The utility of the in vitro micronucleus test for evaluating the genotoxicity of natural and manmade nano-scale fibres.

A range of fibrous materials, including several types of asbestos and carbon fibres with nano scale diameters that had reported positive genotoxicity data (predominantly clastogenicity), were tested in the in vitro micronucleus test (OECD 487) in GLP-compliant studies in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. Out of eight materials tested, only one (crocidolite, an asbestos fibre) gave a positive response either in the presence or absence of metabolic activation (S9) and at short (3h) or extended (24h) exposure times (p≤0.001).

Approaches to the safety assessment of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) in food.

A systematic, tiered approach to assess the safety of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in foods is presented. The ENM is first compared to its non-nano form counterpart to determine if ENM-specific assessment is required. Of highest concern from a toxicological perspective are ENMs which have potential for systemic translocation, are insoluble or only partially soluble over time or are particulate and bio-persistent.

Effects of 15-d repeated consumption of Hoodia gordonii purified extract on safety, ad libitum energy intake, and body weight in healthy, overweight women: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Extracts from Hoodia gordonii have been shown to decrease food intakes and body weights in animals and were proposed as a food supplement or ingredient for weight management.

Objective: We assessed the safety and efficacy of a 15-d repeated consumption of H. gordonii purified extract (HgPE) relative to a placebo in humans.

APT070 (Mirococept), a membrane-localised complement inhibitor, inhibits inflammatory responses that follow intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion injury.

Activation of the complement system has been shown to play a major role in the mediation of reperfusion injury. Here, we assessed the effects of APT070 (Mirococept), a novel membrane-localised complement inhibitor based on a recombinant fragment of soluble CR1, on the local, remote and systemic injuries following intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) in the rat. In a model of mild I/R injury (30 min of ischaemia and 30 min of reperfusion), APT070 dose-dependently (1-10 mg kg(-1)) inhibited the increase in vascular permeability of and neutrophil influx into intestine and lungs.

From survival to success. It takes more than theory.

Health care does not always attract change agents. As a result, norms, values, and rules become ingrained. Attempting to change this is difficult.