Testing the H56 Vaccine Delivered in 4 Different Adjuvants as a BCG-Booster in a Non-Human Primate Model of Tuberculosis.

The search for new and improved tuberculosis (TB) vaccines has focused on IFN-γ both for selecting antigens and for evaluating vaccine delivery strategies. The essential role of IFN-γ in endogenous host protection is well established, but it is still uncertain whether this also holds true for vaccine protection. Here we evaluate the H56 fusion protein vaccine as a BCG booster in a non-human primate (NHP) model of TB that closely recapitulates human TB pathogenesis.

Stressful life-events in childhood and risk of multiple sclerosis: a Danish nationwide cohort study.

Background: Current knowledge concerning the association between exposure to stressful life-events (SFLEs) in childhood and later risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is sparse.

Objectives: We studied the associations between SFLEs in childhood and subsequent risk of MS in a nationwide cohort of 2.9 million Danes born from 1968 to 2011.

Same-sex marriage, autoimmune thyroid gland dysfunction and other autoimmune diseases in Denmark 1989-2008.

Autoimmune diseases have been little studied in gay men and lesbians. We followed 4.4 million Danes, including 9,615 same-sex married (SSM) persons, for 47 autoimmune diseases in the National Patient Registry between 1989 and 2008.

Socioeconomic factors in childhood and the risk of multiple sclerosis.

In a national cohort comprising 1.5 million Danes born from 1966 to 1992, we studied the association between childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) from 1981 to 2007 using information about household income and parental educational levels at the person's 15th birthday. The association between childhood SES and MS was evaluated using MS incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals obtained in log-linear Poisson regression analyses.

Cesarean section and offspring's risk of multiple sclerosis: a Danish nationwide cohort study.

Background: Apart from a recent study reporting a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) among women and men who were delivered by Cesarean section (C-section), little attention has been given to the possible association between mode of delivery and the risk of MS.

Objectives: We studied the association between C-section and risk of MS, in a cohort of 1.7 million Danes born from 1973 to 2005.

Decreasing risk of colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease over 30 years.

Background & Aims: The risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could have changed over time, with changes in treatment options. We studied CRC risk in a nationwide cohort of 47,374 Danish patients with IBD over a 30-year period.

Methods: We determined relative risk (RR) values using Poisson regression-derived incidence rate ratios of CRC from 1 year after IBD diagnosis, adjusted for age, sex, and calendar time.

Hyperemesis, gestational hypertensive disorders, pregnancy losses and risk of autoimmune diseases in a Danish population-based cohort.

The risk of some female predominant autoimmune diseases (ADs) has previously been shown to be higher in women who experience hyperemesis, gestational hypertensive disorders and idiopathic pregnancy losses. This study assessed the association between such pregnancy-related experiences and the subsequent risk of female predominant and other ADs. Our study cohort comprised 1.

Increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease in women with endometriosis: a nationwide Danish cohort study.

Background: An association between endometriosis and certain autoimmune diseases has been suggested. However, the impact of endometriosis on risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unknown.

Objective: To assess the risk of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in an unselected nationwide Danish cohort of women with endometriosis.

Childbirths and risk of female predominant and other autoimmune diseases in a population-based Danish cohort.

To evaluate the possible biological role of pregnancy on the risk of autoimmune diseases we assessed associations between reproductive history and subsequent risk of autoimmune diseases characterized by female predominance and other autoimmune diseases. Our study cohort comprised 4.6 million Danes born since 1935 for whom a complete record of childbirths was available.

Associations of unhealthy lifestyle factors with sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunctions in Denmark.

Introduction: Studies have linked obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco smoking to erectile dysfunction, but the evidence linking unhealthy lifestyle factors to other sexual dysfunctions or to sexual inactivity is conflicting.

Aim: To examine associations between unhealthy lifestyle factors and sexual inactivity with a partner and four specific sexual dysfunctions in each sex.

Methods: We used nationally representative survey data from 5,552 Danish men and women aged 16-97 years in 2005.

Reproductive history and risk of multiple sclerosis.

Background: It has been suggested that reproductive factors may be involved in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied associations of reproductive history with MS risk in a population-based setting.

Methods: Using national databases, we established a cohort comprising 4.

The co-occurrence of endometriosis with multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren syndrome.

Background: In a previous study, women with endometriosis were found to be at a 7-24-fold increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren syndrome (SS). We examined these associations in a large population-based cohort study.

Methods: We followed 37 661 women registered with endometriosis in the Danish Hospital Discharge Register 1977-2007 for subsequent hospitalizations with MS, SLE or SS.

Associations between physical and mental health problems and sexual dysfunctions in sexually active Danes.

Introduction: Studies have shown a high prevalence of sexual dysfunctions among individuals with a variety of health problems.

Aim: To obtain a population-based assessment of these matters, we studied associations between indicators of physical and mental health problems and sexual dysfunctions in Denmark.

Methods: We used questionnaire data from 4,415 sexually active men (mean age 48 years) and women (mean age 45 years) who participated in a nationally representative survey in 2005.

Multiple human papilloma virus types in cervical infections: competition or synergy?

Coinfection with multiple human papilloma virus (HPV) types is common in cervical HPV infection. To evaluate if infections with different HPV types occur independently, we examined 3558 women above 15 years of age suspected of cervical HPV infection. Among them, 1842 (52%) women were HPV negative and 1716 (48%) were HPV positive as analysed by a PCR-based commercial microarray assay for mucosal types.

Sexual dysfunctions and difficulties in denmark: prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors.

Sexual dysfunctions and difficulties are common experiences that may impact importantly on the perceived quality of life, but prevalence estimates are highly sensitive to the definitions used. We used questionnaire data for 4415 sexually active Danes aged 16-95 years who participated in a national health and morbidity survey in 2005 to estimate the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and difficulties and to identify associated sociodemographic factors. Overall, 11% (95% CI, 10-13%) of men and 11% (10-13%) of women reported at least one sexual dysfunction (i.

Ultrastructural and molecular characterization of endosymbionts of the reed beetle genus Macroplea (Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae), and proposal of "Candidatus Macropleicola appendiculatae" and "Candidatus Macropleicola muticae".

Intracellular bacterial symbionts are known from various insect groups, particularly from those feeding on unbalanced diets, where the bacteria provide essential nutrients to the host. In the case of reed beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae), however, the endosymbionts appear to be associated with specialized "glands" that secrete a material used for the beetles' unusual water-tight cocoon. These glands were discovered over a century ago, but the bacteria they contain have yet to be characterized and placed in a phylogenetic context.

Can the tight co-speciation between reed beetles (Col., Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae) and their bacterial endosymbionts, which provide cocoon material, clarify the deeper phylogeny of the hosts?

In most mutualistic symbioses of insects and intracellular bacteria, the endosymbionts provide additional nutrients to a host that feeds on an unbalanced diet. A strictly vertical transmission leads to co-speciation between the two partners. We have investigated an insect-bacteria relationship with a non-nutritional basis.

Reproductive factors and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: nationwide cohort study in Denmark.

Objective: The female predominance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) suggests the possible involvement of reproductive factors in its etiology. We evaluated the relationship between parity and pregnancy losses and subsequent risk of SLE in a population-based cohort study.

Methods: We followed 4.

Appendicitis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and subsequent risk of ulcerative colitis: cohort studies in Sweden and Denmark.

Objective: To determine whether the repeatedly observed low risk of ulcerative colitis after appendicectomy is related to the appendicectomy itself or the underlying morbidity, notably appendicitis or mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Design: Nationwide cohort studies.

Setting: Sweden and Denmark.

Molecular phylogeny of reed beetles (Col., Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae): the signature of ecological specialization and geographical isolation.

The Donaciinae consist of approximately 165 species predominantly occurring in the northern hemisphere. We analysed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (COI, EF-1alpha) of 46 species to investigate their phylogeny and to discuss general topics in the context of insect herbivory (generalists versus specialists, ecological speciation). Phylogenetic reconstructions from various methodical approaches yielded very similar results.

Fatherhood status and prostate cancer risk.

Background: Whether fatherhood status affects prostate cancer risk remains controversial. Recently, it was proposed that childless men are at lower prostate cancer risk than men with children and that men with sons may be at lower risk than men with daughters only.

Methods: National population-based register data were used to address these associations between fatherhood status and prostate cancer risk.

The risk of developing Crohn's disease after an appendectomy: a population-based cohort study in Sweden and Denmark.

Background: The relationship between appendectomy and Crohn's disease is controversial. A Swedish-Danish cohort study was conducted to assess the risk of developing Crohn's disease after an appendectomy.

Methods: 709 353 appendectomy patients in Sweden (since 1964) and Denmark (since 1977) were followed for first hospitalisations for Crohn's disease to 2004.

Strong combined gene-environment effects in anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide-positive rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide case-control study in Denmark.

Objective: To study the role of shared epitope (SE) susceptibility genes, alone and in combination with tobacco smoking and other environmental risk factors, for risk of subtypes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) defined by the presence or absence of serum antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCPs).

Methods: To address these issues, a nationwide case-control study was conducted in Denmark during 2002-2004, comprising incident cases of RA or patients with recently diagnosed RA (309 seropositive and 136 seronegative for IgG antibodies against CCP) and 533 sex- and age-matched population controls. Associations were evaluated by logistic regression analyses, in which odds ratios (ORs) served as measures of relative risk.

Reproductive patterns and non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk in Danish women and men.

Reproductive patterns have been inconsistently linked to risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in women, and fathering patterns in relation to NHL risk have not been studied. The authors conducted a register-based cohort study of 4.1 million Danes to investigate associations of livebirths with subsequent NHL incidence (85 million person-years, 3819 NHL cases).

Environmental risk factors differ between rheumatoid arthritis with and without auto-antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides.

The aim of this study was to evaluate new and previously hypothesised non-genetic risk factors for serologic subtypes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) defined by the presence or absence of auto-antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP). In a national case-control study, we included 515 patients recently diagnosed with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology 1987 classification criteria and 769 gender- and age-matched population controls. Telephone interviews provided information about non-genetic exposures, and serum samples for patients were tested for anti-CCP-antibodies.