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PubMed1998

Long-term oxygen therapy on the island of Crete, Greece.

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of use, the selection criteria for usage and the conditions under which long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is provided on the island of Crete, Greece. A total of 545 patients using oxygen therapy at home in Crete were found from the records held by local hospitals, health insurance offices and oxygen supply companies. After randomization, 100 patients were selected, and finally 79 patients (64 males, 15 females), with a mean age of 71 yrs, were contacted and completed a questionnaire. The majority of patients (n = 57, 72%) using LTOT had a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 67 (85%) patients LTOT was prescribed by a chest physician. All patients used large oxygen cylinders. The duration of daily oxygen use was significantly longer in the group of patients prescribed it by chest physicians than in those who was prescribed it by doctors from other specialities (8.8 h versus 4.7 h, p < 0.05). Of the patients, 47 (60%) fulfilled the criteria for LTOT. However, only 33 (43%) had accurate written instructions on how to use their home oxygen. A significant number of patients (n = 24, 29%) were still smokers and 63 (80%) had had a follow-up assessment. Our results suggest that COPD is the major grounds for LTOT. The daily duration of the oxygen therapy was longer in the group prescribed it by chest physicians. It is a concern that difficulties in setting up oxygen cylinders resulted in some ineffective usage. Physicians should stress the advantages of O2 concentrators.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1976

Management of haemophilia in Greece.

A short review is given on several aspects of the management of haemophilia in Greece. A total number of 429 patients with congenital haemorrhagic disorders has been registered. The incidence of F. VIII deficiency is 85.9% and that of F. IX 12.9%. Information concerning distribution throughout the country, age, social standard, financial position and education is given too. Haemophiliacs are systematically treated by Athens specialized Haemophilia Treatment Centres. The most widely therapeutic material still used, is fresh frozen plasma. Lyophilized cryoprecipitate and F. IX (prothrombincomplex) concentrate are also prepared but they are not for every day use. Imported concentrates are used only for very serious cases. Home therapy is attempted in limited scale and it is largely discussed. Consultation, out-patients treatment and hospitalization, if needed, are free of charge for haemophiliacs regardless of their financial position or their national insurance.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Drug utilization and health behaviours among indigent elderly patients in Crete, Greece.

AIM: To examine pharmaceutical needs, prescribed drugs, knowledge about pharmacotherapy and health behaviours among Social Care indigent elderly patients. PATIENTS: There were a total of 551 Social Care indigent patients registers in Chania, Crete, Greece at the time of the study (1995-97), of whom 89 (40 men and 49 women) were elderly patients (> or =65 years old). The control group comprised 171 (81 men and 90 women) Social Security insured elderly patients (> or =65 years old). RESULTS: The socio-demographic profile of the indigent elderly patients reveals an unemployment rate of 99% (versus 5% in the control group, P<0.05) and an illiteracy rate of 38% (versus 5%, P<0.05). The most commonly prescribed defined daily doses (DDD) of medications were cardiovascular drugs (45.0% indigent versus 48.3%) and nervous system drugs (14.4% versus 8.8%). The most frequently prescribed drug, as a percentage of DDD, was nitroglycerin (14.5% versus 26.0%) and the most expensive drug, expressed as a percentage of the total cost of drugs, was omeprazole (6.5% versus 4.6%). The most common disease was hypertension (42.1% versus 23.2%, P<0.05). There were also significant differences between the two groups of patients (P<0.05) in the understanding of drug usage instructions (35.4% versus 68.6%), in asking the pharmacist for advice (44.6% versus 71.5%) and in understanding special diet instructions (18.7% versus 34.7%). Regarding the health behavior patterns, significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the consumption of sausages (38.6% versus 15.6%), salt (29.8% versus 12.0%), more than one glass per day of alcoholic drinks (13.8% versus 4.3%) and in daily smoking cigarettes (48.8% indigent versus 12.8% control). CONCLUSION: The present study emphasizes the need for more information on drug use and the necessity for a continuing health educational intervention among Social Care indigent elderly patients.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

The validation of the short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in Greece.

The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) is a short, 15-item instrument specifically designed to assess depression in geriatric populations. Its items require a yes/no response. The Geriatric Depression Scale was first introduced by Yesavage et al. in 1983, and the short form (GDS-15) was developed by Sheikh and Yesavage in 1986. The aim of the current study was the standardization of the GDS-15 for use in Greece. Subjects were divided into Group A: 168 control subjects, and Group B: 103 patients suffering from clinically diagnosed depression. All were over 65 years of age. A score of 6/7 on the GDS-15 was found to be the best cut-off point for diagnosing depression in an elderly Greek population, with Sensitivity = 92.23 and Specificity = 95.24. GDS-15 manifests high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha = 0.94, and all items seem to be equivalent. Factor Analysis of the GDS-15 revealed 4 factors: a cognitive (thought content), an affective, a functional, and a factor that reflects helplessness and fear for the future. The two diagnostic groups differed on all 4 factors scores at p-value <0.001.

Aged↗
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↗
PubMed2000

PROFILE: Tourism Contribution to Agro-Ecosystems Conservation: The Case of Lesbos Island, Greece.

/ The modernization of agriculture and the development of other economic sectors have prompted the abandonment of cultivated areas, which are marginally productive. Specifically, olive groves in Greece are transformed into pastures due to their location in inaccessible mountainous regions where breeding and raising of sheep and goats are the main economic activities. Overgrazing degrades the environment, exhausts natural resources, and prevents natural regeneration. The Greek islands have limited possibilities of development, except for their coastal areas where the growth of tourism is possible.The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of tourism activities on olive tree cultivation and the human population of the island of Lesbos. The presence or absence of tourism is related with the maintenance or abandonment of olive tree cultivation and population changes for each community. A spatial segregation of the island is evident, related to tourist development, olive tree cultivation, and population change. The results of the study demonstrate that in communities where tourism plays an important role olive tree cultivation is preserved and the population is stable. The preservation of the agro-ecosystem is assured while the olive groves remain productive. Simultaneously, the landscape, which provides specific attractions for tourism, is not altered.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

PROFILE: Integrated Management to Create New Breeding Habitat for Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) in Greece

/ An integrated management plan to create favorable nesting habitat for the world-endangered Dalmatian pelicans, was tested at Kerkini irrigation reservoir, a Ramsar wetland. The lake is the major wintering site of Dalmatian pelicans in Europe, where the species lives year-round without breeding. The rise of water level at the reservoir during spring (exceeding 5 m) has an impact on the whole system, including several birds, which lose their nesting habitat. Although the integrity of the wetland demands ecological restoration with changes in its hydrologic regime, local socioeconomic conditions allow only habitat level interventions. During the planning phase of the management plan, both the ecological and social context of the interventions were considered. Monitoring of all pelican habitats and populations provided the scientific basis, while a socioecological survey on knowledge/attitudes of local fishermen toward wetland identified conflicts with specific resources and planned management. To gain public support, a broad information/education program was implemented. The education program for fishermen was based on the findings of the socioecological survey. The in situ management involved experimental construction of floating rafts, platforms over water, dredged-spoil islands, and platforms at various sites of the wetland. Monitoring of the managed habitats showed that most waterbirds used them for resting and roosting. Common terns nested on the rafts, cormorants on the platforms, and Dalmatian pelicans on the man-made island. Under the prevailing hydrologic and weather conditions, islands seem to be the most suitable habitat for pelican nesting. It is concluded that wildlife habitat management should integrate the ecological component, related to the needs of the species and ecosystem, with the social one, expressed by cooperation and involvement of the local community.KEY WORDS: Integrated management; Pelican; Nesting habitat; Habitat management; Reservoir-wetland; Public participation, Greece

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Role of hepatitis C virus in acute non-A, non-B hepatitis in Greece: a 5-year prospective study.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 182 prospectively followed adult patients (110 males, 72 females) with acute non-A, non-B hepatitis and its correlation with progression to chronic hepatitis were studied. These patients were followed for a mean of 24.7 +/- 13.1 (range, 6-57) months. By using a specific enzyme immunoassay for the detection of antibodies against C100-3 polypeptide of HCV, 96 (52.7%) were found antibody positive. HCV was implicated in 64/89 (71.9%) of the cases with classical parenteral exposure but only in 18/64 (28.1%) of the community-acquired cases. Progression to chronic hepatitis was observed more frequently in antibody-positive than in antibody-negative cases (60/96 or 62.5% vs. 27/86 or 31.4%, P = 0.00002). Progression was also observed more often in males than in females (66/112 or 58.9% vs. 21/70 or 30.0% P = 0.0001), both in the antibody positive (48/68 or 70.6% vs. 12/28 or 42.9%, P = 0.01) and in the antibody negative (18/44 or 40.9% vs. 9/42 or 21.4%, P = 0.043) cases. These data indicate that (a) acute hepatitis due to HCV is characterized by a high rate of chronicity, especially in males, and (b) a non-A, non-B, non-C agent or a different strain of HCV may be responsible for the majority of the community-acquired cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis in Greece.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Distribution of fission products in dust samples from the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

The distribution of the fission products (95)Zr, (95)Nb, (103)Ru, (106)Ru (determined through (106)Rh), (125)Sb, (129m)Te, (134)Cs, (137)Cs, (140)Ba, (140)La, (141)Ce and (144)Ce has been determined in dust samples from the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. The samples studied also included (110m)Ag, not belonging to the products of (235)U fission. Samples showing higher concentrations of radionuclides also show a higher content in clay minerals, whereas samples having low concentrations of radionuclides usually contain large amounts of quartz and feldspars. Desorption and leaching experiments using solutions of chlorides of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium (0.5 N), as well as distilled and tap water, were also performed. Sodium and potassium chloride solutions were found to be efficient in desorbing and/or leaching of caesium and ruthenium isotopes to an extent of about 30%.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Trace elements and chlorinated hydrocarbons in eggs of Pelecanus crispus, a world endangered bird species nesting at Lake Mikri Prespa, North-western Greece.

Eggs of the Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus, collected from 1984 to 1986 at Lake Mikri Prespa, north-western Greece, contained residues of trace elements and PCBs at low concentrations, and of DDE at rather high concentrations. DDE is negatively related to eggshell thickness. Eggshell thickness was reduced by 12-20% in comparison with the pre-1947 (before DDT use) eggshell thickness. However, this decrease did not affect the reproductive success of this species. The main fish species eaten by the Dalmatian pelican at Lake Mikri Prespa were analyzed for pollutants. All the fish contained low concentrations of residues. The contribution of the diet while the birds are on the wintering grounds is unknown. Recommendations for a monitoring programme of pollutants in eggs of the Dalmatian pelican, a world-endangered species, are proposed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Derivation of soil to plant transfer factors of radiocesium in Northern Greece after the Chernobyl accident, and comparison with greenhouse experiments.

Radiocesium contamination of cereals, due to the Chernobyl accident, was systematically studied in two selected experimental agricultural farms in Northern Greece for the years 1987, 1988 and 1989. Radiocesium contamination of all annual crops is very low, of the order of 1 Bq kg(-1), and appears to be, for the first 3 years after the Chernobyl accident, time independent, the differences lying within the experimental error. Transfer factors, relating radiocesium deposition to contamination of crops, are deduced from the experimental results. Results are also discussed in the framework of UNSCEAR's empirical model, and the corresponding parameters are deduced. In addition, greenhouse experiments show that the obtained Transfer Factors are independent of the initial radiocesium deposition and that radiocesium from the Chernobyl fallout behaves differently from usual experimental sources, such as (137)CsCl.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Seasonal and local variation of Cr, Ni and Co concentrations in Ulva rigida C. Agardh and Enteromorpha linza (Linnaeus) from Thermaikos Gulf, Greece.

Cobalt, nickel and chromium concentrations were determined in Enteromorpha linza and Ulva rigida in seawater and sediment after seasonal collection from Thermaikos Gulf, Greece. Industrial waste and sewage is poured into this Gulf. The relative abundance of metals in the seaweeds and seawater decreased in the order Ni > Cr > Co, whereas in the sediment the order was Cr > Ni > Co. The two seaweeds bioaccumulated similar metal concentrations. The seasonal variation of metals in the two algae was not significant, but seemed to depend on the growth dynamics, the age of the tissue, the metal concentrations in the environment and the abiotic factors (such as salinity and temperature). Only Cr concentrations in E. linza showed significant local variation which depended on the area into which the industrial and domestic wastes were discharged and on their transport by sea currents. Nickel and chromium concentrations in U. rigida and Cr concentrations in E. linza displayed significant positive correlation with their concentrations in the seawater. Concentrations of the three metals in the seaweeds and seawater of Thermaikos Gulf generally exceeded the 'background' levels.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Seasonal variation and local distribution of metals in the seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsk.) Aschers. In the Antikyra Gulf, Greece.

Accumulation of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Na, K, Ca and Mg concentrations by the seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsk.) Aschers. was studied at eight stations of the Antikyra Gulf (Viotia, Greece). This area was of interest because the contribution of bauxite to the mineral substrate and the discharge of an aluminium factory's wastes in it. Fe, Zn and K concentrations showed a significant seasonal variation with the same pattern (maximum mean value in summer and autumn), unlike Cu, Na and Mg concentrations which showed the opposite pattern. The observed patterns were mainly attributed to the dependence of metal concentrations in the plant on the tissue-age, the growth dynamics of the seagrass and the environment. All metal concentrations in the plant present uniform distribution in the inner part of the Gulf. The leaves of H. stipulacea accumulated higher Zn, Na, K and Mg concentrations than the stems, roots and rhizoids. There was a positive correlation between Cu, Zn, Cd and Na concentrations in the above-ground and below-ground plant parts.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Transfer of population as a solution to international disputes: population exchanges between Greece and Turkey as a model for plans to solve the Jewish-Arab dispute in Palestine during the 1930s.

The author explores the reasons for the failure of a plan for population exchanges that took place between Jews and Arabs in Palestine in the 1930s. Special focus is given to the success of previous exchanges between Greece and Turkey that took place during the 1920s and why this model failed in Palestine. The author concludes that "the Zionist plans which assumed that one could encourage voluntary transfer by creating attractive economic conditions in the target areas, did not take into account the factors of nationalism, ties to place of residence, religion, etc. These factors carried no less weight than the economic factor and they could effectively prevent any voluntary transfer of the Arab population."

Asia↗
PubMed2004

Terminology for high-risk and vulnerable coronary artery plaques. Report of a meeting on the vulnerable plaque, June 17 and 18, 2003, Santorini, Greece.

A group of investigators met for two days in Santorini, Greece, to discuss progress in the field of identification and treatment of high risk/vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and patients. Many differences in the manner in which terms are being utilized were noted. It was recognized that increased understanding of the pathophysiology of coronary thrombosis and onset of acute coronary syndromes has created the need for agreement on nomenclature. The participants spent considerable time discussing the topic and reached agreement on their own usage of the terms as described below. It is the hope that this usage might be of value to the larger community of scientists working in this field, and that widespread adoption of a common nomenclature would accelerate progress in the prevention of acute coronary events.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2006

Snake venom poisoning in Greece. Experiences with 147 cases.

BACKGROUND: Snake venom poisoning is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Bites from poisonous European snakes can lead to local tissue damage and systemic symptoms. Vipera ammodytes accounts for the most envenomation in Greece. METHODS: The demographic and epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcome of 147 consecutive victims of V. ammodytes admitted to our hospital from 1988 to 2003 were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The most common symptoms and signs included fang marks (100%), pain (100%), swelling (98.64%), ecchymosis (60.54%), tachycardia (32.65%), fainting or dizziness (29.93%), fever (23.13%), enlargement of regional lymph nodes (17.69%), nausea (16.33%), hypotension (13.61%), and vomiting (12.93%). The main complications were reduced range of motion, thrombophlebitis, local hemorrhagic blister formation, skin bleeding, rhabdomyolysis, reduced sensation, acute renal failure, necrosis with tissue loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, compartment syndrome, Kounis syndrome, and digit amputation. CONCLUSIONS: A V. ammodytes bite is a potentially serious event that requires immediate hospital care. Yet, the majority of victims can be treated successfully with conservative methods. No deaths occurred in our series.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2007

Risk factors associated with HCV infection in semi-rural areas of central Greece.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) appears to be endemic in most parts of the world, but there is considerable geographic variation. In order to assess the geographic distribution of HCV in Thessaly, in central Greece, we conducted a retrospective study in HCV-infected patients attending the Academic Liver Unit of Thessaly University from 1999 to 2003. We also investigated whether variation among regions could be attributed to differences in risk factors. METHODS: We evaluated the records of 309 HCV patients whose origin and/or residence was in Thessaly. To identify risk factors that were independently associated with the place of birth and/or residence, adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression analysis. We also studied the medical records of 150 HCV-negative patients from the same areas in order to evaluate whether there are differences in risk factors reported by HCV-positive and HCV-negative patients. RESULTS: We found three municipalities with a high HCV frequency. The use of non-disposable, multiple-use glass syringes for medical purposes in the past was the only potential risk factor more frequently identified in these areas than in other places (OR=2.3; p<0.05). This risk factor was significantly (p<0.001) associated with older age of the infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the spread of HCV in the three regions may have occurred several years ago as a result of the use of multiple-use glass syringes. Differences in prevalence rates among different age groups, as well as among different areas, indicate the need for extensive studies to determine HCV epidemiology and to develop appropriate prevention programs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Normalization to lithium for the assessment of metal contamination in coastal sediment cores from the Aegean Sea, Greece.

Sediment cores from the harbour and the coastal zone of Mytilene, island of Lesvos, Greece, were used to study the metal contamination caused by the discharge of untreated urban effluents into the sea. In the harbour. the upper layers were highly enriched in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, while no metal enrichment was recorded in the cores from the wider coastal zone. The metal data were normalized to Li (conservative element) to compensate for the natural textural and mineralogical variability. It was found that only the upper 18 cm of the core collected from the harbour of Mytilene could be reported as metal contaminated. Also, through the normalization procedure, it was found that the surface layers of coastal sediments assumed 'clean' were enriched in Pb, probably as a result of atmospheric transportation of the metal from the nearby town.

Environmental Monitoring↗