Characterization of 27 mycotoxin detoxifiers and the relation with in vitro zearalenone binding

Addition of mycotoxin detoxifiers to feed is a common practice to counteract the deleterious effects of mycotoxins on animal health. Although a variety of this kind of feed additives is available on the market, little is known about their detailed composition and physico-chemical properties. This lack of knowledge might pose some difficulties for researchers and users to compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of these additives. The present study describes the characterization of 27 commercially available mycotoxin detoxifiers collected from various sources in Flanders and The Netherlands. Characterization comprised XRD-profiling of the mineral content, determination of the cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations, acidity, mineral fraction, humidity and swelling volume. The XRD- and mineral fraction data were analysed with principal component analysis and explorative cluster analysis which enabled the identification of three distinct groups: smectite based (n=19), non-smectite based (n=5) and organic based detoxifiers (n=4). In a second experiment, an in vitro zearalenone binding test was conducted using phosphate buffered saline at pH 2.5, 6.5 and 8.0. The zearalenone binding of the smectite based group was related to the physico-chemical properties using a multivariate linear regression model. The binding in the non-smectite based and organic based groups was analysed using a one-way ANOVA. A large variability in binding properties was present, especially in the smectite containing group. Additives with smectite-containing mixed-layered minerals and additives containing humic acids expressed the highest binding which amounted to over 90%. The retained multivariate linear model included exchangeable potassium (p≤0.05), moist content (p≤0.05) and mineral fraction (0.05≤p≤0.1), indicating a statistical relation of these parameters with the in vitro zearalenone binding

Percutaneous closure of mitral paravalvular leaks: Focus on imaging and technique

Symptomatic prosthetic paravalvular leakage is a rare clinical condition occurring in up to 5% of patients after valve surgery. Symptoms include haemolytic anaemia, heart failure or both. Leaks tend to be more common in the mitral compared to the aortic position. Three dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D TOE) is essential prior and during percutaneous leak closure. This imaging technique allows to qualify and quantify the leak and to judge feasibility of a percutaneous approach. It also enables the choice of the most appropriated closure device prior to intervention. During the procedure, 3D TOE guides adequate crossing of the leak and device deployment. It also fi nally allows assessment of the acute procedural result. Percutaneous closure should be considered as the fi rstchoice therapy if closure is judged feasible based on 3D TOE assessment. This procedure is currently performed in a limited number of patients by relatively few operators and is characterised by a long learning curve. Currently, literature data are scarce and reported acute procedural success is roughly around 70 to 80%. Intervention is mostly performed with vascular plugs or ventricular septum defect closure devices. Recently, dedicated implants have been made available. Their role has been limited to hybrid procedures from a transapical retrograde approach