Investigation of the causes for the occurrence of residues of the anticoccidial feed additive nicarbazin in commercial poultry

Investigations were undertaken to identify causes for the occurrence of high levels of the zootechnical feed additive nicarbazin in broiler liver at slaughter. The first investigation on 32 commercial broiler flocks involved sampling and analysis for nicarbazin ( as dinitrocarbanilide, DNC) in liver from birds during a 3-10-day period after withdrawal of nicarbazin from their feed and before commercial slaughter. DNC residues in liver samples of broilers scheduled as being withdrawn from nicarbazin for >= 6 days ranged from 20 to > 1600 mu g kg(-1) ( the specified withdrawal period for nicarbazin is 5 days and the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)maximum residue limit (MRL) is 200 mu g kg(-1) liver). Further on-farm investigations on 12 of these flocks, selected on the basis of the feeding system in use and the levels of DNC residues determined in liver, identified issues in feed management contributing to elevated residues in broiler liver. A significant correlation (0.81, p

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Withdrawal of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Cystic Fibrosis

Rationale: Lung inflammation and injury is critical in cystic fibrosis. An ideal antiinflammatory agent has not been identified but inhaled corticosteroids are widely used despite lack of evidence.

Objectives: To test the safety of withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids with the hypothesis this would not be associated with an earlier onset of acute chest exacerbations.

Methods: Multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 18 pediatric and adult UK centers. Eligibility criteria included age > 6.0 yr, FEV1 ? 40% predicted, and corticosteroid use > 3 mo. During the 2-mo run-in period, all patients received fluticasone; they then took either fluticasone or placebo for 6 mo.

Measurements and Main Results: Fluticasone group: n = 84, median age 14.6 yr, mean (SD) FEV1 76% (18); placebo group: n = 87, median age 15.8 yr, mean (SD) FEV1 76% (18). There was no difference in time to first exacerbation (primary outcome) with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.07 (0.68 to 1.70) for fluticasone versus placebo. There was no effect of age, atopy, corticosteroid dose, FEV1, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa status. There was no change in lung function or differences in antibiotic or rescue bronchodilator use. Fewer patients in the fluticasone group withdrew from the study due to lung-related adverse events (9 vs. 15%); with a relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 0.59 (0.23–1.48) fluticasone versus placebo.

Conclusions: In this study population (applicable to 40% of patients with cystic fibrosis in the UK), it appears safe to consider stopping inhaled corticosteroids. Potential advantages will be to reduce the drug burden on patients, reduce adverse effects, and make financial savings.

Identification of an unknown b-agonist in feed by liquid chromatography/bioassay/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry with accurate mass measurement.

A new approach to the search for residues of unknown growth promoting agents such as anabolic steroids and -agonists in feed is presented. Following primary extraction and clean-up, samples are separated using gradient liquid chromatography (LC). The effluent is split towards two identical 96-well fraction collectors and an optional electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOFMS) system for accurate mass measurement. One 96-well plate is used for a bioassay (enzyme-immuno assay, receptor assay) and will detect the bioactivity and position of the relevant peak in the chromatogram. The positive well in the second 96-well plate is used for identification by LC/QTOFMS/MS. The value of this LC/bioassay/QTOFMS/MS methodology is highlighted by the finding and structure elucidation of a new -agonist in a feed extract.

Single feed low profile omnidirectional antenna with slant 45 degrees linear polarization

It is shown that a side-fed bifilar helix antenna with a single feed, can generate a slant 451 linearly polarized onmidirectional toroidal pattern. The antenna has a low profile and does not require a ground plane. The bifilar helix antenna provides slant 45 degrees polarization over a solid angle of almost 4 pi steradians as compared to a crossed dipole which generates a tilted 45 degrees linearly, polarized pattern only over a solid angle of 1.14 pi steradians. The computed results are validated by experimental data.

Analysis of the effect of finite d.c. blocking capacitance and finite d.c. feed inductance on the performance of inverse class-E amplifiers

The first analysis and synthesis equations for the newly introduced inverse Class-E amplifier when operated with a finite d.c. blocking capacitance and a finite d.c.-feed inductance are presented in the paper. Closed-form design equations are derived in order to establish the circuit component values required for optimum synthesis. Excellent agreement between numerical simulation results and theoretical prediction is obtained. It is shown that drain efficiency approaching 100 at a pre-specified output power level can be achieved as zero-current switching and zero-current derivative conditions are simultaneously satisfied. The proposed analysis offers the prospect for realistic MMIC implementation.

Deposition and depletion of five anticoccidials in eggs

Anticoccidials are compounds that are widely used as feed additives to prevent and treat coccidiosis. They are licensed for use in a prescribed concentration and during a certain time interval for broilers and pullets but not for laying hens. It was shown in the past that carry-over at the feeding mill is found to be the main reason for the presence of residues in eggs. An animal experiment was set up to investigate the effect of carry-over at the feeding mill on the presence of residues of anticoccidials in eggs. For the compounds diclazuril, robenidine, halofuginone and nicarbazin in combination with narasin, two concentration levels were tested: the maximum allowed concentration for broilers (100%) and a concentration corresponding to 5% carry-over during feed preparation. Also dimetridazole was included in the experiment but only at one concentration level. Eggs were sampled during treatment (14 days) and for a period of 30 days after withdrawal of the anticoccidial-containing feed. Residues were determined, and deposition and depletion curves were generated. Analyses were performed by ELISA and LC-MS/MS. For all compounds, substantial residues could be found in the 5% groups, which points out the risk of carry-over at the feeding mill. The distribution of the residues between egg yolk and white was determined by analyzing both fractions.