Niki (Greece)

In the present study, the quality characteristics of Feta cheese were investigated as a function of the packaging container (a stainless-steel tank (SST), a wooden barrel (WB), and a tin can (TC)) and ripening time. The results showed that the Feta cheese’s pH, moisture, and lactose decreased, while fat, protein, and salt increased (p < 0.05) during ripening with SST and WB, showing similar behaviors versus that of the TC container. For the proteolysis indices, % TN,% WSN, 12% TCA, and 5% PTA showed the highest values (p < 0.05) for cheeses packaged in WB, followed by those in SST and TC, with all increasing (p < 0.05) during ripening. The most abundant odor-active volatiles were free fatty acids, alcohols, and esters following the order SST > WB > TC on day 60. On day 60, the cheeses packaged in SST and WB showed higher (p < 0.05) hardness and fracturability values, as well as aroma scores, compared to those in TC, with both parameter values increasing with the ripening time.

We report the long-term results of the management of neglected chronically infected total knee replacements with a two-stage re-implantation protocol. In 18 of 34 patients (53%) a resistant organism was isolated. All cases were treated by the same surgical team in a specialist centre and had a mean follow-up of 12.1 years (10 to 14). They were evaluated clinically and radiologically using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the American Knee Society Roentgenographic scoring system, respectively. One patient died after eight years from an unrelated cause and two were lost to follow-up. Three patients (8.8%) developed a recurrent infection for which further surgery was required. The infection was eradicated successfully in 31 patients (91.1%). There was one case of aseptic loosening after 13 years. We found a significant improvement in the KSS at final follow-up (p < 0.001).

Triglycerides (TGs) are measured in studies evaluating changes in non-fasting lipid profiles after a fat tolerance test (FTT); however, the optimal timing for TG measurements after the oral fat load is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate how non-fasting TG levels vary after an oral FTT in healthy subjects. This meta-analysis included 113 studies with >5 participants of Caucasian race that were indexed in PubMed from its inception through March 2010, using the search term "postprandial lipemia". We only included studies that provided mean values and standard deviation (SD) (or standard error of the mean) for TG measurements at baseline (=fasting) and for at least one other time-point. Exclusion criteria included uncommon sampling time-points after the FTT, baseline TGs≥2.0 mmol/L (≥177mg/dl), and a body mass index ≥30kg/m(2). All studies combined, weighted mean±SD TG values in mmol/L were 1.25±0.32 fasting, 1.82±0.40 at 2 h, 2.31±0.62 at 4 h, 1.87±0.63 at 6 h, and 1.69±0.80 at 8 h. After stratifying studies based on fat quantity in the test meal (<40, ≥40-<50, ≥50-<60, ≥60-<70, ≥70-<80, ≥80-<90, ≥90-<100, ≥100-<110, ≥110-120, ≥120 g), the highest standardized mean difference in TG levels from fasting levels was found in those having an oral fat load of ≥70 g and <80 g, and at 4 h (difference=1.74 mmol/L; p<0.001). The 4 h time-point after an oral fat load during a FTT was the most representative measurement of TGs. The highest standardized mean difference of TGs was found after a meal containing 70-79g of fat. The relevance of these two key parameters determined in healthy subjects should be considered for further developments of an oral FFT for clinical purposes.

Correspondence: Ioannis Mavrikakis, M.D., Ph.D., Solonos 18, Kolonaki, Athens 10673, Greece ([email protected])

The “ROADSCANNER” project addresses the need for increased accuracy and integrity Digital Maps (DM) utilizing the latest developments in GNSS, in order to provide the required datasets for novel applications, such as navigation based Safety Applications, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Digital Automotive Simulations. The activity covered in the current paper is the feasibility study, preliminary tests, initial product design and development plan for an EGNOS enabled vehicle probe. The vehicle probe will be used for generating high accuracy, high integrity and ADAS compatible digital maps of roads, employing a multiple passes methodology supported by sophisticated refinement algorithms. Furthermore, the vehicle probe will be equipped with pavement scanning and other data fusion equipment, in order to produce 3D road surface models compatible with standards of road-tire simulation applications. The project was assigned to NIKI Ltd under the 1st Call for Ideas in the frame of the ESA - Greece Task Force.

Realism of human life, in all its entirety, supposes coexistence of reward and punishment. Both categories are especially related to man's freedom to make choices of values and attitudes. Moral qualification of these choices de pends on their conformity or inconformity with human dignity and person's integral vocation. The former conditions the state of unity with Infinite Good whereas the latter contributes to its lost. Hence existential nature of reward and punishment as the two dimensions of human life is even more clearly seen in the light of faith understood as an individual's relationship to God and then to other people, the world and man himself. In their rational and emotional contexts, reward and punishment become a challenge provoking acceptation, negation or disbelief.