Objective. To investigate whether the established impaired phagocyte function in systemic lupus erythem-atosus (SLE) patients also affects apoptotic cell clearance. Accumulation of apoptotic waste as a source for autoantigens that induce and maintain autoimmune responses is discussed. Methods. Apoptosis was detected by morphology and propidium iodide staining. In vitro phagocytosis of autologous apoptotic cells in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated microscopically. Cross-feeding experiments were performed to investigate phagocytosis of heterologous apoptotic cells by in vitro-differentiated macrophages. Furthermore, the effect of annexin V on the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells was investigated. Results. Reduced clearance of apoptotic cells in SLE patients was observed. The defective clearance appeared to reflect phagocyte dysfunction and not an abnormal execution of apoptosis. A similar picture was seen when in vitro-differentiated macrophages from control populations were treated with annexin V. Conclusion. Noninflammatory engulfment phago-cytosis of apoptotic cells is decreased in SLE patients. Persistently circulating apoptotic waste may encounter inflammatory removal pathways and serve as immuno-gen for the induction of autoreactive lymphocytes and as antigen for immune complex formation.

Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been adapted for the efficient determination of furan in foods. Levels of furan in various foods were measured in order to identify the products that contribute most to the human intake of furan. Highest amounts were found in products that were heat treated in sealed containers such as jarred and canned food products and in crusty and dry products such as snacks, biscuits, bread crust, roasted wheat flour and roasted coffee beans. Of the analysed jarred baby food products those containing only meat and starch from rice and corn had low levels of furan. In addition, the fruit products showed similar low levels. Clearly higher concentrations were found in the vegetable and vegetable-meat products. For the adult population coffee seems to be an important product with respect to furan intake. Coffee brews from espresso-type machines had considerably higher amounts of furan than other coffee brews. This type of coffee is considered by experts to have the best coffee aroma. It is assumed that for regular coffee consumers coffee is the most important source of furan intake.

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A total of 243 samples of diverse foodstuffs were analysed for glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) using a liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method with a relatively low limit of quantification in the range of 0.0005-0.0025 mg kg. Main contributors for dietary glyphosate and AMPA intake were cereals and pulses. The results suggest that pasta is a very important foodstuff for dietary glyphosate residue intake in Switzerland. Interestingly all samples of wine, fruit juice and nearly all samples of honey tested positive for glyphosate although at very low levels. A dietary risk assessment was conducted. Food products for analysis were not selected purely at random, rather products were selected for which high levels of glyphosate residues were suspected. However, even in samples where high residue levels were expected, no exceedances of maximum residue levels were found. Consequently, human exposure did not exceed neither acceptable daily intake nor acute reference dose. Therefore, glyphosate residues found in the sampled foodstuffs from the Swiss market were of no concern for human health.

Low levels of vitamin D are common among Swiss adults, in particular during winter months and outside the Italian-speaking region.