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Surplus production models (SPMs) have a long history in fisheries ecology and are important for the assessment and management of marine species and stocks. However, the implementation, application, and usage of these models vary across regions and case studies. Good practice guidelines can streamline modelling workflows, inform the acceptance or rejection of an assessment, and facilitate the derivation of management advice from accepted assessments. This paper discusses current practices in the application of SPMs and proposes good practice guidelines for their use in stock assessment. We complement our recommendations with results from a simulation study examining the performance of an age-based operating model and a SPM assessment model under 60 scenarios with various assumptions regarding data quantity, quality, and model priors. We provide specific good practice guidelines for two widely used state-space SPMs: SPiCT and JABBA. Finally, we discuss current limitations and suggest avenues for future developments for SPMs. • Discussion of input data and priors for surplus production models. • Simulation study reveals strengths and limitations of SPMs regarding input time-series length, contrast in data, and priors. • Considerations regarding management advice derived from surplus production models. • Outline of and recommendations on future research regarding surplus production models. • Good practice guidelines for the application of surplus production models and their use to derive robust management advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In upper brachial plexus injuries (C5-C6-C7), selective nerve transfers appear as a favourable technique. For this purpose, transfer of an ulnar nerve fascicle to the biceps motor branch (Oberlin's procedure) is often used. In this paper we present our modified Oberlin technique, as well as a comparison of this method with the classic Oberlin procedure.Materials and Methods: We present two groups of patients that where operated by two different surgeons. The first group, consisting of 16 patients was treated with the classic Oberlin procedure. The second group included 5 patients treated with a modified Oberlin procedure, where two fascicles from the ulnar nerve were transferred to both the motor branch of the biceps and the motor branch of the brachialis muscles.Results: In the last follow-up of the 16 patients from the first group with the classic Oberlin procedure, 15 patients (93.75%) had Medical Research Council (MRC) grade of biceps strength 4 and 1 patient (6.25%) had MRC grade 3, whereas in the group where the modified Oberlin procedure was used the muscle strength was very durable with 4 out of 5 the patients reached MRC grade of 4+ and one MRC grade of 4, and with a mean elbow strength at 5.4 kg (3-8 kg). No sensitivity or motor problems were encountered on the ulnar territories for both groups.Conclusion: With the modified Oberlin technique, the median nerve is reserved and both elbow flexors are innervated. The results of this technique compare favourably with those of other methods. Thus, we propose using the double fascicle transfer from the ulnar nerve to both elbow flexors in order to restore a strong elbow flexion in patients with upper brachial plexus injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign peripheral nerve tumors encompass a wide range of neoplasms and non-neoplastic tumor like lesions. Some of these lesions if not encountered in the setting of genetic syndromes, are occurring sporadically. The principles of oncology should be respectfully followed in every step of diagnostic approach and surgical management. Albeit, classified as benign, some of them do have different level of malignant potential, thus the treating physicians should be aware of that to avoid possible pitfalls with devastating outcomes. This article reviews the most common benign peripheral nerve tumors discussing the clinicopathological findings, imaging appearance and the current trend in their approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Citizen science based data enables higher temporal and spatial resolution. • Citizen science using focus groups provides highly useful cost-efficient monitoring. • Fish indicators for system health can be generated from this type of data. • Through capacity building, fishermen became ambassadors for responsible fishing practices and healthy ecosystems. Abstract In response to repeated complaints from recreational and commercial coastal fishermen about declining fishing opportunities in inner Danish waters, focus was directed to inshore fish stocks. However, without data targeting inshore areas, it was not possible to investigate potential changes in fish distribution or abundances, or their causes. As a first step, a voluntary catch registration system was initiated in 2002, in collaboration with locally organized recreational fishermen. Using citizen science as a methodology, scientists and the fishermen developed a protocol for data collection, which the fishermen then implemented. The aim was to establish regular monitoring of fish catches from gill net and fyke net fisheries in coastal waters around Denmark in order to provide data that could inform management. After three years, during which time recreational fishermen could use their own gear and fish where they normally fished, the data was evaluated. As a result, the fishing method was switched in 2005 to fixed gears and fixed positions, to enable comparison between areas, years and season. The project has been very successful in recruiting highly motivated fishermen, who register their entire catch regularly. The time-series of data spans more than a decade and covers over 16,000 instances of fishing. The data from this project are now being used to create coastal fish indicators for managers to assess environmental status at a regional scale. Here we present an analysis of a subset of the data on one species, the European flounder (Platichthys flesus), to illustrate how the spatial and seasonal coverage can be utilized further for investigation of coastal ecosystems and to inform management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we validate the Lidar-Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC) retrievals of the aerosol concentration in the fine mode, using the airborne aerosol chemical composition dataset obtained over the Greater Athens Area (GAA) in Greece, during the ACEMED campaign. The study focuses on the 2nd of September 2011, when a long-range transported smoke layer was observed in the free troposphere over Greece, in the height range from 2 to 3 km. CIMEL sun-photometric measurements revealed high AOD (~ 0.4 at 532 nm) and Ångström exponent values (~ 1.7 at 440/870 nm), in agreement with coincident ground-based lidar observations. Airborne chemical composition measurements performed over the GAA, revealed increased CO volume concentration (~ 110 ppbv), with 57% sulphate dominance in the PM 1 fraction. For this case, we compare LIRIC retrievals of the aerosol concentration in the fine mode with the airborne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) and Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (PCASP) measurements. Our analysis shows that the remote sensing retrievals are in a good agreement with the measured airborne in-situ data from 2 to 4 km. The discrepancies observed between LIRIC and airborne measurements at the lower troposphere (below 2 km), could be explained by the spatial and temporal variability of the aerosol load within the area where the airborne data were averaged along with the different time windows of the retrievals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of complex tibial plateau fractures is ever evolving. The severity of the injury to the surrounding soft tissues influences the timing and the method of fixation. Minimal invasive techniques continue to dominate our philosophy of reduction and reconstruction whereas augmentation of depressed intra-articular fragments remains an accepted strategy to maintain reduction and prevent secondary collapse. Locking plates, conventional plates and fine wire fixators all have been used successfully with satisfactory outcomes. In this article we report on the latest advances made in the management of these complex injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For stocks which are considered “data-poor” no knowledge exist about growth, mortality or recruitment. The only available information is from catches. Here we examine the ability to assess the level of exploitation of a data-poor stock based only on information of the size of individuals in catches. The model is a formulation of the classic Beverton–Holt theory in terms of size where stock parameters describing growth, natural mortality, recruitment, etc. are determined from life-history invariants. A simulation study was used to compare the reliability of assessments performed under different information availability scenarios, from data-limited, where none of the parameters are known beforehand, to different degrees of information availability cases where one or more parameters are known. If no parameters are known it is possible to correctly assess whether the fishing mortality is below F msy in more than 60% of the cases, and almost always correctly assess whether a stock is subject to overfishing. Adding information about age, i.e., assuming that growth rate and asymptotic size are known, does not improve the estimation. Only knowledge of the ratio between mortality and growth led to a considerable improvement in the assessment. Overall, the simulation study demonstrates that it may be possible to classify a data-poor stock as undergoing over- or under-fishing, while the exact status, i.e., how much the fishing mortality is above or below F msy , can only be assessed with a substantial uncertainty. Limitations of the approach are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arteriovenous prosthetic grafts are used in hemodialysis. Stenosis in the venous anastomosis is the main cause of occlusion and the role of local hemodynamics in this is considered significant. A new spiral graft design has been proposed to stabilize the flow phenomena in the host vein. Cross-flow vortical structures in the outflow of this graft were compared with those from a control device. Both grafts were integrated in identical in-house ultrasound-compatible flow phantoms with realistic surgical configurations. Constant flow rates were applied. In-plane 2-D velocity and vorticity mapping was developed using a vector Doppler technique. One or two vortices were detected for the spiral graft and two to four for the control, along with reduced stagnation points for the former. The in-plane peak velocity and circulation were calculated and found to be greater for the spiral device, implying increased in-plane mixing, which is believed to inhibit thrombosis and neo-intimal hyperplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Prosthetic grafts are used for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. Re-stenosis in the distal anastomosis of these grafts is a common reason for graft occlusion. The role of local hemodynamics in development of neo-intimal hyperplasia is well known. A new graft design has been proposed for the induction of optimized spiral flow in the host vessel. The secondary flow motions induced by this graft were compared with those of a control device. Both types of grafts were connected with vessel mimic and positioned in ultrasound flow phantoms with identical geometry. Constant flow rates were applied. Data collected in the cross-sectional view distal from the graft outflow and dual-beam vector Doppler was applied to create 2-D velocity maps. A single-spiral flow pattern was found for the flow-modified graft, and double or triple spirals for the control graft. In-plane maximum velocity was greater for the flow-modified graft than for the control device. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biceps and triceps tendon ruptures are rather uncommon injuries and are most commonly diagnosed clinically. Magnetic resonance imaging can help the clinician to differentiate an incomplete tear and define any degeneration of the tendon. Surgical anatomical repair is typically performed in acute complete ruptures whereas nonoperative treatment can be used for partial ruptures, as well as for patients unfit for surgery. Single incision techniques are associated with a higher rate of nerve injuries, while double incision repairs have a higher prevalence of heterotopic ossification. Although various fixation methods have been applied including bone tunnels, interference screws, suture anchors, cortical button fixation, the current evidence does not support the superiority of one method over the other. A well-planned postoperative rehabilitation programme is essential for a good final outcome. As better fixation devices are being used, more aggressive rehabilitation programmes have been applied. Epidemiology, clinical evaluation, diagnosis, surgical and conservative management of these injuries are presented in this review along with the authors’ preferred technique for the anatomical repair of acute complete ruptures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objectives: In this retrospective review, the methods and outcomes in 96 children (98 extremities) with obstetric brachial plexus palsy who underwent primary reconstruction and/or palliative surgery for shoulder function were analysed. Methods: Thirty cases underwent primary reconstruction alone, 37 underwent both primary and secondary procedures, and 31 late cases underwent only palliative surgery. The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years. Results: The mean shoulder abduction increased from 48°±32° preoperatively to 123°±35° postoperatively (average gain 75°); the mean active external rotation with the arm at the side increased from −19°±17° to 62°±21° (mean gain 81°); and the mean aggregate Mallet score improved from 8.8 points to 20.9 points, respectively. Conclusions: Reconstruction of both axillary and suprascapular nerves yielded improved outcomes of shoulder abduction and external rotation. Early plexus reconstruction (≤3 months) offered the best functional results and reduced the need for secondary reconstructions. A marked improvement was observed after palliative surgery irrespective of prior nerve reconstruction. Rerouting of latissimus dorsi and/or teres major tendons, combined with extra-articular musculotendinous lengthening, significantly improved global shoulder function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experiments were conducted on the maximum and terminal penetration depths of fountains of light fluid, issuing vertically downwards into quiescent denser fluid. Fresh water jets into saltwater, and hot water jets into fresh cold water were investigated. The source Richardson numbers extended from 0.01 (jets) to 1 (plumes). Circular and three other different shape nozzles have been employed. The normalized penetration depth is constant for jets, while it decays exponentially in plumes. Numerical evaluation of the penetration depth has indicated the need for reevaluation of the entrainment coefficient, in negatively buoyant jets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study we present the role of the Planetary Boundary Layer Height (PBLH) on the air pollutant concentrations measured at an urban background station at the megacity of Athens, Greece, an area characterized by complex topography. For this purpose, we utilized in situ measurements of aerosol number concentrations at different size bins (10–200 nm) N 10-200nm , (200–550 nm) N 200-550nm , equivalent Black Carbon (eBC), and wind speed data, for the period of May – July 2020. According to our analysis, both horizontal transport and vertical mixing and dispersion of air pollutants play a critical role in air quality. More precisely, PBLH is negatively correlated with aerosol concentration. The increase in the height of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) favors a reduction in aerosol concentration, which, to some extent, compensates for the increase in aerosol load due to emission sources and horizontal transport from the city center. The horizontal advection process is related to the PBLH, since a deep PBL drives the advection, while a shallow PBL is characterized by weak horizontal wind velocities. On the other hand, under stagnant air mass conditions, when the PBL shrinks, the concentrations of air pollutants increase. On average, a 25% increase in the PBLH results in a 15% reduction in aerosol concentration, whereas a 15% reduction in the PBLH may result in a 10% increase in aerosol concentrations. Overall, N 10-200nm particle concentrations increases, when air masses arrive from the S-NW sector (city center) due to traffic and vehicle emissions, while transport of continental pollution mixed with local and regional emissions along the Balkans-Aegean Sea axis, is originating from the NE axis under high wind speeds. The latter is more clearly recognized from aged aerosol components such as sulphate. Whereas, the N 200-550nm and eBC showed increased concentration load under stagnant air mass conditions, independently of the wind direction. [Display omitted] • Horizontal transport, vertical mixing and dispersion of air pollutants play a critical role in air quality. • PBLH is negatively correlated with aerosol concentration. • The increase in the height of the PBL favors a reduction in aerosol concentration, • Under stagnant air mass conditions, when the PBL shrinks, the concentrations of air pollutants increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 98 L animal fats were converted to 100 L green transportation fuels. • Mild operating hydrogenation conditions have low hydrogen consumption. • Green fuels meet most of the market diesel and HVO standards. • Green fuels can be blended up to 20% v/v with market diesel. • Animal fats storage is feasible up to 4 months prior their conversion. The potential of animal fats hydroconversion is experimentally investigated and validated in industrially relevant scale via the production of 100 L of transportation fuels. The experimental testing has indicated that mild hydrotreatment conditions are associated with low hydrogen consumption without significantly penalties in product quality. The optimal operating conditions (pressure of 6.89 MPa, H 2 /oil ratio of 84.95 Sm3 and LHSV of 1 hr-1) identified were also applied in the industrially relevant scale hydroprocessing pilot to validate the scale-up potential of the technology. The produced fuel is characterized by 5 wppm sulphur, 79.3 cetane index and 44.4 MJ/kg heating value, offering an advantage in compression ignition engines. The produced fuel can be blended up to 20% v/v with fossil diesel rendering a high bio-content diesel abiding by the EN 590 standard. It was found that, up to 20% per volume can be added in diesel without exceeding the requirements for CFPP standards for Greek winter diesel. Towards the commercialization of the technology with respect to the animal fats logistics, a dedicated 6-month storage stability study revealed that animal fats can be stored for up to three to four months at ambient conditions. The findings, indicate that the suggested technology is mature technology as applied successfully in the industrially-relevant-scale providing also the process data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of coastal fisheries and coastal marine areas both require information on the use and importance of coastal marine habitats for marine species. This information is certainly pertinent for exploited species dependent on these coastal habitats for specific life-history stages. This study uses two different measures of habitat suitability to build Habitat Association Models (HAMs) and Habitat Growth Models (HGMs) for juveniles of three commercially and recreationally important fish species (Pleuronectes platessa , Platichthys flesus , and Solea solea) of the Inner Danish Waters (IDW). A large scale, one-off juvenile survey was used to collect juvenile fish and directly observed environmental data. The survey informed Generalised Linear (Mixed) Models (GLMs and GLMMs), which were fit and run through repeated random sub-sampling cross-validation before being utilised to build interpolative maps of both prediction and model uncertainty. The limitations of this approach are discussed in reference to the future works required to complement and improve such static habitat suitability maps. These results can be used to inform marine spatial planning and future work into the role of juvenile habitats in supporting fishery species. • Abundance and growth inform habitat suitability models for juveniles of 3 flatfish. • Interpolative maps predict habitat suitability across the inner Danish waters. • Paired error maps help communicate model uncertainty. • Different proxies for habitat suitability provide alternate insights to distributions. • Population/life-history connectivity may play a role in distribution of abundances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive analysis of the seasonal variability of the vertical profiles of the optical and geometrical properties of Saharan dust aerosols, observed in the height region between 1000 and 6000 m, over the city of Athens, Greece, from February 2000 to December 2016. These observations were performed by a multi-wavelength (355-387-532-1064 nm) Raman lidar system under cloud-free conditions. The statistical analysis (using aerosol monthly mean values) is based on nighttime vertical Raman measurements of range-resolved aerosol optical properties (backscatter and extinction coefficients, lidar ratio, Ångström exponent) at 355 nm (57 dust events during more than 80 measurement hours). We found that the number of dust events was highest in spring, summer, and early autumn periods and that during spring the dust layers were moved at higher altitudes (∼4500 m) than in other seasons. The number of the forecasted dusty days (on monthly basis) by the BSC-DREAM8b model compared to those of the performed lidar measurements were found to have a quite strong correlation (R 2  = 0.81), with a maximum occurrence predicted for the spring season. In the worst case scenario, at least 50% of the model-forecasted dust events can be observed by lidar under cloudless skies over Athens. For the sampled dust plumes we found mean lidar ratios of 52 ± 13 sr at 355 nm in the height range 2000–4000 m a.s.l. Moreover, the dust layers had a mean thickness of 2497 ± 1026 m and a center of mass of 2699 ± 1017 m. An analysis performed regarding the air mass back-trajectories arriving over Athens revealed two main clusters: one pathway from south-west to north-east, with dust emission areas in Tunisia, Algeria and Libya and a second one from south, across the Mediterranean Sea with emission areas over Libya and the remaining part of Algeria and Tunisia. This clustering enabled us to differentiate between the aerosol optical properties between the two clusters, based on their residence time over the Saharan region, the European continent and the Mediterranean Sea. We finally concluded that even if the dust source regions are about the same, the aging and mixing processes of these air masses, passing over different areas, might have an impact on the aerosol optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bone loss from trauma, neoplasia, reconstructive surgery and congenital defects remains a major health problem. The long-term clinical goal is to reconstruct bony tissue in an anatomically functional three-dimensional morphology. In the extremities, bone grafts are used for the treatment of non-unions and necrotic lesions, for skeletal structural support and for the reconstruction of defects resulting from trauma, tumor excision, osteomyelitis, congenital pseudarthrosis, or radiation necrosis. In all cases their use is successful provided that the host bed has adequate vascularization. In cases of decreased blood supply, a vascularized bone graft should be applied. The intrinsic blood supply of the vascularized bone grafts leads to higher success rates and to acceleration of the repair process in the reconstruction of defects and necrotic lesions of the skeleton. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A coordinated experimental campaign aiming to study the aerosol optical, size and mass properties was organized in September 2012, in selected sites in Greece and Romania. It was based on the synergy of lidar and sunphotometers. In this paper we focus on a specific campaign period (23–24 September), where mixed type aerosols (Saharan dust, biomass burning and continental) were confined from the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) up to 4–4.5 km height. Hourly mean linear depolarization and lidar ratio values were measured inside the dust layers, ranging from 13 to 29 and from 44 to 65 sr, respectively, depending on their mixing status and the corresponding air mass pathways over Greece and Romania. During this event the columnar Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) values ranged from 0.13 to 0.26 at 532 nm. The Lidar/Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC) and the Polarization Lidar Photometer Networking (POLIPHON) codes were used and inter-compared with regards to the retrieved aerosol (fine and coarse spherical/spheroid) mass concentrations, showing that LIRIC generally overestimates the aerosol mass concentrations, in the case of spherical particles. For non-spherical particles the difference in the retrieved mass concentration profiles from these two codes remained smaller than ± 20%. POLIPHON retrievals showed that the non-spherical particles reached concentrations of the order of 100–140 μg/m 3 over Romania compared to 50–75 μg/m 3 over Greece. Finally, the Dust Regional Atmospheric Model (DREAM) model was used to simulate the dust concentrations over the South-Eastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of Saharan dust on the air quality of Southern European big cities became a priority during the last decade. The present study reports results on PM10 monitored at an urban site at 14m above ground level during an intense Saharan dust transport event. The elemental composition was determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF) for 12 elements: Si, Al, Fe, K, Ca, Mg, Ti, S, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mn. PM10 concentrations exceeded the EU limit (50μg/m3) several times during the sampling period. Simultaneous maxima have been observed for the elements of crustal origin. The concentrations of all the elements presented a common maximum, corresponding to the date where the atmosphere was heavily charged with particulate matter permanently for an interval of about 10h. Sulfur and heavy metal concentrations were also associated to local emissions. Mineral dust represented the largest fraction of PM10 reaching 79%. Seven days back trajectories have shown that the air masses arriving over Athens, originated from Western Sahara. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) revealed that particle agglomerates were abundant, most of them having sizes <2μm. Aluminosilicates were predominant in dust particles also rich in calcium which was distributed between calcite, dolomite, gypsum and Ca–Si particles. These results were consistent with the origin of the dust particles and the elemental composition results. Sulfur and heavy metals were associated to very fine particles <1μm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Goals of lower extremity microvascular reconstruction (LEMR) include the restoration of function, prevention of infection, and optimal cosmesis. Indications for LEMR include large defects that are not amenable to pedicled options, a large zone of injury, and large complex defects. The novice microsurgeon should first master a handful of free flaps to develop an armamentarium of options for addressing such defects. The scope of this review is to provide free flap options for LEMR in any of the thirds of the lower leg. After reading this article, the reader will understand variations, advantages, disadvantages, indications, and tips for raising each of these flaps.Methods: Six most commonly used free flaps for LEMR are described in this paper, including the anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) and its variations, the radial forearm flap (RFFF), the lateral arm flap (LAF), the gracilis muscle flap, the rectus abdominis flap (RAF) and the latissimus dorsi flap and its variations. Indications, advantages, disadvantages and technique tips are discussed for each flap. Moreover, selection of the recipient vessels, preoperative management along with an algorithm are also provided.Conclusions: The ALT flap is a workhorse in covering defects of the leg, foot, and ankle. It's the flap of choice at our institution, especially given the number of traumatic wounds seen as a result of motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), lawnmowers, and gunshot wounds (GSW). At times, the lower extremity zone of injury requires a distant donor site. The RAF can also provide coverage for large soft tissue defects but donor-site morbidity remains its main drawback. The LAF and RFFF provide two pliable options, one that provides pliable soft tissue with minimal donor site morbidity and another that provides a long pedicle. The free gracilis flap is an excellent choice for crossing the ankle joint. Lastly, the free latissimus dorsi is indicated for large defects of the lower extremity independently of the location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriatic plaques tend to localize to the knees and elbows, areas that are particularly subject to mechanical stress resulting from bending and friction. Moreover, plaques often develop at sites of mechanical trauma or injury (Koebner phenomenon). Nevertheless, mechanotransduction has never been linked to psoriasis. Polycystins (polycystin-1, PC1; polycystin-2, PC2) are mechanosensitive molecules that function as key regulators of cellular mechanosensitivity and mechanotransduction. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the role of polycystins in the development of psoriasis. We showed that PC1 knockdown in HaCaT cells led to an elevated mRNA expression of psoriasis-related biomarkers Ki-67, IL-6, TNF-α, VEGF and Bcl-2, while PC1 functional inhibition was accompanied by increased cell proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells. In addition, PC1 knockdown via siRNA in HaCaT cells was followed by activation of critical molecules of the mTOR and MAPK pathways and this mTOR pathway activation was ERK-dependent. Furthermore, loss of PC1 protein expression and elevated levels of activated mTOR substrates were also observed in human samples of psoriatic plaques. Overall, our study suggests that the PC1/ERK/mTOR signaling axis represents a novel potential mechanism in psoriasis pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. This study uncovers pieces of hematological and erythrocyte protein variability observed in end stage renal disease (ESRD) in relation to disease progression/duration and mortality. Using a variety of experimental approaches, erythropoietin/dialysis-treated patients were compared to healthy individuals and had been followed for 36months. During that period, half of the patients died from cardiovascular diseases. The high levels of uremic toxins in those patients were associated with damaged erythrocytes, bad tolerance and poor response to hemodialysis therapy. The postmortem study revealed significant variation in alkaline phosphatase, duration of dialysis, erythrocyte transformation and intracellular hemoglobin concentration compared to the survived patients. The erythrocyte proteins showed substantial remodeling characteristic of pathologic regulation of cell hydration and susceptibility to the dialysis-induced oxidation defects. According to the follow-up study, duration of hemodialysis was associated with a trend towards increased intracellular hemoglobin concentration, membrane expression of glucose transporter-1 and stomatin as well as lower levels of circulating stomatocytes. The uremic index variation in long survived patients is accurately reflected in plasma and erythrocyte oxidative stress modifications. The ESRD patients exhibit impressive compensatory responses to the chronic challenges of the uremic milieu. Biological significance: This study demonstrates novel blood modifications probably associated with the duration of erythropoietin/hemodialysis treatment, disease progression and cardiovascular mortality in end stage renal disease. The observed variability adds new pieces to the erythrocyte pathophysiology puzzle in end stage renal disease and suggests novel hematologic and proteomic factors for consideration in future large scale studies on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality candidate biomarkers in uremic patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The vertical extension and the optical properties of aged ash layers advected from the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption over the Eastern Mediterranean (Greece and Turkey) are presented for the period May 10–21, 2010. Raman lidar observations performed at three stations of EARLINET (Athens, Thessaloniki and Istanbul), provided clear ash signatures within certain layers, although ash was sometimes mixed with mineral dust advected from the Saharan region. AERONET columnar measurements did not indicate the presence of ash over the area for that period, although they did for the dust particles. This was further investigated and confirmed by simulations of the ash trajectories by the FLEXPART model and the BSC-DREAM8b dust model. Good agreement was found between simulated and observed geometrical characteristics of the ash and dust layers, respectively. Ash particles were observed over the lidar stations after 6–7-days transport from the volcanic source at height ranges between approximately 1.5 and 6 km. Mean ash particle layer thickness ranged between 1.5 and 2.5 km and the corresponding aerosol optical depth (AOD) was of the order of 0.12–0.06 at 355 nm and of 0.04–0.05 at 532 nm. Inside the ash layers, the lidar ratios (LR) ranged between 55 and 67 sr at 355 nm and 76–89 sr at 532 nm, while the particle linear depolarization ratio ranged between 10 and 25%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: At the end of August 2009, wild fires ravaged the north-eastern fringes of Athens destroying invaluable forest wealth of the Greek capital. In this work, the impact of these fires on the air quality of Athens and surface radiation levels is examined. Satellite imagery, smoke dispersion modeling and meteorological data confirm the advection of smoke under cloud-free conditions over the city of Athens. Lidar measurements showed that the smoke plume dispersed in the free troposphere and lofted over the city reaching heights between 2 and 4 km. Ground-based sunphotometric measurements showed extreme aerosol optical depth, reaching nearly 6 in the UV wavelength range, accompanied by a reduction up to 70% of solar irradiance at ground. The intensive aerosol optical properties, namely the Ångström exponent, the lidar ratio, and the single scattering albedo, showed typical values for highly absorbing fresh smoke particles. In-situ air quality measurements revealed the impact of the smoke plume down to the surface with a slight delay on both the particulate and gaseous phase. Surface aerosols increase was encountered mainly in the fine mode with prominent elevation of OC and EC levels. Photochemical processes, studied via NO x titration of O3, were also shown to be different compared to typical urban photochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the oxidative stress status of erythrocytes and its association with cellular ultrastructure and membrane proteome modifications in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD). For that purpose, we studied red blood cells'' (RBCs) modifications in twelve non-diabetic ESRD patients that were responsive in erythropoietin therapy. Intracellular ROS levels were measured by fluorometry, RBCs ultra-structure was examined by electron microscopy, while the membrane proteome by electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Compared to the healthy subjects, the uremic RBCs exhibited significantly increased ROS accumulation. Dialysis partially ameliorated the basal ROS levels but triggered cellular sensitivity to exogenous oxidative stimuli. Common membrane modifications involved loss, aggregation, fragmentation and carbonylation of critical components as well as over-expression of stress markers. HD significantly contributed to membrane proteome remodeling, especially for aquaporin-1, peroxiredoxin-2 and ubiquitinated proteins. The intracellular redox status and the closely associated membrane modifications seemed to be related to membrane instability, loss of surface area through vesiculation, echinocytosis and stomatocytosis. Our data evinced a network of interactions among the uremic toxins, the RBCs membrane composition and the cellular shape modifications in ESRD, which is developed around a core of oxidative provocations and cellular responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The authors reviewed 52 patients who underwent Bier’s block, as supplementary anesthesia for insufficient axillary block in upper extremity surgical procedures. Prior to proceeding to the Bier’s block, the mean value of pain using the visual optical analogue scale (VAS) was 7.0. In 48 of the patients supplementation with the Bier’s block was sufficient (mean VAS score of 1.0) and all patients were comfortable throughout the procedure. In the remaining four patients supplementation with narcotics and sedatives via the other IV line was required. Intraoperative Bier’s block provides a safe and effective alternative way of successfully compensating for an insufficient axillary block in upper extremity surgical procedures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we extract the aerosol microphysical properties for a collection of mineral dust cases measured by multi-wavelength depolarization Raman lidar systems located at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA, Athens, Greece) and the Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA, Granada, Spain). The lidar-based retrievals were carried out with the Spheroidal Inversion eXperiments software tool (SphInX) developed at the University of Potsdam (Germany). The software uses regularized inversion of a two-dimensional enhancement of the Mie model based on the spheroid-particle approximation with the aspect ratio determining the particle shape. The selection of the cases was based on the transport time from the source regions to the measuring sites. The aerosol optical depth as measured by AERONET ranged from 0.27 to 0.54 (at 500 nm) depending on the intensity of each event. Our analysis showed the hourly mean particle linear depolarization ratio and particle lidar ratio values at 532 nm ranging from 11 to 34% and from 42 to 79 sr respectively, depending on the mixing status, the corresponding air mass pathways and their transport time. Cases with shorter transport time showed good agreement in terms of the optical and SphInX-retrieved microphysical properties between Athens and Granada providing a complex refractive index value equal to 1.4 + 0.004i. On the other hand, the results for cases with higher transport time deviated from the aforementioned ones as well as from each other, providing, in particular, an imaginary part of the refractive index ranging from 0.002 to 0.005. Reconstructions of two-dimensional shape-size distributions for each selected layer showed that the dominant effective particle shape was prolate with diverse spherical contributions. The retrieved volume concentrations reflect overall the intensity of the episodes. • Inversion of a two-dimensional enhancement of the Mie model based on the spheroid-particle approximation. • Reconstructions of two-dimensional shape-size distributions for selected layers. • Focus on short range (pure) to long range (mixture) dust processes. • Mean δ aer and LR values at 532 nm range from 11 to 34% and from 42 to 79 sr respectively, depending on the mixing state. • AOD as measured by AERONET ranged from 0.27 to 0.54 (at 500 nm) depending on the intensity of each event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]