Bolus ingestion of white and green tea increases the concentration of several flavan‐3‐ols in plasma,but does not affect markers of oxidative stress in healthy non‐smokers

White tea (WT) is rich in flavan‐3‐ols as green tea (GT) and might provide health protective effects due to the strong antioxidant properties of flavan‐3‐ols. Since intervention studies with WT are lacking, we evaluated the effects of WT consumption on antioxidant status, antioxidant capacity and biomarkers of oxidative stress compared to water and GT. After an overnight fast, 70 healthy non‐smokers were randomized to consume 600 mL of WT, GT or water (control). Plasma (epi‐)catechin and epi(gallo)catechingallate, antioxidant capacity (Folin assay, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity test), 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F_2α, ascorbic acid and uric acid were determined before and several times within 8 h after consumption. DNA strand breaks were measured in vivo and ex vivo (H₂O₂ stimulation) in leukocytes. Plasma flavan‐3‐ols significantly increased after WT and GT ingestion. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity was lower after 5 h in controls versus WT (p=0.031) and GT (p=0.005). Folin‐Ciocalteu reducing capacity, ascorbic and uric acid as well as markers of oxidative stress (8‐iso‐prostaglandin‐F_2α, DNA strand breaks) were not affected by the beverages. A short‐term increase of catechins does not change plasma antioxidant capacity in healthy subjects. Conclusions with respect to health protective effects of WT and GT on the basis of these biomarkers can, thus, not be drawn.     

Mass balance soil ingestion estimating methods and their application to inhabitants of rural and wilderness areas: A critical review

Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to provide a defensible means to estimate soil ingestion for human health risk assessments. Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments. There is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as agricultural workers or indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. The results of a preliminary analysis of sampling and analytical variability that would result from assessing activities typical of populations in rural or wilderness areas and conducted over wide areas show that approximately 225 subject days would be required to detect a difference of 20 mg/d in soil ingestion. Given the typically small populations in these areas, future soil ingestion studies should be focused on specific activities with a high potential for soil ingestion.     

Response to Buchanan et al.'s comment on Urban et al. “Assessment of human health risks posed by consumption of fish from the Lower Passaic River (LPR), New Jersey” (2009, doi:10.1016/jscitotenv.2009.03.004)

Buchanan et al. assert that our recent fish ingestion risk assessment for a section of the Lower Passaic River (LPR) (Urban et al., 2009) utilizes inappropriate ingestion rates and is inconsistent with state and USEPA guidelines and risk assessment procedures, and therefore underestimates the human health risks associated with angler exposure along this stretch of the river. However, they fail to support these assertions with evidence; indeed, in a recent response to similar allegations, we demonstrated that the utilized ingestion rates are, in fact, the most appropriate for this parameter (Urban et al., 2010). Our reliance on data from a comprehensive, independently validated, peer-reviewed, and site-specific creel angler survey (CAS) in order to define fish and crab ingestion rates for this region of the LPR is fully compliant with USEPA guidelines. In fact, the crab ingestion survey and risk assessment cited by Buchanan et al. as evidence of crabbing activity and crab ingestion for this region was less comprehensive than the CAS in question, was not overseen by an independent panel, has yet to be peer-reviewed, and does not provide any activity or consumption data for this section of the LPR. Contrary to the implications of Buchanan et al., our effort provides a transparent, comprehensive, and scientifically legitimate human health risk assessment of fish ingestion for the lowest 6 miles of the LPR. Thus we adamantly disagree with the characterization and assertions put forth by Buchanan et al., and stand by the conclusions presented in Urban et al. (2009) and defended in Urban et al. (2010).     

饲料颜色对星斑川鲽幼鱼摄食影响的研究

将绿色、黄色、红色和原色4种颜色的相同营养成分与粒径的颗粒饲料投喂星斑川鲽幼鱼.研究饲料颜色对星斑川鲽幼鱼摄食的影响.结果表明:饲料颜色对星斑川鲽幼鱼摄食行为的影响不明显;星斑川鲽幼鱼撮食的每种颜色饲料的颗粒数目以及每种颜色饲料的重占其摄食饲料总重的比例,各组间差异均不显著(P>0.05).     

Chemical exposures from upholstered furniture with various flame retardant technologies

Upholstered furniture is often manufactured with polyurethane foam (PUF) containing flame retardants (FRs) to prevent the risk of a fire and/or to meet flammability regulations, however, exposure to certain FRs and other chemicals have been linked to adverse health effects. This study developed a new methodology for evaluating volatile organic compound (VOC) and FR exposures to users of upholstered furniture by simulating use of a chair in a controlled exposure chamber and assessing the health significance of measured chemical exposure. Chairs with different fire-resistant technologies were evaluated for VOC and FR exposures via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact exposure routes. Data show that VOC exposure levels are lower than threshold levels defined by the US and global indoor air criteria. Brominated FRs were not detected from the studied chairs. The organophosphate FRs added to PUF were released into the surrounding air (0.4 ng/m³) and as dust (16 ng/m²). Exposure modeling showed that adults are exposed to FRs released from upholstered furniture mostly by dermal contact and children are exposed via dermal and ingestion exposure. Children are most susceptible to FR exposure/dose (2 times higher average daily dose than adults) due to their frequent hand to mouth contact.     

Transformation of Nanomaterials and Its Implications in Gut Nanotoxicology

Ingestion of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is inevitable due to their widespread utilization in the agrifood industry. Safety evaluation has become pivotal to identify the consequences on human health of exposure to these ingested ENMs. Much of the current understanding of nanotoxicology in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is derived from studies utilizing pristine ENMs. In reality, agrifood ENMs interact with their microenvironment, and undergo multiple physicochemical transformations, such as aggregation/agglomeration, dissolution, speciation change, and surface characteristics alteration, across their life cycle from synthesis to consumption. This work sieves out the implications of ENM transformations on their behavior, stability, and reactivity in food and product matrices and through the GIT, in relation to measured toxicological profiles. In particular, a strong emphasis is given to understand the mechanisms through which these transformations can affect ENM induced gut nanotoxicity.     

压力室结构对断油阶段空化及气体倒流的影响

断油阶段的空化现象对喷油间隔期的流场有重要影响,空化引起的高温燃气倒流会造成孔内结焦,进而影响缸内射流雾化.基于可视化试验和流体体积(VOF)方法两相三组分多相流求解器,对柴油喷嘴断油阶段的流动过程进行试验和模拟,分析3种不同压力室壁面曲率结构的喷嘴对断油阶段空化及气体倒流的影响.结果表明:在断油阶段喷孔和压力室依次发生空化现象,其中压力室内空化量较大,并呈现为涡空化和带状空化两种形态,壁面曲率小的狭直结构以带状空化为主;压力室结构较为狭直的喷嘴空化体积变大,但其低压持续时间延长使柴油流出量变小,最终导致倒流气体量下降;在发生涡空化时,速度梯度张量第二不变量Q与涡空化体积呈正相关,涡核区域越小则流场中磨擦耗散越少,越易于压力室内空化的形成.     

核电厂正常运行放射性流出物对婴儿的食入剂量研究

由于有时核电厂址附近自然村婴儿膳食谱的缺乏,使评价核电厂放射性流出物对婴儿的辐射环境影响缺乏完整性。本文参考国际原子能机构(IAEA) 19号报告和国际放射防护委员会(ICRP) 95号报告计算婴儿食入母乳所受的辐射剂量,给出一套婴儿辅食合理的通用膳食谱。研究表明,参考IAEA 19号报告的方法将使评价结果偏小,失去保守性,参考ICRP 95号报告方法更为合理可行。     

TiO2 Nanoparticles and Commensal Bacteria Alter Mucus Layer Thickness and Composition in a Gastrointestinal Tract Model

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used in food packaging and processing and have become an integral part of many commonly ingested products. There are few studies that have focused on the interaction between ingested NPs, gut function, the mucus layer, and the gut microbiota. In this work, an in vitro model of gastrointestinal (GI) tract is used to determine whether, and how, the mucus layer is affected by the presence of Gram‐positive, commensal Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Gram‐negative, opportunistic Escherichia coli; and/or exposure to physiologically relevant doses of pristine or digested TiO₂ NPs. Caco‐2/HT29‐MTX‐E12 cell monolayers are exposed to physiological concentrations of bacteria (expressing fluorescent proteins) and/or TiO₂ nanoparticles for a period of 4 h. To determine mucus thickness and composition, cell monolayers are stained with alcian blue, periodic acid schiff, or an Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate of wheat germ agglutinin. It is found that the presence of both bacteria and nanoparticles alter the thickness and composition of the mucus layer. Changes in the distribution or pattern of mucins can be indicative of pathological conditions, and this model provides a platform for understanding how bacteria and/or NPs may interact with and alter the mucus layer.     

吸气现象与密封破坏现象对螺旋密封的影响

叙述了螺旋密封的性能特点,尤其对螺旋密封失效的主要因素吸气昨密封破坏现象进行了详细的探讨,随后考虑了螺旋密封的实际使用限,提出了扩大使用限的实用措施。