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Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) DSM 32203 as a zootechnical additive for dogs. The additive is a preparation of viable cells of L. reuteri DSM 32203 and it has not been previously authorised as a feed additive in the European Union. The additive is intended for use in complete feed for dogs at a minimum use level of 6 x 10(9) colony forming units (CFU) per animal and day. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of L. reuteri DSM 32203 for dogs. The applicant has provided supplementary information to support the efficacy of the additive to dogs. Based on the data provided, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that L. reuteri DSM 32203 has the potential to improve faecal consistency by reducing the moisture content of stools from dogs receiving the additive at 1 x 10(10) CFU/kg feed. However, the Panel has some reservations on the effects in the moisture content of stools, which if maintained over time might cast doubts on the benefits on the long-term use of the additive since it could lead to constipation.

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of Lactococcus lactis NCIMB 30117 as a technological additive for use in forage for all animal species. The additive aims to improve the production of silage and is authorised for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. There is no new evidence that would lead the FEEDAP Panel to reconsider its previous conclusions. Thus, the Panel concludes that the additive remains safe for all animal species, consumer and the environment under the authorised conditions of use. Regarding user safety, the additive should be considered as a respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions can be drawn on the skin sensitisation, and eye and skin irritancy potential of the additive. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

1-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine (TFMPP) are piperazine drugs of abuse often taken in combination. Considering the frequency of the co-administration of BZP and TFMPP in the clinical, analytical and forensic contexts and its toxicological impact, we aimed to implement a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique for the detection and simultaneous quantification of BZP and TFMPP in plasma, urine and cell culture medium.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a first-line stimulant drug to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Overdiagnosis of ADHD and MPH abuse lead to serious concerns about the possible long-term adverse consequences of MPH in healthy children and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate MPH effects in adolescent male Wistar rats (postnatal day 40) using an oral dose scheme (2 daily MPH doses 5 mg/kg in a 5% sucrose solution, 5 h apart, for 7 days) that mimics the therapeutic doses given to human adolescents. Twenty-four hours after the last MPH administration, rats were sacrificed and brain areas [cerebellum, prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and striatum], peripheral organs (liver, heart, and kidneys), and blood were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. MPH treatment did not alter rats’ body temperature or weight, neither food or water intake throughout the experiment. The ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) significantly increased in the PFC and hippocampus of MPH-treated rats, meanwhile protein carbonylation remained unchanged in the brain. In the heart, the GSH/GSSG ratio and GSH levels were significantly increased, with decreased GSSG, while histology revealed significant damage, namely interstitial edema, vascular congestion, and presence of a fibrin-like material in the interstitial space. In the kidneys, MPH treatment resulted in extensive necrotic areas with cellular disorganization and cell infiltration, and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a marked activation of nuclear factor-ĸB. This study showed that clinically relevant oral MPH doses improve the GSH redox status in the brain and heart, but evoke heart and kidney tissue damage to adolescent rats.

Submitted by Anabela Morais (ajmorais@porto.ucp.pt) on 2011-07-18T13:55:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 trab-int_2008_ESB_100_Silva Ferreira_António César_06.pdf: 92850 bytes, checksum: ae08d4aff88eb76cfa37772be5e22ef7 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2011-10-07T17:31:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 trab-int_2008_ESB_100_Silva Ferreira_António César_06.pdf: 92850 bytes, checksum: ae08d4aff88eb76cfa37772be5e22ef7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008