Modification of the conditions of the authorisation of BioPlus® 2B (Bacillus licheniformis DSM 5749 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 5750) for turkeys for fattening

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the modification of the terms of the authorisation of BioPlus\uae 2B (Bacillus licheniformis DSM 5749 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 5750) in feeds for turkeys for fattening to allow the simultaneous use with a battery of permitted coccidiostats (diclazuril, halofuginone, monensin sodium, robenidine hydrochloride, maduramicin ammonium, lasalocid sodium) and with the preservative formic acid. The proposed modification in the conditions of the authorisation would not modify the conclusions previously drawn regarding the safety of the additive. The additive is safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. The additive should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser, but the Panel could not conclude on the irritancy of the additive to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation. Conclusions previously drawn by the FEEDAP Panel on the compatibility of the additive for chickens for fattening apply to the current application provided that the maximum authorised concentration of the coccidiostats semduramycin, maduramicin ammonium, lasalocid sodium and the preservative formic acid for turkeys for fattening (when maximum authorised concentrations exist), are equal or lower than those for chickens for fattening. Considering the data submitted, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that BioPlus\uae 2B (B. licheniformis DSM 5749 and B. subtilis DSM 5750) is compatible with diclazuril and monensin sodium. Based on the data provided, no conclusion can be drawn for robenidine hydrochloride. In the absence of data, no conclusion can be drawn for halofuginone

Safety and efficacy of Natuphos® E (6-phytase) as a feed additive for laying hens, minor poultry and other avian species for laying

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Natuphos\uae E (6-phytase) as a feed additive for laying hens, minor poultry and other avian species for laying. The additive Natuphos\uae E consists of 6-phytase (phytase; Enzyme Commission Number 3.1.3.26) and is intended to be used as a feed additive for laying hens, minor poultry and other avian species for laying as a zootechnical additive, functional group of digestibility enhancers. This additive was previously assessed by the FEEDAP Panel in 2017 for avian and porcine species. The production strain of the phytase present in the product is a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger. Based on the previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the genetic modification of the production strain does not give rise to safety concerns. The production strain and its DNA were not detected in the concentrate used to formulate the products. The FEEDAP Panel previously concluded that the additive was safe for the target species, consumers and the environment when used at 200 FTU/kg feed. The additive Natuphos\uae E is not considered to be toxic by inhalation or irritant for skin or eye; however, it should be regarded as a dermal sensitiser and a potential respiratory sensitiser. The additive has the potential to be efficacious in improving the performance and/or the phosphorus utilisation in laying hens at 200 FTU/kg feed; the conclusions drawn in laying hens can be extrapolated to all minor poultry and other avian species for laying

Assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of Bactocell ® (Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622) as a feed additive for all fish and shrimps and its extension of use for all crustaceans

Bactocell \uae is the trade name for a feed additive based on viable cells of a strain of Pediococcus acidilactici. Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on Bactocell \uae  in the context of the renewal of the authorisation for shrimps, salmonids and fish other than salmonids. In addition, the applicant requested the extension of use for all crustaceans. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that Bactocell \uae Aqua 10 Md/100 Md is safe under the current conditions of authorisation for the target species (all fish, shrimps and all crustaceans), consumers of products from animals fed the additive and the environment. Bactocell \uae Aqua 10 Md/100 Md is non-irritant to skin and eyes and is not a dermal sensitiser, but should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. Exposure of users by inhalation is very likely. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of Bactocell \uae in the context of the renewal of the authorisation. The Panel concludes that the additive at the minimum inclusion level of 1  7 10 9  CFU/kg feed has the potential to be efficacious in salmonids and in the new species proposed, i.e. all crustaceans

Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 as a zootechnical additive (gut flora stabiliser) for calves for rearing

Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 is a preparation of viable spores of a single strain of B. subtilis intended to be used as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabilizer) in feed for calves for rearing to increase growth. In 2018, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 as a feed additive for calves for rearing. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. In that opinion, the FEEDAP Panel was unable to conclude on the efficacy of the additive, under the condition of use as proposed by the applicant, due to insufficient data provided. In the current opinion, additional data to demonstrate the efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 were assessed. Based on one study of this application and two studies submitted in the previous application, the Panel concluded that Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 has the potential to be efficacious as gut flora stabiliser used in feed for calves for rearing at the proposed use level

Safety of erythrosine for ornamental fish

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of erythrosine for ornamental fish. Erythrosine is a sensory additive belonging to the functional group colourants. In 2015, the FEEDAP Panel calculated the safe concentration in complete feed of ornamental fish to be 59 mg/kg complete feed. Considering that erythrosine contains 56.5% iodine, the safe level in feed of ornamental fish was recalculated taking into account the currently authorised maximum content of total iodine in complete feed and resulted to be 35 mg erythrosine/kg complete feed. The applicant submitted a new tolerance study in rainbow trout to demonstrate the safety of erythrosine for ornamental fish at doses higher than 59 mg/kg complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel noted that the study shows several limitations: (i) blood biochemistry was not measured, although required according to the guidance on the assessment of the safety of feed additives for the target species (ii) a low number of replicates (3 per treatment) which does not permit to obtain a reliable estimate and may not be sufficient to evidence differences between the groups (with no indication on the a priori power of the study design), and (iii) the use level group was not included in the study design. Owing to these three limitations, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to change its previous conclusions that the safe level of erythrosine in ornamental fish is 59 mg/kg complete feed. This safe level is reduced to 35 mg erythrosine/kg complete feed, when considering the iodine content of erythrosine and the currently authorised maximum content of total iodine in complete feed for fish

Dancing in time: feasibility and acceptability of a contemporary dance programme to modify risk factors for falling in community dwelling older adults

Background: Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults, with the prevention of falls being a priority for public health departments around the world. This study investigated the feasibility, and impact of an 8 week contemporary dance programme on modifiable physical (physical activity status, mobility, sedentary behaviour patterns) and psychosocial (depressive state, fear of falling) risk factors for falls. Methods: An uncontrolled ‘pre-post’ intervention design was used. Three groups of older (60 yrs.+) adults were recruited from local community groups to participate in a 3 separate, 8 week dance programmes. Each programme comprised two, 90 min dance classes per week. Quantitative measures of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, depression, mobility and fear of falling were measured at baseline (T1) and after 8 weeks of dance (T2). Weekly attendance was noted, and post-study qualitative work was conducted with participants in 3 separate focus groups. A combined thematic analysis of these data was conducted. Results: Of the 38 (Mean Age = 77.3 ± 8.4 yrs., 37 females) who attended the dance sessions, 22 (21 females; 1 male; mean age = 74.8, ±8.44) consented to be part of the study. Mean attendance was 14.6 (±2.6) sessions, and mean adherence was 84.3% (±17). Significant increases in moderate and vigorous physical activity were noted, with a significant decrease in sitting time over the weekdays (p < 0.05). Statistically significant decreases in the mean Geriatric Depression Scale (p < 0.05) and fear of falling (p < 0.005) score were noted, and the time taken to complete the TUG test decreased significantly from 10.1 s to 7.7 s over the 8 weeks (p < 0.005). Themes from the focus groups included the dance programme as a means of being active, health Benefits, and dance-related barriers and facilitators. Conclusions: The recruitment of older adults, good adherence and favourability across all three sites indicate that a dance programme is feasible as an intervention, but this may be limited to females only. Contemporary dance has the potential to positively affect the physical activity, sitting behaviour, falls related efficacy, mobility and incidence of depression in older females which could reduce their incidence of falls. An adequately powered study with control groups are required to test this intervention further

Taking two to tango:fMRI analysis of improvised joint action with physical contact

<div><p>Many forms of joint action involve physical coupling between the participants, such as when moving a sofa together or dancing a tango. We report the results of a novel two-person functional MRI study in which trained couple dancers engaged in bimanual contact with an experimenter standing next to the bore of the magnet, and in which the two alternated between being the leader and the follower of joint improvised movements. Leading showed a general pattern of self-orientation, being associated with brain areas involved in motor planning, navigation, sequencing, action monitoring, and error correction. In contrast, following showed a far more sensory, externally-oriented pattern, revealing areas involved in somatosensation, proprioception, motion tracking, social cognition, and outcome monitoring. We also had participants perform a “mutual” condition in which the movement patterns were pre-learned and the roles were symmetric, thereby minimizing any tendency toward either leading or following. The mutual condition showed greater activity in brain areas involved in mentalizing and social reward than did leading or following. Finally, the analysis of improvisation revealed the dual importance of motor-planning and working-memory areas. We discuss these results in terms of theories of both joint action and improvisation.</p></div

Can social dancing prevent falls in older adults? a protocol of the Dance, Aging, Cognition,Economics (DAnCE) fall prevention randomised controlled trial

Background:&nbsp; Falls are one of the most common health problems among older people and pose a major economic burden on health care systems. Exercise is an accepted stand-alone fall prevention strategy particularly if it is balance training or regular participation in Tai chi. Dance shares the &lsquo;holistic&rsquo; approach of practices such as Tai chi. It is a complex sensorimotor rhythmic activity integrating multiple physical, cognitive and social elements. Small-scale randomised controlled trials have indicated that diverse dance styles can improve measures of balance and mobility in older people, but none of these studies has examined the effect of dance on falls or cognition. This study aims to determine whether participation in social dancing: i) reduces the number of falls; and ii) improves cognitive functions associated with fall risk in older people. Methods/design: A single-blind, cluster randomised controlled trial of 12 months duration will be conducted. Approximately 450 participants will be recruited from 24 self-care retirement villages that house at least 60 residents each in Sydney, Australia. Village residents without cognitive impairment and obtain medical clearance will be eligible. After comprehensive baseline measurements including physiological and cognitive tests and self-completed questionnaires, villages will be randomised to intervention sites (ballroom or folk dance) or to a wait-listed control using a computer randomisation method that minimises imbalances between villages based on two baseline fall risk measures. Main outcome measures are falls, prospectively measured, and the Trail Making cognitive function test. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses will be performed. Discussion: This study offers a novel approach to balance training for older people. As a community-based approach to fall prevention, dance offers older people an opportunity for greater social engagement, thereby making a major contribution to healthy ageing. Providing diversity in exercise programs targeting seniors recognises the heterogeneity of multicultural populations and may further increase the number of taking part in exercise

Atypical PrPsc distribution in goats naturally affected with scrapie

The brain and spinal cord of 48 goats from two Greek herds in which scrapie had been reported were examined. All animals were symptomless at the time Of euthanasia. Notably, no lesions were observed either at the level of the obex or at other regions of the brain and spinal cord. Immunohistochemical examination revealed PrPsc labelling of the linear and fine punctuate types, mainly in the cerebral cortices, of 36 goats. Twenty-seven of them were negative by ELISA (designed to detect proteinase-resistant PrP) at the level of the obex but positive in a pooled brain sample, and the majority carried PrP genotypes associated with scrapie susceptibility. Surprisingly, in 16 of the 27 animals, PrPsc deposits were detected only in the rostral parts of the brain. In addition, nine animals which were ELISA-positive at the level of the obex exhibited positive immunoreactivity, but not in the dorsal vagal nucleus. The findings indicate that this unusual scrapie type may have been underdiagnosed previously and may be of importance in scrapie surveillance programmes. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved