Understanding alpha-synuclein aggregation propensity in animals and humans.

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation plays a critical role in the pathogenicity of Parkinson's Disease (PD). This study aims to evaluate the aggregation propensity of α-syn fragment peptides designed using the variability found in humans and animals. Thioflavin T (ThT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to validate the formation of fibrils to identify important amino acid residues.

Teaching of manual cataract extraction in ophthalmic surgical training programmes.

Background: Manual cataract extraction techniques such as extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) or manual small incision cataract (MSICS) surgery have been replaced by phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Surgical training opportunities for manual techniques of cataract extraction are limited in modern surgical training programmes.

Aims: This study evaluated the current trends of ECCE/MSICS training opportunities amongst trainees and trainers in the Irish Ophthalmic Surgical Training Program.

Prognostic Value of BAP1 Protein Expression in Uveal Melanoma.

The prognostic value of the traditional pathologic parameters that form part of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and genetic classifications using monosomy chromosome 3 and structural alterations in chromosome 8 are well established and are part of the diagnostic workup of uveal melanoma (UM). However, it has not been fully clarified whether nuclear protein expression of the tumor suppressor gene BAP1 (nBAP1) by immunohistochemistry alone is as powerful a predictor of overall survival (OS) and/or disease-specific survival (DSS) as chromosome analysis. The protein expression of nBAP1 was evaluated in a retrospective cohort study of 308 consecutive patients treated by primary enucleation between January 1974 and December 2022.

Structural basis of the American mink ACE2 binding by Y453F trimeric spike glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters the host cell by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). While evolutionarily conserved, ACE2 receptors differ across various species and differential interactions with Spike (S) glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2 viruses impact species specificity. Reverse zoonoses led to SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on multiple American mink (Mustela vison) farms during the pandemic and gave rise to mink-associated S substitutions known for transmissibility between mink and zoonotic transmission to humans.

Investigation of serum amyloid a within animal species focusing on the 1-25 amino acid region.

AA amyloidosis, characterized by the misfolding of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, is the most common amyloid protein disorder across multiple species. SAA is a positive-acute phase protein synthesized by the liver in response to inflammation or stress, and it normally associates with high-density lipoprotein at its N-terminus. In this study, we focused on the 1-25 amino acid (aa) region of the complete 104 aa SAA sequence to examine the aggregation propensity of AA amyloid.

Diabetes mellitus drug discovery: insights into targeting feline and human amylin with small molecules.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a health concern for both humans and cats, with cases rising over the past decade. Around 70% of patients from either species exhibit pancreatic aggregates of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a protein that proves toxic upon misfolding. These misfolded protein aggregates congregate in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, diminishing the capability of β-cells to produce insulin and further perpetuating disease.

Retinal vasoproliferative tumour: differential diagnoses and treatment considerations in a paediatric patient.

An early adolescent man was referred to the ocular oncology service for evaluation of a pale, raised fundus lesion in the inferotemporal quadrant of his right eye. Unaided visual acuities were 20/20 OD and 20/20 OS. He had no medical, ocular or family history of note.

Socket outcomes following enucleation for uveal melanoma: post enucleation socket syndrome can be challenging.

Purpose: To evaluate socket outcomes of enucleation for uveal melanoma.

Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review conducted in December 2022 of all patients who underwent enucleation surgery for uveal melanoma between 2010 and 2015 in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, to evaluate socket outcomes including completion of revision surgery, type of surgery, and completion of multiple revision surgeries, and potential associations.

Results: Between June 2010 and December 2015, 72 patients underwent enucleation for uveal melanoma in the ocular oncology service, including 25 females and 47 males, mean age 65, range 11-91 years old.

Ocular oncology service during the COVID-19 outbreak: uveal melanoma characteristics presenting in 2019 compared to 2020.

Aim: We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ocular oncology in Ireland, comparing uveal melanoma trends in 2019 to 2020.

Methods: Patients included for analysis were those that presented to the ocular oncology service from January 2019 to December 2020 in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, who underwent primary treatment for uveal melanoma-proton beam therapy, brachytherapy or enucleation.

Results: Ninety-seven patients presented in 2019 (n = 46) and 2020 (n = 51) who underwent primary treatment for uveal melanoma.

1,4-dihydroxy quininib modulates the secretome of uveal melanoma tumour explants and a marker of oxidative phosphorylation in a metastatic xenograft model.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular cancer with propensity for liver metastases. The median overall survival (OS) for metastatic UM (MUM) is 1.07 years, with a reported range of 0.

Assessing Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Malnutrition in Community-Dwelling Dependant Older Adults-An Exploratory Home-Based Study of an Underserved Group in Research.

Background: Adults of advanced age, with functional dependency, socioeconomic disadvantage, or a need for home care, are expected to be at high risk of sarcopenia, frailty and malnutrition, yet are likely to be underrepresented in research. We aimed to explore the assessment of sarcopenia, frailty, and malnutrition in-home, and to describe the practicality of performing these assessments.

Methods: Home-based health assessments and post-study feedback surveys were conducted among community-dwelling older adults ≥65 years in receipt of state-funded home care ( 31).

Residential Area Socioeconomic Deprivation is Associated with Physical Dependency and Polypharmacy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Analysis of Health Administrative Data in Ireland.

Introduction: Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in ageing. Whether this negative impact persists in populations of more advanced age and dependency is less clear. We aimed to determine the association between residential area deprivation and pre-specified health characteristics among community-dwelling dependent older adults.

Clinical Impact of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Response, DNA Damage Repair (DDR) Gene Mutations and Immune-Cell Infiltration in Metastatic Melanoma Subtypes.

Molecular and histopathological analysis of melanoma subtypes has revealed distinct epidemiological, genetic, and clinical features. However, immunotherapy for advanced metastatic melanoma patients does not differ based on subtype. Response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has been shown to vary, therefore, predictive biomarkers are needed in the design of precision treatments.

A Qualitative Study of Older Adults' Experiences of Embedding Physical Activity Within Their Home Care Services in Ireland.

Purpose: Physical activity has been shown to improve older adults' functional capacity, independence, and quality of life. In a feasibility study, we embedded a movement approach within older adults existing home care services through "Care to Move" (CTM). The aim of this qualitative study is to explore older adults' experiences of CTM within their home care support services and to identify the strengths and barriers of engaging in CTM from the perspective of the older recipient.

Embedding Physical Activity Within Community Home Support Services for Older Adults in Ireland - A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers.

Introduction: In Ireland, over 55,000 older adults are supported in their community by formal home support, amounting to an estimated 23 million care hours annually. There is a growing need to move beyond care, to more proactive approaches to maintain physical function. In a feasibility study, we delivered the "Care to Move" (CTM) program through existing home support services.

Hindsight: Review of Preclinical Disease Models for the Development of New Treatments for Uveal Melanoma.

The molecular, histopathological, genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of uveal melanoma (UM) have identified four molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. Despite the improvements in UM classification and biological pathology, current treatments do not reduce the occurrence of metastasis. The development of effective adjuvant and metastatic therapies for UM has been slow and extremely limited.

Progressive resistance training in a post-acute, older, inpatient setting: A randomised controlled feasibility study.

Objectives: Progressive resistance training can successfully target functional decline in healthy older community-dwelling adults. There are concerns about the safety and acceptance of its use in frail older populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using progressive resistance training in an older, post-acute, inpatient setting.

Managing frailty in an Irish primary care setting: A qualitative study of perspectives of healthcare professionals and frail older patients.

Objectives: Little is known about the views of key stakeholders on frailty in Primary Care in Ireland. The aim of this study was to explore the views of Irish healthcare professionals and patients on frailty and its management in Primary Care.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used.

Factors Associated With Walking in Older Medical Inpatients.

Objective: To identify patient characteristics on admission and daily events during hospitalization that could influence older medical inpatients walking activity during hospitalization.

Design: A cohort study.

Setting: Acute hospitalized care.

Enhancing existing formal home care to improve and maintain functional status in older adults: Protocol for a feasibility study on the implementation of the Care to Move (CTM) programme in an Irish healthcare setting.

An increasing ageing population leads to greater demand for care services to help maintain people in their own homes. Physical activity programmes have been shown to improve older adults' functional capacity, enabling the older adult to live independently and maintain functional status. There has been a lack of quality research conducted around physical activity within the landscape of home care services.

Quality of Life in Uveal Melanoma Patients in Ireland: A Single-Centre Survey.

Background: Uveal melanoma and its treatment can influence the physical and psychological well-being of patients in a way that differs from other cancers. Factors influencing quality of life (QOL) include visual impairment, changes in appearance, day-to-day functioning, ocular discomfort, and worry regarding disease recurrence.

Objective: We aimed to study both general and disease-specific QOL in uveal melanoma patients in Ireland and compare QOL between a plaque radiotherapy group and an enucleation treatment group.

Does the shoe really fit? Characterising ill-fitting footwear among community-dwelling older adults attending geriatric services: an observational cross-sectional study.

Background: Falls in older people are common and can result in loss of confidence, fear of falling, restriction in activity and loss of independence. Causes of falls are multi-factorial. There is a paucity of research assessing the footwear characteristics among older people who are at high risk of falls, internationally and in the Irish setting.