Ακαδημαϊκή και Διοικητική δομή και λειτουργία του Οικονομικού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Ερευνητική και κριτική προσέγγιση

Η διπλωματική εργασία έχει ως θέμα την ακαδημαϊκή και διοικητική δομή και λειτουργία του Οικονομικού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (Ο.Π.Α.). Πιο συγκεκριμένα, παρουσιάζεται μια ιστορική αναδρομή από την ίδρυση του Πανεπιστημίου μέχρι σήμερα, με αναφορές στη βιβλιοθήκη και στις αλλαγές στην ονομασία και στο έμβλημά του, στις Σχολές με τα αντίστοιχα Τμήματά τους, παρατίθεται η κατηγοριοποίηση του ακαδημαϊκού και διοικητικού προσωπικού, τα όργανα διοίκησης του Ιδρύματος με τις αρμοδιότητές τους και στο τέλος περιγράφεται το στρατηγικό πλάνο του Πανεπιστημίου για τα έτη 2016-2021. Με βάση τους Νόμους και τα Προεδρικά Διατάγματα που έχουν εκδοθεί για την Ανώτατη Εκπαίδευση στην Ελλάδα, αλλά και του Οργανισμού και του Εσωτερικού Κανονισμού του Ιδρύματος, οδηγούμαστε στο συμπέρασμα ότι το Οικονομικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών όχι μόνο προσπαθεί να προσαρμοστεί στις επιταγές της κάθε εποχής, έχοντας ως γνώμονα τη γνώση, την έρευνα, την αριστεία και τη διεθνοποίηση, αλλά πολλές φορές πρωτοπορεί. Το γεγονός ότι είναι το πρώτο Πανεπιστήμιο που ιδρύθηκε στον ευρύτερο τομέα της Οικονομίας και της Διοίκησης με την αρχαιότερη οικονομική, ακαδημαϊκή βιβλιοθήκη, το πρώτο ελληνικό Πανεπιστήμιο που οργάνωσε μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές, τόσο σε επίπεδο Ειδίκευσης (MSc) όσο και Διδακτορικού Διπλώματος (Ph.D.), προσφέρει μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα και στα Αγγλικά και πραγματοποιεί συμπράξεις με άλλα Πανεπιστήμια, είναι μόνο μερικά στοιχεία που αποδεικνύουν ότι θέλει συνεχώς να εξελίσσεται, αξιοποιώντας τις δυνατότητές του.This paper deals with the academic and administrative structure and function of the Athens University of Economics and Business (A.U.E.B.). More specifically, there is a historical retrospection from the founding of the University to date, with references to its library and changes in its name and emblem, to the Schools with the corresponding Departments, the categorization of the academic and administrative staff, the governing bodies of the foundation with their responsibilities and finally, a description of the strategic plan of the University in the years 2016-2021. Based on the Laws and Presidential Decrees issued for Higher Education in Greece and the Organization and the Internal Regulation of the foundation, we conclude that the Athens University of Economics and Business not only seeks to adapt to the imperatives of each age, based on knowledge, research, excellence and internationalization, but many times pioneered. Taking into account that it is the first University in the wider field of Economics and Management, possessing the oldest financial academic library in Greece, the first Greek University that has established postgraduate studies both at the MSc and Ph.D. level, offers postgraduate programs in English as well and carries out partnerships with other Universities, are just a few elements that prove its willing for improvement, capitalizing on its potential

Budesonide/formoterol via the Elpenhaler (R) device in asthmatic patients: A real-world effectiveness study (The BOREAS Study)

INTRODUCTION Very limited real-world data have been captured in the Greek asthmatic population regarding the effects of treatment with a fixed-dose combination of budesonide/formoterol via the Elpenhaler (R) device, on the course of the disease and its impact on the patients’ quality of life score. METHODS In this multicenter, observational study, 1230 adult asthmatic patients in Greece that had been recently prescribed a fixed-dose combination budesonide/formoterol, Elpenhaler (R) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment at six months in symptom control using the 7-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-7). The secondary endpoints included the quality of life score using the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ), pulmonary function, patients’ satisfaction with the Elpenhaler (R) device, and safety. RESULTS In total, 60.3% (742/1230) of the participants were female and the mean age was 51.10 +/- 16.98 years. A statistically significant improvement of the mean ACQ-7 score was noted at 3 months (1.01 +/- 0.70) and 6 months (0.79 +/- 0.66), compared to baseline (2.18 +/- 0.91). Similar statistically significant results were noted for the MiniAQLQ score with an improvement from 4.58 +/- 1.06 at baseline to 5.95 +/- 0.79 at 3 months, and 6.21 +/- 0.74 at 6 months. The mean Forced Expiratory Volume at 1 second (FEV1) showed continuing improvement, being 2.36 +/- 0.86, 2.58 +/- 0.88, and 2.64 +/- 0.88 L, at baseline, 3, and 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These real-world data showed that the administration of a fixed dose combination of budesonide/formoterol using the Elpenhaler (R) device was well-tolerated and effective in significantly reducing the symptoms of asthma and improving the quality of life

Prognostic Value of Serum Biomarkers in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Relation to Disease Progression

Background: The aim of this present study was to determine serum biomarker levels and their correlation with respiratory function and the clinical course of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Materials and Methods: This study included 72 IPF patients, according to the ATS/ERS criteria, in whom antifibrotic treatment was initiated. Blood samples were taken, and serum biomarkers, such as KL-6, SP-D, CCL18, CXCL13, VEGF-A, IL-8, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-7 and ICAM-1 were measured using ELISA methodology. Pulmonary function tests (FVC, TLC, DLCO-% pred) were determined at baseline and after 12 and 24 months and analyzed in correlation with the biomarkers. Results: The majority of patients (mean age 72 ± 6 years) were men (83%). The FVC and DLCO values at the 12-month follow-up were found to be statistically decreased in deceased patients (p p p = 0.021) levels were found to be increased at the 1-year follow-up in deceased patients, and similarly, the SP-D (p = 0.005) and ICAM-1 (p = 0.043) levels at the 2-year follow-up. A chi-square test revealed that 70% of the category IV GAP index was found with cut-off elevated levels of a biomarker combination (KL-6, SP-D, VEGF-A) from the ROC curve analysis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence, for the first time in a Greek population, of the possibility of using a combination of KL-6, SP-D, and VEGF-A serum levels along with the GAP index

Omalizumab: An Optimal Choice for Patients with Severe Allergic Asthma

Omalizumab is the first monoclonal antibody that was globally approved as a personalized treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. This review summarizes the knowledge of almost two decades of use of omalizumab to answer some important everyday clinical practice questions, concerning its efficacy and safety and its association with other asthma-related and drug-related parameters. Evidence suggests that omalizumab improves asthma control and reduces the incidence and frequency of exacerbations in patients with severe allergic asthma. Omalizumab is also effective in those patients in reducing corticosteroid use and healthcare utilization, while it also seems to improve lung function. Several biomarkers have been recognized in predicting its efficacy in its target group of patients, while the optimal duration for evaluating its efficacy is between 16 and 32 weeks

Eosinophilic Asthma, Phenotypes-Endotypes and Current Biomarkers of Choice

Asthma phenotyping and endotyping are constantly evolving. Currently, several biologic agents have been developed towards a personalized approach to asthma management. This review will focus on different eosinophilic phenotypes and Th2-associated endotypes with eosinophilic inflammation. Additionally, airway remodeling is analyzed as a key feature of asthmatic eosinophilic endotypes. In addition, evidence of biomarkers is examined with a predictive value to identify patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma who may benefit from new treatment options. Finally, there will be a discussion on the results from clinical trials regarding severe eosinophilic asthma and how the inhibition of the eosinophilic pathway by targeted treatments has led to the reduction of recurrent exacerbations

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema characteristics in a Greek cohort

Background Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) has recently received great attention, with studies suggesting that it presents a distinct clinical entity while others have challenged this hypothesis. This nationwide study aimed to describe a large cohort of Greek CPFE patients and to examine potential prognostic factors for survival. Methods This retrospective study included 97 patients with CPFE. Demographic and clinical data, pulmonary function tests, echocardiography results and bronchoalveolar lavage analysis were recorded. Results Most patients were male (94.8%) and 92% were current or ex-smokers. Spirometry results were abnormal (forced vital capacity (FVC) 72.9±19.9% pred and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/FVC 82.9±9.7%) with reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (42.3±17.4% pred). Mean systolic pulmonary arterial pressure was 41.9±19.7 mmHg and pulmonary hypertension was present in 58.8% of patients. Mean 6-min walk distance was 335.4±159.4 m. Mean emphysema score was 14.23±8.69% and mean interstitial lung disease (ILD) extent was 39.58±19.82%. Mean survival was 84 months (95% CI 72–96 months). Patients with DLCO ≥39% pred had better survival than patients with DLCO <39% pred (p=0.031). Patients with ILD extent ≥30% had worse survival than patients with ILD extent <30% (p=0.037). Conclusions Our results indicate that CPFE patients have preserved lung volumes associated with disproportionately reduced DLCO, while reduced DLCO and increased ILD extent was associated with worse prognosis