Recalling the reported toxicity assessment of deoxynivalenol, mitigating strategies and its toxicity mechanisms: Comprehensive review.

Mycotoxins frequently contaminate a variety of food items, posing significant concerns for both food safety and public health. The adverse consequences linked to poisoning from these substances encompass symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, the potential for cancer development, impairments to the immune system, disruptions in neuroendocrine function, genetic damage, and, in severe cases, fatality. The deoxynivalenol (DON) raises significant concerns for both food safety and human health, particularly due to its potential harm to vital organs in the body. It is one of the most prevalent fungal contaminants found in edible items used by humans and animals globally. The presence of harmful mycotoxins, including DON, in food has caused widespread worry. Altered versions of DON have arisen as possible risks to the environment and well-being, as they exhibit a greater propensity to revert back to the original mycotoxins. This can result in the buildup of mycotoxins in both animals and humans, underscoring the pressing requirement for additional investigation into the adverse consequences of these modified mycotoxins. Furthermore, due to the lack of sufficient safety data, accurately evaluating the risk posed by modified mycotoxins remains challenging. Our review study delves into conjugated forms of DON, exploring its structure, toxicity, control strategies, and a novel animal model for assessing its toxicity. Various toxicities, such as acute, sub-acute, chronic, and cellular, are proposed as potential mechanisms contributing to the toxicity of conjugated forms of DON. Additionally, the study offers an overview of DON's toxicity mechanisms and discusses its widespread presence worldwide. A thorough exploration of the health risk evaluation associated with conjugated form of DON is also provided in this discussion.

Pathological effects of feeding aflatoxin-contaminated feed on immune status and reproductive performance of juvenile white leghorn males and its mitigation with ∝-tocopherol and Moringa oleifera.

This study was planned to detect the adverse pathological consequences of aflatoxin B1 in White Leghorn (WLH) layer breeder males. Eight-week-old male layer cockerels were separated into six experimental categories: A group was kept as negative control, offered with normal feed only; group B was fed with 400 ppb amount of aflatoxin, while groups F and D fed with normal feed and supplemented with vitamin E 100 ppm and 1% Moringa oleifera, respectively, whereas groups E and C were fed with 400 ppb aflatoxin containing feed and ameliorated with vitamin E 100 ppm and 1% Moringa oleifera, respectively. This study was continued for 2 months and immunologic disorders and reproductive parameters were observed during the trial. To find out immunological status lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and carbon clear assay were performed by collecting samples from five birds from each group. The whole data was measured by ANOVA test, and group means were compared by DMR test by using M-Stat C software. Regarding the reproductive status, spermatogenesis, blood testosterone level, testes weight, testes histology, sperm motility, and morphology were negatively affected by aflatoxins, but these deviations positively ameliorated by vitamin E and Moringa. Vitamin E and Moringa found advantageous in boosting the immune status of affected bird. All the immunological parameters including antibody titers against sheed red blood cells, lymphoproliferative response to avian tuberculin and phagocytic potential of macrophages were suppressed by AFB1 however in control, Moringa and vitamin E groups these immunological responses were significantly higher.

Therapeutic potential of natural antisense transcripts and various mechanisms involved for clinical applications and disease prevention.

Antisense transcription, a prevalent occurrence in mammalian genomes, gives rise to natural antisense transcripts (NATs) as RNA molecules. These NATs serve as agents of diverse transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, playing crucial roles in various biological processes vital for cell function and immune response. However, when their normal functions are disrupted, they can contribute to human diseases. This comprehensive review aims to establish the molecular foundation linking NATs to the development of disorders like cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and cardiovascular ailments. Additionally, we evaluate the potential of oligonucleotide-based therapies targeting NATs, presenting both their advantages and limitations, while also highlighting the latest advancements in this promising realm of clinical investigation.Abbreviations: NATs- Natural antisense transcripts, PRC1- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1, PRC2- Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, ADARs- Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA, BDNF-AS- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor antisense transcript, ASOs- Antisense oligonucleotides, SINEUPs- Inverted SINEB2 sequence-mediated upregulating molecules, PTBP1- Polypyrimidine tract binding protein-1, HNRNPK- heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K, MAPT-AS1- microtubule-associated protein tau antisense 1, KCNQ1OT- (KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1, ERK- extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1, USP14- ubiquitin-specific protease 14, EGF- Epidermal growth factor, LSD1- Lysine Specific Demethylase 1, ANRIL- Antisense Noncoding RNA in the INK4 Locus, BWS- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, VEGFA- Vascular Endothelial Growth component A.

Attenuative effects of tamarixetin against polystyrene microplastics-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by regulation of Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway.

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are environmental contaminants due to their potential to induce damages in multiple organs specifically liver. Tamarixetin (TMT) is a naturally occurring flavonoid present in Tamarix ramosissima plant that exhibits multiple pharmacological properties. Therefore, the present research was designed to evaluate the palliative role of TMT against PS-MPs instigated liver dysfunction in rats. The exposure to PS-MPs reduced the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and antioxidant genes, while increasing the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1. PS-MPs exposed rats exhibited considerably (p < .05) higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) contents. Additionally, PS-MPs treatment resulted in a notable decrease in anti-oxidants activity, that is, glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) content, whereas upregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Moreover, PS-MPs intoxication noticeably increased (p < .05) the inflammatory indices (interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß], nuclear factor kappa B [NF-κB], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] levels, and cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] activity). Besides, Caspase-3 and Bax expressions were upregulated and Bcl-2 expression was decreased after PS-MPs exposure. Additionally, the histomorphological examination revealed notable hepatic damage in PS-MPs treated group. However, TMT treatment substantially (p < .05) recovered all the PS-MPs-induced damages and histopathological changes. Taken together, it can be deduced that TMT might be used as a pharmacological agent to ameliorate hepatic damage.

Unraveling the combined deleterious effects of ochratoxin A and atrazine upon broiler's health: Toxicopathological, serum biochemical and immunological perspectives.

Atrazine, a herbicide, is used for eradication of broad-leaved herbs in corn crop; and ochratoxins, particularly ochratoxin A (OTA), are major pollutants of poultry diet. Existence of both of these hazardous chemicals as residues is obvious as elucidated by various epidemiological findings. The present study was designed to investigate toxicopathological, serum biochemical and immunological alterations incurred by atrazine alone and/or, in combination with OTA in broilers. For this purpose, one-day old broiler chicks (n = 180) were purchased from a local hatching unit and were fed two levels of atrazine (50 and 150 mg/kg) and one level of OTA (100 µg/kg) in different combinations. Results of this experiment showed a significant reduction in feed intake, body weight gain, relative organ weights, serum total protein, albumin and globulin while there was a significant increase in urea and creatinine levels, decreased antibody response to sheep red blood cells, reduced lymphoproliferative response and phagocytic capacity in groups given OTA and atrazine individually in feed and these effects became more pronounced when atrazine was given in combination with OTA suggesting synergistic effects of both toxicants for each other.

Evaluation of vincamine against Acetylcholinesterase enzyme.

The current article deals with the in-silico along with enzyme kinetics approach to search for a prominent AChE enzyme inhibitor among the known natural compounds. The computational tools were involved for this purpose and eventual vincamine, a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, was selected based on several parameters, including free energy of binding (-10.77 kcal/mol) and ADME parameter. Computationally, it confirmed the interaction between vincamine and AChE at an indistinguishable locus from that of substrate AChI (-3.94 kcal/mol) but with much higher binding energy. Interestingly, amino acid residues Gly120, Gly121, Gly122, Glu202, Trp86, Tyr133, Ser203, Phe297, and His447 of AChE were found to be common in these interactions. Further, these findings were approved with wet lab tests where detailed kinetics was studied. It was found that vincamine inhibited AChE with the inhibition constant Ki (239 µM). The value of  IC50 (239 µM) and KM (0.598 mM) was determined and further confirmed by Dixon, Lineweaver- Burk reciprocal, Hanes, and Eadie- Hofstee plots, respectively. The mode of interaction of the compound was found to be competitive for AChE. Thus, the present computational and enzyme kinetics studies conclude that vincamine can be a promising inhibitor of AChE for the effective management of AD.

Mitigative Potential of Novel Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 2076 against the Aflatoxins-Associated Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Alterations in Liver and Kidney of Broiler Chicks during the Entire Growth Period.

Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and have severe pathological effects on the health of human and animals. The present study was designed to investigate the toxicopathological changes induced by aflatoxins and mitigative potential of Lactobacillus plantarum in broiler birds. One hundred and eighty broiler chicks at one day of age was procured from the local market, and chicks were equally divided into six groups with thirty birds in each group. These birds were treated with aflatoxins (300 and 600 µg/kg) and Lactobacillus plantarum (1 × 108 cfu/kg of feed) in different combinations. The first group was kept as the control, and only a basal diet was provided to birds (BD). In the second group (AF1), the first level of aflatoxins (300 µg/kg) was fed to the birds. In the third group (AF2), the second level of aflatoxins (600 µg/kg) was fed to birds. In the fourth group (AF1LP), Lactobacillus plantarum was given with first level of aflatoxins. In the fifth group (AF2LP), Lactobacillus plantarum was given with the second level of aflatoxins, and in the 6th group (BDLP), Lactobacillus plantarum alone was fed to the chicks. This experimental study was continued for 42 days. Birds were slaughtered after 42 days, and different parameters were assessed. Parameters studied were gain in body weight, organ weight along with some histopathological, hematological, biochemical parameters and residues of aflatoxins in liver and kidney. Lactobacillus plantarum improved the body weight gain and restored the relative organ weight. Hepatic and renal biomarkers returned to normal concentrations, serum proteins were restored in combination group AF1LP, and partial amelioration was observed in the AF2LP group. Red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin centration and packed cell volume became normalized in the AF1LP group, while partial amelioration was observed in the AF2LP group. LP also reduced the concentration of aflatoxin residues in liver kidney and improved the TAC concentrations. The results of this study elucidated the mitigative potential of Lactobacillus plantarum against serum biochemical, histopathological, hematological and toxicopathological changes induced by aflatoxins in the chicks.

Dietary Intake patterns in women with GDM and Non-GDM: A comparative study.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine dietary Intake patterns in women with GDM and Non-GDM, a comparative study in a tertiary care hospital, Pakistan. Methods: This comparative cross sectional study was conducted through questionnaire spread over a period of six months of pregnant women visiting to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for ante-natal visit having 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. With the written consent of the participants dietary intake patterns were assessed in GDM & Non-GDM subjects by a three day 24 hours' recalls and food frequency questionnaire. A 24-hour dietary recall chart is a dietary assessment tool in which participants were asked to recall all food and drink they have consumed in the last 24 hours. The FFQ (food frequency questionnaire) provide a list of foods and participants were asked how often they eat each item on the list. This FFQ has 70 food items. The food frequency was reported as never, per year, per month, once a week, once and a day. The reported intake of food was converted into nutrients intake (carbohydrate, protein, fat) which was calculated by reported intake frequency of each food multiplied by reported portion size and its respective nutrient composition, summing over all foods by a trained Nutritionist. Results: A total of 75 participants with GDM, and 75 with Non-GDM were enrolled in this study over a period of six months. It was observed that dietary intake patterns have a significant association with GDM. Those who consume carbohydrate mainly containing diet have likely to have GDM. It has been seen that those who have family history of diabetes are more likely to have GDM. Family dietary patterns can affect risk of GDM. Our study has shown that timings of meals did not find have any significant association with GDM. Conclusion: Dietary patterns strongly influence the risk of GDM. The most contributing factors to risk of GDM are higher intake of carbohydrate rich diet and lesser consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through questionnaire for a span of eight months (from 17th July, 2020 till 20th March, 2021) amongst pregnant women visiting Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for ante-natal visit including paramedical staff having 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. With the written consent of participants, the physical activity was assessed by a validated self-reported Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) having 32 questions to determine the duration; frequency, intensity and type of physical activity during pregnancy. Participants were asked to select the physical activity and time spent on it per day during the current gestational period. From the PPAQ, average weekly energy expenditure in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET-h-week) was calculated. Demographic data including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parity, literacy and working status were recorded. Results: A Total of 229 participants of different ethnicities were enrolled. House hold and care giving type of activities of moderate to light intensity were commonly practiced by our pregnant women. Whereas multi gravida were involved in light physical activities. The Punjabi and Baluchi women mostly took occupational type of physical activities. Working women were physically more active than household women. Around 186 (80%) of the participants had no idea that they should take antenatal exercises during pregnancy. Conclusion: The study concluded that house hold and care giving type activities with moderate to light intensity were commonly carried by pregnant women. Majority of them had no knowledge of antenatal exercise.

Medicinal Plants as an Alternative to Control Poultry Parasitic Diseases.

Parasitic infections are a major public health concern affecting millions of people universally. This review elaborates on the potential impacts of plants and their bioactive components that have been widely used in the cure of several parasitic infections of poultry. The medicinal importance of natural herbs depends upon their bioactive ingredients, which are originated from crude plants, consequently leading to the specific action on the body. Due to the limited availability of effective drugs and high cost, the development of drug resistance in several harmful parasites and microbes leads to huge economic losses in the poultry industry. This will impose the development of innovative sources for drugs to overwhelm the therapeutic failure. Moreover, the environment-friendly feed additives which can be applied as a substitute to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) for broilers were proven. The application of natural products with therapeutic characteristics is an ancient practice that is appropriately gaining more acceptance. Globally, it is assessed that some 20,000 species of higher plants are used medicinally, although traditional medicine has a scarcity of knowledge on its efficiency and wellbeing. This review explores the usage of medicinal herbs for parasitic infections, emphasizing the recent knowledge available while detecting the research gaps which may be explored to find the usage of herbal medicines for parasitic infections in poultry. In conclusion, herbal medicines are the effective source of prime components for drug detection and the formation of phytopharmaceuticals in the control of devastating parasitic infections. There is a prerequisite to applying the traditional medicine information in clinical applications via value addition.

Aflatoxins associated oxidative stress and immunological alterations are mitigated by dietary supplementation of Pichia kudriavzevii in broiler chicks.

Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites of certain toxigenic fungi which pose severe health stress in humans, animals and poultry. Certain biological agents and components are used to adsorb mycotoxins in poultry industry which provide promising results in this regard. Pichia kudriazevii (PK), a novel yeast, has the ability to enhance the immune status of poultry chicks. The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative potential of PK against aflatoxins associated immunosuppression and oxidative stress in broiler chicks. 180-one day old broiler chicks were equally divided into six groups and given different combinations of aflatoxins (300 and 600 µg/kg) and PK (1 g/kg). Parameters studied were antibody response to sheep red blood cells, lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P; phagocytic response by carbon clearance assay system, total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status of chicks. Results of this experiment confirmed the immunomodulation and antioxidant capacity of PK against 300 µg/kg aflatoxin level. However such amelioration was partial when PK was used with 600 µg/kg aflatoxins. Moreover, the exact ratio of aflatoxin: PK to cause such amelioration still needs to be investigated.

Frequency of pregnant women who accept HIV screening using rapid detection test and factors associated with acceptance.

To assess the frequency of pregnant women who accept HIV screening using rapid detection test and factors associated with acceptance we undertook a cross-sectional study conducted from July to December 2018. Women aged 20-45 years, who were pregnant and planned to deliver at the facility, were included. Women were counseled and offered about Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening. A total of 718 women were included in the study. The screening was accepted by 32.3% of women. Six women tested positive in the study giving a seroprevalence of 0.8% in the population studied. Acceptance of counseling and screening varied significantly with age range, educational status, socioeconomic status, and employment status. Women aged 30 years and above (p = 0.023) and women with higher education (p < 0.001) were more likely to refuse counselling. Similarly, employed women (p = 0.041) and women of higher socioeconomic class (p = 0.039) refused counselling. However, when logistic regression was conducted, only educational status (p < 0.001) and occupational status (p = 0.039) were significantly associated with acceptance of counseling and screening. The acceptance of counselling and testing for HIV in antenatal care attendees was low. Women of higher educational status and having some employment refused counselling and testing more commonly.

Approaches for prevention and environmental management of novel COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized a novel coronavirus as the causative agent of a new form of pneumonia. It was subsequently named COVID-19 and reported as the source of a respiratory disease occurrence starting in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It has been affirmed a public health emergency of international significance by the World Health Organization. It is regarded as a subset of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); COVID-19 is triggered by a betacoronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which affects the lower respiratory tract and occurs in humans as pneumonia. A variety of drugs, such as remdesivir and favipiravir, are currently undergoing clinical trials to evaluate for the management of COVID-19. The effect of the pandemic as well as the epidemic that follows through the life cycles of various recycled plastic is evaluated, particularly those required for personal safety and health care. In response to the growth in COVID-19 cases worldwide, the energy and environmental impacts of these lifecycle management have risen rapidly. However, significant hazardous waste management concerns arise due to the need to assure the elimination of residual pathogens in household and medical wastes. This review article summarizes the preventive and environmental management of COVID-19.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), protein aggregation and their cross talk: new insight in tumorigenesis.

Protein glycation and protein aggregation are two distinct phenomena being observed in cancer cells as factors promoting cancer cell viability. Protein aggregation is an abnormal interaction between proteins caused as a result of structural changes in them after any mutation or environmental assault. Protein aggregation is usually associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but of late, research findings have shown its association with the development of different cancers like lung, breast and ovarian cancer. On the contrary, protein glycation is a cascade of irreversible nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugar with the amino group of the protein resulting in the modification of protein structure and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs are reported to obstruct the normal function of proteins. Lately, it has been reported that protein aggregation occurs as a result of AGEs. This aggregation of protein promotes the transformation of healthy cells to neoplasia leading to tumorigenesis. In this review, we underline the current knowledge of protein aggregation and glycation along with the cross talk between the two, which may eventually lead to the development of cancer.

An Overview of Menopausal Symptoms Using the Menopause Rating Scale in a Tertiary Care Center.

CONTEXT: Due to increased life expectancy worldwide, women are expected to spend a significant portion of their lives in menopause. Proven prevention strategies against serious risks and tested effective treatments for common symptoms may remain unutilized in our population if these women are not asked about these symptoms. AIM: This study aims to assess the prevalence of different menopausal symptoms and their severity according to menopause rating scale (MRS) in women. SETTING AND DESIGN: The present study was a cross-sectional survey, conducted in the outpatient department of gynecology and obstetrics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After written and informed consent, 121 women having their last menstrual period at least 1 year ago were included. The menopausal symptoms were assessed using the MRS. The primary outcome measure in this study was the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in these women according to MRS and the severity of these symptoms. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using the SPSS software program, version 15.0 (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). RESULTS: The most common symptom was mental and physical exhaustion which was reported by 88 (72%) women, followed by joint and muscular discomfort which was reported by 83 (68.59%). Hot flushes were reported by 54 (44.62%) respondents. Majority of women reported mild-to-moderate symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of menopausal symptoms is high, and a health policy needs to be generated for the region.

Dietary L-carnitine and vitamin-E; a strategy to combat ochratoxin-A induced immunosuppression.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary ochratoxin A (OA), in the presence and absence of L-carnitine (LC) and vitamin E (VE), on the humoral immune responses of White Leghorn cockerels (WLC). One-day old white male Leghorn chicks were divided into 12 groups, having 20 birds each and were offered ration contaminated with OA (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg feed) alone and concurrently with LC (1.0 g/kg) and/or VE (0.2 g/kg), for 42 days. The humoral immune responses were accessed by lymphoproliferative response to avian tuberculin, in-vivo phagosomes activity to carbon particles and antibody response to the sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). The dietary addition of OA alone suppressed the humoral immune responses, however, the exposure of birds to 1.0 mg/kg OA in the presence of LC and/or VE showed a significant reduction in OA induced immunotoxicity. This protective response was absent in the birds fed 2.0 mg/kg OA in the presence and absence of LC and/or VE. Histopathological and morphometric examination of the bursa of Fabricius exhibited a decrease in the severity and frequency of OA induced lesions in the presence of dietary LC and/or VE. The use of LC and VE as dietary supplement, can effectively overcome OA (≤1.0 mg/kg) induced immunosuppression.

ADNCD: a compendious database on anti-diabetic natural compounds focusing on mechanism of action.

Diabetes is a deteriorating metabolic ailment which negatively affects different organs; however, its prime target is insulin secreting pancreatic ß-cells. Although, different medications have been affirmed for diabetes management and numerous drugs are undergoing clinical trials, no significant breakthrough has yet been achieved. Available drugs either show some side effects or provide only short-term alleviation. The rationales behind the failure of current anti-diabetic treatment strategy are association of complex patho-physiologies and participation of various organs. Consequently, there is a critical need to search for multi-effect drugs that might impede various patho-physiological mechanisms related to diabetes. Fortunately, one natural compound could act on several diabetes linked targets. Thus, natural compounds might be regarded as a viable alternative choice to improve the progression as well as side effects of diabetes. Despite the fact that immense literatures are available on natural compounds indicating promising outcomes against diabetes, more systematic studies are still needed to establish them as effective anti-diabetic agents. Till date, we are unable to access all the information regarding modes of action, toxicity risks and physicochemical properties of anti-diabetic natural compounds on one platform. Hence, anti-diabetic natural compounds database (ADNCD) has been created to categorize each anti-diabetic natural compound on the basis of their mode of action and to provide compendious information of their physicochemical properties and toxicity risks. In short, ADNCD has imperative information for the researchers working in the field of diabetes drug development.

Silver nanoparticles from leaf extract of Mentha piperita: Eco-friendly synthesis and effect on acetylcholinesterase activity.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used in various medicinal and commercial products because of their exceptional anti-microbial and anti-odor properties. On the other hand, increased commercialization of AgNPs containing products has led to its release into the environment. Thus, studies are needed to assess their impact on the environment as well as on human body. Several reports have shown that AgNPs could cause some serious neurotoxic effects. Most of these studies have been performed using chemically synthesized AgNPs. In contrast, green nanoparticles are usually considered safer than their chemically synthesized counterparts. Accordingly, in this research work, we have assessed the effect of AgNPs synthesized from aqueous-leaf-extract of Mentha piperita on one of the most important neurological enzymes i.e. acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to predict its neurotoxicity. M. piperita synthesized AgNPs were subjected to characterization by UV-visible-spectrometry, Scanning Electron-Microscopy as well as Transmission Electron-Microscopy. Here, the size of the AgNPs was found to be 35 nm with spherical shape. These AgNPs showed concentration-dependent inhibitory-effect on the AChE enzyme-activity displaying an IC50 of 150 nM. Further, kinetic analysis showed mixed type of inhibition, which means that AgNPs were capable of binding to both the free enzyme (AChE) and to the enzyme-substrate (AChE-acetylcholine) complex. These results suggest that even green synthesized AgNPs might cause neurotoxicity via inhibiting AChE activity. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of neurotoxicity by AgNPs. Nevertheless, we could safely state that the present study provides relevant preliminary information regarding neurotoxicity of green synthesized AgNPs.

Pathological effects of concurrent administration of aflatoxin B1 and fowl adenovirus-4 in broiler chicks.

The current study was designed to investigate pathological effects of fowl adenovirus in broilers exposed to aflatoxin B1. Fowl Adenovirus-4 (FAdV-4) infection is remerging in all types of poultry birds in Pakistan. Poultry feed contamination with mycotoxin (aflatoxin) is another important global issue. A total of 125-day old broiler birds were divided into six equal groups. Group A served as control. B and C groups were administered with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 100 and 200 µg/kg feed. Group D was infected with FAdV-4, while groups E and F administered with both AFB1 (100 & 200 µg/kg) along with FAdV-4. These birds were monitored for clinical signs and mortality. Feed intake, body weight (BW), relative organ weights and gross & histopathological lesions were recorded. The highest mortality was observed in group F (FAdV-4 + AFB1 200 µg/kg feed) and the lowest mortality was observed in group B (AFB1 100 µg/kg feed). Body weights of all the groups were significantly (p < 0.05) lower as compared with control group. Relative weight of liver and kidneys in groups E and F were significantly higher as compared with control. Grossly, liver was swollen, anemic with round margins in groups D, E and F. Kidneys were also swollen with whitish areas indicating dead tissue. Microscopically intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in group D-F. The hepatic parenchyma was also indicating necrotic changes along with vacuolar degeneration. In renal parenchyma, acute tubular necrosis was observed in groups C, E and F. It was concluded that AFB1 intoxication lead to dose dependent changes in liver and kidneys. Severity of the changes was increased in interactive groups of AFB1 with FAdV-4. Therefore, feed should be regularly monitored for AFB1 levels and day old chicks for vertically transmitted FAdV-4 to prevent losses.

Comparative efficacy of Bentonite clay, activated charcoal and Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans in regulating the feed-to-tissue transfer of mycotoxins.

BACKGROUND: Mycotoxins contamination in animal products and by-products is a persistent threat to the food and feed industry. The present study was designed to evaluate the comparative inhibitory effects of Bentonite (BN), activated charcoal (AC) and a newly discovered yeast, Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans (TM), against feed-to-tissue transfer of mycotoxins. RESULTS: A dose dependent increase as determined by HPLC, in the residues of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was exhibited in the groups of birds fed AFB1 and OTA alone. The dietary addition of BN and AC to AFB1-contaminated diets resulted in a 41-87% and 16-72% decrease in AFB1 residues in liver of the birds, respectively. However, this decrease was non-significant with addition of TM as AFB1 binder. A partial to non-significant protection was observed by dietary BN and AC, against OTA residues, while a significant decrease in OTA residues (38-84%) was noted in TM-OTA co-fed groups. CONCLUSION: The order of efficacy in terms of lowering AFB1 residues in the liver was BN > AC > TM, while against OTA it was TM > BN > AC. The findings of present study suggest that, based upon the nature of target mycotoxins, a mixture of multi-mycotoxins binders/detoxifiers should be incorporated in the animal feeds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.