Irish journal of medical science
-
Three Yersinia species were identified from samples of drinking water from diverse geographic regions of Ireland. Conventional commercial biochemical identification systems classified them as Yersinia enterocolitica. Since this organism is the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in some countries, further investigation was warranted. The aim of the study was to provide a microbial characterisation of three Yersinia species, to determine their pathogenicity, and to review the incidence rate of Yersinia enterocolitica detection in our region. ⋯ Our analysis of these three isolates deemed them to be Yersinia species not known currently to be pathogenic, but determining this necessitated the use of next-generation sequencing and advanced bioinformatics. Our work highlights the importance of having this technology available to public laboratories, either locally or in a national reference laboratory. The introduction of molecular technologies for the detection of Yersinia species may increase the rate of detections. Accurate identification of significant pathogens in environmental, public health and clinical microbiology laboratories is critically important for the protection of society.
-
Metformin is the most prescribed oral hypoglycemic drug and is considered by many health practitioners as the first-line treatment for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is used either as a monotherapy or adjuvant to other anti-hyperglycemic agents. Most of its side effects are usually mild and self-limiting. ⋯ Male patients showed lower levels of vitamin B12 compared to females. Black race showed a lower prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin-treated patients. Moreover, chronic diseases including T2DM, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, polycystic ovary disease (PCOD), obesity, and metformin therapy were significantly associated with increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
-
The current study aimed to determine the association between sleep duration and quality with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the Iranian older persons. ⋯ The current study confirmed that short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were independently associated with lower HRQoL in the older persons. Therefore, interventional courses should be planned to enrich sleep-related healthcare and general HRQoL in the older persons.
-
COVID-19 saw an increase in child mental health presentations internationally. Clinicians analogised the exponential increase in anorexia nervosa to a 'tsunami' or 'outbreak', raising parallel concerns regarding medical and psychological risks (Marsh in The Guardian, 2021; Leask in NZ Herald, 2021; Monteleone et al. in Eat Weight Disord 26(8):2443-2452, 2021) . It is unclear whether Ireland emulated this picture of increased referrals with increased medical compromise. ⋯ This study supports the growing consensus of a pandemic specific increase in eating disorder referrals to both medical and psychiatry services. However, there was little to indicate a change in clinical profile or severity. Ongoing monitoring of referrals is necessary to ensure adequate service availability and expertise.