UCC Journals (Univ. College Cork)
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Seascape Ecology: The Landscape Ecology of the Coastal Zone
No full textThe 440,000km belt that girdles the world\u27s oceans (Komar, 1976) is, arguably, the single most important region of the earth’s surface. It represents a unique interface between the three major global environments, namely the marine, the terrestrial and the aeolian respectively. Across and along the coastal zone, major exchanges of energy, matter and organisms occur. The coast is also of vital importance to Man. Throughout history, the sea has provided food and defence, cultural and individual mobility and, for many maritime peoples, an important aesthetic and spiritual foundation upon which civilisations could be built. 
Editor\u27s Introduction
No full textThis, I am proud to say, is the sixth appearance of the journal Chimera which, through dedication and sheer hard work, has established itself as \u27the geography journal by UCC students for all students\u27. This journal will undoubtably continue to attract the interest of everyone with an interest in geography. Let\u27s look forward to its future success and endurance!  
Religiosity and psychosis
Get PDFReligion and spirituality (RS) have been integral aspects throughout human history, possibly being observed as far back as 500,000 years ago in the ritual treatment of skulls during the palaeolithic period. Today, despite the growth in relatively secular societies, almost 90% of the world has some RS affiliation. Interestingly enough, mental health has historically been interlinked with RS. Family and adoption studies show that a family history of psychosis is correlated with intense interest in RS. Furthermore, the association between Postictal psychosis, a common complication of epilepsy, with religiosity is well documented. It is conceivable that this association led to epilepsy being historically linked with the divine, demonic and supernatural. In fact, there is ample evidence to suggest that many historic religious figures had epilepsy and psychosis. In clinical practice - and in broader society - the incidence of religiosity in epilepsy patients is likely underestimated. While postictal psychosis symptoms range in RS intensity, it is not uncommon for patients to have severe RS delusions and even convert after episodes
Harmonizing the healing of hand trauma in a piano teacher: a case report on pain management in Ireland and utilizing butterfly ultrasound for a brachial plexus nerve block
No full textBackground:
This case report outlined a specialized surgical technique designed for the restoration of intricate hand functionality after a complex hand injury. It also highlighted the use of Butterfly iQ+ and its integration with iOS devices for teaching ultrasound techniques during the administration of a brachial plexus nerve block. Finally, concerns regarding pain management protocols in Ireland were raised.
Case Details:
A 58-year-old piano teacher presented with a significant hand trauma. The restoration of intricate hand functionality essential for her profession as a piano teacher was a central concern. Her treatment included surgical exploration and wire fixation of the fractures. The application of Butterfly Ultrasound played an interesting role as an educational tool in anesthetic administration.
Discussion:
The case presented significant challenges in postoperative rehabilitation, necessitating an adjustment to a more conservative approach due to the patient\u27s high pain levels. This adjustment highlighted gaps in pain management and anesthetic care, especially during the transition from hospital to home care, revealing broader issues in Ireland\u27s rehabilitation systems. The postoperative prescription of Oxycontin was inconsistent with established guidelines, pointing to a need for improved integration between primary and tertiary care.
Conclusion:
This case underscored the importance of patient-specific, adaptable management strategies in trauma recovery. It showcased the potential role of Butterfly Ultrasound in clinical settings for anesthetic guidance and educational purposes. Finally, the report further prompted a broader dialogue on the improvement of pain management practices, particularly concerning the rise in opioid prescriptions in Ireland
Elective Experience - Summer Erasmus Madrid 2022
Get PDFIn the blink of an eye I was on my flight home, wondering how two months, which felt like two years, could pass as quickly as two weeks. During the summer of 2022 I was lucky enough to be one of the three DEM3/GEM2 students to participate in an erasmus exchange in Madrid, Spain. This was the first year this programme was launched and I was one very happy ‘guinea pig’. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t wish I could be back in La Latina, in the heart of Madrid, basking in the scorching heat. Although, on that note, the scorching heat I could do without…
A snapshot of personalized medicine in palliative care
Get PDFPalliative care is an interdisciplinary care system that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families facing serious illness. It includes a team of medical professionals who work together to improve patient overall quality of life. While almost half of those who die in the US receive hospice services, many hesitate to enrol early due to the requirement to forgo curative treatment. To meet this challenge, unlike hospice care which may require forgoing curative treatment, palliative care services can be provided alongside curative treatments. When disease-modifying treatments are no longer an option, the traditional roles of medical team members change, with palliative medicine experts taking on a larger role in patient care. This comprehensive care can include managing pain and symptoms, providing social services and counselling, and assisting with daily living activities and spiritual support, among other services. Overall, palliative care services aim to enhance existing care services and involve additional support from family and community groups
UCC Student Medical Journal 4th Edition
No full textThe 4th Edition of the UCC Student Medical Journal
The effect of homesickness on the psychological wellbeing of medical and non-medical students
Get PDFIntroductionHomesickness commonly affects students moving to college for the first time, causing physical, psychological, and emotional disturbances. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to distressing feelings due to the already high prevalence of mental illness and burnout within this population.
Aims & ObjectivesThis review aims to critically evaluate the current literature on homesickness and wellbeing of postsecondary students, assessing the impact of psychological distress and investigating the relationships between mental illness, medical student burnout, and their implications in medical school.
MethodsSearches of PubMed, PsychINFO, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection databases were conducted to analyse literature on homesickness, student wellbeing, and burnout. These were screened according to pre-defined criteria and articles were assessed for appropriateness.
Results12 articles successfully met the eligibility criteria. Homesickness was found to affect the majority of freshman students, associated with both a significant decrease in college adjustment and an increase in depression. Within the postsecondary population, psychological distress varied, with medical students having poorer mental health than their peers. The risk for burnout was found to be predictive of mental illness and was associated with unprofessional behaviour.
DiscussionDuring the transition to college, students are under an enormous amountof pressure – academically and psychologically. Evidence suggests that homesickness is common, with associations found between homesicknessand depression. A high prevalence of psychological distress among the post- secondary population and a positive correlation between mental illness and burnout was also found. As such, medical student homesickness and burnout should be investigated to decrease potentially devastating consequences
Trends in blood pressure: following subarachnoid haemorrhage and preceding cerebral vasospasm
Get PDFBackground
Trends in Blood Pressure (BP) following Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) have been reported in literature since 1982. Recent studies suggest a correlation to the incidence of Cerebral Vasospasm. This renders BP a candidate for possible early detection of Vasospasm. However, conflicting results regarding the nature and numerical of this correlation exist.
Objectives
To determine trends in BP following SAH in terms of Systolic (SBP), Diastolic (DBP) and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and collaborate current literature evidence of their association to Cerebral Vasospasm.
Methods
Two databases (EBSCO Medline and PubMed) systematically reviewed using specified search criteria. Thirteen studies were portrayed, of which ten were accessible. Thorough critical appraisal of each paper was then manually performed using the CASP Cohort study checklist.
Results
A consistent pattern of change is seen through time in majority of studies with differences in the definite values of the BP variables. Collation of results showed a gradual rise in SBP followed by a plateau of 154.08 (±10.79) mmHg on days 4-8 post-SAH. Variations exist with regards to the association with Cerebral Vasospasm: a third of the studies depicted a significant steeper rise in SBP in Vasospasm patients, another third conversely reported sudden drops in SBP, and one study concluded that MAP has no significant relation to Vasospasm.
Conclusion
A biphasic trend is expected following SAH with an initial gradual rise followed by a sustained hypertensive plateau. Considerable conflict exists in the nature of association between BP and Vasospasm. Further analysis of such beneficial predictive potential is recommended for advancement in Vasospasm and Neuro-Cardiogenic care
Focused gluteal region dissection on the human sciatic nerve
Get PDFDissection provides an understanding of human anatomy that is difficult to achieve solely with the use of textbooks. The knowledge obtained from anatomical dissection has allowed medical practitioners the ability to understand the anatomy that forms that basis of a particular clinical presentation, and more effectively treat the condition. These conditions include piriformis syndrome and sciatica. Clinical conditions may also arise due to anatomical variations which are rare presentations, absences, or arrangements of structures. The ultimate goal of the dissection in this report was to discern the pathway of the sciatic nerve and its divisions. In this report, the dissection of the gluteal region of a left leg from a female cadaver is detailed. The findings reveal two anatomical variations, a high division of the sciatic nerve and a muscular slip lateral to the long head of the biceps femoris. Additional research is needed to determine the implications of these anatomical variations in the clinical context. This prosection will be an important educational resource for future students, and could not have been possible without the generous donors