Η φροντιστηριακή εκπαίδευση στην Ελλάδα την εποχή της κρίσης από τη μεριά των εκπαιδευτικών˙κοινωνικοπαιδαγωγικές προσαρμογές

Η σκιώδης, φροντιστηριακή εκπαίδευση, αποτελεί για την Ελλάδα μια μορφή εκπαίδευσης σχεδόν υποχρεωτική για τους μαθητές που έχουν υψηλούς στόχους. Ενυπάρχει στο ελληνικό εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα σχεδόν από την αρχή του Νέου Ελληνικού κράτους και διαδραματίζει σημαντικό ρόλο στην εκπαιδευτική πορεία των μαθητών καθώς επίσης και στην επαγγελματική αποκατάσταση μιας πληθώρας καθηγητών. Η φροντιστηριακή εκπαίδευση, άμεσα συνδεδεμένη με τις κοινωνικές και οικονομικές συνθήκες της ελληνικής κοινωνίας, δεν έμεινε ανεπηρέαστη από την οικονομική κρίση που έπληξε τη χώρα στις αρχές της περασμένης δεκαετίας. Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία μελετά τις στάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών της φροντιστηριακής εκπαίδευσης κατά την περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης, σε σχέση με τις προσαρμογές στις οποίες προβαίνουν. Αποσκοπεί στο να απαντηθεί το ερώτημα αν και κατά πόσο οι εκπαιδευτικοί της φροντιστηριακής εκπαίδευσης είναι προσαρμοστικοί ως προς τις οικονομικές τους απολαβές και σε ως προς τους εργοδότες έτσι ώστε να διερευνηθεί αν και κατά πόσο η οικονομική κρίση έχει επιδράσει σε αυτούς. Συμπληρωματικά διερευνάται η προσαρμοστικότητα των εκπαιδευτικών του φροντιστηρίου απέναντι στις ευπαθείς κοινωνικές ομάδες και το αν οι εκπαιδευτικοί του φροντιστηρίου εμφορούνται από αρχές της Κοινωνικής Παιδαγωγικής.Shadow education is in Greece, a form of education almost mandatory for high-achieving students. It exists in the Greek education system almost from the beginning of Modern Greece and plays an important role in the educational process of students as well as in the professional rehabilitation of a large number of teachers. Shadow education, directly linked to the social and economic conditions of Greek society, was not left unaffected by the economic crisis that erupted at the beginning of the last decade. This thesis seeks to answer the question of whether and to what extent shadow education teachers are adaptive to their financial earnings and relevance in order to investigate whether and to what extent the financial crisis has affected them. Further explores the adaptability of private tutors to vulnerable social groups and whether the school teachers are governed by the principles of Social Pedagogy

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Formulation and characterization of W/O nano-dispersions for bioactive delivery applications

The main objective of this study was the formulation of food-grade water-in-oil (W/O) nano-dispersions based mainly on medium or long-chain triglycerides. Two types of dispersions were formulated and structurally compared, namely emulsions and microemulsions. The systems were used as matrices for encapsulating targeted bioactive molecules with specific characteristics such as antioxidants or peptides. The structural characterization of the formulated systems was investigated using techniques such as Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and Small Angle Xray Scattering (SAXS). The existence of swollen inverse micelles was revealed for the case of microemulsions whereas larger droplets still at the nano-scale were observed for the case of emulsions. Structural differences in the presence of the bioactive molecules or induced by the alteration of components were also observed. In order to study the efficacy of the formulations, the proposed loaded systems were assessed either using EPR spectroscopy or Well Diffusion Assay (WDA) depending on the bioactive molecule. It was found that the encapsulated molecules retained their claimed characteristics when encapsulated to the proposed matrices. Finally, some of the formulated dispersions were investigated for their behavior under gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. A two-step digestion model using recombinant Dog Gastric Lipase (rDGL) and Porcine Pancreatic Lipase (PPL) was proposed to simulate lipid hydrolysis in humans. The studies revealed significant decrease of the rDGL specific activity in the presence of the microemulsion while in the presence of lower percent of surfactants (case of emulsion) no alterations were observed

Formulation and characterization of W/O nano-dispersions for bioactive delivery applications

The main objective of this study was the formulation of food-grade water-in-oil (W/O) nano-dispersions based mainly on medium or long-chain triglycerides. Two types of dispersions were formulated and structurally compared, namely emulsions and microemulsions. The systems were used as matrices for encapsulating targeted bioactive molecules with specific characteristics such as antioxidants or peptides. The structural characterization of the formulated systems was investigated using techniques such as Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and Small Angle Xray Scattering (SAXS). The existence of swollen inverse micelles was revealed for the case of microemulsions whereas larger droplets still at the nano-scale were observed for the case of emulsions. Structural differences in the presence of the bioactive molecules or induced by the alteration of components were also observed. In order to study the efficacy of the formulations, the proposed loaded systems were assessed either using EPR spectroscopy or Well Diffusion Assay (WDA) depending on the bioactive molecule. It was found that the encapsulated molecules retained their claimed characteristics when encapsulated to the proposed matrices. Finally, some of the formulated dispersions were investigated for their behavior under gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. A two-step digestion model using recombinant Dog Gastric Lipase (rDGL) and Porcine Pancreatic Lipase (PPL) was proposed to simulate lipid hydrolysis in humans. The studies revealed significant decrease of the rDGL specific activity in the presence of the microemulsion while in the presence of lower percent of surfactants (case of emulsion) no alterations were observed

New molecular genetic technologies in cancer diagnosis and prognosis with emphasis on breast and colon cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the female population, while ovarian cancer ranks sixth. The disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. BRCA1 & BRCA2 gene mutations account for 5-10% of clinical cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer. With the evaluation made regarding the mutations in the Greek population and the detection of pathogenic mutations in genes other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 we conclude that the mutation gene panel examination is very important. the most useful tool for the detection of as many mutations as possible, but also for the detection of large deletions or duplications, is WGS, where the analysis of CNVs can also be carried out. This additional information may help in the early diagnosis of breast cancer and subsequently in its better prognosis. The aim of the present study , regarding breast cancer, was to evaluate the techniques and their results so as to use the most suitable ones for immediate diagnosis and better prognosis. In the colon, the change in the methylation pattern is observed in the early stages of cancer and is directly linked to the onset of the disease. Early detection of polyps reduces the risk of metastases through their subsequent removal, while the diagnosis of colon cancer at an early asymptomatic stage ensures a greater chance of successful treatment. Early detection of polyps reduces the risk of metastases through their subsequent removal, while the diagnosis of colon cancer at an early asymptomatic stage ensures a greater chance of successful treatment. Therefore, it was deemed necessary to develop a non-invasive screening method for suspicious cases. The method is based on the evaluation of the epigenetic marker of methylation in epithelial cells that have been excreted with the feces. Specifically, the methylation levels of three genomic regions of DNA extracted from epithelial cells are determined. Feces appear to be the sample of choice for non-invasive colon cancer screening as DNA (ctDNA) is derived directly from tumor tissue and/or precancerous lesions. The method was evaluated and it is very important that it seems to be able to detect even very small lesions (polyps). In conclusion, it is a method that can contribute to the early diagnosis and therefore to the good prognosis of colon cancer.Ο καρκίνος του μαστού αποτελεί το δεύτερο σε συχνότητα τύπο καρκίνου στο γυναικείο πληθυσμό, ενώ ο καρκίνος των ωοθηκών καταλαμβάνει την έκτη θέση . Η νόσος κληρονομείται με αυτοσωμικό επικρατή τρόπο. Οι μεταλλάξεις των γονιδίων BRCA1 & BRCA2 ερμηνεύουν το 5-10% των κλινικών περιστατικών καρκίνου μαστού ή/και ωοθηκών. Με την αξιολόγηση που έγινε σχετικά με τις μεταλλάξεις στον Ελληνικό πληθυσμό και την ανίχνευση παθογόνων μεταλλάξεων και σε άλλα γονίδια εκτός από το BRCA1 και BRCA2 συμπεραίνουμε ότι είναι πολύ σημαντική η εξέταση πάνελ γονιδίου μεταλλάξεων. Το χρησιμότερο εργαλείο βέβαια και για την ανίχνευση όσο το δυνατό περιςσότερων μεταλλάξεων αλλά και για την ανίχνευση μεγάλων απαλειφών ή διπλασιασμών είναι το WGS όπου μπορεί να πραγματοποιηθεί και η ανάλυση των CNVs . Οι επιπλέον αυτές πληροφορίες μπορεί να βοηθήσουν στην έγκαιρη διάγνωση του καρκίνου του μαστού και επομένος στην καλύτερη πρόγνωση αυτού. Ο στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης, σχετικά με τον καρκίνο του μαστού, ήταν η αξιολόγηση των τεχνικών και των αποτελεσμάτων τους και εφαρμογή των καταλληλότερων για άμεση διάγνωση και καλύτερη πρόγνωση. Στο παχύ έντερο η αλλαγή του προτύπου μεθυλίωσης παρατηρείται στα πρώιμα στάδια του καρκίνου και συνδέεται άμεσα με την έναρξη της νόσου. Η έγκαιρη ανίχνευση των πολυπόδων μειώνει τον κίνδυνο εξαλλαγής μέσω της επακόλουθης αφαίρεσής τους, ενώ η διάγνωση του καρκίνου του παχέος εντέρου σε πρώιμο ασυμπτωματικό στάδιο διασφαλίζει μεγαλύτερη πιθανότητα επιτυχούς θεραπευτικής αντιμετώπισης. Η έγκαιρη ανίχνευση των πολυπόδων μειώνει τον κίνδυνο εξαλλαγής μέσω της επακόλουθης αφαίρεσής τους, ενώ η διάγνωση του καρκίνου του παχέος εντέρου σε πρώιμο ασυμπτωματικό στάδιο διασφαλίζει μεγαλύτερη πιθανότητα επιτυχούς θεραπευτικής αντιμετώπισης. Επομένως κρίθηκε αναγκαία η ανάπτυξη μιας μεθόδου μη επεμβατικού τεστ διαλογής ύποπτων περιστατικών (screening). Η μέθοδος βασίζεται στην αξιολόγηση του επιγενετικού δείκτη της μεθυλίωσης σε επιθηλιακά κύτταρα τα οποία έχουν αποβληθεί με τα κόπρανα. Συγκεκριμένα προσδιορίζονται τα επίπεδα μεθυλίωσης τριών γενωμικών περιοχών του DNA που εξάγεται από τα επιθηλιακά κύτταρα. Τα κόπρανα φαίνεται ότι αποτελούν το δείγμα επιλογής για τον μη επεμβατικό προσυμπτωματικό έλεγχο καρκίνου του παχέος εντέρου καθώς το DNA (ctDNA) προέρχεται απευθείας από τον ιστό του του όγκου ή/και προκαρκινικών αλλοιώσεων. Η μέθοδος αξιολογήθηκε και είναι πολύ σημαντικό το γεγονώς ότι φαίνεται πως μπορεί να ανιχνεύει ακόμα και τις πολύ μικρές αλλοιώσεις (πολύποδες). Φυσικά χρειάζεται περαιτέρω αξιολόγηση με μεγαύτερο αριθμό δειγμάτων. Συμπερασματικά, είναι μία μέθοδος που μπορεί να συνεισφέρει στην πρώιμη διάγνωση και συνεπώς και στην καλή πρόγνωση του καρκίνου του παχέος εντέρου

Ορατότητα Τρανς Κοινότητας

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία έχει ως σκοπό και αντικείμενό της να διερευνήσει την ορατότητα της τρανς κοινότητας στην Ελλάδα την τελευταία δεκαετία και να αποτελέσει ιδανικά ένα εγχειρίδιο αναφοράς για όσους ενδιαφέρονται να μάθουν ή να διδάξουν για τα ζητήματα φύλου γενικά, αλλά και για αυτούς που ενδιαφέρονται να γίνουν ενεργοί σύμμαχοι της τρανς κοινότητας ειδικότερα. Στον δρόμο για ενεργή συμπαράσταση προς την τρανς κοινότητα, η παρούσα εργασία αποτελεί μέρος κοινής διπλωματικής εργασίας με την ταινία τεκμηρίωσης "Ούτε Κορίτσι Ούτε Αγόρι", μια ταινία που φωτίζει πτυχές της καθημερινότητας διεμφυλικών και ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ ατόμων στην Αθήνα του 2018. Ευελπιστούμε ότι μπορούν να αποτελέσουν από κοινού μέρος της Σεξουαλικής Αγωγής που θα έπρεπε να διδάσκεται σε όλες τις βαθμίδες εκπαίδευσης, η οποία στερείται υλικού, τόσο έντυπου όσο και οπτικοακουστικού.This thesis aims to investigate the visibility of trans community in Greece in the last decade and to be ideally a reference manual for anyone interested in learning or teaching about the issues sex in general, but also for those who are interested to become active allies of trans community. On the way to active support for the trans community, this work is part of a joint diplomatic work with the documentary film "Neither Girl Nor Boy " in Athens of 2018, a movie that illuminates aspects of everyday life transgender and LGBTI people. Hopefully that these projects can be jointly part of sex education that should be taught at all levels of education, which lacks of material, both printed and audiovisual

A Family of Transcriptional Antitermination Factors Necessary for Synthesis of the Capsular Polysaccharides of Bacteroides fragilis▿ †

A single strain of Bacteroides fragilis synthesizes eight distinct capsular polysaccharides, designated PSA to PSH. These polysaccharides are synthesized by-products encoded by eight separate polysaccharide biosynthesis loci. The genetic architecture of each of these eight loci is similar, including the fact that the first gene of each locus is a paralog of the first gene of each of the other PS loci. These proteins are designated the UpxY family, where x is replaced by a to h, depending upon the polysaccharide locus from which it is produced. Mutational analysis of three separate upxY genes demonstrated that they are necessary and specific for transcription of their respective polysaccharide biosynthesis operon and that they function in trans. Transcriptional reporter constructs, reverse transcriptase PCR, and deletion analysis demonstrated that the UpxYs do not affect initiation of transcription, but rather prevent premature transcriptional termination within the 5′ untranslated region between the promoter and the upxY gene. The UpxYs have conserved motifs that are present in NusG and NusG-like proteins. Mutation of two conserved residues within the conserved KOW motif abrogated UpaY activity, further confirming that these proteins belong to the NusG-like (NusGSP) family. Alignment of highly similar UpxYs led to the identification of a small region of these proteins predicted to confer specificity for their respective loci. Construction of an upaY-upeY hybrid that produced a protein in which a 17-amino-acid segment of UpaY was changed to that of UpeY altered UpaY's specificity, as it was now able to function in transcriptional antitermination of the PSE biosynthesis operon