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Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 447

  1. Beyond Pain: The Effects of OnabotulinumtoxinA Therapy on Sensitization and Interictal Symptoms in Chronic Migraine

    • Toxins
    • Chronic migraine is a disease with a high burden on patients from both a working and quality of life point of view. The pathophysiology of this subtype of migraine is due to several factors, such as medication overuse. Nevertheless, the detrimental recurring of headache attacks with central and peripheral sensitization plays a central role and explains some additional symptoms complained about by these patients even in the interictal phase.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  2. Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum in Uncured Shredded Pork and Turkey Packaged under Reduced Oxygen Conditions

    • Journal of Food Protection
    • Cooked, uncured meat products packaged under reduced oxygen packaging conditions require the control of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic pathogens if they are held at temperatures greater than 3°C at retail or consumer level. The objective of this study was to determine the inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum in cooked, uncured shredded turkey and pork formulated with synthetic or clean label antimicrobials.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
      • Listeria monocytogenes
  3. Effect of retort processing, containers, and motion types on digestibility of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) starch

    • International Journal of Food Science & Technology
    • Summary With the growing demand for convenient and shelf‐stable canned beans, understanding the changes in starch digestibility due to retort processing is crucial for optimizing nutritional quality and enhancing consumer health. The present study investigated the impact of retort processing, specifically container type and agitation, on the digestibility of black bean starch.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  4. Navigating the Complexities Involving the Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxins (BoNTs) and the Taxonomy of BoNT-Producing Clostridia

    • Toxins
    • Botulinum neurotoxins are a varied group of protein toxins that share similar structures and modes of activity. They include at least seven serotypes and over forty subtypes that are produced by seven different clostridial species. These bacterial species are not limited strictly to BoNT-producers as neuro-toxigenic and non-neuro-toxigenic members have been identified within each species.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  5. Treatment of Vestibulodynia with Submucosal Injections of IncobotulinumtoxinA into Targeted Painful Points: An Open-Label Exploratory Study

    • Toxins
    • The studies carried out to date on vulvodynia treatment with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) have followed generic injection protocols and reported contradictory outcomes on its effects. The aim of the present study was thus to propose a protocol for injecting BoNT/A into targeted painful points, to comprehensively assess the clinical effect of BoNT/A treatment and identify the risk/protective factors for successful treatment.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  6. Computed tomography and predictive microbiology for non-invasive evaluation of the impact of dry-cured ham production process conditions on the behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum

    • Meat Science
    • Variability of salt content in dry-cured ham production can pose microbiological food safety issues, especially in salt reduced and/or non-nitrified products. In this regard, computed tomography (CT) could help to non-invasively characterised the product to further adjust the production process and ensure its safety.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
      • Listeria monocytogenes
  7. Efficacy and safety of two different botulinum toxin type A dilutions in chronic migraineurs

    • Toxicon
    • Botulinum toxin type A is an effective preventive therapy for chronic migraine. Although the guidelines suggest a 50U/ml dilution of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT/A), many clinicians use more concentrated solutions. However, there are no studies regarding the effect and safety of 100U/ml BoNT/A dilution with the saline solution following the PREEMPT paradigm.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  8. Challenge tests reveal limited outgrowth of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum during the production of nitrate- and nitrite-free fermented sausages

    • Meat Science
    • Nitrate and nitrite salts perform a versatile role in fermented meats, including the inhibition of food pathogens (in particular proteolytic group I Clostridium botulinum). Despite the increasing interest in clean-label products, little is known about the behaviour of this pathogen in response to the removal of chemical preservatives from fermented meat formulations. Therefore, challenge tests with a cocktail of nontoxigenic group I C.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  9. Clostridium botulinum type C, D, C/D, and D/C: An update

    • Frontiers in Microbiology
    • Clostridium botulinum is the main causative agent of botulism, a neurological disease encountered in humans as well as animals. Nine types of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have been described so far. Amongst these “toxinotypes,” the A, the B and E are the most frequently encountered in humans while the C, D, C/D and D/C are mostly affecting domestic and wild birds as well as cattle. In France for instance, many cases and outbreaks are reported in these animal species every year.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  10. Draft Genome Sequences of 20 Clostridium botulinum Type A Isolates from Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks

    • Microbiology Resource Announcements
    • Microbiology Resource Announcements, Ahead of Print. Here, we present 20 draft genome sequences of Clostridium botulinum type A isolates originating from foodborne outbreaks in the United States and Ethiopia. Publicly available genomes enhance our understanding of C. botulinum genomics and are an asset in bioterrorism preparedness.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  11. How Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain A1 Maintains Stable Association with the Intracellular Neuronal Plasma Membrane

    • Toxins
    • Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) is the most potent protein toxin for humans and is utilized as a therapy for numerous neurologic diseases. BoNT/A comprises a catalytic Light Chain (LC/A) and a Heavy Chain (HC/A) and includes eight subtypes (BoNT/A1-/A8).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  12. IncobotulinumtoxinA Injection for Treating Children with Idiopathic Toe Walking: A Retrospective Efficacy and Safety Study

    • Toxins
    • There is no gold-standard treatment for idiopathic toe walking (ITW). Some previous evidence suggested that botulinum neurotoxin-A injection might improve ITW. This is a single-center retrospective study on children with ITW treated with incobotulinumtoxinA injection in the gastrocnemius medialis/lateralis muscles.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  13. Persistence with Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Spasticity Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis

    • Toxins
    • Botulinum toxin (BT) is an effective treatment for spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite its wide use in clinical practices, only few studies have explored long-term persistence. We aim to evaluate the rate of discontinuation of BT treatment and the correlation with MS, spasticity, and injection variables. This retrospective study on 3-year prospectively collected data included 122 MS patients receiving BT injections for spasticity.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  14. Identification of foodborne pathogenic bacteria using confocal Raman microspectroscopy and chemometrics

    • Frontiers in Microbiology
    • Rapid and accurate identification of foodborne pathogenic bacteria is of great importance because they are often responsible for the majority of serious foodborne illnesses. The confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) is a fast and easy-to-use method known for its effectiveness in detecting and identifying microorganisms.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  15. The Light Chain Domain and Especially the C-Terminus of Receptor-Binding Domain of the Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) Are the Hotspots for Amino Acid Variability and Toxin Type Diversity

    • Genes
    • Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are the most potent toxins in the world. They are produced by a few dozens of strains within several clostridial species. The toxin that they produce can cause botulism, a flaccid paralysis in humans and other animals. With there being seven established serologically different types and over 40 subtypes, BoNTs are among the most diverse known toxins.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  16. Clostridium botulinum C3 Toxin for Selective Delivery of Cargo into Dendritic Cells and Macrophages

    • Toxins
    • The protein toxin C3bot from Clostridium botulinum is a mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase that selectively intoxicates monocyte-derived cells such as macrophages, osteoclasts, and dendritic cells (DCs) by cytosolic modification of Rho-A, -B, and -C. Here, we investigated the application of C3bot as well as its non-toxic variant C3botE174Q as transporters for selective delivery of cargo molecules into macrophages and DCs.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  17. How Does Botulinum Toxin Inhibit Itch?

    • Toxins
    • Two decades after reports of the anti-pruritic effects of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), there is still no approved product for the anti-itch indication of BoNTs, and most clinical case reports still focus on the off-label use of BoNTs for various itchy conditions. Few randomized clinical trials have been conducted with controversial results, and the beneficial effects of BoNTs against itch are mainly based on case studies and case series.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  18. In Silico Conformational Features of Botulinum Toxins A1 and E1 According to Intraluminal Acidification

    • Toxins
    • Although botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most toxic compounds found in nature, their molecular mechanism of action is far from being elucidated. A key event is the conformational transition due to acidification of the interior of synaptic vesicles, leading to translocation of the BoNT catalytic domain into the neuronal cytosol.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  19. Pooled Analysis of Real-World Evidence Supports Anti-CGRP mAbs and OnabotulinumtoxinA Combined Trial in Chronic Migraine

    • Toxins
    • OnabotulinumtoxinA, targeting the CGRP machinery, has been approved for the last two decades for chronic migraine prevention. The recently approved monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed towards the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway open a new age for chronic migraine control. However, some 40% patients suffering from chronic migraine is still resistant to treatment.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  20. Novel Anatomical Proposal for Botulinum Neurotoxin Injection Targeting Lateral Canthal Rhytids

    • Toxins
    • Botulinum neurotoxin injections near the lateral canthal rhytids are commonly used in cosmetic settings; however, there is a lack of thorough anatomical knowledge, and an effective way to treat them with accumulating knowledge is needed. The anatomical characteristics concerning the injection of botulinum neurotoxin into the orbicularis oculi muscle were evaluated in this review.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  21. Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Spasmodic Dysphonia in Japan: The History and an Update

    • Toxins
    • Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a rare neurological disorder that impairs phonatory function by triggering involuntary and intermittent contractions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. SD is classified into three types: adductor SD (AdSD), abductor SD (AbSD), and mixed SD. Of these, AdSD accounts for 90–95% of disease; younger females are predominantly affected. Botulinum toxin injection into the laryngeal muscles is safe, minimally invasive, and very effective.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  22. Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type-A I in the Improvement of Mandibular Motion and Muscle Sensibility in Myofascial Pain TMD Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    • Toxins
    • This study assessed the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in mandibular range of motion and muscle tenderness to palpation in persistent myofascial pain (MFP) patients (ReBEC RBR-2d4vvv). Eighty consecutive female subjects with persistent MFP, were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20): three BoNT-A groups with different doses and a saline solution group (placebo control group).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  23. Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium botulinum Subtype bont/A5(B2′)

    • Microbiology Resource Announcements
    • Microbiology Resource Announcements, Ahead of Print. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Clostridium botulinum strain CDC76130, which harbors a rare botulinum toxin gene (bont) complex arrangement of bont/A5 and truncated bont/B2 within the same ha toxin gene cluster.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  24. Prospective Comparison of Longer Needle Lengths to Assess the Risk of OnabotulinumtoxinA-Associated Neck Pain in Patients with Chronic Migraine

    • Toxins
    • We aimed to prospectively assess the role of needle length in improving the tolerability/safety profile of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNTA) for chronic migraine (CM) prophylaxis, with a specific focus on neck pain, based on patients’ body habitus and other variables.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  25. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Botulinum Toxin Treatment Combined with Robot-Assisted Therapy, Mirror Therapy, or Active Control Treatment in Patients with Spasticity Following Stroke

    • Toxins
    • Effects of the combined task-oriented trainings with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection on improving motor functions and reducing spasticity remains unclear. This study aims to investigate effects of 3 task-oriented trainings (robot-assisted therapy (RT), mirror therapy (MT), and active control treatment (AC)) in patients with stroke after BoNT-A injection.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum