Dioxin residues in the edible tissue of finishing pigs after dioxin feeding.

The aim of this study was to determine the contamination of finishing pigs with polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) after feeding either uncontaminated feed or feed contaminated with 0.75, 2 or 4 ng/kg toxic equivalents (TEQ; calculated by multiplying individual congener concentrations by congener-specific toxicity equivalency factors). The feed was mixed with pure substances of PCDD/Fs to get the intended contamination. Five groups of six piglets each were fed contaminated feed, one group of five piglets served as control. One group was fed contaminated feed (4 ng TEQ/kg) only for the rearing period (6 weeks), and another group for the first 8 weeks of the fattening period (4 ng TEQ/kg feed). The other groups received the contaminated feed during the 12-weeks fattening period. After slaughtering, the edible parts of the belly, loin and fore-end were collected and homogenized. The samples of group 2 and 4a were investigated uncooked as well as roasted. Fattening yield and feed conversion (kg feed/kg weight gain) of the animals of all groups were in the normal range (final weight 109.7 kg; feed conversion 2.55-2.69 kg). The PCDD/F-content in 1 kg fat of the belly, loin and fore-end in relation to the intake was between 0.016 (4 ng TEQ/kg feed for a 6-weeks rearing period) and 1.39% (fore-end; 2 ng TEQ/kg feed for 12-weeks fattening period). There was a decrease in dioxin residues after a 12-weeks period but not after a 4-weeks period of feeding an uncontaminated feed. When feed contaminated with 0.75, 2 and 4 ng TEQ/kg was given for a 12-weeks fattening period, the residue concentrations of PCDD/F-TEQ in 1 kg belly was 0.455, 1.07 and 1.55 ng, in 1 kg fore-end 0.04 ng, 0.32 ng and 0.34 ng and in 1 kg loin 0.015 ng, 0.07 ng and 0.30 ng respectively. Roasting had no influence on the dioxin-residues. The residues per g belly fat exceed the maximum limits for dioxin in food of 0.6 pg WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ/g fat (EC Recommendations 2002/201/EC), when feed containing 0.75 ng PCDD/F-TEQ/kg is given for 12 weeks. When feed containing 0.4 ng TEQ (maximum content; EC recommendations 2002/201/EC) is given for 12 weeks, approximately 0.55 pg TEQ/g fat can be expected in the food. This value is within the action level of 0.6 pg/g fat of porks. In conclusion, the results of the study allow prediction of dioxin residues in the edible tissue of pork, if the feed contamination is known and the amount of feed intake can be estimated.

Dioxin residues in the edible tissue of broiler chicken.

The aim of this study was to determine the contamination of broiler chicken with polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) after feeding either uncontaminated feed or feed contaminated with 1, 2 or 4 ng/kg toxic equivalents (TEQ). The feed was mixed with pure substances of PCDD/Fs to get the intended contamination. Ten groups of seven 1-day-old chickens each were housed in special cages for broiler fattening. The fattening period lasted for 6 weeks. The contaminated feed was given for either 2, 4, or 6 weeks, one group received uncontaminated feed (control group). After slaughtering the edible parts of the chickens breast and leg including the skin were homogenized. Body weight gain and feed conversion (kg feed/kg body weight gain) were in the normal range (final weight 1.98+/-0.07 kg; feed conversion 1.74+/-0.03). One kilogram edible tissue contained an average of 21.2+/-4.1% of the total TEQ-intake in all groups. The PCDD/Fs residues in the edible tissues significantly correlated with the amount of PCDD/Fs-intake (r=0.99; Pearson correlation). There was no decrease in dioxin residues (% of total PCDD/Fs intake) after a 2 or 4 weeks withdrawal period. The results of this trial predict that a threshold value of 2 pg/g chicken fat can be met if the PCDD/Fs content in chicken feed is not higher than 0.4 ng/kg.

Quantification of ephedrines in urine by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method for the quantification of five congener ephedrines in urine samples without sample preparation was developed. The analytes were trapped on a C18 precolumn and separated on a C18 BDS analytical column. Baseline separation was achieved for all analytes. The method meets the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) medical commission regarding cut-off limits for positive doping cases with ephedrines.

Identification of various urinary metabolites of fluorene using derivatization solid-phase microextraction.

A method for the qualitative analysis of various metabolites of fluorene is presented. The method uses solid-phase microextraction with an 85 microm polyacrylate fiber for extraction, headspace silylation with BSTFA and MTBSTFA without any catalyst for on-fiber derivatization and GC-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode for separation and detection. The suitability of the method for profile analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites is shown by analyzing an urine of an occupationally exposed person after enzymatic cleavage of the excreted conjugates. Satisfactory separation of all investigated metabolites was achieved without interferences due to matrix peaks.

Fast screening method for the profile analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in urine using derivatisation--solid-phase microextraction.

A method for the qualitative analysis of various metabolites of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene is presented. The method uses SPME with a 85-microm polyacrylate fibre for extraction, headspace silylation with BSTFA without any catalyst for on-fibre derivatisation and GC-MS in the SIR mode for separation and detection. The suitability of the method for profile analysis of PAH metabolites is shown by analysing a smokers urine after enzymatic cleavage (and additionally after spiking with the target analytes) and spiked water. The method exhibits satisfactory separation of all investigated metabolites and no interferences due to matrix peaks.

[The significance of morphologic placental findings in fetal distress]. / Die Bedeutung morphologischer Plazentabefunde beim fetal distress.

The causes of fetal distress are analyzed in 50 cases, with special emphasis being placed upon placental insufficiency. Clinically, no cause can be found for the condition of danger to the fetus in 8 pregnant women. The surface of the villous vessels evaluated by morphometric methods is significantly decreased in 10 placentas. Of the 8 pregnant women without known cause of fetal distress, 3 cases were found to show reduced villous vascularization. The relevance of morphological examinations of the placenta in fetal distress is discussed.

Mutagenicity of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic compounds.

The catalytic chlorination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons leads to the formation of complex mixtures of isomers analogous to those found in fly ash samples of an incineration plant for radioactive waste. Therefore chlorination mixtures of chrysene, pyrene, and fluoranthene were analyzed and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Determination of the exact position of each chlorosubstituent within the molecule was not possible either by mass spectrometry or by comparison with well-defined methyl analogs. The toxic as well as mutagenic effects of such mixtures of isomers was compared with those of their parent hydrocarbons in the microtiter fluctuation test using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 in a concentration range of 0.5 to 5.0 microgram/ml. No toxic effect could be observed, but the chlorinated products in contrast to their parent compounds were found to be strong mutagens to the S. typhimurium test strains and showed a positive response even without enzymatic activation. Frameshift mutations as well as base pair alterations were detected.

Improved method for routine determination of nicotine and its main metabolites in biological fluids.

ExtrelutR extraction and glass capillary gas chromatography were applied to the routine determination of nicotine and its metabolites cotinine, nicotine-1'-N-oxide and cotinine-1-N-oxide in urine and plasma. After extraction of nicotine and cotinine both N-oxides and phendimetrazine-N-oxide (used as internal standard) were reduced to their bases by SO2 on-column and eluted by a mixture of diethyl ether and dichloromethane. The minimum detectable concentrations are 0.03 micrograms/ml for urinary nicotine and cotinine and 0.1 microgram/ml for the N-oxides. In plasma samples the corresponding values are 5 ng/ml and 15 ng/ml, respectively, with sample values as small as 2 ml. The advantage of the direct determination of all four compounds of interest in one sample reduced the amount of plasma required. The straightforward and rapid extraction and reduction procedure as well as the long-term stability of the gas chromatographic separation system make the method suitable for routine application.

[The effect of an ambulatory long term training on performance, metabolic and coagulation parameters after myocardial infarct]. / Zur Beeinflussung von Leistungs-, Stoffwechsel- und Gerinnungsparametern durch ein ambulantes Langzeittraining nach Myokardinfarkt

It is reported on the results of a training treatment for outpatients after myocardial infarction which was carried out twice a week during one and a half year, compared to a control group without physical conditioning. Out of 30 patients 14 continuously took part in the training lessons. In contrast to the control group in the training group a clear increase of the working capacity, a slight decrease of the body-weight, of the blood pressure in rest and of the triglycerides in the serum as well as a favourable influence on the glucose tolerance could be proved. The serum cholesterol level and the coagulation parameters did not change significantly. One patient of the training group and one of the control group died. One patient of the training group and one patient of the control group suffered a reinfarction.