Κοινωνιολογική προσέγγιση του κατά πόσο ανοιχτό είναι το σχολείο με την κοινωνία και η κοινωνία με το σχολείο

Η ανάγκη για ένα ανοιχτό σχολικό σύστημα προς την κοινωνία είναι καίριας σημασίας διότι τα σχολεία αποτελούν μια μικρογραφία της ίδιας της κοινωνίας μέσω της οποίας τα παιδιά προετοιμάζονται και λαμβάνουν τα κατάλληλα εκπαιδευτικά εφόδια για να ενταχθούν αργότερα στο ευρύτερο κοινωνικό σύνολο. Για την επίτευξη αυτού του σκοπού σημαντική είναι η συμβολή και η συνεργασία όλων των μελών του σχολικού συστήματος όπως η διοίκηση, οι σχεδιαστές της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής, οι εκπαιδευτικοί και οι μαθητές.The need for an open school system for society is crucial because schools are a miniature of society itself through which children prepare and receive the appropriate educational resources to integrate later into the wider community. In order to achieve this objective, the contribution and cooperation of all members of the school system such as administration, education policy makers, teachers and pupils is important

Evolution and Phylogenetic Analysis of Full-Length VP3 Genes of Eastern Mediterranean Bluetongue Virus Isolates

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the ‘type’ species of the genus Orbivirus within the family Reoviridae. The BTV genome is composed of ten linear segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), each of which codes for one of ten distinct viral proteins. Previous phylogenetic comparisons have evaluated variations in genome segment 3 (Seg-3) nucleotide sequence as way to identify the geographical origin (different topotypes) of BTV isolates. The full-length nucleotide sequence of genome Seg-3 was determined for thirty BTV isolates recovered in the eastern Mediterranean region, the Balkans and other geographic areas (Spain, India, Malaysia and Africa). These data were compared, based on molecular variability, positive-selection-analysis and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic reconstructions (using appropriate substitution models) to 24 previously published sequences, revealing their evolutionary relationships. These analyses indicate that negative selection is a major force in the evolution of BTV, restricting nucleotide variability, reducing the evolutionary rate of Seg-3 and potentially of other regions of the BTV genome. Phylogenetic analysis of the BTV-4 strains isolated over a relatively long time interval (1979–2000), in a single geographic area (Greece), showed a low level of nucleotide diversity, indicating that the virus can circulate almost unchanged for many years. These analyses also show that the recent incursions into south-eastern Europe were caused by BTV strains belonging to two different major-lineages: representing an ‘eastern’ (BTV-9, -16 and -1) and a ‘western’ (BTV-4) group/topotype. Epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses indicate that these viruses originated from a geographic area to the east and southeast of Greece (including Cyprus and the Middle East), which appears to represent an important ecological niche for the virus that is likely to represent a continuing source of future BTV incursions into Europe

Assessment of Organophosphate and Carbamate Pesticide Residues in Cigarette Tobacco with a Novel Cell Biosensor

The conventional analysis of pesticide residues in analytical commodities, such as tobacco and tobacco products is a labor intensive procedure, since it is necessary to cover a wide range of different chemicals, using a single procedure. Standard analysis methods include extensive sample pretreatment (with solvent extraction and partitioning phases) and determination by GC and HPLC to achieve the necessary selectivity and sensitivity for the different classes of compounds under detection. As a consequence, current methods of analysis provide a limited sample capacity. In the present study, we report on the development of a novel cell biosensor for detecting organophosphate and carbamate pesticide residues in tobacco. The sensor is based on neuroblastoma N2a cells and the measurement of changes of the cell membrane potential, according to the working principle of the Bioelectric Recognition Assay (BERA). The presence of pesticide residues is detected by the degree of inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE). The sensor instantly responded to both the organophoshate pesticide chlorpyriphos and the carbamate carbaryl in a concentration-dependent pattern, being able to detect one part per billion (1 ppb). Additionally, tobacco leaf samples (in blended dry form) were analyzed with both the novel biosensor and conventional methods, according to a double-blind protocol. Pesticide residues in tobacco samples caused a considerable cell membrane hyperpolarization to neuroblastoma cells immobilized in the sensor, as indicated by the increase of the negative sensor potential, which was clearly distinguishable from the sensor’s response against pesticide-free control samples. The observed response was quite reproducible, with an average variation of +5,6%. Fluorescence microscopy observations showed that treatment of the cells with either chlorpyrifos or carbaryl was associated with increased [Ca2+]cyt . The novel biosensor offers fresh perspectives for ultra-rapid, sensitive and low-cost monitoring of pesticide residues in tobacco as well as other food and agricultural commodities

Assessment of organophosphate and carbamate pesticide residues in cigarette tobacco with a novel cell biosensor

Abstract: The conventional analysis of pesticide residues in analytical commodities, such as tobacco and tobacco products is a labor intensive procedure, since it is necessary to cover a wide range of different chemicals, using a single procedure. Standard analysis methods include extensive sample pretreatment (with solvent extraction and partitioning phases) and determination by GC and HPLC to achieve the necessary selectivity and sensitivity for the different classes of compounds under detection. As a consequence, current methods of analysis provide a limited sample capacity. In the present study, we report on the development of a novel cell biosensor for detecting organophosphate and carbamate pesticide residues in tobacco. The sensor is based on neuroblastoma N2a cells and the measurement of changes of the cell membrane potential, according to the working principle of the Bioelectric Recognition Assay (BERA). The presence of pesticide residues is detected by the degree of inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE). The sensor instantly responded to both the organophoshate pesticide chlorpyriphos and the carbamate carbaryl in a concentration-dependent pattern, being able to detect one part per billion (1 ppb). Additionally, tobacco leaf samples (in blended dry form) were analyzed with both th

Bluetongue virus diagnosis of clinical cases by a duplex reverse transcription-PCR: a comparison with conventional methods

A duplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the detection of bluetongue virus (BTV) in clinical samples was developed. This assay, which detects the highly conserved S10 region of BTV, was assessed for sensitivity and application as a rapid and dependable diagnostic tool by comparison with standard assays of virus detection, such as virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs and cell culture. Simultaneous detection of BTV and host β-actin RNAs minimizes the possibility of false negative results. The sensitivity of the assay was found to be equal to five cell culture infectious dose (CCID50) units and its specificity was confirmed as no RT-PCR product was detected with RNAs from two closely related orbiviruses, i.e. epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (serotypes 1, 2 and 318) and African horse sickness virus, serotype 9, or RNAs from uninfected BHK-21 cells and blood samples from uninfected sheep or goats. In this study, 36 blood samples from naturally infected mixed flocks of sheep and goats were examined. Seventeen animals were identified as BTV-positive by RT-PCR, whereas only 13 were found positive by virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs and nine by cell culture assays. These results indicate that the duplex RT-PCR could be a useful technique for monitoring BTV infection in the field

Molecular analysis of the NS3/NS3A gene of Bluetongue virus isolates from the 1979 and 1998-2001 epizootics in Greece and their segregation into two distinct groups

The sequence of the genome segment 10 (Seg-10) encoding NS3/NS3A was determined for 19 field isolates of Bluetongue virus (BTV) of serotypes BTV-1, BTV-4, BTV-9 and BTV-16, derived from epizootics in Greece in the years 1979 and 1998–2001. The aim of the study was to define the molecular epidemiology of the virus in this part of the Mediterranean basin. On the basis of the Seg-10 sequences, the isolates grouped into two distinct phylogenetic clusters. These were Greek group I of solely serotype BTV-4 viruses, and Greek group II of serotypes BTV-1, BTV-9 and BTV-16 viruses. The isolates in Greek group I clustered with the Corsican and Tunisian BTV-2 serotypes and US group II strains of BTV-10 and BTV-13 serotypes, while those in Greek group II with Chinese, Indian and Australian viruses of different sterotypes suggesting that viruses derived from two distinct ecosystems have caused BT incursions in Greece over the last 25 years. The NS3/NS3A sequences of most of the BTV-4 isolates were identical, irrespective of the year of isolation, geographical location and host species or tissue origin. Maximum of 15–16% nucleic acid sequence variation, but only 4% deduced amino acid substitution, were observed between groups I and II. Furthermore, the clustering of the NS3/NS3A sequences was independent of the viral serotype, indicating the occurrence of genome segment reassortment during the course of evolution of the viruses

A perspective current and past modes of inhalation therapy

Abstract Inhalation is the preferred route of delivery for anti‐asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drugs. The use of this route has demonstrated efficacy in these and other conditions, it offers rapid onset of action, and is associated with minimal systemic exposure, thereby reducing the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, the current brief covers an interesting collection of inhaler action modes, shedding light on their molecular mechanisms and clinical applications for anti‐asthma, COPD and antibacterial inhalation therapy. Hence, not only enriches our understanding of inhalation therapy molecular intricacies but also provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape in clinical and antibacterial inhalation therapy. In doing so, it underscores the pivotal role of microbiology and biotechnology in advancing therapeutic approaches that harness the power of inhalation