Morpho-physiological analysis of the insect fat body: A review

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

Fat body cells of Amblyomma cajennense partially engorged females (Acari: Ixodidae) and their role on vitellogenesis process

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Histological and Histochemical Analysis of the Fat Body of Rhinocricus padbergi (Diplopoda) Exposed to Contaminated Industrial Soil

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

Morphology, ultramorpholgy and morphometry of the fat body of virgin females and queens of the ants Pachycondyla striata (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

The fat body cells of virgin females and queens of Pachycondyla striata ants belonging to the subfamily Ponerinae are illustrated from morphologic, ultramorphologic and morphometric viewpoints. Camera lucida drawing techniques were used, as well as scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Measurements of trophocytes and oenocytes areas in the tissue were recorded. The results showed that in P. striata queens and virgin females the trophocytes are arranged in cord-like formations in association with oenocytes. Trophocytes of both castes had round shapes, with rather vacuolized cytoplasm, whereas oenocytes, being smaller than trophocytes, had more homogeneous cytoplasm. It was also observed that both trophocytes and oenocytes of virgin females were larger than those found in the same queen cellular types.

Protein content and electrophoretic profile of fat body and ovary extracts from workers of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

Workers of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Lepeletier, 1836) develop their ovaries and lay eggs, therefore the production of vitellogenin is expected. In electrophoretic profiles only fat body extracts from nurse workers and ovary extracts from newly-emerged workers show protein with molecular mass similar to vitellogenin. However, an increase in the protein content was detected in forager fat body. This increase was attributed to storage of vitellogenin or other proteins in the previous phase and not discharged into the hemolymph or to an effect of the increased titre of juvenile hormone in this phase of worker life over the fat body functioning.

Toxicological evaluation of vegetable oils and biodiesel in soil during the biodegradation process

Vegetable oils and their derivatives, like biodiesel, are used extensively throughout the world, thus posing an environmental risk when disposed. Toxicity testing using test organisms shows how these residues affect ecosystems. Toxicity tests using earthworms (Eisenia foetida. are widespread because they are a practical resource for analyzing terrestrial organisms. For phytotoxicological analysis, we used seeds of arugula (Eruca sativa and lettuce (Lactuca sativa. to analyze the germination of seeds in contaminated soil samples. The toxicological experiment was conducted with four different periods of biodegradation in soil: zero days, 60 days, 120 days and 180 days. The studied contaminants were soybean oil (new and used) and biodiesel (B100). An evaluation of the germination of both seeds showed an increased toxicity for all contaminants as the biodegradation occurred, biodiesel being the most toxic among the contaminants. on the other hand, for the tests using earthworms, the biodiesel was the only contaminant that proved to be toxic. Therefore, the higher toxicity of the sample containing these hydrocarbons over time can be attributed to the secondary compounds formed by microbial action. Thus, we conclude that the biodegradation in soil of the studied compounds requires longer periods for the sample toxicity to be decreased with the action of microorganisms.

Applied models to biodegradation kinetics of lubricant and vegetable oils in wastewater

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

Alterações bioquímicas e hepáticas em ratos submetidos à uma dieta hiperlipídica/hiperenergética

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar as alterações bioquímicas hepáticas decorrentes da administração de uma dieta hiperlipídica/hiperenergética em ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 20 ratos (Wistar) com 90 dias de idade divididos em dois grupos, grupo-controle constituída por ratos eutróficos alimentados com dieta comercial para roedores e grupo-dieta constituída por ratos submetidos a uma dieta hiperlipídica/hiperenergética semi purificada feita com 35% de gordura sendo 31% de origem animal a qual possui 39% de gordura saturada e 4% de origem vegetal (óleo de soja). Os animais do grupo-controle foram mantidos com dieta comercial Purina® e o grupo-dieta com uma dieta hiperlipídica/hiperenergética constituída por 35% de gordura. Após 60 dias de administração de uma dieta hiperlipídica/hiperenergética, analisou-se massa corporal, sensibilidade à insulina, concentração sérica de glicose, insulina e ácidos graxos livres e medida do nível de triglicerídeos, lipídeos totais e atividade lipogênica hepática. RESULTADOS: O grupo-dieta apresentou maior massa corporal e resistência à insulina. No sangue não foram encontradas diferenças entre os grupos para os níveis de glicose. Foi evidenciada maior concentração de insulina e de ácidos graxos livres no soro para o grupo-dieta. No fígado o nível de lipídeos totais, triglicerídeos e taxa lipo-gênica foram superiores às do grupo-controle. CONCLUSÃO: Portanto, nossos achados demonstram que dois meses de ingestão de dieta hiperlipídica/hiperenergética por ratos adultos eleva o peso corporal, ácidos graxos livres hepáticos, diminui a sensibilidade à insulina, demostrando sinais típicos de doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica.

Performance of body fat and body mass index cutoffs in elevated blood pressure screening among male children and adolescents

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

High-fat diet associated with obesity induces impairment of mouse corpus cavernosum responses

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

Dietary restriction, caloric value and the accumulation of hepatic fat

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Platelet hyperaggregability in high-fat fed rats: A role for intraplatelet reactive-oxygen species production

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

Biological aspects of Schizodon nasutus Kner, 1858 (Characiformes, Anostomidae) in the low Sorocaba river basin, São Paulo state, Brazil

Four biological aspects of Schizodon nasutus in the low Sorocaba river basin, São Paulo, Brazil were analysed. These were accomplished during the year seasons. The fish diet and the feeding activity were investigated by studying the repletion index, which showed no significant differences between seasons. The food items analysed by frequency of occurrence and dominance showed a predominance of vegetable items in the diet. The reproduction, analysed by using the gonadosomatic index, indicated that the reproductive period occurs during the summer period when temperatures are higher and rainfalls are more intense. The amount of accumulated fat and condition factor varied according to reproduction, especially for females.