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The aim of this study was to ascertain changes in physical capacity and work ability among middle-aged women (over 45 years of age) who had worked on average 20 years between 1989 and 2000 in physically demanding work. The second aim was to consider whether there were any differences in changes of physical capacity between two different work demand groups (physically vs. mixed mentally and physically demanding work). The total relative changes in physical capacity varied from 33.3% decrease to 5.3% increase, depending on the physical capacity variables. The steepest decreases were in the dynamic strength of the upper limbs, squatting and in aerobic capacity, and only the body mass index increased over 10 years. The perceived work ability decreased from good to moderate among working women over 10 years. It is concluded that women who had physically demanding work had a greater decrease in physical capacity than women in mixed mental and physical work had. This study proposes that in physically demanding occupations, it is very important to promote workers' physical capacity to enhance work ability and functional ability with increasing age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlates the low trehalase activity with abdominal symptoms caused by edible mushrooms. Effect of breath gases on duodenal trehalase activity; Analysis of the presence of gastritic or celiac disease lesions; Impact of blood glucose on disaccharides.

Gypsum (CaSO 4 ∙2H 2 O) amendment is a promising way of decreasing the phosphorus loading of arable lands, and thus preventing aquatic eutrophication. However, in freshwaters with low sulfate concentrations, gypsum-released sulfate may pose a threat to the biota. To assess such risks, we performed a series of sulfate toxicity tests in the laboratory and conducted field surveys. These field surveys were associated with a large-scale pilot exercise involving spreading gypsum on agricultural fields covering 18% of the Savijoki River (Finland) catchment area. The gypsum amendment in such fields resulted in approximately a four-fold increase in the mean sulfate concentration for a 2-month period, and a transient, early peak reaching approximately 220 mg/L. The sulfate concentration gradually decreased almost to the pregypsum level after 3 years. Laboratory experiments with Unio crassus mussels and gypsum-spiked river water showed significant effects on foot movement activity, which was more intense with the highest sulfate concentration (1100 mg/L) than with the control. Survival of the glochidia after 24 and 48 h of exposure was not significantly affected by sulfate concentrations up to 1000 mg/L, nor was the length growth of the moss Fontinalis antipyretica affected. The field studies on benthic algal biomass accrual, mussel and fish density, and Salmo trutta embryo survival did not show gypsum amendment effects. Gypsum treatment did not raise the sulfate concentrations even to a level just close to critical for the biota studied. However, because the effects of sulfate are dependent on both the spatial and the temporal contexts, we advocate water quality and biota monitoring with proper temporal and spatial control in rivers within gypsum treatment areas. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:108-121. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC., (© 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.)

Purpose: Work disability (WD) is a medico-legal concept that refers to disability benefits (DB) granted due to diseases. We assessed whether subjective cognitive complaints (SCC)-presenting as self-rated difficulties of concentration, memory, clear thinking, and decision making-predict permanent WD in knowledge-intensive occupations., Methods: In this prospective cohort study with up to 7-year follow-up, we combined the SCC questionnaire results with reliable registry data on the DBs of 7161 professional/managerial employees (46% females). We excluded employees who were on long-term sickness absence (SA) or had received a DB at baseline. The exposure variable was the presence of SCC. Age and SA before the questionnaire as a proxy measure of general health were treated as confounders and the analyses were conducted by gender. The outcome variable was a granted DB. The cumulative incidence function illustrates the difference between SCC categories, and the Fine-Gray model estimates the predictors of WD during the 8-year follow-up., Results: The annual incidence of DB was 0.15% in the entire cohort: 0.18% among the females, and 0.12% among the males (p = 0.795). The most common primary reasons for permanent WD were mental (36%) and musculoskeletal (20%) disorders. SCC predicted DB in both genders when controlling for age and prior SA. Hazard ratios were 2.9 with a 95% confidence interval 1.4-6.0 for the females and 3.7 (1.8-7.9) for the males., Conclusion: Subjective cognitive complaints predict permanent WD in knowledge-intensive occupations. This finding has implications for supporting work ability and preventing work disability among employees with cognitively demanding tasks.

The design and application of an inkjet-printed electrochemically reduced graphene oxide microelectrode for HT-2 mycotoxin immunoenzymatic biosensing is reported. A water-based graphene oxide ink was first formulated and single-drop line working microelectrodes were inkjet-printed onto poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) substrates, with dimensions of 78 μm in width and 30 nm in height after solvent evaporation. The printed graphene oxide microelectrodes were electrochemically reduced and characterized by Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies in addition to microscopies. Through optimization of the electrochemical reduction parameters, differential pulse voltammetry were performed to examine the sensing of 1-naphthol (1-N), where it was revealed that reduction times had significant effects on electrode performance. The developed microelectrodes were then used as an immunoenzymatic biosensor for the detection of HT-2 mycotoxin based on carbodiimide linking of the microelectrode surface and HT-2 toxin antigen binding fragment of antibody (anti-HT2 (10) Fab). The HT-2 toxin and anti-HT2 (10) Fab reaction was reported by anti-HT2 immune complex single-chain variable fragment of antibody fused with alkaline phosphatase (anti-IC-HT2 scFv-ALP) which is able to produce an electroactive reporter - 1-N. The biosensor showed detection limit of 1.6 ng ∙ mL -1 and a linear dynamic range of 6.3 - 100.0 ng ∙ mL -1 within a 5 min incubation with 1-naphthyl phosphate (1-NP) substrate., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Work disability (WD) as a medico-legal concept refers to disability benefits (DB) that are granted due to diseases that permanently reduce work ability. We studied whether an occupational healthcare instrument for the prediction of sickness absence (SA) risk-a health risk appraisal (HRA)-also predicts permanent WD., Methods: HRA results were combined with registry data on DB of 22,023 employees from different industry sectors. We analysed how the HRA risk categories predict DB and considered occupational group, gender, age, and prior SA as confounding variables. Cumulative incidence function illustrates the difference between the HRA risk categories, and the Fine-Gray model estimates the predictors of WD during 6-year follow-up., Results: The most common primary reasons for permanent WD were musculoskeletal (39%) and mental disorders (21%). Self-reported health problems in the HRA, labelled as "WD risk factors", predicted DB when controlling for age and prior SA. Hazard ratios were 10.9 or over with the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval 3.3 or over among those with two simultaneous WD risk factors. 14% of the females and 17% of the males with three or more simultaneous WD risk factors had received a DB, whereas the respective figures among those without findings were 1.9% and 0.3%., Conclusions: Self-reported health problems in the HRA, especially multiple simultaneous WD risk factors, predict permanent WD among both genders across occupational groups. Screening WD risk with a self-administered questionnaire is a potential means for identifying high-risk employees for targeting occupational healthcare actions.

Knowledge-intensive work requires capabilities like monitoring multiple sources of information, prioritizing between competing tasks, switching between tasks, and resisting distraction from the primary task(s). We assessed whether subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), presenting as self-rated problems with difficulties of concentration, memory, clear thinking and decision making predict sickness absence (SA) in knowledge-intensive occupations. We combined SCC questionnaire results with reliable registry data on SA of 7743 professional/managerial employees (47% female). We excluded employees who were not active in working life, on long-term SA, and those on a work disability benefit at baseline. The exposure variable was the presence of SCC. Age and SA before the questionnaire as a proxy measure of general health were treated as confounders and the analyses were conducted by gender. The outcome measure was the accumulated SA days during a 12-month follow-up. We used a hurdle model to analyse the SA data. SCC predicted the number of SA days during the 12-month follow-up. The ratio of the means of SA days was higher than 2.8 as compared to the reference group, irrespective of gender, with the lowest limit of 95% confidence interval 2.2. In the Hurdle model, SCC, SA days prior to the questionnaire, and age were additive predictors of the likelihood of SA and accumulated SA days, if any. Subjective cognitive complaints predict sickness absence in knowledge-intensive occupations, irrespective of gender, age, or general health. This finding has implications for supporting work ability (productivity) among employees with cognitively demanding tasks., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Thyroid hormones are important regulatory hormones, acting on nearly every cell in the body. The two main thyroid hormones are l-thyroxine (tetraiodo-l-thyronine, T 4 ) and 3,3',5-triiodo-l-thyronine (T 3 ), which are produced in the thyroid gland and secreted into the blood stream. Other important thyroid hormone metabolites are 3,3'-diiodo-l-thyronine (T 2 ) and l-thyronine (T 0 ), which may show increased levels in circulation due to dietary iodine deficiency or other medical disorders. Owing to their central role in cellular functions, sensitive and specific detection methods for thyroid hormones are needed. In this work, native mass spectrometry (MS) was used to quantitate thyroid hormone binding to the anti-T 4 antibody Fab fragment. First, the binding affinity for T 2 was determined via direct ligand titration experiments. Then, the affinities for the other ligands were determined by competition experiments using T 2 as the "low-affinity" reference ligand. The highest affinity was measured for T 3 , followed by T 4 , T 2 , and T 0 ( K d = 29, 3.4, and 260 nM and 130 μM, respectively). Thus, it is evident that the number and positions of the iodine substituents within the thyronine rings are important for the ligand binding affinity of anti-T 4 Fab. Surprisingly, structurally related tetrahalogen bisphenols were also able to bind to anti-T 4 Fab with nanomolar affinities., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society.)

Objectives: To study whether self-reported health problems predict sickness absence (SA) from work in employees from different industries., Methods: The results of a health risk appraisal (HRA) were combined with archival data of SA of 21 608 employees (59% female, 56% clerical). Exposure variables were self-reported health problems, labelled as 'work disability (WD) risk factors' in the HRA, presence of problems with occupational well-being and obesity. Age, socioeconomic grading and the number of SA days 12 months before the survey were treated as confounders. The outcome measure was accumulated SA days during 12-month follow-up. Data were analysed separately for males and females. A Hurdle model with negative binomial response was used to analyse zero-inflated count data of SA., Results: The HRA results predicted the number of accumulated SA days during the 12-month follow-up, regardless of occupational group and gender. The ratio of means of SA days varied between 2.7 and 4.0 among those with 'WD risk factors' and the reference category with no findings, depending on gender and occupational group. The lower limit of the 95% CI was at the lowest 2.0. In the Hurdle model, 'WD risk factors', SA days prior to the HRA and obesity were additive predictors for SA and/or the accumulated SA days in all occupational groups., Conclusion: Self-reported health problems and obesity predict a higher total count of SA days in an additive fashion. These findings have implications for both management and the healthcare system in the prevention of WD., Competing Interests: Competing interests: MP and HA are employed by Terveystalo, ST is employed by Evalua International and JU, JO, MK and TN are employed by the University of Tampere., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Compared with sporadic conventional water sampling, continuous water-quality monitoring with optical sensors has improved our understanding of freshwater dynamics. The basic principle in photometric measurements is the incident light at a given wavelength that is either reflected, scattered, or transmitted in the body of water. Here, we discuss the transmittance measurements. The amount of transmittance is inversely proportional to the concentration of the substance measured. However, the transmittance is subject to interference, because it can be affected by factors other than the substance targeted in the water. In this study, interference with the UV/Vis sensor nitrate plus nitrite measurements caused by organic carbon was evaluated. Total or dissolved organic carbon as well as nitrate plus nitrite concentrations were measured in various boreal waters with two UV/Vis sensors (5-mm and 35-mm pathlengths), using conventional laboratory analysis results as references. Organic carbon increased the sensor nitrate plus nitrite results, not only in waters with high organic carbon concentrations, but also at the lower concentrations (< 10 mg C L -1 ) typical of boreal stream, river, and lake waters. Our results demonstrated that local calibration with multiple linear regression, including both nitrate plus nitrite and dissolved organic carbon, can correct the error caused by organic carbon. However, high-frequency optical sensors continue to be excellent tools for environmental monitoring when they are properly calibrated for the local water matrix.

The ability of cells to migrate and form metastases is one of the fatal hallmarks of cancer that can be conquered only with better understanding of the molecules and regulatory mechanisms involved. The oncogenic PIM kinases have been shown to support cancer cell survival and motility, but the PIM-regulated pathways stimulating cell migration and invasion are less well characterized than those affecting cell survival. Here we have identified the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3B) and the forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor as direct PIM targets, whose tumour-suppressive effects in prostate cancer cells are inhibited by PIM-induced phosphorylation, resulting in increased cell migration. Targeting GSK3B is also essential for the observed PIM-enhanced expression of the prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), which is an important regulator of both cell migration and adhesion. Accordingly, selective inhibition of PIM activity not only reduces cell migration, but also affects integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Taken together, these data provide novel mechanistic insights on how and why patients with metastatic prostate cancer may benefit from therapies targeting PIM kinases, and how such approaches may also be applicable to inflammatory conditions., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The study explored whether differences in sickness absence between four factories of a food industry company were explained by common determinants of sickness absence, such as employee health, sociodemographic characteristics, and physical and psychosocial work conditions., Methods: Survey responses of 582 employees were linked to the records of short-term (1-3 days) and long-term (>3 days) absence, as well as to records of absences due to musculoskeletal diagnoses. Multilevel models were applied in assessing the between-factory absence differences., Results: Compared with the levels in the factory with the lowest sickness absence, in one factory the levels of short-term [rate ratio (RR) 1.72], long-term (RR 1.96), and musculoskeletal (rate ratio 2.93) absence were significantly higher. Another factory also had higher levels of long-term and musculoskeletal absence (RR 2.17 and 2.52, respectively). Adjustment for the background factors explained 35% of the difference in short-term absence, 3-9% of the differences in long-term absence, and 18-12% of the differences in musculoskeletal absence, but the between-factory differences were still highly significant., Conclusions: This study showed large differences in sickness absence between factories that were only partly explained by common determinants. Moreover, economic factors and formal control were unlikely explanatory factors, as the study was conducted within a single company. These results justify further research on local absence practices and cultures, including those of health service organizations and professionals.

Long-term associations of prolonged stress symptoms and work-related stressors with chronic diseases were assessed in a sample of ageing and retired food industry workers (N = 100, mean age 62 years) using independent samples t-test, chi-squared test and binary logistic regression analyses. Data was gathered at health checkups and using self-report questionnaires in 1989 and 2000. Prolonged stress symptoms were associated with overall morbidity. Higher scores of stress symptoms predicted musculoskeletal disorders, diseases of the nervous system, eye and ear, endocrine and metabolic diseases, and mental disorders. Of work-related stressors, only job dissatisfaction had a long-term association with endocrine and metabolic diseases. Importantly, prolonged stress symptoms could not be explained by job strain and demands. Identification of prolonged stress symptoms along with traditional and potential risk factors, and combining this knowledge with stress reduction and management is essential for disease prevention and in postponing subsequent onset of disease.

Aim: To evaluate the available evidence of the effectiveness of physiotherapy for lateral epicondylitis of the elbow., Method: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified by a highly sensitive search strategy in six databases in combination with reference checking. Two independent reviewers selected RCTs that included a physiotherapy intervention, patients with lateral epicondylitis, and at least one clinically relevant outcome measure. No language restrictions were made. Methodological quality was independently assessed by two blinded reviewers. A best evidence synthesis, including a quantitative and qualitative analysis, was conducted, weighting the studies with respect to their internal validity, statistical significance, clinical relevance, and statistical power., Results: 23 RCTs were included in the review, evaluating the effects of lasertherapy, ultrasound treatment, electrotherapy, and exercises and mobilisation techniques. Fourteen studies satisfied at least 50% of the internal validity criteria. Except for ultrasound, pooling of data from RCTs was not possible because of insufficient data, or clinical or statistical heterogeneity. The pooled estimate of the treatment effects of two studies on ultrasound compared to placebo ultrasound, showed statistically significant and clinically relevant differences in favour of ultrasound. There is insufficient evidence either to demonstrate benefit or lack of effect of lasertherapy, electrotherapy, exercises and mobilisation techniques for lateral epicondylitis., Conclusions: Despite the large number of studies, there is still insufficient evidence for most physiotherapy interventions for lateral epicondylitis due to contradicting results, insufficient power, and the low number of studies per intervention. Only for ultrasound, weak evidence for efficacy was found. More better designed, conducted and reported RCTs are needed.

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is af requently reported condition. A wide variety of treatment strategies has been described. Asy et, no optimal strategy has been identified. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of orthotic devices for treatment of tennis elbow. An electronic database search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register Current Contents, and reference listsf rom all retrieved articles. Experts on the subjects were approachedfor additional trials. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) descrbiing individuals with diagnosed lateral epicondylitis and assessing the use of an orthotic device as a treatment strategy were evaluatedfor inclusion. Two reviewers independently assessed the validity of the included trials and extracted data on relevant outcome measures. Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as relative risks and continuous outcomes as standardised mean differences, both with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Statistical pooling and subgroup analyses were intended. Five small-size RCTs (n = 7-49 per group) were included the validity score ranged from three to nine positive items out of 11. Subgroup analyses were not performed owing to the small number of trials. The limited number of included trials present few outcome measures and limited long-term results. Pooling was not possible owing to the high level of heterogeneity of the trials. No definitive conclusions can be drawn concerning effectiveness of orthotic devices for lateral epicondylitis. More well-designed and well-conducted RCTs of sufficient power are warranted.

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a frequently reported condition. A wide variety of treatment strategies has been described. As of yet, no optimal strategy has been identified., Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of orthotic devices for treatment of tennis elbow., Search Strategy: An electronic database search was conducted using Medline, Embase, Cinahl, the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, Current Contents and reference lists from all retrieved articles. Experts on the subjects were approached for additional trials., Selection Criteria: All randomised clinical trials (RCT) describing individuals with diagnosed lateral epicondylitis and comparing the use of an orthotic device as a treatment strategy were evaluated for inclusion., Data Collection and Analysis: Two reviewers independently assessed the validity of the included trials and extracted data on relevant outcome measures. Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as Relative Risks (RRs) and continuous outcomes as Standardised Mean Differences (SMD), both with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Statistical pooling and subgroup analyses were intended, Main Results: Five small-size RCTs (N per group 7-49) were included. Validity score ranged from 3-9 positive items out of 11. Subgroup analyses were not performed due to the small number of trials. The limited number of included trials present few outcome measures and limited long-term results. Pooling was not possible due to large heterogeneity amongst trials., Reviewer's Conclusions: No definitive conclusions can be drawn concerning effectiveness of orthotic devices for lateral epicondylitis. More well-designed and well-conducted RCTs of sufficient power are warranted.

It has been postulated that the accumulation of sugar alcohol, galactitol, from milk induces cataract in the eye lens through an osmotic mechanism. In this study the concentrations of galactitol and other sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol and inositol) were measured by sensitive gas chromatography in the lenses of 15 patients operated on for senile idiopathic cataracts and in 14 clear lenses removed at autopsy. Large amounts of inositol (mean +/- SD, 4.1 +/- 3.1 vs 4.7 +/- 3.0 mumol/g lens wet weight) and small amounts of mannitol and sorbitol were detected in both study groups. Galactitol levels remained clearly below the detection limit (2 nmol/g) in all lenses. It seems unlikely that senile cataract is a result of the accumulation of galactitol in the eye lens.