Density and population size of mammals introduced on a land-bridge island in southeastern Brazil

The introduction of alien species is one of the main threats to the conservation of native species, especially in island ecosystems. Here, we report on the population growth of 15 species of mammals introduced in 1983 on the island of Anchieta, an 828 ha land-bridge island in southeastern Brazil. We estimated the density of mammals through 296 km of line transect census. Five species introduced became extinct (coypu, brocket deer, six-banded armadillo, nine-banded armadillo, maned three-toed sloth); six became over-abundant (marmoset, coati, agouti, seven-banded armadillo, and capybara); one has a stable population (capuchin monkey). Anchieta Island has the highest density of mammals in the entire Atlantic forest (486.77 ind/km(2)), especially nest predators (232.83 ind/km(2)) and herbivores (253.58 ind/km(2)). Agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.) and marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) were, by far, the species with the highest population growth. The high density of mammals in this island may have strong consequences for plant recruitment and bird diversity.

Weekend ethanol consumption and high-sucrose diet: resveratrol effects on energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, lipid profile, oxidative stress and hepatic energy metabolism

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

The adverse effect of a high energy dense diet on cardiac tissue

Purpose: To determine whether a high energy dense diet intake increases oxidative stress and alters antioxidant enzymes in cardiac tissue. Design: A randomized, controlled study. Ninety-day-old female rats were randomly divided into two groups: one fed with a low energy dense diet (LE; 3.0 kcal g-1) and one with a high energy dense diet (HE; 4.5 kcal g-1). Materials and Methods: After 8 weeks of treatment, the animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed by decapitation. The serum was used for glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol determinations. The glycogen, lipoperoxide, lipid hydroperoxide, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, total and non-protein sulphhydryl groups were determined in cardiac tissue. Results: HE decreased the myocardial glycogen content and increased the lactate dehydrogenase/citrate synthase ratio, indicating an increased glycolytic pathway and a shift from myocardial aerobic metabolism. HE-treated female rats showed increased lipoperoxide and hydroperoxide levels in cardiac tissue. Although no alterations were observed in the total sulphhydryl group and superoxide dismutase activities, glutathione peroxidase and the non-protein sulphhydryl group were significantly decreased in HE-treated animals. Conclusions: Although no alterations were observed in energy intake, HE induced an increased intake of fat and carbohydrate and an increased rate of weight gain. HE intake induced alterations in markers of oxidative stress in cardiac tissue. Hydrogen peroxide is an important toxic intermediate in the development of cardiac oxidative stress by HE. The specific nutrient content, such as fat and carbohydrate, rather than caloric intake, appears to be the main process inducing oxidative stress in HE-treated female rats.

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.

Bond strength of a resin cement to high-alumina and zirconia-reinforced ceramics: The effect of surface conditioning

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two surface conditioning methods on the microtensile bond strength of a resin cement to three high-strength core ceramics: high alumina-based (In-Ceram Alumina, Procera AllCeram) and zirconia-reinforced alumina-based (In-Ceram Zirconia) ceramics. Materials and Methods: Ten blocks (5 ×6 × 8 mm) of In-Ceram Alumina (AL), In-Ceram Zirconia (ZR), and Procera (PR) ceramics were fabricated according to each manufacturer's instructions and duplicated in composite. The specimens were assigned to one of the two following treatment conditions: (1) airborne particle abrasion with 110-μm Al2O3 particles + silanization, (2) silica coating with 30 μm SiOx particles (CoJet, 3M ESPE) + silanization. Each ceramic block was duplicated in composite resin (W3D-Master, Wilcos, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil) using a mold made out of silicon impression material. Composite resin layers were incrementally condensed into the mold to fill up the mold and each layer was light polymerized for 40 s. The composite blocks were bonded to the surface-conditioned ceramic blocks using a resin cement system (Panavia F, Kuraray, Okayama, Japan). One composite resin block was fabricated for each ceramic block. The ceramic-composite was stored at 37°C in distilled water for 7 days prior to bond tests. The blocks were cut under water cooling to produce bar specimens (n = 30) with a bonding area of approximately 0.6 mm2. The bond strength tests were performed in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 1 mm/min). Bond strength values were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (≤ 0.05). Results: Silica coating with silanization increased the bond strength significantly for all three high-strength ceramics (18.5 to 31.2 MPa) compared to that of airborne particle abrasion with 110-μm Al2O3 (12.7-17.3 MPa) (ANOVA, p < 0.05). PR exhibited the lowest bond strengths after both Al2O3 and silica coating (12.7 and 18.5 MPa, respectively). Conclusion: Conditioning the high-strength ceramic surfaces with silica coating and silanization provided higher bond strengths of the resin cement than with airborne particle abrasion with 110-μm Al2O3 and silanization.

Metabolic syndrome signs in Wistar rats submitted to different high-fructose ingestion protocols

In search of an adequate model for the human metabolic syndrome, the metabolic characteristics of Wistar rats were analysed after being submitted to different protocols of high fructose ingestion. First, two adult rat groups (aged 90 d) were studied: a control group (C1; n 6) received regular rodent chow (Labina, Purina) and a fructose group (F1; n 6) was fed on regular rodent chow. Fructose was administered as a 10 % solution in drinking water. Second, two adult rat groups (aged 90 d) were evaluated: a control group (C2; n 6) was fed on a balanced diet (AIN-93G) and a fructose group (F2; n 6) was fed on a purified 60 % fructose diet. Finally, two young rat groups (aged 28 d) were analysed: a control group (C3; n 6) was fed on the AIN-93G diet and a fructose group (F3; n 6) was fed on a 60 % fructose diet. After 4-8 weeks, the animals were evaluated. Glucose tolerance, peripheral insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile and body fat were analysed. In the fructose groups F2 and F3 glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were lower, while triacylglycerolaemia was higher than the respective controls C2 and C3 (P < 0.05). Blood total cholesterol, HDL and LDL as well as body fat showed change only in the second protocol. In conclusion, high fructose intake is more effective at producing the signs of the metabolic syndrome in adult than in young Wistar rats. Additionally, diet seems to be a more effective way of fructose administration than drinking water.

Pesque-solte: pesca repetitiva, variáveis hematológicas e parasitismo no peixe híbrido tambacu

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta hematológica e parasitológica de tambacus (Colossoma macropomum x Piaractus mesopotamicus) submetidos ao estresse de captura e a diferentes densidades de estocagem, em sistema de pesque-solte. Foram utilizados 210 peixes com peso médio inicial de 785,33±152,02 g e comprimento total médio de 34,43±2,21 cm, mantidos em viveiros escavados e divididos em três grupos: sem pesca e baixa densidade (G1), com pesca e baixa densidade (G2), e com pesca e alta densidade (G3). Não houve diferença significativa entre os valores médios da concentração de hemoglobina, do número de eritrócitos, da contagem diferencial de leucócitos e da glicose. Os peixes do grupo G3 apresentaram número maior de parasitos e trombócitos, e menor ganho de peso e hematócrito. A atividade de pesque-solte, aliada à alta densidade de estocagem, pode prejudicar o equilíbrio orgânico e o desempenho zootécnico, o que favorece a parasitose.

Propriedades ópticas de materiais híbridos de sílica dopados com nanocristais de CdSe/ZnS

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

Effect of nutritional density and season on the performance of young rabbit does before the first mating

The objective was to evaluate the effect of nutritional density and season on the performance of young rabbit does before the first mating. Forty-eight females from the Botucatu Genetic Group were used in each season (warm or cool), starting at the age of 70 days, housed in groups of four per cage up to 119 days, and reared individually from 120 to 140 days of age. The high-density diet was formulated to contain, on a 90% DM basis, 18.4% CP, 16.5% ADF and 2,500 kcal DE kg-1; whereas the low-density diet was formulated to contain 14.7% CP, 24% ADF and 2,000 kcal DE kg-1. The experiment was conducted according to a 2x2 factorial design (two diets x two seasons) with repeated measures (weeks). The high-density diet promoted lower feed intake, higher final weight, and higher daily weight gain, adjusted for constant intake. But these facts alone do not warrant using a high-density diet for growing rabbit does, because it could have a negative impact during the reproductive phase. In the warm season, there was a reduction in feed intake and an improvement in feed efficiency. Along time, however, the mean body weight of does was similar in the two seasons.

Qualidade da madeira e da celulose de clones de Eucalyptus spp. de diferentes densidades

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Estudo experimental do polietileno poroso de alta densidade (MEDPOR) fixado ao leito cirúrgico corticalizado e decorticalizado: análise histológica em cães

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the bed in High Density Porous Polyethylene (Medpor) implants integration. Two different kind of beds -- corticalized and decorticalized -- were made in six dogs. The animals were killed thirty, sixty and ninety days after implantation. Blocks including implant and adjacent bone were harvested, submitted to histological procedures, stained in hematoxiline-eosine and analyzed in optic microscope. The results demonstrated an absence of infection and foreign body reaction associated with High Density Porous Polyethylene (Medpor) implants. Furthermore, bony and fibrovascular ingrowth could be observed into its pores. The best integration was noted in decorticalized group, in which occurred a greater bony and fibrovascular ingrowth in comparison to the corticalized group

PEBD difusor nas características produtivas e fisiológicas de pimenteiro enxertado em função da densidade de plantas

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Chitosan/(ureasil-PEO hybrid) blend for drug delivery

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Metabolic profile response to administration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in high-fat-fed mice

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

Caracterização de uma cerâmica 3Y-TZP e avaliação do efeito de tratamentos de superfície na adesão da cerâmica ao glaze ou cimento resinoso

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Restauradora - ICT