Showing papers by "Hellenic Military Academy published in 2018"

In Silico Discovery of Plant-Origin Natural Product Inhibitors of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand (RANKL)

Abstract: An in silico drug discovery pipeline for the virtual screening of plant-origin natural products (NPs) was developed to explore new direct inhibitors of TNF and its close relative receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), both representing attractive therapeutic targets for many chronic inflammatory conditions. Direct TNF inhibition through identification of potent small molecules is a highly desired goal; however, it is often hampered by severe limitations. Our approach yielded a priority list of 15 NPs as potential direct TNF inhibitors that were subsequently tested in vitro against TNF and RANKL. We thus identified two potent direct inhibitors of TNF function with low micromolar IC50 values and minimal toxicity even at high concentrations. Most importantly, one of them (A11) was proved to be a dual inhibitor of both TNF and RANKL. Extended molecular dynamics simulations with the fully automated EnalosMD suite rationalized the mode of action of the compounds at the molecular level. To our knowledge, these compounds constitute the first NP TNF inhibitors, one of which being the first NP small-molecule dual inhibitor of TNF and RANKL, and could serve as lead compounds for the development of novel treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

The dribbling agility test as a potential tool for evaluating the dribbling skill in young soccer players

Abstract: The present study examined the construct validity and reliability of a new dribbling agility test (DAT) that incorporates reactive agility and multiple change of direction. To check its' validity, (a) DAT was performed by four groups (under 10, under 12, under 14 and under 16 yrs) of young soccer players (n = 125 in each group) and (b) a regression analysis was conducted to define the best DAT predictors. The reliability of DAT was assessed with repeated measurements. This test can differentiate the dribbling skill between groups (p < 0.01). Furthermore, 68% of the observed variance in DAT was explained by zigzag dribbling test, Illinois agility test, reaction time and running speed. The test-retest reliability was high in all groups (ICC = 0.77 - 0.90, p < 0.01). It was concluded that DAT can be a potential tool to evaluate the dribbling performance in young soccer players.

Mediated conversation and political propaganda: A discourse analysis of news practices on Greek prime-time news:

Abstract: This article examines the discourse practices of Greek journalism on mainstream commercial prime-time news. The article draws on data from Greek prime-time news and political current affair program...

Towards Multispectral Multimodal Non-ionising Diagnosis and Therapy

Abstract: As the boundary between biology, medicine, and engineering remains indistinct, electromagnetics engineering applications are expanding to encapsulate a variety of public health issues. Medical applications of microwaves are a very rapidly developing research and application field, especially for intracranial applications. Currently, in order to acquire the most valuable complementary data in terms of quality and quantity, benefiting from the advantages of the various techniques, combination of two or more techniques is pursued both in diagnostics and therapy. The so-called multimodal approach may be achieved either by post-session analysis of data or via simultaneous use of techniques in order to reveal the multifactorial interplay of the underlying mechanisms during brain activation, disease and therapy. This chapter will review the progress in diagnostic, therapeutic and theranostic multi-modal multispectral methods, with specific attention to cerebrovascular diseases and monitoring of the brain activity.

Modeling Cyber-Security

Abstract: This paper documents a holistic mathematical modeling theory to provide a rigorous description of cyber-attacks and cyber-security. After determining valuations and vulnerabilities of parts of a node constituent, we recall the definitions of cyber-effect and cyber-interaction. Based on these concepts, we give the mathematical definitions of cyber navigation and infected node and we explain what is meant by dangerous cyber navigation and protection of cyber nodes from unplanned attacks. Our discussion proceeds to a rigorous description of passive and active cyber-attacks, as well as the relevant protections.

Selective Priorities in Processing of Big Data

Abstract: This paper investigates the method of selective priorities for the data amounts in the processing of big data. After defining the focal data sets, it is introduced the concept of program of data selection which specifies the data amount that a processor may take into account. Then, they are determined the relations of data selection preference and of rational choice for the data amounts. Subsequently, it is considered the case of several data processors and it is shown that there are cores and equilibriums of contrasts, the study of which may provide useful information.