Cohort mortality study of roofing granule mine and mill workers. Part I: Estimation of historical crystalline silica exposures.

A study was conducted to construct a job exposure matrix for the roofing granule mine and mill workers at four U.S. plants.

Cohort mortality study of roofing granule mine and mill workers. Part II. Epidemiologic analysis, 1945-2004.

The mortality of 2650 employees (93.4% males) in the mine and mill production of roofing granules at four plants was examined between 1945 and 2004. Hypotheses focused on diseases associated with exposure to silica: nonmalignant respiratory disease, lung cancer, and nonmalignant renal disease.

The DRESS trial: a feasibility randomized controlled trial of a neuropsychological approach to dressing therapy for stroke inpatients.

Objective: To investigate two approaches to treating patients with persistent dressing problems and cognitive difficulties following stroke.

Design: Pilot randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Inpatient stroke rehabilitation service.

Desktop study of occupational exposure judgments: do education and experience influence accuracy?

This study examines the impact of several experience and education determinants on exposure judgment accuracy. The study used desktop assessments performed on several different tasks with different exposure profiles to identify correlations between determinants and judgment accuracy using logistic regression models. The exposure judgments were elicited from industrial hygienists with varying levels of experience, education, and training.

Acute medical unit comprehensive geriatric assessment intervention study (AMIGOS).

Background: Many older people presenting to Acute Medical Units (AMU) are discharged after only a short stay (< 72 hours), yet many re-present to hospital or die within 1 year. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment may improve patient outcomes for this group.

Participants: Patients aged > 70 years and scoring positive on a risk screening tool ('Identification of Seniors At Risk') who are discharged within 72 hours of attending an AMU with a medical crisis, recruited prior to discharge.

Gender effects on amygdala morphometry in adolescent marijuana users.

Adolescent developments in limbic structures and the endogenous cannabinoid system suggest that teenagers may be more vulnerable to the negative consequences of marijuana use. This study examined the relationships between amygdala volume and internalizing symptoms in teenaged chronic marijuana users. Participants were 35 marijuana users and 47 controls ages 16-19 years.

Nursing as a scientific undertaking and the intersection with science in undergraduate studies: implications for nursing management.

Aim: To explore the science-nursing tension and impact for nursing students studying bioscience.

Background: Several studies have examined why nursing students struggle to be successful in bioscience subjects. Undeveloped science background and theory-practice gaps are noted as contributing factors.

AMP-activated protein kinase is activated in adipose tissue of individuals with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin: a randomised glycaemia-controlled crossover study.

Aims/hypothesis: The hypoglycaemic actions of metformin have been proposed to be mediated by hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). As the effects of metformin and the role of AMPK in adipose tissue remain poorly characterised, we examined the effect of metformin on AMPK activity in adipose tissue of individuals with type 2 diabetes in a randomised glycaemia-controlled crossover study.

Methods: Twenty men with type 2 diabetes (aged 50-70 years) treated with diet, metformin or sulfonylurea alone were recruited from North Glasgow University National Health Service Trusts' diabetes clinics and randomised to either metformin or gliclazide for 10 weeks.

Band structure of Si/Ge core-shell nanowires along the [110] direction modulated by external uniaxial strain.

Strain modulated electronic properties of Si/Ge core-shell nanowires along the [110] direction were reported, on the basis of first principles density-functional theory calculations. In particular, the energy dispersion relationship of the conduction/valence band was explored in detail. At the Γ point, the energy levels of both bands are significantly altered by applied uniaxial strain, which results in an evident change of the band gap.

Radiological abnormalities associated with Aspergillus colonization in a cystic fibrosis population.

Objective: To determine if sputum colonization with Aspergillus species in patients with cystic fibrosis (PWCF) correlates with radiological abnormalities and/or a reduction in pulmonary function (FEV1).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 32 PWCF utilizing high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax and pulmonary function testing (PFT). The cohort was assessed as two groups: Aspergillus positive (n=16) and Aspergillus negative (n=16) based on sputum culture for Aspergillus species.

Prism therapy and visual rehabilitation in homonymous visual field loss.

Purpose: Homonymous visual field defects (HVFD) are common and frequently occur after cerebrovascular accidents. They significantly impair visual function and cause disability particularly with regard to visual exploration. The purpose of this study was to assess a novel interventional treatment of monocular prism therapy on visual functioning in patients with HVFD of varied etiology using vision targeted, health-related quality of life (QOL) questionnaires.

VISTA-Rehab: a resource for stroke rehabilitation trials.

Background: Stroke rehabilitation is a complex intervention. Many factors influence the interaction between the patient and the elements of the intervention. Rehabilitation interventions are aimed at altering different domains of patient outcome including body functions, activity and participation.

Modeled comparisons of health risks posed by fluorinated solvents in a workplace spill scenario.

The purpose of this study was to illustrate how available physical-chemical exposure models can be used to compare potential risks and define risk management measures for non-routine exposure events, such as spills, leaks, or process upset conditions. A two-zone physical-chemical model was used to quantify and compare the potential exposure risks from five fluorinated solvents used in the manufacturing of electronic materials during an anticipated spill scenario. A 1-l spill scenario in a room measuring 2.

The effect of DNA methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine on human endometrial stromal cells.

Background: Decidualization, the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells is a crucial step for successful implantation of an embryo, development of the placenta and completion of pregnancy to term. Epigenetic mechanisms are thought to be strongly involved in the regulation of processes controlling implantation, placentation, organ formation and foetal growth. Recent studies suggest that decreased DNA methylation facilitates a receptive endometrium.

Thinking falls - taking action: a guide to action for falls prevention.

Clinical guidelines and research papers help clinicians measure and understand the risk of falling in their older clients but very few provide the assessor with recommendations as to which interventions they can use to reduce the risk of a fall. The Guide to Action for Falls Prevention tool (GtA) was developed to help professionals from a broad range of organizations to recognize factors that might increase falls risk and know which actions to take to lessen that risk. Twenty four professionals tested the GtA in a clinical setting and found it quick (15 minutes) and easy to complete.

Thoracic CT in the ED: a study of thoracic computed tomography utilisation.

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the use of thoracic Computed Tomography (CT) in the Emergency Department of a Dublin Academic Teaching Hospital over a six month period. Data was retrieved using the hospital's computerised information system. There were 202 referrals in total for thoracic CT from the Emergency Department during this time period.

Community falls prevention for people who call an emergency ambulance after a fall: randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether a service to prevent falls in the community would help reduce the rate of falls in older people who call an emergency ambulance when they fall but are not taken to hospital.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Community covered by four primary care trusts, England.

SPARC is expressed in human uveal melanoma and its abrogation reduces tumor cell proliferation.

Background: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has been shown to play an integral role in the progression of numerous malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of SPARC in uveal melanoma (UM).

Materials And Methods: SPARC expression was assessed in UM cell lines using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry.

Occupational exposure decisions: can limited data interpretation training help improve accuracy?

Accurate exposure assessments are critical for ensuring that potentially hazardous exposures are properly identified and controlled. The availability and accuracy of exposure assessments can determine whether resources are appropriately allocated to engineering and administrative controls, medical surveillance, personal protective equipment and other programs designed to protect workers. A desktop study was performed using videos, task information and sampling data to evaluate the accuracy and potential bias of participants' exposure judgments.