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At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Body temperature management after severe traumatic brain injury: methods and protocols used in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether there is consensus in the management of body temperature in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to hospitals in the United Kingdom and Ireland for neurosurgical intensive care. METHODS: Permission was granted from the Society of British Neurosurgeons (SBNS) and the Local Research Ethics Committee to undertake the survey. A senior member of nursing staff from all adult neurosurgical units, excluding our own, was contacted by telephone. RESULTS: All 33 adult neurosurgical centres participated. Six units had a formal written protocol for the management of body temperature. For the remainder (27 units), interest was expressed in a protocol for temperature management particularly for those patients with intractable hyperthermia/fever. Administration of the antipyretic paracetamol was the most common 'first-line' treatment (13 units). Other 'first-line' methods were: circulating air-cooling blankets (9 units), water-filled cooling blankets (6 units), tepid sponging or wet soaks (2 units), convection fans (2 units) and administration of cold fluids via the gut or circulation (1 unit). When 'first-line' methods failed to bring about a fall in temperature, different combinations of these methods were used. CONCLUSIONS: From this survey, it is evident that there is no consensus in the approach to temperature management in neurosurgical intensive care patients with severe TBI. Review and rationalisation of systems of care may be required in an effort to develop evidence-based nationwide guidelines.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2006

Particulate sulphate and nitrate in Southern England and Northern Ireland during 2002/3 and its formation in a photochemical trajectory model.

Daily measurements of sulphate and nitrate are reported from Harwell in southern England and Belfast in Northern Ireland for the period 2002/3. When the higher percentiles are compared with the mean concentration, nitrate reveals considerably greater episodicity than either sulphate or PM(10) (measured by TEOM). A photochemical trajectory model using the Master Chemical Mechanism scheme has been used to predict daily concentrations of both nitrate and sulphate aerosol over the period March to August 2002 at the Belfast and Harwell sites. This has been carried out for daily samples using 72, 96 and 120 h air mass back trajectories obtained from both the British Atmospheric Data Centre and the HYSPLIT on-line service. Additionally, model simulations have been conducted for 5 trajectories generated through clustering of the trajectories for individual days. This reveals an under-prediction of the model associated particularly with trajectories originating from the European mainland. In general, the model performs reasonably well in simulating concentrations of both nitrate and sulphate, which is surprising given that the model does not account for processes requiring the presence of liquid water. This suggests that aqueous phase oxidation processes may not make a major contribution to airborne sulphate concentrations in the U.K. in the spring and summer months. It appears that inclusion of explicit ammonium nitrate formation chemistry may be essential to reliable prediction of episodic nitrate peaks.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2004

Studies of polyether toxins in the marine phytoplankton, Dinophysis acuta, in Ireland using multiple tandem mass spectrometry.

Diarretic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is a toxic syndrome associated with the consumption of bivalve molluscs. The DSP toxins are polyether compounds, which include okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxins (DTXs), pectenotoxins (PTXs) and pectenotoxin seco acids (PTX2SAs). These toxins originate in marine dinoflagellates, including Dinophysis spp. Phytoplankton samples were collected from the southwest coast of Ireland and D. acuta was the predominant species. Monocultures of D. acuta cells were prepared by hand picking from microscope slides in order to confirm their toxin profiles. There was a remarkable consistency in the toxin profiles in all of the phytoplankton samples collected during the summer months, irrespective of location, depth or mesh size. Analysis using liquid chromatography-multiple tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed that DTX2 and OA were the predominant toxins at a consistent ratio. The average toxin composition was: DTX2 (53+/-5%), OA (26.5+/-2.3%) and total pectenotoxins (20.8+/-4.7%). Toxin profiles in D. acuta from Europe were distinctly different from those found in New Zealand, where PTX2 was the predominant toxin and DTX2 was absent.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Molecular analyses of mycobacteria other than the M. tuberculosis complex isolated from Northern Ireland cattle.

Mycobacteria other than the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MOTT), isolated from Northern Ireland cattle, were identified by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, and subsequent reverse cross blot hybridisation and sequence analyses. Elucidation of the MOTT species was to facilitate specificity testing of new and existing diagnostic test reagents for bovine tuberculosis. The presence of the genes for potential diagnostic antigens: MPB70, MPB64, ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in the isolated MOTT species was investigated. Molecular analyses of cultured isolates from bovine lymph node specimens of 48 cattle identified a wide variety of mycobacterial species including Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum, Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium bohemicum, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium holsaticum, Mycobacterium palustre, Mycobacterium sp. IWGMT 90210, Mycobacterium sp. LIV-2129, a potentially novel mycobacterial species (EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ Accession Number AJ617495) and Rhodococcus equi. Apart from M. kansasii, the results of traditional (standard phenotypic and biochemical) and molecular identification methods did not correlate well, with traditional methods identifying fewer species. Most of the species identified were either recognised pathogenic or potential pathogenic species. The genes for ESAT-6, CFP-10 and, unusually, MPB64 were detected in M. kansasii only. The MPB70 gene was not detected in any of the species. This study supported restricted species distribution of these genes as well as identifying a different range of MOTT species that could be included in specificity testing of new diagnostic reagents for bovine tuberculosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The Northern Ireland programme for the control and eradication of Mycobacterium bovis.

Bovine tuberculosis is endemic in Northern Ireland and a comprehensive eradication scheme has been in operation since 1959. The current programme involves annual testing, extensive computerized tracing, short-interval testing of herds contiguous to outbreaks and compulsory slaughter of positive cattle. Despite initial reductions in disease prevalence, eradication has proved elusive and potential explanatory factors include high cattle density and potential for between-herd contact, the impact of exotic diseases on resource priorities, and significant levels of bovine tuberculosis in a wildlife reservoir, the European badger (Meles meles). Both the role of the infected bovine and that of the badger in spreading disease have to be addressed to ensure progress towards eradication. Current measures are described and future options for enhancing the programme are outlined.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Infection of pigs in Ireland with lymphotropic gamma-herpesviruses and relationship to postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome.

Three species of porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHVs) have been described but there are few reports on the distribution and prevalence of these viruses in domestic pigs. We aimed to determine the PLHV status of Irish commercial pig herds, and to this end spleens taken from 110 healthy adult pigs sourced from 22 geographically distributed farms in Ireland were analysed for PLHV DNA using novel species-specific polymerase chain reaction assays. We now report that PLHV infection is widespread in the Irish domestic pig population and that PLHV-1 infections are most common (74% of all animals tested), followed by PLHV-3 and PLHV-2 (45% and 21%, respectively) and that infections with multiple PLHV species were frequently detected. As the PLHVs are lymphotrophic agents, we also investigated if co-infection with PLHVs was linked to the development of porcine circovirus-2 (PCV2)-associated postweaning mutlisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a disease characterised in part by histopathological lesions in lymphoid tissues. We examined the PLHV infection status of young animals on two farms that were experiencing outbreaks of PMWS. Overall the findings are further evidence of the widespread prevalence of PLHVs in domestic pigs and are a first indication that co-infection with PCV2 and PLHVs does not lead to the development of PMWS in the absence of other cofactors.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A technical, economic, and environmental analysis of energy production from newspaper in Ireland.

The production of newspaper corresponds to 37 kg per person per annum in Ireland. Newspaper becomes a waste product in a short period of time; only 13% of domestic waste paper is recycled (data on newspaper is not available). Four scenarios, which generate energy from newspaper, are analysed. These scenarios may be summarised as follows: lignocellulosic biomass conversion to ethanol (transport fuel); co-digestion with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and production of CH4-enriched biogas (transport fuel); co-firing with the residue of municipal solid waste in an incinerator; and gasification of newspaper as a sole fuel. Two of the scenarios involve transport fuel production; two involve the production of electricity and heat. Two of the scenarios involve newspaper as the sole ingredient; two involve co- utilisation of newspaper with another waste stream. Assuming no economic market for heat, then only the transport scenarios have the potential to be economic; indeed the biogas scenario is shown to be extremely competitive generating a potential profit of euro 227/t newspaper. A greenhouse-gas analysis indicates that the biogas scenario generated the best net greenhouse-gas savings. However when a market for heat is available, gasification was shown to be most advantageous.

Bioelectric Energy Sources↗
PubMed2005

Phosphorus retention and sorption by constructed wetland soils in Southeast Ireland.

It may be necessary to use constructed wetlands as a land use practice to mitigate phosphorus (P) loss from agriculture in Ireland. The objectives of this study were to determine the ability of two constructed wetland site soils to retain and sorb P. Intact soil/water column studies were used to determine P release/retention rates during a 30-day incubation period. Soil columns flooded with distilled water released P during the first 2 days; however, soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations in overlying floodwaters decreased thereafter. Soils with overlying floodwaters spiked at 5 and 15 mg SRP L(-1) retained highest amounts of P (p < 0.05) with retention at these concentrations controlled by SRP in overlying waters. Retention rates by soils ranged between 0.3 and 60.9 mg Pm(-2) d(-1). Maximum P sorption capacity (Smax) was higher for wetland soils at Dunhill, Waterford (1464 mg P kg(-1)) in comparison to soils at Johnstown Castle, Wexford (618 mg P kg(-1)). Equilibrium P concentrations (EPC0) were low (in the microg SRP L(-1) range), indicating a high capacity of these soils to sorb P. Phosphorus sorption parameters were significantly related to ammonium oxalate extractable aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) content of soils.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Insulin sensitivity and clustering of coronary heart disease risk factors in young adults. The Northern Ireland Young Hearts Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually associated with "clustering" of risk factors. Insulin resistance may cause deleterious changes in several CHD risk factors and is of potential interest in the aetiology of clustered risk. We analyzed how glucose and insulin variables were associated with clustered risk. METHODS: Participants were 489 young adults from Northern Ireland. Data were collected between October 1997 and October 1999. Nine risk factors were included in the clustered risk variable. Being "at risk" was defined as being in the upper quartile of risk for a particular risk factor. Subjects with clustered risk were defined as those displaying four or more risk factors. Blood glucose and insulin were measured in the fasting state and 2 h after ingestion of a 75 g glucose load. RESULTS: Fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance score (HOMA) were strong, graded predictors of clustered risk. The odds ratio (OR) for having clustered risk was 10.8 (95% CI: 3.6-32.4) for the upper quartile of fasting insulin compared to the lowest quartile, and the corresponding OR for HOMA was 23.2 (95% CI: 5.3-101.6). CONCLUSION: HOMA score predicts clustering of CHD risk factors. Fasting glucose alone did not predict clustering of risk factors, which may indicate that insulin resistance was compensated for by increased insulin secretion.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pasteurella haemolytica serotypes isolated in Northern Ireland during 1989-1991.

Pasteurella haemolytica isolates from clinical veterinary samples were serotyped over a three year period to determine the distribution of strains in Northern Ireland, to compare the results with the recorded distribution in the remainder of Great Britain and to extend information on the geographical prevalence of the serotypes. Four hundred and nine typable and 91 untypable strains were isolated from 490 animal cases. From 127 typable cattle isolates, the commonest serotype was A1, most frequently associated with calf pneumonia. Serotypes A2, T4, T10 and T15 were the commonest sheep isolates, A2 being most frequently associated with lamb pneumonia and the T-biovars more prevalent in adult pneumonia and lamb septicaemia. The isolates from approximately half the cases were evaluated in terms of the results obtained from gross and histopathological post mortem examination. Approximately two-thirds of these isolates were associated with significant pathology, including a small number of serotypes which are not included in the sheep vaccines currently used in Great Britain.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

All-terrain vehicles--unstable, unsafe and unregulated. A prospective study of ATV-related trauma in rural Ireland.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are fast, powerful machines that pose a significant threat to public safety. In the USA, ATVs are responsible for 273 deaths and over 68,000 injuries each year. As the incidence of ATV-related accidents in Britain and Ireland is unknown we carried out a prospective audit of all patients presenting to our Accident and Emergency Departments with ATV-related trauma over a 1-year period. Of 32 patients with ATV-associated injuries, 10 were under 16 years of age and 23 had no previous experience of operating an ATV. We documented 24 fractures (2 open) and 1 tension pneumothorax. Helmet usage was high and head injuries were few and not of a serious nature. Two-thirds of injuries occurred on commercial adventure sports courses. Since ATVs are off-road vehicles, they are exempt from safety regulations that apply to other forms of transport. As care-providers to trauma victims, we must make prevention of these injuries a priority and campaign for both voluntary and legislative controls to make ATV use a safer leisure pursuit.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2000

The price of peace: the personal and financial cost of paramilitary punishments in Northern Ireland.

The aim of this study was to compare the injuries sustained during paramilitary punishments both before and after the onset of "peace" in Northern Ireland. A retrospective chart review was performed looking at age, injuries, treatments instituted, theatre time, length of hospital stay and overall cost of care. In the 10-month period before the ceasefire, 31 patients were treated after sustaining paramilitary punishment shootings. Mean age was 25.2 years. All patients had small entrance and exit wounds with minimal soft tissue disruption. A total of 18 fractures were recorded in 15 patients and 14 arteries required repair. Mean operative time was 2.6 h, mean hospital stay 7.61 days and mean cost per patient 3102 Pounds. In the following 10-month period 28 patients were admitted after punishments, only one of whom had been shot, all others had been beaten with sticks and clubs. Mean age was 27.4 years. In 52 limbs, 64 fractures were recorded and 44% of these were open; 15 of the fractures were Gustilo and Anderson Grade III or greater and 11 of the fractures were intra-articular. There were no arterial injuries. Mean operative time was 2.6 h, mean hospital stay 12.4 h and mean cost per patient 3849 Pounds.

Cost of Illness↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of hysterectomy in Ireland.

OBJECTIVES: To assess factors influencing the prevalence of hysterectomy in Ireland. METHODS: Analysis of results of a questionnaire completed by a population-based cohort of 17735 women aged 50-65 years attending for breast screening. RESULTS: Prevalence of hysterectomy was 22.2%, was increased in proportion to parity and was higher in younger women, those who had previously used oral contraception and those who had private health insurance; peak age at operation was 45-49 years. CONCLUSION: The relatively high prevalence parity reflects contraceptive practices and utilization of health service resources.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Nursing inputs to special schools in N. Ireland.

Children attending special schools often have healthcare needs that require ongoing medical and nursing care. Two postal surveys were undertaken of 47 special schools in N. Ireland to determine the type of contact they had with nurses and the functions they fulfilled. Responses were received from 42 school principals and from the 11 Health and Social Service Trusts responsible for nursing services. It was found that nurses were based in nine of 42 schools while the remaining schools depended on a range of different visiting nurses. The nurses were involved in 'hands-on' tasks as well as giving advice and training to school personnel. Further research needs to define more closely the nursing needs of these pupils as well as evaluating the differential benefits of various nursing services to schools and how their inputs can be coordinated with those of other health professionals.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1998

Research utilization and research related activities of nurses in Northern Ireland.

There is a need for more information about research utilization and other related research activities among nurses in the U.K. This article reports on data from a large scale survey of nurses in Northern Ireland, in particular their self-reported extent of research utilization, their attitudes to research, research projects carried out and their frequency of accessing research information. A questionnaire was administered to a convenient sample of 2600 nurses from 23 hospitals in 14 Trusts. The number of responses was 1368 (52.6%). The findings show that although respondents held positive attitudes to research, only about a third reported utilizing research 'frequently/all the time' and less than 40% reported that they had implemented research findings in the two years prior to the survey. These figures were, however, higher for degree nurses. The implications of these and other findings are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Prion protein (PrP) gene polymorphisms associated with natural scrapie cases and their flock-mates in Ireland.

The PrP genotypes associated with natural scrapie in Ireland were determined and a comparison was made between genotypes found in scrapie-infected sheep and those found in healthy animals from scrapie-infected flocks. Seven PrP genotypes were identified in scrapie-infected animals: VV(136)RR(154)QQ(171),VA(136)RR(154)QQ(171),VA(136)RR(154)QR(171),VA(136)RR(154)QH(171),AA(136)RR(154)QQ(171),AA(136)RR(154)QH(171) and AA(136)RR(154)HH(171). Of 11 scrapie-infected flocks, 15 genotypes were identified in the healthy flock-mates. The genotypes identified in scrapie-affected animals were also all identified in healthy flock-mates. In 9 of the 11 flocks studied, the genotype frequencies among scrapie-infected animals were significantly different from those among healthy flock-mates. The results show that there is a significant risk of developing the clinical signs of scrapie associated with particular PrP genotypes in the Irish sheep population. The association between the V(136)R(154)Q(171) allele and scrapie was evident, as was the association between A(136)R(154)R(171) and resistance to developing the clinical signs of scrapie. The presence of the A(136)H(154)Q(171) allele in the flocks examined resulted in a decreased risk of developing scrapie compared to the presence of the A(136)R(154)Q(171).

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

The first identification of the rare cyanobacterial toxin, homoanatoxin-a, in Ireland.

The first identification of the rare cyanobacterial neurotoxin, homoanatoxin-a, in Ireland is reported. A sensitive fluorimetric liquid chromatographic (LC) method was applied to the analysis of homoanatoxin-a in the low microg/l range. The analysis of the anatoxins in water samples required weak cation exchange solid phase extraction, fluorimetric derivatisation with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F), and isocratic reversed-phase LC. Confirmation of toxin identity was made using LC with electrospray mass spectrometry (MS) of the NBD-derivatised homoanatoxin-a as well as LC-MS/MS of the free toxin. Application of the fluorimetric LC protocol to examine cyanotoxins in 20 Irish lakes resulted in the detection of homoanatoxin-a at four locations, Lough Sillan (24 microg/l), Inniscarra Reservoir (34 microg/l), Lough Key (12 microg/l), Caragh Lake (1.4 microg/l). An improved procedure for the isolation of homoanatoxin-a from cyanobacteria was also developed and confirmation of homoanatoxin-a was achieved by chromatographic and mass spectral comparison with authentic toxin isolated from a laboratory clone culture of Planktothrix (formerly Oscillatoria) formosa.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic↗
PubMed2002

Effect of air-pollution control on death rates in Dublin, Ireland: an intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Particulate air pollution episodes have been associated with increased daily death. However, there is little direct evidence that diminished particulate air pollution concentrations would lead to reductions in death rates. We assessed the effect of air pollution controls--ie, the ban on coal sales--on particulate air pollution and death rates in Dublin. METHODS: Concentrations of air pollution and directly-standardised non-trauma, respiratory, and cardiovascular death rates were compared for 72 months before and after the ban of coal sales in Dublin. The effect of the ban on age-standardised death rates was estimated with an interrupted time-series analysis, adjusting for weather, respiratory epidemics, and death rates in the rest of Ireland. FINDINGS: Average black smoke concentrations in Dublin declined by 35.6 mg/m(3) (70%) after the ban on coal sales. Adjusted non-trauma death rates decreased by 5.7% (95% CI 4-7, p<0.0001), respiratory deaths by 15.5% (12-19, p<0.0001), and cardiovascular deaths by 10.3% (8-13, p<0.0001). Respiratory and cardiovascular standardised death rates fell coincident with the ban on coal sales. About 116 fewer respiratory deaths and 243 fewer cardiovascular deaths were seen per year in Dublin after the ban. INTERPRETATION: Reductions in respiratory and cardiovascular death rates in Dublin suggest that control of particulate air pollution could substantially diminish daily death. The net benefit of the reduced death rate was greater than predicted from results of previous time-series studies.

Adolescent↗