Plasma Vitamin E and Blood Selenium Concentrations in Norwegian Dairy Cows: Regional Differences and Relations to Feeding and Health

Plasma α-tocopherol (vit E) and blood selenium (Se) concentrations in February were determined in samples from 314 dairy cows in Norway, selected to provide a representative subset of the Norwegian dairy cow population. Each sample was followed by a questionnaire with information about feeding of the cow at the time of sampling. The results were correlated to herd data and to calving and health data for each cow from the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System and the Norwegian Cattle Health Recording System. The mean concentrations were 6.9 μg vit E per ml plasma and 0.16 μg Se per g blood. Both levels were highest in mid lactation. Plasma vit E varied with the amount of silage fed to the cow, while blood Se varied with the amount of concentrates and mineral supplements, and with geographical region. No differences in vit E or Se levels were found between cows with recorded treatments for mastitis, parturient paresis or reproductive disorders in the lactation during or immediately prior to sampling, and those without such treatments. For ketosis, a small difference in blood Se was found between the groups with or without recorded treatments. It is concluded that winter-fed lactating cows in Norway had an adequate plasma level of vit E and a marginal-to-adequate level of Se

A certified plasmid reference material for the standardisation of BCR-ABL1 mRNA quantification by real-time quantitative PCR

Serial quantification of BCR–ABL1 mRNA is an important therapeutic indicator in chronic myeloid leukaemia, but there is a substantial variation in results reported by diff

A certified plasmid reference material for the standardisation of BCR-ABL1 mRNA quantification by real time quantitative PCR

Serial quantification of BCR–ABL1 mRNA is an important therapeutic indicator in chronic myeloid leukaemia, but there is a substantial variation in results reported by different laboratories. To improve comparability, an internationally accepted plasmid certified reference material (CRM) was developed according to ISO Guide 34:2009. Fragments of BCR–ABL1 (e14a2 mRNA fusion), BCR and GUSB transcripts were amplified and cloned into pUC18 to yield plasmid pIRMM0099. Six different linearised plasmid solutions were produced with the following copy number concentrations, assigned by digital PCR, and expanded uncertainties: 1.08±0.13 × 106, 1.08±0.11 × 105, 1.03±0.10 × 104, 1.02±0.09 × 103, 1.04±0.10 × 102 and 10.0±1.5 copies/?l. The certification of the material for the number of specific DNA fragments per plasmid, copy number concentration of the plasmid solutions and the assessment of inter-unit heterogeneity and stability were performed according to ISO Guide 35:2006. Two suitability studies performed by 63 BCR–ABL1 testing laboratories demonstrated that this set of 6 plasmid CRMs can help to standardise a number of measured transcripts of e14a2 BCR–ABL1 and three control genes (ABL1, BCR and GUSB). The set of six plasmid CRMs is distributed worldwide by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Belgium) and its authorised distributors (https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/reference-materials/catalogue/; CRM code ERM-AD623a-f)

HAVE EMPLOYEES IN GERMANY RECEIVED FULL WAGE COMPENSATION AFTER A CUT IN STANDARD HOURS?

The effect of standard hours on the hourly wage rate is important in assessing whether work-sharing is likely to be a successful policy. Furthermore, it determines whether unions have achieved their goal of keeping the monthly income of employees constant after a cut in standard hours (income compensation) or whether employees experience reductions in monthly income (income sharing). However, the standard hours elasticity of the hourly wage rate has rarely been estimated. This study reports evidence for Germany, 1995-99, using the IAB Establishment Panel. The results imply income compensation for plants with a bargaining agreement, but income sharing for plants without a bargaining agreement. No evidence is found for the Calmfors and Driffill hypothesis that postulates that wage demands are more moderate if unions operate at the firm level than if bargaining takes place at the industry level. Copyright � 2006 The Author; Journal compilation � Blackwell Publishing Ltd and The University of Manchester 2006.

Vitronectin dictates intraglomerular fibrinolysis in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis

During human glomerulonephritis, the severity of injuries correlates with glomerular fibrin deposits, which are tightly regulated by the intraglomerular fibrinolytic system. Here, we evaluated the role of vitronectin (VTN; also known as complement S protein), the principal cofactor of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), in a mouse model of acute glomerulonephritis. We found that in mice subjected to nephrotoxic serum, the absence of VTN resulted in a lower glomerular PAI-1 activity and a higher glomerular fibrinolytic activity. Challenged VTN-/- mice displayed significantly less fibrin deposits, proteinuria, and renal failure than their wild-type counterparts. Notably, this protective effect afforded by VTN deficiency was still observed after a C3 depletion. Finally, the injection of VTN+/+ serum in VTN-/- mice induced the glomerular deposition of VTN, increased PAI-1 deposition, decreased glomerular fibrinolytic activity, and aggravated glomerular injury. As in mice, abundant glomerular VTN deposits were also observed in patients with severe glomerulonephritis. Here, we show that plasma-exchange therapy, admittedly beneficial in this clinical context, induces a significant depletion in circulating VTN, which might modulate PAI-1 activity locally and accelerate the clearance of fibrin deposits in the glomeruli. Collectively, these results demonstrate that VTN exerts a deleterious role independently from complement, by directing PAI-dependent fibrinolysis in the glomerular compartment.-Mesnard, L., Rafat, C., Vandermeersch, S., Hertig, A., Cathelina, D., Xu-Dubois, Y. -C., Jouanneau, C., Castro Keller, A., Ribeil, J. -A., Leite-de-Moraes, M. C., Rondeau, E. Vitronectin dictates intraglomerular fibrinolysis in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis. FASEB J. 25, 3543-3553 (2011). www.fasebj.orgInstitut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM)Faculte de Medecine Pierre et Marie CurieAcademie de MedecineEuropean Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR S702, Hop Tenon, F-75020 Paris, FranceUniv Paris 06, Hop Tenon, APHP, F-75020 Paris, FranceHop Necker Enfants Malad, CNRS, UMR 8147, Paris, FranceHop Necker Enfants Malad, APHP, Fac Med Rene Descartes, Dept Biotherapie, Paris, FranceUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2007/07120-0CNPq: 501848/2009-6Web of Scienc

A certified plasmid reference material for the standardisation of BCR-ABL1 mRNA quantification by real-time quantitative PCR

Serial quantification of BCR-ABL1 mRNA is an important therapeutic indicator in chronic myeloid leukaemia, but there is a substantial variation in results reported by different laboratories. To improve comparability, an internationally accepted plasmid certified reference material (CRM) was developed according to ISO Guide 34:2009. Fragments of BCR-ABL1 (e14a2 mRNA fusion), BCR and GUSB transcripts were amplified and cloned into pUC18 to yield plasmid pIRMM0099. Six different linearised plasmid solutions were produced with the following copy number concentrations, assigned by digital PCR, and expanded uncertainties: 1.08 +/- 0.13 x 10(6), 1.08 +/- 0.11 x 10(5), 1.03 +/- 0.10 x 10(4), 1.02 +/- 0.09 x 10(3), 1.04 +/- 0.10 x 10(2) and 10.0 +/- 1.5 copies/mu l. The certification of the material for the number of specific DNA fragments per plasmid, copy number concentration of the plasmid solutions and the assessment of inter-unit heterogeneity and stability were performed according to ISO Guide 35:2006. Two suitability studies performed by 63 BCR-ABL1 testing laboratories demonstrated that this set of 6 plasmid CRMs can help to standardise a number of measured transcripts of e14a2 BCR-ABL1 and three control genes (ABL1, BCR and GUSB). The set of six plasmid CRMs is distributed worldwide by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Belgium) and its authorised distributors (https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/reference-materials/catalogue/;CRM code ERM-AD623a-f)