Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Characterization Of Food Chain Clostridioides Difficile Isolates In Terms Of Ribotype And Antimicrobial Resistance, Pilar Marcos, Aoife Doyle, Paul Whyte, Thomas R. Rogers, Maire Mcelroy, Seamus Fanning, Jesus Maria Frias, Declan Bolton

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The aim of this study was to characterize C. difficile isolates from the farm, abattoir, and retail outlets in Ireland in terms of ribotype and antibiotic resistance (vancomycin, erythromycin, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, clindamycin, and rifampicin) using PCR and E-test methods, respectively. The most common ribotype in all stages of the food chain (including retail foods) was 078 and a variant (RT078/4). Less commonly reported (014/0, 002/1, 049, and 205) and novel (RT530, 547, and 683) ribotypes were also detected, but at lower frequencies. Approximately 72% (26/36 tested) of the isolates tested were resistant to at least one antibiotic, with the majority …

Energy Metabolism, Metabolite, And Inflammatory Profiles In Human Ex Vivo Adipose Tissue Are Influenced By Obesity Status, Metabolic Dysfunction, And Treatment Regimes In Patients With Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma, Fiona O'Connell, Eimear Mylod, Noel E. Donlon, Aisling B. Heeran, Christine Butler, Anshul Bhardwaj, Sinead Ramjit, Michael Durand, Gerard Lambe, Paul Tansey, Ivan Welartne, Kevin P. Sheahan, Xiaofei Yin, Claire L. Donohoe, Narayanasamy Ravi

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Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is a poor prognosis cancer with limited response rates to current treatment modalities and has a strong link to obesity. To better elucidate the role of visceral adiposity in this disease state, a full metabolic profile combined with analysis of secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines, metabolites, and lipid profiles were assessed in human ex vivo adipose tissue explants from obese and non-obese OAC patients. These data were then related to extensive clinical data including obesity status, metabolic dysfunction, previous treatment exposure, and tumour regression grades. Real-time energy metabolism profiles were assessed using the seahorse technology. Adipose explant conditioned media …

Identifying The Characteristics, Constraints, And Enablers To Creating Value In Applied Performance Analysis, Denise Martin, Peter G. O'Donoghue, Jonathan Bradley, Sam Robertson, Denise Mcgrath

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While applied performance analysts (PAs) are a well-established applied sports science practitioner group, there is no clear definition of the purpose of an analyst, their key relationships, or the expertise required to execute the role successfully. This research sought to understand how PA practitioners and educators perceive their role as applied PA practitioners. Twenty-seven applied PAs and educators with applied PA experience participated in six online focus groups, completing an online survey in advance. Reflexive thematic analysis of transcripts and survey data generated an overarching theme: embedded applied PA practitioners have a value co-creation role within performance ecosystems which is …

What Is Meaningful Participation For Physical Therapists In Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences And Tumor Boards?, Stacy Weber, Athena A. Manzino, Christopher M. Wilson, Nicole D. Booms

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Tumor boards are multidisciplinary team meetings composed of providers from different specialties who collaborate to provide comprehensive cancer care. Although the term “tumor board” may be used commonly in practice, these meetings are often referred to as multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) within the literature and are referred to as such in this article. At this time, there is no current literature describing the role of physical therapists (PTs) and rehabilitation professionals as part of the MCC or multidisciplinary tumor boards. Yet, PTs are often included as part of this multidisciplinary team in cancer care. This inclusion has not completely shifted …

Methodological Considerations In Injury Burden Of Disease Studies Across Europe: A Systematic Literature Review, Periklis Charalampous, Elena Pallari, Vanessa Gorasso, Elena Von Der Lippe, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Sara M. Pires, Dietrich Plass, Jane Idavain, Che Henry Ngwa, Isabel Noguer, Alicia Padron-Monedero, Rodrigo Sarmiento, Marek Majdan, Balázs Ádám, Ala’A Alkerwi, Seila Cilovic-Lagarija, Benjamin Clarsen, Barbara Corso, Sarah Cuschieri, Keren Dopelt, Mary Economou, Florian Fischer, Alberto Freitas, Juan Manuel García-González, Federica Gazzelloni, Artemis Gkitakou, Hakan Gulmez, Paul Hynds, Gaetano Isola, Lea S. Jakobsen, Zubair Kabir, Katarzyna Kissimova-Skarbek, Ann Kristin Knudsen, Naime Meriç Konar, Carina Ladeira, Brian Lassen, Aaron Liew, Marjeta Majer, Enkeleint A. Mechili, Alibek Mereke Alibek Mereke, Lorenzo Monasta, Stefania Mondello, Joana Nazaré Morgado, Evangelia Nena, Edmond S. W. Ng, Vikram Niranjan, Iskra Alexandra Nola, Rónán O’Caoimh, Panagiotis Petrou, Vera Pinheiro, Miguel Reina Ortiz, Silvia Riva, Hanen Samouda, João Vasco Vasco Santos, Cornelia Melinda Adi Santoso, Milena Santric Milicevic, Dimitrios Skempes, Ana Catarina Sousa, Niko Speybroeck, Fimka Tozija, Brigid Unim, Hilal Bektaş Uysal, Fabrizio Giovanni Vaccaro, Orsolya Varga, Milena Vasic, Francesco Saverio Violante, Grant M. A. Wyper, Suzanne Polinder, Juanita A. Haagsma

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Calculating the disease burden due to injury is complex, as it requires many methodological choices. Until now, an overview of the methodological design choices that have been made in burden of disease (BoD) studies in injury populations is not available. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify existing injury BoD studies undertaken across Europe and to comprehensively review the methodological design choices and assumption parameters that have been made to calculate years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) in these studies.

Telehealth Delivery Of A Multi-Disciplinary Rehabilitation Programme For Upper Gastro-Intestinal Cancer: Restore@Home Feasibility Study, Louise Brennan, Fatemeh Sadeghi, Linda O'Neill, Emer Guinan, Laura Smith, Graine Sheill, Suzanne Doyle, Claire M. Timon, Deirdre Connolly, Jacintha O'Sullivan, John V. Reynolds, Juliette Hussey

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Advances in diagnosis and the treatment for upper gastro-intestinal (UGI) cancers have led to improved survival rates and, consequently, to a larger population of survivors of many types of UGI cancer [1,2]. Progress in survivorship care for UGI cancer remains poor, and many survivors experience ongoing negative physical and psychosocial impacts of treatment, which can have profound and long-term impacts on physical function and quality of life (QOL) [3,4]. At one year post-op, 40% of survivors report poor physical function, and significant reductions in walking distance, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength are observed, along with a high prevalence of fatigue …

Agility Demands Of Gaelic Football Match-Play: A Time-Motion Analysis, Paul F. Talty, Kevin Mcguigan, Mark Quinn, Paul A. Jones

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Research into the physical demands of Gaelic football is limited with no research into the agility or change of direction (CoD) demands of the sport. This study examined the CoD demands of Gaelic football via a time-motion analysis of senior inter-county match play. The Bloomfield movement classification (BMC) was adapted for application to Gaelic football. A new “descriptor” was used in an effort to account for the decision-making component of agility by isolating actions that occurred during active engagement with play. Of 1,899 changes of direction (CoDs) identified, 1,035 occurred during active engagement in play. The left/right split for CoDs …

Developing A Framework For Professional Practice In Applied Performance Analysis, Denise Martin, Peter G. O'Donohoghue, Jonathan Bradley, Denise Mcgrath

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Applied performance analysts are increasingly seen as sports science professionals; however, there is no accepted framework for professional practice. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a framework for professional practice in applied performance analysis (PA) which identifies the components of practice and the expertise underpinning it.

A six-step framework analysis was conducted: (1) An initial conceptual framework was devised based on well-accepted components of applied practice; (2) A systematic review identified 90 papers relating to applied PA practice; (3) Papers were coded to the initial framework and additional themes recorded; (4) Themes were analysed and synthesised …

Doctors Can’T Be Doctors All Of The Time’: A Qualitative Study Of How General Practitioners And Medical Students Negotiate Public-Professional And Private-Personal Realms Using Social Media, Megan Marshal

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Objective The objective of this study is to explore the experiences and perspectives of general practitioners’ and medical students’ use of, and behaviour on, social media and to understand how they negotiate threats to professional and personal life on social media. Design A two-phase qualitative design was used, consisting of semistructured interviews and follow-up vignettes, where participants were asked to respond to vignettes that involved varying degrees of unprofessional behaviour. Data were analysed using template analysis. Setting and participants Participants were general practitioner tutors and third year medical students who had just completed placement on the University of Limerick longitudinal …

Doctors Can’T Be Doctors All Of The Time: A Qualitative Study Of How General Practitioners And Medical Students Negotiate Public-Professional And Private-Personal Realms Using Social Media, Megan Marshall, Vikram Niranjan, Eimear Spain, Joe Macdonagh, Jane O'Doherty, Raymond O'Connor, Andrew O'Regan

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The objective of this study is to explore the experiences and perspectives of general practitioners’ and medical students’ use of, and behaviour on, social media and to understand how they negotiate threats to professional and personal life on social media.

Preoperative Exercise To Improve Fitness In Patients Undergoing Complex Surgery For Cancer Of The Lung Or Oesophagus (Pre-Hiit): Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Grainne Sheill, Emer Guinan, Linda O'Neill, Charles Normand, Suzanne Doyle, Sarah Moore, John Newell, Granne Mcdermott, Ronan Ryan, John V. Reynolds, Juliette Hussey

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Patients with cancer of the lung or oesophagus, undergoing curative treatment, usually require a thoracotomy and a complex oncological resection. These surgeries carry a risk of major morbidity and mortality, and risk assessment, preoperative optimisation, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways are modern approaches to optimise outcomes. Pre-operative fitness is an established predictor of postoperative outcome, accordingly, targeting pre-operative fitness through exercise prehabilitation has logical appeal. Exercise prehabilitation is challenging to implement however due to the short opportunity for intervention between diagnosis and surgery. Therefore, individually prescribed, intensive exercise training protocols which convey clinically meaningful improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness …

Adherence To Dietary And Physical Activity Guidelines Among Shift Workers: Associations With Individual And Work-Related Factors, Ciara Kelly, Fiona M. Nea, Kirsty Pourshahidi, John Kearney, Victoria M O'Brien, M Barbara E Livingstone, Clare Corish

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Objectives Shift work is associated with adverse effects on the health and lifestyle behaviours of employees. This study aimed to examine factors associated with adherence among shift workers to selected indicators of dietary and physical activity guidelines. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1300 shift workers. Data were collected using a 15 minute telephone-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression methods were used for data analysis. Results Male shift workers (p

Association Between Eccentric Knee Flexor Strength And Hamstring Injury Risk In 185 Elite Gaelic Football Players, Mark Roe, Eamonn Delahunt, Malachy Mchugh, Conor Gissane, Shane Malone, Kieran Collins, Catherine Blake

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Hamstring strains are the most common time-loss injury in elite Gaelic football affecting over 20% of players per season. Thus, there is a need to identify factors contributing to the onset of hamstring injuries in order to inform injury risk management strategies. The current study investigated whether eccentric knee flexor strength and between-limb imbalances were associated with increased risk of sustaining a timeloss hamstring injury in elite Gaelic football players. A total of 185 elite male players (26.9 ± 2.7 years, 86.4 ± 6.2 kg, 183.4 ± 5.6) were prospectively followed for 12 weeks from the day of testing. Injury …

The Role Of Mineral And Trace Element Supplementation In Exercise And Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review, Shane Heffernan, Katy Horner, Giuseppe De Vito, Gillian Conway

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Minerals and trace elements (MTEs) are micronutrients involved in hundreds of biological processes. Deficiency in MTEs can negatively affect athletic performance. Approximately 50% of athletes have reported consuming some form of micronutrient supplement; however, there is limited data confirming their efficacy for improving performance. The aim of this study was to systematically review the role of MTEs in exercise and athletic performance. Six electronic databases and grey literature sources (MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL and SportDISCUS; Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov) were searched, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: 17,433 articles were identified and 130 experiments from 128 studies were included. Retrieved …

Five-Year Follow Up Of A Low Glycaemic Index Dietary Randomised Controlled Trial In Pregnancy—No Long-Term Maternal Effects Of A Dietary Intervention, E.C. O'Brien, Aisling A. Geraghty, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, J.A. Riordan, Mary K. Horan, Elizabeth Larkin, John Mehegan, P.J. Twomey, Fionnuala M. Mcauliffe

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Objective: To determine whether a dietary intervention in pregnancy had a lasting effect on maternal outcomes of diet, HbA1c and weight retention 5 years post-intervention; and to establish whether modifiable maternal behaviours were associated with these outcomes. Design: Randomised control trial of low glycaemic index (GI) diet in pregnancy with longitudinal follow up to 5 years post-intervention. Setting: Dublin, Ireland (2007–2016). Population: In all, 403 women of 759 (53.1%) were followed up at 5 years. A total of 370 (intervention n = 188; control n = 182) were included in this analysis. Methods: Fasting glucose was measured at 13 and …

Randomised Study Demonstrates Sustained Benefits Of A Pre-School Intervention Designed To Improve Nutrition And Physical Activity Practices, Diewerke De Zwarte, John Kearney, Clare A. Corish, Corina Glennon, Lorraine Maher, Charlotte Johnston Molloy

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Background: Health-promoting programmes must demonstrate sustained efficacy in order to make a true impact on public health. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Healthy Incentive for Pre-schools project on health-promoting practices in full-day-care pre-schools 18 months after a training intervention.

Methods: Thirty-seven pre-schools completed the initial study and were included in this follow-up study. The intervention consisted of one training session with either the pre-school 'manager-only' or 'manager and staff' using a specifically developed needs-based training resource pack comprised of written educational material and a validated health-promoting practice evaluation tool. Direct observation data of health-promoting practices were …

Effect Of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation On Preoperative Pulmonary Physiology, Postoperative Respiratory Complications And Quality Of Life In Patients With Oesophageal Cancer, J. A. Elliott, L. O'Byrne, G. Foley, C. F. Murphy, Suzanne Doyle, S. King, E. M. Guinan, N. Ravi, V. Reynolds

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Background: It remains controversial whether neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) for oesophageal cancer influences operative morbidity, in particular pulmonary, and quality of life. This study combined clinical outcome data with systematic evaluation of pulmonary physiology to determine the impact of nCRT on pulmonary physiology and clinical outcomes in locally advanced oesophageal cancer.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated between 2010 and 2016 were included. Three-dimensional conformal radiation was standard, with a lung dose–volume histogram of V20 less than 25 per cent, and total radiation between 40 and 41⋅4Gy. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity …

Patient Experiences Of A Physiotherapy-Led Multidisciplinary Rehabilitative Intervention After Successful Treatment For Oesophago-Gastric Cancer, Annemarie Bennett, L. O'Neill, D. Connolly, E. M. Guinan, L. Boland, Suzanne Doyle, J. O'Sullivan, J. V. Reynolds, J. Hussey

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Purpose To qualitatively explore the perceived impact of a 12-week rehabilitative intervention for oesophago-gastric cancer survivors on their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Methods Of the 21 participants who completed the intervention, 19 took part in a semi-structured focus group interview. Four audio-taped focus groups were held, ranging in size from two to eight participants. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach. Results At recruitment, participants were 23.5 ± 15.2 months post-surgery and all had suboptimal fitness levels. Participants reported improvements in their physical capacity and ability to carry out activities of daily living during the …

Sarcopenia During Neoadjuvant Therapy For Oesophageal Cancer: Characterising The Impact On Muscle Strength And Physical Performance, E.M. Guinan, Suzanne Doyle, A.E. Bennett, L. O'Neill, J. Gannon, J.A. Elliott, J. O'Sullivan, J.V. Reynolds, J. Hussey

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Purpose Preoperative chemo(radio)therapy for oesophageal cancer (OC) may have an attritional impact on body composition and functional status, impacting postoperative outcome. Physical decline with skeletal muscle loss has not been previously characterised in OC and may be amenable to physical rehabilitation. This study characterises skeletal muscle mass and physical performance from diagnosis to post-neoadjuvant therapy in patients undergoing preoperative chemo(radio)therapy for OC.

Methods Measures of body composition (axial computerised tomography), muscle strength (handgrip), functional capacity (walking distance), anthropometry (weight, height and waist circumference), physical activity, quality-of-life and nutritional status were captured prospectively. Sarcopenia status was defined as pre-sarcopenic (low muscle …

Multi-Drug Resistant Escherichia Coli In Diarrhoeagenic Foals: Pulsotyping, Phylotyping, Serotyping, Antibiotic Resistance And Virulence Profiling, C.A. Kennedy, Ciara Walsh, M. Karczmarczyk, S. O'Brien, N. Akasheh, M. Quirke, S. Farrell-Ward, T. Buckley, U. Fogherty, K. Kavanagh, C.T. Parker, T. Sweeney, S. Fanning

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Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) possess the ability to cause extraintestinal infections such as urinary tract infections, neonatal meningitis and sepsis. While information is readily available describing pathogenic E. coli populations in food-producing animals, studies in companion/sports animals such as horses are limited. In addition, many antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of equine infections are also utilised in human medicine, potentially contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance determinants among pathogenic strains. The aim of this study was to phenotypically and genotypically characterise the multidrug resistance and virulence associated with 83 equine E. coli isolates recovered from foals with …

The Use, Integration And Perceived Value Of Performance Analysis In A Broad Population Of Coaches, Denise Martin, Alan Swanton, Jonathan Bradley, Denise Mcgrath

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Research into the perceptions, practices and engagement of coaches with performance analysis is fundamental to informing the continued development of the discipline and its practitioners. The aim of this study was to survey a large sample of coaches of varying profiles, regarding their use and integration of performance analysis, to explore its perceived value and barriers to its use. Survey data were analysed from 538 Irish coaches qualified at Level 1 and above (82% male), from 37 sports. A spectrum of coaches’ engagement with performance analysis, ranging from no formal performance analysis (49%), to coaches doing their own analysis (coach-as-analyst, …

The Use, Integration And Perceived Value Of Performance Analysis To Professional And Amateur Irish Coaches, Denise Martin, Alan Swanton, Jonathan Bradley, Denise Mcgrath

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Research into the perceptions, practices and engagement of coaches with performance analysis is fundamental to informing the continued development of the discipline and its practitioners. The aim of this study was to survey a large sample of coaches of varying profiles, regarding their use and integration of performance analysis, to explore its perceived value and barriers to its use. Survey data were analysed from 538 Irish coaches qualified at Level 1 and above (82% male), from 37 sports. A spectrum of coaches’ engagement with performance analysis, ranging from no formal performance analysis (49%), to coaches doing their own analysis (coach-as-analyst, …

Co-Colonisation With Aspergillus Fumigatus And Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Is Associated With Poorer Health In Cystic Fibrosis Patients: An Irish Registry Analysis, Emma Reece, Ricardo Segurado, Abaigeal Jackson, Siobhan Mcclean, Julie Renwick, Peter Greally

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Pulmonary infection is the main cause of death in cystic fibrosis (CF). Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) are the most prevalent fungal and bacterial pathogens isolated from the CF airway, respectively. Our aim was to determine the effect of different colonisation profiles of AF and PA on the clinical status of patients with CF.

A Six Stage Operational Framework For Individualising Injury Risk Management In Sport, Mark Roe, Shane Malone, Catherine Blake, Kieran Collins, Conor Gissane, Fionn Buttner, John C. Murphy, Eamonn Delahunt

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Managing injury risk is important for maximising athlete availability and performance. Although athletes are inherently predisposed to musculoskeletal injuries by participating in sports, etiology models have illustrated how susceptibility is influenced by repeat interactions between the athlete (i.e. intrinsic factors) and environmental stimuli (i.e. extrinsic factors). Such models also reveal that the likelihood of an injury emerging across time is related to the interconnectedness of multiple factors cumulating in a pattern of either positive (i.e. increased fitness) or negative adaptation (i.e. injury).

Monitoring Player Fitness, Fatigue Status And Running Performance During An In-Season Training Camp In Elite Gaelic Football, Shane Malone, Brian Hughes, Mark Roe, Kieran Collins, Martin Buchheit

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Objectives: To examine selected perceptual and physiological measures to monitor fitness, fatigue and running performance during an in-season training camp in elite Gaelic football. Methods: Twenty-two elite Gaelic football players were monitored for training load, perceived ratings of wellness, heart rate variability (HRV; LnSD1), heart rate recovery (HRR), exercise heart rate (HRex), lower limb muscular power (CMJ) and global positioning system (GPS) variables. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1) was assessed pre and post the training camp. With specific small-sided games (SSG) used as a measure of running performance. Results: During the camp, HRex decreased (−12.2%), HRR increased …

Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance In Subelite Gaelic Football Players From Under Thirteen To Senior Age Groups, Mark Roe, Shane Malone

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Gaelic football is indigenous to Ireland and has similar locomotion profiles to soccer and Australian Football. Given the increasing attention on long-term player development, investigations into age-related variation in Yo-YoIR1 performance may provide useful information in talent identification, programme design, and player monitoring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate Yo-YoIR1 performance across Gaelic football age groups. Male participants (n = 355) were recruited from division one, Gaelic football teams. Participants were allocated to one of seven groups according to respective age groups from under 13 (U13), under 14, under 15 (U15), under 16 (U16), minor, under 21 …

Insole Antenna For On-Body Telemetry, Domenico Gaetano, Patrick Mcevoy, Max Ammann, Matthias John, Colm Brannigan, Louise Keating, Frances Horgan

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A 433 MHz antenna is proposed for integration with the insole of footwear for a body area network. The folded dipole design with an asymmetric groundplane radiates from its edges and considers the close proximity of the human foot and ground surfaces. It functions for different ground conductivity conditions and an on-body communication link with an Inverted F Antenna in the upper body area was evaluated on a static and dynamic human subject. The antenna solution was compliant with Specific Absorption Rate requirements, remains matched and links with upper-body nodes regardless of the body posture and node location.

Molecular Characterization Of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia Coli Isolates From Irish Cattle Farms, Maria Karczmarczyk, Ciara Walsh, Rosemarie Slowey, Nola Leonard, Seamus Fanning

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This study describes the genotypic characteristics of a collection of 100 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli strains recovered from cattle and the farm environment in Ireland in 2007. The most prevalent antimicrobial resistance identified was to streptomycin (100%), followed by tetracycline (99%), sulfonamides (98%), ampicillin (82%), and neomycin (62%). Resistance was mediated predominantly by strA-strB (92%), tetA (67%), sul2 (90%), blaTEM (79%), and aphA1 (63%) gene markers, respectively. Twenty-seven isolates harbored a class 1 integrase (intI1), while qacE1 and sul1 markers were identified in 25 and 26 isolates, respectively. The variable regions of these integrons contained aminoglycoside, trimethoprim, and [1]-lactam resistance …

An Ergonomic Assessment Of A Customer Service Organisation, Victor Hrymak

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An ergonomic assessment of a customer services organisation was carried out. The nethodology is described and the results presented together with recommendations