Effects of deoxynivalenol contaminated diets on productive, morphological and physiological indicators in broiler chickens

The present study with 1-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) was conducted to evaluate the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) at different levels (5 and 15 mg/kg feed) on growth performance, relative weight of organs, morphology of the small intestine, serum biochemistry, and welfare parameters of broiler chickens. Forty-five broiler chicks were randomly divided into three different experimental groups with five replicates each: (1) control group received a non-contaminated diet, (2) contaminated diet with 5 mg DON/kg of feed, and (3) contaminated diet with 15 mg DON/kg of feed for 42 days. Results showed that feed artificially contaminated with DON at guidance level (5 mg/kg diet) did not affect growth performance parameters. However, 15 mg/kg reduced body weight gain and altered feed efficiency. DON at two assayed levels significantly increased the absolute and relative weight of thymus and the relative weight of gizzard and decreased the absolute and the relative weight of the colon. Compared to controls, both doses affected small intestine morphometry parameters. In terms of biochemical indicators, DON at 5 mg/kg reduced the creatine kinase level and at 15 mg/kg DON reduced the cholesterol level. Furthermore, DON at 15 mg/kg induced more fear in broilers compared to broilers fed the guidance level. It was concluded that even the guidance level of DON did not affect the chickens' performance. However, its toxic effect occurred in some organs and biochemical parameters.This research was funded by Phileo by Lesaffre Company

Effects of deoxynivalenol-contaminated diets on metabolic and immunological parameters in broiler chickens

The current study was conducted to examine the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) at different levels (5 and 15 mg/kg feed) on the metabolism, immune response and welfare parameters of male broiler chickens (Ross 308) at 42 days old. Forty-five 1 day-old broiler chickens were randomly distributed into three different dietary treatments: (1) control, (2) DON-contaminated diet with 5 mg DON/kg of feed (guidance level), and (3) DON-contaminated diet with 15 mg DON/kg of feed. Five replicated cages with three birds each were used for each treatment in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that DON was detected in excreta of birds fed contaminated diets compared with controls. The metabolite DON-3 sulphate (DON-3S) was detected in plasma and excreta in both treated groups, as well as in the liver (but only at 15 mg/kg feed). The increase in the level of DON decreased the hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), whereas the erythrocyte counts were only decreased at 15 mg DON/kg feed. No effect of DON on the responses to common vaccines was observed. In plasma, interleukin 8 levels in both contaminated groups were significantly higher than in the control group. The expression of interleukin 6, interleukin 1β and interferon-γ increased in jejunum tissues of broilers fed 5 mg/kg of DON compared with controls. The stress index (heterophil to lymphocyte ratio) was not affected by DON-contaminated diets compared with controls. The plasma corticosterone level was significantly lower in both DON groups compared with controls. In conclusion, DON-3S could be used as a specific biomarker of DON in different biological matrices, while the immune response in broiler chickens is stimulated by the presence of DON at the guidance level, but no adverse effect was observed on physiological stress parameters.This research was funded by the Phileo by Lesaffre Company

Biomarkers of deoxynivalenol toxicity in chickens with special emphasis on metabolic and welfare parameters

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, is the most widespread mycotoxin in poultry feed worldwide. Long term‐exposure from low to moderate DON concentrations can produce alteration in growth performance and impairment of the health status of birds. To evaluate the efficacy of mycotoxin‐detoxifying agent alleviating the toxic effects of DON, the most relevant biomarkers of toxicity of DON in chickens should be firstly determined. The specific biomarker of exposure of DON in chickens is DON‐3 sulphate found in different biological matrices (plasma and excreta). Regarding the nonspecific biomarkers called also biomarkers of effect, the most relevant ones are the impairment of the productive parameters, the intestinal morphology (reduction of villus height) and the enlargement of the gizzard. Moreover, the biomarkers of effect related to physiology (decrease of blood proteins, triglycerides, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, and lymphocytes and the increase of alanine transaminase (ALT)), immunity (response to common vaccines and release of some proinflammatory cytokines) and welfare status of the birds (such as the increase of Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the stress index), has been reported. This review highlights the available information regarding both types of biomarkers of DON toxicity in chickens.This research was funded by PHILEO BY LESAFFRE

Novel intragenic deletion within the FXN gene in a patient with typical phenotype of Friedreich ataxia: may be more prevalent than we think?

Background Friedreich ataxia is the most common inherited ataxia in Europe and is mainly caused by biallelic pathogenic expansions of the GAA trinucleotide repeat in intron 1 of the FXN gene that lead to a decrease in frataxin protein levels. Rarely, affected individuals carry either a large intragenic deletion or whole-gene deletion of FXN on one allele and a full-penetrance expanded GAA repeat on the other allele.Case presentation We report here a patient that presented the typical clinical features of FRDA and genetic analysis of FXN intron 1 led to the assumption that the patient carried the common biallelic expansion. Subsequently, parental sample testing led to the identification of a novel intragenic deletion involving the 5'UTR upstream region and exons 1 and 2 of the FXN gene by MLPA.Conclusions With this case, we want to raise awareness about the potentially higher prevalence of intragenic deletions and underline the essential role of parental sample testing in providing accurate genetic counselling

Factors related to caregivers’ risk perception of secondhand smoke exposure on children’s health

Introduction: Home is one of the main places for children's secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. The implementation of smoke-free rules at home might be influenced by caregivers' risk perception of SHS exposure. This study aimed to analyze factors related to caregivers' risk perception of SHS exposure in children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey among a representative sample of 2411 parents or legal guardians of children aged <12 years in Spain in 2016. The main study variable was caregivers' healthrisk perception of SHS exposure on children. We investigated correlates of risk perception using multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance. Results: Overall, 59.6% reported SHS exposure negatively affects children's health a lot, while 34.1% that it affects quite a bit, and 5.5% and 0.8% a little bit or not at all, respectively. The factors associated with a higher caregivers' risk perception were high education level (adjusted prevalence ratio, APR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.01-1.24), living in a non-smoking family unit (APR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.07-1.27), in a home with smoke-free rules (APR=1.34; 95% CI: 1.19-1.51), and with girls only (APR=1.14; 95% CI: 1.06-1.22). Conclusions: Caregivers' risk perception of SHS exposure is influenced by social determinants and smoking habits in family units. These findings support the need for interventions with a social equity perspective to reduce children's SHS exposure

Polystyrene nanoplastics target lysosomes interfering with lipid metabolism through the PPAR system and affecting macrophage functionalization

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABNanoplastics (NPs) are currently a main concern for environmental, animal and human health due to their potential to accumulate in different environmental compartments and provoke effects in living organisms. Nevertheless, neither these effects nor the interaction of NPs with the cellular machinery are well characterized, and only scattered information is available. In the present work, we focused on the interaction between NPs and fish cells, both intestinal cells and macrophages, in order to understand which cell organelles are targeted by polystyrene (PS)-NPs and how this could impact cell function. PS-NPs can pass through phospholipid membranes, entering cells via endocytosis, phagocytosis or passive transport. Once internalized, we found that PS-NPs co-localize with lysosomes but not with mitochondria. Moreover, using two types of fluorescent probe (HDCFDA and DHE) we demonstrated that NPs did not trigger the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was corroborated by the fact that neither the oxidative consumption ratio (OCR) nor the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in mitochondrial respiration were altered. RNASeq data revealed clear interference by PS-NPs with lipid metabolism, peroxisomes and PPAR signaling. The M1/M2 balance critically determines tissue homeostasis when exposed to exogenous agents such as microorganisms or pollutants. Thus, the expression of different genes (il1β, tnfα, il6, il10, il12, cox2, mmp9, ppar a, b and g) was further assessed to characterize the macrophage phenotype M1 or M2, induced by PS-NPs. Overall, in this study we demonstrate that PS-NPs co-localize within lysosomes, both in macrophages and in intestinal cells of rainbow trout, but do not trigger ROS production nor alter mitochondrial respiration. In macrophages, PS-NPs modulate polarization towards the M2-like phenotype

Deciphering complexity: TULP1 variants linked to an atypical retinal dystrophy phenotype

Introduction: TULP1 exemplifies the remarkable clinical and genetic heterogeneity observed in inherited retinal dystrophies. Our research describes the clinical and molecular characteristics of a patient manifesting an atypical retinal dystrophy pattern, marked by the identification of both a previously unreported and a rarely encountered TULP1 variant. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify potential causative variants. The pathogenicity of the identified TULP1 variants was evaluated through in silico predictors and a minigene splice assay, specifically designed to assess the effect of the unreported TULP1 variant. Results: We identified two TULP1 gene variants in a patient exhibiting unusual and symmetrical alterations in both retinas, characterized by an increase in autofluorescence along the distribution of retinal vessels. These variants included a known rare missense variant, c.1376T>C, and a novel splice site variant, c.822G>T. For the latter variant (c.822G>T), we conducted a minigene splice assay that demonstrated the incorporation of a premature stop codon. This finding suggests a likely activation of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay mechanism, ultimately resulting in the absence of protein production from this allele. Segregation analysis confirmed that these variants were in trans. Discussion: Our data support that individuals with biallelic TULP1 variants may present with a unique pattern of macular degeneration and periarteriolar vascular pigmentation. This study highlights the importance of further clinical and molecular characterization of TULP1 variants to elucidate genotype-phenotype correlations in the context of inherited retinal dystrophies

Low levels of CIITA and high levels of SOCS1 predict COVID-19 disease severity in children and adults

It is unclear why COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic to severe. When SARS-CoV-2 is detected, interferon (IFN) response is activated. When it is insufficient or delayed, it might lead to overproduction of cytokines and severe COVID-19. The aim was to compare cytokine and IFN patterns in children and adults with differing severity with SARS-CoV-2.It was a prospective, observational study, including 84 patients. Patients with moderate/severe disease had higher cytokines' values than patients with mild disease (p< 0.001).Two IFN genes were selected to build a decision tree for severity classification: SOCS1 (representative of the rest of the IFN genes) and CIITA (inverse correlation). Low values of CIITA and high values of SOCS1 indicated severe disease. This method correctly classified 33/38(86.8%) of children and 27/34 (79.4%) of adults. To conclude, patients with severe disease had an elevated cytokine pattern, which correlated with the IFN response, with low CIITA and high SOCS1 values.This study was supported by the projects PI18/00223, FI19/00208 and PI21/00211 to LA, integrated in the Plan Nacional de I + D + I and co-financed by the ISCIII– Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria – and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), by Pla Estratègic de Recerca i Innovació en Salut (PERIS), Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya (SLT006/17/00199 to LA), and by CERCA Program/Generalitat de Catalunya. It was also partially funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Banco Santander, and other private donors of ‘‘KidsCorona platform’’ from Hospital Sant Joan de Déu.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Changes in prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in secondhand smoke exposure in Spanish children 2016-2019

Introduction: Children are vulnerable to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, especially those with lower socioeconomic status. This study assesses the changes in prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in SHS exposure in children younger than 12 years old in Spain between 2016 and 2019. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional studies among representative samples of households with children aged 0.05), while decreased in smoke-free rules in cars (p=0.039). Conclusions: Reported SHS exposure among children in Spain remained high between 2016 and 2019. Inequalities persisted at home, highlighting the need for measures to reduce such exposure with an equity perspective