| 1. |
- Anundi, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Air and biological monitoring of solvent exposure during grafitti removal
- 2000
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 73:8, s. 561-569
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The principal aim of the study was to estimate the level of exposure to organic solvents of graffiti removers, and to identify the chemicals used in different cleaning agents. A secondary objective was to inform about the toxicity of various products and to optimise working procedures.METHODS: Exposure to organic solvents was determined by active air sampling and biological monitoring among 38 graffiti removers during an 8-h work shift in the Stockholm underground system. The air samples and biological samples were analysed by gas chromatography. Exposure to organic solvents was also assessed by a questionnaire and interviews.RESULTS: Solvents identified were N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPGME), propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGEE), toluene, xylene, pseudocumene, hemimellitine, mesitylene, ethylbenzene, limonene, nonane, decane, undecane, hexandecane and gamma-butyrolactone. The 8-h average exposures [time-weighted average (TWA)] were below 20% of the Swedish permissible exposure limit value (PEL) for all solvents identified. In poorly ventilated spaces, e.g. in elevators etc., the short-term exposures exceeded occasionally the Swedish short-term exposure limit values (STEL). The blood and urine concentrations of NMP and its metabolites were low. Glycol ethers and their metabolites (2-methoxypropionic acid (MPA), ethoxy acetic acid (EAA), butoxy acetic acid (BAA), and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) acetic acid (MEAA)) were found in low concentrations in urine. There were significant correlation between the concentrations of NMP in air and levels of NMP and its metabolites in blood and urine. The use of personal protective equipment, i.e. gloves and respirators, was generally high.CONCLUSIONS: Many different cleaning agents were used. The average exposure to solvents was low, but some working tasks included relatively high short-term exposure. To prevent adverse health effects, it is important to inform workers about the health risks and to restrict the use of the most toxic chemicals. Furthermore, it is important to develop good working procedures and to encourage the use of personal protection equipment.
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| 2. |
- Brändström, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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A single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the human gene for osteoprotegerin is related to vascular morphology and function
- 2002
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Ingår i: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 293:1, s. 13-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, and has previously been shown to regulate bone mass by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activation. Recent evidence indicates that OPG also plays a role in the vascular system, since ablation of the OPG gene in mice results in calcification of the aorta and renal arteries, and association has been found between serum levels of OPG and cardiovascular mortality. This study presents a novel single nucleotide polymorphism, a T/C transition located 129 bp upstream the TATA-box of the human OPG gene, detected by sequence analysis. The OPG genotype was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism in a cohort consisting of 59 healthy subjects. The intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery and maximal post-ischemic forearm blood flow (FBF) were investigated. Subjects with the CC genotype showed a significantly increased IMT (p<0.05) and a concommitantly reduced maximal FBF (p<0.01) as compared to those with the T allele. Thus, our results show that the polymorphism in the promoter region of OPG is associated with both vascular morphology and function in apparently healthy subjects.
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| 3. |
- Brändström, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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A single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the osteoprotegerin gene is related to intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in hypertensive patients : The Swedish Irbesartan Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Investigation vs Atenolol (SILVHIA)
- 2004
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Ingår i: Blood Pressure. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0803-7051 .- 1651-1999. ; 13:3, s. 152-157
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, and in previous studies has been shown to regulate osteoclast activity and differentiation. Ablation of the OPG gene in mice results in calcification of the aorta and renal arteries. We have previously reported an association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of OPG and vascular morphology and function in healthy humans. The objective with this study was to confirm our previous results in a larger population, and in addition, to study subjects with hypertension. The OPG genotype was determined by restriction fragment length and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was measured by ultrasound in 100 patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, and 75 healthy normotensive control subjects. In the hypertensive group subjects with the CC genotype (n=24) showed a significantly increased IMT compared to those with the TC (n=52, p=0.007) and TT (n=24, p=0.009) genotype, in the hypertensive group only (mean +/- SD for TT=0.88 +/- 0.21 mm, TC=0.90 +/- 0.16 mm, CC=1.05 +/- 0.31 mm). The allele distribution did not differ between hypertensive and control individuals. The present study confirms our previous finding and shows that polymorphism in the promoter region of OPG is associated with vascular morphology in hypertensive subjects.
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| 4. |
- Langworth, S, et al.
(författare)
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Acute health effects common during graffiti removal
- 2001
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Ingår i: International archives of occupational and environmental health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 74, s. 213-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 5. |
- Moosberg-Bustnes, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Fine particulate metallurgical by-products' influence on cement hydration and strength development : an initial study
- 2004
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Ingår i: Scandinavian journal of metallurgy. - : Wiley. - 0371-0459 .- 1600-0692. ; 33:1, s. 15-24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- By-products, such as dusts and sludges from metallurgical processes usually have a very fine particle size distribution and may be used, directly from the process of their origin, as a substitute for natural filler in concrete. To be able to promote the use of by-products as fillers in concrete their effect on concrete properties has to be examined. This investigation has been made in order to gain knowledge of how fine particulate by-products that contain metal oxides influence the cement hydration and concrete properties, such as strength development.
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| 6. |
- Stern, Natalia, et al.
(författare)
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Subchronic toxicity of Baltic herring oil and its fractions in the rat II : Clinical observations and toxicological parameters.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Pharmacology and Toxicology. - : Wiley. - 0901-9928 .- 1600-0773. ; 91:5, s. 232-244
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aimed to increase the knowledge about the toxicity of fish-derived organohalogen pollutants in mammals. The strategy chosen was to separate organohalogen pollutants derived from Baltic herring (Clupea harengus) fillet, in order to obtain fractions with differing proportions of identified and unidentified halogenated pollutants, and to perform a subchronic toxicity study in rats, essentially according to the OECD guidelines, at three dose levels. Nordic Sea lodda (Mallotus villosus) oil, with low levels of persistent organohalogen pollutants, was used as an additional control diet. The toxicological examination showed that exposure to Baltic herring oil and its fractions at dose levels corresponding to a human intake in the range of 1.6 to 34.4 kg Baltic herring per week resulted in minimal effects. The spectrum of effects was similar to that, which is observed after low-level exposure to pollutants such as chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (CDD/F) and chlorinated biphenyls, despite the fact that these contaminants contribute to a minor part of the extractable organically bound chlorine (EOCl). The study confirmed previous findings that induction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD) activity takes place at daily intake levels 0.15 ng fish-derived CDD/F-TEQs/kg body weight. The study also demonstrated that hepatic vitamin A reduction takes place at somewhat higher daily exposure levels, i.e. 0.16–0.30 ng fish-derived CDD/F-TEQs/kg body weight. Halogenated fatty acids, the major component of EOCl, could not be linked to any of the measured effects. From a risk management point of view, the study provides important new information of effect levels for Ah-receptor mediated responses following low level exposure to organohalogen compounds from a matrix relevant for human exposure.
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