bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hip joint arthrosis: An occupational disorder among farmers
Authors: Thelin Anders 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObservations among Swedish farmers indicate that coxarthrosis is a common disorder in farming populations. In this case‐referent study, we describe relationships between farming and hip joint arthrosis. The case‐group consisted of 105 persons who have had surgery because of coxarthrosis and the referents consisted of 222 randomly selected persons. Non‐responders totaled 9%. Farming was significantly more common in the case group. The ratio varied between 2.1 and 3.2, varying with the length of time in farming. Longer exposure did not seem to result in greater risk. There was no risk elevation related to forestry or transportation work. Nor was there any over‐representation of accidents with injuries to the lower extremities in the case group. Heavy work load did not seem to be related to the genesis of coxarthrosis.Farming is an amalgamation of different types of work. However, we develop the hypothesis from this study that tractor driving may be related to hip arthrosis. Unfavorable angles in the hip joints may occur during tractor driving. Other studies support this hypothesis, as it has been found that unsuitable conditions for the hip joints may be related to arthrosis.
Iowa agricultural health and safety service project
Authors: Gay Jane , Donham Kelley J. , Leonard Stephanie 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA model community‐based comprehensive agricultural occupational health and safety service program has been implemented in Iowa. The functional center of coordination is based in the College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. The community‐based hub of the service is the community hospital, where the majority of the direct client services originate. The University provides training of hospital staff, programming, direction, consultation, and referral. The services offered include primary care, health surveillance, industrial hygiene and safety, and education.Through a detailed evaluation of the project's objectives we will be able to evaluate, modify, and disseminate a model agricultural health and safety services delivery program. This model should be effective in changing the farming population's health and safety attitudes and behaviors through a community‐based program.
Food production, environmental protection, and health effects in mexican agriculture
Authors: de Alba Federico López 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn countries like Mexico, where the need to increase agricultural productivity to satisfy an ever‐increasing population is great, attention to environmental problems is recent. However, current public concern has forced the administration to consider environmental protection as a key strategy in the development model. The purpose of this paper is to present the efforts being made by the country, the state of research, legislation, and regulations, and the level of participation by agrichemical producers in aiming to balance protection of the environment and development in the agricultural sector, including intensive use of mechanization and agrichemicals.
Technical workshop report: Working group II: Agricultural occupational health and safety services for farmers and ranchers
Authors: Osweiler Gary 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis work group felt that there is compelling evidence that effective occupational health services are essential to improve the serious occupational safety and health problems in agriculture. Program initiatives may be stimulated by federal and state governments, but development and implementation must involve the grassroots farm community and local resources. Other countries (Sweden, Finland, Canada) are far ahead of the United States in this area and serve as examples.Developing services should be comprehensive and should include clinical, technical, and educational efforts. Marketing programs to the public must include grassroots involvement. Surveillance and program evaluation are essential in any new program efforts. Funding such programs must be shared by federal, state, local, and private resources. Regulatory options should be a minimal part of such a program, but mandatory rollover protective devices and mandatory reporting seems to be one feasible regulatory option.
Study of asbestos bodies in japanese urban patients
Authors: Hiraoka Katsumi , Horie Akio , Kido Masamitsu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo study whether low‐level exposure to asbestos contributes to lung cancer risk, the asbestos body (AB) content in lung tissue was measured in 476 patients with lung cancer and 369 patients with other diseases, all from a Japanese industrialized city. Eleven patients with histologically confirmed asbestosis were included. The findings were stratified into four groups. A significant number of patients with lung cancer were seen in the groups with high counts, as compared to controls. There was no significant difference in histologic type and site of lung cancer among four groups. The patients with lung cancer in high count groups were significantly younger than those with lower counts. A significant number of smokers were seen in the groups with high AB counts among patients with lung cancer as compared to controls, even if the patients with asbestosis were excluded. These findings suggest that there may be a positive interaction of smoking and exposure to asbestos relative to the incidence of lung cancer even at a low exposure level.
Biological monitoring of a worker acutely exposed to MBOCA
Authors: Osorio Ana Maria , Clapp David , Ward Elizabeth , Wilson H. Kerr , Cocker John 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA 30 year‐old male polyurethane worker was exposed to an accidental spill of 4,4′‐methylene‐bis‐2‐chloroaniline (MBOCA) at a plant producing MBOCA‐cured plastic products. Exposure to MBOCA is significant in that this compound is a known animal carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen. The employee was sprayed over his upper body and extremities with molten MBOCA while cleaning out a clogged hose from a MBOCA and polymer mixing machine. The subsequent environmental and medical evaluation of this episode included serial urinary MBOCA samples from the worker over a 2 week period to allow the calculation of a biological half‐life for this compound. This worker experienced a very high dose of MBOCA as judged by his urinary MBOCA levels (peak value of 1,700 ppb 4 hours after exposure). There were no acute symptoms or other laboratory abnormalities noted. The kinetic evaluation resulted in a biological half‐life for MBOCA in urine of approximately 23 hours. Assuming a one‐compartment model, approximately 94% of an initial MBOCA dose will be eliminated within four days. This is the first report of kinetic analysis on urinary MBOCA excretion in humans. This information suggests that biological monitoring of the urine MBOCA concentrations in exposed workers may miss peak levels following an acute exposure unless the analyses of the urinary MBOCA are performed in a timely fashion. Recommendations to the company included: 1) installation of a warning system or lock‐out device on the mixing machine to prevent the opening of the MBOCA hose prior to the release of pressure; and 2) annual medical surveillance of this individual for bladder cancer with urinalysis and urine cytology.
Improved method for the adjustment of urinary delta‐aminolevulinic acid concentration
Authors: Hudák Aranka , Kiss Gabriella 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe work was aimed at finding whether the ratio of delta‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and creatinine (Cn) concentration (ALA/Cn), presently used in occupational health practice for evaluation of lead exposure gives a better assessment of ALA excretion than uncorrected ALA concentration itself, as well as at finding a better, but not complicated method for adjustment. ALA and Cn concentrations were measured in untimed urine samples of altogether 390 men and women (age: 18‐60 years) not occupationally exposed to lead.In agreement with others, ALA/Cn was found to be an unsuitable method of adjustment for the differences in ALA concentration due to the different concentrations of samples. This can be explained by the different renal handling of ALA and Cn, proved by the literature data.The exponential relationship between ALA/Cn and Cn concentration raised the possibility of adjustment to the logarithm of Cn concentration (ALA/log.Cn). This simple method provided a more reliable index, the value of which was independent of the actual Cn concentration of urines within a wide range (2‐32 mmol/liter). The recommended biological limit value (70 (μmol/log.Cn mmol) separates equally well from normal values, both in dilute and concentrated urines.The evaluation of occupational lead exposure might be more reliable using this index, instead of uncorrected ALA concentration or the ALA/Cn ratio.
Chrysotile asbestos and health in zimbabwe: I. Analysis of miners and millers compensated for asbestos‐related diseases since independence (1980)
Authors: Cullen Mark R. , Baloyi Rabelan S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractData on the health effects caused by locally mined chrysotile asbestos in Zimbabwe have been very limited. The prevailing local view has been that risk is minimal. In this report we critically reassess the cases of 51 individuals with asbestos exposure who have been compensated by the Central Pneumoconiosis Bureau since independence in 1980. Results demonstrate that the major health risks of exposure reported elsewhere—morbid asbestosis, nonmalignant pleural disease, malignant mesothelioma, and lung cancer—all occur in Zimbabwe, at least among workers in the asbestos mines and mills. It is concluded that further investigation and control measures in the industry are warranted.
Radiological features of asbestos‐related visceral pleural changes
Authors: Solomon Albert 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe radiological manifestations of asbestos‐related visceral pleural changes are described. Generally, visceral pleural reactions follow the mesothelial cells response to various injurious substances, including asbestos, and even saline. The changes are nonspecific. They may occur subsequent to pleural reactions associated with many conditions, which include tuberculosis, viral pleurisy, malignancy and lymphoma, lupus, or rheumatoid‐induced effusions, cardiac failure, and pulmonary embolism, among other etiologies. The failure to absorb the fibrinous exudate on the visceral pleural surface can lead to the development of diffuse fibrosis of the serosal surface, interlobar pleural thickening, localized pleural filaments (strands), subpleural wedge, and lenticular‐shaped masses, and could be the forerunner of lobular atelectasis (pseudotumor) formation. Some of the features are recognized on posteroanterior chest radiographs and the counterparts corroborated with the use of routine and high‐resolution computed tomography studies.
Prevalence of spirometric abnormalities in a representative sample of the population of Michigan
Authors: Miller Albert , Warshaw Raphael , Thornton John C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA random sample of a large industrial state in the United States (Michigan) was studied via respiratory questionnaire, medical history, physical examination, and spirometry: 976 white adults performed a battery of spirometric tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25‐75%). Using predictive equations derived from normal subjects in the survey and defining spirometric abnormality by the lower 95% confidence interval, prevalences of abnormality were greater in those who had a smoking history. When equations derived from normal non‐smokers were used, as has been the general practice, 21.3% of men and 18.5% of women with a positive smoking history had an abnormal FEV1 and 26.7% and 17.8% an abnormal FEF25‐75%, respectively. Although FVC is thought to be affected little by smoking, mean values were lower and prevalences of abnormal values higher in smokers. Prevalences are also shown using an adjustment for the effect of smoking and using conventional (percent of predicted value) definitions of spirometric abnormality. The prevalences of spirometric impairments in this cross section of a large state should be useful for comparison with other populations under study in North America.
Occupation and leukemia mortality among men in 16 states: 1985‐1987
Authors: Loomis Dana P. , Savitz David A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe relationship between leukemia and occupation was investigated in a case‐control study using death certificates of 5,147 men who died of leukemia (ICD‐9 codes 204‐208) and 51,470 who died of other causes in 16 U.S. states from 1985 to 1987. Of six occupational activities identified previously as potentially increasing the risk of leukemia, only petroleum refining and rubber manufacturing had excess deaths for all leukemias combined (odds ratios (ORs) = 1.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.6‐2.8 and 0.9‐1.8, respectively). Meat workers and wood workers had elevated mortality from acute lymphocytic leukemia (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.7‐7.0 and OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.8‐2.2, respectively). There was no leukemia excess among farmers or auto mechanics. A survey of 43 other occupational groups indicated a widespread excess of leukemia among white collar occupations, primarily managers and professionals, but none among blue collar workers. This pattern was most pronounced for men under 65 years of age, and existed for all leukemia subtypes and among both blacks and whites. Despite the lack of specific exposure information and other limitations of death certificate data, these results encourage further examination of occupational causes of leukemia.
Lessons from hand‐arm vibration syndrome research
Authors: Wasserman Donald E. , Taylor William 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper addresses many of the salient issues and difficulties encountered in performing Hand‐Arm Vibration Syndrome research since its discovery in the early 1900's by Alice Hamilton. The areas discussed and the resulting lessons learned include the medical, epidemiological, and control aspects of HAVS. The authors conclude with a plea to health professionals to be ever vigilant and responsive to the HAVS problem, or else it will continue unabated into the next century, an overall time span of nearly 100 years.
A practical approach to estimating the true effect of exposure despite imprecise exposure classification
Authors: Weinkam James J. , Rosenbaum Wilfred L. , Sterling Theodor D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAccurate information on actual exposure to some possibly toxic agent usually is not available in long‐term occupational studies. Any strategy for assigning exposure levels or categories necessarily results in misclassification, where some individuals classified as exposed have no real exposure and some individuals classified as not exposed have some exposure to the agent. Both misclassification errors serve to reduce the estimate of risk associated with exposure. The question arises, “How much does the true risk depart from the observed estimate given an assumed level of misclassification?” This paper quantifies the effect of such misclassification on several forms of standardized risk ratios. Our results express the true risk as a function of the apparent risk based on imprecise exposure classification and parameters representing the proportion of each of the groups that are correctly classified. In any practical situation, the apparent risk can be computed based on whatever classification scheme is being used. On the other hand, the proportions of the imprecisely classified groups actually exposed cannot. However, the investigator may have information or may make assumptions for likely ranges of values for these proportions. Given the apparent risk, estimated true risks can be calculated and plotted or represented in tabular form as a function of the proportions of actual exposure. The resulting graph or table enables the investigator to read off the range of possible true risk values based on what he is prepared to believe or what other information indicates about the range of proportions of misclassified subjects. For instance, results for a typical value of apparent risk of 1.8 show that the true risk may be twice the apparent risk with only 23% misclassification in each exposure group. The value of the true risk that would be necessary to be consistent with a given apparent risk increases rapidly as the extent of misclassification increases. We also show that, if the extent of misclassification is large, the apparent relative risk is close to 1.0 regardless of the actual value of the true risk. Therefore, a small apparent risk does not necessarily indicate that there is no occupational hazard.
Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes
Authors: Fransen Marlene , Nairn Lillias , Winstanley Julie , Lam Paul , Edmonds John 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether Tai Chi or hydrotherapy classes for individuals with chronic symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) result in measurable clinical benefits.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted among 152 older persons with chronic symptomatic hip or knee OA. Participants were randomly allocated for 12 weeks to hydrotherapy classes (n = 55), Tai Chi classes (n = 56), or a waiting list control group (n = 41). Outcomes were assessed 12 and 24 weeks after randomization and included pain and physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), general health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 Health Survey [SF‐12], version 2), psychological well‐being, and physical performance (Up and Go test, 50‐foot walk time, timed stair climb).ResultsAt 12 weeks, compared with controls, participants allocated to hydrotherapy classes demonstrated mean improvements (95% confidence interval) of 6.5 (0.4, 12.7) and 10.5 (3.6, 14.5) for pain and physical function scores (range 0–100), respectively, whereas participants allocated to Tai Chi classes demonstrated improvements of 5.2 (−0.8, 11.1) and 9.7 (2.8, 16.7), respectively. Both class allocations achieved significant improvements in the SF‐12 physical component summary score, but only allocation to hydrotherapy achieved significant improvements in the physical performance measures. All significant improvements were sustained at 24 weeks. In this almost exclusively white sample, class attendance was higher for hydrotherapy, with 81% attending at least half of the available 24 classes, compared with 61% for Tai Chi.ConclusionAccess to either hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes can provide large and sustained improvements in physical function for many older, sedentary individuals with chronic hip or knee OA.
Effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of eslicarbazepine acetate (BIA 2‐093), a new voltage‐gated sodium channel blocker
Authors: Falcão Amílcar , Maia Joana , Almeida Luis , Mazur Dago , Gellert Manfred , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPurpose. To determine the effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of eslicarbazepine acetate, a novel voltage‐gated sodium channel blocker in the development for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder.Methods. Single‐centre, open‐label, parallel‐group study in 12 female and 12 male healthy subjects. The study consisted of a single‐dose (600 mg) period and a multiple‐dose (600 mg, once‐daily, for 8 days) period, separated by 4 days.Results. Eslicarbazepine acetate was rapidly and extensively metabolized to eslicarbazepine (S‐licarbazepine), the main active metabolite. Following a single‐dose, arithmetic mean eslicarbazepine maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve over 24 h (AUC0−24) and from 0 to infinity (AUC0−∞) were, respectively, 9.3 µg/ml, 128.5 µg h/ml and 171.9 µg h/ml in male subjects and 10.1 µg/ml, 150.1 µg h/ml and 205.0 µg h/ml in female subjects. At steady‐state, Cmax, AUC0−24 and AUC0−∞ were 15.5 µg/ml, 207.8 µg h/ml and 295.8 µg h/ml in male subjects, and 16.8 µg/ml, 214.5 µg h/ml and 295.2 µg h/ml in female subjects. Steady‐state plasma concentrations were attained at 4 to 5 days of administration in both groups.Eslicarbazepine Cmax, AUC0−24 and AUC0−∞ female:male geometric mean ratios (90%CI) were, respectively, 1.09 (0.94; 1.24), 1.16 (1.00; 1.33) and 1.17 (0.99; 1.38) following single‐dose, and 1.10 (0.97; 1.25), 1.04 (0.92; 1.17) and 1.01 (0.88; 1.16) at steady‐state.Conclusion. At steady‐state, the pharmacokinetic profile of eslicarbazepine acetate was not affected by gender. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐throughput staining for the evaluation of fetal skeletal development in rats and rabbits
Authors: Redfern Brian G. , Wise L. David 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTypical developmental toxicity studies require the assessment of fetal skeletal development. Regulatory guidelines require the assessment of bone ossification and indicate preferences for an assessment of both ossified bone as well as cartilaginous elements. Current manual methods to process fetuses for skeletal examination, whether single or double staining, are laborious and time consuming, and ultimately extend the time before study interpretations. There is a definite need for a quick and efficient, yet reliable, procedure to generate stained fetal skeletons for analysis. A non‐automated high‐throughput method for single and double staining rat and rabbit fetuses for skeletal evaluations is described, which results in excellent quality specimens ready for evaluations in approximately 3 days for rats and 7 days for rabbits. Birth Defects Res (Part B), 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein recognition motifs: Design of peptidomimetics of helix surfaces
Authors: Che Ye , Brooks Bernard R. , Marshall Garland R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractHelices represent one of the most common recognition motifs in proteins. The design of nonpeptidic scaffolds, such as the 3,2′,2″‐tris‐substituted terphenyl, that can imitate the side‐chain orientation along one face of an α‐helix potentially provides an effective means to modulate helix‐recognition functions. Here, based on theoretical arguments, we described novel α‐helix mimetics which are more effective than the terphenyl at constraining the aryl–aryl torsion angles to those associated with structures suitable for mimicking the α‐helical twist for side‐chain orientation and for superimposing the side chains of residues i, i + 3 or i + 4, i + 7 when compared with the α–β side‐chain vectors of the regular α‐helix with an improved root mean square deviation (RMSD) of approximately 0.5 Å. In addition, this study suggests that rotamer distributions around the CαCβ bonds of these helix mimetics are similar to those of α‐helices, except that these rotamer distributions show an approximately 60° shift compared to those of α‐helices when the mimetic axis is superimposed upon the helix axis. This change in rotamer orientation complicates mimicry of the helix surface. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 288–297, 2007.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com