Cytokine responses of CD4+ T cells and NKT cells to periodontitis-associated bacteria in individuals with or without periodontitis.

AIM: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease driven by opportunistic bacteria including Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, where T-cell and NKT-cell responses to these bacteria in patients with periodontitis grade B or C are not fully elucidated. The objective is to determine if exaggerated proinflammatory Th-cell responses to periodontitis-associated bacteria, but not commensal bacteria, is a characteristic of increased periodontitis grade. METHODS: Mononuclear cells from patients with periodontitis grade C (n = 26) or grade B (n = 33) and healthy controls (HCs; n = 26) were stimulated with P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum or the commensal bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes. Cytokine production by different T-cell populations and FOXP3-expression by regulatory T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared to HCs, grade C patients had decreased frequencies of interleukin (IL)-10-producing CD4+ T cells before stimulation (p = .02) and increased frequencies of IFN-y-producing CD4+ T cells after stimulation with P. gingivalis (p = .0019). Grade B patients had decreased frequencies of FOXP3+ CD4+ T cells before (p = .030) before and after stimulation with anti-CD2/anti-CD3/anti-CD28-loaded beads (p = .047), P. gingivalis (p = .013) and S. epidermidis (p = .018). Clinical attachment loss correlated with the frequencies of IFN-y-producing Th1 cells in P. gingivalis- and F. nucleatum-stimulated cultures in grade B patients (p = .023 and p = .048, respectively) and with the frequencies of Th17 cells in P. gingivalis-stimulated cultures (p = .0062) in grade C patients. Patients with periodontitis grade C or grade B showed lower frequencies of IL-10-producing NKT cells than HCs in unstimulated cultures (p = .0043 and p = .027 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both periodontitis groups showed decreased frequencies of immunoregulatory T-cell and NKT cell subsets at baseline. Clinical attachment loss correlated with P. gingivalis-induced Th17-responses in grade C patients and with Th1-responses in grade B patients when cells were stimulated with P. gingivalis, supporting that dysregulated pro-inflammatory T-cell responses to periodontitis-associated bacteria contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Validity and reliability of the Rosacea Area and Severity Index: A novel scoring system for clinical assessment of rosacea severity.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory facial skin disorder. Standardized evaluation of the severity and extent of rosacea is important for baseline assessment and treatment effect. The currently used Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) is unspecific and fails to consider subtypes/phenotypes of rosacea and area involvement. The Rosacea Area and Severity Index (RASI) was developed to give a more nuanced evaluation of rosacea features in four facial skin areas adjusted to the relative importance of each area of the face to obtain an overall severity score. OBJECTIVES: To validate RASI against the IGA and to assess the inter- and intraobserver reliability for RASI. METHODS: Sixteen dermatologists evaluated photographs of 60 adult patients with rosacea (3 photographs per patient, one from the front and one from each side). IGA and RASI scores were performed for interobserver reliability assessment. To determine intraobserver reliability, 14 dermatologists evaluated 10 other patients twice with at least 1 week interval. RESULTS: The IGA and RASI correlated well (Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72-0.78). Interobserver reliability was moderate for RASI and poor to moderate for IGA. Reliability was strongest for rhinophyma, followed by papules/pustules and erythema, and rather weak for telangiectasia. For area scores, interobserver reliability was strongest for cheeks, followed by nose, chin and forehead. We found a moderate-to-strong intraobserver agreement both for IGA and RASI. CONCLUSIONS: We have designed a new practical tool to examine clinical severity of rosacea. RASI proved simple and reliable in scoring clinical severity of rosacea with an agreement comparable to the currently used IGA although RASI will provide a more nuanced view of the current rosacea extent and severity. We suggest that RASI is used in the daily clinical setting as well as in clinical studies assessing the efficacy of rosacea therapies.

Improved description of terrestrial habitat types by including microbial communities as indicators.

Soils host diverse communities of microorganisms essential for ecosystem functions and soil health. Despite their importance, microorganisms are not covered by legislation protecting biodiversity or habitats, such as the Habitats Directive. Advances in molecular methods have caused breakthroughs in microbial community analysis, and recent studies have shown that parts of the communities are habitat-specific. If distinct microbial communities are present in the habitat types defined in the Habitats Directive, the Directive may be improved by including these communities. Thus, monitoring and reporting of biodiversity and conservation status of habitat types could be based not only on plant communities but also on microbial communities. In the present study, bacterial and plant communities were examined in six habitat types defined in the Habitats Directive by conducting botanical surveys and collecting soil samples for amplicon sequencing across 19 sites in Denmark. Furthermore, selected physico-chemical properties expected to differ between habitat types and explain variations in community composition of bacteria and vegetation were analysed (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil texture, soil water repellency, soil organic carbon content (OC), inorganic nitrogen, and in-situ water content (SWC)). Despite some variations within the same habitat type and overlaps between habitat types, habitat-specific communities were observed for both bacterial and plant communities, but no correlation was observed between the alpha diversity of vegetation and bacteria. PERMANOVA analysis was used to evaluate the variables best able to explain variation in the community composition of vegetation and bacteria. Habitat type alone could explain 46% and 47% of the variation in bacterial and plant communities, respectively. Excluding habitat type as a variable, the best model (pH, SWC, OC, fine silt, and Shannon's diversity index for vegetation) could explain 37% of the variation for bacteria. For vegetation, the best model (pH, EC, ammonium content and Shannon's diversity index for bacteria) could explain 25% of the variation. Based on these results, bacterial communities could be included in the Habitats Directive to improve the monitoring, as microorganisms are more sensitive to changes in the environment compared to vegetation, which the current monitoring is based on.

Academic Stress, Academic Self-efficacy, and Psychological Distress: A Moderated Mediation of Within-person Effects.

Previous research has largely failed to separate the between- and within-person effects in the longitudinal associations between academic stress, academic self-efficacy, and psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression). Filling this research gap, this study investigated if academic self-efficacy mediated the relationship between academic stress and psychological distress at the intraindividual level during 3 years of upper secondary school. Gender moderation was also examined in the hypothesised model. The present sample consisted of 1508 Norwegian adolescents (baseline M age = 16.42; 52.9% high perceived family wealth; 70.6% Norwegian-born). The random intercept cross-lagged panel model results indicated (1) positive and time-invariant direct effects from academic stress to psychological distress, (2) academic self-efficacy partially mediated these effects, and (3) psychological distress impacted later academic stress. Academic stress was more strongly related to academic self-efficacy and psychological distress at the interpersonal level for boys, while the intraindividual impact of academic stress on psychological distress was stronger for girls. The study findings might have implications for school-based implementation strategies and theoretical development.

A Nurse-Led Outpatient Clinic for Patients With Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis: Staffing, Structure, and Patient Satisfaction.

Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis constitute a growing and vulnerable patient group with a particular need for easy outpatient access and close follow-up. By establishing a nurse-led clinic, we aimed to counter this need in a patient-centered manner within a multidisciplinary rehabilitating framework. This article presents the organization, staffing, and structure of this initiative as well as the patient population demographics and characteristics. Furthermore, patient satisfaction within the clinic was explored. Two complementary substudies are presented: a descriptive, registry-based journal audit, presenting data from the clinic's first years, 2017-2019, and a cross-sectional, descriptive survey, exploring patient satisfaction 2 years later. Different visit types with predefined content constitute an operable structure suitable for meeting patients' current needs. An increase in both the number of patients and visits from the first to second years indicates an existing need for nurse-led support. Data not only support the well-known characteristics of patients with cirrhosis but also add to a broader perspective with more nuances for this patient population. The survey shows an overall high score on satisfaction but also points out areas for improvement. The nurse-led clinic provides both structure and knowledge to facilitate patient-centered treatment and care for those suffering from liver cirrhosis.

Establishment of a nurse-led clinic for late complications after colorectal and anal cancer surgery: a descriptive study.

PURPOSE: Survival rates after colorectal and anal cancer are increasing and more patients have late complications to treatment. This represents a clinical field under development, and we have established a specialized clinic for late complications after colorectal and anal cancer. With this paper, we want to give our experiences and present the organizational setup with a nurse as the primary contact person. METHODS: We have established a multidisciplinary clinic for the treatment of late complications and the clinic is organized with specialized nurses as the front persons. The structure includes a stepwise increase in expertise level when needed, and the patient has one common entry regardless of symptoms. Initial screening is performed by an electronic questionnaire which is followed up by a consultation with the nurse. The nurse can provide primary treatment according to local algorithms developed in the clinic and refer the patient to more specialized care if needed. RESULTS: Experiences from the first year of service show that more than half of the patients needs this and wants consultation in the late complication clinic. We also found that most of the consultations were performed successfully by phone instead of by physical visits, and the most common clinical problem was bowel symptoms including diarrhea and urge. CONCLUSION: We have established a nurse-led clinic for late complications after colorectal and anal cancer. There seems to be a high need for this function in a department taking care of colorectal and anal cancer.

Physical activity after colorectal cancer surgery-a cross sectional study of patients with a long-term stoma.

PURPOSE: Physical activity is recommended to cancer survivors by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is associated with improved survival after colorectal cancer. It remains unclear whether having a stoma is a barrier for an active lifestyle. We examined the level of physical activity and explored factors impacting physical activity in survivors with a stoma. METHODS: A total of 1265 (65%) patients in the Danish Stoma Database completed a multidimensional survey. Physical activity of moderate- and vigorous-intensity was assessed using two validated questions. Based on WHO guidelines, physical activity was categorised into 'Meeting' or 'Not Meeting' recommendations. Multivariate regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, provided odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors' association with'Not Meeting' guideline recommendations. RESULTS: In total, 571 patients with colorectal cancer reported on physical activity at a median of 4.3 years (interquartile range 3.1-5.8) after stoma surgery. Two hundred ninety-three patients (51%) were 'Meeting recommendations' and 63% of them were 'Highly active'. Two hundred seventy-eight were 'Not meeting' recommendations (49%). Of the factors analysed, patients without support garment were more likely (OR 1.72 [95% CI 1.16; 2.54] not to meet guideline recommendations. We found no association between stoma type, surgical procedure, parastomal bulging and 'problematic stoma' and level of physical activity, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this large sample of survivors with a stoma half of patients met or exceeded guideline recommendations. Of patients not meeting recommendations some could potentially meet the recommendations by modest increases in either moderate or vigorous activity.

The Within-Person Effect of Psychological Distress on Social Self-Efficacy: A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model.

This study investigated the temporal relationship between social self-efficacy and psychological distress during 3 years in middle to late adolescence. The sample comprised 1508 participants (60.7% female; baseline mean age = 16.33, SD = .62; 52.9% high perceived family wealth; 70.6% born in Norway). We used a random intercept cross-lagged panel model to investigate the concurrent and subsequent associations between the two constructs. The results indicated (1) small to moderate and negative associations between the trait-like components and within-person fluctuations of social self-efficacy and psychological distress, (2) positive and significant carry-over stability effects on both constructs across time, and (3) that psychological distress predicted subsequent social self-efficacy more consistently across four time points, than social self-efficacy predicted later psychological distress.

Impact of a Parastomal Bulge on Quality of Life - A Cross-sectional Study of Patients From the Danish Stoma Database.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate stoma specific and generic HRQoL in patients with and without a parastomal bulge. BACKGROUND: Most patients have to live with their stoma complicated by a parastomal bulge. How this affects quality of life remains unclear. METHODS: Patients in the Danish Stoma Database completed the Short-form 36 health survey and the stoma-QOL questionnaire. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounding factors, provided mean and mean score differences and 95% confidence intervals for each HRQoL scale and item. Cohens d provided estimates of effect size. RESULTS: A total of 1265 patients (65%) completed the questionnaire 4.4 (interquartile range 3.1-6.0) years after stoma surgery. Of these, 693 (55%) patients with a parastomal bulge had significantly impaired (P < 0.01) HRQoL across all stoma specific and generic health domains compared to patients without a parastomal bulge. In patients with a benign diagnosis or an ileostomy, a parastomal bulge impacted significantly on Social Functioning and Mental Health resulting in a worse Mental Component Summary. A large bulge >10 cm impaired HRQoL (P < 0.01) across all stoma specific and generic domains. The impact on HRQoL was independent of time with the bulge. CONCLUSIONS: A novel finding in this large, unselected sample from high-quality regional registries was that parastomal bulging was associated with substantial and sustained impairment of HRQoL.

Computational localization of attack regions through a direct observation of the audio waveform.

This article addresses the computational estimation of attack regions in audio recordings. Previous attempts to do so were based on the reduction of the audio waveform into an envelope curve, which decreases its temporal resolution. The proposed approach detects the attack region directly from the audio waveform. The attack region is modeled as a line starting from a low-amplitude point and intersecting one of the local maxima according to two principles: (1) maximizing the slope, while favoring, at the same time, a higher peak if the slope remains only slightly lower and (2) dismissing initial attack regions of relatively low amplitude. The attack start position is fine-tuned by intersecting the attack slope with the audio waveform. The proposed method precisely pinpoints the attack region in cases where it is unambiguously observable from the waveform itself. In such cases, previous methods selected a broader attack region due to the loss of temporal resolution. When attack regions are less evident, the proposed method's estimation remains within the range of results provided by other methods. Applied to the prediction of judgments of P-center localization [Danielsen, Nymoen, Anderson, Câmara, Langerød, Thompson, and London, J. Exp. Psychol. Hum. Percept. Perform. 45, 402-418 (2019)], the proposed method shows a significant increase in precision, at the expense of recall.

Cost analysis in a randomized trial of early closure of a temporary ileostomy after rectal resection for cancer (EASY trial).

BACKGROUND: Hospital costs associated with the treatment of rectal cancer are considerable and the formation of a temporary stoma accounts for additional costs. Results from the EASY trial showed that early closure of a temporary ileostomy was associated with significantly fewer postoperative complications but no difference in health-related quality of life up to 12 months after rectal resection. The aim of the present study was to perform a cost analysis within the framework of the EASY trial. METHODS: Early closure (8-13 days) of a temporary stoma was compared to late closure (> 12 weeks) in the randomized controlled trial EASY (NCT01287637). The study period and follow-up was 12 months after rectal resection. Inclusion of participants was made after index surgery. Exclusion criteria were diabetes mellitus, steroid treatment, signs of postoperative complications or anastomotic leakage. Clinical effectiveness and resource use were derived from the trial and unit costs from Swedish sources. Costs were calculated for the year 2016 and analysed from the perspective of the healthcare sector. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients underwent early closure, and 57 late closure in eight Swedish and Danish hospitals between 2011 and 2014. The difference in mean cost per patient was 4060 US dollar (95% confidence interval 1121; 6999, p value < 0.01) in favour of early closure. A sensitivity analysis, taking protocol-driven examinations into account, resulted in an overall difference in mean cost per patient of $3608, in favour of early closure (95% confidence interval 668; 6549, p value 0.02). The predominant cost factors were reoperations, readmissions and endoscopic examinations. CONCLUSIONS: The significant cost reduction in this study, together with results of safety and efficacy from the randomized controlled trial, supports the routine use of early closure of a temporary ileostomy after rectal resection for cancer in selected patients without signs of anastomotic leakage. CLINICAL TRIAL: Registered at clinicaltrials.gov, clinical trials identifier NCT01287637.

Effects of instructed timing on electric guitar and bass sound in groove performance.

This paper reports on two experiments that investigated the expressive means through which musicians well versed in groove-based music signal the intended timing of a rhythmic event. Data were collected from 21 expert electric guitarists and 21 bassists, who were instructed to perform a simple rhythmic pattern in three different timing styles-"laid-back," "on-the-beat," and "pushed"-in tandem with a metronome. As expected, onset and peak timing locations corresponded to the instructed timing styles for both instruments. Regarding sound, results for guitarists revealed systematic differences across participants in the duration and brightness [spectral centroid (SC)] of the guitar strokes played using these different timing styles. In general, laid-back strokes were played with a longer duration and a lower SC relative to on-the-beat and pushed strokes. Results for the bassists indicated systematic differences in intensity (sound-pressure level): pushed strokes were played with higher intensity than on-the-beat and laid-back strokes. These results lend further credence to the hypothesis that both temporal and sound-related features are important indications of the intended timing of a rhythmic event, and together these features offer deeper insight into the ways in which musicians communicate at the microrhythmic level in groove-based music.

Exploring motivations, attitudes and experiences of oocyte donors: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The demand for fertility treatment with donated oocytes is increasing in many European countries. In order to offer oocyte donors an attractive treatment, it is necessary to understand the views of the donors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how women who donate oocytes describe their motives and attitudes towards oocyte donation, as well as their experiences with oocyte donation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative study based on individual face-to-face interviews with 12 oocyte donors with a donor identity as either anonymous or open. Oocyte donors who had donated oocytes at least once were recruited from the fertility clinic at Herlev University Hospital, Denmark. Data were collected using a piloted, semi-structured interview guide and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis was handled in NVIVO 11 PRO. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in three themes: (1) helping others, (2) the treatment, and (3) being an oocyte donor. The financial compensation had varying degrees of importance for the oocyte donors but was always secondary to the desire to help others. All participants were interested in knowing whether their donation had resulted in pregnancy or birth of a child. Many donors had not gained a full understanding of the realistic outcomes of their donation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that oocyte donors are mainly motivated by altruism, and financial compensation was found to be a secondary motive. Further, political awareness could be directed toward particularly open donors and the need to provide information about the outcome of their donation. Finally, it seems that future oocyte donors, in a treatment with a high need for information, can benefit from clinicians giving more exact information in relation to the probability of the birth of a donor child.

Contact allergy in Danish children: Current trends.

BACKGROUND: Contact allergy is common in children, but may be underdiagnosed. Importantly, the clinical relevance of specific allergies is subject to constant change, and it is therefore important to continuously monitor the trends and changes of contact allergies in the paediatric population. OBJECTIVES: To identify possible changes in contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis among Danish children referred for patch testing. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed based on patch test data from the Danish National Database of Contact allergy. The current data were compared with previously published data on Danish children referred for patch testing. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2016, 1573 children and adolescents were patch tested. Overall, 385 (24.5%) had at least 1 positive patch test reaction. The overall prevalence was similar in boys and girls, across age groups, and in patients with and without atopic dermatitis. Statistically significant increases in contact allergy to fragrances and isothiazoliones were seen, whereas a decrease in nickel allergy was found. CONCLUSION: Allergic contact dermatitis continues to be a common disease in children, and is even significantly increasing for some allergens.

Early Closure of a Temporary Ileostomy in Patients With Rectal Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study morbidity and mortality associated with early closure (8-13 days) of a temporary stoma compared with standard procedure (closure after > 12 weeks) after rectal resection for cancer. BACKGROUND: A temporary ileostomy may reduce the risk of pelvic sepsis after anastomotic dehiscence. However, the temporary ileostomy is afflicted with complications and requires a second surgical procedure (closure) with its own complications. Early closure of the temporary ileostomy could reduce complications for rectal cancer patients. METHODS: Early closure (8-13 days after stoma creation) of a temporary ileostomy was compared with late closure (>12 weeks) in a multicenter randomized controlled trial, EASY (www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01287637) including patients undergoing rectal resection for cancer. Patients with a temporary ileostomy without signs of postoperative complications were randomized to closure at 8 to 13 days or late closure (>12 weeks after index surgery). Clinical data were collected up to 12 months. Complications were registered according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification of Surgical Complications, and Comprehensive Complication Index was calculated. RESULTS: The trial included 127 patients in eight Danish and Swedish surgical departments, and 112 patients were available for analysis. The mean number of complications after index surgery up to 12 months follow up was significantly lower in the intervention group (1.2) compared with the control group (2.9), P < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: It is safe to close a temporary ileostomy 8 to 13 days after rectal resection and anastomosis for rectal cancer in selected patients without clinical or radiological signs of anastomotic leakage.

Constipation is casting a shadow over everyday life - a systematic review on older people's experience of living with constipation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore and summarise best evidence of how constipation affects the daily living of older people from their own perspective. Furthermore, to assess how interventions aimed at treating constipation in older people affect patient-reported outcome such as quality of life. BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common and overlooked problem with an impact on everyday life, especially among older people. Older people seem to have individual preconceptions on constipation which can influence the strategies used to prevent and treat constipation. DESIGN: A systematic review, integrating findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies. METHOD: Systematic searches were carried out in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and EMBASE on the 31st of July 2014. A search strategy was constructed with key concepts identified using PICO to identify quantitative studies and PIC(o) to identify qualitative studies. Search terms included constipation, elderly, aged, elderly people, aged people, quality of life, patient experience, patient perspective, meaning, emotion, psychological. Reference lists were searched manually. RESULTS: A total of nine studies were included in the review, five quantitative and four qualitative. Three main themes crystallised from the results of the included studies: bodily experiences, everyday life shadowed by constipation and adverse psychological effects. CONCLUSION: Constipation among older people was connected to subjective and comprehensive experiences. It had a negative impact on physical and mental well-being as well as the social life of older people. The review also showed that older people had individual and personal strategies, based on their own beliefs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the experiences of living with constipation as well as the range of strategies used by patients to prevent and treat constipation. The patient perspective on constipation needs to be integrated in the strategies and actions carried out by healthcare professionals.

Living with a parastomal bulge - patients' experiences of symptoms.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate experienced symptoms of parastomal bulging in relation to an ileostomy or colostomy. BACKGROUND: Parastomal bulging is a common complication of stoma formation that can affect patients' physical, psychological and social function. Symptom burdens reported by health professionals vary from asymptomatic to high symptom load; however, patients' experiences of symptoms are lacking. DESIGN AND METHOD: A qualitative design with focus group interviews was chosen for data collection. Twenty patients participated in five semi-structured interviews. Analysis was performed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. FINDINGS: The bulge caused different unfamiliar bodily sensations that interacted with patients' everyday lives. Some but not all of these sensations were modifiable. As the bulge and the ostomy changed size and shape, patients had to adjust and readjust stoma care continuously. The physical change called for patients' awareness and posed a threat to patients' control of the ostomy and challenged stoma self-care. The bulge caused a bodily asymmetry that deformed the patients' bodies in a way that exceeded the perceived alteration already caused by the stoma. To cover the physical disfigurement, new clothing solutions, garment wear and creativity were essential in everyday life. Patients gradually adapted to the bulge over time. Easy access to professional help was crucial in order to find the best appliance and garment solution in relation to the bulge. CONCLUSIONS: Various symptoms related to the parastomal bulge affected patients' everyday lives in different ways and underpinned that an individualised approach is important when addressing patients' problems and complaints. Research into nonsurgical treatments and patient perspectives is limited and highly warranted to improve clinical outcome. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The ever-changing bulge posed a threat to patients' control of the ostomy and required specific care from the stoma therapist. Needs-based access to counselling, advice and supplementary materials is important.

Effects of instructed timing and tempo on snare drum sound in drum kit performance.

This paper reports on an experiment investigating the expressive means with which performers of groove-based musics signal the intended timing of a rhythmic event. Ten expert drummers were instructed to perform a rock pattern in three different tempi and three different timing styles: "laid-back," "on-the-beat," and "pushed." The results show that there were systematic differences in the intensity and timbre (i.e., sound-pressure level, temporal centroid, and spectral centroid) of series of snare strokes played with these different timing styles at the individual level. A common pattern was found across subjects concerning the effect of instructed timing on sound-pressure level: a majority of the drummers played laid-back strokes louder than on-the-beat strokes. Furthermore, when the tempo increased, there was a general increase in sound-pressure level and a decrease in spectral centroid across subjects. The results show that both temporal and sound-related features are important in order to indicate that a rhythmic event has been played intentionally early, late, or on-the-beat, and provide insight into the ways in which musicians communicate at the microrhythmic level in groove-based musics.

Occupational contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers: results from a multicentre study from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group (2003-2012).

BACKGROUND: Blue-collar workers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis, but epidemiological studies are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To investigate allergic contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers with dermatitis registered by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patch test data from 1471 blue-collar workers and 1471 matched controls tested between 2003 and 2012 was performed. A logistic regression was used to test for associations. RESULTS: The blue-collar workers often had occupational hand dermatitis (p < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis was less commonly observed among blue-collar workers (19.6%) than among controls (23.9%) (p = 0.005). Allergens with a statistically significant association with the occupational group of blue-collar workers were epoxy resins, methyldibromo glutaronitrile, 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, potassium dichromate, and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI). The following occupations were additionally identified as risk factors for contact sensitization to MCI/MI and MI, epoxy resins, and potassium dichromate, respectively: painting, construction work, and tile setting/terrazzo work. CONCLUSION: Contact allergy is a major problem among blue-collar workers. The data indicate a healthy worker effect among blue-collar workers diagnosed with dermatitis, as blue-collar workers were diagnosed significantly less often with atopic dermatitis than were controls.

Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers: an analysis of patch test data from the Danish contact dermatitis group, 2002-2011.

BACKGROUND: Occupational contact dermatitis among hairdressers is frequent, owing to daily exposure to irritants and allergens. OBJECTIVES: To identify sensitization to the most common allergens associated with the occupation of hairdressing. METHODS: Patch test results of 399 hairdressers and 1995 matched controls with contact dermatitis, registered by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group between January 2002 and December 2011, were analysed. All patients were patch tested with the European baseline series, and hairdressers were additionally tested with the hairdressing series. RESULTS: Occupational contact dermatitis (p < 0.001) and hand eczema (p < 0.001) were observed significantly more often among hairdressers than among controls. Atopic dermatitis was less commonly observed among hairdressers (21.3%) than among controls (29.4%) (p < 0.01). Allergens from the European baseline series with a statistically significant association with the occupation of hairdressing were p-phenylenediamine, thiuram mix, and benzocaine. Frequent sensitizers from the hairdressing series were ammonium persulfate, toluene-2,5-diamine, 3-aminophenol, and 4-aminophenol. Cysteamine hydrochloride and chloroacetamide emerged as new sensitizers. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a healthy worker effect among hairdressers diagnosed with eczema. Ammonium persulfate and p-phenylenediamine remain frequent sensitizers in hairdressers with contact dermatitis. Cysteamine hydrochloride and chloroacetamide should be included in future surveillance studies.