Methods for inactivation of seafood Anisakis larvae and prevention of human anisakiasis: a mini-review.

Anisakiasis is an arising zoonosis induced by parasitic nematodes belonging to the family Anisakidae. Anisakiasis is often caused by the ingestion of larval nematodes in uncooked or minimally processed seafood dishes, which are regularly consumed by humans. Significant potential sources of infection are raw fish (e.g., sushi and sashimi) that can be found in traditional Japanese cuisine and can be part of the culinary tradition of consumption of raw or marinated fish that is particularly diffused in European countries. During the last five decades, the global prevalence of human anisakiasis has been rising, becoming an emergent major public health problem. Thus, there is an unmet need for well-defined and cost-effective methods aimed at killing Anisakis larvae, thus reducing the incidence of anisakiasis. In this mini-review, we discuss the clinical features of anisakiasis as well as the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of the main methods employed for increasing seafood safety and killing Anisakis larvae, including freezing, heating, use of high hydrostatic pressure, salting process, pepsin digestion method and use of garlic oil.

Novel therapeutic approaches based on the pathological role of gut dysbiosis on the link between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.

The growing global epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has determined an increased prevalence of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), making it the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world and a leading cause of liver transplantation. In the last few years, a rising number of studies conducted both on animal and human models have shown the existence of a close association between insulin resistance (IR), dysbiosis, and steatosis. However, all the mechanisms that lead to impaired permeability, inflammation, and fibrosis have not been fully clarified. Recently, new possible treatment modalities have received much attention. To reach the review purpose, a broad-ranging literature search on multidisciplinary research databases was performed using the following terms alone or in combination: "NAFLD", "gut dysbiosis", "insulin resistance", "inflammation", "probiotics", "Chinese herbs". The use of probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), Chinese herbal medicine, antibiotics, diet (polyphenols and fasting diets), and minor therapies such as carbon nanoparticles, the MCJ protein, water rich in molecular hydrogen, seems to be able to improve the phenotypic pattern in NAFLD patients. In this review, we provide an overview of how IR and dysbiosis contribute to the development and progression of NAFLD, as well as the therapeutic strategies currently in use.

Work and chronic health effects among fishermen in Chioggia, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether there is an association between deep-sea fishing and common chronic disease. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional, simultaneously considering groups of fishermen and non-fishermen. Information on life-style and work was collected by means of questionnaires, and clinical data were collected by specialists in: Internal Medicine (general clinical examination), Cardiology (ECG, measurement of arterial pressure), Pneumology (measurement of spirometric volumes), ENT (clinical examination of the ear, nose and throat, including audiometry), Ophthalmology (examination of lens). Beside the common statistical methods, the logistic stepwise regression analysis was used in order to find the risk factors of the diseases, and to correct the risk estimates for the confounding variables. RESULTS: Fisherman had prolonged hours of continuous work, which were found to be correlated with high cigarette and alcohol consumption. Significant associations were found between, on the one hand, work accidents, noise-induced hearing loss, solar keratosis, cataracts, obstructive bronchitis, rhino-sinusitis, otitis media with tympanic perforation, ECG alterations, and, on the other hand, various aspects of fisherman occupation, mainly fishing in high sea and work duration as fisherman. CONCLUSION: Deep-sea fishing is a stressful and risky work; a reduction in the number of years at sea with reduced exposure to noise, poor weather conditions and sun, and a lower consumption of cigarettes and alcohol might result in fewer skin, eye respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and injuries.