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S Solberg

Publications and source records attributed to S Solberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intra- and interobserver variability in the measurements of abdominal aortic and common iliac artery diameter with computed tomography. The Tromsø study.

OBJECTIVES: to assess intra- and interobserver variability in the measurement of aortic and common iliac artery diameter by means of computed tomography (CT). DESIGN: reproducibility study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: three radiologists performed measurements of aortic diameter at five different levels and of both common iliac arteries with CT. Fifty-nine subjects were examined, 29 with and 30 without abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) as assessed by ultrasound. RESULTS: intraobserver variability varied between radiologists, measurement plane (anterior-posterior vs transverse) and measurement level. The interobserver variability was markedly higher at the bifurcation than at the suprarenal level and higher than intraobserver variability for measurements at all levels. Both intraobserver and interobserver variability increased with increasing vessel diameter and were largest in patients with AAA. The absolute intraobserver difference of the maximal infrarenal aortic diameter was 2mm or less in 94% of intraobserver pairs. The corresponding interobserver difference was 82%. CONCLUSIONS: interobserver variability of CT measurements of aortic and common iliac artery diameter is not negligible and should be taken into account when making clinical decisions. When assessing change in aortic diameter, previous CT-scans should be reviewed simultaneously as a routine to exclude interobserver variability.

Aged↗

Time series study of concentrations of SO4(2-) and H+ in precipitation and soil waters in Norway.

Along with a steady reduction of acid inputs during 14 years of intensive forest monitoring in Norway, the influence of acid deposition upon soil water acidity is gradually reduced in favour of other and internal sources of H+ and sulphate, in particular from processes in the upper soil layer. We used statistical analyses in two steps for precipitation, throughfall and soil water at 5, 15 and 40 cm depths. Firstly, we employed time series analyses to model the temporal variation as a long-term linear trend and a monthly variation, and by this filtered out residual, weekly variation. Secondly, we used the parameter estimates and the residuals from this to show that the long term, the monthly and the weekly variation in one layer were correlated to similar temporal variation in the above, adjacent layer. This was strongly evident for throughfall correlated to precipitation, but much weaker for soil water. Continued acidification in soil water on many plots suggests that the combined effects of anthropogenic and natural acid inputs exceed in places the buffering capacity of the soil.

Acid Rain↗

Prevalence of and risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysms in a population-based study : The Tromsø Study.

In a population-based study of 6,386 men and women aged 25--84 years in Tromsø, Norway, in 1994--1995, the authors assessed the age- and sex-specific distribution of the abdominal aortic diameter and the prevalence of and risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Renal and infrarenal aortic diameters were measured with ultrasound. The mean infrarenal aortic diameter increased with age. The increase was more pronounced in men than in women. The age-related increase in the median diameter was less than that in the mean diameter. An aneurysm was present in 263 (8.9%) men and 74 (2.2%) women (p < 0.001). The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm increased with age. No person aged less than 48 years was found with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Persons who had smoked for more than 40 years had an odds ratio of 8.0 for abdominal aortic aneurysm (95% confidence interval: 5.0, 12.6) compared with never smokers. Low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with an increased risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Other factors associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm were a high level of plasma fibrinogen and a low blood platelet count. Antihypertensive medication (ever use) was significantly associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm, but high systolic blood pressure was a risk factor in women only. This study indicates that risk factors for atherosclerosis are also associated with increased risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Adult↗

[Curriculum vitae aortae].

The Greek word aorta means lifter. The vessel was so termed because Aristotle, who first described it, assumed that the heart was lifted by/hanging in aorta. Leonardo da Vinci described the detailed anatomy of aorta. During the 17th century our present understanding of the aorta and the circulation of blood took form due to the descriptions given by William Harvey. The first known operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed in London in 1817 by Sir Astley Cooper who ligated the infrarenal aorta above the aneurysm. Puncture with needles and application of electricity were later tried in order to induce thromboses in the aneurysm. In 1948 Albert Einstein was operated with wrapping of his abdominal aneurysm with cellophane. In 1955 he suffered rupture and died after having refused operation. In 1951 the first successful operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed in Paris by Charles Dubost. With slight modifications, the same operative technique is used today.

Aorta↗

Intra- and interobserver variability in ultrasound measurements of abdominal aortic diameter. The Tromsø Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the variability of ultrasonographic measurements at different levels of the abdominal aorta. DESIGN: Reproducibility study as part of a population health screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 1994/1995 a total of 6892 subjects underwent ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta. Variability of measurements was assessed in the beginning and end of the survey period by inviting 112 randomly selected participants to a second ultrasound scan within 3 weeks of the first scan. The subjects were examined by an experienced radiologist and three sonographers who had been given a short course in ultrasonography. All examiners were blinded to each other's results. RESULTS: Variability was similar in the beginning and end of the survey period. Both the intra- and interobserver variability were less than 4 mm for all sonographers in measurements of maximal infrarenal aortic diameter, and variability was similar for measurements in the anterior-posterior and transverse plane. Variability was greater for measurements at the renal level than aortic bifurcation level. The radiologist had lower variability than the other sonographers. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound measurements of the maximal diameter can be obtained with a high degree of accuracy. Inexperienced sonographers may achieve acceptable performance given appropriate training and surveillance.

Aged↗

Beyond empathy: expanding expressions of caring.

In this paper, a model describing nurses' responses to patients who are suffering is presented. The nurse's level of engagement with the patient is affected by whether the caregiver is focused on him-/herself or on the sufferer (i.e. embodied with the patient) and whether the caregiver is responding reflexively or with a learned response. Four types of communication patterns are identified: engaged responses (first-level) are used in a connected relationship; when the nurse responses reflexively and is focused on him-/herself, the response is reflected; when the caregiver is patient-focused, a learned response is labelled a professional response; and a self-focused, learned response is labelled detached. Examples of each type of response are provided.

Communication↗

A new protective solution for hypothermic storage of free vein grafts in cardiovascular surgery.

In order to reduce the operative injury of the endothelium in free reversed vein grafts, cultured human endothelial cells were used to test the optimal concentration of the constituents of a flushing solution for improved protection of the endothelium. The following solution proved to be the most suitable when tested at 20 degrees C; mannitol 160 mmol l-1, glucose 15 mmol l-1, NaCl 30 mmol l-1, KHCO3 5 mmol l-1, K2SO4 10 mmol l-1, KH2PO4 4 mmol l-1, MgSO4 20 mmol l-1, CaCl2 1.5 mmol l-1, potassium citrate 1.0 mmol l-1, Pluronic F-68 20 mg l-1, HEPES 4 mmol l-1, HEPES-Na 6 mmol l-1, pH 7.25, osmolality 325 mosmol kg-1 H2O. When endothelial cell injury was measured by a 51Cr-release assay, the new solution protected human endothelial cells in culture during hypothermic incubation better than isotonic NaCl, St Thomas' cardioplegic solution or Krebs-Henseleit's buffer. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed that the endothelium of human saphenous vein grafts was well preserved following 6 h of incubation at 20 degrees C with the new solution. As determined by morphometry using scanning electron microscopy, the endothelium of free porcine vein grafts was better preserved after incubation for 2 h at 20 degrees C with the new solution than with either isotonic NaCl (p = 0.02) or diluted, heparinized blood (p = 0.02) as the incubation medium, all cases observed following 2 h of subsequent arterial flow. The present study indicates that the endothelium of free vein grafts can be well protected against hypothermia when the flushing and irrigation fluid has a composition favouring endothelial protection. It appears likely that such treatment of vein grafts will reduce the frequency of vein graft narrowing and occlusion, post-operatively.

Animals↗

Comparative analysis of conceptualizations and theories of caring.

We delineated and compared various definitions of caring according to the five major conceptualizations of caring: caring as a human trait; caring as a moral imperative; caring as an affect; caring as an interpersonal interaction; and caring as an intervention. The implications of these diverse conceptualizations of caring for nursing practice are identified, and the commonalities, strengths and weaknesses discussed. It is concluded that caring is relatively undeveloped as a concept, has not been clearly explicated and often lacks relevance for nursing practice.

Affect↗

Lack of ability to synthesize tissue factor by endothelial cells in intact human saphenous veins.

It is well established that cultured endothelial cells are induced to generate tissue factor activity when incubated with either endotoxin or thrombin. In this study a perfusion system was used on 3-4 cm long human saphenous veins. The veins were perfused with thrombin (2.5 U/ml), endotoxin (30 ng/ml) or just medium for 3 h at 37 degrees C. After the perfusion, the veins were treated with collagenase, and EC were collected and subjected to tissue factor activity measurements. Some perfused veins were examined for tissue factor activity on the vessel wall by allowing factor VII and factor X to interact with the lumen of the intact vessels, followed by quantitation of generated factor Xa in a chromogenic assay. No formation of tissue factor activity could be found after perfusion in either collagenase-dissolved endothelial cells or in the coupled chromogenic assay for tissue factor activity performed in the lumen of the vessel. Our data strongly suggest that endothelial cells in intact endothelium may behave quite differently from isolated endothelial cells stimulated in cell cultures.

Adult↗

Effect of cooling on the intracellular concentrations of Na+, K+ and Cl- in cultured human endothelial cells.

Cooling is accepted as a practical way of lowering cell metabolism in vein grafts during coronary by-pass surgery. We have previously shown that low temperature causes endothelial cells to become detached, both in in vitro and in vein graft. In this study we have looked at the effect of cold on the concentrations of intra- and extracellular electrolytes. Human endothelial cells were grown on titanium grids for electron microscopy. The cells were incubated for 30 min at 37 degrees, 20 degrees, and 4 degrees C with cell culture medium containing human serum, and at 20 degrees and 4 degrees C with heparinized sodium acetate solution with serum, frequently used for flushing and distending vein grafts. Freeze-dried cells were then subjected to elemental X-ray microanalysis. The ambient fluid was analysed by flame photometry. At 20 degrees and 4 degrees C, intracellular concentration of sodium increased, and potassium decreased, compared with controls (37 degrees C). The changes in sodium concentrations were aggravated when cell culture medium was replaced by heparinized sodium acetate. The intracellular chloride concentration did not change when cells were stored in cold cell culture medium. The extracellular concentration of potassium increased with increasing incubation time at 4 degrees C. The connection between these findings and cell detachment is discussed.

Chlorides↗

Cardiac ruptures in northern Norway. A retrospective study of 104 cases.

In 4,649 autopsies performed, in 1972-1985, 824 cases of acute myocardial infarction were found. Of these, 104 (12.6%) had cardiac rupture. Ten cases had rupture of the interventricular septum. The clinical and pathological records were reviewed, and the rupture group was compared with a control group of 100 patients who died from acute myocardial infarction without rupture. Of the patients with rupture, 85% died during the first week after the onset of myocardial infarction; three patients with rupture died suddenly without previous clinical evidence of myocardial infarction. Rupture occurred only in hearts with transmural infarcts, and predominantly in the anteroseptal wall. Patients with rupture had significantly higher blood pressure, fewer previous infarcts, higher frequency of coronary thrombi, less myocardial scar tissue and lower heart weight compared to the control group. There were no significant differences regarding age and sex distribution, physical effort at the symptom debut or death, medication, previous and present diseases other than infarcts, complications or the degree of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries or aorta.

Aged↗

Dysplasia in colorectal adenomas related to the presence of O-acylated sialic mucin and to morphometric measurements.

In a study of 41 surgically removed colorectal adenomas of unselected size, the dysplasia was graded as mild in 9, as moderate in 22, and severe in 10 cases. Twenty-four of the lesions were classified as tubular adenomas and 17 as tubulo-villous. The presence of O-acylated sialic mucin was for each of the adenomas assessed as normal (19 cases), intermediate (13 cases) or absent (9 cases). The absence of O-acylated mucin was in the present study found to be highly predictive for severe dysplasia (89%). The morphometric measurements of epithelial structures showed that nuclear shape factor and nuclear stratification index were most significantly related to the grades of dysplasia. In a multivariate analysis, the grading of O-cylated sialic mucin most significantly contributed to the grade of dysplasia, and to a lesser degree, nuclear shape factor and nuclear stratification index. The presence of villous elements and the size of the adenomas had no independent influence on the grade of dysplasia in this statistical analysis.

Adenoma↗