Research Publications (Food Safety)

Exposure to cadmium (Cd), a toxic metal, is epidemiologically linked to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in humans. However, the role of Cd in NASH remains to be fully elucidated. This study employed a novel murine NASH model to investigate the effects of chronic low-dose Cd on hepatic pathology and its underlying mechanisms. NASH is characterized by lipid accumulation, extensive cell death, and persistent inflammation in the liver.

Occupational exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been associated with numerous health complications including steatohepatitis and liver cancer. However, the potential impact of environmental/residential VOC exposures on liver health and function is largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, the objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate associations between VOCs and liver injury biomarkers in community residents.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent pollutants linked to diverse adverse health outcomes. Environmental exposure to OCPs has been suggested to negatively impact the immune system but their effects on cellular antiviral responses remain unknown.

by Yu Liang, Wei Bu Wang, Jing Zhang, Jun Wei Hou, Fang Tang, Xue Feng Zhang, Li Fang Du, Ji Guo Su, Qi Ming Li

Norovirus contamination of oysters is the lead cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis and a significant food safety concern for the oyster industry. Here, norovirus reduction from Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), contaminated in the marine environment, was studied in laboratory depuration trials and in two commercial settings.

by Jeremy D. Baker, Rikki L. Uhrich, Gerald C. Kraemer, Jason E. Love, Brian C. Kraemer

The opioid epidemic in the United States, along with a lack of adequate harm reduction services, has contributed to a sharp rise in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Despite considerable evidence of the effectiveness of HCV treatment in people who inject drugs (PWID), and recommendations from clinical guidelines to prioritize treatment in PWID, there are multiple barriers to broad uptake of HCV treatment.

ABSTRACT

About 19 hydrolyzable tannins were computed against 3CLpro enzyme of 2019‐nCoV. It was found that pedunculagin, tercatain, and castalin interacted with Cys145 and His41 of 2019‐nCoV‐3CLpro. Likewise, pedunculagin‐2019‐nCoV‐3CLpro remain stable, with no obvious fluctuations. We predicted that the understandings obtained in the current study may evidence valued for discovering and unindustrialized novel natural anti‐COVID‐19 therapeutic agents in the near future.

by Elspeth Ready, Patrick Habecker, Roberto Abadie, Bilal Khan, Kirk Dombrowski

Author(s): Juan E. Ortúzar, Onay B. Dogan, Gustavo Sotomayor, Constanza Jiménez, Jennifer Clarke, Rolando A. Flores, George M. Gray, John H. Rupnow, Bing Wang

Seaweed is a source of protein that can help overcome the anticipated challenges of a growing world population and the current challenges for finding alternatives for animal proteins in the Western diet. Thus far, data on the safety of seaweed for feed and food purposes in the Western world are scattered.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has emerged as a global health concern during the last decade. In spite of a high mortality rate in pregnant women with fulminant hepatitis, no antiviral drugs or licensed vaccine is available in India. HEV-protease is a pivotal enzyme responsible for ORF1 polyprotein processing leading to cleavage of the non-structural enzymes involved in virus replication.

Publication date: December 2018

Source: Microbial Risk Analysis, Volume 10

Author(s): Robyn C. Miranda, Donald W. Schaffner

AbstractDifferences in risk perceptions of public health and food safety hazards in various poultry husbandry systems by various stakeholder groups, may affect the acceptability of those husbandry systems. Therefore, the objective was to gain insight into risk perceptions of citizens, poultry farmers, and poultry veterinarians regarding food safety and public health hazards in poultry husbandry systems, and into factors explaining these risk perceptions.

Publication date: Available online 12 January 2017
Source:

Author(s): Saeed Khalili, Abolfazl Jahangiri, Zahra Sadat Hashemi, Bahman Khalesi, Meysam Mardsoltani, Jafar Amani

Publication date: 2 February 2017
, Volume 242

Author(s): L. Jacxsens, A. Stals, A. De Keuckelaere, B. Deliens, A. Rajkovic, M. Uyttendaele

Michinori Kakisaka, Yutaka Sasaki, Kazunori Yamada, Yasumitsu Kondoh, Hirokazu Hikono, Hiroyuki Osada, Kentaro Tomii, Takehiko Saito, Yoko Aida