55 research outputs found
Choline transporter gene variation is associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) plays a critical role in brain circuits mediating motor control, attention, learning and memory. Cholinergic dysfunction is associated with multiple brain disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease, addiction, schizophrenia and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The presynaptic choline transporter (CHT, SLC5A7) is the major, rate-limiting determinant of ACh production in the brain and periphery and is consequently upregulated during tasks that require sustained attention. Given the contribution of central cholinergic circuits to the control of movement and attention, we hypothesized that functional CHT gene variants might impact risk for ADHD. We performed a case-control study, followed by family-based association tests on a separate cohort, of two purportedly functional CHT polymorphisms (coding variant Ile89Val (rs1013940) and a genomic SNP 3’ of the CHT gene (rs333229), affording both a replication sample and opportunities to reduce potential population stratification biases. Initial genotyping of pediatric ADHD subjects for two purportedly functional CHT alleles revealed a 2–3 fold elevation of the Val89 allele (n = 100; P = 0.02) relative to healthy controls, as well as a significant decrease of the 3’SNP minor allele in Caucasian male subjects (n = 60; P = 0.004). In family based association tests, we found significant overtransmission of the Val89 variant to children with a Combined subtype diagnosis (OR = 3.16; P = 0.01), with an increased Odds Ratio for a haplotype comprising both minor alleles. These studies show evidence of cholinergic deficits in ADHD, particularly for subjects with the Combined subtype, and, if replicated, may encourage further consideration of cholinergic agonist therapy in the disorder
Radiations and male fertility
During recent years, an increasing percentage of male infertility has to be attributed to an array of environmental,
health and lifestyle factors. Male infertility is likely to be affected by the intense exposure to heat and extreme
exposure to pesticides, radiations, radioactivity and other hazardous substances. We are surrounded by several types
of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and both have recognized causative effects on spermatogenesis. Since it is
impossible to cover all types of radiation sources and their biological effects under a single title, this review is
focusing on radiation deriving from cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, as these are the most
common sources of non-ionizing radiations, which may contribute to the cause of infertility by exploring the effect
of exposure to radiofrequency radiations on the male fertility pattern. From currently available studies it is clear that
radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have deleterious effects on sperm parameters (like sperm count,
morphology, motility), affects the role of kinases in cellular metabolism and the endocrine system, and produces
genotoxicity, genomic instability and oxidative stress. This is followed with protective measures for these radiations
and future recommendations. The study concludes that the RF-EMF may induce oxidative stress with an increased
level of reactive oxygen species, which may lead to infertility. This has been concluded based on available
evidences from in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting that RF-EMF exposure negatively affects sperm quality
Classification Methods of Measured Dynamic Data of Ball Bearings
176 σ.Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο--Μεταπτυχιακή εργασία. Διεπιστημονικό-Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών (Δ.Π.Μ.Σ.) "Συστήματα Αυτοματισμού"Μέθοδοι Ταξινόμησης Δεδομένων Δυναμικών Μετρήσεων σε Ένσφαιρους Τριβείς με Βλάβη.Classification Methods of Measured Dynamic Data of Ball Bearings.Βασίλης Κ. Βακαλόπουλο
Solution of 3-D acoustic problems with the Dual Recirpocity Boundary Elements Method
147 σ.Η εν λόγω Διπλωματική αναλύει την αποτελεσματικότητα της Δυαδικής Μεθόδου Συνοριακών Στοιχείων (DR/BEM) για τον υπολογισμό ιδιοτιμών σε τρισδιάστατες ακουστικές κοιλότητες.This Diploma Work researches the accuracy of the Dual Recirpocity Boundary Elements MEthod for the calculation of the eigenvalues of 3-D acoustic cavities.Βασίλειος Κ. Βακαλόπουλο
Response to Vakalopoulos' letter to the editor Re: Nonconscious and conscious color priming in schizophrenia
Chelation, Activation, and Proximity Effects in the Deprotection of Dithianes with ZnBr 2
Erratum to ‘Is aortoiliac calcification linked to colorectal anastomotic leakage? A case-control study’ [Int. J. Surg. 25 (2016) 123–127]
S16 Complication rate with inflatable penile prosthesis implantation: Experience with 60 procedures
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