What’s in the CARDs? Egmont Security Policy Brief No. 103

The Foreign Affairs Council on 19 November 2018 agreed to launch the CARD (Coordinated Annual Review on Defence) as a standing activity aimed at offering a better overview at EU level of defence spending, national investment and defence research efforts. Ministers of Defence tasked the European Defence Agency (EDA) to launch the first full CARD cycle in autumn 2019. How did we get here and, more importantly, what does the CARD have in store

Transfer of Sulfamethazine from Contaminated Beeswax to Honey

A liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of sulfa drugs in beeswax was developed. When performing residue control on beeswax intended for the fabrication of wax foundations, residues of sulfonamides were found. A migration test was set up to study whether sulfonamide-containing beeswax could lead to the contamination of honey. The higher the concentration of sulfamethazine doped in the wax, the higher was the concentration of sulfamethazine found in the honey. The maximum transfer was 15.6, 56.9, and 29.5% of the initial amount spiked in the wax foundation. In a second experiment, the percentage of sulfamethazine migrating from medicated winter feed to beeswax in relation to the concentration in the syrup and the contact time was studied. The maximum transfer of sulfamethazine from medicated sucrose syrup to beeswax was 3.1%

Evaluation of the Charm maximum residue limit beta-lactam and tetracycline test for the detection of antibiotics in ewe and goat milk

The Charm maximum residue limit P-lactam and tetracycline test (Charm MRL BLTET; Charm Sciences Inc., Lawrence, MA) is an immunoreceptor assay utilizing Rapid. One-Step Assay lateral flow technology that detects P-lactam or tetracycline drugs in raw commingled cow milk at or below European Union maximum residue levels (EU-MRL). The Charm MRL BLTET test procedure was recently modified (dilution in buffer and longer incubation) by the manufacturers to be used with raw ewe and goat milk. To assess the Charm MRL BLTET test for the detection of beta-lactams and tetracyclines in milk of small ruminants, an evaluation study was performed at Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Animal of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). The test specificity and detection capability (CC beta) were studied following Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Specificity results obtained in this study were optimal for individual milk free of antimicrobials from ewes (99.2% for beta-lactams and 100% for tetracyclines) and goats (97.9% for beta-lactams and 100% for tetracyclines) along the entire lactation period regardless of whether the results were visually or instrumentally interpreted. Moreover, no positive results were obtained when a relatively high concentration of different substances belonging to antimicrobial families other than beta-lactams and tetracyclines were present in ewe and goat milk. For both types of milk, the CC beta calculated was lower or equal to EU-MRL for amoxicillin (4 mu g/kg), ampicillin (4 mu g/kg), benzylpenicillin (30 mu g/kg). The CC beta for tetracyclines was also lower than EU-MRL for chlortetracycline (ewe milk: <= 50 mu g/kg; goat milk: 75 mu g/kg), oxytetracycline (<= 50 mu g/kg), and tetracycline (<= 50 mu g/kg). Regarding the 4-epimers of these tetracyclines only 4-epioxytetracycline was detected by the Charm MRL BLTET test below EU-MRL (ewe milk: 75 mu g/kg; goat milk: <= 50 mu g/kg). Acidiol had no effect on the performance of the test. The Charm MRL BLTET test could be used routinely with adapted test procedure for the fast screening of ewe and goat milk.This work forms part of the Project AGL2009-11524 financed by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Madrid, Spain). The authors are grateful to Fatro S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy) and ACS Dobfar S.p.A. (Milan, Italy) for kindly providing cefacetrile and desacetylcefapirin, respectively. Moreover, the authors thank Charm Sciences, Inc. (Lawrence, MA) and especially Wilbert Kokke from Charm Sciences Inc. and Raul Gomez from Grupo Taper, S.A. (Madrid, Spain) for their support.Beltrán Martínez, MC.; Romero Rueda, T.; Althaus, RL.; Molina Pons, MP. (2013). Evaluation of the Charm maximum residue limit beta-lactam and tetracycline test for the detection of antibiotics in ewe and goat milk. Journal of Dairy Science. 96(5):2737-2745. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6044S2737274596

Editorial: spelling across orthographies

The ability to spell words correctly is a cornerstone of literacy. Despite the substantial amount of research into this process, a large part of the empirical findings come from English-speaking populations. Given the distinctive features of the varying orthographic systems worldwide, more research into spelling across orthographies seems warranted. To stimulate this was the main goal of this Research Topic, which contains two review plus 14 research articles tapping 11 orthographies (viz., Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, Hebrew, Malay, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, and Welsh), from first graders to undergraduates. These articles were organized into three sections focusing on (1) the type of misspellings produced, (2) the role of non-phonological knowledge in spelling, and (3) the view of spelling as a basic writing process. Together, the findings from the studies included in the Research Topic showed that the type of misspellings produced is influenced by writing systems, writers’ characteristics, and spelling tasks; that morphological, orthographic, morpho-orthographic, and syntactical knowledge are important sources of information to produce accurate spellings in varying orthographic systems; and that spelling is a fundamental writing process intertwined with handwriting. In sum, this Research Topic provides an up-to-date view on spelling across orthographies, which will contribute to increase our understanding of this process and instigate further research into it

Detection of antibiotics in goats' milk: Comparison of different commercial microbial inhibitor tests developed for the testing of cows' milk

[EN] Nine microbial inhibitor tests validated for cows' milk (BR-AS Special, CMT-Copan Milk Test, Delvotest SP-NT, Delvotest T, Brilliant Black Reduction Test MRL, Charm Blue Yellow II, Charm CowSide II, Eclipse 100, Eclipse 3G) were applied to milk samples from 200 different individual goats. Interpretation of the results was based on visual and instrumental reading. Samples initially testing positive were retested and also tested after a milk pre-treatment (heat treatment, fat removal or fat removal followed by heat treatment). With instrumental reading, most microbial tests commonly used for bovine milk were suitable for goats' milk (specificity 95%), except for BR-AS Special, Charm Blue Yellow II and Delvotest SP-NT. However, visual reading of the results decreased the specificity, with 95% specificity only for CMT-Copan Milk Test, Eclipse 3G and Delvotest T. Fat removal followed by heat treatment proved the most appropriate milk treatment to reduce false positive results for almost all tests.This work forms part of the grant EEBB-I-13-06255 financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Madrid, Spain). The authors are grateful to Analytik in MilchProduktions-und Vertriebs-GmbH, Charm Sciences Inc., DSM Food Specialties, ZEULAB S.L. for their technological support. The authors thank MCC-Vlaanderen and Comite du Lait for the assistance with milk quality and composition analysis and appreciate the cooperation of the commercial dairy goat farms: J. VanWaes (Zaffelare, BE), 't Eikenhof (Lokeren, BE) and 't Leenhof (Zele, BE).Romero Rueda, T.; Van Weyenberg, S.; Molina Pons, MP.; Reybroeck, W. (2016). Detection of antibiotics in goats' milk: Comparison of different commercial microbial inhibitor tests developed for the testing of cows' milk. International Dairy Journal. 62:39-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idairyj.2016.07.004S39426

Analyse du risque posé en santé animale par la présence de l'hydroxyméthylfurfural dans les sirops de nourrissement des abeilles domestiques

This paper discusses an incident that occurred in Belgium during winter 2009-2010, after which many honey bee colonies have been lost. Later analyses showed that these colonies had been fed during the winter with a inverted sugar syrup from sugar beet which had a high concentration of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). HMF concentrations ranged from 18.8 ppm to 365.6 ppm. Data from the scientific literature are quite limited, but several authors confirm the harmful effect of HMF on honey bee health. Other elements, however, may have played a role in this apparent mortality such as crystallization of syrups, resulting in unavailability of sugar for the honey bees, and thus the death of them from starvation. Pending the acquisition of new scientific knowledge on the subject, it is recommended to follow good beekeeping practices detailed in this article to minimize the formation of HMF in syrups for honey bee feeding. In addition, a draft action limit corresponding to a maximal concentration of 40 ppm of HMF is proposed in order to control the risk at the producer and distributor of syrups for honey bee feeding level

Interferences on microbial inhibitor tests related to ivermectin treatment in lactating dairy goats

[EN] This Research Communication reports interferences related to the administration of ivermectin in lactating dairy goats on the response of microbial tests for screening antibiotics in milk. Twenty-eight Murciano-Granadina goats, naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae, were treated with a subcutaneous injection of ivermectin (200 mu g/kg b.w.). To prevent re-infestation, a second dose was applied 7 d later. Individual milk samples were collected, daily, up to 15 d post-treatment. Milk samples were analysed by microbial inhibitor tests (BRT MRL, Delvotest SP-NT MCS and Eclipse 100) and ivermectin residues were quantified by HPLC. A large number of positive results were obtained for all microbial tests, especially on the first day after treatment (BRT MRL = 464%; Delvotest SP-NT MCS = 143%; and Eclipse 100 = 178%). However, the highest concentration of drug residues in milk (243 ng/ml) was detected on the tenth day after treatment, when positive outcomes were relatively lower (BRT MRL = 178%; Delvotest SP-NT MCS = 107%; and Eclipse 100 = 74%). Results herein suggest that factors related to the ivermectin treatment other than drug residues in milk, or alterations produced by the parasitic disease itself affecting the immune response of animals, could be the cause of false-positive results in microbial tests. It can be concluded that the application of ivermectin in dairy goats infested with sarcoptes mange during lactation produces persistent drug residues in milk, and could also cause false-positive results in microbial inhibitor tests for screening antibiotics.This work is part of the AGL-2009-11524 funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Madrid, Spain) and the Generalitat Valenciana (ACOMOP/2012/164, Valencia, Spain).Romero Rueda, T.; Moya, V.; Fernández Martínez, N.; Althaus, RL.; Reybroeck, W.; Molina Pons, MP. (2016). Interferences on microbial inhibitor tests related to ivermectin treatment in lactating dairy goats. Journal of Dairy Research. 83(3):341-344. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029916000443S341344833ROMERO, T., BELTRÁN, M. C., REYBROECK, W., & MOLINA, M. P. (2015). Effect In Vitro of Antiparasitic Drugs on Microbial Inhibitor Test Responses for Screening Antibiotic Residues in Goat’s Milk. Journal of Food Protection, 78(9), 1756-1759. doi:10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-020Mullins, J. S., Arlian, L. G., & Morgan, M. S. (2009). Extracts of Sarcoptes scabiei De Geer Downmodulate Secretion of IL-8 by Skin Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts and of GM-CSF by Fibroblasts in the Presence of Proinflammatory Cytokines. Journal of Medical Entomology, 46(4), 845-851. doi:10.1603/033.046.0415De, U. K., & Dey, S. (2010). Evaluation of organ function and oxidant/antioxidant status in goats with sarcoptic mange. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42(8), 1663-1668. doi:10.1007/s11250-010-9618-yImperiale, F., Lifschitz, A., Sallovitz, J., Virkel, G., & Lanusse, C. (2004). Comparative depletion of ivermectin and moxidectin milk residues in dairy sheep after oral and subcutaneous administration. Journal of Dairy Research, 71(4), 427-433. doi:10.1017/s002202990400038xLastras, M. ., Pastor, J., Marco, I., Ruiz, M., Viñas, L., & Lavin, S. (2000). Effects of sarcoptic mange on serum proteins and immunoglobulin G levels in chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Veterinary Parasitology, 88(3-4), 313-319. doi:10.1016/s0304-4017(99)00221-6Sajid, M. S., Iqbal, Z., Muhammad, G., Sandhu, M. A., Khan, M. N., Saqib, M., & Iqbal, M. U. (2007). Effect of ivermectin on the cellular and humoral immune responses of rabbits. Life Sciences, 80(21), 1966-1970. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2007.02.025Romero, T., Beltrán, M. C., Althaus, R. L., & Molina, M. P. (2014). Detection of antibiotics in goat’s milk: effect of detergents on the response of microbial inhibitor tests. Journal of Dairy Research, 81(3), 372-377. doi:10.1017/s0022029914000259Rahman, M. M., Lecchi, C., Fraquelli, C., Sartorelli, P., & Ceciliani, F. (2010). Acute phase protein response in Alpine ibex with sarcoptic mange. Veterinary Parasitology, 168(3-4), 293-298. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.12.001Imperiale, F. A., Busetti, M. R., Suárez, V. H., & Lanusse, C. E. (2004). Milk Excretion of Ivermectin and Moxidectin in Dairy Sheep:  Assessment of Drug Residues during Cheese Elaboration and Ripening Period. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52(20), 6205-6211. doi:10.1021/jf049117nWalton, S. F., & Currie, B. J. (2007). Problems in Diagnosing Scabies, a Global Disease in Human and Animal Populations. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 20(2), 268-279. doi:10.1128/cmr.00042-06ALTHAUS, R., TORRES, A., PERIS, C., BELTRAN, M. C., FERNANDEZ, N., & MOLINA, M. P. (2003). Accuracy of BRT and Delvotest Microbial Inhibition Tests as Affected by Composition of Ewe’s Milk. Journal of Food Protection, 66(3), 473-478. doi:10.4315/0362-028x-66.3.473McKELLAR, Q. A., & BENCHAOUI, H. A. (1996). Avermectins and milbemycins. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 19(5), 331-351. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.1996.tb00062.xAndrew, S. M. (2001). Effect of Composition of Colostrum and Transition Milk from Holstein Heifers on Specificity Rates of Antibiotic Residue Tests. Journal of Dairy Science, 84(1), 100-106. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(01)74457-8EMA, European Medicine Agency 2014 European Public MRL Assessment Report. Ivermectin (all mammalian food producing species). EMA/CVMP/294840/2014. http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Maximum_Residue_Limits_-_Report/2014/05/WC500167329.pdfStankiewicz, M., Cabaj, W., Jonas, W. E., Moore, L. G., Millar, K., & Ng Chie, W. (1995). Influence of ivermectin on cellular and humoral immune responses of lambs. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 44(3-4), 347-358. doi:10.1016/0165-2427(94)05308-fBeltrán, M. C., Berruga, M. I., Molina, A., Althaus, R. L., & Molina, M. P. (2015). Performance of current microbial tests for screening antibiotics in sheep and goat milk. International Dairy Journal, 41, 13-15. doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2014.09.00

Unraveling multi-fixel microstructure with tractography and angular weighting

Recent advances in MRI technology have enabled richer multi-shell sequences to be implemented in diffusion MRI, allowing the investigation of both the microscopic and macroscopic organization of the brain white matter and its complex network of neural fibers. The emergence of advanced diffusion models has enabled a more detailed analysis of brain microstructure by estimating the signal received from a voxel as the combination of responses from multiple fiber populations. However, disentangling the individual microstructural properties of different macroscopic white matter tracts where those pathways intersect remains a challenge. Several approaches have been developed to assign microstructural properties to macroscopic streamlines, but often present shortcomings. ROI-based heuristics rely on averages that are not tract-specific. Global methods solve a computationally-intensive global optimization but prevent the use of microstructural properties not included in the model and often require restrictive hypotheses. Other methods use atlases that might not be adequate in population studies where the shape of white matter tracts varies significantly between patients. We introduce UNRAVEL, a framework combining the microscopic and macroscopic scales to unravel multi-fixel microstructure by utilizing tractography. The framework includes commonly-used heuristics as well as a new algorithm, estimating the microstructure of a specific white matter tract with angular weighting. Our framework grants considerable freedom as the inputs required, a set of streamlines defining a tract and a multi-fixel diffusion model estimated in each voxel, can be defined by the user. We validate our approach on synthetic data and in vivo data, including a repeated scan of a subject and a population study of children with dyslexia. In each case, we compare the estimation of microstructural properties obtained with angular weighting to other commonly-used approaches. Our framework provides estimations of the microstructure at the streamline level, volumetric maps for visualization and mean microstructural values for the whole tract. The angular weighting algorithm shows increased accuracy, robustness to uncertainties in its inputs and maintains similar or better reproducibility compared to commonly-used analysis approaches. UNRAVEL will provide researchers with a flexible and open-source tool enabling them to study the microstructure of specific white matter pathways with their diffusion model of choice

Detection of antibiotics in goat's milk; effect of detergents on the response of microbial inhibitor tests

[EN] The aim of the study was to evaluate the interference of acid and alkaline detergents employed in the cleaning of milking equipment of caprine dairy farms on the performance of microbial tests used in antibiotic control (BRT MRL, Delvotest MCS, and Eclipse 100). Eight concentrations of commercial detergents, five acid (0-0.25%) and five alkaline (0-1%) were add to antimicrobial-free goat's milk to evaluate the detergent effect on the response of microbial inhibitor tests. To evaluate the effect of detergents on the detection capability of microbial tests two detergents at 0.5ml/l (one acid and one basic) and eight concentrations of four beta-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin and benzylpenicillin) were used. Milk without detergents was used as control. The spiked samples were analysed twelve times by three microbial tests. The results showed that the presence of acid detergents did not affect the response of microbial tests for any of the concentrations tested. However, at concentrations equal to or greater than 2ml/l alkaline detergents positive results were found in microbial tests (16.7-100%). The detection limits of the screening tests for penicillins were not modified substantially by the presence of detergents. In general, the presence of acid and alkaline detergents in goat's milk did not produce a great interference in the microbial tests, only high concentrations of detergents could cause non-compliant results, but these concentrations are difficult to find in practice if proper cleaning procedures are applied in goat dairy farms.This work forms part of the Project AGL 2009-11524 financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Madrid, Spain) and the Generalitat Valenciana ACOMOP/2012/164 (Valencia, Spain). The authors are grateful to AiM Analytik in MilchProduktions-und Vertriebs-GmbH (Munich, Germany), DSM Food Specialties (Delft, Netherlands), ZEU-Inmunotec (Zaragoza, Spain) for their technological support.Romero Rueda, T.; Beltrán Martínez, MC.; Lisandro Althaus, R.; Molina Pons, MP. (2014). Detection of antibiotics in goat's milk; effect of detergents on the response of microbial inhibitor tests. Journal of Dairy Research. 81(3):372-377. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029914000259S37237781