Cereal-based foods are utilized as an essential food segment worldwide. Nevertheless, their contamination by mycotoxins, also fumonisins, could pose a critical health risk. The present research ...provides the first systematic review regarding the prevalence and concentration of fumonisins in cereal-based food with the aid of a meta-analysis. In this regard, some international databases PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus were explored during the last 30 years. Among 9729 screened articles, 73 articles (which meet the proposed inclusion criteria), including 11,132 data, were incorporated in the performed meta-analysis. The overall rank order regarding the concentration of fumonisins in cereal-based foods was corn-based foods > wheat-based foods > other cereal foods > barley-based foods > rice-based foods > oat-based foods. Based on the prevalence of fumonisins, the overall rank order was other cereal foods > corn-based foods > rice-based foods > wheat-based foods > oat-based foods > barley-based food. The present meta-analysis results can be a beneficial database for risk assessment model progress, which can help industries and organizations decrease the presence of fumonisins in cereal-based food.
Graphical abstract
The main purpose of our study was to evaluate multiplex PCR assay targeting novel genes for detection of five fungal and bacterial agents in BAL samples; because many fungi and bacteria that cause ...respiratory infections have similar clinical symptoms, diagnosing and differentiating them are therefore essential to controlling and treating them. A total of 100 BAL specimens from a mycobacterium and mycology laboratory were collected from patients suspected of having TB or other respiratory diseases. Novel DNA targets for
Aspergillus
,
Nocardia
,
Cryptococcus
, and
Streptomyces
were found using modified comparative genomic analysis. Afterward, the primers were designed based on novel targets, and the sensitivity and specificity of the newly designed primers were evaluated. These primers, along with specific primers for
M. tuberculosis
(SDR), were used in a multiplex PCR assay. The results showed the culture test to be more sensitive than the PCR assay in detecting
M. tuberculosis
. However, in the detection of
Aspergillus
, the PCR assay was more sensitive than the culture test. We also found one positive culture and two positive PCR assays for Nocardiosis. Cryptococcal infections and
Streptomyces
associated with lung diseases were not identified by the culture test nor by the PCR assay. The multiplex PCR is one of the cheapest molecular diagnostic tests readily available for BAL samples in clinical laboratories. This assay can be used for early reports of the causative agents and for treating patients with appropriate drugs at an early stage.
Infectious diseases are among the factors that account for a significant proportion of disease-related deaths worldwide. The primary treatment approach to combat microbial infections is the use of ...antibiotics. However, the widespread use of these drugs over the past two decades has led to the emergence of resistant microbial species, making the control of microbial infections a serious challenge. One of the most important solutions in the field of combating infectious diseases is the regulation of the host's defense system. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role in the first primary defense against pathogens by identifying harmful endogenous molecules released from dying cells and damaged tissues as well as invading microbial agents. Therefore, they play an important role in communicating and regulating innate and adaptive immunity. Of course, excessive activation of TLRs can lead to disruption of immune homeostasis and increase the risk of inflammatory reactions. Targeting TLR signaling pathways has emerged as a new therapeutic approach for infectious diseases based on host-directed therapy (HDT). In recent years, stem cell-derived exosomes have received significant attention as factors regulating the immune system. The regulation effects of exosomes on the immune system are based on the HDT strategy, which is due to their cargoes. In general, the mechanism of action of stem cell-derived exosomes in HDT is by regulating and modulating immunity, promoting tissue regeneration, and reducing host toxicity. One of their most important cargoes is microRNAs, which have been shown to play a significant role in regulating immunity through TLRs. This review investigates the therapeutic properties of stem cell-derived exosomes in combating infections through the interaction between exosomal microRNAs and Toll-like receptors.
Phytogenics additives have gained considerable attention as efficacious and safe dietary interventions to reduce the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 contamination in aquatic animals. The present study ...was conducted to investigate the ameliorative efficacy of Thymus vulgaris essential oil on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in terms of growth performance, innate plasma immune indices and expression of immune related genes. Five experimental diets including a commercial diet as control, control diet +25 ppb AFB1, control diet +50 ppb AFB1, control diet +25 ppb AFB1 + 1% garden thymus essential oil (TEO), and control diet +50 ppb AFB1+ 1% TEO were tested. Triplicate groups of fish averaging 20.77 ± 0.08 g were fed the test diets at a rate of 3% body weight twice daily for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, fish fed TEO supplemented diets showed improved final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and specific growth rates in comparison to groups received AFB1 with no dietary TEO supplementation (P < 0.05). The biochemical (total protein) and innate immune (lysozyme and ACH50) parameters were significantly enhanced in all TEO supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-8 were markedly up-regulated following feeding on diet containing high level of AFB1 (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, dietary TEO supplementation ameliorated the increased tumor necrosis factor alpha, transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-8 expression induced by dietary AFB1 contamination (P < 0.05). However, TEO supplementation significantly enhanced interleukin-1β expression (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that, dietary supplementation of 1% TEO can mitigate the AFB1 induced suppression of growth and innate immunity in rainbow trout.
•Dietary supplementation of 1% TEO prevented the AFB1 induced growth depression.•Dietary TEO supplementation significantly improved AFB1 induced innate immunity suppression.•The expression of some immune-related genes ameliorated following dietary TEO supplementation.
<正>Objective:To evaluate simultaneous detection and differentiates of Brucella abortus(B.abortus) and Brucella melitensis(B.melitensis) through the combinatorial POR method.Methods:This study ...was designed using three primers that could simultaneously identify and differentiate two major species of pathogenic Brucella in humans and animals.Identification and differentiation of each species using the size of the PCR product were determined.To determine the specifieity of the method,bacteria close to the genus Brucella were used.Finally,to confirm PCR products.In addition to the products sequence,RFLP was performed on PCR products using restriction enzymes.Results:The method of optimized combinatorial PCR in this study could simultaneously detect and differentiate B.abortus and B.melitensis with high specificity and sensitivity in clinical samples.Differentiation of species is based on the resulting bands: therefore,the band 494 bp for B.abortus and 733 bp for B.melitensis were obtained.RFLP and sequencing results confirmed PCR results.Conclusions:The results of this study shows that without routine diagnostic methods such as culture and serology tests,using the molecular method of combinatorial PCR,important species of Brucella can be simultaneously identified and differentiated in clinical samples.
Fusarium species are filamentous fungi that cause a variety of infections in humans. Because they are commonly resistant to many antifungal drugs currently available in clinical settings, research ...into alternative targets in fungal cells and therapeutic approaches is required. The antifungal activity of miltefosine and four comparators, amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole, and caspofungin, were tested in vitro against a collection of susceptible and resistant clinical (n = 68) and environmental (n = 42) Fusarium isolates. Amphotericin B (0.8 μg/mL) had the lowest geometric mean (GM) MICs/MECs values followed by miltefosine (1.44 μg/mL), voriconazole (2.15 μg/mL), caspofungin (7.23 μg/mL), and itraconazole (14.19 μg/mL). Miltefosine was the most effective agent against Fusarium isolates after amphotericin B indicating that miltefosine has the potential to be studied as a novel treatment for Fusarium infections.
To design a duplex PCR for rapid and simultaneous detection of Brucella species. in human blood samples.
Fifty-two peripheral bloods samples were collected from suspicious patients with brucellosis. ...Following DNA extraction, PCR assay were performed, using three primers that could simultaneously identify and differentiate three major species of pathogenic Brucella in humans and animals.
Of the 52 peripheral bloods samples tested, 25 sample (48%) showed positive reactions in PCR. Twelve samples were positive for Brucella abortus 39 (B. abortus 39) (23%), 13 for Brucella melitensis 39 (B. melitensis 39) (25%) and 0 for Brucella ovis 39 (B. ovis 39) (0%).
This work de=monstrates that in case where specific primers were utilized, duplex PCR has proved to be a simple, fast, and relatively inexpensive method for simultaneous detection of important species of Brucella in clinical samples.
Background and Purpose: Keratinophilic fungi are among the important groups of fungi living in the soil. This study aimed to isolate and identify keratinophilic fungi from the soil of three Iranian ...islands, namely Greater Tunb, Abu Musa, and Sirri, located in the Persian Gulf using morphological and molecular (polymerase chain reaction) methods. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 60 soil samples were collected from the three islands of Greater Tunb, Abu Musa, and Sirri. The samples were analyzed for the presence of the keratinophilic fungi using a hair baiting technique. Furthermore, the identification of keratinophilic fungi was accomplished through the employment of molecular and sequencing techniques. Results: A total of 130 fungal isolates, including 11 genera with 24 species, were collected. Accordingly, Chrysosporium tropicum (24;18.5%), C. keratinophilum (17; 13.1%), Chrysosporium species (15; 11.5%), Aspergillus species ( 8;6.1%), Aspergillus flavus (8; 6.1%), Penicillium species (8;6.1%), Alternaria spp ( 6; 4.6%), Phoma species (5; 3.8%), Aphanoascus verrucosus (4;3.1%), Fusarium chlamydosporum (4; 3.1%), Aspergillus trreus (4;3.1%), Acremonium species (4; 3.1%), and other fungi( 23; 17.8 %) isolates were identified . All isolates of keratinophilic fungi were isolated from the soils with the pH range of 7-9. Conclusion: The results of this study contributed towards a better conceptualization of the incidence pattern of keratinophilic fungi in the regions of Iran. Given that no study has investigated this issue, the findings of the present study can be beneficial for the management of public health surveillance, physicians, and epidemiologists.
Exposure to aflatoxin B1 can be associated with reproductive toxicity, accompanied by decreased sperm concentration in animal models. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the correlation ...between aflatoxin B1 exposure and sperm concentrations of male rodents (both mice and rats). According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 articles were selected to assess in the current meta-analysis. The random effects and pooled analysis indicated that sperm concentration was decreased in mice MD sperm = −20.79×10
6
/sperm/g testis (95%CI =−1.3 to −50.5) and in rats −24.34×10
6
/sperm/g testis (95%CI: −7.60 to −44.35) after exposure to aflatoxin B1 compared with control groups. A significant heterogeneity was found among studies (for mice I
2
=99.7%, %, P<0.000 and rats =I
2
=98.8, P<0.000). The findings of present meta-analysis showed the association between aflatoxin B1 exposure and a decrease in sperm concentration in rodents.
An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for SEA detection based on the application of chemically reduced graphene oxide and gold nano-urchins for enhancing sensitivity. The complex of the ...Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A (SEA) molecule and its specific aptamer on the nanomaterial-modified electrode is triggering the aptamer to be detached from the electrode surface and make a difference in the peak current of Differential pulse voltammetry. The fabrication process was confirmed using Cyclic Voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope imaging. As result, the limit of detection was 7.6 fM and the linear range was 25.0–950.0 fM of SEA. The selectivity assessment revealed the high specificity of the aptasensor towards SEA molecules compared to other similar toxin molecules and proteins. Moreover, the functionality of the developed system was tested successfully in spiked real samples of milk and meat as food samples and human serum as a clinical sample. These samples were also tested by a commercial ELISA kit of SEA to compare the results with the aptasensor. The test revealed that the recovery percentages and standard deviation of the aptasensor are superior to the ELISA kit. Therefore, the electrochemical aptasensor can be suggested for being used in food technologies and clinics to detect SEA toxin.
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•An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for detection of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A (SEA).•Reduced graphene oxide and gold nanourchins were used to modify the electrode surface.•The limit of detection was 7.6 fM and the linear range was 25.0–950.0 fM of SEA.
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