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At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Macular corneal dystrophy in Iceland. A clinical, genealogic, and immunohistochemical study of 28 patients.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of different types of macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) was determined in Iceland where MCD accounts for one third of every penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: The authors determined the serum levels of antigenic keratan sulfate (aKS) in 27 patients with MCD and 53 unaffected family members by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that uses an anti-KS monoclonal antibody (5-D-4). The authors also stained sections from 37 corneal buttons (including 2 regrafts) from 23 patients with MCD by the avidin-biotin complex method using the same anti-KS monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Based on the serum analyses, 22 patients had MCD type I and 5 had MCD type II. The corneas from patients without detectable KS in the serum lacked immunohistochemical reactivity to the anti-KS antibody. Every MCD cornea examined from individuals with normal serum KS levels showed KS reactivity. All 53 unaffected siblings and parents carrying the recessive gene had normal serum KS levels. CONCLUSIONS: Macular corneal dystrophy types I (78.6%) and II (21.4%) both occur in Iceland. Members of affected sibships had only one of these types, not both. Nine patients with MCD type I and four persons with MCD type II belonged to a large pedigree in which individuals have been traced as far back as the beginning of the 16th century. The linking of patients with MCD types I and II in an inbred pedigree suggests that both types may be manifestations of the same abnormal gene rather than independent entities. The serum KS levels were not helpful in detecting heterozygous MCD carriers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The Icelandic genome debate.

Three of the central issues in contemporary debates about the commodification of the human body are those of property, ownership, and access. This article uses the case of the central medical database on Icelanders to discuss contesting claims about the ownership of the human genome, with respect to the rapid development of biotechnology, human genome projects and DNA collections. We emphasize the contrast between commercial and communitarian perspectives and to illustrate our argument we explore debates about the Icelandic database. These debates have been intense, focusing on a range of issues, including ethics, academic freedom, public health and, last but not least, the control and ownership of medical records, genetic information and genealogical data. This article should be seen primarily as an anthropological commentary on ongoing developments.

Bioethics↗
PubMed1998

Microbiological quality of Icelandic cooked-peeled shrimp (Pandalus borealis).

Iceland is a major producer of cold water shrimp, Pandalus borealis. In recent years considerable attention has been given to improve hygiene in the factories producing cooked, peeled and frozen shrimp. To keep track of the bacteriological status of the end product, shrimp from most of the factories is routinely analysed bacteriologically by the request of shrimp exporters. This paper reports on the results of a bacteriological analysis of 7913 samples of shrimp from 26 Icelandic factories over a 6-year period. The results showed that the geometric mean of APC (at 35 degrees C) was 1718 per g and 57% of the samples had APC under 1000 per g. Some 70% of the samples had less than one coliform per g and 99.9% of the samples had less than one faecal coliform per g. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in less than 0.2% of the samples. The results show improvement in bacterial profiles, mainly total coliforms, over the 6-year period. Overall, the results show acceptable bacterial numbers in the finished product, indicating a high level of hygiene. Listeria spp. were, however, found in 270 of 3331 samples examined or 8.1%. Species identification was done on 49 of the 270 positive samples. The proportion of L. monocytogenes was found to be 26.5%.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Assessing attitude towards prioritizing in healthcare in Iceland.

The objective of the study was to access the attitude of various groups in Iceland towards some prioritizing principles and their application in healthcare. The study was a cross-sectional mailing survey including a cover letter and a prepaid envelope. It was conducted in Iceland in March through May 1995. There were two types of questionnaires, one from a hypothetical patient's perspective and the other from hypothetical planners' perspective. Both included the same demographic variables. A randomized sample of seven groups were invited to participate, i.e. physicians, politicians, and two groups from the general public, administrators and board members of health care institutions, registered nurses and licensed nurse practitioners. Only findings from the first four groups were analyzed and reported here. The response rate ranged from 46 to 75%. On average, there was strong reservation against prioritizing between different patients groups. However, physicians appear, first, to be more prepared to prioritize than other groups, and second, they had a stronger preference to opt for effective outcome rather than disease severity. Most respondents were reluctant to allocate limited resources to patients who are most seriously ill and would receive little benefit from treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Trends in peptic ulcer morbidity and mortality in Iceland.

A cohort pattern has been demonstrated for ulcer mortality and perforation, pointing to a role of early life factors, while only a period-related decrease has been observed in elective ulcer surgery, which reflects uncomplicated ulcer. The aim of this article was to study whether the susceptibility to peptic ulcer disease is determined early in life, as reflected in a cohort pattern consistent for all ulcer manifestations. The subjects were all patients treated surgically for peptic ulcer (perforations 1962-1990; bleedings 1971-1990; elective surgery 1971-1990) and all deaths from peptic ulcer (perforations and other ulcer deaths 1951-1989) in Iceland. Age-specific incidence and mortality were analyzed graphically by year of birth (cohort) and by year of event (period). The effects of cohort and period on incidence and mortality were analyzed by Poisson regression. Ulcer perforation and bleeding, operative incidence, and mortality, showed a rise and subsequent fall in successive generations, with the highest risks observed in the subjects born after the turn of the 20(th) century. This was confirmed by statistical analyses showing highly significant cohort effects (P <.001) and no period effects. A cohort pattern was similarly found for elective ulcer surgery (P <.001), as well as a period-related decrease across age groups (P <.001). Ulcer complications, ulcer deaths, and uncomplicated ulcer were particularly common in specific generations carrying a high risk of peptic ulcer throughout their lives. These were the generations with the highest prevalence of H. pylori antibodies, the subjects born after the turn of the century at a time of maximum crowding and poor hygiene in Iceland due to the industrial revolution.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Incidence of unprovoked seizures and epilepsy in Iceland and assessment of the epilepsy syndrome classification: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: No population-based incidence studies of epilepsy have studied syndrome classification from the outset. We prospectively studied the incidence of a single unprovoked seizure and epilepsy in the population of Iceland, and applied the syndrome classification endorsed by the International League Against Epilepsy to this population. METHODS: We used a nationwide surveillance system to prospectively identify all residents of Iceland who presented with a first diagnosis of a single unprovoked seizure or epilepsy between December 1995 and February 1999. All cases were classified by seizure type, cause or risk factors, and epilepsy syndrome. RESULTS: The mean annual incidence of first unprovoked seizures was 56.8 per 100,000 person-years, 23.5 per 100,000 person-years for single unprovoked seizures, and 33.3 per 100,000 person-years for epilepsy (recurrent unprovoked seizures). Incidence was similar in males and females. Partial seizures occurred in 40% and a putative cause was identified in 33%. Age-specific incidence was highest in the first year of life (130 per 100,000 person-years) and in those 65 years and older (110.5 per 100,000 person-years). Using strict diagnostic criteria for epilepsy syndromes, 58% of cases fell into non-informative categories. Idiopathic epilepsy syndromes were identified in 14% of all cases. INTERPRETATION: Findings are consistent with incidence studies from developed countries. Although the epilepsy syndrome classification might be useful in tertiary epilepsy centers, it has limited practicality in population studies and for use by general neurologists.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Associations between the bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA) and milk production in Icelandic dairy cattle.

Associations between BoLA type and milk production were investigated using information from 80 Icelandic cattle from four dairy farms in Iceland. The specificity w6 reduced milk, fat and protein yield. Although w6 has been shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to mastitis, there is no evidence to suggest that the reduced yields here were due to mastitis. The association may be due to increased disease susceptibility or due to a direct effect of BoLA Class I antigens.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Schistosome cercariae as the causative agent of swimmer's itch in Iceland.

During late summer in 1995 to 1997, repeated outbreaks of maculopapular skin eruptions were noted on the legs of children after wading in the pond in the Family Park in Laugardalur, Reykjavík, Iceland. Clinical symptoms developing on the legs resembled those of cercarial dermatitis. An examination of Lymnaea peregra snails from this pond and from the adjacent Lake Tjornin resulted in detection of previously undescribed schistosome cercariae. This is the first report of schistosomes in Iceland and also the most northern occurrence of these parasites in Europe.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Changes in the seasonal incidence of measles in Iceland, 1896--1974.

The changing seasonal patterns of reported measles cases in Iceland during this century are analysed. These changes are related to increased population mobility following the development of external and internal transport links, particularly since 1945. The forging of such links has resulted in a shift in the seasonal distribution of cases from one peculiar to the local social and economic conditions in Iceland to one broadly similar to that in other countries of northern temperate latitudes.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Digeneans from intertidal molluscs of SW Iceland.

The fauna of digenean daughter-sporocysts, rediae, cercariae and metacercariae infecting molluscs Littorina spp., Onoba aculeus. Nucella lapillus and Epheria vincta has been studied in the Skerjafjordur and Grindavik regions of SW Iceland. In total, intramolluscan stages of 19 digenean species were recorded; 14 of them are new for Iceland and one of them, a microphallid named Cercaria islandica I, was unknown. A description of this new microphallid cercaria is provided. In addition, the identification and separation of the intramolluscan stages of some microphallid, renicolid and echinostomatid species are discussed. Consideration is given to difficulties encountered when identifying digenean species found on the coasts of European countries. Problems have arisen largely because larval and adult stages have been described and named independently and in isolation, synonyms are common and many "definitive" descriptions are inadequate or incomplete.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Risk of breast cancer in female flight attendants: a population-based study (Iceland).

OBJECTIVES: To study whether increased cancer risk, particularly of cancer types previously related to radiation, was found among cabin attendants, using employment time as a surrogate of exposure to cosmic radiation. METHODS: A cohort of 1690 cabin attendants, 158 men and 1532 women from the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association and two airline companies in Iceland, was established. Cancer sites were ascertained between 1955 and 1997 by follow-up in a cancer registry. The personal identification number of each subject was used in record linkage to population-based registers containing vital and emigration status, reproductive factors and histologically verified cancer diagnosis. Standardized incidence rates (SIR) of different cancer sites in relation to employment time and year of hiring were calculated, as well as predictive values of breast cancer risk for evaluating possible confounding due to reproductive factors. RESULTS: The total number of person-years was 27,148. Among the women, 64 cancers were observed whereas 51.63 were expected (SIR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.6), and significantly increased risk for malignant melanoma (SIR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-6.2) was found. Significantly increased risks of overall cancers (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.8) and breast cancer (SIR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.4) were observed among the female cabin attendants when 15 years lag time was applied. Those hired in 1971 or later had the heaviest exposure to cosmic radiation at a young age and had significantly increased risk of overall cancer (SIR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4-4.9) and breast cancer (SIR 4.1, 95% CI 1.7-8.5). Predictive values calculated on the basis of reproductive factors among the cabin attendants and the population, and risk of breast cancer were 1.0 for parous vs. nulliparous, 1.0 for number of children, and 1.1 for age at birth of first child. CONCLUSION: The increased risk of breast cancer and malignant melanoma among cabin attendants seems to be occupationally related. The part played by occupational exposures, i.e. cosmic radiation, disturbance of the circadian rhythm, and electromagnetic fields or combination of these factors in the etiology of breast cancer among the cabin crew, is still a puzzle as confounding due to parity appears to be ruled out. The relationship between the sunbathing habits of the cabin crew and the increased risk of malignant melanoma needs to be clarified. There is also an urgent need to elucidate the importance of these findings for today's aviation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of autism in Iceland.

This clinic-based study estimated the prevalence of autism in Iceland in two consecutive birth cohorts, subjects born in 1974-1983 and in 1984-1993. In the older cohort classification was based on the ICD-9 in 72% of cases while in the younger cohort 89% of cases were classified according to the ICD-10. Estimated prevalence rates for Infantile autism/Childhood autism were 3.8 per 10,000 in the older cohort and 8.6 per 10,000 in the younger cohort. The characteristics of the autistic groups are presented in terms of level of intelligence, male:female ratio, and age at diagnosis. For the younger cohort scores on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale are reported as well. Results are compared with a previous Icelandic study and recent population-based studies in other countries based on the ICD-10 classification system. Methodological issues are discussed as well as implications for future research and service delivery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Oral contraceptive use at a young age and the risk of breast cancer: an Icelandic, population-based cohort study of the effect of birth year.

The possible association between breast cancer and oral contraceptive use before the age of 20 was investigated using Icelandic population-based information from women born after 1944. The design was a nested case-control study within a cohort, using data on duration of oral contraceptive use at young ages. The availability of oral contraceptives before the age of 20 has changed dramatically and is highly dependent on birth years, with 20% and 82% starting before the age of 20 among Icelandic users born in 1945-47 and 1963-67 respectively. The association between total duration of oral contraceptive use and breast cancer was significantly dependent on year of birth. In women born in 1951-67 (based on 81 cases), the relative risk (RR) associated with use for more than 4 years was 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.7). The association disappeared when women born in 1945-50 were included (RR 1.1,95% CI 0.8-1.6), adding 123 cases. A significant trend of increased risk with longer duration was present only in the group born after 1950, with RR 0.9, 1.7 and 3.0 for < or = 4 years, >4-8 years and > 8 years of use respectively. The results of this study indicate an association between breast cancer and oral contraceptive use at a young age. They also stress the importance of distinguishing between groups with different opportunities for exposure at young age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Gene frequences in Icelandic cats.

A survey of genetically determined coat polymorphisms of Icelandic cats, in Reykjavik and adjacent rural areas, has shown that these animals are quite distinct from cats previously studied in north-west Europe. The differences are interpreted to indicate that Icelandic cats represent a relict population reflecting the condition of north-west European cats in former times. Significant differences exist between the Reykjavik and rural samples studies. The Reykjavik population is more similar to north-west Europe, probably due largely to increased contact in recent years.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Spinal cord injuries in Iceland 1973-1989. A follow up study.

All traumatic SCI patients in Iceland come to the Neurosurgical Department of Borgarspítalinn, the City Hospital in Reykjavík for their initial treatment. From 1973-1989, 79 (93%) were rehabilitated at Borgarspítalinn. The purpose of this study was to look at the most common complications and the social functions of SCI patients after discharge from the Rehabilitation Department. A questionnaire was sent to 59 of the 79 patients. They represent almost the whole population of the spinal cord injured population in Iceland. Forty-five patients (76.3%) answered the questionnaire, 69% male, 31% female. Sixty-seven percent were under the age of 30 years at the time of injury. Twenty-nine percent had a complete spinal cord injury; 53.3% were wheelchairbound (Frankel grade A, B, C); 55.6% were quadriplegic, and 44.4% paraplegic. The commonest complications were pain (64.4%), urinary tract infections (62.2%) and spasticity (60%); and 58% of the wheelchairbound patients had had pressure sores. Fifty-five point five percent were married; 71% had an active sexual life after the injury; 54% of the wheelchairbound patients were not quite independent and required some assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) tasks; and 29% were not working or studying compared to 11%, who were, before the injury. No significant changes were seen in social function after the injury. The results show that more emphasis must be placed on the prevention of complications such as urinary tract infections and pressure sores and on the treatment of chronic pain and spasticity.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2000

Protection of privacy by third-party encryption in genetic research in Iceland.

As the new human genetics continues its dramatic expansion into many laboratories and medical institutions, the concern for the protection of the personal privacy of individuals who participate increases. It seems that even the smallest of laboratories must confront the issue of how to protect the genetic and phenotypic information of participants in their research. Some have promoted the use of anonymity as a way out of this dilemma. But we are reminded by others that the future cannot be predicted, and that future benefits may be lost when the links to these benevolent volunteers are gone forever. More recently, some ethical bodies have suggested, without specific recommendations, that a reversible third-party encryption system may be a solution to this problem. However, they have not provided a route or even examples of how to proceed. We present here the Icelandic approach to this issue by developing a third-party encryption system in direct collaboration with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) of Iceland. We have incorporated the encryption system within our sample collection and storage software, which minimises inconvenience but enhances security. The strategy assures a barrier between the laboratory and the outside world that can only be crossed by the DPC.

Bioethics↗
PubMed2006

The effective size of the Icelandic population and the prospects for LD mapping: inference from unphased microsatellite markers.

Characterizing the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the genome is a pre-requisite for association mapping studies. Patterns of LD also contain information about the past demography of populations. In this study, we focus on the Icelandic population where LD was investigated in 12 regions of approximately 15 cM using regularly spaced microsatellite loci displaying high heterozygosity. A total of 1753 individuals were genotyped for 179 markers. LD was estimated using a composite disequilibrium measure based on unphased data. LD decreases with distance in all 12 regions and more LD than expected by chance can be detected over approximately 4 cM in our sample. Differences in the patterns of decrease of LD with distance among genomic regions were mostly due to two regions exhibiting, respectively, higher and lower proportions of pairs in LD than average within the first 4 cM. We pooled data from all regions, except these two and summarized patterns of LD by computing the proportion of pairs of loci exhibiting significant LD (at the 5% level) as a function of distance. We compared observed patterns of LD with simulated data sets obtained under scenarios with varying demography and intensity of recombination. We show that unphased data allow to make inferences on scaled recombination rates from patterns of LD. Patterns of LD in Iceland suggest a genome-wide scaled recombination rate of rho* = 200 (130-330) per cM (or an effective size of roughly 5000), in the low range of estimates recently reported in three populations from the HapMap project.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed2002

Monoclonal gammopathy in Iceland: a population-based registry and follow-up.

The term monoclonal gammopathy (MG) signifies the benign or malignant clonal growth of B lymphocytes. In the present study, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) was defined as those patients with no identified haematological malignancy. A database was constructed of all 713 MG patients in Iceland between 1976 and 1997 and compared with the Icelandic Cancer Registry. The age-standardized incidence per 100 000 of MG was 10.3 for males and 8.6 for females, calculated for the whole period, rising steadily from 5.8 (men) and 4.9 (women) during the 5-year period 1976-80 to 14.7 (men) and 12.5 (women) during the last 5 year period. Age-standardized incidence rates were very low for subjects under 50 years of age, then increased with age from 11 and 17 per 100 000 at 50-54, to 169 and 119 per 100 000 at age 80-84, for men and women respectively. No association was detected between MG and non-haematological malignancies, neither retrospectively nor prospectively. Haematological malignancy was diagnosed in 209 (29.3%) cases before the recorded finding of MG or within the same calendar year, leaving 504 (70.7%) patients diagnosed with MGUS. Of these, 51 (10%) progressed to multiple myeloma or Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia after a mean interval of 3.8 years; mean follow-up was 7.4 years, median 6 years. The most common immunoglobulin (Ig) class was IgG (55%), followed by IgM (32%) and IgA (13%). MGUS was a highly significant risk factor for developing haematological malignancies and the risk was significantly greater for MG of the IgA class compared with either IgG or IgM.

Adult↗