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PubMed2004

Copper and zinc in four freshwater fish species from Lake Pamvotis (Greece).

Lake ecosystems are vulnerable to heavy-metal pollution. Fish samples are considered as one of the most indicative factors, in freshwater systems, for the estimation of trace metals pollution potential. Lake Pamvotis (NW Greece) is a typical Mediterranean ecosystem of great importance in regard to biodiversity and to aesthetic value. The fish species found most commonly in the lake are Cyprinus carpio, Silurus aristotelis, Rutilus ylikiensis, and Carassius gibelio. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the level of contamination of two essential heavy metals (copper and zinc) appearing at high concentrations in lake water in the above four fish species. Metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in three different tissues (muscle, liver, gonads) in order to assess the fish contamination. A two-factor analysis of variance, based on the procedure of general linear models, was employed in which fish species (four levels) and fish tissue (three levels) were examined for potential influence on Cu and Zn concentrations. Differences between level means per factor were treated using Tukey's multiple comparisons of means. The study showed that C. carpio and R. ylikiensis presented the highest metal content. Tissues analysis revealed that liver and gonads accumulated the highest levels of Cu and Zn. Metal concentration in the edible part of the examined fish (muscle) were in the safety-permissible levels for human consumption.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Polychlorinated biphenyls in ambient air of NW Greece and in particulate emissions.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) bound to total suspended particles (TSP) were determined in the area of Eordea basin, NW Greece, where intensive coal burning for electricity production takes place. The concentrations of PCBs exhibited high variability although within the range reported for urban industrialized areas. The presence of PCBs in fly ash generated from coal burning as well as in particulate emissions from vehicles, domestic heating, burning of refuses and biomass was also examined. The particles emitted from vehicles and central heating exhibited the higher content of PCBs, whereas fly ash the lower. The pattern of PCBs in TSP as well as in particulate emissions was discussed.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Distribution of organotin compounds in the bivalves of the Aegean Sea, Greece.

Five bivalve species--Mytilus galloprovinciallis (Mediterranean mussels), Venus gallina (stripped venus), Modiola barbatus L. (bearded horse mussels), Pecten jacobeus (scallops) and Callista chione (hard clams)--were collected from seven areas in Aegean Sea, Greece, between August 2001 and January 2003 and analyzed for organotins (OTs). The concentrations (as geometric means) found were 17.1 ng g-1 for tributyltin (TBT), 18.8 ng g-1 for dibutytltin (DBT), 7.8 ng g-1 for monobutyltin (MBT) and 13.0 ng g-1 for triphenyltin (TPhT) (wet weight), which are at similar or lower levels than those reported worldwide. Studying OTs distribution between different bivalve species, lower concentrations were observed in mediterranean mussels, possibly due to their growth in water column (grown on sea net pens in mussel farms), in contrast to the free-ranging species, collected from fishing grounds. Concentrations of the OTs in the examined bivalves varied seasonally.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The status of pesticide pollution in surface waters (rivers and lakes) of Greece. Part I. Review on occurrence and levels.

This review evaluates and summarizes the results of long-term research projects, monitoring programs and published papers concerning the pollution of surface waters (rivers and lakes) of Greece by pesticides. Pesticide classes mostly detected involve herbicides used extensively in corn, cotton and rice production, organophosphorus insecticides as well as the banned organochlorines insecticides due to their persistence in the aquatic environment. The compounds most frequently detected were atrazine, simazine, alachlor, metolachlor and trifluralin of the herbicides, diazinon, parathion methyl of the insecticides and lindane, endosulfan and aldrin of the organochlorine pesticides. Rivers were found to be more polluted than lakes. The detected concentrations of most pesticides follow a seasonal variation, with maximum values occurring during the late spring and summer period followed by a decrease during winter. Nationwide, in many cases the reported concentrations ranged in low ppb levels. However, elevated concentrations were recorded in areas of high pesticide use and intense agricultural practices. Generally, similar trends and levels of pesticides were found in Greek rivers compared to pesticide contamination in other European rivers. Monitoring of the Greek water resources for pesticide residues must continue, especially in agricultural regions, because the nationwide patterns of pesticide use are constantly changing. Moreover, emphasis should be placed on degradation products not sufficiently studied so far.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2006

Phenotypic and technological diversity of lactic acid bacteria and staphylococci isolated from traditionally fermented sausages in southern Greece.

The physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of spontaneously fermented sausages made by two medium-sized enterprises (MSE) located in southern Greece have been studied. A total of 300 lactic acid bacteria and 300 staphylococcal strains have been isolated and identified by their physiological characteristics. Lactobacillus plantarum strains were found to dominate the lactic acid bacteria microbiota in most of the cases with L. sakei strains prevailing in some of them and L. rhamnosus strains occasionally accompanying the dominant lactic acid bacteria microbiota. On the other hand, S. saprophyticus strains were found to dominate the staphylococcal microbiota in all spontaneously fermented sausages with of S. simulans, S. xylosus, S. gallinarum and S. cohnii cohnii strains being sporadically present. Following the identification, an evaluation of their technological properties, namely proteolytic and lipolytic capacities as well as production of biogenic amines and antimicrobial compounds, took place. None of the lactic acid bacteria and staphylococci was found to possess lipolytic activity whereas a total of 6 lactic acid bacteria and 51 staphylococci strains were found to be able to hydrolyse either the sarcoplasic, myofibrillar or both protein fractions. Furthermore, only one L. sakei strain and 185 staphylococci strains were found to possess decarboxylase activity against lysine, tyrosine, ornithine or histidine. Finally none of the staphylococcal microbiota and 3 lactic acid bacteria strains were found to be able to produce antimicrobial compounds of proteinaceous nature against Listeria monocytogenes.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Forensic evaluation of 13 STR loci in the Roma population (Gypsies) of Greece.

Allele frequencies have been calculated in 13 STR loci in a Roma (Gypsy) population sample from Greece. The data can be used in forensic cases. The comparison of the allele frequencies between the Roma and the Greeks showed significant differences for the majority of the loci. Furthermore comparison to another Romany population sample was performed.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2005

Efficiency measurement of hemodialysis units in Greece with data envelopment analysis.

This paper reports on a study of the suitability of data envelopment analysis for measuring efficiency of hemodialysis units in Greece. The sample consists of 118 such units operating in the public and private sector. Production characteristics were designated in terms of two input measures--nursing staff and dialysis machines--and one output measure, namely the number of patients treated per month. The DEA model selected was input oriented, allowed for variable returns to scale and the units were ranked according to a benchmarking approach. The results yielded mean efficiency scores of 65.04% and 82.21% for the public sector and private sector units, respectively. Independent sample t-tests showed statistically significant differences between these scores. The units were also classified, according to location, as either being in Athens, Thessalonica or another region and the procedure was repeated. The results yielded mean efficiency scores of 58.89%, 61.48% and 67.51%, respectively. Comparison, in this case, indicated significant differences between the public sector units located Athens from those located in Thessalonica or elsewhere. The overall findings are encouraging for the potential of DEA in this setting and generate the need for further research in order to validate any conclusions.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed2006

Evolution of resistance patterns and identification of risk factors for Streptococcus pneumoniae colonisation in daycare centre attendees in Athens, Greece.

Two cross-sectional surveillance studies were conducted during the winters of 2000 and 2003 in Athens, Greece, to obtain nasopharyngeal swabs from healthy pre-school children attending kindergartens. A total of 460 strains were examined in 2000 and 485 strains in 2003, with carriage rates of 31.7% and 34.6%, respectively. Susceptibility patterns were evaluated for penicillin G, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, moxifloxacin, linezolid and telithromycin. Penicillin non-susceptibility increased from 20% to 34.9%, whereas erythromycin non-susceptibility increased from 23% to 30.5%. Resistance to both agents climbed from 7.5% to 22.3% (P<0.001). No isolates were found to be resistant to any of the other antimicrobial agents. Risk factors for carriage and/or antimicrobial resistance were also assessed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Geographical influences on the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the prevalence of acute coronary syndromes, in Greece: the CARDIO2000 study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the interaction between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and region of Greece on the likelihood of having acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: During 2000-2001, a random sample of 848 patients (61+/-10 years) with their first coronary heart disease event, and 1078 frequency matched (by age-sex) controls with no cardiovascular disease in their medical history, from all the country, entered into the study. Among several factors, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by a diet-score that incorporated the inherent characteristics of this diet. RESULTS: The multi-adjusted analysis showed that a 10-unit increase in the diet score was associated with a 27% (95% CI 0.66 to 0.89) decrease of the odds of having ACS. Moreover, a highly significant interaction was observed between region and diet score (p<0.001). The odds ratios varied from roughly 0.5 in Southern to 1.2 or more in Northern Greek regions (p for heterogeneity<0.05). Differences in food patterns consumed did not explain the previous findings. In addition, when we stratified our analysis by rural and urban areas we found significant differences in the estimated odds ratios (p for interaction between diet score and area=0.01), since a 10-unit increase in the diet score was associated with 22% (95% CI 0.63 to 0.96) lower odds n urban areas and 31% (95% CI 0.48 to 0.98) lower odds in rural areas. CONCLUSION: Our findings underline the significance of the Mediterranean diet on the primary prevention of ACS. Moreover, we revealed a geographical variation in the importance of this dietary pattern on coronary risk, independent from the composition of food patterns followed and the prevalence of the common cardiovascular risk factors.

Angina, Unstable↗
PubMed2005

Microbiological evaluation of bottled non-carbonated ("still") water from domestic brands in Greece.

The microbiological quality of 1,527 samples of bottled non-carbonated ('still') mineral water, purchased from retail outlets and derived from 10 manufacturing companies in Greece, was investigated during the period 1995-2003. Applying the membrane filter technique, the aliquots of water samples (250 ml) were analyzed for the presence and enumeration of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also, aerobic bacteria were counted as Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) ml(-1) at 22 and 37 degrees C. Positive samples for the parameters tested varied significantly among brands with an overall percentage of 13.95% bottled water samples noncompliant with the Greek water regulation. Microorganisms isolated from the samples tested were identified as species of Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Pasteurella, Citrobacter, Flavobacterium, Providencia and Enterococcus. The most frequent isolated microorganism during the period of the study was P. aeruginosa. Generally, bacterial load of the samples tested ranged in low levels. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of the bottled water provided by domestic brands in the Greek market during the period 1995-2003.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2006

Aspergillus spp., distribution, population composition and ochratoxin A production in wine producing vineyards in Greece.

Vineyard surveys of 11 wine producing grape cultivars, were carried out in sixteen vineyards, in five winemaking regions in Greece, during 2002 and 2003. The occurrence of various Aspergillus spp. in bunches of berries at setting, veraison and ripening at harvest time was investigated. Aspergillus niger aggregate and A. carbonarius were predominantly isolated from sampled berries. Although the prevailing Aspergillus spp. isolates belonged to A. niger aggregate, isolates of A. carbonarius were the most efficient ochratoxin A (OTA) producers. Of 50 tested isolates of A. carbonarius 42% produced amounts of OTA, exceeding 25 ppb, while none of the 85 isolates of A. niger aggregate tested produced above 16 ppb.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed2005

HCV-RNA qualitative assay based on transcription mediated amplification improves the detection of hepatitis C virus infection in patients on hemodialysis: results from five hemodialysis units in central Greece.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease patients (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. An early and accurate diagnosis of HCV infection is important for the prevention of viral transmission and the management of ESRD patients on HD but conventional ELISA and PCR have often failed to reveal active HCV infection. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the prevalence of HCV infection in ESRD patients from all HD units in central Greece using a sensitive HCV-RNA transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay and compared its sensitivity with that of anti-HCV ELISA. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-HCV antibody (third generation ELISA), HCV-RNA (TMA) and HCV genotypes (HCV TMA-LiPA) were determined in 366 ESRD Greek patients. RESULTS: In total, 132 (36%) ESRD patients were HCV positive by ELISA or TMA; 44 by TMA alone, 16 by ELISA alone and 72 positive by both assays. More than half of the viraemic patients had genotype 3a. CONCLUSIONS: HCV-RNA (TMA) assay appears to increase the accuracy in the diagnosis of HCV infection in HD patients compared to the anti-HCV ELISA and could serve as an additional screening tool in these patients.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Radon variations during treatment in thermal spas of Lesvos Island (Greece).

The aim of this paper was to study the variations of radon and daughter nuclei during treatment in the thermal spas of Lesvos Island (Greece). For this purpose, in the thermal spas of Lesvos we have measured the radon concentrations of thermal waters, as well as indoor radon, daughter and coarse particle (>500 nm) concentrations. Various instruments and procedures were employed for measurements. Radon concentrations of thermal waters were found to lie in the range 10 Bq l(-1) and 304 Bq l(-1). Concentration peaks both for radon, radon daughter and coarse particle, were found to appear during filling of baths in the treatment process. The doses delivered to the bathers during treatment were in the range of 0.00670-0.1279 mSv per year, while the doses delivered to personnel were below 20 mSv per year.

Balneology↗
PubMed2004

Radon variations during treatment in thermal spas of Lesvos Island (Greece).

The aim of this paper was to study the variations of radon and daughter nuclei during treatment in the thermal spas of Lesvos Island (Greece). For this purpose, in the thermal spas of Lesvos we have measured the radon concentrations of thermal waters, as well as indoor radon, daughter and coarse particle (>500 nm) concentration. Various instruments and procedures were employed for measurements. Radon concentrations of thermal waters were found to lie in the range 10 and 304 Bq l(-1). Concentration peaks both for radon, radon daughter and coarse particle, were found to appear during filling of baths in the treatment process. The doses delivered to the bathers during treatment were in the range of 0.00670 mSv per year to 0.1279 mSv per year, while the doses delivered to personnel were below 20 mSv per year.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed2005

Concentration levels of 210Pb and 210Po in dry tobacco leaves in Greece.

Tobacco leaves are large and have sticky exudates that retain the radon decay products once they deposit on the leaves. The study of 210Po in tobacco is required, because of the cumulative alpha-radiation dose delivered to humans from inhaled 210Po in cigarette smoke. 210Pb is the other element of interest since it is the 210Po precursor in the radioactive decay chain. In the present study, the concentrations of these two radionuclides were determined in tobacco samples from seven regions in Greece. 210Po was determined by alpha spectrometry using a surface barrier detector after radiochemical separation and spontaneous deposition of polonium on a nickel disk. The 210Pb activity in the samples was determined via the 210Po resulting from the decay of 210Pb. The results of the present study indicate that 210Po concentrations ranged from 3.6 to 17.0 mBqg(-1) (average 13.1 mBqg(-1)) of dry tobacco, while 210Pb concentrations ranged from 7.3 to 18.0 mBqg(-1) (average 13.4 mBqg(-1)). The mean value of the annual committed effective dose for smokers (20 cigarettes per day) of Greek tobacco was estimated to be 287 microSv (124 microSv from 210Po and 163 microSv from 210Pb). The inhalation dose for smokers is on average about 12 times higher than for non-smokers living in the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere.

Greece↗
PubMed2005

Study on the behavior of the heavy metals Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn and 137Cs in an estuarine ecosystem using Mytilus galloprovincialis as a bioindicator species: the case of Thermaikos gulf, Greece.

Mussels are worldwide recognized as pollution bioindicators and used in Mussel Watch programs, because they accumulate pollutants in their tissues at elevated levels in relation to pollutant biological availability in the marine environment. The present study deals with the use of Mytilus galloprovincialis as a local bioindicator of heavy metal and (137)Cs contamination in an estuarine ecosystem (Thermaikos gulf, Greece in Eastern Mediterranean). M. galloprovincialis samples were collected monthly from two aquaculture farms during the period April to October 2000. Analyses for the heavy metals Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn and (137)Cs showed that the concentrations measured were low and similar to those from other non-polluted Mediterranean areas. In terms of the two sampling stations, there were no statistically significant differences between them. On the contrary, the seasonal evolution of either heavy metals or (137)Cs levels presented high variation. The levels were found to increase during the cold period of the year, especially for Cu, Zn, Mn and Cr which are essential for life. Stable metals were positively inter-related and moreover, metals more involved in biochemical activities seem to present more correlations than others with less significant role in the metabolism of the organisms.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Toxicity evaluation for the broad area of the asbestos mine of northern Greece.

The existing data regarding the quality of the environment in the asbestos mine of northern Greece (MABE) region related to the presence of asbestos are insufficient to determine the current pollution problem. In the present work, a first approach to this problem has been taken through a toxicity risk assessment. The environmental quality of an open air asbestos mine was evaluated over a long period of time by measuring and monitoring the concentration of asbestos fibres in air, soil and water. Air measurements were made to determine the concentration of asbestos fibres in the atmospheric air of the mine, the depositions and the nearby villages. The asbestos fibre concentration was also specified inside the building facilities of MABE. Analyses of soil, dust and water samples were carried out showing the presence of enormous quantities of chrysotile asbestos. The concentration of asbestos fibres in the atmospheric air was compared to older measurements that were taken at the same sampling points during the operation of the mine. The results of this work, in conjunction with individual researches that have been carried out in the past and with the evaluation of international standards of scientific and experience-based findings, provide a reliable framework with which to estimate the threat of MABE to its surrounding environment, and help to determine a basic criterion for the remediation and rehabilitation of the region. In addition, mathematical models based on human and animal studies were used to estimate the probability of a person developing cancer from breathing air containing asbestos fibres in the wider vicinity of the mine in order to define appropriate procedures for evaluating asbestos-related risk.

Air↗