北京市郊区八种动物戊型肝炎病毒抗体流行率调查及病毒基因型研究

目的 调查北京地区与人密切接触的猪、牛、羊、马、驴、犬、鸡、鸭8种动物血清中戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)抗体流行率及该地区猪HEV基因型和亚型.方法 收集8种动物的血清标本及幼猪粪便标本,用双抗原夹心ELISA法检测血清中抗-HEV;用巢式反转录聚合酶链反应法(RT-nPCR)检测HEV RNA;对部分PCR产物进行克隆和测序,并对测序结果进行基因分型.结果 在8种动物中抗-HEV阳性率分别为猪80.43%(481/598),其中成猪(>6月龄)为87.86%(369/420),幼猪(2～3月龄)为62.92%(112/178);牛15.02%(52/346);马14.29%(40/280);驴0(0/26);羊9.88%(33/334);犬0(0/21);鸭3.03%(7/231);鸡2.53%(8/316).RT-nPCR检测3月龄以下猪粪便标本HEVRNA阳性率为66.67%(74/111).HEV RNA阳性的标本测序后可归为6株(分别命名为bjsw1、bjsw2、bjsw3、bjsw4、bjsw5和bjsw6),6株HEV开放读码框2(ORF2)部分核苷酸序列的相似性为94.5%～99.6%,与1、2、3、4型HEV的相似性分别为75.6%～78.6%、75.6%～76.2%、77.1%～80.7%和83.7%～94.5%.6株HEV与人HEV 4d亚型的同源性最高,为90.0%～94.5%.结论 北京市郊区猪、牛、马、羊、鸭、鸡中均存在HEV感染,其中猪抗-HEV流行率最高,驴、犬抗-HEV的流行率最低;6株猪HEV属于基因4型、4d亚型.     

Lead levels in blood and saliva in a low-income population of Detroit, Michigan

The relationships between blood lead (PbB) and saliva lead (PbSa) concentrations and the determinants of PbB and PbSa status in 970 low-income adults in the city of Detroit, Michigan were explored. Average PbB and PbSa values in the sample population were found to be 2.7+/-0.1 microg/dl and 2.4+/-0.13 microg/l (equivalent to 0.24+/-0.13 microg/dl), respectively, and a weak but statistically significant association was found between the lead levels in the two types of body fluid samples. The average PbB level for men (4.0+/-0.56 microg/dl) was higher than that for women (2.7+/-0.11 microg/dl); other significant predictors of PbB included age, level of education, being employed, income level, the presence of peeling paint on the wall at home and smoking. There was no gender- or age-dependent difference in blood saliva values but statistically significant correlations were found between PbSa and level of education, employment, income level and smoking. Dental caries was severe in this population. Only 0.5% of the participants had no clinical signs of caries, over 80% had cavitated carious lesions (i.e., lesions that had progressed into dentin), and the number of lost teeth and carious lesions averaged 3.4 and 30, respectively. Weak but significant associations were found between PbB as well as PbSa and measures of dental caries in the study population. The positive associations are believed to be a reflection of the fact that the risk factors for dental caries, especially in low-income populations of the US, overlap extensively with those of lead poisoning and may not have a causal significance.     

3-氯-1,2-丙二醇在大鼠体内的吸收、分布和排泄

目的　探讨经口给 3 氯 1,2 丙二醇 (3 MCPD)在大鼠体内的吸收、分布和排泄状况。方法　选用健康雄性成年SD大鼠 ,每个时相点 3只动物。采用毛细管GC MS的方法测定大鼠血液、肝脏、肾脏、大脑和睾丸中的 3 MCPD含量以及 3 MCPD经胆汁、粪便和尿液的排泄。结果　一次性经口给药 75mg/kgBW 2h后在血液、睾丸和肾脏中 3 MCPD的浓度分别为 (6 7 4 6± 7 72 ) μg/g ,(78 37± 5 15 ) μg/ g和 (5 6 2 1± 3 6 4 ) μg/ g ;给药 2 4h后这 3种组织中 3 MCPD的含量分别为(1 0 7± 0 97) μg/g ,(4 9 4 3± 2 8 18) μg/ g和 (11 4 1± 2 5 5 ) μg/g。 2 4h内经尿排出的 3 MCPD原形化合物占总给药量的 (9 74± 3 0 5 ) %。结论　研究结果提示 3 MCPD经胃肠道吸收快 ,迅速和广泛地分布于体内各组织中 ,在靶器官中具有蓄积性 ,3 MCPD原形物主要是通过肾脏排出体外。推测3 MCPD主要经过肝脏代谢。     

Temporal patterns in perchlorate, thiocyanate, and iodide excretion in human milk

BACKGROUND: Perchlorate and thiocyanate interfere with iodide uptake at the sodium-iodide symporter and are potential disruptors of thyroid hormone synthesis. Perchlorate is a common contaminant of water, food, and human milk. Although it is known that iodide undergoes significant diurnal variations in serum and urinary excretion, less is known about diurnal variations of milk iodide levels. OBJECTIVES: Variability in perchlorate and thiocyanate excretion in human milk has not been examined. Our objective was to determine variability of perchlorate, thiocyanate, and iodide in serially collected samples of human milk. METHODS: Ten lactating women were asked to collect six milk samples on each of 3 days. As an alternative, subjects were asked to collect as many milk samples as comfortably possible over 3 days. Samples were analyzed for perchlorate, iodide, and thiocyanate by ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Individual perchlorate, iodide, and thiocyanate levels varied significantly over time; there was also considerable variation among individuals. The iodide range, mean +/- SD, and median for all samples (n = 108) were 3.1-334 microg/L, 87.9 +/- 80.9 microg/L, and 55.2 microg/L, respectively. The range, mean +/- SD, and median of perchlorate in all samples (n = 147) were 0.5-39.5 microg/L, 5.8 +/- 6.2 microg/L, and 4.0 microg/L. The range, mean +/- SD, and median of thiocyanate in all samples (n = 117) were 0.4 -228.3 microg/L, 35.6 +/- 57.9 microg/L, and 5.6 microg/L. The data are not symmetrically distributed; the mean is higher than the median in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Iodine intake may be inadequate in a significant fraction of this study population. Perchlorate and thiocyanate appear to be common in human milk. The role of these chemicals in reducing breast milk iodide is in need of further investigation.     

Assessing intermittent pesticide exposure from flea control collars containing the organophosphorus insecticide tetrachlorvinphos

Fleas are a persistent problem for pets that require implementation of control measures. Consequently, pesticide use by homeowners for flea control is common and may increase pesticide exposure for adults and children. Fifty-five pet dogs (23 in study 1; 22 in study 2) of different breeds and weights were treated with over-the-counter flea collars containing tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP). During study 1, fur of treated dogs was monitored for transferable TCVP residues using cotton gloves to pet the dogs during 5-min rubbings post-collar application. Plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity was also measured in treated dogs. Average amounts of TCVP transferred from the fur of the neck (rubbing over the collar) and from the back to gloves at 3 days post-collar application were 23,700+/-2100 and 260+/-50 microg/glove, respectively. No inhibition of plasma ChE was observed. During study 2, transferable TCVP residues to cotton gloves were monitored during 5-min rubbings post-collar application. Transferable residues were also monitored on cotton tee shirts worn by children and in the first morning urine samples obtained from adults and children. Average amounts of TCVP transferred to gloves at 5 days post-collar application from the neck (over the collar) and from the back were 22,400+/-2900 and 80+/-20 microg/glove, respectively. Tee shirts worn by children on days 7-11 contained 1.8+/-0.8 microg TCVP/g shirt. No significant differences were observed between adults and children in urinary 2,4,5-trichloromandelic acid (TCMA) levels; however, all TCMA residues (adults and children) were significantly greater than pretreatment concentrations (alpha=0.05). The lack of ChE inhibition in dogs and the low acute toxicity level of TCVP (rat oral LD(50) of 4-5 g/kg) strongly suggest that TCVP is rapidly detoxified and excreted and therefore poses a very low toxicological risk, despite these high residues.     

Levels of S100B protein are higher in mature human milk than in colostrum and milk-formulae milks

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Human milk is believed to contain biological factors involved in the regulation of newborn growth, including brain development. Recently, it has also been shown to contain the calcium-binding S100B protein, regarded as a neurotrophic factor. The present study investigates the concentrations of this protein in colostrum, human milk at different levels of maturation and in milk-formulae.METHODS: Samples for S100B measurements were collected from human colostrum (on day 1 after birth), from transition milk (on post-delivery days 7 and 14) and from mature milk (on day 30 after delivery) in 14 healthy women and from 14 milk-formulae. The S100B protein levels were measured using a commercially available specific immunoluminometric assay. RESULTS: Mean S100B protein levels were significantly higher in mature human milk (117.9+/-36.7 microg/l) than in transition milk at 14 days (106.7+/-38.1 microg/l) and at 7 days (92.7+/-37.8 microg/l), colostrum (74.6+/-37.6 microg/l) or milk-formulae (24.8+/-19.5 microg/l) (P<0.001, for all). A correlation between human milk S100B levels and the gestational age at which samples were obtained was also found (r=0.39; P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: These findings, possibly related to S100B's neurotrophic role, offers useful information to the investigation of the role of S100B protein in brain maturation.     

Unbound vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in breast, human milk, and newborn intestine

BACKGROUND: Human milk, rich in cytokines, may contain the potent permeability- and angiogenesis-promoting agent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). OBJECTIVE: We wanted to study whether free or bound VEGF is present in human milk and whether it and its receptors (VEGFR-1 and -2) are expressed in lactating breast or newborn intestinal tissue. DESIGN: The study had a longitudinal design with collection of human milk from healthy (n = 32) and diabetic (n = 5) women at 2, 7, and 30 d postpartum. Milk was analyzed for VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay along with plasma samples collected 2 d postpartum. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize VEGF and its receptors in lactating breast and newborn intestine. Gel filtration with radiolabeled VEGF was performed to study whether human milk contains VEGF binding proteins. RESULTS: Human milk VEGF concentrations in healthy (76 +/- 19 microg/L, x +/- SD) and diabetic (75 +/- 25 microg/L) women did not differ at 2, 7 (23 +/- 7 and 27 +/- 8 microg/L, respectively), or 30 d (14 +/- 5 and 17 +/- 7 microg/L, respectively) postpartum. VEGF was undetectable in all but 3 plasma samples. Human milk was free of VEGF binding proteins. VEGFR-1 and -2 immunoreactivity was seen in the glandular epithelial cells of the newborn intestine and lactating breast, whereas VEGF was present only in breast glandular epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: The high concentrations of VEGF in human milk, especially colostrum, are not affected by maternal diabetes and may play a role in newborn nutrition.     

Organic pollutant residues of different origins in Navarra

An analysis was made of residues of polychlorobyphenyls and trihalomethanes through GC-ECD and of herbicides through HPLC-PAD in samples proceeding from Navarra. Polychlorobyphenyls were detected (0.30 +/- 0.05 and 0.11 +/- 0.05 microg/l) in two of the 106 water samples analysed. Sixty-six food samples were analysed, and polychlorobyphenyls were only found in 8 samples of trout (dissimilar to dioxins: 21-194 microg/kg of fat; similar to dioxins: 41-139 microg/kg of fat). Of 107 fat samples analysed, polychlorobyphenyls dissimilar to dioxins were detected in two (27 +/- 5 and 30 +/- 5 microg/kg). Out of a total of 94 feed samples analysed, polychlorobyphenyls were detected in all the samples (12) of feed for aquaculture and their raw materials; the concentration of polychlorobyphenyls dissimilar to dioxins varied by an interval of 8-247 microg/kg of fat; polychlorobyphenyls similar to dioxins, between 18 and 107 microg/kg of fat. Contamination by polychlorobyphenyls of the fish from aquaculture could be due to the feed used in these exploitations. The average of trihalomethanes in the waters of the southern zone of Navarra (44 +/- 4 microg/l) was higher than those of the middle zone (16 +/- 1 microg/l) and the mountain zone (12 +/- 1 microg/l). The concentration of 99% of the samples fulfilled the norms on halomethanes. A relation was observed between muddiness and the concentration of trihalomethanes. Herbicide (cianazine) was only detected in one of the 135 samples of water analysed, with a concentration of (0.4 +/- 0.2 microg/l) which exceeded the established limit. The use of confirmation techniques (GC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS) would make it possible to validate these results and to expand the number of compounds analysed.     

The decrease in body fat in mice fed conjugated linoleic acid is due to increases in energy expenditure and energy loss in the excreta

We carried out energy balance studies in four groups of young, growing, 5-wk-old Balb-C mice (n = 12/group) that were either food restricted or nonrestricted and fed high fat diets (38 energy%) with or without 0.93 g/100 g conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for 39 d. The energy in carcasses, excreta and food was measured in a bomb calorimeter. CLA lowered the percentage of the energy intake that was stored in the body from 1.9 +/- 0.8 to -2.3 +/- 0.7% (mean +/- SD, P < 0.05) in the nonrestricted mice and from 1.4 +/- 1.3 to -2.9 +/- 0.7% (P < 0.05) in the restricted mice. Thus, the CLA-treated mice had a net loss of body energy. The percentage of the energy intake eliminated in the excreta increased from 7.6 +/- 0.9% in controls to 8.7 +/- 1.0% (P < 0.05) in the CLA-treated mice that were nonrestricted and from 7.3 +/- 0.8 to 8.4 +/- 0.6 (P < 0.05) in the restricted mice. The amount of energy ingested minus the amount retained in carcasses and excreta equals the energy expenditure. The percentage of the energy intake that was expended as heat increased from 90.5 +/- 1.2 in controls to 93.6 +/- 1.5% (P < 0.05) in the CLA-treated nonrestricted mice and from 91.3 +/- 1.5 to 94.5 +/- 1.0% (P < 0.05) in the restricted mice. The lower energy storage in the CLA-fed mice was accounted for by an increase in the energy expenditure (74%) and by an increase in energy lost in the excreta (26%). Feeding CLA also increased liver weight, which may warrant further studies on the safety of CLA.     

Lactation in the dog: milk composition and intake by puppies

The composition and intake of milk by mother-reared puppies was studied to compare protein and energy intakes of puppies with estimated requirements. Milk samples were obtained from five beagle bitches over the period of 7-37 days postpartum. Dog milk contained on average 22.7% dry matter, 9.47% fat, 7.53% protein, 3.81% sugar and 146 kcal gross energy per 100 g. Protein comprised 31% of milk energy. Nonprotein nitrogen averaged 0.054%, equivalent to 4.4% of total nitrogen. Milk intakes of puppies in the five litters were estimated from water kinetics following administration of deuterium oxide (D2O). D2O dilution indicated that body water comprised 72-73% of puppy body weight, and fractional turnover rate of body water averaged 0.15-0.17% per day in weeks 3 and 4 postpartum. Milk intakes were calculated as 160 +/- 5.4 g (mean +/- SEM) at 19 days and 175 +/- 5.3 g at 26 days, equivalent to 17.0 and 14.6% of body weight, respectively. Daily milk yields of the bitches averaged 964 g at 19 days and 1054 g at 26 days. Dry matter intakes of the puppies were equivalent to 3.9 and 3.3% of body weight at 19 and 26 days, respectively. Gross energy intakes averaged 223-224 kcal/ kg0 .75 per day, and protein intakes averaged 0.33-0.36 g per gram body weight gain at these ages. Estimates of the energy requirements of young puppies by the National Research Council appear to be too high.     

Effects of perioperative parenteral glutamine-dipeptide supplementation on plasma endotoxin level, plasma endotoxin inactivation capacity and clinical outcome

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We evaluated perioperative plasma endotoxin, plasma soluble CD14 molecule (sCD14), plasma endotoxin inactivation capacity (EIC) changes and clinical outcome after glutamine was provided in parenteral feedings to patients on whom gastrointestinal operations were performed using a prospective, randomized, double-blind study design. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing gastrointestinal operations were randomized into two groups, each had 20 patients. One group received standard parenteral nutrition and the other received the same formulation but supplemented with the dipeptide alanyl-glutamine, the two groups were isonitrogenous. The infusion was started from 1 day before operation to the 3rd day after operation for 5 days. Blood samples were collected on the morning of 1 day before operation, 3h after operation, and on the morning of 1, 4 and 7 days after operation and analyzed for plasma endotoxin level, plasma sCD14 level and EIC. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups on plasma endotoxin level. After surgery a rapid reduction in plasma EIC was observed in both groups, a significant restoration of the plasma EIC was observed on the morning of 1 and 4 days after surgery in the study group (0.12+/-0.02 and 0.078+/-0.022 EU/mL, respectively, P < 0.01). A significant rise in plasma sCD14 level was found in the study group on the morning of 1 and 4 days after surgery (14.32+/-1.69 and 10.34+/-1.14 microg/mL, respectively, P < 0.01). Shortened hospital stay was observed in the study group (11.7+/-2.0 days in the control group and 10.6+/-1.2 days on the study group respectively, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Perioperative parenteral nutrition supplemented with dipeptide alanyl-glutamine ameliorated postoperative immunodepression without direct effect on endotoxemia.     

Lead,cadmium, and mercury tissue residues in healthy swine,cattle, dogs,and horses from the midwestern United States

A survey was conducted in 1975–1976 to determine the background levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury in tissues of healthy swine, cattle, dogs, and horses from the midwestern United States. Blood, muscle, liver, and kidney were assayed from cattle and swine slaughtered at federal meat inspection plants and in dogs and horses obtained from local pounds and sales barns. A total of 959 samples for lead, 972 samples for cadmium, and 827 samples for mercury were analyzed. The maximum muscle lead concentration was less than 0.10 ppm in dogs and horses. Fourteen percent of the cattle muscle samples contained between 0.16 and 0.34 ppm lead. The blood lead concentration was generally lower than 0.10 ppm in cattle, swine and horses; however, in dogs 44% of the blood lead values were between 0.11 and 0.37 ppm. The liver and kidney lead content was generally less than 0.50 ppm in all species, and the maximum lead content detected in either tissue was less than 2.0 ppm. Elevated tissue levels of cadmium were observed in horses as compared to other species. While the maximum muscle cadmium content in cattle, swine, and dogs rarely exceeded 0.05 ppm, levels in excess of 0.06 ppm were found in all the 19 horse muscle samples. Blood cadmium levels in all species were near or below the detection limit of 0.005 ppm. The median cadmium concentration in liver and kidney was below 0.2 and 0.6 ppm, respectively, in cattle, swine, and dogs. However, in horses the median concentration was 20 times greater in liver and 4 times higher in kidney. The mercury concentrations in muscle and blood of all species were near or below the detection limit of 0.02 ppm. The median concentrations of mercury in liver and kidney, respectively, were: 0.02 ppm each in swine and cattle; 0.02 ppm and 0.05 ppm in dogs; and 0.12 ppm and 0.72 ppm in horses. The results suggest that exposure of animals to dietary or environmental lead, cadmium, and mercury in the midwestern United States is not significant. The specific cumulation of cadmium and mercury in tissues of horses suggests the need to explore the role these metals play in selective biological processes.     

Development and validation of a rapid analytical method to quantify naled residue.

A rapid gas chromatographic method for detecting residues of the thio-organophosphate naled was developed and subsequently validated in laboratory and field studies. More than 90% of naled was recovered by a gas chromatograph when equipped with a DB-5 capillary column and a thermionic specific detector. The limit of detection was 0.01 microg/ml with direct injection. Stabilization of naled under a variety of storage conditions also was examined. Analysis of field data showed that naled broke down rapidly in the environment but was stable when stored in hexane solvent at 4 degrees C and 23 degrees C for at least 7 days. Range of percentage matrix spike recovery was 31-49% for filter paper samples exposed under field conditions for 14 h. A field study was also initiated that collected naled droplets trapped on 6.7-m acrylic mohair-look yarn strands in addition to residue on filter paper after aerial ultra-low-volume mosquito adulticide application. Spike recovery was 79% for filter paper samples and 93% for yarn samples. Average naled residue concentrations with these methods were 373 microg/m2 and 11.28-73.77 microg/yarn, respectively.     

Assessing transferable residues from intermittent exposure to flea control collars containing the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos

Children can be exposed to pesticides from numerous residential sources such as carpet, house dust, toys and clothing from treated homes, and flea control remedies on pets. In the present studies, 48 pet dogs (24 in each of two studies) of different breeds and weights were treated with over-the-counter flea collars containing chlorpyrifos (CP), an organophosphorus insecticide. Transferable insecticide residues were quantified on cotton gloves used to rub the dogs for 5 min and on cotton tee shirts worn by a child (Study 2 only). First morning urine samples were also obtained from adults and children in both studies for metabolite (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol) quantification. Blood samples were obtained from treated dogs in Study 1 and plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity was monitored. Transferable residues on gloves for all compounds were highest near the neck of the dogs and were lowest in areas most distant from the neck. Rubbing samples (over the collar) at two weeks post-collar application contained 447+/-57 microg CP/glove while samples from the fur of the back contained 8+/-2 microg CP/glove. In Study 2, cotton tee shirts worn by children at 15 days post-collar application for 4 h showed CP levels of 134+/-66 ng/g shirt. There were significant differences between adults and children in the levels of urinary metabolites with children generally having higher urinary levels of metabolites than adults (grand mean+/-SE; 11.6+/-1.1 and 7.9+/-0.74 ng/mg creatinine for children and adults, respectively, compared to 9.4+/-0.8 and 6.9+/-0.5 ng/mg creatinine before collar placement). Therefore, there was little evidence that the use of this flea collar contributed to enhanced CP exposure of either children or adults.     

Mediterranean diet,but not red wine,is associated with beneficial changes in primary haemostasis

OBJECTIVE: (1) To compare the effect of an alcohol-free Mediterranean-type diet (MD) and a high-fat diet (HFD) on variables of primary haemostasis (bleeding time, plasma von Willebrand factor and platelet aggregation/secretion). (2) To test whether red wine supplementation modified these variables, independently of the diet. DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION: Controlled prospective intervention study. Two groups, each consisting of 21 healthy male university students (22+/-3.4 y), received either MD or HFD during 90 days. Between days 30 and 60, both diets were supplemented with 240 ml/day of red wine. Baseline (T0) and T30, T60 and T90-day samples were drawn. Bleeding time was measured before (day 30) and after (day 60) wine supplementation. No drop out from the study was experienced. SETTING: University campus and outpatient nutrition clinic. RESULTS: All baseline (day 0) variables did not differ significantly between study groups. On day 30, individuals on MD had significantly higher levels of plasma beta-carotene, folate, ascorbate, and eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma lipid fractions, than those on HFD. Total plasma cholesterol, HDL and LDL did not change significantly in either study group at any time point. After 30 days on each diet, individuals on MD had longer bleeding time (BT) than those on HFD (7.6+/-2.8 vs 5.8+/-1.7 min; P=0.017). BT did not change significantly after I month of wine supplementation (7.1+/-2.0 vs 5.5+/-2.0 min, respectively). Plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF : Ag) on day 0 was 89+/-40 and 111+/-70% in MD and HFD groups, respectively (P=0.21). These values did not change significantly at 30, 60 or 90 days. MD intake was associated with an increase in platelet serotonin secretion (P=0.02) and a marginal increase in platelet aggregation after stimulation with epinephrine (P=0.07). Wine intake resulted in a marginal decrease in platelet (14)C-5-HT secretion with 4 micro M ADP (P=0.07). However, both platelet aggregation and secretion were consistently increased when using collagen as agonist (1 and 2 micro g/ml, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The longer BT in individuals on MD, obtained independently of red wine, denotes less interaction of platelets with the vascular wall, which could be beneficial from the point of view of cardiovascular (CV) risk. This effect is not explained by changes in the measured haemostatic determinants of BT (plasma vWF, ex vivo platelet function), and might be attributed to other as yet unknown vascular factors. Moderate consumption of red wine results in a significant increase in ex vivo platelet aggregation and secretion after stimulation with collagen. This observation contradicts previous reports, although further studies are required to elucidate the influence of this finding on CV risk.     

ICMR task force study on hormonal contraception. Transfer of levonorgestrel (LNG) administered through different drug delivery systems from the maternal circulation into the newborn infant's circulation via breast milk

The transfer of levonorgestrel (LNG) from the maternal plasma via breast milk to the infant was studied in 38 fully lactating and breast-feeding women at 4-6 weeks postpartum, for a duration of 28 days. These volunteers were provided with LNG contraceptive treatment delivered through three, different routes of drug delivery system: (i) intrauterine devices impregnated with LNG (LNG-IUD); (ii) subdermal implant (Norplant (R)-2); and (iii) minipills (LNG 30 micrograms daily). On the first day after either the LNG-IUD (n = 14 women) or Norplant (R)-2 (n = 14 women) insertion, the maternal blood and breast milk samples were collected at 2, 4 and 8 hourly intervals. This was followed by daily collection of these samples as well as infant's blood from days 2 to 4 and thereafter on days 7, 14 and 28. For infant's blood samples from LNG minipill users (n = 10 women), only a single 4-hour sample was collected on the first day and no samples were collected on days 3 and 4. The rest of the schedule for collection of maternal blood and breast milk as well as infant's blood samples were the same in minipill users as for the other two treatment groups. The study revealed a lower LNG percentage transfer from maternal sera to breast milk--11.8 +/- 2, 7 +/- 2 and 8 +/- 1 and relatively higher percentage LNG transfer from breast milk to infant's sera--75 +/- 17, 68 +/- 20 and 32 +/- 3, in LNG-IUD, Norplant (R)-2 and minipill users, respectively. Therefore, LNG contraceptive steroid is transferred into the infant's circulation, the biological significance of which remains to be established.     

A comparison of acute phase protein measurements and meat inspection findings in cattle

The acute phase proteins haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid-A (SAA) are increased in the blood of cattle with infectious or inflammatory diseases. As it is important to identify such cattle at meat inspection, a study was undertaken to compare the levels of Hp and SAA in blood samples from cattle at abattoir with the post-mortem meat inspection findings. The serum concentrations of Hp and SAA were determined in healthy beef cattle (n = 16); healthy dairy cows with no pathological conditions (n = 22); and cows with pathologic conditions (n = 62). The last group was subdivided into cows with acute pathological conditions (n = 10) and those with non-acute pathological conditions (n = 52). The mean (+/-SD) Hp levels in plasma from beef cattle and cows without pathological conditions found were 0.11 +/- 0.08 mg/mL and 0.02 +/- 0.03 mg/mL, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). However, mean Hp level in cattle with pathological conditions was 0.27 +/- 0.40 mg/mL, significantly higher than the mean values of either group of healthy animals (p < 0.01 versus healthy dairy cows and p < 0.001 versus healthy beef cattle). The mean SAA concentration in plasma samples from 22 healthy dairy cows (with no pathological conditions found) was 51 +/- 38 microg/mL, significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the mean SAA value of 29 +/- 21 microg/mL calculated from 16 plasma samples from healthy beef cattle. In the group of 62 cows with pathological conditions, the mean SAA level was 94 +/- 115 microg/mL being significantly higher than the respective value in either groups of healthy animals (p < 0.01 versus healthy cows and p < 0.001 versus healthy beef cattle). Considerations of the acute phase proteins results obtained from the animals with pathological conditions did not reveal a clear association between acute phase proteins levels and respective specific pathological conditions, although there was a significant correlation between Hp and SAA concentrations at the individual animal level when all results were considered (R = 0.75, n = 100, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, when the dairy cows with pathological conditions were subdivided, some significant differences in mean values of acute phase proteins were observed enabling differentiation between animals with (broadly categorised) acute and non-acute pathological conditions. Significantly higher Hp (p < 0.05) and SAA (p < 0.05) concentrations were found in the acute pathology group than in the non-acute pathology group. Overall, the result of the present study indicated that the acute phase protein analysis could be an additional and useful tool enabling separation of "suspect" from "non-suspect" animals during ante mortem inspection within a modernised meat inspection system.     

Mercury, cadmium and lead levels in Bagrus bayad fish from the river Nile, Delta Region, Egypt

A total of 50 random samples of Bagrus bayad were collected from various localities of River Nile at lower Egypt and were analyzed for determination of Hg, Cd and Pb concentrations by AAS. The obtained results revealed that the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb in fish muscles were ranged from 0.026 to 0.391, 0.028 to 0.053 and 0.022 to 0.654 with mean +/- SE values of 0.190 +/- 0.017, 0.048 +/- 0.003 and 0.215 +/- 0.047 microg/g wet weight, respectively. 24% and 6% of the examined fish samples exceeded the maximal permissible limit set by FAO/WHO (1992) for Cd and Pb, respectively. Whereas none of the examined samples exceeded the maximal limit for Hg. The possible health hazards of heavy metals as well as the suggestive measures for minimizing the pollution of fish and water had been discussed.     

Study on digestibility and energy availability of daily food intake in Japanese (Part 3. Cereals)

Four male Japanese were fed a semisynthetic diet including egg and soy powder as protein source for seven days (Basal-diet period), and in the following seven days 200 g of polished rice, wheat flour and buckwheat flour added at the expense of part of the corn starch and sugar in the basal diets (Test-diet period). Urine and feces were collected throughout both periods and the contents of nitrogen, fat and energy in these excreta were determined. Digestibility of protein (N), fat and carbohydrate (by difference) was calculated. The protein digestibilities of the polished rice (in the form of cooked grains), wheat flour (in the form of cooked powder) and buckwheat flour were 89.6 +/- 5.0%, 93.4 +/- 2.9% and 85.1 +/- 2.5%, respectively. The fat digestibilities of the polished rice, wheat flour and buckwheat flour were 93.6 +/- 1.8%, 70.8 +/- 13.5% and 103.1 +/- 8.4%, respectively showing relatively large variation (This results may be caused by an errors in measurement). The carbohydrate digestibility was close to 100%. The net energy availabilities of the polished rice, wheat flour and buckwheat flour were 100.6 +/- 1.4%, 96.5 +/- 1.1% and 96.0 +/- 1.1%, respectively.