A study concerning morphometry of abdominal aorta branches and abdominal viscera: relations and correlation

Research interest on abdominal aorta branches and abdominal viscera morphometry is renewed by technological evolution and development of new radiologic and clinical applications including stent grafts and chemoembolisation materials. Despite that, data on morphometry of abdominal aorta branches and abdominal viscera are lacking. To investigate this subject authors performed a morphometric study on 50 adult fresh and embalmed Caucasian cadavers and examined abdominal aorta branches’, kidney and spleen morphometry. Our results on arteries’ morphometry did not differ significantly from those of the literature; yet, we discovered significant differences between fresh and embalmed cadavers on viscera morphometry, spleen and kidneys. We also found previously unreported correlations between abdominal aorta branches’ morphometric characteristics. Even more, we identified correlations between regional arteries and viscera morphometric characteristics, proposing a new factor determining viscera development. Finally, we performed an extensive literature review so to place our results in an anatomic, embryologic and, even more, a clinical context. We believe that our results add knowledge on abdominal aorta branches and viscera morphometry and are valuable for clinical, radiological and surgical applications including visceral arteries’ aneurysms investigation and treatment, chemoembolisation procedures, stent grafts design and transplantation.

Revisiting QRS detection methodologies for portable, wearable, battery-operated, and wireless ECG systems

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death worldwide. Currently, portable battery-operated systems such as mobile phones with wireless ECG sensors have the potential to be used in continuous cardiac function assessment that can be easily integrated into daily life. These portable point-of-care diagnostic systems can therefore help unveil and treat cardiovascular diseases. The basis for ECG analysis is a robust detection of the prominent QRS complex, as well as other ECG signal characteristics. However, it is not clear from the literature which ECG analysis algorithms are suited for an implementation on a mobile device. We investigate current QRS detection algorithms based on three assessment criteria: 1) robustness to noise, 2) parameter choice, and 3) numerical efficiency, in order to target a universal fast-robust detector. Furthermore, existing QRS detection algorithms may provide an acceptable solution only on small segments of ECG signals, within a certain amplitude range, or amid particular types of arrhythmia and/or noise. These issues are discussed in the context of a comparison with the most conventional algorithms, followed by future recommendations for developing reliable QRS detection schemes suitable for implementation on battery-operated mobile devices.Mohamed Elgendi, Björn Eskofier, Socrates Dokos, Derek Abbot

Utilizing Exosomal-EPHs/Ephrins as Biomarkers and as a Potential Platform for Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Exosomes

Exosomes are cell-secreted nanoparticles containing various molecules including small vesicles, microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs or bioactive proteins which are thought to be of paramount importance for intercellular communication. The unique effects of exosomes in terms of cell penetration capacity, decreased immunogenicity and inherent stability, along with their key role in mediating information exchange among tumor cells and their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), render them a promising platform for drug targeted delivery. Compared to synthetic drugs, exosomes boast a plethora of advantages, including higher biocompatibility, lower toxicity and increased ability of tissue infiltration. Nevertheless, the use of artificial exosomes can be limited in practice, partly due to their poor targeting ability and partly due to their limited efficacy. Therefore, efforts have been made to engineer stem cell-derived exosomes in order to increase selectiveness and effectivity, which can then become loaded with various active substances depending on the therapeutic approach followed. Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors (EPHs), along with their ligands, the EPH family receptor interacting proteins (ephrins), have been extensively investigated for their key roles in both physiology and cancer pathogenesis. EPHs/ephrins exhibit both tumorigenic and tumor suppressing properties, with their targeting representing a promising, novel therapeutic approach in cancer patients’ management. In our review, the use of ephrin-loaded exosomes as a potential therapeutic targeted delivery system in cancer will be discussed. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

What stands from the Gravettian in North-Western Europe ? Introduction au colloque.

International audienc

An evaluation of dental methods by Lamendin and Prince and Ubelaker for estimation of adult age in a sample of modern Greeks

Teeth can be used as accurate tools in age-at-death estimation in forensic cases. No previous data exist on estimating age from teeth in a modern Greek population. The aim of this study was to evaluate Lamendin's and Prince and Ubelaker's ageing methods on a modern Greek skeletal sample. In total, 1436 single-rooted teeth from 306 adult individuals (161 males and 145 females) were examined. Only measurements of periodontosis and translucency showed positive correlation with age. Results showed a bias – an overestimation for ages under 40 years and an underestimation over this age. However, the use of wider age groups proved to be more appropriate. Low values of error were observed for the group of middle-aged individuals. In conclusion, both methods can be considered accurate in estimating age-at-death of middle-aged individuals. This study provides more information about the accuracy and applicability of these dental methods on modern European populations. © 2018 Elsevier Gmb

Regret under different auction designs: the case of English and Dutch auctions

Studies have shown that users experience regret in online electronic auctions. Our study adds to the research on the antecedents of regret by examining the effects of the major types of auction design on users’ experience of regret. Towards this goal, we analyzed bidders’ experience of regret in English and Dutch auctions. Given that English and Dutch auctions are known to produce different types of bidding behavior and outcomes, we expect that the two types of auction design will also have a differential impact on experiencing regret. We report results from a lab experiment that was implemented as a self-developed mobile application for hotel room reservations. We examined the effects of the two open-bid auction types on the experience of regret, and found that users are more likely to experience regret in Dutch auctions. We point out the theoretical relevance and practical implications of our findings

A FATAL CASE OF DIPHTHERIA

A fatal case of diphtheria occurred in a nonimmunized child. The child died because of the late diagnosis of the disease, which is now extremely rare

LIMB REDUCTION DEFECTS - AUTOPSY STUDY

We present a case-control study of limb reduction defects taken from autopsy material of the Pathology Department of the University of Athens from the year 1986 to 1990. During this period 1725 perinatal autopsies were performed, in which 34 neonates were found to have had a limb reduction defect (LRD) (1.97%). The cases were divided into five subgroups: transverse, intercalary longitudinal, split, and multiple types of LRD. Of all the cases, 44.17% involved the upper limb, 41.17% the lower limb, and 14.70% both. Coexisting nonlimb malformations were found in 17 cases (50%), 5 with recognized syndromes and 12 with other associated defects. Risk factors correlated with LRD were found to be low birth weight (2500 g or less) and threatened abortion