Toxins最新文献

{"title":"Susceptibility and Mechanism of Aflatoxin Contamination of <i>Ziziphus jujuba</i> var. <i>spinosa</i>.","authors":"Abdelrahman Elamin, Shohei Sakuda","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030113","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The susceptibility and mechanism of aflatoxin (AF) contamination in <i>Ziziphus jujuba</i> var. <i>spinosa</i>, whose seeds are important for medicinal use, were evaluated in this study. First, the susceptibility of intact fruits, classified into four maturity groups, to AF accumulation was assessed through artificial contamination with an aflatoxigenic <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> strain. AF analysis revealed that mid-mature fruits were highly susceptible to AF contamination. Next, AF accumulation in seed parts was examined by artificially inoculating <i>A. flavus</i> on intact fruits, showing AF presence in seeds after 30 days of incubation. The susceptibility of jujube kernels to AF accumulation in seed parts was then studied. The artificial inoculation of <i>A. flavus</i> on kernels, classified into three groups based on the pedicel condition, showed no correlation between AF contamination and the pedicel condition, with large fluctuations within each group. Finally, the effect of the hilar region morphology on AF contamination in seeds was investigated. The microscopic investigation of artificially contaminated seeds and AF quantification revealed that variations in AF concentration were linked to differences in the hilar region morphology.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946733/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>N</i>-Glycosylation Profile of Abrin Certified EU Reference Material.","authors":"Roland Josuran, Andreas Wenger, Sylvia Worbs, Bettina Kampa, Andreas Rummel, Brigitte G Dorner, Sabina Gerber","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030108","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Abrin is a highly toxic plant protein encompassing four isoforms, abrin-a, -b, -c and -d. An abrin reference material was isolated from <i>Abrus precatorius</i> and certified (EURM-113) by the EuroBioTox consortium. Here, we present a detailed characterisation of the <i>N</i>-glycosylation profile of EURM-113. The monosaccharide composition of the <i>N</i>-glycans was determined and quantified. Release of the <i>N</i>-glycans yielded 13 different partially xylosylated, oligomannosidic and paucimannosidic glycan structures. Two <i>N</i>-glycans were found at N82 and N110 of the abrin-b A-chain and another two at N100 and N140 of the B-chains. The <i>N</i>-glycosylation sites N200 in the A-chain and N141 in the B-chain were non-glycosylated. Whereas N82 and N110 of abrin-b comprised paucimannosidic glycans, N100 and N140 of the B-chains revealed oligomannosidic <i>N</i>-glycans. Xylose was absent in the glycans at N100 but was present in about half of the glycans at N140. Hence, this study revealed substantially different types of glycan structures within the B-chains compared to the abrin-b A-chain. Furthermore, the most C-terminal <i>N</i>-glycosylation site in the A-chain was found to be non-glycosylated in all abrin isoforms detected. Additionally, the establishment of the <i>N</i>-glycosylation profile of the abrin reference material led to the identification of the abrin isoforms -a, -b and -c. In conclusion, the abrin <i>N</i>-glycosylation profile is highly similar to the one of ricin and yields high analytical value to be further exploited as a fingerprint in forensic investigations to uncover toxin production or toxin provenance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11945959/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Elias University Hospital Approach: A Visual Guide to Ultrasound-Guided Botulinum Toxin Injection in Spasticity: Part I-Distal Upper Limb Muscles.","authors":"Marius Nicolae Popescu, Claudiu Căpeț, Cristina Beiu, Mihai Berteanu","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030107","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Post-stroke spasticity significantly impairs upper limb function and quality of life. Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injections have become a cornerstone of management, enhancing precision and safety. This paper offers a comprehensive guide for clinicians on ultrasound-guided BoNT-A injections for distal upper limb muscles. Each muscle is detailed in terms of its role in spasticity management, ultrasound identification with key anatomical landmarks, clinical relevance, and injection strategies. Motor points, traditionally identified through anatomical studies or electromyography (EMG), are precisely localized using a musculoskeletal ultrasound by targeting the point of maximum muscle thickness, often corresponding to the motor point. The authors present their clinical method, developed at Elias University Hospital (EUH), to refine BoNT-A injection practices. This approach enhances efficacy, reduces dosage requirements, and improves patient outcomes. The paper also explores unique ultrasound characteristics of spastic muscles, such as their relationship with peripheral nerves, adjacent vascular and muscular structures, and intra- and intermuscular fascia, to guide clinicians in targeting functional muscle tissue. This guide is illustrated with representative ultrasound images and clinical diagrams and provides practical insights into anatomical relationships and injection techniques. Part I focuses on distal upper limb muscles, with Part II addressing proximal upper limb muscles.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11945674/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inhibition Effects of Infrared Radiation Prior to Cold Storage Against <i>Alternaria alternata</i> on Yellow Peach (<i>Amygdalus persica</i>).","authors":"Longxiao Liu, Kai Fan, Qingwen Huang, Xinyi Wang, Dongxia Nie, Zheng Han, Zhizhong Li, Zhihui Zhao","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030106","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During postharvest storage, the yellow peach (<i>Amygdalus persica</i>) is susceptible to infection by <i>Alternaria alternata</i>, which causes fruit decay and produces multiple <i>Alternaria</i> toxins (ATs), leading to economic losses and potential health risks. The present study investigated the inhibitory effects of infrared radiation treatment against <i>A. alternata</i> on yellow peaches. Our in vitro experimental results indicated that infrared radiation at 50 °C for 30 min could completely inhibit fungal growth and AT production. Furthermore, infrared treatments prior to cold storage effectively delayed the onset of decay and significantly reduced the lesion diameter, decay rate, and AT levels in the yellow peaches inoculated with <i>A. alternata</i>. After the peaches underwent infrared radiation at 50 °C for 30 min and then cold storage for 60 days, the levels of tenuazonic acid, alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, and altenuene in the yellow peaches decreased by 95.1%, 98.6%, 76.1%, and 100.0%, respectively. Additionally, infrared radiation caused slight changes in their firmness, total soluble solids, and concentrations of sugar and organic acids, indicating minor negative impacts on the quality of the yellow peaches. Therefore, the present work provides a novel strategy for controlling <i>A. alternata</i> and AT contamination, thereby extending the shelf-life of yellow peaches, and improving food safety administration.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946141/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acyclic Cucurbit[n]uril-Enabled Detection of Aflatoxin B1 via Host-Guest Chemistry and Bioluminescent Immunoassay.","authors":"Shaowen Wu, Ke Feng, Jinlu Niu, Jintao Xu, Hualian Mo, Xiaoman She, Shang-Bo Yu, Zhan-Ting Li, Shijuan Yan","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030104","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly toxic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus species, represents a significant health hazard due to its widespread contamination of agricultural products. The urgent need for sensitive and sustainable detection methods has driven the development of diverse analytical approaches, most of which heavily rely on organic solvents, posing environmental challenges for routine food safety analysis. Here, we introduce a supramolecular platform leveraging acyclic cucurbit[n]uril (acCB) as a host molecule for environmentally sustainable AFB1 detection. Screening various acCB derivatives identified acCB6 as a superior host capable of forming a stable 1:1 complex with AFB1 in an aqueous solution, exhibiting a high binding affinity. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy confirmed that AFB1 was deeply encapsulated within the host cavity, with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments and molecular dynamics simulations further substantiating the stability of the interaction, driven by enthalpic and entropic contributions. This supramolecular host was incorporated into a scaffold-assembly-based bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay (SA-BLEIA), providing a green detection platform that rivals the performance of traditional organic solvent-based assays. Our findings highlight the potential of supramolecular chemistry as a foundation for eco-friendly mycotoxin detection and offer valuable insights into designing environmentally sustainable analytical methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11945384/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Past, Current and Future Techniques for Monitoring Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in Bivalve Molluscs.","authors":"Sarah C Finch, D Tim Harwood","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030105","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a threat to human health caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with toxins of the saxitoxin class. Human health is protected by the setting of regulatory limits and the analysis of shellfish prior to sale. Both robust toxicity data, generated from experiments fitting into the ethical 3R framework, and appropriate analysis methods are required to ensure the success of this approach. A literature review of in vivo animal bioassays and in vitro and analytical methods showed that in vitro methods are the best option to screen shellfish for non-regulatory purposes. However, since neither the receptor nor antibody binding of paralytic shellfish toxin analogues correlate with toxicity, these assays cannot accurately quantify toxicity in shellfish nor be used to calculate toxicity equivalence factors. Fully replacing animals in testing is rightfully the ultimate goal, but this cannot be at a cost to human health. More modern technology, such as organ-on-a-chip, represent an exciting development, but animal bioassays cannot currently be replaced in the determination of toxicity. Analytical methods that employ toxicity equivalence factors calculated using oral animal toxicity data result in an accurate assessment of the food safety risk posed by paralytic shellfish toxin contamination in bivalve molluscs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11945588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Switox: Retrospective Analysis of Botulinum Toxin Switching in Management of Spasticity.","authors":"Emilie Leblong, Patrice Piette, Carole Anne, Maud Jeanne, Marion Poyau, Anne Laure Roy, Philippe Gallien","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030103","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This retrospective study investigates botulinum toxin changes in 206 patients with spasticity, following reimbursement adjustments in France. The main objective was to evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of these changes, a topic underexplored due to the common practice of maintaining the same toxin brand. The majority of patients switched from Botox to Xeomin (73.66%), while others switched from Botox to Dysport (14.63%) or from Xeomin to Dysport (11.71%). Dose adjustments varied depending on the switch, with the change from Botox to Xeomin showing the greatest diversity in adjustments. Overall, tolerance was good, with few adverse effects reported, primarily fatigue. Perceived efficacy fluctuated, with some patients noting improvement while others experienced deterioration, but the median remained stable. A majority of patients (57.06%) chose to continue with their new treatment, indicating general satisfaction, though 42.93% preferred to return to their initial treatment. This study highlights the importance of an individualized approach and careful monitoring during toxin changes. The results suggest that toxin switches can be made without an increase in adverse effects. While differences between groups were observed, they were not statistically significant. Placebo and nocebo effects may influence perceptions of efficacy and side effects during treatment changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11945378/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Barriers to Long-Term Adherence in Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Post-Stroke Spasticity: Insights and Implications from a Single-Center Study in North Italy.","authors":"Ester Cecchella, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Filippo Cotellessa, William Campanella, Luca Puce, Lucio Marinelli, Antonio Currà, Cristina Schenone, Laura Mori, Carlo Trompetto","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030102","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in spasticity. Botulinum toxin injections have emerged as a cornerstone in the management of post-stroke spasticity. However, despite their clinical efficacy, maintaining long-term adherence to botulinum toxin therapy remains a significant challenge. This retrospective observational study analyzed 106 patients undergoing botulinum toxin therapy for post-stroke spasticity to identify the key factors influencing treatment continuation. The mean age of the cohort at the time of stroke was 57.7 years, with ischemic strokes accounting for 61.3% of cases and hemorrhagic strokes for 38.7%. A total of 61.3% of patients continued therapy, while 38.7% discontinued therapy due to a variety of reasons. The most common reasons included logistical barriers (43.9%) and comorbidities (36.6%), followed by perceived lack of benefit (24.4%) and clinical resolution (12.2%). Among those citing a lack of benefit, muscular fibrosis was a notable contributor. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, logistical challenges, such as access to healthcare facilities and administrative difficulties, were associated with discontinuation (HR = 13.95, 95% CI: 5.57-34.94, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Comorbidities also significantly increased the likelihood of discontinuation (HR = 3.51, 95% CI: 1.56-7.87, <i>p</i> = 0.002), as did the lack of benefit (HR = 14.34, 95% CI: 5.65-36.38, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and condition resolution (HR = 19.20, 95% CI: 5.58-66.02, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In contrast, demographic and clinical factors, including age at the time of stroke, gender, stroke type, affected side, and baseline spasticity severity, did not significantly influence treatment continuation. These findings underscore the importance of addressing logistical barriers and mitigating the burden of comorbidities to enhance treatment adherence. A shift toward patient-centered approaches that integrate robust rehabilitation services and streamline healthcare accessibility is critical for optimizing outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946851/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Two Amino Acid Substitutions Improve the Pharmacological Profile of the Snake Venom Peptide Mambalgin.","authors":"Dmitry I Osmakov, Timur A Khasanov, Ekaterina E Maleeva, Vladimir M Pavlov, Victor A Palikov, Olga A Belozerova, Sergey G Koshelev, Yuliya V Korolkova, Igor A Dyachenko, Sergey A Kozlov, Yaroslav A Andreev","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030101","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mambalgins are peptide inhibitors of acid-sensing ion channels type 1 (ASIC1) with potent analgesic effects in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. To optimize recombinant peptide production and enhance pharmacological properties, we developed a mutant analog of mambalgin-1 (Mamb) through molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis. The resulting peptide, Mamb-AL, features methionine-to-alanine and methionine-to-leucine substitutions, allowing for a more efficient recombinant production protocol in <i>E. coli</i>. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that Mamb-AL exhibits three-fold and five-fold greater inhibition of homomeric ASIC1a and ASIC1b channels, respectively, and a two-fold increase in inhibition of heteromeric ASIC1a/3 channels compared with Mamb. In a mouse model of acetic acid-induced writhing pain, Mamb-AL showed a trend toward stronger analgesic efficacy than the wild-type peptide. These improvements in both production efficiency and pharmacological properties make Mamb-AL a valuable tool for studying ASIC channels and a promising candidate for analgesic drug development.</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946789/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Ciguatoxin Detection in Fish from the Asia-Pacific Region.","authors":"Xin Li, Ker Lew, Yu Lee Leyau, Ping Shen, Joachim Chua, Kung Ju Lin, Yuansheng Wu, Sheot Harn Chan","doi":"10.3390/toxins17030100","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxins17030100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fish is a major source of protein in Asia-Pacific countries. Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), caused by consuming reef fish contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs), poses a significant health risk, affecting the neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems. Climate change and the global food trade are potentially major factors contributing to the expanding geographical range and frequency of CFP outbreaks. Therefore, the surveillance and monitoring of CTXs in fishery products are essential to safeguard food safety. In this study, liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was used to screen for CTXs in wild-caught fish from the region. Analysis of two grouper fish samples from Okinawa, Japan, detected CTX-1B, a major CTX known to incur in fish from the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, putative Indian Ocean CTXs (I-CTXs) were also identified. Further study with HRMS on wild-caught red emperor fish from Southeast Asia waters revealed low levels of I-CTXs as well. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced food safety measures and expansion of monitoring protocols to include I-CTXs. This research contributes to the global understanding of CTX distribution and confirms the importance of HRMS application in routine surveillance to mitigate the risks associated with ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP).</p>","PeriodicalId":23119,"journal":{"name":"Toxins","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946577/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}