Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Athens”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Quantification of landfill emissions to air: a case study of the Ano Liosia landfill site in the greater Athens area.

Fugitive pollutant emissions from municipal solid waste landfills have the potential to cause annoyance and health impacts in the surrounding residential areas. The overall objective of this research was to perform an assessment of fugitive pollutant emissions and a dispersion analysis downwind of a specific landfill site. The study was performed at the closed Ano Liosia landfill site which is located in the greater Athens area. The human exposure from priority to health-risk pollutants emitted from landfill, such as vinyl chloride and benzene, was estimated by the landfill gas emission LandGEM 2.01 software combined with the atmospheric long-term dispersion model ISC3-LT. The emission and meteorological conditions under which the models were applied referred to the worst-case scenario. This scenario was used for the evaluation of the maximum human exposure assessed beyond the Ano Liosia landfill towards the residential areas. The above scenario provides the minimum downwind distance of the health-risk zone which is calculated to be equal to 1.5 km from the landfill. Within this distance the assessed air pollutant concentration for several air pollutants was significantly above the World Health Organization reference lifetime exposure health criteria. Finally, the applied methodology was used in the Ano Liosia landfill, where atmospheric concentrations of pollutants measured in the field were compared with model predictions.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Cognitive-behavioural group intervention for PTSD symptoms in children following the Athens 1999 earthquake: a pilot study.

This study examined the effects of a short-term group cognitive-behavioural intervention in children who were experiencing PTSD symptoms following the Athens 1999 earthquake. Twenty children, aged 8-12 years, referred for treatment to a local child mental health team were assigned, depending on timing of referral to two groups-- Group 1 (N = 10), which started treatment 2 months after the earthquake and Group 2 (N = 10), which started treatment at 4 months postearthquake. A statistically significant reduction in overall PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms across the three PTSD symptom clusters - intrusion, avoidance, and arousal--as well as in depressive symptoms was reported immediately after the intervention. The treatment also produced a statistically significant improvement in children's psychosocial functioning. Further significant improvement was reported in children at an 18-month follow-up. Treatment gains were maintained at a 4-year follow-up. Despite several limitations to this study, short-term group CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy) was found to be a useful treatment approach, which can be offered in clinical settings, particularly if resources are limited.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMed2006

Management of environmental health issues for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games: is enhanced integrated environmental health surveillance needed in every day routine operation?

BACKGROUND: Management of environmental health issues is an integral part of public health systems. An active integrated environmental health surveillance and response system was developed for the Athens Olympics to monitor and prevent exposure to environmental hazards. The potential for permanent implementation of the program was examined. METHODS: The environmental health surveillance and response system included standardization, computerization and electronic transmission of data concerning environmental inspections of 17 site categories (restaurants, swimming pools etc) of public health interest, drinking and recreational water examinations and suggested corrective actions. The Olympic Planning Unit integrated and centrally managed data from 13 public health agencies, recommended, supervised and coordinated prompt corrective actions. Methods used to test the effectiveness of the program were the assessment of water quality test and inspection results trends over time using linear regression and epidemiological surveillance findings. RESULTS: Between January 2003 and September the 30th, 2004, 196 inspectors conducted 8562 inspections, collected 5024 water samples and recommended 17 027 corrective actions. In 10 cruise ships used as floating hotels inspectors conducted 10 full inspections, 2 re-inspections, and 27 follow-up inspections. Unsatisfactory inspection results (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001) and positive water quality tests (r = 0.39, p < 0.001) presented an overall decrease trend over time. In August, 2003, an outbreak of salmonellosis was linked to a hotel restaurant which accommodated athletes during a test event. CONCLUSION: Lessons learned for future events include timely implementation and installation of communication processes, and rapid and coordinated response to unsatisfactory inspection results. Routine national programs need to adopt enhanced environmental health surveillance aimed at public health decision-making, but with a different perspective.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of health care needs and utilization in a mixed public-private system: the case of the Athens area.

BACKGROUND: Given the public-private mix of the Greek health system, the purpose of this study was to assess whether variations in the utilisation of health services, both primary and inpatient care, were associated with underlying health care needs and/or various socio-economic factors. METHODS: Data was obtained from a representative sample (N = 1426) residing in the broader Athens area (response rate 70.6%). Perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL), as measured by the physical and mental summary component scores of the SF-36 Health Survey, was used as a proxy of health care need. Health care utilization was measured by a) last-month visits to public sector physicians, b) last-month visits to private sector physicians, c) last-year visits to hospital emergency departments and d) last-year hospital admissions. Statistical analysis involved the implementation of logistic regression models. RESULTS: Health care need was the factor most strongly associated with all measures of health care utilization, except for visits to public physicians. Women, elderly, less wealthy and individuals of lower physical health status visited physicians contracted to their insurance fund (public sector). Women, well educated and those once again of lower physical health status were more likely to visit private providers. Visits to hospital emergency departments and hospital admissions were related to need and no socio-economic factor was related to the use of those types of care. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated a positive relationship between health care need and utilisation of health services within a mixed public-private health care system. Concurrently, interesting differences are evident in the utilization of various types of services. The results have potential implications in health policy-making and particularly in the proper allocation of scarce health resources.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Neurosurgical training in the countries of the Middle East: a summary round table discussion held at the annual meeting of the Middle East Neurosurgical Society, April 1983, Athens, Greece.

At the combined Annual Meeting of the Hellenic Neurosurgical Society and the Middle East Neurosurgical Society in Athens on April 10-13, 1983, a round table discussion of neurosurgical training in the Middle East took place. The types of training programs available in the panel members' respective countries were discussed, and the quality, requirements, and standards of training were delineated. Neurosurgical manpower in the Middle East was reviewed. The panelists explored the need for unification of programs and standardization and review of training and called for a well-recognized certification in neurosurgery among the countries of the Middle East.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed2001

A reproductive phase-dependent effect of dietary L-tryptophan on pineal gland and gonad of a nocturnal bird, Indian spotted owlet Athene brama.

Unlike other temperate owls, Indian spotted owlet Athene brama possesses a well-developed pineal gland that secrets moderate amount of hydroxy- (serotonin) and methoxy- (melatonin) indoles in circulation. However, in this study, we have reported the response of this endocrine gland to exogenous L-Tryptophan (precursor of the above indoles), and also its effect on gonads of this nocturnal bird. During breeding phase or pineal inactive phase (March), oral treatment of L-Trp (0.5 mg/100 g Bwt/day) significantly increased the pineal gland wt and plasma melatonin (MEL) level, while decreased the gonadal wt and plasma sex steroids levels (estradiol and progesterone in female and testosterone in male). Interestingly, during reproductively quiescent phase or pineal active phase (August), similar amount of L-Trp significantly decreased the plasma MEL level, while increased the above sex steroid levels in plasma. Finally, the results show a clear reproductive phase-dependent inverse effect of L-Trp on pineal gland and gonads for both sexes of the spotted owlets, and suggest that the therapeutic use of this amino acid would be a great advantage for controlling the reproduction of these economically important birds.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effectiveness of a comprehensive multisector campaign to increase seat belt use in the greater Athens area, Greece. Hellenic Road Traffic Police Department.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effectiveness of a comprehensive campaign to increase seat belt use in Athens. METHODS: In 1996 a survey focusing on seat belt use was undertaken among occupants of 1400 passenger cars. From October 1997 to June 1998 the campaign was implemented; during the campaign, seat belt law enforcement was not intensified. In 1998 another inspection survey of 2250 cars was undertaken. RESULTS: The program brought only a 6% increase in compliance, but there was an estimated gain of about 50 averted deaths and 1500 averted injuries. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive campaign to increase seat belt use, conducted in the absence of increased law enforcement, resulted in moderate gains.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Knowledge, attitude, and behavior of female students concerning contraception in Athens, Greece.

The aims of this study were to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of female high school and university students concerning contraception. The study was performed at the Alexandra University Hospital in Athens. A total of 297 female students participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the depth of knowledge and attitude of respondents concerning contraception. Our findings suggest students have a defective knowledge of contraception. Their main source of information were friends but the majority would prefer to receive information from doctors. The most popular contraceptive method was the male condom. The attitude and behavior of young women in our study were consequently defective. In conclusion, there is a need to provide students with correct, detailed and broad-based information on conception and contraception as part of the school curriculum to help them acquire adequate knowledge and develop appropriate attitudes on contraception and sexual health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between throat feather-color pattern and photodependency of testicular function in the athens randombred control line of Japanese quail.

The relationship between throat feather-color and testicular regression and recrudescence under short photoperiods of 6 hr light (L):18 h dark (D) was examined in the Athens randombred control line of Japanese quail. In contrast to earlier studies, no differences were found in testicular regression when quail with brick red, mixed red and white, central red surrounded by white, or all white throat feathers were shifted from a photoperiod of 16L:8D to one of 6L:18D. The cloacal protuberance areas (CPA) of all groups ranged between 1.81 +/- .09 and 1.90 +/- .19 cm2 while birds were housed on the long photoperiod. Cloacal protuberance areas of all groups were markedly reduced after 3 wk of exposure to 6L:18D. Testes weights of all groups ranged between 46.7 and 54.8 mg after 3 wk of exposure to the short photoperiod. In a second experiment, cloacal foam gland development of males of the four throat feather patterns was examined during 26 wk after changing the photoperiod from 16L:8D to 6L:18D. Foam glands of all groups regressed within 3 wk of exposure to 6L:18D. Glands of birds with brick red throats or mixed red and white feathers recrudesced by 11 wk under the short photoperiod. Foam glands of birds with white throats or a band of white surrounding a patch of red did not show recrudescence at 11 or 14 wk but did so by 26 wk.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Variation in the three-week body temperature of broilers and Athens-Canadian randombred chickens.

The body temperatures of commercial broilers and an Athens-Canadian randombred population (ACRB), correlations of body temperature with BW, and a sire family heritability (h2) estimate in the ACRB population were obtained. The body temperature of the broilers was significantly lower than that of the ACRB chicks (41.44 versus 41.77 C). Correlations between BW and body temperature were very low for both the broiler and ACRB chicks (.04 and .06). A sire-component h2 estimate of .19 was calculated for 3-wk body temperature in the ACRB population.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1975

Sodium fluoride-induced changes in the hypothalamic neurosecretory system of the spotted owlet, Athene brama Temminck.

Administration of 10 or 20 mg of sodium fluoride (NaF) induced depletion of neurosecretory material (NSM) from the neurons of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei in spotted owlet (Athene brama Temminck). The residual NSM in the perikarya was aranged in caplike paranuclear positions. The NSM in the hypothalamo-hypophysial tract, the zona externa of the anterior median eminence (ME) and in the neural lobe (NL) showed only a partial lossmthe effects of NaF administration on the HNS of the spotted owlet are similar to those induced by such stimulators of ADH secretion as hypertonic saline, morphine and formalin. Hence the histological changes induced by NaF administration in the HNS of the spotted owlet are presumably indicative of increased neurosecretory activity resulting in the augmented secretion of ADH. It is suggested that NaF, like other stressful agents, is a stimulator of ADH secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Time and reproductive phase-dependent effects of exogenous melatonin on the pineal gland and ovary of a nocturnal bird, the Indian spotted owlet, Athene brama.

In a tropical nocturnal bird, the Indian spotted owlet, Athene brama, the intraperitonial injection of an identical amount (20 mg/100 g b. wt/day) of exogenous melatonin (MEL) for 15 consecutive days increased the pineal weight and plasma MEL level in sexually active birds while it decreased them in inactive birds more potently when injected in the evening (18.30-19.30 h) rather than the morning (0500-0600 h). On the other hand, more efficiently than the morning hour treatment, the evening hour MEL injection decreased the ovary weight and plasma estradiol and progesterone levels both in sexually active and inactive birds, but more potently in active than inactive birds. Thus, the exogenous MEL showed the time and reproductive phase dependent effects on the pineal gland and the ovary of this nocturnal bird.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Person, time and place coordinates of pedestrian injuries: a study in Athens.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate whether socioeconomic status of town of residence is associated with risk for childhood pedestrian injuries. The study population consisted of all pedestrian victims, aged 0-14 y, who lived in towns of Greater Athens and who presented to the Emergency Department of a major Children's Hospital during the period 1996-98. The towns were divided into three categories by socioeconomic status according to the proportion of (a) adult household heads with a higher education degree and (b) households with less than one person per room. The rate of pedestrian injuries was estimated by socioeconomic status of the residential town and by place of accident (inside or outside the respective town). The pedestrian injury rate ranged from 5.5 to 12 injured children among a 10000 childhood population per year, with an almost twofold excess among children residing in the less wealthy towns compared with the wealthier ones. The social gradient was steeper for injuries occurring outside the residential town. The population fractions of pedestrian injury rates attributable to educational level and household crowding differentials, regardless of the place of accident, were 39% and 25%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable social gradient for childhood injuries irrespective of place of accident, a finding that could be partly attributable to lower socioeconomic background rather than to adverse environmental factors prevailing in less wealthy towns. Our findings indicate that there is a need for preventive programmes targeting people as well as places of low socioeconomic status.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2001

Lead content of fresh milk samples from different sites in Athens.

Milk and dairy products constitute a major food, especially for infants and children, and relatively low levels of toxic elements can contribute significantly to dietary intakes and be hazardous for public health. The purpose of this survey was to define the levels of lead in milk samples of different origin, to establish the presence or absence of contamination. The milks from different sites of the metropolitan area of Athens contained negligible traces of lead and thus are safe for the public health.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

["Episkepsis". Thoughts on Anna Freud's visit to Athens].

Describes Anna Freud's visit to Athens, comparing it with Freud's own visit. Refers to the creation of the first psychoanalytic group in Greece. Tells the circumstances and motivations which attended its formation and the role played by Princess M. Bonaparte. Conclusions concern all projects involving efforts to spread psycho-analysis and ensure its survival in today's world.

Greece↗
PubMed2001

Athens and/or Jerusalem: cosmology and/or creation.

For all three cosmic questions--"Did the universe have a beginning?" "Is the universe designed?" and "Are we alone?"--it was the conjunction as well as the divergence between Athens (Classical philosophy, especially Plato's Timaeus and Aristotle's Physics) and Jerusalem (the Bible, especially the Book of Genesis and the apostle Paul) that illumined the questions themselves, provided material for the answers, and set the terms for the subsequent discussion of them in later centuries.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed2002

Interferon-alpha in treatment of chronic hepatitis C in co-infected HIV-patients in combination with ribavirin and as a pre-load therapy in treatment-naive HIV-positive patients. 8th European Conference on Clinical Aspects and Treatment of HIV Infection (8th ECCATH), 29-31 October, Athens Greece.

Though AIDS-related morbidity and mortality are generally decreasing as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and prevention of opportunistic infections, dual infection with HCV and HIV leads to an acceleration in the natural course of chronic hepatitis C (cHC) and worsening of associated liver disease and complications. Mortality from co-morbid HCV infection within this population is increasing and has become a major challenge in the management of HIV-related complications. As treatment strategies to fight cHC have been essentially ameliorated within the recent two years in using pegylated interferon-alfa2b (Peg-IFN-alfa2b) combined with ribavirin, t here is hope that the successful therapeutic outcomes in HCV-mono-infected individuals may be partly translated into benefits for the difficult-to-treat patients with HCV-HIV co-infection. A number of issues arise when beginning HCV treatment during HAART, as for instance possible interactions with antiretroviral therapies, increased risk of special side effects, and a compromise in adherence due to the addition of new medication in patients already taking several drugs. On the other hand there is also the chance that Peg-IFN-alfa2b fights HIV as well as HCV. First data of pre-load therapy with Peg-IFN-alfa2b in treatment-na ve HIV-positive individuals before the initiation of HAART have also been presented during the 8th European Conference on Clinical Aspects and Treatment of HIV Infection (8th ECCATH), October 2001 in Athens.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗
PubMed2003

The impact of Greece's childhood tuberculosis screening programme on the epidemiological indexes in the greater Athens area.

SETTING: A hospital referral centre for childhood tuberculosis in Athens. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the screening programme implemented for childhood tuberculosis, through its impact on the epidemiological index. DESIGN: In Greece, tuberculosis has been systematically screened for in children since 1991 using the tuberculin skin test. The epidemiological and clinical profiles of all tuberculous children who attended the TB clinic were compared. The children were divided into those who attended in 1982-1990 and those who did so in 1991-1999. RESULTS: A total of 1122 TB patients were screened. In the second period there was an increase in numbers of immigrant children (3% vs. 28%, P = 0.0001), the rate of extra-pulmonary TB decreased (16% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.0001), patients identified by the screening programme increased (19% vs. 57%, P = 0.0001) and the number of symptomatic children fell (51% vs. 16%, P = 0.0001). The proportion of children who failed to attend for regular follow-up was lower during the second period (20% vs. 7%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the screening programme applied in Greece during the last decade has contributed to the early identification of tuberculosis, and the limitation of symptomatic patients and extrapulmonary TB cases.

Adolescent↗