628 research outputs found
Collapse and Reconstitution: Autonomy and the Avant-Garde
No full textA critical discussion of the historical avant-garde, De Stijl and the work of Theo van Doesburg and its reception and re-interpretations through the years. For the occasion of an art installation at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht by the artist Antonis Pittas.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.Space & Typ
Cardiology News /Recent Literature Review / First Two Quarters 2014
No full textCARDIOLOGY NEWS(Reproduced with permission from A.S. Manolis et al. Cardiology News / Recent Literature Review, Rhythmos 2014; 9: 29-35, & 46-53) (www.rhythmos.gr)Cardiology News /Recent Literature Review / First Quarter 2014Konstantinos Vlachos, MD, Kostas Letsas, MD, Antonis S. Manolis, MD, Evagelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece Athens Cardiology Update 2014: Athens (Crown Plaza Hotel), 10-12/4/2014HRS Meeting: San Francisco, 7-10/5/2014EuroPCR: Paris, 20-23/5/2014CardioStim: Nice, 18-21/6/2014ESC Congress: Barcelona, 30/8-3/9/14TCT: Washington, 12-17/9/14HCS Annual Meeting: Athens, 23-25/10/2014AHA: Chicago, 15-19/11/14Cutting Inappropriate ICD Shocks: Long Arrhythmia-Detection Time Strategy ConfirmedProgramming implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to delay the time they take to treat ventricular arrhythmias cuts mortality by 23% and inappropriate shocks by more than one-half in a meta-analysis encompassing ~4900 patients. The included studies were prospective and multicenter and covered both primary and secondary prevention and patients with either ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The risk of syncope did not rise significantly with longer detection times, despite traditional concerns that lots of patients would not tolerate prolonged arrhythmia exposure before their ICD is allowed to deliver therapy, either shocks or antitachycardia pacing (ATP). Instead, the extra time frequently gave devices a better chance to exclude non–life-threatening arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and to let otherwise self-terminating ventricular arrhythmias play out on their own. Current nominal settings used by some ICD manufacturers are likely to be too aggressive, with arrhythmia detection times that in some cases may be as short as 1-3 s. These results highlight the importance of setting longer default ICD detection times. The analysis included 4896 patients from the MADIT-RIT, ADVANCE 3, and PROVIDE randomized trials and the RELEVANT nonrandomized study. Overall, 264 patients received appropriate shocks and 253 experienced inappropriate shocks at follow-up (12 - 17 months). The relative risk (RR) of death from any cause was 0.77 (p=0.02) in the prolonged-detection-time groups compared with controls; the risks of inappropriate shocks and appropriate and inappropriate ATP also fell significantly. Why there were fewer deaths with longer detection times is unclear but it may derive from less exposure to potential hazards of shocks and ATP; inappropriate shocks may up mortality, and ATP poses a small risk of inducing ventricular fibrillation; or it may be due to some other factor, e.g. avoidance of treatment for multiple ICD therapies (e.g., prescription of antiarrhythmic drugs) (Scott PA et al, Heart Rhythm 2014; DOI:10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.02.009. Epub 2014 Feb 12)... (excerpt
Corrigendum to “Functional and immunohistochemical characterization of CCEae3a, a carboxylesterase associated with temephos resistance in the major arbovirus vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus” [Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 74 (July 2016) 61–67]
No full textThe authors regret that the name of the fourth author was given incorrectly. The correct name should be Antonis Myridakis instead of Antonis Miridakis. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused
Craniofacial morphology in ancient and modern Greeks through 4,000 years.
No full textBACKGROUND: Multiple 20th century studies have speculated on the anthropological similarities of the modern inhabitants of Greece with their ancient predecessors. The present investigation attempts to add to this knowledge by comparing the craniofacial configuration of 141 ancient (dating around 2,000-500 BC) and 240 modern Greek skulls (the largest material among relevant national studies). METHOD: Skulls were grouped in age at death, sex, era and geographical categories; lateral cephalograms were taken and 53 variables were measured and correlated statistically. The craniofacial measurements and measurements of the basic quadrilateral and cranial polygon were compared in various groups using basic statistical methods, one-way ANOVA and assessment of the correlation matrices. OBSERVATIONS: Most of the measurements for both sexes combined followed an akin pattern in ancient and modern Greek skulls. Moreover, sketching and comparing the outline of the skull and upper face, we observed a clock-wise movement. The present study confirms that the morphological pattern of Greek skulls, as it changed during thousands of years, kept some characteristics unchanged, with others undergoing logical modifications. CONCLUSION: The analysis of our results allows us to believe that the influence upon the craniofacial complex of the various known factors, including genetic or environmental alterations, is apt to alter its form to adapt to new conditions. Even though 4,000 years seems too narrow a span to provoke evolutionary insights using conventional geometric morphometrics, the full presentation of our results makes up a useful atlas of solid data. Interpreted with caution, the craniofacial morphology in modern and ancient Greeks indicates elements of ethnic group continuation within the unavoidable multicultural mixtures
Depression and atrial fibrillation in a reciprocal liaison: a neuro-cardiac link
No full textObjective: to explore the reciprocal relationship of depression and atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods: A literature search was conducted in Pub Med, Scopus, and Google Scholar using relevant terms for depression and AF and respective therapies.
Results: There is evidence that depression is involved in the aetiology and prognosis of AF. AF, independently of its type, incurs a risk of depression in 20–40% of patients. Also, depression significantly increases cumulative incidence of AF (from 1.92% to 4.44% at 10 years); 25% increased risk of new-onset AF is reported in patients with depression, reaching 32% in recurrent depression. Hence, emphasis is put on the importance of assessing depression in the evaluation of AF and vice versa. Persistent vs paroxysmal AF patients may suffer from more severe depression. Furthermore, depression can impact the effectiveness of AF treatments, including pharmacotherapy, anticoagulation, cardioversion and catheter ablation.
Conclusions: A reciprocal association of depression and AF, a neurocardiac link, has been suggested. Thus, strategies which can reduce depression may improve AF patients’ course and treatment outcomes. Also, AF has a significant impact on risk of depression and quality of life. Hence, effective antiarrhythmic therapies may alleviate patients’ depressive symptoms
How close before you burn? Questions of ethics and distance in researching crisis and unrest
No full textResearchers examining urban riots or unrest constantly face questions about the motivations behind and impact of their work. These questions verge on the existential, because questioning a research topic essentially interrogates researchers’ role and existence as social scientists. With reference to two project examples from Athens, Greece, the author attempts to show how he has so far tried to grapple with such questions. Researching closely and drawing conclusions from distance: this has been a personal model of adjustable distance to the author’s research subjects, a strategy that seem to have somehow worked for the time being, writes Antonis Vradis
Neurosurgery during the Bronze Age: a skull trepanation in 1900 BC Greece.
No full textOBJECTIVE: Paleoneurosurgery represents a comparatively new developing direction of neurosurgery dealing with archaeological skull and spine finds and studying their neurosurgical aspects. Trepanation of the cranial vault was a widespread surgical procedure in antiquity and the most convincing evidence of the ancient origin of neurosurgery. The present study considers a case of trepanation from the Middle Bronze Age Greece (1900-1600 B.C.). METHODS: The skull under study belongs to skeletal material unearthed from Kirra, Delphi (Central Greece). Macroscopic examination and palpation, as well as three-dimensional computed tomography, were used in this study. RESULTS: There is osteological evidence that the skull belongs to a man who died at 30-35 years of age. The procedure of trepanation was performed on the right parietal bone. Both macroscopic and computed tomography evaluation demonstrate an intravital bone reaction at the edges of the aperture. Projected on the right surface of the brain, the trepanation is located on the level of the central groove. The small dimensions and the symmetrical shape of this hole give us an indication that it was made by a metal tool. CONCLUSION: We conclude that this paleopathological case provides valuable information about the condition of life and the pre-Hippocratic neurosurgical practice in Bronze Age Greece
Exercise and Arrhythmias: A Double-Edged Sword
No full textAmple evidence indicates that moderate regular exercise is beneficial for both normal individuals and patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, intense and strenuous exercise in individuals with evident or occult underlying CV abnormalities may have adverse effects with provocation and exacerbation of arrhythmias that may lead to life-threatening situations. Both of these aspects of exercise-induced effects are herein reviewed
Use of Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors Beyond Diabetes: On the Verge of a Paradigm Shift?
No full textThe sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have proven effective in glycemia control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) by increasing urinary glucose excretion. However, the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibition extend beyond glycemic control, with new studies demonstrating beneficial effects that lead to improved cardiovascular (CV) (cardioprotection) and renal outcomes (renoprotection) in patients with T2D. Pivotal CV outcomes trials have demonstrated a 27-35% reduction in heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in patients with T2D. Importantly, a variety of pleiotropic effects of these new agents have been identified that include, but are not limited to, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects, decreased vascular stiffness and improved endothelial function, weight loss, reduction in sympathetic activity and in cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Ongoing studies are investigating these actions in patients with and without diabetes. Such results, if positive, may lead to a paradigm shift in the management of CV, renal and even other diseases beyond diabetes. Rhythmos 2020;15(1):67-71
Cannabis Associated “High” Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality: Marijuana Smoke Like Tobacco Smoke? A Deja Vu/Deja Vecu Story?
No full textBackground: Cannabis use has increased over the past several years as some countries have legalized its use for the treatment of certain medical conditions and/or for recreational use. Thus, concerns have risen about potential adverse health effects. Increasing number of reports have associated cannabis use with serious cardiovascular (CV) complications. Furthermore, there appears to be a likeness in the harmful health effects, especially on the CV and respiratory systems, of cannabis smoking to those of tobacco smoking. Objective: To review the CV effects of cannabis use and compare them with those of tobacco use. Methods: Articles were reviewed that were published in English literature reporting on cannabis and cannabinoid pharmacology and their effects on the CV system and their consequences. Emphasis was also placed on articles reporting on cannabis use in adolescents, exposure to secondhand smoke, its effect on exercise and finally its inter-relationship and similarities with tobacco use. Results: With growing cannabis use, an increasing number of reports have emerged associating marijuana use with serious and life-threatening CV complications, including acute coronary syndromes, potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias and ischemic strokes. There are certain similarities of the deleterious CV and respiratory effects of cannabis smoking with those of tobacco smoking. Despite the difference in the active ingredients (tetrahydrocannabinol vs. nicotine), each substance produces a plethora of chemicals when smoked and these are largely identical; furthermore, due to different modes of smoking, cannabis chemicals are retained in the body for a longer time. Of course, concomitant tobacco and cannabis smoking is a perplexing factor in isolating damages specifically pertaining to cannabis use, while the health risk is additive. Although the mechanisms producing CV harm may be somewhat different between these two substances, the outcome appears similar, or even worse, as the effects may emerge at a younger age. Conclusion: There is an increasing concern that, apart from the mental health problem with cannabis smoking, societies may be facing another wave of a deja vu/deja vecu phenomenon similar to the tobacco smoking story
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