Informing cognitively healthy research participants of modifiable dementia risk factors: ethical implications

Research has shown that up to 40% of dementia incidence can be accounted for by 12 modifiable lifestyle risk factors. However, the predictive value of these risks factors at an individual level remains uncertain. Ethical considerations that are typically invoked with respect to the disclosure of individual research results —beneficence and non-maleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice— do not provide conclusive justification for, or against, disclosing modifiable risk factors for future dementia to cognitively unimpaired research participants. We argue for a different approach to evaluating the disclosure of individuallevel modifiable risk factors for dementia. Rather than focussing on individual-level disease prediction and prevention, we suggest that disclosure should be evaluated based on the impact of behavioural and lifestyle changes on current brain health

Indoor Characterisation of a Photovoltaic/ Thermal Phase Change Material System

Photovoltaic/ thermal (PV/T) systems integrate photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies and have the added advantage of producing both electrical and thermal energy simultaneously. This study has been carried out to investigate the performance of a PV/T phase change material (PCM) system under experimental climatic conditions. Electricity is generated by the PV during daylight hours and the heat produced is absorbed and stored in PCM. Water flows through a pipe network within the PCM and absorbs the stored heat in the PCM. In the PV/T-PCM system, water remained at a higher temperature for an extended period of time as well as shifting the time period of available heat when compared to the reference systems

Monitoring criteria for priority chemicals leading to emission factors

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC, requires a coordinated approach to water management in respect of whole river basins with a view to protecting the high-status of waters where it exists, preventing any deterioration in the existing status of waters and achieving at least "good status" in relation to all waters. The EPA-funded Monitoring Criteria for Priority Chemicals Leading to Emission Factors aims to establish risk factors for priority substances (PS) & priority hazardous substances (PHS), which will assist in defining the monitoring programme in Ireland for WFD. Indicators are applied to monitored WWTP agglomerations to predict the relative risk of elevated PS/PHS loading to receiving waters across agglomerations over time. In Ireland, where the current state of knowledge and data availability (e.g. emission data from individual installations) is insufficient to support high resolution based models the project team have developed a simple, stochastic, risk-based model that can be applied across catchments to predict the relative risk of elevated PS/PHS loading to receiving water

Devising a risk index for priority substance emissions from WWTPs

A review was used to identify the major factors leading to priority substances (PS) & priority hazardous substances (PHS) loading from WWTPs, integrated and conceptualised into a basic conceptual model. The focus is on readily-available data relevant to major PS/PHS risk factors identified by conceptual modelling, developing appropriate indicators. Databases were compiled for Local Authority and EPA licensed discharges, and agglomeration traffic. Results from these databases were integrated into the risk model for agglomeration PS/PHS loading, combined with basic WWTP (e.g. capacity and treatment level) and agglomeration (e.g. population and area) data, and finally expressed as elevated risk in a national context following normalisation procedures

Licensing & treatment variability among WWTPs in the monitoring criteria for priority chemicals leading to emission factors project

A system for the licensing of waste water discharges from areas served by local authority sewer networks was introduced in 2007 and will require all WWTP to obtain a waste water discharge licence from the EPA by set dates depending on the population equivalent (PE) of the area served by the sewer network. The licensing gives effect to a number of EU Directives, imposing restrictions or prohibitions on the discharge of dangerous substances to receiving water bodies

Potentially Diagnostic Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectra Elucidate the Underlying Mechanism of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Deoxyguanosine Kinase Deficient Rat Model of a Genetic Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome

A novel rat model for a well-characterized human mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome with associated deoxyguanosine kinase (DGUOK) deficiency, is described. The rat model recapitulates the pathologic and biochemical signatures of the human disease. The application of electron paramagnetic (spin) resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to the identification and characterization of respiratory chain abnormalities in the mitochondria from freshly frozen tissue of the mitochondrial disease model rat is introduced. EPR is shown to be a sensitive technique for detecting mitochondrial functional abnormalities in situ and, here, is particularly useful in characterizing the redox state changes and oxidative stress that can result from depressed expression and/or diminished specific activity of the distinct respiratory chain complexes. As EPR requires no sample preparation or non-physiological reagents, it provides information on the status of the mitochondrion as it was in the functioning state. On its own, this information is of use in identifying respiratory chain dysfunction; in conjunction with other techniques, the information from EPR shows how the respiratory chain is affected at the molecular level by the dysfunction. It is proposed that EPR has a role in mechanistic pathophysiological studies of mitochondrial disease and could be used to study the impact of new treatment modalities or as an additional diagnostic tool

Nextet

Program listing performers and works performed

The Impact of Disease Registries on Advancing Knowledge and Understanding of Dementia Globally

To help address the increasing challenges related to the provision of dementia care, dementia registries have emerged around the world as important tools to gain insights and a better understanding of the disease process. Dementia registries provide a valuable source of standardized data collected from a large number of patients. This review explores the published research relating to different dementia registries around the world and discusses how these registries have improved our knowledge and understanding of the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, mortality, diagnosis, and management of dementia. A number of the best-known dementia registries with high research output including SveDem, NACC, ReDeGi, CREDOS and PRODEM were selected to study the publication output based on their data, investigate the key findings of these registry-based studies. Registries data contributed to understanding many aspects of the disease including disease prevalence in specific areas, patient characteristics and how they differ in populations, mortality risks, as well as the disease risk factors. Registries data impacted the quality of patients’ lives through determining the best treatment strategy for a patient based on previous patient outcomes. In conclusion, registries have significantly advanced scientific knowledge and understanding of dementia and impacted policy, clinical practice care delivery

Does Place Matter When Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation?

Physical distancing and restriction of movements as measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 required people to change their work, home and social lives. Loneliness and social isolation have emerged as key public health issues during the pandemic. Traditionally when considering loneliness the focus is often on individual factors rather than within the context of structural and environmental dimensions. This paper will utilise data from the Coping with Loneliness, Isolation and Covid-19 global online survey which had over 20, 000 global responses from people aged 18+ in 2020. Analysis will use the lens of ‘place’ and the 5-item UCLA scale and 6-item Lubben social network scale to understand the social and demographic characteristics and structural and environmental factors associated with those experiencing loneliness and/or social isolation in rural and urban areas both before and during the pandemic. The paper will conclude with key messages from a public health perspective