Inoculante enzimático-bacteriano, composição química e parâmetros fermentativos das silagens dos capins Tanzânia e Mombaça

Objetivou-se, com o presente trabalho, avaliar os efeitos de idades de colheita e do uso de inoculante enzimático-bacteriano sobre os parâmetros de fermentação, de composição química e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) das silagens dos cultivares Tanzânia e Mombaça (Panicum maximum Jacq.). As forragens foram colhidas aos 45 e 60 dias após o corte de uniformização, submetidas a dois tratamentos (A - Ensilagem sem aditivo [Controle]; B - Ensilagem com adição de inoculante enzimático-bacteriano) e distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial (dois capins x duas inoculações x duas idades de corte), com três repetições. O conteúdo de MS das silagens confeccionadas com as plantas colhidas aos 60 dias de rebrota foi superior àquele das silagens colhidas com 45 dias. As silagens confeccionadas com as plantas colhidas aos 45 dias de rebrota apresentaram os maiores teores de PB (11,9%). Não se observaram efeitos das silagens, dos tratamentos e das idades de corte sobre os teores de hemicelulose, celulose e DIVMS e valores de pH e N-NH3. As silagens do capim-tanzânia apresentaram os maiores teores de MS, FDN, FDA, ácido lático e ácido butírico, enquanto as de capim-mombaça, os de PB e de ácido acético. A adição de inoculante enzimático-bateriano promoveu silagens com menores teores de MS, PB e lignina que as não-tratadas. Os capins tanzânia e mombaça não apresentaram limitações ao processo de ensilagem. O inoculante enzimático-bacteriano não melhorou as características qualitativas, fermentativas e nutricionais das silagens avaliadas.

SEASONAL SPACE USAGE BY THE INTRODUCED PHARAOHS ANT, MONOMORIUM-PHARAONIS (L) (HYM, FORMICIDAE), IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS IN BRAZIL AND ITS RELATION TO OTHER STRUCTURAL ANT SPECIES

In an institutional setting in Brazil, the pharaoh's ant, Monomorium pharaonis was found to be the dominant and most abundant ant present throughout the year. The only other regularly collected ant was the exotic Tapinoma melanocephalum. However, M. pharaonis dominated bait station visitations, although locally concentrated, with other species restricted to regions in which M. pharaonis was not found.

Disturbances in beta-cell function in impaired fasting glycemia

In a cross-sectional study, we assessed beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) with hyperglycemic clamps (10 mmol/l) in 24 subjects with impaired fasting glycemia (IFG, fasting plasma glucose [FPG] between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/l), 15 type 2 diabetic subjects (FPG >7.0 mmol/l), and 280 subjects with normal fasting glycemia (NFG, FPG <6.1 mmol/l). First-phase insulin release (0-10 min) was lower in IFG (geometric mean 541 pmol/l (.) 10 min; 95% confidence interval [CI] 416-702 pmol/l (.) 10 min) and in type 2 diabetes (geometric mean 376 pmol/l (.) 10 min; 95% CI 247-572 pmol/l (.) 10 min) than NFG (geometric mean 814 pmol/l (.) 10 min; 95% CI 759-873 pmol/l (.) 10 min) (P < 0.001). Second-phase insulin secretion (140-180 min) was also lower in IFG (geometric mean 251 pmol/l; 95% CI 198-318 pmol/l; P = 0.026) and type 2 diabetes (geometric mean 157 pmol/l; 95% CI 105-235 pmol/l; P < 0.001) than NFG (geometric mean 295 pmol/l; 95% CI 276-315 pmol/l): IFG and type 2 diabetic subjects had a lower ISI (0.15 +/- 0.02 and 0.16 +/- 0.02 mumol/kg fat-free mass [FFM]/min/ pmol/l, respectively) than NFG (0.24 +/- 0.01 mumol/kg FFM/min/pmol/l, P < 0.05). We found a stepwise decline in first-phase (and second-phase) secretion in NFG subjects with progressive decline in oral glucose tolerance (P < 0.05). IFG subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) had lower first-phase secretion than NFG subjects with IGT (P < 0.02), with comparable second-phase secretion and ISI. NFG and IFG subjects with a diabetic glucose tolerance (2-h glucose >11.1 mmol/l) had a lower ISI than their respective IGT counterparts (P < 0.05). We conclude that the early stages of glucose intolerance are associated with disturbances in beta-cell function, while insulin resistance is seen more markedly in later stages.

(X)over-bar charts with variable parameters

Varying the parameters of the (X) over bar chart has been explored extensively in recent years. In this paper, we extend the study of the (X) over bar chart with variable parameters to include variable action limits. The action limits establish whether the control should be relaxed or not. When the (X) over bar falls near the target, the control is relaxed so that there will be more time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be smaller than usual. When the (X) over bar falls far from the target but not in the action region, the control is tightened so that there is less time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be larger than usual. The goal is to draw the action limits wider than usual when the control is relaxed and narrower than usual when the control is tightened. This new feature then makes the (X) over bar chart more powerful than the CUSUM scheme in detecting shifts in the process mean.

Structural electrical and optical properties of undoped and indium doped ZnO thin films prepared by the pyrosol process at different temperatures

The influence of the substrate temperature on the structural features and opto-electrical properties of undoped and indium-doped ZnO thin films deposited by pyrosol process was investigated. The addition of indium induces a drastic decrease (by a factor approximate to 10(10) for samples deposited at 300 degreesC) in the electrical resistivity of films, the lowest electrical resistivity (6 mOmega-cm) being observed for the film deposited at 450 degreesC. Films are highly transparent (>80%) in the Vis-NIR ranges, and the optical band gap exhibits a blue shift (from 3.29 to 3.33 eV) for the In-doped films deposited at increasing temperature. Preferential orientation of the ZnO crystallites with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate surface and an anisotropic morphology of the nanoporous structure was observed for films growth at 300 and 350 degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Qualidade do melão ‘Orange Flesh’ minimamente processado armazenado sob atmosfera modificada

This work aimed at evaluate the effect of the fresh cut 'Orange Flesh' melon stored under modified atmosphere. The cubes of melons were sanitizationed with 100 mg L-1 of hypoclorite of sodium for one minute, washed, drained and wrapped with different concentrations of O-2 and CO2 in plastic bags of polyethylene (Nylon Polished). They were appraised every other day for ten days as regards the firmness, total pectin, soluble pectin and activity of the polifenoloxidase and peroxidase. At the end of the conservation period, it was verified that melons sustained the firmest texture of the vegetable products under modified atmosphere, and the concentration of 5%O-2 + 3% CO2 showed smaller content of total pectin and together with the concentration of 100% N-2 the smallest content of soluble pectin, the polifenoloxidase activity was not verified as well as of the peroxidase.

Insecticidal activity of chemical constituents from Aristolochia pubescens against Anticarsia gemmatalis larvae

Acetone and ethanol extracts of the tubercula and several compounds isolated from Aristolochia pubescens (Willd) were bioassayed on velvebean caterpillars, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner), for evaluation of the insecticidal activities. of the extracts subjected to bioassay, the acetone extract showed the highest activity. (-)-Cubebin did not show activity against soybean caterpillars, whereas aristolochic acid and ent-kaur-15-en-17-ol increased the larval period. These compounds, and (+)-eudesmin and (+)-sesamin, reduced the viability of this period, giving rise to malformed adults. These extracts and compounds are therefore potential botanical insecticide agents for the control of velvetbean caterpillars in soybean crops. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.

Study of the morphological alterations to enamel and dentin in human and bovine teeth after irradiation with Er : YAG laser

Objective: the purpose of this study is to make use of scanning electron microscopy in order to comparatively analyze the morphological alterations to human and bovine enamel and dentin. Earlier data: Many a morphological study involving Er:YAG laser can be found in the literature. Still, not a single study comparing the effects of this infrared laser in human and bovine teeth has been reported. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two slices of human and bovine enamel and dentin were evenly divided into four groups. With the exception of the control group, the samples were irradiated with Er:YAG laser, focused at a distance of 12 mm and a 10-Hz frequency, with 150, 250, and 350 mJ of output energy per pulse for 10 seconds. After irradiation all specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope. Results: There was practically no morphological difference for those samples that underwent 150 mJ/pulse irradiation. The dentin exposed to 250 mJ had a few open dentinal tubules. These were seen in enamel after a 350 mJ irradiation, in which the energy was able to reach the dentin. Conclusions: the breadth of this study allows us to state that the pattern between the species grew more heterogenous as the energy density was increased and that irradiation with 150 mJ/pulse resulted in greater likeness in human and bovine enamel and dentin.

Estimativa do Tamanho da Primeira Maturação Sexual da Rã - Touro, Rana catesbeiana, no Sistema Anfigranja de Criação Intensiva

The objective of this research was to study the basic aspects of bullfrog reproduction in Anfigranja system from June 1989 to July 1990. For the 1493 animals involved in this experiment (657 males and 836 females) biometrical data were obtained (weight, length and tympanum diameter) and developmental stages of gonads were determined. Female sizes at first maturation were 10,33 cm and 109,78 g and for males it was around 8,09 cm; all males above 45 g were already in the maturation process. The relationship between tympanum diameter and body length (RTC) was considered a good index for male maturation.

SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF THE RHODNIUS-NEGLECTUS (HEMIPTERA) LABIAL SALIVARY-GLANDS AFTER STARVATION

Labial salivary glands are found in the majority of insects. They are relatively large, extend back into the thorax, and in Rhodnius, they are cherry red in color due to a pigment derived from traces of hemoglobin absorbed form the gut. In most insects they are acinous shaped, with long excretion channels that present differentiated regions which from salivary reservoirs. The glands may be relatively simple or complexly branched and convoluted. In Rhodnius they are described as being unilobed with no traces of division. The main duct leaves the gland at its anterior extremity. The acini have different kinds of cells but all of them are seen as sources of secretion. Our material has a different shape due to the fact that the animals spent 20 days under starvation conditions. New data are also obtained through treatment with collagenase and HCl. The importance of the study of these glands lies in the fact that it will further understanding of the transmission of Chagas' disease.

Ultrastructural and histochemical examination of alveolar bone at the pressure areas of rat molars submitted to continuous orthodontic force

It is usually believed that repair in alveolar bone during orthodontic movement occurs after decreasing of force. However, we have recently observed signs of repair in previously resorbed cementum from human teeth exposed to continuous forces. In order to test the hypothesis that bone resorption and deposition occur concomitantly at the pressure areas, a continuous 15 cN force was applied in a buccal direction to upper first molars from eight 2.5-month-old male Wistar rats for 3 d (n=4) and 7 d (n=4). As a control, two additional rats did not have their molars moved. Maxillae were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde + 2.5% formaldehyde, under microwave irradiation, decalcified in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and processed for transmission electron microscopy. Specimens from one rat from each group were processed for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemistry. At both the times studied, the alveolar bone surface at the pressure areas showed numerous TRAP-positive osteoclasts, which were apposed to resorption lacunae. In addition, osteoblasts with numerous synthesis organelles were present in the neighboring areas overlying an organic matrix. Thus, this study provides evidence that the application of continuous forces produces concomitant bone resorption and formation at the pressure areas in rat molars.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA)-4 mutation in EBV-associated malignancies in three different populations

Different ethnic groups with a high human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A11 prevalence have been shown to experience a high rate of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, EBV-associated malignancies, and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)-4 mutations. The epitopes 393-408 and 416-424 of EBNA-4 are major antigenic epitopes that elicit an HLA-A11 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to EBV infection. Mutations selectively involving one or more nucleotide residues in these epitopes affect the antigenicity of EBNA-4, because the mutant EBV strains are not recognized by the HLA-A11-restricted CTLs. To investigate these mutations in common EBV-associated malignancies occurring in different populations, we studied the mutation rate of epitopes 393-408 and 416-424 of EBNA-4 in 25 cases of EBV-associated Hodgkin's disease (HD), nine cases of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 37 cases of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (GC) from the United States, Brazil, and Japan. We found one or more mutations in these two epitopes in 50% (6/12) of United States HD, 15% (2/13) of Brazilian HD, 50% (6/12) United States GC and 28% (7/25) Japanese GC, and 22% (2/9) of United States AIDS-lymphoma. Similar mutations were found in 30% (3/10) of United States reactive, 0% (0/6) of Brazilian reactive, and 25% (2/8) Japanese reactive tissues. The most frequent amino acid substitutions were virtually identical to those seen in previously reported isolates from EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinomas and Burkitt's lymphomas occurring in high prevalence HLA-A11 regions. However, only 2/28 (7%) mutations occurred in HLA-A11-positive patients. Our studies suggest that: 1) EBNA-4 mutations are a common phenomenon in EBV-associated HD, GC, and AIDS-lymphoma; 2) the mutation rate does not vary in these geographic areas and ethnic groups; 3) EBNA-4 mutations in EBV-associated United States and Brazilian HD, United States and Japanese GC, and United States AIDS lymphomas are not related to patients' HLA-A11 status.