The effect of dietary fiber on endogenous N secretion was studied using a 15N isotope dilution technique in four fistulated Holstein cows. Two isonitrogenous diets differing only in fiber (NDF and ADF) content were used in a crossover design. One diet (HF) contained 37.4% NDF, while the other (LF) contained 23.3%. A new model was developed to estimate endogenous N secretions and losses for the preintestinal, intestinal, and the total sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Three precursor pools: TCA-soluble fraction of plasma, intestinal mucosa, and milk were compared. Although endogenous losses estimated with the model were numerically different for each precursor pool selected (TCA-soluble fraction > mucosa > milk), treatment effects were similar. As intestinal mucosa is probably closest to the precursor pool, these data are discussed. Non-urea N endogenous secretions contributed 13% of the duodenal N flow but were not affected by the fiber content of the diet. The nonurea N endogenous flow at the duodenum was comprised of approximately equal inputs from endogenous N direct, and that incorporated into the microbial biomass. Total endogenous N flows at the duodenum exceeded, by nearly twofold, estimated inputs of urea-N to microbial biomass. Metabolic fecal output averaged 17% of fecal N and was not affected by level of dietary fiber, but net losses from secretions occurring in the small intestine were higher with the low fiber diet. Overall, endogenous N secretions represented 30% of total digestive tract protein synthesis.

Several factors affecting the amount of fluoride ingested during toothbrushing by 2- to 7-year-old children were investigated. The specific purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of age, the amount of dentifrice used, and rinsing after brushing to the variation in the ingestion of fluoride dentifrice. Four hundred and five children brushed their teeth in front of a portable sink. The tubes of dentifrice in gel (0.24% NaF) were weighed before and after use to determine the amount of toothpaste used. The fluoride content of the collected liquids was determined with a fluoride-ion-specific electrode. The amount of fluoride ingested was derived by determining the difference between the amounts used and recovered. The amount of dentifrice used, the age, and the rinsing habits, entered in a multiple regression model, explained up to 66 percent of the total variation in the amount of fluoride ingested. The amount of dentifrice used accounted by itself for 60 percent of the total variation. Therefore, these results indicate that the quantity of dentifrice used was the most important factor affecting the ingestion of fluoride through toothbrushing by young children.

Both findings call for an international public health and drug agencies surveillance of 'real-world' antipsychotic medication to ensure the optimal choices in treatment guidelines for SZ.

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Context: Obesity rates are rising sharply among all industrialized countries; the situation seems to be worse in English speaking countries. Taking into account genetic predisposition, excess of caloric intake combined with low energy expenditure will usually result in obesity. Objectives: To describe and compare regional obesity rates across Canada and assess the ecological relationship between regional rates of obesity, low level of leisure-time physical activity, and low fruit and vegetable consumption. Design: Cross-sectional population-based analysis from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey. Measures and data analyses: Canadian population distributions of body mass index (BMI), leisure-time physical activity and daily fruit and vegetable consumption were obtained from Statistics Canada. All these measures were based on the respondent's selfreported answers to a computer-assisted personal or telephone interview. Obesity rates (BMIX30), rates of low level of leisure-time physical activity (less than 1.5 kcal of energy expenditure per day), and rates of low fruit and vegetable consumption (less than five times a day) for the 106 Canadian Health regions were mapped to illustrate their geographical distribution. Cartograms were used in addition to traditional mapping to take into account the differences in population density between these small areas. Results: In 2003, 15.2% of Canadian individuals aged 20 years and older were considered obese. The rates of obesity varied substantially between the 106 Canadian health regions: from 6.2% in Vancouver to 47.5% in aboriginal population area. At the health region level, low leisure-time physical activity and low fruit and vegetable consumption are both good predictors of obesity (odds ratio of 9.2 and positive predictive value of 93% when considered simultaneously). Conclusion: There is a strong gradient in obesity prevalence between Canadian health regions. At the regional level, high rates of low level of physical activity, and high rates of low fruit and vegetable consumption were both found good predictors of high rates of obesity.

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Disturbances in the endogenous cannabinoid (ECB) system in schizophrenia may contribute to their enhanced sensitivity to psychoactive substances, and the beneficial effects of second-generation antipsychotics for substance abuse in schizophrenia may involve modulatory effects on ECB. To verify these two assumptions, 29 patients (24 completers) with schizophrenia and substance use disorders (SUD) were treated with quetiapine for 12 weeks, and peripheral ECB levels were measured, using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, in patients (weeks 0, 6 and 12) and 17 healthy volunteers. Baseline anandamide levels were significantly higher in patients, relative to controls. This result is consistent with studies describing ECB dysfunctions in schizophrenia. SUD parameters improved during treatment, but no changes in ECB occurred over time. Improvements in substance abuse were probably not mediated by modulatory effects of quetiapine on ECB. Lastly, baseline anandamide predicted endpoint SUD scores (alcohol/ cannabis). Anandamide is a potential target for medications aimed at relieving SUD in schizophrenia.