Efficacy and complications in peripherally inserted central catheter insertion: a study using 4-Fr non-valved catheters and a single infusate.

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications associated with the use of 4-Fr single-lumen non-valved peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) for the infusion of long-term antibiotics. Forty-four non-valved PICC were inserted using micropuncture technique by interventional radiologists. Six patients were lost to unrelated death or follow up. The remaining 38 patients (24 men and 14 women; mean age 54.79 years) were analysed. Catheters were placed under ultrasound guidance using micropuncture technique and subsequently advanced over guidewire through peel-away sheath under fluoroscopic guidance. Doppler ultrasound was used before PICC removal in order to detect possible complications. All non-valved PICC were flushed with 5 ml of heparinized saline before and after each antibiotic infusion. Efficacy was evaluated and analysed on the average duration of catheter patency and whether any complication was present. Procedural success rate was 100% in our patient population. Seven patients had complications necessitating early PICC removal with the average patency duration of 44 days (95% confidence interval 7.79-80.21 days), whereas an average indwelling patency duration of the remaining 31 patients with no complication was 30.58 days (95% confidence interval 25.74-35.43 days). Total complication rate was calculated to be 5.58 incidences per 1000 catheter days. Complication rate associated with the placement and use of 4-Fr non-valved PICC for antibiotic therapy was observed to be low when compared with other studies using valved and non-valved PICC for various infusates.

Percutaneous retrieval of a chronic foreign body with both intravascular and extravascular components.

Removal of unwanted intravascular foreign body is a useful but infrequent procedure carried out by interventional radiologists. We study a patient who had a long guidewire left in her body following central venous catheter placement by a surgeon. The guidewire was later found in situ, with both intravascular and extravascular components in continuity. We successfully removed the guidewire without causing any complications. Standard interventional techniques, Amplatz gooseneck snare (Microvena, White Bear Lake, MN, USA) and 6-Fr Multipurpose catheter were used.

Preparation of gold-labeled antibody probe and its use in immunochromatography assay for detection of aflatoxin B1.

Preparation of an antibody-colloidal gold probe (conjugate) specific to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its use in developing a rapid AFB1 diagnostic method was presented in this paper. Monodispersional nanogold colloid was synthesized and preparation of nanogold-labeled polyclonal antibody probe to aflatoxin B1 under friendly and optimal condition. Combination of antibody with nanogold particles was also characterized by UV-visible (UV-vis) light absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence spectroscopy, titers, cross reactivity and stability measurements. Furthermore, nanogold-labeled probe was used to develop an immunochromatographic (IC) method for aflatoxin B1 analysis. With this method, analysis could be completed in less than 10 min. Detection time was reduced 6-10 times comparative with ELISA. With visual observation, lower test limit was found to be around 2.5 ng/ml aflatoxin B1 standard solution, which was increased to two times of ELISA.

Computed tomographic cephalometric analysis of Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Variations of craniofacial and upper airway structures are recognized to contribute to the phenomenon of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Most previous cephalometric studies were performed using erect lateral radiographs in Caucasian patients. The present project aims to determine cephalometric measurements, utilizing CT, in normal Chinese subjects and in Chinese patients with OSA. Computed tomography of 25 patients with OSA (proven using overnight polysomnography), and of 25 age-, sex-, height-, bodyweight- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control subjects were prospectively performed. Thirteen standard bony and soft-tissue measurements were obtained from the CT lateral scout view of the head and neck, taken with each subject in the neutral supine position. The cross-sectional area was calculated at two axial levels (velopharynx and hypopharynx). The measurements in the two groups, OSA and control subjects, were compared. The measurements for hyoid position (P = 0.00), nasal cavity length (P = 0.01), mandibular prognathism (P = 0.05), tongue size (P = 0.02), oropharyngeal airway space (P = 0.02), posterior tongue airway space (P = 0.04) and cross-sectional areas at the level of the velopharynx (P = 0.00) and hypopharynx (P = 0.01) differed significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, CT cephalometric measurements show that certain anatomical variations in the head and neck are likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of OSA in Chinese patients.

Assessing potential health risks from microcystin toxins in blue-green algae dietary supplements.

The presence of blue-green algae (BGA) toxins in surface waters used for drinking water sources and recreation is receiving increasing attention around the world as a public health concern. However, potential risks from exposure to these toxins in contaminated health food products that contain BGA have been largely ignored. BGA products are commonly consumed in the United States, Canada, and Europe for their putative beneficial effects, including increased energy and elevated mood. Many of these products contain Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a BGA that is harvested from Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) in southern Oregon, where the growth of a toxic BGA, Microcystis aeruginosa, is a regular occurrence. M. aeruginosa produces compounds called microcystins, which are potent hepatotoxins and probable tumor promoters. Because M. aeruginosa coexists with A. flos-aquae, it can be collected inadvertently during the harvesting process, resulting in microcystin contamination of BGA products. In fall 1996, the Oregon Health Division learned that UKL was experiencing an extensive M. aeruginosa bloom, and an advisory was issued recommending against water contact. The advisory prompted calls from consumers of BGA products, who expressed concern about possible contamination of these products with microcystins. In response, the Oregon Health Division and the Oregon Department of Agriculture established a regulatory limit of 1 microg/g for microcystins in BGA-containing products and tested BGA products for the presence of microcystins. Microcystins were detected in 85 of 87 samples tested, with 63 samples (72%) containing concentrations > 1 microg/g. HPLC and ELISA tentatively identified microcystin-LR, the most toxic microcystin variant, as the predominant congener.

Development of a polyclonal antibody-based sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for fumonisin B(4).

Polyclonal antibodies (PAb) against fumonisin B(4) (FmB(4)), which have good cross-reactivity with four major fumonisins, were produced by immunizing a rabbit with FmB(4)-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate. A sensitive competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CD-ELISA) for fumonisins was developed. Because of the limited supply of FmB(4), both FmB(1)-horseradish peroxidase conjugate (HRP) and FmB(3)-HRP were tested as the toxin-enzyme markers in the CD-ELISA. In the FmB(1)-HRP-based CD-ELISA, the concentrations of FmB(1), FmB(2), FmB(3), and FmB(4) causing 50% inhibition of binding of enzyme marker (IC(50)) were 9.0, 2.1, 9.0, and 6.5 ng/mL (or the relative cross-reactivities toward FmB(1), FmB(2), FmB(3), and FmB(4) were 58.5, 309.5, 58.5, and 100%), respectively. In the FmB(3)-HRP-based CD-ELISA, the IC(50) values for FmB(1), FmB(2), FmB(3), and FmB(4) were 7.1, 1.9, 7.6, and 5.3 ng/mL (or the relative cross-reactivities toward FmB(1), FmB(2), FmB(3), and FmB(4) were 74, 280, 70, and 100%), respectively. The FmB(3)-HRP-based CD-ELISA was then used in a series of analytical recovery experiments using Fusarium moniliforme corn culture material spiked with FmB(1) and with clean corn spiked with a FmB(3)/FmB(4)-containing extract. The overall recovery of FmB(1) from culture material in the range of 10-100 ppm was 65%. The detection limit for FmB(1) with clean corn as matrix was between 100 and 500 ppb. F. moniliforme cultures were analyzed with the developed CD-ELISA and a well-established FmB(1) antibody-based ELISA, which is not sensitive to FmB(4). Differences in the fumonisin levels found by the two assays were used as an indication of the presence of FmB(4) in the culture material and, therefore, as a method to identify FmB(4)-producing strains. Using ELISA in combination with HPLC individual B-series fumonisins were quantified. The ELISA developed in the present study would be a useful supplement to FmB(1) antibody-based ELISA for screening of Fusarium strains for the production of major fumonisins.

Monitoring of microcystin-protein phosphatase adduct formation with immunochemical methods.

Using anti-microcystin-LR monoclonal antibodies, an immunoblotting procedure was developed to monitor the formation of microcystin-protein phosphatase adducts in vitro and in vivo. The detection limits for the covalent binding of MCYST-LR with the recombinant protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and rabbit liver cytosol proteins were found to be 0.1 ng and 0.3 ng per assay, respectively. MCYST-PP1 adducts were detected 30 s after the addition of MCYST-LR into the reaction mixture. Reduction of the methyldehydroalanine (Mdha) residue of MCYST-LR with ethanethiol totally abolished the covalent binding of the toxin to PP1, but retained its inhibitory toxicity on PP1. Immunoblotting analyses and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay showed that between 5 min to 16 h after i.p. injection of single dose (35 microg/kg) of MCYST-LR into mice, approximately 0-27% of the injected toxin was found covalently bound while 0.2-9.2% existed as free form in liver cytosol.

Production and characterization of a monoclonal anti-anti-idiotype antibody against fumonisin B(1).

A monoclonal anti-anti-idiotype antibody (mAb3) against fumonisin B(1) (FmB1) was produced from the hybridoma cell line 7C7F4, which was generated by the fusion of P3/NS-1/1-AG4-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from a Balb/c mouse that had been immunized with the Fab fragments of affinity-purified anti-idiotype antibodies. The mAb3 belongs to the immunoglobulin M, kappa light chain. A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) and an indirect competitive ELISA (idc-ELISA) were established for antibody characterization and toxin analysis. In an idc-ELISA using FmB1-ovalbumin (OVA) as the coating antigen, the concentrations causing 50% inhibition of binding (IC(50)) of mAb3 to the solid-phase FmB1-OVA by free FmB1, FmB2, and FmB3 were found to be 75, 95, and 450 ng/mL, respectively. In the dc-ELISA, the concentration causing IC(50) of FmB1-horseradish peroxidase to the solid-phase mAb3 by free FmB1 was found to be 233 ng/mL. Analysis of 12 samples naturally contaminated with fumonisins with mAb3-based idc-ELISA and polyclonal-based dc-ELISA showed a good correlation between these two methods with a correlation coefficient of 0.76 at p < 0.02. The linear regression slope was found to be y[polyclonal ELISA] = 0.87x[mAb3 ELISA] - 52 ppb.

Purification and characterization of 40-kDa sterigmatocystin O-methyltransferase involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis.

Sterigmatocystin-O-methyltransferase (ST-OMTase), an enzyme catalyzing O-methylation of sterigmatocystin with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by immunoaffinity chromatography. A novel spectrofluorometric method was established to quantitatively determine the enzymatic activity of ST-OMTase. The purified protein, with a molecular weight of 40 kDa by SDS-PAGE, was sensitive to thiol reagents and low concentrations of heavy metal ions. Using a nutritional shift assay, the expression patterns for ST-OMTase and the transcripts of its corresponding gene, omtA, correlated well with that for aflatoxin B(1) formation. Neither methyltransferase activity nor omtA, mRNA was detected in the fungal cultures of nonaflatoxigenic isolates, including A. flavus, A. sojae, A. nidulans and A. versicolor under optimal growing conditions for aflatoxin B(1) production.

The effect of cyclopiazonic acid on the development of pale, soft, and exudative pork from pigs of defined malignant hyperthermia genotype.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) and the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) are each associated with abnormal calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscle, a key underlying factor in the development of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) pork. To determine whether the natural presence of CPA in livestock feed ingredients contributes to the varying incidence of PSE in the pork industry, various levels of CPA (.1 to 50 mg/kg of diet) were included in the diets of market weight hogs (n = 52) of defined malignant hyperthermia genotype (NN = normal, Nn = a MH carrier, and nn = MH-positive). Animals with two copies of the MH mutation (nn) displayed improved live animal performance compared with NN and Nn animals (increased feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency) but yielded lower quality loin chops as indicated by lower 45-min pH (P<.01), higher Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L* color coordinate values (P<.05), and higher drip losses (P<.01). The effects of CPA varied. In the first feeding trial, conducted under normal outside temperatures (2 degrees C), CPA had no effect (P> .2) on either live animal performance or meat quality. During the second trial, conducted under extreme outside temperatures (-18 degrees C), CPA-dependent reductions (P<.05) in feed intake, average daily gain, and 45-min pH in nn hogs support the possibility of interactions between malignant hyperthermia and dietary CPA on skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis and the development of PSE pork. These results suggest that this interaction may require stressful environmental conditions or the ingestion of CPA doses much higher than occur under natural conditions.

Analysis and pharmacokinetics of cyclopiazonic acid in market weight pigs.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was determined in market weight pigs using a competitive indirect ELISA developed for the determination of the mycotoxin in various biological matrices. Sample preparation for corn and skeletal muscle was achieved with a single extraction and recoveries of 53+/-6% over the effective range of the standard curve. The detection limit of CPA was 1 ppb in plasma, which required no extraction, and 20 ppb in corn and skeletal muscle with average intra- and interassay CV of 11 and 23%, respectively. Levels of CPA contamination in corn grown and stored in Michigan were unremarkable compared with published toxicity thresholds; the highest level of CPA found in any sample was 47 ppb. In pigs given a 20-mg i.v. bolus, CPA distributed rapidly among three compartments, with an overall volume of distribution (49 L) nearly equivalent to total body water. Cyclopiazonic acid was eliminated with a half-life of 24 h. Estimates of these pharmacokinetic parameters were supported by the achievement of steady-state plasma CPA levels within 6 d in pigs consuming a diet containing 10 ppm CPA, and by measured concentrations of CPA in plasma (410+/-44 ng/mL) and skeletal muscle (469+/-86 ng/ g). From these and other data, we concluded that the threat of CPA toxicity to livestock from consumption of cereal grains or to humans from consumption of animal products is minimal.

Immunoaffinity column as cleanup tool for a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of cyclopiazonic acid in corn, peanuts, and mixed feed.

An immunoaffinity column (IAC) for cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was prepared by coupling a CPA-specific monoclonal antibody to CNBr-activated sepharose 4B. A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) was used to study the chromatographic behavior of a 0.2 mL gel column with a binding capacity of 4 micrograms CPA/column as well as to evaluate its efficacy as a cleanup tool for analysis of naturally occurring CPA. Sample extract either in buffer solution or in a solution containing up to 35% methanol could be loaded onto the column. After the column is washed with 5 mL deionized water and 5 mL 50% methanol, CPA could be quantitatively eluted with 2 mL 100% methanol. The column could be regenerated at least 10 times by washing with 10 mL equilibrating buffer and then storing in a cold room overnight before reuse. Recoveries of CPA added to corn, peanut, and mixed feed extracts in the range 10-200 ng/g were 88-105, 86-100, and 90-110%, respectively. Detection limits were 2.0, 4.4, and 4.7 ng/g for corn, mixed feed, and peanuts, respectively. Twenty-two peanut samples naturally contaminated with CPA were subjected to both IAC and solvent partition cleanup followed by dc-ELISA. Although a good correlation between data obtained from IAC-dc-ELISA and from SP-dc-ELISA (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001) was obtained, the slope of the linear regression was low (0.67), indicating loss during solvent partition cleanup. The overall data showed that the combination of IAC and dc-ELISA is an effective method for CPA analysis.

Regulation of aflR and its product, AflR, associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis.

We studied the role of the regulatory gene aflR and its product, AflR, in the biosynthesis of aflatoxin in Aspergillus. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses revealed that aflatoxin B1 accumulation was directly related to AflR expression and was regulated by various environmental and nutritional conditions, including temperature, air supply, carbon source, nitrogen source, and zinc availability. Expression of an aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway structural gene, omtA, was regulated by the presence of AflR. Induction patterns for aflR mRNA and AflR were correlated with that for omtA mRNA in an aflatoxin-producing strain of Aspergillus parasiticus. Analysis of non-aflatoxin-producing strains of A. flavus, A. sojae, and A. oryzae grown in medium suitable for aflatoxin B1 production showed that both aflR mRNA and AflR production were present; however, omtA mRNA production was not detected in any of these examined strains. AflR in the A. oryzae strain was regulated by carbon source and temperature in a manner similar to that seen with A. parasiticus.

Prolonged sublethal exposure to the protein phosphatase inhibitor microcystin-LR results in multiple dose-dependent hepatotoxic effects.

The purpose of this study was to relate dose-dependent hepatotoxicity stemming from prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations of the cyclic heptapeptide microcystin-LR (Mcyst) to hepatic Mcyst concentrations and protein phosphatase activity. Mcyst is a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase types 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A). Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused continuously with 0, 3, 6, or 9 micrograms Mcyst/day for 28 days using intraperitoneal mini-osmotic pumps containing highly purified toxin or saline. At the end of 28 days, dose-dependent increases in several serum biochemical tests including sorbitol dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bile acids had occurred. Serum albumin decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. Liver activity of both PP1 and PP2A decreased in a dose-dependent manner, but with a relatively greater effect on PP2A than PP1. Liver cytosol Mcyst concentrations, measured by direct competitive ELISA, also increased in a dose-dependent manner, although at a higher rate than would be predicted from the incremental increase in dose given. This disproportional increase is suggestive of the bioaccumulation of Mcyst with increasing dose. Histopathological abnormalities included hepatocellular apoptosis and cytosolic vacuolation of principally zone 3 hepatocytes. Immunohistochemical stains revealed Mcyst predominantly within pericanalicular regions of zone 3 hepatocytes. It was concluded that prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations of Mcyst results in multiple dose-dependent hepatotoxic effects that correspond to decreased hepatic serine/threonine protein phosphatase activity and increasing cytosolic Mcyst concentrations. The disproportional increase of hepatic Mcyst concentrations observed may suggest the bioaccumulation of toxin and an increasing relative risk of hepatotoxicity with increasing dose.

Analysis of fumonisins and Alternaria alternata toxin by liquid chromatography-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Use of a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a postcolumn monitoring system after liquid chromatography (LC) is described for analysis of different fumonisin analogs. Without cleanup and derivatization, sample extracts are directly injected into a C18 reversed-phase column and then subjected to LC. Fractions (0.5 mL each) are collected and then analyzed by ELISA. LC using a water-methanol gradient separated the 3 major fumonisins FmB1, FmB2, and FmB3, and as low as 0.1 ng FmB1 could be detected. Recovery of FmB1 added to ground corn (100-1000 ng/g) and then extracted with CH3CN-H2O (1 + 1, v/v) was 78.8%. Analysis of fumonisins in one starch and 14 naturally contaminated corn samples showed that FmB1 was the major fumonisin. Ten samples also were contaminated with FmB2, but only 2 samples were contaminated with FmB3. The method also was used to analyze extracts from cultures of 3 Alternaria alternata (AAL) strains. Both FmB1 and the AAL toxin TA were detected in the culture extracts, and their amounts varied considerably with the cultures tested.

Case study of bovine dermatitis caused by oat straw infected with Fusarium sporotrichioides.

A dermatitis characterised by discrete, raised, plaque-like and cracked skin lesions of variable sizes on the udder, the hind quarters, the lips and muzzle of all the cows in a herd was suspected of being caused by the oat straw used in bedding, after initial feed analysis and skin culture were negative for toxins and dermatophytes. Mycological analysis indicated an extensive infestation of the oat straw by Fusarium sporotrichioides, a toxic mould, and an immunochemical assay indicated dermatotoxic trichothecenes in the straw (0.22 microgram/g dried straw). An ethyl acetate extract of the straw induced a necrotic response on shaved rat skin. Ingestion of the toxic bedding straw and inhalation of toxic straw dust probably also caused the internal haemorrhage and lung emphysema observed in the two cows that died. The regression of the dermatitis and the recovery of general herd health after the withdrawal of the oat straw further supported the diagnosis.

Clinics in diagnostic imaging (24). Cervical spine instability in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

A 59-year-old man presented with neck pain and limb numbness. He also had bilateral symmetrical joint deformities of his hands and wrists. Cervical spine radiographs showed C 1/2 instability and features of rheumatoid arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated erosion ofthe odontoid peg by pannus. C 1/2 surgical fusion was performed. The role of imaging in cervical spine involvement by rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed.

Analysis of mechanisms regulating expression of the ver-1 gene, involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis.

Previous studies have shown that ver-1A encodes an enzyme which is directly involved in the conversion of versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin during aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) biosynthesis in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus parasiticus. In this study, two different tools were utilized to study the regulation of ver-1A expression at the level of transcription and protein accumulation. First, a ver-1A cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli with the vector pMAL-c2. The resulting maltose-binding protein-Ver-1A fusion protein was purified and used to generate polyclonal antibodies. Western blot analyses showed that these antibodies specifically recognized the Ver-1 protein (approximately 28 kDa) in cell extracts of Aspergillus parasiticus SU1. Second, a GUS (uidA; encodes beta-glucuronidase) reporter system was developed by fusing the ver-1A promoter and transcription terminator to the GUS gene. Reporter constructs were transformed into A. parasiticus, resulting in a single copy of the ver-1A-GUS reporter integrated adjacent to the wild-type ver-1A gene (3' end) in the chromosome. Western blot analysis, Northern hybridization analysis, and a GUS activity assay were used to analyze transformants. The timing of appearance and pattern of accumulation of GUS transcript and GUS protein in transformants were consistent with the timing of appearance and pattern of accumulation of ver-1 transcript and Ver-1 protein. These data suggested that the GUS gene was under the same regulatory control as the wild-type ver-1 gene and confirmed that transcriptional regulation plays an important role in ver-1A expression. Integration of the ver-1A-GUS reporter construct at the niaD locus resulted in 500-fold-lower GUS activity, but the temporal pattern of accumulation of GUS activity was not affected. Therefore, chromosomal location can play a role in determining the level of gene expression in A. parasiticus and should be an important consideration when analyzing promoter function in this organism.

Natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins in field samples from the 1992 Wisconsin corn crop.

Analysis of 98 moldy corn samples collected in Wisconsin between November 1992 and January 1993 for Fusarium toxins by various immunochemical assays revealed overall average mycotoxin concentrations of 305.6, 237.7, and 904.3 ng/g for type A trichothecenes (TCTCs), deoxynivalenol (DON)-related type B TCTCs (total DON), and zearalenone (ZE), respectively. A small portion (5.1%) of the samples was found to be contaminated with high levels ( > 1 microgram/g) of type A TCTCs and total DON during the whole survey. Over 40% of the samples had 100 to 1,000 ng of total DON per g, while 17% of the samples had the same levels of type A TCTCs. The analytical data were consistent with those from mycological examinations for the samples in which various toxic Fusarium spp., including F. sporotrichioides, F. poae, and F. graminearum, were found. The samples received in November 1992 had relatively low concentrations of toxin; the average levels of type A TCTCs and total DON were 9.9 and 79 ng/g, respectively. The toxin concentrations became progressively higher in the samples received in December. The average levels for the type A TCTCs and total DON increased to 920 and 335 ng/g, respectively. However, the levels of ZE were higher in the samples collected earlier. The average levels for samples collected in November and late December were 1,195 and 242 ng/g, respectively. Analysis of selected samples by high-performance liquid chromatography monitoring with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, and T-2 tetraol (T-2-4ol) were common in these samples. Statistical analysis revealed a weak correlation between the levels of total type A TCTCs and total DON in the samples (r = 0.18, P = 0.09), but a strong correlation between the levels of ZE and total type B TCTCs (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001) was found. The mycotoxin levels of total type A TCTCs, total DON-related type B TCTCs, and ZE in the cobs (5.2, 3.9, and 21 micrograms/g, respectively) were considerably higher than those in the kernels (1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 microgram/g, respectively). The type A toxin levels increased from a range of 14 to 35 ng/g to a range of 110 to 538 ng/g after the moldy corn samples were held at 5 degrees C for 8 days in the laboratory.