Estrogen receptor action in three dimensions - looping the loop.

Due to advances in genomic technologies, our understanding of estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcription in breast cancer cells has evolved significantly in recent years. Genome-wide mapping experiments revealed thousands of ER-binding events, but linking them to the target genes has been an ongoing struggle. A recent paper describes a new technique, called ChIA-PET (chromatin interaction analysis using paired-end tag sequencing), that can directly address these questions. ChIA-PET is an unbiased approach for simultaneously identifying all genome-wide binding events of a transcription factor and those involved in long-range chromatin loops

Acknowledging and citing core facilities Key contributions to data lifecycle should be recognised in the scientific literature

Core facilities play a central role in the life sciences by generating data and ensuring quality standards. Their contributions to research should be appropriately acknowledged or cited in research papers.Non peer reviewe

Factors influencing prescribing behaviour of physicians in Greece and Cyprus: results from a questionnaire based survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Over the past few decades, drug and overall healthcare expenditure have risen rapidly in most countries. The present study investigates the attitudes and the factors which influence physician prescribing decisions and practice in Greece and Cyprus.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A postal questionnaire was developed by researchers at the Department of Health Economics at the National School of Public Health in Greece, specifically for the purposes of the study. This was then administered to a sample of 1,463 physicians in Greece and 240 physicians in Cyprus, stratified by sex, specialty and geographic region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate was 82.3% in Greece and 80.4% in Cyprus. There were similarities but also many differences between the countries. Clinical effectiveness is the most important factor considered in drug prescription choice in both countries. Greek physicians were significantly more likely to take additional criteria under consideration, such as the drug form and recommended daily dose and the individual patient preferences. The list of main sources of information for physicians includes: peer-reviewed medical journals, medical textbooks, proceedings of conferences and pharmaceutical sales representatives. Only half of prescribers considered the cost carried by their patients. The majority of doctors in both countries agreed that the effectiveness, safety and efficacy of generic drugs may not be excellent but it is acceptable. However, only Cypriot physicians actually prescribe them. Physicians believe that new drugs are not always better and their higher prices are not necessarily justified. Finally, doctors get information regarding adverse drug reactions primarily from the National Organisation for Medicines. However, it is notable that the majority of them do not inform the authorities on such reactions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study highlights the attitudes and the factors influencing physician behaviour in the two countries and may be used for developing policies to improve their choices and hence to increase clinical and economic effectiveness and efficiency.</p

Cell culture-based model for the evaluation of adhesive properties of probiotic bacteria

Probiotic microorganisms, defined as living microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host, and their adhesion and colonization of intestinal epithelium, are critical factors in maintaining probiotic efficacy. Polyphenols are a large and heterogeneous group of phytochemicals in plant-based foods, such as tea, coffee, wine, cocoa, cereal grains, soy, fruits and berries. In the last decade, there has been much interest in the health benefits of dietary plant polyphenols that arise from their potential ability to promote adhesion of probiotic bacteria to the human intestinal epithelium. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of four polyphenols: isoquercetrin, phloretin, procyanidin B2 and rutin on the adhesion ability of two potentially probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri) to in vitro human intestinal epithelial model consisting of Caco-2 and mucus-secreting HT29-MTX co-culture. The adhesion of Lactobacillus casei after treating the co-culture cell lines with isoquercetrin, phloretin, and rutin was increased by 49.76, 72.97, 63.66 % respectively, whereas procyanidin B2 inhibited the adhesion 20.25% compared with the control sample. The adhesion of Lactobacillus gasseri after treatment of the co-culture with isoquercetrin, phloretin, procyanidin B2 and rutin was increased by 35.45, 31.28, 45.69, 25.01 % respectively compared with the control sample

Procalcitonin and pricalcitonin kinetics for diagnosis and prognosis of intravascular catheter related bloodstream infections in selected critically ill patients: a prospective observational study

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a valuable marker of sepsis. The potential role of PCT in diagnosis and therapy monitoring of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in intensive care unit (ICU) is still unclear and was evaluated.Method: Forty-six patients were included in the study, provided they were free of infection upon admission and presented the first episode of suspected CRBSI during their ICU stay. Patients who had developed any other infection were excluded. PCT was measured daily during the ICU hospitalization. Primary endpoint was proven CRBSI. Therapy monitoring as according to infection control was also evaluated. Results: Among the 46 patients, 26 were diagnosed with CRBSI. PCT was the best predictor of proven infection. Median PCT on the day of infection suspicion (D0) was 7.70 and 0.10 ng/ml for patients with and without proven CRBSI, respectively (p0.20ng/ml of PCT between the D0 and any of the 4 preceding days was associated with a positive predictive value exceeding 96%. PCT concentrations from the D2 to D6 after suspected infection tended to decrease in controlled patients, whereas remained stable in non-controlled subjects. A PCT concentration exceeding 1.5 ng/ml during D3 was associated with lack of responsiveness to therapy (p=0.028).Conclusions: We suggest that PCT could be a helpful diagnostic and prognostic marker of CRBSI in critically ill patients. Both absolute values and variations should be considered.Εισαγωγή: Η προκαλσιτονίνη (PCT) θεωρείται ένας αξιόπιστος βιοδείκτης στη σήψη. Ο ρόλος της PCT στη διάγνωση και την παρακολούθηση της θεραπείας των λοιμώξεων αιματικής ροής από κεντρικό φλεβικό καθετήρα (CRBSI) στη ΜΕΘ δεν είναι ξεκάθαρος και ερευνήθηκε σε αυτή τη μελέτη.Μέθοδος: Συμπεριλήφθηκαν συνολικά 46 ασθενείς. Όλοι ήταν ελεύθεροι από λοίμωξη κατά την εισαγωγή τους στη ΜΕΘ και παρουσίασαν το πρώτο επεισόδιο κλινικής υποψίας CRBSI κατά τη διάρκεια της παραμονής τους. Οι ασθενείς που παρουσίασαν οποιαδήποτε άλλη λοίμωξη αποκλείστηκαν. Καθημερινά γινόταν μέτρηση της PCT. Πρωταρχικός σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν η η εκτίμηση της ικανότητας της PCT στη διάγνωση των CRBSIs. Μελετήθηκε, επίσης, η αξιοπιστία της PCT στην παρακολούθηση της θεραπευτικής αγωγής σε σχέση με τον έλεγχο της λοίμωξης. Αποτελέσματα: Από τους 46 ασθενείς, οι 26 εμφάνισαν CRBSI. Η διάμεση τιμή της PCT την ημέρα της κλινικής υποψίας της λοίμωξης (D0) ήταν 7.70 και 0.10 ng/ml για τους ασθενείς με και χωρίς διαγνωσμένη CRBSI, αντίστοιχα (p 0,20 ng/ml μεταξύ της D0 και οποιασδήποτε από τις 4 προηγούμενες ημέρες είχε θετική προγνωστική αξία > 96%. Η τιμή της PCT από την D2 μέχρι την D6 μετά από CRBSI είχε την τάση να μειώνεται σε ασθενείς με ελεγχόμενη λοίμωξη, ενώ παρέμεινε σταθερή σε ασθενείς με μη ελεγχόμενη CRBSI. Τιμή PCT > 1,5 ng/ml κατά τη D3 συνδεόταν με έλλειψη ανταπόκρισης στη θεραπευτικά αγωγή (p=0,028).Συμπεράσματα: Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης μας φαίνεται ότι η PCT μπορεί να είναι ένα χρήσιμος βιοδείκτης για τη διάγνωση αλλά και την παρακολούθηση της θεραπείας των CRBSI στη ΜΕΘ. Τόσο οι απόλυτες τιμές όσο και η κινητική της πρέπει να λαμβάνονται υπόψη

Design of Domed Structure

105 σ.Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία ασχολείται με τον σχεδιασμό μιας θολωτής μεταλλικής κατασκευής. Η θολωτή αυτή κατασκευή αποτελεί τμήμα των Εγκαταστάσεων Χρυσού στις Σκουριές Χαλκιδικής. Η μελέτη και ο σχεδιασμός της κατασκευής πραγματοποιήθηκαν σύμφωνα με τις διατάξεις των ευρωπαϊκών κανονισμών και συγκεκριμένα των ΕΝ1991, ΕΝ1993, ΕΝ1998. Για την ανάλυση και διαστασιολόγηση του φορέα εφαρμόστηκε η Δυναμική Φασματική Μέθοδος. Το πρόγραμμα που χρησιμοποιήθηκε είναι το SAP2000 v15. Η μεταλλική θολωτή κατασκευή έχει διάμετρο βάσης 83 m και ύψος 29.5 m. Στην κορυφή της υπάρχει οπή διαμέτρου 11.12 m. Αποτελείται από 32 συνολικά δικτυωτούς ακτινικούς φορείς οι οποίοι συνδέονται μεταξύ τους, σε τρεις ενδιάμεσες στάθμες και στην κορυφή, με δακτυλίους οι οποίοι είναι και αυτοί δικτυώματα. Η ευστάθεια του φορέα έναντι των οριζόντιων δυνάμεων εξασφαλίζεται με την τοποθέτηση οριζόντιων και κατακόρυφων συνδέσμων δυσκαμψίας. Λόγω της ιδιαιτερότητας της γεωμετρίας του φορέα ως κατακόρυφοι σύνδεσμοι δυσκαμψίας θεωρούνται οι «μεσημβρινοί» χιαστί σύνδεσμοι και ως οριζόντιοι οι «ισημερινοί» χιαστί σύνδεσμοι. Όλα τα μέλη του φορέα αποτελούνται από κοίλες διατομές εκτός των τεγίδων οι οποίες έχουν διατομή διπλού ταυ. Στην αρχή της εργασίας παρουσιάζεται αναλυτικά η γεωμετρία και τα υλικά κατασκευής του φορέα και στη συνέχεια αναλύονται οι δράσεις και οι συνδυασμοί αυτών που λάβαμε υπόψη για την ανάλυση και διαστασιολόγηση της κατασκευής. Έπειτα γίνεται αναφορά στη προσομοίωση της κατασκευής στο πρόγραμμα και αναλύονται οι παράμετροι του προσομοιώματος όπως αυτές ορίστηκαν κατά την εισαγωγή του μοντέλου στο πρόγραμμα. Στα τελευταία κεφάλαια παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της διαστασιολόγησης και ανάλυσης του φορέα και γίνεται ο έλεγχος της κατασκευής σύμφωνα με τους ευρωπαϊκούς κανονισμούς. Επίσης, παρουσιάζονται και δύο λεπτομέρειες του φορέα, μια λεπτομέρεια θεμελίωσης και μια λεπτομέρεια σύνδεσης των δικτυωτών ακτινικών φορέων με τον δακτύλιο στην κορυφή. Τέλος, γίνεται αναφορά σε δύο εναλλακτικά σενάρια έργου όσον αφορά στη διάταξη των κατακόρυφων και οριζόντιων συνδέσμων δυσκαμψίας. Παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα των αναλύσεων για τα δύο διαφορετικά σενάρια και στο τελευταίο κεφάλαιο γίνεται η αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων. Με βάση αυτά τα αποτελέσματα καταλήγουμε και στα συμπεράσματα της παρούσας εργασίας τα οποία αφορούν κυρίως στον οικονομικότερο σχεδιασμό του έργου και στην κρισιμότητα του σεισμού ως δράση σχεδιασμού για τη συγκεκριμένη κατασκευή.The diploma thesis deals with the design of a domed structure. The domed structure is part of the Metal and Gold Industry at Skouries Chalkidiki. The study and the design of the structure is conducted according to the provisions of the European regulations and particularly of EN1991, EN1993, EN1998. The dynamic modal response spectrum analysis was implemented for the design and analysis of the domed structure. As far as the software is concerned, we used SAP2000 v15 for the analysis and design of structure. The domed structure is 83 m base diameter and height of 29.5 m. At the top of the structure there is a hole of 11.12 m width. The domed structure consists of 32 radial trusses which are connected in four levels with rings which are also trusses. The stability of the structure against the horizontal forces is ensured by placing horizontal and vertical braces. Due to the particular geometry of the building we consider as horizontal braces the “meridian” braces and as vertical braces we consider the “equator” braces. All members of the structure consist of hollow sections except for the purlins which consist of H sections. Firstly, the geometry of the steel domed structure as well as the materials which are used are described. Also, the actions on structure and the combinations of the action which were considered for the design of the domed structure are presented in detail. Secondly, there is a reference about the simulation of the structure in SAP2000. The parameters of the model which were defined in the software are presented in detail. In the final chapters, we present the design and analysis results and the check of the structure according to the European regulations. What is more, we analyze some detail of of the structure, one of the foundation and the other of the connection between the radial truss and the ring on the top of structure. Finally, we have examined two alternative scenarios of the project as far as the horizontal and vertical sections are concerned. We present the analysis results of the two different scenarios and in the last chapter we mention the evaluations of the analysis. Based on the results we summarize the conclusions of the study which mainly concern the economical design of the structure and the earthquake as a significant action for this structure.Βασιλική Γ. Θεοδώρο

Traumatic asphyxia due to blunt chest trauma: a case report and literature review

Abstract Introduction Crush asphyxia is different from positional asphyxia, as respiratory compromise in the latter is caused by splinting of the chest and/or diaphragm, thus preventing normal chest expansion. There are only a few cases or small case series of crush asphyxia in the literature, reporting usually poor outcomes. Case presentation We present the case of a 44-year-old Caucasian man who developed traumatic asphyxia with severe thoracic injury and mild brain edema after being crushed under heavy auto vehicle mechanical parts. He remained unconscious for an unknown time. The treatment included oropharyngeal intubation and mechanical ventilation, bilateral chest tube thoracostomies, treatment of brain edema and other supportive measures. Our patient’s outcome was good. Traumatic asphyxia is generally under-reported and most authors apply supportive measures, while the final outcome seems to be dependent on the length of time of the chest compression and on the associated injuries. Conclusion Treatment for traumatic asphyxia is mainly supportive with special attention to the re-establishment of adequate oxygenation and perfusion; treatment of the concomitant injuries might also affect the final outcome.</p