Publications by Year: 2001

A climatological study of the spatial and temporal distribution of mean relative geostrophic vorticity over the Mediterranean region is examined for a period of 40 years (1958-1997). Two major cyclonic vorticity maxima are found in the Mediterranean at low levels, one covers the Gulf of Genoa and south Italy and the second is located over the southeastern Aegean Sea with different diurnal and seasonal characteristics, controlling cyclone formation. At upper levels, a large scale cyclonic vorticity zone covers the whole Mediterranean region with notably increased values at 300 hPa, being associated with jet stream dynamics, especially in the eastern Mediterranean. The seasonal changes of the horizontal vorticity distribution substantially reduce with height while the diurnal changes become unimportant at upper levels. Furthermore, the investigation of the vertical structure separately for the main cyclonic centres in the Mediterranean implies the different mechanisms that are reponsible for cyclone formation in the western and eastern basin. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society.

The dwarf nova EX Draconis shows deep and wide eclipses, in addition to its frequent outburst activity (every 2-3 weeks), which makes it the ideal target for monitoring a complete outburst cycle. We observed EX Draconis in BVI colours with the 1.2m telescope at Kryonerion Korinthias (Greece) between 1 July-20 August 2000 covering 3 outburst events (1-5 July, 20-30 July and 6-12 August). Here, we present a preliminary eclipse mapping study of the light curves obtained in August 2000.

Advances in computer vision have started to infiltrate the specialty of orthodontics. During the past few years, a number of new products have appeared that are capable of extracting the 3-dimensional (3-D) structure of an object just by "looking." Examples include laser scanners for creating 3-D models of the face, and hand-held scanners for creating virtual models of the teeth. Such noninvasive methods will surely evolve rapidly and be applied to a multitude of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, changing the way we think and practice. This article introduces the basic principles behind such technology so that we can better appreciate its advantages, limitations and possibilities. From the large number of methods for acquiring 3-D shapes from images, 4 were selected and are described below. For more comprehensive coverage, see the book by Klette et al (1).

We consider the problem of dynamic admission control in a Markovian loss queueing system with two classes of customers with different service rates and revenues. We show that under certain conditions, customers of one class, which we call a preferred class, are always admitted to the system. Moreover, the optimal policy is of threshold type, and we establish that the thresholds are monotone under very restrictive conditions. Copyright © 2001 by Marcel Dekker, Inc.

A brief introduction of the layer-Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method for calculations of the frequency band structure of photonic crystals and of the transmission and reflection coefficients of light incident on slabs of such crystals is followed by two applications of the method. The first relates to the frequency band structure of metallodi-electric composites and demonstrates the essential difference between cermet and network topology of such composites at low frequencies. The second application is an analysis of recent measurements of the reflection of light from a slab of a colloidal system consisting of latex spheres in air.

We investigated the short-term effects of synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric circulation types on mortality in Athens, Greece. The synoptic patterns in the lower troposphere were classified in 8 a priori defined categories. The mesoscale weather types were classified into 11 categories, using meteorologic parameters from the Athens area surface monitoring network; the daily number of deaths was available for 1987-1991. We applied generalized additive models (GAM), extending Poisson regression, using a LOESS smoother to control for the confounding effects of seasonal patterns. We adjusted for long-term trends, day of the week, ambient particle concentrations, and additional temperature effects. Both classifications, synoptic and mesoscale, explain the daily variation of mortality to a statistically significant degree. The highest daily mortality was observed on days characterized by southeasterly flow [increase 10%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6.1-13.9% compared to the high-low pressure system), followed by zonal flow (5.8%; 95% CI, 1.8-10%). The high-low pressure system and the northwesterly flow are associated with the lowest mortality. The seasonal patterns are consistent with the annual pattern. For mesoscale categories, in the cold period the highest mortality is observed during days characterized by the easterly flow category (increase 9.4%; 95% CI, 1.0-18.5% compared to flow without the main component). In the warm period, the highest mortality occurs during the strong southerly flow category (8.5% increase; 95% CI, 2.0-15.4% compared again to flow without the main component). Adjusting for ambient particle levels leaves the estimated associations unchanged for the synoptic categories and slightly increases the effects of mesoscale categories. In conclusion, synoptic and mesoscale weather classification is a useful tool for studying the weather-health associations in a warm Mediterranean climate situation.

We developed a multiple scattering method for the calculation of the frequency band structure of a phononic crystal consisting of non-overlapping elastic spheres arranged periodically in a host medium of different elastic properties. Using a variation of the same method we can also calculate, with the same ease and accuracy, the coefficients of transmission, reflection and absorption of elastic waves incident on a slab of the material of finite thickness. The elastic coefficients of the spheres and/or the host medium can be complex and frequency dependent. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method by applying it to specific examples.

Statistical estimates of earthquake magnitudes are unreliable when based on very few historical data. Additional sources of information, such as geological data, are then necessary to update estimates of seismicity parameters. The Bayesian probability theory is a tool to combine prior information of seismicity obtained from geological data with historical observations. This theory is tested in the case of the Inner Messiniakos fault zone, southern Greece, for the estimation of the probability of occurrence of strong earthquakes. Prior estimates of seismicity are developed from slip rate measurements, obtained from offsets of geological formations, on the basis of both onshore and offshore neotectonic data. The analysis emphasizes the importance of the input seismicity parameters, particularly the significance of the upper bound magnitude in the estimation of the seismic potential of active faults

Background: To better understand the molecular background of B-cell overactivity characterizing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we examined the expression of the CD22 co-receptor and of kinase Lyn, which are involved in signaling inhibitory pathways, in B cells from patients with SLE. Methods: Two-color flow cytometry was used to study the expression of surface antigens on freshly isolated peripheral B cells from patients with SLE, disease-control patients, and healthy volunteers. Intracellular kinases Lyn and Syk were analyzed using Western immunoblots, and differences at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level were evaluated using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Expression of B-cell surface CD22 was intact in patients with SLE, but expression of the B-cell kinase Lyn was significantly decreased in resting, as well as in anti-sIgM-stimulated B-cell-enriched cell lysates obtained from 66% of patients with SLE. Lyn deficiency was disease-specific and unrelated to disease activity. Expression of B-cell kinase Syk was similar in all study groups. Semiquantitative PCR revealed that Lyn mRNA was significantly decreased in lupus patients with decreased Lyn protein expression, suggesting that Lyn deficiency may be caused at least in part by defects at the transcription level. Conclusions: Decreased expression of Lyn in some patients with SLE represents a B-cell defect that may enhance our understanding of SLE molecular pathogenesis by providing rational therapeutic targets.

By including Klein-Nishina effects, we generalize previous calculations of the beaming pattern of photons produced by inverse Compton scattering. For an isotropic distribution of soft photons upscattered by nonthermal electrons with a power-law density distribution n(γ)~γ-p, embedded in a plasma moving with relativistic bulk speed, we show that the observed radiation intensity is proportional to D3+p, where D is the Doppler boosting factor. This agrees with previous computations performed in the Thomson limit, where the observed spectral index is α=(p-1)/2 and the beaming pattern is D4+2α. Independent of D, Klein-Nishina effects limit the location of the peak energy ∊peakmec2 of the observed spectral energy distribution such that ∊peak<~1/∊0, where ∊0 is the energy of the seed photons in units of mec2. Assuming that the seed photons originate in the broad-line region, we demonstrate that the GeV emission of blazars is significantly modified by Klein-Nishina effects, the spectrum being softer than that calculated in the Thomson limit. We further show that the change in the spectral index of the inverse Compton emission across ∊peak can exceed the value of 0.5 predicted by computations performed in the Thomson limit. The model spectra agree with OSSE and COMPTEL limits on this break without invoking the effects of differential absorption at the edge of a gamma-ray photosphere.

In this article, we will present the ‘Cadastre Grid Software’ (version 3) and its new enchanced functions and capabilities. This new version has already been used on a variety of applications, including archaeology (investigations on cadastre detection), geology (analysis on tectonic fault directions) and geomorphology (drainage system analysis). Moreover, we will describe the use of ‘Cadastre Grid Software’ in combination with MapInfo GIS, in order to extract primary data from maps (topographic, pedological, etc.), aerial photos and satellite images. Cadastre lines and grids extracted using the ‘Cadastre Grid Software’, are then processed with MapInfo GIS, enabling comparisons among different models or study areas, e.g. Bezier’s and Patra’s cadastres.

In this paper I address some of the problems that the historical development of science poses for a realist and discuss whether a realist construal of scientific activity is conducive to historiographical practice. First, I discuss, by means of historical examples, Ian Hacking's defense of entity realism. Second, I try to show, drawing on Kuhn's recent work on incommensurability, that the realism problem is relevant to historiography and that a realist position entails a particular historiographical strategy, which faces problems. Finally, I suggest that for historiographical purposes an agnostic attitude with respect to scientific theories and unobservable entities is the most appropriate.

This paper suggests that there is no universal model we can use to quantify the impact of R&D on growth and competitiveness. The design and effectiveness of policies are crucial in this relationship and their effects may be anything from a spectacular success to total misallocation of resources. Selected variables are suggested for benchmarking, such as business R&D, a good share of new-technology based (small) firms and bigger companies, the education and mobility of the labour force and the creation of effective intermediaries that facilitate interaction, as well as a process of restructuring. However, dangers are also associated with such a benchmarking approach, if recommendations neglect path dependencies and apparently best practices are transferred without adaptation.

Levels of circulating interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were significantly higher in patients with cat scratch disease (CSD) than in healthy control subjects; no induction of IL-12 was observed, and levels of interferon-gamma and IL-4 were generally not detectable. This is the first report showing increased circulating cytokine levels in patients with CSD. The induction of these mediators can partly explain some clinical and pathological features of the disease.

The term nemaline myopathy (NM) encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders of primary skeletal muscle weakness characterized by the presence of nemaline rods in muscles of affected individuals. Disease severity is variable and unpredictable, with prognosis ranging from neonatal death to almost normal motor function. Recent advances in the identification of NM disease genes demonstrate that NM is a disease of the skeletal muscle sarcomere and, in particular, of the thin filaments. These findings are starting to alter the approach that neurologists and geneticists take to diagnosing and counseling patients with NM, and could lead to insights into specific directed therapies in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an air-circulating cooling blanket for reducing body temperature in febrile neuro-ICU patients treated with acetaminophen. METHODS: Two-hundred twenty consecutively admitted neuro-ICU patients whose tympanic membrane temperature reached or exceeded 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) were randomly assigned to receive acetaminophen (650 mg every 4 hours) alone (n = 107) or acetaminophen plus air blanket therapy (n = 113). After 24 hours of treatment, the authors compared the proportion of subjects who attained treatment success (T < or = 99 degrees F) or treatment failure (T > or = 101 degrees F for 2 consecutive hours) using the chi(2) test and the time to reach these endpoints using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Air blanket therapy resulted in a small increase in the proportion of subjects with treatment success (44% versus 36%, chi(2) p = 0.19, log rank p = 0.10) and a similar small reduction in the proportion of patients with treatment failure (42% versus 53%, chi(2) p = 0.11, log-rank p = 0.21), compared with treatment with acetaminophen alone. Approximately one third of patients in both groups remained febrile after randomization and "failed" after the first 2 hours of treatment. Twelve percent of patients assigned to air blanket therapy refused or were unable to tolerate treatment, compared with 2% of patients treated with acetaminophen alone (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with an air-circulating cooling blanket did not effectively reduce body temperature in febrile neuro-ICU patients treated with acetaminophen. More effective interventions are needed to maintain normothermia in patients at risk for fever-related brain damage.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of gemcitabine and ifosfamide as a second-line treatment for advanced urothelial cancer. Patients and methods: Thirty-four patients with metastatic urothelial cancer previously treated with cisplatin (CDDP)/ carboplatin (CBDCA) and/or taxanes-based chemotherapy were studied. Gemcitabine was administered at a dose of 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and ifosfamide at a dose of 2 g/m2 on days 1 and 8 with adequate amount of Mesna, every three weeks. Hematopoietic growth factors were given between days 3 to 5 and 12 to 16 to maintain the treatment schedule. Results: On an intent to treat basis, there was one complete response (CR) (3%) (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0% to 10%) and six partial responses (PR) (18%) (95% CI: 7% to 34%), inducing an objective respo̊nse rate (RR) of 21% (95% CI: 9% to 38%); 12 (35%) patients achieved a stable disease (SD) and 15 (44%) a progressive disease (PD). The median time to tumor progression (TTP) was four months (range, 0.52 to 21.6 months) and the median survival nine months (range 0.52 to 28 months). This regimen also provided the opportunity for symptomatic improvement of pain, dysuria, haematuria and leg oedema. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was experienced by 9 (27%) patients, grade 3-4 anemia by 6 (18%) and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia by 4 (12%). Six patients were hospitalized due to febrile neutropenia. Despite the prophylactic use of hematopoietic growth factors, 8 (23.5%) patients required dose reduction due to myelosuppression. Grade 3 alopecia occurred in 14 (41%) patients, grade 3-4 nausea in 1 (3%), grade 2 fever in 3 (9%), grade 2-3 diarrhea in 2 (6%) and grade 2 allergic reaction in 1 (3%). Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of gemcitabine and ifosfamide is an active salvage regimen for the treatment of urothelial cancer and that the treatment also has a tolerable toxicity profile; it warrants further investigation in combination with CDDP in chemotherapy-naïve patients.

Multi-state models defined in terms of CD4 counts are useful for modelling HIV disease progression. A Markov model with six progressive CD4-based states and an absorbing state (AIDS) was used to estimate the cumulative probability of progressing to AIDS in 158 HIV-1 infected haemophiliacs with known seroconversion (SC) dates. A problem arising in such analysis is how to define CD4-based states, since this marker is subject to measurement error and short timescale variability. Four approaches were used: no smoothing, ad hoc smoothing (to move to a later/previous state two consecutive measurements to later/previous states are needed), kernel smoothing and random effects (RE) models. The estimates were compared with the Kaplan-Meier estimate based solely on data concerning time to AIDS. There was an apparent lack of agreement between the Kaplan-Meier and the "no smoothing" estimate. With the exception of the "no smoothing" method, "ad hoc", kernel and RE estimates fell within the range of the 95 per cent CIs of the Kaplan-Meier curve. Simulations demonstrated that the use of raw CD4 counts provides overestimated transition intensities. Compared to the kernel method, ad hoc is easier to implement and overcomes the problem of the choice of bandwidth. The RE approach leads to simple models, since it usually results in very few transitions to previous states, and can handle individuals with sparse data by smoothing their predictions towards the population mean. Ad hoc was the method that performed better, in terms of bias, than the other smoothing approaches.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate, in a selected group of myeloma patients with favorable prognosis, the effect, on response and survival, of polychymotherapy compared with melphalan-prednisone, plus interferon in both arms. Methods: Eighty-nine previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma and prognostic factors indicating a good prognosis were randomized to either oral melphalan plus prednisone (MP) in combination with recombinant interferon-α (rIFN-α) or combination chemotherapy with vincristine, carmustine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (VBMCP) alternating with rIFN-α. The two treatment groups were comparable in terms of pretreatment characteristics. Results: The overall response rate was 67.4% (2.3% complete remission, 65.1% partial response) in the MP/IFN-α group and 69.1% (14.3% complete remission, 54.8% partial response) in the VBMCP/IFN-α group (p = 0.59). There were no differences also in response duration and overall survival between the two treatment groups. The median response duration was 39.1 months in the MP/IFN-α group and was not reached in the VBMCP/IFN-α group (p = 0.6). Overall survival was long in both treatment groups. The estimated 5-yr survival was 66% and 62% in the MP/IFN-α and VBMCP/IFN-α group, respectively (p = 0.8). Toxicity was modest and treatments were well tolerated. Neutropenia (WHO grade 3 or 4) was higher, but not statistically significant, in the VBMCP/IFN-α group. Conclusions: The results of the study show that in myeloma patients with good prognosis, combination chemotherapy alternating with interferon-α has no advantage over conventional MP plus interferon-α, in regard to response rate, response duration, and overall survival of patients. © Munksgaard 2001.

Objective: To determine the concentration of angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF], and angiogenin) in the follicular fluid (FF) and oocyte-cumulus complex culture medium (CM) of women undergoing IVF and to investigate the association of the concentrations with the maturity and fertilization of the oocyte. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Academic tertiary-care institution. Patient(s): IVF patients with unexplained or tubal factor infertility.Intervention(s): Analysis of VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenin FF and CM concentrations. Main Outcome Measure(s): Oocyte maturity and fertilization and FF and CM angiogenic factor concentrations.Result(s): VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenin were determined in FF and CM. FF angiogenin concentrations were significantly higher when the oocyte was mature versus immature. CM VEGF concentrations were significantly higher when the oocyte was nonfertilized versus fertilized. Positive correlations were observed between angiogenic factors in CM. Conclusion(s): VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenin (determined for the first time) are secreted in the FF and CM. Elevated CM VEGF concentrations, probably implying oocyte-cumulus complex hypoxia, are negatively associated with oocyte fertilization. Elevated FF angiogenin concentrations are positively associated with oocyte maturity, possibly indicating angiogenin's biological role beyond neovascularization. Copyright © 2001 American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

During the last years, a number of assays have been developed aiming at predicting the most effective chemotherapy regimen for each individual, avoiding possible toxicity of ineffective drugs. In the present study we have used an in vitro chemosensitivity/chemoresistance assay in order to evaluate cytotoxic treatment in ovarian and breast cancer patients. The assay was applied in 77 ovarian and breast cancer samples and the observed in vitro responses to various chemotherapeutic drugs or combinations of drugs were then correlated to the in vivo responses and the overall clinical data of the examined patients. Direct comparison was possible for 25 cases. The overall positive predictive value of the assay was 50% and the negative predictive value was 57%. However, it was observed that the positive predictive value for ovarian patients was 69% and that the negative predictive value for breast patients was 100%. Therefore this study indicates that although in vitro chemosensitivity/chemoresistance is a valuable assay, further analysis and implications of other factors are required for a general evaluation of cytotoxic treatment for patients with ovarian and breast cancer.

In this case study, we describe the symptoms, neuropsychological testing, and brain pathology of a retired mason's assistant with cortical basal ganglionic degeneration (CBGD). CBGD is an extremely rare neurodegenerative disease that is categorized under both Parkinsonian syndromes and frontal lobe dementias. It affects men and women nearly equally, and the age of onset is usually in the sixth decade of life. CBGD is characterized by Parkinson's-like motor symptoms and by deficits of movement and cognition, indicating focal brain pathology. Neuronal cell loss is ultimately responsible for the neurological symptoms.

We present the results of a wide-aperture seismic onshore–offshore study (Crete Seismic Experiment) in the Cretan region as part of the Hellenic arc compressional system. Three seismic lines were carried out on and around the island of Crete in order to investigate the crustal structure of the region. Up to 119 three-component recording stations were deployed on each profile that observed seismic energy generated by a 48-l airgun array and eight 20-kg landshots. A total of 6208 shots were fired. Upon completing the fieldwork, the vertical components of all stations were evaluated; 300 Common-Receiver-Gather (CRG) sections of the ocean bottom seismographs (OBS) and land stations as well as 100 Common-Source-Gather (CSG) sections of the land shots and selected airgun shots were compiled and modeled in order to generate a 2D P-wave velocity–depth model for each profile. The accuracy of the model depends on the depth and position along the profiles and does not exceed 5% for both depth and P-wave velocity. We identified strong lateral variations in crustal and sedimentary thickness mainly in a north–south direction but also along strike (east–west). The crust is continental and has a maximum thickness of 32.5 km below northern central Crete. Its subdivision in an upper (vp = 5.8–6.3 km/s, locally up to 6.5 km/s) and a lower (vp = 6.4–6.9 km/s) part is justified by a first-order discontinuity with vp-velocity a contrast of up to 0.6 km/s. The eastern part of Crete shows a significantly thinner crust of 24 to 26 km. To the North, the crustal thickness decreases to 15 km below the central Cretan Sea. The prominent decrease of the Moho depth north of central Crete is interpreted to represent the northern end of a microcontinent that was subducted in Oligocene times and later surfaced by ‘buoyant escape’ (Sto¨ckhert et al., 1999; Thompson et al., 1999). The P–T–t–D history of the high-pressure rocks of Crete, Greece: denudation by buoyant escape. In: Exhumation Processes: Normal Faulting, Ductile Flow and Erosion. Ring, U., Lister, G.,Willet, S., Brandon, M. (Eds.), Spec. Publ. of the Geol. Soc. of London,p. 154]. To the south and southwest of the island, the continental crust gradually thins to a minimum of 17 km and atapproximately 100 km off the southern coast of Crete, it is in contact with oceanic crust below the Mediterranean Ridge. Upper mantle velocities were determined to be 7.7 km/s below the Cretan Sea and 8.0 km/s south of Crete. Below the continental Cretan crust, a 6- to 7-km-thick layer with vp-velocities between 6.6 and 7.1 km/s was identified on each line and could be followed by reflections to a depth of 42 km. It is decoupled from the overlying continental crust at central Crete and is interpreted as oceanic crust presently under subduction towards the NNE below the Aegean Sea.

Local Hall probe ac permeability and global dc SQUID magnetization measurements were used to construct the phase diagram of the vortex matter for two HgBa2CuO4+delta single crystals with different amounts of disorder. Emphasis was given near T-c and for low magnetic fields H-dc < 1 kOe. For the nearly optimally doped crystal with T-c = 94.8 K, the second peak line H-sp and the respective onset line H-min of the magnetization loops end at (T*, H*) = (88 K, 2 kOe) on the irreversibility line, while for the crystal of lower T-c (= 89.9 K) decreases monotonically and terminates just below T-c In addition, for the crystal with T-c = 89.9 K the local permeability measurements (as a function of temperature or dc magnetic field) revealed a peak in the screening current just below the onset of the diamagnetic screening. The possible sublimation character of the melting transition, the two-stage melting scenario and a Bragg to vortex glass transition are discussed. The different behaviours observed between the two crystals is attributed to the different amount of disorder.

The rapid development of information technology and the multiple usage of Information Systems make indisputable their appliance in all the sectors including the Nursing Service area. Information Systems that have been developed for the Nursing Service Administration are extremely useful in the processing and the categorisation of a large number of information, providing significant advantages such as information storage, information availability, information precision and reliability. In addition, the appliance of Information Systems provides important advantages in the administration of the nursing personnel's data, contributing to the improvement of the operating effectiveness of the Nursing Service. This paper describes the development and the evaluation of an Information System for the Nursing Service Administration that classifies all the information related to the nursing personnel and helps the administration to handle the appropriate nursing data. The method of Life Cycle Model was decided as the most appropriate for the development of the System, because of the important advantages that it offers. For the evaluation of our own designed system we based on the standards, which are used for evaluating Information Systems in general. The evaluation of this Information System is carried out by a survey among the undergraduate and the postgraduate students of the Nursing Department of the University of Athens and the Nursing Personnel of a number of Hospitals. Useful conclusions have been derived concerning those characteristics, which should be fulfilled by the system. Important conclusions have been also drown out concerning the dependencies of the variables under study, the future readjustments of the system, and the general perception of the newcomers in health profession towards the application of the information technology.

Το άρθρο εντάσσεται στη θεώρηση της Ιστορίας της Νεοελληνικής Λογοτεχνίας που συνέταξε και κατά κύριο λόγο συνέγραψε η κ. Εύη Πετροπούλου (συμπεριλαμβάνονται κείμενα των: Στυλιανός Αλεξίου, Αναστασία Αντωνοπούλου, Willi Benning, Klaus Betzen, Δημήτρης Δημηρούλης και Κατερίνα Μητραλέξη). Tο βιβλίο συντάχθηκε εξαρχής με γνώμονα το γερμανόφωνο αναγνωστικό κοινό και παρουσιάζει σε δώδεκα ενότητες σημαντικούς συγγραφείς και ρεύματα της νεότερης νεοελληνικής λογοτεχνίας από τις αρχές του 19ου έως τον 20ό αιώνα (δεκαετία του 70) με έμφαση στη συγκριτολογική διάσταση της κριτικής. Αναδεικνύονται ιδιαίτερα οι σχέσεις της ελληνικής με τη γερμανική γραμματεία όπου αυτές υπάρχουν. Το συγκεκριμένο άρθρο αναφέρεται στην Επτανησιακή Σχολή και αποτελεί υποκεφάλαιο της τρίτης ενότητας που είναι αφιερωμένη στον Ελληνικό Ρομαντισμό. Σε αυτό γίνεται αρχικά αναφορά στις ιδιαίτερες κοινωνικές, πολιτικές και πνευματικές συνθήκες που επικρατούν στα Ιόνια Νησιά κατά το19ο αιώνα και που τα καθιστούν πύλη και δίοδο προς τη Δύση του ελληνικού πνευματικού χώρου. Ο ευρωπαϊκός ρομαντισμός βρίσκει εδώ πολύ μεγαλύτερη απήχηση και γόνιμο έδαφος αναφοράς απ΄ ότι στον ρομαντισμό της Αθηναϊκής Σχολής, ενώ η έντονη μεταφραστική δραστηριότητα των Επτανησίων συμβάλλει στην αδιάλειπτη επαφή με τις πνευματικές εξελίξεις στον ευρωπαϊκό χώρο. Ο στοχασμός γύρω από τη συνέχεια και την εξέλιξη της νεοελληνικής λογοτεχνίας δεν υπακούει σε συγκεκριμένες προγραμματικές δεσμεύσεις και αναπτύσσεται στο χώρο του δοκιμίου και της φιλολογικής κριτικής, ενώ το λογοτεχνικό είδος που κυρίως καλλιεργείται είναι η λυρική ποίηση και πολύ λιγότερο η δραματική ή ο πεζός λόγος. Το άρθρο στοχεύει στην ανάδειξη αυτής της πολυσχιδούς πνευματικής δραστηριότητας των Επτανησίων λογίων και ποιητών και παρουσιάζει σε σύντομες κριτικές θεωρήσεις το έργο του Αντωνίου Μάτεση, του Γεωργίου Τερτσέτη, του Ανδρέα Λασκαράτου, του Ιουλίου Τυπάλδου, του Σπυρίδωνα Ζαμπελίου, του Ιάκωβου Πολυλά, του Γεωργίου Καλοσγούρου, του Γεράσιμου Μαρκορά και του Αριστοτέλη Βαλαωρίτη.

Dose-dense sequential chemotherapy appears to be a promising approach in the management of patients with operable breast cancer. We evaluated the tolerability of such a novel chemotherapeutic regimen in high-risk patients. From February 1995 until September 1997, 49 women with histologically confirmed breast cancer and ≥10 involved axillary nodes were treated postoperatively with three cycles of epirubicin (110 mg/m2) followed by three cycles of paclitaxel (250 mg/m2 in a 3-hour infusion) followed by three cycles of 'intensified' CMF (cyclophosphamide 840 mg/m2, methotrexate 57 mg/m2, fluorouracil 840 mg/m2; E-T-CMF). All cycles were repeated every 2 weeks with G-CSF support. Ovarian ablation with monthly injections of triptorelin for 1 year was performed in premenopausal patients and tamoxifen was prescribed for 5 years to all women with positive receptor status after the completion of chemotherapy. A total of 456 cycles of chemotherapy were administered, 363 (80%) of them at full dose. Forty-seven (96%) patients received all 9 cycles of chemotherapy. Relative dose intensity of epirubicin was 0.98, of paclitaxel 0.97, of cyclophosphamide 0.99, of methotrexate 0.98 and of fluorouracil 0.99. Grade 3-4 toxicities included anemia (8%), leukopenia (8%), peripheral neuropathy (6%), neutropenia (4%), thrombocytopenia (4%), stomatitis (2%), diarrhea (2%), fatigue (2%) and hypersensitivity reaction (2%). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 2 patients. Alopecia was universal. After a median follow-up of 3 years, 11 women (22%) relapsed and 4 (8%) died. The 3-year actuarial disease-free survival rate was 72% and the 3-year overall survival rate 90%. The E-T-CMF regimen is well tolerated, as adjuvant treatment, in patients with operable breast cancer with promising activity and deserves further evaluation in phase III studies. Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of two different schedules of epirubicin and paclitaxel, as first-line chemotherapy, in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Patients and Methods: From October 1997 until May 1999, 183 eligible patients with ABC entered the study. Chemotherapy in group A (93 patients) consisted of four cycles of epirubicin at a dose of 110 mg/m2 followed by four cycles of paclitaxel at a dose of 225 mg/m2 in a 3-hour infusion. All cycles were repeated every 2 weeks with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. The therapeutic regimen in group B (90 patients) consisted of epirubicin (80 mg/m2) immediately followed by paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 in a 3-hour infusion) every 3 weeks for six cycles. Results: In total, 79 patients (85%) in group A and 72 patients (80%) in group B completed treatment. The median relative dose-intensity of epirubicin was 0.96 in both groups, and that of paclitaxel was 0.96 and 0.97 in groups A and B, respectively. The complete response rate was higher in group A (21.5% v 9% P = .02). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the overall response rate between the two groups (55% v 42%, P = .10). Severe neutropenia was more frequently observed with concurrent treatment. After a median follow-up of 16.5 months, median time to progression was 10 months in group A and 8.5 months in group B (P = .27), and median survival was 21.5 and 20 months, respectively (P = .17). Conclusion: The present study failed to demonstrate a significant difference in overall response rate between dose-dense sequential administration of epirubicin and paclitaxel compared with the combination of the two drugs given on the same day, even though the sequential treatment resulted in a significantly higher complete response rate. © 2001 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity profile of dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with epirubicin (EPI) and paclitaxel in advanced breast cancer (ABC). From January to September 1997, 41 patients with recurrent or metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 57 (range, 33-77) years and median performance status 0 (range, 0-2). Twenty patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic regimen consisted of 4 cycles of EPI 110 mg/m2 every 2 weeks followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel, 225 mg/m2 over 3 hours every 2 weeks. G-CSF was administered prophylactically on days 2-10 of each cycle. 34 (83.0%)patients completed all 8 cycles of chemotherapy. A total of 304 cycles were administered, 259 (85.0%) of them at full dose. Thirty (10.0%) cycles were delivered with a delay. The relative median dose intensities of EPI and paclitaxel were 0.95. Most common grade 3-4 side effects were anemia (15.0%) neutropenia (12.0%), thrombocytopenia (5.0%), nausea/vomiting (10.0%), febrile neutropenia (7.5%), and alopecia (90.0%). Overall, 8 (19.5%) patients achieved a complete and 15 (36.5%) a partial response. Median duration of response was 8.4 (range, 3.1-15.5+) months. After a median follow-up of 18.5 months, median time to progression was 8.7 (range, 0.5-21+) months; median survival has not been reached yet. Dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with EPI and paclitaxel shows promising activity as first-line treatment in ABC. Randomized studies comparing this type of chemotherapy with the classical administration of the two drugs together every 3 weeks are ongoing.

Time series analysis of 6 nights of CCD observations of WZ Sge after it's unexpected superoutburst on July 23, 2001 has shown highly asymmetric periodic variations with a period 0.0566513(22)deg, full amplitude 0.218(4)m and a very high asymmetry M-m=0.670(9), a secondary minimum 0.38P after the main one. The initial epochs are Tmax=BJD 2452118.7483(3) and Tmin=BJD 52118.7670(2). The characteristics of the phase light curve are listed. In addition, we have found superhumps with a semi-amplitude of 0.021(2)m and an ephemeris Tmax,sh=BJD 2452117.6830(8)+0.057435(45)d E. Other peaks at 21 and 25 minutes possibly correspond to quasi-periodic oscillations with an effective semi-amplitude of 0.014m.

Rhinoviruses have been recently associated with the majority of asthma exacerbations for which current therapy is inadequate. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) has a central role in airway inflammation in asthma, and it is the receptor for 90% of rhinoviruses. Rhinovirus infection of airway epithelium induces ICAM-1. Desloratadine and loratadine are compounds belonging to the new class of H(1)-receptor blockers. Anti-inflammatory properties of antihistamines have been recently documented, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely defined.|We have investigated the effects of desloratadine and loratadine on rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 expression, mRNA upregulation, and promoter activation.|Cultured primary bronchial or transformed (A549) respiratory epithelial cells were pretreated with desloratadine and loratadine for 16 hours and infected with rhinovirus type 16 for 8 hours. ICAM-1 surface expression was evaluated with flow cytometry, and ICAM-1 mRNA was evaluated with specific RT-PCR. In A549 cells promoter activation was evaluated with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay, and binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B in nuclear extracts was evaluated with an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.|Desloratadine and loratadine (0.1-10 micromol/L) inhibited rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 upregulation in both primary bronchial or transformed (A549) respiratory epithelial cells. In A549 cells the 2 compounds showed a dose-dependent inhibition with similar efficacy (inhibitory concentration of 50%, 1 micromol/L). Desloratadine and loratadine also inhibited ICAM-1 mRNA induction caused by rhinovirus infection in a dose-dependent manner, and they completely inhibited rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 promoter activation. Desloratadine also inhibited rhinovirus-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation. Desloratadine and loratadine had no direct effect on rhinovirus infectivity and replication in cultured epithelial cells.|These effects are unlikely to be mediated by H(1)-receptor antagonism and suggest a novel mechanism of action that may be important for the therapeutic control of virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

Using a coherent-potential approximation, in conjunction with the on-shell method we developed for the study of photonic crystals, we study the effect of moderate disorder on light absorption by composite materials consisting of plasma spheres embedded in a host dielectric medium. We analyze our results by reference to the properties of a single sphere and to those of an infinite crystal. We find, in particular, that the absorption of light by a thin slab (a two-dimensional array of plasma spheres) is affected more strongly by disorder, in comparison to the absorbance of thick slabs consisting of many layers of spheres.

Stacking faults appear to be the most common type of defect in inverted opals which are good candidates for photonic crystals with absolute gaps in the visible range of light. In this Letter we present for the first time a systematic study of the effect of stacking faults on the optical properties of self-assembled photonic crystals, by means of large-scale transmittance calculations for macroscopic slabs of inverted opals with randomly distributed stacking faults. We show that frequency gaps, as seen in optical transmission experiments, will in general appear wider in the presence of stacking faults. We attribute the above to Anderson localization of light due to disorder.

Photoacoustic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies have been applied to resolve the electronic structure in powder polycrystalline samples of three biogenic polyamine copper complexes, spermine copper dinitrate, aqua norspermine copper dinitrate, and homospermine copper dinitrate. The fine structure of the intense absorption band in the photoacoustic spectra is assigned to the d-d transitions between the crystal field split levels of copper ions, that cannot be discriminated in the UV/vis solution absorption spectra. Combination with the EPR results allows one to probe the variation of the electronic properties and bonding interaction at the copper site, consistent with the structural data for the crystalline complexes and further supports the reliability of the photoacoustic method to resolve the d-d transition band. A dominant contribution of the in-plane ligand field due to equatorial nitrogen atoms is deduced for the complexes of polyamines with copper salts. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Concentrated polycrystalline DyBa2Cu3O6+cursive Greek chi compounds are studied by X-band EPR spectroscopy. A broad resonance line due to the highly anisotropic EPR spectrum of Dy3+ ions is identified on several specimens at low temperatures. Powder simulation of the EPR spectra complies with the ground Kramers doublet predicted by crystal field analysis of Dy3+ ions. Calculations of the second and fourth moments of the resonance lines due to the dipole-dipole interactions of Dy3+ indicate the presence of substantial exchange narrowing of the dipolar-broadened EPR linewidth.

Samos island has recently (July 2000) experienced severe fire events that changedmost of its landcover map. Apart from this catastrophy, Samos island also encounters intense rainfalls, soil erosion and flood events. Unfortunatelly, erosion proccess are highly accelerated when natural protective mechanisms, like landcover, are absent. At Samos case, we produced an erosion risk map, using as principal attributes lithology, drainage system analysis, topography and recent landcover data. All these data, were input into the GIS and processed through fuzzy logic rules, in order to derive an erosion risk map. Such maps can be proved very useful tools, when classifying zones of high erosion risk and when taking appropriate measures in advance. Erosion risk maps can be used from both local authority and research teams that need, among others, to evaluate erosion factor or plan effective policies.

The local ac and dc magnetic response in an untwinned YBa2Cu3O7-delta crystal has been measured using a microscopic Hall sensor. Due to the low pinning energy at elevated temperatures (near T-c), the ac response of the platelet-shaped crystal is governed by the geometrical barrier. From the field where the first vortex penetrates into the center of the crystal we estimated the first critical field (H-c1). The temperature variation of H-c1 near T-c is compatible with a strongly type-H superconductor, where the fluctuations in the order parameter (Psi) are those of an uncharged superfluid of the three dimensional XY model. In order to extract a reasonable value for the London penetration length at T=0 K, a value c(0)=3 is needed for the core contribution of the line energy of the vortex.

OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among children may be a rare outcome of a delayed non-specific infection in situations of overall low herd immunity. We evaluated the hypothesis as to whether newly diagnosed ALL cases, compared to their controls, are characterized by lower herd immunity, as reflected in a more seronegative spectrum to several agents, with the exception of a strongly positive response to a single infectious agent, assumed to trigger ALL. METHODS: The study included 94 incident cases of ALL, from all pediatric hematology-oncology units of Greece, and 94, matched for age and gender, controls hospitalized with minor non-infectious conditions. The past exposure to common infections was assessed using 10 serological markers. RESULTS: There was little evidence for an association of ALL with the serology of any of the studied infectious agents among the very young children. In contrast, among children aged 5 years or older, leukemia was inversely associated with seropositivity to Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus-6, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and parvovirus B19. CONCLUSIONS: Among children aged 5 years or older the risk of leukemia may be higher when the low herd immunity for several agents is challenged by late infection from an agent that, as a rule, would attack children at a younger age.

This study is dealing with two different transformation rules for creating erosionrisk thematic maps. The first rule, based on Boolean logic, is a well known theoryused for composing maps and demanding crisp sets as input data. The second one is the fuzzy logic theory, appropriate for handling fuzzy sets. In this context we present a case study from the Greek territory of Korinth. It concerns the hydrological basin where recently a catastrophic flood event has occurred. As input data we have used field measurements, aerial photos, satellite images, topographic and geological maps. These data sets were georeferrenced, digitised and introduced to a G.I.S. – web platform. The G.I.S. – web technology permits easy data and map updates. Oursoftware tools were the MapInfo G.I.S., the MapXtreme web interface and theMatLab. The aim of this paper is to emphasise on the utility of erosion risk maps forenvironmental protection and agricultural uses.

We evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of the combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine as first line treatment in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). These agents have different mechanisms of action and both are active in advanced breast cancer. Thirty-nine chemotherapy-naive for metastatic disease patients were treated on an out-patient basis with vinorelbine 20mg/m2 i.v. on days 1 and 8 and docetaxel 85mg/m2 i.v. on day 8, every 3 weeks. Twenty-one (53.8%) patients had locoregional disease, 30 (76.9%) had distant metastases and 20 (51.3%) had visceral metastases. The intent-to-treat objective response rate (RR) was 48.75% (19 out of 39 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI), 32.4% to 65.2%). Four patients (10.25%) achieved a complete response (CR) (95% CI, 2.9% to 24.2%) and 15 (38.5%) a partial response (PR) (95% CI, 23.4% to 55.4%). The median duration of response was 4 months, the median time to progression (TTP) was 6 months and the median survival-time was 11.3 months. Grade 3 and/or 4 (3/4) anemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 7.7% and 5.1% of patients, respectively. Twelve (30.7%) patients developed grade 3/4 neutropenia and 7 (17.9 %) were complicated with fever. Grade 3/4 diarrhea, nausea-vomiting, fatigue and constipation were not a problem. Alopecia was universal. Grade 3/4 neurotoxicity was evident in 2.6% of patients. None of the patients developed allergic reaction or fluid retention. There was one treatment-related death due to grade 4 neutropenia and sepsis. Conclusion: This combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine, a non-anthracycline-containing regimen, is a moderately effective regimen for the treatment of chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients with metastases, causing only mild to moderate toxicity.

The g factors of the 2+1 and 4+1 states in 78,80,82,84,86Kr have been measured for tne first time, using Coulomb excitation of isotopic Kr beams and the transient field technique. The measured g factors of 2+1 states in 78.80.82Kr are well described, in both magnitude and progression with neutron number, by the IBA-II model. Whereas the lighter isotopes show a dominant collective structure with g factor values close to Z/A, the large g(2-1) = 1.12(14) value of 86Kr, with its closed N = 50 shell, is unequivocally dominated by specific proton configurations. The g factor of the 2+1 state in 84Kr, with two holes in the Ig9/2 neutron orbit, reflects both proton and neutron components in the wave function. In addition, the lifetimes of several 2+1 and 4+1 states were remeasured by the Doppler shift attenuation method, yielding values which, in some cases, differ from those in the literature.

Purpose, To develop the physiologically sound concept of fractal volume of drug distribution, nu (f) and evaluate its utility and applicability in interspecies pharmacokinetic scaling. Methods, Estimates for nu (f) of various drugs in different species were obtained from the relationship: nu (f) = (nu - V-pl) V-ap-V-pl/V-ap + Vpl where nu is the total volume of the species (equivalent to its total mass assuming a uniform density 1g/mL), V-pl is the plasma volume of the species and V-ap is the conventional volume of drug distribution. This equation was also used to calculate the fractal analogs of various volume terms of drug distribution (the volume of central compartment, V-c. the steady state volume of distribution, V-ss, and the volume of distribution following pseudodistribution equilibrium, V-z). The calculated fractal volumes of drug distribution were correlated with body mass of different mammalian species and allometric exponents and coefficients were determined. Results, The calculated values of nu (f) for selected drugs in humans provided meaningful and physiologically sound estimates for the distribution of drugs in the human body. For all fractal volume terms utilized, the allometric exponents were found to be either one or close to unity. The estimates of the allometric coefficients were found to be in the interval (0,1). These decimal values correspond to a fixed fraction of the fractal volume term relative to body mass in each one of the species. Conclusions. Fractal volumes of drug distribution scale proportionally to mass. This confirms the theoretically expected relationship between volume and mass in mammalian species.

In this paper we study a situation in which a broker must manage the procurement of a short-life-cycle product. As the broker observes demand for the item, she learns about the demand process. However, as is often the case in practice, it becomes either more difficult or more expensive to procure the item as the selling season advances. Thus, the broker must trade off higher procurement costs against the benefit of making ordering decisions with better information about demand. Problems of this type arise, for example, in the travel industry, where a travel agent's cost of procuring airline and hotel reservations increases as the date of a vacation package approaches. We develop a newsvendor-like characterization of the optimal procurement policy. In a numerical analysis, we demonstrate how broker procurements tend to cluster just before price increases and how brokers can benefit from explicitly considering the effects of information about demand in their ordering policies.

BACKGROUND. Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), a circulating marker that determines secreted products of the polymorphic MUC1 gene, has been established as a convenient tool for monitoring breast carcinoma patients. METHODS. The authors investigated alterations of soluble CA 15-3 in 57 postoperative breast carcinoma patients while they were receiving intensified adjuvant chemotherapy with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support: 26 patients had American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage 11, and 31 patients had AJCC Stage III breast carcinoma. Serial CA 15-3 values recorded thoughout the treatment were compared with baseline values, analyzed for correlation with hematologic and biochemical parameters, and compared with clinicopathologic characteristics and patient outcome. At a median follow-up time of 32 months, 47 of these patients remained relapse-free. RESULTS. A twofold increase of CA 15-3 was detected at the end of the second week of treatment, remained significantly elevated in most patients at above the cutoff level of 30 U/mL throughout the treatment period (P < 0.0001), and subsided to pretreatment values 1-2 months after treatment cessation. CA 15-3 values were found to be associated strongly with absolute neutrophil count, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase. The median values and the kinetics of tumor markers did not differ over time in regard to hormonal receptor status and disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS. These data provide strong evidence that G-CSF administration can induce elevation of CA 15-3 and indicate that false-positive results should be considered when evaluating CA 15-3 in patients who are receiving G-CSF. It is speculated that this phenomenon occurs through the induction of MUC1 antigen of unknown origin by G-CSF. Experimental investigation of this clinical observation is warranted. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

This study is an attempt of creating a virtual model of Patra’s cadastre grid. For this purpose geomorphological and environmental data in combination to archaeological data were analysed using different information technologies. Different kinds of techniques were used in order to reach the target. Remote Sensing and Digital image processing was used in the first place to initiate the primary data. Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) were used for the processing of primary data and the production of secondary information layers.Geomorphological and environmental data were particularly helpful for theelimination of those lines that couldn’t be part of a Roman cadastre grid.

This paper presents a GIS-based geomorphological map of Milos island. In orderto create this kind of maps, one must employ a wide variety of digital processingtechniques, in order to obtain high accuracy and analysis speed. Both aerial photosand satellite images had to be geometrically and radiometrically corrected, in order to eliminate distortions. Using digital image processing techniques, different information layers were developed and imported to the MapInfo GIS. GIS software was used for the comparative spatial and quantitative analysis of all the information layers. The GIS handled all geomorphological data as separate objects. Thus, everyobject’s attributes and every distance between objects, is easily measurable. Moreover, data modifications and updates are also very quick and easy. Milos is a volcanic Aegean-sea island. Over the last decades, significant geomorphological changes have taken place, because of rapid increment of tourism. The rapid, and of a large scale, geomorphological changes that have already taken place and will continue in the future, were the reason why Milos island was selected among others to be studied from a geomorphological point of view. This paper’s aim is to record geomorphological features of Milos island in order to be compared with data that will be gathered in some years at the second stage of this study, in order to present geomorphological changes due to human activity impacts.

Preliminary evidence suggests that high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation may be effective in some patients with resistant Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. During the last 10 years, seven patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia have received transplants at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, four with autologous and three with allogeneic stem cells. Four patients achieved partial remission, and three patients have remained alive for at least 2 years. Our data confirm the feasibility of high-dose therapy in patients with macroglobulinemia and support the need for prospective studies of this modality in patients with chemosensitive disease.

Objectives: To assess total homocysteine (tHcy) and folate levels in postmenopausal women and investigate whether age, menopause duration, kind of menopause and tobacco use had an effect on these levels. Methods: Total homocysteine and folate levels were measured in fasting blood samples of 200 postmenopausal women with normal thyroid and renal function tests. Patients were not receiving vitamins or hormone replacement therapy. Results: Total homocysteine levels increased significantly after 60 years while folate levels showed a decrease trend after 65 years. Menopause duration had no effect on folate levels and increased significantly tHcy levels after > 180 months duration. The kind of menopause did not influence tHcy and folate levels. Tobacco use reduced significantly folate levels. Conclusions: Age seems to be the principal factor influencing tHcy levels. We believe that decreased folate levels also reflect an age-associated inadequate dietary intake. Tobacco use did not alter tHcy levels; however, we found smoking to lower folate levels. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective - The purpose of this study was to evaluate thyroid function and TSH and cortisol (F) secretion in hyperandrogenemic women with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (Group A) when compared with women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms (menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and sterility) of other etiologies (Group B). Methods - Seventy-two women were subjected to stimulation of the adrenal cortex with i.v. ACTH administration in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal plasma TSH, T3, T4, and FTI as well as basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma F and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were determined. Results - According to internationally accepted criteria and HLA haplotyping, we diagnosed 28 NC-CAH patients as well as affected heterozygotes of the disease. No significant difference was found in the plasma T3, T4, or FTI or F concentrations between the women of the two groups. On the contrary, plasma TSH levels were significantly lower in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency when compared to the women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms of other etiologies. Conclusion - The results of this study support a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis due to altered ACTH secretion patterns.

BACKGROUND. The combination of paclitaxel with a platinum analogue is the preferred chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The alkylating agent ifosfamide has shown activity in refractory or recurrent ovarian cancer. We conducted a Phase II study with the combination of ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with advanced, suboptimally debulked ovarian carcinoma. METHODS. Thirty-five consecutive patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] Stage III or IV) and residual disease larger than 2 cm after staging laparotomy and cytoreductive surgery were treated with paclitaxel, 175 mg/m2, as a 3-hour intravenous infusion on Day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 intravenously over 2 hours on Day 2, and ifosfamide 1500 mg/m2 intravenously over 1 hour on Days 1-3 (with sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate [MESNA] uroprotection). Courses were administered every 3 weeks on an outpatient basis. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was given at a dose of 5 μg/kg/day on Days 7-11. RESULTS. Among 26 patients with measurable disease, 22 (85%) achieved an objective response including 15 complete and 7 partial responses. With a minimum follow-up of 46 months, the median overall survival was 52.8 months (range, 5.3-56.6+ mos), whereas the median time to progression for all patients was 22.2 months. The median remission duration for women with measurable disease who responded to treatment was 12.6 months. The treatment was tolerated relatively well without toxic deaths; the most common toxicity was Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia that occurred in 42% of patients. Significant peripheral neuropathy (Grade 2 or higher) developed in 35% of patients. CONCLUSION. The combination of ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin is a well-tolerated outpatient regimen with significant activity in the treatment of newly diagnosed FIGO Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Further evaluation is justified to clearly define the role of ifosfamide as an additional agent to the current platinum and paclitaxel regimens. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the two main manifestations of adolescent egocentrism, that is, the imaginary audience and the personal fable, in relation to the frequency of risk behavior and risk perception. The contribution of this study is the empirical test of Elkind's Piagetian formulation (1967, 1978) about the relation between these factors, for the first time in a broad age range, with most of the existing egocentrism instruments, and for a variety of risk behaviors. ln a sample of 297 Greek adolescents 11-18 years old it was found that only certain dimensions of the personal fable had a positive correlation with the frequency of risk behavior and a negative correlation with risk perception. Contrary to our prediction, the imaginary audience in the form of heightened self-consciousness had a negative correlation with the frequency of risk behavior. Age and gender differences were also found. The limitations set by the somewhat low reliability of some egocentrism instruments are discussed, as well as a broader multivariate interpretation of adolescent risk-taking behavior, part of which is egocentrism. Finally, the implications of the results for health education programs are presented.

Clinical outcomes were assessed in 68 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma of high or intermediate tumor mass that had responded to VAD or dexamethasone-based therapy and were consolidated with early intensive therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Results were compared with those of 50 comparable patients who refused or were unable to receive intensive treatment for socioeconomic reasons. Following high-dose therapy, the rate of CR increased from 6 to 37%, with median survival prolonged by 10 months. Survival of 21 patients with disease converted from PR to CR (median 8.3 years) was significantly longer than that of similarly-treated patients who remained in PR (median 5.0 years). CR of myeloma represents the major surrogate marker of long survival and the primary goal of myeloablative treatment for patients in PR. Twelve of 18 patients with rapid reduction of myeloma protein (T1/2 < 0.5 months), and myeloma protein reduction to <1.0 g/dl after primary therapy achieved CR (67%), identifying pretransplant features favorable to intensive therapy. Among 35 patients with slower reduction or higher residual myeloma protein, CR occurred in eight patients (23%) (P < 0.01), for whom other treatments should be considered. The kinetics of response to initial therapy should be considered in selecting patients more likely to achieve CR and consequent long survival after intensive treatment.

The word ‘actually’ often refers to what is in fact the case, but it also often points to what would have been the case in a possible situation that is being envisaged. To capture such nuances, the formal languages discussed in the paper add subscripts to modal operators; in the model theory the subscripts allow an actuality operator to turn the evaluation of a formula to a world introduced by a preceding possibility or necessity operator having the same subscript. The paper covers both propositional and predicate logic and proves the completeness of axiomatizations that extend standard modal systems beginning with K.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether leisure activities modify the risk for incident dementia. BACKGROUND: Although high educational and occupational attainments have been associated with reduced risk of incident dementia, the relation between leisure activities and dementia risk has not been adequately investigated. METHODS: A total of 1,772 nondemented individuals aged 65 years or older, living in northern Manhattan, New York, were identified and followed longitudinally in a community-based cohort incidence study. Subjects' leisure activities at baseline were assessed, annual examinations with the same standardized neurologic and neuropsychological measures were performed for up to 7 years (mean 2.9 years), and incident dementia was assessed as the main outcome measure. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, ethnic group, education, and occupation, were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) of incident dementia associated with high leisure activities. RESULTS: Of the 1,772 subjects, 207 became demented. The risk of dementia was decreased in subjects with high leisure activities (RR, 0.62; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.83). The association of high leisure with decreased RR of incident dementia was present even when baseline cognitive performance, health limitations interfering with desired leisure activities, cerebrovascular disease, and depression were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that engagement in leisure activities may reduce the risk of incident dementia, possibly by providing a reserve that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of the disease.

We report that the intermediate amplitude delta Scuti star V 1162 Ori has changed its main pulsational period in the course of the year 2000. This new period change falls in a sequence of period changes observed during the last 5 years. While the average amplitude value of all our new data, 63 mmag, fits a cyclic amplitude variation suggested by Arentoft et al. (2001), splitting the data up in smaller subsets discloses significant deviations from regularity, with stretches of constant amplitude during short intervals of time. The new data show that the amplitude of one of the secondary frequencies, f2, has in 3 years dropped from more than 3 mmag to now about 1 mmag, and that the previously obtained f5 probably is a 1 d-1 alias of the real frequency. We present the newly acquired times of minimum and maximum light as support for subsequent observing campaigns. Based on observations obtained at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Athens University Observatory, the Danish 1.5 m telescope at ESO, La Silla, Chile, and Beersel Hills Observatory.

UNLABELLED: Two infants with recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis are reported. Both patients developed HSV encephalitis during their neonatal period and were treated with iv acyclovir. Long-term oral acyclovir prophylaxis was given thereafter. At the age of 8 and 11 months respectively, both babies, while under oral acyclovir prophylaxis, presented a second episode of HSV encephalitis. An inadequate dose of suppressive oral acyclovir therapy may be responsible for the recurrence of encephalitis in these two babies. CONCLUSION: The present observations emphasise the need for very long follow-up of any infant who has suffered from neonatal herpes simplex virus encephalitis and the need for careful prospective controlled studies in order to define the appropriate treatment regimen (initial plus prophylaxis) for neonates with herpes simplex virus infections.

We study theoretically the local absorption spectra of single and double semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), in the linear regime. The three-dimensional confinement leads to an enhancement of the Coulomb correlations, while the spectra depend crucially on the size of the ‘local’ probe. We show that because of such Coulomb correlations the intensity of certain optical peaks as a function of the resolution can exhibit an unexpected non-monotonic behavior for spatial resolutions comparable with the excitonic Bohr radius. We finally discuss the optical near-field properties of coupled QDs for different coupling strengths.

We investigate optical near‐field spectra of single and coupled semiconductor quantum dots. An enhanced role for the Coulomb correlations is predicted, and it is shown that the spectra depend crucially on the spatial resolution of the “local” probe. The intensity of certain optical peaks as a function of the resolution exhibits an unexpected non‐monotonic behavior, which is identified as a fingerprint of Coulomb interactions in zero‐dimensional nanostructures.

To evaluate the safety and antiviral action of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in HIV-1 infection, we undertook a proof of concept study in 27 treatment-naive patients. Eligible patients comprised two groups: the IFN-alphaT group (n = 17), which received 5 MIU IFN-alpha s.c. daily for 32 consecutive days, and the IFN-alphaNT group (n = 10), which did not receive IFN-alpha prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which was commenced on day 28 in both groups. IFN-alphaTreatment was well tolerated in 14 of the 17 patients of the IFN-alphaT group who completed the study. The mean HIV RNA reduction in the IFN-alphaT group on day 14 was 1.1 log(10). Viral load suppression was inversely associated with baseline viral load (p = 0.031). Four weeks after initiation of HAART, IFN-alphaT and IFN-alphaNT group patients had 2.40 and 1.82 log(10) HIV RNA reduction from baseline, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of cross-resistance with existing antiretrovirals in patients with HIV-RNA rebound after initial plasma viral load decline > or = 1 log(10) during IFN-alpha monotherapy. Thus, low daily IFN-alpha exhibits potent anti-HIV-1 activity in vivo without serious adverse effects. These properties render IFN-alpha an attractive candidate for further assessment as a constituent of HAART.

Using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the outflow from a disk around a compact object, taking into account the baryonic matter, the electron-positron/photon fluid, and the large-scale electromagnetic field. Focusing on the parameter regime appropriate to γ-ray burst outflows, we demonstrate, through exact self-similar solutions, that the thermal force (which dominates the initial acceleration) and the Lorentz force (which dominates farther out and contributes most of the acceleration) can convert up to ~50% of the initial total energy into asymptotic baryon kinetic energy. We examine how baryon loading and magnetic collimation affect the structure of the flow, including the regime where emission due to internal shocks could take place.

Using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the outflow from a disk around a compact object, taking into account the baryonic matter, the electron-positron/photon fluid, and the large-scale electromagnetic field. Focusing on the parameter regime appropriate to γ-ray burst outflows, we demonstrate, through exact self-similar solutions, that the thermal force (which dominates the initial acceleration) and the Lorentz force (which dominates farther out and contributes most of the acceleration) can convert up to ~50% of the initial total energy into asymptotic baryon kinetic energy. We examine how baryon loading and magnetic collimation affect the structure of the flow, including the regime where emission due to internal shocks could take place.

The modelling of plasma outflows from central gravitating objects such as AGN is briefly discussed via analytic examples in the context of ideal MHD. The exact solutions are produced via a nonlinear separation of the variables in the full set of the MHD equations. Attention is given to the questions of initial acceleration and collimation of the outflow. A quantitative criterion is provided for the transition of the morphologies from highly collimated jets to non collimated winds.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of Mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) in monitoring pregnant patients with breast cancer. Study design: Maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) antigen values were measured by an enzyme immunoassay in 30 pregnant women during the second trimester, in 28 during the third and in 26 at parturition. Sera only from 26 women in the first trimester and from 26 healthy, non-pregnant women (controls) were also analyzed. Results: Maternal serum MCA concentrations increased significantly with gestational age (p<0.0001). The frequency of elevated serum values was 5% in the first, 35% in the second and 100% in the third trimester and at parturition. Antigen values in AF were markedly higher than those in MS (p<0.0001) and increased also significantly with advancing gestation (p<0.0001). A strong correlation was observed between MS and AF antigen values (r=0.77, p<0.0001). Maternal serum values at parturition were dependent on the mode of delivery, being higher in the cases who delivered vaginally, compared to those delivered by elective caesarean section (p<0.006). Conclusion: Our data suggest that pregnancy affects significantly maternal serum MCA. Consequently, MCA seems to be a non-reliable marker in monitoring pregnant patients. Copyright ?? 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

The theory of nonlinear dynamical systems (chaos theory), which deals with deterministic systems that exhibit a complicated, apparently random-looking behavior, has formed an interdisciplinary area of research and has affected almost every field of science in the last 20 years. Life sciences are one of the most applicable areas for the ideas of chaos because of the complexity of biological systems. It is widely appreciated that chaotic behavior dominates physiological systems. This is suggested by experimental studies and has also been encouraged by very successful modeling. Pharmacodynamics are very tightly associated with complex physiological processes, and the implications of this relation demand that the new approach of nonlinear dynamics should be adopted in greater extent in pharmacodynamic studies. This is necessary not only for the sake of more detailed study, but mainly because nonlinear dynamics suggest a whole new rationale, fundamentally different from the classic approach. In this work the basic principles of dynamical systems are presented and applications of nonlinear dynamics in topics relevant to drug research and especially to pharmacodynamics are reviewed. Special attention is focused on three major fields of physiological systems with great importance in pharmacotherapy, namely cardiovascular, central nervous, and endocrine systems, where tools and concepts from nonlinear dynamics have been applied.

In 1999 the University of Athens installed a 0.4-m Cassegrain telescope (CCT-16, by DFM Engineering) on the roof of the Department of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics, equipped with a ST-8 CCD camera and Bessel UBVRI filters. Although the telescope was built for educational purposes, we found it can be a perfect research instrument, as we can obtain fine quality light curves of bright variable stars, even from a place close to the city center. Light curves of the δ Scuti star V1162 Ori and of the sdB star PG 1336-018 are presented, showing the ability of a 40-cm telescope to detect negligible luminosity fluctuations of relatively bright variable stars. To date, we succeed in making photometry of stars down to 15th magnitude with satisfactory results. We expect to achieve even better results in the future, as our methods still improve, and as the large number of relatively bright stars gives us the chance to study various fields of CCD photometry of variables.

We examine the optical properties of metals containing a periodic arrangement of nonoverlapping spherical mesopores, empty or filled with a dielectric material. We show that a slab of such a porous metal transmits light over regions of frequency determined by the dielectric constant of the cavities and the fractional volume occupied by them, with an efficiency, which is many orders of magnitude higher than predicted by standard aperture theory. Also, the system absorbs light efficiently over the said regions of frequency unlike the homogeneous metal.

Ἀναδημοσίευση στὸ Ἅγιος Σπυρίδων 4 (2014) 2-9, 5 (2014) 2-11, 6 (2014) 2-12.

PURPOSE: Preclinical and phase I clinical data suggest that 9-nitrocamptothecin (9NC) is an agent with potential anticancer activity. A phase II study was undertaken in order to evaluate the potential benefit of oral 9NC administration in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This was the first clinical study of 9NC in Europe. METHODS: A total of 19 consecutive patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma were enrolled (8 males and 11 females, aged 37-73 years). The patients were given 9NC orally five times a week, once a day. The end-points of this study were toxicity, objective response rate, subjective response rate (i.e. pain control, performance status and body weight), and survival. RESULTS: An objective response was documented in 4 of the 14 evaluable patients (28.6%), while a subjective response was observed in 13 patients (92.9%). Overall median survival was 21 weeks (31 weeks in the group of 14 patients evaluable for response), and the 1-year survival was 16.7% and 23.1%, respectively. Toxicity leading to temporary discontinuation of 9NC was encountered in seven patients (36.8%), all related to a prior dose increase, while milder toxicity was observed in eight patients (42.1%). CONCLUSIONS: 9NC administered orally to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer gave promising results, while the toxicity of the therapy was mild and readily overcome. A larger scale clinical trial should be organized in order to establish the potential benefit of 9NC in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The cataclysmic variable, WZ Sge, and one of prototype of of the SU Uma-type dwarf nova sub-class, went into outburst on July 23 of this year. This is its first outburst since 23 years. The brightness and rarety of the event has perhaps made it the most observed object of the year. From July 29 on, we have started a photometric monitoring of this system, mainly with B-band time series with the 1.2m telescope at Kryoneri Korinthias (Greece). Here, we will present the first preliminary light curves obtained, covering the first two and a half weeks of the outburst, from July 29 to August 9, when the star was in steady decline up to when it started to show superhumps. Our on-going monitoring will continue until December 2001.

AIMS: Previous studies have shown an abnormal expression of cellular adhesion molecules and cytokines in chronic heart failure, which may be related to endothelial dysfunction characterizing this syndrome. Our study investigates the effects of physical training on serum activity of some peripheral inflammatory markers associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum levels of GM-CSF, MCP-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were determined in 12 patients with stable chronic heart failure (ischaemic heart failure: 6/12, dilated cardiomyopathy: 6/12, New York Heart Association: II-III, ejection fraction: 24+/-2%) before and after a 12-week programme of physical training in a randomized crossover design. In addition, the functional status of chronic heart failure patients was evaluated by using a cardiorespiratory exercise stress test to measure peak oxygen consumption. Physical training produced a significant reduction in serum GM-CSF (28+/-2 vs 21+/-2 pg. ml(-1), P<0.001), MCP-1 (192+/-5 vs 174+/-6 pg. ml(-1), P<0.001), sICAM-1 (367+/-31 vs 314+/-29 ng. ml(-1), P<0.01) and sVCAM-1 (1247+/-103 vs 1095+/-100 ng. ml(-1), P<0.01) as well as a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption (14.6+/-0.5 vs 16.5+/-0.5 ml. kg(-1)min(-1), P<0.005). A significant correlation was found between the training-induced improvement in peak oxygen consumption and percentage reduction in soluble adhesion molecules sICAM-1 (r=-0.72, P<0.01) and sVCAM-1 (r=-0.67, P<0.02). CONCLUSION: Physical training affects beneficially peripheral inflammatory markers reflecting monocyte/macrophage-endothelial cell interaction. Training-induced improvement in exercise tolerance is correlated with the attenuation of the inflammatory process, indicating that inflammation may contribute significantly to the impaired exercise capacity seen in chronic heart failure

The prevalence of TT virus (TTV) infection in various population groups from Athens, Greece, was assessed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two primer sets from distinct regions of the genome: the conventional set derived from the open reading frame-1 (ORF-1) and the new, highly sensitive set targeting the region that includes the TATA signal localized upstream of ORF-2. Based on both primer sets, TTV DNA was detected in 42/50 (84.0%) healthy individuals, 42/50 (84.0%) chronic hepatitis C patients, 31/39 (79.5%) acute non-A-E hepatitis patients (group I), 14/16 (87.5%) renal failure patients with acute non-A-E hepatitis (group II), 47/50 (94.0%) intravenous drug users (IVDU), 36/50 (72.0%) hemophiliacs, and 21/31 (67.7%) hemodialysis patients. The presence of TTV was not associated with any particular risk group, and no differences were observed in relation to demographic, biochemical and virological characteristics between TTV DNA-positive and -negative patients. TTV did not seem to have a profound effect on the course of chronic C or acute non-A-E hepatitis either. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TTV strains circulating in the greater metropolitan area of Athens belong not only to the G1 and G2 genotypes that are encountered worldwide, but also to G3 and to G5 that are found mainly in Europe and Asia, respectively. Further studies will shed light on the role of this highly prevalent virus.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in employees of 17 Greek companies with the aim of assessing the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus, identifying associated prognostic/risk factors and evaluating the effectiveness of a questionnaire as a pre-screening tool. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and a random sample of them was asked to provide a blood sample for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) testing. Individual questions or combinations of them were evaluated in terms of their ability to detect HBV or HCV(+) cases. Of 9085 eligible employees, 6074 (67%) completed the questionnaire. Of 990 samples obtained, 19.9% were anti-HBc(+), 2.6% HBsAg(+) and 0.5% anti-HCV(+). All anti-HCV(+) cases had multiple parenteral risk factors. Multiple logistic regression identified associations between anti-HBc and older age, family members with chronic hepatitis, job category and history of transfusion before 1992. HBsAg(+) was associated with older age and history of transfusion before 1992. None of the risk/prognostic factors had sufficient sensitivity and specificity for HBV but report of at least one risk factor identified all HCV(+) cases. Anti-HCV screening of those with at least two parenteral risk factors not only identified all anti-HCV(+) cases but also resulted in 86% decrease in the screening cost. Under the light of recent treatment advances, targeted questionnaire-based screening of asymptomatic people may prove to be a cost-effective way to face hepatitis C.

Data of randomized studies of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer were reviewed. Four adjuvant studies have been published. The interpretation of their data is compromised primarily because of small patient numbers. Thus, a possible survival advantage cannot be documented, and significantly larger, prospective studies are needed. However, there is some evidence of improved disease-free survival for patients with non-organ-confined tumors treated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. More data are available for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The already published randomized studies, including a large trial of who was designed to detect a 10% survival benefit, do not indicate a significant advantage for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Radical cystectomy remains the standard treatment to which other therapeutic modalities must be compared. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is still associated with high morbidity and mortality even though there has been significant progress in the field of pancreatic surgery and postoperative follow-up. The pancreatoenteric anastomosis, regardless of the technique used, is a major cause for both morbidity and mortality after Whipple procedure. To overcome all problems resulting from anastomotic leakage, we used external drainage of the pancreatic duct. METHODS: In 24 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our Department from 1986 to 1995, a modification to the standard Whipple procedure was performed. Instead of pancreaticoenteric anastomosis, external drainage of the pancreatic duct remnant was performed. The pancreatic duct was intubated with a silastic tube, the external end of which was sutured to the skin. All patients received substitution therapy with pancreatic enzymes. RESULTS: Mortality in our group of patients was 4%. No complications due to the external drainage of the pancreatic duct were reported, while no patient developed diabetes mellitus after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: External drainage of the pancreatic duct remnant can be used alternatively to pancreatoenteric anastomosis after pancreatoduodenectomy. The technique is safe and simple to perform and appears to reduce overall operative time. It may be an option for patients with significant comorbidity and/or intraoperative hemodynamic instability which mandates expeditious completion of the operation.

Mechanical resonance modes of the scanning force microscope (SFM) cantilever in contact conditions provide contrast enhancement in the imaging of surface charges when using voltage modulation techniques tuned to such resonances. Extensions of the method were made as regards the lateral (twisting) and frontal (buckling) modes of the cantilever, as well as the enhanced second harmonic detection of voltage-modulated response at resonance and near-resonance detection in the SFM tapping mode. As an example of application, vibration spectra and images taken on a triglycine sulfate (TGS) single crystal are discussed. © Springer-Verlag 2001.

Sea-surface temperature (SST) variations of the oceans surrounding southern Africa are associated with seasonal rainfall variability, especially during austral summer when the tropical atmospheric circulation is dominant over the region. Because of instabilities in the linear association between summer rainfall over southern Africa and SSTs of the tropical Indian Ocean, the skilful prediction of seasonal rainfall may best be achieved using physically based models. A two-tiered retro-active forecast procedure for the December-February (DJF) season is employed over a 10-year period starting from 1987/1988. Rainfall forecasts are produced for a number of homogeneous regions over part of southern Africa. Categorized (below-normal, near-normal and above-normal) statistical DJF rainfall predictions are made for the region to form the baseline skill level that has to be outscored by more elaborate methods involving general circulation models (GCMs). The GCM used here is the Centre for Ocean - Land - Atmosphere Studies (COLA) T30, with predicted global SST fields as boundary forcing and initial conditions derived from the National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data. Bias-corrected GCM simulations of circulation and moisture at certain standard pressure levels are downscaled to produce rainfall forecasts at the regional level using the perfect prognosis approach. In the two-tiered forecasting system, SST predictions for the global oceans are made first. SST anomalies of the equatorial Pacific (NIÑO3.4) and Indian oceans are predicted skilfully at 1- and 3-month lead-times using a statistical model. These retro-active SST forecasts are accurate for pre-1990 conditions, but predictability seems to have weakened during the 1990s. Skilful multi-tiered rainfall forecasts are obtained when the amplitudes of large events in the global oceans (such as El Niño and La Niña episodes) are described adequately by the predicted SST fields. GCM simulations using persisted August SST anomalies instead of forecast SSTs produce skill levels similar to those of the baseline for longer lead-times. Given high-skill SST forecasts, the scheme has the potential to provide climate forecasts that outscore the baseline skill level substantially. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society.

Human rhinoviruses (RVs) are the most common precipitants of asthma exacerbations. RV infection of bronchial epithelium results in local airway inflammation inducing eosinophil recruitment and activation. Induction of eosinophil chemoattractants could represent a central mechanism, as well as a prime target for intervention.|To assess the effect of RV infection on mRNA expression and production of eosinophil chemoattractants by bronchial epithelial cells in-vitro.|BEAS-2B cells were infected with major and minor RVs and the mRNA expression of IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1alpha, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, MCP-2, MCP-3 and MCP-4 was assessed by reverse transcription PCR. In cases where mRNA induction was observed, a fluoroimmunoassay was used to confirm protein production. To assess the virus-specificity of the observed reactions, cells were also exposed to inactivated RVs.|RV infection was able to up-regulate mRNA expression of IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1alpha, eotaxin and eotaxin-2, did not affect MCP-4, while MCP-2 and MCP-3 were not expressed either at baseline or after virus infection. Protein production was confirmed for IL-8, RANTES and eotaxin, but not for MIP-1alpha. When RVs were inactivated cytokine up-regulation was almost completely lost.|Infection of bronchial epithelial cells with RVs results in the production of a wide array of mediators that are able to chemoattract eosinophils. These include the eosinophil-specific molecules eotaxin and eotaxin-2, in addition to IL-8 and RANTES, which are the most abundant. Eosinophil recruitment after RV infection of bronchial epithelium could represent a central event in the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

Viral respiratory infections have been related to asthma in several ways. It is well established that viral common colds precipitate exacerbations of asthma. Severe bronchiolitis in early life is related to subsequent wheezing and therefore may represent a marker of susceptibility to asthma; alternatively, it could be involved in the initiation of the disease. Finally, it is possible that some infections may protect from the development of asthma and allergies by promoting a type-1 host response. However, whether respiratory or other viruses could mediate such a protective effect is debated. The design and implementation of novel anti- or proviral strategies targeting asthma depends on the resolution of these questions. This review presents current evidence on the epidemiologic correlations and proposed mechanisms for the involvement of viral infections in the development and progression of asthma.

Selecting a suitable area for a sanitary landfill is a very complicated task involvinga series of parameters. For the needs of this paper, we categorized all the parameters into five major groups: a) Geological – Geomorphological – Hydrological - Hydrogeological, b) Land planning, c) Environmental d) Operational and e) Financial. Each group may contain many sub-groups and so on. In this study we attempt to indicate the most suitable areas for the establishment ofa sanitary landfill at Naxos island, using Geographical Information Systems. Themethod of ‘multiple selection criteria’, helps to objectively specify suitable areas,based on given weight factors for each parameter.Geographical Information Systems enabled the processing of all necessaryparameters and weight factors in order to develop different theoretical models forNaxos island. All resulting areas, were automatically marked by the GIS, and the bestpossible solution was isolated. Moreover, we developed different thematic maps,graphically representing the elimination criteria and the resulting positions.

A detailed analysis of the aftershock sequence of the September 7, 1999 Athens earthquake was performed in order to define the fault planes activated during this sequence and study the tectonic regime of the area. Calculated fault plane solutions were verified by the composite solutions and the application of the principal parameters method. The combined results indicate a uniform tectonic status in the western part of the aftershock area, with normal faulting of WNW-ESE trend and an average dip of 60Ί and a more complex one in the eastern part, where the azimuths of the activated fault planes vary and a transverse antithetic fault is also active. This variation could possibly imply a variation of the local stress field.

Seismic anisotropy, deduced from SKS splitting measured at 25 stations installed in the Aegean, does not show a homogeneous pattern. It is not restricted to the North Anatolian Fault but is distributed over a region several hundreds kilometers wide. Little anisotropy is observed in continental Greece or along the Hellenic arc; however, significant anisotropy is observed in the north Aegean Sea. Large values of delay times suggest that anisotropy is due to a long path within the upper mantle and to strong intrinsic anisotropy. Our results, both in fast polarization directions and in values of delay time, do not support the idea that anisotropy is associated with inherited tectonic fabric nor are they consistent with the present-day Aegean motion relative to an absolute frame. In contrast, the direction of fast polarization and the magnitude of delay times correlate well with the present-day strain rate observed at the surface deduced from both geodetic measurements and seismicity. This anisotropy is not horizontally restricted to major surface faults but is spread over a wide region.

An association between symptomatic carotid stenosis and recent infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae is reported. Thirty-five patients (20 symptomatic and 15 asymptomatic) with carotid stenosis of 70% to 90% underwent carotid endarterectomy. Endarterectomy was performed without patch and shunt; the average occlusion time of the internal carotid artery was 14 ±3 min. The atheromatic plaque and a portion of the thyroid artery were examined with polymerase chain reaction and peripheral vein blood was obtained for serologic detection of systematic infection, and lgG and lgM antibodies to C. pneumoniae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Twenty of 35 patients (57.1%) had increased titers of IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae. Eight patients revealed IgG plus lgM antibodies; two of the eight had IgG, IgM, and positive findings on polymerase chain reaction. No C. pneumoniae was detected on the thyroid arteries. Sixty-five percent (13/20) of the patients with increased IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae, 87.5% (7/8) with lgG + lgM, and 100% with lgG + lgM + positive polymerase chain reaction were symptomatic. Plaque morphology in association with symptoms did not reveal a significant correlation between soft plaques and symptoms, whereas the majority of the symptomatic patients had plaques of type III-V. Patients having recent contamination and positive polymerase chain reaction had a significant relationship between C. pneumoniae infection and symptomatic carotid disease. This supports the hypothesis that C. pneumoniae infection can produce a kind of instability of the carotid plaque. The results of this study demonstrate that patients with advanced atherosclerotic carotid disease have an increased incidence of C. pneumoniae infection. Recent infection could be responsible for instability of the carotid plaque, causing cerebral ischemic episodes.

The soft tissue profile has been studied extensively in orthodontics, primarily from lateral cephalometric radiographs, under the assumption that the form of the soft tissue outline largely determines the esthetics of the whole face. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative contribution of the shape of the soft tissue profile outline on the attractiveness of the face, as seen from the profile view. Pretreatment color profile facial photographs of 20 female patients were used. The photographs were scanned, and the soft tissue outlines were digitized. The average outline of the 20 original photographs was then calculated and used as a template for modifying the photographs with computer warping methods. This resulted in 20 warped photographs, all with the same soft tissue outline. Three additional photographs were constructed with 1 face-the composite average of the 20 original photographs-and 3 hairstyles from 3 of the original pictures. The photographs were printed and presented to 10 laypersons and 10 orthodontists for scoring. Scoring was performed on 2 occasions separated by at least 1 week. On the first occasion, the original photographs of 10 of the patients and the warped photographs of the other 10 patients were shown. At the next session, the remaining 10 original and 10 warped photographs were shown. The 3 composite photographs were interspersed with the 20 pictures shown to the judges in each scoring session. Judges were asked to score facial attractiveness on a scale of 0 to 10. The judges were unaware of both the computer modification of the photographs and the purpose of the study. Good agreement was noted between the judges, although the orthodontists tended to be more influenced by the profile outline than did the laypersons. The 3 averaged composite photographs were consistently given the highest scores. The modified photographs were given higher scores than their original counterparts, showing that facial attractiveness is influenced by soft tissue outline form. However, the score improvement was not sufficient to reach the level of the composite images, especially for faces initially judged as being unattractive. This shows that factors other than profile outline shape may be more influential in facial esthetics.

In this work we report on the crystal growth process, the crystal structure and the phase diagram of HgBa2CuO4+chi high T-e superconductor. Precise global DC magnetization measurements, using a SQUID magnetometer, have been performed, on two single crystals in magnetic fields parallel to the c-axis (H \ \ c) with T-c = 95 and 89.9 K, respectively. The irreversibility curve H-irr(T) decreases exponentially up to a temperature T* and after it changes slope abruptly. The magnetization curves at a fixed temperature as a function of magnetic field show two peaks, namely H-fp(T) and H-sp(T). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The g factors of the 4+1 and 6+1 states in 144,148Nd, the 4+1 state in 146Nd and the 6+1 , 8+1 , and 10+1 states in 150Nd have been measured for the first time by projectile Coulomb excitation coupled to the transient field technique. The g factors of the 2+1 states of 144,146,148,150Nd have been remeasured with high precision. The data clearly indicate that, while 148,150Nd are well described by collective excitations, the structure of the low lying levels in the lighter isotopes is dominated by the 2f7/2 neutron configuration.

Palynological studies of cored lacustrine sediments from the late Quaternary of Lake Kastoria, northern Greece, revealed a Late Glacial interval with abundant dinoflagellate cysts. Cyst assemblages include two identifiable species, Spiniferites cruciformis and Gonyaulax apiculata. The presence of the fresh water species G. apiculata is consistent with the lacustrine setting of these deposits, but that of S. cruciformis is anomalous. Previously, this species has only been recorded in abundance from presumed brackish marine sediments from the Black Sea and Marmara Sea sediments where geochemical data clearly record brackish salinities. Therefore, it has been regarded as a low salinity cyst type with a wide range of morphological variation that some workers have suggested to reflect salinity fluctuations. Specimens from Greece display only part of the range of morphological variability previously described from these (brackish) marine settings. Encountered morphological variation includes ellipsoidal/pentameral and cruciform endocyst shapes with rare intermediate shapes, and highly variable septa development. Specimens characterized by extremely reduced ornamentation known from (brackish) marine environments have not been recorded. Our records of S. cruciformis indicate that: (1) it could thrive in fresh water conditions; and (2) that apparently most of the strong morphological variations of the cysts are an intrinsic phenomenon for this taxon, and may only partly be linked to salinity variations as suggested earlier. We suggest that S. cruciformis essentially is a fresh water taxon, and that its records in (brackish) marine environments, with the exception of specimens with strongly reduced ornamentation, may be due to transportation, to short-lived fresh water surface conditions in such environments, or to tolerance of the species to brackish conditions.

The pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin (CsA) are unusual because of several heterogeneous features which include the presence of more than one conformer, considerable accumulation, in erythrocytes and lipoproteins, extensive plasma protein binding, distribution into deep tissues, biliary secretion and hepatic clearance involving a large number of metabolites. In this study, a stochastic compartmental model was developed to describe the heterogeneous elimination kinetics of CsA. This new approach relies on a probabilistic transfer model with a gamma distributed probability intensity coefficient for drug elimination. For comparative purposes both the stochastic model and compartmental deterministic models were fitted to real post infusion data from patients receiving CsA as a 2-hr intravenous infusion. The criteria for selecting the best model showed that the stochastic model, although simpler than the compartmental deterministic models, is more flexible and gives a better fit to the kinetic data of CsA than the compartmental deterministic models. The stochastic model with a random rate intensity coefficient adequately describes the heterogeneous pharmacokinetics of CsA.

In the present study we examine the notion ‘subject’ in finite clauses in Greek, a null-subject language, and we investigate the connection between the rich morphological marking of subject-agreement on the verb and the definition of this notion. We propose that ‘subject’ in Greek should be analysed as a discontinuous element which consists of a null nominal element in the SpecTP position satisfying the Extended Projection Principle (EPP), associated with a pro at the relevant theta-position inside the VP. We argue that this analysis has not only the theoretical advantage of maintaining the universally strong value of EPP, but also, perhaps more importantly, the descriptive advantage of providing a satisfactory explanation for a number of apparent idiosyncrasies of Greek constructions.

We present a modified method of preparation of the new superconductor MgB2. The polycrystalline samples were characterized using X-ray and magnetic measurements. The surface barriers control the isothermal magnetization loops in powder samples. In bulk as prepared samples we always observed symmetric magnetization loops indicative of the presence of a bulk pinning mechanism. Magnetic relaxation measurements in the bulk sample reveal a crossover of surface barrier to bulk pinning.

The interplay between surface morphology and ferroelectric domain structure on triglycine sulfate (TGS) (010) cleavage faces is investigated by voltage-modulated scanning force microscopy in the dynamic contact mode. A resonance enhancement method is exploited to increase imaging contrast and sensitivity to slight variations of surface polarity. Evidence of electric contrast of the structural nuclei forming due to surface reconstruction of the TGS cleavage face, is provided, further supported by second harmonic measurements. Lateral growth at ambient conditions and high mobility of the surface nuclei relative to the spontaneous ferroelectric domain motion after cooling from above Tc is detected. Surface charge screening by the conductive liquid film that condenses on the cleavage surface and its interface dynamics are suggested to determine the kinetics of surface nuclei during ferroelectric domain coarsening and the formation of a zig-zag domain boundary. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

A general method for the synthesis of enantiopure non-natural α-amino acids is described. The key intermediate tert-butyl (2S)-2-[bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-oxopentanoate was obtained from l-glutamic acid after suitable protection and selective reduction of the γ-methyl ester group by DIBALH. Wittig reaction of this chiral aldehyde with various ylides led to a variety of δ,ε-unsaturated α-amino acids. This methodology was applied to the synthesis of (S)-2-amino-oleic acid.

Background: Thalidomide is effective in approximately 30% of patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Dexamethasone is active in 25% of patients with disease resistant to alkylating agents. We investigated the combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone as salvage treatment for heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma, in order to assess its efficacy and toxicity. Patients and methods: Forty-four patients with refractory myeloma were treated with thalidomide, 200 mg p.o. daily at bedtime, with dose escalation to 400 mg after 14 days, and dexamethasone, which was administered intermittently at a dose of 20 mg/m2 p.o. daily for four days on day 1-4, 9-12, 17-20, followed by monthly dexamethasone for four days. Patients' median age was 67 years. All patients were resistant to standard chemotherapy, 77% were resistant to dexamethasone-based regimens and 32% had previously received high-dose therapy. Results: On an intention-to-treat basis twenty-four patients (55%) achieved a partial response with a median time to response of 1.3 months. The thalidomide and dexamethasone combination was equally effective in patients with or without prior resistance to dexamethasone-based regimens and in patients with or without prior high-dose therapy. Toxicities were mild or moderate and consisted primarily of constipation, morning somnolence, tremor, xerostomia and peripheral neuropathy. The median time to progression for responding patients is expected to exceed 10 months and the median survival for all patients is 12.6 months. Conclusions: The combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone appears active in patients with refractory multiple myeloma. If this activity is confirmed, further studies of this combination as second-line treatment for patients resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and as primary treatment for patients with active myeloma, should be considered.

Ferroelectric domain kinetics on cleaved triglycine sulfate, quenched at different temperatures in the ferroelectric phase, is investigated in situ by scanning force microscopy in the dynamic contact mode. Thermally activated domain growth and dynamic scaling, in accordance with theoretical predictions for quenched disorder due to random-bond defects, is inferred from the temporal evolution of the spatial correlation functions and the related characteristic length scale.

The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intensive, tri-alkylator conditioning regimen, consisting of thiotepa, busulfan and cyclophosphamide (TBC), prior to autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to analyze factors associated with outcome. One hundred and twenty patients with MM received high-dose chemotherapy with TBC followed by autologous bone marrow (n = 24) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation (n = 96). Fifty-four patients had chemosensitive disease and 66 had refractory disease at the time of transplantation. The overall response rate was 81% and the complete remission (CR) rate was 26%. Patients with chemosensitive disease had a CR rate of 52% vs 5% for patients with refractory disease. Multivariable analysis determined disease status at transplant as the factor most likely associated with long survival. Estimated median survival was 48, 35 and 9 months for patients with chemosensitive, primary refractory or disease in refractory relapse, respectively. Short interval from diagnosis to transplant among patients with primary refractory disease and younger age were also favorable prognostic factors for survival. Patients with refractory disease pre-transplant who achieved remission criteria rapidly after treatment had a worse outcome than the slow responders. Treatment-related mortality with the introduction of PBSC and better supportive care was 4.8%. In conclusion, TBC is an effective and relatively well-tolerated intensive conditioning regimen in patients with MM. A more favorable outcome was observed in patients with chemosensitive disease and with early treatment for primary refractory disease. TBC merits further study in these subgroups and comparison with alternative regimens in prospective studies is warranted.

Purpose: We performed a prospective phase II study to assess the activity of thalidomide in patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with WM were treated with thalidomide at a starting dose of 200 mg daily with dose escalation in 200-mg increments every 14 days as tolerated to a maximum of 600 mg. All patients were symptomatic, their median age was 74 years, and 10 patients were previously untreated. Results: On an intent-to-treat basis, five (25%) of 20 patients achieved a partial response after treatment. Responses occurred in three of 10 previously untreated and in two of 10 pretreated patients. None of the patients treated during refractory relapse or with disease duration exceeding 2 years responded to thalidomide. Time to response was short, ranging between 0.8 months to 2.8 months. Adverse effects were common but reversible and consisted primarily of constipation, somnolence, fatigue, and mood changes. The daily dose of thalidomide was escalated to 600 mg in only five patients (25%), and in seven patients (35%), this agent was discontinued within 2 months because of intolerance. Conclusion: Our data indicate that thalidomide has activity in WM but only low doses were tolerated in this elderly patient population. Confirmatory studies as well as studies that will combine thalidomide with chemotherapy or with rituximab may be relevant. © 2001 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) commonly manifests as regional self-limited lymphadenitis. However, dissemination of the infection to distant multiple sites may occur even in immunocompetent patients. We report a series of 11 children with fever and extralymphocutaneous manifestations of CSD, in order to highlight potential multiorgan involvement in patients with febrile CSD. To be eligible for enrollment, patients had to present with involvement of sites other than regional lymph nodes. The diagnosis was based on suggestive clinical criteria, histological findings and positive serology. The utilization of ultrasound imaging revealed hepatic lesions in 3 children and splenic lesions in 8 children, whereas osteolytic lesions were observed in 4 children by bone scan. Hepatic or splenic involvement was not suggested by clinical signs or biochemical investigation in 2/3 and 6/8 children, respectively. Bone involvement was supported either by relative symptoms or signs. Our findings indicate that, in the presence of fever, extralymphocutaneous manifestations have to be anticipated in patients with clinically suspected CSD. The systematic use of imaging modalities in patients with serologically documented Bartonella henselae infection could contribute to a better understanding of the clinical spectrum of CSD.

We present the results of multisite observations of the delta Scuti star V 1162 Ori. The observations were done in the period October 1999-May 2000, when 18 telescopes at 15 observatories were used to collect 253 light extrema during a total of 290 hours of time-series observations. The purpose of the observations was to investigate amplitude and period variability previously observed in this star, and to search for low-amplitude frequencies. We detect, apart from the main frequency and its two first harmonics, four additional frequencies in the light curves, all with low amplitudes (1-3 mmag). Combining the present data set with data obtained in 1998-99 at ESO confirms the new frequencies and reveals the probable presence of yet another pulsational frequency. All five low-amplitude frequencies are statistically significant in the data, but at least one of them (f5) suffers from uncertainty due to aliasing. Using colour photometry we find evidence for a radial main frequency (f1), while most or all low-amplitude frequencies are likely non-radial. We show that the main frequency of V 1162 Ori has variable amplitude and period/phase, the latter is also displayed in the O-C diagram from light extrema. The amplitude variability in our data is cyclic with a period of 282 d and a range of nearly 20 mmag, but earlier amplitude values quoted in the literature cannot be explained by this cyclic variation. O-C analysis including data from the literature show that the period of V 1162 Ori displays a linear period change as well as sudden or cyclic variations on a time scale similar to that of the amplitude variations. Based on observations obtained at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Athens University and Kryonerion Observatories, European Southern Observatories (ESO: applications ESO 62H-0110, 64H-0065 and 64L-0182), Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica (Brazil), Xinglong, Beersel Hills, Ege University, San Pedro Martir, Merate, Mt. Laguna, Siding Spring, Sierra Nevada, Braeside and Lick Observatories. Table 2 is only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/374/1056

V1162 Ori is a delta Scuti star with variable period and amplitude. To analyse data acquired in the years 1998-2000, the data were subdivided in smaller subsets to take the amplitude and period variability into account. Four different ways of subdividing the data discussed in the paper are outlined in this table 2. A database containing the observations of V1162 Ori is in preparation; it will be published in the Journal of Astronomical data (http://www.vub.ac.be/STER/JAD/jad.htm). (2 data files).

We present a theory of electron, electromagnetic, and elastic wave propagation in systems consisting of non-overlapping scatterers in a host medium. The theory provides a framework for a unified description of wave propagation in three-dimensional periodic structures, finite slabs of layered structures, and systems with impurities: isolated impurities, impurity aggregates, or randomly distributed impurities. We point out the similarities and differences between the different cases considered, and discuss the numerical implementation of the formalism.

Η παρούσα εισήγηση  συντάχθηκε μετά από πρόσκληση του προέδρου της Ειδικής Συνοδικής Επιτροπής Βιοηθικής, νυν Σεβασμιωτάτου Μεσογαίας και Λαυρεωτικής κ. Νικολάου, ως συμμετοχή στον τόμο, τον οποίο αναμενόταν να εκδοθεί από την Εκκλησία της Ελλάδος για την υποβοηθούμενη αναπαραγωγή. Ωστόσο, λόγω της καθυστέρησης και αναβολή της έκδοσής αυτής, κρίθηκε σωστό να δημοσιευθεί στο περιοδικό Θεολογία. Οι απόψεις των ετεροδόξων εξετάσθηκαν και συμπεριλαμβάνονται ήδη στη διδακτορική διατριβή μας, ενώ πρωτότυπο είναι το μέρος που εξετάζει τις απόψεις των άλλων μονοθεϊστικών θρησκειών και αποτελεί παράμετρο που δεν είχε εξετασθεί έως τότε.  

This article is based on the assumption that psychotherapy should operate as an open system in order to improve its effectiveness. This assumption originates from cybernetics and systems theory. The degree to which the "openings" in psychotherapy enhance its effectiveness must be put under systematic empirical investigation. The aim of this article is to discuss several examples of "openings" that reflect the systemic perspective of the cognitive-behavioral methods, as well as the postmodern approach to psychotherapy, in which the cognitive and the systemic aspects are interwoven. These "openings" are evident in the cognitive­ behavioral family therapy (three models are presented), as well as in the management of problematic situations in the school and in the community (consultation). Moreover, we elaborate on the systemic "openings" with regard to some central concepts of both the systemic and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, such as symptom, reinforcement, reframing, circular causality, and resistance.