Food packaging materials : Health and environment

Food packaging is just one among the ways of food preservation which helps in the extension of the shelf-life of the food product and easy for shipment and marketing. The goal of food packaging is to contain food in a cost-effective way that satisfies industry requirements and consumer desires, maintain food safety, and minimizes environmental impact. Different food Packaging materials such as metals, steel, aluminum, plastic, glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, paper, paperboard, laminates, metalized films, plant leaves etc play major roles in terms of protection and preservation which include chemical, physical and biological protection, containment and food waste reduction, convenience, marketing and information, traceability, tamper indication. The chemicals used in the production of these food packaging materials includes but not limited to intentionally added ingredients (ortho-phthalates. perchlorate, per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances, benzophenone, ethyl and methyl-glycol, toluene, n-methyl-pyrrolidone, bisphenol A,F,S) and non intentionally added materials which is not limited to contaminants like- heavy metals(lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury etc) leached into food and is being consumed into the body unknown to us thereby causing a lot of negative effect on human health via endocrine disruption, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancers, tooth development defects, hormonal imbalance which results in reproductive disorder in men and women, decrease semen quality in men, endometriosis in women etc. These food packaging materials affect our environment which also result to littering the environment, causing health effect and pollution. In order to reduce these effects, the use of these chemicals should be reduced or totally removed

A novel activating mutation in transmembrane helix 6 of the thyrotropin receptor as cause of hereditary nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism

Constitutively-activating germline mutations of the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) gene are very rare and are considered the cause of hereditary nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism. We describe four affected individuals from a Caucasian family: a mother and her three children, and an unaffected father. The mother and her first two children presented in a similar manner: lifelong histories of heat intolerance, hyperactivity, fast heart rate, reduced energy, increased appetite, and scrawny build. They all developed goiter in childhood and showed a suppressed TSH and elevated thyroxine (T(4)). The last child, a 12-year-old female, presented with no clinical symptoms or palpable neck mass, but with a suppressed TSH, elevated T(4) and thyromegaly detected by ultrasound. Mutation analysis of the TSHR gene in all family members revealed a novel heterozygous germline mutation resulting in the substitution of phenylalanine (TTC) by serine (TCC) at codon 631 in transmembrane helix 6 in the mother and all three children. Functional characterization of this germline mutation showed constitutive activation of the G(s)-mediated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway, which controls thyroid hormone production and thyroid growth. Molecular characterization of F631S demonstrates that this activating mutation plays a key role in the development of hereditary hyperthyroidism in this family although the timing of onset of clinical manifestations in the subjects may depend on other, as yet unidentified, factors

Effects of Library Infrastructure on Turnover Intentions of Librarians: A Study of University Libraries in South-South and South-East of Nigeria

Research into the phenomenon of turnover intentions of employees and its effects on organizational development is crucial; hence this study investigated the effects of library infrastructure on turnover intentions of librarians in university libraries in South-South and South-East of Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey using total enumeration method with 400 academic librarians from the two zones in participation. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire which was subjected to a reliability test using Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient with a result of 0.72, which means that the instrument was good and reliable since the test result is above the acceptance point of 0.50. All the questionnaires administered on the respondents were retrieved with 334 of the questionnaires found usable for the analysis. Findings revealed that inadequate infrastructure have the tendency of increasing the turnover intentions of librarians in the university libraries in South-South and South East of Nigeria (X = 3.03); while advancement in library infrastructure enhances professional development and increase the chance of retaining librarians in the library (X = 3.05). Evidence from the study indicated that a higher deficiency in library infrastructure will increase the level of turnover intentions of librarians in the university libraries in South-South and South-East of Nigeria. The study recommended that the university librarians and university managements in South-south and South-east of Nigeria should holistically assess their library infrastructure with a view of ascertaining their state and make available budgetary allocation that will take care of dilapidated library infrastructure to mitigate the effects of turnover intentions of librarians in university libraries in South-South and South-East of Nigeria

Comparative evaluation of the physicochemical composition and microbial quality of seven different water sources used in processing root and tuber crops in Umudike, Nigeria

The physicochemical composition and microbial quality of 7 different water sources (Umudike ukwu bore hole (B5), Umuariaga borehole (B3), Nidoro spring water (S2), Umudike bore hole (B4), Umudike school borehole A (B7), Umudike school bore hole B (B6) and Ahiaeke bore hole (B9) used for root and tuber crop processing in Umudike, Nigeria were investigated using standard techniques. The chloride, sulphate, phosphate, dissolved substances, hardness of water, ammonium nitrate and conductivity in all the water samples, fell within the range recommended by the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) or the World Health Organization (WHO) while the values obtained for pH and nitrites were lower than the range given by WHO and NIS. Most of the samples had higher organic carbon contents than permitted. In terms of dissolved oxygen (D) and total hydrogen (TH), S2 had the highest, B5 and B6 had the least for DO (P > 0.05) while B6 had the least in addition for TH. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of B3 was the highest among the water samples analyzed (P < 0.05) while that of B5 and B6 were the least (P > 0.05). Sensory evaluation of the samples showed that they were clear, tasteless and odorless. Microbial analysis carried out indicated the presence of coliforms in the water samples although this does not give any cause for concern as they fell within the standards for coliform in water. The total plate count of the samples ranged from 8.00 to 19.09cfu/100ml with B9 having the highest while B7 had the least. Some of the microorganisms isolated include: E.coli, salmonella, shigella, fungi and staphylococcus, indicating microbial contamination of these water samples and thus highlights the need for their urgent sterilization. The absence of Vibrio cholerea in all the water samples indicate the non-prevalence of cholera in the study area. Finally, most of the water sources used by these communities in processing their root and tuber crops did not meet the recommended standards for nitrites, biochemical oxygen demand, organic carbon and nitrites in water, underscoring the need for regular checks and on these water sources.Key words: Water, microbial, coliform, physicochemical, root crops, tuber crops

Assessment of remediation Potentials of maize (Zea mays) on sites co-contaminated with Pb and antracene

Phytoremediation is a promising technology for the remediation of sites co-contaminated with inorganic and organic pollutants. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the remediation potential of Z.mays in soil co- contaminated with Pb and antracene. Pristine sandy loam soils were polluted with Pb chloride salt and antracene at three different levels (50mg/kg of Pb, 100mg/kg of Pb, and 100mg/kg of Pb+100mg/kg of antracene) and laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replicates. Shoot dry matter weight was significantly reduced (p≤0.05) when compared with control treatments by 40% when exposed to100mg kg-1 of Pb. There was a 48% inhibition of shoot dry matter of Z.mays relative to control treatments when 100 mg Pb kg-1 was mixed with 100 mgkg-1 antracene. Root and shoot metal concentration in Zea mays increased with increasing concentration of Pb. The average Translocation Factor (TF < 1 (0.69) obtained suggests that Zea mays predominantly retains Pb in the root portion of the plant. There was a 5% increase in shoot Pb concentration when soil was contaminated with Pb and antracene. The extractable antracene decreased significantly (p≤0.05) in soil planted with Z.mays as well as in pots without maize plant. This accounted for 65 and 72% of antracene dissipation in planted soil and 40-46% dissipation in unplanted soil. This result suggested that Zeamays is a promising candidate for uptake Pb and dissipation of antracene in co-contaminated soils

Kinetics and Equilibrium of Crude Oil Sorption from Aqueous Solution Using Borassus Aeothopum Coir

In this study, Borassus aethopum coir (BAC) which is an abundant, cheap, readily available and biodegradable agricultural waste was modified by acetylation using acetic anhydride and NBS catalyst at room temperature. This was to increase their hydrophobic properties and improve their sorption capacity in aqueous environment. The crude oil sorption kinetic data were fitted by intra-particle diffusion and pseudo-first order for raw BAC but the pseudo-second order kinetic model best fits crude oil sorption data for acetylated BAC.  The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to elucidate the sorption behaviour of crude oil with raw and acetylated BAC. Freundlich isotherm gave the best fit for the equilibrium crude oil sorption data for acetylated BAC and raw BAC. Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscope analyses showed clear evidence of successful acetylation. The results presented and discussed in the study suggests that acetylated BAC (ABAC) is more suitable for crude oil sorption than raw BAC, therefore, possesses more potential for application and further development in treatment of oil spillage. Keywords: acetylated borassus aethopum coir, kinetics, crude oil sorption, sorbents, sorption capacity. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/11-2-02

Data from: Children with type 1 diabetes who experienced a honeymoon phase had significantly lower LDL cholesterol 5 years after diagnosis

Manuscript abstract: Importance: Landmark studies showed that partial clinical remission in new-onset type 1 diabetes is associated with reduced prevalence of long-term complications, but early clinical indicators of this favorable outcome are poorly characterized. Aim: To determine if there were any differences in lipid parameters, especially LDL-cholesterol, between remitters and non-remitters 4 to 5 years after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes after controlling for hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, and pubertal status. Subjects and Methods: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study of 123 subjects of mean age 11.9 ± 2.9 years, [male 11.7 ± 2.9 years, (n=55); female 12.0 ± 2.9 years, (n=68), p=0.60] with type 1 diabetes of 4-5 years duration. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected at the 4th or 5th year after diagnosis in line with the American Diabetes Association recommendation to initiate screening for complications in children either at the beginning of puberty or 4-5 years after diagnosis. Puberty was defined by Tanner stages II-V. Partial clinical remission was defined by the gold-standard insulin-dose adjusted hemoglobin A1c (IDAA1c) of ≤9. Results: There were 44 (35.8%) remitters (age 13.0 ± 2.5y; male 52.3%). Both the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in remitters compared to non-remitters: LDL-C: 78.8 ± 28.7 mg/dL vs. 91.6 ± 26.5 mg/dL, p=0.023; and total cholesterol: 151.5 ± 32.6 mg/dL vs. 167.0 ± 29.6 mg/dL, p=0.015. Other lipid fractions were similar between the groups. There were no differences between the groups for glycemic control, body mass index z score, thyroid function, celiac disease occurrence, or vitamin D status. Though a greater number of remitters were in puberty compared to non-remitters (86.4% vs. 60.8%, p=0.006), LDL-C concentration was similar in prepubertal remitters vs. non-remitters (p=0.93), but was significantly lower in remitters in puberty compared to non-remitters in puberty (p=0.018) after adjusting for age and duration of diabetes. Conclusions: Children with type 1 diabetes who underwent a honeymoon phase had significantly lower LDL cholesterol 5 years after diagnosis regardless of their age, glycemic control, adiposity, or pubertal status. This early divergence in lipidemia may explain the dichotomy in the prevalence of long-term complication in type 1 diabetes between remitters and non-remitters. It also offers a pathway for targeted lipid monitoring in type 1 diabetes, by establishing non-remission as a non-modifiable risk factor for vascular complication in type 1 diabetes

Children with type 1 diabetes who experienced a honeymoon phase had significantly lower LDL cholesterol 5 years after diagnosis

IMPORTANCE: Landmark studies showed that partial clinical remission in new-onset type 1 diabetes is associated with reduced prevalence of long-term complications, but early clinical indicators of this favorable outcome are poorly characterized. AIM: To determine if there were any differences in lipid parameters, especially LDL-cholesterol, between remitters and non-remitters 4 to 5 years after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes after controlling for hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, and pubertal status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study of 123 subjects of mean age 11.9 +/- 2.9 years, [male 11.7 +/- 2.9 years, (n = 55); female 12.0 +/- 2.9 years, (n = 68), p = 0.60] with type 1 diabetes of 4-5 years duration. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected at the 4th or 5th year after diagnosis in line with the American Diabetes Association recommendation to initiate screening for complications in children either at the beginning of puberty or 4-5 years after diagnosis. Puberty was defined by Tanner stages II-V. Partial clinical remission was defined by the gold-standard insulin-dose adjusted hemoglobin A1c (IDAA1c) of \u3c /=9. RESULTS: There were 44 (35.8%) remitters (age 13.0 +/- 2.5y; male 52.3%). Both the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in remitters compared to non-remitters: LDL-C: 78.8 +/- 28.7 mg/dL vs. 91.6 +/- 26.5 mg/dL, p = 0.023; and total cholesterol: 151.5 +/- 32.6 mg/dL vs. 167.0 +/- 29.6 mg/dL, p = 0.015. Other lipid fractions were similar between the groups. There were no differences between the groups for glycemic control, body mass index z score, thyroid function, celiac disease occurrence, or vitamin D status. A greater number of remitters were in puberty compared to non-remitters (86.4% vs. 60.8%, p = 0.006). LDL-C concentration was similar in prepubertal remitters vs. non-remitters (p = 0.93), but was significantly lower in remitters in puberty compared to non-remitters in puberty (p = 0.018) after adjusting for age and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Children with type 1 diabetes who underwent a honeymoon phase had significantly lower LDL cholesterol 5 years after diagnosis. This early divergence in lipidemia may explain the dichotomy in the prevalence of long-term complication in type 1 diabetes between remitters and non-remitters. It also offers a pathway for targeted lipid monitoring in type 1 diabetes, by establishing non-remission as a non-modifiable risk factor for vascular complication in type 1 diabetes

Partial clinical remission in type 1 diabetes: a comparison of the accuracy of total daily dose of insulin of \u3c0.3 units/kg/day to the gold standard insulin-dose adjusted hemoglobin A1c of ≤9 for the detection of partial clinical remission

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the gold standard test for the detection of partial clinical remission (PCR) in new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D), the insulin-dose adjusted Hemoglobin A1c (IDAA1c) of ≤9, is superior to a new tool, total daily dose of insulin (TDD) of METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 204 subjects of ages 2-14 years, mean age 7.9±3.2 years, (male 7.8±3.4 years, [n=98]; female 7.9±3.0 years, [n=106], p=0.816) with new-onset T1D. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected for the first 36 months of disease. PCR was defined by both IDAA1c≤9 and TDD RESULTS: There were 86 (42.2%) (age 9.1±3.0 years; male 57%) remitters by IDAA1c≤9 criterion, and 82 (40.2%) remitters (age 7.3±2.8 years) by TDD of CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the number of remitters, duration of PCR, or the time of peak remission defined by IDAA1c of ≤9 or TDD o