Polychlorinated biphenyl uptake and translation by Spartina alterniflora loisel

This paper presents the findings of initial investigation of the role of Spartina alterniora Loisel. in the movement of chlorinated hydrocarbons. ¹⁴C-polychlorinated biphenyls and technical Aroclor® 1254 were used for the determinations. The findings demonstrate that Spartina accumulates ¹⁴C-radioactivity from sand and organic mud soil systems treated with ¹⁴C-PCB's. These findings also demonstrate that this plant has the capacity to accumulate ¹⁴C-radioactivity to levels elevated above that in the treated soil. Other experiments with Aroclor® 1254 demonstrate that cogeners of Aroclor® 1254 are present in Spartina stem and root extracts. These experiments also suggest that the chlorinated hydrocarbon uptake process is modulated by the plant and that this results in selective cogener uptake. The selectivity appears to be for the lesser chlorinated components of the commercial mixture. Overall, this study suggests that Spartina may act as an initial vector for mobilization of sediment bound chlorinated hydrocarbons to the estuarine food chain.     

A comparative study of young ‘Thompson Seedless’ grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) under drip and furrow irrigation. II. Growth, water use efficiency and nitrogen partitioning

The response of 3-year-old grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cultivar ‘Thompson Seedless’) to furrow and drip irrigation was quantified in terms of water status, growth, and water use efficiency (WUE). Drip irrigation was applied daily according to best estimates of vineyard evapotranspiration while furrow irrigations were applied when 50% of the plant available soilwater content had been depleted. Drip and furrow irrigated vines showed similar water status (midday leaf water potential, Ψ₁) and shoot growth patterns throughout the season. Dry weight partitioning was not significantly different between treatments but root mass was somewhat larger for the furrow than drip irrigated vines. Nitrogen concentrations of the fruit and roots were significantly (P < 0.05) less for the drip irrigated vines when compared with the furrow treatment. Similar WUE (kg water kg⁻¹ fresh fruit wt.) were obtained for both treatments indicating that furrow irrigation was as efficient as drip irrigation under the conditions of this study. The data indicate that drip irrigation may increase the potential for control of vine growth by making vines more dependent on irrigation and N fertilization than furrow irrigation.     

Correlation of Urine Protein/Creatinine Ratio and Twenty-Four-Hour Urinary Protein Excretion in Normal Cats and Cats with Surgically Induced Chronic Renal Failure

Urine protein/creatinine (UP/C) ratios and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were compared in clinically normal cats and cats with surgically induced chronic renal failure (CRF). Mean 24-hour urinary protein excretion in 30 clinically normal cats fed a 28% protein diet (dry weight basis) was 4.93 mg/kg/24-hour (SD = 1.34) with a range of 2.99 to 8.88. Mean UP/C ratio in these cats was 0.134 (SD = 0.037) with a range of 0.073 to 0.239. Mean 24-hour urinary protein excretion in CRF cats was 10.49 mg/kg/24-hour (SD = 11.28) with a range of 2.16 to 62.93. Mean UP/C ratio in the CRF cats was 0.359 (SD = 0.374) with a range of 0.061 to 1.916. Linear regression showed high correlation (R2 = 0.973, P less than 0.001) between 24-hour urinary protein excretion and UP/C ratio in clinically normal cats and cats with surgically induced chronic renal failure. The regression equation for 24-hour urinary protein excretion versus UP/C ratio was: 24-hour urinary protein excretion = 29.39 (UP/C) + 0.18. Results of this study indicate that UP/C ratios are a valid estimate of 24-hour urinary protein excretion in clinically normal and CRF cats. Dietary protein intake significantly affected UP/C ratios in clinically normal cats and cats with surgically induced CRF. Therefore, the influence of dietary protein should be considered when interpreting UP/C ratios.     

In vitro and in vivo inhibition of chicken brain neurotoxic esterase by leptophos analogs

Inhibition of chicken brain neurotoxic esterase (NTE) by a series of O-halogenated-phenyl-O-alkyl phenylphosphonates was studied in vitro. The “apparent” activity was found to consist of “true” NTE (sensitive to mipafox) plus a minor mipafox-resistant component. The pI₅₀ of O-(2,6-dichlorophenyl) O-methyl phenylphosphonate for “true” NTE was 6.65, whereas it was about 3 for mipafox-resistant hydrolysis of phenyl valerate. This compound is suitable as an alternative to mipafox in the assay of “true” NTE, whereas the use of leptophos oxon gives a less accurate measure. The ethoxy analogs are about as potent in vitro as the corresponding methoxy compounds. Leptophosoxon and ethoxyleptophosoxon are more potent in vitro inhibitors than desbromoleptophosoxon. Within a like group of chlorinated phenylphosphonates, a reasonable correlation between in vitro neurotoxic esterase inhibition of the oxon and in vivo delayed neurotoxic potential by the corresponding phosphonothionate exists. In vivo inhibition of “apparent” NTE from chicken brain, studied 24 hr after an oral dose, is dose dependent for leptophos, ethoxyleptophos, and desbromoleptophos, the latter one being a very potent in vivo inhibitor. Ethoxyleptophos and leptophos have about equal in vivo esterase inhibitory properties. For desbromoleptophos and leptophos there is good agreement between the minimum dose causing delayed neurotoxicity and the dose leading to substantial inhibition of “apparent” NTE; ethoxyleptophos, on the other hand, inhibits the esterase at a dose much lower than the one which is neurotoxic. Several possible explanations for this discrepancy are considered.     

DDE increases the toxicity of parathion to coturnix quail

Adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix) were exposed to DDE or chlordane in the diet and subsequently dosed with parathion or paraoxon. Pretreatment with 5 or 50 ppm DDE in the diet for 12 weeks resulted in increased cholinesterase (ChE) activity in plasma, but not in the brain. Dietary concentrations of 5 and 50 ppm DDE caused increased susceptibility of quail that were challenged with parathion or paraoxon. The increased mortality resulting from DDE pretreatment was reflected in brain ChE inhibition. The synergistic action of DDE was apparent after 3 days of exposure to 50 ppm DDE and 1 week of exposure to 5 ppm DDE. Birds exposed for 3 weeks to 5 or 50 ppm DDE retained their DDE-potentiated sensitivity to parathion after 2 weeks on clean diet. Chlordane pretreatment resulted in decreased susceptibility (antagonism) to parathion, but not to paraoxon dosage. Implications of differing responses in ChE and mortality among controls, DDE-, and chlordane-pretreated birds after parathion or paraoxon dosage are discussed.     

Clinical and Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Ovine GM-1 Gangliosidosis

Ovine GM-1 gangliosidosis is an inherited lysosomal storage disease. Nine lambs affected with the disease were studied to characterize clinical signs and to determine if there were any pathognomonic clinicopathologic abnormalities. Evaluation included physical, ophthalmic, and neurologic examinations, complete blood counts, serum enzyme and electrolyte analyses, urinalyses, cerebrospinal fluid analyses, blood gas analyses, roentgenograms, electromyograms, and electrocardiograms. Two affected lambs had clinicopathologic tests performed before and after the onset of clinical signs. The only consistent abnormalities recognized were nonspecific signs referable to the central nervous system; predominantly ataxia, conscious proprioceptive deficit most severe in the hind limbs, blindness, and recumbency. Lambs continued to eat and drink, though at diminished levels and with loss of body condition. It was concluded that there are no pathognomonic clinicopathologic abnormalities associated with ovine GM-1 gangliosidosis, and antemortem diagnosis requires enzyme assay of leukocytes or cultured fibroblasts, or lectin histochemistry of tissues obtained by biopsy. Lysosomal storage diseases should be considered among the differential diagnoses in young animals presenting with early neonatal death or with nonspecific neurological signs, in concert with an absence of diagnostic clinicopathologic findings.     

EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE GASTRIC DILATATION AND VOLVULUS IN THE DOG: CHANGES IN BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS*

Acute gastric dilatation and volvulus with dilatation were produced in 11 dogs anesthetized with halothane. Blood samples were taken during these procedures for biochemical analyses. Serum potassium did not change significantly during the experimental procedure, but there was a significant increase (p<0.05) after release of the dilatation with volvulus. Renal function was impaired with significant increases (p<0.05) in the serum concentration of urea nitrogen, phosphorus, and creatinine. Evidence of cellular damage was reflected by a significant elevation (P<0.05) in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity. Serum glucose concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) during experimental gastric dilatation and dilatation with volvulus.     

Evaluation of the internal vertebral venous plexus, vertebral canal, dural sac, and vertebral body via nonselective computed tomographic venography in the cervical vertebral column in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nonselective computed tomographic (CT) venography for evaluating the cervical internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP), define the diameter and area dimensions of the IVVP, and determine the relationship between dimensions of the cervical IVVP and other vertebral components in medium-sized dogs. Animals-6 healthy dogs that weighed 18 to 27 kg. Procedure-Helical CT scans were performed from C1 to C7 before and after IV injection of contrast medium (480 mg of iodine/kg) and a continuous infusion (240 mg of iodine/kg). Image data were transferred to a CT workstation, and measurements were performed on displayed transverse images. Diameter and area measurements of the vertebral canal, dural sac, IVVP, and vertebral body were obtained at C3 to C7. RESULTS: Opacification of vertebral venous structures was achieved in all dogs with no adverse reactions. Sagittal diameters of the IVVP for C3 to C7 ranged from 0.6 to 3.2 mm. Transverse diameters ranged from 2.32 to 5.74 mm. The IVVP area represented 12.4% of the mean vertebral canal transverse area and 30.61% of the mean vertebral epidural space area. Area measurements of the IVVP were significantly correlated with vertebral canal area and dural sac area. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that nonselective CT venography is a safe, sensitive method for performing morphometric assessments of the cervical IVVP in dogs. Findings support the theory that there may be a physiologic or developmental relationship between cervical vertebral canal components.     

Evaluation of iatrogenic hemarthrosis of the metacarpophalangeal joint as a method of induction of temporary reversible lameness in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether iatrogenic hemarthrosis of the metacarpophalangeal joint could be used as a model for temporary reversible joint pain in horses. ANIMALS: 8 adult horses. PROCEDURE: Each horse was evaluated on a treadmill before and after injection of 1 metacarpophalangeal joint with 10 mL of autogenous blood. Horses were evaluated subjectively and objectively by use of a computerized force measurement system at intervals until lameness abated. The mean force difference between injected and noninjected limbs at all time periods after injection was compared with the difference between limbs at baseline. From each horse, synovial fluid samples collected before and 24 hours and 30 days after injection were analyzed for total protein concentration and cell type and number. Venous blood samples were collected before and 6 and 24 hours after injection for assessment of plasma cortisol concentration. RESULTS: For 24 hours after injection, the mean force difference between injected and noninjected limbs was significantly increased over baseline. The greatest force difference was detected after 2 and 4 hours. Baseline and 24-hour force data were not significantly different. Compared with baseline values, synovial fluid protein concentration and nucleated cell and RBC counts were increased significantly at 24 hours after injection but were not different at 30 days after injection. No significant changes in plasma cortisol concentration were detected at any time point. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses, iatrogenic hemarthrosis of the metacarpophalangeal joint appears to induce temporary reversible lameness with a mild to moderate degree of synovitis.     

A quantitative assessment of the BSE risk associated with fly ash and slag from the incineration of meat-and-bone meal in a gas-fired power plant in Denmark

It has been recommended that meat-and-bone meal (MBM) be incinerated at 850 °C for at least 2 s and the ashes and slag disposed of in controlled landfills, to dispose of animal-derived proteins. Most commonly, the MBM is incinerated in cement works or coal-fired power plants and the ashes and slag are incorporated into the cement or concrete.

Our goal was to assess with a Monte Carlo simulation model the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk to cattle and humans posed by the ash and slag. The results will be used by decision makers to evaluate the need for disposal of the fly ash in controlled landfills and the feasibility of use of the ash by the phosphate and fertilizer industries.

We assumed that all specified risk material (SRM) and MBM produced in Denmark would be incinerated in this gas-fired power plant. Based on observations in 2001, we assumed that, on average, six (range: 0–15) clinical BSE cases each year were rendered into MBM and incinerated. In addition, SRM or carcasses from 0 to 31 (median = 10) BSE-infected-but-undetected animals/BSE case were also incinerated.

The simulations were run on a 1-week basis. Our results suggest that if the slag is collected and re-incinerated the median BSE infectivity remaining in the fly ash per week would be 3.1E−11 cattle ID₅₀. A cattle ID₅₀ is the amount of infectivity that will cause infection in 50% of cattle exposed to it. During the weeks when BSE was infected in the SRM-MBM, the median infectivity in the fly ash was estimated as 8.7E−10 cattle ID₅₀ and 2.9E−12 human ID₅₀. The 95th percentiles were 2.1E−08 cattle ID₅₀ and 5.8E−10 human ID₅₀, respectively. One ton of fly ash would contain ≤1.8E−07 cattle ID₅₀ 95% of the time. These are the potential exposures of the cattle or human populations. The potential exposures of individuals are far less.