Aflatoxins absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract and in the vaginal mucosa in lactating dairy cows

The objective of the experiment was to monitor plasma levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), G2 (AFG2) and M1 (AFM1) in lactating dairy cows fed a single oral bolus with aflatoxin naturally contaminated corn meal (Trial 1). The possible aflatoxins (AFs) absorption through mucous membranes was also investigated using the vaginal mucosa (Trial 2). In trial 1, seven lactating Holstein dairy cows were given a single oral bolus of a naturally contaminated corn meal assuring an intake of 4.89 mg AFB1, 1.01 mg AFB2, 10.63 mg AFG1 and 0.89 mg AFG2. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 minutes after treatment. In trial 2 an aflatoxin dosage similar to that of trial 1 was provided through vaginal implant to eight lactating Holstein dairy cows. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 15, 30, 60, 180, 360 minutes after treatment. Individual milk samples of six milkings, one before and five after treatment, were also collected. Plasma and milk samples were analysed by HPLC for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2 and AFM1 contents. In trial 1 AFB1 in plasma peaked (33.6 ng/L) as soon as 20 minutes after treatment. The plasma AFM1 was already detectable at 5 minutes (10.4 ng/L) and peaked at 25 minutes (136.3 ng/L). In trial 2 only AFB1 and AFM1 were detectable in plasma, starting from the first sampling time (15 minutes), with values of 10.7 and 0.5 ng/L, respectively. The AFB1 peaked at 30 minutes (23.9 ng/L). The AFB1 excreted in milk as AFM1 had the highest concentration (203.0 ng/L) in the first milking after treatment and decreased close to the starting values after 36 hours from treatment. The prompt appearance of studied aflatoxins, and their metabolites, in plasma suggests absorption might also take place in mouth or oesophageal mucous membranes, before the rumen compartment. Results support the hypothesis that the cytochrome P450 oxidative system, which is present in these tissues and in leukocytes, could be involved in the conversion of the AFB1 in AFM1. The absorption of AFB1 through the vaginal mucosa confirms the passive diffusion as a probable mechanism for AFB1 absorption

The Impact of Primary Versus Secondary Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer at Diagnosis on the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background There might be differential sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with primary muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in comparison to patients with secondary MIBC after a history of non–muscle-invasive disease. Objective To investigate pathologic response rates and survival associated with primary versus secondary MIBC among patients treated with cisplatin-based NAC for cT2–4N0M0 MIBC. Design, setting, and participants Oncologic outcomes were compared for 350 patients with primary MIBC and 64 with secondary MIBC treated with NAC and radical cystectomy between 1992 and 2021 at 11 academic centers. Genomic analyses were performed for 476 patients from the Memorial Sloan Kettering/The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The outcome measures were pathologic objective response (pOR; ≤ypT1 N0), pathologic complete response (pCR; ypT0 N0), overall mortality, and cancer-specific mortality. Results and limitations The primary MIBC group had higher pOR (51% vs 34%; p = 0.02) and pCR (33% vs 17%; p = 0.01) rates in comparison to the secondary MIBC group. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, primary MIBC was independently associated with both pOR (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26–0.87; p = 0.02) and pCR (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19–0.82; p = 0.02). However, on multivariable Cox regression analysis, primary MIBC was not associated with overall mortality (hazard ratio 1.70, 95% CI 0.84–3.44; p = 0.14) or cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio 1.50, 95% CI 0.66–3.40; p = 0.3). Genomic analyses revealed a significantly higher ERCC2 mutation rate in primary MIBC than in secondary MIBC (12.4% vs 1.3%; p < 0.001). Conclusions Patients with primary MIBC have better pathologic response rates to NAC in comparison to patients with secondary MIBC. Chemoresistance might be related to the different genomic profile of primary versus secondary MIBC. Patient summary We investigated the treatment response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC; chemotherapy received before the primary course of treatment) and survival for patients with a primary diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in comparison to patients with a history of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer that progressed to MIBC. Patients with primary MIBC had a better response to NAC but this did not translate to better survival after accounting for other tumor characteristics.post-print824 K

Role of continuum in nuclear direct reactions with one-neutron halo nuclei: a one-dimensional model

We study the evolution of a single-particle wave function during the collision of a one dimensional potential well by another well, which can be regarded as a simple model for the problem of the scattering of a one-neutron halo nucleus by another nucleus. This constitutes an effective three-body problem, whose solution in three dimensions can be extremely complicated, particularly when breakup and rearrangement channels are to be considered. Our one-dimensional model provides the essential three-body nature of this problem, and allows for a much simpler application and assessment of different methods of solution. To simplify further the problem, we assume that the potential well representing the projectile moves according to a predetermined classical trajectory, although the internal motion of the "valence" particle is treated fully quantum-mechanically. This corresponds to a semiclassical approach of the scattering problem. Different approaches are investigated to understand the dynamics involving one-body halo-like systems: the "exact" time-dependent solution of the Schr\"odinger equation is compared to a numerical continuum-discretized coupled-channels (CC) calculation presenting various model cases including different reaction channels. This framework allows us to discuss the reaction mechanism and the role of continuum, whose inclusion in the CC calculation results to be crucial to reproduce the "exact" solution, even when the initial and final states are well bound. We also link each dynamical situation with analogous problem solved in a three dimensional (3D) CC framework, discussing the main challenges experienced in the usual 3D models

Mucosal absorption of aflatoxin B1 in lactating dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to monitor plasma levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), aflatoxin G2 (AFG2) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in lactating dairy cows fed afltaoxin contaminated corn. Seven lactating Holstein cows were given a bolus of a naturally contaminated corn meal assuring an intake of 4.9mg AFB1, 1.01 mg AFB2, 10.63 mg AFG1 and 0.89 mg AFG2. Vitamin A, at 1,000,000 IU, was also added as a biomarker of intestinal absorption. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 270 and 360 min after bolus. Plasma was analyzed by HPLC for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2 and AFM1 concentrations. Within the considered time points, the peak plasma AFB1 concentration was obtained as soon as 15 minutes from drenching. The plasma AFM1 concentration was considerable as early as the first collection (15 minutes) and peaked at 270 minutes indicating both a rapid absorption of AFB1 through the rumen wall and metabolization into AFM1 in liver. The plasma palmitate level suggests the intestinal contribution to the aflatoxin plasma level after 120 min

In vivorelease of aflatoxin B1 bound to different sequestering agents in dairy cows

Nine lactating dairy cows, producing 31.08±5.00 kg of milk/cow/day and fed with a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) with an intake of 22.3±0.8 Kg s.s./cow, were used to investigate the resistance of the AFs-SA complex in the rumen and in the gastro-intestinal tract. Two commercial sequestering agents Atox® and Mycosorb® were used. The AFB1 was also mixed to a rumen fluid (R-SA). AFB1 sequestered by Atox®, Mycosorb® and by R-SA were then fed to cows before the morning meal. Milk samples were collected for 6 consecutive milkings and analyzed for AFM1 content. The in vitro binding capacity of the two SA were 94.2% for Atox®, 84.3% for Mycosorb® and 71.86% for the R-SA. Both Atox® and Mycosorb® released some of the sequestered AFB1 determining an increase of the AFM1 in milk as soon as in the 1st milking from oral drenching (4.23±7.33; 23.60±8.23 and 46.06±39.84 ppt for Atox®, Mycosorb® and R-SA respectively). The AFM1 (ng/cow) in milk at the 4th milking was lower (66.04, 661.77 and 1613.04; P<0.05) in Atox® and Mycosorb® than R-SA, respectively. The percentage release of bound AFB1 were 1.63% for Atox®, 20.27% for Mycosorb® and 50.48% for R-SA

Raw and extruded pea (Pisum sativum), faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor) and lupin (Lupinus albus var. multitalia) as alternative protein sources in broiler diets

AbstractResearch on vegetable-based protein sources has grown as a result of the European Union ban on the inclusion of meat and bone meal in diets of agricultural livestock. This together with recent concern over genetically modified soybeans, the protein source of choice for monogastric diets, has sparked research into the identification of some alternative protein sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of raw or extruded pea (RP and EP), faba beans (RFb and EFb) or lupin (RL and EL) in partial substitution of soybean meal and other starch sources in broiler diets. A total of 462-d-old male Ross chicks, Marek vaccinated, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (3 pens/treatment). Chicks were floor housed, ad libitum fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets and had free access to water. Artificial light was provided 10 h/d. The amount of alternative proteins used as fed basis and for 1-10 d-old and 11-42 d-old growing periods were: RP and EP: 350 g/kg for all diets; RFb..

Effect of the presence of two commercial adsorbents in animal feed on Aflatoxin B1 determination by ELISA kit test.

A rapid AFB1 detection method by ELISA kit test was used on feedstuff samples, and compared to an HPLC method, to verify if the presence of clay-adsorbent (SA) could cause erroneous quantification of the toxin. Samples were obtained using two AFB1-contaminated feedstuffs (7.92 and 17.58 µg/kg for low and high contaminated feeds; LC and HC respectively), added either one of two commercial SAs (Atox® and Myco AD) and three different inclusion doses (0, 10 and 20 g/kg, respectively for CTR, 1% and 2% doses). The HPLC and ELISA data were compared in CTR samples with a paired t-test. The AFB1 recoveries, performed with ELISA, were analysed as a completely randomized design using a 2×2×3 factorial arrangement. The ELISA method tended to underestimate the AFB1 concentrations with respect to the HPLC method, both in HC (P=0.050) and in LC (P<0.001) feedstuffs. A more drastic reduction (P<0.001) was observed when SAs were included in the two feedstuffs. In particular, Atox® determined an AFB1 recovery of 15,5% in HC and 7,6% in LC (1% dose) and of 11,1% in HC and 8,4% in LC (2% dose). Less severe penalisation were observed when Myco AD was added to feeds

Meteorological-Based Predictions of Wheat Head Blight Epidemic in the Southern Argentinean Pampas Region

In Argentina, head blight is a highly risky disease (caused by Fusarium graminearum), although its occurrence is sporadic depending on prevalent environmental variables. These traits stimulated the development of predictive models of head blight occurrence which would help growers in the selection of control strategies. Empirical equations for predicting head blight incidence were developed at Pergamino (33° 56′ S, 60° 30′ W) associating temperature and moisture variables with mean disease data. Recently a new fundamental-empirical approach for estimating Fusarium index (incidence% x severity%/100) was developed using data of Pergamino and Marcos Juarez (32° 41′ S, 62°07′ W). In this study our objective was to validate both approaches at three more southern locations: La Dulce (38° 10′ S, 58° 00′ W), Miramar (38° 00′ S, 57° 33′ W) and Balcarce (37° 45′ S, 58° 18W), for the 2001 crop season. Examining partial and mean deviation values between observed and predicted incidence data, an underestimation especially at La Dulce was assessed. A clear improvement of incidence goodness of fit estimations was obtained decreasing the heat accumulation defining the length of the wheat critical period for infection. Employing this last critical period length for the fundamental-empirical approach led to satisfactory Fusarium index predictions. This study showed that both approaches developed at northern locations of the Pampas region can be portable and useful for predicting disease intensity at more southern locations, making only a few changes.Centro de Investigaciones en Fitopatologí

Pea seeds (Pisum sativum), faba beans (Vicia faba var. minor) and lupin seeds (Lupinus albus var. multitalia) as protein sources in broiler diets: effect of extrusion on growth performance

The effect of extrusion of pea seeds (Pisum sativum) (PS), faba bean (Vicia faba, variety minor) (FB) and lupin seeds (Lupinus albus, variety multitalia) (LS) on broiler performance were evaluated. Four hundred sixty two 1d-old Ross male chicks, Marek vaccinated, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (3 pens per treatment/22 birds per pen). Chicks were floor housed, ad libitum fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets and had free access to water. Artificial light was provided 10 h/d. The bulk of the base diet (control diet) was corn (48.8%, 53.7% and 57%), solvent-extracted soy- bean meal (42.8%, 37.3% and 33.4%), corn oil (4.4%, 5.2% and 6.3%), plus synthetic amino acids, minerals, trace minerals and vitamins, respectively for the 1-10d-old, 11-28d-old and 29 to 42d-old growing periods. The amounts of PS, FB and LS used on an as fed basis were: PS and extruded PS (EPS): 353 (1-10d-old), 356 (11-28d-old) and 350 (29- 42d-old) g/kg; FB and extruded FB (EFB): 479 (1-10d-old), 497 (11-28d-old) and 500 (29-42d old) g/kg; LS and extrud- ed LS (ELS): 360 (1-10d-old) and 300 (11-42d-old) g/kg. High levels of pea (350 g/kg) and faba bean (500 g/kg) did not show negative effects on body weight gain (BWG) and bird feed intake compared to control. Lupin at the 300 g/kg level reduced (P< 0.05) the BWG during the finishing period (22 to 42 d), however the effect disappeared over the whole experimental period (1-42 d) compared to the control group. The ELS group had a lower (P< 0.01) feed intake com- pared to the control group and to the LS group. The feed conversion rate (FCR) was similar among groups for the whole experimental period; however during the grower period the FCR was higher (P< 0.05) for the PS, FB and EFB groups com- pared to the control group. Birds consuming the PS diet had a reduced (P< 0.05) eviscerated carcass yield compared to the control group. The breast meat percent yield was higher (P< 0.01) for birds consuming the FB and EFB diets compared to the control group. There were no statistical differences in percent yield of the leg quarters and in blood parameters