4,165 results match your criteria: "University of Ulster.[Affiliation]"

Background: Longitudinal studies of family carers of people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic have been very rare. This study investigated trajectories of family-carer wellbeing and the impact of the caring role on carers' health over four time points measured during the COVID-19 pandemic and after all public health restrictions had been lifted (between December 2020 and late 2022) across the United Kingdom.

Methods: Family carers of adults with intellectual disabilities participated through a co-designed, online survey at four time points across the pandemic (2020-2022).

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GLP-1R/NPY2R regulate gene expression, ovarian and adrenal morphology in HFD mice.

J Endocrinol

December 2024

R Moffett, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and neuropeptide Y receptors (NPYRs) are expressed in reproductive tissues contributing to the regulation of gonadal function. This exploratory study examines the potential impact of their modulation by assessing effects of exendin-4 (Ex-4) and peptide YY (PYY) (3-36) on endocrine ovaries and adrenals, in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. Ex-4 and PYY(3-36) reduced blood glucose and energy intake, with no effects on body weight.

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Nutritional knowledge and body image concerns are key factors influencing dietary intake and health among athletes, particularly in lean-type sports. This study investigates these variables among elite race walkers from the United Kingdom and Ireland, a cohort selected for the prominence of race walking in their national sports programmes and unique cultural contexts. The study aims to assess the relationship between nutritional knowledge, body image, and dietary intake in elite race walkers, and explore the potential risk of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S).

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Introduction: Nursing students internationally entered challenging clinical placements during COVID-19. Lessons learnt could inform nurse education planning, particularly in preparation to implement future workforce plans.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on nursing students undertaking clinical placements across the UK, particularly the extent to which nursing education prior to and during COVID-19 had prepared them for placements, and to distil key messages for future nursing education.

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Background: To combat the high prevalence of physical inactivity among children, there is an urgent need to develop and implement real-world interventions and policies that promote physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). To inform policy makers, the current body of evidence for children's PA/SB interventions needs to be translated.

Objectives: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify modifiable determinants of device-measured PA and SB targeted in available intervention studies with randomized controlled trial (RCT) and controlled trial (CT) designs in children and early adolescents (5-12 years) and to quantify the effects of the interventions within their respective settings on the determinants of PA/SB and the outcomes PA and SB.

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Background: Traditional methods to measure rotational passive range of motion (PROM) in the throwing shoulder do not reflect the complexity of the throwing motion. Therefore, a sport specific shoulder rotation PROM test (FAST-SHDR) was developed and compared to traditional standard methods to measure shoulder internal and external rotational PROM in the throwing shoulder.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the intra-rater reliability of the FAST-SHDR test in young, healthy, male Division 1 baseball players.

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People with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities can be excluded from research and relatively little is known about the experiences of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and their carers during COVID-19. This paper aims to further explore the impact on this group via information provided by paid and family carers. It focuses on key areas such as access to social and health services in addition to questions about health and well-being.

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Background: Drugs used to treat rheumatic disease are associated with pneumotoxicity (drug-induced lung disease), but little is known about associated risk factors.

Aim: To determine expert physician-perceived risk factors for developing pneumotoxicity in patients with rheumatologic conditions.

Methods: A modified international 3-tier Delphi exercise was performed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Biofilms are microorganism clusters encased in a protective matrix, causing significant challenges in various sectors like food, healthcare, and marine industries due to their resilience against antibiotics and sanitizers.
  • Current methods for removing biofilms include chemical and mechanical techniques, but they often fall short against biofilm communities, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.
  • Biosurfactants, particularly sophorolipids, are promising "green" alternatives that offer improved biodegradability, reduced toxicity, and effective antiadhesive properties, making them valuable in tackling biofilm-related issues in healthcare.
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Potential Plasma Proteins (LGALS9, LAMP3, PRSS8 and AGRN) as Predictors of Hospitalisation Risk in COVID-19 Patients.

Biomolecules

September 2024

Personalised Medicine Centre, C-TRIC Building, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, School of Medicine, Ulster University, Glenshane Road, Derry-Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK.

Article Synopsis
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged global healthcare systems, prompting research into genetic and proteomic markers for better patient prognosis.
  • A study analyzed the protein and genetic profiles of 400 hospitalized and 483 non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, uncovering 224 proteins linked to inflammation and immunity.
  • Key proteins like LGALS9 and LAMP3 were identified as significant predictors of severe illness, suggesting these markers could serve as important tools for understanding and treating COVID-19 outcomes.
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We acknowledge an error in the BMI data in our publication [...

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The Effect of Dimple Insole Design on the Plantar Temperature and Pressure in People with Diabetes and in Healthy Individuals.

Sensors (Basel)

August 2024

Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, School of Health Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, UK.

Article Synopsis
  • * Twenty-six participants, including 13 with diabetes and 13 healthy individuals, had their skin temperature monitored using a thermal camera to compare the temperature on insole use to baseline measurements.
  • * Results showed that a specific 2.5 mm-tall dimple insole effectively reduced temperature in certain foot areas better than a 4 mm-tall version, and it worked significantly better for the diabetic group, highlighting the potential for tailored insoles to help reduce foot complications in diabetes patients.
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Introduction: Health research bodies recommend patient involvement and engagement in research and healthcare planning, although their implementation is not yet widespread. This deficiency extends to progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), where crucial aspects remain unknown, including causal mechanisms, curative treatments and optimal symptom management. This study addresses these gaps by seeking stakeholders' perspectives to guide research and treatment directions.

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The widespread use of pyrethroid and organophosphate pesticides necessitates accurate toxicity predictions for regulatory compliance. In this study QSAR and SSD models for six pyrethroid and four organophosphate compounds using QSAR Toolbox and SSD Toolbox have been developed. The QSAR models, described by the formula 48 h-EC50 or 96 h-LC50 = x + y * log Kow, were validated for predicting 48 h-EC50 values for acute toxicity and 96 h-LC50 values for acute fish toxicity, meeting criteria of ≥10, ≥0.

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Purpose: Fascioliasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease spread by genus Fasciola that causes considerable health and economic losses to both humans and livestock. Pakistan is an endemic region for fascioliasis and only a few molecular studies have been conducted to describe the etiology of disease in the country.

Methods: Current study involved the molecular characterization of adult fluke specimens (n = 31) through ITS-1 region of rDNA collected from four host species (sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes) of district Sargodha.

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Heart rate variability biofeedback to reduce anxiety in autism spectrum disorder - a mini review.

Front Psychiatry

June 2024

Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, United Kingdom.

There is a reported high prevalence of anxiety in people with autism spectrum disorder. This mini review appraises existing research investigating heart rate variability biofeedback to help manage symptoms of anxiety in people with autism spectrum disorder. A thorough search of electronic databases was conducted to find relevant literature.

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The production of the sugars fructose and lactulose from lactose using the enzymes β-galactosidase and glucose isomerase immobilized on bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes has been investigated. Lactose is hydrolyzed by β-galactosidase at 30 °C to glucose and galactose at a high conversion rate, while at the same temperature, glucose isomerase is not effective in converting the produced glucose to fructose. The rate of the isomerization reaction of glucose to fructose at 70 °C has been studied.

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Heart failure patients' experiences of telerehabilitation.

Br J Nurs

June 2024

Lecturer of Nursing, School of Nursing and Paramedic Science, University of Ulster, Derry.

In the UK, almost 1 million people are living with heart failure, with heart and circulatory diseases accounting for 27% of all deaths, according to the British Heart Foundation. Current heart failure guidelines support cardiac rehabilitation as an intervention to reduce cardiovascular events, increase exercise tolerance and enhance patients' quality of life. Research indicates that telerehabilitation is an effective component of heart failure management, which helps overcome perceived barriers to cardiac rehabilitation including travel to appointments, long waiting times and accessibility.

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Novel artificial tricalcium phosphate and magnesium composite graft facilitates angiogenesis in bone healing.

Biomed J

June 2024

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan Republic of China; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan Republic of China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung City 404, Taiwan Republic of China. Electronic address:

Background: Bone grafting is the standard treatment for critical bone defects, but autologous grafts have limitations like donor site morbidity and limited availability, while commercial artificial grafts may have poor integration with surrounding bone tissue, leading to delayed healing. Magnesium deficiency negatively impacts angiogenesis and bone repair. Therefore, incorporating magnesium into a synthetic biomaterial could provide an excellent bone substitute.

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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a significant complication of many systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), although the clinical presentation, severity and outlook may vary widely between individuals. Despite the prevalence, there are no specific guidelines addressing the issue of screening, diagnosis and management of ILD across this diverse group. Guidelines from the ACR and EULAR are expected, but there is a need for UK-specific guidelines that consider the framework of the UK National Health Service, local licensing and funding strategies.

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Introduction: High-quality pre-registration student nurse training and development is integral to developing a sustainable and competent global nursing workforce. Internationally, student nurse recruitment rates have increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, attrition rates for student nurses are high. During the pandemic, many student nurses considered leaving the programme due to academic concerns, feeling overwhelmed, and doubting their clinical skills.

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Article Synopsis
  • The article examines how adults with intellectual disabilities in the UK used the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on interviews conducted in early 2021.
  • Participants primarily used the Internet to connect with family and friends, engage in social media, and partake in online activities, with those living with family being the most active on social media.
  • Many viewed social connections as the biggest benefit of Internet use, although some also mentioned challenges like technology issues and online safety concerns.
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