Midazolam is metabolized by at least three different cytochrome P450 enzymes

Distribution volumes and metabolism determine the pharmacokineticsof midazolam. Cytochrome P450 3A4 has been considered a significantenzyme in its metabolism. Using heterologously expressed cytochromeP450 enzymes, we have confirmed the additional involvement ofcytochromes P450 3A3 and 3A5 in the hydroxylation of the midazolam.Whereas cytochrome P450 3A3 metabolized midazolam to the sameextent as cytochrome P450 3A4, cytochrome P450 3A5 increasedits metabolism by a factor of 2.7. The relationship of     

Child malnutrition and development processes in two Tanzanian villages

Despite drastic changes in the agricultural, educational andhealth sectors, Tanzania still has a high rate of child malnutrition.The differences in malnutrition rates between nearby villagesare often very large - in fact larger than between regions. This study of child malnutrition in two villages in the Rukwaregion, is an attempt to explain some of the underlying factorsand processes leading to differences in the malnutrition rate.An attempt has also been made to link this to developmentalprocesses. The villages had undergone development in the same areas: agriculturalmodernization, market integration, mass education and the expansionof the health service. However, the data from this study indicatesthat the balance in emphasis between the various parts of thedevelopment package was different in the two villages, and thatthis had implications for the food and nutritional situationin the households.     

CHANGES IN CONSUMER CONCERNS REGARDING FOOD SAFETY AND TRUST IN NUTRITION EXPERTS’ ADVICE

There has been an increasing emphasis on health risk in the public debate about food, and consumers are constantly exposed to conflicting sources of information about food safety and healthy diets. This may create uncertainty among consumers and affect food choice. This study aims to evaluate change in consumers’ perception of food safety and in trust in nutrition experts’ advice, as well as consumer awareness of health issues regarding food and the degree to which they take health into consideration when choosing food for their everyday meals. This report is based on two cross-sectional, interviewer-administered surveys of nationally representative samples of the Norwegian population over 15 years of age, conducted in 1994 (n=1048) and 1999 (n=999). The data were analyzed with the use of factor analysis, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Consumers’ uncertainty about food safety increased and trust in expert advice declined. Fewer consumers considered fat-rich foods to be a part of a healthy diet in1999 and fewer reported having health considerations in mind when making everyday food choices. Uncertainty was unrelated to consumer food choice, whereas trust had implications for the degree to which consumers chose what they believed to be a healthy diet. In conclusion, the results have shown that the decline in trust in expert advice may have important implications as to whether or not consumers use their nutritional knowledge in the choice of foods for their everyday meals.