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PubMed2000

Preservation of environmental characteristics as witnessed in classic and modern literature: the case of Greece.

The literature provides interesting evidence regarding some of the environmental characteristics of Greece during the classic era, while in recent times, the environmental consequences of urban development are impressed in the work of modern Greek writers. The present paper investigates references regarding these environmental characteristics together with their preservation in time, with the aid of resources from literature.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2002

Spatial and temporal characteristics of air pollutant emissions in Thessaloniki, Greece: investigation of emission abatement measures.

The paper presents new detailed emissions inventory for the Greater Area of Thessalonilki, northern Greece, which incorporates a large amount of data on the polluting anthropogenic and biogenic activities in the region, including the location of all individual point, line and area sources along with their daily, weekly and monthly profiles and activity rates. The emission estimate followed both the bottom-up and the top-down approaches. Apart from the base year calculations, scenario estimates are provided for the base year, intended to show the maximum possible benefit of abatement measures and for the future, in order to estimate the evolution of air pollutant emissions in relation to structural changes and land planning. Air pollutant emissions were calculated for an area of 5,120 km2 at two different spatial resolutions (1x1 km2 and 2x2 km2) in order to support air quality simulations in the region. The resulting spatially allocated emission database, which also incorporates elevation and land use data, constitutes a clear improvement in comparison to existing emissions inventories of the area, and the procedure followed can be considered as a 'best practice' guide for developers of urban emissions inventories.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Methods for comparing gridded inventories of atmospheric emissions--application for Milan province, Italy and the Greater Athens Area, Greece.

A set of methods has been compiled to compare gridded air emission inventories that have been derived, on the same spatial grid, using widely differing techniques. Top-down and bottom-up inventories for Milan, Italy and for the Greater Athens area (GAA), Greece were used to test and apply these methods. The applicability of each method to certain source sectors was assessed by conducting sensitivity analyses. Whilst some of the methods (such as regression calculations or the Moran coefficient) appeared very sensitive to variations of point source emissions, others (e.g. the construction of difference maps) proved more appropriate for characterizing line source differences. Area sources could best be dealt with by using the newly developed acceptability criterion. The development of these tools allows a reproducible comparison of sets of emission inventories and consequently supports developments towards improvement.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1997

Pesticide residues in milk and cheeses from Greece.

Thirty-eight samples of bovine milk and 28 samples of three types of cheese were collected throughout Greece during 1991 and 1992, and analyzed for 13 organochlorine insecticides, three herbicides, and one organophosphorus insecticide residues. Eleven milk samples (28.9% of analyzed samples) contained residues of one or more of the following: lindane, alpha-isomeric hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-BHC), 1,1-bis[p-chlorophenyl]-2,2-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), and methyl parathion at concentrations below the maximum permitted. Lindane was detected in five samples at concentrations of 0.8 to 7 ng/g of fat of milk, alpha-BHC in two samples at concentrations 16 and 18 ng/g, p,p'-DDE in four samples at concentrations of 14 to 32 ng/g, and methyl parathion in two samples at concentrations 43 and 280 ng/g. Nine cheese samples (32.1%) contained residues of one or more of alpha-BHC, p,p'-DDE, lindane and aldrin-dieldrin. The range of concentrations were 0.8 to 2 ng/g for lindane, 4 to 10 ng/g for alpha-BHC, 20 to 70 ng/g for p,p'-DDE and 0.2 ng/g for aldrin. All mean concentrations found were below the maximum limits permitted by the European Union.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Multielement concentrations in vegetable species grown in two typical agricultural areas of Greece.

The multielement (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, Zn) levels in various common vegetables and surface soils collected from two typical growing areas of north-western Greece are presented. The results are representative and indicate metal concentration levels in vegetables grown in Greek areas under similar conditions. The content of the metals is generally at the same levels or even lower than that reported for vegetables consumed in several countries and species grown in other agricultural and industrial Greek areas. Enhanced levels of metals observed in certain vegetable species could be related to their concentration in the corresponding soils. The results of the present study indicate that the mean intake of heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb and Se) by adults due to consumption of vegetables from the two sites, for an average consumption, pattern, generally is well below the allowable daily intakes. On the other hand, the contribution of the vegetables to the recommended amounts of the essential elements (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) is satisfactory and higher than previously reported.

Food Analysis↗
PubMed1999

Diet and benign prostatic hyperplasia: a study in Greece.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the nutritional etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by conducting a case-control study in Athens, Greece. Despite the high morbidity and substantial human suffering produced by BPH, little research has been undertaken concerning the nutritional etiology of this disease. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 184 patients with histologically confirmed BPH and 246 control patients without clinical evidence of prostate disease. All patients and controls were permanent residents of the greater Athens area. The data were modeled through unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the food groups, fruits were inversely related to BPH risk, with a logistic regression-derived odds ratio of 0.79 per quintile increase and 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 0.93. Increased consumption of both butter and margarine was positively associated with BPH risk, and a marginally significant positive association was also evident for seed oils. No overall association was found with respect to consumption of olive oil. In analyses evaluating the role of nutrients rather than foods, zinc, an element selectively concentrated in the prostate gland, was significantly positively associated with BPH risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that, among added lipids, butter and margarine may increase the risk of BPH, and fruit intake may reduce this risk. Dietary zinc may play an important role in the etiology of BPH.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

Characteristics and seasonal variations in the semen of Alpine, Saanen and Damascus goat bucks born and raised in Greece.

Twenty-three purebred Alpine (n=8), Saanen (n=7) and Damascus (n=8) goat bucks raised at the Institute of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination in Thessaloniki, Greece (40 degrees 37 minutes N, 22 degrees 58 minutes E and altitude 32 m above sea level), were used to study the effect of photoperiod on semen production. Samples were collected with an artificial vagina and examined immediately after collection. In spite of the variation in nearly all semen characteristics studied among the 3 breeds of bucks, there was significant seasonal variation in both semen quantity (volume, concentration and total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate) and quality (percentage of motile spermatozoa, percentage of abnormal spermatozoa and rate of progressive motility). The best semen was produced during the breeding season (late summer and autumn). However, the magnitude of these seasonal effects was not sufficient to prevent bucks from being used for breeding throughout the year. Nevertheless, individual differences in the semen quantity and quality among bucks within a breed make individual evaluation of semen necessary to select the most fertile males for breeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cross-cultural validation of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory in Greece: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was first, to provide preliminary findings on the reliability and validity of a Greek translation of the CAP Inventory (Milner, 1986), and second, to examine whether there were any differences between Greek and American scores in the CAP Inventory. METHOD: A convenience sample of 320 Greek parents was recruited from the outpatient unit of a large Children's Hospital in Athens, Greece. Greek scores were compared with American scores taken from the test manual. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability was high for the Abuse scale (.91), two factor scales (Distress = .93 and Rigidity = .86) and one Validity scale (Inconsistency = .80). The Greek version of the Abuse scale had a similar factorial structure with the American version. Also, 78.1% of Greek parents were classified correctly as nonabusive by the Abuse scale. This rate was increased to 88.6% when invalid questionnaires were excluded from the sample. Comparisons between Greek and American mean scale scores indicated that Greek scores were significantly higher than American scores in all but one scale. Greeks had significantly lower scores than Americans in the Problems with Child and Self scale. CONCLUSIONS: Current findings including the high reliability, relatively high correct classification rates and factorial structure of the Greek Abuse scale are promising and support the idea of continuation of research for the development and validation of the Greek CAP Inventory. The difference between Greek and American scores in particular indicates the need for adjustment of cut off scores in the Greek scale.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Spatial and temporal variability of composition of urban effluents in the island of Lesvos, Greece.

The spatial and temporal variability in the composition of effluents of the coastal town of Mytilene, island of Lesvos, Greece, was investigated in 8 sewers of the town. Differences were found in the quality of effluents between the old and new parts of the town and were attributed mainly to the different design and construction of the sewers, as well as to the occasional discharge of septage into the sewerage network in parts of the town. During summer the population and water consumption increase, leading to partial dilution of the organic load. However, in the same period (July), the concentrations of dissolved Zn and particulate Pb were enriched. The reasons for such an increase are not clear. At present the seasonal metal peaks (Pb and Zn) are attributed to the increased traffic (Pb and Zn) and to increased corrosion under the prevailing weather conditions of the water supply network, which includes a very large number of galvanized storage tanks (Zn).

Corrosion↗
PubMed2004

Speciation of elements in sediment samples collected at lakes Volvi and Koronia, N. Greece.

A five-step sequential extraction procedure was applied for the determination of the distribution of seven elements (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe) in sediment samples collected at two lakes, Volvi and Koronia, located in N. Greece. Samples were taken in two seasons, and the average concentration of the elements was calculated. The accuracy evaluated by comparing total trace metal concentrations with the sum of the five individual fractions proved to be satisfactory. Based on the results determined at one sampling point in Koronia and two sampling points along the lake Volvi, it seems that the two lakes have not yet been polluted. There were no significant changes in the individual seasonal concentrations of elements in this monitoring period. Cd, Pb, Cu and Cr are associated with the oxidizable, carbonates and residual fractions. Zn and Fe are associated with residual and reducible fractions. The metals that we most easily extracted in the samples analysed in both lakes are Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and also Mn in the case of Koronia lake.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1995

Influenza surveillance in N. Greece during 1983-1993.

Following the WHO programme to monitor influenza, the National Influenza Centre for N. Greece presents the results of a laboratory surveillance during 1983-93. Influenza viruses were isolated every year except for 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons. Type A viruses predominated in 1983-84, 1985-86, 1988-89 and 1989-90. Type B viruses were prevalent in 1990-91 and 1992-93. Both types of A and B viruses circulated concurrently in the community during the winters of 1984-85 and 1991-92. Seroconversions (CF tests) occurred each year against A, B or both types of influenza viruses. In 1986-87 and 1987-88 when no viruses were recovered, there were seroconversions to B viruses, suggesting influenza B activity in the area. Serological surveys by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests were also conducted in 1986-87 and 1988-89. The patterns of the isolated strains were similar to those recorded worldwide at the same time. There have been however differences in the virulence of the viruses and the duration of influenza seasons in this part of the world during 1983-93.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1998

Incidence risk and aetiology of mammary abnormalities in dry ewes in 10 flocks in southern Greece.

In a field investigation of 10 flocks in Southern Greece, 3367 dairy ewes were examined twice, in order to estimate the incidence risk and the aetiology of mammary abnormalities during the dry-period. Abnormal secretion, lumps, nodules, diffuse hardness, abscesses and cysts were the abnormalities detected. The cumulative incidence of mammary abnormalities during the dry-period was 5.1% (95% confidence interval: 4.4-5.8%); 47% of the cases detected developed during the first three weeks after cessation of lactation. Despite variation in the flock size, there was no between-flock variation in the risk of a ewe developing mammary abnormalities. Staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative isolates) were the most frequently isolated bacteria from mammary samples; Actinomyces pyogenes, Clostridium perfringens, streptococci and Escherichia coli were also isolated. Resistance was encountered among the staphylococcal isolates.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Polymerase chain reaction fingerprints of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates in Greece are related to certain antibiotypes.

Characterization of clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and representatives of three MRSA clones from other hospitals was performed by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. All isolates were mecA-positive and two main antibiotypes have been characterized. Two major clones were identified with AP-PCR related to the aforementioned antibiotypes. The combination of antibiotypes with AP-PCR patterns successfully identified the two major clones in our hospital, which are identical with the MRSA clones previously characterized in Athens and in Central and North Greece.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from foods in Greece.

The presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in various foods of animal origin was surveyed in northwestern Greece. Six hundred samples of unpasteurized cows', ewes' and goats' milk, raw minced meat, uncooked frozen beef hamburgers, sandwiches (containing ham or turkey, mixed vegetable salad with mayonnaise and lettuce), fresh traditional Greek pork sausages and swine intestines appropriate for traditional Greek kokoretsi were assayed for E. coli serogroup O157:H7 using the standard cultural method and the immunomagnetic separation technique. The pathogen was detected in 1 out of 100 (1.0%) samples of ewes' milk, 1 out of 75 (1.3%) fresh sausages and 1 out of 50 (2.0%) swine intestines prepared for kokoretsi. The isolated strains were nonsorbitol fermenters, MUG-negative, O157 agglutinating, verotoxin-producing and carried both VT1 and VT2 genes. The three isolated strains were tested for antibiotic resistance and were found to be susceptible to eight antimicrobial agents (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and tetracycline).

Animals↗
PubMed2002

HIV-1 subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) in Northern Greece.

In order to understand the genetic diversity of virus isolates associated with the human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) epidemic in Northern Greece, 51 specimens from HIV-1 infected individuals were classified into subtypes by sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of the polymerase (pol) region of the viral genome. Forty two (82.3%) specimens were identified as pol subtype B, three (5.9%) as A, and one (2%) as CRF01_AE, while the remaining five (9.8%) specimens appeared to be complex recombinants, belonging to the Cypriot/Greek form CRF04_cpx. The proportion of CRF04_cpx strains is larger than previously reported, suggesting that the CRF04_cpx is significantly contributing to the Greek HIV-1 epidemic.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Mutations associated with genotypic resistance to antiretroviral therapy in treatment naïve HIV-1 infected patients in Greece.

The widespread use of antiviral drugs against HIV has increased the prevalence of HIV-1 resistant strains among naïve individuals due to transmission of resistant strains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of HIV-1 strains harboring resistance mutations in naïve patients in Greece. Blood samples were collected from 25 individuals. The DNA sequence of protease and partial reverse transcriptase regions (codons 41-223) were obtained by direct sequencing. Our results showed the absence of any primary resistance mutations in the study population. However, we were able to identify high prevalence of sequence polymorphisms at positions in reverse transcriptase region associated mainly with resistance to NNRTIs. Moreover, in protease region several secondary mutations were detected, suggesting the higher genetic variability of this region. The clinical significance of the polymorphisms associated with reduced susceptibility to NNRTIs remains to be clarified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Geographical mapping and associated fractal analysis of the long-lived Chernobyl fallout radionuclides in Greece.

Immediately after the Chernobyl accident, a soil sampling programme was undertaken in order to detect and quantitatively analyse the long-lived radionuclides in the Chernobyl fallout. Soil samples (1242 in number) of 1 cm thick surface soil were collected in Greece during the period from May-November 1986. The samples were counted and analysed using Ge detector set-ups. The 137Cs fallout data have already been analysed, mapped and published. In an attempt to improve this analysis and also to extent it to other fallout radionuclides, an in-house unix-based data base/geographical information system (DBGIS) was developed. Multifractal analyses of the deposition patterns have also been performed. In the present work, an analysis of the results of the deposition of 137Cs, 134Cs, 144Ce, 141Ce, 125Sb, 110mAg, 106Ru, 103Ru, 95Zr and 54Mn are presented together with relevant fractal analysis and three characteristic contour maps. The maximum detected values of the above-mentioned radionuclides were 149.5 +/- 0.1, 76.1 +/- 0.1, 32.9 +/- 0.2, 46 +/- 2, 4.56 +/- 0.02, 7.98 +/- 0.02, 79.1 +/- 0.4, 337 +/- 2, 20.1 +/- 0.2 and 3.02 +/- 0.02 kBq m-2, respectively. Furthermore, a statistical technique to compare contour maps was introduced and applied to explain the differences which appeared in the maps of the above-mentioned radionuclides.

Fractals↗
PubMed2002

Radon survey in Greece--risk assesment.

A large scale radon survey using track etch detectors has been carried out from 1995 to 1998 in Greece in order to estimate the radon concentrations in Greek dwellings and the exposure of the Greek population to radon. The total data set consisted of 1,277 samples. Residential potential alpha energy concentration values ranged between (0.024 +/- 0.009) and (8 +/- 1) WLM per year (P < 0.05) and effective doses between (0.09 +/- 0.04) and (28 +/- 4) mSv (P < 0.05). The mean lifetime risk for the Greek population due to radon was found to be 0.4%.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗