bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the use of biofuels affect respiratory health among male Danish energy plant workers?
Authors: Schlünssen Vivi , Madsen Anne Mette , Skov Simon , Sigsgaard Torben 
Published: November 2010

ObjectivesTo study asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function among energy plant employees working with woodchip, straw or conventional fuel.MethodsRespiratory symptoms in 138 woodchip workers, 94 straw workers and 107 control workers from 85 heating- or combined heating and power plants were collected by questionnaire. Spirometry, metacholine provocation tests and skin prick tests were performed on 310 workers. The work area concentrations of ‘total dust’ (n=181), airborne endotoxin (n=179), cultivableAspergillus fumigatus(n=373) and cultivable fungi (n=406) were measured at each plant. Personal exposure was calculated from the time spent on different tasks and average work area exposures.ResultsMedian (range) average personal exposures in biofuel plants were 0.05 (0 to 0.33) mg/m3for ‘total’ dust and 3.5 (0 to 294) endotoxin units/m3for endotoxin. Fungi were cultivated from filters (straw plants) or slit samplers (woodchip plants); the average personal exposures were 5.230×103(118 to 1.85×104) and 1.03×103(364 to 5.01×103) colony-forming units/m3respectively. Exposure levels were increased in biofuel plants compared with conventional plants. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among conventional plant and biofuel plant workers was comparable, except for asthma symptoms among non-smokers, which were higher among straw workers compared with controls (9.4 vs 0%, p<0.05). A trend for increasing respiratory symptoms with increasing endotoxin exposure was seen with ORs between 3.1 (1.1 to 8.8) (work-related nose symptoms) and 8.1 (1.5 to 44.4) (asthma symptoms) for the most exposed group. Associations between fungal exposure and respiratory symptoms were less clear but suggested cultivable fungi to be associated with asthma symptoms and work-related respiratory symptoms. No associations were seen between lung function and the level of endotoxin or fungal exposure.ConclusionsWorking with biofuel at an energy plant does not generally enhance the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. However, the exposure level to micro-organisms has an impact on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among biofuel workers.
Long-term effects of an intervention on psychosocial work factors among healthcare professionals in a hospital setting
Authors: Bourbonnais Renée , Brisson Chantal , Vézina Michel 
Published: November 2010

ObjectiveThis study assessed the long-term effects of a workplace intervention aimed at reducing adverse psychosocial work factors (psychological demands, decision latitude, social support and effort–reward imbalance) and mental health problems among health care professionals in an acute care hospital.MethodsA quasi-experimental design with a control group was used. Pre-intervention (71% response rate) and 3-year post-intervention measures (60% response rate) were collected by telephone interviews with validated instruments.ResultsThree years after the intervention, all adverse psychosocial factors except one were reduced in the experimental group, and the improvement was statistically significant for 5/9 factors: psychological demands, effort–reward imbalance, quality of work, physical load and emotional demands. In addition, all health indicators improved and 2/5 significantly: work-related and personal burnout. In the control hospital, three work factors improved significantly but two deteriorated significantly: decision latitude and social support. All health problem deteriorated, although not significantly, in the control hospital. Moreover, 3 years after the intervention, the mean of all adverse factors except one (psychological demands) and all health indicators was significantly more favourable in the experimental than the control hospital, after adjusting for pre-intervention measures.ConclusionThese results support the long-term effectiveness of the intervention. The reduction in many psychosocial factors in the experimental hospital may have clinical significance since most health indicators also improved in this hospital. These results support the whole process of the intervention given that significant improvements in psychosocial factors and health problems were observed in the experimental hospital but not in the control hospital.
Individual and organisational determinants of use of ergonomic devices in healthcare
Authors: Koppelaar E , Knibbe J J , Miedema H S , Burdorf A 
Published: November 2010

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify individual and organisational determinants associated with the use of ergonomic devices during patient handling activities.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in 19 nursing homes and 19 hospitals. The use of ergonomic devices was assessed through real-time observations in the workplace. Individual barriers to ergonomic device use were identified by structured interviews with nurses and organisational barriers were identified using questionnaires completed by supervisors and managers. Multivariate logistic analysis with generalised estimating equations for repeated measurement was used to estimate determinants of ergonomic device use.Results247 nurses performed 670 patient handling activities that required the use of an ergonomic device. Ergonomic devices were used 68% of the times they were deemed necessary in nursing homes and 59% in hospitals. Determinants of lifting device use were nurses' motivation (OR 1.96), the presence of back complaints in the past 12 months (OR 1.77) and the inclusion in care protocols of strict guidance on the required use of ergonomic devices (OR 2.49). The organisational factors convenience and easily accessible, management support and supportive management climate were associated with these determinants. No associations were found with other ergonomic devices.ConclusionsThe use of lifting devices was higher in nursing homes than in hospitals. Individual and organisational factors seem to play a substantial role in the successful implementation of lifting devices in healthcare.
Republished paper: Where errors occur in the preparation and administration of intravenous medicines: a systematic review and Bayesian analysis
Authors: McDowell Sarah E , Mt-Isa Shahrul , Ashby Deborah , Ferner R E 
Published: November 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the overall probability of error in preparing and administering intravenous medicines; to identify at which stage of the process an error is most likely to occur; and to determine the impact of error correction on the error probability.DesignSystematic review and random-effects Bayesian conditional independence modelling.MethodsMedline and EMBASE were searched for studies on intravenous medicines. The error rates of each stage were extracted. These, expert estimates, and error rates from generic tasks, were used in a Bayesian conditional independence model to find error ‘hot-spots.’ The main outcome measure was the probability of at least one error occurring during intravenous therapy.ResultsNine published studies were identified for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall probability of making at least one error in intravenous therapy was 0.73 (95% credible interval (CrI) 0.54 to 0.90). If error-checking was introduced at each stage of the process, the overall rate fell to 0.22 (95% CrI 0.14 to 0.31). Errors were most likely in the reconstitution step. Removing the reconstitution step by providing preprepared injections would reduce the overall error rate to 0.17 (95% CrI 0.09 to 0.27).ConclusionsIntravenous therapy is complex and error-prone. Error-checking at each stage could reduce the error probability. The use of preprepared injections may help by eliminating errors in the reconstitution of drug and diluent. However, it will be important to ensure that benefits are not outweighed by practical disadvantages such as an increase in selection errors.
Republished paper: Improving safety culture on adult medical units through multidisciplinary teamwork and communication interventions: the TOPS Project
Authors: Blegen M A , Sehgal N L , Alldredge B K , Gearhart S , Auerbach A A , Wachter R M 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Aim
The goal of this project was to improve unit-based safety culture through implementation of a multidisciplinary (pharmacy, nursing, medicine) teamwork and communication intervention.

Method
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture was used to determine the impact of the training with a before–after design.

Results
Surveys were returned from 454 healthcare staff before the training and 368 staff 1 year later. Five of eleven safety culture subscales showed significant improvement. Nurses perceived a stronger safety culture than physicians or pharmacists.

Conclusion
While it is difficult to isolate the effects of the team training intervention from other events occurring during the year between training and postevaluation, overall the intervention seems to have improved the safety culture on these medical units.
Photothermal Response of Human and Murine Cancer Cells to Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes after Laser Irradiation
Authors: Fisher Jessica W. , Sarkar Saugata , Buchanan Cara F. , Szot Christopher S. , Whitney Jon , Hatcher Heather C. , Torti Suzy V. , Rylander Christopher G. , Rylander Marissa Nichole 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
This study demonstrates the capability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) coupled with laser irradiation to enhance treatment of cancer cells through enhanced and more controlled thermal deposition, increased tumor injury, and diminished heat shock protein (HSP) expression. We also explored the potential promise of MWNTs as drug delivery agents by observing the degree of intracellular uptake of these nanoparticles. To determine the heat generation capability of MWNTs, the absorption spectra and temperature rise during heating were measured. Higher optical absorption was observed for MWNTs in water compared with water alone. For identical laser parameters, MWNT-containing samples produced a significantly greater temperature elevation compared to samples treated with laser alone. Human prostate cancer (PC3) and murine renal carcinoma (RENCA) cells were irradiated with a 1,064-nm laser with an irradiance of 15.3 W/cm2 for 2 heating durations (1.5 and 5 minutes) alone or in combination with MWNT inclusion. Cytotoxicity and HSP expression following laser heating was used to determine the efficacy of laser treatment alone or in combination with MWNTs. No toxicity was observed for MWNTs alone. Inclusion of MWNTs dramatically decreased cell viability and HSP expression when combined with laser irradiation. MWNT cell internalization was measured using fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy following incubation of MWNTs with cells. With increasing incubation duration, a greater number of MWNTs were observed in cellular vacuoles and nuclei. These findings offer an initial proof of concept for the application of MWNTs in cancer therapy. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9855–64. ©2010 AACR.
p21CIP-1/WAF-1 Induction Is Required to Inhibit Prostate Cancer Growth Elicited by Deficient Expression of the Wnt Inhibitor Dickkopf-1
Authors: Hall Christopher L. , Zhang Honglai , Baile Shobun , Ljungman Mats , Kuhstoss Stuart , Keller Evan T. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Osteoblastic bone metastases are the most common metastases produced by human prostate cancers (PCa). Deregulated activity of Wnt growth factors resulting from overexpression of the Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is known to contribute to formation of the osteoblastic component of PCa skeletal bone metastases. In this study, we report that DKK-1 knockdown in osteolytic human PCa cells unexpectedly delays the development of both soft tissue and osseous lesions. PCa cells deficient in DKK-1 expression did not increase canonical Wnt signaling in target osteoblast cell lines; however, DKK-1 knockdown PCa cells exhibited increased expression of the CDK inhibitor p21CIP1/WAF1 and a 32% increase in G1 arrest compared with control cells. Ablating p21CIP1/WAF1 in PCa cells deficient in DKK-1 was sufficient to rescue tumor growth. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that DKK-1 overexpression supports tumor growth in part by restricting expression of p21CIP1/WAF1 through a mechanism independent of canonical Wnt signaling. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9916–26. ©2010 AACR.
HER2 Silences Tumor Suppression in Breast Cancer Cells by Switching Expression of C/EBPβ Isoforms
Authors: Arnal-Estapé Anna , Tarragona Maria , Morales Mònica , Guiu Marc , Nadal Cristina , Massagué Joan , Gomis Roger R. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Tumor progression requires ablation of suppressor functions mediated by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling and by oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), but how these functions are canceled in specific subtypes of breast cancer remains unknown. In this study, we show that HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells avert TGFβ- and OIS-mediated tumor suppression by switching expression of 2 functionally distinct isoforms of the transcription factor C/EBPβ, which has been implicated previously in breast cancer development. HER2 signaling activates the translational regulatory factor CUGBP1, which favors the production of the transcriptionally inhibitory isoform LIP over that of the active isoform LAP. LIP overexpression prevents the assembly of LAP/Smad transcriptional repressor complexes on the MYC promoter in response to TGFβ, and interferes with activation of OIS responses. Treatment of HER2-transformed mammary epithelial cells with the HER2 antibody trastuzumab reduces LIP levels, restoring these suppressor responses. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism through which HER2 silences tumor suppression in a concerted manner, contributing to the potency of this oncogene in breast cancer. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9927–36. ©2010 AACR.
Serum microRNA Profiles Serve as Novel Biomarkers for HBV Infection and Diagnosis of HBV-Positive Hepatocarcinoma
Authors: Li Li-Min , Hu Zhi-Bin , Zhou Zhen-Xian , Chen Xi , Liu Fen-Yong , Zhang Jun-Feng , Shen Hong-Bing , Zhang Chen-Yu , Zen Ke 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly HCC independent of cirrhosis etiology, presents a great challenge because of a lack of biomarkers. Here we test the hypothesis that expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum can serve as biomarkers for diagnosis of HBV infection and HBV-positive HCC. We recruited 513 subjects (210 controls and 135 HBV-, 48 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-, and 120 HCC-affected individuals) and employed a strategy of initial screening by Solexa sequencing followed by validation with TaqMan probe-based quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assay. First, because of a close link between chronic hepatitis B and HCC, we compared miRNA expression profiles in HBV serum with that in control serum and successfully obtained 13 miRNAs that were differentially expressed in HBV serum. This 13-miRNA–based biomarker accurately discriminated not only HBV cases from controls and HCV cases, but also HBV-positive HCC cases from control and HBV cases. Second, we directly compared miRNA expressions in HCC serum with those in controls and identified 6 miRNAs that were significantly upregulated in HCC samples. Interestingly, 2 of these miRNAs, miR-375 and miR-92a, were also identified by our first approach as HBV specific. When we employed 3 of these miRNAs (miR-25, miR-375, and let-7f) as biomarkers, we could clearly separate HCC cases from controls, and miR-375 alone had an ROC of 0.96 (specificity: 96%; sensitivity: 100%) in HCC prediction. In conclusion, our study demonstrates for the first time that serum miRNA profiles can serve as novel and noninvasive biomarkers for HBV infection and HBV-positive HCC diagnosis. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9798–807. ©2010 AACR.
Molecular Histopathology by Spectrally Reconstructed Nonlinear Interferometric Vibrational Imaging
Authors: Chowdary Praveen D. , Jiang Zhi , Chaney Eric J. , Benalcazar Wladimir A. , Marks Daniel L. , Gruebele Martin , Boppart Stephen A. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Sensitive assays for rapid quantitative analysis of histologic sections, resected tissue specimens, or in situ tissue are highly desired for early disease diagnosis. Stained histopathology is the gold standard but remains a subjective practice on processed tissue taking from hours to days. We describe a microscopy technique that obtains a sensitive and accurate color-coded image from intrinsic molecular markers. Spectrally reconstructed nonlinear interferometric vibrational imaging can differentiate cancer versus normal tissue sections with greater than 99% confidence interval in a preclinical rat breast cancer model and define cancer boundaries to ±100 μm with greater than 99% confidence interval, using fresh unstained tissue sections imaged in less than 5 minutes. By optimizing optical sources and beam delivery, this technique can potentially enable real-time point-of-care optical molecular imaging and diagnosis. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9562–9. ©2010 AACR.
Endothelial Cell-Initiated Signaling Promotes the Survival and Self-Renewal of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Krishnamurthy Sudha , Dong Zhihong , Vodopyanov Dmitry , Imai Atsushi , Helman Joseph I. , Prince Mark E. , Wicha Max S. , Nör Jacques E. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer stem cells play an important role in the pathobiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, little is known about functional interactions between head and neck cancer stem-like cells (CSC) and surrounding stromal cells. Here, we used aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and CD44 expression to sort putative stem cells from primary human HNSCC. Implantation of 1,000 CSC (ALDH+CD44+Lin−) led to tumors in 13 (out of 15) mice, whereas 10,000 noncancer stem cells (ALDH−CD44−Lin−) resulted in 2 tumors in 15 mice. These data demonstrated that ALDH and CD44 select a subpopulation of cells that are highly tumorigenic. The ability to self-renew was confirmed by the observation that ALDH+CD44+Lin− cells sorted from human HNSCC formed more spheroids (orospheres) in 3-D agarose matrices or ultra-low attachment plates than controls and were serially passaged in vivo. We observed that approximately 80% of the CSC were located in close proximity (within 100-μm radius) of blood vessels in human tumors, suggesting the existence of perivascular niches in HNSCC. In vitro studies demonstrated that endothelial cell-secreted factors promoted self-renewal of CSC, as demonstrated by the upregulation of Bmi-1 expression and the increase in the number of orospheres as compared with controls. Notably, selective ablation of tumor-associated endothelial cells stably transduced with a caspase-based artificial death switch (iCaspase-9) caused a marked reduction in the fraction of CSC in xenograft tumors. Collectively, these findings indicate that endothelial cell-initiated signaling can enhance the survival and self-renewal of head and neck CSC. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9969–78. ©2010 AACR.
Gadd45a Functions as a Promoter or Suppressor of Breast Cancer Dependent on the Oncogenic Stress
Authors: Tront Jennifer S. , Huang Yajue , Fornace Albert A. , Hoffman Barbara , Liebermann Dan A. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Gadd45a plays a pivotal role as a stress sensor that modulates cellular responses to various stress stimuli including oncogenic stress. We reported that the stress sensor Gadd45a gene functions as a tumor suppressor in Ras-driven breast tumorigenesis via increasing JNK-mediated apoptosis and p38-mediated senescence. In contrast, here, we show that Gadd45a promotes Myc-driven breast cancer by negatively regulating MMP10 via GSK3 β/β-catenin signaling, resulting in increased tumor vascularization and growth. These novel findings indicate that Gadd45a functions as either tumor promoter or suppressor, is dependent on the oncogenic stress, and is mediated via distinct signaling pathways. Collectively, these novel findings highlight the significance of the type of oncogenic alteration on how stress response genes function during initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. Because Gadd45a is a target for BRCA1 and p53, these findings have implications regarding BRCA1/p53 tumor suppressor functions. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9671–81. ©2010 AACR.
Combining ATR Suppression with Oncogenic Ras Synergistically Increases Genomic Instability, Causing Synthetic Lethality or Tumorigenesis in a Dosage-Dependent Manner
Authors: Gilad Oren , Nabet Barzin Y. , Ragland Ryan L. , Schoppy David W. , Smith Kevin D. , Durham Amy C. , Brown Eric J. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Previous studies indicate that oncogenic stress activates the ATR-Chk1 pathway. Here, we show that ATR-Chk1 pathway engagement is essential for limiting genomic instability following oncogenic Ras transformation. ATR pathway inhibition in combination with oncogenic Ras expression synergistically increased genomic instability, as quantified by chromatid breaks, sister chromatid exchanges, and H2AX phosphorylation. This level of instability was significantly greater than that observed following ATR suppression in untransformed control cells. In addition, consistent with a deficiency in long-term genome maintenance, hypomorphic ATR pathway reduction to 16% of normal levels was synthetic lethal with oncogenic Ras expression in cultured cells. Notably, elevated genomic instability and synthetic lethality following suppression of ATR were not due to accelerated cycling rates in Ras-transformed cells, indicating that these synergistic effects were generated on a per-cell-cycle basis. In contrast to the synthetic lethal effects of hypomorphic ATR suppression, subtle reduction of ATR expression (haploinsufficiency) in combination with endogenous levels of K-rasG12D expression elevated the incidence of lung adenocarcinoma, spindle cell sarcoma, and thymic lymphoma in p53 heterozygous mice. K-rasG12D-induced tumorigenesis in ATR+/−p53+/− mice was associated with intrachromosomal deletions and loss of wild-type p53. These findings indicate that synergistic increases in genomic instability following ATR reduction in oncogenic Ras-transformed cells can produce 2 distinct biological outcomes: synthetic lethality upon significant suppression of ATR expression and tumor promotion in the context of ATR haploinsufficiency. These results highlight the importance of the ATR pathway both as a barrier to malignant progression and as a potential target for cancer treatment. Cancer Res; 70(23); 9693–702. ©2010 AACR.