Η διατασιμότητα της ανιούσης αορτής σε ασθενείς με αγκυλοποιητική σπονδυλίτιδα

Introductory: The Distensibility at Ascending Aorta (AAo) is a well established index to evaluate the elastic properties and the functional state of the vessel. Previous studies have proved that the Distensibility at AAo is diminished in several disease states like Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes Melitus and Some Congenital Heart Diseases. Until now, there have not been studies to evaluate the Distansibility of AAo in Acquired Connective Tissue Diseases like Ankylosing Spondylitis in which as it is known sometimes we have participation of the Cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Distensibility of AAo in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Methods: AAo Distensibility was estimated in 26 patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (mean age 41,5 ± 11,7 years) and in 30 age and sex-matched normal control subjects. In the group of patients the diagnosis was based on the criteria of the American Rheumatic Association. Cases with coexisting Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension or Diabetes Melitus were excluded. AAo Distensibility was calculated from the formula: DISTENSIBILITY OF ASCENDING AORTA = 2 x (Systolic - Diastolic Aortic Diameter) / Diastolic Diameter x Pulse Pressure, Distensibility: cm² x dyn⁻¹ x 10⁻⁶. Aortic diameters were measured 3 cm above the aortic valve from the M-mode echocardiographic tracings quided by 2D echocardiography in the parasternal long axis view. Pulse pressure was measured by sphygmomanometry at the Brachial artery. Results: AAo Distensibility was lower in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis compared to that of normal Subjects (2,32 ± 0,76 vs 3,78 ± 0,97 cm² x dyn⁻¹ x 10⁻⁶ respectively, p < 0,001. We also found negative correlation of the value at the AAo Distensibility with the age and the Chronicity of the Disease of the patients. Conclusion: AAo Distensibility is reduced in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. This finding suggests that apart from structural changes, Ankylosing Spondylitis is also associated with functional abnormalities of the aorta.Εισαγωγή: η διατασιμότητα της ανιούσης αορτής (Α.Αο) είναι ένας καθιερωμένος δείκτης για να εκτιμήσουμε τις ελαστικές ιδιότητες του αγγείου. Σκοπός της εργασίας μας ήταν να ελέγξουμε την διαθεσιμότητα της Α.Αο σε ασθενείς με αγκυλοποιητική σπονδυλίτιδα. Υλικό και μέθοδος: μετρήσαμε την διατασιμότητα της Α.Αο σε 26 ασθενείς με αγκυλοποιητική σπονδυλίτιδα και σε μια ομάδα ελέγχου από 30 φυσιολογικούς μάρτυρες. Όλοι οι ασθενείς έπασχαν μόνο από το πρωτοπαθές ρευματολογικό τους νόσημα. Η μέση ηλικία και στις δύο ομάδες ήταν περίπου όμοια. Η διατασιμότητα μετρήθηκε χρησιμοποιώντας τον τύπο: διατασιμότητα = 2 x διαφορά διαμέτρου / διαστολική διάμετρος x πίεση παλμού. Τις διαμέτρους της αορτής μετρήσαμε 3 cm από την αορτική βαλβίδα χρησιμοποιώντας m-mode υπερηχογράφημα, και την πίεση παλμού από την βραχιόνιο αρτηρία με ηλεκτρονικό σφυγμομανόμετρο. Αποτελέσματα: η διατασιμότητα της Α.Αο ήταν ελαττωμένη στους ασθενείς σε σύγκριση με αυτή της ομάδας ελέγχου (2,32 ± 0,76 προς 3,78 ± 0,97 cm² x dyn⁻¹ x 10⁻⁶, p < 0,001). Επίσης βρήκαμε αρνητική συσχέτιση της τιμής της διατασιμότητας με την ηλικία και την χρονιότητα της νόσου των ασθενών

Issues in developing programmes to support teachers of philology in using ICT in Greek schools : a case study

This paper reports on a case study of an in-service teacher-training programme for Greek philology teachers, from 2002 to 2003, which was designed to develop the use of information and communications technologies in their teaching. It draws on questionnaires and interviews with 34 teachers who took part in the training. In addition, the three trainers who led the sessions, 10 head teachers from the schools in which the teachers worked and three programme designers were also interviewed. A holistic picture of the programme was formed by comparing and contrasting the views of different "stakeholders" in the programme. It was found that the programme had some impact on developing teachers' information technology skills and knowledge of information and communications technologies as a curricular tool, but the programme had very limited impact on classroom practice. The reasons for this lack of impact included curriculum constraints, lack of time, lack of support and inadequate access to technology. The programme is discussed in the context of the structural difficulties in promoting change in highly centralised educational systems. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.

Classical scholarship: the Byzantine contribution

Discusses the effect that Byzantine work has had on our perception of ancient Greek language and literature (especially Homer and drama)