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Developing hyaluronic acid based hydrogels as potential immunomodulatory myocardial supports in heart failure
No full textCardiomyopathy and a myocardial infarction are the leading drivers of heart failure caused by damaging and weakening myocardial tissue. Patients with heart failure have a reduced quality of life and shortened life expectancy. Current treatments and medical devices fail to directly prevent mechanical weakening, therefore stabilisation of the ventricle wall is a promising strategy to treat heart failure. Hydrogels as soft tissue supports are currently being investigated in clinical trials to prevent myocardial wall weakening. As hyaluronic acid hydrogels are known for exhibiting remarkable compressive and mechanical tuning abilities across a range of diseases and condition, they could become a hydrogel treatment solution by preventing myocardial wall thinning, and therefore the development of heart failure. This thesis aims to characterise hyaluronic acid-tyramine hydrogels as candidates for future myocardial stabilisation by studying different hydrogel formulations under compression and torsional tests, reflecting the forces exerted within a myocardial wall. Candidate hydrogels were selected based on their mechanical properties in the range similar to healthy and scarred myocardial tissue. The immunomodulatory peptide therapeutic Sm16, was used as a strategy to reduce the likelihood of a negative immune response to the implantation of the hyaluronic acid-tyramine hydrogels. Candidate hydrogels were able to encapsulate and release bioactive Sm16. The release profile varied from the hydrogels due to the difference in mechanical properties and crosslinking networks, which affected the entrapment and release kinetics of Sm16. Following release, Sm16 importantly remained bioactive by preventing the production of IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophages following the application of lipopolysaccharide which was used as a trigger to induce inflammation. Hyaluronic acid-tyramine hydrogels loaded with Sm16 were implanted into the subcutaneous space of Balb/c mice to assess the biocompatibility of these hydrogel candidates. After fourteen days of implantation, no adverse inflammatory response was observed with a systemic release of Sm16 achieved from candidate hydrogels. Hyaluronic acid-tyramine hydrogels are therefore suitable carriers for Sm16, capable of altering the release profile without negatively impacting its bioactivity. Finally, these hydrogels were deliverable through a catheter-like set up which was used to mimic delivery for future clinical translation. Sm16 was also tested on a cardiac cell line and significantly reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, indicating its potential for immunomodulation in cardiac tissue. Hydrogels developed in this thesis have the potential to act as supportive interventions in early heart failure. By tuning the mechanical, hydration, and degradation properties of hydrogels, they can play a crucial role supporting the weakened myocardium, with Sm16 immunomodulation attenuating any issued related to tissue inflammatory responses.AMBER Science Foundation Irelan
Book of Abstracts for School of Education's 13th Annual Postgraduate Research Symposium (PGRS) 2025
No full text[No abstract available]peer-reviewe
Tionchairí agus an Ghaeilge ar an bhFearann Fíorúil
No full text(Cuireadh le leagan den pháipéar seo i láthair ag comhdháil CARTLANN – ‘Gníomhaíochas, an Ghaeilge agus na Meáin’ in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ar 13 Aibreán, 2024. An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas, faoin gClár Taighde ThThuaidh-ThTheas, a mhaoinigh CARTLANN.)
Tá Gaeilgeoirí óga den uile chineál ag feidhmiú mar thionchairí ar na meáin shóisialta le tamall anuas. Déanann an plépháipéar seo scrúdú ar an aschur atá ag cuid acu agus ardaíonn sé ceisteanna faoi na luachanna atá á gcur trasna acu sna teachtaireachtaí a chruthaíonn siad.peer-reviewe
Teanga gan teorainn? Léargas ar ról na gcoláistí Gaeilge i ngluaiseacht teanga chúige Uladh sna 1920í & 1930í
No full textIn 2024, bhí 120 bliain slánaithe ag na Coláistí Gaeilge ón lá a osclaíodh an chéad Choláiste i gCorcaigh in 1904. Cé go bhfuil cuimhní ar leith ag glúnta éagsúla d’Éireannaigh ar a bheith ag freastal ar chúrsaí sna Coláistí gach samhradh ó shin, is beag atá ar eolas i gcoitinne go fóill faoi stair fhada na n-institiúidí sin. Is iad Nollaig Mac Congáil agus Seán Ó Coigligh na húdair is mó go dtí seo atá tar éis scéal na gColáistí Gaeilge i mblianta luatha na hAthbheochana a insint. Tá ocht gcinn d’ailt scríofa ag Nollaig Mac Congáil ar ghnéithe éagsúla de stair na gColáistí Gaeilge. Sa chomhthéacs Ultach, tá ailt scríofa aige ar Choláiste Chomhghaill, Béal Feirste, ar Choláiste Uladh, Cloch Cheann Fhaolaidh, Tír Chonaill agus ar Choláiste na gCeithre Máistrí, Leitir Ceanainn, Tír Chonaill. Is é tráchtas Sheáin Uí Choigligh, Na Coláistí Gaeilge mar ghné d’Athbheochan na Gaeilge, 1904–1912, an saothar is iomláine go dtí seo ar luathstair agus ar chomhthéacs oideachasúil na gColáistí Gaeilge. Seachas sin, áfach, is in ailt agus i leabhair fhánacha a fhaightear eolas ar ghnéithe éagsúla d’obair na gColáistí thar na blianta, agus is annamh freisin a fheictear trácht ar ról na gColáistí agus mórimeachtaí staire an 20ú haois á bplé ag scoláirí. In 2025, tá os cionn 100 bliain caite ó Chríochdheighilt na hÉireann in 1921, agus ó cruthaíodh dhá chóras oideachais éagsúla sa tír seo in 1922 — nithe a chuaigh go mór i bhfeidhm ar stair na tíre agus ar ghluaiseacht na teanga ach go háirithe. Ina ainneoin sin, áfach, níl ann do shaothar acadúil go fóill a thugann faoi ról na gColáistí Gaeilge sna himeachtaí sin a mheas. Cuireann an t-alt seo roimhe, mar sin, léargas a thabhairt ar luach na gColáistí Gaeilge do ghluaiseacht na teanga i gCúige Uladh sna blianta luatha i ndiaidh na Críochdheighilte sna 1920í agus 1930í. Díreofar ar Rann na Feirste i dTír Chonaill mar chás-staidéar a thugann léargas ar leith dúinn ar thábhacht na gColáistí maidir le forbairt agus buanú Ghaeilge Uladh ar an dá thaobh den teorainn a scar an cúige in 1921.peer-reviewe
Geotechnical characteristics of Belfast's estuarine clayey silt (sleech)
No full textBelfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland, has experienced significant construction activity in recent years, yet relatively little has been published on the problematic soft estuarine deposits known locally as sleech which underlie the city and its hinterland. Results of a detailed characterization of the sleech at a site near Holywood, Co. Down, 8 km northeast of the city centre, are presented in this paper. This characterization was carried out in conjunction with a unique suite of full-scale foundation load tests at the site, commencing in the late 1990s. In situ tests clearly identified distinct sandy and silty horizons within the deposit, the bulk of which is a high-plasticity lightly-overconsolidated organic clayey silt, with clay content increasing with depth and clay fraction dominated by illite and chlorite. Both the moderate organic content and presence of diatom microfossils explain the relatively high Atterberg limits, the high compression index and the high friction angle of this material. Undrained shear strengths in triaxial compression fall at the upper end of the expected range based on a widely-used correlation with overconsolidation ratio, but are broadly compatible with in situ shear vane strengths corrected for plasticity index. The constant volume friction angle is remarkably insensitive to the specimen's stress history and the particle size distribution. Despite the high silt content, permeabilities and coefficients of consolidation are more typical of a clay than a silt. While the sleech behaviour is shown to be broadly similar to the estuarine deposits at the well-characterised geotechnical test bed at Bothkennar in Scotland, the paper illustrates that low OCR clays can have their own distinguishing characteristics.peer-reviewe
Investigating cognitive performance and functional outcomes in early psychosis: measurement, screening, and prediction
No full textMany individuals with psychosis experience difficulties with social and occupational function. Given the economic, social and personal costs associated with psychosis, it is important to gain a better understanding of factors that are associated with functional recovery. While current pharmacological treatments are effective for ameliorating positive symptoms, there is little evidence that they benefit negative or cognitive symptoms of psychosis, both of which are likely to be associated with functional outcomes. As a potentially modifiable predictor of function, cognitive performance has the potential to inform new and better treatments.
The overall aim of this thesis was to better characterise the relationship between cognitive and social cognitive performance and functional outcomes in early psychosis. Specifically, we aimed to estimate the association between cognitive domains and functional outcomes, and to identify cognitive and clinical subgroups in a cohort of individuals with first-episode psychosis. To enhance the clinical utility of this work, we aimed to investigate how cognitive impairment can be screened for, and how functioning can be better assessed.
The findings of this thesis build on the evidence that treatments that successfully target cognitive deficits are likely to be important for improving functional outcomes in psychosis. In terms of measuring functional outcomes, findings suggest that more specific measures of social function are better able to detect changes in function over time and in response to treatment compared to more commonly used global measures. Cognitive and clinical cluster analyses suggest those with greater cognitive impairments and higher negative symptom severity are at highest risk for functional disability. In terms of cognitive screening, our findings suggest that cognitive functioning can be assessed quickly in a clinical setting using measures of memory. Overall, these findings highlight the value of assessing cognition as part of routine care, and the need for more tailored, cognitively focused interventions to optimise longer-term outcomes
Effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor on metabolic syndrome in people with prediabetes and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textSodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a novel therapeutic approach for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), offering benefits that extend beyond glycaemic control. This systematic review aims to examine the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on metabolic syndrome in individuals with prediabetes and obesity. We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science (Core Collection), and Scopus. Title and abstract screening, data extraction, and risk of bias (ROB) assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. ROB was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model.
Our meta-analysis did not show statistically significant reductions in body weight (mean difference: –3.05 kg; 95 % CI: –8.18 to 2.09), BMI (mean difference: –1.43 kg/m²; 95 % CI: –4.11 to 1.25), systolic blood pressure (mean difference: –2.12 mmHg; 95 % CI: –7.39 to 3.16), or diastolic blood pressure (mean difference: –1.04 mmHg; 95 % CI: –5.07 to 2.99) with dapagliflozin. However, a reduction was observed in fasting plasma glucose (mean difference: –0.47 mmol/L; 95 % CI: –0.90 to –0.05).
Although current findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin) may have little to no impact on individual components of metabolic syndrome, the evidence remains limited. Further well-powered clinical trials are warranted to validate these observations. Future research should focus on comparing the efficacy of different SGLT2 inhibitors and exploring their potential synergistic effects when combined with other pharmacological agents in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.peer-reviewe
Enhancing the safety and efficacy of mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome
No full textThis thesis presents a series of innovative studies aimed at improving patient outcomes and advancing the understanding of critical care physiology for patients who are being treated for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
The first projected presented involved the development and validation of a novel shared ventilation system. This system leverages adjustable pressure-limiting (APL) valve technology to independently titrate tidal volumes to two patients. This allows a greater use of lung-protective ventilation in this context, and offers a potential solution for resource-constrained settings, including pandemics and mass casualty events.
The second project focused on the development and validation of a C5.0 machine learning model to successfully predict short-term mortality in critically ill patients with ARDS undergoing an initial session of prone positioning. This model, trained on a limited dataset of routine clinical parameters, demonstrated promising predictive performance, suggesting its potential utility in clinical decision-making. Such an approach could prompt a detailed review of the management of particularly high-risk patients, or the early consideration of other rescue therapies.
The final project involved the expansion of a mathematical cardiorespiratory simulator to incorporate the effects of invasive ventilation in the prone position. This advanced simulation tool could be used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of prone positioning, optimise ventilator settings, and explore the potential impact of various therapeutic interventions.
Collectively, these studies contribute to the advancement of critical care practice and provide valuable insights into the complex physiological responses to critical illness
Léirmheas ar Máirtín Ó Cadhain 2020 in eagar ag Eoin Mac Cárthaigh & Pádraig de Paor.
No full textTá an cur síos a dhéantar ar shaothar an Chadhnaigh sa leabhar seo bunaithe ar pháipéir a léadh ag comhdháil a d’eagraigh Roinn Gaeilge Choláiste na Tríonóide, ar an 20 Samhain 2020. Deich gcinn d’ailt atá sa leabhar leis na húdair seo leanas: Cathal Ó Háinle, Máirín Nic Eoin, Micheál Briody, Gearóid Denvir, Máire Ní Annracháin, Caitlín Nic Íomhair, Ian Ó Caoimh, Alan Titley, Colm Ó Cuaig & Charles Dillon agus Pádraig de Paor. Is léir go ndeachaigh saothar an Chadhnaigh i bhfeidhm go mór orthu ar fad. Scríbhneoir den scoth a bhí i Máirtín Ó Cadhain agus é ábalta léargas chruinn a thabhairt ar shaol agus ar phobal Chois Fharraige. B’fhear Gaeltachta a bhí ann, ach chomh maith leis sin, ba phoblachtach é a bhí sáite i gcúrsaí feachtais agus oideachais. Bhí baint ag an gCadhnach le Coláiste an Tríonóide ón tréimhse a chaith sé ag teagasc ann, agus tá an chuid is mó de pháipéir phearsanta Mháirtín Uí Chadhain lonnaithe i seomra na lámhscríbhinní san ollscoil sin.peer-reviewe
Impact of elevated lipoprotein(a) on epicardial coronary flow conductance and endoluminal atherosclerotic disease distribution
No full textIn this PIONEER IV sub-study (NCT04923191), we investigated the effect of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] on epicardial coronary flow and endoluminal disease distribution. We analyzed 392 vessels from 75 propensity-matched pairs using Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) to assess flow limitation and the virtual QFR-Pressure Pullback Gradient Index (QFR-PPGi) to characterize disease distribution patterns (focal versus diffuse). Vessels exposed to elevated Lp(a) exhibited significantly higher rates of epicardial flow limitation (QFR ≤ 0.80) than controls (31 % vs. 19 %, absolute risk difference 12 %; 95 % CI: 2.7 %–21 %, p = 0.011). The median difference in baseline QFR between matched vessels was −0.045 (p = 0.005), while the mean difference in QFR-PPGi was −0.028 (p = 0.013). These findings demonstrate that elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with both greater epicardial flow limitation and a more diffuse pattern of coronary artery disease.The PIONEER IV trial is an investigator-initiated randomized controlled trial sponsored by the University of Galway, Ireland, which received funding from SINOMED (Tianjin, China).peer-reviewe