What is the meaning of paid employment for well-being?:A focus group study on differences and similarities between autistic adults with and without employment

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to explore the meaning of work for the subjective well-being of autistic adults with and without paid (competitive) employment and to evaluate the differences and similarities between these groups.MethodsEight focus groups were conducted, including a total of 64 autistic adults. Four groups entailed participants with current paid employment (including part-time) and four groups entailed participants without paid employment. All discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim to enable inductive thematic content analysis. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti 9.ResultsGenerally, both groups viewed paid employment as very important for well-being, albeit for different reasons. Three themes were found: (1) Not having paid employment was associated with lacking societal recognition, and subsequent low self-esteem, which was a dominant theme in those without work; (2) Work can seriously damage (mental) health and well-being, found in both groups; and (3) Paid employment provides many benefits for well-being, with subthemes: 'purpose,' 'social contacts,' 'growth and use of talents,' 'structure and calmness,' and 'income and freedom', which was a dominant theme in those with paid employment.ConclusionsBoth groups found paid employment highly important for their well-being, albeit for different reasons. However, both also agreed that paid employment can be very harmful to (mental) health and well-being. Suitable, well-supported jobs are important for well-being, may help to buffer stress in other life areas, and may even prevent autistic burnout. More studies are needed on how healthy jobs can be created where autistic individuals get positive energy and experience high well-being. This will also help to reduce socio-economic inequality.</p

A histologic study of the extracellular matrix during the development of glomerulosclerosis in murine chronic graft-versus-host disease.

The development of glomerulosclerosis was studied in murine chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), which is a model for human systemic lupus erythematosus. The authors investigated the distribution patterns of six components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), i.e., laminin, fibronectin, collagen types I, III, IV, and VI during the course of the disease. All of these ECM components except collagen type I were found in the glomeruli of normal mice, where all of them were intrinsic constituents of the mesangium. Laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type IV were also found in the glomerular capillary walls. Starting 6 weeks after the induction of GvHD and continuing at week 8, the onset of an expansion of the mesangial matrix was observed. At the same time, the amounts of laminin, fibronectin, and collagen types IV and VI increased. Ten weeks after the onset of the disease, glomerulosclerosis developed. Traces of the interstitial collagen type I were found in sclerotic glomeruli. The levels of four ECM components, i.e., collagens III, IV, VI, and laminin were markedly decreased in the sclerotic glomeruli as compared with week 8. In contrast, the amount of fibronectin in the sclerotic glomeruli increased dramatically. Immunoelectron microscopic examination showed fibronectin in the sclerotic lesions, in contrast to laminin, collagen type I, and collagen type IV. It is concluded that the sclerotic lesions in murine chronic GvHD contain fibronectin. The small amounts of the ECM components laminin, as well as collagens III, IV, and VI in the sclerotic glomeruli in GvHD, might represent remnants of mesangial material and collapsed capillary walls. These components are probably replaced by increased production and/or accumulation of collagen type I and fibronectin

A Molecular Biologic Study of Extracellular Matrix Components During the Development of Glomerulosclerosis in Murine Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

peer reviewedBACKGROUND: We studied the development of glomerulosclerosis in murine chronic graft-versus-host disease, a model for human systemic lupus erythematosus. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The disease was induced in (C57BL10 x DBA/2)F1 hybrids by injection of DBA/2 lymphocytes leading to deposition of auto-antibodies in the glomeruli, and a lupus type of nephritis morphologically. We have determined the levels of mRNA coding for laminin (B1 and B2), a 67 kilodalton laminin binding protein, and types I and IV collagen, in control and graft-versus host disease mice at various times after disease induction. RESULTS: Laminin and collagen mRNAs were increased in whole kidneys 4 weeks after induction of the disease. At week 10, all animals displayed dramatic stimulation of alpha 1(I), alpha 1(IV), laminin B1, and B2 mRNAs. The 67 kilodalton laminin binding protein mRNA was also doubled from week 4 to 16. In isolated glomeruli, the mRNA level coding for laminin B2 was already significantly increased from week 8. This enhancement of laminin synthesis corresponds to the mesangial expansion and to the development of laminin-containing spike formations of the glomerular basement membrane at week 8. CONCLUSIONS: The expansion of the mesangial matrix in murine chronic graft-versus-host disease is caused at least in part, by an increased production of extracellular matrix components by glomerular cells. These results demonstrate that the increase of specific extracellular matrix components mRNAs precedes light microscopic changes. Quantitative evaluation of the mRNA levels coding for extracellular matrix proteins may reveal a useful method for the early detection of the development of glomerular sclerosis at the stage preceding the onset of anatomo-clinical changes