Southwestern Greece Research Articles

Childhood bacterial meningitis in Southwestern Greece: a population-based study.

During the 5-year period from 1990 through 1994, we investigated the incidence of childhood bacterial meningitis (beyond the neonatal period) in southwestern Greece. Thirty-seven cases of bacterial meningitis were identified. Fifty-one percent of the cases were caused by Neisseria meningitidis, 41% by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and 8% by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Fifty-eight percent and 73% of cases of meningococcal and Hib meningitis, respectively, involved children younger than 2 years of age. The average yearly incidences of meningococcal and Hib meningitis were 9.7 and 8 cases, respectively, per 100,000 children < 5 years of age. The main difference between findings in this study and those in other studies in Western European countries is the lower incidence of Hib meningitis observed in our area. This low incidence of Hib meningitis cannot be attributed to the use of vaccine because the Hib vaccine was first introduced in May 1994 and used infrequently through December 1994.

The strain field in northwestern Greece and the Ionian Islands: results inferred from GPS measurements

Recent crustal movements detected by the analysis of repeated satellite geodetic measurements reflect the ongoing geodynamic processes in the Alpine-Mediterranean area. Superimposed on the large-scale counterclockwise rotation of the African plate, complex dynamic processes are affecting the lithospheric fragments between the African and Eurasian plates. Key features to better understand the driving forces and associated seismic activity in the Africa/Eurasia collision zone are the Calabrian and Hellenic arcs. In this paper geodynamic investigations along the West Hellenic arc are discussed. They are based on two epochs (1989 and 1993) of satellite geodetic measurements carried out using the US Global Positioning System (GPS). The results are presented in terms of relative displacements and strain rates. Within the time span of 4 years southwestern Greece has moved to the southwest relative to southeastern Italy by an average of 120 mm, increasing from 80 mm at Lefkada, in the center of the Ionian Islands, to 160 mm at the Peloponnesus. The maximum strain rate is 0.18 μstrain/a located in the vicinity of Lefkada, where anomalously high earthquake activity is observed. The data provide strong evidence for dextral strike-slip motion on the order of 25 mm/a along the Kephalonia Fault Zone (KFZ). The deformation field of the KFZ is interpreted as a transition zone between the kinematics of the Apulian platform and the West Hellenic fold and thrust belts.

Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen in southwestern Greece

The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in sera of 56 chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined by three methods: the Abbott hybridization assay, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by gel electrophoresis and UV visualization (PCR-GE), and PCR followed by DNA enzyme immunoassay (PCR-DEIA). HBV DNA was detected in four samples positive for hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) by all methods used. Both PCR-GE and PCR-DEIA detected viraemia in two anti-HBe, anti-HBc IgM positive samples. In the group of 50 anti-HBe positive samples the sensitivity of the three methods was 10%, 24% and 32%, respectively. PCR-GE and PCR-DEIA results correlated well with the patients' clinical status; of 20 patients with elevated ALT levels, 12 (60%) were found to be positive in the PCR-GE and another 2 were found to be positive in the PCR-DEIA (70%). These data indicate that PCR-DEIA is the most sensitive method for detection of HBV DNA. This method can be relatively easily applied in the clinical laboratory for monitoring the progression of disease and/or interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Nonlinear Regression Applied to Hydrologic Data

An overview of nonlinear regression is presented based on the concept of model linearization and use of successive approximations in order to minimize the sum of squared residuals. The Marquardt method is proposed as a general tool for regression on nonlinear expressions. Using concepts from linear regression, it is possible to investigate the statistical behavior of model parameters and thus choose between competing models. To demonstrate the applicability of the method, intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves were constructed from point-precipitation data. Such curves are required for the design of urban drainage systems via the rational formula. The constructed IDF curves represent precipitation conditions at two urban areas in Southwestern Greece. The present approach can be very useful in many civil-engineering applications because it avoids the bias associated with logarithmic transformation of nonlinear expressions and subsequent application of linear regression. It can also be extended to a set ...

Kinematics and deformation of central and southwestern Greece from historical triangulation data and implications for the active tectonics of the Aegean

Changes in the coordinates of 38 stations, 32 of which were common to three historical triangulation surveys (1889–1905, 1927–1930 and 1950–1970) in central Greece were computed based on conventional adjustment techniques and the assumption of a nearly fixed baseline length. Some of the calculated coordinate changes are significant against the a posteriori network adjustment errors and are likely to indicate tectonic motions consistent with those deduced from geological and geophysical data and other geodetic studies (comparison of the first survey network with GPS data). More explicitly, the historical geodetic data confirm the rotational character of the deformation in the area, but they show that the strain pattern is likely to have changed after 1930: between 1890 and 1930 strain was changing smoothly, as if no strain discontinuities existed, while the Peloponnesus was under contraction from the northeast, probably reflecting accommodation of strain from the arc. Significant left-lateral shear in the gulf of Corinth and N-S extension in the whole of the study area were observed only after 1930. Estimates of strain are consistent with those deduced from comparison of historical triangulation and GPS data, corrected for the scale error that exists in the terrestrial geodetic data in Greece, and estimates of strain from seismological data. The change in the kinematic pattern after 1930 seems to be confirmed by changes in the shear strain computed directly from changes in observed angles between stations and from changes in the seismicity rates; such changes, although not unusual in the geological record, are not easy to explain, but may reflect elastic rebound effects in area with an extremely complicated tectonic fabric or hysteresis in the accommodation of E-W compression from the arc by N-S stretching.

Prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of Chlamydia trachomatis among pregnant and non-pregnant women in south-western Greece.

One-hundred-ninety-three pregnant and seventy five non-pregnant women, aged 18-35 years, were examined for endocervical infection with Chlamydia trachomatis using an enzyme immunoassay technique on cervical specimens. Chlamydia trachomatis was discovered in 7.2% of the pregnant women and in 10.6% of the non-pregnant ones. There was no correlation between chlamydia infection and either previous vulvovaginitis, previous pregnancies or pregnancy outcome. However, younger, more highly educated women with high sexual promiscuity tended to be more frequently colonized.

Brucella arthritis.

Nine cases of peripheral arthritis were identified among 40 patients with brucellosis, in the endemic area of Southwestern Greece, during a 4-year prospective study. In 5 patients the joint was aspirated and the examination of the synovial fluid revealed white cell counts ranging from 4,460/mm3 to 8,800/mm3, with lymphocytic predominance. Synovial fluid cultures were positive for Brucella in 3 out of the 5 patients. These findings suggest that brucella arthritis is mainly a true septic arthritis, with characteristic joint fluid features, which distinguish it from other septic arthritides, a fact that is extremely helpful in its early diagnosis and management in an endemic area.

The Genesis of Certain Soil Profiles on an Archaeological Site in Southern Greece

AbstractGenetic studies were conducted on soil profiles developed on an archaeological site in southwestern Greece. The parent materials of the profiles were unconsolidated Holocene and Pliocene deposits. Argillic horizons formed through the movement of montmorillonite developed in 2,000 to 3,000 years. Cambic horizons formed by the removal of carbonates developed in &lt; 900 years. The depth of pedogenesis was influenced by the consolidation of the parent material and presence of limestone boulders.Changes in the mineralogical composition during soil development were the leaching of carbonates, translocation of montmorillonite from the surface horizon to the Bt horizon, and changes in the proportion of iron oxides extracted by ammonium oxalate.

Ixodes himalayensis sp. n. (Acarina: Ixodidae) Parasitizing Small Mammals in Himachal Pradesh, India

Ixodes himalayensis sp. n. is described from female, nymph, and larva taken on rodents and a shrew from various localities in Himachal Pradesh, India. The species is related to I. redikorzevi Olenev, 1927, which is known to parasitize small mammals and birds in several localities in southwestern Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Afghanistan. The new Ixodes species described below was collected by one of us (S.M.K.), during a survey of hematophagous arthropods in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India. All the measurements in the descriptions are given in millimeters and were taken at the longest or the widest point. The illustrations were prepared from alcohol-preserved specimens with the aid of a camera lucida. Some of the larvae were mounted on slides in Hoyer's medium for studying the finer details and the chaetotaxy. Ixodes himalayensis sp. n. The Himalayan Small-mammal Ixodid (Figs. 1-16) Holotype Female, V.R.C. No. A-82035, Mus musculus, Palchan (altitude approximately 2,310 m), Kulu district, Himachal Pradesh, India, 3 October 1967, S. M. Kulkarni, deposited in the tick collection of the Virus Research Centre, Poona. Paratypes Eleven 9 9, 31 nymphs, 42 larvae, details as given in Table I. Paratypes deposited in collections of the Virus Research Centre, Poona; Indian Museum, Calcutta; British Museum (Natural History), London; and Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Montana. Female (Figs. 1-7) Body: Smallest specimen almost unengorged, oval, widest at level of coxae IV, 2.66 long, 1.51 wide. Largest specimen almost fully engorged, oblong, 5.11 long, 3.24 wide. Dorsal and ventral integumental areas thickly covered with moderately long white setae (Figs. 1, 2). Capitulum (Figs. 3, 4): 0.73 to 0.85 long, 0.46 to 0.56 wide. Basis capituli dorsally widest at juncture of palpi, converging gradually posteriorly to form well-developed sharp triangular cornua; posReceived for publication 13 January 1969. * The Virus Research Centre is maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The Centre also receives a grant (3x4307) of the PL 480 Funds from NIH, USPHS, through the Indian Council of Medical Research. terior margin between cornua straight; porose areas large, clearly defined, subtriangular in outline. Basis capituli ventrally with well-developed posteriorly directed auriculae. Two pairs of minute posthypostomal setae. Palpi widest near apex of segment 2, greatest width about 0.16; segment 2 almost as long as 3, their combined length 0.54 to 0.61. Setae numerous, as illustrated (Figs. 3, 4). Hypostome (Fig. 5): Denticle-bearing portion 0.40 to 0.43 long; apex sharply pointed. Dental formula 3/3 in anterior half, thence 2/2 to base. Scutum: 1.12 to 1.40 long, 0.99 to 1.10 wide, widest near midlength. Scapulae sharp and pointed. Lateral carinae indistinct. Cervical grooves as shallow depressions, limited to anterior %, narrow and parallel anteriorly, wide and divergent posteriorly. Punctations large and distinct, moderately numerous, distributed all over scutum. Seta moderately long, white, distributed as illustrated (Fig. 1). Legs (Figs. 1, 2, 7): Moderately long. Coxa I with two spurs, outer small, triangular, inner long, tapering gradually to sharp points; II and III with well-developed triangular outer spur, and small distinct inner spur like projection; IV with only subtriangular outer spur. Trochanters lack spurs. Tarsus I 0.59 to 0.67 long, metatarsus I 0.31 to 0.41 long; tarsus IV 0.49 to 0.58 long, metatarsus IV 0.38 to 0.47 long. Pulvilli reach distal curvature of claws. Spiracular plate (Fig. 6): Outline circular, diameter about 0.22. Genital aperture: Situated at level between coxae III and IV. Genital groove rounded anterior to genital aperture, gradually divergent posteriorly, terminating short of posterior margin. Anal groove: Horseshoe-shaped, terminating short of posterior margin. Anus longitudinal slit, surrounded by two semilunar valves; each valve with three anal setae. Nymph (Figs. 8-14) Body: Shape as in female. Smallest specimen almost unengorged, 1.19 long, 0.64 wide; largest specimen almost fully engorged, 2.59 long, 1.65 wide. Dorsal and ventral integumental areas densely covered with long white setae. Capitulum (Figs. 10, 11): 0.25 to 0.28 long, 0.17 to 0.22 wide. Basis capituli dorsally and ventrally similar to female in outline, except that auriculae slightly smaller. Palpi widest near base