Stressful Newborn Memories: Pre-Conceptual, In Utero, and Postnatal Events

Early-life stressful experiences are critical for plasticity and development, shaping adult neuroendocrine response and future health. Stress response is mediated by the autonomous nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis while various environmental stimuli are encoded via epigenetic marks. The stress response system maintains homeostasis by regulating adaptation to the environmental changes. Pre-conceptual and in utero stressors form the fetal epigenetic profile together with the individual genetic profile, providing the background for individual stress response, vulnerability, or resilience. Postnatal and adult stressful experiences may act as the definitive switch. This review addresses the issue of how preconceptual in utero and postnatal events, together with individual differences, shape future stress responses. Putative markers of early-life adverse effects such as prematurity and low birth weight are emphasized, and the epigenetic, mitochondrial, and genomic architecture regulation of such events are discussed

Genomic variants in the FTO gene are associated with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Greek patients

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease whose complex pathology has been associated with a strong genetic component in the context of both familial and sporadic disease. Herein, we adopted a next-generation sequencing approach to Greek patients suffering from sporadic ALS (together with their healthy counterparts) in order to explore further the genetic basis of sporadic ALS (sALS). Results: Whole-genome sequencing analysis of Greek sALS patients revealed a positive association between FTO and TBC1D1 gene variants and sALS. Further, linkage disequilibrium analyses were suggestive of a specific diseaseassociated haplotype for FTO gene variants. Genotyping for these variants was performed in Greek, Sardinian, and Turkish sALS patients. A lack of association between FTO and TBC1D1 variants and sALS in patients of Sardinian and Turkish descent may suggest a founder effect in the Greek population. FTO was found to be highly expressed in motor neurons, while in silico analyses predicted an impact on FTO and TBC1D1 mRNA splicing for the genomic variants in question. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to present a possible association between FTO gene variants and the genetic etiology of sALS. In addition, the next-generation sequencing-based genomics approach coupled with the two-step validation strategy described herein has the potential to be applied to other types of human complex genetic disorders in order to identify variants of clinical significance

A bottom-up view of food surplus: using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis to investigate agricultural strategies and diet at Bronze Age Archontiko and Thessaloniki Toumba, northern Greece

We use stable isotope analysis of crop, faunal and human remains to investigate agricultural strategies and diet at EBA-LBA Archontiko and MBA-LBA Thessaloniki Toumba. Crop production strategies varied between settlements, phases and species; flexibility is also apparent within the crop stores of individual houses. Escalating manuring intensity at LBA Thessaloniki Toumba coincides with large co-residential ‘blocks’ geared towards hoarding of agricultural surpluses, spectacularly preserved by fire at nearby LBA Assiros Toumba. Faunal isotope values reflect a range of feeding strategies, including probable herding of cattle on C4-rich coastal salt marshes, evident at Archontiko through to the LBA alongside bulk cockle harvesting. Palaeodietary analysis of LBA humans at Thessaloniki Toumba indicates that C3 crops represent the only plausible staples. Millet was a minor food but may have played a particular role in the sub-adult diet. Meat probably featured in supra-household food sharing and hospitality, associated with Mycenaean-style tableware in the LBA

Ταυτοποίηση ρυθμιστικών στοιχείων DNA κατά τον κυτταρικό επαναπρογραμματισμό

Κυτταρικός επαναπρογραμματισμός καλείται η διαδικασία κατά την οποία διαφοροποιημένα, σωματικά κύτταρα μετατρέπονται σε επαγόμενα πολυδύναμα κύτταρα (iPSCs), όμοια με τα εμβρυϊκά βλαστικά κύτταρα (ESCs), μέσω της εξωγενούς έκφρασης των μεταγραφικών παραγόντων Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 και c-Myc (παράγοντες OSKM). Κατά τη διαδικασία αυτή πραγματοποιούνται ραγδαίες αλλαγές στη γονιδιακή έκφραση και επιγενετική ρύθμιση με στοχαστικό τρόπο. Τεχνολογίες υψηλής ανάλυσης χρησιμοποιούνται για την αναγνώριση πιθανών ρυθμιστικών στοιχείων κατά τον κυτταρικό επαναπρογραμματισμό. Προηγούμενα πειράματα ChIP-seq του εργαστηρίου υπέδειξαν την πρόσδεση των παραγόντων OSKM σε συγκεκριμένες περιοχές ανοδικά των γονιδίων Lefty1, Pou5f1 (Oct4) και Upp1. Υποθέσαμε ότι τα στοιχεία αυτά αποτελούν ρυθμιστικές αλληλουχίες οι οποίες ελέγχουν την έκφραση των παρακείμενων γονιδίων κατά τον κυτταρικό επαναπρογραμματισμό. Στην παρούσα εργασία μελετήσαμε τις περιοχές αυτές, κατασκευάζοντας λεντιϊκά συστήματα έκφρασης του γονιδίου αναφοράς της GFP υπό τον έλεγχο του κάθε πιθανού ρυθμιστικού στοιχείου. Τα συστήματα αυτά εισήχθησαν σε εμβρυϊκούς ινοβλάστες ποντικού (MEFs) που στη συνέχεια επαναπρογραμματίστηκαν. Ανακαλύψαμε ότι οι περιοχές αυτές, πράγματι, λειτουργούν ως ενισχυτές επάγοντας την έκφραση του γονιδίου αναφοράς κατά τη διάρκεια του κυτταρικού επαναπρογραμματισμού. Συγκριτικές μελέτες της έκφρασης του γονιδίου αναφοράς με το εκάστοτε ενδογενές γονίδιο έδειξαν πως μόνο η ρυθμιστική περιοχή ανοδικά του γονιδίου Upp1 μπορεί να μιμηθεί το ενδογενές πρόγραμμα του κυττάρου. Συνεπώς, καταφέραμε να ταυτοποιήσουμε τον ενισχυτή, ο οποίος ελέγχει την έκφραση του γονιδίου Upp1 κατά τον κυτταρικό επαναπρογραμματισμό. Το στοιχείο αυτό μπορεί να αποτελέσει σημαντικό εργαλείο για την απομόνωση επαναπρογραμματιζόμενων κυττάρων, με σκοπό τον καθορισμό των μοριακών και βιοχημικών υπογραφών τους, που θα ενισχύσουν τη γνώση γύρω από το φαινόμενο του κυτταρικού επαναπρογραμματισμού.Cellular reprogramming is the process during which differentiated, somatic cells turn into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), through exogenous expression of the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc (OSKM factors). During this process rapid changes in gene expression and epigenetic regulation take place in a stochastic way. High-throughput technologies are being used for the identification of possible regulatory elements during cellular reprogramming. Previous ChIP-seq experiments in the lab have shown the binding of the OSKM factors to specific regions upstream of the genes Lefty1, Pou5f1 (Oct4) and Upp1. It was assumed that these elements are regulatory sequences, that control the expression of the downstream genes during the course of reprogramming. In the present thesis, we studied these regions by constructing lentiviral expression systems of the GFP reporter gene, under the control of each putative regulatory element. These systems were introduced into mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), that were further used in reprogramming experiments. We discovered that these regions actually function as enhancers, inducing the expression of the reporter gene during reprogramming. Comparative expression studies between the reporter gene and the corresponding endogenous gene have shown that only the induction of the regulatory region upstream of the Upp1 gene can imitate the endogenous cell program. In conclusion, we have managed to identify the enhancer, that controls the expression of the Upp1 gene during cellular reprogramming. This element can be a powerful tool for the isolation of reprogrammed cells, in order to determine their molecular and biochemical signatures, increasing our knowledge on cellular reprogramming

Labeling of Derogatory Words in Modern Greek Dictionaries

Abstract and full text of the articles are freely available on www.degruyter.com (De Gruyter Open)

Back to Craft

The paper reports on the interaction between a tutor, six students, the industry of cement blocks production and diverse consultants in the process of manufacturing multiple prototype molds for the eco-stones Wallpot and Triko. Wallpot is a beton-block element for articulated facades of vertical horticulture. Triko is a beton-block for turf-stone-alike green pavements. Throughout the process of molds’ generation and the research on contemporary modes of production a deep knowledge of molding techniques for contemporary product design was built. Above all how flexible molding can be through the combination of digital fabrication and crafting. The paper presents and concludes on how the design helps in the creation of a type and a system, the digital fabrication adds a generic attribute to the type and crafting enriches it with a genetic attribute. As a result Fabrication has triggered Crafting more than the Design alone would have done and Crafting enhanced the engagement with the Design for the students.status: publishe

Ultra high speed SHA-256 hashing cryptographic module for IPSEC hardware/software codesign

Nowadays, more than ever, security is considered to be critical issue for all electronic transactions. This is the reason why security services like those described in IPSec are mandatory to IPV6 which will be adopted as the new IP standard the next years. Moreover the need for security services in every data packet that is transmitted via IPv6, illustrates the need for designing security products able to achieve higher throughput rates for the incorporated security schemes. In this paper such a design is presented which manages to increase throughput of SHA-256 hash function enabling efficient software/hardware co-design

One-Dimensional Heterogeneous Reaction Model of a Drop-Tube Carbonator Reactor for Thermochemical Energy Storage Applications

Calcium looping systems constitute a promising candidate for thermochemical energy storage (TCES) applications, as evidenced by the constantly escalating scientific and industrial interest. However, the technologically feasible transition from the research scale towards industrial and highly competitive markets sets as a prerequisite the optimal design and operation of the process, especially corresponding reactors. The present study investigates for the first time the development of a detailed, one-dimensional mathematical model for the steady-state simulation of a novel drop-tube carbonator reactor as a core equipment unit in a concentrated solar power (CSP)-thermochemical energy storage integration plant. A validated kinetic mathematical model for a carbonation reaction (CaO(s) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s)) focused on thermochemical energy storage conditions was developed and implemented for different material conditions. The fast gas–solid reaction kinetics conformed with the drop-tube reactor concept, as the latter is suitable for very fast reactions. Reaction kinetics were controlled by the reaction temperature. Varying state profiles were computed across the length of the reactor by using a mathematical model in which reactant conversions, the reaction rate, and the temperature and velocity of gas and solid phases provided crucial information on the carbonator’s performance, among other factors. Through process simulations, the model-based investigation approach revealed respective restrictions on a tailor-made reactor of 10 kWth, pointing out the necessity of detailed models as a provision for design and scale-up studies

Effects of an early experience of reward through maternal contact or its denial on laterality of protein expression in the developing rat hippocampus.

Laterality is a basic characteristic of the brain which is detectable early in life. Although early experiences affect laterality of the mature brain, there are no reports on their immediate neurochemical effects during neonatal life, which could provide evidence as to the mechanisms leading to the lateralized brain. In order to address this issue, we determined the differential protein expression profile of the left and right hippocampus of 13-day-old rat control (CTR) pups, as well as following exposure to an early experience involving either receipt (RER) or denial (DER) of the expected reward of maternal contact. Proteomic analysis was performed by 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) followed by mass spectroscopy. The majority of proteins found to be differentially expressed either between the three experimental groups (DER, RER, CTR) or between the left and right hemisphere were cytoskeletal (34%), enzymes of energy metabolism (32%), and heat shock proteins (17%). In all three groups more proteins were up-regulated in the left compared to the right hippocampus. Tubulins were found to be most often up-regulated, always in the left hippocampus. The differential expression of β-tubulin, β-actin, dihydropyrimidinase like protein 1, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Heat Shock protein 70 revealed by the proteomic analysis was in general confirmed by Western blots. Exposure to the early experience affected brain asymmetry: In the RER pups the ratio of proteins up-regulated in the left hippocampus to those in the right was 1.8, while the respective ratio was 3.6 in the CTR and 3.4 in the DER. Our results could contribute to the elucidation of the cellular mechanisms mediating the effects of early experiences on the vulnerability for psychopathology, since proteins shown in our study to be differentially expressed (e.g. tubulins, dihydropyrimidinase like proteins, 14-3-3 protein, GFAP, ATP synthase, α-internexin) have also been identified in proteomic analyses of post-mortem brains from psychiatric patients