Publications by Type: Journal Article

In the present paper the differential equation of the temporal development of a landform (mountain) with a time dependent diffusion coefficient is solved. It is shown that the shape and dimensions of the landform at time t are independent of the specific variation of the diffusion coefficient with time; they only depend on the mean value of the diffusion coefficient in the time interval where the erosion process takes place. Studying the behaviour of the solution of the differential equation in the wave number domain, it is concluded that Fourier analysis may help in estimating, in quantitative terms, the initial dimensions, the age or, alternatively, the value of the diffusion coefficient of the landform. The theoretical predictions are tested on a hill of the southern part of the Ural mountainous region, in order to show how the results of the mathematical analysis can be used in describing, in quantitative terms, the morphological development of landforms due to erosion processes.

The article responds to the emerging need for a general framework for ELF (English as a lingua franca) teacher education that would appropriately inform and sensitize ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) practi-tioners about ELF teaching matters. The teacher education model put forward is based on the transformative framework for adult education suggested by Mezirow and has five phases. The framework aims at bringing about the much-needed paradigm shift in postmodern ESOL pedagogy by transform-ing ESOL teachers' worldviews about English and English language pedagogy and empowering them in bringing about the necessary changes in their own teaching context.

Anelasticity of the Earth crucially affects the propagation of seismic waves especially, in the long period range. However, even though the elastic properties of the Aegean deep lithosphère and upper mantle have been thoroughly investigated, their quantitative anelastic properties that influence the long period wavefield are still largely unknown. This work is towards contributing to the better knowledge of the deep structure of the Aegean by introducing experimental anelastic parameters via the study of long period Rayleigh waves attenuation. For this scope, fundamental mode attenuation coefficients (γ%) have been obtained for different two-station great-circle paths across the Aegean. The data used were provided by a broadband array installed in the area for 6 months in 1997. More than 1100 seismograms were analyzed in the 10-100 s range to obtain 17 sets of path average γR(T) functions. The attenuation coefficients are in the range 2.5*10~3 — 0.15 x 10' km' and correlate sufficiently with both experimental measurements in active tectonic regions elsewhere and synthetics generated with the use of an attenuation reference model inferred from other sources. By applying a stochastic uncoupled causal inversion method an average joint Qß'1 and shear velocity model representative of the under study area was obtained. Furthermore, path average JR(T) functions were combined in a continuous regionalization tomographic scheme to obtain local yR(T) and tomograms were constructed in the range 10-60 s. The most prominent feature in the tomograms is a high attenuation region in the central and north Aegean. This region is located south of the North Anatolian Trough and correlates well with a low shear velocity zone inferred from surface wave phase velocities. Moreover, it is associated with observed intense extensional deformation rates, mantle olivine anisotropy, recent volcanism and high heat flow.

Anelasticity of the Earth crucially affects the propagation of seismic waves especially, in the long period range. However, even though the elastic properties of the Aegean deep lithosphère and upper mantle have been thoroughly investigated, their quantitative anelastic properties that influence the long period wavefield are still largely unknown. This work is towards contributing to the better knowledge of the deep structure of the Aegean by introducing experimental anelastic parameters via the study of long period Rayleigh waves attenuation. For this scope, fundamental mode attenuation coefficients (γ%) have been obtained for different two-station great-circle paths across the Aegean. The data used were provided by a broadband array installed in the area for 6 months in 1997. More than 1100 seismograms were analyzed in the 10-100 s range to obtain 17 sets of path average γR(T) functions. The attenuation coefficients are in the range 2.5*10~3 — 0.15 x 10' km' and correlate sufficiently with both experimental measurements in active tectonic regions elsewhere and synthetics generated with the use of an attenuation reference model inferred from other sources. By applying a stochastic uncoupled causal inversion method an average joint Qß'1 and shear velocity model representative of the under study area was obtained. Furthermore, path average JR(T) functions were combined in a continuous regionalization tomographic scheme to obtain local yR(T) and tomograms were constructed in the range 10-60 s. The most prominent feature in the tomograms is a high attenuation region in the central and north Aegean. This region is located south of the North Anatolian Trough and correlates well with a low shear velocity zone inferred from surface wave phase velocities. Moreover, it is associated with observed intense extensional deformation rates, mantle olivine anisotropy, recent volcanism and high heat flow.

We performed spectroscopy of four optical nova candidates in M31 using the Russian 6-m telescope and the SCORPIO spectrograph. The spectral range was 380-755 nm, and the spectral resolution was 1.34 nm. M31N 2007-07b (E. Ovcharov, et al., ATel#1139): The exposure was taken between 2007 July 19.925 and 19.957 UT about 10 days after the discovery. Balmer emission lines are dominant. The value of FWHM(Halpha) corrected for instrumental profile and EW(Halpha) are 1600 km/s and -71 nm, correspondingly.

Half-metallic Heusler alloys are amongst the most promising materials for future magneto-electronic applications. We review some recent results on the electronic properties of these compounds. The origin of the gap in these half-metallic alloys and its connection to the magnetic properties are well understood. Changing the lattice parameter slightly shifts the Fermi level. Spin-orbit coupling induces states within the gap but the alloys keep a very high degree of spin polarization at the Fermi level. Small degrees of doping and disorder as well as defects with low formation energy have little effect on the properties of the gap, while temperature effects can lead to a quick loss of half-metallicity. Finally, we discuss two special issues: the case of quaternary Heusler alloys and the half-metallic ferrimagnets.

Under an in-plane magnetic field, the density of states of quasi-two-dimensional carriers deviates from the occasionally stereotypic step-like form both quantitatively and qualitatively. Here we study how this affects the spin-subband populations and the spin-polarization as functions of the temperature, T, and the in-plane magnetic field, B, for narrow to wide dilute-magnetic-semiconductor quantum wells. We examine a wide range of material and structural parameters, focusing on the quantum well width, the magnitude of the spin-spin exchange interaction, and the sheet carrier concentration. Generally, increasing T, the carrier spin-splitting, Uoσ, decreases, augmenting the influence of the “minority”-spin carriers. Increasing B, Uoσ, increases and, accordingly, carriers populate “majority”-spin subbands while they abandon “minority”-spin subbands. Furthermore, in line with the density of states modification, all energetically higher subbands become gradually depopulated. We also indicate the ranges where the system is completely spin-polarized.

We report on the transport and magnetic properties of hybrid trilayers (TL's) and bilayers (BL's) that consist of low spin-polarized Ni80Fe20 exhibiting in-plane but no uniaxial anisotropy and low-T-c Nb. We reveal a magnetoresistance effect of magnitude identical to the ones that were reported in Pena [Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 57002 (2005)] for TL's consisting of highly spin-polarized La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 and high-T-c YBa2Cu3O7. The presented effect is pronounced when compared to the one reported in Rusanov [Phys. Rev. B 73, 060505(R) (2006)] for Ni80Fe20-Nb-Ni80Fe20 TL's of strong in-plane uniaxial anisotropy. In our TL's the magnetoresistance exhibits an increase of two orders of magnitude when the superconducting state is reached: from the conventional normal-state values Delta R/R(nor)x100%=0.6% it goes up to Delta R/R(nor)x100%=45% (Delta R/R(min)x100%=1000%) for temperatures below T-c(SC). In contrast, in the BL's the effect is only minor since from Delta R/R(nor)x100%=3% in the normal state increases only to Delta R/R(nor)x100%=8% (Delta R/R(min)x100%=70%) for temperatures below T-c(SC). Magnetization data of both the longitudinal and transverse magnetic components are presented. Most importantly, we present data not only for the normal state of Nb but also in its superconducting state. Strikingly, these data show that below its T-c(SC) the Nb interlayer under the influence of the outer Ni80Fe20 layers attains a magnetization component transverse to the external field. By comparing the transport and magnetization data we propose a candidate mechanism that could motivate the pronounced magnetoresistance effect observed in the TL's. Adequate magnetostatic coupling of the outer Ni80Fe20 layers is motivated by stray fields that emerge naturally in their whole surface due to the multidomain magnetic structure that they attain near coercivity. Consequently, the stray fields penetrate the Nb interlayer and suppress its superconducting properties by primarily (secondarily) exceeding its lower (upper) critical field. Atomic force microscopy is employed in order to examine the possibility that such magnetostatic coupling could be promoted by interface roughness. Referring to the BL's, although out-of-plane rotation of the magnetization of the single Ni80Fe20 layer is still observed, in these structures magnetostatic coupling does not occur due to the absence of a second Ni80Fe20 one so that the observed magnetoresistance peaks are only modest.

The Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (GIVA cPLA2) is a key provider of substrates for the production of eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor. We explored the structure−activity relationship of 2-oxoamide-based compounds and GIVA cPLA2 inhibition. The most potent inhibitors are derived from δ- and γ-amino acid-based 2-oxoamides. The optimal side-chain moiety is a short nonpolar aliphatic chain. All of the newly developed 2-oxoamides as well as those previously described have now been tested with the human Group V secreted PLA2 (GV sPLA2) and the human Group VIA calcium-independent PLA2 (GVIA iPLA2). Only one 2-oxoamide compound had appreciable inhibition of GV sPLA2, and none of the potent GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors inhibited either GV sPLA2 or GVIA iPLA2. Two of these specific GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors were also found to have potent therapeutic effects in animal models of pain and inflammation at dosages well below the control nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The article examines the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Greek version of the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS; Pianta, 2001), as well as the quality of this relationship in preadolescents. A large body of relevant research has examined the relationship between students and teachers during the preschool and early childhood years. ln this study, 28 teachers completed the STRS and the adaptive functioning subscale of the Teacher's Report Form for their 502 students (fifth and sixth graders). The results showed that STRS exhibited adequate internal consistency and low standard error of measurement. Confirmatory factor analysis replicated the three factors of the scale -conflict, closeness, and dependency- in the Greek sample of preadolescents. However, the student-teacher relationship presented a somewhat different picture compared to the U.S.A. samples of young students. For example, closeness and dependency were somewhat likely to co-exist in teachers' representations of relationships. Dependency shared little variance with the total relationship score and age and gender differences were observed. The expected findings emerged for the links with adaptive functioning. For example, conflict was the strongest (negative) correlate of adaptive functioning. The developmental implications of these data for the student-teacher relationship during preadolescence are discussed.

We present the basic notions of the "Supercritical Pile" model of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). This model is motivated by the need for a process that provides the dissipation necessary in GRBs and presents a well defined scheme for converting the energy stored in the relativistic protons of the Relativistic Blast Waves (RBW) associated with GRB into radiation; at the same time it leads to spectra which exhibit a peak in the burst νFν distribution at an energy Ep ≃ 1 MeV in the observer's frame, in agreement with observation and largely independent of the Lorentz factor Γ of the associated relativistic outflow.

It is generally believed that superconductivity and magnetism are two antagonistic long-range phenomena. However, as was preliminarily highlighted in Stamopoulos et al (2007 Phys. Rev. B 75 014501), and extensively studied in this work, under specific circumstances these phenomena instead of being detrimental to each other may even become cooperative so that their synergy may promote the superconducting properties of a hybrid structure. Here, we have studied systematically the magnetic and transport behavior of such exchange biased hybrids that are comprised of ferromagnetic (FM) Ni80Fe20 and low-T-c superconducting (SC) Nb for the case where the magnetic field is applied parallel to the specimens. Two structures have been studied: FM-SC-FM trilayers (TLs) and FM-SC bilayers (BLs). Detailed magnetization data on the longitudinal and transverse magnetic components are presented for both the normal and superconducting states. These data are compared to systematic transport measurements including I-V characteristics. The comparison of the exchange biased BLs and TLs that are studied here with the plain ones studied in Stamopoulos et al (2007 Phys. Rev. B 75 184504) enable us to reveal an underlying parameter that may falsify the interpretation of the transport properties of relevant FM-SC-FM TLs and FM-SC BLs investigated in the recent literature: the underlying mechanism motivating the extreme magnetoresistance peaks in the TLs relates to the suppression of superconductivity mainly due to the magnetic coupling of the two FM layers as the out-of-plane rotation of their magnetizations takes place across the coercive field where stray fields emerge in their whole surface owing to the multidomain magnetic state that they acquire. The relative in-plane magnetization configuration of the outer FM layers exerts a secondary contribution on the SC interlayer. Since the exchange bias directly controls the in-plane magnetic order it also controls the out-of-plane rotation of the ferromagnets' magnetizations so that the magnetoresistance peaks may be tuned at will. All the contradictory experimental data reported in the recent literature are discussed fairly in the light of our results; based on a specific prerequisite we propose a phenomenological stray-field mechanism that efficiently explains the evolution of the magnetoresistance effect in TLs. Our experiments not only point out the need for a new theoretical treatment of FM-SC hybrids but also direct us toward the design of efficient supercurrent-switch elemental devices.

The aim of this study was to investigate children‘s perceptions (i.e. expectations) of the interventions that teachers should implement to deal with their loneliness. The role of significant others in children‘s attempts to cope with loneliness and the children‘s perceptions of that role have been neglected by researchers. A random sample of 180 second, fourth and sixth graders from Athens, the capital of Greece, were individually interviewed. Qualitative analysis using the ‘concept-indicator model‘ (Strauss, 1987) showed that school-age children have an adequate understanding of the loneliness alleviation strategies that teachers can and should use. The strategies may be distinguished into the two already known broad categories of coping, that is problem-focused or active coping strategies (i.e. manifestation of interest and care, intervention in the peer group, encouragement to approach peers and make friends, consultation for personal improvement, informing parents), and emotion-focused or avoidance coping strategies (i.e., emotion regulation, encouragement to engage in activities and inability to cope). Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the role of the teacher in alleviating loneliness, for school-based interventions with this purpose, as well as for their contribution in the existing knowledge about coping with loneliness strategies.

In an effort to investigate the deep geological structure in the broader area of central-western Attica, that suffered severe damage during the destructive Athens earthquake of September 7th, 1999, the Department of Geophysics-Geothermics of the Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment of Athens University, in collaboration with the Geodynamic Institute of National Observatory of Athens and the Department of Geological Sciences of Durham University, carried out a combined geophysical survey. For the first time in Attica, seismic and gravity geophysical methods were applied along profiles, in such an extensive scale. Within the framework of this investigation the following tasks were accomplished: a) Three (3) seismic lines of about 30 kilometres of total length, two (2) in the area of Thriassion plain and one (1) along the Parnitha-Krioneri-Drosia-Ekali-Dionysos axis (Attica plain) and b) 338 gravity measurements distributed along eight (8) gravity profiles, four (4) of which in Thriassion plain, three (3) in Petroupoli-Aharnes-Thrakomakedones region (Attica plain) and one (1) along Parnitha-Krioneri-Drosia-Ekali-Dionysos axis (Attica plain). Preliminary results of the geophysical investigation combined with existing geological and tectonic data are presented in this paper. Significant variation in the elevation of the alpine basement has been detected, expressed by manifestation of low and high subsurface areas which are well correlated with existing fault zones. In the area of Thriassion plain the thickness of post-alpine sediments is estimated of a few hundred meters (<500 meters) and huge thickness of several hundred meters (~800 meters) of post-alpine sediments were detected in Thrakemakedones and Krioneri areas. The relief of alpine basement is more intense in fault zones areas, such as Thriassion plain (WNW-ESE), Pathitha and Kifissos (NE-SW) as well as along the fault zone outline the Fili and Aharnes graben and is covered by postalpine formations.

Thalidomide - either alone or in combination with dexamethasone or chemotherapy - has shown significant activity in relapsed/refractory disease. When used in the induction regimens in untreated patients, it significantly increases the response rates as well progression-free survival. Moreover, thalidomide as a maintenance therapy has become a very attractive option. However, the toxicity profile of the drug, mainly neurotoxicity and thrombotic events, mandate careful monitoring of patients treated with thalidomide, whether as the first line, in the relapsed setting, or as maintenance. In this chapter we will review the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of the drug, and will focus on available data from clinical experience and randomized trials of thalidomide in the different settings of multiple myeloma: refractory/relapsed disease, upfront treatment in patients who are eligible for high-dose therapy as well as those who are not, and finally the use of thalidomide as a maintenance treatment. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We develop a fully quantum-mechanical theory for the interaction of light and electron–hole excitations in semiconductor quantum dots. Our theoretical analysis results in an expression for the photoluminescence intensity of quantum dots in the linear regime. Taking into account the single-particle Hamiltonian, the free-photon Hamiltonian, the electron–hole interaction Hamiltonian, and the interaction of carriers with light, and applying the Heisenberg equation of motion to the photon number expectation values, to the carrier distribution functions and to the correlation term between the photon generation (destruction) and electron–hole pair, we obtain a set of luminescence equations. Under quasi-equilibrium conditions, these equations become a closed-set of equations. We solve them analytically, in the linear regime, and we find an approximate solution of the incoherent photoluminescence intensity. The validity of the theoretical analysis is tested by investigating the emission spectra in the high-temperature regime, interpreting the experimental findings for the emission spectra of a lens-shaped In0.5Ga0.5As self-assembled quantum dot. Our theoretical predictions for the interlevel spacing as well as for the dephasing time caused by electron–longitudinal optical phonon interactions are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Light usually propagates inside transparent materials in well known ways. However, recent research has examined the possibility of modifying the way the light travels by taking a normal transparent dielectric and inserting tiny metallic inclusions of various shapes and arrangements. As light passes through these structures, oscillating electric currents are set up that generate electromagnetic field moments; these can lead to dramatic effects on the light propagation, such as negative refraction. Possible applications include lenses that break traditional diffraction limits and 'invisibility cloaks' (refs 5, 6). Significantly less research has focused on the potential of such structures for slowing, trapping and releasing light signals. Here we demonstrate theoretically that an axially varying heterostructure with a metamaterial core of negative refractive index can be used to efficiently and coherently bring light to a complete standstill. In contrast to previous approaches for decelerating and storing light, the present scheme simultaneously allows for high in-coupling efficiencies and broadband, room-temperature operation. Surprisingly, our analysis reveals a critical point at which the effective thickness of the waveguide is reduced to zero, preventing the light wave from propagating further. At this point, the light ray is permanently trapped, its trajectory forming a double light-cone that we call an 'optical clepsydra'. Each frequency component of the wave packet is stopped at a different guide thickness, leading to the spatial separation of its spectrum and the formation of a 'trapped rainbow'. Our results bridge the gap between two important contemporary realms of science - metamaterials and slow light. Combined investigations may lead to applications in optical data processing and storage or the realization of quantum optical memories. ©2007 Nature Publishing Group.

Background and Objectives: High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation is currently the treatment of choice for selected patients with AL amyloidosis; however, new treatments are needed for patients who are ineligible for or relapse after this procedure. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with proven activity in multiple myeloma, and the addition of dexamethasone results in superior outcome. We evaluated the activity and feasibility of the combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone (BD) in patients with AL amyloidosis. Design and Methods: Consecutive patients with histologically proven, symptomatic AL amyloidosis were treated with BD. Results: Eighteen patients, including seven who had relapsed or progressed after previous therapies were treated with BD. Eleven (61%) patients had two or more organs involved; kidneys and heart were affected in 14 and 15 patients, respectively. The majority of patients had impaired performance status and high brain natriuretic peptide values; serum creatinine was elevated in six patients. Among evaluable patients, 94% had a hematologic response and 44% a hematologic complete response, including all five patients who had not responded to prior high dose dexamethasone-based treatment and one patient under dialysis. Five patients (28%) had a response in at least one affected organ. Hematologic responses were rapid (median 0.9 months) and median time to organ response was 4 months. Neurotoxicity, fatigue, peripheral edema, constipation and exacerbation of postural hypotension were manageable although necessitated dose adjustment or treatment discontinuation in 11 patients. Interpretation and Conclusions: The combination of BD is feasible in patients with AL amyloidosis. Patients achieve a rapid hematologic response and toxicity can be managed with close follow-up and appropriate dose adjustment. This treatment may be a valid option for patients with severe heart or kidney impairment. ©2007 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is defined by bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and by production of monoclonal IgM. Treatment is employed only to symptomatic patients. Alkylating agents (chlorambucil), nucleoside analogues and rituximab are reasonable choices for primary therapy. Combination therapy either with nucleoside analogues with alkylating agents and/or rituximab or rituximab with chemotherapy such as CHOP or cyclophosphamide are also reasonable frontline treatment options for WM patients. Several factors should be taken into account when choosing the most appropriate primary treatment. These factors include the age of the patient and possible co-morbidities, the presence of cytopenias and especially thrombocytopenia, the presence of symptoms and signs indicative of hyperviscosity, the need for rapid disease control due to severe symptoms, significant splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy, symptomatic peripheral neuropathy and whether the patient is candidate for autologous stem cell transplantation. For patients with refractory or relapsing disease, the use of an alternate first-line agent is reasonable. Outside the setting of a clinical trial, the administration of high-dose therapy should be reserved only for patients refractory to alkylating agents, purine nucleoside and rituximab. For patients who develop resistance to all three classes of agents, alemtuzumab, thalidomide with or without dexamethasone or bortezomib could be tried. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.

Proteins that are expressed by both malignant and healthy fetal tissues are recognized as oncofetal. These antigens are associated with cell proliferation and differentiation and are produced in high concentrations in pregnancy and malignancy. Their biological role in malignancy is the suppression of the host's immune system, while in pregnancy they affect the maternal immune response, generating maternal tolerance toward the embryo. This review describes the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA), tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in maternal serum (MS), umbilical cord serum (UC), and amniotic fluid (AF) and outlines their roles in the assessment of pregnancy and malignancy. All antigens studied, except CA 15-3, are oncofetal. The presence of considerable concentrations of AFP, hCG, CEA, CA125, SCC, MCA, TPS, CA 19-9, and PSA in AF during pregnancy may be attributed to their involvement in biological functions associated with fetal development, differentiation, and maturation. MS CEA, CA 15-3, and CA 19-9, in contrast to all the others, are not influenced significantly by pregnancy and thus remain reliable tumor markers in monitoring malignancy in pregnant patients. Copyright © 2007 Informa Healthcare.

Objectives: Adjuvant carboplatin is used as adjuvant therapy in Stage I testicular seminoma. Although cure is the rule, relapses still occur, especially in high-risk populations. We report the results of a risk-adapted strategy by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group. Methods: From 1996 to 2003, 64 patients with Stage I seminoma and one of two risk factors (maximal tumor diameter greater than 4 cm and/or age younger than 34 years) were prospectively included in a protocol of adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment consisted of two 3-week courses of etoposide 120 mg/m2 and cisplatin 40 mg/m2 for three consecutive days with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Results: Of the 64 patients, 43 (67%) were younger than 34 years and 55 (86%) had a tumor diameter greater than 4 cm. Neutropenia and nausea and vomiting were the most frequent grade 3 or 4 toxicities (16.5% and 9.5%, respectively), apart from alopecia. After a median follow-up of 60 months (range 7 to 118), no disease relapses have occurred. A metachronous testicular carcinoma has been reported. One patient died of causes unrelated to his disease. Conclusions: The results of our study have shown that two cycles of etoposide and cisplatin is an effective and safe form of adjuvant therapy for Stage I testicular seminoma. Risk factors can be used to identify patients who could benefit from etoposide and cisplatin treatment. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aims:We study the acceleration and radiation of charged particles in the shock waves of supernova remnants using a recent version of the "box model". According to this, particles are accelerated in an energy-dependent region around the shock by the first order Fermi mechanism and lose energy through radiation. Methods: The particle distribution function is obtained from a spatially averaged kinetic equation that treats the energy losses self-consistently. There exists also a second population that consists of those particles that escape behind the shock where they also radiate. The energy distribution of this population is calculated in a similar manner. Results: The application of the model to the supernova remnant RX J1713.7-3946, which was recently confirmed as a TeV source by HESS, shows that the X-ray emission can be attributed to electron synchrotron radiation while in γ-rays there are contributions from both electrons and protons, with protons playing the dominant role. Additionally, there are strong indications that particles diffuse in turbulence that has a Kolmogorov spectrum.

We developed a method for fabricating ultra-thin (18-80 nm) light emitting amorphous films with embedded silicon nanocrystals by anodization of bulk crystalline Si in the transition regime between porosification and electropolishing using short mono-pulses of anodization current. The size of the nanocrystals decreased with increasing current density and it was in the range of 3-7 nm with current densities in the range of 130-390 mA cm-2. At the highest current density used the film/substrate interface was very sharp, while at lower current densities the interface contained nanostructured silicon spikes protruding from the substrate into the amorphous film. The samples were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence. © IOP Publishing Ltd.

Background: We have previously demonstrated that vincristine, liposomal doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD-doxil) is equally effective with VAD-bolus yielding objective response rates of 61% as first-line treatment in multiple myeloma (MM). In a phase II study, the addition of thalidomide to VAD-doxil (TVAD-doxil) proved feasible and increased response rate to 74%. The aim of the present multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of VAD-doxil and TVAD-doxil in previously untreated MM patients. Patients and methods: We enrolled 232 newly diagnosed MM patients aged <75 years, 115 randomized to VAD-doxil (arm A) and 117 to TVAD-doxil (arm B). Patients in arm A received vincristine 2 mg i.v. and liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v., on day 1 and dexamethasone 40 mg p.o. daily on days 1-4, 9-12 and 17-20 for the first cycle and on days 1-4 for the next three cycles. Patients in arm B received additionally thalidomide 200 mg p.o. daily, at bedtime. Treatment was administered every 28 days. Results: On an intention-to-treat basis, at least partial response was observed, in 62.6% and in 81.2% of patients randomized to arms A and B, respectively (P = 0.003). Progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 years was 44.8% in arm A and 58.9% in arm B (P = 0.013). Overall survival (OS) at 2 years was 64.6% and 77%, in arms A and B, respectively (P = 0.037). Considering overall toxicity, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, dizziness/somnolence, skin rash and edema were significantly higher in arm B compared with arm A (P < 0.01), but grade 3-4 toxicities were low and similar in both arms. Conclusions: The addition of thalidomide to VAD-doxil increases response and PFS rates and probably OS in previously untreated myeloma patients. The superiority of efficacy counterbalances the higher overall toxicity of TVAD-doxil. © 2007 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Respiratory viral infections have been implicated in the origin of, protection from and exacerbation of allergy-related symptoms in a variety of ways. Viral infections are closely linked to infantile wheezing. Severe bronchiolitis in early infancy may predispose to chronic childhood asthma as well as allergic sensitization; alternatively it could represent a marker of susceptible individuals. In contrast, repeated mild infections in early life may have a protective role in the development of asthma or atopy by driving the immune system towards Th1 responses. However, evidence on this hypothesis is not consistent as far as respiratory viruses are concerned. Several factors, including the presence of an atopic environment, timing of exposure and severity of the infection, interactively contribute to the allergy-infection relationship. In the present report, recent data on the role of viral infections in the development and progression of allergy and asthma are reviewed.

This theoretical study presents an overview of the links between bullying / victimization and loneliness during childhood. Bullying and victimization are conceptually clarified and research evidence is briefly reviewed about bullying and victimization as risk factors for children's mental health. Next, this study focuses on the links between bullying / victimization and loneli­ness mainly in the school context. Complex paths leading from bullying / vic­timization to loneliness and vice versa, and developmental trajectories of this association emerged from the existing concurrent and longitudinal data. Finally, some research implications for prevention and intervention efforts aiming at reducing bullying in school are discussed.

Η απόφαση του ΣτΕ  2738/06 παραπέμπει στην Ολομέλεια του Δικαστηρίου το ζήτημα αν, στην περίπτωση της έκτακτης νοσηλείας το ΙΚΑ υποχρεούται να αποδώσει στον ασφαλισμένο το νοσήλιο που κατέβαλε με βάση το πραγματικό τιμολόγιο νοσηλείας ή αν η υποχρέωσή του περιορίζεται στην απόδοση του προβλεπόμενου από τον νόμο (κρατικού) τιμολογίου νοσηλείας. Το ΣτΕ δέχεται ότι προσκρούει στην αρχή της ισότητας η απόδοση της δαπάνης για επείγουσα νοσηλεία ασφαλισμένου στην ημεδαπή με βάση το κρατικό τιμολόγιο, ενώ για νοσηλεία ασφαλισμένου στην αλλοδαπή αποδίδεται η πραγματική δαπάνη.  Η απόφαση αυτή δεν θα κατέληγε στις παραπάνω –εσφαλμένες- κρίσεις, αν είχε διακρίνει τις ρυθμίσεις που αφορούν στις σχέσεις μεταξύ του ασφαλισμένου και του ασφαλιστικού του οργανισμού (έννομη σχέση δημοσίου δικαίου) από τις ρυθμίσεις που αφορούν στις σχέσεις του ασφαλισμένου με το ιδιωτικό νοσοκομείο στο οποίο εισήχθη εκτάκτως (συμβατική σχέση, η οποία ως προς τη χρέωση διέπεται από κανόνες αναγκαστικού δικαίου, όπως η υποχρέωση του ιδιωτικού μη συμβεβλημένου νοσοκομείου να δεχθεί το έκτακτο περιστατικό και να χρεώσει τη νοσηλεία του με βάση το κρατικό τιμολόγιο).  Το πρόβλημα στην υπόθεση επί της οποίας έχει εκδοθεί η παραπάνω απόφαση ανακύπτει, επειδή το ιδιωτικό νοσοκομείο παράνομα χρέωσε τον ασφαλισμένο και όχι επειδή η νομοθεσία του ασφαλιστικού οργανισμού δεν εξασφαλίζει την προστασία της υγείας του ασφαλισμένου. Τα τυχόν παράπονα του νοσοκομείου στην περίπτωση που το τιμολόγιο νοσηλείας δεν λαμβάνει υπόψη το κόστος παραγωγής ορθολογικά οργανωμένης επιχειρήσεως και το εύλογο ποσοστό κέρδους εξετάζονται στο πλαίσιο άλλης δίκης μεταξύ του νοσοκομείου και του Δημοσίου. Τέλος, τα δικαιώματα του ασφαλισμένου που στην περίπτωση της έκτακτης εισαγωγής του σε ιδιωτικό νοσοκομείο κατέβαλε (ως μη είχε υποχρέωση) το πραγματικό νοσήλιο κρίνονται σε δίκη μεταξύ του ασφαλισμένου και του ιδιωτικού νοσοκομείου με βάση τις διατάξεις περί αδικοπραξιών και σε κάθε περίπτωση περί αδικαιολογήτου πλουτισμού.De lege ferenda, προτείνεται ο ασφαλιστικός οργανισμός να αποδίδει στον ασφαλισμένο το πραγματικό νοσήλιο που τυχόν κατέβαλε στο ιδιωτικό νοσοκομείο και να υποκαθίσταται στα δικαιώματα του ασφαλισμένου έναντι του ιδιωτικού νοσοκομείου. 

The aim of this research study was to examine the associations between teacher and student academic and personal support, cooperation, and academic self-esteem during late childhood. Participants were 221 fifth- and sixth-grade children from Athens. They completed six subscales of the Classroom Life Measure (Johnson, Johnson, Buckman, & Richards, 1985). Results showed the expected positive links among all the above variables. Correlations varied as a function of the source and type of support. When low/high cooperation and low/high academic self-esteem groups were distinguished, the associations proved to be robust. Age differences were not found, but correlations were significantly higher for girls than for boys. Results are discussed in the framework of the existing literature on the links among these facets of classroom life, and some suggestions for educational practice are made.

In this study an attempt was made to provide conceptual, methodological, and developmental clarifications of social withdrawal in childhood. The existing research data on the various types of social withdrawal are reviewed, and several types of social withdrawal are defined. Related concepts, such as behavioral inhibition, shyness, and reticence, as well as the types of solitude (i.e., aloneness, loneliness, and constructive aloneness) are also defined. Social withdrawal is differentiated from sociometric neglect and sociometric rejection. Motivational issues (i.e., approach-avoidance) are discussed in order to achieve further definitional clarity. From a methodological viewpoint, the most frequently used techniques (observation and questionnaires for educators and peers) for the assessment of the various types of social withdrawal are reviewed, and some of their limitations are noted. Lastly, developmental clarifications are provided through a review of the extant research on the stability of different types of social withdrawal over time, their developmental trajectories, their correlates and consequences (e.g., their association with internalizing problems), possible mediator variables, and the role of gender and culture. Conclusions are drawn for the current status and for the future of research on social withdrawal in childhood.

Στη μελέτη αυτή εξετάζονται: Πρώτον, οι απόψεις της θεωρίας και της νομολογίας ως προς τη σχέση των ιδιωτικού δικαίου ασφαλιστικών οργανισμών με τους δημοσίου δικαίου και υποστηρίζεται ότι η έννοια του κοινωνικοασφαλιστικού οργανισμού προσδιορίζεται με βάση το λειτουργικό κριτήριο και όχι με βάση το οργανικό που ακολουθεί το ΣτΕ. Δεύτερον, το ΠΕ 240/2006 αντιπαρέρχεται κρίσιμα λογικά, μεθοδολογικά και νομικά ζητήματα και με άλμα λογικής καταλήγει στο συμπέρασμά του εκλαμβάνοντας το ζητούμενο ως αποδεδειγμένο.  

Με την σχολιαζόμενη απόφαση κρίνεται ότι η θεμελίωση συνταξιοδοτικού δικαιώματος με ευνοϊκότερα όρια ηλικίας και χρονικές προϋποθέσεις για τις γυναίκες ασφαλισμένες του Ταμείου Νομικών από αυτά που ισχύουν για τους άνδρες ασφαλισμένους συνιστά αδικαιολόγητη διάκριση με βάση το φύλο και αντίκειται στις διατάξεις 4 παρ. 2 και 116 του ισχύοντος Συντάγματος που κατοχυρώνουν την ισότητα των δικαιωμάτων και των υποχρεώσεων των ανδρών και των γυναικών. Η ανωτέρω απόφαση πάντως δεν στηρίζεται στην ευρωπαϊκή νομοθεσία για την ίση ασφαλιστική μεταχείριση των φύλων. Η απόφαση έχει ισχυρή μειοψηφία, σύμφωνα με την οποία η αδικαιολόγητη υπέρ των γυναικών άνιση μεταχείριση δεν είναι δυνατόν να επεκταθεί και στους άνδρες ασφαλισμένους και πρέπει απλώς να καταργηθεί. Το θέμα της επεκτάσεως της ευνοϊκότερης ρυθμίσεως στη μειονεκτούσα ομάδα έχει απασχολήσει από ετών το ΣτΕ. Η κρατούσα νομολογία δέχεται το επεκτατικό αποτέλεσμα για τρεις λόγους. Πρώτον, επειδή θεωρεί ότι η ισότητα των φύλων κατά το Σύνταγμα και κατά το ευρωπαϊκό κοινοτικό δίκαιο είναι δημιουργική, δηλαδή τα θιγόμενα πρόσωπα έχουν το δικαίωμα να αξιώνουν δικαστικώς την επέκταση των ευνοϊκότερων διατάξεων. Δεύτερον, επειδή πρόκειται για ουσιαστικές διαφορές και οι προσφεύγοντες επιδιώκουν την αναγνώριση και τη διάπλαση ιδίου δικαιώματος και όχι τη μη εφαρμογή του νόμου ως ανίσχυρου και τρίτον, επειδή έτσι συμβαδίζει με τη νομολογία του ΔΕΚ και του ΑΠ για θέματα ίσης μεταχειρίσεως των φύλων που δέχονται επίσης το επεκτατικό αποτέλεσμα. Εξάλλου, και ο νομοθέτης έχει δεχθεί το επεκτατικό αποτέλεσμα θεσπίζοντας το άρθρο 62 του Ν. 2676/1999 για τη σύνταξη του χήρου ή της χήρας σε περίπτωση θανάτου του/της συζύγου τους. Υποστηρίζω ότι η άποψη της μειοψηφίας δεν είναι ορθή και δεν αιτιολογείται επαρκώς σε σχέση με όσα κάνει δεκτά η από ετών κρατούσα για το θέμα νομολογία

Ἕνα ἀπὸ τὰ σημαντικώτερα ἰσραηλινὰ πανεπιστημιακὰ Ἰνστιτοῦτα Στρατηγικῶν Σπουδῶν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, τὸ Begin-Sadat Center of Strategic Studies/Bar Ilan University-Tel Aviv ἐφιλοξένησε σειρὰ ἐπιστημονικῶν ἡμερίδων μὲ ἐπιφανεῖς εἰσηγητὲς καὶ θέμα τὸ «πρόβλημα τοῦ Κοσσόβου». Τὸ ὑλικὸ ὅμως τὸ ὁποῖον ἐπέλεξε νὰ δημοσιεύσει καὶ νὰ ἀναρτήσει στὸ διαδίκτυον ἦταν αὐτὸ τῆς εἰσηγήσεως τῶν James Jatras, διευθυντοῦ τοῦ Ἀμερικανικοῦ Συμβουλίου γιὰ τὸ Κόσσοβο στὴν Οὐάσιγκτων, καὶ πρῴην διπλωμάτου καὶ ἀνωτέρου ἐρευνητοῦ τῆς US Senate Republican Policy Committee καὶ Serge Trifkovic, ὑπευθύνου συντάξεως γιὰ θέματα ἐξωτερικῶν ὑποθέσεων τῆς ἐπιθεωρήσεως Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture ποὺ ἐκδίδεται ἀπὸ τὸ The Rockford Institute καὶ συγγραφέως τοῦ προσφάτου «Defeating Jihad: How the War on Terror May Yet Be Won, in Spite of Ourselves». Οἱ δύο σημαντικοὶ ἀναλυτὲς ὑποστηρίζουν σχετικῶς μὲ τὴν ὑπόθεση ἀνεξαρτητοποιήσεως τοῦ Κοσσόβου ὅτι ἡ ἰσχυρὰ ἀμερικανικὴ ὑποστήριξις γιὰ τὴν ἀνεξαρτησία τοῦ Κοσσόβου εἶναι ἐπιζήμια γιὰ τὰ συμφέροντα τοῦ Ἰσραήλ. Στο παρόν κείμενο, εξετάζονται: Τὸ ‘‘Ἀνεξάρτητο’’ Κόσσοβο σε συνάρτηση με τὰ Ζητήματα Ἀσφαλείας τοῦ Κράτους τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ.

Serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α) and bone remodelling markers were evaluated in 38 patients with Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) and correlated with clinical and laboratory variables. MIP-1α was elevated in WM; untreated patients had higher MIP-1α levels than patients in remission or with active disease after treatment. MIP-1α correlated with increased bone resorption, β2- microglobulin and splenomegaly. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand serum levels were elevated in WM patients; the subsequent increased bone resorption was balanced by a comparable elevation of osteoprotegerin production and bone formation. These findings may explain the absence of lytic lesions in WM patients and suggest a potential role of MIP-1α in WM. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness and the validity of spiral computerized tomography (CT) in assessing acute segmental intestinal ischemia. We present the spiral CT imaging findings in surgically proven cases of intestinal ischemia. 46 patients were admitted to our facility over a five-year period with suspicion of acute enteric ischemia. 34 were first examined with spiral CT and underwent surgery. In 24 of the 34 patients (sensitivity 70.6%), at least one imaging finding specific for segmental intestinal ischemia was recognised (true positive examinations). Spiral-CT examination demonstrated non-specific or normal findings in 7 out of 34 patients with proven intestinal ischemia (20.6% false negative studies). In conclusion, spiral CT can be used in the investigation of patients with suspected acute intestinal ischemia to confirm or suggest the diagnosis or exclude other potential diagnoses.

Purpose.: Ovarian clear-cell carcinomas (OCCC) are known to be possibly resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy and to have a poorer prognosis with respect to other subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This study was undertaken to compare response and survival to platinum-based chemotherapy between patients with advanced stage III and IV OCCC and serous EOC (sEOC). Patients and methods.: A retrospective analysis was performed in patients with advanced stage of OCCC treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in the context of several study protocols of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) between 1/2/1987 and 31/10/2003. The outcome was compared to that of patients with sEOC treated according to the same protocols during the same study period. Results.: One hundred and five patients (35 stage III and IV OCCC, 70 stage III and IV sEOC) treated with platinum-based chemotherapy were analyzed. The overall response rate for OCCC was 45% (complete response 25%) (95% CI, 23.1% to 68.5%) and 81% (complete response 46%) (95% CI, 67.4% to 91.1%) for sEOC. The overall response rate was significantly higher for sEOC (P = 0.008). In the subgroup of stage III patients, the rate of complete responders was higher among sEOC patients (P = 0.023). After a median follow-up of 61.1 months, median survival and time to tumor progression were not significantly different between the two groups (25.1 months [95% CI 11.7 to 38.5 months] versus 49.1 months [95% CI 36.5 to 61.6 months], P = 0.141, 12.0 months [95% CI 6.5 to 17.3 months] versus 18.0 months [95% CI 14.7 to 21.6 months], P = 0.384, respectively). Conclusion.: Patients with OCCC have significantly lower response to platinum-based first-line chemotherapy compared to patients with sEOC. This low response to platinum-based chemotherapy was not translated in significantly shorter survival. The current study outcomes are provocative and suggest that a new strategy for chemotherapy in OCCC should be adopted, possibly one that focuses on new agents without cross-resistance to platinum agents. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In this study, we investigate the aerosol optical properties, namely aerosol extinction optical thickness (AOT), Angström parameter and size distribution over the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, using spectral measurements from the recently established FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas) AERONET station in Crete, for the two-year period 2003-2004. The location of the FORTH-AERONET station offers a unique opportunity to monitor aerosols from different sources. Maximum values of AOT are found primarily in spring, which together with small values of the Angström parameter indicate dust transported from African deserts, whereas the minimum values of AOT occur in winter. In autumn, large AOT values observed at near-infrared wavelengths arise also from dust transport. In summer, large AOT values at ultraviolet (340 nm) and visible wavelengths (500 nm), together with large values of the Angström parameter, are associated with transport of fine aerosols of urban/industrial and biomass burning origin. The Angström parameter values vary on a daily basis within the range 0.05-2.20, and on a monthly basis within the range 0.68-1.9. This behaviour, together with broad frequency distributions and back-trajectory analyses, indicates a great variety of aerosol types over the study region including dust, urban-industrial and biomass-burning pollution, and maritime, as well as mixed aerosol types. Large temporal variability is observed in AOT, Angström parameter, aerosol content and size. The fine and coarse aerosol modes persist throughout the year, with the coarse mode dominant except in summer. The highest values of AOT are related primarily to southeasterly winds, associated with coarse aerosols, and to a less extent to northwesterly winds associated with fine aerosols. The results of this study show that the FORTH AERONET station in Crete is well suited for studying the transport and mixing of different types of aerosols from a variety of sources, especially those associated with major dust events from the Sahara.

The aim of the study is to develop modified, branched versions of the Noyes-Whitney and the Weibull equations, including explicitly the solubility/dose parameter, for the analysis of dissolution data, which reach the plateau either at infinite or finite time. The modified Weibull function is applied to the analysis of experimental and literature dissolution data. To demonstrate the usefulness of the mathematical models, two model drugs are used: one highly soluble, metoprolol, and one relatively insoluble, ibuprofen. The models were fitted successfully to the data performing better compared with their classic versions. The advantages of the use of the models presented are several. They fit better to a large range of datasets, especially for fast dissolution curves that reach complete dissolution at a finite time. Also, the modified Weibull presented can be derived from differential equations, and it has a physical meaning as opposed to the purely empirical character of the original Weibull equation. The exponent of the Weibull equation can be attributed to the heterogeneity of the process and can be explained by fractal kinetics concepts. Also, the solubility/dose ratio is present explicitly as a parameter and allows to obtain estimates of the solubility even when the dissolution data do not reach the solubility level. The use of the developed branched equations gives better fittings and specific physical meaning to the dissolution parameters. Also, the findings underline the fact that even in the simplest, first-order case, the speed of the dissolution process depends on the dose, a fact of great importance in biopharmaceutic classification for regulatory purposes.

The cause of the polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is currently unknown, but increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appear to play a pathogenetic role. Osteosclerotic bone lesions are a characteristic finding in POEMS, but there are no data about the specific role of various molecules that control bone remodeling in patients with POEMS. Serum levels of angiogenic cytokines (VEGF, angiogenin, angiopoietin-2, and basic fibroblast growth factor) along with a series of bone remodeling indices (C-telopeptide of type I collagen, bone-alkaline phosphatase [bALP], osteocalcin [OC], soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand [RANKL], osteoprotegerin [OPG], and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α) were measured in 2 patients with POEMS before and after high-dose therapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplantation and in age- and sex-matched controls. Increased VEGF levels before HDT were reduced significantly after treatment, although levels of the other angiogenetic factors did not differ from that of controls and were less influenced by HDT. Serum RANKL levels were increased before HDT, whereas OPG levels were within the levels of healthy controls, resulting in an abnormal soluble RANKL to OPG ratio. Levels of bone resorption markers (C-telopeptide of type I collagen) were very low or undetectable before HDT, although bALP and OC levels were similar to that of controls. After HDT, soluble RANKL levels decreased, OPG remained rather stable, bone resorption markers increased to levels of normal individuals, bALP levels were rather unchanged, and OC levels increased. Decreasing VEGF levels parallel clinical improvement, and the restoration of normal bone metabolism follows HDT.

The aim of this study was to establish an anthropometric profile of young fencers separated into four different age groups and to examine the degree of upper and lower limb asymmetry. Selected anthropometric characteristics were measured in 152 fencers (84 males and 68 females) during the Greek fencing championships. Fencers were divided into 4 age categories (boys/girls, cadets, junior and senior) according to the International Fencing Federation rules. The larger differences in anthropometric characteristics of both males and females were observed between the very young group (10-13yrs) and the older groups, while for most parameters, there were no differences between the two older groups (18-20yrs and >20yrs). There was no significant difference between the 10-13yrs groups of males and females in almost all anthropometric characteristics. Somatotype ratings were relatively stable across age groups. The mean somatotype of male fencers was 3.1-2.6-3.2. The female fencers were mainly situated in the ectomorph -endomorph region, and had a mean somatotype of 3.8-1.8-3.3. Arm CSA was higher in males compared to females in all age groups, except for the 10-13yrs group. However, leg CSA was not different between genders in all age groups. Significant CSA asymmetries were observed between the dominant and the non-dominant sides in the arm and leg in both genders. Arm asymmetries were evident from an early age, while leg asymmetries were not observed in the younger group. The lack of significant differences between males and females for the 10-13yrs groups in most of the anthropometric characteristics, should be taken into account in talent selection. ©2006 Teviot Scientific Publications.

The aim of this study was to establish an anthropometric profile of young fencers separated into four different age groups and to examine the degree of upper and lower limb asymmetry. Selected anthropometric characteristics were measured in 152 fencers (84 males and 68 females) during the Greek fencing championships. Fencers were divided into 4 age categories (boys/girls, cadets, junior and senior) according to the International Fencing Federation rules. The larger differences in anthropometric characteristics of both males and females were observed between the very young group (10-13yrs) and the older groups, while for most parameters, there were no differences between the two older groups (18-20yrs and >20yrs). There was no significant difference between the 10-13yrs groups of males and females in almost all anthropometric characteristics. Somatotype ratings were relatively stable across age groups. The mean somatotype of male fencers was 3.1-2.6-3.2. The female fencers were mainly situated in the ectomorph -endomorph region, and had a mean somatotype of 3.8-1.8-3.3. Arm CSA was higher in males compared to females in all age groups, except for the 10-13yrs group. However, leg CSA was not different between genders in all age groups. Significant CSA asymmetries were observed between the dominant and the non-dominant sides in the arm and leg in both genders. Arm asymmetries were evident from an early age, while leg asymmetries were not observed in the younger group. The lack of significant differences between males and females for the 10-13yrs groups in most of the anthropometric characteristics, should be taken into account in talent selection. ©2006 Teviot Scientific Publications.

The aim of this study was to establish an anthropometric profile of young fencers separated into four different age groups and to examine the degree of upper and lower limb asymmetry. Selected anthropometric characteristics were measured in 152 fencers (84 males and 68 females) during the Greek fencing championships. Fencers were divided into 4 age categories (boys/girls, cadets, junior and senior) according to the International Fencing Federation rules. The larger differences in anthropometric characteristics of both males and females were observed between the very young group (10-13yrs) and the older groups, while for most parameters, there were no differences between the two older groups (18-20yrs and >20yrs). There was no significant difference between the 10-13yrs groups of males and females in almost all anthropometric characteristics. Somatotype ratings were relatively stable across age groups. The mean somatotype of male fencers was 3.1-2.6-3.2. The female fencers were mainly situated in the ectomorph -endomorph region, and had a mean somatotype of 3.8-1.8-3.3. Arm CSA was higher in males compared to females in all age groups, except for the 10-13yrs group. However, leg CSA was not different between genders in all age groups. Significant CSA asymmetries were observed between the dominant and the non-dominant sides in the arm and leg in both genders. Arm asymmetries were evident from an early age, while leg asymmetries were not observed in the younger group. The lack of significant differences between males and females for the 10-13yrs groups in most of the anthropometric characteristics, should be taken into account in talent selection. ©2006 Teviot Scientific Publications.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing has been proposed as an additional treatment to medical therapy to improve heart failure patients with left ventricular asynchrony. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of CRT treatment on proinflammatory cytokines in patients with heart failure. METHODS: Twenty patients, with a mean age 64 +/- 2 years, with severe chronic heart failure NYHA class II-IV (mean ejection fraction 25 +/- 2%), were included in the study. Patients were treated with CRT pacing, after failure of optimal therapy. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 3 months after pacing therapy, and after a subsequent 3-month period of no pacing for the assessment of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and its receptors (sTNFR-I, sTNFR-II), IL-6, adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, and the apoptotic indices sFas and sFas-Ligand. RESULTS: Levels of TNF-alpha, sTNFR-I, and sTNFR-II were reduced at the end of 3 months of CRT therapy and further reduced at the end of the no pacing period (P < 0.05, compared to baseline). Levels of IL-6 also declined after 3 months of CRT pacing (from 8.9 +/- 2.5 pg/mL to 4.7 +/- 1.3 pg/mL, P < 0.05) and this was maintained during the no pacing period (3.9 +/- 1.1 pg/mL P < 0.05 compared to baseline). The adhesion molecule sICAM-1 levels also reduced (from 265 +/- 17 ng/mL to 235 +/- 12, P < 0.05) after 3 months of CRT pacing and remained unchanged at the end of the no pacing period (219 +/- 12 ng/mL, P < 0.05 compared to baseline values). CONCLUSION: Major proinflammatory cytokines and the adhesion molecule sICAM-1 are reduced with CRT therapy and this effect is maintained for at least 3 months after discontinuation of pacing

Dallas, G., Patsantaras, N., Kamberidou, I., & Gougou, B. (2006). Artistic Gymnastics in Greece: Impact and Effects on Athletes Social Development and Later Professional-Occupational Establishment. Stiinta Sportului, Revista Teoretico-Metodica. Anul XV, Nr. 54/2006, 15, 3–29. Revista editata de: Consiliul Stintei Sprtului din Romania. Institutul National de Cercetare pentru Sport, Bucuresti, Romania. Abstract in  K.9 in Apella  Also see article online REVIISTA  http://sportscience.ro/ Sport Science Journal STIINTA SPORTULUI 2006 (Revista 2006/54-1) pp. 1-10.  K.9.1 in Apella   and hardcopy K.9.1.1.  in Apella

The alpha-synuclein Rep1 polymorphism was studied in patients and controls in an ethnic Greek population. There was an association of allele 2 with risk of Parkinson's disease (PD; adjusted odd ratio = 3.25; 95% CI = 1.80-5.87). Survival analyses (Cox proportional hazards models) were employed to explore the influence of genotypes on age at onset of PD. Age at onset of carriers of at least one Rep1 allele 2 was earlier (3.6 years) compared to noncarriers (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.58-3.10). Kaplan-Meier analysis also supported a dosage effect of Rep1 allele 2 on age at onset. For Rep1 allele 1, there was neither association with risk of PD nor influence on age at onset. This is the first study showing an influence of Rep1 polymorphism on age at onset of PD.

Background: The deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) protein, the product of DCC tumor suppressor gene, is frequently altered in cancer. Preclinical data demonstrate that DCC regulates β-catenin levels. Here, we sought to determine the association of DCC with β-catenin protein levels, clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome in ovarian cancer using a method of in situ compartmentalized protein analysis. Methods: A tissue array composed of 150 advanced-stage ovarian cancers, treated with surgical debulking and platinum-paclitaxel (Taxol) combination chemotherapy, was constructed. For evaluation of protein expression, we used an immunofluorescence-based method of automated in situ quantitative measurement of protein analysis (AQUA). Results: One hundred and twelve patients (74%) had sufficient tissue for AQUA. The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 33 months. Patients with low nuclear DCC expression had a 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 0% compared with 33% of those with high DCC expression (P = 0.0067). In multivariate analysis, low nuclear DCC expression level retained its prognostic significance for PFS. Between DCC and β-catenin, a significant relationship was found, where tumors with low DCC had low β-catenin and vice versa (P = 0.003). Conclusions: Low nuclear DCC levels predict for poor patient outcome inepithelial ovarian cancer. DCC may exert its antitumor function, in part, through regulation of β-catenin levels. © 2006 Oxford University Press.

Five oxalyl derivatives of $\beta$-d-glucopyranosylamine were synthesized as potential inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase (GP). The compounds 1-4 were competitive inhibitors of rabbit muscle GPb (with respect to $\alpha$-d-glucose-1-phosphate) with Ki values of 0.2-1.4 mM, while compound 5 was not effective up to a concentration of 10 mM. In order to elucidate the structural basis of their inhibition, we analysed the structures of compounds 1-4 in complex with GPb at 1.93-1.96 {\AA} resolution. The complex structures reveal that the inhibitors can be accommodated at the catalytic site at approximately the same position as $\alpha$-d-glucose and stabilize the T-state conformation of the 280s loop by making several favourable contacts to Asp283 and Asn284 of this loop. Comparison with the lead compound N-acetyl-$\beta$-d-glucopyranosylamine (6) shows that the hydrogen bonding interaction of the amide nitrogen with the main-chain carbonyl oxygen of His377 is not present in these complexes. The differences observed in the Ki values of the four analogues can be interpreted in terms of subtle conformational changes of protein residues and shifts of water molecules in the vicinity of the catalytic site, variations in van der Waals interactions, conformational entropy and desolvation effects. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Five oxalyl derivatives of beta-D-glucopyranosylamine were synthesized as potential inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase (GP). The compounds 1-4 were competitive inhibitors of rabbit muscle GPb (with respect to alpha-D-glucose-l-phosphate) with K-i values of 0.2-1.4 mM, while compound 5 was not effective up to a concentration of 10 mM. In order to elucidate the structural basis of their inhibition, we analysed the structures of compounds 1-4 in complex with GPb at 1.93-1.96 angstrom resolution. The complex structures reveal that the inhibitors can be accommodated at the catalytic site at approximately the same position as alpha-D-glucose and stabilize the T-state conformation of the 280s loop by making several favourable contacts to Asp283 and Asn284 of this loop. Comparison with the lead compound N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (6) shows that the hydrogen bonding interaction of the amide nitrogen with the main-chain carbonyl oxygen of His377 is not present in these complexes. The differences observed in the Ki values of the four analogues can be interpreted in terms of subtle conformational changes of protein residues and shifts of water molecules in the vicinity of the catalytic site, variations in van der Waals interactions, conformational entropy and desolvation effects. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aims.Extensive photometry of RR Lyr was obtained over a 421-day interval in 2003-2004, covering more than 10 Blazhko cycles in a multisite campaign. The length and density of this data set allow for a detailed analysis. Methods: .We used Fourier techniques to study RR Lyr's behavior over the pulsation and the Blazhko cycle. We propose a two-frequency model for decomposing the frequency spectrum. Results: .The light variations were fitted with the main radial frequency, its harmonics up to 11th order, and the detected triplet frequencies. No significant quintuplet components were found in the frequency spectrum. Given the total time span of the measurements, we can now unambiguously conclude that the Blazhko period has become notably shorter than the previously known value of 40.8 days, whereas the main pulsation period remained roughly the same. Changes in the modulation period have been reported for other well-studied Blazhko variables. They challenge the explanations for the Blazhko effect which link the modulation period directly to the rotation period. The new photometry reveals an interval in the pulsation cycle of RR Lyr during which the star's intensity barely changes over the Blazhko cycle. This interval occurs during the infalling motion and between the supposed phases of the early and the main shock. The data also permit a more detailed study of the light curve shape at different phases in the Blazhko period through Fourier parameters.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Blunt trauma to the extrahepatic biliary tract is a rare and challenging injury The purpose of this paper is to review our experience of these injuries, with special reference to their clinical presentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective multicenter study of the records of a trauma-admitting in three hospitals, seven patients with blunt extrahepatic biliary tract trauma were identified, one with combined gallbladder and common bile duct injuries and six with a ruptured gallbladder. RESULTS: Except for the patient with the common bile duct injury developing peritoneal signs during observation and being operated 24 hours post-admission, all other patients underwent early laparotomy for shock, peritonitis or positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) caused by associated injuries. The common bile duct injury was treated with suture repair over a T tube and the gallbladder injuries with cholecystectomy, except for two cases in which a cholecystostomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with blunt trauma, especially to the right upper quadrant, a high index of suspicion and liberal use of diagnostic studies to exclude an isolated extrahepatic biliary tract injury is recommended.

The effect of bortezomib on bone remodelling was evaluated in 34 relapsed myeloma patients. At baseline, patients had increased serum concentrations of dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL), sRANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio, C-telopeptide of type-I collagen (CTX) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform-5b (TRACP-5b); bone-alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were reduced. Serum DKK-1 correlated with CTX and severe bone disease. Bortezomib administration significantly reduced serum DKK-1, sRANKL, CTX, and TRACP-5b after four cycles, and dramatically increased bone-alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, irrespective of treatment response. This is the first study showing that bortezomib reduces DKK-1 and RANKL serum levels, leading to the normalisation of bone remodelling in relapsed myeloma. © 2006 The Authors.

Brain metastases in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) have an estimated incidence of 0.3-1.9% and are isolated in up to 50% of these patients. The risk factors and the prognostic significance of isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapse in patients with EOC who received primary treatment with platinum and paclitaxel have not been identified. We conducted a retrospective study in patients with EOC who relapsed with isolated brain metastases and report our experience. Two hundred sixty-seven patients with stages III and IV EOC, in clinical complete remission after first-line treatment with platinum and paclitaxel, were included in our analysis. After a median follow-up of 65 months, 150 patients had relapsed. Eight patients (5%) had isolated brain metastases. Patient and disease characteristics did not differ among patients who relapsed with isolated brain metastases and those with relapse outside the CNS. Median time to first disease relapse, overall survival, and survival after relapse did not differ significantly between patients with brain metastases and those with relapse outside the CNS. Two patients have died 6 and 12 months after the diagnosis of brain metastases, and 5 patients are alive 4-35 months after the diagnosis of isolated brain metastases. Three patients remain free of disease 4-18 months after treatment with radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy for their CNS metastatic disease. Patients with isolated brain metastases have comparable survival to patients with relapse outside the CNS, and long-term remission can be achieved in some cases, provided that systemic chemotherapy is added to local treatment. © 2006, Copyright the Authors.

We propose a different type of plasmonic waveguide which consists of identical dielectric nanocavities, periodically arranged along a line, in a metallic material. The dispersion relations for the different guiding modes are obtained by means of exact mutliple scattering calculations and also by a simple tight-binding model which allows a straightforward analysis of the underlying physics. This type of waveguide combines strong lateral localization and no radiative losses with efficient transmission of light through sharp bends. We show how one can overcome absorptive losses by introducing optical gain media into the cavities and, also, how one can design such waveguides for single-mode operation over a given frequency range by using nonspherical cavities.

Dissolution research started to develop about 100 years ago as a field of physical chemistry and since then important progress has been made. However, explicit interest in drug related dissolution has grown only since the realisation that dissolution is an important factor of drug bioavailability in the 1950s. This review attempts to account the most important developments in the field, from a historical point of view. It is structured in a chronological order, from the theoretical foundations of dissolution, developed in the first half of the 20th century, and the development of a relationship between dissolution and bioavailability in the 1950s, going to the more recent developments in the framework of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). Research on relevant fields of pharmaceutical technology, like sustained release formulations, where drug dissolution plays an important role, is reviewed. The review concludes with the modem trends on drug dissolution research and their regulatory implications. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AIM: To evaluate whether the cellular proliferation rate in the large bowel epithelial cells is characterized by circadian rhythm. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2004, twenty patients who were diagnosed as suffering from primary, resectable, non-metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lower rectum, infiltrating the sphincter mechanism, underwent abdominoperineal resection, total mesorectal excision and permanent left iliac colostomy. In formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens obtained from the colostomy mucosa every six hours (00:00, 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 24:00), we studied the expression of G(1) phase cyclins (D(1) and E) as well as the expression of the G(1) phase cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p16 and p21 as indicators of cell cycle progression in colonic epithelial cells using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The expression of both cyclins showed a similar circadian fashion obtaining their lowest and highest values at 00:00 and 18:00, respectively (P<0.001). A circadian rhythm in the expression of CDK inhibitor proteins p16 and p21 was also observed, with the lowest levels obtained at 12:00 and 18:00 (P<0.001), respectively. When the complexes cyclins D(1) -p21 and E-p21 were examined, the expression of the cyclins was adversely correlated to the p21 expression throughout the day. When the complexes the cyclins D(1) -p16 and E-p16 were examined, high levels of p16 expression were correlated to low levels of cyclin expression at 00:00, 06:00 and 24:00. Meanwhile, the highest expression levels of both cyclins were correlated to high levels of p16 expression at 18:00. CONCLUSION: Colonic epithelial cells seem to enter the G(1) phase of the cell cycle during afternoon (between 12:00 and 18:00) with the highest rates obtained at 18:00. From a clinical point of view, the present results suggest that G(1) -phase specific anticancer therapies in afternoon might maximize their anti-tumor effect while minimizing toxicity.

We examined changes in extreme temperature over the Greek area in relation to the geopotential thickness field (1000 to 500 hPa). Daily maximum and minimum temperature series from 20 Greek stations evenly distributed over Greece were used for the period 1958-2000. The atmospheric circulation over the Greek area was classified with the aid of a calendar of daily circulation types based on the geopotential thickness field of 1000 to 500 hPa for the same period using daily NCEP and HadAM3P datasets. There was a general increase in frequency of anticyclonic circulation types and a decrease in frequency of cyclonic types. In addition, there was an overall interannual increase (decrease) in maximum (minimum) extreme temperatures over the Greek area, with spatial and seasonal variations. The investigation of the temperature anomalies corresponding to each circulation type, along with the trends of the former, revealed that the increase in frequency of the anticyclonic types, which form positive anomalies, and their positive trends in the majority of the stations, can explain the upward trend of maximum temperature in summer. In contrast, the trend of decreasing minimum temperatures in the central and SW Greek area cannot only be interpreted by changes in frequency of circulation types. A statistical downscaling model for simulating temperature changes over Greece (both for NCEP and HadAM3P datasets) was developed following a circulation-type approach. This demonstrated high correspondence with the observed extreme temperature values in all seasons, with only slightly lower year-to-year variability. © Inter-Research 2006.

Most estimates of the cost of informal caregiving in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain cross-sectional. Longitudinal estimates of informal caregiving hours and costs are less frequent and are from assessments covering only short periods of time. The objectives of this study were to estimate long-term trajectories of the use and cost of informal caregiving for patients with AD and the effects of patient characteristics on the use and cost of informal caregiving. The sample is drawn from the Predictors Study, a large, multicenter cohort of patients with probable AD, prospectively followed annually for up to 7 years in three university-based AD centers in the United States (n=170). Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the effects of patient characteristics on use and cost of informal caregiving. Patients' clinical characteristics included cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination), functional capacity (Blessed Dementia Rating Scale (BDRS)), comorbidities, psychotic symptoms, behavioral problems, depressive symptoms, and extrapyramidal signs. Results show that rates of informal care use and caregiving hours (and costs) increased substantially over time but were related differently to patients' characteristics. Use of informal care was significantly associated with worse cognition, worse function, and higher comorbidities. Conditional on receiving informal care, informal caregiving hours (and costs) were mainly associated with worse function. Each additional point on the BDRS increased informal caregiving costs 5.4%. Average annual informal cost was estimated at $25,381 per patient, increasing from $20,589 at baseline to $43,030 in Year 4.

BACKGROUND: Few studies on cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) have simultaneously considered multiple dimensions of disease costs and detailed clinical characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To estimate empirically the incremental effects of patients' clinical characteristics on disease costs. METHODS: Data are derived from the baseline visit of 180 patients in the Predictors Study, a large, multicenter cohort of patients with probable AD followed from early stages of the disease. All patients initially lived at home, in retirement homes, or in assisted living facilities. Costs of direct medical care included hospitalizations, outpatient treatment and procedures, assistive devices, and medications. Costs of direct nonmedical care included home health aides, respite care, and adult day care. Indirect costs were measured by caregiving time. Patients' clinical characteristics included cognitive status, functional capacity, psychotic symptoms, behavioral problems, depressive symptoms, extrapyramidal signs, comorbidities, and duration of illness. RESULTS: A 1-point increase in the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale score was associated with a $1,411 increase in direct medical costs and a $2,718 increase in unpaid caregiving costs. Direct medical costs also were $3,777 higher among subjects with depressive symptoms than among those who were not depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Medical care costs and unpaid caregiving costs relate differently to patients' clinical characteristics. Poorer functional status is associated with higher medical care costs and unpaid caregiving costs. Interventions may be particularly useful if targeted in the areas of basic and instrumental activities of daily living.

The adverse prognostic role of cytogenetic abnormalities has recently been established in plasma cell dyscrasias. Modern techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and comparative genomic hybridization have revealed a higher incidence of cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) compared to conventional cytogenetics. Hypodiploidy and chromosome 13 abnormalities are found in more than 50% of myeloma patients, representing well known factors with adverse prognosis. Rearrangements involving the switch regions of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene at 14q32 with various partner genes represent the most common structural abnormalities, having an incidence of 70% in MM. Structural abnormalities of chromosomes 17 and 8 involving the p53 and c-myc genes are considered to be less frequent events, but carry a poor prognosis. New therapeutic approaches such as non-myeloablative allotransplantation and modern therapeutic agents (thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib) and their combinations give promise for an improved therapeutic management of patients with MM. The detection of t(4;14), t(14;16), deletion of chromosome 13 on metaphase analysis, or deletion of p53 by FISH will define high-risk prognostic groups that are not generally controlled with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and should therefore be treated with more investigational therapies. Alternatively, eligible patients who do not have these poor risk factors are more likely to benefit from a high-dose, melphalan-based, regimen followed by ASCT. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.

The present study aimed to determine the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, CA 50 and alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) levels between patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at diagnosis and controls to clarify their potential clinical significance. A case-control investigation was conducted over a three year period, covering 95 MDS cases and 95 age- and gender-matched controls. Mean serum CEA levels were significantly higher (P = 0.0002) in MDS patients at diagnosis than in hospital controls. Adjusting for age, gender, tobacco consumption, serum CA 19-9, CA 50 and alpha-FP levels, there is statistically significant evidence that serum CEA values are associated with increased risk of MDS (odds ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval = 1.56 - 3.49). Six patients with MDS developed malignancies 4-9 months after the diagnosis of myelodysplasia. Serum CEA could be used as marker together with other important diagnostic tools for evaluating an underlying or developing malignancy in patients suffering from MDS.

BACKGROUND. The toxicity of platinum-based combinations represents a common problem for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma. The authors previously reported encouraging efficacy for the combination of carboplatin and gemcitabine in patients considered to be unfit for cisplatin-based treatment. The objective of the current multicenter Phase II study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin as first-line treatment in unselected patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma. METHODS. Patients with previously untreated, bidimensionally measurable, inoperable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma were treated with carboplatin, area under the concentration curve of 5 (Day 1) and gemcitabine at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 (Days 1 and 8), every 21 days for a total of 6 cycles. RESULTS. Sixty patients (49 men and 11 women, with a median age of 69 yrs) were enrolled in the current study. Intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 38.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 26-51.8%) (11.7% complete responses and 26.7% partial responses). The median time to disease progression was 7.6 months (95% CI, 4.5-10.7 mos) and the median overall survival was 16.3 months (95% CI, 12-20.6 mos). The median survival was comparable to that reported for the combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC) according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic model for patients with similar baseline prognostic features. Grade 3 or 4 toxicity (according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria [version 2.0]) included anemia (18%), thrombocytopenia (23%), and neutropenia (52%), with 7 episodes of febrile neutropenia (11%) reported. Nonhematologic toxicity was rare. One toxic death occurred during the study. CONCLUSIONS. The combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin appears to have considerable activity as the first-line treatment of unselected patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma with manageable toxicity, and deserves further evaluation in this setting. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

We present a systematic study of the polarization of the transport current from a variety of NiMnSb and Co2 MnSi thin films and bulk material using point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy. The simple analysis suggests that the free surface polarization of NiMnSb is within error 10% lower than that of Co2 MnSi. In either material the measured polarization is rather insensitive to key physical and material properties. We use a two channel model to rule out the influence that stray magnetic field from the ferromagnet might have on the measurements presented. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.

The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae, with a total size of 24,673 bp, was one of the smallest known mtDNAs of Pezizomycotina. It contained the 14 typical genes coding for proteins related to oxidative phosphorylation, the two rRNA genes, a single intron that harbored an intronic ORF coding for a putative ribosomal protein (rps) within the large rRNA gene (rnl), and a set of 24 tRNA genes which recognized codons for all amino acids, except proline and valine. Gene order comparison with all known mtDNAs of Sordariomycetes illustrated a highly conserved genome organization for all the protein- and rRNA-coding genes, as well as three clusters of tRNA genes. By considering all mitochondrial essential protein-coding genes as one unit a phylogenetic study of these small genomes strongly supported the common evolutionary course of Sordariomycetes (100% bootstrap support) and highlighted the advantages of analyzing small genomes (mtDNA) over single genes. In addition, comparative analysis of three intergenic regions demonstrated sequence variability that can be exploited for intra- and inter-specific identification of Metarhizium.

The complete sequence (27,184 bp) of the mitochondrial (mt) genome of the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae has been determined. It contains 14 protein-coding genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, two rRNA genes and a set of 25 tRNA genes. A single intron, that harbors an intronic ORF coding for a putative ribosomal protein (rps), is located within the large rRNA gene (rnl). Gene order comparisons of V. dahliae mtDNA and complete mt genomes of Pezizomycotina revealed four units of synteny for Sordariomycetes, namely rnl-trn ((11-12))-nad2-nad3, nad4L-nad5-cob-cox1, nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6 and rns-trn ((1-5))-cox3-trn ((1-5))-nad6-trn ((2-5)). These four units, in different combinations, merged to single continuous unit in the orders of Hypocreales and Sordariales. V. dahliae (Phyllachorales) and all members of the genus showed a unique feature which is the translocation of the nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6-rns-cox3-nad6 region in between genes nad3 and atp9 of the Hypocreales mtDNA gene order. Analysis of mt intergenic sequences of Verticillium species permitted the design of a species-specific primer allowing the discrimination of V. longisporum against V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum. By considering the protein-coding gene sequences as one unit, a phylogenetic comparison with representatives of Ascomycota complete mtDNA was performed.

Two periods of transboundary transport of volcanic aerosols and debris following recent eruptions of Mount Etna, Italy, were examined using ground-based and satellite spectrophotometric measurements together with Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) and aerosol filter observations in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece. Independent columnar SO2 measurements from ground and space identified peaks at Greek sites after the volcanic eruptions. LiDAR measurements of the aerosol extinction at Thessaloniki and Athens performed in July 2001 have shown the height of the volcanic plume to be about 3.5 km asl and the optical thickness of the dust layer to be of the order of 3 Γ—10-3 at 532 nm. Strong ozone depletion observed at the volcano plume level by using ozonesonde ascents may be attributed to the in-plume processes that generate reactive halogens, which in turn destroy ozone. The chemical and elemental composition of aerosol samples, taken at the Earth's surface, was analysed and confirmed the volcanic origin of the dust.

Background: Synchronous presentation of more than one germ cell tumours of different histology in the same patient is considered to be very rare. In these cases of multiple germ cell tumours, strong theoretical and clinical data suggest an underlying common pathogenetic mechanism concerning genetic instability or abnormalities during the pluripotent embryonic differentiation and maturation of the germ cell. Case presentation: A 25 year-old young man presented with an enlarging, slightly painful left cervical mass. Despite the initial disorientation of the diagnosis to a possible thyroid disorder, the patient underwent complete surgical resection of the mass revealing mediastinal choriocarcinoma. Subsequent ultrasound of the scrotum indicated the presence of a small lobular node in the upper pole of the left testicle and the patient underwent radical left inguinal orchiectomy disclosing a typical seminoma. Based on these results, the patient received 4 cycles of Bleomycin, Etoposide and Platinum chemotherapy experiencing only mild toxicity and resulting in complete ongoing clinical and biochemical remission. Conclusion: The pathogenesis of concurrent germ cell tumours in the same patient remains an area of controversy. Although the genetic instability of the pluripotent germ cell offers an adequate explanation, the possibility of metastasis from the primary, less differentiated tumour to a distant location as a more mature subtype cannot be excluded. Possible development of a metastatic site of different histology and thus biological behaviour (e.g choriocarcinoma) should be anticipated. Furthermore, urologists, pathologists and medical oncologists should be meticulous in the original pathological diagnosis in these patients, since there is a significant frequency of germ cell tumours with mixed or overlapping histological elements with diverse potential of evolution and differentiation. © 2006 Mountzios et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Due to a result by Mackenzie, extensions of transitive Lie groupoids are equivalent to certain Lie groupoids which admit an action of a Lie group. This paper is a treatment of the equivariant connection theory and holonomy of such groupoids, and shows that such connections give rise to the transition data necessary for the classification of their respective Lie algebroids.

AIMS: To study the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on coronary and peripheral arterial circulation and to assess whether their changes are related to the improvement in patients' functional capacity and prognostically important biochemical markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were studied (New York Heart Association classes III and IV, left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, QRS>120 ms, mean age 66 +/- 2.1 years). Coronary blood flow (CBF), forearm blood flow (FBF), and their reserve were measured by transoesophageal echocardiography (in cm/s) and venous occlusion plethysmography (in mL/100 mL/min) at baseline and following 3 months of CRT. N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-pro-BNP) and serum adhesion molecules, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were also assessed. CRT induced a non-significant increase in resting CBF (baseline vs. CRT: 52.1 +/- 5.5 vs. 58.2 +/- 3.6, P: NS), whereas hyperaemic CBF was increased by CRT (baseline vs. CRT: 67.8 +/- 6.8 vs. 79.8 +/- 6.2, P < 0.05). Significant increases were observed in resting FBF (baseline vs. CRT: 1.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05) and hyperaemic FBF (baseline vs. CRT: 2.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.2 +/- 0.3, P < 0.05). The per cent difference in hyperaemic FBF was related to the per cent change in Nt-pro-BNP (r = -0.71, P < 0.05) and the per cent improvement in exercise duration (r = 0.80, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CRT induces favourable changes in coronary and peripheral arterial function. Changes in peripheral blood flow are related to patients' improvement and may be prognostically significant

The need of institutional investors to evaluate the Corporate Governance (CG) practices of listed companies resulted in many attempts to construct the CG rating methodologies. This paper, in response to this situation, attempts to quantify the compliance of large capitalization Greek companies with international best practices. The methodology consists of a questionnaire reflecting the Greek CG code, which basically replicates the OECD principles. Other wellregarded CG codes are also taken into account. Then, a rating system based on CG indicators is constructed and applied for the years 2001 and 2003. The total rating results for the years 2001 and 2003 demonstrate a relatively satisfactory improvement. The highest compliance is in the category of shareholder rights, while weak compliance appears in the last category, which incorporates commitment to CG, CSR and the relations with shareholders. The exercise, using practically all agreed principles of the OECD, could demonstrate a reasonable degree of compliance of the average company rated. Its limitation in that respect is that it could not satisfy investigations on convergence. The indicators used are highly pertinent to measure compliance but not convergence, which is not within the initial targets and needs a longer time series analysis. The methodology is applied in a small open economy and may have significant implications in other similar capital markets. Methodologically, the merit of the exercise lies in its approach toward the creation of "collectively subjective" weightings, and is valuable to institutional investors, policymakers, regulators and academics. The upgrading of the Greeek capital market to a mature market status and the global competition for capital has boosted the CG debate in Greece. In addition, the recent corporate failures and financial scams around the world have increased awareness that proper CG is fundamental to the efficient operation of capital markets. The need of institutional investors to evaluate the CG practices of the listed companies resulted in many attempts to construct CG rating methodologies. This paper presents an attempt to quantify the compliance of large capitalization Greek companies with international best practices. Firstly, the literature on CG ratings is reviewed. Secondly, a brief history of the CG in Greece is presented. Then, the structure of our CG rating methodology and the results are described. Finally, the findings and proceedings with some critical points are summarized.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the natural course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in renal transplant recipients infected shortly before or after renal transplantation. METHODS: Seventeen renal transplant recipients with no detectable antibodies to HCV before renal transplantation either seroconverted after transplantation or developed cholestatic syndrome without seroconversion, but with HCV RNA positivity. They were followed up for a mean of 7.2 +/- 4.2 (SD) years after renal transplantation and underwent consecutive liver biopsies. RESULTS: Biochemical abnormalities initially were observed a median of 5.7 months (25th, 75th percentiles, 2.4, 13.9) after transplantation. Initial liver biopsies showed acute hepatitis in 5 patients and chronic hepatitis in 9 patients, whereas 3 patients had histological findings of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. During a median follow-up of 2.0 years (25th, 75th percentiles, 1.3, 4.6), the condition of 5 patients, initially with diagnoses of acute hepatitis, deteriorated rapidly, with a median fibrosis progression rate of 0.77 (25th, 75th percentiles, 0.56, 0.86) per year. Six patients with chronic hepatitis progressed with a median fibrosis progression rate of 0.35 (25th, 75th percentiles, 0.15, 0.69) per year in a median of 3.1 years (25th, 75th percentiles, 2.4, 3.5), whereas the other 3 patients with chronic hepatitis with elevated cholestatic liver enzyme levels developed early fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (1 patient) or vanishing bile duct syndrome (2 patients). Genotype 1 was found in 7 of 9 patients with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis or vanishing bile duct syndrome (78%; P = 0.049). Six of 17 patients died a median of 6.1 years (25th, 75th percentiles, 1.5, 7.1) posttransplantation; 4 of these 6 patients died of hepatic failure. CONCLUSION: HCV infection acquired shortly before or after renal transplantation frequently is associated with an adverse clinical outcome, characterized by rapid progression of fibrosis, development of cholestatic syndrome, and high mortality rate. Acute hepatitis occurring under maximal immunosuppression is of great prognostic significance, determining a specific high-risk group.

Different observational techniques are compared in order to investigate possible correlations in seismic activity. The study site is the island of Kefallin_gnia (Greece), where measurements available included (1) DInSAR, DGPS, and DEM data, (2) soil exhalation measured by monitoring Radon (Rn) well content, and (3) acoustic emissions (AE) at high and low frequency (point-like records with high temporal resolution). AE records provide: (1) relative time variation of the applied stress intensity and (2) the state of fatigue of stressed rock volumes, the AE source. Our results indicate that the large spatial scale (poor time resolution) may be considered quite satisfactory, whereas fractal analysis of the AE time series displayed some discrepancies when compared to analogous investigations in the Italian Peninsula. Therefore, some refinement is needed in order to reach more precise interpretations of the relevant information available with this kind of data. However, both sets of observations appear in agreement with each other, although more exhaustive investigations would require a suitable array of point-like AE and Rn (or other) measuring sites, as well as longer data series. The latter are particulary helpful for detailed interpretations of the different occurrences within tectonically complex settings where crustal stress crises are marked by various types of geological phenomena. © The Geological Society of London 2006.

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death from gynecological cancer. Although most patients will experience remission of their disease, following cytoreductive surgery and platinum (± paclitaxel) chemotherapy, relapse will occur in about 80% of cases with FIGO stages III and IV disease. Treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer represents a challenge. Cure is rare but long-term survival can be achieved in a significant proportion of patients. Treatment-free interval after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy determines sensitivity to platinum rechallenge. Nevertheless, other factors, such as symptoms, tumor bulk, ECOG PS and patients' preferences can also aid decision making in this setting. The recent ICON4/AGO and GCIC studies showed that combination of carboplatin with paclitaxel or gemcitabine are superior to carboplatin monotherapy in patients with platinum-sensitive disease, but at the expense of additional toxicity. Platinum refractory disease is associated with poor prognosis and monotherapy with a non-platinum agent, such as liposomal doxombicin, topotecan or a taxane is recommended. Biological agents targeting various components on cancer cells, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), growth factors and stromal elements, are under investigation as adjuncts to chemotherapy. In addition, selected patients may benefit from surgery at recurrence, but they represent the minority of patients with relapsed ovarian cancer. © 2006 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

In this paper, an attempt is made to assess and evaluate the skill of the Hadley Center atmospheric General Circulation Model (HadAM3P) in generating successfully the frequency and intensity of severe cyclones (<1000 hPa) in the Mediterranean region. The cyclonic occurrence is studied in three regions of enhanced cyclonic activity: Gulf of Genoa, Southern Italy and Cyprus. It was found that the HadAM3P predicts a future decrease of the frequency of the severe cyclones at the SLP level, but the future cyclones will be more intense (deeper), especially at the 500 hPa level.

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2006). Η Χορευτική «Μανία» των Ποντίων της Σινώπης το 1870, και η Επιβαλλόμενη Μουσικο-Χορευτική Εκπαίδευση των Εξισλαμισμένων Σκλάβων. ΜΑΚΕΔΝΩΝ, Περιοδική Επιστημονική Έκδοση της Παιδαγωγικής Σχολής Φλώρινας του Π.Δ.Μ.  Τεύχος 15ο, Καλοκαίρι 2006: 305-316.  [K.9.3. στο Apella]  *** Kamberidou, Irene (2006). The Dance "Mania" of the Pontian [Black Sea] Greeks of Sinope in 1870 and Music and Dance Education of female harem inmates, in MAKEDNON, a s (cientific publication of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, issue 15, 2006: 305-316.  [ K.9.3. in Apella]

Objective: The geographic morphology of Greece has created inequalities in the provision of obstetric and gynaecology (O&G) services resulting in patients from rural areas having to travel to city hospitals to receive treatment. This study focuses on using quantitative analysis to evaluate the efficiency impact of introducing telemedicine services for O&G services in Greece. Setting: 32 O&G units located in rural and urban areas in Greece. Methods: Data envelopment analysis was used to evaluate the efficiency impact of introducing telemedicine services into the thirty-two O&G units Results: DEA indicated that substantial improvements in efficiency and cost savings could be achieved by introducing telemedicine for O&G services. It was estimated that efficiency could be improved by an overall reduction of approximately 6.5% in the number of beds, 10.6% in the number of obstetricians and gynaecologists, and 6.4% in overall expenditure. The improvements in efficiency were greatest in the peripheral regions where DEA suggested that beds could be reduced by 12.1% and the number of obstetricians and gynaecologists by 26.5%. Expenditure was predicted to increase in the peripheral regions due to the increased number of patients treated in them, but this increase was more than offset by a reduction in expenditure in city hospitals since these same patients no longer travelled to them for treatment. This produced estimated overall cost savings of more than 13 million Euros. DEA also enabled identification of the changes that needed to be made to individual units and the magnitude of these changes. This information is essential to policy and decision makers. Conclusion: The introduction of telemedicine to O&G services will produce significant patient, financial and healthcare benefits. These benefits include prevention of unnecessary travel by female patients, better geographical distribution of obstetric and gynaecology cases, increased provision of services and more efficient use of resources in rural areas. DEA enables identification of the changes that need to be made to individual units. © The Journal on Information Technology in Healthcare.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a broad developmental disease characterized by anemia, bone marrow (BM) erythroblastopenia, and an increased incidence of malignancy. Mutations in ribosomal protein gene S19 (RPS19) are found in approximately 25% of DBA patients; however, the role of RPS19 in the pathogenesis of DBA remains unknown. Using global gene expression analysis, we compared highly purified multipotential, erythroid, and myeloid BM progenitors from RPS19 mutated and control individuals. We found several ribosomal protein genes downregulated in all DBA progenitors. Apoptosis genes, such as TNFRSF10B and FAS, transcriptional control genes, including the erythropoietic transcription factor MYB (encoding c-myb), and translational genes were greatly dysregulated, mostly in diseased erythroid cells. Cancer-related genes, including RAS family oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, were significantly dysregulated in all diseased progenitors. In addition, our results provide evidence that RPS19 mutations lead to codownregulation of multiple ribosomal protein genes, as well as downregulation of genes involved in translation in DBA cells. In conclusion, the altered expression of cancer-related genes suggests a molecular basis for malignancy in DBA. Downregulation of c-myb expression, which causes complete failure of fetal liver erythropoiesis in knockout mice, suggests a link between RPS19 mutations and reduced erythropoiesis in DBA.

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of apoptosis of monocytes in an experimental model of multiple trauma and its probable correlation to bacterial translocation. Thirty-two rabbits were applied in three groups: A, controls; B, myotomy of the right femur; and C, myotomy and fracture of the right femur. Blood was sampled for the estimation of endotoxins [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, malondialdehyde (MDA) and isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs, derived after centrifugation over Ficoll, were incubated in flasks and apoptosis of non-adherent lymphocytes and adherent monocytes was estimated after staining for Annexin-V and flow cytometry. TNF-alpha of supernatants of cultured monocytes was also determined. Tissue segments were cultured after death. Median survival of groups A, B and C was > 14, > 14 and 9.00 days, respectively. Apoptosis of lymphocytes in group C was higher than group A at 2, 4 and 48 h and of monocytes in group C higher than group A at 2 and 4 hours. LPS in group C was higher than group A at 2, 4 and 48 h. Apoptosis of lymphocytes and monocytes was correlated positively with serum TNF-alpha and negatively with TNF-alpha of monocyte supernatants. Cultures of organ segments of group A were sterile. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from liver, lung and spleen in five animals in group B (45.45%) and in six in group C (54.54%). Early apoptosis of blood monocytes supervened after multiple trauma; the phenomenon was accompanied by apoptosis of blood lymphocytes and subsequent bacterial translocation.

The EC4 Syllabus for Postgraduate Training is the basis for the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The syllabus: • Indicates the level of requirements in postgraduate training to harmonise the postgraduate education in the European Union (EU); • Indicates the level of content of national training programmes to obtain adequate knowledge and experience; • Is approved by all EU societies for clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. The syllabus is not primarily meant to be a training guide, but on the basis of the overview given (common minimal programme), national societies should formulate programmes that indicate where knowledge and experience is needed. The main points of this programme are: • Knowledge in biochemistry, haematology, immunology, etc.; • Pre-analytical conditions; • Evaluation of results; • Interpretations (post-analytical phase); • Laboratory management; and • Quality insurance management. The aim of this version of the syllabus is to be in accordance with the Directive of Professional Qualifications published on 30 September 2005. To prepare the common platforms planned in this directive, the disciplines are divided into four categories: • General chemistry, encompassing biochemistry, endocrinology, chemical (humoral), immunology, toxicology, and therapeutic drug monitoring; • Haematology, covering cells, transfusion serology, coagulation, and cellular immunology; • Microbiology, involving bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and mycology; • Genetics and IVF. © 2006 by Walter de Gruyter.

Seven new precise times of minimum light have been gathered for the triple eccentric eclipsing binary YY Sgr (P = 2d.63, e = 0.16). Its O--C diagram is presented and improved elements of the apsidal motion and the light-time effect are given. We found a new short period of the third body of about 18.5 years in an eccentric orbit (e 3 ≃ 0.4).

BACKGROUND: Some (but not all) epidemiological studies have noted faster rates of progression in high education patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has been attributed to harbouring/tolerating a higher pathological burden at the time of clinical dementia for subjects with higher education. We wanted to assess the relationship between education and rates of decline in AD. METHODS: During the course of a community based multiethnic prospective cohort study of individuals aged > or = 65 years living in New York, 312 patients were diagnosed with incident AD and were followed overall for 5.6 (up to 13.3) years. The subjects received an average of 3.7 (up to 9) neuropsychological assessments consisting of 12 individual tests. With the aid of a normative sample, a standardised composite cognitive score as well as individual cognitive domain scores were calculated. Generalised estimating equation models were used to examine the association between education and rates of cognitive decline. RESULTS: Composite cognitive performance declined by 9% of a standard deviation per year. Rates of decline before and after AD incidence were similar. For each additional year of education there was 0.3% standard deviation lower composite cognitive performance for each year of follow up. The association between higher education and faster decline was noted primarily in the executive speed (0.6%) and memory (0.5%) cognitive domains and was present over and above age, gender, ethnicity, differential baseline cognitive performance, depression, and vascular comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that higher education AD patients experience faster cognitive decline.

Aim of this study is the evaluation of the impact of preoperative informative session using a Multimedia Health Educational Program (MHEP) on patients undergoing elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) for cholelithiasis, preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and nausea. Sixty consecutive patients scheduled for elective LC were considered for enrollment in the trial. Patients were assigned randomly to four groups: Group A included 15 patients, preoperatively informed regarding LC through the MHEP presented by a Registered Nurse (RN). Group B included 15 patients preoperatively informed through a leaflet (designed and developed using the exact contents of the MHEP). In Group C, there were 15 patients who were being informed verbally from the RN. Finally, the control Group D included 15 patients, who had the conventional preoperative information about the operation and postoperative course by the attending surgeon and anesthesiologist, as every other patient included in groups A, B, C. Preoperative assessment of patient's knowledge about cholelithiasis and LC was performed after informative session, and was based on a specifically developed "closed, true-false" questionnaire. Preliminary results suggest that conventional information provided by the attending surgeon (Group D) is inadequate. Specifically developed informative sessions with the contribution of MHEP seems to be effective on reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain, in patients undergoing elective LC.

Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration faster than passive recovery and, when the proper intensity is applied, a positive effect on performance is expected. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different intensities of active recovery on performance during repeated sprint swimming. Nine male well-trained swimmers performed 8 repetitions of 25 m sprints (8 ± 25 m) interspersed with 45 s intervals, followed by a 50 m sprint test 6 min later. During the 45 s and 6 min interval periods, swimmers either rested passively (PAS) or swam at an intensity corresponding to 50% (ACT60) and 60% (ACT60) of their individual 100 m velocity. Blood lactate was higher during PAS compared with ACT50 and ACT60 trials (p < 0.05), whereas plasma ammonia and glycerol concentration were not different between trials (p > 0.05). Mean performance time for the 8 × 25 m sprints was better in the PAS compared with the ACT50 and ACT60 trials (PAS: 13.10 ± 0.07 vs. ACT50: 13.43 ± 0.10 and ACT60: 13.47 ± 0.10s, p < 0.05). The first 25 m sprint was not different across trials (p > 0.05), but performance decreased after sprint 2 during active recovery trials (ACT50 and ACT60) compared with the passive recovery (PAS) trial (p < 0.05). Performance time for the 50 m sprint performed 6 min after the 8 ± 25 m sprints was no different between trials (p > 0.05). These results indicate that active recovery at intensities corresponding to 50% and 60% of the 100 m velocity during repeated swimming sprints decreases performance. Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration, but does not affect performance on a 50 m sprint when 6 min recovery is provided. Passive recovery is advised during short-interval repeated sprint training in well-trained swimmers. © 2006 NRC Canada.

Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration faster than passive recovery and, when the proper intensity is applied, a positive effect on performance is expected. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different intensities of active recovery on performance during repeated sprint swimming. Nine male well-trained swimmers performed 8 repetitions of 25 m sprints (8 ± 25 m) interspersed with 45 s intervals, followed by a 50 m sprint test 6 min later. During the 45 s and 6 min interval periods, swimmers either rested passively (PAS) or swam at an intensity corresponding to 50% (ACT60) and 60% (ACT60) of their individual 100 m velocity. Blood lactate was higher during PAS compared with ACT50 and ACT60 trials (p < 0.05), whereas plasma ammonia and glycerol concentration were not different between trials (p > 0.05). Mean performance time for the 8 × 25 m sprints was better in the PAS compared with the ACT50 and ACT60 trials (PAS: 13.10 ± 0.07 vs. ACT50: 13.43 ± 0.10 and ACT60: 13.47 ± 0.10s, p < 0.05). The first 25 m sprint was not different across trials (p > 0.05), but performance decreased after sprint 2 during active recovery trials (ACT50 and ACT60) compared with the passive recovery (PAS) trial (p < 0.05). Performance time for the 50 m sprint performed 6 min after the 8 ± 25 m sprints was no different between trials (p > 0.05). These results indicate that active recovery at intensities corresponding to 50% and 60% of the 100 m velocity during repeated swimming sprints decreases performance. Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration, but does not affect performance on a 50 m sprint when 6 min recovery is provided. Passive recovery is advised during short-interval repeated sprint training in well-trained swimmers. © 2006 NRC Canada.

Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration faster than passive recovery and, when the proper intensity is applied, a positive effect on performance is expected. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different intensities of active recovery on performance during repeated sprint swimming. Nine male well-trained swimmers performed 8 repetitions of 25 m sprints (8 ± 25 m) interspersed with 45 s intervals, followed by a 50 m sprint test 6 min later. During the 45 s and 6 min interval periods, swimmers either rested passively (PAS) or swam at an intensity corresponding to 50% (ACT60) and 60% (ACT60) of their individual 100 m velocity. Blood lactate was higher during PAS compared with ACT50 and ACT60 trials (p < 0.05), whereas plasma ammonia and glycerol concentration were not different between trials (p > 0.05). Mean performance time for the 8 × 25 m sprints was better in the PAS compared with the ACT50 and ACT60 trials (PAS: 13.10 ± 0.07 vs. ACT50: 13.43 ± 0.10 and ACT60: 13.47 ± 0.10s, p < 0.05). The first 25 m sprint was not different across trials (p > 0.05), but performance decreased after sprint 2 during active recovery trials (ACT50 and ACT60) compared with the passive recovery (PAS) trial (p < 0.05). Performance time for the 50 m sprint performed 6 min after the 8 ± 25 m sprints was no different between trials (p > 0.05). These results indicate that active recovery at intensities corresponding to 50% and 60% of the 100 m velocity during repeated swimming sprints decreases performance. Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration, but does not affect performance on a 50 m sprint when 6 min recovery is provided. Passive recovery is advised during short-interval repeated sprint training in well-trained swimmers. © 2006 NRC Canada.

Severe grape allergy has been linked to lipid transfer protein (LTP) sensitization. LTPs are known to be resistant to pepsin digestion, although the effect of gastroduodenal digestion on its allergenicity has not been reported.|We sought to investigate the effect of gastric and gastroduodenal digestion on the allergenic activity of grape LTP.|The proteolytic stability of grape LTP was investigated by using an in vitro model of gastrointestinal digestion. The allergenicity of LTP and its digesta was assessed in vitro by means of IgE immunoblotting, RASTs, and in vivo skin prick tests in the same patients with grape allergy.|Grape LTP was resistant to gastric digestion, and yielded a 6000-d relative molecular mass C-terminally trimmed fragment after duodenal digestion. This fragment retained the in vitro IgE reactivity of the intact protein. Inclusion of phosphatidylcholine during gastric digestion protected the LTP to a limited extent against digestion. Digestion did not affect the in vivo (skin prick test) biologic activity of LTP.|The allergenic activity of grape LTP was highly resistant to in vitro digestion. This property might facilitate sensitization through the gastrointestinal tract and might also potentiate the ability of LTPs to elicit severe allergic reactions in sensitized individuals.|Purified natural allergens will facilitate the development of component-resolved diagnostic approaches, including allergen chips. This study contributes to our understanding of the role digestion plays in symptom elicitation in true food allergy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of weather conditions on the number of admissions for childhood asthma in Athens, Greece. Daily counts of childhood asthma admissions (2764) of the three main Children's Hospitals in Athens, from hospital registries during a 3-year period (2001-2003), were obtained. The meteorological data reviewed consists of daily values of 20 parameters recorded at the National Observatory of Athens during the study period: maximum temperature (Tmax); minimum temperature (Tmin); mean temperature (Tmean); diurnal temperature range (Trange = Tmax - Tmin); day-to-day change in maximum temperature (Ξ”Tmax); day-to-day change in minimum temperature (Ξ”Tmin); day-to-day change in mean temperature (Ξ”Tmean); day-to-day change in diurnal temperature range (Ξ”Trange); mean relative humidity (RH); day-to-day change in mean relative humidity (Ξ”RH); mean water vapor pressure (e); day-to-day change in mean water vapor pressure (Ξ”e); mean atmospheric pressure at sea level (P); day-to-day change in mean atmospheric pressure (Ξ”P); mean irradiance (I); day-to-day change in mean irradiance (Ξ”I); mean sunshine (S); day-to-day change in mean sunshine (Ξ”S); mean wind speed (v) and day-to-day change in mean wind speed (Ξ”v). The performed statistical methods were: (i) Pearson's Ο‡2 test, using contingency tables and (ii) Factor and Cluster analysis. The application of this 2-part analysis revealed the relationship between the extracted weather types and the frequency of childhood asthma admissions in Athens. The results showed that weather conditions with low temperature, low water vapor pressure and cold anticyclonic presence were significantly correlated with an increase in the number of asthma admissions among children in Athens. The impact of these specific weather conditions on asthma exacerbation should be interpreted either by the asthmogenic effect of humid weather per se or the association with respiratory viral infection, mold's and mites' allergy. Β© by PSP 2006.

The preventive use of medications has been proposed to be effective in the treatment of seasonal rhinitis.|To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mometasone furoate and nedocromil sodium nasal sprays as prophylactic treatment for moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).|Sixty-one patients were recruited from 3 referral allergy centers. Inclusion criteria were history of SAR for 2 years or longer, sensitization to relevant local pollen (grasses, Parietaria, and olive), and age older than 12 years.|An open-label, randomized, parallel-group, "real-life" study design was used. Patients received mometasone furoate nasal spray once daily or nedocromil sodium nasal spray 3 times daily starting 2 to 4 weeks before the pollen season and continuing for up to 4 months. Instructions regarding the use of additional medications were given. Diary cards recording symptoms, use of medication, and adverse events were kept by the patients.|All 61 patients completed the study. The prophylactic use of mometasone furoate vs nedocromil sodium led to significantly more days without symptoms (75.1% vs 54.5%; P < .001). The mometasone furoate group also had lower nasal symptom scores (mean, 1.4 vs 2.9; median, 0 vs 2; P < .001) and was more satisfied (93.1% vs 43.5%; P < .001). No serious adverse event was recorded, and there was no difference between the treatments in any adverse event.|Prophylactic administration of mometasone furoate before the pollen season is safe and may lead to improved control of SAR compared with the use of nedocromil sodium.

The authors present the mathematical analysis for the calculation of the dispersion relation, the field distributions, and the ohmic losses for TEm,p modes in an infinite coaxial waveguide with a longitudinally corrugated insert. The method employed is based on an appropriate eigenfunction expansion, and its main advantage is the very fast convergence with a few spatial harmonics. The analysis is properly extended to include tapered cavities with varying, in respect to the z-coordinate, outer and/or inner radius. Numerical results are presented for several tapered cavity geometries and compared with already published methods

Intermetallic Heusler alloys are amongst the most attractive half-metallic systems due to their high Curie temperatures and their structural similarity to binary semiconductors. In this review we present all overview of the basic electronic and magnetic properties of both Heusler families: the so-called half-Heusler alloys like NiMnSb and the full-Heusler alloys like Co2MnGe. Ab initio results suggest that both the electronic and magnetic properties ill these compounds are intrinsically related to the appearance of the minority-spin gap. The total spin magnetic moment M-t scales linearly with the number of the valence electrons Z(t), such that M-t = Z(t) - 24 for the full-Heusler and M-t = Z(t) - 18 for the half-Heusler alloys, thus opening the way to engineer new half-metallic alloys with the desired magnetic properties.

Objective: To assess the association between endogenous sex hormones and risk factors for atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women. Design: Cross-sectional study in a university menopause clinic. Methods: Serum sex hormones and lipid-lipoprotein profile, arterial pressure, homocysteine and insulin resistance, measured by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-111), were assessed in 598 healthy postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy. Results: Compared with women in the lowest testosterone quartile (Q), women in the highest testosterone quartile had higher total cholesterol (Q1: 225.2±41.3 vs Q4: 246.2±38.4 mg/dl, P<0.01), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (Q1: 146.9±37.2 vs Q4: 171.8±35.3 mg/dl, P<0.001), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) (Q1: -0.224±0.238 vs Q4:-0.087±0.254, P<0.01), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (Q1: 100.7±23.1 vs Q4: 113.9±23.8 mg/dl, P<0.001) and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (QI: 60.7±14.5 vs Q4: 52.9±13.0 mg/dl, P<0.01). Accordingly, women in the highest free androgen index (FAI) quartile had higher AIP (Q1: -0.232±0.254 vs Q4: -0.078±0.243, P<0.001) and ApoB (Q1: 102.4±25.5 vs Q4: 114.2±25.8mg /dl, P<0.01) and lower HDL-cholesterol (Q1: 62.0±15.7 vs Q4: 51.9±11.6mg/dl, P<0.001) and apolipoprotein A (Q1: 159.6±25.6 vs Q4: 147.9±24.1 mg/dl, P<0.01) compared with women in the lowest FAI quartile. These differences remained significant after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance and social habits. The free estrogen index (FEI) exhibited similar associations to the FAL HOMA-IR showed an independent positive association with total testosterone (Q1: 2.00±1.36 vs Q4: 2.66±1.60, P<0.01), FAI (Q1: 1.70±1.12 vs Q4: 3.04±1.66, P<0.001) and FEI (Q1: 1.70±0.91 vs Q4: 3.08±1.77, P<0.001). Conclusions: Increased androgenicity in healthy postmenopausal women is associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. High endogenous estradiol is related to a pro-atherogenic lipid profile, an association which may, in part, be mediated by insulin resistance. © 2006 Society of the European Journal of Endocrinology.

The aim of this study was to assess the association of endogenous sex steroids with bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy. A total of 884 postmenopausal women aged 42-71 years were studied in a cross-sectional design. Parameters assessed were follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free estrogen index (FEI), free androgen index (FAI), Δ4-androstendione (Δ4A), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), bone alkaline posphatase, and bone mineral density at the lumbar spine (L-BMD) and femoral neck (N-BMD). Estradiol and FEI associated positively with both L-BMD and N-BMD (r = 0.21-0.47, P < 0.01). These associations remained significant after adjustment for age, years since menopause, and body mass index. FAI correlated positively with both L-BMD and N-BMD (r = 0.18 and 0.33, respectively; P < 0.01). At the multivariate analysis, however, FAI remained the significant determinant only for N-BMD. Δ4A associated positively with N-BMD (r = 0.27, P = 0.001), whereas DHEAS showed no association with BMD at either site. Thus, endogenous steroids are significant determinants of postmenopausal BMD. Endogenous estradiol may be more important for lumbar spine BMD, whereas endogenous androgens are associated mainly with femoral neck BMD. © Springer-Verlag Tokyo 2006.

OBJECTIVE: The determinants of serum homocysteine in healthy postmenopausal women remain uncertain. The aim of this study was the assessment of the association of endogenous sex steroids with serum homocysteine levels in healthy postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy. DESIGN: 484 postmenopausal women aged 43-69 years were studied in a cross-sectional design. Parameters assessed were serum FSH, estradiol, total testosterone, SHBG, Free Androgen Index, delta4-Androstendione, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, and homocysteine. RESULTS: Serum FSH correlated positively (r=0.23, p=0.01), while serum estradiol correlated negatively (r=-0.25, p=0.03) with circulating Hcy. This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, years since menopause, and BMI. Serum estradiol decreased, while FSH increased linearly with increasing homocysteine quartiles (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). None of the serum androgens assessed correlated with circulating homocysteine. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous estrogens and not androgens are related to serum homocysteine values in postmenopausal women. Whether this association has clinical implications remains to be clarified.

A multivariate analysis of 4797 cases of patients who were cured of their psychological symptoms and their notes filed by the psychiatric clinic of the Eginition Hospital in Athens, during the year 1994, has been done. The results of this analysis imply significant contribution of environmental variations, expressed by a discomfort index, in the aggravation of psychological symptoms like depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, aggressiveness, etc. Moreover, geomagnetic field variations expressed by the international geomagnetic index (DST) manifest significant indications that they contribute to the aggravation of sleep disturbances. A clear seasonal variation, with a maximum around August and a minimum at the end of the year, appears in the environmental index, while a double oscillation with a period of about six months is obvious in the geomagnetic index. The same more or less seasonal variation was mirrored in most of the psychological symptoms we analysed in the present study. Β© 2006 SAGE Publications.

Two samples of the Zn2FeV3O11 compound were synthesized using different preparation routes: a solid state reaction of the ZnO-Fe2O3-V2O5 oxides and a direct reaction of the Zn2V2O7 and FeVO4 vanadates. In both cases the temperature dependences of the EPR spectra revealed a dominant contribution of antiferromagnetically coupled Fe3+ ions in the high-spin state. Specific differences in the EPR spectra of the two samples were recorded at all the investigated temperature intervals. A short range, or less likely, partial magnetic order involving a fraction of the Fe3+ distributed on the two octahedral crystallographic sites appeared to take place below 50 K. The differences observed between the EPR spectra of the two Zn2FeV3O11 samples might suggest the existence of small variations in the cation disorder phenomena of Fe3+ and Zn2+ ions or the presence of an oxygen deficiency process.

Steroids are generally viewed as transcription factors binding to intracellular receptors and activating gene transcription. Rapid cellular effects mediated via non-genomic mechanisms have however been identified and one report showed that injections of estradiol rapidly stimulate chemoinvestigation and mounting behavior in castrated male rats. It is not known whether such effects take place in other species and what are the cellular underlying mechanisms. We show here that a single injection of estradiol (500 microg/kg) rapidly and transiently activates copulatory behavior in castrated male quail pre-treated with a dose of testosterone behaviorally ineffective by itself. The maximal behavioral effect was observed after 15 min. In a second experiment, the brain of all subjects was immediately collected after behavioral tests performed 15 min after injection. The preoptic area--hypothalamus (HPOA), hindbrain, telencephalon and cerebellum were isolated and monoamines measured by HPLC-ED. Estradiol increased levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-HIAA/serotonin ratios in the telencephalon and hindbrain independently of whether animals had mated or not. Estradiol also affected these measures in HPOA and cerebellum but this effect was correlated with the level of sexual activity so that significant effects of the treatment only appeared when sexual activity was used as a covariate. Interactions between estradiol effects and sexual activity were also observed for dopamine in the HPOA and for serotonin in the hindbrain and cerebellum. Together, these data demonstrate that a single estradiol injection rapidly activates male sexual behavior in quail and that this behavioral effect is correlated with changes in monoaminergic activity.

Mammography is accepted as the most effective method to detect breast cancer. However, interpreting a mammogram is not easy for not experienced radiologists. The aim of computer aided detection techniques in breast cancer is to improve the chance that a malignant region is detected and appropriately evaluated. Breast microcalcifications have been considered as a very useful index of malignancy, which helps in the early detection of breast cancer. A system of computer aided diagnosis has been developed that is based on detailed analysis and evaluation of related features of individual microcalcifications and of formed clusters helping the doctor to make risk estimation for each microcalcification cluster as well as for isolated microcalcifications. This information is considered to be very useful to radiologists, giving them extra input before making their estimation of each case. The aforementioned system has been thoroughly tested using a number of real life cases provided from collaborating doctors. Each case, apart from the mammograms, was accompanied by a biopsy test result, the patient's demographic data and medical history. A total of 200 cases (147 benign and 53 malignant) have been examined and the results are presented as the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) performance and are quantified using the ROC curve. The system is showing high levels of sensitivity identifying correctly all malignant cases.

In this study, an attempt is made to evaluate winter precipitation data derived from the general circulation model (GCM) - HadAM3P (atmospherical circulation model - Hadley Center) and from the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) reanalysis project for the period 1960-1990. These data sets are compared on a seasonal basis (winter) with observational data derived from stations over Greece. More specifically, the suitability of their average distributions and their spatial and temporal variability is examined. The methods used are principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The connection between the precipitation data sets and five cyclonic circulation types, from a daily catalogue, is also studied. With respect to the spatial distribution of the mean precipitation amounts, NCEP data show better agreement with the observational data compared to the modeled data. However, both NCEP and HadAM3P values are generally underestimated. Moreover, it seems that the HadAM3P is able to capture and reproduce quite satisfactorily the relationship between the precipitation data and the circulation types, but inadequately simulates the impact of orography and the Aegean Sea. Finally, the links between the precipitation variability in Greece and the European 500 hPa variability given by CCA seem to be fairly well reproduced by the model. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.

The COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 test (Roche Diagnostics) was compared with the LCx HIV RNA quantitative assay (Abbott Laboratories), the Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA) assay (Bayer) and the COBAS Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor v1.5 test (Roche Diagnostics), using plasma samples of various viral load levels from HIV-1-infected individuals. In the comparison of TaqMan with LCx, TaqMan identified as positive 77.5% of the 240 samples versus 72.1% identified by LCx assay, while their overall agreement was 94.6% and the quantitative results of samples that were positive by both methods were strongly correlated (r=0.91). Similarly, in the comparison of TaqMan with bDNA 3.0, both methods identified 76.3% of the 177 samples as positive, while their overall agreement was 95.5% and the quantitative results of samples that were positive by both methods were strongly correlated (r=0.95). Finally, in the comparison of TaqMan with Monitor v1.5, TaqMan identified 79.5% of the 156 samples as positive versus 80.1% identified by Monitor v1.5, while their overall agreement was 95.5% and the quantitative results of samples that were positive by both methods were strongly correlated (r=0.96). In conclusion, the new COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 test showed excellent agreement with other widely used commercially available tests for the quantitation of HIV-1 viral load.

Purpose: The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP) is regarded as an important prognostic biomarker in cancer. Here, we sought to determine the prognostic value of cIAP protein levels in epithelial ovarian cancer using a novel method of compartmentalized in situ protein analysis. Methods: A tissue array composed of 150 advanced-stage ovarian cancers, treated with surgical debulking followed by platinum/paclitaxel-based combination chemotherapy, was constructed. For evaluation of protein expression, we used an immunofluorescence-based method of automated in situ quantitative measurement of protein analysis. Results: The mean follow-up time for the entire cohort was 34.4 months. Patients with tumors bearing high cIAP membranous expression had a 3-year survival rate of 31% compared with 73% for patients with low cIAP expressing tumors (P = 0.0020). In multivariable analysis, adjusting for well-characterized prognostic variables, low membranous cIAP expression level was the only significant prognostic factor for overall survival. Conclusions: Our results indicate that cIAP protein levels have prognostic value in ovarian cancer patients. Modulation of cIAP levels may improve clinical outcome in ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2006 American Association for Cancer Research.

Purpose. To assess the prognostic and predictive significance of HER-2 overexpression and high expression of VEGF in high-risk patients with breast cancer treated with dose-dense sequential chemotherapy. Patients and methods. From June 1997 until November 2000, 595 patients were randomized to three cycles of epirubicin (E) 110 mg/m2 followed by three cycles of paclitaxel (T) 250 mg/m2 followed by three cycles of "intensified" CMF (cyclophosphamide 840 mg/m2, methotrexate 47 mg/m2 and fluorouracil 840 mg/m2) or to four cycles of E, followed by four cycles of CMF. HER-2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 394 patients, and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in cases scored as 2+ by IHC. VEGF was evaluated in 323 patients by IHC. Results. HER-2 overexpression was detected in 123 patients (31%) and high expression of VEGF in 233 (72%). The rate of HER-2 overexpression was significantly higher in patients with positive VEGF staining (35% vs. 21%, p = 0.02). Overexpression of HER-2 was significantly associated with negative hormonal status, high histologic grade and larger tumors. HER-2 overexpression was a significant negative predictor of DFS (p = 0.002), but not of OS. Adjusting for HER-2 overexpression, DFS and OS did not significantly differ between treatment groups. Positive VEGF staining was not associated with receptor status, number of positive nodes, grade, tumor size, incidence of relapse or death. Conclusions. For both treatments, HER-2 overexpression was a significant negative prognostic factor for DFS but not for OS, while high expression of VEGF was not significantly associated to either DFS or OS. No predictive ability of HER-2 status or VEGF overexpression for T treatment was evident. © Springer 2006.

The Z-disk region defines the lateral boundary of the sarcomere and requires a high level of mechanical strength to provide a stable framework for large filamentous muscle proteins. The level of complexity at this area is reflected by a large number of protein-protein interactions. Recently, we unraveled how the N-terminus of the longest filament component, the giant muscle protein titin, is assembled into an antiparallel (2:1) sandwich complex by the N-terminal titin-binding segment of the Z-disk ligand telethonin/T-cap [Zou, P., Pinotsis, N., Lange, S., Song, Y.H., Popov, A., Mavridis, I., Mayans, O.M., Gautel, M., Wilmanns, M., 2006. Palindromic assembly of the giant muscle protein titin in the sarcomeric Z-disk. Nature 439, 229-233]. In this contribution, we present structural data of a related complex of the titin N-terminus with full-length telethonin. The C-terminus of telethonin remains invisible, suggesting that it does not fold into a defined structure even in the presence of titin. In contrast to the structure with truncated telethonin, a dimer of two titin/telethonin complexes is formed within the crystal environment, potentially indicating the formation of higher oligomers. We further investigated the structure and dynamics of this assembly by small-angle X-ray scattering, circular dichroism, and in vivo complementation data. The data consistently indicate the involvement of the C-terminal part of telethonin into the assembly of two titin/telethonin complexes.

In this study an attempt is made to investigate the aerosol spatial and size distributions at different heights over the Greater Athens Area (GAA), Greece, under sea breeze conditions and clear sky and to further discuss possible implications for aerosol characteristics. The data used are airborne measurements of aerosol collected during two flights that were performed within the context of the 1997 STAAARTE experimental campaign. The aerosol measurements cover particle diameters from 0.1 to 45.5 μm. The horizontal and vertical distribution revealed that higher concentrations exist within or just above the atmospheric boundary layer, while greater concentrations are observed over the sea compared to land at high altitudes. At all altitudes the number size distributions show dominant diameter ranges between 0.1 and 0.3 μm at all altitudes. The volume distributions are characterised by two modes, one in the accumulation and the other in the coarse particle regime. At lower altitudes, fresh combustion emissions more likely cause the predominance of the size range 0.1-0.3 μm while enhanced physical and chemical processes that favour the growth of smaller particles to larger sizes could also act. The relative humidity does not seem to affect the observed number size distributions at low altitudes, where relative humidity is below 70% while at 4000 m the distributions seem to change over the sea where the humidity increases. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soft tissue lymphoma is a very rare clinical entity with varying presentation characteristics and atypical clinical and imaging features. The present report describes a patient who presented with a painless soft tissue mass on the posterolateral surface of the abdominal wall, simulating a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. After complete surgical excision, the tumor was diagnosed as a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. No B-symptoms were present and clinical staging did not reveal other sites of disease (stage I EA). The International Prognostic Index score was equal to 1 and classified the patient to the good risk group. Post-operatively the patient was treated with immuno-chemotherapy consisting of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine and prednisolone and is currently free of disease for 10 months. The case is discussed with a brief review of the literature on the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of soft tissue lymphomas. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.

We present ab-initio calculations of the electronic structure of small Fe clusters (1-9 atoms) on Ni( 001), Ni( 111), Cu( 001) and Cu( 111) surfaces. Our focus is on the spin moments and their dependence on cluster size and shape. We derive a simple quantitative rule that relates the moment of each Fe atom linearly to its coordination number. Thus, for an arbitrary Fe cluster the spin moment of the cluster and of the individual Fe atoms can be readily found if the positions of the atoms are known.

We present follow-up observations of pulsating sdB stars as part of our efforts to resolve the pulsation spectra for use in asteroseismological analyses. This paper reports on our overall efforts, but specifically on our results for the pulsating sdB stars KPD 2109+4401 and PG 0154+182.

We present follow-up observations of pulsating sdB stars as part of our efforts to resolve the pulsation spectra for use in asteroseismological analyses. This paper reports on our overall efforts, but specifically on our results for the pulsating sdB stars PG 1618+563 and EC 05217-3914.

Background: Surgery can cure a significant percentage of ovarian carcinoma confined to the pelvis. Nevertheless, there is still a 10-50% recurrence rate. We administered paclitaxel/carboplatin as adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian carcinoma. Methods: Patients with stages Ia or Ib, Grade 2 or 3 and Ic to IIb (any grade) were included. Patients were treated with 4 cycles of Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and Carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 6 (Calvert Formula)] every 3 weeks. Results: Sixty-nine patients with no residual disease following cytoreductive surgery and minimal or modified surgical staging were included in this analysis. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occured in 29.9% of patients, while neutropenic fever was reported in 4.5%. Neurotoxicity (all Grade 1 or 2) was reported in 50% of cases. Median follow-up was 62 months. 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were: 87% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 78-96) and 79% (95% CI: 69-89), respectively. Significantly fewer patients with stages Ic-IIb and tumor grade 2 or 3 achieved a 5-year RFS than patients with only one of these two factors (73% vs 92%, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Paclitaxel/Carboplatin chemotherapy is a safe and effective adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian carcinoma Patients with stages Ic-IIb and tumor grade 2 or 3 may benefit from more extensive treatment. © 2006 Bamias et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Three-dimensional full-wave electromagnetic analysis of a travelling-wave heterojunction phototransistor (HPT) is presented. Employing the finite-difference time-domain method and run on a fast, parallel processing machine the simulation herein allowed, for the first time to our knowledge, the simultaneous investigation of the optical and electrical characteristics of the travelling-wave structure. Snapshots of the field propagation inside the device provide valuable insight into its passive behaviour and conclusively demonstrate the velocity mismatch between the optical wave and the photogenerated electrical signal. Numerical results are presented for the device's output characteristic impedance, photocurrent and effective refractive indices of the optical and electrical signal that quantify the difference in the velocities of the two waves. Moreover, results obtained from the method's initial test in the simulation of an asymmetric planar optical waveguide, similar to the one integrated within the HPT's structure, compare very favourably with the theory. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Patsantaras, N., & Kamberidou, I. (2006). Gender Equity in Olympic Sports: Absenteeism and ‘Invisibility’. Pandektis International Sports Law Review, vol. 6, issues 3-4, 361–375.  [K.1. in Apella ]

Principal objective of the research was studying Roman landscapes with thecombinatory analysis of environmental, geomorphological data and with softcomputing applications such as GIS and algorithms, designed specifically forarchaeological purposes. The identification and the modeling of the possibleRoman cadastral systems via traditional methodological approaches comprised avital stimulus for the technological oriented approaches. Geomorphologicalanalysis of the landscape along with the implementation of the algorithmstrengthens the reliability of the output models and provides significantinformation for the palaeoenvironment. Modelling the spatial organisation of theRoman landscape in the area of Beziers (south France) pre-supposes acombinatory study of the physicogeographical, the geomorphological, thegeological and the archaeological characteristics of the area. Signifying the landboundaries and the road network of the area during Roman period indicates astraight forward human intervention on the landscape. Though, studying modernlandscape’s environmental settings may hinder conclusions about earlier periodsof use of the area, unless environmental data, to be added in the model, isevaluated in advance. Considering that the data collected and mapped nowadaysmay not be found in situ, emphasis is placed in the potential displacement of thearchaeological data to be input in the Roman cadastral models. In conjunctionwith the geomorphological analysis of the data, an erosion model, based onFractals philosophy, has been also developed assessing the consistency of dataused to derive possible models of Roman cadastres.

Given a Poisson manifold P, if there exists a symplectic manifold Σ and a surjective submersion Σ → P then it is possible to quantize Σ and then “push” the results to P. This method of quantizing a Poisson manifold is known as symplectic realisation. In this paper we illustrate how this method is related with the integrability of Lie algebroids.

This article argues that the forms in -ontas, labeled participles or gerunds in the literature are in reality verbal adverbs or converbs. This hypothesis is tested on the basis of the cross- linguistic criteria proposed in Ηaspelmath & Κönig (eds., 1995). Special emphasis is placed on finiteness, which creates problems for these forms if defined in terms of agreement and tense/aspect specification. Ιt is shown that the forms are specified for both aspect and relative tense, but it is argued that this does not prevent them from being non-finite; on a scale of finiteness they would in fact be placed at a rather low point both within Greek and cross-linguisticalΙy and this not only allows them to be categorized as converbs, given that they meet aΙl the other criteria, but places them among the prototypical exponents of the category. 

Guided and quasiguided elastic waves in a glass plate coated on one side with a periodic monolayer of polymer spheres, immersed in water, are studied by means of accurate numerical calculations using the on-shell layer-multiple-scattering method. This system supports, in addition to the modes of the bare plate, almost dispersionless, slow modes which originate from the array of spheres. We calculate and analyze in detail the dispersion diagrams of the interacting modes of the composite slab, and provide a consistent interpretation of the underlying physics.

The electronic structure of the VAs compound in the zinc-blende structure is investigated using a combined density-functional and dynamical mean-field theory approach. Contrary to predictions of a ferromagnetic semiconducting ground state obtained by density-functional calculations, dynamical correlations induce a closing of the gap and produce a half-metallic ferromagnetic state. These results emphasize the importance of dynamic correlations in materials suitable for spintronics.

Structures or cells with secreting activity were localized in the leaves of Lavandula vera. Light and electron microscopy, both TEM and SEM, were applied for the investigation of the secreting sites. A series of histochemical reactions was applied and a spectrum of metabolites produced was identified. Terpenes, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, and various types of phenolics were present. Leaf tissue was cultured and callus was produced. Callus cell masses were also investigated for their structure and secreting activity. Callus cells were found to be synthetically active and to produce - as leaf cells do-compounds of potential interest. © 2007 Science From Israel / LPPLtd.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence in Greek hemodialysis patients. Patterns of change in HHV-8 serostatus (seroconversions and seroreversions) over time were also evaluated. METHODS: Serum samples obtained from a cohort of 485 Greek hemodialysis patients were tested for antibodies to HHV-8 by whole virus lysate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reactive samples were confirmed by means of the orf-73 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HHV-8 seroprevalence at study entry and the incidence of seroreversions and seroconversions per 100 person-years were estimated. RESULTS: The prevalence of HHV-8 antibodies in Greek hemodialysis patients at enrollment was 7.2%. No univariate associations were established between HHV-8 serostatus and patients' characteristics. Incidences of seroreversions and seroconversions were 16.4/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 7.1 to 32.3) and 0.28/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 1.02), respectively. Patients 50 years and younger had an increased probability for seroreversion to HHV-8 antibodies than patients older than 50 years (log-rank test, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: We observed a fair number of seroreversions and a low incidence of seroconversion to HHV-8 infection in hemodialysis patients in Greece. Our data provide indirect evidence that HHV-8 transmission in the hemodialysis setting is uncommon.

Frequent viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are considered to be risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME). Atopy has also been associated with both OME and viral infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of viruses in middle ear effusions (MEE) in children 2-7 yr old with OME, and to determine risk factors for virus detection in the MEE. MEE samples, collected at the time of myringotomy from 37 children with OME were assessed. Physical examination, skin prick tests and a standardized questionnaire on OME and allergy were also performed. Viral RNA was detected by the use of reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Fifteen samples (40.5%) were positive for rhinovirus (RV). One enterovirus and no other respiratory viruses were detected. Two out of five (40%), 3/7 (43%) and 10/25 (40%) were positive for RV in acute, subacute and chronic cases, respectively. Children with frequent episodes of OM, with early onset of OM (<2 yr old), and a positive family history of allergy had a statistically increased risk of RV detection. The two groups were comparable with respect to all other parameters examined. RV is the predominant virus recovered by RT-PCR in the middle ear cavity of children with asymptomatic OME, especially those with a history of longstanding OME or repeated episodes, or children with a family history of allergy. Interactions between allergy and RV infections are likely to predispose to middle ear disease.

Epidemiological evidence examining the role of atopy and/or allergy in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME) is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess any increased risk for OME attributable to allergy-related factors, in a well-characterized population using a case-control design and multivariate analysis.|Eighty-eight 1-7-year-old children with OME, diagnosed by clinical and tympanometric evaluation and 80 matched controls were enrolled. A standardized questionnaire was completed, in order to assess factors related to OME and allergy-related symptoms and diagnoses using strict clinical definitions. Specific IgE was measured by skin-prick tests and/or CAP-FEIA.|The patient and control groups were well matched. Factors conferring increased risk for OME in the univariate analysis included IgE sensitization, dyspnea, wheezing, asthma, paroxysmal sneezing, rhinitis, eczema, 'any allergic disease,' family history of otitis media, and family history of allergy. After multivariate analysis IgE sensitization, wheezing, nasal obstruction, family history of otitis, and child-care attendance remained as independent risk factors for development of OME.|IgE sensitization and respiratory allergy symptoms are independent risk factors for the development of OME, suggesting that both immunological and mechanical pathways may contribute to the development of the disease. Otitis heritability provides additional risk, as well as frequent exposure to viral upper respiratory tract infections in children attending daycare. Treatment and/or prevention of OME using anti-allergic medications should be further examined.

Many studies have investigated APOE-related differences in cerebral structure, blood flow, metabolism, and activation in an attempt to detect early brain changes in subjects at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Structural magnetic resonance imaging studies have produced conflicting results, with some failing to detect APOE-related differences and others suggesting that epsilon4 carriers have more pronounced atrophy, particularly at medial temporal structures. All functional imaging studies done during rest in middle-aged and elderly subjects have found decreased cerebral metabolism for epsilon4 carriers (mostly in areas that usually are affected by AD), and some have reported faster cerebral metabolic reductions over time. Areas with decreased resting cerebral perfusion and metabolism, in addition to other areas with increased perfusion, have been reported in young epsilon4 carriers. Imaging studies done during the performance of various cognitive tasks in middle-aged and elderly subjects, and a single study in young subjects, have produced mixed results with regionally nonspecific increased, decreased, or nondifferential APOE-related activations depending on the cognitive task used. APOE-related findings in imaging studies of nondemented subjects may be the result of incipient AD pathologic changes or of genetic heterogeneity in brain structure and function.

Decisions regarding the introduction of influenza immunization in healthy children require an accurate evaluation of influenza disease burden not only in the inpatient but also in the outpatient setting. We prospectively examined the impact of virologically confirmed influenza in 1462 outpatient children (> or = 6 months to < 14 years) and their families, during two consecutive influenza seasons. Influenza was documented in 573/1462 (39%) outpatients with febrile respiratory illness and accounted for 13.5% of all outpatient visits during the 14 weeks of each season. Acute otitis media (AOM) was the most common complication (18.5%) and about 40% of influenza positive patients received antibiotics. AOM and antibiotic use were more common in children younger than 5 years of age who accounted for 58% of all patients. For each child sick with influenza a mean of 1.34 workdays were lost by the parents. Family members of influenza positive children were more likely to develop a secondary respiratory illness and to require medical visits and antibiotic prescriptions. Influenza is associated with a heavy morbidity burden in the community that may be reduced considerably with the implementation of immunization in children younger than 5 years of age.

Εἶναι γνωστὸν ἀπὸ τὸν Ἡρόδοτον ὅτι οἱ «οἶνοι τῆς Κύπρου, τῆς Σχερίας (Κέρκυρα) καὶ τῆς Βαβυλῶνος εἶναι δῶρα ἀντάξια βασιλέων». Εἶναι ἐπίσης γνωστὸν ὅτι εἰς τὴν εὐρυτέραν περιοχὴν τῆς «Βαβυλῶνος» καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως τοῦ Λιβάνου παράγονται ἐξαίρετοι οἶνοι, μεθυστικοὶ ὅπως ἐπίσης εἶναι γνωστὸν ὅτι «in vino veritas»! Ὁ Λίβανος ΙΙ θέλει μεγάλην προσοχὴν ἀπὸ τὴν ἑλλαδικὴ καὶ κυπριακὴ ἐξωτερικὴ πολιτική. Καὶ αὐτὸ διότι ἡ παροῦσα θερμὴ ρῆξις μεταξὺ Ἰσραὴλ καὶ Λιβάνου ἐγκυμονεῖ ἐμφανεῖς κινδύνους ἁλυσιδωτῆς ἀναφλέξεως ὅλων τῶν ἐθνικο-κρατικῶν ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐθνοτικῶν δρώντων στὴν περιοχή. Ἡ μέθη ἡ προκαλουμένη ἀπὸ τὴ λιβανο-ἰσραηλινὴ αἱματοχυσία ἀποτελεῖ σοβαρότατον λόγον γιὰ τοῦτο καὶ δημιουργεῖ γύρω της «λέσχη εὐωχουμένων συμποσιαζομένων».

The in vitro activity of tigecycline was compared with those of benzylpenicillin, piperacillin + tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, metronidazole, clindamycin, and tetracycline against 249 Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria (158 Bacteroides fragilis group, 27 non-fragilis Bacteroides spp., 44 Prevotella spp., and 20 miscellaneous), recently isolated from 8 general hospitals in Athens, Greece. Overall tigecycline MIC(50) and MIC(90) were 0.25 and 2 mg/L, respectively, whereas B. fragilis group MIC(50) and MIC(90) were 0.5 and 4 mg/L, respectively. In total, 93% of the isolates were susceptible to tigecycline (MIC /= 32 mg/L) was detected. In addition, tigecycline exhibited good activity against metronidazole- and tetracycline-resistant isolates (MIC(90), 0.5 and 8 mg/L, respectively). In summary, tigecycline exhibits good in vitro activity against Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria isolated in Greece, as well as stability to the most common occurring resistance mechanisms, attributes that make this parenteral agent an attractive alternative for use against infections involving these microorganisms.

In this study an attempt is made to assess the indoor air quality status of clinics of the Athens University School of Dentistry with respect to VOCs and CC2. Measurements were collected for a period of approximately three months in three clinics with the aid of portable instrumentation. It was found that the levels of VOCs concentrations are high, being attributed to the use of acrylic substances and dental materials but also to the detergent products for cleaning the working surfaces. The VOCs levels depend on the number of occupants and the material use as well as on the number of open windows. The corresponding background values remain high in all clinics. The levels of the concentrations of CO2 are considered in general satisfactory as compared to the international standards, however, they can exceed the intervention limit at certain hours of the day, suggesting poor air renewal. The opening of the windows was found to improve the air quality status.

Inflammatory leiomyosarcoma is a rare morphologic expression of smooth muscle tumor, which is more often found in the trunk, extremities, and retroperitoneoum. We present a case of inflammatory leiomyosarcoma arising near the ankle joint, superior to the medial malleolus, in a 55-year-old man. Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and cytogenetics were used in the differentiation of this rare morphologic expression of leiomyosarcoma. As in all soft tissue leiomyosarcomas, the accurate prediction of the clinical behavior of this morphologic expression often proves to be difficult. Age, vascular invasion, depth, grade, tumor disruption, size, and stage have prognostic value. Nevertheless, prognosis of inflammatory leiomyosarcoma seems to be favorable when treated early with wide excision of the tumor as in the case presented. Sixteen months after excision of the tumor the patient is doing well with no signs of recurrence.

This study examined the effects of a typical fencing training program on selected hormones, neuromuscular performance, and anthropometric parameters in peripubertal boys. Two sets of measurements, before training and after 12 months of training, were performed on 2 groups of 11- to 13-year-old boys. One group consisted of fencers (n = 8), who trained regularly for the 12-month period, and the other group (n = 8) consisted of inactive children of the same age. There was no difference in Tanner's maturation stage of the 2 groups before (controls, 2.5 ± 0.3; fencers, 2.1 ± 0.3) and after the 12 months (controls, 3.0 ± 0.3; fencers, 3.0 ± 0.3). Serum testosterone, growth hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, and leptin changed significantly over time, reaching similar values in the 2 groups at the end of the study. Significantly greater increases in body mass (16 ± 3%) and leg cross-sectional area (CSA) (32 ± 7%) were observed only in the fencers' group, and these differences disappeared when height was set as a changing covariate. Although there was a greater increase in height for the fencers compared to the control group (8.6 ± 1.2 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 cm, p < 0.01), the height reached at the end of the study was almost identical in the 2 groups (controls, 163.6 ± 5.1; fencers, 165.4 ± 2.8). Arm CSA, handgrip strength, and vertical jump performance changed significantly over time for both groups, with no differences between groups. It was concluded that a typical fencing training program for peripubertal boys did not have any effect on selected growth and anabolic hormones and did not influence the normal growth process, as this was reflected by changes in selected anthropometric and neuromuscular performance parameters. This may be because of the characteristics of the present fencing training program, which may not be adequate to alter children's hormonal functions in such a way as to override the rapid changes occurring during puberty. © 2006 National Strength & Conditioning Association.

This study examined the effects of a typical fencing training program on selected hormones, neuromuscular performance, and anthropometric parameters in peripubertal boys. Two sets of measurements, before training and after 12 months of training, were performed on 2 groups of 11- to 13-year-old boys. One group consisted of fencers (n = 8), who trained regularly for the 12-month period, and the other group (n = 8) consisted of inactive children of the same age. There was no difference in Tanner's maturation stage of the 2 groups before (controls, 2.5 ± 0.3; fencers, 2.1 ± 0.3) and after the 12 months (controls, 3.0 ± 0.3; fencers, 3.0 ± 0.3). Serum testosterone, growth hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, and leptin changed significantly over time, reaching similar values in the 2 groups at the end of the study. Significantly greater increases in body mass (16 ± 3%) and leg cross-sectional area (CSA) (32 ± 7%) were observed only in the fencers' group, and these differences disappeared when height was set as a changing covariate. Although there was a greater increase in height for the fencers compared to the control group (8.6 ± 1.2 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 cm, p < 0.01), the height reached at the end of the study was almost identical in the 2 groups (controls, 163.6 ± 5.1; fencers, 165.4 ± 2.8). Arm CSA, handgrip strength, and vertical jump performance changed significantly over time for both groups, with no differences between groups. It was concluded that a typical fencing training program for peripubertal boys did not have any effect on selected growth and anabolic hormones and did not influence the normal growth process, as this was reflected by changes in selected anthropometric and neuromuscular performance parameters. This may be because of the characteristics of the present fencing training program, which may not be adequate to alter children's hormonal functions in such a way as to override the rapid changes occurring during puberty. © 2006 National Strength & Conditioning Association.

This study examined the effects of a typical fencing training program on selected hormones, neuromuscular performance, and anthropometric parameters in peripubertal boys. Two sets of measurements, before training and after 12 months of training, were performed on 2 groups of 11- to 13-year-old boys. One group consisted of fencers (n = 8), who trained regularly for the 12-month period, and the other group (n = 8) consisted of inactive children of the same age. There was no difference in Tanner's maturation stage of the 2 groups before (controls, 2.5 ± 0.3; fencers, 2.1 ± 0.3) and after the 12 months (controls, 3.0 ± 0.3; fencers, 3.0 ± 0.3). Serum testosterone, growth hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, and leptin changed significantly over time, reaching similar values in the 2 groups at the end of the study. Significantly greater increases in body mass (16 ± 3%) and leg cross-sectional area (CSA) (32 ± 7%) were observed only in the fencers' group, and these differences disappeared when height was set as a changing covariate. Although there was a greater increase in height for the fencers compared to the control group (8.6 ± 1.2 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 cm, p < 0.01), the height reached at the end of the study was almost identical in the 2 groups (controls, 163.6 ± 5.1; fencers, 165.4 ± 2.8). Arm CSA, handgrip strength, and vertical jump performance changed significantly over time for both groups, with no differences between groups. It was concluded that a typical fencing training program for peripubertal boys did not have any effect on selected growth and anabolic hormones and did not influence the normal growth process, as this was reflected by changes in selected anthropometric and neuromuscular performance parameters. This may be because of the characteristics of the present fencing training program, which may not be adequate to alter children's hormonal functions in such a way as to override the rapid changes occurring during puberty. © 2006 National Strength & Conditioning Association.

A new poly(ester-b-ether) copolymer filled with magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles of low concentration (0.1 and 0.3 wt%) has been synthesized, with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) as a rigid segment and poly(tetraoxymethylene) (PTMO) as the flexible segment at the ratio of 50 wt%. The filler was used in the form of suspension or solid powder. The dielectric spectroscopy results for these materials, in a wide range of frequencies and temperatures, are presented and compared with similar results for a pure polymeric matrix. Two relaxation processes, α and β, have been observed clearly in all samples at about 253 K and 163 K, respectively. The α process was shifted towards the lower temperatures as the nanoparticle content increased, while the β-relaxation was unaffected by the doping. The interfacial polarization effect was observed in the samples with nanoparticles, less pronounced for the larger nanoparticles. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the temporally patterned changes in intensity and direction of competitive state anxiety prior to and during competition as well as correlations among intensity and direction on the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2D subscale scores. 99 athletes completed the inventory one day before and an hour before the competition, based on how they felt during that time, and 30 min. after the competition with reference to how they felt during the competition. Analysis indicated different temporal patterning in subscale scores prior to competition. Correlations were medium (.40) for Intensity and Direction dimensions. Significant differences were noted between scores of those classified as Facilitators and Debilitators on the Intensity dimension. The results support the multidimensional nature of competitive anxiety, Moreover, additional information lies in directional interpretation of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. © Perceptual and Motor Skills 2006.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the temporally patterned changes in intensity and direction of competitive state anxiety prior to and during competition as well as correlations among intensity and direction on the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2D subscale scores. 99 athletes completed the inventory one day before and an hour before the competition, based on how they felt during that time, and 30 min. after the competition with reference to how they felt during the competition. Analysis indicated different temporal patterning in subscale scores prior to competition. Correlations were medium (.40) for Intensity and Direction dimensions. Significant differences were noted between scores of those classified as Facilitators and Debilitators on the Intensity dimension. The results support the multidimensional nature of competitive anxiety, Moreover, additional information lies in directional interpretation of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. © Perceptual and Motor Skills 2006.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the temporally patterned changes in intensity and direction of competitive state anxiety prior to and during competition as well as correlations among intensity and direction on the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2D subscale scores. 99 athletes completed the inventory one day before and an hour before the competition, based on how they felt during that time, and 30 min. after the competition with reference to how they felt during the competition. Analysis indicated different temporal patterning in subscale scores prior to competition. Correlations were medium (.40) for Intensity and Direction dimensions. Significant differences were noted between scores of those classified as Facilitators and Debilitators on the Intensity dimension. The results support the multidimensional nature of competitive anxiety, Moreover, additional information lies in directional interpretation of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. © Perceptual and Motor Skills 2006.

New uniform response criteria are required to adequately assess clinicaloutcomes in myeloma. The European Group for Blood and Bone MarrowTransplant/International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry criteria have beenexpanded, clarified and updated to provide a new comprehensive evaluationsystem. Categories for stringent complete response and very good partialresponse are added. The serum free light-chain assay is included to allowevaluation of patients with oligo-secretory disease. Inconsistencies in priorcriteria are clarified making confirmation of response and disease progressioneasier to perform. Emphasis is placed upon time to event and duration ofresponse as critical end points. The requirements necessary to use overallsurvival duration as the ultimate end point are discussed. It is anticipatedthat the International Response Criteria for multiple myeloma will be widelyused in future clinical trials of myeloma.

Background.: Neoplastic meningitis in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix is unusual in the course of their diseases. Even more unusual are intramedullary spinal metastases. Case.: We report the case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with leptomeningeal and intramedullary spinal cord metastases from a grade 2 squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix. This is just the second case of intramedullary metastases from cervical carcinoma. Conclusion.: Neoplastic meningitis or intramedullary metastases are extremely rare in the course of uterine cervix carcinoma. Nevertheless, when indicated by symptoms, patients should undergo MRI of the brain and/or spine and have a lumbar puncture performed, for the diagnosis of this devastating complication. Treatment is mainly palliative but may offer symptom relief. © 2006.

New precise times of minimum light for several early-type eclipsing binaries were obtained at three observatories. The changes of period of the following measured binaries are discussed: V1182 Aql, LY Aur, SZ Cam, FZ CMa, QZ Car, LZ Cen, V606 Cen, AH Cep and TU~Mus.

The competitive binding of diflunisal and three well-known uraemic toxins (3-indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic acid and hippuric acid) to bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA) and human plasma was studied by direct potentiometry. The method used the potentiometric drug ion-probe technique with a home-made ion sensor (electrode) selective to the drug anion. The site-oriented Scatchard model was used to describe the binding of diflunisal to BSA, HSA and human plasma, while the general competitive binding model was used to calculate the binding parameters of the three uraemic toxins to BSA. Diflunisal binding parameters, number of binding sites, n(i) and association constants for each class of binding site, K-i, were calculated in the absence and presence of uraemic toxins. Although diflunisal exhibits high binding affinity for site I of HSA and the three uraemic toxins bind primarily to site II, strong interaction was observed between the drug and the three toxins, which were found to affect the binding of diflunisal on its primary class of binding sites on both BSA and HSA molecules and on human plasma. These results are strong evidence that the decreased binding of diflunisal that occurs in uraemic plasma may not be solely attributed to the lower albumin concentration observed in many patients with renal failure. The uraemic toxins that accumulate in uraemic plasma may displace the drug from its specific binding sites on plasma proteins, resulting in increased free drug plasma concentration in uraemic patients.

Oxidatively produced DNA damage is a physiological process that has been associated with many human conditions. Of the four DNA bases, guanine is the most easily oxidized and exhibits a large number of oxidation products. The focus of this Microreview is on the structure of the proposed intermediates and final products of guanine oxidation, as determined by spectroscopic methods and independent synthetic studies. The major and minor primary and secondary oxidative DNA lesions that arise from the oxidation of guanine under a variety of conditions, as well as associated structures, are described and all the relevant information regarding the isolation, characterization, and independent synthesis or generation of these lesions in synthetic oligonucleotides is presented. Finally, information on the biological studies that have been advanced, based on the basic molecular information obtained by the aforementioned studies, is provided. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH {&} Co. KGaA, 2006.

We perform a numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) radially self-similar jets, whose prototype is the Blandford & Payne analytical example. The final steady state that is reached is valid close to the rotation axis and also at large distances above the disc where the classical analytical model fails to provide physically acceptable solutions. The outflow starts with a subslow magnetosonic speed, which subsequently crosses all relevant MHD critical points and corresponding magnetosonic separatrix surfaces. The characteristics are plotted together with the Mach cones and the superfast magnetosonic outflow satisfies MHD causality. The final solution remains close enough to the analytical one, which is thus shown to be topologically stable and robust for various boundary conditions.

We perform a numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) radially self-similar jets, whose prototype is the Blandford & Payne analytical example. The final steady state that is reached is valid close to the rotation axis and also at large distances above the disc where the classical analytical model fails to provide physically acceptable solutions. The outflow starts with a subslow magnetosonic speed, which subsequently crosses all relevant MHD critical points and corresponding magnetosonic separatrix surfaces. The characteristics are plotted together with the Mach cones and the superfast magnetosonic outflow satisfies MHD causality. The final solution remains close enough to the analytical one, which is thus shown to be topologically stable and robust for various boundary conditions.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a progressive motility disorder of the esophagus, without a definitive cure. The principal method of palliation is myotomy of the distal esophagus. We analyzed the 5-year experience at our institution with laparoscopic Heller myotomy without an antireflux procedure to determine its results, particularly regarding postoperative gastroesophageal reflux. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients, mean age 43 years (range, 29-62 years) with clinical, manometric, x-ray, and endoscopic proof of achalasia were operated on and followed up for 24 months. Prior to being referred to surgery they had all undergone at least one pneumatic balloon dilation. The operative technique was a 7-cm myotomy that included the lower esophageal sphincter but did not exceed 5 mm of the gastric cardia. Follow-up consisted of clinical observation, cineesophagography, and 24-hour pHmetry. RESULTS: All patients reported satisfactory to excellent results regarding dysphagia and no heartburn two years after the operation. The 24-hour pHmetry and the radiographic investigation showed no evidence of gastroesophageal reflux. CONCLUSION: It seems that the risk of gastroesophageal reflux is very low when the cardiomyotomy does not exceed the length of 5 mm. Our results are in accordance with other observational studies as well as larger cohort and meta-analysis studies. Prospective randomized studies are needed to clarify the role of an antireflux procedure after laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy is considered the standard of care for the removal of the spleen in benign diseases. There are not sufficient data for the routine application of this technique in patients with beta thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive beta thalassemia major patients who underwent elective splenectomy were randomized for open and laparoscopic splenectomy. Patient demographics, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, conversion rate, transfusions, and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS: There was no mortality in this series. There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. Operative time was markedly increased in the group treated laparoscopically, as was the need for blood transfusions. Median hospital stay was decreased in the laparoscopic group (5 days) compared to the open group (6.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with beta thalassemia major is feasible; however, it is more time consuming and bleeding occurs more often.

We present an extension of the layer-multiple-scattering method to photonic crystals of nonspherical particles in a homogeneous host medium. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated on a specific example of a crystal of metallic spheroids. We report a thorough analysis of the optical properties of this crystal and discuss aspects of the underlying physics that relate to the nonspherical shape of the particles.

When citing:  Kamberidou, Irene (2006). Le Corps dans la Société Ottomane / the Body and Ottoman Society. MESOGEIOS: Mediterranee, Histoire, People, Langues, Cultures, vol. 28: 13-29. Editions Herodotos, Paris, France.   https://www.mollat.com/livres/598882/mesogeios-n-28-2006-les-relations-greco-russes-les-philosophes-physiciens-dans-la-grece-antique   Στην εργασία αυτή εξετάζονται οι μαρτυρίες έγκλειστων εξισλαμισμένων γυναικών στα Οθωμανικά χαρέμια όπως αυτές καταγράφηκαν από δυτικές περιηγήτριες  του 18ου και του 19ου αιώνα, στη Μικρά Ασία, στην Ελλάδα, στην Κύπρο, στην Αίγυπτο και σε άλλες κατεχόμενες περιοχές της Οθωμανικής Αυτοκρατορίας. Καταδεικνύεται ότι το υπερβολικό πάχος, η ακινησία και η έλλειψη χάρης στο ανάστημα και στην κίνηση και για τα δύο φύλα, αντανακλούσαν το ατομικό κοινωνικό καθεστώς και θεωρούνταν κοινωνικά ‘προνόμια’ που ανήκαν μόνο στις υψηλότερες τάξεις των Μουσουλμάνων. Ο χορός, η παντομίμα, η τέχνη της ακροβασίας, η φυσική δραστηριότητα και γενικά οποιοδήποτε μορφή καλλιτεχνικής ή σωματικής έκφρασης, κίνησης, ενέργειας ή εκγύμνασης, ήταν όλα σύμβολα κοινωνικής κατωτερότητας. Οι δραστηριότητες αυτές θεωρούνταν ασχολίες, ή εργασίες που ενέπιπταν στην αρμοδιότητα των εξισλαμισμένων σκλάβων, δηλαδή των πρώην μη-μουσουλμάνων που είχαν βίαια ή ‘ομαλά’ εξισλαμισθεί, καθώς και των υπόδουλων/υποτελών λαών, όπως των Ελλήνων, των Αρμενίων, των Εβραίων και των Τσιγγάνων (Kamberidou 2006). 

Orbital period changes of the eclipsing binaries GO Cyg and GW Cep are explained by the light-time effect for the first time. New minima of the eclipsing binary AR Aur improve the predicted light-time orbit. The light-time orbit with the quadratic ephemeris of the binary matches the new observations of V505 Sgr better than the linear one. As the light-time effect fits in corresponding O - C diagrams of all four systems have been reaching extreme values, the observations of minima times in forthcoming years are highly desirable.

Cette étude traite de l’influence de Claudel sur le milieu enseignant féminin au cours de la période de l’entre-deux-guerres. Nombre d’enseignantes et de futures enseignantes du secondaire public, intellectuelles – terme décliné alors au masculin – nourries des valeurs d’une République laïque et soumises à la règle imposant la neutralité scolaire, participent aux débats intellectuels de leur temps marqués par un renouveau spirituel. Paul Claudel tient une place privilégiée au sein de cette effervescence intellectuelle. Ce travail prend donc acte de l’intérêt que suscite dans ce milieu laïc l’oeuvre claudélienne et tente de faire émerger un aspect du versant féminin du mouvement intellectuel de cette période.Dans une première partie l’analyse porte sur les Sévriennes. Des témoignages (lettres, écrits autobiographiques d’anciennes Sévriennes), le dépouillement de la rubrique « Lectures » du Bulletin de l’Association des élèves et anciennes élèves de Sèvres révèlent la participation des futures professeures aux grands débats portant sur Dieu ainsi que l’intérêt qu’elles manifestent pour les écrits de l’auteur – intérêt soutenu par l’enseignement du professeur Paul Desjardins.La deuxième partie de l’étude tente de mettre en relief les affinités éclectiques entre Claudel et trois enseignantes qui ont publié leurs écrits dans la première moitié du XXe siècle : la philosophe Simone Weil, la littéraire Marguerite Aron et la germaniste Jeanne Ancelet-Hustache. Cette partie s’attache surtout à faire émerger leurs itinéraires privés et intellectuels.

We discuss acoustic waveguiding through weakly coupled defects along a line in a three-dimensional phononic crystal which possesses an absolute frequency gap. A chain of appropriately chosen defect cells induces modes of the elastic field over a narrow band of frequencies within the gap. We introduce a model of this band in the manner of a tight-binding description of defect bands in semiconductors and demonstrate the applicability of this model through a specific example of phononic crystal: a bubbly liquid. This allows an exact, practically analytic solution and a deeper physical insight into the processes involved.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate long-term trajectories of direct cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and examine the effects of patients' characteristics on cost longitudinally. METHODS: The sample is drawn from the Predictors Study, a large, multicenter cohort of patients with probable AD, prospectively followed up annually for up to 7 years in three university-based AD centers in the United States. Random effects models estimated the effects of patients' clinical and sociodemographic characteristics on direct cost of care. Direct cost included cost associated with medical and nonmedical care. Clinical characteristics included cognitive status (measured by Mini-Mental State Examination), functional capacity (measured by Blessed Dementia Rating Scale [BDRS]), psychotic symptoms, behavioral problems, depressive symptoms, extrapyramidal signs, and comorbidities. The model also controlled for patients' sex, age, and living arrangements. RESULTS: Total direct cost increased from approximately 9,239 dollars per patient per year at baseline, when all patients were at the early stages of the disease, to 19,925 dollars by year 4. After controlling for other variables, a one-point increase in the BDRS score increased total direct cost by 7.7%. One more comorbid condition increased total direct cost by 14.3%. Total direct cost was 20.8% lower for patients living at home compared with those living in an institutional setting. CONCLUSIONS: Total direct cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease increased substantially over time. Much of the cost increases were explained by patients' clinical and demographic variables. Comorbidities and functional capacity were associated with higher direct cost over time.

By using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques we show that for T < 30 K the La0.875Sr0.125MnO3 compound displays a nonuniform charge distribution, comprised of two interconnected Mn ion subsystems with different spin, orbital, and charge couplings. The NMR results agree very well with the two spin wave stiffness constants observed at small q values in the spin wave dispersion curves [Phys. Rev. B 67, 214430 (2003)]. This picture is probably related to a yet undetermined charge and orbital superstructure occurring in the ferromagnetic insulating state of the La0.875Sr0.125MnO3 compound.

The propagation of elastic waves in macroscopically periodic composites consisting of core-shell spherical scatterers in a homogeneous host medium is studied by means of numerical calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method. By an appropriate choice of the constituent materials, these crystals exhibit wide absolute frequency gaps, over which no elastic wave can propagate in the composite medium, whatever the direction of its propagation. We analyze the detailed structure of transmission spectra of finite slabs of such crystals in conjunction with the corresponding complex-band-structure and density-of-states diagrams, and emphasize aspects of the underlying physics which have not been discussed previously.

There are limited reports of young patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who presented with multiple lytic bone lesions but without intervening infiltration of bone marrow, a pattern consisting of macrofocal MM. In order to clearly define the clinical and laboratory features and outcome of such patients, a retrospective analysis was performed of symptomatic patients with MM ≤40 years of age at diagnosis who received primary treatment over a 20-year period. Ten of 51 patients fulfilled the criteria of macrofocal MM. When compared to patients with typical MM, patients with macrofocal pattern were less anemic, none had hypercalcemia, renal impairment, elevated serum LDH or stage 3 according to the International Staging System (ISS). Patients with macrofocal MM usually had preserved the uninvolved immunoglobulins. An objective response to primary treatment was noted in 55% of patients with macrofocal MM and in 50% of patients without this pattern. The median survival of patients with typical MM was 57 months and is projected to exceed 8 years in patients with macrofocal MM (p = 0.087). With macrofocal MM despite multiple lytic bone lesions, patients have features of low tumor burden and improved survival when compared with young patients with typical MM.

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) has been applied to study the variation of magnetic anisotropy and phase separation tendencies in the ferromagnetic insulating state of stoichiometric hole-doped La1-x Cax Mn O3 (0.125≤x≤0.19). A strongly anisotropic ferromagnetic phase is identified in the ferromagnetic insulating regime. The magnetic anisotropy evolves from positive uniaxial at x=0.125 and 0.15 to negative cubiclike at x=0.175 with increasing magnitude, whereas it decreases appreciably at x=0.19, which is close to the ferromagnetic metallic phase boundary. Minor contributions from ferromagnetic inhomogeneities characterized by weaker magnetic anisotropy are traced at low temperatures for x=0.125 and 0.15, while their temperature dependence implies coupling with the major anisotropic phase. A growing tendency towards the formation of spatially separate ferromagnetic regions in the paramagnetic regime is observed at x≥0.175, as the ferromagnetic metallic phase is approached. Persistent anomalies in the temperature dependence of the FMR parameters are traced concurrently with the structural transformation at 60-70 K. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

The magnetic properties of the Mg2FeV3O11-x ternary vanadate, characterized by disorder between diamagnetic Mg2+ and high-spin Fe3+ ions, are studied using dc magnetization and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The dc susceptibility shows antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe3+ spins with a Curie-Weiss temperature of Θ = -50(1) K, followed by spin-glass-like freezing at Tf ≈ 2.8 K, suggesting significant spin frustration. Temperature-dependent EPR measurements confirm the antiferromagnetic coupling of Fe3+ spins at high temperatures, while a distinct divergence is observed at T ≈ 50 K. This behavior is associated with the formation of spin clusters providing two different energy scales for the magnetic interactions. The magnetic response of Mg2FeV3O11-x is similar to that of the Zn-analogue compound, though the observed differences of the implicated energy scales indicate that magnetic inhomogeneity depends on the extent of cation disorder.

In the present work we study experimentally the influence that the domain structure of a ferromagnet (FM) has on the properties of a superconductor (SC) in bilayers and multilayers of La0.60Ca0.40MnO3/Nb and FePt/Nb proximity hybrids. Specific experimental protocols that were employed in the performed magnetization measurements enabled us to directly uncover a generic property of FM/SC hybrids: In the absence of an external magnetic field, the multidomain structure of the FM promotes the nucleation of superconductivity, while its monodomain state strongly suppresses it. Our experimental findings support recent theoretical studies [A. I. Buzdin and A. S. Mel'nikov, Phys. Rev. B 67, 020503(R) (2003); T. Champel and M. Eschrig, Phys. Rev. B 71, 220506(R) (2005)] that suggest the formation of the so-called domain-wall superconductivity and propose that when an inhomogeneous exchange field is offered by the FM to the SC the superconducting pairs are not susceptible to pairbreaking. In contrast, when magnetic homogeneity is restored in the FM the SC's properties are strongly suppressed.

Results are presented on component masses and system angular momenta for over 100 low-temperature contact binaries. It is found that the secondary components in close binary systems are very similar in mass. Our observational evidence strongly supports the argument that the evolutionary process goes from near-contact binaries to A-type contact binaries, without any need of mass loss from the system. Furthermore, the evolutionary direction of A-type into W-type systems with a simultaneous mass and angular momentum loss is also discussed. The opposite direction of evolution seems to be unlikely, since it requires an increase of the total mass and the angular momentum of the system.

The magnetic properties of γ- Fe2 O3 ferrimagnetic nanoparticles embedded in a multiblock poly(ether-ester) copolymer have been investigated by static magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements at two different dispersion states. Significant variation of the magnetic response is identified below T≈120 K, most pronounced in the marked resonance field shift of the FMR spectra, independently of the dispersion state of the nanocomposites. This behavior correlates favorably with the dynamic relaxation of the copolymer, indicating a matrix freezing effect that is attributed to the magnetoelastic coupling of the oxide nanoparticles with the surrounding polymer. At low temperatures, the dc magnetization and FMR measurements vary considerably for the two nanocomposites, indicating essential differences in their ground state, related to the different morphology of the samples and the concomitant variation of interparticle interactions. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.

OBJECTIVES: The development of an ICNP web-based nursing documentation system, and its evaluation for its usability, and its user acceptance. METHODS: A web-based nursing documentation system was designed and implemented by using the Greek translation of ICNP beta 2 version nursing terminology. The system integrates the steps of nursing process for providing and documenting nursing care, while ICNP terminology is used for the description of nursing concepts. The system was evaluated by nurses in a computer laboratory. We measured the user interaction satisfaction mainly by using questionnaires and scenarios. RESULTS: The nurses who evaluated the system possessed adequate basic computer skills; but low-to-moderate experience in clinical or hospital information systems; and insufficient experience with nursing vocabularies, and especially ICNP. Overall, they were satisfied enough with the system's usability and usefulness, while the acceptance level increased as the level of their training in computers, nursing process and ICNP was also increased. The integration and use in the system of predefined, or standardized, nursing concepts and care plans seems to increase the acceptance of the documentation system and also the ICNP. CONCLUSION: The subjective satisfaction and response of the users towards the system is specified. The described system was evaluated under "laboratory conditions" and revealed some of its strong and weak points and some of the factors that influenced its success and acceptance by its users.

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have explored the mechanical strength of the titin Z1Z2-telethonin complex, namely, its ability to bear strong forces such as those encountered during passive muscle stretch. Our results show that not only does this complex resist considerable mechanical force through beta strand crosslinking, suggesting that telethonin is an important component of the N-terminal titin anchor, but also that telethonin distributes these forces between its two joined titin Z2 domains to protect the proximal Z1 domains from bearing too much stress. Our simulations also reveal that without telethonin, apo-titin Z1Z2 exhibits significantly decreased resistance to mechanical stress, and that the N-terminal segment of telethonin (residues 1-89) does not exhibit a stable fold conformation when it is unbound from titin Z1Z2. Consequently, our study sheds light on a key but little studied architectural feature of biological cells-the existence of strong mechanical links that glue separate proteins together.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and Alzheimer disease (AD) in a different AD population and to investigate possible mediation by vascular pathways. Design, Setting, Patients, and MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A case-control study nested within a community-based cohort in New York, NY. Adherence to the MeDi (0- to 9-point scale with higher scores indicating higher adherence) was the main predictor of AD status (194 patients with AD vs 1790 nondemented subjects) in logistic regression models that were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, ethnicity, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, caloric intake, smoking, medical comorbidity index, and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). We investigated whether there was attenuation of the association between MeDi and AD when vascular variables (stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, lipid levels) were simultaneously introduced in the models (which would constitute evidence of mediation). RESULTS: Higher adherence to the MeDi was associated with lower risk for AD (odds ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.87; P<.001). Compared with subjects in the lowest MeDi tertile, subjects in the middle MeDi tertile had an odds ratio of 0.47 (95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.76) and those at the highest tertile an odds ratio of 0.32 (95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.59) for AD (P for trend <.001). Introduction of the vascular variables in the model did not change the magnitude of the association. CONCLUSIONS: We note once more that higher adherence to the MeDi is associated with a reduced risk for AD. The association does not seem to be mediated by vascular comorbidity. This could be the result of either other biological mechanisms (oxidative or inflammatory) being implicated or measurement error of the vascular variables.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has focused on individual dietary components. There is converging evidence that composite dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) is related to lower risk for cardiovascular disease, several forms of cancer, and overall mortality. We sought to investigate the association between MeDi and risk for AD. METHODS: A total of 2,258 community-based nondemented individuals in New York were prospectively evaluated every 1.5 years. Adherence to the MeDi (zero- to nine-point scale with higher scores indicating higher adherence) was the main predictor in models that were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, ethnicity, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, caloric intake, smoking, medical comorbidity index, and body mass index. RESULTS: There were 262 incident AD cases during the course of 4 (+/-3.0; range, 0.2-13.9) years of follow-up. Higher adherence to the MeDi was associated with lower risk for AD (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.98; p=0.015). Compared with subjects in the lowest MeDi tertile, subjects in the middle MeDi tertile had a hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.16) and those at the highest tertile had a hazard ratio of 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.87) for AD (p for trend=0.007). INTERPRETATION: We conclude that higher adherence to the MeDi is associated with a reduction in risk for AD.

Individuals with melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants have been shown to carry an increased risk for the development of melanoma. In this study, we investigated the relationship of MC1R gene variants and the risk of melanoma in 123 melanoma patients and 155 control subjects from Greece. The entire MC1R gene was sequenced for polymorphisms and the results were correlated with host factors and pigmentary characteristics. MC1R polymorphisms were present in 59.4% of melanoma patients compared to 37.5% of controls, yielding an odds ratio (OR) of 2.43 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.50-3.96, P < 0.001) for melanoma among MC1R carriers. The risk of melanoma was enhanced in individuals carrying multiple variant alleles (OR = 6.97; 95% CI = 1.86-26.12, P = 0.004). Only the Val60Leu, Arg142His, and Arg151Cys variants were significantly associated with melanoma risk. In stratified analysis, the risk of melanoma among MC1R carriers was not influenced by skin phototype, skin color, or hair color. No association was found between MC1R genotype and the age of onset of melanoma, the tumor location, or the tumor thickness. In conclusion, MC1R polymorphisms are a predisposing factor of melanoma in a southern European population with a relatively low incidence of the disease.

In this study, the synoptic scale atmospheric circulation prevailing during 1989-2004 air pollution episodes in the greater area of Thessaloniki (GTA) was examined. The episodes are defined on the basis of the main pollutants measured (SO2, PM10, black smoke, CO, NO2 and O 3) on an hourly basis, at five monitoring stations of the Municipal Air Quality Network of Thessaloniki. During this period, 95 air pollution episodes, which lasted 258 days in total, were detected. The results demonstrate that the air quality in Thessaloniki can be characterized as acute, with respect mainly to photochemical pollutants and suspended particulates (PM 10). It was found that air quality conditions are significantly associated with specific synoptic scale features that contribute to the formation of the local wind field. The high air pollution concentrations are mainly associated with anticyclonic conditions that appear at the highest frequency throughout the whole year and/or advection of warm air masses. These findings can help to understand the association of large scale with local scale flow over GTA that greatly promotes the occurrence of air pollution episodes. © by PSP 2006.

The complete sequence of the apiculate wine yeast Hanseniaspora uvarum mtDNA has been determined and analysed. It is an extremely compact linear molecule containing the shortest functional region ever found in fungi (11 094 bp long), flanked by Type 2 telomeric inverted repeats. The latter contained a 2704-bp-long subterminal region and tandem repeats of 839-bp units. In consequence, a population of mtDNA molecules that differed at the number of their telomeric reiterations was detected. The functional region of the mitochondrial genome coded for 32 genes, which included seven subunits of respiratory complexes and ATP synthase (the genes encoding for NADH oxidoreductase subunits were absent), two rRNAs and 23 tRNA genes which recognized codons for all amino acids. A single intron interrupted the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene. A number of reasons contributed towards its strikingly small size, namely: (1) the remarkable size reduction (by >40%) of the rns and rnl genes; (2) that most tRNA genes and five of the seven protein-coding genes were the shortest among known yeast homologs; and (3) that the noncoding regions were restricted to 5.1% of the genome. In addition, the genome showed multiple changes in the orientation of transcription and the gene order differed drastically from other yeasts. When all protein coding gene sequences were considered as one unit and were compared with the corresponding molecules from all other complete mtDNAs of yeasts, the phylogenetic trees constructed robustly supported its placement basal to the yeast species of the 'Saccharomyces complex', demonstrating the advantage of this approach over single-gene or multigene approaches of unlinked genes.

Time-series CCD photometry of the contact system V839 Oph on May, June and July 2004 showed a continuous brightening of the system in all phases of the light curve. A possible explanation of this brightening could be enhanced (magnetic) activity of the system, also noticed in the past. Mass transfer and/or energy exchange between the two components can explain the observed increase of brightness. All possible cases, concerning the location and shape of the spotted area, are discussed and the most probable model is presented.

The photochemistry of N-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione (NHPT), inserted as a photolabile modifier at the 6-position of 2′-deoxyguanosine or guanosine, has been evaluated. In particular, 6-[(1-oxidopyridin-2-yl)sulfanyl]- (1a) and 6-[(pyridin-2-yl)sulfanyl]-2′,6-dideoxyguanosine (2a), novel photolabile derivatives of the natural nucleosides, were synthesized and characterized. The observed photolysis products of 1a in organic solvents could only be rationalized by assuming a rapid equilibrium with the corresponding 6-[(2-thioxopyridin-1(2H)-yl)oxy] analogue 3a (Scheme 5). Transient spectroscopy of 1a indicated a strong triplet-excited state suitable for triplet → triplet energy transfer or singlet-oxygen generation. The NHPT function was stable enough for (slightly modified) automated solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The utility of the above compounds is discussed, as well as their potential use in photosensitization of reactive oxygen species in DNA. © 2006 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG.

In this work we study the modulation of superconductivity in combinatorial films (CFs) that are constructed by anisotropic CoPt ferromagnetic particles (FPs) randomly embedded in high-quality Nb layers of thickness 200 nm. In the constructed CFs the FPs are embedded in only half of the Nb layers. In this way we studied the modulation of superconductivity directly by performing transport measurements on the hybrid and pure superconducting areas of the CFs simultaneously under the application of the same dc current. Modulation of superconductivity and magnetic memory effects appeared only at the hybrid part of the CFs. This proves that superconductivity can be noticeably controlled under the action of the dipolar fields of FPs. The enhancement of the superconducting regime on the H-T operational diagram suggests that such hybrids can be attractive for current-carrying applications. In addition, magnetoresistive elemental superconducting devices could be based on our CFs. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This study aimed to estimate the overall HCV genotype distribution and to reconstruct the HCV genotype-specific incidence in Greece during the recent decades. It also focused at the identification of genotype 4 subtype variability in Greek isolates. A total of 1686 chronically infected HCV patients with detectable serum HCV RNA by RT-PCR, belonging to different risk groups were studied. Amplified products from the 5'-noncoding region were typed using a commercially available assay based on the reverse hybridization principle. The HCV genotype-specific incidence was estimated using a previously described back calculation method. HCV genotype 1 was the most prevalent (46.9%) followed by genotype 3 (28.1%), 4 (13.2%), 2 (6.9%) and 5 (0.4%). A high prevalence of genotype 1 (66.3%) in haemophilia patients was recorded whereas HCV genotype 3 was found mainly among patients infected by I.V. drug use (58.2%). Data on the temporal patterns of HCV genotype-specific incidence in Greece revealed a moderate increase (1.3-1.6 times) for genotypes 1 and 4, and a decrease (1.5 times) for genotype 2 from 1970 to 1990, whereas there was a sharp (13-fold) increase for genotype 3. The molecular characterization of 41 genotype 4 HCV isolates belonging to various risk groups revealed that, subtype 4a was the most frequently detected (78%). Phylogenetic comparison of the Greek 4a isolates with all HCV-4a isolates reported worldwide so far revealed a topology which does not discriminate Greek isolates from the others. HCV-4 does not represent a recent introduction in Greece.

The morphological characteristics of a coastal reef that is observed along the Ammoudara beach (6 km to the west of the city of Heraklion, Crete) are investigated in relation to the sedimentology and modern evolution of the adjacent beach zone. The reef has a length close to 4 km, a mean width close to 35m and is located at a distance of 60 m from the shoreline at an average water depth of 2.6m, while the seaward water depth exceeds 3m. Its height above the seafloor, exceeds 80 cm, reaching in places less than 0.5 m from the sea surface. It has two layers; the lower one which consists of fine grained (sandy) material and is approximately 40 cm thick and the upper layer, around 30 cm thick, consisting of relatively coarse,grained material (gravel and sand). Moreover, on the surface of the upper layer, runnels are observed, whilst distinguished cross bedding, similar to that observed in aeolian deposits, exists within the bottom layer. The reef is not present in front of the active mouths of the rivers Gazanos and Xiropotamos which debouch in the coastal area of Ammoudara. The western end of this submerged reef is attached to the beach face, exhibiting the characteristics of a typical beach,rock formation. On the basis of the above, it is concluded that the reef under investigation it is a submerged beach rock which indicates the position of a former coastline that is now submerged due to a relative sea level rise of approximately 0,5m.

We studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy the Na0.82CoO2 compound using 1% 57 Fe as a local probe which substitutes for the Co ions. Mossbauer spectra at T = 300 K revealed two sites which correspond to Fe3+ and Fe4+. The existence of two distinct values of the quadrupole splitting instead of a continuous distribution should be related with the charge ordering of Co+3, Co+4 ions and ion ordering of Na(1) and Na(2). Below T = 10 K part of the spectrum area, corresponding to Fe4+ and all of Fe3+, displays broad magnetically split spectra arising either from short-range magnetic correlations or from slow electronic spin relaxation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We investigate the effect of an external magnetic field of variable orientation and magnitude (up to 20T) on the linear near-field optical absorption spectra of single and coupled III-V semiconductor quantum dots. We focus on the spatial as well as on the magnetic confinement, varying the dimensions of the quantum dots and the magnetic field. We show that the ground-state exciton binding energy can be manipulated utilizing the spatial and magnetic confinement. The effect of the magnetic field on the absorption spectra, increasing the near-field illumination spot, is also investigated. The zero-magnetic-field “structural” symmetry can be destroyed varying the magnetic field orientation and this affects the near-field spectra. The asymmetry induced (except for specific orientations along symmetry axes) by the magnetic field can be revealed in the near-field but not in the far-field spectra. We predict that near-field magnetoabsorption experiments, of realistic spatial resolution, will be in the position to bring to light the quantum dot symmetry. This exceptional symmetry-resolving power of the near-field magnetoabsorption is lost in the far field. The influence of the Coulomb interactions on the absorption spectra is also discussed. Finally, we show that certain modifications of the magnetoexcitonic structure can be uncovered using a realistically acute near-field probe of ≈20nm.

We report on the electrical and magnetotransport properties of the contact formed between n -type degenerate InSb (100) substrates and polycrystalline NiMnSb thin films grown using pulsed laser deposition. Negative giant magnetoresistance is observed when the external magnetic field is oriented parallel to the in-plane current direction. We attribute the observed phenomenon to magnetic precipitates that are formed during the magnetic film deposition and are confined to a thin layer at the interface. The evidence for the formation of a thin interfacial layer is obtained through x-ray reflectivity measurements. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

The central nervous system is often affected in patients with congenital toxoplasmosis. However, hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction has rarely been reported in children with congenital toxoplasmosis, and no case with prolonged fever of central origin has been documented so far. We describe a newborn with congenital toxoplasmosis who presented with fever due to hypothalamo-pituitary dysregulation and combined hypothalamo-pituitary deficiencies consisting of central diabetes insipidus, hypothyroidism and ACTH deficiency.

Primary lymphoma of the upper urinary tract is an extremely rare entity without specific clinical or laboratory findings. Thus, this particular diagnosis is rarely anticipated and might well be reached only after nephroureterectomy. We describe a patient with primary follicular and diffuse follicle center lymphoma arising in the renal pelvis that was treated with surgery and postoperative immunochemotherapy. Furthermore, we review the literature regarding the treatment and outcome of this rare disease.

Steady axisymmetric outflows originating at the hot coronal magnetosphere of a Schwarzschild black hole and surrounding accretion disk are studied in the framework of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD). The assumption of meridional self-similarity is adopted for the construction of semi-analytical solutions of the GRMHD equations describing outflows close to the polar axis. In addition, it is assumed that relativistic effects related to the rotation of the black hole and the plasma are negligible compared to the gravitational and other energetic terms. The constructed model allows us to extend previous MHD studies for coronal winds from young stars to spine jets from Active Galactic Nuclei surrounded by disk-driven outflows. The outflows are thermally driven and magnetically or thermally collimated. The collimation depends critically on an energetic integral measuring the efficiency of the magnetic rotator, similarly to the non relativistic case. It is also shown that relativistic effects quantitatively affect the depth of the gravitational well and the coronal temperature distribution in the launching region of the outflow. Similarly to previous analytical and numerical studies, relativistic effects tend to increase the efficiency of the thermal driving but reduce the effect of magnetic self-collimation.

Purpose: (1) To develop novel scaled bioequivalence (BE) limits with levelling-off properties based solely on variability considerations and (2) to evaluate their performance in comparison to the classic unscaled BE limits 0.80-1.25, the expanded BE limits 0.75-1.33 and the recently proposed Geometric Mean Ratio (GMR)-dependent scaled BE limits BELscW (Karalis et al., Eur. J. Pharm. Sci., 26:54-61, 2005). Materials and Methods: Two model functions were used to ensure the gradual change of the BE limits from a starting value towards a predefined plateau value. Plots of the new BE limits and extreme GMR values ensuring BE as a function of the coefficient of variation (CV) were constructed. Two-period crossover BE studies with 12, 24, or 36 subjects were simulated assuming CV values from 10 to 60%. Power curves were constructed by recording the percentage of accepted BE studies as the true GMR was raised from 1.00 to 1.50. The percentage of the true GMR within the simulated BE limits vs. true GMR was used to evaluate the estimation accuracy of the scaled methods. Results: Depending on the parameters' values of the model functions, the scaled BE limits exhibit different performance. Four new scaled BE limits, showing favourable performance for the evaluation of average BE are presented. At low variability levels two of the novel BE limits show similar performance to the 0.80-1.25 criterion, while the other two (as expected from their design) appear to be less permissive. At high CV values (30, 40%) all new BE limits exhibit much higher statistical power than the 0.80-1.25 criterion. They show almost identical behavior with the expanded 0.75-1.33 limits and appear to be less permissive than BELscW. Finally, the percentage of the true GMR within the simulated BE limits vs. true GMR shows a sharp decline. Due to the absence of the GMR factor in the model functions a more accurate estimation of the new scaled BE limits, compared to BELscW, is observed. Conclusions: The new scaled BE limits appear to be highly effective at all levels of variation investigated and present satisfactory estimation accuracy.

We present a functional analysis of the last alpha-helical transmembrane segment (TMS12) of UapA, a uric acid-xanthine/H+ symporter in Aspergillus nidulans and member of the nucleobase-ascorbate transporter (NAT) family. First, we performed a systematic mutational analysis of residue F528, located in the middle of TMS12, which was known to be critical for UapA specificity. Substitution of F528 with non-aromatic amino acid residues (Ala, Thr, Ser, Gln, Asn) did not affect significantly the kinetics of UapA for its physiological substrates, but allowed high-capacity transport of several novel purines and pyrimidines. Allele-specific combinations of F528 substitutions with mutations in Q408, a residue involved in purine binding, led to an array of UapA molecules with different kinetic and specificity profiles. We propose that F528 plays the role of a novel-type selectivity filter, which, in conjunction with a distinct purine-binding site, control UapA-mediated substrate translocation. We further studied the role of TMS12 by analysing the effect of its precise deletion and chimeric molecules in which TMS12 was substituted with analogous domains from other NATs. The presence of any of the TMS12 tested was necessary for ER-exit while their specific amino acid composition affected the kinetics of chimeras.

Composite materials with periodic variations of density and/or sound velocities, so-called phononic crystals, can exhibit bandgaps where propagation of acoustic waves is forbidden. Phononic crystals are the elastic analogue of the well-established photonic crystals and show potential for manipulating the flow of elastic energy. So far, the experimental realization of phononic crystals has been restricted to macroscopic systems with sonic or ultrasonic bandgaps in the sub-MHz frequency range. In this work, using high-resolution Brillouin spectroscopy we report the first observation of a hypersonic bandgap in face-centred-cubic colloidal crystals formed by self-assembly of polystyrene nanoparticles with subsequent fluid infiltration. Depending on the particle size and the sound velocity in the infiltrated fluid, the frequency and the width of the gap can be tuned. Promising technological applications of hypersonic crystals, ranging from tunable filters and heat management to acousto-optical devices, are anticipated.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is increasingly recognized in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical and pathologic features overlap in frontotemporal lobar dementia and ALS. Demographics, respiratory status, bulbar site of onset, and disease severity are potential risk factors for cognitive impairment in ALS. OBJECTIVES: To further delineate the frequency, nature, and implications of cognitive impairment in ALS and to assess previously identified risk factors. DESIGN: Case-control and retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Forty consecutive patients with ALS underwent baseline neurologic and neuropsychologic examinations. Cognitive test performance was compared in patients with ALS and matched controls. An exploratory analysis of the relationship between cognitive performance and ALS survival was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neuropsychologic test performance, ALS severity, and survival. RESULTS: Twelve patients (30%) showed evidence of cognitive impairment, including 9 (23%) who met the neuropsychologic criteria for dementia. No statistically significant differences were found between demented and nondemented ALS groups regarding demographics, family history, site of onset, bulbar dysfunction, or ALS severity. Only 1 patient with dementia had bulbar-onset disease. An association was observed between increasing ALS severity and declining verbal fluency performance. Demented patients with ALS showed predominant impairment in free recall, executive function, and naming, with relative preservation of attention, psychomotor speed, and visuospatial function. No association was observed between cognition and survival, controlling for ALS severity. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly a third of the patients with ALS showed evidence of cognitive impairment in a pattern consistent with frontotemporal lobar dementia. Cognitive performance was not related to site of onset or survival.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been associated with the use of pamidronate and zoledronic acid. ONJ was assessed prospectively since July 2003 in 202 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who received bisphosphonates since April 1995. Fifteen patients (7.4%) developed ONJ. The median time of exposure to bisphosphonates was 39 months for patients with ONJ compared to 28 months (p=0.048) for patients with no ONJ. The cumulative hazard of developing ONJ was significantly higher in patients treated with zoledronic acid alone than in those treated with pamidronate alone/pamidronate+zoledronic acid/zoledronic acid+ibandronate sequentially (1% at 1 year and 15% at 4 years vs. 0% and 5%, p=0.003). In conclusion, the risk of ONJ is increased with time of exposure and probably with the use of zoledronic acid. ©2006 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

Background: There is limited information about the benefit from systemic chemotherapy in non-pure Transitional Cell Carcinomas (TCCs) of the urothelial tract. In this study the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with pure squamous or mixed carcinomas was retrospectively analysed and compared with that in pure TCCs. Patients and Methods: Analysis included 446 consecutive patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer. There were 389 (87%) patients with pure TCC, 15 (3.5%) with pure Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC) and 42 (9.5%) patients had mixed histology (TCC+SCC) tumors. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics (gender, PS, haemoglobin, sites of metastases) although disease in the pelvis was more frequent in mixed tumors than in pure TCCs (46% vs. 30%, p=0.034). Median survival for patients with TCC histology was 11.3 months, for SCC patients 13.6 months and 10.4 months for patients with mixed histology (p=0.720). Response rates were 44% for patients with TCC, 27% for patients with SCC and 34% for mixed histology patients (p=0.210). Multivariate analysis showed that presence of visceral metastases and poor performance status, were associated with worse prognosis in mixed histology tumors. Conclusion: Non-transitional histology does not predict for an inferior survival after platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma. Well-known prognostic factors in transitional cell carcinomas were also associated with prognosis in mixed carcinomas.

The Z-disk of striated and cardiac muscle sarcomeres is one of the most densely packed cellular structures in eukaryotic cells. It provides the architectural framework for assembling and anchoring the largest known muscle filament systems by an extensive network of protein-protein interactions, requiring an extraordinary level of mechanical stability. Here we show, using X-ray crystallography, how the amino terminus of the longest filament component, the giant muscle protein titin, is assembled into an antiparallel (2:1) sandwich complex by the Z-disk ligand telethonin. The pseudosymmetric structure of telethonin mediates a unique palindromic arrangement of two titin filaments, a type of molecular assembly previously found only in protein-DNA complexes. We have confirmed its unique architecture in vivo by protein complementation assays, and in vitro by experiments using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The model proposed may provide a molecular paradigm of how major sarcomeric filaments are crosslinked, anchored and aligned within complex cytoskeletal networks.

Pancreatic tuberculosis is a rare clinical setting manifesting in various ways. Most often, enlarged peripancreatic lymph nodes or growing tuberculomas compress adjacent organs, leading to biliary tract or gastrointestinal obstruction. Clinical examination, laboratory data, and imaging are all unspecific. Diagnosis is frequently misguided toward neoplasia requiring surgical intervention. However, the role of surgery in pancreatic tuberculosis ends in tissue sampling, abscess drainage, and bypassing obstruction. We present three cases of pancreatic tuberculosis: two caused by obstructive jaundice and the third caused by gastric outlet obstruction. All patients were operated on. Whipple's procedure was performed in one patient, and biliary and duodenal bypassing in the remaining patients. Diagnosis was decided by histopathology in all three cases. Medical treatment was effective in all patients. Although pancreatic tuberculosis is a medical disease, surgery is frequently used. Maintaining a high level of suspicion can assist in avoiding unnecessary laparotomies and solving this medical dilemma.

Temporoparietal and posterior cingulate metabolism deficits characterize patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A H(2)(15)O resting PET scan covariance pattern, derived by using multivariate techniques, was previously shown to discriminate 17 mild AD patients from 16 healthy controls. This AD covariance pattern revealed hypoperfusion in bilateral inferior parietal lobule and cingulate; and left middle frontal, inferior frontal, precentral, and supramarginal gyri. The AD pattern also revealed hyperperfusion in bilateral insula, lingual gyri, and cuneus; left fusiform and superior occipital gyri; and right parahippocampal gyrus and pulvinar. In an independent sample of 23 outpatients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) followed at 6-month intervals, the AD pattern score was evaluated as a predictor of cognitive decline. In this MCI sample, an H2(15)O resting PET scan was carried out at baseline. Mean duration of follow-up was 48.8 (SD 15.5) months, during which time six of 23 MCI patients converted to AD. In generalized estimating equations (GEE) analyses, controlling for age, sex, education, and baseline neuropsychological scores, increased AD pattern score was associated with greater decline in each neuropsychological test score over time (Mini Mental State Exam, Selective Reminding Test delayed recall, Animal Naming, WAIS-R digit symbol; Ps<0.01-0.001). In summary, a resting PET covariance pattern previously reported to discriminate AD patients from control subjects was applied prospectively to an independent sample of MCI patients and found to predict cognitive decline. Independent replication in larger samples is needed before clinical application can be considered.

The extensive long-term CCD and photoelectric photometric observations of the classical symbiotic star YY Her covering the period of its post-outburst activity (JD 2 451 823 -- 2 452 996) are presented. We explain the periodic variations of the brightness of YY Her by the eclipses of the components in the symbiotic system. The model with a deformed (non-homogeneous) envelope, surrounding the white dwarf is discussed. In addition, we observed a flare in about JD 2 452 440, during the primary minimum, that was later followed by an energetic outburst in JD 2 452 700.

New high-quality CCD photometric light curves for the W UMa-type systems V410 Aur, CK Boo, FP Boo, V921 Her, ET Leo, XZ Leo, V839 Oph, V2357 Oph, AQ Psc and VY Sex are presented. The new multicolor light curves, combined with the spectroscopic data recently obtained at David Dunlap Observatory, are analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney code to yield the physical parameters (masses, radii and luminosities) of the components. Our models for all ten systems resulted in a contact configuration. Four binaries (V921 Her, XZ Leo, V2357 Oph and VY Sex) have low, while two (V410 Aur and CK Boo) have high fill-out factors. FP Boo, ET Leo, V839 Oph and AQ Psc have medium values of the fill-out factor. Three of the systems (FP Boo, V921 Her and XZ Leo) have very bright primaries as a result of their high temperatures and large radii.