Cross-reactivity of antibodies in some commercial deoxynivalenol test kits against some fusariotoxins

Cross-reactivity of antibodies in AGRAQUANT, DON EIA, VERATOX, ROSA LF-DONQ, and MYCONTROLDON designed for deoxynivalenol (DON) determination in food and feedstuffs was evaluated against nivalenol, 3-acetylDON, 15-acetylDON, de-epoxy metabolite 1 of DON, DON-3β-glucoside, T2-toxin, HT2-toxin, fusarenone X, diacetoxyscirpenol, verrucarol, and zearalenone. Cross-reactivity measurements were run in water using the 50% reduction of absorbance of the blank for ELISA kits or through direct DON determination upon using the standards of mycotoxins via ROSA LF-DONQ or MYCONTROLDON. For the tested toxin concentrations, all DON kits have low cross-reactivity toward diacetoxyscirpenol, T2-toxin, HT2-toxin, verrucarol, and zearalenone and moderate cross-reactivity toward 15-AcetylDON and fusarenone X. AGRAQUANT, DON EIA, and VERATOX kits showed high cross-reactivity in various ranking orders against DON-3-Glc, DOM-1, and 3AcDON. DON EIA showed also high cross-reactivity against nivalenol and fusarenone X. These mycotoxins could coexist in food or feedstuffs, and analytical results can be wrongly interpreted. Cross-reactivity does not allow checking the compliance with the legal norms, but it does allow an overall risk assessment for the consumers. Updating regularly the cross-reactivity evaluation of the produced batches is recommended for 3-acetylDON, nivalenol, DON-3-Glc, de-epoxy metabolite 1, and fusarenone X.     

The emergence of Schmallenberg virus across Culicoides communities and ecosystems in Europe

Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel arboviral pathogen, has emerged and spread across Europe since 2011 inflicting congenital deformities in the offspring of infected adult ruminants. Several species of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have been implicated in the transmission of SBV through studies conducted in northern Europe. In this study Culicoides from SBV outbreak areas of mainland France and Italy (Sardinia) were screened for viral RNA. The role of both C. obsoletus and the Obsoletus complex (C. obsoletus and C. scoticus) in transmission of SBV were confirmed in France and SBV was also discovered in a pool of C. nubeculosus for the first time, implicating this species as a potential vector. While collections in Sardinia were dominated by C. imicola, only relatively small quantities of SBV RNA were detected in pools of this species and conclusive evidence of its potential role in transmission is required.     

Development of a human adaptive immune system in cord blood cell-transplanted mice

Because ethical restrictions limit in vivo studies of the human hemato-lymphoid system, substitute human to small animal xenotransplantation models have been employed. Existing models, however, sustain only limited development and maintenance of human lymphoid cells and rarely produce immune responses. Here we show that intrahepatic injection of CD34+ human cord blood cells into conditioned newborn Rag2-/-gammac-/- mice leads to de novo development of B, T, and dendritic cells; formation of structured primary and secondary lymphoid organs; and production of functional immune responses. This provides a valuable model to study development and function of the human adaptive immune system in vivo.     

Nucleus accumbens D2/3 receptors predict trait impulsivity and cocaine reinforcement

Stimulant addiction is often linked to excessive risk taking, sensation seeking, and impulsivity, but in ways that are poorly understood. We report here that a form of impulsivity in rats predicts high rates of intravenous cocaine self-administration and is associated with changes in dopamine (DA) function before drug exposure. Using positron emission tomography, we demonstrated that D2/3 receptor availability is significantly reduced in the nucleus accumbens of impulsive rats that were never exposed to cocaine and that such effects are independent of DA release. These data demonstrate that trait impulsivity predicts cocaine reinforcement and that D2 receptor dysfunction in abstinent cocaine addicts may, in part, be determined by premorbid influences.     

Rescue of dystrophic muscle through U7 snRNA-mediated exon skipping

Most mutations in the dystrophin gene create a frameshift or a stop in the mRNA and are associated with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Exon skipping that naturally occurs at low frequency sometimes eliminates the mutation and leads to the production of a rescued protein. We have achieved persistent exon skipping that removes the mutated exon on the dystrophin messenger mRNA of the mdx mouse, by a single administration of an AAV vector expressing antisense sequences linked to a modified U7 small nuclear RNA. We report the sustained production of functional dystrophin at physiological levels in entire groups of muscles and the correction of the muscular dystrophy.     

Variations of Fatty Acids During the Sulphidization Process in the Authie Bay Sediments (8 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   The sulphidization process in relatively clean sediments sampled in a mudflat of the Authie estuary (located in Northern France) has been studied by coupling geochemical expertise and the use of fatty acids (FAs) as biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: Three sediment cores have been sampled in September 2003, November 2003 and May 2004, and cut every 2 cm in the field under nitrogen atmosphere so as to prevent any oxidation of reduced species. In the solid phase, reduced sulphur compounds, e.g. AVS (Acid Volatile Sulphides) and CRS (Chromium Reducible Sulphur) [including also the calculation of the degree of sulphidization (DOS) and the degree of pyritization (DOP)], and fatty acids have been carried out. Eh, pH, metal species (mostly iron and manganese), dissolved S(-II) and sulphate have also been determined in the porewaters. Results: The sediment cores display a lot of differences due to the high sedimentation rate and the seasonal evolution as well. The presence of Mn2+, Fe2+, S(-II) and the decrease of the redox potential and the concentration of sulphates clearly indicate early diagenetic transformations promoted by the bacterial activity. Acid Volatile Sulphides are produced in the first cm and are stabilized with depth. A rapid decrease of FAs concentrations in September and May has also been pointed out owing to a rapid consumption of the labile organic matter. Several categories of FAs have been separated and most of them belong here to the saturated and monounsaturated groups. In the saturated group, branched chain FAs, iso and anteiso C15:0 are predominant and represent the bacterial imprint in the sediments. Maximum proportions are observed between 5 and 10 cm in September, and between 13 and 17 cm in November and May. Discussion: As sulphate concentrations remain high in the porewater, the limitation of the sulphidization process in our sediments must be due to a lack of labile organic matter input. The presence of pyrite in our sediment is bound to its formation at the water-sediment interface, where partial reoxidation may take place. However, at deeper depths, pyritization processes does not continue any more. Presence of maximum, dissolved S(-II) concentrations have been observed, simultaneously with maximum proportion relative to total FAs of iso and anteiso C15:0, and, in September, with an increase in proportions of C18:1ω7. This indicates the presence of sulphate-reducing bacterial activity at the time when the sediments were sampled. However, no close correspondence between bacterial FAs concentrations and S(-II) concentrations has been found. Conclusions: In each core, the sulphidization process is not complete, and this is probably due to the lack of biodegradable organic matter, which appears as the limiting factor from a qualitative point of view. S(-II) production in porewaters is linked with the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria. Seasonal effects have also been pointed out and, especially, a more important input of diatom organic matter in May when compared to September and November. Recommendations and Perspectives: Fatty acid analyses represent an original and a useful tool for a better understanding of an early diagenetic process in the first cm of the sediments. More studies should be carried out associating inorganic chemical parameters and chemical biomarkers for pointing out stronger and more reproducible relations. Moreover, the use of microcosms in our group is on the way to take into account the kinetics of the organic matter degradation during the early diagenesis.     

Diversity in the chemical composition and digestibility of leaves from fifty woody species in temperate areas

Agroforestry Systems - In temperate regions, tree leaves could be a source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals for ruminants. Our objective was to study the diversity in chemical composition...     

Influence of organic versus conventional agricultural practice on the antioxidant microconstituent content of tomatoes and derived purees; consequences on antioxidant plasma status in humans

The present study aims first to compare the antioxidant microconstituent contents between organically and conventionally grown tomatoes and, second, to evaluate whether the consumption of purees made of these tomatoes can differently affect the plasma levels of antioxidant microconstituents in humans. When results were expressed as fresh matter, organic tomatoes had higher vitamin C, carotenoids, and polyphenol contents (except for chlorogenic acid) than conventional tomatoes. When results were expressed as dry matter, no significant difference was found for lycopene and naringenin. In tomato purees, no difference in carotenoid content was found between the two modes of culture, whereas the concentrations of vitamin C and polyphenols remained higher in purees made out of organic tomatoes. For the nutritional intervention, no significant difference (after 3 weeks of consumption of 96 g/day of tomato puree) was found between the two purees with regard to their ability to affect the plasma levels of the two major antioxidants, vitamin C and lycopene.