Reduction ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 in Cattle Drinking-Water bytrans-Cinnamaldehyde

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on cattle hides by caprylic acid and β-resorcylic acid

Two naturally occurring, generally recognized as safe compounds, namely, caprylic acid (CA) (1%) and b -resorcylic acid (BR) (1%), and their combination, applied at 23 and 60°C were evaluated for their antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli O157:H7 on cattle hides in the presence and absence of bovine feces. Fresh cleaned cattle hides were cut into pieces (5 cm(2)), air dried, and inoculated with a five-strain mixture of nalidixic acid-resistant (50 μg/ml) E. coli O157:H7 (∼8.0 log CFU). The hide samples were air dried under a biosafety hood for 2 h and sprayed with 95% ethanol, 1% CA, 1% BR, or a mixture of 1% CA and 1% BR at 23 or 60°C. The hide samples were kept at 23°C, and E. coli O157:H7 populations were determined at 2 and 5 min after treatment. Both CA and BR were effective in decreasing E. coli O157:H7 populations on hides by 3 to 4 log CFU/cm(2) (P < 0.05). Sterile bovine feces had no effect on the decontaminating property of CA and BR on cattle hides (P > 0.05). Results of this study indicate that CA and BR could potentially be used to decontaminate cattle hides, but follow-up research under slaughterhouse conditions is warranted.

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1: emerging pharmacology and indications for cardiovascular biology

Transient receptor potential anykrin 1 (TRPA1) is a member of the TRP superfamily, representing the sole member of the TRPA subfamily. It has many identified endogenous and exogenous agonists, comprising largely of chemical irritants and products of oxidative stress. Classically located on sensory neurone endings, TRPA1 has developed a strong presence in pain and inflammatory studies, where it is now becoming an intriguing clinical drug target. TRPA1 is increasingly recognized in a growing number of neuronal and non-neuronal locations with expanding expression and activity profiles providing evidence of a role for TRPA1 in other systems. Interest in discovering the pharmacological and functional roles of TRPA1 is increasing and diversifying into many areas. Historically, compounds now known as TRPA1 agonists have demonstrated cardiovascular activity, modulating activities in both the heart and the vasculature. Now TRPA1 has been identified as the receptor via which these compounds can act, these studies are being revisited and expanded on using current techniques. It is therefore timely to review the current knowledge of TRPA1 receptor presence and activities of relevance to the cardiovascular system, summarizing findings to date and identifying potential areas for future investigation.

Escherichia coli O157:H7: recent advances in research on occurrence, transmission, and control in cattle and the production environment

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a zoonotic pathogen that is an important cause of human foodborne and waterborne disease, with a spectrum of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic carriage and diarrhea to the sometimes fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome. Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 disease are often associated with undercooked beef, but there are other sources of transmission, including water, produce, and animal contact, which can often be linked directly or indirectly to cattle. Thus, preharvest control of this pathogen in cattle production should have a large impact on reducing the risk of human foodborne illness. In this review, we will summarize preharvest research on E. coli O157:H7 in cattle and the production environment, focusing on factors that may influence the transmission, prevalence, and levels of this pathogen, such as season, diet, high-level shedders, and animal stress. In addition, we will discuss recent research on the reduction of this pathogen in cattle production, including vaccination, probiotics, bacteriophage, and manure treatments.