GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATIONS ON AND NEAR THE ISMENION HILL, THEBES, GREECE, 2011

Το άρθρο αυτό παρουσιάζει τις πρώτες κοινές έρευνες στη Θήβα, στην περιοχή του ναού του Απόλλωνος Ισμηνίου, που κρίθηκαν επιβεβλημένες, πριν από την υποβολή μιας ολοκληρωμένης και τεκμηριωμένης πρότασης Συνεργασίας, για τη διενέργεια εργασιών πεδίου και πιό συγκεκριμένα ανασκαφών. Οι έρευνες αυτές έλαβαν χώρα το καλοκαίρι του 2011, μετά από ευγενική πρόσκληση του Διευθυντή τότε ένατης Εφορείας, Καθηγητή κυρίου Βασίλειου Αραβαντινού, που χρονολογείται το 2010. Σκοπός μας ήταν ωα αναλάβουμε μαζί την προσπάυεια διερεύνησης τοπογραφικών και αρχαιολογικών ζητημάτων, σχετικών με την παλαιά ανασκαφή του Ισμηνίου και τη νεώτερη του Ηρακλείου των Θηβών

Embedded library services : beyond chance encounters for students from low SES backgrounds

This paper reports research that examined how the embedding of library services through the learning management system contributed to the experience of students from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. To evaluate the embedded practice, the researchers used a mixed-method approach involving surveys with students and interviews with library and academic staff. Survey results showed gains in students\u27 awareness of library resources and in their confidence and satisfaction using them. Staff participants reported benefits to students from the improved visibility of the library and involvement of students in conversations about information literacy. The teacher derived personal benefits in learning more about digital information resources while library staff benefitted from the research-driven nature of the practice which strengthened their collaborative partnership with academic staff. Based on the evaluation, an embedded approach has been adopted at the university in additional courses which have similar student profiles. The outcomes are relevant more widely in demonstrating both the potential benefits of embedded practice for supporting diverse student populations and how libraries can target their activities more effectively to national and university agendas for improving student outcomes

Differences in Relative Abundance of GnRH-I and GnRH-II in Granulosa Cells of Bovine Antral Follicles at Specific Stages of Follicular Development

Increased estradiol is the primary signal to initiate standing estrus, and cows that exhibit estrus prior to fixed-time artificial insemination have greater pregnancy rates than cows that do not. Therefore, understanding what factors may be present at the ovary that may regulate estradiol production is critical. A previous study reported that bovine follicles with greater follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol had decreased expression of GnRH-I and GnRH-II in granulosa cells (GC). The objective of this study was to characterize relative abundance of GnRH-I and -II mRNA within GC of follicles at specific stages of development. Beef cows were synchronized, and ovaries were collected at specific stages of follicular development [pre-selection (PRE), post-selection (POST), and post-selection 24 h after luteal regression (POST-PG)]. All surface follicles were classified as small (\u3c 5mm), medium (5 - 8mm), or large (\u3e 8mm) and aspirated to collect GC. Large follicles from each animal were kept separate and all other follicles were pooled by size within animal (n = 27, 27, and 18 for small, medium, and large). Total cellular RNA was extracted, and RT-PCR was performed for GnRH-I, GnRH-II, and GAPDH. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Across all follicles, GnRH-I and GnRH-II expression were not influenced by stage (P = 0.27) but were influenced by size (P \u3c 0.01). Smalls (4.55 ± 0.39 and 3.91 ± 0.44, respectively) had greater expression (P ≤ 0.01) of GnRH compared to mediums (0.83 ± 0.39 and 1.41 ± 0.44, respectively) and larges (0.52 ± 0.47 and 2.12 ± 0.54, respectively). There was also a stage by size interaction (P \u3c 0.01). POST (P \u3c 0.01) and POST-PG (P ≤ 0.08) smalls had or tended to have increased expression compared to PRE smalls, but PRE mediums had increased expression (P \u3c 0.03) compared to POST-PG mediums. When only the largest follicle for each animal was evaluated, stage of development influenced expression of GnRH-I (P = 0.03) but not GnRH-II (P = 0.91). For GnRH-I, PRE tended (P = 0.09; 2.29 ± 0.55) to have increased expression compared to POST (0.92 ± 0.55) and did have greater expression compared to POST-PG (P = 0.01; 0.11 ± 0.55). Thus, GnRH within antral follicles may be a key regulator of the follicle’s ability to produce estradiol

Influence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Infection on Artificial Insemination Conception and Breeding Season Pregnancy Success in Vaccinated Beef Herds

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) causes reproductive economic losses in cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of BVDV infection on reproductive success. Vaccinated cows (n = 370) and heifers (n = 528) from nine different herds were synchronized using the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol and were bred using fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). On d 28 following insemination, blood samples were collected and pregnancy status was determined. Non-pregnant animals were resynchronized and FTAI occurred a second time. In six herds, bulls were comingled with females beginning 10-15 d after the second AI. Final pregnancy status was determined 33-80 d following the first pregnancy diagnosis. Blood samples were tested for the presence of BVDV antigen using the IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Kit. Animals that tested positive were considered infected with BVDV at the time of blood collection. Herds were determined to be BVDV infected by the presence of at least one animal having a positive test for antigen (n = 4 infected herds, n = 5 non-infected herds). Statistical analyses were performed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with herd as a random variable. Herds that had evidence of BVDV infection at d 28 following insemination had significantly decreased (P \u3c 0.01) first service AI conception rates compared to herds that had no evidence of infection (34 ± 2.3% vs. 54 ± 2.3%, respectively). Additionally, breeding season pregnancy rates were decreased (P \u3c 0.01) in BVDV infected herds compared to non-infected herds (69 ± 3.4% vs. 80 ± 3.6%, respectively). There was no significant effect of BVDV infection status on embryonic loss (P = 0.42) or percentage of animals which lost a pregnancy and rebred by the end of the breeding season (P = 0.63). In conclusion, BVDV infection in well vaccinated herds had a significant negative impact on both first service AI conception rate and overall breeding season pregnancy success

Supply of Vertebrate Necropsy and Sample Recovery Services Merged Final Reports

The Marine Institute issued a tender for the Supply of Vertebrate Necropsy and Sample Recovery Services Tender (2017-2018). The results are presented in this report. These tenders required i) the recovery and standardised necropsy of three cetacean species with associated case history reporting, ii) the provision of sampling kits to be used for the recovery of tissue samples collected from bycaught animals (birds, seals and cetaceans) by observers on commercial inshore and offshore fishing vessels in Irish waters in order to provide additional data to the MI’s existing catch sampling programme and iii) the storage and subsequent delivery of all samples and associated databases to the client. Recovery of 24 animals from two geographical lots was the target for the initial contract (2017) and was achieved. The contract extension (early 2018) required the collection and necropsy of a further 16 animals, which was exceeded as 19 animals were collected. A target of 30 animals to be recovered was required in the second contract (2018) and was also successfully reached. These 73 animals comprised 53 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), ten striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and ten harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Forty-one of the 73 (56%) individuals were recovered from Lot 1 from counties Clare to Donegal, while 32 (44%) individuals were recovered from Lot 2 from counties Wexford to Kerry. Thirty-five sampling kits were assembled and delivered to the Marine Institute, and additional kits were prepared and available upon request for distribution to their panel of fishery observers. Between 24 July and 14 December 2017, two adult male grey seals were incidentally captured in tangle nets and reported to the Project Coordinator. Results from these tenders will inform the development of a long-term strategy for necropsy of stranded cetaceans and recovery of tissue samples for further biological studies. Samples requiring long-term storage at -20°C, including those for virology, were transported in a portable refrigerator to the IWDG office in Kilrush, Co. Clare and stored at facilities on site. Formalin fixed tissues, such as reproductive organs and adrenal glands, were stored at the RVL in Cork. All samples have been delivered to the Marine Institute in Oranmore, Co. Galway along with a detailed database of samples collected.EMF

A Systematic Review of interventions to Promote Hpv Vaccination Globally

BACKGROUND: Despite the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine being a safe, effective cancer prevention method, its uptake is suboptimal in the United States (U.S.). Previous research has found a variety of intervention strategies (environmental and behavioral) to increase its uptake. The purpose of the study is to systematically review the literature on interventions that promote HPV vaccination from 2015 to 2020. METHODS: We updated a systematic review of interventions to promote HPV vaccine uptake globally. We ran keyword searches in six bibliographic databases. Target audience, design, level of intervention, components and outcomes were abstracted from the full-text articles in Excel databases. RESULTS: Of the 79 articles, most were conducted in the U.S. (72.2%) and in clinical (40.5%) or school settings (32.9%), and were directed at a single level (76.3%) of the socio-ecological model. Related to the intervention type, most were informational (n = 25, 31.6%) or patient-targeted decision support (n = 23, 29.1%). About 24% were multi-level interventions, with 16 (88.9%) combining two levels. Twenty-seven (33.8%) reported using theory in intervention development. Of those reporting HPV vaccine outcomes, post-intervention vaccine initiation ranged from 5% to 99.2%, while series completion ranged from 6.8% to 93.0%. Facilitators to implementation were the use of patient navigators and user-friendly resources, while barriers included costs, time to implement and difficulties of integrating interventions into the organizational workflow. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong need to expand the implementation of HPV-vaccine promotion interventions beyond education alone and at a single level of intervention. Development and evaluation of effective strategies and multi-level interventions may increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine among adolescents and young adults

FilmArray, an Automated Nested Multiplex PCR System for Multi-Pathogen Detection: Development and Application to Respiratory Tract Infection

The ideal clinical diagnostic system should deliver rapid, sensitive, specific and reproducible results while minimizing the requirements for specialized laboratory facilities and skilled technicians. We describe an integrated diagnostic platform, the “FilmArray”, which fully automates the detection and identification of multiple organisms from a single sample in about one hour. An unprocessed biologic/clinical sample is subjected to nucleic acid purification, reverse transcription, a high-order nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction and amplicon melt curve analysis. Biochemical reactions are enclosed in a disposable pouch, minimizing the PCR contamination risk. FilmArray has the potential to detect greater than 100 different nucleic acid targets at one time. These features make the system well-suited for molecular detection of infectious agents. Validation of the FilmArray technology was achieved through development of a panel of assays capable of identifying 21 common viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens. Initial testing of the system using both cultured organisms and clinical nasal aspirates obtained from children demonstrated an analytical and clinical sensitivity and specificity comparable to existing diagnostic platforms. We demonstrate that automated identification of pathogens from their corresponding target amplicon(s) can be accomplished by analysis of the DNA melting curve of the amplicon

Liver transplantation in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency: A retrospective multicentre cohort study

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is an X-linked defect of ureagenesis and the most common urea cycle disorder. Patients present with hyperammonemia causing neurological symptoms, which can lead to coma and death. Liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative therapy, but has several limitations including organ shortage, significant morbidity and requirement of lifelong immunosuppression. This study aims to identify the characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent LT for OTCD. // We conducted a retrospective study for OTCD patients from 5 UK centres receiving LT in 3 transplantation centres between 2010 and 2022. Patients' demographics, family history, initial presentation, age at LT, graft type and pre- and post-LT clinical, metabolic, and neurocognitive profile were collected from medical records.// A total of 20 OTCD patients (11 males, 9 females) were enrolled in this study. 6/20 had neonatal and 14/20 late-onset presentation. 2/20 patients had positive family history for OTCD and one of them was diagnosed antenatally and received prospective treatment. All patients were managed with standard of care based on protein-restricted diet, ammonia scavengers and supplementation with arginine and/or citrulline before LT. 15/20 patients had neurodevelopmental problems before LT. The indication for LT was presence (or family history) of recurrent metabolic decompensations occurring despite standard medical therapy leading to neurodisability and quality of life impairment. Median age at LT was 10.5 months (6–24) and 66 months (35–156) in neonatal and late onset patients, respectively. 15/20 patients had deceased donor LT (DDLT) and 5/20 had living related donor LT (LDLT). Overall survival was 95% with one patient dying 6 h after LT. 13/20 had complications after LT and 2/20 patients required re-transplantation. All patients discontinued dietary restriction and ammonia scavengers after LT and remained metabolically stable. Patients who had neurodevelopmental problems before LT persisted to have difficulties after LT. 1/5 patients who was reported to have normal neurodevelopment before LT developed behavioural problems after LT, while the remaining 4 maintained their abilities without any reported issues. // LT was found to be effective in correcting the metabolic defect, eliminates the risk of hyperammonemia and prolongs patients' survival

Accuracy of Risk Estimates from the iPrevent Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Management Tool.

BACKGROUND: iPrevent is an online breast cancer (BC) risk management decision support tool. It uses an internal switching algorithm, based on a woman's risk factor data, to estimate her absolute BC risk using either the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS) version 7.02, or Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm version 3 models, and then provides tailored risk management information. This study assessed the accuracy of the 10-year risk estimates using prospective data. METHODS: iPrevent-assigned 10-year invasive BC risk was calculated for 15 732 women aged 20-70 years and without BC at recruitment to the Prospective Family Study Cohort. Calibration, the ratio of the expected (E) number of BCs to the observed (O) number and discriminatory accuracy were assessed. RESULTS: During the 10 years of follow-up, 619 women (3.9%) developed BC compared with 702 expected (E/O = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.05 to 1.23). For women younger than 50 years, 50 years and older, and BRCA1/2-mutation carriers and noncarriers, E/O was 1.04 (95% CI = 0.93 to 1.16), 1.24 (95% CI = 1.11 to 1.39), 1.13 (95% CI = 0.96 to 1.34), and 1.13 (95% CI = 1.04 to 1.24), respectively. The C-statistic was 0.70 (95% CI = 0.68 to 0.73) overall and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.71 to 0.77), 0.63 (95% CI = 0.59 to 0.66), 0.59 (95% CI = 0.53 to 0.64), and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.63 to 0.68), respectively, for the subgroups above. Applying the newer IBIS version 8.0b in the iPrevent switching algorithm improved calibration overall (E/O = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.15) and in all subgroups, without changing discriminatory accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: For 10-year BC risk, iPrevent had good discriminatory accuracy overall and was well calibrated for women aged younger than 50 years. Calibration may be improved in the future by incorporating IBIS version 8.0b