Recent Advances in the Detection of Food Toxins Using Mass Spectrometry

Edibles are the only source of nutrients and energy for humans. However, ingredients of edibles have undergone many physicochemical changes during preparation and storage. Aging, hydrolysis, oxidation, and rancidity are some of the major changes that not only change the native flavor, texture, and taste of food but also destroy the nutritive value and jeopardize public health. The major reasons for the production of harmful metabolites, chemicals, and toxins are poor processing, inappropriate storage, and microbial spoilage, which are lethal to consumers. In addition, the emergence of new pollutants has intensified the need for advanced and rapid food analysis techniques to detect such toxins. The issue with the detection of toxins in food samples is the nonvolatile nature and absence of detectable chromophores; hence, normal conventional techniques need additional derivatization. Mass spectrometry (MS) offers high sensitivity, selectivity, and capability to handle complex mixtures, making it an ideal analytical technique for the identification and quantification of food toxins. Recent technological advancements, such as high-resolution MS and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), have significantly improved sensitivity, enabling the detection of food toxins at ultralow levels. Moreover, the emergence of ambient ionization techniques has facilitated rapid in situ analysis of samples with lower time and resources. Despite numerous advantages, the widespread adoption of MS in routine food safety monitoring faces certain challenges such as instrument cost, complexity, data analysis, and standardization of methods. Nevertheless, the continuous advancements in MS-technology and its integration with complementary techniques hold promising prospects for revolutionizing food safety monitoring. This review discusses the application of MS in detecting various food toxins including mycotoxins, marine biotoxins, and plant-derived toxins. It also explores the implementation of untargeted approaches, such as metabolomics and proteomics, for the discovery of novel and emerging food toxins, enhancing our understanding of potential hazards in the food supply chain.

Rhodopsin-mediated nutrient uptake by cultivated photoheterotrophic Verrucomicrobiota

Rhodopsin photosystems convert light energy into electrochemical gradients used by the cell to produce ATP, or for other energy-demanding processes. While these photosystems are widespread in the ocean and have been identified in diverse microbial taxonomic groups, their physiological role in vivo has only been studied in few marine bacterial strains. Recent metagenomic studies revealed the presence of rhodopsin genes in the understudied Verrucomicrobiota phylum, yet their distribution within different Verrucomicrobiota lineages, their diversity, and function remain unknown. In this study, we show that more than 7% of Verrucomicrobiota genomes (n = 2916) harbor rhodopsins of different types. Furthermore, we describe the first two cultivated rhodopsin-containing strains, one harboring a proteorhodopsin gene and the other a xanthorhodopsin gene, allowing us to characterize their physiology under laboratory-controlled conditions. The strains were isolated in a previous study from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and read mapping of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed the highest abundances of these strains at the deep chlorophyll maximum (source of their inoculum) in winter and spring, with a substantial decrease in summer. Genomic analysis of the isolates suggests that motility and degradation of organic material, both energy demanding functions, may be supported by rhodopsin phototrophy in Verrucomicrobiota. Under culture conditions, we show that rhodopsin phototrophy occurs under carbon starvation, with light-mediated energy generation supporting sugar transport into the cells. Overall, this study suggests that photoheterotrophic Verrucomicrobiota may occupy an ecological niche where energy harvested from light enables bacterial motility toward organic matter and supports nutrient uptake.

Superfluid Helium in Three-Dimensional Counterflow Differs Strongly from Classical Flows: Anisotropy on Small Scales

Three-dimensional anisotropic turbulence in classical fluids tends towards isotropy and homogeneity with decreasing scales, allowing-eventually-the abstract model of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence to be relevant. We show here that the opposite is true for superfluid ^{4}He turbulence in three-dimensional counterflow channel geometry. This flow becomes less isotropic upon decreasing scales, becoming eventually quasi-two-dimensional. The physical reason for this unusual phenomenon is elucidated and supported by theory and simulations.

Parallel approach on sorting of genes in search of optimal solution

An important tool for comparing genome analysis is the rearrangement event that can transform one given genome into other. For finding minimum sequence of fission and fusion, we have proposed here an algorithm and have shown a transformation example for converting the source genome into the target genome. The proposed algorithm comprises of circular sequence i.e. "cycle graph" in place of mapping. The main concept of algorithm is based on optimal result of permutation. These sorting processes are performed in constant running time by showing permutation in the form of cycle. In biological instances it has been observed that transposition occurs half of the frequency as that of reversal. In this paper we are not dealing with reversal instead commencing with the rearrangement of fission, fusion as well as transposition.

Depletion of nonlinearity in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence: Insights from analysis and simulations

It is shown how suitably scaled, order-m moments, D_{m}^{±}, of the Elsässer vorticity fields in three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) can be used to identify three possible regimes for solutions of the MHD equations with magnetic Prandtl number P_{M}=1. These vorticity fields are defined by ω^{±}=curlz^{±}=ω±j, where z^{±} are Elsässer variables, and where ω and j are, respectively, the fluid vorticity and current density. This study follows recent developments in the study of three-dimensional Navier-Stokes fluid turbulence [Gibbon et al., Nonlinearity 27, 2605 (2014)NONLE50951-771510.1088/0951-7715/27/10/2605]. Our mathematical results are then compared with those from a variety of direct numerical simulations, which demonstrate that all solutions that have been investigated remain in only one of these regimes which has depleted nonlinearity. The exponents q^{±} that characterize the inertial range power-law dependencies of the z^{±} energy spectra, E^{±}(k), are then examined, and bounds are obtained. Comments are also made on  (a) the generalization of our results to the case P_{M}≠1 and (b) the relation between D_{m}^{±} and the order-m moments of gradients of magnetohydrodynamic fields, which are used to characterize intermittency in turbulent flows.

Prediction of different types of liver diseases using rule based classification model

BACKGROUND

Diagnosing different types of liver diseases clinically is a quite hectic process because patients have to undergo large numbers of independent laboratory tests. On the basis of results and analysis of laboratory test, different liver diseases are classified. Hence to simplify this complex process, we have developed a Rule Base Classification Model (RBCM) to predict different types of liver diseases. The proposed model is the combination of rules and different data mining techniques.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to propose a rule based classification model with machine learning techniques for the prediction of different types of Liver diseases.

METHOD

A dataset was developed with twelve attributes that include the records of 583 patients in which 441 patients were male and rests were female. Support Vector Machine (SVM), Rule Induction (RI), Decision Tree (DT), Naive Bayes (NB) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) data mining techniques with K-cross fold technique are used with the proposed model for the prediction of liver diseases. The performance of these data mining techniques are evaluated with accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and kappa parameters as well as statistical techniques (ANOVA and Chi square test) are used to analyze the liver disease dataset and independence of attributes.

RESULT

Out of 583 patients, 416 patients are liver diseases affected and rests of 167 patients are healthy. The proposed model with decision tree (DT) technique provides the better result among all techniques (RI, SVM, ANN and NB) with all parameters (Accuracy 98.46%, Sensitivity 95.7%, Specificity 95.28% and Kappa 0.983) while the SVM exhibits poor performance (Accuracy 82.33%, Sensitivity 68.03%, Specificity 91.28% and Kappa 0.801). It is also found that the best performance of the model without rules (RI, Accuracy 82.68%, Sensitivity 86.34%, Specificity 90.51% and Kappa 0.619) is almost similar to the worst performance of the rule based classification model (SVM, Accuracy 82.33%, Sensitivity 68.03%, Specificity 91.28% and Kappa 0.801 and the accuracy of chi square test is 76.67%.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that there is a significant difference between the proposed rules based classification model and the model without rules for the liver diseases prediction and the rule based classification model with decision tree (DT) technique provides most accurate result. This model can be used as a valuable tool for medical decision making.

Antibacterial Activity of Mangrove Leaf Extracts against Human Pathogens

The antibacterial activity of leaf extract of mangroves, namely, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba and Exoecaria agallocha from Chorao island, Goa was investigated against human bacterial pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris and Proteus mirabilis. As compared to aqueous, ethanol extract showed broad-spectrum activity. The multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria Salmonella typhi was inhibited by the ethanol extract of S. alba leaf whereas the other two resistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sp. were inhibited by the ethanol extract of leaves of all the species. The aqueous extract of S. alba and E. agallocha showed their activity against P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis, respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, phenol and volatile oils in the leaves of mangroves. Further studies using different solvents for extraction are necessary to confirm that mangroves are a better source for the development of novel antibiotics.

Microsoft Power Point Files

One of the major characteristic of cryptography and steganography is unlimited and limited secret data conversion and embedding respectively. In steganography, concealing unlimited secret data in cover media is unfeasible. Majority of researchers have taken image, text, html, executable files as a steganographic cover media. In this proposed work the authors have considered Microsoft Power Point Files as a cover medium. The authors have developed a methodology which consist two techniques for embedding the valuable unlimited data with three layers of security and high robustness. The resultant stego file undoubtedly can be transmitted any where using any channel. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed methodology.

Microsoft Excel File

Data hiding is emerging as an important area of research with the advent of digital technologies. Watermarking, fingerprinting and steganography are important applications of data hiding techniques. Besides the classical use of data hiding in ownership protection, authentication and copy/access control, it serves as a general tool to convey side information. New files are a good choice for steganographic carriers. In this paper, the authors use Microsoft Excel as a cover file. A methodology has been developed that consists of three techniques for embedding the valuable data with three layers of security and high robustness. The resultant stego Excel file can be transmitted anywhere using any channel. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed methodology.

Evaluation of oxygen-dependent immunodefences of the polymorphonuclear cells of some tropical ruminants

Activation of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) leads to the formation of superoxide, which is in turn dismutated to H2O2 by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and is partly responsible for oxygen-dependent microbicidal activity. However, no comparative information is available on the effect of SOD inhibition before PMN activation to allow simulation of the SOD defects that are known to occur in some ruminants. This paper attempts to examine the degranulative and phagocytic responses in buffalo, cattle and goat PMNs exposed to diethyldithiocarbamate, a known SOD inhibitor. The activity of glutathione peroxidase and reductase was increased in the presence of SOD inhibitor. On activation, H2O2 production increased significantly (p < 0.01), while SOD inhibition before the activation of PMNs caused a significant decline in the production of H2O2 (p < 0.05) in all the species studied. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the phagocytosis of Candida albicans spores by buffalo PMNs activated with opsonized zymosan. Activation of bovine PMNs after exposure to the SOD inhibitor resulted in a significant decline (p < 0.05) in phagocytic activity; in the other species, the two values only approached significance. Among the activators, opsonized zymosan caused a significant increase in phagocytic activity as compared to lipopolysaccharide, particularly in the PMNs of buffaloes (p < 0.05). Increased fungicidal activity (p < 0.05) occurred with opsonized zymosan-activated PMNs of all the species studied. The fungicidal activity was found to decline in PMNs exposed to SOD inhibitor before activation (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the phagocytic activity of caprine PMNs was found to be lower than that of PMNs from cattle (p < 0.05).

A comparative study on certain enzymes of the granulocyte from different ruminant species

In the present study the level of enzyme hydrolases (alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, elastase, arginase, lysozyme and beta-galactosidase) of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) granules in different ruminant species and their release in response to activation was studied. Buffalo PMN alkaline phosphatase activity was higher (P < 0.01) than in PMNs of cattle and goats. Interestingly, myeloperoxidase was higher in cattle PMNs and least in goat PMNs (P < 0.01), a similar pattern was observed in the distribution of enzyme arginase. As far as lysozyme is concerned, its activity was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in PMNs of buffaloes than in the case of cattle and goat PMNs. On activation, these cells released MPO and elastase, in all the species studied, while lysozyme was secreted only in buffalo PMN cells. Activity of certain enzymes related to oxidant defence systems such as glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were higher in cattle and goats compared to that in buffaloes. These observations are likely to have bearing on immunodefense roles played by PMNs and reflected differences among the ruminant species studied.

Calcium metabolism in olive ridley turtle eggs during embryonic development

Analyses of calcium, magnesium, sulphur, potassium and phosphorus content of the eggshell, yolk-albumen and embryos of olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, have been carried out at various stages of embryonic development. Calcium is the major inorganic constituent in the egg (shell and yolk-albumen) and embryos. Other elements are present either in trace or in minute trace amounts. The egg contents (yolk and albumen) provide only 40% of the embryonic calcium requirement of the hatchling. The remaining 60% is provided by the eggshell. The eggshell also undergoes a similar reduction in its calcium content from laying to hatching. Elements other than calcium present in the yolk-albumen are sufficient for normal embryonic development. The movement of calcium from the eggshell to the embryo starts at about the 40th day of development at 29.5 degrees C. Birds, turtles and crocodiles use their eggshell as the secondary source of embryonic calcium requirement. This dependence on the eggshell varies in different groups which is highest in birds and lowest in crocodiles.

Ultrastructure and characteristics of eggshells of the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) from Gahirmatha, India

The structure of a chelonian eggshell is of prime importance for the developing embryo. It acts as a protective covering as well as mediator in the exchange of heat and water. The fresh eggshell of the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtle displays a variety of structural forms in their aragonite framework. Its netted substrate, loose texture and poorly organised crystallites favour the easy exchange of air and water during its development. The shell consists mostly of calcium in carbonate form and K, Mg, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Cd in traces. Ba and Sr in traces are also a feature of the thermal analysis graph. Phosphorous was not detected in the shell and its absence eliminates an earlier suggestion of it being a key factor in the development of aragonite crystals in the inorganic structure of marine turtle eggshells. Its combustion characteristics, which have not been previously reported, are recorded.