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Natural environment and thermal behaviour of Dimetrodon limbatus.

This paper examines the body temperature variation of Dimetrodon during the different seasons of the year. The effect of the sail of Dimetrodon on its body temperature is also evaluated. It is shown that the sail of pelycosaurs provided an advantage to the reptile by warming it up quicker in the morning in cold environments. This would be a benefit, allowing Dimetrodon to prey on large reptiles, above 55kg, in the early morning while they were sluggish. From the results presented a climate similar to that of March for Cyprus could be representative of that of Permian period.

Journal Article↗

Management of Cooley's anaemia.

The current management of Cooley's anaemia has succeeded in prolonging the patient's life to at least the fourth decade, in allowing a number of the patients to procreate children, and in allowing most of them to lead a nearly unrestricted normal life. The price to be paid for this is the cumbersome and expensive adherence to a rigorous regimen of chronic transfusion and compliance with chelation therapy. Economical and psychological factors make it difficult for many patients to benefit from these advances, but those who can may be reasonably assured of a long and fruitful existence. It must be realized that the only defect in Cooley's anaemia is one of haemoglobin synthesis, and well-managed patients are in any other aspect capable of leading a normal life. In certain areas of the world, such as Cyprus (Loukopoulos et al, 1990) and Sardinia (Cao et al, 1990), extensive and intensive programmes of prenatal screening have reduced to nearly negligible levels the birth of children with Cooley's anaemia (see Chapter 9 this volume). Yet, in many countries a complete management of Cooley's anaemia is today not feasible for economic or cultural reasons, and this disease remains a serious public health problem. The future of the management of Cooley's anaemia appears at the moment full of hopes and frustrations (Gale, 1989; Bank, 1990). However, it is important to understand that if the current group of patients with Cooley's anaemia have to be the beneficiaries of future developments (be it genetic engineering and/or advances in histocompatibility matching), it is necessary that these patients be maintained in excellent clinical shape. It would be very sad when a cure for Cooley's anaemia became available, if most patients could not avail themselves of it because of pre-existing irreversible body damage.

Administration, Oral↗

Laryngeal mask insertion during target-controlled infusion of propofol.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA; The Laryngeal Mask Airway Co., Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus) insertion conditions produced by 6 and 8 microg/mL of target plasma concentrations (Cpt) during the induction of anesthesia with target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, single-blind, clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 44 ASA physical status I and II patients, 16 to 54 years of age, weighing between 45 and 100 kg, undergoing minor surgery in which the use of LMA was indicated. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups (1 and 2) of 22 to compare the effects of different propofol concentrations. Three minutes after intravenous (IV) injection of midazolam 0.04 mg/kg, group 1 and 2 received TCI of propofol with 6 and 8 microg/mL of Cpt, respectively. LMA was inserted when the effect-site concentration (EC) reached 2.5 microg/mL, which was displayed on the infusion pump. MEASUREMENTS: The LMA insertion conditions (mouth opening, gagging, coughing, head or limb movement, laryngospasm, overall ease of insertion) were assessed, and hemodynamic responses were evaluated until 3 minutes after LMA insertion. Total dose of propofol, EC, and elapsed time since the start of TCI were recorded at five times: at the loss of consciousness and eyelash reflex, at 2.5 microg/mL of EC, and immediately, 1 minute, and 3 minutes after the insertion of LMA. MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in insertion conditions, despite the significantly larger total dose and shorter elapsed time (2.6 +/- 0.08 mg/kg and 109 +/- 5.0 s) in Group 2 than those (2.1 +/- 0.02 mg/kg and 140 +/- 4.1 s) in Group 1 at 2.5 microg/mL of EC (p < 0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased and heart rate increased significantly throughout the study period in both groups (p < 0.05). But there was a significant decrease in arterial pressure in Group 2 compared with Group 1 1 and 3 minutes after the insertion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Induction with 8 microg/mL of Cpt, compared with 6 microg/mL, allowed earlier LMA insertion but, could not improve the conditions for LMA insertion and required more careful attention to the decrease in blood pressure after LMA insertion.

Adolescent↗

Overview of past, present and future of the EORTC Lung Cancer Group. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

The EORTC Lung Cancer Group (LCG) is a multidisciplinary international group of experts performing clinical research in lung cancer since 1962. Originally, the group consisted mainly out of French and Belgian investigators and expanded gradually into a wide range of investigators from all European Union countries, as well as some investigators from Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Egypt, Slovenia, South Africa, Peru, Brazil and Cyprus. Despite the wide collaboration, it remains a difficult task to perform high quality large clinical research trials to answer important scientific questions in the treatment of lung cancer. For this reason, the EORTC Lung Cancer Group has invested a lot of efforts in promoting worldwide, randomised phase III studies in collaboration with other Groups. Furthermore, the LCG promotes small phase II trials of new drugs or treatments for lung cancer and stimulates the investigation of new strategies and treatments for rare intrathoracic malignancies.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Ethics of preimplantation diagnosis: recordings from the Fourth International Symposium on Preimplantation Genetics.

New ethical issues emerge from the rapid expansion in knowledge of preimplantation genetics. These were summarized and debated recently during the final session at the Fourth International Symposium on Preimplantation Genetics, held in Cyprus, 10-13 April 2002. Divergent views were expressed on various topics including unique issues in preimplantation genetic diagnosis, the sexing of embryos, cloning and other matters. Differing ethical viewpoints emerged, and alternative ways of coping with certain issues were described. This complex area of ethical and social issues will demand detailed counselling of patients, ongoing debate among professionals, and perhaps legislation or central regulatory authorities to decide on the detailed application of its new technologies.

Animals↗

Possible windborne spread to western Turkey of bluetongue virus in 1977 and of Akabane virus in 1979.

An outbreak of bluetongue in sheep started in the Menderes valley, Aydin Province, Western Turkey, in October 1977. The severity of the disease indicated that it had not been there before but had been introduced into the area. Analysis showed that, while it was possible for the virus to have been brought into the area by movement of infected animals, there was also a period of south-easterly winds which could have carried infected midges from Cyprus, where bluetongue was present. During the night of 14-15 October 1977, south-easterly winds could have brought midges infected with bluetongue virus for the 15 h flight at a height possibly of 500 m and at temperatures of about 20 degrees C. A depression moving north-eastwards accompanied by rain may have affected the landing of midges in the Menderes valley on the morning of 15 October. An outbreak of arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly in newly born calves occurred in March-May 1980, also in the Menderes valley, Aydin Province. The severity of the outbreak indicated that Akabane virus had not been in the area before but had been introduced in September-November the previous year. While infected animals could have brought the virus into the area, analysis based on the probable time of infection of pregnant dams showed that easterly winds at the end of September or beginning of October 1979 could have brought insects infected with Akabane virus into the Menderes valley from eastern Turkey or northern Syria. These analyses illustrate the use of meteorological data to backtrack to possible sources and to identify the time of infection.

Air Movements↗

The distribution of Akabane virus in the Middle East.

Serological evidence was used to confirm an outbreak of Akabane disease in cattle in the Turkish Province of Aydin in 1980. Thereafter, serum collections from the Middle East were screened for the presence of neutralizing antibodies to Akabane virus. The results indicate that the virus was present in a number of provinces on the south Turkish coast in 1979 and 1980 but that it probably did not persist into 1981; the virus had also been present on Cyprus in 1980 and on at least one previous occasion. There was also evidence of limited virus transmission in the Orontes river valley in Syria in 1979 and less precise evidence to show that occasional infection occurred in the lower Jordan river valley. The failure of Akabane virus to persist in southern Turkey for more than two years indicates that this area is open to epidemic rather than endemic infection. The presence of neutralizing antibodies in the eastern Turkish Provinces of Gaziantep and Diyarbakir suggests that this might be the route whereby Akabane virus occasionally invades the Middle East region.

Animals↗

The occurrence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in European pigs from 1990 to 2001.

The occurrence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) among domestic pigs and wild boar in several European countries is described and discussed. From 1990 to 2001 clinical outbreaks were analysed and serum samples, partly from existing screening programmes, were tested for antibodies against EMCV. Most clinical EMCV outbreaks were reported in Belgium (320), followed by Italy (110), Greece (15) and Cyprus (6). The outbreaks appeared to be clustered in 'endemic areas' with an increase in outbreaks during the autumn and winter months. The within-herd seroprevalence measured in clinically affected pig farms varied considerably among farms (2-87%), with age (0-84%) and by country. Data from farms with no clinical disease showed that subclinical infection with EMCV was found both within (seroprevalence 6-62%) and outside (up to 17 %) the endemic areas of the clinically affected countries as well as in the non-clinically affected countries Austria and France (3-5.4%). Among wild boar, the seroprevalence varied between 0.6 and 10.8%, and a study in Belgium found a prevalence of virus infection of 3.3%.

Animals↗

Trans boundary transport of pollutants by atmospheric mineral dust.

The transport of anthropogenic pollution by desert dust in the Eastern Mediterranean region was studied by analyzing major and trace element composition, organic species, and Pb isotope ratios in suspended dust samples collected in Jerusalem, Israel. Dust storms in this region are associated with four distinct synoptic conditions (Red Sea Trough (RS), Eastern High (EH), Sharav Cyclone (SC), and Cold Depression (Cyprus low, CD)) that carry dust mostly from North African (SC, CD, EH) and Arabian and Syrian (RS, EH) deserts. Substantial contamination of dust particles by Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni is observed, while other elements (Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Sr, Rb, REE, U, and Th) display natural concentrations. Sequential extraction of the abovementioned elements from the dust samples shows that the carbonate and sorbed fractions contain most of the pollution, yet the Al-silicate fraction is also contaminated, implying that soils and sediments in the source terrains of the dust are already polluted. We identified the pollutant sources by using Pb isotopes. It appears that before the beginning of the dust storm, the pollutants in the collected samples are dominated by local sources but with the arrival of dust from North Africa, the proportion of foreign pollutants increases. Organic pollutants exhibit behavior similar and complementary to that of the inorganic tracers, attesting to the importance of anthropogenic-pollutant addition en route of the dust from its remote sources. Pollution of suspended dust is observed under all synoptic conditions, yet it appears that easterly winds carry higher proportions of local pollution and westerly winds carry pollution emitted in the Cairo basin. Therefore, pollution transport by mineral dust should be accounted for in environmental models and in assessing the health-related effects of mineral dust.

Air Pollutants↗

The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents in 1990-2000.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the exact incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in Greek-Cypriots under the age of 15 yr, to analyze possible gender differences in the age of onset and to observe any seasonal variation in the manifestation of the disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: All cases of newly diagnosed DM1 patients under the age of 15 yr from 1990 to 2000 were collected and relevant information was obtained. The data were statistically processed in relation to the population data provided by the Department of Statistics and Research of the Ministry of Finance. RESULTS: The mean annual incidence of DM1 in the Greek population of Cyprus under the age of 15 yr for the period 1990-2000 is 11.32/100,000. There is a trend towards increasing incidence during this period. There is a gender influence on the age of onset: more males develop DM1 before the age of 6 yr and after 13 yr. Moreover, there is a gender difference in the group who manifest DM1 in the age range 5-9 yr, with females having a mean age of onset of 8.1 yr, compared with 7.3 yr for males. There is a statistically significant seasonal variation, but not among preschool subjects who manifest DM1 before the age of 4 yr. CONCLUSIONS: DM1 is a common condition in Greek-Cypriots under the age of 15 yr. The gender difference in the age of onset probably reflects the peripubertal period of each gender. The seasonal variation cannot be solely attributed to weather and temperature changes. This survey covers a 10-yr period and deals with an adequate number of reported cases; therefore, it could contribute to the international effort to determine the exact pathogenesis of DM1.

Journal Article↗

Evidence from gabbro of the Troodos ophiolite for lateral magma transport along a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge.

The lateral flow of magma and ductile deformation of the lower crust along oceanic spreading axes has been thought to play a significant role in suppressing both mid-ocean ridge segmentation and variations in crustal thickness. Direct investigation of such flow patterns is hampered by the kilometres of water that cover the oceanic crust, but such studies can be made on ophiolites (fragments of oceanic crust accreted to a continent). In the Oman ophiolite, small-scale radial patterns of flow have been mapped along what is thought to be the relict of a fast-spreading mid-ocean ridge. Here we present evidence for broad-scale along-axis flow that has been frozen into the gabbro of the Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus (thought to be representative of a slow-spreading ridge axis). The gabbro suite of Troodos spans nearly 20 km of a segment of a fossil spreading axis, near a ridge-transform intersection. We mapped the pattern of magma flow by analysing the rocks' magnetic fabric at 20 sites widely distributed in the gabbro suite, and by examining the petrographic fabric at 9 sites. We infer an along-axis magma flow for much of the gabbro suite, which indicates that redistribution of melt occurred towards the segment edge in a large depth range of the oceanic crust. Our results support the magma plumbing structure that has been inferred indirectly from a seismic tomography experiment on the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Journal Article↗

Thymus cancer epidemiology in England and Wales.

Thymus cancer epidemiology has been little investigated, but recent clinical studies have suggested an association with the Epstein-Barr virus. We studied thymus cancer incidence 1963-83 and mortality 1959-86 in England and Wales, using data from the National Cancer Register and national mortality files. Mean age-standardised incidence rates of the tumour were 0.72 per million per annum for males and 0.64 for females; mortality rates were about half of this: 0.43 for males and 0.29 for females. There was no significant change in rates over time, nor any consistent pattern of risk by region of residence. Birth cohort analysis of mortality showed in each sex, lowest risk for persons born during the Second World War. The age distribution of the tumour was unusual: a progressive rise in both incidence and mortality rates occurred in each sex at ages up to 60-69, at which there was a striking peak, more marked for males and for incidence data, with a sharp decline thereafter. Immigrants from China and Cyprus had significantly high proportional registration ratios, but based on small numbers.

Adolescent↗

Cytomegalovirus-associated transverse myelitis in a non-immunocompromised patient.

DESIGN: Single case report. OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated transverse myelitis (TM) in the immunocompetent host. SETTINGS: Collaboration between a Neurology and Radiology University Department in Greece and a Molecular Virology Department in Cyprus. PATIENT: A 16-year-old male student developed an acute febrile illness followed shortly by TM, that resulted in paraplegia over 24 h. Rapid clinical improvement was followed by complete recovery in 2 months. Extensive laboratory work-up excluded other possible causes of TM and showed no evidence of an immunocompromised state. Antiviral serological data, identification of the viral genome by polymerase chain reaction and serial spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging findings, supported the diagnosis of CMV-associated TM in a non-immunocompromised patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our case further indicates that CMV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of TM of uncertain etiology, in the immunocompetent patient. Clinical, immunological and neuroimaging findings indicate that post-infectious immune mediated inflammation, seems the most probable pathogenetic mechanism in this case.

Adolescent↗

Family structure and adolescent cigarette smoking in eleven European countries.

AIMS: This study seeks to establish (1) if different types of non-traditional family structures are related equally to adolescent cigarette smoking; (2) if each type of family structure is related equally to adolescent smoking in different countries and (3) if differences in such patterns can be explained by the prevalence of such family structures in each country. DESIGN: Self-reported cigarette smoking among 33 978 students in Cyprus, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom is analysed with multi-level hierarchical regression models. FINDINGS: Adolescents living with both biological parents smoke less than those living with single mothers, who in turn smoke less than those living with single fathers, mothers-stepfathers, or with neither biological parent. Living with fathers-stepmothers is associated with less smoking than living with single fathers, mother-stepfathers, or with neither biological parent, but does not differ from living with both biological parents or single mothers. The effects of living with single mothers, single fathers, or with neither biological parent are stronger in countries where such family types are less common. Differences in the strength of effects between countries become non-significant once the prevalence of each family type has been taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents living with both biological parents smoke less than their counterparts in most other family types, and adolescents living with single mothers or fathers-stepmothers smoke less than those living in other non-traditional family structures. The strength of this pattern varies inversely with the prevalence of such households in each country.

Adolescent↗

Phylogeographical variation of chloroplast DNA in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.).

Variation in the lengths of restriction fragments (RFLPs) of the whole chloroplast DNA molecule was studied in 174 populations of Quercus ilex L. sampled over the entire distribution of this evergreen and mainly Mediterranean oak species. By using five endonucleases, 323 distinct fragments were obtained. From the 29 and 17 cpDNA changes identified as site and length mutations, respectively, 25 distinct chlorotypes were distinguished, mapped and treated cladistically with a parsimony analysis, using as an outgroup Q. alnifolia Poech, a closely related evergreen oak species endemic to Cyprus where Q. ilex does not grow. The predominant role of Q. ilex as maternal parent in hybridization with other species was reflected by the occurrence of a single very specific lineage of related chlorotypes, the most ancestral and recent ones being located in the southeastern and in the northwestern parts of the species' geographical distribution, respectively. The lineage was constituted of two clusters of chlorotypes observed in the 'ilex' morphotyped populations of the Balkan and Italian Peninsulas (including the contiguous French Riviera), respectively. A third cluster was divided into two subclusters identified in the 'rotundifolia' morphotyped populations of North Africa, and of Iberia and the adjacent French regions, respectively. Postglacial colonization probably started from three distinct southerly refugia located in each of the three European peninsulas, and a contact area between the Italian and the Iberian migration routes was identified in the Rhône valley (France). Chlorotypes identical or related to those of the Iberian cluster were identified in the populations from Catalonia and the French Languedoc region, which showed intermediate morphotypes, and in the French Atlantic populations which possessed the 'ilex' morphotype, suggesting the occurrence of adaptive morphological changes in the northern part of the species' distribution.

Chimera↗

There are many Mediterranean diets.

Interest in Mediterranean diet began 30 years ago, when Ancel Keys published the results of the famous Seven Countries Study, Since 1945, almost 1.3 million people have come to Australia from Mediterranean countries as new settlers. There are 18 countries with coasts on the Mediterranean sea: Spain, southern France, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. This study from which this report derives aims to investigate the influence of the food habits of immigrants from Mediterranean countries on Australian food intake. Here we look at the 'traditional' food habits of the above Mediterranean countries as told by 102 people we interviewed in Sydney, who came from 18 Mediterranean countries to Sydney. Most of the informants were women, their age ranged from 35 to 55 years. The interview was open-ended and held in the informant's home. It usually lasted around 1 1/2 hours. The interview had three parts. Personal information was obtained, questions relating to the food habits of these people back in their original Mediterranean countries and how their food intake and habits have changed in Australia were also asked. From the interviews, we have obtained a broad picture of 'traditional' food habits in different Mediterranean countries. The interview data was checked with books of recipes for the different countries. While there were similarities between the countries, there are also important differences in the food habits of the Mediterranean countries. Neighbouring countries' food habits are closer than those on opposite sides of the Mediterranean Sea. We suggest that these food habits can be put into four groups. The data here refer to food habits in Mediterranean countries 20 or 30 years ago, as they were recovering from the Second World War. There is no single ideal Mediterranean diet. Nutritionists who use the concept should qualify the individual country and the time in history of their model Mediterranean diet.

Adult↗

Interventional cardiology in Europe 1994. Working Group Coronary Circulation of the European Society of Cardiology.

The working group Coronary Circulation of the European Society of Cardiology conducts an annual survey of cardiac interventions in Europe with the support of the national societies of cardiology. A detailed questionnaire about cardiac interventions performed during 1994 was mailed to all members of the European Society of Cardiology. Incomplete or absent data from eight national members precluded their inclusion in the final analysis. Thus, this report summarizes the cardiac interventions performed during 1994 in 29 of 37 members of the European Society of Cardiology, representing a total population of approximately 490 million inhabitants. CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY: A total of 922,687 coronary angiograms were reported during 1994, representing an increase of 22% compared with 1993 and of 35% compared with 1992. The mean incidence of coronary angiograms was 1881/10(6) inhabitants, ranging from 4417/10(6) inhabitants in Germany to 35/10(6) inhabitants in Romania, Germany, France, Great Britain, and Italy with 50% of the European population performed 73% of all cardiac interventions. CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY: During 1994, a total of 224,722 coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures were reported in Europe, an increase of 22% compared with 1993 and of 52% compared with 1992. Adjusted per capita, the mean incidence of coronary angioplasty was 458/10(6) inhabitants, ranging from 1091/10(6) inhabitants in Germany to 6/10(6) inhabitants in Romania. On average, the ratio PTCA per coronary angiogram was 0.24, ranging from 0.37 in the Netherlands to 0.06 in Cyprus. Ad hoc PTCA accounted for 22% of all PTCA cases. The majority (81%) of PTCAs were restricted to a single vessel. Major complications were reported in 2% of patients undergoing PTCA, including death (0.3%), myocardial infarction (1.0%) and need for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (0.7%). CORONARY STENTING: Coronary stents were utilized in 21,599 coronary interventions during 1994, an increase of 235% compared with 1993 and thus representing the fastest growth in interventional cardiology. The number of European countries employing stents during coronary angioplasty grew from 14 during 1993 to 24 during 1994. Elective use (38%) became the most frequent indication for coronary stenting during 1994, replacing bail-out stenting as the primary indication during 1993. OTHER NEW DEVICES: Other new interventional therapeutic devices were employed in 8827 cases. Only the Rotablator was used more frequently during 1994 as compared with 1993. All other new therapeutic devices showed a decline. Coronary ultrasound was utilized in 3032 interventions and coronary angioscopy in 304 cases during 1994. NON-CORONARY INTERVENTIONS: Valvuloplasty remained the most frequent non-coronary intervention in Europe during 1994 with a total of 2622 mitral. 609 pulmonary and 506 aortic valvuloplasties. CATHETERIZATION FACILITIES: The number of facilities per 10(6) inhabitants performing invasive cardiac procedures in Europe during 1994 ranged from 7.7 in Iceland to 0.2 in Romania (European mean 2.9). The number of trained operators per 10(6) inhabitants ranged from 24 in Germany to 0.4 in Romania (European mean 10). During 1994, a mean of 701 coronary angiograms and 170 PTCAs were performed per catheterization facility in Europe (range: 1052 coronary angiograms and 293 PTCAs per facility in Norway to 218 coronary angiograms and 37 PTCAs per facility in Romania). CONCLUSIONS: The number of both coronary angiograms and coronary angioplasties continues to grow at an annual rate of approximately 20% in Europe. There is a wide range in the amount of revascularization procedures performed between western and eastern European countries. However, countries with the lowest numbers of coronary angiograms and coronary angioplasties, e.g. Romania, also show the fastest annual growth. About one quarter of all patients undergoing coronary angiography are subsequently revascularized by coronary angioplasty. (ABSTRACT TRUN

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗