Biomedical subjects

A Apostolopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to A Apostolopoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The effectiveness of reinfusion after total knee replacement. A prospective randomised controlled study.

The purpose of our study was to determine the effectiveness of a postoperative autologous blood reinfusion system as an alternative to homologous, banked blood transfusions in total knee arthroplasty. We carried out a prospective randomised controlled study on 60 patients having unilateral total knee replacements. In all these patients, the same surgical team applied the same surgical technique, and all patients followed the same rehabilitation program. In 30 of these patients (group A), a reinfusion system of unwashed salvaged blood was applied, and they were supplemented postoperatively with banked blood transfusions when required. A control group of 30 patients (group B), in whom standard suction drains were used, received one unit of homologous banked blood transfusion intraoperatively and additional blood transfusions postoperatively when required. The administration of banked blood transfusion was determined by the haemoglobin value (<9 mg/dl) and/or clinical signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc.). The values of haemoglobin, haematocrit and platelets were recorded preoperatively and the first, fifth and 15th postoperative days, respectively. Five patients of group A required nine units of homologous blood (0.3 units/patient) postoperatively. Ten patients of group B required an additional 15 banked blood units postoperatively (in total 45 banked blood units for group B; 1.5 units/patient). In the study group, the total homologous blood requirements were reduced by 80%, while the postoperative blood requirements were reduced by 50%. There was no significant difference in the postoperative haematocrit and haemoglobin values between the two groups. The cost of the blood management in the study group was reduced by 36%. The use of an autologous blood reinfusion system reduces highly effectively the demands of homologous banked blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Dental attendance patterns and oral hygiene habits of 5-year-old children in Athens and in south London.

This study compared the dental attendance patterns and oral hygiene habits of 5-year-old children in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark with those in the municipality of Athens in the light of differing provision of oral health education. Questionnaires were sent to the parents of 384 children in London and 318 children in Athens who took part in a survey of dental health. Response rates of 51% and 53% respectively were obtained. More children visit the dentist in South London than in Athens, the difference being highly significant. In South London the majority of children visit every 6 months, whereas in Athens they only visit when they have toothache. More London children brush their teeth than Athens children, the difference being significant. Of those brushing in London, most brush twice daily. The above findings indicate marked differences in dental attendance patterns and oral hygiene habits, and this may be partly attributable to differences in the delivery of dental care and oral health education in the two countries.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

PubMed1996

Caries prevalence of 5-year-old children in Athens and in South London.

This study compared the dental health of 5-year-old children in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark with that in the municipality of Athens, Greece. Three hundred and eighty-four children were examined in London, and 318 in Athens; both samples had a mean age of 5 years 6 months. The proportion of London children who were caries free was 56%, and of Athens children 57.5%, and the mean dmft was 1.63 and 1.48, respectively; these differences were not statistically significant. However, excluding caries-free children from the analysis, the London children had significantly fewer decayed teeth (mean 2.35 compared with 2.93 in Athens) and significantly more missing teeth (mean 0.63 compared with 0.02), indicating marked differences in treatment patterns.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1994

Dental caries changes between 1982 and 1991 in children aged 6-12 in Athens, Greece.

The aim of this study was to compare dental caries and oral hygiene status in children aged 6-12 years in the Athens area between 1982 and 1991. Dental examinations were carried out by the same examiners in 773 children attending the same randomly selected schools sited in areas of different socioeconomic levels. The findings concerning the deciduous dention showed that the percentage of caries-free children increased in 1991 compared to 1982 by 38%. The mean deft scores were reduced by an amount ranging from 21 to 34%. Changes in caries prevalence were also observed in the permanent dention. The percentage of caries-free children for the total examined population increased by 94% while the reduction in DMFT index ranged between 38 and 70%. Treatment need was significantly lower in 1991 compared to 1982 in both dentitions. Debris index scores were similar while oral hygiene habits had slightly improved by 1991. The decline in caries levels may be attributed to the increased use of various forms of fluoride. Furthermore, dental health awareness of the population has improved.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1993

Effect of LongoVital treatment on development of periodontal disease in rats.

LongoVital is a herbal tablet with documented immunostimulatory effects in man. In the present study the effect of LongoVital on development of periodontal disease was investigated in a rat model. Fifty-four conventional rats, 5 wk old, were distributed into the following groups: A) untreated, uninfected; B) untreated, infected with Actinomyces viscosus and Porphyromonas gingivalis wk 8; C) treated with LongoVital 80 mg x 3/wk, wk 5-14, uninfected; D) treated with LongoVital 80 mg x 3/wk, wk 5-14, infected with A. viscosus and P. gingivalis wk 8; E) treated with LongoVital 200 mg x 1 in wk 8 and 80 mg wk 9-14, uninfected; F) infected with A. viscosus and P. gingivalis wk 8, subsequently treated with LongoVital 200 mg x 1 in wk 8 and 80 mg wk 9-14. All animals were killed when they were 15 wk old, and periodontal bone support was assessed radiographically. Statistically significant bone loss was found in untreated, infected rats, as compared with untreated, uninfected rats. In LongoVital-treated animals, no significant difference was seen in bone level between infected and uninfected rats. These results indicate that LongoVital-treated rats were protected against periodontal bone loss caused by infection with A. viscosus and P. gingivalis. Furthermore, the protection seemed effective both when LongoVital was administered prophylactically and after exposure to periodontal pathogens. The active components of LongoVital, as well as the mechanisms responsible for the protection, remain obscure.

Actinomyces viscosus↗

PubMed1990

Prognostic significance of immune function parameters in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

We determined immune function parameters in 41 newly diagnosed patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and correlated these findings with the clinical data and the subsequent course of the disease. The ratio of helper to suppressor T cells (CD4/CD8), the proportion of circulating natural killer (NK) cells and the NK activity were significantly low in clinical stage B and C patients. Among patients presenting with advanced disease, those who subsequently had a more severe course, characterised mainly by frequent respiratory infections, were found to have at presentation a significantly lower CD4/CD8 ratio (x +/- SEM = 0.95 +/- 0.09, vs 1.28 +/- 0.14), a very low proportion of NK cells (4.78 +/- 0.85, vs 11.75 +/- 2.1%) and decreased amount of gamma-globulins (0.66 +/- 0.08, vs 0.97 +/- 0.09 g/dl), in comparison with patients with a much milder later course. These simple parameters of immune function seem to have prognostic value for patients with CLL.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1990

[Use of experimental animals in caries research].

Animal models have been used extensively in biomedical research. The choice of the most appropriate model for a given research project is fundamental and depends upon specific characteristics of the animal. In the field of Preventive Dentistry the rodent species possess certain advantages which make them extremely useful in caries research and in dental plague pathogenicity. In caries research, rats have been used successfully to study anticaries efficacy of chemical agents, immunization, cariogenicity of diet, maturation of enamel and bacterial involvement in caries process. In this paper the dental characteristics of the rats are discussed emphasizing on the structure of their teeth, oral flora and composition of the saliva. Some of the experimental methods and procedures commonly used for microbial sampling, caries scoring and preparing diet are also described. In addition, an emphasis in given to certain experimental variables, which if not identified and strictly controlled, can attribute to a great variability and inaccuracy of the results. Finally, a basic experimental design for animal caries tests is suggested. In the last few decades, progress in caries research has substantially resulted from the utilization of the animal model system which have enabled examination of various facets of this disease under controlled laboratory conditions. The knowledge gained so far has been successfully applied on man with regard to diagnosis, treatment and prevention on dental caries.

Animals↗

PubMed1987