bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Railroad workers with pleural plaques: I. Spirometric and nitrogen washout investigation on smoking and nonsmoking asbestos‐exposed workers
Authors: Hjortsberg Ulf , Ørbaek Palle , Arborelius Måns , Ranstam Jonas , Welinder Hans 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEighty‐seven workers exposed to asbestos in a railroad car repair shop, with characteristic asbestos‐induced pleural plaques, underwent extensive lung‐function examination. Vital capacity (VC) showed the greatest reduction among the static lung volumes, with an asymmetrical distribution of one‐fourth of the subjects below 80% of the predicted value. Logistic regression demonstrated VC to be sufficient for optimal discrimination of asbestos‐exposed subjects from a group of matched controls. No further discriminationry power was gained by additional spirometric measures, lung mechanics, blood gas analysis, or diffusing capacity. Smoking had an influence on dynamic but not on static lung volumes. In conclusion, reduced static lung volumes among smoking asbestos‐exposed workers with pleural plaques should, in the absence of other lung diseases, be mainly attributed to the asbestos exposure.
Asbestos‐related pleural plaques and lung function
Authors: Oliver L. Christine , Eisen Ellen A. , Greene Reginald , Sprince Nancy L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe present study examines the association between asbestos‐related pleural plaques and lung function in a group of workers with occupational exposure to asbestos. Exposure, smoking, and respiratory histories, chest radiographs, flow‐volume loops, and single breath DLCOs were obtained on 383 railroad workers. A score based on the ILO‐1980 classification system was used to quantify the extent of plaquelike thickening. In order to eliminate potential confounders, we excluded from final analysis subjects with diffuse pleural thickening (n = 10) or small irregular opacities classified as profusion 0/1 or greater (n = 6) on chest radiograph. Definite pleural plaques were observed in 22.6%. The single breath DLCO was similar in the groups with and without plaques (p = 0.0550). Decrement in FVC and the occurrence of pulmonary restriction were associated with the presence of definite plaques (p = 0.0306 and 0.0431, respectively) and with quantitative pleural score (p = 0.0135 and 0.0126), controlling for duration of asbestos exposure and smoking. A test for trend revealed an association between level of diagnostic certainty (none, suspect, definite) for pleural plaques and these measures of lung function (p < 0.02). Our findings reveal an association between asbestos‐related pleural plaques and decrement in lung function as measured by FVC and criteria for pulmonary restriction.
Acute nonlymphatic leukemia among deck officers on coastal tankers: A report of two cases
Authors: Nilsson Ralph I. , Carneskog Jan , Järvholm Bengt G. , Nordlinder Rolf G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDeck officers on coastal tankers may be exposed to high concentrations of cargo vapors during loading and tank‐cleaning operations. Two cases of acute nonlymphatic leukemia are described. Both men had worked as chief officers on coastal tankers transporting benzene and other petroleum products.
B cell neoplasms and occupational asbestos exposure
Authors: Schwartz David A. , Vaughan Thomas L. , Heyer Nicholas J. , Koepsell Thomas D. , Lyon Joseph L. , Swanson G. Marie , Weiss Noel S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo evaluate the etiologic role of asbestos exposure in B cell neoplasms, we compared the estimated level of occupational exposure to asbestos of cases with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; N = 429) and multiple myeloma (MM; N = 698) with that of controls (N = 1,683). Cases were identified through four population‐based cancer registries in the U.S. and controls were randomly selected from the same geographic areas. Exposure to asbestos was assessed by classifying each job held by a subject into one of four categories, based on the estimated intensity of exposure to asbestos.Evidence was found for a modest increasing risk of CLL with increasing asbestos exposure. Relative to persons with no known occupational exposure to asbestos, the risk for CLL was 1.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8–1.6) for low, 1.2 (CI = 0.8–1.8) for medium, and 1.4 (CI = 0.8–2.3) for high peak asbestos exposure (p value for trend = 0.13). The association was strongest in white study subjects and in those individuals exposed 10 to 19 years prior to the interview. No association was observed between MM and occupational exposure to asbestos in the entire study population or within specific subgroups.Given the pattern of immunologic abnormalities that occur with increased frequency in asbestos‐exposed persons, our observation of an association between occupational asbestos exposure and CLL deserves attention in subsequent studies.
Encephalopathy: An uncommon manifestation of workplace arsenic poisoning?
Authors: Morton William E. , Caron Gordon A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis report describes two cases of chronic encephalopathy associated with occupational exposure to arsenic fumes from hot pressurized impregnation of wood. Both cases displayed symptoms of cognitive impairment with onset 14–18 months after start of occupational exposure to arsenic fumes. Laboratory confirmation was provided by elevated urine arsenic levels. One patient was hospitalized for apparent psychiatric reasons. Neuropsychologic testing of one case showed typical and relatively mild impairments of new learning, recent memory, and concentration in addition to the psychological symptoms. Symptoms in both cases disappeared following cessation of exposure and return of urine arsenic excretion to normal levels. In future studies of workers exposed to arsenic, documentation of mild impairment of cognitive function should be sought using neurobehavioral test batteries.
Cumulative arsenic exposure and lung cancer in smelter workers: A dose‐response study
Authors: Järup Lars , Pershagen Göran , Wall Stig 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe cause‐specific mortality was followed through 1981 in a cohort of 3,916 male Swedish smelter workers employed for at least 3 months from 1928 through 1967. Arsenic levels in the air of all workplaces within the smelter were estimated for three different time periods. Using this exposure matrix and detailed information of the work history, cumulative arsenic exposure could be computed for each worker. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for several dose categories using age‐specific mortality rates from the county where the smelter was situated. A positive dose‐response relationship was found between cumulative arsenic exposure and lung cancer mortality with an overall SMR of 372 (304–450, 95% confidence interval). The lung cancer mortality was related to the estimated average intensity of exposure to arsenic but not to the duration. No positive dose‐response relationship was found between arsenic and ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. There was also no evident dose‐response relationship between estimated exposure to sulfur dioxide and lung cancer.
Improvement in the occupational health program in a finnish construction company by means of systematic workplace investigation of job load and hazard analysis
Authors: Mattila Markku 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to improve an occupational health program by means of systematic workplace investigations. The 8‐month study was done at three building sites of one construction firm. The method for workplace investigations was a simple job hazard analysis of chemical hazards, physical hazards, physical work load, mental stress, and risk of injury, each factor being rated on a three‐point scale. Information was gathered by observations, interviews, and a worker questionnaire. Occupational health and safety personnel and worker representatives dealt with problems cooperatively. Together they assessed occupational loads and hazards, whereafter the occupational health and safety personnel devised an occupational health care program and proposed preventive measures. The workplace investigation method proved to function well. It improved the occupational health care program, produced an overall analysis of occupational hazards, and dramatically increased the number and quality of proposed preventive measures. The new method was evaluated to be clearly superior to previous practices and was implemented at moderate cost. The study showed that attention to issues of environmental and occupational health can effectively prevent health impairment even in difficult settings such as construction work. More research is needed for effective utilization of information accumulated by systematic workplace investigations.
Cholinesterase activity depression among California agricultural pesticide applicators
Authors: Ames Richard G. , Brown Stephanie K. , Mengle Donald C. , Kahn Ephraim , Stratton James W. , Jackson Richard J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCholinesterase activity measurements for 542 California agricultural pesticide applicators under medical supervision during the first 9 months of 1985 were analyzed. Twenty‐six workers, 4.8% of the sample, had cholinesterase values at or below the California threshold values for removal from continued exposure to cholinesteraseinhibiting pesticides (60% of baseline for red blood cell cholinesterase and 50% of baseline for plasma cholinesterase activity). Eight of these 26 workers, 31.5%, had pesticide‐related illnesses. Pesticides most frequently associated with cholinesterase depressions exceeding California threshold values included mevinphos (Phosdrin), oxydemeton methyl (Metasystox‐R), methomyl (Lannate), and acephate (Orthene); these pesticides included organophosphates in toxicity categories I and II and one carbamate in toxicity category I.
Fatal occupational injuries in California, 1972–1983
Authors: Goldberg Robert Leonard , Bernstein Leslie , Garabrant David H. , Peters John M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPrior reports have indicated that the crude incidence of fatal occupational accidents in California has substantially declined since at least 1972. We tested the hypothesis that this observation was an artifact of demographic shifts in the workforce towards lowerrisk age groups and industries. Review of worker's compensation data from 1972 to 1983 identified 2,483 fatal injuries among males. Crude rates declined by an average of 7.0% annually (p<.005). Age and industry adjustment reduced this decline to 6.7% annually, but the trend was still significant (p<.005). Thus, the decline in fatal injury rates is not artifactual and will require further study to explain. In a separate analysis, age‐specific death rates were found to follow a bimodal pattern in most industries with the highest rates observed at the extremes of age. These results conflict with those of several previous studies. However, these studies did not adjust for the prevalence of part‐time work schedules among younger employees.
Self‐reported musculoskeletal complaints among garment workers
Authors: Sokas Rosemary K. , Spiegelman Donna , Wegman David H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOne hundred forty‐four sewing machine operators answered questionnaires concerning occupational history and musculoskeletal symptoms adapted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They were matched for age within 5 years, race, and sex with persons completing the HANES I Augmentation Survey, and the prevalence of self‐reported musculoskeletal morbidity was compared. Operators complained significantly more often of knee pain (prevalence odds ratio [POR] = 1.84, p = .0001) and knee swelling (POR = 9.98, p < .00001), although they were no more likely to have had knee surgery. Similar increases were reported for upper‐back pain (POR = 2.13, p = .002) joint ache, and joint swelling (both were significant for fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders at p < .05 levels). No differences in low‐back pain or in hospitalization for joint conditions were noted.Ergonomic redesign of sewing machines needs to address knee and upper‐back movements as well as the arm. wrist, and finger movements.
Organophosphate exposure inhibits non‐specific esterase staining in human blood monocytes
Authors: Mandel Jack S. , Berlinger Norman T. , Kay Neil , Connett John , Reape Martin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to triaryl phosphate and monocyte nonspecific esterase staining activity in workers from a plant in Nitro, West Virginia. A cross‐sectional study design was used to identify the exposed plant employees, and both a plant and a general population group. In addition to completing a questionnaire for each participant, 30 cc of blood were drawn and analyzed using four techniques, two morphological and two enzymatic. These procedures included a Technicon D‐90 autoanalyzer, a Technicon H‐6000 autoanalyzer, a manual enzymatic using alpha naphthyl butyrate, and a manual morphologic using Wright‐Giesma stain. The results showed a decrease in nonspecific esterase staining with the Technicon D‐90. No significant effect on monocyte numbers or esterase positivity was found with the other three techniques.
Design and conduct of occupational epidemiology studies: I. design aspects of cohort studies
Authors: Checkoway Harvey , Pearce Neil , Dement John M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCohort and case‐control studies are two standard approaches for investigating the etiology of occupational diseases. This paper, which is the first of a four‐part series, contains a review of the design features of occupational cohort studies. Topics discussed include the basic features of prospective and historical cohort studies, options for defining the cohort, disease incidence ascertainment, and considerations involved in planning an occupational cohort study. Subsequent papers in this series will focus on data analysis of occupational cohort studies and the design and analysis of occupational case‐control studies.
Design and conduct of occupational epidemiology studies: II. Analysis of cohort data
Authors: Checkoway Harvey , Pearce Neil , Dement John M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper reviews strategies and statistical methods for analyzing data from occupational cohort studies. Emphasis is placed on the common methods for grouped data analysis involving external and internal comparison populations. Analysis procedures reviewed are standardized mortality ratio, standardized rate ratio, and Mantel‐Haenszel techniques for estimating relative risks. Methods for control of confounding, assessment of effect modification, and allowance for disease latency are discussed. These concepts and procedures are illustrated with data from an historical cohort mortality study of workers from an asbestos textile plant.
Design and conduct of occupational epidemiology studies: III. Design aspects of case‐control studies
Authors: Pearce Neil , Checkoway Harvey , Dement John 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCurrently available approaches for the design of occupational case‐control studies are reviewed. An accompanying paper reviews methods of analysis. We commence by drawing a distinction between cohort‐based and registry‐based studies. Methods for selecting cases and controls are then reviewed, including cumulative incidence and incidence density sampling, matching, sources of controls, and issues in control selection. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the case‐control approach are summarized.
Design and conduct of occupational epidemiology studies: IV. The analysis of case‐control data
Authors: Pearce Neil , Checkoway Harvey , Dement John 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper reviews the basic methods of analysis of data from case‐control studies. The standard analytic methods are outlined first for a single stratum. The discussion is then extended to stratified analysis, multiple exposure levels, and analyses allowing for disease induction and latency periods. Finally, logistic regression is discussed as an extension of the more basic forms of analysis. The methods are illustrated with data from a study of lung cancer among asbestos textile plant workers.
Relationship of lung geometry to the development of pleural abnormalities in insulation workers exposed to asbestos
Authors: Delfino Ralph , Ernst Pierre , Bourbeau Jean 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe relationship of respiratory airway and airspace geometry to radiographic evidence of pleural abnormality consistent with asbestos exposure was studied in 178 construction insulators. Lung geometry was assessed from tracings of radiographic shadows, and the measures taken were tracheal length and diameter, subcarinal angle, right and left lung lengths, and upper, middle, and lower lung widths. Important modifying variables—age, height, weight, exposure estimates, and smoking history—were included in a logistic regression model to test the significance of the lung geometry measurements as predictors of the presence or absence of pleural abnormality. No such relationships were found. Neither were there any differences in prevalence or severity of pleural disease between the right and left sides which might have been found if airway geometry were a significant determinant of asbestos pleural disease. These results do not support the hypothesis that lung geometry is a host risk factor for the development of asbestos‐related pleural disease.
Understanding comorbidity: A twin study of reading disability and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Willcutt Erik G. , Pennington Bruce F. , Olson Richard K. , DeFries John C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA community sample of twins in which at least one member of each pair exhibited significant reading difficulties (99 monozygotic and 80 dizygotic pairs) or symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 83 monozygotic and 78 dizygotic pairs) was used to test the etiology of comorbidity between reading disability (RD) and ADHD. Univariate analyses revealed moderate to high heritability for all measures of reading difficulty and ADHD. Subsequent bivariate analyses indicated that the relation between reading difficulties and inattention symptoms is primarily attributable to common genetic influences, whereas bivariate heritability estimates were not significant for hyperactivity‐impulsivity and any of the reading measures. Reading difficulties and ADHD symptoms were more highly heritable if the proband met criteria for both disorders versus RD or ADHD alone, suggesting that future molecular genetic analyses of comorbid RD + ADHD may facilitate the identification of susceptibility genes for RD, ADHD, and their comorbidity. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurocognitive deficits in first‐episode schizophrenic patients and their first‐degree relatives
Authors: Ma Xiaohong , Wang Qiang , Sham Pak C. , Liu Xiehe , Rabe‐Hesketh Sophia , Sun Xueli , Hu Junmei , Meng Huaqing , Chen Wai , Chen Eric Y.H. , Deng Wei , Chan Raymond C.K. , Murray Robin M. , Collier David A. , Li Tao 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSome neuropsychological abilities, particularly those affecting memory, attention and executive function, are impaired amongst both schizophrenic patients and their unaffected relatives, implying that these deficits are at least partly genetic in origin. However neuropsychological performance can be altered by medication, and has rarely been examined in first onset, drug naive patients. The objective of this study was to determine whether selected neurocognitive abilities are impaired in first‐onset schizophrenic patients and their relatives compared to controls. We examined attention and speed of information processing, memory and learning, verbal function, visuoconstructive abilities and executive function in 207 first‐episode schizophrenic patients (163 of whom were drug naïve), 322 of their first‐degree relatives and 133 unrelated normal controls. The data were subjected to multilevel modeling to compare neurocognitive performance between schizophrenic probands, relatives and controls while taking into account potential correlations among members of the same family; age, gender, and years of education were included as covariates. Of the three groups, schizophrenic patients performed poorest at all neuropsychological tests, suggestive of a broad range of neurocognitive deficits. Their first‐degree relatives showed a narrower pattern of poor performance at Digit Symbol, Digit Span, Trail Making, Verbal Fluency test, Tower of Hanoi, and WCST‐M tests. Our findings show that selected neurocognitive deficits especially attention and executive function are impaired in the families of schizophrenic patients. These patterns of neurocognitive deficits may represent “endophenotypes” denoting varying degrees of vulnerability to schizophrenia and may be of value in future molecular genetic studies. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association analysis of GABA receptor subunit genes on 5q33 with heroin dependence in a Chinese male population
Authors: Loh E.W. , Tang N.L.S. , Lee D.T.S. , Liu S.I. , Stadlin Alfreda 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGABAA receptor subunit genes clustered on 5q33 play a role in the development of alcoholism and methamphetamine use disorder without psychosis. The present study explored the possible contribution of the same subunit genes to the development of heroin dependence. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GABAA receptor subunits GABRB2, GABRA6, GABRA1, and GABRG2 were examined in 178 male Han Chinese heroin‐dependent and 170 male control subjects. A significant difference in allele frequency for the SNP rs211014 in the GABAAγ2 receptor subunit gene between cases and controls was identified (P = 0.015). A possible mechanism for the involvement of the GABA receptor subunit genes on 5q33 in the development of heroin dependence is discussed. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A meta‐analysis of association studies between the 10‐repeat allele of a VNTR polymorphism in the 3′‐UTR of dopamine transporter gene and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Yang Binrang , Chan Raymond C.K. , Jing Jin , Li Tao , Sham Pak , Chen Ronald Y.L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe association between the 10‐repeat allele of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is uncertain. This study aimed to conduct a meta‐analysis of the association between the 10‐repeat allele of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) of the DAT1 gene and ADHD. We pooled up 18 published transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) studies between the 40‐base pair VNTR polymorphism in the3′‐UTR of the DAT1 gene and ADHD. It included a total of 1,373 informative meioses, 7 haplotype‐based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) studies, and 6 case‐control‐based association studies. There were statistically significant evidences for heterogeneity of the odds ratio in TDT and HHRR studies (P < 0.10), but not in case‐control studies. The results of random effects model showed small but significant association between ADHD and the DAT1 gene in TDT studies (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05–1.30, chi‐square = 8.11, df = 1, P = 0.004), but not in HHRR and case‐control studies. The 10‐repeat allele of a VNTR polymorphism in the 3′‐UTR the DAT1 gene has a small but significant role in the genetic susceptibility of ADHD. These meta‐analysis findings support the involvement of the dopamine system genes in ADHD liability variation. However, more work is required to further identify the functional allelic variants/mutations that are responsible for this association. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.