| 1. |
- Asif, Sana, M.D, PhD student, et al.
(author)
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Validation of an MPC polymer coating to attenuate surface- induced cross-talk between the complement and coagulation systems in whole blood in in vitro and in vivo models
- 2019
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In: Macromolecular Bioscience. - : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 1616-5187 .- 1616-5195. ; 19:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Artificial surfaces that come into contact with blood induce an immediate activation of the cascade systems of the blood, leading to a thrombotic and/or inflammatory response that can eventually cause damage to the biomaterial or the patient, or to both. Heparin coating has been used to improve hemocompatibility, and another approach is 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based polymer coatings. Here, the aim is to evaluate the hemocompatibility of MPC polymer coating by studying the interactions with coagulation and complement systems using human blood in vitro model and pig in vivo model. The stability of the coatings is investigated in vitro and MPC polymer-coated catheters are tested in vivo by insertion into the external jugular vein of pigs to monitor the catheters' antithrombotic properties. There is no significant activation of platelets or of the coagulation and complement systems in the MPC polymer-coated one, which was superior in hemocompatibility to non-coated matrix surfaces. The protective effect of the MPC polymer coat does not decline after incubation in human plasma for up to 2 weeks. With MPC polymer-coated catheters, it is possible to easily draw blood from pig for 4 days in contrast to the case for non-coated catheters, in which substantial clotting is seen.
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| 2. |
- Asif, Sana, M.D, PhD student, et al.
(author)
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Validation of an MPC polymer coating to reduce surface-induced cascade system activation in whole blood in in vitroand in vivo models
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- ABSTRACTBackground: Artificial surfaces that come into contact with blood (e.g., when used in various forms of biomedical device) induce an immediate activation of the cascade systems of the blood, the coagulation and complement systems. These reactions may lead to a thrombotic and/or inflammatory response that can eventually cause damage to the biomaterial or the patient, or to both. Multiple strategies to dampen these reactions have been employed, with heparin conjugation to the material surface being the most successfulthus far. Another approach to improving hemocompatibility is to use 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based polymer coatings.Experimental: In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of MPC polymer coating and compared it to a commercially available heparin coating in various in vitromodels using fresh human blood with the aim to replace the costly heparin-coated equipment with the more economic MPC. We then investigated the stability of the various coatings in human plasma in vitrofor 2 weeks. Finally, we inserted MPC polymer-coated catheters into the external jugular vein of pigs and monitored the catheters’ antithrombotic properties for 4 days.Results: 1) There was no significant activation of platelets and of the coagulation and complement systems on the MPC polymer-coated or the commercially available heparin surface. 2) Both coats were superior in hemocompatibility to non-coated matrix surfaces. 3) The protective effect of the MPC polymer coat did not decline after incubation in plasma for up to 2 weeks. 4) With MPC polymer-coated catheters, it was possible to easily draw blood from experimental animals for 4 days, in contrast to the case for heparin-flushed commercially available non-coated catheters, in which substantial clotting was seen.
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| 3. |
- Danielsson, Louise, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Development and Construct Validity of the Work Instability Scale for People With Common Mental Disorders in a Sample of Depressed and Anxious Workers: A Rasch Analysis
- 2020
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In: Rehabilitation Process and Outcome. - : SAGE Publications. - 1179-5727. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sick leave due to common mental disorders, encompassing depression and anxiety disorders, is high. Capturing early signs of reduced function could aid adjustments of work tasks and environment and, thus, endorse a pro-active approach to occupational and health care interventions to prevent long-term sick-leave spells. However, few measurements exist to identify early signs of imbalance, and none that is illness-specific. The aim of this study was to develop a work instability scale for people with common mental disorders and to test the fundamental psychometric properties of the scale. Methods: Participants were working adults 18-65 years old with depression or anxiety. The scale development started with qualitative interviews (n = 27) which informed the drafting of a dichotomous, self-report questionnaire. Cognitive debriefing (n = 12) was used to check face validity and modify the draft. Internal construct validity of the draft was tested using Rasch analysis (n = 128). The work ability index was used as a comparator measure. Results: The initial 63-item draft showed poor fit to Rasch model expectations. Items displaying poor fit or local response dependency were stepwise removed, resulting in a unidimensional 34-item scale fitting the model expectations, and with no differential item functioning. Person-item threshold distribution showed that the scale is better suited to measure low to moderate work instability, than to measure high instability. Correlations between the newly developed scale and the work ability index showed a significant, moderately strong correlation. Conclusions: In the initial target sample, the 34-item scale showed acceptable fundamental properties and internal construct validity. Further validation of the scale in a larger sample, including tests for external validity, is warranted.
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| 4. |
- Holmgren Caicedo, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Managing and measuring employee health and wellbeing : a review and critique
- 2010
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In: Journal of Accouting & Organizational Change. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1832-5912 .- 1839-5473. ; 6:4, s. 436-459
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the case for taking employee health and wellbeing into account in some way and to consider a range of objections that might be raised against such exercises. Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies the existence of a persistent sickness absence as a cause for concern for a range of stakeholders and how it might be accounted for in the light of recent developments within the intellectual capital field. Attention then turns to some of the difficulties such well meaning interventions might encounter, and briefly considers how a self-accounting approach might in some part overcome these.Findings – The paper finds that a programme of empirical research within the field of employee health and wellbeing is now required to ensure that employee health and wellbeing into account. Practical implications – While predominantly a discursive contribution to the literature, the paper incorporates some discussion of innovative accounting interventions.Originality/value – In contrast to viewing sickness absence from a cost perspective, the paper encourages stakeholders to embrace a wider spectrum of ways of seeing to better understand employee health and wellbeing issues in the work place.
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| 5. |
- Jonsson, Robin, 1986, et al.
(author)
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Does unbalanced gender composition in the workplace influence the association between psychosocial working conditions and sickness absence?
- 2013
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In: Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 46:1, s. 59-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Earlier research has shown that bad psychosocial working conditions contribute to sick-leave. Some theorists argue that skewed gender composition can be one of the factors contributing to bad psychosocial working conditions. Objectives: We examine whether workplace gender composition has an effect on the association between job strain and sick-leave.Methods and participants: Associations were assessed using a case-control study with Swedish data collected in 2008 (n=5595). Results: Results indicated that there was an association between high strain jobs and sickness absence among both women (Adj. OR 2.04, CI95% 1.62-2.57) and men (2.24, 1.67-3.01). Furthermore, both women (2.87, 1.34-6.26) and men (2.53, 1.74-3.69) in male-dominated workplaces had the highest risk for sickness absence due to high strain jobs. Male-dominated workplaces were, in general adverse for both women and men. Conclusions: The results indicated that a minority position strengthens job strain for women while it weakens the association for men. Using modern gender theories, we could argue that some of these results might be explained by the general use of masculinity as the social norm in the labor market. However, findings from this study need to be validated by further research.
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| 6. |
- Kruse, Mark, et al.
(author)
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Peri-implant femoral fractures in hip fracture patients treated with osteosynthesis : a retrospective cohort study of 1965 patients
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. - : Springer. - 1863-9933 .- 1863-9941. ; 48, s. 293-298
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are few studies on incidence rates, treatment and outcomes for peri-implant femoral fractures (PIFF) in the proximity of osteosynthesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of PIFF following osteosynthesis of proximal femoral fractures.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study comprised a consecutive series of hip fracture patients aged 50 years or older and operated with osteosynthesis between 2003 and 2015. Patients were followed-up until 2018, removal of implants or death, for a mean of 4 years (range 0-15). Data on age, sex, housing, hip complications, and reoperations were recorded. The risk of PIFFs was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. In patients with two fractures during the study period, only the first fracture was included.RESULTS: A total of 1965 osteosynthesis procedures were performed, of which 382 were cephalomedullary nails (CMN), 933 sliding hip devices (SHD) and 650 pins. Mean age was 80 years (range 50-104), 65% of patients were women. A total of 41 PIFFs occurred during the study period. The cumulative incidence of peri-implant fractures was 0.8% for CMN, 2.7% (HR 2.995% CI, 0.87-9.6, p = 0.08) for SHD and 2.0% (HR 2.3 95% CI, 0.6-8.1, p = 0.2) for pins. PIFFs occurred after a mean of 27 months (range 0-143). The 1-year mortality was 34% following PIFF. The majority was treated surgically (66%, 27/41) and the reoperation rate was 15% (4/27).CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort study, in contrast to previous reports, we found a tendency to a higher cumulative incidence of PIFFs for SHD compared to modern CMN. Our results show cumulative incidences of PIFFs comparable to those described for periprosthetic femur fractures after hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture.
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