Search

Bird feathers have been proven to be reliable indicators of metal exposure originating from contaminated food and polluted environments. The concentrations of 15 essential and non-essential metals were investigated in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) feathers from a Northwestern Italian zoological facility. These birds are exclusively fed with herring from the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Certain elements, such as Hg and Cd, reflected the bioaccumulation phenomena that occur through the marine food chain. The levels of Cr, Mn, and Ni were comparable to those registered in feathers of birds living in polluted areas. These results are important for comparative studies regarding the health, nutrition and welfare of endangered seabirds kept under human care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crops intended for human nutrition and food production containing different essential trace elements, such as copper and zinc, could be contaminated by toxic metals like cadmium and lead. The interrelationship between micronutrients and contaminant trace elements in different cereals was investigated in North-western Italy, where both agricultural and industrial activities are present. Elemental concentrations in sampled cereals were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Rice, oats and barley reached the highest median levels for Al, Cd and Pb content, while corn samples were less contaminated by toxic metals. Regarding essential elements highest median values of Cu and Zn were both found in barley, while Ni median content was higher in oats. Rice had the lowest median levels of essential elements. The correlation study between toxic and essential elements seemed to demonstrate fixed trends in analysed samples, corroborating the importance of a different diet to limit potential adverse effects caused by toxic elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β2-agonists are often abused in cattle breeding because of their effects on animal growth and meat properties. The use of β2-agonists as growth promoters is forbidden in the European Union (Council Directive 96/23/EC classifies them into group A of Annex I), due to their toxicity and carcinogenic properties, as for anabolic steroids, which are often administered in combination with β2-agonists, to promote the storage of proteins and increase muscle size. A unique confirmatory liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative detection of 13 β2-agonists and anabolic steroids plus the qualitative identification of other three analytes in bovine hair was developed and validated, according to Decision 2002/657/CE. Hair samples were washed with dichloromethane, digested within a NaOH solution and subjected to liquid-liquid extraction. The analysis was performed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The absence of matrix interferents, together with good repeatability of both retention times and relative abundances of diagnostic transitions, allowed the correct identification of all analytes. The quantitative calibrations obtained from spiked blank hair samples proved linear in the range tested. CCα and CCβ ranged from 0.5 ng/g to 30 ng/g. Intralaboratory reproducibility (CV%) ranged between 5.0 and 17.7 and trueness between 96% ± 7% and 105% ± 8%. The applicability of the method to real positive samples was demonstrated for both β2-agonists and anabolic steroids. 17α-boldenone was found in most (70%) hair samples obtained from untreated animals, supporting the hypothesis of endogenous production of this steroid. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whole gene duplication of the lamin B1 gene ( LMNB1), encoding for a protein of the nuclear lamina, causes an adult-onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD). Clinical features of ADLD (onset in adult life, dysautonomic symptoms, followed by pyramidal and cerebellar dysfunctions) partially resemble those of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly the primary-progressive form. Our aim was to test whether LMNB1 gene mutations were present amongst patients with a diagnosis of MS. Methods: One hundred eighty-two MS patients were screened for copy number variations of the LMNB1 gene using a qPCR assay. Point mutations in the LMNB1 gene were searched by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing in a subgroup of 16 patients with familial MS. Results: No duplication/deletion of the lamin B1 gene was found amongst MS patients, and no point mutation was identified in the familial cases. Conclusion: Our work indicates that lamin B1 defects are probably not responsible for signs and symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) were determined by ICP-MS in feed for farm animals in three regions of Northwestern Italy. This is the first study aimed at defining the levels and patterns of REEs in feed for different animal species. REEs are in fact emerging as contaminants worldwide, following their applications in industry, technology, medicine, and agriculture. Moreover, in 2016, the first REE-based feed additive—a zootechnical additive for weaned piglets—was authorized in the EU. Therefore, information about the natural content of REEs in animal feed of vegetal origin is required to evaluate the potential use of REEs as a growth promoter. There was a high variability in the REEs content of the animal feed in three different Italian regions, and REEs content varied according to the different animal species for which the feed was intended. Concentrations of light REE (LREE) were higher than those of heavy REE (HREE) in each feed typology. Raw materials were shown to have higher ΣREE concentrations (mean concentration 2.4 mg kg−1) than complete or complementary feed. Considering the animal species, mean ΣREE concentrations were as follows: horse feed (2.7 mg kg−1) > poultry feed > bovine feed > swine feed (0.61 mg kg−1). REE levels in feed were in line with values available in the literature on vegetables; thus, REE concentrations in feed do not constitute a concern for animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]