Investigation of the bacteriophage community in induced lysates of undefined mesophilic mixed-strain DL-cultures using classical and metagenomic approaches.

To investigate the notion that starter cultures can be a reservoir of bacteriophages (phages) in the dairy environment, strains of three DL-starters (undefined mesophilic mixed-strain starters containing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis and Leuconostoc species) were selected and induced by mitomycin C, and the whole starters were induced spontaneously as well as by mitomycin C.

Influence of peer review medical audit on pathophysiological interpretation of nerve conduction studies in polyneuropathies.

Objective: To evaluate the possible influence of peer review medical audit on experienced physicians' pathophysiological interpretation of nerve conduction studies in polyneuropathy patients.

Methods: Since 1992, 7 European neurophysiologists have collected samples of their patient examinations for regular review where the physicians interpret each other's cases electronically and subsequently discuss them at regular workshop meetings (i.e.

Antibiotics and risk of first-time hospitalization for myocardial infarction: a population-based case-control study.

There is increasing evidence that inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Such inflammation is likely related to the presence of infectious organisms. Hence, we examined whether the use of antibiotic drugs decreases the risk of first-time myocardial infarction (MI).

Influence of medical audit on electrodiagnostic evaluation of polyneuropathy. A multicentre study.

Objective: Since 1992, 7 European neurophysiologists have participated in the ESTEEM project concerned with improvements in electrodiagnostic medicine. This study assesses whether the collaboration that includes peer review medical audit has influenced the involved physicians' electrodiagnostic criteria for polyneuropathy (PNP) diagnosing and classification.

Methods: Two sets of each physician's PNP examinations performed early and late in the study were examined for changes in (1) number of studies with abnormal electrophysiological findings required for diagnosing PNP, and (2) agreement between the classifications given by the individual physicians and the peer review group.

Antidepressants and risk of first-time hospitalization for myocardial infarction: a population-based case-control study.

Purpose: Several studies have found an increased risk of myocardial infarction among depressed patients. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to lack the arrhythmic adverse effects of tricyclic antidepressants, and are thought to inhibit platelet aggregation. We examined whether use of different antidepressant classes is associated with a lower risk of first-time hospitalization for myocardial infarction, as compared with nonuse.

Hip fracture risk in statin users--a population-based Danish case-control study.

Based on animal studies, statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) have been suggested as potential agents in the treatment of osteoporosis. In some epidemiological studies, statins have been associated with a reduced fracture risk. Our objective was to examine associations between statin treatment and risk of hip fracture in a population-based case-control study.

A registry-based study of gender, fetal growth, and risk of Wilms tumor.

The possibility of an interaction between gender and fetal growth on the risk of Wilms tumor is poorly examined. Using nationwide population-based registries, the authors identified all children (N = 126) diagnosed with Wilms tumor in Denmark, 1973-1993, and selected 10 matched population controls per case. Data on birth weight, gestational age, and ponderal index were used to examine the association between gender, fetal growth, and risk of Wilms tumor.

Hospital discharges and 30-day case fatality for drug poisoning: a Danish population-based study from 1979 to 2002 with special emphasis on paracetamol.

Objective: To examine the number of hospital discharges and 30-day case fatalities due to drug poisoning based on data from a Danish County Hospital Discharge Registry from 1979 to 2002.

Methods: All patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis of drug poisoning were identified and separated into groups taking: (1) opioid analgesics; (2) non-opioid analgesics; (3) anxiolytics; (4) antidepressants; (5) antipsychotics; or (6) non-specified. Paracetamol and salicylate were analysed separately.

Birth weight and risk of early-onset breast cancer (Denmark).

Objective: To investigate if birth weight is associated with early-onset breast cancer. The mechanism behind an association with high birth weight could be the link between fetal growth and estrogens in utero.

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Denmark including 881 women with breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 40 years and 3,423 age-matched controls.