University of Ioannina

About: University of Ioannina is a education organization based out in Ioannina, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 7654 authors who have published 20594 publications receiving 671560 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Ioanninon.

Bioactive glasses in the system CaO–B2O3–P2O5: Preparation, structural study and in vitro evaluation

Abstract: Glasses in the system x B2O3(1 − x) [y CaO P2O5], (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, y = 2, 2.6, 3, 4, 5) have been prepared by fast quenching of high temperature melts. The presence of B2O3 affected the glass forming ability, allowing the preparation of calcium phosphate glasses with y ⩾ 2.6. The structure of glasses was analyzed by μ-Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The analysis indicated that the glass network is dominated by highly charged species from phosphate tetrahedra with 3 (pyro) or 4 (ortho) NBOs, while the boron atoms are incorporated mainly in 3 coordinated sites in the form of B∅3 or B∅2O− units. A small fraction of B ∅ 4 - units was also evident from the spectra analysis of glasses with high CaO content. All calcium borophosphate glasses exhibited bioactivity after soaking in SBF solution within a few days. This was observed by μ-Raman and SEM microscopy, while XRD patterns clearly revealed growth of hydroxyapatite phase. The presence of boron in the glass network has a catalytic effect at favoring bioactivity of the otherwise bioinert calcium phosphate glasses.

Methods of sample preparation for determination of pesticide residues in food matrices by chromatography-mass spectrometry-based techniques: a review.

Abstract: Much progress has been made in pesticide analysis over the past decade, during which time hyphenated techniques involving highly efficient separation and sensitive detection have become the techniques of choice. Among these, methods based on chromatographic separation with mass spectrometric detection have resulted in greater likelihood of identification and are acknowledged to be extremely useful and authoritative methods for determination of pesticide residues. Even with such powerful instrumental techniques, however, the risk of interference increases with the complexity of the matrix studied, so sample preparation before instrumental analysis is still mandatory in many applications, for example food analysis. This article summarizes the analytical characteristics of the different methods of sample-preparation for determination of pesticide residues in a variety of food matrices, and surveys their recent applications in combination with chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis. We discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of the different methods, address instrumental aspects, and summarize conclusions and perspectives for the future.

Systematic evaluation of the associations between environmental risk factors and dementia: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Abstract: Introduction Dementia is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease, whose etiology results from a complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors. Methods We searched PubMed to identify meta-analyses of observational studies that examined associations between nongenetic factors and dementia. We estimated the summary effect size using random-effects and fixed-effects model, the 95% CI, and the 95% prediction interval. We assessed the between-study heterogeneity (I-square), evidence of small-study effects, and excess significance. Results A total of 76 unique associations were examined. By applying standardized criteria, seven associations presented convincing evidence. These associations pertained to benzodiazepines use, depression at any age, late-life depression, and frequency of social contacts for all types of dementia; late-life depression for Alzheimer's disease; and type 2 diabetes mellitus for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Discussion Several risk factors present substantial evidence for association with dementia and should be assessed as potential targets for interventions, but these associations may not necessarily be causal.

Optimal timing of coronary angiography and potential intervention in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Abstract: Aims An invasive approach is superior to medical management for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation (NSTE-ACS), but the optimal timing of coronary angiography and subsequent intervention, if indicated, has not been settled. Methods and results We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials addressing the optimal timing (early vs. delayed) of coronary angiography in NSTE-ACS. Four trials with 4013 patients were eligible (ABOARD, ELISA, ISAR-COOL, TIMACS), and data for longer follow-up periods than those published became available for this meta-analysis by the ELISA and ISAR-COOL investigators. The median time from admission or randomization to coronary angiography ranged from 1.16 to 14 h in the early and 20.8–86 h in the delayed strategy group. No statistically significant difference of risk of death [random effects risk ratio (RR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–1.11] or myocardial infarction (MI) (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.61–1.45) was detected between the two strategies. Early intervention significantly reduced the risk for recurrent ischaemia (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38–0.92, P = 0.02) and the duration of hospital stay (by 28%, 95% CI 22–35%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, decreased major bleeding events (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.57–1.07, P = 0.13), and less major events (death, MI, or stroke) (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.82–1.01, P = 0.09) were observed with the early strategy but these differences were not nominally significant. Conclusion Early coronary angiography and potential intervention reduces the risk of recurrent ischaemia, and shortens hospital stay in patients with NSTE-ACS.