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Volume 1, December
 
 

Toxins, Volume 1, Issue 1 (September 2009) – 5 articles , Pages 1-58

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Review
Predicted Roles of the Uncharacterized Clustered Genes in Aflatoxin Biosynthesis
by Kenneth C. Ehrlich
Toxins 2009, 1(1), 37-58; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins1010037 - 25 Sep 2009
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 12465
Abstract
Biosynthesis of the toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs) requires the activity of more than 27 enzymes. The roles in biosynthesis of newly described enzymes are discussed in this review. We suggest that HypC catalyzes the oxidation of norsolorinic acid anthrone; AvfA (AflI), the [...] Read more.
Biosynthesis of the toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs) requires the activity of more than 27 enzymes. The roles in biosynthesis of newly described enzymes are discussed in this review. We suggest that HypC catalyzes the oxidation of norsolorinic acid anthrone; AvfA (AflI), the ring-closure step in formation of hydroxyversicolorone; HypB, the second oxidation step in conversion of O-methylsterigmatocystin to AF; and HypE and NorA (AflE), the final two steps in AFB1 formation. HypD, an integral membrane protein, affects fungal development and lowers AF production while AflJ (AflS), has a partial methyltransferase domain that may be important in its function as a transcriptional co-activator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue  Feature Papers)
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Article
Oxazolone-Induced Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Reaction in the Adult Yucatan Pigs. A Useful Model for Drug Development and Validation
by Samer Nuhaily, Bassam B. Damaj and Azzam A. Maghazachi
Toxins 2009, 1(1), 25-36; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins1010025 - 21 Aug 2009
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 10090
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to establish a model of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in the ear skin of large animals such as adult Yucatan pigs, which may aid in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic modalities of newly developed anti-inflammatory drugs. [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to establish a model of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in the ear skin of large animals such as adult Yucatan pigs, which may aid in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic modalities of newly developed anti-inflammatory drugs. The pigs were sensitized with oxazolone, re-challenged with the same irritant six days later, and dosed with either vehicle or with cyclosporine A (CsA) before and after challenge. CsA reduced the redness, inhibited the accumulation of ear fluid and inflammatory cells, as well as the release of the inflammatory mediators. Further, CsA inhibited the proliferation of T cells collected from the spleens or PBMCs of CsA-treated pigs when these cells were stimulated in vitro with PMA plus Ionomycin. These results indicate that pig skin can be used to evaluate modalities for the purpose of developing drugs that may be used to treat DTH in humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue  Feature Papers)
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Article
Intersex Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) from a Contaminated River in Taiwan: A Case Study
by Peter Lin Sun and Shinn-Shoung Tsai
Toxins 2009, 1(1), 14-24; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins1010014 - 13 Aug 2009
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 9867
Abstract
River pollution in Taiwan is rather serious, but so far there have been no reports of fish intersex problems. This report reveals that 50% male tilapia in the Era-Jiin River of southern Taiwan were found to be feminized in an October 8, 1994 [...] Read more.
River pollution in Taiwan is rather serious, but so far there have been no reports of fish intersex problems. This report reveals that 50% male tilapia in the Era-Jiin River of southern Taiwan were found to be feminized in an October 8, 1994 collection from station EJ-2 of this river. After discounting all other possible causative factors, and correlating with endocrine disrupting chemicals found in this river, we suggest that there is a great possibility that the occurrence of intersex tilapia was caused by these chemicals. The above finding suggests that greater attention needs to be given to endocrine disrupting chemicals problems. Full article
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Article
Effect of Neem Leaf Extract and Neem Oil on Penicillium Growth, Sporulation, Morphology and Ochratoxin A Production
by Simone A. G. Mossini, Carla C. Arrotéia and Carlos Kemmelmeier
Toxins 2009, 1(1), 3-13; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins1010003 - 23 Jul 2009
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 16717
Abstract
In vitro trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of Azadirachta indica (neem) extracts on mycelial growth, sporulation, morphology and ochratoxin A production by P. verrucosum and P. brevicompactum. The effect of neem oil extract from seeds and leaf was evaluated at [...] Read more.
In vitro trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of Azadirachta indica (neem) extracts on mycelial growth, sporulation, morphology and ochratoxin A production by P. verrucosum and P. brevicompactum. The effect of neem oil extract from seeds and leaf was evaluated at 0.125; 0.25 and 0.5% and 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively, in Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) medium. Ochratoxin A production was evaluated by a thin-layer chromatography technique. Oil extracts exhibited significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction of growth and sporulation of the fungi. No inhibition of ochratoxin A production was observed. Given its accessibility and low cost, neem oil could be implemented as part of a sustainable integrated pest management strategy for plant disease, as it has been shown to be fungitoxic by inhibition of growth and sporulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue  Feature Papers)
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Editorial
A Novel Platform for Research on Toxins
by Florian Lang
Toxins 2009, 1(1), 1-2; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins1010001 - 06 Jul 2009
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7147
Abstract
Toxins are ubiquitous in nature and as such they impact our daily life. Toxins may come from a wide variety of sources and influence a myriad of biological functions. Research on toxins may address their production, structure, chemical properties, biological activity, and economic [...] Read more.
Toxins are ubiquitous in nature and as such they impact our daily life. Toxins may come from a wide variety of sources and influence a myriad of biological functions. Research on toxins may address their production, structure, chemical properties, biological activity, and economic impact. On the one hand, toxins may be used to decipher biological mechanisms, to favourably influence disease or to combat unwanted organisms. On the other hand, toxins may be a hazard jeopardizing health of humans, animals or plants. [...] Full article
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