Survey of the anticoccidial feed additive nicarbazin (as dinitrocarbanilide residues) in poultry and eggs

A survey was carried out on the occurrence of dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the marker residue for nicarbazin, in poultry produced in Ireland during 2002-2004. Liver (n = 736) and breast muscle samples (n = 342) were tested. DNC residues were found in 40 and 26% of liver and breast muscle samples at levels greater than 12.5 and 5 mu g kg(-1), respectively. DNC residues were found at >200 mu g kg(-1) in 12 and 0% of liver and muscle samples, respectively. Samples of breast muscle (n = 217) imported from 11 countries were also tested for DNC residues. A lower incidence of DNC residues (6%) was found in imported breast muscle. Egg samples (n = 546) were tested and DNC residues were found in nine samples, with levels ranging between 14 and 122 mu g kg(-1). Analysis of poultry, carried out as part of official food inspection in the period 2004-2006, indicated a reduction in the number of broiler liver samples containing DNC at >200 mu g kg(-1), to approximately 7%. Low levels of DNC residues continue to be found in

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 DNC residues in liver samples of broilers scheduled as being withdrawn from nicarbazin for 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

PLASTID DNA RESTRICTION ANALYSIS LINKS THE HETEROMORPHIC PHASES OF AN APOMICTIC RED ALGAL LIFE-HISTORY

Gymnogongrus sp. (Phyllophoraceae) from Nova Scotia, Canada, identified tentatively as G. devoniensis (Greville) Schotter, grows in association with an Erythrodermis-like crust that forms chains of tetrasporangia or bisporangia. The crust resembles tetrasporophytic phases of other Gymnogongrus species, but in culture both it and the G. ?devoniensis gametophytes cycle independently by apomictic reproduction.

Selective hydrogenation of acetylene in ethylene rich feed streams at high pressure over ligand modified Pd/TiO2

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene from ethylene rich streams was conducted at high pressure and in the presence of CO over two 1 wt% loaded Pd/TiO2 catalysts with differing dispersions. Although, the more poorly dispersed sample did not result in high acetylene conversion only a small proportion of the total available ethylene was hydrogenated to ethane. The more highly dispersed sample was able to remove acetylene to a level below the detection limit but this was at the expense of significant proportion (ca. 30%) of the available ethylene. Modification of the catalysts by exposure to triphenyl phosphine or diphenyl sulfide and subsequent reduction at 393 K led to improved performance with increased conversion of acetylene and decreased propensity to hydrogenate ethylene resulting in an overall net gain in ethylene. The higher dispersed sample which had been ligand modified provided the best results overall and in particular for the diphenyl sulfide treated sample which was able to completely eliminate acetylene and still obtain a net gain in ethylene. The differences observed are thought to be due to the creation of appropriate active ensembles of Pd atoms which are able to accommodate acetylene but have limited ability to adsorb ethylene. Sub-surface hydrogen formation was suppressed, but not eliminated, by exposure to modifier.

Intra-uterine growth restriction and increased risk of hypertension in adult life: A follow-up study of 50-year-olds

OBJECTIVE:

To compare blood pressure between 50-year-old adults who were born at term (37-42 weeks of gestation) with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR; birth weight <10th centile) and a control group of similar age born at term without IUGR (birth weight =10th centile).

STUDY DESIGN:

Controlled comparative study.

METHODS:

Participants included 232 men and women who were born at the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, a large regional maternity hospital in Northern Ireland, between 1954 and 1956. One hundred and eight subjects who were born with IUGR were compared with 124 controls with normal birth weight for gestation. The main outcome measures were systolic and diastolic blood pressure at approximately 50 years of age, measured according to European recommendations.

RESULTS:

The IUGR group had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than the control group: 131.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 127.9-135.1] vs 127.1 (95% CI 124.3-129.2) mmHg and 82.3 (95% CI 79.6-85.0) vs 79.0 (95% CI 77.0-81.0) mmHg, respectively. After adjustment for gender, the differences between the groups were statistically significant: systolic blood pressure 4.5 (95% CI 0.3-8.7) mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 3.4 (95% CI 0.2-6.5) mmHg (both P < 0.05). More participants in the IUGR group were receiving treatment for high blood pressure compared with the control group [16 (15%) vs 11 (9%)], although this was not statistically significant. The proportion of subjects with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg or currently receiving antihypertensive treatment was 45% (n = 49) for the IUGR group, and 31% (n = 38) for the control group (odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3). Adjustment for potential confounders made little difference.

CONCLUSIONS:

IUGR is associated with higher blood pressure at 50 years of age. Individuals born with IUGR should have regular blood pressure screening and early treatment as required. Hypertension remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in adult life.