bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hand-arm vibration syndrome among a group of construction workers in Malaysia
Authors: Su Ting Anselm , Hoe Victor Chee Wai , Masilamani Retneswari , Awang Mahmud Awang Bulgiba 
Published: October 2010

ObjectivesTo determine the extent of hand transmitted vibration exposure problems, particularly hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), among construction workers in Malaysia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a construction site in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 243 workers were recruited. Questionnaire interviews and hand examinations were administered to 194 respondents. Vibration magnitudes for concrete breakers, drills and grinders were measured using a 3-axis accelerometer. Clinical outcomes were compared and analysed according to vibration exposure status.ResultsVibration total values for concrete breakers, impact drills and grinders were 10.02 ms−2, 7.72 ms−2and 5.29 ms−2, respectively. The mean 8 h time-weighted hand transmitted vibration exposure, A(8), among subjects on current and previous construction sites was 7.52 (SD 2.68) ms−2and 9.21 (SD 2.48) ms−2, respectively. Finger tingling, finger numbness, musculoskeletal problems of the neck, finger coldness, abnormal Phalen's test and abnormal light touch sensation were significantly more common in the high vibration exposure group (n=139) than the low–moderate vibration exposure group (n=54). Mean total lifetime vibration dose among exposed subjects was 15.2 (SD 3.2) m2h3s−4(ln scale). HAVS prevalence was 18% and the prevalence ratio of stage 1 and higher disease in the high vibration exposure group versus the low–moderate vibration exposure group was 4.86 (95% CI 1.19 to 19.80).ConclusionsHand transmitted vibration is a recognisable problem in tropical countries including Malaysia. The current study has identified clinical symptoms and signs suggesting HAVS among construction workers exposed to hand transmitted vibration in a warm environment.
Prospective study of incident injuries among southeastern United States commercial fishermen
Authors: Kucera Kristen L , Loomis Dana , Lipscomb Hester , Marshall Stephen W 
Published: October 2010

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe occupational exposures and the incidence of non-fatal injuries among a group of southeastern US small-scale fishermen.MethodsParticipants (n=219) were enrolled in a prospective cohort study and followed from August 1999 to May 2002. Demographic information was obtained at baseline, and weekly and biweekly telephone interviews elicited information on number of days worked, fishery, fishing gear used, maintenance work, glove use and any work-related injury events. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% CIs were calculated with Poisson regression for each factor and multivariate models controlled for potential confounders.ResultsOver a third of participants (81/217) reported 125 injury events over 46 153 work-days for rate of 2.74 per 1000 work-days (95% CI 2.19 to 3.41). The majority of injuries were penetrating wounds to the hand, thumb and finger (35%) or back sprains and strains (8%); most required no medical care or time off work (67%). Injury rates were similar for on and off the water work (1.9 per 1000 work-days). Injury rates differed by fishery, water location and month. Factors associated with an increased injury rate included working on someone else's boat and maintenance work. Glove use was protective.ConclusionSimilar injury characteristics were observed in small-scale fishing as compared to large-scale. For small-scale fishermen, off and on the water work locations, and particularly maintenance work, were important predictors of injury. Despite the protective association for glove use, penetrating wounds to the hand, thumb and finger were common.
Differences in blood pressure and vascular responses associated with ambient fine particulate matter exposures measured at the personal versus community level
Authors: Brook Robert D , Bard Robert L , Burnett Richard T , Shin Hwashin H , Vette Alan , Croghan Carry , Phillips Michael , Rodes Charles , Thornburg Jonathan , Williams Ron 
Published: October 2010

BackgroundHigher ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels can be associated with increased blood pressure and vascular dysfunction.ObjectivesTo determine the differential effects on blood pressure and vascular function of daily changes in community ambient- versus personal-level PM2.5measurements.MethodsCardiovascular outcomes included vascular tone and function and blood pressure measured in 65 non-smoking subjects. PM2.5exposure metrics included 24 h integrated personal- (by vest monitors) and community-based ambient levels measured for up to 5 consecutive days (357 observations). Associations between community- and personal-level PM2.5exposures with alterations in cardiovascular outcomes were assessed by linear mixed models.ResultsMean daily personal and community measures of PM2.5were 21.9±24.8 and 15.4±7.5 μg/m3, respectively. Community PM2.5levels were not associated with cardiovascular outcomes. However, a 10 μg/m3increase in total personal-level PM2.5exposure (TPE) was associated with systolic blood pressure elevation (+1.41 mm Hg; lag day 1, p<0.001) and trends towards vasoconstriction in subsets of individuals (0.08 mm; lag day 2 among subjects with low secondhand smoke exposure, p=0.07). TPE and secondhand smoke were associated with elevated systolic blood pressure on lag day 1. Flow-mediated dilatation was not associated with any exposure.ConclusionsExposure to higher personal-level PM2.5during routine daily activity measured with low-bias and minimally-confounded personal monitors was associated with modest increases in systolic blood pressure and trends towards arterial vasoconstriction. Comparable elevations in community PM2.5levels were not related to these outcomes, suggesting that specific components within personal and background ambient PM2.5may elicit differing cardiovascular responses.
Associations of occupation, job control and job demands with intima-media thickness: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Fujishiro Kaori , Diez Roux Ana V , Landsbergis Paul , Baron Sherry , Barr R Graham , Kaufman Joel D , Polak Joseph F , Stukovsky Karen Hinckley 
Published: October 2010

ObjectivesOccupation has been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality, but few studies have investigated occupation in relation to early atherosclerotic disease. This study examined associations between various occupational characteristics and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in a multi-ethnic sample.MethodsThe Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) recruited 6814 adults aged 45–84 years and free of clinical CVD (response rate 60%, 51% female). Questionnaire data were used to determine occupational group (managerial/professional, sales/office, service, blue-collar), psychosocial job characteristics (ie, job demands, job control) and other sociodemographic information.ResultsCommon carotid artery (CCA)-IMT was greater for blue-collar jobs than for management/professional jobs (mean difference=0.012 mm, p=0.049) after adjustment for age, sex, race, place of birth (US or foreign born) and CVD risk factors. Compared to management/professional jobs, internal carotid artery (ICA)-IMT was greater for sales/office, service and blue-collar jobs (mean difference=0.071 mm, p<0.001; 0.057 mm, p=0.009; and 0.110 mm, p<0.001, respectively) after adjustment for age, sex, race and place of birth. The difference between blue-collar jobs and management/professional jobs remained significant after additional adjustment for CVD risk factors, income and education (mean difference=0.048 mm, p=0.045). Higher levels of control at work were associated with thinner CCA-IMT (mean difference=−0.009 mm, p=0.016, adjusted for age, sex, race and place of birth) but not with ICA-IMT. Job demands had no significant association with IMT.ConclusionsBlue-collar jobs and low levels of job control were associated with the development of subclinical atherosclerosis.
A prospective study of floor surface, shoes, floor cleaning and slipping in US limited-service restaurant workers
Authors: Verma Santosh K , Chang Wen Ruey , Courtney Theodore K , Lombardi David A , Huang Yueng-Hsiang , Brennan Melanye J , Mittleman Murray A , Ware James H , Perry Melissa J 
Published: October 2010

ObjectivesSlips and falls are a leading cause of injury at work. Few studies, however, have systematically examined risk factors of slipping outside the laboratory environment. This study examined the association between floor surface characteristics, slip-resistant shoes, floor cleaning frequency and the risk of slipping in limited-service restaurant workers.Methods475 workers from 36 limited-service restaurants from three major chains in six states in the USA were recruited to participate in a prospective cohort study of workplace slipping. Kitchen floor surface roughness and coefficient of friction (COF) were measured in eight working areas and then averaged within each restaurant. The use of slip-resistant shoes was determined by examining the participant's shoes and noting the presence of a ‘slip-resistant’ marking on the sole. Restaurant managers reported the frequency of daily kitchen floor cleaning. Participants reported their slip experience and work hours weekly for up to 12 weeks. The survey materials were made available in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese. The associations between rate of slipping and risk factors were assessed using a multivariable negative binomial generalised estimating equation model.ResultsThe mean of individual slipping rate varied among the restaurants from 0.02 to 2.49 slips per 40 work hours. After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, education, primary language, job tenure and restaurant chain, the use of slip-resistant shoes was associated with a 54% reduction in the reported rate of slipping (95% CI 37% to 64%), and the rate of slipping decreased by 21% (95% CI 5% to 34%) for each 0.1 increase in the mean kitchen COF. Increasing floor cleaning frequency was significantly associated with a decreasing rate of slipping when considered in isolation but not after statistical adjustment for other factors.ConclusionThese results provide support for the use of slip-resistant shoes and measures to increase COF as preventive interventions to reduce slips, falls and injuries.
Occupational kidney disease among Chinese herbalists exposed to herbs containing aristolochic acids
Authors: Yang Hsiao-Yu , Wang Jung-Der , Lo Tsai-Chang , Chen Pau-Chung 
Published: October 2010

ObjectiveMany Chinese herbs contain aristolochic acids (ALAs) which are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic. The objective of this study was to identify whether exposure to herbs containing ALAs increased the risk of kidney disease among Chinese herbalists.MethodsA nested case–control study was carried out on 6538 Chinese herbalists registered between 1985 and 1998. All incident cases of chronic renal failure reported to the Database of Catastrophic Illness of the National Health Insurance Bureau between 1995 and 2000 were defined as the case group. Up to four controls without renal failure were randomly matched to each case by sex and year of birth. A structured questionnaire survey was administered between November and December 2002. The Mantel–Haenszel method and conditional logistic regression were used to estimate the risks.Results40 cases and 98 matched controls were included in the final analysis. After adjusting for age, frequent analgesic use, and habitual consumption of alcohol, fermented or smoked food, we found manufacturing and selling Chinese herbal medicine (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.16 to 10.19), processing, selling or dispensing herbal medicines containing Fangji (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.36 to 12.81), living in the workplace (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.11 to 8.84) and a history of taking of herbal medicines containing Fangji (frequently or occasionally) (OR 5.42, 95% CI 1.18 to 24.96) were significantly associated with renal failure.ConclusionOccupational exposure to and consumption of herbs containing ALAs increases the risk of renal failure in Chinese herbalists.
Tropical liver fluke‐induced stress in experimentally infected and immunised buffaloes
Authors: Edith R. , Thilagar M. B. , Godara R. , Sharma R. L. 
Published: October 2010

Disease‐related stress associated with Fasciola gigantica infection was investigated in 16 male, yearling Murrah buffaloes. The animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were vaccinated subcutaneously with 4.8 mg of excretory‐secretory antigen (group 1) or 1300 μg infection‐specific antigen (group 2), in three doses. Subsequently, all the animals in groups 1, 2 and 3 were infected orally with 800 viable F gigantica metacercariae (bubaline origin) on week 6 of the experiment. The animals in group 4 served as healthy controls. The clinical progress of the disease with respect to the adrenocortical response to infection was assessed periodically. The infected animals in group 3 developed characteristic signs of the disease and had the highest in situ fluke population (mean [se] 331.8 [19.5]). One of the four animals in group 3 died on day 110 postinfection (PI). Animals that had been immunised before infection (groups 1 and 2) acquired adequate levels of immunity, were comparatively healthier and had significantly lower (P<0.05) fluke populations (mean [se] 194.3 [11.8] in group 1 and 164.5 [9.2] in group 2). Throughout the course of the disease, the group 3 animals had significantly higher cortisol levels than those in groups 1 and 2 (P<0.01) from week 4 PI onward. Although animals in the immunised groups (groups 1 and 2) had increased hormone levels, they were not significantly different from those in the control animals in group 4. Cortisol levels were higher during the early prepatency phase (weeks 1 to 6 PI) than during the late prepatency and/or patency phases of the disease. Cortisol levels in the healthy control animals in group 4 remained within the normal range.
Prevalence of Pasteurella multocida and other respiratory pathogens in the nasal tract of Scottish calves
Authors: Hotchkiss E. J. , Dagleish M. P. , Willoughby K. , McKendrick I. J. , Finlayson J. , Zadoks R. N. , Newsome E. , Brulisauer F. , Gunn G. J. , Hodgson J. C. 
Published: October 2010

The prevalence of Pasteurella multocida, a cause of bovine respiratory disease, was studied in a random sample of beef suckler and dairy farms throughout Scotland, by means of a cross‐sectional survey. A total of 637 calves from 68 farms from six geographical regions of Scotland were sampled between February and June 2008. Deep nasal swabs were taken, and samples that were culture‐positive for P multocida were confirmed by PCR. Prevalence of P multocida was 17 per cent (105 of 616 calves); 47 per cent of farms had at least one positive animal. A higher prevalence was detected in dairy calves than beef calves (P=0.04). It was found that P multocida was associated with Mycoplasma ‐like organisms (P=0.06) and bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (BPI‐3) (P=0.04), detected by culture and quantitative PCR of nasal swabs, respectively. Detection of P multocida was not associated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV‐1) or bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Mycoplasma‐like organisms, BPI‐3, BRSV, BoHV‐1 and BVDV were detected in 58, 17, four, 0 and eight calves, on 25, five, two, 0 and five of the 68 farms, respectively.
Salmonella infection in cattle in Great Britain, 2003 to 2008
Authors: Carrique‐Mas J. J. , Willmington J. A. , Papadopoulou C. , Watson E. N. , Davies R. H. 
Published: October 2010

Surveillance data for clinical disease in cattle in Great Britain due to Salmonella infections were analysed for the period 2003 to 2008 in order to describe seasonality and to investigate possible associations between Salmonella diagnoses and other variables such as region, climate, age and production type. A clear seasonal pattern was shown for Salmonella infection, coinciding with the second half of the year. The incidence of Salmonella Dublin and Salmonella Typhimurium was highest in the west of the country, which has the greatest cattle density, but this was not a feature of diagnoses with other serovars. Abortion was a more common clinical sign of S Dublin infections, but was relatively unusual in the case of S Typhimurium. The observed clinical picture and age of affected animals were largely determined by the seasonality of dairy cattle calving in Great Britain.
Nielsen Type Numbers of Self-Maps on the Real Projective Plane
Authors: Wang Jiaoyun 
Published: October 2010

AbstractEmploying the induced endomorphism of the fundamental group and using the homotopy classification of self-maps of real projective plane "Equation missing", we compute completely two Nielsen type numbers, "Equation missing"(f) and "Equation missing"(f), which estimate the number of periodic points of f and the number of fixed points of the iterates of map f.
MGMT-Independent Temozolomide Resistance in Pediatric Glioblastoma Cells Associated with a PI3-Kinase–Mediated HOX/Stem Cell Gene Signature
Authors: Gaspar Nathalie , Marshall Lynley , Perryman Lara , Bax Dorine A. , Little Suzanne E. , Viana-Pereira Marta , Sharp Swee Y. , Vassal Gilles , Pearson Andrew D.J. , Reis Rui M. , Hargrave Darren , Workman Paul , Jones Chris 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Sensitivity to temozolomide is restricted to a subset of glioblastoma patients, with the major determinant of resistance being a lack of promoter methylation of the gene encoding the repair protein DNA methyltransferase MGMT, although other mechanisms are thought to be active. There are, however, limited preclinical data in model systems derived from pediatric glioma patients. We screened a series of cell lines for temozolomide efficacy in vitro, and investigated the differential mechanisms of resistance involved. In the majority of cell lines, a lack of MGMT promoter methylation and subsequent protein overexpression were linked to temozolomide resistance. An exception was the pediatric glioblastoma line KNS42. Expression profiling data revealed a coordinated upregulation of HOX gene expression in resistant lines, especially KNS42, which was reversed by phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway inhibition. High levels of HOXA9/HOXA10 gene expression were associated with a shorter survival in pediatric high-grade glioma patient samples. Combination treatment in vitro of pathway inhibition and temozolomide resulted in a highly synergistic interaction in KNS42 cells. The resistance gene signature further included contiguous genes within the 12q13-q14 amplicon, including the Akt enhancer PIKE, significantly overexpressed in the KNS42 line. These cells were also highly enriched for CD133 and other stem cell markers. We have thus shown an in vitro link between phosphoinositide 3-kinase–mediated HOXA9/HOXA10 expression, and a drug-resistant, progenitor cell phenotype in MGMT-independent pediatric glioblastoma. Cancer Res; 70(22); 9243–52. ©2010 AACR.
Therapeutic Targeting of TLR9 Inhibits Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Brignole Chiara , Marimpietri Danilo , Paolo Daniela Di , Perri Patrizia , Morandi Fabio , Pastorino Fabio , Zorzoli Alessia , Pagnan Gabriella , Loi Monica , Caffa Irene , Erminio Giovanni , Haupt Riccardo , Gambini Claudio , Pistoia Vito , Ponzoni Mirco 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) evolved to cope with pathogens, but it is expressed in a variety of tumors for reasons that are unclear. In this study, we report that neuroblastoma (NB) cells express functional TLR9. Liposome-complexed CpG oligonucleotides inhibited the proliferation of TLR9-expressing NB cells and induced caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. Inhibitory oligonucleotides (iODNs) abrogated these effects. RNA interference reduced TLR9 expression but not to the level where functional responses to CpG were abolished. Compared with free CpG, liposomal formulations of NB-targeted CpG (TL-CpG) significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing NB tumor xenografts. While CpG alone lacked antitumor efficacy in NOD/SCID/IL2rg−/− mice, TL-CpG retained significant efficacy related to direct effects on tumor cells. TLR9 expression in primary human NB specimens was found to correlate inversely with disease stage. Our findings establish functional expression of TLR9 in NB and suggest that TLR9 may represent a novel theranostic target in this disease. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9816–26. ©2010 AACR.
Deficiencies in the Fanconi Anemia DNA Damage Response Pathway Increase Sensitivity to HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Park Jung Wook , Pitot Henry C. , Strati Katerina , Spardy Nicole , Duensing Stefan , Grompe Markus , Lambert Paul F. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Patients with the rare genetic disease, Fanconi anemia (FA), are highly susceptible to squamous cell carcinomas arising at multiple anatomic sites including the head and neck region. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), particularly HPV16, are associated with ∼20% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) in the general population. Some but not other investigators have reported that HNSCCs in FA patients are much more frequently positive for HPV. In addition, studies have demonstrated an interaction between the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein and the FA pathway, a DNA damage response pathway deficient in FA patients. On the basis of these studies, it was hypothesized that the FA pathway contributes to repair of DNA damage induced by HPV16 E7, providing one explanation for why FA patients are predisposed to HPV-associated HNSCCs. To determine the importance of the FA pathway in modulating the oncogenic abilities of E7, we crossed K14E7 transgenic (K14E7) and fancD2 knockout mice (FancD2−/−) to establish K14E7/FancD2−/− and K14E7/FancD2+/+ mice and monitored their susceptibility to HNSCC when treated with a chemical carcinogen. K14E7/FancD2−/− mice had a significantly higher incidence of HNSCC compared with K14E7/FancD2+/+ mice. This difference correlated with an increased proliferative index and the increase in expression of biomarkers that are used to assess levels of DNA damage. These animal studies support the hypotheses that FA patients have increased susceptibility to HPV-associated cancer and that the FA DNA damage response pathway normally attenuates the oncogenic potential of HPV16 E7. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9959–68. ©2010 AACR.
Degradation of MDM2 by the Interaction between Berberine and DAXX Leads to Potent Apoptosis in MDM2-Overexpressing Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Gu Lubing , Li Jiansha , Shah Noopur , He Jing , Yang Lin , Hu Qun , Zhou Muxiang 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Berberine, a natural product derived from a plant used in Chinese herbal medicine, is reported to exhibit anticancer effects; however, its mechanism of action is not clearly defined. Herein, we demonstrate that berberine induces apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells by downregulating the MDM2 oncoprotein. The proapoptotic effects of berberine were closely associated with both the MDM2 expression levels and p53 status of a set of ALL cell lines. The most potent apoptosis was induced by berberine in ALL cells with both MDM2 overexpression and a wild-type (wt)-p53, whereas no proapoptotic effect was detected in ALL cells that were negative for MDM2 and wt-p53. In contrast to the conventional chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, which induces p53 activation and a subsequent upregulation of MDM2, berberine strongly induced persistent downregulation of MDM2 followed by a steady-state activation of p53. We discovered that downregulation of MDM2 in ALL cells by berberine occurred at a posttranslational level through modulation of death domain-associated protein (DAXX), which disrupted the MDM2–DAXX–HAUSP interactions and thereby promoted MDM2 self-ubiquitination and degradation. Given that MDM2-overexpressing cancer cells are commonly chemoresistant, our findings suggest that this naturally derived agent may have a highly useful role in the treatment of cancer patients with refractory disease. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9895–904. ©2010 AACR.