26 results on '"Andriopoulou P"'
Search Results
2. Simultaneous Remote Observations of Intense Reconnection Effects by DMSP and MMS Spacecraft During a Storm Time Substorm.
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Varsani, A, Nakamura, R, Sergeev, VA, Baumjohann, W, Owen, CJ, Petrukovich, AA, Yao, Z, Nakamura, TKM, Kubyshkina, MV, Sotirelis, T, Burch, JL, Genestreti, KJ, Vörös, Z, Andriopoulou, M, Gershman, DJ, Avanov, LA, Magnes, W, Russell, CT, Plaschke, F, Khotyaintsev, YV, Giles, BL, Coffey, VN, Dorelli, JC, Strangeway, RJ, Torbert, RB, Lindqvist, P-A, and Ergun, R more...
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Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission ,magnetic reconnection ,plasma sheet boundary layer ,Astronomical and Space Sciences ,Atmospheric Sciences - Abstract
During a magnetic storm on 23 June 2015, several very intense substorms took place, with signatures observed by multiple spacecraft including DMSP and Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS). At the time of interest, DMSP F18 crossed inbound through a poleward expanding auroral bulge boundary at 23.5 h magnetic local time (MLT), while MMS was located duskward of 22 h MLT during an inward crossing of the expanding plasma sheet boundary. The two spacecraft observed a consistent set of signatures as they simultaneously crossed the reconnection separatrix layer during this very intense reconnection event. These include (1) energy dispersion of the energetic ions and electrons traveling earthward, accompanied with high electron energies in the vicinity of the separatrix; (2) energy dispersion of polar rain electrons, with a high-energy cutoff; and (3) intense inward convection of the magnetic field lines at the MMS location. The high temporal resolution measurements by MMS provide unprecedented observations of the outermost electron boundary layer. We discuss the relevance of the energy dispersion of the electrons, and their pitch angle distribution, to the spatial and temporal evolution of the boundary layer. The results indicate that the underlying magnetotail magnetic reconnection process was an intrinsically impulsive and the active X-line was located relatively close to the Earth, approximately at 16-18 RE. more...
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- 2017
Catalog
3. Association of Vitamin D with Severity and Outcome of COVID-19: Clinical and Experimental Evidence
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Renieris, Georgios, Foutadakis, Spyros, Andriopoulou, Theano, Spanou, Victoria-Marina, Droggiti, Dionyssia-Eirini, Kafousopoulos, Dionysios, Gkavogianni, Theologia, Damoraki, Georgia, Vatsellas, Giannis, and Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Evangelos J. more...
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Introduction:The role of vitamin in COVID-19 remains controversial. We investigated the association between endogenous vitamin D and the severity of COVID-19 as well as the mechanisms of action of vitamin D supplementation. Methods:25(OH)D3 in serum was associated with disease severity and outcome in 190 COVID-19 patients. In a COVID-19 animal model using intravenous injection of plasma from patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome into C57/BL6 mice, mice were treated with 0.25 μg human 1,25(OH)D3 or vehicle. Mice were sacrificed on day 4. Cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in tissues were measured. Changes in gene expression after vitamin D supplementation were measured. Results:Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were associated with increased severity and unfavorable outcome after 28 days. Vitamin D levels were negatively associated with biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. Vitamin D supplementation after challenge of mice with COVID-19 plasma led to reduced levels of TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, and MPO in the lung, as well as down-regulation of pro-inflammatory pathways. Conclusion:Normal levels of endogenous vitamin D are associated with reduced severity and risk of unfavorable outcome in COVID-19, possibly through attenuation of tissue-specific hyperinflammation. more...
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- 2024
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4. A new version of the Neutron Monitor Based Anisotropic GLE Model : Application to GLE60
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Plainaki, C., Mavromichalaki, H., Belov, A., Eroshenko, E., Andriopoulou, M., and Yanke, V.
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Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics ,Physics - Space Physics - Abstract
In this work we present a cosmic ray model that couples primary solar cosmic rays at the top of the Earth's atmosphere with the secondary ones detected at ground level by neutron monitors during Ground Level Enhancements (GLEs). The Neutron Monitor Based Anisotropic GLE Pure Power Law (NMBANGLE PPOLA) Model constitutes a new version of the already existing NMBANGLE Model, differing in the solar cosmic ray spectrum assumed. The total output of the model is a multi-dimensional GLE picture that reveals part of the characteristics of the big solar proton events recorded at ground level. We apply both versions of the model to the GLE of 15 April 2001 (GLE60) and compare the results., Comment: This paper has been withdrawn by the authors. Please see our article in Solar Physics (2010) more...
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- 2009
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5. Unemployment transitions and the role of minimum wage: From pre-crisis to crisis and recovery.
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Andriopoulou, Eirini and Karakitsios, Alexandros
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- 2022
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6. IL-1 Mediates Tissue-Specific Inflammation and Severe Respiratory Failure in COVID-19
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Renieris, Georgios, Karakike, Eleni, Gkavogianni, Theologia, Droggiti, Dionysia-Eirini, Stylianakis, Emmanouil, Andriopoulou, Theano, Spanou, Victoria-Marina, Kafousopoulos, Dionyssios, Netea, Mihai G., Eugen-Olsen, Jesper, Simard, John, and Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Evangelos J. more...
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 has been associated with catastrophic inflammation. We present measurements in humans and a new animal model implicating a role in danger-associated molecular patterns. Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were measured in patients without/with ARDS, and admission calprotectin was associated with soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). An animal model was developed by intravenous injection of plasma from healthy or patients with COVID-19 ARDS into C57/BL6 mice once daily for 3 consecutive days. Mice were treated with one anti-S100A8/A9 antibody, the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra or vehicle, and Flo1-2a anti-murine anti-IL-1α monoclonal antibody or the specific antihuman IL-1α antibody XB2001 or isotype controls. Cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured in tissues. Calprotectin, but not HMGB1, was elevated in ARDS. Higher suPAR indicated higher calprotectin. Animal challenge with COVID-19 plasma led to inflammatory reactions in murine lung and intestines as evidenced by increased levels of TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, and MPO. Lung inflammation was attenuated with anti-S100A8/A9 pre-treatment. Anakinra treatment restored these levels. Similar decrease was found in mice treated with Flo1-2a but not with XB2001. Circulating alarmins, specifically calprotectin, of critically ill COVID-19 patients induces tissue-specific inflammatory responses through an IL-1-mediated mechanism. This could be attenuated through inhibition of IL-1 receptor or of IL-1α. more...
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- 2022
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7. Oleuropein-Induced Acceleration of Cytochrome P450–Catalyzed Drug Metabolism: Central Role for Nuclear Receptor Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α▪
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Malliou, Foteini, Andriopoulou, Christina E., Gonzalez, Frank J., Kofinas, Aristeidis, Skaltsounis, Alexios-Leandros, and Konstandi, Maria
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Oleuropein (OLE), the main constituent of Olea europaea, displays pleiotropic beneficial effects in health and disease, which are mainly attributed to its anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Several food supplements and herbal medicines contain OLE and are available without a prescription. This study investigated the effects of OLE on the main cytochrome P450s (P450s) catalyzing the metabolism of many prescribed drugs. Emphasis was given to the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), a nuclear transcription factor regulating numerous genes including P450s. 129/Sv wild-type and Ppara-null mice were treated with OLE for 6 weeks. OLE induced Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, Cyp1b1, Cyp3a14, Cyp3a25, Cyp2c29, Cyp2c44, Cyp2d22, and Cyp2e1mRNAs in liver of wild-type mice, whereas no similar effects were observed in Ppara-null mice, indicating that the OLE-induced effect on these P450s is mediated by PPARα. Activation of the pathways related to phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (AKT)/forkhead box protein O1, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, AKT/p70, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase participates in P450 induction by OLE. These data indicate that consumption of herbal medicines and food supplements containing OLE could accelerate the metabolism of drug substrates of the above-mentioned P450s, thus reducing their efficacy and the outcome of pharmacotherapy. Therefore, OLE-induced activation of PPARα could modify the effects of drugs due to their increased metabolism and clearance, which should be taken into account when consuming OLE-containing products with certain drugs, in particular those of narrow therapeutic window. more...
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- 2021
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8. The distributional impact of recurrent immovable property taxation in Greece.
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ANDRIOPOULOU, EIRINI, KANAVITSA, ELENI, LEVENTI, CHRYSA, and TSAKLOGLOU, PANOS
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PROPERTY tax ,PUBLIC spending ,PUBLIC finance ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
During the last decade, Greece faced one of the most severe debt crises among developed countries, leading to Economic Adjustment Programs in order to avoid a disorderly default. Public expenditure was cut, tax rates were increased and new taxes were introduced, aiming at restoring public finances. Prominent among the latter were recurrent property taxes that had played a very minor role before the crisis. These taxes helped to boost public revenues but were hugely unpopular. The paper examines in detail their distributional impact and finds that they led to increases in inequality and (relative) poverty. The result is stronger in the case of inequality indices that are relatively more sensitive to changes close to the bottom of the distribution and poverty indices that are sensitive to the distribution of income among the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2020
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9. Understanding Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Blood Donation in Greece: An Analysis Aligned with the Health Belief Model.
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Theodoratou, M., Papandrea, D., Papathanasiou, I. V., Andriopoulou, P., Dafogianni, C., and Farmakopoulou, I.
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HEALTH Belief Model ,HEALTH attitudes ,PUBLIC opinion ,GREEKS ,PERCEIVED benefit - Abstract
Introduction: This study explores attitudes toward blood donation in Greece, where maintaining an adequate supply is challenging. Using the Health Belief Model, we examine factors like perceived severity, vulnerability, and self-efficacy. Objectives: The main aims of this study are to assess public perceptions and barriers concerning blood shortage in Greece, and to identify motivators and self-efficacy levels for regular blood donation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to a sample of Greek adults. The questionnaire was designed based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model and included questions related to perceived severity, vulnerability, self-efficacy, and barriers and facilitators to blood donation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses, calculating means and standard deviations (SDs) for each variable. Results: Perceived Severity and Vulnerability Participants in our study show a heightened awareness of the severity of blood shortages, especially in summer months and during increased surgical interventions. They also acknowledge Greece's dependency on more than just voluntary donations to meet blood supply needs. These findings align with the Health Belief Model's constructs of perceived severity and vulnerability, suggesting avenues for promoting donation. Perceived Benefits and Barriers A significant 74% of participants believe they can regularly donate blood and plan to do so in the next six months. However, fear of needles, health concerns, and fears of transmissible diseases act as barriers. According to the Health Belief Model, targeting these barriers could facilitate blood donation. Self-Efficacy A high percentage (74%, SD=5) of participants displayed strong self-efficacy, suggesting they are likely to engage in blood donation if encouraged. This aligns with the Health Belief Model's emphasis on self-efficacy as a motivator for health actions. Cues to Action Participants identified informational campaigns, digital reminders, and social encouragement as cues to action, with a disfavor for financial incentives. These cues could serve as triggers for blood donation, consistent with the Health Belief Model. Conclusions: By aligning these findings with the Health Belief Model, it becomes evident that there are strong perceptions of severity and vulnerability, but also considerable barriers to overcome. The high self-efficacy among participants and the cues to action identified could serve as bases for targeted interventions to improve blood donation rates. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2024
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10. Exploring the experiences of people vlogging about severe mental illness on YouTube: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
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Sangeorzan, I, Andriopoulou, P, Livanou, M, Sangeorzan, I, Andriopoulou, P, and Livanou, M
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© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Background: Evidence suggests that, compared to the general population, individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are more likely to engage in online social networking and share personal experiences through blogging. However, little is known about the impact of creating and publicly sharing mental health videos (vlogging) on individuals with self-identified SMIs. Aims: The present study aims to investigate the experiences of individuals with self-identified SMIs who vlog about their SMI on YouTube. Methods: YouTube was systematically searched using four key search items (“schizophrenia”, “bipolar disorder”, “major depressive disorder” and “schizoaffective disorder”). After manually screening approximately 50 channels, a set of 30 videos by individuals with self-identified SMIs discussing their experience of vlogging was selected and transcribed verbatim. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed for the analysis of the data. Results: The analysis produced three global themes: Minimising Isolation; Vlogging as Therapy; and Fighting stigma. Limitations: The data collected was limited as regards depth of content by the inability to ask follow-up questions. Conclusions: The findings suggest that engaging in the act of vlogging about mental illness may benefit and encourage recovery in individuals with SMIs by providing them with peer support, enhancing self-efficacy, and reducing self-stigma. Future research should employ interviews to produce more robust data for analysis. more...
- Published
- 2018
11. Priming the Secure Attachment Schema: Effects on Emotion Information Processing
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Andriopoulou, P and Kafetsios, K
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The present study examined the effects of secure schema activation on selective attention towards attachment-related and emotional information. Seventy two participants were randomly allocated into two conditions–subliminal priming of mental representations of supportive attachment figures (a Picasso sketch of a mother holding a baby and looking into his eyes) and a no priming condition followed by an administration of a dot probe task that included positive and negative attachment-related and emotion words. The results showed that the activation of the secure prime in conjunction with chronic attachment orientations affected the processing of positive and negative attachment-unrelated emotional information. Results highlight relationships between higher-order processes of the attachment system (attachment schema activation) with early stage information processing (selective attention) as assessed by the dot probe task. Methodological issues are discussed with reference to the priming method used and the traditional version of the dot-probe task. more...
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- 2015
12. Dimethyl itaconate induces long-term innate immune responses and confers protection against infection
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Ferreira, Anaísa V., Kostidis, Sarantos, Groh, Laszlo A., Koeken, Valerie A.C.M., Bruno, Mariolina, Baydemir, Ilayda, Kilic, Gizem, Bulut, Özlem, Andriopoulou, Theano, Spanou, Victoria, Synodinou, Kalliopi D., Gkavogianni, Theologia, Moorlag, Simone J.C.F.M., Charlotte de Bree, L., Mourits, Vera P., Matzaraki, Vasiliki, Koopman, Werner J.H., van de Veerdonk, Frank L., Renieris, Georgios, Giera, Martin, Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Evangelos J., Novakovic, Boris, and Domínguez-Andrés, Jorge more...
- Abstract
Itaconate is an immunomodulatory metabolite produced by immune cells under microbial stimulation and certain pro-inflammatory conditions and triggers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. We show that dimethyl itaconate, a derivative of itaconate previously linked to suppression of inflammation and widely employed as an alternative to the endogenous metabolite, can induce long-term transcriptional, epigenomic, and metabolic changes, characteristic of trained immunity. Dimethyl itaconate alters glycolytic and mitochondrial energetic metabolism, ultimately leading to increased responsiveness to microbial ligand stimulation. Subsequently, mice treated with dimethyl itaconate present increased survival to infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, itaconate levels in human plasma correlate with enhanced ex vivopro-inflammatory cytokine production. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that dimethyl itaconate displays short-term anti-inflammatory characteristics and the capacity to induce long-term trained immunity. This pro-and anti-inflammatory dichotomy of dimethyl itaconate is likely to induce complex immune responses and should be contemplated when considering itaconate derivatives in a therapeutic context. more...
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- 2023
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13. Comparative Data Concerning the Incidence of Tumors in Dogs in a Period of Ten Years in Athens (Greece) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
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GAL, Adrian Florin, ANDRIOPOULOU, Anna, MICLĂUŞ, Viorel, TĂBĂRAN, Flaviu, TAULESCU, Marian, NAGY, Andras, RUS, Vasile, CORA, Roxana, VIDRIGHINESCU, Raluca, and CĂTOI, Cornel
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DOG diseases ,MUCINOUS adenocarcinoma - Abstract
Epidemiological studies in domestic animal populations can deliver useful details concerning the incidence of neoplastic lesions, which may aid in the identification of risk factors. In the proposed study, we considered the incidence and prevalence of tumors in dogs in Voula (a suburb area of Athens, Greece) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania) for a period of 10 years. The obtained data were compared in order to observe the main differences in the suggested regions. The data were collected from the records of Pathology Department (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania) and a hospital in Voula (a suburb area of Athens, Greece), respectively, in the last decade. Several differences were observed between Voula (Athens) and Cluj regions concerning tumor occurrence. The incidence of mammary gland neoplasm in Cluj County was two times higher compared to the findings from Voula (Athens). Furthermore, the occurrence of skin neoplasms was half in Cluj compared to the records in Greece, where skin neoplasms were the most prevalent tumors. Another difference was the incidence of tumors in the lymphatic system which was very low in Cluj (approximately six times less) than in Voula (Athens). Concerning the highest tumoral prevalence in various dog breeds, the most affected were Mongrel and German shepherd (somehow similar with the results obtained in Cluj County). The incidence of cancer in dog fluctuates according to the investigated area, suggesting that determining environmental risk factors may contribute to the neoplastic lesion development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2015
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14. Study of the spacecraft potential under active control and plasma density estimates during the MMS commissioning phase
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Andriopoulou, M., Nakamura, R., Torkar, K., Baumjohann, W., Torbert, R. B., Lindqvist, P.‐A., Khotyaintsev, Y. V., Dorelli, J., Burch, J. L., and Russell, C. T.
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Each spacecraft of the recently launched magnetospheric multiscale MMS mission is equipped with Active Spacecraft Potential Control (ASPOC) instruments, which control the spacecraft potential in order to reduce spacecraft charging effects. ASPOC typically reduces the spacecraft potential to a few volts. On several occasions during the commissioning phase of the mission, the ASPOC instruments were operating only on one spacecraft at a time. Taking advantage of such intervals, we derive photoelectron curves and also perform reconstructions of the uncontrolled spacecraft potential for the spacecraft with active control and estimate the electron plasma density during those periods. We also establish the criteria under which our methods can be applied. For ASPOC currents up to 30 microampere spacecraft potential reconstructions are largely viableComparison of our plasma density estimates with measurements from the FPI detector is in good agreementOur methods allow us to derive relative density variations and recognize boundary crossings in magnetosphere more...
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- 2016
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15. Cell confluence regulates tyrosine phosphorylation of adherens junction components in endothelial cells
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Lampugnani, M.G., primary, Corada, M., additional, Andriopoulou, P., additional, Esser, S., additional, Risau, W., additional, and Dejana, E., additional
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- 1997
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16. Severe tricuspid regurgitation and isolated right heart failure due to thyrotoxicosis
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Bonou, Maria, Lampropoulos, Konstantinos M., Andriopoulou, Maria, Kotsas, Dimitrios, Lakoumentas, John, and Barbetseas, John
- Abstract
We describe the case of a patient presented with isolated right heart failure with atrial fibrillation and severe tricuspid regurgitation due to hyperthyroidism. Treatment of the thyroid disease resulted in the disappearance of signs of right heart failure and resolution of the valve incompetence and normalization of the heart rhythm. Although thyrotoxicosis may be associated with congestive heart failure, isolated right heart failure with marked tricuspid regurgitation is rarely seen. more...
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- 2012
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17. Effects of olive mill wastewater discharge on benthic biota in Mediterranean streams.
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Smeti, Evangelia, Kalogianni, Eleni, Karaouzas, Ioannis, Laschou, Sofia, Tornés, Elisabet, De Castro-Català, Núria, Anastasopoulou, Evangelia, Koutsodimou, Maria, Andriopoulou, Argyro, Vardakas, Leonidas, Muñoz, Isabel, Sabater, Sergi, and Skoulikidis, Nikolaos Th. more...
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STREAM chemistry ,CHIRONOMUS riparius ,POLLUTION ,BIOCHEMISTRY ,BIOTIC communities - Abstract
Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) discharging in river ecosystems cause significant adverse effects on their water chemistry and biological communities. We here examined the effects of OMW loads in four streams of a Mediterranean basin characterized by changing flow. The diatom and macroinvertebrate community structures were compared between upstream (control) and downstream (impacted) sites receiving OMW discharge. We also tested if effects occurred at the organism level, i.e. the occurrence of deformities in diatom valves, and the sediment toxicity on the midge Chironomus riparius. We evaluated these effects through a two-year analysis, at various levels of chemical pollution and dilution capacity. The impacted sites had high phenol concentrations and organic carbon loads during and after olive mill (OM) operation, and were characterized by higher abundances of pollution-tolerant diatom and macroinvertebrate taxa. Diatom valve deformities occurred more frequently at the impacted sites. The development of C. riparius was affected by phenolic compounds and organic carbon concentrations in the sediments. The similarity in the diatom and macroinvertebrate assemblages between control and impacted sites decreased at lower flows. Diatoms were more sensitive in detecting deterioration in the biological status of OMW receiving waterways than macroinvertebrates. Our results indicate that the negative effects of OMW extended to the whole benthic community, at both assemblage and organism level. Image 1 • Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) negatively affect water chemistry and biota in rivers. • OMW impacted sites presented high phenol concentrations and organic carbon loads. • Pollution-tolerant diatom and macroinvertebrate taxa increased at impacted sites. • Frequency of diatom valve deformities increased at impacted sites. • Lower Chironomus riparius development with higher organic sediment pollution. Adverse effects of Olive Mill Wastewaters on river biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2019
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18. Effects of low dose nicotine on attention and incidental learning in smokers and never-smokers
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Scholey Andrew and Andriopoulou Panoraia
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Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Published
- 2006
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19. Stress-related asthma and family therapy: Case study
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Theodoratou-Bekou Maria, Andreopoulou Ourania, Andriopoulou Panoraia, and Wood Beatrice
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Family ,Differentiation ,Asthma ,Intervention ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Abstract This paper applies the Biobehavioral Family Model (BBFM) of stress- related illness to the study and treatment of an adolescent with intractable asthma. The model is described, along with supportive research findings. Then a case study is presented, demonstrating how the model is clinically applied. We tell the story of an asthmatic adolescent presenting for therapy due to her intense asthmatic crises, and the case is presented to exemplify how the BBFM can help understand the family-psychobiological contribution to exacerbation of disease activity, and therefore guide treatment towards the amelioration of severe physical symptoms. Facets of the patient’s intra-familial interactions are consistent with the BBFM, which support clinical validation of the model. In the case described, it is likely that additional asthma medications would not have had the desired ameliorative effect, because they did not target the family relational processes contributing to the symptoms. The recognition of the influences of family relational processes on the disease was crucial for effective intervention. The therapy incorporates and weaves together BBFM understanding of family patterns of interaction and physiological/medical concerns integrated with Bowenian intervention strategies. This case study validates the importance and usefulness of BBFM for intervention with stress-sensitive illnesses such as asthma. more...
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- 2012
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20. Toward Shared Decision-Making in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.
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Sangeorzan I, Antonacci G, Martin A, Grodzinski B, Zipser CM, Murphy RKJ, Andriopoulou P, Cook CE, Anderson DB, Guest J, Furlan JC, Kotter MRN, Boerger TF, Sadler I, Roberts EA, Wood H, Fraser C, Fehlings MG, Kumar V, Jung J, Milligan J, Nouri A, Martin AR, Blizzard T, Vialle LR, Tetreault L, Kalsi-Ryan S, MacDowall A, Martin-Moore E, Burwood M, Wood L, Lalkhen A, Ito M, Wilson N, Treanor C, Dugan S, and Davies BM more...
- Abstract
Background: Health care decisions are a critical determinant in the evolution of chronic illness. In shared decision-making (SDM), patients and clinicians work collaboratively to reach evidence-based health decisions that align with individual circumstances, values, and preferences. This personalized approach to clinical care likely has substantial benefits in the oversight of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), a type of nontraumatic spinal cord injury. Its chronicity, heterogeneous clinical presentation, complex management, and variable disease course engenders an imperative for a patient-centric approach that accounts for each patient's unique needs and priorities. Inadequate patient knowledge about the condition and an incomplete understanding of the critical decision points that arise during the course of care currently hinder the fruitful participation of health care providers and patients in SDM. This study protocol presents the rationale for deploying SDM for DCM and delineates the groundwork required to achieve this., Objective: The study's primary outcome is the development of a comprehensive checklist to be implemented upon diagnosis that provides patients with essential information necessary to support their informed decision-making. This is known as a core information set (CIS). The secondary outcome is the creation of a detailed process map that provides a diagrammatic representation of the global care workflows and cognitive processes involved in DCM care. Characterizing the critical decision points along a patient's journey will allow for an effective exploration of SDM tools for routine clinical practice to enhance patient-centered care and improve clinical outcomes., Methods: Both CISs and process maps are coproduced iteratively through a collaborative process involving the input and consensus of key stakeholders. This will be facilitated by Myelopathy.org, a global DCM charity, through its Research Objectives and Common Data Elements for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy community. To develop the CIS, a 3-round, web-based Delphi process will be used, starting with a baseline list of information items derived from a recent scoping review of educational materials in DCM, patient interviews, and a qualitative survey of professionals. A priori criteria for achieving consensus are specified. The process map will be developed iteratively using semistructured interviews with patients and professionals and validated by key stakeholders., Results: Recruitment for the Delphi consensus study began in April 2023. The pilot-testing of process map interview participants started simultaneously, with the formulation of an initial baseline map underway., Conclusions: This protocol marks the first attempt to provide a starting point for investigating SDM in DCM. The primary work centers on developing an educational tool for use in diagnosis to enable enhanced onward decision-making. The wider objective is to aid stakeholders in developing SDM tools by identifying critical decision junctures in DCM care. Through these approaches, we aim to provide an exhaustive launchpad for formulating SDM tools in the wider DCM community., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/46809., (©Irina Sangeorzan, Grazia Antonacci, Anne Martin, Ben Grodzinski, Carl M Zipser, Rory K J Murphy, Panoraia Andriopoulou, Chad E Cook, David B Anderson, James Guest, Julio C Furlan, Mark R N Kotter, Timothy F Boerger, Iwan Sadler, Elizabeth A Roberts, Helen Wood, Christine Fraser, Michael G Fehlings, Vishal Kumar, Josephine Jung, James Milligan, Aria Nouri, Allan R Martin, Tammy Blizzard, Luiz Roberto Vialle, Lindsay Tetreault, Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan, Anna MacDowall, Esther Martin-Moore, Martin Burwood, Lianne Wood, Abdul Lalkhen, Manabu Ito, Nicky Wilson, Caroline Treanor, Sheila Dugan, Benjamin M Davies. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 09.10.2023.) more...
- Published
- 2023
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21. The information needs of people with degenerative cervical myelopathy: A qualitative study to inform patient education in clinical practice.
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Sangeorzan I, Andriopoulou P, Davies BM, and McNair A
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- Adult, Humans, Male, Female, Middle Aged, Aged, Qualitative Research, Self Care, Neck, Patient Education as Topic, Spinal Cord Diseases therapy
- Abstract
Background: Individuals with lifelong illnesses need access to adequate information about their condition to make optimal health decisions. Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the most common form of spinal cord dysfunction in adults worldwide. Its chronic and debilitating nature, varied impact, clinical trajectory, and management options necessitate appropriate informational support to sustain effective clinical and self-directed care strategies. However, before clinicians can meet patients' information needs, they must first have an understanding of their baseline requirements. This study explores the information needs of people with DCM (PwCM). In doing so, it provides a starting point for the development of patient education and knowledge management strategies in clinical practice., Methods: Semi-structured interviews with PwCM were conducted using an interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach was used to analyse the data. Findings were reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines., Results: Twenty PwCM (65% female, 35% male), with ages ranging from 39 to 74 years old participated in the interviews. The findings indicated that the provision of information to PwCM during clinical interactions varies. Accordingly, PwCM's information needs were broad-ranging, as was the nature of the information they found useful. Three main themes were identified (1) Variation in the provision of information to PwCM during clinical interactions, (2) Variations in the information needs of PwCM, and (3) Information that PwCM find useful., Conclusion: Efforts must turn to adequately educating patients at the time of the clinical encounter. A comprehensive and consistent patient-centered information exchange in DCM is necessary to achieve this., Competing Interests: IS has declared that no competing interests exist. PA has declared that no competing interests exist. AM has declared that no competing interests exist. BMD is supported by NIHR POLYFIX DCM and NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship grants. BMD is a founder of MoveMed (a digital therapeutics platform which develops assessments and treatments using software). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2023 Sangeorzan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.) more...
- Published
- 2023
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22. Building Resilience Against ViolencE (BRAVE): protocol of a parenting intervention for mothers and fathers with post-traumatic stress disorder in Pakistan.
- Author
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Chaudhry N, Farooque S, Kiran T, Eylem-van Bergeijk O, Chaudhry IB, Memon R, Husain M, Andriopoulou P, Hussain Rana M, Naeem F, and Husain N
- Abstract
Background: Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is high in Pakistan both due to natural disasters and ongoing conflicts. Offspring of trauma survivors are at increased risk for mental and physical illnesses. Parental PTSD has been linked to troubled parent-child relationships, behaviour problems, trauma symptoms, and depression in children. This study aims to explore the acceptability, feasibility and indications of the effectiveness of group learning through play plus trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (LTP Plus TF-CBT) for parents experiencing PTSD., Methods/design: This is a two-arm pilot cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT). We aim to recruit 300 parents with a diagnosis of PTSD. The screening will be done using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Diagnosis of PTSD will be confirmed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5). Union Councils from Peshawar and Karachi will be randomised into either group LTP Plus TF CBT arm or treatment as usual (TAU). The intervention includes 12 sessions of LTP Plus TF-CBT delivered weekly in the first 2 months and then fortnightly in a group setting by trained psychologists. The groups will be co-facilitated by the community health workers (CHWs). Parents will be assessed at baseline and 4th month (end of the intervention), using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale, Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI), and Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3)., Discussion: This trial would help build an understanding of the acceptability, feasibility and indications of the effectiveness of a low-cost parenting intervention., (© The Author(s) 2022.) more...
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- 2022
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23. Protocol of a feasibility trial for an online group parenting intervention with an integrated mental health component for parent refugees and asylum-seekers in the United Kingdom: (LTP + EMDR G-TEP).
- Author
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Kaptan SK, Varese F, Yilmaz B, Andriopoulou P, and Husain N
- Abstract
Objectives: Conflicts expose families to a range of factors that could have a negative impact upon parental mental health which in turn leads to poor growth and development of children. Early support can improve parental mental health and parenting behaviours but currently, there is a lack of evidence on parenting interventions for forcibly displaced populations. This study aims to deliver an online parenting intervention with a mental health component for refugee and asylum-seeker parents to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability., Methods: This is a single-arm trial without a control group. The trial aims to recruit 14 refugee and asylum-seeker parents into an Online Learning Through Play and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (LTP + EMDR G-TEP). The intervention will be delivered by trained research team members using online platforms., Results: The participants' sense of parenting competence, symptoms of traumatic stress, anxiety and depression will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews at post-intervention will also be conducted., Discussion: This study will assess the feasibility and inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of LTP + EMDR G-TEP intervention for parent refugees and asylum-seekers with young children., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.) more...
- Published
- 2021
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24. On the mechanism of thrombin-induced angiogenesis: involvement of alphavbeta3-integrin.
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Tsopanoglou NE, Andriopoulou P, and Maragoudakis ME
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- Allantois cytology, Animals, Apoptosis drug effects, Apoptosis physiology, Cell Movement drug effects, Cell Movement physiology, Cell Survival drug effects, Cell Survival physiology, Cells, Cultured, Chick Embryo, Endothelium, Vascular cytology, Gene Expression drug effects, Hemostatics metabolism, Humans, RNA, Messenger analysis, Receptors, Vitronectin genetics, Thrombin metabolism, Umbilical Veins cytology, Hemostatics pharmacology, Neovascularization, Pathologic physiopathology, Receptors, Vitronectin metabolism, Thrombin pharmacology
- Abstract
Thrombin has been reported to be a potent angiogenic factor both in vitro and in vivo, and many of the cellular effects of thrombin may contribute to activation of angiogenesis. In this report we show that thrombin-treatment of human endothelial cells increases mRNA and protein levels of alphavbeta3-integrin. This thrombin-mediated effect is specific, dose dependent, and requires the catalytic site of thrombin. In addition, thrombin interacts with alphavbeta3 as demonstrated by direct binding of alphavbeta3 protein to immobilized thrombin. This interaction of thrombin with alphavbeta3-integrin, which is an angiogenic marker in vascular tissue, is of functional significance. Immobilized thrombin promotes endothelial cells attachment, migration, and survival. Antibody to alphavbeta3 or a specific peptide antagonist to alphavbeta3 can abolish all these alphavbeta3-mediated effects. Furthermore, in the chick chorioallantoic membrane system, the antagonist peptide to alphavbeta3 diminishes both basal and the thrombin-induced angiogenesis. These results support the pivotal role of thrombin in activation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis and may be related to the clinical observation of neovascularization within thrombi. more...
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- 2002
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25. Histamine induces tyrosine phosphorylation of endothelial cell-to-cell adherens junctions.
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Andriopoulou P, Navarro P, Zanetti A, Lampugnani MG, and Dejana E
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- Animals, Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Antigens, CD, Blotting, Western, Cadherins analysis, Cadherins metabolism, Capillary Permeability drug effects, Cell Communication drug effects, Cells, Cultured, Cytoskeletal Proteins analysis, Cytoskeletal Proteins metabolism, Endothelium, Vascular chemistry, Endothelium, Vascular cytology, Filipin pharmacology, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Humans, Intercellular Junctions chemistry, Intercellular Junctions drug effects, Mice, Phosphorylation, Precipitin Tests, Umbilical Veins cytology, Vasculitis metabolism, beta Catenin, Endothelium, Vascular metabolism, Histamine pharmacology, Intercellular Junctions metabolism, Trans-Activators, Tyrosine metabolism
- Abstract
Endothelial adherens junctions (AJ) promote intercellular adhesion and may contribute to the control of vascular permeability. These structures are formed by a transmembrane and cell-specific adhesive protein, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, which is linked by its cytoplasmic tail to intracellular proteins called catenins (alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and plakoglobin) and to the actin cytoskeleton. Little is known about the functional regulation of AJ in endothelial cells. In this study, we analyzed the effect of histamine on AJ organization in cultured endothelial cells. We first observed that histamine induced detectable intercellular gaps only in loosely-confluent cells, whereas this effect was strongly reduced or absent in long-confluent cultures. Despite this difference, in vitro permeability was augmented by histamine in both conditions. In resting conditions, tyrosine phosphorylation of AJ components and permeability values were higher in recently-confluent cells as compared with long-confluent cells. Histamine did not affect the phosphorylation state of AJ in recently-confluent cells but strongly increased this parameter in long-confluent cultures. In addition, in long-confluent cells, histamine caused dissociation of VE-cadherin from the actin cytoskeleton measured by a decrease of the amount of the molecule in the detergent-insoluble fraction of the cell extracts. Dibutyryl cAMP was able to prevent the effect of histamine on both tyrosine phosphorylation of AJ components and on endothelial permeability. The effect of histamine was specific for VE-cadherin because the phosphorylation state of neural (N)-cadherin, the other major endothelial cadherin, was unchanged by this agent. Hence AJ components are a target of histamine activation cascade; we suggest that induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin and catenins contributes to the histamine effect on permeability, even in absence of frank intercellular gaps and cell retraction. more...
- Published
- 1999
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26. Evidence that nitric oxide is an endogenous antiangiogenic mediator.
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Pipili-Synetos E, Sakkoula E, Haralabopoulos G, Andriopoulou P, Peristeris P, and Maragoudakis ME
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- Allantois drug effects, Allantois physiology, Animals, Arginine analogs & derivatives, Arginine antagonists & inhibitors, Arginine biosynthesis, Arginine pharmacology, Chick Embryo, Chorion drug effects, Chorion physiology, Cyclic GMP analogs & derivatives, Cyclic GMP biosynthesis, Cyclic GMP pharmacology, Dexamethasone pharmacology, Drug Interactions, Endothelium, Vascular cytology, Humans, Models, Biological, NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester, Nitric Oxide antagonists & inhibitors, Nitroprusside pharmacology, Superoxide Dismutase pharmacology, Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate pharmacology, Thrombin antagonists & inhibitors, Thrombin pharmacology, omega-N-Methylarginine, Neovascularization, Pathologic physiopathology, Nitric Oxide physiology
- Abstract
1. The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of angiogenesis was examined in the in vivo system of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo and in the matrigel tube formation assay. 2. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (0.37-28 nmol/disc), which releases NO spontaneously, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of angiogenesis in the CAM in vivo and reversed completely the angiogenic effects of alpha-thrombin (6.7 nmol/disc) and the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 4-beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (0.97 nmol/disc). In addition, SNP (28 x 10(-6) M) stimulated the release of guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) from the CAM in vitro. 3. In the matrigel tube formation assay, an in vitro assay of angiogenesis, both SNP (1-3 x 10(-6) M) and the cell permeable cyclic GMP analogue, Br-cGMP (0.3-1.0 x 10(-3) M) reduced tube formation. 4. The inhibitors of NO synthase, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (3.8-102 nmol/disc) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) (1.3-34.2 nmol/disc) stimulated angiogenesis in the CAM in vivo, in a dose-dependent fashion. D-NMMA and D-NAME on the other hand had no effect on angiogenesis in this system. 5. L-Arginine (10.9 nmol/disc), although it had a modest antiangiogenic effect by itself, was capable of abolishing the angiogenic effects of L-NMMA (34.2 nmol/disc) and of L-NAME (3.8 nmol/disc). 6. Dexamethasone, an inhibitor of the induction of NO synthase, at 0.2-116.1 nmol/disc, stimulated angiogenesis in the CAM, whereas at 348.4-1161 nmol/disc it inhibited this process. Combination of 38.7 nmol/disc dexamethasone with L-NAME (9.3 nmol/disc) resulted in a potentiation of the angiogenic effect of the former. It appears therefore that both the constitutive and the inducible NO synthase may contribute to the NO-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis. 7. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), which prevents the destruction of NO, at 300 i.u./disc had a modest antiangiogenic effect in the CAM, by itself. In addition, SOD, prevented alpha-thrombin (6.7 nmol/disc) and PMA (0.97 nmol/disc) from stimulating angiogenesis in the CAM.8. These results suggest that NO may be an endogenous antiangiogenic molecule of pathophysiological importance. more...
- Published
- 1994
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