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Biomedical subjects

E O'Connell

Publications and source records attributed to E O'Connell.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The impact of new regulations on the incidence and severity of ocular injury sustained in hurling.

AIM: To prospectively evaluate, and compare, the incidence of hurling-related eye injuries in the South East of Ireland before and after implementation of new rules rendering the use of protective head gear and face masks compulsory for players aged 18 years or under. METHODS: Details relating to patients attending the regional ophthalmic department with injuries sustained during hurling were prospectively recorded between 1 October 2003 and 31 March 2006. RESULTS: Sixty players attended with hurling-related ocular injuries during the study period. Of these, 43 (71.6%) and 17 (28.3%) sustained the ocular injuries during the 15-month period before, and after implementation of the new rules (1 January 2005), respectively. Restricting our analysis to players aged 18 years or under, and, for statistical validity, to the 12-month period immediately before and immediately after implementation of the new rules, a statistically significant reduction in the number of hurling-related injuries was seen (1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004: 11; 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005: 2; chi(2) test P<0.05) in this age group. A permanent visual deficit was seen in 11 (18.3%) patients. Of these, one (9%) was aged 18 years or under, and this injury was sustained before the new regulations. CONCLUSION: New rules rendering the use of protective eye wear compulsory for players aged 18 years or under have resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of hurling-related eye injuries in this age group.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ocular injury in hurling.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of ocular injuries sustained in hurling in the south of Ireland and to investigate reasons for non-use of protective headgear and eye wear. METHODS: Retrospective review of the case notes of 310 patients who attended Cork University Hospital or Waterford Regional Hospital between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2002 with ocular injuries sustained during a hurling match. A confidential questionnaire on reasons for non-use of protective headgear and eye wear was completed by 130 players. RESULTS: Hurling related eye injuries occurred most commonly in young men. Fifty two patients (17%) required hospital admission, with hyphaema accounting for 71% of admissions. Ten injuries required intraocular surgical INTERVENTION: retinal detachment repair (5); macular hole surgery (1); repair of partial thickness corneal laceration (1); repair of globe perforation (1); enucleation (1); trabeculectomy for post-traumatic glaucoma (1). Fourteen eyes (4.5%) had a final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of <6/12 and six (2%) had BCVA <3/60. In the survey, 63 players (48.5%) reported wearing no protective facemask while playing hurling. Impairment of vision was the most common reason cited for non-use. CONCLUSIONS: Hurling related injury is a significant, and preventable, cause of ocular morbidity in young men in Ireland. The routine use of appropriate protective headgear and faceguards would result in a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of these injuries, and should be mandatory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Women at mid-life: symptoms, attitudes, and choices, an internet based survey.

OBJECTIVES: This Internet-based survey questioned middle-aged women (age 35-69) regarding their current attitudes, beliefs, symptoms, and treatment choices surrounding the climacteric. METHODS: 448 respondents completed the 189 item, WEB-based survey that included measures of quality of life, lifestyle habits, anxiety symptoms, and questions regarding attitude toward and sources of information about menopause. RESULTS: Three relationships were hypothesized and supported: frequency of self-reported menopause symptoms would be: (1) negatively associated with healthy behaviors; (2) positively associated with anxiety; (3) positively associated with stress. All measures were self-report. Fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and impatience were the most commonly reported symptoms. No particular symptom was strongly correlated (r > 0.4) to lifestyle behaviors. Questions regarding information exchange reveal that many women are not consulting with their healthcare providers about HRT or frequently discussing alternatives. Many receive health information from lay sources. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for improved information exchange on this subject. Our results are similar to those found using large randomized telephone survey methods, which supports the use of the Internet as a reliable and convenient venue for gathering data regarding health issues. It is important to consider healthy lifestyle behaviors toward the regulation of the climacteric syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Expression of IFN regulatory factor family proteins in lymphocytes. Induction of Stat-1 and IFN consensus sequence binding protein expression by T cell activation.

Interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP) is a transcription factor of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family. Evidence indicates that this family has a function in the immune system. Unlike other members of the family, ICSBP is expressed exclusively in the immune system. In this work, immunoblot analysis was performed to study expression of ICSBP and other members of the family in various murine lymphocytes. The results show that all IRF family members are expressed constitutively in B cells throughout development, and in resting and activated cells. In contrast, ICSBP expression was undetectable in thymocytes and resting T cells, while all other IRF proteins tested (IRF-1, IRF-2, and ISGF3-gamma) were detected in these cells. Induction of ICSBP (and weakly IRF-1, but not other members) was observed upon activation of T cells following anti-CD3 Ab binding or Con A stimulation. Once T cells were activated, ICSBP was expressed stably in both Th1 and Th2 cells. We show that Stat-1, which binds to the IFN-gamma-responsive element of the ICSBP promoter, was induced following anti-CD3 Ab and Con A stimulation. Stat-1 induction was found in T cells of IFN-gamma+/+, but not of IFN-gamma-/- mice, indicating that T cell activation stimulates the Stat pathway of transcription that is mediated through IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma-activated Stat-1 partly accounted for ICSBP induction in activated T cells, as levels of induction were lower in IFN-gamma-/- than in IFN+/+ T cells. Taken together, these results show that activation of ICSBP is coupled with T cell activation that is partly due to IFN-gamma-induced Stat-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of cDNAs encoding the murine interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) gamma chain: chromosomal mapping and tissue specificity of IL-2R gamma chain expression.

The IL-2R gamma chain (IL-2R gamma) is an essential component of high- and intermediate-affinity IL-2Rs, playing critical roles for ligand binding and internalization. Recently, our laboratory has demonstrated that IL-2R gamma mutation results in X chromosome-linked severe combined immunodeficiency in humans, suggesting that IL-2R gamma plays a vital role in thymic maturation of human T cells. We now report the isolation and characterization of cDNAs encoding murine IL-2R gamma. The open reading frame encodes 369 aa, identical in length to that encoded by the human IL-2R gamma cDNA. Murine IL-2R gamma and human IL-2R gamma have 69% and 70% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. As expected, the murine IL-2R gamma retains the WSXWS motif and four cysteine residues characteristic of cytokine receptor superfamily members. IL-2R gamma mRNA distribution shows significant tissue specificity, with particularly high-level expression in spleen and thymus, and higher expression in single-positive (CD4+8- or CD4-8+)-enriched thymocytes than in double-negative (CD4-8-) thymocytes. Finally, we have localized the murine IL-2R gamma gene, Il2rg, to the X chromosome between Rsvp and Plp and demonstrated that a defect in IL-2R gamma is not responsible for the X chromosome-linked xid mutation, which maps to this same region. The cloning of the murine IL-2R gamma cDNA will facilitate the investigation of the role of this protein in lymphocyte function and thymic development.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

Endoscopic correction of vesico-ureteric reflux by subureteric Teflon injection: follow-up ultrasound and voiding cystography.

The technique of subureteric Teflon injection for the correction of vesico-ureteric reflux was first described by Puri and O'Donnell in 1984. The Teflon granuloma that occurs after the injection anchors the submucosal ureter, thereby preventing reflux. This paper reviews the ultrasound and cystographic findings in 88 patients with 115 refluxing ureters followed-up for periods ranging from 3 months to 3 years. Reflux disappeared in 91 ureters (79.1%) and the degree of reflux improved in 22 ureters (19.1%). In this follow-up study, the size of the granuloma on ultrasound was assessed in relation to the number of injections, the total volume of Polytef paste used and the outcome of the procedure. A well circumscribed granuloma was seen at the orifices of 92 ureters. There was no ureteric granuloma evident in 23 ureters and Teflon plaques were found at the trigone in six patients. Complications were rare. One large granuloma caused severe obstruction requiring re-implantation. The size of the granuloma appears to depend on individual tissue reaction rather than on the other factors. The presence or the size of the granuloma bears no direct relationship to the success of the procedure.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1989

Atlantoaxial instability in Down's syndrome: clinical and radiological screening.

One hundred and thirty children with Down's syndrome were screened for the presence of atlantoaxial instability, using both clinical examination and radiographs of the cervical spine taken in flexion and hyperextension views. Seven children were found to have radiological evidence of atlantoaxial instability, with an atlanto-dens interval greater than 5.0 mm in one or all positions. Although a full clinical history was obtained from the attending parent and each child underwent a complete neurological examination, there were no factors detected which differentiated between those with radiological evidence of atlantoaxial instability and those with a normal atlantodens distance. It is recommended that children with Down's syndrome be screened twice, at the ages of 5-10 years and at 15 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Toxoplasmosis in sheep. II. The ability of a live vaccine to prevent lamb losses after an intravenous challenge with Toxoplasma gondii.

Two-tooth ewes (n=48) were immunized pre-tupping with a live Toxoplasma gondii vaccine. At midpregnancy these ewes were challenged intravenously with 1 x 105 live T. gondii tachyzoites. The strain of T. gondii used for vaccination was an incomplete strain that did not produce oocysts. It was derived by continuous twice weekly passage in mice. The lambing percentage for ewes immunized with the live vaccine was significantly higher (P<0.001 normal score) than non-vaccinated control ewes. However, vaccination did not prevent foetal or placental infection. The serological response to vaccination and challenge was measured by both the Dye test and the Indirect Haemagglutination test. No significant relationship between titre of antibody and protection in the vaccinated ewes was observed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Toxoplasmosis in sheep III. Further evaluation of the ability of a live Toxoplasma gondii vaccine to prevent lamb losses and reduce congenital infection following experimental oral challenge.

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of a live incomplete strain (Strain 48) and a live complete strain (Strain 89) of Toxoplasma gondii to protect against abortion and congenital infection following an oral challenge of T. gondii oocysts. Sixty-nine two-tooth ewes were immunised pre-tupping with live Strain 48 of T. gondii tachyzoites and seventy ewes were immunised with Strain 89. Eighty-two serologically negative ewes served as controls. At mid-pregnancy half of the ewes were challenged orally with T. gondii oocysts (2x10(5)/ewe). The ewes vaccinated with Strain 48 were significantly (p<0.05) protected against the effects of experimental challenge and the rate of congenital infection was also significantly (p<0.15) reduced. The ewes vaccinated with Strain 89 were also significantly (p<0.05) protected. The serological response to challenge as measured by both the Dye test and the Indirect Haemagglutination test varied considerably between the two vaccinated groups.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Toxoplasmosis in sheep. I. Effect of a killed vaccine on lambing losses caused by experimental challenge with Toxoplasma gondii.

A total of 50 two-tooth ewes were immunized pre-tupping using a killed vaccine of disintegrated Toxoplasma tachyzoites with Freunds incomplete adjuvant. At mid-pregnancy, the ewes were challenged intravenously with 1 x 10(4) live T. gondii tachyzoites. There was no difference in the lambing percentage between ewes vaccinated once and unvaccinated ewes. The lambing percentage for ewes vaccinated twice was significantly lower (p<0.05 normal score) than unvaccinated ewes. The serological response to vaccination and challenge was measured by the Toxoplasma dye test. The level of dye test antibodies at the time of challenge suggests that effective immunity to Toxoplasma n abortion is not dependent on dye test antibody titre. These results suggest that a killed vaccine would Toxoplasma on fertility and lambing performance in not be an effective tool to estimate the effects of commercial flocks.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Identifying procedural components for analogue research of labor pain.

The purpose of this study was to identify procedural components to be used in analogue studies of preparatory techniques for childbirth. The questions asked were (a) which of four laboratory pain stimuli (modified submaximum effort tourniquet technique. Forgione-Barber pain stimulator, cold water stimulus, faradic shock) is most similar to the pain associated with the transition phase of labor? and (b) what is the patterning and duration of contractions and intercontraction intervals in this phase? Forty primiparous women rated their contractions (within 48 hours following delivery) and rated the four laboratory stimuli (six to eight weeks postpartum) using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Significant correlational relationships were found between each laboratory stimulus and contraction ratings. Uterine monitor records were scored to obtain contraction and intercontraction data: mean number and duration of contractions, mean duration of intercontraction intervals. The general patterning of these variables was relatively stable. In a subsequent laboratory trial using the above parameters, the Forgione-Barber pain stimulator was found to be the stimulus of choice.

Adult↗