University College Cork

About: University College Cork is a education organization based out in Cork, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Irish. The organization has 12056 authors who have published 28452 publications receiving 958414 citations. The organization is also known as: Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh & National University of Ireland, Cork.

Chronic disease burden associated with overweight and obesity in Ireland: the effects of a small BMI reduction at population level

Abstract: Overweight and obesity prevalence has risen dramatically in recent decades. While it is known that overweight and obesity is associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, the cumulative burden of chronic disease in the population associated with overweight and obesity is not well quantified. The aims of this paper were to examine the associations between BMI and chronic disease prevalence; to calculate Population Attributable Fractions (PAFs) associated with overweight and obesity; and to estimate the impact of a one unit reduction in BMI on the population prevalence of chronic disease. A cross-sectional analysis of 10,364 adults aged ≥18 years from the Republic of Ireland National Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN 2007) was performed. Using binary regression, we examined the relationship between BMI and the selected chronic diseases. In further analyses, we calculated PAFs of selected chronic diseases attributable to overweight and obesity and we assessed the impact of a one unit reduction in BMI on the overall burden of chronic disease. Overweight and obesity prevalence was higher in men (43.0% and 16.1%) compared to women (29.2% and 13.4%), respectively. The most prevalent chronic conditions were lower back pain, hypertension, and raised cholesterol. Prevalence of chronic disease generally increased with increasing BMI. Compared to normal weight persons, the strongest associations were found in obese women for diabetes (RR 3.9, 95% CI 2.5-6.3), followed by hypertension (RR 2.9, 95% CI 2.3-3.6); and in obese men for hypertension (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.7), followed by osteoarthritis (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.2). Calculated PAFs indicated that a large proportion of chronic disease is attributable to increased BMI, most noticeably for diabetes in women (42%) and for hypertension in men (30%). Overall, a one unit decrease in BMI results in 26 and 28 fewer cases of chronic disease per 1,000 men and women, respectively. Overweight and obesity are major contributors to the burden of chronic disease in the population. The achievement of a relatively modest reduction in average BMI in the population has the potential to make a significant impact on the burden of chronic disease.

Excitability in a quantum dot semiconductor laser with optical injection.

Abstract: We experimentally analyze the dynamics of a quantum dot semiconductor laser operating under optical injection. We observe the appearance of single- and double-pulse excitability at one boundary of the locking region. Theoretical considerations show that these pulses are related to a saddle-node bifurcation on a limit cycle as in the Adler equation. The double pulses are related to a period-doubling bifurcation and occur on the same homoclinic curve as the single pulses.

Anatomy Education for the YouTube Generation

Abstract: Anatomy remains a cornerstone of medical education despite challenges that have seen a significant reduction in contact hours over recent decades; however, the rise of the YouTube Generation, or Ge...

Genetic variability in the tumor necrosis factor-lymphotoxin region influences susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The major histocompatibility complex class III tumor necrosis factor-lymphotoxin (TNF-LT) region (6p21.3) was investigated as a possible susceptibility locus for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inheritance of five TNF microsatellite markers was determined in 50 multiplex families. Overall, 47 different haplotypes were observed. One of these, the TNF a6, b5, c1, d3, e3 (H1) haplotype, was present in 35.3% of affected, but in only 20.5% of unaffected, individuals (P < .005). This haplotype accounted for 21.5% of the parental haplotypes transmitted to affected offspring and only 7.3% not transmitted to affected offspring (P = .0003). The TNF a6 and TNF c1 alleles were individually associated with RA (P = .0005 and .0008, respectively), as were the HLA-DRB1 "shared epitope" (SE) (P = .0001) and HLA-DRB1*0401 (P = .0018). Both univariate and bivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed significant effects of TNF c1 and SE in increasing risk to RA (P < .001). Stratification by the presence of SE indicated an independent effect of the TNFc1 allele (P = .0003) and the HLA A1, B8, DR3 extended haplotype (always TNFa2, b3, c1, d1, e3) (P = .0027) in SE heterozygotes, while the H1 haplotype was associated with RA in SE homozygotes (P = .0018). The TNF-LT region appears to influence susceptibility to RA, distinct from HLA-DR.

Calibración de la tabla SCORE de riesgo cardiovascular para España

Abstract: Introduccion y objetivos La tercera Task Force Conjunta Europea de prevencion cardiovascular recomendo el uso de la funcion de riesgo SCORE de prediccion del riesgo de muerte cardiovascular en 10 anos para la toma de decisiones en las intervenciones clinicas. El objetivo de este estudio es calibrar dicha funcion para Espana. Metodos Se desarrollo un modelo aplicando las hazard ratio de muerte cardiovascular en 10 anos de las cohortes del estudio SCORE a los valores medios especificos por la edad y el sexo de los factores de riesgo del tercer examen del estudio MONICA-Cataluna (1994- 1996) y a las funciones de supervivencia cardiovascular en 10 anos de la poblacion espanola basadas en la mortalidad del ano 2002. Resultados El riesgo estimado mediante la funcion calibrada SCORE fue un 13% mas alto que el estimado con la funcion de bajo riesgo, aunque las diferencias entre ambas oscilaron segun la edad, el sexo y especialmente el tabaco. La tabla SCORE calibrada identifico 32 situaciones de alto riesgo no reconocidas en la tabla original SCORE de bajo riesgo, aunque el 50% tenia una prevalencia baja o nula. El porcentaje maximo de sujetos nuevamente identificados de alto riesgo con la tabla calibrada fue del 22%, observandose mas diferencias en los varones mayores de 55 anos. Conclusiones Mientras no se disponga de estimaciones del riesgo basadas en cohortes poblacionales espanolas suficientemente grandes, la utilizacion de las funciones originales de riesgo cardiovascular calibradas para el pais permitiria adoptar decisiones clinicas y de salud publica adecuadas.