[Dispensing of benzodiazepines and Z drugs by Norwegian pharmacies 2004-2011].

Background: In Norway, total sales of benzodiazepines and Z drugs (zopiclone and zolpidem) have increased since the mid-1990s. On the basis of data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, we have studied the choice of medications and patterns of use in various gender and age groups.

Material And Method: Numbers for redemptions of benzodiazepines and Z drugs in Norwegian pharmacies for the years 2004-2011 were collected from the Prescription Registry.

A 3-year survey quantifying the risk of dose escalation of benzodiazepines and congeners to identify risk factors to aid doctors to more rationale prescribing.

Objectives: This study investigated and quantified risk factors of dose escalation, as an indication of drug misuse and dependency of benzodiazepines and congeners, among presumably drug naïve patients in the Norwegian drug prescription database, observed over 3 years.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Prescription database study.

A review and Bayesian meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and adverse effects of 4 atypical neuroleptic drugs compared with haloperidol and placebo.

Aims: The objective of the study was to examine the efficacy and the degree of adverse effects connected with atypical neuroleptic drugs and haloperidol by using a previously described Bayesian statistical method that includes both direct and indirect comparisons simultaneously.

Methods: The authors used the results of 30 double-blind, randomized studies including comparisons of 4 atypical neuroleptics and haloperidol, head-to-head or against placebo. We calculated the response ratios for drugs against placebo and thereafter the relative response ratios for one drug against another.

Validation of reference genes for quantitative RT-qPCR studies of gene expression in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua l.) during temperature stress.

Background: One important physiological response to environmental stress in animals is change in gene expression. To obtain reliable data from gene expression studies using RT-qPCR it is important to evaluate a set of possible reference genes as normalizers for expression. The expression of these candidate genes should be analyzed in the relevant tissues during normal and stressed situations.