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Biomedical subjects

B O'Riordan

Publications and source records attributed to B O'Riordan.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A lacticin 3147 enriched food ingredient reduces Streptococcus mutans isolated from the human oral cavity in saliva.

AIMS: To isolate and characterise Streptococcus mutans from Irish saliva samples and to assess their sensitivity to a food-grade preparation of the lantibiotic, lacticin 3147, produced by Lactococcus lactis DPC3147. METHODS AND RESULTS: Saliva samples collected from children with varying oral health status were screened on Mitis Salivarius agar for the presence of pathogenic streptococci. Following selective plating, 16S rDNA sequencing and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), 15 distinct strains of Strep. mutans were identified. These were grouped according to their relative sensitivity to lacticin 3147 which ranged from 0.78 to 6.25%; relative to a sensitive indicator strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis HP. Inhibition of indicator Strep. mutans strains from sensitive, intermediate and tolerant groupings were assessed in microtitre plate assays with increasing concentrations of lacticin 3147. The concentration of lacticin 3147 required to give 50% growth inhibition correlated with their relative sensitivities (as assayed by well diffusion methodology) and ranged from 1280 to 5120 AU ml(-1). Concentrated preparations of lacticin 3147 caused a rapid killing of Strep. mutans strains in broth. Moreover, in human saliva deliberately spiked with Strep. mutans, the pathogen was eliminated (initial inoculum of 10(5)) in the presence of 40,000 AU ml(-1) of lacticin 3147. Furthermore, a food-grade lacticin 3147 spray dried powder ingredient was assessed for the inhibition of Strep. mutans in human saliva, spiked with a strain of intermediate sensitivity, resulting in up to a 4-log reduction in counts after 20 min. CONCLUSION: A food grade preparation of lacticin 3147 was effective in the inhibition of oral Strep. mutans. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The inhibition of oral streptococci by food grade preparations of lacticin 3147 may offer novel opportunities for the development of lacticin 3147 as an anti-cariogenic agent particularly in the area of functional foods for the improvement of oral health.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2003

Granulomatous peritonitis in hydatid disease.

We report a rare case of persisting granulomatous inflammation within the peritoneal cavity due to previous leakage from a liver hydatid cyst, with the granulomata bearing hooklets originating from protosolices of Echinococcus granulosus. The patient was treated with a full three-month course of albendazole. We believe this represents a rare case of 'pseudotuberculous peritonitis'.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1997

Using research to find the effects of process-oriented educational assessment in critical care nursing practice.

This 1-year study was undertaken in the southeast of England to investigate whether a process-oriented educational assessment procedure was sustainable, following research in a sample of five critical care environments. Data were derived from clinical practice supervisors and students in each of two consecutive post-registration cohorts, selected from the following areas: intensive and coronary care units; neonatal nursing; medical-surgical units; operating theatres; and accident and emergency departments. The existing measure and then a modified assessment measure for resuscitation ability, were used to evaluate the effect of educational assessment in clinical settings. Data were collected using questionnaires with cohort 1 before and cohort 2 after introduction of an assessment grid developed by the course team based on data from focus group discussions during the clinical supervisors' workshops. The findings indicated that the descriptors of levels of attainment generated by the students and supervisors were in accord with Benner's descriptors (this had increased by phase 2 of the research). Students and supervisors considered that the assessment process increased their critical thinking abilities, but that finding time for supervision and assessment was difficult. Future work will focus on the development of a generic grid with criteria that can be used to guide assessment of any practice experience.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1992

Ovarian actinomycosis presenting as acute peritonitis.

A patient with acute peritonitis due to ovarian actinomycosis and the association of this disease with the intrauterine contraceptive device is discussed. Because adequate treatment requires prolonged antibiotics the diagnosis should be sure. Unfortunately if antibiotics are given pre-operatively culture is usually unsuccessful and thus careful examination of all removed material is essential. As many of these women are of child bearing age surgical intervention should aim to preserve fertility wherever possible.

Abscess↗
PubMed1988

Primary amyloidosis of lower urinary tract.

Primary amyloidosis of the lower urinary tract is a rare condition with an excellent prognosis in most cases. Three patients with this condition are described. In the cases of localized amyloidosis of the urethra and urinary bladder, the clinical presentation mimicked cancer of the respective sites. This was also true in the case of primary systemic amyloidosis involving the bladder. If significant associated systemic or local disease can be excluded, management is symptomatic and expectant.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for complicated gallstone disease.

After performing selectively 25 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) to determine the place of LC in the management of complicated gallstones, all patients presenting with gallstones were evaluated by the authors for LC. Eighty-six consecutive patients were evaluated and 84 were studied. Follow-up in every case exceeded 6 months. In three of 10 patients with acute cholecystitis, LC was not possible; each had a history longer than 48 h and all had gangrene of the gallbladder. In four patients with empyema, LC was successful, but operative cholangiography failed. Operative cholangiography was successful in 76 of the remaining 77. Of eight patients suspected of having stones in the CBD, cholangiography excluded stones in six and confirmed them in two. Cholangiography identified three other patients with totally unsuspected CBD stones. Of the five patients with CBD stones, four had them flushed to the duodenum at LC following transcystic balloon dilatation of the papilla and one had a post-op. ERCP. Of four patients with acute pancreatitis, three had LC in the same admission. LC was possible in all three patients with morbid obesity. We conclude that with experience, LC is possible for complicated gallstones. In acute cholecystitis, the probability of success is higher with earlier operative intervention. Operative cholangiography is essential. It not only identifies unsuspected CBD stones but also allows LC without ERCP in those with suspected CBD stones and with modification it allows treatment of those stones.

Acute Disease↗