Laboratory method for investigating the influence of industrial process conditions on the emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from carbonaceous materials.

This work is dedicated to developing a laboratory method for assessing emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from different carbon-based materials at elevated temperatures. The method will additionally contribute to enhancing the fundamental knowledge about the formation and decomposition of these compounds during various process conditions. Developing a method entails designing a setup for laboratory-scale experiments utilizing different furnace configurations and off-gas capturing media.

Influence of Atmosphere and Temperature on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emissions from Green Anode Paste Baking.

Coal tar pitch, a well-known source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is used as a binder of petroleum coke in prebaked anodes used for electrolysis of aluminum. Anodes are baked up to 1100 °C over a 20-day period, where flue gas containing PAHs and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are treated using techniques such as regenerative thermal oxidation, quenching, and washing. Conditions during baking facilitate incomplete combustion of PAHs, and due to the various structures and properties of PAHs, the effect of temperature up to 750 °C and various atmospheres during pyrolysis and combustion were tested.

Mastoidectomy Training: Is Anatomical Variation Needed? A Randomized, Controlled Trial on Performance and Skills Transfer From Virtual Reality to a Three-Dimensional Printed Model.

Objective: Virtual reality (VR) simulation-based training effectively improves novices' mastoidectomy skills. Unfortunately, learning plateaus at an insufficient level and knowledge on optimizing mastoidectomy training to overcome this plateau is needed. In this study, we aim to investigate how training on anatomically different temporal bone cases affects learning, including the effect on retention and transfer of skills.

Risk of Recurrent Coronary Events in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia; A 10-Years Prospective Study.

Real world evidence on long term treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is important. We studied the effects of intensive lipid lowering medication (LLM) and optimized lifestyle in the study TTTFH-Treat To Target FH. Adults with a first known total cholesterol of mean (95% CI) 9.

Subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia have lower aortic valve area and higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers.

Background: Reduction of the aortic valve area (AVA) may lead to aortic valve stenosis with considerable impact on morbidity and mortality if not identified and treated. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and also inflammatory biomarkers, including platelet derived biomarkers, have been considered risk factor for aortic stenosis; however, the association between Lp(a), inflammatory biomarkers and AVA among patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is not clear.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relation between concentration of Lp(a), measurements of the aortic valve including velocities and valve area and circulating inflammatory biomarkers in adult FH subjects and controls.

LDL-cholesterol goal achievement, cardiovascular disease, and attributed risk of Lp(a) in a large cohort of predominantly genetically verified familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Current treatment goals for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) recommended by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) are LDL-C ≤2.5 mmol/L (∼100 mg/dL) or ≤1.8 mmol/L (∼70 mg/dL) in very high-risk subjects.

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of Pekin duck interferon-λ.

Interferons (IFNs) are the first line of defense against viral infections in vertebrates. Type III interferon (IFN-λ) is recognized for its key role in innate immunity of tissues of epithelial origin. Here we describe the identification of the Pekin duck IFN-λ ortholog (duIFN-λ).

The Pekin duck IL-10R2 common chain: cDNA cloning, genomic structure, molecular characterization and mRNA expression analysis.

The interleukin-10 receptor 2 (IL-10R2, IL-10Rβ) is required for the signalling of the class 2 cytokines IL-10, IL-22, IL-26 and IFN-λ1-3 . Here, we describe the identification of the Pekin duck IL-10R2 (duIL-10R2) common chain and its gene structure. The duIL-10R2 cDNA encodes a 343 amino acid protein that has an amino acid identity of 76% and 42% with chicken and human IL-10R2, respectively.

No effect of combined coenzyme Q10 and selenium supplementation on atorvastatin-induced myopathy.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of Q10 and selenium supplementation on statin-induced myopathy (SIM), both for subjective symptoms and muscle function.

Design: Patients (N = 43) who had experienced previous or ongoing SIM on atorvastatin therapy were recruited. Following a 6-week washout period during which no statins were administered, the patients were re-challenged with 10 mg of atorvastatin.

Apheresis in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: the results of a follow-up of all Norwegian patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), which affects 1 in a million individuals, leads to extremely elevated levels of cholesterol and early-onset cardiovascular disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess all 7 HoFH patients treated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis in Norway with respect to quality of life, clinical and laboratory assessments, and cardiovascular status.

Methods: Apheresis treatment and assessment of cardiovascular status was performed at local hospitals but coordinated by the Lipid Clinic that has followed all patients since diagnosis.

Impact of reattaching various Aeromonas salmonicida A-layer proteins on vaccine efficacy in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).

Atypical Aeromonas salmonicida causes atypical furunculosis in a whole range of farmed fish species. The bacterium comprises a heterogeneous group differing in surface components such as the A-layer protein and O-chain polysaccharide structures. Previously, the A-layer protein was shown to contribute to protective immunity as a vaccine with A.

The linguistic milieu of Norwegian children with hearing loss.

The article is based on a national survey in Norway of the linguistic situation of deaf children. Parents, teachers, and children were asked to make judgments on topics related to the children's language milieu at home and at school by means of detailed questions using two response methods: a language inventory and rating scales. The inventory is more detailed than those in other studies and required all three groups to consider not only the use of the two native languages, Norwegian and Norwegian Sign Language, but other forms combining sign and speech.

Canine vascular neoplasia--a population-based clinicopathologic study of 439 tumours and tumour-like lesions in 420 dogs.

This paper deals with a population-based material collected during the years 1990-1998, and comprises 439 tumours and tumour-like vascular processes from 420 dogs. Anatomic location, age, breed and gender are reported. A distinction is made between benign neoplasms, tumours of intermediate malignancy, and obvious malignant processes (angiosarcomas).

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors down-regulate chemokines and chemokine receptors in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objectives: We sought to investigate whether the activation of the chemokine network observed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) could be modified by treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins).

Background: Chemokines and chemokine receptors are important mediators in atherogenesis, and we hypothesized that the statins could affect the chemokine network in CAD.

Methods: Thirty CAD patients without previous statin therapy were randomized to receive atorvastatin (80 mg/day, n = 15) or simvastatin (20 mg/day, n = 15).

Gender and socioeconomic status as determinants of waiting time for inpatient surgery in a system with implicit queue management.

Objective: In a system with implicit queue management, to examine gender and socioeconomic status as determinants of waiting time for inpatient surgery, after adjusting for other potential predictors.

Methods: A cohort of 452 subjects was examined in outpatient clinics of a general hospital and referred to inpatient surgery. They were followed until scheduled hospital admission (n=396) or until the requested procedure no longer was relevant (n=56).

Factors influencing physicians' assessment of urgency for inpatient surgery.

Objectives: To assess to what extent patient, disease and referral characteristics influenced physicians' assessment of urgency of inpatient surgery.

Methods: In total, 452 patients, mean age 50 years, were examined in surgical or gynaecological outpatient clinics in one hospital and referred for inpatient surgery. Data were collected by the examining physician, and the patients were either given a maximal waiting time or the waiting time was not specified.

[Establishment of the Cancer Registry].

In 1948, the WHO proposed that five countries, Norway among them, should study the incidence of cancer. Three years later the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs issued instructions for the reporting of all cases of cancer to the new Cancer Registry of Norway. Its first director was Dr.

[Registration of canine cancer].

A Norwegian Canine Cancer Registry, covering four of 19 counties, has been operative since March 1990. Until the end of April 1994 about 6,000 tumours have been registered, more than 50% of these being manifestly or potentially malignant. Among 14 selected breeds the relative risk ratio for all tumours varies with factor 35 from boxer to dunker, the boxer having the highest tumour risk.

Endoscopic treatment and restrictive surgical policy in the management of peptic ulcer bleeding. Five years' experience in a central hospital.

Background: Despite improved surgical and endoscopic technics, acute bleeding from peptic ulcer is still a serious condition, and management remains controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate a management policy of aggressive endoscopic and restrictive surgical treatment for acute peptic ulcer bleeding.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated the course of all 341 hospital admissions during 1986 to 1990 caused by bleeding peptic ulceration from the first bleeding episode until 30 days after discharge.

A model for car exhaust exposure calculations to investigate health effects of air pollution.

This paper presents a model for car exhaust exposure calculations, which improves the air pollution exposure estimates necessary to study relationships between health and air pollution. The model enables calculation of hour-by-hour air pollution concentrations at receptor points in an area. Combined with a diary method, in which participants in the study give data on their movement in the area, the model enables personal air pollution exposure values to be calculated.

[Reports of waiting list data from hospitals to the central registry--a database for reducing hospital waiting lists. Minimum dataset of waiting list parameters].

The governmental regulations concerning registration of waiting lists and priority of patients, laid down in July 1990, introduce a "waiting time guarantee" which ensures a waiting time not exceeding six months for patients suffering from diseases having severe impacts on health. Hospitals that are unable to treat these patients within six months are requested to refer them to other hospitals before the deadline. All hospitals have to make monthly reports of waiting list parameters to a Central Waiting List Register, enabling both a nationwide waiting list survey and comparisons between different hospitals and different counties.

[Grouping and calculated measurements of standardized waiting lists in Norway. Definitions and interpretations of waiting lists].

Waiting list parameters calculated for defined dates and time periods allow studies to determine balance between new and completed referrals. The authors discuss various sub-groupings of the waiting lists. The main waiting time parameter is mean waiting time for the various levels of care in the case of the different medical specialties and diagnostic groups.

[Content, function and structure of standardized hospital waiting lists in Norway].

Standardization of hospital waiting lists will improve the quality of information on waiting lists, allowing comparison between different hospitals and different counties, and a nationwide aggregation. Waiting lists must include all elective referrals, and will accordingly allow future planning and surveillance of the complete elective hospital activity. A current indication for evaluation/treatment in hospital is a prerequisite for waiting list registration.

Rapid and correct diagnosis of myocardial infarction: standardized case history and clinical examination provide important information for correct referral to monitored beds.

The value of thorough examination of the case history as a diagnostic tool on hospitalization of patients with suspected myocardial infarction was investigated in three independent prospective studies. Use of a limited number of pain-related elements (= 'criteria'), that had already been obtained in the emergency room, could improve the decision on whether or not to admit patients to the coronary-care unit. As an example, in one of the studies, use of such criteria would have reduced the number of 'unnecessary' coronary-care-unit admissions from 298 to 162, a 46% reduction (P less than 0.

Oxalate nephropathy in a Tibetan spaniel litter. A probable case of primary hyperoxaluria.

Severe oxalate nephropathy with end-stage kidney lesions was found in two pups of a litter of three Tibetan Spaniels. This histopathological finding strongly suggests a primary hyperoxaluria since there was no exposure to agents capable of producing secondary hyperoxaluria. Primary hyperoxaluria has not been reported as a spontaneous disease in the dog, although it is a well-known, but rare, inherited metabolic disease of man.