Model United Nations in Greece: senior high school students’ perspectives on global citizenship

A Model United Nations School Conference is a brief role-play simulation, during which senior high school students take on the roles of delegates in various UN Committees. This thesis presents the findings from a qualitative longitudinal research study which followed 26 MUN senior high school delegates, in Athens, Greece, during their preparation and actual participation in three consecutive MUN conferences, from December 20 I 1 to March 2013. The research explored and exposed the MUN participants' perspectives on global citizenship in terms of knowledge, values , attitudes and skills the students saw themselves as developing, in light of their prolonged engagement in MUN. A range of data collection techniques were used, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews where the photo-elicitation technique was employed. The research in this thesis suggests that the senior high school students who participated in MUN were able to identify global citizenship as a potential citizen status, which entailed the acquisition of global knowledge, development of a sense of moral concern about and responsibility for addressing global issues, and a commitment to take collective action for a sustainable future. It also demonstrated that students had varying conceptions of global citizenship , mostly depending on the length of their engagement in MUN. The students who participated in all three MUN conferences related their experience to their development as global citizens, in terms of preparation for active citizenship in the future and a stimulus' for changing their own attitudes and perspectives in this regard. Preparation for and participation in this role play simulation seemed to have provided an ideal opportunity for the students to develop independent research and critical thinking skills, as well as public speaking, team working and problem-solving in an engaging, active learning, out-of-school environment

Safety evaluation of substituted thiophenes used as flavoring ingredients

AbstractThis publication is the second in a series by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association summarizing the conclusions of its third systematic re-evaluation of the safety of flavorings previously considered to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) under conditions of intended use. Re-evaluation of GRAS status for flavorings is based on updated considerations of exposure, structural analogy, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicology and includes a comprehensive review of the scientific information on the flavorings and structurally related substances. Of the 12 substituted thiophenes reviewed here, 11 were reaffirmed as GRAS based on their rapid absorption, metabolism and excretion in humans and animals; the low estimated dietary exposure from flavor use; the wide margins of safety between the conservative estimates of intake and the no-observed-adverse effect levels; and the lack of significant genotoxic and mutagenic potential. For one of the substituted thiophenes, 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene, it was concluded that more detailed exposure information, comparative metabolism studies and comprehensive toxicity data, including an in-depth evaluation of the mechanism of action for any adverse effects observed, are required for continuation of its FEMA GRAS™ status. In the absence of these data, the compound was removed from the FEMA GRAS list

Dietary carotenoid-rich oil supplementation improves exercise-induced anisocytosis in runners: influences of haptoglobin, MnSOD (Val9Ala), CAT (21A/T) and GPX1 (Pro198Leu) gene polymorphisms in dilutional pseudoanemia (sports anemia)

Physical training induces beneficial adaptation, whereas exhaustive exercises increase reactive oxygen-species generation, thereby causing oxidative damage in plasma and erythrocytes, fractions susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) is a Brazilian Cerrado fruit containing a carotenoid-rich oil. The aim was to investigate the effects of pequi-oil on exercise-induced oxidative damage in plasma and erythrocytes, after running in the same environment and undergoing weekly training under the same conditions as to type, intensity and length. Evaluations were accomplished after outdoor running on flat land before and after ingestion of 400 mg pequi-oil capsules for 14 days. Blood samples were taken after running and submitted to TBARS assay and erythrogram analysis. Haptoglobin, MnSOD (Val9Ala), CAT (21A/T) and GPX1 (Pro198Leu) gene polymorphisms were priorly investigated, so as to estimate genetic influence The reduction in erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit after pequi-oil treatment was notably associated with higher plasma expansion. Except for MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and RDW (red cell distribution width), the results were influenced by the polymorphisms studied. The best response to pequi-oil was presented by MnSOD Val/Val, CAT AA or AT genotypes and the GPX1 Pro allele. The significantly lower RDW and higher MHCH values were related to pequi-oil protective effects. Pequi oil, besides possessing other nutritional properties, showed protective blood effects

Gene polymorphisms against DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in leukocytes of healthy humans through comet assay: a quasi-experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Normal cellular metabolism is well established as the source of endogenous reactive oxygen species which account for the background levels of oxidative DNA damage detected in normal tissue. Hydrogen peroxide imposes an oxidative stress condition on cells that can result in DNA damage, leading to mutagenesis and cell death. Several potentially significant genetic variants related to oxidative stress have already been identified, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been reported as possible antioxidant agents that can reduce vascular oxidative stress in cardiovascular events.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigate the influences of haptoglobin, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD Val9Ala), catalase (CAT -21A/T), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1 Pro198Leu), ACE (I/D) and gluthatione S-transferases GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms against DNA damage and oxidative stress. These were induced by exposing leukocytes from peripheral blood of healthy humans (N = 135) to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the effects were tested by comet assay. Blood samples were submitted to genotyping and comet assay (before and after treatment with H₂O₂at 250 μM and 1 mM).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After treatment with H₂O₂at 250 μM, the GPx-1 polymorphism significantly influenced results of comet assay and a possible association of the Pro/Leu genotype with higher DNA damage was found. The highest or lowest DNA damage also depended on interaction between GPX-1/ACE and Hp/GSTM1T1 polymorphisms when hydrogen peroxide treatment increased oxidative stress.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The GPx-1 polymorphism and the interactions between GPX-1/ACE and Hp/GSTM1T1 can be determining factors for DNA oxidation provoked by hydrogen peroxide, and thus for higher susceptibility to or protection against oxidative stress suffered by healthy individuals.</p

Characterization of greater middle eastern genetic variation for enhanced disease gene discovery

The Greater Middle East (GME) has been a central hub of human migration and population admixture. The tradition of consanguinity, variably practiced in the Persian Gulf region, North Africa, and Central Asia1-3, has resulted in an elevated burden of recessive disease4. Here we generated a whole-exome GME variome from 1,111 unrelated subjects. We detected substantial diversity and admixture in continental and subregional populations, corresponding to several ancient founder populations with little evidence of bottlenecks. Measured consanguinity rates were an order of magnitude above those in other sampled populations, and the GME population exhibited an increased burden of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) but showed no evidence for reduced burden of deleterious variation due to classically theorized ‘genetic purging’. Applying this database to unsolved recessive conditions in the GME population reduced the number of potential disease-causing variants by four- to sevenfold. These results show variegated genetic architecture in GME populations and support future human genetic discoveries in Mendelian and population genetics

Anesthesia provided for colonoscopy by murse anesthesia based on bispectral index

Introduction: The safe and efficient administration of anesthesia during laboratory interventional procedures such as colonoscopy is nowadays mandatory, in order to provide the patient with sufficient comfort during the process and additionally to ensure the best possible working conditions for the gastroenterology team.Objective: The aim of our study was the comparison of the results from the application of the Bispectral index (BIS) by an anesthesia nurse in order to sedate patients undergoing colonoscopy with propofol, in contrast to sedation of patients with midazolam / fentanyl by an endoscopic laboratory nurse.Methods: A randomized, double- blind study included patients who underwent a colonoscopy procedure conducted in the Evgenidion University Hospital during one year. The studied population included 100 adults that had been divided into two groups: the first group received the usual scheme of intravenous sedation with midazolam and fentanyl administered by a member of the endoscopic team that was blind to the Bispectral Index values recordings (group A, n= 50) and the second group received intravenous bolus injection of propofol by anesthesia nurse based on the BIS values (group B, n= 50).Results: In group B, 25 patients (50%) scored 1 at the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale (OAA/S score). In group A, 25 patients (50%) had OAA/S score 3 and 12 patients (24%) had OAA/S score 2. The mean average of the BIS values of group A was 85.07 and for group B was 76.1 (p=0.00). The percentages of reactions, incidents of awake clinical state and display of memory of the patients in group A were higher than the percentages of patients in group B (p <0.05). In group B, occurred one episode of oxygen desaturation (SpO2 = 88%) and four episodes of hypotension during colonoscopy. Furthermore, the mean onset time of anesthesia and awakening time was shorter for patients in group B compared with the patients in group A. The cost of anesthesia drugs administered to patients in group A was greater compared with group B, while the degrees of satisfaction of patients, endoscopist and endoscopic laboratory nurse were higher in group B compared with group A.Conclusion: The comparison between the two groups showed that the sedation offered by an anesthesia nurse was safe and qualitative, offering particular comfort to the patient during the procedure and contributing significantly to its successful results, in contrast to the hitherto daily clinical practice which is usually applied.Εισαγωγή: H ασφαλής και αποτελεσματική διαχείριση της αναισθησίας κατά τη διάρκεια παρεμβατικών ενδοσκοπικών διαδικασιών, όπως η κολονοσκόπηση, είναι στις μέρες μας επιβεβλημένη προκειμένου αφενός ο ασθενής να μη βιώσει κανένα δυσάρεστο συναίσθημα κατά τη διάρκεια της εξέτασης και αφ’ ετέρου να διασφαλισθούν οι βέλτιστες δυνατές συνθήκες εργασίας στην γαστρεντερολογική ομάδα.Σκοπός: Ο σκοπός της μελέτης μας ήταν η σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων από την εφαρμογή του Διφασματικού δείκτη (BIS) από νοσηλευτή αναισθησίας για την καταστολή των ασθενών που υποβάλλονταν σε κολονοσκόπηση με τη χορήγηση προποφόλης σε σχέση με την καταστολή των ασθενών με την χορήγηση μιδαζολάμης/ φεντανύλης από το νοσηλευτή του ενδοσκοπικού εργαστηρίου.Μέθοδος: Η παρούσα διπλή τυφλή, τυχαιοποιημένη μελέτη, η οποία συμπεριλάμβανε ασθενείς που υποβάλλονταν σε κολονοσκόπηση, διεξήχθη στο Ευγενίδειο Θεραπευτήριο του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και διήρκησε ένα έτος. Συμμετείχαν 100 ενήλικες ασθενείς, οι οποίοι χωρίστηκαν σε δύο ομάδες: Η πρώτη ομάδα λάμβανε το σύνηθες σχήμα αναισθησίας (μιδαζολάμη/ φεντανύλη) από μέλος της ενδοσκοπικής ομάδας, που δεν είχε πρόσβαση στις τιμές του Διφασματικού δείκτη που καταγράφονταν συνεχώς (ομάδα Α, n= 50) και η δεύτερη ομάδα λάμβανε προποφόλη από το νοσηλευτή αναισθησίας με βάση τις τιμές του BIS (ομάδα Β, n= 50).Αποτελέσματα: Στην ομάδα Β , 25 ασθενείς (50%) είχαν βαθμό της κλίμακας αξιολόγησης από παρατηρητή της επαγρύπνησης/ καταστολής (OAA/S score) 1. Στην ομάδα Α , 25 ασθενείς (50%) είχαν OAA/S score 3 και 12 ασθενείς (24%) είχαν OAA/S score 2. Ο μέσος όρος των μέσων τιμών του ΒΙS ήταν 85.07 για την ομάδα Α και 76.1 για την ομάδα Β (p=0.00). Τα ποσοστά των αντιδράσεων, των περιπτώσεων αφύπνισης και της εμφάνισης μνήμης των ασθενών της ομάδας Α ήταν μεγαλύτερα σε σχέση με τα ποσοστά των ασθενών της ομάδας Β (p< 0.05). Στην ομάδα Β συνέβη ένα επεισόδιο υποξίας (SpO2= 88%) και τέσσερα επεισόδια υπότασης κατά τη διάρκεια της κολονοσκόπησης. Επιπλέον, η μέση τιμή του χρόνου έναρξης της αναισθησίας και του χρόνου αφύπνισης ήταν μικρότερη στους ασθενείς της ομάδας Β σε σχέση με τους ασθενείς της ομάδα Α. Το σχήμα των φαρμάκων αναισθησίας που χορηγήθηκε στους ασθενείς της ομάδας Α ήταν ακριβότερο από την ομάδα Β, ενώ οι βαθμοί ικανοποίησης των ασθενών, του ενδοσκόπου και του νοσηλευτή του ενδοσκοπικού εργαστηρίου ήταν μεγαλύτεροι στην ομάδα Β σε σχέση με την ομάδα Α.Συμπέρασμα: Τα αποτελέσματα από τη σύγκριση των ομάδων έδειξαν ότι η αναισθησία που παρείχε ο νοσηλευτής αναισθησίας ήταν ασφαλής και ποιοτική, προσφέροντας άνεση στον ασθενή κατά τη διάρκεια των παρεμβάσεων και συνεισφέροντας σημαντικά στην επιτυχή διεξαγωγή της κολονοσκόπησης σε αντίθεση με την έως τώρα καθημερινή κλινική πρακτική που εφαρμόζεται τις περισσότερες φορές

Peripherally inserted central catheter ports: a vascular access specialist's systematic approach

Implanted ports are an important vascular access device for patients with malignancies requiring long-term chemotherapy. Peripherally placed ports are increasing in use as they are a safe, cost-effective alternative to chest-placed ports. Most peripheral ports can be placed bedside by specialist nurses in designated clinical areas rather than costly operating rooms or interventional radiology suites. Peripheral ports are considered less invasive compared with chest port placement because of reduced procedural risk. To enhance the success rate of peripheral port placement and minimize risks, we provide vascular access specialists with a systematic approach along with some technical advice tips and tricks to help avoid mechanical complications such as repeated puncture of the vein, excessive bleeding, thrombosis or skin dehiscence, as well as latent complications such as catheter migration and catheter-related blood stream infection

A comparison of 2 venous puncture sites for peripheral implanted ports

The use of peripheral implanted ports to administer parenteral nutrition in a number of patient cohorts is increasingly seen as a safe alternative to chest ports with equivalence in long-term outcomes. Two insertion sites on the upper arm were compared using the zone insertion method (ZIM), which was developed as an approach to optimize and reduce catheter-related exit site complications. The ZIM divides the medial upper arm into 3 main colors, red, green, and yellow, which are based on musculoskeletal, skin, and vessel characteristics. The optimal exit site is considered to be the green zone, the middle third of the upper arm. Thirty-five patients were allocated to vein puncture at the yellow/green zone (group A) and 35 patients at the yellow zone near the axilla (group B). All devices were implanted in the distal green zone. Successful peripheral port implantation was 91.4% (n = 35) for group A and 100.0% (n = 35) for group B (P = .07). No procedural or postprocedural complications were observed