The Deep‐water corals of Cyprus: Environmental settings and ecological features (CYprus Cold‐corals Levantine SeA, Eastern MEditerraneaN: CYCLAMEN)

The recently started research project CYCLAMEN (CYprus Cold-corals Levantine SeA, Eastern MEditerraneaN), will conduct the first detailed study of cold-water coral communities in eastern Cypriot waters. Cold-water coral habitats have been found during exploratory surveys. The 2-yr long project will include the environmental characterization of the area, as well as the study of the spatial distribution of cold-water coral communities. In addition to the study of the biology of the coral species, genetic and eco-physiological studies will be included. This project is the first of its kind in Cyprus and will additionally have an associated scientific outreach programme in order to bring these ecosystems, still poorly known, to the general public. The project is led by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), and relies on the participation of research Institutions in Cyprus: The Cyprus Institute (CyI) and the NGO Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (EPERC); France: Aix-Marseille University – Mediterranean Institute for Biodiversity & Ecology (AMU-IMBE); Greece: The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR); Mónaco: Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM); United Kingdom: National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and Spain: Universitat de Barcelona (UB). Here we present the conceptual frame of the project, the background knowledge and the first obtained results in the oceanographic cruise carried out in summer 2015

NKX2-5 regulates human cardiomyogenesis via a HEY2 dependent transcriptional network.

Congenital heart defects can be caused by mutations in genes that guide cardiac lineage formation. Here, we show deletion of NKX2-5, a critical component of the cardiac gene regulatory network, in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), results in impaired cardiomyogenesis, failure to activate VCAM1 and to downregulate the progenitor marker PDGFRα. Furthermore, NKX2-5 null cardiomyocytes have abnormal physiology, with asynchronous contractions and altered action potentials. Molecular profiling and genetic rescue experiments demonstrate that the bHLH protein HEY2 is a key mediator of NKX2-5 function during human cardiomyogenesis. These findings identify HEY2 as a novel component of the NKX2-5 cardiac transcriptional network, providing tangible evidence that hESC models can decipher the complex pathways that regulate early stage human heart development. These data provide a human context for the evaluation of pathogenic mutations in congenital heart disease.Nat Commun 2018 Apr 10; 9(1):1373

Epibenthic Communities on Artificial Reefs in Greece, Mediterranean Sea

The marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean are in alarming condition due to the complex and cumulative impacts of anthropogenic activities and natural disturbances. Management, conservation, and restoration of resources in these impacted ecosystems are among the priorities set by Mediterranean countries. Artificial reefs (ARs) are one of the countermeasures widely promoted. The present study describes the hard substrate epibenthic communities found on three ARs (Ierisssos, Kalymnos, and Preveza) located in the Aegean and Ionian Seas (Greece). Samples were collected from the ARs seasonally (four times/year), during 2013 and 2014. Overall, 117 species were identified and a multivariate analysis showed that each area holds a distinct diversity. Serpulid polychaetes dominate Ierissos and Preveza communities, while gastropods were identified as the prevailing taxa in Kalymnos. No seasonal effects were detected, suggesting “stability” and good adaptation of the communities to the local environmental conditions. Salinity was found to affect the community structure. The results of this study illustrate the need for comparative research on ecological processes under contrasting environmental abiotic and biotic local conditions affecting epibenthic communities

Structure validity of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 in Greek population

The aim of the present study was to examine the factor structure of the TFEQ-R18. The project was conducted in Greek population; thus, the questionnaire was translated in Greek language. 495 males and females aged between 12-45 years old participated in the present study. There were used a series of CFA techniques for structure analysis. Confirmatory and exploratory analyses were conducted. Several criteria were used to test the hypotheses factor structures of the AIMS. The results of CFA’s showed that the R-18 item instrument had adequate psychometric properties for measuring three dimensions of eating behavior of the Greek population However these results evealed that an R-16 item instrument was better adapted to the Greek population. The present study provided encouraging preliminary evidence supporting selected psychometric properties of the TFEQ-R18. This instrument seems to be a valid measure of the tendencies of cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating of Greek population

New Benzothiazole-based Thiazolidinones as Potent Antimicrobial Agents. Design, synthesis and Biological Evaluation.

BACKGROUND Thiazole and benzothiazole derivatives, as well as thiazolidinones are very important scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. Literature has revealed that they possess a wide spectrum of biological activities including antimicrobial activity. OBJECTIVE The goal of this paper is the designing of new benzothiazole based thiazolidinones and the evaluation of their biological activities. METHODS The designed compounds were synthesized using classical organic synthesis methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the method of microdilution. RESULTS The twelve newly synthesized compounds showed antimicrobial properties. All compounds appeared to be more active than ampicillin in most studied strains and in some cases, more active than streptomycin. Antifungal activity, in most cases was also better than the reference drugs ketoconazole and bifonazole. The prediction of cytotoxicity revealed that the synthesized compounds were not toxic (LD50 350-1000 mg/kg of body weight). Docking studies on the antibacterial activity confirmed the biological results. CONCLUSION The twelve new compounds were synthesized and studied for their antimicrobial activity. The compounds appeared to be promising antimicrobial agents and could be the lead compounds for new, more potent drugs. According to the docking prediction, the compounds could be MurB inhibitors

Haemostatic profile of riboflavin-treated apheresis platelet concentrates.

BACKGROUND: The haemostatic activity of platelet concentrates (PCs) treated with pathogen reduction technology (PRT) remains a subject of debate. Our aim was to investigate the effect of Mirasol PRT on the haemostatic properties of PCs stored in plasma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Untreated and Mirasol-treated platelets stored in plasma and derived from ten split double-dose apheresis PCs were evaluated in vitro on days 1, 3 and 5 post collection for functionality, microparticle procoagulation activity (MPA), endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), and haemostatic profile using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). RESULTS: P-selectin expression was significantly higher in Mirasol-treated platelets compared with untreated counterparts on days 3 and 5 (p=0.003 and p=0.002, respectively). Clot strength, as shown by EXTEM maximum clot firmness (MCF), was significantly lower in the Mirasol-treated platelets at all time points (days 1, 3, 5) than in untreated platelets (p=0.009, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). There was a considerable increase in MPA over time (p<0.001) and this was significantly higher in the Mirasol-treated platelets on day 5 (p=0.015). A notable acceleration of decrease in ETP values was observed for Mirasol-treated PCs over time (p<0.001), with significant differences between PRT-treated and untreated PCs on days 3 and 5 (p=0.038 and p=0.019, respectively). Clot strength attenuation was significantly associated with pH reduction (p<0.001, Spearman’s rho: 0.84), increased microparticle procoagulant activity (p<0.001, Spearman’s rho: -0.75), and with decreased ETP (p<0.032, Spearman’s rho: 0.41). DISCUSSION: Increased platelet activation induced by PRT treatment leads to a decrease in in vitro haemostatic capacity as seen by reduced clot strength and thrombin generation capacity over time. The clinical relevance of this needs to be investigated

Un littoral sans nature ? L'avenir de la Méditerranée face à l'urbanisation

International audienceCet ouvrage analyse les enjeux de gestion des espaces agricoles et naturels menacés par l’urbanisation sur le littoral méditerranéen. La comparaison d’études de cas situées en Espagne, en France, en Italie, en Albanie, en Grèce et en Tunisie montre la transformation des paysages agricoles et naturels, les jeux d’acteurs qui les sous-tendent et les principaux défis que leur urbanisation engendre pour l’aménagement. Après une période de tolérance des constructions et d’aménagements intensifs, les pouvoirs publics et la société civile prennent conscience que la préservation de l’agriculture et de la nature se justifierait d’un point de vue paysager, social, productif et environnemental. Pourtant, leur protection se heurte toujours à la spéculation foncière, car l’urbanisation et le tourisme balnéaire demeurent les principaux moteurs du développement économique. Face à des mesures de protection réglementaires délicates à mettre en oeuvre, d’autres voies de valorisation des espaces agricoles et naturels sont envisagées, mais elles n’ont pour l’instant qu’un impact limité.Au-delà des villes et des implantations balnéaires, l’attention portée dans cet ouvrage aux espaces agricoles et naturels invite à repenser la gestion du littoral méditerranéen en relation étroite avec ses arrière-pays

Un littoral sans nature ? L'avenir de la Méditerranée face à l'urbanisation

International audienceCet ouvrage analyse les enjeux de gestion des espaces agricoles et naturels menacés par l’urbanisation sur le littoral méditerranéen. La comparaison d’études de cas situées en Espagne, en France, en Italie, en Albanie, en Grèce et en Tunisie montre la transformation des paysages agricoles et naturels, les jeux d’acteurs qui les sous-tendent et les principaux défis que leur urbanisation engendre pour l’aménagement. Après une période de tolérance des constructions et d’aménagements intensifs, les pouvoirs publics et la société civile prennent conscience que la préservation de l’agriculture et de la nature se justifierait d’un point de vue paysager, social, productif et environnemental. Pourtant, leur protection se heurte toujours à la spéculation foncière, car l’urbanisation et le tourisme balnéaire demeurent les principaux moteurs du développement économique. Face à des mesures de protection réglementaires délicates à mettre en oeuvre, d’autres voies de valorisation des espaces agricoles et naturels sont envisagées, mais elles n’ont pour l’instant qu’un impact limité.Au-delà des villes et des implantations balnéaires, l’attention portée dans cet ouvrage aux espaces agricoles et naturels invite à repenser la gestion du littoral méditerranéen en relation étroite avec ses arrière-pays

NKX2-5 regulates human cardiomyogenesis via a HEY2 dependent transcriptional network

Congenital heart defects can be caused by mutations in genes that guide cardiac lineage formation. Here, we show deletion of NKX2-5, a critical component of the cardiac gene regulatory network, in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), results in impaired cardiomyogenesis, failure to activate VCAM1 and to downregulate the progenitor marker PDGFRα. Furthermore, NKX2-5 null cardiomyocytes have abnormal physiology, with asynchronous contractions and altered action potentials. Molecular profiling and genetic rescue experiments demonstrate that the bHLH protein HEY2 is a key mediator of NKX2-5 function during human cardiomyogenesis. These findings identify HEY2 as a novel component of the NKX2-5 cardiac transcriptional network, providing tangible evidence that hESC models can decipher the complex pathways that regulate early stage human heart development. These data provide a human context for the evaluation of pathogenic mutations in congenital heart disease