Co-exposure to methylmercury and inorganic arsenic in baby rice cereals and rice-containing teething biscuits.

BACKGROUND: Rice is an important dietary source for methylmercury (MeHg), a potent neurotoxin, and inorganic arsenic (As), a human carcinogen. Rice baby cereals are a dietary source of inorganic As; however, less is known concerning MeHg concentrations in rice baby cereals and rice teething biscuits. METHODS: MeHg concentrations were measured in 36 rice baby cereals, eight rice teething biscuits, and four baby cereals manufactured with oats/wheat (n = 48 total). Arsenic (As) species, including inorganic As, were determined in rice baby cereals and rice teething biscuits (n = 44/48), while total As was determined in all products (n = 48). RESULTS: Rice baby cereals and rice teething biscuits were on average 61 and 92 times higher in MeHg, respectively, and 9.4 and 4.7 times higher in total As, respectively, compared to wheat/oat baby cereals. For a 15-g serving of rice baby cereal, average MeHg intake was 0.0092µgday-1 (range: 0.0013-0.034µgday-1), while average inorganic As intake was 1.3µgday-1 (range: 0.37-2.3µgday-1). Inorganic As concentrations in two brands of rice baby cereal (n = 12/36 boxes of rice cereal) exceeded 100ng/g, the proposed action level from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Log10 MeHg and inorganic As concentrations in rice baby cereals were strongly, positively correlated (Pearson's rho = 0.60, p < 0.001, n = 36). CONCLUSIONS: Rice-containing baby cereals and teething biscuits were a dietary source of both MeHg and inorganic As. Studies concerning the cumulative impacts of MeHg and inorganic As on offspring development are warranted.

Beta Cell Regenerating Potential of Azadirachta indica (Neem) Extract in Diabetic Rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the ability of 0.8% neem leaf extract (NLE) to treat diabetes mellitus by assessing its effects on blood glucose, insulin levels and islet morphology in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in two to three-day old rat pups by STZ intraperitoneally (60 mg/kg), followed by a further 40 mg/kg dose 12-23 weeks later. The diabetic treated (DT) rats received 0.8% w/v NLE in tap water while diabetic control (DC) and normal control (NC) rats received water ad libitum. Body weight, water and chow consumption, and blood glucose were evaluated weekly. Blood and pancreas were collected at the end of the study to evaluate serum insulin and islet histology, respectively. RESULTS: Neem leaf extract (0.8%) improved weight gain and beta cell regeneration but did not reduce blood glucose. Serum insulin increased slightly in the treated group and three-fold in the DC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that NLE has beta cell regenerating potential.

A prospective comparison of paramedic judgment and the trauma triage rule in the prehospital setting.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study paramedic judgment and the Trauma Triage Rule in prehospital trauma triage. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: A county emergency medical services system. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred fifty-three trauma patients. RESULTS: Over a 3-month period, 653 trauma patients were evaluated in the prehospital setting. Paramedic judgment and the Trauma Triage Rule (TTR), as described by Baxt, were evaluated for accuracy in identifying patients requiring trauma center care. The TTR achieved a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 86%. Paramedic judgment had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 60%. Combining the TTR and paramedic judgment achieved a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 75%. CONCLUSION: The TTR and paramedic judgment are effective in identifying patients who require trauma center care in the prehospital setting. The TTR and paramedic judgment combined have the greatest predictive value in identifying seriously injured patients.