No abstract

Four replicates of 50 rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fingerlings each were assigned to each of seven dietary protein levels from 30 to 60% in 5% increments. Percentage weight gains for 10 wk were related to dietary protein levels using an analysis of variance and multiple comparisons of the means, a "broken line" analysis, and a polynomial regression analysis. When correctly used, one of these techniques should lead to a reasonable conclusion concerning dietary protein requirements. However, the polynomial regression analysis has the advantage of being continuous, like the relation of growth to dose, and should be more accurate than the other methods when the intervals between experimental dietary nutrient concentrations are wide. The polynomial regression analysis also provides the basis for making economic decisions relative to protein requirements for maximum economic returns.

Normal healthy volunteers were studied after they ingested various beta-carotene doses. Daily administration of 15 or 45 mg beta-carotene resulted in significant increase in plasma beta-carotene levels. The extent of increase and the pattern of plasma beta-carotene levels showed substantial interindividual variation. Absorption of beta-carotene was affected by dietary fat concentration. Individuals placed on a high-fat diet showed significant increases in plasma beta-carotene as compared with those placed on a low-fat diet. Pharmacological doses of beta-carotene (45 and 90 mg) were used in intermittent schedules (5-6 d intervals) without altering the steady state of beta-carotene plasma levels. Yellowing of the skin occasionally occurred during daily dosing with 45 mg beta-carotene without evidence of toxicity. The observed individual variation in bioavailability of beta-carotene raises questions regarding clinical use of this micronutrient. It appears that determination of target plasma beta-carotene concentrations is essential for effective use of this compound in prevention or treatment.

A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted with 64 pigs (4 wk old, 8.04 +/- .50 kg BW) to determine the effect of various dietary concentrations of Ca, vitamin D, and microbial phytase (Aspergillus niger) on phytate-P utilization. A low-P, corn-soybean meal diet was supplemented with two levels of phytase (unit/gram), 750 (suboptimal) and 1,200 (optimal); of vitamin D (international unit/kilogram), 660 (normal) and 6,660 (high); and of Ca (percentage), .4 (low) and .8 (normal). Pen feed consumption and individual pig weights, plasma inorganic P and Ca concentrations, and plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity were measured at d 10, 20, and 30. The normal dietary Ca concentration had an adverse effect (P < .05) on all the response measures. The depressive effect of the normal dietary Ca on performance was greater (P < .05) at the normal vitamin D level or at the optimal phytase level than at the other levels of these two factors. The elevation in plasma AP activity in pigs fed the normal dietary Ca was greater (P < .05) at the suboptimal than at the optimal phytase level. The decreases in plasma inorganic P concentration and increases in plasma Ca concentration associated with the normal dietary Ca were substantial. In conclusion, the normal level of Ca in the diet greatly reduced the efficacy of supplemental phytase. Raising vitamin D in the diet partially offset this adverse effect but did not produce further improvement when the Ca level was low.

The mortality experience of 7,119 workers who were employed at a Beaumont, Texas, refinery for at least 1 year between 1945 and 1987 was investigated. Mortality analyses based on standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) showed overall mortality was significantly lower than expected compared with the U.S. general population (SMR <=;=> 82, 95%CI = 79–86). Total cancer mortality was also lower than expected (SMR = 92, 95% CI = 84–100). Significant mortality deficits from several malignant and nonmalignant diseases were reported. A significant mortality increase in the broad category of lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers was found (SMR = 133, 95%CI = 103–170). This increase was attributed to a nonsignificant elevation in leukemia of all cell types combined (SMR = 139, 95%CI = 92–201) and a borderline significant increase in other lymphatic tissue cancer (SMR = 158, 95%CI = 101–235). The elevation in leukemia was confined to workers hired before 1950. Furthermore, the leukemia excess was shown to have peaked during the 1960s, with mortality no longer elevated post‐1980. Analyses of cell type‐specific leukemias showed a similar temporal pattern for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which was not significantly elevated (SMR = 136, 95%CI = 59–268). Mortality from other leukemia cell types was similar to or lower than expected. Mortality from non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (SMR = 140, 95%CI = 88–211) and multiple myeloma (MM) (SMR = 121, 95%CI = 55–230) were increased, but neither was statistically significant nor likely to be related to refinery employment. No death from asbestosis was reported, and mortality from mesothelioma and pulmonary fibrosis was lower than expected. Lung cancer mortality for the overall cohort was similar to expected. For the overall cohort, analyses by duration of employment and time since first employment showed no evidence of any trends for increasing cause‐specific mortality. Separate analyses of male workers employed in operator jobs showed mortality patterns that were more favorable than those of the total cohort. Maintenance craftworkers showed statistically significant elevations in mortality for prostate cancer (SMR = 145, 95%CI = 107–194), leukemia (SMR = 179, 95%CI = 111–273), and other lymphatic tissue cancer (SMR = 233, 95%CI = 138–368). Detailed analyses indicated that, among maintenance craftworkers, mortality was elevated for AML, NHL, and MM, but none was significant. Furthermore, no upward trend by duration of maintenance jobs was observed. A small increase of lung cancer was observed among maintenance craftworkers (SMR = 120, 95%CI = 99–145), which was borderline significant. No relationship between lung cancer and duration of maintenance employment was found. In contrast, a deficit of pulmonary fibrosis was reported among maintenance craftworkers (SMR = 62, 95%CI = 17–159). These findings are discussed in conjunction with results from other refinery studies, and the limitations of the study are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:61–81, 1998. © 1...