The aim of this work is to investigate the recent past and future patterns of the Etesian winds, one of the most persistent localized wind systems in the world, which dominates the wind regime during ...warm period over the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean. An objective classification method, the Two Step Cluster Analysis (TSCA), is applied on daily data from regional climate model simulations carried out with RegCM3 for the recent past (1961–1990) and future periods (2021–2050 and 2071–2100) constrained at lateral boundaries either by ERA-40 reanalysis fields or the global circulation model (GCM) ECHAM5. Three distinct Etesian patterns are identified by TSCA with the location and strength of the anticyclonic action center dominating the differences among the patterns. In case of the first Etesian pattern there is a ridge located over western and central Europe while for the other two Etesian patterns the location of the ridge moves eastward indicating a strong anticyclonic center over the Balkans. The horizontal and vertical spatial structure of geopotential height and the vertical velocity indicates that in all three Etesian patterns the anticyclonic action center over central Europe or Balkan Peninsula cannot be considered as an extension of the Azores high. The future projections for the late 21st century under SRES A1B scenario indicate a strengthening of the Etesian winds associated with the strengthening of the anticyclonic action center, and the deepening of Asian thermal Low over eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore the future projections indicate a weakening of the subsidence over eastern Mediterranean which is rather controlled by the deepening of the south Asian thermal Low in line with the projected in future weakening of South Asian monsoon and Hadley cell circulations.
The valorization of renewable feedstock to produce a plethora of value-added products could promote the transition towards a circular bioeconomy. This study presents the development of cascade ...processes to bioconvert spent coffee grounds (SCGs) into microbial oil and carotenoids employing sustainable practices. The stepwise recovery of crude phenolic extract and coffee oil was carried out using green or recyclable solvents, i.e., aqueous ethanol and hexane. Palmitic acid (43.3%) and linoleic acid (38.9%) were the major fatty acids in the oil fraction of SCGs. The LC–MS analysis of crude phenolic extracts revealed that chlorogenic acid dominated (45.7%), while neochlorogenic acid was also detected in substantial amounts (24.0%). SCGs free of coffee oil and phenolic compounds were subjected to microwave-assisted pretreatment under different irradiations and solvents to enhance subsequent enzymatic saccharification. Microwave/water pretreatment at 400 W, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with proteases, hemicellulases, and cellulases, at 50 g/L initial SCGs, led to satisfying overall yields of cellulose (75.4%), hemicellulose (50.3%), and holocellulose (55.3%). Mannan was the most extractable polysaccharide followed by galactan and arabinan. SCGs hydrolysate was used in fed-batch bioreactor fermentations with
Rhodosporidium toruloides
to produce 24.0 g/L microbial oil and carotenoids of 432.9 μg/g biomass.
The photocatalytic degradation of the antidepressant drug bupropion (BUP) has been studied using TiO2 as catalyst. Complete removal of the target compound is achieved within 90 min of treatment and ...the effect of various operational parameters like the catalyst dose, the initial concentration of the drug or the pH of the treated solution, have been evaluated. The influence of various inorganic or organic constituents usually present in natural waters like chloride or nitrate ions and humic acids respectively, was also investigated revealing a negative impact on the photocatalytic degradation process. Accordingly, the degradation of BUP was also evaluated in different water matrices like wastewater effluents or leachate exhibiting slower degradation kinetics. Finally, employing high-resolution mass spectrometry, 38 transformation products (TPs) have been identified 24 out of which have been presented for the first time herein.
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•Photocatalytic treatment in a leachate reduces the photodegradation rate.•Presence of inorganic ions, chloride or nitrate, retard the degradation process.•Thirty-eight intermediates were detected during treatment.•HRMS revealed 24 novel transformation products.•BUP mainly undergoes hydroxylation, demethylation, dechlorination and dealcylation.
The brain's temperature measurements (T
) in patients with severe brain damage are important, in order to offer the optimal treatment. The purpose of this research is the creation of mathematical ...models for the T
's prediction, based on the temperatures in the bladder (T
), femoral artery (T
), ear canal (T
), and axilla (T
), without the need for placement of intracranial catheter, contributing significantly to the research of the human thermoregulatory system.The research involved 18 patients (13 men and 5 women), who were hospitalized in the adult intensive care units (ICU) of Larissa's two hospitals, with severe brain injury. An intracranial catheter with a thermistor was used to continuously measure T
and other parameters. The T
's measurements, and simultaneously one or more of T
, T
, T
, and T
, were recorded every 1 h.To create T
predicting models, the data of each measurement was separated into (a) model sample (measurements' 80%) and (b) validation sample (measurements' 20%). Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that it is possible to predict brain's temperature (PrT
), using independent variables (R
was T
= 0.73, T
= 0.80, T
= 0.27, and T
= 0.17, p < 0.05). Significant linear associations were found, statistically, and no difference in means between T
and PrT
of each prediction model. Also, the 95% limits of agreement and the percent coefficient of variation showed sufficient agreement between the T
and PrT
in each prediction model.In conclusion, brain's temperature prediction models based on T
, T
, T
, and T
were successful. Its determination contributes to the improvement of clinical decision-making.
Antibiotics, recognized as Emerging Contaminants (ECs), have raised concerns due to their pervasive presence in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and subsequent release into aquatic environments, ...posing potential ecological risks and contributing to the development of antibiotic-resistant genes. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an unprecedented surge in antibiotic consumption, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its impact on antibiotic levels in wastewater. In this light, a four-year monitoring study (2020−2023) was conducted in a WWTP located in the Northern Greece (Thessaloniki), employing High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) technology to monitor twenty antibiotics, during distinct phases pre-, during, and post-COVID-19. Our findings revealed that macrolides and fluoroquinolones were among the most often detected categories during the sampling period. Among the compounds detected, azithromycin and clarithromycin showed the most significant increases during the pandemic, doubling their average concentrations. This establishes a clear correlation between the rise in their concentrations and the incidence of COVID-19 cases. A general downward trend after 2021 was attributed to the new restrictions posed in Greece during this year, regarding the liberal prescription of antibiotics. Seasonal variation revealed a minute augmentation of antibiotics' use during the months that infections are increased. Additionally, the study highlights the ecological risks associated with elevated antibiotic presence and emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and regulatory measures to mitigate potential ecological repercussions. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between antibiotic consumption, environmental presence, and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on antibiotic pollution in WWTPs.
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•Comprehensive overview of 20 antibiotic landscape in Thessaloniki's wastewater•Highest consumption was calculated for macrolides in 2021•Fluoroquinolones presented a similar trend during 2020–2022•Increased concentration of azithromycin during the COVID-19 lockdown•Azithromycin identified to be of high potential environmental risk in algae level
Elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations of anthropogenic and/or desert dust origin are associated with increased morbidity among children with asthma.
The Mitigating the Health Effects of ...Desert Dust Storms Using Exposure-Reduction Approaches randomised controlled trial assessed the impact of exposure reduction recommendations, including indoor air filtration, on childhood asthma control during high desert dust storms (DDS) season in Cyprus and Greece.
Primary school children with asthma were randomised into three parallel groups: (a) no intervention (controls); (b) outdoor intervention (early alerts notifications, recommendations to stay indoors and limit outdoor physical activity during DDS) and (c) combined intervention (same as (b) combined with indoor air purification with high efficiency particulate air filters in children's homes and school classrooms. Asthma symptom control was assessed using the childhood Asthma Control Test (c-ACT), spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC)) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).
In total, 182 children with asthma (age; mean=9.5, SD=1.63) were evaluated during 2019 and 2021. After three follow-up months, the combined intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in c-ACT in comparison to controls (β=2.63, 95% CI 0.72 to 4.54, p=0.007), which was more profound among atopic children (β=3.56, 95% CI 0.04 to 7.07, p=0.047). Similarly, FEV1% predicted (β=4.26, 95% CI 0.54 to 7.99, p=0.025), the need for any asthma medication and unscheduled clinician visits, but not FVC% and FeNO, were significantly improved in the combined intervention compared with controls.
Recommendations to reduce exposure and use of indoor air filtration in areas with high PM pollution may improve symptom control and lung function in children with asthma.
NCT03503812.
Abstract
Angiogenesis leads to new blood vessel formation and is implicated in both physiological and pathological situations. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family is the major ...mediator of this process. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), since the role of angiogenesis in this tumor still remains unclear. The immunohistochemical expression of VEGF-A, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 was examined in 194 patients with cHL. The neoplastic Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells expressed VEGF-A, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in 90.3%, 97.2% and 94.1% of cases, respectively. Only the expression of VEGFR-2 was positively correlated with serum albumin levels ≥ 4 g/dL. No correlation with patient outcome was observed. All three molecules were statistically correlated with ramifications of blood vessels. Summarizing, our results are not sufficient to consider VEGF-A and/or VEGF receptors as prognosticators in cHL.
Objectives
To prospectively quantify at the community level changes in asthma symptom control and other morbidity indices, among asthmatic schoolchildren in response to coronavirus disease 2019 ...(COVID‐19) lockdown measures.
Methods
In Spring 2019 and Spring 2020, we prospectively assessed monthly changes in pediatric asthma control test (c‐ACT), asthma medication usage, infections and unscheduled visits for asthma among schoolchildren with active asthma in Cyprus and Greece. We compared asthma symptom control and other morbidity indices before and during lockdown measures, while participants’ time spent at home was objectively assessed by wearable sensors.
Results
A total of 119 asthmatic children participated in the study during Spring 2020. Compared to a mean baseline (pre‐COVID‐19 lockdown) c‐ACT score of 22.70, adjusted mean increases of 2.58 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.91, 3.26, p < 0.001) and 3.57 (95% CI: 2.88, 4.27, p < 0.001) in the 2nd and 3rd monthly assessments were observed after implementation of lockdown measures. A mean increase in c‐ACT score of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.47, p < 0.001) was noted per 10% increase in the time spent at home. Improvement was more profound in children with severe asthma, while significant reductions in infections, asthma medication usage and unscheduled visits for asthma were also observed. During Spring 2019, 39 children participated in the study in the absence of lockdown measures and no changes in c‐ACT or other indices of disease severity were observed.
Conclusions
Clinically meaningful improvements in asthma symptom control, among asthmatic schoolchildren were observed during the COVID‐19 lockdown measures in Spring 2020. Improvements were independently associated with time spent at home and were more profound in the children with severe asthma.
In the present work, optimization of restoration mortars was performed on the basis of reverse engineering approach. The examination and selection of raw materials and the production of a number of ...mixtures with different ratios of binder/additives/aggregates and gradations were carried out. The selection of these materials was based on the examination of the historic mortars of the monument. In order to evaluate mortar mixes during setting and hardening, thermal analysis (DTA-TG), mercury porosimetry analysis and mechanical tests (compressive, flexural) were performed. The results indicate that mortars with hydraulic lime as binding material being admixed with crushed brick, present better behaviour than those with aerial lime, or lime-cement, or lime-pozzolanic additives. The results are in accordance with the acceptability limits defined by the investigation of the historic ones. The results obtained from two-phase production permitted the selection of proper mortar mixtures and their pilot application on a historic masonry of Hagia Sophia, which is going to be evaluated on time as far as compatibility and mortars good performance on the masonry are concerned. Moreover, concrete specimens were produced and examined for the earthquake protection of Haghia Sophia monument.
Technetium-99m pertechnetate planar scintigraphy is the procedure of choice to localize ectopic gastric mucosa. However, single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) ...provides precise landmarks and scintigraphic findings. We report a case of an adult patient with Meckel's diverticulum involving an atypical location, within the pelvic region, next to the right margin of the urinary bladder. Imaging characteristics supported the diagnosis of either Meckel's or bladder diverticulum. Single photon emission computed tomography /CT was the key method to obtain definite diagnosis, since the low-dose CT revealed the presence of air within the lesion of radiotracer uptake. This finding was suggestive of an outpouching of the bowel wall.
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