The "new diverted bed" of the Sperchios river and the new National Road Athina-Lamia in the area of the "Alamana Bridge" and the impact to the environment to the coastal area of the Maliakos Gulf and the Delta (Fthiotida-Greece)

The purpose of this work is to depict and evaluate the alterations in the geomorphological characteristics and the hydro-geomorphological processes as well as the effects to the environment of the coastal area of the Maliakos gulf and the delta of the Sperchios river, as a result of the construction of the "new bed" of the new diverted bed of Sperchios river, the "New Alamana Bridge" and the construction of the long embankments which are constructed in order to facilitate the road works for the New National Road Athina-Lamia in the section Thermopylae - Lamia (Fthiotida-Greece)

“Tell me more about this…”: An examination of the efficacy of follow‐up open questions following an initial account

In information gathering interviews, follow-up questions are asked to clarify and extend initial witness accounts. Across two experiments, we examined the efficacy of open-ended questions following an account about a multi-perpetrator event. In Experiment 1, 50 mock witnesses used the timeline technique or a free recall format to provide an initial account. Although follow-up questions elicited new information (18–22% of the total output) across conditions, the response accuracy (60%) was significantly lower than that of the initial account (83%). In Experiment 2 (N = 60), half of the participants received pre-questioning instructions to monitor accuracy when responding to follow-up questions. New information was reported (21–22% of the total output) across conditions, but despite using pre-questioning instructions, response accuracy (75%) was again lower than the spontaneously reported information (87.5%). Follow-up open-ended questions prompt additional reporting; however, practitioners should be cautious to corroborate the accuracy of new reported details

Hepatic gene expression variations in response to high-fat diet-induced impaired glucose tolerance using RNAseq analysis in collaborative cross mouse population

Hepatic gene expression is known to differ between healthy and type 2 diabetes conditions. Identifying these variations will provide better knowledge to the development of gene-targeted therapies. The aim of this study is to assess diet-induced hepatic gene expression of susceptible versus resistant CC lines to T2D development. Next-generation RNA-sequencing was performed for 84 livers of diabetic and non-diabetic mice of 41 different CC lines (both sexes) following 12 weeks on high-fat diet (42% fat). Data analysis revealed significant variations of hepatic gene expression in diabetic versus non-diabetic mice with significant sex effect, where 601 genes were differentially expressed (DE) in overall population (males and females), 718 genes in female mice, and 599 genes in male mice. Top prioritized DE candidate genes were Lepr, Ins2, Mb, Ckm, Mrap2, and Ckmt2 for the overall population; for females-only group were Hdc, Serpina12, Socs1, Socs2, and Mb, while for males-only group were Serpine1, Mb, Ren1, Slc4a1, and Atp2a1. Data analysis for sex differences revealed 193 DE genes in health (Top: Lepr, Cav1, Socs2, Abcg2, and Col5a3), and 389 genes DE between diabetic females versus males (Top: Lepr, Clps, Ins2, Cav1, and Mrap2). Furthermore, integrating gene expression results with previously published QTL, we identified significant variants mapped at chromosomes at positions 36-49 Mb, 62-71 Mb, and 79-99 Mb, on chromosomes 9, 11, and 12, respectively. Our findings emphasize the complexity of T2D development and that significantly controlled by host complex genetic factors. As well, we demonstrate the significant sex differences between males and females during health and increasing to extent levels during disease/diabetes. Altogether, opening the venue for further studies targets the discovery of effective sex-specific and personalized preventions and therapies

Serum levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and the decoy soluble receptor for AGEs (sRAGE) can discriminate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in age-, sex- and BMI-matched normo-glycemic adults

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious health problem affecting ~25% of the global population. While NAFLD pathogenesis is still unclear, multiple NAFLD parameters, including reduced insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose metabolism and increased oxidative stress are hypothesised to foster the formation of advance glycation end-products (AGEs). Given the link of AGEs with end organ damage, there is scope to examine the role of the AGE/RAGE axis activation in liver injury and NAFLD. Methods: Age, sex and body mass index matched normo-glycemic NAFLD adults (n = 58) and healthy controls (n = 58) were enrolled in the study. AGEs were analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CML, CEL), fluorescence (pentosidine, AGE fluorescence), colorimetry (fructosamine) and ELISA (sRAGE). Their association with liver function, inflammation, fibrosis and stage of NAFLD was examined. Results: Early and advanced glycation end-products, except Nε-carboxymethyl-L-lysine (CML), were 10–30% higher, sRAGE levels 1.7-fold lower, and glycation/sRAGE ratios 4-fold higher in the NAFLD cases compared to controls. While AGEs presented weak to moderate correlations with indices of liver function and damage (AST/ALT, HOMA-IR, TNF-α and TGF-β1), including sRAGE to characterize the AGEs/sRAGE axis strengthened the associations observed. High glycation/sRAGE ratios were associated with 1.3 to 14-fold likelihood of lower AST/ALT ratios. The sum of AGEs/sRAGE ratios accurately distinguished between healthy controls and NAFLD patients (area under the curve of 0.85). Elevated AGEs/sRAGE (>7.8 mmol/pmol) was associated with a 12-fold likelihood of the presence of NAFLD. Conclusion: These findings strengthen the involvement of AGEs-RAGE axis in liver injury and the pathogenesis of NAFLD

3D DOCUMENTATION AND VIRTUAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF MACEDONIAN TOMBS

Archaeology as a science is based on finding and displaying the remains of the past. In recent years, with the progress of technology, the science of archeology has been expanding and evolving. Three-dimensional digitization has become an integral part of the archiving, documentation and restoration effort of cultural heritage, offering important benefits in studies for reconstruction and restoration tasks of architectural creations, archaeological sites, historic monuments and objects of art in general. The three-dimensional models are now available for many applications. In this paper such 3D models of two prominent Macedonian tombs in Northern Greece were exploited for their virtual restoration. Virtual restoration of monuments is of special importance to archaeological research, as it provides the necessary tools to investigate alternative solutions to the serious issue of archaeological restoration. These solutions do not interfere with the real monument, thus respecting its value and the international conventions. Digital 3D models have begun to be more beneficial in a science such as archaeology as they offer easy access to both archaeological and geometric information to a wider audience as well as a high degree of interaction possibilities with the user

A High Polyphenol Diet Improves Psychological Well-Being: The Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT).

Mental ill health is currently one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. A growing body of data has emerged supporting the role of diet, especially polyphenols, which have anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a high polyphenol diet (HPD) compared to a low polyphenol diet (LPD) on aspects of psychological well-being in the Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT). Ninety-nine mildly hypertensive participants aged 40-65 years were enrolled in a four-week LPD washout period and then randomised to either an LPD or an HPD for eight weeks. Both at baseline and the end of intervention, participants' lifestyle and psychological well-being were assessed. The participants in the HPD group reported a decrease in depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and an improvement in physical component and mental health component scores as assessed with 36-Item Short Form Survey. No differences in anxiety, stress, self-esteem or body image perception were observed. In summary, the study findings suggest that the adoption of a polyphenol-rich diet could potentially lead to beneficial effects including a reduction in depressive symptoms and improvements in general mental health status and physical health in hypertensive participants

Arrhythmogenic calmodulin E105A mutation alters cardiac RyR2 regulation leading to cardiac dysfunction in zebrafish

Calmodulin (CaM) is a universal calcium (Ca2+)‐binding messenger that regulates many vital cellular events. In cardiac muscle, CaM associates with ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) and regulates excitation–contraction coupling. Mutations in human genes CALM1, CALM2, and CALM3 have been associated with life‐threatening heart disorders, such as long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. A novel de novo LQTS‐associated missense CaM mutation (E105A) was recently identified in a 6‐year‐old boy, who experienced an aborted first episode of cardiac arrest. Herein, we report the first molecular characterization of the CaM E105A mutation. Expression of the CaM E105A mutant in zebrafish embryos resulted in cardiac arrhythmia and increased heart rate, suggestive of ventricular tachycardia. In vitro biophysical and biochemical analysis revealed that E105A confers a deleterious effect on protein stability and a reduced Ca2+‐binding affinity due to loss of cooperativity. Finally, the CaM E105A mutation resulted in reduced CaM–RyR2 interaction and defective modulation of ryanodine binding. Our findings suggest that the CaM E105A mutation dysregulates normal cardiac function by a complex mechanism involving alterations in both CaM–Ca2+ and CaM–RyR2 interactions