Use of cholinesterase activity in monitoring organophosphate pesticide exposure of cattle produced in tropical areas.

The use of cholinesterase activity as a biochemical method for monitoring organophosphate pesticide exposure in cattle is described herein. Determination of cholinesterase activity of whole blood, erythrocyte, and plasma was carried out according to the Ellman modified kinetic method. The mean baseline acetylcholinesterase activities of 9.549 +/- 3.619 IU/mL in whole blood, 9.444 +/- 3.006 IU/mL in erythrocytes, and 0.149 +/- 0.063 IU/mL in plasma were estimated for steers from the control group. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the general responses between the control and experimental groups (in vivo, monitoring and case studies) treated with Coumaphos and Fenthion were statistically different, and the general responses of these experimental groups were statistically different over time as well. Among the fractions that were analyzed, the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity could be adequate for the diagnosis of exposure or acute poisoning in cattle as it showed a good within-run and between-run precision with CVs <10% better than those in plasma.     

Rapid time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for the measurement of creatine kinase in serum and whole blood samples

A rapid and simple immunochemical method was developed for the assessment of the creatine kinase (MM) isoenzyme [CK(MM)], a protein marker linked with animal welfare and meat quality. The one-step time-resolved immunofluorometric assay produced quantitative results from serum or whole blood samples in 20 min. The analytical limit of detection (mean + 2s) for the immunoassay was 17 ng/mL (n = 6), and the functional limit of detection for the analysis of porcine whole blood samples was 426 ng/mL (n = 24). The working range of the method was linear up to 50 micro g/mL, and the within-assay precision varied between 2.1 and 10.9%. The analysis of porcine serum samples showed that the results from the immunoassay method and colorimetric CK enzyme activity determination were highly correlated (r(2) = 0.965, n = 17, p < 0.001). The practicability of the assay was demonstrated by the analysis of 300 porcine whole blood samples in a slaughterhouse environment.     

Survival and growth of Lumbricus terrestris (Lumbricidae) fed on dung from cattle given sustained-release boluses of ivermectin or fenbendazole

The effects of faecally excreted ivermectin and fenbendazole, and their metabolites, on the survival and growth of the common pastureland earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, have been studied in the laboratory. Hatchlings were fed dung voided by untreated cattle or cattle given sustained-release boluses of the antiparasitic agents ivermectin or fenbendazole. Hatchling survival and growth rates were followed until maturity. The survival of worms fed untreated dung was 100% whereas survival in ivermectin and fenbendazole groups was 97 and 91%, respectively. The first worms became mature 16 weeks after hatching, irrespective of dung type, and all worms were mature 24 weeks after hatching. The growth rate of the worms fed dung from cattle given ivermectin boluses was 2.6 mg higher day^–1 than that recoded for the control group, whereas the growth rate of worms fed on dung from cattle given fenbendazole boluses did not differ significantly from the control group. It may be concluded that ivermectin, fenbendazole and their metabolites had no adverse effects on the survival and growth of L. terrestris when exposed through dung under laboratory conditions.     

Solid phase extraction gas chromatography/electron capture detector method for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in wildlife whole blood.

A gas chromatographic method for the analysis of 10 organochlorine pesticides in 0.5 mL of whole blood is described. Sample preparation involved an ethyl ether and hexane extraction, followed by a silica solid phase extraction cleanup. The pesticides are quantified by gas chromatography/electron capture detection. Method limits of detection ranged from 1.1 to 5.2 microg/L. The mean and standard deviation for the recovery of 10 pesticides was 97.9 +/- 5.5%. Recoveries from whole blood were comparable to recoveries from plasma. This indicates that the preparation of plasma is unnecessary for the quantification of organochlorine pesticides in blood. This approach is particularly useful as a nonlethal approach for monitoring pesticide contamination in small animals for which the volume of blood is limiting.     

High resolution gas chromatographic analysis of nonpolar chlorinated hydrocarbons in human milk

A gas chromatographic method is described for the analysis of human milk to determine polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as 72 congeners plus p,p'-DDE, mirex, hexachlorobenzene, and octachlorostyrene. The detection limit for individual compounds is about 0.05 ng/g when 30 g milk is analyzed. Total PCBs can be estimated with a detection limit of 1-5 ng/mL milk. Analytical precision is better than +/- 10% for all compounds at 20-50 ng/mL whole milk.     

Enzymatic-spectrophotometric method for determination of cholinesterase activity in whole blood: collaborative study

Ten collaborating laboratories assayed 4 blind duplicate pairs of whole bovine blood for cholinesterase activity. The 4 sample pairs ranged from normal (100%) to severely organo-phosphorus-inhibited (less than 10%) activity. Collaborators also received commercially available human lyophillized serum as an external control and a chromate solution to evaluate spectrophotometer performance. The Ellman kinetic assay was performed on a 1:1000 dilution of the whole blood in pH 8.0 phosphate buffer. The method monitors the increase in absorbance at 412 nm caused by formation of 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid (yellow reaction product). Repeatability standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 4.30 to 14.2%; reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 6.99 to 19.3%. The lower limit of detection was estimated to be 0.10 mumole/mL/min. The method has been approved interim official first action by AOAC.     

Residue study of ivermectin in plasma,milk, and mozzarella cheese following subcutaneous administration to buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The distribution of ivermectin in buffalo plasma and milk after administration of a single subcutaneous dose (0.2 mg kg(-)(1) b.w.) was studied. Ivermectin reached the maximal concentration in plasma (28.5 +/- 1.7 ng mL(-)(1)) and milk (23.6 +/- 2.6 ng mL(-)(1)) after 2.4 +/- 0.32 and 2.8 +/- 0.44 days, respectively. The drug showed a parallel disposition in milk and plasma, with a ratio of 1.12 +/- 0.16. Ivermectin concentrations were detected in mozzarella cheese obtained from milk collected on days 1, 3, 4, and 20 following administration. The highest values (81.4 +/- 3.26 ng g(-)(1)) were found in the cheese produced on day 3 and were 4-fold higher than those present in the milk.     

Life history characteristics of Lumbricus terrestris and effects of the veterinary antiparasitic compounds ivermectin and fenbendazole

Earthworms in pastureland may be exposed to residues of veterinary medicines excreted in the faeces of treated cattle. Possible sub-lethal effects of these drugs on life history characteristics are critical to earthworm populations, but there are no internationally accepted guidelines for the laboratory testing that is essential as a supplement to field studies. In the laboratory, Lumbricus terrestris were kept in artificial soil and offered dung collected from cattle with sustained-release boluses of ivermectin or fenbendazole, or from untreated cattle (control). Earthworms were therefore exposed to drug residues in concentrations excreted naturally by treated cattle. Furthermore, worms were exposed to the drug in the natural way, i.e. by ingestion. A matrix model based on survival and reproductive rates as functions of life-stages was used to quantify the population dynamics of L. terrestris. There were no adverse effects of either ivermectin or fenbendazole on the individual survival and growth of L. terrestris. Mature worms produced on average 2-3 cocoons per worm per month irrespective of drug treatment, and about 50% of these cocoons hatched successfully. The median time to hatching (incubation time) depended on the age of the parent worms and was significantly lower for cocoons in the ivermectin group compared to controls, as the worms became older. The incubation time varied considerably in all groups; even within a batch of cocoons produced during 1 month by one pair of worms, the period sometimes varied by more than 1 year. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r≈0.0044 d⁻¹) was not affected by either drug treatment. The methods and the model developed in this study are suitable for long-term studies on L. terrestris and give ecologically relevant information on population dynamics. There were no negative effects of ivermectin and fenbendazole on life history characteristics of L. terrestris and it is unlikely that earthworm populations will be affected in the field following normal use of sustained-release boluses in cattle. Finally, the matrix model points to adult survival rate and cocoon viability as the most important variables to be included in future ecotoxicological tests on L. terrestris.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of Hypoxoside in African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) and in commercial products containing the plant material and/or its extracts

Hypoxoside is a norlignan diglucoside present in the corms of African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea). The latter is used as a popular African traditional medicine for it's nutritional and immune-boosting properties. A reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of hypoxoside using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (20:80, v/v). The method was linear throughout the range of 10-100 microg/mL and provided a high degree of accuracy (100 +/- 4%). The recovery of the method was found to be 100 +/- 5%, and the precision of the study, % relative standard deviation intraday and interday (over three separate days), was better than 6.15 and 5.64%, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were calculated to be 0.75 and 3.5 microg/mL, respectively. This method was applied to the analysis and quality control of African potato corms as well as 12 commercially available products. The daily intake of hypoxoside through traditionally prepared African potato decoction was also evaluated.     

Residue potential of norsesquiterpene glycosides in tissues of cattle fed Austral bracken (Pteridium esculentum)

Austral bracken, Pteridium esculentum , occurs widely in Australian grazing lands and contains both the known carcinogen ptaquiloside and its hydroxy analogue, ptesculentoside, with untested carcinogenic potential. Calves were fed a diet containing 19% P. esculentum that delivered 1.8 mg of ptaquiloside and 4.0 mg of ptesculentoside per kilogram of body weight (bw) per day to explore the carcass residue potential of these compounds. Concentrations of ptaquiloside and ptesculentoside in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, and blood of these calves were determined as their respective elimination products, pterosin B and pterosin G, by HPLC-UV analysis. Plasma concentrations of up to 0.97 μg/mL ptaquiloside and 1.30 μg/mL ptesculentoside were found, but were shown to deplete to <10% of these values within 24 h of bracken consumption. Both glycosides were also detected in all tissues assayed, with ptesculentoside appearing to be more residual than ptaquiloside. Up to 0.42 and 0.32 μg/g ptesculentoside was present in skeletal muscle and liver, respectively, 15 days after bracken consumption ended. This detection of residual glycosides in tissues of cattle feeding on Austral bracken raises health concerns for consumers and warrants further investigation.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of levodopa, levodopa-carbidopa, and related impurities in solid dosage forms

A rapid reverse phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of levodopa and levodopa-carbidopa in tablets and capsules. The method also separates these drugs from 3-(3,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)alanine and methoxytyrosine, impurities of levodopa, and from methyldopa and 3-O-methylcarbidopa, impurities of carbidopa. The mobile phase was 3% acetic acid and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. The method was linear over the concentration range 0.05-0.40 mg levodopa/mL, 0.01-0.06 mg carbidopa/mL, 0.9-12.8 micrograms 3-(3,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)alanine/mL, 0.7-3.1 micrograms methyldopa/mL, 5-20 micrograms methoxytyrosine/mL, and 0.5-3.3 micrograms 3-O-methylcarbidopa/mL. Mean recoveries (%) for spiked commercial tablets were: levodopa 100.3, carbidopa 100.4, 3-(3,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)alanine 99.1, methoxytyrosine 100.0, methyldopa 100.0, and 3-O-methylcarbidopa 99.4.     

Comparison of radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determining aflatoxin M1 in milk

Using a highly specific antibody against aflatoxin M1, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were developed for the quantitation of M1 in milk. RIA was sensitive in the range of 5-50 ng per assay but was subject to interference by whole milk. Extraction and cleanup were therefore necessary for the detection of M1 in milk at 0.5 ng/mL. An ELISA procedure was developed by using an aflatoxin M1-carboxymethyl-horseradish peroxidase conjugate as the ligand. Competitive assays revealed that this system was relatively more sensitive for M1 than for B1, and had a much lower degree of cross-reactivity for aflatoxins B2, G1, G2, B2a, and aflatoxicol. As low as 0.25 ng M1/mL in artificially contaminated milk (raw, whole, skim) could be detected by ELISA in 3 h without extraction or cleanup. Because of its simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity, ELISA is the preferred method for monitoring aflatoxin M1 in milk.     

不同有机肥对采煤塌陷区土壤氮素矿化动态特征研究

为揭示不同有机肥对煤矿复垦土壤氮素矿化特性的影响,以山西省孝义市水峪煤矿采煤塌陷复垦土壤为研究对象,采用室内好气培养法,研究在40%含水量和30℃培养条件下,施用3种有机肥(鸡粪、猪粪、牛粪)后在0~161天的氮素矿化动态特征,以明确不同有机肥对该矿区复垦土壤氮素矿化特征,从而预估不同有机肥的供氮特性,为合理施用有机肥进行低产农田的培肥改造提供科学依据。结果表明:(1)各处理0~14天铵态氮含量均随培养时间的延长迅速下降,与培养时间呈极显著负相关关系(P<0.01),14~161天土壤铵态氮含量维持在较低水平,培养结束时,各处理铵态氮含量均低于1.31mg/kg。(2)各处理土壤硝态氮含量、累积量及矿质氮累积量变化均呈近似的“S”形曲线递增,表现为0~56天缓慢增加,56~84天迅速增加,84天至培养结束(161天)其含量基本不变。培养结束时不同处理间硝态氮含量、累积量及矿质氮累积量整体上均表现为鸡粪>猪粪>牛粪>空白,且鸡粪较猪粪和牛粪处理间存在显著差异,猪粪和牛粪较空白处理间存在显著差异(P<0.05)。(3)不同施肥处理出现氮素净矿化的时间点不同,其中鸡粪处理在第14天时最早出现净矿化现象,而猪粪和牛粪在培养28天后才出现明显的氮素净矿化。(4)不同施肥处理在培养的不同阶段硝态氮和矿质氮累积速率不同,但整体趋势一致,表现为培养0~84天各处理土壤累积矿化波动较大,56~84天达到峰值,培养84~161天各处理矿化速率平稳下降。总体来看,有机肥的施入能有效促进煤矿复垦土壤氮素矿化,从而提高土壤氮素有效性。其中,施鸡粪较猪粪和牛粪对提高矿区复垦土壤有效氮效果更好。4种处理的氮素矿化效果总体表现为鸡粪>猪粪>牛粪>空白。     

Detection of giant myofibrillar proteins connectin and nebulin in fish meat by electrophoresis in 3-5 gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide slab gels

An improved method was investigated for sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to facilitate the analysis of the giant myofibrillar proteins, connectin and nebulin, in fish meat by using jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) as the sample fish. It was established that separation of the alpha-connectin band from the beta-connectin band by SDS-PAGE could be achieved by using 3-5% gradient gels with glycerol to facilitate the formation of a gradient with polymerization at 35 degrees C. SDS-PAGE samples of white dorsal muscle from the jack mackerel were homogenized with a 2% SDS solution containing an inhibitor mixture (1 microg/mL of phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, 1 microg/mL of leupeptin, and 1 microg/mL of E-64) and heated at 50 degrees C for 20 min. Heating these samples at 100 degrees C for 2 min resulted in the disintegration of connectin but did not affect nebulin. A purified myofibril sample and a whole muscle sample showed similar changes in the overall rate of degradation of whole connectin and nebulin during the postmortem storage period, but it was clear that beta-connectin was cleaved from alpha-connectin during the preparation of myofibrils at the early stage postmortem. Storage of the SDS-PAGE samples at -85 degrees C was preferable to storage at -18 degrees C for a long period.     

ICSI介导生产转基因牛胚胎影响因素的研究

采用牛体外成熟卵母细胞和冷冻解冻的精子为材料,以pEGFP-N1为模式基因,探讨DNA浓度、精子质膜破损方法、注射台温度对牛精子胞质内注射（ICSI）介导转基因效果的影响。结果表明：线性pEGFPN1质粒DNA浓度为5μg/mL、10μg/mL两组的早期胚胎发育率显著高于50μg/mL组（19.8%,16.7%VS 7.9%,p〈0.05）。以冻融、TritonX100、超声波断尾三种方法破损精子质膜,冻融组的囊胚发育率（24.7%）最高,且冻融组的早期胚胎基因表达率极显著高于超声断尾组（41%VS 20.5%,p〈0.01）;当分别在25℃、38℃的注射台进行显微注射时,两组之间胚胎的囊胚率无显著差异（p〉0.05）,但二者之间胚胎的基因表达率差异显著（46.83%VS 28.57%,p〈0.05）。以上结果表明：（1）牛精子转染外源GFP基因的浓度不宜过高,转染高浓度的DNA会影响胚胎发育;（2）精子质膜是阻碍外源DNA与牛精子相结合的主要因素,将精子冻融处理可有效破损其质膜,利于精子与外源DNA的结合,从而提高ICSI介导转基因效率;（3）25℃和38℃热台温度对牛ICSI胚胎的早期发育无影响,但25℃热台温度可提高牛ICSI介导转基因的效果。     

Simultaneous quantitation of 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole, 2- and 4-methylimidazoles, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in beverages by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), 2- and 4-methylimidazoles (2-MI and 4-MI), and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in beverage samples. A C30 reversed-phase column was used in this method, providing sufficient retention and total resolution for all targeted analytes, with an MS/MS instrument operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode for sensitive and selective detection using isotope-labeled 4-methyl-d(3)-imidazole (4-MI-d(3)) as the internal standard (IS). This method demonstrates lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) at 1 ng/mL and coefficient of determination (r(2)) >0.999 for each analyte with a calibration range established from 1 to 500 ng/mL. This method also demonstrates excellent quantification accuracy (84.6-105% at 5 ng/mL, n = 7), precision (RSD < 7% at 5 ng/mL, n = 7), and recovery (88.8-99.5% at 10, 100, and 200 ng/mL, n = 3). Seventeen carbonated beverage samples were tested (n = 2) in this study including 13 dark-colored beverage samples with different flavors and varieties and 4 light-colored beverage samples. Three target analytes were quantified in these samples with concentrations in the range from 284 to 644 ng/mL for 4-MI and from 706 to 4940 ng/mL for HMF. THI was detected in only one sample at 6.35 ng/mL.     

Quantitative liquid chromatographic method using fluorescence detection for determining zearalenone and its metabolites in blood plasma and urine

The liquid chromatographic (LC) method described, suitable for use with both blood plasma and urine, is applicable for determination of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol at levels as low as 0.5 ng/mL plasma and 5 ng/mL urine. The sample is incubated overnight with beta-glucuronidase to analyze for both conjugated and unconjugated forms of zearalenone. The next day, the sample is acidified with H3PO4, extracted with chloroform, and evaporated to dryness. The residue is dissolved in toluene and loaded onto a silica gel cartridge which is washed with toluene and eluted with toluene-acetone (88 + 12). The eluate is evaporated, and the residue is dissolved in chloroform, extracted with 0.18M NaOH, neutralized with H3PO4, and re-extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is evaporated, dissolved in mobile phase for LC, and injected onto a normal phase column under the following chromatographic conditions: mobile phase of water-saturated dichloromethane containing 2% 1-propanol, and fluorescence detector, excitation wave-length 236 nm, and 418 nm cut-off emission filter. Recoveries of zearalenone and its metabolites from blood plasma and urine are 80-89% in the range 2.0-10 ng standard/mL plasma, and 81-90% in the range 10-30 ng standard/mL urine. This method was used to analyze blood and urine samples from a pig fed zearalenone-contaminated feed (5 mg/kg), corresponding to 80 micrograms/kg body weight. Zearalenone was rapidly metabolized to alpha-zearalenol, which appeared in the blood only 30 min after feeding. Almost all zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol was found conjugated with glucuronic acid in both blood plasma and urine.     

Residue depletion of ractopamine and its metabolites in swine tissues, urine, and serum

Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic leanness-enhancing agent approved for use in swine in the United States. Depletion of ractopamine and its metabolites from animal tissues, urine, and serum is of interest for the detection of illegal use. The objectives of this study were to measure the residues of ractopamine in swine incurred samples after treatment with dietary ractopamine for 28 consecutive days. An efficient and sensitive analytical method was developed for the detection of parent ractopamine and its metabolites in swine tissues, urine, and serum by HPLC-FLD. After extraction, enzymatic digestion, and solid-phase cleanup of the samples, ractopamine residues were determined by liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detector. The limits of detection (LOD) for tissues, urine, and serum were 1 ng g(-1), 0.5 ng mL(-1), and 0.5 ng mL(-1), respectively. Recoveries ranged from 70.5 to 94.5% for samples fortified at 1-50 ng g(-1) or ng mL(-1). Sixty pigs were fed twice daily for 28 consecutive days with feeds containing 18 mg kg(-1) ractopamine HCl. The residue concentrations in urine, liver, and kidney were 650.06 ng mL(-1), 46.09 ng g(-1), and 169.27 ng g(-1), respectively, compared with those in muscle, fat, and serum (4.94 ng g(-1), 3.28 ng g(-1), and 7.48 ng mL(-1), respectively) at the feeding period of 7 days. The residue concentrations at withdrawal period of 0 days in all edible tissues were lower than tolerance values established by the FDA and MRL values listed by the JECFA. These data support the withdrawal time of 0 days established by the FDA for ractopamine used as feed additive in swine.     

Detection of streptomycin residues in whole milk using an optical immunobiosensor.

The development of an assay for the detection of streptomycin residues in pasteurized whole milk using an optical biosensor (Biacore) is reported. Streptomycin-adipic hydrazide coupled to bovine thyroglobulin was used to produce a sheep polyclonal antibody. The antibody displayed excellent cross-reactivity with dihydrostreptomycin (106%). There was no significant cross-reaction with other aminoglycosides or common antibiotics. Streptomycin was also immobilized onto a CM5 sensor chip to provide a stable, reusable surface. The developed assay permitted the direct analysis of whole milk samples ( approximately 3.5% fat) without prior centrifugation and defatting. Results were available in 5 min. The limit of detection of the assay was determined as 4.1 ng/mL, well below the European maximum residue limit (MRL) of 200 ng/mL. Repeatability (or coefficient of variation) between runs was determined as 3.5% (100 ng/mL; 0.5 x MRL), 5.7% (200 ng/mL; MRL), and 7.6% (400 ng/mL; 2 x MRL).     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定动物尿液中5种镇静剂类药物残留

为建立动物尿液中异丙嗪亚砜、异丙嗪、氯丙嗪、安眠酮和地西泮5种镇静剂类药物残留的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)检测方法,本研究以固相萃取为净化手段,采用HPLC-MS/MS检测猪、牛和羊尿液中5种镇静剂类药物的残留量。结果表明,尿液样品经离心,调节pH值,Oasis MCX固相萃取柱净化后,能够有效去除杂质,5种镇静剂在0.6~20.0 μg·L^-1范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数(R²)均大于0.993;5种镇静剂类药物的检出限和定量限分别为0.1和0.6 μg·L^-1,0.6、2.5和9.0 μg·L^-1 3个添加水平的回收率介于64.6%~110.2%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于6.0%。本研究结果为不同动物尿液中镇静剂类兽药残留的精准检测提供了技术支持。