Stability of Vitamin A, Iron and Zinc in Fortified Rice during Storage and Its Impact on Future National Standards and Programs--Case Study in Cambodia.

Fortified rice holds great potential for bringing essential micronutrients to a large part of the world population. The present study quantified the losses of three different micronutrients (vitamin A, iron, zinc) in fortified rice that were produced using three different techniques (hot extrusion, cold extrusion, and coating) and stored at two different environments (25 ± 5 °C at a humidity of 60% and 40 ± 5 °C at a humidity of 75%) for up to one year. Fortified rice premix from the different techniques was mixed with normal rice in a 1:100 ratio. Each sample was analyzed in triplicate. The study confirmed the high stability of iron and zinc during storage while the retention of vitamin A was significantly affected by storage and the type of techniques used to make rice premix. Losses for iron and zinc were typically <10% for any type of rice premix. After 12 months at mild conditions (25 °C and humidity of 60%), losses for vitamin A ranged from 20% for cold extrusion, 30% for hot extruded rice 77% for coated rice premix. At higher temperatures and humidity, losses of vitamin A were 40%-50% for extruded premix and 93% for coated premix after 6 months. We conclude that storage does lead to a major loss of vitamin A and question whether rice is a suitable food vehicle to fortify with vitamin A. For Cambodia, fortification of rice with iron and zinc could be an effective strategy to improve the micronutrient status of the population if no other food vehicles are available.

Population-based pediatric reference intervals for hematology, iron and transferrin.

Reference intervals are crucial decision-making tools aiding clinicians in differentiating between healthy and diseased populations. However, for children such values often are lacking or incomplete. Blood samples were obtained from 689 healthy children, aged 6 months to 18 years, recruited in day care centers and schools. Hematology and anemia analytes were measured on the Siemens Advia 2120 and Abbott Architect ci8200 platforms (hemoglobin, erythrocyte volume fraction [EVF], erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC], reticulocytes, leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, platelets, iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation). Age- and gender-specific pediatric reference intervals were defined by calculating 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. The data generated is primarily applicable to a Caucasian population, but could be used by any laboratory if verified for the local patient population.

Development of a certified reference material (NMIJ CRM 7531-a) for the determination of trace cadmium and other elements in brown rice flour.

A certified reference material (CRM) for trace cadmium and other elements in brown rice flour was developed at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ). The CRM was provided as a dry powder after drying and frozen pulverization of fresh brown rice obtained from a Japanese domestic market. Characterization of the property value for each element was carried out exclusively by NMIJ with at least two independent analytical methods, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ICP high-resolution mass spectrometry, isotope-dilution ICP-MS, ICP optical emission spectrometry, and graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry. Property values were provided for six elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, and Cd). The concentration range of the property values was from 0.280 mg kg(-1) of As to 31.8 mg kg(-1) of Zn. The combined relative standard uncertainties of the property values were estimated by considering the uncertainties of the homogeneity, characterization, difference among analytical methods, dry-mass correction factor, and calibration standard. The range of the relative combined standard uncertainties was from 1.1% of Zn to 1.6% of As.

Magnetic labeling of non-phagocytic adherent cells with iron oxide nanoparticles: a comprehensive study.

Small particles of iron oxide (SPIO) and ultrasmall particles of iron oxide (USPIO), inducing a strong negative contrast on T(2) and T(2)*-weighted MR images, are the most commonly used systems for the magnetic labeling of cultured cells and their subsequent detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this work is to study the influence of iron incubation concentration, nanoparticle size and nanoparticle coating on the magnetic labeling and the viability of non-phagocytic adherent cells in culture. The magnetic labeling of 3T6 fibroblasts was studied by T(2)-weighted MRI at 4.7 T and by dosing-or cytochemical revealing-of iron through methods based on Perl's Prussian blue staining. Cells were incubated for 48 h with increasing iron concentrations of SPIO (25-1000 microg Fe/ml Endorem. Sinerem, a USPIO (20-40 nm) coated with neutral dextran, and Resovist (65 nm), a SPIO bearing an anionic carboxydextran coating, were compared with Endorem (dextran-coated, 80-150 nm) as magnetic tags. The iron loading of marrow stromal cell primary cultures (MSCs) isolated from rat femurs was compared with that of 3T6 fibroblasts. The SPIO-labeling of cells with Endorem was found to be dependent on the iron incubation concentration. MSCs, more sparsely distributed in the culture, exhibited higher iron contents than more densely populated 3T6 fibroblast cultures. A larger iron loading was achieved with Resovist than with Endorem, which in turn was more efficient than Sinerem as a magnetic tag. The magnetic labeling of cultured non-phagocytic adherent cells with iron oxide nanoparticles was thus found to be dependent on the relative concentration of the magnetic tag and of the cells in culture, on the nanoparticle size, and on the coating type. The viability of cells, estimated by methods assessing cell membrane permeability, was not affected by magnetic labeling in the conditions used in this work.

[Determination of trace lead and iron in nickel chloride and manganese sulfate by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after coprecipitation with yttrium phosphate].

Using yttrium phosphate as the coprecipitation collector for the separation and preconcentration of trace lead and iron in nickel chloride and manganese sulfate, flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) determination was described in the present paper. Coprecipitation parameters including the pH of the solution, and the amounts of YCl3 and H3 PO4 were discussed. It was found that lead and iron in nickel chloride could be coprecipitated quantitatively in the range of pH 3.0-4.0, and so could be lead in manganese sulfate. The detection limits (3sigma) of lead and iron in 20 mL solution were 1.63 x 10(-2) mg x L(-1) and 4.58 x 10(-2) mg x L(-1) respectively. In NiCl2 solution the standard addition recoveries for lead and iron were 100.91% and 99.73% respectively, and in MnSO4 solution the standard addition recoveries were 99.45% and 98.98% respectively. The method has eliminated the interference of matrix, and the result is satisfied.

Determination of Iron in Caco-2 cells by ET-AAS.

An electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method (ET-AAS) was developed for the direct determination of iron in intestinal Caco-2 cells after studying cell viability and proliferation using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT test). Zeeman background correction and end-capped graphite tubes with L'vov platforms were used. Samples were dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and pipetted directly into the graphite tube. The preashing, pretreatment and atomization steps were optimized. The temperatures selected were 600, 1200, and 2100 degrees C, respectively. Stability measurements were performed using iron standard solutions in DMSO on the one hand and acidified cell solutions on the other. Direct measurement and standard addition were compared in order to determine possible influences of the matrix. The low detection limit of the ET-AAS method (1.3 microg/L or 3.3 microg/g) combined with the small sample quantities required are ideal for the determination of iron in cells due to the low iron content and the limited growth area of the cells. The method was developed for iron uptake studies for toxicological purposes.

Intravenous versus oral iron supplementation for preoperative stimulation of hemoglobin synthesis using recombinant human erythropoietin.

To compare two modalities of iron supplementation for the preoperative stimulation of erythropoiesis using recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), 12 adults in normal hemoglobin and iron status due for elective surgery were randomized to rhEPO 200 U/kg body weight subcutaneously twice weekly combined with either iron sucrose 200 mg intravenously twice weekly or iron sulfate 160 mg/day orally, for 3 weeks preoperatively. Efficacy was measured by the increases over baseline in hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, and ferritin determined 3 days before surgery; preoperative reticulocyte count and ferritin were significantly higher with intravenous iron, whereas the only significant intragroup increases in hemoglobin between time points also occurred in this group. Intravenous iron significantly boosts the hematopoietic response to rhEPO and prevents iatrogenic iron depletion in otherwise healthy candidates for elective surgery.

Serum ferritin iron, a new test, measures human body iron stores unconfounded by inflammation.

Serum ferritin protein is an acute phase reactant. We hypothesized that serum ferritin protein generated in response to an inflammatory process would have much less iron (Fe) in it than would "normal" ferritin protein, and therefore measuring serum ferritin iron would assess human body iron status unconfounded by inflammation. BASIC METHODS: We measured serum ferritin iron in 140 clinical samples obtained from the serum banks of Bronx VA Medical Center Hematology and Nutrition Laboratory (Bronx, NY), the CDC Nutritional Biochemistry serum sample bank (Atlanta, GA), and the sample bank from patients with thalassemia and iron overload treated at New York Hospital (New York, NY). Each was analyzed for three conventional criteria of iron status: serum iron, percentage of transferrin saturation and ferritin protein. In addition, tests for inflammation were also performed: C-reactive protein, WBC and transaminases. Seventy-seven patients' sera from 140 screened met each of three consistent criteria for stages of iron status. Serum ferritin was immobilized by immunoprecipitation with rabbit antihuman polyclonal antibody bound to agarose and separated from other iron-containing proteins, digested with 0.2 ml of 3N nitric acid and analyzed for iron content by atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: Serum ferritin iron ranged in normal controls from 10 ng to 35 ng Fe/ml. The patients with iron deficiency (4/4) and those in negative iron balance (5/6) had values < or = 10 ng. Positive iron balance (8/9) and iron overload (22/22) values were > 35 ng/ml, in contrast to 11/19 with inflammation. Seventeen of twenty-two with overload had values > 100 ng/ml while only 1/19 with inflammation had such a value. Ferritin iron in ferritin protein was > 15% by weight in 14/22 with iron overload but in 0/19 with inflammation. IMPLICATIONS OF THE WORK: Serum ferritin iron is a simple, direct measure of iron stores that we propose, in conjunction with measuring serum ferritin protein, as a minimally invasive screening procedure for accurately assessing the whole range of human body iron status, unconfounded by inflammation.

Evaluation of multiple micronutrient supplementation in the management of oral submucous fibrosis in Karachi, Pakistan.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is an oral precancerous condition characterized by symptoms such as intolerance to spicy food, altered salivation, progressive difficulty in opening the mouth, and signs like vesiculation, ulceration, blanching, rigidity, and stiffening of the oral mucosa and depapillation and altered mobility of the tongue. It is seen mostly among people of Indian subcontinent origin. The major structural change is extensive fibroelastic scarring of the lamina propria and deeper connective tissues. A combination of micronutrients (vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E) and minerals (iron, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, and others) was evaluated for its efficacy in controlling the symptoms and signs of OSF in 117 compliant subjects in Karachi, Pakistan, in a single-arm preliminary study. The subjects received supplementation for one to three years. Significant improvement in symptoms, notably intolerance to spicy food, burning sensation, and mouth opening, was observed at exit. The interincisor distance deteriorated in 11 subjects (10%) at exit; it was stable in 56 subjects (49%) and improved in 48 (41%). The mean interincisor distance was 19.1 +/- 10.8 (SD) mm at exit compared with 16.2 +/- 7.5 mm at baseline. A significant proportion of concomitant lesions like leukoplakia also regressed at exit. The major outcome from this study was a beneficial clinical response in subjects with OSF to multiple micronutrient intervention, which justifies its further evaluation in well-designed randomized controlled trials in other settings in South Asia.

Iron supplementation during pregnancy.

There is world-wide concern that women of childbearing age cannot meet the increased iron needs during pregnancy. In the industrial world however, iron supplementation during pregnancy is a controversial issue. On the one hand, selective iron supplementation after iron status assessment has been recommended because not all women need iron, and compliance is likely to be better when an individual's need is recognized. On the other hand, routine iron supplementation to all women in the second half of pregnancy has been advocated in order to reach all women without the difficulties associated with assessment of iron status. Pregnant women could possibly meet their iron needs by increasing iron absorption efficiency. Although in that case, dietary counselling may prevent anaemia during pregnancy, supplementation with iron will be necessary to cure iron-deficiency anaemia.

[Hygienic substantiation of standardization of the iron level in hot water of the central heating system in residential areas]. / Gigienicheskie osnovy normirovaniia soderzhaniia zheleza v vode goriachego vodosnabzheniia naselennykh mest.

Epicutaneous applications of the iron trivalence caused the sensibilization of mice. The effect depended on the temperature.

[Exposure to chromium compounds during processing of chromium iron ore]. / Narazenie na zwiazki chromu przy przetwórstwie rudy chromitowej w Polsce.

The work verifies data gathered by Occupational Hygiene departments of Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations about workers exposure to chromium compounds in the processing of chrome iron ore. Research showed that 7 plants were involved in the processing of chrome iron ore and that the number of workers directly employed in the process amounted to 215-230. About 150 workers were exposed to high concentrations of chromium compounds which exceeded hygienic standards. All of them were employed only in metallurgical plants. The remaining 80-100 workers subjected to the study exposed to relatively low chromium concentrations were employed in chemical plants and refractory materials plants.

[Nutritive value of daily food rations prepared in different regions of the country. III. The levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and potassium]. / Wartosc odzywcza calodziennych racji pokarmowych odtwarzanych w kilku regionach kraju. Cz. III. Zawartosc wapnia, fosforu, magnezu, zelaza i potasu.

Studies on the content of macrominerals in daily diets reconstructed in 1988 on the basis of the analysis of family budgets in 1986 carried out by the Central Statistical Bureau were carried on. Two social groups i.e. manual and mental workers with medium income were considered. The diets were prepared for 5 regions (Warszawa, Lublin, Olsztyn, Poznan, Wroclaw). According to the studies the requirements for calcium and magnesium were met in about 70% and those for iron in about 84%. The content of potassium in the diets was in the range of recommended allowances while the phosphorus exceeded the allowances by about 20-30%. The comparison of the presently studied diets with the ones from 1973, 1980, 1981 showed a lower degree of realization of the recommended intake of calcium and magnesium in 1986. The content of studied minerals in the diets was usually similar in all five regions.

Proposed reference method for iron in serum used to evaluate two automated iron methods.

The manual Reference Method of the Centers for Disease Control for serum iron (CDC/RM/Fe) and a semiautomated adaptation of it were used to evaluate two working methods: one, a detergent solubilization procedure for the Roche Cobas-Bio analyzer, the other, the Kodak Ektachem 700 procedure, based on dry-film technology. The CDC/RM/Fe and its semiautomated version gave essentially the same results for 40 sera from hospital patients. This semiautomated version was in turn compared with the two working procedures in a study involving 200 patients. Each of the working methods correlated well with the semiautomated CDC/RM/Fe method. Separate recovery and interference studies indicated satisfactory analytical recovery of iron in all cases, but the detergent solubilization method was found to be susceptible to interference by hemoglobin, lipemia, and bilirubin.

Upper limits of iron in infant formulas.

Iron-fortified infant formula is effective in preventing iron deficiency at levels of iron that are compatible with an upper limit of 3 mg/100 kcal. However, lower levels of fortification may prove to be adequate. There are theoretical concerns about the effects of high levels of dietary iron on the absorption of other trace minerals and on resistance to infection. These considerations make it desirable to determine whether lower levels of iron fortification in infant formula will be equally effective in preventing iron deficiency in infants.

Estimation of the bioavailability of iron.

Eight laboratories conducted a test for the estimation of the bioavailability of iron from 4 sources, using depleted male albino rats. Ferrous sulfate was used as the reference standard. Ferric orthophosphate was found to have a relative biological value of 11 (range 6-22), an old sample of hydrogen-reduced iron 27 (range 15-41), and ferric citrate 96 (range 75-125). Good results were obtained with a simplified basal diet prepared without ingredients that had previously contributed variable quantities of iron. There was no apparent advantage in using the change in hemoglobin during the repletion period instead of the final homoglobin value as the criterion of response to iron supplements. Several statistical treatments of the data yielded similar conclusions regarding relative biological values of the iron sources.