European Community Rules Research Articles

The Concentration of Selected Heavy Metals in Muscles, Liver and Kidneys of Pigs Fed Standard Diets and Diets Containing 60% of New Rye Varieties.

Simple SummaryModern varieties of cereal grains commonly cultivated in Europe are considered good alternative energy sources that can be used as partial replacements for barley and wheat, which are commonly used as primary energy sources in pig feed. In Central Europe, rye deserves special consideration as it can be cultivated on low-fertility soils with a very low environmental impact among cereals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of wheat and barley with maize or modern rye varieties (population and hybrid) on concentration of selected heavy metals in feed offered to pigs and in pig muscles, liver and kidneys at slaughter.The carry-over of heavy metals from feed to muscles is generally low if animals are fed with a standard diet containing amounts below the maximum permissible levels. However, prolonged exposure to heavy metals can lead to their accumulation in some organs like muscles, liver, and kidneys. This paves the way for human health risks related to the consumption of products of animal-origin. Thus, using feed mixtures with a low level of heavy metals in pig production will contribute to increasing public health and safety and is of environmental concern. The study aimed to assess the impact of the level of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in standard (control) feed mixtures and in alternative feed mixtures based on maize or new rye varieties (population and hybrid) on the heavy metal concentration in muscles, liver and kidney of fattened pigs at slaughter. While some differences between heavy metals content in examined tissue samples from experimental groups were observed, all of them were in the range of allowable levels according to European Community rules. In conclusion, new rye varieties, especially the hybrid variety, could be an alternative source of cereal grains for pig nutrition.

Rethinking the neonatal transport ground ambulance

ObjectivesThis article describes the detailed project aimed to realize a dedicated ground ambulance for neonatal emergency transport service (NETS). To date, the European Community rules specify requirements for the design, testing, performance, and equipping of road ambulance used for transport and care of adult injured or ill patients, completely ignoring neonatal transport.MethodsThe project consisted of electric and gas supply planning, interior design taking into account ergonomic and occupant protection principles, both during travel and during medical care performances.ResultsA detailed project is presented. Main differences between European Type C ambulance and the new proposed Type D neonatal ground ambulance are the presence on board of air compressed cylinder, iNO cylinders and delivery system, phototheraphy, shock adsorbing stretcher support, cooling device, patient’s placenta (refrigeration box), and transcutaneous gas analyzer.ConclusionThe European Community rules specify requirements for road ambulance used for transport and care of adult injured or ill patients, completely ignoring neonatal transport.This study describes the detailed project aimed to realize a dedicated ground ambulance for neonatal emergency transport service. This study demonstrated that it is not possible simply to adapt the currently dedicated ambulance for mobile intensive care and resuscitation services (actual type C European Community) in a modern dedicated NETS ambulance; it is of paramount importance suggesting to European Community to introduce a further ambulance type, to be identified type D, strictly reserved to neonatal transport activities.

La privacy nel diritto canonico e i rapporti con le legislazioni nazionali della Comunità Europea

Con il progressivo utilizzo dei sistemi informatici e con l’espansione dell’utilizzo dei media, in modo particolare negli ultimi anni con il crescente diffondersi di internet e dei social media, la questione della tutela dei dati personali ha fatto sorgere nuove esigenze che richiedono un adeguamento della normativa canonica.Le nuove problematiche di tutela, spesso rese molto complesse dalla difficoltà di arginare un fenomeno di “trasmissione di informazioni e quindi anche di dati” in continua espansione tecnologica, hanno reso necessario adeguare la normativa di tutela della privacy sia a livello di norme della Comunità Europea, che dei singoli paesi tenuti a recepirle, di cui ci occuperemo nel nostro studio.La Chiesa, che da sempre è depositaria della memoria e della storia dei popoli, attraverso gli archivi ecclesiastici, delle diocesi, dei monasteri e anche delle singole parrocchie, è dunque tenuta a garantire la tutela dei dati in suo possesso, che rappresentano la vita dei suoi fedeli.Inoltre il diritto della Chiesa da sempre riconosce tra i suoi diritti fondamentali il rispetto della persona, tra cui rientra anche quello del “diritto al rispetto della buona fama e della riservatezza di ogni persona”, che viene sancito nel Codice di diritto canonico del 1983 al canone 220.La tutela dei dati personali coinvolge inoltre il rapporto tra l’ordinamento della Chiesa e le norme giuridiche degli Stati: nella legislazione di molte nazioni sono state promulgate leggi che tutelano il trattamento dei dati personali, norme che vanno tenute presenti dalle Conferenze Episcopali Nazionali per disciplinare e adeguare ad esse la normativa canonica sul trattamento dei dati cosiddetti “sensibili”.

Labelling and Marketing of Bivalve and Gastropod Molluscs Retailed in Sardinia, Italy Between 2009 and 2013.

The aim of the present survey was to investigate the correct enforcement of the Community rules on the labelling and marketing of bivalve and gastropod molluscs retailed in Sardinia, Italy between 2009 and 2013. A total of 1500 packages and labels for live bivalve and gastropod molluscs were considered. A total of 375 labels (25%) presented non-compliance concerning the wrong trade name and additional wrong or missing information. The highest percentage of anomalous labels has been detected in small-scale retail shops (35%) and open-air markets (25%) compared with the big retailing chains (20%). The 5% of packages were not in compliance with the European Community rules on packaging of bivalve and gastropod molluscs. The high percentage of non-compliance with the European regulations on labelling results is a strong limitation for the consumers and highlights the need to improve the control system about labelling of seafood products.

Optimisation and validation of an HPLC method for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mussels

A method for determination of 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis), using HPLC coupled to a fluorescence detector, has been optimised and validated, according to European Community rules. Sample preparation involves alkaline digestion of mussel tissue, liquid–liquid extraction of organic compounds and solid phase clean-up. Accuracy and precision of the method were determined by a validation study, carried out to demonstrate that the method is useful for both screening purposes and confirmation. Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2007/333/EC stated the performance criteria for the analysis of the only benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in food products of animal origin, since BaP is the most studied PAH. We extended the BaP analysis performance criteria to other 10 toxic PAHs (listed in Commission Recommendation (EC) No. 2005/108/EC) and the validation study was performed also in agreement with Commission Decision (EC) No. 2002/657/EC. The method was applied to investigate 27 mussel samples from actively producing shellfish plants located in Campania (Italy) and variable levels of PAHs were detected ranging from <0.2 to 16 μg/kg wet weight.

Interaction of Double-stranded RNA-dependent Protein Kinase (PKR) with the Death Receptor Signaling Pathway in Amyloid β (Aβ)-treated Cells and in APPSLPS1 Knock-in Mice

For 10 years, research has focused on signaling pathways controlling translation to explain neuronal death in Alzheimer Disease (AD). Previous studies demonstrated in different cellular and animal models and AD patients that translation is down-regulated by the activation of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Among downstream factors of PKR, the Fas-associated protein with a death domain (FADD) and subsequent activated caspase-8 are responsible for PKR-induced apoptosis in recombinant virus-infected cells. However, no studies have reported the role of PKR in death receptor signaling in AD. The aim of this project is to determine physical and functional interactions of PKR with FADD in amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) neurotoxicity and in APP(SL)PS1 KI transgenic mice. In SH-SY5Y cells, results showed that Abeta42 induced a large increase in phosphorylated PKR and FADD levels and a physical interaction between PKR and FADD in the nucleus, also observed in the cortex of APP(SL)PS1 KI mice. However, PKR gene silencing or treatment with a specific PKR inhibitor significantly prevented the increase in pT(451)-PKR and pS(194)-FADD levels in SH-SY5Y nuclei and completely inhibited activities of caspase-3 and -8. The contribution of PKR in neurodegeneration through the death receptor signaling pathway may support the development of therapeutics targeting PKR to limit neuronal death in AD.

European integration and supranational governance

We argue that European integration is provoked and sustained by the development of causal connections between three factors: transnational exchange, supranational organization, and European Community (EC) rule-making. We explain the transition, in any given policy sector, from national to intergovernmental to supranational governance, in two ways. First cross-border transactions and communications generate a social demand for EC rules and regulation, which supranational organizations work to supply. We thus expect that Community competences will be unevenly constructed, both across policy sectors and over time, as a function of the intensity of these demands. Second, once EC rules are in place, a process of institutionalization ensues, and this process provokes further integration. Although we recognize the importance of intergovernmental bargaining in EC politics, our theory is not compatible with existing intergovernmental theorizing.

On-line and off-line solid-phase extraction with styrene-divinylbenzene-membrane extraction disks for determining pesticides in water by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-diode-array detection

The determination of a group of pesticides, two phenylureas, six triazines and four organophosphorous compounds was carried out using off-line and on-line solid-phase extraction-RPLC-diode-array detection using styrene-divinylbenzene-membrane extraction disks. Both systems are intercompared and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Lower limits of detection can be reached by the on-line method, which enables levels of 0.1 μg 1 −1 of most pesticides to be determined in tap water, as is required by European Community (EC) rules, whereas the off-line mode gives higher limits of detection, but it is possible to determine the pesticides at levels recomended by EC rules for surface water (1–3 μg 1 −1).

A Comment on Vermulst’s and Waer’s “European Community Rules of Origin as Commercial Policy Instruments?”

A Comment on Vermulst’s and Waer’s “European Community Rules of Origin as Commercial Policy Instruments?”

How drugs get to market

The Department of Health’s new guidelines for its ‘indicative prescribing’ scheme in general practice1 mean that Family Health Service Authorities (FHSAs) will be encouraging GPs to achieve rational, cost-effective prescribing, especially where prescribing costs have been well above, or well below, average. GPs will get help from various sources including, Prescribing Analyses and Costs (PACT) data and from the new local prescribing advisers, but they will still have to evaluate the many new medicines each year. Because of this, we shall next year publish short notes on new products soon after they are introduced. We will aim to assess evidence cited at their launch, without precluding more detailed review later. It is thus timely to outline the key stages by which a new medicine reaches the market. This article discusses the strengths and some weaknesses of the present system, and the changes foreseen as European Community rules begin to work.

European Community Rules of Origin as Commercial Policy Instruments?

European Community Rules of Origin as Commercial Policy Instruments?

Americans in Paris . . . (European Community)

Steps being taken by US companies to prepare for the post-1992 European market are described. In some cases, US companies may be better organized than their European counterparts to deal with a unified market. However, US trade officials still fear possible trade barriers. In particular, Article 115 of the 1957 European Economic Treaty has been used to protect the domestic automobile industries. The single market that is supposed to emerge in 1992 will do away with Article 115, but some European Community (EC) members have simply proposed enacting similar trade rules on an EC-wide basis, rather than a national one. What has provoked the ire of some US high-technology companies is a 1989 change in EC rules of origin that allows a product to be classified as European. To get the made-in-Europe seal, semiconductor chips must be fabricated in EC territory, whereas previously they only had to be assembled into packages and tested in Europe. Some of the largest US electrotechnology companies-AT&T, DEC, and IBM-have joined the European Strategic Programme for Research and Development in Information Technologies (Esprit), and, in January, Philips Consumer Electronics Co., Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc., and NBC formed a high-definition television (HDTV) consortium.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>