Benzodiazepine agonist treatment for patients with benzodiazepine dependence undergoing opioid agonist treatment: a study protocol for the randomized controlled trial BMX-BAR.

Background: There is a lack of knowledge on effective treatment methods for comorbid benzodiazepine dependence in populations undergoing opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Tapering and discontinuation of benzodiazepines has long been considered the standard treatment, even though there is limited evidence for this practice. There is also limited research on benzodiazepine agonist treatment; however, peer and clinical experiences indicate that such approaches may be beneficial for a subgroup of the patients with long-lasting benzodiazepine dependence not responding to other treatment approaches.

Corticosteroid rhythms in hypoparathyroid patients.

Objective: Previous studies indicate a possible bidirectional stimulatory relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and adrenocortical hormones, but the pattern of adrenocortical secretion in hypoparathyroidism is unknown. We aimed to characterize the adrenocortical secretion in patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism, and whether continuous subcutaneous PTH (1-34) infusion alters secretion patterns.

Design: Crossover interventional study.

Use of primary healthcare services before and after specialized rehabilitation and its relation to changes in health and functioning: a longitudinal cohort study.

Objective: To examine patients' use of primary healthcare (PHC) before and after specialized rehabilitation and its relation with self-reported health and functioning.

Design: Longitudinal cohort study.

Participants: 451 rehabilitation patients.

Internal and external factors affecting the performance score of surgical trainees doing laparoscopic appendectomy: a prospective, observational cohort study in a structured training programme.

Background: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a common procedure and introduced early in general surgical training. How internal (i.e.

NETest in advanced high-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Molecular blood biomarkers are lacking for high-grade (HG) gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). To histologically distinguish between neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), neuroendocrine tumors G3 (NET G3), adenocarcinoma and MINEN is often challenging. The mRNA-based NETest has diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value in neuroendocrine tumors G1-2 but has not been studied in HG GEP-NEN.

Rapid response systems, antibiotic stewardship and medication reconciliation: a scoping review on implementation factors, activities and outcomes.

Introduction: Many patient safety practices are only partly established in routine clinical care, despite extensive quality improvement efforts. Implementation science can offer insights into how patient safety practices can be successfully adopted.

Objective: The objective was to examine the literature on implementation of three internationally used safety practices: medication reconciliation, antibiotic stewardship programmes and rapid response systems.

Effect of a vapor barrier in combination with active external rewarming for cold-stressed patients in a prehospital setting: a randomized, crossover field study.

Background: Use of a vapor barrier in the prehospital care of cold-stressed or hypothermic patients aims to reduce evaporative heat loss and accelerate rewarming. The application of a vapor barrier is recommended in various guidelines, along with both insulating and wind/waterproof layers and an active external rewarming device; however, evidence of its effect is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of using a vapor barrier as the inner layer in the recommended "burrito" model for wrapping hypothermic patients in the field.

A prospective study for using cognitive decline as a predictor for survival and use of feeding/respiratory support for patients with motor neuron disease in Norway.

Background: There is a need for knowledge regarding the medical management of motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS) with and without cognitive decline. It has scarcely been studied whether cognitive decline will influence the course of disease or interfere with the use of life-prolonging aids for respiration and nutrition. Cognitive decline may impact the length of illness.

Giant cell arteritis: incidence and phenotypic distribution in Western Norway 2013-2020.

Objectives: There is an increasing awareness of the spectrum of phenotypes in giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, there is sparse evidence concerning the phenotypic distribution which may be influenced by both genetic background and the environment. We established a cohort of all GCA-patients in the Bergen Health Area (Western Norway), to describe the phenotypic distribution and whether phenotypes differ with regards to incidence and clinical features.

Quantitative electroencephalography in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and healthy children: Behavioral and age correlates.

This pilot study aimed to identify quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) biomarkers for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We examined whether qEEG power correlates with the behavioral symptoms. We included 89 children with ADHD and 77 healthy children as a control group.

Phase II study of everolimus and temozolomide as first-line treatment in metastatic high-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Background: The optimal treatment for metastatic high-grade gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms when Ki-67 ≤55% is unknown. A prospective multi-centre phase 2 study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of everolimus and temozolomide as first-line treatment for these patients.

Methods: Patients received everolimus 10 mg daily continuously and temozolomide 150 mg/m for 7 days every 2 weeks.

Effect of sense of coherence on long-term work participation among rehabilitation patients: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To investigate the causal effect of sense of coherence on long-term work participation after rehabilitation, including stratification by age and diagnoses.

Design: Longitudinal cohort study.

Participants: Patients aged ≤ 60 years, employed and accepted for somatic interprofessional rehabilitation in 2015 (n = 192).

Longitudinal Relationship Between Reduced Modic Change Edema and Disability and Pain in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Secondary analyses of a randomized trial [Antibiotics In Modic changes (MCs) study].

Objective: To assess whether or not reduced MC edema over time is related to reduced disability and pain in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

Summary Of Background Data: It is not clear whether or not reduced MC edema implies improved clinical outcomes.

Factors predicting death and cancer in patients with giant cell arteritis in Western Norway 1972-2012: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Objectives: Evidence as to whether or not giant cell arteritis (GCA) confers added risk of cancer or death is conflicting. Our aim was to identify factors predicting death or cancer in a large Norwegian GCA-cohort.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort study including patients diagnosed with GCA in Western Norway during 1972-2012.

In vitro quality of cold and delayed cold-stored platelet concentrates from interim platelet units during storage for 21 days.

Background And Objectives: Based on previous success using apheresis platelets, we wanted to investigate the in vitro quality and platelet function in continuously cold-stored and delayed cold-stored platelet concentrates (PCs) from interim platelet units (IPUs) produced by the Reveos system.

Materials And Methods: We used a pool-and-split design to prepare 18 identical pairs of PCs. One unit was stored unagitated and refrigerated after production on day 1 (cold-stored).

Norwegian version of the Edinburgh cognitive and behavioural ALS screen: Construct validity, internal consistency, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability.

Background: Research collaboration highlight a need for validated tests in other languages than English. Translation and culture adjustments may threaten essential features of the original instrument.

Objective: To assess the internal consistency, inter-rater and test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the Norwegian version of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Screen (ECAS-N).

Treatment fidelity in a pragmatic clinical trial of music therapy for premature infants and their parents: the LongSTEP study.

Background: Treatment fidelity (TF) refers to methodological strategies used to monitor and enhance the reliability and validity of interventions. We evaluated TF in a pragmatic RCT of music therapy (MT) for premature infants and their parents.

Methods: Two hundred thirteen families from seven neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) were randomized to receive standard care, or standard care plus MT during hospitalization, and/or during a 6-month period post-discharge.

Exploring the predictive properties of the Hayes Ability Screening Index subtest background information in identifying individuals with MBID among in-patients with SUD.

Introduction: For individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) goes undetected in treatment clinics. The Hayes Ability Screening Index (HASI) has been found to be a valid, time-saving screening instrument for MBID in SUD treatment. MBID can have significant implications for treatment planning and outcomes.

Dixon T2 imaging of vertebral bone edema: reliability and comparison with short tau inversion recovery.

Background: It is uncertain whether T2-weighted Dixon water images (DixonT2w) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) are interchangeable when evaluating vertebral bone edema, or if one method is superior or visualizes the edema differently.

Purpose: To compare image quality and Modic change (MC)-related edema between DixonT2w and STIR and estimate inter-observer reliability for MC edema on DixonT2w.

Material And Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 120) considered for the Antibiotics in Modic changes (AIM) trial underwent lumbar 1.

The outcome of primary per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of achalasia: Norwegian single-center experience with long-term follow-up.

Background And Aims: Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become an established treatment for achalasia, but no Scandinavian studies with long-term follow-up exist. This study from a tertiary referral center in Norway investigates the short-, mid-, and long-term feasibility, safety, efficacy, and complications of POEM.

Methods: Prospective data from the first 84 patients who underwent POEM from 2014 to 2019 were analyzed.

Clinical Characteristics and Histopathology in Suspected Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are severe diseases with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is challenging. Several guidelines recommend tissue biopsies as an adjunct diagnostic in routine management, but neither biopsy sampling nor classification is standardized or validated.

Amoxicillin Did Not Reduce Modic Change Edema in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: Subgroup Analyses of a Randomised Trial (the AIM Study).

Study Design: Exploratory subgroup analyses of a randomised trial [Antibiotics in Modic changes (AIM) study].

Objective: The aim was to assess the effect of amoxicillin versus placebo in reducing Modic change (MC) edema in patients with chronic low back pain.

Summary Of Background Data: The AIM study showed a small, clinically insignificant effect of amoxicillin on pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back pain and MC type 1 (edema type) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Clinical effectiveness of music interventions for dementia and depression in elderly care (MIDDEL): Australian cohort of an international pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: Dementia and depression are highly prevalent and comorbid conditions among older adults living in care homes and are associated with individual distress and rising societal costs. Effective, scalable, and feasible interventions are needed. Music interventions have shown promising effects, but the current evidence base is inconclusive.