BACKGROUND: Agriculture ranks among the most dangerous trades worldwide. There is, however, still a lack of knowledge on nonfatal injuries in agriculture. The aim of this study was to describe the nature and occurrence of nonfatal injuries in farmers in two counties in central Norway. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 7,004 farmers in Norway. We asked for information about the respondents and the farm, whether the farmer had had work-related injuries on the farm during the past 12 months, and details about the incidence and seriousness of the injury. RESULTS: A total of 2,699 respondents gave a response rate of 42%. Of the respondents, 249 (9.2%) reported one or more work-related injuries. The most usual cause of injury involved an animal, and >75% of these happened inside the outbuilding. Among these, 17.5% had a consequence of sick leave or a more serious result. When all the accidents were analyzed by stepwise logistic regression, only the variables: works alone, has >3,500 stipulated working hours at the farm, and the type of production were statistical significant explanatory variables for having an injury. CONCLUSION: Incorporating safety aspects to a greater extend in the design and construction of outbuildings would make a substantial contribution to injury prevention in agriculture.
Farmers ; Animals ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Norway ; Occupational Injuries* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sick Leave

OBJECTIVES: Previous investigations have presented some evidence of late cognitive effects in dental personnel exposed to metallic mercury. We wanted to examine if Norwegian dentists have an increased prevalence of symptoms consistent with neurological and/or cognitive malfunction. METHODS: The study group consisted of 406 dentists from central Norway and 217 controls from the general population, all under the age of 70. They had responded to a standardised postal questionnaire (Euroquest) inquiring about seven symptoms in regard to neurology, psychosomatics, memory, concentration, mood, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. A score was calculated for each symptom based on 4 to 15 single questions scored on a scale from 1 (seldom or never) to 4 (very often). RESULTS: The dentists and controls had a participation rate of 57.2% and 42.9% respectively. The dentists reported no more cognitive symptoms than the controls, with low average symptom scores from 1.16 for neurological symptoms in males to 1.73 for fatigue in females. Corresponding figures for the controls were 1.22 and 1.77. There were a total of 1.2% of the dentists and 1.8% of the controls who reported having three or more of the seven symptoms "often" or more frequently. CONCLUSION: Norwegian dentists do not report more cognitive and neurological symptoms than controls from the general population.
Dentists ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Neurology ; Norway ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study investigates the effectiveness of FK-506, a new immunosuppressive agent for in preventing the rejection of limb allo-transplants in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inbred strain Lewis (RT1l) were used as donors and Brown Norway (RT1n) as recipients for limb allotransplan-tation. The experimental animals were divided into four groups; group I: untreated allografts, group II: allografts receiving FK-506 1mg/kg/day for 5-12 days (n=6), group III: 2 mg/kg/day for 15 days (n=6), group IV: single dose of 10 mg/kg (n=3), immediately. Rejection signs, mean survival time of limbs and histologic analysis (by the muscle grading system of Buttemeyer et al.) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean survival time in group I was 3.5 +/-1.04 days, in group II 7.17 +/-3.43 days, in group III 25.5 +/-12.01 days and in group IV 16.33 +/-8.08 days. FK-506 prolonged the survival time of limbs significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Histologic examination revealed that group II was grade II (n=2) and grade III (n=1); group III was grade I (n=2); and group IV was grade I (n=1) and grade II (n=1). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the unique effects of FK-506 upon preventing graft rejection and prolonging limb survival allo-grafts in rats.
Allografts ; Animals ; Extremities* ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Norway ; Rats* ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus* ; Tissue Donors

ABSTRACT: The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of restoring the testicular steroidogenic ability of the aged Brown Norway rats by administering luteinizing hormone (LH) and thyroxine (Thy). Rats of 3, 6, 12 months (M) of age (n = 8 per group) and four groups of 18 month old rats (n = 8 per group) were used. Eighteen month old rats were implanted subdermally with Alzet mini osmotic pumps containing saline (control), luteinizing hormone (LH, 24 microgram/day), thyroxine (Thy, 5 microgram/day) and LH and Thy (LH +Thy, 24 microgramday and 5 microgram/day), respectively for four weeks (i.e testing was done at 19 months). The results showed that the testis volume was unchanged among all treatment groups. The number of Leydig cell per testis was not significantly different among all treatment groups. The average volume of a Leydig cell was significantly decreased at 12 months, and a further reduction was observed at 19 months (saline-treated); values for 19 month LH-and-LH +Thy-treated rats were not significantly lower than those at 3 and 6 months of age. Testosterone secretory capacity per testis and per Leydig cell in vitro were significantly reduced concomitantly with age advancement from 6 to 19 months (saline-treated) of age. These values of LH-and Thy-treated 19 month old rats were similar to those at 12 months. LH +Thy-treated rats were equally capable to 3 and 6 month old rats in producing testicular testosterone in vitro in response to LH. Serum testosterone was unchanged from 3 M to 12 M rats but was reduced in 19M control rats. Both LH and Thy significantly raised these values above the 19M control levels, but they were still lower than the 3 M through 12 M levels. Additionally, LH +Thy significantly raised the serum testosterone levels to those of 12M rats, but these values were significantly lower than those of 3 M and 6 M rats. In summary, the present study demonstrated that the exogenous supplementation of LH and Thy was effective in restoring the steroidogenic potential of the aged Leydig cells; the most effective treatment was LH +Thy, which upgraded the capacity of aged testes to those of 3 and 6 months.
Animals ; Humans ; Infant ; Leydig Cells* ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Norway* ; Rats* ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones* ; Thyroxine

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the availability of the serum HSP72 and HSP27 as serologic markers of cardiac allograft rejection through rat heterotopic heart transplatation model. METHODS: Inbred Lewis rats were randomly divided into three groups: the allograft heart transplant group, the isograft heart transplant group, and the sham-operated group. Six animals were studied in each group. In allograft heart tranplant group, the Brown Norway rats were used as donors and in isograft heart tranplant group, the Lewis rats were used as donors. The sera of the allograft heart transplanted rats, isograft heart transplanted rats, and sham- operated rats were collected at preoperative time, 3 days after operation and 6 days after operation, and analyzed for HSP72 and HSP27 by Western blots. Quantifications of band densities were carried out by laser densitometer and the results were expressed as % preoperative densities. RESULTS: The levels of serum HSP72 of 3 days and 6 days after heart transplantation significantly increased in the allograft heart transplant group than in the isograft heart transplant group, respectively (160.2+/-44.8% vs. 109.0+/-34.7%, 276.0+/-72.1% vs. 175.0+/-44.2%, P<0.05). The levels of seum HSP27 of 3 days and 6 days after heart transplantation significantly increased in the allograft heart transplant group than in the isograft heart transplant group, respectively (162.3+/-62.7% vs. 118.4+/-37.0%, 235.7+/-67.1% vs. 127.9+/-40.8%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that serum HSP72 and HSP27 are useful markers to detect the cardiac allograft rejection.
Allografts ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Heart Transplantation ; Heart* ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; Isografts ; Norway ; Rats* ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation

Children aged 3~5 years old represent the challenge in pulmonary function assessment, since evaluating lung function in preschool age group is important for the appropriate treatment for patient with chronic and recurrent cough and wheeze during this period. The joint American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society task force has produced recommendations for the spirometric lung function test currently used in the preschool age group. The reliable scientific evidence, documented references and reviews by the experts were used as a support. Reference data of spirometry lung function in preschool children were available in several countries including USA, Norway, Czech, Israel, Canada, and Taiwan. Spirometric pulmonary function tests are feasible in 3~ to 5~year~old children. However, the existing data are not sufficient to make definitive recommendations. Recommendations will need to be revised periodically until sufficient evidence has been collected to make definitive guidelines in various situations.
Advisory Committees ; Aged ; Canada ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; Humans ; Israel ; Joints ; Lung ; Norway ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Spirometry ; Taiwan

PURPOSE: The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha(HIF-1alpha) in the choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) was investigated. METHODS: CNV was induced in the eyes of Brown Norway rats by 545 nm argon laser photocoagulation into the eye, and fluorescein angiography (FAG) was performed to identify the early hyperfluorescence and the late leakage after 2 weeks of the photocoagulation. Three days after FAG, the eyeball was harvested and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and HIF-1alpha was identified by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 37 photocoagulation sites of the eyes showed CNV formation on FAG. Immunohistochemical staining of the laser photocoagulation-induced CNV tissues revealed the expression of VEGF and HIF-1alpha in the sites. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the possibility of the involvement of HIF-1alpha in the VEGF expression and the pathogenesis of CNV in the laser photocoagulation-induced CNV rat model.
Animals ; Argon ; Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Light Coagulation ; Membranes ; Models, Animal ; Models, Theoretical* ; Norway ; Rats ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

BACKGROUND: To refine facial transplantation techniques and achieve sound results, it is essential to develop a suitable animal model. Rat is a small animal and has many advantages over other animals that have been used as transplantation models. The purpose of this study was to describe a rat hemifacial transplantation model and to verify its convenience and reproducibility. METHODS: Animals used in this study were Lewis rats (recipients) and Lewis-Brown Norway rats (donors). Nine transplantations were performed, requiring 18 animals. The hemifacial flap that included the ipsilateral ear was harvested based on the unilateral common carotid artery and external jugular vein and was transferred as a single unit. Cyclosporine A therapy was initiated 24 hours after transplantation and lasted for 2 weeks. Signs of rejection responses were evaluated daily. RESULTS: The mean transplantation time was 1 hour 20 minutes. The anatomy of common carotid artery and external jugular vein was consistent, and the vessel size was appropriate for anastomosis. Six of nine allografts remained good viable without vascular problems at the conclusion of study (postoperative 2 weeks). CONCLUSION: The rat hemifacial transplantation model is suitable as a standard transplantation training model.
Allografts ; Animals ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cyclosporine ; Ear ; Facial Transplantation ; Jugular Veins ; Models, Animal ; Norway ; Rats* ; Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

BACKGROUND: To refine facial transplantation techniques and achieve sound results, it is essential to develop a suitable animal model. Rat is a small animal and has many advantages over other animals that have been used as transplantation models. The purpose of this study was to describe a rat hemifacial transplantation model and to verify its convenience and reproducibility. METHODS: Animals used in this study were Lewis rats (recipients) and Lewis-Brown Norway rats (donors). Nine transplantations were performed, requiring 18 animals. The hemifacial flap that included the ipsilateral ear was harvested based on the unilateral common carotid artery and external jugular vein and was transferred as a single unit. Cyclosporine A therapy was initiated 24 hours after transplantation and lasted for 2 weeks. Signs of rejection responses were evaluated daily. RESULTS: The mean transplantation time was 1 hour 20 minutes. The anatomy of common carotid artery and external jugular vein was consistent, and the vessel size was appropriate for anastomosis. Six of nine allografts remained good viable without vascular problems at the conclusion of study (postoperative 2 weeks). CONCLUSION: The rat hemifacial transplantation model is suitable as a standard transplantation training model.
Allografts ; Animals ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cyclosporine ; Ear ; Facial Transplantation ; Jugular Veins ; Models, Animal ; Norway ; Rats* ; Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

PURPOSE: Rat arthritis was induced by bovine type II collagen. To present the remedial effects on type II collagen arthritis and clinical efficacy, a high dose of methotrexate, of a level similar to that used in cancer patients was given to rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy male Brown Norway rats were used, of mean weight; 300 g. There were 7 subgroups: a control group, given collagen only, an orally methotrexate treated (2.5mg/week), high methotrexate dose groups; 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and a low dose methotrexate group (0.375 mg/kg/week, 4 times) were included in the present study. Type II collagen was injected for arthritis induction and a single intraperitoneal injection of methotrexate was administered after 15 days. Orally treated group was administered 4 times (2.5 mg/week). Histopathologic findings were evaluated. RESULTS: 50 mg/kg methotrexate was effectively reduced the arthritis index and significantly decreased inflammatory cell number between 2nd and 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: A high dose of methotrexate may be clinically effective in the short period treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Animals ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cell Count ; Collagen ; Collagen Type II* ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Male ; Methotrexate* ; Norway ; Rats*