Population reduction is being used currently to combat skunk rabies in Alberta. A total of 2,398 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were removed from three counties of southern Alberta during ...1980–1983 in an effort to combat rabies outbreaks in those areas. The methods employed included trapping, poisoning, and shooting. Skunks in Forty Mile County have been rabies-free for 4 yr and the outbreaks in Newell and Warner counties appear to be under control. The data suggest that population reduction has been effective in controlling rabies in those areas.
As a result of previous high trace metal findings in the soil, cattle, vegetation and water of the Broadlands area of New Zealand a study was made of the levels of mercury, selenium, arsenic and zinc ...in a group of children from this region. Arsenic and zinc levels were found to be normal but significantly raised urinary spot mercury concentrations were found in some of the children when studied in December 1975 and 24 hour urinary mercury concentrations recorded six months later were also raised, but to a lesser degree. Samples of household tap water showed increased mercury concentrations (median 0.001 micromol/L). In agreement with other New Zealand studies the blood selenium concentrations were low (76.7 mu/L) and they did not vary in relation to urinary mercury levels. The children were also examined for signs of peripheral neuropathy but only minor abnormalities were found. The source of the elevated mercury is uncertain but it may come from drinking water or possibly from locally produced meat or vegetables.
Aluminium (Al ) is abundant in our environment and is a contaminant of electrolyte solutions used in the manufacture of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) solutions administered to neonates, who are ...unable to tolerate oral feeding. Previous studies by McHalsky et al. (1) have shown concern over the levels of aluminium in parenteral products, and there are special considerations needed with regard to neonatal TPN solutions, (2). It is felt that neurotoxicology and abnormalities of bone histology may be seen with aluminium deposition in the tissues. In the present study it was shown that the average aluminium contamination in TPN solutions was in the order of 205 micrograms/L. It is well documented that aluminium is chelated successfully in dialysis solutions by desferrioxamine (DFO), Allain et al. (3). Using an AA spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace, the average amount of aluminium in compounded neonatal TPN solutions was determined. Equimolar amounts of DFO to aluminium were added to various neonatal TPN formulations, and the physical stability of each solution was determined using microscopic and electronic particle counting analysis. This study suggests that aluminium can be irreversibly chelated with DFO and stable TPN solutions can be prepared.
Serum and hair zinc in cystic fibrosis Mitchell, E A; Huymans, M; Elliott, R B
New Zealand medical journal,
1980-Jul-09, Letnik:
92, Številka:
663
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Zinc levels were measured in serum and hair of normal children and children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The only significant difference found was a higher mean zinc level in hair of CF patients with ...growth retardation compared to that of CF patients with normal growth.
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