The safety evaluation of food flavoring substances: the role of genotoxicity studies

The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) Expert Panel relies on the weight of evidence from all available data in the safety evaluation of flavoring substances. This process includes data from genotoxicity studies designed to assess the potential of a chemical agent to react with DNA or otherwise cause changes to DNA, either in vitro or in vivo. The Panel has reviewed a large number of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies during the course of its ongoing safety evaluations of flavorings. The adherence of genotoxicity studies to standardized protocols and guidelines, the biological relevance of the results from those studies, and the human relevance of these studies are all important considerations in assessing whether the results raise specific concerns for genotoxic potential. The Panel evaluates genotoxicity studies not only for evidence of genotoxicity hazard, but also for the probability of risk to the consumer in the context of exposure from their use as flavoring substances. The majority of flavoring substances have given no indication of genotoxic potential in studies evaluated by the FEMA Expert Panel. Examples illustrating the assessment of genotoxicity data for flavoring substances and the consideration of the factors noted above are provided. The weight of evidence approach adopted by the FEMA Expert Panel leads to a rational assessment of risk associated with consumer intake of flavoring substances under the conditions of use

FEMA GRAS assessment of natural flavor complexes: Sage oil, Orris Root Extract and Tagetes Oil and related flavoring ingredients

In recent years, the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) has conducted a program to re-evaluate the safety of natural flavor complexes (NFCs) used as flavor ingredients. This publication, twelfth in the series, details the re-evaluation of NFCs whose constituent profiles are characterized by alicyclic or linear ketones. In its re-evaluation, the Expert Panel applies a scientific constituent-based procedure for the safety evaluation of NFCs in commerce using a congeneric group approach. Estimated intakes of each congeneric group of the NFC are evaluated using the well-established and conservative Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach. In addition, studies on the toxicity and genotoxicity of members of the congeneric groups and the NFCs under evaluation are reviewed. The scope of the safety evaluation of the NFCs contained herein does not include added use in dietary supplements or any products other than food. Thirteen (13) NFCs derived from the Boronia, Cinnamomum, Thuja, Ruta, Salvia, Tagetes, Hyssopus, Iris, Perilla and Artemisia genera are affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) under conditions of their intended use as flavor ingredients based on an evaluation of each NFC and the constituents and congeneric groups therein

Secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein by bovine mammary cells in vitro

Mammary cells were isolated from lactating cows at 1 to 6 weeks after calving and evaluated for their ability to secrete PTHrP in vitro. The tissue was enzymatically digested to release glandular acini. The digested acini were cultured on thin (1.0 mm) or thick (2.5 mm) layers of collagen. The cultures containing thick collagen were detached and allowed to contract on day 6. The culture medium consisted of M199 with prolation (8 µg/ml), insulin (5 µg/ml), cortisol (5 µg/ml), and fetal bovine serum (15%). PTHrP production was measured by N-terminal RIA and bioassay (stimulation of adenylate cyclase in the ROS 17/2.8 cell line). Medium was collected at 2-day intervals for 14 days. The cells reached confluence at 4–6 days. PTHrP production was low at day 2 (<0.5 ng/ml), but increased to peak production (2–4 ng/ml) at approximately day 6–8 of culture and remained constant until day 14. Immunoreactive and bioactive PTHrP levels in the culture medium correlated well. The cultures produced high levels of lactoferrin (500 to 3000 ng/ml) and low levels of α s1 -casein (14 to 77 ng/ml).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41592/1/774_2006_Article_BF02375695.pd

The transition into veterinary practice: Opinions of recent graduates and final year students

Background The transition from veterinary student to member of the veterinary profession is known to be challenging. This study aimed to determine and compare the opinions of final year veterinary students and recent graduates on graduate attributes that ease this transition. Methods The study was carried out across 3 veterinary schools in the United Kingdom. Paper based or electronic surveys were used. Final year students in the 3 schools were surveyed either electronically (school A) or on paper (schools B and C). Student cohort sizes were 112, 227 and 102 respectively. Recent graduates were contacted either at a reunion event (school A) or electronically from database records (school B and school C). Cohort sizes of contacted graduates were 80, 175 and 91 respectively. Respondents were asked to rate 42 individual attributes on a 5 point Likert scale. Focus groups with final year students and recent graduates and telephone interviews with recent graduates were carried out. Data were analysed by two researchers through a combination of manual coding and thematic analysis. Data were grouped into broad themes then sorted into narrower themes. Data were then searched for counter examples. Results Response rates for final year students were 34% (school A), 36% (school B) and 40% (school C). Response rates for recent graduates were 56% (school A), 20% (school B) and 11% (school C). There was a high level of agreement between the cohorts with respect to communication skills, problem solving and decision making skills, recognition of own limitations and the ability to cope with pressure all rated unanimously important or very important. Business acumen, knowledge of veterinary practice management and research skills were the 3 attributes ranked at the bottom of the list. Nine attributes were identified with a significantly different (p &#60; 0.05) ranking between the cohorts. Final year students ranked veterinary clinical knowledge, knowledge of veterinary public health and zoonotic issues, veterinary legislation and veterinary practice management, commitment to continuing professional development and ability to evaluate information higher than recent graduates. Recent graduates ranked the attributes of integrity, friendliness and compassion higher than final year students. Conclusions Recent graduates and final year students rate highly the attributes which help foster the client/veterinarian relationship. Recent graduates reflect that a focus on knowledge based attributes is less important once in practice when compared to final year. The study confirms the importance to recent graduates and final year students of attributes considered as non-technical in the transition to working in the veterinary profession

Cellular mechanisms of bone resorption in breast carcinoma

The cellular mechanisms that account for the increase in osteoclast numbers and bone resorption in skeletal breast cancer metastasis are unclear. Osteoclasts are marrow-derived cells which form by fusion of mononuclear phagocyte precursors that circulate in the monocyte fraction. In this study we have determined whether circulating osteoclast precursors are increased in number or have an increased sensitivity to humoral factors for osteoclastogenesis in breast cancer patients with skeletal metastases (± hypercalcaemia) compared to patients with primary breast cancer and age-matched normal controls. Monocytes were isolated and cocultured with UMR 106 osteoblastic cells in the presence of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] and human macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) on coverslips and dentine slices. Limiting dilution experiments showed that there was no increase in the number of circulating osteoclast precursors in breast cancer patients with skeletal metastases (± hypercalcaemia) compared to controls. Osteoclast precursors in these patients also did not exhibit increased sensitivity to 1,25(OH)2D3 or M-CSF in terms of osteoclast formation. The addition of parathyroid hormone-related protein and interleukin-6 did not increase osteoclast formation. The addition of the supernatant of cultured breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435), however, significantly increased monocyte-osteoclast formation in a dose-dependent fashion. These results indicate that the increase in osteoclast formation in breast cancer is not due to an increase in the number/nature of circulating osteoclast precursors. They also suggest that tumour cells promote osteoclast formation in the bone microenvironment by secreting soluble osteoclastogenic factor(s). © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

A challenging case of hypercalcaemia

Hypercalcaemia is not uncommon in clinical practice. The majority of cases are accounted for by hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. The patient discussed below presented with an unusual case of hypercalcaemia.http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_m_jemdsa.htmlam201