Search Results (347)

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy may lead to congenital toxoplasmosis and serious pregnancy complications. In Kenya, however, toxoplasmosis is not screened during routine antenatal care, and there is limited local data on maternal seroprevalence and associated risk factors. This study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii infections. It examined its association with socio-demographic, obstetric characteristics, awareness levels, and exposure behaviours among pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 pregnant women consecutively recruited at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi County between July and October 2025. Data on socio-demographics, obstetric characteristics, knowledge, and exposure practices were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood specimens were obtained from consenting prenatal patients, and anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between seropositivity and risk factors were assessed using univariable logistic regression, followed by two separate multivariable models. Variables with p < 0.25 were considered for multivariable analysis, followed by backward likelihood-ratio elimination. Model calibration was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 24.5% (73 of 298). In the sociodemographic model, women who were self-employed (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13–0.53) and formally employed (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11–0.59) had lower odds of seropositivity than unemployed women. Women aged 25–33 years had higher odds than those aged 18–24 years (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.06–5.62). Having two children was associated with lower odds than a first birth (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18–0.90), while parity of four or more showed a borderline increase in odds (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI: 0.99–9.76). In the knowledge/exposure model, good awareness of population risk groups was linked to higher odds of seropositivity (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.21–9.24), but exposure-practice variables were not independently associated. Stratified analyses showed significant demographic differences in exposure practices, such as eating undercooked meat in the third trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.021) and unwashed vegetable consumption by pregnant women from Kamkunji Sub-County (p = 0.005). Parity of three increased infection risk (p = 0.007). Conclusions: About 25% of participants showed evidence of prior T. gondii exposure. Seropositivity correlated with specific sociodemographic and obstetric factors as well as awareness of groups at risk. These results endorse targeted antenatal education that emphasises practical food safety and environmental hygiene, aligned with a One Health approach. Further longitudinal and multicenter research, including IgM and IgG avidity testing, is needed to differentiate recent from past infections and to better understand risks associated with congenital toxoplasmosis. Full article

Veterinary institutions need practical methods to translate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into profession-specific priorities. This study developed a two-phase priority-setting framework linking systematic SDG screening with multi-criteria decision analysis. First, all 169 SDG targets were screened using four veterinary-relevant dimensions. The 48 retained targets were synthesized into 27 preliminary concepts, refined through two rounds of structured internal expert evaluation, and harmonized by the research team into 27 final decision alternatives. Second, Budgetary Burden, Accessibility and Scope, Implementation Timeline, and Sustainability Impact were weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the 27 alternatives were ranked using TOPSIS. Robustness was assessed through Monte Carlo criterion-weight perturbation, score aggregation, and leave-one-expert-out analyses. Budgetary Burden (0.4025) and Sustainability Impact (0.3526) received the largest weights. Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases ranked first (C_i = 0.8272), followed by Awareness-Raising Campaigns, Animal Welfare Inspections on Commercial Animal Farms, and Audits of Food Safety and Production Process Compliance Standards. Criterion-weight perturbation and score aggregation largely preserved the highest-priority set, whereas leave-one-expert-out analysis showed greater sensitivity to panel composition. The framework should therefore be interpreted as a transparent, context-dependent, priority-setting tool rather than as an externally validated or universally applicable hierarchy. Full article

Oxidative stress drives skin aging, barrier impairment, and inflammatory amplification, making dietary antioxidants potential systemic contributors to cutaneous redox homeostasis. Edible fungi are distinctive sources of redox-active metabolites, particularly ergothioneine, a stable sulfur-containing antioxidant whose cellular uptake is mediated by the ergothioneine transporter OCTN1 (SLC22A4). This review evaluates ergothioneine, polysaccharides and β-glucans, cordycepin, phenolics, and Ganoderma triterpenoids as processing-sensitive dietary bioactives with redox relevance rather than topical cosmetic ingredients. We examine how cultivation, drying, cooking, extraction, fermentation, and microbial biomanufacturing determine antioxidant formation, retention, oral bioaccessibility, and dose realism, and how antioxidant response, inflammatory, mitochondrial, and gut microbiota-mediated pathways connect intake to skin endpoints. The strongest oral evidence concerns biomarker-linked ergothioneine-rich Pleurotus. Smaller Flammulina velutipes and Sparassis crispa trials report hydration or transepidermal water loss signals without comparable exposure biomarkers, whereas purified ergothioneine provides provisional non-mushroom food evidence. Compared with better-established oral ingredients, edible fungi offer distinctive food technology advantages but a narrower human evidence base. Priorities include processing-aware quality and safety markers, contaminant control, standardized digestion models, dose-realistic exposure estimates, and biomarker-anchored randomized human trials. Full article

African leafy vegetables (ALVs) are increasingly recognised for their nutritional, phytochemical, and socioeconomic importance, particularly in resource-limited communities. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the effects of preservation methods on nutritional composition, phytochemical stability, microbial quality, sensory attributes, consumer acceptability, and their contribution to sustainable food systems in South Africa, supported by evidence from across Africa and the broader scientific literature. Evidence indicates that ALVs are rich sources of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds with important health-promoting properties. Preservation methods such as sun drying, blanching, freezing and solar drying are widely used to extend shelf life and improve year-round availability. However, their effects on nutrient retention, phytochemical stability, microbial safety, and sensory quality vary considerably. The review further highlights persistent challenges within ALV value chains, including inadequate processing and storage infrastructure, limited value addition, weak market integration, and low consumer awareness. Collectively, these constraints restrict the wider utilisation and commercialisation of ALVs despite their potential to strengthen food security and improve dietary quality. Standardised preservation approaches, investment in appropriate processing infrastructure, stronger value chains, improved consumer awareness, and supportive institutional and policy frameworks are required to enhance the adoption and sustainable utilisation of ALVs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Government-supported school food and nutrition education depends on whether teachers can locate and use relevant programs and resources. This study identified teachers’ perceived priority topics and examined their awareness, use, and barriers regarding government resources in Korea. Methods: A nationwide voluntary online survey was completed by 1273 elementary, middle, and high school teachers between October and November 2024. Resource outcomes were analyzed in the full sample, whereas the educational needs assessment was limited to 575 teachers who had directly implemented a program supported by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Participants rated the perceived importance and self-reported current implementation of 32 topics. Topic priorities were assessed using paired comparisons with false discovery rate adjustment, Borich scores, and the Locus for Focus model; exploratory subgroup and multivariable analyses examined variation in the importance–implementation gaps. Results: Perceived importance exceeded self-reported current implementation for 31 of the 32 topics after false discovery rate adjustment. The leading priorities included late night eating, adolescents and caffeine, healthier convenience store food choices, excessive weight control practices, and eating disorders. The overall importance–implementation gap was larger among elementary than middle/high school teachers (0.284 vs. 0.149, p < 0.001), and this difference remained after multivariable adjustment (B = −0.122, p = 0.001). Awareness and use were lower for the MFDS YouTube channel than for the food safety information website; lack of awareness was the most common reason for not using education-specific resources. Conclusions: Government agencies should combine classroom-ready, developmentally tailored content with active dissemination and teacher training. The identified priorities reflect the perception of teachers with direct implementation experience and should be complemented by future studies using observed implementation measures and student outcomes. Full article

Accurate and moderate rice processing is a key strategy for ensuring national food security and improving population nutritional status. This article synthesizes the technical scope and development trajectory of moderate processing, examines the evolution from multistage light grinding to AI-driven targeted grinding, and analyzes the balance between processing accuracy and eating quality, nutritional retention, storage stability, and safety risks. Evidence suggests that the core of moderate processing lies in the dynamic alignment of rice variety with processing targets, supported by intelligent online detection technologies that enable precise control. China’s rice processing industry is currently transitioning from experience-driven to data-driven operations; however, it continues to face challenges, including underdeveloped evaluation standards, high technology adoption costs, and limited consumer awareness. Future efforts should prioritize loss reduction, nutritional preservation, and intelligent processing to support coordinated advancement across the precision and moderate rice processing value chain. Moderate processing of rice preserves more native nutrients and plays an important role in improving residents’ dietary structure and safeguarding public health, achieving the best balance between saving food, preserving nutrients, and improving efficiency. Full article

This study investigates consumers’ intentions to purchase high-risk, near-expired fresh meat via a supermarket mobile app, addressing food waste in a digital retail context. An integrated framework combining the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior was employed, incorporating price discounts and food and environmental safety concerns. Data from 418 users of Taiwan’s leading supermarket chain were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that perceived usefulness strongly drives app usage attitude while environmental concern shows no significant effect, highlighting the decoupling between environmental awareness and actual digital adoption behavior. Furthermore, although price discounts emerged as the strongest driver of purchase intention, heightened food safety concerns paradoxically stimulated purchases. This counterintuitive result demonstrates how a reputable retailer’s established credibility effectively mitigates consumer fears. Practically, this study provides actionable guidelines for retailers to optimize digital clearance strategies: retailers should prioritize real-time inventory transparency and economic incentives, while strategically leveraging their institutional credibility within the app to overcome consumer safety concerns regarding high-risk foods. Full article

Global environmental change, biodiversity loss, emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and widening social inequalities increasingly interact to create complex risks for human, animal, and ecosystem health. Although international One Health frameworks and funding mechanisms are essential, implementation at national and especially community levels often remains uneven, fragmented, and weakly evaluated. This Perspective presents a structured, reproducible networking model designed to strengthen community-level One Health implementation through voluntary global collaboration among civil society organisations. The model connects bottom-up community mobilisation with interdisciplinary scientific support, shared evaluation templates, and iterative learning cycles. It outlines a transparent process for identifying and engaging One Health-oriented organisations and for organising their collaboration through thematic Project Working Groups that support situation analysis, strategic planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. The framework translates community action into seven intervention fields: surveillance and early warning, animal health and welfare, water/sanitation/hygiene, food safety and food systems, community awareness and education, environmental risks and ecosystem health, and multisectoral governance. By linking local practice to comparative synthesis, joint publication, and policy dialogue, the network aims to transform isolated initiatives into a coordinated learning system while preserving community and organisational autonomy. As a conceptual framework, the model is ready for empirical testing in diverse settings to assess feasibility, participation, and evaluation quality. Full article

Dysgeusia is a clinically consequential, but still under-standardized, toxicity of cancer treatment. In the immunotherapy era, taste disturbances are increasingly relevant for patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and T-cell-redirecting bispecific antibodies, with G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D (GPRC5D)-directed treatment in multiple myeloma representing a particularly instructive high-burden model. We performed a structured critical narrative review with evidence mapping. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched from database inception to June 2026, complemented by citation tracking in Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov searches and guideline documents relevant to oncology nutrition, oral supportive care and cancer-related taste dysfunction. Search concepts covered cancer-related dysgeusia, immunotherapy-associated oral toxicity, GPRC5D/talquetamab-associated dysgeusia, oncology nutrition, oral–gut microbiome biology, natural taste modulators and miraculin-based interventions. Dysgeusia can reduce appetite, food enjoyment, dietary diversity and protein energy intake, thereby contributing to weight loss, malnutrition risk, distress, social withdrawal and, in severe cases, treatment modification or discontinuation. Available evidence is heterogeneous: general cancer-treatment-associated dysgeusia is supported by broader observational and interventional literature; immunotherapy-associated dysgeusia is less systematically characterized; and GPRC5D/talquetamab-associated dysgeusia represents the most clinically visible and target-specific immunotherapy-associated phenotype. Emerging pilot data suggest that dried miracle berry or miraculin-containing products may improve selected taste perception and nutritional parameters in cancer-related dysgeusia, but direct evidence in immunotherapy-associated dysgeusia is not yet established. We, therefore, propose a claim-disciplined precision supportive-care framework integrating systematic taste phenotyping, early nutritional risk assessment, oral health evaluation, microbiome-aware but hypothesis-generating endpoints, individualized flavor and texture adaptation, cautious use of natural taste modulators in selected patients and iterative monitoring of patient-centered outcomes. Future trials should test whether dysgeusia-focused nutritional and taste-modulating supportive care interventions can improve intake, quality of life and treatment persistence without compromising immunotherapy safety or efficacy. Full article

Polyphenols often oscillate between antioxidant and pro-oxidant behaviours depending on structural motifs and context, yet the field still relies heavily on test-tube antioxidant assays that poorly predict cellular and clinical outcomes. This review (2015-2025) integrates chemistry, enzymology, and human data to frame polyphenols as modulators of redox signalling rather than mere radical scavengers. We first formalize the catechol/o-quinone-hydroquinone/p-quinone cycle and the role of NQO1 and Keap1/NRF2 thresholds. We then examine bioavailability, conjugation, and microbiota-derived metabolites (metabotypes), highlighting when the “active” species is a conjugate or a microbial derivative. We discuss safety through quinone speciation and adduct chemistry, and connect food processing (e.g., PPO-driven browning) with shifts in quinone pools. Contextual “levers” (pH, O₂, Fe/Cu, oxidases) can flip antioxidant to pro-oxidant outputs, sometimes beneficial via hormesis and redox preconditioning. In humans, randomised trials and prospective cohorts point in a broadly consistent direction, although primary composite endpoints have often proved null, and observational associations should not be read as equivalent to trial evidence. Heterogeneous results across studies are largely explained by dose, adherence, metabotypes, matrix, and endpoint selection. We propose a practical dose-response framework and a reporting checklist to improve interpretation and translation. Recasting polyphenols as tuneable redox-signalling agents clarifies apparent contradictions across models and suggests precision-nutrition strategies (metabotype-aware) and food design approaches (PPO and quinone speciation) with potential in healthy ageing, muscle, and brain. Full article

Background: This study aimed to assess cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) knowledge, adherence to justification criteria, field-of-view (FOV) selection practices, and awareness of radiation protection guidelines among dental practitioners in the Asir region. In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission are the regulatory bodies responsible for radiation protection and the safe use of dental imaging; limited awareness of their roles may undermine regulatory compliance and patient safety. Accordingly, the specific objectives of this study were: (i) to assess knowledge of CBCT justification criteria and radiation-dose magnitudes; (ii) to evaluate adherence to the requirement for a prior 2D radiograph; (iii) to examine FOV selection across standardized clinical vignettes; (iv) to explore factors associated with knowledge scores; and (v) to identify perceived barriers to appropriate CBCT prescribing. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical survey targeted 73 dental practitioners in Abha, Saudi Arabia. A validated 30-item questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms using snowball convenience sampling. The effective target population comprised dental practitioners and interns working in Abha during the study period. Because recruitment used open snowball distribution without a fixed sampling frame, a formal response rate could not be calculated. Results: The mean knowledge score was 5.47/10 (standard deviation: 1.86). Item-level correct rates were 82.2% for caries detection, 80.8% for the requirement for a prior 2D radiograph, and 58.9% for paediatric CBCT justification. FOV selection across four clinical vignettes ranged from 27.4% to 68.5% correct, with the lower-left-molar implant vignette showing the lowest rate (27.4%) and the six-unit anterior implant bridge vignette also poorly answered (37.0%), reflecting a frequent tendency to select an inappropriately large FOV. Guideline awareness was low: 65.8% were completely unaware of the Safety and Efficacy of a New and Emerging Dental X-ray Modality Computed Tomography (SEDENTEX CT) 2012 guidelines, while 54.8% did not know that the American Dental Association publishes specific radiation guidelines. In an exploratory multivariable model, no factor was a statistically significant predictor of the knowledge score; formal CBCT training showed a small, non-significant association (B = 0.585; 95% confidence interval [−0.27, 1.44]; p = 0.175). Conclusions: In this preliminary survey, CBCT knowledge among dental practitioners in Abha was moderate but suboptimal, with almost half of respondents scoring below the satisfactory threshold and with significant gaps in FOV optimisation and guideline awareness. Given the small, non-probability sample, these findings should be regarded as preliminary and hypothesis-generating. Full article

Migrant agricultural workers (MAWs), predominantly individuals from countries in the Global South, play a vital role in maintaining Canadian food security. Employed in low-income positions across the country, they often face workplace hazards and numerous occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges related to long working hours, limited access to OHS information, gaps in knowledge, structural power imbalances with employers, and language and cultural barriers. This pilot study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of OHS issues among MAWs in Southern and Eastern Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed survey questions on working conditions, OHS hazards, and living conditions. A total of 93 questionnaires were completed, 55 by Spanish-speaking and 38 by English-speaking individuals, with 91% of respondents identifying as male. Several participants reported awareness of positive COVID-19 cases in their workplaces, and some indicated having experienced OHS-related illnesses or injuries but felt uncomfortable reporting them to supervisors. Knowledge of OHS rights varied, with a notable minority uncertain about their entitlement to sick leave. The findings indicate a need for further research and targeted interventions to strengthen health and safety practices among MAWs and to ensure they are informed, protected, and supported in exercising their workplace rights. Full article

Household food safety refers to consumer practices that reduce microbial contamination, cross-contamination, temperature abuse, and foodborne disease risks during food storage, preparation, cooking, and leftover handling. Rural households may be particularly vulnerable because of limited access to standardized food safety education and the persistence of experience-based practices. This study examined progressive changes in household food safety handling knowledge and behaviors associated with cumulative exposure to a continuous tracing intervention among rural residents in China. A two-month quasi-experimental repeated-measures study without a non-intervention control group was conducted in rural households in Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces. A total of 139 households completed all intervention activities and four assessment waves, yielding 556 valid questionnaires. The intervention consisted of 10 rounds of paper-based and video-based materials targeting food safety knowledge, risk awareness, and self-efficacy. Outcomes were measured at baseline, after four intervention rounds, after eight rounds, and after ten rounds. Food safety behavior scores increased from 9.76 at baseline to 11.66, 13.33, and 14.72 after successive intervention stages. Knowledge scores increased from 13.71 to 17.35, 19.34, and 21.43, respectively. Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences between all assessment waves for both outcomes. Analyses accounting for the repeated-measures structure showed a positive association between food safety knowledge and self-reported handling behavior. Both online and offline delivery channels were associated with improvements in knowledge and behavior, while between-channel differences did not appear to be the primary driver of the observed changes. However, causal interpretation should be cautious because the study lacked a non-intervention control group, and testing effects, maturation, seasonal influences, and social desirability cannot be ruled out. Full article

Edible coatings are widely studied as food-compatible formulations for reducing moisture loss, oxidation, microbial spoilage, oil uptake, and quality deterioration. Their translation from laboratory formulation to industrial use, however, depends not only on film-forming composition but also on controlled deposition, retained dose, surface coverage, drying history, defect formation, hygienic operation, and reproducible performance on heterogeneous food surfaces. An OpenAlex-supported evidence-map audit (2014–2026) was used to separate direct food-coating validation from adjacent engineering models. This review reframes edible coatings as engineered deposited interfaces and proposes a claim-controlled, evidence-tiered framework linking food-grade biopolymer fluids, processability, atomization, droplet impact, wet-film evolution, dry-film structure, image-based metrology, multiphase modeling, and food-performance endpoints. This review outlines the prerequisites for future digital-twin-ready edible coating workflows by linking functional biopolymer fluids, deposition technologies, droplet physics, intelligent image metrology, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Volume of Fluid (VOF), uncertainty reporting, food-performance endpoints, safety, Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and patent-aware innovation. Digital twins are treated as a future integration target that depends on validated inputs, standardized reporting, deposition metrology and food-specific model validation. The central argument is that progress in edible coatings requires fewer isolated formulation claims and stronger validated links between deposited-interface properties and food-relevant function. A minimum reporting checklist is proposed to support reproducible comparison of deposition routes, coating structures, and translation potential. Full article

Food irradiation is a well-established technology endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance food safety. However, consumer awareness of irradiated foods remains remarkably low across diverse cultural contexts. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Turkish form of the Awareness Scale for Consumption of Irradiated Foods (ASCIF). The ASCIF, originally developed and validated in Brazil, encompasses 31 items distributed across four factors: safety of irradiated foods (S), concepts (C), labeling (L), and awareness (A). The cross-cultural adaptation process adhered to the International Test Commission (ITC) guidelines, involving forward–backward translation and expert panel review. A total of 346 university-affiliated individuals (82.9% female; mean age 21.3 ± 4.8 years) from Gazi University, Ankara, completed an online survey with the adapted Turkish version of the ASCIF. Although the internal consistency results indicated a high level of reliability (α = 0.963), other indicators, such as ESEM analysis (RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.143 (0.139–0.148), CFI = 0.880, and TLI = 0.870), suggest that the cross-cultural adaptation of the ASCIF scale into Turkish encountered significant challenges, particularly regarding its psychometric validation. These complications indicate that the original construct may not have translated seamlessly across the cultural and linguistic nuances of the Turkish context in this study. Full article