| 1. |
- Claeson, Anna-Sara, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Volatile metabolites from microorganisms grown on humid building materials and synthetic media
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 4:5, s. 667-672
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Growth of different microorganisms is often related to dampness in buildings. Both fungi and bacteria produce complicated mixtures of volatile organic compounds that include hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds etc. Microbially produced substances are one possible explanation of odour problems and negative health effects in buildings affected by microbial growth. A mixture of five fungi, Aspergillus versicolor, Fusarium culmorum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Ulocladium botrytis and Wallemia sebi were grown on three different humid building materials (pinewood, particle board and gypsum board) and on one synthetic medium. Six different sampling methods were used, to be able to collect both non-reactive volatile organic compounds and reactive compounds such as volatile amines, aldehydes and carboxylic acids. Analysis was performed using gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography, mass spectrometry was used for identification of compounds. The main microbially produced metabolites found on pinewood were ketones (e.g. 2-heptanone) and alcohols (e.g. 2-methyl-1-propanol). Some of these compounds were also found on particle board, gypsum board and the synthetic medium, but there were more differences than similarities between the materials. For example, dimethoxymethane and 1,3,5-trioxepane and some nitrogen containing compounds were found only on particle board. The metabolite production on gypsum board was very low, although some terpenes (e.g. 3-carene) could be identified as fungal metabolites. On all materials, except gypsum board, the emission of aldehydes decreased during microbial growth. No low molecular weight carboxylic acids were identified.
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| 2. |
- Claeson, Anna-Sara, 1974-
(författare)
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Volatile organic compounds from microorganisms : identification and health effects
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Damp building materials are subjected to degradation processes due to moisture and also microbial growth, with both of these giving rise to emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may contribute to indoor air health problems. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate emissions of reactive and non-reactive VOCs from damp building materials and from the microorganisms growing on them, and also to investigate the possible health impact of these compounds. Three studies were carried out in order to study emissions of VOCs. The first investigated emissions from a mixture of five fungi (Aspergillus versicolor, Fusarium culmorum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Ulocladium botrytis and Wallemia sebi) and the second emissions from the bacterium Streptomyces albidoflavus. In both studies the microorganisms were cultivated on three different building materials (pine wood, particle board and gypsum board) and one synthetic media, MEA and TGEA respectively. The bacterium was also cultivated on sand. Air samples from the cultures were collected on six different adsorbents and chemosorbents to sample a wide range of compounds such as VOCs, aldehydes, amines and light-weight organic acids. The samples were analyzed with gas chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography and ion chromatography. Mass spectrometry was used for identification of the compounds. Alcohols and ketones were the predominant compound groups identified. The bacterial culture growing on TGEA emitted ammonia, methylamine, diethylamine and ethylamine. The third study dealt with secondary emissions collected from buildings with moisture and mould problems. Samples were taken when the materials were dry and also after they had been wet for a week. Most alcohols and ketones could be identified from the wet materials. Trimethylamine and triethylamine, were identified from sand contaminated by Bacillus. One study looked at the development of a method for analysis of primary and secondary amines with LC-MS/MS. A three-step process was developed, with the first step screening the samples for NIT derivatives with selected reaction monitoring, SRM. In the second step a precursor ion scan gave the [M+H]+ ion, and the last step involved fragmentation with a product ion scan. It was possible to separate and identify all the investigated amines, which showed that the method was both specific and selective and therefore well suited for the analysis of amines in complex environments. The last study comprised two exposure studies. In study 1 each participant took part in two exposure conditions, one with air from mouldy building materials and one with blank air for a 60 minute period. In study 2 each participant was exposed four times (for a period of 10 min) at random to air from mouldy building materials and blank air, with and without nose-clip. The participants rated air quality and symptoms before, during and after each exposure. Exposure to moderate VOC levels resulted in reports of perceived poor air quality, but no such results were received when exposing the participants to low VOC levels.
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| 3. |
- Levin, Sara, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Adherence to planned risk management interventions in Swedish forensic care : What is said and done according to patient records
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. - : Elsevier. - 0160-2527 .- 1873-6386. ; 64, s. 71-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Both structured and unstructured clinical risk assessments within forensic care aim to prevent violence by informing risk management, but research about their preventive role is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate risk management interventions that were planned and realized during forensic care by analysing patient records. Records from a forensic clinic in Sweden, covering 14 patients and 526 months, were reviewed. Eight main types of risk management interventions were evaluated by content analysis: monitoring, supervision, assessment, treatment, victim protection, acute coercion, security level and police interventions. Most planned risk management interventions were realized, both in structured and clinical risk assessments. However, most realized interventions were not planned, making them more open to subjective decisions. Analysing risk management interventions actually planned and realized in clinical settings can reveal the preventive role of structured risk assessments and how different interventions mediate violence risk.
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| 4. |
- Levin, Sara, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Risk-Increasing and Risk-Reducing Factors for Violence : A Qualitative Study of Forensic Patients’ Perceptions
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Forensic Mental Health. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1499-9013 .- 1932-9903. ; 21:4, s. 383-398
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigated forensic patients’ perceptions of relevant factors for violence risk, to facilitate an understanding of potential reasons for violence and the effect of risk management interventions. Semi-structured interviews with 13 forensic patients were analyzed with qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach. The sample of participants could identify an array of potentially relevant factors for their use of violence related to themselves, the external context, social and relational aspects, as well as situational factors. Most also actively strived to manage such risk. Considering patients’ perceptions could potentially add relevant perspectives and improve clinical and structured risk assessments.
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| 5. |
- Levin, Sara, 1974-
(författare)
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The challenges of using structured risk assessment instruments in forensic psychiatric care
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The purpose of psychiatric forensic care is to provide treatment for mentally ill offenders and to prevent future acts of violence and other adverse events. During care, the type of restrictions of freedom, the patient’s continuous need for involuntary treatment and readiness for discharge, are continuously evaluated based on the assessment of risk the patient pose to themselves and others as well as the progress achieved with treatment. The use of structured risk assessment instruments is recommended in clinical guidelines to assess such risks. However, unstructured clinical assessments, considered to be less valid, are often used in clinical practice. There is insufficient research evidence concerning several aspects related to the clinical use of structured risk assessment instruments in terms of guiding the planning and realization of care and risk management interventions. There is also a lack of knowledge about what patients themselves perceive to be mediating factors for their use of violence. Overall aim: The overarching aim of this thesis was to investigate the implementation and use of structured risk assessment instruments to prevent violence and other adverse events in forensic settings and to improve understanding of the factors that influence such events among forensic patients.Methods: Several methods were used for data collection and data were analysed by different types of content analysis. In the first paper, a systematic review of previous research studies on implementation determinants for structured risk assessment instruments in forensic settings was conducted to investigate implementation determinants for such instruments. The second paper evaluates a pilot project of the implementation of a structured risk assessment instrument at a forensic clinic in Östergötland using focus group interviews with staff members who had used the instrument. Their perceptions of the instrument and barriers and facilitators to its implementation and clinical use were investigated. The third paper investigated the actual clinical use of structured risk assessments to guide the planning and realization of care and risk management interventions documented in forensic patients’ records. In the fourth paper, patient perspectives of factors increasing and decreasing the risk for violence were investigated by individual semi-structured interviews with forensic patients.Results: There is a wide variety of determinants for the implementation and clinical use of structured risk assessment instruments, which make such missions complicated. The determinants relate to the characteristics of the implementation object, characteristics of users, the inner setting in which the implementation occurs and the implementation process. Limiting the need to change current routines, and hence the strain on the organization by reducing complexity, and the need for resource allocation seem especially important. Most of the planned risk management interventions in structured risk assessments were realized according to patient records. However, structured risk assessments largely overlap with unstructured risk assessments in terms of planned care and risk management interventions. Noteworthy, most of the interventions realized were not documented as planned. Forensic patients described several risk factors that increased and decreased their use of violence. These factors related to themselves, external influences, social and relational aspects and situational factors. Most patient accounts of mediating factors overlapped with those listed in commonly used risk assessment instruments and previous research. Additional factors identified by patients related to the outer context and interpersonal aspects.Conclusions: There are many barriers and facilitators to the implementation and use of structured risk assessment instruments, implying the need for a multifaceted approach to address determinants at several system levels. Considering the clinical context is important when selecting a structured risk assessment instrument to be implemented, but also the complexity of the instrument, the required change of routines and the provision of continuous resources and interventions to achieve and maintain clinical use. Despite the many barriers, there is evidence of clinical use of both unstructured clinical and structured risk assessments in terms of informing and guiding care and risk management interventions. The large overlap, however, makes it difficult to draw definite conclusion about which type of assessment actually influenced the interventions that were realized. Realized care and risk management interventions are most often not documented as planned. This increases the risk of subjective decisions and provision of interventions, which also make such interventions difficult to evaluate. Forensic patients are actively managing their risk of violence and are capable of identifying and communicating many different mediating factors for their violence risk. They are knowledgeable and important stakeholders and should be involved in their own risk assessments, as well as in research.
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| 6. |
- Lindahl, Roger, et al.
(författare)
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Development of a method for the determination of naphthalene and phenanthrene in workplace air using diffusive sampling and thermal desorption GC-MS analysis
- 2011
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Ingår i: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press. - 0003-4878 .- 1475-3162. ; 55:6, s. 681-687
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Diffusive sampling methods have been validated for the determination of naphthalene and phenanthrene in workplace air. The diffusive sampler tested was the Perkin Elmer ATD tube, and the analysis was performed with thermal desorption, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometric detection. The sampling methods were validated in controlled test atmospheres, mainly according to the protocol proposed in the European standard EN 838. For the determination of naphthalene, the diffusive sampling rate was 0.41 ml min21 with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 19%. The mean sampling rate for phenanthrene was 0.49 ml min21 with a CV of 21%. Field tests confirmed the naphthalene results but could not be used to confirm the phenanthrene results. The method is not recommended for phenanthrene sampling unless the method has been tested in the specific environment and the results confirm the laboratory tests.
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| 7. |
- Sloot, Frea, et al.
(författare)
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Inventory of current EU paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Screening. - : SAGE Publications. - 0969-1413 .- 1475-5793. ; 22:2, s. 55-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To examine the diversity in paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes in Europe. Methods: Themes for comparison of screening programmes derived from literature were used to compile three questionnaires on vision, hearing, and public health screening. Tests used, professions involved, age, and frequency of testing seem to influence sensitivity, specificity, and costs most. Questionnaires were sent to ophthalmologists, orthoptists, otolaryngologists, and audiologists involved in paediatric screening in all EU full-member, candidate, and associate states. Answers were cross-checked. Results: Thirty-nine countries participated; 35 have a vision screening programme, 33 a nation-wide neonatal hearing screening programme. Visual acuity (VA) is measured in 35 countries, in 71% of these more than once. First measurement of VA varies from three to seven years of age, but is usually before age five. At age three and four, picture charts, including Lea Hyvarinen, are used most; in children over four, Tumbling-E and Snellen. As first hearing screening test, otoacoustic emission is used most in healthy neonates, and auditory brainstem response in premature newborns. The majority of hearing testing programmes are staged; children are referred after 1–4 abnormal tests. Vision screening is performed mostly by paediatricians, ophthalmologists, or nurses. Funding is mostly by health insurance or state. Coverage was reported as >95% in half of countries, but reporting was often not first-hand. Conclusion: Largest differences were found in VA charts used (12), professions involved in vision screening (10), number of hearing screening tests before referral (1–4), and funding sources (8).
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| 8. |
- Zamora, Juan Carlos, et al.
(författare)
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Considerations and consequences of allowing DNA sequence data as types of fungal taxa
- 2018
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Ingår i: IMA Fungus. - : INT MYCOLOGICAL ASSOC. - 2210-6340 .- 2210-6359. ; 9:1, s. 167-185
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nomenclatural type definitions are one of the most important concepts in biological nomenclature. Being physical objects that can be re-studied by other researchers, types permanently link taxonomy (an artificial agreement to classify biological diversity) with nomenclature (an artificial agreement to name biological diversity). Two proposals to amend the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), allowing DNA sequences alone (of any region and extent) to serve as types of taxon names for voucherless fungi (mainly putative taxa from environmental DNA sequences), have been submitted to be voted on at the 11th International Mycological Congress (Puerto Rico, July 2018). We consider various genetic processes affecting the distribution of alleles among taxa and find that alleles may not consistently and uniquely represent the species within which they are contained. Should the proposals be accepted, the meaning of nomenclatural types would change in a fundamental way from physical objects as sources of data to the data themselves. Such changes are conducive to irreproducible science, the potential typification on artefactual data, and massive creation of names with low information content, ultimately causing nomenclatural instability and unnecessary work for future researchers that would stall future explorations of fungal diversity. We conclude that the acceptance of DNA sequences alone as types of names of taxa, under the terms used in the current proposals, is unnecessary and would not solve the problem of naming putative taxa known only from DNA sequences in a scientifically defensible way. As an alternative, we highlight the use of formulas for naming putative taxa (candidate taxa) that do not require any modification of the ICN.
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