Predisposing chronic diseases and hypophosphatemia in patients with influenza.

Almost half of the hospitalized influenza patients have a chronic disease, which increases the risk for secondary bacterial infections and for adults >65 years influenza is related to high mortality risk. The impact of diabetes mellitus (DM), asthma bronchiale, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the risk of having a low serum phosphatemia (S-P) in addition to influenza is important to investigate as this increases both morbidity and mortality and can be prevented. Hypophosphatemia could be the explanation for reduced chemo-taxis and phagocytosis, which in addition to respiratory function may increase the risk of pneumonia and sepsis.

The posterior subthalamic area in the treatment of movement disorders: past, present, and future.

The introduction of thalamotomy in 1954 led naturally to exploration of the underlying subthalamic area, with the development of such procedures as campotomy and subthalamotomy in the posterior subthalamic area. The most popular of these procedures was the subthalamotomy, which was performed in thousands of patients for various movement disorders. Today, in the deep brain stimulation (DBS) era, subthalamic nucleus DBS is the treatment of choice for Parkinson's disease, whereas thalamic and pallidal DBS are mainly used for nonparkinsonian tremor and dystonia, respectively.

Deep brain stimulation of the posterior subthalamic area in the treatment of tremor.

Background: Several studies have described lesional therapy in the posterior subthalamic area (PSA) in the treatment of various movement disorders. Recently, some publications have illustrated the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in this area in patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, MS-tremor, and other forms of tremor. Even though the clinical series is small, the reported benefits prompted us to explore DBS in this area in the treatment of tremor.

Tape-stripping as a method for measuring dermal exposure to resin acids during wood pellet production.

The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific method for quantifying dermal exposure to the resin acids 7-oxodehydroabietic acid (7-OXO), dehydroabietic acid (DHAA), abietic acid (AA), and pimaric acid (PA). In addition the method was evaluated in occupational settings during production of wood pellets. Tape-strips were spiked with the substances to evaluate the recovery of the acids from the tape.

Pallidal deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Meige syndrome.

Background: Pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) of globus pallidus internus (Gpi) has emerged as an effective treatment for dystonia. The experience is however limited concerning focal dystonias and to date only a few cases of pallidal DBS in the treatment of Meige syndrome have been published.

Methods/results: We here present a patient with Meige syndrome in whom unilateral pallidal DBS failed to improve the axial symptoms, but bilateral stimulation resulted in a major improvement.

Spontaneous resorption of intradural lumbar disc fragments.

Background Context: Intradural disc herniation is relatively rare complication of the spinal degenerative process that occurs most frequently in the lumbar part of the spine. Both myelographic and magnetic resonance features of this entity have been described, and the mechanism of intradural herniation has already been proposed and generally accepted. In this article, we present a case of spontaneous resorption of an intradural, fragmented intervertebral disc.

Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment: a comparative study of the ethical reasoning of physicians and the general public.

Background: Our objective was to investigate whether a consensus exists between the general public and health care providers regarding the reasoning and values at stake on the subject of life-sustaining treatment.

Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of members of the adult population (n = 989) and to a random sample of intensive care doctors and neurosurgeons (n = 410) practicing in Sweden in 2004. The questionnaire was based on a case involving a severely ill patient and presented arguments for and against withholding and withdrawing treatment, and providing treatment that might hasten death.

Musculoskeletal symptoms among young male workers and associations with exposure to hand-arm vibration and ergonomic stressors.

Objective: The overall aim of this study was to explore the association between incident musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and upper limbs and exposure to hand-arm vibration and ergonomic stressors.

Methods: The study has a prospective design and data at baseline and follow-up was assessed by self-administered questionnaires. The study population consisted of students that had graduated from vocational high schools in 2001-2003 in northern and western Sweden and a total of 586 men responded to both the baseline and follow-up questionnaires.

Multicentre European study of thalamic stimulation for parkinsonian tremor: a 6 year follow-up.

Aim: To evaluate the results of ventral intermediate (Vim) thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with tremor predominant Parkinson's disease (PD) at 6 years post surgery.

Methods: This was a prolonged follow-up study of 38 patients from eight centres who participated in a multicentre study, the 1 year results of which have been published previously. Total scores as well as scores for individual items of the motor part and the disability part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale were used for evaluation.

Development and evaluation of a new questionnaire for rating perceived participation.

Objective: To develop a questionnaire for self-rated perceived participation in various life areas and to evaluate its reliability and validity.

Design: Validation and test-retest study including multiple questionnaire-development steps.

Setting: Neurological rehabilitation centre.

Improved total quality by monitoring of a cardiothoracic unit. Medical, administrative and economic data followed for 9 years.

To describe monitoring of a cardio-thoracic department from a total quality aspect point of view and to follow the development over 9 years. During the time period 1994-2002 a total of 10,828 cardio-thoracic operations were performed. Capacity, demographic, risk, quality, outcome and economic data were prospectively collected in various registries and analysed.

Acute severe depression induced by intraoperative stimulation of the substantia nigra: a case report.

We present a 62 years old man with Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent bilateral stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). During the intraoperative evaluation, stimulation through the lowest contact in the right STN area, induced an acute depressive state, during which the patient was crying and expressing that he did not want to live. The patient returned to his normal state of mood within seconds after the cessation of stimulation.

Child behaviour after anaesthesia: association of socioeconomic factors and child behaviour checklist to the Post-Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire.

Aim: In the process of validation of the Swedish translation of the Post-Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire (PHBQ) to assess its relation to the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and to describe its relation to sociodemographic factors.

Method: Three hundred and forty children 2-13 years studied in connection with elective procedures which included anaesthesia. Parents completed the CBCL forms before and after hospitalization as well as the PHBQ 2 weeks after hospitalization.

World apheresis registry report.

Unlabelled: The establishment of national apheresis registries has been helpful to learn about therapeutic profiles and adverse event incidences. During 2003, the World Apheresis Registry was established and centers from all countries were invited to participate to register their apheresis activities (at www.iml.

Current physical activity is related to bone mineral density in males but not in females.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between high-, medium-, and low-impact physical activity in males and females at the time of peak bone mineral density in young adulthood. The cohort consisted of 62 male medical students (aged 28.1 +/- 3.

The new WAA apheresis registry.

The WAA (World Apheresis Association) registry for apheresis has been developed to enable registration through internet by centers all around the world. It is of no charge for the registering centers. The new version is available at the site www.

Are complications less common in deep brain stimulation than in ablative procedures for movement disorders?

The side effects and complications of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and ablative lesions for tremor and Parkinson's disease were recorded in 256 procedures (129 DBS and 127 lesions). Perioperative complications (seizures, haemorrhage, confusion) were rare and did not differ between the two groups. The rate of hardware-related complications was 17.

Basilar and bilateral carotid dolichoectasia with spontaneous dissection of C2 segment of the internal carotid artery.

We describe a previously unreported case of cranial arterial dolichoectasia associated with spontaneous dissection of the petrous (C2) segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) with 2 patent lumena. Dolichoectasia of the cranial arteries and different types of double lumen of ICA are discussed. A review of previously reported cases is included.

Behavioural changes after anaesthesia: validity and liability of the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire in a Swedish paediatric population.

Aim: To study the validity and liability of a Swedish translation of the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ) in children in Sweden.

Methods: The PHBQ was translated using a back-translation method. The subjects were 340 children, ages 2-13 y, admitted for elective surgery or diagnostic procedure with anaesthesia.

Should styrene be sampled on the left or right shoulder?--An important question in employee self-assessment.

A self-operated personal sampling technique called 'self assessment of exposure' (SAE) has been suggested as an easy method for collecting inhalation exposure data, as the workers themselves are performing the sampling. Employers and employees have raised the question of whether a different estimate of the air concentration is likely to be obtained depending on whether the sampler is fastened at the left or the right shoulder. In order to answer this question, the exposure to styrene vapour in two different small enterprises within the reinforced plastics industry was measured.

'If only I manage to get home I'll get better'--interviews with stroke patients after emergency stay in hospital on their experiences and needs.

Objective: To find out about the experiences of stroke patients concerning their falling ill, their stay in hospital, discharge and homecoming.

Design: Qualitative methods using in-depth interviews.

Subjects And Setting: Nine strategically chosen patients and in five cases near family members were interviewed in their homes four months post stroke and following care at the Stroke Centre, University Hospital of Northern Sweden, Umeå.

Size of the protein-coding genome and rate of molecular evolution.

In diploid populations of size N, there will be 2 Nmu mutations per nucleotide (nt) site (or per locus) per generation (mu stands for mutation rate). If either the population or the coding genome double in size, one expects 4 Nmu mutations. What is important is not the population size per se but the number of genes (coding sites), the two being often interconverted.

Medical intelligence in Sweden. Vitamin B12: oral compared with parenteral?

Background: Sweden is the only country in which oral high dose vitamin B12 has gained widespread use in the treatment of deficiency states.

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe prescribing patterns and sales statistics of vitamin B12 tablets and injections in Sweden 1990-2000.Design, setting, and sources: Official statistics of cobalamin prescriptions and sales were used.