HPLC Method Validation for Simultaneous Determination of Three Mycotoxins from Corn Seeds

A new HPLC optimized method for simultaneous determination of some mycotoxins by separation and using a Dionex UltiMate3000 modular system, with multichannel UV detector was developed and validated. The method optimization was performed to determine simultaneously, several relevant mycotoxins from corn seeds that were stored over 8 months. The mycotoxins selected for quantification were: aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone. They were selected due to their high concentration in the fodder. For the development stages of the HPLC method, it was introduced an internal standard to have accurate results. Taking into account that the analytes should be extracted from the complex matrix they reside, an extraction procedure was performed, using organic solvents, and the selection after repeated tests demonstrated the best capacity for ethyl acetate. The recovery is about 60–70 % after the extraction process also there is a good preconcentration (×2.5) of the analytes and the internal standard for their quantification. The limit of quantification (LOQ) obtained by chromatographic parameters optimization, for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A were about 3–5 μg kg–1 and 14.4 μg kg–1 for zearalenone of raw biological material, making these values lower than those accepted by the actual normatives and regulations. (doi: 10.5562/cca1788

Attitude, knowledge and informed choice towards prenatal screening for Down Syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Down Syndrome screening test is a bridge between knowledge and uncertainty, safety and risk, unpredictability and desire to know in order to gain control. It may be accepted either not to have a baby with Down syndrome, or to prepare to have a baby with this condition. Every woman should understand that it is an option and should be encouraged to make their own decisions based on information and personal values. The implications and possible subsequent scenarios differentiate this type of test from the common biochemical tests performed during pregnancy, of paramount importance being the right to make informed choices. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude towards prenatal Down syndrome screening in order to asses to what extent the Romanian women make informed choices in this area. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out that included 530 postpartum women, clients of Romania’ south-east region maternities, during April–September 2016. The level of knowledge and the attitude concerning the Down syndrome screening were evaluated using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results 48.1% of the women have never heard about any tests for Down Syndrome and from those 51.9% who have heard, only 14.2% made an informed choice, 78.9% had a positive attitude for screening, 88% were classified as having insufficient knowledge and 68.3% made a value-consistent decision to accept or decline prenatal screening. A higher knowledge level was associated with a higher education level and the urban residence. The information satisfaction and confidence in the overall value of screening were predictive factors of positive attitude. More informed choices were made by women monitored by an obstetrician in a private practice. Conclusions The prenatal screening tests for Down Syndrome were mostly unknown and the women who accepted or not to perform a test were insufficiently knowledgeable that means that the ethical concept of the informed choice wasn’t followed. In our opinion the Romanian Health System needs to improve the antenatal policy by developing an adequate information strategy at the reproductive population level based on a network of trained specialists

FGB -455 G>A and GP IIIa PIA1/A2 polymorphisms in a group of Romanian stroke patients

Introduction: Being a multifactorial disease, stroke is one of a major causes of death and disability worldwide. Several genetic polymorphisms have been associated with stroke etiophatology and FGB −455 G>A and GP IIIa PIA1/A2 are among them. In the present study, we investigated the association between FGB −455 G>A and GP IIIa PIA1A2 polymorphisms and the risk of ischemic stroke in a group of Romanian stroke patients

Cystathionine β-synthase 844ins68 Genetic Polymorphism in Spontaneous Abortion Susceptibility

Aim: Genetic polymorphisms in homocysteine-related genes are subject of a large body of research in pregnancy and newborn associated pathologies. The enzyme cystationine β-synthase (CBS) is involved in the transsulfuration pathway of homocysteine to cysteine. Our objective was to analyze the association of a common polymorphism exhibited by the CBS gene, 844ins68, with idiopathic spontaneous abortions (SA). Material and Methods: 131 patients with a history of at least one unexplained SA and 135 healthy women with at least one successful pregnancy and no SA were included in a case-control study. Simplex PCR was used to genotype the cases and control volunteers for the CBS 844ins68 polymorphism. Fisher’s exact test was performed to obtain the odds-based parameters describing the relationship between the two variables. Results: The variant allele was encountered with a frequency of 0.08 in the SA group and 0.048 in controls. The dominant model analysis of risk revealed the OR 1.957, 95%CI [0.920, 4.162], Fisher’s p = 0.09. Conclusion: The findings suggest possible effects of this polymorphism in SA risk that did not reach the significance level in this study. Future studies might validate or clarify the association between CBS 844ins68 and idiopathic SA

Characterisation of EN 1.4136 stainless steel heat-treated in solar furnace

International audienc

Zofenopril and Ramipril in Combination with Acetyl Salicylic Acid in Postmyocardial Infarction Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: A Retrospective Analysis of the SMILE-4 Randomized, Double-Blind Study in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE: In the SMILE-4 study, zofenopril + acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) was more effective than ramipril + ASA on 1-year prevention of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular dysfunction. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated drug efficacy in subgroups of patients, according to a history of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The primary study endpoint was 1-year combined occurrence of death or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. Diabetes was defined according to medical history (previous known diagnosis). RESULTS: A total of 562 of 693 (81.0%) patients were classified as nondiabetics and 131 (18.9%) as diabetics. The adjusted rate of MACE was lower under zofenopril than under ramipril in both nondiabetics [27.9% vs. 34.9% ramipril; odds ratio, OR and 95% confidence interval: 0.55 (0.35, 0.86)] and diabetics [30.9% vs. 41.3%; 0.56 (0.18, 1.73)], although the difference was statistically significant only for the nondiabetic group (P = 0.013). Zofenopril was superior to ramipril as regards to the primary study endpoint in the subgroup of 157 patients with uncontrolled blood glucose (≥126 mg/dL), regardless of a previous diagnosis of diabetes [0.31 (0.10, 0.90), P = 0.030]. Zofenopril significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular causes in both nondiabetics [0.64 (0.43, 0.96), P = 0.030] and diabetics [0.38 (0.15, 0.95), P = 0.038], whereas it was not better than ramipril in terms of prevention of cardiovascular deaths. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis of the SMILE-4 study confirmed the good efficacy of zofenopril plus ASA in the prevention of long-term MACE also in the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus