An investigation of mycotoxin induced damage and remediation strategies in porcine intestinal cells

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring secondary metabolites, produced by fungal species, and can be toxic to both humans and animals when consumed. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most commonly occurring mycotoxins and is found to be a common contaminant of cereal grains that are consumed by humans and animals. Consumption of DON contaminated feed can result in vomiting, refusal of feed and reduced weight gain. Zearalenone (ZEN) is an oestrogenic mycotoxin that has been shown to have a negative effect on the reproductive function of animals. The structure of ZEN resembles that of naturally occurring oestrogens, which allows it to bind to oestrogenic receptors, resulting in hormonal disturbances. It has been shown that pigs are most susceptible to both DON and ZEN toxicity through their feeds. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has suggested that the maximum level DON in pig feed should not exceed 0.9 ppm and ZEN in feed for sows and fattening pigs should not exceed 0.25 ppm. DON and ZEN are commonly found to co-occur as both are produced by the Fusarium species. Their common co-occurrence makes it a critical issue in the agriculture industry. Organic selenium yeasts are frequently used as an animal feed supplement as it has a positive impact on animal health. Mycotoxin binders that reduce the amount of mycotoxin absorbed by animals are also used as supplements to animal feeds. In this thesis, the effect of DON and ZEN, individually and combined, on the cell viability, DNA damage and apoptosis of porcine intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells was studied. Additionally, the potential ameliorative effects of organic selenium yeast and polyunsaturated fatty acids from a mycotoxin binder (Mycosorb A+) against mycotoxin-induced damage was investigated. This research illustrates the damaging effects of the co-occurring mycotoxins and a potential mitigation strategy against such damage

Mental health of mothers with malnourished children in Nepal: a prospective observational study

© 2024 The Authors. Published by The Nepal Health Research Council. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v21i4.4965Background: Maternal mental health may influence the nutritional status of their children. It was intended to assess the mental health status of the mothers of children admitted to a nutrition rehabilitation center. We specifically explored the relationship between maternal mental health and malnutrition of the child; to observe any change of maternal depressive/anxiety symptoms and weight gain in the child following admission. Methods: In a prospective observational study, malnutrition of children was assessed based on weight for height z scores using the WHO Anthro-Survey-Analyser. We evaluated anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and depression by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Demographic and clinical variables were collected. Results: The degree of malnutrition of the children at admission and discharge was: mild (3.6% v 31.7%), moderate (37.7% v 26.3%), severe (58.7% v 8.4%), and no malnutrition (0.0% v 33.5%) (p<0.001). At admission, 12% of mothers had anxiety, depression, or both, which decreased to 3.0% at the time of discharge. There was no difference in malnutrition scores among children of mothers with or without anxiety/depression at admission or discharge, except that children of depressed mothers continued to have significantly greater levels of malnutrition at discharge compared with the mothers without depression. Maternal anxiety or depression was not associated with the severity of malnutrition. Conclusions: A proportion of mothers of children with malnutrition had clinical anxiety and depression; and maternal mental health concerns, especially depression may influence the nutrition of children. It is imperative to explore maternal mental health routinely for malnourished children

Impact of pharmacist services on economic, clinical, and humanistic outcome (ECHO) of South Asian patients : a systematic review

Background: Pharmacists in high-income countries routinely provide efficient pharmacy or pharmaceutical care services that are known to improve clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes (ECHO) of patients. However, pharmacy services in low- and middle-income countries, mainly South Asia, are still evolving and limited to providing traditional pharmacy services such as dispensing prescription medicines. This systematic review aims to assess and evaluate the impact of pharmacists’ services on the ECHO of patients in South Asian countries. Methods: We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library for relevant articles published from inception to 20th September 2021. Original studies (only randomised controlled trials) conducted in South Asian countries (published only in the English language) and investigating the economic, clinical (therapeutic and medication safety), and humanistic impact (health-related quality of life) of pharmacists’ services, from both hospital and community settings, were included. Results: The electronic search yielded 430 studies, of which 20 relevant ones were included in this review. Most studies were conducted in India (9/20), followed by Pakistan (6/20), Nepal (4/20) and Sri Lanka (1/20). One study showed a low risk of bias (RoB), 12 studies showed some concern, and seven studies showed a high RoB. Follow-up duration ranged from 2 to 36 months. Therapeutic outcomes such as HbA1c value and blood pressure (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) studied in fourteen studies were found to be reduced. Seventeen studies reported humanistic outcomes such as medication adherence, knowledge and health-related quality of life, which were found to be improved. One study reported safety and economic outcomes each. Most interventions delivered by the pharmacists were related to education and counselling of patients including disease monitoring, treatment optimisation, medication adherence, diet, nutrition, and lifestyle. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that pharmacists have essential roles in improving patients’ ECHO in South Asian countries via patient education and counselling; however, further rigorous studies with appropriate study design with proper randomisation of intervention and control groups are anticipated

RASSF1A uncouples Wnt from Hippo signalling and promotes YAP mediated differentiation via p73

Transition from pluripotency to differentiation is a pivotal yet poorly understood developmental step. Here, we show that the tumour suppressor RASSF1A is a key player driving the early specification of cell fate. RASSF1A acts as a natural barrier to stem cell self-renewal and iPS cell generation, by switching YAP from an integral component in the β-catenin-TCF pluripotency network to a key factor that promotes differentiation. We demonstrate that epigenetic regulation of the Rassf1A promoter maintains stemness by allowing a quaternary association of YAP–TEAD and β-catenin–TCF3 complexes on the Oct4 distal enhancer. However, during differentiation, promoter demethylation allows GATA1-mediated RASSF1A expression which prevents YAP from contributing to the TEAD/β-catenin–TCF3 complex. Simultaneously, we find that RASSF1A promotes a YAP–p73 transcriptional programme that enables differentiation. Together, our findings demonstrate that RASSF1A mediates transcription factor selection of YAP in stem cells, thereby acting as a functional “switch” between pluripotency and initiation of differentiation

The current status and future of tourism in Nepal : Case of Solukhumbu district

Nepal is a home to many different touristic destinations that have helped in economic upliftment and providing job opportunities to youths. The main aim of the thesis was to discover the current touristic status of Solukhumbu district and analyse the problems that have come along with the developments. The authors have used both qualitative and quantitative research methods to conduct an interview and perform a survey with a set of questionnaires provided to the aimed population in Solukhumbu district and outside. The collected data have been further used to generate a report of statistical figures by the authors The aim of the thesis was to focus on discovering the things that have been causing hinderance in tourism business in Solukhumbu district and the possible requirements to enhance activities to help in development. As per the research it can be concluded that the research has exposed that tourism in the Solukhumbu region has brought positive impacts to the people and the country as a whole. Some of the highest and beautiful mountain ranges in the region got exposed internationally due to tour-ism. Several locals got employment opportunities and people started becoming aware of their prac-tices that could harm the nature

Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome following Primary Subfertility Management with IVF-ET

Abdominal cocoon syndrome is a rarely encountered surgical emergency first described by Foo et al. in 1978. This condition is characterised by a thick fibrous membrane which encases the small bowel partially or completely. Diagnosis of this condition is usually made per operatively and the treatment of choice is surgical release of entrapped bowel. This is a case report of abdominal cocoon syndrome diagnosed during laparotomy done with the provisional diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy following In vitro fertilization- embryo transfer. A 30 Years lady was admitted at Kathmandu Medical College for suspected ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome following IVF-ET.  Sub fertility is a common gynecological problem. Its management may sometimes produce challenging health hazards. Thorough screening for medical and surgical illness is very important before proceeding to any kind of assisted reproductive technologies. A multidisciplinary approach is very important to manage such cases

Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone—Synergistic or Antagonistic Agri-Food Chain Co-Contaminants?

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Zearalenone (ZEN) are two commonly co-occurring mycotoxins produced by members of the genus Fusarium. As important food chain contaminants, these can adversely affect both human and animal health. Critically, as they are formed prior to harvesting, their occurrence cannot be eliminated during food production, leading to ongoing contamination challenges. DON is one of the most commonly occurring mycotoxins and is found as a contaminant of cereal grains that are consumed by humans and animals. Consumption of DON-contaminated feed can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, refusal of feed, and reduced weight gain in animals. ZEN is an oestrogenic mycotoxin that has been shown to have a negative effect on the reproductive function of animals. Individually, their mode of action and impacts have been well-studied; however, their co-occurrence is less well understood. This common co-occurrence of DON and ZEN makes it a critical issue for the Agri-Food industry, with a fundamental understanding required to develop mitigation strategies. To address this issue, in this targeted review, we appraise what is known of the mechanisms of action of DON and ZEN with particular attention to studies that have assessed their toxic effects when present together. We demonstrate that parameters that impact toxicity include species and cell type, relative concentration, exposure time and administration methods, and we highlight additional research required to further elucidate mechanisms of action and mitigation strategies