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• Insufficient harmonization in tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin EQA schemes. • Traceability to the International Standards 10/626 and TE-3 requires verification. • Recalibration of the test systems for antitoxin detection is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development and status quo of the quality of high throughput in vitro diagnostic testing for tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin antibody (ATX) concentrations based on external quality assessment (EQA) data. We analyzed manufacturer-specific data of 22 EQA surveys—each for the detection of tetanus and diphtheria ATX—to check the diagnostic strength of the corresponding in vitro diagnostic systems. While the results were mostly well aligned, individual surveys showed widely dispersed ATX concentrations. The medians of manufacturer collectives deviated from the overall median by up to 8.9-fold in the case of diphtheria ATX and by up to 3.5-fold in the case of tetanus ATX. Such a distribution in the results is particularly critical in the cut-off range for immunity and may lead to an incorrect assessment of vaccination status. These results were surprising as there are International Standards for both ATX; however, the results may be linked to the high ATX concentration of the reference material, which deviates considerably from clinically significant concentrations. To increase the accuracy and diagnostic strength of both assays, we recommend a recalibration of the test systems and verification of their traceability to the International Standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Specific effects of mate tea grinding types and water temperatures were elucidated. • Water flow through the tea mash was highly determining to the extraction patterns. • Clogging layers were described for the first time and considered a key phenomenon. • Fine tea particles and higher water temperatures triggered stronger clogging layers. • Altered flavors must be linked to the occurrence of stronger clogging layers. Common variations of traditional consecutive infusions of mate (Ilex paraguariensis) tea were studied. Effects of tea grinding type and water temperature on the extraction of volatile and non-volatile compounds were elucidated. Extraction behavior was determined mainly by grinding type and to a minor extent by water temperature. The extraction behavior along the series of infusions is mostly driven by the way the water can access and flow through the tea mass. This processes are impaired by the formation of clogging layers which are more intense upon the increasing abundance of tea particles of sufficiently small size and high water temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was conducted to define the characteristics of the uterus of reproductively failed pigs by transcutaneous ultrasonography (SONO) in order to investigate the appropriateness of SONO to diagnose presumptive uterine disorders. Zearalenone (ZEA) is known to affect uterine function and causes endometrial liquid accumulation and was also determined. In 33 sows and 14 gilts, of unknown reproductive stages and culled for failing to conceive, the uterus was scanned transcutaneously and the females slaughtered on the same day or the day after scanning. Parameters determined by SONO were uterine echotexture (UET; graded 1 for homogeneous to 4 for highly heterogeneous), uterine size (US; expressed as the mean sectional area of two to three cross-sections of the uterine horns given in cm2) and intrauterine content. Post mortem, the ovarian structures were assessed and females grouped accordingly into those in estrus (n =2), early diestrus (n =14), diestrus (n =15), late diestrus (n =1), anestrus (n =10) and having polycystic ovarian degeneration (n =5). The uterine weight (UW) was recorded and uterine specimens microscopically evaluated for an endometrial oedema (EO; grades 1 for none, to 4, if an oedema was clearly evident) and for immune cells to assess endometritis. Total ZEA was analysed in bile and females with ≥50ng/ml judged as positive. The uterus could be examined in all animals. UET, US, UW and EO was found to be different between groups, and a positive correlation (P <0.001) established for US and UET (r =0.71), US and EO (r =0.51), UET and EO (r =0.57), US and UW (UW=357.6×US0.801; r =0.88). One female had intrauterine fluid and an acute-chronic endometritis diagnosed. Almost all females had a chronic endometritis and a majority found ZEA positive. No differences were observed between groups and a relationship between ZEA or chronic endometritis and UET, US, UW and EO were not established. In conclusion, transcutaneous SONO is appropriate to examine the uterus in reproductively failed pigs on farms, and the estimation of UET and US gives information on EO and UW. Intrauterine fluid is indicative for a severe uterine inflammation. Since groups differed in UET and US, but were equally ZEA positive and the uteri chronically inflamed, an UET and US specifically associated with ZEA or chronic endometritis is questioned. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highly fertile soils are considered to harbor low diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), since plants might not depend on the mycorrhizal symbiosis to efficiently assimilate soil nutrients. 'Black steppe soils' classified as Chernozems are counted among the soil types with highest natural fertility and productivity. However, information on AMF diversity from highly productive Chernozems used as croplands are extremely rare to non-existent. Our objective was to study the impact of soil tillage and fertilization intensity on AMF communities in a long-term field trial established on a silty-loamy Calcic Chernozem in the Magdeburger Börde (Central Europe). Samples were taken at harvest of maize that grew in a rotation with winter wheat, winter barley, winter oil seed rape and again winter wheat. AMF species were characterized by spore morphology. Astonishingly high spore densities (up to 41 spores g−1 soil) and species richness (19–33 species) of AMF were found in this highly productive Chernozem cropland, even under high-input conditions, which were, however, higher in reduced tillage than in regularly ploughed plots. AMF diversity decreased with increasing fertilizer input concerning N and P. These findings might re-stimulate the discussion about the significance of AM fungi in highly productive croplands, which was so far thought to be low. Several indicator AMF species were identified for reduced tillage (e.g. Ambispora fennica and Dominikia bernensis) or reduced fertilizer inputs (e.g. Dominikia aurea) or both (e.g. Diversispora celata and Scutellospora calospora), but only a few for tillage (e.g. Funneliformis fragilistratus and Pacispora dominikii). AMF indicators have to be, however, identified for each soil type and climatic condition separately, as they should be completely different from those species for instance in nutrient-poor or in acidic soils, in warmer or colder as well as in more humid or arid climates. • AM fungi were studied in a long-term field trial of a fertile Calcic Tschernosem. • High species diversity was found even under high tillage and fertilization input. • Highest species richness was correlated with reduced tillage and resources input. • Indicator species were identified for different tillage and resource input levels. • Beneficial AMF fungi were identified even from highest input fertilization levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]