Development of a method to study retention of hydrophobic actives from cosmetic emulsions on optimized skin biomimics

All-in-one products are a popular trend in cosmetics, personal and home care. In particularly, personal care products that serve multiple purposes are especially popular due to their multifunctional action which simultaneously provides cleaning, conditioning and protection of the treated area such as, skin or hair, in a fraction of the time in comparison to when using traditional products. In this research programme, a dedicated method was developed towards the evaluation of the conditioning performance of ‘all-in-one’ cleansing products. Hence, all steps of product usage were replicated in a controlled environment and suitable characterization methods were employed. Optimized skin mimics were fabricated to be used as test substrates and model systems of cosmetic formulations were produced, which demonstrated both cleaning and moisturizing capabilities as well as a repetitive and highly-controlled deposition set-up and a cleaning set-up. The conditioning performance of the emulsions was studied and post-wash retention levels of the hydrophobic active on skin bio-mimics were systematically characterised. Techniques including fluorescent microscopy, gravimetric analysis and tribometry were employed to provide further, into-depth quantitative data of the retention. Properties of the formulation including oil droplet-size, viscosity and volume-fraction and cleaning parameters including rinsing-duration and flow-angle were tested for their impact on retention

Η φορολογία ακινήτων στην Ελλάδα και τον ευρωπαικό χώρο-Σύγχρονες τάσεις

143 σ.Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο--Μεταπτυχιακή Εργασία. Διεπιστημονικό-Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών (Δ.Π.Μ.Σ.) “Γεωπληροφορική”Η παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή εργασία έχει ως αντικείμενο τη φορολογία επί των ακινήτων. Σκοπός της ειδικότερα, είναι η εξέταση των θεμάτων σχετικά με τη φορολογία των ακινήτων στον ελληνικό χώρο, καθώς και η συνολική επισκόπηση της εφαρμοζόμενης φορολογίας στην Ευρώπη. Αναλυτικότερα, η ανάπτυξη της εργασίας έχει ως ακολούθως: στο 1ο κεφάλαιο παρέχεται μια γενική παρουσίαση θεμάτων σχετικών με τη φορολογία των ακινήτων. Αναλύονται οι λόγοι επιβολής, η γενική διάκριση των κυρίων φόρων, η επίδραση της φορολογίας στην αγορά ακινήτων, ο ρόλος του Κτηματολογίου ως σύγχρονου εργαλείου άσκησης δημοσιονομικής πολιτικής επί των ακινήτων και οι σύγχρονες τάσεις αναφορικά με την ενσωμάτωση της έννοιας της αειφορίας στην υπόψη φορολογία. στο 2ο κεφάλαιο, δεδομένης της σχέσης της αξίας με τη φορολογία ακινήτων, παρουσιάζονται θέματα σχετικά με την αξία των ακινήτων (έννοιες, ορισμοί, τρόποι εκτίμησης, κ.α.), καθώς και με τις χρησιμοποιούμενες φορολογικές βάσεις στην Ελλάδα και τα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη. στο 3ο κεφάλαιο εκτίθενται αναλυτικά οι διατάξεις φορολογίας ακινήτων (κύριοι και λοιποί φόροι και τέλη) στον ελληνικό χώρο, ενώ γίνεται ανάλυση των προβλημάτων και των δυσχερειών που υφίστανται στην εφαρμογή τους, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στις περιπτώσεις αντικοινοτικής εφαρμογής. Επιπλέον, με μελέτη περιπτώσεων (case study), παρουσιάζεται η υπέρμετρη φορολογική επιβάρυνση των ακινήτων που συντελέσθηκε στην Ελλάδα κατά την παρούσα περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης (συγκεκριμένα από το 2010 και μετά). στο 4ο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται η συνολική εικόνα της φορολογίας επί των ακινήτων στον ευρωπαϊκό χώρο. Συγκεκριμένα, γίνεται η επισκόπηση της ισχύουσας φορολογίας επί των ακινήτων στα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη, βάσει στοιχείων από σχετική συγκριτική μελέτη της U.I.P.I για το έτος 2010. Τέλος, στο 5ο κεφάλαιο, εξάγονται συμπεράσματα σχετικά με τη φορολογία ακινήτων στον ευρωπαϊκό χώρο συνολικά, τη φορολογία ακινήτων στην Ελλάδα και τις Περίληψη VIII σύγχρονες τάσεις-απόψεις στον τομέα της φορολογίας ακινήτων, ενώ διατυπώνονται και σχετικές προτάσεις όσον αφορά την Ελλάδα.The subject of this diploma thesis is the real estate property taxation. More specifically, the aim is to examine the issues concerning real estate property taxation in Greece and provide an overall review of the subject taxation in European countries. The present diploma thesis comprises five chapters: Chapter 1 provides an overall presentation of issues about property taxation, such as the taxation imposing reasons, the taxation categorization, the impact of the taxation in the real estate market, the role of cadastre and the modern trends concerning the sustainability aspect of the property taxation. Chapter 2 refers to the relation between the taxation and the value of the real estate property. A reference to the tax bases used all over Europe is also provided. Chapter 3 describes the situation in Greece. There is a comprehensive presentation of the relative laws and the problems associated with their implementation. Analysis is conducted on cases where implementation contravenes EU directives. Furthermore, the exaggerated tax burden on real estate property during the period of financial crisis and especially after the year 2010 is demonstrated by using case studies. Chapter 4 includes a review of the real estate property taxation in Europe based on data acquired from a U.I.P.I. comparative study entitled ‘’Taxation in Europe 2010’’. Finally, in chapter 5, conclusions are drawn on the real estate property taxation status in Europe and in Greece and the modern trends as well. The chapter also comprises proposals for the improvement of the taxation system applied in Greece.Γεώργιος A. Γκότση

Method development for the determination of emerging contaminants in biota by liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry.

Τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες υπάρχουν πολλές ενδείξεις ότι δεκάδες οργανικές ενώσεις, ή αναδυόμενοι ρύποι, έχουν απελευθερωθεί στο περιβάλλον λόγω των ανθρωπογενών δραστηριοτήτων. Παρά το γεγονός ότι οι φυσικοχημικές τους ιδιότητες του επιτρέπουν να εισαχθούν στα υδάτινα και χερσαία οικοσυστήματα, δεδομένα για την πιθανή βιοσυσσώρευση και βιομεγέθυνση τέτοιων χημικών ενώσεων μέσα στην τροφική αλυσίδα λείπουν, γεγονός που αυξάνει την ανησυχία για την επίδραση τέτοιων ενώσεων στα οικοσυστήματα, στους οργανισμούς που ζουν μέσα σε αυτά και, κατά συνέπεια, στον άνθρωπο. Οι κορυφαίοι θηρευτές παίζουν έναν καθοριστικό ρόλο στις μελέτες παρακολούθησης περιβαλλοντικών ρύπων καθώς και σε μελέτες ανάλυσης επικινδυνότητας, λόγω των μοναδικών χαρακτηριστικών που διαθέτουν. Σε αυτήν την εργασία ειδίκευσης περιγράφεται η ανάπτυξη ενός γενικευμένου πρωτοκόλλου για ταυτόχρονο προσδιορισμό πολικών και μετρίως πολικών οργανικών αναδυόμενων ρύπων σε ιστούς ζωικών δειγμάτων. Κατά τη διάρκεια της προκατεργασία των δειγμάτων, χρησιμοποιήθηκε η τεχνική Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) για την εκχύλιση των αναλυτών και στη συνέχεια σαν στάδιο καθαρισμού χρησιμοποιήθηκε η τεχνική Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) με τέσσερα διαφορετικά πληρωτικά υλικά τα οποία καλύπτουν ένα ευρύ φάσμα αναλυτών με διαφορετικές φυσικοχημικές ιδιότητες. Τα εκχυλίσματα αναλύθηκαν με υγροχρωματογραφία αντίστροφης φάσης συζευγμένη με φασματομετρία μάζας με υβριδικό τετράπολο-αναλυτή χρόνου πτήσης (RPLC-QTOF-MS) χρησιμοποιώντας δύο λειτουργίες σάρωσης (DDA, DIA). Η επικύρωση ου γενικευμένου αυτού πρωτοκόλλου βασίστηκε σε μία αντιπροσωπευτική ομάδα αναδυόμενων ρύπων από διαφορετικές κατηγορίες. Μία βάση δεδομένων που περιείχε περισσότερους από 2.100 αναδυόμενους ρύπους χρησιμοποιήθηκε για τη στοχευμένη ανάλυση και η ανίχνευση βασίστηκε στην ακρίβεια μάζας, στο χρόνο ανάσχεσης, στο ισοτοπικό προφίλ και στα χαρακτηριστικά θραύσματα. Ακολουθώντας το παραπάνω πρωτόκολλο, 20 δείγματα κορυφαίων θηρευτών (γερακίνες, φώκιες, ενυδρίδες) και η λεία τους (ψάρια του γλυκού νερού, τσιρόνια), τα οποία συλλέχθηκαν από το Center of Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) από διαφορετικές περιοχές του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου αναλύθηκαν για τον προσδιορισμό αναδυόμενων ρύπων. Τα αποτελέσματα υποδεικνύουν την ύπαρξη πολλών φυτοφαρμάκων (συμπεριλαμβανομένων των DEET, myclobutanil και terbuthylazine), φαρμακευτικών ενώσεων και ψυχοδραστικών ουσιών (συμπεριλαμβανομένων των sertraline και quetiapine), διεγερτικών ουσιών (όπως η νικοτίνη και οι μεταβολίτες της), γλυκαντικών, χημικών βιομηχανιών (benzotriazole και tolytriazole). Επιπροσθέτως, πολλά προϊόντα (βιο)μετατροπής (όπως propachlor-OXA, Nor-tramadol, 4-acetamido-antipyrine) ανιχνεύτηκαν σε ιστούς συκωτιού από τους κορυφαίους θηρευτές, υπογραμμίζοντας την δύναμη της στοχευμένης ανάλυσης σε συνδυασμό με την φασματομετρία μάζας υψηλής διακριτικής ικανότητας. Ακόμα περισσότερα από 15 PFAS ανιχνεύτηκαν στα δείγματα με υψηλή συχνότητα εμφάνισης και σε υψηλά επίπεδα συγκεντρώσεων. Βασισμένοι στα αποτελέσματα, πολλοί αναλύτες (όπως perfluorodecanoic acid -PFDA- και propachlor-OXA) ανιχνεύτηκαν σε σημαντικά υψηλότερες συγκεντρώσεις στους ιστούς συκωτιού από τους κορυφαίους θηρευτές σε σχέση με τον ιστό από τα θηράματά τους, υποδεικνύοντας μία πιθανή βιοσυσσώρευση δια μέσου της τροφικής αλυσίδας.Overwhelming evidence over many decades has shown that many organic compounds, or “emerging contaminants”, have been released in the environment due to anthropogenic activities. Despite the fact that their chemical and physical properties allow them to enter marine, freshwater and/or terrestrial ecosystems, data for the potential bioaccumulation and biomagnification of these compounds though the food chains are missing, which increases the concern about their effects on the ecosystems, biota and human health. Apex predators play a key role in the monitoring of environmental contaminants and in risk assessment studies due to their unique characteristics. This thesis reports the development of a generic protocol for the simultaneous determination of polar and semi-polar organic emerging contaminants in biota tissues. For samples treatment, an Accelerated Solvent Extraction protocol was used for the extraction of analytes followed by a clean-up step using Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) with four different sorbent materials that covered a broad range of analytes with different physicochemical properties. Extracts were analyzed with reversed-phase liquid-chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RPLC-QTOF-MS) and the data were acquired through data dependent and data independent acquisition mode. The validation of this generic protocol was performed based on a representative group of compounds from different classes of emerging contaminants. A database of approximately 2,100 emerging contaminants was used for the wide-scope target screening and the detection was based on mass accuracy, retention time, isotopic pattern and fragmentation profile. Following the aforementioned protocol, 20 samples of apex predators (common Buzzards, Harbour Porpoises, Eurasian Otters) and their prey (freshwater fishes; Roaches), which were gathered by the Center of Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) across the United Kingdom, were analyzed for the determination of emerging contaminants. The results indicate the presence of several plant protection products (including DEET, myclobutanil and isoprocarb), numerous pharmaceuticals and psychoactive drugs (including sertraline and quetiapine), stimulants (such as nicotine and its metabolites), sweeteners, industrial chemicals (including benzotriazole and tolytriazole) in the tested samples. Furthermore, numerous transformation products (including propachlor-OXA, Nor-tramadol, 4-acetamido-antipyrine) were detected in livers from apex predators, underlying the power of wide-scope target screening and of high-resolution mass spectrometry. Moreover, more than 15 PFAS were detected in the samples with high detection frequency and at high concentration levels. Based on the results, significantly higher concentrations of chemicals (including perfluorodecanoic acid -PFDA- and propachlor-OXA) were detected in livers from apex predators than in the muscle samples from their prey, implying a potential bioaccumulation through the food chain

Endoscopic removal of a toothpick perforating the sigmoid colon and causing chronic abdominal pain: a case report

Toothpick ingestion is implicated in gut injuries which may cause severe complications, mimicking diseases causing acute abdomen. However, toothpick ingestion-related perforation may also cause mild, non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms without significant findings or major complications. We describe a young male with chronic postprandial lower abdominal pain caused by a toothpick impaction at the rectosigmoid junction after inadvertent ingestion. The foreign body was detected and successfully removed during flexible sigmoidoscopy. Perforation due to foreign body ingestion must be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with unexplained symptoms and findings, even when they do not recall any foreign body ingestion

Climate Related Business Continuity Model for Critical Infrastructures

Climate change is more and more nowadays acknowledged to be associated with the natural hazards for which the society, and its Critical Infrastructures, need to anticipate and plan. The impact the climate-related hazards have to the functionality of different Critical Infrastructures (CI) is being discussed, focusing on the minimization of the disruption time of their critical services. This is achieved by means of a Business Continuity plan that is based on Business Impact Analysis and Risk Assessment of projected weather-related hazards. Business continuity planning is essential part of the resilience framework of the CIs, which EU-CIRCLE project proposes with regards to climate change. Guidelines are presented in order to provide a planned and controlled method for anticipating and responding to events that are likely to interrupt key business activities (Business Continuity Model) and suggestions upon adaptation of CIs to climate change are also given. For this purpose, information was collected from CI operators with regards to existing BC plans and adaptation measurements, by means of questionnaires, which is also presented herein.</p

Προσδιορισμός Μετάλλων σε πόσιμα ύδατα με Φασματομετρία Μαζών Επαγωγικά Συζευγμεύνου Πλάσματος (ICP-MS)

Η παρούσα ερευνητική εργασία πραγματοποιήθηκε με σκοπό την επικύρωση μεθόδου προσδιορισμού 8 μετάλλων (Be, Ρ, Ti, V, Ag, ΤΙ, Th, U) σε δείγματα πόσιμου νερού με τη μέθοδο φασματομετρίας μαζών Επαγωγικά Συζευγμένου Πλάσματος (ICP-MS). Συγκεκριμένα, τα πειράματα επικύρωσης πραγματοποιήθηκαν σε δύο φάσεις. Στην πρώτη φαση πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα για την πιστότητα (επαναληψιμότητα), την ακρίβεια (ανάλυση CRM, πειράματα ανάκτησης), τη γραμμικότητα (συντελεστής συσχέτισης, εύρος, τυχαίο σφάλμα) και τα όρια ανίχνευσης και ποσοτικοποίησης της μεθόδου. Στην δεύτερη φάση έγιναν πειράματα για την πιστότητα (αναπαράγωνιμότητα) της μεθόδου. Τέλος, και αφού είχε πραγματοποιηθεί η επικύρωση της μεθόδου, δείγματα πόσιμων υδάτων από όλη την έκταση της χώρας αναλύθηκαν με τη μέθοδο με σκοπό τον προσδιορισμό της περιεκτικότητας τους σε μέταλλα. Η ανάλυση των δειγμάτων έγινε μετά από οξίνιση όλων των δειγμάτων με διάλυμα πυκνού ΗΝO3 (για τη σωστή συντήρησή τους). Στα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης έγινε σύγκριση με τα ανώτατα επιτρεπτά όρια που ορίζονται σαφώς από τον Ευρωπαϊκό Κανονισμό 98/83 της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, ο οποίος εφαρμόζεται αυτή τη στιγμή από το Ελληνικό κράτος. Γενικά, στα περισσότερα δείγματα πόσιμων νερών οι περιεκτικότητες των μετάλλων ήταν σύμφωνες με την νομοθεσία. Έτσι, το πόσιμο νερό των δειγμάτων από τις περιοχές αυτές κρίνεται κατάλληλο για πόση και για ανθρώπινη χρήση, σχετικά με την περιεκτικότητα των δειγμάτων αυτών σε μέταλλα, και στις περιπτώσεις που τα δείγματα δεν είναι σύμφωνα με τα όρια της ισχύουσας νομοθεσίας επιβάλλεται η χρήση μέτρων για την ελάττωση των ποσοτήτων των συγκεκριμένων μετάλλων, ώστε να μην δημιουργηθούν μακροπρόθεσμα προβλήματα υγείας.This research work was performed in order to validate the method Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 8 metals (Be, P, Ti, V, Ag, Tl, Th, U) using potable water samples. Particularly, validation experiments were performed in two phases. Firstly, the experiments were performed on the precision (repeatability), accuracy (CRM analysis, recovery experiments), linearity (correlation coefficient, amplitude, random error), and the detection and quantitation limits of the method . In the second phase, the fidelity (reproducibility) of the method was determined. Finally, the samples of potable water from across the country were analyzed by the method to determine their metal content. The analysis of the samples was made after acidification of all samples with concentrated ΗNO3 solution (proper maintenance of samples). The results of the analysis were compared with the maximum permissible limits clearly defined by European Regulation 98/83 of the European Union, which is currently implemented by the Greek state. Generally, in most samples of drinking water, the metal contents were in accordance with the regulation. In conclusion, the water samples from those areas are provideδ advice as potable and in cases where the samples do not comply with the limits of existing legislation measures for reducing the quantities of these metals are necessary, as not to cause long term health problems

Making use of apex predator sample collections: an integrated workflow for quality assured sample processing, analysis and digital sample freezing of archived samples

Using monitoring data from apex predators for chemicals risk assessment can provide important information on bioaccumulating as well as biomagnifying chemicals in food webs. A survey among European institutions involved in chemical risk assessment on their experiences with apex predator data in chemical risk assessment revealed great interest in using such data. However, the respondents indicated that constraints were related to expected high costs, lack of standardisation and harmonised quality criteria for exposure assessment, data access, and regulatory acceptance/application. During the Life APEX project, we demonstrated that European sample collections (i.e. environmental specimen banks (ESBs), research collection (RCs), natural history museums (NHMs)) archive a large variety of biological samples that can be readily used for chemical analysis once appropriate quality assurance/control (QA/QC) measures have been developed and implemented. We therefore issued a second survey on sampling, processing and archiving procedures in European sample collections to derive key quality QA/QC criteria for chemical analysis. The survey revealed great differences in QA/QC measures between ESBs, NHMs and RCs. Whereas basic information such as sampling location, date and biometric data were mostly available across institutions, protocols to accompany the sampling strategy with respect to chemical analysis were only available for ESBs. For RCs, the applied QA/QC measures vary with the respective research question, whereas NHMs are generally less aware of e.g. chemical cross-contamination issues. Based on the survey we derived key indicators for assessing the quality of biota samples that can be easily implemented in online databases. Furthermore, we provide a QA/QC workflow not only for sampling and processing but also for the chemical analysis of biota samples. We focussed on comprehensive analytical techniques such as non-target screening and provided insights into subsequent storage of high-resolution chromatograms in online databases (i.e. digital sample freezing platform) to ultimately support chemicals risk assessment

The role of natural science collections in the biomonitoring of environmental contaminants in apex predators in support of the EU's zero pollution ambition

The chemical industry is the leading sector in the EU in terms of added value. However, contaminants pose a major threat and significant costs to the environment and human health. While EU legislation and international conventions aim to reduce this threat, regulators struggle to assess and manage chemical risks, given the vast number of substances involved and the lack of data on exposure and hazards. The European Green Deal sets a 'zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment' by 2050 and the EU Chemicals Strategy calls for increased monitoring of chemicals in the environment. Monitoring of contaminants in biota can, inter alia: provide regulators with early warning of bioaccumulation problems with chemicals of emerging concern; trigger risk assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances; enable risk assessment of chemical mixtures in biota; enable risk assessment of mixtures; and enable assessment of the effectiveness of risk management measures and of chemicals regulations overall. A number of these purposes are to be addressed under the recently launched European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals (PARC). Apex predators are of particular value to biomonitoring. Securing sufficient data at European scale implies large-scale, long-term monitoring and a steady supply of large numbers of fresh apex predator tissue samples from across Europe. Natural science collections are very well-placed to supply these. Pan-European monitoring requires effective coordination among field organisations, collections and analytical laboratories for the flow of required specimens, processing and storage of specimens and tissue samples, contaminant analyses delivering pan-European data sets, and provision of specimen and population contextual data. Collections are well-placed to coordinate this. The COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility provides a well-developed model showing how this can work, integrating a European Raptor Biomonitoring Scheme, Specimen Bank and Sampling Programme. Simultaneously, the EU-funded LIFE APEX has demonstrated a range of regulatory applications using cutting-edge analytical techniques. PARC plans to make best use of such sampling and biomonitoring programmes. Collections are poised to play a critical role in supporting PARC objectives and thereby contribute to delivery of the EU's zero-pollution ambition.Non peer reviewe

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase&nbsp;1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation&nbsp;disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age&nbsp; 6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score&nbsp; 652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc&nbsp;= 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N&nbsp;= 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in&nbsp;Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701