The Effect of Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain (NOD) Proteins on the Secretion of Cytokines from Macrophages

The study of Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain (NOD) Proteins is a very new area of immunology, with the gene for NOD2 having only been mapped in 2001 (Ogura et al 2001). It holds particular significance for those researching autoimmune disorders such as Blau syndrome and Crohns Disease (CD), as it has been found that a mutation in the NOD2 gene is present in a substantial proportion of CD sufferers, and having the mutation increases a person‟s susceptibility to developing the disease later in life (Economou et al 2004). This review will look at the current research surrounding the NOD proteins and what products they form, and how this can be used to further our knowledge of CD and how it can be managed. It will be specifically looking into the effects that NOD proteins in macrophages have on the secretion of various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and how these can be augmented by the interaction of NOD protein signalling pathways with those of other molecules in the cell

Zinc and calcium apparent absorption from an infant cereal: a stable isotope study in healthy infants

Fractional apparent absorption of Zn and Ca from a wheat-milk-based infant cereal was studied in six healthy infants (18-30 weeks old). Mineral absorption was measured by a stable-isotope technique based on faecal excretion of the isotopes. Each test meal (40 g cereal) was extrinsically labelled with 70Zn and 42Ca before intake. All faecal material passed during the 21 d following intake of the labelled test meal was collected on trace-element-free nappies. Individual stool samples were analysed for their content of ‘OZn and 42Ca by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Apparent absorption was calculated as intake minus total faecal excretion of the isotopes over 68-92 h after administration. The fractional apparent absorption values for Zn and Ca were 33.9 (SD 164) % (range 19.2-639 %) and 53.5 (SD 12.6) %) (range 36.7-71.7 %) respectively. Re-excretion of absorbed 70Zn (> 68-92 h to 21 d after intake of the labelled meal) was 044 (SD 038) %] of administered dose while only one infant re-excreted detectable amounts of 42Ca (1.74%) of administered dose). The analysis of individual stool samples confirmed that 72 h is a sufficient time period for complete collections of non-absorbed isotopes in faecal material from infants during the weaning period and that re-excretion of initially absorbed 70Zn and 42Ca (> 68-92 h to 21 d after intake of the labelled meal) is negligibl

Systematic review of fatty acid composition of human milk from mothers of preterm compared to full-term infants

Background: Fatty acid composition of human milk serves as guidance for the composition of infant formulae. The aim of the study was to systematically review data on the fatty acid composition of human milk of mothers of preterm compared to full-term infants. Methods: An electronic literature search was performed in English (Medline and Medscape) and German (SpringerLink) databases and via the Google utility. Fatty acid compositional data for preterm and fullterm human milk were converted to differences between means and 95% confidence intervals. Results: We identified five relevant studies publishing direct comparison of fatty acid composition of preterm versus full-term human milk. There were no significant differences between the values of the principal saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. In three independent studies covering three different time points of lactation, however, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) values were significantly higher in milk of mothers of preterm as compared to those of full-term infants, with an extent of difference considered nutritionally relevant. Conclusion: Higher DHA values in preterm than in full-term human milk underlines the importance of using own mother's milk for feeding preterm babies and raises the question whether DHA contents in preterm formulae should be higher than in formulae for full-term infants. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Safety in use of glucosylated steviol glycosides as a food additive in different food categories

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific opinion on the safety of glucosylated steviol glycosides proposed for use as a new food additive in different food categories. According to the applicant, glucosylated steviol glycosides preparations consist of not less than 95% (on anhydrous basis) total steviol glycosides, made up of glucosylated steviol glycosides of different molecular weights as well as any remaining steviol glycosides. The applicant proposed that glucosylated steviol glycosides and parent steviol glycosides undergo a common metabolic process in pathway following ingestion and suggested that data from steviol glycosides can be used for read‐across to glucosylated steviol glycosides. The limited evidence provided in the application dossier did not demonstrate the complete hydrolysis of the glucosylated steviol glycosides. No toxicological studies on glucosylated steviol glycoside preparations under evaluation have been provided for its assessment. The Panel concluded that the submitted data are insufficient to assess the safety of the glucosylated steviol glycoside preparations to be used as a new food additive

Scientific opinion on the evaluation of authorised ferric sodium EDTA as an ingredient in the context of Regulation (EC) 258/97 on novel foods and Regulation (EU) 609/2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and total diet replacement for weight control

The present opinion deals with the evaluation of the proposed increase of the currently authorised maximum amounts of ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a novel food ingredient used as a source of iron, and its extension of use in processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods. The applicant also provided information on two forms of ferric sodium EDTA, one previously assessed by EFSA and a new one of finer consistency. To support the proposed changes to the uses of ferric sodium EDTA, the applicant proposed a revision of the current acceptable daily intake (ADI) for EDTA, derived from that set for the food additive calcium disodium EDTA (E 385). The Panel confirmed that ferric sodium EDTA is a source from which iron is bioavailable. In assessing the safety of the proposed revision to the existing specifications for the novel food ingredient ferric sodium EDTA, the Panel noted that this would not discriminate between the previously evaluated substance and the one of finer consistency. In particular, the Panel noted that particle size was not one of the proposed parameters for the revised specifications. The Panel noted that it was not possible to determine whether particles of ferric sodium EDTA in the nano range were present in the product with finer consistency in the solid form. The toxicological data submitted did not add any new relevant information to the database on which the current ADI for EDTA is based. Consequently, the Panel concluded that there was no sound scientific justification to increase the ADI for EDTA and hence increase the use levels of ferric sodium EDTA or introduce additional uses as proposed by the applicant. The Panel recommended that additional toxicological data should be provided to address the shortcomings in the available toxicity database prior to the re‐evaluation of calcium disodium EDTA (E 385)

Designing new catalysts to control atmospheric emissions of volatile organic pollutants

The design of metal oxide and novel supported precious metal catalysts were investigated for the control of volatile organic pollutants, by method of total oxidation. CeO2 based metal oxide catalysts were prepared by a precipitation method to assess the influence of cerium precursor on resultant catalyst characteristics. The precipitate formation was related to varying physiochemical properties of the catalyst, which was then associated to the catalytic activity for the total oxidation of model VOCs. Catalytic activity for propane and naphthalene total oxidation was shown to improve when a CeO2.H2O precipitate was formed. The investigation of catalyst testing conditions was also carried out. Following this, the improvement of catalytic activity was investigated by producing mixed metal oxide catalysts containing CeO2. CeFeOx mixed metal oxide catalysts were prepared and the impact of cerium precursor, in addition to the ratio of the metals, was assessed for propane and naphthalene total oxidation. Concurrent trends were identified when using the different cerium precursors; however, the production of the mixed metal oxide system showed limited activity compared to the single metal oxide catalysts. The addition of dopants to a CeZrOx based catalyst was also investigated, to assess the impact on the total oxidation of propane and naphthalene VOCs. The addition of small quantities of transition metal dopants improved activity for both VOCs, with Fe and Cu dopants presenting the best activity. The preparation of precious metal catalysts, supported on a novel silica support were investigated for the simultaneous total oxidation of a VOC mixture, commonly used to simulate ‘cold start pollutants’ in engines. The increased concentration of Pt nanoparticles on the catalyst surface were correlated with enhanced oxidation for propene, toluene and CO pollutants

Re‐evaluation of sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids (E 470a) and magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470b) as food additives

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific opinion re‐evaluating the safety of sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids (E 470a) and magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470b) when used as food additives. In 1991, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) established a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) ‘not specified’ for the fatty acids (myristic‐, stearic‐, palmitic‐ and oleic acid) and their salts. The sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium salts of fatty acids are expected to dissociate in the gastrointestinal tract to fatty acid carboxylates and their corresponding cations. There were no data on subchronic toxicity, chronic toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity of the salts of fatty acids. There was no concern for mutagenicity of calcium caprylate, potassium oleate and magnesium stearate. From a carcinogenicity study with sodium oleate, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) could not be identified but the substance was considered not to present a carcinogenic potential. Palmitic‐ and stearic acid which are the main fatty acids in E 470a and E 470b were already considered of no safety concern in the re‐evaluation of the food additive E 570. The fatty acid moieties of E 470a and E 470b contributed maximally for 5% to the overall intake of saturated fatty acids from all dietary sources. Overall, the Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that the food additives sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470a and E 470b) were of no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels