Changes in short-term variation of antenatal cardiotocography to identify intraamniotic infection: a historical cohort study.

Introduction: Intraamniotic infection (IAI) is one of the main possible complications of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and can lead to severe consequences for the neonate, such as early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Available diagnostic tools for IAI have poor diagnostic performance, which may result in both over- and underdiagnoses of IAI. In a search for better diagnostic tools, we have examined short-term variation (STV) in fetal heart rate.

Environmental sustainability of food production and consumption in the Nordic and Baltic region - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

This scoping review examines environmental impacts related to food production and consumption in Nordic and Baltic countries. The overarching advice to all Nordic and Baltic countries, in line with the current body of scientific literature, is to shift to a more plant-based dietary pattern and avoid food waste. Taking into account current consumption patterns, there is a high potential and necessity to shift food consumption across the countries to minimise its environmental impact.

Short-term variation of the fetal heart rate as a marker of intraamniotic infection in pregnancies with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a historical cohort study.

Introduction: Intraamniotic infection (IAI) and subsequent early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) are among the main complications associated with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). Currently used diagnostic tools have been shown to have poor diagnostic performance for IAI. This study aimed to investigate whether the exposure to IAI before delivery is associated with short-term variation of the fetal heart rate in pregnancies with PPROM.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Associations with Academic Performance, Food Consumption and Social Support among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: FINESCOP Project in Iceland.

(1) Background: Food insecurity (FI) among university students has received less attention in Europe than in other regions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022 using an online questionnaire ( = 924). The questionnaire addressed food security status; demographic, socioeconomic, and educational variables; academic performance; food consumption; and social support networks.

Well-being in healthy Icelandic women varies with extreme seasonality in ambient light.

Seasonal variation in photoperiod may affect psychosocial and physical well-being in healthy persons. We tested this hypothesis in healthy pre-menopausal women, without a history of mood disorders, living year-round in Reykjavik, Iceland (64.1°N).

Evaluating Prophylactic Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Intestinal Barrier Function in Zonulin Transgenic Mice: A Transcriptomic Study.

The intestinal barrier comprises a single layer of epithelial cells tightly joined to form a physical barrier. Disruption or compromise of the intestinal barrier can lead to the inadvertent activation of immune cells, potentially causing an increased risk of chronic inflammation in various tissues. Recent research has suggested that specific dietary components may influence the function of the intestinal barrier, potentially offering a means to prevent or mitigate inflammatory disorders.

[Iodine intake of two-year-olds and adults in Iceland and estimation of the effect of using iodized salt in breads].

Introduction: Insufficient iodine status was recently identified in pregnant women in Iceland. Iodine fortification of salt is widely used to decrease the risk of iodine deficiency disorders, but the use of iodized salt has not been recommended in Iceland. The aim was to describe iodine intake among Icelandic adults and two-year-olds and estimate the effect of using iodized salt in bread.

Prophylactic Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Intestinal Microbiota and Behavior in Wild-Type and Zonulin Transgenic Mice.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) involves bidirectional communication between intestinal microbiota and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, central nervous system (CNS), neuroendocrine/neuroimmune systems, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and enteric nervous system (ENS). The intestinal microbiota can influence host physiology and pathology. Dysbiosis involves the loss of beneficial microbial input or signal, diversity, and expansion of pathobionts, which can lead to loss of barrier function and increased intestinal permeability (IP).

The combined effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on the risk of pre-labour and intrapartum caesarean section-The ICE-MCH study.

Women who are obese before pregnancy have a higher risk of caesarean section than normal weight women. We investigated the combined effect of pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain on pre-labour and intrapartum caesarean section risk. We collected data on 22,763 singleton, term, live deliveries in 2003-2014 from the Icelandic Maternal and Child Health Study (ICE-MCH), based on Icelandic registries.

Meals, Microbiota and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents (MMM-Study): A protocol for an observational longitudinal case-control study.

Recent studies indicate that the interplay between diet, intestinal microbiota composition, and intestinal permeability can impact mental health. More than 10% of children and adolescents in Iceland suffer from mental disorders, and rates of psychotropics use are very high. The aim of this novel observational longitudinal case-control study, "Meals, Microbiota and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents (MMM-Study)" is to contribute to the promotion of treatment options for children and adolescents diagnosed with mental disorders through identification of patterns that may affect the symptoms.

[Correlation between intake of fish or supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids and early pregnancy plasma concentrations.].

Introduction: Long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are considered important for fetal development, but previous studies suggest suboptimal intake in part of pregnant women in Iceland. The study aim was to evaluate intake of food and supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, among pregnant women in Iceland and correlations to fatty acid composition in plasma.

Materials And Methods: Subjects were 853 pregnant women attending their 11-14 weeks ultrasound appointment.

Dietary patterns in adolescence and risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based study.

Purpose: To study whether dietary patterns in adolescence are associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Food frequency data were obtained from the AGES-Reykjavik study, conducted between 2002 and 2006, which included 5,078 (58% women) participants with mean age of 77 (± 5.8) years.

Naturally Occurring Glycosidases in Milk from Native Cattle Breeds: Activity and Consequences on Free and Protein Bound-Glycans.

Little is known about the extent of variation and activity of naturally occurring milk glycosidases and their potential to degrade milk glycans. A multi-omics approach was used to investigate the relationship between glycosidases and important bioactive compounds such as free oligosaccharides and -linked glycans in bovine milk. Using 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) assays activities of eight indigenous glycosidases were determined, and by mass spectrometry and H NMR spectroscopy various substrates and metabolite products were quantified in a subset of milk samples from eight native North European cattle breeds.

Growth Rate in Childhood and Adolescence and the Risk of Breast and Prostate Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

Growth rate is regulated by hormonal pathways that might affect early cancer development. We explored the association between rate of growth in height from ages 8 to 13 years (childhood) and from age 13 to attainment of adult height (adolescence), as measured at study entry, and the risk of breast or prostate cancer. Participants were 2,037 Icelanders born during 1915-1935, who took part in the Reykjavik Study, established in 1967.

Early pregnancy plasma fatty acid profiles of women later diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Introduction: Fatty acid (FA) concentrations have previously been associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, few studies on GDM have examined FA profiles in early pregnancy or before diagnosis. This study aimed to compare early pregnancy plasma FA profiles of women with and without GDM diagnoses as well as their reported dietary consumption.

Vitamin D status and association with gestational diabetes mellitus in a pregnant cohort in Iceland.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the most common pregnancy complications. The vitamin D status has never previously been studied in pregnant women in Iceland.

Objective: The aim of this research study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of an Icelandic cohort of pregnant women and the association between the vitamin D status and the GDM incidence.

Higher Alkylresorcinol Concentrations, a Consequence of Whole-Grain Intake, are Inversely Associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Iceland.

Background: A diet rich in whole grains may provide benefits for pregnant women due to whole grains' high nutritional value and dietary fiber content.

Objectives: To study the associations of whole-grain consumption, as well as the plasma alkylresorcinol concentration, a whole-grain consumption biomarker, in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnoses.

Methods: Subjects were women from the prospective study Pregnant Women in Iceland II (PREWICE II; n = 853) who attended their ultrasound appointment in gestational weeks 11-14 during the period from October 2017 to March 2018.

Old Question Revisited: Are High-Protein Diets Safe in Pregnancy?

Background: A previous randomized dietary intervention in pregnant women from the 1970s, the Harlem Trial, reported retarded fetal growth and excesses of very early preterm births and neonatal deaths among those receiving high-protein supplementation. Due to ethical challenges, these findings have not been addressed in intervention settings. Exploring these findings in an observational setting requires large statistical power due to the low prevalence of these outcomes.

Comparison of bovine milk oligosaccharides in native North European cattle breeds.

Milk oligosaccharides are of high interest due to their bioactive properties. This study is the first to characterise milk oligosaccharides from native North European cattle breeds, as represented by 80 milk samples collected from eight native breeds originated from Norway (Norwegian Doela cattle and Norwegian Telemark cattle), Sweden (Swedish Mountain cattle), Denmark (Danish Red anno 1970), Iceland (Icelandic cattle), Lithuania (native Lithuanian Black and White) and Finland (Western Finncattle and Eastern Finncattle). Using high-performance liquid-chromatography chip/quadrupole time-of-flight mass-spectrometry, 18 unique monosaccharide compositions and a multitude of isomers were identified.

Zonulin-Dependent Intestinal Permeability in Children Diagnosed with Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Worldwide, up to 20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders, which are the leading cause of disability in young people. Research shows that serum zonulin levels are associated with increased intestinal permeability (IP), affecting neural, hormonal, and immunological pathways. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize evidence from observational studies on IP in children diagnosed with mental disorders.

Insufficient iodine status in pregnant women as a consequence of dietary changes.

Background: Historically, Iceland has been an iodine-sufficient nation due to notably high fish and milk consumption. Recent data suggest that the intake of these important dietary sources of iodine has decreased considerably.

Objective: To evaluate the iodine status of pregnant women in Iceland and to determine dietary factors associated with risk for deficiency.

Childhood overweight and obesity and the risk of depression across the lifespan.

Background: Obesity has been longitudinally associated with depression but only few studies take a life course approach. This longitudinal study investigates whether being overweight or obese at age 8 and 13 years is associated with depressive symptoms more than 60 years later and whether this association is independent of late-life body mass index (BMI). We also investigated the association of being overweight/obese at age 8 or 13 years with ever having major depressive disorder (lifetime MDD).

Environmental Sustainability Perspectives of the Nordic Diet.

"The Nordic diet" is an umbrella term that encompasses any interpretation that combines Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) with local Nordic foods. The five Nordic countries have collaborated on Nordic Nutrition Recommendations for forty years, including FBDGs, so their national guidelines are similar. The countries also share similar public health issues, including widespread nonconformity to the guidelines, although in different ways.

Can a Simple Dietary Screening in Early Pregnancy Identify Dietary Habits Associated with Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is predominantly a lifestyle disease, with diet being an important modifiable risk factor. A major obstacle for the prevention in clinical practice is the complexity of assessing diet. In a cohort of 1651 Icelandic women, this study examined whether a short 40-item dietary screening questionnaire administered in the 1st trimester could identify dietary habits associated with GDM.