Submitted by Isleide Saraiva Rocha Moreira (lerocha_moreira@hotmail.com) on 2016-09-14T00:32:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Final.pdf: 1911906 bytes, checksum: 7e71a8759ffa2e0994dd5b6709508ff2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-15T12:38:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 moreira_isr_me_bot_par.pdf: 950543 bytes, checksum: fa47c6f6fde5614c2dec13667b34251c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-15T12:38:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 moreira_isr_me_bot_par.pdf: 950543 bytes, checksum: fa47c6f6fde5614c2dec13667b34251c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-30 / INTRODUÇÃO: Acidentes causados por peixes peçonhentos provocam dor intensa e podem causar necrose no local do ferimento, como observado nas ferroadas de mandijubas (Pimelodus maculatus), surubins pintados (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) e arraias (Potamotrygon spp.). Os acidentes traumáticos com lacerações são causados por piranhas (Serrassalmus maculatus), traíras (Hoplias malabaricus), armaus (Pterodora spp.) e dourados (Salminus brasiliensis), enquanto corvinas (Plagioscon sp.) e tucunarés (Cichla spp.) provocam lesões traumáticas puntiformes. OBJETIVOS: Realizar um levantamento do número, das características clínicas e da identificação dos peixes em acidentes ocorridos em pescadores no baixo rio Tietê e a possível presença de arraias. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Um estudo descritivo foi realizado por meio de um levantamento de acidentes por peixes traumáticos e peçonhentos em 40 pescadores de quatro municípios do terço final do rio Tietê, Estado de São Paulo: Itapura, Araçatuba, Santo Antônio do Aracanguá e Buritama. O estudo incluiu averiguação da presença de arraias fluviais nesta região, fato já descrito e pouco explorado, uma vez que envenenamentos por arraias causam acidentes graves e pouco conhecidos. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pescadores não procurou assistência médica e tratou os ferimentos com ervas caseiras, pó de café, gasolina, urina e outros métodos populares. Uma grande proporção deles afirmou não ter realizado nenhum tratamento, enquanto outros se medicaram com aplicação de urina no ferimento. O tratamento inicial preconizado é imergir o local afetado em água quente por 30 – 90 minutos (cerca de 50ºC), promovendo vasodilatação e neutralização da peçonha, o que provoca alívio da dor. Nenhum dos pescadores conhecia este tratamento. Os pescadores da cidade de Buritama, Araçatuba e Santo Antônio do Aracanguá foram unânimes ao afirmar que não há arraias no rio Tietê e que estas existem apenas no rio Paraná. Entretanto, os pescadores da colônia de Itapura confirmam que existem arraias no terço final do rio Tietê desde a foz no rio Paraná. CONCLUSÕES: Com estes dados, concluímos que o pescador vê os acidentes e suas consequências como parte da sua profissão e não como eventos evitáveis, além de não ter conhecimento de medidas úteis para tratamento dos ferimentos ou prevenção destes. / INTRODUCTION: Injuries caused by venomous fish cause severe pain and can provoke skin necrosis in the wound site, as noted in stings provoked by mandijubas (Pimelodus maculatus), spotted surubins (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) and stingrays (Potamotrygon spp.). Traumatic accidents with lacerations are caused by piranhas (Serrassalmus maculatus) traíras (Hoplias malabaricus), armaus (Pterodora spp.) and dourados (Salminus brasiliensis). Corvinas (Plagioscion sp.) and peacock bass ou tucunarés (Cichla spp.) cause punctate traumatic injuries. OBJECTIVES: To carry out a survey on the number of clinical characteristics and fish identification in accidents involving fishermen in the lower river Tiete and the possible presence of stingrays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted through a survey of accidents caused by traumatic and venomous fish in forty fishermen of four municipalities in the final third of the Tiete River, São Paulo State: Itapura, Araçatuba, Santo Antônio do Aracanguá and Buritama. The study included investigation of the presence of freshwater stingrays in the region, a fact already described and little explored, since envenomations by stingrays are severe and poorly studied. RESULTS: Most of the fishermen did not seek medical care and treated the wounds with herbs, coffee powder, gasoline, urine and other popular methods. A large proportion of them said they had not done any treatment, while others are medicated with urine application in the injury. The recommended initial treatment is to immerse the affected area in warm water for 30-90 minutes (about 50 ° C), promoting vasodilatation and neutralize the venom, which causes pain relief. None of the fishermen knew this treatment. The fishermen of Buritama, Araçatuba and Santo Antônio do Aracanguá were unanimous in stating that there are no stingrays in the Tiete river and that these exist only in the Parana River. However, fishermen Itapura colony confirm that there are stingrays in the final third of the Tiete River from the mouth of the Paraná River. CONCLUSIONS: With these data, we conclude that the fisherman sees accidents and their consequences as part of their profession and not as preventable events, and have no knowledge of appropriate measures for treatment of injuries or preventing these.

Orientador: Vidal Haddad Junior / Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: Acidentes causados por peixes peçonhentos provocam dor intensa e podem causar necrose no local do ferimento, como observado nas ferroadas de mandijubas (Pimelodus maculatus), surubins pintados (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) e arraias (Potamotrygon spp.). Os acidentes traumáticos com lacerações são causados por piranhas (Serrassalmus maculatus), traíras (Hoplias malabaricus), armaus (Pterodora spp.) e dourados (Salminus brasiliensis), enquanto corvinas (Plagioscon sp.) e tucunarés (Cichla spp.) provocam lesões traumáticas puntiformes. OBJETIVOS: Realizar um levantamento do número, das características clínicas e da identificação dos peixes em acidentes ocorridos em pescadores no baixo rio Tietê e a possível presença de arraias. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Um estudo descritivo foi realizado por meio de um levantamento de acidentes por peixes traumáticos e peçonhentos em 40 pescadores de quatro municípios do terço final do rio Tietê, Estado de São Paulo: Itapura, Araçatuba, Santo Antônio do Aracanguá e Buritama. O estudo incluiu averiguação da presença de arraias fluviais nesta região, fato já descrito e pouco explorado, uma vez que envenenamentos por arraias causam acidentes graves e pouco conhecidos. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pescadores não procurou assistência médica e tratou os ferimentos com ervas caseiras, pó de café, gasolina, urina e outros métodos populares. Uma grande proporção deles afirmou não ter realizado nenhum tratamento, enquanto outros se medicaram com apl... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Injuries caused by venomous fish cause severe pain and can provoke skin necrosis in the wound site, as noted in stings provoked by mandijubas (Pimelodus maculatus), spotted surubins (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) and stingrays (Potamotrygon spp.). Traumatic accidents with lacerations are caused by piranhas (Serrassalmus maculatus) traíras (Hoplias malabaricus), armaus (Pterodora spp.) and dourados (Salminus brasiliensis). Corvinas (Plagioscion sp.) and peacock bass ou tucunarés (Cichla spp.) cause punctate traumatic injuries. OBJECTIVES: To carry out a survey on the number of clinical characteristics and fish identification in accidents involving fishermen in the lower river Tiete and the possible presence of stingrays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted through a survey of accidents caused by traumatic and venomous fish in forty fishermen of four municipalities in the final third of the Tiete River, São Paulo State: Itapura, Araçatuba, Santo Antônio do Aracanguá and Buritama. The study included investigation of the presence of freshwater stingrays in the region, a fact already described and little explored, since envenomations by stingrays are severe and poorly studied. RESULTS: Most of the fishermen did not seek medical care and treated the wounds with herbs, coffee powder, gasoline, urine and other popular methods. A large proportion of them said they had not done any treatment, while others are medicated with urine application in the inj... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Fábio Erminio Mingatto / Banca: Daniel Junqueira Dorta / Banca: Sérgio Diniz Garcia / Resumo: Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) é uma importante planta daninha tropical que causa hepatotoxicidade tanto em ruminantes como em humanos. A maioria dos compostos isolados das folhas da lantana são triterpenóides pentacíclicos conhecidos como lantadenos, sendo o mais abundante o lantadeno A (LA). As mitocôndrias desempenham uma função crucial na manutenção dos processos celulares dependentes de ATP. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a ação do LA e do seu metabólito reduzido (RLA) na bioenergética estudando os seus efeitos na respiração, potencial de membrana e níveis de ATP em mitocôndrias isoladas de fígado de rato energizadas com succinato. Na faixa de concentração testada (5-25 µM), RLA estimulou a respiração de estado 4 e inibiu a de estado 3, estimulou a respiração de estado 3 inibida pela oligomicina, dissipou o potencial de membrana e diminuiu os níveis de ATP de uma forma dose-dependente. Entretanto, LA não estimulou a respiração de estado 4, nem afetou os outros parâmetros mitocondriais na mesma extensão que o RLA. Os lantadenos não inibiram a respiração desacoplada por CCCP, mas estimularam a atividade da ATPase em mitocôndrias intactas acopladas. A atividade da ATPase em mitocôndrias intactas desacopladas ou rompidas não foi afetada pelos compostos. Portanto, RLA age como um desacoplador da fosforilação oxidativa e o LA age em outros componentes da membrana mitocondrial que não a ATP sintase afetando a bioenergética mitocondrial. Esses efeitos podem contribuir para a hepatotoxicidade da lantana. / Abstract: Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) is an important tropical weed that causes hepatotoxicity even in ruminant or in human. The principal isolated compounds of lantana are the pentacyclic triterpenoids known as lantadenes, being the lantadene A (LA) the most abundant. Mitochondria are key to the maintenance of many cellular functions dependent of ATP. This work addressed the action of LA and its reduced derivative (RLA) on mitochondrial bioenergetics by assessing their effects on respiration, membrane potential and ATP levels in succinate-energized isolated rat liver mitochondria. At the concentration range tested (5-25 µM), RLA stimulated state-4 respiration, inhibited state-3 respiration, circumvented oligomycin-inhibited state-3 respiration, dissipated membrane potential and depleted ATP in a dose-dependent manner. However, LA did not stimulate state-4 respiration, nor did it affect the other mitochondrial parameters to the extent of its reduced derivative. The lantadenes didn't inhibit the CCCP-uncoupled respiration but increased the ATPase activity of intact coupled mitochondria. The ATPase activity of intact uncoupled or disrupted mitochondria was not affected by the compounds. Therefore, RLA acts as a mitochondrial uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation and LA acts in other mitochondrial membrane components rather than the ATP synthase affecting the mitochondrial bioenergetics. Such effects may account for the hepatoxicity of lantana. / Mestre

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-01T16:02:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Thais Heloise da Silva Almeida.pdf: 1679068 bytes, checksum: 41dfbddddc98490ed23f15614d7f0173 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-01T16:02:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Thais Heloise da Silva Almeida.pdf: 1679068 bytes, checksum: 41dfbddddc98490ed23f15614d7f0173 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of poisoning by Thiloa glaucocarpa in the semiarid Northeast of the Brazil. Technical visits to various properties in two municipalities of Paraíba and in two municipalities of Pernambuco eight adult cattle naturally poisoned by T. glaucocarpa were examined and these, five were necropsied. The disease lasted on average 8-12 days. The main clinical signs consisted of apathy, anorexia, dehydration, dry nose and progressive weight loss, ascites, subcutaneous edema, dryness of rumen, reticulum, omasum contents. At necropsy, the lesions consisted of a significant accumulation of fluid in the abdominal and thorax cavity, pulmonary edema, subcutaneous mesentery, perirenal tissue and abomasal folds edema. Histologically, the main lesions consisted of epithelial coagulation necrosis of renal convoluted tubules with presence of amorphous eosinophilic material in the lumen of the tubules. The diagnosis of poisoning by T. glaucocarpa was based on epidemiological data, clinical signs, necropsy findings, histopathological evaluation, renal serum biochemistry and plant identification in the areas of cattle pastures. After the start of the rainy season in this region, T. glaucocarpa is the main toxic plant responsible for significant economic losses. Since there is no effective treatment for animals with renal failure, prophylaxis of intoxication is recommended that the animals must be removed from the areas where the plant grows in the period after the first rains. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicopatológicos da intoxicação por Thiloa glaucocarpa no semiárido Nordestino. Durante visitas técnicas a diversas propriedades em dois municípios do Agreste do Estado da Paraíba e em dois municípios da Zona da Mata Setentrional do Estado de Pernambuco. Oito bovinos adultos, naturalmente intoxicados por T. glaucocarpa foram examinados e destes, cinco foram necropsiados. A evolução da doença durou em média 8-12 dias. Os principais sinais clínicos consistiram em apatia, anorexia, desidratação, narinas ressecadas e perda progressiva de peso, ascite, edemas subcutâneos, ressecamento dos conteúdos do rúmen, reticulo, omaso e ampola retal, com fezes sob a forma de cíbalos. À necropsia, as lesões consistiam em significativo acúmulo de líquido na cavidade abdominal, torácica e saco pericárdico, edema pulmonar, edemas subcutâneos, de mesentério, tecido perirrenal e pregas do abomaso. Histologicamente, as principais alterações foram observadas nos rins e consistiam em necrose de coagulação do epitélio dos túbulos contorcidos renais com presença de material eosinofílico amorfo no lúmen dos túbulos. O diagnóstico da intoxicação por T. glaucocarpa foi baseado nos dados epidemiológicos, sinais clínicos, achados de necropsia, avaliação histopatológica, bioquímica sérica renal e identificação da planta nas áreas de pastagens de bovinos. Após o início do período chuvoso nessa região, T. glaucocarpa é responsável por perdas econômicas significantes. Como não há um tratamento efetivo para os animais que apresentam falência renal, na profilaxia da intoxicação recomenda-se que os bovinos sejam removidos das áreas onde a planta vegeta no período após as primeiras chuvas.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-04-20T15:08:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 francislenejulianamartins.pdf: 14182502 bytes, checksum: 8a7373824c090308aeeeb43841e27c53 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-04-20T15:10:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 francislenejulianamartins.pdf: 14182502 bytes, checksum: 8a7373824c090308aeeeb43841e27c53 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-20T15:10:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 francislenejulianamartins.pdf: 14182502 bytes, checksum: 8a7373824c090308aeeeb43841e27c53 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-30 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Acidentes por animais peçonhentos são graves e de alto índice de morbimortalidade. O município de Juiz de Fora – MG é considerado área endêmica para serpentes, aranhas e escorpiões e carente de estudos neste campo. Este estudo descritivo retrospectivo teve por objetivo caracterizar os acidentes com peçonhas notificados no referido município. Foram avaliados os 1.500 envenenamentos ocorridos na região de abrangência sanitária do município sede, entre 2002 e 2007. Os dados foram coletados nas fichas de investigação do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), disponível no Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica local e registros de pacientes obtidos no Hospital de Pronto Socorro (HPS) Doutor Mozart Geraldo Teixeira. Tais dados foram avaliados por estatística descritiva, com auxílio do Software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 14.0 e o georreferenciamento realizado com a utilização do Software ArcGIS 9.2. As análises evidenciaram maior frequência de acidentes por aranhas (28,9%, n = 434), escorpiões (25,3%, n = 379) e serpentes (19,8%, n = 297). A maioria dos atendimentos foi efetuada no Pronto Atendimento Central (79,3%, n = 1189) e HPS (19,9%, n = 299). Os acidentes ofídicos foram mais frequentes na zona rural (63,0%, n = 187), com aumento de casos no período quente e úmido do ano (70,7%, n = 210). O gênero Bothrops foi o agressor mais envolvido (67,0%, n = 199) e os membros inferiores os mais acometidos (64,6%, n = 192). As vítimas tinham, em média, 34 ± 18,3 anos. A taxa de letalidade foi de 0,34%. Os acidentes escorpiônicos ocorreram, em sua maioria, na zona urbana (81,8%, n = 310), com maior frequência no período quente e úmido (57,3%, n = 217). Tityus serrulatus foi o mais envolvido (63,2%, n = 213) e os membros superiores os mais acometidos (49,8%, n = 189). As vítimas tinham, em média, 37 ± 20 anos. A taxa de letalidade foi de 0,26%. Os acidentes por aranhas ocorreram na zona urbana em 50,0% (n = 217) dos casos e a frequência de ocorrência permaneceu estável ao longo do ano. O gênero Phoneutria foi o mais envolvido (45,4%, n = 197) e os membros superiores os mais acometidos (44,6%, n = 193). As vítimas tinham, em média, 37 ± 19 anos. Nos três tipos de acidente, os envenenamentos foram considerados leves (68,6%, n = 761), as vítimas foram atendidas em menos de 3 horas (64,1%, n = 712) e evoluíram para cura (80,5%, n = 894). A soroterapia foi realizada em 63,3% (n = 197) dos casos de ofidismo; 2,1% (n = 8), de escorpionismo e 3,2% (n = 14), de araneísmo. A sintomatologia local mais frequente foi a dor (81,4%, n = 904). A maioria dos acometidos era do sexo masculino (67,7%, n = 752) e a atividade laboral foi a circunstância mais relacionada ao acidente (36,5%, n = 405). O número de acidentes no período analisado confirma a área como endêmica para estes animais e justifica estudos que permitam o conhecimento do perfil epidemiológico da região e desenvolvimento de políticas públicas locais. / Accidents involving venomous animals are usually severe, therefore resulting in high morbidity and mortality. The city of Juiz de Fora - MG is considered endemic area for snakes, spiders and scorpions, but there is a lack of studies on these subjects. This retrospective descriptive study aimed to characterize the venom accidents reported in that city. We evaluated the 1,500 poisonings occurred in the region, between 2002 and 2007. Data were collected in the investigation forms of the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, available at the Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and the patient registers obtained from the Hospital de Pronto Socorro (HPS) Doctor Mozart Geraldo Teixeira. These data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, with the aid of Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences 14.0 and the georeferencing was performed using the software ArcGIS 9.2. The results showed higher frequency of accidents was caused by spiders (28.9%, n = 434), scorpions (25.3%, n = 379) and snakes (19.8%, n = 297). Most of the calls was made at the Emergency Care Center (79.3%, n = 1189) and HPS (19.9%, n = 299). The snake bites were more frequent in rural areas (63.0%, n = 187), mostly during the h ot and humid periods of the year (70.7%, n = 210). The genus Bothrops was the aggressor more involved (67.0%, n = 199) and the lower limbs were the most affected (64.6%, n = 192). The victims aged 34 ± 18.3 years. The mortality rate was of 0.34%. Scorpion stings occurred mostly in urban areas (81.8%, n = 310), with higher frequency in hot and humid seasons (57.3%, n = 217). Tityus serrulatus was the more involved (63.2%, n = 213) and the arms were the most affected part of the body (49.8%, n = 189). The victims were 37 ± 20 years. The mortality rate was of 0.26%. The accidents by spiders occurred in urban areas in 50.0% (n = 217) of the cases and the frequency of occurrence have remained stable throughout the year. The genus Phoneutria was the more involved (45.4%, n = 197) and the arms were the most affected (44.6%, n = 193). The victims were 37 ± 19 years. In all three types of accidents, poisonings were considered mild (68.6%, n = 761), because the victims were treated up to 3 hours (64.1%, n = 712) and all of them got cured (80.5%, n = 894). The antivenin was performed in 63.3% (n = 197) of cases in snakebite, 2.1% (n = 8) in the scorpion cases and in 3.2% (n = 14) of the spider ones. The local symptoms more frequently were pain (81.4%, n = 904). Most affected victims were male (67.7%, n = 752) and work activity was the fact more related to the accident (36.5%, n = 405). The number of accidents in the period under review confirms the area as endemic for these animals and justifies studies to the knowledge of the epidemiological profile of the region and development of local public policies.

The Forensic Chemistry Laboratory of Johannesburg (FCL JHB) is tasked with the chemical analysis of a variety of samples to assist in determining the cause of death where unnatural cause is suspected. Some of the samples submitted to the laboratory have a herbal or muti connotation, but a large portion of these cases turn out to have no herbal components present as only pharmaceutical or agricultural products are detected in these samples. This study combined, for the first time, forensic investigation, chemistry and botany to create a unique platform needed for the identification of poisonous plants and their components in forensic exhibits and viscera. The research was focussed on the poisonous plants previously detected at the laboratory, as well as the requests received for the analysis of muti/toxic plant components. The selection of plants included Nicotiana glauca, Datura stramonium / Datura ferox, Callilepis laureola, Boophone disticha / Ammocharis coranica, Abrus precatorius, Ricinus communis, Nerium oleander / Thevetia peruviana and Bowiea volubilis. All these species are known to have caused fatalities, hence their choice. Nicotiana glauca has been implicated in the deaths of at least 15 people since 2001. It was previously detected by GC-MS (EI) in plant exhibits, but could not be detected in a viscera matrix. A selective extraction method for alkaloids was used to extract botanical and viscera samples. Anabasine was successfully detected on the HPLC-MS (EI) system but this detection technique was not considered sensitive enough. A very sensitive HPLC-MS method was developed on the ZMD detector by using electrospray technology. This method outperformed both electron impact detectors (GC and HPLC) and could detect 1ng/ml anabasine with relative ease in full scan mode. Datura stramonium and D. ferox have not been previously positively linked to any human poisoning or death due to exposure to botanically derived products at the FCL JHB. Atropine and scopolamine were successfully ionised in ESI positive mode and could be detected at 10 pg/ml and 100 pg/ml level respectively. The identities of the compounds were confirmed by characteristic ISCID fragmentation patterns. The developed method was successfully applied to a suspected heart attack case. The results proved conclusively that the deceased was given D. ferox seeds as part of his meal and an overdose of atropine and scopolamine contributed to his death. Callilepis laureola is reputed to be one of the more commonly used medicinal plants in South Africa, and although its use has been indicated by the specific mention of a possible nephrotoxin and/or hepatotoxin as causative agent, it has not been detected in any of the forensic chemistry laboratories in South Africa. This was mainly due to the absence of a reliable method for the analysis of the main toxic component of C. laureola, atractyloside, by mass spectrometry. A sensitive and very selective HPLC-ESI-MS method was developed that could detect atractyloside, carboxyatractyloside and their monodesulfated analogues in botanical and viscera matrices. The method was successfully applied to a variety of forensic samples and proved that C. laureola may play an important role in herbal poisonings. In a selection of suspected herbal poisonings where the cause of poisoning was unknown, 30% of the samples tested positive for the presence of atractyloside, carboxyatractyloside or their monodesulfated analogues. The bulbs of Boophone disticha are rich in isoquinoline alkaloids and some of the alkaloids were detected by GC-EI-MS and LC-EI-MS, but the detection of these alkaloids in viscera samples was not successful. A routine method used for the screening for drugs of abuse in forensic samples, were successfully used for the analysis of the bulb extracts of B. disticha and the bulb scales of A. coranica. The chromatographic profile of these two plants appeared very similar at a first glance, but a closer evaluation of the mass spectra highlighted significant differences between the two plants. Six alkaloids from B. disticha were isolated and characterised by LC-MS and NMR and these compounds were detected in suspected herbal poisoning cases. It has been shown that B. disticha is one of the commonly used plants to “clean the system” but frequently results in the death of the patient. Abrus precatorius contains one of the most toxic compounds known to mankind, namely abrin that collectively refers to a group of glycoproteins. The seeds of A. precatorius also contain two indole alkaloids, abrine and hypaphorine. The two alkaloids were fractionated and characterised by LC-MS and NMR. Due to the fact that the instrumentation of the FCL JHB is not suited to the detection of proteins, an LC-ESI-MS method was developed for the detection of the two alkaloids in plant and viscera matrix as markers for A. precatorius. The presence of these two alkaloids was indicated on the TMD system (EI spectra) in a suspected herbal poisoning case. The LC-ESI-MS method was applied to the analysis of the samples and the absence of abrine and hypaphorine were proven in the samples. Ricinus communis is similar to A. precatorius in that it also contains a group of extremely poisonous glycoproteins, collectively refered to as ricin. The analysis of R. communis seeds encountered the same problems as the analysis of A. precatorius seeds, and the analysis was again focused on the detection of the minor piperidine alkaloid ricinine. The LC-ESI-MS method developed for abrine was modified to detect ricinine and functioned well in botanical and viscera matrices. This method will enable the forensic analyst to detect ricinine in very low levels when the presence of ricinoleic acid in samples indicates the use of a R. communis-based product. Nerium oleander is a common decorative garden plant that is used medicinally. The plant is rich in cardenolides with oleandrin the main compound. A reversed-phase chromatographic method with ESI mass spectral detection was developed to separate and detect 11 cardiac glycosides. The compounds were adequately separated to allow unambiguous identification, and displayed very stable cationisation with sodium. An extraction method was developed to extract the cardiac glycosides from the leaves of N. oleander and Thevetia peruviana and was also evaluated in a viscera matrix. The extraction method functioned well and extracted a variety of compounds that produced unique chromatographic fingerprints, allowing for the easy differentiation between the two plants. The method is ideally suited for the detection of oleandrin in high concentrations (full scan mode), low concentrations (selected masses) or trace levels (SIM analysis of ion clusters). The method is able to distinguish between extracts derived from N. oleander and T. peruviana and was able to detect and confirm neriifolin, odoroside and neritaloside in N. oleander leaf extracts. Analysis of forensic case exhibits were also successfully done with this method and performed well with liquid and solid matrices. With the new method oleandrin could be detected at trace levels in viscera samples that did not produce positive results in the past. Bowiea volubilis is widely used as a medicinal plant, but is also an extremely toxic plant. It is freely available at traditional healer markets, and is one of the most highly traded plants on the Durban market. Despite the high usage of the plant, it has not been detected by any of the forensic laboratories in South Africa. Bovoside A, a bufadienolide, is reported to be the main cardiac glycoside in the bulb of B. volubilis. The cardiac glycoside method was successfully applied to the analysis of the bulb extract of B. volubilis and bovoside A was identified as the main bufadienolide present in the bulb. Bovoside A was fractionated and characterised by LC-MS. Four extracts of botanical origin could be successfully distinguished from each other by monitoring the main masses of bovoside A, oleandrin and thevetin A and thevetin B. These marker compounds were well separated from each other and made the identification of the botanical extracts quite easy, and the identity of each extract was confirmed by the mass spectrum of each peak. / Prof. F.R van Heerden

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Chemical Engineering, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / Motor vehicles are considered a major source of air pollution in urban environments. Nitrogen dioxide (N02) and nitric oxide (NO) which are collectively referred to as oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are formed at high temperatures during combustion processes in the engines of motor vehicles and are emitted via the exhaust into the atmosphere. Nitrogen dioxide is regarded as an irritant of the respiratory system. / M

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Background Extensively used grasslands are frequently utilised for hay production for equines. Especially, extensive meadows have a great variety of plant species, which may include plants that are poisonous for equines such as meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale L.). To authors’ knowledge investigations about horses` avoidance behaviour towards dried meadow saffron in hay are missing. Reports of farmers are contrary to clinical symptoms described in case reports and associated with meadow saffron in hay. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the rejection behaviour of horses for hay contaminated with meadow saffron (MS) when fed ad libitum. Study design An 18-day feeding trial with six adult geldings to observe the rejection behaviour for hay contaminated with MS. Methods The horses were fed a basal diet containing hay ad libitum and a mineral supplement during the feeding trial. At six different daytimes, hay contaminated with 1% or 2% dried MS was provided to the horses over a duration of 1 h. The rejection behaviour was observed personally and by video recordings. If a horse ingested more than two plants of MS during one observation period, the observation was stopped and repeated at another day. When the observation period had to be stopped twice, the horse was excluded from the experiment. Results Five of six horses ingested MS during the first feeding periods. One horse rejected leaves and capsules at the beginning of the study, but it showed repeated ingestion of MS after the seventh observation period. Main limitations Lack of knowledge about secondary plant metabolites affecting taste and their variability between fresh and dried plants. Conclusions The intake of MS in hay by horses could not be ruled out with certainty. Therefore, feeding hay contaminated with MS should be avoided for equids.

The aim of the thesis titled "Substances contained in Plants of the Nightshade Family (Solanaceae) and their Usage in Biology Teaching" is to familiarize the reader with basic toxicological and pharmacological terms contained in the information on Nightshade plants (Solanaceae). Further it introduces Nightshade plants (Solanaceae) and their substances in more detail. It describes the use and abuse of these plants in poisoning, usage in traditional medicine, homeopathy and modern medicine. It outlines the history of the use and especially abuse of plants containing alkaloids. It also describes options for didactic use through laboratory work and assesses and compares the quality of information available in the literature for high school students. Information contained in this work can be practically used in teaching subjects such as toxicology, pharmacology and pharmacognosy at secondary schools with focus on the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Key terms: Content Substances, Plant Alkaloids, Poisonous Plants, The Use and Abuse of Solanaceous Plants.