Quantum Gravity Microstates from Fredholm Determinants.

Various two dimensional quantum gravity theories of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) form have descriptions as random matrix models. Such models, treated nonperturbatively, can give an explicit and tractable description of the underlying "microstate" degrees of freedom, which play a prominent role in regimes where the smooth geometrical picture of the physics is inadequate. This is shown using a natural tool, a Fredholm determinant det(1-K), which can be defined explicitly for a wide variety of JT gravity theories. To illustrate the methods, the statistics of the first several energy levels of a nonperturbative definition of JT gravity are constructed explicitly using numerical methods, and the full quenched free energy F_{Q}(T) of the system is computed for the first time. These results are also of relevance to quantum properties of black holes in higher dimensions.

National Estimates of Serum Total 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Metabolite Concentrations Measured by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in the US Population during 2007-2010.

BACKGROUND: The 2007-2010 NHANES provides the first US nationally representative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations measured by standardized liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. OBJECTIVE: We describe patterns for total 25(OH)D and individual metabolites in persons aged ≥1 y stratified by race-ethnicity and grouped by demographic, intake, physiologic, and lifestyle variables. METHODS: We measured 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3], 25-hydroxyergocalciferol [25(OH)D2], and C3-epimer of 25(OH)D3 [C3-epi-25(OH)D3] in serum samples (n = 15,652) from the 2007-2010 cross-sectional NHANES [total 25(OH)D = 25(OH)D3 + 25(OH)D2]. RESULTS: Concentrations (median, detection rate) of 25(OH)D3 (63.6 nmol/L, 100%) and C3-epi-25(OH)D3 (3.40 nmol/L, 86%) were generally detectable; 25(OH)D2 was detectable in 19% of the population. Total 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D3, and C3-epi-25(OH)D3 displayed similar demographic patterns and were strongly correlated (Spearman's r > 0.70). Concentrations of 25(OH)D2 (90th percentile) were much higher in persons aged ≥60 y (17.3 nmol/L) than in younger age groups (≤4.88 nmol/L). We noted significant race-ethnicity differences in mean total 25(OH)D [non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs), Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs): 46.6, 57.2, and 75.2 nmol/L, respectively] and in the prevalence of total 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L overall (24% of NHBs, 6.4% of Hispanics, and 2.3% of NHWs) as well as stratified by season (winter months: 30% of NHBs, 7.5% of Hispanics, and 3.8% of NHWs; summer months: 17% of NHBs, 4.4% of Hispanics, and 1.6% of NHWs). Persons with higher vitamin D intakes (diet, supplements, or both) and those examined during May-October had significantly higher total 25(OH)D. Significant race-ethnicity interactions in a multiple linear regression model confirmed the necessity of providing race-ethnicity-specific estimates of total 25(OH)D. CONCLUSIONS: Race-ethnicity differences in the prevalence of low total 25(OH)D remained strong even after adjustment for season to account for the NHANES design imbalance between season, latitude, and race-ethnicity. The strong correlation between C3-epi-25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D3 may be because the epimer is a metabolite of 25(OH)D3. The presence of 25(OH)D2 mainly in older persons is likely a result of high-dose prescription vitamin D2.

Unmetabolized folic acid is detected in nearly all serum samples from US children, adolescents, and adults.

BACKGROUND: Serum total folate consists mainly of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF). Unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) may occur in persons consuming folic acid-fortified foods or supplements. OBJECTIVES: We describe serum 5-methylTHF and UMFA concentrations in the US population ≥1 y of age by demographic variables and fasting time, stratified by folic acid-containing dietary supplement use. We also evaluate factors associated with UMFA concentrations >1 nmol/L. METHODS: Serum samples from the cross-sectional NHANES 2007-2008 were measured for 5-methylTHF (n = 2734) and UMFA (n = 2707) by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In supplement users compared with nonusers, we found significantly higher geometric mean concentrations of 5-methylTHF (48.4 and 30.7 nmol/L, respectively) and UMFA (1.54 and 0.794 nmol/L, respectively). UMFA concentrations were detectable (>0.3 nmol/L) in >95% of supplement users and nonusers, regardless of demographic or fasting characteristics; concentrations differed significantly by age and fasting time, but not by sex and race-ethnicity, both in supplement users and nonusers. The prevalence of UMFA concentrations >1 nmol/L was 33.2% overall and 21.0% in fasting (≥8 h) adults (≥20 y of age). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, UMFA concentrations >1 nmol/L were associated with being older, non-Hispanic black, nonfasting (<8 h), having smaller body surface area, higher total folic acid intake (diet and supplements), and higher red blood cell folate concentrations. In fasting adults, a decrease in the mean daily alcohol consumption was also associated with increased odds of UMFA concentrations >1 nmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: UMFA detection was nearly ubiquitous, and concentrations >1 nmol/L were largely but not entirely explained by fasting status and by total folic acid intake from diet and supplements. These new UMFA data in US persons ≥1 y of age provide much-needed information on this vitamer in a fortified population with relatively high use of dietary supplements.

Folate status and concentrations of serum folate forms in the US population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2.

Serum and erythrocyte (RBC) total folate are indicators of folate status. No nationally representative population data exist for folate forms. We measured the serum folate forms (5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF), unmetabolised folic acid (UMFA), non-methyl folate (sum of tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5-formylTHF), 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate (5,10-methenylTHF)) and MeFox (5-methylTHF oxidation product)) by HPLC-MS/MS and RBC total folate by microbiologic assay in US population ≥ 1 year (n approximately 7500) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2. Data analysis for serum total folate was conducted including and excluding MeFox. Concentrations (geometric mean; detection rate) of 5-methylTHF (37·5 nmol/l; 100 %), UMFA (1·21 nmol/l; 99·9 %), MeFox (1·53 nmol/l; 98·8 %), and THF (1·01 nmol/l; 85·2 %) were mostly detectable. 5-FormylTHF (3·6 %) and 5,10-methenylTHF (4·4 %) were rarely detected. The biggest contributor to serum total folate was 5-methylTHF (86·7 %); UMFA (4·0 %), non-methyl folate (4·7 %) and MeFox (4·5 %) contributed smaller amounts. Age was positively related to MeFox, but showed a U-shaped pattern for other folates. We generally noted sex and race/ethnic biomarker differences and weak (Spearman's r< 0·4) but significant (P< 0·05) correlations with physiological and lifestyle variables. Fasting, kidney function, smoking and alcohol intake showed negative associations. BMI and body surface area showed positive associations with MeFox but negative associations with other folates. All biomarkers showed significantly higher concentrations with recent folic acid-containing dietary supplement use. These first-time population data for serum folate forms generally show similar associations with demographic, physiological and lifestyle variables as serum total folate. Patterns observed for MeFox may suggest altered folate metabolism dependent on biological characteristics.

National health and nutrition examination survey: sample design, 2011-2014.

Background Data collection for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) consists of a household screener, an interview, and a physical examination. The screener primarily determines whether any household members are eligible for the interview and examination. Eligibility is established using preset selection probabilities for the desired demographic subdomains. After an eligible sample person is selected, the interview collects person-level demographic, health, and nutrition information, as well as information about the household. The examination includes physical measurements, tests such as hearing and dental examinations, and the collection of blood and urine specimens for laboratory testing. Objectives This report provides some background on the NHANES program, beginning with the first survey cycle in the 1970s and highlighting significant changes since its inception. The report then describes the broad design specifications for the 2011-2014 survey cycle, including survey objectives, domain and precision specifications, and operational requirements unique to NHANES. The report also describes details of the survey design, including the calculation of sampling rates and sample selection methods. Documentation of survey content, data collection procedures, estimation methods, and methods to assess nonsampling errors are reported elsewhere.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: national youth fitness survey plan, operations, and analysis, 2012.

BACKGROUND: In October 2008, the federal government issued its first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans to provide science-based guidance on the types and amounts of physical activity that provide substantial health benefits for Americans (1). Guidelines for children and adolescents recommend 60 minutes or more of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, or bone-strengthening physical activity daily (1). While the number of children in the United States who meet the recommendations in the Physical Activity Guidelines is unknown, the percentage that is physically active in the United States may be declining. No recent national data exist on the fitness levels of children and adolescents. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey's (NHANES) National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) was conducted in 2012 and collected data on physical activity and fitness levels for U.S. children and adolescents aged 3-15 years. OBJECTIVES: The objective of NNYFS was to provide national-level estimates of the physical activity and fitness levels of children, based on interview and physical examination data. Results from the survey are intended to contribute to the development of policies and programs to improve youth fitness nationally. The data also may be used in the development of national reference standards for measures of fitness and physical activity. Methods The NNYFS survey design used the design for NHANES, which is a multistage probability sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized resident population of the United States. NNYFS consisted of a household interview and a physical activity and fitness examination in a mobile examination center. A total of 1,640 children and adolescents aged 3-15 were interviewed, and 1,576 were examined.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: National Youth Fitness Survey Estimation Procedures, 2012.

BACKGROUND: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey's (NHANES) National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) was conducted in 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). NNYFS collected data on physical activity and fitness levels to evaluate the health and fitness of children aged 3-15 in the United States. The survey comprised three levels of data collection: a household screening interview (or screener), an in-home personal interview, and a physical examination. The screener's primary objective was to determine whether any children in the household were eligible for the interview and examination. Eligibility was determined by preset selection probabilities for desired sex-age subdomains. After selection, the in-home personal interview collected demographic, health, physical activity, and nutrition information about the child as well as information about the household. The examination included physical measurements and fitness tests. OBJECTIVES: This report provides background on the NNYFS program and summarizes the survey's sample design specifications. The report presents NNYFS estimation procedures, including the methods used to calculate survey weights for the full sample as well as a combined NHANES/NNYFS sample for 2012 (accessible only through the NCHS Research Data Center). The report also describes appropriate variance estimation methods. Documentation of the sample selection methods, survey content, data collection procedures, and methods to assess nonsampling errors are reported elsewhere.

Urine sodium excretion increased slightly among U.S. adults between 1988 and 2010.

Little information is available on temporal trends in sodium intake in the U.S. population using urine sodium excretion as a biomarker. Our aim was to assess 1988-2010 trends in estimated 24-h urine sodium (24hUNa) excretion among U.S. adults (age 20-59 y) participating in the cross-sectional NHANES. We used subsamples from a 1988-1994 convenience sample, a 2003-2006 one-third random sample, and a 2010 one-third random sample to comply with resource constraints. We estimated 24hUNa excretion from measured sodium concentrations in spot urine samples by use of calibration equations (for men and women) derived from the International Cooperative Study on Salt, Other Factors, and Blood Pressure study. Estimated 24hUNa excretion increased over the 20-y period [1988-1994, 2003-2006, and 2010; means ± SEMs (n): 3160 ± 38.4 mg/d (1249), 3290 ± 29.4 mg/d (1235), and 3290 ± 44.4 mg/d (525), respectively; P-trend = 0.022]. We observed significantly higher mean estimated 24hUNa excretion in each survey period (P < 0.001) for men compared with women (31-33%) and for persons with a higher body mass index (BMI; 32-35% for obese vs. normal weight) or blood pressure (17-26% for hypertensive vs. normal blood pressure). After adjusting for age, sex, and race-ethnicity, temporal trends in mean estimated 24hUNa excretion remained significant (P-trend = 0.004). We observed no temporal trends in mean estimated 24hUNa excretion among BMI subgroups, nor after adjusting for BMI. Although several limitations apply to this analysis (the use of a convenience sample in 1988-1994 and using estimated 24hUNa excretion as a biomarker of sodium intake), these first NHANES data suggest that mean estimated 24hUNa excretion increased slightly in U.S. adults over the past 2 decades, and this increase may be explained by a shift in the distribution of BMI.

National health and nutrition examination survey: analytic guidelines, 1999-2010.

Background-Analytic guide lines were first created in 1996 to assist data users in analyzing data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III),conducted from 1988 to 1994 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. NHANES became a continuous annual survey in 1999, with data released to the public in 2-year intervals. In 2002, 2004, and 2006, guidelines were created and posted on the NHANES website to assist analysts in understanding the key issues related to analyzing data from 1999 onward. This report builds on these previous guidelines and provides the first comprehensive summary of analytic guidelines for the 1999-2010 NHANES data. Objectives-This report provides general guidelines for researchers in analyzing 1999-2010 NHANES publicly released data. Information is presented on key issues related to NHANES data, including sample design, demographic variables, and combining survey cycles. Guidance is also provided on data analysis, including the use of appropriate survey weights, calculating variance estimations, determining the reliability of estimates, age adjustment, and computing population counts.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: estimation procedures, 2007-2010.

BACKGROUND: Data collection for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), comprises three levels: an initial household screening interview (or ''screener''), an in-home personal interview, and a physical examination. The primary objective of the screener is to determine whether any household members are eligible for the interview and examination. Eligibility is determined by preset selection probabilities for the desired demographic subdomains. After an eligible sample person is selected, the in-home interview collects person-level demographic, health, and nutrition information, as well as information about the household. The examination includes physical measurements such as blood pressure, a dental examination, and the collection of blood and urine specimens for laboratory testing. OBJECTIVES: This report provides background for the NHANES program and summarizes the sample design specifications for the 2007-2010 survey cycle. Estimation procedures are then presented, including the methods used to calculate survey weights for the full sample and for examination subsamples, as well as guidelines for combining 2-year weights for the analysis of multiyear data. Finally, the appropriate variance estimation methods are described. The sample selection methods, survey content, data collection procedures, and methods for assessing nonsampling errors are documented elsewhere.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: sample design, 2007-2010.

BACKGROUND: Data collection for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) comprises three levels: a household screener, an interview, and a physical examination. The primary objective of the screener is to determine whether any household members are eligible for the interview an dexamination. Eligibility is determined by preset selection probabilities for the desired demographic subdomains. After an eligible sample person is selected, the interview collects person-level demographic, health, and nutrition information, as well as information about the household. The examination includes physical measurements, tests such as hearing and dental examinations, and the collection of blood and urine specimens for laboratory testing. OBJECTIVES: This report provides some background on the NHANES program, beginning with the first survey cycle in the 1970s and highlighting significant changes since its inception. The report then describes the broad design specifications for the 2007-2010 survey cycle, including survey objectives, domain and precision specifications, and operational requirements unique to NHANES. In addition, the report describes the details of the survey design, including the calculation of sampling rates and sample selection methods. Documentation of survey content, data collection procedures, estimation methods, and methods to assess nonsampling errors are reported elsewhere.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: Sample Design, 1999-2006.

BACKGROUND: Data collection for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) comprises three levels: a household screener, an interview, and a physical examination. The primary objective of the screener is to determine whether any household members are eligible for the interview and examination. Eligibility is determined by the preset selection probabilities for the desired demographic subdomains. After selection as an eligible sample person, the interview collects person-level demographic, health, and nutrition information as well as information about the household. The examination includes physical measurements, tests such as eye and dental examinations, and the collection of blood and urine specimens for laboratory testing. OBJECTIVES: This report will first describe the broad design specifications for the 1999-2006 survey including survey objectives, domain and precision specifications, operational requirements, sample design, and estimations procedures. Details of the sample design are divided into two sections. The first section (NHANES 1999-2001 Sample Design) broadly describes the sample design and various design changes during the first three years of the continuous NHANES (1999-2001). The second section (NHANES 2002-2006 Sample Design) describes the final sample design developed and applied for 2002-2006. Weighting and variance estimation procedures are presented in the same manner; however, to correspond to the public data release cycles, the weighting and variance sections are separated into those used for 1999-2002, and those used for 2003-2006. Much of this report is based on survey operations documents and sample design reports prepared by Westat. Documentation of the survey content, procedures, and methods to assess nonsampling errors are reported elsewhere.

Changes in measurement procedure from a radioassay to a microbiologic assay necessitate adjustment of serum and RBC folate concentrations in the U.S. population from the NHANES 1988-2010.

The NHANES measured serum and RBC folate concentrations by using a radioassay during prefortification (1988-1994) and postfortification (1999-2006) periods followed by the use of a microbiologic assay (MBA) from 2007-2010. The MBA produces higher concentrations than does the radioassay and is considered to be more accurate. To allow for accurate long-term trending (1988-2010), we evaluated different regression models (linear, piecewise linear, and fractional polynomial) to assay-adjust the radioassay results to be comparable to the MBA results. The data used to derive the regression models originated from 2 crossover studies in which the 2 assays were applied to a set of 325 serum and 171 whole-blood samples. Fractional polynomial regression of logarithmically transformed data provided the best fit for serum folate. Linear regression of logarithmically transformed whole-blood data provided an equally good fit compared with the other models and was the simplest to apply for RBC folate. Prefortification serum and RBC folate geometric mean concentrations increased after adjustment from 13.0 to 16.7 nmol/L and from 403 to 747 nmol/L, respectively. Postfortification serum folate concentrations increased from ~30 to ~43 nmol/L, and RBC folate concentrations increased from ~600 to ~1100 nmol/L after adjustment, with some variation across survey cycles. The presented regression equations allow the estimation of more accurate prevalence estimates and long-term trends in blood folate concentrations in the U.S. population by using results that are equivalent to the MBA. This information will be useful to public health officials in the United States who are dealing with folic acid fortification issues.

Estimation of trends in serum and RBC folate in the U.S. population from pre- to postfortification using assay-adjusted data from the NHANES 1988-2010.

The NHANES has monitored folate status of the U.S. population from prefortification (1988-1994) to postfortification (1999-2010) by measuring serum and RBC folate concentrations. The Bio-Rad radioassay (BR) was used from 1988 to 2006, and the microbiologic assay (MBA) was used from 2007 to 2010. The MBA produces higher concentrations than the BR and is considered to be more accurate. Thus, to bridge assay differences and to examine folate trends over time, we adjusted the BR results to be comparable to the MBA results. Postfortification, assay-adjusted serum and RBC folate concentrations were 2.5 times and 1.5 times prefortification concentrations, respectively, and showed a significant linear trend (P < 0.001) to slightly lower concentrations during 1999-2010. The postfortification prevalence of low serum (<10 nmol/L) or RBC (<340 nmol/L) folate concentrations was ≤ 1%, regardless of demographic subgroup, compared with 24% for serum folate and 3.5% for RBC folate prefortification, with substantial variation among demographic subgroups. The central 95% reference intervals for serum and RBC folate varied by demographic subgroup during both pre- and postfortification periods. Age and dietary supplement use had the greatest effects on prevalence estimates of low folate concentrations during the prefortification period. In summary, the MBA-equivalent blood folate concentrations in the U.S. population showed first a sharp increase from pre- to postfortification, then showed a slight decrease (17% for serum and 12% for RBC folate) during the 12-y postfortification period. The MBA-equivalent pre- and postfortification reference concentrations will inform countries that plan folic acid fortification or that need to evaluate its impact.

Summary of an NIH workshop to identify research needs to improve the monitoring of iodine status in the United States and to inform the DRI.

The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the NIH sponsored a workshop on May 12-13, 2011, to bring together representatives from various NIH institutes and centers as a first step in developing an NIH iodine research initiative. The workshop also provided an opportunity to identify research needs that would inform the dietary reference intakes for iodine, which were last revised in 2001. Iodine is required throughout the life cycle, but pregnant women and infants are the populations most at risk of deficiency, because iodine is required for normal brain development and growth. The CDC monitors iodine status of the population on a regular basis, but the status of the most vulnerable populations remains uncertain. The NIH funds very little investigator-initiated research relevant to iodine and human nutrition, but the ODS has worked for several years with a number of other U.S. government agencies to develop many of the resources needed to conduct iodine research of high quality (e.g., validated analytical methods and reference materials for multiple types of samples). Iodine experts, scientists from several U.S. government agencies, and NIH representatives met for 2 d to identify iodine research needs appropriate to the NIH mission.

Comparison of serum and red blood cell folate microbiologic assays for national population surveys.

Three laboratories participated with their laboratory-specific microbiologic growth assays (MA) in the NHANES 2007-2008 to assess whether the distributions of serum (n = 2645) and RBC folate (n = 2613) for the same one-third sample of participants were comparable among laboratories. Laboratory (L) 2 produced the highest and L1 the lowest serum and RBC folate geometric means (nmol/L) in the NHANES sample (serum: L1, 39.5; L2, 59.2; L3, 47.7; and RBC: L1, 1120; L2, 1380; L3, 1380). Each laboratory produced different reference intervals for the central 95% of the population. Pearson correlation coefficients were highest between L3 and L1 (serum, r = 0.95; RBC, r = 0.92) and lowest between L2 and L1 (serum, r = 0.81; RBC, r = 0.65). Notable procedural differences among the laboratories were the Lactobacillus rhamnosus microorganism (L1 and L3: chloramphenicol resistant, L2: wild type) and the calibrator [L1: [6S]5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF), L2: [6R,S] 5-formyltetrahydrofolate ([6R,S] 5-formylTHF), L3: folic acid (FA)]. Compared with 5-methylTHF as calibrator, the folate results were 22-32% higher with FA as calibrator and 8% higher with 5-formylTHF as calibrator, regardless of the matrix (n = 30 serum, n = 28 RBC). The use of different calibrators explained most of the differences in results between L3 and L1 but not between L2 and L1. The use of the wild-type L. rhamnosus by L2 appeared to be the main reason for the differences in results between L2 and the other 2 laboratories. These findings indicate how assay variations influence MA folate results and how those variations can affect population data. To ensure data comparability, better assay harmonization is needed.

Multiple imputation of missing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry data in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

In 1999, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were added to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to provide information on soft tissue composition and bone mineral content. However, in 1999-2004, DXA data were missing in whole or in part for about 21 per cent of the NHANES participants eligible for the DXA examination; and the missingness is associated with important characteristics such as body mass index and age. To handle this missing-data problem, multiple imputation of the missing DXA data was performed. Several features made the project interesting and challenging statistically, including the relationship between missingness on the DXA measures and the values of other variables; the highly multivariate nature of the variables being imputed; the need to transform the DXA variables during the imputation process; the desire to use a large number of non-DXA predictors, many of which had small amounts of missing data themselves, in the imputation models; the use of lower bounds in the imputation procedure; and relationships between the DXA variables and other variables, which helped both in creating and evaluating the imputations. This paper describes the imputation models, methods, and evaluations for this publicly available data resource and demonstrates properties of the imputations via examples of analyses of the data. The analyses suggest that imputation helps to correct biases that occur in estimates based on the data without imputation, and that it helps to increase the precision of estimates as well. Moreover, multiple imputation usually yields larger estimated standard errors than those obtained with single imputation.

NHANES monitoring of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a roundtable summary.

A roundtable to discuss monitoring of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in the NHANES was held in late July 2009. Topics included the following: 1) options for dealing with assay fluctuations in serum 25(OH)D in the NHANES conducted between 1988 and 2006; 2) approaches for transitioning between the RIA used in the NHANES between 1988 and 2006 to the liquid chromatography tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) measurement procedure to be used in NHANES 2007 and later; 3) approaches for integrating the recently available standard reference material for vitamin D in human serum (SRM 972) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) into the NHANES; 4) questions regarding whether the C-3 epimer of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [3-epi-25(OH)D3] should be measured in NHANES 2007 and later; and 5) identification of research and educational needs. The roundtable experts agreed that the NHANES data needed to be adjusted to control for assay fluctuations and offered several options for addressing this issue. The experts suggested that the LC-MS/MS measurement procedure developed by NIST could serve as a higher order reference measurement procedure. They noted the need for a commutability study for the recently released NIST SRM 972 across a range of measurement procedures. They suggested that federal agencies and professional organizations work with manufacturers to improve the quality and comparability of measurement procedures across all laboratories. The experts noted the preliminary nature of the evidence of the 3-epi-25(OH)D3 but felt that it should be measured in 2007 NHANES and later.

Chlorine disinfection of blended municipal wastewater effluents.

Blending is used in the wastewater industry to manage wet-weather events. Wastewater is treated through primary clarification, with flows in excess of the hydraulic capacity of the secondary system being directed to effluent disinfection. Before disinfection, the primary clarified effluent is "blended" with effluents that have been treated through the secondary system. The combined or "blended" effluents are then disinfected before being discharged to receiving waters. This study evaluated the effectiveness of chlorine to disinfect blended effluents. Experiments were conducted at bench-scale on primary and secondary effluents and three ratios of primary to secondary effluent (1:9, 3:7, and 5:5) from three publicly owned treatment works. Results from this study found that blending 10% or more primary effluent with secondary reduces the efficacy of chlorine disinfection, and coliphage survived chlorine disinfection better than bacterial indicator organisms. A simple empirical model for predicting indicator organism densities following chlorine disinfection was developed using data from this research.

Trends in blood folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations in the United States, 1988 2004.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring the folate status of US population groups over time has been a public health priority for the past 2 decades, and the focus has been enhanced since the implementation of a folic acid fortification program in the mid-1990s. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine how population concentrations of serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate and serum vitamin B-12 have changed over the past 2 decades. DESIGN: Measurement of blood indicators of folate and vitamin B-12 status was conducted in approximately 23,000 participants in the prefortification third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III; 1988-1994) and in approximately 8000 participants in 3 postfortification NHANES periods (together covering 1999-2004). RESULTS: Serum and RBC folate concentrations increased substantially (by 119-161% and 44-64%, respectively) in each age group in the first postfortification survey period and then declined slightly (by 5-13% and 6-9%, respectively) in most age groups between the first and third postfortification survey periods. Serum vitamin B-12 concentrations did not change appreciably. Prevalence estimates of low serum and RBC folate concentrations declined in women of childbearing age from before to after fortification (from 21% to <1% and from 38% to 5%, respectively) but remained unchanged thereafter. Prevalence estimates of high serum folate concentrations increased in children and older persons from before to after fortification (from 5% to 42% and from 7% to 38%, respectively) but decreased later after fortification. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in folate concentrations observed longer after fortification is small compared with the increase soon after the introduction of fortification. The decrease is not at the low end of concentrations and therefore does not raise concerns about inadequate status.