Cigarette smoking induced decrease in fibronectin and COL1A1 in locomotor muscle in a guinea pig COPD model

Background: Sarcopenia is a major comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by decreased physical activity capacity, cigarette smoke (CS) and chronic hypoxia (CH). These risk factors affect muscle anabolic and catabolic biomarkers responsible for sarcopenia. However, whether CS and CH affect muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarkers is still unknown. Intramuscular ECM plays an important role in muscle growth and repair processes, but their role in sarcopenia is under investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in the expression of intramuscular ECMs biomarkers in response to CH and CS. We hypothesize that altered expression of the ECM molecules promoted by CH and CS contribute to development of sarcopenia. Methods: Skeletal muscle from a guinea pig animal model exposed (a) to 12 weeks CS (CS group), (b) to 10-week normal atmospheric air followed by 2-week of inspiratory oxygen fraction (FI,O2) of 0.12 in a hypoxic chamber (CH group), (c) to 12-week CS followed by 2-week CH (CS-CH group), (d) to 12-week sham CS followed by 2-week normal atmospheric air (Control group) were analysed by Real-time PCR for the change in expression of intramuscular ECM biomarkers. Results: Only CS treatment induced significant decreased in fibronectin and COLA1 transcriptomes by 43 (p=0.05) and by 84.1 (p=0.026) respectively, compared to controls. CH and CS-CH treatment downregulated fibronectin and COLA1, but not significantly compared to controls. No significant differences in ECM gene expression were observed when comparing CH with CS treatment.Conclusion: CS affects ECM composition altering the expression of fibronectin and COL1A1. The role of ECM biomarkers to muscle sarcopenia is being investigated

Investigating the role of extracellular matrix proteins in peripheral skeletal muscle adaptation in COPD patients

Background: Cachexia and muscle wasting are prevalent extrapulmonary comorbidities observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with decreased quality of life and increased mortality rates. While exercise training is the primary therapeutic strategy that attenuates the detrimental effects of muscle wasting in COPD, cachectic patients do not present the same degree of muscle remodelling capacity compared to non-cachectic COPD patients. Extracellular matrix (ECM) represents a dynamic and complex environment that is highly responsive to external stimuli. ECM plays a pivotal role in maintaining the structural integrity of skeletal muscle and orchestrating essential physiological processes during growth, regeneration, and remodelling. Imbalance in ECM composition, which can occur during aging or in the presence of pathological muscular conditions have profound effects on muscle homeostasis, function, and overall structure. Although various biological mechanisms contributing to COPD-related muscle wasting have been identified, the involvement of ECM in this condition remains largely unknown. Hypothesis: It was hypothesised that COPD patients would exhibit distinct alterations in the composition of skeletal muscle ECM compared to healthy individuals. It was also hypothesised that the completion of an exercise training intervention would induce differential ECM expression adaptations in cachectic COPD patients compared to non-cachectic and healthy controls. Given that cigarette smoking (CS) is the most significant contributing factor to the development of COPD, it was expected to alter the expression of ECM components in skeletal muscle. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore, for the first time, the composition of ECM in the skeletal muscle of COPD patients. It aimed also to identify whether the effect of exercise training induces altered adaptive responses in ECM composition among cachectic, non-cachectic COPD patients and healthy controls and to examine the molecular pathways involved. In addition, the study sought to screen potential molecular pathways involved in these ECM adaptations to understand the mechanisms involved in the restricted adaptive response seen in cachectic muscle after exercise. Furthermore, another aim of this study was to explore the effect of exposure to CS and acute hypoxia on the expression of skeletal muscle ECM components. Moreover, the effect of a tobacco compound on myogenic differentiation was investigated to further understand the influence of CS on muscle ECM dynamics. Methods: The study investigated the gene and protein expression of selected ECM molecules in the vastus lateralis biopsies of 29 COPD patients [19 non-cachectic patients (FFMI >17 kg•m-2), and 10 cachectic patients (FFMI <17 kg•m-2)], as well as 14 healthy controls, before and after participation in a training intervention. Additionally, the impact of exposure to CS and acute hypoxia on ECM gene expression was examined in the gastrocnemius muscle of guinea pigs. Furthermore, in vitro differentiation of C2C12 myotubes was utilized to assess the effects of cotinine treatment on ECM, myogenic, and differentiation markers. The assessment of gene expression was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while protein expression was determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Results: At baseline, COPD patients demonstrated distinct changes in the transcription and translation of key ECM molecules linked to muscle structure, regeneration, and repair. Baseline differences between non-cachectic and cachectic COPD patients were observed only at the transcriptional level, with cachectic patients displaying decreased transcriptional activity of ECM molecules. Upon exercise training, contrasting adaptations were observed between cachectic COPD patients and the cohorts with preserved muscle mass at both the expression of ECM and myogenic markers. Conversely, non-cachectic COPD patients and healthy individuals demonstrated similar responses to exercise training. Phospho-kinase analysis revealed that activation of p38 MAPK signalling pathway could be a potential pathway involved in the limited remodelling capacity seen in cachectic COPD patients after exercise training. In addition, exposure to CS directly affected the skeletal muscle ECM composition, while acute hypoxia also induced changes but at a smaller magnitude. In vitro findings showed that presence of cotinine, a tobacco by-product, hindered the myogenic and differentiative capacity of C2C12 myoblasts, as well as ECM transcription. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into the differential basal ECM composition of skeletal muscle between COPD patients and healthy individuals. In addition, our findings highlight that exercise training induces altered response in the expression of ECM molecules in cachectic COPD patients compared to non-cachectic and healthy individuals, concomitant with the enhancement of a glycolytic phenotype. These results demonstrate the potential involvement of an imbalanced ECM composition in the observed limited remodelling capacity seen in cachectic COPD patients after exercise training. Importantly, targeting ECM molecules may hold therapeutic significance for combatting COPD muscle wasting

«Ταξιδεύοντας με τις νεράιδες μέσα από τους θρύλους, τους μύθους και τα παραμύθια της Κρητικής Λαϊκής παράδοσης»- Εκπαιδευτικό Πολιτιστικό Πρόγραμμα για παιδιά Προσχολικής και Πρωτοσχολικής ηλικίας

H παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή διπλωματική εργασία ασχολείται με την προσέγγιση στοιχείων της λαϊκής πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς της Κρήτης. Συγκεκριμένα μέσα από ένα Εκπαιδευτικό Πολιτιστικό Πρόγραμμα για παιδιά Προσχολικής και Πρωτοσχολικής ηλικίας, πρόκειται να αναδειχθεί η παρουσία των νεράιδων σε τρία είδη της λαϊκής λογοτεχνίας της Κρήτης τους θρύλους, τους μύθους και τα λαϊκά παραμύθια. Οι νεράιδες αποτελούν μυθικά πλάσματα τα οποία συναντούμε σε μύθους και θρύλους σε ολόκληρο τον ελλαδικό χώρο. Περιγράφονται άλλοτε ως πολύ όμορφες, αιθέριες γυναικείες παρουσίες που αρέσκονται στο χορό και στο τραγούδι και ως άσχημες και κακόβουλες. Ζουν συνήθως κοντά σε ρυάκια, λίμνες ή ποτάμια. Στην Κρήτη ονομάζονται και ανεράγδεςή γελλούδες ή ανεράδες. Στο νησί υπάρχουν αρκετοί θρύλοι και μύθοι που σχετίζονται με τις νεράιδες όπως και πολλά τοπωνύμια σχετικά μ αυτές. Ως στοιχείο της κρητικής λαϊκής παράδοσης, οι νεράιδες μπορούν να αποτελέσουν το ερέθισμα για μια ευρύτερη προσέγγιση της από παιδιά μικρής ηλικίας. Αυτό μπορεί να γίνει στα πλαίσια εκπαιδευτικών προγραμμάτων με ποικιλία δράσεων. Αντικείμενο του Εκπαιδευτικού Πολιτιστικού Προγράμματος της παρούσας εργασίας είναι οι νεράιδες μέσα στους θρύλους, τους μύθους και τα παραμύθια της κρητικής λαϊκής παράδοσης. Με αφόρμηση αυτά τα μυθικά πλάσματα τα παιδιά θα έρθουν σε επαφή με την τοπική ιστορία και με πολιτιστικά στοιχεία της ιδιαίτερης πατρίδας τους. Η υλοποίηση του Εκπαιδευτικού Προγράμματος θα στηρίζεται στην βιωματική και παιγνιώδη μάθηση και στην συμμετοχική παρατήρηση, βασισμένη σε παιδαγωγικές θεωρίες μάθησης για παιδιά Προσχολικής και Πρωτοσχολικής ηλικίας και έχει χαρακτηριστικά της μεθόδου Project. Προτείνεται να υλοποιηθεί σε παιδιά Προσχολικής και Πρωτοσχολικής ηλικίας, Νηπιαγωγείου και πρώτων τάξεων του Δημοτικού Σχολείου, είτε στην μη τυπική εκπαίδευση σε συνέργεια με κάποιο πολιτιστικό φορέα. Στην παρούσα εργασία το πρόγραμμα σχεδιάστηκε και υλοποιήθηκε στο πλαίσιο μη τυπικής εκπαίδευσης.This postgraduate thesis deals with the approximation of Cretan folk heritage. Specifically, through an educational program for preschool and primary education children, the Fairies will be presented in three genres of the Cretan folklore tradition, in legends, myths and folk tales. Fairies are mythical creatures that are found in myths and legends throughout Greece. They are sometimes described as very beautiful, ethereal women performances that appeal to dancing and singing but sometimes are represented as very ugly and malicious. They usually live near streams, lakes or rivers. In Crete they are also called anerades or gelloudes. There are several legends and myths related to fairies on the island, as well there are many toponyms about them. As an element of Cretan folk tradition, fairies can be the stimulus for bringing it closer to younger children. This can be done within educational programs with a variety of actions. The subject of the Educational Cultural Program of this thesis is images of fairies in the legends, myths and fairy tales of Cretan folk tradition. As these mythical creatures come to life, children will come into contact with the local history and culture of their home country. The implementation of this curriculum will be based on experiential and playful learning and participatory observation, based on pedagogical learning theories for preschool and primary education children and has features of the Project method. It is proposed to be implemented in pre-school children, either in Primary Education in the respective classes or in non-formal education in cooperation with a cultural organization. In the present work the program was designed and implemented in the context of non-formal education

Column Leaching of Greek Low-Grade Limonitic Laterites

In this study, column leaching experiments were carried out to investigate the extraction of Ni and Co from low-grade limonitic laterites from Agios Ioannis mines in central Greece. Tests were carried out in laboratory Plexiglas columns using H2SO4 as leaching solution. Parameters determining the efficiency of the process, i.e., acid concentration (0.5 M or 1.5 M) and addition of 20 or 30 g/L of sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) in the leaching solution, were also studied. Upflow transport of the leaching solution with the use of peristaltic pumps was carried out, while the pregnant leach solution (PLS) was recycled several times over the entire test duration. The concentration of Ni, Co, Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, and Mn in the PLS was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The ore and the leaching residues were characterized by different techniques, i.e., X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DSC/TG). The experimental results showed that (i) Ni and Co extractions increased with the increase of H2SO4 concentration&mdash;60.2% Ni and 59.0% Co extractions were obtained after 33 days of leaching with 1.5 M H2SO4; (ii) addition of 20 g/L Na2SO3 in the leaching solution resulted in higher extraction percentages for both metals (73.5% for Ni and 84.1% for Co, respectively), whereas further increase of Na2SO3 concentration to 30 g/L only marginally affected Ni and Co extractions; and (iii) when leaching was carried out with 1.5 M H2SO4 and 20 g/L Na2SO3, its selectivity was improved, as deduced from the ratios Ni/Mg, Ni/Ca and Ni/Al in the PLS; on the other hand, the ratio Ni/Fe dropped as a result of the higher Fe extraction compared with that of Ni

Underground architecture_ Motivated by modern housing

Περίληψη: Αντικείμενο της ερευνητικής αυτής αποτελεί η αρχιτεκτονική υπόσκαφων κατοικιών, της οποίας το κύριο εργαλείο είναι το έδαφος και η τοπογραφία. Μέσα σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, μελετώνται ανώνυμες υπόσκαφες κατασκευές ως ιστορική αναδρομή, που εμφανίζονται στο βάθος των χρονών, με ανώνυμους αλλά αξιοθαύμαστους κτίστες. Ποιοί είναι οι λόγοι εμφάνισης των ανώνυμων υπόκωφων δομών, ποιά τα χαρακτηριστικά και ποιές οι αρχές σχεδιασμού που παρουσιάζουν; Κατόπιν ως κύριο θέμα της έρευνας παρουσιάζονται σύγχρονα παραδείγματα της τελευταίας εικοσαετίας, υπόσκαφων παραθεριστικών κατοικιών που αλληλοεπιδρούν με το έδαφος και γίνοντας αντιληπτές ως ένα με αυτό. Στη συνέχεια επιχειρούνται κατηγοριοποιήσεις ως προς τη δομή των κατασκευών, ανιχνεύοντας έτσι ομοιότητες και διαφορές από το χθες στο σήμερα. Πόσο μοιάζουν ή πόσο διαφέρουν τα σημερινά μοντέλα με αυτά των ανώνυμων κτιστών; Ποιοί οι λόγοι όπου οι σύγχρονοι άνθρωποι επιλέγουν να κατοικήσουν κάτω από το έδαφος; Με ποιούς τρόπους η σύγχρονη κατοικία χειρίζεται το έδαφος και καταφέρνει να γίνεται ένα με την τοπογραφία και τη τοποθεσία; Ποιές οι ανάγκες δημιουργίας μίας αφαιρετικής και όχι μίας προσθετικής αρχιτεκτονικής; Η παρούσα ερευνητική εργασία επιχειρεί να απαντήσει σε αυτό το σύνολο ερωτημάτων.Summarization: The subject of this research is the architecture of underground houses, whose basic tool is the ground and topography. In this frame, anonymous underground civil constructions are studied throw out the years. This constructions who which were built by anonymous but admirable buildings have appeared since the dawn of civilisation. What are the reasons for the emergence of anonymous underground structures, what are the characteristic and what are the design principles which are been illustrated? More over the main subject of this research is the presentation of modern buildings during the last twenty years, modern examples of undergrounds holiday houses constriction which reciprocate with the ground and are perceived as one with this. Then classifications in term of structure are attempted by detecting similarities and differences from the past up to modern days. How much do they look alike or how much they differ from the current models with those of the anonymous builders? Which are the reasons that modern people choose to live underground? In which ways modern architecture handles the ground and manages to be a solid one with topography and the location? Which are the needs of creating one ablative architecture and not a prosthetic one? This research paper attempts to find answers to these questions.Presented on

Exercise training-induced extracellular matrix protein adaptation in locomotor muscles: a systematic review

Exercise training promotes muscle adaptation and remodelling by balancing the processes of anabolism and catabolism; however, the mechanisms by which exercise delays accelerated muscle wasting are not fully understood. Intramuscular extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are essential to tissue structure and function, as they create a responsive environment for the survival and repair of the muscle fibres. However, their role in muscle adaptation is underappreciated and underinvestigated. The PubMed, COCHRANE, Scopus and CIHNAL databases were systematically searched from inception until February 2021. The inclusion criteria were on ECM adaptation after exercise training in healthy adult population. Evidence from 21 studies on 402 participants demonstrates that exercise training induces muscle remodelling, and this is accompanied by ECM adaptation. All types of exercise interventions promoted a widespread increase in collagens, glycoproteins and proteoglycans ECM transcriptomes in younger and older participants. The ECM controlling mechanisms highlighted here were concerned with myogenic and angiogenic processes during muscle adaptation and remodelling. Further research identifying the mechanisms underlying the link between ECMs and muscle adaptation will support the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and the development of personalised exercise training medicine