Prevalence and early-life risk factors of school-age allergic multimorbidity: The EuroPrevall-iFAAM birth cohort.

Background: Coexistence of childhood asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis is higher than can be expected by chance, suggesting a common mechanism. Data on allergic multimorbidity from a pan-European, population-based birth cohort study have been lacking. This study compares the prevalence and early-life risk factors of these diseases in European primary school children.

Gradual caldera collapse at Bárdarbunga volcano, Iceland, regulated by lateral magma outflow.

Large volcanic eruptions on Earth commonly occur with a collapse of the roof of a crustal magma reservoir, forming a caldera. Only a few such collapses occur per century, and the lack of detailed observations has obscured insight into the mechanical interplay between collapse and eruption. We use multiparameter geophysical and geochemical data to show that the 110-square-kilometer and 65-meter-deep collapse of Bárdarbunga caldera in 2014-2015 was initiated through withdrawal of magma, and lateral migration through a 48-kilometers-long dike, from a 12-kilometers deep reservoir.

Genome-wide search for breast cancer linkage in large Icelandic non-BRCA1/2 families.

Introduction: A significant proportion of high-risk breast cancer families are not explained by mutations in known genes. Recent genome-wide searches (GWS) have not revealed any single major locus reminiscent of BRCA1 and BRCA2, indicating that still unidentified genes may explain relatively few families each or interact in a way obscure to linkage analyses. This has drawn attention to possible benefits of studying populations where genetic heterogeneity might be reduced.

Effects of knowledge, education, and experience on acceptance of first trimester screening for chromosomal anomalies.

Objectives: To assess pregnant women's knowledge and understanding of first trimester prenatal screening (nuchal translucency, maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy-associated plasma-protein-A), to evaluate the impact of a new information booklet and investigate the effects of education and experiential knowledge of congenital disabilities on the perceived likelihood of accepting prenatal screening.

Design: A quasi-experimental quantitative study with a self-completion questionnaire.

Setting: Five different maternity care clinics in Iceland.

Suspected infections in children treated for ALL.

Aim: The aim of our study was to get epidemiological information on bacterial infections in children treated for ALL and to analyse which patients have an enhanced infection risk.

Methods: Episodes of suspected or confirmed infections were evaluated during the first 12 months of treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Results: The number of patients was 73 (43 boys).

Association of vitamin D binding protein variants with chronic mucus hypersecretion in Iceland.

Background: Previous studies of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP, also known as group-specific component, Gc, encoded by the GC gene) have implicated two gene variants, GC*2 and GC*1F, as possible contributors with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) protection and susceptibility, respectively. The objective of this study was to examine the association of VDBP to different subtypes of COPD.

Study Design: The association of the various GC genotypes to the COPD phenotype was examined in Icelandic COPD patients who were followed by pulmonary physicians at the University Hospital of Iceland.

Linkage of osteoporosis to chromosome 20p12 and association to BMP2.

Osteoporotic fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in ageing populations. Osteoporosis, defined as low bone mineral density (BMD) and associated fractures, have significant genetic components that are largely unknown. Linkage analysis in a large number of extended osteoporosis families in Iceland, using a phenotype that combines osteoporotic fractures and BMD measurements, showed linkage to Chromosome 20p12.