Alcohol consumption and cognition

There is evidence that alcohol consumption is increasing in recent decades, including both male and female older individuals. Excessive alcohol use can affect various functions, of which alcohol-related liver failure and cancer have mostly been the subject of research so far. However, it can also cause brain damage and cognitive impairment. At the same time, population aging also has an increased rate, which poses major challenges to the health care systems regarding age-related diseases such as cognitive impairment and dementia. In that work, we try to identify the role of alcohol in the clinical and demographic profile of individuals with mild cognitive impairment, investigate whether there are specific biomarkers for alcohol-related cognitive impairment in radiological imaging and performance on neuropsychological tests, and finally assess the diagnostic accuracy and clinical applicability of a specific screening instrument for delirium, which is a common condition among older individuals with cognitive impairment

Impact of a single nucleotide polymorphism on the 3D protein structure and ubiquitination activity of E3 ubiquitin ligase arkadia

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are genetic variations which can play a vital role in the study of human health. SNP studies are often used to identify point mutations that are associated with diseases. Arkadia (RNF111) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that enhances transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling by targeting negative regulators for degradation. Dysregulation of the TGF-β pathway is implicated in cancer because it exhibits tumor suppressive activity in normal cells while in tumor cells it promotes invasiveness and metastasis. Τhe SNP CGT > TGT generated an amino-acid (aa) substitution of Arginine 957 to Cysteine on the enzymatic RING domain of Arkadia. This was more prevalent in a tumor than in a normal tissue sample of a patient with colorectal cancer. This prompted us to investigate the effect of this mutation in the structure and activity of Arkadia RING. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to analyze at an atomic-level the structural and dynamic properties of the R957C Arkadia RING domain, while ubiquitination and luciferase assays provided information about its enzymatic functionality. Our study showed that the R957C mutation changed the electrostatic properties of the RING domain however, without significant effects on the structure of its core region. However, the functional studies revealed that the R957C Arkadia exhibits significantly increased enzymatic activity supporting literature data that Arkadia within tumor cells promotes aggressive and metastatic behavior

Diagnostic accuracy and clinical applicability of the Swedish version of the 4AT assessment test for delirium detection, in a mixed patient population and setting

Background: Delirium is common in older hospitalized patients. It has serious consequences e.g., poor health outcomes, mortality and increased costs. Despite that, many cases are undetected. Early detection of delirium is important in improving outcomes and use of assessment tools improves detection rates. The 4AT is a brief screening tool for delirium detection, which has not previously been translated into Swedish. The study aim was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy and clinical applicability of a Swedish version of the screening tool 4AT for delirium detection. Method: This diagnostic test accuracy study used a quantitative and a qualitative approach and evaluated the patients’ and the health care professionals’ experiences of the tool. Study included 200 patients ≥65 years from a university hospital and a county hospital in two Swedish regions. Medical specialties were geriatric stroke/neurology, geriatric multimorbidity, severe cognitive impairment, orthopaedic, and urology. The translated 4AT was tested against the reference standard DSM-IV-TR criteria, based on the Organic Brain Syndrome scale and patient records. The 4AT was assessed simultaneously and independently by two assessors. Additionally, data was collected through patient record reviews, and questions about applicability to the patients (n = 200) and the assessors (n = 37). Statistical analyses, and qualitative content analyses were conducted. Results: By reference standard 18% had delirium, and by 4AT 19%. The overall percent agreement was 88%, AUROC 0.808, sensitivity 0.70 (95% CI 0.51–0.84) and specificity 0.92 (95% CI 0.87–0.96). In the ward for severe cognitive impairment (n = 63) the 4AT was less sensitive and less specific. In the other wards (n = 132) sensitivity was 0.77 (95% CI 0.50–0.93), specificity 0.93 (95% CI 0.87–0.97), and AUROC 0.848. Interrater reliability (Kappa) was 0.918, p = \u3c 0.001 (n = 144). The 4AT was well tolerated by patients, easy to use for health care professionals, and took a few minutes to conduct. Conclusion: The Swedish version of 4AT is an accurate and applicable tool to use in clinical practice for detecting delirium in hospitalized patients across different medical specialities, and to use by different professionals and levels of seniority. To improve patient outcomes, we recommend the 4AT to be incorporated in clinical practice in health care settings in Sweden

Peroxide-based route for the synthesis of zinc titanate powder

In this work the thermodynamical solubility diagrams of zinc and titanium hydroxides were reviewed in order to determine the conditions for maximum degree of phase composition homogenization of precipitates. Experimental investigation of dependency of titanium peroxohydroxide solubility on solution acidity has been carried out and coprecipitation of zinc ions has been studied. It was concluded that precipitation by constant addition of mixed salts and base solutions into the mother liquor with constant acidity of pH 8.5 allows maximizing homogenization of precipitate composition. Thermal treatment process of mixed zinc and titanium hydroxides coprecipitated with hydrogen peroxide was studied using thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction methods. It was found that precipitates of co-precipitated mixtures of zinc and titanium hydroxides contained impurities of salts precursors of the Zn (NO3)2 and TiOCl2 at a level of 1%. The experimental data demonstrate the influence of hydrogen peroxide on crystal growth rate of the zinc titanate during thermal treatment. The temperature ranges and kinetic parameters of hydroxide mixture dehydration, decomposition of the titanium peroxohydroxide and precursor impurities were determined

Θυρεοειδική λειτουργία και οστική πυκνότητα σε περικλιμακτηριακές γυναίκες

Από την ανασκόπηση της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας έχει διαπιστωθεί συσχέτιση μεταξύ των θυρεοειδικών διαταραχών και της οστικής μάζας. Έτσι γυναίκες υπερθυρεοειδικές αλλά και υποθυρεοειδικές φαίνεται να επηρεάζονται περισσότερο σε σχέση με τις ευθυρεοειδικές. Ειδικότερος στόχος της διατριβής αποσκοπεί στη διερεύνηση της υπόθεσης ότι γυναίκες με υποκλινικές διαταραχές της θυρεοειδικής τους λειτουργίας τόσο υπερθυρεοειδικές όσο και υποθυρεοειδικές θα εμφανίζουν ελάττωση της οστικής τους πυκνότητας σε σύγκριση με ευθυρεοειδικές γυναίκες. Για τη διεξαγωγή της μελέτης της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής χρησιμοποιήθηκαν γυναίκες-ασθενείς του Ιατρείου Κλιμακτήριου και Εμμηνόπαυσης, της Γ΄ Μαιευτικής και Γυναικολογικής Κλινικής του Π.Γ.Ν «ΑΤΤΙΚΟΝ». Η συλλογή των δειγμάτων πραγματοποιήθηκε στα πλαίσια λειτουργίας του Εξωτερικού Ιατρείου (βάση δεδομένων) Κλιμακτήριου και Εμμηνόπαυσης του Π.Γ.Ν «ΑΤΤΙΚΟΝ». Τα κριτήρια ένταξης στη μελέτη περιλάμβαναν εν συντομία κλινικά και βιοχημικά στοιχεία εμμηνόπαυσης, όπως η απουσία εμμηνόρροιας για τουλάχιστον 12 μήνες, τιμές της ορμόνης διέγερσης των ωοθυλακίων (FSH) άνω των 25 mIU/mL, οιστραδιόλη ορού χαμηλότερη των 50 pg/ml, πάχος ενδομητρίου μέχρι 5 mm. Στα κριτήρια αποκλεισμού από τη μελέτη ήταν οι γυναίκες με χρόνια νεφρική και χρόνια ηπατική νόσο, με μεταβολικά νοσήματα των οστών, με υπογοναδισμό και γενικά με καταστάσεις, που θα μπορούσαν να επηρεάσουν τον οστικό μεταβολισμό. Επίσης αποκλείστηκαν ασθενείς που βρίσκονταν υπό ορμονική θεραπεία και όσες λάμβαναν ραλοξιφαίνη, ταμοξιφαίνη ή τιβολόνη κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου της μελέτης καθώς και εκείνες που λάμβαναν τέτοιου είδους θεραπείες κατά τους προηγούμενους 12 μήνες. Ασθενείς με γνωστό ιστορικό διαταραχών του θυρεοειδούς που λάμβαναν θεραπεία αποκλείστηκαν επίσης, καθώς υπάρχουν στοιχεία που υποστηρίζουν ότι η θεραπεία με λεβοθυροξίνη έχει άμεσο θετικό αντίκτυπο στην οστική πυκνότητα. Συμμετείχαν 188 γυναίκες με μέση ηλικία 53,8 έτη. Οι διαταραχές του θυρεοειδούς βρέθηκαν να σχετίζονται σημαντικά με τα t-score, z-score και BMD των συμμετεχουσών. Συμπερασματικά μπορεί να ειπωθεί ότι τα ευρήματά μας συνηγορούν στο ότι όχι μόνο ο υπερθυρεοειδισμός αλλά και ο υποθυρεοειδισμός επιδρά αρνητικά στην οστική πυκνότητα.Thyroid dysfunction, predominantly hyperthyroidism, has been previously linked to impaired bone mass density (BMD) and increased risk of fractures. On the other hand, data in the field of hypothyroidism (HT) are missing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of thyroid disorders on bone density serum and urine calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) as well as serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase and urine hydroxyproline in a series of post-menopausal women. The study was conducted in the Reproductive Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of our hospital. A consecutive series of post-menopausal women was included, after excluding patients under hormone treatment (including levothyroxine supplementation) and those who received raloxifene, tamoxifen or tibolone during the study period as well as those who received treatment during the previous 12 months were excluded from the present study. Overall, 188 women were included in the present study. Among them, 143 women had normal thyroid function, 32 women had hyperthyroidism and 13 women had HT. Correlation of thyroid function indices with osteoporosis indices revealed statistically significant correlations between thyroxine (T4) and free triiodothy-ronine (T3) with T-, Z-scores and BMD. Logistic regression analysis concerning the impact of HT and hyper-thyroidism on T-score, Z-score and bone mass density revealed that both pathological entities negatively affect bone health (p < 0.05). In conclusion, The findings of our study suggest that not only hyperthyroidism, but also HT negatively affects BMD. Future studies should investigate this association and corroborate our findings

Preparation and characterization of titanium oxide

Titania is one of the most important substrates that are used for the control of atmospheric pollution. More speciffically for the formation of sulphates and some distinguised surface properties have been established as the suggested substrate for V_2O_5. The above composes, the active phase of catalysts, which are used in selectivity reductionof nitrogen oxides that are emitted by stationary sources. Actually, the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SSCR process) of NO_x from large stationary sources, such as thermal power plants. The fields of investigation was; Development of new preperation methods of TiO_2 from organic or inorganic precautions, in supersaturated solutions. Quantification of previous methods in order to invastigate the kinetics of precipitation concerning the importance of the Kinetic formation, in physiochemical and electrochemical characteristics of the precipitated solids. The doping of solids by the incorporation of foreign altervalent ions in the latticeanatase and the correlation of preparation methods. Physiochemical and morphological characterizationof oxides production doping or not. Valuation of preparation investigating their suitability on the Photocatalytic degratation of coloured organic pollutes.Η τιτάνια είναι ένας απο τους πιο σημαντικούς καταλύτες ο οποίος χρησιμοποιείται στον έλεγχο της ατμοσφαιρικής ρύπανσης. Έχει προταθεί επίσης σαν το καλύτερο υπόστρωμαγια ενεργό φάση V_2O_5. Το παραπάνω αποτελεί την ενεργό φάση του καταλύτη που χρησιμοποιείται στην εκλεκτική αναγωγή των οξειδίων του αζώτου τα οποία εκπέπονται απο σταθερές πηγές. Πραγματικά, η διαδικασία Εκλεκτικής Καταλυτικής Αναγωγής του NOx με αμμωνία και με παρουσία περισσείας, οξυγόνου, είναι η καλύτερη μέθοδος που διαθέτουμε σήμερα για απομάκρυνση των NOx απο μεγάλες στατικές πηγές, όπως μεγάλα εργοστάσια. Τα πεδία έρευνας ήταν: Ανάπτυξη έων μεθόδων παρασκευής του οξειδίου του Τιτανίου απο οργανικές ή ανόργανες πρώτες ύλες σε διαλύματα. Ποσοτικοποίηση των προηγούμενων μεθόδων με σκοπό τη διερεύνηση της Κινητικής Καταβύθισης, θεωρώντας τη σημασία του κινητικού σχηματισμού, στα φυσιοχημικά και ηλεκτροχημικά χαρακτηρηριστικάτων καταβυθιζόμενων στερεών. Η ενίσχυση των στερεών με την εισαγωγή ξένων ιόντων διαφορετικού σθένους, στο πλέγμα του ανατάσηκαι ο συσχετισμός τους με την μέθοδο παρασκευής. Φυσικοχημικός και μορφολογικός χαρακτηρισμός των παραγόντων στερεών, ενισχυμένων ή μή. Αξιολόγηση των παρασκευασμάτων μελετώντας την καταλληλότητα τους στην φωτοκαταλυτική αποικοδόμηση έγχρωμων οργανικών ρύπων

Studies on Migratory Movements of the Prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskal, 1775) at Amvrakikos Gulf, Western Greece

Abstract. The prawn Penaeus kerathurus completes its life cycle in Amvrakikos Gulf. The reasons for not entering the open sea depend on the status of biotic and abiotic factors of the gulf. The migratory movements of the species in the gulf are described by a simple square model, in each corner of which, the wintering, spawning, nursery, and recruitment area exist. The wintering area is located below the 25m isobath and wintering period lasts from late December to late March. Spermatophores on females are observed throughout the year but the highest percentages between April and August. The spawning season begins late in spring and continues through the summer. The spawning area is located below the 10m isobath, mainly around 25m. The nursery area of Penaeus kerathurus is in shallow waters near river estuaries, and the temporal limits were determined to be between mid‐summer and mid‐autumn. Finally, the recruitment area is located near the nursery area, with recruitment taking place in autumn, while the major stock renewal is restricted to winter. Copyright © 1992, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserve