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PubMed2005

Eruption times of permanent teeth in children and young adolescents in Athens (Greece).

In a study in Athens, Greece, during the summer of 2003, 2,304 patients (1,168 boys and 1,176 girls) were examined by a young dentistry. The examination occurred within the framework of a routine dental check-up performed at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The age span ranged from 3.00 to 24.93 years of age. Sex, age and present permanent teeth were recorded. Wisdom teeth were excluded. The sequence of tooth eruption differs significantly in the lower and upper jaw, whereas no significant differences existed when comparing the sides of each jaw. The tooth eruption in the lower and upper jaw of male and female probands is symmetrical. In comparing the upper and the lower jaw of both genders, it becomes evident that there is a tendency for earlier tooth eruptions in the lower jaw. In respect to the tooth eruption sequence, a change was noted in the upper jaw. Contrary to the reports of other authors, the second premolar has changed places with the canine and erupts prior to this tooth. This could also be demonstrated in recent studies from New York and Bremen (Germany). Otherwise no major differences concerning the sequence of tooth eruptions were observed, when compared with the results gained from other populations. Concerning the entire dentition, no acceleration of the tooth eruption could be noted. The computed differences of teeth eruption as a mean value calculated over all teeth was +/-1 year at maximum, compared with studies from different continents. Oral examination of teeth is a simple tool to calculate tooth eruption intervals. This first investigation in a population of Athens revealed a change in the eruption sequence of permanent teeth. These findings are relevant for dental treatment planning and should be reconfirmed at certain intervals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Blood oxygen binding properties for the burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia.

Isocapnic O2 equilibrium curves (O2ECs) were generated for whole blood of 4 adult burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) using thin film techniques. At in vivo pHa (7.49 +/- 0.02; mean +/- 1 SEM) and 41 degrees C, the PO2 at half saturation (P50) was 42.3 +/- 0.8 Torr. CO2 and fixed acid (H+) Bohr slopes (delta log P50/delta pH) were -0.46 +/- 0.01 and -0.42 +/- 0.02, respectively, demonstrating a small specific CO2 effect. CO2 and H+ Bohr slopes were saturation-independent between 0.1 and 0.9 S. Hill plots for Athene blood were non-linear; the Hill coefficient (n) increased from 2.6 below 0.4 S to 3.4 above 0.6 S. Owl equilibrium data were accurately described by the equation: S = [(7.7 x 10(6]/(P4 + 44P3 - 108P2 + 3.5 x 10(4)P) + 1]-1. This complex O2EC shape may result from Hb heterogeneity; isoelectric focusing showed 4 isoHbs with a molar ratio of 9:1:1:1. This study revealed no apparent adaptations of Athene blood for hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions. We conclude that the observed blood O2 binding properties promote tissue O2 delivery during periods of surface activity. While occupying its burrow, the owl compensates for moderate alterations in inspired gas composition partly through increased ventilation.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2005

Indoor and outdoor personal exposure to benzene in Athens, Greece.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the exposure of urban inhabitants to atmospheric benzene in Athens, Greece. METHODS: Fifty non-smoker volunteers from selected occupational groups and their homes were monitored by passive air samplers for six 5-day periods during a year. An activity diary was completed during each sampling period and relevant data were collected by a questionnaire at the beginning of the study. Additional data on urban levels on benzene were also available. RESULTS: Average benzene home and personal levels in six monitoring campaigns varied between 6.0-13.4 and 13.1-24.6 microg/m(3), respectively. Urban levels varied between 15.4 and 27.9 microg/m(3) with an annual mean of 20.4 microg/m(3). Wind speed seems to determine largely home levels and personal exposure. Proximity to busy road holds also an important influence on indoor benzene levels. Adjusted for seasonal or climate variation, other significant prognostic factors of personal exposure were home levels, total time spent outdoors and transportation mean. Time spent outdoors explains the strong relationship between occupation and personal levels of exposure. Wind had similar effect in clearing indoor and urban pollution in Athens; lessen personal exposure and home levels about 2-2.5 microg/m(3) per 1 m/s increase in speed. CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to climate (use of non-absorbent materials for wall and floor covering and frequent ventilation) might be one explanation for homes' high clearing rate. Our exposure pattern, which suggests that outdoors work give the greater contribution to benzene exposure of Athens citizens, is uncommon in northern towns of Europe. Policy makers have to take in account these differences in establishing guidelines for ambient benzene exposure.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

C3 to C9 hydrocarbon measurements in the two largest cities of Greece, Athens and Thessaloniki. Calculation of hydrocarbon emissions by species. Derivation of hydroxyl radical concentrations.

Non-methane hydrocarbon concentrations (NMHC) were determined in samples collected in electropolished canisters aboard a Falcon aircraft in Athens and Thessaloniki. Some canisters were also collected on the ground in Athens. Chemical analysis by cryoconcentration permitted the speciation of NMHC. The aircraft samples allowed the determination of the background concentrations in the periphery of each city. Concentration ratios were compared with other European cities. The aromatic hydrocarbon fraction dominates the measured species. Using the simple box model modified to account for the chemical destruction of each hydrocarbon, the emissions for each species were determined in Athens and Thessaloniki. The hydroxyl radical concentrations were calculated using hydrocarbon concentration ratios in the urban areas and at a downwind distance.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1997

Prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in Athens, Greece.

Asthma is a common chronic condition and there is evidence that its prevalence may be rising. The European Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was planned to produce comparable data on asthma epidemiology in Europe. In Greece, in particular, a similar study has not been conducted previously and no epidemiological data are available on adult asthma prevalence. Furthermore, the role of air pollution in the pathogenesis of asthma is currently an issue of debate. Athens is a city with high air pollution, and a study of asthma epidemiology in this city may confirm or refute a possible link with the expression of asthma. A questionnaire developed by the ECRHS was sent to a random sample of 3533 households in Peristeri, an industrialized borough of Athens. Responses were received from 2774 households (response rate 78%). Of all the data on individual subjects, only those from 3325 adults aged 20-44 years were considered, according to the study protocol. The self-reported current prevalence of asthmatic attacks and asthma-like symptoms were as follows: asthma attack 2.4%, use of asthma medication 2.1%, awakening by shortness of breath 5.6%, awakening by cough 17.8%, wheezing 15.8% and nasal allergies 18.4%. It is concluded that the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in this region of Athens is rather low, despite the high air-pollution levels in the city.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Athens 2004: the pollution climate and athletic performance.

Athens sits in a basin approximately 450 km2 in area, surrounded by mountains and open sea. Anthropogenic emissions in conjunction with the topographical and meteorological conditions can result in high air pollution within the city. The pollutants of concern for athletes competing in Athens 2004 appear to be nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone and particulate (PM10) pollution. Exposure to elevated ozone concentrations has been reported to give rise to symptoms that include cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, headache, eye irritation and a decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second. All of these effects are likely to impact upon performance, and several studies of cyclists suggest this to be the case. In contrast, the impact of ambient concentrations of NO2 appears to be negligible on normal activities, but at high exercise intensities the impact remains unclear. The use of currently available information and models to predict the effect of ozone and other pollutants on elite athletes is problematical, since such models are based upon significantly lower ventilation rates than those achieved by some elite athletes. In addition, it is already known that the response to ozone can vary somewhat between individuals. Since the individuals who will be competing in Athens are physiologically very different to the participants in most published studies, it is difficult to predict individual responses. There is some evidence to indicate that adaptation to the adverse health and performance effects of ozone can occur, so that performance is partially recovered on re-exposure. The adaptation is not seen in all studies and appears to be dependent on several factors, including the initial sensitivity of the individual to ozone. Antioxidant supplementation has also been shown in some studies to partially ameliorate the adverse effects of ozone by counteracting the oxidative stress mechanism associated with this pollutant. Whether this transfers to performance enhancement per se remains unclear at present. Additional research is required to gain a sound understanding of the effects of a complex mixed air pollution exposure on the pulmonary function and performance of athletes exercising at high work intensities.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

An objective definition of air mass types affecting Athens, Greece; the corresponding atmospheric pressure patterns and air pollution levels.

This work aims at defining characteristic air mass types that dominate in the region of Athens, Greece during the cold (November-March) and the warm (May-September) period of the year and also at evaluating the corresponding concentration levels of the main air pollutants. For each air mass type, the mean atmospheric pressure distribution (composite maps) over Europe and the Mediterranean is estimated in order to reveal the association of atmospheric circulation with air pollution levels in Athens. The data basis for this work consists of daily values of thirteen meteorological and six pollutant parameters covering the period 1993-97. The definition of the characteristic air mass types is attempted objectively by using the methods of Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis. The results show that during the cold period of the year there are six prevailing air mass types (at least 3% of the total number of days) and six infrequent ones. The examination of the corresponding air pollution concentration levels shows that the primary air pollutants appear with increased concentrations when light or southerly winds prevail. This is usually the case when a high pressure system is located over the central Mediterranean or a low pressure system lays over south Italy, respectively. Low levels of the primary pollutants are recorded under northeasterly winds, mainly caused by a high pressure system over Ukraine. During the warm period of the year, the southwestern Asia thermal low and the subtropical anticyclone of the Atlantic Ocean affect Greece. Though these synoptic systems cause almost stagnant conditions, four main air mass types are dominant and ten others, associated with extreme weather, are infrequent. Despite the large amounts of total solar radiation characterizing this period, ozone concentrations remain at low levels in central Athens because of its destruction by nitric oxide.

Air Movements↗
PubMed2003

On the relation between seasonal synoptic circulation types and spatial air quality characteristics in Athens, Greece.

The impact of weather on air pollution was examined and evaluated for the city of Athens, Greece. We used an objectively defined synoptic classification scheme consisting of six summer and eight winter circulation types. This scheme was established using a combination of both factor and cluster analysis during 1954-1999. Surface and isobaric levels of 850 hPa data were used. Factor analysis combined with cluster analysis was used to derive circulation types based on surface meteorological data for the period 1954-1999 in Athens and on surface pressure grid data. The city was divided into three sectors according to the financial and social activities of the residents. To examine the spatial characteristics of pollutant concentrations over Athens for each synoptic type, the synoptic circulation types were then correlated with both gaseous and particulate pollutant concentrations measured in each sector between 1983 and 1999. Finally, extreme and severe episodic events were studied in terms of their meteorological and synoptic characteristics.

Air Movements↗
PubMed1992

Urban living, tobacco smoking, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a study in Athens.

We studied the relation of urban living and tobacco smoking to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study was based on 110 incident cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease between 50 and 60 years of age who were permanent residents of Athens and 400 control patients hospitalized for traumatic and orthopedic conditions in the same hospitals at the same time. All subjects were interviewed about their smoking habits, place of birth, history of past residence, and years of schooling. We found that subjects with more education have a reduced risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with 4 additional years of schooling corresponding to a 30% reduction of risk. We also found that those who have lived all their lives in urban areas (mostly in Athens) have a twofold greater risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with people who have lived exclusively or partly in rural areas before settling in Athens. Finally, we found that smokers have a 10-fold relative risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and this risk is strongly dependent on the number of cigarettes consumed per day. The findings of the present study suggest that air pollution, or another aspect of the urban environment, can be an important contributor to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2006

Breast-feeding in Athens, Greece: factors associated with its initiation and duration.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, examine the influence of hospital practices and investigate potential determinants of breast-feeding in Athens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred twelve mothers provided information regarding feeding practices at certain maternity hospitals in Athens, at 40 days and 6 months postpartum. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the initiation and maintenance of breast-feeding and potential risk factors. RESULTS: Although almost 90% of newborn infants were given a breast milk substitute one or more times during the first 2 days at the maternity hospital, the exclusive breast-feeding percentage on the last day of hospital stay reached 85%. Breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding percentages dropped to 55% and 35%, respectively, at 40 days postpartum and to 16% and 12%, respectively, at 6 months postpartum. While in the hospital, 3% of mothers initiated breast-feeding within 1 hour of labor, only 34% were informed about the advantages of breast-feeding by health professionals and 42% were trained to breast-feed by the midwives. "Rooming-in" was not practiced in the private hospitals. The educational level was positively associated with the initiation of breast-feeding [odds ratio (OR): 1.36, confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.81], the mother's body mass index was negatively associated with the maintenance of breast-feeding for 40 days (OR: 0.56, CI: 0.32-0.98) and 6 months (OR: 0.28, CI: 0.06-1.26) and a caesarean section was negatively associated with the initiation (OR: 0.24, CI: 0.11-0.49) and maintenance of breast-feeding (OR: 0.42, CI: 0.20-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Breast-feeding is not appropriately supported in certain maternity hospitals in Athens, and this is probably the cause of observed low breast-feeding prevalence.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1977

Atmospheric pollen in the area of Athens.

In this paper the results of an investigation on the pollen grains in the atmosphere of Athens, Greece, are presented. The work was carried out between June 1973 and August 1974. A gravity sampler, of the Durham type, was placed on the roof of King Paul Athens General Hospital. Slides covered with vaseline were exposed to the air for 24 h every day during the above-mentioned period. After staining , the pollen on each slide was counted in an area of 1.375 cm2 under a light microscope. The results obtained gave an indication of the approximate pollination period for each plant taxon and also the degree of pollen concentration over a particular area in Athens. Twenty-two types of pollen were found. Those that predominated are from Olea europaea (olive tree), Pinus Urticaceae, Plantago (plantains), Chenopodium (goose-foot), Rumex (docks), Eucalyptus and two as yet non-determined types. Most of them are found in the air duing the period March-July.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Hospitalizations for childhood asthma in Athens, Greece, from 1978 to 2000.

Trends in rates of asthma admissions among children have shown a variety of patterns in different countries in the last decades. We undertook the present study to determine the time trends in asthma admissions and readmissions of children in Athens, Greece. Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital registries of the three main children's hospitals in Athens from 1978 to 2000. Children admitted with the diagnoses of asthma, asthmatic bronchitis or wheezy bronchitis were included. Hospital admission rate for asthma among children 0-14 yr from 1978 to 2000 rose by 271% (p <0.001). The rise in rates among those aged 0-4 and 5-15 yr were 250% and 276%, respectively. The mean annual increase in admission rate was 12.2% for 1978-1987, 4.7% for 1988-1993 and 0.6% for 1994-2000. The readmission rate among children 0-14 yr was increased from 15.3% to 23.3%. A positive correlation between admission and readmission rates in all age groups was observed. In conclusion, our findings show an increase in the childhood asthma admission rate in Athens in late 1970's and during the 1980's, which has decelerated in the 1990's, particularly in the second-half of the decade. The readmission rate paralleled that of admissions over the entire study period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica among ethnic Greek school children from Russian immigrant families in Athens.

During February and March 1995, a survey of meningococcal carriage in 625 school children was carried out in a suburb of Athens in which there was a large number of ethnic Greeks who had immigrated from Russia beginning in the early 1990s. The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine if factors associated with carriage of meningococci observed in a previous study of Greek school children were similar for the immigrant population; (2) to compare phenotypic characteristics of meningococci from the immigrant population with those isolated from children in Athens. Overall isolation rate for meningococci was 82/625 (13.1%), significantly higher than that found for school children in Athens (5.8%) during the winter of 1990 1991 (5.8%) (chi=25.98, P=0.0000003). By univariate analysis, carriage was not associated with sex, number of individuals per household, blood group, secretor status, socioeconomic level or maternal smoking; however, it was associated with fathers' smoking. The high proportion of men who smoked compared with the low proportion of women smokers might contribute to this finding. The main serogroup of meningococci isolated from this population was A (28%). While serogroup A appears to be more prevalent among Russian and Kurdish immigrants (14%) than among Greek school children or military recruits (4%), there has not been an increase in group A meningococcal disease in Greece. The isolation rate for N. lactamica was high 105/625 (17.3%). A few of these strains bound some of the monoclonal antibodies used for meningococcal serotyping and subtyping, and they are being examined in greater detail.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Social and resource factors related to the utilization of emergency psychiatric services in the Athens area.

Emergency Psychiatric Service of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Athens is the only referral service for the emergency psychiatric cases coming from the Athens greater area. During 1981 2,169 patients used the Service. The relations of socio-demographic and resource factors of the 26 districts of the greater area of Athens to a Standardized Psychiatric Emergencies Index (S.P.E.I.) are investigated in the study. Unemployment, education, profession, distance from the service, psychiatric coverage and involuntary incoming were considered as independent variables and S.P.E.I. for 1981 as a dependent variable. Multiple regression analysis showed that the only factor significantly correlated with the emergency use of the psychiatric service is the distance from the Facility.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2006

CLimate Impacts on Myocardial infarction deaths in the Athens TErritory: the CLIMATE study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of meteorological variables on daily and monthly deaths caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: All death certificate data from the Athens territory were analysed for AMI deaths in 2001. Daily atmospheric temperature, pressure and relative humidity data were obtained from the National Meteorological Society for Athens for the same year. RESULTS: The total annual number of deaths caused by AMI was 3126 (1953 men) from a population of 2,664,776 (0.117%). Seasonal variation in deaths was significant, with the average daily AMI deaths in winter being 31.8% higher than in summer (9.89 v 7.35, p < 0.001). Monthly variation was more pronounced for older people (mean daily AMI deaths of people older than 70 years was 3.53 in June and 7.03 in December; p < 0.001) and of only marginal significance for younger people. The best predictor of daily AMI deaths was the average temperature of the previous seven days; the relation between daily AMI deaths and seven-day average temperature (R(2) = 0.109, p < 0.001) was U-shaped. Considering monthly AMI death rates, only mean monthly humidity was independently associated with total deaths from AMI (R(2) = 0.541, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Ambient temperature is an important predictor of AMI mortality even in the mild climate of a Mediterranean city like Athens, its effects being predominantly evident in the elderly. Mean monthly humidity is another meteorological factor that appears to affect monthly numbers of AMI deaths. These findings may be useful for healthcare and civil protection planning.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Air pollution and cause specific mortality in Athens.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the reported association between air pollution and cause specific mortality in the city of Athens. DESIGN: Cause specific mortality was contrasted between 199 d with high values of air pollution and 2*199 comparison days with low pollution, matched in a 1:2 ratio on the basis of various confounding factors. Statistical analysis was done, taking matching into account, using analysis of variance for randomised blocks. SETTING: The study was confined to the city of Athens, using data obtained between 1975 and 1982. PARTICIPANTS: Cause of death was assessed in all 25 138 persons dying in the 3*199 d studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Causes of death were evaluated blindly by two medically qualified investigators on the basis of information in the death certificates. Mortality was generally higher during the high pollution days but the difference was more pronounced and more significant for respiratory conditions, even though the number of deaths in this category was smaller than the corresponding numbers in the other two categories examined (cardiac and "other" deaths). CONCLUSION: The results show that the short term association between air pollution and overall mortality in Athens is likely to be causal, since it is particularly evident with respect to respiratory conditions, for which a biological air pollution link is more plausible.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1993

Time trends and seasonal variation in hospital admissions for childhood asthma in the Athens region of Greece: 1978-88.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the trend and seasonal variation in hospital admissions for childhood asthma in the Athens region of Greece. METHODS: Data were obtained from hospital registries of the three main children's hospitals in Athens between 1978 and 1988. Children admitted with the diagnosis of asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, or wheezy bronchitis were included. The data were expressed as admission rates per 100,000 of the same aged population. RESULTS: There were 9795 admissions for asthma over the 11 years and the admission rate rose by 294%. Admissions among those aged 0-4 and 5-14 rose by 272% and 379% respectively. Monthly admissions showed a pronounced seasonal variation, rising during the cold damp period in the 0-4 age group, but peaking around May in the 5-14 age group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hospital admissions due to asthma in the Athens region have increased considerably since 1978, and that clear cut seasonal variations exist which are specific to age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Association of weather conditions with childhood admissions for wheezy bronchitis or asthma in Athens.

BACKGROUND: The association between asthma morbidity and meteorological conditions is well documented, but it is not clear to what extent more specific meteorological variables are implicated. OBJECTIVES: This study was aiming to investigate whether there is any association between specific meteorological conditions and the seasonal variation and the rate of asthma admissions among children in Athens. METHODS: Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital registries of the three main Children's Hospitals in Athens during a 23-year period (1978-2000). The meteorological database consisted of mean monthly values of eight meteorological variables. The whole period studied was divided into three time periods: 1978-1987, 1988-1993 and 1994-2000. RESULTS: A clear seasonal trend with a permanent pattern was detected. There were more monthly asthma admissions in winter-spring and autumn for younger children, as well as a lower peak in winter and autumn and a major one in May for older children, without significant differences in between the three time periods. The results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were predictors of up to 56.7% (1988-1993) and 59.2% (1994-2000) monthly asthma admissions among younger children. No relation of the time trend in asthma admissions during the periods studied for any age group with any of the meteorological variables was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a constant seasonal variability in asthma admissions among children in Athens, whereas relative humidity and atmospheric pressure are the more implicated meteorological variables for younger asthmatic children.

Adolescent↗