Prevalence and diversity of Arcobacter spp. in the Czech Republic

The aim of this study was to examine 634 samples of chicken, lamb, pork, beef, fish, samples from the intensive animal industry and from poultry for slaughter, as well as from the domestic breeding of poultry, horses, pigs, and lambs, from surface water, and from clinical samples for the presence of Arcobacter. All the samples were examined with a cultivation method, followed by confirmation by multiplex PCR. The method of multiplex PCR applied directly to a liquid medium after enrichment was applied only to the samples with the highest probability of the presence of arcobacters. Arcobacter spp. were detected in 11.8% of the samples, of which A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilus, and A. skirrowii were found in 6.6, 5.1, and 0.2% of the samples, respectively. The sources of the arcobacters were chicken meat from the retail market, intensive animal production facilities, domestic chicken breeding facilities, lamb raising environments, surface water and wastewater, and beef swabs taken in a meat processing factory. No occurrence of arcobacters was identified in the swabs from slaughter turkeys, ducks, and wild poultry. No arcobacters were found in horse and pig breeding environments, on pork, or on the swabs of fish. Forty-two rectal swabs taken from humans were also free of Arcobacter. Seventeen isolates of Arcobacter were further identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Varied genotypes were observed among A. butzleri from chicken meat and chicken breeds, and A. cryaerophilus from wastewater and chicken breeds. They were similar to the genotypes present in wastewater, porcine feces, human stool, and human blood obtained from databases. Our results revealed that the chicken meat from the retail market is an important source of arcobacters. Cross-contamination during handling of chicken carcass practices could play a key role in the spread of Arcobacter.     

Content of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in smoked foods in the German Democratic Republic and the Hungarian People's Republic

In the GDR, industrially smoked foods contain on an average 0.43 microgram Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)/kg; products smoked according to trade rules, 0.76 microgram/kg; home-smoked products, 0.74 microgram/kg. The mean BaP content of smoked meat and sausage products in the GDR is 0.55 microgram/kg. Smoked fishes (without skin) contained on an average 1.39 microgram BaP/kg. The following average values were found in the Hungarian People's Republic: 0.6 microgram/kg (industrially smoked), 0.74 microgram/kg (home-smoked), 0.7 microgram/kg (total mean). Smoked cheese contained on an average 0.85 microgram/kg. The average BaP value of home-smoked (softwood) products of a Slovene ethnic group in the Hungarian People's Republic is 4.16 microgram/kg; the population of this region shows a considerably increased rate of stomach cancer. Apart from this particular case, the techniques used in both countries permit to obtain smoked meat and sausage products and smoked cheese with BaP contents less than 1 microgram/kg.     

Comparison of improved and local maize varieties in the Republic of Benin with emphasis on susceptibility to Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky

Experiments were conducted to verify differences in agronomic traits and susceptibility to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, in the field and in traditional maize storage systems between two international improved varieties, which have not been readily accepted by farmers in the Republic of Benin, one partially improved local variety and a local variety obtained from farmers. Factors responsible for differences in susceptibility and suitable screening methods for resistance to the maize weevil were also studied. In the first part of this study the varieties were compared in the field, during field drying and when stored using traditional techniques. The international improved varieties had significantly higher grain yield (60%) but had significantly poorer husk cover. The percentage of damaged ears following field drying, and the numbers of storage pests and grain weight loss after one month of storage were significantly higher in the international improved varieties presumably as a result of poorer husk cover.

In the second part of this study the varieties were compared in a factorial arrangement of three storage forms (undehusked, dehusked and shelled grain) and two infestation methods (free and no-choice). Due to their superior husk cover quality, Benin varieties were significantly more resistant to weevils when infested in the traditional, undehusked storage form than international improved varieties. The smaller-grain, flinty, Benin varieties showed a significantly smaller number of F₁ generation weevils. A significant lengthening of the median development period (MDP) of weevils was observed when maize was stored as dehusked ears compared to shelled grain, particularly on the international improved varieties. No improved vs Benin variety comparisons interacted with free vs no-choice comparisons except for index of susceptibility in the undehusked storage form. Free choice infestations resulted in increased experimental error for number of F₁ weevils, presumably due to a clumped distribution of female weevils during oviposition. When the target farmer's storage system is undehusked ears, it is suggested to use no-choice infestation of undehusked ears as a screening method for elite candidate varieties. An assessment of husk quality and no-choice infestation of shelled grain and/or dehusked maize ears is suggested as more appropriate for preliminary screening of diverse germplasm.     

Critique of the Philip Morris study of the cost of smoking in the Czech Republic.

This critique analyzes the methodology used in a study of the economic burden imposed on public finances in the Czech Republic by the consumption of cigarettes. The study was prepared by a consulting firm on behalf of the Phillip Morris Company. This critique, by using economic theory and a cost-benefit methodology, refutes the conclusion of the Phillip Morris study that smoking represents an economic benefit to Czech state finances. In fact, the correction of only one among numerous errors in assumptions and calculations in the Phillip Morris study leads to the opposite conclusion: Instead of savings of $150 million per year, smoking drains at least $373 million from the state budget annually, nearly.8% of the Czech gross domestic product. The net loss to the society is even greater if all pertinent costs and benefits are calculated properly. The critique demonstrates how to craft a rigorous economic response to common industry attempts to influence public opinion in which the industry employs specious or erroneous assumptions and data.     

Tobacco use in six economically disadvantaged communities in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic is a tobacco-growing country, and tobacco control efforts there have been virtually nonexistent. This study provides a first systematic surveillance of tobacco use in six economically disadvantaged Dominican Republic communities (two small urban, two peri-urban, two rural; half were tobacco growing). Approximately 175 households were randomly selected in each community (total N = 1,048), and an adult household member reported on household demographics and resources (e.g., electricity), tobacco use and health conditions of household members, and household policies on tobacco use. Poverty and unemployment were high in all communities, and significant gaps in access to basic resources such as electricity, running water, telephones/cell phones, and secondary education were present. Exposure to tobacco smoke was high, with 38.4% of households reporting at least one tobacco user, and 75.5% allowing smoking in the home. Overall, 22.5% reported using tobacco, with commercial cigarettes (58.0%) or self-rolled cigarettes (20.1%) the most commonly used types. Considerable variability in prevalence and type of use was found across communities. Overall, tobacco use was higher in males, illiterate groups, those aged 45 or older, rural dwellers, and tobacco-growing communities. Based on reported health conditions, tobacco attributable risks, and World Health Organization mortality data, it is estimated that at least 2,254 lives could potentially be saved each year in the Dominican Republic with tobacco cessation. Although it is expected that the reported prevalence of tobacco use and health conditions represent underestimates, these figures provide a starting point for understanding tobacco use and its prevalence in the Dominican Republic.     

库拉索芦荟与元江芦荟抗氧化作用比较

研究了经巴氏杀菌后的库拉索芦荟汁与元江芦荟汁对·OH和H2O2的清除作用。芦荟的皮和凝胶经水浸提后,用碱性桃红褪色法和碘量法分别进行·OH和H2O2的清除试验。结果表明:库拉索芦荟叶皮汁、凝胶汁清除·OH的IC50分别为1.64mL和0.83mL,清除H2O2的IC50分别为2.84mL和2.95mL;元江芦荟的叶皮汁和凝胶汁清除·OH的IC50分别为0.035mL和0.80mL,清除H2O2的IC50则分别为0.037mL和14.92mL。故元江芦荟叶皮汁清除·OH和H2O2的能力非常强,库拉索芦荟则是其凝胶汁对·OH和H2O2的清除能力非常强。     

Bases and consequences of the newly recommended daily intakes of vitamins for the population of the German Democratic Republic.

In 1977 the official recommendations of the GDR for the daily intakes of essential nutrients were revised and extended. The criteria used to establish the revision and the extension in regard to the recommended vitamin intakes are given. For assessing the adequacy of food supplies and intakes vitamin intake data from national food consumption surveys and the weighted average recommended intakes for the entire population were compared. To give a true representation of vitamin amounts actually consumed, different forms of calculating losses on the way from harvesting or producing foods to the gullet have been applied. With the exception of tocopherol the daily intake of all vitamins considered permanently increased within the 10 years' period regarded, and the average levels of vitamin intake may appear satisfactory. Nevertheless, it is not valid to conclude that the vitamin needs of all individuals have been met.     

中华人民共和国国务院令第557号

中华人民共和国食品安全法实施条例 第一章 总则 第一条 根据<中华人民共和国食品安全法>(以下简称食品安全法),制定本条例.     

Food safety control in the Republic of Korea

With the increased globalization of the food trade, the work of the World Trade Organization has led to the greater recognition and use of the concept of equivalence. Use of this concept, however, requires countries to be aware of the national controls applied in other countries. This article provides an overview of the current system in use in the Republic of Korea. It outlines the administrative systems employed to maintain food safety that includes the recent establishment of the Korea Food and Drug Administration. It provides details of the legislative structure, including the Food Sanitation Act of 1986 (and its recent amendment) and related regulations. Certain nongovernmental bodies are also described. The article concludes by recognizing that modern food safety problems require concerted action, both nationally and internationally.     

Radioactivity in total diet before and after the Chernobyl reactor accident. The situation in the Federal Republic of Germany

Radioactivity in total diet samples (1-day rations of adults) has been determined in the Federal Republic of Germany since 1960. Average intake of cesium-137 was 8.9 Bq per day and per person (Bq/d.p) in 1964, 0.15 in 1985, 4.2 in 1986, 7.2 in 1987, and 2.0 in 1988. Cesium-134, not measureable in pre-Chernobyl fallout, averaged 2.0 Bq/d.p in 1986, 3.0 in 1987, and 0.6 in 1988. Intake of strontium-90 was in the same range as in the years preceding the Chernobyl accident. It is estimated that the total effective equivalent dose for adults due to ingestion of Chernobyl-released radionuclides, including iodine-131, will be 0.14 +/- 0.08 mSv.     

惊回首 看非洲不远 鼓声激 唤商机万千——访乌干达驻华特命全权大使菲力浦·伊德罗先生

<正> 改革开放以来,我国兴起了又一轮的出国热。去美国求学、上英国考察、赴澳洲旅游、奔日本打工,一时成了时尚。其势遍及五大洲之四,却独独遗忘了非洲大陆。 新中国建国初期,非洲人民在争取民族独立的同时,全力支持我国恢复在联合国的合法席位。1971年,当乔冠华代表在联合国大厦放声大笑之时,一代天骄、民族英雄毛泽东也激动不已     

荞麦、大麦和燕麦抗氧化性能的比较

采用流动注射化学发光法研究了荞麦、大麦和燕麦的抗氧化性能。实验结果表明:荞麦、大麦和燕麦能有效的抑制超氧阴离子自由基诱导的鲁米诺化学发光,并且随着发光体系中荞麦、大麦和燕麦浓度的升高,发光强度呈现下降趋势即具有较强的抗氧化性能,对荞麦、大麦和燕麦的抗氧化性能进行了比较。     

民国西服结构造型分析

中华民国时期是西服在中国兴起及传播的重要阶段,根据20世纪40年代出版的《裁剪大全》,研究了民国的西服造型、所采用的尺寸测量方法及结构制图法,分别从衣身、领子、袖子三个部位分析了制图过程中各部位的尺寸大小。结果表明：民国时期的西服整体结构宽松,美观性稍差;沿用国外的比例裁剪制图法,以胸围尺寸推算全身尺寸,制图过程略简单。