| 1. |
- Blomberg, Stefan, 1967-
(author)
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Beware of Non-Supportive Leaders : Moderating Effects of Supportive Leadership on the Risks and Effects of Workplace Bullying
- 2022
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim was to investigate how supportive leadership affects workplace bullying—both in terms of risk factors that may lead to bullying but also in terms of the effects of bullying. The thesis includes three survey studies based on different Swedish cohorts and using different research design in terms of the number of data collection waves and timeframes.Based on the association between workplace bullying and poor health—and drawing on the social learning theory, the theory of social information processing, the social identity theory, and the self-categorisation theory—a circular and multilevel interaction model was created. It is presented together with six hypotheses and an open research question.The summarised and combined results can be divided into two major parts concerning (a) two studied risk factors (role ambiguity and individual poor health), and (b) the investigated moderator (supportive leadership).The results showed that role ambiguity is a long term predictor of being exposed to bullying behaviours at work, and that a hostile work climate is a mediator for that association. The results also showed that poor general health is a predictor of future bullying exposure.The results additionally showed that a supportive leadership fully moderated the effects on exposure to bullying behaviours by (a) ambiguous roles, mediated through a hostile work climate, and (b) poor general health. The result furthermore showed that a supportive leadership have an effect on the association between exposure to bullying behaviours and health. The effect was in terms of a moderated moderation also including co-worker support.Finally, the results also pointed to direct positive effects of both supportive leadership and co-worker support on individual health as well as to a direct mitigating effect of a supportive leadership on workplace bullying.Altogether, the thesis points to very important moderating effects of a supportive leadership and especially the fundamentally destructive effects in association with nonsupportive leadership.
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| 2. |
- Ghafouri, Bijar, et al.
(author)
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Newly identified proteins in human nasal lavage fluid from non-smokers and smokers using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting
- 2002
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In: Proteomics. - 1615-9853 .- 1615-9861. ; 2:1, s. 112-120
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human nasal lavage fluids (NLFs) were analyzed with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and proteins were identified with peptide mass fingerprinting using matrix-assisted laser desoption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. In some cases, the identification was verified by analysis of post-source decay fragmentation spectra. Many of the identified proteins were new forms or fragments of previously found proteins (e.g. albumin, lactoferrin, cystatin, calgranulin, von Ebners gland protein and palate lung nasal epithelium clone), while others were proteins that have previously been indicated by 2-DE image matching or immunoblots (e.g. apolipoprotein AI, lysozyme C, and Clara cell secretory protein). Some new proteins, not shown before in 2-DE patterns of NLF were also found, e.g. mammaglobin B, 2-microglobulin and immunoglobulin J chain. Of the identified NLF proteins many appear to be involved in inflammatory and immune responses. A study was therefore conducted to investigate if the levels of these proteins were changed in smokers compared to nonsmokers. It was found that NLF from smokers contained decreased levels of Clara cell secretory protein, and increased proportions of a truncated variant of lipocortin-1, three acidic forms of α1-antitrypsin, and one phosphorylated form of cystatin S. Furthermore, NLF from smokers contained increased proportions of a new variant of palate lung nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC), a recently identified airway irritation marker. The results demonstrate that 2-DE of NLF may be used to assess alterations of proteins or post-translationally modified proteins in smokers. Clara cell secretory protein (CC 16, CC 10) and lipocortin-1 are two anti-inflammatory, phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, and α1-antitrypsin and cystatin S are two proteinase inhibitors. Changed levels of these proteins may therefore be of importance to the airway inflammation caused by smoking. The results also support the notion that PLUNC is involved in inflammatory responses in the upper airways.
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| 3. |
- Ghafouri, Bijar, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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PLUNC (palate, lung and nasal epithelial clone) proteins in human nasal lavage fluid
- 2003
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In: Biochemical Society Transactions. - 0300-5127 .- 1470-8752. ; 31:4, s. 810-814
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PLUNC (palate, lung and nasal epithelial clone) is a newly discovered gene that is expressed in the upper respiratory tract and is suggested to be of importance in host defence against bacteria. We have identified two forms of the PLUNC protein in human nasal lavage fluid (NLF) using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MS. The apparent molecular masses and isoelectric points of these forms are 24.8 kDa/pI 5.4 and 25.1 kDa/pI 5.5. Notably, the 24.8 kDa/pI 5.4 form of PLUNC is an abundant protein in the 2-DE protein patterns of NLF from healthy subjects. Decreased levels of PLUNC were found in NLF from smokers and workers exposed to reactive epoxy chemicals, indicating that long-term exposure to airway irritants impairs the production of PLUNC in the upper respiratory tract. We have also investigated the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding proteins in NLF. Five proteins were found to adsorb to a LPS-coated surface; two of these proteins correspond to the two PLUNC forms, as judged by 2-DE pattern matching. For comparison, human saliva was found to contain a set of LPS-binding proteins with similar 2-DE spot positions (the same pIs but somewhat lower apparent molecular masses of 20 kDa). These results indicate that PLUNC may be a new marker of airway inflammation and may play a part in the innate immune response, and that human saliva contains yet other members of the family of LPS-binding proteins.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Lindahl, Mats, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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Nasal lavage fluid and proteomics as means to identify the effects of the irritating epoxy chemical dimethylbenzylamine
- 2004
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In: Biomarkers. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1354-750X .- 1366-5804. ; 9:1, s. 56-70
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aims of this study were to describe the changes in the nasal lavage fluid (NLF) protein pattern after exposure to the irritating epoxy chemical dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) and to identify the affected proteins using a proteomic approach. The protein patterns of NLF from six healthy subjects and eight epoxy workers with airway irritation were analysed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) before and after exposure to 100 μg m-3 DMBA for 2 h in an exposure chamber. NLF proteins were identified by (i) comparison with a 2-DE NLF reference database, (ii) N-terminal amino acid sequencing, and (iii) mass spectrometry. In NLF from healthy subjects, the levels of immunoglobulin A increased and the levels of Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) decreased after chamber exposure, while in NLF from epoxy workers, α2-macroglobulin and caeruloplasmin increased. Two previously unidentified proteins decreased in NLF from epoxy workers after exposure, these were identified as statherin and calgranulin B. In addition, the subjects who developed high counts of eosinophils in their nasal mucosa after chamber exposure had significantly lower levels of immunoglobulin-binding factor (IgBF) before exposure than subjects with low eosinophil infiltration. These results show that short-term exposure to DMBA causes distinct changes in NLF proteins. Moreover, three proteins that have previously not been associated with upper airway irritation were identified: statherin, calgranulin B and IgBF. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these proteins may be used as biomarkers of airway irritation and to give new insight into the ways in which occupational exposure to irritants causes inflammation of the airways.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Nordlund, Anders, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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EQ-5D in a general population survey - A description of the most commonly reported EQ-5D health states using the SF-36
- 2005
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In: Quality of Life Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0962-9343 .- 1573-2649. ; 14:4, s. 1099-1109
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The importance of studying health-related quality of life in the general population has increasingly been emphasized. From a public health perspective, this benefits the identification of population inequalities in health status. One of the currently most popular instruments is the EQ-5D. Evaluations of the EQ-5D generally focus on the overall preference-based index. As this index has a built-in value, exploration of the information from the underlying health states is also important. In this study, the ten most commonly reported EQ-5D health states are described using the SF-36. Data collected in 1999 by questionnaires mailed to a random sample aged 20-74 in south-eastern Sweden were used (n = 9489). Almost 43% reported the best possible EQ-5D health state and 78% were accounted for by three EQ-5D health states. The EQ-5D health state classification was largely reflected by the SF-36, with the EQ-5D items mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression tapping most clearly on the SF-36 scales physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, and mental health, respectively. However, within the same level of EQ-5D (i.e., moderate problems) there was a rather large variation of SF-36 scale scores, particularly regarding the EQ-5D item pain/discomfort and the SF-36 scale BP. © Springer 2005.
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| 8. |
- Sjögren, Elaine, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Can gender differences in psychosocial factors be explained by socioeconomic status?
- 2006
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 34, s. 59-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: The aims of this study were to examine (1) if associations between gender and psychosocial factors could be explained by socioeconomic status (SES) and (2) if associations between gender and psychosocial factors are more salient at lower levels of SES. Methods: Psychosocial factors such as decision latitude and social integration were studied in a cross-sectional study in two steps. In a public health survey, 4,086 randomly selected men and women aged 30—64 participated. Of these, 257 men and women also participated in an in-depth study. SES was measured in terms of education and occupation. Linear regression models were used to test associations between gender, SES, and a broad range of psychosocial factors. Results: Women reported lower scale scores on decision latitude, coping, and self-esteem, as well as more job strain, depression, and vital exhaustion, while men reported more cynicism (all p<0.05). Observed gender differences were still significant after control for effect of education, while after control for occupational status the effect of gender was lost for decision latitude and job strain. Significant interaction factors were found between gender and educational status for psychological demands, decision latitude, social integration, coping, and hopelessness. Conclusions: Gender differences, found for a broad range of psychosocial factors, could not be explained by SES. However, associations between gender and psychosocial factors were more salient at lower levels of SES. Psychosocial factors, especially decision latitude and social integration, may help explain why women with low SES experience poorer health.
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| 9. |
- Ståhlbom, Bengt, 1956-
(author)
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Dimethylethylamine and dimethylbenzylamine in foundries and the epoxy industry : Analysis, metabolism, biological monitoring, toxicological effects and occupational exposure
- 1998
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Dimethylethylamine (DMEA) and dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) are tertiary aliphatic amines, used as catalysts e.g., in mould core manufacturing and heat cured epoxy systems. Health effects such as visual disturbances and respiratory irritation occur among workers handling DMEA and airway symptoms are recorded by many workers exposed to DMBA. In this thesis, gas chromatographic methods for the determination of DMEA and DMBA in air and DMEA, dimethylethylamine- N-oxide (DMEAO), DMBA and dimethylbenzylaminc-N-oxide (DMBAO) in urine have been developed in order to monitor the air concentration of the amines, to investigate the metabolism and to establish methods useful for biological monitoring. Studies have been performed on volunteers in experimental exposures and on workers in the industrial setting. Dose-effect and dose-response relations were investigated for both DMEA and DMBA. An exposurechamber was developed, using a permeation technique, for the generation of low air levels of DMBA.DMEA and DMBA were rapidly absorbed through the respiratory tract and quickly distributed in the body. DMEA was to a large extent (90 %) metabolised into DMEAO and DMEA and DMEAO (SumDMEA) were excreted into the urine following a biphasic pattern. DMBA was metabolised to nearly 100 % and eliminated into the urine with a half-life of 4.3 h. More than 50 % was eliminated within 2 hours after the exposure. There was a significant correlation between the time-weighted average exposure level (TWA) of the two amines and the concentration of the amines and their metabolites (SumDMEA, SumDMBA) in the post-shift urine, in both the experimental and industrial study. Thus, both U-SumDMEA and U-SumDMBA may become important biomarkers in order to monitor industrial exposures of the corresponding amine.DMEA exposure to a constant air level of 40-50 mg/m3 during eight hours caused epithelial corneal oedema with visual disturbances and respiratory irritalion. A 15 min exposure at 80 mg/m 3 caused eye irritation but no visual disturbances and 8 h exposure at 20 mg/m3 did not cause visual disturbances or eye irritation.Low air concentrations (20-120 )Jg/m3 ) of DMBA increased the number of metachromatic cells and eosinophils in a dose-response related manner in the nasal mucosa in healthy vountecrs, without causing significant clinical symptoms.Industrial exposure levels of DMEA in mould core manufacturing workers were determined. The mean TWA of DMEA was 3.7 mg/m3 (range 0.5-14). The determination of DMBA in epoxy workers showed a mean TW A air concentration of 18 pg/m3 (range 3-48), with a 2 h peak exposure of 91 µ/m3.This thesis will facilitate the evaluation and assessment of risk and threshold limit values of DMEA, DMBA, and other related compounds.
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| 10. |
- Welinder, H, et al.
(author)
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A prospective study of the relationship between exposure and specific antibodies in workers exposed to organic acid anhydrides
- 2001
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In: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 56:6, s. 506-511
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The exposure-response relationships for the induction of specific IgE and IgG were evaluated in a prospective study of workers exposed to organic acid anhydrides (OAAs). Special attention was paid to the modifying effects of atopy and smoking. Methods: The subjects were 163 previously unexposed persons exposed to epoxy resins with hexahydro-, methylhexahydro-, and methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride as curing agents. The levels of OAAs in air and of specific IgE and IgG in serum were recurrently monitored. The mean observation time was 32 (1-105) months. Results: The mean combined OAA exposure of the subjects was 15.4 (< 1-189) ╡g/m3. Positive specific IgE was demonstrated by 21 (13%) subjects with a mean induction time of 8.8 (1-35) months. The incidence of sensitization was 4.1 cases/1000 months at risk. The relative risk (OR) for atopics was 5.4 (1.9-15.3, 95% CI). An exposure-response relationship was demonstrated by an increasing risk of sensitization with increasing exposure. Conclusions: An association between exposure and atopy, respectively, and the induction of specific antibodies against OAAs were observed. The risk for atopics was comparable with the risk for the subjects in the most exposed group.
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