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Journal URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/05315565

Within the context of a national study on the prevalence of male inmates’ HIV-risk behaviour, we present data regarding the HIV-related knowledge of a sub sample of inmates in terms of modes of HIV transmission, methods of HIV prevention and risks of HIV transmission within prison. The sample comprised a randomly selected group of 242 inmates from the Greek prison with the largest inmate population. Inmates appeared highly knowledgeable regarding transmission via sexual behaviour and the basic modes of reducing risk during sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, high levels of misconception regarding certain sexual practices and drug related issues were also apparent. Significant knowledge gaps regarding risk of HIV transmission in prison also appeared. There were no significant differences between injecting drug users (IDUs) and non-IDUs regarding their knowledge, except on items related to procedural aspects of drug using, with non-IDUs being less knowledgeable. Inmates perceived themselves as knowing ‘a medium’ amount of information about AIDS. The pattern of knowledge that emerged was that although inmates knew the basic facts about AIDS, they were still ignorant or had misconceptions in significant areas. Results are discussed in relation to similar patterns of HIV-related knowledge that have appeared in other European studies in prison populations and in Greek studies of the general population.

This paper presents results in the image processing and visualization aspects of a virtual liver biopsy system (a system for simulating the medical procedure of liver biopsy). The creation of 3D models from 2D images of the organs involved is described, and segmentation requirements of this process are discussed. Endoscopic images of the liver that simulate the needle's point of view are created by means of combined volume and surface rendering. For this purpose ray casting is used with the ray start and end points being constrained within a surface rendered environment. Visualization of the needle insertion process from an exterior point of view is presented. A real-time sectional imaging component is also used in which the displayed 2D-image section of the 3D volume tracks the tip of the needle This paper presents results in the image processing and visualization aspects of a virtual liver biopsy system (a system for simulating the medical procedure of liver biopsy). The creation of 3D models from 2D images of the organs involved is described, and segmentation requirements of this process are discussed. Endoscopic images of the liver that simulate the needle's point of view are created by means of combined volume and surface rendering. For this purpose ray casting is used with the ray start and end points being constrained within a surface rendered environment. Visualization of the needle insertion process from an exterior point of view is presented. A real-time sectional imaging component is also used in which the displayed 2D-image section of the 3D volume tracks the tip of the needle.

Aims. To identify the correlates of injecting drug use within prison. Design. A national cross-sectional study, participation being voluntary and anonymous. Setting. Ten Greek prisons. Participants. A representative sample of 1000 male inmates; 861 questionnaires were completed and analysed. Measurement. A self-report questionnaire for demographics, penal history, drug use and sharing injecting equipment. Findings. Two hundred and ninety inmates (33.7%) reported injecting drugs at some time in their lives, of whom 174 (60%) had injected while imprisoned. Among those who had injected while imprisoned, 145 (83%) had shared equipment while incarcerated. Logistic regression analysis suggested that total time in prison, previous drug conviction, being a convict (as opposed to on remand) and having multiple female sexual partners 1 year before incarceration were significant HIV risk behaviour correlates. For every year of imprisonment, the risk of injection in prison increased by about 17% [OR = 1.17 (95% CI: 1.07-1.27)]. Inmates with a previous drug-related conviction were about twice as likely to inject within prison [OR = 1.97 (95% CI: 1.16-3.33)]. Finally, convicted inmates were marginally significantly more prone to inject in prison [OR = 1.58 (95% CI: 0.92-2.74)]. Conclusions. Variables related to the inmates’ prison career influence HIV risk behaviours within prison. There is a need to assist IDUs in reducing the likelihood of high-risk behaviour by considering factors such as frequency of incarceration, length of time incarcerated and availability of detoxification programmes within prison.

The study analyses the future application of modern biotechnology in the Agro-Food sector in five European countries as well as its impacts on economy, society, environment and the health of consumers and employees. Detailed information concerning the situation in Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands and Spain as well as an in-depth analysis of the major factors influencing the application of modern biotechnology enable the reader to adjust his own decisions on the expected future developments in advance.

We present a national cross-sectional comparative study of injecting drug use amongst male inmates in Greek prisons in relation to demographic and penal variables. A representative sample of 1.000 inmates were randomly selected from ten correctional institutions. 861 questionnaires were included in the analysis. 290 inmates (33.6%) reported injecting drugs, of whom 174 (60%) had injected while in prison, and 146 (50.3%) had shared sometime while in prison. Inmate injectors were predominately aged 25 to 34 years; they were incarcerated mostly due to drug offences (54.7%) and offences against property (30.5%); they were characterised by a multiplicity of previous sentences and a long duration of total time in prison. Most of the injectors had been convicted for drug offences in the past. Injectors, compared to non-injectors, were more likely to have had an HIV blood test. Regarding their sexual behaviour during the twelve months prior to imprisonment, injectors were more likely to have multiple female sexual partners - other than their wives or regular partners. Results are discussed, in the European context in particular in relation to the apparent relatively low level of injecting drug use among the Greek population in general yet similar rates of injecting drug use among inmates as in other European countries.