Switching control of sympathetic activity from forebrain to hindbrain in chronic dehydration

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) caused by 2-3 days dehydration (DH) both in vivo and in situ preparations. In euhydrated (EH) rats, systemic application of the AT(1) receptor antagonist Losartan and subsequent pre-collicular transection (to remove the hypothalamus) significantly reduced thoracic (t) SNA. In contrast, in DH rats, Losartan, followed by pre-collicular and pontine transections, failed to reduce tSNA, whereas transection at the medulla-spinal cord junction massively reduced tSNA. In DH but not EH rats, selective inhibition of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) significantly reduced tSNA. Comparable data were obtained in both in situ and in vivo (anaesthetized/conscious) rats and suggest that following chronic dehydration, the control of tSNA transfers from supra-brainstem structures (e. g. hypothalamus) to the medulla oblongata, particularly the cNTS. As microarray analysis revealed up-regulation of AP1 transcription factor JunD in the dehydrated cNTS, we tested the hypothesis that AP1 transcription factor activity is responsible for dehydration-induced functional plasticity. When AP1 activity was blocked in the cNTS using a viral vector expressing a dominant negative FosB, cNTS inactivation was ineffective. However, tSNA was decreased after pre-collicular transection, a response similar to that seen in EHrats. Thus, the dehydration-induced switch in control of tSNA from hypothalamus to cNTS seems to be mediated via activation of AP1 transcription factors in the cNTS. If AP1 activity is blocked in the cNTS during dehydration, sympathetic activity control reverts back to forebrain regions. This unique reciprocating neural structure-switching plasticity between brain centres emphasizes the multiple mechanisms available for the adaptive response to dehydration.

Technology diffusion: analysing the diffusion of agent technologies

Despite several examples of deployed agent systems, there remain barriers to the large-scale adoption of agent technologies. In order to understand these barriers, this paper considers aspects of marketing theory which deal with diffusion of innovations and their relevance to the agents domain and the current state of diffusion of agent technologies. In particular, the paper examines the role of standards in the adoption of new technologies, describes the agent standards landscape, and compares the development and diffusion of agent technologies with that of object-oriented programming. The paper also reports on a simulation model developed in order to consider different trajectories for the adoption of agent technologies, with trajectories based on various assumptions regarding industry structure and the existence of competing technology standards. We present details of the simulation model and its assumptions, along with the results of the simulation exercises.

Chronic exposure to sub-lethal concentration of a glyphosate-based herbicide alters hormone profiles and affects reproduction of female Jundia (Rhamdia quelen)

This work was carried out to verify the effect of a glyphosate-based herbicide on Jundia hormones (cortisol, 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone), oocyte and swim-up fry production. Earthen ponds containing Jundia females were contaminated with glyphosate (3.6 mg/L); blood samples were collected from eight females from each treatment immediately before, or at 1, 10, 20 30 and 40 days following contamination. A typical post-stress rise in cortisol levels was observed at the 20th and 40th days following exposure to glyphosate. At the 40th day, 17 beta-estradiol was decreased in the exposed females. A similar number of oocytes were stripped out from females from both groups, however, a lower number of viable swim-up fry were obtained from the herbicide exposed females, which also had a higher liver-somatic index (LSI). The results indicate that the presence of glyphosate in water was deleterious to Rhamdia quelen reproduction, altering steroid profiles and egg viability. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acute lethal and sublethal effects of neem leaf extract on the neotropical freshwater fish Prochilodus lineatus

The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity of the aqueous extract of neem leaves, a product extensively used in fish-farms as alternative for the control of fish parasites and fish fry predators, for the neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus. The 24 It LC(50) of neem leaf extract for juveniles P lineatus was estimated as 4.8 g L(-1); the fish were then exposed for 24 h to 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g L(-1) or only clean water (control). Plasma glucose levels were higher in fish exposed to 2.5 g L(-1) and 5.0 g L(-1) neem extract, relative to control, indicating a typical stress response. Neem extract did not interfere with the osmoregulating capacity of the fish, as their plasma sodium, chloride, total protein and osmolarity did not change. The presence of the biopesticide interfered with the antioxidant defense system of P. lineatus, as there was a decrease in liver catalase activity at all neem concentrations and the detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase was activated in fish exposed to 5.0 g L(-1). Fish exposed to all neem extract concentrations exhibited damaged gill and kidney tissue. These results indicate that although neem extract is less toxic to P. lineatus than other synthetic insecticides used in fish-farming it does cause functional and morphological changes in this fish species. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of food restriction on the reproduction and larval performance of matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus (Spix and Agassiz, 1829)

Este estudo avaliou o efeito da restrição alimentar e realimentação na reprodução de fêmeas e no crescimento inicial e sobrevivência de larvas de matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Matrizes distribuídas em 8 viveiros (15 peixes/tanque) foram alimentadas diariamente (em 4 tanques - G1) e alimentados em ciclos de 3 dias de alimentação seguidos de 2 dias de restrição (em 4 tanques - G2) por 6 meses antes da desova. Na indução à desova, 57% das fêmeas no G1 e 45% no G2 desovaram. Os pesos médios dos oócitos foram 208,1 g (G1) e 131,6 g (G2), sendo os oócitos G2 menores (1,017 ± 0,003 mm) que os oócitos de G1 (1,048 ± 0,002 mm). As taxas de fertilização (71,9 ± 12,6% e 61,2 ± 13,7%) e de eclosão (61,3 ± 33,9% e 67,5 ± 23,4%) entre os G1 e G2 não diferiram. Larvas foram coletadas na eclosão e às 24, 48 e 72 horas de incubação para medida do crescimento e as restantes transferidas para aquários e amostradas 1, 5, 9 e 15 dias depois. Na transferência, as larvas G1 e G2 tinham pesos similares (1,5 ± 0,15 e 1,46 ± 0,07 mg), mas o comprimento das larvas G2 era maior (6,2 ± 0,13 e 6,7 ± 0,14 mm). Ao 9° dia, quando é recomendada a transferência dos juvenis para tanques externos, os juvenis G2 tinham peso (13,6 ± 0,26 e 18,9 ± 0,07 mg) e comprimento (11,8 ± 0,09 e 14,5 ± 0,04 mm) maiores, mas no 15º dia os juvenis G1 eram maiores em peso (90,2 ± 1,19 e 68,6 ± 0,77 mg) e comprimento (18,8 ± 0,16 e 18,5 ± 0,04 mm). Aos 15 dias, a prole das fêmeas submetidas à restrição alimentar apresentou sobrevivência mais alta que a prole das fêmeas alimentadas diariamente (24,7 ± 2,07% e 19,2 ± 1,91%). A restrição alimentar imposta às fêmeas de matrinxã, apesar de reduzir o número de fêmeas que desovaram e a quantidade de oócitos extrusados, não afetou a fertilização e eclosão das larvas e melhorou a sobrevivência final das larvas.

The influence of triiodothyronine (T-3) on the early development of piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus)

This paper reports the triiodothyronine's (T-3) effects on the early growth and survival of piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) produced from fertilized eggs hormone exposed The study was carried out in two phases In the first phase, eggs divided in 6 batches were Immersed in T-3 solutions 0 01, 0 05, 0 1, 0 5 ppm, 1 ppm and control (no T-3) After a 15-min immersion, eggs were transferred to incubators where larvae were kept up to 72 h after hatching Larval weight, length and yolk sac volume were determined every 12 h Sixty and 72 h after hatching, larvae exposed to 0 5 ppm T-3 were significantly heavier than the others, and those exposed to 1 ppm T-3 showed the lowest weight The yolk sac absorption was not affected In the second experimental phase, the resulting fry from the first phase were stocked into 3 boxes per treatment (5 larvae L-1) and fed with plankton, fish larvae and feed prepared in the hatchery (48% CP) in the first 3 days, plankton and feed from the 4th to the 10th day and only feed in the next (last) 5 days Fry weight, length and specific growth rate were determined at 1, 5, 10 and 15 days Survival was calculated in the last day In the 15th day, fry length did not differ among treatments but the weight of the control group was higher Higher survival in the T-3-treated groups suggested lower predation among fry The results allowed us to conclude that there was no expressive effect of T-3 on the growth, but it improved the survival of the piracanjuba progeny

Farinha de resíduos da indústria de filetagem de tilápias como fonte de proteína e minerais para alevinos de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a utilização da farinha de resíduos da indústria de filetagem de tilápias (FR) como fonte de proteína e de minerais em rações práticas na alimentação de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo. Foram utilizados 120 alevinos de tilápias do Nilo com peso e comprimento iniciais de 0,58 ± 0,05 g e 3,49 ± 0,09 cm, respectivamente, distribuídos em 24 aquários com capacidade para 30 L, em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os peixes foram alimentados com rações contendo 30% de proteína digestível e 3.000 kcal de energia digestível/kg, de acordo com os seguintes tratamentos: CO - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, sem suplementação de fósforo; FB - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, com fosfato bicálcico; FB + FR - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, suplementada com fosfato bicálcico (50%) e farinha de resíduos (50%); FT - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, suplementada com farinha de resíduos. Ao final do experimento, os melhores resultados de desempenho foram observados nos animais que receberam suplementação de P. Quanto às características de carcaça, os animais que receberam a ração CO apresentaram maior teor de gordura corporal e menores teores de cinzas, Ca e P. A FR pode ser utilizada em rações para alevinos de tilápia do Nilo como fonte de P, sem prejuízos no desempenho e na composição corporal.

Farinha de vísceras de aves em rações para a tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus L.) durante a fase de reversão sexual

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, a sobrevivência e a efetividade de reversão de larvas de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus L.) alimentadas com rações contendo níveis crescentes de inclusão de farinha de vísceras de aves (FVA). Utilizou-se 500 larvas de tilápia do Nilo com dois dias de idade, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições, sendo a unidade experimental constituída por um aquário de 30 L com 20 larvas. Foram elaboradas cinco rações com cinco níveis de inclusão de FVA ( 0; 20; 40, 60% e 60% mais lisina sintética). Foram elaboradas rações isocalóricas, isocálcicas, isofosfóricas e isoprotéicas, com 60mg de a-metiltestosterona/kg, 38,6% de proteína digestível e 3.700 kcal de energia digestível/kg, de modo que a ração com inclusão de lisina foi isoaminoacídica para lisina em relação à ração sem a inclusão de FVA. O arraçoamento foi realizado quatro vezes ao dia, ad libitum. Ao final, foram avaliadas as médias de peso final (PF), comprimento total (CT), sobrevivência (SO) e efetividade de reversão (ER). Foi observado aumento linear no PF e CT com o aumento da inclusão da FVA na ração, enquanto, para SO, a ração sem FVA foi inferior às demais. As rações sem inclusão de FVA e com 20% de inclusão de lisina proporcionaram PF e CT médios inferiores e somente a ração sem FVA foi inferior para SO. Conclui-se que a FVA pode ser utilizada em rações para a tilápia do Nilo durante a reversão sexual.

Respostas funcionais de diferentes tamanhos de Tilápia do Nilo; Oreochromis niloticus; predando zooplâncton

The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is an important omnivorous fish in the reservoirs of the semi-arid region of Brazil. Throughout its growth tilapia s feeding behavior changes from a visual predator of zooplankton to a filter-feeder, collecting suspended particulate matter, including planktonic organisms, through pumping. This feature results in different impacts of tilapia on plankton community as the fish grows. Aiming to quantify the functional response of different sizes of Nile tilapia on zooplankton experiments in microcosms scale in the laboratory and in mesocosm scale in the field were carried out. The data were fitted to four different models of functional response. The best fits were obtained for nonlinear models in laboratory experiments. While the experiments in mesocosms were the best settings for responses of type I (juvenile and adult tilapia) and type III (fry). The Manly's alpha index was used to evaluate the feeding selectivity of tilapia on the three main groups of the zooplankton in the experiments in mesocosms. The results show that: (i) rotifers were the preferred prey of fingerlings,(ii) copepods were rejected by fry and juvenile tilapia and (iii) adult fish fed non-selectively on copepods, cladocerans and rotifers. The functional response models obtained in this research can be applied to population models and help in modeling the dynamics of interactions between Nile tilapia and the planktonic communities in the reservoirs of the semi-arid

Second generation European corn borer injury and Irish potato physiology, yield, and quality

European corn borer (ECB) [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is known to infest Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) but only causes economic damage during the first generation in East Coast potato producing areas. However, in Nebraska, second generation ECB infest potato plants during the bulking period and may reduce yield and/or potato quality. Experiments were conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003 to examine physiological and yield effects of second generation ECB injury to potato in Nebraska. Pike, Atlantic, and three Frito Lay proprietary varieties (FL1867, FL1879, and FL1833) were used. Experimental plots were infested with four ECB egg masses per plant to simulate ECB infestation by second-generation larvae; controls received no egg masses. Photosynthetic rates, tuber weights, tuber size grades, solids, and fry quality were measured. Potato plants with ECB infestation had significantly reduced photosynthetic rates on ECB-infested stems and on uninfested stems on the same plant when larvae were in the fifth instar. When insects were in the fourth instar, photosynthetic rates were reduced only on ECB-infested stems. In 2001, ECB infestation reduced the average mass of large tubers and increased the amount of small tubers in FL1867 and FL1879. In 2002, significant yield reductions were not observed. Across both years, ECB-infested plots produced fewer large (65- to 100-mm diam.) tubers than control plots. Other tuber properties and chip qualities were unaffected. This study indicates that second generation ECB infestation of approximately 30% infested plants results in economic loss for some chipping varieties and affects tuber bulking. In contrast to east coast growers, Midwest potato farmers must be concerned with second generation ECB.

Innovative molecular approach to the identification of Colossoma macropomum and its hybrids

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A lethal effect associated with polymorphism of the NOR-bearing chromosomes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

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

Switching control of sympathetic activity from forebrain to hindbrain in chronic dehydration

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) caused by 2-3 days dehydration (DH) both in vivo and in situ preparations. In euhydrated (EH) rats, systemic application of the AT(1) receptor antagonist Losartan and subsequent pre-collicular transection (to remove the hypothalamus) significantly reduced thoracic (t) SNA. In contrast, in DH rats, Losartan, followed by pre-collicular and pontine transections, failed to reduce tSNA, whereas transection at the medulla-spinal cord junction massively reduced tSNA. In DH but not EH rats, selective inhibition of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) significantly reduced tSNA. Comparable data were obtained in both in situ and in vivo (anaesthetized/conscious) rats and suggest that following chronic dehydration, the control of tSNA transfers from supra-brainstem structures (e. g. hypothalamus) to the medulla oblongata, particularly the cNTS. As microarray analysis revealed up-regulation of AP1 transcription factor JunD in the dehydrated cNTS, we tested the hypothesis that AP1 transcription factor activity is responsible for dehydration-induced functional plasticity. When AP1 activity was blocked in the cNTS using a viral vector expressing a dominant negative FosB, cNTS inactivation was ineffective. However, tSNA was decreased after pre-collicular transection, a response similar to that seen in EHrats. Thus, the dehydration-induced switch in control of tSNA from hypothalamus to cNTS seems to be mediated via activation of AP1 transcription factors in the cNTS. If AP1 activity is blocked in the cNTS during dehydration, sympathetic activity control reverts back to forebrain regions. This unique reciprocating neural structure-switching plasticity between brain centres emphasizes the multiple mechanisms available for the adaptive response to dehydration.

Early social environment and the fighting behaviour of young Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces, Cichlidae)

This study examines the influence of early experience with different forms of aggressive behaviour on the fighting behaviour of young fish. Fry of the cichlid fish, Oreochromis niloticus, were raised from hatching in small groups consisting of a normal individual (the test fish) and either mutant conspecifics lacking the dorsal fin and thereby the ability to perform fin displays, or normal ones. Following a 63-day period of development in groups the test fish were confronted in their home tanks with an unfamiliar normal fish for 10 min. The fighting behaviour of the test fish was analyzed considering their previous group type (mutant or normal) and rank (alpha or beta). There was no difference between test fish in the rate and sequence of behaviour patterns used in fighting. However, test fish that had developed in mutant groups were rarely the first to bite in contests and had a longer latency to biting following the first bite of the stimulus fish than rest fish with normal experience. This finding is attributable to the form of aggressive behaviour experienced by the test fish during development but not to existing differences in the amount of aggression previously experienced, nor to previous rank, sex, or size relative to the stimulus fish. The results suggest that early experience influenced decision making by the test fish during the fight. The involvement of the fin displays and the possible mechanism of this influence are discussed.