Publications by Year: 2011

The assessment of an aquifers’ vulnerability to pollution is of great importance, and can be used as a tool to augment planning, effective protection and management of groundwater resources’ quality, especially in the case of karstic aquifers. The present study aims to assess the intrinsic vulnerability of a karstic groundwater system, with the use of a modified version of the PI method. The assessments are functional to the effectiveness of the protective cover, as well as to the degree to which the protective cover is bypassed due to flow conditions. The used data was obtained by field work, empirical and semi-quantitative approaches regarding lithology, fissuring and karstification of bedrock, soil characteristics, hydrology, hydrogeology, topography and vegetation. The combinational effect of the above parameters, as processed with the aid of a GIS system, yielded the final calculation of the protection factor (π) and subsequently the vulnerability of the aquifer to pollution.

The discovery of potential microarray markers, which will expedite molecular diagnosis/prognosis and provide reliable results to clinical decision-making and treatment selection for patients, is of paramount importance. Feature selection techniques, which aim at minimizing the dimensionality of the microarray data by keeping the most statistically significant genes, are a powerful approach toward this goal. In this paper, we investigate the minimum required subsets of genes, which best classify neuromuscular disease data. For this purpose, we implemented a methodology pipeline that facilitated the use of multiple feature selection methods and subsequent performance of data classification. Five feature selection methods on datasets from ten different neuromuscular diseases were utilized. Our findings reveal subsets of very small number of genes, which can successfully classify normal/disease samples. Interestingly, we observe that similar classification results may be obtained from different subsets of genes. The proposed methodology can expedite the identification of small gene subsets with high-classification accuracy that could ultimately be used in the genetics clinics for diagnostic, prognostic, and pharmacogenomic purposes.

BACKGROUND: Recently accumulating evidences underline the central role of the kallikrein-related peptidases family (KLKs) in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. The KLK4 is a prostate highly expressed gene under the transcriptional control of androgens, encoding for the KLK4 extracellular serine protease. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression status of KLK4 in PCa patients in order to reveal its utility in PCa establishment and clinical management. METHODS: Prostatic tissue specimens were obtained from 60 PCa and 59 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) randomly chosen patients. Using a developed quantitative real-time RT-PCR method, KLK4 expression levels were determined in the specimens of the two patients' cohorts. Advance biostatistical analysis was completed to explore the clinical value of KLK4 expression in PCa and BPH patients. RESULTS: PCa patients presented a statistically significant (P = 0.002) elevation, more than threefold, of the KLK4 transcripts compared to BPH ones. The KLK4 expression levels were also positive correlated with PCa patients' stage (P = 0.031) and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum concentrations (P < 0.001). ROC curve and logistic regression analysis revealed the significant (P = 0.002) and the independent (P = 0.044) clinical value of the KLK4 expression for the discrimination of PCa from BPH patients. CONCLUSIONS: The KLK4 expression analysis reveals its up-regulation in PCa cells, which is significantly associated with the advanced stages of the disease and the patients' preoperative PSA serum levels. KLK4 quantification serves as an independent biomarker for the discrimination between the malignant and the benign nature of prostate tumors.

Rapid northeast-vergent subduction along the Hellenic trench, at ~ 35 mm/yr, exists in concert with widespread extensional and strike-slip faulting within the upper plate lithosphere of western Greece. Integration of regional geomorphic, geologic, seismic, GPS, remote sensing and field data demonstrates that young and active deformation in the area, extending from the Hellenic subduction boundary near Kephalonia to the Gulf of Corinth, consists of an interconnected network containing highly localized zones of deformation. These bound a series of crustal fragments with relatively little internal deformation. These deformation zones merge to form triple junction-like features at the western end of the Gulf of Corinth and in the Amvrakikos Gulf. At the western end of the Corinth Gulf, most of its 14 ± 2 mm/yr of extension is relayed to the northwest along a prominent zone of left-slip and extension through Lake Trichonis and the Amphilochia fault zone (11 ± 2 mm/yr). The remaining displacement across the western Gulf of Corinth is relayed into 7 ± 2 mm/yr of right-slip on the southwest-striking Achaia fault zone, which traverses the northwestern margin of the Peloponnesus. A second triple-junction like feature occurs in the Amvrakikos Basin, where the left-slip Amphilochia fault zone, the right-slip Kephalonia transform fault (15 ± 2 mm/yr) and the convergent thrust front of northern Hellenides (4 ± 2 mm/yr) are joined. Thus the extensional deformation in the Gulf of Corinth can be shown to be connected to convergence and subduction along the Hellenic trench through a series of discrete deformation zones that are not dissimilar from those observed in the global plate tectonic system.

We investigate conditions in a radially self-similar outflow in the regime of large resistivity. Using the PLUTO code, we performed simulations with proper choice of boundary conditions, relaxed at the footpoints of critical surfaces in the flow. We investigate outflow propagation in a high-resistive disk corona, and compare it to the results with small or vanishing resistivity.

In this study we investigate the electronic transport, the optical properties, and photocurrent in two-dimensional arrays of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) embedded in silicon dioxide, grown on quartz and having sizes in the range between less than 2 and 20 nm. Electronic transport is determined by the collective effect of Coulomb blockade gaps in the Si NCs. Absorption spectra show the well-known upshift of the energy bandgap with decreasing NC size. Photocurrent follows the absorption spectra confirming that it is composed of photo-generated carriers within the Si NCs. In films containing Si NCs with sizes less than 2 nm, strong quantum confinement and exciton localization are observed, resulting in light emission and absence of photocurrent. Our results show that Si NCs are useful building blocks of photovoltaic devices for use as better absorbers than bulk Si in the visible and ultraviolet spectral range. However, when strong quantum confinement effects come into play, carrier transport is significantly reduced due to strong exciton localization and Coulomb blockade effects, thus leading to limited photocurrent. © 2011 Gardelis et al.

We report on the lateral transport in a single two-dimensional (2D) array of Si nanocrystals of different sizes grown by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of silicon on a quartz substrate and subsequent oxidation at high temperature. The initial nanocrystal size in the z-direction was 5 nm, while it was reduced to ∼3 nm after oxidation. The nanocrystals in the x-y plane were connected by grain boundaries and/or by very thin silicon oxide barriers, while a thin oxide layer was formed on their surface. The electrical measurements showed that current in the film is mainly governed by thermionic emission over the barriers (grain boundaries or dielectric barriers) at high temperatures and by tunneling at lower temperatures. Charge traps at the interfaces of the silicon nanocrystals with the oxide and at the grain boundaries cause considerable hysteresis in the current-voltage characteristics. Hydrogen passivation of the charge traps reduces considerably the hysteresis effect and the activation energy of the thermionic emission, while revealing a clear Coulomb gap. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as histochemical reactions were employed to study the leaf structure and secretory activity of Ecballium elaterium, a hairy pharmaceutical perennial common in the Mediterranean region. The amphistomatic leaf has a peculiar structure due to special cells supporting the conductive bundles, a remarkable shortage of mechanical tissue, and the existence of pectin strands between mesophyll cells. The secreting activity is limited mostly to secretary hairs. These attributes of the Ecballium leaf fine structures do not resemble the common structure of leaves from Mediterranean plants and point to a peculiar strategy of this species coping with stress conditions of its habitat. © 2010 Elsevier GmbH.

We report on a 63-year-old woman, previously in good health, who had undergone nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma in 2002. Because of systemic relapse with multiple lung metastases in 2006, the patient was treated with sunitinib 50 mg daily on a 4-weeks on-/2-weeks off-schedule. After 3 years of treatment, she developed a purpuric rash on her feet and trunk. Biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. No other organ involvement was diagnosed. She was started on oral prednisone 30 mg daily with rapid resolution of the vasculitic skin lesions. Sunitinib was temporally discontinued and reintroduced at the same dose level. Reappearance of a less serious vasculitis after 2 cycles of re-treatment was resolved in the weeks off-treatment and by reducing the dose of sunitinib along with 5 mg of prednisone daily. One year after the diagnosis, the patient is still on this therapy. Oncology providers should be aware of this rare but potentially serious, possible adverse effect of sunitinib. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Recently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a new guideline on the investigation of bioequivalence (BE). In case of highly variable drugs, this guideline proposes that the acceptance limits for C-max can gradually be expanded as a function of within-subject variability (CVWR). Actually, these BE limits exhibit leveling-off properties since they are not allowed to scale continuously, but only up to CVWR = 50%. To avoid the risk of accepting two drug products which may differ significantly, this EMA guideline also proposes the use of a secondary constraint criterion on the geometric mean ratio (GMR) of the two products under comparison. Aim of this study was to explore the leveling-off properties of the new EMA limits in comparison to other approaches, as well as to assess the impact of the complementary GMR criterion on the ability to declare bioequivalence. Simulated bioequivalence studies and extreme GMR plots were used to assess the performance of the EMA limits. Three sequence, three period (3 x 3) crossover studies with two treatments (T and R) were simulated. The R product was considered to be administered twice, while the T only once (i.e., TRR/RTR/RRT). Among others, this study revealed the leveling-off properties of the new EMA limits. It was also shown that the complementary GMR-constraint is only effective when a large sample size is used and at regions of CVWR close to 50%. This GMR-criterion begins to be effective at sample sizes around 60 and becomes more prominent as the number of subjects participating in the BE study increases. For CVWR values lower than 50%, the GMR-constraint has no role. In case of within-subject variabilities greater than 50%, the impact of the GMR-constraint diminishes due to the leveling-off properties of the EMA limits. Compared to the classic 0.80-1.25 or the extended 0.75-1.33 criteria, the new EMA limits are more liberal at high CVWR values and allow greater differences between the two drug products to be declared bioequivalent. Finally, this study showed that the use of an approximate value (0.760) on the scaling factor proposed by EMA, has no impact on the performance of the new BE limits compared to other more accurate approaches. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The liar and kindred paradoxes make it difficult to construct a consistent and plausible formal theory of truth. One approach is to tackle them not by restricting the principles about truth that pre-theoretically seem correct, but by deviating from classical logic. I outline a nonclassical propositional logic I have constructed within that approach, as well as a theory of truth embedded in the framework of the logic. (Preliminary presentation of some of the material that eventually became the paper 'A propositional theory of truth'.)

The species composition of the epiphytic benthic foraminiferal fauna was compared at two coastal locations in the Aegean Sea. Samples were collected during August 2001 and July 2003 along the southeastern coast of Andros Island at Korthi Gulf, where there are minimal anthropogenic activities, and at Kastro Gulf, with substantial anthropogenic influence. This study represents the first application of the FORAM Index (FI), which is a single-metric index for water quality originally developed for western Atlantic reef foraminiferal assemblages, to Mediterranean assemblages. Multivariate analyses distinguished three clusters of sample sites representing three foraminiferal assemblages. Samples dominated by the mixotrophic species, A. lobifera, were collected primarily from sites along the northern coasts of both gulfs. Characteristics of this assemblage, including relatively high dominance (D=0.27–0.51), lower Shannon–Wiener diversity (H′=1.3–2.1) and high FI (6.6–8.2), all reflect oligotrophic environmental conditions typical of pristine waters of the Aegean Sea. A. lobifera was typically the most common species in the second assemblage, though relative abundances of heterotrophic taxa were higher, resulting in somewhat higher diversity (H′=1.6–2.4) and lower dominance (D=0.14–0.36). These indices, as well as the FI range of 3.5–7.0 indicated somewhat more prevalent organic carbon resources but still relatively high water quality. This assemblage was found along the southern coast of Korthi Gulf and at more interior sites in northern Kastro Gulf. The third assemblage was dominated by smaller heterotrophic species, including notable proportions of the stress-tolerant taxa Ammonia spp. and Elphidium spp., and had few or no A. lobifera. Diversity (H′=1.4–2.0) and dominance (D=0.22–0.47) indices were similar to those for the first assemblage, but FI values were much lower (2.0–3.4). Samples characterized by this assemblage were collected only from the southern Kastro Gulf, in the vicinity of the primary sewage outfall. The results of this study document the sensitivity of benthic foraminiferal assemblages, and particularly A. lobifera populations, to sewage pollution in the Aegean Sea. These observations are consistent with studies from other biogeographic regions where the FORAM Index, which is based upon this genus and associated mixotrophic taxa, has been used as a water-quality indicator. This observation is particularly noteworthy because A. lobifera is an invasive species in the Mediterranean. 

In this study, the trends and variability of annual precipitation totals and annual rain days over land within the Mediterranean region are analyzed. Long term ground-based observations concerning, on one hand, monthly precipitation totals (1900-2010) and rain days (1965-2010) from 40 meteorological stations within the Mediterranean region were obtained from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service and the World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme (WCDMP) of the World Meteorological Organization. On the other hand, high spatial resolution (0.5 × 0.5 ) gridded monthly data CRU TS 3.1 were acquired from the Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, for the period 1901-2009. The two datasets were compared by means of trends and variability, while the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the Mediterranean precipitation was examined. In the process, the climatic changes in the precipitation regime between the period 1961-1990 (reference period) and the period 2071-2100 (future climate) were presented using climate model simulations (RACMO2.1/KNMI). The future climate projections were based on SRES A1B. The findings of the analysis showed that statistically significant (95% confidence level) negative trends of the annual precipitation totals exist in the majority of Mediterranean regions during the period 1901-2009, with an exception of northern Africa, southern Italy and western Iberian peninsula, where slight positive trends (not statistically significant at 95% CL) appear. Concerning the annual number of rain days, a pronounced decrease of 20 %, statistically significant (95% confidence level), appears in representative meteorological stations of east Mediterranean, while the trends are insignificant for west and central Mediterranean. Additionally, NAO index was found to be anticorrelated with the precipitation totals and the number of rain days mainly in Spain, southern France, Italy and Greece. These correlations are higher within the rain season (October-March) than the entire year. Based on the results of regional climate model RACMO2.1/KNMI, precipitation is very likely to decrease almost 20% in the period 2071-2100 compared to 1961-1990, under SRES A1B. © Author(s) 2011.

The inter-annual/decadal scale variability of the Aegean Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is investigated by means of long-term series of satellite-derived and in situ data. Monthly mean declouded SST maps are constructed over the 1985?2008 period, based on a re-analysis of AVHRR Oceans Pathfinder optimally interpolated data over the Aegean Sea. Basin-average SST time series are also constructed using the ICOADS in situ data over 1950?2006. Results indicate a small SST decreasing trend until the early nineties, and then a rapid surface warming consistent with the acceleration of the SST rise observed on the global ocean scale. Decadal-scale SST anomalies were found to be negatively correlated with the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index over the last 60 years suggesting that along with global warming effects on the regional scale, a part of the long-term SST variability in the Aegean Sea is driven by large scale atmospheric natural variability patterns. In particular, the acceleration of surface warming in the Aegean Sea began nearly simultaneously with the NAO index abrupt shift in the mid-nineties from strongly positive values to weakly positive/negative values.

Este trabajo analiza los errores léxicos intralinguales semánticos de las composiciones en español por 81 aprendices griegos de diferentes niveles lingüísticos (A, B1, B2, C1) utilizando el método de Análisis de Errores. Los resultados del análisis cualitativo muestran que las estrategias más usadas son la asociación fonológica y semántica entre las palabras de la LE. Los resultados del análisis cuantitativo indican que tanto toda la categoría de los errores como sus diferentes tipos ascienden a medida que avanza el nivel lingüístico de los informantes.

The paper is partly motivated by recent pump-probe experiments with ultrashort laser pulses on antiferromagnetic FeRh that have shown the generation of magnetization within a subpicosecond time scale. On the other hand, the physical mechanism of the thermal antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic (AFM-FM) phase transition in FeRh, known for many decades, remains a topic of controversial discussions. The selection of the magnetic degrees of freedom as well as the treatment of the magnetic excited states differ strongly in recent models by different authors. We report a density functional theory (DFT) investigation of FeRh. For the study of excited states, DFT calculations with constraints imposed on the directions and values of the atomic moments are employed. We show that the formation of the Rh moment as a consequence of the AFM-FM phase transition cannot be described within the Stoner picture. Instead, an implicit spin splitting of the Rh states takes place in the AFM phase, resulting in the intra-atomic spin polarization of the Rh atoms. This property is a consequence of the strong hybridization between Rh and Fe states. The Fe-Rh hybridization is an important factor in the physics of FeRh. We demonstrate that the ferromagnetic Fe-Rh exchange interaction is robust with respect to the crystal volume variation, whereas the antiferromagnetic Fe-Fe exchange interaction is strongly volume dependent. These different volume dependencies of the competing exchange interactions lead to their strong compensation at certain crystal volume. We perform Monte Carlo simulations and show that the calculated thermodynamics depends on the way the magnetic degrees of freedom are selected. We argue that the excited states resulting from the variation of the value of the Rh moment treated as degree of freedom are important for both the equilibrium thermodynamics of FeRh and the femtomagnetic phenomena in this system. We also study the spin mixing caused by spin-orbit coupling. The obtained value of the Elliott-Yafet spin-mixing parameter is comparable with earlier calculations for the ferromagnetic 3d metals. We draw the conclusion that the Elliott-Yafet mechanism of the angular-momentum transfer between electrons and lattice plays an important role in the femtomagnetic properties of FeRh.

Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the gold-standard imaging technique in cases of Müllerian and vaginal anomalies, however, vaginal delineation often proves difficult, owing to the fact that vaginal walls are normally collapsed and in close proximity. Instilling gel through the introitus allows for better depiction of the distal vagina. © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder is the most common cancer of the urinary tract, with a high mortality rate. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has demonstrated prolonged survival of these patients and is considered the standard of care. Nevertheless, 40-50% of patients have impaired renal function that precludes the use of cisplatin. The non-nephrotoxic platinum analogue, carboplatin, has emerged as the most popular alternative in this setting, used mainly in doublets. However, it has not shown similar efficacy to cisplatin. In this article, platinum-based or platinum-free regimens, monotherapies or combination therapies are discussed as treatment options for this population. Their efficacy and toxicity are also being analyzed. The study of newer targeted therapies in the treatment of bladder cancer is also discussed, as are future perspectives and a five-year view in the treatment of the disease in patients with renal impairment. © 2011 Expert Reviews Ltd.

Objective: To evaluate alterations in the concentrations of osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANKL and the OPG/RANKL ratio in pre-eclamptic women during the puerperium. Study design: This cross-sectional study was performed in the maternity ward of Aretaieio Hospital in Athens, Greece. Fifteen pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia and 15 matched controls with premature rupture of the membranes were recruited. Fasting blood samples were obtained antepartum, immediately after diagnosing pre-eclampsia (median: 32nd gestational week), and during the 3rd-6th day postpartum, to estimate levels of circulating OPG and RANKL as well as the OPG/RANKL ratio. The anthropometric parameters evaluated included body mass index and blood pressure. Results: Mean circulating OPG levels decreased significantly in both groups in the postpartum period (controls: 43.7 ± 19.1 ng/ml vs 22.9 ± 9.1 ng/ml, p = 0.008; pre-eclamptic group: 72.3 ± 49.9 vs 49.7 ± 40.9 ng/ml, p = 0.002). The antepartum OPG/RANKL ratio was elevated in hypertensive pregnancies (2.41 ± 1.72) compared to normotensive pregnancies (1.45 ± 0.63), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.1). The OPG/RANKL ratio decreased in the control group (0.76 ± 0.30, NS) following delivery, while it remained unchanged in the pre-eclamptic women (1.63 ± 1.40, p = 0.13). Consequently, the postpartum OPG/RANKL ratio was significantly higher in the pre-eclamptic women compared to control women (1.63 ± 1.40 vs 0.76 ± 0.30, p = 0.01). Levels of RANKL demonstrated no significant alterations during puerperium in both cases. Conclusion: Pregnancies complicated with pre-eclampsia exhibit higher OPG levels and OPG/RANKL ratios, compared to control pregnancies, which might be compatible with lower bone turnover. The significance of this finding with respect to bone metabolism remains to be elucidated in larger studies. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrovascular disease is 1 of the possible mechanisms of the previously reported relationship between Mediterranean-type diet (MeDi) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to investigate the association between MeDi and MRI infarcts. METHODS: High-resolution structural MRI was collected on 707 elderly 65 years or older community residents of New York with available dietary assessments administered an average of 5.8 years (3.22 standard deviations [SDs]) before the MRI. Participants were divided into 3 groups of adherence to MeDi (low, middle, and high tertiles). We examined the association of increasing adherence to MeDi with presence of infarcts on MRI. Models were run without adjustment, adjusted for basic demographic and clinical factors, and adjusted for vascular risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 222 participants had at least 1 infarct. In the unadjusted model, compared to the low adherence group, those in the moderate MeDi adherence group had a 22% reduced odds of having an infarct (odds ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-1.14), while participants in the highest MeDi adherence group had a 36% reduced odds (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42-0.97; p for trend = 0.04). In adjusted models, the association between MeDi adherence and MRI infarcts remained essentially unchanged. The association of high MeDi adherence with infarcts was comparable to that of hypertension (40% reduced probability), did not vary by infarct size or after excluding patients with dementia (n = 46) or clinical strokes (n = 86). There was no association between MeDi and white matter hyperintensities. INTERPRETATION: Higher adherence to the MeDi is associated with reduced cerebrovascular disease burden.

The Mediterranean dietary pattern has a well-established beneficial role in health promotion. Epidemiologic studies reveal the protective role of adherence to this pattern on overall cancer incidence and mortality. This review examines results from prospective cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies assessing the role of the Mediterranean diet in cancer prevention. Original research studies that were published in English between 1985 and April 6, 2010, were selected through a computer-assisted literature search (i.e., PubMed and Scopus). From the initial search, 273 papers were selected. After the titles and the abstracts of these papers were read for relevance to this review, 17 studies were selected and are discussed here; 8 had a prospective design, 7 were case-control, 1 was a randomized screening study, and 1 was an interventional study. Although there is a lack of definitive evidence for the association of Mediterranean diet with various types of cancer, a dietary pattern emphasizing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products could be highly recommended for all people, and especially those at risk for cancer. © 2011 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

BACKGROUND: A dietary pattern common in regions near the Mediterranean appears to reduce risk of all-cause mortality and ischemic heart disease. Data on blacks and Hispanics in the United States are lacking, and to our knowledge only one study has examined a Mediterranean-style diet (MeDi) in relation to stroke. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined an MeDi in relation to vascular events. DESIGN: The Northern Manhattan Study is a population-based cohort to determine stroke incidence and risk factors (mean ± SD age of participants: 69 ± 10 y; 64% women; 55% Hispanic, 21% white, and 24% black). Diet was assessed at baseline by using a food-frequency questionnaire in 2568 participants. A higher score on a 0-9 scale represented increased adherence to an MeDi. The relation between the MeDi score and risk of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and vascular death was assessed with Cox models, with control for sociodemographic and vascular risk factors. RESULTS: The MeDi-score distribution was as follows: 0-2 (14%), 3 (17%), 4 (22%), 5 (22%), and 6-9 (25%). Over a mean follow-up of 9 y, 518 vascular events accrued (171 ischemic strokes, 133 MIs, and 314 vascular deaths). The MeDi score was inversely associated with risk of the composite outcome of ischemic stroke, MI, or vascular death (P-trend = 0.04) and with vascular death specifically (P-trend = 0.02). Moderate and high MeDi scores were marginally associated with decreased risk of MI. There was no association with ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Higher consumption of an MeDi was associated with decreased risk of vascular events. Results support the role of a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil in the promotion of ideal cardiovascular health.

Metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been introduced in an attempt to reduce the wear rate and the consequent osteolysis around implants. The aim of this study was to present the intermediate to long-term clinical and radiological outcomes and to investigate the metal ion levels in the blood of patients who had undergone primary uncemented MoM THA in our institution. Between July 1997 and November 2003, 166 patients (193 hips), with a mean age of 50 years (range, 18-65 years), underwent primary MoM THA. Clinical data, radiographs, and blood samples were obtained at regular follow-up visits. Cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo) ions were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from the patient's whole blood. All patients were prospectively followed for a minimum of 5 years (mean, 7 years; range, 5-11 years). The mean Harris hip score (HHS) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score at the latest follow-up was 88 ± 11 and 7 ± 1.8 points, respectively. Thirteen hips have been revised. Ten acetabular components had early failure, due to factory manufacturing problems. All other implants have been found stable, with no signs of aseptic loosening. The probability of survival at 11 years, if the hips that were revised due to manufacturing problems were excluded, was 98.4%. The Co and Cr metal ion levels, after increasing significantly during the first 4 to 5 years post-surgery, remained stable, with a tendency to decrease thereafter, but not significantly. During the same follow-up period, Mo ion levels remained stable. In this 5-to-11 year follow-up study of MoM THA patients, excellent survivorship, with low complications rates, was found. Results of longer follow-up studies are necessary to clarify the possible long-term effects of metal ion release.

Urban particulate matter (PM 10-PM 2.5 and PM 2.5) from Athens (Greece) atmosphere, primarily investigated by SEM-EDS, was further studied in the FLUO and SUL-X beamlines of ANKA Synchrotron facility (KIT, Germany). The SR μ-XRF study showed both geological (e.g. CaTi, CaK and CaSrKRb) and anthropogenic particles exhibiting heavy metal combinations such as FeCo, FeCoCuV and ZnV. It was also revealed that very hazardous metalloids and heavy metals, namely As and Pb, are concentrated in isolated respirable (PM 2.5) microparticles. It was attempted to investigate the oxidation state of As by means of μ-XANES. The As K-edge XANES spectrum of the sample shows a main peak at about 11.874 keV which matches adequately with the As(V) reference spectrum but part of the As seems to have a lower oxidation state (most probably As(III)). This is the first non-bulk study with regard to the partitioning and solid-state speciation of hazardous chemical elements in urban atmospheric microparticles from greater Athens area, rated as an alpha-world city with a population of ca. 4 million people. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Urban particulate matter (PM10–PM2.5 and PM2.5) from Athens (Greece) atmosphere, primarily investigated by SEM-EDS, was further studied in the \{FLUO\} and SUL-X beamlines of \{ANKA\} Synchrotron facility (KIT, Germany). The \{SR\} μ-XRF study showed both geological (e.g. CaTi, CaK and CaSrKRb) and anthropogenic particles exhibiting heavy metal combinations such as FeCo, FeCoCuV and ZnV. It was also revealed that very hazardous metalloids and heavy metals, namely As and Pb, are concentrated in isolated respirable (PM2.5) microparticles. It was attempted to investigate the oxidation state of As by means of μ-XANES. The As K-edge \{XANES\} spectrum of the sample shows a main peak at about 11.874 keV which matches adequately with the As(V) reference spectrum but part of the As seems to have a lower oxidation state (most probably As(III)). This is the first non-bulk study with regard to the partitioning and solid-state speciation of hazardous chemical elements in urban atmospheric microparticles from greater Athens area, rated as an alpha-world city with a population of ca. 4 million people.

 

This paper focuses on the study of the geomorphological processes and the impact of neotectonic deformation on the geomorphological structure. A vast database was developed, containing different kinds of information, concerning geology, topography, drainage characteristics, vegetation and land use of the Ionian Islands. A geographic information system platform was developed in order to analyse the data, and to model and finally map the prevailing geomorphological processes: the erosion and deposition zones.Erosion risk factors have been processed in order to develop erosion risk maps demonstrating vulnerable to erosion areas. This study also concludes that the Ionian Islands are strongly influenced by the neotectonic processes that have defined their current morphology.

The extracellular slime of Staphylococcus epidermidis contains, amongst various macromolecules, an acidic polysaccharide (PS) of a molecular mass of 20 kDa with significant antigenic and biological properties. The isolation procedure used so far includes multiple fractionations in anion-exchange chromatographic columns before its final purification by gel filtration chromatography. This protocol is laborious, time-consuming and includes the risk of unnecessary loss of PS quantities. Because of the significance of this PS, a modified protocol resulting in an easier and quicker isolation procedure was developed. Furthermore, identification, purity, charge density and molecular integrity of the isolated polysaccharide were evaluated by a reverse-polarity capillary electrophoresis method.

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related-death. Most patients present with an advanced stage of disease that has a dismal outcome. Evidently, there is a clear need for the development of new agents with novel mechanisms of action in the treatment of this disease. A number of biological agents modulating different signal transduction pathways are currently in clinical development, such as angiogenesis inhibitors and agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor, cell cycle, matrix metalloproteinases, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) or proteasome. This is the first systematic review of the literature to synthesize all available data coming from trials and evaluate the efficacy and safety of molecular targeted drugs in unresectable and metastatic gastric cancer. As knowledge accumulates on the molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis in the stomach, the anticipated development and assessment of molecularly targeted agents may offer a promising perspective for a disease which, to date, remains incurable. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

The identification of a monoclonal protein in serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a common event requiring medical consultation. A monoclonal protein may be the hallmark of a malignant disease, such as multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (and less often of other lymphoproliferative disorders), of diseases associated with a malignant plasma cell clone, such as AL amyloidosis or other plasma cell related disorders, or, quite commonly may have no direct impact and belong to monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS). Jan Waldenstrom introduced the term “essential hyperglobulinemia” in order to describe patients who had a small serum protein electrophoretic spike but no evidence of overt multiple myeloma (MM), Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), primary amyloidosis (AL), or related disorders. The seminal work by Kyle indicated that some patients with this monoclonal gammopathy develop MM, or WM or AL or other lymphoproliferative malignancies, and introduced the term “monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance” (MGUS)[1]. Kyle also described patients with histologic and biochemical features of myeloma (bone marrow clonal plasma cells (BMPC) involvement of 10% or higher, presence of a serum M-protein value higher than 3 g/dl) that did not have lytic bone lesions, anemia, renal impairment or other clinical manifestations of myeloma who remained stable, with no need for chemotherapy, for several years[2]. Alexanian also presented data on “indolent myeloma”[3], that included patients who had no clinical features of overt myeloma such as anemia and renal dysfunction and had fewer than three lytic bone lesions. Among these patients, median time to initiation of chemotherapy was two years, but some patients remained stable for several years. Thus, the term “smoldering” MM or “asymptomatic” or “indolent” MM, entered the clinical practice. The definitions, however, were not strict among different groups. In 2003 a consensus paper defined MGUS and asymptomatic or smoldering myeloma (Table 10.1). MGUS requires that M-protein in serum is <30 g/l and that bone marrow clonal plasma cells are <10% with no evidence of other B cell proliferative disorders and no end organ damage (anemia, renal impairment, hypercalcemia, lytic bone lesions). © Cambridge University Press 2014.

We highlight some physical and mathematical aspects relevant to the derivation and use of the Higuchi equation. More specifically, the application of the Higuchi equation to different geometries is discussed and Monte Carlo simulations to verify the validity of Higuchi law in one and two dimensions, as well as the derivation of the Higuchi equation under alternative boundary conditions making use of fractional calculus, are presented. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The primary aim of the present study was to assess morphological covariation between the face and the basicranium (midline and lateral), and to evaluate patterns of integration at two specific developmental stages. A group of 71 children (6-10 years) was compared with a group of 71 adults (20-35 years). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were digitized and a total of 28 landmarks were placed on three areas; the midline cranial base, the lateral cranial base and the face. Geometric morphometric methods were applied and partial least squares analysis was used to evaluate correlation between the three shape blocks. Morphological integration was tested both with and without removing the effect of allometry. In children, mainly the midline and, to a lesser extent, the lateral cranial base were moderately correlated to the face. In adults, the correlation between the face and the midline cranial base, which ceases development earlier than the lateral base, was reduced. However, the lateral cranial base retained and even strengthened its correlation to the face. This suggests that the duration of common developmental timing is an important factor that influences integration between craniofacial structures. However, despite the apparent switch of primary roles between the cranial bases during development, the patterns of integration remained stable, thereby supporting the role of genetics over function in the establishment and development of craniofacial shape.

Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades (Aegean Sea, Greece), covering an area of ca 450 km². Its 150 km long coasts exhibits various morphological features such as cliffs, lagoons and beaches. These latter are largely preserved along the western coast, between the main city (Chora) and Pyrgaki, and are associated with well-developed dune fields. A few dunes fields are also preserved along the Eastern part (Azala Bay, Psili Ammos). Field study made it possible to propose an updated geomorphological mapping of the dune fields. Four landforms have hence been recognized, especially on the basis of their form, size, location and vegetation cover. Assuming that these various landforms relate to at least three Holocene aggradation periods, a geochronological approach was developed in order to unravel the climate influence on the Naxos dunes formation. 24 OSL dating were performed at the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG, Hannover, Germany) on samples from two main dune fields : Aliko (West coast) and Psili Ammos (East coast). We here present the first results and interpretations of these geochronological research.

Present morphological and tectonic image of Ikaria island is the complex result of both the tem-poral evolution of the island, as part of the geodynamical evolution of the Hellenic Arc, especially that of the last stages (from the upper Miocene and after), and the exogenous factors. Also human impact functions as an additional parameter for the formation of Ikaria geoenvironment.According to field data and their analysis, computing and estimation which took part with the use of modern technologies (use of GIS, analysis of geographical and descriptive databases) the mor-photectonic units of Ikaria Island were defined. The definition of the morphotectonic units was based on their special features and more precisely on the lithological differentiation (granite, metamorphic rocks and post alpine formations) as well as the complex ductile and brittle structures (large scale ductile shear-zones and brittle detachment faults, normal faults, strike-slip transfer faults and join sets) and the morphological features (slope distribution, asymmetry of the drainage system, planation surfaces, morphological discontinuities etc).The synthesis of the special features of each morphotectonic unit in combination with the human impact (fires, overgrazing etc), defines the kind, the intensity and the geographical localization of the natural hazards which occur in various sites of the island, such as landslides, erosion, floods, seismic activity, relief changes, coastline changes etc.

The arrival of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide has significantly changed our approach to the management of multiple myeloma and, importantly, patient outcomes have improved. These agents have been investigated intensively in different treatment settings, providing us with data to make evidence-based decisions regarding the optimal management of patients. This review is an update to a previous summary of European treatment practices that examines new data that have been published or presented at congresses up to the end of 2010 and assesses their impact on treatment practices. © AlphaMed Press.

We present an extension of the layer-multiple-scattering method to phononic crystals of nonspherical particles in a homogeneous host medium by employing the extended-boundary-condition technique for the description of the individual scatterers. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated on specific examples of two- and three-dimensional periodic assemblies of spheroidal polymer particles in water and in silicon. We report a thorough analysis of the acoustic properties of these composites and emphasize aspects of the underlying physics that relate to the nonspherical shape of the particles.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the relative importance of selected performance indicators in modern top-level handball through the analysis of offensive actions in three consecutive men’s world championships (2005, 2007 and 2009). A total of 288 matches were examined, which included 29,439 throw attempts resulting in 16,240 goals. The results demonstrated the strong relationship between the six-meter and nine-meter offensive actions, as evidenced by their very high negative correlation coefficients in both the throw attempts and goals scored. The significant decrease of the throw attempts and goals scored from the six-meter position, evidenced in the 2007 and 2009 championships, is associated with the collateral significant increase of the nine-meter throws and goals. Interestingly, the nine-meter efficacy remained relatively constant throughout the three competition years, while the six-meter efficacy depicted a significant increase in competition years 2007 and 2009 compared to 2005, as a result of the appearance of highlyqualified top ranking players in the pivot position. The high performance efficiency of these players resulted in adaptive defensive tactics to prevent the ball from reaching this key position. The present findings provide valuable information to handball coaches, in the design of their strategic and tactical plans.

The aim of this study was to identify volleyball performance indicators that best discriminate between winning and losing teams in a set according to set final score differences. The data were collected from teams’ performances (N=350) in all sets played during the 2009 Men’s European Volleyball Championship in Turkey. Clusters analysis established three different groups of sets according to set final score difference: 2 points (ambivalent), 3-5 points (safe), >5 points (unbalanced). A 3x2 MANOVA (type of set x type of result) was then performed on 9 performance indicators reflecting % expressions of four basic skills of the game (serve, pass, attack, block). The analysis revealed significant multivariate differences in type of set, in type of results, and in their interaction. A follow-up Discriminant Analysis showed that effectiveness of attack is the most important performance indicator for all types of sets, far more for the ambivalent ones. The discriminant function correctly classified increasing % of cases with increase in score difference. Especially for ambivalent sets 67.3% were correctly classified, letting some space for further improving the critical performance indicators. The results suggest that training of a men’s volleyball team should emphasize more to improve offensive abilities.

The aim of this study was to identify volleyball performance indicators that best discriminate between winning and losing teams in a set according to set final score differences. The data were collected from teams’ performances (N=350) in all sets played during the 2009 Men’s European Volleyball Championship in Turkey. Clusters analysisestablished three different groups of sets according to set final score difference: 2 points (ambivalent), 3-5 points (safe), >5 points (unbalanced). A 3x2 MANOVA (type of set x type of result) was then performed on 9 performance indicators reflecting % expressions of four basic skills of the game (serve, pass, attack, block). The analysis revealed significant multivariate differences in type of set, in type of results, and in their interaction. A follow-up Discriminant Analysis showed that effectiveness of attack is the most important performance indicator for all types of sets, far more for the ambivalent ones. The discriminant function correctly classified increasing % of cases with increase in score difference. Especially for ambivalent sets 67.3% were correctly classified, letting some space for further improving the critical performance indicators. The results suggest that training of a men’s volleyball teamshould emphasize more to improve offensive abilities.

Repeated-sprint training often involves short sprints separated by inadequate recovery intervals. The effects of interval duration on metabolic and performance parameters are unclear. We compared the effects of two training programmes, differing in rest interval duration, on muscle (vastus lateralis) metabolism and sprint performance. Sixteen men trained three times a week for 8 weeks, each training session comprising 2-3 sets of two 80-m sprints. Sprints were separated by 10 s (n = 8) or 1 min (n = 8). Both training programmes improved performance in the 100-, 200-, and 300-m sprints, but the improvement was greater in the 10-s group during the final 100 m of the 200- and 300-m runs. Independent of interval duration, training mitigated the drop of muscle ATP after two 80-m sprints. The drop in phosphocreatine and the increases in glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate after two 80-m sprints were greater in the 10-s group. In conclusion, training with a limited number of repeated short sprints (≤10 s) may be more effective in improving speed maintenance in 200- and 300-m runs when performed with a 1:1 rather than a 1:6 exercise-to-rest ratio. This may be due to a greater activation of glycolysis caused, in part, by the limited resynthesis of phosphocreatine during the very short rest interval. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Repeated-sprint training often involves short sprints separated by inadequate recovery intervals. The effects of interval duration on metabolic and performance parameters are unclear. We compared the effects of two training programmes, differing in rest interval duration, on muscle (vastus lateralis) metabolism and sprint performance. Sixteen men trained three times a week for 8 weeks, each training session comprising 2-3 sets of two 80-m sprints. Sprints were separated by 10 s (n = 8) or 1 min (n = 8). Both training programmes improved performance in the 100-, 200-, and 300-m sprints, but the improvement was greater in the 10-s group during the final 100 m of the 200- and 300-m runs. Independent of interval duration, training mitigated the drop of muscle ATP after two 80-m sprints. The drop in phosphocreatine and the increases in glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate after two 80-m sprints were greater in the 10-s group. In conclusion, training with a limited number of repeated short sprints (≤10 s) may be more effective in improving speed maintenance in 200- and 300-m runs when performed with a 1:1 rather than a 1:6 exercise-to-rest ratio. This may be due to a greater activation of glycolysis caused, in part, by the limited resynthesis of phosphocreatine during the very short rest interval. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Repeated-sprint training often involves short sprints separated by inadequate recovery intervals. The effects of interval duration on metabolic and performance parameters are unclear. We compared the effects of two training programmes, differing in rest interval duration, on muscle (vastus lateralis) metabolism and sprint performance. Sixteen men trained three times a week for 8 weeks, each training session comprising 2-3 sets of two 80-m sprints. Sprints were separated by 10 s (n = 8) or 1 min (n = 8). Both training programmes improved performance in the 100-, 200-, and 300-m sprints, but the improvement was greater in the 10-s group during the final 100 m of the 200- and 300-m runs. Independent of interval duration, training mitigated the drop of muscle ATP after two 80-m sprints. The drop in phosphocreatine and the increases in glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate after two 80-m sprints were greater in the 10-s group. In conclusion, training with a limited number of repeated short sprints (≤10 s) may be more effective in improving speed maintenance in 200- and 300-m runs when performed with a 1:1 rather than a 1:6 exercise-to-rest ratio. This may be due to a greater activation of glycolysis caused, in part, by the limited resynthesis of phosphocreatine during the very short rest interval. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Earlier, we identified mutations in the first transmembrane segment (TMS1) of UapA, a uric acid-xanthine transporter in Aspergillus nidulans, that affect its turnover and subcellular localization. Here, we use one of these mutations (H86D) and a novel mutation (I74D) as well as genetic suppressors of them, to show that TMS1 is a key domain for proper folding, trafficking and turnover. Kinetic analysis of mutants further revealed that partial misfolding and deficient trafficking of UapA does not affect its affinity for xanthine transport, but reduces that of uric acid and confers a degree of promiscuity towards the binding of other purines. This result strengthens the idea that subtle interactions among domains not directly involved in substrate binding refine the selectivity of UapA. Characterization of second-site suppressors of H86D revealed a genetic interaction of TMS1 with TMS3, the latter segment shown for the first time to be important for UapA function. Systematic mutational analysis of polar and conserved residues in TMS3 showed that Ser154 is crucial for UapA transport activity. Our results are in agreement with a topological model of UapA built on the recently published structure of UraA, a bacterial homolog of UapA.

The optical and structural properties of cadmium and lead sulfide nanocrystals deposited on mesoporous TiO2 substrates via the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method were comparatively investigated by reflectance, transmittance, micro-Raman and photoluminescence measurements. Enhanced interfacial electron transfer is evidenced upon direct growth of both CdS and PbS on TiO2 through the marked quenching of their excitonic emission. The optical absorbance of CdS/TiO2 can be tuned over a narrow spectral range. On the other side PbS/TiO2 exhibits a remarkable band gap tunability extending from the visible to the near infrared range, due to the distinct quantum size effects of PbS quantum dots. However, PbS/TiO2 suffers from severe degradation upon air exposure. Degradation effects are much less pronounced for CdS/TiO2 that is appreciably more stable, though it degrades readily upon visible light illumination. © 2011 Kontos et al.

Recent years have witnessed tremendous research in quantum dots as excellent models of quantum physics at the nanoscale and as excellent candidates for various applications based on their optoelectronic properties. This review intends to present theoretical and experimental investigations of the near-field optical properties of these structures, and their multimodal applications such as biosensors, biological labels, optical fibers, switches and sensors, visual displays, photovoltaic devices and related patents.

We report on the optical response and, in particular, on the refractive properties of an fcc crystal of metallic nanoshells by means of full-electrodynamic layer-multiple-scattering simulations. Exact numerical calculations of the isofrequency surfaces reveal the existence of two frequency regions where negative refraction occurs. A thorough analysis of the photonic band structure, in conjunction with corresponding transmission diagrams, attributes this behavior to the excitation of collective modes, which stem from dipole particle-plasmon resonances, and shows that only in one of the two frequency regions negative refraction without birefringence can be obtained. In addition, we discuss the effect of absorptive losses, and reveal the existence of narrow bands of slab modes in a finite slab of the crystal that can transfer the evanescent components of an incident wave field.

The treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) has changed over the last decades, mainly because of the introduction of nucleoside analogues and of rituximab while novel agents such as bortezomib have been recently introduced. We performed an analysis to investigate whether the outcome of patients with WM has improved over the last years, compared to that of patients who started treatment before new drugs became widely available, especially as part of the frontline treatment. We analyzed 345 symptomatic patients with WM: 130 who initiated treatment before and 215 who started treatment after January 1, 2000. Patients who started treatment in the latter group were older and had more often elevated beta2-microglobulin but the other characteristics were similar between the two groups. Most patients who started treatment before January 1, 2000 were treated upfront with alkylating agent-based regimens and most patients who started treatment after January 1, 2000 received rituximab-based regimens as initial treatment. Objective response (63 and 59%, respectively) and median overall survival, OS, (106.5 months for Group A and is estimated at 94 months for Group B, P = 0.327) were similar. There was also no difference regarding OS or cause specific survival (CSS) in each risk group according to IPSSWM. Our observation may be explained by the indolent course of WM in several patients and by the lack of profound cytoreduction in patients with high-risk disease. Possible differences in the 15- or 20-year survival rate between the two groups may be detected with further follow-up of these patients. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

This review attempts to outline the alternative measures and interventions used in bloodless surgery in the field of gynecologic oncology and demonstrate their effectiveness. Nowadays, as increasingly more patients are expressing their fears concerning the potential risks accompanying allogenic transfusion of blood products, putting the theory of bloodless surgery into practice seems to gaining greater acceptance. An increasing number of institutions appear to be successfully adopting approaches that minimize blood usage for all patients treated for gynecologic malignancies. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative measures are required, such as optimization of red blood cell mass, adequate preoperative plan and invasive hemostatic procedures, assisting anesthetic techniques, individualization of anemia tolerance, autologous blood donation, normovolemic hemodilution, intraoperative cell salvage and pharmacologic agents for controlling blood loss. An individualised management plan of experienced personnel adopting a multidisciplinary team approach should be available to establish non-blood management strategies, and not only on demand of the patient, in the field of gynecologic oncology with the use of drugs, devices and surgical-medical techniques. © 2011 Simou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The interaction between acoustic breathing modes and optical Mie resonances in a spherical particle made of a chalcogenide glass material is investigated by means of rigorous calculations, correct to any order in the acousto-optic coupling parameter. Our results reveal the occurrence of strong effects beyond the linear-response approximation, which lead to enhanced modulation of light by acoustic waves through multiphonon exchange mechanisms when both photons and phonons have a very long lifetime inside the particle.

For decades, parenteral drugs, such as the low molecular weight heparins and unfractionated heparins or vitamin K antagonists, have been used as anticoagulants for prevention of venous thromboembolism following major lower limb surgery. However, these regiments have limitations that rendered the quest for new anticoagulants mandatory. Recently, research has been focused on the development of orally active small molecules that directly target thrombin or activated factor X (FXa). These regiments exhibit a number of characteristics that an "ideal" anticoagulant should possess. Currently, two agents, dabigatran etexilate and rivaroxaban, which inhibit thrombin and FXa, respectively have been approved in the European Union and Canada for venous thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing elective hip- or knee-replacement surgery. Other agents are at an early or late stage of clinical evaluation. In this study, we summarize the current evidence for these new developed or under development drugs regarding their applications in the filed of lower limb orthopaedic surgery.

Areas covered in this review: In this review, we present the classic approach of bioequivalence assessment, some situations of special importance such as the role of metabolites and highly variable drugs, and the current regulatory state in North America and Europe. Special emphasis is given to the methods proposed for solving the problems caused by high variability such as multiple-dose studies, replicate designs, individual bioequivalence and the widening of bioequivalence limits. Other issues discussed include the concept of biowaivers and the rising field of the equivalence of biologicals (biosimilars). What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an understanding of why bioequivalence assessment is necessary, how it is performed and what one should be aware of when planning to conduct a bioequivalence study. Take home message: The aim of bioequivalence studies is to ensure comparable in vivo performance of two drug products. This is accomplished by performing an appropriate clinical study which should be capable of ensuring the drug's safety and efficacy for consumers with less human exposure and costs of producing.

Summary form only given. Megawatt gyrotrons are found to suffer from various RF oscillations in the beam tunnel prior to the desired interaction zone (the cavity). The development of such parasitics degrades the beam quality reducing the efficiency of the cyclotron interaction and the overall produced power. Furthermore, it affects the stability of operation. Several design approaches have been implemented in order to suppress the parasitic modes; most of them involve the increase of the dissipation in the beam tunnel by means of lossy ceramic materials. However, despite the increased losses, parasitic oscillations still appear in several new designs, especially when the produced power and/or operating frequency is increased. In this work, we employ the numerical code FISHBONE, as well as the commercial simulation software CST STUDIO SUITE in order to study the parasitic modes which appear in a gyrotron beam tunnel. Furthermore, the effect of the geometry of the structure as well as the various design parameters on the parasitic modes is studied, in order to identify the origin and properties of the parasitic oscillations.

Dietary fat, both in terms of quantity and quality, has been implicated to cancer development, either positively or negatively. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether olive oil or monounsaturated fat intake was associated with the development of cancer. A systematic search of relevant studies, published in English, between 1990 and March 1, 2011, was performed through a computer-assisted literature tool (i.e., Pubmed). In total 38 studies were initially allocated; of them 19 case-control studies were finally studied (13800 cancer patients and 23340 controls were included). Random effects meta-analysis was applied in order to evaluate the research hypothesis. It was found that compared with the lowest, the highest category of olive oil consumption was associated with lower odds of having any type of cancer (log odds ratio = -0.41, 95%CI -0.53, -0.29, Cohran's Q = 47.52, p = 0.0002, I-sq = 62%); the latter was irrespective of the country of origin (Mediterranean or non-Mediterranean). Moreover, olive oil consumption was associated with lower odds of developing breast cancer (logOR = -0,45 95%CI -0.78 to -0.12), and a cancer of the digestive system (logOR = -0,36 95%CI -0.50 to -0.21), compared with the lowest intake. The strength and consistency of the findings states a hypothesis about the protective role of olive oil intake on cancer risk. However, it is still unclear whether olive oil's monounsaturated fatty acid content or its antioxidant components are responsible for its beneficial effects. © 2011 Psaltopoulou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

WHEN CITING: Patsantaras, N., & Kamberidou, I. (2011). Is Olympic Communication-Activity a Means for the Construction of Cosmopolitan Identities? In Sports, Bodies, Identities and Organizations: Conceptions and Problems (pp. 132–141). Wojciech J. Cunarski, Kazimierz Obodynski, Nicola Porro (Eds.). Publisher: Faculty of Physical Education, University of Rzeszow, under auspices of the European Association for Sociology of Sport (EASS). ISBN 978-83-7338-657-0. Copyright by Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Rzesowskiego Rzeszow 2011. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cultural Identity and Olympic Sports. In the last decades accelerated and unrestrained structural and institutional changes—on an institutional level— have been shattering significant cultural spheres such as class, gender, nationality, nation, and so forth. Today, due to social transformations individual/personal identities are changing and undermining, our sense of self as complete subjects. Namely, the social subject is losing his/her autonomy and self-sufficiency. Identity is no longer formulated on the basis of the social subject’s inner nucleus but is constructed in the interrelations of the self with the social values, meanings and symbols (culture) of the world in which we live and act in [Hall, Held, McGrew 1992]. Social identity is no longer focused on the self as the centre but on the social-cultural environment and as a result identities are being transformed due to structural and institutional changes.  The postmodern social subject, in this framework and as a rule, cannot have a stable, static or permanent identity. The social subject— athlete, individual as well as diverse social groups— is confronted with different representations according to socio-cultural conditions.  Olympic sports, as a relatively autonomous socio-cultural system, exercise a dynamic influence on the social subject— who acts and communicates within its structures— in the construction of personal/individual identities as well as collective identities. For example, since 1981 the changes that came about with the official recognition of the commercialization of Olympic activity, for some meant deviance and for others adaptation to transforming-evolving social processes.  Significant here are the changes regarding Olympic social reality— the material and structural conditions that influence the formation of identity— which affect the active participants as well as the passive ones. In our postmodern period, identities are continuously formed, transformed and reconstructed in relation to the ways that we are represented or addressed in the cultural system that surrounds us (Donnelly, Young 1988).   Keywords: globalization, cosmopolitanism, ecumenical values, collective identity, diverse identities, sport identity.

We propose to analyze ellipsometry data by using effective medium approximation (EMA) models. Thanks to EMA, having nanocrystalline reference dielectric functions and generalized critical point (GCP) model the physical parameters of two series of samples containing silicon nanocrystals, i.e. silicon rich oxide (SRO) superlattices and porous silicon layers (PSL), have been determined. The superlattices, consisting of ten SRO/SiO2 layer pairs, have been prepared using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The porous silicon layers have been prepared using short monopulses of anodization current in the transition regime between porous silicon formation and electropolishing, in a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and ethanol. The optical modeling of both structures is similar. The effective dielectric function of the layer is calculated by EMA using nanocrystalline components (nc-Si and GCP) in a dielectric matrix (SRO) or voids (PSL). We discuss the two major problems occurring when modeling such structures: (1) the modeling of the vertically non-uniform layer structures (including the interface properties like nanoroughness at the layer boundaries) and (2) the parameterization of the dielectric function of nanocrystals. We used several techniques to reduce the large number of fit parameters of the GCP models. The obtained results are in good agreement with those obtained by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. We investigated the correlation of the broadening parameter and characteristic EMA components with the nanocrystal size and the sample preparation conditions, such as the annealing temperatures of the SRO superlattices and the anodization current density of the porous silicon samples. We found that the broadening parameter is a sensitive measure of the nanocrystallinity of the samples, even in cases, where the nanocrystals are too small to be visible for X-ray scattering. Major processes like sintering, phase separation, and intermixing have been revealed as a function of annealing of the SRO superlattices. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An expert panel convened to reach a consensus regarding the optimal use of lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone (Len/Dex) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). On the basis of the available evidence, the panel agreed that Len/Dex is a valid and effective treatment option for most patients with RRMM. As with other therapies, using Len/Dex at first relapse is more effective regarding response rate and durability than using it after multiple salvage therapies. Len/Dex may be beneficial regardless of patient age, disease stage and renal function, although the starting dose of lenalidomide should be adjusted for renal impairment and cytopenias. Long-term treatment until there is evidence of disease progression may be recommended at the best-tolerated doses of both lenalidomide and dexamethasone. Recommendations regarding the prevention and management of adverse events, particularly venous thromboembolism and myelosuppression, were provided on the basis of the available evidence and practical experience of panel members. Ongoing trials will provide more insight into the effects of continuous lenalidomide-based therapy in myeloma. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.

Chios mastic gum, the resin obtained as an exudate from the trunk and branches of Pistacia lentiscus L var. chia, is used extensively as a constituent of herbal drugs or functional foods. The oral absorption of its major constituents still remains unclear. In the context of identifying the features of mastic gum that are responsible for either therapeutic effects or effects of nutritional value, a methodology based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed and applied for the quantification of mastic gum triterpenic acids, 24Z-isomasticadienonic acid (IMNA), and 24Z-isomasticadienolic acid (IMLA) in mouse plasma. The specific compounds were selected based on their biological activity and potential against Helicobacter pylori. Concentrations were determined simultaneously in mouse plasma after oral administration of mastic gum or total mastic extract without polymer (TMEWP) in order to evaluate the role of the natural polymer, poly - myrcene, in the absorption process. Following TMEWP administration in mice, circulating IMNA and IMLA plasma levels were significantly higher (approximately 10-fold) in comparison to IMNA and IMLA plasma levels following total mastic gum administration (CMG), suggesting that the polymer plays a critical role in the absorption process. More specifically following TMEWP administration, Cmax plasma values were 3300±859ng/mL for IMNA and 163±58ng/mL for IMLA. In comparison, following CMG administration, Cmax plasma values were 329±57ng/mL for IMNA and 28±8ng/mL for IMLA. The methodological approaches presented in this study, along with the findings, offer valuable information on the availability of bioactive components following ingestion of mastic and facilitate the uses of mastic either as an ingredient of functional foods or as a herbal drug. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart - New York.

In Greece, there is no officially organized training in clinical chemistry for scientists. The Greek Society of Clinical Chemistry-Clinical Biochemistry decided to organize an intensive educational program of 18 seminars on clinical chemistry content as it is described in the EC4 Syllabus. The duration of each seminar was about 6 hours and consisted of 6 to 9 lectures. At the end of each seminar there was a voluntary written examination, comprised of 24 multiple choice questions. Successful completion of the Educational program was leading to a Certificate of Competence. Two cycles of the 18 seminars were performed: 1st cycle from October 2003 to December 2005 and 2nd cycle from March 2005 to October 2007. One hundred eighty nine colleagues was the mean attendance per seminar for the seminars of the 1st cycle and 38 colleagues for the seminars of the 2nd cycle. The mean participation to the examination for each seminar was almost 80% for the 1st cycle and 68% for the 2nd cycle. More than 80% of the participants performed Good or Very good in the examination in both cycles. It is estimated that more than 40% of the scientists who practice Clinical Chemistry in Greece, participated to this educational activity. This program is now provided as an e-learning application, and it is open for all scientists who want to follow the discipline of clinical chemistry.

BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT-UC) was a rare, aggressive urologic cancer with a propensity for multifocality, local recurrence, and metastasis. High-risk patients had poor outcomes. Because of the rarity of these tumors, randomized clinical trials and data regarding adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced tumors are currently unavailable. Our objective was to assess the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy and the impact of potential prognostic factors on survival in high-risk, postsurgical UUT-UC patients. METHODS: Using a multi-institutional, international retrospective database, identified were 627 patients with high risk UUT-UCs (pT3N0, pT4N0 and/or N+ and/or M+) who underwent surgical removal. Only patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy were included. RESULTS: Overall, 140 patients (22.6%) with a median age of 67 years were included. The median follow-up was 22.5 months. The 5-year, overall survival for the entire cohort was 43%, the 5-year recurrence-free survival was 54%, and metastasis-free survival was 53% at 5 years. Positive surgical margins were an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (P =.06), cancer-specific mortality (P =.05), and overall mortality (P =.02) of any cause. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not linked with overall or cancer-specific survival in patients with high risk disease (adjuvant chemotherapy [n = 140] vs no treatment [n = 487]) (P >.5). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy did not offer any significant benefit to overall survival in our population. Additional data were necessary, and studies enrolling patients at high risk in clinical trials investigating neoadjuvant chemotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy should have been highly encouraged. Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.

Multiple myeloma, a plasma cell neoplasm, is the second most common hematologic malignancy after non-Hodgkins lymphoma and is responsible for 2% of cancer deaths. Melphalan and prednisone (MP) has been the standard treatment in elderly patients for many decades. The VISTA study evaluated the effect of this combination with or without the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in newly diagnosed myeloma patients who were not candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation. Altogether 682 patients were enrolled and prospectively randomized in this trial. All patients received nine 6-week cycles of oral melphalan (9 mg/m 2) and prednisone (60 mg/m 2) on days 1-4, either alone or with bortezomib administered intravenously (1.3 mg/m 2 on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25, 29 and 32 during the first four cycles and on days 1, 8, 22, 29 during remaining course of therapy). Median time to progression (the primary end point of the trial) was 24 months in the bortezomib-containing group compared with 16.6 months in the control group (p < 0.001). Response was evaluated in 337 patients receiving bortezomib compared with 331 patients in the control group who received MP alone; the percentages of partial response or better was 71 vs 35% (p < 0.001), with complete response seen in 30 vs 4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Median response duration in both groups was 19.9 versus 13.1 months, respectively. Median overall survival has not been reached in VMP group compared with 43 months in the MP group (p < 0.001), and this benefit is maintained after long term follow-up and subsequent antimyeloma therapies. Hematological adverse events (AEs) were similar in both groups, although patients in the bortezomib group experienced more frequent peripheral sensory neuropathy (including 13% grade 3, with less than 1% grade 4). Overall, the occurrence of grade 3 AEs was higher in patients receiving bortezomib (53 vs 44%, p = 0.02), but the risk of grade 4 AEs was identical (28 vs 27%). These results confirm the superiority of MP plus bortezomib combination over MP therapy in treatment-naive patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. © 2011 Future Medicine Ltd.

Background: Randomized studies have shown that bevacizumab combined with taxane-based regimens increases response rates and prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However predictive or prognostic biological markers that identify the appropriate target population, thus improving the cost-effectiveness ratio of this treatment, are still needed. Patients and Methods: Retrospectively, 124 patients with MBC treated either with paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 weekly x12 plus bevacizumab 10 μg/kg every 2 weeks or 15 μg/kg every 3 weeks (85 patients) or paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 plus bevacizumab 15 μg/kg every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (36 patients) were identified. Additionally, the prognostic significance of a panel of key biological markers was evaluated centrally by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 88 evaluable patients. Results: More than two thirds of the patients completed chemotherapy, as planned. The response rate was almost identical (55.3% vs. 55.6%) in the patients treated with weekly or 3-weekly paclitaxel, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 23 months, the median PFS of the study population was 13 months, while median survival had not yet been reached. Common severe adverse events were neutropenia (33%), neuropathy (18.6%) and metabolic disturbances (17.6%). The incidence of hypertension of all grades was 28.1%. High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 3 (VEGFR3) was associated with clinical response, while high expression of VEGFR1 was associated with poor survival. Conclusion: The safety and activity of the combination of bevacizumab with paclitaxel given either weekly or 3-weekly in patients with MBC is confirmed.

Background: Paclitaxel (Taxol) and vinorelbine have shown synergism of cytotoxic effects in vitro and clinical activity in phase I and II studies. This combination was compared prospectively with the paclitaxel/gemcitabine regimen in non-operable non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients and methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients, stage IIIbwet and IV with performance status (0-1), were randomized to receive paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 on day 1 plus gemcitabine 1 gm/m2 (group A) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks or paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 plus vinorelbine 22.5 mg/m2 (group B) on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks. Results: A total of 398 out of 415 patients were eligible for analysis on intent-to-treat basis (group A: 196, group B: 202). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.3-5.6] and 4.4 months (95% CI 3.7-5.2) for groups A and B respectively (P = 0.365). Median survival was 11.1 months (95% CI 9.2-13.0) and 8.6 months (95% CI 7.0-10.2) for groups A and B respectively (P = 0.147). Grade 3/4 neutropenia and leukopenia were worse in group B (P < 0.001, in both cases). Febrile neutropenia and severe infections were more prominent (P < 0.001, P = 0.029 respectively) in group B. Conclusion: Although response rate, PFS and survival were non-different in both groups, toxicity was significantly worse in group B and therefore further investigation of P-Vin is of no value. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.

Dispilio is a lakeside settlement by the Orestias Lake, Kastoria, northern Greece. The site was inhabited from the Middle Neolithic to the Chalcolithic, with some surface evidence of Bronze Age occupation. Microfacies analysis of the sediments, supported by a suite of environmental indices, has provided detailed paleoenvironmental data and elucidated the main processes involved in the formation of the site and its history of occupation. The settlement was established on the lakeshore, on a shallow sand ridge and a shore marsh. Initially, houses were built on raised platforms above the water. After a major conflagration, a range of depositional microenvironments were established that caused local changes in the sedimentation rate. Therefore, some areas quickly emerged and became dry land, while some others continued to be flooded as part of the transitional supra-littoral environment. On the dry land, houses were built directly on the ground, whereas in the transitional areas houses continued to be built on raised platforms. Thus, gradually, a mound was formed and further shaped by subsequent lake-level fluctuations. One of the lake-level rises is tentatively related to the abandonment of the mound in the Chalcolithic and the development of a hardpan on its surface. There is also evidence of later occupation during the Bronze Age in the form of a few, mostly surface, archaeological remains.

Background. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy (CS) can evoke anxiety, embarrassment, and discomfort. These concerns can culminate in panic attacks, which may traumatize patients and significantly decrease their compliance to the procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preendoscopic anxiety and the possibility of a panic attack during an elective gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGE). Methods. The study population comprised of 79 Greek outpatients. The examination was carried out without the use of conscious sedation. Patients' anxiety levels were assessed before the procedure using the Greek version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Results. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled: 45 EGD and 34 CS. Females had higher state and trait anxiety levels than males (48.14 ± 7.94 versus 44.17 ± 7.43, P < 0.05; and 43.68 ± 6.95 versus 39.86 ± 7.46, P < 0.05). Patients who experienced panic attack had significantly higher levels of both trait and state anxiety, compared to those who were panic-free. There was no significant relationship between panic attacks and sex or type of procedure. Conclusions. Patients who experience panic attacks during endoscopic procedures appear to have significantly higher anxiety levels before the procedure. Administering the STAI questionnaire prior to the endoscopy seems to be a useful screening method for vulnerable patients.

Summary form only given. Coaxial cavity gyrotrons with axial corrugated insert are able to provide high-frequency microwave power in the MW region. The insert reduces the voltage depression and enhances the mode-selectivity of the cavity. Choosing the insert's radius and corrugation parameters properly, the parasitic modes are more easily suppressed. A major constraint in the design of such resonators is the heating of the structure due to the dissipation of part of the generated RF power of 2-3kW/cm2, whereas for the inner one this limit is up to ten times lower. The EU 2 MW, 170 GHz coaxial gyrotron cavity has been designed using the Surface Impedance Model (SIM) to calculate the ohmic loading of the insert. However, comparisons of SIM results with those obtained by the full-wave Space Harmonics Method (SHM) revealed significant discrepancies in the calculated ohmic loading. In this work, we perform a parametric study of the ohmic loading using SHM and SIM. Possible optimization, by means of minimization of ohmic losses and mode competition, of the EU coaxial gyrotron cavity is investigated.

{Cow's milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy. In two-thirds of patients, adverse symptoms following milk ingestion are caused by IgE-mediated allergic reactions, whereas for one-third, the mechanisms are unknown. Aim of this study was to investigate whether patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein intolerance can be distinguished from persons without cow's milk protein intolerance based on serological measurement of IgG and IgA specific for purified cow's milk antigens.|We determined IgG(1-4) subclass and IgA antibody levels to purified recombinant αS1-casein, αS2-casein, β-casein, κ-casein, α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin in four patient groups by ELISA: Patients with IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA

Kamberidou, Irene (2011). PEACE EDUCATION: MOVING FORWARD THROUGH SPORT– ATHLETES UNITED FOR PEACE.  Chapter 6 (pp. 205-266) in  Gender, Social Capital, Multiculturalism & Sport by Irene Kamberidou published  in the Greek language. Publisher: Telethrio, Athens, Greece. [In  http://eudoxus.gr/ (academic publishers for students]

INTRODUCTION: Correlations between cephalometric measurements are frequently assumed to represent biologic associations. However, a significant portion of such correlations might arise from purely geometric dependencies, when measurements share common landmarks. Analytic calculation of this topographic component is difficult. The purpose of this study was to propose a permutation method for evaluating the topographic component of cephalometric correlations. METHODS: The method consisted of creating a virtual sample of cephalometric tracings (landmark configurations) from the original biologic sample under investigation. Each novel landmark configuration was constructed by assigning coordinates to the cephalometric points; the coordinates of each point were taken randomly from the original sample, each from a potentially different subject. Correlation analysis was performed separately on both samples and the results compared. Biologic meaning was ascribed only when there was a significant difference in correlation values between the samples. Confidence intervals for assessing statistical significance were calculated by using a randomization approach. The method was tested on a sample of 170 radiographs to evaluate the correlation between cranial base angle (NSBa) and angles SNA and SNB, as well as between ANB angle and the Wits appraisal. RESULTS: No biologic association was found between ANB and Wits, or between NSBa and SNA. The biologic correlation between NSBa and SNB was statistically significant but low (r(2) = 12%). CONCLUSIONS: Topographic associations between cephalometric measurements are ubiquitous and difficult to assess. The proposed method enables evaluation of their relative strength without the need for analytic solutions.

Most patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) are aged > 65 years with 30% aged > 75 years. Many elderly patients are also vulnerable because of comorbidities that complicate the management of MM. The prevalence of MM is expected to rise over time because of an aging population. Most elderly patients with MM are ineligible for autologous transplantation, and the standard treatment has, until recently, been melphalan plus prednisone. The introduction of novel agents, such as thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide, has improved outcomes; however, elderly patients withMM are more susceptible to side effects and are often unable to tolerate full drug doses. For these patients, lower-dose-intensity regimens improve the safety profile and thus optimize treatment outcome. Further research into the best treatment strategies for vulnerable elderly patients is urgently needed. Appropriate screening for vulnerability and an assessment of cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, and neurologic functions, as well as age > 75 years, at the start of therapy allows treatment strategies to be individualized and drug doses to be tailored to improve tolerability and optimize efficacy. Similarly, occurrence of serious nonhematologic adverse events during treatment should be carefully taken into account to adjust doses and optimize outcomes. © 2011 by The American Society of Hematology.

New CCD light curves of the recently detected eclipsing variable GSC 4589-2999 were obtained and analysed using the Wilson-Deninney code. Spectroscopic observations of the system allowed the spectral classification of the components and the determination of their radial velocities. The physical properties and absolute parameters of the components and an updated ephemeris of the system are given.

We present a detailed analysis of the optical modes and light propagation in photonic crystals consisting of chiral spheres in a nonchiral isotropic medium, calculated by the full electrodynamic layer-multiple-scattering method. It is shown that resonant modes of the individual spheres give rise to narrow bands that hybridize with the extended bands of the appropriate symmetry associated with light propagation in an underlying effective chiral medium. The resulting photonic dispersion diagrams exhibit remarkable features, peculiar to a system that possesses time-reversal but not space-inversion symmetry, which are analyzed in terms of group theory. In particular, we reveal the occurrence of strong band bending away from the Bragg points with consequent negative-slope dispersion inside the first Brillouin zone, slow-photon bands, and frequency gaps. The calculated band structure is discussed in conjunction with relevant reflection diagrams, providing a consistent interpretation of the underlying physics.

We report on the occurrence and properties of photonic surface states in fcc crystals of metallic nanoshells, by means of full-electrodynamic calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method, properly extended. Detailed dispersion diagrams of the surface states associated with the (001)  and (111)  surfaces are calculated for such semi-infinite crystals and corresponding finite slabs, and convergence by increasing the slab thickness is discussed. It is shown that these states can be tuned over a broad frequency range by varying the shell thickness and can be characterized, along high-symmetry directions, according to their symmetry. Absorption in the metallic material limits the propagation length which can, however, be as long as several tens of lattice constants for low-loss metals and relatively broad bands.

Periodic media offer impressive opportunities to manipulate the transport of classical waves namely light or sound. Elastic waves can scatter light through the so-called acousto-optic interaction which is widely used to control light in telecommunication systems and, additionally, the radiation pressure of light can generate elastic waves. Concurrent control of both light and sound through simultaneous photonic-phononic, often called phoxonic, bandgap structures is intended to advance both our understanding as well as our ability to manipulate light with sound and vise versa. In particular co-localization of light and sound in phoxonic cavities could trigger nonlinear absorption and emission processes and lead to enhanced acousto-optic effects. In the present communication, we present our efforts towards the design of different phoxonic crystal architectures such as three-dimensional metallodielectric structures, two-dimensional patterned silicon slabs and simple one-dimensional multilayers, and provide optimum parameters for operation at telecom light and GHz sound. These structures can be used to design phoxonic cavities and study the acousto-optic interaction of localized light and sound, or phoxonic waveguides for tailored slow light-slow sound transport. We also discuss the acousto-optic interaction in onedimensional multilayer structures and study the enhanced modulation of light by acoustic waves in a phoxonic cavity, where a consistent interpretation of the physics of the interaction can be deduced from the time evolution of the scattered optical field, under the influence of an acoustic wave.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between physical activity (PA) and Alzheimer disease (AD) course. BACKGROUND: PA has been related to lower risk for AD. Whether PA is associated with subsequent AD course has not been investigated. METHODS: In a population-based study of individuals aged 65 years and older in New York who were prospectively followed up with standard neurologic and neuropsychological evaluations (every ~1.5 years), 357 participants i) were nondemented at baseline and ii) were diagnosed with AD during follow-up (incident AD). PA (sum of participation in a variety of physical activities, weighted by the type of activity [light, moderate, and severe]) obtained 2.4 (standard deviation [SD], 1.9) years before incidence was the main predictor of mortality in Cox models and of cognitive decline in generalized estimating equation models that were adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, education, comorbidities, and duration between PA evaluation and dementia onset. RESULTS: One hundred fifty incident AD cases (54%) died during the course of 5.2 (SD, 4.4) years of follow-up. When compared with incident AD cases who were physically inactive, those with some PA had lower mortality risk, whereas incident AD participants with much PA had an even lower risk. Additional adjustments for apolipoprotein genotype, smoking, comorbidity index, and cognitive performance did not change the associations. PA did not affect rates of cognitive or functional decline. CONCLUSION: Exercise may affect not only risk for AD but also subsequent disease duration: more PA is associated with prolonged survival in AD.

In recent years, significant changes in precipitation regimes have been observed and these manifest in socio economic and ecological problems especially in regions with increased vulnerability such as the Mediterranean region. For this reason, it is necessary to estimate the future projected precipitation on short and long-term basis by analyzing long time series of observed station data. In this study, an effort was made in order to forecast the monthly maximum, minimum, mean and cumulative precipitation totals within a period of the next four consecutive months, using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The precipitation datasets concern monthly totals recorded at four meteorological stations (Alexandroupolis, Thessaloniki, Athens, and Patras), in Greece. For the evaluation of the results and the ability of the developed prognostic models, appropriate statistical indexes such as the coefficient of determination (R2), the index of agreement (IA) and the root mean square error (RMSE) were used. The findings from this analysis showed that the ANN's methodology provides satisfactory precipitation totals in four consecutive months and these results are better results, than those obtained using classical statistical methods. A fairly good consistency between the observed and the predicted precipitation totals at a statistical significance level of p < 0.01 for the most of the examined cases has been revealed. More specifically, the Index of Agreement (IA) ranges between 0.523 and 0.867 and the coefficient of determination (R2) ranges between 0.141 and 0.603. The most accurate forecasts concern the mean monthly and the cumulative precipitation for the next four consecutive months. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

OBJECTIVE: Insomnia is frequently underrecognized in medical wards; therefore, we assessed the prevalence and explored medical and psychological variables associated with insomnia. METHOD: The Athens Insomnia Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were completed in 235 inpatients along with demographic data, admission diagnosis, lifetime psychiatric diagnosis and prescribed psychotropics. RESULTS: The overall insomnia prevalence was 37%. Logistic regression showed that HADS anxiety and depression cases and patients with infections were more likely to have insomnia (OR 24.2, 6.1 and 5.4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with depressive and mainly anxiety symptoms are more likely to experience insomnia in medical wards. Patients with infections are also likely to have insomnia, independently of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and appropriate interventions should be applied.

The main objective of the present study is to perform a trend analysis and investigate the possible changes in the frequency and wind intensity of the Etesians during June to September of the years 1979 to 2009. The analysis is based mainly on the use of Reanalysis-1 data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research. The results are indicative of negative trends in the frequency and wind speed (WS) of the Etesians. During the 31-year period studied, the total number of Etesian days from June to September decreased by about 4.6 days, while the monthly maximum intensity of the daily WS was reduced by almost 1 m s-1. The above indications are strengthened by similar results derived from the trend analysis of observational wind data in the central Aegean for the years 1955 to 2002. The negative trend in the frequency of the Etesian days could be explained by a decreasing trend in the pressure gradient between the central and southern Europe high-pressure center and the Middle East low-pressure center, which cause the Etesians system. In the study, a possible association between the Southern Oscillation and the Etesian winds is also revealed. The negative trend in the frequency and WS of the Etesian winds could imply a reduced cooling mechanism in the eastern Mediterranean in the summer period due to climate change. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.

Primary systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) results from the accumulation of amyloid fibrils that are composed of a monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain that is produced by a plasma cell clone. Almost every organ can be involved, resulting in multisystemic symptoms and signs. Diagnosis may be difficult and requires a certain degree of suspicion. Treatment is challenging and most patients may be quite frail. Careful assessment of the organ involvement and prognosis is needed before planning the treatment strategy. Supportive care is critical for AL patients. The goal of treatment is the reduction of light chain production. Conventional chemotherapy may be effective and recently introduced novel agents expand treatment options in patients who relapse or are not candidates for high-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplant (HDM-ASCT). In experienced centers, HDM-ASCT in patients deemed capable of tolerating the procedure is associated with high response rates with modest treatment-related mortality. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

We reexamined the total extinction along the sightline of a quasar (J004457+4123) behind the disk of M31 and used a varying total-to-selective extinction ratio in order to obtain a better agreement between its optical spectrum and a composite SDSS spectrum based on input spectra of quasars from DR7 at similar redshifts. The M31 outermost disk predominates (~85%) the total foreground (Milky Way+M31) selective extinction EB-V = 0.30+/-0.05 mag and the derived gas-to-dust ratio is N(H)/EB-V = (3.5+/-0.7)×1020 atcm-2 mag-1.

The management of patients with AL requires meticulous risk assessment in order to plan treatment strategy and reduce the risk of treatment related complications. The most important prognostic feature and poor risk factor is amyloidotic involvement of the heart. Traditional techniques, such as ultrasonography provide significant information on the severity of cardiac amyloidosis, however cardiac biomarkers (cardiac Troponins and NTproBNP) are simpler to perform, are available in almost every lab or as a bedside test, are noninvasive, have reasonable cost, and are powerful predictors of outcome and assess the risk of treatment related complications (especially early death) in patients considered for autologous transplantation. Refinement of cardiac biomarker-based prognostic system with additional markers may help identify subgroups of patients at special risk. Additional markers could also help assess the risk of renal or liver damage or autonomic dysfunction and could help improve management. There are no formal guidelines for the management of AL patients based on risk stratification systems; however, recommendations have been published and current evidence supports the use of cardiac biomarkers as a helpful guide to treatment strategy.© 2011 Informa UK, Ltd.

Objective: Early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer represents a prognostically heterogenous group. We studied prognostic factors in patients treated with adjuvant paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy. Methods: Data was extracted from 147 patients with FIGO stage IA/IB, grade 2/3 or stage IC/IIA (any grade) who underwent primary surgery followed by paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy. Results: Median follow-up was 88 months. Ten-year relapse-free (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were: 81% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73-89) and 81% (95% CI: 73-89). On multivariate analysis, non serous histology was associated with reduced risk for RFS (0.294, 95% CI: 0.112-0.577, p = 0.001) and DSS (0.194, 95% CI: 0.075-0.504, p = 0.001), while high-risk category (stage IC/IIA and grade 2/3) with increased risk for RFS (3.989, 95% CI: 1.189-13.389, p = 0.009) and DSS (3.989, 95% CI: 1.064-16.386, p = 0.038). The combination of histology and grade identified 3 groups with distinctly different 10-year RFS and DSS rates (p < 0.001): grade 1 (100% and 100%), non-serous grade 2/3 (83% and 86%) and serous grade 2/3 (60% and 60%). Conclusions: Serous histology is an adverse prognostic factor in early-stage ovarian cancer treated with adjuvant paclitaxel/carboplatin. Risk stratification according to histology and grade is a useful discriminator of prognosis and can be used in the design of future studies. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is characterized by a protracted course in most patients and the median survival may be long. However, a subset of patients may present with more aggressive disease that is associated with short survival. In order to better characterize these "poor-risk" patients, we identified patients who died within 2 years from the initiation of front-line treatment. These patients were older and had more often features of aggressive disease, such as elevated LDH and low serum albumin than the standard-risk population. Furthermore, only a minority of poor-risk patient had a response to initial therapy. However, conventional clinical factors or even the lack on response could not adequately identify poor-risk patients, indicating the need for novel molecular or other markers that would be able to effectively recognize patients at greatest need for aggressive therapies. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

There is a wide variety in the appearance of normal female external genitalia. Nevertheless a specific prototype is promoted by the media, leading to a false sense that all other appearances are abnormal. As adolescents become sexually aware at an earlier age, most of them are worried about the appearance of their genitalia, especially when labia minora protrude beyond labia majora. This is a prospective audit of adolescents presenting for assessment of their perceived abnormal genitalia. Sixteen girls aged 10.2 to 17.8 years presented between June 2009 and December 2010 to a specialist adolescent gynecology service. Their mean labial width was 36 mm (range: 2055 mm). In six girls, the reason for attending the service was inequality of the size of labia ranging between 6 mm and 35 mm (mean of 20 mm). Among the remaining 10 girls, the concern had arisen through comparison with a prepubescent sibling (one case), change of genitalia during puberty (four cases), looking at internet pictures (four cases), and looking at an anatomy book (one case). Risks of Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS) have not been adequately documented, especially with regards to sexual function and long-term patient satisfaction. External genitalia are likely to change during puberty and therefore, any genital operation in the absence of clear pathology should be deferred until adulthood. Even then, women should have clear expectations of what will be achieved with the operation in terms of appearance and function. © 2011 Informa UK, Ltd.

Between 2004 and 2009, 60 patients with proximal tibial fractures were included in this prospective study. All fractures were treated with the polyaxial locked-plate fixation system (DePuy, Warsaw, IN, USA). Clinical and radiographic data, including fracture pattern, changes in alignment, local and systemic complications, hardware failure and fracture union were analysed. The mean follow-up was 14 (12-36) months. According to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification, there were five 41-A, 28 41-B and 27 41-C fractures. Fractures were treated percutaneously in 30% of cases. Double-plating was used in 11 cases. All but three fractures progressed to union at a mean of 3.2 (2.5-5) months. There was no evidence of varus collapse as a result of polyaxial screw failure. No plate fractured, and no screw cut out was noted. There was one case of lateral joint collapse (>10°) in a patient with open bicondylar plateau fracture. The mean Knee Society Score at the time of final follow-up was 91 points, and the mean functional score was 89 points. The polyaxial locking-plate system provided stable fixation of extra-articular and intra-articular proximal tibial fractures and good functional outcomes with a low complication rate.

In a previous paper ([1]), we associated a holonomy groupoid and a C*-algebra to any singular foliation (M,ℱ). Using these, we construct the associated pseudodifferential calculus. This calculus gives meaning to a Laplace operator of any singular foliation ℱ on a compact manifold M, and we show that it can be naturally understood as a positive, unbounded, self-adjoint operator on L2(M).

Στον τόμο αυτό περιέχονται επιλεγμένες εργασίες που παρουσιάστηκαν στο Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο "Ιστορία, Φιλοσοφία και Διδακτική των Επιστημών", το οποίο έγινε στην Αθήνα από τις 5 έως και τις 10 Μαΐου 2010, υπό την επιστημονική εποπτεία της Ελληνικής Εταιρεία Ιστορίας, Φιλοσοφίας και Διδακτικής των Επιστημών - ΕΕΙΦΔΕ. Οι βασικοί θεματικοί άξονες του Συνεδρίου στόχευαν στο να δοθεί βήμα στην πρωτογενή έρευνα που διεξάγεται στην Ελλάδα στους τομείς επιστημονικής δραστηριοποίησης της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Ιστορίας, Φιλοσοφίας και Διδακτικής των Επιτημών. Συγκεκριμένα, οι εργασίες που περιλαμβάνονται στον παρόντα τόμο άπτονται θεμάτων Ιστορίας της Επιστήμης και της Διδακτικής, Φιλοσοφίας της Επιστήμης, Κοινωνιολογίας της Επιστήμης, Θεωρίας και Πράξης της Διδακτικής, Συγκρότησης της Επιστήμης της Διδακτικής, Διδακτικής Μεθοδολογίας.

The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Test of Performance Strategies-Competition scale (TOPS-CS; Thomas et al., 1999) in Greek athletic population. The TOPS-CS was designed to assess eight psychological strategies used by athletes in competition (activation, automaticity, emotional control, goal-setting, imagery, negative thinking, relaxation and self-talk). In order to evaluate the psychometric properties of the inventory, two different research studies were conducted in two different age groups (n1=382 athletes, aged 16 to 20 years and n2=343 athletes, aged 12 to 15 years). Furthermore, 263 athletes, (aged 16 to 20 years) completed the TOPS-CS, purposing to perform confirmatory factor analysis. The results of the first study supported the initial factorial structure of the TOPS-CS for athletes aged 16-20 years. Reliability analysis also provided adequate evidence for the internal consistency and stability of the scale for Greek athletes of this age. However, for athletes aged 12 to 15 years, the validity and reliability of the inventory were questionable and further research is required. © Editorial Committee of Journal of Human Kinetics.

The effects of the geological, tectonic and neotectonic structure and the impact of the human presence and activity on the drainage network of Pineios river are presented here in order to determine the causes of its diversion and the implications to the shoreline. We used, analyzed and evaluated (a) geomorphological, geological, tectonic and neotectonic data of the study area, (b) historical information and archaeological findings from buried and eroded archaeological sites of the wider study area, (c) published data related to drill cores and radiocarbon dates, and (d) remote sensing datasets, as satellite and aerial photos of different capturing periods, as well as real-time kinematic differential GPS measurements for the definition of the current shoreline. It is concluded that the detected shoreline displacements and drainage diversions are the result of the combination of active tectonics and human activity during the last 100 kyrs.

Human kallikrein-related peptidase 14 gene (KLK14) is regulated by androgens and progestins. This gene is expressed in the central nervous system and endocrine tissues such as the breast, prostate and ovary. The differential KLK14 mRNA expression levels are related to several human neoplasias, among them breast cancer. The aim of this study was to analyse the KLK14 expression in breast tissues and to investigate its differential diagnostic and prognostic value in the mammary carcinomas. For this purpose, we isolated total RNA from 70 malignant and 33 benign specimens. After testing RNA quality, we synthesised cDNA by reverse transcription and applied a highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method for KLK14 mRNA quantification using the SYBR Green(R) chemistry. HPRT1 was used as a reference gene and the BT20 breast cancer cell line as a calibrator. Relative quantification analysis was performed using the comparative CT method 2-DeltaDeltaCT. KLK14 expression was detected in both types of breast tumours. However, a statistically significant increase of the KLK14 mRNA level was observed in the malignant, compared to the benign tumour samples (p<0.001), highlighting its value in discriminating these breast lesions. Elevated KLK14 expression profiles were associated with higher tumour grade (p=0.043) and size (p=0.007) in cancerous samples. Furthermore, KLK14 mRNA expression showed negative correlation in a statistically significant manner with estrogen receptor status (p=0.024). In accordance with logistic regression models (p=0.012) and receiver-operating-characteristics analysis (p<0.001), KLK14 gene expression could be evaluated as a putative independent diagnostic biomarker in breast tumour biopsies.

Background: Colon cancer is a public health problem worldwide. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection for stage III colon cancer has been shown to improve both progression-free and overall survival, and is currently recommended as standard therapy. However, its value for patients with stage II disease remains controversial. When this study was designed 5-fluorouracil (5FU) plus leucovorin (LV) was standard adjuvant treatment for colon cancer. Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a topoisomerase I inhibitor with activity in metastatic disease. In this multicenter adjuvant phase III trial, we evaluated the addition of irinotecan to weekly 5FU plus LV in patients with stage II or III colon cancer.Methods: The study included 873 eligible patients. The treatment consisted of weekly administration of irinotecan 80 mg/m2intravenously (IV), LV 200 mg/m2and 5FU 450 mg/m2bolus (Arm A) versus LV 200 mg/m2and 5FU 500 mg/m2IV bolus (Arm B). In Arm A, treatments were administered weekly for four consecutive weeks, followed by a two-week rest, for a total of six cycles, while in Arm B treatments were administered weekly for six consecutive weeks, followed by a two-week rest, for a total of four cycles. The primary end-point was disease-free survival (DFS) at three years.Results: The probability of overall survival (OS) at three years was 0.88 for patients in Arm A and 0.86 for those in Arm B, while the five-year OS probability was 0.78 and 0.76 for patients in Arm A and Arm B, respectively (P = 0.436). Furthermore, the probability of DFS at three years was 0.78 and 0.76 for patients in Arm A and Arm B, respectively (P = 0.334). With the exception of leucopenia and neutropenia, which were higher in patients in Arm A, there were no significant differences in Grades 3 and 4 toxicities between the two regimens. The most frequently recorded Grade 3/4 toxicity was diarrhea in both treatment arms.Conclusions: Irinotecan added to weekly bolus 5FU plus LV did not result in improvement in disease-free or overall survival in stage II or III colon cancer, but did increase toxicity.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000148077. © 2011 Papadimitriou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Background in Ancient Greek Music Theory and Philosophy. The foundation of musicology as agenuine discipline with a clear-cut subject matter and a well-defined terminology can be traced backto the writings of Aristoxenus of Taras, a pupil of Aristotle. However, its epistemological roots in harmonicsand origin in Pythagorean philosophy reach back until the 6th century. Ad interim the developmentof a melodic notation system acted as a crucial factor to grow musicology into a ̔science’ oflogical reasoning. Interestingly, and still without satisfactory explanation, notation as an adequatemedium of music was brusquely rejected by Aristoxenus.Background in Music Technology and Signal Processing. Besides the thought-provoking fact thatsignal processing as the foundation of modern music technology itself originates from the domain ofharmonic analysis and, similarly, became relevant to ̔musicology proper’ only by extension with adiscrete agency purely logic in nature—i.e. the computer—now, real-time pitch-tracking andpitch-shifting can be used to augment ancient instruments electronically in order to pose archaeologicalquestions and challenge sedimented hermeneutical interpretations.Aims. While re-enacting historical configurations, applied media theory provides an unconventionalframework to interlink both backgrounds anachronistically. In practice, the aim of the present interdisciplinaryapproach is to take issue with common exegeses of the rise of ancient Greek music theory,deliver testable hypotheses to corroborate a modified picture and finally to overcome the outdatedantithesis of Pythagorean vs. Aristoxenian views on music—i.e. numerology vs. phenomenology—propounded since the Hellenistic Period and still prevalent today.Main contribution. The historical background and epistemological circumstances that led to theformation of musicology as a separate field of knowledge are reviewed. During the course of discussiona "pre-Aristoxenian codec of notation" is uncovered and linked with scattered references to thebarbiton-lyre. The acoustical significance of its origin becomes ̔instrumental’ to augment a self-madereconstruction of such an instrument electronically. Hereby a perceptual model of melody isre-enacted that logically connects and unifies theoretical camps previously considered irreconcilable.The technology and methodology necessary to achieve this is described.Implications. Towards the end of the 5th century, many sources ascribe a revolutionary ̔new music’to the advent of frequent modulations and different ̔styles’ of playing techniques. Taking this revolutionseriously, the present paper constructs a history of hearing that proposes a rupture in the ancientGreek sonosphere. Accordingly, the changed strategy of listening is regarded the true cause of theAristoxenian separation of musicology. Today, the ̔kernel’ of this parting can be identified with themore general domain of "time-critical processes" in computation and signal processing whose applicationenables us to understand the subsequent reshaping of music theory and the radical remodellingof its philosophical conception. By extension, this lesson in mousikḗ may make us rethink music asstill a vital epistemological field and may encourage us to form a new research domain possibly calledcomputational archaeomusicology.

Abstract Renal impairment (RI) is a common presenting complication of multiple myeloma associated with significant morbidity and early mortality, while it has been associated with inferior survival in patients treated with conventional regimens. We assessed the impact of RI in 203 unselected consecutive patients treated upfront with novel agents (thalidomide, lenalidomide, bortezomib). RI was assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). RI (eGFR <60 mL/min) was present in 93 (45.8%) of patients at diagnosis and was associated with advanced age, advanced International Staging System (ISS) stage, poorer performance status, hypercalcemia, urine Bence-Jones proteinuria, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Myeloma response rates were similar for patients with or without RI. In univariate analysis RI was associated with shorter survival and a higher rate of early death (7% vs. 3.5%); however, when adjusted for other prognostic factors, RI was not independently associated with survival. In conclusion, in unselected newly diagnosed patients treated with novel agent-based therapies, RI is not independently associated with inferior survival, probably due to the significant activity of novel agents even in the context of RI.

To investigate the mechanisms of the therapeutic action and drug resistance to the nitrogen mustard melphalan, melphalan-induced DNA damage repair and chromatin structure were examined along the p53, N-ras and d-globin gene loci in cells carrying different repair activities. In nucleotide excision repair-deficient XP-A cells, similar levels of adducts were found in all fragments examined, indicating uniform distribution of DNA damage. In both, repair-proficient CS-B and XP-C cells, faster repair was observed in regions inside the transcribed N-ras and p53 genes, compared to regions on both sides outside of the genes, while no such difference was observed for the inactive d-globin gene. Moreover, very fast adduct repair on the transcribed strand of the active genes was seen immediately downstream of the transcription start site, together with a steeply decreasing gradient of repair efficiency along the gene towards the 3'-end. In all cells analyzed, the above variation in DNA repair efficiency was paralleled exactly by the variation in the degree of local chromatin condensation, more relaxed chromatin being associated with faster repair. Similar results were obtained using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers, suggesting that the existence of a repair gradient along transcribed genes may be a universal phenomenon. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the repair of melphalan adducts in the transcribed strand of active genes is subject to a strong polarity effect arising from variations in the chromatin structure. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Objectives: Stage I testicular nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT) are highly curable. Following orchidectomy surveillance, adjuvant chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection can be applied. Certain factors are used to select patients in high-risk for relapse. We report the outcome and safety of a risk-adapted strategy by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group. Methods: Between 1994 and 2004, 142 patients with stage I NSGCT and 1 of the following risk factors: lymphovascular invasion (LVI), invasion of tunica vaginalis, spermatic cord, rete testis or scrotal wall, embryonal component >50% of the total tumor, were prospectively included in a protocol of adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of two 3-week courses of bleomycin 15 IU, etoposide 120 mg/m2, and cisplatin 40 mg/m2 for 3 consecutive days with G-CSF support. Results: Median follow-up was 79 months and 138 patients have been followed for at least 2 years. Seventy-seven patients (54%) had LVI and 74 (52%) had >50% embryonal component. There was 1 relapse, which was cured with chemotherapy and surgery. Another patient died due to disease-unrelated causes and 1 patient developed a new primary of the remaining testicle, which was cured with surgery. Conclusion: Two cycles of bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin is an effective and safe form of adjuvant therapy in high-risk stage I NSGCT. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Differences in ecological conditions can result in the evolution of dramatic inter-population shifts in whole suites of traits. We studied variation in reproductive output in three lizard populations of the Skyros Wall Lizard (Podarcis gaigeae, Lacertidae) endemic to the Skyros Archipelago (Greece), which live under similar climatic conditions but differ in predation pressure and food availability. Based on the ‘‘island syndrome’’ hypothesis, we predicted that females from island populations would produce larger, but fewer offspring. The study populations differ conspicuously in average body size, with males from the satellite Lakonissi and Diavates islets being respectively 20% and 39% larger than males from the main Skyros Island. Lizards from these predator-free islets produced eggs of larger size than the main Skyros population; however, they also produced significantly larger clutches than the Skyros population (2.31±0.83 and 2.73±1.0 vs. 1.97±0.58 eggs). All inter-population differences in clutch size, clutch volume, and egg size were explained by corresponding differences in average body size of the dams, revealing that across all populations, reproductive effort scaled similarly with maternal body size. There was no evidence of trade-offs between egg size and clutch size as generally encountered in many reptile taxa. The occurrence of this unusual pattern of reproductive investment among islet populations of giants is probably best explained by the occurrence of two underlying drivers: first, the substantial marine subsidies by resident seabird colonies and second, the existence of intense cannibalistic behaviors in the form of attacks to the tail and severe intraspecific predation on juveniles. This suggests that subsidies-driven gigantism in island endemics may free species from such trade-offs and allow a population to maximize reproductive output in multiple, normally conflicting dimensions.

Aim.?Postpartum mood disturbances are common among Greek women, with postpartum depression (PPD) being as high as 19%. This study aimed to investigate whether sex steroid hormone levels affect the incidence of postpartum mood disturbances. Materials and methods.?Fifty-seven women were evaluated for postpartum mood disturbances using the Postpartum Blues Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on the 1st and 6th week. Serum estradiol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations were measured upon admission for delivery and daily until the fourth postpartum day. We then studied the association between hormone levels and the scores in the two psychometric scales. Results.?Testosterone was the only hormone that was marginally associated with psychometric scoring in simple regression analysis. (Postpartum Blues during days 14: b = 4.291, 95% C.I. -0.796 to 9.377 and p-value = 0.096). Women with lower testosterone drops had higher scores in Postpartum Blues Questionnaire. This association, however, lost statistical significance in the multivariable analysis after adjusting for pregnancy duration. In multiple regression analysis, only pregnancy duration had the most constant adverse effect on psychometric scores: The shorter the duration of pregnancy, the higher the scores for Postpartum Blues. (r = -0.39, p < 0.01). Conclusions.?Our findings do not indicate an association between the occurrence of postpartum mood disorders and sex steroid hormone levels. Preterm labour may be associated with a higher risk of postpartum mood disturbances. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd.

Successful research management requires multifunctional, equal teamwork and efficient coordination, aiming to increase the impact of the research outcomes. Aim of this paper is to present the strategies that have been followed to successfully manage the RN4CAST study, one of the largest multi country research projects ever conducted. The paper focuses on the core research strategies rather than on the administrative management activities also required for the success of this case report. Management of a multi-country nursing survey requires the use of common data collection tools, applicable to every context, research protocols supporting the scope of the research, data models for multi-country analyses and global dissemination strategies.

Objectives: This subanalysis of the phase 3 VISTA trial aimed to assess the frequency, characteristics and reversibility of, and prognostic factors for, bortezomib-associated peripheral neuropathy (PN) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma ineligible for high-dose therapy who received bortezomib plus melphalan-prednisone.Methods: Patients received nine 6-wk cycles of VMP (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2, days 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25, 29, 32, cycles 1-4, and days 1, 8, 22, 29, cycles 5-9; melphalan 9 mg/m2, days 1-4, cycles 1-9; and prednisone 60 mg/m2, days 1-4, cycles 1-9).Results: Overall, 47% of patients receiving VMP developed PN, including 19% grade 2 and 13% grade ≥3 (<1% grade 4). The PN incidence was dose-related and reached a plateau at a cumulative bortezomib dose of approximately 45 mg/m2. Median time to PN onset was 2.3 months. Bortezomib-associated PN was reversible; 79% of events improved by at least one NCI CTCAE grade within a median of 1.9 months and 60% completely resolved within a median of 5.7 months, with reversibility similar in responding and non-responding patients. By multivariate analysis, baseline neuropathy was the only consistent risk factor for any PN [hazard ratio (HR) 1.785, P = 0.0065], grade ≥2 PN (HR 2.205, P = 0.0032), and grade ≥3 PN (HR 2.438, P = 0.023); age, pre-existing diabetes, International Staging System stage, obesity, and creatinine clearance did not affect the overall rate of PN.Conclusions: Rates of bortezomib-induced PN in the frontline setting were similar to those in relapsed patients and resolved in most cases. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00111319). © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

European legislators and wine producers still debate on the requirement for labeling of wines fined with potentially allergenic food proteins (casein, egg white or fish-derived isinglass). We investigated whether wines fined with known concentrations of these proteins have the potential to provoke clinical allergic reactions in relevant patients.|In-house wines were produced for the study, fined with different concentrations of casein (n = 7), egg albumin (n = 1) and isinglass (n = 3). ELISA and PCR kits specific for the respective proteins were used to identify the fining agents. Skin prick tests and basophil activation tests were performed in patients with confirmed IgE-mediated relevant food allergies (n = 24). A wine consumption questionnaire and detailed history on possible reactions to wine was obtained in a multinational cohort of milk, egg or fish allergic patients (n = 53) and patients allergic to irrelevant foods as controls (n = 13).|Fining agents were not detectable in wines with the available laboratory methods. Nevertheless, positive skin prick test reactions and basophil activation to the relevant wines were observed in the majority of patients with allergy to milk, egg or fish, correlating with the concentration of the fining agent. Among patients consuming wine, reported reactions were few and mild and similar with the ones reported from the control group.|Casein, isinglass or egg, remaining in traces in wine after fining, present a very low risk for the respective food allergic consumers. Physician and patient awareness campaigns may be more suitable than generalized labeling to address this issue, as the latter may have negative impact on both non-allergic and allergic consumers.

Objective: We investigated the efficacy of risk-adapted adjuvant paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy in early-stage ovarian carcinoma. Methods: Fifty-three patients were treated according to the risk of relapse: patients with stages IA or IB or with grade 1 (low risk) received 4 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin; patients with IC/IIA and grade 2 or 3 (high risk) received 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The outcome was compared with that of 95 patients who were all treated with 4 cycles. Results: Median follow-up was 88, 113 and 42 months for the whole cohort, non-risk-adapted and risk-adapted treatment, respectively. Five-year relapse-free and diseasespecific survival was 86 and 93% for the whole population, 96 and 97% for low-risk and 81 and 91% for high-risk patients. Risk classification was the only significant prognostic factor for relapse-free (p = 0.011) and disease-specific survival (p = 0.039). Among high-risk patients, the administration of 6 cycles was associated with a significantly lower relapse rate after censoring events, which occurred beyond 2 years (3 vs. 18%; p = 0.013), but this difference was diminished at 5 years (23 vs. 25%; p = 0.797). Conclusions: Six cycles of chemotherapy reduced the risk of relapse within 2 years, but the benefit from two additional cycles beyond this time is questionable. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Environmental history often reveals the contribution of humans in the modification of natural environment, always in relation with the climatic factors. Archaeological settlements may be preserved through desiccation, however, they are commonly found in floodplain sediments. Archaeological evidences may provide with useful information about the processes and extent of environmental changes, but they may also be used as tools for the analysis of floodplain sedimentation, relative chronology of sedimentation events and for the geomorphological evaluation of the particular archaeological site. The characteristics of archaeological indicators and the deposits in which they occur, may indicate important aspects of their source, transportation way and age. Evidence of river migration may be found in alluvial plains, through careful observations. The study area is located in Kalavrita region in northern Peloponnese. The archaeological excavations carried out revealed the fortification wall of the ancient city of "Kleitor"which is dated between the 3rd and 2nd century BC (Hellenistic Period). It may also provide clues for land surface development, reworking of sedimentary deposits, paleoenvironmental and climatic conditions. Sediments indicating considerable climatic changes are alluvial deposits of considerable thickness, covering areas with human impact. All the aforementioned become a tool for dating the course changes of the rivers and consequently a geomorphological instability. The relationship between geomorphology and history is recognizable also in the settlement distribution. This close relationship between environment and man provides a tool to understanding the landscape evolution from a geomorphological and historical point of view.

An experimental campaign has been conducted in the frame of the European Commission funded network of excellence ECATS, at Athens International Airport (AIA), Greece, from 13 to 25 September 2007. In order to quantify the background air quality and study the influence of meteorological conditions and airport emissions to the broader region, the analysis was extended to the greater Messogia Plain of Attica, Greece. Mixing height was estimated taking into account measurements from remote sensing and surface based single point instrumentation. According to the analysis, the air quality over Messogia Plain is mainly controlled by the intensity and the direction of the background flow. Under low background wind conditions, the development of local flows (sea and land breeze cells) over the greater area preserves high concentrations of air pollutants which are mainly attributed to the airport emissions, the local activities and traffic. When the background flow is strong, the diurnal cycle of all concentrations was significantly reduced by more than 50%, due to the advection and the subsequent mixing of the lower atmosphere. In order to identify and quantify the various processes linked with meteorology and air quality, the Hilbert-Huang transform was selected to be applied on the air-quality time-series data. The calculated Hilbert spectra of the main pollutants showed that meteorology plays a prescriptive role on the evolution of air pollutants, determining the influence of the local scale characteristics at each station. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Hyaluronan (HA) modulates key cancer cell functions through interaction with its CD44 and receptor for hyaluronic acid-mediated motility (RHAMM) receptors. HA was recently found to regulate the migration of fibrosarcoma cells in a manner specifically dependent on its size. Here, we investigated the effect of HA/RHAMM signaling on the ability of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells to adhere onto fibronectin. Low molecular weight HA (LMWHA) significantly increased (p

In this work, we study theoretically the resonant coupling between longitudinal optical surface vibrations of Si-OH and/or Si-O-Si and electron and hole states in the silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) within light emitting porous Si (PSi) thin films in the framework of the Fröhlich interaction. The results of this analysis are compared with experimental results, which show considerable enhancement and a redshift of the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of a fresh as-grown PSi thin film after prolonged laser irradiation or after aging in air. These effects coincide with the formation of Si-OH and Si-O-Si bonds on the surface of PSi. The redshift of the PL spectrum is due to the pinning of the bandgap of the light emitting Si NCs, as both oxidation via laser irradiation in air and aging in air introduce energy states in the Si NC band gaps. According to the theoretical analysis, the PL enhancement is assigned to inhibition of nonradiative channels rather than to an enhancement of radiative channels in the Si NCs within the PSi film, due to a strong coupling of the surface Si-OH and/or Si-O-Si vibrational modes to the electronic sublevels in the Si NCs within the PSi layer. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

During prostate carcinogenesis the cellular adhesion molecules, i.e.; integrins and cadherins mediate aberrant interactions between glandular epithelial cells and the extracellular matrix. Several integrin α subunits are downregulated, while β subunits are up-regulated. The expression of several cadherins and catenins has specific prognostic value. There is an association between the expression of the E-cadherin/catenin complex and high grade prostate cancer. Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of integrin antagonists are ongoing with promising results. In this article we update the role of integrins and cadherins in prostate carcinogenesis and evaluate the therapeutic potential of their manipulation.

We have performed the Fourier decomposition analysis of 11-yr V-band light curves of a carefully selected sample of 100 RR Lyrae variables, detected in the central regions of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), with the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment, phases II and III. The sample consisted of 84 fundamental mode pulsators (RRab stars) and 16 first-overtone pulsators (RRc stars). The Fourier decomposition parameters were used to derive metal abundances and distance moduli for these RR Lyrae variables. The average metal abundance of the RRab stars on the new scale of Carretta et al. is found to be <[Fe/H]C09>=-1.62 ± 0.41 dex (std, with a standard error of 0.05 dex). The distance modulus of the SMC was found to be <μ>= 18.90 ± 0.18 (std) from the RRab population in a distance scale where the distance modulus of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is μLMC= 18.52 ± 0.06 (std). The 1σ line-of-sight depth for the RRab stars was found to be σint= 4.13 ± 0.27 kpc, in good agreement with that estimated from red clump stars and eclipsing binaries. There is a clear indication that the metal-poorer and metal-richer objects in the sample may belong to different dynamical structures. The metal-rich stars have smaller scaleheight and could be part of a disc-like structure, while the more metal poor objects could be part of a much thicker structure, such as an inner halo or a bulge component.

Sarcomas of the fallopian tube are exceedingly rare malignancies. They have been considered the most lethal of all gynaecological malignancies with high metastatic potential, frequent recurrences and cancer-related deaths. The reported pathological types of the fallopian tube sarcomas are malignant mixed mullerian (mesodermal) tumours or carcinosarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, liposarcomas, and synovial sarcomas. The rarity of these sarcomas and their often aggressive clinical course has resulted in a relatively limited amount of literature. Thus a single hospital or specialist cannot gain sufficient experience with these tumours. This review article tries to elucidate this uncommon malignancy, in a systematic way, focusing on the different pathological types, epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, survival, and different therapeutic modalities (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy). Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Biomass burning and associated emissions of aerosols into the atmosphere play a vital role in atmospheric composition and climate change. During summer of 2007, Greece faced the worst natural disaster recorded in recent decades in terms of human losses, number of fire outbreaks and extent of the estimated burned area (more than 12% of the total forested areas in Greece). The present study aims at analyzing the impact of these fire events in western Peloponnese on atmospheric aerosol concentrations using satellite data. MODIS-derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), effective radius, Ångström exponent, mass concentration, cloud-condensation nuclei (CCN) and OMI Aerosol Index (AI), single scattering albedo, absorption and extinction optical depths were analyzed. MODIS data showed smoke plumes traversing thousands of kilometers southwards influencing the central Mediterranean as well as the north African coastal regions. These thick smoke plumes dramatically affected AOD and aerosol-mass concentrations over the region and altered the microphysical aerosol properties, such as the effective radius and absorption coefficient. Model calculations suggested that the shortwave radiation at the ground was reduced by ∼50 Wm2, while that at the top of the atmosphere was reduced by ∼20 Wm2 resulting in atmospheric heating of ∼30 Wm2 over the areas affected by the smoke plumes. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Four sampling sites were selected in the area of Velouhi mountain, Greece in order to screen for Pseudomonas syringae isolates with high ice nucleation activity from a ski resort environment. Bacterial isolates (n=147) were obtained from soil and phyllosphere samples. Seven isolates exhibited morphological, biochemical and physiological profile similar to P. syringae. Phylogenetic relationships of the seven isolates were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Two isolates were phylogenetically affiliated to P. syringae, three to P. viridiflava, one to P. avellanae, and one Pseudomonas strain could not be assigned to a known species. The seven isolates were examined for their ice-nucleation activity properties. Three out of the seven studied isolates exhibited ice nucleation activity from –4.67 to –4.35 ice nuclei per cell, values similar to those obtained from a known ice-nucleation protein producer P. syringae strain and therefore could be used for the production of artificial snow in ski resort areas with short snow periods.

Phospholamban (PLN), the reversible inhibitor of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a), is a key regulator of myocyte Ca(2+) cycling with a significant role in heart failure. We previously showed that the single amino acid difference between human and mouse PLN results in increased inhibition of Ca(2+) cycling and cardiac remodeling and attenuated stress responses in transgenic mice expressing the human PLN (hPLN) in the null background. Here we dissect the molecular and electrophysiological processes triggered by the superinhibitory hPLN in the mouse. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we performed global gene expression analysis, electrophysiology, and mathematical simulations on hPLN mice. We identified significant changes in a series of Na(+) and K(+) homeostasis genes/proteins (including Kcnd2, Scn9a, Slc8a1) and ionic conductance (including L-type Ca(2+) current, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, transient outward K(+) current). Simulation analysis suggests that this electrical remodeling has a critical role in rescuing cardiac function by improving sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) load and overall Ca(2+) dynamics. Furthermore, multiple structural and transcription factor gene expression changes indicate an ongoing structural remodeling process, favoring hypertrophy and myogenesis while suppressing apoptosis and progression to heart failure. Our findings expand current understanding of the hPLN function and provide additional insights into the downstream implications of SERCA2a superinhibition in the mammalian heart.

Conditions resulting in insulin resistance, as well as metabolic, immune, and angiogenic perturbations, have been associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (PE). Our purpose was to assess whether the adipose tissue-secreted hormones adiponectin, which has immune-modulating, metabolic, and angiogenic properties, and leptin, which reflects overall fat mass, are associated with PE risk. We performed a case-control design study within a hospital-based cohort of 368 pregnant women (106 with PE and 262 controls; mean age, 26.6 ± 6.8 years; mean gestational age at admission, 38.2 ± 2.8 weeks) between March 2005 and August 2007 at the Hospital of Pennsylvania University. Serum adiponectin and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Statistical analysis of data was performed using simple and multiple regression analyses. No significant differences in adiponectin or leptin levels between preeclamptic and control pregnant women emerged in univariate analyses (P = .57 and P = .15, respectively). Among preeclamptic women, there were also no differences in adipokines between those with mild and severe disease. Serum adiponectin and leptin were not associated with higher risk of PE before and after adjustment for maternal age, race, primigravida, smoking status, body mass index at screening, gestational age at admission, history of PE, chronic hypertension, and gestational diabetes (odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.04 and odds ratio, 1; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.03, respectively). Maternal serum adiponectin and leptin levels, drawn at the time of PE diagnosis, were not associated with PE.

OBJECTIVE: Menopause is associated with weight gain and an increase of cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to estimate serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in postmenopausal women and evaluate their association with body mass index (BMI) and coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: The study included 130 non-smoker postmenopausal women aged 43-80: 40 with BMI 26-32 kg/m(2) (Group A), 60 with BMI 21-25 kg/m(2) (Group B), and 30 with documented CAD and BMI 23-29 kg/m(2) (Group C). Serum IMA, albumin, hsCRP and NT-proBNP, glucose and insulin were measured. Homeostasis assessment model score (HOMA) and Quantitative insulin sensitivity index (QUICKI) were co-estimated. RESULTS: Serum IMA and IMA to albumin ratio were significantly elevated in Group A as compared to Group B (p<0.001) and similar to those of Group C. hsCRP and NT-proBNP did not differ between Groups A and B while they were lower in comparison to Group C (p<0.001). Glucose, insulin and HOMA were elevated in Group A compared to Group B (p<0.001) while QUICKI was lower (p<0.001). In Group A, IMA was positively correlated with BMI, hsCRP, insulin, HOMA and negatively with QUICKI. In postmenopausal women, multivariable regression analysis revealed that obesity was the strongest significant determinant of circulating IMA levels (p<0.001) contributing, therefore, to the elevated serum IMA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal obesity is associated with elevated serum IMA possibly due to obesity associated oxidative stress. IMA measurement could provide an assessment of atherosclerotic burden in postmenopausal women. Further clinical evaluation is under investigation.

INTRODUCTION: Sex differences have been identified in antidepressant treatment; however, it remains unclear to what extent pharmacokinetics contributes to these differences. As current antidepressant pharmacotherapy is less than optimal, understanding the role of sex in pharmacokinetics may substantially contribute to a gender-based optimized treatment. AREAS COVERED: An unrestricted PubMed literature search on antidepressant pharmacokinetics and sex was performed. Sex differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of antidepressants, as well as the interaction of sex with age, genetic polymorphisms and gonadal hormones are discussed. We also provide an overview of how each antidepressant presents a particular sex-differentiated pharmacokinetic profile. Most antidepressants present to some extent pharmacokinetic sex differences, which often are further accentuated by gonadal hormones. In most cases, women, particularly elderly women, are expected to have higher exposure to antidepressants when dosed in a similar way as men. EXPERT OPINION: Although the available pharmacokinetic evidence indicates that women should receive lower doses of antidepressants and men should receive higher doses, current guidelines do not recommend dose adjustment, because these sex differences are considered to be clinically insignificant. Unless we understand the link between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antidepressants, it will be difficult to determine whether sex differences are of clinical importance or not. Thus, further systematic and particularly focused research is needed on sex differences in pharmacokinetics.

INTRODUCTION: Sex differences have been identified in antidepressant treatment; however, it remains unclear to what extent pharmacokinetics contributes to these differences. As current antidepressant pharmacotherapy is less than optimal, understanding the role of sex in pharmacokinetics may substantially contribute to a gender-based optimized treatment. AREAS COVERED: An unrestricted PubMed literature search on antidepressant pharmacokinetics and sex was performed. Sex differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of antidepressants, as well as the interaction of sex with age, genetic polymorphisms and gonadal hormones are discussed. We also provide an overview of how each antidepressant presents a particular sex-differentiated pharmacokinetic profile. Most antidepressants present to some extent pharmacokinetic sex differences, which often are further accentuated by gonadal hormones. In most cases, women, particularly elderly women, are expected to have higher exposure to antidepressants when dosed in a similar way as men. EXPERT OPINION: Although the available pharmacokinetic evidence indicates that women should receive lower doses of antidepressants and men should receive higher doses, current guidelines do not recommend dose adjustment, because these sex differences are considered to be clinically insignificant. Unless we understand the link between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antidepressants, it will be difficult to determine whether sex differences are of clinical importance or not. Thus, further systematic and particularly focused research is needed on sex differences in pharmacokinetics.

Women are more susceptible than men to certain stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as depression. Preclinical studies aim to understand these sex differences by studying male and female rats in stress models. In this chapter, we review sex differences in behavioural aspects, as well as neurochemical and neurobiological findings derived from acute, repeated and chronic stress models. In particular, we focus on sex differences in depressive-like symptomatology expressed in the forced swim test, the chronic mild stress (CMS) and the learned helplessness models, the Flinders Sensitive Line rats (FSL), which is a genetic model of depression and in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sickness behaviour, a putative inflammatory model of depression. Also, sex differences in stress effects on learning and memory parameters are discussed, because cognitive alterations are often seen in sex-differentiated psychiatric disorders. The observed behavioural alterations are often linked with abnormalities in the endophenotype, such as in hormonal, neurochemical, immune and neuroplasticity indices. From these data, it is clear that all stress models have strengths and limitations that need to be recognized in order to use them effectively in the investigation of sex differences in affective disorders.

Women are more susceptible than men to certain stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as depression. Preclinical studies aim to understand these sex differences by studying male and female rats in stress models. In this chapter, we review sex differences in behavioural aspects, as well as neurochemical and neurobiological findings derived from acute, repeated and chronic stress models. In particular, we focus on sex differences in depressive-like symptomatology expressed in the forced swim test, the chronic mild stress (CMS) and the learned helplessness models, the Flinders Sensitive Line rats (FSL), which is a genetic model of depression and in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sickness behaviour, a putative inflammatory model of depression. Also, sex differences in stress effects on learning and memory parameters are discussed, because cognitive alterations are often seen in sex-differentiated psychiatric disorders. The observed behavioural alterations are often linked with abnormalities in the endophenotype, such as in hormonal, neurochemical, immune and neuroplasticity indices. From these data, it is clear that all stress models have strengths and limitations that need to be recognized in order to use them effectively in the investigation of sex differences in affective disorders.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of BMI on the change in circulating sex hormone in postmenopausal women during 6 months of oral continuous combined low-dose hormone therapy (HT). Fifty postmenopausal women were allocated to receive daily one tablet containing combination of 17Β-estradiol (1mg)/norethindrone acetate (0.5mg) for 6 months. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), free estrogen index (FEI), Δ4-androstendione (Δ4A), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were assessed at baseline and at the end of 6 months. Mean absolute values and percent changes from baseline were compared between lean and overweight women. Mean FSH decreased and mean 17Β-estradiol increased significantly in both groups (FSH lean: 82.3 26.7 decreased to 45.0±17.0mIU/ml, P = 0.0001; FSH overweight: 85.5±22.1 decreased to 52.3±23.8mIU/ml, P = 0.003; P between groups = 0.661; E2 lean: 23.24±12.55 increased to 53.62±28.29pg/ml, P = 0.006; E2 overweight: 24.17±10.88 increased to 68.36± 53.99pg/ml, P = 0.0001; P between groups = 0.619). Lean individuals had statistically significant higher increments of FAI and specifically FEI compared to overweight (FEI lean; 0.14±0.09 increased to 0.29±0.14, P = 0.009; overweight 0.23±0.18 increased to 0.52±0.40, P = 0.126; P between groups = 0.034). Although BMI does not affect total 17Β-estradiol changes, free sex steroid concentrations increase more steeply in lean compared to overweight women receiving oral low-dose HT. © 2011 The Obesity Society.

The present study investigates whether the human mandible is sexually dimorphic during early postnatal development and whether early dimorphic features persist during subsequent ontogeny. We also examine whether mandibular dimorphism is linked to dimorphism of dental development. Dense CT-derived mandibular meshes of 84 females and 75 males, ranging from birth to adulthood, were analyzed using geometric morphometric methods. On the basis of the specimen's chronological ages and mineralization stages of the deciduous and permanent teeth, we compute dental age as proxy for dental development by the additive conjoint measurement method. By birth, males have, on average, more advanced age-specific shapes than females. However, sex differences decrease quickly as females catch up via a different association between shape and size. This leads to an almost complete reduction of sexual dimorphism between the ages of 4 and 14. From puberty to adulthood, males are characterized by allometric shape changes while the shape of the female mandible continues to change even after size has ceased to increase. Dimorphism of dental maturation becomes visible only at puberty. Sexual dimorphism, concentrated at the ramus and the mental region during the earliest ontogenetic stages and again at adulthood, is not associated with the development of the teeth. At puberty there is a simultaneous peak in size increase, shape development, and dental maturation likely controlled by the surge of sex hormones with a dimorphic onset age. We argue that the infant and adult dimorphism of the mental region may be associated with the development of supralaryngeal structures.

To assess the importance of the quality of response and of early relapse in unselected elderly patients with myeloma treated upfront with novel agents. Methods: We analyzed 135 unselected transplant-ineligible patients older than 65yr who were treated upfront with novel agent-based regimens in a single center. Results: On intent to treat, 81% of patients achieved a response (28% sCR/CR, 23% VGPR, and 30% PR). Median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients who achieved sCR/CR was 31 vs. 20months for VGPR and 23months for PR (P=0.048). Median overall survival (OS) for patients with sCR/CR was 62months, 53months for VGPR and 38months for patients with PR (P=0.028). Early relapse (PFS<12months) was more common in patients with PR (39% vs. 21% for VGPR vs. 3% for sCR/CR). Patients who relapsed or progressed <12months from initiation of treatment had a median OS of 15.4months compared with 53months (P<0.001) for patients who had a PFS>12months despite the fact that after relapse or progression most patients were treated again with novel agents. In multivariate analysis, short PFS was the most significant adverse prognostic factor affecting OS, associated with a 7.25-fold (P<0.0001) increase in the risk of death. Conclusion: In newly diagnosed patients over 65yr, treated upfront with novel agents achievement of CR and a PFS ≥12months is associated with improved outcome. Patients who fail to respond or experience early relapse after primary therapy with novel agent-based regimens should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials of novel agents and combinations. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Par le biais de l’étude du cas de la professeure de philosophie Simone Weil (1931-1940), cet article s’intéresse à faire émerger un aspect du versant féminin de la transgression des normes au sein de l’Université de l’entre-deux-guerres. Il prend appui sur le point de vue des autorités universitaires tel qu’il se dessine surtout à travers la lecture des documents conservés dans le dossier de carrière de la fonctionnaire. Le présent travail tente aussi d’interpréter, sous un éclairage différent, les faits relatés par ses biographes.L’analyse prend tout d’abord en considération le double registre de la langue utilisée par l’administration : discrétion dans notices annuelles, libération du langage dans la correspondance. La deuxième partie du travail enregistre les griefs les plus graves formulés contre la philosophe. L'administration fustige, en premier lieu, les rapports que Weil entretient avec ses collègues et sa conduite irrespectueuse à l’égard de sa directrice. On lui reproche en outre de ne pas respecter les programmes officiels et de transformer sa chaire en tribune où elle défend ses idées politiques et sociales : elle viole ainsi le principe de neutralité scolaire. La troisième partie de l’étude nous entraîne sur le terrain des activités militantes de la professeure. Les rapports de police, la correspondance de ses chefs administratifs, des articles de presse, enfin, se réfèrent surtout à sa participation aux grèves ouvrières organisées à la ville du Puy. L’examen du discours déployé dans ces documents révèle que le sexe de la militante gêne davantage que sa fonction : Weil provoque en premier lieu parce qu’elle est femme, donc non citoyenne, et ensuite parce qu’elle est professeure de l’enseignement public.Dans la dernière partie sont mis en évidence les « silences » du dossier de Weil après 1933, ce qui laisse supposer qu’il fut systématiquement dépouillé après cette date. Malgré les vides dans la documentation, les documents repérés laissent percevoir clairement le point de vue de l’administration au sujet de la place de Simone Weil dans l’Université : celle-ci est, à tout moment, présentée comme une intruse, comme une déplacée, une « indésirable ».

The Hellenic subduction zone displays well-defined temporal and spatial variations in subduction rate and offers an excellent natural laboratory for studying the interaction among slab buoyancy, subduction rate, and tectonic deformation. In space, the active Hellenic subduction front is dextrally offset by 100–120 km across the Kephalonia Transform Zone, coinciding with the junction of a slowly subducting Adriatic continental lithosphere in the north (5–10 mm/yr) and a rapidly subducting Ionian oceanic lithosphere in the south (∼35 mm/yr). Subduction rates can be shown to have decreased from late Eocene time onward, reaching 5–12 mm/yr by late Miocene time, before increasing again along the southern portion of the subduction system. Geodynamic modeling demonstrates that the differing rates of subduction and the resultant trench offset arise naturally from subduction of oceanic (Pindos) lithosphere until late Eocene time, followed by subduction of a broad tract of continental or transitional lithosphere (Hellenic external carbonate platform) and then by Miocene entry of high-density oceanic (Ionian) lithosphere into the southern Hellenic trench. Model results yield an initiation age for the Kephalonia Transform of 6–8 Ma, in good agreement with observations. Consistency between geodynamic model results and geologic observations suggest that the middle Miocene and younger deformation of the Hellenic upper plate, including formation of the Central Hellenic Shear Zone, can be quantitatively understood as the result of spatial variations in the buoyancy of the subducting slab. Using this assumption, we make late Eocene, middle Miocene, and Pliocene reconstructions of the Hellenic system that include quantitative constraints from subduction modeling and geologic constraints on the timing and mode of upper plate deformation.

We establish the theory of light amplification and lasing in optical metamaterials. We show how loss compensation in slow-light metamaterial heterostructures becomes possible, and elucidate light amplification and lasing in active nanoplasmonic double-fishnet metamaterials. © 2011 Optical Society of America.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are known to enhance cell survival under various stress conditions. In the heart, the small Hsp20 has emerged as a key mediator of protection against apoptosis, remodeling, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Moreover, Hsp20 has been implicated in modulation of cardiac contractility ex vivo. The objective of this study was to determine the in vivo role of Hsp20 in the heart and the mechanisms underlying its regulatory effects in calcium (Ca) cycling. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hsp20 overexpression in intact animals resulted in significant enhancement of cardiac function, coupled with augmented Ca cycling and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca load in isolated cardiomyocytes. This was associated with specific increases in phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLN) at both Ser16 and Thr17, relieving its inhibition of the apparent Ca affinity of SERCA2a. Accordingly, the inotropic effects of Hsp20 were abrogated in cardiomyocytes expressing nonphosphorylatable PLN (S16A/T17A). Interestingly, the activity of type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1), a known regulator of PLN signaling, was significantly reduced by Hsp20 overexpression, suggesting that the Hsp20 stimulatory effects are partially mediated through the PP1-PLN axis. This hypothesis was supported by cell fractionation, coimmunoprecipitation, and coimmunolocalization studies, which revealed an association between Hsp20, PP1, and PLN. Furthermore, recombinant protein studies confirmed a physical interaction between AA 73 to 160 in Hsp20 and AA 163 to 330 in PP1. CONCLUSIONS: Hsp20 is a novel regulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca cycling by targeting the PP1-PLN axis. These findings, coupled with the well-recognized cardioprotective role of Hsp20, suggest a dual benefit of targeting Hsp20 in heart disease.

Paros Island is part of the complex of Cyclades Islands, situated in the central Aegean Sea, Greece. The climate of Paros Island is representative of the Mediterranean type, with abrupt rainfalls and lower temperatures during winters and long term sunshine accompanied by dry periods during the summer, conditions able to cause severe problems on the land. The island's low vegetation leaves the ground exposed to erosion. Also, the recent change from the local's people agricultural activities to touristic ones-especially the abandonment of the agricultural terraces during the last 50 years-has influenced the soil cover of the island in an unfavorable way, leading to total soil loss and exposure of the bedrock in many areas. Aggravating this fact, the island's steep slopes render soil regeneration almost impossible. The transferred soil is either moving towards the small alluvial plains or, in most cases, is being deposited directly to the sea. In the following paper an effort is being made to depict the currently existing situation on the island by delineating the areas still appearing to be at a high risk for erosion and to estimate the average amount of soil loss. For the later, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was tested on the data of the island. The application of the USLE was implemented via MapInfo and ArcGIS Tools Software. The main result of the present study is that it outlines the areas where severe erosion might occur and also gives a good example for land users what is the best scenario o protect their land against erosion and which plant they should use or avoid to protect their soil from erosion.

The behavior of organic solvents typically used in redox electrolyte media for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) has been systematically investigated by resonance Raman spectroscopy in combination with electrochemical impedance (EIS), intensity modulated photovoltage (IMVS), and photocurrent (IMPS) spectroscopies. Resonance Raman spectra reveal appreciable shifts in the vibrational frequency of the dye carboxyl anchoring groups as well as intensity variations of high- and low-frequency modes of dye-redox species by varying the electrolyte solvent and the polarization bias. These results are related to the variable surface coverage of the dye-TiO2 photoelectrode by solvent molecules determined by their donor number, the concomitant change on the concentration of dye-redox couple intermediate adducts, and the dye-TiO 2 electronic coupling. EIS and IMVS reveal a marked variation of the recombination kinetics and chemical capacitance of the corresponding DSCs, providing direct evidence for the shift of the TiO2 conduction band edge and deceleration of back-reaction kinetics. This accounts well for the solvent dependence of the device opencircuit voltage, whereas more complicated effects underlie the variation of the short-circuit current density that depends on electron injection. Tuning the solvents' function in DSCs may thus result in significant improvement of the DSC photovoltaic efficiency by effectively controlling electron energetics and injected photoelectron-triiodide recombination. © 2011 American Chemical Society.

Έλληνες μετανάστες στην Αμερική των αρχών του 20ου αι., όντας αυτοδίδακτοι, επιδόθηκαν στην συγγραφή αυτοσχέδιων θεατρικών έργων: κωμικών, ιστορικών, ηθικοπλαστικών αλλά κυρίως νοσταλγικών ή αλλιώς μεταναστευτικών δραμάτων. Οι δημιουργοί, αν και διαφορετικοί ως ιδιοσυγκρασίες, έχουν πολλά σημεία επαφής, καθώς εσωτερικές σχέσεις και διαδρομές διασταυρώνονται στις αμερικανικές πολιτείες δίνοντας μια ιδιότυπη συνοχή στην εργογραφία τους. Απ’ τη μια οι συνθήκες στέρησης και απ’ την άλλη η ανάγκη διατήρησης της ελληνικότητας τους οδήγησαν στη νοσταλγική δραματουργία. Το ύφος των έργων σε πολλά σημεία συγκλίνει διατηρώντας το ίδιο μοτίβο ως προς το σχήμα και το περιεχόμενο, ενώ ο αναγνώστης εύκολα αισθάνεται την αμηχανία συναισθηματολογίας και τον άκαιρο ρομαντισμό, την εσωστρέφεια και την αδυναμία προσαρμογής. Τα χρόνια που ακολούθησαν, όταν πλέον οι συνθήκες διαβίωσης των μεταναστών είχαν βελτιωθεί, παραμόνευε η παγίδα της επανάληψης, η μανιέρα. Η νέα γενιά δραματουργών της δεκαετίας του 30’, μετατοπίζουν την θεματολογία απομακρύνοντάς την από τις τραυματικές μεταναστευτικές εμπειρίες και εστιάζοντας στην ανάγκη απόκτησης μιας νέας ταυτότητας. Απ’ την μια λοιπόν διαιωνίζεται η νοσταλγική δραματουργία, «της μνήμης», από μερίδα παλαίμαχων δραματουργών και από την άλλη καλλιεργείται η γραφή της νέας εποχής, όπου συγκεράζει την ελληνική παράδοση με τον αμερικανικό τρόπο ζωής. Ωστόσο ούτε η νέα οπτική είναι ψύχραιμη αφού σχεδόν πάντα διαφαίνεται η ανοικτή πληγή της ξενιτιάς.

Ο Αριστείδης Παρίσης, ψευδώνυμο του ηθοποιού Αριστείδη Σακκά, γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε στο Ληξούρι της Κεφαλλονιάς στα τέλη του 19ου αι. Παντρεύτηκε τη Δέσποινα Παρίση και απέκτησε δύο κόρες : την Κατίνα και την Ευαγγελία. Ως έφεδρος αξιωματικός υπηρέτησε στην Εθνική Άμυνα της Θεσσαλονίκης. Λόγω των πολιτικών αντιβασιλικών φρονημάτων του καταδιώχθηκε, τόσο από τη Θεσσαλονίκη, όσο και από τη Λάρισα όπου είχε καταφύγει. Παράλληλα δρούσε ως ηθοποιός σε θιάσους, όπως στο θίασο Σαμαρτζή, αλλά και ως θιασάρχης. Τα μέλη της οικογένειάς του συγκροτούσαν, κατά κύριο λόγο, το θίασο. Οι κόρες του έπαιζαν στην σκηνή, τραγουδούσαν και χόρευαν από πολύ μικρή ηλικία. Στη Λάρισα, παρουσία αξιωματικών, τον πυροβόλησαν την ώρα όπου βρισκόταν επί σκηνής και παιζόταν μια αντιβασιλική επιθεώρηση, την οποία μάλιστα είχε γράψει ο ίδιος. Έπειτα από τα δραματικά γεγονότα στη Θεσσαλία, η οικογένεια Παρίση ξεκίνησε περιοδεία σε ολόκληρη την Ελλάδα και ακολούθησε μια συγκλονιστική θεατρική περιπέτεια με σταθμούς την Κωνσταντινούπολη, τη Σερβία, την Ιταλία, την Αίγυπτο, τη Ρουμανία, το Παρίσι, τη Μασσαλία, τις Βρυξέλλες και την Αμερική. Οι περιοδείες του Παρίση διήρκεσαν δεκαετίες, προσφέροντας αποφασιστικά στις εστίες του ελληνισμού της διασποράς. Το ρεπερτόριο του θιάσου αποτελείτο από κωμωδίες, πολύπρακτες και μονόπρακτες, επιθεωρήσεις, οπερέτες, κωμειδύλλια, δραματικά ειδύλλια και πατριωτικά δράματα. Ο Παρίσης επιδίωκε να ικανοποιεί τα γούστα του κοινού, προσκολλημένος στα έργα της σίγουρης σκηνικής επιτυχίας, χαρίζοντας γενναιόδωρα άλλοτε γέλιο και άλλοτε συγκίνηση. Ο Αριστείδης Παρίσης υπήρξε πολυσχιδής προσωπικότητα και η δράση του εκτείνεται σχεδόν σε όλους τους κλάδους του θεάτρου: σκηνοθέτης, ηθοποιός, δάσκαλος θεάτρου, θεατρικός επιχειρηματίας, σκηνογράφος, ενδυματολόγος, συγγραφέας αλλά και μεταφραστής θεατρικών έργων.

Η εποποιία του 1940 συγκλόνισε τους Έλληνες της Αμερικής, οι οποίοι παρακολουθούσαν αγωνιωδώς τις δραματικές εξελίξεις μέσα από τον ελληνοαμερικανικό τύπο, τις αφηγήσεις των μεταναστών εθελοντών και τις προκηρύξεις που διέρρεαν στις ελληνοαμερικανικές κοινότητες. Η ελληνοαμερικανική δραματουργία στο διάστημα του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου κατόρθωσε να υπερβεί τις ιδεολογικές της αντιφάσεις και να ακολουθήσει μια κοινή δραματουργική γραμμή. Κυριαρχεί ο ρομαντισμός και οι έννοιες της αυτοθυσίας και της ελευθερίας. Θεματολογικά τα έργα πραγματεύονται τον ελληνοαλβανικό πόλεμο και τα χρόνια της Κατοχής, εμπλουτισμένα με στομφώδη ρητορεία και υπερβολική συναισθηματολογία, βρίθουν από συγκινησιακά στοιχεία φορτισμένα από πατριωτισμό. Στον τομέα της θεατρικής πρακτικής τη δεκαετία του 1940 επικρατούν οι ερασιτεχνικοί θίασοι έναντι των επαγγελματικών, οι οποίοι επιλέγουν το πατριωτικό ρεπερτόριο και τις διάσημες αθηναϊκές πολεμικές οπερέτες. Έλληνες ηθοποιοί, οι οποίοι προπολεμικά συμμετείχαν ενεργά στους γηγενείς ελληνοαμερικανικούς θιάσους, είτε καταξιώνονται σε νευραλγικές θέσεις των ελληνικών κοινοτήτων, είτε επιστρέφουν στην Ελλάδα, στηρίζοντας τον Αγώνα της Αντίστασης.

Αντικείμενο του άρθρου αποτελεί η ιστορία και η διαδρομή των Επτανήσιων Γεράσιμου Κουρούκλη και Παναγή Σβορώνου, άγνωστων ή λιγότερο γνωστών καλλιτεχνών του μουσικού θεάτρου αλλά και της νεοελληνικής σκηνής του πρώτου μισού του 20ου αι. Γεννήθηκαν στην Κεφαλονιά στα τέλη του 19ου αι. και εν συνεχεία βρέθηκαν στην πρωτεύουσα όπου εντάχθηκαν σε αθηναϊκούς θιάσους παίζοντας μικρούς ρόλους, κυρίως σε επιθεωρήσεις και οπερέτες. Σύντομα ο Κουρούκλης εγκατέλειψε την Ελλάδα και περιπλανήθηκε σε όλο τον κόσμο (Αφρική, Αυστραλία, Αμερική κ.α.) αρχικά συμπράττοντας με περιοδεύονται θιάσους και αργότερα ως θιασάρχης, όπως και ο Σβορώνος, ο οποίος είχε μια αντίστοιχη περιπετειώδη καλλιτεχνική πορεία. Στις αρχές της δεκαετίας του 1930 οι δύο Κεφαλλονίτες κατάφεραν να γίνουν οι κυρίαρχοι των ελληνοαμερικανικών σκηνών της Αμερικής ως επικεφαλής οπερετικών θιάσων. Ο Κουρούκλης παρέμεινε στην Νέα Υόρκη, όπου έλαβε και την αμερικανική υπηκοότητα ενώ ο Σβορώνος επέστρεψε στην Ελλάδα, όπου όχι μόνο συνέχισε την θεατρική του πορεία αλλά δραστηριοποιήθηκε και στον κινηματογράφο. Οι δύο ηθοποιοί, έχουν πολλά κοινά σημεία επαφής, καθώς οι διαδρομές τους διασταυρώνονται στην Κεφαλονιά, σε αθηναϊκούς θιάσους, στην Αίγυπτο, στις αμερικανικές πολιτείες κ.α. δίνοντας μια ιδιότυπη συνοχή στην καλλιτεχνική τους πορεία.

We measured a spin polarization above a Pt(111) surface in the vicinity of a Co nanostripe by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The spin polarization exponentially decays away from the Pt-Co interface and is detectable at distances larger than 1 nm. By performing self-consistent ab initio calculations of the electronic structure for a related model system we reveal the interplay between the induced magnetic moments within the Pt surface and the spin-resolved electronic density of states above the surface.

By employing the layer-multiple-scattering method, properly extended to periodic assemblies of arbitrarily oriented axis-symmetric particles, we investigate the optical response of a three-dimensional spiral-staircase structure of metallic nanorods. We show that the combination of plasmonic modes and helical arrangement of the nanorods results in the formation of collective optical eigenmodes with a specific predominant circular polarization character, sizable polarization gaps, and negative group velocity bands that lead to negative refraction. Moreover, we demonstrate that multilayer slabs of the given crystal exhibit strong optical activity and circular dichroism combined with reduced dissipative losses, which make the proposed structure potentially useful for polarization control applications in miniaturized optoelectronic devices.

The complexes [Ru(Tai)Cl{=C(H)Ph}(PCy3)] (4) and [Ru( PhBai)Cl{=C(H)Ph}(PCy3)] (5) [where Tai = HB(7-azaindolyl)3 and PhBai = Ph(H)B(7-azaindolyl) 2] have been prepared and structurally characterised. The borohydride unit is located in the coordination site trans to the chloride ligand in both complexes. The degree of interaction between the borohydride group and the metal centre was found to be significantly large in both cases. Thermolysis reactions involving complex 4 led to a dehydrogenation reaction forming [Ru(Tai)Cl{PCy2(η2-C6H9)}] (6) where the benzylidene group acts as a hydrogen acceptor. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011.

ISSN1986-2377. Μετά από πρόσκληση του Καθ. Κανονικού Δικαίου Α.Π.Θ. κ. Θεόδωρου Γιάγκου υπεύθυνου της συντακτικής ομάδος του εν λόγω περιοδικού να συμμετέχω στο αφιέρωμα για τα θέματα της βιοηθικής συνέγραψα με βάση τη διδακτορική μου διατριβή τα κυριότερα ζητήματα και διλήμματα που εγείρονται από την εφραμογή των μεθόδων της υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής.

The possibility of Holocene subsidence along the northern coast of the Corinth Gulf is often mentioned in the literature; however, systematic detailed evidence that submergence (e.g. of archaeological remains) does not simply depend from eustatic sea-level rise is most often missing. In this paper, a new detailed study of submerged tidal-notch profiles along the limestone coast has shown that periods of sea-level stability are intercalated with periods of rapid subsidence or gradual relative sea-level rise. It appears that most of the sites considered, seem to have been affected by a relatively recent co-seismic subsidence of about half a meter, whereas during the longer period, by stages of relative sea-level stability and/or gradual relative sea-level rise. This evidence of subsidence is confirmed by radiocarbon dating in doline sediments, suggesting that during certain periods, a relative sea-level rise was much faster than the raising suggested by glacio-eustatic or hydro-isostatic estimations. Juxtaposing a list of known earthquakes occurred in the area shows that several earthquakes (e.g. the 1981 one for the easternmost sites considered) are potential candidates for the recent co-seismic displacements and thus supporting the geomorphological interpretations.

Objectives This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (vitamin E TPGS) on the dissolution of carbamazepine (CBZ) commercial tablets (Tegretol (R)) as a function of temperature and to modify the reaction-limited model of dissolution for the description of classical supersaturated dissolution data. Methods Solubility studies were performed using various concentrations of (i) TPGS and (ii) silicon dioxide and microcrystalline cellulose, which are excipients of Tegretol (R) at 10, 25 and 37 degrees C. Dissolution studies were carried out using Tegretol (R) tablets, 200 mg/tab. Key findings The solubility of CBZ in the presence of TPGS was found to increase in a concentration-dependent manner at all temperatures studied. Classical supersaturated dissolution curves with concentration maxima higher than the corresponding solubility values in the presence of TPGS were observed only at 10 degrees C. The model developed was based on a time-dependant expression for the forward microconstant of the CBZ-TPGS reaction at the solid-liquid interface and it was fitted successfully to the dissolution data of CBZ in the presence of TPGS at 10 degrees C. Conclusions Vitamin E TPGS increased the solubility of CBZ at all temperatures studied. The modification of the reaction-limited model of dissolution allowed us to describe classical supersaturated dissolution curves.

AIM: To investigate three isoforms of survivin in colorectal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: We used the LightCycler Technology (Roche), along with a common forward primer and reverse primers specific for the splice variants and two common hybridization probes labeled with fluorescein and LightCycler-Red fluorophore (LC-Red 640). Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on cDNAs from 52 tumor specimens from colorectal cancer patients and 10 unrelated normal colorectal tissues. In the patients group, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 tumor markers were also measured immunochemically. RESULTS: Wild type survivin mRNA isoform was expressed in 48% of the 52 tumor samples, survivin-2b in 38% and survivin-ΔΕx3 in 29%, while no expression was found in normal tissues. The mRNA expression of wild type survivin presented a significant correlation with the expression of the ratio of survivin-2b, survivin-ΔΕx3, survivin-2b/wild type survivin and survivin-ΔΕx3/wild type survivin (P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of wild-survivin and survivin-ΔΕx3 was related with tumor size and invasion (P = 0.006 and P < 0.005, respectively). A significant difference was found between survivin-2b and morphologic cancer type. Also, the ratio of survivin-ΔEx3/wild-survivin was significantly associated with prognosis. No association was observed between the three isoforms and grade, metastasis, Dukes stage and gender. The three isoforms were not correlated with CEA and CA19-9. CONCLUSION: Survivin isoforms may play a role in cell apoptosis and their quantification could provide information about clinical management of patients suffering from colorectal cancer.

AIM: To investigate three isoforms of survivin in colorectal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: We used the LightCycler Technology (Roche), along with a common forward primer and reverse primers specific for the splice variants and two common hybridization probes labeled with fluorescein and LightCycler-Red fluorophore (LC-Red 640). Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on cDNAs from 52 tumor specimens from colorectal cancer patients and 10 unrelated normal colorectal tissues. In the patients group, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 tumor markers were also measured immunochemically. RESULTS: Wild type survivin mRNA isoform was expressed in 48% of the 52 tumor samples, survivin-2b in 38% and survivin-DeltaEpsilonx3 in 29%, while no expression was found in normal tissues. The mRNA expression of wild type survivin presented a significant correlation with the expression of the ratio of survivin-2b, survivin-DeltaEpsilonx3, survivin-2b/wild type survivin and survivin-DeltaEpsilonx3/wild type survivin (P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of wild-survivin and survivin-DeltaEpsilonx3 was related with tumor size and invasion (P = 0.006 and P < 0.005, respectively). A significant difference was found between survivin-2b and morphologic cancer type. Also, the ratio of survivin-DeltaEx3/wild-survivin was significantly associated with prognosis. No association was observed between the three isoforms and grade, metastasis, Dukes stage and gender. The three isoforms were not correlated with CEA and CA19-9. CONCLUSION: Survivin isoforms may play a role in cell apoptosis and their quantification could provide information about clinical management of patients suffering from colorectal cancer

Two novel boron-based flexible scorpionate ligands based on 7-azaindole, Li[HB(azaindolyl)2(1-naphthyl)] and Li[HB(azaindolyl) 2(mesityl)] {Li[NaphthBai] and Li[MesBai] respectively}, have been prepared (mesityl = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl). These salts have been isolated in two forms, either as dimeric structures which contain bridging hydride interactions with the lithium centres or as crystalline material containing mono nuclear bis-acetonitrile solvates. The newly formed ligands have been utilised to prepare a range of group nine transition metal complexes with the general formula [M(COD){κ3-NNH-HB (azaindolyl)2(Ar)}] (where M = rhodium, iridium; Ar = 1-naphthyl, mesityl; COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and [Rh(NBD){κ3-NNH-HB (azaindolyl)2(Ar)}] (where NBD = 2,5-norbornadiene; Ar = 1-naphthyl, mesityl). These new complexes have been compared to the previously reported compounds which contain the related scorpionate ligands Li[HB(azaindolyl) 2(phenyl)] and K[HB(azaindolyl)3] {Li[PhBai] and K[Tai] respectively}. Structural characterisation of the complexes [Rh(COD){κ3-NNH-HB (azaindolyl)2(mesityl)}], [Ir(COD){κ3-NNH-HB (azaindolyl)2(mesityl)}] and [Rh(NBD){κ3-NNH-HB (azaindolyl)2(naphthyl)}] confirm the expected κ3-NNH coordination mode for these new ligands. Spectroscopic analysis suggests strong interactions of the B-H functional group with the metal centres in all cases. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Zirconium dioxide nanomaterials, including nanoparticles and their derived films, were synthesized using a new surfactant self-assembling sol-gel route, which involves complexation of zirconium alkoxide precursor with acetylacetone as a chelating agent and Tween 20 as a structural directing agent. The properties of the synthesized material were studied using XRD, SEM, SAXS, HRTEM and N2 adsorption and desorption analysis. It was found that Tween 20 can greatly increase the BET surface area and pore volume, inhibit crack formation in the derived film and retard particle growth at some extent. There exists tetragonal crystalline network with narrow pore size distribution in the ZrO2 nano-materials prepared with Tween 20 in the sol. Furthermore, a mechanism on the formation of mesopore ZrO2 structure via the Tween 20 self-assembling sol-gel process is presented. With the selection of the sono-gel carbon electrode modified by the mesoporous ZrO2 film (M-ZrO2 film) prepared with 1.10g Tween 20/ml zirconia sol, enhanced electrochemical responses (i.e., enhanced peak currents) to catechol and ascorbic acid were confirmed using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Moreover, the modified electrode demonstrated additional improved electrochemical properties, such as good reversibility (ipc/ipa≈1) and high selectivity (exceptionally resolved oxidation peaks between catechol and ascorbic acid), good stability and repeatability. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Background and aims. Primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare malignancy with an unfavorable prognosis. Pemetrexed has proven effective in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, alone or in combination with platinum agents. In the present study, chemo-naïve patients were evaluated for the efficacy and safety of the pemetrexed-cisplatin combination. Methods. Six patients with diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma were treated with 6 cycles of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2). Chemotherapy was administered on an outpatient basis every 3 weeks. Results. Complete response was observed in 2 patients (33%) and partial response was observed in 3 patients (50%). The estimated median overall survival was 24 months and the estimated median time to disease progression was 9.5 months. The regimen was well tolerated. Conclusions. Though our data reflect a small sample size, pemetrexed plus cisplatin accomplished a particularly high clinical benefit rate on chemo-naïve patients. Free full text available at www.tumorionline.it.

Background: The 90 kDa heat shock protein (HSP90), which facilitates proper folding and stability of numerous signaling molecules involved in growth control, cell survival, and development, has been implicated in malignant processes. Like its parent compound geldanamycin, tanespimycin binds to HSP90 and causes antineoplastic effects in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: All relevant published papers identified through searches of PubMed and abstracts from major recent hematology and oncology meetings were reviewed as of October 2009. Results: Different formulations and schedules of tanespimycin monotherapy and combination therapy have been tested in several phase I studies in patients with solid tumors or multiple myeloma (MM). No responses have been reported in studies of tanespimycin monotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. Tanespimycin given in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer induced a partial response in 24% of patients. Single-agent tanespimycin showed activity in MM and in combination with bortezomib, 27% of patients achieved minor response or better (48% bortezomib-naive patients, 22% bortezomib-pretreated patients, 13% bortezomib-refractory patients). Conclusion: Tanespimycin represents a promising new agent for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM. Results of ongoing and future trials will determine the role of tanespimycin both in MM and other malignancies, including breast cancer. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Global models of glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA) depend critically on assumptions about the rheology of the mantle and the history of ice melting since the Last Glacial Maximum. Here we employ different viscosity profiles in the range of 0.4 x 10^21 Pa.s for upper mantle and 4 x 10^21Pa.s for lower mantle and several late- Pleistocene ice sheets chronologies to interpret relative sea level (RSL) observations collected along the Tyrrhenian coasts. Neglecting the tectonic contributions to sea level variations and supposing a laterally uniform rheology, in these regions, RSL curves depart from eustasy mainly because of the effects of melt water loading, responsible for a widespread subsidence reaching its largest amplitude in the bulk of the basin. We reassess the importance of archaeological sea level indicators along the Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy (Lazio, Italy), recently revisited within the European COST Action ES0701. It appears that the local sea level rise since 2000 y ears ago can be estimated of the order of about half a meter, that agrees with the classical literature about this topic, rather than ~1.35 m, as recently proposed. The mismatch between observations from field data and model predictions can be partly attributed to the poor knowledge of the visco-elastic property of the mantle and to uncertainties of the details of the melting history. By forward modelling based on a modified ICE5G chronology, and using data from Tyrrhenian coast of Italy and SE Tunisia, we also evaluate the effects of a melt water pulse of the history of RSL, according to distinct assumptions about its origin (Antarctic or Northern Hemispheric).

We establish a theory that traces light amplification in an active double-fishnet metamaterial back to its microscopic origins. Based on ab initio calculations of the light and plasmon fields we extract energy rates and conversion efficiencies associated with gain and loss channels directly from Poynting's theorem. We find that for the negative refractive index mode both radiative loss and gain outweigh resistive loss by more than a factor of 2, opening a broad window of steady-state amplification (free of instabilities) accessible even when a gain reduction close to the metal is taken into account. © 2011 American Physical Society.

We analyse the spontaneous magnetization reversal of supported monatomic chains of finite length due to thermal fluctuations via atomistic spin-dynamics simulations. Our approach is based on the integration of the Landau-Lifshitz equation of motion of a classical spin Hamiltonian in the presence of stochastic forces. The associated magnetization lifetime is found to obey an Arrhenius law with an activation barrier equal to the domain wall energy in the chain. For chains longer than one domain wall width, the reversal is initiated by nucleation of a reversed magnetization domain primarily at the chain edge followed by a subsequent propagation of the domain wall to the other edge in a random-walk fashion. This results in a linear dependence of the lifetime on the chain length, if the magnetization correlation length is not exceeded. We studied chains of uniaxial and triaxial anisotropy and found that a triaxial anisotropy leads to a reduction of the magnetization lifetime due to a higher reversal attempt rate, even though the activation barrier is not changed.

Typical red–brown (Fe-rich) and high-quality white–grey (Fe-depleted) bauxite samples from active mines of the Parnassos-Ghiona area, central Greece, were investigated. According to \{XRF\} and ICP-MS analyses their actinide content, and particularly of Th, is relatively increased. Fe-depleted samples contain up to 62.75 ppm Th corresponding to 220 Bq/kg due to 228Ac (232Th-series), whereas Fe-rich samples are less Th-radioactive (up to 58.25 ppm Th, 180 Bq/kg due to 228Ac). Powder-XRD patterns showed that Th-enriched (Fe-depleted) bauxite consists mostly of diaspore (AlOOH polymorph), anatase and rutile (TiO2 polymorphs). SEM-EDS indicated the presence of Ti–Fe–containing phases (e.g. ilmenite, FeTiO3), chromite (Cr-spinel) and besides LREE-minerals (mostly bastnäsite/parisite-group) and zircon (ZrSiO4) hosting a part of the bulk Th. The presence of Th in diaspore and in Ti-containing phases (not detected by SEM-EDS as in the case of REE-minerals and zircon) was investigated, into distinct pisoliths of Fe-depleted bauxite, using μ-XRF and μ-XAFS in the SUL-X beamline of the \{ANKA\} Synchrotron facility (KIT, Germany). \{XAFS\} spectra of Th salts and Th-containing reference materials were obtained as well. Accordingly it was revealed, for the first time in the literature, that Ti-phases, and particularly anatase, host significant amounts of Th. This novel conclusion was complementary supported by LA-ICP-MS analyses indicated an average of 73 ppm Th in anatase grains together with abundant Nb (3356 ppm), Ta (247 ppm) and U (33 ppm). The Th LIII-edge \{XAFS\} spectra as compared to reference materials, give also evidence that Th4+ may not replace Ti4+ in distorted [TiO6] fundamental octahedral units of anatase and ilmenite lattice (CN = 6). The occupation of either extraframework sites of higher coordination (CN = 6.9 or even CN = 7.4), according to \{EXAFS\} signals evaluation, or of defected/vacant (**) sites is more probable. This is likely explained by the difficulty of Th4+ to replace directly Ti4+ in [6]-coordinated (octahedral) sites due to the large difference in the relevant ionic radii (0.940 and 0.605 Å respectively).

Objective: This study investigated whether changes in thyroid hormone (TH) in plasma are associated with the recovery of cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Previous experimental studies have provided evidence of potential implication of TH signaling in post-ischemic recovery of cardiac function. Methods: A total of 47 patients with AMI and early reperfusion therapy were included in this study. Myocardial injurywas analyzed by peak creatinine kinase-MB(CKMB) and cardiac function was assessed by echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF%). Recovery of function (ΔEF%) was estimated as the difference of LVEF% between 48 h and 6 months (6 mo) after AMI. Total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and TSH were measured in plasma at different time points (24 h, 48 h, 5 d, and 6 mo). Results: A significant correlation between LVEF% and T3 (r=0.5, P=0.0004) was found early after AMI (48 h), whereas no correlation was observed between CKMB and T3 (r=-0.04, P=0.81). A strong correlation was found between ΔEF% and total T3 (r=0.64, P=10-6) at 6 mo after AMI. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis revealed that T3 at 6 mo (r=0.64, r2=0.41, P=10-6) was an independent determinant of DEF%. Conclusion: Changes in T3 levels in plasma are closely correlated with the early and late recovery of cardiac function after AMI. T3 levels at 6 mo appear to be an independent predictor of late functional recovery. © 2011 European Society of Endocrinology.

Background/Aim: Easily assessable clinical predictors of response to chemotherapy in advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are few. The objective of this retrospective study was to search for and identify such candidate predictors of outcome. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data of CRPC patients entered in the Clinical Therapeutics' departmental prostate cancer database from 1996-2009 was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses for progression-free survival and overall survival included patients receiving both docetaxel- and non-docetaxel-containing regimens. Results: From 1996 until June 2009, 286 out of 313 patients in our database were treated with chemotherapy. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction >30% correlated with improved survival irrespective of treatment. Beyond previously reported predictors, i.e. baseline PSA>30 ng/dl, hemoglobin below 10 mg/dl, weight loss, poor performance status, elevated lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, and time to CRPC of less than or equal to two years was associated with a poor overall survival and shorter progression-free survival upon univariate analysis. Pain was associated with shorter survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed time to CRPC, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase as independent predictors of overall and progression-free survival. Conclusion: Time to castration resistance is an important predictor of outcome in CRPC. PSA reduction >30% predicts survival improvement following chemotherapy for CRPC regardless of chemotherapy applied.

Thromboembolic disease remains one of the most devastating and potentially lethal complications after elective total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Studies have shown that 40-85% of patients undergoing TKR will develop venographically confirmed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if they are not given any type of post-operative thromboprophylaxis and approximately 0.1 to 1.7% will suffer fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). Consequently, there is a general consensus that patients undergoing elective TKR require adequate antithrombotic prophylaxis. The following article reviews current evidence regarding chemical thromboprophylaxis after total knee replacement. Clinical guidelines as described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are summarized along with the differences between the recommendations. The results of the new oral anticoagulants are reviewed as well as the most recent developments in the search for the most effective venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after TKR surgery.

The introduction of the Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors, used either as a single-agent or combined with classic anti-myeloma therapies, has improved the outcome for patients with relapsed myeloma. However, there is currently no generally accepted standard treatment for relapsed/refractory myeloma patients, partly because of the absence of trials comparing the efficacy of the novel agents in relapsed/refractory myeloma. Choice of a new treatment regimen depends on both patient and disease-specific characteristics. A lenalidomide-based regimen is the first choice in patients with neuropathy, while bortezomib has the highest efficacy in patients with renal insufficiency and is not associated with increased risk of thromboembolism. A second autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) can be applied in patients with a progression-free period of ≥18-24. months after the first auto-SCT. In high-risk relapse such as occurring early after auto-SCT consolidation with allogeneic SCT can be considered. In this review we provide an overview of the various salvage regimens and give recommendations for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma in different clinical settings. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

INTRODUCTION: The dilemma of extraction vs nonextraction treatment, along with the uncertain potential of orthodontic treatment to control vertical dimensions, still remains among the most controversial issues in orthodontics. The aim of this study was to evaluate 2 contradictory treatment protocols for hyperdivergent Class II Division 1 malocclusion regarding their effectiveness in controlling vertical dimensions. METHODS: The subjects were retrospectively selected from 2 orthodontic offices that used contrasting treatment protocols. The patients had similar hyperdivergent skeletal patterns, malocclusion patterns, skeletal ages, and sexes. Group A (29 patients) was treated with 4 first premolar extractions and "intrusive" mechanics (eg, high-pull headgear), whereas group B (28 patients) was treated nonextraction with no regard to vertical control (eg, cervical headgear, Class II elastics). Twenty-seven landmarks were digitized on lateral cephalometric radiographs before and after treatment, and 14 measurements were assessed. Geometric morphometric methods were also implemented to evaluate size and shape differences. RESULTS: As expected, the maxillary and mandibular molars translated mesially and the mandibular incisors uprighted in group A but remained approximately unchanged in group B. The vertical positions of the molars and the incisors were similar between groups before and after treatment, although they were altered by treatment or growth. No significant differences were observed in the posttreatment skeletal measurements between the 2 groups, including vertical variables, which remained unaltered. Permutation tests on Procrustes distances between skeletal shapes confirmed these results. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the limitations of conventional orthodontics to significantly alter skeletal vertical dimensions. More important factors are probably responsible for the development and establishment of the vertical skeletal pattern, such as neuromuscular balance and function.

New period of the third body in the system of the eclipsing HgMn binary star AR Aur was derived based on new photoelectric and CCD observations.

The aim of this study was to compare craniofacial morphology and soft tissue profiles in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate at 9 years of age, treated in two European cleft centres with delayed hard palate closure but different treatment protocols. The cephalometric data of 83 consecutively treated patients were compared (Gothenburg, N=44; Nijmegen, N=39). In total, 18 hard tissue and 10 soft tissue landmarks were digitized by one operator. To determine the intra-observer reliability 20 cephalograms were digitized twice with a monthly interval. Paired t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression models were applied for statistical analysis. Hard and soft tissue data were superimposed using the Generalized Procrustes Analysis. In Nijmegen, the maxilla was protrusive for hard and soft tissue values (P=0.001, P=0.030, respectively) and the maxillary incisors were retroclined (P<0.001), influencing the nasolabial angle, which was increased in comparison with Gothenburg (P=0.004). In conclusion, both centres showed a favourable craniofacial form at 9-10 years of age, although there were significant differences in the maxillary prominence, the incisor inclination and soft tissue cephalometric values. Follow-up of these patients until facial growth has ceased, may elucidate components for outcome improvement.

Aim: Hypertension (HT) complicates treatment with antiangiogenic agents, including the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sunitinib. To prospectively evaluate the prevalence and management of HT in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) receiving sunitinib we used 24-h ABPM and we treated HT according to guidelines of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection and Evaluation and the Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7). Patients and methods: Normal 24-h ABPM at the baseline and at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of the first cycle was ensured with the successive use of hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan, nebivolol and amlodipine. Office BP measurements were used in subsequent cycles to monitor HT. Sunitinib dose was modified only if BP was not controlled with four anti-hypertensive agents. Results: Forty patients were included in this analysis. Twenty-one patients (53%) had baseline HT, while 12 of 14 (84%) normotensive patients required anti-HT treatment during the 1st cycle of sunitinib. HT was infrequent in subsequent cycles and increase of anti-HT medication was required in only 2 cases. Two patients permanently discontinued sunitinib due to HT. The remaining 34 (94%) required no dose modifications for HT. One cardiac event (2.8%) was observed. There was no correlation of HT with sunitinib efficacy. Conclusion: Sunitinib-associated HT is more frequent than previously reported. The use of 24-h ABPM for diagnosis and tailoring of HT according to JNC7 guidelines may achieve uninterrupted, full dose therapy in most patients. The substitution of such protocols for currently used Toxicity Criteria may be warranted. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparable international data on food and nutrient intake is often hindered by the lack of a common instrument to assess food intake. The objective of this study was within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network of Excellence (GA(2)LEN), we developed and piloted a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess its validity in Europe.|Five countries participating in GA(2)LEN took part in the pilot study. A total of 200 adults aged 31-75 years were invited to complete a FFQ in two occasions and to give a blood sample. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess repeatability of the FFQ. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids (FAs) were analysed by gas chromatography. Pearson correlation was used to analyse the correlation between estimated dietary FA intake and plasma phospholipid FA levels.|A total of 177 participants (89%) had complete data on FFQ(1) and plasma phospholipid FAs. In all, 152 participants (76%) completed both FFQs. ICCs between macronutrients ranged from 0.70 (saturated FAs) to 0.78 (proteins) and between 0.70 (retinol) and 0.81 (vitamin D) for micronutrients. Dietary n-3 FAs showed a good correlation with total plasma phospholipid n-3 FAs and with docosahexaenoic acid in the whole sample (0.40) and in individual countries. Poor correlations were observed for other FAs.|The GA(2)LEN FFQ is an appropriate tool to estimate dietary intake for a range of nutrients across Europe regardless of cultural and linguistic differences. The FFQ seems to be useful to estimate the intake of n-3 FAs but not other FAs.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the hypothesis that specific fracture patterns in patients with femoral shaft fractures can predict the likelihood of associated injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients treated because of a traumatic diaphyseal femoral fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: We studied the association between the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) fracture classification (derived from initial radiographs) and concomitant injuries of the head, spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis with a severity of two or more points according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three of 203 patients (80 men, 63 women; mean age 54 ± 26 years) met the inclusion criteria. All patients had unilateral diaphyseal fractures, 64 OTA 32.A (45%), 46 OTA 32.B (32%), and 33 OTA 32.C (23%). In addition, 134 associated injuries were identified in 52 patients. Increasing fracture severity, as expressed by the OTA classification (ie, A, B, C), was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of thoracic (odds ratio [OR], 5.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.59-13.40), pelvic (OR, 4.55; 95% CI, 2.01-10.28), upper (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.27-4.48), and lower extremity injuries (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.78-5.46). Fracture severity explained between 70% and 86% of the probability of having accompanying injuries. CONCLUSION: Radiographic grading of the severity of a femoral shaft fracture may signal the presence of accompanying injuries and should contribute to the clinical decision-making process in severe trauma.

This study explores the longitudinal relationship between patient characteristics and use of 4 drug classes (antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and hormones) that showed significant changes in use rates over time in patients with Alzheimer disease. Patient/caregiver-reported prescription medication usage was categorized by drug class for 201 patients from the Predictors Study. Patient characteristics included use of cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine, function, cognition, living situation, baseline age, and sex. Assessment interval, year of study entry, and site were controlled for. Before adjusting for covariates, useage increased for antihypertensives (47.8% to 62.2%), antipsychotics (3.5% to 27.0%), and antidepressants (32.3% to 40.5%); use of hormones decreased (19.4% to 5.4%). After controlling for patient characteristics, effects of time on the use of antidepressants were no longer significant. Antihypertensive use was associated with poorer functioning, concurrent use of memantine, and older age. Antipsychotic use was associated with poorer functioning and poorer cognition. Antidepressant use was associated with younger age, poorer functioning, and concurrent use of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Hormone use was associated with being female and younger age. Findings suggest accurate modeling of the Alzheimer disease treatment paradigm for certain subgroups of patients should include antihypertensives and antipsychotics in addition to cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine.

In this study, the variability and trends of the mean annual and seasonal maximum and minimum surface air temperature in Greece are examined, using monthly data sets of 26 meteorological stations from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) and gridded data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) Reanalysis project for the period 1955-2001. NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data sets are created by assimilating climate observations from different sources, including ships, satellites, ground stations, radiosonde observations and radar. The general purpose of conducting reanalyses is to produce multi-year global state-of-the-art gridded representations of atmospheric states, generated by a constant model and a constant data-assimilation system. The trends of the mean extreme air temperatures were evaluated, using the Mann-Kendall criterion, and, in the process, factor analysis was applied to both the stations' and the NCEP-NCAR grid points time series. Regarding the mean maximum air temperature, the first main factor, which explains a high percentage of the total variance, presents a statistically significant (CL = 95%) negative trend only during the winter. The first main factor of the mean minimum air temperature manifests a statistically significant (CL = 95%) positive trend during the summer and the year, and a statistically significant (CL = 95%) negative trend in autumn and winter. These findings were compared to the respective ones of the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data and significant differences in the spatial distribution and temporal variability of the extracted new factors were found. These differences between the two examined data sets could be attributed to topographical factors such orography and land-sea distribution, which could not be represented properly by the reanalysis model. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

A major part of the burden of asthma is caused by acute exacerbations. Exacerbations have been strongly and consistently associated with respiratory infections. Respiratory viruses and bacteria are therefore possible treatment targets. To have a reasonable estimate of the burden of disease induced by such infectious agents on asthmatic patients, it is necessary to understand their nature and be able to identify them in clinical samples by employing accurate and sensitive methodologies. This systematic review summarizes current knowledge and developments in infection epidemiology of acute asthma in children and adults, describing the known impact for each individual agent and highlighting knowledge gaps. Among infectious agents, human rhinoviruses are the most prevalent in regard to asthma exacerbations. The newly identified type-C rhinoviruses may prove to be particularly relevant. Respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus are important in infants, while influenza viruses seem to induce severe exacerbations mostly in adults. Other agents are relatively less or not clearly associated. Mycoplasma and Chlamydophila pneumoniae seem to be involved more with asthma persistence rather than with disease exacerbations. Recent data suggest that common bacteria may also be involved, but this should be confirmed. Although current information is considerable, improvements in detection methodologies, as well as the wide variation in respect to location, time and populations, underline the need for additional studies that should also take into account interacting factors.

Nitrogen and fluorine co-doped TiO2 films have been prepared by dip coating of a modified titania sol-gel based on a nitrogen precursor and a nonionic fluorosurfactant as pore template and fluorine source. The modified NF-TiO2 films absorb in the visible spectral range, between 400-510 nm and undergo reversible hydrophilic conversion under visible light to a final contact angle of 8°, in contrast to the UV limited optical response of their undoped anatase TiO2 analogues. The phenomenon takes place at a rate slower than the corresponding one observed for the UV stimulated superhydrophilic effect. The wetting response of the N-F doped TiO2 films correlates well with the variation of their optical properties and surface morphological characteristics and most importantly with their photocatalytic activity, rendering these materials very promising for self-cleaning applications under visible light. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry and Owner Societies.

In 2 quasi-experimental field studies in a real-life physical education (PE) setting, the authors investigated whether the interest-enjoyment and vitality of Greek pupils (age range, 10-12 years) varied from class-to-class as a function of the class-to-class variation in the manipulated motivational environment (Studies 1 and 2) and pupils' relative autonomous motivation (Study 2). In Study 1, multilevel analyses showed at the within-student level that students (N = 138, 48.6% boys and 51.4% girls) reported, on average, more interest-enjoyment and vitality after a need-supportive, relative to a typical (i.e., control group), PE class. This main effect was replicated in Study 2 (N = 155, 53.6% boys and 46.4% girls), and Study 2 findings further showed at the between-student level that interest-enjoyment was somewhat higher among pupils scoring higher in relative autonomous motivation. Moreover, Study 2 provided evidence for an interaction effect such that pupils with high, as compared with those with low, relative autonomous motivation benefited significantly more from a need-supportive class. Perceived need support was found to fully explain the effects of manipulated need support on interest-enjoyment and vitality. Results are discussed within the self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

The largest Local Group spiral galaxy, M31, has been completely imaged for the first time, obtaining a luminosity lower limit about 1035erg/s in the 0.2-4.5keV band. Our XMM-Newton EPIC survey combines archival observations along the major axis, from June 2000 to July 2004, with observations taken between June 2006 and February 2008 that cover the remainder of the D25 ellipse. The main goal of the paper is to study X-ray source populations of M31. An X-ray catalogue of 1897(*) sources was created with 914 detected for the first time. Source classification and identification were based on X-ray hardness ratios, spatial extent of the sources, and cross correlation with catalogues in the X-ray, optical, infrared and radio wavelengths. We also analysed the long-term variability of the X-ray sources and this variability allows us to distinguish between X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei (AGN). Furthermore, supernova remnant classifications of previous studies that did not use long-term variability as a classification criterion could be validated. Including previous Chandra and ROSAT observations in the long-term variability study allowed us to detect additional transient or at least highly variable sources, which are good candidate X-ray binaries. (*) the final catalog of table5 icludes 1948 sources. (2 data files).

Context. Classical novae (CNe) represent the major class of supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) in the central region of the galaxy M31. We performed a dedicated monitoring of the M31 central region with XMM-Newton and Chandra between Nov 2007 and Feb 2008 and between Nov 2008 and Feb 2009, respectively, to find SSS counterparts of CNe, determine the duration of their SSS phase, and derive physical outburst parameters. We systematically searched our data for X-ray counterparts of CNe, determined their X-ray light curves and characterised their spectra using blackbody fits and white dwarf (WD) atmosphere models. Additionally, we determined luminosity upper limits for all previously known X-ray emitting novae that are not detected any more and for all CNe in our field of view with optical outbursts between one year before the start of the X-ray monitoring (Oct 2006) and its end (Feb 2009). (2 data files).

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis has been associated with the presence of white matter lesions. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between macro- and micro- vascular disease and white matter lesions. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with femoral head osteonecrosis were assessed during a cross sectional study in our university-based hospital. A vascular 'profile' was obtained for each patient and included measurement of plasma lipids, fundoscopic examination and common carotid artery triplex ultrasonography. All patients had brain MRI to assess for presence of white matter lesions. The two groups formed, with and without white matter lesions, were compared in order to define the association between white matter lesions and vascular disease. RESULTS: Patients without white matter lesions had more frequently corticosteroid induced osteonecrosis. There was no difference in the two groups with respect to intima media thickness and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio. Only one of our patients demonstrated retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence of concurrent macro- and micro- vascular pathology in young patients with white matter lesions and femoral head osteonecrosis. Cortisone appears to have a 'protective' effect against occurrence of white matter lesions.

This paper explores the role of meso- and macro-context in the interpretation of text, on the basis of our research on the text of Greek laws. The use of the grammatical categories of tense, aspect and modality in these texts deviates from everyday use (Panaretou 2005, Moser and Panaretou 2009).The study is based on a comparison of native speakers’ judgements (elicited through questionnaires and interviews and subjected to qualitative analysis) on law texts and everyday contexts containing the performance of the same type of speech act as the law: a mother setting a rule for her children and delineating the consequences of breaking this rule. Uses judged unanimously as ungram- matical and unacceptable in the latter context went unnoticed in law texts.Our conclusion is that what licenses deviant uses is not the type of speech act, but the genre of law texts; it is argued that, as a form of meso-context, the genre of law texts, by virtue of being highly institutionalized within the cognitive and socio-cultural context in which it is embedded (Fetzer 2004, 2007), creates a cognitive frame so powerful as to impose specific interpretations even to grammatical forms which would be unacceptable in different (con)texts. 

Aims: One of the goals of the XMM-Newton survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud is to study the Be/X-ray binary population. During one of our first survey observations, a bright new transient - XMMU J004814.0-732204 - was discovered. Methods: We present the analysis of the EPIC X-ray data, together with optical observations, to investigate the spectral and temporal characteristics of XMMU J004814.0-732204. Results: We found coherent X-ray pulsations in the EPIC data with a period of (11.86642 ± 0.00017) s. The X-ray spectrum can be modelled by an absorbed power law with an indication for a soft excess. Depending on the modelling of the soft X-ray spectrum, the photon index ranges between 0.53 and 0.66. We identify the optical counterpart as a B = 14.9 mag star that was monitored during the MACHO and OGLE-III projects. The optical light curves show regular outbursts by ~0.5 mag in B and R and up to 0.9 mag in I, which repeat on a time scale of about 1000 days. The OGLE-III optical colours of the star are consistent with an early B spectral type. An optical spectrum obtained at the 1.9 m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory in December 2009 shows Hα emission with an equivalent width of 3.5 ± 0.6 Å. Conclusions: The X-ray spectrum and the detection of pulsations suggest that XMMU J004814.0-732204is a new high-mass X-ray binary pulsar in the SMC. The long term variability and the Hα emission line in the spectrum of the optical counterpart identify it as a Be/X-ray binary system.

Context. Classical novae (CNe) represent the major class of supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) in the central region of the galaxy M 31. Aims: We performed a dedicated monitoring of the M 31 central region with XMM-Newton and Chandra between Nov. 2007 and Feb. 2008 and between Nov. 2008 and Feb. 2009, respectively, to find SSS counterparts of CNe, determine the duration of their SSS phase, and derive physical outburst parameters. Methods: We systematically searched our data for X-ray counterparts of CNe, determined their X-ray light curves and characterised their spectra using blackbody fits and white dwarf (WD) atmosphere models. Additionally, we determined luminosity upper limits for all previously known X-ray emitting novae that are not detected any more and for all CNe in our field of view with optical outbursts between one year before the start of the X-ray monitoring (Oct. 2006) and its end (Feb. 2009). Results: We detected 17 X-ray counterparts of CNe in M 31, only four of which were previously known. These latter sources are still active 12.5, 11.0, 7.4 and 4.8 years after the optical outburst. In addition, we detected three known SSSs without a nova counterpart. Four novae displayed short SSS phases (<100 d). Based on these results and previous studies we compiled a catalogue of all novae with SSS counterparts in M 31 known so far. We used this catalogue to derive correlations between the following X-ray and optical nova parameters: turn-on time, turn-off time, blackbody temperature (X-ray), t2 decay time and expansion velocity of the ejected envelope (optical). Temperatures derived from blackbody fits and WD atmosphere models were found to characterise the effective SSS temperatures almost equally well. Furthermore, we found a first hint for the existence of a difference between SSS parameters of novae associated with the stellar populations of the M 31 bulge and disk. Additionally, we conducted a Monte Carlo Markov chain simulation on the intrinsic fraction of novae with SSS phase. This simulation showed that the high fraction of novae without detected SSS emission might be explained by the inevitably incomplete coverage with X-ray observations in combination with a large part of novae with short SSS states, as expected from the WD mass distribution. Conclusions: Our results confirm that novae are the major class of SSSs in the central region of M 31. The catalogue of novae with X-ray counterpart, mainly based on our X-ray monitoring, contains valuable insight into the physics of the nova process. In order to verify our results with an increased sample, more monitoring observations are needed. Partly based on observations with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.All tables are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.orgTable 9 is also available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/533/A52

Aims: We study the expected variability patterns of blazars within the two-zone acceleration model, putting special emphasis on flare shapes and spectral lags. Methods: We semi-analytically solve the kinetic equations that describe the particle evolution in the acceleration and radiation zone. We then perturb the solutions by introducing Lorentzian variations in its key parameters and examine the flaring behavior of the system. We apply the above to the X-ray observations of blazar 1ES 1218+304, which exhibited a hard lag behavior during a flaring episode and discuss possibilities of producing it within the context of our model. Results: The steady-state radio to X-rays emission of 1ES 1218+304 can be reproduced with parameters that lie well within the ones generally accepted from blazar modeling. Additionally, we find that the best way to explain its flaring behavior is by varying the rate of particles injected in the acceleration zone.

In this essay, we study the relationship between psychoanalysis and education, a relationship that is as old as the history of psychoanalysis itself. Freud’s views on this issue, which appear scattered in his various writings, are identified and synthesized. More specifically, we discuss Freud’s views on the importance of applying psychoanalysis in education, the significance of the educator’s personality, his/her difficulties in understanding children, the “prophylactic” (preventive) role of education, the necessity to adopt an optimum stance between the two poles of permissiveness and frustration, the links of education with sublimation and culture, the limits of education as compared to the individual’s development, etc. These views are discussed in relation to Anna Freud’s systematic elaboration on the relationship between psychoanalysis and education, as well as to various views of contemporary psychoanalysts on the same issue.

In this theoretical paper, we search and integrate historical information about Sigmund Freud’s, the founder of psychoanalysis, attendance of the classic Gymnasium in Vienna (1865‐1873). Drawing from Freud’s essay “Some reflections on schoolboy psychology” (1914), which he wrote for the fiftieth anniversary of his school, some of his letters, his biographer Ernest Jones, as well as the testimony of one of his sisters and the son of one of his classmates, we attempt to reconstruct Freud’s attendance in the Gymnasium. We also attempt a historical interpretation of psychoanalysis, according to which Freud’s years in the classic Gymnasium – mainly his relationships with his masters – are associated with the Oedipus complex, ambivalence, and of course the educational philosophy of that time.

Η απόφαση 2533/2011 του Δ Τμήματος του ΣτΕ παραπέμπει το ζήτημα της συνταγματικότητας της θέσπισης πληθυσμιακών κριτηρίων για την έκδοση άδειας λειτουργίας φαρμακείου στην Ολομέλεια. Η απόφαση ΣτΕ (Ολ.) 3665/2005 είχε κρίνει ότι τα πληθυσμιακά κριτήρια αντίκεινται στο άρθρο 5 παρ. 1 του Συντάγματος που καθιερώνει την επαγγελματική ελευθερία. Από την ανάγνωση των αποφάσεων αυτών δεν προκύπτει κανένα νεότερο νομικό στοιχείο. Υποστηρίζω ότι τα πληθυσμιακά κριτήρια όπως ισχύουν δεν συνάδουν ούτε με το άρθρο 5 παρ. 1 του Συντάγματος ούτε με όσα το ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο κάνει δεκτά. Δεν αποτελεί λόγο δημοσίου συμφέροντος η εξασφάλιση της βιωσιμότητας των υφιστάμενων φαρμακείων ενώ η πρόσβαση του πληθυσμού της υπαίθρου στο φάρμακο μπορεί να επιτευχθεί με προσφορότερα και λιγότερο περιοριστικά μέτρα. 

Το άρθρο αυτό αφορά τον καιρό

Στόχος της εργασίας αυτής είναι να συνοψίσει και να παρουσιάσει τα ευρήματα των πιο πρόσφατων μετα-αναλύσεων και ανασκοπήσεων για την αποτελεσματικότητα των προληπτικών και παρεμβατικών προγραμμάτων κατά του σχολικού εκφοβισμού. Γίνονται αναφορές στα ερευνητικά σχέδια με τα οποία έχει αξιολογηθεί η αποτελεσματικότητα των προγραμμάτων, καθώς και στους τρόπους αξιολόγησης του εκφοβισμού και της θυματοποίησης στα προγράμματα αυτά. Με δεδομένη την ελάχιστη έως μέτρια επιτυχία των περισσότερων παρεμβάσεων, διατυπώνονται ερμηνείες για την περιορισμένη αυτή αποτελεσματικότητα. Η ερευνητικά τεκμηριωμένη γνώση των αρχών, των συστατικών και των επιπέδων παρέμβασης που επιφέρουν τη μεγαλύτερη μείωση του σχολικού εκφοβισμού είναι απολύτως απαραίτητη για τη διαμόρφωση της αντι-εκφοβιστικής πολιτικής και στην Ελλάδα.