Perceived source of anabolic-androgenic steroids and the construal of users’ personality

Users obtain anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) from various sources and it is unclear if observers’ perception of these sources has an effect on their construal of users’ personality. We investigated the influence of observers’ perceived source of AAS on their construal of users’ personality. A total of 283 individuals (209 females; mean age = 26.84 years) recruited online were randomized to three independent experimental scenarios or vignettes differing only in the source of AAS used by the protagonist: the Internet (n = 91), trainer/coach (n = 91), and physician/doctor (n = 101). Participants in all three conditions rated their protagonist on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Multivariate analysis of variance results indicated no significant between-group differences on personality ratings of the protagonists. It is evident that observers’ perceived source of AAS does not influence their construal of users’ personality.     

Knowledge among important actors in the field of adaptive equipment for young people with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: Access to adaptive equipment is a crucial factor that can determine if a child or youth with disabilities is going to participate in physical activities, sports and play in different local settings. A prerequisite for success is awareness of and specific knowledge concerning the equipment and its use among relevant actors. The aim of this paper is to explore how important groups of actors working with young people with disabilities perceive their level of knowledge concerning adaptive equipment and discuss these actors’ role in children and youths’ opportunities to obtain relevant equipment to participate in activities.

Methods: An online, population-based national survey was distributed to: (1) occupational therapists and physiotherapists, (2) teachers, and (3) leaders and coaches in sports clubs in Norway.

Results: The findings generally indicate that overall knowledge concerning adaptive equipment among the three groups is limited. However, significant statistical difference is found, indicating that occupational therapists and physiotherapists have higher levels of general knowledge, about the accessibility of equipment, regulations and legislation and that they are more familiar with adaptive equipment than teachers, leaders and coaches.

Conclusions: A practical implication of the results is that the actors’ varying knowledge and experiences need to be brought together to form a coherent picture of how the equipment will be used and by whom. This can contribute to an increased understanding concerning adaptive equipment and its importance among different actors, which could help more young people with disabilities to participate.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Important actors must utilize the knowledge and experience possessed by young people with disabilities concerning adaptive equipment.

• Improved access to knowledge concerning adaptive equipment among important actors is required.

• Increased collaboration between different actors relating to adaptive equipment and participation is needed.

     

Ultrasonography in gastroenterology

Abstract

Ultrasonography (US) is a safe and available real-time, high-resolution imaging method, which during the last decades has been increasingly integrated as a clinical tool in gastroenterology. New US applications have emerged with enforced data software and new technical solutions, including strain evaluation, three-dimensional imaging and use of ultrasound contrast agents. Specific gastroenterologic applications have been developed by combining US with other diagnostic or therapeutic methods, such as endoscopy, manometry, puncture needles, diathermy and stents. US provides detailed structural information about visceral organs without hazard to the patients and can play an important clinical role by reducing the need for invasive procedures. This paper presents different aspects of US in gastroenterology, with a special emphasis on the contribution from Nordic scientists in developing clinical applications.     

Metabolic markers in blood can separate prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background:

An individualised risk-stratified screening for prostate cancer (PCa) would select the patients who will benefit from further investigations as well as therapy. Current detection methods suffer from low sensitivity and specificity, especially for separating PCa from benign prostatic conditions. We have investigated the use of metabolomics analyses of blood samples for separating PCa patients and controls with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods:

Blood plasma and serum samples from 29 PCa patient and 21 controls with BPH were analysed by metabolomics analysis using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. Differences in blood metabolic patterns were examined by multivariate and univariate statistics.

Results:

By combining results from different methodological platforms, PCa patients and controls were separated with a sensitivity and specificity of 81.5% and 75.2%, respectively.

Conclusions:

The combined analysis of serum and plasma samples by different metabolomics measurement techniques gave successful discrimination of PCa and controls, and provided metabolic markers and insight into the processes characteristic of PCa. Our results suggest changes in fatty acid (acylcarnitines), choline (glycerophospholipids) and amino acid metabolism (arginine) as markers for PCa compared with BPH.     

The negative impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on occupational health in adults and adolescents

Purpose

To review the negative effects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence and adulthood on work productivity and occupational health.

Methods

A review of the MEDLINE database was carried out to identify direct and indirect effects of ADHD on work, employment and occupational health.

Results

ADHD is associated with higher levels of unemployment versus controls. Adults with ADHD who are employed experience workplace impairment and reduced productivity, as well as behavioural issues such as irritability and low frustration tolerance. Adults with ADHD are also at increased risk of accidents, trauma and workplace injuries, particularly traffic accidents. Indirect effects of ADHD on occupational health include reduced educational achievement and increased rates of substance abuse and criminality. Overall, ADHD in adults has a substantial economic impact as a result of absenteeism and lost productivity. Psychoeducation, combined with stimulant medications if necessary, is recommended as first-line treatment for adults with ADHD. Limited data available suggest that stimulant treatment can improve work productivity and efficacy, and reduce the risks associated with driving, although further studies are necessary.

Conclusions

ADHD can affect the ability to gain and maintain employment and to work safely and productively. As ADHD is a treatable condition, patients, employers and physicians have a role to play in ensuring optimal occupational health.     

Enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines and activation markers in T-cells from patients with chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence supports a role for inflammation in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the source and the mechanism for this immune activation are unknown. To address this issue we investigated the gene expression of cytokines and the surface expression of activity markers in T-cells and monocytes from CHF patients and healthy controls. METHODS: Gene expression of cytokines was analysed by real-time RT-PCR and activation markers by flow cytometry in 14 CHF patients and nine healthy controls. Surface expression of activation markers for T-cells and monocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: T-cells from CHF patients showed enhanced gene expression of chemokines, ligands in the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, as well as the inflammatory cytokines interferon-gamma and interleukin-18 with similar pattern in ischemic (n=5) and idiopathic cardiomyopathy (n=9). In contrast, no differences in cytokine gene expression were found comparing monocytes from CHF patients and controls. Moreover, T-cells from CHF patients had enhanced surface expression of the activation markers CD69 and CD25, while there was no upregulation of the monocyte activation marker CD32 in these patients. CONCLUSION: T-cells may be a part of the inflammatory response during CHF independent of the etiology of the disorder. Intervention preventing unwanted T-cell activation could represent a new target in the treatment of CHF.     

The effect of aortic valve replacement on N-terminal natriuretic propeptides in patients with aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND: Increased plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides have been demonstrated to be associated with increased intracardiac pressure and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. After aortic valve replacement (AVR) in aortic stenosis patients, there is a relief of the left outflow obstruction with a substantial hemodynamic improvement. This is followed by a gradual regression of the LV hypertrophy. HYPOTHESIS: After AVR, reduction in LV filling pressure is expected to occur rapidly, while regression of LV hypertrophy will take place over a longer time period. On this basis we hypothesized that the plasma levels of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) would be reduced early in the postoperative period, while N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), through its closer reflection of LV hypertrophy, would be sustained for a longer period. METHODS: Two groups of patients with aortic stenosis undergoing AVR were followed for 4 and 12 months, respectively. Plasma concentrations of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were measured before and after AVR and related to preoperative findings and changes in the aortic valve area index. RESULTS: Before AVR, the patients had significantly increased plasma levels of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP. After AVR, NT- proANP was decreased at 4 and 12 months but remained elevated compared with controls. N-terminal-proBNP tended to decrease, but did not change significantly. When the patients were followed for 12 months, only those with elevated preoperative pulmonary capillary wedge pressure had decreased peptide levels (NT-proANP: p = 0.017, NT-proBNP: p = 0.058). There was no regression of LV hypertrophy. The patients with the largest postoperative valve area index [1.27 (1.10-1.55) cm2/m2] had the largest reduction of NT-proBNP (47%). Those with the smallest valve area index [0.67 (0.54-0.73) cm2/m2] had no decrease in NT-proBNP. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that a reduction in left atrial pressure is the main factor causing the change of NT-proANP level after AVR. A small prosthetic valve orifice area with a high aortic valve gradient might prevent regression of LV hypertrophy, thus representing a stimulus for increased cardiac secretion of NT-proBNP.     

Varus Femoral Osteotomy Improves Sphericity of the Femoral Head in Older Children With Severe Form of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

Background  

In the Norwegian prospective study on Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD), we found varus femoral osteotomy gave better femoral head sphericity at a mean of 5 years postoperative than physiotherapy in children older than 6.0 years at diagnosis with femoral head necrosis of more than 50%. That study did not include separate analyses for hips with 100% necrosis and those with a percentage of necrosis between 50% and 100%.