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Aspergillus flavus is the main xerophylic species colonising stored peanuts resulting in contamination with aflatoxins (AFs) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). This study evaluated the relationship between storage of shelled peanuts under interacting abiotic conditions on (a) temporal respiration (R) and cumulative CO 2 production, (b) dry matter losses (DMLs) and (c) aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) and CPA accumulation. Both naturally contaminated peanuts and those inoculated with A. flavus were stored for 7-days under different water activities (a w ; 0.77–0.95) and temperatures (20–35°C). There was an increase in the temporal CO 2 production rates in wetter and warmer conditions, with the highest respiration at 0.95 a w + A. flavus inoculum at 30°C (2474 mg CO 2 kg−1h−1). The DMLs were modelled to produce contour maps of the environmental conditions resulting in maximum/minimum losses. Maximum mycotoxin contamination was always at 0.95 a w although optimal temperatures were 25-30°C for AFs and 30-35°C for CPA. These results showed a correlation between CO 2 production and mycotoxin accumulation. They also provide valuable information for the creation of a database focused on the development of a post-harvest decision support system to determine the relative risks of contamination with these mycotoxins in stored shelled peanuts. Image 1 • Higher optimum temperature for Aspergillus flavus growth (30–35 °C) than for AFB 1 production (25–30 °C). • Optimum cyclopiazonic acid production was at (30–35 °C), with none at 0.90 a w. • Dry matter losses varied from 0.3 to 17 % at 0.90–0.95 a w in stored peanuts depending on the temperature. • Dry matter losses can be used as a sensitive early indicator of initiation of fungal spoilage. • Dry matter losses due to fungal activity (0.56 %) resulted in aflatoxin contamination exceeding EU limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor storage of cereals, such as maize can lead to both nutritional losses and mycotoxin contamination. The aim of this study was to examine the respiration of maize either naturally contaminated or inoculated with Aspergillus flavus to examine whether this might be an early and sensitive indicator of aflatoxin (AF) contamination and relative storability risk. We thus examined the relationship between different interacting storage environmental conditions (0.80-0.99 water activity (aw) and 15-35°C) in naturally contaminated and irradiated maize grain + A. flavus on relative respiration rates (R), dry matter losses (DMLs) and aflatoxin B1 and B2 (AFB1-B2) contamination. Temporal respiration and total CO2 production were analysed by GC-TCD, and results used to calculate the DMLs due to colonisation. AFs contamination was quantified at the end of the storage period by HPLC MS/MS. The highest respiration rates occurred at 0.95 aw and 30-35°C representing between 0.5% and 18% DMLs. Optimum AFs contamination was at the same aw at 30°C. Highest AFs contamination occurred in maize colonised only by A. flavus. A significant positive correlation between % DMLs and AFB1 contamination was obtained (r = 0.866, p < 0.001) in the irradiated maize treatments inoculated with A. flavus. In naturally contaminated maize + A. flavus inoculum loss of only 0.56% DML resulted in AFB1 contamination levels exceeding the EU legislative limits for food. This suggests that there is a very low threshold tolerance during storage of maize to minimise AFB1 contamination. This data can be used to develop models that can be effectively used in enhancing management for storage of maize to minimise risks of mycotoxin contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity of black aspergilli isolated from berries from different agroclimatic regions of Spain. Growth characterization (in terms of temperature and water activity requirements) of Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus tubingensis and Aspergillus niger was carried out on synthetic grape medium. A. tubingensis and A. niger showed higher maximum temperatures for growth (>45°C versus 40–42°C), and lower minimum aw requirements (0.83aw versus 0.87aw) than A. carbonarius. No differences in growth boundaries due to their geographical origin were found within A. niger aggregate isolates. Conversely, A. carbonarius isolates from the hotter and drier region grew and produced OTA at lower aw than other isolates. However, little genetic diversity in A. carbonarius was observed for the microsatellites tested and the same sequence of β-tubulin gene was observed; therefore intraspecific variability did not correlate with the geographical origin of the isolates or with their ability to produce OTA. Climatic change prediction points to drier and hotter climatic scenarios where A. tubingensis and A. niger could be even more prevalent over A. carbonarius, since they are better adapted to extreme high temperature and drier conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The emerging risk management metrics, FSO, PO and PC, were applied to the aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) determination in 8 commercial lots of pistachio. In order to determine the sampling uncertainty, two sampling plans (EU official sampling and company plan) in quadruplicate, and two analytical methods (ELISA and HPLC), were considered in parallel. The combination of EU official sampling plan and HPLC proved to be the most appropriate option. The major variability was associated with the subfraction selection and, therefore, increasing the number of the analysed subfractions could be an alternative for reducing uncertainty. AFs were present in all lots, mainly AFB1 and AFB2, while OTA was never detected. The effect of toasting on AFs presence in pistachio (a performance criteria, PC) was evaluated in order to achieve a given PO, taking into account the FSO, i.e., the EC limits. Percentages of AFs reduction were 87.62% ± 11.89, 81.05% ± 15.51 and 86.74% ± 11.31 for AFB1, AFB2 and total AFs, respectively. Given an initial AFB1 and AFBs level ≤12 μg/kg and ≤15 μg/kg, respectively, the toasting would ensure the AFB1 and AFs legal limits compliance before human consumption (FSO). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been found in pre-harvest and freshly harvested wheat. Spanish climatic conditions point to Aspergillus species as probably responsible for this OTA. In this study the effectiveness of 5 non-specific antifungal chemicals used on wheat fields (25.9% tebuconazole+60.0% N,N-capramide dimethyl; 12.70% tebuconazole+12.7% prothioconazole+59.5% N,N‐amide dimethyldecane; 12.5% epoxiconazole; 12.5% tetraconazole; and 70% thiophanate methyl) and an extract from Equisetum arvense were investigated in vitro on wheat by recording growth (colony size, fungal growth and DNA concentration) and OTA production of two ochratoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus carbonarius and three of A. steynii, simulating current and extreme climatic conditions. Inoculated wheat was incubated under two alternating temperature cycles (20/30°C and 25/35°C) with photoperiod (14/10h lightness/darkness), and two moisture levels (40 and 25%). The Aspergillus species tested seemed to be able to persist in predicted future climatic conditions, in particular, A. steynii, a high OTA producer. Azoles were effective in controlling the growth of A. carbonarius and A. steynii, and this effectiveness may not be compromised by the increase in temperature and decrease of humidity. However, azoles are not useful for the prevention of OTA accumulation, which could be only reduced in A. carbonarius under non-extreme conditions. Although some adjustment will probably be required, further studies should be conducted in the field, since the antifungals used in this study are applied at flowering and not directly on the grain. Moreover, timing of antifungal application may need to be optimized. Finally, Equisetum extract showed promising results as an antifungal, however further work to adjust the applied concentrations is required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This review focuses on risk management issues applied to mycotoxins and, in particular, the Codex Alimentarius recommendations for microbiological hazards are considered. Mycotoxins are chemical hazards from microbiological origin, thus some parallelisms can be found. Firstly, a revision of main points regarding risk assessment is done. Then, the existing control measures for risk management of mycotoxins are reviewed and ALOP, FSO and PO concepts are introduced. Finally, an example of the application of these metrics is included: the processing of roasted pistachio is considered. The starting point was the maximum levels in Commission Regulation 1881/2006 for total aflatoxins. Having these values in mind, the process steps were individually considered and PCs determined when required. Moreover, according to these PCs, possible PcC and PdC were calculated, using previously published results. The present study demonstrates that the emerging risk management metrics, FSO, PO and PC, might be also applied to the mycotoxin hazard. The example here presented underlines the need for better and more structured information on the impact of the storage and processing steps on mycotoxins accumulation. Moreover, the problem of the impact of uncertainty in checking PO and FSO compliance was brought up. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This work deals with the low-temperature preparation of optically active silica-based materials. Tb[sup 3+] -doped silica monolithic gels were elaborated at 40 °C. Tb[sup 3+] –SSA-doped SiO[sub 2] –TiO[sub 2] thin films were deposited by an original sol–gel approach, the aerosol–gel process, and heat-treated at 150 °C. Organic complexation of terbium ions was used to improve the active properties of doped silica gels and thin-film samples. Spectroscopic characterisations are reported for these samples. Photoluminescence increase by a factor two was observed for complexation by sulphosalicylic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the low-temperature preparation of optically active silica-based materials. Tb[sup 3+] -doped silica monolithic gels were elaborated at 40 °C. Tb[sup 3+] –SSA-doped SiO[sub 2] –TiO[sub 2] thin films were deposited by an original sol–gel approach, the aerosol–gel process, and heat-treated at 150 °C. Organic complexation of terbium ions was used to improve the active properties of doped silica gels and thin-film samples. Spectroscopic characterisations are reported for these samples. Photoluminescence increase by a factor two was observed for complexation by sulphosalicylic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to screen 10 snake venoms for their efficacy to control growth and mycotoxin production by important mycotoxigenic fungi including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium verrucosum, Fusarium graminearum and F. langsethiae. The Bioscreen C rapid assay system was used. The venoms from the Viperidae snake family delayed growth of some of the test fungi, especially F. graminearum and F. langsethiae and sometimes A. flavus. Some were also able to reduce mycotoxin production. The two most potent crude snake venoms (Naja nigricollis and N. siamensis; 41 and 43 fractions, respectively) were further fractionated and 83/84 of these fractions were able to reduce mycotoxin production by >90% in two of the mycotoxigenic fungi examined. This study suggests that there may be significant potential for the identification of novel fungistatic/fungicidal bioactive compounds as preservatives of raw and processed food commodities post‐harvest from such snake venoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that evaluates the efficacy of transfusion service management for patients with sickle-cell disease (SCD). The study is conducted on 83 patients with SCD accompanied with high levels of various cytokines and through the use of questionnaires. The results of the study show the demographics of the patients and several issues related to SCD.

Objective: To provide an analysis of casualties treated during medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or/and at the Spanish Role 2 in Herat, Afghanistan, including type of weapon, injuries, and effects of protective measures.Method: A retrospective analysis was carried out concerning patients who had suffered injuries from either gunshot or explosive devices treated during MEDEVAC or/and at this facility during the period 2005-2008.Results: The total number of cases analyzed was 256. The majority of the casualties were produced by explosive devices (71%). The anatomical regions most affected were the lower limbs (48%). There was a higher New Injury Severity Score in casualties wounded by gunshot (14 +/- 1) than in those wounded by explosive devices (8.5 +/- 1.5) (p < 0.001). Surgical procedures for injuries caused by gunshots were 1.7 times more likely than for those due to explosive devices (95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 2.1). Protective devices were used only by 25% of casualties.Conclusions: The injury score indices of firearm casualties were higher than the explosive device casualties' injury score indices. The possible reasons for this finding are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined B cell reconstitution in a severe combined immunodefficiency disease (SCID) patient who was treated with in utero haploidentical bone marrow transplant. Information on the treatment of SCID; Materials and methodology of the study; Results and discussion.