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The need for performant analytical methodologies to assess mycotoxins is vital, given the negative health impact of these compounds. Biosensors are analytical devices that consist of a biological element for recognizing the analyte and a transducer, which translates the biorecognition event into a signal proportional to the analyte concentration. The biorecognition elements can be enzymes, antibodies, or DNA fragments. The modalities of detection can be optical, electrochemical, thermal, or mass-sensitive. These analytical tools represent viable alternatives to laborious, expensive traditional methods and are characterized by specificity given by the biorecognition element, sensitivity, fast response, portability, multi-modal detection, and the possibility of in situ application. The present paper focuses on a comprehensive view, enriched with a critical, comparative perspective on mycotoxin assay using biosensors. The use of different biorecognition elements and detection modes are discussed comparatively. Nanomaterials with optical and electrochemical features can be exploited in association with a variety of biorecognition elements. Analytical parameters are reviewed along with a broad range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differentiation of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) into multiple lineages is controlled by epigenetic modifications, which include DNA methylation, modifications of histones, and the activity of small noncoding RNAs. The present study investigates the role of miRNAs in the differentiation of AFSCs and addresses how their unique signatures contribute to lineage-specific differentiation. The miRNA profile was assessed in AFSCs after 4 weeks of endothelial and muscular differentiation. Our results showed decreased expression of five miRNAs (miR-18a-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-137, miR-21-5p, and let-7a) and increased expression of twelve miRNAs (miR-134-5p, miR-103a-3p, let-7i-5p, miR-214-3p, let-7c-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-210-3p, let-7d-5p, miR-375, miR-181-5p, miR-125a-5p, and hsa-let-7e-5p) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) compared with undifferentiated AFSCs. AFSC differentiation into smooth muscle revealed notable changes in nine out of the 84 tested miRNAs. Among these, three miRNAs (miR-18a-5p, miR-137, and sa-miR-21-5p) were downregulated, while six miRNAs (miR-155-5p, miR-20a-5p, let-7i-5p, hsa-miR-134-5p, hsa-miR-214-3p, and hsa-miR-375) exhibited upregulation. Insights from miRNA networks promise future advancements in understanding and manipulating endothelial and muscle cell dynamics. This knowledge has the potential to drive innovation in areas like homeostasis, growth, differentiation, and vascular function, leading to breakthroughs in biomedical applications and therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfite is a widely applied preservation agent, against oxidative decay in foodstuffs and beverages. Among the analytical methods applied, electrochemical techniques exploit its facility to undergo oxidation. This paper aims at the comparative investigation of the performances exhibited by three analytical methodologies: cyclic voltammetry at different Pt working electrodes, the volumetric method employing sodium thiosulfate as titrating agent and the photocolorimetric method relying on the reduction of Fe3+-orthophenanthroline complex by sulfite. The cyclic voltammetric assay was performed at Pt strip and Pt ring electrodes, by linearly sweeping the potential between -100 and 1,500 mV. The linear range corresponded to 7.5 mg L-1 – 4.0 g L-1 for Pt strip working electrode and to 15.5 mg L-1 – 4.0 g L-1 for Pt ring working electrode. Relative standard deviations smaller than 3% showed repeatability. RSD values smaller than 3% were also obtained in the photometric assay, but the latter was characterised by a narrower linear range. The Pt strip electrode allowed wider linear range and lower sensitivity, whereas the Pt ring electrode with Ag/AgCl reference in the same unit was characterised by better repeatability. Applications involved sulfite assay in vinegar, brown sugar and cider samples with consistency between cyclic voltammetry and titrimetry.

The risk of mycotoxins co-occurrence in extrusion-produced dry foods increases due to their composition based on various grains and vegetables. This study aimed to validate a risk estimation for the association between ingredients and the ELISA-detected levels of DON, FUM, ZEA, AFs, T2, and OTA in 34 dry dog food products. The main ingredients were corn, beet, and oil of different origins (of equal frequency, 79.41%), rice (67.6%), and wheat (50%). DON and FUM had the strongest positive correlation (0.635, p = 0.001). The presence of corn in the sample composition increased the median DON and ZEA levels, respectively, by 99.45 μg/kg and 65.64 μg/kg, p = 0.011. In addition to DON and ZEA levels, integral corn presence increased the FUM median levels by 886.61 μg/kg, p = 0.005. For corn gluten flour-containing samples, DON, FUM, and ZEA median differences still existed, and OTA levels also differed by 1.99 μg/kg, p < 0.001. Corn gluten flour presence was strongly associated with DON levels > 403.06 μg/kg (OR = 38.4, RR = 9.90, p = 0.002), FUM levels > 1097.56 μg/kg (OR = 5.56, RR = 1.45, p = 0.048), ZEA levels > 136.88 μg/kg (OR = 23.00, RR = 3.09, p = 0.002), and OTA levels > 3.93 μg/kg (OR = 24.00, RR = 3.09, p = 0.002). Our results suggest that some ingredients or combinations should be avoided due to their risk of increasing mycotoxin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D bioprinting is a technology that supports fabrication of biomimetic tissues with complex architecture. It has application in drug discovery, tissue development, and regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to create a blood vessel model correlating properties of collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogel with bioprinter parameters such as speed rate, pressure, number of layers, nozzle diameter, and temperature. The blood vessel model was created using BioCAD software and bioprinted by extrusion technology using collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogel. We analyzed the water uptake, enzymatic degradation and morphology by scanning electron microscopy and after staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Trichromic Masson dyes. The results showed that the blood vessel constructs have 2.46 mm (±0.41) mean diameter, 1.4 mm (±0.10) mean thick wall, and 2.8 mm (±0.05) mean height which is appropriate with the model created in the BioCAD software. The optimal parameters for these constructs were: 1.1 bar pressure, 1mm/sec speed rate, 18°C temperature, 0.2 mm nozzle diameter, and 10 numbers of layers. Increasing hydrogel weight by 22% at 2 hours after immersion in PBS suggesting that is hydrophilic. Furthermore, decreasing by up to 47.2% in the presence of collagenase (50 µg/ml) shows that is biodegradable. H&E and Trichromic Masson staining showed that collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogel organized in a network with pores dimension that could support cells growth and differentiation. In conclusion, our scaffold mimics the blood vessel structure, further experiment will be addressed for study the biocompatibility of these scaffold with mesenchymal stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at the study of Pt electrode ability to act as working electrode in cyclic voltammetric sulphite assay. The analytical signal is represented by the intensity measured for the voltammetric peak, that corresponds to analyte anodic oxidation. The measured peak intensity depends linearly on sulphite concentration within the range 0.031 g/L - 4 g/L. The assay is characterized by a limit of detection of 12.4 mg /L, a relative standard deviation of 2.74%, and the process proved controlled by the analyte diffusion to the electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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