Στην βιολογία, το περιβάλλον μπορεί να καθοριστεί σαν ενα σύνολο κλιματικών, βιοτικών, κοινωνικών και εδαφικών παραγόντων που δρουν σε έναν οργανισμό και καθορίζουν την ανάπτυξη και την επιβίωση του. Έτσι, περιλαμβάνει οτιδήποτε μπορεί να επηρεάσει άμεσα τον μεταβολισμό ή τη συμπεριφορά των ζωντανών οργανισμών ή ειδών, όπως το φως, ο αέρας, το νερό, το έδαφος και άλλοι παράγοντες. Δείτε επίσης το άρθρο για το φυσικό περιβάλλον και τη φυσική επιλογή.
Στην αρχιτεκτονική, την εργονομία και την ασφάλεια στην εργασία, περιβάλλον είναι το σύνολο των χαρακτηριστικών ενός δωματίου ή κτιρίου που επηρεάζουν την ποιότητα ζωής και την αποδοτικότητα, περιλαμβανομένων των διαστάσεων και της διαρρύθμισης των χώρων διαβίωσης και της επίπλωσης, του φωτισμού, του αερισμού, της θερμοκρασίας, του θορύβου κλπ. Επίσης μπορεί να αναφέρεται στο σύνολο των δομικών κατασκευών. Δείτε επίσης το άρθρο για το δομημένο περιβάλλον.
Στην ψυχολογία, περιβαλλοντισμός είναι η θεωρία ότι το περιβάλλον (με τη γενική και κοινωνική έννοια) παίζει μεγαλύτερο ρόλο από την κληρονομικότητα καθορίζοντας την ανάπτυξη ενός ατόμου. Συγκεκριμένα, το περιβάλλον είναι ένας σημαντικός παράγοντας πολλών ψυχολογικών θεωριών.
Στην τέχνη, το περιβάλλον αποτελεί κινητήριο μοχλό και μούσα εμπνέοντας τους ζωγράφους ή τους ποιητές. Σε όλες τις μορφές της Τέχνης αποτελεί έμπνευση και οι Καλές Τέχνες φανερώνουν την επιρροή οπού άσκησε σε όλους τους καλλιτέχνες με όποιο είδος Τέχνης κι αν ασχολούνται. Ο άνθρωπος μέσα στο περιβάλλον δημιουργεί Μουσική, Ζωγραφική, Ποίηση, Γλυπτική, χορό, τραγούδι, θέατρο, αλλά και όλες οι μορφές τέχνης έχουν άμεση έμπνευση από το περιβάλλον.

Δευτέρα 29 Νοεμβρίου 2021

The importance of vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS) in rhinitis medicamentosa pathogenesis: An experimental rat model study

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Histol Histopathol. 2021 Nov 29:18399. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-399. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Our aim in this study is to reveal the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) in the pathogenesis of rhinitis medicamentosa (RM), which occurs as a result of the overdose and long-term use of topical nasal decongestants.

METHODS: In this study, 24 Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups as experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, 50 µl of 0.05% oxymetazoline (iliadin® merck) was applied intranasally to each nostril three times a day for 2 months with the help of a micropipette. 50 µl saline was applied to the control group. At the end of the second month, the rats were examined. RM was detected in the experimental group. Then the nasal tissues of the rats were removed and fixed with 10% phosphate buffered neutral formaldehyde (pH=7.4). Nasal tissues were decalcified in Morse's solution (10% sodium citrate and 22.5% formic acid). Histopathological evaluations of the preparations were stained using Masson Trichrome (TCM) and Hematoxylin Eosin (H&E) techniques and immunohistochemical examinations of the preparations were stained with VEGF and iNOS antibodies and photographed using the Leica DM6000B microscope and the Leica Application Suite Program.

RESULTS: In the RM group, we found a significant increase in VEGF and iNOS expression in the nasal mucosa compared to the control group (p<0.001). We also observed the main histopathological changes in the nasal mucosa under a light microscope, including squamous metaplasia in the epithelium of the tunica mucosa, submucosal perivascular edema and degeneration of the submucosal glands.

CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, increased expression levels of VEGF and iNOS play an important role in rebound swelling in RM pathogenesis.

PMID:34842278 | DOI:10.14670/HH-18-399

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A Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) Voice Analysis in Post-lingual Deaf Adult Cochlear Implant Users

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In standardized connected speech samples, cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and smoothed CPP (CPPS) have been described as accurate parameters to evaluate voice quality. Lack of normal auditory feedback in post-lingually deaf CI users might influence tuning the acoustic parameters in speech production. Based on shreds of evidence, normal hearing results in suitable vocal control through the sensory-motor linkage. The main aim of the present study was to compare the cepstral values between the Iranian cochlear implant group and normal peers.
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Correlation of airway ultrasonography and laryngoscopy findings in adults with subglottic stenosis: a pilot study

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07195-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Ultrasonography of the airway has potential as an alternative, non-invasive, method to monitor patients with subglottic stenosis in an outpatient setting. This prospective, interventional, double-blinded study aimed to correlate ultrasound-based and laryngoscopy-based subglottic stenosis assessment in adults.

METHODS: The study was conducted between July 2020 and March 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Consecutive adult patients with subglottic stenosis were evaluated using airway ultrasonography 1 day prior to scheduled laryngoscopy. The radiologist was blinded to the preoperative endoscopic findings, and the primary surgeon was blinded to the ultrasonographic measurements. The intraoperative subglottic diameter was defined as the outer diameter of an endotracheal tube passing through the subglottis without produci ng an air leak.

RESULTS: Sixteen patients (11 females; age range, 17-66 years; mean = 44.06, SD = 12.79) were included. The ultrasonographic subglottic diameter ranged from 5.20 mm to 8.00 mm (mean = 6.24 mm, SD = 0.90). In 15 of 16 patients, the diameter difference between the ultrasonographic and intraoperative measurements ranged from -0.80 mm to 0.30 mm (mean = -0.20 mm, SD = 0.35). However, patient 6 had a difference of - 2.10 mm between the two measurements, which was attributed to thick laryngotracheal secretions interfering with the ultrasonographic air shadow. Data analysis of all 16 patients showed a statistically significant correlation between the readings obtained by the two techniques (r = 0.84, P = 0.000051).

CONCLUSION: This study found a significant correlation between ultrasonography-based and laryngoscopy-based subglottic stenosis assessment in adult patients. It provides a basis for an alternative and potentially reliable method to monitor patients wi th subglottic stenosis.

PMID:34842971 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07195-5

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Κυριακή 28 Νοεμβρίου 2021

Submental Island Flap After Prior Contralateral Neck Dissection: A Case Series and Technical Considerations

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Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Nov 26:34894211059307. doi: 10.1177/00034894211059307. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The submental island flap is a dependable workhorse in head and neck reconstruction. However, the viability of this flap has not been established for oral cavity reconstruction when a contralateral neck dissection has already been performed in an earlier surgical setting. The aim of this study is to highlight technical considerations and outcomes of this approach with a small case series.

METHODS: Three cases of oral cavity reconstruction with a submental island flap elevated in the context of a prior contralateral neck dissection are presented.

RESULTS: In all cases, a doppler was used to identify the maintenance of the submental perforator in the neck opposite the previous neck dissection. In 2 cases, level IA was included within the dissection field of the previous neck dissection. Additionally, the old neck scar was included within the skin paddle of the submental island flap in 2 cases. In all cases, excellent healing of the flap was observed without partial or complete loss.

CONCLUSIONS: The submental island flap appears to be a reliable reconstruction when a previous contralateral neck dissection has been performed, even when level IA was included in the prior dissection.

PMID:34823369 | DOI:10.1177/00034894211059307

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Early diagnosis and management of maternal ureterohydronephrosis during pregnancy

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Exp Ther Med. 2022 Jan;23(1):27. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10949. Epub 2021 Nov 5.

ABSTRACT

Maternal ureterohydronephrosis (UHN) is a common anatomical change during the evolution of pregnancy, diagnosed especially after the 20th week of pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the stages of UHN during pregnancy, depending on the gestational age, and to monitor the symptomatology and the adequate management. A total of 58 pregnant women with UHN, hospitalized in the Constanta County Emergency Hospital, were included in the present study, and had nephrological monitoring using ultrasound examination. Right UHN was observed in all cases and left UHN was observed in only 67.24% of the cases. Regarding the gestational age, right UHN grade III was most commonly seen between 27 and 31 weeks of pregnancy (48.6% of total right UHN grade III from the studied group). The data showed that gestational age and grade of UHN had a highly d ependent association in the studied group. The majority of our patients (67.24%) were symptomatic, and the most common complaint on presentation was lumbar pain. According to the visual analog scale (VAS) of the lumbar pain, the group could be distributed as follows: 17.24% with severe pain, 36.21% with moderate pain and 13.79% with mild pain. Eight pregnant women (13.79%) from the present study developed UHN due to passage of a ureteral stone, although the majority of the patients experienced complications with urinary tract infection and acute kidney injury. In addition, 97% of the symptomatic UHN responded to conservatory treatment and only 2 patients (3.45%) with severe symptomatic UHN needed ureteral stent insertion. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23. The study highlighted the existence of an association between gestational age and UHN grading.

PMID:34824635 | PMC:PMC8611492 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10949

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Effects of noni on cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation of gingiva-derived stem cells demonstrated by RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR

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Exp Ther Med. 2022 Jan;23(1):32. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10954. Epub 2021 Nov 8.

ABSTRACT

Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia) has been widely used in traditional medicine across tropical and subtropical regions, and is now being paid more attention in Western medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of noni extract on the change in the cellular morphology, maintenance of cellular viability and enhancement of osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. Stem cells obtained from gingiva were cultured where noni extracts existed at concentrations ranging from 10-200 ng/ml. Evaluations of cell morphology and cellular viability were performed. Alkaline phosphatase activity assays were performed to assess the osteogenic differentiation. Alizarin Red S staining was performed to evaluate the calcium deposits in the culture, with the addition of noni extract. Global gene expression was analyzed via next-generation mRNA sequenc ing. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed to determine the associated mechanisms. Validation procedures were performed via quantitative (q)PCR analysis. The addition of noni at concentrations ranging from 10-200 ng/ml did not produce significant morphological changes. There were significantly higher values of cellular viability, with the highest value at 100 ng/ml compared with the control (P<0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher values of alkaline phosphatase activity was noted in the 10 and 100 ng/ml groups compared with the 0 ng/ml group on day 7 (P<0.05). Alizarin Red S staining revealed calcium deposits in each group. In addition, the highest value for Alizarin Red S staining was observed at 100 ng/ml compared with the unloaded control (P<0.05). qPCR analysis demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, BSP, OCN and COL1A1 increased following treatment with noni. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that noni extract has en hancing effects on gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells, by enhancing cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation.

PMID:34824640 | PMC:PMC8611496 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10954

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Morphological classification and changes in dementia (Review)

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Exp Ther Med. 2022 Jan;23(1):33. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10955. Epub 2021 Nov 9.

ABSTRACT

The progressive functional decline that involves both cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms characteristic to dementia is one of the leading research topics. The risk for dementia is an intertwined mix between aging, genetic risk factors, and environmental influences. APOEε4, which is one of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles, is the major genetic risk factor for late-onset of the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's. Advances in machine learning have led to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to help diagnose dementia by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to detect it in the preclinical stage. The basis of the determinations starts from the morphometry of cerebral atrophies. The present review focused on MRI techniques which are a leading tool in identifying cortical atrophy, white matter dysfunctionalities, c erebral vessel quality (as a factor for cognitive impairment) and metabolic asymmetries. In addition, a brief overview of Alzheimer's disease was presented and recent neuroimaging in the field of dementia with an emphasis on structural MR imaging and more powerful methods such as diffusion tensor imaging, quantitative susceptibility mapping, and magnetic transfer imaging were explored in order to propose a simple systematic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.

PMID:34824641 | PMC:PMC8611489 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10955

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