Dublin City University

About: Dublin City University is a education organization based out in Dublin, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Machine translation. The organization has 5904 authors who have published 17178 publications receiving 389376 citations. The organization is also known as: National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin & DCU.

DNA Methylation: A Timeline of Methods and Applications

Abstract: DNA methylation is a biochemical process where a DNA base, usually cytosine, is enzymatically methylated at the 5-carbon position. An epigenetic modification associated with gene regulation, DNA methylation is of paramount importance regarding biological health and disease. Recently, the quest to unravel the Human Epigenome commenced, calling for a modernisation of previous DNA methylation profiling techniques. Here, we describe the major developments in the methodologies used over the past three decades to examine the elusive epigenome (or methylome). The earliest techniques were based on the separation of methylated and unmethylated cytosines via chromatography. The following years would see molecular techniques being employed to indirectly examine DNA methylation levels at both a genome-wide and locus-specific context, notably immunoprecipitation via anti-5’methylcytosine and selective digestion with methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases. With the advent of sodium bisulphite treatment of DNA, a deamination reaction that converts cytosine to uracil only when unmethylated, the epigenetic modification can be identified in the same manner as a DNA base-pair change. More recently, these three techniques have been applied to more technically advanced systems such as DNA microarrays and next generation sequencing platforms, bringing us closer to unveiling a complete human epigenetic profile. While the more recent methods are currently being employed, even newer sequencing platforms and methodologies are being developed to improve our detection of DNA methylation including 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. The next decade is likely to experience an explosion in the number of completed human methylomes or epigenomes; the challenge will be to work out their functional significance.

Lymphoma risk and occupational exposure to pesticides: results of the Epilymph study

Abstract: Objectives We investigated the role of occupational exposure to specific groups of agrochemicals in the aetiology of lymphoma overall, B cell lymphoma and its most prevalent subtypes. Methods In 1998–2003, 2348 incident lymphoma cases and 2462 controls were recruited to the EPILYMPH case-control study in six European countries. A detailed occupational history was collected in cases and controls. Job modules were applied for farm work including specific questions on type of crop, farm size, pests being treated, type and schedule of pesticide use. In each study centre, industrial hygienists and occupational experts assessed exposure to specific groups of pesticides and individual compounds with the aid of agronomists. We calculated the OR and its 95% CI associated with lymphoma and the most prevalent lymphoma subtypes with unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, education and centre. Results Risk of lymphoma overall, and B cell lymphoma was not elevated, and risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) was elevated amongst those ever exposed to inorganic (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.5) and organic pesticides (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1). CLL risk was highest amongst those ever exposed to organophosphates (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.0). Restricting the analysis to subjects most likely exposed, no association was observed between pesticide use and risk of B cell lymphoma. Conclusions Our results provide limited support to the hypothesis of an increase in risk of specific lymphoma subtypes associated with exposure to pesticides.

Reagentless Glucose Biosensor Based on the Direct Electrochemistry of Glucose Oxidase on Carbon Nanotube-Modified Electrodes

Abstract: The direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD) was revealed at a carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified glassy carbon electrode, where the enzyme was immobilized with a chitosan film containing gold nanoparticles. The immobilized GOD displays a pair of redox peaks in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solutions (PBS) with the formal potential of about −455 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) and shows a surface-controlled electrode process. Bioactivity remains good, along with effective catalysis of the reduction of oxygen. In the presence of dissolved oxygen, the reduction peak current decreased gradually with the addition of glucose, which could be used for reagentless detection of glucose with a linear range from 0.04 to 1.0 mM. The proposed glucose biosensor exhibited high sensitivity, good stability and reproducibility, and was also insensitive to common interferences such as ascorbic and uric acid. The excellent performance of the reagentless biosensor is attributed to the effective enhancement of electron transfer between enzyme and electrode surface by CNTs, and the biocompatible environment that the chitosan film containing gold nanoparticles provides for immobilized GOD.

Restraint and seclusion: a distressing treatment option?

Abstract: The effectiveness of restraint and seclusion interventions in the nursing management of disturbed and aggressive clients remains questionable. Considerable debate continues regarding the use of these treatment options in psychiatric hospitals. The existing literature suggests that the controversial nature of restraint and seclusion creates a complex dilemma for nurses, which initiates emotional distress. This study specifically explored the emotions and feelings experienced by a group of psychiatric nurses working in Ireland in relation to incidents of restraint and seclusion. A qualitative research approach was employed incorporating focus group discussions. A total of 23 nurses participated in three focus group interviews. The data were analysed using qualitative interpretive analysis. Three themes were created consisting of: (1) the last resort - restraint and seclusion; (2) emotional distress; and (3) suppressing unpleasant emotions. It is suggested that the nurses' experience of restraint and seclusion created a dynamic movement between the release and suppression of distressing emotions. The oscillatory characteristics embedded within the nurses' emotional responses were reminiscent of a model of suffering developed by Morse in 2001. Consequently, this model is incorporated throughout the discussion of the findings to provide a more in-depth description of the emotional distress experienced by the nurses in the study.