The surgical microscope and its use in neurological surgery

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenThis is a short history of glasses, telescopes and microscopes and how the surgical microscope developed from these optical instruments and became one of the most necessary and most widely used surgical instruments in the world for the past 30 years. It has been of great importance to modern surgery, especially ear, nose and throat surgery, eye surgery and last but not least neurological surgery. The role of the surgical microscope in Iceland, and especially in neurological surgery, is discussed.Hér fer á eftir stutt ágrip af sögu sjónglerja, sjónauka og smásjáa og lýst hvernig skurðsmásjáin (aðgerðarsmásjáin) þróaðist út frá þeim. Greint verður frá upphafi smásjáraðgerða en þær hafa á síðustu árum náð mikilli útbreiðslu um víða veröld. Fjallað verður um notkun skurðsmásjáa hér á landi en þó sérstaklega á heila- og taugaskurðdeild Landspítala Fossvogi (áður SHR/BSP)

Occupational accidents in Icelandic farmers. Risk factor analysis using questionnaire

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn Skoða/Opna(view/open)BACKGROUND: There is limited information on occupational injuries among Icelandic farmers. It has been suggested that they are common. This is thought to be in part because of the unique work environment of farmers. The aims of the study were to study occupational accidents among farmers and their effects on absence from work, doctor visits and well-being. METHODS: A cross sectional study of all animal farmers in Iceland operating running a farm of more than 100 animal (sheep) units. A total of 2042 farmers were sent a detailed questionnaire concerning general health symptoms, occupational injuries and doctor visits (response rate 54%). RESULTS: Occupational accidents were common among middle aged and older farmers and lead often to prolonged absence from work. Livestock was most common cause of the accidents, while the association with using alcohol while working was clear. Those involved in occupational accidents more commonly visited a doctor for musculoskeletal symptoms and pain. They also estimated physical and mental well-being worse and had more psychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational accidents were common among farmers and lead to prolonged absence from work. They lead to more doctor visits and and worse wellbeing. These results can be used to reinforce health care and preventive measures against occupational accidents among farmers.Inngangur: Lítið er vitað um vinnuslys bænda á Íslandi. Oft er því haldið fram að vinnuslys séu algeng hjá þessum starfshópi. Sérstakt starfsumhverfi bænda er talið eiga þátt í því. Tilgangur rannsóknarinnar var að kanna vinnuslys meðal bænda og hvaða áhrif þau hefðu á líðan, fjarvistir frá vinnu og læknisheimsóknir. Efniviður og aðferðir: Þverskurðarrannsókn af öllum bændum á Íslandi með bú stærra en 100 ærgildi. Alls var 2042 bændum sendur ítarlegur spurningalisti um almenn heilsufarseinkenni, vinnuslys og læknisheimsóknir (svarhlutfall 54%). Niðurstöður: Vinnuslys voru algeng hjá miðaldra og eldri bændum og leiddu þau oft til langra fjarvista. Búpeningur var áberandi orsök slysanna, en tengsl við áfengisnotkun í tengslum við vinnu voru einnig skýr. Þeir sem höfðu orðið fyrir vinnuslysum leituðu oftar læknis vegna stoðkerfiseinkenna og verkja. Þeir mátu einnig líkamlega og andlega líðan verri og höfðu meiri geðræn einkenni. Ályktun: Vinnuslys voru algeng hjá bændum og leiddu til langra vinnufjarvista. Þau leiddu til fleiri læknisheimsókna og líðan var verri. Þessar niðurstöður má nota til að efla heilsugæslu og forvarnir gegn slysum. Bændur þurfa að endurskoða áhættumat sitt með tilliti til slysa

Mental health and wellbeing in Icelandic farmers

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn Skoða/Opna(view/open)OBJECTIVE: Some studies have suggest increased prevalence of mental health problems in farmers while others suggest, they are less common. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mental health problems in Icelandic animal farmers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of all animal farmers in Iceland (response rate 54%, 1021) with an age matched comparison group (response rate 46%, 637). Psychiatric health was evaluated with General Health Questionnaire-12 and CAGE. Work conditions were studied with eight questions from the General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work. RESULTS: Farmers were less commonly alcohol consumers. The prevalence of mental health problems among farmers was 17 % while it was 22 % among non-farmers. According to CAGE 16% of male nonfarmers versus 11 % of farmers (p<0,032) had alcohol problems. There was no difference for females. Male farmers less commonly sought medical attention than non-farmers for anxiety, alcoholism and drug abuse. Farmers more often felt that their work was challenging in a positive way and also that work tasks were too complicated. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health disturbances were less common in animal farmers. Educating farmers on work related issues might be important in improving the farming environment.Tilgangur: Rannsóknir sem lúta að heilsufari bænda hafa verið misvísandi hvað varðar andlega vanheilsu og algengi geðsjúkdóma. Markmið með þessari rannsókn var að meta geðheilsu og líðan íslenskra bænda borið saman við úrtak þjóðarinnar. Efniviður og aðferðir: Rannsóknin er þversniðsrannsókn á öllum fjár- og kúabændum á Íslandi (svarhlutfall 54%, N =1021) borið saman úrtak úr almennu þýði (svarhlutfall 46%, 637). Geðheilsa var metin með General Health Questionnaire-12 og CAGE-spurningalistunum. Vinnuumhverfi var metið með spurningum úr „General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work“. Niðurstöður: Bændur notuðu síður áfengi en almenningur. Algengi geðsjúkdóma meðal bænda samkvæmt GHQ-12 var 17% en meðal almennings 22%. Samkvæmt CAGE áttu 16% karla borið saman við 11% karlbænda (p< 0,032) við áfengisvanda að etja. Karlkyns bændur sóttu síður hjálp en kynbræður þeirra vegna kvíða, og áfengis- og vímuefnanotkunar. Bændur töldu verkefni sín oftar skemmtilega krefjandi en almenningur en samtímis töldu þeir verkefni sín oftar of erfið fyrir sig. Ályktun: Bændur hafa minni merki um andlega vanheilsu en úrtak fólks úr samfélaginu. Þeir leita síður hjálpar vegna geðheilsu sinnar. Vinnuumhverfi bænda er erfitt og krefjandi og virðist því brýnt að auka þekkingu á því hvernig bæta megi vinnuumhverfi þeirra

General health in Icelandic farmers

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenBACKGROUND: There is a limited information on the general health of Icelandic farmers. It has been suggested that it might be worse than among other professions. This is thought to be in part because of the unique work environment of farmers.The aims of the study were to compare the general health of animal farmers with a group of non-farmers, and test the hypothesis that animal farmers overall have a better general health than non-farmers. METHODS: A cross sectional study of all animal farmers in Iceland operating running a farm of more than 100 animal (sheep) units compared with a group of non-farmers. A total of 2042 farmers were sent a detailed questionnaire concerning general health symptoms and doctor visits (response rate 54%). The comparison group consisted of 1500 randomly chosen non-farming individuals (response rate 46%). RESULTS: Farmers comprised more males, were older and smoked less than non-farmers. When general health symptoms for the last 12 months were compared between farmers and non-farmers, minor differences were noted. Farmers less commonly had restless legs, fatigue, diarrhea, allergy and hearing loss. There were no differences in doctor visits for many chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension despite the age difference between the groups. Repeated absence from work was less common among farmers and they had shorter sick leaves than comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: Minor differences were noted in general symptoms and doctor visits between farmers and non-farmers despite the fact that farmers were older. Absence from work for illness is less common among farmers. This study suggest that farmers general health is not worse than that of others.Inngangur: Lítið er vitað um almennt heilsufar bænda á Íslandi. Oft er því haldið fram að það sé verra en meðal annarra starfshópa. Sérstakt starfsumhverfi bænda er talið eiga þátt í því. Tilgangur rannsóknarinnar var að bera almenna heilsu íslenskra bænda við samanburðarhóp og prófa þá tilgátu að almennt heilsufar bænda sé lakara en annarra. Efniviður og aðferðir: Þverskurðarrannsókn af öllum bændum á Íslandi með bú stærra en 100 ærgildi sem bornir voru saman við hóp fólks sem ekki eru bændur. Alls var 2042 bændum sendur ítarlegur spurningalisti um almenn heilsufarseinkenni og læknisheimsóknir (svarhlutfall 54%). Í samanburðarhópi voru 1500 manns sem ekki voru bændur, valdir með slembiúrtaki (svarhlutfall 46%). Niðurstöður: Bændur voru eldri og reyktu minna en samanburðarhópur. Þegar heilsufarseinkenni síðustu 12 mánaða voru borin saman kom lítill munur fram. Bændur höfðu sjaldnar fótaóeirð, þreytu, niðurgang, ofnæmi og heyrnartap. Það var enginn munur á læknisheimsóknum vegna margra langvinnra sjúkdóma eins og sykursýki og háþrýstings þrátt fyrir aldursmun hópanna. Bændur voru sjaldnar fjarverandi vegna veikinda og veikindaleyfi þeirra var styttra en samanburðarhóps. Ályktun: Lítill munur var á almennum heilsufarseinkennum og læknisheimsóknum vegna algengra sjúkdóma þegar bændur voru bornir saman við hóp af fólki sem ekki var í bústörfum þrátt fyrir að bændur væru eldri. Rannsóknin bendir til þess að heilsufar bænda sé ekki lakara en annarra

House dust mites at Icelandic farms

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenBACKGROUND: Sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus) occurs in 9% of the Reykjavik population, despite the fact that no Der p 1 antigen has been found in the area. A recent study revealed that sensitized persons more often had a childhood history of work or holiday stay in rural areas than controls. As a follow up we studied the risk of exposure to mites in farmland dwellings. METHODS: In a survey of work-related lung disorders among farmers in the south and west of Iceland, 80 samples of house dust, representing 42 farms, were collected from bedroom mattresses and the floors in living rooms and examined for mites. Treatment of samples was identical with the method used earlier in the Reykjavik investigation (ECRHS II). RESULTS: In contrast to the Reykjavik results, dust from farm dwellings showed a large diversity of mites. Seventeen taxons were found, with Acarus siro and D. pteronyssinus in 13 and 8 farms respectively, but the samples did not show signs that any of the taxons actually had lived or reproduced where they were collected. CONCLUSION: The finding of D. pteronyssinus in farmland dwellings provides a possible explanation of why some Reykjavik citizens might have developed sensitization to this mite, even though cross sensitization to other species of mites could give a false positive reaction to D. pteronyssinus in at least some of those cases. Our observations did not support the idea that the mites were living in the dwellings and an explanation for their occurrence must be sought in the outdoor environment.Bakgrunnur: Næming fyrir Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus) finnst hjá 9% Reykvíkinga þrátt fyrir að engir Der p 1 mótefnavakar hafi fundist á Reykjavíkursvæðinu. Nýleg rannsókn sýndi að næmir einstaklingar höfðu unnið eða dvalið í sveit á barnsaldri oftar en samanburðarhópur. Til að fylgja þessu eftir könnuðum við líkur á útsetningu fyrir maurum á bóndabæjum. Efniviður og aðferðir: Sem hluti af rannsókn á heilsufari bænda var safnað 80 sýnum af ryki á 42 bóndabýlum á Suður- og Vesturlandi. Sýnum var safnað af dýnum í svefnherbergjum og af stofugólfi og leitað að maurum. Sýni voru meðhöndluð með sambærilegum aðferðum og notaðar voru í rannsókninni Lungu og heilsa sem framkvæmd var í Reykjavík. Niðurstöður: Öfugt við niðurstöður frá Reykjavík fundust í ryki af bóndabæjum 17 tegundir af maurum. Þar af fannst Acarus siro á 13 bæjum og D. pteronyssinus á átta bæjum. Það sáust þó ekki merki um að nein tegund hefði átt bólfestu eða fjölgað sér þar sem sýnunum var safnað. Ályktanir: Fundur D. pteronyssinus á bóndabæjum er hugsanleg skýring á því hvers vegna margir íbúar Reykjavíkur hafa þróað ofnæmi gegn þessum maur. Krossnæmi við aðrar maurategundir getur einnig verið orsökin í sumum tilfellum. Rannsóknir okkar styðja ekki þá hugmynd að maurarnir eigi sér bólfestu á bóndabæjum heldur hlýtur skýringa á fundi þeirra að vera að leita í umhverfi bóndabæjanna

Diagnosing occupational diseases. Examples from shellfish industry

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenIt is very important to report suspected occupational diseases in Iceland to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health, so they can be diagnosed, investigated in details and improvements made. This article describes the illness of clam workers at Thornórshöfn, a small village in the northern part of Iceland. It lead to a detailed investigation and the diagnosis of clamworkers hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Many specialists participated in the study that lead to improvement in the factory that has benefitted the workers.Mikilvægt er að tilkynna um atvinnusjúkdóma til Vinnueftirlits ríkisins því þá er hægt að greina þá, rannsaka ítarlega og gera tillögur til úrbóta. Hér er lýst veikindum starfsmanna í kúskelvinnslu á Þórshöfn sem leiddu til mjög yfirgripsmikillar rannsóknar og til greiningar kúfisksóttar sem er tegund ofsanæmislungnabólgu. Margir aðilar tóku þátt rannsókninni sem leiddi til endurbóta á verksmiðjunni sem hafa komið starfsfólki til góða

Marine Microbial Communities of North and South Shelves of Iceland

The work is part of the Microbes in the Icelandic Marine Environment (MIME) project which was funded by the Grant of Excellence (No. 163266-051) of the Icelandic Research Fund (Rannís). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.The North Atlantic Ocean surrounds Iceland, influencing its climate and hosting a rich ecosystem that provides the Icelandic nation with economically valuable marine species. The basis of the Icelandic marine ecosystem consists of communities of diverse microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes. While the primary production of Icelandic waters has been monitored since the 50s, there is limited knowledge of the taxonomic and metabolic diversity of the marine microorganisms in Icelandic waters based on molecular techniques. In this study, we conducted annual sampling at four hydrographic stations over several years to characterize marine microbial communities and their metabolic potential. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing and metagenomics, we resolved the microbial community composition on the North and South Shelves of Iceland, analyzed its evolution from 2011 to 2018, identified frequently occurring taxa, and predicted their potential metabolism. The results showed correlations between the marine microbial community profiles and the water masses in spring, between the North and South Shelves of Iceland. The differences in marine microbial diversity appear to be linked to the average seawater temperature in the mixed surface layer at each sampling station which also constrains the relative abundance of photosynthetic microorganisms. This study set a baseline for the marine microbial diversity in Icelandic marine waters and identified three photosynthetic microorganisms – the cyanobacteria Synechococcus and two members of the Chlorophyta clade – as valuable indicator species for future monitoring, as well as for application in ecosystem modeling in context with research on climate change.Peer reviewe

Average seasonal changes in chlorophyll a in Icelandic waters

The standard algorithms used to derive sea surface chlorophyll a concentration from remotely sensed ocean colour data are based almost entirely on the measurements of surface water samples collected in open sea (case 1) waters which cover ~60% of the worlds oceans, where strong correlations between reflectance and chlorophyll concentration have been found. However, satellite chlorophyll data for waters outside the defined case 1 areas, but derived using standard calibrations, are frequently used without reference to local in situ measurements and despite well-known factors likely to lead to inaccuracy. In Icelandic waters, multiannual averages of 8-d composites of SeaWiFS chlorophyll concentration accounted for just 20% of the variance in a multiannual dataset of in situ chlorophyll a measurements. Nevertheless, applying penalized regression spline methodology to model the spatial and temporal patterns of in situ measurements, using satellite chlorophyll as one of the predictor variables, improved the correlation considerably. Day number, representing seasonal variation, accounted for substantial deviation between SeaWiFS and in situ estimates of surface chlorophyll. The final model, using bottom depth and bearing to the sampling location as well as the two variables mentioned above, explained 49% of the variance in the fitting dataset

Intracranial bleeding and cerebral contusion. Admissions to tbe ICU, City Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland, 1973-1980

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn Skoða/Opna(view/open)Of 425 patients admitted to the ICU during these 8 years there were 209 patients with severe concussion and 216 with intracranial bleeding and cerebral contusion. A further study was done on this last group of patients. Men were more numerous than women and this difference is greater than on a general ward. The percentage of children is also less in the ICU than on a general ward. It seems like young men are most prone to have serious head injuries. The most common injury in adults was a localized contusion and/or laceration. In children this lesion as well as diffuse cerebral injury were equally common. The two most common causes of accidents were falls and traffic accidents. This applies to acute subdural hematoma and localized cerebral contusion and/or laceration. The most common cause of epidural hematoma, subacute and chronic subdural hematoma was a fall. The most common cause of diffuse brain injury were traffic accidents. Other causes are rather uncommon and it is especially interesting that assaults and gunshot injuries are very unusual as causes of serious head injuries. Even the gunshot injuries were almost always a suicidal attempt. Traffic accidents are the most common cause of serious head injuries in children and the only cause of consequent serious disability or death in children. Condition of the patients on admission, examination and studies, treatment and results are discussed. Six types of intracranial bleeding and cerebral contusion are considered and discussed in details.Á árunum 1973-1980 voru 1435 sjúklingar lagðir inn á Borgarspítalann vegna höfuðáverka og hefir verið fjallað um þennan hóp frá ýmsum sjónarhornum áður (1-4). Fjögur hundruð tuttugu og fimm þeirra voru vistaðir á gjörgæsludeild. Við gerð þessarar greinar var þessum sjúklingum skipt í tvo hópa: a) þá sem höfðu fengið slæman heilahristing og b) þá sem hlotið höfðu alvarlega höfuðáverka, heilamar eða blæðingu

Bakþankar : um brjósklos í baki og sögu þess

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenNú til dags þegar allskonar bakveiki telst orðin til algengustu kvilla er ekki að furða þótt spurt sé hvernig því hafi verið háttað hér áður fyrr. Sérstaklega á þetta við um brjósklos í baki og settaugarbólgu (ischias). Hversu þekktur var þessi sjúkdómur, hvað héldu menn um hann og hvernig var meðferð háttað? Fróðleiksfúsum lesendum til gamans verður hér á eftir rakin saga þessa sjúkdóms og stuðst þar við efni úr ýmsum áttum eins og kemur fram í heimildum