Hypertension prevalence and awareness in older Irish adults: Evidence from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

Introduction: Hypertension prevalence is increasing worldwide: population ageing and an increase in the prevalence of obesity are contributing to this rise. Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, end stage renal disease and has been associated with cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and to identify determinants of awareness of hypertension in older Irish adults. Methods: The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) is a population based prospective cohort study representative of community living adults. Each member of the Irish population aged 50 years and older had an equal probability of participation in the study. Face to face interviews and objective health assessments were conducted between Oct 2009 and July 2011. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to calculate prevalence and determinants of awareness of hypertension. Survey weights were applied to the estimates to adjust for selection and non-response bias in the survey. Results: The household response rate was 62%. Of the 8,175 respondents who took part in the study 5857 (71.6%) completed a comprehensive health assessment including blood pressure measurement. Hypertension was defined as a mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140mmHg and/or a mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90mmHg and/or currently taking antihypertensive medications. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 64% (95% CI 62-65%) in those aged 50 years and older. Hypertension prevalence was higher in men than in women (69% vs 59%, p<.007) and prevalence increased with age to 87% (95% CI 84-89%) in those aged 75 years and older. Of those classified as hypertensive 55% (95% CI 53-57%) self-reported a previous doctor’s diagnosis of hypertension. Strong determinants of awareness included older age, female sex, overweight and obesity. Conclusions: This study documents a high prevalence of hypertension in adults aged 50 years and older in Ireland and identifies a low level of awareness of hypertension in this group. Raising awareness of hypertension is a major public health challenge. These findings provide reliable information which can contribute to practice and policy aimed at decreasing the prevalence of hypertension

Attitudes to Interprofessional Education Among Health Science Students Engaging in a Multidisciplinary Workshop Series

Introduction: Interprofessional education (IPE) provides an opportunity for students from single-professions to interact with other disciplines. Student attitude to IPE can impact engagement and change in attitude may provide an indicator of the impact of IPE. This study examines pre-workshop attitudes to IPE and change in attitude following a series of three IPE workshops. Methods: Preworkshop attitudes were examined using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and the Interprofessional Education Perception Scale (IEPS). The IEPS was repeated at the start of Workshop 1 and at the end of Workshop 3. Data were analyzed using linear regression analysis and linear mixed methods for repeated measures. Results: 405 students participated (pre-workshop n=122; workshop 1 n=244; workshop 3 n=236). Pre-workshop attitudinal scores were high. While male gender and studying medicine negatively predicted attitude across some domains, previous experience of a joint patient treatment session on clinical placement positively predicted attitude in the domain of Perception of Actual Cooperation (standardised Beta 0.283, p=0.005). Attitude to IPE improved across all domains of the IEPS from online preparation to the end of workshop 3 (pCompetency and Autonomy, and in the domain of Perceived Need for Cooperation improved only following online preparation, while the domain of Perception of Actual Cooperation improved following both online preparation and participation in the workshops. Discussion: The results presented reflect positively on student readiness for IPE. Attitudes were further improved following engagement in a structured series of IPE workshops

International cooperation during volcanic crisis: an example from the Italy-El Salvador monitoring system installed at Chaparrastique volcano, El Salvador

On December 29th, 2013, after 12 years of inactivity, a new explosive eruption occurred at Chaparrastique volcano (San Miguel, el Salvador) prompting the evacuation of more than 5000 people. The new eruption that occurred at the volcano has so far been an isolated single explosion of vulcanian type, and was the first eruption since 2002, when the volcano produced a small VEI 1 eruption. The explosion produced an ash plume of considerable (5-10 km) height, generating heavy ash fall in nearby areas downwind, such as in the towns of Chinameca and San Jorge. Pyroclastic density currents also affected the flanks, damaging the coffee plantations and small inhabited areas around the volcano. On January 2014, following a request of support by the government of El Salvador, INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia), organized a task force, V-Emer (Volcano Emergency) to improve the existing monitoring network at Chaparrastque volcano. During a 10 days campaign in El Salvador a temporary network was successfully installed, and it is now run by the volcanologists of MARN (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, El Salvador). The network is composed of five broadband seismic stations, 3 infrasonic microphones, 2 radiometers, 10 GPS stations, 1 thermal camera, 1 DOAS and 1 multi-gas geochemical station for measurement of SO2 and CO2 fluxes, respectively. Since 27 January, significant collaborative efforts are being done between MARN and INGV for the processing and interpretation of the data collected during monitoring. For facilitating communication and exchange between the members of the cooperation, a mailing list has been created, and weekly meetings are attended by the members for the discussion on a number of scientific and technical aspects. This initiative seeks to make significant advance into volcano monitoring network and data analysis, as well as improving international cooperation during volcanic crisis management. V-EMER group: A. Bonforte, G. Giuffrida,A. La Spina, F. Montalvo, M. Liuzzo, S. Rapisarda, G. Salerno, D. Andronico, E. Biale, A. Cannata, T. Caltabiano, E. Del Bello, M. La Rocca, D. Granieri, L. Lodato, G. Giudice, F. Murè, E. Pecora, M. Prestifilippo, L. Scuderi, L. Zuccarello, G. De Natale, R. Favara, E. Privitera. MARN group: M. Diaz, D. Escobar, E. Gutierrez, D. Hernandez, G. Marroquin, C. Bolaños, L. Handal, C. Polío, B. Palacios, N. Galvez, R. Torres, E. Escobar

Long distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2:rapid systematic review

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential for long distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor community settings and to investigate factors that might influence transmission. DESIGN: Rapid systematic review and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, medRxiv, Arxiv, and WHO COVID-19 Research Database for studies published from 27 July 2020 to 19 January 2022; existing relevant rapid systematic review for studies published from 1 January 2020 to 27 July 2020; and citation analysis in Web of Science and Cocites. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION: Observational studies reporting on transmission events in indoor community (non-healthcare) settings in which long distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was the most likely route. Studies such as those of household transmission where the main transmission route was likely to be close contact or fomite transmission were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data extraction was done by one reviewer and independently checked by a second reviewer. Primary outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 infections through long distance airborne transmission (>2 m) and any modifying factors. Methodological quality of included studies was rated using the quality criteria checklist, and certainty of primary outcomes was determined using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Narrative synthesis was themed by setting. RESULTS: 22 reports relating to 18 studies were identified (methodological quality was high in three, medium in five, and low in 10); all the studies were outbreak investigations. Long distance airborne transmission was likely to have occurred for some or all transmission events in 16 studies and was unclear in two studies (GRADE: very low certainty). In the 16 studies, one or more factors plausibly increased the likelihood of long distance airborne transmission, particularly insufficient air replacement (very low certainty), directional air flow (very low certainty), and activities associated with increased emission of aerosols, such as singing or speaking loudly (very low certainty). In 13 studies, the primary cases were reported as being asymptomatic, presymptomatic, or around symptom onset at the time of transmission. Although some of the included studies were well conducted outbreak investigations, they remain at risk of bias owing to study design and do not always provide the level of detail needed to fully assess transmission routes. CONCLUSION: This rapid systematic review found evidence suggesting that long distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 might occur in indoor settings such as restaurants, workplaces, and venues for choirs, and identified factors such as insufficient air replacement that probably contributed to transmission. These results strengthen the need for mitigation measures in indoor settings, particularly the use of adequate ventilation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021236762

Evaluation of the RumiWatchSystem for measuring grazing behaviour of cows

peer-reviewedFeeding behaviour is an important parameter of animal performance, health and welfare, as well as reflecting levels and quality of feed available. Previously, sensors were only used for measuring animal feeding behaviour in indoor housing systems. However, sensors such as the RumiWatchSystem can also monitor such behaviour continuously in pasture-based environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate the RumiWatchSystem to record cow activity and feeding behaviour in a pasture-based system. The RumiWatchSystem was evaluated against visual observation across two different experiments. The time duration per hour at grazing, rumination, walking, standing and lying recorded by the RumiWatchSystem was compared to the visual observation data in Experiment 1. Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) values of CCC = 0.96 for grazing, CCC = 0.99 for rumination, CCC = 1.00 for standing and lying and CCC = 0.92 for walking were obtained. The number of grazing and rumination bouts within one hour were also analysed resulting in Cohen‘s Kappa (κ) = 0.62 and κ = 0.86 for grazing and rumination bouts, respectively. Experiment 2 focused on the validation of grazing bites and rumination chews. The accordance between visual observation and automated measurement by the RumiWatchSystem was high with CCC = 0.78 and CCC = 0.94 for grazing bites and rumination chews, respectively. These results indicate that the RumiWatchSystem is a reliable sensor technology for observing cow activity and feeding behaviour in a pasture based milk production system, and may be used for research purposes in a grazing environment

Short communication: Use of a digital refractometer in assessing immunoglobulin G concentrations in colostrum and the first 5 transition milkings in an Irish dairy herd

peer-reviewedTransition milk is a source of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and could potentially be used to provide calves with passive immunity, when the IgG concentration is ≥50 g/L. Assessment of IgG concentrations in transition milk would be required before feeding and could be conducted using cow-side tests such as refractometers. Currently, limited information is available on the ability of refractometers to assess transition milk quality. We hypothesized that digital refractometry could be used to provide an accurate cow-side assessment of IgG concentrations in colostrum and transition milk, and IgG concentration in colostrum and one or more transition milking in an Irish herd is >50 g/L. The objectives of this study were to determine the IgG concentrations in colostrum and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transition milk, and determine the utility of a digital refractometer in assessing quality of colostrum and transition milk produced by cows in a pasture-based dairy production system. A convenient sample of 75 dairy cows were enrolled. Colostrum and transition milk IgG concentrations were determined by radial immunodiffusion and refractometry. Sensitivity and specificity of the refractometer were determined and cut-off points that maximized sensitivity and specificity were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Median (range) IgG concentrations in colostrum and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth milking were 99.6, 43.5, 12.5, 5.3, 1.9, and 1.8 g/L, respectively. The sensitivity (0.8–1) of digital refractometry in identifying samples with low IgG concentrations in colostrum, first, second, and third transition milk was acceptable. In contrast, digital refractometry was not useful for assessing IgG concentrations in the fourth and fifth milking due to low IgG concentrations

Alginate/Chitosan Particle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Pulmonary Applications

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex, potentially life-threatening disease that is most effectively treated through the administration of antibiotics (e.g., colistimethate sodium). Chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most significant events in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis, and tobramycin is the treatment of choice for those patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infection who are deteriorating despite regular administration of colistimethate sodium. Effective treatment can be challenging due to the accumulation of thickened mucus in the pulmonary environment, and here we describe the results of our investigation into the development of alginate/chitosan particles prepared via precipitation for such environments. Tobramycin loading and release from the alginate/chitosan particles was investigated, with evidence of both uptake and release of sufficient tobramycin to inhibit P. aeruginosa in vitro. Functionalisation of the alginate/chitosan particles with secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) was shown to help inhibit the inflammatory response associated with lung infections (via inhibition of neutrophil elastase activity) and enhance their interaction with cystic fibrosis mucus (assayed via reduction of the depth of particle penetration into the mucus) in vitro, which have prospects to enhance their efficacy in vivo

A structure-based site-directed mutagenesis study on the neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16) and thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) catalysis

Neurolysin (EP24.16) and thimet oligopeptidase (EP24.15) are closely related metalloendopeptidases. Site-directed mutagenesis of Tyr(613) (EP24.16) or Tyr(612) (EP24.15) to either Phe or Ala promoted a strong reduction of k(cat)/K-M for both enzymes. These data suggest the importance of both hydroxyl group and aromatic ring at this specific position during substrate hydrolysis by these peptidases. Furthermore, the EP24.15 A607G mutant showed a k(cat)/K-M of 2x10(5) M-1 s(-1) for the Abz-GFSIFRQ-EDDnp substrate, similar to that of EP24.16 (k(cat)/K-M = 3x10(5) M-1 s(-1)) which contains Gly at the corresponding position; the wild type EP24.15 has a k(cat)/K-M of 2.5x10(4) M-1 s(-1) for this substrate. (C) 2003 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.Univ Mogi das Cruzes, CIIB, BR-08780911 Mogi Das Cruzes, SP, BrazilInst Butantan, CAT, Ctr Toxicol Aplicada, BR-05467010 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Program Biol Celular, Dept Histol & Embriol, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Secretory leucoprotease inhibitor binds to NF-κB binding sites in monocytes and inhibits p65 binding

Secretory leucoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) is a nonglycosylated protein produced by epithelial cells. In addition to its antiprotease activity, SLPI has been shown to exhibit antiinflammatory properties, including down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor α expression by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in macrophages and inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in a rat model of acute lung injury. We have previously shown that SLPI can inhibit LPS-induced NF-κB activation in monocytic cells by inhibiting degradation of IκBα without affecting the LPS-induced phosphorylation and ubiquitination of IκBα. Here, we present evidence to show that upon incubation with peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) and the U937 monocytic cell line, SLPI enters the cells, becoming rapidly localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus, and affects NF-κB activation by binding directly to NF-κB binding sites in a site-specific manner. SLPI can also prevent p65 interaction with the NF-κB consensus region at concentrations commensurate with the physiological nuclear levels of SLPI and p65. We also demonstrate the presence of SLPI in nuclear fractions of PBMs and alveolar macrophages from individuals with cystic fibrosis and community-acquired pneumonia. Therefore, SLPI inhibition of NF-κB activation is mediated, in part, by competitive binding to the NF-κB consensus-binding site

The Cardiology Audit and Registration Data Standards (CARDS), European data standards for clinical cardiology practice

AIMS: Systematic registration of data from clinical practice is important for clinical care, local, national and international registries, and audit. Data to be collected for these different purposes should be harmonized. Therefore, during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union (EU) (January to June 2004), the Department of Health and Children worked with the European Society of Cardiology, the Irish Cardiac Society, and the European Commission to develop data standards for clinical cardiology. The Cardiology Audit and Registration Data Standards (CARDS) Project aimed to agree standards for three modules of cardiovascular health information systems: acute coronary syndromes (ACS), percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and clinical electrophysiology (pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and ablation procedures). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data items from existing registries and surveys were reviewed to derive draft data standards (variables, coding, and definitions). Variables common to the three modules include demographics, risk factors, medication, and discharge and follow-up data. Modules about a procedure contain variables on the l