bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case crossover study of triggers for hand injuries in commercial fishing
Authors: Kucera K L , Loomis D , Marshall S W 
Published: October 2007

Objectives:Previous studies estimate hand and wrist injuries are common in commercial fishing. Risk factors including working with catch, handling gear and slips or falls, have been identified from activity and injury contact reports, but no studies have examined the influence of transient risk factors, or triggers. This case crossover study design was conducted to investigate triggers for acute hand trauma in commercial fishing.Methods:A case crossover study was nested within a previously established prospective cohort of 217 southeastern United States commercial fishermen followed from April 1999 through October 2001. Hand injury cases and controls were matched using three control selection strategies. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to determine if transient risk factors such as glove use, engaging in more than one type of fishing, maintenance activities and other covariates of interest increased the risk of occupational traumatic hand/wrist/digit injuries.Results:21% (46/217) of fishermen reported one or more hand/wrist/digit injuries, yielding 65 eligible cases. Performing maintenance work (any vs none) (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.8 to 5.5) and using multiple types of fishing equipment in comparison to using only one type (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.9 to 3.8) were associated with increased risk of hand/wrist/digit injury. There was no evidence glove use was protective (any vs none) for hand/wrist/digit injury (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.7).Conclusions:The case crossover design is a useful method to determine triggers of commercial fishing-related hand/wrist/digit injuries. Maintenance work was strongly associated with hand/wrist/digit injury for these fishermen.
Incidence of surgically treated osteoarthritis in the hip and knee in male construction workers
Authors: Järvholm B , From C , Lewold S , Malchau H , Vingård E 
Published: October 2007

Objective:Occupational workload has been associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis. The objective was to further examine the association between workload and occurrence of osteoarthritis and in particular to study whether heavy workload has similar importance as a causative factor for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.Methods:In a cohort study, the authors investigated the incidence of surgically treated osteoarthritis in the hip and knee among men employed in the Swedish construction industry (n = 204 741). Incident cases were found by linkage with the Swedish hospital discharge register between 1987 and 1998. Incidence rates adjusted for age and BMI were compared between different occupational groups.Results:The incidence rates for osteoarthritis in hip and knee were positively correlated (r = 0.62; p = 0.01). There was a significantly increased risk of surgically treated osteoarthritis in the knee among floor layers, asphalt workers, sheet-metal workers, rock workers, plumbers, brick layers, wood workers and concrete workers. Even if there was a trend towards increased relative risks for osteoarthritis in the hip in floor layers, asphalt workers, wood workers and concrete workers they were not statistically significant. The relative risk for surgically treated osteoarthritis of the knee was 4.7 (95% CI 1.8 to 12.3) among floor layers, indicating an attributable fraction for work factors of 79%.Conclusions:This study shows that some work-related factors seem to be risk factors for osteoarthritis both in the knee and hip. However, the risk factors seem to be of greater importance for osteoarthritis in the knee compared with the hip. This study indicates that at least 50% of the cases of severe osteoarthritis of the knee can be prevented through decreasing occupational risk factors in some occupational groups.
Ozone modifies associations between temperature and cardiovascular mortality: analysis of the NMMAPS data
Authors: Ren C , Williams G M , Morawska L , Mengersen K , Tong S 
Published: October 2007

Objectives:Both ambient ozone and temperature are associated with human health. However, few data are available on whether ozone modifies temperature effects. This study aims to explore whether ozone modified associations between maximum temperature and cardiovascular mortality in the USA.Methods:The authors obtained data from the US National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study (NMMAPS) website. They used two time-series Poisson regression models (a response surface model and a stratification model) to examine whether ozone modified associations between maximum temperature and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in 95 large US communities during 1987–2000 in summer (June to September). Bayesian meta-analysis was used to pool estimates in each community.Results:The response surface model was used to examine the joint effects of temperature and ozone on CVM in summer. Results indicate that ozone positively modified the temperature-CVM associations across the different regions. The stratification model quantified the temperature-CVM associations across different levels of ozone. Results show that in general the higher the ozone concentration, the stronger the temperature-CVM associations across the communities. A 10°C increase in temperature on the same day was associated with an increase in CVM by 1.17% and 8.31% for the lowest and highest level of ozone concentrations in all communities, respectively.Conclusion:Ozone modified temperature effects in different regions in the USA. It is important to evaluate the modifying role of ozone when estimating temperature-related health impacts and to further investigate the reasons behind the regional variability and mechanism for the interaction between temperature and ozone.
Exposure to inhalable dust and its cyclohexane soluble fraction since the 1970s in the rubber manufacturing industry in the European Union
Authors: de Vocht F , Vermeulen R , Burstyn I , Sobala W , Dost A , Taeger D , Bergendorf U , Straif K , Swuste P , Kromhout H 
Published: October 2007

Objectives:As exposures to airborne particulates in the European rubber industry might still be causing genotoxic risks, it is important to assess trends in levels of inhalable dust and its cyclohexane soluble fraction (CSF) between the 1970s and 2003.Methods:13 380 inhalable and 816 respirable dust and 5657 CSF measurements, collected within the framework of the European Union Concerted Action EXASRUB, were analysed. Hierarchical mixed effects models were applied to assess exposure trends, taking into account between-factory, between-worker/location and day-to-day variances.Results:Geometric mean levels of inhalable dust and CSF exposure changed by −4 (range −5.8 to +2.9) and −3 (range −8.6 to 0) per year, respectively. Significant reductions in inhalable dust concentrations were found in all countries for handling of crude materials and mixing and milling (−7 to −4 per year), as well as for miscellaneous workers (−11 to −5 per year), while significant CSF exposure reductions were found in curing (−8.6 per year) and maintenance and engineering departments (−5.4 per year).Conclusion:These analyses suggest that on average exposure levels of inhalable dust and its CSF in the European rubber manufacturing industry have steadily declined. Most likely genotoxic risks have also lessened over time since exposure levels have decreased and the most toxic chemicals have been replaced. In addition to differences in exposure reductions and levels among various stages of the production process, large differences across countries were noted. These patterns should be taken into account in retrospective assessment of exposure for epidemiological studies assessing cancer risk in the rubber industry.
Mesothelioma mortality in men: trends during 1977–2001 and projections for 2002–2016 in Spain
Authors: Pitarque S , Clèries R , Martínez J M , López-Abente G , Kogevinas M , Benavides F G 
Published: October 2007

Objectives:To evaluate mesothelioma death trends in Spain and to predict the number of future cases of mesothelioma.Methods:After descriptive analysis of mesothelioma mortality data, an age-period-cohort model was applied to estimate future mesothelioma deaths.Results:From 1977 to 2001, 1928 men over 35 years of age died of mesothelioma in Spain. Projections indicate that 1321 men are expected to die from mesothelioma between 2007 and 2016.Conclusion:It is expected that mesothelioma deaths will increase at least until 2016. Available data do not allow prediction of the year when mortality will start to decrease.
Inequities in reporting asbestos-related lung cancer: influence of smoking stigma and physician’s specialty, workload and role perception
Authors: Verger P , Arnaud S , Ferrer S , Iarmarcovai G , Saliba M-L , Viau A , Souville M 
Published: October 2007

Objectives:To study physician barriers to workers’ compensation claims for asbestos-related cancers, focusing on smokers’ stigma and physicians’ speciality and role perception.Methods:Cross-sectional telephone study of 486 randomly-selected general practitioners (GPs) and pulmonologists in south-eastern France. Standardised questionnaires explored their behaviour, attitudes and practices in the field of occupational health and their responses to a case vignette of a lung cancer patient with long-term occupational asbestos exposure. Randomised subgroups of GPs and pulmonologists heard alternative versions varying only as regards the worker’s smoking status. We studied factors associated with the recommendation that the case vignette patient file a compensation claim with simple and multiple logistic regressions.Results:The response rate was 64.4 among GPs and 62.5 among pulmonologists. Recommending the filing of an occupational disease claim was significantly associated in multiple logistic regressions with speciality (OR 4.46; 95 CI 2.38 to 8.37, for pulmonologists vs GPs), patient’s smoking status (OR 3.15; 95 CI 2.11 to 4.70, for non-smokers vs smokers), physician’s workload (OR 1.83; 95 CI 1.17 to 2.88, for ⩽25 consultations per day vs >25) and role perception (OR 2.00; 95 CI 1.22 to 3.27, for those who considered completing occupational disease medical certificates to be part of their role vs those who did not).Conclusions:The results of this French study appear applicable to various countries and contexts. To make physicians and especially GPs more aware of occupational health and smoking stigma, officials and educators must give these topics higher priority during initial training and continuing medical education. Tools and equipment that take time constraints into account should be developed and disseminated to help physicians manage occupational diseases.
Recent advances and controversies in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Ibrahim Wanis H 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSince its introduction more than four and half decades ago, the science of cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been enriched with a significant amount of scientific evidence. This in turn has led to the birth of new evidence based guidelines for resuscitation published by the European Resuscitation Council and the American Heart Association in late 2005. This article aims to review the recent advances and controversies in the science of resuscitation.
Intravenous administration of metoclopramide by 2 min bolus vs 15 min infusion: does it affect the improvement of headache while reducing the side effects?
Authors: Parlak Ismet , Erdur Bulent , Parlak Mine , Ergin Ahmet , Turkcuer Ibrahim , Tomruk Onder , Ayrik Cuneyt , Ergin Nesrin 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the therapeutic effect (alleviation of vascular type headache) and side effects of a slow intravenous metoclopramide infusion over 15 min compared with those effects of a bolus intravenous metoclopramide infusion over 2 min in the treatment of patients with recent onset vascular type headache.Material and methodsAll adults treated with metoclopramide for vascular type headache were eligible for entry into this clinical randomised double blinded trial. This study compared the effects of two different rates of intravenous infusion of metoclopramide over a period of 13 months at a university hospital emergency department. During the trial, side effects and headache scores were recorded at baseline (0 min), and then at 5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the medication's efficacy and side effects.ResultsA total of 120 patients presenting to the emergency department met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 62 patients (51.7%) were given 10 mg metoclopramide as a slow intravenous infusion over 15 min (SIG group) and 58 patients (48.3%) were given 10 mg metoclopramide intravenous bolus infusion over 2 min (BIG group). 17 of the 58 patients in the BIG group (29.3%) and 4 of the 62 patients (6.5%) in the SIG group had akathisia (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the BIG and SIG groups in terms of mean headache scores (p = 0.34) and no adverse reactions in the study period. Metoclopramide successfully relieved the headache symptom(s) of patients in both the BIG and SIG groups.ConclusionSlowing the infusion rate of metoclopramide is an effective strategy for the improvement of headache and reducing the incidence of akathisia in patients with vascular type headache.
Testis cancer
Authors: Khan Omar , Protheroe Andrew 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Testis cancer is an increasing problem, especially in northern European male populations. However, survival has improved dramatically over one generation. Environmental factors may have a role in the aetiology with high oestrogen concentrations implicated. Testis cancer is subdivided between seminoma and non-seminoma. At presentation, a testicular lump is the most common finding and radical inguinal orchidectomy is recommended for most. Further multidisciplinary management is determined by histological subtype and stage and involves chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, with many patients only undergoing surveillance. There is increasing emphasis on reducing toxicity of treatments in long term survivors. Treatment refractory testis cancer remains a significant challenge.
Effect of an acute medical admission unit on key quality indicators assessed by funnel plots
Authors: Moloney Edward D , Bennett Kathleen , Silke Bernard 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Objective
To determine the effect of the introduction of an acute medical admissions unit (AMAU) on key quality efficiency and outcome indicator comparisons between medical teams as assessed by funnel plots.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed of data relating to emergency medical patients admitted to St James' Hospital, Dublin between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004, using data on discharges from hospital recorded in the hospital in-patient enquiry system. The base year was 2002 during which patients were admitted to a variety of wards under the care of a named consultant physician. In 2003, two centrally located wards were reconfigured to function as an AMAU, and all emergency patients were admitted directly to this unit. The quality indicators examined between teams were length of stay (LOS) &lt;30 days, LOS &gt;30 days, and readmission rates.

Results
The impact of the AMAU reduced overall hospital LOS from 7 days in 2002 to 5 days in 2003/04 (p&lt;0.0001). There was no change in readmission rates between teams over the 3 year period, with all teams displaying expected variability within control (95%) limits. Overall, the performance in LOS, both short term and long term, was significantly improved (p&lt;0.0001), and was less varied between medical teams between 2002 and 2003/04.

Conclusions
Introduction of the AMAU improved performance among medical teams in LOS, both short term and long term, with no change in readmissions. Funnel plots are a powerful graphical technique for presenting quality performance indicator variation between teams over time.
A systematic review of randomised clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine in any indication
Authors: Guo R , Canter P H , Ernst E 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Aim
To summarise and critically evaluate the evidence from randomised clinical trials for the effectiveness of individualised herbal medicine in any indication.

Methods
Search of electronic databases and approaches to experts in the field to identify randomised, controlled clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine in any indication. Independent data extraction and assessment of methodological quality by two authors and best evidence synthesis.

Results
Three randomised clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine were identified. Statistically non-significant trends favouring active over placebo treatment in osteoarthritis of the knee probably result from large baseline differences and regression to the mean. Individualised treatment was superior to placebo in four of five outcome measures in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, but was inferior to standardised herbal treatment in all outcomes. Individualised herbal treatment was no better than placebo in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced toxicity.

Conclusions
There is a sparsity of evidence regarding the effectiveness of individualised herbal medicine and no convincing evidence to support the use of individualised herbal medicine in any indication.
Once weekly thyroxine treatment as a strategy to treat non-compliance
Authors: Rangan S , Tahrani A A , Macleod A F , Moulik P K 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Hypothyroidism is a common disorder, which is mainly treated in primary rather than secondary care. Once daily thyroxine replacement restores euthyroidism in most patients; some patients, however, remain hypothyroid despite adequate thyroxine replacement. Non-compliance is the most common cause of lack of response to thyroxine treatment. We describe two cases of primary hypothyroidism in which daily thyroxine treatment did not restore biochemical euthyroidism but once weekly thyroxine treatment was successful. In addition we review the evidence and discuss the differential diagnosis of lack of response to thyroxine treatment. Once weekly thyroxine treatment can be a safe, well-tolerated, and effective therapy for patients with non-compliance.
A proposal justifying an alternative referral practice from primary care for three common hand surgery diagnoses
Authors: Burke Frank D , Bradley Mary J 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
A hand therapy primary care clinic offering advice on task modification at work and in the home and the use of splints was found to almost halve referrals of carpal tunnel syndrome from a single primary care trust. Dorsal ganglion aspiration and steroid injection for trigger digits can also be safely performed in primary care, further reducing the need for hospital care.
One-year-old male with accelerated growth and development
Authors: Kashyap Ajit Singh , Anand Kuldip Parkash , Kashyap Surekha , Arora Sumeet 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
A 1-year-old male child with isosexual central (gonadotropin-dependent) precocious puberty caused by hypothalamic hamartoma is reported. Details of the diagnosis based solely on neuromaging characteristics, and satisfactory results of medical treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist analogues, are highlighted.
Smoking in Scottish youths: personal income, parental social class and the cost of smoking
Authors: West Patrick , Sweeting Helen , Young Robert 
Published: October 2007

Objective:To examine the relation of young people’s personal income and parental social class with smoking from early to mid adolescence.Design:Longitudinal, school based, study of a cohort of 2586 eleven year-olds followed up at ages 13 and 15.Setting:West of Scotland.Participants:93% baseline participation, reducing to 79% at age 15.Main outcome measures:Ever smoked (age 11), current and daily smoking (ages 13 and 15) and the proportion of income spent on tobacco (13 and 15) based on recommended retail prices of usual brands.Results:Strong independent effects of parental social class and personal income were found at 11 years, both reducing with age. The higher incomes of lower class participants attenuated the social class effect on smoking at ages 11 and 13, but not at 15. Analysis within class groups showed variation in the effect of income on smoking, being strongest among higher class youths and weak or non-existent among lower class youths. This was despite the fact that the proportion of weekly income apparently spent on tobacco was greater among lower class youths.Conclusions:The results confirm the importance of personal income and parental social class for youth smoking, but they also show that personal income matters more for those from higher class backgrounds. This suggests both that lower class youths have greater access to tobacco from family and friends and to cheaper sources of cigarettes from illegal sources. This complicates the relation between fiscal policies and smoking and might have the unintended consequence of increasing class differentials in youth smoking rather than the reverse.
Healthcare provider smoking cessation advice among US worker groups: Table 1
Authors: Lee David J , Fleming Lora E , McCollister Kathryn E , Caban Alberto J , Arheart Kristopher L , LeBlanc William G , Chung-Bridges Katherine , Christ Sharon L , Dietz Noella , Clark John D 
Published: October 2007

Objective:Among workers in dusty occupations, tobacco use is particularly detrimental to health because of the potential synergistic effects of occupational exposures (for example, asbestos) in causing disease. This study explored the prevalence of smoking and the reported smoking cessation discussion with a primary healthcare provider (HCP) among a representative sample of currently employed US worker groups.Methods:Pooled data from the 1997–2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used to estimate occupation specific smoking rates (n = 135 412). The 2000 NHIS Cancer Control Module was used to determine (among employed smokers with HCP visits) the prevalence of being advised to quit smoking by occupation (n = 3454).Results:The average annual prevalence of current smoking was 25% in all workers. In 2000, 84% of smokers reported visiting an HCP during the past 12 months; 53% reported being advised by their physician to quit smoking (range 42%–66% among 30 occupations). However, an estimated 10.5 million smokers were not advised to quit smoking by their HCP. Workers with potentially increased occupational exposure to dusty work environments (including asbestos, silica, particulates, etc), at high risk for occupational lung disease and with high smoking prevalence, had relatively low reported discussions with an HCP about smoking cessation, including farm workers (30% overall smoking prevalence; 42% told to quit), construction and extractive trades (39%; 46%), and machine operators/tenderers (34%; 44%).Conclusion:The relatively low reported prevalence of HCP initiated smoking cessation discussion, particularly among currently employed workers with potentially synergistic occupational exposures and high current smoking prevalence, needs to be addressed through educational campaigns targeting physicians and other HCPs.