Publications by authors named "Niamh Burke"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to assess whether adding Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging to regular clinical assessments enhances the accuracy and precision of evaluating lens opacity by optometrists.
  • - Fifty optometrists evaluated lens opacities using three sets of clinical vignettes that varied in the types of data provided, including traditional slit-lamp images alone, combined images, and images with visual function metrics.
  • - Results showed that the highest agreement in grading lens opacities and management decisions occurred when all types of data were present, with primary eyecare optometrists generally being stricter in their grading compared to those in hospital services.
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Article Synopsis
  • A new low-cost microscope called the EnderScope is designed for automated scanning and detection of microplastics in seawater samples, making it easier to study marine pollution.
  • The EnderScope repurposes parts from a 3D printer, enabling efficient imaging using reflected light and fluorescence to identify microplastics over a large area.
  • By utilizing affordable materials like low-cost LEDs and lighting gels, this innovative tool aims to enhance understanding of microplastic pollution in a more accessible and efficient manner.
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Neuroscience lacks a diverse repertoire of model organisms, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the general principles of neural function. Ctenophores display many neurobiological and experimental features which make them a promising candidate to fill this gap. They possess a nerve net distributed across their body surface in the epithelial layer.

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In the present study we conduct a systematic review to evaluate the needs and experience of people with pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) and their caregivers. The literature search was conducted across 10 academic databases, adhering to PRISMA-P guidelines. Quality appraisal was conducted using the mixed method appraisal test for individual studies, and GRADE-CERQual to establish overall confidence of findings.

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This research communication describes the lactating intramammary (IMM) antibiotic formulation most used by Irish dairy farmers at farm level through interviewing 202 dairy farmers. The IMM antibiotic usage data is not easily available to the researcher and farming community. This study determined that three commercial formulations (Synulox ™, Tetra Delta™ and Terrexine) made up 81% of the products used at farm level.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Commercial live cell imaging systems are expensive, and current open source options often lack flexibility for complex experiments.
  • - A new low-cost microscope is designed to work within traditional tissue culture incubators, using a 3D printer for its motion control and a Raspberry Pi for imaging.
  • - With an easy-to-use graphic user interface, this adaptable microscope allows researchers to customize setups for their specific experiments, costing around €1000.
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With technologies rapidly evolving, many research institutions are now opting to invest in costly, high-quality, specialized microscopes which are shared by many researchers. As a consequence, the user may not have the ability to adapt a microscope to their specific needs and limitations in experimental design are introduced. A flexible work-horse microscopy system is a valuable tool in any laboratory to meet the diverse needs of a research team and promote innovation in experimental design.

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Clinical Significance: Nutritional status influences growth and development, including that of the eye. However, little attention has been given to possible dietary influences in myopia. This study demonstrates that serum zinc has no relationship with myopia development.

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Cyt1Aa is the one of four crystalline protoxins produced by mosquitocidal bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) that has been shown to delay the evolution of insect resistance in the field. Limiting our understanding of Bti efficacy and the path to improved toxicity and spectrum has been ignorance of how Cyt1Aa crystallizes in vivo and of its mechanism of toxicity. Here, we use serial femtosecond crystallography to determine the Cyt1Aa protoxin structure from sub-micron-sized crystals produced in Bti.

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Significance: This present study advances our knowledge on the role of lifestyle factors in myopia (short-sightedness), specifically dietary factors. It has been suggested in previous studies that lower zinc status is associated with myopia; however, this article shows no relationship between dietary zinc intake and myopia in U.S.

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