| 1. |
- Adman, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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Associations between air pollutants and peak expiratory flow and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in students
- 2020
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Ingår i: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. - : INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D). - 1027-3719 .- 1815-7920. ; 24:2, s. 189-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Studies on the effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of students in tropical countries such as Malaysia are limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between outdoor air pollutants and peak expiratory flow (PEF) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). METHOD: PEF and FeNO levels of 487 students recruited in Melaka and Putrajaya, Malaysia, were measured in April and June 2014. Multiple linear regression with mutual adjustment was used to analyse the associations between exposure to air pollution and health. RESULTS: PEF was significantly associated with ozone for 1-day exposure (beta = -13.3 l/min, 95% CI -22.7 to -3.8), carbon monoxide for 2-day exposure (beta =-57.2 l/min, 95% CI -90.7 to -23.7) and particulate matter <= 10 mu m in diameter for 3-day exposure (beta =-6.0 l/min, 95% CI -9.2 to -2.8) and 7-day exposure (beta = -8.6 l/min, 95% CI -13.0 to -4.1). Stratified analysis showed that associations between PEF and outdoor air pollutant exposures were similar in students with and without elevated FeNO levels. CONCLUSION: Outdoor air pollution in Malaysia may cause airway obstruction unrelated to eosinophilic airway inflammation among students as measured using FeNO.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Ahlroth Pind, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
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Patient-reported signs of dampness at home may be a risk factor for chronic rhinosinusitis : A cross-sectional study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - Hoboken : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 47:11, s. 1383-1389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: An association between dampness at home and respiratory conditions has been convincingly demonstrated in children. Fewer studies have been performed in adults, and data are lacking for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). With a prevalence of 10.9% in Europe, CRS imposes a significant burden on quality of life, as well as economy.OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study CRS and other respiratory conditions in relation to dampness at home in a representative sample of adults.METHODS: The Swedish GA2 LEN questionnaire was answered by 26 577 adults (16-75 years) and included questions on respiratory symptoms, smoking, education and environmental exposure. CRS was defined according to the EP3 OS criteria. Dampness was defined as reporting water damage, floor dampness or visible moulds in the home during the last 12 months. The dampness score was ranked from 0 to 3, counting the number of signs of dampness reported.RESULTS: Dampness at home was reported by 11.3% and was independently related to respiratory conditions after adjustment for demographic and socio-economic factors and smoking: CRS odds ratio (OR) 1.71; allergic rhinitis OR 1.24; current asthma OR 1.21; wheeze OR 1.37; nocturnal dyspnoea OR 1.80; nocturnal coughing OR 1.34; and chronic bronchitis OR 1.64. The risk of CRS and most of the other respiratory conditions was further elevated in subjects reporting multiple signs of dampness.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrated an independent association between dampness at home and CRS in adults. The high burden of this and the other respiratory conditions studied is a strong argument in favour of countering indoor dampness by improving building standards.
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| 4. |
- Amaral, Andre F. S., et al.
(författare)
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Interaction between gas cooking and GSTM1 null genotype in bronchial responsiveness : results from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey
- 2014
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Ingår i: Thorax. - : BMJ. - 0040-6376 .- 1468-3296. ; 69:6, s. 558-564
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Increased bronchial responsiveness is characteristic of asthma. Gas cooking, which is a major indoor source of the highly oxidant nitrogen dioxide, has been associated with respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function. However, little is known about the effect of gas cooking on bronchial responsiveness and on how this relationship may be modified by variants in the genes GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1, which influence antioxidant defences. Methods The study was performed in subjects with forced expiratory volume in one second at least 70% of predicted who took part in the multicentre European Community Respiratory Health Survey, had bronchial responsiveness assessed by methacholine challenge and had been genotyped for GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1-rs1695. Information on the use of gas for cooking was obtained from interviewer-led questionnaires. Effect modification by genotype on the association between the use of gas for cooking and bronchial responsiveness was assessed within each participating country, and estimates combined using meta-analysis. Results Overall, gas cooking, as compared with cooking with electricity, was not associated with bronchial responsiveness (beta=-0.08, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.25, p=0.648). However, GSTM1 significantly modified this effect (beta for interaction=-0.75, 95% CI - 1.16 to -0.33, p=4x10(-4)), with GSTM1 null subjects showing more responsiveness if they cooked with gas. No effect modification by GSTT1 or GSTP1-rs1695 genotypes was observed. Conclusions Increased bronchial responsiveness was associated with gas cooking among subjects with the GSTM1 null genotype. This may reflect the oxidant effects on the bronchi of exposure to nitrogen dioxide.
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| 5. |
- Amin, H., et al.
(författare)
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Indoor Airborne Microbiome and Endotoxin: Meteorological Events and Occupant Characteristics Are Important Determinants
- 2023
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 57:32, s. 11750-11766
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Minimal research exists onthe factors influencing the indoorbacterial community. Despite their proposed importance for health,here we report environmental factors influencing the composition ofthe indoor bacterial communities. Airborne bacteria and endotoxin may affect asthma andallergies.However, there is limited understanding of the environmental determinantsthat influence them. This study investigated the airborne microbiomesin the homes of 1038 participants from five cities in Northern Europe:Aarhus, Bergen, Reykjavik, Tartu, and Uppsala. Airborne dust particleswere sampled with electrostatic dust fall collectors (EDCs) from theparticipants' bedrooms. The dust washed from the EDCs'clothes was used to extract DNA and endotoxin. The DNA extracts wereused for quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR) measurement and 16SrRNA gene sequencing, while endotoxin was measured using the kineticchromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. The results showedthat households in Tartu and Aarhus had a higher bacterial load anddiversity than those in Bergen and Reykjavik, possibly due to elevatedconcentrations of outdoor bacterial taxa associated with low precipitationand high wind speeds. Bergen-Tartu had the highest difference (ANOSIM R = 0.203) in & beta; diversity. Multivariate regressionmodels showed that & alpha; diversity indices and bacterial and endotoxinloads were positively associated with the occupants' age, numberof occupants, cleaning frequency, presence of dogs, and age of thehouse. Further studies are needed to understand how meteorologicalfactors influence the indoor bacterial community in light of climatechange.
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| 6. |
- Antonsson, Ann-Beth, et al.
(författare)
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Mineralfiberfragment och 'sjuka hus'-besvär i skolmiljö
- 1995
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Lärare på flera skolor i Göteborg har kopplat irritation av slemhinnor, främst i ögonen, till miljön i skolorna. En hypotes har framlagts att besvären skulle kunna bero på mineralfibermaterial. Besvären antas inte bero på hela fibrer i luften utan på sönderdelade fibrer, fragment. En studie har gjorts för att kartlägga eventuella samband mellan halten mineralfiberfragment, mätt som bl a kisel, i luften på skolor och förekomsten av sjuka hus-besvär, speciellt ögonirritation, bland skolpersonalen. Resultatet av studien är att inga signifikanta positiva samband mellan symptom och totaldammhalten och halterna kisel, kalcium eller järn kunde påvisas. Den specifika hypotesen att mineralfiberfragment skulle vara orsaken till ögonbesvär i skolmiljö har därmed inte kunnat beläggas, eftersom inga positiva samband mellan lufthalten av kisel, kalcium eller järn (som alla förekommer i mineralull) och sjuka hus-besvär kunnat påvisas. Detta motsäger dock inte att mineralfibrer i vissa fall, i andra miljöer än de här undersökta och under exponeringsbetingelser, skulle kunna bidra till sjuka hus-besvär.
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| 7. |
- Bakke, JV, et al.
(författare)
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Pet keeping and dampness in the dwelling : associations with airway infections, symptoms, and physiological signs from the ocular and nasal mucosa
- 2007
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Ingår i: Indoor Air. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0905-6947 .- 1600-0668. ; 17:1, s. 60-69
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim was to utilize data from a study of occupational indoor environments to analyze symptoms and physiological signs in relation to the home environment. A medical investigation was performed at the workplace among university staff (n = 173) from four university buildings in Bergen, in March 2004. Tear film break up time (BUT) was measured by two methods. Nasal patency was measured by acoustic rhinometry. Nasal lavage fluid analysis (NAL) included eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP); myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme and albumin. Atopy was assessed by total serum IgE and specific IgE (Phadiatop®). Totally 21%, 21%, 18%, 11%, and 27% had weekly ocular, nasal, facial dermal symptoms, headache and tiredness, respectively, 15% had a damp dwelling, and 20% had a cat or dog. Multiple linear or logistic regressions were applied, controlling for age gender, smoking, and environmental factors. Building dampness was associated with increased NAL-lysozyme (P = 0.02) and an increase of airway infections [odd ratio (OR) = 3.14, P = 0.04]. Pet keeping was associated with difficulties to concentrate (OR = 5.10, P = 0.001), heavy headedness (OR = 4.35, P = 0.004), four more days with tiredness per month (P = 0.04), and less airway infections (OR = 0.32; P = 0.02). In conclusion, pet keeping was associated with more central nervous system (CNS)-symptoms but less airway infections. Dampness in the dwelling may have inflammatory effects on the airway mucosa, possibly mediated via increased infection proneness.
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| 8. |
- Bakke, Jan Vilhelm, et al.
(författare)
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Atopy, symptoms and indoor environmental perceptions, tear film stability, nasal patency and lavage biomarkers in university staff
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 81:7, s. 861-872
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Study associations between airway symptoms, complaints on environmental perceptions, atopy definitions and biomarkers including tear film stability (BUT), nasal patency and nasal lavage (NAL). Personal predictors (gender, age, smoking, infections) for the biomarkers as well as associations between the biomarkers were also assessed. Methods A cross-sectional study of 173 employees in four university buildings, response rate 86%. Tear film break up time (BUT) was measured by a non-invasive method (NIBUT) and self-reported (SBUT). NAL-analysis included eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme and albumin. Total serum IgE, and specific IgE using Phadiatop(R) was measured. Data on subjective symptoms, environmental perceptions and background data were collected by use of a questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses were applied. Results Mean age was 43 years, 21% had weekly ocular, 21% nasal, and 17% laryngeal symptoms. Women had more complaints on environmental perceptions, shorter BUT and less nasal patency. Neither atopy (Phadiatop) nor Total IgE or allergy in the family, but asthma and hay fever was associated with mucosal symptoms or perceptions. Subjects with positive Phadiatop had higher levels of all NAL-biomarkers. Those with ocular symptoms had shorter BUT. Nasal symptoms were related to respiratory infections and laryngeal symptoms to NAL-lysozyme. Perceiving dry air was associated with lower BUT and reduced nasal volume difference before and after decongestion. Older subjects had greater nasal patency, and less atopy. All NAL-biomarkers were positively correlated. Higher lysozyme level was associated with less nasal patency and greater nasal decongestion. Conclusions BUT and NAL-lysozyme was associated with ocular, nasal, laryngeal symptoms and indoor environmental perceptions. Ever having had asthma and ever having had hay fever were predictors for symptoms and perceived air quality, respectively. Phadiatop, Total IgE, familiar allergy and ever eczema were not associated to symptoms or perceived environments. Age, gender and Phadiatop were main predictors for ocular and nasal biomarkers.
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| 9. |
- Bakke, Jan Vilhelm, et al.
(författare)
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Eczema Increases Susceptibility to PM10 in Office Indoor Environments
- 2012
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Ingår i: Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1933-8244 .- 2154-4700. ; 67:1, s. 15-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective was to compare impact of indoor office environment on employees with eczema with those without eczema. Exposure was measured at 56 sites and modelled for 173 work places. Tear film stability, lysozyme in nasal lavage, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and Phadiatop were assessed, and symptoms and perceptions collected by questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses were applied, adjusted for age, gender, strain, current smoking, and respiratory infections. Those with eczema perceived temperature too high but not associated with measured temperature. They had increased lysozyme in nasal lavage associated with increased air temperature difference between 6 and 10 AM, more general and mucosal symptoms, and "dry or flushed facial skin" associated with airborne particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). Impact of PM10 was most pronounced among those with eczema previous 30 days. Having eczema might be an important predictor for subjective and objective responses to indoor environment.
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| 10. |
- Bakke, Jan Vilhelm, et al.
(författare)
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Gender and the physical and psychosocial work environments are related to indoor air symptoms
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1076-2752 .- 1536-5948. ; 49:6, s. 641-650
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To assess gender differences in self-reported symptoms, psychosocial, subjective, and objective physical environments. Methods: Staff (N = 173) in four university buildings were investigated by questionnaires, blood samples, and objective assessment of indoor environment (temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, CO2, and dust [PM10]). Analyses were performed by linear and logistic regressions. Results: Women reported health symptoms more often than did men and complained more about physical but not psychosocial factors. Men's symptoms and complaints were more specifically associated to air velocity and humidity. For both genders, symptoms were related to both strain (P = 0.02) and perceived physical environments (P = 0.01). Lower relative humidity in the range of 15% to 35% was associated with perception of too low temperature and dry air. Conclusion: Gender, psychosocial, and physical environment factors were related to symptoms and perceived indoor climate.
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