This study aimed to optimize an extraction and separation procedure to obtain a concentrated fraction with antibacterial activity from the macroalga Ulva lactuca. Antibacterial compounds were extracted using eight solvents, and consistent activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and methicillin-resistant (MR) S. aureus was observed from a dilute (1:100, w/v) ethyl acetate extract. Seasonal analysis revealed that antibacterial activity was the lowest in spring/summer and the highest in autumn/winter. Bioautography was found to be a more appropriate assay compared to disc diffusion when screening crude extracts, as it separates the masking compounds from the antibacterial compounds and a direct assessment of the bands responsible for the antibacterial effect could be made. The antibacterial compounds were first separated from the crude extract using preparative thin-layer chromatography, followed by column chromatography to obtain a semi-pure sub-fraction. Using this approach, the antibacterial compounds were successfully concentrated from a crude extract (300 μg) to semi-pure fractions (6 μg) in which antibacterial activities were greatly enhanced. This study also revealed that prolonged storage (9 months) under a nitrogen atmosphere at −20°C resulted in a considerable increase in antibacterial activity. This is the first report of seasonal assessment of antibacterial compounds from seaweeds collected in Ireland. In addition, an antibacterial fraction was successfully isolated from U. lactuca which exhibited potent anti-MR S. aureus activity.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rising trend in the incidence and mortality of renal cell carcinoma in Ireland. Methods: Data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland on primary adenocarcinomas of the kidney from 2003 to 2013 were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed on the data using IBM SPSS statistics V24 software package and Microsoft Excel Software. Results: There were 3801 cases of adenocarcinoma of the kidney with 29% of tumours (n=1103) being found incidentally. The age-adjusted incidence rate of renal cell carcinoma in 2003 was 4.66 per 100,000 women and 8.78 per 100,000 men. These figures have risen to 5.78 and 13.14 in 2013, respectively. There was an annual percentage change of +2.2% for women and +4.1% for men from the years 2003 to 2013. For both sexes the age-standardised all-cause mortality rate for renal adenocarcinoma increased from 1.07 per 100,000 in 2003 to 4.32 ± 0.06 per 100,000 in 2013, an annual percentage change of +15%. Age-adjusted mortality rates in the female population in Ireland increased from 0.78 to 2.66, an annual percentage change of +13.1% and from 1.41 to 6.04 in men, an annual percentage change of +15.8%. Conclusion: There is a paradox emerging in Ireland, with both rising survival rates for renal cell carcinoma and rising mortality rates. While the increased incidence of renal cell carcinoma in Ireland can be attributed somewhat to the increased use of various imaging modalities, it may also be attributed to the significant rise in modifiable risk factors as seen in other developed countries, namely hypertension, obesity, and smoking.