bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking characteristics of US workers, 1978–1980
Authors: Brackbill Robert , Frazier Todd , Shilling Sharon
Published: April 2007

Data from the 1978–1980 National Health Interview Survey smoking questionnaire were used to analyze prevalence and levels of cigarette smoking among groups of US workers. This information is valuable for indirect adjustment in occupational epidemiology studies as well as for describing smoking patterns of workers in a wide range of job settings. Although there was a higher percentage of current smokers among men than women in the general population, there were few differences in prevalence of smoking among men and women for specific occupations. Also, race and employment status had an influence on prevalence of smoking, where both the currently unemployed and blacks generally had a higher proportion of current smokers, although blacks generally had a higher proportion of current smokers, although blacks smoked fewer cigarettes. Industry also played a major role in the variation of smoking habits. For instance, the percentage of current smokers of a given occupation had as much as a 25% difference depending on the industry they were employed, such as 52% vs 26% for managers and administrators. Detailed data will be made available as microcomputer files for interested researchers.
Chemical exposures and central nervous system cancers: A case‐control study among workers at two nuclear facilities
Authors: Carpenter Arvind V. , Flanders W. Dana , Frome Edward L. , Tankersley William G. , Fry Shirley A.
Published: April 2007

In a nested case‐control study of workers employed between 1943 and 1977 at two nuclear facilities, we evaluated the possible association of primary CNS cancers with occupational exposure to chemicals. Seventy‐two white male and 17 white female workers who, according to the information on death certificates, died of primary CNS cancers were identified as cases. For each case, four controls were matched on race, sex, facility at which initially employed (cohort), year of birth, and year of hire. Each job title/department combination was subjectively evaluated for potential exposure to each of 26 chemicals or chemical groups. Statistically significant associations were not found between CNS cancer deaths and any of the 26 chemicals. An increased risk of CNS cancer occurrence was observed among subjects employed for more than 20 yr (OR = 7.0, 95% CI = 1.2,41.1, cases=9).
Mortality among California highway workers
Authors: Maizlish Neil , Beaumont Jay , Singleton Jim
Published: April 2007

Standardized proportional mortality ratios (PMR) were computed for a population of highway workers. Hazards of highway maintenance work include exposure to solvents, herbicides, asphalt and welding fumes, diesel and auto exhaust, asbestos, abrasive dusts, hazardous material spills, and moving motor vehicles.

Underlying cause of death was obtained for 1,570 workers who separated from the California Department of Transportation between 1970 and 1983, and who died in California between 1970 and 1983 (inclusive). Among 1,260 white males, the major findings were statistically significant excesses of cancers of digestive organs (PMR = 128), skin (PMR = 218), lymphopoietic cancer (PMR = 157), benign neoplasms (PMR = 343), motor vehicle accidents (PMR = 141), and suicide (PMR = 154). Black males (N = 66) experienced nonsignificant excesses of cancer of the digestive organs (PMR = 191) and arteriosclerotic heart disease (PMR = 143). Among 168 white females, deaths from lung cancer (PMR = 189) and suicide (PMR = 215) were elevated. White male retirees, a subgroup with 5 or more years of service, experienced excess mortality due to cancers of the colon (PMR = 245), skin (PMR = 738), brain (PMR = 556), and lymphosarcomas and reticulosarcomas (PMR = 514). Deaths from external causes (PMR = 135) and cirrhosis of the liver (PMR = 229) were elevated among white males with a last job in landscape maintenance. White males whose last job was highway maintenance experienced a deficit in mortality from circulatory diseases (PMR = 83) and excess mortality from emphysema (PMR = 250) and motor vehicle accidents (PMR = 196). Further epidemiologic and industrial hygiene studies are needed to confirm the apparent excess mortality and to quantify occupational and nonoccupational exposures. However, reduction of recognized hazards among highway maintenance workers is a prudent precautionary measure.
Use of exposure registration in the prevention of occupational cancer in Finland
Authors: Alho Juha , Kauppinen Timo , Sundquist Erkki
Published: April 2007

A nationwide system for monitoring occupational exposure to a wide range of carcinogens has been in operation in Finland since 1979. The primary aim of the system is to lead to the identification, evaluation, and eventual elimination of the exposures. The number of exposed workers reported to the register was about 20,000 out of the work force of 2.3 million in 1979–1984. The most common exposures were chromates, nickel and its inorganic compounds, and asbestos. Data are presented to show that the system has been at least partially successful in decreasing exposures at work places. As an example, we discuss the decrease in the use of hydrazine, which was previously widely used as an anticorrosive agent at power plants. The statistical quality of the system is discussed, and possibilities for future research uses of the computerized data base are outlined.
Mortality of aircraft manufacturing workers in Southern California
Authors: Garabrant David H. , Held Janetta , Langholz Bryan , Bernstein Leslie
Published: April 2007

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted among men and women employed for four or more years, between 1958 and 1982, at an aircraft manufacturing company in San Diego County. Specific causes of death under investigation included cancer of the brain and nervous system, malignant melanoma, and cancer of the testicle, which previous reports have suggested to be associated with work in aircraft manufacturing. Follow‐up of the cohort of 14,067 subjects for a mean duration of 15.8 yr from the date of first employment resulted in successful tracing of 95% of the cohort and found 1,804 deaths through 1982. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated based on U.S. national mortality rates and separately based on San Diego County mortality rates. Mortality due to all causes was significantly low (SMR = 75), as was mortality due to all cancer (SMR = 84). There was no significant excess of cancer of the brain, malignant melanoma, cancer of the testicle, any other cancer site, or any other category of death. Additional analyses of cancer sites for which at least ten deaths were found and for which the SMR was at least 110 showed no increase in risk with increasing duration of work or in any specific calendar period. Although this study found no significant excesses in cause‐specific mortality, excess risks cannot be ruled out for those diseases that have latency periods in excess of 20 to 30 yr, or for exposures that might be restricted to a small proportion of the cohort.
The risk of miscarriage and birth defects among women who use visual display terminals during pregnancy
Authors: Goldhaber Marilyn K. , Polen Michael R. , Hiatt Robert A.
Published: April 2007

Use of visual display terminals (VDTs) was examined in a case‐control study of pregnancy outcome among 1,583 pregnant women who attended three Kaiser Permanente obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Northern California, 1981‐1982. We found a significantly elevated risk of miscarriage for working women who reported using VDTs for more than 20 hr per week during the first trimester of pregnancy compared to other working women who reported not using VDTs (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2‐2.8). This risk could not be explained by age, education, occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, or other maternal characteristics. No significantly elevated risk for birth defects was found among working women although odds ratios were 1.4 for both moderate and high VDT exposure, compared with no exposure (95% CI: 0.7‐2.7 and 0.7‐2.9, respectively). One possible explanation for these findings is that women who had adverse pregnancy outcomes may have overreported their exposures to VDTs and/or women with normal births may have underreported theirs. The findings may also be due to unmeasured factors confounded with high VDT use such as poor ergonomie conditions or job‐related stress. That VDTs themselves are hazardous to the pregnant operator remains a possibility. Our results underscore the need for large cohort studies of working women that will provide objective measures of VDT exposures, ergonomic factors, and stress.
Cardiovascular malformations and organic solvent exposure during pregnancy in Finland
Authors: Tikkanen Jorma , Heinonen Olli P.
Published: April 2007

In order to investigate the possible association between cardiovascular malformations and maternal exposure to organic solvents during the first trimester of pregnancy, 569 cases and 1,052 controls were retrospectively studied. The cases represented all infants with diagnosed cardiovascular malformations born in Finland in 1982–1984, and the controls were randomly selected from all normal births in the country during the same period. All mothers were interviewed approximately 3 months after delivery by a midwife using a structured questionnaire. Exposures to organic solvents at work during the first trimester of pregnancy were slightly more prevalent among the mothers of affected infants (10.4%) than among those of controls (7.8%). Logistic regression analysis of exposure to organic solvents showed an adjusted relative odds ratio of 1.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.8–2.2). In the analysis of ventricular septal defect, exposure to organic solvents showed an adjusted relative odds ratio of 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–3.7).
Preventing Percutaneous Absorption of Industrial Chemicals: The “Skin” Denotation
Authors: Grandjean Philippe , Berlin Alexandre , Gilbert Michel , Penning Wim
Published: April 2007

Percutaneous absorption has received comparatively little attention in occupational health, although this route of entry has repeatedly caused occupation‐related intoxications. In practice, the evaluation of skin penetration rates is far from simple. Much evidence has been obtained from studies of chemicals used for cosmetics and topical therapeutics, but the information available on compounds encountered in occupational health is limited. The data obtained from experimental studies have confirmed that the concentration, type of vehicle, skin area, skin condition, and extent of occlusion are important factors in determining the degree of percutaneous absorption, but no general model has been developed. Also, too little is known about the basic chemical properties governing the rate of penetration. Thus, prediction is difficult and bound to be rather inaccurate. Current preventive practice follows the procedure used by ACGIH and is mainly based on a “skin” denotation in official listings of chemicals to which exposure limits have been allocated. The number of substances and groups of chemicals which have received skin denotation in 17 selected countries varies between 24 and 179, and a total of 275 are listed as a skin hazard in one or more countries; ACGIH lists 143. Thus, the denotation practice varies. As an unfortunate result of these discrepancies and the dichotomy of skin denotation, the absence of skin denotation may erroneously indicate that efforts to protect the skin are unnecessary. Thus, an evaluation of skin penetration potentials should be incorporated in occupational health practice as a supplement to the official denotations.
Cancer morbidity in lamp manufacturing workers
Authors: Shannon Harry S. , Haines Ted , Bernholz Charles , Julian Jim A. , Verma Dave K. , Jamieson Ellen , Walsh Chris
Published: April 2007

A historical prospective study of cancer in lamp manufacturing workers in one plant was conducted. All men and women who worked for a total of at least 6 months and were employed at some time between 1960 and 1975 were included. Work histories were abstracted and subjects were divided according to whether they had worked in the coiling and wire drawing area (CWD). Cancer morbidity from 1964 to 1982 was ascertained via the provincial registry, and was compared with the site‐specific incidence in Ontario, adjusting for age, sex and calendar period. Of particular interest were primary breast and gynecological cancers in women.

The cancers of a priori concern were significantly increased in women in CWD, but not elsewhere in the plant. The excess was greatest in those with more than 5 yr exposure (in CWD) and more than 15 yr since first working in CWD, with eight cases of breast and gynecological cancers observed in this category compared with 2.67 expected. Only three cancers occurred in men in CWD.

Environmental measurements had not been made in the past and little information was available on substances used in the 1940s and 1950s, the period when the women with the highest excess began employment. It is known that methylene chloride and trichlorethylene have been used, but not enough is known about the dates and patterns of use to draw any conclusions about their relationship with the increase in disease.
Mortality among workers at a nuclear fuels production facility
Authors: Cragle Donna L. , McLain Richard W. , Qualters Judith R. , Hickey John L. S. , Wilkinson Gregg S. , Tankersley William G. , Lushbaugh C. C.
Published: April 2007

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted in a population of workers employed at a facility with the primary task of production of nuclear fuels and other materials. Data for hourly and salaried employees were analyzed separately by time period of first employment and length of employment. The hourly (N = 6,687 with 728 deaths) and salaried (N = 2,745 with 294 deaths) employees had a mortality experience comparable to that of the United States and, in fact, exhibited significant fewer deaths in many categories of diseases that are traditionally associated with the healthy worker effect. Specifically, fewer deaths were noted in the categories of all causes, all cancers, cancer of the digestive organs, lung cancer, brain cancer (hourly workers only), diabetes, all diseases of the circulatory system, all respiratory diseases, all digestive system diseases, all diseases of the genitourinary system (hourly only), and all external causes of death. A statistically significant, and as yet unexplained increase in leukemia mortality (6 observed vs. 2.18 expected) appeared among a subset of the hourly employees, first hired before 1955, and employed between 5–15 years.
Railroad workers with pleural plaques: II. Small airway dysfunction among asbestos‐exposed workers
Authors: Hjortsberg Ulf , Ørbaek Palle , Arborelius Måns , Ranstam Jonas , Welinder Hans
Published: April 2007

Increased volume of trapped gas (VTG) was found in 87 asbestos‐exposed railroad repair shop workers, divided into three subgroups according to smoking habits. All the examined subjects had pleural plaques. Determination of VTG was used to study function of small airways. Increased VTG was found among asbestos‐exposed smokers as well as nonsmokers. In both groups the VTG:TLC ratio was elevated compared with controls. Increased VTG is a sign of small airways dysfunction. In asbestos‐exposed subjects, it might be caused by an early peribronchial reaction to inhaled asbestos fibers.
Skin notation in the context of workplace exposure standards
Authors: Scansetti Giovanni , Piolatto Giorgio , Rubino Giovanni F.
Published: April 2007

In the establishment of workplace exposure standards, the potential for cutaneous absorption is taken into consideration through the addition of “skin notation” to the relevant substance.

In the TLVs Documentation (ACGIH, 1986) dermal lethal dose to 50% (LD50) or human data are the bases for the assignment of “skin notation” to 91 of 168 substances. For the other substances, the “skin” attribution seems to be based on undocumented statements in 24 (14.5%), skin effects in 13 (8%), and analogy in 7 (4%), while in the remaining 33 (20%) any reference is lacking as to the basis for notation of the cutaneous route of entry.

Furthermore, since the established “cut‐off” value of 2 g/kg is sometimes bypassed when a notation is added or omitted, the use of dermal LD50 is perplexing.

Given the relevance of the skin notation for the validation of threshold limit values (TLVs) in the workplace, a full examination and citation of all available scientific data are recommended when establishing the TLV of substances absorbable through the skin.
Concordance of occupational and environmental exposure information elicited from patients with Alzheimer's disease and surrogate respondents
Authors: Chong John P. , Turpie Irene , Haines Ted , Muir Giselle , Farnworth Heather , Cruttenden Kathleen , Julian Jim , Verma Dave , Hillers Thomas
Published: April 2007

Identification of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease through the use of well designed case‐control studies has been described as a research priority. Increasing recognition of the neurotoxic potential of many industrial chemicals such as organic solvents raises the question of the occupational and environmental contribution to the etiology of this high‐priority health problem. The intention of this study was to develop and evaluate a methodology that could be used in a large scale case‐control study of the occupational and environmental risk factors for dementia or a population‐based surveillance system for neurotoxic disorders. The specific objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) the reliability of exposure‐eliciting, interviewer‐administered questionnaires given to patients with Alzheimer's disease (SDAT); 2) the reliability of exposure‐eliciting interviewer‐administered questionnaires given to the family of patients with SDAT and the agreement with the responses of the patient or surrogate respondents; 3) the reliability and agreement of responses of age‐ and sex‐matched control patients and their families selected from geriatric care institutions and the community, with respect to the same exposure‐eliciting and interviewer‐administered questionnaire; and 4) the reliability of agent‐based exposure ascertainment by a single, trained rater. The results of the study demonstrate that occupational and environmental histories from which exposure information can be derived is most reliably elicited from job descriptions of cases and control subjects rather than job titles alone or detailed probes for potential neurotoxic exposures. This will necessitate the use of standardized interviewer‐administered instruments to derive this information in case‐control studies of Alzheimer's disease or population‐based surveillance systems for occupational and environmental neurotoxicity.
Relationship between vapor exposure and urinary metabolite excretion among workers exposed to trichloroethylene
Authors: Inoue Osamu , Seiji Kazunori , Kawai Toshio , Jin Chui , Liu Yu‐Tang , Chen Zhen , Cai Shi‐Xiong , Yin Song‐Nian , Li Gui‐Lan , Nakatsuka Haruo , Watanabe Takao , Ikeda Masayuki
Published: April 2007

The exposure—excretion relationship was investigated in 140 trichloroethylene (TRI)‐exposed workers and 114 nonexposed controls. The time‐weighted average intensity of exposure to TRI during the shift as measured by the diffusive sampling method was compared with metabolite levels in the urine collected at the end of the shift in the second half of a working week, when the urinary metabolite levels are expected to reach a maximum. The TRI levels in breathing zone air of the exposed workers were mostly below 50 ppm. The urinary metabolite levels (i.e., total trichloro‐compounds, trichloroethanol, and trichloroacetic acid) increased as a linear function of the TRI exposure. The relationship between the two exposure indicators was statistically significant in men, women, and both combined. The cross‐sectional balance study at the end of the shift revealed that about 4% of TRI absorbed will be excreted at the end of the shift, in agreement with the long biological half‐life of this chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. A possible ethnic difference in the metabolism of TRI is discussed.
Building‐related illness and antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde, toluene diisocyanate, and trimellitic anhydride
Authors: Thrasher Jack D. , Madison Roberta , Broughton Alan , Gard Zane
Published: April 2007

A case of building‐related health complaints was investigated with respect to the relationship among frequency of symptoms, antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde (HCHO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and tirmellitic anhydride (TMA), and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). The indoor air concentrations of VOCs, HCHO, TDI, and TMA did not exceed Fed‐OSHA and ACGIH permissible standards. However, HCHO concentrations ranged between 0.05 and 0.08 ppm. The reported symptoms were multiple, involving the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, skeletomuscular system, and central nervous system. Anti‐HCHO, ‐TDI, and ‐TMA isotypes were found in 12 of 14 full‐time employees and were nondectable in one part‐time employee. There was a positive, but not statistically significant, correlation (r values ranged between .24 and .55) between symptoms and the geometric mean titers to conjugates. The data suggest that a synergistic immunological response to airborne chemicals may be occurring in these subjects. In conclusion, immunological monitoring of affected individuals where chemicals are suspected may prove to be useful in future investigations of building‐related illness.
Standard setting and protection of human health and safety
Authors: Robinson Ann E.
Published: April 2007

Human health and safety are determined by the behavior and performance of the individual, or of a piece of equipment, under the prevailing conditions. Setting health or safety standards, which will define a set of conditions to provide protection, requires consideration of many factors, including the level of protection required and the collection and assessment of factual information. The purpose of the paper is to identify and discuss the elements of the standard‐setting process and the major issues likely to be associated with it. Occupational exposure values and other initiatives to provide protection of human health from the potential effects of chemicals in Canada are reviewed in the context of recent initiatives and current pressures for change.
Acrodysostosis with unusual iridal color changing with age
Authors: Nii Eiji , Urawa Masao , Nshimura Toshiko , Kitou Hiroshi , Ikegawa Shiro , Shimizu Shin , Taneda Hiroshi , Uchida Atsumasa , Niikawa Norio
Published: April 2007

Acrodysostosis is a rare congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by peculiar facial appearance with a small nose and an open mouth, short stature, short metacarpotarsal, and phalangeal bones with cone‐shaped epiphyses, advanced bone‐age, and variable degrees of mental retardation. It is most likely that the disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant mode, its pathogenesis has remained unknown. We report a 4‐year‐old Japanese girl who suffered from acrodysostosis with unusual iridal color. The color of patient's irides was gray‐bluish in her infancy but became light‐brownish by age 4 years. Of eight Japanese patients reported, four had abnormal eye color: a 7‐month‐old boy with blue irides and his 2‐year‐old elder sister with light‐blue eyes a 6‐year‐old girl with gray‐brownish irides, and a 4‐year‐old girl (present case) with blue‐brownish irides. The degree of iris pigmentation in acrodysostosis patients may change with age. It is likely that the putative gene for acrodysostosis might play a role not only in remodeling of bones but also in iris pigmentation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DAT1 3′‐UTR 9R allele: Preferential transmission in Indian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Das Manali , Mukhopadhyay Kanchan
Published: April 2007

Genetic alterations in the dopaminergic system are frequently observed in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a 40 bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the 3'‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) has been investigated in different populations. Both significant association and lack of association with the10 repeat allele (10R) of DAT1 VNTR have been reported. Objective of the present investigation was to examine association of this polymorphism with ADHD in Indian children. Genotypic data obtained from ADHD probands (n = 79), their parents (n = 148) and control individuals (n = 153) were analyzed for haplotype‐based haplotype relative risk analysis (HHRR), transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), and family‐based association test (FBAT). HHRR analysis revealed significant (P = 0.009) transmission of shorter alleles (≤9R). TDT analysis of informative ADHD families (n = 32) also exhibited highly significant transmission of the shorter alleles (P = 0.002). Further analysis by FBAT showed preferential transmission (P = 0.019) of the 9R allele from parents to ADHD probands. It can be inferred from the data obtained that the DAT1 3′‐UTR 9R allele may confer risk of ADHD in the Indian population. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation and application of polybenzoxazine adsorption resin
Authors: Xu Youmiao , Zheng Xinsheng , Zhang Jinhua
Published: April 2007

The synthesis and application of polybenzoxazine adsorption resin was studied. First, the precursor was synthesized by the solventless method. And then a kind of spherical and granular polybenzoxazine resin was obtained using reverse‐phase suspension polymerization technique in the process of solidification. Besides, the influence of dispersion medium, the volume ratio of precursor to medium, the solidification temperature, and the agitation speed were studied in detail in the process of polymerization. Second, the spherical shape of the polybenzoxazine resin was identified by scanning electronic microscope and the thermal stability of resin was measured by thermogravimetric analysis. Finally, the adsorption capacity of the spherical resin on pyridine was studied in cyclohexane systems. The correlation coefficient of Langmuir adsorption constant temperature line was bigger than 0.99, which indicated that the equilibrium sorption date was coincident with the Langmuir isotherm equation. And the saturated adsorptive capacity of dried resin achieved 222.2 mg g−1. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Diimide hydrogenation of natural rubber latex
Authors: Mahittikul A. , Prasassarakich P. , Rempel G. L.
Published: April 2007

Hydrogenation is one important method of chemical modification, which improves the physical, chemical and thermal properties of diene‐based elastomers. Natural rubber latex (NRL) could be hydrogenated to a strictly alternating ethylene‐propylene copolymer using a diimide reduction system. The diimide reduction technique of NRL was accomplished by using hydrazine hydrate/hydrogen peroxide and Cu2+ as catalyst. The hydrogenated products are characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. It has been found that cupric acetate is a highly active catalyst for the reaction and the addition of a controlled amount of gelatin demonstrated a beneficial effect on the degree of hydrogenation, whereas, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) acted as a stabilizer of the latex particle in the reaction system and reduced the degree of hydrogenation. In the presence of SDS, a longer reaction time and a higher amount of hydrazine hydrate was required for hydrogenation of NRL. Gel formation during hydrogenation does not significantly affect the degree of hydrogenation. Gel inhibitors such as hydroquinone also decrease the degree of hydrogenation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Affinity precipitation an option for early capture in bioprocessing
Authors: Freitag Ruth , Schumacher Ivo , Hilbrig Frank
Published: April 2007

Affinity precipitation is a bioseparation technique where the affinity ligand is coupled to a stimuliresponsive polymer. Stimuli‐responsive polymers show abrupt, yet reversible, phase transition (precipitation) in response to a small change in an environmental parameter. The corresponding ligand conjugates can be used to co‐precipitate and thereby capture and isolate target molecules from complex solutions such as culture supernatants and cell lysates. The approach is compatible with a ‘discardibles only’ type of downstream process and can be scaled over several orders of magnitude. This report discusses the set‐up and development of affinity precipitation procedures, the related instrumentation and scale up, as well as applications for the isolation of proteins and polynucleotides.
Genetic fidelity of long‐term micropropagated shoot cultures of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) as assessed by molecular markers
Authors: Sreedhar Reddampalli V. , Venkatachalam Lakshmanan , Bhagyalakshmi Neelwarne
Published: April 2007

Occurrence of genetic variants during micropropagation is occasionally encountered when the cultures are maintained in vitro for long period. Therefore, the micropropagated multiple shoots of Vanilla planifolia Andrews developed from axillary bud explants established 10 years ago were used to determine somaclonal variation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and intersimple sequence repeats markers (ISSR). One thousand micro‐plants were established in soil of which 95 plantlets (consisting of four phenotypes) along with the mother plant were subjected to genetic analyses using RAPD and ISSR markers. Out of the 45 RAPD and 20 ISSR primers screened, 30 RAPD and 7 ISSR primers showed 317 clear, distinct and reproducible band classes resulting in a total of 30 115 bands. However, no difference was observed in banding patterns of any of the samples for a particular primer, indicating the absence of variation among the micropropagated plants. Our results allow us to conclude that the micropropagation protocol that we have used for in vitro proliferation of vanilla plantlets for the last 10 years might be applicable for the production of clonal plants over a considerable period of time.
Immunohistochemical staining for mismatch repair proteins, and its relevance in the diagnosis of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer
Authors: Ewald J , Rodrigue C M , Mourra N , Lefèvre J H , Fléjou J-F , Tiret E , Gespach C , Parc Y R
Published: April 2007

Background

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) arises mostly from germline mutations of the mismatch repair genes MSH2 and MLH1. The diagnosis of HNPCC is based on a set of clinical criteria that may be too restrictive to identify all affected patients. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for the mismatch repair proteins, MutS homologue 2 (MSH2) and MutL homologue 1 (MLH1), reliably identifies the microsatellite instability phenotype. This study evaluated the ability of IHC to detect germline mutations in an unselected group of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

All patients with CRC operated on between July 2000 and March 2003, and demonstrating a loss of protein, were contacted. Following informed consent, searchs for germline mutation and methylation of the promoter were performed on normal and tumoral DNA.

Results

Thirty patients agreed to participate, four of whom fulfilled the Amsterdam II criteria. Loss of expression of MLH1 was found in 20 patients, and loss of expression of MSH2 in ten patients. Four of the MLH1-deficient patients had a germline MLH1 point mutation (positive predictive value (PPV) 20 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 2 to 38 per cent) and 11 had promoter methylation. Seven of the MSH2-deficient patients had a germline MSH2 point mutation (PPV 70 (95 per cent c.i. 54 to 96 per cent), and none showed promoter methylation.

Conclusion

MLH1-deficient patients who are young or have a positive family history of cancer should be referred for genetic testing and counselling, whereas MSH2-deficient patients should be counselled in the same way as patients with HNPCC.
Risk of invasion and axillary lymph node metastasis in ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosed by core-needle biopsy
Authors: Meijnen P , Oldenburg H S A , Loo C E , Nieweg O E , Peterse J L , Rutgers E J T
Published: April 2007

Background

The aim of the study was to assess the risk of invasion and axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed by preoperative core-needle biopsy. The data were used to select criteria for patients in whom sentinel node (SN) biopsy might be indicated.

Methods

One hundred and seventy-one women with 172 DCIS lesions diagnosed by core-needle biopsy were analysed. Axillary staging was performed by SN biopsy, axillary node sampling, or level 1–2 axillary lymph node dissection.

Results

Invasive breast cancer was found in the surgical specimens from 45 tumours (26·2 per cent). Risk factors for invasion were a palpable lesion (odds ratio (OR) 2·95 (95 per cent confidence interval 1·20 to 7·26); P = 0·019), presence of a mass on mammography (OR 3·06 (1·43 to 6·56); P = 0·004), and intermediate (OR 5·81 (1·18 to 28·57); P = 0·030) or poorly differentiated (OR 5·46 (1·17 to 25·64); P = 0·031) tumour grade. Lymph node metastases were found in ten women with DCIS and invasion on final pathology. Factors associated with metastases were age 55 years or less (P = 0·030), invasion of 1·0 cm or more (P < 0·001) and the presence of vascular invasion (P = 0·001).

Conclusion

SN biopsy should be considered in women with an initial diagnosis of DCIS on core-needle biopsy who are at risk for invasion; this includes women with a palpable lump, a mass on mammography, and intermediate or poor tumour grade.
Analysis of chemical and metabolic components in traditional Chinese medicinal combined prescription containing Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and Radix Panax notoginseng by LC‐ESI‐MS methods
Authors: Wei Ying‐Jie , Li Ping , Shu Bin , Li Hui‐jun , Peng Yun‐ru , Song Yue , Chen Jun , Yi Ling
Published: April 2007

High‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS) methods were developed for the analysis of chemical and metabolic components in traditional Chinese medicinal combined prescription containing Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and Radix Panax notoginseng (commonly known as Fufang Danshen prescription, FDP). The HPLC experiments used a reversed‐phase Zorbax C18 column with the column temperature at 30°C and a binary mobile phase system consisting of aqueous formic acid (0.1%, v/v) and acetonitrile using a gradient elution at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The ESI‐MS was operated with a single‐quadrupole mass spectrometer in both negative and positive ion modes. 36 major chromatographic peaks of FDP, including 14 saponins, 13 phenolic acids and nine diterpenoid quinones were characterized by their MS spectra and in comparison with some of the reference standards. In addition, after oral administration of extraction of FDP, the rat's plasma, urine and feces were also analyzed; 53 metabolic components including 30 original components and 23 transformative components of FDP were detected, and possible metabolic pathways of some components in FDP were given. The analysis of chemical and metabolic components in FDP by HPLC‐MS methods could be a useful means of identifying the multi‐components of FDP and to hint at their possible metabolic mechanism of action in the body. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous quantitative and qualitative analysis of bioactive phenols in Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and diode array detection
Authors: Yang Li , Wang Yun , Zhang Guangnong , Zhang Fang , Zhang Zijia , Wang Zhengtao , Xu Luoshan
Published: April 2007

A novel high‐performance liquid chromatographic method with mass spectrometry and diode array detection method for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioactive phenols was developed. In total, nine chemically diverse phenols including five bibenzyls, three phenanthrenes and a coumarin were unambiguously identified in Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum by comparison with the available references or reported data according to their retention behaviors, UV spectra and fragmentations of ESI‐MS. The contents of the four main phenolic compounds, moscatilin, gigantol, moscatin and coumarin, in D. aurantiacum var. denneanum from the wild and various cultivated populations were determined by HPLC‐UV. The sample preparation involved a rapid and simple procedure based on solid‐phase extraction using a C18 reversed‐phase cartridge. The quantitative analysis was performed on a Beckman Coulter™ ODS column (5 µm, 250 × 4.6 mm) using a linear gradient elution system of acetonitrile–0.5% formic acid. The method was validated for linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy. Good results were obtained with respect to the overall intra‐ and inter‐day variations (RSD less than 3.22%) and the percentage recoveries (ranging from 90.50 to 99.22%). Notable differences in the contents of phenols were observed among different cultivated populations. The samples colleted in April and May (spring), or October and November (autumn) accumulated much higher contents of phenols than those collected in other seasons. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of the major metabolites of 5‐n‐butyl‐4‐{4‐[2‐(1H‐tetrazole‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]phenylmethyl}‐2,4‐dihydro‐2‐(2,6‐dichloridephenyl)‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐one, a new angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist, in rat bile by HPLC–diode array detection–MS and HPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Yan Bei , Wang Guangji , Sun Jianguo , Li Xiaoyu , Zheng Yuanting , Ai Hua , Lv Hua , Wu Xiaoming , Xu Jinyi
Published: April 2007

5‐n‐Butyl‐4‐{4‐[2‐(1H‐tetrazole‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]phenylmethyl}‐2,4‐dihydro‐2‐(2,6‐dichloridephenyl)‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐one (1b), a new non‐peptide angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist, has been observed to play a positive role in the treatment of hypertension in preclinical tests. Rats were dosed with the drug, and the major metabolites in the bile were separated by gradient elution high‐performance liquid chromatography. HPLC–diode array detection–mass spectrometry, HPLC–electrospray ionization MS/MS methods in negative ion mode and collision‐induced dissociation were used to elucidate the structures of the major metabolites of 1b. One dihydroxylated 1b (M1), two monohydoxylated 1b (M2, M3) and one 1b monoglucuronide (M5) were found in male rat bile; however, three monohydoxylated 1b (M2, M3, M4) and one 1b monoglucuronide (M5) were found in female rat bile. These metabolites greatly differ in amount between male and female rat bile. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of oxymatrine and matrine in beagle dog plasma after oral administration of Kushen formula granule, oxymatrine and matrine by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Wang Yiqi , Ma Yuanyuan , Li Xiaohong , Qin Feng , Lu Xiumei , Li Famei
Published: April 2007

A rapid, specific and sensitive LC‐MS/MS method was developed for the determination of oxymatrine (OMT) and matrine (MT) in beagle dog plasma. The method was applied to study the pharmacokinetics of OMT and MT after oral administration of OMT, MT and Kushen formula granule (KFG) containing equivalent amounts of OMT and MT in a three‐period crossover design. The analysis was carried out on an Acquity UPLC™ BEH C18 column by linear gradient elution with 0.01% acetic acid–water–methanol as mobile phase. Detection was by positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry with multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM). Linear calibration curves were both obtained over the concentration range 15–2000 ng/mL, with a limit of quantification of 15 ng/mL. The matrix effect was minimized. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSDs) were less than 12.4 and 14.7%, respectively, and the accuracy (RE) was from −2.1 to 2.7%. The validated method was used to determine the concentration–time profiles of OMT and MT. The results indicated that the absorption of OMT and MT after oral administration of KFG was significantly greater than that after oral administration of pure components. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Buying into our future: sustainability initiatives in local government procurement
Authors: Preuss Lutz
Published: April 2007

Local government in the United Kingdom is well placed to make a contribution to sustainable development in its area. Although only enjoying partial autonomy from central government without its own constitutional basis, its aggregate purchasing expenditure dwarfs that of central government. Case study research into procurement by local authorities in England reveals a wide range of activities aimed at addressing the challenges of sustainable development, covering environmental and social as well as economic development aspects. However, these initiatives are still of a patchy nature, in terms of both differences between aspects of sustainability and variation between local authorities. Many sustainability initiatives also have cost implications for local government, which may clash with other priorities. To overcome such barriers, local authorities could cooperate with other public sector organizations in the United Kingdom and beyond, as well as with the private sector, to learn from the sustainability experience elsewhere. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The importance of hormone receptor analysis in osteosarcoma cells growth submitted to treatment with estrogen in association with thyroid hormone
Authors: Saraiva Patricia Pinto , Teixeira Silvania Silva , Conde Sandro José , Nogueira Célia Regina
Published: April 2007

Bone tumor incidence in women peaks at age 50–60, coinciding with the menopause. That estrogen (E2) and triiodothyronine (T3) interact in bone metabolism has been well established. However, few data on the action of these hormones are available. Our purpose was to determine the role of E2 and T3 in the expression of bone activity markers, namely alkaline phosphatase (AP) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). Two osteosarcoma cell lines: MG‐63 (which has both estrogen (ER) and thyroid hormone (TR) receptors) and SaOs‐29 (ER receptors only) were treated with infraphysiological E2 associated with T3 at infraphysiological, physiological, and supraphysiological concentrations. Real‐time RT‐PCR was used for expression analysis. Our results show that, in MG‐63 cells, infraphysiological E2 associated with supraphysiological T3 increases AP expression and decreases RANKL expression, while infraphysiological E2 associated with either physiological or supraphysiological T3 decreases both AP and RANKL expression. On the other hand, in SaOs‐2 cells, the same hormone combinations had no significant effect on the markers' expression. Thus, the analysis of hormone receptors was shown to be crucial for the assessment of tumor potential growth in the face of hormonal changes. Special care should be provided to patients with T3 and E2 hormone receptors that may increase tumor growth. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biochemical effects of chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin on altered antioxidative defense mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in rat liver
Authors: Tuzmen N. , Candan N. , Kaya E. , Demiryas N.
Published: April 2007

Pesticides such as organophosphorus and organochlorine compounds commonly used in agriculture for achieving better quality products are toxic substances and lead to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which have harmful effects on human health. While pyrethroid pesticides are used in preference to organophosphates and organochlorines due to their high effectiveness, low toxicity to non‐target organisms and easy biodegradability, they may also produce oxidative stress. Thus, we investigated the effects of chlorpyrifos (CP, an organophosphate) and deltamethrin (DM, a pyrethroid pesticide) treatments at low and high doses on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, GSH‐Px and CAT in rat liver following 16 weeks exposure. Antioxidative defence mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in rat liver tissues display different responses depending on different pesticide treatments and doses. Biochemical analysis showed that administrations of the chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin cause liver damage. In the present study, we observed that lipid peroxidation levels are higher at high doses than at low doses, but DM caused more pronounced increase than CP. Experimentally, we have also observed that oxidant‐antioxidant balance is more affected by deltamethrin treatment than by chlorpyrifos. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlations between the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles and World‐View Rating Scale in male federal prisoners
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: April 2007

Introduction The lifestyle theory of criminal behaviour maintains that criminal thinking is hierarchically organized and that certain features of an individual's general world view should correspond with specific criminal thinking styles.

Hypotheses It was predicted that the eight Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) thinking style scales would correlate with the mechanism, fatalism, inequity and malevolence poles of the four World‐View Rating Scale (WVRS) dimensions.

Method A group of 140 male medium security prison inmates rated themselves on the four dimensions of the WVRS and completed the PICTS.

Results All eight PICTS thinking style scales correlated with mechanism, inequity and malevolence, but only six of the eight PICTS scales correlated with fatalism. In addition, two of four correlations specified a priori (i.e. between mollification and inequity and between power orientation and malevolence) proved significant in this study.

Discussion The present findings suggest that two levels of a cognitive system held to be instrumental in maintaining a criminal lifestyle – criminal thinking styles and global belief systems – may be meaningfully linked. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Groundwater Deterioration of Shallow Groundwater Aquifers Due to Overexploitation in Northeast Jordan
Authors: El‐Naqa Ali , Al‐Momani Mohammad , Kilani Suzan , Hammouri Nezar
Published: April 2007

Groundwater is the major water resource in Jordan and most of the groundwater basins are already exploited beyond their estimated safe yield. Azraq basin is one of the most important groundwater basins in Jordan, which supplies Amman with drinking water. However, due to overpumping from the shallow groundwater aquifers, the water level dropped dramatically and signs of salinization and depletion are starting to occur. The severe drawdown in the Azraq well‐field caused a reverse in the hydraulic gradient and consequently, the saltwater in the center of the basin (Qa‐Azraq) started to move in the direction of the well‐field. The salinization in the shallow aquifer (basalt/B5/B4) is believed to result from one of the following scenarios: (i) a reverse flow from Sabkha to the AWSA well field, (ii) an upward leakage from the middle aquifer system (B2/A7) and the combined B3 Aquitard‐B2/A7 aquifer, (iii) a dissolution process between the water and rock matrix due to lowering of the dynamic water levels during pumping which reached the mineralized formations underlying the Basalt. The salinization trend of some AWSA wells represented by the gradual increase of major ions is associated with rather constant stable isotopic contents. This indicates that these constituents originate from the main minerals existing in the matrix of the aquifers and thus this scenario is the most likely to occur.