The symptom perception processes of monitoring, awareness, and evaluation in patients with heart failure: a qualitative descriptive study.

Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience various signs and symptoms and have difficulties in perceiving them. Integrating insights from patients who have engaged in the process of symptom perception is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the theoretical concept of symptom perception. This study aimed to describe how patients with HF perceive symptoms through the processes of monitoring, awareness, and evaluation and what influences the process.

Uptake of BRCA1/BRCA2 predictive genetic testing in an Irish population is low: a missed opportunity.

Introduction: Predictive testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 allows at-risk individuals to engage with appropriate screening and treatment services if a pathogenic mutation is identified. Previous studies have shown uptake of predictive testing to most commonly range between 20% and 40% (Table 2). This represents a missed cancer prevention opportunity.

Foundation Program in Oncology and Hematology for Newly Recruited Nurses.

There is a constant need to educate and upskill nurses who are new to oncology settings. This article describes the outcomes of an education quality improvement (QI) project at an Organisation of European Cancer Institutes.

The influence of social support on self-care is mediated by self-efficacy and depression in chronic illness: key findings from the 'SODALITY' observational study.

Family is a major source of support for older chronically-ill patients and known to be associated with better self-care. Depression and self-care self-efficacy are associated with healthy behaviors and thus may serve as mechanisms by which family support influences self-care.We explored depression and self-care self-efficacy as mediators of the relationship between perceived family support and self-care.

COVID-19-related mortality in cancer patients in an Irish setting.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted significantly on healthcare across the globe. It has been reported to have higher incidence and be associated with worse outcomes in patients with cancer.

Aim: To examine the characteristics of patients with cancer who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and to identify factors which may predict a poorer outcome.

Lack of familiarity with genetic testing among patients in Ireland with Cancer.

Background: Cancer gene panel testing is available in Ireland. The need for a clear strategy to deal with patient information generated from tumour genomic testing is recognised as a challenge in the National Cancer Strategy. However, the public's attitude and opinions regarding these results is not known in Ireland.

Gut microbiota density influences host physiology and is shaped by host and microbial factors.

Unlabelled: To identify factors that regulate gut microbiota density and the impact of varied microbiota density on health, we assayed this fundamental ecosystem property in fecal samples across mammals, human disease, and therapeutic interventions. Physiologic features of the host (carrying capacity) and the fitness of the gut microbiota shape microbiota density. Therapeutic manipulation of microbiota density in mice altered host metabolic and immune homeostasis.

No effect of the Trp64Arg beta(3)-adrenoceptor gene variant on weight loss, body composition, or energy expenditure in obese, caucasian postmenopausal women.

The Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta(3)-adrenoceptor gene has been associated with increased prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and low rates of energy expenditure, although these findings are not unanimous. It is currently unknown if the presence of the Trp64Arg gene variant impedes the loss of body weight in obese, postmenopausal women via a reducing effect on energy expenditure. The objective of this study was to compare body composition and energy expenditure in carriers and noncarriers of the Trp64Arg variant in the beta(3)-adrenoceptor before and after weight loss.

Weight loss reduces C-reactive protein levels in obese postmenopausal women.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has been positively associated with body weight and body fatness. We examined the hypothesis that weight loss would reduce plasma CRP levels in obese postmenopausal women.

Methods And Results: In a sample of 61 obese (body mass index, 35.