Identifying Sources of Faecal Contamination in a Small Urban Stream Catchment: A Multiparametric Approach.

Small urban streams discharging in the proximity of bathing waters may significantly contribute to the deterioration of water quality, yet their impact may be overlooked. This study focuses on the Elm Park stream in the city of Dublin that is subject to faecal contamination by unidentified sources. The aim of the study was to identify a minimum number of "sentinel" sampling stations in an urban catchment that would provide the maximum amount of information regarding faecal pollution in the catchment.

Acute stress in adolescence vs early adulthood following selective deletion of dysbindin-1A: Effects on anxiety, cognition and other schizophrenia-related phenotypes.

Background: As exposure to stress has been linked to the onset and maintenance of psychotic illness, its pathogenesis may involve environmental stressors interacting with genetic vulnerability.

Aim: To establish whether acute stress interacts with a targeted mutation of the gene encoding the neurodevelopmental factor dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (DTNBP1), resulting in a specific loss of the isoform dysbindin-1A, to influence schizophrenia-relevant phenotypes in mice during adolescence and adulthood.

Methods: Male and female mice with a heterozygous or homozygous deletion of DTNBP1 were assessed in the open field test following acute restraint stress in adolescence (Day 35) and young adulthood (Day 60-70).

"I wanted to communicate my feelings freely": a descriptive study of creative responses to enhance reflection in palliative medicine education.

Background: The recent growth of arts and humanities in medical education shows recognition that these disciplines can facilitate a breadth of thinking and result in personal and professional growth. However creative work can be a challenge to incorporate into a busy curriculum. Offering the option of creative media as a way of reflecting is an example of how this can occur.

Celiac disease and the transition from childhood to adulthood: a 28-year follow-up.

Objectives: Follow-up of celiac disease diagnosed in childhood is variable or nonexistent after transition to adulthood. Outcome, continuity of care, and adherence to a gluten-free diet are poorly documented. We report a 28-yr follow-up of 50 adults in whom the original childhood diagnosis could be confirmed.

Association of NOD2 with Crohn's disease in a homogenous Irish population.

Linkage of IBD to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16 has been widely confirmed by analyses of multiple populations. The NOD2 gene is located in the peak region of linkage on chromosome 16 and thought to be involved in the activation of nuclear factor (NF) kappaB in response to bacterial components. Mutations in the NOD2 gene are found to be strongly associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD).

Celiac disease and irritable bowel-type symptoms.

Objectives: Previous reports have linked irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) etiologically with various forms of mucosal inflammation, including infectious enterocolitides and inflammatory bowel disease. The mechanism is uncertain but may involve sensitization by inflammatory mediators. The enteropathy of celiac disease has theoretical advantages as a study model because it can be controlled with dietary gluten exclusion; however, whether it also predisposes to functional bowel disorders is unclear.