Mycovirus-Containing Alters Transcription Factors in Normal and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells.

Transcription factors control genes to maintain normal hemopoiesis, and dysregulation of some factors can lead to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Mycoviruses are known to alter the genetics of their fungal host. The present study evaluates the effects of the products of a mycovirus-containing (MCAF), isolated from the home of a patient with ALL, on certain transcription factors of normal and ALL cell lines.

Removal of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from water by zeolite-rich composites: The interference of inorganic anions on the ibuprofen and naproxen adsorption.

Composites of two natural zeolites - clinoptilolite and phillipsite, and cationic surfactants (cetylpyridinium chloride and Arquad® 2HT-75) were tested for the removal of two emerging contaminants - ibuprofen and naproxen. For each zeolite-rich rock, two different modifications of the zeolitic surfaces were prepared (monolayer and bilayer surfactant coverage). The influence of the initial drug concentrations and contact time on adsorption of these drugs was followed in buffer solution.

Correction: Effects of dietary aflatoxin B1 on accumulation and performance in matrinxã fish (Brycon cephalus).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Assessment of mycotoxin exposure and risk characterization using occurrence data in foods and urinary biomarkers in Brazil.

This study aimed to assess the exposure of Brazilian residents (N = 86) from rural areas to multiple mycotoxins and characterize the associated risk in two sampling periods (SP) (April-May and December/2016). Mycotoxins in food and urine samples were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Mean probable daily intake (PDI) values based on occurrence data in foods in both SP varied from 0.

Co-occurrence of mycotoxins in maize food and maize-based feed from small-scale farms in Brazil: a pilot study.

A limited survey was conducted to assess the co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) B, B, G, and G; fumonisins (FB) B and B; ochratoxin A (OTA); zearalenone (ZEN); and deoxynivalenol (DON) in maize food (N = 26) and animal feed (N = 45) collected from 21 small-scale farms from the states of São Paulo (SP) and Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. Samples evaluated were maize meal and maize flour for human consumption available in the farm households, and maize-based feed intended for broiler chicks, laying hens, and dairy cows. Analyses of mycotoxins were performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Effects of dietary aflatoxin B1 on accumulation and performance in matrinxã fish (Brycon cephalus).

Aflatoxins (AF) can be cumulative in fish tissues and can influence weight, length, feed intake and survival depending on the species. The aim of this work is to measure performance and aflatoxin levels in tissues of matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) fish chronically exposed to aflatoxin. Aflatoxin was incorporated into fish diets at the following levels: Control Feed + 0 μg AFB1 kg-1; A.

High and low nightly running behavior associates with nucleus accumbens N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) NR1 subunit expression and NMDAR functional differences.

The extent to which N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors facilitate the motivation to voluntarily wheel-run in rodents has yet to be determined. In so, we utilized female Wistar rats selectively bred to voluntarily run high (HVR) and low (LVR) nightly distances in order to examine if endogenous differences in nucleus accumbens (NAc) NMDA receptor expression and function underlies the propensity for high or low motivation to voluntarily wheel-run. 12-14 week old HVR and LVR females were used to examine: 1.

Soy Improves Cardiometabolic Health and Cecal Microbiota in Female Low-Fit Rats.

Phytoestrogen-rich soy is known to ameliorate menopause-associated obesity and metabolic dysfunction for reasons that are unclear. The gut microbiota have been linked with the development of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We aimed to determine the impact of soy on cardiometabolic health, adipose tissue inflammation, and the cecal microbiota in ovariectomized (OVX) rats bred for low-running capacity (LCR), a model that has been previously shown to mimic human menopause compared to sham-operated (SHM) intact control LCR rats.

Determination of fumonisin B levels in body fluids and hair from piglets fed fumonisin B-contaminated diets.

The levels of fumonisin B (FB) residues in plasma, urine, feces and hair from 24 piglets fed FB-contaminated diets containing 3.1, 6.1 or 9.

Discriminant Analyses of the Polyphenol Content of American Elderberry Juice from Multiple Environments Provide Genotype Fingerprint.

The cultivation of American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) continues to increase as the use of this botanical has expanded. Elderberries contain a variety of polyphenols, including anthocyanins, which have purported health benefits.

Adsorption of the mycotoxin zearalenone by clinoptilolite and phillipsite zeolites treated with cetylpyridinium surfactant.

In this study, organozeolites were prepared by treatment of the natural zeolites (clinoptilolite and phillipsite) with cetylpyridinium chloride (CP) equivalent to 50 and 100% of their external cation exchange capacities (ECEC). Organoclinoptilolites (ZCPs) and organophillipsites (PCPs) were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, determination of the point of zero charge and zeta potential. Adsorption of zearalenone (ZEN) by ZCPs and PCPs at pH 3 and 7 was investigated.

Changes in renal gene expression associated with induced ochratoxicosis in chickens: activation and deactivation of transcripts after varying durations of exposure.

Exposure to ochratoxin A (OTA) can lead to changes in global gene expression. This study investigated the individual expression of genes turned on and off in renal cells of chicks after different durations of exposure to dietary OTA. One hundred and eighty day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (3 levels of OTA: 0, 1 and 2 mg OTA/kg diet and 3 time periods: 7, 14 and 21 d).

Structure-function analysis of Avian β-defensin-6 and β-defensin-12: role of charge and disulfide bridges.

Background: Avian beta-defensins (AvBD) are small, cationic, antimicrobial peptides. The potential application of AvBDs as alternatives to antibiotics has been the subject of interest. However, the mechanisms of action remain to be fully understood.

Unveiling the anti-inflammatory activity of Sutherlandia frutescens using murine macrophages.

Sutherlandia frutescens is a botanical widely used in southern Africa for treatment of inflammatory and other conditions. Previously, an ethanolic extract of S. frutescens (SFE) has been shown to inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) by murine neurons and a microglia cell line (BV-2 cells).

Immuno-stimulatory activity of a polysaccharide-enriched fraction of Sutherlandia frutescens occurs by the toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br.

Inhibition of microglial activation by elderberry extracts and its phenolic components.

Aims: Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is one of the oldest medicinal plants noted for its cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of the American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp.

Isolation of Sutherlandioside B from by Spiral Countercurrent Chromatography.

The introduction of spiral countercurrent chromatography in the last few years using new separation columns such as the spiral tubing support rotor has enabled the application of more polar volatile solvent systems for natural products separation. This method can be applied to water soluble compounds and their metabolites. We have used spiral countercurrent chromatography with the spiral tubing support rotor to fractionate -butanol extracts of an African plant and have determined conditions by which the predominant cycloartane glycoside (sutherlandioside B) can be purified in good yield.

Nucleus accumbens neuronal maturation differences in young rats bred for low versus high voluntary running behaviour.

We compared the nucleus accumbens (NAc) transcriptomes of generation 8 (G8), 34-day-old rats selectively bred for low (LVR) versus high voluntary running (HVR) behaviours in rats that never ran (LVR(non-run) and HVR(non-run)), as well as in rats after 6 days of voluntary wheel running (LVR(run) and HVR(run)). In addition, the NAc transcriptome of wild-type Wistar rats was compared. The purpose of this transcriptomics approach was to generate testable hypotheses as to possible NAc features that may be contributing to running motivation differences between lines.

Sutherlandia frutescens ethanol extracts inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in neurons and microglial cells.

Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R.Br.

Trans-resveratrol alters mammary promoter hypermethylation in women at increased risk for breast cancer.

Trans-resveratrol, present in high concentration in the skin of red grapes and red wine, has a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect in vitro, prevents the formation of mammary tumors, and has been touted as a chemopreventive agent. Based upon in vitro studies demonstrating that trans-resveratrol downregulates the expression of 1) DNA methyltransferases and 2) the cancer promoting prostaglandin (PG)E(2), we determined if trans-resveratrol had a dose-related effect on DNA methylation and prostaglandin expression in humans. Thirty-nine adult women at increased breast cancer risk were randomized in double-blind fashion to placebo, 5 or 50 mg trans-resveratrol twice daily for 12 wk.

Influence of gamma radiation on productivity parameters of chicken fed mycotoxin-contaminated corn.

The aim of this study was to evaluate productivity parameters and carcass yield of broiler chickens fed irradiated corn contaminated with mycotoxins. For this purpose, 180 one-day-old male chicks were divided into nine treatments and fed for 42 days. The results indicated that irradiation of corn with 5 kGy improved the productivity parameters studied.

Effects of aflatoxin B(1) and fumonisin B(1) on blood biochemical parameters in broilers.

The individual and combined effects of dietary aflatoxin B(1 )(AFB(1)) and fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) on liver pathology, serum levels of aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and plasma total protein (TP) of broilers were evaluated from 8 to 41 days of age. Dietary treatments included a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with three levels of AFB(1 )(0, 50 and 200 μg AFB(1)/kg), and three levels of FB(1 )(0, 50 and 200 mg FB(1)/kg). At 33 days post feeding, with the exception of birds fed 50 mg FB(1 )only, concentrations of AST were higher (p < 0.

Influence of natural zeolitic tuff and organozeolites surface charge on sorption of ionizable fumonisin B(1).

Natural zeolitic tuff was modified with 2, 5 and 10mmol M(+)/100g of octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium (ODMBA) ions and the products were denoted as OZ-2, OZ-5 and OZ-10. The starting material and organozeolites were characterized by determination of the point of zero charge (pH(pzc)) and by thermal analysis. In vitro sorption of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) was studied for all sorbents at pH 3, 7 and 9.

Copper toxicosis with hemolysis and hemoglobinuric nephrosis in three adult Boer goats.

Acute and, particularly, chronic copper exposures, along with defects in hepatic copper metabolism, altered excretion of copper, and/or nutritional imbalances between copper and other trace elements, can lead to hepatic accumulation of copper and primary copper toxicosis. There is interspecies variation in susceptibility to copper toxicosis, with sheep being the species most likely to develop this condition. Adult dairy goats and Boer crosses are generally considered resistant to chronic copper toxicosis, especially the hemolytic stage of this disease.