Aflatoxin B1 contamination in feed from Puglia and Basilicata regions (Italy): 5 years monitoring data.

During a 5-year period from 2010 to 2014, n = 919 samples of feed and raw materials were analyzed for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination using accredited ELISA screening methods. Only 0.76 % of these samples were non-compliant with maximum levels set by the European Union Regulation 32/2002. Non-compliant samples were mainly from the province of Bari (n = 3 samples, mean AFB1 value 7.03 µg/kg), although the highest AFB1 levels were found in two samples from the provinces of Foggia and Brindisi, at 32.6 ± 3.6 µg/kg and 31.0 ± 4.0 µg/kg, respectively. Mean AFB1 levels in samples contaminated but compliant with the limits ranged from 1.4 to 2.2 µg/kg. Considering the great importance of climate conditions in mycotoxins production, during crops production and during the critical phases of materials storage and/or transport, to better understand the variability in contamination levels, the analytical results were reviewed in term of temperature and relative environmental humidity in the sampling areas. Correlations between aflatoxin B1 levels in feed and these climate factors might explain seasonal and annual variations in contamination levels. The data from the present study provide useful suggestions for the organization of targeted monitoring plans and the protection of consumers, as well as for improvement in the quality standards of zootechnological activities and feed industry.

Retinoic acid-induced differentiation in a human neuroblastoma cell line is associated with an increase in nitric oxide synthesis.

The human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-BE, after incubation with 10 microM retinoic acid (RA) or 20 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), underwent biochemical and morphological signs of differentiation within 10-14 days. In parallel, SK-N-BE cells produced significantly higher amounts of nitric oxide (NO) in comparison with controls, as assessed by the measurement of nitrite and nitrate in the culture supernatant and of NO synthase (NOS) activity in the cell lysates (measured as ability to convert [3H]arginine into [3H]citrulline and as NADPH diaphorase activity). Nitrite/nitrate production was abolished by adding the NO scavenger hemoglobin in the culture medium and was inhibited by aminoguanidine (AG, a selective inhibitor of the inducible NOS isoform) but not by the less selective inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (NAME). Western blotting experiments with monoclonal antibodies against the ncNOS and iNOS isoforms suggest that RA-elicited NOS activation is not attributable to an increased expression of the protein. NAME and AG were not able to revert inhibition of proliferation induced by RA, and the NO donor sodium nitroprusside did not mimic the effect of RA and PMA. These data indicate that increased NO synthesis does not mediate RA- or PMA-induced differentiation but may be an additional marker of differentiation into sympathetic-like neuronal cells.

Cell death and cell proliferation contribute to the enhanced growth of foci by fasting in rat medial colon.

We have recently shown that fasting before initiation markedly stimulated the growth of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by azoxymethane (AOM) in the rat medial colon. Here we investigated the mechanisms by which fasting enhanced the growth of ACF. Rats were exposed to 4 day-starvation, then they were given AOM (20 mg/kg) on the first day of refeeding. 4 day-fasting depressed cell proliferation as shown by the decreased mitotic index and enhanced cell death by apoptosis. On the first day of refeeding, apoptotic index remained higher than control values, while mitotic index markedly increased in the colonic epithelium of fasted/ refed rats. The administration of AOM induced an apoptotic wave, that was higher in controls, and a transient drop in the mitotic index that recovered quickly in the fasted/refed group. These data suggest that starvation-induced apoptosis represents the mitogenic stimulus to increase the rates of cell proliferation responsible for the enhanced growth of ACF in fasted/refed rats.

Correlation between nitric oxide synthase activity and reduced glutathione level in human and murine endothelial cells.

The synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), detected as citrulline production, in human (HUVEC) and murine (tEnd.1) endothelial cells correlated with intracellular GSH. tEnd.1, which exhibited an intracellular GSH level 2.5-fold higher than HUVEC, showed a citrulline production (basally and after ionomycin stimulation) 5-8 times higher than human cells. Ionomycinelicited citrulline synthesis in tEnd.1 cells increased 2.4-fold after loading with GSH, and decreased dose-dependently after GSH depletion. Cell loading with N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine neither significantly increased citrulline production nor relieved the effect of GSH depletion.

A clinicopathologically distinctive primary splenic histiocytic neoplasm. Demonstration of its histiocyte derivation by immunophenotypic and molecular genetic analysis.

We describe a primary splenic neoplasm composed of cytomorphologically malignant-appearing erythrophagocytic histiocytoid cells reminiscent of those seen in malignant histiocytosis. However, this neoplasm displayed certain distinctive clinicopathologic features--including localization to the spleen, where it grew as separate discrete nodules--that distinguish it from all previously reported cases of malignant histiocytosis. The cells expressed a monocyte/histiocyte immunophenotype and lacked clonal immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor beta-chain gene rearrangements. Our results suggest that this neoplasm represents a clinicopathologically distinctive and possibly unique tumor derived from the tissue macrophage lineage.

Partial trisomy 6q: case report with necropsy findings.

A male infant with partial trisomy 6q is described. This patient shares features with 12 previously reported cases including hypertelorism, cleft soft palate, bow shaped mouth, micrognathia, short, laterally webbed neck, clubbing of hands and feet, syndactyly, and growth retardation. In addition, visceral anomalies less frequently reported are described. These observations may extend the phenotypic characterisation of the trisomy 6q syndrome.

2-Acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones. 4. Complexes with transition metals as antimalarial and antileukemic agents.

Reaction of the 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones, 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-3-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazide (IIIa), its selenium analogue (IIIb), 1H-hexahydroazepine-1-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazide (IV), and 1H-octahydroazocine-1-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazide (V) with Cu(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), and Mn(II) salts gave crystalline complexes. Relative to the free ligands, these complexes show reduced antimalarial activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei; however, antileukemic properties are enhanced by coordination with the above-mentioned metals.