Freezing cold injuries among soldiers in the Norwegian Armed Forces – A cross sectional study

Introduction: Freezing cold injuries (FCI) are a common risk in extreme cold weather warfare operations. The Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) have the expertise and capabilities in education and training for warfighting capabilities in the Arctic. Nevertheless, a substantial number of Norwegian soldiers sustain freezing cold injuries annually. The aim of this study was to describe the FCI in the NAF, the associated risk factors and clinical associations. Methodology: The subjects for the study were soldiers registered with FCI in the Norwegian Armed Forces Health Registry (NAFHR) between January 1st 2004–July1st 2021. The soldiers answered a questionnaire regarding background, activities at the time of injury, description of the FCI, risk factors, medical treatment and any sequelae from their FCI. Results: FCI in the NAF were most frequently reported among young conscripts (mean20.5 years). Hands and feet are most often injured (90.9%). Only a minority (10.4%) received medical treatment. The majority (72.2%) report sequelae. Extreme weather conditions was the most important risk factor (62.5%). Conclusions: Most soldiers had the knowledge to avoid FCI, but they were injured anyway. It is concerning that only one in 10 injured soldiers received medical treatment after diagnosed with FCI, increasing the risk of FCI sequelae

Sonication is superior to scraping for retrieval of bacteria in biofilm on titanium and steel surfaces in vitro

Background and purpose Low-virulence implant infections are characterized by bacterial colonization of the implant with subsequent biofilm formation. In these cases, soft tissue biopsies often prove to be culture negative. Consequently, detachment of the causative adherent bacteria is crucial for correct microbiological diagnosis. Using an in vitro model, we compared 4 methods of biofilm sampling from metal surfaces

Valg av innkrevingsløsning for bompengeprosjekter

Denne rapporten beskriver resultatene fra delprosjektet Valg av innkrevingsløsning for bompengeprosjekt som er en del av prosjektet Samfunnsøkonomiske effekter av bompengefinansiering. De som har deltatt i arbeidet med denne rapporten er: Morten Welde og Per Einar Pedersli fra Teknologiavdelingen i Vegdirektoratet, Kristian Wærsted fra Veg- og trafikkavdelingen i Vegdirektoratet, Geir Kjønigsen fra region øst, John Kristian Stormyr fra region sør, Helge Oddvin Sandvik fra region vest og Knut Erik Bjerkan fra region midt. I tillegg har Trine Jacobsen og Robert Fjelltun Bøe fra Veg- og trafikkavdelingen i Vegdirektoratet bidratt med innspill og kommentarer. Rapporten beskriver ulike problemstillinger ved valg av innkrevingsløsning for bompengeprosjekt samt hva slags løsning Vegdirektoratet anbefaler for ulike situasjoner. Anbefalingene har ikke status som retningslinjer, men av hensyn til forutsigbarhet for trafikantene og til kostnadseffektivitet anbefaler vi at det ikke velges løsninger som avviker vesentlig fra de som er beskrevet i denne rapporten

Highly variable effect of sonication to dislodge biofilm-embedded Staphylococcus epidermidis directly quantified by epifluorescence microscopy: an in vitro model study

Background In cases of prosthetic joint infections, culture of sonication fluid can supplement culture of harvested tissue samples for correct microbial diagnosis. However, discrepant results regarding the increased sensitivity of sonication have been reported in several studies. To what degree bacteria embedded in biofilm are dislodged during the sonication process has to our knowledge not been fully elucidated. In the present in vitro study, we have evaluated the effect of sonication as a method to dislodge biofilm by quantitative microscopy. Methods We used a standard biofilm method to cover small steel plates with biofilm forming Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984 and carried out the sonication procedure according to clinical practice. By comparing area covered with biofilm before and after sonication with epifluorescence microscopy, the effect of sonication on biofilm removal was quantified. Two series of experiments were made, one with 24-h biofilm formation and another with 72-h biofilm formation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm whether bacteria were present after sonication. In addition, quantitative bacteriology of sonication fluid was performed. Results Epifluorescence microscopy enabled visualization of biofilm before and after sonication. CLSM and SEM confirmed coccoid cells on the surface after sonication. Biofilm was dislodged in a highly variable manner. Conclusion There is an unexpected high variation seen in the ability of sonication to dislodge biofilm-embedded S. epidermidis in this in vitro model