Case of suspected theobromine poisoning in dairy cattle

High-yielding dairy cows collapsed and died displaying signs of a disturbed central nervous system (muscle tremor, convulsion) and a considerably reduced body condition score. An intense diagnostic screening did not allow to confirm a definite diagnosis. Therefore, further analyses including an evaluation of feeds and feeding were initiated. The herd was fed a total mixed ration (TMR) based on corn and grass silage of moderate nutritive value supplemented with various amounts of chocolate chips. In retrospect, the amount of chocolate chips added to the respective TMR batches could not be quantified. These chips were purchased from a company producing bakery and chocolate products for human consumption and added to the silage and therefore to the TMR in order to increase the energy intake of the animals. Because the TMR, which was fed during the time of the incidence, was no longer available, a sample of a later batch of silage was examined. The amount of chocolate chips was quantified (0.44% per fresh matter), and a theobromine analysis was performed in the chocolate chips of the available batch (69.7 mg/100 g fresh matter). Because of the possible link between chocolate intake and observed signs, an immediate cessation of using the chocolate chips was recommended in addition to an optimisation of the TMR, that is an increase of the energy density. Even though the theobromine intake during the time of the incidence is unknown and information about toxicity of theobromine in ruminants is limited, we suspect that the feeding of chocolate in this case caused all signs including the sudden death of the cows. Further reasons are that no differential diagnoses were established and the problems at the farm stopped after removing the chocolate from the TMR.     

Causes of death in beef cattle in southern Brazil

We determined the prevalence of diseases and pathogens associated with mortality in beef cattle in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on pathology laboratory submissions. Postmortem examinations were conducted on 1,277 beef cattle that died between 2008 and 2018. Information regarding age, time of the year, breed, and regional location were analyzed statistically. Most cattle were from the surrounding region of Porto Alegre, and 78.7% of the analyzed cases had diagnostic value. The diagnostic category with most cases was infectious and/or parasitic diseases (60%), followed by toxic and toxicoinfectious (25%). Most cases occurred in the fall. Major disease conditions identified included hemoprotozoal infection (18.2%), rabies (8.2%), and plant intoxications by Senecio spp. (8.5%) and Pteridium arachnoideum (4.6%). Hemoprotozoal infection occurred at a higher frequency in young cattle, mainly in animals up to 1 y old. Intoxication by Senecio spp. was more frequent in cattle 2–3 y old.     

Physiopathological Effects of the Administration of Chronic Cyanide to Growing Goats – A Model for Ingestion of Cyanogenic Plants

Ingestion of cyanogenic plants, such as cassava and sorghum, has been associated with goitre and tropical pancreatic diabetes in both humans and animals. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the toxic effects on the thyroid and pancreas in growing goats of prolonged exposure to potassium cyanide (KCN). Thirty-four male goats were divided into five groups dosed with KCN at 0 (control), 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 or 3.0 mg/kg daily for 5 months. Blood samples were obtained in order to determine the glucose, cholesterol, thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃) and thiocyanate concentrations and for haematological studies; pancreas and thyroid gland were collected for histopathological study. The group receiving the highest dose of cyanide showed lower body weight gains and carcase weights and a decrease in plasma T₃ concentrations compared to the control group. Reabsorption vacuoles in follicular colloid and normocytic normochromic anaemia were observed in the experimental animals. Inhibition of peripheral conversion of T₄ to T₃ is suggested. However, no diabetogenic effects were observed.     

铝中毒对蛋鸡白细胞和红细胞免疫功能的影响

采用连续腹腔注射相同体积不同浓度梯度的三氯化铝，建立不同程度的鸡亚慢性铝中毒型，检测铝中毒雏鸡外周血白细胞数(WBC)、淋巴细胞总数、ANAE+T数及红细胞C3b受体花环率和红细胞免疫复合物花环率。结果表明，铝中毒雏鸡外周血白细胞数、淋巴细胞总数、ANAE+T数及红细胞C3b受体花环率均明显低于健康对照组雏鸡，而红细胞免疫复合物花环率明显高于健康对照组雏鸡。上述结果说明, 铝中毒对雏鸡细胞免疫和非特异性免疫功能有明显的抑制作用。     

亚麻籽双液相多级逆流萃取工艺模拟试验

为了考察双液相技术萃取亚麻籽的工业化效果,应用模拟试验探讨了多级逆流萃取工艺应用于正己烷-乙醇-水三元双液相亚麻籽萃油脱氰苷生产的可行性。结果表明,在料烷比1︰5 (m/V),料醇比1︰2 (m/V),温度55℃,时间 30 min,乙醇质量分数85% (m/m),NaOH添加量为乙醇相0.05% (m/V)的条件下,实验室串级模拟四级逆流萃取达到工艺要求,亚麻粕中残油量小于1%,氰苷残余小于0.7 mg/kg,多级逆流接触法萃取流程适宜于亚麻籽双液相萃油脱氰苷生产工艺。     

H2O2对陈化马铃薯切片抗氰呼吸的诱导作用研究

研究了H₂O₂对陈化马铃薯切片抗氰呼吸的诱导作用.用切片和纯化线粒体进行测定的结果均表明外源H₂O₂(5.0 mmol/L)处理对陈化马铃薯切片的总呼吸只有微弱的影响,但却可以明显诱导切片的抗氰呼吸,并显著提高抗氰呼吸对总呼吸的贡献.应用交替氧化酶的单克隆抗体进行Western杂交的结果表明,H₂O₂处理可以增强陈化马铃薯切片中交替氧化酶的表达,表明H₂O₂对抗氰呼吸的诱导作用与其时交替氧化酶表达的诱导有关.抗氰呼吸可能参与了H₂O₂调控植物抗病防御反应的作用机制.     

Aspects of phytoremediation of organic pollutants

Phytoremediation is a quite novel technique to clean polluted soils using plants. In theory, phytoremediation methods are cheap, are accepted by the public and, compared to physical or chemical approaches, are ecologically advantageous. Until today, however, there are only a few examples of successful applications. One reason is that the processes involved are complex, and a full clean up may require many years. Plants affect the water balance of a site, they change redox potential and pH, and stimulate microbial activity of the soil. These indirect influences may accelerate degradation in the root zone or reduce leaching of compounds to groundwater. Compounds taken up into plants may be metabolised, accumulated, or volatilised into air. Based on these processes, several phytoremediation methods have been developed: Phytoextraction, rhizofiltra-tion, phytostabilisation, rhizo and phytodegradation, pump and tree, land farming, phytovolatilisation, hydraulic control and more. Already in use are plants (and here willow, poplar and grass) for the degradation of petroleum products, aromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX), chlorinated solvents, explosives and cyanides. However, phytotoxicity and pollutant mass balances were rarely documented. Often, the success of the projects was not controlled, and only estimates can be made about the applicability and the potential of phytoremediation. This lack of experience about possibilities and limitations seems to be a hindrance for a broader use of these techniques.