Reduced arterial elasticity after anabolic-androgenic steroid use in young adult males and mice.

High-doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is efficient for building muscle mass, but pose a risk of cardiovascular side effects. Little is known of the effect of AAS on vasculature, but previous findings suggest unfavorable alterations in vessel walls and vasoreactivity. Here, long-term effect of AAS on vascular function and morphology were examined in male weightlifters, and in a mimicking animal model.

Reduced L-Arginine and L-Arginine-ADMA-Ratio, and Increased SDMA after Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.

Endothelial vasodilatory function is dependent on the NO synthesis from L-arginine by endothelial NO-synthetase (eNOS). eNOS can be inhibited by asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) by competitive inhibition on the binding site, and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) can reduce the L-arginine availability intracellularly through competing for transport over the cellular membrane. To study the NO synthesis after prolonged exercise, we assessed circulatory L-arginine, the L-arginine/ADMA ratio, and SDMA before, after, and on the day after the Norseman Xtreme triathlon, an Ironman distance triathlon.

Transient Reduction of FMD-Response and L-Arginine Accompanied by Increased Levels of E-Selectin, VCAM, and ICAM after Prolonged Strenuous Exercise.

We assessed endothelial function by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), levels of the NO-precursor L-arginine, and markers of endothelial inflammation before, at the finish line, and one week after the Norseman Xtreme triathlon. The race is an Ironman distance triathlon with a total elevation of 5200 m. Nine male participants were included.

Biochemical markers after the Norseman Extreme Triathlon.

Prolonged exercise is known to cause changes in common biomarkers. Occasionally, competition athletes need medical assistance and hospitalisation during prolonged exercise events. To aid clinicians treating patients and medical teams in such events we have studied common biomarkers after at The Norseman Xtreme Triathlon (Norseman), an Ironman distance triathlon with an accumulated climb of 5200 m, and an Olympic triathlon for comparison.

Validity of the Postoperative Morbidity Survey after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair-a prospective observational study.

Background: Currently, there is no standardised tool used to capture morbidity following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The aim of this prospective observational study was to validate the Postoperative Morbidity Survey (POMS) according to its two guiding principles: to only capture morbidity substantial enough to delay discharge from hospital and to be a rapid, simple screening tool.

Methods: A total of 64 adult patients undergoing elective infrarenal AAA repair participated in the study.

Lyme neuroborreliosis: a treatable cause of acute ocular motor disturbances in children.

Background: Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) designates central nervous system involvement caused by the tick-borne spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The present study describes a spectrum of acquired ocular motor disorders in children with LNB.

Methods: Six paediatric patients (age 3-15 years) with ocular motor symptoms as first manifestations of LNB evaluated by a paediatrician and ophthalmologist are presented.

Subconjunctival Dirofilaria repens Infestation: A Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

Background: To present a case of subconjunctival infestation with Dirofilaria repens which is very rare in Northern Europe.

Methods: A 61-year-old male presented with a swelling and redness of the left supraorbital region migrating to the eyelid and the left eyeball resulting in conjunctival injection, proptosis and diplopia. The patient underwent incisional extraction of a nine cm long worm, which was analysed histologically.

[Terminal care of cancer patients].

Background: Palliative medicine is increasingly important in the health services.

Material And Methods: The records of 52 patients who died in the department of oncology of Ullevaal University Hospital, July to December 1999 were examined. Major symptoms at the time of admission, information, communication, and the quality of the patient records were registered.

[Surgical injuries registered in the Norwegian system for patient injuries. Possibilities of the use of the material for quality improvement in Norwegian hospitals].

328 surgical "errors" reported to the Norwegian System of Compensation for Injuries to Patients were analysed in order to find out how the errors can be exploited for the purpose of quality improvement. In 8% of the cases the patients had been treated as emergency cases. 7% of the patients had been treated as out-patients.

[Use of alternative medicine among Norwegian hospitalized cancer patients].

A national multi-centre study was performed to investigate the prevalent use of alternative medicine, or non-proven therapies, among Norwegian cancer patients. Of 911 patients invited to take part in the study 642 were included in the final analysis. Among the 630 assessable patients, 20% had been or were current users of non-proven therapies.

Why are cancer patients using non-proven complementary therapies? A cross-sectional multicentre study in Norway.

This study addressed the use of alternative medicine, here called non-proven therapies (NPTs), among hospitalized Norwegian cancer patients. A total of 126 (20%) of the assessable 630 patients were users of NPTs. Approximately 43% of all patients and more than 60% of the users of NPTs stated that they would like NPTs to be an option in hospitals belonging to the National Health Service.

[Physicians' view on drug therapy for hypertension. A questionnaire in the county of Hordaland].

A questionnaire survey was conducted in Hordaland county to discover opinions on drug therapy for uncomplicated hypertensives with no other risk factors. The response rate was 66%; 179 general practitioners and 31 hospital doctors. The doctors were well informed about the documentation of the clinical benefit of various drugs.

[The relation between patient volume and quality of care. Results of a survey].

A report on the relation between patient volume and quality of treatment has been evaluated by health administrators. The majority supports that adequate patient volume is important for quality of treatment and for quality assurance. The implementation of these concepts in the organizing of health services is advocated.

[Use of psychiatrists in security matters].

90 clients with uncertain symptoms and diagnosis, especially clients with pain in the musculoskeletal system or with minor neurotic symptoms, were examined by a psychiatrist ordered by Skedsmo Social Security Office. The number of clients with the diagnosis fibromyalgia was strongly reduced. The number of clients with somatic diagnosis increased from three to nine, and three cases of psychosis, not earlier diagnosed as such, were recorded.

[The requirement to use the cheapest synonymous preparation--does it work as intended?].

A retrospective analysis of all prescriptions for hypersensitive drugs was undertaken at a pharmacy serving 20 general practitioners and 17 temporarily employed doctors. The analysis was carried out in 1992 over two three-month periods separated by an interval of five months. The Governmental regulations aimed at promoting use of the "cheapest synonymous drug" apparently had little impact on the doctors' prescriptions.

[Cooperation between regional and central hospitals--how to achieve the best results?].

The authors reviews a recent governmental analysis of cooperation between third-line university clinics and local and central hospitals. The hospitals are owned by the government (mainly by the counties), and the various Acts and regulation permit the central authorities to make decisions on all aspects of highly specialized medicine. The analysis concludes that a limited number of problems should be solved by decision of the central government, but only those where national concerns are involved.

[Highly specialized medicine. How to assign the tasks?].

Norway has four million inhabitants and five university hospitals, each serving one health region. The authors describe the work of a governmental medical committee, whose mandate is to advise on where to locate the various highly specialized medical services. Important questions have been the relationship between experience and quality, and the desire of each university clinic to be able to provide treatment within its own region for most health problems.

[Complaints of patients on medical treatment].

Complaints handled by the Directorate of Health about medical treatment have been registered and analysed for the years 1980, 1985 and 1990. The analysis shows that the number of complaints against government hospitals increased fourfold from 1985 to 1990. Compensation awarded in cases where medical negligence was proved rose sevenfold from NOK 3 million in 1985 to NOK 20 million in 1990.

[Sick-listing II--an evaluation of rehabilitation assistance].

Patients certified as sick for more than eight weeks qualify for sickness benefit scheme No. 2. 38 patients in this group who suffered from various indefinite diseases were called in to consultation with an advisory doctor.