CORA
Cork Open Research Archive (CORA) is UCC’s Open Access institutional repository which enables UCC researchers to make their research outputs freely available and accessible.
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The MetaBó-Bainne Study – characterisation of the milk metabolome from a seasonal pasture-based dairy system using 1H-NMR spectroscopy
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-07-30) Rojas-Gómez, Paula; Pariyani, Raghunath; Dineen, Michael; Lynch, Denis; Bateman, Lorraine; Roche, Eoghan; Maguire, Anita R; McCarthy, Noel A; Murphy, Thomas Brendan; O'Mahony, James A; O'Callaghan, Tom F; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland, DAFM, 2021R568; Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, 15/RI/3221-21/RI/9705; Research Ireland, 21/RC/10303_P2
This study aims to characterise the milk metabolome from a seasonal pasture-based dairy system using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Over 41 weeks, ten dairy farms were visited weekly for the collection of raw bulk tank milk samples (n = 410) and three commercial pasteurised skimmed milks were also purchased weekly (n = 123). In total, 38 milk metabolites were quantified, 30 of which exhibited significant seasonal variation. Multivariate analysis identified several key compounds associated with seasonal metabolic changes. Winter-Feb milk, corresponding to early-lactation period, was enriched in ketone bodies, O-phosphocholine, creatinine, and glucose-1-phosphate, reflecting increased metabolic stress and negative energy balance following parturition. In contrast, autumn milk, corresponding to late-lactation, contained higher concentrations of choline and urea, indicative of improved energy status but reduced nitrogen use efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of milk metabolomics as a valuable tool for monitoring physiological status and guiding interventions to enhance sustainability in dairy systems.
Is physical activity and sport participation equal for all adolescents in Ireland?
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-06-10) Ng, Kwok; O'Brien, Wesley; Woods, Catherine; Sport Ireland; Sport Northern Ireland
Objectives: Physical activity and sport participation is seen as a vehicle for social integration in a changing and rapidly advancing society. Physical activity and sport participation rates among immigrants are low, but less is known about how the rates differ by nationality groups. The aims of this study were to examine the levels of physical activity and sport participation through school and community sport activities by nationality groups and how they differ to Irish adolescents. Design: Secondary data analyses on the Children's Sport Participation and Physical Activity 2022 study were carried out, with disaggregation by eight nationality groups (Irish/Northern Irish, Eastern European, Western European, South Asian, East Asian, North American, African, and Other). Methods: Extracurricular sports, community sports by type, school representation, and overall physical activity were measured. Logistic regression analyses were carried out with Irish adolescents as the reference category. Results: Of the 8881 adolescents, 14% were from non-Irish nationality groups. Lower levels of school and community sport participation were reported, particularly for Eastern European (school odds ratio = 0.6, confidence interval = 0.5–0.9; community odds ratio = 0.5, confidence interval = 0.4–0.7) and East Asian (school odds ratio = 0.5, confidence interval = 0.4–0.8; community odds ratio = 0.2, confidence interval = 0.2–0.4) nationality groups. Daily physical activity was also lower for non-Irish adolescents than their Irish peers. Conclusions: With these findings, sporting authorities have a baseline of findings that can inform how well the current and future policies on diversity and inclusion have been on physical activity and sport participation of adolescents.
The role of the antimicrobial peptide nisin as a clean label food preservative
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-06-30) Murphy, India L.; Hill, Colin; Field, Des; Research Ireland, 24/PATH-S/12770
The bacteriocin nisin can play a role in addressing the global need for safe, effective, and ‘clean label’ preservation strategies. Nisin A and its variants are among the most extensively studied antimicrobial peptides. Despite many advantages, nisin exhibits limitations in complex food matrices, including reduced solubility at neutral pH, susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, and poor activity against Gram-negative bacteria. We highlight recent advances aimed at overcoming these challenges, including novel delivery systems and the development of novel nisin variants with improved physicochemical properties, resistance to enzymatic degradation, and expanded antimicrobial spectra. Additionally, emerging research suggests a potential role for nisin as a functional food component capable of modulating the gut microbiome, although its effects appear context-dependent and require further investigation. We suggest that a diversified portfolio of nisin variants combined with advances in delivery strategies can position nisin and its variants as a key tool in the development of sustainable, safe, and minimally processed food.
International disruptions to cancer diagnosis and stage at presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020: an International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) population-based study
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-06-01) Morgan, Eileen; Bardot, Aude; Langselius, Oliver; Rutherford, Mark J.; Elkader, Hazem Abd; Bennett, Damien; Brennan, Aline; Bucher, Oliver; Butler, John; Cameron, David A.; Canfell, Karen; Chiam, Karen; Chiarelli, Anna; Creighton, Nicola; De, Prithwish; Evans, Sue; Fitzpatrick, Deirdre; Guren, Marianne G.; Hannah, Jack; Huws, Dyfed W.; Jackson, Christopher G.C.A.; Kønig, Simon Mathis; Kumar, Eshwar; Larønningen, Siri; Lawler, Mark; Liu, Qinwei; McClure, Carol; Mehmood, Asif; Mitchell, Helen; Morrison, David S.; Murray, Deirdre; Norwood, Todd; Phillips, Karen A.M.; Ransom, David; Shack, Lorraine; Smits, Stephanie; Saint-Jacques, Nathalie; Marvelde, Luc te; Tran, David; Turner, Donna; Ursin, Giske; Vernon, Sally; Walker, Meghan J.; Woods, Ryan R.; Zhang, Bin; Bray, Freddie; Soerjomataram, Isabelle; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer; Cancer Council Victoria; Cancer Institute NSW; Cancer Research UK; Danish Cancer Society; National Cancer Registry Ireland; The Higher Education Authority North South Research Programme, Health Data Research UK; Te Aho o Te Kahu, Cancer Control Agency New Zealand; National Health Service England; Norwegian Cancer Society; Northern Ireland Cancer Registry; The Scottish Government; Government of Western Australia, Department of Health; Wales Cancer Network
Background The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on cancer services globally. There is a crucial need to understand how the incidence and stage of major cancer types were affected internationally. We aimed to assess these metrics in seven countries within the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership. Methods This population-based study used data on 2·6 million patients diagnosed with primary cancers of the colon, rectum, lung, prostate, female breast, ovary, and melanoma of the skin, between Jan 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2020. Data were collected from cancer registries in 18 jurisdictions from seven countries participating in the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership; Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. The main outcomes of monthly cases and age-standardised incidence rates by site during the pandemic (April 1 to Dec 31, 2020) were compared with predictions for the same year based on pre-pandemic trends (Jan 1, 2015, to Dec 31, 2019). Findings Between April 1, and Dec 31, 2020, 55 713 (16%) of 347 666 expected cases were predicted to be missing, with the largest deficits seen for prostate cancer (24%), female breast cancer (18%), and melanoma (18%), and the smallest deficits seen for ovarian (4%) and lung cancer (8%). The largest difference between observed and predicted incidence rates for prostate cancer was seen in the UK (164·9 per 100 000 person-years predicted vs 101·4 per 100 000 person-years observed) and the smallest difference seen in Norway (164·1 vs 168·4). Reductions in incidence were greatest from April 1, to July 31, versus from Aug 1, to Dec 31, in 2020. The percentage deficits between observed and predicted cases were 54% (UK) and 36% (Ireland) for prostate cancer, 40% (UK) and 34% (Ireland) for breast cancer, and 40% (UK) and 35% (Canada) for melanoma. Interpretation The pandemic's greatest impact was during the first few months of societal lockdowns in 2020 when barriers in access to health care were greatest. Further research is needed to understand whether patients with a missed diagnosis were diagnosed at a later date and if they presented at a later stage. Funding Canadian Partnership Against Cancer; Cancer Council Victoria; Cancer Institute New South Wales; Cancer Research UK; Danish Cancer Society; National Cancer Registry Ireland; The Higher Education Authority North South Research Programme, Health Data Research UK; Te Aho o Te Kahu, Cancer Control Agency New Zealand; New Zealand Cancer Society; National Health Service England; Norwegian Cancer Society; Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry; The Scottish Government; Western Australia Department of Health; and Wales Cancer Network.
Comparative effects of bacterial proteases on the physicochemical stability of cream liqueur
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-10-01) Chen, Yuetong; Sinha, Aritra; Kelly, Alan L.
Heat-stable microbial proteases secreted by psychrotrophs in raw milk can survive pasteurisation and compromise dairy emulsion stability, yet their behaviour in complex matrices such as cream liqueur is poorly understood. This study compared three bacterial proteases (AprX from Pseudomonas fluorescens and HhoA from two Bacillus cereus strains) and evaluated their effects on a commercial Irish cream liqueur during 20 d of ambient storage, alongside reconstituted skim milk. Stability was assessed by viscosity, colour, particle size distribution, and casein hydrolysis. Protease activity was matrix-dependent: HhoA was most active in skim milk (rapid gelation at 37°C), whereas AprX predominated in cream liqueur. By Day 20, AprX caused 67.1% casein hydrolysis, increased Dx90 from 0.193 to 0.340 μm, broadened the size distribution (span >3.0), and shifted colour (ΔE = 12.8). A biphasic viscosity response suggested significant hydrolysis of caseins followed by aggregation. Overall, ethanol–fat–caseinate interactions modulated protease behaviour and identified AprX-producing Pseudomonas as a key enzymatic risk to cream liqueur stability.