Challenges in Developing Analytically Validated Laboratory-Derived Dietary Supplement Databases

The Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) is sponsored by the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM). It provides a searchable, free database of the contents of ∼65,000 supplement labels. A companion database of analytically verified product labels [the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID)] was created by ODS, NLM, and the USDA. There are considerable challenges to populating both databases, but the DSID faces unique analytic chemistry challenges. This article describes the challenges to creating analytically verified marketplace surveys of dietary supplement (DS) product content claims for inclusion in public databases. Nutritionists and public health scientists require information on actual exposures to DS constituents because labeled content may not match labeled product content. Analytic verification of composition of DSs provides a link to actual exposure. A public database of analytically derived DS content was developed to provide more accurate estimates of dietary intake in population-based epidemiologic studies. The DSID has conducted surveys of several types of vitamin- and mineral-containing DSs. Results showing label content claims as analytically derived values are available in the current DSID. A recent pilot project explored the feasibility of adding botanical DS products to the DSID. Candidates for future botanical DSID studies will be based on sales volume, potential public health impacts, and the availability of validated analytic methods and reference materials. Databases like DSID and the DSLD are essential for researchers and clinicians to evaluate dietary ingredient intakes in population-based epidemiologic studies. Together, these databases provide a picture of the DS marketplace. The DSID provides an analytic survey of marketed DSs. However, selection of future botanical supplements for DSID evaluation involves analytic challenges. Even when appropriate resources are available, method selection and data evaluation are resource- and time-consuming.

Conflict Minerals in Electronic Systems: An Overview and Critique of Legal Initiatives

The Democratic Republic of Congo has vast natural resources, many of which are regularly exploited by the electronics industry. Unfortunately, in addition to these resources, there are widespread human rights abuses committed by armed groups entrenched in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These armed groups are using profits from these minerals as a source of funding. Their human rights abuses have led to a growing humanitarian interest in the region and prompted the international community to action. This paper explores the conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, provides an understanding of the link between human rights abuses and conflict minerals, and interprets and critiques the legal actions of the international community.

[Investigation on quality of Haematitum and Fluoritum pieces in venalicium and study on related problems of mineral drugs]

The main problems and solutions of mineral drugs in clinical use were studied based on the investigation on the quality of Haematitum and Fluoritum pieces in venalicium. The outward appearance and intrinsic quality of Haematitum and Fluoritum pieces in venalicium were studied by the requires which were in the first part of Chinese Pharmacopoeia published in 2010. The outward appearance and intrinsic quality of mineral drugs had large differences, the disqualification rate was 41.67% in 12 batches of Haematitum pieces and the disqualification rate was 53.85% in 13 batches of Fluoritum pieces. The crushing granularity of mineral drugs should be defined, the quality standards should be further improved. The drug adiministration ought to strengthen inspection and supervision in order to ensure the stability and reliability of the clinical efficacy.

Drug development of herbomineral capsule (ALG-06) used for hypopigmentation specially in vitiligo

Many herbomineral preparations in traditional medicines are being used from time immemorial like Kushta Abrak Safaid, Busoor-e-Labinyah etc. as therapeutics remedies in common ailments such type of preparations are known to have additive and pronounced effects to cure any obstinate disease condition. The main objective of this research study is the formulation of herbomineral capsule (ALG-06) to treat such type of condition like hypopigmentation in case of vitiligo. In order to achieve the best quality of this formulation physicochemical analysis i.e. fluorescence test, ash values, extractive values and moisture content of combined powdered drug of herbs and minerals were performed followed by phytopharmaceutical calculation of flow ability of blended powder by means of angle of repose, porosity, bulk and tap density, compressibility and hausner ratio, these properties assisted to estimate the best form of powdered material filled in right size of capsule for the desired strength i.e.500mg. Accelerated stability studies were also performed to establish the efficacy of the formulation. In this regard organoleptic properties (color, odor, appearance and taste), weight variation, disintegration and bio burden of ALG-06 formulation were monitored at 40°C/75% relative humidity (RH) along with a room temperature (RT) for a period of one month.

[Enriched and functional foodstuffs: similarities and differences]

A comparison of fortified and functional foods on such parameters as destination, food group, the principles of enrichment with vitamins and/or macro- and micronutrients, doses and forms of vitamins and minerals, hygienic regulations of micronutrients usage and content in the final product, regulatory and technical documentation, duration of application, effectiveness, labeling, information for consumers has been carried out. Insufficiency and the need to improve the regulatory framework for functional foods are noted.

[To substantiation of vitamin and mineral level in fortified food products]

This review outlines the scientific rationale and commentary for the introduction of sanitary rules and norms governing the enrichment of foods of mass consumption with vitamins and minerals, which were harmonized with EU documents and Codex Alimentarius.

Clinical decision support tools: focus on dietary supplement databases

OBJECTIVE

To assess the content of dietary supplement databases used for clinical decision support.

METHODS

Four online dietary supplement databases were assessed according to scope, completeness, and ease of use. Additionally, a composite score integrating all 3 criteria was determined. One hundred two question-and-answer pairs were developed and distributed among 10 weighted categories dealing with the most clinically relevant aspects of dietary supplement therapy. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize the evaluation components and to compare databases. Chi-square was used to investigate differences in scope scores. Scheffe's multiple comparison procedure was used to determine statistical differences in completeness and ease of use.

RESULTS

The percentage of questions that each database answered successfully were as follows: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 84.3%; Natural Standard, 80.4%; AltMedDex, 74.5%; and Lexi-Natural Products, 53.9%, indicating 2 statistical groupings (P < .05) in which the first 3 databases performed significantly better than Lexi-Natural. Completeness scores were similarly stratified. Ease-of-use scores were Natural Standard, 1.96; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2.00; Lexi-Natural, 2.02; and AltMedDex, 2.50. Composite scores indicating overall performance were Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 81.5%; Natural Standard, 76.9%; AltMedDex, 71.6%; and Lexi-Natural, 50.7%.

CONCLUSION

Many clinicians may be unprepared to deal with patient-related dietary supplement questions; therefore, clinical decision support tools that address this knowledge gap are needed. There was significant heterogeneity in the content of dietary supplement-focused online databases, with clustering in the top tier.

Safe addition of vitamins and minerals to foods: setting maximum levels for fortification in the Netherlands

Background

In 2004, the European Court of Justice decided that the prohibition of fortification with vitamin A, vitamin D, folic acid, selenium, copper, and zinc in the Netherlands conflicts with the principle of free movement of goods in the European Union. This decision led to a change in the Dutch policy, resulting in a more flexible handling of requests for exemption from this prohibition to fortify. Therefore, an investigation was proposed in which it would be determined whether a general exemption could be granted for food fortification with a certain maximum safe amount per micronutrient.

Aim of the study

To develop a risk assessment model to estimate maximum safe fortification levels (MSFLs) of vitamins and minerals to foods on the Dutch market, and to evaluate these levels to derive allowed fortification levels (AFLs), which can be used for a general exemption.

Methods

We developed a risk assessment model to estimate MSFLs of vitamins and minerals to foods on the basis of existing models. We used European tolerable upper intake levels in combination with national food consumption data to estimate MSFLs for fortification of foods for several age groups. Upon extensive stakeholder dialogue, the risk manager considered these estimated MSFLs and the final AFLs for a general exemption were set.

Results

For folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin D, the MSFLs were calculated in the risk-assessment model. Children up to 6-years old were the group most sensitive to folic acid fortification, and they had an MSFL of 0 µg/100 kcal, but following a risk management evaluation, this was upgraded to an AFL of 100 µg/100 kcal. The MSFL for vitamin D was 3.0 µg/100 kcal (children 4–10 years old), and the risk manager increased this to an AFL of 4.5 µg/100 kcal. Children up to 10 years old, men, and postmenopausal women were the groups most sensitive to vitamin A fortification (MSFL = 0 µg/100 kcal). Because these groups represent a large part of the population and because of the seriously harmful effects of excessive vitamin A, the risk manager did not allow a general exemption.

Conclusions

The combination of a risk assessment model and risk manager evaluation led to the setting of AFLs for general exemption of fortification with folic acid and vitamin D. This model is also applicable for other micronutrients, for which an UL is derived, and in other countries.

Gesundheitliche Anforderungen an Werkstoffe und Materialien im Kontakt mit Trinkwasser

In Germany the hygienic requirements on materials used to supply drinking water are a part of the technical standards. These regulations have to ensure that legal requirements on drinking water are met at the tap. The hygienic harmlessness is assured by requirements on the composition of materials and by test procedures including parametric limits. Historically, the requirements on different types of materials are a part of different technical standards.

Diffusion of protease into meat & bone meal for solubility improvement and potential inactivation of the BSE prion

Background

Government-imposed feed bans have created a need for new applications for meat & bone meal (MBM). Many potential new applications require MBM protein to be both soluble and free of infectious prion. Treatment with protease is generally effective in reducing insoluble, thermally-denatured proteins to soluble peptides. It has been reported in the literature that certain proteases, including Versazyme™, are able to degrade infectious prions in a system where the prions are readily accessible to proteolytic attack. Prions distributed within MBM, however, may conceivably be protected from proteases.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The overall rate of proteolytic MBM digestion depends greatly on whether the protease can penetrate deep within individual particles, or if the protease can only act near the surface of the particle. This research examined the barriers to the diffusion of Versazyme™ into particles of MBM. Confocal microscopy demonstrated differences in the density distributions between the bone and the soft tissue particles of MBM. By tracking the diffusion of fluorescently labeled Versazyme™ through individual particles, it was found that bone particles show full Versazyme™ penetration within 30 minutes, while penetration of soft tissue particles can take up to four hours, depending on the particle's diameter. From the variety of normal proteins comprising MBM, a specific protein was chosen to serve as a prion surrogate based on characteristics including size, solubility, distribution and abundance. This surrogate was used to measure the effect of several factors on Versazyme™ diffusion.

Conclusions/Significance

Results showed that surrogate distributed in bone particles was more susceptible to degradation than that in soft tissue particles. Three factors controllable by unit operations in an industrial-scale process were also tested. It was found that removing the lipid content and hydrating MBM prior to incubation both significantly increased the rate of surrogate degradation. In a test of particle size, the smallest collected diameter range demonstrated the largest degradation of the prion surrogate, suggesting milling would be beneficial.

The Canadian Natural Health Products (NHP) regulations: industry perceptions and compliance factors

Background

The use of natural health products, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs, by Canadians has been increasing with time. As a result of consumer concern about the quality of these products, the Canadian Department of Health created the Natural Health Products (NHP) Regulations. The new Canadian regulations raise questions about whether and how the NHP industry will be able to comply and what impact they will have on market structure. The objectives of this study were to explore who in the interview sample is complying with Canada's new NHP Regulations (i.e., submitted product licensing applications on time); and explore the factors that affect regulatory compliance.

Methods

Twenty key informant interviews were conducted with employees of the NHP industry. The structured interviews focused on the level of satisfaction with the Regulations and perceptions of compliance and non-compliance. Interviews were tape recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Data were independently coded, using qualitative content analysis. Team meetings were held after every three to four interviews to discuss emerging themes.

Results

The major finding of this study is that most (17 out of 20) companies interviewed were beginning to comply with the new regulatory regime. The factors that contribute to likelihood of regulatory compliance were: perceptions and knowledge of the regulations and business size.

Conclusion

The Canadian case can be instructive for other countries seeking to implement regulatory standards for natural health products. An unintended consequence of the Canadian NHP regulations may be the exit of smaller firms, leading to industry consolidation.

[Herbal food supplements]

Dietary supplements are increasingly popular. Supplements include substances such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibers and botanicals. Directive 2002/46/EC foresees the use as food supplements of vitamins and minerals listed in the Annexes to the Directive. The Directive challenged the importance of a European regulatory framework for this products to be adopted by the member states. To date herbal products without any therapeutic activity have been included in food supplements. This review summarizes the main legislations on food supplements focusing on herbal products or derivatives.

Standard addition method applied to solid-state stripping voltammetry: determination of zirconium in minerals and ceramic materials

An application of the standard addition method to stripping voltammetry of solid materials immobilized in inert electrodes is described. The method allows the determination of the mass fraction of a depositable metal M in a material on addition of known amounts of a standard material containing M to a mixture of that material and a reference compound of a second depositable metal, R. After a reductive deposition step, voltammograms recorded for those modified electrodes immersed in a suitable electrolyte produce stripping peaks for the oxidation of the deposits of M and R. If no intermetallic effects appear the quotients between the peak areas and the peak currents for the stripping oxidation of M and R vary linearly with the mass ratio of the added standard and the reference compound, thus providing an electrochemical method for determining the amount of M in the sample. The method has been applied to the determination of Zr in minerals, ceramic frits, and pigments, using ZnO as reference material and ZrO(2) as the standard.

Vitamins and minerals: a model for safe addition to foods

BACKGROUND

Significant subgroups in most European populations have intakes below nationally recommended levels for several vitamins, minerals and trace elements, placing individuals at risk of suboptimal intake of important vitamins and minerals. The voluntary addition of micronutrients to the appropriate foods may help address the risks associated with low micronutrient intakes. However, concerns need to be addressed regarding the potential for unacceptably high intakes, particularly for those people consuming very large amounts of food.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To develop a model to estimate the level of each micronutrient that can be added safely to foods.

METHODS

A theoretical model was developed based on the critical factors which determine the risk of unacceptably high intake for each micronutrient at high levels of food/energy intakes. These included 1) Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL), 2) high micronutrient intakes in Europe at the 95(th) percentile intake for each nutrient, 3) the proportion of fortified foods in the diets of individuals at the 95(th) percentile for energy intakes, 4) the proportion of foods to which micronutrients could practically be added, and 5) a range of estimates for the fractions of foods which might be actually fortified for each nutrient. A maximum level was set up for each micronutrient per typical serving or 100 kcal portion. The outputs of the model were then compared against a recent model developed by AFSSA, based on the food intake data in France.

RESULTS

Three categories of micronutrients were identified, in which micronutrients could be added safely to foods at levels (per serving, e. g., 100 kcal) 1) greater than 1 European Commission Recommended Daily Intake (EC RDA): vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, riboflavin, panthothenic acid, niacin and thiamine; 2) between 50 and 100 % of the EC RDA: vitamin B6, vitamin D, folic acid, biotin, copper, iodine and selenium; 3) between 10 and 40 % of the EC RDA: iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. A fourth category consisting of retinol, for which high end intake levels are close to UL for some population subgroups in Europe and thus requires further consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide range of vitamins and minerals can be added safely to foods at nutritionally important levels in the current diets of Europeans.

Monitoring nitrogen leaching for the evaluation of the Dutch minerals policy for agriculture in clay regions

This paper presents the results of the Dutch monitoring program for agriculture in the clay regions for the period 1996-2000 and evaluates the monitoring strategy. A wide range of farms (25 to 85%) had a NO3--N concentration in tile drainwater higher than the EU standard of 11.3 mg/l. The low figure is related to wet winters; the high, to dry winters. Arable farms are more prone to NO3- leaching than dairy farms. On arable farms, about 25% of the N surplus leached to groundwater and tile drainwater, on dairy farms this was about 15%. N in tile drainwater has shown to be the best indicator for monitoring the effects of farming practice changes in the clay regions. The average NO3--N concentration in tile drainwater was 18.8 and 3.2 mg/l in borehole water on farms where both were monitored. It is known that N use has a relationship with NO3- in tile drainwater and not with NH4+ and organic N. The presented results indicate that crop rotation and precipitation strongly influence NO3- concentration in tile drainwater.

What is the research base for the use of dietary supplements?

The market for dietary supplements in the USA was estimated as about 11.8 billion dollars in 1997 with a growth rate of 10-14% projected in the next 3 years. Data from the Food and Drug Administration collected in 1995 indicate that over 55% of adults surveyed used some type of dietary supplement. The marketing of dietary supplements in the USA has been essentially deregulated by the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). This legislation defined dietary supplements, made manufacturers responsible for the safety of supplements and allowed certain statements of nutrition support to be made on supplement labels. The US Congress in passing the DSHEA indicated that supplements should be available on the market so that consumers could make decisions about their use for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, information about the research base for supplement claims is not readily accessible to health professionals and consumers. There is a need for authoritative reviews of the data underlying supplement claims to assist public health professionals in their role of providing advice to the public about dietary supplements.

Overview of key nutrients: micronutrient aspects

Micronutrients are the key to optimal macronutrient metabolism because of their essential role in metabolism. Invariably, metabolic steps require the concomitant involvement of one or more vitamins and minerals. Chronic degenerative disease etiology and rate of pathogenesis are intimately associated with micronutrient imbalances. Although precise mechanisms remain to be identified, antioxidant status is critical in atherosclerosis and cancer pathogenesis. While elucidating estimates and establishing "singular" values by sex and age for parameters such as estimated average requirements, RDA, and RDI, it is imperative to arrive at these estimates in the light of their interdependent role in metabolism.

International perspective: basis, need, and application of recommended dietary allowances

The RDAs emerged in World War II to thwart existing nutrient deficiencies. The RDAs are estimates of need based on the data available. There has been remarkably little change in RDA values. The ongoing revision of the RDAs will introduce new terminology and attempt to recommend values that not only ensure the prevention of nutrient deficiency but that would thwart the more prevalent chronic degenerative diseases as well and recommend upper safe limits for RDA nutrients. The overall goal is to provide estimates of dietary allowances that are intended to avoid preventable illness, including freedom from outright clinical deficiency of truly essential nutrients.

A perspective on mineral standards

History has shown that the consumption of a balanced diet in adequate amounts is consistent with survival of mankind. This fact demonstrates that for each essential nutrient there is not one, but a range of safe and adequate intakes. In the past, the determination of the two endpoints of that range, one bordering on deficiency, the other on toxicity, has been sought independently by nutritionists and toxicologists. Refinements of the criteria of adequacy and safety during the past few decades has tended to raise estimates of requirements and to reduce those of toxicity, narrowing and in some cases, eliminating the range of safe and adequate intakes. The Herndon Conference in 1992 suggested some common principles, potentially useful to establish both endpoints of the ranges of safe and adequate intakes for essential trace elements. Some perspectives of implementing these are discussed.

Effect of rendering procedures on the scrapie agent

A pool of scrapie-infected sheep brains was used to spike mixtures of porcine bone and intestine. These were processed in pilot-scale facsimiles of 12 rendering procedures that were in use within the European Union in 1991, and three that were not. Meat and bone meal, and tallow, were produced from the rendered tissues. Suspensions of all the meat and bone meal samples, and two of the tallow samples were assayed in mice for scrapie infectivity. Neither of the tallow samples had any detectable infectivity but the meat and bone meal samples were positive, except for those produced by processes involving exposure to hyperbaric steam. In addition, greaves were produced from the scrapie-spiked raw materials by an atypical low-temperature process and subjected to solvent extraction with hot heptane. The treated greaves were then exposed to steam to drive off residual solvent. Although the starting titre of infectivity in these greaves was low, there appeared to be no reduction in infectivity as a result of the treatments with hot heptane and steam. However, there was no detectable infectivity in the meat and bone meal prepared from the greaves produced by the atypical low-temperature process after it had been exposed to hyperbaric steam.

Limiting amino acids in meat and bone and poultry by-product meals

In situ, digestion, and growth studies were conducted to evaluate four meat and bone meals and six poultry by-product meals as sources of escape protein and to predict the first-limiting amino acid for growing calves. Escape protein values, determined by 12-h in situ incubation, ranged from 41.7 to 51.0% of CP for meat and bone meals; poultry by-product meals ranged from 32.0 to 39.8%. True protein digestion in the gastrointestinal tract of lambs differed among protein sources (P < .05), ranging from 79 to 95%. In each of three growth trials, 60 steers (258 +/- 24, 241 +/- 23, and 230 +/- 16 kg for Trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were supplemented with 4 of the 10 protein sources along with a urea supplement. Protein sources were fed at 30, 40, 50, and 60% of the supplemental CP, with urea supplying the remainder. Protein efficiency differed among treatments ( P < .10), ranging from .61 to 1.55. Amino acid composition was determined for each protein source, and the individual metabolizable amino acids were regressed on the protein efficiency values. Escape protein values were correlated (R2 = .75) with protein efficiency but had a negative slope. Metabolizable methionine was the only amino acid moderately correlated (R2 = .40, slope = 1.9) to protein efficiency, whereas other amino acids either correlated poorly or had negative slopes. These data indicate that the protein value of meat and bone meal and poultry by-product meal is limited by the amount of metabolizable methionine they contain.

Escape protein supplementation of steers fed grass silage-based diets

Beef steers (Trials 1 and 2, 280 +/- 2 kg; Trial 3, 330 +/- 2 kg) were fed diets of 67.5% wheat (Trial 1) or oat silage (Trials 2 and 3), 20.5% barley, and 12% supplement in randomized complete block design growth trials. Dietary treatments were graded levels of supplemental escape protein (EP) from corn gluten meal (Trial 1, 0 to 213 g/d escape protein) or animal by-products (1:1:1 DM mixture of blood, feather, and meat and bone meals, 0 to 223 or 0 to 317 g/d of escape protein in Trials 2 and 3, respectively) to titrate amounts needed to maximize steer live weight gain. As supplemental EP from corn gluten meal increased, steer live weight gain increased linearly (P < .001) and feed-to-gain decreased linearly (P < .001). Supplementation with 135 g/d of corn gluten meal EP (335 g/d of corn gluten meal) increased average daily gain from .76 to .91 kg/d. As supplemental EP from animal by-products increased, steer live weight gain increased quadratically (P < .05) and feed-to-gain decreased linearly (P < .01). Supplementation with 223 or 317 g/d of animal by-product EP increased live weight gain by .27 kg/d. Supplemental escape protein was needed to increase live weight gain of steers consuming ensiled forage diets due to low EP contents of silages (7, 3, and 23% of CP in Trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and barley (15, 27, and 22% of CP in Trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and limited microbial protein synthesis.

The nutrient content of the Italian food supply 1961-1992

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the methodology used to determine nutrient per capita per day values, to report values for food energy and 12 nutrients and to compare these values with FAO nutrient per capita values and Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDIs) for Italy.

DESIGN

The nutrient content of the Italian food supply was calculated using food per capita data from FAO and food composition data from the Italian National Nutrition Institute.

RESULTS

All nutrient per capita values have increased since 1961 except carboyhdrate. Wheat-based products were important sources of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, iron, and potassium; and vegetables were predominant sources of vitamin A, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, and potassium. The increase in red meats has accounted for some of the increases in fat, protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, and iron. FAO reported higher values for energy, fat and niacin and lower values for protein, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, calcium in all years. The trends for vitamin A and iron were similar in both data sets; however, there were switches in which set reported higher values. The trends for niacin and calcium were not similar. When compared with the RDIs, most of the nutrients were adequate. The exceptions were iron for females ages 10-59 and calcium for adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Different nutrient values and sometimes trends resulted when nutrient composition data and edible portion factors specific to Italy were used to determine nutrient per capita values. The nutrient content of the Italian food supply changed between 1961 and 1992, suggesting dietary patterns in Italy also changed.

Epidemiology of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Northern Ireland 1988 to 1995

The epidemiology of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Northern Ireland from 1988, when it was first confirmed, to the end of 1995 is described. All cases of BSE were subjected to a detailed epidemiological investigation, complemented by data from the national animal health records on every bovine animal. Data are presented on 1680 cases. Many of the epidemiological features of the disease were similar to those reported in Great Britain, but the incidence in Northern Ireland was approximately one-tenth that in Great Britain. The epidemic increased to a peak of 56 cases per month in January 1994, and decreased to nine cases in December 1995. Statutory intervention banning the use of meat and bone meal in ruminant feed in January 1989 has produced a marked and continuing reduction in the incidence. The majority of the cases were in Northern Ireland cattle, but 83 cases were imported from Great Britain and five from the Republic of Ireland. Many of the key epidemiological features have remained constant throughout the epidemic: the greater incidence of BSE in dairy herds than in beef suckler herds, the low within-herd incidence, the variation in incidence with herd size, the breed distribution, the distribution of the reported clinical signs and the proportion of purchased cases. Although the source of the BSE epidemic in Northern Ireland has not been established conclusively, the evidence suggests that the importation of meat and bone meal and protein concentrates from Great Britain may have been responsible.

Effects of maternal nutrition on hatchability

The effects of dietary factors on the development and viability of avian embryos have been extensively documented. A good nutritional status of the parent birds is crucial to the transfer to the egg of an adequate, balanced supply of nutrients required for normal development of the embryo. The consequences to the embryo may be lethal if the egg contains either inadequate, excessive, or imbalanced levels of nutrients. As nutritional deficiencies or excesses occur, it is common for the effects on the embryo to also become more severe and to occur at earlier stages of development. The type of nutritional stress signs visible in the embryo often depend upon the severity of the maternal nutritional stress. Diseases, parasitic infections, toxins, poisons, or drugs may also cause nutritional or pseudonutritional problems with hatchability.

Evaluation of multiple micronutrient supplementation in the management of oral submucous fibrosis in Karachi, Pakistan

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is an oral precancerous condition characterized by symptoms such as intolerance to spicy food, altered salivation, progressive difficulty in opening the mouth, and signs like vesiculation, ulceration, blanching, rigidity, and stiffening of the oral mucosa and depapillation and altered mobility of the tongue. It is seen mostly among people of Indian subcontinent origin. The major structural change is extensive fibroelastic scarring of the lamina propria and deeper connective tissues. A combination of micronutrients (vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E) and minerals (iron, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, and others) was evaluated for its efficacy in controlling the symptoms and signs of OSF in 117 compliant subjects in Karachi, Pakistan, in a single-arm preliminary study. The subjects received supplementation for one to three years. Significant improvement in symptoms, notably intolerance to spicy food, burning sensation, and mouth opening, was observed at exit. The interincisor distance deteriorated in 11 subjects (10%) at exit; it was stable in 56 subjects (49%) and improved in 48 (41%). The mean interincisor distance was 19.1 +/- 10.8 (SD) mm at exit compared with 16.2 +/- 7.5 mm at baseline. A significant proportion of concomitant lesions like leukoplakia also regressed at exit. The major outcome from this study was a beneficial clinical response in subjects with OSF to multiple micronutrient intervention, which justifies its further evaluation in well-designed randomized controlled trials in other settings in South Asia.

Influence of dietary concentration and source of meat and bone meal on performance of turkeys

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary concentration and source of meat and bone meal (MBM) on performance of tom turkeys from 1 to 119 d of age. In Experiment 1, six replicate pens of toms were fed diets containing 0, 3, 6.5, or 10% MBM. Feeding up to 10% MBM resulted in 119-d BW and feed to gain ratios (F:G) equal to those of toms fed the diet containing no MBM (14.09 kg per tom, F:G = 2.68 for 10% MBM vs 14.08 kg per tom and F:G = 2.70 for the control). Five MBM were evaluated at 10% of the diet in Experiment 2. These MBM differed in source material and proportions of source material (beef, poultry, or pork processing by-products) from which they were made. As compared with feeding a diet containing no MBM, feeding diets with 10% of any of the MBM supported satisfactory 119-d BW and F:G. The data show that up to 10% dietary MBM obtained from different sources can be used successfully for growing turkeys when diets are formulated by using CP, amino acid, Ca, and P data for MBM obtained by laboratory analysis and the MEn value listed for MBM in NRC (1994).

Different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae differ in their effects on ruminal bacterial numbers in vitro and in sheep

A ruminal simulation device (Rusitec) was used to compare the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains NCYC 240, NCYC 694, NCYC 1026, NCYC 1088, and Yea-Sacc (a commercial product containing S. cerevisiae) on ruminal fermentation. S. cerevisiae NCYC 240, NCYC 1088, NCYC 1026, and NCYC 694 were grown on malt extract at 30 degrees C in aerated fed-batch culture and harvested along with spent growth medium by freeze-drying. Each vessel received daily 20 g of a basal diet consisting of hay, barley, molasses, fishmeal, and a minerals/vitamins mixture at 500, 299.5, 100, 91, and 9.5 g/kg of DM, respectively. Yeast preparations (500 mg/d) were added along with the feed. S. cerevisiae NCYC 240, NCYC 1026, and Yea-Sacc stimulated total and cellulolytic bacterial numbers, whereas S. cerevisiae NCYC 694 and NCYC 1088 had no effect on the numbers of bacteria. The effects of S. cerevisiae NCYC 240, NCYC 1026, and Yea-Sacc on ruminal fermentation were further investigated in vivo using ruminally cannulated sheep fed 1.5 kg/d of the diet used in Rusitec, supplemented with 2 g/d of yeast culture. All treatments tended to stimulate total and cellulolytic bacterial numbers. However, the stimulation was only statistically significant for S. cerevisiae NCYC 1026 with total bacterial numbers and S. cerevisiae NCYC 240 with cellulolytic bacteria (P < .05). Increased bacterial numbers were associated with an increase in the rate of straw degradation in the rumen and a nonsignificant (P > .05) increase in the excretion of purine derivatives in the urine, measured as an index of microbial nitrogen leaving the rumen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characteristics of vitamin and mineral supplement products in the United States

A 1986 nationwide survey of 11,775 adults 18 y or older and 1877 children 2-6 y old identified approximately 3400 different (unique) vitamin and mineral supplement products being taken. The most commonly included nutrient listed on the product labels was vitamin C, which was present in 50% of the unique products examined. Calcium and iron were the most commonly included minerals and were present in 25% of the unique products examined. Prenatal and children's chewable products came in a relatively narrow potency range and generally contained nutrients in amounts approximating or less than the US recommended daily allowances. These products also contained significant minimum amounts of nutrients. Potencies of products not targeted for use by these special groups, particularly those products that were self-prescribed, varied widely and ranged from insignificant to extremely large amounts of nutrients. Units used to declare product potency or to prescribe the dosage varied.

The WHO/EURO man-made mineral fiber reference scheme. By the WHO/EURO Technical Committee for Monitoring and Evaluating MMMF

At a consultation arranged by the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe in 1980 a reference method was specified for sampling and evaluating airborne dust samples collected in man-made mineral fiber (MMMF) workplaces. This method involves sampling onto a membrane filter and counting the fibers with the use of a phase contrast optical microscope (PCOM). The evaluation procedure has been tested by members of the WHO/EURO MMMF technical committee through a series of interlaboratory sample exchanges. The results from these trials have shown a consistent improvement in the reproducibility of MMMF counts, maximum systematic interlaboratory differences being reduced from 2.5 times to 1.4 times. This reduction has been achieved through harmonization of the subjective judgements made by microscopists. As this improved agreement was achieved, each laboratory's counting level changed; preliminary comparisons suggest that this occurrence would produce an approximately two- to threefold increase in the fiber concentrations reported during the epidemiology study of the Joint European Medical Research Board. Further work is currently being undertaken to quantify this change better. A reference method for sizing and counting airborne MMMF with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) has also been developed, and on the basis of preliminary experimental tests there has been some harmonization between the participating laboratories.

Determination of seven noble metals in standard rock samples by means of thermal neutron activation analysis

Ruthenium, silver, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold in standard rock samples from Geological Survey of Japan (JB-1, JB-2, JG-1 and JA-1) were determined by thermal neutron activation method with a systematic chemical separation. U.S. Geological Survey standard rocks (BCR-1 and G-2) were also analyzed to obtain an information about the accuracy and precision on the method. Generally agreement of our results with previous values for BCR-1 and G-2 was excellent. The noble metal contents in the igneous rocks from Japanese region were approximately comparable to those in the corresponding rocks from the continental region, and showed a tendency to decrease with increasing silica contents, with weak interrelations to other major elements.

Current regulatory status of foods for special dietary uses

The Food and Drug Administration has redefined foods for "special dietary use". Such foods must now: (1) Supply a special dietary need that exists by reason of a physical or physiological condition, such as convalescence, a pregnancy, lactation, or by reason of a specific disease or disorder; (2) Supply a vitamin, mineral, or other dietary property to supplement diet by increasing total dietary intake; (3) Meet a special nutritional need as the sole item of the diet. The stricter definition of this category of food means that the conventional foods with added nutrients or food for which nutritional claims are made or nutritional information provided will no longer be considered as foods for special dietary uses, although they must conform to standard nutritional labeling requirements. The new regulation establishes a clearly delineated position within which the consumer, industry, and FDA can deal with special dietary foods without the past confusion as to what belonged in this category.