Northern Part Of Norway Research Articles

Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Grilse Proportion of Atlantic Salmon in Norwegian Rivers

AbstractVariation in the sea age at maturity of Atlantic salmonSalmo salarwas studied in 158 Norwegian rivers over large spatial (58–71°N; 5–30°E) and temporal (1983–2000) scales. Age at sexual maturity was expressed as the proportion of grilse (fish with one sea winter) in the nominal salmon catch. No general temporal trend was found in the proportion of grilse in the catches. However, grilse proportion declined significantly in 10 rivers and increased significantly in 11 rivers out of the 55 rivers with data for all 18 years. There were no short‐term cycles in grilse proportion within rivers. We found coherence and similarity in the temporal variation in grilse proportion for rivers draining into large fjord systems. Reasons for the temporal variation in grilse proportions must be sought at a river‐specific or regional scale. River‐specific factors (water discharge, river steepness, and presence of lakes) explained a large percentage of the spatial variation in grilse proportion. Grilse proportion increased with decreasing river size (measured as mean annual water discharge) and with increasing proportion of water discharge occurring during summer (i.e., the migration season). Grilse proportion was higher in rivers located nearer to the open ocean, probably indicating an effect of early feeding on growth and maturation. Even after accounting for environmental variation at the local scale, we found large regional differences in grilse proportion. Region captured this variation more efficiently than latitude, but grilse proportion was higher in the northern part of Norway than in the more southerly part. This variability may indicate large‐scale differences in, for example, oceanic migration routes for fish originating from different regions.

Arctic Rabies – A Review

Rabies seems to persist throughout most arctic regions, and the northern parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland, is the only part of the Arctic where rabies has not been diagnosed in recent time. The arctic fox is the main host, and the same arctic virus variant seems to infect the arctic fox throughout the range of this species. The epidemiology of rabies seems to have certain common characteristics in arctic regions, but main questions such as the maintenance and spread of the disease remains largely unknown. The virus has spread and initiated new epidemics also in other species such as the red fox and the racoon dog. Large land areas and cold climate complicate the control of the disease, but experimental oral vaccination of arctic foxes has been successful. This article summarises the current knowledge and the typical characteristics of arctic rabies including its distribution and epidemiology.

Significance of morphometric, DNA cytometric features, and other prognostic markers on survival of endometrial cancer patients in northern Norway.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of nuclear morphometric features and DNA ploidy by flow cytometry next to depth of myometrial invasion and vascular invasion in endometrial cancer of all FIGO stages. A total of 123 women (103 FIGO stage I, eight stage II, and 12 stage III and IV) from northern Norway were studied. The follow-up period was between 7 and 19 years. The median age of patients was 62 years. The primary surgery was performed in the University Hospital of Tromso or in the seven different reference hospitals in the northern part of Norway after an endometrial cancer diagnosis. The histologic, morphometric,flow cytometric and immunohistochemical investigations were based on archival paraffin-embedded material. The information regarding the follow-up data and clinical information were obtained from the medical records. Thirteen (10.6%) patients from the entire group (all stages) but only three (2.7%) of the FIGO stage I and II patients died from locally recurrent or metastatic disease. FIGO substage (P = 0.0006; odds ratio [OR] =16.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.36-80.45), vascular invasion (P =0.01, OR = 6.42, CI = 1.57-26.34) and nuclear size (P = 0.025, OR = 1.3,CI = 1.05-1.61) were independently correlated with recurrence in a multivariate analysis but histologic grade and DNA ploidy were not. Vascular invasion was poorly reproducible both between and within the same observer, however. In this retrospective study of all stages of endometrial carcinoma with long follow-up periods the primary tumor characteristics nuclear perimeter and FIGO stage were of prognostic significance in addition to the poorly reproducible vessel invasion.

Significance of morphometric, DNA cytometric features, and other prognostic markers on survival of endometrial cancer patients in northern Norway

Abstract.Ørbo A, Rydningen M, Straume B, Lysne S. Significance of morphometric, DNA cytometric features, and other prognostic markers on survival of endometrial cancer patients in northern Norway.The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of nuclear morphometric features and DNA ploidy by flow cytometry next to depth of myometrial invasion and vascular invasion in endometrial cancer of all FIGO stages.A total of 123 women (103 FIGO stage I, eight stage II, and 12 stage III and IV) from northern Norway were studied. The follow-up period was between 7 and 19 years. The median age of patients was 62 years. The primary surgery was performed in the University Hospital of Tromsø or in the seven different reference hospitals in the northern part of Norway after an endometrial cancer diagnosis. The histologic, morphometric, flowcytometric and immunohistochemical investigations were based on archival paraffin-embedded material. The information regarding the follow-up data and clinical information were obtained from the medical records.Thirteen (10.6%) patients from the entire group (all stages) but only three (2.7%) of the FIGO stage I and II patients died from locally recurrent or metastatic disease. FIGO substage (P = 0.0006; odds ratio [OR] = 16.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.36–80.45), vascular invasion (P = 0.01, OR = 6.42, CI = 1.57–26.34) and nuclear size (P = 0.025, 0 R = 1.3, CI = 1.05–1.61) were independently correlated with recurrence in a multivariate analysis but histologic grade and DNA ploidy were not. Vascular invasion was poorly reproducible both between and within the same observer, however.In this retrospective study of all stages of endometrial carcinoma with long follow-up periods the primary tumor characteristics nuclear perimeter and FIGO stage were of prognostic significance in addition to the poorly reproducible vessel invasion.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma in Norway: variation by region of residence before and after the age 17.

The aim of this study was to examine indirectly the importance of sun exposure during childhood and adolescence for the development of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) by using a migration approach. A nested case-control study was carried out based on all inhabitants living in Norway at any time between 1960 and 1980. The cases were all diagnosed between 1960 and 1992 (n = 13,934) and 10 controls were added for each case (n = 130,507). Analyses were conducted on residence history in the southeast, mid-west and northern part of Norway, before and after age 17, also including working condition and educational level. Birthplace in southeast was found to be twice as hazardous for the risk of CMM compared with birthplace in the north. The region of residence before as well as after age 17 was shown to influence the risk of CMM; the risk pattern in migrants tended to change direction toward the risk in the region to which they move. Associations was found between indoor working condition and CMM, and between high level of education and CMM, which support the hypothesis that pattern of sun exposure in adulthood affects the risk of CMM. The results indicate sun exposure at any age to be of importance for the lifetime risk of CMM.

A longitudinal study on subjective and objective orthodontic treatment need.

The purpose of the study was to analyse changes in professionally-defined need and self-perceived need between the ages of 12-20 years. In 1985, occlusion and perceived need for treatment were recorded in 306 12-year-olds (born 1973) living in five communes in Finnmark, the most northern part of Norway. In 1993-94, 271 of the individuals were traced through the Norwegian Central Person Register and invited in letters to attend a clinical examination and an interview. A total of 80 individuals responded, with a mean age of 20.7 years. Professionally-defined need was assessed according to the Need for Orthodontic Treatment Index (NOTI) which is used by the Norwegian Health Insurance System for reimbursement of treatment costs. Change in category of need between 12-20 years was used as a measurement of health gain. Perceived need was measured by the individuals' responses to a question about desire for treatment. Individuals who received treatment (n = 22) showed an improvement in occlusion (health gain) corresponding on average to one category of need. The occlusal status of the untreated individuals was unchanged. All the individuals that desired treatment at 12 years of age (n = 15) did not want treatment at 20, and they were satisfied with their dental arrangement. Most of these individuals had received treatment, but a few with minor malocclusions had at age 12 been informed about the small objective need and refrained from treatment. All the individuals that wanted treatment at 20 years of age, 29 per cent of the total sample, had not desired treatment at 12 years of age. The results underline the importance of information and education during orthodontic counselling of potential patients.

The use of non-proven therapy among patients treated in Norwegian oncological departments. A cross-sectional national multicentre study.

A national multicentre study was performed to investigate the prevalent use of "alternative medicine", here called "non-proven therapies (NPT)", applied among Norwegian cancer patients. Of 911 patients invited to take part in the study, 642 were included in the analysis. Demographic characteristics were collected for all patients. The participating physicians gave information about the patients' clinical characteristics. Among 630 evaluable patients, 20% had been or were present users of NPTs for their oncological disease. The preferred methods were healing by hand and faith healing. Herbs, vitamins, diets and Iscador were other popular methods. As many as 40% of the users of NPTs had used NPTs earlier for non-malignant diseases. Elderly patients were less likely to use NPTs. Use was high in the northern part of Norway.

Low catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in a Saami population.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the O-methylation of catechol hormones, neurotransmitters and certain drugs. It is subject to genetic polymorphism and ethnic differences. High red blood cell (RBC) COMT activity has been correlated with a poor response to levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease. RBC COMT was determined in a Norwegian population (n = 213) of whom 115 were Saami (Laaps). The Saami had 16.5% lower RBC COMT activity compared to a non-Saami population sample from the northern part of Norway (n = 50), 13.9 vs. 16.4 units/ml RBC (U) (P = 0.04). This is the first report of any population with lower RBC COMT activity than a Caucasian population. A wide range of RBC COMT activities was found in the entire population examined (1.3-38.3 U).

Mortality from cancer of the oesophagus in Norway, 1966–1985

Oesophageal-cancer mortality data are regionalized. There are wide geographical differences. High age-adjusted mortality rates are found in the northern part of Norway and in the Oslo area. There are clearly elevated mortality rates in the most urbanized areas. While there is a slight decline in mortality rates for both sexes, male mortality rates remain three to four times the female rates.

Ecotypic differentiation in relation to soil nitrogen in northern Scandinavian Cochlearia officinalis

Ecotypic differentiation of Cochlearia officinalis L. was studied in four populations, roughly described as “beach”, “bird cliff”, “spring” and “estuary”, which occupy different habitats in the northern part of Norway. The plants were cultivated under controlled conditions on soil to which nitrogen was applied at various amounts (0, 0.2 and 1.0 g N pot−1). The above ground part of the “bird cliff” population showed the highest dry weight and nitrogen uptake at the highest nitrogen concentration. No effect of nitrogen treatment and the lowest dry weight were found in the “estuary” population. The differences in population response to added nitrogen were correlated to the nitrogen content of the soil in their natural habitat. Morphological features of the populations were also significantly different. The “estuary”, “beach” and “bird cliff” populations showed differences in all characteristics measured – ratio of length/width of the leaves, shape of the leaf base, and length of the petiole. “Beach” and “spring” differed significantly in petiole length, while “bird cliff” and “spring” differed significantly in both leaf ratio and shape of the leaf base. These morphological features were not significantly altered by the application of nitrogen to the soil. This study shows that the four populations of Cochlearia officinalis are discrete biotypes characteristic of distinct habitats, and therefore, should be considered ecotypes.

Psychotropic Drug Prescribing in General Practice:II. A Three Year Retrospective Study from an Island Community in Northern Norway

In a rural community in the northern part of Norway, the prescribing of psychotropic drugs has been recorded. The total prescribing during three years amounted to 60 defined daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day. Hypnotics and sedatives comprised together with antihistamines, 50% of the total amount of defined daily doses. Neurosis was the dominating indication for prescribing. The majority of the patients (59%) received less than 50 defined daily doses per year, indicating that most patients have a moderate consumption of psychotropic drugs. One of five users were prescribed more than 180 defined daily doses per year (71% of all DDD), representing a probable risk-group for chronic use.

The incidence of peptic ulcer disease related to occupation in the northern part of Norway. A prospective epidemiological and radiological study.

From a prospective epidemiological and radiological study of peptic ulcer disease in the northern part of Norway, relations between occupation and the occurrence of new peptic ulcers are presented. Over a 3-year period 1861 patients with dyspeptic complaints, 557 women and 1304 men belonging to 12 different occupational groups, were studied. Special attention was paid to the fishing population, constituting 2488 men and only 55 women. In the period studied 87 gastric ulcers and 118 duodenal ulcers were found. A statistically significantly higher incidence of both gastric and duodenal ulcers was found in fishermen than in the other groups. Furthermore, significantly higher incidences of duodenal ulcers were found in men occupied in 'land or water transport'. Compared with the total male population at risk in the area studied, significantly higher incidences were found for duodenal ulcer in fishermen. The present study confirms prior reports both from Scotland and from North Norway, showing an increased incidence of peptic ulcers in the fishing population.

From apprenticeship to study--the development of nursing education in Norway.

Norway, as one of the small countries in the world, in terms of surface area and population (4.1 million), is nevertheless a diverse and ‘large’ country due to long distances, tall mountains and a large number of fjords dividing the country into many separate areas. The distance between Oslo and the northernmost city (in the world), Hammerfest, is equal to the distance from Oslo to mid-Italy. The most eastern part of the country is on the same latitude as Istanbul. A substantial population of Lapps and people immigrated from Finland are living in the northern part of Norway. Ethnic and cultural differences are also known in the southern part of Norway due to different groups of immigrants. In conclusion, Norway is less homogeneous than is generally known. As people anytime and everywhere may be in need of health-care, hospitals and schools of nursing have been established all over the country. The result is a large number of schools in nursing: 32 schools are offering programmes in basic education, 11 schools are offering post-basic education, advanced education in nursing is offered in three places in the country and more than 30 programmes in clinical specialities are offered by hospitals around the country. At present there are more than 36,000 nurses in Norway and an average of 1,200 new nurses are graduating each year. The history of nursing education in Norway started in 1868. This year Diakonisseanstalten (The Institution for Deaconesses), in Kristiania (later Oslo), a hospital for the indigent was opened. Two women, Rikke Nissen and Cathinka Guldberg, were to be the core persons who prepared the groundwork for the development of modern nursing in Norway. Rikke Nissen had some years earlier been to Kaiserswerth in Germany to study the organization of that institution. She returned to Norway and with some friends started a group for ‘The development of Christian nursing’. The work of this group is said to have been one of the initiating factors in establishing the Diakonisseanstalten (Wyller, 1974). Cathinka Guldberg who was trained at Kaiserswerth was called home to Norway to be appointed as matron of Diakonisseanstalten. On 20 November 1868 she started her work at the hospital, and one pupil was admitted. Diakonisseanstalten was grounded on Christian morality, and it was stated that “Nursing should be an act of Christian love and

The psychiatrist's role at a local hospital in the northern part of Norway and his cooperation with the primary health service in the area.

This paper describes a practical working situation for a psychiatrist situated in the northern part of Norway. The psychiatrist is attached to the local hospital on a part time basis and takes care of the psychiatric cases in the medical ward together with somatic cases. In addition, he works in a polyclinical setting in town, in close contact with several health and social services, and tries to be close to where the problems originate. The psychiatrist deals mainly with crisis interventions and has a social psychiatric approach.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN MODEL AND PROTOTYPE WAVES IN HARBOURS

A common method of estimating the sheltering effects of different breakwater locations and layouts is to carry out physical model wave disturbance tests. Such tests have been carried out in different laboratories throughout the world for many years. But to our knowledge no reports are available in the literature showing comparison between model measurements and field measurements. The trend is that we know more and more on the wave cl imate along our coasts. Hence we have a better basis to make our economical calculations on breakwaters. We therefore also want to operate our models on a more absolute basis rather than on a comparative basis. The trend in recent years has also been to study breakwater locations and layouts in order to minimize mooring forces and ship movements. On this background VHL found a comparison between model test results and field measurements necessary. Full scale measurements of waves were carried out in two harbours by VHL during the winter 1976/77. This paper will present the results of the comparison of the model and the full scale measurements in Berlevag and Vard0 fishing harbours on the open coast of Finnmark in the northern part of Norway (Fig. I) . The model tests, as well as the full scale measurements, have been sponsored by the Norwegian State Harbour Authorities.

Residues of DDE and PCB in Eggs from Herring Gull (Larus Argentatus) and Common Gull (Larus Canus) in Norway

In 1969 294 eggs from herring gull were collected from eight different localities in Norway. The eggshell thicknesses were measured, and 10 eggs from each locality were analysed by gas liquid chromatography for organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PGB). Residues of DDE were demonstrated in all eggs, the concentrations varying from 0.2 to 5.4 p.p.m. in herring gull, and from 0.2 to 3.5 p.p.m. in common gull. DDT occurred only in four eggs from herring gull and then only in concentrations of from 0.1 to 0.3 p.p.m. Other organochlorine insecticides were not detected. Residues of PGB were found in all eggs from herring gull in concentrations of from 0.2 to 3.8 p.p.m. PGB 10, and in six out of nine eggs from common gull, from trace to 0.8 p.p.m. PGB 10. The analysed material showed a positive correlation between amounts present of DDE and of PGB. There was a significant difference between localities concerning the contents of DDE and PGB in eggs from herring gull. This variance may be taken into consideration by using the herring gull as an indicator organism, since this bird, especially in the northern part of Norway, is migratory. The residue concentrations of DDE and PGB were markedly higher in eggs from herring gull than in eggs from common gull. It is suggested that this may be related to the difference between these species in their feeding habits. The residues of organochlorines demonstrated in this investigation do not seem to have had any effect on eggshell thickness in herring gull.

Critical temperature in Lapps.

Skin and critical temperatures of nomadic Lapps, living in the northern part of Norway, have been determined in the winter. Skin temperature measurements taken under the clothing gave values well inside those which correspond to our own comfort, even under very cold outside conditions, indicating that the microclimate underneath the Lapps' fur winter clothing is almost tropical. Studies on the metabolic cost of maintaining the rectal temperature constant, while sitting naked and pedaling an ergometer wheel in a cold room, showed that the critical temperature in Lapps is about 27°C, which is the same as for naked man living in a temperate climate. These data indicate that the Lapps are not normally subjected to cold stress, and that they do not have any greater physiological insulation than man living in a temperate climate. Submitted on October 29, 1956

Pioneer Broadcasting in Norway

ON February 23, 1933, Norway celebrated its tenth anniversary of radio broadcasting. An article by Mr. E. A. Brofus published in Radiobladet (Feb. 17) has been translated in the July issue of Electrical Communication, the journal of the Standard Electric Corporation. The author recalls that he erected in the office of the newspaper Nationen in Oslo in the early part of 1919 a small loudspeaker to broadcast the progress of the great skating race at Frogner to the people gathered in Karl Johansgate. A telephone line connected the skating rink to the newspaper office, but none of the amplifiers available was suitable and so a clerk in the office had to act as a human ‘repeater’. He repeated word by word the messages he received into a microphone connected with three small loudspeakers in the street. The police objected as the crowd blocked the thoroughfare, and so this early forerunner of broadcasting had a short life. Broadcasting began early in 1923, when a 500-watt station was installed at Oslo. In those days the ether was not, as now, jammed by high-power broadcasting stations and so the reception was excellent. It was at first proposed to put a tax on all receiving sets sold, but this was modified into an annual tax of 2-5 kroners on every set installed. As early as May 1923 it was demonstrated that it was possible to broadcast to the fishing fleet from the northern part of Norway. In the very early days, to receive a portion only of what was broadcast was considered satisfactory. Now not only is the complete message intelligible but the finer nuances of speech and music are transmitted over great distances without audible impairment. The small station at Oslo has been replaced by one of 100,000 watts. Marvellous progress has been made during the last ten years.

Summary of results of the Aurora‐Borealis expedition of 1913 to Bossekop, Norway

In this Journal I have published preliminary reports on the results of the Aurora‐Borealis Expedition undertaken by me in the spring of 1913 to Bossekop, in the northern part of Norway. I now propose to give a summary of the chief results.Altitude and situation of auroras.

The Northernmost Extremity of Europe

“A NORWEGIAN” (NATURE, p. 17) says that my description of Knivskjærodden as a low glaciated tongue of rock is hardly correct. As Norwegians ought to, and generally do, know more about their own land than do foreigners, I will quote Tönsberg, whose “Norge” is admitted as a high authority by all. Describing the scene displayed from the edge of the precipice of the North Cape, he says: “Beneath you at a distance of one-eighth of a mile, you see the long low Knivs-kjælodde, which is undeniably the most northern part of Norway.” The picture in his book (from a photograph) shows the northward extremity of this projection as washed over by the waves and its western side precipitous, as I saw it.