Extensive Evaluation of a Method for Quantitative Measurement of Aflatoxins B1 and M1 in Animal Urine Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection.

Background: Aflatoxins (AFs) are common feed contaminants and are one of the common causes of toxin-related pet food poisoning and recalls.

Objective: Currently, there are no validated methods for the detection and quantitation of AFs in biological matrices to diagnose AF exposure in live animals. Following a successful intra-laboratory method development to quantify AFB1 and AFM1 in animal urine by HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD), the present study was conducted to extensively evaluate the method performance in an unbiased manner using blinded samples.

Utility of a PCR-based method for rapid and specific detection of toxigenic spp. in farm ponds.

is a widespread freshwater cyanobacterium that can produce microcystin, a potent hepatotoxin harmful to animals and humans. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor for the presence of toxigenic spp. to provide early warning of potential microcystin contamination.

Evaluation of a Diagnostic Method to Quantify Aflatoxins B and M in Animal Liver by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites of fungi and are one of the causes of toxin-related pet food recalls. An intralaboratory method was previously developed to quantify aflatoxin B (AFB) and aflatoxin M (AFM) in animal liver by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The aim of this study was to extensively evaluate the method performance with a single-laboratory blinded method test (BMT-S) and a multilaboratory blinded method test (BMT-M).

Midazolam Efficacy Against Acute Hydrogen Sulfide-Induced Mortality and Neurotoxicity.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a colorless, highly neurotoxic gas. It is not only an occupational and environmental hazard but also of concern to the Department of Homeland Security for potential nefarious use. Acute high-dose HS exposure causes death, while survivors may develop neurological sequelae.

Intra-laboratory Development and Evaluation of a Quantitative Method for Measurement of Aflatoxins B1, M1 and Q1 in Animal Urine by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection.

Mycotoxins negatively impact animal health. Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most common mycotoxins affecting both large and small animals and are a common cause of toxin-related pet food recalls. Definitive diagnosis of aflatoxicosis is constrained by a lack of validated ante-mortem analytical methods for detection and quantitation of AFs and their metabolites in biological specimens.

Characterizing a mouse model for evaluation of countermeasures against hydrogen sulfide-induced neurotoxicity and neurological sequelae.

Hydrogen sulfide (H S) is a highly neurotoxic gas. It is the second most common cause of gas-induced deaths. Beyond mortality, surviving victims of acute exposure may suffer long-term neurological sequelae.

Intralaboratory development and evaluation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence method for detection and quantitation of aflatoxins M1, B1, B2, G1, and G2 in animal liver.

Aflatoxins are potent mycotoxins with effects that include hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, and suppression of animal growth and production. The etiologic diagnosis of aflatoxicosis, which is largely based on analysis of contaminated feed matrices, has significant disadvantages given the fact that representative feed samples may not be available and feed-based test methods are not confirmatory of an etiologic diagnosis. A tissue-based analytical method for biomarkers of exposure would be valuable for confirmation of aflatoxicosis.

Polyanhydride Nanoparticle Delivery Platform Dramatically Enhances Killing of Filarial Worms.

Filarial diseases represent a significant social and economic burden to over 120 million people worldwide and are caused by endoparasites that require the presence of symbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia for fertility and viability of the host parasite. Targeting Wolbachia for elimination is a therapeutic approach that shows promise in the treatment of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Here we demonstrate the use of a biodegradable polyanhydride nanoparticle-based platform for the co-delivery of the antibiotic doxycycline with the antiparasitic drug, ivermectin, to reduce microfilarial burden and rapidly kill adult worms.

Assessment of ruminal hydrogen sulfide or urine thiosulfate as diagnostic tools for sulfur induced polioencephalomalacia in cattle.

To determine if ruminal hydrogen sulfide, urine thiosulfate, or blood sulfhemoglobin could be used as diagnostic indicators for sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia, 16 steers (8 cannulated, 368 ± 12 kg; 8 unmodified, 388 ± 10 kg; mean ± standard error) were fed 1 of 2 dietary treatments. Diets consisted of a low sulfate (0.24% S; control) wheat midd-based pellet or the control pellet with sodium sulfate added to achieve a high-sulfate (0.

Terbinafine pharmacokinetics after single dose oral administration in the dog.

Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal prescribed for the treatment of mycoses in humans. It is increasingly being used in veterinary patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of terbinafine in dogs after a single oral dose.

Evaluation of XPC and prototypes on aflatoxin-challenged broilers.

Various products and prototypes were added to poultry diets during an aflatoxin challenge on growth and histological parameters. Male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups with 8 replicates/treatment and 3 birds/replicate. Treatments were as follows: 1) negative control containing no aflatoxin (NC); 2) positive control containing aflatoxin (PC); 3) 0.

Effects of nicotine on pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D in ovine lung epithelia.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the incidence and severity of respiratory infections in neonates. Surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D, respectively) are components of pulmonary innate immunity and have an important role in defense against inhaled pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine if nicotine exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy alters the expression of SP-A and SP-D of fetal lung epithelia.

The occurrence and concentration of mycotoxins in U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles.

To provide a scientific sound assessment of the prevalence and levels of mycotoxins in U.S. distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS), we measured mainly aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone in 235 DDGS samples collected from 20 ethanol plants in the midwestern United States and 23 export shipping containers from 2006 to 2008 using state-of-the-art analytical methodologies.

Maternal alcohol ingestion reduces surfactant protein A expression by preterm fetal lung epithelia.

In addition to neurodevelopmental effects, alcohol consumption at high levels during pregnancy is associated with immunomodulation and premature birth. Premature birth, in turn, is associated with increased susceptibility to various infectious agents such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The initial line of pulmonary innate defense includes the mucociliary apparatus, which expels microorganisms trapped within the airway secretions.

Ampicillin pharmacokinetics in swine following needle-free, intramuscular, and intravenous administration.

A cross-over study design was used to determine the pharmacokinetics of ampicillin in swine. Each of eight pigs was subjected to all of the following three treatments: (1) intramuscular (i.m.

Sodium fluoride/copper naphthenate toxicosis in cattle.

Fourteen cattle on a Kansas pasture died from ingestion of a wood preservative compound containing sodium fluoride and copper naphthenate. Clinical signs included depression, anorexia, ataxia, diarrhea, and recumbency. Grossly visible lesions included perirenal edema, pale kidneys, and forestomach ulceration.

Aflatoxicosis in nine dogs after exposure to contaminated commercial dog food.

The purpose of this study was to characterize light and electron microscopic findings from 9 dogs that had consumed aflatoxin-contaminated commercial dog food from recalled batches. Four dogs died and 5 were euthanized after signs of liver failure. Analysis of feed and liver samples confirmed exposure to aflatoxin.

Cotton liners to mediate glove comfort for greenhouse applicators.

Greenhouse applicators' acceptance of cotton knit gloves worn as liners under nitrile chemical-resistant gloves (CRG) for pesticide application was investigated through a wear study in Iowa and New York. Comfort was assessed by questionnaires and interviews with 10 applicators. Contamination levels of four pesticides on CRG and liners at thumb, forefinger, palm, and cuff locations were determined by chemical analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography or gas chromatography.

Lead contamination of chicken eggs and tissues from a small farm flock.

Twenty mixed-breed adult laying hens from a small farm flock in Iowa were clinically normal but had been exposed to chips of lead-based paint in their environment. These chickens were brought to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ames, Iowa, where the concentration of lead in blood, eggs (yolk, albumen, and shell), and tissues (liver, kidney, muscle, and ovary) from 5 selected chickens was determined over a period of 9 days. Blood lead levels ranged from less than 50 to 760 ppb.

Protective headgear for midwestern agriculture: a limited wear study.

Baseball caps are popular with farm workers, but have been criticized because they do not sufficiently shade the face, neck, and ears. U.S.

Effects of temperature, incubation period and substrate on production of fusaproliferin by Fusarium subglutinans ITEM 2404.

The kinetics of the production of fusaproliferin by Fusarium subglutinans ITEM 2404 in maize and rice cultures was investigated at various incubation temperatures. The growth rate of F. subglutinans was highest at 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C in maize cultures and at 15 degrees C in rice cultures.

New, sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of slaframine in plasma and milk.

Slaframine was derivatized precolumn with fluorescamine. The derivatized slaframine was chromatographed isocratically using HPLC on a Hamilton PRP-1 C18 polymeric column with fluorescence detection. By using fluorescent derivatization, sensitivity was increased 100-fold over previously reported GC methods.