bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public authority liability in negligence: the continued search for coherence
Authors: Bailey Stephen
Published: March 2006

The liability of public authorities in negligence continues to be a problematic area of the law. Some of the difficulties have been caused by the adoption by the courts of unnecessary and unworkable tests, in addition to the ordinary principles of the law of negligence. This is normally done to restrict liability, as with the policy–operational dichotomy, and the propositions that no liability can arise in respect of an act that ‘falls within the ambit of a statutory discretion’ or where the matter is non-justiciable. Sometimes the intention seems to be to extend liability, as with the suggestion that, generally, a duty of care may arise where there is an irrational failure to exercise a statutory power. Recent cases have helpfully continued the process of removing these special rules, leaving matters to be dealt with by the ordinary principles of negligence. Those principles enable proper account to be taken of the particular functions and responsibilities of public authorities. However, the cases remain difficult and the outcomes can still give rise to debate and disagreement. Insofar as there is a good case for extending the range of situations in which compensation is available in respect of the careless or unlawful acts of public authorities, it would be better to develop ex gratia schemes and the provision of remedies through ombudsmen than to extend the law of tort.
Paleoclimatic Evidence for Future Ice-Sheet Instability and Rapid Sea-Level Rise
Authors: Overpeck Jonathan T. , Otto-Bliesner Bette L. , Miller Gifford H. , Muhs Daniel R. , Alley Richard B. , Kiehl Jeffrey T.
Published: March 2006

Sea-level rise from melting of polar ice sheets is one of the largest potential threats of future climate change. Polar warming by the year 2100 may reach levels similar to those of 130,000 to 127,000 years ago that were associated with sea levels several meters above modern levels; both the Greenland Ice Sheet and portions of the Antarctic Ice Sheet may be vulnerable. The record of past ice-sheet melting indicates that the rate of future melting and related sea-level rise could be faster than widely thought.
Niche Partitioning Among
Prochlorococcus
Ecotypes Along Ocean-Scale Environmental Gradients
Authors: Johnson Zackary I. , Zinser Erik R. , Coe Allison , McNulty Nathan P. , Woodward E. Malcolm S. , Chisholm Sallie W.
Published: March 2006

Prochlorococcus
is the numerically dominant phytoplankter in the oligotrophic oceans, accounting for up to half of the photosynthetic biomass and production in some regions. Here, we describe how the abundance of six known ecotypes, which have small subunit ribosomal RNA sequences that differ by less than 3%, changed along local and basin-wide environmental gradients in the Atlantic Ocean. Temperature was significantly correlated with shifts in ecotype abundance, and laboratory experiments confirmed different temperature optima and tolerance ranges for cultured strains. Light, nutrients, and competitor abundances also appeared to play a role in shaping different distributions.
The Effect of Oxygen on Biochemical Networks and the Evolution of Complex Life
Authors: Raymond Jason , Segrè Daniel
Published: March 2006

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and ensuing oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere represent a major transition in the history of life. Although many organisms retreated to anoxic environments, others evolved to use oxygen as a high–potential redox couple while concomitantly mitigating its toxicity. To understand the changes in biochemistry and enzymology that accompanied adaptation to O
2
, we integrated network analysis with information on enzyme evolution to infer how oxygen availability changed the architecture of metabolic networks. Our analysis revealed the existence of four discrete groups of networks of increasing complexity, with transitions between groups being contingent on the presence of key metabolites, including molecular oxygen, which was required for transition into the largest networks.
Simulating Arctic Climate Warmth and Icefield Retreat in the Last Interglaciation
Authors: Otto-Bliesner Bette L. , Marshall Shawn J. , Overpeck Jonathan T. , Miller Gifford H. , Hu Aixue ,   CAPE Last Interglacial Project members
Published: March 2006

In the future, Arctic warming and the melting of polar glaciers will be considerable, but the magnitude of both is uncertain. We used a global climate model, a dynamic ice sheet model, and paleoclimatic data to evaluate Northern Hemisphere high-latitude warming and its impact on Arctic icefields during the Last Interglaciation. Our simulated climate matches paleoclimatic observations of past warming, and the combination of physically based climate and ice-sheet modeling with ice-core constraints indicate that the Greenland Ice Sheet and other circum-Arctic ice fields likely contributed 2.2 to 3.4 meters of sea-level rise during the Last Interglaciation.
Comment on "Changes in Tropical Cyclone Number, Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment"
Authors: Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: March 2006

Analyses of tropical cyclone records from the western North Pacific reveal that the recent increase in occurrence of intense typhoons reported by Webster
et al
. (Reports, 16 Sep. 2005, p. 1844) is not a trend. Rather, it is likely a part of the large interdecadal variations in the number of intense typhoons related to similar temporal fluctuations in the atmospheric environment.
Genomic Islands and the Ecology and Evolution of
Prochlorococcus
Authors: Coleman Maureen L. , Sullivan Matthew B. , Martiny Adam C. , Steglich Claudia , Barry Kerrie , DeLong Edward F. , Chisholm Sallie W.
Published: March 2006

Prochlorococcus
ecotypes are a useful system for exploring the origin and function of diversity among closely related microbes. The genetic variability between phenotypically distinct strains that differ by less that 1% in 16
S
ribosomal RNA sequences occurs mostly in genomic islands. Island genes appear to have been acquired in part by phage-mediated lateral gene transfer, and some are differentially expressed under light and nutrient stress. Furthermore, genome fragments directly recovered from ocean ecosystems indicate that these islands are variable among cooccurring
Prochlorococcus
cells. Genomic islands in this free-living photoautotroph share features with pathogenicity islands of parasitic bacteria, suggesting a general mechanism for niche differentiation in microbial species.
Seasonality and Increasing Frequency of Greenland Glacial Earthquakes
Authors: Ekström Göran , Nettles Meredith , Tsai Victor C.
Published: March 2006

Some glaciers and ice streams periodically lurch forward with sufficient force to generate emissions of elastic waves that are recorded on seismometers worldwide. Such glacial earthquakes on Greenland show a strong seasonality as well as a doubling of their rate of occurrence over the past 5 years. These temporal patterns suggest a link to the hydrological cycle and are indicative of a dynamic glacial response to changing climate conditions.
Immunological Reversal of Autoimmune Diabetes Without Hematopoietic Replacement of ß Cells
Authors: Suri Anish , Calderon Boris , Esparza Thomas J. , Frederick Katherine , Bittner Patrice , Unanue Emil R.
Published: March 2006

Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from the autoimmune destruction of the β cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and is recapitulated in the nonobese diabetic strain of mice. In an attempt to rescue islet loss, diabetic mice were made normoglycemic by islet transplantation and immunization with Freund's complete adjuvant along with multiple injections of allogeneic male splenocytes. This treatment allowed for survival of transplanted islets and recovery of endogenous β cell function in a proportion of mice, but with no evidence for allogeneic splenocyte–derived differentiation of new islet β cells. Control of the autoimmune disease at a crucial time in diabetogenesis can result in recovery of β cell function.
Reversal of Diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic Mice Without Spleen Cell-Derived ß Cell Regeneration
Authors: Chong Anita S. , Shen Jikun , Tao Jing , Yin Dengping , Kuznetsov Andrey , Hara Manami , Philipson Louis H.
Published: March 2006

Autoimmune destruction of β cells is the predominant cause of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in humans and is modeled in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Many therapeutic interventions prevent the development of T1DM in NOD mice, but few can induce its reversal once established. Intervention with Freund's complete adjuvant, semi-allogeneic splenocytes, and temporary islet transplantation has been reported to cure NOD mice of established T1DM. Using the same approach, we report here that this treatment cured 32% of NOD mice of established diabetes (>340 milligrams per deciliter blood glucose), although β cells in these mice were not derived from donor splenocytes.
The Preparation and Structures of Hydrogen Ordered Phases of Ice
Authors: Salzmann Christoph G. , Radaelli Paolo G. , Hallbrucker Andreas , Mayer Erwin , Finney John L.
Published: March 2006

Two hydrogen ordered phases of ice were prepared by cooling the hydrogen disordered ices V and XII under pressure. Previous attempts to unlock the geometrical frustration in hydrogen-bonded structures have focused on doping with potassium hydroxide and have had success in partially increasing the hydrogen ordering in hexagonal ice I (ice I
h
). By doping ices V and XII with hydrochloric acid, we have prepared ice XIII and ice XIV, and we analyzed their structures by powder neutron diffraction. The use of hydrogen chloride to release geometrical frustration opens up the possibility of completing the phase diagram of ice.
The Greatest of Apes
Authors: Cowlishaw Guy
Published: March 2006

King Kong
.
By Peter Jackson
. Universal Pictures, Universal City, CA, 2005. 187 minutes.
www.kingkongmovie.com

This remake of the classic 1933 film, expanded to epic proportions, offers a more humanized giant gorilla and a fable about wild nature and our destructive exploitation of it.
An unusual case of facial nerve palsy following soccer related minor head injury
Authors: Leitch E F , Hanson J R
Published: March 2006

A 16 year old amateur soccer player sustained a minor head injury while contesting a ball in the air. He was unconscious for two minutes and remained “dizzy” for about an hour. After two days he developed a profound left lower motor neurone facial nerve palsy. He was found to have a complex fracture of the left petrous temporal bone, with fluid in the left middle ear and left mastoid. Treatment was conservative with oral steroids and oral co-amoxiclav and a left myringotomy to decompress his middle ear. The spectrum of aetiology, presentation, and prognosis for facial nerve injuries is discussed.
A comparison of estimated maximal oxygen uptake in 9 and 10 year old schoolchildren in Tanzania and Norway
Authors: Aandstad A , Berntsen S , Hageberg R , Klasson-Heggebø L , Anderssen S A
Published: March 2006

Objective:To compare estimated maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in Tanzanian and Norwegian children, by using the same bicycle protocol in both samples.

Methods:Maximal oxygen uptake was estimated from an indirect maximal watt cycle ergometer test in 156 rural boys and girls in Tanzania. Similarly aged urban Norwegian boys and girls (n = 379) who underwent the same test were used for comparison. The Tanzanian children also participated in a 20 metre shuttle run test and a test of bicycle skill. The Tanzanian children were tested at altitude (∼1800 metres), while the Norwegian children were tested at sea level.

Results:In the cycle ergometer test, estimated relative V˙O2maxwas similar in Tanzanian and Norwegian boys, while Tanzanian girls had 8% lower estimated V˙O2maxcompared with Norwegian girls (p<0.001). Only one third of the Tanzanian children were able to ride a conventional bicycle. Excluding subjects not able to ride a bicycle, there was no difference in estimated V˙O2maxbetween Norwegian and Tanzanian children. The Tanzanian boys and girls reached significantly higher estimated V˙O2maxin the shuttle run test compared with the cycle ergometer test (p<0.001).

Conclusions:Tanzanian and Norwegian children attained similar relative V˙O2maxin the cycle ergometer test. However, the comparison was hampered by differences in altitude and the poor cycle ergometer skills in the Tanzanian children, both of which probably underestimated their V˙O2max.
Sudden collapse of a young female cross country runner
Authors: Kashyap A S , Anand K P , Kashyap S
Published: March 2006

The case is reported of a young previously healthy female cross country runner who collapsed on completion of a cross country run. The cause of the collapse was non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema as a manifestation of hyponatraemic encephalopathy. The concurrent occurrence of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and encephalopathy due to hyponatraemia is unusual.
Dance training intensity at 11–14 years is associated with femoral torsion in classical ballet dancers
Authors: Hamilton D , Aronsen P , Løken J H , Berg I M , Skotheim R , Hopper D , Clarke A , Briffa N K
Published: March 2006

Objective:To examine in a cross sectional study the influence of femoral torsion (FT) and passive hip external rotation (PER) on turnout (TO). Starting age, years of classical ballet training, and current and past dance training intensity were assessed to determine their influence on FT, PER, and TO in pre-professional female dancers.

Methods:Sixty four dancers (mean (SD) age 18.16 (1.80) years) were recruited from four different dance training programmes. They completed a dance history questionnaire. FT was measured using a clinical method. PER was measured with the subjects prone, and TO was measured with the subjects standing.

Results:Mean TO was 136°, mean unilateral PER was 49.4°, and mean FT was 18.4°. A positive correlation was observed between PER combined (PERC) and TO (r =  0.443, p<0.001). A negative association was found between FT combined (FTC) and PERC (r =  −0.402, p  =  0.001). No association was found between starting age or years of classical ballet training and FTC, PERC, or TO. Dancers who trained for six hours a week or more during the 11–14 year age range had less FT than those who trained less (mean difference 6°, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 10.3). Students currently training for longer had higher levels of TO (p<0.001) but comparable PERC and FTC.

Conclusion:FT is significantly associated with PERC. Dancers who trained for six hours a week or more at 11–14 years of age had significantly less FT. FTC had a significant influence on PERC, but no influence on the execution of TO.
Epidemiology of injuries and illnesses in America’s Cup yacht racing
Authors: Neville V J , Molloy J , Brooks J H M , Speedy D B , Atkinson G
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To determine the incidence and severity of injuries and illnesses incurred by a professional America’s Cup yacht racing crew during the preparation for and participation in the challenge for the 2003 America’s Cup.

Methods:A prospective study design was used over 74 weeks of sailing and training. All injuries and illnesses sustained by the 35 professional male crew members requiring medical treatment were recorded, including the diagnosis, nature, location, and mechanism of injury. The volume of sailing and training were recorded, and the severity of incidents were determined by the number of days absent from both sailing and training.

Results:In total, 220 injuries and 119 illnesses were recorded, with an overall incidence of 8.8 incidents/1000 sailing and training hours (injuries, 5.7; illnesses, 3.1). The upper limb was the most commonly injured body segment (40%), followed by the spine and neck (30%). The most common injuries were joint/ligament sprains (27%) and tendinopathies (20%). The incidence of injury was significantly higher in training (8.6) than sailing (2.2). The most common activity or mechanism of injury was non-specific overuse (24%), followed by impact with boat hardware (15%) and weight training (13%). “Grinders” had the highest overall injury incidence (7.7), and “bowmen” had the highest incidence of sailing injuries (3.2). Most of the illnesses were upper respiratory tract infections (40%).

Conclusions:The data from this study suggest that America’s Cup crew members are at a similar risk of injury to athletes in other non-collision team sports. Prudent allocation of preventive and therapeutic resources, such as comprehensive health and medical care, well designed conditioning and nutritional programmes, and appropriate management of recovery should be adopted by America’s Cup teams in order to reduce the risk of injury and illness.
Serum concentrations of two biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase are increased in elite female soccer players after a competitive game
Authors: Stålnacke B-M , Ohlsson A , Tegner Y , Sojka P
Published: March 2006

Background:It is a matter of debate whether or not ordinary heading of the ball in soccer causes injury to brain tissue.

Objective:To analyse concentrations of the biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase (NSE) in serum of female elite soccer players in association with a competitive game.

Methods:Venous blood samples were obtained from 44 female soccer players before and after a competitive game for analysis. The number of headers and trauma events (falls, collisions, etc) was assessed from videotape recordings for each player.

Results:Concentrations of both brain damage markers were increased after the game (S-100B, 0.18 (0.11)v0.11 (0.05) μg/l (p  =  0.000); NSE, 10.14 (1.74)v9.05 (1.59) μg/l (p  =  0.001)). There was a significant correlation between changes in S-100B concentrations and both the number of headers (r =  0.430, p  =  0.004) and the number of other trauma events (r =  0.517, p<0.001).

Conclusion:The concentrations of both S-100B and NSE were increased by game associated activities and events. The increases in S-100B concentration were significantly related to the number of headers and other trauma events, which indicates that both these factors may have contributed to these increases.
Soft tissue neck lumps in rugby union players
Authors: Dearing J
Published: March 2006

Dorsal neck masses are well recognised in front row rugby union players. Previously undescribed in the medical literature, they may present in the primary or secondary care setting when they become symptomatic. Often misdiagnosed as lipomata, they may in fact be fibrous and deeply connected, with the consequences of embarking on surgery subsequently underestimated. This paper describes an epidemiological study using the rugby union media and gives key points for healthcare professionals involved in the management of such masses.
Core temperature and hydration status during an Ironman triathlon
Authors: Laursen P B , Suriano R , Quod M J , Lee H , Abbiss C R , Nosaka K , Martin D T , Bishop D
Published: March 2006

Background:Numerous laboratory based studies have documented that aggressive hydration strategies (∼1–2 litres/h) are required to minimise a rise in core temperature and minimise the deleterious effects of hyperthermia on performance. However, field data on the relations between hydration level, core body temperature, and performance are rare.

Objective:To measure core temperature (Tcore) in triathletes during a 226 km Ironman triathlon, and to compare Tcorewith markers of hydration status after the event.

Method:Before and immediately after the 2004 Ironman Western Australia event (mean (SD) ambient temperature 23.3 (1.9)°C (range 19–26°C) and 60 (14)% relative humidity (44–87%)) body mass, plasma concentrations of sodium ([Na+]), potassium ([K+]), and chloride ([Cl−]), and urine specific gravity were measured in 10 well trained triathletes. Tcorewas measured intermittently during the event using an ingestible pill telemetry system, and heart rate was measured throughout.

Results:Mean (SD) performance time in the Ironman triathlon was 611 (49) minutes; heart rate was 143 (9) beats/min (83 (6)% of maximum) and Tcorewas 38.1 (0.3)°C. Body mass significantly declined during the race by 2.3 (1.2) kg (−3.0 (1.5)%; p<0.05), whereas urine specific gravity significantly increased (1.011 (0.005) to 1.0170 (0.008) g/ml; p<0.05) and plasma [Na+], [K+], and [Cl−] did not change. Changes in body mass were not related to finishing Tcore(r =  −0.16), plasma [Na+] (r =  0.31), or urine specific gravity (r =  −0.37).

Conclusion:In contrast with previous laboratory based studies examining the influence of hypohydration on performance, a body mass loss of up to 3% was found to be tolerated by well trained triathletes during an Ironman competition in warm conditions without any evidence of thermoregulatory failure.
Effects of the new karate rules on the incidence and distribution of injuries
Authors: Macan J , Bundalo-Vrbanac D , Romić G
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To evaluate the incidence and distribution of injuries in karate before and after the implementation of new rules established by the World Karate Federation in 2000.

Methods:Injury incidence was followed up during the official karate competition seasons of 1997 and 2002 in Croatia. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the age and sex of the competitor and localisation and severity of injury. Data were analysed separately for female and male competitors and age categories <18 and ⩾18 years.

Results:A total of 2023.5 and 2584 minutes of active fighting (exposure time) was assessed for 1997 and 2002 respectively. The overall injury incidence rate (IR) was similar in 1997 and 2002 (10.28 and 9.82/100 exposure minutes respectively). The relative risk (RR) of injury was significantly higher in 1997 than in 2002 for competitors younger than 18 years (RR 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 to 2.16). The overall RR of head injury was significantly higher in 1997 than in 2002 (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.49), but the RR of leg injury was significantly lower in 1997 than in 2002 (RR 0.16, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.28). Most injuries (>98%) were categorised as mild (grade 1) in both periods studied.

Conclusions:The results of this study confirm the importance of the new competition rules in the distribution and prevention of injuries in martial arts. Strict judging and heavy penalties for uncontrolled blows, particularly for the youngest competitors, can significantly decrease the risk of injury.
Left ventricular chamber size predicts the race time of Japanese participants in a 100 km ultramarathon
Authors: Nagashima J , Musha H , Takada H , Murayama M
Published: March 2006

Objective:As a subanalysis of an echocardiographic study performed on 291 Japanese participants in a 100 km ultramarathon, to estimate predictors of race time.

Methods:A total of 247 male participants in a 100 km ultramarathon (age 20–73 years) were examined by echocardiography. Correlations between age, body surface area, monthly running distance, or echocardiographic variables and the race time were examined.

Results:According to simple regression analysis, age (r =  0.299, p<0.0001), monthly running distance (r =  −0.388, p<0.0001), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (r =  −0.300, p<0.0001), and left ventricular end systolic diameter (r =  −0.325, p<0.0001) correlated significantly with the race time. When multiple regression analysis was performed, age (f  =  2.364), monthly running distance (f  =  −0.113), and left ventricular end systolic diameter (f  =  −2.361) remained significant predictors of the race time.

Conclusion:Left ventricular diameter predicts the race time for a 100 km ultramarathon, in addition to age and amount of training.
Sports injuries: population based representative data on incidence, diagnosis, sequelae, and high risk groups
Authors: Schneider S , Seither B , Tönges S , Schmitt H
Published: March 2006

Objective:To generate national representative data on the incidence, diagnosis, severity, and nature of medically treated sports injuries and to identify high risk groups.

Methods:The first national health survey for the Federal Republic of Germany, conducted in the format of a standardised, written, cross sectional survey in the period October 1997 to March 1999, gathered data on the incidence of accident and injury and information on social demographics, injury related disability/time off work, and injury location/setting. The net sample comprised 7124 people aged 18–79.

Results:3.1% of adult Germans said they sustained a sports injury during the previous year, corresponding to an annual injury rate of 5.6% among those engaging in regular recreational physical activity and ranking sports injuries as the second most common type of accident. About 62% of all sports injuries result in time taken off work. The period of occupational disability is 14 days or less in around two thirds of these cases. The occupational disability rate after occupational and traffic accidents is much higher by comparison. Dislocations, distortions, and/or torn ligaments make up 60% of all sports injuries, followed by fractures (18%), contusions, surface wounds, or open wounds (12%). Three out of four sports injury casualties are male. The incidence declines noticeably in higher age groups.

Conclusions:Future injury prevention measures should focus on the high risk group of young male recreational athletes. The data indicate that the fear of damage to health and injury, believed to be significant internal psychological barriers to participation in sports, is largely unwarranted for the female population and/or older age groups. Sporting injuries are a marginal phenomenon among the female population and mobile seniors actively engaged in sports.
Development of the interval endurance capacity in elite and sub-elite youth field hockey players
Authors: Elferink-Gemser M T , Visscher C , van Duijn M A J , Lemmink K A P M
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To gain more insight into the mechanisms that underlie the development of interval endurance capacity in talented youth field hockey players in the 12–19 age band.

Methods:A total of 377 measurements were taken over three years. A longitudinal model for interval endurance capacity was developed using the multilevel modelling program MLwiN. With the model, scores on the interval shuttle run test can be predicted for elite and sub-elite male and female field hockey players aged 12–19 years.

Results:A polynomial model of order 2 adequately represents development of the test scores over time. The fixed part of the model contains a different intercept and linear age term for boys and girls, and a common quadratic term; the random part of the model has a common level 2 variance and sex specific level 1 variances. The model was significantly improved by including differential effects of performance level for age and sex. A negative effect was found for percentage body fat, and positive effects for additional training and motivation.

Conclusions:During adolescence, both male and female elite hockey players show a more promising development pattern of interval endurance capacity than sub-elite youth players. Percentage body fat, additional training hours, and motivation influence this development. However, differences between the individual players are still considerable.
Angiogenic effect of intramuscular administration of basic fibroblast growth factor in atrophied muscles: an experimental study in the rat
Authors: Efthimiadou A , Nikolettos N K , Lambropoulou M , Papadopoulos N , Kontoleon E
Published: March 2006

Background:Although angiogenic therapy using recombinant growth factors holds much hope for the treatment of ischaemic diseases, there are still many unanswered questions, including its effectiveness on atrophic muscles.

Objective:To evaluate the angiogenic effects of intramuscularly administered basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) on normal gastrocnemius muscles of rats and atrophic gastrocnemius muscles after tenotomy.

Methods:Forty rats were divided into groups as follows: group A, controls; group B, injected with 1 μg b-FGF; group C, tenotomy performed on the right gastrocnemius muscle; group D, tenotomy and 1 μg b-FGF. Mouse anti-rat CD31 antibody was used to evaluate the number of blood vessels present in histological preparations.

Results:There was a significant (p<0.01) decrease in the number of blood vessels compared with the controls in the atrophic muscles of group C. This was similar to the decrease in muscle weight in this group. However, there was a significant (p<0.01) increase in the number of blood vessels compared with the controls in groups B and D. Similarly, there was a significant (p<0.01) increase in the number of blood vessels in group D compared with the atrophic muscles in group C.

Conclusion:Intramuscular administration of b-FGF increases angiogenesis in both normal and atrophic rat gastrocnemius muscles at the injection area.
Proton pump inhibition prevents gastrointestinal bleeding in ultramarathon runners: a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled study
Authors: Thalmann M , Sodeck G H , Kavouras S , Matalas A , Skenderi K , Yannikouris N , Domanovits H
Published: March 2006

Background:Ultra-endurance running is emerging as a popular sport in Western industrialised countries. Gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported to be an adverse effect in these runners.

Objective:To see if the oral administration of a proton pump inhibitor would reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding in an ultramarathon.

Methods:In a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled study, a prophylactic regimen of three days of an oral proton pump inhibitor (pantoprazole 20 mg) was tested in healthy athletes participating in the Spartathlon ultramarathon. The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding was assessed by a stool guaiac test.

Results:Results were obtained for 70 healthy volunteers. The data for 20 of 35 runners in the intervention group and 17 of 35 runners in the placebo group were entered into the final analysis. At the end of the ultramarathon, two subjects in the intervention group and 12 in the placebo group had positive stool guaiac tests (risk difference 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.96; p  =  0.001).

Conclusion:A short prophylactic regimen of oral proton pump inhibition can successfully decrease the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding in participants in an ultramarathon.
Use of β2agonists in sport: are the present criteria right?
Authors: Naranjo Orellana J , Centeno Prada R A , Carranza Márquez M D
Published: March 2006

Background:The regulations for doping control prohibit the use of β2agonist bronchodilators (salbutamol, salmeterol, formoterol, and terbutaline) unless the subject follows the procedure known as abbreviated therapeutic use exemption (ATUE).

Objective:To highlight how the interest in discovering possible cheats may result in damage to athletes who really need bronchodilator treatment.

Methods:Thirty one high level athletes (18 men and 13 women) with a previous diagnosis of asthma were examined in our laboratory in order to obtain an ATUE for β2agonists. All the subjects underwent spirometry at rest. If the results were normal, the subjects underwent an effort test and, if negative, a methacholine test inhaling progressive doses of methacholine until a fall of 20% in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was achieved. The international anti-doping regulations require that the fall in FEV1occurs with a concentration of methacholine (PC20) lower than 2 mg/ml (4 mg/ml for Torino 2006). In clinical practice, a test is positive if the response occurs with a PC20 lower than 8 mg/ml.

Results:Only one subject met the criterion for the bronchodilation test at rest. The remaining 30 athletes underwent an effort test, which was positive in nine of them. In 21 cases (13 men and 8 women) the effort test was negative so a methacholine test was carried out. Seven (33%) were negative for ATUE with a PC20 higher than 8 mg/ml, seven (33%) were positive for ATUE with a PC20 less than 2 mg/ml, in four (19%) the PC20 was 2–4 mg/ml, and in three (14%) it was 4–8 mg/ml.

Conclusions:Strict vigilance of fair play should be pursued, but excessive control can lead to situations of inequality for asthmatic athletes such that a third of athletes cannot be treated with β2agonists. Therefore under current regulations, asthmatic athletes are often denied the most effective therapeutic option.
Validation of short term recall of mobile phone use for the Interphone study
Authors: Vrijheid M , Cardis E , Armstrong B K , Auvinen A , Berg G , Blaasaas K G , Brown J , Carroll M , Chetrit A , Christensen H C , Deltour I , Feychting M , Giles G G , Hepworth S J , Hours M , Iavarone I , Johansen C , Klæboe L , Kurttio P , Lagorio S , Lönn S , McKinney P A , Montestrucq L , Parslow R C , Richardson L , Sadetzki S , Salminen T , Schüz J , Tynes T , Woodward A
Published: March 2006

Aim:To validate short term recall of mobile phone use within Interphone, an international collaborative case control study of tumours of the brain, acoustic nerve, and salivary glands related to mobile telephone use.

Methods:Mobile phone use of 672 volunteers in 11 countries was recorded by operators or through the use of software modified phones, and compared to use recalled six months later using the Interphone study questionnaire. Agreement between recalled and actual phone use was analysed using both categorical and continuous measures of number and duration of phone calls.

Results:Correlations between recalled and actual phone use were moderate to high (ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 across countries) and of the same order for number and duration of calls. The kappa statistic demonstrated fair to moderate agreement for both number and duration of calls (weighted kappa ranging from 0.20 to 0.60 across countries). On average, subjects underestimated the number of calls per month (geometric mean ratio of recalled to actual = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.99), whereas duration of calls was overestimated (geometric mean ratio = 1.42, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.56). The ratio of recalled to actual use increased with level of use, showing underestimation in light users and overestimation in heavy users. There was substantial heterogeneity in this ratio between countries. Inter-individual variation was also large, and increased with level of use.

Conclusions:Volunteer subjects recalled their recent phone use with moderate systematic error and substantial random error. This large random error can be expected to reduce the power of the Interphone study to detect an increase in risk of brain, acoustic nerve, and parotid gland tumours with increasing mobile phone use, if one exists.
DNA damage in outdoor workers occupationally exposed to environmental air pollutants
Authors: Tovalin H , Valverde M , Morandi M T , Blanco S , Whitehead L , Rojas E
Published: March 2006

Background:Health concerns about the exposure to genotoxic and carcinogenic agents in the air are particularly significant for outdoor workers in less developed countries.

Aims:To investigate the association between personal exposure to a group of air pollutants and severity of DNA damage in outdoor workers from two Mexican cities.

Methods:DNA damage (Comet assay) and personal exposure to volatile organic compounds, PM2.5, and ozone were investigated in 55 outdoor and indoor workers from México City and Puebla.

Results:In México City, outdoor workers had greater DNA damage, reflected by a longer tail length, than indoor workers (median 46.8v30.1 μm), and a greater percentage of highly damaged cells (cells with tail length ⩾41 μm); in Puebla, outdoor and indoor workers had similar DNA damage. There were more alkali labile sites in outdoor than indoor workers. The DNA damage magnitude was positively correlated with PM2.5and ozone exposure. Outdoor and indoor workers with ⩾60% of highly damaged cells (highly damaged workers) had significantly higher exposures to PM2.5, ozone, and some volatile organic compounds. The main factors associated with the highly damaged workers were ozone, PM2.5, and 1-ethyl-2-methyl benzene exposure.

Conclusions:With this approach, the effects of some air pollutants could be correlated with biological endpoints from the Comet assay. It is suggested that the use of personal exposure assessment and biological endpoints evaluation could be an important tool to generate a more precise assessment of the associated potential health risks.
Assigning exposure to pesticides and solvents from self-reports collected by a computer assisted personal interview and expert assessment of job codes: the UK Adult Brain Tumour Study
Authors: Hepworth S J , Bolton A , Parslow R C , van Tongeren M , Muir K R , McKinney P A
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To compare assignment of occupational pesticide and solvent exposure using self-reported data collected by a computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) with exposure based on expert assessment of job codes. To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a CAPI to collect individual occupational exposure data.

Methods:Between 2001 and 2004, 1495 participants were interviewed using a CAPI for a case-control study of adult brain tumours and acoustic neuromas. Two types of occupational data were collected: (1) a full history, including job title from which a job code was assigned from the Standard Occupational Classification; and (2) specific details on pesticide and solvent exposure reported by participants. Study members’ experiences of using the CAPI were recorded and advantages and disadvantages summarised.

Results:Of 7192 jobs recorded, the prevalence of self-reported exposure was 1.3% for pesticides and 11.5% for solvents. Comparing this with exposure expertly assessed from job titles showed 53.6% and 45.8% concordance for pesticides and solvents respectively. Advantages of the CAPI include no data entry stage, automatic input validation, and a reduction in interviewer bias. Disadvantages include an adverse effect on study implementation as a consequence of resources required for programming and difficulties encountered with data management prior to analysis.

Conclusions:Different methods of exposure assessment derive different exposure levels for pesticide and solvent exposure at work. Agreement between self-reported and expert assessment of exposure was greater for pesticides compared to solvents. The advantages of using a CAPI for the collection of complex data outweigh the disadvantages for interviewers and data quality but using such a method requires extra resources at the study outset.
Medical downgrading, self-perception of health, and psychological symptoms in the British Armed Forces
Authors: Rona R J , Hooper R , Greenberg N , Jones M , Wessely S
Published: March 2006

Objective:To investigate the contribution of psychological symptoms to limited employability for medical reasons in the British Armed Forces.

Methods:A sample of 4500 military personnel was randomly selected to receive either a full or an abridged questionnaire. The questionnaires asked whether the participant was medically downgraded and if yes, the reason for it. The full questionnaire included the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist, 15 symptoms to assess somatisation, and selected items of the quality of life SF-36 questionnaire. The abridged questionnaire included the GHQ-4, a 14 item PTSD checklist, five symptoms, and the item on self-perception of health from the SF-36. Subjects above a threshold score for GHQ, PTSD, and symptoms were considered to have psychological symptoms.

Results:12.4% of the participants were medically downgraded. The majority (70.4%) had social or work limitations. Medically downgraded personnel had higher odds ratios in comparison to non-downgraded personnel for psychological distress 1.84 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.37), PTSD 3.06 (95% CI 1.82 to 5.15), and number of symptoms 2.37 (95% CI 2.37 1.62 to 3.47). GHQ, PTSD, and symptoms scores were mainly, but not exclusively, related to chronic physical injury.

Conclusions:Psychological symptoms are common among medically downgraded personnel. Although the mechanisms involved are unclear, tackling issues of psychological symptoms among these subjects could contribute to faster restitution to full employability in the Armed Forces.
Building health: an epidemiological study of “sick building syndrome” in the Whitehall II study
Authors: Marmot A F , Eley J , Stafford M , Stansfeld S A , Warwick E , Marmot M G
Published: March 2006

Objectives:Sick building syndrome (SBS) is described as a group of symptoms attributed to the physical environment of specific buildings. Isolating particular environmental features responsible for the symptoms has proved difficult. This study explores the role and significance of the physical and psychosocial work environment in explaining SBS.

Methods:Cross sectional data on the physical environment of a selection of buildings were added to individual data from the Whitehall II study—an ongoing health survey of office based civil servants. A self-report questionnaire was used to capture 10 symptoms of the SBS and psychosocial work stress. In total, 4052 participants aged 42–62 years working in 44 buildings were included in this study.

Results:No significant relation was found between most aspects of the physical work environment and symptom prevalence, adjusted for age, sex, and employment grade. Positive (non-significant) relations were found only with airborne bacteria, inhalable dust, dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, and having some control over the local physical environment. Greater effects were found with features of the psychosocial work environment including high job demands and low support. Only psychosocial work characteristics and control over the physical environment were independently associated with symptoms in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:The physical environment of office buildings appears to be less important than features of the psychosocial work environment in explaining differences in the prevalence of symptoms.
Assessment of lifetime exposure to trihalomethanes through different routes
Authors: Villanueva C M , Cantor K P , Grimalt J O , Castaño-Vinyals G , Malats N , Silverman D , Tardon A , Garcia-Closas R , Serra C , Carrato A , Rothman N , Real F X , Dosemeci M , Kogevinas M
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To evaluate lifetime exposure to trihalomethanes (THM) through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption in a hospital based case-control study of bladder cancer conducted between 1998 and 2001 in five areas of Spain. The study base was comprised of subjects living in the catchment areas of the participating hospitals.

Methods:Individual information on water related habits was obtained from personal interviews of 1219 cases and 1271 controls: residential and occupational history, drinking water source at each residence and job, amount of water consumption, frequency and duration of showering, bathing, and swimming pool attendance. THM levels, water source history, and year when chlorination started in study areas were ascertained through measurements in drinking water samples and questionnaires to water companies and local authorities. Estimates of THM levels covered 79% of the subjects’ person-years of exposure.

Results:Current and historical average THM levels in water were correlated. Control subjects reported that drinking water source in the last residence was municipal for 63%, bottled for 22%, private well for 2%, and other sources for 13%. For the time window between age 15 and the time of interview, average residential THM level was 32.2 μg/l. THM exposure through ingestion was 23.7 μg/day on average, and was correlated with the ingestion THM level in the workplace. Overall, 79% usually took showers, 16% usually took baths, and 13% had ever attended a swimming pool. Between 21% and 45% of controls unexposed to THM through ingestion were evaluated as moderately or highly exposed through showering or bathing, and 5–10% were exposed through swimming in pools.

Conclusion:The importance of evaluating different routes is underscored by findings from experimental studies showing substantial differences in THM uptake and internal distribution by route.
Intervention development in occupational research: an example from the printing industry
Authors: Brown T P , Rushton L , Williams H C , English J S C
Published: March 2006

Background:Intervention development research is an essential prerequisite of any study that attempts to determine whether specific interventions work to prevent work related injury and illness.

Methods:Focus groups (n = 5) and direct observational studies (n = 21) of printers were used to elicit key issues that would aid the development of subsequent interventions. Transcripts from these were analysed by standard qualitative methods to identify common and related themes.

Results:The views of managers differed significantly from those of print workers in a number of areas, and working practices did not always follow policy. The majority of printers did not perceive dermatitis to be a major problem, although many complained of dry hands. Other key results included: the lack of skin care policy in most companies; poor understanding of the nature, causes, and treatment of dermatitis; low priority of dermatitis within health and safety concerns; little or no provision of occupational health services, particularly skin checks; variability in provision of and access to appropriate skin protection; and lack of accessible washing facilities.

Conclusions:As a result it was decided to evaluate the implementation of four interventions: provision of (1) skin checks and treatment advice; (2) gloves of the correct type and size, and use of an after-work cream; (3) information on dermatitis within the printing industry; and (4) development of best practice skin care policy.
An evaluation of hospital discharge records as a tool for serious work related injury surveillance
Authors: Alamgir H , Koehoorn M , Ostry A , Tompa E , Demers P
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To identify and describe work related serious injuries among sawmill workers in British Columbia, Canada using hospital discharge records, and compare the agreement and capturing patterns of the work related indicators available in the hospital discharge records.

Methods:Hospital discharge records were extracted from 1989 to 1998 for a cohort of sawmill workers. Work related injuries were identified from these records using International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) external cause of injury codes, which have a fifth digit, and sometimes a fourth digit, indicating place of occurrence, and the responsibility of payment schedule, which identifies workers’ compensation as being responsible for payment.

Results:The most frequent causes of work related hospitalisations were falls, machinery related, overexertion, struck against, cutting or piercing, and struck by falling objects. Almost all cases of machinery related, struck by falling object, and caught in or between injuries were found to be work related. Overall, there was good agreement between the two indicators (ICD-9 code and payment schedule) for identifying work relatedness of injury hospitalisations (kappa = 0.75, p < 0.01). There was better concordance between them for injuries, such as struck against, drowning/suffocation/foreign body, fire/flame/natural/environmental, and explosions/firearms/hot substance/electric current/radiation, and poor concordance for injuries, such as machinery related, struck by falling object, overexertion, cutting or piercing, and caught in or between.

Conclusions:Hospital discharge records are collected for administrative reasons, and thus are readily available. Depending on the coding reliability and validity, hospital discharge records represent an alternative and independent source of information for serious work related injuries. The study findings support the use of hospital discharge records as a potential surveillance system for such injuries.