Search

Background: Human hemoglobin is a tetrameric metalloporphyrin. The heme part contains iron radicle and porphyrin. The globin part consists of two pairs of amino-acid chains. The absorption spectrum of hemoglobin spans from 250 nm to as high as 2,500 nm, with high coefficients reported in blue and green color zone. The visible absorption spectrum of deoxyhemoglobin has one, while the visible absorption spectrum of oxyhemoglobin shows two peaks. Objective: (1) To study absorption spectrometry of hemoglobin in 420 to 600 nm range; (2) to conduct preclinical experiments to validate a new device and technology based on green color absorption by hemoglobin; (3) to use this new technology and device for phase 1 study in healthy human volunteers for confirmationDesign, material and methods: (1) Checking absorption spectrometry of hemoglobin in venous blood. We measured absorption spectrometry of 25 mother-baby pairs as an observational study. Readings were plotted from 400 nm to 560 nm. These included peaks, flat lines and deeps. Graph tracings of all samples - cord blood and maternal blood - showed similar patterns. (2) Preclinical experiments were set up (a) to correlate the reflection of green light by hemoglobin and concentration of hemoglobin, (b) to correlate concentration of O2 and reflection of green light related to oxyhemoglobin, (c) to correlate concentration of melanin in upper and the hemoglobin in lower layer of tissue phantom and to check the sensitivity of new device with green light for measuring Hb in presence of high levels of melanin, and lastly (d) to check if the new device can measure changes in oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin, again in presence of high levels of melanin with normal as well as with low levels of hemoglobin. The experiments using bilayer tissue phantom were conducted with horse blood in lower cup as dermal tissue phantom and synthetic melanin in upper layer as epidermal tissue phantom. (3) Phase 1 observational studies following a protocol approved by the institutional review board (IRB) were done in two cohorts. Readings were taken using our device and a commercially available pulse oximeter. In the comparison arm we had Point of Care (POC) Hb test (HemoCu or iSTAT blood test). We had 127 data points of POC Hb test and 170 data points for our device and pulse oximeters. This device uses two wavelengths from the visible spectrum of light and uses reflected light. Light of specific wavelengths is shone on the skin of the individual, and the reflected light is collected as 'optical signal'. This optical signal - after conversion to electrical signal - is processed and finally analysed with a digital display on the screen. Melanin is accounted using Von Luschan's chromatic scale (VLS) and a specially designed algorithm. Results: In this set of various preclinical experiments using different concentrations of hemoglobin and melanin, we indeed demonstrated good sensitivity of our device. It could pick up signals from hemoglobin despite high levels of melanin. Our device is a non-invasive device to measure hemoglobin like a pulse oximeter. Results of our device and pulse oximeter were compared with those by POC Hb test like HemoCu and iSTAT. Our device showed better trending linearity and concordance than a pulse oximeter. Since the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin is the same is new-borns and adults, we could develop one device for all age groups and for people of all colors. Furthermore, the light is shone on the wrist of the individual and is then measured. So, in future this device has the potential of being incorporated in a wearable or smart watch technology. Hintergrund: Das menschliche Hämoglobin ist ein tetrameres Metalloporphyrin. Der Häm-Teil enthält Eisen und Porphyrin. Der Globin-Teil besteht aus zwei Paaren von Aminosäureketten. Das Absorptionsspektrum von Hämoglobin reicht von 250 nm bis zu 2.500 nm, mit hohen Koeffizienten in der blauen und grünen Farbzone. Das sichtbare Absorptionsspektrum von Desoxyhämoglobin hat einen Peak, während das sichtbare Absorptionsspektrum von Oxyhämoglobin zwei Peaks aufweist. Ziel: (1) Untersuchung der Absorptionsspektrometrie von Hämoglobin im Bereich von 420 bis 600 nm; (2) Durchführung präklinischer Experimente zur Validierung eines neuen Geräts und einer neuen Technologie, die auf der Absorption der grünen Farbe durch Hämoglobin basiert; (3) Verwendung dieser neuen Technologie und des Geräts für eine Phase-1-Studie an gesunden menschlichen Probanden zur Bestätigung. Studiendesign, Material und Methoden: (1) Überprüfung der Absorptionsspektrometrie von Hämoglobin in venösem Blut. Wir haben die Absorptionsspektrometrie von 25 Mutter-Baby-Paaren im Rahmen einer Beobachtungsstudie gemessen. Die Messwerte wurden von 400 nm bis 560 nm aufgezeichnet. Diese beinhalteten Spitzen, flache Linien und Vertiefungen. Die Kurvenverläufe aller Proben - Nabelschnurblut und mütterliches Blut - zeigten ähnliche Muster. (2) Präklinische Experimente wurden durchgeführt, um (a) die Reflexion von grünem Licht durch Hämoglobin und die Hämoglobinkonzentration in Zusammenhang zu setzen, um (b) die O2-Konzentration und die Reflexion von grünem Licht im Zusammenhang mit Oxyhämoglobin zu beobachten, um (c) eine Korrelation zwischen der Melaninkonzentration in der oberen und der Hämoglobinkonzentration in der unteren Schicht des Gewebephantoms zu überprüfen sowie die Empfindlichkeit des neuen Geräts mit grünem Licht zur Messung von Hb bei hohem Melaningehalt zu testen und schließlich um (d) zu prüfen, ob das neue Gerät Änderungen von Oxyhämoglobin und Desoxyhämoglobin bei hohem Melaningehalt mit normalem und niedrigem Hämoglobingehalt messen kann. Die Experimente mit einem zweischichtigen Gewebephantom wurden mit Pferdeblut in der unteren Schale als dermales Gewebephantom und synthetischem Melanin in der oberen Schicht als epidermales Gewebephantom durchgeführt. (3) Nach einem von der Ethikkommission genehmigten Protokoll wurden Phase-1-Beobachtungsstudien in zwei Kohorten durchgeführt. Die Messungen wurden mit unserem Gerät und einem handelsüblichen Pulsoximeter durchgeführt. Im Vergleichsarm wurde ein Point-of-Care(POC)-Hb-Test (HemoCu oder iSTAT-Bluttest) durchgeführt. Wir hatten 127 Datenpunkte für den POC-Hb-Test und 170 Datenpunkte für unser Gerät und die Pulsoximeter. Dieses Gerät verwendet zwei Wellenlängen aus dem sichtbaren Spektrum des Lichts und nutzt reflektiertes Licht. Licht bestimmter Wellenlängen wird auf die Haut der Person gestrahlt und das reflektierte Licht wird als "optisches Signal" erfasst. Dieses optische Signal wird - nach Umwandlung in ein elektrisches Signal - verarbeitet und schließlich mit einer digitalen Anzeige auf dem Bildschirm analysiert. Das Melanin wird mithilfe der Von-Luschan-Skala (VLS) und eines speziell entwickelten Algorithmus erfasst.Ergebnisse: In dieser Reihe von verschiedenen präklinischen Experimenten mit unterschiedlichen Konzentrationen von Hämoglobin und Melanin haben wir eine gute Empfindlichkeit unseres Geräts nachgewiesen. Es konnte Signale von Hämoglobin trotz hoher Melaninkonzentrationen aufnehmen. Unser Gerät ist wie ein Pulsoximeter ein nicht-invasives Gerät zur Messung von Hämoglobin. Die Ergebnisse unseres Geräts und des Pulsoximeters wurden mit denen von POC-Hb-Tests wie HemoCu und iSTAT verglichen. Unser Gerät zeigte eine bessere Trendlinearität und Konkordanz als ein Pulsoximeter. Da das Absorptionsspektrum von Hämoglobin bei Neugeborenen und Erwachsenen das gleiche ist, konnten wir ein Gerät für alle Altersgruppen und für Menschen aller Hautfarben entwickeln. Außerdem wird das Licht auf das Handgelenk der Person gestrahlt und dann gemessen. In Zukunft könnte dieses Gerät also in eine tragbare oder intelligente Uhrentechnologie integriert werden.

Cultural Heritage (CH) (In the context of this paper, we consider cultural heritage built tangible cultural heritage, such as buildings or monuments.) is an important source of identity for humankind and needs to be conserved for future generations. Climate change (CC) will morph the environmental landscape, thus leading to climate stress imposed on CH. Experts from different domains, including, but not limited to, material scientists, conservators and managers of cultural heritage collaborate to find out how CC affects CH and how potentially harmful impacts can be mitigated. To find and understand correlations and effects of different factors, researchers collect and analyse vast amounts of data. Still, experts often cannot exchange or make efficient use of data since it often is unstructured, incompatible, or its plain existence is simply unknown. This article introduces means to achieve consent about available knowledge, to exploit synergy effects through the combination of available information and to provide a flexible multisource information platform in collaborative cultural heritage management projects. In the context of the European project HERACLES (HERACLES-HEritage Resilience Against CLimate Events on Site. Further information: http://www.heracles-project.eu/), an application-ontology was developed. The ontology facilitates reuse and integration of data through structuring and representing its semantics. The involvement in the HERACLES project guaranteed end-user driven development, practical results and encompassment of all domains represented in the project.

Stakeholder engagement in the processes of planning local adaptation to climate change faces many challenges. The goal of this work was to explore whether or not the intention of engaging could be understood (Study 1) and promoted (Study 2), by using an extension of the theory of planned behaviour. In Study 1, stakeholders from three European Mediterranean case studies were surveyed: Baixo Vouga Lagunar (Portugal), SCOT Provence Méditerranée (France), and the island of Crete (Greece) (N = 115). Stakeholders' intention of engaging was significantly predicted by subjective norm (which was predicted by injunctive normative beliefs towards policy-makers and stakeholders) and by perceived behavioural control (which was predicted by knowledge of policy and instruments). Study 2 was conducted in the Baixo Vouga Lagunar case study and consisted of a two-workshop intervention where issues on local and regional adaptation, policies, and engagement were presented and discussed. A within-participants comparison of initial survey results with results following the workshops (NT1 = 12, NT2 = 15, NT3 = 12) indicated that these were successful in increasing stakeholders' intention of engaging. This increase was paired with a) an increase in injunctive normative beliefs towards policy-makers and consequently in subjective norm, and to b) a decrease in perceived complexity of planning local adaptation and an increase in knowledge regarding adaptation to climate change. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Introduction: Since its introduction, small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) use has evolved considerably. Aim: Evaluation of the temporal changes of small bowel VCE utilization in three tertiary centers in Greece in Era 1 (2002-2009) and Era 2 (2010-2014) and the development a forecast model for future VCE use during 2015-2017. Materials and methods: Data from all small bowel VCE examinations were retrieved and analyzed in terms of the annual number of the performed examinations, their indications and the significance of their findings. Results: Overall, we evaluated 3724 VCE examinations. The number of studies peaked in 2009 (n=595) and then decreased to reach 225 in 2014. Overall, more (53.8 vs. 51.4%) patients with iron-deficiency anemia and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (IDA/OGIB) and fewer (10.7 vs. 14%) patients with chronic diarrhea were evaluated in Era 2 compared with Era 1 (P= 0.046). In Era 2, there were more nondiagnostic examinations (39.5 vs. 29.3%, P

Background and study aims Full-spectrum colonoscopy (FSC) promises to increase adenoma detection by providing a wider field of view. The aim of this study was to compare adenoma miss rates of FSC with those of conventional colonoscopy complemented by right-colon re-examination using scope retroflexion (CC/R). Patients and methods At two tertiary endoscopy facilities, patients who were scheduled for colonoscopy for the assessment of symptoms or for colorectal cancer screening/surveillance were randomized (1:1) to undergo same-day, back-to-back colonoscopies (FSC or CC/R first), performed by one of five endoscopists who had documented adenoma detection rates >35%. Per-protocol data were analyzed. Results We randomized 220 patients. There were five FSC technical failures (three air pump and two left screen); therefore, 107 and 108 cases were analyzed in the FSC and CC/R index procedure arms, respectively. Withdrawal times were similar for FSC and CC/R (7.7 minutes vs. 7.6 minutes). Overall, we detected 3 cancers and 153 adenomas (FSC=92; CC/R=61); 81 were detected in the proximal colon, 3 of which were detected by retroflexed examination. By per-lesion analysis, FSC showed a significantly lower adenoma miss rate compared with CC/R overall (10.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8 to 18.1] vs. 33.7% [95%CI 23.4 to 44.1]) and in the proximal colon (13.9% [95%CI 2.6 to 25.2] vs. 42.2% [95%CI 27.8 to 56.7]). The advanced adenoma miss rate was lower with FSC overall (4.3% [95%CI-4.0 to 12.7] vs. 25.9% [95%CI 9.4 to 42.5]). There were no adverse events. Conclusions FSC outperformed conventional colonoscopy with right-colon scope retroflexion in the detection of missed adenomas, both overall and in the proximal colon, even when performed by experienced endoscopists. Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02117674). © 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Background and study aims The Endocuff (ARC Medical Design, Leeds, UK) is a device that, when mounted on the tip of an endoscope, may assist with inspection of a greater surface of the colonic mucosa by pulling backwards, flattening, and stretching the colonic folds as the endoscope is gradually withdrawn. We aimed to compare the adenoma miss rates of Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy with those of conventional colonoscopy. Patients and methods The included patients underwent same-day, back-to-back, (Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy as the index procedure followed by conventional colonoscopy or vice versa, randomly assigned 1:1) colonoscopies, performed by six endoscopists with documented adenoma detection rates>35%, in four tertiary endoscopy facilities. Results We randomized 200 patients (mean age 61.2 years [standard deviation 9.8]; 86.5% colorectal cancer screening surveillance cases). Overall, there were seven incomplete examinations using Endocuff and one with conventional colonoscopy (P =0.03). Times for endoscope insertion (5.0 minutes [0.8-21.0] vs. 5.0 minutes [1.0-16.0]; P =0.49) and withdrawal (6.0 minutes [3.2-29.0] vs. 6.0 minutes [3.1-17.0]; P =0.06) were similar for Endocuff-assisted and conventional colonoscopy. We detected one cancer and 195 adenomas; 84 in the proximal colon. Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy showed significantly lower overall and proximal colon adenoma miss rates compared with conventional colonoscopy (14.7% [8.0%-21.0%] vs. 38.4% [28.1%-48.6%] and 10.4% [1.8%-19.1%] vs. 38.9% [23.0%-54.8%], respectively). No difference between the two arms was shown regarding advanced adenoma miss rates, either overall or in the proximal colon. There were no serious adverse events related to the procedures. Conclusions In comparison with conventional colonoscopy, Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy has a significantly lower adenoma miss rate when performed by high-detector endoscopists. However, the incomplete colonoscopy rate with Endocuff is higher. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02340065. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.New York.

Beaches are both sensitive and critical components of the coastal systems, as they are particularly vulnerable to environmental change (e.g., the sea level rise) and form valuable coastal ecosystems and economic resources. The objective of the present study has been to record the spatial characteristics and other attributes (e.g., topography, sediments and accessibility) of the 71 beaches of the E. Crete (Eastern Mediterranean) that are either already developed or have a reasonable development potential and assess their erosion risk under sea level rise. Beach retreats are predicted by ensembles of six cross-shore (1D) analytical and numerical morphodynamic models, set up/forced on the basis of collected/collated information and three sea level rise scenarios (0.26, 0.82 and 1.86 m); these retreats are then compared with the recorded maximum (dry) beach widths. Projections by the unified ensemble suggest that, in the case of a 0.26 m rise, 80 % of the examined beaches are to retreat by more than 20 and 16 % by more than 50 % of their maximum dry width. In the case of a 0.82 m rise, 72 % of the tested beaches are predicted to retreat by more than 50 % of their dry width and 21 % by a distance at least equal to their observed maximum dry widths. A sea level rise of 1.86 m represents a ‘doom’ scenario, as 75 % of the beaches are predicted to retreat by more than their maximum width. These results may be conservative, as other significant beach erosion factors (e.g., decreasing beach sediment supply) have not been considered. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Background: The rare incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has contributed to a paucity of large epidemiologic studies of patients with this condition. We investigated the occurrence and clinicopathologic features of NENs in Greece. Methods: Between October 2010 and November 2012 we collected data on 246 newly diagnosed patients from a broad-based multi-institutional registry that comprises eight academic and hospital sites in Greece. The WHO 2010 pathologic classification and the 7th AJCC Staging system was applied in all cases. Results: Of all patients 94 % had a sporadic and 6 % a multiple endocrine neoplasia tumor 63.4 % were gastroenteropancreatic-(GEP)-NENs, 17.9 % Head & Neck NENs, 9.8 % NENs of Unknown Primary, 6.5 % Lung NENs and 2.4 % Pheochromocytomas. Gastric and pancreatic NENs were the most common primary sites. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) were 9.3 %, all sporadic. Fifteen percent of patients were asymptomatic at presentation, 24 % had a first symptom of the disease related to endocrine syndrome and 61 % had symptoms related to locally advanced or metastatic disease. Metastatic disease was established in 25 % of tumors most frequently in the GEP NEN group. Findings are presented according to Ki-67 distribution. MRI had a higher diagnostic positive yield than Octreoscan. Somatostatin analogs, lanreotide and octreotide acetate, were prescribed at 38.5 & 61.5 % of NEN patients respectively and were found to be equally effective at providing symptomatic relief. Conclusions: This is to our knowledge the first study of a Greek tumor registry and one of the few European Registries providing information regarding clinicopathologic characteristics and therapies in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of various origin sites, beyond GEP NENs. © 2016 Nikou et al.

The present investigation examines the characteristics of a high energy storm event, that took place on November 9-11, 2007 in the NE Ionian Sea (eastern Mediterranean), and its impact upon the barrier beach that separates the Lefkada lagoon from the open Ionian Sea. The storm event was caused by NW winds with speeds exceeding 20 m/s (40 knots), which have an annual frequency of occurrence less than 0.015%. This high energy event produced waves with >5 m significant offshore height and 9.5 s period; these waves developed on 10th November during the rapid rise of barometric pressure (~1.4 hPa/hr), which followed the barometric pressure drop from 1020.5 hPa at 06:00 (UTC) of 9th November to 1001.7 hPa at 06:00 h (UTC) of 10th November. Secondary breaking at the shoreline produced wave heights >1.5 m, associated with a surge of >0.4 m and a run-up capability of >2.4 m. The waves managed to overtop the barrier beach (elevations ~2.5 m), lowering the seaward side of the barrier beach by 10-30 cm and causing a coastline retreat of 0.9 to 2.2 m; these morphological changes correspond volumetrically to a sediment loss of approximately 8 m3/m of coastline length from the sub-aerial part of the beach. During the last three decades a significant change in the frequency of occurrence and direction (from S-SW-W to N-NW-NE) of severe storms with wind speeds exceeding 40 knots has been recorded, affecting the sediment transport pattern and contributing to the erosion of the north beaches of Lefkada.

The existence of barrier beaches is crucial, as they act as a buffer zone to the associated wetlands, whilst they are sensitive to climate change. The present study offers an insight into the processes controlling the formation and evolution of the Gyra barrier beach (NW coast of the island of Lefkada) in the microtidal, tectonically very active Ionian Sea under the influence of regional climate change and human interference. Such investigations are sparse in the literature. Existing information regarding regional geology, sediment availability and human intervention is combined with the collection of geophysical data, field observations and simulations of nearshore hydro- and sediment dynamics, analysis of climatic variations with respect to offshore wind/wave patterns (including storminess), in situ measurements of recent morphometric changes (2006–2008) and historical shoreline changes (since the 1960s). The recent formation and evolution (mostly under retreat) of the Gyra barrier beach is shown to be the combined result of the regional seismotectonic setting, relative increase of sea level, coastal sediment transport patterns, as well as human impact (negative) on primarily terrestrial sediment influxes. The current erosional trend of the barrier beach is associated with a shift in the wind and wave direction (from SW to NW) of extreme storm events in the Ionian Sea since the 1980s. The regional climatic variations of the last decades are well correlated with the trend of the North Atlantic Oscillation. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the morphodynamic regime of the coastal area of Xylokastro (north coast of Peloponnese), in order to identify and evaluate the processes controlling its formation and evolution. Within this concept, a number of factors have been considered and evaluated; near-shore morphometry and granulometry along shore-normal profiles, the direction and potential volumes of long- and cross-shore sediment transport the decadal and future trends of coastline displacement, the available information for terrestrial sediment influx and the geological processes operating in the broader coastal region of Xylokastro (i.e. subaqueous slides) as well as human interference. On the basis of these results, the formation and evolution of this coastal stretch seems to be governed primarily by the neotectonic activity and relative change of sea level rise, and secondarily by the wave-induced near-shore sediment transport; the role of the latter could be enhanced substantially by human intervention (i.e. construction of marina, seafront walls). Moreover, the expected eustatic increase in sea level by the year 2100, could cause a coastline retreat up to 9 m (SLR=0.38 m) or >19 m (SLR≥1 m). © 2014 Global NEST Printed in Greece. All rights reserved.

The present study investigates recent and future evolution of the beach zone of Almiros Bay, one of the most touristic developed beaches of north Crete, in relation to its morphodynamic setting and the anticipated sea level rise. The beach zone is exposed to northerly winds, with maximum wave heights and periods of 4.3 m and 9 s, respectively. The comparison of the aerial photographs (1982-1996) and a satellite image of 2007 have revealed an extended retreat of the beach zone, with its highest retreating rates (i.e. 0.6-0.8 m y-1 for the last 25 years) found at its central part. Moreover, an estimation of the future shoreline retreat, due to the anticipated sea level rise (i.e. 0.38 or 1 m for the year 2100), has shown that there is a potential coastal zone loss from 48% up to 100%, respectively. A gross evaluation of the economical impact due to the aforementioned beach loss accounts to approximately from $ 270,000 up to $ 720.000, annually. © 2014 Global NEST Printed in Greece. All rights reserved.

Erosion is a major threat for coasts worldwide, beaches in particular, which constitute one of the most valuable coastal landforms. Vulnerability assessments related to beach erosion may contribute to planning measures to counteract erosion by identifying, quantifying and ranking vulnerability. Herein, we present a new index, the Beach Vulnerability Index (BVI), which combines simplicity in calculations, easily obtainable data and low processing capacity. This approach provides results not only for different beaches, but also for different sectors of the same beach and enables the identification of the relative significance of the processes involved. It functions through the numerical approximation of indicators that correspond to the mechanisms related to the processes that control beach evolution, such as sediment availability, wave climate, beach morhodynamics and sea level change. The BVI is also intended to be used as a managerial tool for beach sustainability, including resilience to climate change impact on beach erosion.

Tsunamis are long waves and commonly modeled with the shallow-water wave approximation of the equations of motion. The calculation of tsunami inundation remains after two decades of progress a vexing and temperamental computation exquisitely dependent on ad-hoc algorithms. We present computed results using, a splitting method in space to reduce this hyperbolic system in two successive hyperbolic systems, one for each primitive variable. Then, we use dispersive, Godunov type finite difference method and solve the equations in characteristic form. We use the methodology implemented in the code MOST to calculate inundation from four different earthquake scenarios for Heraklion, Greece. MOST has been repeatedly benchmarked. The scenarios are geophysical estimates of the source mechanisms of the 365 AD event, the largest known earthquake in the Eastern Mediterranean in the last two millenia. The earthquake scenarios used allow for defining the seafloor deformation resulting from the parent seismic motions and, after translating them to the water surface, they constitute the initial conditions for computations. We use high resolution bathymetric and topographic data to generate fine resolution grids used in the computations. Our practice allows for a precise identification of the onland inundation and the overland flow depths and currents during tsunami flooding in Heraklion. This is the first time such a quantitative study has been undertaken for Eastern Crete. We conclude that there is substantial hazard, and there is little difference among the four different seismic interpretations of the 365 AD earthquake.© 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of IMACS.

The present study investigates the distribution of trace metals (Zn, Hg, Cd, Cu, and Pb), as indicators of pollution, in the surficial offshore shelf sediments along the northern coast of Heraklion Prefecture (Crete, Mediterranean Sea). The concentrations and the spatial distribution of the different trace metals, in relation to the sedimentological characteristics and the water circulation pattern of the entire continental shelf, are associated with human inshore sources of pollutants located along the coastline of the study area. Although the trace metal concentrations measured are higher than the background values, they are not considered to be dangerous to human health, as they are lower than the standard values given by the World Health Organisation, with only a few localised exceptions. Furthermore, results reveal the important role of local hydrodynamism that moves fine-grained material and associated trace metals offshore (seawards to wave breaking zone) and then transports them eastwards by entrapping them in the prevailing offshore shelf-water circulation. © Springer-Verlag 2008.

Aims. Our aim is to investigate, in 13 cases (delivering preterm) and 21 matched (for age, parity, and gestational age) controls (delivering at term), whether midtrimester amniotic fluid concentrations of elastase, secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule predict asymptomatic intra-amniotic inflammation/infection and preterm labor. Results. Concentrations of all substances were not statistically different among mothers, delivering preterm or at term. SLPI concentrations significantly increased in women, going into labor without ruptured membranes, irrespective of pre- or term delivery (p