Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cyprus”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera-Psychodidae) of the isle of Cyprus. I--Description of Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus economidesi n. sp].

Description of a new palearctic species from Cyprus: Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) economidesi. The deposited holotype is a female because of the particularity of the streaked spermathecae and its non dilated ducts. Four to six spines are implanted on the style of the male, but its differential diagnosis with the closely related species P. mascittii and P. canaaniticus is difficult. The distributions of these Transphlebotomus species are mentioned.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Modeling the macrodynamics of international migration: determinants of emigration from Cyprus, 1946-85.

"A model is presented of international migration that is based on the concept of a pool of potential emigrants at the origin created by push-pull forces and by the establishment of information feedback between origin and destination. The forces can be economic, political, or both, and are analytically expressed by the 'mediating factor'. The model is macrodynamic in nature and provides both for the main secular component of the migratory flow and for transient components caused by extraordinary events. The model is expressed in a Bernoulli-type differential equation through which quantitative weights can be derived for each of the operating causes. Out-migration from the Republic of Cyprus is used to test the tenets of the model."

Asia↗
PubMed1998

Geneticization: the Cyprus paradigm.

Geneticization is a broad term referring to several related processes such as a spreading tendency to use a genetic model of disease explanation, a growing influence of genetics in medical practice, and the slow changing of individual and societal attitudes towards reproduction, prevention and control of disease. These processes can be demonstrated in medical literature on preventive genetic screening and counselling programs for beta-thalassaemia in Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Canada. The preventive possibilities of the new genetic and diagnostic technologies have been quickly understood and advocated by health professionals, and their educational strategies have created a web of social control, in marked contrast to the alleged voluntary decision-making process and free choice. Genetic diagnostic technologies have led to considerable changes in control and management of beta-thalassaemia, and have generated a number of unresolved incongruities.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2004

Association of adipose tissue arachidonic acid content with BMI and overweight status in children from Cyprus and Crete.

The relationships between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in subcutaneous fat, BMI and overweight status were investigated in eighty-eight children from Crete and Cyprus. Overweight status, BMI and serum lipid levels were similar in children at both locations, but Cretan children had higher levels of total MUFA than Cypriot children (62.2 (sd 2.8) v. 52.2 (sd 2.8) % area, respectively, P<0.001) and consequently Cypriot children had higher levels of total saturated, polyunsaturated, trans, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. Cypriot children had also higher levels of individual n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, specifically linoleic, alpha-linolenic and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acids. The variance of BMI was better explained (38.2 %) by adipose tissue arachidonic acid content than any other n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. Mean levels of arachidonic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were higher in overweight and obese subjects. All obese subjects fell in the 4th quartile of arachidonic acid levels, whereas 88.9 % of overweight subjects fell in the 3rd and 4th quartile of arachidonic acid. These results indicate positive associations between adipose tissue arachidonic acid and BMI and overweight status. Further research could clarify whether this association is causal.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Blood lead levels in preprimary school-age children in Nicosia, Cyprus, and their relationship with leaded soil dust exposure.

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study to determine blood lead levels in children who attended kindergarten schools and nurseries in Nicosia, Cyprus, and to correlate their findings with (a) home and school environments, (b) behavior of the children, and (c) socioeconomic characteristics. Capillary blood for lead assay was collected from March 2001 to September 2001 from children who lived and attended school in Nicosia. Children who lived and attended school in a rural setting served as controls. Parental questionnaires and interviews yielded information about socioeconomic background, environment, and children's habits and health. Overall findings indicated that children in Nicosia had mean blood lead levels similar to controls (i.e., <10 microg/dl)--the level of concern defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings of our study likely represent high standards of hygiene adopted by parents and teachers, rather than knowledge embraced by parents and teachers about risks associated with lead exposure and sources of lead exposure.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Delta-thalassemia in Cyprus.

To help clarify the hematological picture of patients who may be positive for beta- and delta-globin gene mutations, the following study was carried out. Our aim was to identify the delta-globin gene mutations found in the Greek Cypriot population, their frequencies and the Hb A2 values associated with them. Seventy-four samples were selected from a random sample of 5,030 individuals, and the database of the Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department containing diagnostic analyses data was also mined for relevant information. Four novel for Cyprus delta-globin gene mutations: -30 (T-->C), Hb A2-Wrens [delta98(FG5)Val-->Met, GTG-->ATG], IVS-I-2 (T-->C) and Hb A2-Yokoshima [delta25(B7)Gly-->Asp (GGT-->GAT)] were identified. Hb A2-Yialousa [delta27(B9)Ala-->Ser, GCC-->TCC], Hb A2-Yokoshima, Hb A2-Troodos [delta116(G18)Arg-->Cys, CGC-->TGC], Hb A2-Pelendri [delta141(H19)Leu-->Pro, CTG-->CCG], codon 4 [delta4(A1)Thr-->Ile], codon 59 (-A), Hb A2-Wrens, IVS-II-897 (A-->G), IVS-I-2, -55 (T-->C) and -30 bring the total to 11 delta-globin alleles found in the Greek Cypriot population. Hb A2-Yialousa is the most common mutation followed by codon 4, with frequencies of 60.7 and 17.8%, respectively.Hb A2 levels above 1.9% have been found to indicate a significantly reduced possibility for the presence of a delta-globin gene mutation in this population. For Hb A2 levels of 1.7 and 1.8% the possibility of a delta-globin gene mutation rises to 90.9% and reaches 100% for lower Hb A2 levels. The frequency of all the mutant delta-globin chromosomes in the sample is 0.0067 and the carrier frequency is 1.26%.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2002

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) mutations occur frequently in the Greek-Cypriot population of Cyprus.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease of high prevalence within Mediterranean countries and particularly common in four ethnic populations: Arabs, non-Ashkenazi Jews, Armenians, and Turks. The responsible gene MEFV has been assigned to chromosome 16p13.3. Our aim was to establish the frequencies of the most common mutations in Greek-Cypriots. We found that 1 in 25 is a carrier of one of three mutations. V726A, M694V, and F479L. In 68 Grek-Cypriot FMF chromosomes analyzed, we found V726A (25%), F479L (20.6%), M694V (17.6%), and others (36.8%). Mutation F479L, relatively common in this population, is very rare elsewhere. Our study indicates that FMF is not a rare condition in Cyprus and that, because of the significant morbidity associated with this disorder, which is often diagnosed only after unnecessary surgeries, a newborn screening program to detect affected in this population may be warranted.

Cyprus↗
PubMed1998

Neonatal screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a novel semiquantitative application of the bioluminescence test for creatine kinase in a pilot national program in Cyprus.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate a novel semiquantitative application of the bioluminescence test for screening newborns for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and to use this technique in a pilot national program. The study was performed on the island of Cyprus, which provides ideal conditions for maximizing the prevention rate due to the small size of the country, the well-defined population, and the high degree of awareness of the public concerning genetic diseases. Guthrie spots were obtained through the national screening center for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism. The bioluminescence method for measuring creatine kinase (CK) in dried blood spots was adapted for use in a semiquantitative way. During the first 6 years of the program (1992-1997), we screened 30,014 samples and found 43 with initially high CK values. We were able to obtain repeat specimens in 35 cases. Of the repeat samples, 30 were found to have normal activity, giving a false-positive rate of 0.10%. Five boys had persistent CK elevations and were confirmed to be DMD or Becker (BMD) cases by DNA analysis and/or dystrophin analysis. The semiquantitative application of the bioluminescence assay of CK that we have introduced has proved to be a fast and reliable method for screening large numbers of samples for DMD. It has a low rate of false positives, which compares favorably with that of other DMD screening programs. Although it is early to evaluate its impact fully, the program seems to be bringing about the anticipated benefits to affected families.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed2004

A comprehensive study of natural gamma radioactivity levels and associated dose rates from surface soils in cyprus.

A survey was carried out to determine activity concentration levels and associated dose rates from the naturally occurring radionuclides 232Th, 238U and 40K, in the various geological formations of Cyprus, by means of high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry. A total of 115 representative soil samples were collected from all over the bedrock surface of the island, based on the different lithological units of the study area, sieved through a fine mesh, sealed in 1000 ml plastic Marinelli beakers and measured in the laboratory with respect to gamma radioactivity for a counting time of 18-h each. From the measured spectra, activity concentrations were determined for 232Th (range from 1.0 x 10(-2) to 39.8 Bq kg(-1)), 238U (from 1.0 x 10(-2) to 39.3 Bq kg(-1)) and (40)K (from 4.0 x 10(-2) to 565.8 Bq kg(-1)). Gamma absorbed dose rates in air outdoors were calculated to be in the range from 1.1 x 10(-2) to 51.3 nGy h(-1), depending on the geological features, with an overall mean value of 8.7 nGy h(-1) and a standard deviation of 8.4 nGy h(-1). This value is by a factor of about seven below the corresponding population-weighted world-averaged value of 60 nGy h(-1) and one of the lowest that has been reported from similar investigations worldwide. Assuming a 20% occupancy factor, the corresponding effective dose rates outdoors equivalent to the population were calculated to be between 1.3 x 10(-2) and 62.9 microSv y(-1), with an arithmetic mean value of 10.7 microSv y(-1) and a standard deviation of 10.3 microSv y(-1).

Background Radiation↗
PubMed2001

Re-analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates from Cyprus and Greece, initially designated 'subtype I', reveals a unique complex A/G/H/K/? mosaic pattern.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been classified into three main groups and 11 distinct subtypes. Moreover, several circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) of HIV-1 have been recently documented to have spread widely causing extensive HIV-1 epidemics. A subtype, initially designated I (CRF04_cpx), was documented in Cyprus and Greece and was found to comprise regions of sequence derived from subtypes A and G as well as regions of unclassified sequence. Re-analysis of the three full-length CRF04_cpx sequences that were available revealed a mosaic genomic organization of unique complexity comprising regions of sequence from at least five distinct subtypes, A, G, H, K and unclassified regions. These strains account for approximately 2% of the total HIV-1-infected population in Greece, thus providing evidence of the great capability of HIV-1 to recombine and produce highly divergent strains which can be spread successfully through different infection routes.

Capsid↗
PubMed1992

The beta-thalassaemia mutations in the population of Cyprus.

We have identified the beta-thalassaemia alleles in nearly all known Turkish Cypriot beta-thalassaemia homozygotes and in over 700 Greek Cypriot beta-thalassaemia heterozygotes living on the island of Cyprus. The data confirmed earlier observations that the IVS-I-100 (G-->A) mutation is present for about 74-80%, while three other alleles [IVS-II-745 (C-->G), IVS-I-6 (T-->C), IVS-I-1 (G-->A)] occur at frequencies of 5-8%. Nearly identical percentages were observed for the two Cypriot groups, quite different from those for beta-thalassaemia patients from Greece and Turkey. This suggests close contacts between the two Cypriot communities during many centuries without a major recent influence from Greek or Turkish beta-thalassaemia carriers.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

alpha-Thalassaemia in the population of Cyprus.

We have determined the alpha-thalassaemia (alpha-thal) determinants in 78 patients with Hb H disease from Cyprus; 25 were Turkish Cypriots and 53 were Greek Cypriots. Four deletional and three non-deletional alpha-thal alleles were present; the -alpha(3.7 kb) alpha-thal-2 and the --MED-I alpha-thal-1 were most frequently seen; --MED-II and -(alpha)20.5 deletions occurred at considerably lower frequencies. About 15% of all chromosomes carried a non-deletional alpha-thal-2 allele; of these the 5 nucleotide (nt) deletion at the first intervening sequence (IVS-I) donor splice site was present in approximately 8% of all chromosomes. Two types of polyadenylation signal (poly A) mutations were observed. No striking frequency differences were seen between Greek and Turkish Cypriot patients. Combinations of the various types of alpha-thal resulted in eight different forms of Hb H disease. The phenotypes were comparable except for great variations in the level of Hb H which was highest (average approximately 22%) in the 12 patients with the alpha 5nt alpha/--MED-I combination. One patient with the same form of Hb H disease but with an additional beta-thal (IVS-I-110,G-->A) heterozygosity had a most severe microcytosis and hypochromia with < 1% Hb H. Variations in the level of Hb H might correlate with the severity of the disease, although this was not evident from the haematological data.

Alleles↗
PubMed2006

Domestic allergen and endotoxin exposure and allergic sensitization in Cyprus.

We investigated the relationship between domestic allergen and endotoxin exposure and allergic sensitization among children in Cyprus. We skin prick tested 128 children aged 15-16 yr (random samples of 85 children with self-reported asthma and 43 healthy controls) and measured their domestic exposure to endotoxin and allergens (mite, cat, and dog). We analyzed the data using multivariate logistic regression (adjusting for gender, area of residence and parental history) and presented the outcomes as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among this selected population, 19% of children were sensitized to mite, 15% to cat and 7% to dog. Male gender (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.18-6.38, p = 0.02), maternal history of allergic disease (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.13-11.00, p = 0.03), increasing endotoxin (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.00-2.49, p = 0.05) and residence in the district of Nicosia (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.01-6.08, p = 0.05) were independent associates of allergic sensitization. Factors associated with mite sensitization were increasing Der p 1 and endotoxin exposure (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.62, p = 0.04 and OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01-3.08, p = 0.05, respectively) and living in an urban area (OR 6.80, 95% CI 1.37-33.67, p = 0.02). Sensitization to domestic pets was associated only with paternal allergic disease (cat: OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.57-23.56, p = 0.02; dog: OR 13.5, 95% CI 1.79-101.73, p = 0.01), but not with pet ownership or specific allergen or endotoxin exposure. In conclusion, mite allergen exposure was associated with sensitization to mite, but there was no association between cat and dog allergen exposure and specific sensitizations. Surprisingly, in this area, increasing endotoxin exposure was associated with an increased risk of sensitization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

First cluster of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis isolates in Cyprus.

This report describes the first patient in Cyprus to be infected with a vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, as well as the microbiological characteristics of a cluster of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus isolates from the intensive care unit where the index case was hospitalised. All isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis, belonged to the same clone, and contained the vanA gene cluster. Transfer of glycopeptide resistance to a susceptible strain of E. faecalis could not be detected.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The rumen ciliate fauna of domestic sheep (Ovis ammon aires) from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Concentration and composition of ciliate protozoa in the families Ophryoscolecidae and Isotrichidae were determined in rumen contents of domestic sheep (Ovis ammon aries) from Cyprus. A total of five genera of Ophryoscolecidae were identified, Metadinium, Enoploplastron, Polyplastron, Epidinium, and Ophrvoscolex, which included six species: Metadinium affine, Enoploplastron triloricatum, Polyplastron multivesiculatum, Epidinium ecaudatum, Epidinium graini, and Ophryoscolex purkynjei. Eight separate forms of Epidinium were identified (E. ecaudatum f. ecaudatum, E. e. f. caudatum, E. e. f. bicaudatum, E. e. f. tricaudatum, E. e. f. quadricaudatum, E. graini f. graini, E. g. f. caudatricoronatum, and E. g. f. caudaquadricoroniatum), along with five forms of Ophryoscolex purkynjei (O. p. f. purkynjei, O. p. f. bifidobicinctus, O. p. f. bifidoquadricinctus, O. p. f. bicoronatus, O. p. f. tricoronatus, and O. p. f. quadricoronatus). Three species of Isotrichidae were observed, Isotricha intestinalis, I. prostoma, and Dasytricha ruminantium. This study reports new host records for three forms of Epidinium graini and Ophryoscolex purkynjei f. bifidobicinctus. The rumen fauna in the family Ophryoscolecidae from Cypriote domestic sheep appear to have limited diversity compared to those from Turkish and Far Eastern (Chinese/Japanese) sheep, while they are more diverse than those found in Western European (Scottish) and North American (Canadian/Alaskan) sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Alveolar bone loss on neolithic man remains on 38 skulls of Khirokitia's (Cyprus) inhabitants.

38 skulls, belonging to inhabitants of various age groups of the Neolithic settlement of Khirokitia in Cyprus (5800-3000 BC) were studied and the alveolar bone loss was evaluated in areas where teeth still existed. It was found that the alveolar bone loss increased with age. The differences deriving from the comparison of skulls belonging to older people (the mean life-span of the inhabitants was 35.2 years), with skulls belonging to younger people suggest that our findings are not due to postmortem weathering of bones through the centuries but represent a real fact. The results of this study indicate that periodontal disease has accompanied human beings since prehistoric time without being affected by civilization.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1973

Thalassaemia in Cyprus.

Frequencies of the thalassaemias in Cyprus were examined by a survey of hospital inpatients and haematological investigations of adult and newborn population samples. The data indicate that 15% of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots are carriers of beta-thalassaemia genes, while 10% of the population carry alpha-thalassaemia genes. These are the highest frequencies of thalassaemia genes found today in any Caucasian population.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Mesothelioma in Cyprus: the role of tremolite.

There is a chrysotile mine in the central mountains of Cyprus but no other appreciable source of industrial asbestos. Hence the island was thought to offer ideal conditions to seek pure chrysotile induced mesothelioma. The first reported case was a village woman whose lung tissue contained amphibole asbestos fibres, which were later identified as tremolite. This began a search for the origin of her exposure to asbestos. Our studies have shown that tremolite is widespread, being found, along with chrysotile, in domestic and environmental dust samples. Other cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed, and the pattern of their distribution suggests that the mine is not the major source of disease. Exposure to tremolite is equally, if not more, important.

Aged↗