bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information dissemination and use: Critical components in occupational safety and health
Authors: Schulte P.A. , Okun A. , Stephenson C.M. , Colligan M. , Ahlers H. , Gjessing C. , Loos G. , Niemeier R.W. , Sweeney M.H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundInformation dissemination is a mandated, but understudied, requirement of occupational and environmental health laws and voluntary initiatives. Research is needed on the factors that enhance and limit the development, transfer, and use of occupational safety and health information (OSH). Contemporary changes in the workforce, workplaces, and the nature of work will require new emphasis on the dissemination of information to foster prevention.MethodsLegislative and regulatory requirements and voluntary initiatives for dissemination of OSH information were identified and assessed. Literature on information dissemination was reviewed to identify important issues and useful approaches.ResultsMore than 20 sections of laws and regulations were identified that mandated dissemination of occupational and environmental safety and health information. A four‐stage approach for tracking dissemination and considering the flow of information was delineated. Special areas of dissemination were identified: the information needs of the changing workforce, new and young workers; small businesses; and workers with difficulty in understanding or reading English.ConclusionsWe offer a framework for dissemination of OSH information and underscore the need to focus on the extent to which decision‐makers and others receive and use such information. More solid data are also needed on current investments in disseminating, diffusing and applying OSH information and on the utility of that information. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:515–531, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Utility of a routine medical surveillance program with benzene exposed workers
Authors: Bogadi‐Šare Ana , Zavalić Marija , Turk Rajka 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundA medical surveillance program of benzene‐exposed workers has to be established in such a way as to observe early signs of benzene‐induced cytopenia, pancytopenia, or leukemia. This study evaluates the utility of routine medical survey applied to benzene‐exposed workers by analyzing the hematological, immunological, and cytogenetic assay results.MethodsThe results of a previous study of hematological, immunological, and cytogenetic assays in benzene‐exposed workers (up to 15 ppm) are used to discuss medical surveillance program by defining the relationship between various benzene exposure concentrations and toxic endpoints.ResultsExposure to benzene concentration lower than 5 ppm does not produce any abnormal hematological measurements. For benzene cumulative exposure above 100 (ppm‐years), some blood indices [mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), band neutrophils] show significant differences in comparison to the control group. The incidence of dicentric chromosomes was higher and the level of B‐lymphocytes was lower even with workers exposed to 5 ppm of benzene; correlation with exposure indicators was not found.ConclusionsThe results suggest that peripheral blood indices, although not sensitive enough, are still the most suitable parameters in a health surveillance program applied to benzene‐exposed workers. B‐lymphocytes could be a promising indicator of the benzene‐induced damage. Cytogenetic tests did not prove to be suitable. Further investigation of useful screening tests for health surveillance program of benzene‐exposed workers is still required. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:467–473, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk factors in health, work environment, smoking status, and organizational context for work disability
Authors: Lund Thomas , Csonka Agi 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundThis study examines the associations between health, work environment exposures, smoking status, and organizational context and work disability.MethodsIn a sample of 3,318 Danish employees, respondents were interviewed by telephone in 1995 about health, work environment, smoking status and organizational context of the workplace. In 1997, a follow‐up to assess employment status was conducted using The Statistical Register of Transfer Payments, Statistics Denmark.ResultsWork disability is predicted by work environment, smoking status of the individual employee, and by organizational level factors at the workplace. Although poor mental health, chronic bronchitis or musculoskeletal symptoms in neck or shoulders were equally distributed at baseline among type of company, the 2‐year incidence of work disability was higher in traditionally organized workplaces than in flexibly organized workplaces.ConclusionThe study suggests a potential for reducing health‐related work disability from work through flexible organization of the workplace. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:492–501, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biological indices of kidney involvement in personnel exposed to sevoflurane in surgical areas
Authors: Trevisan Andrea , Venturini Matteo Borella , Carrieri Mariella , Giraldo Monica , Maccà Isabella , Perini Milena , Scapellato Maria L. , Virgili Annalisa , Bartolucci Giovanni B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundFluoride, a main metabolite, and one degradation product of sevoflurane (SEV), called Compound A, are known to cause kidney effects in experimental animals. Other than in volunteers and patients, no research is available on exposed workers. The possible effects on the kidney in workers exposed in surgical areas were studied.MethodsSubjects exposed to SEV and nitrous oxide (N2O) in surgical areas (N = 61) using open (N = 25) or semi‐closed (N = 36) circuits were submitted to biological monitoring. The same biological indices were determined in 43 controls also. Sevoflurane (SEVU), nitrous oxide (N2OU), total urinary proteins (TUP), N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAGU), and glutamine synthetase (GSU) were measured in urine.ResultsThe mean values of environmental exposure were 31.3 ppm (range 0.9–111.6 ppm) for N2O and 0.28 ppm (range 0–1.88 ppm) for SEV. Exposed subjects had significantly higher excretion of TUP; a higher, not significant, excretion of GSU was also observed in subjects using open circuits. A significant correlation was found in all exposed subjects between NAGU and SEVU (r = 0.303, P < 0.05), GSU and N2OU (r = 0.382, P < 0.01) and, especially, GSU and SEVU (r = 0.650, P < 0.001). These correlations appeared to be influenced by the use of open circuits; infact, NAGU was well correlated to N2OU (r = 0.770, P < 0.001) and SEVU (r = 0.863, P < 0.001); GSU to N2OU (r = 0.468, P < 0.05) and SEVU (r = 0.735, P < 0.001).ConclusionsResults show that no relevant effect on the kidney is present for the levels of exposure studied. Nevertheless, correlation between dose and response urinary indices supports that SEV, other than N2O, may influence kidney function, especially when open circuits are used. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:474–480, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of expired nitric oxide with urinary metal concentrations in boilermakers exposed to residual oil fly ash
Authors: Kim Jee Young , Hauser Russ , Wand Matthew P. , Herrick Robert F. , Houk R.S. , Aeschliman David B. , Woodin Mark A. , Christiani David C. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundExposure to metal‐containing particulate matter has been associated with adverse pulmonary responses. Metals in particulate matter are soluble, hence are readily recovered in urine of exposed individuals. This study investigated the association between urinary metal concentrations and the fractional concentration of expired nitric oxide (FENO) in boilermakers (N = 32) exposed to residual oil fly ash (ROFA).MethodsSubjects were monitored at a boiler overhaul site located in the New England area, USA. FENO and urine samples were collected pre‐ and post‐workshift for 5 consecutive workdays. Metals investigated included vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb).ResultsThe median FENO was 7.5 ppb (95% CI: 7.4–8.0), and the median creatinine‐adjusted urinary metal concentrations (μg/g creatinine) were: vanadium, 1.37; chromium, 0.48; manganese, 0.30; nickel, 1.52; copper, 3.70; and lead, 2.32. Linear mixed‐effects models indicated significant inverse exposure–response relationships between log FENO and the log‐transformed urinary concentrations of vanadium, manganese, nickel, copper, and lead at several lag times, after adjusting for smoking status.ConclusionsUrine samples may be utilized as a biomarker of occupational metal exposure. The inverse association between FENO and urinary metal concentrations suggests that exposure to metals in particulate matter may have an adverse effect on respiratory health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:458–466, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐fatal injuries in the West Virginia logging industry: Using workers' compensation claims to assess risk from 1995 through 2001
Authors: Bell Jennifer L. , Helmkamp James C. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundThe logging industry has a high rate of both fatal and non‐fatal injuries in comparison to other industries, and plays a vital role in WV's economy.MethodsWorkers' compensation (WC) injury claims and employment data were summarized to examine patterns and rates of non‐fatal logging injuries in WV from 1995 through 2001.ResultsThe average annual rate of injury claims was 16.0 per 100 workers per year with rates remaining relatively steady over the 7‐year study period. The highest rates of injury were a result of being struck by an object, typically trees, snags, or logs.ConclusionsWV loggers most often file injury claims as a result of being struck by trees and tree parts, snags, and logs. Assessment of risk is a critical component in helping regulators, researchers, and the logging industry develop viable prevention strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of logging‐related injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:502–509, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Power calculations for survival analyses via Monte Carlo estimation
Authors: Richardson David B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundPower calculations can be a useful step in the design of epidemiologic studies. For occupational and environmental cohort studies, however, the calculation of statistical power has been difficult because researchers are often interested in situations where exposure assignment is time‐dependent, and in research questions that pertain to cumulative exposure‐mortality trends evaluated with statistical methods for survival analysis. These conditions are not easily accommodated by available software or published formulas for power calculation.MethodsMonte Carlo methods can be used to estimate statistical power for survival analyses. Simple computer programs are presented to illustrate this approach.ResultsWe show that, for the simple case of a randomized clinical trial involving a dichotomous exposure, the results of power calculations derived via this Monte Carlo approach conform to values derived using a previously published formula. We then illustrate how the Monte Carlo approach may be extended to obtain estimates of statistical power for analyses of cumulative exposure‐mortality trends under conditions more typical of occupational cohort studies.ConclusionsThe Monte Carlo approach provides a way to perform power calculations for a wide range of study conditions. The approach illustrated in this study should simplify the task of calculating power for survival analyses, particularly in epidemiologic research on occupational cohorts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:532–539, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cloning and expression of male‐specific protein (MSP) from the hemolymph of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L.
Authors: Han Jikhyon , Lee Chang Seok , Yun Chi Young , Lee Bong Hee , Ko Young Gyu , Kang Chang Soo , Lee Sang Dae , Hwang Jae Sam , Kang Seok Woo , Kim Hak R. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractMale‐specific protein (MSP) is a soluble protein that accumulates in high amounts in the hemolymph and other organs of adult male wax moth. The MSP was purified from adult male wax moth by gel filtration and reversed phase column chromatography, and its amino acid sequence was determined. Because of blocked N‐terminus, several internal amino acid sequences of MSP were obtained by the in‐gel digestion method using trypsin. RT‐PCR was conducted using degenerate primers designed from the internal amino acid sequences. 5′‐RACE PCR was used to obtain the complete coding region and 5′‐UTR sequence. The full length MSP cDNA sequence encodes a 239 amino acid polypeptide with an 18 amino acid signal peptide. The putative mature MSP has a molecular mass of 24,317 Da and an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.00, but shows a molecular mass of 27 kDa on SDS‐PAGE. Sequence alignment showed a significant similarity between MSP and juvenile hormone binding proteins (JHBPs) of several lepidopteran species, including G. mellonella. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 54:110–120, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of juvenile hormone biosynthesis in Heliothis virescens by Manduca sexta allatotropin
Authors: Rachinsky Anna , Srinivasan Asoka , Ramaswamy Sonny B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIn Heliothis virescens, reproduction is strictly dependent on juvenile hormone (JH). In females, mating induces a sharp increase in JH titers, which stimulates increased vitellogenin biosynthesis and higher rates of egg production. JH biosynthesis is presumably stimulated by production and/or release of stimulatory neuropeptides such as allatotropins. There is evidence that allatotropin of H. virescens may be structurally related to Manduca sexta allatotropin (Manse‐AT). In a radiochemical in vitro assay, synthetic Manse‐AT stimulated JH biosynthesis by corpora allata (CA) of virgin H. virescens females in a dose‐dependent manner, but had no effect on CA activity in H. virescens males. In females, the CA showed a transient increase in sensitivity to Manse‐AT shortly after mating. Several structurally related peptides stimulated CA activity to a similar extent as Manse‐AT. Corpora allata activity was stimulated by a Ca2+ ionophore, A23187. A membrane‐permeable Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA/AM, antagonized the stimulatory effects of Manse‐AT, suggesting that Manse‐AT may enhance CA activity by increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 54:121–133, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Persistent Mullerian duct syndrome caused by both a 27‐bp deletion and a novel splice mutation in the MIS type II receptor gene
Authors: Hoshiya Makiko , Christian Benjamin P. , Cromie William J. , Kim Hyung , Zhan Yong , MacLaughlin David T. , Donahoe Patricia K. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDPersistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare form of male pseudohermaphroditism that is characterized by the persistence of Mullerian derivatives in otherwise normally virilized males. Mutations of the Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) gene or the MIS type II receptor (MISRII) gene have been identified in PMDS patients with autosomal recessive transmission. We analyzed a compound heterozygote PMDS patient who had a 27‐bp deletion in exon 10 in one allele and a novel mutation in intron 5 in the other allele of the MISRII gene.METHODSWhole blood and tissue samples were obtained from a one‐month‐old 46,XY male with persistent PMDS and the MISRII gene was sequenced and compared to his mother's genomic DNA and that of 22 normal individuals. Serum MIS and the reproductive hormones were measured by standard immunoassays.RESULTSThe patient's hormone levels were normal but the gene for MISRII contained several mutations, a 27‐bp deletion in exon 10 on one allele (one of the most common mutations in PMDS) and a novel mutation in intron 5 in the other allele that altered splicing, resulting in retention of the intron and a frameshift, introducing a stop codon. Other mutations in introns 6 and 9 and in exon 11 might not be functionally significant.CONCLUSIONSThis case reveals a novel mutation in the MISRII gene involving intronic sequences, which when coexisting with the already identified 27‐bp deletion in exon 10, leads to PMDS. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental immunotoxicity of lead: Impact on thymic function
Authors: Lee Ji‐Eun , Dietert Rodney R. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDSince the potential effects of early exposure to lead on thymic functions have not been fully characterized, in this study we evaluated the capacity of lead to alter thymic function in juvenile chickens following embryonic exposure.METHODSCornell K strain White Leghorn chicken eggs were administered lead acetate (400 μg/egg) or sodium acetate (control) on embryonic development (E12) with and without thymulin supplementation. Ex vivo production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐like cytokine by thymocytes and a delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction were measured in the juvenile. Additionally, the effects of in vitro exposure to lead on both thymocytes and thymic stromal cells (TSCs) were evaluated.RESULTSFollowing E12 exposure to lead, ex vivo production of IFN‐γ‐like cytokine by juvenile‐derived thymocytes decreased significantly compared to the control. The same effect was observed when thymocytes were directly exposed to lead in vitro and stimulated with thymic stromal supernatant. In contrast, when TSCs were exposed to lead in vitro, no change was seen in their functional capacity for promoting cytokine production. In ovo supplementation with thymulin partially reversed lead‐induced DTH depression without any change in IFN‐γ‐like cytokine production. Embryonic exposure to thymulin alone partially depressed the DTH response.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that lead can directly influence thymocyte function in the absence of the thymic microenvironment. Since thymulin levels may influence lead‐induced immunotoxicity, embryonic endocrine status may be an important consideration. Lead exposure appears to alter thymic functions directly; however, indirect effects via endocrine factors are not precluded. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Multiple‐Absorbent Markov Process in Survival Studies: Application to Breast Cancer
Authors: Pérez‐Ocón Rafael , Ruiz‐Castro Juan Eloy 
Published: October 2003

AbstractA Markov process with several absorbent states is applied for analyzing a breast cancer dataset. The study examines the evolution of patients until death, and shows that two well‐differentiated ways can be considered in the evolution of patients towards the death state: those who relapse and those who not. The risk groups we have considered are determined by the application of treatments radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which are introduced as covariates. Four states are distinguished: no relapse, relapse, death after metastasis, and death without metastasis, the last two absorbent. We apply a methodology that uses algorithmic procedures, avoiding differential equations. The transition probability functions and the likelihood function in the model are calculated. For the dataset, the survival functions and the mean times in states for the different group of risks are determined. We show that the metastasis is the main cause of death in this cohort, but the number of deaths by relapse is not negligible.
A Mixture Point Process for Repeated Failure Times, with an Application to a Recurrent Disease
Authors: Pons O. , Gasqui P. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe present a model that describes the distribution of recurring times of a disease in presence of covariate effects. After a first occurrence of the disease in an individual, the time intervals between successive cases are supposed to be independent and to be a mixture of two distributions according to the issue of the previous treatment. Both sub‐distributions of the model and the mixture proportion are allowed to involve covariates. Parametric inference is considered and we illustrate the methods with data of a recurrent disease and with simulations, using piecewise constant baseline hazard functions.
Sample Size Reassessment in Adaptive Clinical Trials Using a Bias Corrected Estimate
Authors: Coburger Silke , Wassmer Gernot 
Published: October 2003

AbstractPoint estimation in group sequential and adaptive trials is an important issue in analysing a clinical trial. Most literature in this area is only concerned with estimation after completion of a trial. Since adaptive designs allow reassessment of sample size during the trial, reliable point estimation of the true effect when continuing the trial is additionally needed. We present a bias adjusted estimator which allows a more exact sample size determination based on the conditional power principle than the naive sample mean does.
Logit effect values and efficiency of significance tests when a noncollapsible variable is omitted
Authors: Aris E.M.D. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractFor linear models, randomization of the assignment to the levels of a variableAis a sufficient condition to obtain correct estimates of the effect ofAon another variableB. For logit models, the omission of a relevant variableZoften results in invalid estimates of the effect ofAand in a loss of power of the significance test. The values of this underestimation and of the loss of power are evaluated here asymptotically and from simulation studies. Consequences for practical use of logit models in randomized settings are underlined.
On the Use of the Shapiro‐Wilk Test in Two‐Stage Adaptive Inference for Paired Data from Moderate to Very Heavy Tailed Distributions
Authors: Freidlin B. , Miao W. , Gastwirth J.L. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractPaired data arises in a wide variety of applications where often the underlying distribution of the paired differences is unknown. When the differences are normally distributed, the t‐test is optimum. On the other hand, if the differences are not normal, the t‐test can have substantially less power than the appropriate optimum test, which depends on the unknown distribution. In textbooks, when the normality of the differences is questionable, typically the non‐parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test is suggested. An adaptive procedure that uses the Shapiro‐Wilk test of normality to decide whether to use the t‐test or the Wilcoxon signed rank test has been employed in several studies. Faced with data from heavy tails, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced another approach: it applies both the sign and t‐tests to the paired differences, the alternative hypothesis is accepted if either test is significant. This paper investigates the statistical properties of a currently used adaptive test, the EPA's method and suggests an alternative technique. The new procedure is easy to use and generally has higher empirical power, especially when the differences are heavy‐tailed, than currently used methods.
Bayesian Estimation of the Distribution Function of the Poisson Model
Authors: Howlader Hatem A. , Balasooriya Uditha 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThis paper presents the Bayes estimators of the Poisson distribution function based on complete and truncated data under a natural conjugate prior. Laplace transform of the incomplete gamma function and the Gauss hypergeometric function have been employed in order to overcome the intractability of the integrals. Numerical examples from biosciences are given to illustrate the results. A Monte Carlo study has been carried out to compare Bayes estimators under complete data with the corresponding maximum liklihood estimators.