Morphological, behavioral and biological aspects of Azya luteipes Mulsant fed on Coccus viridis (Green)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Organic and inorganic sources of zinc, copper and selenium in diets for dairy cows: intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition

The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of feeding dairy cows with organic or inorganic sources of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) on blood concentrations of these minerals, blood metabolic profiles, nutrient intake and milk yield and composition. Nineteen Holstein cows were selected and randomly assigned to two groups for receiving organic (n = 9) or inorganic (n = 10) sources of Zn, Cu and Se from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. Samples of feed, orts and milk were collected for analysis. Body condition score (BCS) was determined and blood samples were collected for analysis of Zn, Cu and Se concentrations, as well as for metabolic profile. Supplying organic or inorganic sources of Zn, Cu, and Se did not affect dry matter and nutrient intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition, plasma concentration of these minerals, and BCS or change the BCS in cows from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. An effect of time was observed on all feed intake variables, plasma concentrations of Zn and Se, milk yield, milk protein content, BCS and change in BCS.

Performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore young bulls fed different sources of oils, protected or not from rumen degradation

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

Qualitative characteristics of meat from confined crossbred heifers fed with lipid sources

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

Molecular and biological characterization of Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) isolates reveals a distinct and widespread type of resistance-breaking isolate: LMV-Most

Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) causes an economically important seedborne and aphid-transmitted disease of lettuce and ornamental crops worldwide. The genetic diversity among 73 LMV isolates was examined based on a 216-nucleotide sequence at the variable region encoding the NIb-coat protein junction, Three clusters of LMV isolates were distinguished: LMV-Yar, LMV-Greck, and LMV-RoW. In the latter cluster, two subgroups of isolates, LMV-Common and LMV-Most, accounted for a large proportion of the LMV isolates analyzed. These two subgroups included the seedborne isolates, consistent with this property contributing a selective advantage and resulting in widespread distribution. In addition to being seedborne, LMV-Most isolates overcome the two resistance genes commonly used in lettuce, mol(1) and mol(2), and thus represent a potential threat to lettuce cultivation. The complete sequence of an LMV-Most isolate (LMV-AF199) was determined, allowing a better definition of the genetic relationships among LMV-Most, LMV-Common, and an additional isolate of the LMV-RoW cluster.

PERIODIC PERTURBATION of QUADRATIC SYSTEMS WITH TWO INFINITE HETEROCLINIC CYCLES

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis, characterization and biological analysis of the complex [VO(Hdhp)(2)] (H(2)dhp=2,3-dihydroxypyridine)

A new vanadium (IV) complex with the monoanion of 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (H(2)dhp), or 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridone, was synthesized, characterized by physicochemical techniques and tested biologically. The EPR data for the [VO(Hdhp)(2)] complex in DMF are: g(x) = 1.9768, g(y) = 1.9768 and g(z) = 1.9390; A values (10(-4) cm(-1)): A(x), 59.4; A(y//), 59.4; A(z), 171.0. The vV=O band in the IR spectrum of the complex is at 986 cm(-1). The complex is paramagnetic, with mu(eff) = 1.65 BM (d(1), spin-only) at 25 degrees C. The irreversible oxidation process [V(V)/V(IV)] of the [VO(Hdhp)(2)] complex, as revealed in a cyclic voltammogram, occurs at 876 mV. The calculated molecular structure of [VO(Hdhp)(2)] shows the vanadium(IV) center in a distorted square pyramidal environment, with the oxo ligand in the apical position and the oxygen donor atoms of the Hdhp ligands in the basal positions. The ability of [VO(Hdhp)(2)] to mimic insulin, and its toxicity to hepato-biliary functions, were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and it was concluded that the length of treatment and the amount of [VO(Hdhp)(2)] administered were effective in reducing experimental diabetes.

Chemical Profile and Biological Potential of Non-Polar Fractions from Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta)

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

Thermoeconomic analysis method for optimization of combined heat and power systems - part II

In this paper, a thermoeconomic functional analysis method based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics and applied to analyze four cogeneration systems is presented. The objective of the developed technique is to minimize the operating costs of the cogeneration plant, namely exergetic production cost (EPC), assuming fixed rates of electricity production and process steam in exergy base. In this study a comparison is made between the same four configurations of part I. The cogeneration system consisting of a gas turbine with a heat recovery steam generator, without supplementary firing, has the lowest EPC. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Observing the performance of distribution systems with embedded generators

In this paper, a multi-objective approach for observing the performance of distribution systems with embedded generators in the steady state, based on heuristic and power system analysis, is proposed. The proposed hybrid performance index describes the quality of the operating state in each considered distribution network configuration. In order to represent the system state, the loss allocation in the distribution systems, based on the Z-bus loss allocation method and compensation-based power flow algorithm, is determined. Also, an investigation of the impact of the integration of embedded generators on the overall performance of the distribution systems in the steady state, is performed. Results obtained from several case studies are presented and discussed. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Variable-Structure Control Design of Switched Systems With an Application to a DC-DC Power Converter

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

ALGORITHM FOR PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS of DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WITH DISTRIBUTED GENERATION

In this paper an efficient algorithm for probabilistic analysis of unbalanced three-phase weakly-meshed distribution systems is presented. This algorithm uses the technique of Two-Point Estimate Method for calculating the probabilistic behavior of the system random variables. Additionally, the deterministic analysis of the state variables is performed by means of a Compensation-Based Radial Load Flow (CBRLF). Such load flow efficiently exploits the topological characteristics of the network. To deal with distributed generation, a strategy to incorporate a simplified model of a generator in the CBRLF is proposed. Thus, depending on the type of control and generator operation conditions, the node with distributed generation can be modeled either as a PV or PQ node. To validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, the IEEE 37 bus test system is used. The probabilistic results are compared with those obtained using the Monte Carlo method.

A novel mutation (Q40P) in PAX8 associated with congenital hypothyroidism and thyroid hypoplasia: Evidence for phenotypic variability in mother and child

Congenital hypothyroidism associated with thyroid hypoplasia can be caused by several genetic defects, including mutations in the TSH beta -subunit, the TSH receptor, the G(A)alpha -subunit, and the transcription factor PAX8. Four girls with sporadic congenital hypothyroidism and hypoplastic thyroid glands were analyzed for mutations in PAX8 and TTF2 (FKHL15). Mutations in the coding region of the TSH beta -subunit gene, the TSH receptor gene, and exons 8 and 9 of G(mu)alpha had been excluded previously. Serum TSH concentrations were 150 mU/liter or more, TG levels were within normal limits, and thyroid autoantibodies were absent. Technetium scintigraphies did not reveal the presence of thyroid tissue, but ultrasonography documented hypoplastic, normally located glands.One patient was found to harbor a heterozygous transversion 119A -->C in exon 3 of PAX8 replacing a conserved glutamine by proline in the paired box domain (Q40P). Analysis of her family members revealed that her mother, who has a thyroid gland of normal size and mild, adult-onset autoimmune hypothyroidism, is also heterozygous for this mutation. Functional analyses of the PAX8 Q40P mutation showed impaired binding to a PAX8 response element and absent transactivation of a thyroid peroxidase promoter luciferase reporter gene.These findings confirm the important role of PAX8 in the development of the thyroid, but they indicate that PAX8 gene mutations may have a variable penetrance or expressivity. The absence of mutations in the coding sequences of the analyzed genes in the three other patients supports the concept that the pathogenesis of congenital hypothyroidism associated with thyroid hypoplasia is diverse.

Biochemical and biological evaluation of gyroxin isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

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

Genetic, epidemiological and biological analysis of interleukin-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms suggests a definitive role for-819C/T in leprosy susceptibility

Leprosy is a complex infectious disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic contributing factors are considered heterogeneous and several genes have been consistently associated with susceptibility like PARK2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) and vitamin-D receptor (VDR). Here, we combined a case-control study (374 patients and 380 controls), with meta-analysis (5 studies; 2702 individuals) and biological study to test the epidemiological and physiological relevance of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) genetic markers in leprosy. We observed that the -819T allele is associated with leprosy susceptibility either in the case-control or in the meta-analysis studies. Haplotypes combining promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms also implicated a haplotype carrying the -819T allele in leprosy susceptibility (odds ratio (OR) = 1.40; P = 0.01). Finally, we tested IL-10 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae antigens and found that -819T carriers produced lower levels of IL-10 when compared with noncarriers. Taken together, these data suggest that low levels of IL-10 during the disease outcome can drive patients to a chronic and unprotective response that culminates with leprosy.