European Scientific Journal, ESJ

Metsovo Lung: History of Population Environmental Exposure to Asbestos

C. Sxiza, N. Zagorianakou, C. Vlami, G. Farantos, V. Rapisarda, G. Dounias — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objectives: Our aim is to review all the literature concerning Metsovo Lung as an emblematic story that demonstrates the strong relationship between non-occupational but environmental and ecological exposure to asbestos and lung diseases. Materials and Methods: We searched data from the 1970s when extensive pleural calcifications causing malignant mesothelioma appeared at a high incidence beyond expectation. The most reliable studies were selected for our research from 2017-2023. Results: There wasn’t occupational exposure in Epirus. This finding reasonably raised the question of whether it was indeed tuberculous pleurisy or something else. The biopsies carried out confirmed that these were tremolite asbestos fibers. These fibers were derived from ‘luto’, a water-shielding material containing asbestos. The entire population of Metsovo was exposed to asbestos, without knowing it. This is a global phenomenon, according to which, it is made from a traditional shielding material. The abandonment of ‘luto’ and its non-use brought about a gradual reduction of the phenomenon, which also marks the reduction of mesothelioma. Conclusion: Lessons learned from the history of Metsovo lung showed the importance of the combination of theory and practice in the context of nonoccupational exposure to asbestos. From a public health point of view, it's crucial to know whether exposure to low levels of asbestos is able to induce pleural mesothelioma.

Navigating Chronic Disease Management with Digital Healthcare Solutions amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review

Achillefs Vratimos, Ilias Champilomatis, Georgios Farantos — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate data collected from various studies on Chronic Disease Management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of Digital Healthcare as a means of providing innovative approaches for the management of chronic diseases.A systematic literature review was conducted based on studies found in the Pubmed database, wihle the search included studies with no publication date time limit, given that COVID–19 emerged in 2019. A Prisma diagram was created to record the way and the criteria by which we included and excluded studies for our research. Out of the 567 records identified through various sources 85 were used for a qualitative synthesis.During the first wave of the pandemic, a significant reduction or complete cancellation of scheduled health appointments was observed. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of medication used to manage chronic conditions were also recorded due to global supply chain disruptions. Since the beginning, governments acted rapidly to promote the use of teleconsultations by introducing enabling legislation and revising laws ensuring continuity of care for people with chronic diseases, thus transitioning rapidly to remote care and monitoring.The use of telemedicine and the involvement of community pharmacists for the management of chronic patients are key factors for sustained adherence. Long-term policies are vital to prevent pandemic-driven health disparities, while lessons should be derived for future preparedness, managing subsequent waves, and ensuring testing in primary care.

Managing Biological Risks in Biomedical laboratories of Public Hospitals in Athens, Greece, based on the Biosafety requirements

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to review the laboratory workers’ perception on the biological risks in biomedical laboratories of public hospitals in Athens, Greece. It was also to evaluate how they are managing the biological materials and to propose mitigation measures according to the existing risks, based on the local legislation and the international Biosafety guidelines. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study with a detailed health and safety (H&S) questionnaire focused on biosafety and biorisk management. A total of 36 biosafety level-2 biomedical laboratories in 20 public hospitals were assessed for their biosafety containment specifics and compliance with biosafety practices. Laboratory staff (medical laboratory doctors, medical laboratory technologists, laboratory assistants, biologists and biochemists, n = 415) completed the questionnaire. Results and Discussion: The results showed, that a significant percentage of laboratories lacked proper management of the biological agents and biological materials in general, as could be seen in the following reduced percentage data: restricted access (48.9%), controlled and independent ventilation (36.6%), use of BSCs (31.8%), biorisk management system in place (31.6%), risk assessments (28.4%), biosafety manuals (21.4%), SOPs (35.9%), assigned biosafety officers (10.8%), occupational medical doctor (34.9%), emergencies plan (34.2%), accidents reporting (25.5%), and biosafety training programs (28.2%). Conclusion: There are marked deficiencies in containment and administrative controls, as well as in the implementation of the Greek and EU biosafety legislation. This emphasize the urgency of addressing critical gaps in biosafety and in emergency preparedness in Greek biomedical laboratories. Therefore, a Biorisk Management System, risk assessments, SOPs, assignment of Biosafety Officers, staff trainings and emergency response plans should be developed, applied and enforced, in compliance with the local and European legislation and guidelines.