Use of creative tools, technologies, processes and practices in the sectors of Art, Media, and Architecture: State-of the-Art and desired future scenarios

The aim of the paper is to analyse and present the preliminary findings of the EU FP7 funded CRe-AM project for the Art, Media, and Architecture sectors. This project bridges communities of technology providers and innovators with the creative industries, with the aim to build sector-specific dynamic roadmaps for the future of the European creative industries by examining the current state-of-the-art tools, technologies, processes, and practices supporting the creative process against the future scenarios envisioned by stakeholders in these sectors.This work was carried out as part of CRe-AM project, which is supported by European Commission (grant agreement n°612451)

The Gaze in the Mirror: Human Self and the Myth of Dionysus in Plotinus

At the core of Plotinus’ exploration of human selfhood, lies a reference to the myth of Dionysus-Zagreus and his mirror, one of the toys the Titans used to seduce the young Dionysus (iv.3[27].12). In interpreting the myth within this context, the mirror has been invariably regarded by scholars as a symbol for matter, an external surface on which the soul is projected and becomes embodied as a human individual by dispersing in the material depths. This paper challenges this established view and advances a new interpretation of Plotinus’ allusion to the myth and its philosophical significance. It argues that the mirror is not a symbol for matter, but rather a symbol for the soul itself, for its power to transform itself and retain its identity in the process of becoming a human individual. The function of the mirror is thus both deceptive and protective. While the desire that the soul, deceived by the mirror, feels for its own image guides it to leave behind its original condition and unity, it is this same desire that keeps the soul within itself: protected by the Dionysian mirror, even the most dispersed soul cannot desire anything other than what it takes to be itself, hence rather than disappearing in the radical alterity of matter, soul reaffirms its identity as an individual human self

The biology and ecology of juvenile pilotfish (Naucrates ductor) associated with Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in eastern Mediterranean waters

The pilotfish (Naucrates ductor) is an epipelagic oceanic species, whose 0-group specimens tend to aggregate below flotsam, constituting a principal by-catch of the western Mediterranean FAD fishery. During a one-year survey sampling, monthly experimental hauls using surrounding nets were conducted at sites in south Peloponnesian waters, where FADs were moored; during the summer-early autumn months bongo tows were also carried out. 0-group pilotfish appeared beneath FADs from mid-summer till early winter and the total length of the collected specimens ranged between 120 and 330 mm. Pilotfish larvae, measuring 2.0- 3.9 mm, were found at FAD sites in mid-summer and in early autumn. The age of juvenile specimens, determined by counting daily increments on their sagittae, ranged between 50-141 increments (days) for males, and 51-131 increments (days) for females. The predicted asymptotic length was found to be 412.3mm TL for males and 435.2 mm TL for females. The onset of sexual maturity appeared to occur when specimens were a few months old. Stomach content analysis suggested that the diet of 0-group pilotfish associated to FADs in Greek waters depended mainly on decapod larvae, hyperiid amphipods, and alciopid polychaetes

Risk of allergic reactions to wine, in milk, egg and fish-allergic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>European legislators and wine producers still debate on the requirement for labeling of wines fined with potentially allergenic food proteins (casein, egg white or fish-derived isinglass). We investigated whether wines fined with known concentrations of these proteins have the potential to provoke clinical allergic reactions in relevant patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In-house wines were produced for the study, fined with different concentrations of casein (n = 7), egg albumin (n = 1) and isinglass (n = 3). ELISA and PCR kits specific for the respective proteins were used to identify the fining agents. Skin prick tests and basophil activation tests were performed in patients with confirmed IgE-mediated relevant food allergies (n = 24). A wine consumption questionnaire and detailed history on possible reactions to wine was obtained in a multinational cohort of milk, egg or fish allergic patients (n = 53) and patients allergic to irrelevant foods as controls (n = 13).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fining agents were not detectable in wines with the available laboratory methods. Nevertheless, positive skin prick test reactions and basophil activation to the relevant wines were observed in the majority of patients with allergy to milk, egg or fish, correlating with the concentration of the fining agent. Among patients consuming wine, reported reactions were few and mild and similar with the ones reported from the control group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Casein, isinglass or egg, remaining in traces in wine after fining, present a very low risk for the respective food allergic consumers. Physician and patient awareness campaigns may be more suitable than generalized labeling to address this issue, as the latter may have negative impact on both non-allergic and allergic consumers.</p

Distant Metastases From Childhood Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma:Clinical Course and Mutational Landscape

Context: Distant metastases (DM) from childhood differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are uncommon and published studies are limited. Objective: This work aimed to describe the outcomes of patients with DM from childhood DTC and to evaluate the molecular landscape of these tumors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center including patients with pediatric DTC (diagnosed at age Results: We identified 148 patients; 144 (97%) had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 104 (70%) were female. Median age at DTC diagnosis was 13.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 9.9-15.9 years). Evaluable individuals received a median of 2 (IQR, 1-3) radioactive iodine (RAI) treatments at a median cumulative administered activity of 238.0 mCi (IQR, 147.5-351.0 mCi). The oncogenic driver was determined in 64 of 69 PTC samples: RET fusion (38/64; 59%), NTRK1/3 fusions (18/64; 28%), and the BRAF V600E mutation (8/64; 13%). At last evaluation, 93% had persistent disease. The median overall and disease-specific survival after DTC diagnosis were 50.7 and 52.8 years, respectively. Eight (5%) PTC patients died of disease after a median of 30.7 years (IQR, 20.6-37.6 years). Conclusion: Childhood DTC with DM persists in most patients despite multiple courses of RAI, but disease-specific death is uncommon, typically occurring decades after diagnosis. Fusion genes are highly prevalent in PTC, and all identified molecular alterations have appropriate targeted therapies. Future studies should focus on expanding genotype-phenotype correlations, determining how to integrate molecularly targeted therapy into treatment paradigms, and relying less on repeated courses of RAI to achieve cure in patients with DM from childhood DTC

Headache during airplane travel (“airplane headache”): first case in Greece

Headache related to airplane flights is rare. We describe a 37-year-old female patient with multiple intense, jabbing headache episodes over the last 3 years that occur exclusively during airplane flights. The pain manifests during take-off and landing, and is located always in the left retro-orbital and frontotemporal area. It is occasionally accompanied by dizziness, but no additional symptoms occur. Pain intensity diminishes and disappears after 15–20 min. Apart from occasional dizziness, no other symptoms occur. The patient has a history of tension-type headache and polycystic ovaries. Blood tests and imaging revealed no abnormalities. Here, we present the first case in Greece. We review the current literature on this rare syndrome and discuss on possible pathophysiology and the investigation of possible co-factors such as anxiety and depression

Limited impact of colistin resistance on mortality of intensive care patients with carbapenem-resistant bacteraemia

Background Increasing incidence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia (CR-GNB) has triggered increased use of polymyxins, likely fuelling the emergence and spread of colistin resistance. Aim To estimate the excess clinical burden of colistin resistance in intensive care patients with CR-GNB. Methods A cohort was constructed of patients with CR-GNB during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Greece, over a 4-year period (2020-2023). Competing risks survival analysis was performed to estimate the burden associated with colistin resistance. Findings In 177 ICU patients with CR-GNB, 134 (76%) had colistin-resistant isolates, predominantly Acinetobacter baumannii (79%), identified by broth microdilution. Patients with colistin resistant infection were similar to those with colistin susceptible with respect to age, sex, APACHE II score, Charlson comorbidity index, Pitt bacteraemia score, prior surgery and the occurrence of polymicrobial cultures. However, patients in the colistin resistant group had lower mortality risk compared to the colistin susceptible (31% vs. 44%, P = 0.004 at 14 days; 46% vs. 56% at 28 days, P = 0.173; respectively). Multivariable regression analysis confirmed that colistin resistant CR-GNB was associated with significantly lower hazard of inpatient death compared to colistin susceptible infection at 14 days (cause-specific hazard ratio [csHR], 0.53; 95% CI 0.28 - 1.01) and 28 days (csHR, 0.55; 95% CI 0.31 - 0.95) of infection onset. Conclusion Limited impact of colistin resistance on mortality was demonstrated in a large contemporary cohort of ICU patients with CR-GNB, possibly reflecting the recent shift away from colistin-based treatment regimens