Rotenone and rotenoids in cubè resins, formulations, and residues on olives

Rotenone and rotenoids (deguelin, beta-rotenolone (12a beta-hydroxyrotenone), tephrosin (12a beta-hydroxydeguelin), 12a alpha-hydroxyrotenone, and dehydrorotenone) were determined in cubè resins and formulations. Cubè resins from Lonchocarpus contain large quantities of deguelin (ca. 21.2%) and smaller quantities of tephrosin (ca. 3.5%) and beta-rotenolone (ca. 3.0%). The composition of commercial formulations may present very different rotenoid contents depending on the extracts used to prepare them. Because these rotenoids also present insecticide activity, the efficacy of these formulations may be very different. The storage stability and photodegradation of some rotenone formulations were studied. Rotenone and rotenoids are very sensitive to solar radiation, which degrades them rapidly, with half-lives in the order of a few tens of minutes. Some formulations show greater disappearance rates than that of cubè resin, indicating that not much attention has been paid to protecting the active ingredients from photodegradation in the formulation. A study on the residues on olives was also carried out to assess not only the rotenone content, but also that of the main rotenoids. At harvest, the residues of deguelin, tephrosin, and beta-rotenolone were 0.10, 0.06, and 0.10 mg/kg, respectively, very similar to rotenone (0.08 mg/kg), and though a few data indicate similar acute toxicity values for deguelin, only rotenone is taken into consideration in the legal determination of the residue.     

Flavor improvement in pork from barrows and gilts via inhibition of intestinal skatole formation with resistant potato starch

Skatole originates from microbial processing of tryptophan in the large intestine of pigs and accumulates in adipose tissue. Formation may be inhibited by the anti-apoptotic function of butyrate formed out of raw potato starch. Two groups of pigs (each consisting of gilts and barrows) were fed from 30 to 110 kg life weight either a conventional diet (controls; n = 35) or an isocaloric diet containing 300 g of raw potato starch/kg of body weight (RS; n = 34). Skatole concentrations were measured in colon content, blood, and adipose tissue. Odor of cooked meat samples was evaluated by a test panel. RS reduced concentrations in colon content and blood plasma (P < 0.001). Back fat concentrations were decreased significantly from 25 to 1.40 ng/g (barrows; P < 0.001) and from 40 to 9 ng/g (gilts; P < 0.001). Odor rating (scale of 1-5 from very unpleasant to very pleasant) was 3.07 for low skatole concentrations and 2.66 for both medium and high skatole concentrations (P < 0.05).     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxins,dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in soils of Moscow

The contents of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs) in the soils of Moscow were estimated. The concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs mainly vary in the range of 0.27–16.1 ng WHO-TEQ/kg with single points of very high contamination up to 57.3 ng WHO-TEQ/kg; the concentrations of PCBs are in the range of 2.1–50.8 ng/g with sites of high contamination up to 4020 ng/g. The contribution of dioxin-like PCBs to the total dioxin toxic equivalent is very high: from 16 to 85%. The high levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in the soils indicate the strong contamination of the atmospheric air. The main source of these compounds is apparently motor transport.     

Perfluorinated compounds in human blood, water, edible freshwater fish, and seafood in China: daily intake and regional differences in human exposures

Despite the growing public interest in perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), very few studies have reported the sources and pathways of human exposure to these compounds in China. In this study, concentrations of 10 PFCs were measured in human blood, water (tap water and surface water), freshwater fish, and seafood samples collected from China. On the basis of the data, we calculated daily intakes of PFCs, regional differences in human exposures, and potential risks associated with ingestion of PFCs from diet, drinking water, and indoor dust for the Chinese population. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most predominant PFC found with a mean concentration of 12.5 ng/mL in human blood from Tianjin and 0.92 ng/g wet wt in freshwater fish and seafood; perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the major PFC found in drinking water at a concentration range of 0.10 to 0.92 ng/L. The estimated daily intake of PFOS and PFOA via fish and seafood consumption (EDI(fish&seafood)) ranged from 0.10 to 2.51 and 0.13 to 0.38 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, for different age groups (i.e., toddlers, adolescents and children, and adults) from selected locations (i.e., Tianjin, Nanchang, Wuhan, and Shenyang). The EDI(fish&seafood) of PFCs decreased (p < 0.05) with age. The estimated daily intake of PFOS and PFOA via drinking water consumption (EDI(drinking water)) ranged from 0.006 to 0.014 and 0.010 to 0.159 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Comparison of EDI(fish&seafood) and EDI(drinking water) values with those of the modeled total dietary intake (TDI) of PFCs by adults from Tianjin, Nanchang, Wuhan, and Shenyang showed that contributions of fish and seafood to TDI of PFOS varied depending on the location. Fish and seafood accounted for 7%, 24%, 80%, and 84% of PFOS intake in Nanchang, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Tianjin, respectively, suggesting regional differences in human exposure to PFOS. Drinking water was a minor source of PFOS (<1%) exposure in adults from all the study locations.     

Comparison of accelerator mass spectrometry with gas chromatography for the determination of pesticide residues in individual items in the diets of wild birds and mammals

Methods to refine the assessment of exposure of wild birds and mammals to pesticides required measurement of pesticide residues in very small samples of their diets. Sample sizes were in the 1-100 mg range, and the target residue for measurement was 0.01 mg/kg. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with large volume injection was compared with the use of an accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) to measure residues of pesticide labeled at near-background levels with carbon-14. The GC-MS method was able to detect residues down to 0.1 ng per item of diet, and the AMS detected the radiolabel down to 1 mBq (0.06 disintegration per minute, 1 ng of pesticide at the specific activity used) per sample. The target residue level was achieved by the GC-MS method for samples down to 10 mg. The GC method appeared to be best suited to monitoring residues in field studies, and the AMS shows great potential for use in laboratory experiments concerning pesticide degradation.     

Human exposure to perfluorinated chemicals through the diet: intake of perfluorinated compounds in foods from the Catalan (Spain) market

The aim of this study was to determine the dietary intake of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) by the population of Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain). PFC levels were determined in 36 composite samples of foodstuffs randomly purchased in various locations. Exposure to PFCs through the diet was estimated for various age/gender groups. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorocarboxylate perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) were the only detected PFCs in foodstuffs. On average, for a standard adult man (70 kg of body weight), the dietary intake of PFOS was estimated to be 62.5 or 74.2 ng/day (assuming ND=0 or ND=1/2 LOD, respectively). Fish, followed by dairy products and meats, were the main contributors to PFOS intake. For an adult man, the intake of PFOS (1.07 ng/kg/day) and those of PFOA and PFHpA were lower than that recently reported for Canada (4.0 ng/kg/day), and considerably lower than that previously found in the United Kingdom, the only two countries where, to date, results concerning this issue have been reported. A correlation between dietary intake and blood levels of PFOS is suggested. However, the current results do not justify dietary intake as the main route of exposure governing blood concentrations of other PFCs.     

奶牛产奶量与乳中孕酮、雌二醇含量关系的研究

用放射免疫法测定了50头荷斯坦牛产后23d内及发情前后12d内乳中的孕酮(P)和雌二醇(E2)的含量。结果表明:产奶量≤2000kg时,P和E2的平均含量分别为(0.70±0.30)ng/ml和(134±240)pg/ml;产奶量为2001-2500kg时,P和E2的平均含量分别为(0.55±0.17)ng/ml和(100±111)pg/ml;产奶量为2501-3000kg时,P和E2的平均含量分别为(0.45±0.17)ng/ml和(44±24)pg/ml;产奶量为2001-2500kg时,P和E2的平均含量为(0.50±0.19)ng/ml和(94±182)pg/ml。发情前后12d内,产奶量≤2000kg,P和E2的平均含量分别为(1.74±1.13)ng/ml和(40±15)pg/ml;产奶量为2001-2500kg时,P和E2的平均含量分别为(1.85±0.64)ng/ml和(47±11)pg/ml;产奶量为2501-3000kg时,P和E2的平均含量分别为(1.98±1.26)ng/ml和(42±12)pg/ml;产奶量为2001-2500kg时,P和E2的平均含量分别为(2.41±1.10)ng/ml和(49±13)pg/ml。不同产奶量(90d内总产量)的奶牛其产后乳中孕酮及雌二醇含量之间的差异均达极显著(P<0.01)。而不同产奶量的奶牛其发情前后孕酮、雌二醇含量差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

Rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold immunoassay for kanamycin and tobramycin in Swine tissues

A monoclonal antibody (Mab) was produced by using the kanamycin-glutaraldehyde-bovine serum albumin (Kan-GDA-BSA) conjugate as the immunogen. The anti-Kan Mab exhibited high cross-reactivity with tobramycin (Tob) and slight or negligible cross-reactivity with other aminoglycosides. The specificity and cross-reactivity of this Mab are discussed regarding the three-dimensional, computer-generated molecular models of the aminoglycosides. Using this Mab, a rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a colloidal gold-based strip test for Kan and Tob were developed. The rapid ELISA showed a 50% inhibition value (IC 50) of 0.83 ng/mL for Kan and 0.89 ng/mL for Tob with the analysis time less than 40 min, and the recoveries from spiked swine tissues at levels of 25-200 microg/kg ranged from 52% to 96% for Kan and 61% to 86% for Tob. In contrast, the strip test for Kan or Tob had a visual detection limit of 5 ng/mL in PBS, 50 microg/kg in meat or liver, and 100 microg/kg in kidney, and the results can be judged within 5-10 min. Observed positive samples judged by the strip test can be further quantitated by ELISA, hence the two assays can complement each other for rapid detection of residual Kan and Tob in swine tissues. Moreover, physical-chemical factors that affected the ELISA and strip test performance were also investigated. The effect of pH and antibody amount for gold-antibody conjugation on the strip test sensitivity was determined followed by a theoretical explanation of the effects.     

Ochratoxin a contamination in italian wine samples and evaluation of the exposure in the italian population

The scope of this study was to evaluate the exposure of the Italian population to ochratoxin A (OTA) attributable to wine consumption. With this aim 1166 wine samples (773 red wines, 290 white, 75 rose, and 28 dessert wines), collected in 19 different Italian regions and mostly produced between 1988 and 2004, were analyzed for OTA content. The obtained results are reported by year of harvest, geographical area of production, and type of wine. Red wine showed the highest maximum level of contamination (7.50 ng/mL), even though rose wines were characterized by a higher mean value (0.01 ng/mL). A gradually increasing mean concentration was also observed from the north (0.05 ng/mL) to south of Italy (0.54 ng/mL). Exposure calculations, performed using two different consumption databases, indicate a daily intake for consumer only of 0.59 up to 1.24 ng/(kg of b.w.)/day and of 0.33 up to 0.90 ng/(kg of b.w.)/day for the total population. Even in the worst case, corresponding to the calculation of the intake for consumers only in southern Italy and Islands and considering the mean consumption data increased by 1 standard deviation, a quite low exposure (1.68 ng/(kg of b.w.)/day, accounting for 9.8% of TDI) was obtained. Considering the overall OTA dietary exposure, obtained exposure rates indicate that wine did not pose a risk to the Italian population health.     

Nature of the residue of [(14)C]Cloransulam-methyl in lactating goats

Two lactating goats were given a daily oral dose of either [UL-aniline-(14)C; AN] or [triazolopyrimidine-7,9-(14)C; TP]cloransulam-methyl for 5 consecutive days. Each animal received a dietary equivalent of approximately 10 mg/kg of test material, approximately 2225 times the realistic maximum dietary exposure for a dairy animal. Milk, urine, and feces samples were collected in the morning and afternoon for each animal. Each goat was sacrificed within 23 h of receiving the last dose, and the liver, kidneys, samples of blood, fat, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract contents, and urine from the bladder were collected. All of these samples were analyzed for (14)C content. Cloransulam-methyl (CM) was rapidly excreted by the animals, with 99.9% of the recovered radioactivity appearing in the urine and feces. Radiochemical analysis showed very low residues, with the highest being in the kidneys at 0.122 and 0. 128 mg equiv of CM/kg (AN and TP labeled compounds, respectively). Radioactive residues were extracted and fractionated from kidney, liver, and milk. Analysis showed approximately 0.066 mg/kg CM in the kidney but <0.003 mg/kg in the liver. Only one metabolite, cloransulam, was identified (in liver, 9.5% of total radioactive residue; 0.005 mg/kg). All other metabolites were present at lower levels. Sulfonanilide bridge cleavage was not a significant degradation route for cloransulam-methyl in ruminants. These data indicated a very low bioaccumulation potential for cloransulam-methyl and its metabolites in ruminants. For a ruminant exposed to anticipated levels of cloransulam-methyl in its diet, parent and metabolites, in total, would not be expected to exceed 50 ng/kg in the kidney and liver.     

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in food of animal origin. The Swiss dioxin monitoring program

Between 1997 and 1999, several cases of dioxin contaminations in foodstuffs of animal origin occurred in Europe due to feed contaminated by several independent sources: citrus pulp pellets, fat containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and kaolinitic clay as anti-caking agent in feedingstuffs. As a consequence of the latter, a survey on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in food of animal origin was initiated by the Swiss authorities to assess the extent of PCDD/F contamination and to document the efficiency of the measures taken to ensure the decontamination of the food supply. Investigation of a total of 128 samples of cow's milk, poultry, eggs, and meat revealed several cases of residue levels distinctly above the background exposure limit of approximately 2.5 ng of I-TEQ/kg (fat basis). Particularly, elevated concentrations were found in eggs (maximum 13 ng of I-TEQ/kg), poultry (maximum 3.9 ng of I-TEQ/kg), and pork (maximum 7.5 ng of I-TEQ/kg). On the basis of the observed PCDD/F congener pattern, the contamination could be attributed to PCDD/F-contaminated kaolin that was used as an anti-caking agent in particular feedstuffs.     

Production of polyclonal antibodies against ochratoxin A and its detection in chilies by ELISA

Polyclonal antibodies were produced for Ochratoxin A (OA) by injecting OA-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate subcutaneously at multiple sites into a New Zealand White inbred rabbit. Antiserum could be used at a dilution exceeding 1:100 000 in an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and detected OA concentrations up to 0.1 ng/mL. The 50% inhibition binding (I(50)) of OA was 5 ng/mL. Antibodies did not react with ochratoxin B, coumarin, 4-hydroxycoumarin, L-phenylalanine, and aflatoxin B1. OA contamination in chilies (Capsicum annum L.) collected from commercial markets and cold storage units was determined. The mean recoveries from OA-free chilies spiked with 1 to100 microg of OA per kg of chili sample were 90-110% with a standard deviation of <10%. Of 100 chili samples tested, 26 were found to contain over 10 microg/kg of OA. In 12 samples the OA concentration varied from 10 to 30 microg/kg, in 10 samples from 30 to 50 microg/kg, in 3 samples from 50 to100 microg/kg, and in one sample it was 120 microg/kg. This is the first record in India of OA in chilies, a major component of cooked foods in this country, and it is noteworthy that OA contamination exceeded the permissible limit for human consumption of less than 20 microg/kg in over 26% of the market samples tested.     

东平湖表层沉积物中多氯联苯的污染特征

[目的]查明东平湖表层沉积物多氯联苯(PCBs)的污染特征,为东平湖沉积物的污染控制及风险评价提供科学依据。[方法]于2015年7月对东平湖16个不同点位的表层沉积物进行采样,使用GC-ECD检测了PCBs(PCB28,PCB52,PCB101,PCB118,PCB153,PCB138,PCB180)的含量,对东平湖PCBs的空间分布进行分析。运用EPA法对东平湖表层沉积物中多氯联苯进行生态风险评价。[结果]东平湖表层沉积PCBs总的含量范围为nd～605.9ng/kg,均值为126ng/kg,标准差为153。在空间分布上,湖区中部(184.5ng/kg)入湖口(149.9ng/kg)湖区西南部(101.4ng/kg)湖区北部(46.7ng/kg)。研究区PCBs同系物组成以七氯联苯为主,占总量的66.72%。与其他地区的沉积物相比较,东平湖表层沉积物中PCBs处于较低水平,风险评价表明该研究区域生物毒性效应概率远远小于10%。[结论]由于水文因素的影响,东平湖表层沉积物中多氯联苯(PCBs)呈现出由大汶河入湖口向西北方向递减的空间分布趋势;东平湖表层沉积物中的多氯联苯属于轻微污染水平,未对水体环境安全造成严重影响,沉积物中PCBs的浓度水平对大多数底栖生物无毒性影响。     

Improved liquid chromatography methods for the separation and quantification of biotin in NIST standard reference material 3280: multivitamin/multielement tablets

Two independently developed liquid chromatography (LC) methods for the quantitative determination of biotin in multivitamin/multielement tablets (NIST Standard Reference Material 3280 (SRM 3280)) are described. The methods use distinctly different tablet extraction solvents (methanol vs 1.5% aqueous formic acid) and analyte detection principles (mass spectrometry (MS) versus evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD)) to ensure quantitative reliability. The use of different extraction and detection procedures allows cross-validation of the methods and enhances confidence in the final quantitative results. Both methods yield highly comparable results for the mean level of biotin (LC/MS = 26.5 mg/kg +/- 0.3 mg/kg (n = 12); LC/ELSD = 24.7 mg/kg +/- 1.7 mg/kg (n = 12)) in SRM 3280, yet the methods differ considerably in their analytical characteristics. The isotope-dilution LC/MS method exhibits excellent linearity from 0.02 ng to 77 ng biotin on-column with a method limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.02 ng (S/N > 3) and 0.06 ng (S/N > 10) biotin on-column, respectively. The LC/ELSD method exhibits good linearity from 155 ng to 9900 ng biotin on-column with a method LOD and LOQ of 155 ng (S/N > 3) and 310 ng (S/N > 10) biotin on-column, respectively. Method performance data indicates that the LC/MS method is analytically superior to the LC/ELSD method; however, either method in combination with SRM 3280 should provide quality assurance, accuracy, and traceability for biotin levels in multivitamin/multielement dietary supplements.     

庆阳市日光温室小果型西瓜品种筛选

为筛选出适宜在庆阳市种植的小果型西瓜品种,丰富庆阳市日光温室栽培小果型西瓜品种资源。引进了13个国内外小果型西瓜品种进行了试种,并对各引进品种的植株形态、果实形态、果肉风味和产量进行了评价。结果表明,13个参试品种生长特征及果实品质差异显著,其中鼎优美颜中心糖含量最高,达143.3 g/kg;红小玉的边糖含量最高,为123.3 g/kg,且中心糖与边糖差最小。综合分析,鼎优美颜与红小玉果型精致小巧、果皮薄、果肉脆甜多汁、纤维含量少,可作为日光温室栽培种在庆阳市种植。     

Determination of N-(carboxymethyl)fumonisin B(1) in corn products by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization--mass spectrometry

It is well-known that fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) in corn meal decreases during baking, frying, and cooking, but it is still not exactly clear how heating affects the formation of N-(carboxymethyl)fumonisin B(1) (NCM-FB(1)), the reaction product of FB(1) and reducing sugars. In model experiments corn grits were spiked with FB(1) (2 mg/kg) and D-glucose (50 g/kg) or sucrose (50 g/kg) and manufactured into extrusion products at various temperatures (160--180 degrees C) and moisture levels (16--20%). A liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method using isotopically labeled fumonisin FB(1)-d(6) as an internal standard was developed for the determination of NCM-FB(1). For sample cleanup solid-phase C18 cartridges were used. The detection limit achieved with this method was 10 ng/g (signal-noise ratio = 3:1) using the protonated molecule [M + H](+) signal of NCM-FB(1) (m/z 780) in the selected ion monitoring mode. Low concentrations of NCM-FB(1) (29-97 ng/g) were detected in all samples spiked with D-glucose and FB(1), whereas those spiked with FB(1) and sucrose showed only NCM-FB(1) in samples produced at 180 degrees C (NCM-FB(1) = 27 ng/g). Various corn-containing food samples from the German market were analyzed for the presence of NCM-FB(1), FB(1), and hydrolyzed fumonisin B(1) (HFB(1)). All samples were contaminated with FB(1) (22--194 ng/g) and HFB(1) (5--247 ng/g). Six of nine samples contained NCM-FB(1) in low concentrations ranging from 10 to 76 ng/g. From these data and the low toxicity of NCM-FB(1) it can be concluded that the significance of NCM-FB(1) in food seems to be a minor one.     

Applications of reduced tillage in hills of central Nepal

Conventional tillage practices on steep and fragile landscape of Himalayan hills result in significant loss of topsoil during rainy season. Soil erosion in Nepal mid-hills is the most critical during pre-monsoon season. Many reviews argue that reduced tillage could be an option to tackle this problem. However, very few field experiments to evaluate reduced tillage systems have to date been conducted in this region. Thus, a field experiment was initiated in factorial randomized complete block design on acidic sandy loam soil (Lithic Dystochrept) during the summer season of 2001 at Kathmandu University (1500 masl) to assess the effects of tillage and cropping patterns on soil and nutrient losses, crop yield and soil fertility. Two main treatments viz. conventional and reduced till, and two sub-treatments viz. sole maize (Zea mays) and maize + soybean (Glycine max) were considered. Soil organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (N), plant available phosphorus (P) and exchangeable potassium (K) were determined for the original soil and eroded sediment using standard methods. Two years of data indicated annual soil and nutrient losses to be significantly lowered by reduced till as compared to conventional till. Total annual soil loss from conventional and reduced till was 16.6 and 11.1 Mg/ha, respectively. Similarly, annual nutrient losses associated with the eroded sediment were 188 kg OC/ha, 18.8 kg N/ha, <1 kg P/ha and 3.8 kg K/ha for conventional till and 126 kg OC/ha, 11.8 kg N/ha, <1 kg P/ha and 2.4 kg K/ha for reduced till. Soil OC and N losses were significantly higher in conventional till and this may be one of the major causes of fertility depletion in the Nepalese hills. Soil chemical properties did not differ due to tillage and cropping systems; however, over years pH, N and P were increased irrespective of treatments. Although treatments were at par for maize grain yield, conventional till + soybean produced highest grain yield (4.0 Mg/ha) followed by reduced till + soybean (3.9 Mg/ha) and conventional till sole maize (3.8 Mg/ha). Mixed cropping of legumes and maize do not help conserve soil and nutrient loss in hills of central Nepal. Thus, reduced till could be a viable option for minimizing soil and nutrient losses without sacrificing economic yields in central hills of Nepal.     

Breast-feeding and feeding practices of infants in a developing country: a national survey in Lebanon

OBJECTIVE: Breast-feeding (BF) provides the ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. The prevalence of BF in Lebanon shows mixed results. The present study was the first large-scale, extensive survey on BF parameters in Lebanon that aimed to explore demographic, socio-economic and other fundamental issues associated with the initiation and duration of BF by Lebanese mothers.DESIGN: The survey was cross-sectional in design and administered over 10 months.SETTING: Information on all variables was collected from mothers at health centres.SUBJECTS: Two-stage sampling was conducted to select participants. A total of 1,000 participants were randomly selected. A consent form was provided to each participant. Data were collected from 830 of these.RESULTS: Almost all mothers were Lebanese, married and had given birth in a hospital. About a third stated that breast milk was the first food introduced after birth. Although 55.9% started breast-feeding their newborns within a few hours after birth, and 18.3% within half an hour, 21.2% replied that they initiated BF a few days after birth. Only 4.6% of the mothers replied that they never breast-fed their infant. Timing of initiation of BF was associated with the type of delivery (vaginal/Caesarean section) and hospital-related factors (rooming-in, night feedings and frequency of mother-infant interaction). Of the mothers who breast-fed exclusively beyond 6 months, 86.7% had initiated BF a few hours following delivery, while only 13.3% had initiated BF a few days later. Compared with the exceptionally high proportion of BF initiation, exclusivity of BF was low, dropping to 52.4% at 1 month. Exclusivity of BF was also associated with place of residence (urban/rural) and negatively associated with educational level of the mother. Duration of BF was inversely associated with the use of pain killers during delivery and maternal education. Rural mothers and those who practised exclusive BF maintained BF for a longer duration.CONCLUSION: Initiation rates of BF are very high in Lebanon but rates of exclusive BF are low and duration of BF is short. Future research targeting the factors associated with BF, with particular emphasis on exclusivity, is needed. For the 95.4% of mothers who initiated BF, an ecological perspective on intervention aimed at women and their social support system is required to improve duration and exclusivity.     

Use of Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) for Corn (Maize) Production and its Effect on Surface Water Quality

Mushroom farmers have large quantities of spent mushroom substrate after their crops are harvested. This material is used for a variety of purposes including the growth of field crops. SMS was incorporated into a poor quality soil before planting 90-day corn. Field plots were established where spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was incorporated at 22.5, 45.0 or 90.0 kg m^?1, plus an untreated control on each of three years. Analysis of SMS indicates its nutrient level was 0.9-0.6-1.0 (N-P-K). Starter fertilizer was applied at planting along with an insecticide, but no herbicide. No additional fertilizer was used. Corn yields were significantly higher in SMS amended plots and the nitrogen content of both grain and stover was significantly higher than the control. Surface runoff water quality values from SMS amended soil were in the same range as those from the control treatments, the plots that received no SMS. Annual incorporation of up to 90 kg m^?2 of SMS into land planted to corn did not degrade the quality of surface water. Nutrients were retained in the SMS soil matrix and were, apparently, used as nutrients by the corn plants. Surface runoff was very low in ammonia nitrogen, CBOD, and chlorides. Use of SMS as an exclusive soil nutrient/soil ameliorant in corn production resulted is exceptionally good yields and quality.