Some foods and feeds are often contaminated by numerous mycotoxins, but most studies have focused on the occurrence and toxicology of a single mycotoxin. Regulations throughout the world do not consider the combined effects of mycotoxins. However, several surveys have reported the natural co-occurrence of mycotoxins from all over the world. Most of the published data has concerned the major mycotoxins aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FUM) and trichothecenes (TCTs), especially deoxynivalenol (DON). Concerning cereals and derived cereal product samples, among the 127 mycotoxin combinations described in the literature, AFs+FUM, DON+ZEA, AFs+OTA, and FUM+ZEA are the most observed. However, only a few studies specified the number of co-occurring mycotoxins with the percentage of the co-contaminated samples, as well as the main combinations found. Studies of mycotoxin combination toxicity showed antagonist, additive or synergic effects depending on the tested species, cell model or mixture, and were not necessarily time- or dose-dependent. This review summarizes the findings on mycotoxins and their co-occurrence in various foods and feeds from all over the world as well as in vitro experimental data on their combined toxicity.

Nucleotides are increasingly recognized as nonredundant extracellular signals for chemotaxis, cell growth, and cytokine release. Effects of extracellular nucleotides are mediated by P2 receptors, among which the P2X(7) subtype is attracting increasing attention for its involvement in apoptosis, cell growth, and cytokine release. Recent studies showed that P2X(7) is overexpressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and breast and prostate cancer. The aim of the present study was to better understand the clinical significance of P2X(7) receptor expression in normal and cancer human thyroid tissues. P2X(7) receptor message and protein expression and functional activity were tested in two cell lines (FB1 and FB2) established from either anaplastic or papillary primary thyroid cancer and in several histological samples of human papillary cancer. We show here that human thyroid papillary carcinoma, whether of the classical or follicular variant, expresses the P2X(7) receptor (P2X(7)R) to a much higher level than normal thyroid tissue. The P2X(7)R was similarly up-regulated in FB1 and FB2 cell lines. In contrast to normal thyroid cells, both cell lines responded to extracellular nucleotide stimulation with a large increase in intracellular Ca(2+) and secretion of IL-6. Ca(2+) increase was attenuated and release of IL-6 was fully blocked by P2X(7)R inhibitors. Finally, the thyroid carcinoma cell lines had at least a 3-fold higher intracellular ATP concentration and maintained at least a 3-fold higher extracellular ATP level, compared with control cells. These data suggest that an enhanced P2X(7)R function might be a feature of human thyroid cancer.

RBP4 levels are increased in naive HYP women and correlated with the degree of IMT suggesting a participation of this adipocytokine in the modulation of the atherosclerotic process exerted by the adipose tissue as endocrine organ.

This study is the first 2-DE proteomic analysis dedicated to the pathogenesis of ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1 μVar) in oyster Crassostrea gigas, the most important bivalve produced in the world. OsHV-1 has affected oysters every year since 2008. All the proteins identified in this paper are key targets involved in OsHV-1 infection processes. We presented evidence that the metabolic changes during infection in oyster somehow resemble the Warburg effect occurring in cancer cells. This work constitutes a real advance in the comprehension of the host metabolic pathways affected during OsHV-1 disease. Overall, this work contributes to a better understanding of disease mortalities in aquatic ecosystems which could guide management actions to mitigate their impacts.

We used a 2-DE proteomic approach to identify abundant proteins linked to oocyte quality in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, an economically important bivalve. Oocyte quality of 14 females was estimated by recording fertilisation and early developmental success until D-larval stage under controlled conditions. Proteins that were differentially expressed between females showing high or low oocyte quality were identified by nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Twelve up-accumulated spots associated with low quality oocytes revealed 10 distinct proteins, including vitellogenin - breakdown products and metabolic enzymes. Eight up-accumulated spots from high quality oocytes revealed 6 distinct proteins, including chaperone molecules and cell-cycle control proteins. This is the first proteomic study dedicated to oocytes in C. gigas. Our results improve current knowledge about protein factors associated with oocyte quality in this species, and our understanding of the proteomic processes involved in their developmental competence.

Objective: To investigate whether adiponectin receptor genes (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) expression in human subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue in severely obese patients with or without diabetes is related to adiponectin gene (APM1) expression and in vivo metabolic parameters. Design: Cross-sectional, clinical research study. Subjects: Total RNA was extracted from SAT and VAT tissue obtained during surgery from 13 lean controls, 30 obese diabetic patients, 19 obese glucose-intolerant patients and 54 obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Measurements: Tissue expression of APM1, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, tissue concentration of adiponectin (ApN), and metabolic variables. Results: APM1 expression was higher in SAT than VAT (1.0670.76 vs 0.6970.52, Po0.0001) as was AdipoR1 (1.1770.70 vs 0.6670.38, Po0.0001) and AdipoR2 (7.0276.19 vs 0.7570.64, Po0.0001). In SAT, APM1 and AdipoR1 expression tended to be lower -by 0.3870.22 and 0.3570.22, respectively -and AdipoR2 expression was markedly depressed -by 4.8271.93 -in association with obesity, whereas presence of diabetes had no additional effect. In VAT, APM1 and AdipoR1 expressions were also reduced -by 0.3670.16 and 0.3070.11, respectively -in association with obesity. Within both SAT and VAT, expression levels of APM1, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were all positively interrelated. Tissue ApN concentrations in SAT were similar across groups, whereas ApN levels in VAT were substantially lower in association with obesity (by an average of 63712 ng/mg total protein, Po0.0001). In multivariate models adjusting for sex, age and obesity, serum triglyceride concentrations were reciprocally related to APM1 (r ¼ À0.27, Po0.02), AdipoR1 (r ¼ À0.37, Po0.002 and AdipoR2 expression (r ¼ À0.37, Po0.002) in VAT. Likewise, plasma insulin concentrations were inversely related only to APM1 in VAT (r ¼ À0.25, Po0.03). Conclusions: Severe obesity is associated with suppressed expression of both ApN and its receptors in both SAT and VAT, the expression levels in VAT are specifically linked with hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia.

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TEM-89 (CMT-3) is the first complex mutant ␤-lactamase produced by a clinical strain of Proteus mirabilis (strain Pm 631). This new enzyme, which has a pI of 6.28, is derived from TEM-3 and has a single amino acid substitution also encountered in TEM-59 (inhibitor-resistant TEM ␤-lactamase IRT-17): Ser-130 to Gly. TEM-89 hydrolyzed penicillins to the same extent that TEM-3 did but lost almost all hydrolytic activity for cephalosporins and, like TEM-59, was highly resistant to inhibitors.