This paper is based on a workshop held in Oslo, Norway in November 2013, in which experts discussed how to reach consensus on the healthiness of red and processed meat. Recent nutritional recommendations include reducing intake of red and processed meat to reduce cancer risk, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC). Epidemiological and mechanistic data on associations between red and processed meat intake and CRC are inconsistent and underlying mechanisms are unclear. There is a need for further studies on differences between white and red meat, between processed and whole red meat and between different types of processed meats, as potential health risks may not be the same for all products. Better biomarkers of meat intake and of cancer occurrence and updated food composition databases are required for future studies. Modifying meat composition via animal feeding and breeding, improving meat processing by alternative methods such as adding phytochemicals and improving our diets in general are strategies that need to be followed up.

This study focuses on the interaction of the three components of the Bacillus cereus

The C57BL/6J multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min/1) mouse is a widely used murine model for familial adenomatous polyposis, a hereditary form of human colorectal cancer. However, it is a questionable model partly because the vast majority of tumors arise in the small intestine, and partly because the fraction of tumors that progress to invasive carcinomas is minuscule. A/J mice are typically more susceptible to carcinogen-induced colorectal cancer than C57BL/6J mice. To investigate whether the novel Min/1 mouse on the A/J genetic background could be a better model for colorectal cancer, we examined the spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in 81 A/J Min/1 mice ranging in age from 4 to 60 weeks. The A/J Min/1 mouse exhibited a dramatic increase in number of colonic lesions when compared to what has been reported for the conventional Min/1 mouse; however, an increase in small intestinal lesions did not occur. In addition, this novel mouse model displayed a continual development of colonic lesions highlighted by the transition from early lesions (flat ACF) to tumors over time. In mice older than 40 weeks, 13 colonic (95% CI: 8.7-16.3) and 21 small intestinal (95% CI: 18.6-24.3) tumors were recorded. Notably, a considerable proportion of those lesions progressed to carcinomas in both the colon (21%) and small intestine (51%). These findings more closely reflect aspects of human colorectal carcinogenesis. In conclusion, the novel A/J Min/1 mouse may be a relevant model for initiation, promotion and progression of colorectal cancer.Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and accounted for approximately 1.4 million new cases and close to 700,000 deaths in 2012. Incidence rates are slightly higher in men than in women, and this cancer becomes increasingly more common with age.1 One of the most common inherited colorectal cancer syndromes is familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), which is caused by germline mutations in the tumor-suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). 2,3 FAP patients inherit a mutated APC allele and when the second allele is inactivated by mutation, a large number of adenomas develop in the colon. 4 Inactivation of the second APC allele leads to reduced degradation of b-catenin and activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which in turn leads to dysplasia. 5,6 Mutation in one APC allele followed by mutation in, or loss of, the second allele is also apparent in 80% of sporadic colorectal cancer cases. 7 In humans, most colorectal cancers progress slowly, taking anywhere from 5 to 20 years for early colonic lesions to develop into benign adenomas, and an additional 5 to 15 years for those adenomas to develop into malignant carcinomas. 8,9One of the most frequently used murine models for colorectal cancer is the multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min/1) mouse (Mus musculus). This particular mouse model was discovered after a random mutation by the mutagen ethylnitrosourea caused spontaneous formation of adenomas throughout the intestinal tract.10 Similar to the mutation see...

Background: Male piglets are surgically castrated at a young age primarily to prevent pork meat from being tainted with boar taint, an offensive taste and odor that can be present in uncastrated male pigs. The practice of surgical castration is considered to be both stressful and painful for the piglets, and is therefore under scrutiny due to animal welfare concerns. Rearing of intact males or vaccination against boar taint (immunocastration) are two potential alternatives to surgical castration, but in order to successfully implement either of these alternatives, consumer acceptance of the different methods must be taken into consideration as it will be central for future sales of pork products. A consumer survey mapping Norwegian consumers' attitudes toward piglet castration was conducted to explore whether the consumers' position regarding castration has changed since an almost identical study was completed in 2008. Results: The internet-based survey found that Norwegian consumers are comfortable with the current practice of surgical castration with anesthesia, but also that they are open to the alternative method of vaccination against boar taint. When provided additional information stating that vaccination against boar taint may not be able to reduce boar taint to the levels that castration with anesthesia does, consumer skepticism towards vaccination increased. When evaluating castration methods, animal welfare was the most important influencing factor. Since the original survey from 2008, animal welfare was also the single factor that has increased the most among a set of assessment criteria when purchasing pork products. Conclusion: Norwegian consumers regard animal welfare as an important factor both when purchasing pork products and when evaluating different methods of castration, and animal welfare as a factor has increased in importance since the initial survey in 2008. Although the current practice of castration using local anesthesia is still widely accepted among consumers, the acceptance of today's method has declined since the original survey in 2008.