bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal associations between daily counts of fungal spores and asthma exacerbations
Authors: Atkinson R W , Strachan D P , Anderson H R , Hajat S , Emberlin J 
Published: March 2006

Background:Outdoor aeroallergens are one of a number of environmental factors thought to precipitate asthma exacerbations.Aims:To investigate the short term associations between daily fungal spore concentrations and indicators of daily asthma exacerbations in a large urban population.Methods:Daily counts of visits for asthma to family physicians and hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments and emergency hospital admissions in London 1992–93 were compiled. Daily concentrations of fungal spores (30 species), daily average temperature, humidity, and concentrations of pollen and outdoor air pollution were also compiled. The analysis was restricted to the period when fungal spores were most prevalent (June to mid October). Non-parametric regression time series methods were used to assess associations controlling for seasonality, day of week, and meteorological factors. The sensitivity of the findings to the inclusion of pollen and air pollution into the models was also assessed.Results:In children aged 0–14 years the relative risks for increases in the number of A&E visits and hospital admissions associated with changes in fungal spore concentrations from the lower to upper quartiles were 1.06 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.18) and 1.07 (0.97 to 1.19) respectively. The addition of pollen or air pollutants had little impact on the observed associations. A number of individual sporetaxa,in particularAlternaria, Epicoccum, Agrocybe, Mildews, and both coloured and colourless Basidiospores and Ascospores, were associated with increases in the number of emergency visits and hospital admissions for asthma, although the precision of these estimates were low. No evidence was found for associations in adults.Conclusions:Fungal spore concentrations may provoke or exacerbate asthma attacks in children resulting in visits to A&E departments and emergency hospital admissions. These findings were unlikely to be due to confounding by other environmental factors. The associations were comparable to those observed for ambient air pollution from similarly designed studies.
Noise exposure and hearing loss prevention programmes after 20 years of regulations in the United States
Authors: Daniell W E , Swan S S , McDaniel M M , Camp J E , Cohen M A , Stebbins J G 
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To evaluate noise exposures and hearing loss prevention efforts in industries with relatively high rates of workers’ compensation claims for hearing loss.Methods:Washington State workers’ compensation records were used to identify up to 10 companies in each of eight industries. Each company (n = 76) was evaluated by a management interview, employee personal noise dosimetry (n = 983), and employee interviews (n = 1557).Results:Full-shift average exposures were ⩾85 dBA for 50% of monitored employees, using Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) parameters with a 5 dB exchange rate (Lave), but 74% were ⩾85 dBA using a 3 dB exchange rate (Leq). Only 14% had Lave⩾90 dBA, but 42% had Leq⩾90 dBA. Most companies conducted noise measurements, but most kept no records, and consideration of noise controls was low in all industries. Hearing loss prevention programmes were commonly incomplete. Management interview scores (higher score = more complete programme) showed significant associations with percentage of employees having Lave⩾85 dBA and presence of a union (multiple linear regression; R2 = 0.24). Overall, 62% of interviewed employees reported always using hearing protection when exposed. Protector use showed significant associations with percentage of employees specifically required to use protection, management score, and average employee time spent ⩾95 dBA (R2 = 0.65).Conclusions:The findings raise serious concerns about the adequacy of prevention, regulation, and enforcement strategies in the United States. The percentage of workers with excessive exposure was 1.5–3 times higher using a 3 dB exchange rate instead of the OSHA specified 5 dB exchange rate. Most companies gave limited or no attention to noise controls and relied primarily on hearing protection to prevent hearing loss; yet 38% of employees did not use protectors routinely. Protector use was highest when hearing loss prevention programmes were most complete, indicating that under-use of protection was, in some substantial part, attributable to incomplete or inadequate company efforts.
Association of
CYP17, CYP19, CYP1B1
, and
COMT
Polymorphisms with Serum and Urinary Sex Hormone Concentrations in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Tworoger Shelley S. , Chubak Jessica , Aiello Erin J. , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Atkinson Charlotte , Potter John D. , Yasui Yutaka , Stapleton Patricia L. , Lampe Johanna W. , Farin Federico M. , Stanczyk Frank Z. , McTiernan Anne 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Women with high circulating estrogen concentrations have an increased risk of breast cancer; thus, it is important to understand factors, including genetic variability, that influence estrogen concentrations. Several genetic polymorphisms that may influence sex hormone concentrations have been identified, including CYP17 (5′-untranslated region T→C), CYP19 [intron 4 (TTTA)n = 7–13 and a 3-bp deletion (−3)], CYP1B1 (Val432Leu), and COMT (Val108/158Met). We examined associations between these polymorphisms and serum concentrations of estrogens, androgens, and sex hormone-binding globulin and urinary concentrations of 2- and 16α-hydroxyestrone in 171 postmenopausal women, using data from the prerandomization visit of an exercise clinical trial. Participants were sedentary, not taking hormone therapy, and had a body mass index &gt;24.0. Compared with noncarriers, women carrying two CYP19 7r(−3) alleles had 26% lower estrone (P &lt; 0.001), 19% lower estradiol (P = 0.01), 23% lower free estradiol (P = 0.01), and 22% higher sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations (P = 0.06). Compared with noncarriers, women carrying at least one CYP19 8r allele had 20% higher estrone (P = 0.003), 18% higher estradiol (P = 0.02), and 21% higher free estradiol concentrations (P = 0.01). Women with the COMT Met/Met genotype had 28% higher 2-hydroxyestrone (P = 0.08) and 31% higher 16α-hydroxyestrone concentrations (P = 0.02), compared with Val/Val women. Few associations were found for CYP17 and CYP1B1 or with serum androgen concentrations. This study provides further evidence that genetic variation may appreciably alter sex hormone concentrations in postmenopausal women not taking hormone therapy.
Smokeless and Other Noncigarette Tobacco Use and Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Alguacil Juan , Silverman Debra T. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Cigarette smoking is an important and well-established cause of pancreatic cancer. In contrast, little is known about the effects of smoking cigars, pipes, and use of smokeless tobacco on pancreatic cancer risk. The objective of the present study was to examine the association between noncigarette tobacco use (i.e., cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco) and pancreatic cancer risk among nonsmokers of cigarettes. A population-based case-control study of pancreatic cancer was conducted during 1986–1989 among residents of Atlanta, Georgia, Detroit, Michigan,, and 10 counties in New Jersey. Direct interviews were successfully completed with 526 newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients and 2153 controls ages 30–79 years. This analysis was restricted to lifelong nonsmokers of cigarettes and based on interviews with 154 cases newly diagnosed with carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas and 844 population controls who reported no history of cigarette smoking. We observed a consistent pattern of increased risk associated with cigar smoking, although these elevations were not statistically significant. Participants who smoked cigars regularly (i.e., at least one cigar/week for ≥6 months) experienced a 70% increased risk [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9–3.3], and those who never used other form of tobacco had a 90% increased risk (95% CI: 0.8–4.3). Risk was elevated among those who smoked more than one cigar/day [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8; 95% CI: 0.8–4.2) and among those who smoked cigars &gt; 20 years (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 0.9–3.9). Trends in risk with increasing amount and duration smoked were consistent but not statistically significant (P = 0.17 and P = 0.16, respectively). Subjects who used smokeless tobacco regularly had a 40% increased risk of pancreatic cancer (95% CI: 0.5–3.6) compared with nonusers of tobacco. We observed a marginally significant increasing risk with increased use of smokeless tobacco (P = 0.04); participants who used &gt;2.5 oz of smokeless tobacco a week had an OR of 3.5 (95% CI: 1.1–11). Long-term use of smokeless tobacco (i.e., &gt;20 years) was also associated with a nonsignificant increased risk (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 0.6–4.0). In contrast, pipe smokers experienced no increased risk (OR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.1–2.8). Our results suggest that heavy use of smokeless tobacco, and to a lesser extent, cigar smoking may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer among nonsmokers of cigarettes.
Dietary Patterns and Prostate Cancer Risk in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiological Follow-up Study Cohort
Authors: Tseng Marilyn , Breslow Rosalind A. , DeVellis Robert F. , Ziegler Regina G. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractEcological studies implicate a “Western” diet in prostate cancer development, but whether dietary patterns measured in individuals are associated with risk has not been studied previously. We examined this issue using prospective data from the nationally representative United States Health Examination Epidemiological Follow-up Study. Among 3,779 men followed from 1982–84 to 1992, 136 incident cases were identified. Using principal component analysis on responses to a 105-item dietary questionnaire, the following three distinct patterns were identified: a vegetable-fruit pattern; a red meat-starch pattern characterized by red meats, potatoes, cheese, salty snacks, and desserts; and a Southern pattern characterized by such foods as cornbread, grits, sweet potatoes, okra, beans, and rice. In adjusted proportional hazards models, prostate cancer risk was not associated with the vegetable-fruit or red meat-starch pattern, but higher intake of the Southern pattern showed a reduction in risk (3rd versus 1st tertile relative risk, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4–1.1; trend P = 0.08) that approached statistical significance. The inverse association was observed in black and non-black men and was not attributable to intake of any individual foods or nutrients. A Southern dietary pattern may reflect a history of living in the South and serve as an integrative marker of sunlight exposure and protection through 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production. Further evaluation and better characterization of the pattern would offer more information on potentially beneficial features of the diet or its associated lifestyle.
Risk Estimation for Healthy Women from Breast Cancer Families
Authors: van Asperen Christi J. , Jonker M. A. , Jacobi C. E. , van Diemen-Homan J. E. M. , Bakker E. , Breuning M. H. , van Houwelingen J. C. , de Bock G. H. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Risk estimation in breast cancer families is often estimated by use of the Claus tables. We analyzed the family histories of 196 counselees; compared the Claus tables with the Claus, the BRCA1/2, the BRCA1/2/ models; and performed linear regression analysis to extend the Claus tables with characteristics of hereditary breast cancer. Finally, we compared the Claus extended method with the Claus, the BRCA1/2, and the BRCA1/2/u models. We found 47% agreement for Claus table versus Claus model; 39% agreement for Claus table versus BRCA1/2 model; 48% agreement for Claus table versus BRCA1/2/u model; 37% agreement for Claus extended method versus Claus model; 44% agreement for Claus extended model versus BRCA1/2 model; and 66% agreement for Claus extended method versus BRCA1/2/u model. The regression formula (Claus extended method) for the lifetime risk for breast cancer was 0.08 + 0.40 ∗ Claus Table + 0.07 ∗ ovarian cancer + 0.08 ∗ bilateral breast cancer + 0.07 ∗ multiple cases. This new method for risk estimation, which is an extension of the Claus tables, incorporates information on the presence of ovarian cancer, bilateral breast cancer, and whether there are more than two affected relatives with breast cancer. This extension might offer a good alternative for breast cancer risk estimation in clinical practice.
Expression of the High Mobility Group Proteins HMGI(Y) Correlates with Malignant Progression in Barrett’s Metaplasia
Authors: Chen Xueyun , Lechago Juan , Ertan Atilla , Ergun Gulchin , Verm Ray , Bridges Margaret , Johnson Craig , Woods Karen , Meriano Frank , Chirala Minni , Younes Mamoun 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Expression of the high mobility group proteins HMGI(Y) has been shown to be a marker of malignancy in thyroid and pancreatic lesions and to correlate significantly with malignant progression in the colon. The aim of this study was to determine whether HMGI(Y) expression is associated with malignant progression in Barrett’s metaplasia (BM). Immunoperoxidase staining for HMGI(Y) was performed on sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endoscopic esophageal biopsies from 42 patients with BM. These consisted of 19 biopsies negative for dysplasia (ND), 16 with low-grade dysplasia (LGD)/indeterminate for dysplasia (IND), and 7 with high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/adenocarcinoma (CA). The percentage of positive cells was recorded, and nuclear HMGI(Y) immunoreactivity in &gt;10% of the cells was considered positive. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test. Positive HMGI(Y) staining was detected in 2 of 19 (11%) cases ND, 5 of 16 (30%) LGD/IND cases, and 7 of 7 (100%) HGD/CA cases. Biopsies with HGD/CA were significantly more likely to be positive for HMGI(Y) than biopsies ND (P &lt; 0.0001) or with LGD/IND (P = 0.0046). We conclude that HMGI(Y) expression is significantly associated with malignant progression in BM. Additional studies are needed to determine whether BM biopsies that are ND or LGD/IND and positive for HMGI(Y) are more likely to progress to adenocarcinoma.
Ultraviolet Radiation and Incidence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma among Hispanics in the United States
Authors: Hu Shasa , Ma Fangchao , Collado-Mesa Fernando , Kirsner Robert S. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most common cancers among American Hispanics. Several studies suggest that solar UV radiation (UVR) may be an environmental risk contributing to the rise of NHL over the past decades. These studies focused primarily on light-skinned Caucasian populations; it is unknown what role UVR plays in NHL for Hispanics. We described the incidence of NHL in Hispanics from selected states in the United States between 1989 and 2000. To evaluate the role of UVR, we correlated cancer rates with the UV index and latitude of residency. Variations in NHL incidence rates with estimated amount of UVR among whites and blacks from the selected states were also analyzed. We found that NHL occurred less frequently in Hispanics than in whites. Hispanic men had higher incidence of NHL than Hispanic women. Incidence rates of NHL in Hispanics were inversely associated with estimated amount of UVR as an increase in NHL was observed with decreasing UV index (r = −0.7 in men; r = −0.41 in women) or increasing latitude of residency (r = 0.59 in men; r = 0.48 in women). This trend, although it did not reach statistical significance, was also observed in whites and blacks. Our findings do not support previous reports of a positive association between solar radiation and NHL. The inverse relationship between UVR and incidence of NHL is unexplained but presents the need for generation of hypotheses regarding the epidemiology of causal factors for NHL in the United States. Additional studies should be conducted to clarify whether sunlight exposure contributes to the development of NHL.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use Associated with Reduced Incidence of Adenocarcinomas of the Esophagus and Gastric Cardia that Overexpress Cyclin D1
Authors: Gammon Marilie D. , Terry Mary Beth , Arber Nadir , Chow Wong-Ho , Risch Harvey A. , Vaughan Thomas L. , Schoenberg Janet B. , Mayne Susan T. , Stanford Janet L. , Dubrow Robert , Rotterdam Heidrun , West A. Brian , Fraumeni Joseph F. , Weinstein I. Bernard , Hibshoosh Hanina 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis study was undertaken to determine whether selected risk factors for esophageal and gastric cancer are associated with tumors that overexpress cyclin D1. Archived tumor tissue was available for 630 esophageal and gastric cancer patients who participated in a population-based case-control study. Patients were categorized into case groups based on whether protein overexpression of the cyclin D1 gene, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, was present (cyclin D1+, n = 285) or not (cyclin D1−, n = 345) in the tumor. The distribution of risk factors in each of these case groups was then compared with the distribution among the 695 controls. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) for esophageal adenocarcinoma were reduced in relation to use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use but only among patients with cyclin D1+ tumors (0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.26, 0.79) and not among those with cyclin D1− tumors (1.12, 95% CI = 0.67, 1.86). A similar pattern was observed for gastric cardia adenocarcinomas. In contrast, ORs for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and noncardia gastric adenocarcinomas in relation to NSAID use were reduced, regardless of cyclin D1 status. ORs did not vary with cyclin D1 status in relation to alcohol, body size, or cigarette smoking, with the following exception; for noncardia gastric adenocarcinomas the cyclin D1− tumors showed a 2-fold elevation in the OR with ever smoking. These data suggest that the reduction in risk associated with NSAID use may be restricted to those esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas that overexpress cyclin D1.
Hydrolysis of Glucosinolates to Isothiocyanates after Ingestion of Raw or Microwaved Cabbage by Human Volunteers
Authors: Rouzaud Gabrielle , Young Sheila A. , Duncan Alan J. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Cabbage contains the glucosinolate sinigrin, which is hydrolyzed by myrosinase to allyl isothiocyanate. Isothiocyanates are thought to inhibit the development of cancer cells by a number of mechanisms. The effect of cooking cabbage on isothiocyanate production from glucosinolates during and after their ingestion was examined in human subjects. Each of 12 healthy human volunteers consumed three meals, at 48-h intervals, containing either raw cabbage, cooked cabbage, or mustard according to a cross-over design. At each meal, watercress juice, which is rich in phenethyl isothiocyanate, was also consumed to allow individual and temporal variation in postabsorptive isothiocyanate recovery to be measured. Volunteers recorded the time and volume of each urination for 24 h after each meal. Samples of each urination were analyzed for N-acetyl cysteine conjugates of isothiocyanates as a measure of entry of isothiocyanates into the peripheral circulation. Excretion of isothiocyanates was rapid and substantial after ingestion of mustard, a source of preformed allyl isothiocyanate. After raw cabbage consumption, allyl isothiocyanate was again rapidly excreted, although to a lesser extent than when mustard was consumed. On the cooked cabbage treatment, excretion of allyl isothiocyanate was considerably less than for raw cabbage, and the excretion was delayed. The results indicate that isothiocyanate production is more extensive after consumption of raw vegetables but that isothiocyanates still arise, albeit to a lesser degree, when cooked vegetables are consumed. The lag in excretion on the cooked cabbage treatment suggests that the colon microflora catalyze glucosinolate hydrolysis in this case.
Identifying opinion leaders in ward nurses: A pilot study
Authors: Cosens Mary , Ibbotson Tracy , Grirnshaw Jeremy 
Published: March 2006

This pilot study assessed the validity of an instrument used to identify opinion leaders within a sample of nurses. Survey data were collected from all nurses within four surgical wards at a Scottish teaching hospital. The survey tool had three components: professional and personal characteristics; attitudes towards research; identification of opinion leaders. The main outcome measure was the identification of opinion leaders and the number of people who nominated each opinion leader. A total of 93 nurses were surveyed, of whom 61% (n=57) returned a questionnaire. However, only 40% (n=38) of the sample completed the opinion leader component of the survey tool. These response rates varied across the four wards. Four opinion leaders were nominated by more than five people: two in ward C; one in ward A; and one in ward D. Coverage across the wards was 58% (n=33) of those who had completed the questionnaire. This comprised just over one-third of the total sample (35%). All those identified as opinion leaders were of a significantly higher nursing grade than their non-opinion leader peers. The opinion leaders were also more likely to have academic qualifications and a greater awareness of research, and to participate actively in additional educational activities. The findings of this pilot study indicate that the survey instrument may be able to identify nurse opinion leaders in a ward. However, doubts exist over the use of the instrument to identify opinion leaders nominated by enough nurses in the sample.
Critical mass in nursing and midwifery research groups in the West Midlands
Authors: Frampton Carol , Maggs Christopher 
Published: March 2006

One way of encouraging the implementation of research findings in practice is to develop research interest groups. Another way is to provide opportunities for clinical staff to participate in research studies. This study reports on a postal survey in one NHS region that mapped the type, membership and aims of existing research interest groups. It also reports on the experience of a clinical nurse who took part in a research study. A self-completion postal questionnaire was sent to nurse executives in NHS trusts, heads of research and development in trusts, nurses in purchasing, heads of department of nursing and midwifery education in higher education institutions, people with entries on the King's Fund Research and Practice Database, research nurse specialists, matrons of nursing homes and hospitals in the private healthcare sector and primary care facilitators/practice nurses across the region. A total of 1,500 questionnaires was sent out and 600 (40%) were returned. The vast majority of those who returned the questionnaires (546, 91%) did not belong to a group. Of the returned questionnaires reporting membership of a group, 54 provided data for further analysis. Consent to take part was implied through the completion and return of the questionnaire. The main findings are that 'successful' research interest groups are trust-based, have some key organisational characteristics and hold regular meetings. The core indicator for success is enthusiasm and leadership by an individual or group. The clinical nurse gained insight into study design, data collection and analysis as well as the writing of reports for publication. The limitations of the study relate to measuring hard outcomes of research interest in clinical practice and the limitation of the study to one region.