Aluminum, a colorful gamechanger: Uptake of an aluminum-containing food color in human cells and its implications for human health.

Aluminum is added to many food colors to change their solubility. This study compares the aluminum-containing food color carmine with its aluminum-free version carminic acid (both E 120), hypothesizing that the addition of aluminum does not only change the color's solubility, but also its effects on human cells. We could show that carmine, but not carminic acid, is taken up by gastrointestinal Caco-2 and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Clear differences between gene expression profiles of Caco-2 cells exposed to carmine, carminic acid or control were shown. KEGG analysis revealed that carmine-specific genes suppress oxidative phosphorylation, and showed that this suppression is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Furthermore, carmine, but not carminic acid, increased proliferation of Caco-2 cells. Our findings show that a food color containing aluminum induces different cellular effects compared to its aluminum-free form, which is currently not considered in EU legislation.

Low-entry-barrier point-of-care testing of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the population of Upper Austria from December 2020 until April 2021-a feasible surveillance strategy for post-pandemic monitoring?

Already at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an extensive PCR and antigen testing strategy was considered necessary and subsequently also proved successful in order to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections on international and national levels. However, equally important will be the continuous monitoring of the seroprevalence status of populations from defined regions to detect-in a timely manner-any recurrence of infections or an eventual decline in antibody levels of vaccinated individuals, especially in the emerging post-pandemic situation. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in the federal state of Upper Austria (Austria) during the period of December 2020 until April 2021. To achieve this goal, we have analyzed anonymized data on the immune status of self-referral volunteers that have been determined at local pharmacies through a low-entry-barrier point-of-care analysis approach. The seroprevalence values for immunoglobulin type G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 antigens obtained by rapid diagnostic testing on peripheral blood from volunteers reflect the current population-based estimates reported in the literature as well as the positivity rates detected by PCR-screening analyses. In conclusion, broad-based monitoring of IgG antibodies by means of a point-of-care testing network represents a valuable tool to assess the current immune situation within regionally defined populations.