Peripartal changes of metabolic and hormonal parameters in Romanian spotted cows and their relation with retained fetal membranes.

This clinical study investigates various metabolic and physiological parameters in dairy cows during puerperium. Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a significant postpartum complication that can affect the overall health, fertility and productivity of dairy cattle. The research focuses on changes in total proteins, albumin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cortisol, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels among cows experiencing normal post-partum period (NP) and those with RFM. A significant increase in protein levels was noted during the post-partum period in the RFM group, indicating physiological impacts of RFM at this stage. Albumin levels showed significant differences, highlighting a significant biological effect of RFM in the post-partum period. Glucose levels varied significantly in the weeks leading to parturition, suggesting altered metabolic states in cows that suffered RFM. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly higher during the antepartum period in the group that experienced reproductive failure, indicating substantial alterations in lipid metabolism which could herald the apparition of RFM. AST and ALT levels provided insights into cellular stress and liver function, with significant increases noted around parturition which could be attributed to the substantial physiological strain of parturition itself. Cortisol levels were higher in RFM cows 2 weeks before parturition, which could indicate an increasing stress response or a physiological preparation for the upcoming labor, and may be more pronounced in cows predisposed to RFM. Insulin levels decreased significantly before and at parturition in RFM cows, indicating a strong energy deficit. IGF-1 levels decreased significantly in RFM cows after parturition. Significant changes in metabolic parameters, such as glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels, delineate the pronounced metabolic challenges faced by cows with RFM. The study elucidates that while some variations are noted as parturition approaches, the most substantial impacts attributable to RFM on metabolic and physiological parameters occur after parturition. These changes may have implications for the health, recovery, and productivity of cows postpartum, suggesting the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate the effects of RFM.

Natural Endotoxemia in Dogs-A Hidden Condition That Can Be Treated with a Potential Probiotic Containing Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Pediococcus acidilactici: A Study Model.

Spore-based Bacillus spp. products are considered to have a higher probiotic potential compared to products containing only lactic acid bacteria because their viability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is higher, even when GI environmental conditions are unfavorable. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Pediococcus acidilactici spore-based potential probiotic on the natural levels of postprandial endotoxemia. A total of 11 dogs completed the study: group 1-healthy dogs: n = 5; group 2-dogs with apparent dysbiosis: n = 6. For 30 days, the dogs were fed the probiotic product; clinical examinations and blood sampling were done before and after completion of the probiotic treatment. Endotoxin levels were assessed pre-meal, 6 h and 12 h post-meal, before initiation and after completion of the treatment. The results showed a decrease in endotoxin levels after treatment, especially 12 h post-meal (group 1: 20.60%; group 2: 44.93%). This study reports new information with regard to natural endotoxemia levels in dogs and suggests that a multi-strain formula (spore-based) consisting of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and P. acidilactici is able to diminish endotoxin values.

A label-free impedimetric aptasensor for the detection of Bacillus anthracis spore simulant.

Herein, we report an impedimetric DNA-based aptamer sensor for a single-step detection of B. anthracis spore simulant (B. cereus spore). Specifically, we designed a miniaturized label-free aptasensor for B. cereus spores based on a gold screen-printed electrode functionalized with B. cereus spores-binding aptamer (BAS-6R). Several parameters were optimized to fabricate the aptasensor such as the concentration of DNA aptamer solution (0.5 µM), the time (48 h), the temperature (4 °C), and the pH (7.5) for aptamer immobilization on the working electrode surface. Once the aptasensor was developed, it was tested against B. cereus spores 14579 evaluating the effect of incubation time and MgCl2 concentration. Under the optimized conditions (incubation time equal to 3 h and absence of MgCl2), B. cereus spores 14579 were detected with a linear range between 104 CFU/ml and 5 × 106 CFU/ml and a detection limit of 3 × 103 CFU/ml. Furthermore, the study of selectivity toward B. cereus 11778, B. subtilis, Legionella pneumophila, and Salmonella Typhimurium has demonstrated the capability of this sensor to detect B. cereus spores, proving the suitability of the DNA-based sensing element combined with a portable instrument for a label-free measurement on site of B. anthracis spore simulant.

Carbon black-based disposable sensor for an on-site detection of free chlorine in swimming pool water.

Chlorine is the most common chemical compound used for treatment of water at ppm levels, although at higher concentration it can generate harmful disinfection by-products. To easily monitor the correct level of free chlorine, cost-effective and miniaturized devices for fast and on-site detection are required. Herein, we report the development of a novel miniaturized and cost-effective screen-printed electrode modified with carbon black nanomaterial for an effective amperometric detection of free chlorine in swimming pool water. The carbon black was used as working electrode modifier for chlorine quantification at low applied potential, overcoming the fouling problem. In addition, the use of stable and cost-effective carbon black dispersion allows for a mass-production of the modified sensor by an automatable drop casting method. This sensor has demonstrated the capability to detect free chlorine in a linear range of 0.05-200 ppm with a detection limit of 0.01 ppm in standard solution as well as in swimming pool water. The achieved results demonstrated for the first time the suitability of the carbon black as electrode nanomodifier for free chlorine detection, and the possibility to produce a miniaturized and cost-effective carbon black-based printed sensor for reliable free chlorine quantification in water samples.

Rapid and label-free detection of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 using an optical portable instrument.

In this study, we report a novel assay for the combined on site detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), through a colorimetric biosensing system for AFB1 and a fluorimetric detection for OTA, exploiting the capability of the portable fibre optic spectrometer to perform both analyses. AFB1 was detected using the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme that is inhibited by this toxin, and the degree of inhibition was quantified by the Ellman's spectrophotometric method, obtaining a detection limit of 10 µg L(-1). OTA quantification was performed by monitoring its intrinsic fluorescence in methanol, reaching a detection limit of 0.1 µg L(-1). In order to successfully apply the analytical tool in the food analysis, immunoaffinity columns were used. Clean-up and quantification of both AFB1 and OTA in millet samples was obtained by HPLC-dedicated AflaOchra-Test HPLC™ (Vicam™) and Afla-OtaCLEAN™ (LC-Tech) immunoaffinity columns, followed by absorption/fluorescence detection. Millet samples which were fortified with both OTA (50 µg kg(-1)) and AFB1 (20 µg kg(-1)), gave recovery values of 100 ± 6% for OTA, and 110 ± 10% for AFB1, using AflaOchra-Test HPLC™. Single OTA clean-up and quantification in wine samples was obtained, using an OchraTest immunoaffinity column (Vicam™), reaching a detection limit of 0.3 µg L(-1) and recovery values between 80% and 120%. These results demonstrated the possibility of employing a single clean-up and a cost-effective, and easy to use analytical system for both AFB1 and OTA detection at µg kg(-1) (ppb) level. Furthermore, in the case of positive samples, they could be analysed further, using standard chromatographic procedures, without any additional clean-up step, since the same extraction procedure of standard method is proposed in our method.

Disposable electrochemical sensor to evaluate the phytoremediation of the aquatic plant Lemna minor L. toward Pb(2+) and/or Cd(2+).

In this work a miniaturized and disposable electrochemical sensor was developed to evaluate the cadmium and lead ion phytoremediation potential by the floating aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor L. The sensor is based on a screen-printed electrode modified "in-situ" with bismuth film, which is more environmentally friendly than the mercury-based sensor usually adopted for lead and cadmium ion detection. The sensor was coupled with a portable potentiostat for the simultaneous measurement of cadmium and lead ions by stripping analysis. The optimized analytical system allows the simultaneous detection of both heavy metals at the ppb level (LOD equal to 0.3 and 2 ppb for lead and cadmium ions, respectively) with the advantage of using a miniaturized and cost-effective system. The sensor was then applied for the evaluation of Pb(2+) or/and Cd(2+) uptake by measuring the amount of the heavy metals both in growth medium and in plant tissues during 1 week experiments. In this way, the use of Lemna minor coupled with a portable electrochemical sensor allows the set up of a model system able both to remove the heavy metals and to measure "in-situ" the magnitude of heavy metal removal.

Aortic calcification in a patient with hutchinson-gilford progeria syndrome.

We present chest radiographs, echocardiographic image, and selective coronary angiogram of an 18-year old patient with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.