Transient neuromyopathy after bromide intoxication in a dog with idiopathic epilepsy

A seven-year old Australian Shepherd, suffering from idiopathic epilepsy under treatment with phenobarbitone and potassium bromide, was presented with generalised lower motor neuron signs. Electrophysiology and muscle-nerve biopsies revealed a neuromyopathy.The serum bromide concentration was increased more than two-fold above the upper reference value.Clinical signs disappeared after applying diuretics and reducing the potassium bromide dose rate. This is the first case report describing electrophysiological and histopathological findings associated with bromide induced lower motor neuron dysfunction in a dog.     

利用季铵盐有机改性铝污泥絮凝除藻试验

选择具有良好吸附沉降性能的给水厂副产物铝污泥作为下沉载体替代粘土,探究季铵盐十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)对铝污泥的吸附改性,并将其用于常见淡水小球藻(Chlorella)的絮凝去除试验。结果显示:(1)经600℃焙烧后的铝污泥对浓度为36.4 mg/L的CTAB改性溶液吸附能力最强,10 min内即可达到吸附平衡,吸附容量为9.19 mg/g;(2)当改性铝污泥中原始用量为3.0 g/L时,24 h后对藻密度和浊度的去除率可分别达到80.25%和80.05%;(3)改性剂CTAB不会影响铝污泥对磷酸盐的吸附性能,改性前后的铝污泥对磷的最大吸附率分别为90.91%和90.77%,且都在2 h左右达到吸附平衡。研究表明,有机改性铝污泥可初步形成一个除藻抑藻体系,可为藻类的去除和铝污泥的资源化利用提供理论依据及技术支持。     

Mydriatic effect of topically applied rocuronium bromide in tawny owls (Strix aluco): comparison between two protocols

Objective To evaluate the mydriatic efficacy of a neuromuscular blocking agent (rocuronium bromide) applied topically to only one eye of nocturnal birds of prey and to assess for any general and/or local adverse effects due to its use. Animal studied Twelve healthy adult tawny owls (Strix aluco) were randomly divided in two groups. Procedures Six birds (Group 1) received a single dose of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide. The second group of subjects (Group 2) received two doses of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide (total 0.70 mg/eye). In both groups, the curariform agent was instilled topically. Pupil diameter was measured with a pupillary gauge in 10 min intervals for a total of 100 min and then every 20 min for a total of 240 min. The assessment of the pupillary light reflex was performed using a standard light source during pupillary size recording. Results Maximal pupillary diameter was 11.5 ± 0.3 mm for Group 1 and 11.0 ± 0.6 mm for Group 2 and no statistically significant differences were detected among the two groups. The maximal pupillary diameter was achieved at T80 for Group 1, and at T60 for Group 2. A complete fundus examination was possible on all treated eyes of subjects of both groups. The drug did not cause any noticeable adverse effects in any of the examined birds. Conclusion Results of the present study suggest that a single topical administration of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide to the eyes of healthy tawny owls results in sufficient mydriasis to allow for a complete examination of the fundus.     

Determination of methyl bromide residues in stored foods using automated headspace gas chromatography

An automated gas chromatographic headspace method capable of detecting methyl bromide (MB) down to 0.01 mg kg^?1 has been developed and evaluated. The method is suitable for analysing cereals, nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Commodities are extracted with solvent and MB present is derivatised to methyl iodide (MI) which is determined by automated headspace gas chromatography. Results from the method described are compared with those using an established solvent extraction method and show good quantitative agreement. The analytical conditions recommended are likely to be suitable for examination of other commodities for MB residues.     

The effects of flubendazole and mebendazole on cytochromes P4501A in pheasant hepatocytes

Many benzimidazoles are known inducers of cytochromes P4501A (CYP1A) in laboratory animals and cell lines. As flubendazole and mebendazole are benzimidazole anthelmintics often used in a pheasant, in the present study an effect of these drugs in primary cultures of pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hepatocytes was investigated. After 48 h incubation of the hepatocytes with the benzimidazoles (0.2-5 microM), CYP1A activities -- ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) and methoxyresorufin O-demethylation (MROD) activities were measured and the CYP1A protein levels were determined by Western blotting. None of the tested benzimidazoles influenced the CYP1A protein content. No pharmacologically significant enhancement of CYP1A after exposure of the hepatocytes to flubendazole and mebendazole was found. Inhibition of the EROD/MROD activities caused by both tested substances was observed only at the highest concentration (5 microM). From a point of view of CYP1A induction or inhibition, the treatment of pheasants by both anthelmintics tested seems to be safe. Our study demonstrates the inter-species differences in CYP1A inducibility and the importance of induction/inhibition studies on target animals.     

Effects of isothiocyanates on purple (Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.)

Purple and yellow nutsedge are two of the most troublesome weeds in the world. In the south-eastern USA, both weeds are common in vegetable crops and are the most difficult weeds to control in this region. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the herbicidal activity of five liquid isothiocyanates (ITCs) (benzoyl, o -tolyl, m -tolyl, tert -octyl, and 3-fluorophenyl) on purple and yellow nutsedge. All ITCs were applied to soil in jars at 0, 100, 1000, 5000, and 10 000 nmol g⁻¹ of soil and sealed for 72 h to prevent gaseous losses, followed by nutsedge growth evaluations after an additional 18 days. All ITCs reduced purple and yellow nutsedge shoot density and shoot biomass over the concentrations evaluated, with differences in the effectiveness on each species apparent among the compounds. Based on the lethal concentration values for shoot density, all ITCs were more effective in suppressing purple nutsedge than yellow nutsedge. Benzoyl and 3-fluorophenyl were generally the most effective of the five ITCs evaluated.     

Characterization of propargyl bromide transformation in soil

Propargyl bromide is being investigated for its potential as a soil fumigant. Characterization of the fate of propargyl bromide in soil is important in determining both efficacy and the threat of environmental contamination. These experiments investigated some of the factors affecting the rate of propargyl bromide degradation in soil and quantified some of the products formed as a result of propargyl bromide degradation in four soils of differing composition and at three initial propargyl bromide concentrations. In all soils at all initial propargyl bromide concentrations, equimolar formation of Br- was observed during propargyl bromide degradation, but little propargyl alcohol (product of hydrolysis) was formed. The apparent first-order degradation coefficient (k) increased with decreasing initial propargyl bromide concentration in all soils, but the mass degraded per unit time increased with increasing propargyl bromide concentration. The rate of propargyl bromide degradation increased with increasing soil organic matter content, and the k value was correlated to the organic carbon content of the soil (correlation coefficient > 0.97 for all concentrations). Repeated application of propargyl bromide did not increase the rate of propargyl bromide degradation in soil. Addition of Br- did not affect the rate of propargyl bromide transformation in soil, so accumulation of Br- in the soil is not expected to impede propargyl bromide degradation.     

帐幕熏蒸中溴甲烷气体浓度变化规律及检测标准的研究

采用科学的熏蒸剂检测方法,通过系统的浓度检测和分析,对口岸实际熏蒸中有代表性的３种地面条件熏蒸帐幕的气密性进行了比较,基本摸清了２５～３２℃温度条件下帐幕熏蒸中溴甲烷气体浓度的变化规律。结合试验研究结果,提出了可供熏蒸现场监管采用的浓度检测标准,并对帐幕熏蒸的部分技术性问题进行了探讨。     

硫酰氟——溴甲烷土壤消毒潜在的替代品

初步试验表明,硫酰氟25~50 g/m2对土壤真菌(Fusarium sp.)、线虫均有良好的杀灭效果,防治后番茄产量与使用溴甲烷50 g/m2相当。硫酰氟蒸汽压高,穿透性强,可杀死深土层中的线虫及病原菌。由于其在常温下是气体,即使在冬天使用,也不需要搭小拱棚或采用"热法"施药,因此比使用溴甲烷更为方便;使用时也不像威百亩那样需要专用的施药设备。因此,硫酰氟是溴甲烷土壤消毒很有前景的替代品。