Digestibility and performance of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles - fed diets containing different protein, lipid and carbohydrate levels

Due to lack of information on the use of non-protein energy sources in diets for pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and digestibility of 12 diets containing approximately two crude protein (CP; 220 and 250 g kg(-1)), two lipid (40 and 80 g kg(-1)) and three carbohydrate levels (410, 460 and 500 g kg(-1)). The pacu juveniles-fed diets containing 220 g kg(-1) CP did not respond (P > 0.05) to increased dietary lipid and carbohydrate levels, but the fish-fed diets containing 250 g kg(-1) CP showed a better feed conversion ratio. There were interactions in weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), crude protein intake (CPI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) dependent on dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels, showing positive effects of increasing carbohydrate levels only for fish-fed diets containing 80 g kg(-1) lipid level. However, when the diets contained 40 g kg(-1) lipid, the best energy productive value (EPV) results were obtained at 460 g kg(-1) carbohydrate. A higher usage of lipids (80 g kg(-1)) reduced CPI and was detrimental to protein [apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC)(CP)] and energy (ADC(GE)), but did not affect growth. The ADC(GE) improved proportionally as dietary carbohydrate levels increased (P < 0.05), increasing the concentration of digestible energy. In addition, the WG, CPI, ADC(GE) results showed best use of the energy from carbohydrates when dietary protein level was 250 g kg(-1) CP. The utilization of 250 g kg(-1) CP in feeds for juvenile pacu for optimal growth is suggested. Therefore, the optimum dietary lipid and carbohydrate levels depend on their combinations. It can be stated that pacu uses carbohydrates as effectively as lipids in the maximization of protein usage, as long as it is not lower than 250 g kg(-1) CP or approximately 230 g kg(-1) digestible protein.

Comparison of micronized whole soybeans to common protein sources in dry dog and cat diets

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Response surface models to predict broiler performance and applications for economic analysis

A study was carried out to elaborate response surface models using broiler performance data recovered from literature in order to predict performance and elaborate economic analyses. Nineteen studies published between 1995 and 2005 were retrieved using the systematic literature review method. Weight gain and feed conversion data were collected from eight studies that fulfilled the pre-established inclusion criteria, and a response surface model was adjusted using crude protein, environmental temperature, and age as independent variables. The models produced for weight gain (r² = 0.93) and feed conversion (r² = 0.85) were accurate, precise, and not biased. Protein levels, environmental temperature and age showed linear and quadratic effects on weight gain and feed conversion. There was no interaction between protein level and environmental temperature. Age and crude protein showed interaction for weight gain and feed conversion, whereas interaction between age and temperature was detected only for weight gain. It was possible to perform economic analyses to determine maximum profit as a function of the variables that were included in the model. It was concluded that the response surface models are effective to predict the performance of broiler chickens and allow the elaboration of economic analyses to optimize profit.

Transcriptomics and systems biology analysis in identification of specific pathways involved in cacao resistance and susceptibility to witches' broom disease

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Blood serum components and serum protein test of Hybro-PG broilers of different ages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Enhanced stabilization of aerosol-OT surfactant monolayer upon interaction with small amounts of bovine serum albumin at the air-water interface

An investigation is made of the influence from small amounts of the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the lateral organization of low molecular weight surfactant sodium bis-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) at the air-water interface. Surface pressure (pi - A), surface potential (DeltaV - A) and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) experiments were carried out, with particular emphasis on the monolayer stability under successive compression-expansion cycles. AOT monolayer is not stable at the air-water interface, which means that the majority of AOT molecules go into the aqueous subphase as monomers and/or normal micelles. When a waiting time elapses between spreading and compression, the surfactant monolayer tends to reorganize partially at the air-water interface, with a monolayer expansion being observed for waiting times as large as 12 h. The incorporation of very small amount of BSA (10(-9) M) at the interface, also inferred from BAM, increases the monolayer stability as revealed by pi - A and DeltaV - A results. For a waiting time of circa 3 h, the mixed monolayer reaches its maximum stability. This must be related to protein (and/or protein-surfactant complexes) adsorbed onto the AOT monolayer, thus altering the BSA conformation to accommodate its hydrophobic/hydrophilic residues. Furthermore, the effects from such small amounts of BSA in the monolayer formation and stabilization mean that the AOT monolayer responds cooperatively to BSA. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation, solubility and in vitro hydrolysis of chickpea vicilin-like protein

The chickpea vicilin-like globulin was isolated and chromatographed on Sepharose CL-6B and Sephacryl S-300. The native globulin with a molecular weight of 140 kDa was resolved in Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in seven polypeptide bands in the range of 12.4-67 kDa. The solubility profile of the protein in water and NaCl solutions was typical of a legume globulin. The purified vicilin-like globulin, native and heated, was hydrolyzed by pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The hydrolysis patterns indicated that the native vicilin-like protein was only partially degraded by the enzymes in comparison with casein. Heating increased its susceptibility to hydrolysis relative to the native form, for all the enzymes. However, the results obtained by the pH-drop method revealed that the in vitro digestibility of the vicilin-like protein was not altered by heating, while 11 S-like and total globulins suffered a small increase, indicating that the structural characteristics of storage globulins may be important factors limiting the protein digestion. (c) 2007 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis during in vitro adhesion to type I collagen and fibronectin: identification of potential adhesins

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthetic lethality between eIF5A and Ypt1 reveals a connection between translation and the secretory pathway in yeast

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New insights into trypanosomatid U5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Changes in sodium, potassium-ATPase induced by repeated fencamfamine: the roles of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway

Fencamfamine (FCF) is an indirect dopamine agent with effects similar to amphetamine and cocaine. In the present study, we investigate changes in Na,K-ATPase, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and cyclic GMP levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and striatum (ST) of animals acutely or repeatedly treated with FCF (3.5 mg/kg). Na,K-ATPase had a similar activity in control and repeatedly treated animals, but was reduced in the NAc of the acute group. This enzyme was reduced in the ST in acute and repeatedly treated animals, compared to the control group. Expression of the alpha(1,2,3)-Na,K-ATPase isoforms in the NAc and the ST was not altered in all groups studied. Acute FCF induced a significant increase in PKA activity in both the ST and the NAc. Repeatedly treated animals showed a higher increase in PKA activity in the NAc, but not in the ST, when compared to the acute group. There was also an increase in both NOS activity and cyclic GMP levels only in the NAc of FCF repeatedly treated animals compared to the acute and control groups. We suggest that chronic FCF treatment is linked to a modification in Na,K-ATPase activity through the PKA and NO-cyclic GMP pathway. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of isocoumarins isolated from Paepalanthus bromelioides on mitochondria: Uncoupling, and induction/inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition

Isolated mitochondria may undergo uncoupling, and in presence of Ca2+ at different conditions, a mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) linked to protein,thiol oxidation, and demonstrated by CsA-sensitive mitochondrial swelling; these processes may cause cell death either by necrosis or by apoptosis. Isocoumarins isolated from the Brazilian plant Paepalanthus bromelioides (Eriocaulaceae) paepalantine (9,10-dihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-1H-naptho(2,3c)pyran-1-one), 8,8'-paepalantine dimer, and vioxanthin were assayed at 1-50 mu M on isolated rat liver mitochondria, for respiration, MPT, protein thiol oxidation, and interaction with the mitochondrial membrane using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). The isocoumarins did not significantly affect state 3 respiration of succinate-energized mitochondria; they did however, stimulate 4 respiration, indicating mitochondrial uncoupling. Induction of MPT and protein thiol oxidation were assessed in succinate-energized mitochondria exposed to 10 mu M Ca2+; inhibition of these processes was assessed in non-energized organelles in the presence of 300 mu M t-butyl hydroperoxide plus 500 mu M Ca2+. Only paepalantine was an effective MPT/protein thiol oxidation inducer, also releasing cytochrome c from mitochondria; the protein thiol oxidation, unlike mitochondrial swelling, was neither inhibited by CsA nor dependent on the presence of Ca2+. Vioxanthin was an effective inhibitor of MPT/protein thiol oxidation. All isocoumarins inserted deeply into the mitochondrial membrane, but only paepalantine dimer and vioxantin decreased the membrane's fluidity. A direct reaction with mitochondrial membrane protein thiols, involving an oxidation of these groups, is proposed to account for MPT induction by paepalantine, while a restriction of oxidation of these same thiol groups imposed by the decrease of membrane fluidity, is proposed to account for MPT inhibition by vioxanthin. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V..

Hematological changes in sheep inoculated with natural and Cobalt60-irradiated Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (Laurenti, 1768)

Natural (NV) and Cobalto60-irradiated (IrV) Crotalus durissus terrificus venom were used to evaluate serum production capacity of sheep and possible hematological and biochemical effects. Freeze-dried venom aliquots were diluted in acidified saline solution (NaCl 150 mM, pH 3.0) and irradiated by a Cobalt 60 source at a dose of 5.54 x 102 Gy/h and a concentration of 2.000 Gy. Twelve sheep were divided into two groups of six animals. One group received irradiated venom (IrV) and the other natural venom (NV). Three antigen doses (venom) were administered at monthly intervals. Blood samples were collected weekly for analysis of serum neutralization potency and capacity, complete blood count (CBC), total plasma protein, fibrinogen, albumin, and globulin. At the end of the experiment, the animals were challenged with a LD50 for sheep and showed no signs of envenoming. The two groups did not present clinical alterations. Results of the total leukocyte count did not present interaction or time factor effect for both groups, but there was a different action between them, with the NV group presenting more cells than the IrV group. The leukocyte increase to 13,000/ml indicates that slight leukocytosis occurred in the week after the first inoculation in the NV group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the absolute count of segmented neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes but there were statistically significant oscillations in values at the different collecting times. The NV group presented an increase in the absolute neutrophil count after the first inoculation that persisted for 5 weeks. In the IrV group, the increase in neutrophils occurred only in the first week returning to normal in the following weeks. The alterations in the neutrophil count are indicative of systemic inflammatory response related to cytokine release; response was more marked in the NV group, showing its greater toxicity.

Histochemistry and Protein Profile of The Venom Glands of Workers of Neoponera villosa Ants (Hymenoptera: Ponerinae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Serum electrolyte and total protein alterations in Pantaneiro horse during long distance exercise

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)