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PubMed2006

Measuring adaptability: psychological examinations of Jewish detainees in Cyprus internment camps.

Two medical delegations, one from Palestine and one from the United States, were sent to detainment camps in Cyprus in the summer of 1947. The British Mandatory government had set up these camps in the summer of 1946 to stem the flow of Jewish immigrants into Palestine after World War II. The purpose of the medical delegations was to screen the camps' inhabitants and to propose a mental-health program for their life in Palestine. We examine the activities of these two delegations within the context of their scientific interest in the psycho-pathology of displaced persons after World War II and as part of a broader project of mental hygiene. According to the delegations, the detainees would be a potential source of strength for building a new society if they adapted to life in Palestine. However, they would become a burden if they failed to be absorbed. At the same time, the medical delegations also saw the detainee camps as a potential "living laboratory" for scientific exploration. The case of the two medical delegations in Cyprus is also a story about constructing and transgressing medical borders. Apart from the obvious fact that this case study deals with movement of people, refugees as well as health-care workers, it is also about the transmission of knowledge and professions across the ocean.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A among children and adolescents in Larnaca area, Cyprus.

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus was investigated in 385 children and adolescents (52.2% males), aged 6 to 18, in the Larnaca area of Cyprus. This is the first study investigating the prevalence of hepatitis A in Cyprus for this age group. The population was stratified into two groups: 6 to 12 years old and 13 to 18 years old. None of the subjects in the first group were positive. The prevalence of hepatitis A in the age of group 13 tol8 was 1.6%. In conclusion, the low prevalence of anti-HAV demonstrates the susceptibility of young Cypriots to hepatitis A. This is a cause for concern as these unprotected young adults are frequently exposed to potentially infected individuals.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Prevalence and socio-demographic associations of undernutrition and obesity among preschool children in Cyprus.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and obesity in preschool children in Cyprus and identify possible associations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Private and public nursery schools. SUBJECTS: A representative sample (n=1412) stratified by age, gender, district and area of residence. INTERVENTIONS: Weight (kg) and height (cm) were obtained and BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. Z scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated using the cutoffs from the CDC/WHO 1978 reference. Socio-demographic associations with nutritional status were examined in a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of undernutrition (WHO definition, Z-scores <-2) was low. Specifically the prevalence of underweight was 2.3%, wasting 2.8%, and stunting 1.1%. Undernutrition was associated with a low birth weight (LBW); odds ratio (OR) for underweight 4.1 (95% CI: 1.4, 12.2), P=0.012, stunting 5.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 23.3), P=0.033, and wasting 4.2 (95% CI: 1.3, 14.3), P=0.021. The prevalence of obesity (IOTF definition) was higher than undernutrition, and increased with age: 1.3% in 2 y olds to 10.4% in 6 y olds. Overweight and obesity prevalence were higher in rural (16.1%) than urban children (12.8%; P=0.046). Obesity in preschool children was associated with paternal obesity, OR 3.24 (95% CI: 1.59, 6.61), P=0.001, and maternal obesity 3.91 (95% CI: 1.78, 8.59), P=0.001. A birth weight (BW)> or =4000 g was associated with obesity compared to a BW between 2501 and 3000 g, OR 7.63 (95% CI: 1.91, 30.52), P=0.004. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of undernutrition among preschool children in Cyprus was low but obesity prevalence was higher. Parental obesity and high BW were significantly associated with obesity while LBW was associated with undernutrition in preschool children.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2002

Obesity in children and adolescents in Cyprus. Prevalence and predisposing factors.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in Cyprus and define possible associated risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of children 6-17 y of age performed during October 1999 to June 2000. METHODS: Anthropometric data were taken using standard methods, from 2467 children. Certain diet and physical activities as well as other socioeconomic family parameters were assessed with the aid of a questionnaire. Obesity and overweight were defined using both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I definition and the newer International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) definition. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the influence of various parameters. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity in males was 10.3% and in females 9.1% using the NHANES I definition and 6.9 and 5.7%, respectively, using the IOTF definition. The percentages presented a decreasing trend with age. There were an additional 16.9% of males and 13.1% of females defined as overweight with the NHANES I definition and 18.8 and 17.0%, respectively, using the IOTF definition. The most significant associated factor for obesity was parental obesity status. The odds ratio for offspring obesity when both parents were obese ranged from 11.34 (95% CI 1.83-75.50) in females 6 to 11-y-old to 18.09 (95% CI 2.06-158.81) for males 12 to 17-y-old. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity was estimated for the first time in a representative sample from Cyprus, and this rate is comparable to that observed in North America. These results indicate the need for individual and population measures for the treatment and prevention of pediatric obesity. The rate of obesity differs significantly depending on the method of estimation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera-Psychodidae) of the isle of Cyprus. II--Isolation and typing of Leishmania (Leishmania infantum Nicolle, 1908 (zymodeme MON 1) from Phlebotomus (Larroussius) tobbi Adler and Theodor, 1930].

During two surveys conducted in Cyprus (August 1998 and September 1999), 2,910 phlebotomine sandflies females were caught by CDC miniature light traps then dissected under binocular and examined on microscope. Eleven species were identified: Phlebotomus papatasi, P. sergenti, P. jacusieli, P. alexandri, P. tobbi, P. galilaeus, P. mascittii, P. economidesi, Sergentomyia fallax, S. minuta et S. azizi. The Larroussius species (P. galilaeus and P. tobbi) are the most abundant (more than 60% of our captures). Promastigotes were isolated from one specimen identified as P. tobbi. A Leishmania stock was successfully cultured and identified by isoenzyme characterisation as belonging to L. infantum zymodeme MON 1. The same zymodeme was isolated and identified from four dogs too. Because of the absence of usual vectors of L. infantum in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin (P. neglectus and P. syriacus), and according to its distribution in Cyprus, P. tobbi constitute certainly a good local vector. It seems to be not very anthropophilic, that could explain the very few human cases.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Phlebotomines of the Isle of Cyprus. III. Species inventory ].

Three surveys on canine leishmaniasis were carried out in Cyprus (1993, 1998 and 1999) emphasise the presence of eleven species of phlebotomine sandflies: Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi, P. (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri, P. (Pa.) jacusieli (first mention in Cyprus), P. (Pa.) sergenti, P. (Larroussius) galilaeus, P. (L.) tobbi, P. (Transphlebotomus) economidesi, P. (T.) mascittii, Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) azizi (its specific statute is validated by the authors), S. (S.) fallax et S. (S.) minuta. P. (Adlerius) kyreniae was not caught during the surveys. The authors propose hypothesis of settlement of the island by phlebotomine sandflies according this species inventory. A first migration period took probably place during the Miocene time and a second one during the Pleistocene time.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Evidence for association of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with earlier progression to end-stage renal disease in a cohort of Hellens from Greece and Cyprus.

Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be an important factor in the deterioration of renal function. A variable-number tandem 27-bp repeat in intron 4 of the endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene has been found to be associated with the plasma levels of NO metabolites. Two alleles are of varied frequencies in different populations (a and b). The shorter allele a has been associated in Japanese populations with the progression of renal disease. Here we investigated this hypothesis by studying the putative role of this polymorphism in a Hellenic population of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We analyzed the genotypes of 361 ESRD patients and 295 healthy Hellens from Greece and Cyprus. The frequencies of NOS3-4bb, NOS3-4ab, and NOS3-4aa were 0.69, 0.27, and 0.03, respectively, in the control group and 0.71, 0.24, and 0.04 in the group of patients. The data in the two populations were analyzed by the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The frequencies of these three genotypes of NOS3-4 polymorphism in the Hellenic population of Greece and Cyprus are similar to those observed in other Caucasian populations. Moreover, our results from three patient groups, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and non-DM, showed that the frequencies of aa and ab genotypes in the patient populations were not significantly different from those observed in the control group. This work indicates that NOS3-4 polymorphism does not show any association with the development of ESRD in this studied European population. However, examination of the data regarding progression to ESRD within 5 years or after more than 5 years following clinical diagnosis of ADPKD provided evidence of statistical difference (p = 0.048, before Bonferroni correction), with faster progression in the group of ADPKD patients who carried allele a.

Alleles↗

PubMed2006

What predicts a Cypriot woman's decision to obtain or not obtain a screening mammogram? Implications for the promotion of screening mammography in Cyprus.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is an important public health issue in Cyprus. The purpose of the study was to assess: (a) the differences in motivational beliefs between women who decided to obtain a mammogram and women who did not; and (b) which beliefs predict the decision to get a mammogram. METHODS: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews from 293 women (mean age = 52) at the outpatient clinics of the General Hospital of Nicosia. Variables of interests include demographics, other preventive behaviours, and cognitions. T-tests for independent samples and multiple logistic regression were the primary analytic techniques. RESULTS: One hundred and eight women decided to obtain their first mammogram within the next 6 months. Deciders were more motivated to obtain a mammogram than non-deciders. Significant statistical differences were found regarding women's attitude, perceived social pressure, perceived control over environmental factors, and self-efficacy towards obtaining a mammogram. The self-efficacy beliefs as well as the physician recommendation were the most predictive factors in the decision to obtain a mammogram. CONCLUSIONS: In the planning of successful educational campaigns promoting breast cancer screening in Cyprus, practitioners could focus on the following: (a) enhancing self-efficacy, (b) promoting a clinical environment conducive to mammography screening, and (c) encouraging physician recommendation.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2006

Molecular typing of enteroviruses associated with viral meningitis in Cyprus, 2000-2002.

Human enteroviruses are responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical diseases affecting many different organ systems. Although infection is usually asymptomatic, infections of the central nervous system manifested as meningitis or encephalitis can pose a serious public health problem, especially during outbreaks. In this study, samples from 218 patients diagnosed with enteroviral meningitis between January 2000 and December 2002 were analysed in order to assess the epidemiology of human enteroviruses as a cause of viral meningitis in Cyprus. A new typing strategy, based on partial sequencing of the 5' non-coding region (5'NCR), prediction of type, and selection of type-specific primers for sensitive VP1 PCR amplification, was developed. As clustering in the 5'NCR was concordant with clustering in the VP1 region, quick and reliable typing by VP1 sequencing was achieved without virus isolation in cell culture. The most frequent enterovirus serotypes identified were Human echovirus 30 (55.5%), Human echovirus 13 (15.1%), Human echovirus 6 (13.8%) and Human echovirus 9 (8.3%). Human coxsackieviruses B2, B1 and B5, Human echovirus 4, Human enterovirus 71 and Human coxsackievirus A6 represented rather rare serotypes. This is the first molecular epidemiological study of enterovirus meningitis in Cyprus. Serotype distribution corresponded basically with observations in other European countries, suggesting the spread of enteroviruses by tourism.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2006

Sandfly fever virus outbreak in Cyprus.

A major outbreak of febrile syndrome occurred during 2002 among the Greek Army forces in Cyprus. Serological and molecular investigations revealed that the causative agent was a Sicilian-like phlebovirus. A virus strain was isolated from a blood sample taken on the first day of the disease. Phylogenetic analysis of partial L RNA segment sequences revealed that the strain from Cyprus differed from sandfly Sicilian virus by 6.7% at the nucleotide level.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Genetic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strains from patients in Cyprus: identification of a new subtype designated subtype I.

DNA sequences encoding the C2 to V3 region of envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were amplified by PCR from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 24 of 25 HIV-1-seropositive patients from Cyprus. By using a heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA), all amplified products were studied genetically and compared with 16 previously characterized HIV-1 strains belonging to subtypes A through F. HMA results revealed that HIV-1 gp120 sequences from 15 of our patients were of subtype B of HIV-1, whereas one isolate was of subtype C. However, gp120 sequences from eight patients had no obvious similarities to the known subtypes as defined by HMA. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of molecular clones confirmed the HMA results and placed the eight undefined HIV-1 isolates into three distinct genetic clusters. On the basis of branch topology and lengths of the phylogenetic tree, we conclude that one group consisting of three clones from two patients represents a new HIV-1 env subtype, which we have termed subtype I. The remaining two sequence clusters, consisting of five sequences from four patients and two sequences from two other patients, are distally related to subtypes A and F. These data demonstrate the extensive heterogeneity of HIV-1 in Cyprus, including the presence of new subtype.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1979

Alpha-thalassaemia in Cyprus.

The frequency of alpha-thalassaemia in Cyprus was determined with studies of haemoglobin Bart's in 1200 Greek Cypriot and 132 Turkish Cypriot newborn babies. Of the Greek newborns, 12.4%, and of the Turkish newborns, 6.8% had raised Hb Bart's (from 0.6% to 12.9% of the total haemoglobin) suggesting that they were carriers of either alpha-thalassaemia-1 or alpha-thalassaemia-2 genes. The findings suggest that the population of Cyprus has the highest frequencies of alpha-thalassaemia among Caucasian people.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1994

Heat illness in Cyprus.

Heat illness in the Armed Forces is an emotive issue. No specific service-wide system currently exists to monitor the incidence of heat illness. Within British Forces Cyprus medical policy guidelines for physical activity at various Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) readings were issued in 1988. A local system for reporting heat casualties was introduced in August 1989. This paper examined retrospectively the reports of heat illness casualties from August 1988 to December 1992 in Cyprus. There was a reduction in reported incidents causing heat casualties over the period studied from 18 incidents in 1990 to 8 in 1992. There was also a reduction in the maximum recorded WBGT reading for each incident. From these results it would seem that there may have been a reduction in preventable heat casualties attributable to commanders following the WBGT guidelines.

Cyprus↗

PubMed1975

Use of corticosteroids to isolate IBR virus from cattle in Cyprus after respiratory disease and ataxia.

An outbreak of ataxia, blindness, respiratory disease and kerato-conjunctivitis occurred in October 1972 in a beef feedlot in Cyprus. Fifteen animals died and 10 that were severely ataxic were slaughtered; many animals became blind. There was no opportunity to isolate virus when the disease was active but in March and October 1973 infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus was isolated from cattle after they had been treated corticosteroids to stimulate virus excretion. It is probable that IBR virus caused the disease. This is the first report of the isolation of IBR virus from cattle in Cyprus.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Palliative care in a Mediterranean culture: a review of services in the Republic of Cyprus.

This article reviews the provision of palliative care services in the Republic of Cyprus, highlighting healthcare resources in general and palliative care in particular. An interesting feature of palliative care in Cyprus is the extent to which community palliative care provision appears to be expanding and developing, with hospice care supplementing the work of home care nurses. The role of the home care nurse is discussed and the key role played in patient and family education highlighted. The article raises some interesting features of the relationship between bereavement and culture highlighting the influence that medicalization of health has on traditional ways of caring for patients with cancer and non-cancer conditions.

Bereavement↗

PubMed2000

Control of zoonoses in Cyprus.

The excellent results achieved in the control of animal diseases in Cyprus have allowed the Veterinary Services to take a leading role in the elimination, surveillance and investigation of important zoonoses. The programmes for the control of echinococcosis, brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, anthrax and taeniasis, and the measures taken to prevent the importation of rabies are described. Public awareness of the risks posed by the presence of zoonoses and the efficient and effective intersectoral co-operation achieved between the veterinary, medical, public health and other Government services and non-governmental organisations are considered to be the key to the successful control of zoonoses in Cyprus.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Hb Bart's levels in cord blood and alpha-thalassemia mutations in Cyprus.

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of alpha-thalassemia in the population of Cyprus using cord blood samples. The levels of Hb Bart's were compared with the hematological indices and the results correlated with the presence of alpha-thalassemia mutations. The protocols for the polymerase chain reaction detection of the six most common alpha-globin mutations encountered in Cyprus were optimized, and the frequency of each mutation was determined through the screening of 495 random cord blood samples. The total allele frequency for the mutations examined was 10.6%, of which 1% is due to the triplication of the alpha-globin genes. The -alpha(3.7 kb) deletion accounts for 72.8% of all detectable mutations, while the--MED-I and -(alpha)-20.5 kb mutations account for 7.8%. The level of Hb Bart's and the MCV and MCH values in cord blood samples were found to correlate closely with the severity of alpha-thalassemia, although the -alpha(3.7 kb) deletion and perhaps other mild alpha-thalassemia mutations may not give detectable Hb Bart's levels. A reasonably accurate estimate of the alpha-thalassemia carrier frequency may be obtained from cord blood studies if Hb Bart's estimates are combined with hematological indices. When molecular methods are added, these give the best way to use cord bloods to survey populations for alpha-thalassemia.

Alleles↗

PubMed1978

Serum Q fever antibodies in Swedish UN soldiers in Cyprus--reflecting a domestic or foreign disease?

Swedish soldiers from 2 battalions serving in Cyprus 1975 and 1976 were tested serologically for Coxiella burnetii phase 2 complement-fixing antibodies. 2.7% were positive. Although none of the seropositive soldiers had been seriously ill abroad, the titers are considered to emanate from an infection in Cyprus as there is no evidence of domestic Q fever from a survey of 1390 Swedes.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗