bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Socioeconomic Status Is Associated With Increased Complication Rates: Are Risk Adjustment Models Necessary in Cervical Spine Surgery?
Authors: Lieber Alexander M. , Boniello Anthony J. , Kerbel Yehuda E. , Petrucelli Philip , Kavuri Venkat , Jakoi Andre , Khalsa Amrit S.
Published: September 2019

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to determine whether lower socioeconomic status was associated with increased resource utilization following anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Methods:

The National Inpatient Sample database was queried for patients who underwent a primary, 1- to 2-level ACDF between 2005 and 2014. Trauma, malignancy, infection, and revision surgery were excluded. The top and bottom income quartiles were compared. Demographics, medical comorbidities, length of stay, complications, and hospital cost were compared between patients of top and bottom income quartiles.

Results:

A total of 69 844 cases were included. The bottom income quartile had a similar mean hospital stay (2.04 vs 1.77 days, P = .412), more complications (2.45% vs 1.77%, P < .001), and a higher mortality rate (0.18% vs 0.11%, P = .016). Multivariate analysis revealed bottom income quartile was an independent risk factor for complications (odds ratio = 1.135, confidence interval = 1.02-1.26). Interestingly, the bottom income quartile experienced lower mean hospital costs ($17 041 vs $17 958, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Patients in the lowest income group experienced more complications even after adjusting for comorbidities. Therefore, risk adjustment models, including socioeconomic status, may be necessary to avoid potential problems with access to orthopedic spine care for this patient population.
Institutional Experience of Treatment and Outcomes for Cutaneous Periauricular Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kovatch Kevin J. , Smith Joshua D. , Birkeland Andrew C. , Hanks John E. , Jawad Rasha , McLean Scott A. , Durham Alison B. , Srinivasan Ashok , McHugh Jonathan B. , Basura Gregory J.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To report our institutional experience, management, and outcomes of cutaneous periauricular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Tertiary academic center.

Subjects

Patients undergoing treatment of cutaneous periauricular SCC from 2000 to 2016.

Results

A total of 112 patients had a median follow‐up of 24.5 months, a mean ± SD age of 75.7 ± 10.6 years, and a strong male predominance (93.8%). Site distribution shows 87 (77.7%) auricular, 26 (23.2%) preauricular, and 10 (8.8%) postauricular lesions. Of auricular lesions, tumors involved the tragus (n = 3, 3.4%), helix/antihelix (n = 47, 54.0%), conchal bowl (n = 31, 35.6%), external auditory canal (n = 18, 16.1%), and lobule (n = 3, 3.4%). Most patients presented at stage I (52.7%) versus stages II (28.6%), III (6.3%), and IV (12.5%). Patients were largely treated surgically with primary tumor resection ranging from wide local excision to lateral temporal bone resection (± parotidectomy and neck dissection), with 17.0% and 5.4% receiving adjuvant radiation and chemoradiation, respectively. Metastatic spread was seen to the parotid (25.9%) and neck (26.8%), with most common cervical spread to level II. Overall survival, disease‐specific survival, and disease‐free survival at 3 years were 62%, 89%, and 56%, respectively. Nodal disease was associated with worse disease‐specific survival (P <. 001) and disease‐free survival (P =. 042). Pre‐ and postauricular sites were associated with worse overall survival (P =. 007) relative to auricular sites.

Conclusion

Among cutaneous SCC, periauricular subsites pose treatment challenges related to surrounding anatomy and represent a unique tumor population. The reported propensity toward recurrence and patterns of metastasis may better guide treatment of aggressive tumors to include regional nodal dissection.
Local immune and microbiological responses to mucosal administration of a Liposome-TLR agonist immunotherapeutic in dogs
Authors: Wheat William , Chow Lyndah , Kuzmik Alana , Soontararak Sirikul , Kurihara Jade , Lappin Michael , Dow Steven
Published: September 2019

Background

Non-specific immunotherapeutics have been evaluated previously in dogs, primarily for cancer treatment. However, there remains a need for a more broadly targeted, general purpose immunotherapeutic capable of activating innate immune defenses for non-specific protection or early treatment of viral and bacterial infections. To address need, our group has developed a liposomal immune stimulant (liposome-TLR complexes, LTC) containing TLR 3 and 9 agonists specifically designed to activate mucosal immune defenses in sites such as nasal cavity and oropharynx, following topical delivery. In this study, we evaluated the local immune stimulatory properties of LTC in vitro and in healthy purpose-bred dogs, including activation of cellular recruitment and cytokine production. The ability of LTC treatment to elicit effective antiviral immunity was assessed in dogs following a canine herpesvirus outbreak, and the impact of LTC treatment on the local microbiome of the oropharynx was also investigated.

Results

These studies revealed that LTC potently activated innate immune responses in vitro and triggered significant recruitment of inflammatory monocytes and T cells into the nasal cavity and oropharynx of healthy dogs. Administration of LTC to dogs shortly after an outbreak of canine herpesvirus infection resulted in significant reduction in clinical signs of infection. Interestingly, administration of LTC to healthy dogs did not disrupt the microbiome in the oropharynx, suggesting resiliency of the microflora to transient immune activation.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results indicate that LTC administration mucosally to dogs can trigger local innate immune activation and activation of antiviral immunity, without significantly disrupting the composition of the local microbiome. Thus, the LTC immune stimulant has potential for use as a non-specific immunotherapy for prevention or early treatment of viral and bacterial infections in dogs.
Water treadmill exercise reduces equine limb segmental accelerations and increases shock attenuation
Authors: Greco-Otto Persephone , Baggaley Michael , Edwards W. B. , Léguillette Renaud
Published: September 2019

Background

Equine water treadmills (WTs) are growing in popularity because they are believed to allow for high resistance, low impact exercise. However, little is known about the effect of water height on limb loading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water height and speed on segmental acceleration and impact attenuation during WT exercise in horses. Three uniaxial accelerometers (sampling rate: 2500 Hz) were secured on the left forelimb (hoof, mid-cannon, mid-radius). Horses walked at two speeds (S1: 0.83 m/s, S2: 1.39 m/s) and three water heights (mid-cannon, carpus, stifle), with a dry WT control. Peak acceleration of each segment was averaged over five strides, attenuation was calculated, and stride frequency was estimated by the time between successive hoof contacts. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of water height, speed, and accelerometer location on peak acceleration, attenuation and stride frequency (p < 0.05).

Results

Peak acceleration at all locations was lower with water of any height compared to the dry control (p < 0.0001). Acceleration was reduced with water at the height of the stifle compared to mid-cannon water height (p = 0.02). Water at the height of the stifle attenuated more impact than water at the height of the cannon (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

Water immersion during treadmill exercise reduced segmental accelerations and increased attenuation in horses. WT exercise may be beneficial in the rehabilitation of lower limb injuries in horses.
Terahertz spectral imaging based quantitative determination of spatial distribution of plant leaf constituents
Authors: Zang Ziyi , Wang Jie , Cui Hong-Liang , Yan Shihan
Published: September 2019

Background

Plant leaves have heterogeneous structures composed of spatially variable distribution of liquid, solid, and gaseous matter. Such contents and distribution characteristics correlate with the leaf vigor and phylogenic traits. Recently, terahertz (THz) techniques have been proved to access leaf water content and spatial heterogeneity distribution information, but the solid matter content and gas network information were usually ignored, even though they also affect the THz dielectric function of the leaf.

Results

A particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed for a one-off quantitative assay of spatial variability distribution of the leaf compositions from THz data, based on an extended Landau–Lifshitz–Looyenga model, and experimentally verified using Bougainvillea spectabilis leaves. A good agreement is demonstrated for water and solid matter contents between the THz-based method and the gravimetric analysis. In particular, the THz-based method shows good sensitivity to fine-grained differences of leaf growth and development stages. Furthermore, such subtle features as damages and wounds in leaf could be discovered through THz detection and comparison regarding spatial heterogeneity of component contents.

Conclusions

This THz imaging method provides quantitative assay of the leaf constituent contents with the spatial distribution feature, which has the potential for applications in crop disease diagnosis and farmland cultivation management.
Analysis of percutaneous kyphoplasty or short-segmental fixation combined with vertebroplasty in the treatment of Kummell disease
Authors: Lu Wei , Wang Long , Xie Chunlin , Teng Zhaowei , Han Gonghai , Shi Rongmao , Liang Jinlong , Lu Sheng
Published: September 2019

Background

In recent years, short segment internal fixation combined with vertebroplasty (SSF + VP) has provided a new option for the treatment of Kummell disease (KD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and SSF + VP, to provide evidence-based medical support for the decision-making process when treating KD patients without neurological deficits.

Methods

Databases including MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE (Ovid) (1947 to April 6, 2019) were searched for PKP and short-segmental fixation combined with vertebroplasty (SSF + VP) to treat Kummell disease in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies. Two investigators independently evaluated the eligibility of the studies retrieved from the databases based on the predetermined selection criteria. The postoperative evaluation indexes included operation time, bleeding volume, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, local vertebral Cobb angle, and cement leakage. When the data were significant, a random-effects model was used for analysis. In contrast, when the results showed no statistical heterogeneity, a fixed-effects model was used to estimate the overall effect sizes.

Results

Three retrospective case-control studies were included in the final analysis. The differences in the bleeding volume and operation time were statistically significant, and the combined weighted mean differences (WMDs) (95% CI) were − 0.204.46 (− 210.97, − 197.93) and − 98.98 (− 141.63, 56.32), respectively.

The combined data showed that the differences in VAS score, ODI score, local vertebral Cobb angle, and cement leakage were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrates that the PKP and SSF + VP methods are safe and effective in treating Kummell disease patients without neurological symptoms. However, PKP can shorten the operation time and reduce the volume of blood loss.
SCP2-mediated cholesterol membrane trafficking promotes the growth of pituitary adenomas via Hedgehog signaling activation
Authors: Ding Xiao , Fan Kexia , Hu Jintao , Zang Zhenle , Zhang Shunli , Zhang Yin , Lin Zhichao , Pei Xiangdong , Zheng Xin , Zhu Feng , Yang Hui , Li Song
Published: September 2019

Background

Metabolic reprogramming is an important characteristic of tumors. In the progression of pituitary adenomas (PA), abnormal glucose metabolism has been confirmed by us before. However, whether cholesterol metabolism is involved in the process of PA remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether abnormal cholesterol metabolism could affect the progression of PA.

Methods

We analyzed the expression of sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2) in 40 surgical PA samples. In vitro experiments and xenograft models were used to assess the effects of SCP2 and cholesterol on proliferation of PA. The incidence of hypercholesterolemia between 140 PA patients and 100 heathy controls were compared.

Results

We found an upregulation of SCP2 in PA samples, especially in tumors with high proliferation index. Forced expression of SCP2 promoted PA cell lines proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, SCP2 regulated cholesterol trafficking from cytoplasm to membrane in GH3 cells, and extracellularly treating GH3 cells and primary PA cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin/cholesterol complex to mimic membrane cholesterol concentration enhanced cell proliferation, which suggested a proliferative effect of cholesterol. Mechanistically, cholesterol induced activation of PKA/SUFU/GLI1 signaling via smoothened receptor, which was well-known as Hedgehog signaling, resulting in inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell cycle. Accordingly, activation of Hedgehog signaling was also confirmed in primary PA cells and surgical PA samples. In vivo, SCP2 overexpression and high cholesterol diet could promote tumor growth. Intriguingly, the incidence of hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in PA patients than healthy controls.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that dysregulated cholesterol metabolism could promote PA growth by activating Hedgehog signaling, supporting a potential tumorigenic role of cholesterol metabolism in PA progression.
Dihydroartemisinin-induced unfolded protein response feedback attenuates ferroptosis via PERK/ATF4/HSPA5 pathway in glioma cells
Authors: Chen Yibing , Mi Yanjun , Zhang Xiaofei , Ma Qian , Song Yucen , Zhang Liwei , Wang Dandan , Xing Jinliang , Hou Benxin , Li Haolong , Jin Huan , Du Wei , Zou Zhengzhi
Published: September 2019

Background

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been shown to exert anticancer activity through iron-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which is similar to ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death. However, whether DHA causes ferroptosis in glioma cells and the potential regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

Effects of DHA on the proliferation, cell death, ROS and lipid ROS generation as well as reduced gluthione consumption were assessed in glioma cells with or without ferroptosis inhibitor. The biological mechanisms by which glioma cells attenuate the pro-ferroptotic effects of DHA were assessed using molecular methods.

Results

DHA induced ferroptosis in glioma cells, as characterized by iron-dependent cell death accompanied with ROS generation and lipid peroxidation. However, DHA treatment simultaneously activated a feedback pathway of ferroptosis by increasing the expression of heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 5 (HSPA5). Mechanistically, DHA caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in glioma cells, which resulted in the induction of HSPA5 expression by protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK)-upregulated activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Subsequent HSPA5 upregulation increased the expression and activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which neutralized DHA-induced lipid peroxidation and thus protected glioma cells from ferroptosis. Inhibition of the PERK-ATF4-HSPA5-GPX4 pathway using siRNA or small molecules increased DHA sensitivity of glioma cells by increasing ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data suggested that ferroptosis might be a novel anticancer mechanism of DHA in glioma and HSPA5 may serve as a negative regulator of DHA-induced ferroptosis. Therefore, inhibiting the negative feedback pathway would be a promising therapeutic strategy to strengthen the anti-glioma activity of DHA.
Evaluating the benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Gao Yan , Li Yuan , Zhang Chunyu , Han Jinsong , Liang Huamao , Zhang Kun , Guo Hongyan
Published: September 2019

Objective

To compare the chemoresistance and survival in patients with stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) or primary debulking surgery (PDS). The clinical characteristics of patients who benefited from NACT were further evaluated.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 220 patients who underwent NACT followed by IDS or PDS from January 2002 to December 2016. Differences in clinicopathological features, chemoresistance and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

The incidence rate for optimal cytoreduction and chemoresistance in the NACT group was relatively higher than PDS group. No differences were observed in progression free survival or overall survival. Patients without macroscopic RD in NACT group (NACT-R0) had a similar prognosis compared to those in PDS group who had RD<1 cm, and a relatively better prognosis compared to the PDS group that had RD ≥ 1 cm. The survival curve showed that patients in NACT-R0 group that were chemosensitive seemed to have a better prognosis compared to patients in PDS group that had RD.

Conclusion

Patients without RD after PDS had the best prognosis, whereas patients with RD after NACT followed by IDS had the worst. However, even if patients achieved no RD, their prognosis varied depending on chemosensitivity. Survival was better in patients who were chemosensitive compared to thosewho underwent PDS but had RD. Hence evaluating the chemosensitivity and feasibility of complete cytoreduction in advance is crucial.
Hand washing practice at critical times and its associated factors among mothers of under five children in Debark town, northwest Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Dagne Henok , Bogale Laekemariam , Borcha Muluneh , Tesfaye Anley , Dagnew Baye
Published: September 2019

Background

The burden of communicable diseases within developing countries is mainly influenced by poor personal hygiene practices. Hand washing is considered as most cost effective intervention for reducing health problems such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to assess hand washing practice at critical times and identify associated factors among mothers of under five children in Debark town.

Method

A community based cross-sectional study design was carried out from May 1–20, 2018 in Debark town. After selection of participants using simple random sampling, face to face interview was performed by using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI Info 7 and exported into SPSS 21 for further analysis. Results were presented by simple frequency, percentage and mean for descriptive variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to test the association of dependent and independent factors. Variables with 95% confidence interval and p ≤ 0.2 during the univariable binary logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. At the final model variables with p ≤ 0.05 were treated as significantly associated factors of hand washing practice at critical times.

Results

Good hand washing practice at critical times was reported in 52.2% (95% CI: 47.5, 57.2%) of study participants. Desirable attitude [AOR = 3.37, 95% CI (2.03, 5.58)], presence of water for washing hands [AOR = 4.86, 95% CI (1.26, 18.69)] and a good knowledge [AOR = 2.98, 95% CI (1.92, 4.60)] were significantly associated factors with hand washing practice at critical times.

Conclusion

The hand washing practice at critical times of study participants was found to be low. A significant proportion of mothers of under five children have a poor hand washing practice at critical times. It is necessary to increase the access to water and to improve knowledge and attitude of mothers to improve their hand washing practice at critical times.
The pulsed ultrasound strategy effectively decreases the S. aureus population of chronic rhinosinusitis patients
Authors: Feizabadi Narjes , Sarrafzadeh Javad , Fathali Mojtaba , Vasaghi-Gharamaleki Behnoosh , Dadgoo Mahdi , Kardan-Yamchi Jalil , Kazemian Hossein , Hesam-Shariati Sonia , Feizabadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: September 2019

Objective

Staphylococcus aureus with the ability of biofilm formation and the drug resistance acquisition is one of the most frequently isolated pathogens from chronic rhinosinusitis patients. Ultrasound as an alternative therapy is effectively able to kill the bacteria by cavitation in or on the bacterial cells and peroxide generation and hence improving antibiotic treatment efficacy.

Results

Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 4 and 6 out of 14 patients by phenotypic and qPCR assays, respectively. Four patients were completely resolved after pulsed ultrasound treatment. However, presence of the S. aureus was confirmed in three healthy controls by bacterial cultivation. Pulsed ultrasound have been quantitatively decreased the S. aureus population in chronic rhinosinusitis patients (p < 0.05). Further studies need to be investigated the effectiveness of pulsed ultrasound as an alternative course of CRS patient’s treatment.
Accuracy of P0.1 measurements performed by ICU ventilators: a bench study
Authors: Beloncle François , Piquilloud Lise , Olivier Pierre-Yves , Vuillermoz Alice , Yvin Elise , Mercat Alain , Richard Jean-Christophe
Published: September 2019

Background

Occlusion pressure at 100 ms (P0.1), defined as the negative pressure measured 100 ms after the initiation of an inspiratory effort performed against a closed respiratory circuit, has been shown to be well correlated with central respiratory drive and respiratory effort. Automated P0.1 measurement is available on modern ventilators. However, the reliability of this measurement has never been studied. This bench study aimed at assessing the accuracy of P0.1 measurements automatically performed by different ICU ventilators.

Methods

Five ventilators set in pressure support mode were tested using a two-chamber test lung model simulating spontaneous breathing. P0.1 automatically displayed on the ventilator screen (P0.1vent) was recorded at three levels of simulated inspiratory effort corresponding to P0.1 of 2.5, 5 and 10 cm H2O measured directly at the test lung and considered as the reference values of P0.1 (P0.1ref). The pressure drop after 100 ms was measured offline on the airway pressure–time curves recorded during the automated P0.1 measurements (P0.1aw). P0.1vent was compared to P0.1ref and to P0.1aw. To assess the potential impact of the circuit length, P0.1 were also measured with circuits of different lengths (P0.1circuit).

Results

Variations of P0.1vent correlated well with variations of P0.1ref. Overall, P0.1vent underestimated P0.1ref except for the Löwenstein® ventilator at P0.1ref 2.5 cm H2O and for the Getinge group® ventilator at P0.1ref 10 cm H2O. The agreement between P0.1vent and P0.1ref assessed with the Bland–Altman method gave a mean bias of − 1.3 cm H2O (limits of agreement: 1 and − 3.7 cm H2O). Analysis of airway pressure–time and flow–time curves showed that all the tested ventilators except the Getinge group® ventilator performed an occlusion of at least 100 ms to measure P0.1. The agreement between P0.1vent and P0.1aw assessed with the Bland–Altman method gave a mean bias of 0.5 cm H2O (limits of agreement: 2.4 and − 1.4 cm H2O). The circuit’s length impacted P0.1 measurements’ values. A longer circuit was associated with lower P0.1circuit values.

Conclusion

P0.1vent relative changes are well correlated to P0.1ref changes in all the tested ventilators. Accuracy of absolute values of P0.1vent varies according to the ventilator model. Overall, P0.1vent underestimates P0.1ref. The length of the circuit may partially explain P0.1vent underestimation.
Physicians Prescribe More Opioid Than Needed to Treat Pain in Children After Outpatient Urological Procedures: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Hunsberger Joann B. , Hsu Aaron , Yaster Myron , Vozzo Paul T. , Gao Shuna , White Elizabeth D. , Yenokyan Gayane , Vickers Barbara , Monitto Constance L.
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND:

The epidemic of nonmedical use of prescription opioids (NMUPOs) has been fueled in part by the availability of leftover, legitimately prescribed opioids. In children, outpatient urological procedures are among the most common surgeries performed, but data are lacking to guide appropriate postoperative opioid prescribing. The aim of this study was to compare the amount of prescribed opioid medication to the amount taken for acute pain after minor pediatric urological surgery and to determine the disposition of excess opioid. In addition, we explored whether distinct patient characteristics and procedure type influenced opioid prescribing and consumption.

METHODS:

Of the 139 families of pediatric patients enrolled, 115 were interviewed within 48 hours and/or 10–14 days of discharge to determine the amount of opioid prescribed and consumed, duration of treatment, and disposition of unconsumed opioid.

RESULTS:

The most common procedures performed were circumcision (n = 58) and orchiopexy (n = 40). Most patients (98%) were male, and 77% were <8 years of age. All opioid prescriptions were for oxycodone dosed every 4 hours as needed (PRN). Median number of doses prescribed was 30 (interquartile range [IQR], 23–31; n = 138) for both respondents who reported doses remaining (IQR, 29–31; n = 83) and those who did not (IQR, 22–32; n = 55). Among those reporting doses remaining, median number of doses consumed was 4.2 (IQR, 0–14). Multivariable linear regression showed no significant association between doses consumed and patient age, type of procedure, discharge pain score, or use of adjuvant analgesics. Median duration of opioid therapy was 2 days (IQR, 0–5; n = 83) with each additional day of opioid use corresponding to an average increase in consumption of 2.3 doses (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8–2.8). An estimated 75% (95% CI, 69%–81%) of opioid dispensed was not consumed, and 86% (72/83) of patients took ≤18 doses. Forty-four of 65 (68%) families reported receiving no disposal instructions for leftover opioid, and only 7 families disposed of leftover medication.

CONCLUSIONS:

For minor pediatric urological surgeries in young boys, a 3-day supply (18 doses) of opioid was sufficient to adequately treat acute postoperative pain in most patients. Adjusting opioid dispensing to align with consumption and better educating patients and families on opioid disposal can be used to potentially decrease availability of leftover opioids in homes and communities.
Voluntary Exercise Rescues the Spatial Memory Deficit Associated With Early Life Isoflurane Exposure in Male Rats
Authors: Chinn Gregory A. , Sasaki Russell Jennifer M. , Banh Esther T. , Lee Saehee C. , Sall Jeffrey W.
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND:

Early life anesthesia exposure results in long-term cognitive deficits in rats. Environmental enrichment consisting of social housing, a stimulating environment, and voluntary exercise can rescue this deficit. We hypothesized that exercise alone is sufficient to rescue the cognitive deficit associated with perinatal anesthesia.

METHODS:

Postnatal day 7 male rats (P7) underwent isoflurane (Iso) or sham exposure and were subsequently weaned at P21. They were then singly housed in a cage with a running wheel or a fixed wheel. After 3 weeks of exercise, animals underwent behavioral testing for spatial and recognition memory assessments. Animals were killed at various time points to accomplish either bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to quantify brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels.

RESULTS:

Postweaning voluntary exercise rescued the long-term spatial memory deficit associated with perinatal Iso exposure. Iso-sedentary animals did not discriminate the goal quadrant, spending no more time than chance during the Barnes maze probe trial (1-sample t test, P = .524) while all other groups did (1-sample t test, P
Iso-exercise = .033; P
control [Con]-sedentary = .004). We did not find a deficit in recognition memory tasks after Iso exposure as we observed previously. BrdU incorporation in the adult hippocampus of Iso-sedentary animals was decreased compared to sedentary controls (Tukey P = .005). Exercise prevented this decrease, with Iso-exercise animals having more proliferation than Iso-sedentary (Tukey P < .001). There was no effect of exercise or Iso on BDNF mRNA in either the cortex or hippocampus (cortex: F
Exercise
[1,32
] = 0.236, P = .631; F
Iso [
1,32] = 0.038, P = .847; F
Interaction [
1,32] = 1.543, P = .223; and hippocampus: F
Exercise
[
1,33] = 1.186, P = .284; F
Iso [
1,33] = 1.46, P = .236; F
Interaction
[
1,33] = 1.78, P = .191).

CONCLUSIONS:

Exercise restores BrdU incorporation and rescues a spatial memory deficit after early life anesthesia exposure. This demonstrates sufficiency of exercise alone in the context of environmental enrichment to recover a behavioral phenotype after a perinatal insult.
Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy Procedures: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Löser Benjamin , Recio Ariza Olga , Saugel Bernd , Reuter Daniel A. , Zöllner Christian , Werner Yuki B. , Rösch Thomas , Petzoldt Martin
Published: September 2019

Idiopathic achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus with important implications on anesthesia and periprocedural management. As new and more complex treatment options develop, anesthesiologists are increasingly involved with these patients. The cardinal symptoms of achalasia are as follows: dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. Achalasia is also associated with an increased risk of aspiration. Patients are frequently treated by endoscopic botulinum toxin injections, pneumatic dilation of the lower esophageal sphincter, laparoscopic Heller myotomy, or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). The POEM procedure is based on the concept of “natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.” Because the integrity of the esophageal wall is deliberately interrupted during POEM, the mediastinum and the peritoneal cavity may be exposed. Thus, the insufflated carbon dioxide frequently causes hypercapnia, tension capnoperitoneum, capnomediastinum, or pneumothoraces. An interdisciplinary team, skilled in diagnostics and emergency measures such as therapeutic hyperventilation, percutaneous abdominal needle decompression, or pleural drainage, is essential for the successful periprocedural management of POEM. POEM is one endoscopic procedure that requires general anesthesia. But neither anesthesia-specific care algorithms nor evidence-based recommendations are currently available for these patients. Because institutional experience varies broadly across the globe, this review examines anesthesia recommendations and perioperative management of POEM procedures based on 7 retrospective case series, 1 prospective study, and our personal experience.
Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy With Portal Triad Clamping: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Cao Longhui , Zhang Tianhua , Guo Rongping , Lin Wenqian
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND:

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is reported to reduce liver injury in patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis, but its role is unclear in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal triad clamping during hepatectomy.

METHODS:

In this prospective, randomized trial, 140 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection requiring portal triad clamping were randomized to a RIPC group or a control group. Patients in the RIPC group received RIPC (3 cycles of 5-minute ischemia and 5-minute reperfusion in right upper limb with cuff pressure at 30 kPa [225 mm Hg]) approximately 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. In the control group, patients received sham RIPC (the cuff was not inflated). The primary outcome was the postoperative peak level of total bilirubin (TBIL) and was analyzed with the independent t test. Secondary outcomes were liver function test at postoperative days 1, 3, and 5; postoperative morbidity and mortality during the first month; and the length of postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS:

Data from 136 patients (69 in the RIPC group and 67 in the control group) were analyzed. The RIPC group had on average a 5.9 μmol lower peak level of TBIL than the control group; the mean difference is −5.9, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) reverses to −17.9 to 6.1. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in liver function test at postoperative days 1, 3, and 5; postoperative morbidity and mortality during the first month; and the length of postoperative hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found no evidence that RIPC can reduce postoperative liver injury after hepatectomy.
Optimal Arrangements of Tetracene Molecule Pairs for Fast Singlet Fission
Authors: Buchanan Eric A , Havlas Zdeněk , Michl Josef
Published: September 2019

In search for a qualitative understanding of the effects of molecular packing on singlet fission (SF) rate, a simplified version of the frontier orbital model is described and illustrated on a pair of tetracene molecules. To identify all favorable physically accessible pair geometries, all significant local maxima of the square of the electronic matrix element for SF have been located within the six-dimensional space of possible arrangements of two rigid bodies, using a grid of over 4.7 × 108 pair geometries. Those at which the molecules interpenetrate were excluded using a hard-sphere model. The effects of intermolecular interaction on the SF energy balance and thus its rate constant kSF were approximated using Marcus theory at each of the maxima using the same simplified version of the frontier orbital model. Starting at these local maxima, the pair geometries were optimized for maximum kSF and the 21 best are reported along with their computed Davydov splitting and triplet biexciton binding energies. The optimal pair structures at the resulting maxima follow qualitative rules published previously and further elaborated here.
Ταιριάσματα σε διμερή γραφήματα
Authors: Αρχοντάκη Α. , Διονυσίδου M. , Κατσούλης X. , Μανιάτης M. , Μίτσης A. , Μωραϊτης X. , Ναυπλιώτου A. , Νιάρχου Γ. , Ξαγοράρη Δ.
Published: September 2019

Ας υποθέσουμε ότι θέλουμε να παντρέψουμε πέντε κορίτσια με πέντε αγόρια. Ας υποθέσουμε επίσης ότι ζούμε σε μία μητριαρχική κοινωνία όπου ο λόγος των γυναικών υπερέχει εκείνου των αντρών, οπότε καταγράφουμε τις επιθυμίες μόνο των κοριτσιών. Κάθε αγόρι θα δεχτεί να παντρευτεί όποιο κορίτσι το επιλέξει. Ενδιαφερόμαστε όμως για ένα πλήρες ταίριασμα, δηλαδή, με άλλα λόγια, να παντρέψουμε κορίτσια και αγόρια κατά τις επιθυμίες των κοριτσιών και να μη μείνει κορίτσι (αλλά ούτε και αγόρι) ανύπαντρο. Το πρόβλημα αυτό είναι γνωστό στη βιβλιογραφία ως πρόβλημα του γάμου [1]. Η ύπαρξη ή μη λύσης στο παραπάνω πρόβλημα με τα ως άνω δεδομένα διαπιστώνεται εύκολα. Τι γίνεται όμως, αν τα δεδομένα αυξηθούν, αν ,για παράδειγμα, τα κορίτσια γίνουν 100; Προβλήματα τέτοιας φύσεως απασχόλησαν τον Phillip Hall, ο οποίος έδωσε θεωρητική απάντηση το 1935 [1] (απέδειξε το πρόβλημα με χρήση μαθηματικής επαγωγής), ενώ οι αλγοριθμικές λύσεις ήρθαν πολύ αργότερα [4] και πλέον υπάρχουν πολλές μεταγραφές σε γλώσσες προγραμματισμού [5]. Στην εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζουμε τις ικανές και αναγκαίες συνθήκες ύπαρξης πλήρους ταιριάσματος σε διμερή γραφήματα μέσα από παραδείγματα και κατασκευάζουμε αλγοριθμικά λύσεις.. Στη συνέχεια, περιγράφουμε τον κώδικα που υλοποιήσαμε στο προγραμματιστικό περιβάλλον του Scratch1, για τις περιπτώσεις όπου το initial matching (που δεν εισάγεται από τον χρήστη, αλλά υπολογίζεται δυναμικά) αφήνει αταίριαστο το πολύ ένα ζευγάρι κορυφών. Θα πρέπει να σημειωθεί ότι στο Scratch δεν μπορούν να οριστούν δυσδιάστατοι πίνακες και pointers, θέτοντας όρια εκ των προτέρων στη συγγραφή κώδικα και, γι’ αυτόν ακριβώς το λόγο η περίπτωσή μας γίνεται πιο πολύπλοκη. Παραμένει, ωστόσο, ένα αξιόλογο εργαλείο εισαγωγής των μαθητών στον κόσμο των αλγόριθμων και του προγραμματισμού.
Ανάλυση Ιοντικής Δέσμης με Οπισθοσκέδαση Rutherford
Authors: Κουβάτσος Νίκος , Ρουσοχατζάκη Φοίβη
Published: September 2019

Στόχος του πειράματος ήταν ο προσδιορισμός της σύστασης άγνωστων δειγμάτων μέσω της ανάλυσης με ιοντικές δέσμες, συγκεκριμένα δευτερίου, η οποία χρησιμοποιήθηκε για να βομβαρδιστούν τα δείγματα. Η επιταχυνόμενη δέσμη ιόντων δευτερίου προσπίπτει στα προς ανάλυση δείγματα και τα ιόντα σκεδάζονται ελαστικά. Στο κύριο πείραμα χρησιμοποιήθηκε φασματοσκοπία οπισθοσκέδασηςRutherford για ανίχνευση βαρέων πυρήνων σε ελαφρά υποστρώματα. Τα στοιχεία των δειγμάτων ταυτοποιήθηκαν με χρήση αρχών διατήρησης ενέργειας και ορμής. Χαρακτηριστικό μέγεθος είναι η ενεργός διατομή Rutherford.Συγκεκριμένα, χρησιμοποιήθηκε ένας θάλαμος κενού, συνδεδεμένος με τον επιταχυντή ιόντων. Με την βοήθεια ενός targetholder τοποθετήθηκαν διάφορα δείγματα. Κάποια δείγματα ήταν γνωστά π.χ. χρυσός πάνω σε γυαλί, ενώ χρησιμοποιήθηκαν και κάποια άγνωστα δείγματα. Μέσω ηλεκτρονικού υπολογιστή συλλέχθηκαν τα φάσματα από τα οπισθοσκεδασμένα ιόντα. Με τη βοήθεια κατάλληλου λογισμικού προσομοίωσης φάσματος υπολογίστηκε η αντιστοιχία καναλιού ψηφιακού σήματος και ενέργειας με βάση τις μετρήσεις σε γνωστά υλικά ώστε να προσδιοριστεί το άγνωστο δείγμα. Τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης προσδιόρισαν με ακρίβεια το άγνωστο δείγμα Οξείδιο του Νικελίου με Πυρίτιο.
Το μέλλον της όρασης
Authors: Κωσταρίδης Παναγιώτης , Δεληβοριά Δήμητρα
Published: September 2019

Υπάρχουν αρκετά παραδείγματα όπου σε ταινίες και βιβλία με φανταστικούς ήρωες αποτυπώνεται η σκέψη και η επιθυμία των ανθρώπων να «αυξήσουν» τις δυνάμεις τους και να αποκτήσουν περισσότερες δυνατότητες από αυτές που έχουν από τη «φύση» τους. H επιστήμη και η τεχνολογία προσπαθεί να δημιουργήσει νέα είδη ή τροποποιημένους οργανισμούς με ιδιότητες τέτοιες, ώστε να είναι περισσότερο ανθεκτικοί και προσαρμοσμένοι στο περιβάλλον ή περισσότερο χρήσιμοι για τον άνθρωπο. Σήμερα, αντίστοιχη προσπάθεια επιχειρείται και σε ανώτερες βαθμίδες ειδών όπως ο άνθρωπος. Στην εργασία μας μελετάμε τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η επιστήμη συμβάλλει στη βελτιστοποίηση της ανθρώπινης όρασης σε περίπτωση τύφλωσης. Όραση ή οπτική αντίληψη ονομάζεται μία από τις πέντε αισθήσεις, ενώ τύφλωση ονομάζεται η κατάσταση στην οποία εξαιτίας διάφορων παραγόντων ένα άτομο έχει χάσει την αίσθηση της όρασης. Μετά από ανασκόπηση στη βιβλιογραφία και συζήτηση με ειδικούς επιστήμονες, θα παρουσιάσουμε τεχνικές που μπορούν να δώσουν φως σε τυφλούς ή ανθρώπους με περιορισμένη όραση, στο παρόν ή στο κοντινό μέλλον όπως: φωτοϋποδοχείς από βλαστοκύτταρα, μοσχεύματα, γονιδιακή θεραπεία, τηλεσκοπική όραση, P.E.ACE. Με τα αποτελέσματά μας αναμένουμε να καταδειχθούν οι στόχοι των διαφόρων ερευνητικών προσπαθειών και η ελπίδα που αυτοί δημιουργούν, ότι είναι πολύ κοντά η εποχή όπου άνθρωποι με προβλήματα όρασης θα έχουν καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής και αντίληψη του περιβάλλοντος. Τέλος να επισημάνουμε τη προσπάθεια της επιστήμης στην βελτίωση της υγείας των ατόμων με τύφλωση, ακόμα και αν οι τεχνικές που χρησιμοποιούνται σήμερα βρίσκονται σε πειραματικό στάδιο.
Ένα Δημιουργικό Πείραμα για τον Προσδιορισμό του Υψομέτρου του Ολύμπου
Authors: Μυλωνάς Αλέξανδρος , Κουτσικάκης Κωνσταντίνος , Βασιλικού Καλλινίκη , Γκατζώνης Κωνσταντίνος , Αχιλλέως Κλαίρη , Παπαδόπουλος Σταύρος
Published: September 2019

Τα δημιουργικά πειράματα επινοούνται από τους μαθητές για να δώσουν απάντηση σε κάποιο ερευνητικό ερώτημα που τους τίθεται μέσω κάποιου σεναρίου. Το σενάριο που παρουσιάζουμε αφορά έναν ορειβάτη που επιστρέφει από τον Όλυμπο με ένα τσαλακωμένο άδειο μπουκάλι νερού στο σακίδιο του. Το γεγονός αυτό δίνει την αφορμή να τεθεί το βασικό ερευνητικό ερώτημα: Μπορούμε χρησιμοποιώντας το τσαλακωμένο μπουκάλι να υπολογίσουμε την ατμοσφαιρική πίεση στο υψόμετρο που βρισκόταν ο ορειβάτης όταν άδειασε το μπουκάλι του; Απαντούμε στο ερώτημά μας, προσδιορίζοντας καταρχήν τον όγκο του τσαλακωμένου μπουκαλιού. Κάνοντας την παραδοχή ότι στη θερμοκρασία και πίεση του περιβάλλοντος, ο αέρας συμπεριφέρεται σαν ιδανικό αέριο εκτιμούμε την πίεση του αέρα στο μπουκάλι όταν αυτό άδειασε. Το διάγραμμα μεταβολής της ατμοσφαιρικής πίεσης με το υψόμετρο, μας βοηθά να εκτιμήσουμε πού βρισκόταν ο ορειβάτης τότε. Αν η παραδοχή μας για την ιδανική συμπεριφορά του αέρα δεν αποκλίνει πολύ από την πραγματικότητα, αναμένουμε μια καλή εκτίμηση του υψομέτρου του Ολύμπου.
Η χρήση των αερίων του θερμοκηπίου στην κτιριάκη μόνωση
Authors: Μιχαηλίδης Χρυσοβαλάντης , Συρίγου Ελευθέριος , Γιρμής Γιάννης , Τσαλισίρ Μελίνα
Published: September 2019

Επιστημονικά έχει αποδειχτεί ότι η επίδραση των αερίων του θερμοκηπίου συμβάλει στην υπερθέρμανση του πλανήτη. Ερευνήσαμε αν από τα αέρια θερμοκηπίου με την χρήση του CO2 (διοξείδιο του άνθρακα) και υδρατμών υφίσταται παρόμοια επίδραση στην κτιριακη μόνωση. Σκοπός της έρευνας αυτής είναι η παρατήρηση της αύξησης της θερμοκρασίας σε οικοκατασκευές, με την συμβολή των αερίων των θερμοκηπίων του διοξείδιου του άνθρακα και των υδρατμών. Παρασκευάσαμε μια μακέτα-οίκου και τοποθετήσαμε μέσα ένα μέταλο το οποίο έχει την ιδιότητα να μεταδίδει την υπέρυθρη ακτινοβολία (infrared) και έναν μετρητή datalogger για την μέτρηση της θερμοκρασίας. Το πείραμα πραγματοποιήθηκε σε τρία στάδια.1ο στάδιο: Πραγματοποιήθηκε η θερμομέτρηση του εσωτερικού και εξωτερικού χώρου της μακέτας, επί 2 μέρες, κατά 16 ώρες ενεργές και 8 ώρες στάσιμες. 2ο στάδιο: Τοποθετήθηκαν μπαλόνια αέρος από υδρατμούς στην στέγη του οίκου (μακέτας) και έγινε η μέτρηση της θερμοκρασίας υπό αυτές τις συνθήκες. 3ο στάδιο: Τοποθετήθηκαν μπαλόνια από διοξείδιο του άνθρακα και έγινε η αντίστοιχη μέτρηση θερμοκρασίας.Στο τέλος του πειράματος σύμφωνα με τις ενδείξεις-γραφικές του μετρητή, διαπιστώθηκε ότι, υπάρχει αύξηση θερμοκρασίας, στα δύο τελευταία στάδια εφαρμογής.
Ηλεκτρομαγνητική ρύπανση στο σχολικό συγκρότημα του 1ου Γενικού Λυκείου Αγίας Παρασκευής
Authors: Δαβάζογλου Κωνσταντίνος , Δημητρίου Άννα , Ζάγκα Άννα
Published: September 2019

Τα τελευταία χρόνια έχει αυξηθεί ραγδαία η χρήση ασύρματων συσκευών, όπως είναι τα κινητά τηλέφωνα, οι φορητοί υπολογιστές κ.α. μεταβάλλοντας ριζικά τον τρόπο επικοινωνίας των ανθρώπων. Οι πολλές ώρες χρήσης τους όμως, καθώς και η ακτινοβολία που εκπέμπουν, θέτουν σοβαρούς προβληματισμούς. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι να καταγραφούν οι πιθανές επιπτώσεις της ηλεκτρομαγνητικής ακτινοβολίας στην ανθρώπινη υγεία, να ελεγχθούν από πλευράς ακτινοπροστασίας όλα τα κινητά τηλέφωνα των μαθητών μιας τυχαίας σχολικής τάξης, να ληφθούν μετρήσεις ηλεκτρομαγνητικής ακτινοβολίας μέσα στο σχολικό συγκρότημα και να διαπιστωθεί η συμμόρφωση τους ή όχι με τα όρια ασφαλούς έκθεσης, όπως αυτά καθορίζονται από την ελληνική νομοθεσία. Τέλος, μέσω μίας δημοσκοπικής έρευνας, έγινε προσπάθεια να αποτυπωθεί το κατά πόσο η κοινή γνώμη είναι ευαισθητοποιημένη και ενημερωμένη πάνω σε θέματα ακτινοπροστασίας.
Η σκιά και η παρασκιά της Γης κατά την ολική έκλειψη της Σελήνης και ο ρόλος τους στον υπολογισμό της σεληνιακής διαμέτρου
Authors: Βλέτσα Ελένη , Γεωργούλιας Αλέξανδρος , Δημητρακοπούλου Βέρα-Λυδία , Ζανιάς Φοίβος , Διακόνου Μαρία
Published: September 2019

Ο Αρίσταρχος ο Σάμιος συγκρίνοντας τον σεληνιακό δίσκο με την γήινη σκιά κατά την ολική έκλειψη της Σελήνης μέτρησε για πρώτη φορά την ακτίνα της, κάνοντας την παραδοχή ότι οι ηλιακές ακτίνες φτάνουν στο σύστημα Γη – Σελήνη παράλληλες. Παράλληλα μετρώντας τον χρόνο που χρειάζεται για να ολοκληρωθεί μια ολική σεληνιακή έκλειψη μπόρεσε να μετρήσει την απόστασή της από την Γη. Για να βελτιώσουμε τα σφάλματα αυτών των μετρήσεων χρησιμοποιήσαμε ψηφιακές φωτογραφίες μεγάλης ανάλυσης από πολλές εκλείψεις επεξεργασμένες ψηφιακά ώστε να είναι ξεκάθαρες οι χρωματικές αντιθέσεις και μετρήσαμε την ακτίνα της σκιάς αλλά και της παρασκιάς της Γης με ακρίβεια μικρότερη του 1%. Χρησιμοποιώντας Ευκλείδεια Γεωμετρία και κάποιες απλουστεύσεις μετρήσαμε την ακτίνα της Σελήνης και του Ήλιου καθώς και το μήκος της γήινης σκιάς με ικανοποιητική ακρίβεια. Τέλος σχολιάσαμε επαρκώς τα σφάλματα που υπεισέρχονται στη χρήση της μεθόδου.
Ευεργετικές ιδιότητες των παραπροϊόντων των μελισσών
Authors: Νείλα Ιωάννα , Σιώμου-Γκίζα Κωνσταντίνα
Published: September 2019

Η μέλισσα, εκτός από μέλι, παράγει και άλλα προϊόντα, όπως πρόπολη, βασιλικό πολτό και δηλητήριο. Τα τελευταία χρόνια θεωρείται ότι αυτά μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν σαν φάρμακα. Τι ακριβώς, όμως, είναι επιστημονικά αποδεδειγμένο; Μετά από βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση, πράγματι αυτές οι ουσίες έχουν σημαντικές ιδιότητες. Η πρόπολη καταπολεμά πολλούς μικροοργανισμούς, όπως μύκητες και ιούς, ενώ έχει και αντιφλεγμονώδη, αντιοξειδωτική, αντισταμινική και γενικότερα ανοσοποιητική δράση. Χρησιμοποιείται σαν αντιφλεγμονώδες φάρμακο και στην αντιμετώπιση κρυολογημάτων. Ο βασιλικός πολτός περιέχει πολλά θρεπτικά στοιχεία, καθώς και λιπαρά οξέα με αντιβακτηριακή και μυκητοκτόνο δράση. Χρησιμοποιείται σαν συμπλήρωμα διατροφής (αν και υπάρχει μικρή πιθανότητα αλλεργικής αντίδρασης) και για την παρασκευή καλλυντικών. Τέλος, το δηλητήριο, με αντιβακτηριακή και αντιμυκητιακή δράση, καθώς και αντιθρομβωτικές και άλλες ιδιότητες, χρησιμοποιείται σαν φάρμακο σε ρευματικές παθήσεις. Συμπερασματικά, τα παραπροϊόντα των μελισσών προφυλάσσουν τον ανθρώπινο οργανισμό από κάποιες μικροβιακές και άλλες παθήσεις, χωρίς να θεωρηθούν πανάκεια. Ο ρόλος τους αποδεικνύεται ενισχυτικός της άμυνας του οργανισμού.
The Ecological Footprint Nowadays
Authors: Daferera Maria , Abaskharoun Mariam , Theodoratou Evangelia
Published: September 2019

This assessment refers to the ecological footprint which is a way to measure the impacts of human activities on Earth. It basically calculates the demand and consumption that measures the needs of a society, as well as the waste and greenhouse gases that generates daily in productive sea and fertile land areas. Moreover, it measures all the natural resources needed to support the material needs of a population or person through the technology, lifestyle and habits of each country. Subsequently we are going to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the phenomenon that human activities provoke and the ways to eliminate the caused problem. The world-average ecological footprint in 2013 was 2.8 global hectares per person and the average per country ranges from over 10 to under 1 global hectares per person. There is also a high variation within countries, based on individual lifestyle and economic possibilities that we also examine. Summarizing all those effects we are going to analyze open international data as far as the metabolism of the ecological footprint concerns in our word but especially in our country to form prospects for our planet the principles of life cycle assessments with the aid of statistics and charts.
Companion Planting in the school garden
Authors: Melissourgou Effrosini , Kassari Nefeli , Manoukaraki Irene , Melissourgos George , Awir Amane , Vergaki Irene , Dramitinos Yiannis , Delilai Ariadne , Yazi Laith , Tsagliotis Nektarios
Published: September 2019

We would like to report and share our knowledge and practice from the school garden, regarding companion planting, that is “planting together with benefits”. Under our standard cultivating year-round approach, working on "seed to seed“ activities, we prepare our seed plants in the greenhouse, later to be transplanted to the garden raised beds in a companion planting mode, enhancing the benefits of companionship and biodiversity in action. We have tested many combinations over the last 12 years, as knowledge and practice is also passed on to us by older classmates and community members and we have found out that some combinations can actually help one or more of the companions flourish. Our vegetable crops are getting better and we are happy to have more quality products to share within the community.