bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Driving impairment due to sleepiness is exacerbated by low alcohol intake
Authors: Horne J A , Reyner L A , Barrett P R 
Published: August 2003

Aims:To assess whether low blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), at around half the UK legal driving limit, and undetectable by police roadside breathalysers, further impair driving already affected by sleepiness, particularly in young men, who are the most “at risk” group of drivers for having sleep related crashes.Methods:Twelve healthy young men drove for two hours in the afternoon, in an instrumented car on a simulated motorway. In a repeated measures, counterbalanced design, they were given alcohol or placebo under conditions of normal sleep or prior sleep restriction. Measurements were: driving impairment (lane drifting), subjective sleepiness, and EEG measures of sleepiness.Results:Whereas sleep restriction and alcohol each caused a significant deterioration in all indices, the combined alcohol and sleep restriction further and significantly worsened lane drifting (which typifies sleep related crashes). This combined effect was also reflected to a significant extent in the EEG, but not with subjective sleepiness. That is, alcohol did not significantly increase subjective sleepiness in combination with sleep loss when compared with sleep loss alone.Conclusions:Modest, and apparently “safe” levels of alcohol intake exacerbate driving impairment due to sleepiness. The sleepy drivers seemed not to have realised that alcohol had increased their sleepiness to an extent that was clearly reflected by a greater driving impairment and in the EEG.
Can salivary lead be used for biological monitoring of lead exposed individuals?: Figure 1
Authors: Koh D , Ng V , Chua L H , Yang Y , Ong H Y , Chia S E 
Published: August 2003

Background:Measurement of blood lead (BPb) is the usual method for biomonitoring of persons exposed to inorganic lead.Aim:To explore the use of salivary lead (SPb) as an alternative.Methods:BPb and SPb levels were measured in a group of 82 lead exposed adults.Results:The mean BPb of the workers was 26.6 μg/dl (SD 8.6, range 10–48) and the mean SPb level 0.77 μg/dl, or 3% of the BPb level. As the SPb distribution was skewed, logarithmic transformation was performed to normalise the distribution. A bivariate scattergram of BPb and logSPb (r= 0.41, p = 0.00) had a line of best fit expressed as BPb = 29.7 + 8.95logSPb. The relation of logSPb and BPb was stronger among non-smokers (r= 0.42) compared to smokers (r= 0.3); and among those without a medical condition (r= 0.44). Multiple linear regression analysis (fitting smoking and medical condition into the model) yielded an R of 0.54, and an adjusted R2of 0.26.Conclusion:The study findings do not support the use of SPb for biomonitoring at BPb levels ranging from 10 to 50 μg/dl.
Occupational asthma due to IgE mediated allergy to the flowerMolucella laevis(Bells of Ireland): Figure 1
Authors: Miesen W M A J , van der Heide S , Kerstjens H A M , Dubois A E J , de Monchy J G R 
Published: August 2003

Background:About 25% of greenhouse flower and/or ornamental plant growers sensitised to workplace flowers or moulds have occupational asthma, a disease that is suffered by 8% of the growers who cultivate these crops.Aim:To document a case of occupational asthma due to IgE mediated allergy to the flowerMolucella laevis.Methods and Results:There was a history of work related seasonal asthmatic and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in aMolucella laevisgrower. Bronchial obstruction following exposure toMolucella laeviswas documented by a fall in FEV1from 89% to 73% of predicted during seasonal exposure toMolucella laevis.Daily PEF measurements showed a fall from 500 to 250 l/min during this period following withdrawal of inhaled steroids. Bronchial reactivity to inhaled methacholine was increased (PC201.45 mg/ml). Confirmation of sensitisation toMolucella laevisflower pollen extract was done using an SPT and by demonstration ofMolucella laevisspecific serum IgE (18 IU/ml; class 4). Specific inhalation challenge withMolucella laevisextract provoked an early and late asthmatic reaction (EAR and LAR) with a fall in FEV1compared with control day of 40% and 53% respectively, with associated 5.1-fold increase in absolute sputum eosinophil cell counts and 2.9-fold increase in neutrophil cell counts.
Age related differences in work injuries and permanent impairment: a comparison of workers’ compensation claims among adolescents, young adults, and adults
Authors: Breslin C , Koehoorn M , Smith P , Manno M 
Published: August 2003

Background:There is growing evidence that adolescent workers are at greater risk for work injury.Aims:To investigate the severity of work injuries across age groups.Methods:Workers’ compensation records were used to examine work related injuries among adolescents (15–19 years old), young adults (20–24 years old), and adults (25+ years old) between 1993 and 2000. The incidence of compensated injuries was calculated for each age group and compared by gender, industry, and type of injury. The presence and degree of permanent impairment in each age group was also examined.Results:For males, adolescents and young adults had higher claim rates than adults. For females, adults had the highest claim rates and young adults the lowest. Rates of permanent impairment indicated that age was positively associated with severity of injury.Conclusions:Indicators of health consequences, in particular presence of permanent impairment, provide preliminary evidence that compensated work injuries sustained by youth are not as serious as injuries sustained by adults. Nevertheless, there was evidence that some young workers sustain injuries that have long term consequences. Documenting the consequences of the injuries that young workers sustain has implications for secondary prevention efforts and health services policy.
Integrative assessment of multiple pesticides as risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma among men
Authors: De Roos A J , Zahm S H , Cantor K P , Weisenburger D D , Holmes F F , Burmeister L F , Blair A 
Published: August 2003

Background:An increased rate of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) has been repeatedly observed among farmers, but identification of specific exposures that explain this observation has proven difficult.Methods:During the 1980s, the National Cancer Institute conducted three case-control studies of NHL in the midwestern United States. These pooled data were used to examine pesticide exposures in farming as risk factors for NHL in men. The large sample size (n = 3417) allowed analysis of 47 pesticides simultaneously, controlling for potential confounding by other pesticides in the model, and adjusting the estimates based on a prespecified variance to make them more stable.Results:Reported use of several individual pesticides was associated with increased NHL incidence, including organophosphate insecticides coumaphos, diazinon, and fonofos, insecticides chlordane, dieldrin, and copper acetoarsenite, and herbicides atrazine, glyphosate, and sodium chlorate. A subanalysis of these “potentially carcinogenic” pesticides suggested a positive trend of risk with exposure to increasing numbers.Conclusion:Consideration of multiple exposures is important in accurately estimating specific effects and in evaluating realistic exposure scenarios.
Shift work and subfecundity: a causal link or an artefact?
Authors: Zhu J L , Hjollund N H , Boggild H , Olsen J 
Published: August 2003

Aims:The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) was used to examine whether shift work is associated with reduced fecundity as estimated by time to pregnancy (TTP).Methods:From 1 March 1998 to 1 May 2000, 39 913 pregnant women were enrolled in the DNBC. Data on job characteristics and TTP (0–2, 3–5, 6–12, and >12 months) were used for 17 531 daytime workers and 3907 shift workers who had planned the pregnancy. Fecundity odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals using the discrete time survival analysis techniques performed by logistic regression. An OR above 1 expresses a shorter TTP and then a higher fecundity. Potential confounders, such as age at conception, gravidity, prepregnant body mass index, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as occupational characteristics, were also included in the model.Results:Fixed evening workers and fixed night workers had a longer TTP. Compared with daytime workers, the adjusted ORs were 0.80 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.92) for fixed evening workers, 0.80 (95% CI 0.63 to 1.00) for fixed night workers, 0.99 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.07) for rotating shift (without night) workers, and 1.05 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.14) for rotating shift (with night) workers. When analysis was restricted to nulliparous women, the estimates remained unchanged. The proportions of unplanned pregnancies and contraceptive failures were higher among fixed evening and fixed night workers.Conclusions:There was no unequivocal evidence of a causal association between shift work and subfecundity. The slightly reduced fecundity among fixed evening workers and fixed night workers may be mediated by pregnancy planning bias or differential options for sexual contacts.
Mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of meatworkers
Authors: Fritschi L , Fenwick S , Bulsara M 
Published: August 2003

Aims:To determine the risk of all cause mortality, cause specific mortality, and incident cancer in meatworkers.Methods:In a retrospective cohort study, a list of members of a meatworkers union in Australia was matched with the national death and cancer registries. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated using Australian population rates. Exposure to animal viruses, animal blood, animal faeces, and plastic pyrolysis products was assigned according to job title. A nested case control analysis examined the risk of mortality and cancer incidence by each exposure.Results:There were approximately 20 000 subjects available for analysis. Male workers had increased risk of mortality from all causes (SMR 116, 95% CI 105 to 128) and from injury (SMR 131, 95% CI 108 to 157). Risk of incident lung cancer in males was non-significantly increased (SIR 164, 95% CI 97 to 259) and males had a raised risk of head and neck cancer (SIR 188, 95% CI 103 to 315). There were no significant associations with specific exposures.Conclusions:Compared to the general Australian population, meatworkers have increased risk of death from all causes, death from injury, and incident lung and head and neck cancer. Analysis by occupational exposures did not disclose any strong evidence of specific occupational risk factors, although this analysis was limited by small numbers of some outcomes and exposure assessment which was based on job titles only.
Inflammatory potential of dust from schools and building related symptoms
Authors: Allermann L , Meyer H W , Poulsen O M , Nielsen J B , Gyntelberg F 
Published: August 2003

Aims:To test whether the inflammatory potential of dust samples might be used to differentiate schools with high and low prevalence of building related symptoms (BRS) among the occupants.Methods:Ten schools with high prevalence of BRS and 10 schools with low prevalence were selected. Dust collected from floors, horizontal surfaces, and exhaust outlets was tested at five concentrations on the lung epithelial cell line A549. The potency of the dust (PF) to stimulate IL-8 secretion was calculated from the initial linear part of the dose-response curves. The organic fraction of the dust samples was determined by incineration.Results:The schools with low prevalence of symptoms had a BRS% of 4.4–11.0 and the schools with high prevalence a BRS% of 19.6–31.9. The PF of floor dust and surface dust correlated, and the PF was associated with the organic content of the dust. The schools with low prevalence of symptoms had a significantly lower PF than the schools with high prevalence. Using the cut point value of 4.5 ng IL-8/mg floor dust, significantly more high prevalence schools were found above the cut point than below.Conclusion:The PF of the floor dust samples correlated significantly with the prevalence of symptoms in the schools. The content of endotoxin and microorganisms did not seem to explain the inflammatory potential of the dust or BRS, and the substances in the dust causing the inflammatory potential are presently unknown.
Intervention strategies to reduce musculoskeletal injuries associated with handling patients: a systematic review
Authors: Hignett S 
Published: August 2003

Aims:To report, analyse, and discuss the results of a systematic review looking at intervention strategies to reduce the risk factors associated with patient handling activities.Methods:A search strategy was devised to seek out research between 1960 and 2001. Inclusion/exclusion criteria limited the entry of papers into the review process. A checklist was selected and modified to include a wide range of study designs. Inter-rater reliability was established between six reviewers before the main review process commenced. Each paper was read by two reviewers and given a quality rating score, with any conflicts being resolved by a third reviewer. Papers were grouped by category: multifactor, single factor, and technique training based interventions.Results:A total of 2796 papers were found, of which 880 were appraised. Sixty three papers relating to interventions are reported in this paper. The results are reported as summary statements with the associated evidence level (strong, moderate, limited, or poor).Conclusion:There is strong evidence that interventions predominantly based on technique training have no impact on working practices or injury rates. Multifactor interventions, based on a risk assessment programme, are most likely to be successful in reducing risk factors related to patient handling activities. The seven most commonly used strategies are identified and it is suggested that these could be used to form the basis of a generic intervention programme, with additional local priorities identified through the risk assessment process. Health care providers should review their policies and procedures in light of these findings.
Haematological effects among silk screening workers exposed to 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate
Authors: Loh C-H , Shih T-S , Liou S-H , Lin Y-C , Hsieh A-T , Chen C-Y , Liao G-D 
Published: August 2003

Background:2-Ethoxy ethyl acetate (2-EEA) is a solvent with broad industrial and commercial applications. It has been reported to cause hematological toxicity, infertility, and teratogenesis.Aims:To investigate the haematological effects in 2-EEA exposed workers.Methods:Workers from one silk screening shop (n = 29), using 2-EEA as the major cleaning and printing solvent, were recruited as a high exposure group. Workers with indirect and non-exposure to 2-EEA (n = 56) were recruited as the comparison group. Venous blood was collected for blood routine examination. Air concentration of 2-EEA in this plant was measured by eight hour personal sampling.Results:The geometric mean (GM) of air concentration of 2-EEA in the high exposure group was 7.41 ppm (range 1.35–16.5 pppm). The mean exposure of female workers (GM = 9.34 ppm) was significantly higher than that of male workers (GM = 4.87 ppm). The GM of air 2-EEA concentration in the comparison group was 0.07 ppm (range: non-detectable to 3.62 ppm, n = 26). The haemoglobin and haematocrit in the female high 2-EEA exposure workers were significantly lower than those of female workers in the comparison group. No difference was found between male 2-EEA high exposure and comparison group workers. The haemoglobin, haematocrit, and RBC count in the study population had a significant dose-response relation with air 2-EEA levels.Conclusion:Results suggest that 2-EEA is a haematological toxicant, which leads to anaemic status in high exposure female workers.
Prognosis of shoulder tendonitis in repetitive work: a follow up study in a cohort of Danish industrial and service workers
Authors: Bonde J P , Mikkelsen S , Andersen J H , Fallentin N , Baelum J , Svendsen S W , Thomsen J F , Frost P , Thomsen G , Overgaard E , Kaergaard A ,   the PRIM Health Study Group
Published: August 2003

Background:The physical and psychosocial work environment is expected to modify recovery from shoulder disorders, but knowledge is limited.Methods:In a follow up study of musculoskeletal disorders in industrial and service workers, 113 employees were identified with a history of shoulder pain combined with clinical signs of shoulder tendonitis. The workers had yearly reexaminations up to three times. Quantitative estimates of duration, repetitiveness, and forcefulness of current tasks were obtained from video recordings. Perception of job demands, decision latitude, and social support was recorded by a job content questionnaire. Recovery of shoulder tendonitis was analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival technique and by logistic regression on exposure variables and individual characteristics in models, allowing for time varying exposures.Results:Some 50% of workers recovered within 10 months (95% CI 6 to 14 months). Higher age was strongly related to slow recovery, while physical job exposures were not. Perception of demands, control, and social support at the time when the shoulder disorder was diagnosed, were associated with delayed recovery, but these psychosocial factors did not predict slow recovery in incident cases identified during follow up.Conclusion:The median duration of shoulder tendonitis in a cross sectional sample of industrial and service workers was in the order of 10 months. This estimate is most likely biased towards too high a value. Recovery was strongly reduced in higher age. Physical workplace exposures and perceived psychosocial job characteristics during the period preceding diagnosis seem not to be important prognostic factors.
Downsizing of staff is associated with lowered medically certified sick leave in female employees
Authors: Theorell T , Oxenstierna G , Westerlund H , Ferrie J , Hagberg J , Alfredsson L 
Published: August 2003

Aim:To determine whether changes in number of staff in work sites are associated with medically certified sick leave among employees with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.Methods:The 5720 employees (aged 18–65) were from the WOLF study of cardiovascular risk factors in working men and women in greater Stockholm during the years 1992–95. From the medical examination a cardiovascular score was calculated for each participant. The WOLF study base was linked to a Statistics Sweden registry of economic and administrative activities. Sick leave spells lasting for at least 15 days during the calendar year following downsizing/expansion were identified for each subject.Results:In multiple logistic regression an increased likelihood of having no medically certified sick leave (15 days or more) was found in women during the year following both downsizing and expansion. These analyses were adjusted for age and cardiovascular score. A high cardiovascular risk score reduced the likelihood of having no medically certified sick leave. The inclusion of psychosocial work environment variables did not change the results markedly. Separate analyses of women with and without high cardiovascular score showed that downsizing had a more pronounced effect on reduced long term sick leave among those with high than among those without low cardiovascular score. There were no consistent findings in men.Conclusions:There is evidence of a reduction of long term sick leave in women after downsizing and this is particularly evident among those with high cardiovascular score.
Dermoscopic Features of Plaque Psoriasis and Lichen Planus: New Observations
Authors: Vázquez-López Francisco , Manjón-Haces José Antonio , Maldonado-Seral Cayetana , Raya-Aguado Cristina , Pérez-Oliva Narciso , Marghoob Ashfaq A. 
Published: August 2003

<i>Background:</i> Dermoscopic features of common inflammatory dermatoses are not well studied and previous reports on this topic are limited to the search of vascular features (capillaroscopy). <i>Objective:</i> Dermoscopic features of psoriasis and lichen planus (LP) are investigated to determine both vascular and nonvascular features of these two dermatoses. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> Dermoscopic images of 25 patients with LP and 20 patients with plaque psoriasis (PP) were evaluated. Findings were statistically analyzed including the reproducibility of scoring (Cohen’s kappa statistics). <i>Results:</i> Our observations clearly showed that the evaluation of both vascular and nonvascular findings improved the surface microscopy of these diseases. A vascular feature (homogeneous red globules) was the most significant dermoscopic finding in the PP dermoscopic pattern (20/20, 100%; p < 0.001). A nonvascular feature (whitish striae) was the most significant dermoscopic feature in the LP pattern (23/25, 92%; p < 0.001). Dermoscopic features of LP also included gray-blue dots, comedo, milium-like cysts, and vascular structures (red lines). The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of scoring was very high (k value, 0.9). <i>Conclusion:</i> Our study shows for the first time that the efficacy of surface microscopy of common inflammatory dermatoses may be improved by investigating both vascular and nonvascular findings and its practicability in daily practice by using the dermoscope. Although dermoscopy does not provide clear additional help in the clinical differentiation between typical PP and LP, it could be helpful in patients with darker skin and for teaching settings.
The Atrophogenic Potential and Dermal Tolerance of Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment Compared with Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment
Authors: Traulsen J. , Hughes-Formella B.J. 
Published: August 2003

<i>Background:</i> Recently, a combination product (Daivobet<sup>®</sup> ointment: calcipotriol 50 µg/g, betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g) has been developed for the treatment of psoriasis. <i>Objective:</i> This study aimed to demonstrate that the atrophogenic potential of Daivobet is less or equal to the skin thinning produced by Diprosone<sup>®</sup> (betamethasone dipropionate 0.05 mg/g). <i>Methods:</i> The forearms of 45 subjects were treated with Daivobet and Diprosone or Daivobet and its vehicle twice daily over a 4-week period. Sonographic measurements for full skin thickness, clinical assessments and biopsies were carried out. <i>Results:</i> A confidence interval approach was used to establish that skin thinning following treatment with Daivobet was equal to or less than thinning with Diprosone. Histological results did not suggest differences between Daivobet and Diprosone. Clinical signs of atrophy or irritation were not observed. <i>Conclusions:</i> The atrophogenic potential of Daivobet and Diprosone was similar following twice daily application over a 4-week treatment period. Skin irritation was not observed.