Publications by authors named "O'Connor F"

Purpose: Exercise-induced heat acclimation can mitigate age-related reductions in heat-loss capacity, though performing repeated bouts of strenuous exercise in the heat may be untenable for many older adults. While short-term passive heat acclimation (e.g.

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Passive heat therapy is gaining popularity as an intervention to promote cardiovascular, physiological, and to a lesser degree, thermoregulatory, adaptations in patients with cardiovascular disease. Despite this, the efficacy of heat therapy to elicit these adaptations remains unknown. We searched 5 databases for original research, screening 2,913 studies and identifying 18 eligible studies.

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Objectives: To characterise intrinsic and extrinsic (climatic) risks for mild and severe exertional heat illness (EHI) among first-year army enlistees.

Methods: We examined 337 786 soldiers who enlisted between 2012 and 2019. Survival models were used to predict incident EHI from intrinsic factors (demographics, healthcare utilisation, chronic conditions, body mass index (BMI), Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), upper/lower respiratory tract infections (URTI and LRTI), skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI), extrinsic factors (geographical region, daily mean Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)) and interactions.

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An ever-increasing number of workplaces are becoming heat-exposed due to rising temperature extremes. However, a comprehensive review of Canadian safety materials available to support workplaces in managing this critical hazard has not previously been conducted. We undertook a review and a content analysis of heat stress materials on safety-based ministry, association, and agency websites in Canada (n = 155) to identify content related to heat stress (n = 595).

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While foot immersion and neck cooling have been recommended for protecting heat-vulnerable groups, recent evidence does not support their efficacy for mitigating increases in physiological heat strain in older adults. However, their influence on self-reported environmental symptoms and mood-state remains unclear. Seventeen older adults (nine females, median [interquartile range] age: 72 [69-74]) completed three randomized heat exposures (6-h; 38°C, 35% relative humidity) with no cooling (control), foot immersion to mid-calf in 20°C water for the final 40-min of each hour (foot immersion), or foot immersion with a wet towel (20°C) around the neck (foot immersion with neck cooling).

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Objectives: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a complication of joint arthroplasty and is seen in 1-2% of cases. Since its initiation in 2013, the national outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program has facilitated the outpatient management of intravenous antimicrobials for PJI. This study aims to describe the clinical epidemiology of patients on OPAT with PJI between 2013 and 2021.

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Introduction: Due to rising temperature extremes, workplaces are seeking new solutions, such as using personal cooling garments (PCG) to mitigate and manage workplace heat exposure. This systematic review sought to assess the physiological and perceptual effects of PCGs on workers in standard work clothing performing moderate-to-heavy intensity tasks in hot environments.

Methods: A peer-reviewed search strategy was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Global Health, and Business Source Complete with no language or time limits.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Environmental heat stress is a major concern for warfighters, athletes, and workers, leading to exertional heat illness (EHI) that can cause severe health issues and long-term problems like cardiovascular dysfunction.
  • - A study invested genetic factors related to EHI by using whole-exome sequencing on 53 cases, finding that 30.2% of participants had clinically significant gene variants across 14 different genes, some of which are linked to muscle disorders and thermoregulation.
  • - Notably, the p.Arg905Trp variant was identified to hinder the thermal sensitivity of the TRPM4 channel, suggesting a new molecular mechanism of susceptibility to EHI, and highlighting the complexity of its genetic causes.
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While monitoring physiological strain is recommended to safeguard workers during heat exposure, it is logistically challenging. The perceptual strain index (PeSI) is a subjective estimate thought to reflect the physiological strain index (PSI) that requires no direct monitoring. However, advanced age and chronic diseases (hypertension/type 2 diabetes [T2D]) influence the perception of heat stress, potentially limiting the utility of the PeSI.

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  • The study looked at how people's bodies respond during three different exercise tests for those who have unexplained breathlessness.
  • These tests were the treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX), the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the timed up and go test (TUGT).
  • The results showed that the CPX caused the biggest changes in heart rate and breathing, while the 6MWT and TUGT showed smaller responses, but the TUGT still increased physical responses even though it was shorter.
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Background: To mitigate health risks associated with occupational heat stress, workers are advised to adhere to a work-rest regimen, and hydrate regularly. However, it remains unclear if beverage temperature influences whole-body heat exchange during work-rest cycles, and if responses differ in older workers who have a blunted heat loss capacity.

Methods: Ten young (mean [SD]: 22 [3] years) and 10 older (60 [4] years) males performed four 15-min bouts of moderate-intensity cycling at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production (200 W·m), each interspersed by 15-min rest in dry heat (40°C, ~12% relative humidity).

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  • - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disorder primarily causing progressive muscle weakness, treated mainly with glucocorticoids and physical therapy.
  • - Joint hypermobility can occur alone or in connection with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which may lead to cardiovascular issues, while osteogenesis imperfecta involves fragile bones prone to fractures.
  • - Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is the most common chromosomal abnormality, and while routine imaging for atlantoaxial instability isn't recommended in asymptomatic children, careful evaluation is necessary for sports participation; achondroplasia, resulting in disproportionate short stature and other skeletal features, requires education for safe handling.
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The relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and training load in team-sport is unknown. We therefore assessed relations between completed training-load in the previous 1-, 3- and 7-days and waking HRV in professional Australian Rules Football. Linear-mixed models analysed changes in HRV, considering training load from the previous 1-, 3- and 7-days.

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The likelihood of exposure to overheated indoor environments is increasing as climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of hot weather and extreme heat events (EHE). Consequently, vulnerable populations will face serious health risks from indoor overheating. While the relationship between EHE and human health has been assessed in relation to outdoor temperature, indoor temperature patterns can vary markedly from those measured outside.

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With climate change fueling more frequent and intense periods of hot weather, heat stress management programs are becoming increasingly important for protecting the health and safety of workers in the Canadian mining industry. While the inclusion of heat-mitigation measures such as those provided by the American College of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are commonly employed by industry, there is a need to develop more comprehensive industry-specific measures for heat stress prevention and management. To better understand current heat management practices and identify opportunities for improvement, an exploratory survey of 51 employees responsible for health and safety at underground mining ( = 35), and surface operations ( = 16) (e.

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  • * The study involved SCT-positive African Americans, comparing 30 individuals with a history of ERM to 53 controls without, and utilized whole-genome sequencing to explore genetic factors influencing ERM.
  • * Key findings indicated that those with ERM experienced marked muscle weakness, pain, and significantly high serum creatine kinase levels, with a notable association between the SLC44A3 gene variant and ERM events in the SCT-positive group.
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  • Mass participation events encompass endurance competitions, like marathons and triathlons, as well as competitive sports tournaments such as baseball and soccer.
  • Effective event management involves thorough planning for medical administration and participant care to ensure safety for large groups.
  • Medical management must address various factors, including potential injuries, environmental changes, and the diverse skill levels and ages of participants, while excluding care for spectators.
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Rationale: Monitoring physiological strain is recommended to safeguard workers during heat exposure, but is logistically challenging. The perceptual strain index (PeSI) is a subjective estimate thought to reflect the physiological strain index (PSI) that requires no physiological monitoring. However, sex is known to influence perceptions of heat stress, potentially limiting the utility of the PeSI.

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Musculoskeletal injuries occur frequently in sport during practice, training, and competition. Injury assessment and management are common responsibilities for the team physician. Initial Assessment and Management of Musculoskeletal Injury-A Team Physician Consensus Statement is title 23 in a series of annual consensus documents written for the practicing team physician.

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