the itinerant carriers and the magnetic impurities. Our calculations for 0.01 T show that at 20 K the values of | J | necessary to make this feedback mechanism sufficiently strong are too high compared to the | J | values of common Mn-doped systems in the conduction band. However, the feedback mechanism will be sufficiently strong at low enough temperatures below 20 K for realistic values of | J |. Moreover, we explain how increasing the sheet carrier concentration the heterostructure is transformed from an almost square quantum well to a system of two coupled heterojunctions with an intermediate soft barrier.
In this study, the distribution patterns of physical (sand%, loam%, clay%, pH and organic matter%o) and chemical (calcium carbonate (CaCO3), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg+2), phosphorus (P), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)) parameters of soil commonly assayed in analytical chemistry laboratories, are reported. Three representative areas (lowland (LL), semi-mountainous (SM), and coastal (C)) and 170 sample sites were selected, 510 soil samples were collected and analyzed for a 3-years period (2002-2004), in the prefecture of Larissa, Thessaly, central Greece. In each studied site, the kind of cultivation is also reported. Soils in LL area of the prefecture of Larissa were found to be rich in organic matter, Mg, B, but poor in Fe, Mn and Zn, when compared to the other two sites. The studied SM area of Larissa's prefecture constituted from clayey soils showed big concentrations of Mg, Zn, high value of clay and low value of sand, when compared to the other two studied areas. The studied C area is characterized by the sandy soils near the coastal areas of the prefecture of Larissa. In each studied area, the parameters are principally separated into two main clusters, each of them divided additionally into sub-clusters with slight differences. Six latent factors explain 78.1%, 74.3%, and 74.6% of the total variance of the LL-site, SM-site, and C-site, respectively, which is an indication for the factor analysis model adequacy.
Aims: Drawing an analogy with active galactic nuclei, we investigate the one-zone synchrotron self-compton (SSC) model of gamma ray bursts (GRB) afterglows in the presence of electron injection and cooling both by synchrotron and SSC losses. Methods: We solve the spatially averaged kinetic equations which describe the simultaneous evolution of particles and photons, obtaining the multi-wavelength spectrum as a function of time. We back up our numerical calculations with analytical solutions of the equations using various profiles of the magnetic field evolution under certain simplifying assumptions. Results: We apply the model to the afterglow evolution of GRBs in a uniform density environment and examine the impact various parameters have on the multiwavelength spectra. We find that in cases where the electron injection and/or the ambient density is high, the losses are dominated by SSC and the solutions depart significantly from the ones derived in the synchrotron standard cases.
Aims: Drawing an analogy with active galactic nuclei, we investigate the one-zone synchrotron self-compton (SSC) model of gamma ray bursts (GRB) afterglows in the presence of electron injection and cooling both by synchrotron and SSC losses. Methods: We solve the spatially averaged kinetic equations which describe the simultaneous evolution of particles and photons, obtaining the multi-wavelength spectrum as a function of time. We back up our numerical calculations with analytical solutions of the equations using various profiles of the magnetic field evolution under certain simplifying assumptions. Results: We apply the model to the afterglow evolution of GRBs in a uniform density environment and examine the impact various parameters have on the multiwavelength spectra. We find that in cases where the electron injection and/or the ambient density is high, the losses are dominated by SSC and the solutions depart significantly from the ones derived in the synchrotron standard cases.
The muscle LIM protein (MLP) and cofilin 2 (CFL2) are important regulators of striated myocyte function. Mutations in the corresponding genes have been directly associated with severe human cardiac and skeletal myopathies, and aberrant expression patterns have often been observed in affected muscles. Herein, we have investigated whether MLP and CFL2 are involved in common molecular mechanisms, which would promote our understanding of disease pathogenesis. We have shown for the first time, using a range of biochemical and immunohistochemical methods, that MLP binds directly to CFL2 in human cardiac and skeletal muscles. The interaction involves the inter-LIM domain, amino acids 94 to 105, of MLP and the amino-terminal domain, amino acids 1 to 105, of CFL2, which includes part of the actin depolymerization domain. The MLP/CFL2 complex is stronger in moderately acidic (pH 6.8) environments and upon CFL2 phosphorylation, while it is independent of Ca(2+) levels. This interaction has direct implications in actin cytoskeleton dynamics in regulating CFL2-dependent F-actin depolymerization, with maximal depolymerization enhancement at an MLP/CFL2 molecular ratio of 2:1. Deregulation of this interaction by intracellular pH variations, CFL2 phosphorylation, MLP or CFL2 gene mutations, or expression changes, as observed in a range of cardiac and skeletal myopathies, could impair F-actin depolymerization, leading to sarcomere dysfunction and disease.
The aim of this study was to investigate changes in shot put performance, muscular power, and neuromuscular activation of the lower extremities, between the preseason and the competition period, in skilled shot put athletes using the rotational technique. Shot put performance was assessed at the start of the pre-season period as well as after 12 weeks, at the competition period, in nine shot putters. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the right vastus lateralis muscle was recorded during all shot put trials. Maximum squat strength (1RM) and mechanical parameters during the countermovement jump (CMJ) on a force platform were also determined at pre-season and at competition period. Shot put performance increased 4.7% (p < 0.05), while 1RM squat increased 6.5% (p < 0.025). EMG activity during the delivery phase was increased significantly (p < 0.025) after the training period. Shot put performance was significantly related with muscular power and takeoff velocity during the CMJ, at competition period (r = 0.66, p < 0.05 and 0.70, p < 0.05), but not with maximum vertical force. One RM squat was not related significantly with shot put performance. These results suggest that muscular power of the lower extremities is a better predictor of rotational shot put performance than absolute muscular strength in skilled athletes, at least during the competition period.
Dialysis-related amyloidosis is related to the inefficient removal of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-m) that is mainly responsible for the formation of amyloid fibrils deposited on the joints and in the heart, blood vessels and digestive system. Magnetically assisted hemodialysis (MAHD) can be used for the prevention of dialysis-related amyloidosis. MAHD is based on ferromagnetic nanoparticle-targeted binding substance conjugates (FN-TBS Cs) that should be administered to the patient before the dialysis session. The TBS should have a high affinity for beta(2)-m so that the conjugates bind with the beta(2)-m in the bloodstream. The complex FN-TBS-beta(2)-m will be selectively removed during dialysis by means of a "magnetic dialyzer" that is installed at the dialysis machine in series to the conventional dialyzer. We have examined the in vitro applicability of MAHD by employing biocompatible Fe3O4 and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as constituents of the FN-TBS Cs. We evaluated the binding capacity of both bare Fe3O4 FNs and Fe3O4-BSA Cs for beta(2)-m concentrations ranging from mild to severe conditions. Finally, we conducted mock-dialysis experiments for the evaluation of several technical issues related to MAHD. beta(2)-m is adsorbed onto the Fe3O4-BSA Cs not only almost instantly, but also very efficiently. The employed Cs do not chemically interact with the materials used in standard dialyzers, as agglomerates were not observed in the capillaries of the conventional dialyzers. MAHD may become an efficient modality for the prevention of dialysis-related amyloidosis because beta(2)-m concentrations ranging from mild to severe conditions can be adequately handled.
We present a thorough theoretical study of the optical properties of periodic structures built of silver and silica nanodisks in a sandwich-like configuration, by means of full electrodynamic calculations using the extended layer-multiple-scattering method. The strong coupling of the metallic nanoparticles and the resulting plasmon hybridization lead to collective electric and magnetic resonant modes, which can be tuned by changing the structural parameters, such as nanoparticle size and lattice constant. We analyze the response of single- and multi-layer architectures of ordered arrays of such nanosandwiches on a dielectric substrate to externally incident light and evaluate the corresponding effective permittivity and permeability functions. Our results reveal the existence of optical magnetism, with a strong negative effective permeability over a tunable spectral range at near-infrared and visible frequencies. We introduce the complex photonic band structure as a tool in the study of three-dimensional metamaterials and establish additional criteria for the validity of their effective-medium description. Our work demonstrates the efficiency of the recently developed extended layer-multiple-scattering method in the study of metamaterials of composite metal-dielectric particles of arbitrary shape.
Wosinska L, Colle D, Demeester P, Katrinis K, Lackovic M, Lapcevic O, Lievens I, Markidis G, Mikac B, Pickavet M, et al.Network resilience in future optical networks. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) [Internet]. 2009;5412 LNCS:253-284. Website
We report the discovery of a possible nova in M 31 on two 10x60s stacked unfiltered CCD images obtained a 40-cm Cassegrain telescope with a focal reducer (F/5.1) equipped with a 2184 x 1472 pixel ST-10XME CCD camera (pixel size 6.8 microns square) at the Athens University Observatory, Greece on 2009 June 30.045 UT and July 1.049 UT with magnitudes of 17.7 and 17.5, respectively. The position of the nova candidate is RA = 00h42m10.36s, Dec = +41o12'19.9" (J2000, accuracy 0.3"), which is 383" west and 229" south of the core of M 31.
In this issue of Blood, Bartel and colleagues report the independent predictive value of the PET/CT and of the FDG suppression before transplantation in newly diagnosed myeloma patients who were treated using the TT3 regimen.
Enlarging-shrinking geometrical figures by 13 year-olds is studied during the implementation of proportional geometric tasks in the classroom. Students worked in groups of two using ‘Turtleworlds’, a piece of geometrical construction software which combines symbolic notation, through a programming language, with dynamic manipulation of geometrical objects by dragging on sliders representing variable values. In this paper we study the students’ normalising activity, as they use this kind of dynamic manipulation to modify ‘buggy’ geometrical figures while developing meanings for ratio and proportion. We describe students’ normative actions in terms of four distinct Dynamic Manipulation Schemes (Reconnaissance, Correlation, Testing, Verification). We discuss the potential of dragging for mathematical insight in this particular computational environment, as well as the purposeful nature of the task which sets up possibilities for students to appreciate the utility of proportional relationships.
Recent observations by the H.E.S.S. collaboration of the Galactic Centre region have revealed what appears to be γ-ray emission from the decay of pions produced by interactions of recently accelerated cosmic rays with local molecular hydrogen clouds. Synthesizing a 3D hydrogen cloud map from the available data and assuming a diffusion coefficient of the form κ(E) = κ0(E/E0)δ, we performed Monte Carlo simulations of cosmic ray diffusion for various propagation times and values of κ0 and δ. By fitting the model γ-ray spectra to the observed one we were able to infer the value of the diffusion coefficient in that environment (κ = 3.0 ± 0.2 kpc2 Myr-1 for E = 1012.5 eV and for total propagation time 104 yr) as well as the source spectrum (2.1 ⩽ γ ⩽ 2.3). Also, we found that proton losses can be substantial, which justifies our approach to the problem.
Wosinska L, Simeonidou D, Tzanakaki A, Raffaelli C, Politi C. Optical Networks for the Future Internet: Introduction. Journal of Optical Communications and NetworkingJournal of Optical Communications and Networking [Internet]. 2009;1(2):FI1. Website
We present a large sample (20 in total) of optical spectra of Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) High-Mass X-ray Binaries obtained with the 2dF spectrograph at the Anglo-Australian Telescope. All of these sources are found to be Be/X-ray binaries (Be-XRBs), while for five sources we present original classifications. Several statistical tests on this expanded sample support previous findings for similar spectral-type distributions of Be-XRBs and Be field stars in the SMC, and of Be-XRBs in the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Milky Way, although this could be the result of small samples. On the other hand, we find that Be-XRBs follow a different distribution than Be stars in the Galaxy, also in agreement with previous studies. In addition, we find similar Be spectral-type distributions between the Magellanic Clouds samples. These results reinforce the relation between the orbital period and the equivalent width of the Hα line that holds for Be-XRBs. SMC Be stars have larger Hα equivalent widths when compared to Be-XRBs, supporting the notion of circumstellar disk truncation by the compact object.
The Aegean Sea covers an area of some 160??103 km2 and receives the water/sediment fluxes from a mountainous drainage basin of >200??103 km2. On the basis of its morphodynamic characteristics, the Aegean Basin could be divided into: (1) the North Aegean Sea, an elongated region (trending between N50?? and N70??) including the extensive northern shelves and the Deep Aegean Trough; (2) the Central Aegean, which includes: the Cyclades Plateau, a relatively shallow (average depth <350 m) submerged platform, surrounded by small basins (up to 1000 m depth), including also the relatively extended eastern shelf of Asia Minor, and (3) the Southern Aegean Sea, located southwards of the Hellenic volcanic arc, which presents the characteristics of a true back-arc basin (the Cretan Sea). The surficial unconsolidated sediments of the north Aegean floor are dominated by the terrigenous component (from 50% up to >90%) due to the large terrigenous riverine fluxes. The South Aegean presents high percentages (>50%) of biogenic material, due to the small terrigenous inputs and despite the fact that it is more oligotrophic than the North Aegean. The Central Aegean presents a transitional character with the terrigenous influxes being imported along its eastern part and quantitatively being in between those of the North and South Aegean Sea sub-regions. The coarse-grained materials in shallow (shelf) areas are attributed to 'relict' deposits, while those in large water depths are almost exclusively biogenic products. The offshore distribution of the fine-grained terrigenous material is dominated by the overall circulation pattern, while meso-scale eddies may, locally, either enhance (anticyclones) or reduce (cyclones) settling rates. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the predominant clay minerals (illite and smectite) and of kaolinite and chlorite is governed by the lithology and proximity to land source areas, the water circulation and the processes of differential settling and flocculation. Overall, the North Aegean is characterised by sedimentation processes similar to those of a 'continental margin', primarily neritic and secondarily hemipelagic, the Central Aegean region mostly by hemipelagic and the South Aegean, behaving more like an 'oceanic margin', mostly by pelagic processes. ?? 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AIMS: To compare the treatment and outcomes of myocardial infarction patients in hospitals with and without catheterization laboratory.
METHODS AND RESULTS: The Hellenic Infarction Observation Study was a countrywide registry of acute myocardial infarction, conducted during 2005-2006. The registry enrolled 1840 patients with myocardial infarction from 31 hospitals with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals and of all geographical areas. Out of these patients, 645 (35%) were admitted in 11 hospitals with and 1195 (65%) in 20 hospitals without catheterization laboratory. Patients admitted in hospitals with catheterization laboratory in comparison with patients admitted in hospitals without were younger (66+/-14 vs. 68+/-13, P<0.004) with less diabetes (27 vs. 33%, P<0.001), but without other baseline differences (female 27 vs. 25%, prior myocardial infarction 20 vs. 17%, Killip class>1 22 vs. 23%). Reperfusion rates for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were 67% (43% lytic, 24% primary percutaneous coronary interventions) versus 56% (55% lytic, 1% percutaneous coronary interventions; P<0.01). In-hospital outcomes in hospitals with versus in hospitals without laboratory were: mortality 6.5 versus 8.3% (NS), stroke 2.2 versus 1.1% (NS), major bleeding 1.1 versus 0.6% (NS), and heart failure 11 versus 16% (P<0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, being admitted in a hospital without catheterization laboratory was not an independent predictor of increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio=1.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.72-1.93, P=0.505).
CONCLUSION: Although the majority of acute myocardial infarction patients was admitted in hospitals without catheterization laboratory, these patients do not have a survival disadvantage, provided they are treated with lytic therapy, medical secondary prevention drugs, and eventual revascularization according to current guidelines.
AIM: To describe overweight and obese adolescents and to determine any correlations between an adolescent's body mass index (BMI) with personal (age, gender), lifestyle (sedentary/sport activities, smoking status) and parental (smoking status, BMI, number of cars) characteristics.
METHODS: Cross-sectional data on weight, height and various characteristics from 2008 Greek adolescents (12- to 17-year olds, 50.85% boys), measured in 2005-2007, were used.
RESULTS: Almost 1 in 5 (19.2%) boys and 1 in 7 (13.2%) girls 12-17 years of age were overweight while 4.4% of the boys and 1.7% of the girls were obese. The adolescents' age, mother's smoking status, father's and mother's BMI predicted boys' and girls' BMI (b = 0.551, 0.203, 0.110, 0.495 for boys, b = 0.233, 0.187, 0.180, 0.531 for girls, respectively, p < or = 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that television watching/using personal computer/playing video games and playtime were not correlated with BMI, while an inverse association of exercising for > or = 5 h/week and BMI was found in both boys and girls (b =-1.098, -0.528, p = 0.005, 0.004 respectively).
CONCLUSION: The results of our study underline the high prevalence of obesity during adolescence in Greece. Age and parental unhealthy behaviour (increased BMI and maternal smoking status) were positive predictors of increased BMI of adolescents in both genders.
Obesity and insulin resistance have been implicated in the etiology of pancreatic cancer (PC). Whether adiponectin and/or leptin, two adipocyte-secreted hormones important in metabolic regulation, are associated with PC pathogenesis and whether adiponectin receptors are expressed in PC remains unknown. In a hospital-based case-control study, we studied 81 cases with incident, histologically confirmed PC and 81 controls matched on gender and age between 2000 and 2007 to investigate the role of adiponectin and leptin adjusting for risk factors linked to PC. In a separate study, we also studied for the first time whether adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 are expressed in PC by studying 16 PC tumor tissue samples which were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. When subjects were divided into control-defined quartiles of adiponectin and leptin, lower leptin but higher adiponectin levels were associated with PC (p = 0.001 and p = 0.05 respectively) before and after controlling for age, gender, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, history of diabetes, and family history of pancreatic cancer. Of the PC tumor tissue samples analyzed, 87.5% had positive or strong positive expression of AdipoR1 and 93.7% had positive or strong positive expression of AdipoR2. Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether the elevated adiponectin and low leptin levels reported in this study reflect compensatory changes during PC progression and thus can be used as markers for PC or whether they are causally implicated in PC.
Careglio D, Aracil J, Azodolmolky S, García-Haro J, Gunreben S, Hu G, Izal M, Kimsas A, Klinkowski M, Köhn M, et al.Performance issues in optical burst/packet switching. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) [Internet]. 2009;5412 LNCS:189-235. Website
Six contact binaries lacking a period analysis have been chosen to search for the presence of a third body. The O-C diagrams of these binaries were analyzed with the least-squares method by using all available times of minima. Ten new minima times, obtained from our observations, were included in the present research. The Light-Time Effect was adopted for the first time as the main cause for the detailed description of the long-term period changes. Third bodies were found with orbital periods from 49 up to 100 years, and eccentricities from 0.0 to 0.56 for the selected binaries. In one case (WZ And), a fourth-body LITE variation was also applied. The mass functions and the minimal masses of such bodies were also calculated and a possible angular separation and magnitude differences were discussed for a prospective interferometric discovery of these bodies.
BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is ubiquitous and associated with serological evidence of exposure to periodontal organisms, systemic inflammation and vascular disease. Dementia is a major public health problem likely related to a complex interaction between genetics and diseases associated with systemic inflammation, including diabetes, smoking and stroke.
METHODS: To assess relationships between systemic exposure to periodontal pathogens and cognitive test outcomes, data were analysed from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III), a nationally representative cross sectional observational study among older adults. We included 2355 participants >or=60 years who completed measures of cognition and Poryphyromonas gingivalis IgG. Using SUDAAN, logistic regression models examined the association of P gingivalis IgG with cognitive test performance.
RESULTS: Poor immediate verbal memory (<5/9 points) was prevalent in 5.7% of patients, and 6.5% overall had impaired delayed recall (<4/9); 22.1% had difficulty with serial subtractions (<5/5 trials correct). Individuals with the highest P gingivalis IgG (>119 ELISA Units (EU)) were more likely to have poor delayed verbal recall (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.29) and impaired subtraction (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.11) than those with the lowest (
CONTEXT: Both higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and more physical activity have been independently associated with lower Alzheimer disease (AD) risk but their combined association has not been investigated.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined association of diet and physical activity with AD risk.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Prospective cohort study of 2 cohorts comprising 1880 community-dwelling elders without dementia living in New York, New York, with both diet and physical activity information available. Standardized neurological and neuropsychological measures were administered approximately every 1.5 years from 1992 through 2006. Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet (scale of 0-9; trichotomized into low, middle, or high; and dichotomized into low or high) and physical activity (sum of weekly participation in various physical activities, weighted by the type of physical activity [light, moderate, vigorous]; trichotomized into no physical activity, some, or much; and dichotomized into low or high), separately and combined, were the main predictors in Cox models. Models were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, ethnicity, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, caloric intake, body mass index, smoking status, depression, leisure activities, a comorbidity index, and baseline Clinical Dementia Rating score.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Time to incident AD.
RESULTS: A total of 282 incident AD cases occurred during a mean (SD) of 5.4 (3.3) years of follow-up. When considered simultaneously, both Mediterranean-type diet adherence (compared with low diet score, hazard ratio [HR] for middle diet score was 0.98 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.72-1.33]; the HR for high diet score was 0.60 [95% CI, 0.42-0.87]; P = .008 for trend) and physical activity (compared with no physical activity, the HR for some physical activity was 0.75 [95% CI, 0.54-1.04]; the HR for much physical activity was 0.67 [95% CI, 0.47-0.95]; P = .03 for trend) were associated with lower AD risk. Compared with individuals neither adhering to the diet nor participating in physical activity (low diet score and no physical activity; absolute AD risk of 19%), those both adhering to the diet and participating in physical activity (high diet score and high physical activity) had a lower risk of AD (absolute risk, 12%; HR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.44-0.96]; P = .03 for trend).
CONCLUSION: In this study, both higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence and higher physical activity were independently associated with reduced risk for AD.
Physical parameters of contact binaries are studied through 2-D and 3-D correlations among them. It is shown that the physical parameters (i.e. mass, radius and luminosity) are closely correlated with the orbital period and mass ratio in the 3-D domain. These correlations can be used as a quality check for the parameters in every given solution of a contact binary. The empirical laws, extracted out of these correlations, are a useful tool for a quick estimate of physical parameters for the numerous contact binaries found in global sky surveys.
Therapeutic proteins are a diverse class of drugs consisting of naturally occurring or modified proteins, and due to their size and physico-chemical properties, they can pose challenges for the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) modelling has been effective for early in silico prediction of pharmacokinetic properties of new drugs. The aim of the present workshop was to discuss the feasibility of PBPK modelling of macromolecules. The classical PBPK approach was discussed with a presentation of the successful example of PBPK modelling of cyclosporine A. PBPK model was performed with transport of the cyclosporine across cell membranes, affinity to plasma proteins and active membrane transporters included to describe drug transport between physiological compartments. For macromolecules, complex PBPK modelling or permeability-limited and/or target-mediated distribution was discussed. It was generally agreed that PBPK modelling was feasible and desirable. The role of the lymphatic system should be considered when absorption after extravascular administration is modelled. Target-mediated drug disposition was regarded as an important feature for generation of PK models. Complex PK-models may not be necessary when a limited number of organs are affected. More mechanistic PK/PD models will be relevant when adverse events/toxicity are included in the PK/PD modelling.
During the last decades, hundreds of species of Indo-Pacific origin from the Red Sea have traversed the Suez Canal and settled in the Eastern Mediterranean. Nowadays, Amphistegina lobifera Larsen, the most common epiphytic, symbiont- bearing large foraminifer, is known to be a successful immigrant that is widely distributed in the coastal ecosystems of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we provide additional sites of occurrences on distributional range and settlement of A. lobifera in the Greek coastal ecosystems. The high relative abundances recorded are the result of very successful inhabitation of thisspecies in the Aegean ecosystems and suggest that it has become significant part of the epiphytic foraminiferal fauna.
A review of prospectively collected data in our trauma unit for the years 1998-2003 was undertaken. Adult patients who suffered multiple trauma with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of >/=16, admitted to hospital for more than 72 hours and with sustained blunt chest injuries were included in the study. Demographic details including pre-hospital care, trauma history, admission vital signs, blood transfusions, details of injuries and their abbreviated injury scores (AIS), operations, length of intensive care unit and hospital stays, Injury Severity Score (ISS) and mortality were analysed. Fulfilling the inclusion criteria with at least one chest injury were 1,164 patients. The overall mortality reached 18.7%. As expected, patients in the higher AIS groups had both a higher overall ISS and mortality rate with one significant exception; patients with minor chest injuries (AIS(chest) = 1) were associated with mortality comparable to injuries involving an AIS(chest) = 3. Additionally, the vast majority of polytraumatised patients with an AIS(chest) = 1 died in ICU sooner than patients of groups 2-5.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of HPV in a gynecologic population attending outpatient clinics using two new molecular tests. The Amplicor HPV test and the Linear Array (LA) HPV Genotyping test were used for the detection of HPV DNA in 320 women. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent prognostic factors of HPV positivity. The agreement between the two methods in terms of their qualitative results was 89.3% (kappa: 0.63). Based on the LA results, the overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 49.1%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI: 43.5%, 54.7%). The prevalence of high-risk HPV types was 30.3%. The predominant types were HPV-6 (24.8%) and HPV-16 (20.4%). Among women with normal cytology, the prevalence of HPV was much higher in those presenting other findings, such as inflammation, than those without other abnormal findings (49.5% vs. 31.5%). On the basis of multivariate analysis, the risk of HPV infection was higher among women with multiple sexual partners [>3 vs. 1: OR = 3.1, 95% CI: (1.5, 7.2)], Pap smear findings [low/high-grade lesions vs. negative: OR = 2.8, 95% CI: (1.2, 6.5)], the presence of warts [yes vs. no: OR = 3.0, 95% CI: (1.5, 6.3)] and no history of child birth [no vs. yes: OR = 2.6, 95% CI: (1.0, 6.7)]. Younger age was an additional risk factor for HPV infection with carcinogenic genotypes [OR for 1 year increase = 0.93, 95% CI: (0.89, 0.98)].
An external magnetic field, H, applied parallel to a quasi-two-dimensional carrier system modifies quantitatively and qualitatively the density of states. We examine how this affects primary thermodynamic properties, namely, the entropy, S, the internal and free energy, U and F, the magnetization, M, and the magnetic susceptibility, χm, using a self-consistent numerical approach. Although M is mainly in the opposite direction to H, the system is not linear. Hence, surprisingly, δM/δH swings between negative and positive values, i.e. a diamagnetic to paramagnetic transition of entirely orbital origin is predicted. This phenomenon is important compared to the ideal de Haas–van Alphen effect, i.e. the corresponding phenomenon under perpendicular magnetic field. By augmenting temperature, the diamagnetic to paramagnetic transition fades away. The overall behaviour of entropy is also foreseen and consistently interpreted. While the entropy contribution to the free energy is very small at low temperatures, entropy shows a clear dependence on the external magnetic field.
We analyzed 232 patients with previously untreated, symptomatic WM, of whom 10% were 50 years of age and 21% were > 75 years of age. Disease features and response to treatment were similar among age groups. Patients > 75 years of age had significantly shorter survival (OS; 53 months vs. 113 months for those > 50-75 years vs. not reached for patients 50 years of age; P < .001). Despite the fact that 33% of elderly patients died of causes unrelated to WM, disease-specific survival (DSS) was 72 months for patients > 75 years, 120 months for those > 50-75 years and not reached for patients 50 years (P = .001). International Prognostic Scoring System for WM (IPSSWM) could discriminate 3 risk groups with significantly different OS or DSS. The addition of elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase in the IPSS improved the ability of IPSS to identify a group of patients with a significantly worse outcome (median survival, 55 months).
According to a common definition, interprofessional education (IPE) is described as "occasions when two or more professions learn from and about each other to improve collaboration and the quality of care". The Leonardo project under the name European Interprofessional Education Network (EIPEN) in health and social care, has been dealing with the challenges of interprofessional education. The EIPEN project tries to develop a transnational network of universities and employers in the six participating countries and at the same time to promote good practices in interprofessional learning and teaching in health and social care. IPE provides opportunities for students and practitioners to learn with, from and about each other during qualifying and post-qualifying training and in their practice. IPE in health and social care includes the education and training of practitioners in human and animal medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and all other health professions including public and environmental health and health promotion, and social work. The outcomes of the EIPEN Project will provide means, material and guidelines for the enhancement of professional education in the multi-disciplinary field of Health Informatics. The methodology on the development of the Greek Interprofessional Network was based on a series of workshops aiming to document the educational process in healthcare institutes and universities followed by the assessment of the needs for the development of an interprofessional environment. The outcomes will provide means, material and guidelines for the enhancement of professional education in the multi-disciplinary field of Health Informatics.
Tibial stress fractures are not rare--they have been extensively studied in young athletes and soldiers and in elderly people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, pyrophosphate arthropathy, and hyperparathyroidism--but they seldom occur in patients with severe primary degenerative knee osteoarthritis. The etiology, diagnosis, and optimal treatment of these fractures remain a challenge. In this article, we review the English-language literature on the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and final outcomes of these fractures, and we report 2 new cases of proximal tibial stress fractures in elderly women with severe primary degenerative knee osteoarthritis.
A cross-sectional telephone survey on a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Greek households was performed to assess the acceptability of the pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v vaccine, factors associated with intention to decline and stated reasons for declining vaccination. The survey was initiated the last week of August 2009 (week 35) and is still ongoing (analysis up to week 44). The percentage of participants answering they would probably not/definitely not accept the vaccine increased from 47.1% in week 35 to 63.1% in week 44 (test for trend: p<0.001). More than half of the people which chronic illnesses (53.3%) indicated probably not/definitely not. Factors associated with intention to decline vaccination were female sex, age between 30-64 years, perception of low likelihood of getting infected or of low risk associated with influenza, and absence of household members suffering from chronic illnesses. For the majority of the respondents (59.8%), the main reason for intending to decline vaccination was the belief that the vaccine might not be safe. Promotion of vaccination programmes should be designed taking into account the attitudinal barriers to the pandemic vaccine.
Mutations in the highly conserved tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) motif are frequently associated with resistance to antivirals and represent a major concern in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Conventional methods fail to detect minority populations of drug-resistant viral quasispecies if they represent less than 25% of the total sample virus population. The amplification refractory mutation system real-time PCR (ARMS RT-PCR) was combined with molecular beacon technology using the LightCycler system. The samples from HBV patients selected for assay evaluation included (i) 57 samples from treatment-naive patients for biological discriminatory ability (cutoff) estimation, (ii) 12 samples from patients with treatment failure that were M204V positive by sequencing, and (iii) 13 samples from patients with treatment failure that were negative for mutation at codon 204 by sequencing. The discriminatory ability of the assay was 0.25% when tested with laboratory-synthesized DNA target sequences. The median mutant-to-wild-type ratio for samples from naive patients tested positive for the wild type and for mutant variants was 0.01% (5th and 95th percentiles = 0.0001 and 0.04%, respectively). A value of 0.04% was selected as the biological cutoff of the assay of clinical samples. In all samples M204V positive by sequencing (12/12), the mutant variant was detected as the predominant population (range, 82.76 to 99.43%). Interestingly, in 5 (38%) of 13 samples negative by sequencing, the M204V variant was detected at a ratio above the biological cutoff (0.05 to 28%). The assay represents an efficient technique for the early detection and quantification of M204V variants before mutant strains emerge to dominate the population.
Spain has become the first country in the world to officially recognize and promote Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics. In light of the Spanish Gymnastics Federation’s recent initiative (Feb. 2009) this paper examines corporeality and sport identity in ways that reflect processes of change, in exploring the interrelation of social theories, international dialogue and anachronistic gender-based ideologies that established gender stereotypes in competitive sports. Subsequently, this paper presents a case study and discusses the official recognition of men’s rhythmic gymnastics (RG) by the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG). Despite gender stereotypes that depict this Olympic sport as unacceptable for the image of masculinity, the male body aesthetic, including masculine gender role identity, the rising involvement of boys and men in this sport throughout the globe can no longer be ignored. Incontestably rhythmic gymnastics for men and boys is growing and how far it will go remains to be seen. The socially constructed and historically specific nature of physicality, corporeality and sport identity need to be renegotiated since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. (Olympic Charter, rule2 par. 5, 7/7/2007)
Keywords: gender-inclusive, gender fluidity, gender identity, corporeality, genetic personification, men’s rhythmic gymnastics
Spain has become the first country in the world to officially recognize and promote Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics. In light of the Spanish Gymnastics Federation’s recent initiative (Feb. 2009) this paper examines corporeality and sport identity in ways that reflect processes of change, in exploring the interrelation of social theories, international dialogue and anachronistic gender-based ideologies that established gender stereotypes in competitive sports. Subsequently, this paper presents a case study and discusses the official recognition of men’s rhythmic gymnastics (RG) by the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG). Despite gender stereotypes that depict this Olympic sport as unacceptable for the image of masculinity, the male body aesthetic, including masculine gender role identity, the rising involvement of boys and men in this sport throughout the globe can no longer be ignored. Incontestably rhythmic gymnastics for men and boys is growing and how far it will go remains to be seen. The socially constructed and historically specific nature of physicality, corporeality and sport identity need to be renegotiated since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. (Olympic Charter, rule2 par. 5, 7/7/2007)
Keywords: gender-inclusive, gender fluidity, gender identity, corporeality, genetic personification, men’s rhythmic gymnastics......................................................................
Spain has become the first country in the world to officially recognize and promote Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics. In light of the Spanish Gymnastics Federation’s recent initiative (Feb. 2009) this paper examines corporeality and sport identity in ways that reflect processes of change, in exploring the interrelation of social theories, international dialogue and anachronistic gender-based ideologies that established gender stereotypes in competitive sports. Subsequently, this paper presents a case study and discusses the official recognition of men’s rhythmic gymnastics (RG) by the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG). Despite gender stereotypes that depict this Olympic sport as unacceptable for the image of masculinity, the male body aesthetic, including masculine gender role identity, the rising involvement of boys and men in this sport throughout the globe can no longer be ignored. Incontestably rhythmic gymnastics for men and boys is growing and how far it will go remains to be seen. The socially constructed and historically specific nature of physicality, corporeality and sport identity need to be renegotiated since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. (Olympic Charter, rule2 par. 5, 7/7/2007) Keywords: gender-inclusive, gender fluidity, gender identity, corporeality, genetic personification, men’s rhythmic gymnastics..
The incidence of cutaneous adverse reactions to quinolones is low; moreover their development in patients with concomitant alcohol consumption is a phenomenon that has been scarcely reported. We present a case of 46-year-old male who developed erythema multiforme after ingestion of alcohol, while being treated with ciprofloxacin. The lesion was self-limiting and abstinence from alcohol permitted the completion of the course of therapy without any other adverse reaction.
We present a case of a 53-year-old woman with recurrent intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the hip 6 months after initial treatment with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. En bloc surgical excision of the osteoid osteoma and prophylactic internal fixation for impending stress fracture was performed. The patient is pain free, has returned to normal function and there is no sign of recurrence at the one-year follow-up. Intraarticular osteoid osteoma, present a diagnostic challenge and often they are misdiagnosed. Minimally invasive ablation techniques can fail in significant percentage and then surgical excision with histological confirmation remains the definitive treatment of choice.
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Postoperative pain, however, can prolong hospital stay and lead to increased morbidity. In the context of a multimodal approach to analgesia, intraperitoneal local anesthetic administration optimizes analgesia and facilitates early postoperative recovery, and it may be associated with a decreased risk of side effects.
METHODS: A total of 71 patients was randomized to receive either intraperitoneal analgesic (IPA group) or not (controls). At the completion of cholecystectomy, 10 mL of levobupivacaine 0.5% were infused intraperitoneally in the IPA group and 8 h postoperatively, whereas in the controls, 10 mL of 0.9% NaCl were administered in the corresponding points of time. Differences in pain scores between groups were the primary endpoints. Opioid consumption and adverse effects were the secondary endpoints.
RESULTS: The 2 groups were homogenous in respect to age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and duration of operation. No conversion, complication, or mortality was recorded. The IPA group had a lesser visual analog scale score at rest and at movement compared with controls at all points of time measured. Moreover, fentanyl consumption in the recovery room was significantly greater in the control group, and the consumption of meperidine and the percentage of the patients that requested rescue analgesia in the ward was significantly greater in the control group. Local analgesic intraperitoneal injection as well as parecoxib for postoperative analgesia had no significant adverse effects.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed that 2 separate doses of intraperitoneally administered levobupivacaine significantly decreased postoperative pain and the need for opioids compared with placebo. This technique is simple, safe, and without adverse effects.
Axisymmetric resistive MHD simulations for radially self-similar initial conditions are performed, using the NIRVANA code. The magnetic diffusivity could occur in outflows above an accretion disk, being transferred from the underlying disk into the disk corona by MHD turbulence (anomalous turbulent diffusivity), or as a result of ambipolar diffusion in partially ionized flows. We introduce, in addition to the classical magnetic Reynolds number Rm, which measures the importance of resistive effects in the induction equation, a new number Rb, which measures the importance of the resistive effects in the energy equation. We find two distinct regimes of solutions in our simulations. One is the low-resistivity regime, in which results do not differ much from ideal-MHD solutions. In the high-resistivity regime, results seem to show some periodicity in time-evolution, and depart significantly from the ideal-MHD case. Whether this departure is caused by numerical or physical reasons is of considerable interest for numerical simulations and theory of astrophysical outflows and is currently investigated.
PURPOSE: Renal impairment is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with significant morbidity and increased early death rate. Bortezomib is active and well tolerated in patients with MM who present or develop renal impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 46 consecutive patients who presented with renal impairment in order to evaluate the impact of bortezomib on the improvement of renal function and to identify predictive factors associated with renal response. All patients received bortezomib with dexamethasone with or without other agents. RESULTS: Renal response was documented in 59% of patients within a median of 11 days (range, 8-41 days). Two of 9 patients who required dialysis became dialysis independent. A complete renal response (CRrenal) was documented in 30% of patients. Toxicities were similar to those seen in myeloma patients without renal failure who were treated with bortezomib-based regimens. Patients with light chain-only myeloma had a higher probability of achieving a renal response, and previously untreated patients had a higher probability for complete resolution of renal impairment, while light chain-only myeloma was independently associated with a shorter time to renal response. The degree of renal impairment was not predictive of the probability for renal response or CRrenal; however, in a subset of patients for whom cystatin C was available, a baseline cystatin C > 2 mg/L or cystatin C calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min were associated with a lower probability of CRrenal. CONCLUSION: We conclude that bortezomib-based regimens may improve renal function in the majority of myeloma patients with renal impairment.
The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab has shown activity in approximately one third of patients with Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM). Because this agents is nonmyelosuppressive, several studies have assessed its combination with chemotherapeutic agents such as fludarabine, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin. These regimens induce at least partial response in > 70% of previously untreated patients. Recent data suggest that prolonged exposure to nucleoside-containing regimens should be avoided because of concerns of myelodysplasia and disease transformation. Rituximab has also been combined with thalidomide, which is an active and nonmyelosuppressive regimen. The rituximab-based combination represents today the most commonly used primary treatment for WM.
The coastline of Attica incorporates a great number of pocket beaches, which are characterised further by the presence of extensive beachrock formations. The present study concerns the evolution (past, present and future) of the Kalyvia beach zone, located at the western coast of Attica and at a distance of 42 km from the city of Athens. The subaerial part of the beach zone consists of mixed materials (mainly sand, granules and
gravel), while extensive beachrock formations exist on its shoreface. The beach is exposed primarily to southern wind-induced waves, the largest
of which (offshore wave height up to 6m and period >11sec) begin to break at about 8 m of water depth and have a run-up capability of approximately
1.5 m. Most of the subaqueous part of the Kalyvia beach zone is lithified, as the beachrocks extend from the shoreline down to >8 m of water depth. This part of the beach zone may be subdivided further into three units: the deeper one (water depths >7m), the middle (depths 5-6.5 m) and the upper unit (from 4 m depth up to the shoreline). This almost continuous presence is related to the gradual sea level rise during the upper Holocene (past 6.000 years), indicating also a relative climatic stability and/or homogeneity during this period, although some morphological and structural differences in the beachrock indicate changes either in the rate of sea level rise or in the prevailing climatic conditions. Over the last decades, human activities and constructions have deprived the beach of hinterland sediment supply, changing, therefore, its sedimentological character. During this period, beachrocks have played a ‘protective role’ stabilizing and reducing substantially the retreat of the beach zone, which on the basis of the landward boundary displacement of the beachrocks has been estimated to be in the order of 30cm per year from 1969 to 2005. This retreat is attributed to the marine erosion of the sediment that used to cover the upper beachrock formations, in combination to the sea-level rise (approx. 18 cm over the past century) and the lack of sediment supply. Moreover, this degradation of the Kalyvia beach zone is expected to be intensified by the potential future sea
level rise (approximately 38 cm for the year 2100).
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.
Christodoulou C, Papadopoulos IN, Douzenis A, Kanakaris N, Leukidis C, Gournellis R, Vlachos K, Papadopoulos FC, Lykouras L. Seasonality of violent suicides in the Athens greater area. Suicide and life-threatening behavior. 2009;39:321–331.
Christodoulou C, Papadopoulos IN, Douzenis A, Kanakaris N, Leukidis C, Gournellis R, Vlachos K, Papadopoulos FC, Lykouras L. Seasonality of violent suicides in the Athens greater area. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. 2009;39:321-331.
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.
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.
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.
Dmitriev SV, Frantzeskakis DJ. Solitary wave collisions. Springer Tracts in Modern Physics [Internet]. 2009;232:311-327. Website
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.
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.
Rodrigues AS, Kevrekidis PG, Carretero-González R, Frantzeskakis DJ, Schmelcher P, Alexander TJ, Kivshar YS. Spinor Bose-Einstein condensate flow past an obstacle. Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics [Internet]. 2009;79. Website
Patsantaras N, Kamperidou I, Panagiotopoulos P. Sports: Social Inclusion or Xenophobia. Pandektis International Sports Law Review (IASL). 2009;7:394–404.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Kolovou GD, Anagnostopoulou KK, Cokkinos DV. Tangier Disease. Encyclopedia of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease. 2009:2022–2024.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
Βασιλάκου Χρυσόθεμις. «Θέατρο στην Κωνσταντινούπολη». Λήμμα στην ηλεκτρονική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια του Ελληνικού Κόσμου (Encyclopaedia of the Hellenic Word). 2009;Γ':13 σελ.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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
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.
Belter B, Binczewski A, Carrozzo G, Ciulli N, Escalona E, Markidis G, Nejabati R, Simeonidou D, Stroiński M, Tzanakaki A, et al.Between grids and networks: grid‐enabled network control planesLopez DR. Campus-Wide Information SystemsCampus-Wide Information Systems [Internet]. 2008;25(5):273-286. Website
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.
