Unveiling the spatial distribution of aflatoxin B1 and plant defense metabolites in maize using AP‐SMALDI mass spectrometry imaging

SUMMARYIn order to cope with the presence of unfavorable compounds, plants can biotransform xenobiotics, translocate both parent compounds and metabolites, and perform compartmentation and segregation at the cellular or tissue level. Such a scenario also applies to mycotoxins, fungal secondary metabolites with a pre‐eminent role in plant infection. In this work, we aimed to describe the effect of the interplay between Zea mays (maize) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at the tissue and organ level. To address this challenge, we used atmospheric pressure scanning microprobe matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AP‐SMALDI MSI) to investigate the biotransformation, localization and subsequent effects of AFB1 on primary and secondary metabolism of healthy maize plants, both in situ and from a metabolomics standpoint. High spatial resolution (5 µm) provided fine localization of AFB1, which was located within the root intercellular spaces, and co‐localized with its phase‐I metabolite aflatoxin M2. We provided a parallel visualization of maize metabolic changes, induced in different organs and tissues by an accumulation of AFB1. According to our untargeted metabolomics investigation, anthocyanin biosynthesis and chlorophyll metabolism in roots are most affected. The biosynthesis of these metabolites appears to be inhibited by AFB1 accumulation. On the other hand, metabolites found in above‐ground organs suggest that the presence of AFB1 may also activate the biochemical response in the absence of an actual fungal infection; indeed, several plant secondary metabolites known for their antimicrobial or antioxidant activities were localized in the outer tissues, such as phenylpropanoids, benzoxazinoids, phytohormones and lipids

Up the nose of the beholder? Aesthetic perception in olfaction as a decision-making process

Is the sense of smell a source of aesthetic perception? Traditional philosophical aesthetics has centered on vision and audition but eliminated smell for its subjective and inherently affective character. This article dismantles the myth that olfaction is an unsophisticated sense. It makes a case for olfactory aesthetics by integrating recent insights in neuroscience with traditional expertise about flavor and fragrance assessment in perfumery and wine tasting. My analysis concerns the importance of observational refinement in aesthetic experience. I argue that the active engagement with stimulus features in perceptual processing shapes the phenomenological content, so much so that the perceptual structure of trained smelling varies significantly from naive smelling. In a second step, I interpret the processes that determine such perceptual refinement in the context of neural decision-making processes, and I end with a positive outlook on how research in neuroscience can be used to benefit philosophical aesthetics

Metabolomics Approaches and their Hidden Potential for Explaining the Mycotoxin Contamination Problem

Food is essential for life. On the basis of the previous sentence, consumers have a right to expect that the foods they purchase and consume will be safe, authentic and of high quality. On these premises, target compounds, such as mycotoxins, pesticides or antibiotics, have been commonly investigated on the food chain, and subsequently, were regulated by authorities. This raises the following question: may consumer be prevented to these risk exposures? Probably not, food chain is step-by-step longer and more complex than ever before. Note that food chain is affected by globalized trade, culture, travel and migration, an ageing population, changing consumer trends and habits, new technologies, emergencies, climate change and extreme weather events which are increasing foodborne health risks, especially for mycotoxins. Because of the fact that mycotoxins are natural toxic compounds produced by certain filamentous fungi on many agricultural communities. In fact, these toxins have adverse effects on humans, animals and crops that result in illnesses and economic losses. Nevertheless, so far mycotoxins and their modified forms have been mainly monitored in cereal and cereal-based products, however, may an early detection of mycotoxins be considered a reliable strategy? In this chapter, recent metabolomics approaches have been reviewed in order to answer this question and to understand future strategies in the field of mycotoxin contamination

Travelling wave ion mobility-derived collision cross section for mycotoxins: Investigating interlaboratory and interplatform reproducibility

Parent and modified mycotoxin analysis remains a challenge because of their chemical diversity, the presence of isomeric forms, and the lack of analytical standards. The creation and application of a collision cross section (CCS) database for mycotoxins may bring new opportunities to overcome these analytical challenges. However, it is still an open question whether common CCS databases can be used independently from the instrument type and ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) technologies, which utilize different methodologies for determining the gas-phase mobility. Here, we demonstrated the reproducibility of CCS measurements for mycotoxins in an interlaboratory study (average RSD 0.14% ± 0.079) and across different traveling wave IM-MS (TWIMS) systems commercially available (ΔCCS% < 2). The separation in the drift time dimension of critical pairs of isomers for modified mycotoxins was also achieved. In addition, the comparison of measured and predicted CCS values, including regulated and emerging mycotoxins, was addressed

A molecular insight into the lipid changes of pig Longissimus thoracis muscle following dietary supplementation with functional ingredients

: In this work, the Longissimus thoracis pig skeletal muscle was used as a model to investigate the impact of two different diets, supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from extruded linseed (L) and polyphenols from grape skin and oregano extracts (L+P), on the lipidomic profile of meat. A standard diet for growing-finishing pigs (CTRL) was used as a control. Changes in lipids profile were investigated through an untargeted lipidomics and transcriptomics combined investigation. The lipidomics identified 1507 compounds, with 195 compounds fitting with the MS/MS spectra of LipidBlast database. When compared with the CTRL group, the L+P diet significantly increased 15 glycerophospholipids and 8 sphingolipids, while the L diet determined a marked up-accumulation of glycerolipids. According to the correlations outlined between discriminant lipids and genes, the L diet may act preventing adipogenesis and the related inflammation processes, while the L+P diet promoted the expression of genes involved in lipids' biosynthesis and adipogenic extracellular matrix formation and functioning

Implementing the Use of Collision Cross Section Database for Phycotoxin Screening Analysis

The increased consumption of blue-green algae (BGA)-based dietary supplements has raised concern about their food safety, especially about cyanotoxin presence. The hyphenation of liquid chromatography with ion mobility mass spectrometry represents a relevant tool to screen several compounds in a large variety of food matrices. In this work, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TWIMS-QTOF) was employed to establish the first comprehensive TWIMS-derived collision cross section database (TWCCSN2) for phycotoxins. The database included 20 cyanotoxins and 1 marine toxin. Accurate m/z, retention times, and TWCCSN2 values were obtained for 81 adducts in positive and negative electrospray (ESI+/ESI–) modes. Reproducibility and robustness of the TWCCSN2 measurements were determined to be independent of the matrix. A screening was carried out on 19 commercial BGA dietary supplements of different composition. Cyanotoxins were confidently identified in five samples based on retention time, m/z, and TWCCSN2.The University of Parma through the action Bando di Ateneo 2021MUR-Italian Ministry of Universities and Research-D.M. 737/2021-PNR-PNRR−NextGenerationEU, (ii) from the Project PID2021-127804OB-I00Spanish MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033ERDF A way of making Europe” and from the Andalousian Government (Project ref. PROYEXCEL_00195)The Grant (FPU17/03810) financed by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033, by “ESF Investing in your future”.Grant IJC2019-040989-I funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033Waters Italy for providing the Atlantis Premier BEH Z-HILIC colum

Tópicos de fisiologia aliados à extensão universitária como ferramenta para promover o bem-estar de cuidadoras de PcD

Familiares cuidadores de pessoas com deficiência (PcD) abdicam muitas vezes de seu bem-estar em função dos cuidados necessários de seu ente cuidado. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi trabalhar a Fisiologia do sono e do sistema digestório com as cuidadoras de PcD que fazem acompanhamento em Centro de Reabilitação de Porto Alegre ligadas ao projeto de extensão universitária denominado “Apoiando e educando as famílias de pessoa com deficiência”, estimulando-se o bem-estar dessas mulheres. Como metodologias para o estudo da Fisiologia junto às cuidadoras foram utilizadas rodas de conversa, a Escala de Sonolência de EPWORTH, moldes anatômicos do sistema digestório e questionário sobre constipação intestinal em dois encontros com duração de 90 minutos cada um. Participaram das atividades relativas à Fisiologia do sono 9 cuidadoras e observou-se que 66,6% delas deveriam cuidar mais de seu sono ou apresentavam sono inadequado. Quanto a Fisiologia do sistema digestório, 11 cuidadoras participaram das atividades e 20% foram consideradas constipadas. O estudo sobre a Fisiologia do sono e do sistema digestório fez com que as cuidadoras pudessem refletir sobre o autocuidado em relação a estes aspectos e oportunizou que as extensionistas colocassem em prática o conhecimento da Universidade. Palavras-chave: Extensão; Educação em saúde; Rede de apoio; Sono; Sistema digestório &nbsp; Topics of physiology in promoting the well-being of people with disabilities caregivers Abstract: Family caregivers of people with disabilities (PwD) often abdicate their well-being due to the necessary care of their entity.&nbsp;Thus, this study aimed to work on sleep and digestive system physiology with PwD caregivers whom follow-up on the Rehabilitation Center of Porto Alegre (Brazil) linked to the university extension project called "Supporting and educating families of people with disabilities," stimulating the well-being of these women. As methodologies for studying physiology with caregivers, we used conversation wheels, the EPWORTH Sleepiness Scale, anatomical molds of the digestive system, and intestinal constipation questionnaire in two 90-minute meetings. Nine caregivers participated in sleep physiology activities, and it was observed that 66.6% of respondents should take better care of their sleep or had an inadequate sleep. Regarding the physiology of the digestive system, 11 caregivers participated in the activities, and 20% were considered constipated. The study of sleep and digestive system physiology allowed caregivers to think about self-care, improving their well-being, and helped the extensionists to put the University's knowledge into practice. Keywords: Extension; Health education; Support network; Sleeping; Digestive syste