bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air pollution and mortality in the Netherlands: are the elderly more at risk?
Authors: Fischer P. , Hoek G. , Brunekreef B. , Verhoeff A. , van Wijnen J. 
Published: May 2003

The association between daily mortality and short-term variations in the ambient levels of ozone (O3), black smoke (BS), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter was studied in the Netherlands.Daily total and cause-specific mortality counts (cardiovascular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia), air quality, temperature, relative humidity and influenza data were obtained from 1986–1994. The relationship between daily mortality and air pollution was modelled using Poisson regression analysis. All pollution mortality associations were adjusted for potential confounding due to long-term trends, seasonal trends, influenza epidemics, ambient temperature, ambient relative humidity, day of the week and holidays, using generalised additive models.Statistically significant associations were mostly found in the elderly, that is the age categories of 65–74 and ≥75 yrs for the pollutants PM10(particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm), BS, SO2, NO2and CO. This may partly be due to a better precision of relative risk (RR) estimates for the larger numbers of deaths in these age groups. Significant associations for those <65 yrs were found for O3(total and COPD mortality), PM10(pneumonia), NO2(pneumonia) and CO (pneumonia).RR estimates for deaths between 45–65 yrs tended to be smaller than those in >65 yrs, with the exception of ozone; for cardiovascular mortality the RR for PM10, O3and CO were similar in these age groups.In conclusion, larger relative risks for air pollution were mostly found in the elderly except for ozone and for death-cause pneumonia which showed larger relative risk in younger age groups.
Case-crossover design in air pollution epidemiology
Authors: Jaakkola J.J.K. 
Published: May 2003

The case-crossover design was developed to study the effects of transient, short-term exposures on the risk of acute events, such as myocardial infarction, in the early 1990s. This paper illustrates how the principles of case-crossover design are related to the principles of crossover and case-control designs and stipulates the possibilities of case-crossover design in air pollution epidemiology.In the case-crossover design, the study population consists of subjects who have experienced an episode of the health outcome of interest. Similar to a crossover study, each subject serves as his or her own control. As in a matched case-control study, the inference is based on a comparison of exposure distribution rather than the risk of disease. The case-crossover study is most suitable for studying relations with the following characteristics: 1) the individual exposure varies within short time intervals; 2) the disease has abrupt onset and short latency for detection; and 3) the induction period is short.Case-crossover design allows use of routinely monitored air pollution information and at the same time makes it possible to study individuals rather than days as the unit of observation. Case-crossover design is amenable for studying the effects of varying short-term air pollution exposure on health outcomes with an abrupt onset, such as myocardial infarction or asthma attack.
Epidemiological aspects and early detection of chronic obstructive airway diseases in the elderly
Authors: Lundbäck B. , Gulsvik A. , Albers M. , Bakke P. , Rönmark E. , van den Boom G. , Brøgger J. , Larsson L‐G. , Welle I. , van Weel C. , Omenaas E. 
Published: May 2003

The burdens of chronic obstructive airway diseases among the elderly in Europe, and worldwide, are increasing. Although asthma is common in all ages, the main airway disease affecting the elderly is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this paper is to review the prevalence and incidence of COPD on the basis of population studies. As the prevalence estimates of asthma are probably well known, only the incidence and remission of asthma will be discussed. The underdiagnosis of obstructive airway diseases is huge. A Dutch programme for early detection of obstructive airway disease among the elderly has, thus, been included in the presentation.A prerequisite for fighting COPD is to acquire data on illnesses and death. COPD has only recently been defined by cut-off points of spirometric outcomes, which is why measures of the prevalence of COPD have been distorted by use of a large number of different diagnostic terms and lung function criteria. The prevalence of clinically-relevant COPD has been estimated in several community studies to 4–6% in adult population samples, with a considerable increase by age, particularly among smokers. The incidence of COPD not only increases heavily with age and smoking, but also occupational exposure to dust, gas and damp. Precise estimates of the incidence of COPD or spirometric airflow limitation are not available.Demographic changes will result in a further substantial increase of chronic obstructive airway disorders, mainly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among the elderly. The increasing burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has to come to the awareness of the public, governments, health authorities, and industry.
Health impact assessment of air pollution: providing further evidence for public health action
Authors: Martuzzi M. , Krzyzanowski M. , Bertollini R. 
Published: May 2003

Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated the importance of air pollution as a risk factor and characterised dose-response relationships between health endpoints and pollutants.The association between particulate matter (PM) and health is generally regarded as causal, and a nonthreshold linear relationship with, for example, mortality and hospital admission has been observed in several settings.The ubiquitous PM air pollution is likely to have a large overall impact on human health, even if risks are relatively small. There have recently been a large number of papers reporting quantitative estimations of the health impact of PM on health, as measured by the proportion of excess events that are attributable to PM exposures in the general population, mainly in industrialised countries. For example, in the eight largest Italian cities it has been estimated that concentrations beyond 30 µg·m−3are responsible for about 3,500 extra deaths per year. A similar study has been carried out for France, Austria and Switzerland.These evaluations fill a knowledge gap between the laboratory and clinical studies on the pathophysiological mechanisms, the epidemiological research on the nature and strength of the association at the population level, and the risk management needs for developing appropriate preventive policies.Some limitations in the methodology deserve further research, however health impact assessment type studies are informative and effective tools of communication with the general public and policy makers.
The need for a focus on air pollution research in the elderly
Authors: Sandström T. , Frew A.J. , Svartengren M. , Viegi G. 
Published: May 2003

During recent years an increasing focus has been directed towards the adverse health effects associated with ambient air pollution. Elderly people appear to be particularly susceptible to the adverse effects involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, resulting in symptoms, exacerbations of disease and even mortality.From an epidemiological point of view it is essential to obtain a more detailed description and identification of factors associated with these health effects. Novel study designs are needed with complementary exposure and biomedical characterisation. Long-term prospective studies are required. A better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms is considered important and requires an interaction between epidemiological and mechanistic studies in elderly individuals with or without complementary diseases that put in them especially at risk.Generally a synergy between complementary disciplines is warranted to move this important research area forward, also includingin vitromodels of cell responses in the elderly, animal models of diseases of the elderly, together with controlled air pollution exposure studies identifying health-related events and mechanisms.The generation of an understanding of air pollution effects in the elderly, at an elevated level, is a prerequisite to substantially reducing the adverse health effects of this population group. At local, national and European Union levels, some steps have been taken to support the research in this area. A major focus on the adverse air pollution effects in the elderly requires a long-term commitment that still remains to be established.
Influence of passive leg elevation on the right ventricular function in anaesthetized coronary patients
Authors: Bertolissi Massimo , Broi Ugo Da , Soldano Franca , Bassi Flavio 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Introduction
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of passive leg elevation on the right ventricular function in two groups of patients, one with a normal right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and one with a reduced RVEF.

Methods
Twenty coronary patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were studied by a RVEF pulmonary artery catheter. The haemodynamic data reported were collected before the induction of anaesthesia (time point 1), just before (time point 2) and 1 min (time point 3) after the legs were simultaneously raised at 60°, and 1 min after the legs were lowered (time point 4). The patients were divided into two groups: group A, with preinduction RVEF > 45%; and group B, with preinduction RVEF < 40%.

Results
In group A (n = 10), at time point 3 compared with time point 2, the heart rate significantly decreased (from 75 ± 10 to 66 ± 7 beats/min). The right ventricular end diastolic volume index (from 105 ± 17 to 133 ± 29 ml/m2), the right ventricular end systolic volume index (from 61 ± 13 to 77 ± 24 ml/m2), the systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient (from 93 ± 24 to 113 ± 22 mmHg) and the diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient (from 58 ± 11 to 66 ± 12 mmHg) significantly increased. Also in group A, the cardiac index did not significantly increase (from 3.28 ± 0.6 to 3.62 ± 0.6 l/min/m2), the RVEF was unchanged, and the right ventricular end diastolic volume/pressure ratio (RVED V/P) did not significantly decrease (from 48 ± 26 to 37 ± 13 ml/mmHg). In group B (n = 6) at the same time, the heart rate (from 72 ± 15 to 66 ± 12 beats/min), the right ventricular end diastolic volume index (from 171 ± 50 to 142 ± 32 ml/m2) and the RVED V/P (from 71 ± 24 to 39 ± 7 ml/mmHg) significantly decreased. The cardiac index and the diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient were unchanged in group B, while the RVEF and the systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient did not significantly increase, and the right ventricular end-systolic volume index did not significantly decrease. All results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

Conclusions
We conclude that passive leg elevation caused a worse condition in the right ventricle of group B because, with stable values of cardiac index, of systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient and of diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient (which supply oxygen), the RVED V/P (to which oxygen consumption is inversely related) markedly decreased. This is as opposed to group A, where the cardiac index, the systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient and the diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient increased, and the RVED V/P slightly decreased. Passive leg elevation must therefore be performed cautiously in coronary patients with a reduced RVEF.
Case report: Severe mercuric sulphate poisoning treated with 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate and haemodiafiltration
Authors: Dargan Paul I , Giles Lucy J , Wallace Craig I , House Ivan M , Thomson Alison H , Beale Richard J , Jones Alison L 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Introduction
Inorganic mercury poisoning is uncommon, but when it occurs it can result in severe, life-threatening features and acute renal failure. Previous reports on the use of extracorporeal procedures such as haemodialysis and haemoperfusion have shown no significant removal of mercury. We report here the successful use of the chelating agent 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate (DMPS), together with continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), in a patient with severe inorganic mercury poisoning.

Case report
A 40-year-old man presented with haematemesis after ingestion of 1 g mercuric sulphate and rapidly deteriorated in the emergency department, requiring intubation and ventilation. His initial blood mercury was 15 580 μg/l. At 4.5 hours after ingestion he was started on DMPS. He rapidly developed acute renal failure and so he was started on CVVHDF for renal support and in an attempt to improve mercury clearance; CVVHDF was continued for 14 days.

Methods
Regular ultradialysate and pre- and post-filtrate blood samples were taken and in addition all ultradialysate generated was collected to determine its mercury content.

Results
The total amount of mercury in the ultrafiltrate was 127 mg (12.7% of the ingested dose). The sieving coefficient ranged from 0.13 at 30-hours to 0.02 at 210-hours after ingestion. He developed no neurological features and was discharged from hospital on day 50. Five months after discharge from hospital he remained asymptomatic, with normal creatinine clearance.

Discussion
We describe a patient with severe inorganic mercury poisoning in whom full recovery occurred with the early use of the chelating agent DMPS and CVVHDF. There was removal of a significant amount of mercury by CVVHDF.

Conclusion
We feel that CVVHDF should be considered in patients with inorganic mercury poisoning, particularly those who develop acute renal failure, together with meticulous supportive care and adequate doses of chelation therapy with DMPS.
The Bair Hugger patient warming system in prolonged vascular surgery: an infection risk?
Authors: Huang Joseph KC , Shah Elizabeth F , Vinodkumar Narayanan , Hegarty MA , Greatorex Robert A 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Introduction
Use of the Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming system during prolonged abdominal vascular surgery may lead to increased bacterial contamination of the surgical field by mobilization of the patient's skin flora.

Methods
This possibility was studied by analyzing bacterial content in air and wound specimens collected during surgery in 16 patients undergoing abdominal vascular prosthetic graft insertion procedure, using the Bair Hugger patient warming system. The bacterial colony counts from the beginning and the end of surgery were compared, and the data analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.

Results
The results showed not only that there was no increase in bacterial counts at the study sites, but also that there was a decrease (P < 0.01) in air bacterial content around the patient and in the operating theatre after prolonged use of the patient warmer. No wound or graft infections occurred.

Conclusion
The use of this warming system does not lead to increased bacterial contamination of the operating theatre atmosphere, and it is unlikely to affect the surgical field adversely.
Multivariate analysis of risk factors for QT prolongation following subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Fukui Shinji , Katoh Hiroshi , Tsuzuki Nobusuke , Ishihara Shoichiro , Otani Naoki , Ooigawa Hidetoshi , Toyooka Terushige , Ohnuki Akira , Miyazawa Takahito , Nawashiro Hiroshi , Shima Katsuji 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Background
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often causes a prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval during the acute phase. The aim of the present study was to examine independent risk factors for QTc prolongation in patients with SAH by means of multivariate analysis.

Method
We studied 100 patients who were admitted within 24 hours after onset of SAH. Standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) was performed immediately after admission. QT intervals were measured from the ECG and were corrected for heart rate using the Bazett formula. We measured serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), dopamine, antidiuretic hormone, and glucose.

Results
The average QTc interval was 466 ± 46 ms. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the QTc interval, with a cutoff line of 470 ms. Univariate analyses showed significant relations between categories of QTc interval, and sex and serum concentrations of potassium, calcium, or glucose. Multivariate analyses showed that female sex and hypokalemia were independent risk factors for severe QTc prolongation. Hypokalemia (<3.5 mmol/l) was associated with a relative risk of 4.53 for severe QTc prolongation as compared with normokalemia, while the relative risk associated with female sex was 4.45 as compared with male sex. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum potassium levels and QTc intervals among female patients.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that female sex and hypokalemia are independent risk factors for severe QTc prolongation in patients with SAH.
Haplotypic analysis of the TNF locus by association efficiency and entropy
Authors: Ackerman Hans , Usen Stanley , Mott Richard , Richardson Anna , Sisay-Joof Fatoumatta , Katundu Pauline , Taylor Terrie , Ward Ryk , Molyneux Malcolm , Pinder Margaret , Kwiatkowski Dominic P 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Background
To understand the causal basis of TNF associations with disease, it is necessary to understand the haplotypic structure of this locus. We genotyped 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed over 4.3 kilobases in 296 healthy, unrelated Gambian and Malawian adults. We generated 592 high-quality haplotypes by integrating family- and population-based reconstruction methods.

Results
We found 32 different haplotypes, of which 13 were shared between the two populations. Both populations were haplotypically diverse (gene diversity = 0.80, Gambia; 0.85, Malawi) and significantly differentiated (p < 10-5 by exact test). More than a quarter of marker pairs showed evidence of intragenic recombination (29% Gambia; 27% Malawi). We applied two new methods of analyzing haplotypic data: association efficiency analysis (AEA), which describes the ability of each SNP to detect every other SNP in a case-control scenario; and the entropy maximization method (EMM), which selects the subset of SNPs that most effectively dissects the underlying haplotypic structure. AEA revealed that many SNPs in TNF are poor markers of each other. The EMM showed that 8 of 12 SNPs (Gambia) and 7 of 12 SNPs (Malawi) are required to describe 95% of the haplotypic diversity.

Conclusions
The TNF locus in the Gambian and Malawi sample is haplotypically diverse and has a rich history of intragenic recombination. As a consequence, a large proportion of TNF SNPs must be typed to detect a disease-modifying SNP at this locus. The most informative subset of SNPs to genotype differs between the two populations.
Analysis and functional classification of transcripts from the nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: McCarter James P , Dautova Mitreva Makedonka , Martin John , Dante Mike , Wylie Todd , Rao Uma , Pape Deana , Bowers Yvette , Theising Brenda , Murphy Claire V , Kloek Andrew P , Chiapelli Brandi J , Clifton Sandra W , Bird David Mck , Waterston Robert H 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Background
Plant parasitic nematodes are major pathogens of most crops. Molecular characterization of these species as well as the development of new techniques for control can benefit from genomic approaches. As an entrée to characterizing plant parasitic nematode genomes, we analyzed 5,700 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from second-stage larvae (L2) of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita.

Results
From these, 1,625 EST clusters were formed and classified by function using the Gene Ontology (GO) hierarchy and the Kyoto KEGG database. L2 larvae, which represent the infective stage of the life cycle before plant invasion, express a diverse array of ligand-binding proteins and abundant cytoskeletal proteins. L2 are structurally similar to Caenorhabditis elegans dauer larva and the presence of transcripts encoding glyoxylate pathway enzymes in the M. incognita clusters suggests that root-knot nematode larvae metabolize lipid stores while in search of a host. Homology to other species was observed in 79% of translated cluster sequences, with the C. elegans genome providing more information than any other source. In addition to identifying putative nematode-specific and Tylenchida-specific genes, sequencing revealed previously uncharacterized horizontal gene transfer candidates in Meloidogyne with high identity to rhizobacterial genes including homologs of nodL acetyltransferase and novel cellulases.

Conclusions
With sequencing from plant parasitic nematodes accelerating, the approaches to transcript characterization described here can be applied to more extensive datasets and also provide a foundation for more complex genome analyses.
MatchMiner: a tool for batch navigation among gene and gene product identifiers
Authors: Bussey Kimberly J , Kane David , Sunshine Margot , Narasimhan Sudar , Nishizuka Satoshi , Reinhold William C , Zeeberg Barry , Ajay  , Weinstein John N 
Published: May 2003

AbstractMatchMiner is a freely available program package for batch navigation among gene and gene product identifier types commonly encountered in microarray studies and other forms of 'omic' research. The user inputs a list of gene identifiers and then uses the Merge function to find the overlap with a second list of identifiers of either the same or a different type or uses the LookUp function to find corresponding identifiers.
Ethical Dilemmas Related to the HIV-Positive Person in the Workplace
Authors: Botes Annatjie , Otto Marianne 
Published: May 2003

This study’s objectives were: (1) to describe and explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the HIV-positive person in the workplace in South Africa; and (2) to describe the Rational Interaction for Moral Sensitivity (RIMS) approach as a possible mechanism for solving these ethical dilemmas. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was used. The target populations were HIV-positive employees and occupational health nurses working for a South African company. Data collected through individual HIV-positive employee interviews and occupational health nurse workgroups were analysed. The ethical dilemmas were conceptualized and described within the theoretical framework of the principles of ethics, namely, autonomy, beneficence, justice and confidentiality. To elicit a solution to the dilemmas, the data were recontextualized using the RIMS approach, a group decision-making strategy designed for the business environment.