Heavy metals in food--analytical control in Austria

Cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The procedures used for digestion, extraction and concentration and the measuring technique are described. Nearly 1500 determinations of lead, 1200 determinations of mercury and arsenic, respectively, and 800 determinations of cadmium in foods permitted to calculate (taking into account the food habits) the dietary loads on the Austrian population. The loads per individual and month were: 5.9 mg lead (infants aged from 1--12 months: 0.18--2.5 mg), 2.02 mg cadmium (infants, 0.04--0.61 mg), 0.2 mg mercury and 0.9 mg arsenic. Whereas the cadmium intake was somewhat greater than the maximum value established by the FAO/WHO (1.6--2.0 mg/individual and month), the intakes of lead, mercury and arsenic were considerably lower than the maximum values.     

Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus with a new detachable coil system (DuctOcclud): a multicenter clinical trial

A comparison of two methods: analytical and calculation on an estimation of dietary intakes of nitrate and nitrite from six different types of general hospital diets was studied. Studies were performed in the winter season of 1996-1997. It was found that the mean daily intake of nitrates was 85 mg per person in the analytical method, and 65 mg per person in the calculated method. The estimation of average dietary intakes of nitrite was adequate: 1.67 mg per person (the analytical method) and 1.18 mg per person (the calculated method). The main source of nitrates were vegetables, whereas the main source of nitrites was meat and meat-containing products. We suggest that the different methodologies, analytical and calculation methods, for measuring dietary intakes of nitrate and nitrite from diets make it possible to make direct comparisons of intakes.     

Daily dietary manganese intake in Belgium, using duplicate portion sampling

Daily dietary manganese intake in Belgium was evaluated by duplicate portion sampling, destruction by cooking in a microwave oven and subsequent analysis for this element by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean intake value (3.1 +/- 1.1 mg/day) is similar to levels found for most other countries and is within WHO/RDA and National Research Council, USA recommended intake ranges.     

Does increased nitrate ingestion elevate nitrate levels in human milk?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the nitrate content of human milk is influenced by maternal ingestion of water containing elevated nitrate levels. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, volunteer study. SETTING: Clinical Research Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. PATIENTS: Twenty healthy lactating women with infants older than 6 months. INTERVENTIONS: The mothers were asked to consume a minimum of 1500 mL of water containing 0 mg of nitrate per liter on day 1, 45 mg on day 2, and 100 mg on day 3 in addition to consuming and recording their dietary intake. Breast-feeding was permitted during days 1 and 2, but milk was expressed on day 3 and the infants were given alternate food sources. After each 24-hour study day, maternal urine and milk samples were collected and frozen. A modified cadmium column reduction method was used to determine spot urinary and milk nitrate content. RESULTS: The meant total nitrate intake from diet and water on days 1,2, and 3, respectively, was 46.6, 168.1, and 272.0 mg. Spot urine nitrate content on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively, was 36.0, 66.0, and 84.0 mg. Nitrate concentration of human milk on days 1,2, and 3, respectively, was 4.4, 5.1 and 5.2 mg/L. CONCLUSION: Women who consume water with a nitrate concentration of 100 mg/L or less do not produce milk with elevated nitrate levels.     

The Chinese total diet study in 1990. Part II. Nutrients

This paper reports the intakes of 72 nutrients and their dietary sources obtained from the Chinese total diet study in 1990. Most of the nutrient intakes are close or equal to their corresponding recommended daily allowances (RDAs). Both the total energy intake (2203 kcal) and the proportions contributed by protein, fat, and carbohydrate meet the current Chinese RDAs and the World Health Organization (WHO) nutrient goals. The average protein intake was 64 g/day. The intake of essential amino acids all exceeded the Chinese RDA, and their proportions were generally consistent with the WHO recommended pattern. The average fat intake was 51.2 g/day (21.2% of the total energy intake). However, the dietary fat intake has been increasing significantly in the Chinese diet and the proportion of animal fat has reached 53% of the total fat intake. The total saturated:total monounsaturated: total polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio was 1.0:1.5:1.0. Although the average cholesterol intake was only 179 mg/day, it was 248 mg/day in the South 1 region. The intakes of thiamine and riboflavin were below the RDA. Retinol intakes in all the 4 regions were low. Most (80%) of the retinol (equivalent) intakes were from carotenoids. The average intake of total tocopherol was 89% of the RDA, and among the 4 regions, only the South 2 region has relatively low intake. The intakes of iron, copper, manganese, sodium, and phosphorus were adequate. The intakes of calcium, zinc, and potassium were insufficient, and intakes of selenium and magnesium were a little low. High sodium and low potassium intake is a traditional problem in the Chinese diet.     

Intrahousehold allocation of energy intake among children under five years and their parents in rural Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses intrahousehold allocation of energy in rural Bangladesh and tests the hypothesis that, when daily energy intake is adjusted for energy expenditure, no age or gender bias will be apparent in intrahousehold energy allocation. DESIGN: Data were collected at two-month intervals over a one year study. SETTING: Four villages in Matlab Thana, rural Bangladesh. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and seven children up to 5 y of age and their 145 mothers and 123 fathers. INTERVENTIONS: Data included six measurements of observed 24 h dietary energy intake and physical activity recorded from waking to sleeping. Total daily energy expenditure was derived using the factorial method. RESULTS: Women's energy intake ranged from 75-88% of the FAO/WHO recommended energy intake over the six periods of data collection, significantly less (P < 0.0001) than the men's (range 89-114%). Although the women had moderate levels of physical activity, frequent pregnancies and long lactation periods increased their energy needs. Among children no longer breast fed, energy consumption, unadjusted for energy expenditure, provided 86-108% of the FAO/WHO recommended energy intake by weight. CONCLUSIONS: Women consistently received less of their energy requirements than either their children or their husbands.     

The effects of improved diets on the daily intake of environmental contaminants as calculated from personal food consumption data, by Monte Carlo simulation

In a previous paper, we discussed the Estimated Ecological Daily Intake (EEDI), which is a new method for the estimating daily intake of environmental contaminants based on individual food consumption data. This method makes it possible to identify high-risk cases, using a Monte Carlo simulation for varying contamination levels in each food item and permits epidemiological assessment of the individual, rather than the population, intake of environmental contaminants. We attempted to identify those contaminants whose maximum dietary levels were most commonly exceeded. The results obtained were as follows: 1) After a 1,000-fold extrapolation, performed for each person and contaminant, some cases exceeded allowable maximums in dieldrin, lead, cadmium, and total mercury. In dieldrin and lead intake, few cases exceeded dieldrin and lead maximums by a factor of 2 or 3, but in the cases of cadmium and total mercury, individual maximum intake was significantly exceeded. 2) After estimating a high-risk individual's times of exceeding the allowance in cadmium intake with dietary improvement, we found a 10.5% excess intake after 40% improvement. Clearly, the issue of environmental contaminants exposure due to dietary intake is a significant one.     

Energy intakes, anthropometry and body composition of Nigerian adolescent girls: a case study of an institutionalized secondary school in Ibadan

Twenty-two apparently healthy Nigerian adolescent girls aged 11-17 years residing in a hostel, were studied over five consecutive days in order to assess their energy intake (EI), energy cost of specific activities and body composition (BC). The mean characteristics of the group were: height 1.58 (SD 0.1, range 1.42-1.68) m, body weight 49.1 (SD 7.9, range 34.0-61.0) kg and BMI 19.5 (SD 2.0, range 16.0-23.0) kg/m2. The food intake of each subject was assessed by direct weighing and its energy value was determined by means of a ballistic bomb calorimeter. BMR values were calculated according to Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) (1985) equations. Percentage body fat (BF%) values were derived from three skinfold thickness measurements, using population-specific equations. The adolescents' mean daily EI was found to be 6510 (SD 855) kJ/d (138.3 (SD 27.8) kJ/kg body weight per d) which is lower than the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) calculated energy requirement of 8800 kJ/d for adolescent girls aged 12-14 years. The contributions of specific nutrients and individual meals to the total EI were: carbohydrate, protein and fat, 59.2, 12.5 and 28.3% of energy respectively and breakfast, lunch and supper, 21.5, 41.0 and 37.4% respectively. However, the mean BMR was 5627 kJ/d, which is comparable with that given by FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) for adolescent girls aged 13-14 years. The mean BF% was found to be 21.7. The comparatively low EI of the participants in the present study may be indicative of energy deficiency in their meals. This assumption is also reflected in their BC values. Nevertheless, further studies of this kind on adolescents in Nigeria are needed to confirm these observations.     

Cavum septum pellucidum in schizophrenia: a magnetic resonance imaging study

A research concerning the contents of Zn, Cu, Cd was carried out in 33 samples of human milk. The woman were inhabitants of Poznań (urban industrial area). The following concentrations of the metals were found: Zn 8.20 +/- 2.76 mg/l (colostrum 9.67, transitional 7.48 mg/l), Cu 0.54 +/- 0.16 mg/l (colostrum 0.47, transitional 0.60 mg/l), Cd 0.62 +/- 0.28 micrograms/l. The obtained results were considered regarding the woman's age, the day of puerperium on which the samples was taken, the number of deliveries and smoking factor. A negative correlation between the concentration of Zn and the day of puerperium was stated (p < 0.05). The contents of Zn and Cu doesn't exceed the accepted quantities in dairy products for babies. The contents of Cd in milk was the source of 1/6 PTWI given by FAO/WHO for adults. However it can present the danger to their health. The results of research point out the necessity for undertaking preventive measures and continuing the research on a larger scale.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定热镀锌铝镁合金镀层中铅和镉

在热镀锌铝镁合金镀层产品中,镀层中铅、镉含量是评价产品质量的重要指标,目前无相关标准方法对锌铝镁镀层中铅、镉含量进行检测。实验建立了采用火焰原子吸收光谱法(FAAS)测定热镀锌铝镁合金镀层中铅、镉含量的方法。采用30%(V/V)盐酸溶解合金镀层,同时加入六次甲基四胺作为缓蚀剂保护镀层基体,合金镀层可以被完全溶解且不会腐蚀基体。在优化的仪器工作条件下,采用基体匹配法消除镀层基体元素锌对待测元素的基体效应影响,在波长217.0nm和228.8nm处使用原子吸收光谱法测定铅和镉。铅和镉校准曲线的线性相关系数均大于0.9995;方法的检出限分别为0.0020mg/L和0.0010mg/L。按照实验方法测定热镀锌铝镁合金镀层中铅、镉,结果的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=10)为2.4%~6.3%;加标回收率为97%~103%。     

湖南省磷肥中重金属含量及形态特征

对湖南省现有磷肥生产企业磷肥生产原料和产品进行采样,并按《肥料中砷、镉、铅、铬、汞生态指标》（GB/T 23349-2009）对重金属进行污染指数评价,结果表明:普通过磷酸钙中砷、铬、铅、镉、汞平均含量分别为26.78 mg/kg、18.86 mg/kg、18.51 mg/kg、1.55 mg/kg、1.27 mg/kg.钙镁磷肥中铬、铅、砷、镉、汞平均含量分别为798.39 mg/kg、9.78 mg/kg、6.31 mg/kg、0.67 mg/kg、0.11 mg/kg.绝大部分磷肥产品中砷、镉、铅、铬、汞均未超标.过磷酸钙产品中铅、镉、砷、铬的来源主要为磷矿,汞的来源主要为硫酸;钙镁磷肥产品中铅、镉、汞、砷、铬的来源主要为磷矿.在酸性条件下,磷肥中的镉对农产品安全具有潜在风险.      

Effects of daily caffeine intake on smoking behavior in the natural environment.

The effects of changes in daily caffeine intake on cigarette smoking were investigated. Forty cigarette smokers consumed caffeine ad lib on a baseline day then consumed controlled multiple doses of caffeine (100 mg and 500 mg per day) for two-day trials. Smokers recorded the number of cigarettes consumed, and measurements of expired-air carbon monoxide and salivary cotinine concentration were obtained to estimate smoke and nicotine intake. Baseline caffeine intake averaged 449 mg per day, with wide variations among participants. The 5-fold change in caffeine dose on treatment days did not affect any measure of smoking behavior in these participants. Results suggest that daily caffeine intake has little influence on cigarette smoking in the natural environment. Coffee drinking and cigarette smoking are commonly associated behaviors, although the links between them are not yet understood. Results raise doubts that the influence of coffee drinking on smoking, if any, can be attributed to the effects of caffeine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characteristics of target-reaching in cats. III. Lifting and protraction with an obstacle in the movement path and after its removal

We have established a rat model that reflects the course of development of alcohol and opiate addiction. The present study with d-amphetamine aimed to define general principles in the development of an addiction. Male rats had a continuous free choice between d-amphetamine solutions (100, 200 and 400 mg/l) and water for 47 weeks. An initial intake of high doses of d-amphetamine during the first weeks of drug choice was followed by an individually stable pattern of drug consumption of moderate drug doses. During this period of controlled consumption (from week 10 to week 40), the voluntary intake of d-amphetamine depended on individual factors (dominant rats: 0.37+/-0.02 mg/kg per day, subordinate rats: 0.57+/-0.05 mg/kg per day) and environmental variables (group housing: 0.21+/-0.02 mg/kg per day, single housing: 0.41+/-0.03 mg/kg per day). Beginning with week 41, voluntary d-amphetamine consumption progressively increased (1.9+/-0.2 mg/kg per day in week 47), although the experimental conditions remained unchanged. Drug intake during a retest (free choice as before) after 6 months of drug deprivation revealed that the rats had persistently lost their control over drug intake and were no longer able to adjust drug taking to internal and external conditions. These addicted rats took very high drug doses, even when all d-amphetamine solutions but not water were adulterated with bitter tasting quinine (6.6+/-0.6 mg/kg per day; age-matched controls: 0.37+/-0.04 mg/kg per day). Forced intake of d-amphetamine for 47 weeks (7.1+/-0.3 mg/kg per day) via the drinking fluid caused physical dependence (hyperreactivity during withdrawal) but did not lead to drug addiction (voluntary intake in the retest with adulteration: 0.42+/-0.04 mg/kg per day). Both the temporal development and the prerequisites of psychostimulant addiction were in principle the same as for alcohol and opiates.     

A comparison of daily fluoride intakes from food samples in Japan and Brazil

The purpose of this study was to analyse the fluoride content of Japanese infant foods and foods in Brazil and to estimate daily fluoride intake calculated for a 6-month-old infant which reflects supplemental fluoride increased from infant foods and decreasing breast-feeding and commercial milk-feeding. Fluoride concentrations of 26 samples were assessed by a modified microdiffusion method and fluoride ion selective electrode. The fluoride content varied from 0.53 to 1.33 microgram/g for milk-base formulas, from 0.46 to 2.94 micrograms/g for infant foods in Japan, and from 0.06 to 0.25 microgram/g for foods in Brazil. The daily fluoride intake was calculated according to feeding pattern. The minimum and maximum fluoride values were 0.080 mg/day and 0.248 mg/day, respectively. These fluoride intakes, expressed in milligrams per kg of fluoride intake, ranged from 0.010 to 0.033 mg F/kg body weight. No significant differences in fluoride intake values were found between Japanese infant foods and foods in Brazil. The results of this study indicate that daily fluoride intakes of Japanese infant foods and foods in Brazil could be considered within the optimal recommended level.     

Second-line treatment with ifosfamide and carboplatin in patients with ovarian carcinoma relapsing after treatment with carboplatin

20 patients with ovarian carcinoma whose disease had relapsed (1-42 months, median 4 months) after showing either response or stable disease to carboplatin, were treated with ifosfamide (5 g/m2 intravenously over 24 h, day 1) and carboplatin (200 mg/m2 intravenously day 2) as second-line treatment. The mean number of treatment cycles was 3.5 (range 1-6). The major toxicities were thrombocytopenia (WHO grade 3/4, 25%), neutropenia (WHO grade 3/4, 40%) and encephalopathy (WHO grade 3/4, 15%). Overall response rate was 15% [complete response, 0; partial response, 3 (15%); no change, 5 (25%) and progressive disease, 12 (60%)]. The median survival from the date of second-line treatment was 7 months. This combination offers no advantage over either agent used alone.     

Total food duplicate study on nutrient intake of working women in Manila, the Philippines

Intakes of various nutrients by working women in Manila, the Philippines, was surveyed by the total food duplicate method, with foci to elucidate relative weight of three meals and snack in addition to quantitative evaluation of nutrient intakes. In practice, 45 women (average age; 37.2 years) volunteered, who were all nonsmokers and nonhabitual drinkers, and mostly married. In parallel, hematology, serum biochemistry, anthropometry and clinical examinations were conducted. On average, the women took 1787 kcal energy, 57 g protein, and 54 g lipid daily. Comparison with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Filipinos showed that intakes of energy and major nutrients were adequate, whereas that of minerals (e.g., 15 mg Fe/day vs. 26 mg Fe/day as RDA) and vitamins (e.g., 0.65 mg vitamin B1/day vs. 1 mg/day as RDA) were generally insufficient. Prevalence of anemia was however rather low with an average hemoglobin concentration of 12.9 g/100 ml blood. Rice was the staple source of energy for daily life, and beef rather than fish and shellfish was the leading source of protein. Lunch was the richest meal of a day (with the largest intake of energy, protein and lipid), and snacks rather than dinner appeared to be next substantial.     

Responses of laying hens to a low-protein diet supplemented with essential amino acids, L-glutamic acid and/or intact protein

1. Three sequential experiments, each lasting 8 weeks, were carried out on 576 singly-caged light hybrids. 2. In experiment 1 egg production was 84% using a conventional control diet, 61% with a basal low-protein diet, and 79% with the basal diet supplemented with 10 essential amino acids+L-glutamic acid (GA). 3. In experiment 2 supplementation with lysine and methionine (L+M) alone increased egg production significantly from 54 to 72%, compared with 83% with the conventional diet. 4. In experiment 3 egg production was 55% with the basal diet, 71% with the basal diet+L+M, 75% with a diet containing 141 g protein/kg+L+M, and 73% with the conventional diet. 5. In all three experiments supplementation with GA alone either gave no significant response or a depression in production. 6. Daily intakes of 1-24 g nitrogen as non-essential amino acids and 13 to 14 g total crude protein per bird resulted in good egg production. Supplementation of the basal diet with L+M resulted in a daily intake of 413 mg methionine/bird day which was considered adequate, and a daily intake of 710 mg lysine which was considered slightly inadequate.     

Spatial variation of residential radon concentrations: the Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study

Homeowners and researchers frequently estimate the radon concentrations in various areas of the home from a single radon measurement often performed in the home's basement. This study describes the spatial variation of radon concentrations both between floors and between rooms on the same floor. The geometric mean basement and first floor radon concentrations for one-story homes were 13.8% and 9.0% higher, respectively, as compared to their counterparts in two-story homes. The median first floor/basement ratio of radon concentrations for one-story homes was 0.60. The median ratios between first floor/basement and second floor/basement for two-story homes were 0.51 and 0.62, respectively. The mean coefficient of variation for detectors placed on the same floor was 9.5%, which was only 2.6% higher than the mean coefficient of variation found for collocated (duplicate) quality control detectors. The wide individual variations noted in radon concentrations serve as a reminder of the importance of performing multiple radon measurements in various parts of the home when estimating home radon concentrations.     

Fluorine intake of a Tibetan population

Measurements of food consumption of randomly selected families and fluorine levels in food and beverages were used to calculate the fluorine intake of Tibetan people living in nomadic or semi-nomadic areas of the region and regularly consuming brick tea both as a beverage and in food. The fluorine intake of these groups (children 5.49-7.62 mg day; adults 10.43-14.48 mg/day) was much higher than that of members of a Han population living in the region (children 1.44 mg/day; adults 2.54 mg/day). The amounts of fluorine consumed by the Tibetan inhabitants are at least twice the WHO suggested limit (2 mg/day). Tea plants are rich in fluorine, and the highest levels are found in older leaves which are used to make brick tea. We conclude that brick tea is the major source of fluorine intake by the Tibetan population studied.     

Characterization of dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy proteins using two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis

The relationship between the daily oral dose of the benzamide amisulpride and the striatal D2-dopamine receptors occupancy was investigated in 11 schizophrenic patients using positron emission tomography with 76Br-bromolisuride. The patients were studied before and during chronic treatment with amisulpride over a wide range of doses. The test-retest variability of the method was estimated to be 5.8% in a group of four patients receiving placebo. A curvilinear relationship was demonstrated between the amisulpride doses and the D2-receptor occupancy. A range of 70-80% occupancy of the striatal D2 receptors, suggested as an optimal interval for therapeutic action on positive psychotic symptoms, was obtained with doses of amisulpride ranging between 630 and 910 mg per day, while an occupancy of 85%, suggested to be associated with pronounced extrapyramidal side-effects, was reached with 1,100 mg per day.