Methods. Recommended guidelines for translation of questionnaires and quality criteria for validation were followed. A total of 111 patients (aged 18-65 years) with long-lasting back pain were consecutively recruited from an outpatient spine clinic. Two additional samples of patients with long-lasting back pain were added into the exploratory factor analysis, giving a total number PF-562271 mouse of 224 patients. Predefined hypotheses regarding construct and longitudinal validity (responsiveness) were examined.

Results. Factor analysis indicated that 2 items should be removed, resulting in a 3-factor solution

as the best fit. The factors were related to flexibility, dynamic strength, and posture endurance. Satisfactory internal consistency and reproducibility were demonstrated for the total

and subscales of the Norwegian version of FFbH-R. Most of the predefined hypothesis regarding construct and longitudinal validity were selleck chemicals llc confirmed, and discriminate ability was shown. Minor floor and ceiling effects were demonstrated.

Conclusion. Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of FFbH-R were satisfactory in patients with long-lasting back pain, but the dynamic strength and posture endurance subscales might be complemented with additional items.”
“Plastics debris in the marine environment, including resin pellets, fragments and microscopic plastic fragments, contain organic contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides (2,2′-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane, hexachlorinated hexanes), polybrominated diphenylethers, alkylphenols and bisphenol A, at concentrations from sub ng g(-1) to mg g(-1). Some of these compounds are added during plastics manufacture, while others adsorb from the surrounding seawater. Concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants adsorbed on plastics showed distinct Salubrinal molecular weight spatial variations reflecting global pollution patterns. Model calculations and experimental observations consistently show that

polyethylene accumulates more organic contaminants than other plastics such as polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride. Both a mathematical model using equilibrium partitioning and experimental data have demonstrated the transfer of contaminants from plastic to organisms. A feeding experiment indicated that PCBs could transfer from contaminated plastics to streaked shearwater chicks. Plasticizers, other plastics additives and constitutional monomers also present potential threats in terrestrial environments because they can leach from waste disposal sites into groundwater and/or surface waters. Leaching and degradation of plasticizers and polymers are complex phenomena dependent on environmental conditions in the landfill and the chemical properties of each additive.