Τα ψηφιακά μέσα ως εργαλείο βιωσιμότητας και διαχείρισης των ενδιαφερόμενων μερών των παραρτημάτων του Erasmus Student Network (ESN) στην Ελλάδα

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία εκπονήθηκε στο πλαίσιο του Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών με τίτλο «Ψηφιακά Μέσα Επικοινωνίας και Περιβάλλοντα Αλληλεπίδρασης» του τμήματος Επικοινωνίας και Μέσων Μαζικής Ενημέρωσης του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, με στόχο την μελέτη του Erasmus Student Network, ενός ευρωπαϊκού δικτύου υποστήριξης φοιτητών ανταλλαγής στο εξωτερικό. Η θεωρία γύρω από την οποία πλαισιώθηκε η συγκεκριμένη έρευνα αφορούσε τέσσερεις πυλώνες: την οργανωσιακή θεωρία των Μη Κυβερνητικών Οργανισμών, τη βιωσιμότητα, τα ενδιαφερόμενα μέρη και τους εθελοντές. Καθένας από τους τέσσερεις αυτούς πυλώνες μελετήθηκε σε συνάρτηση με τις πρακτικές που ακολουθούν τα ελληνικά παραρτήματα του ESN και με γνώμονα τη χρήση των ψηφιακών μέσων και εργαλείων. Μετά τη βιβλιογραφική επισκόπηση των παραπάνω πυλώνων ακολούθησε η διερεύνηση της δομής και της λειτουργείας του ESN ώστε να ακολουθηθεί στη συνέχεια η κατάλληλη ερευνητική διαδικασία. Η μεθοδολογική προσέγγιση που επιλέχθηκε ήταν η ποιοτική έρευνα με εργαλείο γραπτές διαδικτυακές συνεντεύξεις οι οποίες είχαν ως αποδέκτες τα 19 τοπικά παραρτήματα του ESN στην Ελλάδα (εκ των οποίων ανταποκρίθηκαν τα 10), συν το παράρτημα του ESN Porto, ώστε να υπάρξει μια σύγκριση των πρακτικών που ακολουθούνται. Σκοπός και τελικό παραδοτέο της παρούσας έρευνας είναι να δομηθεί ένας χρήσιμος συνοπτικός οδηγός καλών πρακτικών διασφάλισης της βιωσιμότητας του οργανισμού και χρήσης των ψηφιακών μέσων τις οποίες μπορούν να εφαρμόσουν άλλα παραρτήματα του ESN, ή άλλες ΜΚΟ ή εμπορικοί οργανισμοί.This thesis was prepared in the framework of the Master's Program entitled "Digital Media of Communication and Interaction Environments" of the Department of Communication and Mass Media of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with the aim of studying the Erasmus Student Network, a European exchange student network abroad. The theory around which this research was framed concerned four pillars: the organizational theory of Non-Governmental Organizations, viability, stakeholders and volunteers. Each of these four pillars was studied in relation to the practices followed by the Greek sections of the ESN and with a view to the use of digital media and tools. After the bibliographic review of the above pillars followed the research of the structure and operation of the ESN in order to choose the appropriate research methodology. The methodological approach chosen was qualitative research with the tool of written online interviews addressed to the 19 local sections of ESN in Greece (out of which 10 responded), plus the branch of ESN Porto, in order to have a comparison of practices which are followed. The purpose and final deliverable of this research is to build a useful concise guide of good practices for ensuring the viability of the organization and the use of digital media that can be implemented by other sections of the ESN, or other NGOs or commercial organizations

Karyotypic complexity rather than chromosome 8 abnormalities aggravates the outcome of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with TP53 aberrations.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) harboring TP53 aberrations (TP53abs; chromosome 17p deletion and/or TP53 mutation) exhibit an unfavorable clinical outcome. Chromosome 8 abnormalities, namely losses of 8p (8p−) and gains of 8q (8q+) have been suggested to aggravate the outcome of patients with TP53abs www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget 80917 Oncotarget However, the reported series were small, thus hindering definitive conclusions. To gain insight into this issue, we assessed a series of 101 CLL patients harboring TP53 disruption. The frequency of 8p− and 8q+ was 14.7% and 17.8% respectively. Both were associated with a significantly (P < 0.05) higher incidence of a complex karyotype (CK, ≥3 abnormalities) detected by chromosome banding analysis (CBA) compared to cases with normal 8p (N-8p) and 8q (N-8q), respectively. In univariate analysis for 10-year overall survival (OS), 8p− (P = 0.002), 8q+ (P = 0.012) and CK (P = 0.009) were associated with shorter OS. However, in multivariate analysis only CK (HR = 2.47, P = 0.027) maintained independent significance, being associated with a dismal outcome regardless of chromosome 8 abnormalities. In conclusion, our results highlight the association of chromosome 8 abnormalities with CK amongst CLL patients with TP53abs, while also revealing that CK can further aggravate the prognosis of this aggressive subgroup.Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Unión Europea PI11/01621, PI15/00437, RD09/0076/00036, RD12/0036/0044, RD12/0036/0069 and PT13/0010/0005Generalitat de Catalunya 2014/SGR58

Magnetic resonance imaging with pathological correlation in a case of mantle cell lymphoma of the parotid gland: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is a subtype of B-cell lymphoma with frequent involvement of the bone marrow and the gastrointestinal tract. Isolated parotid gland involvement seldom occurs. Here we report an unusual case of isolated infiltration of the parotid gland by mantle cell lymphoma. The aim of our study is to correlate magnetic resonance imaging findings with the histological features of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, no similar radiological findings of mantle cell lymphoma have been published before.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 72-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a painful left parotid enlargement. She was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma involving the left submandibular gland seven years prior to presentation. Her whole body CT scan showed the absence of pathologically enlarged lymph nodes. However, a magnetic resonance imaging showed enlargement of her left parotid gland and an abnormal parenchyma with mixed-type solid and cystic lesions. A biopsy of her left parotid gland and subsequent histological examination confirmed a mantle cell lymphoma (common variant) relapse.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although rare, the involvement of parotid gland with mantle cell lymphoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid tumors.</p

Mental illness through the perspective of undergraduate medical students in Greece: a cross-sectional study at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

IntroductionNumerous studies reveal that mental health-related stigma, stereotypes, and prejudices negatively affect the patients, jeopardizing their health, prognosis, and social opportunities. Healthcare professionals, who are in the first line of combating mental disease, are expected to play a significant role in drastically changing discriminatory and stigmatizing attitudes toward psychiatric patients and in diminishing the existing healthcare and social disparities. In this study, we aimed to explore and highlight the views of Greek medical students—that is of the future physicians—toward mental illness and people suffering from it.Materials and methodsIt is a cross-sectional, observational study, in which 324 undergraduate students from the most populous Greek medical school of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, participated online, during the spring semester of 2022. The tools used were the Opinions about Mental Illness Scale (OMI) that assesses one’s viewpoints about mental illness, the Social Distance Scale (SDS) that captures the desired degree of social distancing from patients with mental disorders, and the Level of Contact Report (LCR-12) that estimates the level of familiarity with them.ResultsParticipants displayed rather positive attitudes regarding the etiology of mental illness, social integration, and discrimination toward psychiatric patients [as evaluated with the respective OMI subscales; Etiology mean score (μ):8.87 ± 4.68, Social Integration (μ):17.79 ± 5.42, Social Discrimination (μ):13.54 ± 11.17], and more clearly favorable opinions concerning the need for social provision or the enactment of restrictive measures [as expressed with the relative OMI subscales; Social Care (μ):22.74 ± 4.56, Social Restriction (μ):13.27 ± 8.98], while claiming to be quite familiar with mental disorders and individuals experiencing them (as assessed with LCR; μ: 8.71 ± 2.16), and relatively willing to interact with them (as measured with SDS; μ:8.95 ± 4.23). Degree of familiarity with mental illness was directly proportional to the desire for contact with patients living with it, while the higher both were, the more improved most of the aforementioned OMI sectors were found to be. Female sex, clinical medical education, previous clinical psychiatric training, and living with or being a person with a mental disorder were the factors that defined a statistically refined profile in many of the aspects above.ConclusionOur findings are in accordance with many prior and recent studies, while showing improved opinions compared to those of previous research in Greek student and healthcare population. They are calling for vigilance, rather than complacency, as well as educational and social interventions, in order to enable current and future healthcare professionals to perform their function to its fullest extent. Implications of our results and further research suggestions are included

Low temperature and light regulate delta 12 fatty acid desaturases (FAD2) at a transcriptional level in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Lipid modifying enzymes play a key role in the development of cold stress tolerance in cold-resistant plants such as cereals. However, little is known about the role of the endogenous enzymes in cold-sensitive species such as cotton. Delta 12 fatty acid desaturases (FAD2), known to participate in adaptation to low temperatures through acyl chain modifications were used in gene expression studies in order to identify parameters of plant response to low temperatures. The induction of microsomal delta 12 fatty acid desaturases at an mRNA level under cold stress in plants is shown here for first time. Quantitative PCR showed that though both delta 12 omega 6 fatty acid desaturase genes FAD2-3 and FAD2-4 identified in cotton are induced under cold stress, FAD2-4 induction is significantly higher than FAD2-3. The induction of both isoforms was light regulated, in contrast a third isoform FAD2-2 was not affected by cold or light. Stress tolerance and light regulatory elements were identified in the predicted promoters of both FAD2-3 and FAD2-4 genes. Di-unsaturated fatty acid species rapidly increased in the microsomal fraction isolated from cotton leaves, following cold stress. Expression analysis patterns were correlated with the observed increase in both total and microsomal fatty acid unsaturation levels suggesting the direct role of the FAD2 genes in membrane adaptation to cold stress

Cytogenetic complexity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: definitions, associations and clinical impact

Recent evidence suggests that complex karyotype (CK) defined by the presence of 653 chromosomal aberrations (structural and/or numerical) identified by chromosome banding analysis (CBA) may be relevant for treatment decision-making in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, many challenges towards routine clinical application of CBA remain. In a retrospective study of 5290 patients with available CBA data, we explored both clinicobiological associations and the clinical impact of CK in CLL. We found that patients with 655 abnormalities, defined as high-CK, exhibit uniformly dismal clinical outcome, independently of clinical stage, TP53 aberrations (deletion of chromosome 17p and or TP53 mutations, TP53abs) and the expression of somatically hypermutated (M-CLL) or unmutated (U-CLL) immunoglobulin heavy variable genes (IGHV). Thus, they contrasted CK cases with 3 or 4 aberrations (low-CK and intermediate-CK, respectively) who followed aggressive disease courses only in the presence of TP53abs. At the other end of the spectrum, patients with CK and +12,+19 displayed an exceptionally indolent profile. Building upon CK, TP53abs and IGHV gene somatic hypermutation status, we propose a novel hierarchical model where patients with high-CK exhibit the worst prognosis, while M-CLL lacking CK or TP53abs as well as CK with +12,+19 show the longest overall survival. In conclusion, CK should not be axiomatically considered unfavorable in CLL, representing a heterogeneous group with variable clinical behavior. High-CK with 655 chromosomal aberrations emerges as prognostically adverse, independently of other biomarkers. Prospective clinical validation is warranted before finally incorporating high-CK in risk stratification of CLL

Concise Syntheses of ent-Aquilanol A and Aquilanol B via Retro-cycloisomerization of (-)-Caryophyllene Oxide. Access to Medium-sized Oxygenated Carbocyclic Scaffolds

The first concise synthesis of naturally occurring aquilanols A and B, two unprecedented 7/10 bicyclic sesquiterpenoids, is present-ed. Key features of the synthesis are a retrocycloisomerization event on (-)-caryophyllene oxide to form the eleven-membered car-bocyclic frame and an intramolecular epoxide opening to construct the bicyclic skeleton. The latter provides evidence to plausible biosynthesis of natural compounds, rendering our synthesis biomimetic. Our plan provides selectively access to other medium-sized carbocyclic oxygenated compounds, thus enhancing the structural diversity of final products