October 2009

28.10.2009: Refined edible fats used in products like margarine and in infant formula may pose a health risk [1]
In a statement the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) refined edible fats used in products like margarine and in infant formula, may pose a health risk. During the refining of vegetable oil, such as palm oil, the ester-bound glycidol is formed. . The BfR says that glycidol may be released during digestion. Glycidol is carcinogenic. The BfR adopts the hypothetical assumption that one kilogram of edible fat contains one milligram glycidol.

The Institute says that infants who are fed exclusively industrially prepared infant milk formula would take in harmful levels of glycidol. As there is no alternative to infant milk formula with refined fats for infants who are not exclusively breastfed, the manufacturers of these products must do everything they can to reduce the levels of glycidol fatty acid esters as far as possible.

The German association Stiftung Warentest analysed a vegetable fat creme which is labelled as a butter substitute. The association found palm oil glycidol-esters which may release the carcinogenic glycidol during digestion. [2]

[1] Initial evaluation of the assessment of levels of glycidol fatty acid esters de-tected in refined vegetable fats. BfR Opinion No. 007/2009, 10 March 2009
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/245/initial_evaluation_of_the_assessment_of_levels_of_glycidol_fatty_acid_esters.pdf

[2] Pflanzencreme Flair:Duerfte nicht verkauft werden. Stiftung Warentest. Test 8, 2009.
http://www.test.de/themen/essen-trinken/schnelltest/-Pflanzencreme-Flair/1794115/1794115/

27.10.2009: The H1N1 horror campaign by President Obama and the European Union delights pharma giants [1]
President Barack Obama has declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency. According to ABC television's "This Week" Sen. McConnell said that Congress would be willing to provide any additional resources needed on a bipartisan basis. A bipartisan cooperation in health affairs is a novelty in the Congress.

The EU-Heath Commissionaire Androulla Vassiliou in an article of the German Newspaper “Die Welt” says that it is possible that 30 percent of the European population may become infected with the influenza virus H1N1. She says that economy may then be hit hard because of sick. More to this, the commissionaire paints a a scenario where countries might dispute for vaccines, and how questionable will the reaction of the European Union be. [2]

Vaccinating against a ghost
These horror campaigns try to counter a unwillingness to get vaccinated. Only 12 percent of the German population are willing to get the vaccine. The swine flu has proved to be less annoying then the normal influenza which nobody fears. The horror campaign also says that worldwide 5 000 death were caused by swine flu. It does not mention that yearly 50 000 death are caused by the normal influenza which nobody fears. The swine flu is nothing to be scared of. Ideed, its is a wonderful business for the pharmaceutical giants, a good opportunity for the government to divert public attention from financial misery and for the public media which is keen to have good headlines.

Deadly virus LBv is not being cared about by authorities
Vaccination is needed against the Lehman Brothers virus (LBv) which is still spreading around from USA with all its might. It is harming the global economy. Some H1N1 coughing employees should not worry the EU commissionaire Vassiliou, it is the LBv virus which may bring the European economy to a standstill.

[1] Obama declares swine flu national emergency. Order could speed treatment in emergency rooms as epidemic spreads. Msnbc. October 25, 2009.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33459423/ns/health-cold_and_flu

[2] Warnung der EU: Jedem 3. Euroäer droht Schweinegrippe-Infektion. Die Welt Online 27.10.2009
http://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/schweinegrippe/article4988855/Jedem-3-Europaeer-droht-Schweinegrippe-Infektion.html

25.10.2009: The Spotted Wing Drosophila fruit fly emerging fruit pest [1]
According to Amy Dreves, Vaughn Walton of the Oregon State University, the Spotted Wing Drosophila fruit fly Drosophila suzukii produced heavy damage in Oregon fruits in late 2009. Drosophila suzukii harms ripening fruit, while other Drosophila species do not harm the crop, because they infest overripe and fallen fruit. The insect is associated with raspberries. blueberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, plums and grapes.

Losses of one third of the cherry crop, 80 percent of peaches and 20 percent os raspberries are being reported in California. Pears and wine grapes are targeted by D. suzukii.

The Spotted Wing Drosophila is a close relative of the vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster), feeding on overripe bananas. spoiled and rotting fruit. The spotted wing Drosophila fly, in contrast, infests fresh fruit. The wild Himalayan blackberries could offer a refuge for overwintering populations of flies.

The researchers recommend to immediately remove and dispose infested fruit. And monitor for the presence of adult flies before they lay eggs.
The D.suzukii male flies have a pale black spot at the leading edge of the wing. Infestation starts with a small puncture wound on hanging fruit, which softens starting at the puncture scar, with subsequent decay, and mall pale maggots in intact fruit on the plant. [2]

[1] A new pest attacking healthy ripening fruit in Oregon:
Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). Regional Pest Alert (Submitted as OSU Extension Publication) 09-09-09ajd.
http://www.nwsmallfruits.org/alerts/2009-09-09_Regional_Pest_Alert-Spotted_Wing_Drosophila.pdf

[2] Further details on identification.
http://cemariposa.ucdavis.edu/files/67726.pdf

23.10.2009: Biofuel may increase greenhouse gases as a result of a flaw of the climate accounting [1]
Searchinger and colleagues 2009 stress that the climate accounting treats all bioenergy as carbon neutral. This flaw was also included climate regulations 2003/87 of the EU [2] and the The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 [3]. The authors point to the fact that these regulations count biofuel as 100% reduction, and do not count CO2 emitted from tailpipes and smokestacks when bioenergy is being used, and also does not consider the CO2 emission from land use, burning of wood and energy crops. This flaw favours deforestation
The authors say that counting bioenergy from any biomass as carbon neutral, so as handled by the climate accounting, large-scale land conversion for bioenergy is favoured regardless of the actual net emissions. This will lead to further increase of greenhouse gases. The area covered by fuel crops will be higher that the area used for food crops by the end of this century, say the authors.

Increase of biofuel crop can only take place by deforestation, with the loss of tress which are important carbon sinks. On the other fuel crops may use the area of food crops, increasing the use of fertiliser ammonium nitrate which decomposes in the soil releasing nitrous oxide N2O which is a stronger greenhouse gas as CO2. To avoid such undesirable development, the authors suggest global rules to protect forests and to avoid overfertilisation. Should this not be introduced all over the globe the climate will breakdown, say the authors.

Biofuel will cause food and water scarcety [4]
Bio fuel, such as ethanol and biodiesel compete with food crops resulting in rising prices of food staples. Robert Service points to an additional problem of biofuel crops which may pinch water supplies and worsen water pollution. The already serious shortage of water will even be worsened by a wide shift from crude oil to biofuel.

[1] Searchinger, Thimothy D. et al: Climate Change: Fixing a Critical Climate Accounting Error. Science 23 October 2009: Vol. 326. no. 5952, pp. 527-528. Doi: 10.1126/science.1178797
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/326/5952/527

[2] European Commission, Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003, Official Journal of the European Union L 275, 25.10.2003
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:275:0032:0046:EN:PDF

[3] The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, H.R. 2454, 111th Cong., 1st Sess. (as passed by U.S. House of Representatives July 2009).
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2454pcs.txt.pdf

[4] Service, Robert F.: Green Energy: Another Biofuels Drawback: The Demand for. Irrigation. Science 23 October 2009: Vol. 326. no. 5952, pp. 516 – 517. Doi: 10.1126/science.326_516
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/sci;326/5952/516

22.10.2009: The German Environment Ministry warns of nanotechnology [1]
The German Ministry released a press statement on the 22.10.2009 calling on the population to avoid products containing nanotechnology. The statement cites a new report from Becker and Dubbert 2009 [2] which says that it is unknown how many products there are on the market that contain nano-particles. Consumers can't avoid them because the products are not labeled. Nanoparticles are increasingly entering into the environmental media, including the soil, water and air. The lungs are at highest risk because the particles can pass the cell walls and alter the DNA.

Lung injuries caused by Nanoparticles [3]
Chengyu Jiang, a molecular biologist at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, together with colleagues in 2009 reported concerns about the toxicity of nanomaterials. Studies found lung injuries caused by nanoparticle exposure. The authors looked at the toxicity of a class of nanomaterials Starburst ployamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAMs) widely used in clinical applications. The authors found that PAMAMs can cause acute lung injuries, triggering autophagic cell death by deregulating the Akt-TSC2-mTOR signaling pathway.
jiang looking for a protection of workers and consumers from toxic effects of nanoparticles, found that the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine reduced lung injury in mice. Our data provide a molecular explanation for nanoparticle-induced lung injury, and suggest potential remedies to address the growing concerns of nanotechnology safety.

Use of nanoparticles in medicine [4]
Liu, Zhang and Slutsky 2009 comment the article of Chengyu Jiang 2009 related to PAMAs. The authors write that the use of nanoparticles in medicine should not be discouraged by these risks , but these findings should be seen as a warning that care has to be taken.

Call for laws and policies o0n nanomaterials [5]
Buzea, Pachoco and Robbie 2007 calls on the awareness of the public, scientists and manufacturers, in relation to nanomaterials toxicity. The authors stress that nanoparticles from natural sources such as dust and particles of exhaust fumes were already present in the environment before industrial production increased the exposure. The authors cite the lung diseases associated with nanoparticles. Other diseases are included, such as Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s diseases, Crohn`s disease, colon cancer increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, and blood clots, arrhythmia, heart diseases, and cardiac death.

The authors call for laws and policies for safely manufacturing, industrial and commercial use, and recycling of nanomaterial.

Common nanoparticles cause DNA damage [6]
According to Sara Pacheco the aqueous colloidal silica and C60 fullerene, most common used nanoparticle, induces dose-dependent and time-dependent increases in DNA damage. This may increase the risk of cancer. The researchers are clearing whether the nanoparticles are entering the cell and causing DNA damage directly or if they are acting on the membrane and inducing a cascade of events resulting in DNA damage.
The authors stress that nanoparticles are widely used such as in food, cosmetics, paintings. They are so tiny that it is impossible to remove them from the environment using conventional filtering techniques.

Nanoparticles are toxic to adult insects of Drosophila melanogaster [7]
Food containing high amounts of fullerene C60, carbon black, or single-walled or multiwalled nanotubes had no detectable effect on egg and larval survival of Drosophila melanogaster. However, these nanocarbons adhered extensively to fly surfaces impairing locomotor function and died. Different nanomaterial superstructure, or aggregation state may cause that some types of nanoparticles may be transported by insects.

Nano silver particles kills beneficial bacteria in wastewater treatment [8]
Zhiqiang Hu and colleagues 2008 of the University of Missouri are concerned with the increasing use of silver nanoparticles in consumer products- The researchers fear that this material, which is extremely toxic, will be released into sewage lines, wastewater treatment facilities, and, eventually, to rivers, streams and lakes where it destroys benign species of bacteria such as those used for wastewater treatment.
According to the authors silver nanoparticles generate more highly reactive oxygen species, than do larger forms of silver, inhibiting bacterial growth. The sludge from wastewater treatment could be affected and soils could be harmed if they are fertilised with sludge high in silver particles.

More knowledge about genotoxicity of nanomaterials are needed [9]
Singh and colleagues 2009 write that nanomaterals, such as metal nanoparticles, metal-oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, fullerenes, and fibrous nanomaterials, damage or interact with DNA, such as chromosomal fragmentation, DNA strand breakages, point mutations, oxidative DNA adducts and alterations in gene expression profiles. However, the actual literature is inconclusive on physico-chemical features of nanomaterials that cause the genotoxicity. More studies in this fiel are recommended by the authors.

Preventive measures needed to protect workers and general population from nanomaterials [10]
Anduja and colleagues 2990 are concerned with the toxicity, long-term side effects, and the biodegradability of nanomaterials. They highlight the nanoparticles penetration in lung, the deposition, translocation and elimination. Also of concern are the effects on the lungs caused by metallic nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles in particular, and carbon nanotubes.

According to the authors nanoparticles generate oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic effects and the possible development of fibrosis and pulmonary emphysema or DNA damage. The authors stress the need of preventive measures in the workplace and/or in the general population to avoid the risks imposed by nanomaterials.

Risk and safety decision framework needed for nanomaterial industry [11]
Helland and colleagues 2008 assessed the voluntary industrial risk assessment initiatives related to engineered nanomaterial surveying 40 companies working with nanomaterials in Germany and Switzerland. In this survey 65% did not perform any risk assessment, and 32,5% performed risk assessments sometimes or always. Use and disposal and unintentional release of nanomaterials were not controlled. The authors call for risk and safety decision frameworks for the industry engaged in nanotechnology .

[1] Health Risk Debate Is Nanotechnology Dangerous? Spiegel Online 22.10.2009
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,656482,00.html

[2] Becker, Heidi; Dubbert, Wolfgang; Schwirn, Kathrin; Völker, Doris:Nanotechnik für Mensch und Umwelt. Chancen fördern und Risiken Mindern. Umweltbundesamt, Oktober 2009.
http://www.umweltdaten.de/publikationen/fpdf-l/3765.pdf

[3] Li C, Liu H, Sun Y, Wang H, Guo F, Rao S, Deng J, Zhang Y, Miao Y, Guo C, Meng J, Chen X, Li L, Li D, Xu H, Wang H, Li B, Jiang C: PAMAM nanoparticles promote acute lung injury by inducing autophagic cell death through the Akt-TSC2-mTOR signalling pathway. J Mol Cell Biol. 2009 Oct;1(1):37-45. Epub 2009 Jun 10. Doi: 10.1093/jmcb/mjp002
http://jmcb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/1/1/37

[4] M. Liu, H. Zhang, and A. S. Slutsky: Acute Lung Injury: A Yellow Card for Engineered Nanoparticles? J Mol Cell Biol, October 1, 2009; 1(1): 6 - 7.
http://jmcb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/1/1/6

[5] Cristina Buzea, Ivan I. Pacheco, Kevin Robbie: Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Sources and toxicity. Published in Biointerphases Vol. 2, issue 4 (2007) pages MR17 – MR71.
http://arxiv.org/abs/0801.3280

[6] Nanoparticles can damage DNA, increase cancer risk . April 17, 2007 Nanowerk.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1789.php

[7] Liu X, Vinson D, Abt D, Hurt RH, Rand DM: Differential toxicity of carbon nanomaterials in Drosophila: larval dietary uptake is benign, but adult exposure causes locomotor impairment and mortality. Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Aug 15;43(16):6357-63.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19746737

[8] Too Much Technology May Be Killing Beneficial Bacteria. Missouri University engineer concerned about environmental impact of silver nanoparticles in wastewater treatment
http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2008/0429-hu-silver-nanoparticles.php

[9] Singh N, Manshian B, Jenkins GJ, Griffiths SM, Williams PM, Maffeis TG, Wright CJ, Doak SH: NanoGenotoxicology: the DNA damaging potential of engineered nanomaterials.
Biomaterials. 2009 Aug;30(23-24):3891-914. Epub 2009 May 8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19427031

[10] Andujar P, Lanone S, Brochard P, Boczkowski J: Respiratory effects of manufactured nanoparticles. Rev Mal Respir. 2009 Jun;26(6):625-37.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19623107

[11] Helland A, Scheringer M, Siegrist M, Kastenholz HG, Wiek A, Scholz RW: Risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials: a survey of industrial approaches. Environ Sci Technol. 2008 Jan 15;42(2):640-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18284176

21.10.2009: Federal Judges allow deforestation and cattle breeding in Amazonian nature reserve [1]
The Federal judges José Airton Portela e Francisco Garcês Castro Júnior, of the Santarém Court ruled that cattle breeders may continue to use illegal the region of the National Forest of Jamanxim, The department IBAMA, which protects the rainforest region, had ordered them to leave the region. The cattle breeder, launched a complaint against IBAMA referring to the principles of free initiative. They won the case and may continue to breed cattle, paying no fees and no taxes. Jamaxim, is a region of the Pará state. It has the highest deforestation rate of the Amazon region.
The Environment Minister Carlos Minc hopes to get the question settled wit a higher adjudgement.

[1] Juiz autoriza criação de gado dentro de reserva no Pará. 21.10.2009
http://tinyurl.com/yl7ppjm

20.10.2009: Researche and education centre, a dream comes true [1]
In three years the dream of King Abdullah came true to diversify the Saudi economy, moving it from an oil-based to a knowledge inspired economy. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is now perhaps the most-watched and most important higher education place anywhere in the world. It is believed that $20 billion were invested, making the scientific outfit of its laboratories one of the most advanced places.

Some highlights are one of the most powerful super computer in the world. The nanotechnology research is supported by ten advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers and facilities for scanning, transmission, confocal, and Raman microscopy, magnetic and thermal measurements. Oceanographic studies will be performed by the Coastal and Marine Resources Lab.

Biosciences and bioengineering include genomic and proteomic labs essential to the study of cellular molecules for DNA sequencing and genetic analysis, as well as the investigation of cellular processes. The genomics facility is equipped with robots and laboratory automation. [2]

[1] Mervis, Jeffrey: The big gamble in the Saudi desert, Science 16 October 2009: Vol. 326. no. 5951, pp. 354 – 357. Doi: 10.1126/science.326_354
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/326/5951/354

[2] King Addullah University of Science and Technology. Research.
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/research/research.html

19.10.2009: The money makers of the avian and swine flu hysteria [1]
The big deal is already going on for a long time. It is dominated by international pharmaceutical giants. Interests of American politicians are behind the selling power which made the German to buy 60 million vaccines for 600 million Euro, vaccines which German physicians advice not to use.

The multinational pharmaceutical giant Roche sold several millions packages of Tamiflu at a price of $ 50.00 each for Asian countries. The German government bought 14 Million of packages as a precaution for a pandemic which Roche and Relenza.

The US company Gilead Sciences is the holder of the Tamiflu patent and the highest shareholder is Donald Rumsfeld, responsible for the unfortunate Irak war under Gerorge W. Bush. [2]

Back to history
The Mexican paper “La Jornada” says that the strange professional “jumps” from the Pentagon to pharmaceutical companies is linked to animal influenza ranging back to 29 years ago when a serviceman died of swine flue in New Jersey in 1976. Following express demand of Rumsfeld, who was then the youngest secretary of defence of the US history, President Ford urged the production and distribution of vaccines. Unfortunately some of the charges were contaminated causing the death of 52 persons and sickened 500. Immediate stop of the vaccination was ordered and no more swine flu death were reported.

Will history be revived with the same actors on charge, managing swine flu 1976, avian flu 2003, and back again to swine flu in 2009? It seems that the German government got ripped of by these corporations.

Germany builds on second-class vaccination [3]
According to Spiegel Online There is a controversy centered on the an additive included in the vaccine manufactured by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. The additive an increase the risk of side effects from the flu vaccine such as fevers and headaches.
An Interior Ministry spokesman told SPIEGEL that a vaccine without the harmful additive has been ordered from Baxter for Chancellor Merkel, all ministries and other agencies as well as for the employees of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the authority responsible for approving vaccines. The Glaxo vaccine with the questionable additive and named “Pandemrix” will be given to the population.

The Virologist Alexander Kekulé Hall of the University Hospital called it a scandal that different vaccines are used for government and for the population.

One Billion Euro are spent which are needed elswhere [4]
According to Matthias Gruhl, who oversees health policy in Bremen nobody wants to be accused of doing nothing, but costs are higher than billion Euro, which could be spent elsewhere in the health-care system.

Panic and profit: According to Spiegel Online Swiss banking giant UBS estimates that the sale of an extra set of vaccines will bump Novartis' revenues by €1.1 billion and GSK's by €1.5 billion. The cost of the vaccine in Switzerland will be €16 and in Germany €28/ person.

[1] Bajo la Lupa: Alfredo Jalife-Rahme: Rumsfeld, atrapado en el negocio de la gripe aviar! La Jornada. 2 de noviembre de 2005.
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/11/02/022o1pol.php

[2] Gilead Sciences: Donald H. Rumsfeld Named Chairman of Gilead Sciences. Foster City, CA -- January 3, 1997.
http://www.gilead.com/pr_933190157

[3] Second-Class Medicine Germans Unhappy with Alternative Swine Flu Vaccine for Politicians. Spiegel Online. 19.10.2009
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,656028,00.html

[4] The Swine Flu Business. Should Germany Gamble Millions on More Vaccine? Spiegel Online 09.09.2009.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,647666,00.html

18.10.2009: Adhesion and internalization of pathogens in fresh produces reduce efficacy of sanitizers [1]
Lynch, Tauxe and Hedberg 2009 explain that widespread food borne outbreaks have their cause in the increasing consumption of fresh produce, changes in production and distribution. Adhesion of pathogens to surfaces and internalization of pathogens reduce the efficiency of conventional processing and chemical sanitizing methods. At the surface of fruits pathogens can build biofilms which protects them from sanitizers, or they invade the interior of the plants where they cannot be harmed.

To reduce these risks the authors suggest to improve the prevention of the contamination on the farm, during packing or processing. A terminal such as irradiation may improve safety of fresh produce. The authors call for more investigations on the causes of outbreaks to develop improved prevention strategies. Noah 2009, commenting this article stresses that the worldwide transport of fruits and vegetables may distribute pathogens over large areas. [2]

Irradiation of fruits and Vegetables [3]
Arvanitoyannis and colleagues 2009 emphasizes that central processing of fresh fruits and vegetables turns irradiation technology interesting. The authors stress that gamma irradiation restrain potato sprouting, kills pests in grain, extends shelf life of fruit and vegetable shelf life.

To avoid high irradiation doses the "hurdle technology" may be useful. This strategy applies more than one technology to improve quality and shelf life. Furthermore, various methods for detection of irradiated foods, such as EPR, TL and Comet assay are discusses.

The impact and effectiveness of irradiation dose on the shelf life and microflora and sensory and physical properties of fish, shellfish, molluscs, and crustaceans were assessed by Arvanitoyannis and colleagues. The authors looked also at the synergistic effect of irradiation in conjunction with other techniques such as salting, smoking, freezing, and vacuum packaging. Again, methods to detect irradiation of fish and seafood are assessed. [4]

Irradiated foods are free of risks, but consumer is still insecure [5]
No scientific study demonstrating that consumption of irradiated food might pose a risk to consumers were found by Rossi and colleagues 2009. All studies conclude that food irradiation at the appropriate dose required to reduce contamination is safe and does not affect its nutritional value, however the technology is not accepted by a broad part of the consumers.

In an effort to demonstrate the potential benefits, the authors compared food irradiation with the risk of infection with E. coli 0157: H7, and concluded that up to date no risk of irradiated foods are known, but death cases from bacterial pathogens are known.

Escherichia coli internalized on lettuce leaves [6]
Gomes and colleagues 2009 assessed the efficacy of irradiation of leaves of iceberg, Boston, green leaf, and red leaf lettuces contaminated with a cocktail mixture of two isolates of Escherichia coli, and subjected to a vacuum perfusion process locate the bacteria on crevices and into the stomata

Gamma irradiation was applied, using (Lanthanum-140, 0.16kGy/h) at 0.25-1.0-kGy (surface dose values), with increments of 0.25kGy at 15 degrees C. Calculated D(10)-values varied between 48 and 62% based on the dose distribution from the entrance dose. No significant difference was noted between the lettuce varieties. Irradiation up to 1.0-kGy resulted in 3-4-log reduction of internalized E. coli on the lettuce leaves.

The authors concluded that ionizing irradiation may be used to reduce the risk of food disease outbreaks by reducing internalized pathogens. The effect is dose-dependent,

Irradiation compared with chlorination for elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 [7]
Niemira 2008 comparing the effect of irradiation with that of chlorination found that pathogenic bacteria penetrate the leaf tissues and are protected against chlorination. In rhis study E. coli inoculated leaves of boston, green leaf, and red leaf lettuce were treated with a 3-min wash with sodium hypochlorite solution (0, 300, or 600 ppm) or various doses of ionizing radiation (0.25 to 1.5 kGy).

The reduction obtained with chlorine solutions was less than 1 log, while irradiation reduced pathogenic E. coli 5 logs on iceberg lettuce treated with 1.5 kGy. The variety of lettuce influences the specific results. The author concluded that irradiation is able to effectively reduce viable E. coli O157:H7 cells internalized in lettuce.

Irradiation of food, an emerging technology [8]
In a review in 1998 Farkas suggests the irradiation of food ranging from 2 to 7 kGy, depending on the variety of food, to eliminate potentially pathogenic. The author recommends irradiation of poultry and red meat, egg products, and fishery products, irradiation can be performed in frozen state. According to the author fumigation of herbs and enzyme preparations may be replaced irradiation using doses of 3-10 kGy. Radiation treatment at doses of 0.15-0.7 kGy are being suggested for the control of foodborn parasites. The author stresses that microorganisms surviving radiation treatment are more sensitive subsequent food processing treatments than not irradiated bacteria. The author concluded that irradiation of food is an emerging technology with increasing number of clearances on radiation decontaminated foods.

Improved safety and quality of poultry and other irradiated meat [9]
O'Bryan and colleagues 2009 emphasize that currently permitted levels of irradiation are insufficient to control pathogenic viruses, while gram-negative spoilage organisms are very sensitive to irradiation. The reduction of spoilage bacteria increased the shelf life and, on the other hand, did not provide a competitive growth advantage for other food pathogens, weakened by irradiation.

The authors stress that most of the antimicrobials and antioxidants produce an increased lethality of irradiation. Thus, the combinations of dosage, temperature, dietary and direct additives, storage temperature and packaging atmosphere can improve quality of meat.

Irradiation as food preservation method [10]
Andrews and colleagues 2008 stresses the use of irradiation in fruits and vegetables as an insect control as an alternative to less effective methods. For grains such as rice and wheat, irradiation has been used to control infestation by fumigation resistant insects. For spices irradiation doses of 10 kGy were recommended to extend shelf life. Safety of meat may be improve with irradiation, so as it is happening with seafood products such as shrimps for the Asian and European markets

Electron spin resonance (ESR) detection of irradiated food [11]
Electron spin resonance (ESR) may detect the radiation-induced radicals which persist, even after most of the radicals have decayed within days or weeks. Dodd 1995 calls it the most specific for the detection of irradiated food. Later, in 2008, Yu and Cheng provided a review of the use of this method used in nutraceutical and food research, microstructure change, phase transition and viscosity related properties during food formulation, processing, and storage. [12]

Electron paramagnetic resonance EPR method to detect irradiation of soybean [13]
The gamma radiation dose in the 0.25 to 1.0 kGy range irradiation is permitted to control insect infestation of food. Sanyal and Sharma 2009 developed an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum method. The authors detected cellulose and phenoxyl radicals in the skin part of irradiated soybean. The authors suggest that that progressive saturation and thermal characteristics of induced radicals may be used to distinguish low doses irradiated soybean from thermally treated one. This method is applicable also in case of long storage, say the authors.

Relaxation behaviour of the radicals may be used to detect irradiation of cashew nuts [14]
In 2008 Sanyal and Sajilata assessed the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of free radicals formed during irradiation and compared it with those caused by conventional thermal treatment of cashew nuts. These signals found at irradiated cashew nuts were related to cellulose and CO 2 (-) radicals. An increase of the intensity of the central line (g = 2.0045) was found to be similar to that of thermal treated cashew nuts. The authors report, however, that irradiation of cashew nuts could be demonstrated by measuring the different relaxation and thermal behaviours of the free radicals, compared with those of roasted cashew nuts.

[1] Lynch, M. F.; Tauxe, R. V.; Hedberg, C. W.: The growing burden of foodborne outbreaks due to contaminated fresh produce: risks and opportunities. Epidemiology and Infection, 2009; 137 (3): 307-315 Doi: 10.1017/S0950268808001969
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=3650384

[2] Noah, Norman: Food poisoning from raw fruit and vegetables. Epidemiology and Infection, 137 , pp 305-306. (2009). Doi:10.1017/S0950268808001957

[3] Arvanitoyannis IS, Stratakos ACh, Tsarouhas P: Irradiation applications in vegetables and fruits: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009 May;49(5):427-62.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19399670

[4] Arvanitoyannis IS, Stratakos A, Mente E: Impact of irradiation on fish and seafood shelf life: a comprehensive review of applications and irradiation detection. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Jan;49(1):68-112.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18949599

[5] Rossi L, Watson D, Escandarani S, Miranda A, Troncoso A: Radiation on the dining table. Rev Chilena Infectol. 2009 Aug;26(4):318-30. Epub 2009 Sep 23.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19802398

[6] Gomes C, Da Silva P, Moreira RG, Castell-Perez E, Ellis EA, Pendleton M: Understanding E. coli internalization in lettuce leaves for optimization of irradiation treatment. Int J Food Microbiol. 2009 Nov 15;135(3):238-47. Epub 2009 Aug 27.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19733930

[7] Niemira BA: Irradiation compared with chlorination for elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 internalized in lettuce leaves: influence of lettuce variety. J Food Sci. 2008 Jun;73(5):M208-13.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18577002

[8] Farkas J: Irradiation as a method for decontaminating food. A review. Int J Food Microbiol. 1998 Nov 10;44(3):189-204
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9851599

[9] O'Bryan CA, Crandall PG, Ricke SC, Olson DG : Impact of irradiation on the safety and quality of poultry and meat products: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008 May;48(5):442-57.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18464033

[10] Andrews LS, Ahmedna M, Grodner RM, Liuzzo JA, Murano PS, Murano EA, Rao RM, Shane S, Wilson PW: Food preservation using ionizing radiation. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 1998;154:1-53
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9414630

[11] Dodd NJ: Free radicals and food irradiation. Biochem Soc Symp. 1995;61:247-58.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8660399

[12] Yu LL, Cheng Z: Application of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry in nutraceutical and food research. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Jan;52(1):62-78.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18080243

[13] Sanyal B, Sharma A: A new electron paramagnetic resonance method to identify irradiated soybean. J Food Sci. 2009 Oct;74(8):N57-64.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19799676

[14] Sanyal B, Sajilata MG, Chatterjee S, Singhal RS, Variyar PS, Kamat MY, Sharma A: Identification of irradiated cashew nut by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Oct 8;56(19):8987-91. Epub 2008 Sep 4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18767862

17.10.2009: German physician association advises not to vaccinate against swine influenza [1]
According to Spiegel Chancelor Angela Merkel her ministers and the head of the Army will be vaccinate with a special vaccine Celvapan of the producer Baxter which is free of undesirable side effects. Christoph Hübner, spoksman of the ministry of internal affairs confirmed that 200 thousand Celvapan vaccine were bought for a special group of persons.

The vaccine for the German population is the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) contains boosters which permits the vaccine to be produced with low levels of the atenuated virus. From the GSK vaccine 50 million units were bought on the advice of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute. These boosters intensifie the reaction of the immune system and are used to compensate to low dosage of the vaccine. However, the boosters, which are called “adjuvants”, may produce side effects such as headaches, fiber and other serious inconveniences. The booster is based on mercury which should definitly kept away from pregnant women and children. Mercury is a poisonous metal which accumulate in the body during lifetime.

The chairman of the drug kommission of the German physicians Wolf-Dieter Ludwig calls the situation a scandal which will be hard to be explained to the population. He said his organisation is distressed about this vaccination campaign because of various problems and uncertain benefits, and health authorities felt into a trap of the farmaceutical companies which were looking for profits.

According to the article in Spiegel Online th general practitioners and paediatricians insurge against the swine flu vaccine. Michael Kochen, president of the German Society of General Practitioners and Family Medicine advices family physicians not to vaccinate, because risks prevail the benefits. Wolgang Hartman says that children aged three years and less may overreact to the adjuvants.

[1] Spiegel Online: Schutz vor Schweinegrippe
Kanzlerin und Minister sollen speziellen Impfstoff erhalten. 17.10.2009
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/medizin/0,1518,druck-655764,00.html
15.10.2009: Reduced bone mineral density of vegetarians and and vegans are of no concern

15.10.2009: Reduced bone mineral density of vegetarians and and vegans are of no concern  [1]
A systematic electronic literature search was conducted by Ho-Pham to verify the association between vegetarian diets and bone mineral density. The authors found that bone mineral density was approximately 4% lower in vegetarians than in omnivores , and 6% lower in lumbar spine in vegans, whereas only 2% in lactoovovegetarians. The results suggest that vegetarian diets, particularly vegan diets, are associated with lower BMD, however it is not significant.

Higher plasma homocysteine indicator of osteosporosis related to vegetarian diet {2}
Krivosíkova and colleagues 2009 wrote that vegetarian diet is deficient in vitamin B group, leading too hyperhomocysteinemia which,on its turn, is linked to increased bone turnover markers and increased fracture risk. The authors stresses that hyperhomocysteinemia, vitamin B(12) and folate deficiency are risk factors for micronutrient deficiency-related osteoporosis.
According to the authors homocysteine levels dependent on age as well as on nutritional habits, and can be regarded is one of the predictors of bone mineral density, homocysteine levels are. According to the data of the study elderly women on a vegetarian diet are at higher risk of osteoporosis development than nonvegetarian women.

Body fat was inversely correlated with the duration of vegetarianism found a Korean study [3]
Lee and Krawinkel 2009 described the body composition and nutrient intake of Buddhist vegetarians nuns compared with omnivores Catholic nuns in South Korea. The found no height difference between both dietary groups, however, the vegetarians had a significantly higher body weight, fat free mass, body fat and body mass index than the omnivores. The authors stress that in vegetarians, body fat was inversely correlated with the duration of vegetarianism.

Vegetarians are more exposed to pesticides than omnivores [4]
Van Audenhaege and colleagues 2009 compare the pesticide residue dietary intake of the French general population and the vegetarian population. The authors found that the vegetarians are exposed to pesticides found in fruit, vegetables and cereals, such as tri-allate, chlorpyrifos-methyl and diazinon. Except for organochlorine compounds, the vegetarian population may be more exposed to pesticide residues than the general population due to specific dietary habits. Thus, this population should be considered for risk assessment of pesticide residues.

Vegetarian diet change gut microflora, disease risks are unknown. [5]
Liszt and colleagues report that vegetarian diet changed the faecal microflora in quantity and quality regarding Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium and Clostridium cluster IV. Both bacteria Faecalibacterium sp. and a strain similar to gut bacterium DQ793301were more frequent in omnivores than vegetarians. Vegetarian diet reduced the amount and diversity of Clostridium cluster IV.
The authors concluded that vegetarian diet changes the gut microbiota specifically in relation to Clostridium cluster IV, and the effects of these shifts are unknown.

Variety of foods should be monitored in vegetarian diet for children [6]
In children vegetarian diets may bear risks with regard to growth, such as anaemia. Malnutrition risks even increase with vegan diets. Hackett and colleagues 1998 found that lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is closer to recommendations and children on this diets grow similar to omnivores. The authors call on the industry to produce vegetarian convenience foods closer to recommendations. Recommendations are to avoid excessive reliance on convenience foods, lack of variety and lack of exercise.

Plant based diets develop high risk of mineral deficiencies, specially zinc deficiency [7]
Tupe and Chiplonkar 2009 report that Indian schollgirls had inadequate intakes of energy, protein, and micronutrients including zinc compared with the recommended dietary intakes of India. The authors developed new cereal-based recipes of which 200g could fulfil 75% of the daily zinc requirement of adolescents and increase the intake of other micronutrient. They call on zinc-rich recipes with high bioavailability to counter zinc deficiency in adolescents.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause irreversible neurological damage [8]
Hartmann and colleagues 2009 point to the fact that even persons with normal vitamin B12 concentrations may present signs of deficiency. The authors recommend to measure methyl malonic acid (MMA ) in urine of risk group for deficiency which include pregnant, breast feeding women and infants. The authors stress that prenatal and postnatal vitamin B12 deficiency can cause severe irreversible neurological damage, and report of such cases caused by unidentified pernicious anemia and by vegan diet of the mothers. The researchers emphasize to measure MMA in the urine of all pregnant women to detect vitamin B12 deficiency.

[1] Ho-Pham LT, Nguyen ND, Nguyen TV: Effect of vegetarian diets on bone mineral density: a Bayesian meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Oct;90(4):943-50. Epub 2009 Jul 1.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19571226

{2} Krivosikova Z, Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M, Spustova V, Stefíkova K, Valachovicova M, Blazicek P, Nemcova T: The association between high plasma homocysteine levels and lower bone mineral density in Slovak women: the impact of vegetarian diet. Eur J Nutr. 2009 Oct 7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19809862

[3] Lee Y, Krawinkel M.: Body composition and nutrient intake of Buddhist vegetarians. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2009;18(2):265-71.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19713187

[4] Van Audenhaege M, Heraud F, Menard C, Bouyrie J, Morois S, Calamassi-Tran G, Lesterle S, Volatier JL, Leblanc JC.: Impact of food consumption habits on the pesticide dietary intake: Comparison between a French vegetarian and the general population. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2009 Oct;26(10):1372-88.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19707917

[5] Liszt K, Zwielehner J, Handschur M, Hippe B, Thaler R, Haslberger AG.: Characterization of Bacteria, Clostridia and Bacteroides in Faeces of Vegetarians Using qPCR and PCR-DGGE Fingerprinting. Ann Nutr Metab. 2009 Jul 27;54(4):253-257
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19641302

[6] Hackett A, Nathan I, Burgess L: Is a vegetarian diet adequate for children. Nutr Health. 1998;12(3):189-95.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9670174

[7] Tupe R, Chiplonkar SA.: Diet patterns of lactovegetarian adolescent girls: Need for devising recipes with high zinc bioavailability. Nutrition. 2009 Jul 21
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19628369

[8] Hartmann, Hans; Das, Anibh Martin; Lücke, Thomas: Correspondence (letter to the editor): Risk Group includes infants. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2009 April; 106(17): 290-291. Published online 2009 April 24. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0291
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2689578

14.10.2009 Cellphone and brain cancer [1]
Morgan and Philips 2009 report that regular use of cell phones can result in a "significant" risk for brain tumors. But previous studies have been inconsistent.

The report presents useful advices to reduce the cancer risk: Wired headset (not a wireless headset such as a Bluetooth), using speaker-phone mode, or sending text messages; keeping the phone away from the body when not in use; avoiding use in a moving car, train, or bus, or in rural areas at some distance from a cell tower. Keep the cell phone turned off until you need to use it.

The authors also recommend using a corded land-line phone whenever possible, instead of a wireless phone, and to avoid cell phones when inside buildings, particularly with steel structures. Since children face a greater health risk, they should not be allowed to sleep with a cell phone under their pillows or at the bedside. Ideally, those younger than 18 years should not use a cell phone at all, except for emergencies. Most of all, the cell phone industry must react to this report and develop advices which do not pose health risks.

[1] Morgan, L. Lloyd; Philips, Graham: Cellphones and Brain Tumors. 15 Reasons for Concern. Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone. August 25, 2009
http://www.radiationresearch.org/pdfs/reasons_us.pdf

13.10.2009: Phytate and phytic acid reduce the bioavailiability of micronutrients [1]
Rasmussen and colleagues 2008 describe phytate, phytic acid, phytase and its application in food and feed. The authors stress that phytic acid is the primary storage compound of phosphorus in seeds. Phytic acid strongly binds to metallic cations of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn and Zn making them insoluble and thus unavailable as nutritional factors. This may be involved in worldwide nutrient deficiency of iron, zinc, and vitamin A.

Phytate is predominantly located in the aleurone layer (wheat, barley and rice) or in the embryo (maize). Phytic acid can be digested only by ruminants, because ot the microbes of their digestive system.

In developing countries plant foods are the major staples of the diet and the bioavailability of several micronutrients can be quite low. The authors stress that improving the nutritional value of this type of foods would improve the nutritional status of the entire population.

The first commercially available phytase was from Aspergillus niger , but now several phytases are on the market, from e.g., Peniophora lycii, Escherichia coli and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Microbial phytases are better suited for industrial processes, because they have higher pH and thermal stability compared to plant phytases.

Production of phytase in transgenic plants using the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter resulted in enzymes similar to fungal phytase. Aspergillus fumigatus enzyme is also promising because it withstand the pelleting temperatures.

Phytase as feed additive and food products
Adding phytase in feed increases mineral, phosphorous and energy uptake in pig and broiler chicken. The use of phytase in breadmaking, in tofu and other soy-bean products is in discussion.
Phytase of Aspergillus niger is of interest because it could work under acidic conditions of the stomach. Rasmussen and colleagues say, however, that exogenous phytase is only required for breadmaking when whole grains are used.

Bifidobacterium strains may improve wholegrain bread [2]
The consumption of wholegrain bread or fibre-enriched bread is increasing on regard of the benefits of a high-fibre diet, however, wholegrain foods are also seen to impair mineral absorption.

Monika Haros and colleagues 2009 used strains of bifidobacteria, such as B. infantis ATCC 15697 and B. pseudocatenulatum ATCC 27919 obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), to reduce phytate and phytic acid levels in bread, because commercial phytases, used as feed additives, are not meant for human consumption.

Fermentation of the wholegrain bread with the Bifidobacterium strains reduced significantly phytic acid levels of myo-inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6) but did not remove the myo-inositol triphosphates (InsP3) which is beneficial to health.

The authors conclude that the use of bifidobacterium in wholegrain bread leavening may reduce the content of anti-nutrient compound phytate, resulting in a better absorption of minerals by the human gut.

Bifidobacterium promising probiotic to improve mineral absorption [3]
Probiotics are live organisms which present health benefits mainly in the gastrointestinal tract.
Haros and colleagues 2009 suggest the use of the probiotic Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum to degrade phytate of wholegrain and fibre rich foods. The human strain, described by the authors, presented tolerance to bile as well as a selective adhesion capacity to human intestinal, similar to commercial probiotic B. lactis. The authors describe the degradation pathway of the myo-inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6) phytate by the B. pseudocatenulatum enzymes, and stress their probiotic contribution to the improvement of mineral absorption.

Various Bifidobacterium reducing the antinutritional properties of phytate [4]
Haro and colleaguies 2005 describe various Bifidobacterium spp. The authors wrote that B. globosum and B. pseudocatenulatum were optimally active at neutral-alkaline pH and B. adolescentis, B. angulatum and B. longum at acid pH. B. pseudocatenulatum showed the highest levels of phytase activity which dephosphorylate phytic acid (myo-inositol hexaphosphate, IP(6)) and generate several myo-inositol phosphate intermediates (IP(3)-IP(5)).

Fungal phytase as breadmaking improver [5]
Fungal phytase were used in the fermentation stage of the breadmaking of whole wheat bread by Haros and colleagues 2001.The possible use of phytase as a breadmaking improver has been tested in whole wheat breads by adding different amounts of fungal phytase. A considerable improvement of the bread characteristics were obtained.

Phytase addition activated the alpha-amylase, due to the release of calcium ions from calcium-phytate complexes. The authors concluded that the use of phytase in breadmaking improves the nutritional value of the bread and presents the advantages of activating endogenous alpha-amylase.

[1] Bohn L, Meyer AS, Rasmussen SK: Phytate: impact on environment and human nutrition. A challenge for molecular breeding. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2008 Mar;9(3):165-91.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=18357620

[2] Sanz-Penella, JM; Tamayo-Ramos, JA; Sanz, Y; Haros, M: Phytate Reduction in Bran-Enriched Bread by Phytase-Producing Bifidobacteria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Published online ahead of print, ASAP Article, doi: 10.1021/jf9023678
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf9023678

[3] Haros M, Carlsson NG, Almgren A, Larsson-Alminger M, Sandberg AS, Andlid T: Phytate degradation by human gut isolated Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum ATCC27919 and its probiotic potential. Int J Food Microbiol. 2009 Sep 30;135(1):7-14.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19674804

[4] Haros M, Bielecka M, Sanz Y: Phytase activity as a novel metabolic feature in Bifidobacterium.
FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2005 Jun 15;247(2):231-9
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15935567

[5] Haros M, Rosell CM, Benedito C: Use of fungal phytase to improve breadmaking performance of whole wheat bread. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Nov;49(11):5450-4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11714342

12.10.2009: Recombinant lactic acid bacteria protects against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis [1]
Daniel and colleagues 2009 report an immune response triggered by a recombinant Lactococcus lactis strain. It protected mice against both oral and systemic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections. The authors wrote that the Lactococcus strain secrets the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis low-calcium response V (LcrV) antigen which protects against the infection. The authors stress that recombinant lactic acid bacteria may provide an anti-Yersinia vaccination strategy.

[1] Daniel C, Sebbane F, Poiret S, Goudercourt D, Dewulf J, Mullet C, Simonet M, Pot B: Protection against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection conferred by a Lactococcus lactis mucosal delivery vector secreting LcrV. Vaccine. 2009 Feb 18;27(8):1141-4. Epub 2009 Jan 9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19135495

12.10.2009: Low plasma carotenoids are associated with all-cause mortality in elderly men 12.10.2009: Low plasma carotenoids are associated with all-cause mortality in elderly men [1]
Results of the Epidemiology of Vascular Ageing (EVA) study show that Low total plasma carotenoid level was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in men but not in women. Akbaraly, Favier and Berr 2008 explain that high intakes of fruits and vegetables were associated with lower mortality due to their carotenoids which have antioxidant properties. A low plasma carotenoid level was also associated with cancer in men. The authors suggest that total plasma carotenoid levels could be a health indicator in elderly populations.

[1] Akbaraly TN, Favier A, Berr C: Total plasma carotenoids and mortality in the elderly: results of the Epidemiology of Vascular Ageing (EVA) study. Br J Nutr. 2009 Jan;101(1):86-92. Epub 2008 May 29.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18507882

12.10.2009: Hydrogen from wastewater [1]
Bruce E. Logan of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment, in connection with the Napa Wine Company in Oakville developed a demonstration microbial electrolysis plant producing hydrogen from wastewater of the production of wine.

Microbial electrolysis cells consist of one carbon anode and one stainless steel cathode in his system instead of platinum or gold electrodes. This keeps the cost low. The organic material of the are converted by the bacteria into electrical current which hydrolyses water into oxygen at the carbon electrode and hydrogen on the stainless steel cathode.

The natural bacteria that work in the electrolysis cells can cope with wastewater composition such as high in sugar or shifting to remnants of the fermentation process.

Electromethanogenesis capturing CO2 as biofuel [2]
In their researches concerning the production of hydrogen Logan and colleagues 2009 found how to convert carbon dioxide in methan in a process called electromethanogenesis.
This research shows that methanogenic microorganisms produce methane in marshes and dumps not by utilising hydrogen or organic materials, such as acetate, but it is carbon dioxide and water which is converted to methane.

The researchers found that the Archaea may convert carbon dioxide and water to methane without any organic material, bacteria or hydrogen. The microorganism Archaeon, Methanobacterium palustre, can accept electrons directly, and use them to create methane in a two-chambered cell with an anode immersed in water on one side of the chamber and a cathode in water, inorganic nutrients and carbon dioxide on the other side of the chamber.

The authors stress that the system uses carbon dioxide as feed stock. Using solar energy or wind power to operate the system the produced methane would be carbon neutral. Methane is preferred over hydrogen because a large infrastructure of methane as fuel is already available.

[1] PSIEE: Renewable hydrogen production becomes reality at winery. September 29, 2009
http://www.environment.psu.edu/news/2009_news/sept_2009/logan_napa.asp

[2] Shaoan Cheng, Defeng Xing, Douglas F. Call and Bruce E. Logan. Direct Biological Conversion of Electrical Current into Methane by Electromethanogenesis. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2009, 43 (10), pp 3953–3958 Doi: 10.1021/es803531g
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es803531g

12.10.2009: Wastewater Produces Electricity and Desalinates Water [1]
Microbial fuel cells: These cells are being studied because they offer the advantage to clean waste water and deliver electricity which may be used for desalinarion. Logan, Kape and colleagues 2009 suggest the desalination of wastewater using a process which works without electrical energy input or high water pressure by adding a third central chamber between the positive and the negative cells using membranes as walls of a typical microbial fuel cell. The authors explain that a typical microbial fuel cell consists of one chamber filled with wastewater and the other with water, each containing an electrode. Bacteria in the wastewater produce electricity. The researcher added a third central chamber. The water to be desalinated is located in the central chamber.

When the bacteria in the cell consume the wastewater protons are released. At the other electrode of the water chamber protons are consumed. Chlorine negative ions move from the salty water into the wastewater chamber and sodium positive ions move to the opposite chamber, desalinating the water in the middle chamber. Decreased salinity of the central chamber decreases the conductivity, stopping desalination at 3.5 gram/litre in seawater and 0.5 g of salt per litre in brackish water.

[1] Wastewater Produces Electricity and Desalinates Water. August 6, 2009
http://www.psiee.psu.edu/news/2009_news/august_2009/logan_desalination.asp

10.10.2009: Probiotics found to be protective against cold and influenza [1]
Probiotic bacteria strains were tested by Leyer from Danisco and colleagues 2009 for prophylaxis against cold and influenza-like symptoms in healthy children aged 3 to 5 years. In this study randomly assigned groups received twice daily placebo, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, and L acidophilus NCFM in combination with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bi-07. The authors found that compared with the placebo group, the groups receiving single and combination probiotics had healthier outcomes.

The authors concluded that L acidophilus NCFM alone was effective. There was, however, a trend for a broader protective effect with the combination of L acidophilus NCFM and B lactis Bi-07. Daily dietary supplementation reduced fever, rhinorrhea and cough incidence, antibiotic prescription and number of missed school days .

[1] Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC: Probiotic Effects on Cold and Influenza-Like Symptom Incidence and Duration in Children. Pediatrics.2009; 124: 172-179.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19651563

10.10.2009: Nanotechnology to enhance cellulosic ethanol biofuel production [1]
Dr. James Palmer, of the Louisiana Tech University, developed a method to enclose enzymes used to convert cellulosic biomass (wood, grass, stalks, etc.) to sugars which may be converted to ethanol biofuel. The enzymes which break down cellulose are very expensive. Enclosing them in nanoconstructs makes them reusable for several times. The price of the process may thus be substantially reduced.

According to the authors cellulosic ethanol does not compete with food production and may decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 86 percent, while corn ethanol only reduce greenhouse gases only by 19 percent, compared with fossil fuels.

[1] Guerin, Dave: Tech researchers using nanotechnology in biofuel process to save money, environment. Louisiana Tech University. October 8, 2009.
http://www.latech.edu/news/10082009-biofuel.shtml

10.10.2009: Reprogramming skin cells may provide new therapies for liver disesase [1]
Ducan and colleagues 23009 report the reprogramming of mouse skin cells which resemble embryonic stem cell and develop to liver-like cells. These cells may perform liver functions and can be integrated in the liver tissue.

This could lead to the development of therapies which could replace liver transplantation in advanced liver diseases, and be useful in the treatment of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia.

The research was based on the work of James Thomson and colleagues which described the reprogramming of skin cells, similar to embryonic stem cells, the so called pluripotent stem cells which can develop to any of the body different tissue cells following processes through which liver cells or other body tissues are made during embryonic development. Thomson and colleagues 2009 describe the reprogramming of human differentiated human cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) using nonintegrating episomal vectors. After removal of the episome, iPS cells are derived that are similar to human embryonic stem (ES) cells. The authors stress that , using this method, the genomic integration or the continued presence of exogenous reprogramming factors are not needed, opening the way to reprogramming human somatic cells for clinical applications. [2]

The use of embrionic stem cells is limited by ethical considerations and by the fact that they do not have the same genetic make-up as the patient. These difficulties could be eliminated reprogramming skin cells of the patient to be treated.

Defining enhancers ruling cell-type-specific gene expression [3]
Heintzman and colleagues 2009 stress that pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cell identity is governed by a set of transcription factors Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog, and additional transcriptional modulators that bind to chromatin near sites occupied by Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. This combinatorial control of gene transcription is fundamental to ES cell state, according to the authors.
The variety of functions of the cell of different tissues depends on promoters, enhancers, insulators and other cis-regulatory DNA sequences for each gene. The authors studied their cell-type-specific gene expression role and found that the chromatin state at promoters and CTCF-binding at insulators is largely invariant across diverse cell types, but enhancers are marked with highly cell-type-specific histone modification patterns. The authors defined over 55,000 of such transcriptional enhancers in the human genome explaining their role in cell-type-specific gene expression.

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for cardiovascular therapy [4]
Zhang and colleagues 2009 studied the cardiac differentiation potential of human iPS cells generated using OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, and LIN28 transgenes compared to human embryonic stem (ES) cells using the embryoid body (EB) method. The authors found that iPS cells have a capacity like ES cells for differentiation into specific cardiac tissue. They concluded that human iPS cells can differentiate into functional cardiac cells and are a cell source for cardiac repair.

[1] Karim Si-Tayeb, Fallon K. Noto, Masato Nagaoka, Jixuan Li, Michele A. Battle, Christine Duris, Paula E. North, Stephen Dalton, Stephen A. Duncan. Highly efficient generation of human hepatocyte-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. Hepatology, 2009; NA DOI: 10.1002/hep.23354
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122613736/abstract

[2] Yu J, Hu K, Smuga-Otto K, Tian S, Stewart R, Slukvin II, Thomson JA: Human induced pluripotent stem cells free of vector and transgene sequences. Science. 2009 May 8;324(5928):797-801. Epub 2009 Mar 26.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19325077

[3] Heintzman ND, Hon GC, Hawkins RD, Kheradpour P, Stark A, Harp LF, Ye Z, Lee LK, Stuart RK, Ching CW, Ching KA, Antosiewicz-Bourget JE, Liu H, Zhang X, Green RD, Lobanenkov VV, Stewart R, Thomson JA, Crawford GE, Kellis M, Ren B: Histone modifications at human enhancers reflect global cell-type-specific gene expression. Nature. 2009 May 7;459(7243):108-12. Epub 2009 Mar 18.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19295514

[4] Zhang J, Wilson GF, Soerens AG, Koonce CH, Yu J, Palecek SP, Thomson JA, Kamp TJ: Functional cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Circ Res. 2009 Feb 27;104(4):e30-41. Epub 2009 Feb 12.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19213953

09.10.2009: Researchers warn from eating large quantities of certain fishes because of mercury [1]
Valera and colleagues 2009 report mercury levels to be more than 50 nmol/L in Nunavik Inuit men and women of northern Quebec, whereas levels in the general US population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study were found to be 4 nmol/L. The high fish and marine mammals in the traditional Inuit diet is the source of methylmercury in this population.

According to the authors every 1% increase in blood mercury levels was associated with a 0.02-mm-Hg increase in systolic BPX. An association with diastolic BP was also documented but was not significant. The authors tress the effect of omega-3s and selenium and the effects of mercury in blood pressure which should always be considered together.

The American Heart Association (AHA) warns from eating large quantities of species containing a high mercury content and low omega-3s such as big predator fish tuna, swordfish, marlin, sharks, may not beneficial to health. However, the AHA, still recommends people eat oily fish two times per week to achieve the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, including canned light tuna, which is significantly lower in mercury than white tuna. Children and nursing mothers should avoid high mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish). The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) stresses that the benefits of fish consumption outweigh the mercury risks in middle-aged and older men, plus postmenopausal women. [2]

[1] Valera B, Dewailly E, Poirier P. Environmental mercury exposure and blood pressure among Nunavik Inuit adults. Hypertension 2009; DOI:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.109.135046
http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/HYPERTENSIONAHA.109.135046v1

[2] American Heart Association: Mercury in fish seems to raise blood pressure in spite of nutrients Press release October 5, 2009.
http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=835

08.10.2009: Researcher recommend to be cautious in taking antioxidants [1]
Chronic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by mitochondria may contribute to the development of insulin resistance, a primary feature of type 2 diabetes. Rieusset and colleagues 2008 report that high-fat, high-sucrose diet resulted in mitochondrial defects, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in rats. The authors explained that alterations in mitochondrial function were the result, and not the cause, of insulin resistance in mice. Their data suggest that chronic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was the cause of the mitochondrial dysfunction, and antioxidants could avoid it. The authors concluded that treatment of diabetics with medications to block ROS production or its effects might may help conventional diabetes therapies. [2]

Dandona and colleaguies 2007 even state that caloric intake in the form of orange juice or fructose does not induce either oxidative or inflammatory stress, possibly due to antioxidant activity of flavonoids of the juice. [3]

However, Tiganis and colleagues 2009 say that physiological low levels of Chronic reactive oxygen species (ROS) may promote the insulin response and attenuate insulin resistance early in the progression of type 2 diabetes, prior to overt obesity and hyperglycemia.

The study lead by Tiganis found that mice lacking glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1),an enzyme which eliminates ROS were protected against diabetes. The administration of antioxidants started the type 2 diabetes in these rats.

Tiganis says that antioxidants have negative effect in early type 2 diabetes and the development of insulin resistance. The increase of ROS may, under certain conditions, be helpful to avoid diabetes. However, it is necessary to determine when the effect of ROS are beneficial or become harmful. The authors suggest not to take daily antioxidant vitamins when there are no special indications to do so, and recommend exercise as a sound source of ROS.

[1] Loh K, Deng H, Fukushima A, Cai X, Boivin B, Galic S, Bruce C, Shields BJ, Skiba B, Ooms LM, Stepto N, Wu B, Mitchell CA, Tonks NK, Watt MJ, Febbraio MA, Crack PJ, Andrikopoulos S, Tiganis : Reactive oxygen species enhance insulin sensitivity. Cell Metab. 2009 Oct;10(4):260-72.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19808019

[2] Bonnard, Charlotte; Durand, Annie; Peyrol, Simone;Chanseaume, Emilie; Chauvin, Marie-Agnes; Morio, Béatrice; Vidal, Hubert; Rieusset. Jennifer: Mitochondrial dysfunction results from oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle of diet-induced insulin-resistant mice. Volume 118, Issue 2 (February 1,2008). J. Clin. Invest. 118(2): 789-800 (2008). doi:10.1172/JCI32601.
http://www.jci.org/articles/view/32601

[3] Ghanim H, Mohanty P, Pathak R, Chaudhuri A, Sia CL, Dandona P: Orange juice or fructose intake does not induce oxidative and inflammatory response. Diabetes Care. 2007 Jun;30(6):1406-11. Epub 2007 Mar 23.
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/6/1406.long

07.10.2009: Halal food, the Muslim food is big business [1]
Germany fear the wrath of animal rights groups.
Almost 100 tons/week of halal salami and sausages are being produced by Meemken in Gehlenberg/Germany [2]. International food companies such as Nestle and Unilever entered this market years ago. German food producers and retailer are getting interested in this business which promises new ways to make money in face of the actual economic crysis. The industry is looking for the market of a purchasing power of EUR 20 billion per year of Turkish descent in Germany, and global sales of halal foods are expected to reach USD 641 billion and in the EU USD 67 billion in 2010.

In France, the Casino chain of supermarkets supplies halal meat products, Britain Tesco and Sainsbury's and the Netto chain sells halal products from Meemken.

Some German supermarkets hesitate to offer halal food because they fear to get into trouble with animal protection groups which do not agree with slaughter of animals which are not previously stunned. German poultry producer Wiesenhof has had its products certified as halal for year but is afraid to deter non-Muslim customers and does not label their product as halal.

Halal certification depends on the certifier some are more stringent that others, such as Mahmoud Tatari of Halal Control in Rüsselsheim/Germany. Halal Control certifies small businesses. The association says that industrially processed meat cannot be halal, because the livestock must not suffer stress or agony, which is not attainable in mass production. Mahmoud Tatari says that his standard is based on the four existing Sunni law schools, which comprises twelve professors of Islamic science. Halal Control gave eighty meat product on market which were labelled as halal to be analysed. Within this test 30 percent were found to be contaminated with DNA of swine. [3]

The giants Nestlé and Unilever are making good business. Nestlé already earns more from halal products than it does from organic food. The company also produces icecream cone chocolate vanilla, a difficult product because vanilla is considered haram as it is often extracted using alcohol. [4]
Industrial products range from cheese without animal enzymes to biscuits, herbs and coffee ant others. It is important that producers use detergents that contain no alcohol to clean theier production line.

[1] Spiegel Online: Halal is Big Business. Germany Waking up to Growing Market for Muslim Food. 10.06.2009
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,653585,00.html

[2] Meemken. Image Folder.
http://www.meemken.de/images/stories/Diesunddas/Meemken_Imagefolder-100dpi.pdf

[3] FAZ: Lebensmittelindustrie. Ist da auch garantiert kein Schwein drin? Iris Gutiérrez. 10.05.2009.
http://www.fazfinance.net/Aktuell/Ist-da-auch-garantiert-kein-Schwein-drin-9119.faz

[4] Nestlé Malaysia: Nestlé in your life: New Products
http://www.nestle.com.my/nestle+in+your+life/whats+new/

06.10.2009: CSPI calls for a legislation that reforms US food safety laws [1]
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice crean, tomatoes, sprouts and berries account for nearly 40 percent of all foodborne outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated food [2]. The CSPI calls on the United States Senate to pass legislation that reforms US food safety laws.

More than 1,500 separate, definable outbreaks were associated with the mentioned foods, causing nearly 50,000 reported illnesses, demonstrating the urgent need to act on this safety issue. The CSPI stresses that the FDA should stop to rely on industry self-regulation. The organization deplores that the most healthful foods top the list of the most risky.

To respond to these safety risks the Food Safety Enhancement Act [3] would give FDA authority to require food processors to design and implement such food safety plans, provide specific safety standards that growers would have to meet, and require FDA to visit high-risk facilities every 12 months or less, and most other facilities every 3-4 years.

[1] Leafy Greens, Eggs, & Tuna Top List of Riskiest FDA-Regulated Foods. CSPI Urges Senate to Pass Food Safety Modernization Act. October 6, 2009.
http://cspinet.org/new/200910061.html

[2] CSPI: The Ten Riskiest Foods Regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/cspi_top_10_fda.pdf

[3] A Bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve the safety
of food in the global market, and for other purposes.
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2749ih.txt.pdf

05.11.2009: Algal blooms at eutrophic estuarine and water sheds
Euglenophycin from microalgae is toxic to fish and presents anticancer properties [1]
In the summer of 2002 striped bass were killed by toxins of the freshwater microalgae Euglena sanguinea and Euglena granulata according to a report of Zimba and colleagues in 2004. [2]
Cyanoprokaryotic algae, diatoms, haptophytes, dinoflagellates, euglenoids, and rhaphidophytes are known to produce algal toxins. However, according to the authors, euglenophycin from Euglena sanguinea presents potentials to treat cancer. The authors seek patent protection on findings of the toxin. The toxic compounds is an alkaloid similar in structure to fire ant venom.

Dried Euglena viridis enhance the immune system of fish [3]
Das, Pradhan and Sahu in 2009 assessed the effect of dietary doses of Euglena viridis on the immune response and disease resistance of Labeo rohita fingerlings, a fish of the carp family found commonly in rivers and freshwater lakes in Asia.

The results demonstrate that fish fed with Euglena showed increased levels of superoxide anion production, lysozyme, serum bactericidal activity, serum protein and albumin compared with the control group. Following challenge with the bacterial pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila, less survivability was observed in the control group without supplementation with Euglena, compared with the group fed with 0.5 g Euglena viridis kg(-1) dry diet. The authors concluded that Euglena stimulates the immunity system of fish.

Paralytic shellfish toxins from cyanobacterial blooms in Brazilian water reservoir [4]
Clemente and colleagues 2009 studied the effect of cyanobacterial blooms -PST producers) at the Alagados Reservoir (Brazil), an important source for the supply of water and fishery. The authors monitored biomarkers in fisch and water, The authors found paralytic shellfish toxins 5.15, 43.84, and 50.78 ng equiv Saxitoxin/L concentrations in water in the spring, summer and autumn, respectively. Gonyautoxins (GTX) were found in water samples and fish muscle, and GTX 5 was the major analogous found in muscle. Alterations in the fish gills and liver were found in all samples, varying according to season. The authors stress that farming activities and to the contaminants bioavailability during the year may also be envolved.

Coral species are menaced by the black band disease [5]
Richardson and colleagues 2007 wrote that black band disease (BBD) is a disease of coral caused by cyanobacterias such as Geitlerinema and Leptolyngbya sp. It is a sulfide-rich microbial mat that moves across coral colonies lysing coral tissue. The pathogenicity is related to the production of sulfide, however, the cyanotoxin microcystin may also be envolved. The gene mcyA from the microcystin synthesis complex was detected in both species. Microcystin, however was not detected in samples of other regions. The authors propose a regional specificity for microcystin in the cause of black band disease.

Agrochemicals and fertilisers impacts on aquatic systems [6]
Hapeman and colleagues 2002 summarising the "Agrochemical and Nutrient Impacts on Estuaries" symposium of the American Chemical Society stresses that expanding urbanization and agricultural activity can result in increased particulate and chemical loads, such as nutrients and pesticide loads, resulting in decreased light penetration and degraded aquatic habitats. The authors urge to develop more effective agricultural and land management strategies and sound science-based regulations.

Non-point source pollution [7]
Non-point source pollution refers to diffuse contamination that does not originate from a single discrete source. Non-point source pollution is often accumulative effect of small amounts of contaminants from a large area.
Scott andf colleagues 1999 stressed that agricultural non-point source runoff may result in significant discharges of pesticides, suspended sediments, and fertilizers into estuarine habitats adjacent to agricultural areas or downstream from agricultural watersheds. The authors emphasise that integrated pest management (IPM), best management practices (BMP), and retention ponds (RP) as risk management to reduce the contaminant risk of agricultural runoff into estuarine ecosystems.

In sites not included in the agricultural management the authors found elevated levels of P-glycoprotein in gravid female grass shrimp populations. P-glycoprotein is a multidrug resistance protein, which may transport various pesticides across cellular membranes. The authors concluded that their data clearly support an integrated risk reduction strategy (BMP, IPM, and RP) to reduce agricultural pesticide runoff.

[1] Zimba PV, Moeller PD, Beauchesne K, Lane HE, Triemer RE. Toxicon. 2009 Jul 15: Identification of euglenophycin - A toxin found in certain euglenoids. Toxicon. 2009 Jul 15.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19615398

[2] Zimba, P. Zimba, P. V., Rowan, M. and Triemer, R.E. 2004. Identification of euglenoid algae that produce ichthyotoxin(s). J. Fish Diseases 27:115-117. Doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2761.2003.00512.x
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118768872/abstract

[3] Das BK, Pradhan J, Sahu S: The effect of Euglena viridis on immune response of rohu, Labeo rohita (Ham.). Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2009 Jun;26(6):871-6. Epub 2009 Apr 3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19345266

[4] Clemente Z, Busato RH, Oliveira Ribeiro CA, Cestari MM, Ramsdorf WA, Magalhães VF, Wosiack AC, Silva de Assis HC: Analyses of paralytic shellfish toxins and biomarkers in a Southern Brazilian reservoir. Toxicon. 2009 Sep 21. Doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.09.003
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19778550

[5] Richardson LL, Sekar R, Myers JL, Gantar M, Voss JD, Kaczmarsky L, Remily ER, Boyer GL, Zimba PV.: The presence of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin in black band disease of corals. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2007 Jul;272(2):182-7. Epub 2007 May 16.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17506829

[6] Hapeman CJ, Dionigi CP, Zimba PV, McConnell LL. Agrochemical and nutrient impacts on estuaries and other aquatic systems. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jul 17;50(15):4382-4. Review
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12105974

[7] Scott GI, Fulton MH, Moore DW, Wirth EF, Chandler GT, Key PB, Daugomah JW, Strozier ED, Devane J, Clark JR, Lewis MA, Finley DB, Ellenberg W, Karnaky KJ Jr: Assessment of risk reduction strategies for the management of agricultural nonpoint source pesticide runoff in estuarine ecosystems. Toxicol Ind Health. 1999 Jan-Mar;15(1-2):200-13.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10188203

04.10.2009: New process explain the causes of the variability of individual cells in cell cultures [1]
Pelkmans and colleagues 2990 studied the causes of the causes of single-cell heterogeneity in cell adherent populations. They found that the properties of a cell population determine the different cell activities observed in cells of the same type, explaining that the reasons behind the different reactions seen in cells of the same type are certain causes that lead to predictable distribution patterns.

The researchers developed a process aided by a image-based screening centre to observe the variability of individual cells in cell cultures, what they called as “heterogeneity signature”. The process and the special computer program allow automatic quantification and description of the phenotypes of the cells, showing how individual cell properties develop and affect each other. The authors found that cell properties were predetermined by characteristics of the population of the cell culture, such as the size of the population, the local cell density, the size of an individual cell, whether the cell is on the edge of the cell culture. Also the progression of the infection by three different viruses were analysed with this method.

The authors stress that their study may be important for the pharmaceutical industry studying effects of new substances, as many effects do not influence the cell, but act on the population as a whole, which then influences the individual cells.

[1] Snijder, Berend; Sacher, Raphael; Rämö, Pauli; Damm, Eva-Maria; Liberali, Prisca; Pelkmans, Lucas: Population context determines cell-to-cell variability in endocytosis and virus infection. Nature, 2009; Doi: 10.1038/nature08282
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7263/full/nature08282.html

03.10.2009: Young animals feel pain during castration [1]
Yearly 20 million young boars are castrated without anaesthesia in Germany, despite painless alternatives. To do so, farmers hold the animals at their hind legs and cut out both testicles without closing the wound which has to heal on its own. The bloody procedure aims to avoid the production of the hormone androstenone in boars giving the typical boars smell of the meat which resembles urine.

Several researchers try to determine how strong the pain is which the animals feel during the castration. The animal squeak continuously as soon they are captured. Analysing this squeaking showed that the animals, during the surgical procedure, emit longer cries which are of higher frequency than those before and after the castration.

The veterinarian Susanne Zöls from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich demonstrated that the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol rises significantly in the serum of the animals during castration and remains high for hours. Animal castrated under anaesthesia presented cortisol concentrations which were similar to those of animals which were only kept immobilized by their hind legs for some minutes.

Human medicine believed that newborns have not developed pain sensory structures, so pain feeling is less intense as adult people. Dr. Zöls transferred this perception to veterinary science. Meanwhile this perception is not valid any more. And the German animal welfare law limited the piglet age for the castration without anaesthesia to the first seven days of life.

Use of anaesthetics during castration [2]
The current German animal welfare law, had allowed male piglets be surgical castrated without anaesthesia up to four weeks of life. Since April 2006 piglets in Germany can only be castrated without anaesthesia in the first 7 days of life. This surgical procedure is painful during and also after the operation, for newborn animals as well as for adults.

Zöls and colleagues in a study of 2006 found that the use of Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, produced a significant relieve of pain during and after the castration, measured on the levels of the stress hormone Cortisol in the blood serum, compared with animals castrated without anaesthetics. However Zöls and colleagues in 2007 found that the use of local anaesthetics (Procaine Hydrochloride and Lidocaine Hydrochloride) used in castration of four to six day old male piglets is not justified as increase of the stress hormone cortisol was noted in animals which received the anaesthetics, compared with control groups without the medication. [3]

Zöls and colleagues also assessed the use of isoflurane-anesthesia together with Meloxicam during castration of piglets. Cortisol did rise significantly in castrated animals with or without isoflurane-anaesthesia, compared with untreated animals. However, a significant lower cortisol level after castration was attained with administrating Meloxicam prior to castration. The authors concluded that isoflurane-anaesthesia does not reduce pain after castration, only Meloxicam showed palliative effect after the castration. [4]

England: England avoids castration slaughtering boars before reaching puberty.
Norway: Castration without anaesthesia is not allowed in Norway since 2002 and a total prohibition of piglet castration was introduced in 2009.
Switzerland: Also in Switzerland no castration of piglets are allowed without anaesthesia, beginning in 2009.

Improvac: The immune sterility [5]
South Africa and New Zealand decided against surgical castration. They slaughter the animals before they become mature. Australia opted in 1998 for the immune castration using Improvac which must be injected two times. Improvac is a vaccine against the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), which is secreted by the hypothalamus and regulates the production of Androstenon in the testicles of the boar. The immune system of the boar, activated by Improvac, destroys the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormon and Androstenon cannot be produced.

Pfizer notes in its site that the practice of physical castration is not 100% effective in controlling boar taint: studies show that up to 3% of gilts and physical castrates can have detectable taint levels. Heavily soiled living conditions can promote high levels of the taint compound skatole in any pig, including gilts, young boars and castrates. The company also stresses that castrated pigs are less efficient than intact boars at converting feed into lean body. The use of Improvac is approved by the EU since May 2008.

The Danish agrarian organisation Landbrug & Fodevarer refuse the use of Improvac, alleging that customers from abroad did not accept the meat from imune sterilised boars. [6]

PIGCAS, a project to collect informations on pig castration in the EU. [7]
The overall objective of the project PIGCAS is to provide information on pig castration that will support EU policy. In general NGOs, and in a weaker way Government/Administration are against castration and in favour of natural state of the animals and veterinarians, producers (main stream) and slaughter plants in favour of castration.

The PIGCAS reports the opinion of the European countries in relation to castration: United Kingdom, Greece and The Netherlands are clearly against castration. Portugal, Ireland and Finland are moderately against castration. Spain, France, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Estonia, Eslovenia, Poland, Germany and Lithuania had an undecided position about castration. Finally Cyprus, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Belgium and Latvia are moderately in favour of castration.

PIGCAS concludes that the use of anaesthesia prior to castration is more accepted unanimously than castration without
anaesthesia. Stakeholders consider altogether that consumers, instead of producers should support extra cost entailed by anaesthesia.

The biologist Hanno Würbel, from the University of Giessen, Germany, says that unfortunately our animal welfare ethic is an utilitarian ethic, weighing between the sufferings of animals and the benefits for humans. He also points to the fact that the German animal welfare law also permits to trim the tail of animals, to grind down the teeth, to amputate one toe of chickens, castration of cattle,

Dehorning [8]
Stafford and Mellor 2005 write that dehorning and disbudding are painful procedures which trigger cortisol response to a rapid rise, declining to normal values after about 8 h. They are carried out on cattle to facilitate management. The authors conclude that cautery disbudding is preferable to amputation dehorning, but for optimal pain relief xylazine sedation, local anaesthesia and a NSAID should be used with both procedures.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) supports the combination of a local anesthetic and ketoprofen administered prior to scoop dehorning of 3-to 4-month-old calves. It virtually abolished the rise in plasma cortisol concentration routinely observed after dehorning. The association deplores that regulatory access and cost remain obstacles to practical application. The use of pharmaceuticals can burden producers in terms of both direct and indirect costs, such as time delays and a potential need for more veterinary assistance. [9]

[1] Hucklenbroich, Christina: Dr Schmerz der Schweine. Zeit Online. 19.08.2007
http://www.zeit.de/2007/34/N-Ferkelkastration

[2] Zöls S, Ritzmann M, Heinritzi K: Effect of analgesics on the castration of male piglets. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2006 May-Jun;119(5-6):193-6. German.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16729464

[3] Zankl A, Ritzmann M, Zöls S, Heinritzi K: The efficacy of local anaesthetics administered prior to castration of male suckling piglets. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2007 Nov;114(11):418-22. German.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18077932

[4] Schulz C, Ritzmann M, Palzer A, Heinritzi K, Zöls S: Effect of isoflurane inhalation anesthesia on postoperative pain due to castration of piglets. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2007 May-Jun;120(5-6):177-82. German.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17555035

[5] Improvac: A better way forward. Pfizer
http://www.improvac.com/sites/improvac/en-NZ/pages/betterwayforward.aspx

[6]Dänemark: Vorerst kein Improvac. TopAgrar.com. 12.08.2009.
http://www.topagrar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12822&Itemid=520]

[7] PIGCAS: Attitudes, practices and state of the art regarding piglet castration in Europe.
http://w3.rennes.inra.fr/pigcas/Public%20reports/D1%205%20Report%20Attitudes.pdf

[8] Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ: Dehorning and disbudding distress and its alleviation in calves.
Vet J. 2005 May;169(3):337-49.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15848777

[9] American Veterinary Medical Association: Backgrounder: Welfare implications of the dehorning and disbudding of cattle. October 2, 2007
http://www.avma.org/reference/backgrounders/dehorning_cattle_bgnd.asp