scholarly journals Effect of Photosensitization Mediated by Curcumin on Carotenoid and Aflatoxin Content in Different Maize Varieties

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5902
Author(s):  
Rafael Nguenha ◽  
Maral Seidi Damyeh ◽  
Anh D. T. Phan ◽  
Hung T. Hong ◽  
Mridusmita Chaliha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Maize Kernels ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Preservation Technique ◽  
Scanning Electron

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain types of fungi that contaminate food and feed, posing serious health risks to human and livestock. This study evaluated the combination of blue light with curcumin to inactivate Aspergillus flavus spores, its effect on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production and maintaining carotenoid content in three maize varieties. The study was first conducted in vitro, and the spore suspensions (104 CFU·mL−1) were treated with four curcumin concentrations (25 and 50 µM in ethanol, 1000 and 1250 µM in propylene glycol) and illuminated at different light doses from 0 to 130.3 J·cm−2. The photoinactivation efficiency was light-dose dependent with the highest photoinactivation of 2.3 log CFU·mL−1 achieved using 1000 µM curcumin at 104.2 J·cm−2. Scanning electron microscopy revealed cell wall deformations as well as less density in photosensitized cells. Photosensitization of maize kernels gave rise to a complete reduction in the viability of A. flavus and therefore inhibition of AFB1 production, while no significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed using either light or curcumin. Moreover, photosensitization did not affect the carotenoids in all the studied maize varieties. The results suggest that photosensitization is a green alternative preservation technique to decontaminate maize kernels and reduce consumer exposure to AFB1 without any effect on carotenoid content.

scholarly journals Effect of Photosensitization on Inactivation of Aspergillus flavus in Maize

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Rafael Nguenha ◽  
Maral Seidi Damyeh ◽  
Hung T. Hong ◽  
Yasmina Sultanbawa
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Tween 80 ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Tween 20 ◽  
Maize Kernel ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Maize Kernels

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain types of fungi thatcontaminate food and feed, posing serious health risks to human and livestock. Photosensitizationis a light-based technique, which has emerged as a novel and promising green technology to controlmicrobial growth in food and feed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of solvent mediumincluding ethanol (EtOH), 50% (v/v) propylene glycol (PG), 20 % (v/v) tween 20 (TW-20), and 20 %(v/v) tween 80 (TW-80), on curcumin-mediated photosensitization to inactivate Aspergillus flavusspores in vitro and on the surface of yellow and white maize kernel and flour. Results showed areduction in the phototoxic activity of curcumin in TW-20 and TW-80. However, curcumin-basedphotosensitization using EtOH and PG as solvents led to a significant decrease in the colony formingability of A. flavus spores in vitro, up to 2.04 and 3.33 log colony-forming unit (CFU), respectively.Interestingly, fungal growth was delayed in photosensitized maize kernel and flour for 14 and 7days, respectively, which were stored at 25 °C. Consequently, no Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was detectedin maize kernels after 20 days of storage at 25 °C, whereas accumulation of the toxin was reducedby 91% in photosensitized flour. Thus, photosensitization showed to be a potential alternative toreduce A. flavus contamination on maize kernel and flour, giving rise to low concentrations of AFB1.This technique has the potential for use in feed applications resulting in the reduction of postharvestlosses in maize.

scholarly journals Naturally occurring human anti-band 3 autoantibodies accelerate clearance of erythrocytes in guinea pigs

Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
pp. 1920-1928 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Giger ◽  
B Sticher ◽  
R Naef ◽  
R Burger ◽  
HU Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Band 3 ◽  
Complement C3 ◽  
Erythrocyte Membranes ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Band 3 Protein ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Dose Dependent

A variety of naturally occurring autoantibodies (NOAs) have been found in sera of animals and humans. Although their specific homeostatic role in the clearance of altered or senescent cells has been proposed and in vitro studies support such functions, in vivo evidence has been lacking. We studied the effect of affinity-purified human anti-band 3 NOA on the survival of untreated and diamide-treated erythrocytes in normal and complement C3-deficient guinea pigs. In vitro exposure to diamide, an oxidative agent, severely reduced the erythrocyte deformability and increased the amount of high-molecular-weight forms of band 3 protein and band 3-hemoglobin adducts in erythrocyte membranes, thereby markedly shortening the survival of these cells in vivo. Human anti-band 3 NOA bound in a dose-dependent manner to erythrocytes, and binding increased with exposure to diamide. In normal guinea pigs anti-band 3 NOA significantly accelerated the clearance of erythrocytes that were mildly damaged by iodine surface labeling and of those that were further oxidized by diamide. However, the anti-band 3 effect was transient and small. In contrast, anti-band 3 NOA did not significantly alter erythrocyte survival in functionally C3-deficient guinea pigs, thereby supporting the C3b requirement for anti-band 3 NOA activity. On the other hand, a pretreatment of animals with purified human band 3 protein slowed down the clearance of erythrocytes incubated with IgG depleted of anti-band 3 NOA. These results provide the first in vivo evidence of a role for anti-band 3 NOA in the clearance of erythrocytes.

How can We Predict Efficacy of rFVIIa in Hemophilia Patients with Inhibitors?

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3487-3487
Author(s):  
Yesim Dargaud ◽  
Jean C Bordet ◽  
Chantal Huchon ◽  
Claude Negrier
Keyword(s):  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Fibrin Clot ◽  
Bypassing Agents ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Clot Structure ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Clot Stability ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Fibrin Clots

Abstract Abstract 3487 Poster Board III-424 Hemophilia patients with inhibitors are treated with bypassing agents for which hemostatic efficacy is unpredictable. While both activated prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) have demonstrated excellent safety profiles, neither product is a universal hemostatic agent and the variability of response to bypassing agents complicates the treatment in these patients. Moreover, the lack of a validated laboratory assay to measure the effectiveness of bypassing agents dramatically limits the optimisation of treatment strategies. As the final enzyme generated by bypassing agents is thrombin, thrombin generation assay (TGA) could theoretically be used for monitoring rFVIIa. However, TGA does not reflect the stability of the fibrin clot and its resistance to fibrinolysis which are essential parameters of hemostasis. We have therefore evaluated the use of an additional method that might provide complementary information on fibrin clot structure and stability, and would allow a better prediction of the biological efficacy of rFVIIa. In the absence of FVIII/FIX, fibrin fibres are abnormally thick and clots are overly susceptible to fibrinolysis. After treatment with rFVIIa, clots are less porous and fibrin fibres are thinner as assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Using whole blood thromboelastography (TEG) measuring viscoelastic changes of fibrin throughout clot initiation, formation and fibrinolysis, we developed an in vitro model to assess fibrin clot stability and resistance to fibrinolysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the modifications of the fibrin clot structure and the stability of the fibrin clots obtained in the presence of rFVIIa. METHODS The in vitro effect of rFVIIa was tested in 6 severe hemophilia A patients at doses of 90 – 180 – 270 μg/kg. Thrombin generation (TG) was measured in platelet rich plasma using the CAT method in the presence of TF 1pM. After addition of rFVIIa, the improvement in TG capacity was compared to normal values obtained from 80 control males. Fibrin clots obtained from the TG measurements were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fibrin diametres were measured (700 measurements on each sample). In the same samples, the stability of fibrin clots obtained before and after addition of rFVIIa was assessed using TEG-5000™. Clot resistance to fibrinolysis was recorded in the presence of TF 0.5pM and tPA 0.125μM. TEG-tPA and SEM results were compared to those obtained in 30 healthy control males. RESULTS A dose dependent increase of TG was observed in the presence of increasing doses of rFVIIa (p<0.0001; ANOVA). In the presence of rFVIIa 90μg/kg, TG capacity was significantly improved in all patients (p=0.0023; Mann Whitney), and was completely normalized in 4 patients while 2 others needed higher doses of rFVIIa to normalize their TG. The fibrin fibre diameters were thicker (217±16 nm; p<0.0001) in all hemophilia patients in comparison with controls (170±24 nm). After addition of rFVIIa 90μg/kg, the fibrin clot structure was modified and the diameter of fibrin fibres was dramatically decreased in all patients (184±11 nm; p=0.006). A further improvement of fibrin clot structure was observed with rFVIIa 180μg/kg in only one patient. TEG-tPA showed a dose-dependent improvement of fibrin clot stability in the presence of rFVIIa (p<0.0001; ANOVA). A reverse correlation was observed between fibrin fibre diametres and resistance of fibrin clots to fibrinolysis (r=-0.68, p=0.001; Spearman test). CONCLUSION This data demonstrates a statistically significant correlation between clot structure and its stability. The combined use of TGA with TEG-tPA may allow physicians to better evaluate the individual response of patients to bypassing agents. The clinical validity of the minimal individual dose of rFVIIa normalizing both TGA and TEG-tPA needs to be verified in clinical studies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Distribution of Fumonisins in Maize Ears Infected with Strains of Fusarium moniliforme that Differ in Fumonisin Production

Plant Disease ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 953-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Desjardins ◽  
Ronald D. Plattner ◽  
Ming Lu ◽  
Larry E. Claflin
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Moniliforme ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Gibberella Fujikuroi ◽  
Kernel Infection ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Compatibility Group ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Maize Kernels

Strains of Fusarium moniliforme (Gibberella fujikuroi mating population A) that differ in fu-monisin production in vitro were previously identified in a Kansas field population. One strain that produced high levels of fumonisins and two strains that produced very low levels of fu-monisins were applied to maize kernels at planting at the Rocky Ford Farm near Manhattan, Kansas. The distribution of fumonisins in symptomatic and symptomless kernels from individual harvested ears was determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and the distribution of the three applied strains in the kernels was determined by vegetative compatibility group analysis. Both symptomatic and symptomless kernels were extensively colonized with F. moniliforme, but the highest levels of fumonisins were in the symptomatic kernels. All three applied strains were recovered from kernels in 1993, and two of them were recovered from kernels in 1994. However, a high frequency of ear and kernel infection with a strain that produced little fumonisin in vitro did not consistently decrease the level of fumonisins. The frequency of infection with fumonisin low-producing strains may have been too low for competitive exclusion of naturally occurring fumonisin high-producing strains. Also, strains that are low-fumonisin producers under laboratory conditions may be high producers in the field.

Neoxanthin in young vegetable leaves prevents fat accumulation in differentiated adipocytes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihoko Sekiya ◽  
Shigenori Suzuki ◽  
Yusuke Ushida ◽  
Hiroyuki Suganuma
Keyword(s):  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Preventive Effect ◽  
Characteristic Structure ◽  
Fat Accumulation ◽  
Young Leaves ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Β Carotene

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the effect of young leaves on fat accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A potent preventive effect on fat accumulation was observed in fractions of young leaves of spinach, beet, and arugula extracted with a low-polarity solvent (hexane: acetone: ethanol: toluene = 10:6:7:6). This effect was seemingly associated with the leaf carotenoid content, including lutein, β-carotene, and neoxanthin. Among these, only neoxanthin, with the characteristic structure of 5,6-monoepoxide and an allenic bond, significantly prevented fat accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The preventive effect and carotenoid content, including neoxanthin, of these young leaves did not differ from those of the corresponding adult leaves. Therefore, our study demonstrated that young vegetable leaves, such as spinach, beet, and arugula leaves, contained neoxanthin, which prevented fat accumulation in adipocytes in vitro. In the future, the effectiveness of such young leaves and neoxanthin should be investigated in vivo.

PPARγ transcription effect on naturally occurring O-prenyl cinnamaldehydes and cinnamyl alcohol derivatives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Genovese ◽  
Francesco Epifano ◽  
Judith M Rollinger ◽  
Serena Fiorito
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Chemical Synthesis ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cinnamyl Alcohol ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Pparγ Agonists ◽  
In Vitro Effects ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Dose Dependent

Background: PPARγ is known to be a key regulator of metabolism and storage of lipids and glucose and to be implicated in the pathology of severe syndromes like obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. Methods: As a continuation of the authors' studies on oxyprenylated secondary metabolites as effective PPARγ agonists, the authors describe herein the chemical synthesis of natural O-prenyl cinnamaldehydes and cinnamyl alcohols and preliminary data on their in vitro effects on PPARγ transcription. Results: Among the panel of eight compounds tested, three – namely, (2E)-3-(4-((E)3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)acrylaldehyde, (2E)-3-(4-((E)3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-ol and boropinal A – exerted activity in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: O-prenyl cinnamaldehydes and cinnamyl alcohols have the potential to effectively interact with PPARγ receptor.

Sem Studies of Co-Cr-Mo Surgical Implant Alloy Corrosion Behavior

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 520-521
Author(s):  
Ann Chidester Van Orden ◽  
John L. Chidester ◽  
Anna C. Fraker ◽  
Pei Sung
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Corrosion Behavior ◽  
Anodic Polarization ◽  
Saline Solution ◽  
Saturated Calomel Electrode ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Physiological Saline Solution ◽  
Scanning Electron

The influence of small variations in the composition on the corrosion behavior of Co-Cr-Mo alloys has been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), and electrochemical measurements. SEM and EDX data were correlated with data from in vitro corrosion measurements involving repassivation and also potentiostatic anodic polarization measurements. Specimens studied included the four alloys shown in Table 1. Corrosion tests were conducted in Hanks' physiological saline solution which has a pH of 7.4 and was held at a temperature of 37°C. Specimens were mechanically polished to a surface finish with 0.05 µm A1203, then exposed to the solution and anodically polarized at a rate of 0.006 v/min. All voltages were measured vs. the saturated calomel electrode (s.c.e.).. Specimens had breakdown potentials near 0.47V vs. s.c.e.

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Staphylococcus Epidermidis Adherence to Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 520-521
Author(s):  
William J. Lamoreaux ◽  
David L. Smalley ◽  
Larry M. Baddour ◽  
Alfred P. Kraus
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Sterile Saline ◽  
Intravascular Devices ◽  
Capd Patient ◽  
Scanning Electron

Infections associated with the use of intravascular devices have been documented and have been reported to be related to duration of catheter usage. Recently, Eaton et al. reported that Staphylococcus epidermidis may attach to silastic catheters used in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment. The following study presents findings using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of S. epidermidis adherence to silastic catheters in an in vitro model. In addition, sections of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dialysis bags were also evaluated by SEM.The S. epidermidis strain RP62A which had been obtained in a previous outbreak of coagulase-negative staphylococcal sepsis at local hospitals was used in these experiments. The strain produced surface slime on exposure to glucose, whereas a nonadherent variant RP62A-NA, which was also used in these studies, failed to produce slime. Strains were grown overnight on blood agar plates at 37°C, harvested from the surface and resuspended in sterile saline (0.85%), centrifuged (3,000 rpm for 10 minutes) and then washed twice in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline at pH 7.0. Organisms were resuspended at a concentration of ca. 106 CFU/ml in: a) sterile unused dianeal at 4.25% dextrose, b) sterile unused dianeal at 1.5% dextrose, c) sterile used dialysate previously containing 4.25% dextrose taken from a CAPD patient, and d) sterile used dialysate previously containing 1.5% dextrose taken from a CAPD patient.

Application of Transmission Electron Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope in experimental tumor studies

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-307
Author(s):  
Gao Fengming
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscope ◽  
Malignant Transformation ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Experimental Tumor ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Embryo Cells ◽  
Tumor Studies ◽  
Scanning Electron

Transmission electron microscope(TEM) and scanning electron microscope(SEM) were widely used in experimental tumor studies. They are useful for evaluation of cellular transformation in vitro, classification of histological types of tumors and treating effect of tumors. We have obtained some results as follows:1. Studies on the malignant transformation of mammalian cells in vitro. Syrian golden hamster embryo cells(SGHEC) were transformed in vitro by ThO2 and/or ore dust. In a few days after dust added into medium, some dust crystals were phagocytized. Two weeks later, malignant transformation took place. These cells were of different size, nuclear pleomorphism, numerous ribosomes, increasing of microvilli on cell surface with various length and thickness, and blebs and ruffles(Figs. 1,2). Myelomonocytic leukemic transformation of mouse embryo cells(MEC) was induced in vitro by 3H-TdR. Transformed cells were become round from fusiform. The number of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum was reduced, ribosomes and nucleoli increased, shape of nuclei irregular, microvilli increased, and blebs and ruffles appeared(Fig. 3).

Increased Protein Synthesis by Human Platelets during Phagocytosis of Latex Particles in Vitro

1976 ◽  
Vol 35 (02) ◽  
pp. 350-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Bessler ◽  
Galila Agam ◽  
Meir Djaldetti
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Polystyrene Latex ◽  
Latex Particles ◽  
The Third ◽  
Platelet Protein ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Phagocytotic Activity

SummaryA three-fold increase of protein synthesis by human platelets during in vitro phagocytosis of polystyrene latex particles was detected. During the first two hours of incubation, the percentage of phagocytizing platelets and the number of latex particles per platelet increased; by the end of the third hour, the first parameter remained stable, while the number of latex particles per cell had decreased.Vincristine (20 μg/ml of cell suspension) inhibited platelet protein synthesis. This effect was both time- and dose-dependent. The drug also caused a decrease in the number of phagocytizing cells, as well as in their phagocytotic activity.

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