Læknablađiđ
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Historical Article
[Mustard gas bombs found astray in the Faxaflói bay. Mustard gas: usage and poisonings].
The finding in 1972 of two World War II mustard gas artillery shells in crushed shell sediment dredged in the Faxaflói Bay and transported as raw material for cement production at Akranes (Western Iceland) is reported. One of the shells was wedged in a stone crusher in the raw material processing line and was ruptured. As a result dark fluid with a garlic like smell seeped out from the metal canister. ⋯ The authors conclude that mustard gas bombs may still be found in the arsenals of some military powers in spite of an international convention that prohibits the production, stockpiling and the use of chemical weapons. Terrorist groups have also seemingly tried to aquire mustard gas bombs and other chemical weapons. Therefore cases of mustard gas poisoning might still occur.
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Rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps muscle is a rare injury. If unrepaired the patient will be left with weakness of supination of the arm and flexion in the elbow. Long term results for the 2-incision approach for tendon reinsertion are few but in this study we describe the long term, clinical, functional, and subjective results of surgical repair using the 2-incision method described by Boyd and Anderson. ⋯ Despite heterotopic ossification and a small ROM deficit the Boyd and Anderson technique for repair of distal biceps ruptures yields good long term results in a low volume rural hospital. Early diagnosis and tendon reinsertion is of great importance to avoid persistent anterior elbow pain and poor subjective results.
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The aim of the present study was to investigate whether psycho-social variables, for example social support and task- and emotion-oriented coping would predict psychological and physical well being among young adults with diabetes. ⋯ Social support and coping are strongly related to measurements of depression, anxiety and problems related to having diabetes in the present age group. The results indicate that it is very important to teach and strengthen usage, as possible, of task-oriented coping instead of emotion-oriented coping. The results also indicate that social support is highly important for young adults with diabetes type 1. It is clear that friends and family have to be more involved in the treatment and also more educated about the disease and the importance of giving the right kind of support.
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Comparative Study
[Access to own health information and services on the Internet by disability pensioners and other citizens].
To study Icelandic citizens' perception, attitude and preferences regarding access to own health information and interactive services at the State Social Security Institute of Iceland (SSSI). Hypotheses regarding differences between disability pensioners and other citizens were put forward. ⋯ The study, the first of its kind in Iceland, supports previous research. The results, as well as foreign models of research projects, are recommended to be used for evolution of electronic health services and researching employees' viewpoints. Future research in Iceland should address the impact of interactive health communication on quality of life, health and services' efficiency.
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Review Case Reports
[Central and extrapontine myelinolysis following correction of extreme hyponatremia. Case report and review of the literature].
We report a case of a 43-year-old woman who developed osmotic demyelination syndrome following correction of extreme hyponatremia that was considered to be of chronic nature. The serum sodium level was 91 mmol/L on admission to hospital. It was decided to correct the serum sodium slowly with the goal that the rate of correction would be no more than 12 mmol/l per 24 hours. ⋯ The patient received supportive therapy and eventually made full recovery. Current concepts in the pathophysiology of osmotic demyelination syndrome and the treatment of hyponatremia are reviewed. We recommend that the rate of correction of chronic hyponatremia should not exceed 8 mmol/l per 24 hours.