bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of VEGF secretion and experimental choroidal neovascularization by picropodophyllin (PPP), an inhibitor of the insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor
Authors: Economou Mario A. , Wu Jiangmei , Vasilcanu Daiana , Rosengren Linda , All‐Ericsson Charlotta , Van Der Ploeg Ingeborg , Menu Eline , Girnita Leonard , Axelson Magnus , Larsson Olle , Seregard Stefan , Kvanta Anders 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a debilitating complication of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and a leading cause of vision loss. Along with other angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) and its receptor, IGF‐1R, have been implicated in CNV.Purpose:  We have previously shown that the cyclolignan picropodophyllin (PPP) efficiently blocks the insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) activity and causes cell death in uveal melanoma cell lines and in an in‐vivo model. In this study we investigated the effect of PPP on VEGF expression both in vitro and in vivo and whether this effect has anti‐angiogenic consequences in a murine CNV model.Materials and Methods:  C57BL/6J mice with laser‐induced CNVs were treated with PPP. Effects on CNV area were assayed by image analysis. VEGF levels in choroids and retinal pigment epithelial cells (APRE‐19) were measured by Western blot or ELISA. Transcriptional activation of the VEGF promoter was determined by luciferase reporter gene assay.Results:  Mice treated with PPP, administered intraperitoneally or orally, showed 22–32% (p = 0.002) decrease in CNV area. Furthermore, VEGF levels in the choroids were significantly reduced. In cultured APRE‐19 cells, IGF‐1 was shown to increase VEGF secretion. This increase was completely blocked by PPP. We could confirm that PPP reduced the level of transcriptional activity of VEGF promoter.Conclusions:  PPP reduces IGF‐1 dependent VEGF expression and CNV in vivo. Accordingly, IGF‐1R inhibitors may be useful tools in the therapy of conditions associated with CNV including neovascular AMD.
BLOOD BORNE VIRUS—INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO EVALUATE, PREVENT CROSS‐TRANSMISSION IN DIALYSIS UNITS
Authors: Chow Josephine , Miguel Susana San 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYLarge public health interventions to control infectious disease outbreaks are common, but rigorous evaluation to improve the quality and effectiveness of these is rarely undertaken. This project aimed to prevent blood borne virus (BBV) cross‐transmission in dialysis units. Following an incident concerning the diagnosis of acute Hepatitis B in a haemodialysis patient, possibly from healthcare associated acquisition, a multifaceted and multidisciplinary investigation was conducted involving consumers, health professionals and administrations. The results of this investigation were then used to produce practical operational guidelines for planning and future interventions. To date, there has been no incidence reported of any cross‐transmission of BBV amongst our dialysis population. The actions implemented can be utilised by other departments in preventing other bacterial or viral outbreaks.
RAISING AWARENESS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AMONG SOUTH ASIANS AND PRIMARY CARE: THE ABLE PROJECT
Authors: Jain Neerja , Farooqi Azhar , Feehally John 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYEstablished renal failure as a complication of diabetes is 10 times greater in South Asians than in Caucasians. The objectives were: (1) to develop methods to increase community awareness and (2) to support general practices to improve chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection and management. The methods included:

Action research approach.
Public health education programme.
Audit in control and intervention practices.
Post‐intervention focus group study determining changes in knowledge.
Evaluation and dissemination in community and primary care.

Results: An evaluation of innovative resources and the peer educator model demonstrated a positive feedback, increased knowledge and evidence of positive lifestyle change. Intervention with the practices has demonstrated the need to improve some aspects of CKD management.Conclusion: This unique initiative has helped to identify practical strategies to address CKD awareness in these communities. However, the successful elements need to become part of mainstream National Health Service, and not just delivered by short‐term projects.
ATHEROMATOUS RENOVASCULAR DISEASE: OVERVIEW AND CHALLENGES
Authors: Chrysochou Constantina , Kalra Philip A. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYAtheromatous renovascular disease (ARVD) is a common and challenging disease. It is increasingly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), hypertension and cardiovascular burden. Controversy exists regarding the safest investigative methods as well as optimum treatment of this condition. In this review, we provide an overview of ARVD and discuss the challenges still remaining.
Expression of apoptosis‐related protein Bcl‐2 correlates with breast carcinomas of luminal or basal‐like subtype
Authors: Ribeiro‐Silva Alfredo , Zucoloto Sérgio 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT Background and aim: The expression of pro‐apoptotic protein Bax and the anti‐apoptotic proteins Bcl‐2, Bag‐1, caspase‐8 survivin according to the molecular profile of breast cancer is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression and significance of these proteins in carcinomas of the basal‐like, luminal and ERBB2+ subtypes. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining with cytokeratin 5, cytokeratins 8/18, estrogen receptor, HER2, Bax, caspase‐8, Bcl‐2, BAG‐1, and survivin was performed in 116 paraffin sections of invasive primary breast carcinomas. Results: The basal‐like (CK5+ER‐), luminal (CK8/18+ER+) and ERBB2+ (HER2+) subtypes corresponded to 19, 49 and 24% of carcinomas, respectively. The basal‐like subtype correlated with high tumor grade; the luminal subtype correlated with age, tumor size and low tumor grade; and the HER2+ subtype correlated with nodal status and staging. Positive immunostaining for Bax, caspase‐8, Bcl‐2, BAG‐1 and survivin was noted in 82%, 50%, 43%, 52%, and 68% of the tumors, respectively. Bcl‐2 correlated positively with carcinomas of luminal subtype and negatively with carcinomas of basal‐like subtype. The other markers did not correlate with any of the molecular profiles analyzed. Conclusions: Considering that Bcl‐2 has an anti‐apoptotic effect, our findings suggest that pro‐apoptotic stimuli may be predominant in breast carcinomas with a basal‐like phenotype.
Juvenile Pancreatic Atrophy in Greyhounds: 12 Cases (1995–2000)
Authors: Brenner K. , Harkin K.R. , Andrews G.A. , Kennedy G. 
Published: November 2008

Background:This study describes compound failure of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in Greyhounds, a condition that has not been reported in the veterinary literature.Objective:To describe the clinical and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds with juvenile pancreatic atrophy.Animals:Ten Greyhounds presented for necropsy examination and 2 sibling Greyhounds presented for clinical evaluation before necropsy, all with a history of small‐bowel diarrhea.Procedures:Retrospective study of laboratory and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds, including serum trypsin‐like immunoreactivity assays, oral glucose tolerance testing, and serum anti‐insulin antibody concentrations.Results:Gross pancreatic atrophy was found in all 12 dogs. Histopathologic lesions were found in both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas and included acinar cell apoptosis, zymogen granule loss, cytoplasmic clearing or vacuolar change, lobular atrophy, islet loss, and lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis. Antemortem test results on the 2 Greyhound puppies indicated concurrent exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Compound failure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas is rarely reported in dogs and neither disease is well recognized in the Greyhound. This condition is of potential economic importance to the Greyhound racing industry.
Opt-out plus, the patients’ choice: preferences of cancer patients concerning information and consent regimen for future research with biological samples archived in the context of treatment
Authors: Vermeulen E , Schmidt M K , Aaronson N K , Kuenen M , van der Valk P , Sietses C , van den Tol P , van Leeuwen F E 
Published: November 2008

Aims:The aims of this study were to determine: (1) which consent procedures patients prefer for future medical research with tissue stored following surgery; (2) the percentage of patients who choose not to provide consent for research with their stored tissue; (3) the reasons given for denying such tissue use.Methods:Patients (n = 103) from the Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, an academic hospital in The Netherlands, who had recently undergone surgery for breast or colorectal cancer were mailed a questionnaire about preferences for consent regimens.Results:Seventy-six patients (74%) completed the questionnaire. Only two patients (3%) chose not to provide consent for research with their stored tissue. The majority of patients (60%) preferred an “opt-out plus” procedure that included receiving active, verbal information to “one-time general consent” (11%) or to an “opt-out” procedure without verbal notification (5%). Only 3% indicated a wish to be asked for consent for each new research project and 21% did not know what they preferred or had no preference. There were no significant associations observed between preference for the various consent regimens and age, sex, educational level or personal sense of ownership of the stored tissue.Conclusion:Patients prefer an opt-out plus procedure that includes the provision of explicit, verbal and written information. Less than 5% of patients decline to consent to the use of their stored tissue for research purposes.
Mobile phone base stations and adverse health effects: phase 1 of a population-based, cross-sectional study in Germany
Authors: Blettner M , Schlehofer B , Breckenkamp J , Kowall B , Schmiedel S , Reis U , Potthoff P , Schüz J , Berg-Beckhoff G 
Published: November 2008

Objective:The aim of this first phase of a cross-sectional study from Germany was to investigate whether proximity of residence to mobile phone base stations as well as risk perception is associated with health complaints.Methods:The researchers conducted a population-based, multi-phase, cross-sectional study within the context of a large panel survey regularly carried out by a private research institute in Germany. In the initial phase, reported on in this paper, 30 047 persons from a total of 51 444 who took part in the nationwide survey also answered questions on how mobile phone base stations affected their health. A list of 38 health complaints was used. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify predictors of health complaints including proximity of residence to mobile phone base stations and risk perception.Results:Of the 30 047 participants (response rate 58.6%), 18.7% of participants were concerned about adverse health effects of mobile phone base stations, while an additional 10.3% attributed their personal adverse health effects to the exposure from them. Participants who were concerned about or attributed adverse health effects to mobile phone base stations and those living in the vicinity of a mobile phone base station (500 m) reported slightly more health complaints than others.Conclusions:A substantial proportion of the German population is concerned about adverse health effects caused by exposure from mobile phone base stations. The observed slightly higher prevalence of health complaints near base stations can not however be fully explained by attributions or concerns.
Specific antibodies to diisocyanate and work-related respiratory symptoms in apprentice car-painters
Authors: Dragos M , Jones M , Malo J-L , Ghezzo H , Gautrin D 
Published: November 2008

Background:Isocyanates are the main cause of occupational asthma in most countries. Study of immunological markers of diisocyanate asthma may identify individuals at risk.Objectives:(1) To study changes in specific antibodies to hexamethylene diisocyanates (HDI); (2) to describe the incidence of work-related respiratory symptoms in relation to changes in specific antibody levels.Methods:Prospective study in 385 apprentice car-painters during their 18 months of training. Participants were assessed on entering and completing their training using questionnaires, methacholine challenges and measurements of HDI-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and subclass 4 of IgG (IgG4) antibodies.Results:Complete data are available for 298 subjects. 13 subjects (4.4%) reported ⩾1 new work-related lower respiratory symptoms and 19 (6.4%), ⩾1 new work-related nasal symptoms. Increases in levels of specific IgE and IgG above the 97th and 95th percentiles were significantly associated with duration of exposure. Increase in specific IgG was inversely related to incidence of work-related lower respiratory symptoms (OR = 0.001, 95% CI 0.000 to 0.09) after adjusting for relevant covariates. The rise in specific IgG4 was significantly greater in those who did not develop work-related nasal symptoms (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.7).Conclusion:In this cohort of apprentice car-painters, a small proportion show increases in HDI-specific IgG and IgE after few months of exposure. Increases in specific IgG and IgG4 appear to have a protective effect on the incidence of work-related lower and upper respiratory symptoms, respectively. Assessment of specific antibodies to isocyanates may help identify subjects at risk of developing symptoms.
Hepatitis E,Helicobacter pyloriand peptic ulcers in workers exposed to sewage: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Tschopp A , Joller H , Jeggli S , Widmeier S , Steffen R , Hilfiker S , Hotz P 
Published: November 2008

Background:Workers exposed to sewage may have an increased risk of infection byHelicobacter pyloriand hepatitis E virus (HEV).Objectives:To assess the incidence of clinical hepatitis E and peptic ulcers and the seroconversion rate of antibodies toH pyloriand HEV in workers with and without sewage exposure.Methods:332 workers exposed to sewage and a control group of 446 municipal manual workers (61% participation rate) entered a prospective cohort study with clinical examination and determination of antibodies toH pyloriand HEV (immunoglobulins G and A or G and M, respectively). Survival curves were examined with log rank tests and Cox regressions. Travelling to endemic areas, socioeconomic level, age, country of childhood, number of siblings, and personal protective equipment were considered as the main confounding factors.Results:Incidence of clinical hepatitis E was not increased in sewage workers. One peptic ulcer and three eradications were recorded in sewage workers compared with no peptic ulcers and 12 eradications in control workers. Incidence rates of approximately 0.01, 0.10, and 0.15 seroconversion/person-year for hepatitis E,H pyloriIgG andH pyloriIgA, respectively, were found in both exposed and non-exposed workers. Survival curves did not show an increased risk in sewage workers and no association with any exposure indicator was found. Sensitivity analyses did not alter these results.Conclusions:Sewage does not appear to be a source of occupational infection byH pylorior HEV in trained sewage workers with personal protective equipment working in a region with good sanitation.
Air pollution and asthma severity in adults
Authors: Rage E , Siroux V , Künzli N , Pin I , Kauffmann F ,   on behalf of the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma
Published: November 2008

Background/objectives:There is evidence that exposure to air pollution affects asthma, but the effect of air pollution on asthma severity has not been addressed. The aim was to assess the relation between asthma severity during the past 12 months and home outdoor concentrations of air pollution.Methods:Asthma severity over the past 12 months was assessed in two complementary ways among 328 adult asthmatics from the French Epidemiological study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA) examined between 1991 and 1995. The four-class severity score integrated clinical events and type of treatment. The five-level asthma score is based only on the occurrence of symptoms. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations were assigned to each residence using two different methods. The first was based on the closest monitor data from 1991 to 1995. The second consisted of spatial models that used geostatistical interpolations and then assigned air pollutants to the geo-coded residences (1998).Results:Higher asthma severity score was significantly related to the 8-hour average of ozone during April-September (O3-8 h) and the number of days (O3-days) with 8-hour ozone averages above 110 μg.m−3(for a 36-day increase, equivalent to the interquartile range, in O3-days, odds ratio 2.22 (95% confidence interval 1.61 to 3.07) for one class difference in score). Adjustment for age, sex, smoking habits, occupational exposure, and educational level did not alter results. Asthma severity was unrelated to NO2. Both exposure assessment methods and severity scores resulted in very similar findings. SO2correlated with severity but reached statistical significance only for the model-based assignment of exposure.Conclusions:The observed associations between asthma severity and air pollution, in particular O3, support the hypothesis that air pollution at levels far below current standards increases asthma severity.
Occupational burnout as a predictor of disability pension: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Ahola K , Gould R , Virtanen M , Honkonen T , Aromaa A , Lönnqvist J 
Published: November 2008

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate whether burnout predicts new disability pension at population level during a follow-up of approximately 4 years. The diagnosis for which the disability pension was granted was also examined in relation to the level of burnout.Methods:We used a population-based cohort sample (n = 3125) of 30–60-year-old employees from an epidemiological health study, the Health 2000 Study, gathered during 2000–2001 in Finland. The data collection comprised an interview, a clinical health examination including a standardised mental health interview, and a questionnaire including the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. Disability pensions and their causes until December 2004 were extracted from national pension records. The association between burnout and new disability pension was analysed with logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and health at baseline.Results:Altogether 113 persons were granted a new disability pension during the follow-up: 22% of those with severe burnout, 6% of those with mild burnout, and 2% of those with no burnout at baseline. After sociodemographic factors and health were adjusted for, each one-point increase in the overall burnout sum score was related to 49% increase in the odds for a future disability pension. A disability pension was most often granted on the basis of mental and behavioural disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system among those with burnout. After adjustments, exhaustion dimension among men and cynicism dimension among a combined group of men and women predicted new disability pensions.Conclusion:Burnout predicts permanent work disability and could therefore be used as a risk marker of chronic health-related work stress. To prevent early exit from work life, working conditions and employee burnout should be regularly assessed with the help of occupational health services.
Asbestosis mortality in the USA: facts and predictions
Authors: dos Santos Antao V C , Pinheiro G A , Wassell J T 
Published: November 2008

Background:Mortality trends in the USA show that deaths from asbestosis are increasing, while deaths related to other pneumoconiosis are declining.Objectives:To analyse the association between asbestos consumption and asbestosis mortality trends.Methods:In an epidemiological time series study, we used a modern computer-intensive local regression method to evaluate the relationship between asbestos consumption per capita (1900–2006) as the predictor variable and number of deaths from asbestosis (1968–2004). The predictor variable was progressively lagged by annual increments from 30 to 60 years and the goodness of fit assessed for each lag period. The model having the smallest Akaike’s Information Criteria was used to derive extrapolated estimates of future mortality based on more recent asbestos consumption data.Results:Asbestos consumption per capita reached a peak in 1951 and gradually declined until 1973, when it started to drop rapidly. In 2006, it was 0.0075 kg/person/year. There were 25 564 deaths from asbestosis over the period 1968–2004. The best-fitting model (adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) = 99.7%) for 1968–2004 deaths from asbestosis used asbestos consumption per capita 48 years prior (1920–1956) and the log value of asbestos consumption per capita 43 years prior (1925–1961). This model predicts a total of 29 667 deaths (95% CI 19 629 to 39 705) to occur during 2005–2027 (an average of 1290 deaths per year).Conclusions:This study demonstrates a clear association between asbestos consumption and deaths from asbestosis and indicates that asbestosis deaths are not expected to decrease sharply in the next 10–15 years.
Fifty-year follow-up of mortality among a cohort of iron-ore miners in Sweden, with specific reference to myocardial infarction mortality
Authors: Björ B , Burström L , Jonsson H , Nathanaelsson L , Damber L , Nilsson T 
Published: November 2008

Objectives:This study investigates both general mortality and mortality from myocardial infarction among men employed in iron-ore mines in Sweden.Methods:The mortality of employees (surface and underground workers) at the iron-ore mines in Malmberget and Kiruna, Sweden was investigated. The study cohort comprised men who had been employed for at least 1 year between 1923 and 1996. The causes of death were obtained from the national cause of death register from 1952 to 2001. Indirect standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for four main causes. Mortality specifically from myocardial infarction was also analysed.Results:4504 deaths in the cohort gave an SMR for total mortality of 1.05 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.09). Mortality was significantly higher for lung cancer (SMR 1.73, 95% CI 1.52 to 1.97). There was an increased risk of injuries and poisonings (SMR 1.34, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.46) and respiratory diseases (SMR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.28). There were 1477 cases of myocardial infarction, resulting in an SMR of 1.12 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.18). SMR was higher (1.35, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.50) for men aged ⩽60 years than for those >60 years of age (1.06, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.13).Conclusions:Mortality from myocardial infarction was higher than expected. There was also an increased risk of death from injuries and poisonings, lung cancer and respiratory diseases, as well as higher general mortality. Our findings support the results of previous studies that there is an association between working in the mining industry and adverse health outcomes.