Corrigendum to “A new approach for improving emission factors for enteric methane emissions of cattle in smallholder systems of East Africa – Results for Nyando, Western Kenya” [Agricultural systems volume (161) pp72–80]

The authors regret that a recent examination of our data for other purposes has led to the discovery of an error in the calculation of the Metabolic Energy Requirement for maintenance (MERm) in the original calculations of this article. This was occasioned by the application of an incorrect constant to the calculation of MERm to male animals >2 yrs., male animals 1-2 yrs. and calves and had the effect of increasing the Emission Factors (EF) for these classes of animals by 3–29%. The corrected table of EFs for all classes of animal is reproduced directly below

Utilização de nutrientes em frangos alimentados com dietas suplementadas com fitase e níveis reduzidos de fósforo não-fítico Utilization of nutrients in broilers fed diets supplemented with phytase and reduced nonphytate phosphorus levels

Avaliaram-se a digestibilidade ileal, retenção de nutrientes e valores de energia metabolizável aparente (EMA) de dietas suplementadas com fitase e níveis reduzidos de fósforo não-fítico (FNF) para frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 330 pintos machos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso e esquema fatorial 2 x 3 com dois níveis de fitase (0 e 25U/kg) e três níveis de FNF (100, 85 e 70% das exigências da ave), totalizando seis tratamentos com cinco repetições de 11 aves cada. Não houve efeito da interação FNF vs fitase e dos níveis de FNF ou fitase sobre a retenção de matéria seca e de fósforo, e a interação FNF vs fitase foi significativa para retenção de proteína bruta e coeficiente de digestibilidade ileal da matéria seca. A suplementação com fitase, independente dos níveis de FNF, melhorou o coeficiente digestibilidade ileal da proteína bruta, do cálcio e do fósforo. A retenção de cálcio e a redução dos níveis de FNF diminuíam a metabolização da energia bruta das dietas com 85 e 70% das exigências de FNF. Dietas com nível de 70% das exigências de FNF, suplementadas com fitase, podem ser usadas para frangos de corte sem prejuízos à digestibilidade ileal e retenção da matéria seca, proteína bruta, cálcio e fósforo e à metabolização da energia bruta.<br>The ileal digestibility, the retention of nutrients, and the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values of diets supplemented with phytase and low levels of nonphytate phosphorus (NPP) for broilers were evaluated. Three hundred and thirty male birds were used. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks in a factorial arrangement 2x3 with two phytase levels (0 and 25U/kg) and three NPP levels (100, 85, and 70% of the bird requirement in each phase), with five replicates of 11 broiler for each experimental unit. Effects of NPP vs phytase interaction and NPP and phytase levels on dry matter (DM) and phosphorus (P) retention were not observed; but significant effects of NPP vs phytase on crude protein (CP) retention and DM ileal digestibility coefficient (IDC). Phytase supplementation, independently of NPP levels, improved CPIDC, CaIDC, PIDC, and Ca retention and the lower NPP levels decreased the gross energy metabolization in diets with 85 and 70% of NPP requirements. Diets with NPP level corresponding to 70% of the bird requirements, supplemented with phytase, can be used for broiler with no negative effect on ileal digestibility and retention of dry matter, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, and on apparent metabolizable energy

Efficacy and Immune Mechanisms of Cetuximab for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Cetuximab is a chimeric immunoglobulin G1 mono-clonal antibody that targets the ligand-binding domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor and inhibits downstream intra- cellular signals. Research has shown that etuximab can stimulate the autoimmune system and produce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity reactions, which can recruit cytotoxic lymphocytes to attack and kill cancer cells. Cetuximab is mainly indicated for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-positive metastatic colorectal cancer who fail to respond to both irinotecan- and oxaliplatin-based regimens. The efficacy and safety of cetuximab as monotherapy or in combination with other treatment options were evaluated in a series of phase II and phase III trials. Identifying the clinical and molecular markers that can predict which patient groups may best benefit from cetuximab treatment is key to improving patient outcomes and avoiding unnecessary toxicities and costs. Herein, we discuss the mechanisms of action by which cetuximab exerts its antitumor effects, as well as the possible clinical and molecular markers that may help predict therapeutic benefits for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications. Methods: ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. Results: The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784. Conclusions: This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance. © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Medical Research Council of South Africa gran