http://hdl.handle.net/10147/128269 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:51:22 GMT 2013-06-19T22:51:22Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/293002 Title: Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSANI) caused by a novel mutation in SPTLC2 Authors: Murphy, S. M.; Ernst, D.; Wei, Y.; Laura, M.; Liu, Y.-T.; Polke, J.; Blake, J.; Winer, J.; Houlden, H.; Hornemann, T.; Reilly, M. M. Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/293002 2013-05-29T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/292738 Title: Fatigue fracture of tibial arthroplasty implant masked by contralateral knee arthritis. Authors: O'Neill, Barry J; Cleary, May; McElwain, John P Abstract: The wear of polyethylene components is a well-recognised long-term complication of total knee arthroplasty. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/292738 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/292590 Title: Increased platelet activation in early symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid stenosis and relationship with microembolic status: Results from the Platelets And Carotid Stenosis (PACS) Study. Authors: Kinsella, Ja; Tobin, Wo; Tierney, S; Feeley, Tm; Egan, B; Collins, Dr; Coughlan, T; O'Neill, D; Harbison, J; Madhavan, P; Moore, Dj; O'Neill, Sm; Colgan, Mp; Doherty, Cp; Murphy, Rp; Saqqur, M; Moran, N; Hamilton, G; McCabe, Djh Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cerebral microembolic signals (MES) may predict increased stroke risk in carotid stenosis. However, the relationship between platelet counts or platelet activation status and MES in symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid stenosis has not been comprehensively assessed. SETTING: University teaching hospitals. METHODS: This prospective, pilot observational study assessed platelet counts and platelet activation status, and the relationship between platelet activation and MES in asymptomatic versus early (≤4 weeks after TIA/stroke) and late phase (≥3 months) symptomatic moderate or severe (≥50%) carotid stenosis patients. Full blood count measurements were performed, and whole blood flow cytometry was used to quantify platelet surface activation marker expression (CD62P and CD63) and circulating leucocyte-platelet complexes. Bilateral simultaneous transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring of the middle cerebral arteries was performed for 1 hour to classify patients as MES-positive or MES-negative. RESULTS: Data from 31 asymptomatic patients were compared with 46 symptomatic patients in the early phase, and 35 of these patients followed up to the late phase after symptom onset. The median platelet count (211 vs. 200 x 10(9) /L; p=0.03) and the median% lymphocyte-platelet complexes were higher in early symptomatic than asymptomatic patients (2.8 vs. 2.4%, p=0.001). The% lymphocyte-platelet complexes was higher in early symptomatic than asymptomatic patients with ≥70% carotid stenosis (p=0.0005), and in symptomatic patients recruited within 7 days of symptom onset (p=0.028). Complete TCD data were available in 25 asymptomatic and 31 early phase symptomatic, and 27 late phase symptomatic patients. 12% of asymptomatic versus 32% of early phase symptomatic (p=0.02) and 19% of late phase symptomatic patients (p=0.2) were MES-positive. Early symptomatic MES-negative patients had a higher% lymphocyte-platelet complexes than asymptomatic MES-negative patients (2.8 vs. 2.3%; p=0.0085). DISCUSSION: Recently symptomatic carotid stenosis patients have higher platelet counts (potentially reflecting increased platelet production, mobilisation or reduced clearance) and platelet activation status than asymptomatic patients. MES were more frequently detected in early symptomatic than asymptomatic patients, but the differences between late symptomatic and asymptomatic groups were not significant. Increased lymphocyte-platelet complex formation in recently symptomatic vs. asymptomatic MES-negative patients indicates enhanced platelet activation in this early symptomatic subgroup. Platelet biomarkers, in combination with TCD, have the potential to aid risk-stratification in asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid stenosis patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/292590 2013-04-26T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/292563 Title: Helicobacter pylori resistance rates for levofloxacin, tetracycline and rifabutin among Irish isolates at a reference centre. Authors: O'Connor, A; Taneike, I; Nami, A; Fitzgerald, N; Ryan, B; Breslin, N; O'Connor, H; McNamara, D; Murphy, P; O'Morain, C Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates using conventional triple therapies are falling, making viable second-line and rescue regimens necessary. Levofloxacin, tetracycline and rifabutin are three efficacious antibiotics for rescue therapy. AIM: We aimed to assess the resistance rates for H. pylori against these antibiotics in an Irish cohort. METHODS: Gastric biopsies were collected from 85 patients infected with H. pylori (mean age 46 years) in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin in 2008 and 2009. Susceptibility to antibiotics was tested using the Etest. Clinical information was obtained from endoscopy reports and chart review. RESULTS: 50.6 % of patients were females. Mean age was 47 years. Ten had prior attempts at eradication therapy with amoxicillin-clarithromycin-PPI, two had levofloxacin-based second-line therapy. 11.7 % [95 % CI (6.5-20.3 %)] (N = 10) had strains resistant to levofloxacin. There were no strains resistant to rifabutin or tetracycline. Levofloxacin resistance in the under 45 age group was 2.6 % (1/38) compared to 19.1 % (9/47) of above 45 age group (p = 0.02). DISCUSSION: The levofloxacin rates illustrated in this study are relatively low by European standards and in line with other studies from the United Kingdom and Germany, with younger patients having very low levels of resistance. Levofloxacin, tetracycline and rifabutin are all valid options for H. pylori eradication in Irish patients but the importance of compliance cannot be underestimated. Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/292563 2013-04-27T00:00:00Z