Research Publications (Food Safety)

by Florentin Pastor, Emilie Charles, Chiara Di Vona, Maëlys Chapelle, Michel Rivoire, Guillaume Passot, Benoit Chabot, Susana de la Luna, Julie Lucifora, David Durantel, Anna Salvetti

Background Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) increases overdose mortality, but its role in infectious disease transmission is unknown. We examined whether IMF use predicts hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among a cohort of people who inject drugs (PWID) in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico.

miR-122 is the most abundant microRNA (miRNA) in the liver; it regulates several genes mainly involved in cell metabolism and inflammation. Host factors, diet, metabolic disorders and viral infection promote the development of liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The downregulation of miR-122 in tissue is a common feature of the progression of liver injury.

by Jarrett Lopez-Scarim, Dustyn Mendoza, Shashank M. Nambiar, Eva Billerbeck

Conventional UV-C (254 nm) inactivation technologies have limitations and potential operator-safety risk. To overcome these disadvantages, novel UV-C light-emitting diodes (LED) are developed and investigated for their performance. This study aimed to determine the inactivation of human norovirus (HuNoV) surrogates, Tulane virus (TV), and feline calicivirus (FCV-F9), by UV-C (254 nm) in comparison to UV-C LED (279 nm) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and coconut water (CW).

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA may become integrated into the human genome of infected human hepatocytes. Expression of integrations can produce the surface antigen (HBsAg) that is required for synthesis of hepatitis D virus (HDV) particles and the abundant subviral particles in the blood of HBV- and HDV-infected subjects. Knowledge about the extent and variation of HBV integrations and impact on chronic HDV is still limited.

Background This study assessed the epidemiology of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) within the University of Utah UHealth health care system (2000–2021). Methods Analysis of HDV/HBV testing, diagnostic codes, liver enzymes, and comorbidities was performed. Results Among the 1962 HBV patients, only 22.2% underwent HDV testing, revealing an 8.3% positivity rate for HDV coinfections.

Worldwide, approximately, 400 million people have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (chronic hepatitis B [CHB]), a leading cause of liver-related death [1]. A highly effective vaccine has prevented millions of infections but belies the challenge to treat and cure those with CHB.

Aims

Patients with haemochromatosis (HFE) are known to have an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Available data are conflicting on whether such patients have poorer prognosis, and there is lack of data regarding the biology of HFE-HCC. We compared the course of HFE-HCC with a matched non-HFE-HCC control group and examined tumour characteristics using immunohistochemistry.

Methods

BackgroundFowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) is the main pathogen of hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), which brings huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Fiber-1 protein plays an important role in viral infection and pathogenesis by binding directly to cellular receptors of FAdV-4.

Liver health is vital for growth and health of ruminants, which can directly affect their performance. High-concentrate diet (HCD) feeding, a common practice to meet the energy requirements for animal production and growth, has been known to induce liver damage, including nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in ruminants. To date, the regulatory mechanisms of liver metabolic dysfunctions in ruminants induced by HCD are not well defined.

IntroductionHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a pressing global issue, with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remaining the primary. Emodin, an anthraquinone compound extracted from the natural plant’s.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the developed world and a major contributor to gastroenteritis globally. Its low infectious dose and environmental persistence necessitate effective disinfection protocols. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) bleach is a widely used disinfectant for controlling HuNoV transmission via contaminated fomites.

RNA splicing is an essential post-transcriptional mechanism that facilitates the excision of introns and the connection of exons to produce mature mRNA, which is essential for gene expression and proteomic diversity. In the liver, precise splicing regulation is critical for maintaining metabolic balance, detoxification, and protein synthesis.

by Isabelle Reichert, Ji-Young Lee, Laura Weber, Marceline M. Fuh, Lina Schlaeger, Stefanie Rößler, Volker Kinast, Sarah Schlienkamp, Janina Conradi, Florian W. R. Vondran, Stephanie Pfaender, Pietro Scaturro, Eike Steinmann, Ralf Bartenschlager, Thomas Pietschmann, Joerg Heeren, Chris Lauber, Gabrielle Vieyres

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently recognized as an emerging problem and a growing concern for public health in developed countries, with HEV infections mainly attributable to foodborne transmission of HEV-3. The zoonotic HEV genotype 3 infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, with swine considered as the primary host. This study investigates the occurrence of HEV among small ruminants in Portugal.

by Jonathan J. Woolley, Jesse Fishman, Christina M. Parrinello, Tom O’Connell

Background

NASH is considered a contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk; however, its contribution beyond traditional risk factors for CVD, particularly diabetes, is less clearly understood. This study aimed to quantify the cardiovascular-event risk associated with NASH, independent of diabetes status.

Methods

The zebrafish larvae/embryo model has been shown to support the replication of seven strains (G1.7[P7], GII.2[P16], GII.3[P16], GII.4[P4], GII.4[P16], GII.6[P7], and GII.17[P13]) of human norovirus (HuNoV). However, due to challenges in consistently obtaining HuNoV-positive stool samples from clinical sources, evaluating HuNoV surrogates in this model is highly valuable. This study assesses the potential of zebrafish embryos and larvae as a model for Tulane virus (TuV) replication.

by Namsoo Kim, Sinyoung Kim, Jong Rak Choi, Younhee Park

Background/aims

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by the presence of auto-antibodies and high blood immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. In this study, the line immunoassay (LIA) was designed to assess various autoantibodies.

Methods

With its historical roots, Iranian traditional medicine has played a significant role in addressing liver‐related disorders and providing alternative approaches to synthetic drugs. Liver‐related disorders, such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, pose significant health challenges worldwide. From traditional practices and indigenous knowledge, Iranian traditional medicine offers a holistic approach to liver health.