acquiT he contribution of MR Urography in imaging congenital malformations in children - preliminary results

 Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) is a fairly new technique which has been studied for the last 10 years. MRU offers increased spatial and temporal resolution and provides quantitative functional information on renal perfusion, excretion and drainage. This article presents the first results obtained from MRU studies in children in Northern Greece. 21 children (3-11 years old) diagnosed with congenital malformations were studied with MRU. A standardized protocol was created in order to make MRU feasible in everyday use, based on protocols suggested by other researchers. Both T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained using the following sequences: 2D Τ2-weighted fat saturation, 3D single shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE/RARE), 2D Radial SSFSE and T1-weighted gradient LAVA (3D SPGR). In 16 out of the 21 cases the MRU images and data agreed with the previous diagnosis based on radionuclide and ultrasound studies. In 5 cases MRU provided additional information, altering or even overruling the previous diagnosis. These 5 cases are presented in this article

Overview and future challenges of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) design in Southern Europe

In times of great transition of the European construction sector to energy efficient and nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB), a market observation containing qualitative and quantitative indications should help to fill out some of the current gaps concerning the EU 2020 carbon targets. Next to the economic challenges, there are equally important factors that hinder renovating the existing residential building stock and adding newly constructed high performance buildings. Under these circumstances this paper summarises the findings of a cross-comparative study of the societal and technical barriers of nZEB implementation in 7 Southern European countries. The study analyses the present situation and provides an overview on future prospects for nZEB in Southern Europe. The result presents an overview of challenges and provides recommendations based on available empirical evidence to further lower those barriers in the European construction sector. The paper finds that the most Southern European countries are poorly prepared for nZEB implementation and especially to the challenge opportunity of retrofitting existing buildings. Creating a common approach to further develop nZEB targets, concepts and definitions in synergy with the climatic, societal and technical state of progress in Southern Europe is essential. The paper provides recommendations for actions to shift the identified gaps into opportunities for future development of climate adaptive high performance buildings. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study of Internal Morphology of Root-Canal Treated Single-Rooted Mandibular Second Molars in a Greek Population

Background/Aim: To determine the prevalence of single-rooted mandibular second molars in a Greek population and examine their internal morphology with the aid of intraoral periapical radiography

An Uncommon Presentation of Spontaneous Rectus Sheath Hematoma with Acute Kidney Injury due to Obstructive Uropathy and Prerenal Azotemia

Rectus Sheath Hematoma (RSH) represents an unusual entity which is characterized by acute abdominal pain and tender palpable abdominal mass usually, among elderly patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. We report the case of an 81-year-old woman admitted to our department due to acute abdominal pain and oligoanuria. The patient had recently been hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and received both anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies. The radiological assessments revealed an extended Rectus Sheath Hematoma and bilateral hydronephrosis. Treatment of the hematoma required cessation of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, immobilization, blood and fresh frozen plasma transfusion, and administration of vasopressors. The patient recovered gradually and was discharged home fifteen (15) days later

Second Root Canal in Mandibular Incisors: an Ex Vivo Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Study

Background/Aim: To analyze the internal morphology of mandibular incisors with two root canals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: 289 (143 central and 146 lateral) extracted intact mandibular incisors were radiographed for detection of a second root canal. The teeth presenting a second root canal were imaged with CBCT and evaluated regarding: root canal type, the distance of the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the bifurcation of the canals and the distance of the canal fusion to the apical foramen (in teeth in which canals rejoined). Results: Out of 143 central and 146 lateral mandibular incisors, 41 (28.7%) and 44 (30.1%) teeth respectively showed a second root canal. Types II, III, V and an additional type to Vertucci’s classification were identified. Type III was the most prevalent and presented in 30 (73.2%) central and 34 (77.3%) lateral mandibular incisors with two root canals. The mean values of the distance of the CEJ to the canal bifurcation were 4.2 mm and 4.0 mm for central and lateral mandibular incisors respectively. The mean values of the distance of the canal fusion to the apical foramen 5.5 mm and 5.1 mm for central and lateral mandibular incisors respectively. Conclusions: Mandibular incisors with two root canals mainly present with Vertucci’s Type 3 canal configuration. The canal bifurcation was identified mostly at the coronal and middle thirds of the root, while the canal fusion occurred in the middle third of the root

Addressing Energy Poverty through Transitioning to a Carbon-Free Environment

The excessive consumption of fossil fuels not only leads to resource depletion, but also involves negative environmental effects on both public health and the climate. However, Greece’s renewable energy (RE) capacity is considerable and could meet a great part of the country’s energy needs while helping to tackle the ecological problem our planet faces. At the same time, the deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) can facilitate the creation of new jobs and enable households to become energy independent, while addressing energy poverty. The present study investigates the views and attitudes of citizens of the Thessaloniki conurbation towards RES. To collect the data, structured questionnaires were used, which were completed through personal interviews. Moreover, random sampling was performed to select the sample, and in total 420 citizens participated in the survey. Results showed that the respondents supported the replacement of lignite plants with renewable energy sources since they perceived that they constitute a necessary solution providing opportunities for economic growth and improvement to their quality of life. Finally, the vast majority expressed increased interest in future investment in photovoltaic systems, which in their opinion could contribute to improving air quality and increasing the energy independence not only of Greece but also of households

MR urography: Anatomical and quantitative information on congenital malformations in children

Background and Aim: Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) is considered to be the next step in uroradiology. This technique combines superb anatomical images and functional information in a single test. In this article, we aim to present the topic of MRU in children and how it has been implemented in Northern Greece so far. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the potential of MRU in clinical practice. We focus both on the anatomical and the quantitative information this technique can offer. Materials and Methods: MRU was applied in 25 children (ages from 3 to 11 years) diagnosed with different types of congenital malformations. T1 and T2 images were obtained for all patients. Dynamic, contrast-enhanced data were processed and signal intensity versus time curves were created for all patients from regions of interest (ROIs) selected around the kidneys in order to yield quantitative information regarding the kidneys function. Results: From the slopes of these curves we were able to evaluate which kidneys were functional and from the corticomedullary cross-over point to determine whether the renal system was obstructed or not. Conclusion: In all 25 cases MRU was sufficient, if not superior to other imaging modalities, to establish a complete diagnosis