Blog - Page 7 - Ioannis Zabetakis

Platelet activation and prothrombotic mediators at the nexus of inflammation and atherosclerosis: Potential role of antiplatelet agents

February 4, 2021 / Blog

Antiplatelet therapies are discussed with a view to primary prevention of CVD by the clinical reduction of platelet reactivity and inflammation. Current antiplatelet therapies are effective in reducing cardiovascular risk but increase bleeding risk. Novel therapeutic antiplatelet approaches beyond current pharmacological modalities that do not increase the risk of bleeding require further investigation. There is potential for specifically designed nutraceuticals that may become safer alternatives to pharmacological antiplatelet agents for the primary prevention of CVD but there is serious concern over their efficacy and regulation, which requires considerably more research.

Cybermetrics 2021 and University Rankings

February 2, 2021 / Blog

In every ranking, the first thing we need to address are the ranking criteria, i.e. publications, student numbers/member of staff, employability etc.

UL is ranked 1st in Ireland for employability of his graduates. The average in Ireland is around 65% and UL scores more than 70% according to the latest data.

Taking into account the good ratio of staff to students, around 1700 staff to 17.000 students and the relatively small classes (ratio of teaching staff to number of students per course), UL is scoring very well in many metrics.

Micronutrients, Phytochemicals, the Mediterranean Diet and Covid-19

January 31, 2021 / Blog

The intra- and inter-relationships of Covid-19, inflammation, nutrition, the Mediterranean Diet and thrombosis.
Platelet aggregation as caused by covid-19 related inflammation and the protective role of diet against thrombosis and covid-19.

Submission by Zero Waste Alliance Ireland on the National Air Pollution Control Programme

January 28, 2021 / Blog

Pollution, including air pollution, is one of the principal environmental risks to human health in the world. Even in relatively wealthy Europe, exposure to air pollution was responsible for an estimate of more than 410,000 early deaths in 2016 alone. Children are particularly at risk; and research undertaken last year has shown that air pollution is linked to significantly higher rates of death among people infected with Covid-19.
Our Principal Concerns and suggestions on air pollution are given here.

Mentoring and its Secrets

January 25, 2021 / Blog

What I am trying to do with students is to give them guidelines to start writing an article as soon as possible when they start their PhD. Writing a paper makes them seeing the wider picture but it also guides them better into new experiments that they need to carry out. And the second thing that I always encourage them is to take part at the end of Year 1 of their PhDs at an international conference and present as a lecture (not as a poster!) their work. This experience makes them more confident in their work and confidence is a fundamental virtue in research.