Project LEAN: a national campaign to reduce dietary fat consumption

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation initiated a social marketing campaign in 1987, to reduce the nation's risk for heart disease and some cancers. Project LEAN (Low-Fat Eating for America Now) encourages reduction in dietary fat consumption to 30 percent of total calories, by 1998, through public service advertising, publicity, and point-of-purchase programs in restaurants, supermarkets, and school and worksite cafeterias. The campaign has joined efforts with the Partners for Better Health, a coalition of over thirty national health and consumer organizations that are working towards a common goal of improved health through nutrition. Project LEAN has provided funds to states and communities to initiate local campaigns and work with chefs, food professionals, and the food industry to change norms and customs in food preparation and manufacturing. The goal of the campaign is to accelerate the trend in fat reduction and to stimulate the greater availability of low-fat food choices in the marketplace.     

Observations on the ecology of Salmonella waycross and Salmonella typhimurium on Guam.

A period of high incidence of human Salmonella infections on the island of Guam saw the emergence of S. waycross as the most commonly isolated serotype as well as a concurrent decreasing proportion of isolates due to S. typhimurium. Predation of local rodents by an introduced snake is believed to account for the decreased prevalence of S. typhimurium infections, but reasons for the increased prevalence of S. waycross infections are unknown.     

Epidemiology of Salmonella typhimurium: ribosomal DNA analysis of strains from human and animal sources.

Salmonella typhimurium is the most frequently identified serovar of Salmonella in Italy. This serovar is characterized by the widespread dissemination among human and non-human sources of phenotypically and genetically well-differentiated clones. In this study 457 strains of S. typhimurium isolated in Italy in the years 1982-91 from human and animal sources were submitted to characterization by the rDNA fingerprinting technique. Application of this typing method, after digestion of chromosomal DNA with HincII endonuclease, confirmed the greatest genetic differentiation of clones of S. typhimurium, allowing reliable identification of 45 rDNA patterns linked into 9 major clusters. rDNA pattern clusters or ribotypes specific to man were not recognized, whereas some rDNA patterns were characteristically related to ducks, pigeons and pet birds. The ribotyping results for isolates from animal hosts suggest that pig and cattle are the main source of human infection.     

The excretion of Salmonella typhimurium in the faeces of calves fed milk substitute.

A total of 495 calves in 16 batches were examined (117 calves in 4 batches in 1979 and 378 in 12 batches in 1982). They were purchased in markets, transported by road to a farm in Somerset and reared on a milk substitute diet for a period of up to five weeks. Salmonella typhimurium phage type DT 193 was endemic in 1979 and phage type DT 204c in 1982. The mortality rates in the two years were 9.4% and 1.9% respectively. The causes of death were not investigated although the majority were probably due to salmonellosis. The rate of isolation of S. typhimurium from the rectal faeces of calves in all groups was either zero or relatively low on arrival. It rose to a peak (which was higher in 1979) in the second or third weeks before declining to low levels by the end of the fourth week of residence on the farm. Data from 162 calves, examined twice weekly for four weeks in 1982, indicated that the distribution of infected calves, based on the number of times that S. typhimurium was isolated from each, was not random. The calves could be assigned to two main categories; those from which the organism was never isolated and those from which it was isolated at least twice. This suggested that salmonella infected calves actively excreted the organism. The association between salmonella excretion and medication of sick animals with antibacterial drugs was strongest during the second week. Over the four-week period nearly 40% of the calves found to be excreting S. typhimurium were not treated, indicating a high incidence of subclinical infection. Salmonella excretion by the calves followed a regular pattern and infection was self-limiting within five weeks. The peak in the salmonella excretion rate and the mortality rate were higher in 1979 when phage type DT 193 was the endemic strain. However, in 1982 the calves received 100 p.p.m. furazolidone in their milk ration during the first week of their stay on the farm, and this may have contributed to the differences noted between the two years.     

鼠伤寒沙门菌生物学分型方法在流行病学调查和监测中的应用

为探索用简便有效的手段对鼠伤寒沙门菌感染进行调查监测，采用英国学者Ｄｕｇｕｉｄ的鼠伤寒沙门菌生物学分型方法，应用于医院天津监测、病例追踪、食物中毒调查。结果：从医院感染患儿分离菌株的主要生物型与医院环境污染、医务人员携带菌株的生物型分布相似；截瘫患者尿中菌株与从其家庭环境和妻子手上分离菌株生物型别一致；从食物中毒者和乘彩中分离菌株的生物型别与鸭子携带菌株主要生物型别一致。结论：患儿医院感染是由于病     

Apramycin resistance plasmids in Escherichia coli: possible transfer to Salmonella typhimurium in calves.

An outbreak of salmonellosis in calves was monitored for persistence of Salmonella typhimurium excretion in faeces and the effect of treatment with apramycin. Prior to treatment apramycin-resistant Escherichia coli were present but all S. typhimurium isolates were sensitive. Following the treatment of six calves with apramycin, apramycin-resistant S. typhimurium were isolated from two treated calves and one untreated calf. Plasmid profiles of E. coli and S. typhimurium were compared and plasmids conferring resistance to apramycin and several other antibiotics were transferred by conjugation in vitro from calf E. coli and S. typhimurium isolates to E. coli K-12 and from E. coli to S. typhimurium. The plasmids conjugated with high frequency in vitro from E. coli to S. typhimurium, and hybridized to a DNA probe specific for the gene encoding aminoglycoside acetyltransferase 3-IV (AAC(3)-IV) which confers resistance to apramycin, gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin.     

A civilian-military partnership to reduce the incidence of gonorrhea

To reduce the incidence of gonorrhea in the Colorado Springs, Colo., area, casefinding measures (interviewing of patients and tracing of contacts) were conscientiously applied by the local health department, in cooperation with the U.S. Army, to more than 90 percent of reported cases during a 3-year period. Nearly 4,000 cases of gonorrhea--2,127 civilian and 1,811 military--were interviewed; they named 7,399 contacts. A total of 1,141 cases of gonorrhea were newly identified and patients brought to treatment in Colorado Springs as a result. Implementation of these measures was associated with a 12.9 percent overall decline in gonorrhea incidence. This decline was most pronounced in the civilian population (20 percent), while little change in incidence occurred in the military population. The data presented suggest that the orderly application of casefinding epidemiology, allied with other control program initiatives, can interrupt transmission of, and prevent, disease.     

Policies to reduce the consumption of fat in milk

As a contribution to preventing coronary heart disease, Norwegianauthorities are aiming at reducing the proportion of fat intotal calorie intake from a current 35% to 30%. Fat from milkcontributes 30% to fat consumption. Substituting low-cream milkfor full-cream milk probably leads to little loss of pleasureamong consumers and therefore constitutes an attractive goalfor public policy. Extracted surplus fat that cannot be disposedof in a useful way should be regarded as any other residualproduct and be dumped rather than rechannelled to consumersthrough for instance butter or cheese. Substituting low-fatmilk for full-cream milk leads to a loss of calorie intake thatin part must be compensated for. Also, low-cream milk productionis more costly than full-cream milk production due to higherrequirements of cow milk and additional cream extraction costs.Altogether, complete replacement of full-cream milk by low-fatmilk in Norway would lead to a cost increase corresponding to2–4% of present production costs for consumer milk. Ofthe increase 25–50% could be recovered by putting surplusfat to alternative uses, leaving the Norwegian economy witha net annual cost increase corresponding to 12–25 kronerper capita. The benefit would be a reduction in the share offat in calorie intake from a present 35% to 33.5%.     

Outbreak of food poisoning due to Salmonella typhimurium DT4 in mayonnaise.

In July 1989 a large outbreak of food poisoning (68 cases) occurred at a private club in Teddington (London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames). Initial enquiries indicated that the peak of the outbreak occurred between 20th and 26th July. An epidemiological investigation (using self-completed questionnaires) was set up to determine the probable source of infection. Two groups among those exposed were selected: club staff (129), and cricket teams playing in a club tournament (105). Response rates were 89% and 64% respectively. Overall 50% (89) had gastrointestinal symptoms, including two hospital admissions. A highly significant association was found between illness and eating sandwiches containing mayonnaise. Microbiological investigations found Salmonella typhimurium DT4 in 36 of 68 faecal samples taken. This organism is not usually associated with food poisoning outbreaks. The probable source was identified as a flock of one of the egg suppliers.     

Two outbreaks of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 infection associated with the consumption of fresh shell-egg products

In 1988 there were two outbreaks of infection with Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 in adjacent local authorities. The first affected 18 of 75 helpers and guests who attended a private function. Investigations revealed that home-made vanilla ice-cream containing uncooked eggs was the vehicle of infection and the causative organism was identified at the premises of the egg producer. The second affected 84 of 422 delegates attending a conference dinner, and 12 of 50 hotel staff at risk. A dessert made with lightly-cooked egg yolk and raw egg white was associated with infection, and the epidemic strain was cultured from the shell of an egg and an environmental sample from the producer's farm. It is of interest that one outbreak involved free-range and one battery-produced eggs, and that in one the vehicle was prepared at home and in the other in commercial premises. In neither incident was any deficiency in standards of egg production or catering practice discovered.     

The immunization of mice and calves with gal E mutants of Salmonella typhimurium.

A galactose epimeraseless (gal E) mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was investigated in mice and calves for its suitability as a live vaccine. In mice, a very highly significant difference in the mortality rates was observed when vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals were challenged with virulent strains of S. typhimurium and S. dublin. In calves, doses of 10(6) and above of gal E mutant injected subcutaneously provided highly significant protection both in terms of mortality and prevalence of symptoms when calves were challenged orally with S. typhimurium. However, there appeared to be a relation between the vaccine and the presence of renal lesions and before gal E mutants can be recommended, further work is necessary to determine the pathogenesis of these lesions.     

The distribution of specific phage types of Salmonella typhimurium in chickens in Australia.

The distribution of specific phage types of Salmonella typhimurium within the Australian chicken industry has been studied and documented on an Australia-wide and state-by-state basis. A total of 1799 strains of S. typhimurium were obtained from Australia-wide sources and phage typing categorized 1498 of these isolates into 30 distinct phage types, with the remaining 301 strains untypable. Five phage types, 6, 26, 31, 135 and 179, accounted for 76% of the total strains typed, with the remaining 24% of strains being distributed among 25 phage types. Of the major phage types, type 31 was restricted to Victoria and Western Australia, but the other types were distributed throughout Australia. In addition, the antibiotic resistance pattern of the various phage types was determined and only five of the 30 phage types showed appreciable levels of resistance.     

The amino acid composition of angiotensin alters its ability to reduce alcohol consumption in rats.

The voluntary consumption of alcohol has been shown to be reduced by a variety of manipulations which enhance activity in the renin-angiotensin system, including the administration of the bovine form of angiotensin II-[Val5]-ANG II. The present study investigated the relationship between the amino acid composition of angiotensin II and its ability to reduce alcohol intake by administering a number of different forms or fragments of the parent peptide. [Ile5]-Angiotensin II ([Ile5]-ANG II), two endogenous fragments of angiotensin II [( Des-Asp1]-ANG II and [Des-Phe8]-ANG II) were administered subcutaneously in rats across a range of doses. [Ile5]-ANG II reduced alcohol intake at all doses tested between 20 and 400 micrograms/kg while [Des-Asp1]-ANG II reduced alcohol intake only at the 400 micrograms/kg dose. [Des-Phe8]-ANG II had no effect on alcohol intake at any dose tested. Administration of the antagonist [Sar1-Thr8]-ANG II by itself did not enhance alcohol intake. While the pressor and dipsogenic properties of these fragments sometimes correlated with the reduction in alcohol intake they were not a causal factor in decreasing the intake. These results indicate that variations in the peptide composition of angiotensin can significantly alter its ability to reduce the consumption of alcohol.