281 research outputs found
Correction: Micronutrient intake and telomere length: findings from the UK Biobank (European Journal of Nutrition, (2024), 63, 8, (2871-2883), 10.1007/s00394-024-03460-5)
No full texthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-024-03460-5. In the original version of this article, e-mail address of the corresponding author Vasiliki Bountziouka was incorrectly given as [email protected] but should have been [email protected]. © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024
Differential diagnosis of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and morphea based on clinical, laboratory and histopathological findines in patients of the last five years in A. Sygros Hospital
No full textMorphoea is a chronic connective tissue disease, limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, in some cases involving deeper tissues, fascia, and muscle. It is characterized by indurated areas of skin, that are at first faint purple in color but that eventually lose their color centrally leaving many ivory colored areas surrounded by a lilac ring. The surface tends to be smooth and shiny and lacks skin appendages. Morphoea has been divided into numerous morphologic types, which include guttate, plaque type, generalized, linear, deep and keloid forms, all of which are believed to be subcategories of a larger group termed localized scleroderma.Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is a chronic benign condition of the skin affecting both epidermis and dermis. It is characterized by ivory or white, round, shiny, macules or papules that generally aggregate to form plaques. Atrophy and/or sclerosis are hallmarks, and telangiectasia are common.The aetiology of morphoea and LSA is unknown but many authors believe them to be autoimmune in nature.The histopathologic features of morphoea depend on the activity of the disease; in advanced cases atrophy of the epidermis occurs. In the dermis homogeneous, thickened and waxy-appearing collagen bundles with diminished spaces between them extend deep in the subcutis, partially replacing subcutaneous fat. Hair follicles are atrophic and decreased in number. The perivascular inflammatory and interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells are more or less abundant depending on the disease activity. The elastic fibers are preserved and also present in superficial layers below basement membrane zone, a main histologic feature allowing differentiation from LSA.The histopathologic findings in LSA are usually characteristic and include a varying degree of epithelial thinning, follicular plugging of the rete malpighii, and hydropic degeneration of basal keratinocytes. Varying degrees of intensity of inflammatory infiltrates are present in the dermis. In early cases, infiltrates are mostly, present in the upper dermis showing direct contact with the dermo-epidermal junction, whereas in older lesions they are displaced downwards. Pronounced edema and homogenization of collagen appear alongside the loss of elastic fibbers in the upper demis. At the ultrastructural level, abnormalities of the basic membrane zone are observed, consisting of absence of anchoring fibrils as well as invaginations and reduplications of the basal lamina.Some patients display clinical and histologic features of both morphoea and LSA. Some authors consider these diseases separate entities, and others suggest that LSA is a superficial variant of morphoea. However, the relationship between LSA and morphoea is still a matter of controversy. This study was aimed at comparing, these entities based on clinical, laboratory and histopathologic features.Material and methods The study was conducted by the 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology of the National University of Athens Medical School. Fifty biopsy specimens from 50 patients were the source of material for this study. Material was collected from department of histopathology of “A. Sygros Hospital”, during a 5-year period. We selected patients for which the diagnosis of the clinical dermatologists, who submitted biopsy specimens, were either morphoea/LSA (differential diagnosis) or LSA, or morphoea. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.It was investigated the age at onset and the duration of the disease, the clinical and histologic findings, the concurrent conditions, if any and the therapeutical approach. Clinical information was sought on all of the patients from referring dermatologists.Υπήρχαν αρκετές αναφορές στη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία όσον αφορά τη σχέση morphoea και LSA. Άλλοι από τους ερευνητές που μελέτησαν τα δύο νοσήματα μέχρι το 1988 κατέληξαν στο συμπέρασμα ότι πρόκειται για το ίδιο νόσημα ή ότι το ένα νόσημα αποτελεί ποικιλία του άλλου και άλλοι ότι πρόκειται για ξεχωριστά νοσήματα. Πρόσφατες μελέτες στις οποίες οι ερευνητές χρησιμοποίησαν νεώτερες μεθόδους διάγνωσης όπως υψηλής συχνότητας υπερηχογράφημα, μικροσκόπηση με Laser εστιακής σάρωσης απέδειξαν σε περιπτώσεις ασθενών, που παρατηρούνταν κλινικές και ιστολογικές ομοιότητες morphoea και LSA, ότι επρόκειτο για το ένα ή το άλλο νόσημα.Στην παρούσα μελέτη διαπιστώθηκε ότι morphoea και LSA αποτελούν ξεχωριστές οντότητες. Το συμπέρασμα αυτό στηρίζεται λιγότερο στις κλινικές και περισσότερο στις ιστολογικές διαφορές μεταξύ των δύο νόσων.Η morphoea είναι μια χρόνια νόσος, η οποία χαρακτηρίζεται από σκληρές πλάκες του δέρματος, οι οποίες αρχικά έχουν ρόδινη χροιά στην πορεία όμως χάνουν κεντρικά το χρώμα τους αφήνοντας υπόλευκες περιοχές, που περιβάλλονται από ιώδη δακτύλιο. Η επιφάνεια γίνεται λεία, στιλπνή και χωρίς εξαρτήματα.Ο LSA είναι χρόνια καλοήθης νόσος του δέρματος, η οποία επηρεάζει την επιδερμίδα και το χόριο. Χαρακτηρίζεται κλινικά από λευκές ή υπόλευκες κυκλικές, στίλβουσες κηλίδες ή βλατίδες, οι οποίες μερικές φορές συνενώνονται και σχηματίζουν πλάκες. Η ατροφία ή/και η σκλήρυνση της επιφάνειας είναι χαρακτηριστικά ευρήματα. Σε μερικές περιπτώσεις μπορεί να παρατηρηθούν και τηλεαγγειεκτασίες.Τα ιστοπαθολογικά χαρακτηριστικά της morphoea εξαρτώνται από τη δραστηριότητα της νόσου. Σε μακράς διάρκειας βλάβες μπορεί να παρατηρηθεί ατροφία της επιδερμίδας. Στο χόριο γενικά παρατηρούνται ομογενοποιημένες παχυμένες δεσμίδες κολλαγόνου, οι οποίες μπορεί να εκτείνονται στο υπόδερμα και ν’ αντικαθιστούν μερικά το υποδόριο λίπος. Οι τριχικοί θύλακοι είναι ατροφικοί και αραιοί. Η περιαγγειακή και διάμεση φλεγμονώδης διήθηση από λεμφοκύτταρα και πλασματοκύτταρα είναι πυκνότερη ή αραιότερη ανάλογα με το στάδιο της νόσου.Τα ιστοπαθολογικά ευρήματα σε βλάβες LSA είναι χαρακτηριστικά και συνίστανται σε ποικίλου βαθμού λέπτυνση της επιδερμίδας, θυλακικά βύσματα, ατροφία της μαλπιγιανής στιβάδας, και υδρωπική εκφύλιση τωνκερατινοκυττάρων της βασικής στιβάδας. Στο χόριο παρατηρείται πυκνή φλεγμονώδης διήθηση. Στις πρόσφατες βλάβες η διήθηση είναι ιδιαίτερα εμφανής στο ανώτερο χόριο σε άμεση επαφή με το δερμοεπιδερμιδικό σύνδεσμο, ενώ στις παλιές βλάβες είναι εκτοπισμένη προς τα κάτω. Επίσης στο ανώτερο χόριο κυριαρχεί το οίδημα και παρατηρείται ομογενοποίηση του κολλαγόνου.Η ομοιότητα των δύο νόσων ιστοπαθολογικά οφείλεται κυρίως: α) στο οίδημα στο θηλώδες χόριο, το οποίο μπορεί να παρατηρηθεί στο αρχικό στάδιο πρόσφατων βλαβών morphoea και το οποίο εν γένει αποτελεί χαρακτηριστικό ιστοπαθολογικό εύρημα στον LSA. Όμως στη morphoea δεν παρατηρείται η έντονη λειχηνοειδής διήθηση από λεμφοκύτταρα κάτω από το παχυμένο θηλώδες χόριο όπως στον LSA, β) στην ήπια κενοτοπιώδη εκφύλιση που μπορεί να παρατηρηθεί σε morphoea (η οποία όμως δεν είναι τόσο έντονη όσο στον LSA) και οφείλεται στην σκλήρυνση, των κολλαγόνων ινιδίων, που επάγουν τοπική διαταραχή της κυκλοφορίας, και γ) στην λέπτυνση της επιδερμίδας, που είναι χαρακτηριστικό εύρημα στον LSA όμως μπορεί να παρατηρηθεί σε προχωρημένη morphoea.Χαρακτηριστική διαφορά μεταξύ των δύο νόσων αποτελεί το ότι στον LSA δεν παρατηρούνται παχυμένες δεσμίδες και ομογενοποίηση κολλαγόνου στο δικτυωτό χόριο, ούτε απώλεια των εξαρτημάτων, ούτε παχυμένα σκληρωτικά διαφραγμάτια στο υπόδερμα, ούτε αντικατάσταση του λιπώδους ιστού από σκληρωτικό κολλαγόνο όπως στη morphea.Η συναξιολόγηση των κλινικών χαρακτηριστικών, της διάρκειας της νόσου και βάσει αυτών η προσεκτική εκτίμηση των ιστοπαθολογικών ευρημάτων δειγμάτων βιοψίας, τα οποία περιλαμβάνουν δικτυωτό χόριο και υπόδερμα, παρέχουν τη δυνατότητα ακριβούς διάγνωσης και διαχωρισμού morphoea και LSA καθώς αποτελούν δύο ξεχωριστές νοσολογικές οντότητες
Optimal Phased-Array Signal Combination For Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Measurement In Breast Cancer Using Multiple Quantum Coherence MR Spectroscopy At 3T
No full textAcknowledgements The author would like to thank Dr Matthew Clemence (Philips Healthcare Clinical Science, UK) for clinical scientist support, Ms Bolanle Brikinns, Ms Louisa Pirie, Ms Linda Lett, and Ms Kate Shaw for patient recruitment support, Ms Dawn Younie for logistic support, Mr Roger Bourne and Ms Mairi Fuller for providing access to the patients as well as Mrs Beverly MacLennan, Mrs Nichola Crouch, Mr Mike Hendry, and Ms Laura Reid for radiographer support. This project was funded by Friends of Aberdeen and North Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Radiotherapy (ANCHOR). Vasiliki Mallikourti’s PhD study is supported by The Princess Royal Tenovus Scotland Medical Research Scholarship.Peer reviewe
Phased-array combination of 2D MRS for lipid composition quantification in patients with breast cancer
No full textAcknowledgements: The author would like to thank Dr Matthew Clemence (Philips Healthcare Clinical Science, UK) for support, Ms Bolanle Brikinns, Ms Louisa Pirie, Ms Linda Lett, and Ms Kate Shaw, for patient recruitment support, Ms Dawn Younie for logistic support, Mr Roger Bourne and Ms Mairi Fuller for providing access to the patients as well as Mrs Beverly MacLennan, Mrs Nicola Crouch, Mr Mike Hendry, and Ms Laura Reid for radiographer support. Funding: This project was funded by Friends of Aberdeen and North Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Radiotherapy (ANCHOR), Tenovus Scotland, and NHS Grampian Endowment. Vasiliki Mallikourti’s PhD study is supported by The Princess Royal Tenovus Scotland Medical Research Scholarship.Peer reviewe
Rezension: "Digitale Transformation der Musikausbildung. Kognitive Entscheidungsprozesse an Hochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz" von Vasiliki Papadopoulou
No full textMit ihrem Werk Digitale Transformation der Musikausbildung - Kognitive Entscheidungsprozesse an Hochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz legt Vasiliki Papadopoulou eine sorgfältig konzipierte und empirisch abgesicherte Studie vor, die einen substantiellen Beitrag zur Auseinandersetzung mit der Digitalisierung im Kontext künstlerischer Hochschulbildung leistet. Die Autorin überzeugt durch eine klar strukturierte Argumentation, eine fundierte theoretische Herangehensweise sowie eine präzise Analyse der Entscheidungsmuster an sowohl öffentlichen als auch privaten Kunst- und Musikhochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz. Besonders bemerkenswert ist, dass sie nicht nur strukturelle Rahmenbedingungen, sondern auch individuelle Haltungen und Handlungsmuster in den Blick nimmt, die Transformationsprozesse wesentlich mitgestalten.Vasiliki Papadopoulou\u27s Digitale Transformation der Musikausbildung ̶ Kognitive Entscheidungsprozesse an Hochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz is a carefully designed and empirically validated study that makes a substantial contribution to the debate on digitalization in the context of artistic higher education. The author impresses with her clearly structured argumentation, a well-founded theoretical approach and a precise analysis of decision-making patterns at both public and private art and music universities in Austria and Switzerland. It is particularly noteworthy that she focuses not only on structural framework conditions, but also on individual attitudes and patterns of action that play a key role in shaping transformation processes
Iterative learning control as a framework for human-inspired control with bio-mimetic actuators
No full textThe synergy between musculoskeletal and central nervous systems empowers humans to achieve a high level of motor performance, which is still unmatched in bio-inspired robotic systems. Literature already presents a wide range of robots that mimic the human body. However, under a control point of view, substantial advancements are still needed to fully exploit the new possibilities provided by these systems. In this paper, we test experimentally that an Iterative Learning Control algorithm can be used to reproduce functionalities of the human central nervous system - i.e. learning by repetition, after-effect on known trajectories and anticipatory behavior - while controlling a bio-mimetically actuated robotic arm.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Learning & Autonomous Contro
An Ultrasonically Powered and Controlled Ultra-High-Frequency Biphasic Electrical Neurostimulator
No full textThis paper presents the design of a neurostimulator performing biphasic ultra-high-frequency electrical stimulation while being driven from ultrasound energy. Unlike conventional constant current or constant voltage stimulators or state-of-the-art ultra-high-frequency stimulators, the system does not convert the input AC signal into regulated DC for storing power and supplying the elements of the circuits. Instead, it uses the received ultrasonic signal frequency (≥1 MHz) for electrically stimulating the tissue directly, and it achieves biphasic stimulation with external control and without storing extra power. This results in a highly efficient and miniature circuit, which has the potential to be used in bioelectronic medicine for stimulating small peripheral nerves deep inside the body. The operation of the circuit was first simulated in LTSpice using a lumped elements model for the impedance of the piezoelectric receivers and the load. Finally, a prototype was tested in vitro with commercial transducers and platinum-iridium electrodes as load.Accepted author manuscriptBio-Electronic
Ultrasound for Data Transfers from Deep Implants: an Experimental Comparison Between Binary-Frequency-Shift-Keying and On-Off-Keying with Backscatter Modulation
No full textImplantable devices need to communicate information to the outside world. For deep-seated miniaturized implants ultrasound communication can be favourable. However, implants need to operate during movement, and the selected communication scheme should be assessed accordingly. In this work, we implemented a simple protocol to transfer data packets based on On-Off-Keying (OOK) and Frequency-Shift-Keying (FSK) by backscatter modulation in ultrasonic communication links for deep implants.We then used it to compare FSK vs OOK encoding regarding the bit error rate during continuous ultrasound power transfer, and while moving, in a water tank setup. Our experiment shows, that sub-millimeter movements can have severe effects on OOK communication, but not for FKS. Therefore, FSK can allow for backscatter communication from deep implants regardless of their position and involved movements. The protocol can also be adapted to other backscatter modulation schemes in the future.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Bio-Electronic
There are many Indias: depictions of Indian-ness, epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration in recent literature for young adults published in India
No full textDeposited with permission of the author. © 2012 Vasiliki SpanosThe study ‘There are many Indias: Depictions of Indian-ness, epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration in recent literature for young adults published in India ’ takes its impetus from the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) ‘The Australian Curriculum’ for English (2012), which stipulates as one of its aims the emphasis of Australia’s ‘links to Asia’ (p.3). As an experienced and practising teacher of English and Literature within the secondary classroom in Melbourne, Australia with an interest in Indian culture and literature, I wanted to explore beyond the Asian texts booklisted by the Asia Education Foundation (2011) for use in the English classroom. Curiosity, amongst other factors, led me to India. It is in bookshops and schools in India where I discovered that there are many more texts, delightful, powerful often confronting texts, written in English and evoking a deep sense of Indian culture, that we teachers of English in Australia were aware of. This thesis analyses a selection of YAL novels written in English and published in India recently. It explores the depiction of Indian-ness within the experience and realm of childhood, against a distinctively Indian backdrop. In an appropriation of Hollindale's concept of childness, the term Indian-ness is adopted, addressing the multilayered nature of Indian experience whilst exposing attitudinal shifts in both the depiction of the child/youth protagonist and societal perceptions of the child/youth as reader. Furthermore, this thesis examines Hollindale’s concept of epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration as they manifest in the selected YAL works.
Their subsequent implications from within the text (in terms of the protagonist) and beyond the text (in terms of reader response) are also explored. This study analyses the significance of epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration in relation to perceptions of society and the world of the young adult and how literature offers another way of seeing and being in the world. Thus the expansive potential of literature to empower and transform the individual is examined. Finally, this study asserts that these factors act as a unifying element and allow for a richness of interpretation which extends and further embellishes the scope of possibility in one’s perception of life, their vision for the future and their perception of the quality of Indian-ness and its many manifestations. Hollindale’s concept of epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration serves to illustrate the common humanity that the selected YAL texts expose the reader to, whilst simultaneously suggesting the universality of the reading experience
Influence of soft encapsulation on the wireless power transfer for bioelectronic medicine: Evaluating the efficiency of near-field resonant inductive links
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