The European Commission mandated EFSA to furnish a scientific opinion regarding the safety of a tincture derived from Gentiana lutea L. (gentian tincture). For the purpose of sensory enrichment, this is intended for application to every animal species. Consisting of water and ethanol, the product's dry matter content is approximately 43%, and it averages 0.00836% polyphenols, broken down into 0.00463% flavonoids, 0.00027% xanthones, and 0.00022% gentiopicroside. The additive's use in complete feed or drinking water is limited to a maximum of 50 mg tincture/kg for all animals excluding horses, who are allowed up to 200 mg/kg in their complete feed. In a previous assessment, the FEEDAP panel was unable to conclude on the safety of the additive for long-lived animals, due to in vitro genotoxic effects observed with xanthones (gentisin and isogentisin) and gentiopicroside, and the associated risks of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity for unprotected individuals who experienced dermal exposure. The additive's safety for short-lived animals, consumers, and the environment was not compromised. The applicant has submitted literature to explain the previously recognized genotoxic activity of xanthones and gentiopicroside, and to highlight the ensuing user risks. The FEEDAP Panel, upon examining the cited literature, found no new data and thus maintained its inability to determine the safety profile of the additive for animals characterized by long lifespans and reproductive functions. The additive's potential to act as a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitizer remained undetermined. Xanthones, including gentisin and isogentisin, and gentiopicroside exposure in unprotected users handling the tincture cannot be ruled out. Accordingly, the reduction of user exposure is essential to decrease risk.

Seeking phytosanitary certification for ash log shipments, USDA, through the European Commission, presented a dossier to the EFSA Panel on Plant Health proposing the use of sulfuryl fluoride against Agrilus planipennis. Leveraging supplementary data from USDA APHIS, external experts, and the scientific literature, the Panel performed a quantitative analysis of the likelihood of pest-free A. planipennis status at the EU's point of entry for two commodities treated with sulfuryl fluoride: (a) ash logs including their bark; and (b) ash logs having their bark removed. learn more Expert judgment, considering the actions taken against pests and the associated uncertainties, provides an estimate of the probability of pest freedom. Ash logs bearing their bark display a reduced probability of A. planipennis eradication, contrasted with the increased likelihood in those without bark. According to the Panel, with a 95% certainty, the proposed sulfuryl fluoride fumigation, adhering to the USDA APHIS's specific treatment protocol, is predicted to ensure between 9740 and 10000 containers of ash logs with bark per 10000 and between 9989 and 10000 containers of debarked ash logs per 10000 will be free of A. planipennis.

The European Commission mandated EFSA's Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) to provide a scientific opinion concerning the safety and effectiveness of riboflavin (vitamin B2) from the Bacillus subtilis CGMCC 13326 strain, as a feed additive for all animal categories. A genetically modified production strain is the source of the additive's production. Although the production strain holds genes that code for antimicrobial resistance, no viable cells or DNA from the production strain were present in the final product's composition. Consequently, the employment of B. subtilis CGMCC 13326 for vitamin B2 production presents no safety issues. learn more Concerns regarding the safety of riboflavin, 80% from *Bacillus subtilis* CGMCC 13326, are absent when used in animal nutrition for the target species, consumers, and the environment. Due to the lack of data, the FEEDAP Panel is unable to determine whether the assessed additive might cause skin or eye irritation, or toxicity from inhaling it. Riboflavin's photosensitizing properties can cause light-induced allergic responses in both the skin and eyes. When delivered through feed, the additive under review exhibits effectiveness in fulfilling the vitamin B2 needs of the animals.

EFSA was commissioned by the European Commission to render a scientific judgment on the safety and efficiency of endo-14,d-mannanase (Hemicell HT/HT-L), manufactured from a genetically modified strain of Paenibacillus lentus (DSM 33618), as a zootechnical feed additive for fattening chickens, turkeys, laying hens, breeding turkeys, minor poultry until laying, fattening pigs, weaned piglets, and minor pig breeds. learn more A recipient strain of Paenibacillus lentus, which had been evaluated as safe by EFSA prior to this, served as the source for the production strain. The genetic modification process itself does not pose any safety risks, and the resulting production strain was free from any antibiotic resistance genes introduced by the modification. The intermediate product, which forms part of the additive's formulation, proved devoid of viable cells and the DNA of the production strain. Under the pre-determined use conditions, Hemicell HT/HT-L, manufactured by Paenibacillus lentus DSM 33618, is deemed safe for the outlined target species. The use of Hemicell HT/HT-L as a feed additive elicits no worries regarding consumer safety or environmental integrity. Hemicell HT/HT-L elicits no skin or eye irritation, yet it's categorized as a skin sensitizer and a possible lung sensitizer. At 32000 U/kg, the additive potentially shows efficacy in chickens, both for fattening and laying, minor poultry species (fattening, laying or breeding), pigs for fattening and minor porcine species. Further, turkeys for fattening, turkeys for breeding, and weaned piglets, potentially display efficacy at 48000 U/kg.

Utilizing the non-genetically modified bacteria Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus strain TCM3-539, Hayashibara Co., Ltd. produces the food enzyme cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase, also known as ((1-4),d-glucan(1-4),d-glucan 4,d-[(1-4),d-glucano]-transferase; EC 24.119). Viable cells of the production strain are not present within this sample. The food enzyme's purpose is the production of glucosyl hesperidin and ascorbic acid 2-glucoside. Residual total organic solids, being eliminated by filtration, adsorption, chromatography, and crystallization, made dietary exposure estimation unnecessary. The food enzyme's amino acid sequence was compared to known allergens, identifying a match with a respiratory allergen. According to the Panel, the risk of allergic responses due to dietary ingestion, while theoretically possible under the planned usage conditions, is still unlikely. Based on the submitted data, the Panel found no safety issues with the food enzyme under the stipulated usage conditions.

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health, responsible for the EU, categorized the mango shield scale, Milviscutulus mangiferae (Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha Coccidae), as a pest. The location where M. mangiferae naturally exists is ambiguous. This species is observed in a vast array of tropical and warmer subtropical locales worldwide. Italy's Padua Botanical Garden, within the EU, reports the pest's presence in a greenhouse setting on mango trees imported from Florida (USA); however, its sustained presence remains uncertain. This item is absent from Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Feeding on a broad array of plant species, the organism is polyphagous, consuming plants from over 86 genera and 43 families, including many cultivated and ornamental varieties. The persistent pest poses a serious threat to mango (Mangifera indica) and occasionally impacts a variety of ornamental plants. Among the host species for M. mangiferae are economically important EU crops, including citrus (Citrus spp.), avocado (Persea americana), and ornamentals such as hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) and myrtle (Myrtus communis). M. mangiferae's parthenogenetic reproduction typically cycles through two or three generations per year. Fruits, flowers, and plants intended for planting, in addition to cut flowers and fruits, present a possible avenue of entry for non-EU species into the European Union. Southern European countries' climatic characteristics, combined with the availability of host plants within those regions, are supportive of the establishment and proliferation of species. Businesses might be established in heated greenhouses, especially in the cooler climates of the EU. The EU agricultural economy anticipates a detrimental impact from the introduction of the mango shield scale, reflected in lowered yields, compromised quality, and a decrease in the commercial viability of fruits and ornamental plants. Phytosanitary protocols exist to mitigate the risk of both initial incursion and subsequent expansion. EFSA's remit allows for the assessment of M. mangiferae's potential as a Union quarantine pest, given the criteria.

With the reduction in AIDS-related mortality and morbidity, there is a noticeable rise in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and risk factors affecting HIV patients. The accumulation of CVD risk factors, defining metabolic syndrome (MetS), strongly correlates with the emergence of cardiovascular diseases. Our research investigated the rate of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its connected risk elements in the following groups: HIV patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), those with HIV who have not yet begun cART, and healthy individuals without HIV.
A case-control design, conducted at a periurban hospital in Ghana, incorporated 158 cART-treated HIV patients, 150 cART-naive HIV patients, and 156 individuals who did not have HIV. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data on individual characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and the types of medications taken. Blood pressure readings and anthropometric data were collected. For the purpose of measuring plasma glucose, lipid profile, and CD4+ cell counts, blood samples were acquired in a fasted state.