bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Basophilic stippling of red blood cells: A nonspecific finding of multiple etiology
Authors: Cheson Bruce D. , Rom William N. , Webber Roseanne C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBasophilic stippling of red blood cells (BSC) has been noted in lead intoxication since 1899 and has been considered a classic laboratory sign of lead poisoning since that time. BSC are inclusions of aggregated ribosomes found only in the red blood cells and may be confused with siderotic (iron) granules, Heinz Bodies, or even reticulocytes. BSC are an inconstant finding in lead intoxication. In a review of peripheral blood smears from 1,000 consecutive internal medicine patients, we found BSC in 27%. These occurred in a variety of malignant, rheumatologic, hematologic, cardiovascular, and other diseases, frequently with an associated anemia. BSC may even be found in a small percentage of normal people; thus, it must be emphasized that BSC is a nonspecific finding. Furthermore, BSC has been replaced by blood lead (since the 1940s) and zinc protoporphyrin (since the 1970s) levels for biologic monitoring of lead‐exposed workers.
Cancer mortality among woodworkers
Authors: Stellman Steven D. , Garfinkel Lawrence 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe mortality experience of 10,322 men employed in woodworking industries was compared with that of 406,798 nonwoodworkers. All subjects were enrolled in an American Cancer Society study and followed prospectively from 1959 through 1972. Age‐adjusted rates of death from all causes and from all cancers were not higher in the woodworker group, but excess rates were observed for cancers of the lung, stomach, and bladder, as well as nonmelanoma skin cancer and possibly leukemia. Woodworkers experienced significantly decreased rates of colon‐rectum cancer and coronary heart disease. The elevated cancer rates could not be explained by cigarette smoking habits. If anything, there is evidence to suggest a possible interaction between employment in woodworking trades and heavy cigarette smoking, in increasing the risk of lung and bladder cancer.
Decreased lung function in long‐term asbestos cement workers: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ohlson Carl‐Göran , Rydman Tore , Sundell Lennart , Bodin Lennart , Hogstedt Christer 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe effect on lung function of exposure in an asbestos cement plant was investigated in male workers, employed more than 10 years. The exposed group was selected to exclude subjects with pneumoconioses and ex‐smokers and consisted of 77 smokers and 48 never‐smokers. Referents were chosen from plants where asbestos had not been in use and restricted to those without X‐ray signs of chest disease. The primary type of asbestos used was chrysotile and the general dust level in the two decades 1950–1970 seems to have been around 10 mg/m3 while the asbestos fiber concentration averaged 2 fibers/ml. The mean differences between exposed and referents were statistically significant for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume, ‐0.25 and ‐0.30 liters, respectively, after adjustment for age, height, tracheal area, and smoking category. No significant differences were detected between those with and without pleural plaques. Smokers and never‐smokers were similarly affected. In conclusion, the group exposed to dust with comparatively low asbestos fiber concentration had a minor impairment of lung function, mainly due to obstructive changes.
Employment rehabilitation: Outcome and prediction
Authors: Sheikh Kazim , Mattingly Stephen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSeveral factors have been shown to influence return to work after chronic disability, but little is known about their independent effect. There is also some disagreement about what constitutes successful resettlement in work. To establish the predictors of an early return to stable employment, 1,565 rehabilitees discharged from two employment rehabilitation centers in England were followed for at least 1 year. Nineteen entry characteristics and six outcome measures were analyzed by the canonical correlation method. Results in the two groups of rehabilitees were fairly similar. Three variables contributed most to the outcome measure: getting a job, delay in starting work, and employment status at the time of follow‐up. Factors associated with a successful outcome were motivation, a low level of physical disability, short duration of unemployment before rehabilitation, completion of rehabilitation course, and a low level of general unemployment in the home area of the rehabilitee.
Cancer mortality among workers exposed to formaldehyde
Authors: Liebling Tina , Rosenman Kenneth D. , Pastides Harris , Griffith Ruth G. , Lemeshow Stanley 
Published: April 2007

AbstractProportionate mortality among workers exposed to formaldehyde was analyzed among employees of a large chemical plant in Western Massachusetts. Twenty‐four such decedents, all males, were identified through union records, reports of former coworkers, and a systematic review of obituaries in local newspapers. Work histories were obtained from seniority lists. Race‐age‐sex‐adjusted proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were significantly elevated for cancer of the colon based on United States. county, and county cancer mortality proportions (PMR = 702, 424, 333, p ≤ 0.05). as were PMRs for the category buccal and pharyngeal cancer (PMR = 870, 952, 833. p < 0.05). This study provides evidence of formaldehyde's carcinogenicity. These findings are at variance with a previous report of the mortality experience of workers at the same plant from an earlier period.
Evidence for hematotoxicity and tumorigenesis in rats exposed to 100 ppm benzene
Authors: Snyder Carroll A. , Goldstein Bernard D. , Sellakumar Arthur R. , Albert Roy E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA group of 40 Sprague‐Dawley rats was exposed to 100 ppm benzene for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for life. Another group of 40 rats received air under the same exposure regimen. During the exposures, treated rats exhibited continuously depressed peripheral erythrocyte and lymphocyte counts. Although the incidences of these peripheral cell depressions were statistically significant, the magnitudes of the depressions were not. Histopathologic evaluation revealed that splenic hemosiderin pigments were much more prevalent in exposed rats than in controls, indicating either red cell hemolysis or ineffective erythropoiesis. The mortality‐corrected tumor incidences between exposed and control mice were not statistically different. However, several exposed rats died with tumors that, because of their rare spontaneous incidence, are most likely treatmentrelated. Four rats died with liver tumors, two died with zymbal gland carcinoma, and one died with chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Mortality from cancers of major sites in female radium dial workers
Authors: Stebbings James H. , Lucas Henry F. , Stehney Andrew F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe female radium dial workers have now experienced significant mortality from cancers other than the bone sarcomas and head carcinomas long known to be radium induced. The relationships of radium exposure to mortality from cancers of the stomach, pancreas, colon, rectum, liver, lung, breast, cervix, and corpus uteri, and from leukemia were studied in 1,285 pre‐1930 dial workers. Mortality was compared with that expected from rates for US white females, with and without adjustment for local area mortality rates, and with mortality in dial workers exposed from 1930 to 1949. For the 693 cases whose body content of radium has been measured since 1955, dose‐response relationships of cancer to systemic intake of radium and duration of employment were examined. Liver, pancreatic, cervical, and uterine cancers were clearly unrelated to radium exposure. Other cancers of the digestive tract appeared to be indirectly, if at all, associated with work in radium facilities. Lung cancer requires further investigation; inhalation exposures of the dial workers were reviewed. Analyses of the breast cancer data uncovered several observations inconsistent with the previously suggested causal association with radium exposure. Multiple myeloma was also reviewed. A threefold excess risk of death due to multiple myeloma has occurred, but is more closely correlated with duration of employment (a surrogate for external gamma radiation) than with radium intake.
Immunological aspects of asbestosis: Patients' neurological signs and asbestosis progression
Authors: Huuskonen Matti S. , Räsänen Jorma A. , Juntunen Juhani , Partanen Timo 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study is a component of a long‐term, follow‐up study aimed at evaluation of immunological and neurological findings with regard to the early detection of malignancies among patients at high risk of developing cancer.One hundred fifteen patients with diagnosed asbestosis were examined neurologically and immunologically (rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, C3 and C4 and circulating immune complexes). Patients with nervous system involvement (63 cases; 55%) revealed no significant immunological differences when compared with the other patients except for a more common presence of antinuclear antibodies among patients without nervous system involvement (21% vs 6%, p < 0.05). Significantly increased Wa‐Ro titers (> 1/128) were found for 3–4% of the patients whose asbestosis was either progressive or not as to radiological fibrosis, whereas only 0.4% of the blood donors had a significantly increased Wa‐Ro titer. The respective figures of latex agglutination (> 1/32) were found for 14–19% of the asbestosis patients whereas in 0.8% of the blood donors. The mean level of C3 was higher among progressive than nonprogressive asbestosis cases (1.48 vs 1.34, p < 0.05). Patients with radiographic progression of asbestosis had higher IgG‐antinuclear antibody titers than the patients without progression.
Local neurotoxicity of methyl methacrylate among dental technicians
Authors: Seppäläinen Anna Maria , Rajaniemi Risto 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDental technicians often handle methyl methacrylate bare‐handed before the polymerization reaction, and the monomer can penetrate the skin during the process. Nerve conduction velocities were determined in 20 dental technicians who had slight neurological complaints and in 18 healthy control persons. The motor and sensory conduction velocities in the forearm sections were normal and similar in both the study and the control group. Dental technicians had significantly slower distal sensory conduction velocities from the digits I, II and III on the right hand and also from the radial aspects of the digits II and III on the left hand than did the controls. Findings are considered to represent mild axonal degeneration on the areas with the closest and most frequent contact with methyl methacrylate.
Cancer mortality patterns by work category in three texas oil refineries
Authors: Thomas Terry L. , Waxweiler Richard J. , Crandall Michael S. , White Deborah W. , Moure‐Eraso Rafael , Fraumeni Joseph F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA previous proportionate mortality ratio analysis revealed elevated mortality from brain tumors, stomach cancer, leukemia, and other cancers among OCAW members employed in three Texas oil refineries. In order to evaluate these findings, complete work histories of cases and a matched set of controls who died from other causes of death were obtained from company personnel records. Work histories were summarized by classifying each job title and department entry into one of several broad work categories of refinery unit operations. A worker was considered “exposed” to a work category if he was known to have worked at least 1 day in the category 15 or more years prior to his death. Maximum likelihood estimates of the relative risk for brain tumor, stomach cancer, and leukemia were calculated by work category using a procedure for matched case‐control data. No strong associations for brain tumor risk were seen with any work categories. A slight association for leukemia was seen among workers in the Treating category, which included unit operations that reduce the level of aromatic and sulfur constituents of petroleum products and combine them with additives to improve their quality. Stomach cancer risk was elevated among maintenance workers and workers exposed to lubricating oils and paraffin wax processing.
Organophosphate and carbamate pesticide poisoning: The usefulness of a computerized clinical information system
Authors: Lerman Y. , Hirshberg A. , Shteger Z. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOrganophosphate (OP) and carbamate poisoning are still a worldwide health problem causing numerous fatalities in humans. Physicians who have no clinical toxicological experience with these compounds may have difficulties in promptly identifying the etiologic agent and managing the acute phase of the poisoning. We describe the potential use of a computerized medical information system that includes clinical data on 236 cases of OP and carbamate poisoning, and may improve the management of such poisoning. The methods of constructing the system, the first results of using the system, and the medical institutions that can benefit from such systems are discussed.
Neuropsychological function following mild exposure to pentaborane
Authors: Hart Robert P. , Silverman Joel J. , Garrettson Lorne K. , Schulz Charles , Hamer Robert M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNeuropsychological tests and self‐report personality inventories were administered to 14 workers and rescue squad personnel approximately 2 months following mild exposure to pentaborane, a highly toxic volatile liquid boron hydride. Performance decrements were evident on 5 of 11 neuropsychological tests, including Block Design and measures of sustained attention and recent memory. Neuropsychological deficits were not related to emotional changes reported on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist nor to the presence of CT scan abnormality. These results indicate mild residual brain dysfunction following pentaborane intoxication, including possible dysfunction in subcortical regions mediating memory processes and in cortical areas mediating visuo‐spatial abilities.
Multiple myeloma, leukemia, and cancer of the ovary in cosmetologists and hairdressers
Authors: Spinelli J. J. , Gallagher R. P. , Band P. R. , Threlfall W. J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn order to evaluate occupational mortality, age standardized proportional mortality ratios (PMR) were calculated for 160 female cosmetologists and hairdressers and 1,001 male barbers and hairdressers utilizing cause of death and occupation statements from British Columbia death registrations collected from 1950 to 1978. Female cosmetologists had elevated risks of death from multiple myeloma (PMR = 619, p = .03) and ovarian cancer (PMR = 204, p = .09). Male barbers and hairdressers had no corresponding elevated risk of myeloma but had a significantly high risk of death from leukemia (PMR = 188, p = .05). Further detailed studies of these occupations would be worthwhile to confirm and extend these findings.
Ethylene oxide: An overview of toxicologic and epidemiologic research
Authors: Landrigan Philip J. , Meinhardt Theodore J. , Gordon Jane , Lipscomb Jane A. , Burg Jeanne R. , Mazzuckelli Lawrence F. , Lewis Trent R. , Lemen Richard A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEthylene oxide (EtO) is a reactive epoxide and potent biocide. It is used widely in gas sterilization of hospital equipment. An estimated 75,000 health care workers in the United States have potential exposure. EtO binds covalently to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and has been shown in 13 species to cause point mutations. Apparently, as a consequence of its alkylating ability, EtO exposure can result in chromosomal damage. In monkeys EtO exposure produces increased frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations. In man, five cytogenetic studies have shown dose‐related increased frequencies of either SCE or chromosomal aberrations; in one study SCEs developed after regular exposures lasting less than five minutes per day. EtO is a reproductive toxin. In adult male rats, exposure produces decreased fertility, increased fetal deaths, and heritable chromosomal translocations. In pregnant female rats and rabbits, exposure causes increased fetal losses, and in one study in pregnant mice exposure was associated with increased numbers of malformed fetuses. In male monkeys EtO causes dose‐related reductions in sperm count and sperm motility. In pregnant women, one study suggests that brief occupational exposure twice daily in concentrations of 20 ppm or above was associated with increased spontaneous abortions. EtO is carcinogenic to animals. In rats it causes dose‐related increases in mononuclear cell leukemias, peritoneal mesotheliomas, and cerebral gliomas. In man, exposure has been associated in two epidemiologic studies with increased leukemias: 3 leukemias observed versus 0.2 expected in one study, and 2 observed versus 0.14 expected in the other; two additional small studies of limited power found no excess leukemias. Quantitative risk assessment indicates that from 634 to 1,093 excess deaths from cancer will occur per 10,000 workers exposed to EtO at 50 ppm over a working lifetime, and that 12 to 23 excess cancer deaths will occur per 10,000 workers exposed at 1 ppm. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that EtO be regarded as a potential human carcinogen. NIOSH has recommended that eight‐hour time‐weighted average exposure to EtO be less than 0.1 ppm and that short‐term peak exposure not exceed 5 ppm for more than ten minutes per working day.
Tumor markers and neurological signs in asbestosis patients
Authors: Järvisalo J. , Juntunen J. , Huuskonen M. S. , Kivistö H. , Aitio A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNinety asbestosis patients were examined clinically with special emphasis on the function of the peripheral and the central nervous system. Serum specimens were analyzed for carcinoembryonic antigen(s) (CEA), ferritin, and β2‐microglobulin (β2m) content. The patients were classified into four subgroups: (1) those with peripheral neuropathy, (2) those with involvement of central nervous system, (3) those with both types of neurological signs, and (4) those with normal neurological status. The levels of serum CEA, ferritin, and β2m were elevated in all four subgroups. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the prevalence of elevated values of the three tumor markers (equal or above the following limits: CEA, 5 μg/liter; ferritin, 400 μg/liter, and β2m, 3 mg/liter). The patients currently smoking had a higher level of serum CEA than nonsmokers or exsmokers, but the differences were not statistically significant. In the subgroup that comprised those asbestosis patients in whom the disease could be considered progressive according to the ILO 1980 classification of the chest radiographs, the mean level of CEA in serum was higher than that of the patient group without such progression of the disease (p < 0.05, Student's t test).Although the prevalence of abnormal neurological signs was high in these asbestosis patients, no obvious correlation was found between the neurological findings and the tumor markers studied.
An environmental and medical study of byssinosis and other respiratory conditions in the cotton textile industry in Egypt
Authors: Noweir Madbuli H. , Noweir Kamal H. , Osman Hassan A. , Moselhi Mohamed 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study was conducted in a typical Egyptian textile plant located in Alexandria. Male workers from all operations (N = 506) were examined and their dust exposures were assessed. Results showed that airborne dust concentrations were very high and that the plant fraction is mostly concentrated in respirable dust. Byssinosis prevailed in 21% of workers in opening and cleaning sections and in 13% in carding and combing rooms, but was found in none of the workers in drawing, twisting, and spinning operations, in only 1.1% in weaving, and in 3.1% of workers in other “auxiliary” occupations. The rare prevalence of byssinosis among the latter workers' groups was attributed to the workers' continuous exposure without fixed weekend interruption, the personal and family history of exposure to cotton, the low proportion of plant materials in dust evolved in related operations, the fine quality of Egyptian cotton, and/or the population characteristics of Egyptian workers. Reduction in FEV1.0 at the end of the first work shift after absence from work occured more often than byssinosis, which indicates the importance of this test for the early detection of effects of cotton dust exposure. It is suggested that a nationwide study in the cotton textile industry is indicated.
Leukemia incidence by occupation in the portland‐vancouver metropolitan area
Authors: Morton William , Marjanovic Danijela 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDuring a 15‐year period in an urban area with over a million inhabitants, we identified 1,678 cases of leukemia among residents aged 16 or older. Case finding was done according to the methods of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) SEER program. Usual occupation was coded by a system based on the U.S. Census Bureau classification. According to age‐standardized incidence rates for persons aged 16–67, significant excess leukemia risks were found for 14 male and 8 female occupation categories, with the larger number of male excess risk situations due to nonlymphatic leukemia. Lymphatic leukemia risks were significantly elevated among dentists, school teachers of both sexes, auto mechanics, gas station attendants, female assembly workers, and female laundry and dry cleaning workers. Nonlymphatic leukemia risks were significantly elevated among machinists, other metal tradesmen, heavy equipment operators, textile operatives, meat cutters, cannery workers, construction laborers, freight and stock handlers, policemen, and firemen. Risks of both types of leukemia were significantly elevated among registered and practical nurses and lumber mill workers. This study has not identified specific etiologic agents and exposures, but applied investigations aimed at disease control by prevention of cases are now possible in this community. Nationwide surveillance and control are recommended.
Cancer and occupation in Massachusetts: A death certificate study
Authors: Dubrow Robert , Wegman David H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study examines cancer mortality patterns by occupation for white males in Massachusetts using 1971–1973 death records. Its purpose is to identify occupation‐cancer associations that, when interpreted in conjunction with results from other studies and hypotheses about potential occupational carcinogens, can serve as leads for more definitive etiological investigations.Sixty‐two malignancy categories (including grouped categories) were investigated for each of 397 occupational categories (including grouped categories) using an age‐standardized mortality odds ratio approach.An important finding was the association between lung cancer and a large number of occupations for which there is support from other epidemiologic studies and/or for which there are reasonable hypotheses as to possible carcinogenic exposures. These occupations include truck drivers, painters, machinists, automobile mechanics, plumbers, cooks, fishermen, heated metal workers, sheet metal workers, and brickmasons/stone‐masons/tile setters.