The value of lost productivity from workplace bullying in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Workplace bullying is a pervasive problem with significant personal, social and economic costs. Estimates of the resulting lost productivity provide an important societal perspective on the impact of the problem. Understanding where these economic costs fall is relevant for policy. AIMS: We estimated the value of lost productivity to the economy from workplace bullying in the public and private sectors in Ireland. METHODS: We used nationally representative survey data and multivariable negative binomial regression to estimate the independent effect of workplace bullying on days absent from work. We applied the human capital approach to derive an estimate of the annual value of lost productivity due to bullying by sector and overall, in 2017. RESULTS: Bullying was independently associated with an extra 1.00 (95% CI: 0.38-1.62) days absent from work over a 4-week period. This differed for public and private sector employees: 0.69 (95% CI: -0.12 to 1.50) versus 1.45 (95% CI: 0.50-2.40) days respectively. Applying official data, we estimated the associated annual value of lost productivity to be €51.8 million in the public sector, €187.6 million in the private sector and €239.3 million overall. CONCLUSIONS: The economic value of lost productivity from workplace bullying in Ireland is significant. Although bullying is more prevalent in the public sector, it has a larger effect on absence in the private sector. Given this, along with the greater overall share of employees, productivity losses from bullying are considerably larger in the private sector in Ireland.

A study of workaholism in Irish academics.

BACKGROUND: Workaholism is recognized as a health risk for academics given the open-ended nature of academic work; however, current prevalence rates of workaholism in the academic setting are unknown. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of workaholism within academics and determine the impact of workaholism on psychological well-being, work-life conflict, work-life fit, job satisfaction and perceived work effort. METHODS: Academics in three Irish universities completed a survey including measures of workaholism, psychological well-being, work-life conflict and job satisfaction. Analysis of variance tests were used to compare workaholism types on the outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 410 academics completed the survey and were categorized by workaholism type: workaholics (27%), enthusiastic workaholics (23%), relaxed workers (27%) and uninvolved workers (23%). Workaholics reported poorer functioning across all the outcome measures in comparison to the other three groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the high levels of workaholism within academia and highlights the negative impact of workaholism on work-related outcomes and psychological well-being. These findings are significant given the highly intensive nature of academic work today and reducing resources within this sector.

Progress, but at the Expense of Male Power? Institutional Resistance to Gender Equality in an Irish University.

Gender equality is a whole-organization endeavor. Building on Agócs (Journal of Business Ethics, 1997, 16 (9), 917-931) concept of institutionalized resistance this article undertakes a feminist critique of policy and practice around internal promotions to the equivalent of Associate Professor level in one Irish university (called the Case Study University). This university was selected because of its low proportion of women in senior academic positions. The methodology is a single case study design, employing documentary analysis, including secondary data. Since 2013 the proportion of women at Associate Professor in the Case Study University increased significantly (bringing them close to the national average): this being associated with increased transparency, with the cascade model in the background. However, men's "chances" have varied little over time and at 1:4 are the highest in Irish universities. This article uses Agócs (Journal of Business Ethics, 1997, 16 (9), 917-931) stages of institutional resistance to show that while some changes have been made, ongoing institutionalized resistance is reflected in its failure to accept responsibility for change as reflected in its refusal to challenge the "core mission" and restricting the focus to "fixing the women"; and its failure to implement change by focusing on "busy-ness" which does not challenge power and colluding with foot-dragging and slippage in key areas. It is suggested that such institutional resistance reflects the enactment of hidden or stealth power. The article implicitly raises questions about the intractability and the covertness of men's power and privilege and the conditions under which women's "chances" are allowed to improve, thus providing insights into the extent and nature of institutional resistance.

Human diseases: clues to cracking the connexin code?

The vertebrate gap junctions formed by the connexin family of transmembrane proteins came to the attention of geneticists in 1993 with the identification of mutations linked to a form of demyelinating neuropathy. Since then, several other genetic disorders have been linked to mutations in specific connexin genes. Also, different diseases can result from different mutations in the same connexin gene. In addition, specific connexin knockout mice have surprising phenotypes. This is leading cell biologists to look afresh at connexins and their involvement in intercellular communication through gap junctions, a process that seems central to coordinating cell function within tissues. Here, we comment on how genetic studies are giving a new impetus to the cell biology of gap junctions.

The relationship between the vitro activity of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta 4-5-isomerase in human sebaceous glands and their secretory activity in vivo.

3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta 4-5-isomerase (delta 5-3 beta-HSD) catalyzes an early step in the synthesis of testosterone from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA). We compared enzyme activity in back skin biopsies with sebum excretion rate (SER) in 14 individuals. The rate of conversion of [7 alpha-3H]DHA into [3H]-4-androstene-3,17-dione was measured in cryostat sections of skin and compared with the sebaceous gland content of the same biopsies. Reaction rate was proportional to the volume of sebaceous gland tissue in the sections. Enzyme activity was absent from sections without histologically identifiable sebaceous gland tissue. This suggests that the delta 5-3 beta-HSD is localized in sebaceous glands. SER, measured by a modified photometric technique at the biopsy site, correlated highly with sebaceous gland volume and with the rate of conversion of DHA into androstenedione in the biopsy. For each biopsy, specific activity of delta 5-3 beta-HSD in sebaceous glands was calculated by dividing the rate of formation of [3H]-4-androstene-3,17-dione by sebaceous gland volume. Specific activity of delta 5-3 beta-HSD did not correlate significantly with SER, suggesting that variations in concentration of delta 5-3 beta-HSD in sebaceous glands probably do not underlie variations in sebaceous gland activity.

Genetics of psoriasis: paternal inheritance and a locus on chromosome 6p.

The pathogenesis of psoriasis is not fully understood, but population and twin studies suggest a large heritable component to the etiology. Several large population studies have also suggested a parental sex effect. Since 1994, three main genetic loci (on chromosomes 17q, 4q, and 6p) have been reported in genome scans. With a view to elucidating the genetic basis of psoriasis, we have carried out linkage analysis in a large number of families with well-characterized psoriasis. From a cohort of 1250 probands with psoriasis, 395 individuals (301 affected, 94 unaffected) in 103 families were recruited. Each subject was carefully examined by an experienced dermatologist and stringent diagnostic criteria applied. Genotypes were generated at 11 polymorphic loci on chromosomes 17q, 4q, and 6p and the results were analyzed parametrically and nonparametrically. In the population from which the probands were drawn, there was evidence of a parental sex effect, more probands having an affected father than an affected mother. Genetic anticipation was also apparent and most marked if the disease was inherited from the father. The loci on chromosomes 17 and 4 were not replicated but there was strong evidence for linkage to chromosome 6p (maximum two point LOD score 4.63 at D6S291). The evidence for linkage in sibling pair analysis was greatest when the allele was of paternal origin and was most significant in those families without psoriatic arthritis. These studies confirm the presence of a susceptibility gene on chromosome 6p. The available evidence suggests that a different genetic susceptibility may underlie psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Upregulation of connexin 26 is a feature of keratinocyte differentiation in hyperproliferative epidermis, vaginal epithelium, and buccal epithelium.

In epidermis, it has been suggested, intercellular communication through gap junctions is important in coordinating cell behavior. The connexins, may facilitate selective assembly or permeability of gap junctions, influencing the distribution of metabolites between cells. Using immunohistochemistry, we have compared the distribution of connexins 26 and 43 with that of proliferating cells (Ki67 labeling) in normal epidermis, hyperplastic epidermis (tape-stripped epidermis, psoriatic lesions, and viral warts), and vaginal and buccal epithelia. Connexin 43 was abundant in spinous layers of all epidermal specimens and in vaginal and buccal epithelia. Connexin 26 was absent from the interfollicular and interductal epidermis of normal hair-bearing skin, and nonlesional psoriatic epidermis but present at very low levels in plantar epidermis. Connexin 26 was prominent in lesional psoriatic epidermis and viral warts and in vaginal and buccal epithelia. In three independent experiments connexin 26 appeared in a patchy intercellular distribution in the basal epidermis within 24 h of tape stripping, proceeding to more extensive distribution in basal and suprabasal layers by 48 h. The increase in connexin 26 preceded that in cell proliferation. In vaginal epithelium, buccal epithelium, and viral warts connexin 26 was restricted mainly to suprabasal, nonproliferating cells. In psoriatic lesional epidermis connexin 26 was also located mainly in suprabasal, nonproliferating cells. Connexin 26 was present in a patchy distribution in the basal layer of psoriatic lesional epidermis, but double labeling for connexin 26 and Ki67 showed that many connexin 26 positive basal cells were nonproliferative, suggesting that connexin 26 may be related to differentiation rather than to proliferation. These observations would be consistent with a role for connexin 26 containing gap junctions during both early and later stages of keratinocyte differentiation in hyperplastic epidermis and in vaginal and buccal epithelia.

Characterization and chromosomal localization of human hair-specific keratin genes and comparative expression during the hair growth cycle.

During anagen, cell proliferation in the germinative matrix of the hair follicle gives rise to the fiber and inner root sheath. The hair fiber is constructed from structural proteins belonging to four multigene families: keratin intermediate filaments, high-sulfur matrix proteins, ultra high-sulfur matrix proteins, and high glycine-tyrosine proteins. Several hair-specific keratin intermediate filament proteins have been characterized, and all have relatively cysteine-rich N- and C-terminal domains, a specialization that allows extensive disulfide cross-linking to matrix proteins. We have cloned two complete type II hair-specific keratin genes (ghHb1 and ghHb6). Both genes have nine exons and eight introns spanning about 7 kb and lying about 10 kb apart. The structure of both genes is highly conserved in the regions that encode the central rod domain but differs considerably in the C-terminal coding and noncoding sequences, although some conservation of introns does exist. These genes have been localized to the type II keratin cluster on chromosome 12q13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. They, and their type I partner ghHa1, are expressed in differentiating hair cortical cells during anagen. In cultured follicles, ghHa1 expression declined in cortical cells and was no longer visible after 6 d, whereas the basal epidermal keratin hK14 appeared in the regressing matrix. The transition from anagen to telogen is marked by downregulation of hair cortical specific keratins and the appearance of hK14 in the epithelial sac to which the telogen hair fiber is anchored. Further studies of the regulation of these genes will improve our understanding of the cyclical molecular changes that occur as the hair follicle grows, regresses, and rests.

The synthesis and metabolism of gonadal steroids in pouch young of the opossum, Didelphis virginiana.

We have measured steroid hormone biosynthesis from pregnenolone in ovaries and testes, aromatization of testosterone in gonads and peripheral tissues, and 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone in peripheral tissues of developing opossum pouch young. Sex of the newborn opossums is discernible grossly with development of the pouch in females and the scrotum in males approximately 10 days after birth. Differentiated endocrine function of ovaries and testes was demonstrable as soon as development of the pouch or scrotum was apparent. The testes synthesized testosterone, and ovaries aromatized androgens to estrogens as assessed by the conversion of [1 beta-3H] testosterone to 3H2O. This endocrine differentiation of the gonads occurs days or weeks before differentiation of the male and female urogenital tracts. As in other species, 5 alpha-reduction of [1 beta-3H] testosterone was high in urogenital sinus and urogenital tubercle. However, 5 alpha-reductase activity was highest in mesonephros and structures derived from the mesonephros. In wolffian and mullerian ducts of pouch young less than 10 days old, 5 alpha-reductase activity was greater than 50 pmol/h . mg protein and decreased by 19 days of age to approximately 3 pmol/h . mg protein, a pattern different than in eutherian mammals in which testosterone itself appears to mediate virilization of the wolffian ducts. These studies provide the framework for studies of the endocrine control of phenotypic sexual differentiation in the opossum.

Determinants of success and failure of EMLA.

Although EMLA is known to be an effective topical anesthetic, its rate of success is unknown. Indeed, researchers have suggested that EMLA may fail with young and apprehensive children. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess EMLA's rate of success as well as factors which predict success. A double-blind, placebo-controlled design was utilized. The sample included 258 children and adolescents aged 5-18 years who were having venipuncture or intravenous (i.v.) cannulation. After having their anxiety assessed, subjects were randomly assigned to have EMLA or placebo applied over the procedure site for 90 min. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain caused by removal of the semi-permeable dressing and by the procedure. Other information that was collected included: duration of drug application, interval between drug removal and procedure, skin changes at bandage and drug sites and rated difficulty of the procedure. EMLA was successful 84% of the time for venipuncture and 51% of the time for i.v. cannulation. Factors which predicted success of EMLA included type of procedure, duration of drug application and anxiety. EMLA was less successful for i.v. cannulation compared to venipuncture even with duration of drug application controlled. Those who had a poor outcome were more anxious than those with a good outcome. Age of child was not a factor. Strategies for improving efficient use of EMLA were recommended.

Binding of androgens in 5 alpha-reductase-deficient human genital skin fibroblasts: inhibition by progesterone and its metabolites.

Binding of [3H]testosterone and 5alpha-dihydro[3H]testosterone ([3H]DHT) to specific androgen-receptor sites of 5alpha-reductase-deficient human genital skin fribroblasts (five cell-lines) was studied in the intact cultured cells at 37 degrees C. Under the conditions of the experiments, conversion of [3H]testosterone into [3H]DHT was negligible. Both steroids bound to the same set of high-affinity saturable sites in cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of the cells. Unlabelled testosterone DHT and methyltrienolone competed effectively with the labelled steroids. Progesterone and oestradiol were weaker competitors; cortisol did not compete. The dissociation constant (Kd) for high-affinity complexes with [3H]testosterone (0.44 +/- 0.035 nmol/l) was higher than that for [3H]DHT complexes (0.20 +/- 0.090 nmol/l). Unlabelled DHT was more effective than unlabelled testosterone in competing with either radioactive steroid. Complexes of [3H]DHT and receptor dissociated more slowly than [3H]testosterone-receptor complexes and [3H]DHT bound more extensively to low-affinity non-saturable sites in fibroblasts. As judged by competition with the radioactive androgens, progesterone bound to the androgen receptor with a Kd of about 7 nmol/l. 5alpha-Pregnane-3-20-dione had an approximately fivefold lower affinity than progesterone for androgen receptors; 3alpha/beta- or 20alpha-reduction lowered its affinity further. It is suggested that in 5alpha-reductase deficiency in man progesterone in amniotic fluid and blood could effectively inhibit testosterone binding to androgen receptors in the male embryonic external genitalia. One function of the high levels of 5alpha-reductase activity normally found in embryonic external genitalia and urogenital sinus may be to protect these tissues from the potentially antiandrogenic action of progesterone.

Distribution of androgen metabolizing enzymes in isolated tissues of human forehead and axillary skin.

The distribution of androgen metabolism in human skin was studied using tissues isolated either by direct dissection of axillary skin or by dissection of collagenase-digested forehead and axillary skin. All tissues (epidermis, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles and dermis) were found to contain 17beta-, 3beta- and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activities, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-delta4--5 isomerase (delta5-3beta-HSD) activity and 5alpha-reductase activity. All tissues converted testosterone into 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. In confirmation of previous histochemical studies, over 90% of the delta5-3beta-HSD of forehead skin was found in the sebaceous glands. In forehead skin, 40--66% of the 5alpha-reductase activity was in the sebaceous glands, while in axillary skin 50--70% was in the sweat glands, especially the apocrine glands. There was a more even distribution of 17beta-HSD activity in skin tissues than histochemical studies have indicated previously. Knowledge of the distribution of these enzymes has helped in the understanding of the function of androgen metabolism in skin.

1, 25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol stimulates conversion of androstenedione into oestrone by human skin fibroblasts in culture.

Pre-incubation of monolayer cultures of human skin fibroblasts with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-D3; 0.1-10 nmol/l) increased the rate of conversion of androstenedione into oestrone (aromatase activity) when measured subsequently in the presence of a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (10 mumol/l). Maximal stimulation (14- to 89-fold with 10 nmol 1,25-D3/l) occurred 12 h after addition of the hormone and was maintained for up to 48 h. Stimulation was prevented by cycloheximide. In one cell line high 1,25-D3 concentrations (greater than 30 nmol/l) prevented the increase in aromatase activity; this did not appear to result from direct enzyme inhibition by 1, 25-D3. The possibility is considered that 1,25-D3 could act as a physiological regulator of peripheral aromatase. As oestrogens can prevent postmenopausal bone loss, it is speculated that 1,25-D3 might protect against bone resorption by maintaining peripheral oestrogen biosynthesis.

An unusual pattern of testosterone metabolism in tissue associated with a keratin-filled cutaneous cyst.

Testosterone metabolism was studied in tissues associated with a keratin-filled cutaneous cyst. Instead of the 5alpha-reduced metabolites usually associated with skin steroid metabolism, considerable amounts of 5beta-reduced steroids were found. These included 5beta-androstane-3,17-dione, 17beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-3-one, and 5beta-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol. This change in metabolic pattern is discussed.

Metabolism of androgens in vitro by human foetal skin.

Fresh scalp, genital, chest and axillary skin from human foetuses of 12-41 weeks' maturity was incubated in Krebs improved Ringer I medium with (7alpha-3h)dehydroepiandrosterone, (7alpha-3H)testosterone and (7alpha-3H)androstenedione. The metabolites identified were androstenedione, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol, 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol, 5-androstene-3beta, 17beta-diol and testosterone. The results provide evidence for the presence of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, delta4-5 isomerase, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, delta4-3-oxosteroid-5alpha reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human foetal skin. There were quantitative differences in the various enzyme activities between different body sites and skin specimens of different gestational age. 5alpha-Reductase activity was particularly high in genital skin. 3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta4-5 isomerase activity was low in skin from a 12-week foetus, but high in skin specimens from 28-, 38- and 41-week foetuses. 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was already high in the skin of the 12-week foetus and remained so in the older foetuses. These results were correlated with the development of the foetal sebaceous glands, and were in general agreement with a parallel enzyme histochemical study. The role of androgen metabolism in human foetal skin is discussed.

Human skin androgen metabolism and preliminary evidence for its control by two forms of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase.

Human forehead skin incubated in vitro is known to metabolize testosterone to 17-oxosteroids faster than the reverse reaction, while axillary skin rapidly metabolizes androstenedione to 17 beta-hydroxysteroids, such as testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. While this has been confirmed using a larger number of patients, some indication has been found that 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity declines with age in the axilla. The relative rates of 17 beta-oxidation and reduction (direction of operation of skin 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity) were not altered by variety of incubation conditions. Large amounts of a membrane-bound 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase, showing preference for NAD as coenzyme and testosterone (rather than androstenedione) as steroid substrate, were found in forehead skin from one patient. On the other hand, the main axillary skin enzyme in skin from another patient was soluble and showed preference for NADP and androstenedione. It is postulated that 17 beta-oxidation and reduction in skin is controlled by the relative amount, the coenzyme preferences and the kinetic properties of these two enzymes.

Localization of androgen receptors in human skin by immunohistochemistry: implications for the hormonal regulation of hair growth, sebaceous glands and sweat glands.

A mouse monoclonal antibody against the N-terminal region of human androgen receptor (AR) was used to identify receptors by immunoperoxidase staining in frozen serial sections of skin from scalp, face, limb and genitalia of men and women aged 30-80 years. AR staining was restricted to cell nuclei. In sebaceous glands, AR were identified in basal and differentiating sebocytes. The percentage of receptor-positive basal sebocyte nuclei in the temple/forehead region was greater in males (65%) than in females (29%). AR staining was restricted to the cells of dermal papillae in anagen and telogen hair follicles. The percentage of dermal papillae containing AR was greater in males (58%) than in females (20%). The number of positively stained dermal papillae was lowest in female scalp skin. In 163 hair follicles sectioned, AR were absent from germinative matrix, outer root sheath (including the bulge region), inner root sheath, hair shaft and hair bulb, and from the capillaries present in some large dermal papillae. AR were present in pilosebaceous duct keratinocytes, suggesting that androgens may influence pilosebaceous duct keratinization. AR were also identified in interfollicular epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts although, in both cell types, intensity and frequency of staining were greatest in genital skin. AR were identified in luminal epithelial cells of apocrine glands in genital skin and in certain cells of the secretory coils of eccrine sweat glands in all body sites. This study indicates that androgens regulate sebaceous gland and hair growth by acting upon two different types of target cells, the epithelial sebocytes of sebaceous glands and the mesenchymal cells of the hair follicle dermal papilla.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sequence and expression of human hair keratin genes.

Normal hair growth and differentiation requires co-ordinate expression of many hair specific structural protein genes. It has been established that one of the 4 major groups of hair structural proteins, low-sulphur hair keratins, belongs to the intermediate filament (IF) multigene family. Hair keratin IF proteins differ from those of other epithelia as they contain cysteine-rich terminal domains allowing more extensive disulphide bonding to the high-sulphur hair matrix proteins. Until recently, little information concerning the primary sequence of hair keratins was available but cloning of some mouse hair and sheep wool keratins has now been reported. Using these sequences, we have polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic fragments of human hair-specific keratin IF genes and isolated cosmid clones containing full length genes. We have sequenced part of these genes and studied their expression in human hair follicles. Hair specific keratin fragments were amplified from placental gDNA by PCR primed with synthetic oligonucleotides. Fragments were cloned and sequenced after ligation into pGEM-3Z and labelled riboprobes were generated for in situ hybridization on human skin sections. A human cosmid library was screened with PCR fragments and clones encoding human hair keratin genes were characterised by southern hybridization and sequencing. The type I human hair-specific keratin clones obtained (HaKA1-b2, 386 bp; hHaKA1-XH1, 1202 bp) encoded 2B helix, C-terminal and 3'nc regions and were 65% homologous to mouse sequences. The type II hair keratin clone (hHaKB2-1, 829 bp) also encoded 2B helix and C-terminal regions and was 95% homologous to mouse. In situ hybridization on human skin sections showed a specific reaction with precortical cells of the hair follicle. One human cosmid clone, isolated with the hHaKB2-1 probe, contained two type II hair keratin genes about 7 kb apart, each of which had 9 exons spanning approximately 6 kb. The coding sequences were homologous to mouse cDNA (77-88%). These human hair-specific keratin clones are useful molecular tools for studies of hair differentiation.

Children's coping with venipuncture.

Children's strategies for coping with the pain and distress of venipuncture were examined in this descriptive study. Eighty-five children (aged 5-13 years) were interviewed prior to and following blood collection. Prior to the procedure, children reported pain expectations and coping strategies that might be used. Self-reports of the pain experienced and coping strategies used were obtained immediately after the procedure. Twenty-seven different strategies were identified from the children's responses. These strategies were subsequently grouped into 11 coping categories: Active Involvement in Procedure, Behavior-Regulating Cognitions, Cognitive Reappraisal, Direct Efforts to Maintain Control, Diversionary Thinking, Emotion-Regulating Cognitions, Information Seeking, Reality-Oriented Working Through, Reliance on Health-Care Interventions, Support Seeking, and Avoidance and Catastrophizing. Direct Efforts to Maintain Control was the most frequently used category. Age and gender differences were observed in both number and type of strategies reported by the children. Further research is needed to examine the observed relationship between the type of coping strategies generated and the children's pain experience.