AMP-activated protein kinase inhibits NF-κB signaling and inflammation: impact on healthspan and lifespan

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial regulator of energy metabolic homeostasis and thus a major survival factor in a variety of metabolic stresses and also in the aging process. Metabolic syndrome is associated with a low-grade, chronic inflammation, primarily in adipose tissue. A low-level of inflammation is also present in the aging process. There are emerging results indicating that AMPK signaling can inhibit the inflammatory responses induced by the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) system. The NF-κB subunits are not direct phosphorylation targets of AMPK, but the inhibition of NF-κB signaling is mediated by several downstream targets of AMPK, e.g., SIRT1, PGC-1α, p53, and Forkhead box O (FoxO) factors. AMPK signaling seems to enhance energy metabolism while it can repress inflammatory responses linked to chronic stress, e.g., in nutritional overload and during the aging process. AMPK can inhibit endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stresses which are involved in metabolic disorders and the aging process. Interestingly, many target proteins of AMPK are so-called longevity factors, e.g., SIRT1, p53, and FoxOs, which not only can increase the stress resistance and extend the lifespan of many organisms but also inhibit the inflammatory responses. The activation capacity of AMPK declines in metabolic stress and with aging which could augment the metabolic diseases and accelerate the aging process. We will review the AMPK pathways involved in the inhibition of NF-κB signaling and suppression of inflammation. We also emphasize that the capacity of AMPK to repress inflammatory responses can have a significant impact on both healthspan and lifespan

Tax behaviour relating to the review of a revised regional tax policy: A study in Greece

The failure over time of the tax system in Greece to harmonize with a sound and efficient fiscal mix raises questions about the possibility of a radical restructuring. The last decade of continuous tax reforms has neither particularly restricted the black economy nor provided the government with fresh fiscal resources, and it has outgrown its arrears. A socially acceptable fiscal policy may lead to a new, sound fiscal policy mix. Tax restructuring that strengthens the tax base at the regional, local or European level-compared to its structuring at the one-sided governmental level to date-may be a key factor in the social acceptance of a new tax system. The degree of tax decentralization of the applied tax policy is likely to improve fiscal order and management on the one hand and, on the other hand, enhance tax revenues by enhancing tax compliance

Seeking Equilibrium Leads to Chaos: Multiple Equilibria Regulation Model

In this paper, we shall present a model of opinion dynamics called Multiple Equilibria Regulation (MER) Model which, concerning social equilibrium, is based on the Bounded Confidence (BC) Model’s procedures and, it takes under consideration an agents’ internal (“intra-individualâ€) regulation structure among different opinions regarding the same social issue. First, we give a detailed description of the model and define its parameters. Then, we explore this nonlinear model by a series of computer simulations for a variety of parameter’ values. Next, we examine under what conditions the model exhibits sensitive dependence on initial conditions and, finally, we calculate the Lyapunov Exponents and the Information Entropy. Our results show that for certain parameter’ values, the system exhibits sensitivity of final state to initial state, thus it is chaotic (deterministic and unpredictable). Hence, by combining two psychosocial principles that both tend to certainty (stability) we obtain an uncertainty (unpredictability) concerning the outcome of the system.Opinion dynamics, social, intra-individual, equilibrium, sensitivity to initial conditions, unpredictability, transient chaos

Vaccination coverage and immunity levels against vaccine-preventable diseases in male Air Force recruits in Greece

Aim: Data about susceptibility rates in young adults are scarce. We estimated the complete vaccination rates, timeliness of vaccinations and susceptibility rates among male military recruits in Greece. Methods: A standardized form was used to collect data. Immunity against measles, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A and hepatitis B was serologically estimated. Results: We studied 385 recruits with a mean age of 23.5 years (range: 18.3–29.9 years). Complete vaccination rates were 94.3% for measles, 100% for rubella, 15% for varicella, 73.9% for hepatitis A and 96.5% for hepatitis B. Only 10.8% of participants were fully vaccinated against all five diseases. Timely vaccination was 47.2% for measles, 89.3% for rubella and 48.1% for hepatitis B. Recruits >23 years had a 1.5-fold increased probability for incomplete vaccinations compared to younger recruits. Laboratory-confirmed immunity rates were 80% against measles, 85.7% against rubella, 85.2% against varicella, 69.4% against hepatitis A and 77.1% against hepatitis B. It is estimated that approximately 388,696 persons aged 18–30 years are susceptible to measles, 277,640 persons to rubella, 287,736 persons to varicella, 595,664 persons to hepatitis A and 444,224 persons to hepatitis B in Greece. Conclusion: Our study showed that young adults have significant immunity gaps against measles, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Complete vaccination rates were suboptimal against hepatitis A and varicella. Strategies to access young adults and increase immunity rates through catch-up vaccination services should be investigated. A third dose of MMR vaccine should be considered for young adolescents in Greece. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

Knowledge about influenza and adherence to the recommendations for influenza vaccination of pregnant women after an educational intervention in Greece

Pregnant women and young infants are at increased risk for influenza-associated severe disease, complications and hospitalizations. In Greece influenza vaccination during pregnancy remains extremely low. We studied the knowledge about influenza and the adherence to the recommendations for influenza vaccination of pregnant women following an educational intervention in a large maternity hospital. A standardized questionnaire was used. A knowledge score was calculated for each woman. A total of 304 pregnant women were studied [mean age: 31.5 years (standard deviation (SD): 5.4 years), mean gestational age: 27.8 weeks (SD: 9.6 weeks)]. Their mean knowledge score was 87%. Sixty pregnant women (19.5%) were vaccinated against influenza at a mean gestational age of 24.6 weeks (SD: 7.5 weeks). Multiple regression analysis revealed that previous influenza vaccination and information about the need to get vaccinated were the only significant factors associated with an increased probability for influenza vaccination during pregnancy (47% versus 17% in women with and without a history of influenza vaccination in the past, respectively; odds ratio = 3.6; p-value = 0.016, and 32% versus 4% in women informed compared to those uninformed about the need for vaccination during pregnancy, respectively; odds ratio = 17.8; p-value<0.001). Seventy women provided a reason for refusing influenza vaccination. “Fear of adverse events” (for them or the fetus) was the prevalent reason for refusing influenza vaccination (19 women; 27%), followed by the statements “influenza vaccination is not necessary” (13; 18.5%) and “not at risk to get influenza” (9; 13%). In conclusion, an educational intervention was associated with an influenza vaccination rate of 19.5% among pregnant women compared to <2% the past years. In order to improve vaccine uptake by pregnant women and protect them and their babies, more intensified interventions should be explored. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC