Nicola Boran | University of Ulster (original) (raw)
Address: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Papers by Nicola Boran
British Journal of Biomedical Science, 2015
The increasing prevalence of carbapenem non-susceptible Gram negative organisms demands prompt an... more The increasing prevalence of carbapenem non-susceptible Gram negative organisms demands prompt and accurate identification of resistance mechanisms to limit their transmission. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rapid CARB screen (Rosco Diagnostica, Denmark), the 'KPC/MBL in P. aeruginosa/Acinetobacter Confirm Kit' (Rosco Diagnostica), Check-MDR Carba and Check-Direct CPE kits (Check-Points, The Netherlands). The purpose of this study is the formation of a carbapenemase resistance detection algorithm that can be used in the routine laboratory. Results of the rapid CARB screen kit were improved when isolates were tested from Muller Hinton agar with a meropenem 10 μg disc instead of blood agar. The rapid CARB screen (performed in 2-3 h) demonstrated overall 98.7% sensitivity and 87.7% specificity (n = 133). The KPC/MBL in P. aeruginosa/Acinetobacter Confirm Kit (which requires overnight incubation) demonstrated a high number of false-positive results giving 38.6% specificity and 100% sensitivity (n = 44). The Check-MDR Carba (performed in 5 h), detecting carbapenemase presence, provides a cabapenemase-positive or -negative result demonstrated 96.7% specificity and 98.6% sensitivity (n = 132). The Check-Direct CPE (performed in 3 h), which identifies KPC, NDM/VIM or OXA-48 type carbapenemases, demonstrated 96.5% specificity and 97.1% sensitivity (n = 97). The Check-Direct CPE, however, failed to detect dual carbapenemase genes present in two out of four isolates. The principal conclusion is the recommendation of the rapid CARB screen and Check-MDR Carba for incorporation into a carbapenemase detection algorithm which, when used in combination, will yield results with 97.3% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2012
Background: Primary human hepatocytes are a useful in vitro model system to examine hepatic bioch... more Background: Primary human hepatocytes are a useful in vitro model system to examine hepatic biochemical pathways, liver disorders and/or pharmacotherapies. This system can also be used for transport studies to investigate uptake and excretion of bile acids. Proper modeling of hepatic function requires careful attention to media components, and culture substrates and conditions. Objectives: To examine the effects of different culture media and conditions on bile acid transport in cultured human hepatocytes. Methods and Results: Hepatocytes cultured in Williams' medium E showed an increase in both uptake and excretion of taurocholate compared to cells cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Supplementation of DMEM with glutathione or ascorbic acid did not compensate for the lower transport. The difference can be explained by lower mRNA expression of the transporter proteins sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) and bile salt export pump (BSEP; ABCB11) when cultured in DMEM. Hepatocytes cultured in DMEM also display fewer and smaller bile canaliculi. Following extended time in culture supplementation of Williams' medium E with dexamethasone increased the expression of NTCP and BSEP. Conclusion: Williams' medium E is superior to DMEM for transport studies in primary human hepatocytes. Supplementation with dexamethasone increase mRNA levels of NTCP and BSEP.
The impact of COVID-19 on normal operations in healthcare has been immense. With the urgent requi... more The impact of COVID-19 on normal operations in healthcare has been immense. With the urgent requirement for increased bed capacity to care for larger numbers of acute medical patients, many institutions suspended some or all elective surgery during COVID surges. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is a city centre acute hospital and a national referral centre for respiratory intensive care. In the past year, more than one thousand patients with COVID-19 have been admitted to the hospital. This service must be balanced against referral services including emergency and specialist timedependent surgery e.g. cancer surgery, transplants. Operating during a pandemic introduces concerns about spread of COVID-19 within the operating theatre and has led surgical colleagues to consider the use of a higher level of respiratory protection, in the form of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR). Dalli et al. set out to evaluate the use of PAPR in general surgery, firstly for user satisf...
British Journal of Biomedical Science, 2015
The increasing prevalence of carbapenem non-susceptible Gram negative organisms demands prompt an... more The increasing prevalence of carbapenem non-susceptible Gram negative organisms demands prompt and accurate identification of resistance mechanisms to limit their transmission. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rapid CARB screen (Rosco Diagnostica, Denmark), the 'KPC/MBL in P. aeruginosa/Acinetobacter Confirm Kit' (Rosco Diagnostica), Check-MDR Carba and Check-Direct CPE kits (Check-Points, The Netherlands). The purpose of this study is the formation of a carbapenemase resistance detection algorithm that can be used in the routine laboratory. Results of the rapid CARB screen kit were improved when isolates were tested from Muller Hinton agar with a meropenem 10 μg disc instead of blood agar. The rapid CARB screen (performed in 2-3 h) demonstrated overall 98.7% sensitivity and 87.7% specificity (n = 133). The KPC/MBL in P. aeruginosa/Acinetobacter Confirm Kit (which requires overnight incubation) demonstrated a high number of false-positive results giving 38.6% specificity and 100% sensitivity (n = 44). The Check-MDR Carba (performed in 5 h), detecting carbapenemase presence, provides a cabapenemase-positive or -negative result demonstrated 96.7% specificity and 98.6% sensitivity (n = 132). The Check-Direct CPE (performed in 3 h), which identifies KPC, NDM/VIM or OXA-48 type carbapenemases, demonstrated 96.5% specificity and 97.1% sensitivity (n = 97). The Check-Direct CPE, however, failed to detect dual carbapenemase genes present in two out of four isolates. The principal conclusion is the recommendation of the rapid CARB screen and Check-MDR Carba for incorporation into a carbapenemase detection algorithm which, when used in combination, will yield results with 97.3% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2012
Background: Primary human hepatocytes are a useful in vitro model system to examine hepatic bioch... more Background: Primary human hepatocytes are a useful in vitro model system to examine hepatic biochemical pathways, liver disorders and/or pharmacotherapies. This system can also be used for transport studies to investigate uptake and excretion of bile acids. Proper modeling of hepatic function requires careful attention to media components, and culture substrates and conditions. Objectives: To examine the effects of different culture media and conditions on bile acid transport in cultured human hepatocytes. Methods and Results: Hepatocytes cultured in Williams' medium E showed an increase in both uptake and excretion of taurocholate compared to cells cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Supplementation of DMEM with glutathione or ascorbic acid did not compensate for the lower transport. The difference can be explained by lower mRNA expression of the transporter proteins sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) and bile salt export pump (BSEP; ABCB11) when cultured in DMEM. Hepatocytes cultured in DMEM also display fewer and smaller bile canaliculi. Following extended time in culture supplementation of Williams' medium E with dexamethasone increased the expression of NTCP and BSEP. Conclusion: Williams' medium E is superior to DMEM for transport studies in primary human hepatocytes. Supplementation with dexamethasone increase mRNA levels of NTCP and BSEP.
The impact of COVID-19 on normal operations in healthcare has been immense. With the urgent requi... more The impact of COVID-19 on normal operations in healthcare has been immense. With the urgent requirement for increased bed capacity to care for larger numbers of acute medical patients, many institutions suspended some or all elective surgery during COVID surges. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is a city centre acute hospital and a national referral centre for respiratory intensive care. In the past year, more than one thousand patients with COVID-19 have been admitted to the hospital. This service must be balanced against referral services including emergency and specialist timedependent surgery e.g. cancer surgery, transplants. Operating during a pandemic introduces concerns about spread of COVID-19 within the operating theatre and has led surgical colleagues to consider the use of a higher level of respiratory protection, in the form of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR). Dalli et al. set out to evaluate the use of PAPR in general surgery, firstly for user satisf...