| 1. |
- Rolfö, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Predictors of Preference for the Activity-based Flexible Office
- 2019
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Ingår i: Human Systems Engineering and Design. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030020521 - 9783030020538 ; 876, s. 547-553
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Activity-based Flexible Offices (A-FOs) are implemented with varying degree of success. Employees relocate from cell or open-plan offices, from different organizational backgrounds, varying design and implementation processes, and have different types of work tasks. This study aims at investigating whether preference for the A-FO correlate with these preconditions. The results from Chi-square tests and Spearman’s non-parametric correlation of post-relocation questionnaires distributed to 11 A-FO sites, showed that a high preference for the A-FO correlated strongest with an A-FO preference prior to relocation, being a former open-plan office occupier and with frequent performance of innovation. Low preference for the A-FO correlated with frequent performance of concentration demanding tasks. Working with tasks with high confidentiality did not predict the preference ratings.
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| 2. |
- Gustavsson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Neuropsychopharmacology. - Amsterdam : Elsevier BV. - 0924-977X .- 1873-7862. ; 21:10, s. 718-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The spectrum of disorders of the brain is large, covering hundreds of disorders that are listed in either the mental or neurological disorder chapters of the established international diagnostic classification systems. These disorders have a high prevalence as well as short- and long-term impairments and disabilities. Therefore they are an emotional, financial and social burden to the patients, their families and their social network. In a 2005 landmark study, we estimated for the first time the annual cost of 12 major groups of disorders of the brain in Europe and gave a conservative estimate of €386 billion for the year 2004. This estimate was limited in scope and conservative due to the lack of sufficiently comprehensive epidemiological and/or economic data on several important diagnostic groups. We are now in a position to substantially improve and revise the 2004 estimates. In the present report we cover 19 major groups of disorders, 7 more than previously, of an increased range of age groups and more cost items. We therefore present much improved cost estimates. Our revised estimates also now include the new EU member states, and hence a population of 514 million people.AIMS: To estimate the number of persons with defined disorders of the brain in Europe in 2010, the total cost per person related to each disease in terms of direct and indirect costs, and an estimate of the total cost per disorder and country.METHODS: The best available estimates of the prevalence and cost per person for 19 groups of disorders of the brain (covering well over 100 specific disorders) were identified via a systematic review of the published literature. Together with the twelve disorders included in 2004, the following range of mental and neurologic groups of disorders is covered: addictive disorders, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, brain tumor, childhood and adolescent disorders (developmental disorders), dementia, eating disorders, epilepsy, mental retardation, migraine, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson's disease, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, somatoform disorders, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Epidemiologic panels were charged to complete the literature review for each disorder in order to estimate the 12-month prevalence, and health economic panels were charged to estimate best cost-estimates. A cost model was developed to combine the epidemiologic and economic data and estimate the total cost of each disorder in each of 30 European countries (EU27+Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). The cost model was populated with national statistics from Eurostat to adjust all costs to 2010 values, converting all local currencies to Euro, imputing costs for countries where no data were available, and aggregating country estimates to purchasing power parity adjusted estimates for the total cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.RESULTS: The total cost of disorders of the brain was estimated at €798 billion in 2010. Direct costs constitute the majority of costs (37% direct healthcare costs and 23% direct non-medical costs) whereas the remaining 40% were indirect costs associated with patients' production losses. On average, the estimated cost per person with a disorder of the brain in Europe ranged between €285 for headache and €30,000 for neuromuscular disorders. The European per capita cost of disorders of the brain was €1550 on average but varied by country. The cost (in billion €PPP 2010) of the disorders of the brain included in this study was as follows: addiction: €65.7; anxiety disorders: €74.4; brain tumor: €5.2; child/adolescent disorders: €21.3; dementia: €105.2; eating disorders: €0.8; epilepsy: €13.8; headache: €43.5; mental retardation: €43.3; mood disorders: €113.4; multiple sclerosis: €14.6; neuromuscular disorders: €7.7; Parkinson's disease: €13.9; personality disorders: €27.3; psychotic disorders: €93.9; sleep disorders: €35.4; somatoform disorder: €21.2; stroke: €64.1; traumatic brain injury: €33.0. It should be noted that the revised estimate of those disorders included in the previous 2004 report constituted €477 billion, by and large confirming our previous study results after considering the inflation and population increase since 2004. Further, our results were consistent with administrative data on the health care expenditure in Europe, and comparable to previous studies on the cost of specific disorders in Europe. Our estimates were lower than comparable estimates from the US.DISCUSSION: This study was based on the best currently available data in Europe and our model enabled extrapolation to countries where no data could be found. Still, the scarcity of data is an important source of uncertainty in our estimates and may imply over- or underestimations in some disorders and countries. Even though this review included many disorders, diagnoses, age groups and cost items that were omitted in 2004, there are still remaining disorders that could not be included due to limitations in the available data. We therefore consider our estimate of the total cost of the disorders of the brain in Europe to be conservative. In terms of the health economic burden outlined in this report, disorders of the brain likely constitute the number one economic challenge for European health care, now and in the future. Data presented in this report should be considered by all stakeholder groups, including policy makers, industry and patient advocacy groups, to reconsider the current science, research and public health agenda and define a coordinated plan of action of various levels to address the associated challenges.RECOMMENDATIONS: Political action is required in light of the present high cost of disorders of the brain. Funding of brain research must be increased; care for patients with brain disorders as well as teaching at medical schools and other health related educations must be quantitatively and qualitatively improved, including psychological treatments. The current move of the pharmaceutical industry away from brain related indications must be halted and reversed. Continued research into the cost of the many disorders not included in the present study is warranted. It is essential that not only the EU but also the national governments forcefully support these initiatives.
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| 3. |
- Brundin, Peik M. A., 1975-
(författare)
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Sex differences in immune response and sex hormone receptor expression in healthy individuals and during viral infection
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There is sex-bias in morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Infections kill more men than women and several studies have pointed out differences in the immune system as a reason. The sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all shape the effect of the immune response on multiple levels. Women at fertile age have been suggested to have higher proinflammatory responses from inflammatory stimuli compared to men and post-menopausal women, which has been ascribed to their higher estrogen levels. This could possibly lead to a more active pathogen response but may also result in a detrimental immunopathology to infections or development of autoimmune reaction.The overall aim of this thesis is to study the contribution of sex hormones and sex hormone receptors (SHR) to sex differences in immune response. We focus on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to study such relationships in healthy individuals, as well as in individuals with asymptomatic Torque Teno Virus infection, and individuals with acute Puumala virus infection.In Paper I, we investigated expression of SHR and immune response genes in PBMC from healthy premenopausal (pre-MP) women during the menstrual cycle. The expression levels were estimated using a qPCR Array (Taqman low-density array, TLDA). SHR expression did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle, but several key immune regulatory genes were significantly more expressed during the ovulatory and mid luteal phase. Further, we separated PBMC into cell subsets (CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, CD56+ NK-cells, CD14+ monocytes and CD19+ B-cells) and analyzed the expression through qPCR of estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα, ERβ1 (wildtype) and the isoform ERβ2. For the first time and unexpectedly, we demonstrate that the isoform ERβ2 was more abundant than wildtype ERβ1. The data from this paper provides new knowledge on the contribution of the menstrual cycle on immune response.In Paper II, we explored the use of Torque Teno Virus as a secondary functional immune marker in men and women. Expression of viral TTV DNA in PBMCs was estimated using a qPCR kit from Argene (R-gene) and analyzed in relation to serum sex hormone levels. The results showed that 50% of the men, 25% the post-MP women, and 18% of the pre-MP women were TTV+. Interestingly, all pre-MP women that were TTV+ had hormonal aberrances and were either anovulatory and/or hypothyroid. TTV+ pre-MP women also had significantly lower progesterone levels than TTV- pre-MP women. This paper indicates that the prevalence of TTV in PBMC differs between men, pre-MP and post-MP women. Furthermore, hormonal aberrances (at least in pre-MP women) will lead to increased prevalence of TTV.In Paper III we investigated the expression of ERα, ERβ1 and ERβ2 in PBMC from patients with Nephropathia epidemica, the viral zoonotic disease caused by Puumala virus, a Hanta virus known to affect more men than women. Expression of ERs in PBMCs and clinical laboratory results during the acute and convalescent phases were analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA). The results show differences in ER expression and support previous findings that men and women have a different clinical pictureIn conclusion, the results in this thesis reveal distinct patterns of immune response related to sex hormone levels, SHR expression and the phases of the menstrual cycle supporting that there a link between sex hormone levels and immune responses. Further, we show that the ER isoform ERβ2 is more abundant in PBMCs than what was previously described. The data in this thesis adds to the knowledge to the sex differences in immune response and exemplifies the importance of taking these differences into account in the clinic.
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| 4. |
- Rönmark, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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High incidence and persistence of airborne allergen sensitization up to age 19 years
- 2017
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Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 72:5, s. 723-730
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Longitudinal population-based studies about the natural history of allergic sensitization are rare. The aim was to study incidence and persistence of airborne allergen sensitization up to young adulthood and risk factors for early and late onset of sensitization.METHODS: All children aged 7-8 years in two municipalities in Northern Sweden were invited to a parental questionnaire and skin prick tests (SPTs) to ten airborne allergens, and 2148 (88%) participated. The protocol was repeated at age 11-12 and 19 years, and 1516 participated in all three examinations.RESULTS: Prevalence of any positive SPT increased from 20.6% at age 7-8 years to 30.6% at 11-12 years, and 42.1% at 19 years. Animals were the primary sensitizers at age 7-8 years, 16.3%, followed by pollen, 12.4%. Mite and mold sensitization was low. Mean annual incidence of any positive SPT varied between 2.8 and 3.4/100 per year, decreased by age for animal, and was stable for pollen. Sensitization before age 7-8 years was independently associated with family history of allergy, OR 2.1 (95% CI 1.6-2.8), urban living, OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-2.9), and male sex, OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.7), and negatively associated with birth order, OR 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-1.0), and furry animals at home, OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.7-0.9). Incidence after age 11-12 years was associated only with family history of allergy. Multisensitization at age 19 years was significantly associated with early age at sensitization. Remission of sensitization was uncommon.CONCLUSION: The increasing prevalence of allergic sensitization by age was explained by high incidence and persistence. After age 11-12 years, the factors urban living, number of siblings, and male sex lost their importance.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Capo, Eric, et al.
(författare)
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Oxygen-deficient water zones in the Baltic Sea promote uncharacterized Hg methylating microorganisms in underlying sediments
- 2022
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Ingår i: Limnology and Oceanography. - : Wiley. - 1939-5590 .- 0024-3590. ; 67:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human-induced expansion of oxygen-deficient zones can have dramatic impacts on marine systems and its resident biota. One example is the formation of the potent neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) that is mediated by microbial methylation of inorganic divalent Hg (HgII) under oxygen-deficient conditions. A negative consequence of the expansion of oxygen-deficient zones could be an increase in MeHg production due to shifts in microbial communities in favor of microorganisms methylating Hg. There is, however, limited knowledge about Hg-methylating microbes, i.e., those carrying hgc genes critical for mediating the process, from marine sediments. Here, we aim to study the presence of hgc genes and transcripts in metagenomes and metatranscriptomes from four surface sediments with contrasting concentrations of oxygen and sulfide in the Baltic Sea. We show that potential Hg methylators differed among sediments depending on redox conditions. Sediments with an oxygenated surface featured hgc-like genes and transcripts predominantly associated with uncultured Desulfobacterota (OalgD group) and Desulfobacterales (including Desulfobacula sp.) while sediments with a hypoxic-anoxic surface included hgc-carrying Verrucomicrobia, unclassified Desulfobacterales, Desulfatiglandales, and uncharacterized microbes. Our data suggest that the expansion of oxygen-deficient zones in marine systems may lead to a compositional change of Hg-methylating microbial groups in the sediments, where Hg methylators whose metabolism and biology have not yet been characterized will be promoted and expand.
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| 7. |
- Duell, Eric J, et al.
(författare)
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Vitamin C transporter gene (SLC23A1 and SLC23A2) polymorphisms, plasma vitamin C levels, and gastric cancer risk in the EPIC cohort
- 2013
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Ingår i: Genes & Nutrition. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 1555-8932 .- 1865-3499. ; 8:6, s. 549-560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vitamin C is known to protect mucosal tissues from oxidative stress and inhibit nitrosamine formation in the stomach. High consumption of fruits, particularly citrus, and higher circulating vitamin C concentrations may be inversely associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk. We investigated 20 polymorphisms in vitamin C transporter genes SCL23A1 and SCL23A2 and GC risk in 365 cases and 1,284 controls nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. We also evaluated the association between these polymorphisms and baseline plasma vitamin C levels in a subset of participants. Four SNPs were predictors of plasma vitamin C levels (SLC23A1 rs11950646 and rs33972313; SLC23A2 rs6053005 and rs6133175) in multivariable linear regression models. One SNP (SLC23A2 rs6116569) was associated with GC risk, in particular non-cardia GC (OR = 1.63, 95 % CI = 1.11-2.39, based on 178 non-cardia cases), but this association was attenuated when plasma vitamin C was included in the logistic regression model. Haplotype analysis of SLC23A1 yielded no associations with GC. In SLC23A2, one haplotype was associated with both overall and non-cardia GC, another haplotype was associated with GC overall, and a third was associated with intestinal-type GC. Common variants in SLC23A1 and SLC23A2 may influence plasma vitamin C concentration independent of dietary intake, and variation in SLC23A2 may influence GC risk. Additional prospective studies in large populations and consortia are recommended. Investigation of variation in vitamin C transporter genes may shed light on the preventative properties of vitamin C in gastric carcinogenesis.
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| 8. |
- Ågerstrand, Marlene, et al.
(författare)
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Improving Environmental Risk Assessment of Human Pharmaceuticals
- 2015
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Ingår i: Environmental Science & Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 49:9, s. 5336-5345
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents 10 recommendations for improving the European Medicines Agency's guidance for environmental risk assessment of human pharmaceutical products. The recommendations are based on up-to-date, available science in combination with experiences from other chemical frameworks such as the REACH-legislation for industrial chemicals. The recommendations concern: expanding the scope of the current guideline; requirements to assess the risk for development of antibiotic resistance; jointly performed assessments; refinement of the test proposal; mixture toxicity assessments on active pharmaceutical ingredients with similar modes of action; use of all available ecotoxicity studies; mandatory reviews; increased transparency; inclusion of emission data from production; and a risk management option. We believe that implementation of our recommendations would strengthen the protection of the environment and be beneficial to society. Legislation and guidance documents need to be updated at regular intervals in order to incorporate new knowledge from the scientific community. This is particularly important for regulatory documents concerning pharmaceuticals in the environment since this is a research field that has been growing substantially in the last decades.
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| 9. |
- Barman, Malin, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the FADS Gene Cluster but not the ELOVL2 Gene are Associated with Serum Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition and Development of Allergy (in a Swedish Birth Cohort).
- 2015
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Ingår i: Nutrients. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6643. ; 7:12, s. 10100-10115
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influences immune function and may affect the risk of allergy development. Long chain PUFAs are produced from dietary precursors catalyzed by desaturases and elongases encoded by FADS and ELOVL genes. In 211 subjects, we investigated whether polymorphisms in the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL2 gene were associated with allergy or PUFA composition in serum phospholipids in a Swedish birth-cohort sampled at birth and at 13 years of age; allergy was diagnosed at 13 years of age. Minor allele carriers of rs102275 and rs174448 (FADS gene cluster) had decreased proportions of 20:4 n-6 in cord and adolescent serum and increased proportions of 20:3 n-6 in cord serum as well as a nominally reduced risk of developing atopic eczema, but not respiratory allergy, at 13 years of age. Minor allele carriers of rs17606561 in the ELOVL2 gene had nominally decreased proportions of 20:4 n-6 in cord serum but ELOVL polymorphisms (rs2236212 and rs17606561) were not associated with allergy development. Thus, reduced capacity to desaturase n-6 PUFAs due to FADS polymorphisms was nominally associated with reduced risk for eczema development, which could indicate a pathogenic role for long-chain PUFAs in allergy development.
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| 10. |
- Bray, L., et al.
(författare)
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Children's pictures of COVID-19 and measures to mitigate its spread: An international qualitative study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Health Education Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 0017-8969 .- 1748-8176. ; 80:7, s. 811-832
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To gain insight into children's health-related knowledge and understanding of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and COVID-19, and measures adopted to mitigate transmission. Design: A child-centred qualitative creative element embedded in an online mixed-methods survey of children aged 7-12 years. Setting: Children participated in the study in six countries - the UK, Australia, Sweden, Brazil, Spain and Canada. Method: A qualitative creative component, embedded in an online survey, prompted children to draw and label a picture. Children were recruited via their parents using the researchers' professional social media accounts, through known contacts, media and websites from health organisations within each country. Analysis of the form and content of the children's pictures took place. Results: A total of 128 children (mean age 9.2 years) submitted either a hand-drawn (n = 111) or digitally created (n = 17) picture. Four main themes were identified which related to children's health-related knowledge of (1) COVID-19 and how it is transmitted; (2) measures and actions to mitigate transmission; (3) places of safety during the pandemic; and (4) children's role in mitigating COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion: Children's pictures indicated a good understanding of the virus, how it spreads and how to mitigate transmission. Children depicted their actions during the pandemic as protecting themselves, their families and wider society.
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