University of Iceland

About: University of Iceland is a education organization based out in Reykjavik, Suðurnes, Iceland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Genome-wide association study. The organization has 5423 authors who have published 16199 publications receiving 694762 citations. The organization is also known as: Háskóli Íslands.

The prevalence of onychomycosis in the global population: a literature study.

Abstract: Background Onychomycosis is a common disorder, and high prevalence figures are commonly cited in the literature. Objectives Evaluate the prevalence of onychomycosis based on published studies. Methods Relevant studies were identified in Medline by using specific search criteria. Results Eleven population-based and 21 hospital-based studies were identified. The mean prevalence in Europe and North America was 4.3% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.9–6.8] in the population-based studies, but it was 8.9% (95% CI: 4.3–13.6) for the hospital-based studies. Both population-based and hospital-based studies showed that onychomycosis is more common in toenails and is seen more frequently in males. The main causative agent was a dermatophyte in 65.0% (95% CI: 51.9–78.1) of the cases. Trichophyton rubrum was the single most common fungus and was cultured on average in 44.9% of the cases (95% CI: 33.8–56.0). Moulds were found on average in 13.3% (95% CI: 4.6–22.1) and yeasts in 21.1% (95% CI: 11.0–31.3). Limitations We may not have been able to locate all studies. Conclusions Onychomycosis is a common disorder, but it may not be as common as cited in the literature, because hospital-based studies might overestimate the prevalence of onychomycosis. It is more frequent in males, and toenails are more commonly affected. Dermatophytes, particularly T. rubrum, are the main causative agents.

On the ocular refractive components: the Reykjavik Eye Study.

Abstract: . Purpose: To study the correlation between ocular refraction and the refractive components (corneal power, lens power and axial length) in a population-based sample of normal subjects. Methods: We analysed the refractive and biometric findings for 723 right eyes (325 males and 398 females) comprising a population-based random sample of citizens 55 years and older participating in the Reykjavik Eye Study. Measurements of refraction, corneal curvature (by keratometry), anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length (all by ultrasound biometry) were used to calculate crystalline lens power. The correlation and regression between refraction and ocular refractive components (corneal power, anterior chamber depth, lens power and axial length) were studied by distributional statistical methods. Results: Refraction (spherical equivalent) showed a significant negative correlation with axial length (r = –0.59, P < 0.0001), lens power (r = –0.26, P < 0.0001) and corneal power (r = –0.16, P < 0.0001). There were significant negative correlations between axial length and corneal power (r = –0.44, P < 0.0001) and between axial length and lens power (r = –0.44, P < 0.0001). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, refraction could be correlated with corneal power, lens power and axial length in combination with a correlation coefficient of 0.98 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: This study confirms that ocular refraction is statistically significantly correlated with not only axial length but also lens power and (to a lesser extent) corneal power. The variation and correlations of crystalline lens power were considerable – possibly indicating this component's modulatory effect on ocular refraction during growth. We conclude the refractive error of the eye to be a multifactorial condition involving a complex interplay between the cornea, the lens and the length of the eye.

Population history and genetic structure of a circumpolar species: the arctic fox

Abstract: The circumpolar arctic fox Alopex lagopus thrives in cold climates and has a high migration rate involving long-distance movements. Thus, it differs from many temperate taxa that were subjected to ...

Lifetime of racetrack skyrmions

Abstract: The skyrmion racetrack is a promising concept for future information technology. There, binary bits are carried by nanoscale spin swirls-skyrmions-driven along magnetic strips. Stability of the sky ...