An evaluation of United Kingdom environmental bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk assessment

Abstract

As a member of the group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been causally associated with a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans. Given the many uncertainties on the transmission and persistence of TSE pathogens in the environment, quantitative assessment of risks to humans and animals continues to remain a public health issue. This paper reviews quantitative BSE risk assessments undertaken in the United Kingdom since 1997 to address the potential for human exposure and theoretical health risks through environmental pathways. The review focuses on how model assumptions and methodology may influence the results.

On the effects of topical synthetic pseudoceramides: Comparison of possible keratinocyte toxicities provoked by the pseudoceramides, PC104 and BIO391, and natural ceramides

“…Hence, if only because of their sheer abundance, topical therapies that aim to reverse Cer deficiency, a characteristic of atopic dermatitis, typically employ Cer or Cerlike molecules, and often in large quantities [4]. Yet, three issues confront those who wish to use natural or skin-identical Cer in such 'barrier repair therapeutics': (1) nature-identical, synthetic Cer are extremely expensive (typically $2000-10,000/ kg); (2) less-expensive, naturally occurring Cer derive primarily from bovine central nervous system, raising concerns about transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy ('mad cow disease') [5]; (3) excess intracellular Cer can be toxic to cells, both inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis [6,7].…”