Establishing a feed value for moulded hay

Fungal invasion in forage materials can occur during plant growth, harvest or storage. End products generated from this activity include fungal biomass, mycotoxin, and fruiting body or spore formation. Spores are predominantly produced by the thermotolerant organisms during storage. Mycotoxin production is observed for forage stored at moisture levels greater than 35%; however, there is little evidence that mycotoxins will occur in hay stored at moisture levels lower than 30%. Hay exposed to precipitation for more than 1 year has not received adequate attention regarding the potential for mycotoxin content.

Fungal biomass (a combination of viable and non-viable mycelia and spores) accumulation was evaluated relative to palatability, intake, digestibility and rumen function. Given a choice, animals will select hay with low levels of fungal biomass contamination. However, results from four studies with growing animals in which hay was offered as the sole feedstuff indicate that intake is determined by the nutrient characteristics of the feedstuff and is not depressed due to presence of mould. Fed as long hay, dry matter digestibility of moulded hay does not differ from clean hay of a similar nutrient profile. Digestibility differences for these hays may become more apparent when chopped. A possible rational may be that the actions of fungal invasion reduce integrity of the forage, causing particle size reduction to be greater when processed. Rumen function does not appear to be impaired when moulded hay is fed.     

Clinical and serological evaluation of a novel CENP-A peptide based ELISA

Introduction

Anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) are useful biomarkers in the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). ACA are found in 20 to 40% of SSc patients and, albeit with lower prevalence, in patients with other systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Historically, ACA were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells and confirmed by immunoassays using recombinant CENP-B. The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel CENP-A peptide ELISA.

Methods

Sera collected from SSc patients (n = 334) and various other diseases (n = 619) and from healthy controls (n = 175) were tested for anti-CENP-A antibodies by the novel CENP-A enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, ACA were determined in the disease cohorts by IIF (ImmunoConcepts, Sacramento, CA, USA), CENP-B ELISA (Dr. Fooke), EliA^® CENP (Phadia, Freiburg, Germany) and line-immunoassay (LIA, Mikrogen, Neuried, Germany). Serological and clinical associations of anti-CENP-A with other autoantibodies were conducted in one participating centre. Inhibition experiments with either the CENP-A peptide or recombinant CENP-B were carried out to analyse the specificity of anti-CENP-A and -B antibodies.

Results

The CENP-A ELISA results were in good agreement with other ACA detection methods. According to the kappa method, the qualitative agreements were: 0.73 (vs. IIF), 0.81 (vs. LIA), 0.86 (vs. CENP-B ELISA) and 0.97 (vs. EliA^® CENP). The quantitative comparison between CENP-A and CENP-B ELISA using 265 samples revealed a correlation value of rho = 0.5 (by Spearman equation). The receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the discrimination between SSc patients (n = 131) and various controls (n = 134) was significantly better using the CENP-A as compared to CENP-B ELISA (P < 0.0001). Modified Rodnan skin score was significantly lower in the CENP-A negative group compared to the positive patients (P = 0.013). Inhibition experiments revealed no significant cross reactivity of anti-CENP-A and anti-CENP-B antibodies. Statistically relevant differences for gender ratio (P = 0.0103), specific joint involvement (Jaccoud) (P = 0.0006) and anti-phospholipid syndrome (P = 0.0157) between ACA positive SLE patients and the entire SLE cohort were observed.

Conclusions

Anti-CENP-A antibodies as determined by peptide ELISA represent a sensitive, specific and independent marker for the detection of ACA and are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of SSc. Our data suggest that anti-CENP-A antibodies are a more specific biomarker for SSc than antibodies to CENP-B. Furthers studies are required to verify these findings.     

The nuclear tubular invaginations are dynamic structures inside the nucleus of HeLa cells

Nuclear tubules (NTs) were found in the nucleus of HeLa cells. Although no function has been ascribed to these structures, our previous data has shown that they are the sites of Ca(2+) release with mitochondria shuttled around. In the present study, we further characterized these NTs through different fluorescent dye-labeling and red fluorescent protein transfection experiments. We found that doxorubicin (Dox) is a good indicator to demonstrate the NTs since Dox is fluorescent and DNA is able to quench its fluorescence. By using confocal and electron microscopy, we show that the number and nature of the NTs in HeLa vary from cell to cell, ranging from tubular to intricately branched structures. Additionally, these NTs are double-membrane invaginations of the nuclear envelope and usually lie close to nucleolus. At rest, NTs appeared to be stable and their mouths are always closed. Upon Ca(2+) ionomycin stimulation, various forms of dynamism, including membrane protrusion to the nucleus, enlargement and shrinkage of the NTs, and distortion of the nuclear envelope and NTs were observed over a time scale of minutes. These observations suggest that the NT represents a specialized and dynamic compartment inside the nucleus under the control of Ca(2+).     

High‐Performance Tandem Organic Solar Cells Using HSolar as the Interconnecting Layer

Tandem structure provides a practical way to realize high efficiency organic photovoltaic cells, it can be used to extend the wavelength coverage for light harvesting. The interconnecting layer (ICL) between subcells plays a critical role in the reproducibility and performance of tandem solar cells, yet the processability of the ICL has been a challenge. In this work the fabrication of highly reproducible and efficient tandem solar cells by employing a commercially available material, PEDOT:PSS HTL Solar (HSolar), as the hole transporting material used for the ICL is reported. Comparing with the conventional PEDOT:PSS Al 4083 (c‐PEDOT), HSolar offers a better wettability on the underlying nonfullerene photoactive layers, resulting in better charge extraction properties of the ICL. When FTAZ:IT‐M and PTB7‐Th:IEICO‐4F are used as the subcells, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.7% is achieved in the tandem solar cell. To validate the processability of these tandem solar cells, three other research groups have successfully fabricated tandem devices using the same recipe and the highest PCE obtained is 16.1%. With further development of donor polymers and device optimization, the device simulation results show that a PCE > 22% can be realized in tandem cells in the near future.     

Colorectal cancer risk factors in the detection of advanced adenoma and colorectal cancer

Several risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) have been identified. If individuals with risk factors are more likely to harbor cancer or it precursors screening programs should be targeted toward this population. We evaluated the predictive value of colorectal cancer risk factors for the detection of advanced colorectal adenoma in a population based CRC colonoscopy screening program. Data were collected in a multicenter trial conducted in the Netherlands, in which 6600 asymptomatic men and women between 50 and 75 years were randomly selected from a population registry. They were invited to undergo a screening colonoscopy. Based on a review of the literature CRC risk factors were selected. Information on risk factors was obtained from screening attendees through a questionnaire. For each CRC risk factor, we estimated its odds ratio (OR) relative to the presence of advanced neoplasia as detected at colonoscopy. Of the 1426 screening participants who underwent a colonoscopy, 1236 (86%) completed the risk questionnaire. 110 participants (8.9%) had advanced neoplasia. The following risk factors were significantly associated with advanced neoplasia detected by colonoscopy: age (OR: 1.06 per year; 95% CI: 1.03–1.10), calcium intake (OR: 0.99 per mg; 95% CI: 0.99–1.00), positive CRC family history (OR: 1.55 per first degree family member; 95%CI: 1.11–2.16) and smoking (OR: 1.75; 95%CI: 1.09–2.82). Elderly screening participants, participants with lower calcium intake, a CRC family history, and smokers are at increased risk of harboring detectable advanced colorectal neoplasia at screening colonoscopy.     

The phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction

Little is known about rheumatoid arthritis in the black, particularly in Congolese, populations. Our objective was to describe the phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Congolese.

Methods

All consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients attending Kinshasa University Hospital in a three-year time period were included. Demographics, clinical features and tobacco consumption were noted. Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28 based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined. Radiographs were scored according to Sharp-van der Heijde. On a subset of patients and controls HLA-DRB1 typing was performed.

Results

A total of 114 females and 14 males aged 51.2 ± 14.9 were included. Mean duration of symptoms was four years. Moderate tobacco consumption was reported in a minority of patients. DAS-28 at first visit was >5.1 and HAQ ≥0.5 in all patients. X-rays showed joint erosions and/or joint space narrowing, mostly of a moderate grade in 55.8% of patients. Anti-CCP and/or RF were present in 48.6% of patients with available data (n = 72) and in 3.0% of controls (n = 67). Radiographic changes and nodules were more frequent in RF or anti-CCP positive patients. One copy of the shared epitope was found in 13 patients (35.1%) and 3 controls (12.5%). Two copies were found in one patient (2.7%) and in one control (4.2%).

Conclusion

Congolese patients with RA consult long after disease onset. Despite this delay, the majority presents without major damage and is RF, anti-CCP and SE negative. We put forward the hypothesis that besides different environmental factors there is probably also a particular genetic risk profile in Congolese patients, different from the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.     

Antibodies in the Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease: A Biopsy-Controlled,International, Multicentre Study of 376 Children with Coeliac Disease and 695 Controls

Diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) relies on a combination of clinical, genetic, serological and duodenal morphological findings. The ESPGHAN suggested that biopsy may not be necessary in all cases. New guidelines include omission of biopsy if the concentration of CD-specific antibodies exceeds 10 times the upper limit of normal (10 ULN) and other criteria are met. We analysed the 10 ULN criterion and investigated multiple antibody-assays. Serum was collected from 1071 children with duodenal biopsy (376 CD patients, 695 disease-controls). IgA-antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (IgA-aTTG), IgG-antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptides (IgG-aDGL) and IgA-endomysium antibodies (IgA-EMA) were measured centrally. We considered 3 outcomes for antibody test procedures utilizing IgA-aTTG and/or IgG-aDGL: positive (≥10 ULN, recommend gluten-free diet), negative (<1 ULN, no gluten-free diet) or unclear (perform biopsy). Positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were based on clear test results. We required that they and their lower confidence bounds (LCB) be simultaneously very high (LCB >90% and PPV/NPV >95%). These stringent conditions were met for appropriate antibody-procedures over a prevalence range of 9–57%. By combining IgG-aDGL with IgA-aTTG, one could do without assaying total IgA. The PPV of IgG-aDGL was estimated to be extremely high, although more studies are necessary to narrow down the LCB. The proportion of patients requiring a biopsy was <11%. The procedures were either equivalent or even better in children <2 years compared to older children. All 310 of the IgA-aTTG positive children were also IgA-EMA positive. Antibody-assays could render biopsies unnecessary in most children, if experienced paediatric gastroenterologists evaluate the case. This suggestion only applies to the kits used here and should be verified for other available assays. Confirming IgA-aTTG positivity (≥10 ULN) by EMA-testing is unnecessary if performed on the same blood sample. Prospective studies are needed.