Research Publications (Food Safety)

The importance of beef production for economy of Brazil and the growing demand for animal protein across the globe warrant an improvement in the beef production system. Although most attention has been on modulation of the rumen microbiome to improve ruminant production, the role of the lower gut microbiome in host health and nutrition remains relatively unexplored.

Occupational exposure to heavy metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) is associated with the development of several diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd on the blood levels of selected immune-modulatory cytokines related to T helper (Th), that is, Th1, interleukin-2 (IL-2), Th2, (IL-4 and IL-10), and Th17, (IL-17) cells. The study comprised 207 individuals divided into two groups: exposed (n = 110) and nonexposed (n = 97).

Background Prolonged QTc intervals and life-threatening arrhythmias (LTA) are potential drug-induced complications previously reported with antimalarials, antivirals, and antibiotics. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of QTc interval prolongation and incidences of LTA during hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with normal admission QTc.

More still needs to be learned regards the relative contamination of heavy metals and pesticide residues, particularly those found in widely consumed Nigerian food crops like cereals, vegetables, and tubers. In this current study, the heavy metals and pesticide residues detectable in widely consumed Nigerian food crops were respectively quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography (GC).

Author(s): Yue Zhu, Peixian Luan, Xiao Liu, Jun Bao, Qi Liu, Jingzeng Cai, Jie Yang, Ziwei Zhang

Author(s): Guang Yang, Difan Fang, Liming Yang, Zengming Wei, Yunyun Tu, Penghui Shao, Zan Hua, Zhongkai Wang, Xubiao Luo

Author(s): Aichen Zhang, Hongbin Cao, Yang Jiang, Yanjiao Chen, Jianwei Liu, Xu Zhou, Anqi Zhou, Yue Gao, Jie Li

Spider venom is a valuable resource for the development of novel anticancer drugs. In this study, we focused on novel linear amphipathic α-helical anticancer peptide LVTX-9, which was derived from the cDNA library of the venom gland of the spider Lycosa vittata. The cytotoxicity of LVTX-9 against murine melanoma cells in the range of 1.56–200 μM was tested and found to be significantly lower than those of most anticancer peptides reported.

Cadmium (Cd) speciation ratio in arable land determines the Cd exposure risk and Cd uptake in crops. However, the driving mechanisms of Cd speciation change on the vertical scale of paddy fields remain poorly understood. In this study, the effects of plow layer and plow pan on Cd speciation distribution were investigated in a long-term Cd-contaminated rice ecosystem. The Cd accumulative effect within rice grain was enhanced with high levels of activated Cd speciation ratios in soils.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis has become an essential tool for the enantioselective synthesis of pharmaceuticals, natural products, and agrochemicals (mainly fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and pheromones).

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that can cause a variety of adverse effects on human health, including cancer. Wheat comprises approximately 20% of the human diet worldwide; therefore, reducing the concentrations of Cd in wheat grain will have significant impacts on the intake of Cd in food products. The tests for measuring the Cd content in grain are costly, and the content is affected significantly by soil pH.

Abstract

Journal of Applied Microbiology, Accepted Article. Aims
The adsorption of lead ions from aqueous solution by macroporous Ca-alginate-lignin (MCAL) beads immobilized with Clostridium tyrobutyricum (C. tyrobutyricum) and free strains was evaluated.

Author(s): Ting Cui, Wenjuan Jiang, Fan Yang, Junrong Luo, Ruiming Hu, Huabin Cao, Guoliang Hu, Caiying Zhang

Mutations in the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene cause both autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Since three separate CRB1 isoforms are expressed at meaningful levels in the human retina, base editing shows promise as a therapeutic approach. This retrospective analysis aims to summarise the reported pathogenic CRB1 variants and investigate their amenability to treatment with currently available DNA base editors.

Optimization of different types of exposure to workers, public, and vegetation is a major issue for several institutions. The main exposure is due to the activities related to various ores of the subsoil such as phosphate which generates heavy metals during its exploitation. This study used the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to investigate the heavy metal pollution that affects life on earth.

Letters in Applied Microbiology, Accepted Article. High-throughput 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA sequencing were performed to study the changes of soil microbial diversity and community structure under different heavy metal pollution levels in Chengxian lead-zinc mining area, Gansu Province. In this study, we characterized the main physicochemical properties, multiple heavy metal pollution, and microbial community structure of the soil in the tailings.

New antibacterial drugs with novel modes of action are urgently needed as antibiotic resistance in bacteria is increasing and spreading throughout the world. In this study, we aimed to explore the possibility of using APIM-peptides targeting the bacterial β-clamp for treatment of skin infections. We selected a lead peptide, named betatide, from five APIM-peptide candidates based on their antibacterial and antimutagenic activities in both G+ and G– bacteria.

Author(s): Ravibabu Kalahasthi, Raju Nagaraju, Rakesh Balachandar, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally

IntroductionThe present study was undertaken to investigate the prognostic value of the frontal QRS-T angle associated with adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in early stages in the emergency department.Materials and methodsThe data of 212 patients with CO poisoning who were admitted to the ED between January 2010 and May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Author(s): Yang Ma, Peizhen Huang, Jing Cao, Junfeng Zhang, Yan Huang, Biao Chen

This study assessed how the Sonchus asper L.—Zea mays intercropping influenced the plant Cd level, as well as the organic acid (low molecular mass) types and concentrations in root secretions, which was accomplished by conducting pot experiments with soil that was collected from a farmland surrounding a mining area.

Here, we evaluate the potential for trace metal accumulation of nine elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) in the cestodes Proteocephalus macrophallus parasitizing the tucunaré, Cichla kelberi, in the Jacaré-Guaçú River, southeastern Brazil. For metal quantification in the tissues of hosts and parasites, an inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used.

Among 200 fungal strains isolated from the soil, only one culture filtrate of Aspergillus flavus JCK-4087 showed strong nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita. The nematicidal metabolite isolated from the culture filtrate of JCK-4087 was identified as cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Because JCK-4087 also produced aflatoxins, six strains of Penicillium commune, which have been reported to be CPA producers, were obtained from the bank and then tested for their CPA productivity.

by Maren E. Veatch-Blohm, Iris Chicas, Kathryn Margolis, Rachael Vanderminden, Marisa Gochie, Khusmanie Lila