Meats need to be heated to inactivate foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. High-temperature treatment used to prepare well-done meats increases the formation of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs). We evaluated the ability of plant extracts, spices, and essential oils to simultaneously inactivate E. coli O157:H7 and suppress HCA formation in heated hamburger patties. Ground beef with added antimicrobials was inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 (10(7) CFU/g). Patties were cooked to reach 45 °C at the geometric center, flipped, and cooked for 5 min. Samples were then taken for microbiological and mass spectrometry analysis of HCAs. Some compounds were inhibitory only against E. coli or HCA formation, while some others inhibited both. Addition of 5% olive or apple skin extracts reduced E. coli O157:H7 populations to below the detection limit and by 1.6 log CFU/g, respectively. Similarly, 1% lemongrass oil reduced E. coli O157:H7 to below detection limits, while clove bud oil reduced the pathogen by 1.6 log CFU/g. The major heterocyclic amines 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) were concurrently reduced with the addition of olive extract by 79.5% and 84.3% and with apple extract by 76.1% and 82.1%, respectively. Similar results were observed with clove bud oil: MeIQx and PhIP were reduced by 35% and 52.1%, respectively. Addition of onion powder decreased formation of PhIP by 94.3%. These results suggest that edible natural plant compounds have the potential to prevent foodborne infections as well as carcinogenesis in humans consuming heat-processed meat products.

The paper concludes with recommendations for future basic and intervention research on maladaptive RT and related psychopathologies.

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Study Objectives: Studies have shown racial differences in circadian rhythm in African Americans when compared to non-Hispanic whites, and an association between circadian dyssynchrony and depression. We hypothesized that the prevalence of delayed sleep time is greater in African Americans when compared to whites and that delayed sleep time is associated with depression. Methods: We analyzed data from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS), a large community-based sample. Delayed sleep time was defined as self-reported weeknight bedtime after midnight. Depression was defined based on participant's response to the question, "In the past 4 weeks have you felt downhearted and blue?" or reported antidepressant use. We performed multivariate linear and logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, apnea-hypopnea index, alcohol use, and caffeine consumption. Results: Adjusted weekday bedtime was 15 ± 7 minutes later in African Americans compared to whites (P < .001). Similarly, weekend bedtime was 18 ± 7 minutes later in African Americans compared to whites (P = .025). The prevalence of delayed sleep time was greater in African Americans (33.3%) compared to whites (18.7%; P < .001). After adjusting for confounders, when compared to whites, a greater proportion of African Americans had delayed sleep time (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.03; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.5, 2.4; P < .0001). Depression was independently associated with delayed sleep time after adjustment (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.7; P = .007). Conclusions: African Americans are more likely to have a delayed sleep time compared to whites, and delayed sleep time was independently associated with depression.