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PubMed1995

Precursors of atherosclerosis in a random sample from a Hellenic population: the Athens Study.

BACKGROUND: Atheromatosis, the principal lesion in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is associated with increased levels of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking and other variables. As these lesions are thought to appear first in childhood, this study was designed to assess the levels of these atherosclerotic precursors in children living in Athens, Greece. METHODS: The following parameters were measured in a random sample of 4117 school children aged 6-18 years, living in the centre of Athens: body mass index, blood pressure, serum lipids, glucose, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and haematocrit. RESULTS: Mean levels of blood pressure, total cholesterol, cigarette smoking and body mass index increased with age in both sexes, levels being similar to those of children in developed countries. Smoking started at elementary school, and by puberty had reached adult levels. High levels of systolic blood pressure ( > or = 130 mmHg) and total cholesterol ( > or = 5.68 mmol/l) were seen in 22% and 13% of children respectively. Triglyceride and glucose levels did not increase with age; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased and uric acid increased from 14 to 18 years, but only in boys. Levels of body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and uric acid above the mean population values were found in 25% of children, and glucose levels above the mean in 50%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between systolic blood pressure and age, body mass index, uric acid, sex, glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (in that order), and between diastolic blood pressure and age, body mass index and triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the levels and prevalence of precursors of atherosclerosis are higher than expected in a southern European population, and are similar to those found in developed countries. This would indicate a need for greater awareness among the Greek population of preventive measures against developing cardiovascular disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Canine visceral leishmaniasis in the great Athens area, Greece.

A survey of 1,175 dogs with suspected visceral leishmaniasis (VL), was carried out to investigate canine leishmaniasis in the Athens basin, the largest metropolitan area of Greece. The dogs examined were not a random sample since animals were selected on the basis of symptoms indicating the disease. Dog sera were tested using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT), with titres greater than or equal to 1/200 considered positive for VL. On this basis 569 dogs (48.4%) were found positive for VL and 69 (5.9%) borderline (with titres of 1/100). Additionally, 218 of these sera were also tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of this sample, 120 were negative and 88 were positive with both IFAT and ELISA (according to the stated criteria), and thus the concordance of the two methods was 98.6%. Dogs positive for VL were classified according to age, sex, breed, and area of residence. Dogs from outlying areas of the Athens basin had higher infection rates than dogs from the city. The most affected breed was the Doberman, and the least affected was the Collie.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Pineal gland of a nocturnal bird, Indian spotted owlet, Athene brama: morphological and endocrine observations.

It has been reported that owls (Strigiformes) do not have a pineal gland. However, our light microscopy study revealed an intermediate form of tubulofollicular and solid-type large pineal gland in a tropical owlet, Athene brama. The epithelial cells forming follicles (6-8) in the distal region and the solid cluster of parenchymal cells of different diameters in the proximal region anteriorly tapered with a long cylindrical stalk and continued into commissural organs and choroid plexus. The intrapineal localization of perivascular nerve fibers and blood vessels clearly explained the sympathetic innervation as well as vascularization of this neuroendocrine gland. Further, electron microscopy revealed a developed intracellular structure of the pinealocytes with a large number of mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and granular as well as clear vesicles in the process terminals. The evidence of intrapinealocyte lipid droplets and dense bodies and a moderate amount of melatonin in plasma (ranging from 100-365 pg/mL) during different reproductive phases finally proved a defined secretory activity of the gland in this tropical, nocturnal bird.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Hemoglobin Athens-Georgia [alpha 2 beta 2 40(C6)Arg----Lys] in association with beta 0-thalassemia in Tunisia.

We describe an Hb Athens-Georgia (Hb A-Ga)/beta 0-thalassemia compound heterozygosity, found in a Tunisian patient. Oxygen binding studies of red cell suspensions of this patient, containing approximately 95% Hb A-Ga, revealed an almost normal oxygen affinity. Nevertheless, dilute solutions of Hb A-Ga showed an increased overall oxygen affinity and decreased heme-heme interaction. This could be explained by a tetrameric hemoglobin with normal oxygen binding properties but with increased dissociation into monomers or dimers, as a consequence of a structural abnormality within the alpha 1 beta 2 interface. Such an interpretation would explain the increased oxygen affinity reported in previous studies performed on heterozygous Hb A/Hb A-Ga patients.

Hemoglobins, Abnormal↗
PubMed1993

Nutrient intake and cancer of the pancreas: a case-control study in Athens, Greece.

In a hospital-based case-control study of pancreatic cancer conducted in Athens (1991-92), 181 patients with histologically confirmed cancer of the exocrine pancreas were compared with hospital patient controls and hospital visitor controls, individually matched to the cases by hospital, age, gender, and interviewer in a 1:1:1 ratio. All interviews were conducted in person in the respective hospitals. Diet was ascertained through a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Nutrient intakes for individuals were estimated by multiplying the nutrient content of a selected typical portion-size for each specified food-item by the frequency that the food was used per month, and summing these estimates for all food items. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression, controlling for tobacco smoking and total energy intake as well as for mutual confounding influences among nutrients. Adjusted odds ratios (rate ratios) for pancreatic cancer, associated with particular nutritional variables, were expressed per increments approximately equal to the standard deviations of (the residual of) the respective nutrients, on a daily basis. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) compared with other patient and visitor controls respectively, were: for polyunsaturated fat, OR = 1.32 (CI = 1.07-1.63) and 1.21 (CI = 0.98-1.49); and for crude fibre, OR = 0.80 (CI = 0.64-1.00) and 0.65 (CI = 0.50-0.86). No substantial, statistically significant or consistent, independent associations were noted for total energy, total protein, total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, dietary cholesterol, total carbohydrates, sucrose, vitamin C, vitamin A, riboflavin, or calcium.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1975

The atmospheric fungal flora of the Athens metropolitan area.

In the research programme of the Department of Microbiology of the Athens University the nature of the mycological flora of the Athenian air was studied. The research took place during the calendar year 1971. The open air was sampled twice weekly from two observation stations. The open plate technique was used, Petri dishes containing Sabourand's agar being exposed for 15 minutes. A total of 180 plates were exposed, and 1714 fungal colonies were isolated; these were subcultured and identified as follows: Alternaria alternata, Alternaria SP. (representing a common transitional form towards the genus Ulocladium), Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus terreus, Chrysosporium SP., Candida SP., Geotrichum SP., Mucor SP., Penicillium patulum, Pencillium SP., Rhodotorula rubra, Saccharomyces SP., Streptomyces SP., Trichsporon SP. AND Ulocladium oudemansii. The genus Alternaria was most frequently isolated, representing 38% of the total colonies. Other genera occured in the following proportions: Penicillium 27%, Aspergillus 13%, Candida 9%, Rhodotorula 6% and Mucor 1%. Species of other genera accounted for 6% of colonies, including 4% which were classified as Mycelia Sterilia. It is of considerable interest that the most frequently isolated species are considered as allergens. An appropriate line of further investigations would appear to be the preparation of antigens, application of skin tests and classification of allergic reactions after relating laboratory findings to clinical observations.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1975

Relationship between the metereological conditions and the air-borne fungal flora of the Athens metropolitan area.

The statistical relationship between the metereological conditions and the population of the air-borne fungi of the Athens metropolitan area were considered. It was found that during autumn and winter the number of suspended microfungi was more than double that which occurred during spring and summer. The fungal content appeared to be correlated positively with humidity and negatively with terperature, although during the analysis of the six predominant genera some exceptions were found to the general form of the results.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1995

The use of a complex thermohygrometric index in predicting adverse health effects in Athens.

Mortality and morbidity indices are known to depend on changes in meteorological conditions. In Athens, severe adverse health effects following extreme heat conditions have been reported. The usefulness has been investigated of the complex thermohygrometric index (THI), a simple index based on maximum daily temperature and relative humidity, in predicting the health effects of specific meteorological conditions. The values of THI were found to correlate well with more complex bioclimatic indices; the THI could successfully replace temperature and humidity in predicting the daily number of deaths through multiple linear regression modelling. Thus the introduction of THI levels more than 28.5 degrees C and between 26.5 and 28.5 degrees C, through dummy variables, in a regression model explained 40% of the variability in the number of deaths during the months of July and August. During days with THI values less than 26.5 degrees C the mean number of deaths was 33.5, compared to 41.8 when THI was between 26.5 and 28.5 degrees C. The daily number of deaths increased to 108.2 when THI exceeded 28.5 degrees C. From this study, the exact level of THI at which public health measures must be taken was not clear and more work is needed to identify it. However, given its simplicity, the use of THI for predicting meteorological conditions which are adverse to health would appear to be promising in preventive medicine and in health services planning.

Greece↗
PubMed2007

Highlights of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Congress, Athens, Greece, 30 September to 4 October 2006.

The 2006 EANM Congress, held in Athens, Greece, was once again a major event in the nuclear medicine scientific and educational calendar. The scientific programme, which included the second biennial ISRTRD meeting, confirmed the major developments taking place in (1) the diagnostic and prognostic uses of nuclear medicine imaging (both in PET and in single-photon studies), (2) radionuclide therapies, (3) radiochemistry and radiopharmacy, and (4) physics. This paper outlines the major findings in each of these areas.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2006

On the association between daily mortality and air mass types in Athens, Greece during winter and summer.

In this study, we examined the short-term effects of air mass types on mortality in Athens, Greece. An objective air mass types classification was used, based on meteorological parameters measured at the surface. Mortality data were treated with generalized additive models (GAM) and extending Poisson regression, using a LOESS smoother to control for the confounding effects of seasonal patterns, adjusting also for temperature, long-term trends, day of the week, and ambient particle concentrations. The introduced air mass classification explains the daily variation of mortality to a statistically significant degree. The highest daily mortality was observed on days characterized by southerly flow conditions for both the cold (increase in relative risk for mortality 9%; with a 95% confidence interval: 3-14%), and the warm period (7%; with a 95% confidence interval: 2-13%) of the year. The northeasterly flow is associated with the lowest mortality. Effects on mortality, independent of temperature, are observed mainly for lag 0 during the cold period, but persist longer during the warm period. Not adjusting for temperature and/or ambient particle levels slightly alters the results, which then reflect the known temperature and particle effects, already reported in the literature. In conclusion, we find that air mass types have independent effects on mortality for both the cold and warm season and may be used to predict weather-related adverse health effects.

Air Movements↗
PubMed2003

Posttraumatic stress reactions among children following the Athens earthquake of September 1999.

The objective of the present study was to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety among children 6 months after they had been exposed to an earthquake (EQ) affecting the northwestern suburbs of Athens in September 1999. A total of 115 children attending two elementary schools located at the epicentre of the EQ were assessed. A group of 48 children not affected by the EQ attending a school not affected by the EQ were used as controls. The children and their parents completed a number of questionnaires. Overall, there was a high rate (78%) of severe to mild PTSD symptoms in the EQ exposed group. Additionally, a substantial proportion of these children scored above criteria (32%) for depression compared to the control group (12.5%). Severe or moderate symptoms of PTSD were associated with high scores of depression (p = 0.002). The relationship between PTSD symptoms and anxiety was limited to the "avoidance" factor of the anxiety questionnaire (p = 0.029). Those who were most likely to be affected were children alone at the time of the EQ, and children who sustained injuries. In summary, countries where EQs are frequent should be prepared to offer psychological support to a substantial proportion of children presenting with PTSD and depressive symptoms and should educate and prepare children to cope with these events.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Athens, Greece.

In order to determine the current antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in Greece, the present study was performed on 282 clinical isolates collected from patients at the Sotiria Chest Hospital of Athens, Greece, during the years 1997-2003. Susceptibility testing revealed that 52 (18.4%) isolates were not susceptible to penicillin, with 13.1% demonstrating intermediate and 5.3% high-level resistance. One of the penicillin-non-susceptible isolates was also resistant to cefotaxime. Comparison with results of a previous study conducted at the same hospital during the period 1992-1993 showed that penicillin resistance had increased by 4.5%. The results of this study indicate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to change in Greece and continuous surveillance remains important for guiding empirical antibiotic therapy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

The electroretinogram of the little owl (Athene noctua).

Electroretinographic responses (ERGs) have been recorded from the cornea of the little owl (Athene noctua) in response to single light flashes and to alternating sinusoidal gratings (pattern) at different levels of light adaptation. Both flash- and pattern-evoked ERGs show scotopic as well as photopic components. The pattern evoked ERG is spatially tuned with tuning functions which shift towards lower frequencies by reducing the mean luminance. The retinal acuity is about 6 c/deg at 2.3 log cd/m2 and decreases progressively by reducing the mean luminance. No pattern ERG can be recorded beyond -6.7 log cd/m2 at any spatial frequency. The pattern ERG amplitude decreases progressively by reducing the contrast. The extrapolated contrast threshold is about 1%. Acuity and contrast sensitivity ERG values are in the range of those obtained by operant techniques in other species with duplex retinae such as owls and cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Heavy metal contamination of roadside soils in the Greater Athens area.

The airborne contamination of roadside soils with Pb, Cd, Zn and Ni was evaluated for the Greater Athens Area of Greece. High levels of lead enrichment were found in the upper 0-5 cm soil layer along roads with heavy traffic loads. The central section of the study area appeared to have soils with the highest levels of lead enrichment. The contamination decreased exponentially with the distance from the road edge and dropped to a background level at about 50 m. Most of the lead was concentrated in the upper 5 cm of the soil and was associated with carbonates and crystalline oxides. The main source of contamination was automobile exhausts. Roadside soils were also enriched with airborne Cd and Zn, but to a lesser degree than with Pb. The enrichment of the soil with these two elements fell rapidly and exponentially with distance. No evidence of Ni contamination of roadside soils was obtained.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS of residents of greater Athens.

A prospective research project on health education about AIDS is being conducted in the Greater Athens area. In the first phase of the project, information was collected concerning the knowledge and attitudes about AIDS of a sample of the population. The results indicated that, in general, the population was moderately well informed about AIDS. The population groups who were best informed were the females, those with a higher level of education and a longer period of urban residence, and those in the occupational category merchants/sales personnel. Three attitudinal categories were identified which could be characterized as discrimination, stigmatization and fear of those affected by AIDS. These attitudes were linked respectively to: (1) approval of the enforcement of special measures, (2) stigmatizing of persons, behaviours and districts and (3) fear that AIDS comprises a major social threat. The attitudes expressed by restrictive measures towards those affected and stigmatization were associated with a low level of knowledge about most aspects of AIDS. Health education programmes directed at the population in the districts studied should take into account the findings of this study.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2005

Toxic metal content of particulate matter (PM10), within the Greater Area of Athens.

This study presents results from a yearlong particulate matter measurement campaign, conducted across the Greater Athens Area, at four locations, between 1st June 2001 and 31st May 2002. The collected PM(10) 24-h samples were analyzed for nine toxic metals and metalloids (Pb, As, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, V, Cu, Hg). Concerning the five elements regulated by the European Union, annual average concentrations of Pb were found below the limit values at all sites, Cd and Ni concentrations were lower than the prospective assessment thresholds at all sites, concentrations of As exceeded the assessment threshold at two sites, while concentrations of Hg were found below detection limits in all samples. Concentration levels of Mn and V were in compliance with the values proposed by the World Health Organization. The seasonal and spatial variability of metal concentrations was examined and site-specific correlation analysis was conducted for the identification of metals with similar origin. The association between trace metals and NO(x) concentrations was explored to account for the impact of automotive sources, at two traffic-impacted sites. Cu was the metal most closely linked with the road transport sector. The relation of concentration levels with the prevalence of winds from different sectors was studied in an effort to investigate the transport of metal particles from various zones of the city. Finally, factor analysis was carried out to extract the main components responsible for the variance of the dataset and to attribute them to specific source categories, with vehicle-related sources being important in all cases.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Heavy metal contamination in little owl (Athene noctua) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo) from northern Italy.

In this study, two raptor species, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the little owl (Athene noctua), were investigated for lead and cadmium concentrations, using liver, kidneys, pectoral muscle, sternum bone, and feathers. All the collected birds died at the Centro Recupero Rapaci of Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli in Sala Baganza (Parma, Italy). They arrived alive at the Centro between November 1998 and November 1999 but died or were put to death as a consequence of injuries or other ailments. The results of the investigation do not show an excessive exposure to cadmium, whereas some interesting data have emerged in the case of lead. The concentration of the latter in the liver and in the bone of two little owls seem to suggest the possibility of chronic exposure. The high values found in one common buzzard, on the other hand, suggest an acute exposure and, probably, a case of lead shot ingestion.

Animals↗