Biomarker responses in fish from Frierfjorden and Eidanger

Årsliste 2004There have been high inputs of dioxins and dibenzofurans into the Frierfjord. The aim of the project reported here was to clarify whether there were observable responses in fish collected from Frierfjord and the adjacent Eidangerfjord that could be associated with exposure to dioxins and dibenzofurans. Three species of fish, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), trout (Salmo trutta) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) were sampled during three field campaigns. Other results have shown that the two areas did not differ by more than a factor 2 to 3 in dioxin exposure. In both cod and trout, individuals from Frierfjord generally had higher activity and level of cytochrome P4501A than fish from Eidangerfjord, indicating that the 2-3 times higher dioxin exposure causes increased phase-I enzyme activity. Cod and flounder from both areas had much higher hepatic cytochrome P4501A activity than that seen in reference areas. Differences between the three species were apparent for both phase-II and antioxidant enzyme responses. It can be concluded that dioxin inputs in to the fjord does affect fish in the area and that the effects decreased with decreasing exposure.Norwegian Research Council Norsk Hydr

Invariant construction of solutions to Einstein's field equations - LRS perfect fluids II

The properties of LRS class II perfect fluid space-times are analyzed using the description of geometries in terms of the Riemann tensor and a finite number of its covariant derivatives. In this manner it is straightforward to obtain the plane and hyperbolic analogues to the spherical symmetric case. For spherically symmetric static models the set of equations is reduced to the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation only. Some new non-stationary and inhomogeneous solutions with shear, expansion, and acceleration of the fluid are presented. Among these are a class of temporally self-similar solutions with equation of state given by $p=(\gamma-1)\mu, 1<\gamma<2$, and a class of solutions characterized by $\sigma=-\Theta/6$. We give an example of geometry where the Riemann tensor and the Ricci rotation coefficients are not sufficient to give a complete description of the geometry. Using an extension of the method, we find the full metric in terms of curvature quantities.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figur

Growth and formation of annual zones in whole otoliths of Greenland halibut, a slow-growing deep-water fish

-There is currently no generally agreed and validated method for age estimation of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) from otoliths, and ageing of intermediate sized individuals of this deep-water flatfish is considered particularly uncertain. To estimate otolith growth and annual zone formation in this size range, a large oxytetracycline tagging experiment was undertaken in 2005–08 in the nursery grounds north of the Svalbard Archipelago. By January 2015, 89 of the recaptured fish had both been at large for between 1 and 6 years and had reliable length measurements at release and recapture; 29 of the recaptures were returned with whole otoliths and with a chemical time stamp that allowed identification of otolith growth patterns during time at large. Four age readers interpreted the otoliths without knowing the position of the time stamps. The expected number of zones during time at large was between three and six for 79% of recaptures, and the mean reader bias was only 0.04–0.56 years. Juvenile growth was quantified and the data were analysed in relation to sex and recapture area. This study contributes to a fully validated ageing method for use in stock assessments of this commercially important species

Enhanced recovery after surgery: are we ready, and can we afford not to implement these pathways for patients undergoing radical cystectomy?

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for radical cystectomy seems logical, but our study has shown a paucity in the level of clinical evidence. As part of the ERAS Society, we welcome global collaboration to collect evidence that will improve patient outcomes

Safety of β-hydroxybutyrate salts as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel&nbsp;on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) salts as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF consists of sodium, magnesium and calcium BHB salts, and is proposed to be used by adults as a food ingredient in a number of food categories and as food supplement. The data provided by the applicant about the identity, the production process and the compositional data of the NF over the course of the risk assessment period were overall considered unsatisfactory. The Panel&nbsp;noted inconsistencies in the reporting of the test item used in the subchronic toxicity study and human studies provided by the applicant. Owing to these deficiencies, the Panel&nbsp;cannot establish a safe intake level of the NF. The Panel&nbsp;concludes that the safety of the NF has not been established

Safety of cellobiose as a novel food pursuant to regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel&nbsp;on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on cellobiose as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF consists of two glucose monomers linked by a β-(1–4) glucosidic bond. The applicant intends to add the NF to a variety of foods, and to food supplements aimed at the general population 3 years and older. The information provided on the manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF is sufficient and does not raise safety concerns. The applicant provided a subchronic toxicological study which did not raise safety concerns. The applicant provided a human dose-escalation study from which the Panel&nbsp;concludes that the consumption of 20&nbsp;g per day of cellobiose (equivalent to 290&nbsp;mg/kg body weight (bw) per day in a 70-kg adult) does not raise concern regarding gastrointestinal tolerability. The maximum anticipated daily intake of cellobiose from the proposed uses is below 290&nbsp;mg/kg bw per day in the target population. Considering the nature, source, compositional characterisation, and production process of the NF, as well as the toxicological data provided, the Panel&nbsp;considers that the NF does not raise safety concerns under the proposed conditions of use

Safety of an aqueous ethanolic extract of Labisia pumila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel&nbsp;on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on aqueous extract of Labisia pumila as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a standardised hydroalcoholic extract from a dried whole plant (including roots) of L.&nbsp;pumila, mixed with maltodextrin (as a drying aid), and proposed by the applicant to be used as a food supplement in amounts up to 750&nbsp;mg/day. The target population is the general adult population, except pregnant and lactating women. The major constituents of this NF are carbohydrates (up to 85.5%), with a smaller amount of proteins (up to 6.5%), gallic acid (up to 3.7%) and fats (up to 1.6%). The Panel&nbsp;considers that taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The provided genotoxicity studies do not raise concerns about the genotoxicity of the NF. Based on the available toxicological data, the Panel&nbsp;considers an intake of up to 5&nbsp;mg/kg body weight per day as safe. For the target population, this level corresponds to 350&nbsp;mg/day, which is lower than the use level proposed by the applicant. The Panel&nbsp;concludes that the NF is safe for the target population up to 350&nbsp;mg/day

Extension of use of nicotinamide riboside chloride as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel&nbsp;on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of an extension of use of the novel food (NF) nicotinamide riboside chloride (NRC) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The assessment addresses the use of NRC in ‘meal replacement products’ and ‘nutritional drink mixes’ at levels up to 300 mg/day for the general population, and in food for special medical purposes (FSMP) and total diet replacement for weight control (TDRWC) (as per Regulation (EU) No 609/2013) at levels up to 500 mg/day in adults. Benchmark dose modelling was carried out on data from the 90-day oral toxicity studies in rats relevant to the safety assessment. Considering the lack of tolerable upper intake level (UL) for nicotinamide in infants and the narrow margin of exposure between the estimated intake in infants and the lower confidence bound of the benchmark doses (BMDL05) estimated by the models, the Panel concludes that the safety of the NF has not been established for use in ‘meal replacement products’ and ‘nutritional drink mixes’ under the proposed conditions of use. For FSMP and TDRWC, the proposed maximum use level corresponds to an intake of 210 mg nicotinamide per day, which is below the current UL for nicotinamide of 900 mg/day for adults. The Panel considers that the NF is as safe as pure nicotinamide for use in FSMP and TDRWC. The Panel, however, notes experimental data which indicate several pathways by which intakes of nicotinamide (or its precursors), at levels that are substantially higher than the physiological requirement, might cause adverse effects. The Panel considers that further investigations are required and that a re-evaluation of the UL for nicotinamide may be warranted

Microplastics; occurrence, levels and implications for environment and human health related to food. Scientific opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

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