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Chrysargyris A, Solomou M, Petropoulos SA, Tzortzakis N. Physiological and biochemical attributes of Mentha spicata when subjected to saline conditions and cation foliar application. J Plant Physiol 2019; 232:27-38. [PMID: 30530201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2018.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Marginal water, including saline water, has been proposed as an alternative source of irrigation water for partially covering plant water requirements due to scarcity of adequate water supply in hot arid and semi-arid areas, such as those usually found in the Mediterranean basin. In the present study, spearmint plants (Mentha spicata L.) were grown in a deep flow hydroponic system under saline conditions, namely 0, 25, 50, and 100 mM NaCl. Moreover, foliar application of specific cations (K, Zn, Si) was tested as a means for alleviation of salinity stress under a plant physiological and biochemical approach. The results indicated that the highest salinity level of 100 mM NaCl severely affected plant growth, photosynthetic rates, leaf stomatal conductance, content of total phenolics and antioxidant status, while low to moderate salinity levels (25-50 mM NaCl) did not significantly affect plant growth and biochemical functions. In addition, leaf potassium and calcium accumulation decreased in saline-treated plants. Cations foliar application had small to no effect on plant growth, although it increased antioxidant activity and detoxified oxidative stress products/effects, through the increased enzymatic activities and proline accumulation. The present results have demonstrated that spearmint could be considered as a salinity tolerant species which is able to grow successfully under moderate salinity levels, while cation enrichment through foliar sprays was proved as a useful means to alleviate the stress effects caused by high salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Chrysargyris
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, 3603, Cyprus
| | - Maria Solomou
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, 3603, Cyprus
| | - Spyridon A Petropoulos
- Laboratory of Vegetable Production, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Street, 38446 N. Ionia, Magnissia, Greece
| | - Nikos Tzortzakis
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, 3603, Cyprus.
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Zorn VL, Linke M, Zscheppang A, Sakowski P, Karnaki P, Zota D, Darias-Curvo S, Themistokleous S, Patouris E, Solomou M, Christophi C, Ioannidou E, Berth H. Verbesserung der kommunikativen Kompetenzen von Medizinern in ganz Europa durch die Entwicklung eines neuen europaweit einsetzbaren Kommunikationstrainings. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- VL Zorn
- Technische Universität Dresden, Medizinische Fakultät, Psychosoziale Medizin und Entwicklungsneurowissenschaften, Forschungsgruppe Angewandte Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - M Linke
- Technische Universität Dresden, Medizinische Fakultät, Psychosoziale Medizin und Entwicklungsneurowissenschaften, Forschungsgruppe Angewandte Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - A Zscheppang
- Technische Universität Dresden, Medizinische Fakultät, Public Health, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - P Sakowski
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Health Policy Department, Lodz, Poland
| | - P Karnaki
- Prolepsis, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Athens, Greece
| | - D Zota
- Prolepsis, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Athens, Greece
| | - S Darias-Curvo
- Universidad de La Laguna, Research Center of Social Inequality and Governance – Cedesog, La Laguna, Spain
| | - S Themistokleous
- Cardet, Centre for the Advancement of Research & Development in Educational Technology, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - E Patouris
- Cardet, Centre for the Advancement of Research & Development in Educational Technology, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - M Solomou
- Cardet, Centre for the Advancement of Research & Development in Educational Technology, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - C Christophi
- Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - E Ioannidou
- Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - H Berth
- Technische Universität Dresden, Medizinische Fakultät, Psychosoziale Medizin und Entwicklungsneurowissenschaften, Forschungsgruppe Angewandte Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Dresden, Deutschland
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Siyahhan S, Ingram-Goble AA, Barab S, Solomou M. Educational Games to Support Caring and Compassion Among Youth. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations 2017. [DOI: 10.4018/ijgcms.2017010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, the authors argue that video games offer unique and pervasive opportunities for children to develop social dispositions that are necessary to succeed in the 21st century. To this end, they discuss the design of TavCats—a virtual role-playing game that aimed to engage children (ages 9 to 13) in understanding, acting upon, and coming to value being caring and compassionate. The authors' discussion takes the form of a design narrative through which they explain the connections between their theoretical commitments and design decisions. Specifically, they review four design elements they utilized in their design work: identity claims, boundary objects, profession trajectories, and cyclic gameplay. The authors briefly share their observations from a pilot study with children in an afterschool setting to illustrate how their design work might be realized in the world. They conclude their paper with a discussion of the implications of their work for designing educational video games for supporting social dispositions as well as academic learning, and future directions.
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Lazaris AC, Riccioni O, Solomou M, Nikolakopoulos I, Vemmou E, Karamaroudis S, Sotirianakou ME, Vrasidas C, Armenski G, Seiwerth S, van Krieken JHJ, Patsouris ES. Implementation of Experimental Learning in Pathology: Impact of HIPON Project Concept and Attainment. Int Arch Med 2015. [DOI: 10.3823/1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Jebbari H, Alexander S, Ward H, Evans B, Solomou M, Thornton A, Dean G, White J, French P, Ison C. Update on lymphogranuloma venereum in the United Kingdom. Sex Transm Infect 2007; 83:324-6. [PMID: 17591663 PMCID: PMC2598681 DOI: 10.1136/sti.2007.026740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This report updates the UK epidemiology of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) to the end of April 2007. METHODS The Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections undertakes laboratory testing for LGV and subsequent epidemiological investigation of cases after laboratory confirmation of the LGV serovars (L1-3). Data analysis of enhanced surveillance and laboratory reports was undertaken. RESULTS From October 2004 to end April 2007, 492 cases of LGV have been diagnosed and enhanced surveillance forms have been returned for 423. Cases peaked in the third quarter of 2005 with an average of 32 cases per month, while in 2006 this fell to 12 cases per month. Nationally, the outbreak is focused in London, Brighton and the North West. All cases are in men, 99% of whom are MSM, with a median age of 40 and predominantly white ethnicity (91%). Co-infection remains considerable: HIV (74%); hepatitis C (14%); syphilis (5%); and other STIs including gonorrhoea, genital herpes and hepatitis B. The number of men reporting greater than 10 sexual contacts in the previous 3 months has reduced from 23% (47) to 13% (15) from 2005-2006. DISCUSSION The epidemic continues in the mostly white MSM population of the UK. The demographics of LGV remain similar to those previously described and high levels of HIV co-infection continue. Reduced numbers of sexual contacts might be contributing to the reduced numbers of LGV seen in 2006 but could simply mean that LGV is moving out of the highest risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Jebbari
- Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, UK.
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Maple PAC, Simms I, Kafatos G, Solomou M, Fenton K. Application of a noninvasive oral fluid test for detection of treponemal IgG in a predominantly HIV-infected population. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2006; 25:743-9. [PMID: 17061098 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-006-0216-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The performance of a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) for detection of treponemal IgG from oral fluid specimens has been assessed in a predominantly HIV-infected population. Serological investigation is the method of choice for confirming clinical suspicion of syphilis; however, in the primary stage of disease, direct detection of treponemes in lesion fluid or Treponema pallidum DNA is recommended because of the reduced sensitivity of serological tests. There may be occasions when blood for serological investigation is difficult to obtain due to individual patient preference or logistical necessity to improve participation in screening initiatives, particularly in outreach situations. Collection of oral fluid for detection of treponemal antibody may prove an attractive alternative and, with this in mind, an oral fluid assay for detection of treponemal IgG was developed. Time-resolved fluorescence was used to detect treponemal IgG extracted from commercially available oral fluid collection devices. Paired serum and saliva samples were obtained from 210 individuals, 101 of whom were diagnosed with syphilis on the grounds of medical examination confirmed by serological testing. Oral fluid specimens from 14 subjects were rejected because they contained insufficient control antibody or were inhibitory. The population tested was predominantly men who have sex with men, many of whom were HIV infected. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the oral fluid assay was 95.8 and 86.1%, respectively, based on the 5th percentile of the positive results, and 93.7 and 91.1%, respectively, based on a cutoff derived by mixture model analysis. For individuals with primary syphilis, the optimum sensitivity of the oral fluid assay was 87.5%, whereas in those with disease classified as secondary syphilis and early latent syphilis, the sensitivity of the oral fluid assay was 100 and 94.7%, respectively. The oral fluid assay is a useful alternative to serological testing in certain situations, and further development of this technology to enable detection of treponemal IgM should increase its sensitivity for detecting cases of primary syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A C Maple
- Health Protection Agency South West Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Kingsdown, Bristol BS2 8EL, UK.
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Simms I, Fenton KA, Ashton M, Turner KME, Crawley-Boevey EE, Gorton R, Thomas DR, Lynch A, Winter A, Fisher MJ, Lighton L, Maguire HC, Solomou M. The re-emergence of syphilis in the United Kingdom: the new epidemic phases. Sex Transm Dis 2005; 32:220-6. [PMID: 15788919 DOI: 10.1097/01.olq.0000149848.03733.c1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to characterize the resurgence of infectious syphilis in the United Kingdom between 1997 and 2003. STUDY The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of routine surveillance data from genitourinary medicine clinics and data collected through enhanced surveillance. RESULTS Between 1997 and 2002, diagnoses of primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis made at genitourinary medicine clinics increased by 213% in heterosexual males, 1412% in men who have sex with men (MSM), and 22% in females. These increases have been driven by a series of outbreaks, the largest of which were seen in Manchester (528) and London (1222) up to the end of October 2003. All the outbreaks have been geographically localized and the majority of cases occurred in MSM. A high percentage of concurrent HIV infection was reported, and oral sex was often reported as a route of transmission. CONCLUSIONS Syphilis has re-emerged in response to behavior change, probably driven by changes in the HIV epidemic. The future course of the epidemic is difficult to predict and control remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Simms
- Health Protection Agency Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, UK.
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Abstract
The aim of this article is to describe trends in infectious syphilis in the UK, and specifically the epidemiology of the London syphilis outbreak, the largest in the UK to date. Analysis of routine surveillance data from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics was performed as well as data collection through enhanced surveillance systems. There have been substantial increases in diagnoses of infectious syphilis between 1998 and 2003, with a 25-fold increase seen in men who have sex with men (MSM) (from 43 to 1028 diagnoses); 6-fold (138 to 860) in heterosexual men and 3-fold (112 to 338) in women. The national rise in syphilis was driven by a series of local outbreaks, the first of which occurred in 1997. To date, 1910 cases have been reported in the London outbreak, first detected in April 2001. High rates of HIV co-infection were seen among MSM, with MSM likely to be of white ethnicity and born in the UK. In contrast, heterosexuals were more likely to be of black ethnicity and born outside the UK. Most syphilis infections were acquired in London. MSM bear the brunt of the national resurgence in infectious syphilis. Substantial rises in male heterosexual cases has resulted in a divergence between male heterosexual and female cases, which now requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Righarts
- HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, United Kingdom
| | - I Simms
- HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, United Kingdom
| | - L Wallace
- Health Protection Scotland, Clifton House, Clifton Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - M Solomou
- HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, United Kingdom
| | - K. A. Fenton
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Mortimer Market Centre, London, United Kingdom
- HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, United Kingdom
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Righarts AA, Simms I, Wallace L, Solomou M, Fenton KA. Syphilis surveillance and epidemiology in the United Kingdom. Euro Surveill 2004; 9:21-5. [PMID: 15677851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this article is to describe trends in infectious syphilis in the UK, and specifically the epidemiology of the London syphilis outbreak, the largest in the UK to date. Analysis of routine surveillance data from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics was performed as well as data collection through enhanced surveillance systems. There have been substantial increases in diagnoses of infectious syphilis between 1998 and 2003, with a 25-fold increase seen in men who have sex with men (MSM) (from 43 to 1028 diagnoses); 6-fold (138 to 860) in heterosexual men and 3-fold (112 to 338) in women. The national rise in syphilis was driven by a series of local outbreaks, the first of which occurred in 1997. To date, 1910 cases have been reported in the London outbreak, first detected in April 2001. High rates of HIV co-infection were seen among MSM, with MSM likely to be of white ethnicity and born in the UK. In contrast, heterosexuals were more likely to be of black ethnicity and born outside the UK. Most syphilis infections were acquired in London. MSM bear the brunt of the national resurgence in infectious syphilis. Substantial rises in male heterosexual cases has resulted in a divergence between male heterosexual and female cases, which now requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Righarts
- HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, United Kingdom
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Angelopoulou K, Rosen B, Stratis M, Yu H, Solomou M, Diamandis EP. Circulating antibodies against p53 protein in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Correlation with clinicopathologic features and survival. Cancer 1996; 78:2146-52. [PMID: 8918407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic alterations of the p53 tumor suppressor protein are the most frequent molecular events in human carcinogenesis. For as yet unknown reasons, mutant p53 often acts as an immunogen for autoantibody generation. These autoantibodies can be detected in the serum of cancer patients. The presence of such antibodies has been identified in a subset of patients with ovarian carcinoma, but their clinical significance has not been investigated. METHODS Serum samples from patients with ovarian carcinoma were quantitatively analyzed for the presence of p53 autoantibodies with a time-resolved immunofluorometric procedure. Tumor p53 overexpression was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated for p53 antibody positive and negative patients, and the Cox model was used to evaluate the strength of the associations between the presence of serum p53 antibodies and cancer relapse or death, and also between the presence of such antibodies and other clinicopathologic features. RESULTS p53 antibodies were detected in the serum of 41 of 174 patients with ovarian carcinoma (24%). Antibody levels ranged from a few hundred to 9 x 10(6) arbitrary Units/L, and fluctuated during the course of the disease. p53 antibody positive patients tended to have tumors overexpressing p53, but the association between the two parameters was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). There was also no association between the presence of p53 antibodies and clinical stage, tumor histologic type, or overall patient survival. However, these antibodies were more frequently present in patients older than 50 years (P = 0.001), in patients with moderately or poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.001), and in patients who received chemotherapy (P = 0.015), and who suffered relapse after surgery (P = 0.018). In univariate analysis, p53 antibody positive patients were at an increased risk for relapse but not death. In multivariate analysis, the differences in disease free and overall survival between patients who were p53 antibody positive or negative were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS p53 autoantibodies are found frequently in the serum of patients with ovarian carcinoma. The presence of such autoantibodies was associated with older patient age, more aggressive tumors, and reduced patient disease free survival. In multivariate analysis the prognostic value of p53 autoantibodies was not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Angelopoulou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
This study examined the ictal electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of four forms of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) known to differ in efficacy. Previously, we demonstrated that titrated, low-dose right unilateral ECT reliably produces generalized seizures of adequate duration, but is remarkably weak in antidepressant effects. Using a new rating scale, we found that specific features of the ictal and immediate postictal EEG varied significantly with ECT stimulus intensity and electrode placement. The low-dose right unilateral condition differed from more effective forms of ECT in having the longest polyspike phase duration, averaging twice that of the other conditions; it was also the condition least likely to manifest bioelectric suppression immediately following seizure termination. In contrast, high-dose bilateral ECT--a treatment with particularly rapid antidepressant effects--resulted in the greatest peak slow-wave amplitude in both hemispheres. Total seizure duration did not differ among the four treatment conditions. These findings indicate that seizure duration is not a useful marker of therapeutic efficacy, and instead provide preliminary evidence that other features of the EEG may be more useful markers of treatment adequacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Nobler
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
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