A study on the effect of deoxynivalenol on serotonin receptor binding in fig brain membranes

Abstract

Central serotoninergic (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) pathways are believed to be involved in the mechanisms of anorexia and/or emesis evoked by the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). Using an in vitro membrane receptor binding assay, the competitive potency of DON was investigated against several radioactive ligands that have a high affinity for selective 5HT‐receptor subgroups. Receptor site densities and displacement profiles in twelve selected regions of pig brain were investigated. Overall, DON possessed only minimal efficacy to competently block any of the 5HT‐ligands tested. IC₅₀ values (50% inhibitory concentration) of at least 5 mM DON were required to inhibit binding, and in certain regions concentrations of 100 mM were ineffective. In comparison, several standard 5HT‐antagonists showed 10³‐10⁵ times greater capability than DON to displace binding of these ligands. Because these results indicated DON possesses only weak affinity for the 5HT‐receptor subtypes investigated here, this suggested that in vivo, unless relatively high concentrations of the toxin are present, its pharmacological effects may be mediated by mechanisms other than a functional interaction with serotoninergic receptors at the central level.     

Effects of probiotic bacteria on the bioaccessibility of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A using an in vitro digestion model under fed conditions

In the present study, we aimed at determining the release of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) from different food products in the gastro-intestinal tract in the absence and presence of probiotics, a possible adsorbent. The average bioaccessibility of AFB₁ and OTA without probiotics was about 90%, and 30%, respectively, depending on several factors, such as food product, contamination level, compound and type of contamination (spiked versus naturally contaminated). The six probiotic bacteria showed varying binding capacity to AFB₁ and OTA depending on the bacterial strain, toxin studied, type of food and contamination level. A reduction to a maximum of 37% and 73% as observed for the bioaccessibility of AFB₁ and OTA in the presence of probiotic bacteria, respectively. This is the first report on the effect of probiotic bacteria on reducing the fraction of mycotoxins available for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract from different food products.     

Estimate of the uncertainty in measurement for the determination of mercury in seafood by TDA AAS

An approach for the estimate of the uncertainty in measurement considering the individual sources related to the different steps of the method under evaluation as well as the uncertainties estimated from the validation data for the determination of mercury in seafood by using thermal decomposition/amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry (TDA AAS) is proposed. The considered method has been fully optimized and validated in an official laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil, in order to comply with national and international food regulations and quality assurance. The referred method has been accredited under the ISO/IEC 17025 norm since 2010. The approach of the present work in order to reach the aim of estimating of the uncertainty in measurement was based on six sources of uncertainty for mercury determination in seafood by TDA AAS, following the validation process, which were: Linear least square regression, Repeatability, Intermediate precision, Correction factor of the analytical curve, Sample mass, and Standard reference solution. Those that most influenced the uncertainty in measurement were sample weight, repeatability, intermediate precision and calibration curve. The obtained result for the estimate of uncertainty in measurement in the present work reached a value of 13.39%, which complies with the European Regulation EC 836/2011. This figure represents a very realistic estimate of the routine conditions, since it fairly encompasses the dispersion obtained from the value attributed to the sample and the value measured by the laboratory analysts. From this outcome, it is possible to infer that the validation data (based on calibration curve, recovery and precision), together with the variation on sample mass, can offer a proper estimate of uncertainty in measurement.     

The effect of thiacloprid formulation on DNA/chromosome damage and changes in GST activity in bovine peripheral lymphocytes

The potential genotoxic effect of thiacloprid formulation on bovine peripheral lymphocytes was evaluated using the comet assay and the cytogenetic endpoints: chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei (MNi). Whole blood cultures were treated with the insecticide at concentrations of 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 μg mL^?1 for 24, 48 h and/or 2 h of incubation. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage, as well as in unstable chromosome aberrations (% breaks) were found after exposure to the insecticide at concentrations ranging from 120 to 480 μg mL^?1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001). For the detection of stable structural chromosome aberrations (e.g., translocations) and numerical aberrations by the FISH method, three whole chromosome painting probes for bovine chromosomes 1, 5 and 7 (BTA1, BTA5 and BTA7) were used in our experiments. We observed numerical aberrations, but without any statistical significance. Regarding the sister chromatid exchanges, no significant elevation in the SCE frequencies was found after 24-h exposure to the insecticide. A dose-related response in the SCE induction was obtained in bovine cultures after the prolonged time of exposure (48 h) to thiacloprid formulation at concentrations ranging from 120 to 480 μg mL^?1 in each donor (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), which was associated with a reduction of the PI (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The insecticide failed to produce MNi; however, a significant reduction of CBPI was observed. Using real-time PCR, a decrease in the expression of bovine glutathione S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) was detected at the lowest dose. The higher concentrations of thiacloprid formulation caused an increase in the mRNA expression.     

Toxicity of mancozeb,chlorothalonil, captan,fluopyram, boscalid,and difenoconazole to Didymella applanata isolates from Serbia

Field isolates of Didymella applanata, the causal agent of spur blight of raspberry, were evaluated in vitro for their sensitivity to mancozeb, chlorothalonil, captan, fluopyram, boscalid and difenoconazole. A total of 10 isolates, collected during 2013 at five localities in the major raspberry growing region in Serbia, and characterized as copper hydroxide, dithianon, and tebuconazole (sensitive), pyraclostrobin (sensitive or highly resistant) and fluazinam (sensitive or moderately resistant), were used in this study. The EC₅₀ values for the isolates ranged from 1.33 to 2.88 mg L^?1 for mancozeb, from 3.18 to 6.65 mg L^?1 for chlorothalonil, from 15.75 to 24.69 mg L^?1 for captan and from 1.80 to 8.20 mg L^?1 for fluopyram. The narrowest range of EC₅₀ values was recorded for difenoconazole (0.23–0.49 mg L^?1), whereas the widest range was obtained for boscalid (4.49–49.25 mg L^?1). The calculated resistance factors showed that all D. applanata isolates were sensitive to mancozeb, chlorothalonil, captan, and difenoconazole. Four isolates were moderately resistant to boscalid, while three of them were also moderately resistant to fluopyram. This finding of moderately resistant isolates to these SDHI fungicides indicates a possible cross-resistance which should be clarified in further investigations.     

What’s the Problem? River Management,Education, and Public Beliefs

This paper invokes the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a diagnostic tool to explain an existing public education program's limited success at improving river water quality in the City of Perth, Western Australia. A reflective, client-driven research approach was used. A facilitated expert workshop defined an environmental problem (excess nutrients leaving gardens and entering waterways) and a desired behavior (residents purchasing environmentally sensitive fertilizer) to address the problem. A TPB-based belief elicitation survey captured respondents' beliefs regarding the desired behavior. The findings suggest respondents were aware of the links between purchasing environmentally sensitive fertilizer and river water quality. However, this behavior is compromised by the challenges in identifying appropriate products, product quality concerns, and cost. Viewing the content of a public education program through the lens of the TPB reveals insights into how and why the program fell short in achieving one of its key behavioral change goals.     

基于Donnan分离的磷酸盐离子迁移与膜内分布

基于Donnan分离原理,研究磷酸盐离子在无电压条件下通过阴离子交换膜的迁移过程以及膜内磷酸盐的分布。结果表明,阴离子交换膜采用NaCl溶液浸泡预处理后,促进磷酸盐离子的第1步迁移过程,磷酸盐离子的迁移去除效果提高5%。受体液NaCl浓度是阴离子交换膜内磷酸盐含量的控制因素,其浓度从0.001 mol/L增加至0.1 mol/L时,膜内磷酸盐含量由0.077 mg/cm2降至0.002 mg/cm2。受体液NaCl浓度较高时,有利于促进磷酸盐离子的第3步迁移过程,且2层膜内磷酸盐含量的分布由给体液至受体液呈递减趋势。温度升高,低浓度受体液条件下膜内磷酸盐的含量增加,对高浓度受体液条件下膜内磷酸盐的含量几乎无影响。     

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in media for in vitro fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most important treatments of infertility to provide a chance of conceiving. In IVF treatment, sperm are washed and motile sperm are isolated with sperm washing media (SWM) for the purpose of fertilization; fertilized ova are then incubated for a maximum of 5 or 6 d in media for IVF (IVFM). The exposure of fertilized ova to chemicals via such media has not been studied. We determined the concentrations of two contaminants; di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its hydrolyzed product mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) in IVFM, SWM, and protein sources (PS: human serum albumin or serum substitute) for IVFM and SWM. The DEHP and MEHP in these media were extracted by a liquid-liquid extraction method and their concentrations determined by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fifteen IVFM, nine SWM, and six PS obtained in Japan were examined. The concentrations of DEHP and MEHP in IVFM and SWM were <10-114 and <2.0-263 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of both DEHP and MEHP were higher in the media containing PS than in those without PS. Either MEHP alone or both DEHP and MEHP were detected in PS. The concentrations of DEHP and MEHP in PS were <10-982 and 47.0-1840 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The DEHP and MEHP detected in these media were derived from PS. This is the first study on the chemical contamination of IVFM, SWM, and PS.     

环境救济法的体系——由四川藏区农村环境公害问题引出

以四川藏区农村的环境公害问题为引入对象,结合先进国家和地区的农村生态环境法制管理救济机制和应对机制,从现行相关程序法和实体法的法理角度,初步阐释适合我国农村生态环境法制实现的救济处理机制和救济途径,从而在一定程序上构建起我国的环境救济法体系。     

高校会计制度与公共财政体制改革衔接性研究

2009年,财政部拟定了新《高等学校会计制励（征求意见稿）,要求核算能提供预算管理需要的预算收支信息,增加了与公共财政改革相关的会计核算内容,但高校会计制度（征求意见稿）与公共财政体制依然存在着衔接不当问题。从公共财政体制改革对高校会计的影响出发,解读了高校会计制度（征求意见稿）与财政改革的衔接性,分析了高校会计实务中存在的与公共财政改革不协调的问题,并提出了相应的解决措施。