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The article discusses the need for more toxicology experts in veterinary medicine, as there are currently fewer than 100 active toxicologists nationwide. Kansas State University has developed a training program to address this need, utilizing diagnostic service, collaborative research, and teaching in the professional program. The program aims to provide practitioners with access to specialists who can assist with sample and test selection, as well as interpretation of results. The program also includes teaching toxicology to veterinary students and leveraging collaborative research opportunities. [Extracted from the article]

This Special Issue contains articles on applications of various new approach methodologies (NAMs) in the field of toxicology and risk assessment. These NAMs include in vitro high-throughput screening, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, network toxicology analysis, molecular docking simulation, omics, machine learning, deep learning, and "template-and-anchor" multiscale computational modeling. These in vitro and in silico approaches complement each other and can be integrated together to support different applications of toxicology, including food safety assessment, dietary exposure assessment, chemical toxicity potency screening and ranking, chemical toxicity prediction, chemical toxicokinetic simulation, and to investigate the potential mechanisms of toxicities, as introduced further in selected articles in this Special Issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are valuable sources of human nutritional products, leading to growing interest in algae-based dietary supplements. Research is still ongoing for high-value commodities from microalgae to cover the food demands of the ever-increasing human population. Thus far, there is a dearth of comprehensive information available on the safety of microalgae-based products (MP) for the food sector. Algal food safety (AFS) is a nascent field, and consequently, quality analysis has not been adequately explored; the lack of hygienic requisites is a matter of concern for scientists, producers, policymakers, and consumers. In this review, we aim to provide the available knowledge on the potential hazards, critical insights into the necessity of AFS, as well as quality control (QC) and regulations. This paper briefly reviews bottlenecks at each step of the production process, from the pre-cultivation to the storage stage. Plus, quality assessment criteria are discussed, including toxicological and microbiological standards. Additionally, it describes the role of all stakeholders in the algal food industry. Finally, we discuss a few suggested solutions to address the gaps in AFS. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive information remains scarce on the safety of microalgae-based food products. • Algal food safety is a nascent field, necessitating exploration of quality analysis and hygienic requisites. • Bottlenecks exist at each production step, from pre-cultivation to storage. • Rigorous quality assessment ensures high-quality algal products. • Collaboration between stakeholders (researchers, producers, consumers, and policymakers) helps establish best guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Mass hysteria is described as the rapid spread of conversion disorder without organic basis among a group of people. Mass hysteria can occur in work place and commonly in schools. There are usually some factors attributable to the episode; however, the lack of a pathogen upon investigation is a fundamental characteristic. We are reporting an episode of mass hysteria from two schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Clinical record, laboratory investigation, toxicology study from the food and psychiatric evaluations. RESULTS: On November 25, 2019 a total of 113 students were brought from two schools in Addis to Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Most were between the ages of 10 and 15 years and were female students. Their school breakfast of bread and marmalade was attributed as the cause of the episode; however only 49% of the students brought in had eaten the food. The majority complained of nausea and vomiting but most had normal physical finding; and their symptoms were resolved without treatment. The laboratory investigation on samples of blood and stool were negative for bacterial growth and food culture and toxicology were non-revealing. Most were reassured and few were given symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION: This mass hysteric episode is similar to episodic reports from other school feeding programs in some Asian and African countries. The finding of this report is important for health care practitioners to consider mass psychogenic illness in case they face similar mass presentation without objective finding; and will help to avoid unnecessary costly investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried sclerotium of the fungus Wolfiporia cocos is edible and has medicinal value. This study aimed to understand the accumulation of radioactivity arising from the alpha 210Po, and beta-emitting 210Pb, in the sclerotium's shell and core and assess a potential effective dose for consumers. Sclerotia were collected in the wild and from cultivars in China's Anhui and Yunnan provinces. The mean values of 210Po activity concentration levels were 0.36 Bq kg−1 dry weight in the core and 12.0 Bq kg−1 dw in the shell; 210Pb activities were 0.43 and 9.84 Bq kg−1 dw, respectively. The potential effective radiation doses from core layers (as a major raw material of the sclerotium) ranged from 0.13 to 3.43 µSv kg−1 dw from 210Po decay and from 0.11 to 1.52 µSv kg−1 dw from 210Pb decay. Corresponding values for shell ranged from 0.80 to 42.4 for 210Po and from 0.53 to 13.6 µSv kg−1 dw for 210Pb. In general, the intake of W. cocos sclerotia varies between consumers, but this would not significantly change the effective radiation doses from 210Po and 210Pb isotopes. The consumption thus appears to be safe from a radiological protection point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginsenoside Re is a protopanaxatriol-type saponin extracted from the berry, leaf, stem, flower bud, and root of Panax ginseng. In recent years, ginsenoside Re (Re) has been attracting attention as a dietary phytochemical. In this review, studies on Re were compiled by searching a combination of keywords, namely "pharmacology," "pharmacokinetics," and "toxicology," in the Google Scholar, NCBI, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The aim of this review was to provide an exhaustive overview of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of Re, focusing on clinical evidence that has shown effectiveness in specific diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, nervous system diseases, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Re is also known to eliminate virus, enhance the immune response, improve osteoporosis, improve skin barrier function, enhance intracellular anti-oxidant actions, regulate cholesterol metabolism, alleviate allergic responses, increase sperm motility, reduce erectile dysfunction, promote cyclic growth of hair follicles, and reduce gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. Furthermore, this review provides data on pharmacokinetic parameters and toxicological factors to examine the safety profile of Re. Such data will provide a theoretical basis and reference for Re-related studies and future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected and processed Boletus edulis (King Bolete) carpophores grouped in four batches based on their developmental stage (button stage, young—white, large—white, and large—yellow). The study aimed, for the first time, to examine the B. edulis content and effect of braising and to estimate the intake of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) from a single meal based on whole (wet) weight (ww) and dry weight (dw). In braised carpophores, THg concentrations ranged from 0.2668 ± 0.0090 to 0.5434 ± 0.0071 mg kg−1 ww at different developmental stages, whereas crude products concentrations ranged from 0.1880 ± 0.0247 to 0.2929 ± 0.0030 mg kg−1 ww. The button stage crude carpophores were more highly contaminated with THg than at later stages of maturity, but MeHg levels were lower (p < 0.0001). On the other hand, braised button stage carpophores showed more MeHg than at later maturity stages. MeHg contributed at 1.9 ± 0.7% in THg in crude mushrooms and at 1.4 ± 0.3% in braised meals. The effect of braising was to increase the average THg and MeHg contents in fresh mushroom meals by 52 ± 31% and 53 ± 122% respectively, but a reduction of 40 ±14% and 40 ± 49% respectively was seen on a dw basis. The potential intakes of THg and MeHg from braised meals of B. edulis studied were small and considered safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Acrylamide (AA) is the potential carcinogen, which can induce multiple toxic effects in laboratory animals and humans. So far, increasing attention have been paid to toxical mechanism and intervention measures of AA, however, these details and methods are still obscure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to be involved in toxical functional mechanisms induced by chemicals in vivo or vitro. To explore novel target and mechanism of AA toxicity, a more detailed miRNA expression profiling study is needed. In this study, we established the short‐term high‐dose model of rats with the treatment of 35 mg/kg·b.w./day AA for 17 days, analyzed the miRNAs expression profiling in AA and control groups, and discovered the altered miRNA profiles in 11 tissues with AA treatment. Interestingly enough, the expression of miR‐27a‐5p were significantly up‐regulated in AA group, especially in bladder and hepar. Furthermore, we found miR‐27a‐5p increased in 11 tissues of long‐term low‐dose AA‐treated rats (3.5 mg/kg·b.w./day for 68 days). Therefore, these results revealed that AA changed miRNAs profiles in multiple tissues of SD rats for the first time and suggested that miR‐27a‐5p could be used as the target biomarker for the detection and interference of AA toxicity.

Objective To validate the feasibility of genotoxicity assessment of food ingredients using high-content screening (HCS) in vitro micronucleus (IVMN) assays. Methods Two IVMN methods were used to evaluate the genotoxicity of ten compounds, including five known genotoxic compounds (clastogens and aneugens), one known non-genotoxic compound and four food ingredients. At least three concentrations of each compound and two parallels were set. No serum minimum essential medium (MEM) was treated as negative control.20 μg/ml cyclophosphamide and 1.0 μg/ml mitomycin C was treated as positive controls. With and without metabolic activation, Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells were treated with ten test compounds for 4 h. And the frequency of micronuclei was analyzed. Results The frequencies of micronuclei, which were obtained by conventional IVMN and HCS IVMN assay, induced by benzo (a) pyrene (dose range from 2.5 to 10 μg/ml), methyl methanesulphonate (dose range from 5 to 20 μg/ml), 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (dose range from 0.01 to 0.04 μg/ml), colchicine (dose range from 0.25 to 1.0 μg/ml), and vinblastine sulfate (dose range from 0.5 to 2.0 μg/ml) were significantly different with negative controls (P0.05). Conclusion In this study, the result of HCS IVMN assays were accordance to that of traditional IVMN assay. It was revealed that the genotoxicity assessment of food ingredients using HCS IVMN method was feasible.

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Toxicology in the Veterinary Degree (VetD) at the University of Murcia (UM), currently, is a subject placed in the 6th semester and carries 6 ECTS. Recently it has been very well received by the EAEVE evaluators. Our program is design according to the One Health Strategy, with more than 50% of the hours devoted to practice sessions, covering the study of: i) the natural and synthetic toxins and toxics that affect animal species and humans, ii) their effects on humans and animals, iii) methods to diagnose, prevent and treat intoxications in animals and humans, iv) regulatory bases to ensure the safety of drugs, additives, biocides, etc. The program of practical sessions comprises three parts of 15 hours each related to the following topics: 1) fundamentals, lab safety, sampling and analytical toxicology; 2) clinical and forensic toxicology; and 3) food and environmental toxicology. We use labs, computer rooms, debate and discussion sessions, seminars, external practices with animals, etc. In our webpage (www.sertoxmur.com) our students have a specific link where they can find videos, reports, protocols, etc. about the practical lessons. The clinical practices with animals are taught by a clinical professor in the Wildlife Rehabilition Center of Alicante. Each group (maximum 10 students per group) performs different tasks related to clinical toxicology. Furthermore, a gastric lavage session is scheduled during this clinical session. On the other hand, the "Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary External Service" provides enough real cases to prepare the forensic practical sessions. The professor leads discussions on the diagnosis, treatment, and evolution of each case based on the available information. The students are evaluated using four tools: Multiple-choice test about theory (45%), multiple-choice test about practical lessons (20%), resolution of a clinical and a forensic case of poisoning (20%), active participation during the practical sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the research on intelligent packaging is gaining momentum, primarily being driven by consumer preferences to food safety and reducing the resource waste. Freshness indicator is a kind of simple and efficient intelligent packaging technology, which can directly and scientifically indicate the freshness of food without complex operation. Freshness indicator shows great potential in the food supply chain. As an innovative food packaging method, freshness indicator can effectively monitor food freshness in real time without damaging food and packaging. The objective of this review is to provide relevant information on freshness indicators, such as release of food freshness indicators (carbon dioxide volatile salt-nitrogen sulfides, etc.), types (chemical chromogenic formulation, data carrier indicator, natural color formulation), safety assessment methods (toxicological assessment, exposure assessment), barriers and trends. The potential of freshness indicators in the detection of perishable food freshness was emphasized. The applications of some freshness indicator products in food and the research demands of safety were also discussed. • Recent advances in food intelligent packaging with freshness indicator are reviewed. • The existing limitations and trends of freshness indicators are comprehensively discussed. • Safety assessment methods for freshness indicators are briefly summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the conference session summarized in this article was to bring together international experts on food toxicology and food safety and share the current scientific knowledge on these topics. The presentations covered a wide range of interdisciplinary issues, including (i) the impact of diet on body weight and health outcomes including results from animal models of carcinogenesis, (ii) methods for microbial oil extraction, (iii) food processing and its impact on food safety and health, (iv) novel compounds to avoid mycotoxin contamination of agricultural products, and (v) the safety of cannabidiol in food supplements based on Cannabis sativa extracts. Some of the conclusions of the presentations included that correct food choices may impact on the risk of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, that food processing may have an influence on health, by either reducing or increasing risks, and that research regarding novel compounds is important, which may have preventive but also detrimental effects on health.

This study aims to investigate phytochemical screening, total polyphenol and flavonoids content, antioxidant activities and to examine toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of different extracts of stigmata of Zea mays from Morocco. The flavonoids and total phenols content were performed for both extracts. The aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by three test systems, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging, reducing power and molybdenum system. Oral and Sub-acute toxicity of the hydro-ethanolic extract was evaluated in vivo. Anti-inflammatory activity of the hydro-ethanolic extract was evaluated by Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method. The antinociceptive effect was tested by using the formalin test. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed a presence of flavonoids, leucoanthocyans, heterosid sterodic, coumarins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanins and tannins. The flavonoids and total phenols content show higher content of flavonoids and total phenols in the hydro-ethanolic extract. It showed better antioxidant activity than the aqueous extract in the three methods used. Furthermore, the hydro-ethanolic extract with a concentration of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight inhibited the inflammation induced by carrageenan in rats at 66.67% and 86.67% compared to 60.8% for indomethacin at 10 mg/kg after 5 h of inflammation induction. However, at dose of 500 mg/kg extract showed a pro-inflammatory effect. In the formalin test, the tolerance time of the rats was significantly higher compared to the control group. These initial results tend to support the traditional use in the treatment of cystitis, oliguria, nephritis, renal lithiasis edema, albuminuria, heart disease, slimming cures of stigmata of Zea mays in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses how Kenyan farmers engage with potentially toxigenic mould growing on the maize they produce, buy, process, consume and feed their animals. Aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins produced by strains of Aspergillus flavus, can severely harm the livers of humans and animals, causing cancer, liver failure and death. Detection of the invisible, tasteless, and odourless toxins is only possible through expensive scientific testing, largely absent in rural Kenya. Yet local conceptions of aflatoxin focus on the visible mould in everyday food production and consumption practices. This includes constant inspection and separating mouldy kernels and grains during drying and storing to prevent the potentially present mould from spreading and to ensure food safety. This article investigates how practices like separating grains from maize kernels and inspecting the dried maize before grinding show how food is handled under constant, yet flawed, engagement with potential toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During fieldwork on cancer in Kisumu, western Kenya, the author slowly began, like those around her, to ask questions about its location and its temporalities, its beginnings and endings, its boundaries and entanglements with toxicants. In this article, the author describes the landscapes of exposure that people in western Kenya associate with an increasingly visible cancer epidemic, including concerns based on partial and tentative knowledge about the toxicity of foods. Starting from conversations about cancer, home, food and toxicity, she moves towards livelihoods, economies and ecologies, and the food and agricultural systems in which these exposures and uncertainties are embedded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of liver damage induced by mushroom poisoning is still challenging. This study aims to screen the early biological indexes that could predict acute mushroom poisoning with liver damage. The patients with acute mushroom poisoning and liver damage admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China from July 2007 to August 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 66 patients were enrolled in this study, with 44 and 22 patients in the liver injury group and liver failure group, respectively. Ten patients in the liver failure group died, with a mortality of 45.5% in this group. Multivariable Cox regression showed that the blood ammonia (NH3) and lactic acid (Lac) at the time of admission were independently associated with the in-hospital time to death for patients with liver failure induced by mushroom poisoning. Lactate and blood ammonia at the time of admission could be used to predict the prognosis of patients with acute mushroom poisoning and liver failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mycotoxin patulin is primarily produced as a secondary metabolite by numerous fungal species and predominantly by Aspergillus , Byssochlamys , and Penicillium species. It is generally associated with fungal infected food materials. Penicillium expansum is considered the only fungal species liable for patulin contamination in pome fruits, especially in apples and apple-based products. This toxin in food poses serious health concerns and economic threat, which has aroused the need to adopt effective detection and mitigation strategies. Understanding its origin sources and biosynthetic mechanism stands essential for efficiently designing a management strategy against this fungal contamination. This review aims to present an updated outline of the sources of patulin occurrence in different foods and their biosynthetic mechanisms. It further provides information regarding the detrimental effects of patulin on human and agriculture as well as its effective detection, management, and control strategies. [Display omitted] • Patulin is mainly produced by Aspergillus , Byssochlamys , and Penicillium species. • Patulin contaminates pome fruits, especially apples and apple-based products. • Patulin contaminated products have serious human health impacts. • Management strategies are required for the safety and security of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The special issue "New Insight into Mycotoxins and Bacterial Toxins: Toxicity Assessment, Molecular Mechanism and Food Safety" in Food and Chemical Toxicology contains 19 articles on current hot topics in mycotoxins and bacterial toxins. Dietary exposure to mycotoxins and risk assessments are reported in this issue. Molecular mechanisms of multiple mycotoxins and emerging mechanisms of toxicity are especially concerned by researchers. Moreover, mycotoxin-detoxifying substances and antimicrobial agents are also fully investigated in the context. This special issue will help to further understand the mycotoxins and bacterial toxins, casting new light for the control of food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many compounds affect the cellularity of hematolymphoid organs including bone marrow. Toxicologic pathologists are tasked with their evaluation as part of safety studies. An artificial intelligence (AI) tool could provide diagnostic support for the pathologist. We looked at the ability of a deep-learning AI model to evaluate whole slide images of macaque sternebrae to identify and enumerate bone marrow hematopoietic cells. The AI model was trained and able to differentiate the hematopoietic cells from the other sternebrae tissues. We compared the model to severity scores in a study with decreased hematopoietic cellularity. The mean cells/mm2 from the model was lower for each increase in severity score. The AI model was trained by 1 pathologist, providing proof of concept that AI model generation can be fast and agile, without the need of a cross disciplinary team and significant effort. We see great potential for the role of AI-based bone marrow screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is an emerging, novel area of applications in antimicrobial and eco-friendly food packaging that have tremendous potential benefits. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively studied and frequently used in food packaging applications due to their superior physicochemical, biological and antimicrobial properties. Recently, plant extract-mediated synthesis of AgNPs has gained enormous popularity due to environment-friendliness, relatively economical synthesis, and effective functionality in food packaging applications. Numerous medicinal plant extract(s) are used in the synthesis of AgNPs, which are most commonly spherical in shape and within 2–80 nm range in size. Amount and composition of plant extract, metal ion concentration, reaction temperature and time, and pH of the reaction mixture are the key factors affecting shape, size, morphology and crystallinity of the synthesized AgNPs. Compared to other synthesis methods, including microbial synthesis , plant-mediated synthesis of AgNPs is faster, more convenient, and can be effective in utilization of wastes generated by fruit and vegetable producers and handlers. Plant-mediated AgNPs are effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Silver (Ag+) ions of AgNPs bind with negatively charged functional groups present in the microbial cell membrane, thereby increase permeability of the membrane disturbing the cellular transport system leading to cell death. In addition, entry of Ag+ ions into the cell cytoplasm may damage DNA, RNA, peptide forming compounds and metabolic enzymes resulting in the inhibition or hampering of cell division and microbial respiration. Scientific efforts are being made on the application of plant-mediated AgNPs in bionanocomposite films and coatings, as effective food preservation strategies. This review highlights innovative applications of plant-mediated AgNPs in sustainable antimicrobial food packaging. • Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well-studied and frequently used in food packaging. • AgNPs have superior physicochemical, biological and antimicrobial properties. • Plant extract mediated synthesis of AgNPs is faster and more convenient. • AgNPs are effective against foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. • Plant-mediated AgNPs are effective in sustainable antimicrobial food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The combination of milbemycin oxime (MO) and lotilaner (Credelio® Plus) is a novel systemic endectocide that provides month-long effectiveness in dogs after a single oral treatment. The safety of Credelio® Plus flavored chewable tablets was investigated in three target animal safety studies. Two studies (one in juveniles and one in adults) evaluated the long-term safety, and one study evaluated the acute safety of the product when administered orally at the upper end of the recommended dose range (0.75–1.53 mg/kg MO and 20–41 mg/kg lotilaner) and multiples of this dose. Methods: The objectives of these studies were to determine the long-term and acute safety of MO and lotilaner flavored chewable tablets in healthy dogs. All three studies were randomized, blinded, parallel-group design studies in healthy Beagle dogs. In each of the two long-term studies, 32 dogs were randomized among four groups to untreated controls or to treated groups at target doses of 1X, 3X, or 5X. Treatment was administered on seven (adult dogs) or nine (juvenile dogs) occasions with dosing every 4 weeks. In the acute study, 48 dogs were randomized among four groups to untreated controls or to treated groups at 1X, 3X, or 6X. In all three studies, the control group was administered placebo tablets. All dogs were fed 30 to 45 min prior to treatment and the assessment of safety was based on health observations, complete physical/neurological examinations, and food consumption. For the long-term safety studies, safety assessments also included clinical pathology evaluations (hematology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis), body weight, pharmacokinetic blood collections, and macroscopic and microscopic examinations of collected tissues. Results: MO and lotilaner did not induce any treatment-related adverse effects based on health observations, physical/neurological examinations, or food consumption in the long-term or acute studies. Additionally, in the long-term studies, MO and lotilaner did not induce any treatment-related effects on clinical pathology, body weight, and macroscopic and microscopic examinations. Conclusions: These three studies demonstrate that Credelio® Plus has a wide safety margin when administered at monthly intervals to puppies and dogs at the high end of the commercial dose band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecotoxicological effect assessment of particulate materials and sparingly soluble substances is an emerging field. Current standard toxicity tests of aquatic organisms are based on soluble substances which are added to the aqueous phase. Although soluble substances distribute homogeneously, particles can form aggregates, resulting in inhomogeneous distribution and unpredictable exposure. Therefore, test scenarios need to be adapted to overcome these uncertainties. We present a dietary particle exposure tool for the toxicity testing of sparingly soluble substances or particles in combination with a standardizable food source for gammarids based on decomposition and consumption tablets (DECOTABs). Four food supplements in the DEOCOTAB formulation were compared to test their influence on the energy reserves of gammarids. Although feeding rate was constant for most supplements, mortality and energy reserves revealed clear differences. Tabs supplemented with algae‐based phyll or animal protein–based trout food best met all of the requirements. Fluorescent plastic microparticles (10–65 µm) were homogenously distributed and stable in the DECOTABs. Constant feeding was observed, and the number of ingested microparticles by Gammarus roeseli was quantified in relation to the consumed food. The developed method provides a realistic and methodologically reliable uptake from the oral pathway and allows the quantification of inner exposition via feeding rate, providing a promising tool for standardized dietary exposure scenarios with particles. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1463–1476. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Herbal medication is a worldwide and ancient practice, mostly in developing countries, where a large part of the population is involved in this practice. Hence, studies must be conducted to evaluate their safety and efficiency to avoid or prevent toxicological risks due to their usage. In Togo, Carissa spinarum is a medicinal plant belonging to Apocynaceae family, used as an aphrodisiac or to heal some ailments including malaria, sickle cell anemia, hypertension, pain, and asthma. Notwithstanding its several ethnomedicinal benefits, just a few toxicological data associated with its chronic use are available. Objective. Therefore, this study aims to assess the toxicity of an ethanolic root extract of Carissa spinarum in Wistar rats. Methods. The 90-day oral toxicity process following OECD TG 408 guidelines is used. Male Wistar rats received Carissa spinarum root hydroethanolic extract at 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 90 days by oral gavage. Body weight changes, hematological and blood biochemical parameters, organ weight changes, malondialdehyde as a lipoperoxidation marker expressed according to tissue proteins, and histopathology of vital organs were assessed. Results. No signs of toxicity or mortality were observed during the 90 days experiment. Hematological parameters have not shown any treatment-related abnormalities. According to biochemical parameters, an increase in the chloride ion level was observed at 1000 mg/kg p < 0.01 . There was no significant difference between the treated groups and the control group concerning the malondialdehyde concentration, body weight, and organ relative weight. No changes in necropsy and histopathology of vital organs associated with extract treatment were observed. Conclusion. The results indicated that an ethanolic root extract of Carissa spinarum does not cause adverse effects, which can lead to Wistar rats' death after 90-day oral administration at 500 and 1000 mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-2 is a common mycotoxin contaminating cereal crops. Chronic consumption of food contaminated with T-2 toxin can lead to death, so simple and accurate detection methods in food and feed are necessary. In this paper, we establish a highly sensitive and accurate method for detecting T-2 toxin using AlphaLISA. The system consists of acceptor beads labeled with T-2-bovine serum albumin (BSA), streptavidin-labeled donor beads and biotinylated T-2 antibodies. T-2 in the sample matrix competes with T-2-BSA for antibodies. Adding biotinylated antibodies to the test well followed by T-2 and T-2-BSA acceptor beads yielded a detection range of 0.03–500 ng/mL. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 2.28 ng/mL and the coefficient of variation was <10%. In addition, this method had no cross-reaction with other related mycotoxins. This optimized method for extracting T-2 from food and feed samples achieved a recovery rate of approximately 90% in T-2 concentrations as low as 1 ng/mL, better than the performance of a commercial ELISA kit. This competitive AlphaLISA method offers high sensitivity, good specificity, good repeatability and simple operation for detecting T-2 toxin in food and feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugarcane is an important agro-industrial crop as a worldwide manufacturing plant. Scientifically it is the so-called Saccharum officinarum. Sugarcane juice is dark brown golden in color with medium flavor intensity contains caramel, butterscotch and green flavor and sucrose hydrolyzed to an equimolar mixture of glucose and fructose providing instant energy transported by fluid thermodynamics. The expected research based on a new implementation of harmful pathogens against roadside sellers of sugarcane juices. The work is currently reviewed and renewed for automated analysis techniques with verified street juice samples at Guwahati city in Assam. Following spring to summer seasons, the favorite juice to people of all ages in India is supposed to health-threatening for public health concerns. Respective doctors and Practitioner carry out their treatment against this pathogen along with antibiotic supplements unknowingly the etiological source about UTI or GI tract infections. Methods: Here researchers finding (Chowdhury et al., 2019) are to analyze and categorize the biochemical fermentation activities of pathogens with significant enzyme degrading analyzed from sugarcane juice against gut acting probiotics, responsible for food toxicity and intestinal disorder. Diagnostic microbial activities in well diffusion studies are followed by automated analysis for significant provoking of health status. Result: Epidemiological studies were concerned to identify risk factors through the comparison of incidence and prevalence between groups exposed and not exposed to risk factors. Probabilities of disease occurrence can be compared using measures of strength of association or potential impact. The studies are compared with the graph and its data implementations to find out the significant level for beneficial sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxin poisoning is not restricted to pets and farm animals, it causes diseases and death in humans. Mycotoxin producing fungi are common components of the epiphytic and endophytic microflora in crops resulting in natural crop contamination in the field and during storage. The level of contamination is influenced by the genetics of the plant and fungi, management practices and prevailing climatic conditions. The Global movement of maize products necessitates global as well as country-specific surveys on mycotoxin occurrence. Significant differences in the concentrations of deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and zearalenone were found in commercial maize for the seven years under review but no significant difference was detected between white and yellow maize types with regards to fumonisins and zearalenone concentrations. The absence of Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin-A, T2-toxin and HT-2 toxin in the commercial maize samples from 2010/2011 to 2016/2017 seasons is a food safety advantage for South Africa maize producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present document represents the summary of the activities undertaken during the second year of the framework contract (OC/EFSA/SCER/2018/01) with the overall objectives of maintaining, updating and further developing the OpenFoodTox database ("OpenFodTox 2.0"). OpenFoodTox has been developed over the last 8 years to map hazard data as published in EFSA documents (opinions, statements, and conclusions) dealing with chemicals risk assessment of food and feed. The repository holds summary data on identification of chemicals, document descriptors, hazard identification, and hazard characterisation. Overall, OpenFoodTox 2.0 now includeshazard data from more thanfrom 10300 assessments, 2140 EFSA outputs and 5100 chemicals with new entries for 138 new substances, 437 hazard assessments from 181 EFSA documents. The data collection for new data types has been continued with further expansion of the data model to incorporate new data types including physicochemical properties (OHT 1 to 23‐5), degradation and bioaccumulation data (OHT 32 and 33), toxicokinetic data (OHT 58), intermediate effects (OHT 201), "New Approach methodologies (NAMs)" and Exposure Information (OHT 301 to 306). OpenFoodTox content was enriched with physico‐chemical properties and PK/TK data including quantitative values for key parameters (Cmax, AUC, half‐life)obtained from EFSA documents published between 2018 and 2020 and progressively integrated in the database. Overall, 3658 experimental physico‐chemical data records for 522 substances (138 EFSA outputs) and 1986 PK/TK records were added for 315 substances (108 EFSA outputs). Case studies onOHT 201 to report mechanistic data are illustrated. Furthermore, preliminary results on new QSAR models are here presented as part of the design of an in silico integrative tool allowing for the description and prediction of hazard properties of chemicals for "OpenFoodTox 2". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous or frequent ingestion of fried foods containing cytotoxic/mutagenic/genotoxic lipid oxidation products (LOPs) may present significant human health risks; such toxins are generated in thermally stressed polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich culinary frying oils (CFOs) during standard frying practices. Since monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids (MUFAs and SFAs, respectively) are much less susceptible to peroxidation than PUFAs, in this study CFOs of differential unsaturated fatty acid contents were exposed to laboratory-simulated shallow-frying episodes (LSSFEs). Firstly, we present a case study exploring the time-dependent generation of aldehydic LOPs in CFO products undergoing LSSFEs, which was then used to evaluate the relative potential health risks posed by them, and also to provide suitable recommendations concerning their safety when used for frying purposes. Sunflower, rapeseed, extra-virgin olive and coconut oils underwent LSSFEs at 180 °C: Samples were collected at 0–90 min time-points (n = 6 replicates per oil). Aldehydes therein were determined by high-resolution 1H NMR analysis at 400 and 600 MHz operating frequencies. For one of the first times, CFO LOP analysis was also performed on a non-stationary 60 MHz benchtop NMR spectrometer. 1H NMR analysis confirmed the thermally promoted, time-dependent production of a wide range of aldehydic LOPs in CFOs. As expected, the highest levels of these toxins were produced in PUFA-rich sunflower oil, with lower concentrations formed in MUFA-rich canola and extra-virgin olive oils; in view of its very high SFA content, only very low levels of selected aldehyde classes were generated in coconut oil during LSSFEs. Secondly, 1H NMR results acquired are discussed with regard to the suitability and validity of alternative, albeit routinely employed, spectrophotometric methods for evaluating the peroxidation status of CFOs and lipid-containing foods. Thirdly, an updated mini-review of the toxicological properties of and intake limits for LOPs, and deleterious health effects posed by their ingestion, is provided. In conclusion, exposure of PUFA-rich CFOs to high-temperature frying practices generates very high concentrations of aldehydic LOP toxins from thermally promoted, O2-powered, recycling peroxidation processes; these toxins penetrate into and hence are 'carried' by fried foods available for human consumption. Such toxins have the capacity to contribute towards the development and progression of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) if cumulatively ingested by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum), a worldwide major food crop, produces the toxic, bitter tasting solanidane glycoalkaloids α-solanine and α-chaconine. Controlling levels of glycoalkaloids is an important focus on potato breeding. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) contains a bitter spirosolane glycoalkaloid, α-tomatine. These glycoalkaloids are biosynthesized from cholesterol via a partly common pathway, although the mechanisms giving rise to the structural differences between solanidane and spirosolane remained elusive. Here we identify a 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase, designated as DPS (Dioxygenase for Potato Solanidane synthesis), that is a key enzyme for solanidane glycoalkaloid biosynthesis in potato. DPS catalyzes the ring-rearrangement from spirosolane to solanidane via C-16 hydroxylation. Evolutionary divergence of spirosolane-metabolizing dioxygenases contributes to the emergence of toxic solanidane glycoalkaloids in potato and the chemical diversity in Solanaceae. One goal of potato breeding is to reduce the accumulation of toxic solanidane glycoalkaloids. Here the authors show that potato DPS, a 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase, catalyzes ring rearrangement of a biosynthetic precursor to differentiate solanidanes from spirosolanes that are found in other solanaceous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encapsulation is the process of building a functional barrier between a core and wall material to avoid chemical and physical reactions and to maintain the biological, functional, and physicochemical properties of core materials. The choice of an appropriate encapsulation method and wall material depends upon the end use of the product and the processing conditions involved. Encapsulation can enhance the oxidative stability, thermostability, shelf-life, biological activity and control the volatility and release of essential oils. The aim of the present review was to gather and to value information about alternatives for the encapsulation of the essential oils and to have knowledge for the most appropriate selection, keeping in mind the advantages and limitations. Additionally, this review offer information to researchers working in the field of food and nutrition, pharmacy, agronomy and engineering who are interested in the encapsulation of essential oils. It was found that encapsulation has been conducted by employing different methods, but spray drying and coacervation are the most commonly used methods for the microencapsulation of essential oils. Future investigations will be directed to the use of combining these methods to encapsulate mixtures of essential oils. In particular, in the food products to apply the essential oils as antimicrobial films and micro or nanoencapsulated essential oil covers to increase the sanitary security and to prolong the shelf life. Also, to continue with the evaluation of the toxicological profile and of the associate potential risks of nanoencapsulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Food can be health-giving. A global transition towards plant-based diets may equally help curb carbon emissions, slow land-system change and conserve finite resources. Yet, projected benefits of such ‘planetary health’ diets imperfectly capture the environmental or societal health outcomes tied to food production. Here, we examine pesticide-related hazards of fruit and vegetable consumption, and list proven management alternatives per commodity, geography and chemical compound. Across countries, pesticide use in these alleged healthful foods is extensive with up to 97% food items containing residues and up to 42% posing dietary risks to consumers. Multiple residues are present in 70–92% of US- and China-grown stone fruit while 58% US cauliflower is tainted with neonicotinoid insecticides. Science-based alternatives and decision-support frameworks can help food producers reduce risks and potential harm by deliberately abstaining from pesticide use. As such, opportunities abound to advance ‘win-win’ diets that simultaneously nurture human health and conserve global biodiversity.

Difficulty in adhering to the recommended diet is a common problem in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Dietary non-adherence among diabetic individuals leads to diabetes related complication and death. As far as our search established, there is a scarcity of scientific evidence of dietary non-adherence of individuals with diabetes to the recommended diet in Ethiopia, specifically in the Northwest part of the country. Hence, this study aims to assess the dietary non-adherence and associated factors among individuals with diabetes at Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 systematically selected individuals with diabetes following their treatment from March to April 2017. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The dependent variable association with explanatory variables was determined using logistic regression. Statistical significance was considered at p-value