bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuromotor Effects of Acute Ethanol Inhalation Exposure in Humans: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Nadeau Véronique , Lamoureux Daniel , Beuter Anne , Charbonneau Michel , Tardif Robert
Published: March 2004

Neuromotor Effects of Acute Ethanol Inhalation Exposure in Humans: A Preliminary Study: Véronique Nadeau, et al. TOXHUM (Groupe de Recherche en Toxicologie Humaine), Département de Santé Environnementale et Santé au Travail, Université de Montréal, Canada— Ethanol (ETOH) is added to unleaded gasoline to decrease environmental levels of carbon monoxide from automobiles emissions. Therefore, addition of ETOH in reformulated fuel will most likely increase and the involuntarily human exposure to this chemical will also increase. This preliminary study was undertaken to evaluate the possible neuromotor effects resulting from acute ETOH exposure by inhalation in humans. Five healthy non‐smoking adult males, with no history of alcohol abuse, were exposed by inhalation, in a dynamic, controlled‐environment exposure chamber, to various concentrations of ETOH (0, 250, 500 and 1,000 ppm in air) for six hours. Reaction time, body sway, hand tremor and rapid alternating movements were measured before and after each exposure session by using the CATSYSTM 7.0 system and a diadochokinesimeter. The concentrations of ETOH in blood and in alveolar air were also measured. ETOH was not detected in blood nor in alveolar air when volunteers were exposed to 250 and 500 ppm, but at the end of exposure to 1,000 ppm, blood and alveolar air concentrations were 0.443 mg/100ml and 253.1 ppm, respectively. The neuromotor tests did not show conclusively significant differences between the exposed and non‐exposed conditions. In conclusion, this study suggests that acute exposure to ethanol at 1,000 ppm or lower or to concentrations that could be encountered upon refueling is not likely to cause any significant neuromotor alterations in healthy males.
Comparative Toxicity of Standard Nickel and Ultrafine Nickel in Lung after Intratracheal Instillation
Authors: Zhang Qunwei , Kusaka Yukinori , Zhu Xinqiang , Sato Kazuhiro , Mo Yiqun , Kluz Thomas , Donaldson Kenneth
Published: March 2004

Comparative Toxicity of Standard Nickel and Ultrafine Nickel in Lung after Intratracheal Instillation: Qunwei Zhang, et al.; Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Fukui Medical University—A comparison was made of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) response to ultrafine nickel (Uf‐Ni) and standard‐sized nickel (Std‐Ni). Rats were intratracheally instilled with 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5 mg Uf‐Ni and Std‐Ni, respectively. At 3 d after instillation, the body weight and wet lung weight were determined. At the same time, BALF was analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein (TP), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha), and total cell and differential cell counts. The results showed that indicators of lung injury and inflammation in BALF were markedly raised with increased Uf‐Ni and Std‐Ni for each from 0 to 1 mg, and there were no differences in the indices between instillation of Uf‐Ni at 1 mg and 5 mg. The results also showed that the effects of Uf‐Ni on the indices were significantly higher than those of Std‐Ni. Additional groups of rats were intratracheally instilled with 1 mg of Uf‐Ni or Std‐Ni, and wet lung weight and BALF profiles were analyzed at 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 d later. The effect of Uf‐Ni and Std‐Ni on indices that can be presumed to reflect epithelial injury and permeability (LDH or TP), and release of proinflammatory cytokine (TNF‐alpha) were increased throughout the 30 d post‐exposure and the effects of Uf‐Ni on these indices were significantly higher than those of Std‐Ni from 1 to 30 d after instillation. Moreover, the number of neutrophils and LDH activity in BALF of rats after exposure to Uf‐Ni were significantly greater than those of Std‐Ni‐exposed rats up to 30 d after instillation. Our findings suggest that Uf‐Ni has a much more toxic effect on the lung than St‐Ni, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Leisure Time Physical Activity as a Determinant of Self‐Perceived Health and Fitness in Middle‐Aged Male Employees
Authors: Okano Goroh , Miyake Hirotsugu , Mori Mitsuru
Published: March 2004

Leisure Time Physical Activity as a Determinant of Self‐Perceived Health and Fitness in Middle‐Aged Male Employees: Goroh Okano, et al. Division of Exercise Science, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University—Self‐perceived health and fitness are epidemiological predictors of subsequent mortality and/or functional limitation. The present study was designed to analyze which lifestyle factors contribute to good status of self‐perceived health and fitness in middle‐aged male employees. Participants (n=401) aged 50–59 were assessed as to the status of self‐perceived health and fitness, and various lifestyle factors including nutrition, smoking, drinking, physical activity, psychological stress, sleeping and relaxation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that among the lifestyle factors surveyed in the present study, doing exercise/sports at a medium level (either ≥4.5METs/1–2 times per week or <4.5METs/≥3–4 times per week) of physical activity index (PAI) was the only predictor of good self‐perceived health. Similarly, doing exercise/sports at or above the medium level of PAI was identified as the only independent predictor of good self‐perceived fitness. In addition, maintaining the habit of doing exercise/sports at or above the medium level of PAI throughout the year, and having this habit through the 4 th and 5th decades of life or starting to have it from the age of 50 through 59 were important to obtain a good status of self‐perceived health and fitness. These findings suggest that leisure time physical activity level is a determinant of good health and fitness in the middle‐aged male employees in the present study.
Respiratory Effects of Chronic Animal Feed Dust Exposure
Authors: Baser Sevin , Fisekci Fatma Evyapan , Ozkurt Sibel , Zencir Mehmet
Published: March 2004

Respiratory Effects of Chronic Animal Feed Dust Exposure: Sevin Baser, et al. Pulmonology Department, Pamukkale University Medical Faculty, Turkey

Aim

The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of chronic work related respiratory symptoms and to determine lung function abnormalities in animal feed industry workers.

Method

108 workers with a mean age of ± SD: 32 ± 7.11 yr employed in the animal feed industry and 108 unexposed subjects as a control group were enrolled in the study. All subjects filled out a questionnaire on their respiratory symptoms. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were conducted. Airborne dust (respirable fraction) was sampled during an 8‐h work shift. Dust sampling was performed with a Casella AFC 123 machine.

Results

A significantly higher prevalence of work related upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms such as cough (12%), dyspnea (5.6%) and sinusitis (8.3%) were found among the workers than in the control group (p=0.001, p=0.04 and p=0.008 respectively). Irritation symptoms such as pruritis of the eyes (11.1%), skin lesions (7.4%) and nose symptoms (8.3%) were also significantly higher among workers that in the control group (p=0.001, p=0.014 and p=0.005 respectively). The mean PFTs (predicted %) of the workers; forced vital capacity (FVC)% ± SD (85.23 ± 12.06), 1‐s forced expiratory volume (FEV1)% ± SD (88.73 ± 13.09), peak expiratory flow (PEF)% ± SD (70.64 ± 18.76) and forced expiratory flow rate at 25–75% of the FVC (FEF25–75)% ± SD (88.42 ± 25.94) 25–75 were found significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001 respectively). Our data indicate that exposure to animal feed dust is an important factor in the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and decline in lung functions.
The New BMI Criteria for Asians by the Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region of WHO are Suitable for Screening of Overweight to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome in Elder Japanese Workers
Authors: Anuurad Erdembileg , Shiwaku Kuninori , Nogi Akiko , Kitajima Keiko , Enkhmaa Byambaa , Shimono Kumiko , Yamane Yosuke
Published: March 2004

The New BMI Criteria for Asians by the Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region of WHO are Suitable for Screening of Overweight to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome in Elder Japanese Workers: Erdembileg Anuurad, et al. Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Shimane University School of Medicine—Obesity occurs less frequently in Japanese than in various other ethnic populations. A person with abnormal glucose tolerance is often found to have one or more of the other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. This clustering has been labeled as metabolic syndrome (WHO, 1998). It was suggested that Japanese, categorized as having normal weight (BMI of less than 25.0), as defined by the WHO (2000), have an increasing tendency toward metabolic syndrome. Our objective was to analyze metabolic syndrome in “Overweight” with BMI of 23.0–24.9 in Japanese workers, and to assess the suitability for Asians of the Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region of WHO criteria pertaining to obesity (WPRO criteria, 2000). We conducted a cross‐sectional study in the workplace setting and investigated the relationship between BMI classification based on WPRO criteria and metabolic syndrome by gender and age group (18–44 yr vs. 45–60 yr). Three hundred seventy‐nine men and 432 women Japanese workers participated in this study. BMI were categorized as 20% “Overweight” (23.0–24.9 BMI), 20% “Obese I” (25.0–29.9 BMI) and 2% “Obese II” (over 30.0 BMI), based on WPRO criteria. Graded increases in BMI were positively associated with body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio in both genders and age groups. A progressively increasing BMI category in the elder group aged 45– 60 yr in both genders was positively related with parameters constituting metabolic syndrome. Graded increases in BMI classes in elder workers based on WPRO criteria were positively associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and “Overweight” elder women had significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The present investigation, based on the increasing risks of “Overweight” with a BMI of 23.0–24.9, suggests that WPRO criteria are suitable for Japanese workers aged over 45 yr.
Mortality among Former Shipbreaking Workers—A 13‐Year Retrospective Follow‐up Study in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Yi‐Kuen , Yang Guang‐Yang , Wu Trong‐Neng , Lin Ruey S. , Sung Fung‐Chang
Published: March 2004

Mortality among Former Shipbreaking Workers – A 13‐Year retrospective Follow‐up Study in Taiwan: Yi‐Kuen Liu, et al. Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taiwan—This study examined the mortality among shipbreaking workers from 1985 to 1997, after the shipbreaking industry was banned in 1985–1986. The study cohort consisted of men including 2,850 flame cutters, 871 lifters, 240 oddjobbers and 225 other workers registered in 1985 at Kaohsiung Shipbreaking Workers Union. Mortality (n=336) data examined were obtained from the Vital Statistics Registry from January 1985 to December 1997. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and logistic regression were used to estimate the risk of mortality from neoplasms, injuries and other causes. Compared to the local reference population, the deaths that were significantly higher than the expected numbers among all workers included deaths from all cumulative causes (SMR=1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.00–1.23), and deaths from external causes of injury and poisoning (SMR=1.75, 95% CI =1.47–2.09). Flame cutters in the youngest group, on the other hand, had very significant excess deaths from nasopharynx neoplasm (SMR=5.2, 95% CI=1.7–16.2) and pleural neoplasm (SMR=104.1, 95% CI=14.0– 739.0). Based on logistic regression analysis controlling for age, lifters was about 5.1 more likely times than flame cutters to die from accidental falls. This study suggests that former shipbreaking workers are more likely to be at higher risk of injuries and the young flame cutters are at higher risk from neoplasms.
Relationships of Job and Some Individual Characteristics to Occupational Injuries in Employed People: A Community‐Based Study
Authors: Bhattacherjee Ashis , Chau Nearkasen , Sierra Carmen Otero , Legras Bernard , Benamghar Lahoucine , Michaely Jean‐Pierre , Ghosh Apurna Kumar , Guillemin Francis , Ravaud Jean‐François , Mur Jean‐Marie , Group Lorhandicap
Published: March 2004

Relationships of Job and Some Individual Characteristics to Occupational Injuries in Employed People: A Community‐Based Study: Ashis Bhattacherjee, et al. Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India—This study assessed the associations of job and some individual factors with occupational injuries among employed people from a general population in north‐eastern France; 2,562 workers were randomly selected from the working population. A mailed auto‐questionnaire was filled in by each subject. Statistical analysis was performed with loglinear models. The annual incidence rate of at least one occupational injury was 4.45%. Significant contributing factors for occupational injuries were job category (60.8%), sex (16.2%), regular psychotropic drug use (8.5%), age groups (7.5%), and presence of a disease (7.0%). The men had higher risk than the women (adjusted odds‐ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.43.2.78). Compared to executives, intellectual professionals and teachers, labourers had the highest risk (6.40, 3.55. 11.52). They were followed by farmers, craftsmen and tradesmen (6.18, 2.86.13.08), technicians (3.14, 1.41. 6.70), employees (2.94, 1.59.5.48) and other subjects (3.87, 1.90.7.88). The young (.29 yr) showed an increased risk. Similar odds‐ratios were observed for regular psychotropic drug use (1.54, 1.16.2.05) and the presence of a disease (1.50, 1.11.2.02). Univariate analysis showed that smoking habit, overweight and excess alcohol use were also associated with injuries. The loglinear model results showed that there were associations between some of these independent factors. It was concluded that job, sex, young age, smoking habit, excess alcohol use, overweight, psychotropic drug use, and disease influenced the occupational injuries. Preventive measures concerning work conditions, risk assessment and job knowledge should be conducted in overall active population, especially in men, young workers, smokers, alcohol users, overweight workers and in individuals with a disease or psychosomatic disorders.
Relationship between Social Support, Mental Health and Health Care Consciousness in Developing the Industrial Health Education of Male Employees
Authors: Fujita Daisuke , Kanaoka Midori
Published: March 2004

Relationship between Social Support, Mental Health and Health Care Consciousness in Developing the Industrial Health Education of Male Employees: Daisuke Fujita, et al. Faculty of Human Development, Kobe University—The purpose of the study is to elucidate the relationship between social support, health care consciousness and mental health in developing the industrial health education aimed at improving the health habits of male employees. A questionnaire survey concerning health practices, mental health based on the General Health Questionnaire, social support from social support networks, and health care consciousness based on the Health Locus of Control was conducted on male employees in three companies in Osaka Prefecture. A total of 1634 questionnaires were collected. Analyses by age group showed that in all age groups, the higher the social support score, the more favorable the mental health became and the stronger the family care in health care consciousness became. The better the mental health, the greater the number of good health practices was and the lower the fortune dependence in health care consciousness tended to be. The results of the study reconfirm the previous findings that it is necessary to put the mental health of male employees in good condition before everything else in effectively developing health education aimed at improving their health habits. This study also indicates that the level of perception of social support and their internal control of self and family in health care consciousness are definitely related to the stability of subjects’ mental health. It is therefore presumed that measures to raise the revel of perception of social support are important since they may improve the mental health of subjects.
A Survey on Health Effects in a Human Population Exposed to Permanent‐Waving Solution Containing Thioglycolic Acid
Authors: Gan Hui‐Fang , Meng Xian‐Sheng , Song Chun‐Hua , Li Bai‐Xiang
Published: March 2004

A Survey on Health Effects in a Human Population Exposed to Permanent‐Waving Solution Containing Thioglycolic Acid: Hui‐Fang Gan, et al. Department of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, China— Thioglycolic acid (TGA) is the active ingredient of permanent‐waving solution (PWS). TGA has been shown to be a chemical of high toxicity, which can be absorbed through intact skin and cause damage to organs or systems in animals. This study evaluated the effect of TGA‐containing PWS on the health of a human population in 3 substudies. Firstly, 57 female hairdressers exposed to TGA‐containing PWS (cases) and 64 female schoolteachers (controls) were studied. Their menstruation state was evaluated with information obtained from interviews. The results revealed that the menoxenia rate in the cases was significantly higher than that in the controls (22.81% vs 9.38%, p<0.05). Secondly, 8 female hairdressers selected from those that participated in the above survey underwent a fluctuation test for the mutagenic activity of urine. Eight female medical students were chosen as controls. Difference in the mutagenic activity of urine on TA100 between the two groups was highly significant (110.30 ± 45.95 vs 28.43 ± 19.33, p<0.01). Finally, a micronucleus assay was carried out on scalp hair follicle cells in healthy volunteers. Scalp hair with the follicle cell mass was sampled from 8 male and 8 female volunteers before permanent waving and at 24, 48 and 72 h after waving. One thousand hair follicle cells were examined by light microscopy. The number of cells containing a micronucleus and the number of micronuclei in each cell was determined. The permillages of micronuclei in hair follicle cells before and after permanent waving were compared. Micronuclei presence reached its peak value (12.44‰) 24 h after permanent waving, which was significantly higher than that before waving (3.13‰, p<0.001). The rate decreased progressively after 24 h. Our results suggest that the reproductive function of hairdressers may be affected by long‐term exposure to PWS, probably due to the presence of TGA, and more attention should be paid to its potential carcinogenic effects.
Uptake of Cadmium in Meals from the Digestive Tract of Young Non‐smoking Japanese Female Volunteers
Authors: Kikuchi Yuriko , Nomiyama Tetsuo , Kumagai Nami , Dekio Fumiko , Uemura Takamoto , Takebayashi Toru , Nishiwaki Yuji , Matsumoto Yukio , Sano Yuri , Hosoda Kanae , Watanabe Shaw , Sakurai Haruhiko , Omae Kazuyuki
Published: March 2004

Uptake of Cadmium in Meals from the Digestive Tract of Young Non‐smoking Japanese Female Volunteers: Yuriko Kikuchi, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University

Objectives

To estimate rates of cadmium (Cd) uptake from the digestive tract and changes in Cd in biological specimens after intake of Cd mainly in rice.

Methods

Twenty‐five young non‐smoking Japanese female volunteers (20–23 in age) were recruited and a 20‐d experimental study was conducted. With polished rice containing 0.004 ppm and 0.340 ppm of Cd, Meal L and Meal H were prepared. Approximately 12% of total Cd in Meal L and 92% of total Cd in Meal H originated in rice. The volunteers ate Meal L for 11 d to achieve a stable intake‐output balance of Cd. Fifteen of the 25 volunteers ate Meal H on the 12th day (Group D1), and the remaining 10 ate Meal H on the 12th, 13th and 14th day (Group D3). All 25 subjects then resumed the consumption of Meal L to the end of the study (20th day). All meals, feces and urine were collected during the study, and Cd intake from the daily meals (Cd‐I), Cd in feces (Cd‐F) and Cd in urine (Cd‐U) were determined. For measurement of Cd in blood (Cd‐B), venous blood was collected from all volunteers on the day before the study and again on the 12th and 20th day; venous blood was also collected from 4–8 volunteers at additional time points.

Results

Mean Cd‐I was 4.51 µg/d (range: 1.85–6.93) or 48.48 µg/d (range: 27.98–56.27) when they ate Meal L or Meal H. Cd‐F and Cd‐B exhibited faster responses to the change in Cd‐I than did Cd‐U. The Cduptake rate, defined as (1‐Cd‐Fexcess /Cd‐Iexcess) (Fig. 1), was 47.2% (range: –9.4–83.3%) in Group D1 and 36.6% (range: –9.2– 73.5%) in Group D3, and the Cdbalance rate, defined as (1‐Cd‐Foutput /Cd‐Iintake), was 23.9% (range: –4.0–37.7%) in Group D1 and 23.7% (range: –8.2–56.9%) in Group D3.

Conclusions

Cd‐F and Cd‐B are better biological monitoring parameters for assessing change in Cd‐I than Cd‐U. The Cduptake and Cdbalance rates appeared to be higher than those in previous papers when ingested Cd mainly originated in rice.
A Significant Outcome of Work Life: Occupational Accidents in a Developing Country, Turkey
Authors: Ergör O. Alp , Demiral Yücel , Piyal Y. Bülent
Published: March 2004

A Significant Outcome of Work Life: Occupational Accidents in a Developing Country, Turkey: O. Alp Ergör, et al. Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey—Occupational accident rates are high in the developing world and they are among the crucial indicators of work life. The data on serious occupational accidents in three years from the Aegean Region of Turkey were analyzed in order to define the working life situation. The data for 1995–97 were obtained from The Social Insurance Institution. Variables were defined for workers, work environment and working conditions for descriptive analysis. The relationships between these variables and outcomes of the occupational accidents were analyzed. The fatality risk was 2.6 times higher for mining and construction than for the production sector (p<0.001), and 1.6 times higher for evening and night shifts than for day shifts (p<0.01). Mortality from being struck by something, falls, motor vehicle accidents and electrocutions were significantly higher than being cut or in, under or between objects (OR 3.5, 8.7, 23.1, 26.1 respectively and p<0.01). As a conclusion, it was suggested that within the globalization picture, occupational health problems in the developing world should be explored intensively in order to establish effective prevention programs.
Neuropsychiatric Effects in Workers with Occupational Exposure to Carbon Disulfide
Authors: Krstev Srmena , Peruničić Bogoljub , Farkić Boris , Banićević Radmila
Published: March 2004

Neuropsychiatric Effects in Workers with Occupational Exposure to Carbon Disulfide: Srmena Krstev, et al. Clinical Center of Serbia, Institute of Occupational and Radiological Health, Yugoslavia—In a cross‐sectional study, prevalence of dysfunctions of the central nervous system was assessed in 134 male workers exposed to different levels of carbon disulfide (CS2) in a rayon viscose plant and compared to 38 non‐exposed workers. In three groups of workers from the same plant with different levels of CS2 (heavy, intermediate, none) estimated by personal samplers, disorders in the central nervous system were examined by means of psychiatric examination and questionnaire 16 (Q16). Unconditional logistic regression was calculated adjusted for age, alcohol consumption and education. Psychoorganic syndrome was diagnosed significantly more often in workers with heavy CS2 exposure, with adjusted OR of 17.9 (95% CI 2.18–146.73), and insignificantly in workers with intermediate exposure. Prevalence of workers with more than 6 positive answers on the Q16 was higher in the heavily exposed workers (OR=4.76; 95% CI 1.80–12.60). A similar result was found for almost all the questions in the Q16, and the most pronounced psychological symptom was of less interest in sex (adjusted OR=8.14; 95% CI 2.19– 30.22). High correlation was found between symptoms recorded on neuropsychiatric examination and on Q16. Both neuropsychiatric exams and Q16 indicated disturbances in the central nervous system due to the long‐term heavy exposure to CS2. Disorders of the central nervous system were found more often in workers with heavy exposure to CS2. Questionnaire Q16 is a valuable means for selecting workers for further neuropsychiatric testing.
Determining of Crystalline Silica in Respirable Dust Samples by Infrared Spectrophotometry in the Presence of Interferences
Authors: Ojima Jun
Published: March 2004

Determining of Crystalline Silica in Respirable Dust Samples by Infrared Spectrophotometry in the Presence of Interferences: Jun Ojima. National Institute of Industrial Health—Infrared Spectrophotometry (IR) is now widely used to determine crystalline silica in industrial dust samples. Though the IR method has many advantages when dealing with respirable dust samples, some serious analytical errors are often caused by interference minerals contamination. These minerals have a characteristic absorption band corresponding in position to the analytical peak for crystalline silica. In this paper, six typical interference minerals (Kaolinite, Mullite, Muscovite, Pyrophyllite, Montmorillonite and Amorphous silica) were pre‐size controlled to respirable range and their infrared spectra were measured by means of an FT‐IR with the well known potassium bromide tablet technique. The effects of these interference minerals on the Japanese OEL or the administrative control level for respirable dust which depend on the silica content were calculated and expressed in figures. The measured absorption coefficients of the interference minerals and quartz were 1.36–6.98 Abs/mg and 24.46 Abs/mg, respectively. The absorption band height ratios of each interference minerals were also measured. Then the efficiency and applicability of two spectrum correction methods for the interference minerals, absorbance ratio method and difference spectrum method were examined by using artificially mixed samples (standard interference mineral + standard quartz). By comparing the quantifying results for the mixture samples, it was revealed that the interfered spectra were almost corrected successfully when using the difference spectrum method, whereas correction by the absorbance ratio method resulted in apparent negative errors. Furthermore, the difference spectrum method was proven to be superior to the absorbance ratio method in applicability.
Application of DNA Microarrays in Occupational Health Research
Authors: Koizumi Shinji
Published: March 2004

Application of DNA Microarrays in Occupational Health Research: Shinji Koizumi. Department of Hazard Assessment, National Institute of Industrial Health—The profiling of gene expression patterns with DNA microarrays is recently being widely used not only in basic molecular biological studies but also in the practical fields. In clinical application, for example, this technique is expected to be quite useful in making a correct diagnosis. In the pharmacological area, the microarray analysis can be applied to drug discovery and individualized drug treatment. Although not so popular as these examples, DNA microarrays could also be a powerful tool in studies relevant to occupational health. This review will describe the outline of gene expression profiling with DNA microarrays and prospects in occupational health research.
Lung Cancer Risk in Male Dentists: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan, 1964–1997
Authors: Nishio Nobuhiro , Tanaka Hideo , Tsukuma Hideaki , Tokunaga Rikio
Published: March 2004

Lung Cancer Risk in Male Dentists: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan, 1964–1997: Nobuhiro Nishio, et al. Department of Hygiene, Kansai Medical University—It is reported that dentists are exposed to heavy metals in their clinics. To assess the risk of developing lung cancer among male Japanese dentists, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 3,314 members of Osaka Dental Association (Osakafu‐Shikaishikai). During 1964–1997, 39 were diagnosed with lung cancer, which figure was obtained from the file of the Osaka Cancer Registry. The observed number of lung cancers was compared with the expected number calculated by multiplying the number of person‐years at risk by the corresponding age‐ and calendar time‐specific incidence rate from the Osaka Cancer Registry data. The male dentists had no significantly different risk than general population.(O/ E=1.01, 95%CI=0.72–1.39). Contrary to expectation, these findings indicate that Japanese dentists had almost the same overall risk of developing lung cancer as the general population.
Perfluorooctanoate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Concentrations in Surface Water in Japan
Authors: Saito Norimitsu , Harada Kouji , Inoue Kayoko , Sasaki Kazuaki , Yoshinaga Takeo , Koizumi Akio
Published: March 2004

Perfluorooctanoate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Concentrations in Surface Water in Japan: Norimitsu Saito, et al. Institute for Environmental Sciences and Public Health of Iwate Prefecture—Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are synthetic surfactants used in Japan. An epidemiological study of workers exposed to PFOA revealed a significant increase in prostate cancer mortality. A cross‐sectional study of PFOA‐exposed workers showed that PFOA perturbs sex hormone homeostasis. We analyzed their concentrations in surface water samples collected from all over Japan by LC/MS with a solid phase extraction method. The lowest limits of detection (LOD) (ng/L) were 0.06 for PFOA and 0.04 for PFOS. The lowest limits of quantification (LOQ) (ng/L) were 0.1 for both analytes. The levels [geometric mean (GM); geometric standard deviation (GS)] (ng/L) of PFOA and PFOS in the surface waters were GM (GS): 0.97 (3.06) and 1.19 (2.44) for Hokkaido‐Tohoku (n=16); 2.84(3.56) and 3.69 (3.93) for Kanto (n=14); 2.50 (2.23) and 1.07 (2.36) for Chubu (n=17); 21.5 (2.28) and 5.73 (3.61) for Kinki (n=8); 1.51 (2.28) and 1.00 (3.42) for Chugoku (n=9); 1.93 (2.40) and 0.89 (3.09) for Kyushu‐Shikoku (n=15). The GM of PFOA in Kinki was significantly higher than in other areas (ANOVA p<0.01). Systematic searches of Yodo and Kanzaki Rivers revealed two highly contaminated sites, a public‐water‐disposal site for PFOA and an airport for PFOS. The former was estimated to release 18 kg of PFOA/d. PFOA in drinking water in Osaka city [40 (1.07) ng/L] was significantly higher than in other areas. The present study confirms that recognizable amounts of PFOA are released in the Osaka area and that people are exposed to PFOA through drinking water ingestion.
A 3‐Year Follow‐Up Study of Anti‐Legionella Antibodies in Users of Japanese 24‐Hour Hot Water Baths
Authors: Irie Masahiro , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Ikeda Masato , Yoshida Shin‐ichi
Published: March 2004

A 3‐Year Follow‐Up Study of Anti‐Legionella Antibodies in Users of Japanese 24‐Hour Hot Water Baths: Masahiro Irie, et al. Institute of Health Science, Kyushu University—Although it has been found that legionellae can exist in a 24‐h hot water bath (24HHWB), which has been used recently in Japan, whether longer use of the 24HHWB causes legionellosis is unclear. The present longitudinal study was conducted in 2000 to investigate the 3‐yr change in antibody titers in association with the continuous use, non‐use, or canceling the use of the 24HHWB, and possible factors relating to the antibody changes. Ninety‐two subjects (85 males and 7 females), who had had their anti‐Legionella pneumophila (Lp) serum antibody titers measured in our initial study in 1997 and consented to blood sampling 3 yr later, were selected as subjects. There were no clinical cases who had experienced Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever during the 3 yr. The continuous users showed no significant changes in antibody titers within 3 yr, whereas the continuous non‐users had a significant increase in antibody titers against the Lp serogroup (SG) 5 and 6. Eleven ex‐users of the 24HHWB showed a significant decrease in antibody titers against Lp SG 6. The changes in the 24HHWB use, job sector, stress coping strategies, and alcohol‐drinking habit were associated with the changes in antibody titers against Lp SG 1, 5 or 6. The anti‐Lp antibodies were considered to be IgM dominant. In conclusion, this study indicates that 24HHWB use by healthy subjects does not tend to result in a higher onset risk of legionellosis, even if it is continuously used for 3 yr, although 24HHWB use is likely to induce production of antibodies against legionellae.
Solution‐Processable Red Phosphorescent Dendrimers for Light‐Emitting Device Applications
Authors: Anthopoulos T. D. , Frampton M. J. , Namdas E. B. , Burn P. L. , Samuel I. D. W.
Published: March 2004

High efficiency, solution‐processed electroluminescent devices are realized using two new red‐light‐emitting phosphorescent dendrimers (see Figure). By modulating the dendrimer architecture (changing the structure of the luminescent core), tuning of the emission spectra is demonstrated. Processability in organic solvents is achieved by incorporating the red‐emitting cores into dendrimers with suitable surface groups and dendrons.
Enhancement in the Orientation of the Microdomain in Block Copolymer Thin Films upon the Addition of Homopolymer
Authors: Jeong U. , Ryu D. Y. , Kho D. H. , Kim J. K. , Goldbach J. T. , Kim D. H. , Russell T. P.
Published: March 2004

Cylindrical microdomains in thin films of mixtures of polystyrene‐block‐ poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer are oriented normal to the film surface (see Figure). Confining the PMMA homopolymer to the microdomains increases the persistence of microdomain orientation over large distances; thus, aspect ratios up to ∼10 are achievable without the use of an external field.
Multilayer Transfer Printing for Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Patterning: Direct Transfer of Layer‐by‐Layer Assembled Micropatterned Thin Films
Authors: Park J. , Hammond P. T.
Published: March 2004

Patterning of polyelectrolyte multilayers by direct transfer of thin films to substrates using positively charged poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamps is demonstrated. Sequentially printed multilayer composites and strong electrostatic interactions between patterns and substrate allow multilevel and multicomponent pattern structures to be achieved (see Figure).
High‐Efficiency, Saturated Red‐Phosphorescent Polymer Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Conjugated and Non‐Conjugated Polymers Doped with an Ir Complex
Authors: Jiang C. , Yang W. , Peng J. , Xiao S. , Cao Y.
Published: March 2004

High‐efficiency red‐emitting polymer light‐emitting diodes utilizing [PhqIr]‐doped non‐conjugated and conjugated polymers (see Figure) in the presence of electron transport molecules are reported. An external quantum efficiency of 12 % photon/electron and a luminous efficiency of 5.2 cd/A with saturated red emission at 624 nm are demonstrated.
Association between low‐activity serotonin transporter genotype and heroin dependence: Behavioral and personality correlates
Authors: Gerra G. , Garofano L. , Santoro G. , Bosari S. , Pellegrini C. , Zaimovic A. , Moi G. , Bussandri M. , Moi A. , Brambilla F. , Donnini C.
Published: March 2004

In previous studies, serotonin (5‐HT) system disturbance was found involved in a variety of behavioral disorders, psychopathologies, and substance use disorders. A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the human serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR) was recently identified and the presence of the short (S) allele found to be associated with a lower level of expression of the gene, lower levels of 5‐HT uptake, type 2 alcoholism, violence and suicidal behavior. In the present study, 101 heroin addicts (males, West European, Caucasians) and 101 healthy control subjects matched for race and gender, with no history of substance use disorder, have been genotyped. Aggressiveness levels were measured in both heroin addicts and controls utilizing Buss‐Durkee‐Hostility‐Inventory (BDHI). Data about suicide attempt and violent criminal behavior in subject history have been collected. The short–short (SS) genotype frequency was significantly higher among heroin dependent individuals compared with control subjects (P = 0.025). The odds ratio for the SS genotype versus the long–long (LL) genotype frequency was 0.69, 95% Cl (0.49–0.97), when heroin addicts were compared with healthy controls. The SS genotype frequency was significantly higher among violent heroin dependent individuals compared with addicted individuals without aggressive behavior (P = 0.02). BDHI mean total scores and suspiciousness and negativism subscales scores were significantly higher in SS individuals, in comparison with LL subjects, among heroin addicts. No association was found between SS genotype and suicide history. Our data suggest that a decreased expression of the gene encoding the 5‐HTT transporter, due to “S” promoter polymorphism, may be associated with an increased risk for substance use disorders, particularly in the subjects with more consistent aggressiveness and impulsiveness. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family‐based association study of the serotonin‐6 receptor gene (C267T polymorphism) in schizophrenia
Authors: Dubertret C. , Hanoun N. , Adès J. , Hamon M. , Gorwood P.
Published: March 2004

The expression of serotonin type 6 receptor (5‐HT6) in limbic and cortical regions of the brain, and its high affinity for atypical antipsychotics suggest that its encoding gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We firstly performed a meta‐analysis of the C267T polymorphism of the 5‐HT6 gene in schizophrenia, based on four different case/control studies, and showed that the allelic distribution is not significantly different between patients and controls, even when taking into account the role of between samples heterogeneity. We then recruited 103 trios (patients with Diognostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM‐IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia and their parents), and investigated the C267T polymorphism of the 5‐HT6 receptor gene with regard to family‐based association study approach (haplotype relative risk (HRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT)). We found no excess of transmission of one allele from the parents to their affected children, using the HRR (P = 0.60), as well as no evidence for linkage between C267T polymorphism and schizophrenia, using the TDT (P = 0.71). Furthermore, the 267T allele frequency was comparable in the different subgroups defined on age at onset, family history of schizophrenia, treatment response, and subtypes of patients based on positive versus negative predominant symptoms. These data do not support the idea that the 5‐HT6 receptor gene plays a major role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Obsessive‐compulsive disorder in patients with velocardiofacial (22q11 deletion) syndrome
Authors: Gothelf Doron , Presburger Gadi , Zohar Ada H. , Burg Merav , Nahmani Ariela , Frydman Moshe , Shohat Mordechai , Inbar Dov , Aviram‐Goldring Ayala , Yeshaya Josepha , Steinberg Tamar , Finkelstein Yehuda , Frisch Amos , Weizman Abraham , Apter Alan
Published: March 2004

The study of neurogenetic microdeletion syndromes provides an insight into the developmental psychopathology of psychiatric disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), a 22q11 microdeletion syndrome. Forty‐three subjects with VCFS of mean age 18.3 ± 10.6 years were comprehensively assessed using semi‐structured psychiatric interview and the Yale–Brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y‐BOCS). Best estimate diagnoses were made on the basis of information gathered from subjects, parents, teachers, and social workers. Fourteen VCFS subjects (32.6%) met the DSM‐IV criteria for OCD. OCD had an early age of onset and generally responded to fluoxetine treatment. It was not related to mental retardation. The most common obsessive‐compulsive symptoms were contamination, aggression, somatic worries, hoarding, repetitive questions, and cleaning. Sixteen of the 43 patients (37.2%) had attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 7 (16.2%) had psychotic disorder. The results of our study suggest that there is a strong association between VCFS and early‐onset OCD. This finding may be significant in the understanding of the underlying genetic basis of OCD. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
102T/C SNP in the 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene and schizophrenia in two southern han chinese populations: Lack of association
Authors: Zhang Xian‐Ning , Jiang San‐Duo , He Xin‐Hui , Zhang Li‐Na
Published: March 2004

Serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine; 5‐HT) is a neurotransmitter that occupies a uniquely important place in neurobiology because of its role in many physiologic processes such as sleep, appetite, thermoregulation, pain perception, hormone secretion, and sexual behavior. Serotonin dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Previous studies have shown an association between the T102C polymorphism of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene and schizophrenia. However, many negative findings have also been reported. We analyzed the T102C polymorphism of HTR2A of schizophrenic patients in two southern Chinese populations (n = 291) and matched controls (n = 307). No significant positive association was observed between either of the polymorphisms and all schizophrenics, nor was the polymorphisms and any population of schizophrenia. These data did not provide evidence for a contribution of the 102T/C SNP of HTR2A gene to susceptibility to the southern Han Chinese schizophrenia. Copyright © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of a duplicated repeat polymorphism in the 5′‐untranslated region of the DRD4 gene with novelty seeking
Authors: Rogers Geraldine , Joyce Peter , Mulder Roger , Sellman Douglas , Miller Allison , Allington Melanie , Olds Robin , Wells Elisabeth , Kennedy Martin
Published: March 2004

Novelty Seeking (NS) is a human personality trait in which impulsive, exploratory, and thrill‐seeking behaviors are displayed. Dopaminergic genes have been prime candidates in the search for the genetic factors underlying NS because of the central role that dopamine plays in the brain's reward system. We have investigated whether there is an association between a polymorphic 120 base pairs (bp) repeat that is located in the 5′‐untranslated region of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) and NS. We genotyped four separate groups from psychiatric clinical studies for the repeat polymorphism. There were significant associations with NS in the groups of bipolar (P = 0.01) and alcoholic (P = 0.006) families containing 267 and 172 subjects, respectively. Subjects who were homozygous for the single‐copy allele (SS genotype) had higher mean NS scores. This trend was also observed in the two other studies that contained unrelated subjects diagnosed with depression (N = 143 and N = 148) but the associations between DRD4 duplication genotype and NS were not significant in these groups. In the data combined from all four clinical groups those genotyped as SS had higher mean scores for all four NS subscales with significant associations for impulsivity (P = 0.0006), extravagance (P = 0.04), disorderliness (P = 0.02), and total NS (P = 0.0003). However, given the low frequency of the single‐copy allele, this polymorphism would account for only a small proportion of the variance of NS in the population. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Candidate genes for nicotine dependence via linkage, epistasis, and bioinformatics
Authors: Sullivan Patrick F. , Neale Benjamin M. , van den Oord Edwin , Miles Michael F. , Neale Michael C. , Bulik Cynthia M. , Joyce Peter R. , Straub Richard E. , Kendler Kenneth S.
Published: March 2004

Many smoking‐related phenotypes are substantially heritable. One genome scan of nicotine dependence (ND) has been published and several others are in progress and should be completed in the next 5 years. The goal of this hypothesis‐generating study was two‐fold. First, we present further analyses of our genome scan data for ND published by Straub et al. [1999: Mol Psychiatry 4:129–144] (PMID: 10208445). Second, we used the method described by Cox et al. [1999: Nat Genet 21:213–215] (PMID: 9988276) to search for epistatic loci across the markers used in the genome scan. The overall results of the genome scan nearly reached the rigorous Lander and Kruglyak [1995: Nat Genet 11:241–247] criteria for “significant” linkage with the best findings on chromosomes 10 and 2. We then looked for correspondence between genes located in the 10 regions implicated in affected sibling pair (ASP) and epistatic linkage analyses with a list of genes suggested by microarray studies of experimental nicotine exposure and candidate genes from the literature. We found correspondence between linkage and microarray/candidate gene studies for genes involved with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling system, nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) complex, neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurotransmission, a nicotinic receptor subunit (CHRNA2), the vesicular monoamine transporter (SLC18A2), genes in pathways implicated in human anxiety (HTR7, TDO2, and the endozepine‐related protein precursor, DKFZP434A2417), and the µ1‐opioid receptor (OPRM1). Although the hypotheses resulting from these linkage and bioinformatic analyses are plausible and intriguing, their ultimate worth depends on replication in additional linkage samples and in future experimental studies. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 5‐HT2C receptor promoter polymorphism (HTR2C − 759C/T) is associated with obesity in women, and with resistance to weight loss in heterozygotes
Authors: Pooley Edward C. , Fairburn Christopher G. , Cooper Zafra , Sodhi Monsheel S. , Cowen Philip J. , Harrison Paul J.
Published: March 2004

The serotonin 5‐HT2C receptor (HTR2C) helps regulate appetite and body weight. An HTR2C promoter polymorphism (−759C/T) has been associated with obesity and with weight gain in response to antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs. We studied this polymorphism in 120 obese women (BMI ≥ 30) and 104 non‐obese (BMI ≤ 25) women. The C allele was commoner in the obese group (OR = 1.72 [95% CI, 1.13–2.64], P = 0.008). Ninety‐five of the obese women participated in a randomized trial of psychological treatments for weight loss. Among these women, heterozygotes lost less weight during the trial than did homozygotes (6.8 vs. 9.7 kg; P = 0.047) and weighed more 6 months (90.1 vs. 83.6 kg; P = 0.006) and 12 months (91.8 vs. 84.6 kg; P = 0.009) later. Heterozygotes also had higher triglyceride levels than homozygotes. C/C subjects in the obesity trial did not differ from T/T subjects in terms of weight loss or triglycerides. In a separate RT‐PCR study of 43 subjects, we found that HTR2C mRNA abundance in frontal cortex was unaffected by −759C/T status. Our data extend the evidence that HTR2C promoter variation may be a risk factor for obesity and, perhaps through heterosis, influences weight loss by obese women. Pharmacogenetic testing of HTR2C promoter variants may be valuable when evaluating anti‐obesity drugs which act directly or indirectly on the receptor. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.