Τροποποιημένες με νανοαλούμινα ακρυλικές επιστρώσεις για την προστασία αντικειμένων πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς και αρχιτεκτονικού διακόσμου μνημείων

Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο--Μεταπτυχιακή Εργασία. Διεπιστημονικό-Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών (Δ.Π.Μ.Σ.) “Επιστήμη και Τεχνολογία Υλικών

Φυτοχημική μελέτη σπερμάτων ελληνικού υβριδίου Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae)

Στα πλαίσια της παρούσας εργασίας πραγματοποιήθηκε φυτοχημική μελέτη υβριδίου του είδους Cynara cardunculus L. (κοινή και εδώδιμη αγκινάρα) ελληνικής καλλιέργειας της οικογένειας Asteraceae, με σκοπό την απομόνωση και τον προσδιορισμό της δομής των μεταβολιτών του. Ως πρώτη ύλη χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τα σπέρματα Ελληνικού υβριδίου που καλλιεργήθηκε και συλλέχθηκε στο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας (Γεωπονικό Τμήμα) στο Βόλο. Τα σπέρματα του επιλεγμένου υβριδίου μελετήθηκαν φυτοχημικά και απομονώθηκαν χημικές ενώσεις για πρώτη φορά. Στο θεωρητικό μέρος γίνεται αναφορά, στην ιστορία του φυτού και τις χρήσεις του στη θεραπευτική αλλά και στη διατροφή μας, μέχρι σήμερα. Παράλληλα, πραγματοποιείται μία ανασκόπηση στα μορφολογικά χαρακτηριστικά της οικογένειας Αsteraceae και του γένους Cynara, στη δρογοχημεία, δρογοφαρμακολογία και τις βιολογικές δράσεις των μεταβολιτών που έχουν μελετηθεί μέχρι σήμερα σε άλλα είδη του γένους. Στο πειραματικό μέρος πραγματοποιήθηκε εκχύλιση του φυτικού υλικού με 3 διαφορετικούς διαλύτες με σειρά αυξανόμενης πολικότητας (κυκλοεξάνιο, διχλωρομεθάνιο και μεθανόλη) ενώ στη συνέχεια ακολούθησαν ξεχωριστές αναλύσεις καθενός εκχυλίσματος. Στο κυκλοεξανικό εκχύλισμα (ελαιώδες εκχύλισμα- λάδι) πραγματοποιήθηκε σαπωνοποίηση, εστεροποίηση και ανάλυση των προϊόντων της διαδικασίας με αέρια χρωματογραφία συζευγμένη με φασματομετρία μάζας (GC-MS). Το διχλωρομεθανικό εκχύλισμα αναλύθηκε με την βοήθεια χρωματογραφικών μεθόδων (VLC, TLC και Prep-TLC), με αποτέλεσμα την απομόνωση μεταβολιτών και ταυτοποίηση της δομής τους με την χρήση φασματοσκοπικών μεθόδων. Από το εκχύλισμα αυτό απομονώθηκαν και ταυτοποίηθηκαν οι παρακάτω μεταβολίτες: 1) Λινελαϊκό οξύ, 2) Τριγλυκερίδιο του λινελαϊκού οξέος, 3). Αρκτιγενίνη, 4) Μείγμα τριγλυκεριδίων λινελαϊκού, ελαϊκού, στεατικού και παλμιτικού οξέος, 5) Αιθύλιο της τραχηλογενίνης, 6) Τραχηλογενίνη Στο μεθανολικό εκχύλισμα πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάλυση απομόνωση και καθορισμός δομής των δευτερογενών μεταβολιτών του, με την χρήση αντίστοιχων μεθόδων με το διχλωρομεθανικό εκχύλισμα. Οι δευτερογενείς μεταβολίτες που απομονώθηκαν από το μεθανολικό εκχύλισμα ήταν οι εξής: 1) 3,5-δικαφεοϋλκινικό οξύ, 2) Τραχηλοσίδης, 3) Αρκτιίνη, 4) Κυναρινίνη Το ολικό φαινολικό φορτίο στο υδατικό, μεθανολικό και διχλωρομεθανικό εκχύλισμα προσδιορίστηκε με τη χρήση της μεθόδου Folin-Ciocalteu. Επίσης, στα ίδια εκχυλίσματα πραγματοποιήθηκαν αντιοξειδωτικοί ελέγχοι (TPC, DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, Metal Chelating, Phosphomolybdenum) και ελέγχοι προσδιορισμού δράσης ενζυμικών αναστολέων (AchE, BchE, Tyrosinase, Amylase, Glycosidase).The subject of the present thesis study is the phytochemical analysis of the seeds of a Greek hybrid cultivar of Cynara cardunculus L. (common artichoke) (Asteraceae family). Main purpose of this study was the identification, isolation and structural determination of it’s secondary metabolites. The seeds of the studied hybrid were cultivated in the experimental field and collected from Prof Danalatos of the Dept of Agriculture of the University of Thessaly, while its metabolites are isolated and structurally detrmined from the first time, to our knowledge. Cynara cardunculus L. (or artichoke) is a well known plant with a long tradition of use as a dietary and medicinal plant, due to its nutritional and pharmacological value respectively. The plant material has been extracted with three different solvents with increasing polarity (cyclohexane, dichloromethane and methanol) and every extract was studied separately. The cyclohexane extract was saponified, esterified and then phytochemically studied. The dichloromethane extract was studied through chromatographic seperations such as VLC, prep-TLC afforded to the isolation of : Linoleic acid, Triglyceride of Linoleic acid, Arctigenin, Mixture of triglycerides linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acid, Ethylate of trachelogenin, Trachelogenin The methanol extract was studied using similar methods and revealed the presence of: 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, cynarinine, tracheloside, arctiin. All metabolites were determined by modern spectral means (1D- and 2D-ΝΜR) and LC-MS. The antioxidant activity of cyclohexanic, methanolic, and water extracts were evaluated through the determination of total phenolic composition with Folin-Ciocalteu method, as well as DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, Metal chelating activity and Phosphomolybdenum method and through a panel of enzymatic activities (AchE, BchE, Tyrosinase, Amylase, Glycosidase inhibition

Anxiety and depression symptoms in family members of icu patients

Objective: This study investigated symptoms of anxiety and depression in relatives of patients admitted in the Intensive Care Unit and determined whether these symptoms were associated to the seriousness of the patients’ condition.Metodology: A total of 102 patients’ relatives were surveyedduring the study. They were given a self-report questionnaire in order to assess demographic data, anxiety and depression symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (hads). Patient’s condition was evaluated with a.p.a.ch.e ii Score.Results: More than 60% of patients’ relatives presented severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. No relation was found between symptoms of anxiety and depression of the relatives of patients and patients’ condition of health. On thecontrary, these feelings used to exist regardless of the seriousness of patient’s condition.Conclusions: The assessment of these patients is recommended in order serious problems of anxietyand depression to be prevented.ResumenObjetivo: El presente estudio se propuso investigar los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en familiares de pacientes que fueron admitidos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y se determinó si estos síntomas se asociaron con la gravedad de la condición del paciente.Metodología: Durante este estudio se encuestó un total de 102 familiares de pacientes, a quienes se les solicitó diligenciar un cuestionario auto-administrado para estimar aspectos sociodemográficos y síntomas de ansiedad y depresión. Los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión fueron evaluados con la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). La condición del paciente fue evaluada con el A.P.A.CH.E II Score.Resultados: Más del 60% de los familiares encuestados presentaron síntomas severos de ansiedad y depresión. No se encontró relación entre los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión de los familiares de los pacientes y el estado de salud de éstos. Por el contrario, aquellas sensaciones solían darse con independencia de la gravedad de la condición del paciente.Conclusiones: Se recomienda la evaluación de estos pacientes para evitar problemas serios de ansiedad y depresión.ResumoObjetivo: O presente estudo pesquisou os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em familiares de pacientes que foram admitidos na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e se determinou se esses sintomas se associaram com a gravidade da condição do paciente.Metodologia: Durante este estudo se inquiriu um total de 102 familiares de pacientes, a quem se solicitou diligenciar um questionário auto-administrado, para estimar aspectos sociodemográficos e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Os dados sobre sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foram processados usando a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A condição do paciente foi avaliada com o A.P.A.CH.E II Score.Resultados: Mais de 60% dos familiares questionados apresentaram sintomas severos de ansiedade e depressão. Não se encontrou relação entre os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão dos familiares dos pacientes e o estado de saúde deles. Pelo contrário, essas sensações com frequência se apresentavam com independência da gravidade da condição do paciente.Conclusões: Recomenda-se a avaliação destes pacientes para evitar problemas sérios de ansiedade e depressão

CK1δ restrains lipin-1 induction, lipid droplet formation and cell proliferation under hypoxia by reducing HIF-1α/ARNT complex formation.

Proliferation of cells under hypoxia is facilitated by metabolic adaptation, mediated by the transcriptional activator Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1). HIF-1α, the inducible subunit of HIF-1 is regulated by oxygen as well as by oxygen-independent mechanisms involving phosphorylation. We have previously shown that CK1δ phosphorylates HIF-1α in its N-terminus and reduces its affinity for its heterodimerization partner ARNT. To investigate the importance of this mechanism for cell proliferation under hypoxia, we visually monitored HIF-1α interactions within the cell nucleus using the in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Both methods show that CK1δ-dependent modification of HIF-1α impairs the formation of a chromatin binding HIF-1 complex. This is confirmed by analyzing expression of lipin-1, a direct target of HIF-1 that mediates hypoxic neutral lipid accumulation. Inhibition of CK1δ increases lipid droplet formation and proliferation of both cancer and normal cells specifically under hypoxia and in an HIF-1α- and lipin-1-dependent manner. These data reveal a novel role for CK1δ in regulating lipid metabolism and, through it, cell adaptation to low oxygen conditions.This work was supported by the “ARISTEIA ΙΙ” Action of the “OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING” and was co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and National Resources. Partial support was provided by the Proof of Concept Studies for the ESFRI project Euro-BioImaging (Greek BioImaging Facility, PCS facility Nr. 9, Unit 2). N.-N.G., M.A.R. and Z.L. were supported by a grant from the European Research Council and S.S. was supported by a Medical Research Council Senior Fellowship (grant number G0701446).This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0898656815000637

Sarcoma Botryoides: Optimal Therapeutic Management and Prognosis of an Unfavorable Malignant Neoplasm of Female Children

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is a rare malignancy and occurs primarily in the first two decades of life. Botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive subtype of ERMS that often manifests in the genital tract of female infants and children. Due to its rarity, the optimal treatment approach has been a matter of debate. We conducted a search in the PubMed database and supplemented it with a manual search to retrieve additional papers eligible for inclusion. We retrieved 13 case reports and case series, from which we summarized that the current trend is to approach each patient with a personalized treatment plan. This consists of a combination of local debulking surgery and adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Effort is made in every approach to avoid radiation for the sake of preserving fertility. Radical surgeries and radiation still have a role to play in extensive disease and in cases of relapse. Despite the rarity and aggressiveness of this tumor, disease-free survival and overall prognosis is excellent, especially when it is diagnosed early, compared with other subtypes of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). We conclude that the practice of a multidisciplinary approach is appropriate, with favorable outcomes; however, larger-scale studies need to be organized to have a definite consensus on optimal management

Multivariate statistical process control charts for batch monitoring of transesterification reactions for biodiesel production based on near-infrared spectroscopy

[EN] This work describes an application of Multivariate Statistical Process Control to monitor soybean oil transesterification. For the development of multivariate control charts, near infrared spectra were acquired in-line during the evolution of ten batches under Normal Operating Conditions. They were then organized in a three-way array (batch × spectral variable × time). This structure was analysed by the two most commonly used approaches to develop batch monitoring schemes for handling such kind of data, referred to as Nomikos-MacGregor (NM) and Wold-Kettaneh-Friden-Holmberg (WKFH), respectively. To assess the performance of the approaches, eight test batches, during which specific interferences were induced, were manufactured. When applied for off-line monitoring, both NM and WKFH correctly pointed out such intentionally produced failures. On the other hand, concerning on-line monitoring, NM exhibited a better fault detection capability than WKFH. Contribution plots were found to highlight the spectral region mostly affected by the disturbances regardless of the modelling strategy resorted to.The authors would like to thank FACEPE/NUQAAPE, CNPq/INCTAA science funding programs for partial financial support. Research fellowships granted by the Brazilian agencies ANP/Petrobras and CNPq are also gratefully acknowledged. This research work was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the project DPI2014-55276-C5-1R and Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Amsterdam, The Netherlands).Sales Figueiredo, R.; Vitale, R.; Pimentel, MF.; De Lima, SM.; Stragevitch, L.; Ferrer, A. (2016). Multivariate statistical process control charts for batch monitoring of transesterification reactions for biodiesel production based on near-infrared spectroscopy. Computers & Chemical Engineering. 94:343-353. doi:10.1016/j.compchemeng.2016.08.013S3433539

Rare non-Wilms' tumors in children

We report our institutional experience of the management of 2 cases of rare non-Wilms' tumors; a rhabdoid tumor in a 17-month old boy and a clear cell sarcoma in a 5-year old girl. The two patients were treated with ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE) alternating with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (VDC) and cyclophosphamide/etoposide (CE) alternating with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (VDC) and radiotherapy, respectively. Both patients showed full response with no significant adverse events. At 2-year follow up, they are disease and relapse free. Although contemporary treatment regimens are very promising, multicenter collaborative studies are needed in order to define a standard treatment for non-Wilms' tumors

Recent trends in management strategies for two major maize borers: Ostrinia nubilalis and Sesamia nonagrioides

23 p.-2 tab.Stem borers (Lepidoptera) are common cereal pests. In many parts of the world, the species Ostrinia nubilalis and Sesamia nonagrioides stand out as important insect pests of economically important crops such as maize. Their management relied mainly on transgenic host plant resistance over the last 25 years. Technologies based on the insecticidal properties of Bacillus thuringiensis-derived proteins allowed widespread pest population suppression, especially for O. nubilalis. However, the recent discovery of Bt resistance, which has revitalized interest in both pests’ biology and management, may jeopardize the effectiveness of such transgenic technologies. Historical information on O. nubilalis bionomy may need to be reassessed in light of changing climate conditions and changing agricultural practices, as well as increased production of alternate host crops across its distribution range. The current paper examines the bioecology and historical research that has been conducted to manage these two important maize-boring pests.N

Evolving Aspects of Prognostic Factors for Pediatric Cancer

Advances in risk-directed therapy based on prognostic factors that include clinical, biologic, and genetic features of cancer in children have yielded improved and prolonged responses [...

The impact of psychological fluctuations family members of ICU patients in the evaluation of ICU staff

Introduction: Patient’s admission in ICU is often a stressful event for patient’s family. Symptoms of anxiety and depression can occur in family members of the patients and affect the way relatives conceive the whole situation. This is the reason why the ICU staff has to evaluate and fulfill the needs of patients’ relatives in order to soften their pain, provide supportive care during difficult situations and make easier for them the hospitalization of their beloved person in ICU. The evaluation of family needs provides staff with useful information in order to improve family satisfaction and also helps doctors and nurses to provide care in patients, according to their families’ wish. Aim of the study: To evaluate symptoms of anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in families of ICU patients, and also to evaluate the relation between these symptoms and a) family satisfaction with patient care, b) family satisfaction with decision making and c) total family satisfaction. Methods: A prospective study, with repeating measurements, in which 102 family members (62 female and 40 male), between 19-82 years old (mean age: 48,5±14,9), of patients in ICU at a large public hospital in Athens participated. The questionnaires of the study were distributed to the relatives from August 2008-August 2010 and always after doctors’ informing them about patient’s condition. Three scales were used: a) HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), in order to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression, b) IES-R (Impact of Event Scale-Revised), a very useful tool in order to evaluate the degree some stressful events (pleasant or unpleasant) affect people’s everyday life and c) FS-ICU 24 scale (Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit-24), that measures family satisfaction with care and family satisfaction with decision making. Two measurements took place: The first one 7-10 days from the admission of the patient in the ICU and the second one (to the same relative) after 15-20 days from the admission. Patients’ health condition was evaluated with the A.P.A.CH.E II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) score before each measurement. The criterion for the supplementation of the questionnaire was the patient to be intubated for 48 hours at least and the relative have visited him for two times in a row, for more than 10 minutes. Results: 62% of the relatives face severe symptoms of anxiety, over 50% face severe symptoms of depression and almost 68% severe symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of anxiety and depression were related with symptoms of PTSD in relatives (p0,05). Family satisfaction with care (mean score) was diminished from 76 in first measurement, to 71 in second measurement (p0,05). Mean scores about total satisfaction fluctuated between 71-72 during the first and the second measurement too, with no statistically important variation (p>0,05). No correlation was found between symptoms of anxiety-depression –PTSD, and family satisfaction with care (p>0,05). On the contrary, family satisfaction with decision making and total satisfaction was correlated with symptoms of anxiety in patient’s relatives (p<0,05). Conclusions: Relatives of ICU patients face severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD during the whole stay of patients in ICU. The majority considers patient’s hospitalization in ICU as a stressful event that has unsettled everyday life and tries to avoid it. These symptoms seem not to particularly affect the level of family satisfaction; nevertheless, the ICU staff must retrace, evaluate and confront them in order severe future psychological problems to the relatives be prevented