Are positive-pressure ventilation lobby rooms effective for protective and source isolation?

High-efficiency particulate air supplied to a positive-pressure ventilation lobby (PPVL) in isolation rooms offers the dual advantage of protective and source isolation. This study demonstrates the in-use validity of PPVL rooms for protective isolation of patients. Of the 48 PPVL air samples investigated, Aspergillus fumigatus was detected from only one (2%) sample.

Evaluation of a multidisciplinary approach to reduce internal medicine readmissions using a readmission prediction index.

Purpose: Readmission prediction indices are used to stratify patients by the risk of hospital readmission. We describe the integration of a 30-day hospital readmission prediction index into the electronic medical record (EMR) and its impact on pharmacist interventions during transitions of care (TOC).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare 30-day readmission rates between adult internal medicine inpatients admitted by a multidisciplinary team providing TOC services (the TOC group) and those who received usual care (the control group).

Cognitive impairment and medication adherence post-stroke: A five-year follow-up of the ASPIRE-S cohort.

Background: Control of vascular risk factors is essential for secondary stroke prevention. However, adherence to secondary prevention medications is often suboptimal, and may be affected by cognitive impairment. Few studies to date have examined associations between cognitive impairment and medication adherence post-stroke, and none have considered whether adherence to secondary prevention medications might affect subsequent cognitive function.

The Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Poststroke Outcomes: A 5-Year Follow-Up.

Aim: To explore the impact of cognitive impairment poststroke on outcomes at 5 years.

Methods: Five-year follow-up of the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) prospective cohort. Two hundred twenty-six ischemic stroke survivors completed Montreal Cognitive Assessments at 6 months poststroke.

Does stroke health promotion increase awareness of appropriate behavioural response? Impact of the face, arm, speech and time (FAST) campaign on population knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs and emergency response.

Introduction: Inability to identify stroke warning signs accurately is an important cause of delay in seeking medical attention, leading to potential ineligibility for acute intervention. We report on post-campaign findings (wave 2) of national surveys to estimate changes in population knowledge following a media-based Face, Arm, Speech, Time stroke awareness campaign, comparing findings to those of a pre-campaign population survey (wave 1). One thousand and ten randomly selected adults (18+) completed the Stroke Awareness Questionnaire on knowledge of warning signs, risk factors and response to stroke at wave 2 and findings were compared to wave 1 survey results.

Assessment of the reliability of the motor unit size index (MUSIX) in single subject "round-robin" and multi-centre settings.

Objective: The motor unit size index (MUSIX) is incorporated into the motor unit number index (MUNIX). Our objective was to assess the intra-/inter-rater reliability of MUSIX in healthy volunteers across single subject "round robin" and multi-centre settings.

Methods: Data were obtained from (i) a round-robin assessment in which 12 raters (6 with prior experience and 6 without) assessed six muscles (abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, biceps brachii, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum brevis and abductor hallucis) and (ii) a multi-centre study with 6 centres studying the same muscles in 66 healthy volunteers.

Identifying hospital-acquired infections using retrospective record review from the Irish National Adverse Events Study (INAES) and European point prevalence survey case definitions.

Background: Point prevalence surveys (PPSs) collect data on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) at one point in time but do not provide information on incidence over the entire admission or impact on patients or healthcare resources. Retrospective record review examines the entire admission to determine adverse event prevalence, incidence, preventability, physical impairment and additional length of stay.

Aim: To establish whether European HAI surveillance definitions can be applied to the Irish National Adverse Events Study (INAES) retrospective record review data to determine HAI burden.

Caspase-11 regulates the tumour suppressor function of STAT1 in a murine model of colitis-associated carcinogenesis.

Murine inflammatory caspase-11 has an important role in intestinal epithelial inflammation and barrier function. Activation of the non-canonical inflammasome, mediated by caspase-11, serves as a regulatory pathway for the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and has a key role in pyroptotic cell death. We have previously demonstrated a protective role for caspase-11 during dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, however the importance of caspase-11 during colorectal tumour development remains unclear.

Measurement of the IgM and IgG Autoantibody Immune Responses in Human Serum has High Predictive Value for the Presence of Colorectal Cancer.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is a major public health issue, with incidences continuing to rise owing to the growing and aging world population. Current screening strategies for colorectal cancer diagnosis suffer from various limitations, including invasiveness and poor uptake. Consequently, there is an unmet clinical need for a minimally invasive, sensitive, and specific method for detecting the presence of colorectal cancer and pre-malignant lesions.

A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of emergency endovascular therapy using mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke: implications for service delivery.

Background: Twelve randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mechanical thrombectomy against traditional treatment options for patients experiencing acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) have been published.

Aims: To evaluate whether this technology is more effective and/or safer than traditional treatment options and to assess the potential for implementation of this technology as a treatment strategy for acute ischaemic stroke in Ireland.

Methods: RCTs published up to February 2017 were included.

Anticholinergic and sedative drug burden in community-dwelling older people: a national database study.

Objectives: The Drug Burden Index (DBI) tool quantifies individual exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. The DBI has been internationally validated against adverse health outcomes in older people. DBI exposure has not been reported in the Irish older population.

Cognitive Impairment, Vulnerability, and Mortality Post Ischemic Stroke: A Five-Year Follow-Up of the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) Cohort.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine predictors of mortality in patients 5 years after ischemic stroke, focusing on cognitive impairment, vulnerability, and vascular risk factors assessed at 6 months post stroke.

Materials And Methods: Patients from the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) cohort were followed up 5 years post ischemic stroke. Vascular risk factors, cognitive impairment, and vulnerability were assessed at 6 months post stroke.

Stromal TRIM28-associated signaling pathway modulation within the colorectal cancer microenvironment.

Background: Stromal gene expression patterns predict patient outcomes in colorectal cancer. TRIM28 is a transcriptional co-repressor that regulates an abundance of genes through the KRAB domain family of transcription factors. We have previously shown that stromal expression of TRIM28 is a marker of disease relapse and poor survival in colorectal cancer.

Guidance document for prevention of Clostridium difficile infection in acute healthcare settings.

Scope: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most important infective cause of healthcare-associated diarrhoea in high income countries and one of the most important healthcare-associated pathogens in both Europe and the United States. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality resulting in both societal and financial burden. A significant proportion of this burden is potentially preventable by a combination of targeted infection prevention and control measures and antimicrobial stewardship.

Understanding how a palliative-specific patient-reported outcome intervention works to facilitate patient-centred care in advanced heart failure: A qualitative study.

Background: Palliative care needs of patients with chronic heart failure are poorly recognised. Policy makers advise a patient-centred approach to holistically assess patients' needs and care goals. Patient-reported outcome measures are proposed to facilitate patient-centred care.

Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy on Bone Scintigraphy.

We present the case report of a patient with a history of lung cancer in whom the typical pattern of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy was seen on bone scintigraphy. We discuss the etiologies, pathophysiology, and management of this entity.

Cognitive impairment and cardiovascular medication use: Results from wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Aim: To explore the association between cardiovascular medication use and cognitive impairment in adults aged 50 years and over.

Method: This cross-sectional linked database study involved secondary quantitative analysis of 1903 participants from wave 1 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing with available pharmacy claims data. Cognitive impairment was assessed using a cut-off of ≤23 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.