Raw Food Research Articles

When the first of the 5Fs for the welfare of dogs goes wrong. Who is responsible? - a review

The importance of nutrition for the welfare of dogs is highlighted in this review. Malnutrition can be the cause of many health disorders, including behavioural disorders. On the other hand, dietary interventions and modifications, and nutritional enrichment can be used for the treatment of certain health problems and improving welfare in dogs. The paper focuses on data collected from the literature on omissions in the diet of dogs for which owners, food producers, veterinarians and/or animal welfare societies are responsible. Manufacturers are responsible for the composition, quality and safety of commercially available dog food. They are also responsible for the clarity of the feeding guidelines that are provided on the labels. Owners are expected to know what type of food is most suitable for their dogs in terms of any particular allergies or intolerances they may have, as well the quality and quantity of food they should feed their dogs. It is especially important for owners to be aware of the risks of using raw food in dog nutrition. Due to the special social status that dogs have in their owners’ families, owners are increasingly interested in the quality and safe nutrition of their companions. This should be a challenge for veterinarians to master the necessary knowledge of pet nutrition, and to develop and provide advice and consulting services in this area within their practice. Owners’ interest in good quality and safe dog nutrition should also be a challenge for animal welfare societies to include information on nutrition in general dog ownership education.

Replacement of Artemia franciscana Nauplii by Moina minuta Neonates as Live Food on the Larviculture of Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare -Schultze, 1823) and Severum (Heros severus - Heckel, 1840)

The present study aimed to assess the potential substitution of Artemia franciscana nauplii with Moina minuta neonates as the initial feed for angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) and severum (Heros severus), evaluating the fish growth performance, live food cost, and intestinal histomorphometry. To achieve this goal, two separate experiments were carried out for each species during 20 days, using 200 postlarvae. Both experimental designs consisted of five treatments, namely, 100% A. franciscana nauplii (A100-M0); 75% A. franciscana nauplii and 25% M. minuta neonates (A75-M25); 50% A. franciscana nauplii and 50% M. minuta neonates (A50-M50); 25% A. franciscana nauplii and 75% M. minuta neonates (A25-M75); and 100% M. minuta neonates (A0-M100), with four replications (10 postlarvae per repetition). Angelfish postlarvae fed with A100-M0, A75-M25, A50-M50, and A25-M75 had better values of final length (13.31 mm, 14.15 mm, 13.32 mm, and 13.32 mm), gain in length (7.91 mm, 8.75 mm, 7.92 mm, and 7.92 mm), and length-specific growth rate (4.51% day−1, 4.82% day−1, 4.51% day−1, and 4.51% day−1). In the case of severum postlarvae, the highest length growth performance occurred in those fed with A100-M0 (15.86 mm, 8.90 mm, and 4.12% day−1), A75-M25 (15.45 mm, 8.49 mm, and 3.99% day−1), and A50-M50 (14.78 mm, 7.82 mm, and 3.76% day−1). Both species (angelfish and severum postlarvae) fed with A100-M0 and A75-M25 presented higher values of final weight (28.88 mg and 34.49 mg; 55.84 mg and 53.95 mg), gain in weight (27.56 mg and 33.08 mg; 51.03 mg and 49.14 mg), and weight-specific growth rate (15.42% day−1 and 16.30% day−1; 12.26% day−1 and 12.09% day−1). Live food cost for angelfish and severum postlarvae was higher in A100-M0 (US$ 0.92 and US$ 1.08) and lower for the ones in A0-M100 (US$ 0.36 and US$ 0.35). Severum postlarvae fed with A100-M0 (57.20 µm), A75-M25 (55.66 µm), and A50-M50 (54.27 µm) presented the highest intestinal villi heights. Thus, partial replacement of A. franciscana nauplii by M. minuta neonates in the proportion of A75-M25 or 100A-0M is viable and effective during the first feed of these fish species.

Microflora, Contents of Polyamines, Biogenic Amines, and TVB-N in Bovine Offal and Game Meat for the Raw-Feeding of Adult Dogs.

Microflora and contents of biogenic amines/polyamines and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) in 99 samples of bovine offal (red offal, n = 41 and other offal and mixes, n = 45) and wild game meat (n = 13) for raw meat-based diets (RMBD) for dogs were analyzed. Samples were bought in 11 local pet food shops and in one game-handling establishment in Austria (Lower Austria, Styria, and Vienna) in September and October 2022. Median contents (first and third quartiles in brackets) of cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine were 20.7 [16.7; 28.6]; 25.4 [17.1; 47.2]; 18.9 [13.6; 38.9]; 15.2 [11.2; 21.2]; and 41.9 [<limit of detection; 64.5] mg/kg wet weight, respectively. The sum of putrescine + cadaverine + histamine + tyramine was >50 mg/kg in 85.9% of samples, indicating the use of low-quality ingredients or inappropriate storage conditions. However, only 10.1% of samples were determined to be not compliant with a maximum amine content proposed for pet food. Median contents of the total aerobic bacteria counts (TACs), Pseudomonas, and Enterobacteriaceae were 7.4 [6.4; 8.0]; 6.5 [5.5; 7.7]; and 4.8 [3.9; 5.6] log CFU/g, respectively, with significantly lower counts in red offal RMBD (p < 0.05). TVB-N exceeded 150 mg/kg in 87.9% of samples. The TACs and Enterobacteriaceae numbers in red offal RMBD were comparable to those in food-grade red offal after 6 days of aerobic storage at 7 °C, i.e., temperatures higher than required for food-grade offal, but acceptable for animal by-products intended for RMBD production. In 80.8% of samples, numbers of Enterobacteriaceae exceeded the EU legal limit. From 12 of these samples, Salmonellae was able to be isolated, with counts from 0.03 MPN/g to 110 MPN/g. Salmonella enterica ser. Montevideo (n = 3), and S. enterica ser. Give and S. enterica ssp. Diarizonae (n = 2 each) were the most frequently isolated, while Listeria monocytogenes was rarely recovered (2%). Whilst exposure of humans handling such pet food can be reduced by hygiene precautions, the risk remains that dogs can acquire a feed-borne salmonellosis and shed the pathogen.

Effects of Dehulling and Roasting on the Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Sesamum indicum L. Seeds

Recently, processed foods have become an important part of human eating habits. However, several processing techniques, such as dehulling and roasting, are applied to raw foods. Roasting is a thermal process that depends on temperature and time and improves the extraction yield of oil by generating pores in the oilseed cell walls. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an annual plant belonging to Pedaliaceae and is considered to be one of the oldest oil crops. Nowadays, the cultivation of this plant is economically important in several countries. This review clarifies the botanical characteristics and nutritional importance of sesame seeds, reviews their phytochemical composition, and discusses the effects of dehulling and roasting on their nutritional quality. S. indicum, which is known to contain several classes of bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, and lignans, has been reported to possess a wide range of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective activity; however, processing such as dehulling eliminates undesirable chemical constituents while roasting provides the best chemical composition at moderate temperatures.

Depression and Quality of Life among Ukrainian Adults Relocated to Russia

At an early stage of Russia–Ukraine War, the psychological conditions of Ukraine people relocated to Russia were reported by the International Journal of Loss and Trauma. In this paper, updated findings evidence the war impact on quality of life, depression, loneliness, substance use, and eating behavior among refugees relocated from the Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Indicators of quality of life, mental health, depression, substance use, and unhealthy food intake tend to be attributed to the war regardless of refugee gender, age, religiosity, and marital status. These findings are consistent with those previously reported about the impact of war and location status among Ukrainian “help” professional women showing relocation associated with poor psycho-emotional well-being, increased burnout, loneliness, and substance use. Responses from the refugees continue to evidence key issues that need to be addressed by policy and program decision makers as well as service providers for prevention and treatment intervention purposes.

Reproduction, Early Development, and Larval Rearing of the Climbing Perch Anabas testudineus (Teleostei: Anabantidae) in Captivity

Induced spawning, early development, and larval rearing of the climbing perch Anabas testudineus were examined under captive conditions. Five female climbing perch [125.33 ± 3.27 mm SL; 70.67 ± 5.59 g BW] were paired with apparently mature males (108.50 ± 3.97 mm SL; 39.27 ± 4.70 g BW) and induced to spawn with 5,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) + 0.5 mL Ovaprim kg BW-1. All hCG + Ovaprim-injected fish spawned 9 – 11 h after hormone administration but saline-injected fish (control group) failed to spawn. Mean egg production per female, fertilization and hatching rates, and larval production per female were 7,667 ± 1,313, 98.11 ± 1.63, 61.01 ± 19.92, and 4,435 ± 1,041 %, respectively. Fertilized eggs (1.52 – 1.96 mm in dia) were almost spherical, non-adhesive, transparent, and buoyant due to a large, single oil globule (515 ± 33 μm in dia). First cleavage appeared 30 min post-fertilization (MPF) and egg development lasted for 20 – 24 h post-fertilization (HPF) (29°C). Newly hatched climbing perch larvae [1.73 ± 0.08 mm in total length (TL)] with yolk volume (YV) and oil globule volume (OGV) of 0.545 ± 0.104 and 0.072 ± 0.013 mm3, respectively, had no pigmented eyes or functional mouth parts and digestive tract, and immobile with the yolk sac pointed upward. Eyes became pigmented and both mouth and anus opened in 1 d old larvae (2.09 ± 0.04 mm TL) in preparation for exogenous feeding. Except for body depth (BD) and pre-anal length (PAL), a general increase in TL (1.73 – 3.72 mm), eye diameter (ED) (0.164 – 0.378 mm), head length (HL) (0.205 – 0.923 mm), and mouth gape (MG) size (0.308 – 0.552 mm) was observed, coinciding with yolk resorption in 7 d post-hatched larvae. Climbing perch larvae were reared at 4 stocking densities (25, 50, 75, 100 larvae L-1) and fed solely on live food (Brachionus rotundiformis from 2 – 12 d and Artemia nauplii from 13 – 40 d) or co-fed live food and microparticulate diet (MPD) (Artemia nauplii from 2 – 15 d and Artemia + MPD from 16 – 40 d). Mean survival rates at lower densities (25 – 50 larvae L-1) were significantly higher than those reared at 75 and 100 larvae L-1 (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, climbing perch larvae co-fed Artemia nauplii and MPD showed better survival (28.67 – 81.00%) than those fed solely on live food (24.88 – 64.00%). However, at the end of the 40 d trial period, growth parameters did not vary significantly among densities (P &gt; 0.05), except for the condition factor in larvae co-fed Artemia nauplii and MPD. Taken together, results demonstrate the effectiveness of hCG + Ovaprim for captive breeding and observations on the early development of climbing perch, and the feasibility of rearing the larvae at 25 – 50 L-1 on a combination of Artemia nauplii and MPD under laboratory conditions.

Food processing can save lives: how bioactive compounds defy oversimplification

In many instances, the term processed foods is used interchangeably with ultra-processed foods (UPF), which may lead to the former group being mistakenly perceived as unhealthy. In reality, the term food processing encompasses a range of treatments and operations aimed at ensuring food safety, preservation, and availability. Bioactive compounds found in raw foods can be used to examine the complex nature of processing. Factors such as processing type (e.g., thermal treatments, non-conventional processes) and operational conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure) significantly affect the final product and can either increase the levels and bioavailability of bioactives or diminish their concentration leading to reduced functional properties. Criticism directed toward UPFs should not overshadow the boundaries separating them from healthy and nutritive processed foods. Food processing continues to be a tool to produce foods that are stable and free from microbiological and physicochemical hazards, ensuring their availability in underserved areas of the world.

Possible Genetic Risks from Heat-Damaged DNA in Food.

The consumption of foods prepared at high temperatures has been associated with numerous health risks. To date, the chief identified source of risk has been small molecules produced in trace levels by cooking and reacting with healthy DNA upon consumption. Here, we considered whether the DNA in food itself also presents a hazard. We hypothesize that high-temperature cooking may cause significant damage to the DNA in food, and this damage might find its way into cellular DNA by metabolic salvage. We tested cooked and raw foods and found high levels of hydrolytic and oxidative damage to all four DNA bases upon cooking. Exposing cultured cells to damaged 2'-deoxynucleosides (particularly pyrimidines) resulted in elevated DNA damage and repair responses in the cells. Feeding a deaminated 2'-deoxynucleoside (2'-deoxyuridine), and DNA containing it, to mice resulted in substantial uptake into intestinal genomic DNA and promoted double-strand chromosomal breaks there. The results suggest the possibility of a previously unrecognized pathway whereby high-temperature cooking may contribute to genetic risks.

Pendampingan Pendirian UMKM Olahan Tahu di Dusun Cerme, Desa Gentong, Ngawi, Jawa Timur

Tofu is raw food made from soybean. It takes 2 -3 hours to process the soybean until finish. The workshop aimed to discuss with the owner of tofu factory that it will be dregs into further process to be snack with higher value. The method used is mentoring and socialization of programs for one month in the community, the workshop then begins with cooking process, by authors. Then, the companion aldo held from process of tax civil number (NPWP), number Business Registration Number (NIB), until the companion of making account in digital marketing and packaging. Tofu will be sold through online shopping platform by the means of halal-licensed for this tofu snacks. So far, people only process tofu which served as dishes and tofu reside then isn’t been process, directed to sell . In fact, the kind of production is just make little sum of money for the factory owner. This workshop has goals to increase their income. Based on community empowerment to process the tofu reside. Thus, the result from this workshop and accompaniment will be beneficial for community in the Cerme hamlet who have been relying on agricultural products with three harvests a year. Further, people will no longer depend on agricultural products but they can tofu dregs into high-value preparations with the creativity of these processing, such as tofu chips, tofu crackers and tofu sticks.

Food Knowledge for Better Nutrition and Health: A Study among University Students in Portugal.

When students enter university, they suffer adaptations, including, usually, greater autonomy and responsibility for the choices they make. Therefore, it is crucial that they are well informed so as to make healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics, academic performance and lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol consumption) interfere with food literacy in university students. A quantitative, analytical, descriptive, transversal and correlational study was carried out, using quantitative data obtained through a questionnaire survey applied to a sample of 924 university students in Portugal. Food literacy was assessed through a scale of 27 items, distributed in three dimensions: D1-Literacy about food nutritional value and composition, D2-Literacy about labelling and food choice and D3-Literacy about healthy eating practices. Results showed no differences in food literacy according to sex or age. However, food literacy varied significantly with nationality, either globally (p = 0.006) or in the different dimensions evaluated (p-values of 0.005, 0.027 and 0.012 for D1, D2 and D3, respectively). In terms of academic achievement, the results showed no significant differences according to self-reported academic performance or even to the average classification obtained in the course. Regarding lifestyle variables, it was observed that alcohol consumption or smoking are not associated with food literacy, that is, food literacy does not vary significantly with these two lifestyle variables. In conclusion, food literacy in general and the dimensions evaluated are essentially constant among university students in Portugal, only varying for students from abroad. These results help to better perceive the food literacy levels for the population under study, university students, and that can be a valuable tool to better increase food literacy at these institutions as a way to better prepare for a healthier life and proper food habits that can enhance health in the long term.

Major food-borne zoonotic bacterial pathogens of livestock origin: Review

Animal food-borne microbes are pathogens that jeopardize food safety and cause illness in humans via natural infection or contamination. Most of those microbes are bacteria that have considerable impacts on public health. Their survival and pathogenicity are due to toxin production, biofilm development, spore formation, disinfection resistance, and other traits. However, detailed information about them is scattered across scientific literature.&#x0D; We aimed to compile information about major zoonotic bacteria linked with human food of livestock origin and describe their typical features, transmission modes, detection, and preventative approaches. In particular, we addressed the following pathogens that cause food-borne disease worldwide: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Brucella, Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Colibacilus, and some others.&#x0D; Many of those bacteria have substantial reservoirs in food animals, and food products of animal origin are the primary vehicles of their transmission. Human beings become affected by food-borne zoonotic bacteria if they consume raw animal products or foods produced by using unstandardized slaughtering methods or unsanitary preparation and handling procedures. These zoonotic bacteria and their toxins can be detected in food by culturing, serological, and molecular diagnostic methods. They are effectively controlled and prevented by good hygiene, good management practices, cooking, and pasteurization protocols. &#x0D; In addition, there is a need for a centralized surveillance and monitoring system, as well as higher awareness in society of the occurrence, prevention, and control of bacterial pathogens related to food animals.

New Trends in Supercritical Fluid Technology and Pressurized Liquids for the Extraction and Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Agro-Industrial and Marine Food Waste.

Growing consumer interest in healthy foods has led to an increased demand for bioactive compounds derived from eco-technologies. This review highlighted two emerging technologies, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), which are based on clean processes aimed at recovering bioactive compounds from different food sources. We studied how the different processing conditions provide many advantages and a great opportunity to obtain compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal activity from plant matrices and industrial biowaste, especially antioxidant compounds (anthocyanins and polyphenols) due to their important role in health promotion. Our research was conducted through a systematic search in different scientific databases related to the PLE and SFE topics. The review analyzed the optimal extraction conditions using these technologies, which lead to the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds, the use of different equipment, and recent combinations of SFE and PLE with other emerging technologies. This has given rise to the development of new technological innovations, new commercial applications, and the detailed recovery of various bioactive compounds extracted from different plant and marine life food matrices. These two environmentally friendly methodologies are fully valid and have great future application prospects in biowaste valorization. They represent a feasible technological tool that can promote the implementation of a circular economy model for the food industry. The underlying mechanisms of these techniques were discussed in detail and supported by current literature.

Potential implications of natural antioxidants from plant to improve nutritional quality, oxidative stability and lipid degradation of egg yolk: A review

AbstractFood occupies a principal role in human life, having a major impact on health status and representing diverse characteristics that ensure valuable nutrient intake. Ensuring human nutrition has become one of the essential problems facing mankind, and quantity, quality and proper use of food have a major effect on the human body. Many raw materials and food products spoil easily, considerably shortening their shelf life. Extending the shelf-life of food is required to remove seasonal consumption, enlarge availability to the consumer and decrease losses in perishable food products, resorting to some procedures to preserve their properties. If natural antioxidants are used as alternatives for synthetic antioxidants, customer claims for food without damaging residual substances can be satisfied, and the poultry industry would benefit considerably. The principal objective of this review was to describe and under light the current situation regarding the role and importance of the use of antioxidant compounds obtained from natural sources in order to improve the nutritional qualities of eggs following their inclusion in the feed of laying hens. Data from bibliographic sources are analyzed and presented. The characteristics of a number of 9 plants with antioxidant potential are described with an emphasis on their characteristics, utilization, and possible effects on egg quality, performance, and health.

Assessment of Selected Trace Metals in Commonly Consumed Canned and Raw Food Products in Sindh, Pakistan

The current study uses a flame atomic absorption spectrometer to quantify seven trace elements—Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), and Calcium (Ca) in canned and raw food products sold in Sukkur and Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. Current study results were compared to WHO/FAO maximum and minimum limits. Most samples were contaminated with trace elements (likely from anthropogenic activities, local industries, and brick kilns) and exceeded the allowable limits. Food products had varied metal content. In canned food products, Cr was max in peas (6.99 mg/kg) and min in pineapple (3.08 mg/kg), Co was max in pineapple (3.11 mg/kg) and min in honey (1.50 mg/kg), Zn was max in tamarind (5.77 mg/kg) and min in pineapple and mushroom (2.95 mg/kg), Mn was max in ginger (0.39 mg/kg) and min in pineapple and mangoes (0.24 mg/kg), Na was max in ginger (167 mg/kg) and min in honey (76.7 mg/kg), and K was max in tamarind (4942 mg/kg) and min in honey (76.7 mg In raw food products, Cr was highest in carrot (6.21 mg/kg) and lowest in pineapple (3.08 mg/kg), Co was highest in pineapple (3.24 mg/kg) and lowest in carrot (1.14 mg/kg), Zn was highest in carrot (6.33 mg/kg) and lowest in pineapple and honey (2.96 mg/kg), Mn was highest in ginger (0.41 mg/kg) and lowest in honey (0.24 mg/kg), Na was highest in garlic (202 mg/kg) and lowest in strawberries (65.1 mg/kg), and K was highest in tamarind (4963 mg/kg) and lowest in butter. In conclusion, to ensure public safety, these elements must be monitored in canned and raw food products

A critical appraisal on the role of Agni in Amlapitta

Background: Ayurveda is a peculiar domain of medical science which has its remedies for different ailments; either in the form of dietary modifications, lifestyle alterations or treatment modalities. In modern era, due to over inclination towards materialistic life, people often tend to compromise on their lifestyle, which indeed leads to depletion in health causing several ailments. Such compromises in life style and food habits will lead to the manifestation of diseases mainly of Annavaha Srotas. Such a commonly encountered disease is Amlapitta. Along with Tridosha, another entity i.e., Agni also plays an important role in the manifestation of the same. Hence, it is worth a discussion to explore the role of Agni in the development of Amlapitta. Materials and Methods: Extensive literary research was conducted inclusive of electronic databases such as Pubmed, Pubmed central, index medicus And index in Services like Elsevier, Scopus, Embase etc along with classical textbooks of Ayurveda. Discussion: Amlapitta is such a frequently encountered pathological manifestation of Annavaha Srotas which is explained in Ayurveda classics; wherein the Shuktata of Pitta Dosha gets elevated. Agni is an important factor which is responsible for proper occurrence of metabolism, which is utmost important for a disease free life. Conclusion: An effort is made in this paper to emphasize the role of Agni in Amlapitta, which can decide the fate of treatment planned and the rationality behind it.

Raw potato starch diet supplement in weaned pigs could reduce Salmonella Typhimurium infection by altering microbiome composition and improving immune status.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST) is one of the causative agents of gastroenteritis in pigs. Pigs fed a diet supplemented with raw potato starch (RPS) have improved gut health by the alteration of the microbiota composition and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of RPS supplementation in reducing infection severity and fecal shedding in ST-infected pigs. The weaned experimental pigs were divided into two groups: CON (n = 6) fed a corn/soybean-based diet and TRT (n = 6) supplemented with 5% RPS. After 21 d, the pigs were inoculated with ST, and their body weight, clinical signs, and fecal shedding of ST were monitored for 14 d. At 14 d post-inoculation (dpi), the jejunum, cecum, ileum, and colon tissues were collected from euthanized pigs, and histopathological lesions and cytokine gene expression were compared. Additionally, blood samples at 2 dpi were analyzed for gene ontology enrichment. Moreover, the gutmicrobiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, and the SCFA concentration was measured using gas chromatography. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher in TRT than in CON during the ST infection period; however, histopathological lesion scores were significantly lower in TRT than in CON. The relative abundance of nine genera of butyrate- and acetate-producing bacteria significantly increased in TRT compared with that of only two acetate-producing bacteria in CON. Among the genes involved in the immune response, IL-18 expression level was significantly lower in the jejunum and colon in TRT than in CON. Furthermore, Reg3γ expression was significantly different in the cecum and colon of both groups. The diet supplemented with RPS in weaned pigs could result in predominance of butyrate- and acetate-producing bacteria, reducing the severity of ST infection by improving the immune status.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lac16 Attenuates Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infection by Inhibiting Virulence Traits and Improving Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function.

Large-scale use of antimicrobials in agriculture and medicine contributes to antibiotic residues in raw foods, the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and drug pollution, which seriously threatens human health and imposes significant economic burdens on society, suggesting the need for novel therapeutic options that prevent or control zoonoses. In this study, four probiotics were selected to assess their capability to alleviate pathogen-induced damage. Results showed that a simulated gastrointestinal juice and bile tolerated L. plantarum Lac16 with high lactic acid secretion can significantly inhibit the growth of multiple zoonotic pathogens. Lac16 also significantly inhibited the biofilm formation and mRNA expression of virulence traits (genes related to virulence, toxins, flagella biogenesis and motility, antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and AI-2 quorum sensing) of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC). Furthermore, Lac16 and Lac26 significantly protected C. elegans against zoonotic pathogen-induced (EHEC, S. typhimurium, C. perfringens) deaths. Moreover, Lac16 significantly promoted epithelial repair and ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal epithelial apoptosis and barrier dysfunction by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and markedly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway. The present results indicate that Lac16 attenuates enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection-induced damage by inhibiting key virulence traits of E. coli, promoting epithelial repair and improving intestinal epithelial barrier function, which may be mediated by the activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the inhibited TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway of the intestinal epithelium.

Pediatric paragonimiasis: a retrospective analysis of cases from a county in south-west China.

The clinical manifestations of paragonimiasis are diverse and non-specific, and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. We aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations, laboratory features, treatment, and clinical outcome of children with paragonimiasis in order to improve recognition of this disease and avoid misdiagnosis. Children diagnosed with paragonimiasis from August 2016 to July 2022 were included in the study. Information on population informatics, medical history, and laboratory features was extracted from case data. The clinical features of paragonimiasis were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 45 children were included in this study. All children had, at least, one risk factor. The clinical features mainly included fever, cough, pleural effusion, peritoneal effusion, and subcutaneous nodules. The main imaging findings were alveolar exudation, peritoneal effusion, pleural thickening, and local nodules. The "tunnel sign" finding on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was helpful in establishing the diagnosis of paragonimiasis. After praziquantel treatment, most of the children improved, and one child with cerebral paragonimiasis experienced sequelae. Most children with paragonimiasis have a good prognosis, but few children can experience sequelae. Avoidance of untreated water and raw food is a simple, feasible, and effective preventive measure.

COVID-19 AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A STATISTICAL REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

Nigeria depends on agriculture in sustaining the economy. Over 70% of Nigerians are employed directly or indirectly in the agricultural sector which provides raw materials, employment, food and income and serves as a foreign exchange earner. The discovery of crude oil in the late 1950s dwindled government attention on agriculture. This has left the Nigerian economy with shortage of food production to feed the growing population. The agricultural business environment in Nigeria is frustrated by series of inhibiting factors; poor income, inadequate access to loan and credit facilities and insufficient legislations and government policies. The incidence of pandemic presented new dimension of challenges. The outbreak of the virus placed restrictions such as isolation, quarantine and total lockdown that invariably affected agricultural output. Research is being conducted in the academic world focusing on the pandemic. This research lends contribution in this regard to ascertain the effects of the pandemic on agricultural production. This research adopted a desktop approach in reviewing the documents of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Centre for Disease Control, online statistical repositories and literature used as secondary sources of data. The review made conclusion and recommendations based on empirical review

Invisible among the vulnerable: a nuanced perspective of energy poverty at the intersection of gender and disability in South Africa

This study addresses a crucial gap in the existing literature by exploring the intricate relationship between gender, disability, and energy poverty. While prior research has shown that females and persons with disabilities are more vulnerable to energy poverty, our study adopts an intersectionality framework to investigate how these identities interact with other variables, including life dissatisfaction, food insecurity, and energy subsidy, to shape the experience of energy deprivation. Using a series of robust techniques, our analysis of the General Household Survey in South Africa reveals several noteworthy findings. First, while females are less likely to be energy poor, the intersection between females and disability significantly amplifies their risk of energy poverty by 2.6%. Our mediation analysis further elucidates that life dissatisfaction and food insecurity serve as critical mechanisms through which this intersection exacerbates energy poverty. Importantly, we also find that the impact of energy subsidy is most effective when targeted toward females with disabilities, highlighting the need for tailored interventions. We call for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize targeted energy subsidy schemes for persons with disabilities and females, recognizing the critical role such policies can play in mitigating energy poverty and promoting equity.