336 Occurrence of Mycotoxins in 2020 US Pasture Grasses and Harvested Hay Feed Ingredients

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 183-184
Author(s):  
Erin Schwandt ◽  
Paige N Gott ◽  
Shelby M Ramirez ◽  
Ursula Hofstetter ◽  
Raj Murugesan
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mycotoxin Contamination ◽  
Pasture Grasses ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Harvest Year ◽  
Concentration Levels

Abstract Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites which limit animal health and performance through various negative effects such as reduced feed intake, diarrhea, and compromised immune and reproductive function. These metabolites are found in a variety of feedstuffs worldwide. This study monitored mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels in fresh pasture grasses and harvested dry hay from across the US. Samples were screened for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A via LC-MS/MS. Samples that were above the limit of detection for each mycotoxin group were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC) to test the effect of harvest year on average contamination level. Results are presented in Table 1. Zearalenone and B-Trich contamination prevalence for fresh grass samples was lower in 2020 compared to the previous two years. A-Trich tested positive in 34% of samples which was greater in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019. Mean concentration levels (parts per billion, ppb) for B-Trich, ZEN, A-Trich were not different in 2020 compared to the previous two years. Prevalence of mycotoxin contamination for dry harvested hay samples for B-Trich and ZEN decreased in 2020 compared to the previous two years, but 64 and 28% of samples tested positive, respectively. A-Trich prevalence was greater than the last two years and resulted in 17% of samples testing positive compared to 0 and 6% in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Mean B-Trich levels in 2020 were similar to levels seen in 2018 and lower than 2019 (P = 0.005). Mean ZEN and A-Trich concentration levels averaged 1,612 ppb and 796 ppb, respectively. Mycotoxin analysis of pasture grasses and harvested hay forages is warranted to identify potential sources of mycotoxin contamination in ruminant diets.

69 Occurrence of Mycotoxins in 2020 US Corn Grain and Corn By-product Feeds

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 36-37
Author(s):  
Paige N Gott ◽  
Erin Schwandt ◽  
Shelby M Ramirez ◽  
Ursula Hofstetter ◽  
Raj Murugesan
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mycotoxin Contamination ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Harvest Year ◽  
By Products ◽  
Corn Grain

Abstract Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that limit animal health and performance through various negative effects including reduced feed intake, diarrhea, and compromised immune function. These toxic metabolites have been detected in a broad range of feedstuffs worldwide. This study investigated mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels in U.S. corn grain samples marked as 2020 harvest year and corn by-product feed samples submitted since October 2020. Samples were screened via LC-MS/MS for six major mycotoxin groups including: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes, type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A. Results from samples that were above the limit of detection for each respective mycotoxin group were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC) to test the effect of harvest year on mean contamination level. Results are presented in Table 1. Occurrence levels of B-Trich, ZEN, and FUM in 2020 corn grain are numerically lower than those from 2019. Mean B-Trich level (parts per billion, ppb) for corn grain samples harvested in 2020 was similar to 2019 crop year. Contamination levels of FUM and ZEN were similar for 2020 crop as compared to prior harvest years. Mycotoxin occurrence in corn by-product feeds continued to be high at 99, 85, and 95% for B-Trich, ZEN, and FUM, respectively. Mean B-Trich and ZEN levels in 2020 corn by-products were similar to respective contamination levels in 2018, but were lower than 2019 samples. Mean FUM contamination in corn by-products has been similar across reported years. Preliminary results of the 2020 corn grain survey indicate mean mycotoxin contamination levels are similar to those observed the past two crop years while levels of B-Trich and ZEN in corn by-product feeds are reduced from 2019. Corn-based feed ingredients may present challenges to producers due to the presence of mycotoxin contamination, therefore, continued monitoring is warranted.

136 Mycotoxin Contamination in United States Corn and Corn DDGS from 2019 and 2020 Harvest

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 73-74
Author(s):  
Lan Zheng ◽  
Chasity Pender ◽  
Paige N Gott ◽  
Erin F Schwandt ◽  
Shelby M Ramirez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Mycotoxin Contamination ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Harvest Year ◽  
Corn Ddgs

Abstract Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites central to food and feed safety management. These toxins are detrimental to animal health and even at low levels can compromise performance. Focus on clinical signs like decreased feed intake and vomiting overlook significant impacts of mycotoxicosis, including increased disease incidence and severity, immune dysfunction, inflammation, and modulation of the gastrointestinal environment. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvest year on five major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins (Afla), type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), and zearalenone (ZEN) in corn and corn DDGS samples. For each mycotoxin group within ingredient, 2019 harvest (329 corn and 20 corn DDGS) were compared with 2020 harvest (27 corn and 21 corn DDGS). Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with harvest year as fixed effect and sample as the experimental unit. Average B-Trich and FUM contamination levels in corn are significantly (P < 0.05) affected by harvest year. However, B-Trich levels remained consistent, whereas FUM decreased (P < 0.05) from 2019 to 2020. Contamination levels in corn for Afla, A-Trich, and ZEN have remained consistent (P > 0.05) from 2019 to 2020. In corn DDGS, B-Trich contamination level was decreased (P < 0.05) from 2019 to 2020, whereas FUM and ZEN contamination levels remained similar (P > 0.05). The 2020 crop risk profile is likely to change as the sample pool expands. A combination of hot weather, storm events, and drought during the 2020 growing season resulted in crop stress and damage, ultimately leading to grain quality and mycotoxin contamination concerns. Due to the continued risk of mycotoxin co-occurrence, expanding mitigation strategies beyond adsorption by mycotoxin deactivation with biotransformation and additional support of immune and liver function is essential.

scholarly journals Hair Plucking and Alopecia in a Flock of Sheep in Zaria, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-36
Author(s):  
T. K. Bello ◽  
M. Hussaini ◽  
B. B. Oyelowo ◽  
R. Hassan ◽  
B. E. Oke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Particle ◽  
Faecal Sample ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Hair Pulling ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Nutritional Deficit ◽  
Sheep Farm ◽  
Feed Analysis ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
And Performance

This is a case report of hair plucking and alopecia in a flock of sheep in Zaria. Appearance of alopecia and hair pulling was noticed in an institutional sheep farm consisting of Balami, Uda and Yankasa breeds aged between 3-48 months. This was noticed over a period of 1 month in a total of 15 animals consisting of 9 ewes and 6 rams. Physical observations revealed alopecia. Blood samples and skin scrapings of the animals were negative for haemo- and ectoparasites, and faecal sample examinations were also negative. The feed analysis confirmed the correct nutrient requirement were compounded, but the feed consistency was observed to be too fine. Hay and/or pasture was not provided as required by the animals, hence, nutritional deficit was suspected. The finely ground feed was replaced with a coarse form and hay supplied ad libitum. The problem abated and the bare skin patches returned to normal in 4weeks after the diet was adjusted.  Feeding of these species of animals concentrates diets of fine particle and inadequate forage or hay could have negative effects on animal health and performance.

scholarly journals Trace Selenium Measurement in Water Using Laser-Induced Fluorescence Assisted by Laser Ablation

2021 ◽  
pp. 000370282110357
Author(s):  
Elton Soares de Lima Filho ◽  
Paul Bouchard ◽  
Mohamad Sabsabi ◽  
Guy Lamouche ◽  
Aïssa Harhira
Keyword(s):  
Laser Ablation ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Laser Induced Fluorescence ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Wide Dynamic Range ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Versatile Tool ◽  
Concentration Levels

Selenium detection and removal from industrial and mining effluents have gained attention recently due to the negative effects of this trace element on aquatic life. However, the current methods for the detection of selenium in effluents are off-line by nature. In order to fill this gap, we investigated the use of laser ablation-assisted laser-induced fluorescence (LA-LIF) to measure trace amount of selenium in aqueous solutions. LA-LIF measurements are real time, label-free, standoff, and require no consumables as well as no sample preparation. They can provide a field-amenable, versatile tool for the measurement of selenium in the whole water treatment chain. We describe the system utilized, the temporal and fluence optimization studies, and the resulting calibration curve, which is linear over a wide dynamic range from parts-per-billion to tens of parts-per-million concentration levels. We also show that the achieved limit of detection of selenium can reach 32 µg/L using LA-LIF, without any kind of preconcentration or matrix transfer.

Trace nanoanalysis

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 940-941
Author(s):  
D. E. Newbury ◽  
R. D. Leapman
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Volume Element ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Trace Constituents ◽  
Secondary Ion ◽  
Concentration Levels ◽  
Structure Properties

Trace constituents, which can be very loosely defined as those present at concentration levels below 1 percent, often exert influence on structure, properties, and performance far greater than what might be estimated from their proportion alone. Defining the role of trace constituents in the microstructure, or indeed even determining their location, makes great demands on the available array of microanalytical tools. These demands become increasingly more challenging as the dimensions of the volume element to be probed become smaller. For example, a cubic volume element of silicon with an edge dimension of 1 micrometer contains approximately 5×1010 atoms. High performance secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be used to measure trace constituents to levels of hundreds of parts per billion from such a volume element (e. g., detection of at least 100 atoms to give 10% reproducibility with an overall detection efficiency of 1%, considering ionization, transmission, and counting).

Undesirable Effects of Goal Setting on Perceived Fairness, Commitment, and Unethical Behavior

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Keith
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Unethical Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Goal Commitment ◽  
Management Technique ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Perceived Fairness ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
And Performance

Abstract. The positive effects of goal setting on motivation and performance are among the most established findings of industrial–organizational psychology. Accordingly, goal setting is a common management technique. Lately, however, potential negative effects of goal-setting, for example, on unethical behavior, are increasingly being discussed. This research replicates and extends a laboratory experiment conducted in the United States. In one of three goal conditions (do-your-best goals, consistently high goals, increasingly high goals), 101 participants worked on a search task in five rounds. Half of them (transparency yes/no) were informed at the outset about goal development. We did not find the expected effects on unethical behavior but medium-to-large effects on subjective variables: Perceived fairness of goals and goal commitment were least favorable in the increasing-goal condition, particularly in later goal rounds. Results indicate that when designing goal-setting interventions, organizations may consider potential undesirable long-term effects.

scholarly journals A verified genomic reference sample for assessing performance of cancer panels detecting small variants of low allele frequency

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendell Jones ◽  
Binsheng Gong ◽  
Natalia Novoradovskaya ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Rebecca Kusko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Allele Frequency ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Digital Pcr ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Analytical Accuracy ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Reference Samples

Abstract Background Oncopanel genomic testing, which identifies important somatic variants, is increasingly common in medical practice and especially in clinical trials. Currently, there is a paucity of reliable genomic reference samples having a suitably large number of pre-identified variants for properly assessing oncopanel assay analytical quality and performance. The FDA-led Sequencing and Quality Control Phase 2 (SEQC2) consortium analyze ten diverse cancer cell lines individually and their pool, termed Sample A, to develop a reference sample with suitably large numbers of coding positions with known (variant) positives and negatives for properly evaluating oncopanel analytical performance. Results In reference Sample A, we identify more than 40,000 variants down to 1% allele frequency with more than 25,000 variants having less than 20% allele frequency with 1653 variants in COSMIC-related genes. This is 5–100× more than existing commercially available samples. We also identify an unprecedented number of negative positions in coding regions, allowing statistical rigor in assessing limit-of-detection, sensitivity, and precision. Over 300 loci are randomly selected and independently verified via droplet digital PCR with 100% concordance. Agilent normal reference Sample B can be admixed with Sample A to create new samples with a similar number of known variants at much lower allele frequency than what exists in Sample A natively, including known variants having allele frequency of 0.02%, a range suitable for assessing liquid biopsy panels. Conclusion These new reference samples and their admixtures provide superior capability for performing oncopanel quality control, analytical accuracy, and validation for small to large oncopanels and liquid biopsy assays.

scholarly journals Detection of Active BoNT/C and D by EndoPep-MS Using MALDI Biotyper Instrument and Comparison with the Mouse Test Bioassay

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Ilenia Drigo ◽  
Elena Tonon ◽  
Simone Pascoletti ◽  
Fabrizio Anniballi ◽  
Suzanne R. Kalb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Peptide Fragments ◽  
Mass Spectrometers ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Maldi Biotyper ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most poisonous known biological substances, and therefore the availability of reliable, easy-to use tools for BoNT detection are important goals for food safety and human and animal health. The reference method for toxin detection and identification is the mouse bioassay (MBA). An EndoPep-MS method for BoNT differentiation has been developed based on mass spectrometry. We have validated and implemented the EndoPep-MS method on a Bruker MALDI Biotyper for the detection of BoNT/C and D serotypes. The method was extensively validated using experimentally and naturally contaminated samples comparing the results with those obtained with the MBA. Overall, the limit of detection (LoD) for both C and D toxins were less than or equal to two mouse lethal dose 50 (mLD50) per 500 µL for all tested matrices with the exception of feces spiked with BoNT/C which showed signals not-related to specific peptide fragments. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 100% (95% CI: 87.66–100%), 96.08% (95% CI: 86.54–99.52%), and 93.33% (95% CI: 78.25–98.20%), respectively, and accuracy was 97.47% (95% CI: 91.15–99.69%). In conclusion, the tests carried out showed that the EndoPep-MS method, initially developed using more powerful mass spectrometers, can be applied to the Bruker MALDI Biotyper instrument with excellent results including for detection of the proteolytic activity of BoNT/C, BoNT/D, BoNT/CD, and BoNT/DC toxins.

scholarly journals Bacillus subtilis-Based Probiotic Improves Skeletal Health and Immunity in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Heat Stress

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1494
Author(s):  
Sha Jiang ◽  
Fei-Fei Yan ◽  
Jia-Ying Hu ◽  
Ahmed Mohammed ◽  
Heng-Wei Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Welfare Issue ◽  
And Performance

The elevation of ambient temperature beyond the thermoneutral zone leads to heat stress, which is a growing health and welfare issue for homeothermic animals aiming to maintain relatively constant reproducibility and survivability. Particularly, global warming over the past decades has resulted in more hot days with more intense, frequent, and long-lasting heat waves, resulting in a global surge in animals suffering from heat stress. Heat stress causes pathophysiological changes in animals, increasing stress sensitivity and immunosuppression, consequently leading to increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and related neuroinflammation. Probiotics, as well as prebiotics and synbiotics, have been used to prevent or reduce stress-induced negative effects on physiological and behavioral homeostasis in humans and various animals. The current data indicate dietary supplementation with a Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic has similar functions in poultry. This review highlights the recent findings on the effects of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis on skeletal health of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. It provides insights to aid in the development of practical strategies for improving health and performance in poultry.

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