The performance of human cytomegalovirus digital PCR reference measurement procedure in seven external quality assessment schemes over four years.

A candidate digital PCR (dPCR)-based reference measurement procedure for quantification of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) was evaluated in 10 viral load comparison schemes (seven external quality assessment (EQA) and three additional training schemes) organized by INSTAND e.V. over four years (between September 2014 and March 2018).

An assessment of the reproducibility of reverse transcription digital PCR quantification of HIV-1.

Viral load monitoring in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is often performed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to observe response to treatment and identify the development of resistance. Traceability is achieved using a calibration hierarchy traceable to the International Unit (IU). IU values are determined using consensus agreement derived from estimations by different laboratories.

Health-beneficial nutraceuticals-myth or reality?

The modern term nutraceutical sounds extremely promising to the health-conscious consumers and to the broad audience. But what are the scientific foundations of this hybrid between nutrient and pharmaceutical? Still, most compelling evidence for potential health-beneficial effects of nutraceuticals seem to derive from descriptive and correlative epidemiological data. Here, we will take an inventory of the general concepts of research to assess the current plethora of health claims that were made for nutraceutical products.

Hormetic shifting of redox environment by pro-oxidative resveratrol protects cells against stress.

Resveratrol has gained tremendous interest owing to multiple reported health-beneficial effects. However, the underlying key mechanism of action of this natural product remained largely controversial. Here, we demonstrate that under physiologically relevant conditions major biological effects of resveratrol can be attributed to its generation of oxidation products such as reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Data of oxygen- and pH-dependent oxidation of resveratrol.

We show here if under physiologically relevant conditions resveratrol (RSV) remains stable or not. We further show under which circumstances various oxidation products of RSV such as ROS can be produced. For example, in addition to the widely known effect of bicarbonate ions, high pH values promote the decay of RSV.