bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does return to work occur earlier after work-related sick leave episodes than after non-work-related sick leave episodes? A retrospective cohort study in Spain
Authors: Benavides F G , Serra C , Domínguez R , Martínez J M , Plana M , Despuig M , Sampere M , Gimeno D 
Published: September 2008

Objective:In Spain, sick pay benefits for work-related sick leave episodes are higher than for non-work-related episodes. Our aim is to assess whether time to return to work is longer for higher paid sick leave episodes than for lower paid episodes.Methods:We used data from 62 376 work-related and 76 932 non-work-related sick leave episodes occurring among 338 226 workers from 56 099 companies in Spain in 2002. All episodes were followed for up to 18 months. Episodes were classified by a physician as being work- or non-work-related according to medico-legal judgments. The median episode duration and the 25th and 75th percentiles were calculated. The probability of remaining absent from work was estimated by a non-parametric estimator of the marginal survival function. The time ratio between both types of sick leave was estimated by a log-logistic regression model, using non-work-related episodes as the reference.Results:Median episode duration (25th–75th percentiles) was 11 (6–21) days for work-related episodes and 9 (4–29) days for non-work-related episodes. Time to return to work was longer for work-related episodes than for non-work-related episodes of less than 16 days (time ratio: 1.19 in men and 1.08 in women), while the opposite was observed for episodes of more than 15 days (0.58 in men and 0.40 in women).Conclusions:Sick pay benefits have a limited effect on time to return to work after a sick leave episode.
Lung cancer mortality and iron oxide exposure in a French steel-producing factory
Authors: Bourgkard E , Wild P , Courcot B , Diss M , Ettlinger J , Goutet P , Hémon D , Marquis N , Mur J-M , Rigal C , Rohn-Janssens M-P , Moulin J-J 
Published: September 2008

Objective:To study the possible association between iron oxide exposures and lung cancer risk among workers in a French carbon steel-producing factory.Methods:16 742 males and 959 females ever employed for at least 1 year between 1959 and 1997 were followed up for mortality from January 1968 to December 1998. Causes of death were ascertained from death certificates. Job histories and smoking habits were available for 99.7% and 72.3% of subjects, respectively. Occupational exposures were assessed by a factory-specific job-exposure matrix (JEM) validated with atmospheric measurements. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed using local death rates (external references). Poisson regressions were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) for occupational exposures (internal references), adjusted on potential confounding factors.Results:Among males, observed mortality was lower than expected for lung cancer compared to the local population (233 deaths, SMR 0.89, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.01) and higher than expected compared to the French population (SMR 1.30, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.48) No lung cancer excess was observed for exposure to iron oxides (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.17) and no dose–response relationship with intensity, duration of exposure or cumulative index was found. A significant bladder cancer excess was observed among workers exposed to oil mist (RR 2.44, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.60), increasing significantly with intensity, duration of exposure and cumulative index.Conclusion:This study did not detect any relationship between exposure to iron oxides and lung cancer mortality. An excess of mortality from bladder cancer was found among workers exposed to oil mist.
Predicted mortality from malignant mesothelioma among women exposed to blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia
Authors: Reid A , Berry G , Heyworth J , de Klerk N H , Musk A W 
Published: September 2008

Introduction:Nearly 3000 women and girls were documented to have lived at the blue asbestos mining and milling town of Wittenoom in Western Australia between 1943 and 1992. Eight per cent of deaths among these women to the end of 2004 have been from malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.Aim:To predict future mortality from mesothelioma to 2030 in this cohort.Methods:Mesothelioma mortality rates incorporating parameters for cumulative exposure, a power of time since first exposure and annual rates of fibre clearance from the lung were calculated from maximum likelihood estimates. These rates plus age specific mortality rates for Western Australian females incorporating an excess lung cancer risk were then applied to all Wittenoom cohort women surviving to the end of 2004, in yearly increments, to predict the future numbers of cases of mesothelioma to 2030.Results:There were 40 deaths from mesothelioma among the Wittenoom women to the end of 2004. Using a range of models that incorporate time since first exposure, competing risks from other diseases, latency periods and clearance of mesothelioma from the lungs we predict 66 (lowest estimate) to 87 (highest estimate) deaths from mesothelioma until 2030. This represents one and a half to two and a half times the number of deaths that have already occurred to the end of 2004.Conclusion:The high toll from mesothelioma in this cohort of women and girls will continue well into the future.
Dust and chemical exposures, and miscarriage risk among women textile workers in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wong E Y , Ray R M , Gao D-L , Wernli K J , Li W , Fitzgibbons E D , Camp J E , Astrakianakis G , Heagerty P J , De Roos A J , Holt V L , Thomas D B , Checkoway H 
Published: September 2008

Introduction:To investigate possible associations between miscarriage and occupational exposures in the Shanghai textile industry.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of miscarriages among 1752 women in the Shanghai textile industry was conducted. Reproductive history was self-reported by women and occupational work histories were collected from factory personnel records. Occupational exposures were assigned by linking work history information to an industry-specific job-exposure matrix informed by factory-specific textile process information and industrial hygiene assessments. Estimates of cotton dust and endotoxin exposure were also assigned. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI were estimated by multivariate logistic regression, with adjustment for age at pregnancy, educational level, smoking status of the woman and her spouse, use of alcohol, and woman’s year of birth.Results:An elevation in risk of a spontaneously aborted first pregnancy was associated with exposure to synthetic fibres (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.00) and mixed synthetic and natural fibres (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.30 to 8.42). No increased risks were observed for women working with solvents, nor were significant associations observed with quantitative cotton dust or endotoxin exposures. Associations were robust and similar when all pregnancies in a woman’s reproductive history were considered.Conclusions:Occupational exposure to synthetic fibres may cause miscarriages, and this possibility should be the subject of further investigation.
Cumulative exposure to high-strain and active jobs as predictors of cognitive function: the Whitehall II study
Authors: Elovainio M , Ferrie J E , Singh-Manoux A , Gimeno D , De Vogli R , Shipley M J , Vahtera J , Brunner E J , Marmot M G , Kivimäki M 
Published: September 2008

Objectives:A high-strain job (a combination of high job demands and low job control) is expected to increase the risk of health problems, whereas an active job (high demands and high control) can be hypothesised to be associated with a greater capacity to learn. We tested associations between high-strain and active jobs and cognitive function in middle-aged men and women.Methods:Data on 4146 British civil servants (2989 men and 1157 women) aged 35–55 years at baseline came from the Whitehall II study. Cumulative exposure to both high-strain and active jobs was assessed at phases 1 (1985–1988), 2 (1989–1990) and 3 (1991–1993). Cognitive performance was assessed at phases 5 (1997–1999) and 7 (2003–2004) using the following tests: verbal memory, inductive reasoning (Alice Heim), verbal meaning (Mill Hill), phonemic and semantic fluency. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex and employment grade.Results:Longer exposure to high job strain and shorter exposure to active jobs were associated with lower scores in most of the cognitive performance tests. However, these associations disappeared on adjustment for employment grade. Phonemic fluency was an exception to this pattern. Associations between exposure to an active job and phonemic fluency at both follow-up phases were robust to adjustment for employment grade. However, there was no association between exposure to active jobs and change in phonemic fluency score between the follow-up phases after adjustment for employment grade.Conclusions:In these data, associations between cumulative exposure to high-strain or active jobs and cognition are largely explained by socioeconomic position.
A cross-sectional study of lung function and respiratory symptoms among chemical workers producing diacetyl for food flavourings
Authors: van Rooy F G B G J , Smit L A M , Houba R , Zaat V A C , Rooyackers J M , Heederik D J J 
Published: September 2008

Objectives:Four diacetyl workers were found to have bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Exposures, respiratory symptoms, lung function and exposure–response relationships were investigated.Methods:175 workers from a plant producing diacetyl between 1960 and 2003 were investigated. Exposure data were used to model diacetyl exposure. Lung function and questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms were compared to a general population sample and respiratory symptoms to an internal reference group.Results:Workers were potentially exposed to acetoin, diacetyl, acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Historic diacetyl exposure ranged from 1.8 to 351 mg/m3, and from 3 to 396 mg/m3for specific tasks. Diacetyl workers reported significantly more respiratory symptoms compared to the general population sample (continuous trouble with breathing (prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.6; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.1), daily cough (PR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.1), asthma attack (ever) (PR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.4), doctor diagnosed asthma (PR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.3 to 3.8) and asthma attack in the last year (PR = 4.7; 95% CI 1.9 to 11.4)) and to a minimally exposed internal reference group (ever trouble with breathing (PR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 7.0) and work-related shortness of breath in the last year (PR = 7.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 52.9)). Lung function did not differ between groups. A positive relationship between exposure and FEV1was found.Conclusion:The excess of respiratory symptoms in this retrospective cohort suggests that diacetyl production poses an occupational hazard. Limited historical exposure data did not support a quantitative individual diacetyl exposure–response relationship, but our findings suggest that preventive measures are prudent.
Estimates of historical exposures by phase contrast and transmission electron microscopy in North Carolina USA asbestos textile plants
Authors: Dement J M , Myers D , Loomis D , Richardson D , Wolf S 
Published: September 2008

Objectives:To develop a job-exposure matrix (JEM) for fibre exposures in three asbestos textile plants and to develop estimates of fibre size-specific exposures.Methods:Historical dust samples from three North Carolina, USA asbestos textile plants were obtained. Plant specific samples were used to express impinger dust concentrations as fibre concentrations by phase contract microscopy (PCM). Mixed models were used to estimate PCM exposures by plant, department, job and calendar time. Archived membrane filter samples were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne fibres by plant and operation.Results:PCM fibre levels estimated from the models were very high in the 1930s, with some operations having in excess of 200 fibres/ml, and decreased appreciably over time. TEM results for 77 airborne dust samples found that only a small proportion of airborne fibres were measured by PCM (>0.25 μm in diameter and >5 μm in length) and the proportion varied considerably by plant and operation (range 2.9% to 10.0%). The bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne fibres demonstrated a relatively high degree of variability by plant and operation. PCM adjustment factors also varied substantially across plants and operations.Conclusions:These data provide new information concerning airborne fibre levels and characteristics in three historically important asbestos textile plants. PCM concentrations were high in the early years and TEM data demonstrate that the vast majority of airborne fibres inhaled by the workers were shorter than 5 μm in length, and thus not included in the PCM-based fibre counts.
Use of hair colouring products and risk of multiple myeloma among US women: Table 1
Authors: Koutros S , Baris D , Bell E , Zheng T , Zhang Y , Holford T R , Leaderer B P , Landgren O , Hoar Zahm S 
Published: September 2008

Objective:To evaluate the association between personal hair dye use and risk of multiple myeloma among women.Methods:A population-based case–control study of 175 cases of multiple myeloma and 679 controls. Cases and controls were interviewed regarding the type and colour of hair colouring product used, age at first use, age use stopped, duration, and the frequency of use per year. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression to compare never users with four exposure groups: all users, ever semi-permanent dye users, ever permanent dye users and dark permanent dye users (most frequent use).Results:No association was found between ever reporting hair colouring product use and myeloma risk among all users (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.1), semi-permanent dye users (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.2), permanent dye users (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.1) or dark permanent dye users (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.3). There were no significant associations among women who used hair dyes before 30 years of age, started use before 1980, had ⩾240 lifetime applications, or had used dark permanent dye for 28 or more years.Conclusion:No evidence of an association between hair colouring product use and myeloma risk was found. However, given the conflicting body of literature on hair colouring product use and risk of multiple myeloma, this question should be further evaluated in larger studies or consortia, and in high risk groups.
La contribución de valores, nacionalismo étnico e identidad comparativa a la xenofobia: un estudio intercultural
Authors: Grad Héctor , Sanz Alberto 
Published: September 2008

Se investiga el impacto de los valores personales, la identidad comparativa (europea vs. nacional) y las representaciones sociales de la nación sobre las actitudes xenófobas de los jóvenes mediante encuestas a muestras representativas de la población de 18–24 años en cuatro países europeos (N total = 1904). Se muestra que la representación étnica (vs. cívica) de la nación modula la relación de las identidades sociales con la xenofobia. La investigación previa ha establecido que los valores universalistas y las identidades supranacionales inhiben la xenofobia pero Licata y Klein (2002) sostienen que la identidad europea puede reforzarla. Un análisis trans-cultural mediante ecuaciones estructurales revela que los valores de Conservación, la identidad nacional, y la representación étnica de la nación refuerzan la xenofobia, mientras que los valores universalistas y la identidad europea la debilitan. Finalmente, la representación étnica de la nación predice la xenofobia mejor que las identidades sociales. La identidad comparativa demuestra su utilidad para estudiar las identidades sociales anidadas. Se discuten las implicaciones para la identidad y la construcción europea.
Valores e identidades nacional y europea: un estudio transcultural
Authors: Ros María , Rodríguez Miryam , Casado Cristina 
Published: September 2008

En el presente estudio, se han analizado la importancia y el significado de la identidad nacional y europea. Utilizando la teoría de los valores personales de Schwartz (2001), 2.418 jóvenes europeos de la República Checa, Eslovaquia, Alemania y España han respondido a un cuestionario que mide la importancia de sus identidades nacional y europea, y una forma abreviada del PVQ de 22 valores personales. Entrevistas personales a una sub-muestra de 42 jóvenes españoles también exploran el significado de su identidad europea. Los resultados muestran que los jóvenes comparten una importancia similar de valores personales: sus identidades nacional y europea ocupan una posición media en su jerarquía de valores personales, aunque se identifican en mayor medida con su identidad nacional. Ambas identidades se encuentran vinculadas a las dimensiones bipolares de auto-promoción y de conservación de la teoría de valores personales. Las dos identidades poseen significados similares aunque reciben distinto grado de importancia. Los resultados de las entrevistas sobre el significado de la identidad europea coinciden con el significado medido a través de la teoría de valores personales.
Identidad comparativa y valores: introducción al Número Monográfico en recuerdo de María Ros
Authors: Fernández-Dols José-Miguel , Schweiger-Gallo Inge 
Published: September 2008

Este artículo constituye el prólogo al número especial que Revista de Psicología Social dedica a María Ros (1951–2006). Los autores, consideran las dos líneas de investigación que estructuran las aportaciones de Ros, la identidad y los valores, para presentar cada uno de los artículos que componen este número. Los trabajos de Huici, Gómez y Bustillos, Grad y Sanz, y Cano y Schweiger-Gallo ilustran el interés y eco que ha suscitado el concepto de identidad comparativa, acuñado por Ros y su equipo. Por otro lado, los trabajos de Ros; Ros, Rodríguez y Casado, así como el de Borges, conforman un puente entre el estudio de la identidad comparada y los valores, en consonancia con la línea desarrollada por el equipo de Ros. Este monográfico pone de manifiesto que el concepto de identidad comparativa, acuñado por Ros y su equipo, transforma el análisis de la identidad social en los estudios transculturales y en la Psicología Social en general. Se vislumbran también las estrechas relaciones entre la identidad social, los valores y el cambio social.
Review of A Large Clinical Series: Sedation and Analgesia Usage with Airway Pressure Release and Assist-control Ventilation for Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Fan Eddy , Khatri Priyanka , Mendez-Tellez Pedro A. , Shanholtz Carl , Needham Dale M. 
Published: September 2008

Background: Our objective was to compare sedative and analgesic doses, agents, and sedation status in patients with airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) versus assist-control (AC) ventilation on the first day after acute lung injury diagnosis. Methods: Observational study at 3 teaching hospitals. Results: Of 240 patients, 165 received APRV or AC ventilation on day 1 (17 APRV, 148 AC). The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was lower in the APRV versus AC group [17 (14-20) vs. 25 (21-32), P < .001]. Median total doses of sedatives and analgesics were lower in APRV versus AC (29 vs. 98 mg of midazolam-equivalents, P < .001) and (1200 vs. 2400 mcg of fentanylequivalents, P = .006). APRV patients were less sedated versus AC (median Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale —2 vs. —4, P < .002). Conclusions: APRV may be associated with decreased sedation and analgesia medications and improved sedation status. Differences in the patients receiving APRV versus AC ventilation may have contributed to this conclusion. Further investigation is needed.
Hemodynamic Effects and Safety of Nesiritide in Neonates with Heart Failure
Authors: Simsic Janet M. , Mahle William T. , Cuadrado Angel , Kirshbom Paul M. , Maher Kevin O. 
Published: September 2008

Objective: Evaluate effects and safety of nesiritide (Natrecor, Scios Inc) human B-type natriuretic peptide, in neonates with heart failure. Methods: Seventeen neonates, not responding to conventional therapy, treated with nesiritide were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Average age 16 + 8 days; weight 3.2 + 0.6 kg. Fifteen treated with concomitant inotropic therapy; all with diuretics. Twelve received loading dose; followed by continuous infusions of 0.005 mcg/kg/min (2); 0.01 mcg/kg/min (12); 0.02 mcg/kg/min (3). Length of therapy 5 + 4 days. No change in heart rate or blood pressure between baseline, 1 hour or 24 hours of nesiritide infusion. Decrease central venous pressure (CVP) 24 hours after infusion (p = 0.03). Ins-out ratio improved in 29%. No difference in pre and post therapy BUN and creatinine (Cr). 18% had hypotension requiring intervention. Conclusions: Nesiritide use in neonates may improve hemodynamics as demonstrated by reduction in CVP. All patients tolerated bolus dosing, however, transient hypotension occurred in 18% of neonates with continuous infusion.
Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Patti F 
Published: September 2008

Background Cognitive impairment is increasingly being recognized as a common and disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that contributes to poor quality of life in affected patients. Despite the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in MS, cognitive function is not assessed routinely in clinical practice or in clinical trials. The perception that cognitive assessments are costly, time-consuming, complicated, and difficult to administer and interpret has contributed, at least in part, to the failure to incorporate cognitive testing into standard clinical evaluation of patients with MS. Detailed studies of cognitive impairment in MS are rare and guidelines for the assessment of cognitive function in MS are lacking. Treatment How to manage cognitive decline in MS also requires further study. Licensed disease-modifying drug (DMD) treatments for MS reduce brain lesion development, and associations between brain lesions and cognitive performance have been reported, providing a rationale for DMD treatment of MS-associated cognitive impairment. There is some evidence for cognitive benefits of DMDs, but as few pivotal DMD trials included cognitive assessments, the effects of these agents on cognition are not fully understood and more studies are needed. Conclusions It is only through further studies that it will be possible to identify patients with, or at risk of, cognitive impairment and to provide appropriate therapy to limit the effects of this potentially devastating symptom.
CNS demyelination and quadrivalent HPV vaccination
Authors: Sutton I , Lahoria R , Tan IL , Clouston P , Barnett MH 
Published: September 2008

Vaccination is generally considered safe in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We report five patients who presented with multifocal or atypical demyelinating syndromes within 21 days of immunization with the quadrivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil®. Although the target population for vaccination, young females, has an inherently high risk for MS, the temporal association with demyelinating events in these cases may be explained by the potent immuno-stimulatory properties of HPV virus-like particles which comprise the vaccine. A prospective case–control study of patients with MS or clinically isolated demyelinating syndromes receiving the Gardasil® vaccine may provide relevant safety data in this population.