Proficiency of European GMO control laboratories to quantify MON89788 soybean in a meat pâté matrix.

GMO control laboratories in the EU routinely monitor the presence and content of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed products collected from the EU market. As the vast majority of GMOs comprize genetically modified plants, most control samples have a plant-based origin. For the first time, a pilot proficiency test was organised requiring the analysis of GMOs in a meat matrix. Meat pâté, a product in which soybean is occasionally identified, was spiked with GM soybean event MON89788, homogenised by mixing, aliquoted in sachets and frozen. The assigned value was determined by two independent expert laboratories. Several DNA extraction methods were tested and proved to be insufficient for the removal of PCR inhibitors present in the DNA extracts, resulting in a GM content underestimated by at least 30%. This problem was solved either by using hot-start qPCR chemistry or by applying the same method in a digital PCR format. A total of 52 laboratories participated in the study. They were requested to verify the presence of any GM soybean in the test item and to quantify the GM event(s) identified by their method of choice. All but one laboratory identified the MON89788 soybean event present in the pâté matrix. The majority of the quantitative results reported were below the assigned value, but did not deviate more than 50% from it. This study demonstrated the proficiency of most GMO control laboratories for the analysis of GMOs in a meat-based product. It also shows that method optimisation for GMO analysis in meat products is nevertheless advisable.

Systematic development of a mobile preconception lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF: the PreLiFe-programme.

STUDY QUESTION: Can we develop a preconception lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF that is in line with their needs. SUMMARY ANSWER: A mobile preconception lifestyle programme was systematically developed based on expert opinion, literature and needs of IVF-patients. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: A healthy lifestyle prior to conception is not only beneficial for the general health of couples, but evidence on its importance for their reproductive health and the health of their children is also emerging. So far, the vast majority of fertility clinics do not offer a lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a lifestyle programme for IVF-couples. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The development of the PreLiFe-programme was guided by the steps of the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing complex interventions, a systematic approach for developing theory- and evidence-based health promotion interventions. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: First, the evidence base on lifestyle programmes for IVF-couples was reviewed. Second, several iterations between an expert panel, the literature, and quantitative and qualitative data from IVF-patients identified the content, the format, behaviour change techniques and theory of the programme. Third, the PreLiFe-programme was produced and the expected process and outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing it were modelled. Finally, user tests among experts and patients and pilot tests among patients were conducted. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE: The finally developed PreLiFe-programme is a mobile application to be used autonomously by both partners of IVF-couples during the first year of IVF, in combination with motivational interviewing over the telephone every three months (i.e. blended care). The PreLiFe-programme provides advice and skills training on physical activity, diet and mindfulness based stress reduction and is in part tailored based on monitoring and tracking the lifestyle of patients. Based on the literature the expert panel considers it plausible that all three components contribute to IVF-success rates. The PreLiFe-programme is likely to be acceptable to patients as it meets the need of patients for lifestyle advice and treatment information. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION: The pilot in IVF-couples had a 3-month duration. The feasibility of the PreLiFe-programme in other infertile populations and/or upon longer use is yet to be examined. Whether the PreLiFe-programme effectively improves lifestyle and IVF-success rates is currently being examined in a trial randomizing heterosexual couples starting IVF to the PreLiFe-programme or an attention-control group for 12 months. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: If the PreLiFe-programme improves lifestyle and the chance of IVF-success, it will be a powerful tool and provide guidance for implementing lifestyle programmes in fertility clinics. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-TBM (Applied Biomedical Research with a Primary Social finality); reference: T005417N). The authors have no conflict of interest to report. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03790449.

Global Matrix 3.0 physical activity report card for children and youth: a comparison across Europe.

OBJECTIVES: The Global Matrix of report card grades on physical activity serves as a public health awareness tool by summarising the status of child and youth physical activity prevalence and action. The objectives were to: (1) provide a detailed examination of the evidence informing the 'School' and 'Community and Environment' indicators across all participating European Global Matrix 3.0 countries; (2) explore the comparability of the grades for these two indicators across Europe; (3) detail any limitations or issues with the methods used to assign grades; and (4) provide suggestions on how future grading of the indicators could be improved. STUDY DESIGN: A comparative review of published methods on the grading of Global Matrix 3.0 indicators across European countries. METHODS: Key documents relating to the European countries involved in the 2018 Global Matrix 3.0 were collated and a template used to extract data for both the 'School' and 'Community and Environment' indicators. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 20 European Report Card countries (85%) had a grade for schools, and 15 countries (75%) had a grade for community and environment. All countries considered between one and five factors when assigning the grade for these indicators. There were wide disparities in the number and sources of evidence used to assign the grades for both indicators, limiting the comparability of the evidence between different countries. CONCLUSION: To enable comparability, the authors recommend moving towards an agreed standardised set of metrics for grading each indicator. Furthermore, it would be useful to develop and share common tools, methods and instruments to collect data in a uniform way across countries, where possible. Such action will ultimately make the Global Matrix a more robust and useful tool for the future.

Determination of total cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury and inorganic arsenic in mushrooms: outcome of IMEP-116 and IMEP-39.

The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), a Directorate General of the European Commission, operates the International Measurement Evaluation Program (IMEP). IMEP organises inter-laboratory comparisons in support of European Union policies. This paper presents the results of two proficiency tests (PTs): IMEP-116 and IMEP-39, organised for the determination of total Cd, Pb, As, Hg and inorganic As (iAs) in mushrooms. Participation in IMEP-116 was restricted to National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) officially appointed by national authorities in European Union member states. IMEP-39 was open to all other laboratories wishing to participate. Thirty-seven participants from 25 countries reported results in IMEP-116, and 62 laboratories from 36 countries reported for the IMEP-39 study. Both PTs were organised in support to Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, which sets the maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. The test item used in both PTs was a blend of mushrooms of the variety shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Five laboratories, with demonstrated measurement capability in the field, provided results to establish the assigned values (Xref). The standard uncertainties associated to the assigned values (uref) were calculated by combining the uncertainty of the characterisation (uchar) with a contribution for homogeneity (ubb) and for stability (ust), whilst uchar was calculated following ISO 13528. Laboratory results were rated with z- and zeta (ζ)-scores in accordance with ISO 13528. The standard deviation for proficiency assessment, σp, ranged from 10% to 20% depending on the analyte. The percentage of satisfactory z-scores ranged from 81% (iAs) to 97% (total Cd) in IMEP-116 and from 64% (iAs) to 84% (total Hg) in IMEP-39.

Muscular effort in multiple sclerosis patients during powered wheelchair manoeuvres.

BACKGROUND: This study applied EMG analysis methods to identify muscle group activity profiles and potential overload risks in powered wheelchair use. METHODS: We quantified muscle effort and fatigue using EMG analysis methods during powered wheelchair manoeuvres by 10 multiple sclerosis patients. Video recordings of the different sub-tasks were related to information on surface EMG amplitude (rectified EMG) and spectral information (Median frequency) from M. trapezius, M. deltoideus (pars medius), M. deltoideus (pars anterior), M. pectoralis, M. biceps, M. triceps, wrist extensors and flexors, using Joint Analysis of EMG Spectrum and Amplitude (JASA analysis). FINDINGS: Task durations and subjective data indicated that tasks requiring finer motor control took longer and were perceived as more difficult. Kinesiological functions of all muscle groups identified forward steering to be associated with activation of M. deltoideus (pars anterior), M. pectoralis, M. trapezius and M. deltoideus (pars medius); backwards steering with predominant activation of M. deltoideus (pars medius), M. biceps brachii and wrist flexors; left steering with maximal activation of M. biceps and wrist flexors, and right steering with maximal activation of M. triceps and wrist extensors. These profiles were confirmed in analysis of the functional tasks. JASA analysis documented muscle fatigue in the wrist extensors, whereas increased activation was found in M. trapezius, M. deltoideus (pars anterior) and wrist flexors. INTERPRETATION: EMG based kinesiological analysis gives insight in muscle activity and fatigue during powered wheelchair manoeuvres.

Validation of the wavelet spectral estimation technique in biceps brachii and brachioradialis fatigue assessment during prolonged low-level static and dynamic contractions.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the myoelectrical manifestations of fatigue of the Biceps Brachii and Brachioradialis muscles in low-level (15% MVC) prolonged isometric and dynamic contractions. The range of the joint angle was 70-110 degrees and the mean speed of flexion and extension was about 33.33 degrees /s (1.2 s for 40 degrees ). The use of Wavelet transform (IMNF) in weakly stationary dynamic SEMG signals was validated in comparison with the Fourier transform (MPF). The development of fatigue and its myoelectrical manifestations (increase in RMS and decrease in mean frequency) in dynamic contractions show no deviations from what is found in literature for both spectral estimation techniques. The benefit of Wavelets is its future use in non-stationary conditions. Lower IMNF slopes in dynamic compared to isometric contractions for Biceps Brachii might be an indication that wavelets reflect more the changes in muscle fiber propagation velocity. The results of the use of Wavelet transform in detecting frequency modulations in different movement phases of the dynamic tests show that in the eccentric phase a systematic shift towards lower frequencies occurs. It also reveals the great possibilities of phase separation using Wavelets with high resolution and low interaction.

The molecular basis of antithrombin deficiency in Belgian and Dutch families.

The molecular basis of hereditary antithrombin (AT) deficiency has been investigated in ten Belgian and three Dutch unrelated kindreds. Eleven of these families had a quantitative or type I AT deficiency, with a history of major venous thromboembolic events in different affected members. In the other two families a qualitative or type II AT deficiency was occasionally diagnosed. DNA studies of the AT gene were performed, using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, followed by direct sequencing of the seven exons and intron-exon junction regions. Six novel point mutations were identified: four missense, one nonsense mutation and a single nucleotide deletion near the reactive site, causing a frameshift with premature translation termination. In two kindreds the underlying genetic defect was caused by a whole gene deletion, known as a rare cause of AT deficiency. In these cases, Southern blot and polymorphism analysis of different parts of the AT gene proved useful for diagnosis. In another kindred a partial gene deletion spanning 698 basepairs could precisely be determined to a part of intron 3B and exon 4. In two type I and in both type II AT deficient families a previously reported mutation was identified. In all cases, the affected individuals were heterozygous for the genetic defect.

Interference in thyrotropin (TSH) determination: falsely elevated TSH values in a transplanted patient.

We report a falsely elevated TSH value as determined by an immunoradiometric assay. The patient, a thyroidectomized woman on substitutive therapy, underwent a kidney transplantation. She was treated for transplant rejection with OKT 3 (Orthoclone), a mouse monoclonal antibody. The discrepancy between the TSH value (TSH-Riabead II, Abbott) and the thyroid hormones level led us to suspect the presence of antimouse antibodies in the serum of this patient. Indeed, human immunoglobulins directed against mouse IgG2a and IgG2b were detected. We repeated-the TSH determination in the presence of normal mouse serum (NMS) and obtained a true TSH value. Upon fractionation of the serum with protein-A chromatography, the falsely elevated TSH immunoreactivity was detected in the IgG fraction.