Parental expectations before and after 12-month experience with video consultations combined with regular outpatient care for children with type 1 diabetes: a qualitative study.

AIM: To explore parents' expectations of the perceived barriers to and benefits of 1 year of monthly video consultations combined with regular outpatient care of children with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The Virtual Diabetes Outpatient Clinic for Children and Youth (VIDIKI) study was a controlled, multicentre, perennial study with 240 participants from northern Germany. Fifty-four qualitative interviews with parents were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Before the intervention, 30 interviews were conducted to assess parents' expectations, and after 1 year, 24 interviews evaluated the experienced benefits and barriers to video consultations. RESULTS: Four main topics were identified from parents' responses to the video consultation. The main advantages of the video consultation compared with standard care were a higher frequency of contact for optimized insulin dosing and saving time; difficulties with internet connections were identified as the main barrier. A feeling of increased confidence with respect to insulin dosing was directly associated with telemedicine. Digital prescriptions and meeting the same diabetologist in both outpatient and telemedical care were mentioned as important improvements. The majority of interviewees preferred intervals of 4-6 weeks between video consultations. CONCLUSION: The higher frequency of contact with the diabetes team was considered a great relief by parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Apart from the time savings and flexibility in appointments, the most important advantages were the higher frequency of contact leading to short-term therapy adjustments and an increase in the ability to adjust therapy independently. (German Clinical Trials Registry No: DRKS00012645).

Highly efficient blazed grating with multilayer coating for tender X-ray energies.

For photon energies of 1 - 5 keV, blazed gratings with multilayer coating are ideally suited for the suppression of stray and higher orders light in grating monochromators. We developed and characterized a blazed 2000 lines/mm grating coated with a 20 period Cr/C- multilayer. The multilayer d-spacing of 7.3 nm has been adapted to the line distance of 500 nm and the blaze angle of 0.84° in order to provide highest efficiency in the photon energy range between 1.5 keV and 3 keV. Efficiency of the multilayer grating as well as the reflectance of a witness multilayer which were coated simultaneously have been measured. An efficiency of 35% was measured at 2 keV while a maximum efficiency of 55% was achieved at 4 keV. In addition, a strong suppression of higher orders was observed which makes blazed multilayer gratings a favorable dispersing element also for the low X-ray energy range.

Performance and health of broiler chickens fed low erucic acid, lower fiber pennycress (CoverCressTM) grain.

CoverCress (low erucic acid, lower fiber pennycress) is being developed as a cover crop to be planted in the fall after corn and harvested in the spring prior to planting soybeans. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate 2 lines of the whole grain (CCWG-1: natural mutation and mutation breeding; CCWG-2: gene edited) and the whole grain pretreated with the potential palatability agent copper sulfate (CCWG-1-CuSO4; CCWG-2-CuSO4) as an ingredient for broilers. In Experiment 1, CCWG-1-CuSO4 was included in the diet at 0, 4, and 6% for 41 d. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion, processing characteristics, organ weights, serum thyroid, macropathology and histology data were collected. In Experiment 2, broilers were fed diets containing Control, 2% CCWG-1, 4% CCWG-1, 4% CCWG-2, and 4.35% CCWG-1-CuSO4 for 42 d. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion, organ weights, serum thyroid, blood chemistries, macropathology, and histology data were collected. In Experiment 1, feed intake and body weight were diminished with no effect on feed conversion for the birds consuming diets containing CCWG-1-CuSO4. In Experiment 2, feed intake and body weight were lower with no difference in feed conversion in birds fed diets containing greater than 2% CoverCress grain during d 0 to 28. During d 28 to 42 no difference in feed intake, body weight and an improvement in feed conversion was observed in birds fed all of the CoverCress grain products. In both experiments no significant negative effects were observed in processing, liver, kidney, and thyroid weights, T3, T4, blood chemistries, macropathology, and histopathology between the control and any of the CoverCress grain treatments. No difference in performance was observed in birds fed the mutant (4% CCWG-1) and gene-edited (4% CCWG-2) products. Pretreating CoverCress grain with copper sulfate did not have a significant effect on improving palatability. In conclusion, CoverCress grain can be safely fed to broilers when included at a target rate of 4% in diets and with total glucosinolate levels not to exceed 4.9 µmoles g-1.

Fifteen-year median follow-up results after neoadjuvant doxorubicin, followed by mastectomy, followed by adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) followed by radiation for stage III breast cancer: a phase II trial (CALGB 8944).

PURPOSE: To describe long-term results of a multimodality strategy for stage III breast cancer utilizing neoadjuvant doxorubicin followed by mastectomy, CMF, and radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with biopsy-proven, clinical stage III breast cancer and adequate organ function were eligible. Neoadjuvant doxorubicin (30 mg/m(2) days 1-3, every 28 days for 4 cycles) was followed by mastectomy, in stable or responding patients. Sixteen weeks of postoperative CMF followed (continuous oral cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg/day); methotrexate (0.7 mg/kg IV) and fluorouracil (12 mg/kg IV) weekly, weeks 1-8, and than biweekly, weeks 9-16). Radiation therapy followed adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Clinical response rate was 71% (79/111, 95% CI = 62-79%), with 19% complete clinical response. Pathologic complete response was 5% (95% CI = 2-11%). Median follow-up is 15.6 years. Half of the patients progressed by 2.2 years; half died by 5.4 years (range 6 months-15 years). The hazard of dying was greatest in the first 5 years after diagnosis and declined thereafter. Time to progression and overall survival were predicted by number of pathologically involved lymph nodes (TTP: HR [10 vs. 1 node] 2.40, 95% CI = 1.63-3.53, P < 0.0001; OS: HR 2.50, 95% CI = 1.74-3.58, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: After multimodality treatment for locally advanced breast cancer, long-term survival was correlated with the number of pathologically positive lymph nodes, but not to clinical response. The hazard of death was highest during the first 5 years after diagnosis and declined thereafter, indicating a possible intermediate endpoint for future trials of neoadjuvant treatment.

[A historical medical study of post-traumatic stress disorders in World War I soldiers]. / Die posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen bei deutschen Soldaten des 1. Weltkrieges. Eine medizinhistorische Studie.

The concept of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was to be verified considering World War I soldiers suffering from psychiatric and neurologic diseases. According to hypotheses, relevant circumstances of the case history and significance of the direct military action had to be examined. In 2002, medical histories dating from 1914 to 1921 of male soldiers in Jena, Germany, were analyzed. Statistical examination carried out by means of the chi2 test revealed mental illness more frequently in soldiers with relevant family anamnesis, previous psychiatric treatment, or degree of voluntariness than in soldiers not so characterized. The accumulation of mental illnesses was lower in soldiers involved in military actions or directly with firing weapons than in soldiers never involved in battles. These results are in accord with historical but not current literature on PTSD. The author is of the opinion that psychiatric anamnesis is not given enough consideration in the concept of PTSD.

Identification of a BRCA1-associated kinase with potential biological relevance.

A biochemical approach was used to identify proteins which interact with human BRCA1. Through this work, a kinase activity which co-purifies with BRCA1 has been identified. This kinase activity, which phosphorylates BRCA1 in vitro, was originally identified in Sf9 insect cells but is also present in cells of human origin including breast and ovarian carcinoma cell lines. The BRCA1 kinase activity in vitro is associated with a fragment of BRCA1 encompassing amino acids 329-435. This peptide is also phosphorylated in various human cell lines. A computer-assisted sequence analysis revealed that this peptide was a potential substrate for phosphorylation by PKA, PKC, or CKII. However, phosphorylation by these kinases could not be demonstrated in vitro indicating the presence of another kinase activity. Phosphorylation in vitro requires a minimal domain of BRCA1 encompassing amino acids 379-408. Notably, deletion of this minimal domain abolishes growth suppression by BRCA1 indicating that this domain, as well as phosphorylation within this domain, may be important for BRCA1 function.

Conditional transformation of rat embryo fibroblast cells by a cyclin D1-cdk4 fusion gene.

Cyclin D1 gene overexpression is a frequent event in a number of human cancers. These observations have led to the suggestion that cyclin D1 alterations might play a role in the etiology of cancer. This possibility is supported by the finding that transfection of mammalian cells with cyclin D1 can accelerate progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, cyclin D1 can function as an oncogene by cooperating with activated Ha-ras to transform primary rat embryo fibroblasts (REFs). In addition, cyclin D1 transgenics develop hyperplasia and neoplasia of the thymus and mammary gland. We have constructed a novel fusion gene consisting of full-length human cyclin D1 and cdk4 genes. This fusion gene was expressed in insect cells and the fusion protein was shown to be enzymatically active. The fusion gene was expressed in mammalian cells under the control of tet-repressor. This fusion gene immortalized primary REFs, and cooperated with activated Ha-ras to transform primary REFs, in terms of anchorage-independent growth in vitro and formation of tumors in vivo. Utilizing a tet-regulated gene expression system, we have shown that proliferation of stably transfected primary REFs in vitro and in vivo is dependent on the continued expression of the cyclin D1-cdk4 fusion gene. These cell lines could be useful in the discovery of novel cancer therapeutics to modulate cyclin D1.cdk4 activity.

Parallel phase I studies of daunorubicin given with cytarabine and etoposide with or without the multidrug resistance modulator PSC-833 in previously untreated patients 60 years of age or older with acute myeloid leukemia: results of cancer and leukemia group B study 9420.

PURPOSE: The Cancer and Leukemia Group B conducted parallel phase I trials of cytarabine, daunorubicin, and etoposide (ADE) with or without PSC-833 (P), a modulator of p-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred ten newly diagnosed patients > or = 60 years of age with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were treated. All patients received cytarabine by continuous infusion for 7 days at 100 mg/m(2)/d. The starting dose of daunorubicin was 30 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days. Etoposide was administered at a dose of 100 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days, except in the last cohort administered ADEP, who received 60 mg/m(2). PSC-833 was given intravenously with a loading dose of 1.5 mg/kg over 2 hours and a simultaneous continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg/d continued until 24 hours after the last dose of daunorubicin or etoposide. RESULTS: There was no toxicity attributed to the PSC-833. Dose-limiting toxicity was primarily gastrointestinal (diarrhea, mucositis in the ADEP group). The estimated maximum-tolerated doses, calculated using a logistic regression model, were daunorubicin 40 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days with etoposide 60 mg/m(2) for 3 days in the ADEP group and daunorubicin 60 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days and etoposide 100 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days in the ADE group. Twenty-one (48%) of 44 patients achieved complete remission with ADE, compared with 29 (44%) of 66 patients treated with ADEP. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to decrease the doses of daunorubicin and etoposide when they are administered with PSC-833, presumably because of the effect of the modulator on the pharmacokinetics of these agents. A phase III trial comparing the regimens derived from this phase I trial has recently begun.

SPOT: an improved differential screening protocol that allows the detection of marginally induced mRNAs.

We have developed a differential screening technique, single plate one transfer (SPOT), that allows the easy detection of mRNAs induced only 2-fold to 3-fold or less above background. As a model system, we looked at the induction of mRNA by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in ROS 17/2.8 rat osteosarcoma cells. The basis for this technique is to symmetrically spot in quadruplicate, on a single plate, a large number of potentially positive plaques obtained from a primary, conventional screen. We then do only one transfer from this plate in order that there will be minimal variability in DNA transfer. This filter is cut into symmetrical strips so that all clones are multiply represented on each strip. These strips are then hybridized with different probes. Since each strip contains an approximately identical amount of DNA per plaque, it is possible to accurately detect mRNAs that are induced only slightly above background. Additionally, the large sizes of the DNA plaques, as well as spotting each clone serially, contribute to the sensitivity of the technique.

Isolation of DNAs that selectively bind a baculovirus produced mutant p53 (Ala 143) protein but not an RRL or WGL produced mutant p53 protein.

A PCR-based technique was used to generate a large pool of random sequence double-stranded DNAs. Four DNA sequences that selectively bound in vitro to a mutant p53 143A protein, synthesized in baculovirus infected cells, were characterized. The four DNA sequences all approximated the known consensus sequence for wild-type p53. Wild-type p53 also bound the four DNA sequences. Two other mutant p53 proteins (His 175 or Trp 248) did not bind. The ability of mutant p53 143A protein to bind to DNA is totally dependent on the irt vitro system used to synthesize the p53 protein. Rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) or wheat germ lysate (WGL) produced mutant p53 143A is unable to bind to DNA but does bind to a known protein partner, hdm2, thus these activities can be uncoupled.

Parenchymal and vascular strips from bovine lung respond differently to vasodilators.

Strips of bovine intrapulmonary artery (IPA), intrapulmonary vein (IPV), trachealis muscle and parenchyma were mounted for recording of isometric tension and responses to several vascular smooth muscle relaxants were measured and compared. Although nitroglycerin (GTN) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced concentration-related (10(-11) to 10(-5)) relaxation (up to 80-100%) in IPA, IPV and trachealis muscle, 10(-5) M GTN or SNP induced only 4-5% relaxation in parenchyma. In contrast, all four tissues relaxed well in response to isoproterenol (10(-11) to 10(-5) M), forskolin (10(-5) M), 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (10(-4) M) and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (10(-5) M). When compared to IPA, IPV and trachealis muscle, the marked hyporesponsiveness of parenchyma to GTN and SNP suggests that the contractile cells which are primarily responsible for potassium-induced tone in bovine parenchymal strips differ markedly from smooth muscle cells in trachealis muscle and large, central IPA and IPV in their responsiveness to the vasodilators, GTN and SNP.

Dissociation of cysteine and glutathione levels from nitroglycerin-induced relaxation.

The present study investigated possible involvement of cysteine (CSH) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as critical cellular sulfhydryls which mediate nitroglycerin (GTN)-induced cyclic GMP accumulation and relaxation in bovine coronary artery (BCA). Tolerance to the relaxant effects of GTN was induced in BCA in vitro by preincubation with 1 mM GTN for 2 h. GTN-tolerant BCA were at least 100-fold less sensitive than non-tolerant BCA to the relaxant effects of GTN. Consistent with a relationship between tolerance to both GTN-induced cyclic GMP accumulation and relaxation, cyclic GMP accumulation induced by 1 microM GTN was markedly reduced in GTN-tolerant BCA when compared with non-tolerant BCA. Incubation with 1 mM CSH for 1 h did not significantly alter GTN-induced cyclic GMP accumulation or relaxation in either GTN-tolerant or non-tolerant BCA. Levels of CSH, GSH and glutathione-disulfide (GSSG) were measured in non-tolerant BCA, GTN-tolerant BCA and GTN-tolerant BCA incubated with 1 mM CSH for 1 h. Levels of CSH and GSH were lower in GTN-tolerant BCA than in non-tolerant BCA, whereas GSSG levels were similar in both. In GTN-tolerant BCA incubated with 1 mM CSH, CSH levels were more than 10-fold above, and GSH levels were similar to corresponding values obtained in non-tolerant BCA. These data indicate that although incubation with CSH did not significantly reverse tolerance to GTN-induced cyclic GMP accumulation and relaxation in BCA, it did effectively raise the level of CSH and GSH in GTN-tolerant BCA, at least to corresponding levels found in non-tolerant BCA. These results indicate that the relaxant effects of GTN in BCA do not correlate with tissue levels of CSH and GSH. The findings do not support the hypothesis that CSH and GSH are the cellular sulfhydryls involved in mediating GTN-induced guanylate cyclase activation, cyclic GMP accumulation and relaxation in intact BCA.

Bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein.

Bradykinin induced relaxation and cyclic GMP accumulation in both bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein. Both the relaxant responses and the accompanying cyclic GMP accumulations were abolished or markedly reduced by intimal rubbing or pretreatment with the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue. These findings indicate that both bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein exhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to bradykinin, and that the relaxant responses in both vessels are associated with cyclic GMP accumulation.

Potentiation of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced contraction in rat aorta by chlorpheniramine, citalopram and fluoxetine.

This study examined the effects of chlorpheniramine, citalopram and fluoxetine on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contraction and 5-HT uptake in rat thoracic aortic rings in vitro. Chlorpheniramine and citalopram markedly potentiated 5-HT-induced contraction. Potentiation by fluoxetine was less pronounced. Chlorpheniramine (0.01-1 microM) and citalopram (0.1-1 microM) induced concentration-dependent parallel shifts to the left of the 5-HT concentration-response curves. The potentiation by chlorpheniramine was selective as chlorpheniramine (1 microM) did not potentiate phenylephrine-induced contraction. The potentiation did not depend upon the presence of endothelium, and was not related to H1 receptor antagonism as diphenhydramine and pyrilamine (1 microM) did not similarly enhance 5-HT-induced contractions. Whereas cocaine (1-10 microM) similarly potentiated 5-HT-induced contraction, imipramine (1-10 microM) inhibited, rather than enhanced, contraction elicited by 5-HT. In the presence of 10 microM cocaine, maximally effective concentrations of chlorpheniramine (1 microM) or citalopram (100 nM) did not induce any additional potentiation of 5-HT-induced contraction. Cooling (4 degrees C) markedly inhibited uptake of [3H]5-HT in rings with and without endothelium. Although less marked, imipramine (10 microM), cocaine (1 microM), chlorpheniramine (1 microM) and citalopram (100 nM) inhibited [3H]5-HT uptake in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rings. Fluoxetine also inhibited [3H]5-HT uptake, but the inhibition was only statistically significant in endothelium-intact rings. The monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, pargyline (10-100 microM), did not significantly affect 5-HT-induced contraction. The results demonstrate that chlorpheniramine, citalopram and to a lesser extent, fluoxetine potentiate 5-HT-induced contraction in rat aorta in which neuronal 5-HT uptake is negligible. The data are consistent with inhibition of non-neuronal 5-HT uptake as at least one mechanism responsible for potentiation of 5-HT-induced contraction in rat aorta by chlorpheniramine, citalopram and fluoxetine.

Evidence that histamine is involved as a mediator of endothelium-dependent contraction induced by A23187 in bovine intrapulmonary vein.

This study was initiated to test the hypothesis that histamine can act as an endothelium-derived contracting factor in bovine isolated intrapulmonary vein. The effects of calcium ionophore, calcimycin (A23187), on isometric tension were compared in unstimulated rings of intrapulmonary vein with and without endothelium. A23187 (0.1-10 microM) induced concentration-related contraction when endothelium was present. Destruction of endothelium markedly inhibited A23187-induced contraction. Methylene blue, hemoglobin or NG-methyl-L-arginine significantly enhanced A23187-induced contraction only in venous rings with endothelium consistent with attenuation of the contraction by the concomitant release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide) [EDRF(NO)]. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists inhibited, and iproniazid enhanced, contraction elicited by A23187. A23187 induced release of greater amounts of histamine from venous rings with than without endothelium. A23187-induced contraction was not mimicked by the mast cell activator, compound 48/80, and was not inhibited by preexposure to compound 48/80 or in the presence of cromolyn or doxantrazole. A23187-induced contraction was not inhibited by pretreatment with indomethacin, phentolamine, lipoxygenase inhibitors or superoxide dismutase. The results indicate that A23187 induces endothelium-dependent contraction in bovine intrapulmonary vein and support histamine as one major mediator involved. The association of destruction of endothelium with an inhibition of both A23187-induced contraction and histamine release is consistent with the endothelium as a source for histamine which can exert a local vasoconstrictor effect in bovine intrapulmonary vein.

Endothelium-dependent modulation of angiotensin II-induced contraction in blood vessels.

The influence of endothelium on angiotensin II-induced contraction was investigated in rings of rat aorta, bovine coronary artery, bovine intrapulmonary artery and bovine intrapulmonary vein. Destruction of endothelium significantly enhanced angiotensin II-induced contraction in rat aorta and bovine coronary artery, but not in bovine intrapulmonary artery and bovine intrapulmonary vein. Indomethacin (10(-5) M) did not alter angiotensin II-induced contraction in rat aorta or bovine coronary artery. However, hemoglobin (10(-5) M) or methylene blue (10(-5) M) significantly enhanced angiotensin II-induced contraction in rat aorta and bovine coronary artery with, but not without, endothelium. Intimal rubbing did not affect stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis by angiotensin II in rat aorta. The findings demonstrate that angiotensin II-induced contraction in vascular rings can be modulated by endothelium. However, the effect of endothelium apparently depends upon the species and vascular bed from which the vessel is isolated. Results obtained using inhibitors suggest that in rat aorta and bovine coronary artery release of endothelium-derived relaxant factor (EDRF), rather than cyclooxygenase products, is involved in mediating the inhibitory influence of endothelium. Further, similar stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in intimally rubbed and unrubbed rat aorta suggests that EDRF does not modulate angiotensin II-induced contraction in this vessel by inhibiting angiotensin II stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Measuring the social climate of congregate residences for older people: Sheltered Care Environment Scale.

We developed the Sheltered Care Environment Scale (SCES) to provide researchers and practitioners with a practical means of assessing the social climate in congregate residential settings for the elderly. The SCES, a 63-item yes/no questionnaire that can be completed by residents and staff members of a facility, taps their perceptions of seven dimensions of the social environment. These dimensions concern the quality of relationships, the personal growth orientation present in the facility, and maintenance and change of the social system. The SCES discriminates among settings, has moderate to high internal consistency and split-half reliability, and is sensitive to environmental change against a backdrop of relative stability over time. The SCES reflects actual, agreed-on qualities of a setting and is relatively unaffected by characteristics of the respondent. Normative data are available from a national sample of 244 facilities representing the variety of residential settings available to the elderly.

Preferences of older adults and experts for policies and services in group living facilities.

The Policy and Program Information Form-Ideal Form (POLIF-I) was developed to assess preferences of older adults for the policies and services of group living facilities. Compared with older community residents (n = 205), congregate apartment residents (n = 229) prefer facilities that have higher behavioral standards, deemphasize supportive services and formal avenues for resident influence, and emphasize privacy. In contrast to older respondents, experts (n = 44) prefer settings with lower behavioral standards, more supportive services, more resident input, and more privacy. Sociodemographic characteristics (marital status, occupation, education, age, gender) and functional ability are weakly associated with the policy and service preferences of older respondents. The POLIF-I has several applications, including examination of the congruence between residents' preferences and the actual policies and services of group living facilities.

Ownership and quality of care in residential facilities for the elderly.

The quality of care older people receive in a residential facility is related to its ownership. Nonprofit facilities (N = 44) provided a more comfortable physical environment, more cohesive relationships, and more resident control than proprietary settings (N = 44) matched for size and resident functioning. Veterans facilities (N = 44) offered more services and a more diverse staff, but their policies permitted less resident autonomy and their social climates were less cohesive than community facilities of comparable size and resident functioning.

Investigation of organophilic montmorillonite clay inclusion in zearalenone-contaminated diets using the mouse uterine weight bioassay.

Previous studies with low-pH montmorillonite (LPHM) clay exchanged with alkylammonium compounds showed that these organo clays were quite effective in sorbing the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) from aqueous solution. The potential toxicity of these types of clays, in particular hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) LPHM, led to the investigation of the sorption efficacy of clay exchanged with a less toxic primary amine analog, hexadecylamine (HDA). Isothermal analysis studies showed that HDA LPHM was able to bind ZEN, but less effectively than HDTMA LPHM as evidenced by a significantly lower Freundlich K (63,900 vs. 845). The in vivo effectiveness of these two clays to bind ZEN was tested utilizing the mouse uterine weight bioassay. At a dietary inclusion level of 0.25%, the clays did not have a negative impact on overall animal health as measured by final body weight; however, they did not protect the animals from the estrogenic effects induced by 35 mg ZEN/kg in the feed (i.e., the uterine weights were not reduced in comparison to ZEN alone). In fact, the HDTMA LPHM group showed an increase in uterine weight that was more than the ZEN treatment group. When the animals were fed 0.5% clay, both exchanged clays (i.e., HDTMA LPHM and HDA LPHM) resulted in decreased body weight gain. The uterine weights of ZEN-fed animals (either alone or in combination with clays) were not significantly different from each other. In contrast, the uterine:body weight ratio showed a dramatic increase in the groups fed exchanged clay + ZEN compared to ZEN alone. These results suggest that alkylamine groups may assist the transport or uptake of ZEN and result in an enhanced toxicity from contaminated feed. The findings from this study clearly demonstrate the need for careful testing of all mycotoxin-binding agents before their inclusion in the diet.