Tyler asbestos workers: A mortality update in a cohort exposed to amosite.

The Tyler asbestos plant produced pipe insulation from 1954 to 1972 and exclusively used amosite asbestos. There were 1130 former workers of this plant during the period of operation. A death certificate mortality analysis was published regarding this plant in 1998 for the period through 1993.

Hearing Loss and Noise Exposure Among Commercial Fishermen in the Gulf Coast.

Objective: Noise is a hazard in commercial fishing. This cross-sectional study associates occupational noise exposure with hearing loss in commercial fishermen.

Methods: A comprehensive survey and audiometric testing were administered to 227 participants in the Gulf Coast.

Workplace Safety Interventions for Commercial Fishermen of the Gulf.

Commercial fishing continues to have one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities compared with other work sectors in the United States. Attitudes/beliefs among Vietnamese shrimp fishermen of the Gulf of Mexico may influence behaviors that are risk factors for fatal and nonfatal injuries. The study employs a community trial with quasi-experimental pretest/posttest intervention design.

The significance of Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus isolation during Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease therapy.

Background: Isolation of Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (MAA) is common during Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease therapy, but there is limited information about the clinical significance of the MAA isolates.

Methods: We identified 53 of 180 patients (29%) treated for MAC lung disease who had isolation of MAA during MAC lung disease therapy. Patients were divided into those without (group 1) and those with (group 2) MAA lung disease.

Macrolide/Azalide therapy for nodular/bronchiectatic mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.

Background: There is no large study validating the appropriateness of current treatment guidelines for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease. This is a retrospective single-center review evaluating the efficacy of macrolide/azalide-containing regimens for nodular/bronchiectatic (NB) MAC lung disease.

Methods: Patients were treated according to contemporary guidelines with evaluation of microbiologic responses.

Helping Gulf shrimpers adopt safety measures: importance of partnerships and research to practice.

Commercial fishing continues to be a dangerous line of work. There are many hazards and the work is complex, even on a small scale. Along the United States Gulf Coast, the make-up of the commercial fishing population is diverse, with many Vietnamese shrimpers.

Hypothyroidism among former workers of a nuclear weapons facility.

Background: Ionizing radiation alters thyroid function, and workers at a nuclear weapons facility may be exposed to above environmental levels of radiation.

Methods: Hypothyroid status was determined for 622 former workers of a nuclear weapons facility located in Texas, using a combination of measured thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and thyroid medication history, as part of an on-going health surveillance program. We classified 916 unique job titles into 35 job categories.

Risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms among crawfish farmers in Louisiana--a pilot study.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among crawfish farmers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of MSS in nine body regions among crawfish farmers, and to examine associations between MSS and crawfish farm work activities. Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected crawfish farmers in the State of Louisiana, USA.

Factors influencing safety among a group of commercial fishermen along the Texas Gulf Coast.

The commercial fishing trades are among the most dangerous jobs in the world. Little published information exists regarding some populations of commercial fishermen such as along the United States Gulf Coast. Studying these unique and often vulnerable groups is important to characterize potential influences on or barriers to safety in anticipation of designing interventions that can change safety behaviors.

Pesticide/environmental exposures and Parkinson's disease in East Texas.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that pesticides and other environmental exposures may have a role in the etiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is little human data on risk associated with specific pesticide products, including organic pesticides such as rotenone with PD. Using a case-control design, this study examined self-reports of exposure to pesticide products, organic pesticides such as rotenone, and other occupational and environmental exposures on the risk of PD in an East Texas population.

Clinical and molecular analysis of macrolide resistance in Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.

Rationale: The clinical features and outcome of macrolide-resistant Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease are not known.

Objectives: Characterize patients, treatment, and isolates in macrolide-resistant MAC lung disease.

Methods: Retrospective chart review, susceptibility testing, molecular fingerprinting, and DNA sequence analyses of resistant MAC isolates.

Asbestos burden in cases of mesothelioma from individuals from various regions of the United States.

Mesothelioma is a rare tumor that is considered an asbestos marker disease. It occurs in individuals following a longer latency period from first exposure than other asbestos-related diseases. The tumor also occurs in individuals with a wide range of exposures, including individuals with lower level or secondary exposures.

Agroterrorism workshop: engaging community preparedness.

Introduction: Agroterrorism is the deliberate tampering with and/or contamination of the food supply with the intent of adversely affecting the social, economic, physical, and psychological well-being of society. Testimony before the Government Affairs Committee of the U.S.

Ethambutol ocular toxicity in treatment regimens for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.

Ethambutol (EMB) is an important component of multidrug treatment regimens for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease. Ocular toxicity is the most important potential EMB toxicity, especially in the elderly population with M. avium complex lung disease.