Seafood Consumption Research Articles

The Impact of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) on the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: A Multi-Biomarker Evaluation

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been widely studied due to its environmental persistence and bioaccumulation potential, raising concerns about its effects on aquatic life. This research evaluates the impact of PFOA on the antioxidant defenses and stress response systems of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were exposed to three concentrations of PFOA (1, 10, and 100 µg·L−1) over 28 days. Several biomarkers, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitellogenin (VTG), ubiquitin (UBI), and caspase-3 (CASP) were analyzed. The results suggest stress responses, particularly in animals exposed to higher concentrations, as shown by GST and SOD activities which increased according to PFOA concentrations. Additionally, oxidative stress markers such as MDA and CAT showed variable responses depending on the exposure concentration tested. This study underscores the need for further investigation into the effects of PFOA on mollusks but also the need to unveil gender-specific responses in aquatic organisms exposed to this contaminant. The concentrations of PFOA used in our research are lower than those examined in previous studies, providing crucial insights into the impacts of even minimal exposure levels. It highlights the potential of M. galloprovincialis as a bioindicator in environmental monitoring programs, providing crucial insights for environmental management and policymaking regarding regulating and monitoring PFOA in marine settings. Consequently, in a country where seafood consumption is the second largest in Europe, implementing environmental policies and regulatory measures to manage and monitor PFOA levels in marine environments is crucial.

Existence of Thermotolerant and Salt-Loving Diarrheagenic Vibrio alginolyticus in Non-Saline Potable Water System: A Novel Finding from India.

We present a novel report of abundance of halophilic Vibrio alginolyticus with thermotolerant and enterotoxigenic characteristics from community water system of an inland-focus of India causing diarrheal outbreak as an index pathogen. Though, Vibrio alginolyticus causing diarrhea after exposure to marine water and consumption of seafood was reported globally, its existence in non-saline drinking-water sources with pathogenic viability was unknown. A 'matched-pair-case-control' study identified the primary source of V. alginolyticus infection as 'tap-water' distributed by the municipality, used for drinking (MOR: 8.33; 95% CI 2.51-27.6) and household chores (MOR: 3.75; 95% CI 1.24-11.3). Cardinal toxin gene 'tdh' and other pathogenicity markers viz.tlh, vppC, toxR, VPI, T3SS1 and sxt were detected in V. alginolyticus isolates. Expression potential of the hemolytic genes are demonstrated by hemolysis assay and transcriptome analysis. Altogether 30.55% of isolates exhibited strong hemolytic potential in vitro. RT-PCR revealed uninterrupted virulence gene expression in outbreak strains under heat stress. Surprisingly, ~ 100% of V. alginolyticus from the outbreak focus were sensitive/partially sensitive to all group of antibiotics except β-lactums, carbapenem and quinolones. High drug-sensitivity suggested lack of previous human gut exposure and indicated a fresh dissemination from the environmental niche to the community domain. The maximum likelihood phylogeny depicted multiple clades in V. alginolyticus strains from Pan India sources. Isolated outbreak strains shared common ancestry with the strains from nearby riverine system, a source of 'drinking water' supplied to the affected community, confirming its environmental origin. V. alginolyticus, traditionally a fish-pathogen, is steadily gaining an emerging epidemiological relevance alongside other waterborne diarrheagenic bacteria and its 'thermotolerant' attribute poses additional threat under the canvas of climate change.

Environmental Contaminants in Fish Products: Food Safety Issues and Remediation Strategies

The intentional or accidental presence of environmental contaminants, such as persistent organic pollutants, metals, and microplastics, can harm the aquatic ecosystem and their living organisms, as well as consumers of seafood. This study provides an overview of marine pollution caused by various chemicals and their toxicity to both the environment and humans. In addition to regulatory limits established for some contaminants, monitoring and management policies should mandate activities such as bioremediation and the use of carbon-based composite photocatalysts to reduce or eliminate these compounds.

Clinical and anamnestic factors affecting the progression of uterine fibroids

Background. Uterine fibroids (UF) is the most common tumor of the female reproductive system. In UF progression environmental factors are of great importance, which, without changing the genome, affect the activity of processes of hereditary information realization, the so-called epigenetic factors.Objective. To identify the most significant factors enhancing uterine myoma growth and the factors having protective effect.Material and methods of research. The study is a cohort retrospective non-randomized study in which 48 women took part: group 1–28 women with large-sized UF, group 2–20 women with small-sized UF. Retrospective analysis of medical records, questionnaire with the help of a questionnaire including 50 questions about the nature of lifestyle was carried out.Results of the study. The studied groups were comparable in age, marital status, education and living conditions. The average age of the patients in the first group was 48,21±5,24 years, in the second group 46,20±3,75 years. Based on the data obtained, the factors influencing the growth of uterine fibroids were identified and ranked. The main factors accelerating the progression of UF are high obesity (OR7.34 95% CL 1,035–178.2, p<0.05), a history of cesarean section (OR4.85 95% CL 1,006–36.51, p<0.05), the presence of UF in the mother (OR4.12 95% CL 1,022–21.21, p<0.05), eating pork more than 3 times a week (OR4.12 95% CL 1,134–17.51, p<0.05), short courses of using oral contraceptives (OR4.12 95% CL 1,02–21.21, p<0.05), rare consumption of fish and seafood (OR3.88 95% CL 1,06–16.57, p<0.05), low physical activity (OR4.12 95% CL 1,134–17.51, p<0.05), duration of dynamic observation for more than 5 years (OR3.506 95% CL 1,042–12.75, p<0.05). Protective factors that slow down the growth of uterine fibroids can be called taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve dysmenorrhea (OR0.28 95% CL 0.075–0.989, p<0.05), limiting sugar intake (OR0.187 95% CL 0.035–0.814, p<0.05), no pork consumption (OR0 95% CL 0.0–0.5097 p<0.05), consumption of fish and seafood 3 or more times a week (OR0.149 95% CL 0.0189–0.7756, p<0.05), the presence of 3 or more births in the anamnesis through the natural birth canal (OR0 95% CL 0.0–0.563, p<0.05), regular sexual activity (OR0.280 95% CL 0.0745–0.989, p<0.05), alcohol exclusion (OR0.495 95% CL 0.01893–0.7756, p<0.05), underweight (OR0.95% CL 0.0–0.3809, p<0.05).Conclusion. It is necessary to encourage women not to postpone motherhood, to popularize having many children, family values, to modify the lifestyle of women with already detected uterine fibroids by increasing motor activity, limiting the consumption of pork and sugar, increasing the consumption of fish and seafood.

Detection of Illicit Conservation Treatments in Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Application and Data Integration of NIR Spectrometers

Global fish and seafood consumption is increasing annually, frequently leading to the emergence of food fraud, mainly related to mislabeling and adulteration like, for example, the use of illicit/unauthorized food additives to mask or delay fish spoilage. Among the available diagnostic tools for control purposes, spectroscopic techniques have often been proposed to identify these kinds of illicit practices in fish and seafood products. The presented study aims to test two cheap and portable near infrared (NIR) spectrometers, a handheld MicroNIR and a pocket-sized SCiO, to uncover use of the illicit food additive Cafodos, a mixture of sodium citrate and hydrogen peroxide used to preserve some fish characteristics (like smell, color, na dtexture). The NIR spectroscopy in combination with chemometric approaches, allowed the successfully classification of (81–100%) samples of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) treated with Cafodos. The study highlights the potential of this technique that, by not requiring pre-treatment of samples with further reagents, is cheaper and safer for the environment. In conclusion, the study confirmed the potential of portable devices for rapid NIR spectroscopy analysis to identify food fraud and ensure consumer safety.

Monitoring of urinary nickel and chromium in metal industries workers in Alborz, Iran

Heavy metal contamination from occupational sources is a cause for concern due to its potential accumulation in the environment and the body of living organisms, which leads to long-term toxic effects. There is limited evidence on the concentration of heavy metals in the body fluids of welding workers. This study aimed to measure the concentration of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) as two main toxic heavy metals in the urine samples of welders and determine the potential relationship of various environmental factors on their concentration levels. This study was conducted in Iran in 2022–2023. Eighty-five urine samples were collected from the studied welding workers. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentration of Ni and Cr. Data related to socio-demographic characteristics (education level, income, work experience, age, and body mass index (BMI)), lifestyle profile (consumption of seafood and canned food, smoking, physical activity), type of ventilation and preventive devices at work, and suffering from underlying diseases (cardiovascular and high blood pressure) were collected using valid questionnaires. Ni and Cr were present in 100% of urine samples with mean concentrations of (1.09 ± 0.294) and (11.45 ± 16.751) µg/g creatinine, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between the mean concentration of Ni and Cr with the level of education, income, work experience, age, consumption of seafood and canned food, smoking, type of ventilation and preventive devices, and underlying diseases (p-value < 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between Ni concentration and physical activity and Cr concentration with BMI. Lifestyle determinants and not using preventive devices are important predictors of urinary heavy metals in welding workers. Therefore, more research is required to determine the adverse effects of long-term exposure to these heavy metals.

Cutaneous mastocytosis: diagnostic challenges and dietary influences in a prolonged case report

Cutaneous mastocytosis is a rare condition characterized by abnormal mast cell proliferation in the skin. We present the case of a 65-year-old man with recurrent urticaria-like rashes persisting for more than eight years. Despite multiple misdiagnoses as insect bites, examination and biopsy revealed mast cell infiltration. The patient's unique lifestyle, particularly his frequent seafood consumption, adds an intriguing dimension to the case. Treatment with systemic antihistamines and corticosteroids provided symptomatic relief, but long-term follow-up showed the persistence of clinical lesions, indicating that the treatment did not adequately address the underlying cause of the disease. A notable improvement in disease control was observed when the patient's diet was adjusted, suggesting a potential link between food and cutaneous mastocytosis. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis in Syria.

Willingness to pay for farmed salmon: Balancing sustainability and safety perceptions

Given pressure on wild fish stocks, aquaculture has worked to develop farmed seafood markets. While farmed seafood should be more sustainable, consumers may lack confidence in its sustainability and may have food safety concerns. Using a sample of 266 seafood consumers in the US state of Maine, the study examined preferences for wild-caught and farmed salmon based on safety perceptions of the latter. Most preferred wild-caught, but this declined with lower food safety concerns. Additionally, willingness to pay for certified sustainably farmed versus non-certified farmed salmon was compared, revealing higher premiums with greater confidence in food safety. The industry should improve food safety perceptions and promote its benefits as a sustainable seafood source.

Human biomonitoring of essential and toxic trace elements (heavy metals and metalloids) in urine of children, teenagers, and young adults from a Central European Cohort in the Czech Republic.

Exposure to toxic trace elements, which include metals and metalloids, can induce adverse health effects, including life-threatening diseases. Conversely, essential trace elements are vital for bodily functions, yet their excessive (or inadequate) intake may pose health risks. Therefore, identifying levels and determinants of exposure to trace elements is crucial for safeguarding human health. The present study analyzed urinary concentrations of 14 trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, thallium, and zinc) and their exposure determinants in 711 individuals, spanningfrom children to young adults from a Central European population from the Czech Republic. Multivariate linear regression and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA were used to investigate exposure determinants. Estimates of 95th percentile concentrations and confidence intervals were carried out to establish reference values(RV95). The study also assessed the percentage of population exceeding health-based guidance values (GVs) to gauge health risks. Young adults showed elevated toxic element concentrations, whereas children exhibited higher concentrations of essential elements. Mercury concentrations were associated with both dental amalgam filling count and seafood intake; arsenic concentrations were associated with seafood, rice, and mushroom consumption. Mushroom consumption also influenced lead concentrations. Sex differences were found for cadmium, zinc, nickel, and cobalt. Between 17.9% and 25% of the participants exceeded recommended GV for arsenic, while 2.4% to 2.8% exceeded GV for cadmium. Only one participant exceeded the GV for mercury, and none exceeded GVs for chromium and thallium. Essential trace elements' GVs were surpassed by 38% to 68.5% participants for zinc, 1.3% to 1.8% for molybdenum, and 0.2% to 0.3% for selenium. The present study examines trace element exposure in a Central European population from the Czech Republic, unveiling elevated exposure levels of toxic elements in young adults and essential elements in children. It elucidates key determinants of trace element exposure, including dietary and lifestyle indicators as well as dental amalgam fillings. Additionally, the study establishes novel reference values and acomparison with established health-based human biomonitoring guidance values, which are crucial for public health decision-making. This comprehensive biomonitoring study provides essential data to inform public health policies and interventions.

Efficiency of Sustainability Cues in Consumer Choices of Seafood—Consumer Segments and Willingness to Pay in Southern China

Achieving sustainability goals in the food system should be informed by consumer demand that signals the market trend and drives systemic changes. This study examines the efficiency of sustainability cues in influencing consumer choices of seafood among consumers in Southern China. The preference and willingness to pay for each seafood attribute are estimated using the Latent Class Logit model. The results show that respondents strongly believed in governmental certifications and were more willing to pay for domestic seafood certified to public standards over imported seafood with third-party sustainability certifications. By integrating individual characteristics into the membership function, this study finds that the preference for sustainability cues and other authenticity cues is related to seafood consumption habits and education. The study highlights the efficiency heterogeneity of sustainability cues, providing valuable insights for formulating public policy and developing marketing strategies that promote sustainable consumption.

Investigating tributyltin's toxic effects: Intestinal barrier and neuroenteric disruption in rat’s jejunum

The expansion of economic activities in coastal areas has significantly increased chemical contamination, leading to major environmental challenges. Contaminants enter the human body through the food chain, particularly via seafood and water consumption, triggering biomagnification and bioaccumulation processes. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) acts as a selective barrier, protecting against chemical pollutants and maintaining homeostasis through a complex network of cells and immune responses. This study assessed impact of tributyltin (TBT), a highly toxic organometallic compound used in antifouling coatings for ships, on the GIT and myenteric neural plasticity in young rats. TBT exposure leads to histopathological changes, including epithelial detachment and inflammatory foci, especially at lower environmental doses. The study found that TBT causes significant reductions in villi height, increases in goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes, and disrupts the myenteric plexus, with higher densities of extraganglionic neurons in exposed animals.

Human health risk assessment of potentially toxic metals in fish (Cynoglossus sp.) commonly consumed in Nigeria

In order to determine the concentrations of certain metals that may be hazardous in widely consumed fish species (Cynoglossus sp.) in Nigeria, atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used. The main objectives were to determine the most likely sources of these metals and assess the potential health concerns connected with consuming fish. Fish samples were collected from Sabo market, Ile-Ife, Osun state. They were digested using HNO3 and H2O2 and subjected to elemental analysis (Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Co, and Cr) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that Lead (Pb) had the lowest mean concentration of 0.56 ± 0.01 mg/kg, while Zinc (Zn) had the highest average concentration of 12.88 ± 0.18 mg/kg. Strong and substantial correlations between the studied metals were shown by the analysis of the correlation matrix and cluster patterns. The study also evaluated a number of health risk parameters, including target hazard quotient, estimated daily intake, and cancer risk, which together suggested that consuming these fish samples posed health concerns for both adults and children. According to relative risk, seafood consumption raises the most alarm about Cd levels. The study came to the conclusion that due to the propensity for these potentially hazardous metals to bioaccumulate, only a moderate amount of these fish samples should be consumed. Additionally, it is strongly advised to discourage the disposal of domestic and industrial wastes into water bodies.

The cadmium content in commercially key species of seafood from Shandong, China: Potential human health risk estimation

Seafood serves as a vital protein source for human nutrition, yet it also significantly contributes to the intake of dietary cadmium. In this study, we measured the cadmium content in 274 samples from 20 species, including fish, shrimp, and bivalves collected across five cities in Shandong province and assessed the associated health risks for local residents with varying consumption habits. The findings revealed a distinct increasing trend in cadmium concentrations from pelagic fish to benthic bivalve species; however, no evidence of biomagnification was observed among the studied species. Health risk assessments indicated that while there were no non-carcinogenic health risks posed by seafood consumption for local residents exposed to cadmium, carcinogen risks exceeded acceptable levels for lifetime cancer risk. Furthermore, children exhibited approximately twice as high risk indices compared to adults. Bivalve consumption emerged as the primary contributor to these health risks.

A-258 Hepatitis A infections among patients suspected of acute hepatitis attended in Brazilian health services

Abstract Background Millions of people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) annually - the leading widely spread causes of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries across all continents. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies; to determine HAV genotypes by nucleotide sequencing in patients suspected of acute hepatitis at public healthcare institutions; and to assess the association between this infection with age, gender, region, and other risk factors Methods Between October 2019 and May 2023, we analyzed 1,562 patients with more than 18 years old with clinical suspected acute hepatitis. Results Out of the 1,562 individuals, 1,244 were seropositive for Anti-HAV IgG, a median age of 45 years (IQR: 35 to 56) vs. 31 years (IQR: 25 to 39) in non-reactive individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001). A higher seropositivity was found in men compared to women (p=0.002). North region showed the highest seropositivity (p&amp;lt;0.001). There was also an association between poor sanitation conditions and seropositivity, such as lack of sewage collection and consumption of untreated water (p&amp;lt;0.001), as well as an association between heterosexual orientation and higher likelihood of seropositivity (p=0.015). In the logistic regression analysis for anti-HAV IgG seropositivity, age and male sex were significantly associated with seropositivity (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.11, p&amp;lt;0.001; OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.11, p=0.004). North region showed a significant increase in the odds for seropositivity compared to all other regions. For anti-HAV IgM, out of the 1,562 individuals, 97 were seropositive, significantly higher in younger individuals [median age of 34 years (IQR: 28 to 40) vs. 42 years (IQR: 32 to 54) in non-reactive individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001)] and in males (p&amp;lt;0.001). South and Southeast regions had higher seropositivity (p&amp;lt;0.001). Non-heterosexual orientation and more than 2 sexual partners significantly correlated with seropositivity (p&amp;lt;0.001). In the logistic regression analysis for anti-HAV IgM, age showed an inverse association with seropositivity (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94 to 0.98, p&amp;lt;0.001), being more frequent in men (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.21, p=0.021). Consumption of seafood was significantly associated with increased odds of seropositivity for anti-HAV IgM (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.43 to 3.56, p&amp;lt;0.001). South and Southeast regions showed more IgM positive cases than North, Northeast and Midwest regions. Among the 1,562 cases, 35 complete (or almost complete) HAV genomes were successfully recovered from metagenomics sequencing data. These genomes range from 6,625 to 7,462 bp in length (89-100% completeness), sequences were fairly similar in pairwise nucleotide alignment, classified as genotype I.A, and displaying identities ranging from 94.7 to 99.7%. Conclusions Hepatitis A infection was found among 6.2% acute hepatitis cases attended in public services in Brazil while previous infections or vaccinated patients were found in 78.9% patients. While anti-HAV IgG positive patients where most frequent in the North region of Brazil, acute hepatitis A (IgM-positive) were more frequent in South and Southeast regions. Our results reinforce the need to implement vaccination against hepatitis A among individuals with more than 18 years in our country.

Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Food: Current Status, Health Risks, and Mitigation Strategies.

Exposure to toxic metals/metalloids, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), through food consumption is a global public health concern. This review examines the contamination status of these metals/metalloids in food, assesses dietary intake across different populations, and proposes strategies to reduce metal/metalloid exposures throughout the food chain. For the general population, dietary intake of metals/metalloids is generally lower than health-based guidance values. However, for vulnerable populations, such as infants, children, and pregnant women, their dietary intake levels are close to or even higher than the guidance values. Among different food categories, seafood shows higher total As, but largely present as organic species. Rice accumulates higher As concentration than other cereals, with inorganic As (iAs) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) being the main As species. Methylated thioarsenate species, such as dimethylmonothioarsenate, have also been detected in rice. The distribution of iAs and DMA in rice shows geographical variation. Additionally, seafood and cocoa products generally contain more Cd than other food, but seafood consumption does not significantly increase in adverse health effects due to its high zinc and iron content. Compared to As and Cd, Pb concentrations in food are generally lower. To minimize the health risks of metal/metalloid exposure, several strategies are proposed. Food contamination with toxic metals/metalloids poses significant concerns for human health, particularly for vulnerable populations. This review provides scientific evidence and suggestions for policy makers to reduce human exposure of metals/metalloids via dietary intake.

Willingness to eat seafood among Taiwanese after the 2023 Fukushima radioactive water release: An extended Theory of Planned Behavior approach

The release of radioactive water from Fukushima in 2023 emerged as a significant nuclear issue, particularly affecting Taiwanese perceptions. This study aimed to investigate the willingness of Taiwanese people to consume seafood following the 2023 Fukushima2 incident, using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model. A total of 204 Taiwanese respondents completed an online questionnaire comprising 28 TPB indicators. The results from Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that subjective norms had the strongest positive influence on the intention to eat seafood, followed by personal attitudes and financial considerations. Interestingly, perceived behavioral control was found to negatively impact the intention to consume seafood. This research is among the first to explore seafood consumption intentions in the wake of the Fukushima water release and provides a robust theoretical foundation for stakeholders aiming to promote seafood consumption, particularly among Taiwanese consumers.

Elevated pCO2 may increase the edible safety risk of clams exposed to toxic Alexandrium spp.

Toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs) have received increasing attention owing to their threat to the health of aquatic life and seafood consumers. This study evaluated the impacts of elevated atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) on the production of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in different Alexandrium spp. strains, together with its further effects on the bioaccumulation/elimination dynamics of PSTs in bivalves contaminated with PSTs from toxic dinoflagellates. Our results showed that elevated pCO2 stimulated the growth of the two Alexandrium spp. (A. catenella and A. pacificum) isolated from the northern and southern coastal areas of China, respectively, and affected PST production including content and toxicity of the two strains differently. Further PSTs bioaccumulation/elimination in PSTs-contaminated Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum under high pCO2 also occurred. It is worth noting the biotransformation of neosaxitoxin (NEO) with high toxicity through trophic transfer with effect of elevated pCO2. When in microalgae cultured under the control (410 ppm) and elevated pCO2 conditions (495 and 850 ppm), the proportion of NEO in the PST content produced by A. catenella was reduced from 11.1 to 6.4 and 2.6 %, while the proportion of NEO in A. pacificum was increased from 3.1 to 3.6 and 4.7 %, respectively. NEO accounted for >50 % of total PST contents in clams, which were biotransformed via transfer from dinoflagellates and higher pCO2 enhanced this biotransformation leading to increased NEO accumulation. The negatively affected elimination of PSTs, especially NEO, in clams fed with A. catenella or A. pacificum, indicates that the detoxification of PSTs-contaminated clams may be more difficult under elevated pCO2. This study provides reference for developing models to assess the safety of bivalves under the co-stress of environmental change and toxic HABs, suggesting that ocean acidification may lead to the higher safety risk of Manila clams exposed to toxic HAB dinoflagellates.

GefB, a GGDEF domain-containing protein, affects motility and biofilm formation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and is regulated by quorum sensing regulators

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) stands as the predominant etiological agent responsible for gastroenteritis associated with the consumption of seafood. Cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), a secondary messenger in bacteria, controls multiple bacterial behaviors including pathogenesis, the development of biofilms, and motility. The protein GefB (VPA1478), characterized by the presence of a GGDEF domain, inhibits the swarming motility of V. parahaemolyticus. In this study, we showed that deletion of gefB remarkably reduced cellular c-di-GMP level and biofilm formation by V. parahaemolyticus, but significantly enhanced the swimming and swarming motility. In addition, GefB inhibited the polar and lateral flagellar genes but activated genes associated with exopolysaccharide production of V. parahaemolyticus. The data also demonstrated that vpa1477 and gefB are co-transcribed as a single transcriptional unit, designated as vpa1477-gefB. Transcription of vpa1477-gefB was under the collective regulation of the master quorum sensing (QS) regulators AphA and OpaR, which function at low (LCD) and high cell density (HCD), respectively. AphA positively regulated vpa1477-gefB transcription at LCD, whereas OpaR negatively regulated its transcription at HCD. The findings significantly enhance our comprehension of the metabolism and regulatory mechanisms of c-di-GMP in V. parahaemolyticus.

Consumer likelihood to purchase farmed marine finfish with potential for commercialization in the United States

Local aquaculture production of marine finfish has potential to meet the domestic seafood demand and contribute to reduction of the United States (U.S.) seafood trade deficit. The United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, along with other research programs, has developed aquaculture production technologies for warmwater marine finfish species with potential for commercial production. To understand the marketing opportunities for the candidate species, an online survey of 818 seafood consumers in the southeastern U.S. was conducted to explore their awareness, familiarity, frequency of consumption, location of purchase, and likelihood of purchasing the species of interest. A binary logit model was specified to explore the factors that influenced consumers likelihood to purchase Atlantic cod, black sea bass, California flounder, California yellowtail, Florida pompano, redfish, red snapper, southern flounder, spotted seatrout, striped bass, summer flounder, and white seabass, the 12 species for which there were at least 100 survey responses. This study focused on consumers likelihood to purchase the candidate species at grocery stores and restaurants. The results show that consumers who placed high importance on source of the fish and quality were more likely to buy various candidate species including red snapper, striped bass, Atlantic cod, southern flounder, Florida pompano, California yellowtail, black sea bass, California flounder, and white seabass. Respondents who considered price to be important were more likely to buy California flounder, redfish, red snapper, white seabass, black sea bass (at grocery stores only), and summer flounder (at grocery stores only). Frequent consumers of Atlantic cod, southern flounder, California flounder, redfish, summer flounder (at grocery stores only) and California yellowtail (at grocery stores only) were more likely to purchase these species. Frequency of consumption, seasonality in consumption, and demographic characteristics, including income, age, race, and state of residence, influenced consumers likelihood to purchase various species of interest.

The Results of the "My Challenge" Camp in Addressing Childhood Obesity.

This article presents the development, implementation and results of the project "An interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of overweight children" under the name "My Challenge" camp. It is a 2-week multidisciplinary programme involving a physician, a dietitian, a psychologist, an occupational therapist or physiotherapist and a kinesiologist. The children stay in camp for 2 weeks and are actively involved in the daily preparation of healthy meals, participate in cooking workshops and interactive nutrition lessons, and are active outdoors throughout the programme. The study included 117 overweight or obese children, aged 7-18 years, 66 girls and 51 boys from ten camps between 2017 and 2023. Completed dietary questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were compared at baseline, after 2 weeks, and after 1 month. Changes in children's diets include an increase in meal frequency, in higher vegetables, fish, and seafood consumption, lower consumption of fried food and reduced consumption of sugary drinks. Boys more frequently consume fried food than girls and less frequently consume milk and dairy products. After one month, there was a decrease in body fat percentage, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in both genders. The "My Challenge" camp demonstrates promising outcomes in combating childhood obesity. Through a two-week multidisciplinary programme, significant improvements in dietary habits and anthropometric measures were observed. The findings underscore the importance of preventive education programmes for children in addressing the long-term health consequences of obesity. Further research and continued implementation of such initiatives are warranted to effectively tackle this public health issue.