10 research outputs found
An integrated open-coastal biogeochemistry, ecosystem and biodiversity observatory of the eastern Mediterranean – the Cretan Sea component of the POSEIDON system
There is a general scarcity of oceanic observations that
concurrently examine air–sea interactions, coastal–open-ocean processes and
physical–biogeochemical processes, in appropriate spatiotemporal
scales and under continuous, long-term data acquisition schemes. In the
Mediterranean Sea, the resulting knowledge gaps and observing challenges
increase due to its oligotrophic character, especially in the eastern part
of the basin. The oligotrophic open Cretan Sea's biogeochemistry is
considered to be representative of a greater Mediterranean area up to
106 km2, and understanding its features may be useful on even
larger oceanic scales, since the Mediterranean Sea has been considered a
miniature model of the global ocean. The spatiotemporal coverage of biogeochemical (BGC)
observations in the Cretan Sea has progressively increased over the last
decades, especially since the creation of the POSEIDON observing system,
which has adopted a multiplatform, multivariable approach, supporting BGC
data acquisition. The current POSEIDON system's status includes open and
coastal sea fixed platforms, a Ferrybox (FB) system and Bio-Argo autonomous
floats that remotely deliver fluorescence as a proxy of chlorophyll-a
(Chl-a), O2, pH and pCO2 data, as well as BGC-related physical
variables. Since 2010, the list has been further expanded to other BGC
(nutrients, vertical particulate matter fluxes), ecosystem and biodiversity
(from viruses up to zooplankton) variables, thanks to the addition of
sediment traps, frequent research vessel (R/V) visits for seawater–plankton
sampling and an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) delivering
information on macrozooplankton–micronekton vertical migration (in the
epipelagic to mesopelagic layer). Gliders and drifters are the new (currently under
integration to the existing system) platforms, supporting BGC monitoring.
Land-based facilities, such as data centres, technical support
infrastructure, calibration laboratory and mesocosms, support and give added
value to the observatory. The data gathered from these platforms are used to
improve the quality of the BGC-ecosystem model predictions, which have
recently incorporated atmospheric nutrient deposition processes and
assimilation of satellite Chl-a data. Besides addressing open scientific
questions at regional and international levels, examples of which are
presented, the observatory provides user-oriented services to marine
policy makers and the society, and is a technological test bed for new
and/or cost-efficient BGC sensor technology and marine equipment. It is part
of European and international observing programs, playing a key role in
regional data handling and participating in harmonization and best practices
procedures. Future expansion plans consider the evolving scientific and
society priorities, balanced with sustainable management.</p
Holistic evaluation of the environmental impacts of shipping in the sensitive region of Ria de Aveiro
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Shipping activity can be a substantial source of pollution and impact on the environment, including air, water and ecosystems, as well as adverse health and climatic effects. Due to the distribution of maritime transport activity routes in the EU, a large portion of the population is exposed to shipping pollution throughout Europe. The ongoing European project EMERGE aims to investigate and quantify these impacts over Europe, and in more detail, in specific case studies regions. The Aveiro lagoon region in Portugal is one of these case studies. This region is a Natura 2000 area, and also includes a medium-sized port. Both air quality and water modelling tools were applied to assess the impact of the emissions and discharges from shipping (to air and water) in the region in 2018. Additionally, ecotoxicological impacts were determined by bioassays to evaluate the impact of scrubber-water discharges on the most sensitive stages of marine invertebrates, and on the post-exposure feeding inhibition of crustacean and bivalve species. The results show that there was a substantial increase in atmospheric pollutant concentrations due to emissions attributed to shipping, which was most relevant for NOx and SO2 (up to a 30 % shipping contribution). There was no significant degradation of the water quality, mainly as the ships operating in this area did not have scrubber equipment. The ecotoxicological tests were performed with three samples of scrubber water, including one artificial sample and two samples collected on-board ships. If scrubber water would have been discharged in this area, the results indicated that the majority of the tested species would be exposed to lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) for the different scrubber-water samples, as well as to substantial concentrations of metals, PAHs, and alkylated PAHs.Peer reviewe
The expression of Galectin-3 in breast cancer and its association with metastatic disease: a systematic review of the literature
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and the second highest cause of cancer mortality in female patients. The significance of the expression of Galectin-3 has been correlated with various malignancy types and in data from several research papers, the expression of Galectin-3 has been associated with the progression and metastasis of breast cancer. In the present study, the authors’ goal is to identify whether the expression of Galectin-3 in breast cancer can be associated with the presence and/or recurrence of a metastatic disease. Both Scopus and PubMed databases were utilized, by inputting the following combination of keywords: (((Breast) AND Metastasis)) AND ((Galectin 3) OR Galectin-3). The time of publication and text availability were not considered when searching the databases and all relevant articles in English were initially accepted. We included one case-control study, three retrospective case studies and one retrospective cohort study. In two of the included studies, the levels in concentration of Galectin-3 were not correlated with a significant difference in prognosis. In two studies, the lacking in expression of Galectin-3 was associated with a worse prognosis and in one of the studies selected, the elevated levels of Galectin-3 were correlated with recurrence of disease in triple negative breast cancer cases. For most of the studies selected for this review, the results were contradictory in regard to the role of Galectin-3 for prognosis and metastatic potential in female breast cancer patients. It is still unclear, whether Galectin-3 can be used as a prognostic marker for advanced breast cancer disease. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature
Liver Proteome Profile of Growth Restricted and Appropriately Grown Newborn Wistar Rats Associated With Maternal Undernutrition
Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and epigenetic modifications that impact gene expression leading to permanent changes of fetal metabolic pathways and thereby influence development of disease in childhood and adult life. In this study, we investigated the result of maternal food restriction on liver protein expression in Wistar male newborn pups. Materials & Methods: Ten (n = 10) timed pregnant Wistar rats on their 14th day of gestation were randomly assigned to either control (n = 4) or food restricted group (n = 6). The control group had ad libitum access to food. In the food restricted group, maternal diet was limited in a moderate fashion (50%) from day 15 of pregnancy until delivery. All rats delivered spontaneously on day 21 and newborn pups were immediately weighed. Pups born to normally nourished mothers were considered as controls, while pups born to food restricted mothers were subdivided into two groups, based on their birth weight: growth restricted (FGR) and appropriately grown (non-FGR). Rats were euthanized immediately after birth and liver tissues of 11 randomly selected male offspring (FGR n = 4, non-FGR n = 4, control n = 3) were collected and analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Results: In total 6,665 proteins were profiled. Of these, 451 and 751 were differentially expressed in FGR and non-FGR vs. control, respectively, whereas 229 proteins were commonly expressed. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in FGR vs. control revealed induction of the super-pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis and inhibition of thyroid hormone metabolism, fatty acid beta oxidation and apelin liver signaling pathway. Analysis of DEPs in non-FGR vs. control groups showed inhibition of thyroid hormone metabolism, fatty acid beta oxidation, and apelin liver signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the impact of prenatal food restriction on the proteomic liver profile of FGR and non-FGR offspring underlying the importance of both prenatal adversities and birth weight on liver-dependent postnatal disease. © Copyright © 2021 Sarli, Manousopoulou, Efthymiou, Zouridis, Potiris, Pervanidou, Panoulis, Vlahos, Deligeoroglou, Garbis and Eleftheriades
Impact of maternal food restriction on heart proteome in appropriately grown and growth-restricted wistar—rat offspring
Objective: Fetal growth restriction is associated with increased postnatal cardiovascular morbidity. The alterations in heart physiology and structure caused by in utero nutrient deprivation have not been extensively studied. We aim to investigate the impact of maternal food restriction on the cardiac proteome of newborn rats with normal (non-fetal growth-restricted (FGR)) and reduced (FGR) birth weight. Methods: On day 14 of gestation, 10 timed pregnant rats were randomized into two nutritional groups: (a) Standard laboratory diet and (b) 50% global food restriction. Pups born to food-restricted mothers were subdivided, based on birthweight, into fetal growth-restricted (FGR) and non-FGR, while pups born from normally nourished mothers were considered controls. Rat neonates were euthanized immediately after birth and the hearts of 11 randomly selected male offspring (n = 4 FGR, n = 4 non-FGR, n = 3 control group) were analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Results: In total, 7422 proteins were quantified (q < 0.05). Of these, 1175 were differentially expressed in FGR and 231 in non-FGR offspring vs. control with 151 common differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two groups. Bioinformatics analysis of DEPs in FGR vs. control showed decreased integrin and apelin cardiac fibroblast signaling, decreased muscle contraction and glycolysis, and over-representation of a protein network related to embryonic development, and cell death and survival. Conclusion: Our study illustrates the distinct proteomic profile of FGR and non-FGR offspring of food-restricted dams underlying the importance of both prenatal adversities and birth weight in cardiac physiology and development. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Improving the efficiency of a block schedule for treatment planning simulation in a radiation oncology department.
The Effect of Prenatal Food Restriction on Brain Proteome in Appropriately Grown and Growth Restricted Male Wistar Rats
Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) has been associated with a higher risk of developing adverse perinatal outcomes and distinct neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of prenatal food restriction on the brain proteome in both FGR and appropriately grown rats and to identify potential pathways connecting maternal malnutrition with altered brain development. Methods: Ten time-dated pregnant Wistar rats were housed individually at their 12th day of gestation. On the 15th day of gestation, the rats were randomly divided into two groups, namely the food restricted one (n = 6) and the control group (n = 4). From days 15 to 21 the control group had unlimited access to food and the food restricted group was given half the amount of food that was on average consumed by the control group, based on measurements taken place the day before. On the 21st day of gestation, all rats delivered spontaneously and after birth all newborn pups of the food restricted group were weighed and matched as appropriately grown (non-FGR) or growth restricted (FGR) and brain tissues were immediately collected. A multiplex experiment was performed analyzing brain tissues from 4 FGR, 4 non-FGR, and 3 control male offspring. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were subjected to bioinformatics analysis in order to identify over-represented processes. Results: Proteomic analysis resulted in the profiling of 3,964 proteins. Gene ontology analysis of the common DEPs using DAVID (https://david.ncifcrf.gov/) showed significant enrichment for terms related to cellular morphology, learning, memory and positive regulation of NF-kappaB signaling. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed significant induction of inflammation in FGR pups, whereas significant induction of cell migration and cell spreading were observed in non-FGR pups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that in both FGR and non-FGR neonates, a range of adaptive neurodevelopmental processes takes place, which may result in altered cellular morphology, chronic stress, poor memory and learning outcomes. Furthermore, this study highlighted that not only FGR, but also appropriately grown pups, which have been exposed to prenatal food deprivation may be at increased risk for impaired cognitive and developmental outcomes. © Copyright © 2021 Potiris, Manousopoulou, Zouridis, Sarli, Pervanidou, Eliades, Perrea, Deligeoroglou, Garbis and Eleftheriades
Eco-Friendly and COVID-19 Friendly? Decreasing the Carbon Footprint of the Operating Room in the COVID-19 Era
Surgery is one of the most energy-intensive branches of healthcare. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced surgical volumes, infection control protocols have increased the ecological footprint of surgery owing to the extensive use of personal protective equipment, sanitation, testing and isolation resources. The burden of environmental diseases requiring surgical care, the international commitment towards environmental sustainability and the global efforts to return to the pre-pandemic surgical workflow call for action towards climate-friendly surgery. The authors have searched the peer-reviewed and gray literature for clinical studies, reports and guidelines related to the ecological footprint of surgical care and the available solutions and frameworks to reduce it. Numerous studies concede that surgery is associated with a high rate of energy utilization and waste generation that is comparable to major non-medical sources of pollution. Recommendations and research questions outlining environmentally sustainable models of surgical practices span from sanitation and air quality improvement systems to the allocation of non-recyclable consumables and energy-efficient surgical planning. The latter are particularly relevant to infection control protocols for COVID-19. Paving the way towards climate-friendly surgery is a worthy endeavor with a major potential to improve surgical practice and outcomes in the long term.ISSN:2079-972
Toward an integrated HF radar network in the Mediterranean Sea to improve search and rescue and oil spill response: the TOSCA project experience
High-frequency (HF) coastal radars measure current velocity at the ocean surface with a 30-100 km range and 1-3 km resolution, every 0.25-1 h. HF radars are well suited to many applications, such as search and rescue (SaR), oil-spill mitigation and ecosystem management. Here we present a first organized core of 12 HF radars installed in five sites in four countries (Greece, Italy, France and Spain) within the European MED project, the Tracking Oil Spill and Coastal Awareness (TOSCA) network. Dedicated experiments tested radar capabilities to estimate transport driven by currents, which is the key feature for all the above applications. Experiments involved the deployment of drifters, i.e., floating buoys, acting as proxies for substances passively advected by currents. Using HF radars the search range is reduced by a factor of 1.6 to 5.3 after 24 h. The paper also underlines the importance of sharing common tools for HF radar data processing and the need to mitigate radio frequency interference. The effort can be regarded as an initial step toward the creation of a Mediterranean or European HF radar network, crucial for any European integrated ocean observing system (IOOS
Toward an integrated HF radar network in the Mediterranean Sea to improve search and rescue and oil spill response: the TOSCA project experience
International audienceHigh-frequency (HF) coastal radars measure current velocity at the ocean surface with a 30-100 km range and 1-3 km resolution, every 0.25-1 h. HF radars are well suited to many applications, such as search and rescue (SaR), oil-spill mitigation and ecosystem management. Here we present a first organized core of 12 HF radars installed in five sites in four countries (Greece, Italy, France and Spain) within the European MED project, the Tracking Oil Spill and Coastal Awareness (TOSCA) network. Dedicated experiments tested radar capabilities to estimate transport driven by currents, which is the key feature for all the above applications. Experiments involved the deployment of drifters, i.e., floating buoys, acting as proxies for substances passively advected by currents. Using HF radars the search range is reduced by a factor of 1.6 to 5.3 after 24 h. The paper also underlines the importance of sharing common tools for HF radar data processing and the need to mitigate radio frequency interference. The effort can be regarded as an initial step toward the creation of a Mediterranean or European HF radar network, crucial for any European integrated ocean observing system (IOOS)