Denton Wheat : A New Variety for North Texas.

20 p

Influence of solvent granularity on the effective interaction between charged colloidal suspensions

We study the effect of solvent granularity on the effective force between two charged colloidal particles by computer simulations of the primitive model of strongly asymmetric electrolytes with an explicitly added hard sphere solvent. Apart from molecular oscillating forces for nearly touching colloids which arise from solvent and counterion layering, the counterions are attracted towards the colloidal surfaces by solvent depletion providing a simple statistical description of hydration. This, in turn, has an important influence on the effective forces for larger distances which are considerably reduced as compared to the prediction based on the primitive model. When these forces are repulsive, the long-distance behaviour can be described by an effective Yukawa pair potential with a solvent-renormalized charge. As a function of colloidal volume fraction and added salt concentration, this solvent-renormalized charge behaves qualitatively similar to that obtained via the Poisson-Boltzmann cell model but there are quantitative differences. For divalent counterions and nano-sized colloids, on the other hand, the hydration may lead to overscreened colloids with mutual attraction while the primitive model yields repulsive forces. All these new effects can be accounted for through a solvent-averaged primitive model (SPM) which is obtained from the full model by integrating out the solvent degrees of freedom. The SPM was used to access larger colloidal particles without simulating the solvent explicitly.Comment: 14 pages, 16 craphic

Genome wide analysis of gene expression changes in skin from patients with type 2 diabetes

Non-healing chronic ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes and are a major healthcare problem. While a host of treatments have been explored to heal or prevent these ulcers from forming, these treatments have not been found to be consistently effective in clinical trials. An understanding of the changes in gene expression in the skin of diabetic patients may provide insight into the processes and mechanisms that precede the formation of non-healing ulcers. In this study, we investigated genome wide changes in gene expression in skin between patients with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic patients using next generation sequencing. We compared the gene expression in skin samples taken from 27 patients (13 with type 2 diabetes and 14 non-diabetic). This information may be useful in identifying the causal factors and potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of diabetic related diseases

The varied roles of nuclear receptors during vertebrate embryonic development

Nuclear receptors comprise a superfamily of sequence-specific transcription factors whose members have diverse roles during development. This review will summarize the developmental roles of selected members of the nuclear receptor superfamily

Tolerable upper intake level for dietary sugars

Following a request from five European Nordic countries, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was tasked to provide scientific advice on a tolerable upper intake level (UL) or a safe level of intake for dietary (total/added/free) sugars based on available data on chronic metabolic diseases, pregnancy-related endpoints and dental caries. Specific sugar types (fructose) and sources of sugars were also addressed. The intake of dietary sugars is a well-established hazard in relation to dental caries in humans. Based on a systematic review of the literature, prospective cohort studies do not support a positive relationship between the intake of dietary sugars, in isocaloric exchange with other macronutrients, and any of the chronic metabolic diseases or pregnancy-related endpoints assessed. Based on randomised control trials on surrogate disease endpoints, there is evidence for a positive and causal relationship between the intake of added/free sugars and risk of some chronic metabolic diseases: The level of certainty is moderate for obesity and dyslipidaemia (> 50–75% probability), low for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes (> 15–50% probability) and very low for hypertension (0–15% probability). Health effects of added vs. free sugars could not be compared. A level of sugars intake at which the risk of dental caries/chronic metabolic diseases is not increased could not be identified over the range of observed intakes, and thus, a UL or a safe level of intake could not be set. Based on available data and related uncertainties, the intake of added and free sugars should be as low as possible in the context of a nutritionally adequate diet. Decreasing the intake of added and free sugars would decrease the intake of total sugars to a similar extent. This opinion can assist EU Member States in setting national goals/recommendations

Dietary Reference Values for riboflavin

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panelon Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derives dietary reference values (DRVs) for riboflavin. The Panelconsiders that the inflection point in the urinary riboflavin excretion curve in relation to riboflavin intake reflects body saturation and can be used as a biomarker of adequate riboflavin status. The Panelalso considers that erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient is a useful biomarker, but has limitations. For adults, the Panelconsiders that average requirements (ARs) and population reference intakes (PRIs) can be determined from the weighted mean of riboflavin intake associated with the inflection point in the urinary riboflavin excretion curve reported in four intervention studies. PRIs are derived for adults and children assuming a coefficient of variation of 10%, in the absence of information on the variability in the requirement and to account for the potential effect of physical activity and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype. For adults, the AR and PRI are set at 1.3and 1.6mg/day. For infants aged 7-11months, an adequate intake of 0.4mg/day is set by upward extrapolation from the riboflavin intake of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-6months. For children, ARs are derived by downward extrapolation from the adult AR, applying allometric scaling and growth factors and considering differences in reference body weight. For children of both sexes aged 1-17years, ARs range between 0.5 and 1.4mg/day, and PRIs between 0.6 and 1.6mg/day. For pregnant or lactating women, additional requirements are considered, to account for fetal uptake and riboflavin accretion in the placenta during pregnancy or the losses through breast milk, and PRIs of 1.9 and 2.0mg/day, respectively, are derived

Safety of bovine milk osteopontin as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on bovine milk osteopontin (bmOPN) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF concerns OPN derived from bovine whey. The NF is intended to be used at a maximum use level of 151 mg/L, in infant formula (IF), follow-on formula (FoF) and ready-to-eat dairy-based meals for children up to 35 months of age. As compared to the concentrations naturally present in cow’s milk and concentrations found in IF on the market reported in the literature, the proposed use level of the NF represents an about 10-fold higher concentration of bmOPN. The intended use levels of the NF would provide bmOPN at a concentration within the range of human milk (hm) OPN. In a 6-month study, 14, 72 and 140 mg bmOPN/L in reconstituted (as consumed) IF were given to 279 infants in order to study possible effects on frequency and severity of adverse events, and growth, formula intake and stool consistency. Despite that a number of inconsistencies and limitations were noted in the study report, the Panel considers that the results obtained from this study do not raise safety concerns. Considering the source of the NF, that neither the toxicological studies nor the provided infant study do raise safety concerns, and the low bmOPN plasma levels in infants resulting from the consumption of the NF, the Panel considers that the margin of exposure (i.e. 36) between the NOAEL of the subchronic toxicity study (1,200 mg/kg bw per day) and the highest P95 estimate for infants (33.4 mg/kg bw per day) is sufficient. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use

Safety of Wolffia globosa powder as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on Wolffia globosa powder as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Wolffia globosa is an aquatic plant, one out of the 38 species of the water lentil family which is composed by five genera (i.e. Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella and Wolffia). The NF is produced by cultivation of Wolffia globosa plants under controlled conditions, washing with hot water and drying. The main constituents of the NF are protein, fibre and fat. The Panel notes that the concentration of trace elements and contaminants in the NF is highly dependent on the conditions of cultivation of the plant and the fertiliser composition. The NF is intended to be used as food ingredient in a variety of food categories and as food supplement. The target population is the general population except for food supplements which are intended to be consumed exclusively by adults. The Panel considers that with the exception of concerns related to the manganese intake, taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The subchronic toxicity study provided with the NF revealed a number of significant findings and the Panel considers the middle dose (6.5 g/kg body weight (bw) per day) as the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). Based on the protein concentration, the Panel considers that the consumption of the NF may trigger allergic reactions. The Panel concluded that an increase in manganese intake from the NF used as food ingredient or food supplements is of safety concern and the safety of the NF cannot be established

Safety of mung bean protein as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on mung bean protein as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF, which is the subject of the application, is mung bean protein extracted from seeds of the plant Vigna radiata. The NF is proposed to be used as a food ingredient added to ‘protein products, excluding products covered in category 1.8’. The target population is the general population. The maximum estimated intake of the NF is 758 and 260 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day in children and adults, respectively. The major constituents of this NF are protein (~85%), fat (3–4%) and moisture (3–5.5%). The NF is rich in protein which is well digestible and provides sufficient amounts of most essential amino acids but only limited amounts of sulfur-containing amino acids. The Panel notes that the cumulative exposure to the minerals analysed does not raise concern. The reported values for the levels of antinutritional factors in the NF are comparable to those in other foodstuffs. The Panel considers that taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. No toxicological studies with the NFs were provided by the applicant; however, the Panel considers that no toxicological studies are required on this NF. This NF has the potential capacity to sensitise individuals and to induce allergic reactions in individuals allergic to soybean, peanuts, lupin and to birch pollen. The Panel considers that the NF, i.e. mung bean protein, is safe at the proposed conditions of use

Safety of the extension of use of galacto-oligosaccharides as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the extension of use of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a syrup containing ≥ 57% w/w GOS (w/w dry matter), consisting of different galactosyl residues linked to a terminal glucose by a β-glycosidic bond and also containing lactose and the constituent monomers of lactose (galactose and glucose). The NF is already authorised and included in the Union list of NFs and is produced according to the same production process. This application is limited to an assessment of the extension of use as a food ingredient in dairy confectionary, cheese and processed cheese, butter and spreads. There is a 10–30% increase in total GOS intake from the requested extension of use compared to the currently authorised uses at the highest 95th percentile. It is noted that the total intake at the highest mean (8.7–22.0 g/day) is below the adequate intake (AI) of 25 g/day for dietary fibre set to ensure a normal laxation in adults, while the highest 95th percentile (27.2–41.6 g/day) is higher than the AI. When the maximum use as a food supplement is added to the highest 95th percentile combined intake from all proposed and authorised food categories a total intake up to 58 g GOS/day is estimated. This highest intake level would exceed the AI for dietary fibre; however, no tolerable upper intake level for dietary fibre has been set and only transient gastrointestinal symptoms may be related to high intake of fibre. The Panel concludes that the NF, that is composed of ≥ 57% GOS dry matter, lactose and related saccharides, is safe under the proposed extension of use