First report of Vibrio anguillarum isolation from diseased big scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri Risso 1810, in Limnos, Greece

Vibriosis is an important disease of farmed and wild fish, caused by species of the genus Vibrio. During December 2000, high mortalities were observed in a wild population of big scale sand smelt Atherina boyeri in Limnos, Greece. The microbiological analysis of the moribund fish resulted in the isolation of a pure culture of Vibrio anguillarum. The bacterium was identified by bacteriological procedures and slide agglutination reaction. Focal or more extensive necrosis was found in almost all organs, in all fish examined and the retina of the eyes appeared corrugated. The pathogenicity of the strain for sea bass was confirmed by bath challenge causing mortalities up to 97%. Factors contributing to the outbreak of the disease were considered to be the presence of parasites (Platyhelminthes) in the intestinal tract. No simultaneous infection at a fish farm in the vicinity had been reported. However, since there are disease interactions between wild and cultured fish, infected wild fish, can act as a reservoir of the pathogen

Χρήση διεπαφών εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή στην αποκατάσταση επικοινωνίας ασθενών με Σύνδρομο Εγκλεισμού

H παρούσα συστηματική ανασκόπηση αφορά τη χρήση διεπαφών εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή στην αποκατάσταση επικοινωνίας ασθενών με Σύνδρομο Εγκλεισμού. Συγκεκριμένα, εξετάζει τις μελέτες που πραγματοποιήθηκαν την τελευταία πενταετία με επεμβατικές/ημι-επεμβατικές αλλά και μη επεμβατικές διεπαφές στο σύνδρομο αυτό. Η μεγαλύτερη πρόκληση που είχαν να ξεπεράσουν οι μελέτες αυτές ήταν η επίτευξη αυτόνομης επικοινωνίας, ιδιαίτερα σε ασθενείς με Πλήρες Συνδρόμου Εγκλεισμού. Οι μελέτες έδειξαν θετικά αποτελέσματα στην πρόοδο της ανάπτυξης της τεχνολογίας αυτής, με τις μη επεμβατικές διεπαφές εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή να χρησιμοποιούνται στην πλειοψηφία για την αποκατάσταση επικοινωνίας. Στο διάστημα της τελευταίας πενταετίας βρέθηκαν δεκαπέντε μελέτες που να αφορούν μη επεμβατικές διεπαφές εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή και να ανταποκρίνονται στα κριτήρια ένταξης της συγκεκριμένης συστηματικής ανασκόπησης, ενώ μόνο δύο μελέτες που να αφορούν επεμβατικές/ημι-επεμβατικές διεπαφές εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή. Υπήρξε εξέλιξη και στην αποτελεσματικότητα των διεπαφών εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή στην επικοινωνία σε ασθενείς με Πλήρες Σύνδρομο Εγκλεισμού, λόγου χάρη η διεπαφή mindBEAGLE, η οποία πέτυχε για πρώτη φορά μεγαλύτερη ακρίβεια στην επικοινωνία σε μικρό χρονικό διάστημα. Πρόοδος υπήρξε και σε άλλα είδη μη επεμβατικών διεπαφών εγκεφάλου-υπολογιστή, όπως διεπαφές με βάση τα οπτικά προκλητά δυναμικά σταθερής κατάστασης, διεπαφή λειτουργικής φασματοσκοπίας εγγύς υπερύθρου και διεπαφή με βάση το ακουστικό ηλεκτροοφθαλμογράφημα. Δεδομένου, ότι ο συγκεκριμένος πληθυσμός στις έρευνες δεν ήταν πολύ μεγάλος ώστε να υπάρχουν τυχαιοποιημένες ελεγχόμενες μελέτες, τα αποτελέσματα πρέπει να επιβεβαιωθούν στο μέλλον με περαιτέρω μελέτες και μεγαλύτερο πληθυσμό.This systematic review addresses the use of brain-computer interfaces in the communication rehabilitation of patients with Locked-in Syndrome. Specifically, it examines the studies conducted in the last five years on invasive/semi-invasive and non-invasive interfaces in this syndrome. The most significant challenge that these studies had to overcome, was to achieve autonomous communication, especially in patients with Complete Locked-in Syndrome. Studies have shown progress of the development of this technology, with non-invasive interfaces being used in the majority for the communication rehabilitation. Fifteen studies, meeting the inclusion criteria of this systematic review, are about non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, while only two studies examine invasive/semi-invasive brain-computer interfaces. There has also been improvement in the effectiveness of brain-computer interfaces in communication in patients with Complete Locked-in Syndrome, for example the mindBEAGLE interface, which for the first time attained greater accuracy in communication in a short period of time. Other types of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, such as brain-computer interfaces based on steady-state visual-evoked potentials, brain-computer interface based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and an auditory electrooculogram-based communication system, have also improved performance. Given that the specific population in the studies was not large enough to conduct randomized controlled trials, the results need to be confirmed in the future with further studies and a larger population

Impact of auditor tenure on audit quality: European evidence

This study examines the relationship of auditor tenure and audit quality in four European countries, namely Germany, France, Italy and Spain, with the innovative GMM (Generalized Methods of Moments) model during the period from 2005 to 2013.Two GMM methods are used with two alternative definitions of crisis – the main and the robustness method. The results agree regardless of the fact that some of the control variables are excluded in the robustness test.The results support the finding that in Spain, there is an impact of auditors’ long-term tenure on discretionary accruals, affecting auditors’ quality and independence indirectly. In addition, the crisis affected Germany and France as far as the change in negative and positive values of GDP is concerned. In this respect, the crisis affected the above two countries when the years before and after the crisis are considered as a robustness check. The results contain important implications for accountant regulators and policy makers

An Evaluation of the Anti-Carcinogenic Response of Major Isothiocyanates in Non-Metastatic and Metastatic Melanoma Cells

Malignant melanoma is one of the most deadly types of solid cancers, a property mainly attributed to its highly aggressive metastatic form. On the other hand, different classes of isothiocy- anates, a class of phytochemicals, present in cruciferous vegetables have been characterized by considerable anti-cancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. In the current study, we investigated the anti-cancer response of five isothiocyanates in an in vitro model of melanoma consisting of non-metastatic (A375, B16F-10) and metastatic (VMM1, Hs294T) malignant melanoma as well as non-melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and non-tumorigenic melanocyte-neighboring keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Our aim was to compare different endpoints of cytotoxicity (e.g., reactive oxygen species, intracellular glutathione content, cell cycle growth arrest, apoptosis and necrosis) descriptive of an anti-cancer response between non-metastatic and metastatic melanoma as well as non-melanoma epidermoid carcinoma and non-tumorigenic cells. Our results showed that exposure to isothiocyanates induced an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species and glutathione contents between non-metastatic and metastatic melanoma cells. The distribution of cell cycle phases followed a similar pattern in a manner where non-metastatic and metastatic melanoma cells appeared to be growth arrested at the G2/M phase while elevated levels of metastatic melanoma cells were shown to be at sub G1 phase, an indicator of necrotic cell death. Finally, metastatic melanoma cells were more sensitive apoptosis and/or necrosis as higher levels were observed compared to non-melanoma epidermoid carcinoma and non-tumorigenic cells. In general, non-mela- noma epidermoid carcinoma and non-tumorigenic cells were more resistant under any experimental exposure condition. Overall, our study provides further evidence for the potential development of isothiocyanates as promising anti-cancer against non-metastic and metastatic melanoma cells, a property specific for these cells and not shared by non-melanoma epidermoid carcinoma or non-tumorigenic melanocyte cells

Acid-fast bacteria as causative agents of skin and soft tissue infections: case presentations and literature review

Acid-fast bacteria can be implicated in skin and soft tissue infections. Diagnostic identification can be challenging or not feasible by routine laboratory techniques, especially if there is no access to the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology. Here, we present two cases of skin and soft tissue infections caused by two different acid-fast bacteria, Nocardia brasiliensis and Mycobacterium marinum. They both grew on Löwenstein–Jensen medium, Sabouraud agar medium and blood agar medium. Both bacteria appeared acid-fast by Ziehl–Neelsen stain and Gram-positive by Gram stain. The identification was performed by MALDI-TOF MS and gene analysis. N. brasiliensis and nontuberculous mycobacterium M. marinum represent rare pathogens that cause severe skin and soft tissue infections. Failure to identify the causative agent and subsequent inappropriate or inadequate treatment may lead to severe complications or even disseminated disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals

Chemical and Biological Characterization of the Anticancer Potency of \u3ci\u3eSalvia fruticosa\u3c/i\u3e in a Model of Human Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide. Thus, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is of great importance. Salvia fruticosa (SF) is known for its anticancer properties and in this context, we aimed to investigate its potential anti-melanoma activity in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed through a colorimetric-based sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay in primary malignant melanoma (A375), non-malignant melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and non-tumorigenic melanocyte neighbouring keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Among eight (8) different fractions of S. fruticosa extracts (SF1-SF8) tested, SF3 was found to possess significant cytotoxic activity against A375 cells, while A431 and HaCaT cells remained relatively resistant or exerted no cytotoxicity, respectively. In addition, the total phenolic (Folin–Ciocalteu assay) and total flavonoid content of SF extracts was estimated, whereas the antioxidant capacity was measured via the inhibition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels. Finally, apoptotic cell death was assessed by utilizing a commercially available kit for the activation of caspases - 3, - 8 and - 9. In conclusion, the anti-melanoma properties of SF3 involve the induction of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway(s), as evidenced by the increased activity levels of caspases - 8, and - 9, respectively

Primary choriocarcinoma of the renal pelvis presenting as intracerebral hemorrhage: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A choriocarcinoma is a malignant neoplasm normally arising in the gestational trophoblast, gonads and, less frequently, the retroperitoneum, mediastinum and pineal gland. Primary choriocarcinomas of the renal pelvis are extremely rare.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a case of primary choriocarcinoma of the renal pelvis in a 38-year-old Greek woman of reproductive age, presenting with a sudden development of intracerebral hemorrhage due to metastatic lesions. The diagnosis was established with a renal biopsy, along with an elevated serum level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. An extensive diagnostic work up confirmed the origin of the choriocarcinoma to be the renal pelvis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Extragonadal choriocarcinomas are rare neoplasms that require extensive laboratory and imaging studies to exclude a gonadal origin. Moreover, this is the first case of severe intracerebral hemorrhage as the initial presentation of primary choriocarcinoma of the renal pelvis. Nonetheless, choriocarcinomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of women of reproductive age.</p

Emergency Contraception. Literature Review. Experience in a Greek Center. Greece Used Methods

The sexual liberation of women can now be taken for granted, and access to information is particularly easy, but even today there is still many lack of information about contraceptive methods. No method of contraception has a 100% guaranteed result as success depends on many factors such as faithful adherence to the instructions of family planning centers, age of the woman, the frequency of the sexual act, and of course the type of contraception. Emergency contraception refers to any method of contraception used after intercourse and before implantation. It differs from the medical termination of pregnancy, which has 75–89% effectiveness and copper IUDs. Contraception is used to stop the sperm from fertilizing the egg or to stop the fertilized egg from implantation in the uterus. All contraceptive methods require educational awareness and emergency contraception should not be used as normal contraceptive treatment. It does not fall into the sphere of moral dilemmas if it is taught correctly at the levels of primary and secondary education and in the family sphere. Undoubtedly, the organization of family planning centers for women of reproductive age as well as for teenagers is deemed necessary and should become a priority of every government

Effect of support oxygen storage capacity on the catalytic performance of Rh nanoparticles for CO2 reforming of methane

The effects of the metal oxide support on the activity, selectivity, resistance to carbon deposition and high temperature oxidative aging on the Rh-catalyzed dry reforming of methane (DRM) were investigated. Three Rh catalysts supported on oxides characterized by very different oxygen storage capacities and labilities (γ-Al 2O 3, alumina-ceria-zirconia (ACZ) and ceria-zirconia (CZ)) were studied in the temperature interval 400–750 °C under both integral and differential reaction conditions. ACZ and CZ promoted CO 2 conversion, yielding CO-enriched synthesis gas. Detailed characterization of these materials, including state of the art XPS measurements obtained via sample transfer between reaction cell and spectrometer chamber, provided clear insight into the factors that determine catalytic performance. The principal Rh species detected by post reaction XPS was Rh 0, its relative content decreasing in the order Rh/CZ(100%)>Rh/ACZ(72%)>Rh/γ-Al 2O 3(55%). The catalytic activity followed the same order, demonstrating unambiguously that Rh 0 is indeed the key active site. Moreover, the presence of CZ in the support served to maintain Rh in the metallic state and minimize carbon deposition under reaction conditions. Carbon deposition, low in all cases, increased in the order Rh/CZ < Rh/ACZ < Rh/γ-Al 2O 3 consistent with a bi-functional reaction mechanism whereby backspillover of labile lattice O 2− contributes to carbon oxidation, stabilization of Rh 0 and modification of its surface chemistry; the resulting O vacancies in the support providing centers for dissociative adsorption of CO 2. The lower apparent activation energy observed with CZ-containing samples suggests that CZ is a promising support component for use in low temperature DRM