ICPC-2-E: the electronic version of ICPC-2. Differences from the printed version and the consequences.
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BACKGROUND: In 1998, ICPC-2 was published as a book. In the process of translating the book, and preparing an electronic version of chapter 10 (the actual classification), ICPC-2 proved to contain many errors and inconsistencies. Particularly, major problems were identified in the conversion between ICPC-2 and ICD-10, which could lead to major errors when used in electronic patient records. OBJECTIVES: We prepared an electronic version of chapter 10 of ICPC-2, ICPC-2-E, with all necessary corrections, to be published on the Oxford University Press web site as a part of this article. METHODS: Errors and inconsistencies were redressed, including particularly those in the con-version structure with all consequences on the level of inclusion and exclusion criteria, through a process of careful checking. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: ICPC-2-E, the electronic version of chapter 10 of ICPC-2, is specifically to be used in an electronic patient record and for research purposes. It is to be used together with the first nine chapters of ICPC-2, since the book is indispensable to make a correct use of ICPC. (+info)
Cancer in the Norwegian printing industry.
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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate cancer risk among Norwegian workers in the printing industry, particularly lung and bladder cancer. METHODS: Cancer incidence was investigated from 1953 through 1998 in a cohort of 10 549 male members of a trade union in the printing industry in Oslo and nearby areas. Rates from the region, were used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIR) separately for the skilled and unskilled workers. Smoking data from a sample of the cohort were utilized for evaluating the risk estimates of smoking-related cancers. Specific exposure data were not available. RESULTS: Among the skilled workers, significantly elevated risks of cancer of the urinary bladder [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 1.47, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.19-1.79], liver (SIR 1.92, 95% CI 1.15-2.99), pancreas (SIR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-1.94) and colon (SIR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.55) were observed, whereas an increased risk of lung cancer in this group was confined to those born before 1910. Among the unskilled workers, there were significantly increased risks of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, larynx, lung, and all sites. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that workers in the printing industry were at increased risk of several types of cancer. In particular the increased risk of bladder cancer among the skilled workers is suggestive of an occupational cause. However, no specific agent could be identified as an occupational carcinogen. The results did not support the hypothesis of a generally increased risk of lung cancer. The risk pattern for unskilled workers may reflect confounding by nonoccupational factors. (+info)
Current status of biomedical book reviewing: Part IV. Major American and British biomedical book publishers.
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This is the fourth part of a comprehensive, quantitative study of biomedical book reviews. The data base of the total project was built from statistics of 3,347 reviews of 2,067 biomedical books taken from all 1970 issues of fifty-four reviewing journals. This part of the study identifies the major American and British biomedical book publishers in terms of their quantitative production of book titles reviewed, and determines the relationships among these publishers. It is found that Williams & Wilkins, Charles C Thomas, Academic Press, and Springer Verlag are the most productive biomedical book publishers in terms of books reviewed in 1970. These four publishers accounted for 32% of the 1,674 books available in the United States and reviewed in the reviewing media in 1970. Williams & Wilkins is especially significant by virtue of reprint activity. The present study also explores the price trend of biomedical books. It is found that the mean price for 1,077 books studied was $16.20 per volume, with a standard deviation of $9.42. (+info)