In this study, to optimize the Staphylococcus aureus control program, a meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of S. aureus-associated bovine mastitis in China from 2000 to 2020. A total of 33 publications from PubMed, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database were included in our research, among which nine publications included the AMR test. The pooled prevalence of S. aureus was 36.23%, and subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence dropped from 2000–2010 to 2011–2020, which shows that China is on the right track. The pooled AMR rate indicate isolates were most resistant to β-lactams (50.68%), followed by quinolones (36.23%), macrolides (34.08%), sulfonamides (32.25%), tetracyclines (27.83%), aminoglycosides (26.44%), lincosamides (23.39%), and amphenicol (10.33%). Both the pooled prevalence and AMR of S. aureus in China are higher than those in Western countries, such as Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and the United States—countries with a long animal husbandry history and good management. Thus, there is still room to improve the treatment of S. aureus-associated bovine mastitis in China.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin, is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins globally, primarily produced by Fusarium species. DON exposure could cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, gastroenteritis, growth retardation, immunosuppression, and intestinal flora disorders in both humans and animals. Recently, ozone degradation technology has been applied for DON control. However, the safety of the contaminated grain after degradation was often ignored. Therefore, the implementation technology for assessing the safety of DON-contaminated grain degradation is of great significance for food safety. In this study, based on previous degradation result of DON, we further studied and assessed the toxicity of corn contaminated with ozone-degrading DON by animal experiments in mice. We simulated feed made from corn contaminated with DON produced by inoculated Fusarium graminearum, which was treated with an ozone aqueous solution. DON treated by ozone could effectively increase the expression of total protein in mice and improve the immune system efficacy. Meanwhile, compared with DON directly-exposed mice, the corn with degrading DON could effectively maintain the level of liver and kidney immune function, and improved growth performance, enterohepatic circulation, and energy metabolism. Our study indicated that the toxicity of fed corn contaminated with degrading-DON decreased significantly after ozone degradation, resulting in a much lower toxicity compared to the DON group, or nontoxicity to some extent. Therefore, we hope that this mouse model could be used as a promising approach for assessing the risk of fungal toxins on metabolism, immunity, and intestinal health.

Human and animals are continuously exposed to variable levels of mycotoxin that occur naturally in the diet. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxin. Probiotics have a vital role in mycotoxin detoxification. The objective of this study was to investigate potential protective effects of probiotics Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and its mechanism. In in vitro experiments, exposure of AML-12 cells to AFB1 reduced cell viability, increased oxidative stress, and induced cell pyroptosis. Additionally, there was down-regulation of Nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) expression. Importantly, Nrf2siRNA exacerbated AFB1-induced cell pyroptosis, whereas overexpression of Nrf2 alleviated it. Furthermore, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens reversed the upregulated cell pyroptosis, and downregulated Nrf2/HO-1 induced by AFB1. Interestingly, Nrf2 siRNA abolished the protective effect exerted by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, whereas overexpression of Nrf2 had the opposite effect. In in vivo experiments, AFB1 caused liver impairment, oxidative stress and cell pyroptosis, whereas Bacillus amyloliquefaciens exerts its protective effect via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in AFB1-induced deleterious effects. In summary, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens may regulate the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to mitigate AFB1-induced cell pyroptosis, thereby providing a potential therapeutic intervention for mycotoxicosis associated with AFB1-induced hepatic injury.

The toxic heavy metal cadmium (Cd) has a significant impact on kidney health. Documents manifested that non-toxic flavonoid quercetin can reduce Cd-induced kidney damage by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis, while the effect of quercetin on Cd-induced renal cell pyroptosis has not been elucidated. In this study, we established a model of Cd poisoning treated with quercetin both in vitro and in vivo. Results revealed that quercetin effectively reversed the decrease in Cd-induced cell viability. Furthermore, Cd increased blood urea nitrogen while reducing GPX and SOD levels, caused histopathological injuries in kidney with a significantly elevated cell pyroptosis characterized by enhanced levels of proteins representing assembly (NLRP3) and activation (pro IL-1β, cleaved IL-1β, and IL-18) of NLRP3 inflammasome as well as pyroptosis executor (pro caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1). However, quercetin administration alleviated kidney injuries above by decreasing cell pyroptosis. Overall, it suggests that kidney cells are susceptible to pyroptotic cell death due to Cd exposure; while quercetin exhibits protective effects through cell pyroptosis inhibition.

Fusarium graminearum, the major causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB), produces the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), which threatens food and feed safety worldwide. This review synthesizes recent advances in DON biosynthesis, emphasizing the TRI gene cluster and its pathway enzymes, transcriptional regulators, and signaling cascades. In parallel, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating DON biosynthesis, with a focus on the TRI cluster. In additionally, current progress in detoxification strategies is summarized, covering physical, chemical, and biological methods aimed at mitigating DON contamination in food and feed. This review further explores the endogenous environmental factors influencing DON synthesis and offering insights to the development of integrated control strategies against DON contamination. By integrating the current findings, this review aims to support the development of effective strategies, control F. graminearum and mitigate FHB.