Publications by authors named "Laney A"

Article Synopsis
  • vB_KquU_φKuK6 is a bacteriophage that infects multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and shows potential for phage therapy despite being a temperate phage.
  • The phage's structure includes a complex capsid and a genome with genes essential for lytic and lysogenic infections, along with properties that indicate stability across various conditions.
  • While vB_KquU_φKuK6 can reduce biofilm formation and enhance the effectiveness of certain antibiotics, it cannot be used directly for therapy due to its nature but could be valuable when modified or used alongside treatments.
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  • A study analyzed the work experience and respiratory health of U.S. women coal miners using data from the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) from 1970 to 2022.
  • Out of 8,182 women studied, most worked in coal mining for less than 10 years and mainly held non-dusty jobs, with only 0.5% showing signs of pneumoconiosis.
  • The findings highlight the importance of understanding women's roles in mining and suggest improvements in gender-specific employment data to enhance their health and working conditions in male-dominated fields.
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Historically, beet curly top virus (BCTV; , ) is known for destroying the sugar beet industry in Utah and has been a persistent problem in the state since then (Ball, 1917). Starting in June of 2022, we began identifying plants in San Juan County, Utah with chlorosis and leaf curling. Of note, , the Four Corners potato, , big sagebrush, and , common sunflower, were found with general chlorosis, severe leaf curling and in the case of the sage brush, completely lacking in smell whereas nearby sage plants without the yellowing were intensely fragrant.

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Objective: The aim of the study is to summarize Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program findings since 2014, focusing on prevalence of radiographic pneumoconiosis and abnormal spirometry by region.

Methods: Analysis included the most recent Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program encounter for working miners during October 1, 2014-June 30, 2022. Central Appalachia consists of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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Background: Mandatory examination requirements for US coal miners newly entering the workforce have been in place since the 1969 Coal Act mandated chest radiographs and were updated to include spirometry with promulgation of the 2014 Mine Safety and Health Administration Dust Rule. Compliance with the mandatory respiratory screening series is described using data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP).

Methods: Among all radiographic and spirometry submissions to the CWHSP during 30 June 1971-15 March 2022, new underground coal miners who began work in the industry after 30 June 1971, and new underground, surface miners and contractors who began work after new regulations were implemented 1 August 2014, were identified and included in analysis.

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Introduction: Healthcare personnel are at risk for acquiring and transmitting respiratory infections in the workplace. Paid sick leave benefits allow workers to stay home and visit a healthcare provider when ill. The objectives of this study were to quantify the percentage of healthcare personnel reporting paid sick leave, identify differences across occupations and settings, and determine the factors associated with having paid sick leave.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A survey of employees at a midwestern Veterans Affairs healthcare facility revealed that nurses and environmental service workers had the highest exposure to cleaning products like bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds.
  • * While most workers reported high glove usage during cleaning, certain groups (like administrative and maintenance staff) could improve their protective practices, suggesting a need for better training and workplace interventions.
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  • * A survey of 3,618 U.S. HCP revealed that 79.9% got vaccinated for influenza, 87.3% completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series, and 67.1% received a COVID-19 booster shot, with coverage being lowest among assistants, aides, and those in settings without employer vaccine mandates.
  • * Higher vaccination rates were found among HCP whose employers required vaccinations, with rates between 95.8% and 97.3% for flu and up to 87
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Background: The prevalence of pneumoconiosis among working United States underground coal miners has been increasing for the past two decades, with the highest rates of disease observed among miners in the central Appalachian states of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Surveillance for this disease in the United States focuses on working coal miners, who continue to be occupationally exposed to dust. This study examines the radiographic evidence for postexposure progression of pneumoconiosis in a population of former coal miners no longer occupationally exposed to coal mine dust who were seen at a community radiology clinic in eastern Kentucky.

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Article Synopsis
  • Healthcare personnel are at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, and data on their vaccination rates is limited.
  • A survey of 2,434 healthcare workers showed that 68.2% received at least one vaccine dose, with physicians showing the highest rates, while significant racial and occupational disparities existed in vaccination uptake.
  • The main motivations for getting vaccinated included protecting oneself and others, while concerns about side effects were the leading reasons for not getting vaccinated; addressing these issues is crucial for improving vaccination rates among healthcare personnel.
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During July 2021, 469 cases of COVID-19 associated with multiple summer events and large public gatherings in a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, were identified among Massachusetts residents; vaccination coverage among eligible Massachusetts residents was 69%. Approximately three quarters (346; 74%) of cases occurred in fully vaccinated persons (those who had completed a 2-dose course of mRNA vaccine [Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna] or had received a single dose of Janssen [Johnson & Johnson] vaccine ≥14 days before exposure). Genomic sequencing of specimens from 133 patients identified the B.

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Background: Pneumoconiosis can occur in surface coal miners. The Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) has only included surface coal miners as part of its regular disease surveillance since 2014. This analysis identifies the prevalence of pneumoconiosis among working surface coal miners participating in the CWHSP since their initial inclusion, through 2019.

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Background: Coal miners with totally disabling pneumoconiosis are eligible for benefits through the Federal Black Lung Benefits Program (FBLP). We identify the causes of death among Medicare beneficiaries with a claim for which the FBLP was the primary payer and compare these causes of death to all deceased Medicare beneficiaries to better understand elevated death and disease among miners with occupational respiratory exposures.

Methods: From 1999 to 2016 Medicare data, we extracted beneficiary and National Death Index data for 28,003 beneficiaries with an FBLP primary payer claim.

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Objectives: Work-related lung diseases (WRLDs) are entirely preventable. To assess the impact of WRLDs on the US transplant system, we identified adult lung transplant recipients with a WRLD diagnosis specified at the time of transplant to describe demographic, payer and clinical characteristics of these patients and to assess post-transplant survival.

Methods: Using US registry data from 1991 to 2018, we identified lung transplant recipients with WRLDs including coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestosis, metal pneumoconiosis and berylliosis.

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Objectives: Pneumoconiosis prevalence and severity among US coal miners has been increasing for the past 20 years. An examination of the current approaches to primary and secondary prevention efforts is warranted. One method of secondary prevention is the Mine Safety and Health Administration-administered part 90 option programme where US coal miners with radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis can exercise their right to be placed in a less dusty area of the mine.

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Introduction: This study estimated the prevalence of spirometry-defined airflow obstruction and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) among never-smoking coal miners participating in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP).

Methods: Data were from working miners screened by a CWHSP mobile unit who had valid spirometry and chest radiography results. Spirometry-defined airflow obstruction was determined when the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity is less than the lower limit of normal.

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Background: Exposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause pneumoconiosis, an irreversible lung disease that can be debilitating. The mass concentration and quartz mass percent of respirable coal mine dust samples (annually, by occupation, by geographic region) from surface coal mines and surface facilities at U.S.

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Objective: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) B Reader Program provides the opportunity for physicians to demonstrate proficiency in the International Labour Office (ILO) system for classifying radiographs of pneumoconioses. We summarize trends in participation and examinee attributes and performance during 1987 to 2018.

Methods: Since 1987, NIOSH has maintained details of examinees and examinations.

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Purpose Of Review: This review summarizes recent research on pneumoconiosis in coal workers following the identification of the resurgence of this disease among US coal miners in the early 2000s. We describe the impact of this research and how this has led to increased public attention, benefitting affected miners.

Recent Findings: The latest research shows that the prevalence of pneumoconiosis, including progressive massive fibrosis, continues to increase, especially in central Appalachia.

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Clinical teaching generally asserts that large opacities of progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) on chest radiographs present primarily bilaterally in the upper lung zones, and with an elevated background profusion of small opacities. However, the contemporary basis for these descriptions is limited.Radiographs taken for the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program during 2000-2015 and previously determined to have large opacities ("PMF radiographs",  = 204), and a random sample previously deemed free of large opacities ( =22), were independently reevaluated by three National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) B Readers.

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