Evaluation of waning of IgG antibody responses after rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP and Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola virus disease vaccines: a modelling study from the PREVAC randomized trial.

rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP and Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo are WHO-prequalified vaccination regimens against Ebola virus disease (EVD). Challenges associated with measuring long-term clinical protection warrant the evaluation of immune response kinetics after vaccination.

The impact of the COVID-19 vaccination programme on symptomatic and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection during a period of Omicron variant dominance in Ireland, December 2021 to March 2023.

BackgroundAs Ireland prepared for an autumn 2023 COVID-19 vaccination booster campaign, there was concern that vaccine fatigue would affect uptake, which has been abating.AimThis study aimed to quantify the direct impact of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Ireland on averted COVID-19-related outcomes including symptomatic presentations to primary care/community testing centres, emergency department (ED) presentations, hospitalisations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths, in individuals aged ≥ 50 years, during Omicron dominance.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational COVID-19 vaccine impact study in December 2021-March 2023 in Ireland.

Investigating incidence of and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection over a nine-month period in a highly-vaccinated healthcare worker cohort.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This risk persists despite the implementation of mitigating factors, including vaccination. The ongoing impact of incident SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19 disease in vaccinated HCWs is poorly understood.

The approach to developing Ireland's first national health protection strategy and lessons learnt, December 2021 to October 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of strengthening health protection worldwide. To address this as a public health priority in Ireland, between December 2021 and October 2022 the first national Health Protection Strategy (2022-2027) for the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) was developed. We describe the approach taken to develop a first national health protection strategy for Ireland, and highlight the key lessons learned.

Xylitol associated or not with fluoride: Is the action the same on de- and remineralization?

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of xylitol combined or not with fluoride (F) on reduction of demineralization and increase of remineralization of shallow and deep artificial enamel lesions.

Methods: Bovine enamel samples were allocated to the following solutions groups: no xylitol (negative control), 5% xylitol, 10% xylitol, 20% xylitol, 500 ppm F (as NaF), 5% xylitol+F, 10% xylitol+F or 20% xylitol+F (n = 12-15). For the demin study, a pH-cycling model (demineralization-6 h, pH 4.

Pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and infant growth and development after recovery from Ebola virus disease in Liberia: an observational cohort study.

Background: Minimal data exist on pregnancy following recovery from Ebola in people of child-bearing potential (females aged roughly 18-45 years). The aim of this study was to assess viral persistence or reactivation in pregnancy, the frequency of placental transfer of anti-Ebola IgG antibodies, and pregnancy outcomes in this population.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, we studied self-reported pregnancies in two groups: seropositive people who had recovered from Ebola virus disease (seropositive group) and seronegative people who had close contact with people with Ebola (seronegative group).

A national survey of parents' views on childhood vaccinations in Ireland.

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy is complex and multifactorial and a threat to global health. Uptake of some recommended childhood immunisations in Ireland remains below World Health Organisation targets. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with vaccine uptake in Ireland.

Immunocompromise among vaccinated versus unvaccinated COVID-19 cases admitted to critical care in Ireland, July to October 2021.

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, so too did the proportion of cases admitted to critical care in Ireland who were fully vaccinated. Reporting of this observation has public health implications as incorrect interpretation may affect public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. A potential explanation is the reduced ability of those who are immunocompromised to produce an adequate, sustained immune response to vaccination.

Changes in the utilisation of acute hospital care in Ireland during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Background: Reduced and delayed presentations for non-COVID-19 illness during the COVID-19 pandemic have implications for population health and health systems. The aim of this study is to quantify and characterise changes in acute hospital healthcare utilisation in Ireland during the first wave of COVID-19 to inform healthcare system planning and recovery.

Methods: A retrospective, population-based, observational study was conducted using two national datasets, Patient Experience Time (PET) and Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE).

Views on COVID-19 vaccination of young children in Ireland, results from a cross-sectional survey of parents.

Vaccination of children aged 5 years and older is recommended as part of a multifaceted strategy to protect children against SARS CoV-2 infection and serious disease, and to control the spread of infection. COVID-19 vaccine trials in children aged less than5 years are underway, however, parental acceptance of vaccines for this age group is unknown. Between June and August 2021, a cross-sectional national survey of parental attitudes towards childhood vaccination in Ireland was conducted.

An Evaluation of the Impact of a Multicomponent Stop Smoking Intervention in an Irish Prison.

The disproportionately high prevalence of tobacco use among prisoners remains an important public health issue. While Ireland has well-established legislative bans on smoking in public places, these do not apply in prisons. This study evaluates a multi-component tobacco control intervention in a medium security prison for adult males in Ireland.

Scalable, Micro-Neutralization Assay for Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Human Clinical Samples.

As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic expanded, it was clear that effective testing for the presence of neutralizing antibodies in the blood of convalescent patients would be critical for development of plasma-based therapeutic approaches. To address the need for a high-quality neutralization assay against SARS-CoV-2, a previously established fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was modified and optimized. The SARS-CoV-2 FRNA provides a quantitative assessment of a large number of infected cells through use of a high-content imaging system.

Scalable, Micro-Neutralization Assay for Qualitative Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Human Clinical Samples.

As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was expanding, it was clear that effective testing for the presence of neutralizing antibodies in the blood of convalescent patients would be critical for development of plasma-based therapeutic approaches. To address the need for a high-quality neutralization assay against SARS-CoV-2, a previously established fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was modified and optimized. The SARS-CoV-2 FRNA provides a quantitative assessment of a large number of infected cells through use of a high-content imaging system.

The association between benzodiazepine use and falls, and the impact of sleep quality on this association: data from the TILDA study.

Background: Benzodiazepines (BZD) are associated with adverse effects, particularly in older adults.

Aim: This study assesses the association between BZD use and falls, and the impact of sleep quality on this association, in community dwelling adults aged over 50.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Comparison of Micro-Computed Tomography and Digital Intraoral Radiography to Determine the Accuracy of Digital Radiographic Measurements of Mandibular Molar Teeth in Dogs.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare root and root canal width measurements between digital intraoral radiography (IOR) and micro-computed tomography (μCT). The accuracy of IOR measurements of canine mandibular molars was scrutinized to assess feasibility of developing a model to estimate animal age based on dentinal thickness.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-nine canine mandibular first molars were imaged using μCT and IOR.

A pressure and shear sensing liner for prosthetic sockets.

Interface pressures are closely related to the comfort and fit of a lower-limb prosthetic socket and clinicians and researchers are interested in monitoring these loads. In particular, shear stresses at the socket/liner interface are indicative of important fit characteristics but are difficult to measure in situ. We have developed an elastomeric liner with sixteen integrated pressure and shear sensors, along with necessary wiring and data acquisition electronics.

Screening for Chlamydia is acceptable and feasible during Cervical Screening in General Practice.

The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) & Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are rising in Ireland. Both are often undiagnosed and may cause infertility amongst other complications. CT/NG screening is not routinely offered during cervical cancer screening.

Commercialism, choice and consumer protection: regulation of complementary medicines in Australia.

Controls on the supply and promotion of complementary medicines in Australia are weak. We used weight-loss products as an example to compare the regulation in Australia of listed complementary medicines and registered pharmaceutical products. Complementary medicines are listed without evaluation for efficacy, while conventional pharmaceutical products are registered after evaluation for quality, safety and efficacy.

The effects of adding xylanase, vitamin C and copper sulphate to wheat-based diets on broiler performance.

1. The study used a 3 x 3 factorial design to evaluate the effects of 3 additives (none; vitamin C [250 mg/kg]; copper sulphate [250 mg/kg]) and 3 enzyme additions (none; Avizyme 1300 [Finnfeeds Ltd, 1 g/kg in food]; Avizyme 1310 [liquid spray, post-pelleting, 0.5 g/kg]).

A mutant of Listeria monocytogenes LO28 unable to induce an acid tolerance response displays diminished virulence in a murine model.

Exposing Listeria monocytogenes LO28 to sublethal pH induces protection against normally lethal pH conditions, a phenomenon known as the acid tolerance response. We identified a mutant, L. monocytogenes ATR1, which is incapable of inducing such tolerance, either against low pH or against any other stress tested.