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Biomedical subjects

E Demetriou

Publications and source records attributed to E Demetriou.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prevalence of high-grade CIN following mild dyskaryotic smears in different age groups.

OBJECTIVE: The new guidelines of the British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology suggest that women should be offered colposcopy after only one mildly dyskaryotic smear. This is expected to generate increased workload for the colposcopy clinics, at least in the short term. The main objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women with mildly dyskaryotic smears and investigate whether there is any variation in different age groups. The rationale was to determine whether we could reduce the burden on colposcopy services by prioritizing the mild dyskaryotic referrals by age, as we hypothesized that high-grade CIN is less frequent in younger women. METHODS: The study sample included all women who were referred for colposcopy with a cervical smear suggesting mild dyskaryosis (with or without koilocytosis) from April 2000 to March 2003. RESULTS: We studied 510 women. They were divided into three age groups (<20, 20-25 and >25 years). The overall prevalence of high-grade CIN (CIN II and III) was 28.7%. The positive predictive value of a mildly dyskaryotic smear for high-grade CIN was similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that we are not in a position to prioritize our referrals by age group and reduce the initial pressure for colposcopies. We are also concerned that with the implementation of the new guidelines, a significant number of women <25 years will be carrying high-grade CIN for more than 5 years before they are first screened.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Formation of hydroxyapatite/biopolymer biomaterials. I. Microporous composites from solidified emulsions.

Microporous materials of controlled pore size were prepared by means of a three-step process involving in situ hydrochemical preparation of a hydroxyapatite-sodium caseinate (HAp-Cas) composite material into a Cas-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion, subsequent concentration and drying of the composite-emulsion, and removal of the oil by means of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The resulting composite materials were found to contain micron-sized pores in the space previously occupied by the oil droplets. In order to elucidate the structure of the resulting porous product, its Cas-HAp composition was studied in the corresponding nonporous composite material. In nonporous samples, a protein assay by means of visible spectroscopy suggested equilibrium between the Cas that was trapped in the composite structure and the Cas that remained in solution after precipitation. This observation was confirmed by separate thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy measurements.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1996

Nicotine levels in indoor athletic centres.

The levels of nicotine during athletic events were measured at six indoor athletic centres in Cyprus. Samples of air were pumped through a tube containing XAD-4 resin. Quantitation of nicotine was carried out by GC with a method detection limit of 0.03 microgram of nicotine, recovery ranged between 99.5 and 100.5%. Confirmation of the nicotine presence was carried out by GC/MS. The concentrations of nicotine measured were between 3.6 and 39.0 micrograms/Nm3 with a geometric mean range 6.5-28.3 micrograms/Nm3.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1996

Chest Pain, Cough, and Hemoptysis.

An 18-year-old male presented with a 2-day history of left-side anterior chest pain. The pain was intermittent, crampy, and worsened with exertion. Associated symptoms were cough with sputum, night sweats, fever, decreased appetite, and 4.5-kg weight loss; cavitary lesions were seen on chest radiograph. The patient also had significant dental caries. Nasal biopsy revealed findings consistent with Wegener's granulomatosis. Combined treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone significantly improved his symptoms over the long term.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Acute Respiratory Disorders in Adolescents.

Acute respiratory infections are the most common reason that people seek medical care. This chapter emphasizes evaluation and management of uncomplicated acute respiratory infections that are commonly encountered in the clinical practice of adolescent medicine. Serious complications and conditions encountered in chronically ill adolescents are briefly discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

A sexually transmitted diseases curriculum in adolescent medicine.

We conducted a needs assessment and developed and evaluated a model curriculum on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) for house officers on an adolescent medicine rotation. Residents thought it important for physicians to acquire skill in treating STDs during residency (mean rating, 4.4 on a five-point scale) and were willing to provide medical care for adolescents likely to have an STD (mean rating, 4.4). Knowledge was measured before and after presentation of both of the two curriculum levels. There were significant increases in knowledge after each level, with a mean increase of 4.4 (of 50 possible) points for level 1 and a mean increase of 1.8 (of 38 possible) points for level 2. This improved knowledge about STDs should reflect increased competence and enhanced willingness to treat STDs in adolescents.

Adolescent Medicine↗
PubMed1989

Adolescent contraceptive use and parental notification.

Little research exists regarding the relationship between family communication and the sexual behavior and contraceptive use of adolescent females. A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 196 adolescent females regarding communication with their parents about sexual issues and their reaction to proposed parental notification of the dispensing of prescription contraception. Parents of 80% of the subjects who were sexually experienced were aware of this activity. Parents of 80% of those subjects who had used contraception were aware of this use; 59% of these subjects informed their parents before their family planning visit. The majority of female adolescents (57%) were unwilling to communicate with their parents about sexual issues; 64% felt they should be able to receive prescription contraception without parental knowledge. Communication regarding sexual issues was related to lifetime contraceptive use. Eighteen percent of the sexually experienced subjects would not allow their parents to be notified of their family planning visit; 86% would use less effective contraception if family planning services were not sought. Our findings suggest that a parental notification policy will not compel all adolescents to inform parents about their contraceptive use; most adolescents will resort to less effective contraceptive methods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Adolescent sexuality.

The consequences of adolescent sexual behavior are an enormous burden both for the adolescent and society. The problem is not that teens are sexually active but rather that they have little preparation and guidance in developing responsible sexual behavior. Developmentally, adolescents reach physical maturity before they are cognitively able to appreciate the consequences of their behavior. A teenager's primary source of information regarding sexuality is his or her peer group, all of whom are experiencing and reinforcing the same behaviors. The family, the major socializer of other behaviors, is not as powerful a force in shaping responsible sexual behavior because of parental discomfort with sex education and sexual discussions. This is the result of a social milieu in which sex is frequently portrayed but rarely linked with responsible behavior or accurate, nonjudgmental information. The pediatric practitioner is in an ideal position to intervene in these dynamics. In the office, the practitioner can provide accurate sexual information to both parents and adolescents, support parental-child communication on sexual issues, and provide appropriate services or referral. In the community, the practitioner can advocate for school-based sex education as well as act as an information resource. Finally, the practitioner can advocate for the health care needs for adolescents on a national level, supporting legislation that provides adolescents with information and access to services necessary to make responsible sexual decisions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in adolescent females using direct immunofluorescence.

Direct immunofluorescent slide tests for the detection of genital Chlamydia trachomatis have attracted considerable attention because of their speed and economy, but most evaluation trials have concentrated on adult, high-risk populations. Using 152 paired specimens, we compared the Syva Micro Trak direct specimen test with culture in a population of adolescent females attending a general adolescent medicine clinic. The direct slide test was 90 percent sensitive and 95 percent specific overall, with positive and negative predictive values of 74 percent and 98 percent, respectively. Prevalence by culture was 13 percent. Six of our 23 positive slide tests could not be confirmed by culture. A positive chlamydia culture was significantly associated with nonwhite race, a positive Gram's stain, and the presence of mucopurulent endocervical discharge, but not with oral contraceptive pill use, obstetrical history, Pap smear results, multiple sexual partners, coexisting vaginitis or gonorrhea, or a history of prior sexually transmitted diseases. The direct test appears to be an acceptable substitute for culture in higher prevalence adolescent settings and a useful screening adjunct in lower prevalence groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Potential permanent respiratory sequela of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in an adolescent.

Respiratory involvement is a frequent complication of the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS); however, there are no reports of persisting pulmonary sequelae following recovery. We present a case report of an adolescent girl with a history of clinically inactive hyperactive airway disease who developed persistent, severe obstructive pulmonary disease following an episode of SJS. This case may represent a permanent respiratory sequela.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in an adolescent population.

We compared a modified procedure of Gonozyme , an enzyme immunoassay for detection of gonococcal antigen in urogenital specimens, with bacterial culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a hospital-based adolescent clinic. In 839 patients studied, prevalence of urogenital gonorrhea by culture was 14.3%. The sensitivity of the immunoassay was 90.0%, and the specificity was 98.1%; predictive values for a positive and a negative test result were 88.5% and 98.3%, respectively. Gonozyme was highly accurate in 57 males studied; sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were 100%. In 782 females, sensitivity was 87.5%, specificity was 98.0%, positive predictive value was 85.7%, and negative predictive value was 98.2%. Patients with false-negative immunoassay results had lower colony counts on culture. Gonozyme is an acceptable substitute for culture in males and in females with intermediate or high prevalence of gonorrhea. Results can be available within three hours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Final height in estrogen-treated patients with Turner syndrome.

The growth effects of estrogen therapy in 37 adolescent girls with gonadal dysgenesis associated with various X chromosomal abnormalities were investigated. Nineteen patients (group 1) were treated at a mean of 14.3 years, and 18 patients (group 2) were treated at an average of 17.2 years. Final height was independent of the age estrogen therapy was initiated. Nevertheless, the growth responses to estrogens of groups 1 and 2 were different. For group 1, growth velocity significantly increased from 3.0 to 4.2 cm per year over the first year of therapy; for group 2, the corresponding velocities were not significantly different. Mean midparental height was significantly correlated with final height; however, karyotype, estrogen dosage, and duration of therapy were not significantly related to final height. The authors conclude that earlier estrogen therapy alone for patients with gonadal dysgenesis does not significantly compromise final height and produces development more in keeping with their normal adolescent peers.

Adolescent↗