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Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection worldwide causing serious morbidity in newborns, infants, and children. Despite the clinical importance of congenital CMV (cCMV), studies conducted so far conclude that there is limited awareness in both the medical community and public of cCMV infection. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the knowledge and awareness of cCMV among pregnant women and healthcare providers during the last decade. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus, including studies published between 2011 and 2020. Eligibility criteria included articles focusing on either pregnant women or healthcare providers and reporting data about cCMV awareness. We included cross-sectional and interventional studies. Study quality was assessed using the Study Quality Assessment Tools by National Institute of Health. Results: Overall, 23 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 13 studies referred to pregnant women and 10 to healthcare providers. A total of 6521 pregnant women and 3609 healthcare providers were included. The level of awareness of pregnant women about cCMV was low to moderate. However, pregnant women showed willingness to adopt hygiene strategies following interventional-educational practices. Concurrently, awareness among healthcare providers varied depending on the specialty. Nonetheless, a great proportion admitted feeling inadequate in advising pregnant women for cCMV screening and prevention. Conclusion: The role of healthcare providers in growing awareness among pregnant women is of paramount importance. Due to the lack of an effective vaccine as yet, education of women regarding hygiene measures is currently the best strategy to prevent cCMV disease. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The alpha/beta‐hydrolases (ABH) are among the largest structural families of proteins that are found in nature. Although they vary in their sequence and function, the ABH enzymes use a similar acid–base‐nucleophile catalytic mechanism to catalyze reactions on different substrates. Because ABH enzymes are biocatalysts with a wide range of potential applications, protein engineering has taken advantage of their catalytic versatility to develop enzymes with industrial applications. This study is a comprehensive analysis of 40 ABH enzyme families focusing on two identified substructures: the nucleophile zone and the oxyanion zone, which co‐ordinate the catalytic nucleophile and the residues of the oxyanion hole, and independently reported as critical for the enzymatic activity. We also frequently observed an aromatic cluster near the nucleophile and oxyanion zones, and opposite the ligand‐binding site. The nucleophile zone, the oxyanion zone and the residue cluster enriched in aromatic side chains comprise a three‐dimensional structural organization that shapes the active site of ABH enzymes and plays an important role in the enzymatic function by structurally stabilizing the catalytic nucleophile and the residues of the oxyanion hole. The structural data support the notion that the aromatic cluster can participate in co‐ordination of the catalytic histidine loop, and properly place the catalytic histidine next to the catalytic nucleophile.

The current work presents the preliminary design procedure of a small-scale, fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), incorporating the novel Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) layout configuration. The UAV is designed to support a Cooperative-Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS), for monitoring traffic conditions at large national highways. The presented UAV design procedure emphasizes on both aerodynamic and stability behavior, aiming to a high aerodynamic efficiency and the satisfaction of the mission requirements. The design is supported by CFD analyses, to determine the aerodynamic and stability coefficients. Following the CFD modeling, the performance parameters of the platform are calculated. Furthermore, an internal layout study is conducted to integrate all the necessary internal components, determining the center of gravity. Finally, the overall UAV design concludes to an optimum configuration of the UAV-ITS, satisfying all the aerodynamic, stability and mission requirements.

The alpha/beta-hydrolases are a family of acid-base-nucleophile catalytic triad enzymes with a common fold, but using a wide variety of substrates, having different pH optima, catalyzing unique catalytic reactions and often showing improved chemical and thermo stability. The ABH enzymes are prime targets for protein engineering. Here, we have classified active sites from 51 representative members of 40 structural ABH fold families into eight distinct conserved geometries. We demonstrate the occurrence of a common structural motif, the catalytic acid zone, at the catalytic triad acid turn. We show that binding of an external ligand does not change the structure of the catalytic acid zone and both the ligand-free and ligand-bound forms of the protein belong to the same catalytic acid zone subgroup. We also show that the catalytic acid zone coordinates the position of the catalytic histidine loop directly above its plane, and consequently, fixes the catalytic histidine in a proper position near the catalytic acid. Finally, we demonstrate that the catalytic acid zone plays a key role in multi-subunit complex formation in ABH enzymes, and is involved in interactions with other proteins. As a result, we speculate that each of the catalytic triad residues has its own supporting structural scaffold, similar to the catalytic acid zone, described above, which together form the extended catalytic triad motif. Each scaffold coordinates the function of its respective catalytic residue, and can even compensate for the loss of protein function, if the catalytic amino acid is mutated.

This study quantifies the effects of the Fed's quantitative easing (QE) and tapering programs’ announcements on professionals’ consensus forecasts of U.S. macroeconomic and financial variables at different forecast horizons. The results of a vector autoregression (VAR) analysis show that the first QE (QE1) program is more effective in terms of significantly affecting the variability of near and medium term forecasts on GDP, inflation and short-term interest rates. This is not the case for these variables of long forecast horizons across all QE/tapering announcements, the forecasts of U.S. currency and long-term rates present significant short-lived responses, while the tapering displays a dominant effect on the volatility of long-term rates across long-term forecast horizons. A dynamic correlation analysis among different horizon forecasts also reveals that the Fed successfully anchor inflation and real economic growth expectations during the expansionary policy (QE) periods. Additional findings show the anchoring of the expectations across different horizons on short-term rates, as opposed to long-term rates, during the QE1 program. During the contractionary (tapering) period, the decrease in the correlations among different horizons for the short-term rates’ forecasts is a sign that the Fed increases the range of possible outcomes and highlights a signal of a monetary policy change. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.

The alpha/beta-Hydrolases (ABH) are a structural class of proteins that are found widespread in nature and includes enzymes that can catalyze various reactions in different substrates. The catalytic versatility of the ABH fold enzymes, which has been a valuable property in protein engineering applications, is based on a similar acid-base-nucleophile catalytic mechanism. In our research, we are concerned with the structure that surrounds the key units of the catalytic machinery, and we have previously found conserved structural organizations that coordinate the catalytic acid, the catalytic nucleophile and the residues of the oxyanion hole. Here, we explore the architecture that surrounds the catalytic histidine at the active sites of enzymes from 40 ABH fold families, where we have identified six conserved interactions that coordinate the catalytic histidine next to the catalytic acid and the catalytic nucleophile. Specifically, the catalytic nucleophile is coordinated next to the catalytic histidine by two weak hydrogen bonds, while the catalytic acid is directly involved in the coordination of the catalytic histidine through by two weak hydrogen bonds. The imidazole ring of the catalytic histidine is coordinated by a CH-π contact and a hydrophobic interaction. Moreover, the catalytic triad residues are connected with a residue that is located at the core of the active site of ABH fold, which is suggested to be the fourth member of a "structural catalytic tetrad". Besides their role in the stability of the catalytic mechanism, the conserved elements of the catalytic site are actively involved in ligand binding and affect other properties of the catalytic activity, such as substrate specificity, enantioselectivity, pH optimum and thermostability of ABH fold enzymes. These properties are regularly targeted in protein engineering applications, and thus, the identified conserved structural elements can serve as potential modification sites in order to develop ABH fold enzymes with altered activities.

Background and aims: Lifestyle habits including dietary intake and physical activity are closely associated with multiple body processes including glucose metabolism and are known to affect human health. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with glucose levels. The hypothesis tested here is whether a healthy lifestyle assessed via a score is associated with glycaemic traits and whether there is an interaction between the lifestyle and known glucose-raising genetic variants in association with glycaemic traits. Methods and results: Participants of Greek descent from the THISEAS study were included in this analysis. We developed a glucose preventive score (GPS) including dietary and physical activity characteristics. We also modelled a weighted genetic risk score (wGRS), based on 20 known glucose-raising loci, in order to investigate the impact of lifestyle-gene interaction on glucose levels. The GPS was observed to be significantly associated with lower glucose concentrations (β ± SE: -0.083 ± 0.021 mmol/L, P = 1.6 × 10-04) and the wGRS, as expected, with increased glucose levels (β ± SE: 0.020 ± 0.007 mmol/L, P = 8.4 × 10-3). The association of the wGRS with glucose levels was attenuated after interaction with the GPS. A higher GPS indicated decreasing glucose levels in the presence of an increasing wGRS (βinteraction ± SE: -0.019 ± 0.007 mmol/L, P = 0.014). Conclusion: Our results indicate that lower glucose levels underlie a healthier lifestyle and also support an interaction between the wGRS for known glycaemic loci and GPS associated with lower glucose levels. These scores could be useful tools for monitoring glucose metabolism. © 2016.

When large structures such as residential compounds or public buildings are under the influence of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields, such as the one generated by a system of railways fed by 16.67 Hz, standard methods of designing shielding structures by numerical methods usually fail. The latter can be explained by the difficulty posed in the computing process by the large aspect ratios involved due to thin layers of metal (a few millimetres or centimetres) in contrast to the large dimensions of the affected structure (several tens of meters). In some cases one has to utilize special approximations such as surface conductivity, which are not easy to handle when the designed shielding structure is clearly three -dimensional. Other alternatives such as experimentation in situ are very costly. Here, a new technique is presented of mitigating the field by using three-dimensional propagation of induced currents optimizing the field reduction factors and minimizing the cost of shielding material. The particular designing method is a hybrid of numerical simulations combined with lab experimentation using scaled models of the largestructure. The method is rather cost-effective and flexible as various designs can be easily tested. Results are presented in the form of magnetic field values, at various locations in the buildings, before and after this mitigation technique is applied.

This paper examines the effects of quantitative easing (QE) announcements by the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and the Bank of England on exchange rate dynamics. Using intraday data of three major exchange rates (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, JPY/USD), we apply a univariate APARCH(1,1) model and include QE dummies to empirically investigate how exchange rates are affected in mean and volatility. The empirical results indicate: (i) a direct negative impact on GBP and JPY and no effect of their volatility around the QE announcements of the corresponding central banks, (ii) a delayed devaluation of EUR and an increase of its volatility before and after the ECB's announcements. Furthermore, the behavior of dynamic conditional correlation among currencies is investigated across the QE announcements. We find a decline in the conditional correlation between EUR and GBP around the announcements by the BoE. These findings highlight the differences on the credibility and effectiveness of the monetary easing strategies and provide important implications from the investors' and policy makers' perspective. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.

Background:Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at increased risk of inspiratory muscle fatigue and respiratory failure. The time constant (τ) of the inspiratory muscle relaxation is a simple bedside test of muscle fatigue. We have compared patients with CF and healthy controls regarding τ and hypothesized that it is negatively associated with severity of lower airway obstruction.Methods:For this cross-sectional study, τ after maximal inspiration and spirometric indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)) were measured.Results:Fifty-three CF patients (median age 14 y (interquartile range: 11-19.5)) and 53 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (14 y (11-19.5)) were recruited. Application of a general linear model revealed that health status (CF vs. non-CF) had a significant effect on τ (P < 0.001), but age group and the interaction of age group with health status did not have significant effects on τ (P = 0.10 and P = 0.71, respectively). Participants with CF had significantly higher τ (253 (188-406)) than control subjects (117 (81-185)) (P < 0.001) and τ was negatively related to FEV 1 (r = -0.205; P = 0.031) and FVC (r = -0.294; P = 0.002).Conclusion:Patients with CF have higher τ than healthy controls but the correlation of τ with expiratory flow function is modest. © 2015 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.

This paper examines the effects of quantitative easing (QE) announcements by the European Central Bank (ECB), the Bank of England (BoE) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) on the intraday volatility transmissions among EUR, GBP and JPY. The empirical results indicate: (i) an increased volatility transmission from EUR to JPY and GBP around the ECB announcements, and from GBP to EUR over the BoE announcements, (ii) the ECB and BoE announcements significantly increase the volatility of EUR and JPY, and (iii) a "calming down" impact on the volatility of EUR and GBP from the BoJ and the ECB announcements, respectively. © 2015 Elsevier Inc..

The purpose of this study is to evaluate image quality of various computed tomography (CT) scanners installed in Greece, as well as to investigate patient doses from common CT examinations. An image quality survey was performed in 44 CT scanners countrywide. The imaging performance of the systems was evaluated by measurements of certain parameters, such as image noise, spatial uniformity, high- and low-contrast resolution and slice thickness accuracy. Moreover, preliminary results of patient dose survey are presented. Concerning image quality, 80 % of the scanners were found to be in compliance with the national legislation and relative international guidelines for all the examined parameters. Weighted CT dose index and doselength product values for chest and abdomen routine examinations were generally below the dose reference levels (DRLs) suggested by the European Commission. However, some scanners were found to deliver significantly higher doses than the suggested DRL for head routine examinations. Finally, differences in the performance among scanners of the same type and similar age were observed, pointing out the importance of frequent calibration, routine quality control and proper maintenance. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) represents 90% of all peritoneal forms of mesothelioma. It affects mainly patients 50-69 years old. In 50% of cases there is a history of asbestos exposure. The clinical presentation of the disease is not characteristic: nonspecific abdominal pain, weight loss, and abdominal distension are common. Ascites occurs in 90% of the patients. Bowel obstruction is a late manifestation. We present three patients with DMPM, without a history of asbestos exposure and without ascites, who presented with complete bowel obstruction. All patients underwent emergency operations, and palliative surgical procedures were performed. Each patient died within 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Copyright © 2009 by The Southern Medical Association.

Primitive expression (PE) is a form of dance therapy (DT) that involves an interaction of ethologically and socially based forms which are supplied for re-enactment. Brain connectivity has been measured in electroencephalographic (EEG) data of patients with schizophrenia undergoing PE DT, using the correlation coefficient and mutual information. These parameters do not measure the existence or absence of directionality in the connectivity. The present study investigates the use of the G-autonomy measure of EEG electrode voltages of the same group of schizophrenic patients. G-autonomy is a measure of the "autonomy" of a system. It indicates the degree by which prediction of the system's future evolution is enhanced by taking into account its own past states, in comparison to predictions based on past states of a set of external variables. In the present research, "own" past states refer to voltage values in the time series recorded at a specific electrode and "external" variables refer to the voltage values recorded at other electrodes. Indication is provided for an acute effect of early-stage PE DT expressed by the augmentation of G-autonomy in the delta rhythm and an acute effect of late- stage PE DT expressed by the reduction of G-autonomy in the theta and alpha rhythms.

Arterial hypertension is considered a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive compared with normotensive individuals of similar demographic characteristics in Greece. Furthermore, the effect of age, hypertension severity, hypertension duration, and antihypertension medication on erectile function of these subjects was investigated. The study population consisted of 634 consecutive young and middle-aged men (31-65 years) that visited our outpatient clinic. From them, 358 patients had arterial hypertension and 276 were normotensive. Erectile dysfunction was evaluated with the International Index for Erectile Function questionnaire. Erectile dysfunction was found in 35.2% of patients with essential hypertension compared with 14.1% of normotensive subjects (χ2 = 35.92, P < .001). Patients with essential hypertension had more severe erectile dysfunction than their normotensive counterparts (χ2 = 17.1, P < .001). Hypertension duration, hypertension severity, antihypertension medication, and age were positively correlated with erectile dysfunction. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is higher in patients with essential hypertension compared with normotensive subjects of similar demographic characteristics. Erectile dysfunction is related to age in both groups, whereas duration and severity of hypertension as well as antihypertension drugs affect erectile function of hypertensive patients. Erectile dysfunction affects patient quality of life, underlining the need for vigorous research of this condition and appropriate management. Copyright © American Society of Andrology.

Aim: To investigate the effect of substituting beta-blockers with nebivolol on the erectile function of patients suffering from essential hypertension. Methods: Forty-four young and middle-aged men (31-65 years) with essential hypertension visited our outpatient clinic and took beta-blocker treatment (atenolol, metoprolol or bisoprolol) for more than 6 months. All the patients completed a questionnaire regarding erectile function (International Index for Erectile Function). Patients were then switched to an equipotent dose of nebivolol for 3 months and, at the end of this time period, filled out the same questionnaire. Results: Twenty-nine out of the 44 (65.9%) patients who took beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol or bisoprolol) had exhibited erectile dysfunction (ED). Their systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly with the treatment switch. In 20 out of these 29 (69%) patients, a significant improvement in the erectile function score was exhibited after 3 months of nebivolol administration, and in 11 of these 20 patients, erectile function was normalized. Conclusion: Nebivolol seems to have a beneficial effect on ED (possibly due to increased nitric oxide availability); however, further prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of nebivolol.

A 3-month-old male infant with cytomegalovirus infection and intractable partial seizures was treated with ganciclovir for 6 weeks. The drug was well tolerated, and virus shedding in the cerebrospinal fluid and urine was eliminated, although infantile spasms at the age of 6 months appeared. At the age of 12 months, intractable seizures persisted, and the psychomotor development of the infant was markedly delayed. To our knowledge, no previous similar case has been reported. These findings suggest that treatment with ganciclovir of infants with cytomegalovirus infection results only in cessation of virus shedding in the cerebrospinal fluid and urine without having a preventive effect on the future appearance of infantile spasms. This may be due to the irreversibility of previous brain damage from the cytomegalovirus infection and the virostatic nature of the drug.

Indocyanine green angiographies of 33 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) were examined in order to find out whether the location of ICG exudation was correlated with other findings. Areas of delayed choroidal filling at the site of the hot spot were found in 27 patients (82%). The hot spot was usually located at the margin of such areas. Furthermore, it seemed correlated to a larger ciliary artery in 19 patients (60.6%). A detachment of the pigment epithelium was detected in 18% and showed a characteristic early hypo- and late hyperfluorescence. There is evidence that the exudation of indocyanine green indicates a primary choroidal disorder as the cause of CSC. Many clinical features, for example pigment epithelial detachments, are easier to explain with this hypothesis. A correlation of the hot spot with variation of choroidal filling has to be interpreted with caution. Yet, it seems feasible that the border between areas of different speed of filling is especially vulnerable and might therefore decompensate in the case of diseased regulation of the choroidal vessels, as has been postulated for CSC.

The first human case of entomophthoromycosis caused by Basidiobolus ranarum in Australia is described. Upon first presentation this rare disease was not recognized, but microscopy of biopsy sections and identification of the fungal isolate allowed this condition to be identified. Treatment with fluconazole was successful.