Development of an immunoassay for the detection of mycotoxins using xMAP technology and its evaluation in black tea samples

Mycotoxins, a natural food contaminant, are secondary metabolites of fungi. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are two major mycotoxins found in various food commodities. These mycotoxins are hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic, thus they are a public health concern and their monitoring in food commodities is necessary. There are several conventional techniques available for mycotoxin detection, such as HPLC, LCMS, and ELISA. However, extensive nature and huge cost allowances make it challenging to deploy these techniques for monitoring of mycotoxins in the large sample size. Therefore, a robust, responsive and high-throughput technique is required. Here, we aimed to develop a multiplexed Luminex suspension assay based on multi analyte profiling (xMAP) technology for the simultaneous detection of AFB1 and OTA in the black tea, which is found to be contaminated with these mycotoxins during the cultivation or processing steps. Limit of detection for AFB1 and OTA, was 0.06 ng/ml and 0.49 ng/ml, respectively without any cross-reactivity with other mycotoxins and this assay is suitable for simultaneous detection of AFB1 and OTA in the same sample. Collectively, based on the results, we suggest that the developed Luminex suspension assay is sensitive, accurate, rapid and suitable for high-throughput screening of multiple mycotoxins.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05848-3.

Recovery planning towards doubling wild tiger Panthera tigris numbers: Detailing 18 recovery sites from across the range

With less than 3200 wild tigers in 2010, the heads of 13 tiger-range countries committed to doubling the global population of wild tigers by 2022. This goal represents the highest level of ambition and commitment required to turn the tide for tigers in the wild. Yet, ensuring efficient and targeted implementation of conservation actions alongside systematic monitoring of progress towards this goal requires that we set site-specific recovery targets and timelines that are ecologically realistic. In this study, we assess the recovery potential of 18 sites identified under WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. We delineated recovery systems comprising a source, recovery site, and support region, which need to be managed synergistically to meet these targets. By using the best available data on tiger and prey numbers, and adapting existing species recovery frameworks, we show that these sites, which currently support 165 (118-277) tigers, have the potential to harbour 585 (454-739) individuals. This would constitute a 15% increase in the global population and represent over a three-fold increase within these specific sites, on an average. However, it may not be realistic to achieve this target by 2022, since tiger recovery in 15 of these 18 sites is contingent on the initial recovery of prey populations, which is a slow process. We conclude that while sustained conservation efforts can yield significant recoveries, it is critical that we commit our resources to achieving the biologically realistic targets for these sites even if the timelines are extended.

Concomitant laparoscopic urological procedures: Does it contribute to morbidity?

AIM:

With advancement in minimal access surgery two laparoscopic procedures can be combined together shortening the total hospital stay, decreasing morbidity and overall reduced cost. Combining two laparoscopic procedures in a single session has been reported in general surgery. Very few articles are available in literature with regard to combined urological laparoscopic surgeries. This article retrospectively analyses the outcomes of multiple laparoscopic procedures performed in a single stage at our centre.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients undergoing simultaneous procedures from May 2003 to Jan 2009 were included in the study. Patients were categorised into three groups according to the primary urological organ involved, for better comparison with the control group. Diseases involving the adrenals gland were grouped in (group 1), kidney (group 2) and renal collecting system/ureter (group 3). All patients had one urological procedure for either of the above-mentioned organs combined with another surgical procedure. Similarly three control groups were chosen according to the primary urological organ involved (group 1c- unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy, group 2c- unilateral laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and group 3c- unilateral laparoscopic ureterolithotomy) for comparative study. The operative details, hospital stay and complications were analysed.

RESULTS:

Thirty-two patients underwent 64 laparoscopic procedures under single anaesthesia. The most common procedure in this series was laparoscopic adrenalectomy (n=34) followed by laparoscopic nephrectomy (n=13). Group 1 patients had a prolonged operative time (P = 0.012) and hospital stay (P = 0.025) when compared with group 1c. However, blood loss was comparable in both the groups. Patients in groups 2 and 3 had comparable operative times, blood loss and recovery period with respect to their controls. Intraoperatively, the end tidal carbon dioxide levels were within permissible limits. All procedures were completed using the laparoscopic approach, without any conversion.

CONCLUSIONS:

Simultaneous laparoscopic procedures can be done for urological diseases in selected patients with the advantages of single anaesthesia and hospital admission without increasing the morbidity.