bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alveolar macrophages from expectorates as indicators of pulmonary irritation in primary aluminum reduction plant workers
Authors: Nilsen Asbjørn M. , Mylius Erling A. , Gullvåg Barbro M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAccording to a method (the AM‐test) previously developed by us, the counting of alveolar macrophages (AM) from expectorates provides an estimation of the potential pulmonary insult from occupational air pollution ± smoking. In this article we demonstrate a relationship between the number of AM and self‐registered pulmonary symptoms and complaints.Employees from different workplaces in a primary aluminum reduction plant gave expectorate samples for the AM‐test. A gradient in the number of AM was observed, with increasing AM numbers from the controls to the administration employees to the potroom workers, who had the highest numbers. Pulmonary symptoms and complaints were recorded by means of a questionnaire. A clear covariation between AM numbers and respiratory symptoms and complaints was observed and was most pronounced at the highest pollution levels (in the potrooms). We therefore suggest that the AM‐test may serve as an effect indicator as well as a dose indicator.
Methods Old and New for Analyzing Occupational Cohort Data
Authors: Whittemore Alice S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe person‐years approach to analyzing mortality data from occupational cohorts was introduced in the midtwentieth century. It cross‐classifies all observed deaths and observation times into cells, computes the number of expected deaths for each cell based on referenced mortality rates, and then examines the ratio of total number of observed deaths to total number of expected deaths (the standardized mortality ratio). The maximum likelihood method of statistical inference was developed in the early twentieth century. However, only recently has it been applied to the analysis of occupational cohort data. When so applied, it provides estimates of measures of association between exposures and disease by maximizing the probability of the observed data. This paper shows how recent developments in the use of this tool justify and extend the person‐years approach. In particular, problems with the standardized mortality ratio cited in the literature are shown to result from reliance on assumptions that are inappropriate for the data at hand. Methods for testing these assumptions are described. The discussion is illustrated with examples from occupational cohort studies of lung cancer.
Prevalence of byssinosis and respiratory symptoms among spinners in sudanese cotton mills
Authors: ElKarim Mohamed A. Awad , Onsa Sulieman H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractByssinosis, other respiratory symptoms, and ventilatory capacity were investigated in 186 male spinners in two Sudanese textile mills located in Khartoum and Hassaheisa. The prevalence of byssinosis was 37% among Khartoum spinners where coarse cotton was processed, significantly higher (p<0.01) than the 1% found among Hassaheisa spinners, where fine cotton was used. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 29% in Khartoum and 2% in Hassaheisa spinners. A significant reduction in forced expiratory volumes (FEV1 after a shift) was observed in spinners of both factories. Our findings provide evidence that very low rates or absence of byssinosis, related respiratory symptoms, and significant functional abnormalities (FEV1) in the late stages of cotton yarn processing all depend on the quality of cotton used and low levels of cotton dust concentration.
Monitoring of zinc protoporphyrin levels in blood following occupational lead exposure
Authors: Wildt Karl , Berlin Maths , Isberg Per Erik 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe value of measurements of zinc protoporphyrin in blood (ZPP) in the surveillance of workers occupationally exposed to lead has been studied. From a group of referents, consisting of 1,088 men and 511 women, it has been established that the normal mean ZPP is in the region of 25 μg/100 ml, and only rarely do values exceed 45 μg/100 ml. The higher ZPP values are frequently associated with low blood hemoglobin concentrations and appear to be manifestations of an iron‐deficiency anemia. Women have higher ZPP values than men; smoking has no influence. Measurements of ZPP and blood lead concentration (PbB) have been made every other month for 2.5 years on a group of around 200 men and 40 women exposed to lead in a storage battery factory. The mean ZPP of the group throughout the period was 70.9 μg/100 ml blood, and a linear relation between log ZPP and PbB in the PbB range of 10‐80 μg/100 ml has been established. ZPP thresholds in the control of excessive occupational lead exposure, and the economic advantage of ZPP measurements over PbB, are discussed.
The study of byssinosis in China: A comprehensive report
Authors: Pei‐lian Lu , Christiani David C. , Ting‐ting Ye , Nai‐yi Shi , Zhi‐chu Gong , He‐lian Dai , Wei‐de Zhang , Jun‐Wei Huang , Mu‐zhen Liu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCross‐sectional studies were conducted during 1981‐1983 among 861 textile workers in 3 cotton mills and 822 controls in 2 silk factories. Questionnaire and lung function tests were taken and inhalable dust concentrations were measured. Prevalence of byssionosis was 5.6%. Average dust concentrations were highest in carding rooms, 1.47–1.99 mg/m3. The correlations (r) between prevalence of byssionosis and dust concentrations was 0.64 (p < 0.05). The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 14.4% in cotton workers and 5.1% in controls (p < 0.05). Acute FEV1 percent decrement (> 5%) was higher among cotton workers (32.1%) compared to controls (14.5%) (p < 0.001). In one cotton blanket factory, the prevalence of byssinosis and chronic bronchitis was higher among workers in the high‐dust work areas.Long‐term effect studies included pulmonary function test among 173 cotton workers and 373 controls, retired 1‐10 years, using the flow volume curve (FVC); chest X‐rays of 140 pairs of cotton workers and controls with working tenures over 20 years; and examination of lobectomy specimens of 8 textile workers matched with 16 controls. In male cotton workers, only smokers had a prominent decrement of lung function indices, except FVC. For non‐smoking females, there was no difference between the two groups. Additive effects were seen between smoking and dust exposure. According to the Internatonal Labor Organization (ILO) Pneumoconiosis Classification, the prevalence of abnormality (profusion > 1/0) was 4.3% and 8.7% in non‐smoking controls and cotton workers. The interstitial changes on X‐ray due to smoking would be much heavier. Additive effects also existed between smoking and dust exposures. No significant changes attributable to dust exposure were seen on pathological section of lobectomy specimens.
Discrepancies in the study of byssinosis in China
Authors: Xue‐qi Gu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe existence of byssinosis in China was first reported in 1964. Detailed studies only started in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The work of the WHO study group as edited by the Technical Report Series no. 684, “Recommended health‐based occupational exposure limits for selected vegetable dusts,” promotes the further study of occupational disease in China; a few points need further discussion.The word byssinosis translated in Chinese is misleading as to the real pathogenesis of the disease. Some still believe cotton dust causes interstitial fibrosis, while the majority of researchers agree with the WHO study group.A poorly designed animal model may have led to the (incorrect) conclusion that dust from carding room is toxic if it is injected intratracheally.The reasons for the controversy in the prevalence of byssinosis in different reports in earlier years are the different diagnosis criteria and the fact that dust sampling methods were not standardized; pulmonary function tests were not used as a routine index; chronic bronchitis and smoking are now recognized as confounders and should have been considered.This Institute initiated the hygiene standards study on cotton dust and recommended 1 mg/m3 for respirable dust and 3 mg/m3 for total dust. If a reduction in dust levels could prevent byssinosis, it would likely also control the risk factor for developing bronchitis.
The health investigation of cotton textile workers in Beijing
Authors: Mu‐zhen Liu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study reports findings from a survey of byssinosis among 289 cotton workers in certain cotton textile mills in Beijing. Incidence of byssinosis was 4.2% (12 cases). It decreased with a lower concentration of cotton dust and increased with yearly increment of cotton dust exposure. An elevation in body temperature over 37°C was present among 14.2% of the workers on the first working day after rest. Acute lung function decrement was related to high dust concentration in the rooms. The higher the dust concentration in the rooms, the more evident was the chronic lung function decrement. Chronic bronchitis in cotton workers was higher than in controls. Incidence of byssinosis in smoking cotton workers was higher than in nonsmoking cotton workers.
Methods for testing interactions, with applications to occupational exposures, smoking, and lung cancer
Authors: Thomas Duncan C. , Whittemore Alice S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractVarious approaches to assessing the interaction between smoking and occupational exposures are described. The definition of interaction depends on the measure of association under consideration and can be expressed in terms of disease risk, time, or dose. Simple descriptive methods and maximum likelihood model fitting methods are presented for analyzing interactions in terms of joint effects on disease risk. Methods for assessing the influence of exposures on times to disease, using appropriate denominators, are also described. The various approaches are illustrated with published data on lung cancer in relation to asbestos, radon daughters, chloromethyl ethers, and arsenic. Some of the mechanisms that can be invoked to explain the observed patterns include initiation and promotion, lung clearance, transport across cell membranes, and mucous secretion.
Studies of transformer repair workers exposed to PCBs: I. Study design, PCB concentrations, questionnaire, and clinical examination results
Authors: Emmett Edward A. , Maroni Marco , Schmith Joanne M. , Levin Barry K. , Jefferys Joan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA cross‐sectional study compared 55 transformer repairmen, 38 currently, and 17 previously exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with 56 non‐exposed subjects. PCBs exposures occurred from air and contaminated surfaces, predominantly from Aroclor 1260 with some exposure to Aroclor 1242. Each worker underwent: a questionnaire; standardized medical examination; delayed hypersensitivity testing; and determination of serum and adipose tissue lipid total PCB concentrations.Adipose and serum [PCBs] were significantly higher in the currently exposed, but previously exposed workers did not differ significantly from comparison subjects.No subjects had a classical syndrome of PCB poisoning. A number of neurobehavioral and irritant symptoms were significantly more prevalent in the exposed group, but were probably not related to PCBs. Comedones were more frequent in the exposed group, but no evidence of classical chloracne was noted. Cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity responses to mumps and to trichophyton antigens did not differ between the groups. The association of PCBs with job functions were explored.
Study of mortality among chemical workers in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia
Authors: Rinsky Robert A. , Ott Gerald , Ward Elizabeth , Greenberg Howard , Halperin William , Leet Terry 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo assess the mortality experience of a cohort of chemical workers in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia, 29,139 males who worked at any one of three facilities over a 39‐year period were followed‐up for vital status. The facilities include two chemical manufacturing plants and a research and development center. From this cohort, 5,785 men were found to have died as of the study end, December 31, 1978. This was less than the 6,148.5 men expected to have died, based upon the United States white male population (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 92–96). Eighty‐six specific causes of death were examined. Statistically significant increased deaths were observed for two causes; cancers of the liver (not specified as primary or secondary) (SMR = 174; CI = 102–280) and lympho‐ and reticulosarcoma (SMR = 140; CI = 104–187). When all biliary and liver cancer was examined by duration and time since initial employment, the SMR for those who worked at least 25 years and whose deaths occurred 30 years or more after first employment was 301 (95% confidence limit = 168–497). The identification and follow‐up of this complete cohort provides the basis for future study of subcohorts with specific chemical and process exposures and case control studies of specific causes of death.
Cancer mortality among northern georgia carpet and textile workers
Authors: O'Brien Thomas R. , Decouflé Pierre 
Published: April 2007

AbstractProportionate cancer mortality was analyzed among white male carpet and textile workers in five northwest Georgia counties for the years 1970–1984. Compared with other Georgians, carpet and textile workers had higher proportions of lymphocytic leukemia (proportionate cancer mortality ratio [PCMR] = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.4–5.4) and testicular cancer (PCMR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.0–7.5). The excess mortality from lymphocytic leukemia was even higher when the analysis was limited to workers deemed most likely to work directly in production areas (PCMR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.7–8.7). Further studies are needed to determine if the observed excesses are the result of workplace exposures.
Silicon Carbide in Lung Tissue of a Worker in the Abrasive Industry
Authors: Hayashi Hisato , Kajita Akira 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLung tissue of a worker in an abrasive manufacturing plant, whose duration of dust exposure was about 10 years, was analyzed by means of bulk analysis and in situ analytical electron microanalysis. The content of the total dust in the lung was 120 mg/g of the dried lung tissue. This value is close to the average concentration of the total dust in the lungs of coal miners with massive fibrosis. The lung dust composition in this case was approximately 43% silicon carbide, 24% aluminium oxide, 2.3% cristobalite, 2.0% quartz, and trace of talc and feldspar. Silicon carbide may be one of the major etiologic agents in this case of pneumoconiosis.
Health and socioeconomic consequences of occupational respiratory allergies: A pilot study using workers' compensation data
Authors: Yassi Annalee 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGrowing evidence suggests that individuals with occupational allergies have long‐term health and employment problems. Workers' compensation claims for allergic respiratory disease allowed in Ontario 1975‐1981 were reviewed for demographic, risk factor, and exposure data. Diagnoses listed in these 244 claims were reassessed for consistency with criteria for occupational respiratory allergies. Twenty‐eight percent of the 154 claimants who met the criteria were granted a permanent disability award from the workers' compensation board (WCB). In response to a questionnaire mailed 2‐8 years after claim allowance, 77% of those traced reported improvement, but 59% still required medication and 85% still suffered symptoms. Seventy‐six percent of claimants left their employer. Seventy‐five percent of those who left did so due to their allergic condition; 95% suffered long‐term income loss. The unemployment rate for this cohort was 36%, well above that for the general population. Older workers with longer duration of symptoms and longer duration of exposure prior to the claim had the worst prognoses. The data were consistent with previous studies in suggesting that occupational respiratory allergies may result in serious health and socioeconomic consequences. Exploring the feasibility, acceptability, and potential usefulness of WCB data, it is suggested that this source merits further consideration both for descriptive as well as prognostic studies.
Chronic respiratory disorders related to farming and exposure to grain dust in a rural adult community
Authors: Manfreda J. , Cheang M. , Warren C. P. W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn a survey of chronic respiratory symptoms and airflow obstruction of a rural population aged 20–65 years, the effects of both farming and, in particular, the exposure to grain dust on the respiratory health of the people was examined. Of the 1,892 subjects (82% of the eligible population) studied, 924 were males and 968 females, with half living in the town. Three groups were identified: current, former, and never farmers. Almost all current farmers were exposed to grain for, on average, 2 months a year. There was no difference in atopic status between the groups. While there was a strong association between most symptoms and smoking, there was no association between symptoms and exposure to grain and farming category once age and smoking had been taken into account. Results of this study suggest that farmers do not have chronic respiratory symptoms or impairment of lung function because of their exposure to grain dust. Lung function of former farmers might have been affected by farming, and this may reflect more involvement with livestock in the past.
Parental occupational lead exposure and lead concentration of newborn cord blood
Authors: Wang Jung‐Der , Shy Wen‐Yi , Chen Jui‐San , Yang Kun‐Ho , Hwang Yaw‐Huei 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the influence of parental occupational lead exposure on the lead levels of newborn cord blood in the Taipei area. From September 1984 to June 1985, 5,000 pregnant women voluntarily participated in the study at the Taipei Municipal Maternal and Child Hospital. Each woman was interviewed regarding her and her husband's occupational exposures; 2,948 successfully delivered healthy newborns, and cord blood samples were obtained using Terumo Venoject, and 242 samples were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using an Instrumentation Laboratory 251 instrument. Nine cord blood samples were from newborns with both parents exposed, 26 samples had maternal exposure only, 105 samples had paternal exposure only, and 102 were nonexposed. The results showed that the average lead level of cord blood with both parents exposed was 8.9 ± 2.9 μg%, maternal exposure 9.0 ± 3.8 μg%, paternal exposure 8.3 ± 3.4 μg%, and 6.9 ± 3.2 μg% in the nonexposed group. There were significant differences between the nonexposed and the maternal exposure groups, and also between the nonexposed and paternal exposure groups. All 26 maternal exposures were from lead soldering operations. Multivariate analysis revealed that, after control of father's exposure status, newborn cord blood lead level increased 0.27 μg% for each hour the mother spent on lead soldering during a normal working day, thus suggesting that soldering during pregnancy may be hazardous to newborns. Paternal contribution to the cord blood lead levels seemed to be through either working at home with the pregnant mother also at home or bringing work clothes home for laundering.
Gene–lifecourse interaction for alcohol consumption in adolescence and young adulthood: Five monoamine genes
Authors: Guo Guang , Wilhelmsen Kirk , Hamilton Nathan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAssociation analysis has suggested that common sequence variants of genes that affect monoamine function can affect substance use and abuse. Demonstration of these associations has been inconsistent because of limited sample sizes and phenotype definition. Drawing on the life course perspective, we predicted a stronger association between the polymorphisms in 5HTT, DAT1, DRD4, DRD2, and MAOA and alcohol consumption in young adulthood than adolescence. This analysis tested for the gene–lifecourse interaction for the frequency of alcohol consumption in a nationally representative non‐alcohol‐dependent sample of 2,466 individuals that were visited during adolescence and young adulthood for four times between 1994 and 2002. All five genes are significantly associated with the frequency of alcohol consumption, with the genotype effects ranging 7%–20% of the mean score of alcohol consumption and their P values being 0.014, 0.0003, 0.003, 0.007, 0.005, and 0.003, respectively. The association is only observed in the life stage of young adulthood and not in adolescence. This analysis has demonstrated the potential usefulness of the life course perspective in genetic studies of human behaviors such as alcohol consumption. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Twenty‐five years of end‐user searching, Part 2: Future research directions
Authors: Markey Karen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis is the second part of a two‐part article that examines 25 years of published research findings on end‐user searching of online information retrieval (IR) systems. In Part 1 (Markey, 2007), it was learned that people enter a few short search statements into online IR systems. Their searches do not resemble the systematic approach of expert searchers who use the full range of IR‐system functionality. Part 2 picks up the discussion of research findings about end‐user searching in the context of current information retrieval models. These models demonstrate that information retrieval is a complex event, involving changes in cognition, feelings, and/or events during the information seeking process. The author challenges IR researchers to design new studies of end‐user searching, collecting data not only on system‐feature use, but on multiple search sessions and controlling for variables such as domain knowledge expertise and expert system knowledge. Because future IR systems designers are likely to improve the functionality of online IR systems in response to answers to the new research questions posed here, the author concludes with advice to these designers about retaining the simplicity of online IR system interfaces.
Mid-term survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery predicted by cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Authors: Carlisle J , Swart M 
Published: April 2007

Abstract

Background
Cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing measures how efficiently subjects meet increased metabolic demand. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative CPX testing predicted postoperative survival following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods
Some 130 patients had CPX testing before elective open AAA repair. Additional preoperative, operative and postoperative variables were recorded prospectively. Median follow-up was 35 months. The correlation of variables with survival was assessed by single and multiple regression analyses.

Results
CPX testing identified 30 of 130 patients who had been unfit before surgery. Two years after surgery the Kaplan–Meier survival estimate was 55 per cent for the 30 unfit patients, compared with 97 per cent for the 100 fit patients. The absolute difference in survival between these two groups at 2 years was 42 (95 per cent confidence interval 18 to 65) per cent (P &lt; 0·001).

Conclusion
Preoperative CPX testing, combined with simple co-morbidity scoring, identified patients unlikely to survive in the mid-term, even after successful AAA repair.