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This study aims to profile the entrepreneurs who spend money on the adoption of sustainable actions in the tourism sector in Greece. The empirical analysis is based on the estimation of logistic and ordered logistic regression models. Results suggest that younger entrepreneurs are probably more likely to spend money to adopt eco-friendly actions. In general, highereducated entrepreneurs and owners of bigger tourism companies are also more likely to spend money to adopt sustainable practices. Important factors that positively affect tourism entrepreneurs' choice to spend on sustainability practices are their environmental awareness and past experience regarding the available eco-friendly activities. Finally, entrepreneurs' socioeconomic profile explains differences toward their beliefs about the contribution of their businesses to the degradation of natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The prevalence of parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of carcasses and viscera during meat inspection, and their economic implication, was estimated in a year long abattoir survey of 10 277 slaughtered farm animals in the region of Trikala, Greece. The organs examined for the presence of parasitic lesions during meat inspection were: liver and lungs of all animals, rumen of cattle, small intestine of lambs and kids, and muscles of cattle and swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were caused only by hydatid cysts. No hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the liver of cattle, sheep and goats were as a result of hydatid cysts and flukes of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, while those of swine were due to milk spots only. Moniezia sp. proglottids were found in the small intestine of lambs only. The prevalence of parasites responsible for the condemnation of marketable organs was low (0.26%). Parasites were responsible for 22% of the total of condemned organs, and their annual cost was 99 500 GDR (∼€292). The parasites most contributing to marketable organ condemnation were hydatid cysts (26%) and D. dendriticum flukes (26%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate fetal exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) by measuring their non-specific dialkyl-phosphate metabolites (DAPs) in amniotic fluid (AF), and to examine the potential association between prenatal exposure and fetal growth. AF samples were collected from 415 women during the second gestational trimester. The determined OPs metabolites were DMP, DMTP, DEP, DETP, and DEDTP. DAPs were extracted by liquid-solid extraction, derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 97.8% of AF samples were positive for at least one DAP. DAPs levels did not differ between urban and rural areas. Macrosomic neonates have significantly higher sum levels of DMPs (p=0.043), which exerted a linear positive association with birth-weight centile (b=4.43, p=0.016). Conclusively, as DAPs are detectable in AF they may be used as a potential biomarker of fetal exposure to OPs. Sum levels of DMPs appear to be associated with birth weight independently of other covariates., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Urological complications after renal transplantation increase morbidity, delay graft function, and occasionally lead to graft and/or patient loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of and therapeutic approaches to urological complications in renal transplantation as they related to patient outcomes. A series of 1525 consecutive renal transplantations were performed over a 24-year period. Renal grafts were obtained in 814 cases from living-related and in 711 from cadaveric donors. A Lich-Gregoire ureterovesical reimplantation technique with minimal bladder wall dissection was employed in all cases. Ureteral stents were routinely used in cadaveric transplants and exceptionally among living-related grafts. Urological complications were classified according to the mechanism and site of urinary tract involvement: graft ureteropelvic junction obstruction/stenosis (A), ureteral obstruction/stenosis (B), ureterovesical anastomosis obstruction/stenosis (C), urinary leakage (D), and other (E). Overall, we encountered 96 urological complications (6.3%). Group C complications occurred in 29 cases (30.2%), followed by 27 cases (28.1%) for group B patients, 25 cases (26.0%) for group D, 12 cases (12.5%) for group A, and 3 cases (3.1%) for group E patients. Surgical intervention was required in 49 (51.0%) of all urological complications. The others (n = 47, 49.0%) were treated either conservatively or by minimally invasive procedures. A rapid diagnosis of urological complications, assisted by early posttransplant DTPA scans, routine ultrasonography, and especially prompt treatment, resulted in compensation of renal graft dysfunction in the vast majority (n = 90, 93.8%) of cases. Surgical techniques of graft retrieval and reimplantation are of utmost importance to minimize the incidence of urological complications.

Information concerning worm control practices of pig farmers in Greece was collected through a questionnaire survey by visiting farms and interviewing farmers. Questionnaires from 93 farmers were collected. The most commonly treated age groups of pigs were sows (87%), followed by fatteners (59%) and weaners (57%). Most of the farmers treated their sows twice per year (78%). The preferred method for calculating anthelmintic dosages was visual estimation (77%) of an average body weight (97%). Drug administration was by mixing anthelmintics with 1-day ration (97%) in two doses with an interval of 4-5 days (94%). The most commonly used group of anthelmintic was benzimidazoles and probenzimidazoles (37-46%), followed by avermectins (7-14%) and tetrahydropyrimidines (8-14%). Febantel was the most commonly used individual drug (34-40%), followed by ivermectin (7-14%) and pyrantel (9-14%). A small number of pig farmers used more than one group of anthelmintics (1-4%) or individual drug (2-6%) in the same year. The majority of the farmers (60%) used the same anthelmintic group for 3 or more years. When gilts/sows or boars were brought, 55% of the pig farmers did not treat with an anthelmintic. Most of the farmers evaluated the efficacy of an anthelmintic by inspecting the general appearance of the pigs or by inspecting for the presence of worms expelled in the faeces after treatment. Planning of the anthelmintic treatment strategy for most of the farms was the responsibility of veterinarians. However, most of the farmers considered the magnitude of worm infection in their own farm as insignificant.