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Biomedical subjects

A Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to A Andersen.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Updating lung cancer mortality among a cohort of man-made mineral fibre production workers in seven European countries.

A historical cohort of 21,967 workers ever employed in 13 European factories manufacturing various types of man-made mineral fibres (MMMF) was observed until 1982. Overall there were 2719 deaths (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 111) of which 189 were from lung cancer (SMR = 125). For the glasswool and rockwool/slagwool production subcohorts the lung cancer SMRs rose with time since first exposure, exceeding 170 for the period of 30 or more years. Adjustment for regional variations in mortality substantially reduced the excess in the glasswool group, but not in the rockwool/slagwool. In neither subgroup was there any relationship of lung cancer mortality with length of employment. During the early years of rockwool/slagwool production there was the potential for much higher fibrous dust exposure than at present, because of the absence of dust suppressing oil and/or the use of a batch production process. In addition slag was widely used as a raw material. Amongst workers employed during the early phase, there were 10 lung cancer deaths giving SMRs of 270 and 244 for the periods 20-29 and 30 or more years since first exposure. This group accounts for most of the absolute excess of lung cancer for the rockwool/slagwool plants.

Adult↗

Calcium antagonist (PY 108-068) treatment may further decrease flow in ischemic areas in acute stroke.

The effect of the possible influence of a new calcium antagonist, PY 108-068, on regional CBF was studied in patients suffering acute ischemic stroke. The dosage was 1.5 + 2.5 mg intravenously in six patients (series 1) and 2.5 + 5.0 mg intravenously in five other patients (series 2). CBF was measured before and after treatment by xenon-133 inhalation and single-photon emission computed tomography (Tomomatic 64). In the first series, no changes in hemispheric CBF, MABP, or clinical symptoms were noted after treatment, but one patient showed an increase of CBF in part of the periinfarct area. In the second series, slight increases in mean hemispheric flow values were seen, but in three of the five patients CBF decreased even further in the ischemic area. MABP decreased by 13%, and the clinical symptoms were unchanged.

Acute Disease↗

Cancer incidence among workers in the Norwegian ferroalloy industry.

The total mortality and the incidence of cancer was studied among a cohort of employees at the six oldest ferrosilicon and ferromanganese plants in Norway. The cohort consisted of 6494 men employed for more than 18 months before 1970 and has been followed up from 1953 to 1982. The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for cancer (all sites) was 0.94. The observed number of cancers was as expected for lung cancer (SIR = 0.99) and for most of the other cancer sites studied. A statistically significant reduction of stomach cancer was found (SIR = 0.72). There was an increased incidence of lung cancer (SIR = 1.75) and cancer of the prostate (SIR = 1.56) in the workers at one ferrosilicon plant and of colonic cancer (SIR = 1.90) at another ferrosilicon plant.

Female↗

Incidence of cancer among workers producing calcium carbide.

The overall mortality and the incidence of cancer have been studied among male employees at a plant producing calcium carbide. The cohort was defined as all men employed at the plant for at least 18 months in the period 1953 to 1970 and was classified according to 10 occupational categories. The 790 men have been observed from 1953 to 1983 and the incidence of cancer in the cohort has been compared with national incidence rates. A significant excess of colonic cancer (standardised incidence ratio, SIR = 2.09) and of prostatic cancer (SIR = 1.78) was found, and also a slight excess of lung cancer among furnace and maintenance workers (SIR = 1.56). The possible exposure of the workers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos, and cadmium is discussed.

Acetylene↗

Prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma.

We studied 569 cases of renal cell carcinoma in the files of the Department of Pathology of the Norwegian Radium Hospital from 1964 to 1974. A nephrectomy had been performed in all cases. Clinical information on sex, age, survival time and metastases was traced. The histological slides were examined and tumour growth pattern, cell type, cell shape, nuclear atypia, abnormal nucleoli, nuclear grade, vascular invasion and tumour demarcation were all evaluated. Besides well-known prognostic factors such as tumour stage, presence or absence of metastases and vascular invasion, nuclear grade was found to be a useful prognostic factor. Younger patients were found to do better than older, and women better than men. Smaller tumours carried a better prognosis than larger and clear cell tumours had a better prognosis than those composed of eosinophilic or basophilic cells. The presence of spindle cells was a bad prognostic omen.

Adolescent↗

Incidence of cancer in the mineral-wool producing industry in Norway.

This study concerned the Norwegian phase of a European collaborative investigation on workers in man-made mineral fiber production. A study population of 2,361 men from four Norwegian plants was examined for mortality and cancer incidence, especially lung cancer, based on a comparison of observed and expected figures, the latter determined according to the five-year age-specific mortality and incidence rates for the entire country. Violent deaths among workers with less than one year of employment represented the only significant mortality excess. A borderline, statistically significant excess risk was found for cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx, but the fact that the excess occurred in one factory only led to the assumption that the risk was associated with factors other than mineral wool. An excess risk for lung cancer was also found among those with 20 years or more since first exposure (9 observed and 4.36 expected). The risk that emerged was presumably initiated before 1960, when the environmental conditions were more hazardous than later.

Calcium Compounds↗

Trends in cancer incidence in the Nordic countries. A collaborative study of the five Nordic Cancer Registries.

Time trends and differentials in cancer incidence in the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, were investigated, using material collected by the cancer registries in each country. The incidence at all sites combined and at 23 anatomical sites was studied by age, birth cohort and time period. The maximum lengths of the trends were used for each country. In Denmark the material comprised all the tumours diagnosed in 1943-1980, in Finland and Norway those diagnosed in 1953-1980, in Iceland those diagnosed in 1955-1980, and in Sweden those diagnosed in 1958-1980. For males the age-adjusted cancer incidence rates at all sites combined were highest in Denmark and Finland, and lowest in Sweden and Norway. In females the incidence was highest in Denmark and Iceland, and lowest in Finland. The rates increased slightly for both sexes. For cancer of the pancreas, Hodgkin's disease, acute leukaemia and childhood cancer (all sites combined) the rates in all the Nordic countries were similar every year. For cancers of the stomach, colon, breast, corpus uteri, ovary, prostate, testis, urinary bladder, melanoma of the skin and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas the trends were similar but on different levels. For cancers of the larynx and lung in males the rates in Finland decreased during the 1970s, whereas the rates were increasing in the other Nordic countries. For cancer of the rectum, the trend showed a decrease in Denmark but an increase in the other Nordic countries. For lip cancer the rate in Sweden was almost constant over time, but in Denmark, Finland and Norway a decrease occurred. For oesophageal cancer in males the rates decreased in Finland and Iceland in the 1970s, whereas in Denmark and Norway there was very little change, and in Sweden there was an increase in the rates. For cancer of the cervix uteri the rates started to decrease in Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden in the mid-1960s, but in Norway not until some ten years later. The differentials between the countries were largest for cancers of the testis and thyroid, in which the highest incidence was five to six times as large as the lowest. For testicular cancer the rate was the highest in Denmark, for thyroid cancer in Iceland. For both of these cancers the rate was the lowest in Finland. Melanoma of the skin was the cancer with the most rapid increase in incidence with time in all the Nordic countries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

The man-made mineral fiber European historical cohort study. Extension of the follow-up.

The study concentrated on 21,967 workers producing rock wool/slag wool, glass wool or continuous filament in 13 European factories. The expected deaths and incident cancer cases were derived from multiplying the accumulated person-years by national reference rates across sex, age, and calendar-year strata, correction factors for regional lung cancer mortality also being used. Exposure assessment was based on the results of a historical environmental investigation reported elsewhere. There were 189 deaths (151.2 expected), and for rock-wool/slag-wool and glass-wool workers the standardized mortality ratios for lung cancer showed a pattern of increasing mortality with time since first exposure but not duration of employment. There was an excess of lung cancer among rock-wool/slag-wool workers employed during an early technological phase before the introduction of dust-suppressing agents, and fiber exposure, either alone on in combination with other exposures, may have contributed to the elevated risk. No excess of the same magnitude was evident for glass-wool production, and the follow-up of the continuous filament cohort was too short to allow for an evaluation of possible long-term effects. There was no evidence of an increased risk for pleural tumors or nonmalignant respiratory diseases.

Calcium Compounds↗

Asbestos exposure, smoking habits, and cancer incidence among production and maintenance workers in an electrochemical plant.

The incidence of cancer was studied in a cohort of 287 men who were exposed to asbestos at a nitric acid production plant from 1928 onwards. During the observation period from 1953 through 1980 all cancer cases among the cohort members were identified in The Cancer Registry. For the whole cohort 42 cases of cancer were observed versus 30.6 expected. The figures for cancer of the lungs and pleura combined were 17 observed versus 3.7 expected. The corresponding figures for a heavily exposed subcohort were 11 observed and 1.2 expected. In that group there was also an increased incidence of colon cancer with 3 cases observed against 0.8 cases expected. Within the whole cohort four cases of pleural and one case of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma were found. There was also an increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin with 3 cases observed against 0.6 expected. For cancer cases that were registered as of unknown origin there were 7 cases observed and 1.4 expected. There was no increased rate ratio for cancer at any site before 20 years after the first asbestos exposure. The smoking habits of all cohort members were recorded and the relative rates for lung cancer were calculated in relation to smoking habits. In common with previous studies the results indicate a multiplicative model for the interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking in regard to lung cancer risk.

Asbestos↗

Anorexia nervosa in American blacks.

Five cases of anorexia nervosa in black American patients are presented. All had lost parents by death or divorce. Three had a family history of obesity and of a physical illness related to obesity. Two were male and both of these had a previous history of serious psychiatric disturbance. Three patients had a first or second degree relative with affective disorder. Two patients showed a primary lack of sexual interest and one male was bisexual. Four of the patients came from social classes 3-5.

Adolescent↗

Cancer incidence among workers exposed to radon and thoron daughters at a niobium mine.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of cancer among 318 male employees of a niobium mining company which was only operated between 1951 and 1965. Many of the workers, especially underground miners, were exposed to the daughters of radon and thoron and also to thorium. The accumulated doses to the workers from short-lived radon and thoron daughters in the mine atmosphere were assessed to be relatively low; up to 300 working-level months. During the follow-up period 1953-1981, 24 new cases of cancer were observed compared to an expected number of 22.8. Twelve cases of lung cancer had occurred versus 3.0 expected. Among the 77 miners, 9 cases of lung cancer were observed against 0.8 expected. Associations between the occurrence of lung cancer and exposure to alpha radiation and smoking were found. For the radon and thoron daughter exposure, about 50 excess cases per million person-years at risk per working-level month were observed.

Adult↗

Second cancers following radiation treatment for cervical cancer. An international collaboration among cancer registries.

The numbers of second cancers among 182,040 women treated for cervical cancer that were reported to 15 cancer registries in 8 countries were compared to the numbers expected had the same risk prevailed as in the general population. A small 9% excess of second cancers (5,146 observed vs. 4,736 expected) occurred 1 or more years after treatment. Large radiation doses experienced by 82,616 women did not dramatically alter their risk of developing a second cancer; at most, about 162 of 3,324 second cancers (approximately equal to 5%) could be attributed to radiation. The relative risk (RR = 1.1) for developing cancer in organs close to the cervix that had received high radiation exposures--most notably, the bladder, rectum, uterine corpus, ovary, small intestine, bone, and connective tissue--and for developing multiple myeloma increased with time since treatment. No similar increase was seen for 99,424 women not treated with radiation. Only a slight excess of acute and non-lymphocytic leukemia was found among irradiated women (RR = 1.3), and substantially fewer cases were observed than expected on the basis of current radiation risk estimates. The small risk of leukemia may be associated with low doses of radiation absorbed by the bone marrow outside the pelvis, inasmuch as the marrow in the pelvis may have been destroyed or rendered inactive by very large radiotherapy exposures. There was little evidence of a radiation effect for cancers of the stomach, colon, liver, and gallbladder, for melanoma and other skin cancers, or for chronic lymphocytic leukemia despite substantial exposures. An excess of thyroid cancer possibly was related to the low dose received by this organ. Ovarian damage caused by radiation may have been responsible for a low breast cancer risk (RR = 0.7), which was evident even among postmenopausal women. A substantial excess of lung cancer (RR = 3.7) largely may be due to misclassification of metastases and the confounding influence of cigarette smoking. Women who were under 30 or over 50 years of age when irradiated were at greatest absolute risk for developing a second cancer. The RR, however, was higher among those under age 30 years at exposure (RR = 3.9) than among older women. The expression period for radiation-induced solid tumors appeared to continue to the end of life.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Glucagon and ureteric colic.

A randomised prospective double-blind study of the effect of 1 mg glucagon intravenously was done on 51 consecutive patients with acute uretic colic. No significant difference between glucagon and placebo could be demonstrated as to pain relief or passage of calculi.

Colic↗

Nickel content of food and estimation of dietary intake.

Nickel contents of foods are reviewed. A thorough knowledge of nickel in food is of new relevance. Among dermatologists it is a general opinion that flare of hand eczema can occur after per oral nickel exposure. The prevalence of nickel allergy in the Danish population is 10% for women and 2% for men. Nickel intake from the Danish diet is estimated as 150 microgram/person/day on average. Roots and vegetables, meal, grain and bread relatively supply the average diet with much nickel. Certain food items, e.g. cocoa and chocolate, soya beans, oatmeal, nuts and almonds, fresh and dried legumes, have very high nickel contents. Consumption of these items in larger amounts may increase the nickel intake to 900 micrograms/person/day or more. Within the range of 600-5,600 micrograms of nickel may provoke hand eczema, when given in single doses as nickel sulphate. An obvious question is thus whether nickel in the diet can cause flare of hand eczema. This should and can only be established by provocation studies with low-level nickel diets combined with a single food having a high nickel content.

Denmark↗

High cadmium and nickel contents in sunflower kernels.

High cadmium and nickel contents in sunflower kernels intended for human consumption are reported. The cadmium contents of 55 samples from North America and Europe were 0.25-0.69 mg/kg with averages from different countries of 0.32-0.54 mg/kg. The contents in kernels from bird seeds (i.e. animal feed) from China and Egypt were much lower. The cadmium content of sunflower kernels for human consumption might pose a risk to human health. Danish authorities recommend the Danish consumers do not eat large amounts of sunflower kernels for a long period of time. The nickel contents of 25 of the samples of kernels for human consumption were 2.3-5.3 mg/kg. This is comparable with that found in different kinds of nuts with high nickel contents.

Cadmium↗