Biomedical subjects

G Alevisopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to G Alevisopoulos.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Assessing food additive toxicity using a cell model.

Food additives are widely used for technological purposes and their presence is often substantial daily diet. They have also been accused forvarious toxic reactions in humans. The toxicity of the food color tartrazine, the preservatives sodium nitrate and sodium benzoate, and the antioxidant BHT, was studied using the protozoan Tetrahymenapyriformis as a toxicological model. The 4 food additives were added to Tetrahymena cultures and DNA content of the protozoan nuclei measured by an image analysis system. These food additives caused a statistically significant increase in DNA content suggesting stimulation of the mitotic process. This system may contribute to the investigation of the cellular action of food additives, since mitogenic stimuli substantially alter susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Lead content of fresh milk samples from different sites in Athens.

Milk and dairy products constitute a major food, especially for infants and children, and relatively low levels of toxic elements can contribute significantly to dietary intakes and be hazardous for public health. The purpose of this survey was to define the levels of lead in milk samples of different origin, to establish the presence or absence of contamination. The milks from different sites of the metropolitan area of Athens contained negligible traces of lead and thus are safe for the public health.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Delat9-tetrahydrocannabinol content in cannabis plants of greek origin.

The delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) content was identified and determined quantitatively using a Gas Chromatography Detector (Gas Chromatography-Electron Ion Detector) instrument in samples of illicit herbal cannabis. Law enforcement authorities sent the samples to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, for toxicological analysis. The concentrations of delta9-THC in these samples ranged from 0.08% to 4.41%. Such concentrations suggest that Greece might be at high risk, as an area for the illicit cultivation of "pedigree" cannabis plants. The forensic aspects of cannabis classification are discussed.

Cannabis↗

PubMed1998

Bee pseudocholinesterase as an indicator of exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides.

The inhibition of pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) activity is a valid and sensitive biochemical indicator of exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides and is often mandatory of the agricultural use of these pesticides. In the present work we developed a modification of an easy and sensitive technique to detect the pseudocholinesterase inhibition due to pesticide exposure. Small amounts of head tissue are needed and low concentrations of the enzyme can be detected. The determination of pseudocholinesterase inhibition is a useful biomonitor of anticholinesterase pesticide exposure for bees in the same way that it is useful for the determination of exposure in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Lead exposure of the child population in Greece.

Lead exposure of the child population was studied in three different areas in Greece: Kalamata which is a rural area of Southern Greece; Tavros, a district of Athens with a considerable industrial activity; and Lavrion, a small city near Athens where a lead-zinc mining and smelting industrial complex has existed for more than 90 years. The results were evaluated with respect to a number of individual, social and environmental variables (i.e. smelter, occupation of the father) especially those concerning the area of Lavrion which is the most heavily polluted area in Greece. The results of this study can be considered as an index for the extent of the lead pollution problem in the named areas of Greece.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1992

["Palatolaryngeal hemiplegia" in transient brain stem ischemia--a contribution to neurogenic dysphagia].

A 65-year old man suffering from dysphagia with aspiration was examined. ENT examination showed a Horner syndrome and cranial nerve palsy with paralysis of the soft palate and one vocal cord (palatolaryngeal hemiplegia, Avellis' syndrome). Pharyngeal manometry and videofluoroscopy depicted an asynergic swallowing with cricopharyngeal achalasia. CT scans of mediastinum, head, neck, and skull base showed no signs of abnormality. MR imaging of the brain stem demonstrated an enrichment of contrast medium in the dorsal region of the upper medulla oblongata in the level of the centre of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve. This case demonstrates an uncommon cause of dysphagia which was related to transitory brain stem ischaemia. After a period of three weeks the patients' complaints vanished as well as the clinical features. In a follow-up of MR-imaging three months later no focal enhancement of contrast medium was seen confirming the diagnosis of a brain stem ischaemic lesion.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A simple method for the estimation of paraquat in tissue.

A short and simple method is described for the determination of paraquat in viscera in cases of fatal intoxication. Paraquat, which can dialyse through a cellulose semipermeable membrane into an aqueous media, was measured spectrophotometrically.

Forensic Medicine↗