Ultra-Processed Foods

Foods that are highly processed (ultra-processed foods - UPFs) are increasingly popular among consumers for reasons of affordability and convenience, yet research indicates that that they are detrimental to health and environmental sustainability. Increased consumption of UPFs means that there is an associated decrease in healthy eating practices impacting on the prevalence of obesity in both developed nations and emerging economies – the nutrition transition. Research links UPFs with poor quality diet, micro-nutrient deficiencies and increased risk of some noncommunicable diseases, yet some remain to be convinced. In the future it is likely that product development will seek to reformulate UPFs to increase their nutritional quality while food regulation, obesity prevention strategies and public health messaging should consider recommending limiting UPF consumption (and increasing consumption of minimally processed foods). Whatever action is taken, there is a need to ensure affordable food is accessible to all

Patterns of antidepressant prescribing and health-related outcomes among older adults in Northern Ireland: An administrative data study

OBJECTIVES: This study identifies patterns of antidepressant prescribing and subsequent hospital admissions from 2010 to 2018 amongst older adults in Northern Ireland (NI).METHOD: Participants comprised all General Practitioner (GP)-registered adults aged fifty-five years and above on 01/01/2010 ( n  = 386,119). Administrative data linkage included demographic information; antidepressant prescribing data from the NI Enhanced Prescribing Database (EPD); and hospital patient admissions. Repeated measures latent class analysis (RMLCA) identified patterns of antidepressant prescribing (from 2010 to 2018). RESULTS: RMLCA identified four latent classes: decreasing antidepressant prescribing (5.9%); increasing antidepressant prescribing (8.0%); no-antidepressant prescribing (68.7%); and long-term antidepressant prescribing (17.5%). Compared with those in no-antidepressant prescribing class, persons in the remaining classes were more likely to be female and younger, and less likely to live in either rural areas or less-deprived areas. Compared with no-antidepressant prescribing, those with increasing antidepressant prescribing were 60% and 52% more likely to be admitted to hospital in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and their admission rate per year was 11% and 8% higher in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Similarly, those with long-term prescriptions were 70% and 67% more likely to be admitted to hospital in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and their admission rate per year was 14% and 9% higher in 2019 and 2020, respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings show that approximately 26% of the NI hospital admissions population were impacted by sustained or increasing antidepressant prescribing. Because of their increased likelihood of hospitalization, these individuals may benefit from psychosocial support and social prescribing alternatives to psychopharmacological treatment.</p

The healthcare needs of children with Down syndrome in the first year of life: an analysis of the EUROlinkCAT data linkage study

ABSTRACTBackgroundGlobally, Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal anomaly, often co‐occurring with cardiac or gastrointestinal anomalies. There is a lack of robust data on specific healthcare needs of children with Down syndrome compared to children with other major congenital anomalies.ObjectivesTo quantify the healthcare needs of children with Down syndrome in the first year of life compared to children with major congenital anomalies in a large population‐based cohort across Europe.MethodsThe EUROlinkCAT study was a multicentre data linkage study between congenital anomaly registries in Europe and hospital and mortality databases. Children born between 1st January 1997 and 31st December 2014 were included. Summary statistics were used to compare differences between children (those with Down syndrome compared to all major anomalies) and regions. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to pool results related to survival, need for intensive care and ventilation support.ResultsA total of 3554 children were born with Down syndrome out of 89,081 children with major congenital anomalies. The pooled 1‐year survival was 95.4%. In every region, &gt; 80% of children with Down syndrome had a hospital admission excluding the birth admission. Hospital length of stay in the first year was higher for children with Down syndrome compared to those with all anomalies (median: 14 versus 7 days). Despite having similar need for ventilation support (9.7% vs. 8.4%), children with Down syndrome had higher rates of intensive care admission than all children with anomalies (24.8% vs. 13.0%).ConclusionsThere is a high need for hospital care for children born with Down syndrome in the first year of life. Future work should continue to explore the long‐term prognosis for children with Down syndrome to ensure their care needs are met

Sustainable agriculture: Assessing the feasibility of biogas derived energy generation on a UK mixed-model farm

This paper investigates the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of implementing a combined energy generation system powered by anaerobic digestion on a UK mixed-model farm. Initially a case study farm was selected, followed by a research visit in which primary data collection was conducted. Characteristic data was then processed giving the technical and operational criteria to be met. Both CHP and Trigeneration systems were modelled and evaluated for three types of bio-waste feedstock input, consisting of farmyard cow manure (FYM) only, FYM with a low quantity of wheat straw (414.7 tonnes/year), and FYM and a high quantity of wheat straw (679.3 tonnes/year). Theoretical energy outputs were computed, and the financial characteristics of each configuration were found, consisting of capital costs and operational savings achieved and the resulting payback period (PP). The CHP configuration was recommended producing 41 kW electricity alongside 66 kW thermal energy at an overall efficiency of 87.8 % from FYM only. This case yielded a capital cost of £ 331,055 with a PP of 8.5 years

Translation and Validation of the Arabic International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire Among Patients with Physical Illness and Their Families in Iraq

Background: The populations of middle- and low-income countries are exposed to many stressors, and these are associated with worse mental health. The ICD-11 includes a section “Disorders specifically associated with stress” and there are many validated measures for the assessment of stress-related disorders. However, there is no self-reported measure of ICD-11 adjustment disorder available for use in Arabic-speaking populations. This study aimed to translate and validate the Arabic version of the self-reported International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire. Methods: Data was collected from Iraqi patients with physical illness and their families from October 6 to October 14, 2024, through a cross-sectional study conducted at Baghdad's Teaching Hospital and the Oncology Teaching Hospital. The R Environment for Statistical Programming was utilized for analysis. Results: Findings from confirmatory factor analysis were consistent with previous studies by identifying two strongly correlated factors (r = 0.72), representing the ‘preoccupation’ and ‘failure to adapt’ symptom clusters. These factors showed reliable scores (α = 0.695 and 0.814) and significant relations to depression and anxiety. To avoid multicollinearity, a total symptom scale can be used, based on similarly positive relations to psychological states and high reliability (α = 0.798). Conclusion: The Arabic translation demonstrates good psychometric properties and can be utilized in clinical and research settings

Effect of Autologous Concentrated Growth Factor in Regenerative Dentistry: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Concentrated growth factor (CGF), a novel autologous platelet concentrate, has gained substantial interest for its potential role in managing oral diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CGF in regenerative dentistry. Methods: A systematic search was performed across MEDLINE, OVID, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Elsevier for publications between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2023. Only randomized clinical trials were included. The quality of the methodology was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: In 3 trials treating periodontal intrabony defects, CGF combined with bone grafts showed significant superiority over bone grafts alone (P &lt;.00001), with a mean reduction of 1.41 mm in intrabony defect depth and a mean gain of 0.55 mm in clinical attachment level (P = 0.002). For gingival recession in 5 trials, CGF combined with coronally advanced flap (CAF) was more effective than CAF alone, resulting in a mean increase in keratinized tissue width of 0.41 mm and a mean increase in gingival thickness of 0.26 mm (P &lt; 0.00001). However, CGF combined with CAF was less effective than connective tissue graft (CTG) combined with CAF, showing a mean difference in root coverage of −15.09% and a mean difference in gingival thickness of −0.50 mm (P &lt; 0.0001). In alveolar ridge preservation, sinus elevation, guided bone regeneration, dental implant procedures, and postextraction healing, CGF gave better values in clinical practice. Conclusions: CGF enhances regenerative surgery outcomes for periodontal intrabony defects. Combined with CAF, CGF improves therapeutic efficacy for gingival recession, although less so than CTG with CAF. CGF shows promise in various regenerative dentistry areas. However, the absence of meta-analysis and low-quality assessments in many studies necessitates further high-quality research. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The use of concentrated growth factors (CGFs) in regenerative dentistry, within the limitation of low-quality studies, shows promising benefits in treating periodontitis infrabony defects, gingival recession, guided bone regeneration, dental implant alveolar ridge preservation, sinus elevation, and third molar extraction. Future research should focus on high-quality studies and explore combining CGF with grafting materials to enhance therapeutic outcomes in oral surgery.</p

A Review of Recycled Polymers in Low-Risk Medical Applications

The National Health Service in the UK produces approximately 133,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, but less than 5% is recycled (Xiaocheng Hu, et al., 2022). Therein, large amounts of medical waste, which contains recyclable polymers like polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), are commonly used in single-use or multi-use medical devices but are often sent for energy recovery (incineration) due to biological contamination and system limitations (Czuba, 2014).This review provides a foundation for advancing the use of recycled thermoplastics in low-risk medical applications. Evaluating both material performance and the perceptual challenges that influence stakeholder acceptance highlights the dual importance of technical validation and communication strategy. The findings will inform upcoming ethics-approved focus groups and support the development of service design strategies that integrate additive manufacturing and circular economy principles into sustainable healthcare delivery

Impact of two invasive species, roach and the zebra mussel, on pelagic zooplankton species abundance in Lower Lough Erne

Long-term results allowed the impact of two invasive species, roach and the zebra mussel, on pelagic zooplankton species abundance in Lower Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, to be established. The main observed change was an average sixfold reduction in the annual mean densities of total larger Rotifera, Cyclops strenuus, Eudiaptomus gracilis, total larger nauplii and Diaphanosoma brachyurum over the period 1987–1994. The densities of these taxa remained low thereafter, and the densities of four other taxa (Daphnia, Bosmina longirostris, Bythotrephes longimanus and Mysis relicta) were low throughout the period 1987–2013. The main changes in the lake properties were related to fish, and predation by roach was shown to be the main cause of the decrease in zooplankton abundance, with the possibility that perch also contributed to this. Predation by larval, juvenile and larger roach and perch on zooplankton is supported by the collation of fish diet results from the literature. The lack of a measurable impact of the zebra mussel on zooplankton abundance due to the latter’s already low abundance is an example of an antagonistic effect of two invasive species

Future Island-Island Impact Cards:Fungal Learning

This isa Rathlin Creative Fellowship awarded as part of Future Island-Island.ChallengeThe Fungal Learning project creatively explores the world of fungi and fungal potential to remediate pollution and break down waste, including plastic. Using collaborative, experimental practices to investigate this vast kingdom as well as the ethics of our interactions with fungi, this research approach highlights the complexity of waste solutions and fungal behaviours.ApproachFungal Learning is founded upon collaborative practice, fundamentally that of two artists, one naturalist and of course fungi. Innovative observational processes, mycology specialist input and oyster mushroom expertise is expanded upon by extensive discussion on ethics, knowledge, and language. This approach underscores the limited understanding of the fungal world and fungal capabilities, emphasising the necessity for thoughtful consideration and (un)learning when collaborating with fungi in the context of waste management.OutcomesFungal Learning is fundamentally a creative research project the outcome of which is to increase awareness of fungal life. A limited edition broadsheet and potential future iterations of open studio and/or symposium, as well as artists’ socially engaged works, both on Rathlin Island and beyond, ensure the fostering of continuing conversation on the topics of waste streams and ethics.LearningsThe project highlights the need to integrate fungi into our thinking and talking, revealing how important this understanding is when considering the untapped and infinite potential of fungi. Fungal Learning also highlights the urgent necessity of communicating around this. Global and island ecologies are complex and fragile, and a considered and sensitive approach on our behalf is therefore crucial.ImpactFungal Learning sits at the edges of fungal knowledge, a delicate yet important place. This learning has the potential to stimulate ecological awareness through ongoing exploration, publications and engagement, not only within the immediate Rathlin Island community but far beyond - offering opportunity to shape our deeper understanding, not just of fungi, but ecological entanglement as a whole

Acoustic Fingerprinting and Nanoslip Dynamics of Biofilms

It is reported that bacteria can generate nanomotion, but understanding the complex dynamics of bacterial colony gliding on solid interfaces has remained unresolved. Here, this work captures the real-time development and gliding of bacterial biofilms on vibrating solids made of piezoelectric quartz. The gliding, characterized by liquid slips, is measured in form of frequency and dissipation changes of the vibrating solid. These vibrations enable the generation of distinct acoustic fingerprints (sound/ music) of the three phases of biofilm development: viscoelastic strengthening, biofilm growth and biofilm stability. In adition, the effect of extracellular matrix secretion on the rigidity of the film and its nanoslip in each of the distinct biofilm developmental phases is quantified. This work provides a real-time, label-free method of quantifying bacteria biofilm dynamics and paves the way for developing libraries of acoustic signatures of bacteria and their metabolic products.</p