Methylation of tin by estuarine microorganisms

Mixed inoculums of microorganisms from Chesapeake Bay sediments transformed inorganic tin (SnCl(4) . 5H(2)O) to organotin compounds. Dimethyltin and trimethyltin species were identified as products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Methylated tin species were not observed in sterile controls or in poisoned controls. Thus, estuarine microorganisms have the potential for transforming tin to toxic organotins and for mobilizing tin in the ecosystem.     

Ergovaline does not alter the severity of ryegrass staggers induced by lolitrem B

AIM: To investigate a possible interaction between lolitrem B and ergovaline by comparing the incidence and severity of ryegrass staggers in sheep grazing ryegrass (Lolium perenne) containing lolitrem B or ryegrass containing both lolitrem B and ergovaline.

METHODS: Ninety lambs, aged approximately 6 months, were grazed on plots of perennial ryegrass infected with either AR98 endophyte (containing lolitrem B), standard endophyte (containing lolitrem B and ergovaline) or no endophyte, for up to 42 days from 2 February 2010. Ten lambs were grazed on three replicate plots per cultivar. Herbage samples were collected for alkaloid analysis and lambs were scored for ryegrass staggers (scores from 0–5) weekly during the study. Any animal which was scored ≥4 was removed from the study.

RESULTS: Concentrations of lolitrem B did not differ between AR98 and standard endophyte-infected pastures during the study period (p=0.26), and ergovaline was present only in standard endophyte pastures. Ryegrass staggers was observed in sheep grazing both the AR98 and standard endophyte plots, with median scores increasing in the third week of the study. Prior to the end of the 42-day grazing period, 22 and 17 animals were removed from the standard endophyte and AR98 plots, respectively, because their staggers scores were ≥4. The cumulative probability of lambs having scores ≥4 did not differ between animals grazing the two pasture types (p=0.41).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There was no evidence for ergovaline increasing the severity of ryegrass staggers induced by lolitrem B. In situations where the severity of ryegrass staggers appears to be greater than that predicted on the basis of concentrations of lolitrem B, the presence of other tremorgenic alkaloids should be investigated.     

The halothane gene, energy metabolism, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, and glycolysis in postmortem pig longissimus dorsi muscle

The presence of the halothane gene results in PSE meat. However, the exact mechanisms linking the halothane gene and the incidence of PSE meat remain unclear. We hypothesize that the presence of the halothane gene accelerates energy consumption in postmortem muscle, which activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), leading to enhanced glycolysis and PSE meat. To test our hypothesis, energy status, AMPK activity, and glycolysis in the postmortem LM of the halothane gene carrier and halothane-negative pigs were compared. The results showed that the presence of the halothane gene accelerated energy depletion in postmortem muscle immediately after exsanguination, leading to rapid and early depletion of ATP, as shown by an increase in the (adenosine monophosphate + inosine monophosphate):ATP ratio in postmortem LM. In addition, an early AMPK activation was observed in LM from halothane carriers. The fructose-2,6-diphosphate concentration in postmortem LM was well correlated with AMPK activation. To be a potent stimulator of phosphofructose kinase, the increase in fructose-2,6-diphosphate is expected to activate phosphofructose kinase, a key enzyme controlling glycolysis, leading to enhanced glycolysis and early accumulation of lactic acid. In summary, this study showed that the presence of the halothane gene induced early energy depletion, which could be a primary reason causing AMPK activation, leading to accelerated glycolysis and an increased incidence of PSE meat. However, AMPK might also be activated by other mechanisms besides energy depletion, which warrants further studies.     

Migration of radioactive wastes: radionuclide mobilization by complexing agents

Ion exchange, gel filtration chromatography, and gas chromatographymass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an extremely strong complexing agent commonly used in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities, is causing the low-level migration of cobalt-60 from intermediate-level liquid waste disposal pits and trenches in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory burial grounds. Because it forms extremely strong complexes with rare earths and actinides, EDTA or similar chelates may also be contributing to the mobilization of these radionuclides from various terrestrial radioactive waste burial sites around the country.     

Finite element modeling of ROPS in static testing and rear overturns

Even with the technological advances of the last several decades, agricultural production remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Death due to tractor rollover is a prime contributor to this hazard. Standards for rollover protective structures (ROPS) performance and certification have been developed by groups such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) to combat these problems. The current ROPS certification standard, SAE J2194, requires either a dynamic or static testing sequence or both. Although some ROPS manufacturers perform both the dynamic and static phases of SAE J2194 testing, it is possible for a ROPS to be certified for field operation using static testing alone. This research compared ROPS deformation response from a simulated SAE J2194 static loading sequence to ROPS deformation response as a result of a simulated rearward tractor rollover. Finite element analysis techniques for plastic deformation were used to simulate both the static and dynamic rear rollover scenarios. Stress results from the rear rollover model were compared to results from simulated static testing per SAE J2194. Maximum stress values from simulated rear rollovers exceeded maximum stress values recorded during simulated static testing for half of the elements comprising the uprights. In the worst case, the static model underpredicts dynamic model results by approximately 7%. In the best case, the static model overpredicts dynamic model results by approximately 32%. These results suggest the need for additional experimental work to characterize ROPS stress levels during staged overturns and during testing according to the SAE standard.     

Bread dough toxicosis in dogs

Objective: To provide information on the ingestion, and subsequent toxicity, of raw bread dough in dogs. Case summary: A report from the ASPCA animal poison control center (APCC) files of 3 cases of ingestion of raw bread dough by dogs. Clinical signs included vomiting, ataxia, blindness, hypothermia, and recumbency. All dogs were successfully treated for ethanol toxicosis. New information: Ingestion of bread dough can cause gastric obstruction, bloat, or ethanol toxicosis. The treatment of ethanol toxicosis, including decontamination, IV fluids, management of metabolic acidosis, and hypoglycemia is discussed. Yohimbine can be used in cases where the dog is comatose or has developed severe respiratory depression.