Mathematical Modeling In Nutrition And Toxicology

The book reports the proceedings of the International Conference on Mathematical Modeling in Nutrition and Environmental Toxicology held at the University of Georgia in September, 2003. Experts describe the use of modeling and simulation to study problems in obesity, diabetes, cancer, nutrient metabolism, risk assessment, and toxicology. Hypothesis testing, database construction, and educational uses of computers are also discussed.

This volume is the proceedings of the 7th Mathematical Modeling in Experimental Nutrition Conference held at Penn State University July 29 until August 1, 2000. The book addresses the determination of optimal intakes of nutrients and food components to provide lifelong health and reduce incidence of disease. Mathematical modelling provides a means of rigorously defining the functions of a system and using a variety of conditions to stimulate responses. This volume presents the newest advances in modelling and related experimental techniques required to meet the new challenges currently facing nutrition and biological science.

Nutrients have been recognized as essential for maximum growth, successful reproduction, and infection prevention since the 1940s; since that time, the lion's share of nutrient research has focused on defining their role in these processes. Around 1990, however, a major shift began in the way that researchers viewed some nutrients particularly the vitamins. This shift was motivated by the discovery that modest declines in vitamin nutritional status are associated with an increased risk of ill-health and disease (such as neural tube defects, heart disease, and cancer), especially in those populations or individuals who are genetically predisposed. In an effort to expand upon this new understanding of nutrient action, nutritionists are increasingly turning their focus to the mathematical modeling of nutrient kinetic data. The availability of suitably-tagged (isotope) nutrients (such as B-carotene, vitamin A, folate, among others), sensitive analytical methods to trace them in humans (mass spectrometry and accelerator mass spectrometry), and powerful software (capable of solving and manipulating differential equations efficiently and accurately), has allowed researchers to construct mathematical models aimed at characterizing the dynamic and kinetic behavior of key nutrients in vivo in humans at an unparalleled level of detail.

These proceedings contain 15 papers on the recent advances in pig and poultry mechanistic modelling. Notable among the papers is the consideration of new components of the animal production process, such as social stressors and disease. Understanding of some new systems such as the physiological control of egg production in hens by modelling is the given focus in one paper. The topics covered in the other papers include the following: introduction to modelling in the animal sciences, different approaches to modelling animal systems; basic concepts describing animal growth and feed intake; modelling populations for purposes of optimization; advancements in empirical models for prediction and prescription; nutrient flow models, energy transactions and energy feed systems; evaluation of animal genotypes through model inversion; considerations for representing microenvironmental conditions in simulation models for broiler chickens; use of physiological models to define environmental control strategies; comparison of pig growth models from the genetic point of view; model of metabolism in the sow; and place of models in the new technologies of production systems.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. In the early days of the serial, the subjects of vitamins and hormones were quite distinct. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.

Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition is of increasing importance as greater efficiency and health benefits are sought in feed for animal production. Top scientists from around the world have collaborated in this book to exchange expertise and knowledge on the latest developments in the field. The topics range from tissue metabolism and regulation mechanisms to practical aspects of energy and protein nutrition and feeding. A better and deeper understanding of nutrient metabolism and nutrition can only be achieved by integrating the outcomes of scientists researching different aspects of this topic. In doing this practical outcomes are sought for the direct benefit of producers and consumers. Special topics such as the links between energy/protein metabolism and nutrition regarding food quality, nutrigenomics, environmental sustainability and animal welfare in relation to the topic are all explored. This book is a valuable resource to all researchers and industry professionals who concern themselves with animal nutrition.