Toxicologic evaluation of acute and subacute oral administration of Cucurbita maxima seed extracts to rats and swine

The extract prepared from dried seeds of Cucurbita maxima was administered to rats and pigs. Following a single dose or 4 weeks of daily oral administration, the extract produced no changes in serum glucose, urea, creatinine, total protein, uric acid, GOT, GPT, LDH or blood counts. Urine analysis (urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, Na and K), as well as histopathological investigation, showed no abnormalities. These results taken as a whole indicate that the seeds of C. maxima as used in Brazilian folk medicine are not toxic for rats and swine.

Bioinsecticide action of the venom of Africanized bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae): I - The most susceptible age of Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius 1794 (Lepeletier: Pyralidae) eggs to the venom action

The present paper aimed at testing the action of non-lyophilized venom of Africanized bees Apis mellifera through topical applications on Diatraea saccharalis egg masses. The CL50, DL50 and the most susceptible age of eggs to the venom topic application were also determined. Three-day-old eggs were the most susceptible to the venom action with CL50 equal to 8.6 mg/ml and DL50 equal to 0.173 mg/mass. The venom loses its action after being stored for 15 days.

Residues of Some Pesticides in Fresh and Dried Apricots

The persistence of three pesticides (fenitrothion, dimethoate, and ziram) in apricots in field conditions and their fate during the drying process were studied. After the treatments, the pesticides showed fast decay rates with pseudo-first-order kinetics and half-lives ranging from 6.9 to 9.9 days. The drying process showed a different effect on residue concentrations in dried apricots: omethoate (metabolite of dimethoate) and ziram residues had almost doubled, while fenitrothion disappeared and dimethoate remained constant.

Chemistry of Biotites and Whole Rocks from the Rapakivi Itu Complex (Late Precambrian), State of São Paulo, SE Brazil

Chemical analyses for biotites and their host rocks from the Cabreúva (three facies) and Salto (five facies) intrusions from the multiple-centered rapakivi Itu Complex, State of São Paulo, Brazil, are presented and compared. The Cabreúva intrusion comprises different kinds of mainly even-grained biotite and hornblende-bearing syenogranites, monzogranites and quartz syenites and the Salto intrusion several types of mainly porphyritic biotite syenogranites, some of them hornblende-bearing. The biotites from the Salto intrusion (S-micas) show a more restricted composition than those from the Cabreúva intrusion (C-micas). This reflects the chemical variability of the two bodies which is smaller in the Salto intrusion and larger in the Cabreúva pluton. In the AlIV x Fet/(Fet+Mg) diagram the S- and C-micas show similar AlIV contents, around 2.2-2.3, but C-micas have higher Fet/(Fet+Mg) ratios (0.7-0.9) compared to those of S-micas (0.5-0.6). In the Mg:(Al+Fe+3+Ti):(Fe+2+Mn) diagram the S-micas are defined as Fe+2-biotites and the C-micas occupy the area between the Fe+2-biotites and the siderophyllite/lepidomelane fields, slightly overlapping the latter. In the Al2O3 × FeOt, MgO × FeOt, Al2O3 x MgO and Alt x Mg diagrams, the S-micas always lie on the calc-alkaline/alkaline boundary (or in the subalkaline field) whereas the C-micas systematically plot in the alkaline field, reflecting the higher alkalis content of the Cabreúva intrusion. In the Fet/(Fet+Mg) x SiO2 diagram, the S-micas lie on a smooth line whereas the C-micas from the different facies are separated by distinct chemical gaps reflecting the major or minor chemical overlapping of the facies from the Salto and Cabreúva intrusions.

Response to orphaning in two Neotropical termites: Armitermes euamignathus and Embiratermes festivellus

In this paper we examine the potential of the termites Armitermes euamignathus Silvestri: 1901 and Embiratermes festivellus (Silvestri, 1901) (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) to produce neotenics experimentally. Three nests of the mound-building termite A. euamignathus, from the Brazilian cerrado, had their primary queens removed in August 1994. After 12 months, only one mound survived; it had a normal appearance. In this healthy, orphaned colony we found the primary king, six physogastric nymphoid female replacement reproductives, two ergatoid female replacement reproductives, 46 nymphs, several presoldiers, soldiers, workers, larvae and many eggs. These data show that neotenics in A. euamignathus may originate from both workers and nymphs, but nymphoids are produced in larger numbers. The biometric study of nymphs and nymphoids suggests that these brachypterous neotenics were derived from third instar nymphs after a single moult or from four instar nymphs after a reduction of wing bud length. A piece of an E. festivellus nest with some third instar nymphs, soldiers and workers was kept under laboratory conditions. After 12 months, the whole experimental subcolony was examined and appeared to contain two pigmented nymphoid females, two pigmented nymphoid males, only one larva, seven nymphs of the same instar, 148 workers, five soldiers and many eggs. These results also indicate the capacity of the termite E. festivellus to produce nymphoid neotenics. These neotenic females were laying eggs, but they were not physogastric after a year, unlike some nymphoids of the same species collected from natural colonies.

Fecundity of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae)

Females of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus were collected in a monthly basis along a 2-year period at the mangrove areas of Iguape, SP, Brazil. Ovigerous individuals were measured (CW, carapace width) and weighed (WW, wet weight). Each brood was weighed (WWE, wet weight of eggs), dried (DWE, dry weight of eggs) and the number of eggs (EN) was recorded. Scatter plots for the relationships EN/CW, EN/WW and EN/WWE were produced, and the data were subjected to regression analysis. Relative average fecundity (F 1) was calculated in different seasons and compared to verify if there were any temporal variation of reproductive intensity. Fecundity in U. cordatus varied from 36.081 to 250.566 eggs according to the size-dependent relationship EN = 15.27CW 2.24 (N = 66; R 2 = 0.69; p<0.001). The other expressions obtained for the relationships were: EN = 3797.6WW 0.813 (N = 56; R 2 = 0.72; p<0.001); EN = 29226WWE 0.775 (N = 54; R 2 = 0.70; p<0.001); and EN = 1093586DWE 0.769 (N = 66; R 2 = 0.86; p<0.001). Ovigerous females were found only during spring and summer, and relative average fecundity differed between these seasons. Relative average fecundity was higher in spring and relative frequency of ovigerous females was higher during summer. Overall reproductive intensity was similar between these seasons. The observed trends are regarded to be related to temperature and photoperiod variations.

Trophic eggs in the foam nests of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Anura, Leptodactylidae): An experimental approach

The South American pepper frog, Leptodactylus labyrinthicus, is a large species that lays eggs in foam nests in holes dug out of the banks of different bodies of water. Recently, it was reported that only 6-10% of eggs are fertilized in foam nests of L. labyrinthicus and the remaining unfertilized eggs are consumed by the tadpoles inside the nest. Here we tested experimentally the influence of the ingestion of trophic eggs on the survivorship and growth of L. labyrinthicus tadpoles. Tadpoles fed on trophic eggs and subsequently fed on dry fish food grew larger than those fed only on dry fish food, and this suggests that the ingestion of trophic eggs is an adaptation to improve tadpole growth. The ingestion of trophic eggs also seems to be important for the maintenance of tadpoles in environments with unpredictable rainfall, as they were able to survive for about 70 days feeding only on these trophic eggs and one tadpole managed to complete metamorphosis feeding on trophic eggs only. Details of the spawning behaviour observed in the field, occurrence of multiple mating, and predation on eggs by terrestrial invertebrates and vertebrates are also reported.

High cholesterol intake modifies chylomicron metabolism in normolipidemic young men

Whether the consumption of egg yolk, which has a very high cholesterol content without excess saturated fats, has deleterious effects on lipid metabolism is controversial. Absorbed dietary cholesterol enters the bloodstream as chylomicrons, but the effects of regular consumption of large amounts of cholesterol on the metabolism of this lipoprotein have not been explored even though the accumulation of chylomicron remnants is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the effects of high dietary cholesterol on chylomicron metabolism in normolipidemic, healthy young men. The plasma kinetics of a chylomicron-like emulsion, doubly-labeled with 14C-cholesteryl ester ( 14C-CE) and 3H-triolein ( 3H-TG) were assessed in 25 men (17-22 y old, BMI 24.1 ± 3.4 kg/m 2). One group (n = 13) consumed 174 ± 41 mg cholesterol/d and no egg yolk. The other group (n = 12) consumed 3 whole eggs/d for a total cholesterol intake of 804 ± 40 mg/d. The nutritional composition of diets was the same for both groups, including total lipids and saturated fat, which comprised 25 and 7%, respectively, of energy intake. Serum LDL and HDL cholesterol and apoprotein B concentrations were higher in the group consuming the high-cholesterol diet (P < 0.05), but serum triacylglycerol, apo AI, and lipoprotein (a) did not differ between the 2 groups. The fractional clearance rate (FCR) of the 14C-CE emulsion, obtained by compartmental analysis, was 52% slower in the high-cholesterol than in the low-cholesterol group (P < 0.001); the 3H-TG FCR did not differ between the groups. Finally, we concluded that high cholesterol intakes increase the residence time of chylomicron remnants, as indicated by the 14C-CE kinetics, which may have undesirable effects related to the development of CAD. © 2006 American Society for Nutrition.

Sorption isotherm, glass transitions and state diagram for freeze-dried plum skin and pulp

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine phase transitions of freeze-dried plums. Samples at low and intermediate moisture contents, were conditioned by adsorption at various water activities (0.11≤a w≤0.90) at 25°C, whereas in the high moisture content region (a w>0.90) samples were obtained by direct water addition, with the resulting sorption isotherm being well described by the Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB) model. Freeze-dried samples of separated plum skin and pulp were also analysed. At a w≤0.75, two glass transitions were visible, with the glass transition temperature (T g) decreasing with increasing a w due to the water plasticising effect. The first T g was attributed to the matrix formed by sugars and water. The second one, less visible and less plasticised by water, was probably due to macromolecules of the fruit pulp. The Gordon-Taylor model represented satisfactorily the matrix glass transition curve for a w≤0.90. In the higher moisture content range T g remained practically constant around T g′ (-57.5°C). Analysis of the glass transition curve and the sorption isotherm indicated that stability at a temperature of 25°C, would be attained by freeze dried plum at a water activity of 0.04, corresponding to a moisture content of 12.9% (dry basis). © 2006 SAGE Publications.

Studies on carbon-13 turnover in eggs and blood of commercial layers

This paper aimed at evaluating the influence of diets containing different isotopic values of carbon-13 turnover on the half-life of egg (yolk + albumen), yolk and albumen individually, and blood of poultry using δ‰ 13C isotopic variation. Commercial layers fed four experimental isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets (RC 4, RC 3, RMC 4 and RMC 3) containing different isotopic values, during an experimental period of 56 days. Turnover of the studied tissues was influenced by the experimental diets. Blood and albumen were more influenced by dietary treatments as compared to egg and yolk. The RMC 3 diet induced better performance (better feed intake and higher egg production) due faster rate of carbon substitution than the RC 4 diet, and lower half-life for egg (yolk + albumen), yolk, and albumen.

Inclusão de ovo desidratado em rações para frangos de corte nas fases pré-inicial e de crescimento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Description of eggs and nymphal instars of Triatoma baratai Carcavallo and Jurberg, 2000 based on optical and scanning electron microscopy (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Triatoma baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, is a wild (i.e., nonperidomestic) species found in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (Bodoquena region, county of Bonito), Brazil. Its eggs and nymphs are described here based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. The operculum and exochorion have pentagonal, hexagonal, and heptagonal cells, with small cracks and small random pits. Differences in the eggs and five nymphal instars of T. baratai allow them to be distinguished from the sympatric species Triatoma williami Galvão, Souza & Lima, and from six of the nine members of the Triatoma oliveirai complex. The most useful differentiating characters are in the color, shape of the abdomen, head, and total body length. Keys are provided to separate the eggs and nymphal instars of six of the nine members of the Triatoma oliveirai species complex. Copyright ©2009 Magnolia Press.

Hematological and incubation parameters of chicks from young breeders eggs: Variation with sex and incubation temperature

This experiment analyzed the effect of sex and incubation temperature on daily mass loss and eggshell conductance, embryo mortality rates, incubation duration, hematological parameters and body, liver, heart and bursa weights of neonatal chicks from young breeders. The daily mass loss was higher at incubation temperature of 39°C. The eggshell conductance rate increased with the temperature. The total and partial duration of incubation were lower for eggs incubated at 39°C. The time taken by the chick to leave the eggshell did not differ below and above the thermoneutral temperature. The total and intermediate embryo mortality rates increased with the incubation temperature, whereas the early and late embryo mortality rates were higher at incubation temperature of 39°C. Sex did not influence the analyzed parameters, while the incubation temperature did not affect the body and bursa weight and the erythrocytes characteristics. The liver weight of chicks incubated at 36°C was higher than the incubated at 39°C, however there were no differences among the liver weight from chicks incubated at 36 and 39°C and those incubated at 37.5°C. The number of heterophils and the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio) increased following the temperature, whereas the number of lymphocytes decreased at high temperatures. The other leukocyte parameters did not suffer influence of temperature. Males and females presented similar response to variation of incubation temperatures (36, 37.5 and 39°C) and demonstrated higher sensibility to temperatures above the thermoneutral. Moreover, temperatures below the thermoneutral demonstrated to be better for improvement of hatchability and development of chicks from light eggs. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010.

Comparison of intestinal response of chicks from light and heavy eggs to posthatch fasting

The effects of posthatch fasting on villi height and number, crypt depth and number of globet cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broiler chicks from heavy and light eggs were compared. The 2×3×3 factorial design (egg weight: light and heavy eggs; treatments: with water and feed, with water, without water and feed; treatment duration: 24, 48 and 72 h) was used. The villi presented higher size in chicks from heavy than from light eggs. The fasting resulted in lower villi in duodenum (at 48 h), jejunum and ileum (at 72 h). The villi number increased in duodenum and jejunum of chicks from light eggs and only in jejunum of chicks from heavy eggs, but the increase was more accented in chicks from light ones. The fasting reduced the globet cells number in jejunum. Water intake avoided the fasting effects on villi height but had no effect on villi number. Chicks from heavy eggs fed with water and ration presented deeper crypts in all regions of the small intestine. The duodenum and ileum crypt depth of the chicks from heavy eggs reduced when they were submitted to fasting and when they were fed only with water. The results showed that chicks from light eggs were more affected than chicks from heavy eggs. The water intake partially avoided the fasting effects. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011.

Nitrogen excretion during embryonic development of the green iguana, Iguana iguana (Reptilia; Squamata)

Development within the cleidoic egg of birds and reptiles presents the embryo with the problem of accumulation of wastes from nitrogen metabolism. Ammonia derived from protein catabolism is converted into the less toxic product urea or relatively insoluble uric acid. The pattern of nitrogen excretion of the green iguana, Iguana iguana, was determined during embryonic development using samples from allantoic fluid and from the whole homogenized egg, and in hatchlings and adults using samples of blood plasma. Urea was the major excretory product over the course of embryonic development. It was found in higher concentrations in the allantoic sac, suggesting that there is a mechanism present on the allantoic membrane enabling the concentration of urea. The newly hatched iguana still produced urea while adults produced uric acid. The time course of this shift in the type of nitrogen waste was not determined but the change is likely to be related to the water relations associated with the terrestrial habit of the adult. The green iguana produces parchment-shelled eggs that double in mass during incubation due to water absorption; the eggs also accumulate 0.02. mM of urea, representing 82% of the total measured nitrogenous residues that accumulate inside the allantois. The increase in egg mass and urea concentration became significant after 55. days of incubation then were unchanged until hatching. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.