Survival Analysis of Elderly Patients With Laryngeal Cancer After Total Laryngectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective This study investigates the overall survival (OS) of elderly patients who underwent total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer (LC) and examines the impact of tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging on survival rates. Methods A retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic at the University Hospital of Patras, including 75 elderly patients (>65 years) who underwent total laryngectomy for LC between 2000 and 2015. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator, with comparisons made using the Log-rank test. Statistical significance was defined as the p-value being less than or equal to 0.05. Results Over the 16-year period, new LC cases were predominantly male (97.3%) with a mean age of 73.88 years (range: 65-89 years). Most patients were smokers (96%) and alcohol users (54.7%). Histologically, 18.7% of tumors were classified as poorly differentiated, 65.3% as moderately differentiated and 16% as well differentiated. Post-surgical TNM staging indicated 10.7% stage II, 37.3% stage III and 52% stage IV, primarily located in the glottis (62.7%) and followed by supraglottis (34.7%). All patients underwent total laryngectomy, with 69.3% and 37.3% receiving neck dissection and adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), respectively. During follow-up, 39 patients died, with 74.3% due to disease-related causes. Five-year OS rates were 44.6%, with variations by stage (stage II: 62.5%, stage III: 55.8%, stage IV: 32.4%; p=0.039) and age (65-75 years: 51.7%, >75 years: 34.7%; p=0.039). Conclusions TNM staging of the laryngeal cancer significantly influences the overall survival of elderly patients undergoing total laryngectomy for LC. Early diagnosis of the disease is crucial for patient survival.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Economical Cost of Work-Related Injuries Among Olive Workers in the Achaia Region, Greece.

Background Olive gathering involves tree climbing, carrying heavy loads, navigating rough terrain, and using sharp tools. However, little is known about occupational injuries among olive workers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of occupational injuries among olive workers in a rural Greek area and to assess the financial burden on the health system and insurance funds. Methods A questionnaire was administered to 166 olive workers in the Aigialeia municipality in the Achaia region, Greece. The questionnaire contained detailed information on demographic characteristics, medical history, working environment, protective measures, gathering tools, and type and site of injuries. Moreover, data were recorded about the duration of hospitalization, medical examinations and treatment received, sick leaves, complications, and rate of re-injury. Direct economic costs were calculated for hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. The associations between olive workers' characteristics, risk factors, and occupational injury within the last year were examined using log-binomial regression models. Results In total, 85 injuries were recorded in 50 workers. The prevalence of one or more injuries in the last year was 30.1%. Factors associated with a higher rate of injury were male gender, age > 50 years, working experience > 24 years, history of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, climbing habits, and non-use of protective gloves. The average cost of agricultural injuries was more than 1400 € per injury. The cost seems to be associated with the severity of the injury, as injuries requiring hospitalization were associated with increased costs, higher cost of medication, as well as more days of sick leave. Losses due to sick leave cause the greatest financial costs. Conclusions Farm-related injuries are quite usual among olive workers in Greece. Injury risk is influenced by gender, age, working experience, medical history, climbing habits, and use of protective gloves. Days off work have the greatest financial cost. These findings can be useful as a starting point to train olive workers to reduce the incidence of farm-related injuries in Greece. Knowledge of risk factors for farm-related injuries and diseases could help the development of proper interventions to minimize the problem.

General practitioners' views towards management of common mental health disorders: Τhe critical role of continuing medical education.

BACKGROUND: The disability burden of common mental health disorders is enormous and should be faced at the first point of contact in the healthcare system. General Practitioners (GPs) are called to recognize, diagnose, and manage patients with mental health disorders, a task which is not always addressed successfully. The study aims at examining the relationship between mental health education of GPs and self-reported opinions on the care they provide to patients with mental disorders in Greece. METHODS: A questionnaire investigating GPs' viewpoints regarding diagnostic methods, referral rates and overall management of patients with mental disorders, and how these are impacted by their education on mental health, was employed, in a randomly selected sample of 353 GPs in Greece. Suggestions and proposals about improvement of ongoing mental health training, along with organizational reforming were also recorded. RESULTS: Received Continuing Medical Education (CME) is characterized as insufficient by 56.1% of the GPs. More than half of the GPs participate in clinical tutorials and mental health conferences once per three years or less. The level of educational score on mental health is associated positively with decisiveness on management of patients and increases self-confidence. A percentage of 77.6% states knowledge of the appropriate treatment and 56.1% agree to initiate treatment without referring to a specialist. However, low to moderate self-confidence about diagnosis and treatment is stated by 47.5%. According to GPs, critical points for improving mental health primary care are the liaison psychiatry and high degree of CME. CONCLUSION: Greek GPs are calling for focused and continuing medical education, in the field of psychiatry, along with essential structural and organizational reforming of the healthcare system, including an efficient liaison psychiatry.

In Vitro Anti-Biofilm Activity of Bacteriophage K (ATCC 19685-B1) and Daptomycin against Staphylococci.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate anti-staphylococcal activity of daptomycin and bacteriophage K, alone or in combination, against biofilm-producers and non-producers S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains, under biofilm forming and cells' proliferation conditions. Daptomycin and bacteriophage K (ATCC 19685B1), in different concentrations, were tested against 10 Staphylococcus aureus and 10 S. epidermidis, characterized by phenotypes and genotypes. The quantitative microtiter plate (crystal violet, CV), methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT), and growth curve (GC) assays were performed. No statistically significant difference was found between species, whereas daptomycin alone performed better using medium and high concentrations of the drug and bacteriophage K was more active against strains with higher susceptibility, by CV and MTT assays. Best results were achieved using both agents combined in high concentrations. Bacteriophage K was effective within 3.8 and 2.4 h, depending on the concentration used, by the GC assay. Combination of daptomycin with bacteriophage K was more effective against staphylococci, depending on the concentrations used and strains' susceptibility. Further studies are needed to evaluate if this approach might be a choice for prevention or therapy of biofilm-associated infections.

Prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depression in students at a Greek university during COVID-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND: Restrictions on movement and lockdown are measures taken in many nations, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. University students are additionally burdened by the transition to distance e-learning. The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in university students and to identify associated risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered to 2,009 students in the University of Patras, Greece, during the national lockdown. Socio-demographic, academic data, and the forced disruption of daily life were assessed along with the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS:  Anxiety and depression prevalence was 35.8% and 51.2% respectively. Age, school of study, financial status, self-perceived health status, level of satisfaction with the state's and university's response and specific aspects in the daily routine were associated with both anxiety and depression scores. At higher odds of both depression and anxiety were students with low income, bad health status, annoyed at staying home and those who encountered difficulties with the online education system. Additional risk factors for depression were studies in humanities and social sciences, and low satisfaction with the university's response, while for anxiety were studies in agricultural sciences and absence of information about COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of Greek students showing depression and anxiety, during the restrictive measures, is alarming. Mental health in university students should be monitored. Mitigation strategies should focus on specific personal, academic and social variables that have been identified as protective factors.

Improved strategies to counter the COVID-19 pandemic: Lockdowns vs. primary and community healthcare.

COVID-19 pandemic mitigation strategies are mainly based on social distancing measures and healthcare system reinforcement. However, many countries in Europe and elsewhere implemented strict, horizontal lockdowns because of extensive viral spread in the community which challenges the capacity of the healthcare systems. However, strict lockdowns have various untintended adverse social, economic and health effects, which have yet to be fully elucidated, and have not been considered in models examining the effects of various mitigation measures. Unlike commonly suggested, the dilemma is not about health vs wealth because the economic devastation of long-lasting lockdowns will definitely have adverse health effects in the population. Furthermore, they cannot provide a lasting solution in pandemic containment, potentially resulting in a vicious cycle of consecutive lockdowns with in-between breaks. Hospital preparedness has been the main strategy used by governments. However, a major characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic is the rapid viral transmission in populations with no immunity. Thus, even the best hospital system could not cope with the demand. Primary, community and home care are the only viable strategies that could achieve the goal of pandemic mitigation. We present the case example of Greece, a country which followed a strategy focused on hospital preparedness but failed to reinforce primary and community care. This, along with strategic mistakes in epidemiological surveillance, resulted in Greece implementing a second strict, horizontal lockdown and having one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in Europe during the second wave. We provide recommendations for measures that will reinstate primary and community care at the forefront in managing the current public health crisis by protecting hospitals from unnecessary admissions, providing primary and secondary prevention services in relation to COVID-19 and maintaining population health through treatment of non-COVID-19 conditions. This, together with more selective social distancing measures (instead of horizontal lockdowns), represents the only viable and realistic long-term strategy for COVID-19 pandemic mitigation.

Oxidative Damage of Mussels Living in Seawater Enriched with Trace Metals, from the Viewpoint of Proteins Expression and Modification.

The impact of metals bioaccumulation in marine organisms is a subject of intense investigation. This study was designed to determine the association between oxidative stress induced by seawater enriched with trace metals and protein synthesis using as a model the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were exposed to 40 µg/L Cu, 30 µg/L Hg, or 100 µg/L Cd for 5 and 15 days, and the pollution effect was evaluated by measuring established oxidative biomarkers. The results showed damage on the protein synthesis machine integrity and specifically on translation factors and ribosomal proteins expression and modifications. The exposure of mussels to all metals caused oxidative damage that was milder in the cases of Cu and Hg and more pronounced for Cd. However, after prolonged exposure of mussels to Cd (15 days), the effects receded. These changes that perturb protein biosynthesis can serve as a great tool for elucidating the mechanisms of toxicity and could be integrated in biomonitoring programs.

Hair biomonitoring and health status of a general population exposed to Nickel.

An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted in a Greek population, being orally exposed to Ni via food consumption, in order to investigate possible health effects and to evaluate hair Ni concentration as a biomarker of exposure. The study population consisted of 139 men and 155 women, aged 25-69. Socio-demographics, lifestyle, dietary habits, occupational and medical history data were recorded through a personal interview. Hematological and biochemical examinations were conducted in blood specimens. Metals - Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu and Zn - were determined in hair samples. Women were characterized by higher Ni and Cu hair concentrations, while men by higher Cr and Hg. Factors affecting hair metal concentrations were identified to be dietary habits, consumption of local crops, occupation and smoking. Hair element content in the study population was comparable to the "reference ranges" reported in Europe, except for Ni, found higher in a fraction of our population. Men in the upper quartile of hair Ni distribution are at higher risk for abnormal high cholesterol, LDL, albumin and calcium, with odds ratios (OR) varying between 3.5 and 6.2. Accordingly, high hair Ni content in women is associated with abnormal glucose (OR=3.9), triglycerides (OR=3.1) and low abnormal sodium (OR=4.3). The study provides evidence of the suitability of hair analysis in assessing environmental exposure to Ni and supports the use of hair Ni content as a valuable and relatively inexpensive tool of biomonitoring, to identify people at risk for certain biochemical alterations.

Occupational, dietary, and other risk factors for myelodysplastic syndromes in Western Greece.

PURPOSE: We have observed an increasing incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the geographic area of Western Greece during the past two decades. The objective of this study was to investigate potential risk factors for the manifestation of MDS in this area of Greece. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the public hospitals of the region. Participants were interviewed based on a questionnaire regarding demographics, occupational exposures, smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary, and domestic factors. RESULTS: A total of 228 individuals (126 cases, 102 controls) were recruited in this study. Univariate analysis showed that risk of MDS was associated with a family history of hematologic malignancy or solid tumor, exposure to pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, increased weekly intake of meat and eggs, and increased alcohol intake, whereas fruit intake had a protective effect. Analysis by pesticide ingredient showed a weak association of exposure to paraquat and glyphosate with the occurrence of MDS. Multivariate analysis showed that independent risk factors for the manifestation of MDS were family history of solid tumor (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.32-4.65), meat intake for ≥5 days/week (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.05-6.80) and exposure to pesticides (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.73-6.11). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to pesticides is a major risk factor of MDS in Western Greece. Family history of solid tumor and increased meat intake also appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of MDS. Public health authorities should implement policies to advise and protect farmers from the harmful effects of agrochemicals. Emphasis should also be given to health promotion advice including healthy eating.

Associations of Milk Consumption and Vitamin B2 and Β12 Derived from Milk with Fitness, Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices in Children. The Healthy Growth Study.

The benefits of dairy consumption seem to extend beyond its significant contribution to ensuring nutrient intake adequacy as indicated by the favourable associations with several health outcomes reported by different studies. The aims of the present study were to examine the associations of milk consumption with fitness, anthropometric and biochemical indices in children and further explore whether the observed associations are attributed to vitamins B2 and B12 derived from milk. A representative subsample of 600 children aged 9-13 years participating in the Healthy Growth Study was examined. Data were collected on children's dietary intake, using 24 h recalls, as well as on fitness, anthropometric and biochemical indices. Regression analyses were performed for investigating the research hypothesis, adjusting for potential confounders and for B-vitamin status indices (i.e., plasma riboflavin, methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine concentrations), dietary calcium intake and plasma zinc concentrations that could possibly act as effect modifiers. Milk consumption was positively associated with the number of stages performed in the endurance run test (ERT) (ß = 0.10; p = 0.017) and negatively with body mass index (BMI) (ß = -0.10; p = 0.014), after adjusting for several potential confounders and effect modifiers. Dietary intakes of vitamin B2 and B12 derived from milk were also positively associated with the number of ERT stages (ß = 0.10; p = 0.015 and ß = 0.10; p = 0.014 respectively). In conclusion, higher intake of milk as well as vitamin B2 and B12 derived from milk were independently associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness in Greek preadolescents. The key roles of these B-vitamins in substrate oxidation, energy production, haemoglobin synthesis and erythropoiesis could provide a basis for interpreting these associations. However, further research is needed to confirm this potential interpretation.

Arsenic and antimony removal from drinking water by adsorption on granular ferric oxide.

Arsenic and antimony occur in drinking water due to natural weathering or anthropogenic activities. There has been growing concern about their impact on health. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of a granular ferric oxide adsorbent medium to remove arsenic and antimony from drinking water via rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs). Three different water matrices - deionized, raw water treated with a reverse osmosis domestic device and raw water - were spiked with arsenic and/or antimony to a concentration of 100 µg L⁻¹. Both elements were successfully adsorbed onto the medium. The loadings until the guideline value was exceeded in the effluent were found to be 0.35-1.63 mg g⁻¹ for arsenic and 0.12-2.11 mg g⁻¹ for antimony, depending on the water matrix. Adsorption of one element was not substantially affected by the presence of the other. Aeration did not affect significantly the adsorption capacity. Granular ferric oxide could be employed for the simultaneous removal of arsenic and antimony from drinking water, whereas full-scale systems should be assessed via laboratory tests before their implementation.

Chromium in drinking water: association with biomarkers of exposure and effect.

An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece to investigate health outcomes associated with long-term exposure to chromium via drinking water. The study population consisted of 304 participants. Socio-demographics, lifestyle, drinking water intake, dietary habits, occupational and medical history data were recorded through a personal interview. Physical examination and a motor test were carried out on the individuals. Total chromium concentrations were measured in blood and hair of the study subjects. Hematological, biochemical and inflammatory parameters were determined in blood. Chromium in drinking water ranged from <0.5 to 90 µg·L-1 in all samples but one (220 µg·L-1), with a median concentration of 21.2 µg·L-1. Chromium levels in blood (median 0.32 µg·L-1, range <0.18-0.92 µg·L-1) and hair (median 0.22 µg·g-1, range 0.03-1.26 µg·g-1) were found within "normal range" according to the literature. Personal lifetime chromium exposure dose via drinking water, calculated from the results of the water analyses and the questionnaire data, showed associations with blood and hair chromium levels and certain hematological and biochemical parameters. Groups of subjects whose hematological or biochemical parameters were outside the normal range were not correlated with chromium exposure dose, except for groups of subjects with high triglycerides or low sodium. Motor impairment score was not associated with exposure to chromium.

Expression patterns of SDF1/CXCR4 in human invasive breast carcinoma and adjacent normal stroma: correlation with tumor clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.

SDF-1/CXCR4 axis is involved in various steps of breast tumorigenesis such as tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. The goal of the present study is to demonstrate in detail the immunohistochemical distribution of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in invasive breast carcinomas and identify possible correlation of their expression patterns with clinicopathological parameters and patients survival. We investigated the immunoexpression of CXCR4 and SDF1 in 76 invasive breast carcinomas. Both SDF-1 and CXCR4 had statistically significant higher expression in carcinomas compared with adjacent normal breast tissue. Furthermore the expression of CXCR4 in intratumoral fibroblasts had a positive correlation with overall and disease-free survival, while SDF1 membranous immunopositivity in normal breast epithelial cells was a risk factor for relapse. In addition, expression of SDF1 in fibroblasts of normal breast tissue was positively associated with tumor grade. Overall, our results suggest that the differential expression of CXCR4 in intratumoral stroma and SDF1 in adjacent normal mammary cells may predict clinical outcome in breast cancer patients.

A UPLC-MS Method for the Determination of Ofloxacin Concentrations in Aqueous Humor.

A rapid, simple, and specific method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with mass spectrometry detection has been developed for quantitative analysis of ofloxacin in human aqueous humor using tobramycin as internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 Shield column (150 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) eluted with 95:5 water: acetonitrile (v/v) containing 0.1% formic acid and a flow rate of 0.3 mL/minute. The total analysis time was three minutes with ofloxacin eluting at 1.67 ± 0.03 minutes. The linearity of the method ranged from 0.1 to 8 µg/mL with r2 = 0.998. The method was validated according to FDA guidelines with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, and stability. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.03 and 0.10 µg/mL, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of samples that have been obtained from patients.

Does farming have an effect on health status? A comparison study in west Greece.

Investigating the health status of agricultural workers is a challenging goal. Contradictory outcomes concerning farmers' health are reported in the literature. In this cross-sectional study, certain clinical and neurobehavioral health outcomes were compared between farmers and non-farmers living in the same rural area. Farmers (328) and non-farmers (347), matched per age and sex, were selected randomly in an agricultural area in West Greece. Both groups underwent haematological and biochemical examinations and were administered two neurobehavioral tests, namely the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Sociodemographic, personal medical, nutritional and lifestyle data were recorded. According to personal statements, farmers suffered from hypertension, cardiovascular, orthopaedic and ENT problems in higher frequency. Haematocrit, haemoglobin and serum cholinesterase's activity were found to be lower among farmers. Lower prevalence of hypertension and better performances on MMSE and MADRS tests were recorded in young farmers in relation to young non-farmers, while these findings were reversed in older ages. Odds Ratios were calculated through multivariate logistic regression models. Factors affecting these impairments remain to be clarified.

Interrelationships of pollution load index, transfer factor, and concentration factor under the effect of sludge.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted during 2010-2011. A complete randomized blocks design was used including seven treatment levels of sludge(tons per hectare), i.e., 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and "30+ treated wastewater", in four replications. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L var longifolia) was chosen as a test plant. The purpose of the experiment was to study the relationships between soil Pollution Load Index, heavy metal transfer factor, and concentration factor and to determine optimum concentration factor values. The following were found: several mathematical relationships were established between the above parameters that could be used for the study of heavy metal accumulation in soils and plants under the effect of the applied sludge. They can be also used for the calculation of one of the above parameters as a function of the others. Based on the experimental data, the optimum concentration factor for several heavy metals were determined by multiple linear regression analysis, expressing the concentration factor as a function of the maximum dry lettuce matter yield, and of optimum/minimum heavy metal content of plant dry matter. The mean value of the calculated concentration factor obtained for each separate metal was: Zn, 2.93; Cd, 0.39; Co, 1.47; and Ni, 0.52.

Lower ghrelin levels and exaggerated postprandial peptide-YY, glucagon-like peptide-1, and insulin responses, after gastric fundus resection, in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en Y-Gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is the commonest available option for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Weight loss following bariatric surgery has been linked to changes of gastrointestinal peptides, shown to be implicated also in metabolic effects and appetite control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether gastric fundus resection in patients undergoing LRYGBP enhances the efficacy of the procedure in terms of weight loss, glucose levels, and hormonal secretion. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent LRYGBP and 12 patients LRYGBP plus gastric fundus resection (LRYGBP+FR). All patients were evaluated before and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast and 30, 60, and 120 min after a standard 300-kcal mixed meal. RESULTS: Body weight and body mass index decreased markedly and comparably after both procedures. Fasting ghrelin decreased 3 months after LRYGBP, but increased at 12 months to levels higher than baseline while after LRYGBP+FR was markedly and persistently decreased. Postprandial GLP-1, PYY, and insulin responses were enhanced more and postprandial glucose levels were lower after LRYGBP+FR compared to LRYGBP. Postoperatively, ghrelin changes correlated negatively with GLP-1 changes. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of the gastric fundus in patients undergoing LRYGBP was associated with persistently lower fasting ghrelin levels; higher postprandial PYY, GLP-1, and insulin responses; and lower postprandial glucose levels compared to LRYGBP. These findings suggest that fundus resection in the setting of LRYGBP may be more effective than RYGBP for the management of morbid obesity and diabetes type 2.

A statistical model that predicts the length from the left subclavian artery to the celiac axis; towards accurate intra aortic balloon sizing.

BACKGROUND: Ideally the length of the Intraaortic balloon membrane (22-27.5 cm) should match to the distance from the left subclavian artery (LSA) to the celiac axis (CA), (LSA - CA). By being able to estimate this distance, better guidance regarding IABP sizing could be recommended. METHODS: Internal aortic lengths and demographic values were collected from a series of 40 cadavers during autopsy. External somatometric measurements were also obtained.There were 23 males and 17 females. The mean age was 73.1+/-13.11 years, weight 56.75+/-12.51 kg and the height 166+/-9.81 cm. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed the following predictor variables (R2 > 0.70) for estimating the length from LSA to CA: height (standardized coefficient (SRC) = 0.37, p = 0.004), age (SRC = 0.35, p < 0.001), sex (SRC = 0.21, p = 0.088) and the distance from the jugular notch to trans-pyloric plane (SRC = 0.61, p < 0.001). RECOMMENDATIONS: If LSA-CA < 21.9 cm use 34 cc IABP & if LSA-CA > 26.3 cm use 50 cc IABP. However if LSA-CA = 21.9- 26.3 cm use 40 cc, but be aware that it could be "aortic length-balloon membrane length" mismatching. CONCLUSIONS: Routinely, IABP size selection is being dictated by the patient's height. Inevitably, this leads to pitfalls. We reported a mathematical model of accurate intraaortic balloon sizing, which is easy to be applied and has a high predictive value.

Assessing quality of raw milk in southern Greece in the aspect of certain benzimidazole residues.

Benzimidazoles are veterinary drugs widely used against endoparasites in food-producing animals. Albendazole (ABZ), a benzimidazole, is believed to cause embryotoxicity, teratogenicity and other adverse health effects. This study assessed the residue levels of ABZ and its two major metabolites, the sulfoxide (ABZ-SO) and sulfone (ABZ-SO2), in raw milk samples collected from farms in southern Greece during the spring and autumn of 2008. Analysis was performed by HPLC using a diode array detector. A total of 16% of the 89 samples examined were positive for ABZ metabolites in the range 11-70 ng ml(-1), but the parent compound was not detected in any sample. A geographical variation in positive samples was observed, but season or milk type (ovine, bovine, goat) was unrelated to the presence of residues. Considering the lipophilic character of these substances and the possibility of higher concentrations in dairy foods, we suggest greater controlled usage of these drugs.

Pulmonary function testing in women with breast cancer treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and grade of pulmonary complications after radiotherapy for breast cancer are still debated. This study evaluated changes in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) after radiotherapy in women with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive eligible women with breast cancer underwent pulmonary function testing before and 3 months after adjuvant radiotherapy. Twenty-one of them also received chemotherapy. RESULTS: A significant decrease of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity was observed in the women treated with locoregional adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, whereas no decrease of the above parameters was evidenced in women treated exclusively with local adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Local adjuvant radiotherapy is not associated with any reduction in lung function parameters, however, locoregional adjuvant radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy shows a significant reduction in PFTs 3 months after radiotherapy completion.