European Commission-funded Project Research Articles

Determination of molar absorptivity coefficients for major type-B trichothecenes and certification of calibrators for deoxynivalenol and nivalenol

This paper presents results from the European Commission-funded project Doncalibrant, the objective of which was to produce calibrators with certified mass fractions of the Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-Ac-DON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-Ac-DON), and nivalenol (NIV), in acetonitrile. The calibrators, available in ampoules, were sufficiently homogeneous, with between-bottle variations (s (bb)) of less than 2%. Long-term stability studies performed at four different temperatures between -18 and 40 degrees C revealed no significant negative trends (at a confidence level of 95%). Molar absorptivity coefficients (in L mol(-1) cm(-1)) were determined for all four toxins (DON: 6805 +/- 126, NIV: 6955 +/- 205, 3-Ac-DON: 6983 +/- 141, 15-Ac-DON: 6935 +/- 142) on the basis of a mini-interlaboratory exercise. The overall uncertainty of the calibrators' target values for DON and NIV were evaluated on the basis of gravimetric preparation data and include uncertainty contributions from possible heterogeneity, storage, and transport. The Doncalibrant project resulted in the production of calibrators for DON (IRMM-315) and NIV (IRMM-316) in acetonitrile with certified mass fractions of 25.1 +/- 1.2 microg g(-1) and 24.0 +/- 1.1 microg g(-1), respectively. Both CRMs became commercially available from the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM, Geel, Belgium) at the beginning of 2007.

Modelling the impact of climate extremes: an overview of the MICE project

This paper provides an overview of the aims, objectives, research activities undertaken, and a selection of results generated in the European Commission-funded project entitled “Modelling the Impact of Climate Extremes” (MICE) – a pan-European end-to-end assessment, from climate model to impact model, of the potential impacts of climate change on a range of economic sectors important to the region. MICE focussed on changes in temperature, precipitation and wind extremes. The research programme had three main themes – the evaluation of climate model performance, an assessment of the potential future changes in the occurrence of extremes, and an examination of the impacts of changes in extremes on six activity sectors using a blend of quantitative modelling and expert judgement techniques. MICE culminated in a large stakeholder-orientated workshop, the aim of which was not only to disseminate project results but also to develop new stakeholder networks, whose expertise can be drawn on in future projects such as ENSEMBLES. MICE is part of a cluster of three projects, all related to European climate change and its impacts. The other projects in the cluster are PRUDENCE (Prediction of Regional Scenarios and Uncertainties for Defining European Climate Change Risks and Effects) and STARDEX (Statistical and Regional Dynamical Downscaling of Extremes for European Regions).

International Quality Assurance Study for Characterization ofStreptococcus pyogenes

Surveillance of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections was undertaken as a major component of the European Commission-funded project on severe GAS disease in Europe (strep-EURO). One aim of strep-EURO was to improve the quality of GAS characterization by standardization of methods. An external quality assurance study (EQA) was therefore carried out to evaluate current global performance. Eleven strep-EURO and seven other streptococcal reference centers received a panel of 20 coded GAS isolates for typing. Conventional phenotypic typing (based on cell surface T and M protein antigens and opacity factor [OF] production) and molecular methods (emm gene typing) were used either as single or combined approaches to GAS typing. T typing was performed by 16 centers; 12 centers found one or more of the 20 strains nontypeable (typeability, 89%), and 11 centers reported at least one incorrect result (concordance, 93%). The 10 centers that tested for OF production achieved 96% concordance. Limited availability of antisera resulted in poor typeability values from the four centers that performed phenotypic M typing (41%), three of which also performed anti-OF typing (typeability, 63%); however, concordance was high for both M (100%) and anti-OF (94%) typing. In contrast, the 15 centers that performed emm gene sequencing achieved excellent typeability (97%) and concordance (98%), although comparison of the performance between centers yielded typeability rates from 65 to 100% and concordance values from 83 to 100%. With the rapid expansion and use of molecular genotypic methods to characterize GAS, continuation of EQA is essential in order to achieve international standardization and comparison of type distributions.

Feasibility Study for the Production of Certified Calibrants for the Determination of Deoxynivalenol and Other B-Trichothecenes: Intercomparison Study

Thirteen European laboratories experienced in the analysis of mycotoxins participated in an intercomparison study within a European Commission-funded project. Goals of the study were to check the fitness for purpose of a small batch of gravimetrically prepared calibrants; to compare individually prepared calibrants with common calibrants; to check the feasibility of toxin mixtures as calibrant solutions; and to give recommendations on the production of future certified reference materials (CRMs) with regard to the nature of the calibrant and the means of certification. Each laboratory received ampules of each common calibrant containing single toxins [solution containing either deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl-DON (3-Ac-DON), nivalenol (NIV), or 15-acetyl-DON (15-Ac-DON)] and 3 ampules of toxin-mixture (solutions of DON + 3-Ac-DON + NIV in acetonitrile) of known concentrations (about 20 microg/mL). Ampules with single toxins (solution containing either DON, 3-Ac-DON, NIV, or 15-Ac-DON) and a toxin-mixture (solutions of DON + 3-Ac-DON + NIV in acetonitrile) of unknown concentrations were distributed to the participants for quantification. The participating laboratories used mainly high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection UV for DON, 3-Ac-DON, NIV, and 15-Ac-DON; gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and GC-mass spectrometry methods were used sparingly. Linear calibration curves were achieved by >90% of the participants. Relative between-day variation (RSDr) of 26% of the laboratories was greater than the target value of 5% for HPLC, and RSDr of 32% of the laboratories was greater than the desired value of 10% for GC. Relative between-laboratory variation (RSDR) of the GC results obtained with single common calibrants was greater than the target value of 16% for all laboratories. RSDR of the HPLC results for the common unknown single toxin solutions was less than the target value of 8% except for 15-Ac-DON. Generally, better recoveries were observed from common calibrants (102% for mix calibrants and 98% for single calibrants) than from individually prepared calibrants (95%). This international comparison study clearly showed the high scattering of results in the analysis of type-B trichothecenes, particularly when GC was used. Obviously, this intercomparison study was not suited for the certification of B-trichothecenes. A certification of the proposed calibrant material was therefore recommended on the basis of its gravimetrical preparation.

Effects of particulate matter on the pulmonary and vascular system: time course in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BackgroundThis study was performed within the scope of two multi-center European Commission-funded projects (HEPMEAP and PAMCHAR) concerning source-composition-toxicity relationship for particulate matter (PM) sampled in Europe. The present study aimed to optimize the design for PM in vivo toxicity screening studies in terms of dose and time between a single exposure and the determination of the biological responses in a rat model mimicking human disease resulting in susceptibility to ambient PM. Dust in thoracic PM size-range (aerodynamic diameter <10 μm) was sampled nearby a road tunnel (RTD) using a high volume cascade impactor. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were exposed to urban dust collected in Ottawa, Canada (EHC-93 10 mg/kg of body weight; reference PM) or different RTD doses (0.3, 1, 3, 10 mg/kg of body weight) by intratracheal instillation. Necropsy was performed at 4, 24, or 48 hr after exposure.ResultsThe neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased tremendously after exposure to the highest RTD doses or EHC-93. Furthermore, PM exposure slightly affected blood coagulation since there was a small but significant increase in the plasma fibrinogen levels (factor 1.2). Pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress as well as changes in blood coagulation factors and circulating blood cell populations were observed within the range of 3 to 10 mg PM/kg of body weight without significant pulmonary injury.ConclusionThe optimal dose for determining the toxicity ranking of ambient derived PM samples in spontaneously hypertensive rats is suggested to be between 3 and 10 mg PM/kg of body weight under the conditions used in the present study. At a lower dose only some inflammatory effects were detected, which will probably be too few to be able to discriminate between PM samples while a completely different response pattern was observed with the highest dose. In addition to the dose, a 24-hr interval from exposure to sacrifice seemed appropriate to assess the relative toxic potency of PM since the majority of the health effects were observed one day after PM exposure compared to the other times examined. The aforementioned considerations provide a good basis for conducting PM toxicity screening studies in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Design, development and validation of software for modelling dietary exposure to food chemicals and nutrients

The Monte Carlo computational system for stochastic modelling of dietary exposure to food chemicals and nutrients is presented. This system was developed through a European Commission-funded research project. It is accessible as a Web-based application service. The system allows and supports very signijicant complexity in the data sets used as the model input, but provides a simple, general purpose, linear kernel for model evaluation. SpeciJic features of the system include the ability to enter (arbitrarily) complex mathematical or probabilistic expressions at each and every input data field, automatic bootstrapping on subjects and on subject food intake diaries, and custom kernels to apply brand information such as market share and loyalty to the calculation of food and chemical intake.

QoS and SLA aspects across multiple management domains: the SEQUIN approach

The aim of this work is to define and implement an end-to-end approach to quality of service (QoS), operating across multiple management domains and exploiting a combination of link layer technologies. The architecture for the Premium IP service is presented, which aims at offering the equivalent of an end-to-end virtual leased line service at the IP layer across multiple domains. Also, the results of the initial testing performed for the validation of the service and the provisioning model for Premium IP are described. The work presented has been carried out in the framework of SEQUIN, a European Commission-funded research project.

Using Cellulases to Improve the Dimensional Stability of Cellulosic Fabrics

Cellulosic fabrics of various constructions and fiber compositions are treated with cellulases under pad-batch conditions. All treated fabrics exhibit commercially significant improvements in dimensional stability after subsequent washing and drying cycles. The enzyme treatments are optimized in terms of cellulase concentration, wet pick-up, cellu lase composition, and batching time. Development samples of specific EG-rich cellulases used at 1.0 to 5.0 mg per gram of fabric give good results in terms of low shrinkage. with fabric weight and strength losses well within commercially acceptable limits. The im provements in dimensional stability compare favorably with those achieved by durable press finishing, but without deterioration of fabric handle. This work formed part of a wider European Commission-funded project (Brile-Euram III project 2157), and a patent application relating to the preferred cellulase/pad-batch process has been filed (WO0153592, published in August 2001).

Sharing health-care records over the Internet

Presents a novel approach to sharing electronic health-care records that leverages the Internet and the World Wide Web, developed as part of two European Commission-funded projects, Synapses and SynEx. The approach provides an integrated view of patient data from heterogeneous, distributed information systems and presents it to users electronically. Synapses and SynEx illustrate a generic approach in applying Internet technologies for viewing shared records, integrated with existing health computing environments. Prototypes have been validated in a variety of clinical domains and health-care settings.

An object-oriented system for 3D medical image analysis

As part of a European Commission-funded research project on medical image analysis, we have developed a system aimed at solving a real clinical problem: the outlining of the target volume and organs at risk for three-dimensional conformal radiation treatment planning. The clinical requirement is to make this process less tedious and time-consuming. We show how object-oriented design techniques can be used to good effect in a collaborative project such as this, so that image segmentation and other algorithms from a number of different partners in the consortium can be integrated into one system, for comparative evaluation by the clinical partners. We describe in some detail two of these algorithms, one a straightforward region and volume grower, in which particular attention has been paid to adapting the user interface to suit clinical needs, and the other an interactive tool using b-spline surface patches for direct three-dimensional segmentation. We report on the clinical feedback we have received, which indicates that the most technically advanced algorithms are not necessarily the most useful from a clinician's point of view.