Risk assessment of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food of plant and animal origin.

Acute liver toxicity, specifically in the form of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD), is known from reports on human poisonings following ingestions of 1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) containing herbs. Recently PA exposure via common foods contaminated via PA-producing plants raised concern, especially regarding the potential of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. The health risks related to the estimated exposures to PAs from food were assessed.

Copper and zinc content in wild game shot with lead or non-lead ammunition - implications for consumer health protection.

The aim of this study was to examine the contamination of game meat with copper and zinc and establish whether the use of alternative (non-lead) ammunition can lead to higher or unsafe levels of copper and zinc in the meat of roe deer, wild boar and red deer. The research project "Safety of game meat obtained through hunting" (LEMISI) was conducted in Germany with the purpose of examining the entry of lead as well as copper and zinc into the meat of hunted game when using either lead or non-lead ammunition. The outcome of this study shows that the usage of both lead-based ammunition and alternative non-lead ammunition results in the entry of copper and zinc into the edible parts of the game.

Estimation of dietary intake of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) by consumption of food in the German population.

In the study presented here, we evaluated the exposure of the German population aged 14-80 years to bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) from consumption of food by means of deterministic and probabilistic estimations. The study was performed on the basis of an extensive review of literature from around the world reporting measured data on DEHP in food, as well as official German food control data. Only data from individual measurements were considered and used for fitting of distributions.

Efficacy of isoflavones in relieving vasomotor menopausal symptoms - A systematic review.

This review assessed the efficacy of isoflavone supplements to reduce vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women by reviewing all published randomized controlled trials. Systematic literature searches were carried out in 70 databases. Randomized and placebo controlled studies were included if they investigated the treatment of isoflavone supplements derived from soy or red clover on vasomotor symptoms in peri- or postmenopausal women for at least 12 wks.

Can the use of HEPA cleaners in homes of asthmatic children and adolescents sensitized to cat and dog allergens decrease bronchial hyperresponsiveness and allergen contents in solid dust?

Background: Exposure and sensitization to pet allergens are associated with allergic asthma in children. Conflicting data have emerged regarding the potential benefit of air cleaners with respect to a reduction of indoor pet allergens and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial 36 asthmatic children with sensitization to cat and/or dog and significant exposure to cat and/or dog allergen (Fel d 1 and/or Can f 1 >500 ng/g of carpet dust) were included in order to study the effect of high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) air cleaners placed in the living room and bedroom compared with the effect of sham air cleaners.

Quantification of Campylobacter on the surface and in the muscle of chicken legs at retail.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and numbers of Campylobacter on the skin and in the muscle of chicken legs at retail to examine the external and internal contamination for an exposure assessment. Furthermore, the study assessed seasonal influence on Campylobacter contamination in chicken legs. Of the 140 examined skin samples, 66% were positive, and the internal contamination of 115 sampled chicken legs was 27%.

No association of histamine- N-methyltransferase polymorphism with asthma or bronchial hyperresponsiveness in two German pediatric populations.

Histamine plays an important role in the allergic inflammation. Histamin N-Methyltransferase (HNMT) catalyses the major pathway of histamine metabolism in the human lung. A common functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the HNMT gene (C314T) was recently related to asthma.

Associations between specific serum IgE response and 6 variants within the genes IL4, IL13, and IL4RA in German children: the German Multicenter Atopy Study.

Background: Among many published studies of specific IgE response or atopy, only a few showed positive marginal effects for 6 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; C-590T in the IL4 gene, C-1055T and Arg130Gln in the IL13 gene, and Ile50Val, Ser478Pro, and Gln551Arg in the IL4RA gene). SNPs were commonly considered individually, and therefore the true effect could be masked by other genes or environmental factors.

Objective: We tested the relationship between these 6 SNPs and sensitization to food, mite, cat, and outdoor allergens in unrelated German children drawn from the Multicenter Atopy Study.

Associations between total serum IgE levels and the 6 potentially functional variants within the genes IL4, IL13, and IL4RA in German children: the German Multicenter Atopy Study.

Background: Increased total serum IgE levels are a common characteristic of atopic disorders. Six potentially functional variants, including C-590T in the IL4 gene, C-1055T and Arg130Gln in the IL13 gene, and Ile50Val, Ser478Pro, and Gln551Arg in the IL4RA gene, have been evaluated for their involvement in the control of total serum IgE levels and related atopic disorders, but the results of these studies have been inconsistent.

Objective: We examined whether these 6 variants had genotypic effects on total serum IgE levels in 823 unrelated German children from a large infant cohort, the German Multicenter Atopy Study.

Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) gene polymorphism influences the degree of airway responsiveness in asthmatic children.

Background: Several studies have indicated linkage of chromosome 11q12-13 to asthma and associated traits. Among other candidate genes, the Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) gene maps to this region. CC16 is expressed in the bronchial epithelium and exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties.

The development of childhood asthma: lessons from the German Multicentre Allergy Study (MAS).

Epidemiological surveys have indicated that there has been a notable increase in the prevalence of both asthma and other allergic symptoms in children and young adults. Since it seems unlikely that genetic factors would contribute to the rising trend, environmental factors might play a major part in the development of childhood asthma. In a prospective birth-cohort study, we assessed the relevance of different exposures such as mite and cat allergen exposure, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, early infectious diseases and vaccinations for the development of childhood asthma up to the age of 10 years.

Placebo-controlled study of the mite allergen-reducing effect of tannic acid plus benzyl benzoate on carpets in homes of children with house dust mite sensitization and asthma.

We studied the effect of a spray containing 1% benzyl benzoate, an acaricide, and 1% tannic acid ('Lowal'; a protein-denaturing substance), on concentrations of major allergens from house dust mite (HDM) species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae (Der p 1 and Der f 1, respectively) in carpets. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with crossover design, 30 homes of children with HDM sensitization and asthma were included.