It is well established that women experience major depression at roughly twice the rate of men. Interestingly, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence shows that the responsiveness of males and females to antidepressant pharmacotherapy, and particularly to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), is sex-differentiated. Herein, we investigated whether exposure of male and female rats to the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression, as well as treatment with the TCA clomipramine may affect serotonergic receptors' (5-HTRs) mRNA expression in a sex-dependent manner. Male and female rats were subjected to CMS for 4 weeks and during the next 4 weeks they concurrently received clomipramine treatment (10 mg/ml/kg). CMS and clomipramine's effects on 5-HT(1A)R, 5-HT(2A)R, and 5-HT(2C)R mRNA expression were assessed by in situ hybridization histochemistry in selected subfields of the hippocampus and in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), two regions implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression. CMS and clomipramine treatment induced sex-differentiated effects on rats' hedonic status and enhanced 5-HT(1A)R mRNA expression in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) hippocampal region of male rats. Additionally, CMS attenuated 5-HT(1A)R mRNA expression in the OFC of male rats and clomipramine reversed this effect. Moreover, 5-HT(2A)R mRNA levels in the OFC were enhanced in females but decreased in males, while clomipramine reversed this effect only in females. CMS increased 5-HT2CR mRNA expression in the CA4 region of both sexes and this effect was attenuated by clomipramine. Present data exposed that both CMS and clomipramine treatment may induce sex-differentiated and region-distinctive effects on 5-HTRs mRNA expression and further implicate the serotonergic system in the manifestation of sexually dimorphic neurobehavioral responses to stress.
Young infants are at increased risk for influenza-associated serious illness, onset of complications, utilization of health-care services, and hospitalization. We investigated the feasibility and acceptance of an influenza vaccination (cocooning) strategy by household contacts implemented in a maternity hospital and the neonatal unit of a pediatric hospital in Athens. A total of 224 mothers (mean age: 30.2 years) who gave birth to 242 neonates were studied. Of them, 165 (73.7%) mothers were vaccinated. Multiple logistic regression revealed that statistically significant factors associated with increased vaccination rates among mothers were: being of Roma origin (p-value=0.002), being an immigrant (p-value=0.025), giving birth to a neonate with birth weight <2500g (p-value=0.012), and residing in a family with >=4 family members (p-value=0.017). Of the 224 fathers, 125 (55.8%) received the influenza vaccine. Fathers of neonates whose mothers were vaccinated had 6-fold higher vaccination rates compared to fathers of neonates whose mothers refused vaccination (p-value<0.001). Overall, influenza vaccine was administered to 348 (46.9%) of a total of 742 household contacts of the 242 neonates. Upon entering the 2011-2012 influenza season, 51 (22.7%) of 224 families had all household contacts vaccinated against influenza (complete cocoon). Among parents, the statement "I do not want to receive the vaccine" was the prevalent reason for declining influenza vaccination, followed by the misconception "I am not at risk for contacting influenza" (41.1% and 38.2%, respectively).
Light control through elastic waves is a well established and mature technology. The underlying mechanism is the scattering of light due to the dynamic modulation of the refractive index and the material interfaces caused by an elastic wave, the so-called acousto-optic interaction. This interaction can be enhanced in appropriately designed structures that simultaneously localize light and elastic waves in the same region of space and operate as dual optical-elastic cavities, often called phoxonic or optomechanical cavities. Typical examples of phoxonic cavities are multilayer films with a dielectric sandwiched between two Bragg mirrors or, in general, defects in macroscopically periodic structures that exhibit dual band gaps for light and elastic waves. In the present work we consider dielectric particles as phoxonic cavities and study the influence of elastic eigenmode vibrations on the optical Mie resonances. An important issue is the excitation of elastic waves in such submicron particles and, in this respect, we analyze the excitation of high-frequency vibrations following thermal expansion induced by the absorption of a femtosecond laser pulse. For spherical particles, homogeneous thermalization leads to excitation of the particle breathing modes. We report a thorough study of the acousto-optic interaction, correct to all orders in the acousto-optic coupling parameter, by means of rigorous full electrodynamic and elastodynamic calculations, in both time and frequency domains. Our results show that, under double elastic-optical resonance conditions, strong acousto-optic interaction takes place and results in large dynamical shifts of the high-Q optical Mie resonances, manifested through multiphonon exchange mechanisms.
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease more appropriately seen as a syndrome rather than a single pathologic entity. Although it can remain quiescent for extended time periods, the inflammatory and remodeling processes affect the bronchial milieu and predispose to acute and occasionally severe clinical manifestations. The complexity underlying these episodes is enhanced during childhood, an era of ongoing alterations and maturation of key biological systems. In this review, the authors focus on such sudden-onset events, emphasizing on their diversity on the basis of the numerous asthma phenotypes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of countermovement jumping and sprinting on shot put performance in experienced shot putters. Ten shot putters (best performance 13.16-20.36 m) participated in the study. After a standard warm-up including jogging, stretching, and 4-6 submaximal puts, they performed 3 shot put attempts with maximum effort, separated with 1.5-minute interval. Three minutes later, they performed 3 maximal consecutive countermovement jumps (CMJs). Immediately after jumping, they performed 3 shot put attempts with maximum effort, separated with a 1.5-minute interval. One week later, they carried out a similar protocol, at similar external conditions, but they performed a bout of 20-m sprinting instead of the CMJs, to potentiate shot put performance. Muscular strength (1 repetition maximum in squat, snatch, bench press, incline bench press) and body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry) were measured during the same training period (±10 days from the jumping and sprinting protocols). Shot put performance was significantly increased after the CMJs (15.45 ± 2.36 vs. 15.85 ± 2.41 m, p = 0.0003). Similarly, shot put performance was significantly increased after sprinting (15.34 ± 2.41 vs. 15.90 ± 2.46 m, p = 0.0007). The increase in performance after sprinting was significantly higher compared with the increase after jumping (2.64 ± 1.59 vs. 3.74 ± 1.88%, p = 0.02). In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that a standard warm-up protocol followed by 3 maximal bouts of shot put and either 3 consecutive countermovement jumps or a bout of 20-m sprinting induce an acute increase in shot put performance in experienced shot putters.
The Mediterranean diet (MeDi), due to its correlation with a low morbidity and mortality for many chronic diseases, has been widely recognised as a healthy eating model. We aimed to investigate, in a cross-sectional study, the association between adherence to a MeDi and risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a large, elderly, Australian cohort. Subjects in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing cohort (723 healthy controls (HC), 98 MCI and 149 AD participants) completed the Cancer Council of Victoria Food Frequency Questionnaire. Adherence to the MeDi (0- to 9-point scale with higher scores indicating higher adherence) was the main predictor of AD and MCI status in multinominal logistic regression models that were adjusted for cohort age, sex, country of birth, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, total caloric intake, current smoking status, body mass index, history of diabetes, hypertension, angina, heart attack and stroke. There was a significant difference in adherence to the MeDi between HC and AD subjects (P < 0.001), and in adherence between HC and MCI subjects (P < 0.05). MeDi is associated with change in Mini-Mental State Examination score over an 18-month time period (P < 0.05) in HCs. We conclude that in this Australian cohort, AD and MCI participants had a lower adherence to the MeDi than HC participants.
In the past years, a wide range of epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies have produced remarkable advances in the field of respiratory allergies in childhood. By the recent investigations on epidemiological trends, risk factors, and prevention of asthma and allergic rhinitis, various exiting concepts have been challenged, and novel innovative approaches have been developed. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (PAI), with a number of highly relevant contributions between 2010 and 2012, has become an important forum in this area. The prevalence of asthma in some developed countries may have reached a plateau, while in developing countries, where the prevalence was previously low, allergic diseases are still on the increase. A wide array of risk and protective factors, including hygiene, infections, outdoor and indoor air pollution, allergen exposure, breast-feeding practices, nutrition, and obesity, play a multifaceted role in shaping the observed worldwide trends of respiratory allergies. Under the guidance of recent research, prediction and prevention strategies in the clinical practice are progressively changing, the focus moving away from avoidance of allergen exposure and toward tolerance induction.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma represent global health problems for all age groups. Asthma and rhinitis frequently coexist in the same subjects. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) was initiated during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999 (published in 2001). ARIA has reclassified AR as mild/moderate-severe and intermittent/persistent. This classification closely reflects patients' needs and underlines the close relationship between rhinitis and asthma. Patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals are confronted with various treatment choices for the management of AR. This contributes to considerable variation in clinical practice, and worldwide, patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals are faced with uncertainty about the relative merits and downsides of the various treatment options. In its 2010 Revision, ARIA developed clinical practice guidelines for the management of AR and asthma comorbidities based on the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. ARIA is disseminated and implemented in more than 50 countries of the world. Ten years after the publication of the ARIA World Health Organization workshop report, it is important to make a summary of its achievements and identify the still unmet clinical, research, and implementation needs to strengthen the 2011 European Union Priority on allergy and asthma in children.
Resumen: Aves sin nido y Los perros hambrientos son novelas representativas de la corriente indigenista de la literatura hispanoamericana de los siglos XIX y XX respectivamente. Ambas presentan el ambiente sociopolítico y los valores sociales de unas épocas concretas de la sociedad peruana. En Aves sin nido se presenta el ambiente social y la corrupción de los religiosos y de los representantes del poder. En Los perros hambrientos la sequía cambia el ambiente físico y determina el sistema de valores. El personaje del indígena, aunque víctima de su ambiente social, tiene altas cualidades humanas.
Palabras claves: novela, hispanoamericana, indigenista, ambiente, valores
Abstract: Aves sin nido and Los perros hambrientos are representative indigenous novels of Spanish American literature of the 19th and 20th centuries respectively. Both of them present the sociopolitical environment and the social values of particular times of the Peruvian society. In Aves sin nido, it is presented the corruption of the political and religious authorities. In Los perros hambrientos, the drought changes the setting and determines the value system. The Indian characters are the victims of the social environment and have high human qualities.
Key words: novel, Spanish American, indigenous, environment, values
Purpose. Thorough understanding of biliary anatomy is required when performing surgical interventions in the hepatobiliary system. This study describes the anatomical variations of right bile ducts in terms of branching and drainage patterns, and determines their frequency. Methods. We studied 73 samples of cadaveric material, focusing on the relationship of the right anterior and posterior segmental branches, the way they form the right hepatic duct, and the main variations of their drainage pattern. Results. The anatomy of the right hepatic duct was typical in 65.75% of samples. Ectopic drainage of the right anterior duct into the common hepatic duct was found in 15.07% and triple confluence in 9.59%. Ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the common hepatic duct was discovered in 2.74% and ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the left hepatic duct in 4.11%. Ectopic drainage of the right anterior duct into the left hepatic ductal system and ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the cystic duct was found in 1.37%. Conclusion. The branching pattern of the right hepatic duct was atypical in 34.25% of cases. Thus, knowledge of the anatomical variations of the extrahepatic bile ducts is important in many surgical cases.
Philosophy, as Aristotle said, originates in wonder. And nonhumananimals have long been a source of wonder to humans,especially in regard to the treatment they deserve. The upshot isthat Western philosophy has been concerned with the way inwhich we ought to treat nonhuman animals since its origins withthe pre-Socratic philosophers.Animal ethics is a highly challenging field, as well as one of theliveliest areas of debate in ethics in recent years. Not only has thisarea issued in a range of attention-grabbing controversies, but ithas also led to the exploration o f novel and imaginativeapproaches to worn-out issues.This book is roughly evenly divided between the presentationand discussion of a range of influential past approaches toanimal ethics, and an equally significant range of contemporaryapproaches. We need to understand the legacy of the past andthe resources that it offers us while also forging new views thatare appropriate to our increasingly developed understanding ofthe nature of nonhuman animals.
The concept of anisotropy of spin relaxation in nonmagnetic metals with respect to the spin direction of the injected electrons relative to the crystal orientation is introduced. The effect is related to an anisotropy of the Elliott-Yafet parameter, arising from a modulation of the decomposition of the spin-orbit Hamiltonian into spin-conserving and spin-flip terms as the spin quantization axis is varied. This anisotropy, reaching gigantic values for uniaxial transition metals (e.g., 830% for hcp Hf) as density-functional calculations show, is related to extended ``spin-flip hot areas'' on the Fermi surface created by the proximity of extended sheets of the surface, or ``spin-flip hot loops'' at the Brillouin zone boundary, and has no theoretical upper limit. Possible ways of measuring the effect as well as consequences in application are briefly outlined.
Most recommender systems have too many items to propose to too many users based on limited information. This problem is formally known as the sparsity of the ratings' matrix, because this is the structure that holds user preferences. This paper outlines a Collaborative Filtering Recommender System that tries to amend this situation. After applying Singular Value Decomposition to reduce the dimensionality of the data, our system makes use of a dynamic Artificial Neural Network architecture with boosted learning to predict user ratings. Furthermore we use the concept of k-separability to deal with the resulting noisy data, a methodology not yet tested in Recommender Systems. The combination of these techniques applied to the MovieLens datasets seems to yield promising results.
Papayannis A, Balis D, Kokkalis P, Mamouri R, Tsaknakis G, Giannakaki E, Siomos N, Amiridis V. ARIADNE: the Greek lidar network. Proceedings, 26th International Laser Radar Conference, Porto Heli, Greece. 2012:25-29.
The advent of microarrays over the past decade has transformed the way genome-wide studies are designed and conducted, leading to an unprecedented speed of acquisition and amount of new knowledge. Microarray data have led to the identification of molecular subclasses of solid tumors characterized by distinct oncogenic pathways, as well as the development of multigene prognostic or predictive models equivalent or superior to those of established clinical parameters. In the field of molecular-targeted therapy for cancer, in particular, the application of array-based methodologies has enabled the identification of molecular targets with 'key' roles in neoplastic transformation or tumor progression and the subsequent development of targeted agents, which are most likely to be active in the specific molecular setting. Herein, we present a summary of the main applications of whole-genome expression microarrays in the field of molecular-targeted therapies for solid tumors and we discuss their potential in the clinical setting. An emphasis is given on deciphering the molecular mechanisms of drug action, identifying novel therapeutic targets and suitable agents to target them with, and discovering molecular markers/signatures that predict response to therapy or optimal drug dose for each patient.
PURPOSE: We performed a prospective study to document, by intra-operative manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) of the pelvic ring, the stability of lateral compression type 1 injuries that were managed in a Level-I Trauma Centre. The documentation of the short-term outcome of the management of these injuries was our secondary aim.
METHODS: A total of 63 patients were included in the study. Thirty-five patients (group A) were treated surgically whereas 28 (group B) were managed nonoperatively. Intraoperative rotational instability, evident by more than two centimetres of translation during the manipulation manoeuvre, was combined with a complete sacral fracture in all cases.
RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was present between the length of hospital stay, the time to independent pain-free mobilisation, post-manipulation pain levels and opioid requirements between the two groups, with group A demonstrating significantly decreased values in all these four variables (p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference between the pre- and 72-hour post-manipulation visual analogue scale and analgesic requirements of the group A patients, whereas the patients in group B did not demonstrate such a difference.
CONCLUSION: LC-1 injuries with a complete posterior sacral injury are inheritably rotationally unstable and patients presenting with these fracture patterns definitely gain benefit from surgical stabilisation.
The biomass degrading enzymatic potential of 101 thermophilic bacterial strains isolated from a volcanic environment (Santorini, Aegean Sea, Greece) was assessed. 80 % of the strains showed xylanolytic activity in Congo Red plates, while only eight could simultaneously hydrolyze cellulose. Fifteen isolates were selected on the basis of their increased enzyme production, the majority of which was identified as Geobacilli through 16S rDNA analysis. In addition, the enzymatic profile was evaluated in liquid cultures using various carbon sources, a procedure that revealed lack of correlation on xylanase levels between the two cultivation modes and the inability of solid CMC cultures to fully unravel the cellulose degrading potential of the isolates. Strain SP24, showing more than 99 % 16S DNA similarity with Geobacillus sp. was further studied for its unique ability to simultaneously exhibit cellulase, xylanase, β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase activities. The first two enzymes were produced mainly extracellularly, while the β-glycosidic activities were primarily detected in the cytosol. Maximum enzyme production by this strain was attained using a combination of wheat bran and xylan in the growth medium. Bioreactor cultures showed that aeration was necessary for both enhanced growth and enzyme production. Aeration had a strong positive effect on cellulase production while it negatively affected expression of β-glucosidase. Xylanase and β-xylosidase production was practically unaffected by aeration levels.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between a Mediterranean-type diet and Alzheimer's risk. We assessed the association between Mediterranean-type diet adherence and Parkinson's disease (PD) status.
METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-seven PD participants and 198 controls completed the Willett semiquantitative questionnaire that quantifies diet during the past year. Scores were calculated using a 9-point scale; higher scores indicated greater adherence to the Mediterranean-type diet. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between PD status and Mediterranean-type diet, adjusting for caloric intake, age, sex, education, and ethnicity. Adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the association between Mediterranean-type diet adherence and PD age at onset.
RESULTS: Higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence was associated with reduced odds for PD after adjustment for all covariates (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97; P = .010). Lower Mediterranean-type diet score was associated with earlier PD age at onset (β = 1.09; P = .006).
CONCLUSIONS: PD patients adhere less than controls to a Mediterranean-type diet. Dietary behavior may be associated with age at onset.
Background: We investigated the associations between second trimester amniotic fluid (AF) levels of human adiponectin and placental growth factor (PLGF) in small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses. Materials and Methods: Adiponectin and PLGF levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay in AF of 21 SGA, 13 LGA and 44 AGA fetuses between 15-22 weeks of gestation, derived from pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis. Results: Adiponectin and PLGF levels were detectable in AF. Median (25th-75th percentile) adiponectin levels were 16.1 (10.9-32.3) ng/ml in SGA, 19.5 (15.1-30.9) ng/ml in AGA, and 18.2 (14.7-30.8) ng/ml in LGA fetuses. Median (25th-75th percentile) PLGF levels were 24.2 (19.9-34.9) pg/nl in SGA, 26.4 (20.9-33.8) pg/ml in AGA and 33.5 (21.8-40.4) pg/ml in LGA fetuses. The differences were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, indication of differentiation of levels existed when SGA and LGA fetuses in the extremes of distribution were considered. Specifically, very severely SGA fetuses (≤2.5th percentile) tended to have high levels of adiponectin and reduced levels of PLGF in AF. Conclusion: This is the first study presenting adiponectin and PLGF concentrations in early second trimester amniotic fluid in AGA, SGA and LGA fetuses. The altered concentrations of adiponectin and PLGF in very severely SGA fetuses possibly result from the growth-promoting effect of these factors through the metabolic route and the vascular integrity of the placenta, respectively.
Kamberidou I. Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport. In: Proceedings of the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES. International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE/CIEPSS …; 2012. pp. 187–202.
Policy makers consider that sport contributes to a wide range of ideals such as intercultural understanding, reconciliation, social integration. Grassroots programmes involving tens of thousands participants around the globe from visionaries, educators, civic acitivists, volunteers, etc. are using sport to tackle the most pressing problems of the developing world—from AIDS in Africa to violence in Rio and Haiti. Is this the vision of salvation through sport too grandiose? Can such projects make a lasting difference? Remarkable results have been documented by many NGOs that have been using sport as a tool to promote reconciliation and respect for ethnic diversity. Sport is considered a vital space, especially in light of today’s xenophobic worldviews. (See proceedings)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kamberidou, I. (2012). Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport. Proceedings of the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES, pp. 187–202. International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE/CIEPSS), Hanns-Braun-Strase Friesenhaus II D-14053 Berlin. Editors Ronnie Lidor, Karl-Heinz Schneider & Katrin Koenen. ISBN 978-3-9811179-4-3 , copyright 2012 by ICSSPE. D.4 in Apella
Kamberidou I. Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport. In: Proceedings of the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES. International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE/CIEPSS), Hanns-Braun-Strase Friesenhaus II D-14053 Berlin. Editors Ronnie Lidor, Karl-Heinz Schneider & Katrin Koenen. ISBN 978-3-9811179-4-3 copyright 2012 by ICSSPE; 2012. pp. 187–202.
Although the painful experience of loneliness has been largely investigated, attitude toward aloneness and ability to be alone during middle and late childhood remains a highly neglected research issue. The Ability to Be Alone Questionnaire (Berlin, 1990), and the Aversion to Aloneness and Affinity for Aloneness subscales of the Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents (Marcoen & Goossens, 1993) were used with 136 fourth and sixth graders (Study 1); also, a sentence completion task assessing feelings about aloneness (Coleman, 1974), and three questions assessing the ability to differentiate between aloneness and loneliness (Galanaki, 2004) (Study 2) were used with 108 fourth and sixth graders. All participants came from primary schools of Athens, Greece. Results showed a decrease from middle to late childhood in children’s aversion to aloneness, and an increase in their capacity to understand that loneliness may be experienced even in the presence of others. Ability to be alone and affinity for aloneness did not show any statistically significant increase with age. The majority of fourth graders were able to understand that “alone” does not necessarily means “lonely”, but had difficulties in accepting the state “feeling lonely even in the presence of others”. Empirical support for an ambivalent attitude toward aloneness during both these age periods also emerged. Gender differences were not found. Findings are discussed in the framework of the existing research on children’s understanding and experience of aloneness and solitude, and suggestions for future research are made.
Anxiety and depression are considered as stress-related disorders, which present considerable sex differentiation. In animal models of anxiety and depression sex differences have been described and linked to the sexually dimorphic hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenals (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to adjust corticosterone, the main HPA axis stress hormone, in male and female adrenalectomized rats with oral (25 μg/ml) corticosterone replacement (ADXR). Subsequently we investigated the behavioral performance of ADXR rats in the open field, light/dark and forced swim test (FST). Male ADXR rats showed less anxiety-like behavior when compared to sham-operated controls, despite adequate corticosterone replacement. They further showed increased swimming and reduced climbing behavior in the FST, while immobility duration did not differ from sham-operated males. On the contrary, adrenalectomy and corticosterone replacement did not have significant effects on the female behavioral response. Females were generally more active and presented less anxiety-like behavior than males, while they exhibited higher depressive-like symptomatology in the FST. ADXR affected behavioral responses predominantly in males, which in turn modified sex differences in the behavioral profile. Females in proestrous and estrous did not differ from females in diestrous and methestrous in any measured behavioral response. Present results suggest that the male and not the female behavioral responses in models of anxiety and depression were mainly affected by ADXR. These findings may play a significant role in explaining the differential coping strategy of the two sexes in response to stressful experiences. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.
Anxiety and depression are considered as stress-related disorders, which present considerable sex differentiation. In animal models of anxiety and depression sex differences have been described and linked to the sexually dimorphic hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenals (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to adjust corticosterone, the main HPA axis stress hormone, in male and female adrenalectomized rats with oral (25 μg/ml) corticosterone replacement (ADXR). Subsequently we investigated the behavioral performance of ADXR rats in the open field, light/dark and forced swim test (FST). Male ADXR rats showed less anxiety-like behavior when compared to sham-operated controls, despite adequate corticosterone replacement. They further showed increased swimming and reduced climbing behavior in the FST, while immobility duration did not differ from sham-operated males. On the contrary, adrenalectomy and corticosterone replacement did not have significant effects on the female behavioral response. Females were generally more active and presented less anxiety-like behavior than males, while they exhibited higher depressive-like symptomatology in the FST. ADXR affected behavioral responses predominantly in males, which in turn modified sex differences in the behavioral profile. Females in proestrous and estrous did not differ from females in diestrous and methestrous in any measured behavioral response. Present results suggest that the male and not the female behavioral responses in models of anxiety and depression were mainly affected by ADXR. These findings may play a significant role in explaining the differential coping strategy of the two sexes in response to stressful experiences. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.
Benthic foraminiferal composition of sedimentary successions during the last 7500 years, was investigated from boreholes drilled in three rather tectonically stable coastal areas of the Aegean Sea (Alykes Kitros, Lafrouda Thrace and Vravron Attica). The quantitative analysis of foraminiferal fauna enabled separation into two different groups that are supported by the analysis of modern benthic foraminiferal communities in the studied sites. Group A consists of Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica (closed lagoon assemblage), whereas the most common species of Group B (open lagoon assemblage) are Aubignyna perlucida, miliolids, Elphidium spp. and Ammonia spp. The foraminiferal composition integrated with radiometric dating provides information on Holocene paleoenvironmental changes in the studied coastal plains, related to seaeland interaction. Alykes Kitros and Lafrouda Thrace boreholes show a similar trend, with an open lagoonal fauna in the lower part, transitional upwards to closed lagoonal conditions. This environmental change has taken place after 6500 cal BP in Alykes Kitros and around 3000 cal BP at Lafrouda Thrace. The benthic communities of Vravron Attica borehole sediments seem to represent continuously an open lagoon/shallow marine environment from 4700 to 400 cal BP.
Morphological abnormalities of recent and fossil benthic foraminiferal tests may be caused by environmental stress resulting from anthropogenic pollution and/or natural effects. In the present paper we document and describe morphological abnormalities of Ammonia tepida and some additional foraminiferal species from Holocene sedimentary successions of the Aegean Sea (Alykes Kitros and Vravron Attica). The abnormality types are manifested largely by siamese twins, whereas distorted chamber arrangement, overdeveloped or protruding chambers and the presence of multiple apertures have also been observed. Our observations on the distribution of abnormal tests in comparison to the characters of the accompanying fauna suggest that malformation was caused mainly by rapid and intense salinity fluctuations.
To explore the comparative performance of the recently proposed bioequivalence (BE) approaches, FDA(s) and EMA(s), by the FDA working group on highly variable drugs and the EMA, respectively; to compare the impact of the GMR-constraint on the two approaches; and to provide representative plots of % BE acceptance as a function of geometric mean ratio, sample size and variability. Simulated BE studies and extreme GMR versus CV plots were used. Three sequence, three period crossover studies with two treatments were simulated using four levels of within-subject variability. The FDA(s) and EMA(s) approaches were identical when variability was < 30%. In all other cases, the FDA(s) method was more permissive than EMA(s). The major discrepancy was observed for variability values > 50%. The GMR-constraint was necessary for FDA(s), especially for drugs with high variabilities. For EMA(s), the GMR-constraint only became effective when sample size was large and variability was close to 50%. A significant discrepancy in the performances of FDA(s) and EMA(s) was observed for high variability values. The GMR-constraint was essential for FDA(s), but it was of minor importance in case of the EMA(s).
Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, is currently defined as a disturbance of the structural or functional integrity of the optic nerve that causes characteristic atrophic changes in the optic nerve, which may lead to specific visual field defects over time. This disturbance usually can be arrested or diminished by adequate lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma can be divided roughly into two main categories, ' open angle ' and ' closed angle ' glaucoma.Open angle, chronic glaucoma tends to progress at a slower rate and patients may not notice loss of vision until the disease has progressed significantly. Primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) is described distinctly as a multifactorial optic neuropathy that is chronic and progressive with a characteristic acquired loss of optic nerve fibers. Such loss develops in the presence of open anterior chamber angles, characteristic visual field abnormalities, and IOP that is too high for the healthy eye. It manifests by cupping and atrophy of the optic disc, in the absence of other known causes of glaucomatous disease. Several biological markers have been implicated with the disease. The purpose of this study was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the non-genetic molecular markers which have been predicted to have an association with POAG but have not yet been validated
Batsis D, Bitsikas X, Georgaki A, Evaggelou A, Tigas P. Biomusic: The carrier. Technoetic Arts. 2012;9:209–216.Abstract
The present work investigates the concept of sound, in relation to the new means andsciences under different perspectives, ultimately providing an analysis of the newbornartistic movement of bioart. It deals with two parts. The first part of the study is basedupon reference, investigating the interconnection between art and science. Thismechanism is characterized by transformation processes in the interdisciplinarypractices that are applied mainly by various artists and movements of the second postworld war period. The expressive element seeks for an unworldly explanation throughaudio and visual conjunctions. This nature is obvious in Paul Klee’s reflections ofmusical elements in his paintings, Rimington’s attempts to marry audiovisual influencesin his “colour organs”, the experimentations of composers like Xenakis and Stockhausenat various locations with light and color proves the continuous quest to render sound bythe use of new means. Technology is a vital component of transformation as it enhancesthe syncretic creativity for various art domains like the ones that Fluxus deployed. ΝamJun Paik and Dick Higgins introduce radical techniques in their performances as theydetach their selves from the parameters that define composition and use the mind andpower of sentiment in order to identify reality aurally and optically. Towards the end ofthe 20th century we witness the appearance of new art forms like bioart. The humanbody, host of material and immaterial functions comes to the forefront of art practice. Itsrelation to elements such as oscillations and vibrations that express the energy flow areanalyzed through the model of spiritualism that came from eastern thought. The notionof digital embodiment is presented as a reminder, highlighting the importance oftechnology in biotechnology and genetics.The second part of the study involves an experiment. This is how the concept ofbiomusic is applied with the use of ECG data from the MIT PhysioNet database. Assound penetrates the entire human body, it can be analyzed in all of its phasma. Usingthat information we attempt to translate/transform that biological sound phenomena intomusic. The sound produced by the elaboration of data which result from biologicalfunctions, can be described as Biomusic. It can be transformed into frequencies relatedto time and be expressed into music themes. Sonification plays an important role in thisresearch as it constitutes a quick and precise rendering of the polymorphic information(in this case the E.C.G.) in musical notes. This modeling and musical attribution leads intwo distinguished results each one of them concerning different clinical cases (all databelong to a normal heart function and a pathological one). The invention of this novelsystem is suggested for the scientific as well as for the music discipline. It has the abilityto be implemented in an experimental form and obtain an educational character. Thetransformation process avoids compensation throughout the matching process inbetween E.C.G. functions and music, while focusing on the aesthetic factor at the sametime. Sound meets art in the world of Biomusic as it takes shape through technology,constituting a new medium to further evolve the model of ‘’biology into art’’transformation.
BACKGROUND: Pompe disease is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by α-glycosidase deficiency, which leads to lysosomal glycogen accumulation in many different tissues. The infantile form is the most severe with a rapidly fatal outcome, while the late onset form has a greater phenotypic variability, characterized by skeletal muscle dysfunction and early respiratory involvement. Bone mineral density (BMD) has been recently reported to be reduced in many patients with both forms of the disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is now available with an undefined, impact on BMD in patients with late onset disease.
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate BMD in patients with late onset form of Pompe disease before and after ERT initiation.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was examined in four newly diagnosed patients with late onset Pompe disease and in four adults under ERT before and after ERT initiation with a treatment duration of 18 to 36 months.
RESULTS: The initial DEXA showed normal total body BMD z-score in all the patients, while L2-L4 and femoral neck BMD was reduced in three and two patients, respectively. After ERT administration, two patients had an improvement in L2-L4 lumbar spine and one patient in femoral neck BMD z-score with values within normal range.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that regional BMD may moderately reduce in some patients with the late onset form of Pompe disease, although profound osteopenia was not observed. The improvement of measurements in L2-L4 and femoral neck BMD z-score in some patients with low pre-treatment values after ERT administration needs to be confirmed in larger scale studies.
We report on the calculation of the fundamental plasmon waveguide modes in linear periodic chains of finite silver nanorods, aligned perpendicular to the chain. The results of rigorous full-electrodynamic calculations by the layer-multiple-scattering method are discussed in conjunction with the results of the widely used coupled-dipole model and a critical evaluation of the latter is provided. More specifically, it is shown that both diameter and height of the nanorods must be much smaller than the interparticle distance; otherwise, for relatively long nanorods close to each other, the coupled-dipole model can fail completely to predict the waveguide dispersion diagram. Moreover, the model systematically underestimates the effect of dissipative losses and cannot describe the effect of a supporting substrate, which is always present in realistic cases and induces considerable changes in the waveguide dispersion diagram.
INTRODUCTION: Successful research management requirements include; equal teamwork and efficient coordination, in order to increase the impact of the research outcomes and provide added value knowledge. Aim of this paper is to discuss the strategies that have been followed during the RN4CAST study, the largest nursing multi-country research project ever conducted in Europe. The paper focuses on the core research strategies rather than on the administrative activities, which are inevitably also required for the success of a large scale research.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This paper is an extension of a conference presentation in the International Conference of the European Federation for Medical Informatics (MIE) 2011 in Oslo, and was subsequently published in the Studies in Health Technology and Informatics book series (IOS Press) under the title "Research management: the case of RN4CAST." Management of a multicountry 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. Challenges that may be faced during the implementation of the study include the individualized confrontation of obstacles during data collection, the coherence of national procedures (for example permissions for data collection) in European level, and the challenge to gain information of added value for the EU, by aggregating the national survey results through a powerful data analysis model. Communication strategies are also discussed.
We request multi-fiber optical spectroscopic observations (using the AAOmega/2dF spectrograph at AAT) of the central region of the Small Magellanic Cloud, in order to determine the donor type of the identified X-ray binaries (XRBs) detected in our large XMM survey of the same area. This way we will unambiguously classify the XRBs into Be (easily identifiable by their Hα emission) or supergiant systems. These observations will create a complete census of early-type line-emitting SMC stars down to V~19 mag, thus allowing to address: i) the fraction of early-type stars that exhibit Hα emission and the connection between their Hα excess and red excess or brightness, ii) the fraction of such sources that are observed in X-rays, which is important for constraining the formation rate of accreting binaries in an environment with well characterized stellar populations, and iii) the spectral-type distribution of low-luminosity XRBs.
M31 is our nearest spiral galaxy, at a distance of 780 kpc. Identification of X-ray sources in nearby galaxies is important for interpreting the properties of more distant ones, mainly because we can classify nearby sources using both X-ray and optical data, while more distant ones via X-rays alone. The XMM-Newton Large Project for M31 has produced an abundant sample of about 1900 X-ray sources in the direction of M31. Most of them remain elusive, giving us little signs of their origin. Our goal is to classify these sources using criteria based on properties of already identified ones. In particular we construct candidate lists of high mass X-ray binaries, low mass X-ray binaries, X-ray binaries correlated with globular clusters and AGN based on their X-ray emission and the properties of their optical counterparts, if any. Our main methodology consists of identifying particular loci of X-ray sources on X-ray hardness ratio diagrams and the color magnitude diagrams of their optical counterparts. Finally, we examined the X-ray luminosity function of the X-ray binaries populations.
INTRODUCTION: The presence of the appendix in a femoral hernia sac is known as de Garengeot's hernia. We report a rare case of an elderly woman with femoral hernia appendicitis and discuss the surgical pitfalls and considerations through a literature review.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 83-year-old woman presented with fever and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Clinical examination revealed a femoral hernia. Ultrasonography confirmed bowel was present in the hernia sac. In the operation room, an acutely inflamed appendix was recognized within the sac. The patient underwent appendectomy and hernia repair with sutures.
DISCUSSION: Acute appendicitis within a femoral hernia is rare and multiple dilemmas exist regarding its treatment. An incision below the inguinal ligament is a reasonable choice in order to access the hernia sac. A mesh should be placed in non-infectious appendectomy while herniorrhaphy is preferred in cases of appendicitis.
CONCLUSION: The presence of the vermiform appendix in a femoral hernia sac is rare but the surgeon should be aware of this clinical entity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment is the key to avoid complications.
The results from a four-year systematic observational sky survey of eclipsing binaries, candidates for containing a delta Scuti component, are presented. More than a hundred systems were tested for a possible oscillating behavior, 17 out of which were found to show evidence of pulsating component and 8 more being ambiguous cases for further research. Data analysis and modelling methods are described step-by-step, and as an example the case of BO Her is presented in detail. Using the observational results of all known close binaries with a delta Scuti component collected from the literature and our own study, a total of 73 such systems is gathered. Correlations among their physical parameters (e.g. pulsation and orbital periods, evolutionary status) are also derived, extending significantly our knowledge of these systems.
Ocean acidification and the related changes in seawater chemistry may disrupt calcification by coccolithophores and departure from the normal growth process causing malformed coccoliths. Coccospheres with malformed were coccoliths collected from different locations in the Aegean Sea. Although most of these specimens in our work are restricted to Emiliania huxleyi, scarce coccospheres of Rhabdosphaera clavigera, Syracosphaera pulchra, Discosphaera tubifera and Calcidiscus quadriperforatus have also been detected. In this study we discuss our observations on malformed distribution in relation to seawater carbonate chemistry.
BACKGROUND: A feature selection method in microarray gene expression data should be independent of platform, disease and dataset size. Our hypothesis is that among the statistically significant ranked genes in a gene list, there should be clusters of genes that share similar biological functions related to the investigated disease. Thus, instead of keeping N top ranked genes, it would be more appropriate to define and keep a number of gene cluster exemplars. RESULTS: We propose a hybrid FS method (mAP-KL), which combines multiple hypothesis testing and affinity propagation (AP)-clustering algorithm along with the Krzanowski & Lai cluster quality index, to select a small yet informative subset of genes. We applied mAP-KL on real microarray data, as well as on simulated data, and compared its performance against 13 other feature selection approaches. Across a variety of diseases and number of samples, mAP-KL presents competitive classification results, particularly in neuromuscular diseases, where its overall AUC score was 0.91. Furthermore, mAP-KL generates concise yet biologically relevant and informative N-gene expression signatures, which can serve as a valuable tool for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as a source of potential disease biomarkers in a broad range of diseases. CONCLUSIONS: mAP-KL is a data-driven and classifier-independent hybrid feature selection method, which applies to any disease classification problem based on microarray data, regardless of the available samples. Combining multiple hypothesis testing and AP leads to subsets of genes, which classify unknown samples from both, small and large patient cohorts with high accuracy.
The paper Faivre et al. (2011) presents an interpretation of results deduced from two coastal cores that are trying to date the period of formation of a slightly submerged tidal notch often
reported from the coasts of Istria. The development of a tidal notch in carbonate coasts is usually made possible by intertidal bioerosion processes during periods of relative sea-level stability (Pirazzoli, 1986). The inward depth of the tidal notch profile, that in Istria is often of about half a meter, may be used for a rough estimation of the duration of the period of relative sea-level stability, with assumptions on the bioerosion rates, that in the Mediterranean have been reported to vary generally between about 0.2 and 1.0 mm/y (Evelpidou et al., 2012). The profile of the Istrian tidal notch shows a well preserved roof, evidence that the notch was submerged by a rapid subsidence, probably coseismic (Evelpidou et al., 2011a, 2011b). Several publications, some of them co-signed by the same authors for the area between Porec and Zadar (Fouache et al., 2000; Faivre and Fouache, 2003), have reported, from correlation with archaeological remains, that the submerged notch corresponds, more or less, to the sea level in Roman times. Other data by Faivre et al. (2010), mention a tidal notch submerged by 0.5e0.7 m and a sea level rise from the first century AD that cannot have highly exceeded 1.0 m. Finally according to Fouache et al. (2011), the sea level rise indicated by archeological remains can be estimated at 1.0+-0.48 m since Roman times.
Faivre et al. (2011) provide a new interpretation from the two cores, which is in complete contradiction with previous results, suggesting that the notch formed much later, between 1000 and 1500 AD. These two dates correspond to radiocarbon ages of two shells collected by the cores. However, apart from the depth of sampling, that nearly coincides to the base of the notch, not before but after its submergence, there is no clear evidence that the dated shells are really related to the sea level at which the notch developed before its submergence. Also, the assertion that the sample from one core would have been deposited at the beginning of the notch formation, while the sample at the same depth from the other core would just have preceded the coseismic subsidence, seems unconvincing. In fact, after the rapid subsidence of the area, the relative sea level became several decimeters higher in the areas of the Mirna River valley and of the Santa Marina Cove, permitting
an acceleration in marine sediment deposition at the levels where they have been recently cored. In addition, the period between 1000 and 1500 AD seems too short for the development of the tidal notch considered, more specifically that this period seems very unfavorable to tidal notch development because the global sea-level rise that occurred until at least 1350 AD, at a rate of 0.6 mm/y (Kemp et al., 2011), has probably limited the possibilities of local bioerosion. Seismic evidence in the period around 1500 AD is also missing. If the rapid subsidence had a coseismic origin, the event is likely to have produced a tsunami in the northern Adriatic. It is hardly believable that a tsunami occurring about 1500 AD could escape notice in Venice and in the other lagoons and harbors of the western coast of the Adriatic. In short, a late Roman date, e.g. 361 AD, as suggested by Benac et al. (2004), seems more likely than a date around 1500 AD. As to the relative sea level stability necessary for the notch formation, it could have occurred in a period of balance for relative sea level changes between the eustatic, isostatic and tectonic factors (Pirazzoli, 2005), i.e. before and during Roman times, possibly in accordance with relative sea-level variations of the type of those predicted with the modelm-2byAntonioli et al. (2007, Fig. 9C or 9D).
Research on star clusters and associations includes the observation and theory of stellar groupings as they form and evolve, cluster disruption, stellar interactions inside clusters, and star formation in dense environments. In what follows, we list past, present and future meetings (http://www2.cadc-ccda.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/meetings/), publications statistics and important surveys, reviews, and databases about clusters.
This paper investigates the potential congruence between research and innovation intensity in a country and the role society plays in the adoption and dissemination of scientific results. Using descriptive reports it tries to quantify certain variables and finds a significant degree of coincidence between the two. This, however, does not indicate any causal relationship but suggests that a systematic exercise of this type is feasible and may lead to the creation of valuable time series that can form solid evidence for policy in the future and create an interesting database for further research and policy-making. Countries that rank higher in their ‘science in society’ performance compared to their innovation ranking may be used as models for imitation. Furthermore, the rating process indicated that there are significant differences between European member states but there is at least a minimum involvement in every country.
Motion of the carotid artery wall is important for the quantification of arterial elasticity and contractility and can be estimated with a number of techniques. In this paper, a framework for quantitative evaluation of motion analysis techniques from B-mode ultrasound images is introduced. Six synthetic sequences were produced using 1) a real image corrupted by Gaussian and speckle noise of 25 and 15 dB, and 2) the ultrasound simulation package Field II. In both cases, a mathematical model was used, which simulated the motion of the arterial wall layers and the surrounding tissue, in the radial and longitudinal directions. The performance of four techniques, namely optical flow (OF (HS)), weighted least-squares optical flow (OF (LK(WLS))), block matching (BM), and affine block motion model (ABMM), was investigated in the context of this framework. The average warping indices were lowest for OF (LK(WLS)) (1.75 pixels), slightly higher for ABMM (2.01 pixels), and highest for BM (6.57 pixels) and OF (HS) (11.57 pixels). Due to its superior performance, OF (LK(WLS)) was used to quantify motion of selected regions of the arterial wall in real ultrasound image sequences of the carotid artery. Preliminary results indicate that OF (LK(WLS)) is promising, because it efficiently quantified radial, longitudinal, and shear strains in healthy adults and diseased subjects.
Land snails usually exhibit cycles of activity and dormancy (aestivation or hibernation). The transition between these two states is accompanied by a range of behavioural and physiological responses to ensure their survival under adverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, aestivation plays an important role in shaping species' distribution patterns. We examined the seasonal patterns in biochemical tissue composition in relation to aspects of behavioural ecology in three land snail populations: one mainland and one insular population of the widespread Helix aspersa and a population (sympatric with the latter) of Helix figulina, a congeneric species with a narrow and declining distribution. Helix figulina aestivates in underground borrows, while H. aspersa spends the summer under stones and may interrupt aestivation when conditions become favourable. Prior to aestivation H. figulina accumulates metabolic fuels, which it consumes later during summer, and at the same time loses substantial body water and increases lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The insular H. aspersa population follows a similar pattern (regarding metabolites and LDH activity), with the difference that water loss is limited. However, the mainland population of H. aspersa deviates from this model with energy metabolites and water levels showing little variation throughout the year, while LDH activity is reduced. These differences probably reflect the particular behavioural and physiological patterns adopted by each species. The specialist and range-restricted H. figulina shows a constant and more predictable seasonal pattern, which may be effective for surviving in its historical biogeographic range, but it seems to be more vulnerable to possibly changing environmental conditions. On the other hand the generalist and cosmopolitan H. aspersa adopts a more flexible pattern that compensates for the effects of adverse conditions during aestivation and permits a more effective exploitation of energy resources.
Zymomonas mobilis is an ethanologenic bacterium that has been studied for use in biofuel production. Of the sequenced Zymomonas strains, ATCC 29191 has been described as the phenotypic centrotype of Zymomonas mobilis subsp. mobilis, the taxon that harbors the highest ethanol-producing Z. mobilis strains. ATCC 29191 was isolated in Kinshasa, Congo, from palm wine fermentations. This strain is reported to be a robust levan producer, while in recent years it has been employed in studies addressing Z. mobilis respiration. Here we announce the finishing and annotation of the ATCC 29191 genome, which comprises one chromosome and three plasmids.
In this paper the author presents research into the role of religion in the modern world and into young people’s perspectives on the role of religion in European school systems attempting to justify compulsory Religious Education. International and European legislation, experiences of different countries and findings of researches in Greece published for the first time, provide a proposal for compulsory Religious Education which has to be based on the constructivist theory according to pedagogical practice in Europe.
In this study, we explored the factors related to acceptance of evolutionary theory among students/preservice preschool education teachers using conceptual ecology for biological evolution as a theoretical frame. We aimed to examine the acceptance and understanding of evolutionary theory and also the relationship of acceptance and understanding of the nature of science, thinking dispositions and religiosity as independent variables. We also studied the influence of teaching on the conceptual ecology of evolution acceptance. A class of 320 future teachers was surveyed using two questionnaires. According to our findings, students' understanding of evolutionary theory is positively correlated with a moderate acceptance of evolutionary theory. We found a weak positive correlation between the understanding of the nature of science and acceptance of evolution theory, and a positive correlation between open-minded thinking dispositions and evolution theory acceptance. The strength and the patterns of these correlations are miscellaneous and are examined carefully in this paper. We also found that systematic teaching may have a significant influence on evolution theory acceptance. Our findings stress the differences that exist between societies and how socio-cultural factors such as type of religion influence acceptance of evolution and have a strong influence on evolution education.
In this work, we study the properties of the overall accreting binary population of the Magellanic Clouds and the connection between star-formation (SF) activity and X-ray binary (XRB) formation and evolution. Understanding of the populations of compact objects and their connection with SF will allow us to investigate channels of XRB formation in a variety of environments and therefore help in studies of the X-ray source populations of star-forming galaxies outside our Local Group, and even enable their use as a SF diagnostic. By using surveys carried out with space-based X-ray and infrared observatories and ground-based telescopes, we address the demographics of the most common type of young XRBs in the two nearest star-forming galaxies. Our program makes use of multiwavelength data sets in order to provide better understanding of the physical parameters which influence the XRB formation rate and evolution, such as the metallicity and the age of the parent stellar populations. In the SMC, the dominant Be-XRB population appears to be linked to the increased SF activity at ~25-60 Myr ago, while in the Large Magellanic Cloud this activity is shifted to earlier ages (at only ~10-50 Myr). The similarity of this age with the age of maximum occurrence of the Be phenomenon (~40 Myr) indicates that the presence of a circumstellar decretion disk plays a significant role in the number of observed XRBs in the 10-100 Myr age range.
The issue under contemplation is whether the Constitution is able to prevent – andin what ways – the creation of huge fiscal deficits in such a manner as to ensure theeconomic and social rights of the citizens. Although it has a particularly onerousimpact on the population, the issue of limitation of social rights due to financialcrunch and economic recession is not under contemplation here since it emerges at asubsequent time. In a certain sense it is less interesting from a legal perspectivebecause the limitations on social rights, particularly in view of their financial nature,are addressed through a set of provisions pertaining to legislative and judicial assessmentson the presence of grounds of public interest and of compliance with the principlesof equality, proportionality and the protection of human value.2To this end, the example used in this essay is the Greek Constitution. The viewssupported below are the following: First, the way that the Constitution has beeninterpreted to date is not consistent with fundamental rules and views of the EU andthe IMF, which is why there are delays in taking the measures that were agreed uponwith these international organizations and why there are shortcomings in theirimplementation. Second, the constitutional provisions regarding the economy,public finance and financial control do not suffice at a quality or a quantity level forthe prevention of crises, such as the one which the country currently faces.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that visfatin is significantly elevated in patients with gastric carcinoma and postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC). We thus explored whether serum visfatin could be used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic tool for PBC, taking into account clinicopathological features, serum tumor markers, anthropometric and metabolic parameters.
METHODS: Serum visfatin, tumor marker CA 15-3, carcinoembryonic antigen, metabolic and anthropometric parameters were determined in 103 postmenopausal women with pathologically confirmed, incident invasive breast cancer, 103 controls matched on age and time of diagnosis, and 51 patients with benign breast lesions (BBL).
RESULTS: Mean serum visfatin was significantly higher in cases than in controls and patients with BBL (p<0.001). In cases, visfatin was significantly associated with CA 15-3 (p=0.03), hormone-receptor status (p<0.001), lymph node invasion (p=0.06) but not with metabolic and anthropometric variables (p>0.05). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER-PR-) was the strongest significant determinant of serum visfatin (p<0.001) in cases adjusting for demographic, metabolic and clinicopathological features. Based upon receiver operator characteristic analysis, serum visfatin outperformed CA 15-3 only in discriminating between PBC cases with early cancer stage than those with late stage, and in differentiating particularly patients with ER-PR- breast tumors.
CONCLUSION: Further prospective and longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether serum visfatin could be used as a prognostic tool in the armamentarium of PBC monitoring and management in conjunction with other biomarkers.
Introduction: Nowadays, reducing medication costs is vital for health care agencies. Prescription of generic drug products can help lower these expenses. A generally accepted assumption is that therapeutic equivalence, between a generic and a brand-name medication, can be claimed if bioequivalence is demonstrated. Areas covered: This article reviews the current regulatory procedures on bioequivalence testing. Special focus is placed on the guidelines recommended by the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug administration. The authors also describe the evolution of these issues and the alternatives proposed in the literature. Expert opinion: Defining bioequivalence, as the condition of no significant differences in the extent and rate of absorption between the generic and the brand-name medication, sounds simple. However, the scientific and regulatory basis of bioequivalence appears rather complicated in practice. Even though the regulatory authorities have elucidated many issues, several aspects of bioequivalence assessment are still unresolved. Examples, of these open questions, in bioequivalence, include the assessment of complex drugs, such as biologics and iron-carbohydrates, the assessment of immunosuppressive agents as well as the role that pharmacogenomics plays in bioequivalence.
In July 2012, a confirmed case of cutaneous anthraxinfection in a stockbreeder in the prefecture of Larissa, Thessaly, Central Greece was reported. The investigation revealed five related deaths in animals (two dogs and three sheep). Control measures have been taken immediately in order to prevent further spread in humans and animals.
Twenty-four years of AVHRR-derived sea surface temperature (SST) data (1985–2008) and 35 years of NOCS (V.2) in situ-based SST data (1973–2008) were used to investigate the decadal scale variability of this parameter in the Mediterranean Sea in relation to local air–sea interaction and large-scale atmospheric variability. Satellite and in situ-derived data indicate a strong eastward increasing sea surface warming trend from the early 1990s onwards. The satellite-derived mean annual warming rate is about 0.037°C year–1 for the whole basin, about 0.026°C year–1 for the western sub-basin and about 0.042°C year–1 for the eastern sub-basin over 1985–2008. NOCS-derived data indicate similar variability but with lower warming trends for both sub-basins over the same period. The long-term Mediterranean SST spatiotemporal variability is mainly associated with horizontal heat advection variations and an increasing warming of the Atlantic inflow. Analysis of SST and net heat flux inter-annual variations indicates a negative correlation, with the long-term SST increase, driving a net air–sea heat flux decrease in the Mediterranean Sea through a large increase in the latent heat loss. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the monthly average anomaly satellite-derived time series showed that the first EOF mode is associated with a long-term warming trend throughout the whole Mediterranean surface and it is highly correlated with both the Eastern Atlantic (EA) pattern and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) index. On the other hand, SST basin-average yearly anomaly and NAO variations show low and not statistically significant correlations of opposite sign for the eastern (negative correlation) and western (positive correlation) sub-basins. However, there seems to be a link between NAO and SST decadal-scale variations that is particularly evidenced in the second EOF mode of SST anomalies. NOCS SST time series show a significant SST rise in the western basin from 1973 to the late 1980s following a large warming of the inflowing surface Atlantic waters and a long-term increase of the NAO index, whereas SST slowly increased in the eastern basin. In the early 1990s, there is an abrupt change from a very high positive to a low NAO phase which coincides with a large change in the SST spatiotemporal variability pattern. This pronounced variability shift is followed by an acceleration of the warming rate in the Mediterranean Sea and a change in the direction (from westward to eastward) of its spatial increasing tendency.
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Acute infections in pregnant women may be transmitted to the fetus and cause severe illness. The purpose of this study was to establish a dedicated surveillance network (DSN) for congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) in Greece, in order to assess the birth prevalence of CT. METHODS: A DSN of thirty clinicians was established for reporting CT cases from hospitals throughout Greece. The clinicians were selected on the basis that there was a high possibility the suspected cases would be referred to them from district hospitals or private clinics. Suspected cases of CT were reported on a monthly basis with a zero reporting card during a surveillance period from April 2006 to December 2009. A questionnaire was sent for any suspected case to record information including demographic parameters, clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory results. Serological and molecular confirmation of cases was performed by the Pasteur Hellenic Institute. All newborns suspected of CT received treatment and were serologically and clinically followed up for one year. RESULTS: The monthly response rate reached 100%, although only after reminders sent to 65% of the participant physicians. Sixty-three suspected CT cases were recorded by the DSN during the study period including fourteen confirmed and seven probable cases. Ten cases (47.6%) presented with symptoms at birth. Chorioretinitis was the most prominent manifestation, occurring in five symptomatic CT cases (50%). No other symptoms appeared by the end of the one year clinical follow up. No case was recorded by the existing surveillance system of the Hellenic Center of Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) during the same time period. Birth prevalence was estimated at 0.45, 0.51 and 0.51 per 10,000 births for 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. The incidence rate of symptomatic CT at birth was estimated at 0.10 cases per 10,000 births per year in Greece (for the period 2007-2009). CONCLUSION: The DSN for CT proved to be more sensitive than the classical notification system, easy in application and very efficient in reporting rare diseases such as CT. Similar DSNs could be used to provide useful information on other rare diseases.
Together with impaired production of erythropoietin and iron deficiency, the decreased lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs) is a main factor contributing to the chronic anaemia observed in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Atomic force microscopy is employed in this work to thoroughly survey the membrane of intact RBCs (iRBCs) of HD patients in comparison to those of healthy donors, aiming to obtain direct information on the structural status of RBCs that can be related to their decreased lifespan. We observed that the iRBC membrane of the HD patients is overpopulated with extended circular defects, termed 'orifices', that have typical dimension ranging between 0.2 and 1.0 mu m. The 'orifice' index-that is, the mean population of 'orifices' per top membrane surface-exhibits a pronounced relative increase of order 54 +/- 12% for the HD patients as compared to healthy donors. Interestingly, for the HD patients, the 'orifice' index, which relates to the structural status of the RBC membrane, correlates strongly with urea concentration, which is a basic index of the uraemic milieu. Thus, these results indicate that the uraemic milieu downgrades the structural status of the RBC membrane, possibly triggering biochemical processes that result in their premature elimination from the circulation. This process could decrease the lifespan of RBCs, as observed in HD patients.
Recent high-power gyrotrons, capable of producing radio-frequency power above 1 MW, often suffer from parasitic oscillations in the beam tunnel, despite the presence of dielectric loading materials intended to prevent the growth of such modes. Such oscillations affect the operation and the efficiency of these devices significantly. Lately, a variety of dielectric materials have been used, with limited success, in ring-loaded beam tunnels to suppress unwanted oscillations. In this paper, we perform an extended parametric study of the effects of beam-tunnel geometry and lossy material properties on the damping of such oscillations.
In this study the authors introduce the utilisation of ferrimagnetic compounds into an antenna design and investigate the capability of controlling the antenna properties by means of an external magnetic field. After intensive study of the material properties, the ferrimagnetic compound yttrium iron garnet (YIG) was found to be the best candidate for the proposed novel antenna design. The authors provide a patch antenna design with a part of the dielectric substrate replaced by YIG compound. They have investigated the influence of this compound on the antenna's polarisation properties under the application of an external magnetic field. The authors clearly demonstrate that the type and the sense of the antenna polarisation are strongly influenced by the YIG substrate, because they change with respect to the direction and the magnitude of the external magnetic field. Moreover, the authors have proved that the presence of this material induces non-reciprocal properties in the antenna's operation, changing the antenna properties with respect to receiving or transmitting mode.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause for chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HCV-ARF/core+1 protein is an alternative product of HCV core-encoding sequence of unknown biological function. Highly purified HCV core and ARF/core+1 recombinant proteins from HCV genotype 1a and HCV-ARF/core+1 recombinant protein from HCV genotype 3a were expressed in Escherichia coli. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we assessed the prevalence of anti-ARF/core+1 antibodies in 90 chronic hepatitis C patients infected with HCV genotypes 1a/1b or 3a, treated with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN-a-2a) plus ribavirin. Samples derived from 92 healthy blood donors were used as negative controls. All HCV-RNA-positive serum samples reacted with core 1a antigen, while 15 (37.5%) of 40 and 14 (28%) of 50 patients infected with HCV-1a/1b and HCV-3a, respectively, were found to have anti-ARF/core+1 antibodies into their serum before treatment initiation. These antibodies were persistently present during treatment follow-up and linked to elevated levels of HCV-RNA at baseline.
This paper presents the development of an expert system for the diagnosis of child autism and discusses potential benefits of its implementation in a clinical environment. The development of the expert system was based on a diagnostic algorithm supported by a developmental scale (PEDS) and a diagnostic tool of autism (CARS). Twelve nurses who work in pediatric hospital were asked to use the expert system for a session of 30 minutes and were asked to assess its usefulness, usability and diagnostic value. The majority of nurses agree that it is a useful and promising diagnostic tool for the clinical practice and for the identification of potential child autism cases.
Friedrich Ratzel’s interdisziplinäre politischgeographische Analyse widerspiegelt sich in den nachfolgenden Systemen von R. Kjellen, N. Spykman und I. Mazis. An diese Tradition knüpfend erforscht die griechische Systematische Geopolitische Analyse die Ausarbeitung einer haltbaren theoretischen Grundlage, welche die Kooperation aller sich mit den internationalen Entwicklungen beschäftigender wissenschaftlicher Felder ermöglicht und zur Entwicklung wissenschaftlicher Interdisziplinärer Analytischer Modelle (Interdisciplinary Analysis Models) führen kann.
We study, by means of full-electrodynamic calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method, the effect of diffractive coupling on the enhancement of the local electromagnetic field in periodic arrays of nanolenses consisting of three silver spheres with progressively decreasing sizes and separations. The interaction between the hot-spot modes of an isolated nanolens with the Rayleigh–Wood anomalies of the periodic lattice leads to a further enhancement of the local field intensity, which can be controlled by an appropriate choice of the geometrical parameters involved.
Division VII provides a forum for astronomers studying the Milky Way as a galactic system, as well as its constituents. It acts as an umbrella for two commissions, Commission 33 and Commission 37.
. Littera. 2012;31(n° spécial sur Jean-Jacques Rousseau):41-51.
La présente étude traite des liens de Rousseau avec le voyage en Orient et étudie sa présence dans ses récits. Après avoir présenté, à travers les principales publications françaises sur l’Orient, sa connaissance à la fin du XVIIe et à la première moitié du XVIIIe siècle, nous analysons la théorie de Rousseau sur l’utilité du voyage analysant son Discours sur l’origine et les fondements de l’inégalité parmi les hommes. De plus, nous étudions la contribution des récits viatiques, en tant que sources, au développement de ses théories et de sa pensée philosophique. En outre, nous nous attardons sur sa méfiance concernant la vérité de leur propos et nous examinons son utilisation de la littérature viatique. Par ailleurs, nous nous référons aux occasions qu’il avait pour réaliser un voyage et son désir de voyager dans les îles grecques et en Orient. En outre, adoptant une approche comparative, Rousseau met en lumière les différents aspects de l’Orient et montre les faiblesses de la société française. Plus précisément, il traite de la place de la femme dans le harem, et étudie l’islam en réagissant aux stéréotypes contemporains. Dans les œuvres de Rousseau, l’Orient se présente surtout comme point de référence afin de comprendre l’altérité culturelle. Notre étude, s’appuie sur des récits du voyage du XVIIe et du XVIIIe siècle ainsi que sur des œuvres de Rousseau.
Evidence suggests that gender differences appear in a variety of biological and psychological responses to stress and perhaps in coping with acute and chronic illness as well. Dysfunctional parenting is also thought to be involved in the process of coping with stress and illness; hence, the present study aimed to verify whether dysfunctional remembered parenting would influence psychological distress in a gender-specific manner in patients suffering from cancer. Patients attending an outpatient oncology clinic completed the Remembered Relationships with Parents (RRP), Hospital Anxiety and Depression and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scales and the National Cancer Center Network Distress Thermometer. Although no baseline gender differences were detected, a multivariate analysis confirmed that anxiety and depression symptoms of men and women suffering from cancer are differentially affected by the RRP Control and Alienation scores. Women with remembered parental alienation and overprotection showed significantly more anxiety symptoms than men, whereas men were more vulnerable to remembered alienation than overprotection with regard to the Distress Thermometer scores. These results suggest that remembered dysfunctional parenting is crucially, and in a gender-specific manner, involved in the coping strategy adopted by male and female cancer patients.
Summary form only given. In high-power gyrotrons sweeping systems are used in order to distribute the energy of the spent beam in a larger area of the collector1. Currently, there are two common types of sweeping systems, the axial and transversal sweeping system2. In the first case, the sweeping coils surround the collector creating a harmonically varying magnetic field that is coaxial to the externally applied one. In the second one, the coils are distributed symmetrically around the collector creating a rotating magnetic field normal to the external one. In both cases the periodic variation of the magnetic field induces eddy currents in the conductive walls of the collector, which tend to cancel the magnetic field of the sweeping coils, reducing in this way the efficiency of the sweeping system.
To evaluate the effect of age upon QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube (QFT-IT) assay outcome among children examined for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).|A cross-sectional study was conducted among 761 children (mean age ± SD: 7.84 ± 4.68 years) evaluated for LTBI. Participants were examined with both tuberculin skin test and QFT-IT (Cellestis, Australia) and categorized into 4 age groups. Multivariate logistic and linear regressions were used to evaluate the association between selected demographic and patient characteristics upon the qualitative and quantitative QFT-IT outcomes. Agreement between the tuberculin skin test and QFT-IT within groups was evaluated with the κ statistic.|QFT-IT indeterminate results occurred more frequently among young children (8.1%; P < .0001) and children (2.7%; P = .025) than adolescents (0.7%). Among QFT-IT positive patients, infants had higher mean (± SD) interferon-gamma (IFNγ) concentration than adolescents. QFT-IT positive (vs negative) outcome was associated with origin from a high tuberculosis endemicity setting (AOR = 4.54; 95% CI, 3.22-6.25) and lack of previous Bacille Calmette Guerin immunization (AOR = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.89-3.85), but not patient age (AOR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99). However, among QFT-IT positive patients, the IFNγ concentration was inversely associated with patient age (P = .009) and positively with mitogen response (P = .0002). Agreement between tests was not significantly different between younger and older children in the different risk groups.|Qualitative QFT-IT assay results are not affected by patient age. However, indeterminate results occur more frequently among younger children. Among patients with LTBI the quantitative QFT-IT result (ie, IFNγ) is inversely associated with patient age.
{Asthma exacerbations are major contributors to asthma morbidity and rather difficult to treat. There is inconclusive evidence that macrolide antibiotics may have an effect on asthma exacerbations through their antibacterial and/or anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of clarithromycin on medium-term asthma activity when given as an add-on therapy in children with acute asthma.|This pilot, open-labeled, randomized, prospective study included 40 school-aged children, with intermittent or mild persistent asthma, presenting with an acute exacerbation. Children were randomized to receive 15 mg/kg of clarithromycin for 3 wk, in addition to their regular (GINA-guided) exacerbation treatment. The microbial trigger of exacerbations was assessed by serology and PCR. Children were followed up with diary cards for 12 wk; lung function was assessed at entry, 3, and 12 wk after the exacerbation.|Children in the clarithromycin group had significantly more symptom-free days (78 ± 2 vs. 69 ± 6 days, p < 0.00001) and less total number of periods with loss of control (9 vs. 19, respectively
Aging results in a significant decline in aerobic capacity and impaired mitochondrial function. We have tested the effects of moderate physical activity on aerobic capacity and a single bout of exercise on the expression profile of mitochondrial biogenesis, and fusion and fission related genes in skeletal muscle of human subjects. Physical activity attenuated the aging-associated decline in VO2 max (p<0.05). Aging increased and a single exercise bout decreased the expression of nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF1), while the transcription factor A (TFAM) expression showed a strong relationship with VO(2max) and increased significantly in the young physically active group. Mitochondrial fission representing FIS1 was induced by regular physical activity, while a bout of exercise decreased fusion-associated gene expression. The expression of polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) changed inversely in young and old groups and decreased with aging. The A2 subunit of cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was induced by a single bout of exercise in skeletal muscle samples of both young and old subjects (p<0.05). Our data suggest that moderate levels of regular physical activity increases a larger number of mitochondrial biogenesis-related gene expressions in young individuals than in aged subjects. Mitochondrial fission is impaired by aging and could be one of the most sensitive markers of the age-associated decline in the adaptive response to physical activity.
Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of acid α-glucosidase resulting in lysosomal accumulation of glycogen and abnormal autophagic function. The late-onset form of the disease is characterized by progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle dysfunction. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT, Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA) was recently introduced and resulted in significant prolongation of the life expectancy of the patients with the infantile form while the results were less significant for the late-onset form. It has been postulated that the weak influence of ERT in late-onset patients might be due to a non-effective delivery of the recombinant enzyme to the skeletal muscles perhaps due to the relatively low blood flow to the resting skeletal muscles during infusion. Exercise training acutely increases the blood flow to the exercising muscles. Thus, it was hypothesized that exercise training during enzyme infusion might increase the effectiveness of the ERT therapy. Five late-onset Pompe disease patients receiving ERT and following regular exercise training for approximately 10 months, followed a 6-month period of exercise training during infusion of the recombinant enzyme. Before and after this period, body composition, isometric strength and 6 minute walking distance were determined. Analysis of the results revealed that none of these parameters changed significantly after the 6-month intervention period (e.g. 6 minute walking distance before: 532±31 m, vs. after: 527±29 m, P=0.246). These results suggest that exercise training during infusion may not add significant functional changes in late-onset Pompe patients receiving ERT and undergoing regular exercise training.
El presente estudio pretende averiguar la influencia del cambio del tema de composición en la producción de errores léxicos generados por transferencia de la LM y otras L3. Para conseguir dicho objetivo analizamos la lengua escrita de 119 aprendientes griegos de español en dos temas de composición diferentes (narración – argumentación) aplicando el método de Análisis de Errores. Los resultados del análisis cuantitativo muestran que hay una variación tanto en la producción cuantitativa de los errores léxicos interlinguales como en el tipo de los errores léxicos interlinguales cometidos en los dos temas de composición.
Pavlakis EP. El poeta Nicolás Guillén: una introducción. In: Pavlakis EP, Papageorgiou A, Lugo S Estudios y Homenajes Hispanoamericanos . Vol. I. Madrid: Ediciones del Orto; 2012. pp. 159-168.
Este artículo presenta los distintos enfoques que se han adoptado en la instrucción dela producción escrita en LE observando su evolución a lo largo de la historia de laenseñanza de LE. La presentación de dicha información se puede considerar útil parala investigación científica en el ámbito de la didáctica de LE. Asimismo, se esperaque el presente trabajo sirva como base teórica para los enseñantes de LE a la hora deelegir el método que van a emplean para la enseñanza de la producción escrita en LE.
Lezi N, Vyskočil V, Economou A, Barek J. Electroanalysis of organic compounds at bismuth electrodes: a short review. Sensing in Electroanalysis.(K. Kalcher, R. Metelka, I. Švancara, K. Vytřas; Eds.). 2012, Volume 7.Sensing in Electroanalysis.(K. Kalcher, R. Metelka, I. Švancara, K. Vytřas; Eds.). 2012, Volume 7. 2012.
To develop a dose dependent version of BCS and identify a critical dose after which the amount absorbed is independent from the dose. We utilized a mathematical model of drug absorption in order to produce simulations of the fraction of dose absorbed (F) and the amount absorbed as function of the dose for the various classes of BCS and the marginal cases in between classes. Simulations based on the mathematical model of F versus dose produced patterns of a constant F throughout a wide range of doses for drugs of Classes I, II and III, justifying biowaiver claim. For Classes I and III the pattern of a constant F stops at a critical dose Dose(cr) after which the amount of drug absorbed, is independent from the dose. For doses higher than Dose(cr), Class I drugs become Class II and Class III drugs become Class IV. Dose(cr) was used to define an in vivo effective solubility as S-eff = Dose(cr)/250 ml. Literature data were used to support our simulation results. A new biopharmaceutic classification of drugs is proposed, based on F, separating drugs into three regions, taking into account the dose, and Dose(cr), while the regions for claiming biowaiver are clearly defined.
Meletiou-Christou MS, Rhizopoulou S. Constraints of photosynthetic performance and water status of four evergreen species co-occurring under field conditions. Botanical Studies. 2012;53(3):325-334.Abstract
Leaf water status and photosynthetic characteristics were investigated in four evergreen species, i.e. Laurus nobilis, Ligustrum japonicum, Nerium oleander and Pittosporum tobira, grown under ambient conditions. The results reveal variations in photosynthetic traits in relation to the use of water, during the optimal period of growth, in the middle of the dry season, during the secondary growth period and in the middle of the cold and wet season. Photosynthesis was restricted by limitations of stomatal conductance, causing transpiration impairment in L. nobilis, L. aponicum and P. tobira; while, the opposite holds true for N. oleander . Stomatal conductance of N. oleander was higher than that of the three co-existing species, sustaining elevated rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, at the expense of water. As drought progressed, there was a reduction in photosynthesis and water use efficiency in L. japonicum and P. tobira . Leaf turgor of the four species was closely associated with leaf water potential and differences among species narrowed in the dry season. The results show that L. nobilis possess features that confer advantage for the maintenance of this species in the driest sites, N. oleander maximises gas exchanges in the dry season by exhibiting a capacity for water acquisition, while L. japonicum and P. tobira may be limited to the moist sites .
The aim of this study is to discuss demythification and the subversion of myth inChrista Wolf’s Cassandra Project (1983) and Medea. Stimmen (1996). Wolfconsiders literature as an archaeological project, as a quest for the truth and the“blind spots” in personal and social history. On this quest she turns her attention toGreek mythology. A myth is not a context, but a frame. It is a supertemporal,multidimensional phenomenon, which allows a writer to move into free spaces.Thus, Wolf’s versions revise the myth in some fundamental points. Her mainconcern is to shed light on the manipulation of truth and the discrimination of thestranger. The author does not write, however, against the myth per se. On the onehand she points out the close connection between myth and politics and on theother hand she tries to explore the potential of myths in order to understand thepresent situation better and to look for livable alternatives or yet untried patterns.The reminiscence on the origins of the alienation offers a matrix for theexplanation of today’s conditions and at the same time permits a glimpse into thefuture: “the escape backwards as an escape forwards”.
It is unclear why some children develop food allergy. The EuroPrevall birth cohort was established to examine regional differences in the prevalence and risk factors of food allergy in European children using gold-standard diagnostic criteria. The aim of this report was to describe pre-, post-natal and environmental characteristics among the participating countries. In nine countries across four major European climatic regions, mothers and their newborns were enrolled from October 2005 through February 2010. Using standardized questionnaires, we assessed allergic diseases and self-reported food hypersensitivity of parents and siblings, nutrition during pregnancy, nutritional supplements, medications, mode of delivery, socio-demographic data and home environmental exposures. A total of 12,049 babies and their families were recruited. Self-reported adverse reactions to food ever were considerably more common in mothers from Germany (30%), Iceland, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands (all 20-22%) compared with those from Italy (11%), Lithuania, Greece, Poland, and Spain (all 5-8%). Prevalence estimates of parental asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were highest in north-west (Iceland, UK), followed by west (Germany, the Netherlands), south (Greece, Italy, Spain) and lowest in central and east Europe (Poland, Lithuania). Over 17% of Spanish and Greek children were exposed to tobacco smoke in utero compared with only 8-11% in other countries. Caesarean section rate was highest in Greece (44%) and lowest in Spain (<3%). We found country-specific differences in antibiotic use, pet ownership, type of flooring and baby's mattress. In the EuroPrevall birth cohort study, the largest study using gold-standard diagnostic criteria for food allergy in children worldwide, we found considerable country-specific baseline differences regarding a wide range of factors that are hypothesized to play a role in the development of food allergy including allergic family history, obstetrical practices, pre- and post-natal environmental exposures.
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The aim of our study was: a) to determine the CEA, CA 19-9, EGFR, and EpCAM (GA733-2) levels both in healthy volunteers and in colorectal cancer patients, b) to evaluate the ELISA method for EGFR and EpCAM (GA733-2) measurement, and c) to correlate the tumor marker levels with clinicopathological findings in the CRC patients group. METHODS: Our study was conducted on 50 blood samples obtained from CRC patients and 40 blood samples from healthy individuals. CEA and CA 19-9 measurements were performed using electrochemiluminescence immune-assay technology, while EGFR and EpCAM (GA733-2) measurements were performed by an in-house enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: CEA, CA 19-9, and EpCAM (GA733-2) levels were higher in the CRC patients group than in the control group. EGFR levels were lower in the patients group than in the control group. The mean levels of CA 19-9 and EpCAM (GA733-2) vary at different colon cancer stages. CEA, CA19-9, and EpCAM (GA733-2) vary according to performance status. CONCLUSIONS: CEA, CA 19-9, and EpCAM (GA733-2) showed similar specificity (80%, 80% and 84%, respectively). EGFR showed the lowest sensitivity and specificity. CA 19-9 was the marker with the highest sensitivity. The need for convenient tumour marker tests with high sensitivity is of great importance for early diagnosis and monitoring of CRC
Electronic patient records are important for quality health services. Aim of this study is to support the trauma patient care with the development of an electronic system. A survey was conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of a University hospital to study the effectiveness of an electronic monitoring system in a group of trauma patients, as well as the acceptance of this electronic system by the health professionals of the ED. A questionnaire collected information about the perceptions of 50 health professionals working in the ED on various aspects of patient care. The 86% (Nu=43) replied that there is lack of staff working in their department, 44% (N=22) is satisfied with the co-operation with other departments and 48% (N=24) believe that they spend precious time in administrative work during the care. For the purpose of a more efficient patient monitoring there was developed an electronic trauma patient monitoring system which was evaluated by the above mentioned professionals. The severity, length of care and the health outcomes of 200 trauma patients, were investigated. Half of the patients (N=100) have been monitored by the electronic system and the other 100 were monitored without the use of the system. The time between the admission and completion of the planned care was significantly lower in the electronic monitoring patient group (100±92 minutes) compared to the control group (149±29 minutes).
An underwater geomorphological survey along the coasts of six Cycladic islands (Sifnos, Antiparos, Paros, Naxos, Iraklia and Keros) revealed widespread evidence of a recent 30–40 cm submergence, part of which may have seismic origin. Comparison with information reported from earthquakes having affected the area suggests that at least part of the recent submergence might be an effect of the 1956 Amorgos earthquake. Modelling of the co-seismic and short-term post-seismic effects of the earthquake revealed that part of the observed subsidence may be explained in some of the islands by a fast post-seismic relaxation of a low-viscosity layer underlying the seismogenic zone. However far-field observations are underestimated by our model, and may be affected by a wider deformation field induced by the largest aftershock of the Amorgos sequence, or by other earthquakes.
VFTS 682, a very massive and very hot Wolf-Rayet (WR) star recently discovered in the Large Magellanic Cloud near the famous star cluster R136, might be providing us with a glimpse of a missing link in our understanding of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts (LGRBs), including dark GRBs. It is likely its properties result from chemically homogeneous evolution (CHE), believed to be a key process for a massive star to become a GRB. It is also heavily obscured by dust extinction, which could make it a dark GRB upon explosion. Using Spitzer data we investigate the properties of interstellar dust in the vicinity of R136, and argue that its high obscuration is not unusual for its environment and that it could indeed be a slow runaway (``walkaway'') from R136. Unfortunately, based on its current mass loss rate, VFTS 682 is unlikely to become a GRB, because it will lose too much angular momentum at its death. If it were to become a GRB, it probably would also not be dark, either escaping or destroying its surrounding dusty region. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting star, deserving further studies, and being one of only three presently identified WR stars (two others in the Small Magellanic Cloud) that seems to be undergoing CHE.
We discuss the origin and evolution of low mass contact binaries with Porb shorter than 0.3 d that have properties somewhat different from the rest of the contact binaries. A comparison of an evolutionary model set with observations shows that both components are on the main sequence, the age of the binaries is at least several Gyr, while the contact phase lasts only less than 1 Gyr.
It is well known that low-dose metronomic chemotherapy has antiangiogenic activity. The aim of the present trial was to investigate the antiangiogenic properties of weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In total, 157 metastatic breast cancer patients received 35 mg/m 2 docetaxel weekly as a recommended treatment. Blood samples were collected before the start of chemotherapy (baseline) and during treatment. Nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) plasma levels were measured at baseline and during treatment, while VEGF-A, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and thrombospondin-1 (THBS-1) peripheral blood mRNA levels were measured at baseline, in 127 patients and 39 female healthy controls. In general, the treatment was well-tolerated. Sixty-one patients (38%) achieved an objective response (4% complete and 34% partial response), while 52 (33%) had stable disease and 27 (17%) progressed. At a median follow-up of 33.5 months (range 2.8-45.0), 118 patients (74%) demonstrated disease progression and 94 (59%) had died. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.8 months and median overall survival (OS) was 27.7 months. Median baseline level of plasma NO was significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls (p=0.010), while none of the plasma markers significantly changed upon docetaxel treatment. In addition, the median relative quantification value for THBS-1 mRNA was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients as compared to healthy controls. NO plasma levels were positively associated with the number of organs involved (p=0.008). In multivariate analysis, low eNOS mRNA levels showed adverse prognostic significance for OS and high THBS-1 mRNA levels were found to be associated with shorter OS and PFS, independently from established clinical prognostic factors. Although an antiangiogenic activity of weekly docetaxel was not demonstrated in the present study, some interesting observations regarding the prognostic role of a number of blood angiogenic markers could be made.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia experience increased levels of psychological distress. This study investigated the impact of caring for patients with chronic schizophrenia on the mental health status of the caregivers and described the relationship between various socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and caregiving psychological distress.\n\nMETHODS: The study was carried out at the Psychiatric Hospital of Athens. The Symptom Check List Revised (SCL-90-R) was administered to 87 caregivers of chronic schizophrenia patients and 90 healthy controls. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was administered to schizophrenia patients in order to assess illness severity.\n\nRESULTS: The group of caregivers scored higher on the majority of symptom dimensions of the SCL-90-R than the control group. Clinical features of schizophrenia, i.e. duration of illness and PANSS positive and negative symptoms significantly predicted caregiving psychological distress. Caregivers' and patients' socio-demographic characteristics were not associated with caregivers' distress, with the exception of caregivers' sex: female caregivers experienced significantly higher levels of psychological distress than males.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that clinical features of schizophrenia influence distress levels in caregivers of patients with chronic schizophrenia. The stronger predictors of distress appear to be female caregiver's gender, duration of illness as well as positive and negative symptomatology.
ABSTRACT: The FAST project (Food Allergy Specific Immunotherapy) aims at the development of safe and effective treatment of food allergies, targeting prevalent, persistent and severe allergy to fish and peach. Classical allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), using subcutaneous injections with aqueous food extracts may be effective but has proven to be accompanied by too many anaphylactic side-effects. FAST aims to develop a safe alternative by replacing food extracts with hypoallergenic recombinant major allergens as the active ingredients of SIT. Both severe fish and peach allergy are caused by a single major allergen, parvalbumin (Cyp c 1) and lipid transfer protein (Pru p 3), respectively. Two approaches are being evaluated for achieving hypoallergenicity, i.e. site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification. The most promising hypoallergens will be produced under GMP conditions. After pre-clinical testing (toxicology testing and efficacy in mouse models), SCIT with alum-absorbed hypoallergens will be evaluated in phase I/IIa and IIb randomized double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) clinical trials, with the DBPC food challenge as primary read-out. To understand the underlying immune mechanisms in depth serological and cellular immune analyses will be performed, allowing identification of novel biomarkers for monitoring treatment efficacy. FAST aims at improving the quality of life of food allergic patients by providing a safe and effective treatment that will significantly lower their threshold for fish or peach intake, thereby decreasing their anxiety and dependence on rescue medication.
Arsenos PI, Fragkoulis DG, Koumboulis FN. Fault detection for Sequential Interindustry Models. Proceedings of 2012 IEEE 17th International Conference on Emerging Technologies & Factory Automation (ETFA 2012). 2012:1-4.
Kamberidou I. Female Entrepreneurship, a Culture of Collaboration (pp. 4-7). In: ladybizIT: Women Entrepreneurship on the verge of ICT : ECWT and Militos Emerging Technologies and Services. ladybizIT consortium, Publisher: e-Book, Project Number: 518310-LLP-1-2011-1-GR-LEONARDO-LAM, Editor: www.gender-it.eu; 2012. pp. 1–34. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Vermisoglou E, Todorova N, Pilatos G, Romanos G, Likodimos V, Boukos N, Lei C, Markoulidis F, Lekakou C, Trapalis C. Few layer graphenes decorated with silver nanoparticles. In: ECCM 2012 - Composites at Venice, Proceedings of the 15th European Conference on Composite Materials. ; 2012. WebsiteAbstract
Graphite oxide (GO) powder was irradiated in a microwave oven and lightweight expanded graphite oxide (EGO) powder with high BET surface area 1316 m2/g was obtained. Activation of EGO was performed by impregnation in KOH solution and high temperature treatment under Ar flow, followed by annealing in vacuum (t-EGO). KOH acted more as a reducing agent diminishing the defects than as a surface modifier for high porosity. EGO and t-EGO were further decorated with Ag nanoparticles (∼40 nm) applying solar light irradiation. Along with Ag deposition the structural defects of the graphene were reduced upon photo-irradiation. It was established that among the bare graphenes the EGO exhibited the highest capacitance. From the Ag-containing composites, the KOH activated EGO acted as a supercapacitor, while the non-activated EGO as a resistant.
Natural hazards, on a national and international scale, have increased in the last years as a consequence of climatic changes and human activity resulting in an unfavourable impact on socio-economic conditions. Catastrophic phenomena related to river floods as well as, from erosional and meteorological events, and
human intervention. The Vulnerability being particularly high in the regions intensely populated, like the analyzed case study, high is the Risk. The importance of geomorphological studies in assessing natural hazards due to river floods was brought into focus with recent floods event that occurred in urban areas in NW Peloponnesus, Greece. During the autumn and winter months intense rainfalls persisted for several hours producing severe flash flood
mainly in the alluvial playing of same urban streams - river. There were some loss of life and damage to buildings, transport infrastructure and agricultural crops. The damages are mainly due to absence of good alluvial playing
management practices in recent decades, concretely after the year 1960 during the urban growth of towns. The most commonly visible consequences of the land-use change are flash floods observed in urban areas after high precipitation events. As important as the value of runoff formed from the watershed, is the process of reconstruction of the shape of the runoff hydrograph, especially the estimation of the time and value of the peak flow.
The number of options available to drug discovery scientists to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble compounds by conventional formulation approaches is limited. In most cases, drug formulation is oriented toward the creation of a supersaturated solution upon contact with aqueous environment, often combined with solubilizing agents and precipitation inhibitors. The most popular formulations for achieving this target are the lipid-based formulations called self-emulsifying and self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems, SEDDS and SMEDDS, respectively. They offer enhanced absorption and hence enhanced oral bioavailability of lipophilic drugs, presenting the drug in solubilized form in vivo, avoiding dissolution, which can be the rate limiting step in drug absorption for sparingly soluble drugs. The production of high energy or rapid dissolving solid state formulations using drug particle engineering to enhance drug solubility and bioavailability is also applied. These formulations include solid dispersions, nanoparticles, co-ground mixtures etc. Furthermore, the development of prodrugs is also a useful strategy to improve the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical or pharmacokinetic properties of pharmacologically potent compounds, and thereby increase the developability and usefulness of a potential drug. Up to now, most medications were made for adults and children's requirements were not taken into account. Since the recent adoption of Paediatric Regulations in the U.S. and E.U., there is a greater demand for age-appropriate medicines for children. The challenges in paediatric formulation development are mostly associated with the difficulty in defining design requirements for the intended dosage form that is most appropriate for the target patient population, due to the diversity of the paediatric population (range of ages, physical size and capabilities) that varies significantly from birth to age 12 yrs old along with the dosage flexibility. The last years there has been an effort to develop solid paediatric formulations that deliver the appropriate dose in a ``user friendly{''} way and to find alternative drug delivery vehicles, such as mini-tablets, dairy products, and new taste masking techniques in order to improve drug acceptability. In addition, alternative routes of administration have been proposed such as inhalation and nasal administration.
Gaudino M, Finsterer J, Kang S-W, Kim J-Y, Choi E-Y, Correia LCL, Yoon YW, Park YM, Ma DW, Chung H, et al.Front & Back Matter. Cardiology. 2012;121.
The Gaia-ESO Public Spectroscopic Survey has begun and will obtain high quality spectroscopy of some 100000 Milky Way stars, in the field and in open clusters, down to magnitude 19, systematically covering all the major components of the Milky Way. This survey will provide the first homogeneous overview of the distributions of kinematics and chemical element abundances in the Galaxy. The motivation, organisation and implementation of the Gaia-ESO Survey are described, emphasising the complementarity with the ESA Gaia mission. Spectra from the very first observing run of the survey are presented.
Papaioannou TG, Aberer K, Abramczuk K, Adamska P, Wierzbicki A. Game-theoretic models of web credibility. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Joint WICOW/AIRWeb Workshop on Web Quality. ; 2012. pp. 27–34.
Human rhinoviruses are single stranded positive sense RNA viruses that are presented in more than 50% of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Despite extensive studies on the genetic diversity of the virus, little is known about the forces driving it. In order to explain this diversity, many research groups have focused on protein sequence requirements for viable, functional and transmissible virus but have missed out an important aspect of viral evolution such as the genomic ontology of the virus. This study presents for the first time the genomic signature of 111 fully sequenced HRV strains from all three groups HRV-A, HRV-B and HRV-C. We observed an HRV genome tendency to eliminate CpG and UpA dinucleotides, coupling with over-representation of UpG and CpA. We propose a specific mechanism which describes how rapid changes in the HRV genomic sequence can take place under the strict control of conservation of the polypeptide backbone. Moreover, the distribution of the observed under- and over-represented dinucleotides along the HRV genome is presented. Distance matrice tables based on CpG and UpA odds ratios were constructed and viewed as heatmaps and distance trees. None of the suppressions can be attributed to codon usage or in RNA secondary structure requirements. Since viral recognition is dependent on RNA motifs rich in CpG and UpA, it is possible that the overall described genome evolution mechanism acts in order to protect the virus from host recognition.
This paper identifies and analyses the geopolitical impact that the Syrian crisis has on Lebanon. This impact is manifested in two forms: a subsystemic one (within the Syria-Lebanon subsystem) and a systemic one (exerted from the system of the wider Middle East). The first refers to the direct repercussions that the increasing instability of the Syrian part has on the Lebanese part of the subsystem. More specifically, the impact that have some factors of the Syrian crisis –namely, increasing sectarianism and Islamic radicalism- on the internal political and religious power relations of Lebanon. The second form of impact refers to the indirect yet critical repercussions that the instability at the centre of the Middle Eastern system has on Lebanon. As a state of proxy actors through which the regional powers project power and as an integral part of the Syria-Lebanon subsystem, Lebanon is the primary point on which the systemic pressure is applied. As a result of this systemic impact, the internal political-religious power relations of Lebanon become a micro-level representation of the regional power relations of the wider Middle Eastern system.
We reassess the importance of archaeological sea level indicators along the coast of central Italy (Figure 1), recently revisited within the European COST Action ES0701. It appears that the local sea-level rise since 2000 years 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. In order to analyze the contribution of glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA) effect to sea level rise detected with observations on field, we employ different viscosity of 0.5 x 10^21 Pa.s for upper mantle and 2.7 x 10^21Pa.s for lower mantle and several late-Pleistocene ice sheets chronologies. 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. 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. The residual between the observations and the predictions of RSL leaves some room for a contribution of recent sea level variations driven by climate change, which according to IPCC estimates amount to 30 cm globally averaged (IPCC, 2007).
A systematic study, by means of full electrodynamic calculations, of the optical activity of layer-by-layer chiral crystals of finite silver nanorods is presented. The nature of the eigenmodes of the electromagnetic field and the formation of partial gaps for a specific circular polarization in these crystals are analyzed by reference to the hybrid plasmon modes of the structural basis of twisted nanorods. It is shown that collective plasmon modes of the helical assembly give rise to giant optical activity effects, which persist for any angle of incidence and polarization direction. The effects, which are robust against the twisting angle and become more pronounced with increasing particle concentration, can be tuned within a broad range of frequencies in the infrared and visible spectrum by appropriately choosing the rod length. Potential applications of these structures for polarization control in subwavelength optical components are anticipated.
A systematic study, by means of full electrodynamic calculations, of the optical activity of layer-by-layer chiral crystals of finite silver nanorods is presented. The nature of the eigenmodes of the electromagnetic field and the formation of partial gaps for a specific circular polarization in these crystals are analyzed by reference to the hybrid plasmon modes of the structural basis of twisted nanorods. It is shown that collective plasmon modes of the helical assembly give rise to giant optical activity effects, which persist for any angle of incidence and polarization direction. The effects, which are robust against the twisting angle and become more pronounced with increasing particle concentration, can be tuned within a broad range of frequencies in the infrared and visible spectrum by appropriately choosing the rod length. Potential applications of these structures for polarization control in subwavelength optical components are anticipated.
The recent rise in global sea level is causing the disappearance of an important geomorphological sea-level indicator, the tidal notch.Tidal notches have often been used in carbonate coasts for Quaternary and late Holocene sea-level reconstructions and estimation of tectonic movements, especially in uplifting areas. In this paper, we review the rates of tidal notch development, and examine the recent gradual depletion of this feature, during at least the last century, and its relation to the increasing rates of sea-level rise. Some examples of tidal notch development are provided with fossil submerged notches from Greece. Although tidal notches are no longer forming in the present-day mid-littoral zone, underwater marks on carbonate cliffs may still provide evidence of submerged tidal notches corresponding to former sea-level positions, or of recent vertical shoreline displacements of seismic origin.
Glycosaminoglycans are natural heteropolysaccharides that are present in every mammalian tissue. They are composed of repeating disaccharide units that consist of either sulfated or non-sulfated monosaccharides. Their molecular size and the sulfation type vary depending on the tissue, and their state either as part of proteoglycan or as free chains. In this regard, glycosaminoglycans play important roles in physiological and pathological conditions. During recent years, cell biology studies have revealed that glycosaminoglycans are among the key macromolecules that affect cell properties and functions, acting directly on cell receptors or via interactions with growth factors. The accumulated knowledge regarding the altered structure of glycosaminoglycans in several diseases indicates their importance as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and progression, as well as pharmacological targets. This review summarizes how the fine structural characteristics of glycosaminoglycans, and enzymes involved in their biosynthesis and degradation, are involved in cell signaling, cell function and cancer progression. Prospects for glycosaminoglycan-based therapeutic targeting in cancer are also discussed.
High-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique and DC magnetization were used to characterize a Cu-Nb reinforced bronze route Nb3Sn superconducting multifilamentary wire. The results of DC-magnetization show an extended regime of magnetic reversibility in the operational magnetic field-temperature phase diagram. This observation is discussed in terms of microstructure characteristics of the A15 phase such as grain size, grain boundary misorientation angle distribution, tin gradient across the filaments and residual strain, in connection to the literature. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Guest Editors.
Placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), definitely offers a clear advantage over any other method regarding central venous catheterization. Its ultrasonographic orientation enhances significantly its accuracy, safety and efficacy, making this method extremely comfortable for the patient who can continue his or her therapy even in an outpatient basis. We present the first reported case of a PICCS insertion in Greece, which has been performed by a university-degree nurse. The aim of this review of literature was to present the evolution in nursing practice in Greece. A PICC was inserted in a 77-year-old male patient suffering from a recent chemical pneumonia with a history of Alzheimer's disease. A description of all the technical details of this insertion is reported, focusing on the pros and cons of the method and a thorough review of the history and advances in central venous catheterization throughout the years is also presented. PICCs provide long-term intravenous access and facilitate the delivery of extended antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition. We strongly believe that PICCs are the safest and most effective method of peripherally inserted central venous catheterization. Larger series are necessary to prove the above hypothesis, and they are under construction by our team.
Holton D, Mackridge P, Philippaki-Warburton I, Spyropoulos V. Greek: A Comprehensive Grammar. 2nd ed. London: Routledge; 2012.
Bella S, Sifianou M. Greek student e-mail requests to faculty members. In: R.L. de Zarobe & Y. de Zarobe (eds.), Speech Acts and Politeness Across Languages and Cultures. . Bern: Peter Lang; 2012. pp. 89-113.
We report on the optical properties of a layer-by-layer structure of silver nanorods, with their axes aligned perpendicular to the z direction and mutually twisted through an angle of 60° from layer to layer, by means of rigorous full electrodynamic calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method, properly extended to describe axis-symmetric particles with arbitrary orientation. We analyze the complex photonic band structure of this crystal in conjunction with relevant polarization-resolved transmission spectra of finite slabs of it and explain the nature of the different eigenmodes of the electromagnetic field in the light of group theory. Our results reveal the existence of sizable polarization gaps and demonstrate the occurrence of strong optical activity and circular dichroism, combined with reduced dissipative losses, which make the proposed architecture potentially useful for practical applications as ultrathin circular polarizers and polarization rotators.
Abstract Despite the initial enthusiasm following the discovery of the association of BRCA germline mutations with hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer, in many families affected by the syndrome no pathogenic mutations were detected in the two genes, although exhaustively searched. Many other genes have also been implicated due to their role in the same pathway of DNA repair where the BRCA1/2 genes are involved: homologous recombination (HR). Among them, PALB2 clearly emerges as the third breast cancer susceptibility gene. Its mutations have been detected in most populations investigated so far, albeit rarely: in 1%-4% of families negative for BRCA mutations, with either partial or complete penetrance. In some populations, PALB2 recurrent mutations have been identified and the estimated hazard risks are comparable to those of BRCA mutations. Since new effective targeted therapeutic options are becoming available ("synthetic lethality" with novel PARP inhibitors, etc.) that are applicable to all those patients with a defect in HR pathway, it is imperative to detect all these candidate patients. Data obtained from laboratory tests in the tumor (simple immunohistochemistry, gene expression analysis, etc.) can assist in the recognition of a specific pattern (BRCA1ness, HRless) so that even patients that look "sporadic" could benefit from these targeted therapies. Therefore, a genetic analysis algorithm is proposed, although with the advent of Next Generation Sequencing it is predicted that in the future most germline genetic alterations and also somatic or epigenetic events in the tumor of these genes will be detected
In this chapter I investigate the prospects of integrated history and philosophy of science, by examining how philosophical issues raised by “hidden entities”, entities that are not accessible to unmediated observation, can enrich the historical investigation of their careers. Conversely, I suggest that the history of those entities has important lessons to teach to the philosophy of science. Hidden entities have played a crucial role in the development of the natural sciences. Despite their centrality to past scientific practice, however, several of them (e.g., phlogiston, caloric, and the ether) turned out to be fictitious. For this reason, they have figured prominently in recent debates on scientific realism. The issues I explore in this paper are entangled with those debates. I argue that our understanding of hidden entities and their role in experimental practice can be enhanced by adopting an integrated historical-cum-philosophical approach. On the one hand, philosophical reflection on the reality of those entities has a lot to gain by examining historically how they were ntroduced and investigated. On the other hand, the historical reconstruction of the careers of those entities may profit from philosophical reflection on their existence.
In order to examine the genetic variation of clinical and food isolates of Listeria monocytogenes in Greece, a total of 61 L. monocytogenes non-duplicate isolates, recovered from clinical specimens (n=19) and food (n=42), were serotyped and genotyped using two different Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) protocols and Multiple Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA). Serotype group 4b, 4d, 4e prevailed (39.4%), among both clinical and food isolates, followed by serotype group 1/2a, 3a (23.0%), which nevertheless was detected only among food isolates. The most discriminatory typing protocol was MLVA, which grouped four isolates into two pairs, while the remaining isolates produced unique fingerprints. Similar results were obtained when taking into account the combination of the two RAPD protocols (Simpson index 0.999); six isolates were grouped into three pairs, two of which were the pairs that were identified also by MLVA. Single use of each RAPD protocol resulted in inferior discrimination (Simpson index 0.978 and 0.997, respectively). In conclusion, the two molecular procedures, MLVA, and the combined RAPD protocols, produced similar results, showing that L. monocytogenes isolates from clinical and food specimens were highly heterogenous and that clustering was very uncommon.
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the level of histamine in the interaction between the environment and the visual system during lifespan development, exploring potential sex differences.
METHODS: Male and female Wistar rats, reared in standard laboratory or enriched-environment cages from birth to prepuberty or adulthood, were sacrificed during the critical period for visual development at postnatal day (P) 25 (P25) or in adulthood at P90. Additionally, animals born in standard conditions were exposed to an enriched environment at P90 and sacrificed at P150. The optic chiasm and the visual cortex were dissected out and tissue histamine was quantified fluorophotometrically. Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA.
RESULTS: Histamine levels in the optic chiasm were higher in male than in female rats at all ages. Comparable sex differences in the visual cortex were observed only during prepuberty. Basal histamine content in the optic chiasm was higher in prepuberty and decreased in adulthood in a sex-independent manner. Exposure to an enriched environment decreased optic chiasm histamine levels in both sexes and resulted in no sex difference in the cortical histamine levels at any age. Increased amine levels were detected in the optic chiasm of female rats exposed to an enriched environment during adulthood.
CONCLUSIONS: This study presents first evidence associating central histamine levels with the visual system development and environmental adaptation, thus providing the lead for the investigation of the hitherto elusive role of histamine in the regulation of visual processes. Furthermore, the findings challenge the impact of laboratory animal raising environments in developmental and behavioral studies.
Detailed mapping along the northwestern coastline of Euboea has provided new evidence of colonization by Lithophaga lithophaga (L.) reaching about 3.8 m above the present biological MSL. Such marine biological marks, together with morphological notches, correspond to the occurrence of two sequences of Holocene vertical displacements higher than those reported by previous studies, on the central part of the southern coast and along the northern coast of the island. A well developed emerged notch is found at + 1.7 ± 0.1 m above present mean sea level, whereas the uppermost part of the lithophagid holes suggest a former emerged shoreline at least at + 3.8 ± 0.1 m. Radiocarbon AMS dating of Lithophaga shells found in their burrows, showed that the lower uplifted shoreline corresponds to a tectonic event (probably coseismic) apparently dated at 2200 a BP, while the higher shoreline corresponds to an older relative sea-level transgression, possibly of tectonic origin, apparently dated about 5570 a BP. The apparent radiocarbon age of lithophagid shells can be about 350 to 400 years older than the uplift event that exposed them, due to incorporation of host-rock carbon. Nevertheless, the two new paleoshorelines provide evidence that repeated uplift movements, greater than those reported by previous authors, occurred during the late Holocene, uplifting the western part of the island.
Naxos Island is situated in the Cycladic plateau (middle Aegean Sea) and consists of concaved beach zones separated by small headlands. This study investigates the diachronic palaeo-shoreline shift due to the sea level change and its effect to the palaeo-environmental evolution of the western coastal part of Naxos Island during the Late Holocene. For this purpose, six boreholes were drilled and dated using radiocarbon techniques. The associated geomorphological, sedimentological and paleontological investigation concluded that during Late Holocene, the embayments of Naxos western coastal part were frequently exposed, and their communication with the sea was not perennial. The coastal area was wider with many active lagoons and embayment changing from shallow marine environment to coastal environment frequently alternating to brackish mesohaline one. The former sea-level position in western Naxos island should be between −1.5 m and −2 m during the last 2000 years, which may partly reflect eustatic processes and partly a gradual or coseismic land subsidence.
Palumbo A, Bladé J, Boccadoro M, Palladino C, Davies F, Dimopoulos M, Dmoszynska A, Einsele H, Moreau P, Sezer O, et al.How to manage neutropenia in multiple myeloma. Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia [Internet]. 2012;12(1):5 - 11. WebsiteAbstract
This case control study aims to investigate the role of HSP90 Gln488His (C > G), HSP70-2 P1/P2, HIF-1 alpha C1772T and HSPA8 intronic 1541-1542delGT polymorphisms as potential risk factors and/or prognostic markers for breast cancer. 113 consecutive incident cases of histologically confirmed ductal breast cancer and 124 healthy cases were recruited. The above mentioned polymorphisms were genotyped; multivariate logistic regression was performed. HSP90 GG (His/His) genotype was associated with elevated breast cancer risk. Similarly, the allele dose-response model pointed to increase in breast cancer risk per G allele. HSP70-2 P1/P2, HSPA8 intronic 1541-1542delGT and HIF-1 alpha polymorphisms were not associated with breast cancer risk, as evidenced by the dose-response allele models. The positive association between HSP90 G allele and breast cancer risk seemed to pertain to both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. With respect to survival analysis, none of the aforementioned polymorphisms was associated with either disease-free survival or overall survival. HSP90α Gln488His polymorphism seems to be a risk factor for breast cancer. On the other hand, our study did not point to excess risk conferred by HSPA8 1541-1542delGT, Hsp70-2 P1/P2 and HIF-1α C1772T.
This case-control study aims to investigate the role of HTERT MNS16A polymorphism as a potential risk factors and/or a prognostic marker for breast cancer. 113 consecutive incident cases of histologically confirmed ductal breast cancer and 124 healthy controls were recruited. HTERT MNS16A polymorphism was genotyped (L: long allele, S: short allele); multivariate logistic regression was performed. No significant association was noted either at the overall analysis (OR = 1.57, 95 % CI 0.84-2.93 for heterozygous LS carriers; OR = 1.02, 95 % CI 0.54-1.95 for homozygous SS carriers) or at the subanalyses in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. With respect to survival analysis, HTERT MNS16A polymorphism was not associated with either disease-free survival or overall survival. HTERT MNS16A polymorphism does not seem to be a risk factor for breast cancer in the Caucasian Greek population. Further, larger studies from other countries and subjects seem to be needed as this novel polymorphism is being examined in depth.
A transmission-line model is reformulated and combined with field theory to study the propagation characteristics in coaxial waveguides with wedge-shaped corrugations, either on the outer wall or the inner conductor. Numerical results show that this equivalent-circuit approach is in agreement with conventional full-wave methods presented in the literature. Additionally, this formulation overcomes numerical issues in the calculation of higher order Bessel functions, which usually conscript sophisticated expansion techniques.
Using the crystal structure of the uracil transporter UraA of Escherichia coli, we constructed a 3D model of the Aspergillus nidulans uric acid-xanthine/H(+) symporter UapA, which is a prototype member of the Nucleobase-Ascorbate Transporter (NAT) family. The model consists of 14 transmembrane segments (TMSs) divided into a core and a gate domain, the later being distinctly different from that of UraA. By implementing Molecular Mechanics (MM) simulations and quantitative structure-activity relationship (SAR) approaches, we propose a model for the xanthine-UapA complex where the substrate binding site is formed by the polar side chains of residues E356 (TMS8) and Q408 (TMS10) and the backbones of A407 (TMS10) and F155 (TMS3). In addition, our model shows several polar interactions between TMS1-TMS10, TMS1-TMS3, TMS8-TMS10, which seem critical for UapA transport activity. Using extensive docking calculations we identify a cytoplasm-facing substrate trajectory (D360, A363, G411, T416, R417, V463 and A469) connecting the proposed substrate binding site with the cytoplasm, as well as, a possible outward-facing gate leading towards the substrate major binding site. Most importantly, re-evaluation of the plethora of available and analysis of a number of herein constructed UapA mutations strongly supports the UapA structural model. Furthermore, modeling and docking approaches with mammalian NAT homologues provided a molecular rationale on how specificity in this family of carriers might be determined, and further support the importance of selectivity gates acting independently from the major central substrate binding site.
Dans la préface de notre étude, après avoir abordé l’historique de l’édition des revues Le Tour du monde : journal des voyages (1860-1914) par Édouard Charton et A travers le monde (1895-1914), qui a été son supplément, nous présentons l’image de l’espace grec dans les récits de voyage du 19e siècle. A l’aide de l’imagologie, qui se focalise sur le système de la production des images nous examinons l’idéologie et nous analysons le regard des voyageurs. De plus, nous étudions la représentation de l’espace grec et de ses habitants. Les cinq chapitres de la monographie traitent des différents aspects de l’espace grec s’attardant sur ses composantes. Dans le premier chapitre intitulé « les artistes-voyageurs et l’image de l’espace grec », nous examinons sa représentation par des artistes voyageurs comme le peintre orientaliste Eugène Flandin et Antonin Proust, qui a été l’élève de Thomas Couture. De plus, nous étudions les compositions, qui ont orné les récits des artistes amateurs comme ceux de Henri Belle et d’Adolphe Testevuide. Dans le second chapitre, qui porte le titre « Artistes et photographes à la recherche de la civilisation byzantine», nous analysons l’image de la civilisation byzantine communiquée par les voyageurs, qui ont visité le Mont Ατηοσ et les monastères des Météores. Leurs descriptions et les images, qui les agrémentaient, sont révélatrices de leur perception du monde byzantin et de l’église orthodoxe. Dans le troisième chapitre nous étudions la diffusion de la rercherche archéologique en Grèce. Après avoir examiné l’article de Charles Normand sur l’Olympie, nous présentons la rubrique « Missions archéologiques » de la revue A travers le monde, qui communique analytiquement au public français les résultats des fouilles en Grèce réalisées par l’École française d’Athènes et les écoles archéologiques étrangères installées à Athènes. Le quatrième chapitre étudie la contribution du TDM à l’organisation des premières excursions scolaires et se réfère à la généralisation du voyage organisé. Dans le cadre de l’avénement du tourisme, nous analysons les articles des Charles Rabot, Louis de Launay, Bernard de Jandin και François Mizande, qui étaient adressés à des futurs touristes. Le cinquième chapitre, analyse les reportages journalistiques sur la Grèce et la Grète durant la guerre gréco-turque de 1897. Le compte rendu détaillé de la révolte crétoise était accompagné d’une riche iconographie, révélatrice de l’utilisation de l’image à des fins d’informations. Finalement, l’étude comprend une bibliographie des articles des revues Le Tour du monde και A travers le monde traitant de l’espace grec et des sources littéraires et historiques. De plus, nous y trouvons les études principales utilisées.Adressé à un lectorat large, les revues Le Tour du monde et A travers le monde ont présenté une riche image de l’espace grec dans une période de changements politiques et sociaux importants. Reprenant une documentation graphique de qualité hétérogène, l’illustration des articles éclaire les propos des voyageurs et agrémente leurs descriptions fournissant souvent une image réaliste de l’espace grec.
The aim of this research was to test empirically Elkind’s (1967, 1970, 1978) Piagetian theoretical formulation for the developmental nature of adolescent egocentrism. The contribution of this study is threefold because it includes: 1) Pubertal development (with a distinction between status and timing), which has been systematically ignored by other investigators; 2) a broad age range (11-18 year-old adolescents); and 3) a variety of manifestations and dimensions of egocentrism. The association of the two main forms of adolescent egocentrism—the imaginary audience and the personal fable—with age, gender, pubertal development, and formal operational thought was investigated. Participants were 314 adolescents who completed the Physical Development Scale (Petersen, Crockett, Richards, & Boxer, 1988), a battery of cognitive tasks (Demetriou, Efklides, & Platsidou, 1993), the Imaginary Audience Scale (Elkind & Bowen, 1979), the New Imaginary Audience Scale (Lapsley, Fitzgerald, Rice, & Jackson, 1989), the Personal Fable Scale (Elkind, personal communication, August 10, 1993), and the New Personal Fable Scale (Lapsley et al., 1989). Findings provided partial support for Elkind’s hypothesis. Only the imaginary audience in the form of self-consciousness was associated with grade. Systematic gender differences emerged for several dimensions of imaginary audience and personal fable. For only a few dimensions of imaginary audience and personal fable the expected associations with pubertal and cognitive development, as well as interesting interaction effects, were found. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for Elkind’s theory and for alternative interpretations of imaginary audience and personal fable.
The publication of the International Medical Informatics Association revised version of the existing international recommendations in health informatics / medical informatics education was welcome positively by the educational community. The recommendations help to establish courses and complete programs in the field of Biomedical and Health Informatics (BMHI), to further develop existing educational activities in the various nations and to support international initiatives. The paper focuses on the Master's courses, which are the most widely established programs following the recommendations. The number of citations of the recommendations shows the worldwide acceptance. However, an in-depth review is recommended.
This study evaluated the incidence of colonization and infection related to Central Vascular Catheters (CVC) in a tertiary care Greek hospital, as well as risk factors associated with catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). A total of 340 CVCs, were studied in relation to patient clinical and epidemiological data, CVC characteristics, and microbiological culture results. Risk factors were assessed. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used for the investigation of the clonal relationship of the isolates. The incidence for CRBSI and catheter colonization (CC) was 11.47 and 19.49 per 1,000 catheter days, respectively. Risk factors independently associated with CRBSI were use of corticosteroids, diabetes mellitus, solid organ neoplasm, long duration of catheterization, and changing the CVC dressing at intervals of 48 hours or more. Risk factors for CC were diabetes mellitus, hospitalization in ICU, and prolonged hospitalization. The predominant microorganisms isolated from CRBSI episodes were coagulase-negative staphylococci. All patients with CVC require constant infection surveillance and appropriate care by trained medical staff. Use of CVC for the shortest time possible, good hand hygiene and change of CVC dressing at intervals of less than 48 hours are infection prevention practices that need to be followed.
Multiple myeloma (MM) comprises 1% of all malignancies and 13% of hematological malignancies in the Caucasian population. Yearly incidence is 4/100,000 in the US and is higher in blacks and males [1]. The pathogenesis of the disease is relatively unknown; several chromosomal abnormalities have been related to the development of the disease, but none is characteristic of MM. Cyclin-D1 is a protein encoded by the CCND1 (bcl-1) gene on chromosome 11q13, and is an important regulator of G1 to S phase progression.
