A review on global metal accumulators-mechanism, enhancement, commercial application, and research trend.

The biosphere is polluted with metals due to burning of fossil fuels, pesticides, fertilizers, and mining. The metals interfere with soil conservations such as contaminating aqueous waste streams and groundwater, and the evidence of this has been recorded since 1900. Heavy metals also impact human health; therefore, the emancipation of the environment from these environmental pollutants is critical.

Prediction of the amount and rate of histamine degradation by diamine oxidase (DAO).

Histamine is a biogenic amine that forms in a variety of foods and can cause food poisoning at high concentrations (>500 ppm). In situations where the formation of histamine in food cannot be prevented through refrigeration, diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme may be used to degrade histamine to safe levels. The aims of this work were to apply DAO in model (buffer) and real (cooked tuna soup used in the manufacture of a fish paste product, Rihaakuru) systems, in order to obtain predictions for the rates and amounts of histamine degradation.

Histamine stability in Rihaakuru at -80, 4 and 30°C.

Rihaakuru is a shelf stable fish paste product formed from a fish soup prepared from tuna. Histamine contamination is a food safety issue with this product that is manufactured from tuna fish that has been temperature abused. Histamine concentrations decreased between 31% and 73% in Rihaakuru stored for 10months at either -80, 4 or 30°C.

Biogenic amines and potential histamine - Forming bacteria in Rihaakuru (a cooked fish paste).

The biogenic amine concentration in Rihaakuru (a fish paste) (n=28), obtained from different parts of the Maldives (North, South, and Central), was determined by HPLC. Ten biogenic amines were detected; agmatine, not detected (ND) - 161ppm; cadaverine, ND - 387ppm; histamine, ND - 5487ppm; putrescine, ND - 290ppm; phenylethylamine, ND - 23ppm; serotonin, ND - 91ppm; spermine, ND - 329ppm; spermidine, ND - 79ppm; tryptamine, ND - <5ppm; and tyramine, ND - 50ppm. Nine biogenic amines were found in 3 samples, 8 in 10 samples, 7 in 6 samples, 6 in 3 samples, 4 in 5 samples, and 1 was found in 1 sample.

Control of biogenic amines in food--existing and emerging approaches.

Biogenic amines have been reported in a variety of foods, such as fish, meat, cheese, vegetables, and wines. They are described as low molecular weight organic bases with aliphatic, aromatic, and heterocyclic structures. The most common biogenic amines found in foods are histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, 2-phenylethylamine, spermine, spermidine, putrescine, tryptamine, and agmatine.

Chemistry and microbiology of traditional Rihaakuru (fish paste) from the Maldives.

Rihaakuru is a traditional Maldivian side dish consumed mainly with rice. It is a thick brown fish paste, made from tuna after prolonged heating. Samples tested were found to have a low water activity (0.

Thallium toxicosis in a Pit Bull Terrier.

Thallotoxicosis is described in an adult Pit Bull Terrier. The dog exhibited anorexia, emesis, weakness, conscious proprioceptive deficits, and a hemorrhagic diarrhea before death. A severe, acute necrotizing enterocolitis was evident upon histological examination, as was a multifocal to coalescing pulmonary edema.

Whole-blood and plasma cholinesterase levels in normal koi (Cyprinus carpio).

Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides produce their toxic effects by binding with cholinesterase enzymes, resulting in the inhibition of acetylcholine catabolism. Excessive acetylcholine levels cause excessive synaptic neurotransmitter activity. In most animal species, whole blood is the preferred sample for evaluation of cholinesterase activity.

Anuric renal failure associated with zinc toxicosis in a dog.

The development of anuric renal failure associated with zinc intoxication was detected in a dog following ingestion of an ornamental brass knob from a toilet paper holder. The 3-y-old, male neutered, 15.4 kg Welsh Corgi presented to a local veterinary clinic with a 2-w history of intermittent vomiting, inappetance and lethargy.

Diagnostic toxicology for the small animal practitioner.

The successful diagnostic investigation involves an accurate history and appropriate antemortem and postmortem sampling. This chapter discusses factors such as sample size, shipping, test requests, and interpretation that must be considered when pursuing a small animal diagnostic investigation.

Pea proteins based food products as meat replacers: the Profetas concept.

Profetas (Protein Foods, Environment, Technology and Society) is a Dutch trans-disciplinary research programme, aiming to develop more sustainable food systems. The central theme of the programme is the question: is a transition feasible from a diet based primarily on animal proteins to a diet based for a large part on new food products made from plant proteins? In the programme this question is studied from very different disciplinary perspectives. In the programme a consumer and chain oriented approach is adopted.

Effect of Blanching on Structural Quality of Dried Potato Slices.

Mechanical properties of potato slices were monitored during blanching, as indicators of structural changes. As expected, blanching resulted in weakening of potato structure. Gelatinization, which occurred during the first 2 min, did not promote an immediate weakening of the potato tissue.

Weakness, tremors, and depression associated with macadamia nuts in dogs.

The ASPCA National Animal Poison Center managed 29 cases of ingestion of commercially available macadamia nuts in dogs during a 5-y period. Clinical signs included, from most to least, weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia, tremor, hyperthermia, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness, recumbency, and pale mucous membranes. The onset of clinical signs was reported as < 12 h in 79% of the cases.

Absence of detectable fumonisins in the milk of cows fed Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg culture material.

Fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins produced by the ubiquitous fungi Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum, were first identified about eight years ago. They have been shown to cause a variety of health effects in animals, including epidemiological evidence of esophageal cancer in humans.

Aldicarb toxicosis in a flock of sheep.

Aldicarb toxicosis was diagnosed in 200 sheep that died suddenly. Carbamate insecticide toxicosis was suspected based on observed clinical signs (hypersalivation, diarrhea, urination, paddling, seizures, miosis, and deaths occurring within 1 hour). Tissue samples were submitted from 4 Columbian ewes for pathologic and analytical evaluation.

Toxic effects of trace element excess.

Excesses of many trace elements can cause direct toxic effects to cattle as well as indirect effects that can cause a secondary deficiency of other trace elements. Clinical signs may vary from poor growth and feed utilization to neurologic disorders. Toxic effects vary with the specific trace element in question, the total amount of that element in the diet, the age and condition of the animal, and the presence or absence of certain other dietary components.

Clinical infections and nonsurgical treatment of parapharyngeal space infections complicating throat infection.

The clinical features and management of eight patients with parapharyngeal space infection who presented with swelling of the neck subsequent to sore throat are described. In four patients the interval between the initial throat symptoms and swelling was 2 days or less, and the disease was rapidly progressive with stridor or a descending mediastinitis. In the other four cases, this interval was longer (4 to 14 days) and the infection was fairly localized.

Diagnostic features of chlamydia infection in dairy calves.

Chlamydia were routinely isolated from a group of calves with pneumonia, systemic disease, and enteric involvement. The most commonly observed lesions were acute interstitial pneumonia, hepatitis, and enteritis. Cultures of sequentially collected nasal and rectal samples from clinically normal calves revealed a large percentage of inapparent infections during, at least, the first 30 days of age.

Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide poisoning in large animals.

Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides are used commonly in agriculture to control pests of crops and animals. These compounds are toxic and livestock poisoning has occurred from mistaken addition of unused insecticide to feeds and animal access to improperly disposed of materials or "empty" containers. The morbidity rate approximates a third of animals exposed and about half of those affected die.

Suppurative thrombophlebitis of the superior vena cava.

A 22-year-old woman, a neurosurgical comatose patient developed suppurative thrombophlebitis of the superior vena cava due to Klebsiella pneumoniae, as a complication of catheterisation for parenteral nutrition. The diagnosis was established by gallium scan, computed tomography and digital vascular imaging. Conservative treatment with antibiotics and heparin resulted in the emergence of a resistant mutant of the causative agent.

Emergence of bacterial resistance to cefamandole in vivo due to outer membrane protein deficiency.

Cefamandole therapy in a patient with suppurative thrombophlebitis failed due to selection of a resistant variant of the causative organism Klebsiella pneumoniae. Analysis of the resistance mechanism revealed that in the resistant variant one of the major outer membrane proteins, OmpF, was missing. Resistance of this type has implications for therapy with other antibiotics including non-beta-lactam antibiotics.

The induction of equine laminitis with an aqueous extract of the heartwood of black walnut (Juglans nigra).

An aqueous extract of the heartwood of black walnut (Juglans nigra) was given via stomach tube to 10 horses. Eight developed Obel grade 3 or 4 laminitis within 12 hr. Limb edema and mild sedation were the only other clinical signs observed.

Altered serum element concentrations due to laboratory usage of Vacutainer tubes.

Aliquots of a pooled serum sample (bovine) were agitated in Vacutainer tubes (serum or clot tubes) for 0, 2, 8 and 32 hr to determine if Vacutainer tubes had any effect on serum trace element concentrations. The sera were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na and Zn by the inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectrometer. The Zn concentration in sera was significantly increased over time, and the Cu and Fe concentrations were significantly decreased.