An intercontinental analysis of food safety culture in view of food safety governance and national values

Taking food safety culture into account is a promising way to improve food safety performance in the food industry. Food safety culture (FS-culture) research is expanding from an organisational perspective to include characteristics of the internal and external company environment. In this study, the prevailing food safety culture in 17 food companies from four countries on three continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) was assessed in view of food safety governance and national values. The internal environment characteristics, i.e. food safety vision, food safety program and food production system vulnerability, were also assessed. Statistical analysis revealed little variation in FS-culture scores between the companies within the same country. Overall the FS-culture for Greek and Zambian companies was scored proactive, while for Chinese and Tanzanian companies an active score was achieved. Both the internal and external company environment seemed to influence the prevailing FS-culture. Cluster analysis showed that Tanzanian and Zambian companies exhibited similarities in the implementation of food safety programs, and in their national values and food safety governance as compared to Greece and China. Food safety governance was reflected in the food safety programs and supportiveness of the organisation to food safety and hygiene. All cultural dimensions were correlated with risk perceptions, with masculinity and long-term orientation also significantly correlated with the enabling conditions and attitude. Understanding how national values and food safety governance approaches differently influence food safety culture is expected to enable formulation of best approaches tailored for companies operating in countries with different company environments, to improve food safety performance.</p

Pyrimido[4,5‐ d ]pyrimidin‐4(1 H )‐one Derivatives as Selective Inhibitors of EGFR Threonine 790 to Methionine 790 (T790M) Mutants

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99681/1/8387_ftp.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99681/2/anie_201302313_sm_miscellaneous_information.pd

Pyrimido[4,5‐ d ]pyrimidin‐4(1 H )‐one Derivatives as Selective Inhibitors of EGFR Threonine 790 to Methionine 790 (T790M) Mutants

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99673/1/8545_ftp.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99673/2/ange_201302313_sm_miscellaneous_information.pd

An intercontinental analysis of food safety culture in view of food safety governance and national values

Taking food safety culture into account is a promising way to improve food safety performance in the food industry. Food safety culture (FS-culture) research is expanding from an organisational perspective to include characteristics of the internal and external company environment. In this study, the prevailing food safety culture in 17 food companies from four countries on three continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) was assessed in view of food safety governance and national values. The internal environment characteristics, i.e. food safety vision, food safety program and food production system vulnerability, were also assessed. Statistical analysis revealed little variation in FS-culture scores between the companies within the same country. Overall the FS- culture for Greek and Zambian companies was scored proactive, while for Chinese and Tanzanian companies an active score was achieved. Both the internal and external company environment seemed to influence the pre- vailing FS-culture. Cluster analysis showed that Tanzanian and Zambian companies exhibited similarities in the implementation of food safety programs, and in their national values and food safety governance as compared to Greece and China. Food safety governance was reflected in the food safety programs and supportiveness of the organisation to food safety and hygiene. All cultural dimensions were correlated with risk perceptions, with masculinity and long-term orientation also significantly correlated with the enabling conditions and attitude. Understanding how national values and food safety governance approaches differently influence food safety culture is expected to enable formulation of best approaches tailored for companies operating in countries with different company environments, to improve food safety performance

Genome-wide analyses as part of the international FTLD-TDP whole-genome sequencing consortium reveals novel disease risk factors and increases support for immune dysfunction in FTLD

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with neuronal inclusions of the TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (FTLD-TDP) represents the most common pathological subtype of FTLD. We established the international FTLD-TDP whole genome sequencing consortium to thoroughly characterize the known genetic causes of FTLD-TDP and identify novel genetic risk factors. Through the study of 1,131 unrelated Caucasian patients, we estimated that C9orf72 repeat expansions and GRN loss-of-function mutations account for 25.5% and 13.9% of FTLD-TDP patients, respectively. Mutations in TBK1 (1.5%) and other known FTLD genes (1.4%) were rare, and the disease in 57.7% of FTLD-TDP patients was unexplained by the known FTLD genes. To unravel the contribution of common genetic factors to the FTLD-TDP etiology in these patients, we conducted a two-stage association study comprising the analysis of whole-genome sequencing data from 517 FTLD-TDP patients and 838 controls, followed by targeted genotyping of the most associated genomic loci in 119 additional FTLD-TDP patients and 1653 controls. We identified three genome-wide significant FTLD-TDP risk loci: one new locus at chromosome 7q36 within the DPP6 gene led by rs118113626 (pvalue=4.82e-08, OR=2.12), and two known loci: UNC13A, led by rs1297319 (pvalue=1.27e-08, OR=1.50) and HLA-DQA2 led by rs17219281 (pvalue=3.22e-08, OR=1.98). While HLA represents a locus previously implicated in clinical FTLD and related neurodegenerative disorders, the association signal in our study is independent from previously reported associations. Through inspection of our whole genome sequence data for genes with an excess of rare loss-of-function variants in FTLD-TDP patients (n≥3) as compared to controls (n=0), we further discovered a possible role for genes functioning within the TBK1-related immune pathway (e.g. DHX58, TRIM21, IRF7) in the genetic etiology of FTLD-TDP. Together, our study based on the largest cohort of unrelated FTLD-TDP patients assembled to date provides a comprehensive view of the genetic landscape of FTLD-TDP, nominates novel FTLD-TDP risk loci, and strongly implicates the immune pathway in FTLD-TDP pathogenesis

Performance of food safety management systems of Chinese food business operators in Tianjin

China is one of the largest food suppliers in the world, but still continues to face challenges in ensuring food safety. This study aims to gain insights into the performance of food safety management systems (FSMSs) of Chinese food business operators (FBOs) given their typical context characteristics. This study assessed 121 Chinese FBOs in one of the four municipalities, varying in company size and food sector, using a FSMS-Diagnostic Instrument (FSMS-DI) to evaluate their levels of core control and assurance activities, context riskiness, and food system outputs. The results indicated that most participating FBOs have implemented FSMSs adequate to their context riskiness. Chinese FBOs mostly have advanced control activities, rather than assurance activities (i.e. verification and validation), which could be attributed to the current food law's unbalanced emphasis on control activities over assurance activities. We found that most FBOs obtained an average score for organisational characteristics including technical staff, variability of the workforce, operator competencies, and employee involvement; this suggests room for improvement in organisational-related context characteristics affecting FSMSs

A systematic assessment of quality assurance-based food safety management system of Chinese edible oil manufacturer in view of context characteristics

<p>This study uses a framework of a food safety management system-diagnostic instrument (FSMS-DI), for the assessment of the context of a Chinese edible oil manufacture through the view of a case study, and an evaluation of the performance of the FSMS of a Chinese edible oil company. The study includes a structured interview with the quality assurance manager. FSMS-DI is used to diagnose the core control and assurance activities, as well as the riskiness of context factors and output of the system. A factory tour is done to verify the information collected during the interview. The company is operating in a low to moderate risk context. The control activities are overall operating at an advanced level, while the assurance activities are at an average level. Although the food safety output of the FSMS is good, improvements are advised on the assurance activities to develop towards a more robust FSMS. This study gives an insight into the current situation of implemented FSMS in view of the context riskiness of the food business. Quantitative studies and further exploration of typical Chinese context characteristics may help food safety authorities, supporting (branch of industry) organisations, and food companies to advance towards a more effective food safety control in the food sector.</p

Factors influencing Chinese farmers’ proper pesticide application in agricultural products – A review

Pesticide residues in agricultural products are a persistent food safety issue in China. The current review aims to get a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing farmers' proper pesticide application in China. To achieve that, the study developed an analytical framework based on the principles of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the techno-managerial approach. Following the framework, the study conducted a semi-structured literature review and yielded multiple factors related to farmers (i.e. their characteristics and TPB elements), external circumstances (i.e. governmental supervision, the roles of suppliers and the support of extension services) and technological conditions (i.e. equipment and environmental conditions), which can influence pesticide application of farmers. To improve farmers’ behaviour, a stepwise approach of interventions targeted to different actors was proposed. Future research on the effectiveness of the application of the stepwise interventions on pesticide use is suggested

Enterovirus 71-induced acute flaccid paralysis: two case reports with review of literatures

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of hand⁃foot⁃and⁃mouth disease (HFMD) complicated with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Methods The clinical features, MRI, electroencephalogram (EEG), neurophysiological examination and prognosis of 2 cases of HFMD complicated with AFP were analyzed retrospectively. Functional recovery was followed up for 9 weeks. Related literatures were reviewed. Results Both of the two cases are infants. AFP occurred at the 7 th day, and advanced to severe degree at 1-2 d after onset. Paralysis affected one limb in one case and 3 limbs in another case. Muscle strength ranged from 0 to 3 degree. Cranial MRI indicated broadened extracerebral lacuna. Cervical MRI presented long T2 lesion in the spinal cord. EEG recorded symmetrical slow background waves. Neurophysiological examination showed minor or moderate spontaneous potential at the paralytic limb. The duration of motor unit potential was prolonged, but the amplitude declined. Motor nerve conduction velocity was normal. Terminal latent period was intact. The amplitude of muscle motor potential declined. Sensory nerve conduction velocity was normal. F wave disappeared. Both of the 2 patients began to recover 2-3 weeks later. Conclusion HFMD complicated with AFP usually affects infant. Paralysis usually occurs around 1 week during the course of HFMD and progresses rapidly to peak 1-2 days after onset. Unique or multi limbs can be affected and the paralysis can recover rapidly. MRI, EEG, and neurophysiological examination are valuable for diagnosis and predicting prognosis. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2011.06.01