Haematological and biochemical reference intervals for farmed channel catfish

The reference intervals for biochemical variables and red blood cell indices of healthy intensively bred channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were determined. The blood variables were determined using standardized clinical methods. The reference intervals (25th and 75th percentiles) were established using a non-parametric method. Reference intervals for plasma glucose, serum total protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride concentration, primary and secondary red blood cell indices were established. The haematological and biochemical reference intervals established may allow important clinical decisions about channel catfish. (c) 2007 the Authors Journal compilation (C) 2007 the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Effects of Silicon and Drought Stress on Tuber Yield and Leaf Biochemical Characteristics in Potato

Silicon has beneficial effects on many crops, mainly under biotic and abiotic stresses. Silicon can affect biochemical, physiological, and photosynthetic processes and, consequently, alleviates drought stress. However, the effects of Si on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants under drought stress are still unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Si supply on some biochemical characteristics and yield of potato tubers, either exposed or not exposed to drought stress. The experiment was conducted in pots containing 50 dm(3) of a Typic Acrortox soil (33% clay, 4% silt, and 63% sand). The treatments consisted of the absence or presence of Si application (0 and 284.4 mg dm(-3)), through soil amelioration with dolomitic lime and Ca and Mg silicate, and in the absence or presence of water deficit (-0.020 MPa and -0.050 MPa soil water potential, respectively), with eight replications. Silicon application and water deficit resulted in the greatest Si concentration in potato leaves. Proline concentrations increased under lower water availability and higher Si availability in the soil, which indicates that Si may be associated with plant osmotic adjustment. Water deficit and Si application decreased total sugars and soluble proteins concentrations in the leaves. Silicon application reduced stalk lodging and increased mean tuber weight and, consequently, tuber yield, especially in the absence of water stress.

Densitometric and biochemical values of broiler tibias at different ages

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

Nitrogen fertilization of fall panicum cultivars (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx.): biochemical and agronomical aspects

São escassas as informações sobre cultivares melhoradas e técnicas culturais adequadas à cultura do painço. Este experimento objetivou avaliar o efeito da aplicação de níveis de nitrogênio (N) em cobertura no desenvolvimento e nos atributos bioquímicos de duas cultivares de painço. Para tanto, instalou-se um experimento em Botucatu (SP), em caixas de cimento amianto, mantidas em túnel plástico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2x6, com dois cultivares de painço (AL Mogi e AL Tibagi) e seis níveis de adubação nitrogenada (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 e 200 mg L-1), aplicada em cobertura, no início do perfilhamento. Os dois cultivares utilizados tiveram comportamento semelhante em relação às variáveis avaliadas, em resposta à aplicação de N em cobertura. A aplicação de doses de N na cultura do painço proporcionou incrementos nos teores relativos de clorofila, aminoácidos totais, nitrogênio total e altura das plantas, e redução dos teores de açúcares na matéria seca, até o intervalo entre 120 e 160 mg de N L-1. O perfilhamento e produção de grãos tiveram aumento linear com a aplicação de N. A adubação nitrogenada não afetou a produção de matéria seca.

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: clinical and biochemical findings in Brazilian patients

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Curcumin-supplemented yoghurt improves physiological and biochemical markers of experimental diabetes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of four molecular typing Methodologies as tools for determining taxonomy relations and for identifying. species among Yersinia isolates

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

Some Biochemical properties of polyphenoloxidase from spearmint (Mentha arvensis)

Polifenoloxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1) extraída de folhas de Mentha arvensis foi isolada por precipitação com (NH4)2SO4 e diálise extensiva. Seu pH e temperatura ótimos variaram com o substrato. A PPO apresentou atividade com vários difenóis. Valores de Km foram 0,825; 0,928 e 7,41 mM para ácido caféico, 4-metilcatecol e catecol, respectivamente. Na inativação térmica, 50% da enzima foi inativada após 60 e 15 segundos a 70 e 75ºC, respectivamente. A medida de atividade residual mostrou um efeito estabilizante de sacarose a várias temperaturas e uma energia de ativação (Ea) para inativação aumentando com a concentração de sacarose de 0 a 40% (p/p). Valores de energias de ativação de 78,13; 80,37; 82,79 and 81,00 kJ/Mol foram encontradas para 0, 15, 30 e 40% de sacarose, respectivamente. A PPO foi inibida pelos ácidos ascórbico, benzóico, cinamico, ferulico, p-cumárico, protocatéquico, além de metabisulfito de sódio, resorcinol e pirogalol. Os valores de Ki mostram que o ácido ascórbico foi o mais efetivo inibidor. O tipo de inibição foi determinado para cada inibidor.

Biochemical, histopathological and clinical evaluation of delayed effects caused by methamidophos isoforms and TOCP in hens: Ameliorative effects using control of calcium homeostasis

This work evaluated the potential of the isoforms of methamidophos to cause organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) in hens. In addition to inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), calpain activation, spinal cord lesions and clinical signs were assessed. The isoforms (+)-, (+/-)- and (-)-methamidophos were administered at 50 mg/kg orally; tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) was administered (500 mg/kg, po) as positive control for delayed neuropathy. The TOCP hens showed greater than 80% and approximately 20% inhibition of NTE and AChE in hen brain, respectively. Among the isoforms of methamidophos, only the (+)-methamidophos was capable of inhibiting NTE activity (approximately 60%) with statistically significant difference compared to the control group. Calpain activity in brain increased by 40% in TOCP hens compared to the control group when measured 24h after dosing and remained high (18% over control) 21 days after dosing. Hens that received (+)-methamidophos had calpain activity 12% greater than controls. The histopathological findings and clinical signs corroborated the biochemical results that indicated the potential of the (+)-methamidophos to be the isoform responsible for OPIDN induction. Protection against OPIDN was examined using a treatment of 2 doses of nimodipine (1 mg/kg, i.m.) and one dose of calcium gluconate (5 mg/kg, iv.). The treatment decreased the effect of OPIDN-inducing TOCP and (+)-methamidophos on calpain activity, spinal cord lesions and clinical signs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical, biochemical, and morphological changes in the heart from chronic food-restricted rats

Food restriction (FR) has been shown to induce important morphological changes in rat myocardium. However, its influence on myocardial performance is not completely defined. We examined the effects of chronic FR on cardiac muscle function and morphology. Sixty-day-old Wistar-Kyoto rats were fed a control (C) or a restricted diet (daily intake reduced to 50% of the amount of food consumed by the control group) for 90 days. Myocardial performance was studied in isolated left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle. Fragments of the LV free wall were analysed by light microscopy, and the ultrastructure of the myocardium was examined in the LV papillary muscle. The myocardial collagen concentration was also evaluated. FR decreased body weight (BW) and LV weight (LVW); the LVW/BW ratio was higher in the restricted group (C, 1.86 +/- 0.17 mg/g; FR, 2.19 +/- 0.31 mg/g; p < 0.01). In the FR animals, the cardiac fibers were polymorphic, some of them were of small diameter and others presented lateral infoldings; the ultrastructural alterations were focal and included reduction of sarcoplasmic content, absence and (or) disorganization of myofilaments and Z line, numerous electron dense and polymorphic mitochondria, and deep infoldings of the plasma membrane. The hydroxyproline concentration was higher in the FR animals (p < 0.01). FR prolonged the contraction and relaxation time of the papillary muscle and did not change its ability to contract and shorten. In conclusion, although a 90-day period of FR caused striking myocardial ultrastructural alterations and increased the collagen concentration, it only minimally affected the mechanical function.

Influence of rutin treatment on biochemical alterations in experimental diabetes

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

Seasonal influence on biochemical profile and serum protein electrophoresis for Boa constrictor amarali in captivity

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

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

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

Identification of Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from patients with urinary tract infection using a simple set of biochemical tests correlating with 16S-23S interspace region molecular weight patterns

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