Clavibacter michiganensis downregulates photosynthesis and modifies monolignols metabolism revealing a crosstalk with tomato immune responses

The gram-positive pathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) causes bacterial canker disease in tomato, affecting crop yield and fruit quality. To understand how tomato plants respond, the dynamic expression profile of host genes was analyzed upon Cmm infection. Symptoms of bacterial canker became evident from the third day. As the disease progressed, the bacterial population increased in planta, reaching the highest level at six days and remained constant till the twelfth day post inoculation. These two time points were selected for transcriptomics. A progressive down-regulation of key genes encoding for components of the photosynthetic apparatus was observed. Two temporally separated defense responses were observed, which were to an extent interdependent. During the primary response, genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway were diverted towards the synthesis of monolignols away from S-lignin. In dicots, lignin polymers mainly consist of G- and S-units, playing an important role in defense. The twist towards G-lignin enrichment is consistent with previous findings, highlighting a response to generate an early protective barrier and to achieve a tight interplay between lignin recomposition and the primary defense response mechanism. Upon progression of Cmm infection, the temporal deactivation of phenylpropanoids coincided with the upregulation of genes that belong in a secondary response mechanism, supporting an elegant reprogramming of the host transcriptome to establish a robust defense apparatus and suppress pathogen invasion. This high-throughput analysis reveals a dynamic reorganization of plant defense mechanisms upon bacterial infection to implement an array of barriers preventing pathogen invasion and spread

Use of wild bird surveillance, human case data and GIS spatial analysis for predicting spatial distributions of West Nile Virus in Greece

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the causative agent of a vector-borne, zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Recent expansion and introduction of WNV into new areas, including southern Europe, has been associated with severe disease in humans and equids, and has increased concerns regarding the need to prevent and control future WNV outbreaks. Since 2010, 524 confirmed human cases of the disease have been reported in Greece with greater than 10% mortality. Infected mosquitoes, wild birds, equids, and chickens have been detected and associated with human disease. The aim of our study was to establish a monitoring system with wild birds and reported human cases data using Geographical Information System (GIS). Potential distribution of WNV was modelled by combining wild bird serological surveillance data with environmental factors (e.g. elevation, slope, land use, vegetation density, temperature, precipitation indices, and population density). Local factors including areas of low altitude and proximity to water were important predictors of appearance of both human and wild bird cases (Odds Ratio = 1,001 95%CI = 0,723–1,386). Using GIS analysis, the identified risk factors were applied across Greece identifying the northern part of Greece (Macedonia, Thrace) western Greece and a number of Greek islands as being at highest risk of future outbreaks. The results of the analysis were evaluated and confirmed using the 161 reported human cases of the 2012 outbreak predicting correctly (Odds = 130/31 = 4,194 95%CI = 2,841–6,189) and more areas were identified for potential dispersion in the following years. Our approach verified that WNV risk can be modelled in a fast cost-effective way indicating high risk areas where prevention measures should be implemented in order to reduce the disease incidence

Eutrophication prediction in the Dutch coastal waters using remote sensing data and machine learning

Eutrophication processes in coastal waters are becoming more prominent as a result of high nutrient discharges from intensive agriculture and increased urban waste. These processes can be devastating for local ecosystems and lead to dissolved oxygen depletion, which applies considerable stress on aquatic organisms. For ecosystems to preserve their status, stop and reverse the negative effects of eutrophication, regular estimation of corresponding indicators has to take place. In this direction, mostly process-driven models have been used, but the presented project argues that freely available remote sensing data can also provide useful insights for the oxygen saturation of the water. The proposed methodology uses Sea Surface Temperature and Chlorophyll-a estimations from AQUA and ENVISAT satellite sensors for the period 2003-2011 to predict the dissolved oxygen content in the Dutch coastal waters. It does so by implementing various Machine Learning models, namely Random Forest, Artificial Neural Network and Gradient Boosting Regressors, with the latter demonstrating the best results. After extensive data pre-processing, the results show that dissolved oxygen can be predicted with an average Root-Mean-Squared error of 0.8 g/m3. Important steps towards a lower error include the use of gap-filled variables and their decomposition into their temporal components as inputs for the model. Furthermore, the effect of the Sea Surface Temperature on the dissolved oxygen is documented through its contribution in the estimation of the latter’s seasonal variability, while the estimation of the maximum dissolved oxygen values is attributed to Chlorophyll-a. Further feature engineering and model development can possibly improve the estimation of the minimum dissolved oxygen values in the coast and the overall prediction in more complex intertidal areas, like the Wadden Sea.Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreementCivil Engineerin

Η μη-βασιζόμενη σε καταδίκη δήμευση

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η μη-βασιζόμενη σε καταδίκη δήμευση. Μέσω της ανάλυσης των διαφόρων μορφών της, οι οποίες απαντούν σε ξένες έννομες τάξεις, καθώς και μέσω της κριτικής παράθεσης της σχετικής νομολογίας του Ευρωπαϊκού Δικαστηρίου των Δικαιωμάτων του Ανθρώπου, επιχειρείται η απάντηση στο ερώτημα ποιες από τις διαδεδομένες μορφές δήμευσης χωρίς καταδίκη θα μπορούσαν να νομιμοποιηθούν στο πλαίσιο του ελληνικού δικαίου. Επίσης, αξιολογούνται κάποιες από τις ήδη ισχύουσες στο ελληνικό δίκαιο διατάξεις που προβλέπουν την επιβολή δήμευσης άνευ προηγούμενης καταδίκης, οι οποίες έχουν απασχολήσει την ελληνική θεωρία και νομολογία.The subject of this dissertation is non-conviction-based confiscation. Through the analysis of the various forms of non-conviction-based confiscation, which occur in foreign jurisdictions, as well as through the critical exposition of the relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, the author attempts to answer which of the widespread forms of confiscation without conviction could be legitimized under Greek law. In addition, some of the current provisions in Greek law providing for the imposition of confiscation without prior conviction, which have been an issue of concern to Greek theory and case law, are evaluated

Spitz Melanocytic Tumors: A Fascinating 75-Year Journey

Over the last 75 years, our understanding of Spitz lesions has undergone substantial evolution. Initially considered a specific type of melanoma, the perception has shifted towards recognizing Spitz lesions as a spectrum comprising Spitz nevi, Spitz melanocytomas, and Spitz melanomas. Spitz lesions are known for posing a significant diagnostic challenge regarding the distinction between benign neoplasms displaying atypical traits and melanomas. A comprehensive understanding of their molecular basis and genomic aberrations has significantly improved precision in classifying and diagnosing these challenging lesions. The primary aim of this review is to encapsulate the current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and distinct clinicopathologic characteristics defining this intriguing set of tumors

The Change of Patient Profile, Attitudes and Satisfaction in University Dental Clinic after Onset of Economic Crisis in Greece

Background/Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare patient profile, attitude and satisfaction of patients visiting a university periodontal clinic before and during the financial crisis in Greece

Durability of Structural Lightweight Concrete Containing Different Types of Natural or Artificial Lightweight Aggregates

Different structural lightweight concrete mixtures of specific density and strength classes were produced by using various lightweight aggregates (LWAs) such as pumice, perlite, and rice husk ash. Their properties were evaluated in fresh and hardened states with regards to compressive strength and durability parameters such as water absorption (open porosity and capillary absorption), chloride’s penetration resistance, and carbonation depth. According to the results, most LWA concrete mixtures performed satisfactorily in terms of the designed strength and density and they could be used as structural LWA concrete mixtures. As far as the durability of LWA concrete was concerned, open porosity and resistance to the carbonation of LWA concrete were burdened with the porous nature of LWAs, while sorptivity in some mixtures and especially chlorides’ penetration resistance in all mixtures were reported to be significantly improved. The overall strength and durability performance of the designed LWA concrete mixtures could mitigate the concerns stemming from its vulnerability to extreme exposure conditions

Technical Quality and Associated Iatrogenic Errors of Endodontic Treatments Performed in Extracted Anterior Single-Rooted Teeth by Preclinical Undergraduate Students

Aim: To evaluate technical quality of root canal treatments performed in extracted anterior single-rooted teeth in an undergraduate dental clinic, and to record the associated iatrogenic errors