The use of sterol profiles, supported with other faecal source tracking methods, to apportion septic tanks contamination in rural catchments.

Identifying the origin of faecal pollution in water is needed for effective water management decisions to protect both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Traditionally used indicators of faecal contamination, such as E. coli, only indicate pollution from warm-blooded animals and not the specific source of contamination; hence, more source specific tracers are required.

Migration analysis of Cr, Ni, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo in internet-bought food serving stainless-steel utensils by ICP-MS and XRF.

A total of 120 internet bought stainless-steel utensil samples intended for food serving were analysed for their release of Cr, Ni, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo. Samples were extracted using simulants under continuous and discontinuous test conditions, extracts were analysed by ICP-MS, and metallic compositions of utensils were indicated by XRF analysis. values for all analytes were determined between 0.

A LCMS Metabolomic Workflow to Investigate Metabolic Patterns in Human Intestinal Cells Exposed to Hydrolyzed Crab Waste Materials.

We have developed a LCMS metabolomic workflow to investigate metabolic patterns from human intestinal cells treated with simulated gastrointestinal-digested hydrolyzed crab waste materials. This workflow facilitates smart and reproducible comparisons of cell cultures exposed to different treatments. In this case the variable was the hydrolysis methods, also accounting for the GI digestion giving an output of direct correlation between cellular metabolic patterns caused by the treatments.

An assessment of contamination fingerprinting techniques for determining the impact of domestic wastewater treatment systems on private well supplies.

Private wells in Ireland and elsewhere have been shown to be prone to microbial contamination with the main suspected sources being practices associated with agriculture and domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS). While the microbial quality of private well water is commonly assessed using faecal indicator bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, such organisms are not usually source-specific, and hence cannot definitively conclude the exact origin of the contamination. This research assessed a range of different chemical contamination fingerprinting techniques (ionic ratios, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, fluorescent whitening compounds, faecal sterol profiles and pharmaceuticals) as to their use to apportion contamination of private wells between human wastewater and animal husbandry wastes in rural areas of Ireland.

Degradation kinetics of cold plasma-treated antibiotics and their antimicrobial activity.

Antibiotics, such as ofloxacin (OFX) and ciprofloxacin (CFX), are often detected in considerable concentrations in both wastewater effluents and surface water. This poses a risk to non-target organisms and to human health. The aim of this work was to study atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) degradation of antibiotics in water and meat effluent and to explore any residual antimicrobial activity of samples submitted to the plasma process.

EAE is not a useful model for demyelinating disease.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the commonest, readily induced, organspecific, autoimmune disorder of laboratory animals of its kind. It is an artificial disorder brought about by the immunisation of susceptible animals with brain antigens in complete Freund׳s adjuvant (CFA). Variations can be induced by altering the nature of the antigen and the conditions involving immunisation.

Application of congener based multi-matrix profiling techniques to identify potential PCDD/F sources in environmental samples from the Burrishoole Catchment in the West of Ireland.

Homologue and congener profiles of PCDD/Fs in eels, passive sampler and sediment extracts from the Burrishoole, a rural upland catchment on the western Irish seaboard were compared with potential PCDD sources. ΣPCDD/F levels in eels ranged from 2.9 to 25.

Determination of eleven coccidiostats in animal feed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry at cross contamination levels.

A confirmatory multi-residue method has been developed to allow for the detection, confirmation and quantification of eleven coccidiostats in animal feed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method can be used to determine halofuginone, robenidine, nicarbazin, diclazuril, decoquinate, semduramicin, lasalocid, monensin, salinomycin, narasin, maduramicin at levels relating to unavoidable carry over as stated in Regulation 2009/8/EC. Feed samples are extracted with water and acetonitrile with the addition of anhydrous magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride.

Survey of 11 nitroimidazole residues in hen and duck eggs from the Irish market.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, recently developed, validated and accredited, was used to screen for metronidazole, ronidazole dimetridazole ipronidazole, ternidazole, tinidazole, ornidazole carnidazole and three hydroxy metabolites (hydroxy-metronidazole, HMMNI and hydroxy-ipronidazole) in Irish retail egg samples. The method used had decision limits (CCα) in the range 0.33-1.

The sad plight of multiple sclerosis research (low on fact, high on fiction): critical data to support it being a neurocristopathy.

The literature for evidence of autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis (MS) is analysed critically. In contrast to the accepted theory, the human counterpart of the animal model experimental autoimmune demyelinating disease, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), is not MS but a different demyelinating disorder, i.e.

Development and validation of a rapid multi-class method for the confirmation of fourteen prohibited medicinal additives in pig and poultry compound feed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A confirmatory method has been developed to allow for the analysis of fourteen prohibited medicinal additives in pig and poultry compound feed. These compounds are prohibited for use as feed additives although some are still authorised for use in medicated feed. Feed samples are extracted by acetonitrile with addition of sodium sulfate.

Rapid multi-class multi-residue method for the confirmation of chloramphenicol and eleven nitroimidazoles in milk and honey by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

A confirmatory method was developed to allow for the analysis of eleven nitroimidazoles and also chloramphenicol in milk and honey samples. These compounds are classified as A6 compounds in Annex IV of Council Regulation 2377/90 (European Commission 1990) and therefore prohibited for use in animal husbandry. Milk samples were extracted by acetonitrile with the addition of NaCl; honey samples were first dissolved in water before a similar extraction.

Who uses hospital emergency rooms?: evidence from Houston/Harris County Texas.

One of the factors thought to be causing hospital emergency room (ER) crowding is excessive use of the ER by the uninsured, who may lack access to other sources of care. This is a particular concern in Texas. We completed a survey in Houston/Harris County, Texas, addressing whether the uninsured are high users of the ER, and the role of financial concerns in choosing a venue for care.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: postinfectious, postimmunization and variant forms.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is not an uncommon disorder and affects both children and adults, being more frequent in the younger group. It is said to constitute one third of all encephalidities and usually follows in the wake of a banal viral infection, but may occur after immunizations and as a complication of diseases affecting the cerebral endothelial cells. There is no specific diagnostic test but a good clinical history, attention to clinical findings along with MRI scan often help to make the diagnosis.

A gene signature for post-infectious chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: At present, there are no clinically reliable disease markers for chronic fatigue syndrome. DNA chip microarray technology provides a method for examining the differential expression of mRNA from a large number of genes. Our hypothesis was that a gene expression signature, generated by microarray assays, could help identify genes which are dysregulated in patients with post-infectious CFS and so help identify biomarkers for the condition.

Rapid confirmatory method for the determination of 11 nitroimidazoles in egg using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid confirmatory method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous identification, confirmation and quantitation of 11 nitroimidazoles in eggs by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method is validated in accordance with Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and is capable of analysing metronidazole (MNZ), dimetridazole (DMZ), ronidazole (RNZ), ipronidazole (IPZ) and their hydroxy metabolites MNZ-OH, HMMNI (hydroxymethyl, methyl nitroimidazole), IPZ-OH. The method is also capable of analysing carnidazole (CRZ), ornidazole (ORZ), tinidazole (TNZ) and ternidazole (TRZ).

Development and validation of a rapid method for the determination and confirmation of 10 nitroimidazoles in animal plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous identification, confirmation and quantitation of 10 nitroimidazoles in plasma. The method validated in accordance with Commission Decision (CD) 2002/657/EC is capable of analysing for metronidazole (MNZ), dimetridazole (DMZ), ronidazole (RNZ), ipronidazole (IPZ) and their hydroxy metabolites MNZ-OH, HMMNI (hydroxymethyl, methyl nitroimidazole), IPZ-OH. The method is also capable of analysing carnidazole (CRZ), ornidazole (ORZ) and ternidazole (TRZ) which are rarely analysed by modern methods.

Myasthenic crisis.

Myasthenic crisis is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring early diagnosis and respiratory assistance. It can affect between one-fifth and one-third of all patients with generalized autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Myasthenic crisis is to be distinguished from other causes of acute neuromuscular paralysis which in most cases, can be achieved clinically.

Treatment of multiple sclerosis: beyond the NICE guidelines.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common, disabling neurological condition whose pathogenesis is not clearly understood. Although current treatment recommendations assume an immunopathogenic disease mechanism, MS may not be an autoimmune disorder. Long-term immunological therapy for MS is in our view an untested approach, guided by uncritical acceptance of data from drug trials.