http://ktisis.cut.ac.cy/handle/10488/930 Search the Channel search http://ktisis.cut.ac.cy/simple-search http://ktisis.cut.ac.cy/handle/10488/1341 Title: Time-series analysis of respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity in Nicosia, Cyprus 1995-2004: The effect of air pollution and dust storms<br/><br/>Authors: Middleton, Nicos; Yiallouros, P.; Kleanthous, S.; Kolokotroni, O.; Schwartz, J.; Dockery, D.; Demokritou, P.<br/><br/>Abstract: Background- A substantial body of research has shown adverse health effects ofshort-term changes in levels of air pollution. Associations have not been investigated in smaller size Mediterranean cities where re-suspended dust from desertregions can raise particle concentrations considerably above European guidelines.It is unclear whether such natural phenomena pose the same risks.Methods–: The effect of daily changes in particulate matter (PM) and ozone on hospital admissions was investigated in generalized additive Poisson models controlling for the effect of weather. Meteorological records and wind trajectories were reviewed to identify dust-storm days and analyses were repeated to quantify their effect.Results–: An increasing risk of hospitalisation was observed across quartiles of days with increasing levels of PM. For a 10μg/m3 increase, there was a 0.9% 95%CI(0.6,1.2) increase in all and 1.2% (-0.0,2.4) increase in cardiovascularadmissions. With respect to respiratory causes, the effect was stronger but restricted to the warm season and may indicate a synergy with temperature. Admissions were 4.8% (0.7,9.0), 10.4%(-4.7,27.9) and 3.1% (-10.2,18.3) higher on dust storm days for all, cardiovascular and respiratory causes respectively.Conclusions–: Estimates of the effect of daily changes in air pollution were generally consistent with those seen elsewhere. There was also some evidence of increased admissions on dust-storm days. While inference is limited, the magnitude was at least comparable to that seen on days with the highest levels of PM from traffic sources and may, thus, merit special warnings to vulnerable groups.<br/><br/>Description: Presented at (and appears in the proceedings of) the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress, Berlin, 2008. Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:58:59 GMT http://ktisis.cut.ac.cy/handle/10488/1315 Title: Residential exposure to motor vehicle emissions and the risk of wheezing among 7-8 year-old schoolchildren in Nicosia, Cyprus.<br/><br/>Authors: Middleton, Nicos; Nicolaou, N.; Pipis, S.; Zeniou, M.; Kleanthous, S.; Demokritou, P.; Koutrakis, P.; Yiallouros, P.<br/><br/>Abstract: Background: First-time investigation into the frequency of asthmaticsymptoms among Cypriot children showed increased prevalence inthe capital compared to all other areas. Exposure to traffic pollutantshave been repeatedly shown to be associated with a range of cardiorespiratoryeffects. Differences in asthma prevalence on an island thesize of Cyprus may reflect such environmental factors. Objective: Toinvestigate the association between residential exposure to trafficpollution and the risk of asthmatic symptoms within the city ofNicosia. Methods: The addresses of participating children in Nicosiawere geo-coded (N = 1,735) and levels of exposure were assessedusing both (a) distance-based and (b) emissions-based indicators e.g.estimated levels of traffic pollutants at all roads within a pre-defineddistance around the residence. Odds ratios of self-reported symptomsin relation to exposure were estimated in logistic regression modelsadjusting for person-based risk factors and co-morbidity as well asintra-school clustering. Results: Up to 2-fold differences in symptomswere observed; however, increased risk seemed to concentrate atdistances less than 50 m from a main road and/or only among thoseexperiencing the highest levels of cumulative exposure. Associationspersisted after adjusting for other risk factors. While the direction ofeffect was apparent at longer distances, differences were not statisticallysignificant. Adjusted odds ratios for current wheezing were2.33 (95% CI 1.27, 4.30) amongst the quartile of participants exposedto the highest levels of particulate matter (PM) at all roads 50 m oftheir residence and 2.14 (95% CI 1.05, 4.35) for levels of nitrogenoxides (NOx). Conclusions: Children with the highest vehicularemissions burden around their residence seem to be at higher risk ofreporting symptoms. However, due to the small number of childrenresiding at close proximity to main roads and with no evidence ofeffect at longer distances, this alone would not explain the generallyhigher prevalence observed in the urban areas in Nicosia.<br/><br/>Description: Presented at the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) and European Epidemiology Federation (EEF)Congress of Epidemiology, Warsaw, 2009. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://ktisis.cut.ac.cy/handle/10488/973 Title: Assessment of nurses’ knowledge on Basic Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (B-CPR)<br/><br/>Authors: Zacharopoulos, P.; Πρελορέντζου, Χ.; Merkouris, Anastasios<br/><br/>Abstract: Aim: To assess the level of knowledge of the nursing staff on Basic Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (B-CPR) according to the European Resuscitation Council guidelines (ERC 2000) and explore the correlation with demographic and other background factors. Material and method: The sample included 128 nurses and 107 assistant nurses from 13 hospitals in Attica and 3 hospitals in Crete. A questionnaire with 14 multiple choice questions which was developed for the specific purpose was used for data collection. Results: The results showed that nursing staff had a low level of knowledge on B-CPR (Mean.=5.88, SD=2.42). The vast majority of the participants (69.2%) did not know the exact rhythm of compression - ventilation. Only half of the sample (54,4%) has attended a Β-CPR seminar. Statistically significant differences were found for the geographical area, the type of department, the educational level, the participation in Β-CPR seminar and the time of the participation Conclusion: The results of this study showed the need for a systematic and continuous training on Β-CPR of all nurses, especially for the assistants and those who work in general departments. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://ktisis.cut.ac.cy/handle/10488/972 Title: Assessment of cancer related fatigue in children and adolescents<br/><br/>Authors: Perdikaris, Pantelis; Papadatou, D.; Patiraki, E.; Merkouris, Anastasios; Kosmidis-Vasilatou, E.; Matziou, Vasiliki<br/><br/>Abstract: Cancer related fatigue has received limited clinical attention, although it is described as one of the most distressing symptoms children and adolescents are suffering during their treatment. AIM The aim of this study was (a) to assess the change in fatigue scores during cancer treatment according to children's and adolescents' perspectives, (b) to describe the possible causes of fatigue from children's and adolescents' view. MATERIAL-METHOD The present study was an ongoing prospective study. The research group consisted of 40 children aged 7-12 years and 29 adolescents with cancer who are followed up in an oncology clinic of a Greek children's hospital. After parental consent was obtained, data were collected using the Children's Fatigue Scale (CFS), Adolescents' Fatigue Scale (AFS) and a sociodemographic data form. RESULTS The children with cancer reported a statistically significant increase in fatigue scores during their treatment (z=-3.38, P=0.001). Similarly, adolescents' fatigue levels increased significantly during their treatment (z=-2.22, P=0.026). No other demographic factor, except gender in the children group (z=-2.04, P=0.042 for the beginning of treatment and t=2.43, P=0.02 for the end of treatment) found to increase significant the fatigue scores. CONCLUSIONS Cancer treatment was found to increase significant children's and adolescents' fatigue levels. Medical procedures and hospital environment seemed to be major causative factors for experiencing fatigue by the children and adolescents with cancer during their treatment. Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:58:59 GMT