scholarly journals Co-Inoculation of Aflatoxigenic and Non-Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus flavus to Assess the Efficacy of Non-Aflatoxigenic Strains in Growth Inhibition and Aflatoxin B1 Reduction

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Rahim Khan ◽  
Farinazleen Mohamad Ghazali ◽  
Nor Ainy Mahyudin ◽  
Nik Iskandar Putra Samsudin

The pre-harvest biocontrol approach currently used includes laboratory inoculations using non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus. This strategy effectively suppresses the indigenous aflatoxigenic strains and reduces aflatoxin accumulation in sweetcorn. The current in vitro study’s main objective is to determine the diametric growth rates of both Aflatoxin (AF)+ and AF− strains and improve the understanding of competitive relationships among these strains in sweetcorn (Zea mays). Sweetcorn kernels inoculated with AF+ strains only, AF− strains only, and co-inoculated with AF+ + AF− strains were investigated for aflatoxin concentrations. The diametric growth results revealed that growth rates of AF− strains at 25 and 30 °C were much greater than AF+ strains, which was in line with previous studies. The in vitro findings showed that the AKR5− and AKL34− biocontrol strains effectively inhibited the colony propagation and subsequent AFB1 contamination (up to 79%) of AF+ strains. On the other hand, the AKR1− and AKL35− were least effective in reducing AFB1 contents only by 58% and 60%, respectively. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the reduction of AFB1 contents achieved by AF− strains of A. flavus. The findings of the present study indicated the reduction in AFB1 with population expressions of AF+ strains by the AF− strains and supports the notion of competitive exclusion through vigorous development and propagation of the non-aflatoxigenic fungi.

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
Alaa Baazeem ◽  
Alicia Rodriguez ◽  
Angel Medina ◽  
Naresh Magan

Pistachio nuts are an important economic tree nut crop which is used directly or processed for many food-related activities. They can become colonized by mycotoxigenic spoilage fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus, mainly resulting in contamination with aflatoxins (AFs), especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The prevailing climate in which these crops are grown changes as temperature and atmospheric CO2 levels increase, and episodes of extreme wet/dry cycles occur due to human industrial activity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of interacting Climate Change (CC)-related abiotic factors of temperature (35 vs. 37 °C), CO2 (400 vs. 1000 ppm), and water stress (0.98–0.93 water activity, aw) on (a) growth (b) aflD and aflR biosynthetic gene expression and (c) AFB1 production by two strains A. flavus (AB3, AB10) in vitro on milled pistachio-based media and when colonizing layers of shelled raw pistachio nuts. The A. flavus strains were resilient in terms of growth on pistachio-based media and the colonisation of pistachio nuts with no significant difference when exposed to the interacting three-way climate-related abiotic factors. However, in vitro studies showed that AFB1 production was significantly stimulated (p < 0.05), especially when exposed to 1000 ppm CO2 at 0.98–0.95 aw and 35 °C, and sometimes in the 37 °C treatment group at 0.98 aw. The relative expression of the structural aflD gene involved in AFB1 biosynthesis was decreased or only slightly increased, relative to the control conditions at elevated CO, regardless of the aw level examined. For the regulatory aflR gene expression, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in 1000 ppm CO2 and 37 °C for both strains, especially at 0.95 aw. The in situ colonization of pistachio nuts resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) stimulation of AFB1 production at 35 °C and 1000 ppm CO2 for both strains, especially at 0.98 aw. At 37 °C, AFB1 production was either decreased, in strain AB3, or remained similar, as in strain AB10, when exposed to 1000 ppm CO2. This suggests that CC factors may have a differential effect, depending on the interacting conditions of temperature, exposure to CO2 and the level of water stress on AFB1 production.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faika Y. Abdelmegid ◽  
Fouad S. Salama ◽  
Waleed M. Al-Mutairi ◽  
Saud K. Al-Mutairi ◽  
Sultan O. Baghazal

Introduction The aim of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the effect of different intermediary bases on microleakage between tooth and a nanocomposite interface in Class II box cavities in primary teeth. Methods Standard Class II box cavities were prepared in 52 primary molars and randomly divided into 9 groups according to the intermediary base used (Multicore Flow, Fuji II LC, SDR, Smart Dentin Replacement, and Biodentine). All specimens were subjected to thermocycling and prepared for microleakage testing and evaluation. Results There was significant difference in the mean ranks of microleakage between the 9 groups, which was observed in the gingival side (p<0.0001) and the occlusal side (p<0.0001). The mean ranks microleakage was significantly higher with experimental SDR, experimental Multicore Flow, and positive control materials when compared with the other 6 groups. The microleakage mean ranks were statistically significantly lower in experimental Fuji II LC, experimental Biodentine, and all negative control groups when compared with the other 3 groups. Conclusions Microleakage is affected by the application of intermediate material. Experimental Biodentine and Fuji II LC showed the lowest microleakage while experimental SDR and experimental Multicore Flow showed the highest microleakage.


1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 731 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Baharin ◽  
RG Beilharz

An analysis of the growth and calving performance from a crossbreeding program involving four breeds of sires (Angus, Hereford, Friesian and Shorthorn) mated to three breeds of purebred dams (Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn) and three types of crossbred heifers (Angus x Hereford, Friesian x Angus and Friesian x Hereford) during the 1971 and 1972 calving seasons is presented. The performance of the individual breeds of dams and sires were evaluated from the size and growth rate of their progeny at birth, to weaning and post-weaning, as well as from the performance of the dams at calving measured in terms of incidence of difficult calving, percentage of calves dead at birth and twinning rate. Heritability estimates calculated from intra-class correlation of paternal half-sibs were compared from records obtained from purebred calves and from crossbred calves. Crossbred calves were heavier than the purebred calves at birth and grew faster between birth and weaning. After weaning, crossbred heifers grew significantly faster than the purebreds but no significant difference was observed among the steers. There was no significant difference in performance of crossbred calves produced by the purebred and crossbred dams. Calves from the Friesian sires and Friesian cross dams were heavier at birth than calves produced by the other three breeds of beef sires or the beef crossbred dams and they grew faster to weaning. Between weaning and yearling age both the crossbred steers and heifers from the Friesian sires continued to surpass the performance of the beef breeds of sires but there were no significant differences in the performance of three-breed-cross calves of the Friesian cross dams and the Angus x Hereford dams. Heritability estimates of growth rates calculated from data on the performance of the crossbred progeny generally were lower than those calculated from data of the purebred progeny. Higher estimates of heritability were obtained from the data of female progeny than from male progeny for birth weight but the trend was reversed for growth rates between birth to weaning and from weaning to yearling age.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2501-2501
Author(s):  
Nicola Giuliani ◽  
Simona Colla ◽  
Francesca Morandi ◽  
Sabrina Bonomini ◽  
Mirca Lazzaretti ◽  
...  

Abstract Bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis is increased in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients and correlates with disease progression and patient survival. Myeloma cells secrete the main endothelial growth factor VEGF. In mouse models VEGF secretion as well as the angiogenic properties of MM cells correlate with the lack of CD45 expression by MM cells. However, recent data indicate that VEGF plasma cell expression is similar between MGUS and MM patients suggesting that other molecules could be involved. In line with this hypothesis we have recently demonstrated that myeloma cells may also produce factors with angiogenic properties as angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1) and osteopontin (OPN) that are involved in myeloma induced angiogenesis in vitro. In order to identify which factors correlate with BM angiogenesis in MM patients, we have investigated in a cohort of 121 newly diagnosed MM patients (stage I–III) the expression of the angiogenic molecules VEGF, ANG-1 and OPN and their correlation with bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis and CD45 expression by MM cells. We found that 90% of CD138+ MM cells tested were positive for VEGF mRNA. On the other hand we found that 50% and 40 % of MM patients were positive for ANG-1 and OPN mRNA respectively. Using the previously published cut off for CD45 expression we found that 61 out of 121 MM patients were positive for CD45 and 60 out of 121 were negative for CD45 expression. Any correlation was not observed between VEGF expression and BM angiogenesis in MM patients (p=0.5), whereas the number of microvessels X field was higher in Ang-1 positive patients in comparison with Ang-1 negative ones (mean±SE: 6.23±0.2 vs. 2.94±0.1, median: 6.21 vs. 2.79; p=0.001,) and the microvascular density (MVD) was significantly increased (32.98±1.7 vs. 14.55±1.3, median: 34.69 vs. 13.04; p&lt;0.01; capillaries: 26.73±1.3 vs. 10.42±0.8, median: 24.06 vs. 9.04; p&lt;0.01, small venules: 9.56 ±0.5 vs. 4.14±0.5, median: 10.60 vs. 3.65; p&lt;0.01). Furthermore a significantly positive correlation between Ang-1 expression and MVD was found (Pearson Chi-square: p=0.036, Cochran’s Linear Trend: p=0.01). A significantly higher MVD was also observed in the group of patients positive for OPN, (mean±SE: 29.1±0.7 vs. 17.55±0.37; p&lt;0.01) and similarly, the number of microvessels per field was higher in OPN positive patients in comparison with OPN negative ones (mean±SE: 6.7±0.15 vs. 4.28±0.04; p=0.05). On the other hand, any significant difference was not observed between CD45 positive and CD45 negative patients for the expression of VEGF (p=0.4), ANG-1 (p=0.3) and OPN (p=0.09). Consistently we did not find any significant difference in both MVD and number of vessels X field between CD45 positive patients as compared with CD45 negative ones (p=0.5 and p=0.4, respectively). Finally, a multivariate analysis confirmed that VEGF and CD45 did not correlate with the BM angiogenesis showing that ANG-1 expression by MM cells was more tightly correlated with MVD and the number of vessels X field as compared to OPN. Our data indicate that ANG-1 and in part OPN rather than VEGF and CD45 expression by MM cells are the critical determinants correlated with the increase of BM angiogenesis that occurs in MM patients at the diagnosis.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Jacobson

As a routine postoperative treatment, a single dose of buprenorphine was given to rats at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously. However, some rats developed abnormal secretions around the nose and mouth and some animals died 3-5 days after surgery and analgesic treatment. At autopsy a yellow fibrous mass was found in the stomach and intestines. Observations of animals given buprenorphine revealed an abnormal ingestion of bedding material. This caused a disturbance to normal digestion, with gastric distension, weight loss or decreased growth rate, constipation and occasionally death. In this study rats were monitored for 6 days following surgery and analgesic treatment. A comparison of growth rates was made between rats given saline and buprenorphine or na1buphine and between animals kept on bedding or grid floors for the first 24 h after treatment. Of the animals held on bedding, the buprenorphine-treated animals did not lose weight as the other animals did, but had on the other hand a decreased growth rate during the measuring period of 6 days after surgery. When denied access to bedding for the first 24 h after surgery, rats given saline or na1buphine had a reduced weight gain over the first 24 h, similar to the groups held on bedding. Rats held on grid floors and given buprenorphine continued to gain weight for the first 24h. From day 3, there was no significant difference between the groups, which all gained weight.


Author(s):  
Parisa Golkar ◽  
Ladan Ranjbar Omrani ◽  
Shide Zohourinia ◽  
Elham Ahmadi ◽  
Faeze Asadian

Objectives: In this study we assessed the cytotoxic effect of nanohydroxyapatite (NHA) incorporated into resin modified and conventional glass ionomer cements (RMGICs and CGICs) on L929 murine fibroblasts. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 0wt%, 1wt%, 2wt%, 5wt%, 7wt% and 10wt% concentrations of NHA were added to Fuji II LC RMGIC and Fuji IX CGIC powders. Eighteen samples (5×3mm) were fabricated from each type of glass ionomer, in six experimental groups (n=3): CG0, CG1, CG2, CG5, CG7, CG10, RMG0, RMG1, RMG2, RMG5, RMG7, and RMG10. Samples were incubated for 72h. The overlaying solution was removed and added to L929 fibroblasts. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed at 24, 48 and 72h. The wavelength was read by a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results: There was no significant difference in cytotoxicity of the two types of glass ionomers, with and without NHA, except for CG0 and RMG0 groups after 72h. RMG0 group was significantly more cytotoxic than the CG0 group (P<0.05). In CG groups during the first 24h, the cytotoxicity of CG5 and CG7 groups was significantly higher than that of CG1; while, there was no significant difference between the RMG groups. Cytotoxicity significantly decreased in all groups after 24h (P<0.05). Conclusion: Incorporation of NHA into Fuji II LC RMGIC and Fuji IX CGIC did not affect their biocompatibility and therefore its addition to these materials can provide favorable biological properties, especially considering its beneficial effects on the other properties of GICs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Yoon ◽  
L. Cai ◽  
S. U. Hwang ◽  
Y. Jeon ◽  
E. Kim ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of co-culture with cumulus-derived somatic cells (CSC) during porcine in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent embryonic development after IVF. The CSC were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium for 48 h with various numbers of cumulus-derived somatic cells (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 × 104), and then cultured in TCM-199 for 4 h before the oocytes were added. Cumulus-oocytes complexes from 3- to 6-mm follicles were matured in 500 μL of TCM-199, with eCG and hCG, for 22 h, and then cultured in M199 without hormones for 22 h. Each experiment consisted of at least 4 replicates. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Percentage data were compared by one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan's multiple range test. Data were presented as means ± s.e.m. Differences were considered to be significant if the P-value was 0.05. After IVM, no significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in nuclear maturation rate among the 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 × 104 groups (88.0 ± 2.37, 81.5 ± 2.17, 87.0 ± 1.98 and 86.0 ± 1.93%, respectively). The 2.5 × 104 group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels compared with that of the other groups. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of mature oocyte in all groups showed no significant differences. The developmental competence of matured oocytes in all groups was evaluated after IVF. The 2.5 and 5.0 × 104 groups showed significantly (P < 0.05) high cleavage rates (60.0 ± 4.7 and 64.52 ± 5.9%, respectively) compared with the 0 and 10.0 × 104 groups (43.15 ± 5.0 and 53.8 ± 5.0%, respectively). The 2.5 × 104 group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher BL formation rate (35.7 ± 2.9) than control group (21.0 ± 3.8%, respectively), and higher total cell number (127.25 ± 7.7) compared with the 0 and 10 × 104 groups (89.3 ± 4.0 and 92.6 ± 3.7, respectively). In the analysis of gene expression, IVF-BL derived from the 2.5 and 5.0 × 104 groups showed higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of PCNA, which is an essential component of the DNA replication and repair machinery and POU5F1 has been used to evaluate developmental potential in embryos. The 10.0 × 104 group showed higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of caspase-3 and Bak as known pro-apoptotic factors, compared with the control group IVF-BL. The results of cortical granules distribution which leads digesting sperm receptor proteins ZP2 and ZP3 to block polyspermy, showed that the 2.5 × 104 group was increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the other co-culture groups (13.7 ± 6.1, 29.2 ± 9.5, 18.3 ± 0.8 and 19.52 ± 5.3, respectively). In conclusion, co-culture with 2.5 × 104 cumulus-derived somatic cells during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine IVF embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH level and distribution of cortical granules during oocyte maturation. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.


1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Z. GUO ◽  
J. S. RUSSIN ◽  
R. L. BROWN ◽  
T. E. CLEVELAND ◽  
N. W. WIDSTROM

Kernels of corn population GT-MAS:gk, resistant to aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus, and susceptible Pioneer hybrid 3154 were tested for aflatoxin when incubated under different relative humidities (RH). High aflatoxin levels were not detected in either genotype at RH &lt; 91%. Resistance in GT-MAS:gk was consistent across all RH levels (91 to 100%) at which significant aflatoxin accumulation was detected. Aflatoxin levels in GT-MAS:gk averaged about 98% less than those in susceptible Pioneer 3154, which suggests that storage of this or other genotypes with similar resistance mechanisms may be possible under moisture conditions less exacting than are required with susceptible hybrids. Results for fungus growth and sporulation ratings on kernel surfaces were similar to those for aflatoxin levels. When kernels of both genotypes were preincubated 3 days at 100% RH prior to inoculation with A. flavus, germination percentages increased to very high levels compared to those of kernels that were not preincubated. In preincubated kernels aflatoxin levels remained consistently low in GT-MAS:gk but decreased markedly (61%) in Pioneer 3154. When eight susceptible hybrids were evaluated for aflatoxin accumulation in preincubated kernels, seven of these supported significantly lower toxin levels than kernels not subjected to preincubation. Average reduction across hybrids was 83%, and reductions within hybrids ranged from 68 to 96%. Preincubated kernels of one susceptible hybrid (Deltapine G-4666) supported aflatoxin levels comparable to those in resistant GT-MAS:gk. Data suggest that an inhibitor of aflatoxin biosynthesis may be induced during kernel germination. Possible mechanisms for embryo effects on resistance to aflatoxin accumulation are discussed.


2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. HUME ◽  
D. J. NISBET ◽  
S. A. BUCKLEY ◽  
R. L. ZIPRIN ◽  
R. C. ANDERSON ◽  
...  

Continuous-flow (CF) chemostate cultures were used as models to determine the potential usefulness of undefined porcine cecal bacteria as competitive exclusion (CE) cultures against colonization by Salmonella Typhimurium. One culture, pCF1, was derived from cecal bacteria of an animal maintained on antibiotic-free feed, while the other culture, pCF4, was derived from cecal bacteria of an animal maintained on feed containing chlortetracycline. The effectiveness against a chlortetracycline-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium was examined in CF cultures maintained in the absence (pCF1 and pCF4) and presence (cpCF1 and cpCF4) of chlortetracycline. CF cultures were inoculated with each of 102, 104, and 106 Salmonella Typhimurium CFU/ml. Chemostat inocula of 102 Salmonella CFU/ml resulted in no Salmonella Typhimurium being detected at 2 and 3 days postinoculation in pCF1 and pCF4, respectively, and after 2 days in both cpCF1 and cpCF4. Inoculations of 104 Salmonella Typhimurium CFU/ml resulted in clearance from pCF1 and pCF4 within 4 days and within 3 days from cpCF1 and cpCF4. Following inoculation with 106 CFU/ml, no Salmonella Typhimurium were detected in all CF cultures by 6 days postinoculation. The results indicated that in vitro CF cultures of porcine cecal bacteria were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium. The ability to limit Salmonella Typhimurium growth was not restricted by prior exposure of the cecal bacteria to the feed additive chlortetracycline. The present study demonstrates the potential application of CF cultures as models to aid in the identification of CE cultures against salmonellosis in pigs.


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