RESUMO
The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of mycotoxins (Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEA), Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Fumonisin B1 (FB1)) in local hen's table eggs (white and yolk) as well as their stability upon refrigeration. Two hundred and fifty of fresh table eggs samples collected from Jordan governorates were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrophotometry (LC- MS/MS) More than half (67%) of the tested samples were positive for mycotoxins. The mean concentration of AFB1, FB1 and ZEA was 0.5 ± 0.4, 0.5 ± 0.2 and 3.2 ± 1.5 µg/kg, respectively. The overall prevalence of AFB1, ZEA, FB1 was 56.8, 16.0 and 7.6%, respectively. DON was not found in any of the samples. The highest prevalence was observed in Amman (85.7%) followed by Mafraq (78.6%), Karak (75.0%) and Zarqa'a (66.6%). None of the investigated mycotoxins were detected in egg whites. However, the prevalence of AFB1, ZEA, FB1 in egg yolk was 21.3, 16 and 7.6%, respectively. Refrigeration up to 4 weeks did not decrease the mycotoxin concentration significantly. Mycotoxin concentration in all investigated samples in this study were well below both the International and Jordanian acceptable limits. However, continuous exposure may lead to bioaccumulation over a long term and pose a threat to health.
RESUMO
AIM: To assess fetal brain growth over the third trimester in pregnant women with diabetes using in utero magnetic resonance imaging (iuMRI) to determine if greater brain growth occurs in type 1 (T1DM) when compared to gestational (GDM) diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each consented participant was scanned at three fixed times during the third trimester using iuMRI. One hundred and fifty-seven patients were approached, 48 participants were recruited, and 36 complete data sets were analysed. Three-dimensional (3D) iuMRI volume data sets were manually segmented using software to construct models of the fetal brain from which brain volumes could be calculated. Inter-rater analysis was performed, and volume differences and growth rates were compared between T1DM and GDM. RESULTS: Recruitment proved difficult with low uptake and high attrition rates (77.1%). Inter-rater analysis revealed excellent correlation (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.93, p<0.001) and agreement with no significant difference between operators (p=0.194). There was no evidence of increased brain volume in the T1DM group. Growth rates between visit 1 and 3 for T1DM and GDM were not significantly different (p=0.095). CONCLUSION: T1DM brain volumes were not significantly larger than GDM volumes and there was no significant divergence of brain growth over the third trimester. Constructing volume models from 3D iuMRI acquisitions is a novel technique that can be used to assess fetal brain growth. No specialist software or knowledge is required. Larger studies attempting to recruit pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy should employ multicentre recruitment to overcome recruitment difficulties and high attrition rates.