Chemical intolerance (CI) is a term that refers to the surprisingly common phenomenon of persons getting ill from everyday chemicals. Although seemingly similar to asthma and allergies, CI sufferers do not react to exposures with increased histamine release. CI neither conforms to toxicological dose-response relationships as sufferers react to very low concentrations of chemicals assumed to be harmless. In addition, no particular chemical can be tied to any particular set of symptoms as in the case of other kinds of toxic injuries. The two overreaching goals of this thesis were to empirically investigate important hypotheses regarding CI, and to develop a theoretical framework that integrates previous theories of CI into a coherent whole.There are four empirical studies in this thesis. Utilizing event-related potentials (ERPs), magnitude estimations of perceived intensity, detection tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the studies provided support for the following hypotheses: (1) persons with self-reported CI sensitize to olfactory and chemosomatosensory stimuli, whereas non-intolerant individuals habituate; (2) sensitization in CI is similar in terms of brain activation patterns to both non-clinical sensitization and other unexplained illnesses such as fibromyalgia; (3) persons with CI have an attention bias to chemical exposures, reflected by problems with withdrawing attention from such stimuli; (4) measures of peripheral hyperreactivity are correlated with chemosensory ERP measures; but failed to corroborate (5) the reactions of women resemble those found in persons with CI to a greater degree than the case in men.Three major theories of CI are also discussed. The neural sensitization theory describes CI as pathological and non-immunological increases in neural responsiveness. The conditioning theory describes CI as the result of basic associative learning mechanisms. The neurogenic inflammation theory describes CI as proliferation of sensory c-fibers and inflammatory responses carried to several parts of the body through axon reflexes and release of inflammatory mediators. The main point of the theoretical synthesis is that the theories offer different and complementary perspectives on CI, rather than presenting conflicting ontologies. With an integrated perspective, infected debates whether CI is a psychological or organic illness can hopefully be avoided.Finally, the unexplained characteristics of CI, the empirical findings and the theoretical accounts are described within the theoretical framework of signal detection theory. Several features of CI, e.g. sensitization and peripheral hyperreactivity, are described in terms of applying a low criterion (ß). / Kemisk intolerans, det vill säga att få symtom av vardagliga lukter, är ett förvånansvärt vanligt problem. Trots att åkomman i många avseenden liknar astma och allergi, reagerar de drabbade inte med exempelvis ökad histaminfrisättning. Kemisk intolerans överensstämmer inte heller med toxikologiska dos-responsförhållanden, eftersom de drabbade blir sjuka av väldigt låga koncentrationer av luktämnen. Enskilda kemikalier kan inte kopplas till en karaktäristisk symtombild, vilket är vanligt vid andra typer av toxikologiska skador. I denna avhandling har jag två mål. För det första undersöker jag viktiga hypoteser om kemisk intolerans. För det andra erbjuder jag ett teoretiskt ramverk där jag integrerar tidigare teorier om kemisk intolerans till en sammanhängande helhet.Den empiriska delen av avhandlingen består av fyra forskningsstudier. Baserat på händelserelaterade hjärnpotentialer (ERPs), magnitudestimationer av upplevd styrka, detektionstest samt funktionell magnetresonansavbildning (fMRI) stöder studierna följande hypoteser: (1) personer med självrapporterad kemisk intolerans sensitiserar till olfaktoriska och kemosomatosensoriska stimuli, medan icke-intoleranta individer habituerar; (2) med avseende på hjärnaktiveringsmönster liknar sensitisering hos kemiskt intoleranta det mönster man finner både i icke-klinisk sensitisering och i exempelvis fibromyalgi; (3) personer med kemisk intolerans har en benägenhet att uppmärksamma kemisk exponering, vilket reflekteras i en oförmåga att ignorera sådana stimuli; (4) mått på perifer hyperreaktivitet korrelerar med kemosensoriska ERP-mått. Hypotesen att (5) kvinnors reaktioner på kemosensoriska stimuli liknar de man kan finna hos de kemiskt intoleranta i större utsträckning än vad fallet är för män, stöds däremot inte.Tre teorier om kemisk intolerans diskuteras. Den neurala sensitiseringsteorin beskriver intoleransen som en patologisk ökning av neural aktivitet. Betingningsteorin beskriver kemisk intolerans som ett resultat av grundläggande associativa inlägningsmekanismer. Slutligen beskriver teorin om neurogen inflammation intoleransen som en förhöjd aktivering av c-fiberaktivitet och ökade inflammatoriska processer. Huvudargumentet i den teoretiska sammanfattningen är att dessa teorier erbjuder komplementära perspektiv på kemisk intolerans. Med ett integrerat perspektiv kan förhoppningsvis infekterade debatter om huruvida kemisk intolerans är en psykologisk eller organisk åkomma undvikas.De oförklarade egenskaperna av kemisk intolerans, de empiriska fynden, samt de teoretiska förklaringarna beskrivs slutligen inom ett teoretiskt ramverk som utgår från signaldetektionsteorin. Flera egenskaper hos kemisk intolerans beskrivs i termer av ett förändrat eller lågt satt kriterium (ß).

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

The aim of this study was to examine whether three different psychological predictors; Health anxiety (SHAI), Disgust sensitivity (DS-R) and intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) could predict COVID-19-related anxiety in students at Orebro University, Sweden. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between the three psychological behaviors and pandemic-related anxiety. An online survey, consisting of both standardized and non-standardized questionnaires, was constructed. The survey was completed by 199 participants, aged between 19-48 (M = 25.14 and SD = 5.35) from Orebro University, Sweden through Limesurvey. A correlation revealed that Health anxiety and Disgust sensitivity were significantly correlated with COVID-19-related anxiety. The regression analysis revealed that there was a significance between the three psychological behaviors and COVID-19-related anxiety. In conclusion, Health anxiety, Disgust sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty, could indeed be associated with COVID-19-related anxiety in the students. / Syftet med studien är att examinera huruvida tre olika psykologiska beteenden; Health anxiety (SHAI), Disgust sensitivity (DS-R) och Intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) kan förutse COVID-19-relaterad ångest i studenter på Örebro Universitet. Det hypotiserades att det skulle finnas en signifikant relation baserat på tidigare studier. En online enkät, med både standardiserade och icke-standardiserade frågeformulär, konstruerades. Antal deltagare som kompletterade enkäten genom Limesurvey var 199 studenter mellan åldrarna 19–48 (M = 25.14 och SD = 5.35) från Örebro Universitet. Genom en korrelationsanalys kunde man se att både Health anxiety och Disgust sensitivity var signifikant korrelerade med COVID-19-relaterad Pandemi. Avslutningsvis, en multipel regressionsanalys visade att Health anxiety, Disgust sensitivity och Intolerance of uncertainty var signifikant relaterat med COVID-19-relaterad ångest i studenterna.

Food-related diseases, including food allergies and food intolerances, are on the rise worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), allergic diseases in the economically advanced countries of the WHO have become the largest child environmental epidemic. Dysregulation of immune tolerance is the basic mechanism involved in the development of food allergy. It is believed that the risk of developing allergies is more related to other lifestyle factors such as a diet, physical activity or obesity. Food allergies in children and adult populations vary both in the spectrum of triggering foods and also their symptoms and their severity. The prognosis also differs in allergies for different types of foods. One of the most important factors affecting the correct development of the baby's immune system is nutrition. In the first 4 - 6 months, the baby should only receive breast milk - for infants it is the most appropriate and allergenically safe diet. It strengthens their immune system. Its positive effect is observed especially on the occurrence of food allergies and atopic eczema. However, developing asthma and other allergies may not be prevented. Breastfeeding has an extraordinary importance and benefits in preventing many illnesses for both the child and the mother. Milk is a major food...

This diploma thesis deals with laboratory functional diagnostics of malabsorption syndromes. Especially the functional diagnosis of lactose intolerance. The golden standard for the functional diagnosis of lactose intolerance is the breath test. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of lactose intolerance (LI) using a lactose breath test when consuming a dose of 20 g of lactose in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and in volunteers who do not show gastrointestinal problems. Part of the research was also to examine the symptoms that led the individual to see a doctor and undergo a lactose breath test. The method consisted in the evaluation of the results of breath tests, which were performed on patients and volunteers in the gastroenterological laboratory of the 1st Medical Faculty of Charles University and the General Hospital. A questionnaire was given to everyone to evaluate the symptoms of LI and the phenomena leading to malabsorption. Lactose intolerance was confirmed in 92 % of patients and 79 % of volunteers. The most reported symptoms in the patient sample were typical gastrointestinal LI-related problems: gastric and intestinal problems after milk consumption (85 % of patients), gastric and intestinal problems after consumption of dairy products (85 % of patients),...

The objective of this research was to contribute to the discussion about LGBT-rights in Swedish politics. Some previous findings suggested that one political party in particular, the Swedish Democrats, had an opposing stance towards LGBT-persons. To investigate this, the first research question aimed to find out if there are in fact any notable differences between the different parties in the Swedish parliament in this regard. The second research question was designed in order to examine all related opinions of the parties in the light of positive and negative freedom. The third research question aimed to find out how the attitudes from the political parties could be understood within a perspective of tolerance. The analytical framework is based on the concept of tolerance, and the concepts of positive and negative freedom which were originally developed by Isiah Berlin. The study is a qualitative text-analysis with an abductive approach. Argumentation analysis has been applied when suitable. The study found that the Swedish Democrats was the most restrictive party in this context. Moreover, the studied policies were found to have characteristics of both negative and positive freedom, and they were generally approved upon by the political parties. Lastly, the Swedish Democrats and the Christian Democrats were argued to be tolerant towards these LGBT-policies, even though the policies were mostly disliked due to moral clashes against their core family values.

Hos vuxna individer förekommer två fenotyper gällande produktionen av laktas, vilka kallas laktostolerans och laktosintolerans. Vid laktosintolerans produceras otillräckliga mängder laktas vilket framkallar symptom som magsmärtor och flatulens vid intagandet av mjölkprodukter. En enbaspolymorfism (LCT-13910C>T) har kopplats till laktostolerans hos nordvästeuropéer och kan genotypas med smältkurveanalys i realtids-PCR. På Laboratoriemedicin vid Länssjukhuset Ryhov används idag en metod vid genotypning av LCT-13910C>T där extraktion av DNA från blod krävs innan analys. Anledningen till detta är att DNA-polymeraset som ingår enzymmixen LightCycler® FastStart DNA Master HybProbe endast fungerar med rent DNA-templat. Med en annan enzymmix, Kapa Probe Force, ska analys kunna göras direkt på blod. För att utvärdera enzymmixen jämfördes resultat från befintlig metod och resultat från metod med Kapa Probe Force, gällande förmågan att identifiera genotyperna LCT-13910C/C, C/T och T/T samt med avseende på imprecision. Vid jämförelse mellan metoderna samstämde resultatet i avseende på genotyp till 100 % utifrån specificerade smälttemperaturer (Tm) för respektive genotyp angivna i kitet för primer/prober. Däremot syntes lägre fluorescensnivå på smältopparna i metod med Kapa Probe Force, men påverkade inte tolkning av smältkurvorna. En lägre prov-till-prov-variation sågs även i resultatet från metod med Kapa Probe Force gentemot befintlig metod. / Among adults two phenotypes are found with regards to production of lactase, these are termed lactase persistence and lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is characterized by a low production of lactase, which leads to symptoms such as stomach ache and flatulence after the consumption of dairy products. A single nucleotide polymorphism (LCT-13910C>T) has been correlated with the occurrence of lactase persistence in northwestern Europeans. Genotyping of LCT-13910C>T is possible with melting curve analysis in real time PCR. The currently used method for genotyping of LCT-13910C>T at Ryhov County Hospital requires the extraction of DNA template from blood, due to the fact that the DNA-polymerase in the kit LightCycler® FastStart DNA Master HybProbe requires pure DNA template for analysis. With another DNA-polymerase, included in the kit Kapa Probe Force, analysis on crude samples such as pure blood should be possible. Evaluation of Kapa Probe Force included comparison of the results from both methods with regards to identification of genotypes LCT-13910C/C, C/T and T/T and with regard to imprecision. The results from Kapa Probe Force were 100 % consistent with the results from existing method and acquired melting temperatures (Tm) were all within the accepted ranges specified in the kit of primers and probes. The fluorescence of melting curves acquired with Kapa Probe Force was significantly lower, however this had no effect when it came to interpreting the results. A lower variation could also be seen between samples with Kapa Probe Force compared to existing method.

Darbo tikslas: įvertinti suaugusių Lietuvos gyventojų pieno ir pieno produktų vartojimo ypatumus ir žmonių, kurių laktazės aktyvumas yra sumažėjęs, mitybą. Uždaviniai: įvertinti Lietuvos gyventojų pieno ir pieno produktų vartojimo dažnį bei ryšį su socialiniais veiksniais; ištirti žmonių, turinčių sumažėjusį laktazės aktyvumą, pieno ir jo produktų vartojimo įpročius; įvertinti paros maisto davinio sudėtį, atsižvelgiant į laktazės aktyvumą. Tyrimo metodika. Tyrimą sudarė dvi dalys. Pirmojoje buvo vertinami suaugusių Lietuvos žmonių pieno ir jo produktų vartojimo ypatumai. Tiriamąjį kontingentą sudarė 3000 20-64 m. amžiaus Lietuvos gyventojų, atsitiktinai atrinktų iš Lietuvos gyventojų registro sąrašų. Jiems paštu buvo siunčiamas klausimynas, kurį užpildė 1763 gyventojai. Buvo analizuojamas pieno produktų vartojimo dažnis. Antrojoje dalyje buvo vertinama žmonių, turinčių sumažėjusį laktazės aktyvumą, mityba. Tiriamąjį kontingentą sudarė asmenys, kurie kreipėsi į KMUK konsultacinės poliklinikos gastroenterologą dėl virškinimo sistemos sutrikimų. Taikant greitąjį laktazės testą, jiems buvo nustatytas laktazės aktyvumas, atlikta 24 val. mitybos ir anketinė apklausa. Tyrime dalyvavo 54 žmonės. Rezultatai. Ketvirtadalis tiriamųjų (22,7 proc. vyrų ir 26 proc. moterų) atsakė, kad negeria pieno. Didelė gyventojų dalis (35 proc. vyrų ir 28,1 proc. moterų) gėrė natūralų kaimišką pieną. Liesą pieną gėrė labai maža gyventojų dalis (6 proc.). Ketvirtadalis gyventojų teigė visai nevalgantys... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim: to evaluate the consumption of milk and milk products among Lithuanian adult population and the diet of patients with lactose intolerance. Objectives: to assess the frequency of consumption of milk and milk products among Lithuanian adult population in relation to social factors; to analyze the habits of milk and milk products consumption as well as mean daily energy and nutrient intake of the patients with lactose intolerance. Methods: for evaluation of the consumption of milk and milk products a national random sample of 3000 inhabitants of Lithuania aged 20-64 has been taken out of National Population Register. The questionnaires were mailed to selected persons. 1763 persons filled in the questionnaire. Second part of the study was carried out in Kaunas University Hospital. Fifty four patients with dyspeptic symptoms underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Quick lactose test was used for assessment of hypolactasia. Diet was evaluated using 24 h recall and food frequency questionnaire. Results: One fourth of respondents (22.7 percent of men and 26 percent of women) reported that they do not consume milk at all. High-fat milk was consumed by 35% of men and 28% of women. Only 6% of respondents indicated the usage of low-fat milk. High-fat milk was more often consumed by men, if compared to women; by older women, if compared to younger ones; by low educated people, if compared to high educated; by city inhabitants, if compared to rural ones. A quarter of the... [to full text]

[pt] Este trabalho tem por objeto central as formas de resistência que os adeptos das religiões de matrizes africanas utilizam para enfrentar atos de discriminação religiosa, através do resgate de memórias subterrâneas transformadas em memória coletiva. O que se assume é que a construção desta memória coletiva se fundamenta em experiências compartilhadas no terreiro, a partir da ressignificação das memórias subterrâneas individuais. O objetivo central deste estudo é conhecer e descrever estas estratégias de resistência no ambiente escolar, como uma contribuição à luta pela defesa do direito à liberdade religiosa no Brasil. Adicionalmente, este trabalho descreve os atos de intolerância religiosa narrados pelos colaboradores da pesquisa e identifica as principais redes de proteção e solidariedade por eles apontadas como referências para a resistência. O que se deseja é contribuir com o debate sobre intolerância religiosa nas Ciências Sociais e, particularmente, no Serviço Social, além de corroborar o processo de afirmação da identidade positiva dos adeptos de religiões de matrizes africanas. Em termos metodológicos, este estudo está construído como uma investigação daquelas estratégias, a partir dos testemunhos de oito colaboradores da pesquisa empírica, frequentadores do Centro Espírita Casa do Perdão e do Templo Espírita Caboclo Flecheiro. Estes são templos de umbanda localizados, respectivamente, na Zona Oeste e na Zona Norte da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Os colaboradores foram entendidos como coautores deste estudo, na medida em que dos seus relatos de experiências de intolerância religiosa vividas na escola foram extraídos não apenas informações, mas também percepções e interpretações. A seleção dos colaboradores se deu a partir de indicações do líder religioso de cada templo, contemplando os seguintes critérios: pertença na Umbanda desde a infância e variedade nos papéis sociais dos colaboradores, a fim de compreender como o fenômeno da intolerância religiosa se apresenta diante de diferentes particularidades e contextos. Os testemunhos, disparados pela reação à negação indutiva Os adeptos da Umbanda não sofrem discriminação na escola. Você concorda?, oferecem uma série de narrativas sobre vivências de intolerância religiosa, tanto no ambiente escolar, como em outros âmbitos, tais como: vias públicas, mercado, espaço familiar e mercado de trabalho. As principais estratégias de resistência identificadas contemplam uma variedade de opções: desde a afirmação pública de orgulho e apego profundos aos seus preceitos e concepções religiosas; passando pela omissão (silenciamento e invisibilização) como forma de autoproteção, chegando ao enfrentamento aberto e direto. Importa salientar que a pesquisa observou a realidade de dois terreiros que apresentam características comuns, tais como, possuir uma organização política, religiosa e social que embasam a formação de seus adeptos para perceber, interpretar e combater atos intolerância religiosa. Este posicionamento permite fortalecer o sentimento religioso e, a partir da convivência social e política coletiva, possibilita a emersão de memórias de atos discriminatórios, transformando-as em base da luta social ou em acolhimento espiritual. Nesse sentido, compreende-se que os terreiros analisados, sendo associados a movimentos sociais e políticos, são grandes referências no processo de construção de resistência social. / [en] The main object of this dissertation is the range of strategies of resistance that members of African matrix religions use to face acts of religious discrimination through the revival of underground memories that are transformed into a collective memory. It is assumed that the creation of this collective memory is based on the shared experiences in the terreiro through the re-signification of the individual underground memories. The objective of this research is to reveal and describe these resistance strategies in the school environment as a form of contribution to the struggle for religious freedom rights in Brazil. Furthermore, within this dissertation, research subjects narrate acts of religious intolerance and identify the main networks of protection and solidarity used by them, highlighted as references of resistance. The attempt is to contribute to the debate about religious intolerance in the Social Sciences, particularly Social Work, besides reinforcing the process of statement of positive identity of the members of African matrix religions. In terms of procedures, this research is built on investigation of such strategies, based on the testimonies of eight subjects of the field research who are members of the Centro Espírita Casa do Perdão and the Templo Espírita Caboclo Flecheiro. These are Umbanda temples located in the Zona Oeste and the Zona Norte of the city of Rio de Janeiro, respectively. The subjects are considered coauthors of this research to the extent that not only information, but also perceptions and interpretations, were extracted from their testimonies of experiences of religious intolerance in the school. The selection of these subjects was carried out base on the appointments of the religious leader of each temple, taking into consideration the following criteria: to be an Umbanda member since childhood and to result in a variety of social rolls between the subjects. This was necessary in order to understand how religious intolerance presents itself in different settings. The testimonials were triggered by the denial of the existence of discrimination through the question: Umbanda members do not suffer discrimination in school, would you agree? The answers offer a variety of narratives about religious intolerance in the school, as well as in other social spaces, such as: public spaces, marketplaces, family relations and the job market. The main resistance strategies that are identified cover a range of behaviors: from public display of pride and deep attachment to the religious precepts and conceptions, to omission (silencing and concealment) as a form of self-protection, to open and direct confrontation. It is worth noting that the research took into consideration two terreiros that display a common characteristic: having a social, religious and political organization that is the basis for the training of its members to perceive, interpret and combat acts of religious intolerance. This perspective strengthens the sense of religious belonging and, through a collective social and political experience, creates the environment for the memory of acts of discrimination to be revealed and to become the foundation of the social struggle or spiritual refuge. Therefore, these terreiros, that are centers of social and political movements, are understood as important references in the process of the construction of social resistance.

Hyperacusis and Disorders of Sound Intolerance: Clinical and Research Perspectives is a professional resource for audiology practitioners involved in the clinical management of patients who suffer from sound tolerance concerns. The text covers emerging assessment and intervention strategies associated with hyperacusis, disorders of pitch perception, and other unusual processing deficits of the auditory system. In order to illustrate the patients perspectives and experiences with disorders of auditory processing, cases are included throughout. This collection of diagnostic strategies and tools, evidence-based clinical research, and case reports provides practitioners with avenues for supporting patient management and coping. It combines new developments in the understanding of auditory mechanisms with the clinical tools developed to manage the effects such disorders exert in daily life. Topics addressed include unusual clinical findings and features that influence a patient s auditory processing such as their perceptual accuracy, recognition abilities, and satisfaction with the perception of sound. Hyperacusis is covered with respect to its effects, its relation to psychological disorders, and its management. Hyperacusis is often linked to trauma or closed head injury and the text also considers the management of patients with traumatic brain injury as an opportunity to illustrate the effectiveness of interprofessional care in such cases. Interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, self-efficacy training, and hearing aid use are reported in a way that enhances clinicians' ability to weave such strategies into their own work, or into their referral system. Hyperacusis and Disorders of Sound Intolerance illuminates increasingly observed auditory-related disorders that challenge students, clinicians, physicians, and patients. The text elucidates and reinforces audiologists contributions to polytrauma and interprofessional care teams and provides clear definitions, delineation of mechanisms, and intervention options for auditory disorders. / https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/1210/thumbnail.jpg