In this paper, we present a systematic GIS-based approach for producing updated, upscaled, unified and reevaluated maps for the Ionian Islands of Greece, which is an area of great geological ...interest. In particular, Cephalonia and Lefkada are two islands with an increased and intense seismicity. Therefore, a common GIS geodatabase was produced for handling the geoinformation of the area. New upscaled (scale 1:50,000) geotechnical and seismotectonic maps of these islands were produced based on older ones. On the other hand, the corresponding maps of the islands, based on the categories of the Greek antiseismic code and Eurocode 8, were produced in an effort to correlate them. Beyond that, all the available isoseismal maps of the earthquakes that hit the Ionian Islands were gathered in an effort to evaluate them and to find possible correlations with the other types of maps. Based on the correlation results, the consideration of the Vs30 parameter in the Greek antiseismic code is proposed for a better categorization of the geological formations.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different nickel
concentrations and light in combination with storage conditions and storage
time on the seed germination ability of two ...serpentine-endemic nickel
hyperaccumulating species (Bornmuellera emarginata and B. tymphaea). The
seeds of both species were collected from natural populations in the Pindus
Mountain range, Greece in early July and stored in a refrigerator (4?C) and
in laboratory conditions (22?C). The seeds were exposed to a range of nickel
concentrations typical of non-ultramafic-ultramafic gradient in two light
environments (12 h photoperiod and continuous darkness). The nickel
concentration only had a significant effect on B. emarginata, decreasing its
seed germination rate with increasing Ni concentrations. The storage
temperature significantly affected the germination percentage of both
species and it was higher at 4?C compared to 22?C. A higher germination rate
(> 60%) was observed for 5-8-month-old seeds, but both species generally
showed significantly higher germination rates in the tests conducted seven
months after seed ripening in the field. A higher germination rate was
observed in a 12-hour photoperiod than in continuous darkness only for B.
tymphaea. This study provides guidelines on the germination capacity of two
obligate nickel hyperaccumulators with a potential for use in agromining
systems.
The standard of care in patients with solitary brain metastasis involves surgical resection and postoperative whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). However, WBRT is associated with adverse effects, mainly ...neurocognitive deterioration. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a more targeted form of radiation therapy that could be as effective as WBRT without the detrimental neurocognitive decline.
We performed the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing postoperative SRS versus postoperative WBRT in patients with one resected brain metastasis. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library were systematically searched for studies comparing the efficacy of the two radiation modalities in terms of local and distant brain control, leptomeningeal disease control, and overall survival. Additionally, we extracted patients’ neurocognitive function and quality of life after each postoperative radiation form.
Four studies with 248 patients (128: WBRT, 120: SRS) were included in our analysis. There was no difference between SRS and WBRT in the risk of local recurrence (RR = 0.92, CI = 0.51–1.66, p = 0.78, I2 = 0%) and leptomeningeal disease (RR = 1.21, CI = 0.49–2.98, p = 0.67, I2 = 18%), neither in the patients’ overall survival (HR = 1.06, CI = 0.61–1.85, p = 0.83, I2 = 63%). Nevertheless, SRS appeared to increase the risk of distant brain failure (RR = 2.03, CI = 0.94–4.40, p = 0.07, I2 = 61%). Neurocognitive function and quality of life in the SRS group were equal or superior to the WBRT group.
Although SRS may increase the risk of distant brain failure, it appears to be as effective as WBRT in terms of local control, risk of leptomeningeal disease, and overall survival while sparing the patients of the detrimental, WBRT-associated cognitive deterioration.
Suprarenal aortic clamping during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair results in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in local (i.e. kidney) and distant (i.e. heart) tissue. To investigate ...perioperative approaches that mitigate IRI-induced tissue damage, Wistar rats underwent suprarenal aortic clamping either alone or in combination with short cycles of ischemic conditioning before and/or after clamping. Serum analysis revealed significant reduction in key biochemical parameters reflecting decreased tissue damage at systemic level and improved renal function in conditioned groups compared to controls (p < 0.05), which was corroborated by histolopathological evaluation. Importantly, the levels of DNA damage, as reflected by the biomarkers 8-oxo-G, γH2AX and pATM were reduced in conditioned versus non-conditioned cases. In this setting, NADPH oxidase, a source of free radicals, decreased in the myocardium of conditioned cases. Of note, administration of 5-HD and 8-SPT blocking key protective signaling routes abrogated the salutary effect of conditioning. To further understand the non-targeted effect of IRI on the heart, it was noted that serum TGF-β1 levels decreased in conditioned groups, whereas this difference was eliminated after 5-HD and 8-SPT administration. Collectively, conditioning strategies reduced both renal and myocardial injury. Additionally, the present study highlights TGF-β1 as an attractive target for manipulation in this context.
We examine business cycle spillovers in the European Union over the period 1977–2014. The results of our analysis reveal that: (i) The total spillover indices are of high magnitude and very ...responsive to extreme economic events. (ii) The direction and magnitude of spillovers among group members (i.e. Eurozone core, Eurozone periphery, new Euro Area countries and non‐European Monetary Union countries) is changing overtime. (iii) The widening of the European debt crisis can be explained by business cycle shocks in the whole Eurozone periphery. Thus, appropriate macroprudential stabilization policies aiming to steer peripheral economies towards growth should be formulated.
Introduction:
Comprehensive characteristics of the glycemic profile for prediabetes derived by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are unknown. We evaluate the difference of CGM profiles between ...individuals with prediabetes and normoglycemic individuals, including the response to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
Methods:
Individuals with prediabetes matched for age, sex, and BMI with normoglycemic individuals were instructed to use professional CGM for 1 week. OGTT was performed on the second day. The primary outcomes were percentages of glucose readings time below range (TBR): <54 or <70 mg/dL, time in range (TIR): 70 to 180 mg/dL, and time above range (TAR): >180 or >250 mg/dL. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated following the OGTT. Glucose variability was depicted by coefficient of variation (CV), SD, and mean amplitude of glucose excursion (MAGE). Wilcoxon sign-ranked test, McNemar mid P-test and linear regression models were employed.
Results:
In all, 36 participants (median age 51 years; median body mass index BMI = 26.4 kg/m2) formed 18 matched pairs. Statistically significant differences were observed for 24-hour time in range (TIR; median 98.5% vs. 99.9%, P = .013), time above range (TAR) >180 mg/dl (0.4% vs. 0%, P = .0062), and 24-hour mean interstitial glucose (113.8 vs. 108.8 mg/dL, P = .0038) between people with prediabetes compared to normoglycemic participants. Statistically significant differences favoring the normoglycemic group were found for glycemic variability indexes (median CV 15.2% vs. 11.9%, P = .0156; median MAGE 44.3 vs. 33.3 mg/dL, P = 0.0043). Following OGTT, the AUC was significantly lower in normoglycemic compared to the prediabetes group (median 18615.3 vs. 16370.0, P = .0347 for total and 4666.5 vs. 2792.7, P = .0429 for incremental 2-hour post OGTT).
Conclusion:
Individuals with prediabetes have different glucose profiles compared to normoglycemic individuals. CGM might be helpful in individuals with borderline glucose values for a more accurate reclassification.
Purpose/Background/Objectives
Aortic stiffness and hemodynamics are established biomarkers for cardiovascular events. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) remains the first choice of treatment in ...most patients with aortic stenosis. We investigated the effect of SAVR on aortic stiffness and the role of arterial biomarkers in predicting the echocardiographic respons.
Methods
We included thirty-three patients (mean age 71 ± 8 years, 58% males) with moderate to severe aortic stenosis undergoing SAVR. In measurements prior and acutely after the surgery, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and aortic hemodynamics (aortic augmentation index corrected for heart rate AIx@75) were used as indicators of arterial stiffness. Echocardiography, mean and peak pressure gradient of the aortic valve was measured and their differences post and pre-surgery were calculated (i.e. ΔMeanGradient = MeanGradient post-surgery—MeanGradient pre-surgery).
Results
There was a statistically significant increase on measurements of aortic stiffness (7.5 ± 1.4 vs 8.2 ±1.9 m/s for cfPWV, p = 0.033) and a decrease in wave reflections (28 ± 13% vs 21 ±11% for AIx@75, p = 0.015). We also observed a negative association of baseline cfPWV with baseline mean and peak gradient of aortic stenosis (r = −0.598 and r = −0.614 with p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively), independently of age, gender and systolic blood pressure. Baseline cfPWV was associated with ΔMeanGradient and ΔPeakGradient (r = 0.609 and r = 0.533 with p = 0.002 and p = 0.009, respectively). (Figure)
Conclusions
Our study shows that post-operative aortic stiffness increases while there is an improvement of wave reflections. Furthermore, increased aortic stiffness prior to surgery predicts smaller benefit in decreasing transvalvular pressure gradient as assessed echocardiographi-cally, implying that low aortic stiffness prior to surgery could lead to better outcome.
Entomological monitoring activities are a major part of mosquito and mosquito-borne diseases surveillance. Several trapping methods are implemented worldwide, aiming to gather data on species ...composition and their abundance in various study areas.
Several methodological modifications, such as trapping systems baited with attractants or carbon dioxide, have been proposed to increase trap efficiency. The aim of this study was to test different trap types, commonly used in Greece to collect mosquitoes, with the addition of the Biogents Sentinel lure. Moreover, traps were placed in two distinct land types and two different heights above the ground to compare their efficacy. West Nile Virus is endemic in Greece, so we also aimed to detect viral presence and circulation in selected mosquito pools.
Adult mosquitoes of
s.l., and
were collected in both study areas. The trap type had a significant impact on the total collections, while the trap position and interaction between trap and position did not significantly affect mosquito catches. WNV was detected in
s.l. pools examined from the two study areas.
This study emphasizes the role of trapping methods as a key component for monitoring and surveillance of adult mosquito populations, reflecting that several trap types present with different mosquito species capture and catch rates.
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