Cardiac hypertrophy and structural and metabolic remodeling related to seasonal dormancy in the first annual cycle in tegu lizards

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Characterization of Rhinodrilus alatus hemoglobin (HbRa) and its subunits: Evidence for strong interaction with cationic surfactants DTAB and CTAC

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

THE PARASITOID, Cotesia flavipes (CAMERON) (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE), INFLUENCES FOOD CONSUMPTION AND UTILIZATION BY LARVAL Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE)

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

Morphological Alterations in the Synganglion and Integument of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks Exposed to Aqueous Extracts of Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica A. JUSS)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of maternal diabetes on male offspring: high cell proliferation and increased activity of MMP-2 in the ventral prostate

This study presents a comprehensive view of the histological and functional status of the prostate of adult rat offspring of mothers subjected to gestational diabetes induced by alloxan. The ventral prostate of male adult offspring of diabetic (DP) or normal (CP) mothers was evaluated for collagen fibres, cell death, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, cell proliferation, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), androgen receptors (AR), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta-1), catalase and total antioxidant activity. The prostates of DP animals were lower in weight than those of the CP group. The DP group also exhibited hyperglycaemia and hypotestosteronemia, higher cell proliferation and AR expression, a reduction in alpha-actin (possibly interfering with the reproductive function of the prostate), and enhanced activity of MMP-2, although the absolute content of MMP-2 was lower in this group. These findings were associated with increased TGF beta-1 and decreased collagen distribution. The prostates of DP rats additionally exhibited reductions in catalase and total antioxidant activity. Thus, rats developing in a diabetic intrauterine environment have glycaemic and hormonal changes that impact on the structure and physiology of the prostate in adulthood. The increased AR expression possibly leads to elevated cell proliferation. Stromal remodelling was characterized by enhanced activity of MMP-2 and collagen degradation, even with increased TGF beta-1 activation. These changes associated with increased oxidative stress might interfere with tissue architecture and glandular homeostasis.

Development and evolution of the gynoecium in Myrteae (Myrtaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sex and reproductive stage differences in the growth, metabolism, feed, fecal production, excretion and energy budget of the Amazon River prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum)

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

Morphological changes of mammalian nucleoli during spermatogenesis and their possible role in the chromatoid body assembling

Chromatoid body (CB) is a typical cytoplasmic organelle of germ cells, and it seems to be involved in RNA/protein accumulation for later germ-cell differentiation. Despite most of the events in mammals spermatogenesis had been widely described in the past decades and the increase in the studies related to the CB molecular composition and physiology, the origins and functions of this important structure of male germ cells are still unclear. The aims of this study were to describe the nucleolar cycle and also to find some relationship between the nucleolar organization and the CB assembling during the spermatogenesis in mammals. Cytochemical and cytogenetics analysis showed nucleolar fragmentation in post-pachytene spermatocytes and nucleolar reorganization in post-meiotic spermatids. Significant difference in the number and in the size of nucleoli between spermatogonia and round spermatids, as well as differences in the nucleolar position within the nucleus were also observed. Ultrastructural analysis showed the CB assembling in the cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes and the nucleolar fragmentation occurring at the same time. In conclusion our results suggest that the CB may play important roles during the spermatogenesis process in mammals and that its origin may be related to the nucleolar cycle during the meiotic cell cycle.

Evaluation of roof slope and exposure with different roofing materials in reduced models of animal production facilities in spring and summer

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

A contribution to the identification of charcoal origin in brazil i - anatomical characterization of corymbia and eucalyptus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Extrafloral nectary morphology and the role of environmental constraints in shaping its traits in a common Cerrado shrub (Maprounea brasiliensis A. St.-Hill: Euphorbiaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Myoglobin from the burrowing reptile Amphisbaena alba: concentrations and functional characteristics

1. 1. Myoglobin from the subterranean reptile Amphisbaena alba was isolated for measurement of concentrations and physico-chemical properties. 2. 2. The concentrations (averaging 12.1 mg.g-1 wet weight in the temporal muscles and 5.8-6.0 in the muscles that motivate the wedge-shaped head which forms the burrowing tool) far exceed those earlier reported for reptiles and other terrestrial vertebrates. 3. 3. The myoglobin has a low O2 affinity compared to mammals (P50 = 2mmHg at 25°C). In the presence of the same myoglobin O2 tension as in mammals this appears to favour similar in vivo O2 saturations at the lower reptilian body temperature. 4. 4. The temperature sensitivity of P50 reflect a heat of oxygenation, ΔH near -13 kcal· mol-1. The myoglobin is monomeric and thus lacks cooperativity in O2 binding and there is no Bohr effect. 5. 5. The pattern of microheterogeneity is similar to that of myoglobin of terrestrial vertebrates but different to aquatic mammals and reptiles. The major and two minor components exhibit very similar O2 affinities. 6. 6. The concentrations and oxygen-binding characteristics of Amphisbaena myoglobin are discussed with regard to the flow of O2 to the mitochondria during digging activity in hypoxic burrow environments. © 1981.

Immunolocalization of myosin Va in the developing nervous system of embryonic chicks

Myosins are molecular motors associated with the actin cytoskeleton that participate in the mechanisms of cellular motility. During the development of the nervous system, migration of nerve cells to specific sites, extension of growth cones, and axonal transport are dramatic manifestations of cellular motility. We demonstrate, via immunoblots, the expression of myosin Va during early stages of embryonic development in chicks, extending from the blastocyst period to the beginning of the fetal period. The expression of myosin Va in specific regions and cellular structures of the nervous system during these early stages was determined by immunocytochemistry using a polyclonal antibody. Whole mounts of chick embryos at 24-30-h stages showed intense immunoreactivity of the neural tube in formation along its full extent. Cross-sections at these stages of development showed strong labeling in neuroepithelial cells at the basal and apical regions of the neural tube wall. Embryos at more advanced periods of development (48h and 72 h) showed distinctive immunolabeling of neuroepithelial cells, neuroblasts and their cytoplasmic extensions in the mantle layer of the stratified neural tube wall, and neuroblasts and their cytoplasmic extensions in the internal wall of the optic cup, as well as a striking labeling of cells in the apparent nuclei of cranial nerves and budding fibers. These immunolocalization studies indicate temporal and site-specific expression of myosin Va during chick embryo development, suggesting that myosin Va expression is related to recruitment for specific cellular tasks.

The influence of temperature on oxygen consumption rates of workers of two leaf cutting ants, Atta laevigata (F. Smith, 1858) and Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel, 1908)

1. 1. The oxygen consumption in workers of two simpatric leaf cutting ants, Atta laevigata and Atta sexdens rubropilosa was measured at different temperatures. 2. 2. In the temperature range between 5-35°C, with 5°C increments, the respiratory rates increased with temperature, but the R-T curves of both ants showed neither a marked drop at the low end nor a break at the high end; except between 30 and 35°C. 3. 3. The respiratory rates of A. s. rubropilosa were higher than those of A. laevigata and in the midrange of temperatures, the rates of A. laevigata increased faster than those of A. s. rubropilosa. 4. 4. Q10 values did not indicate regions of compensation for temperature in both ants, but suggested that adjustments may occur at high temperatures (25-35°C), as expected for tropical ants. 5. 5. Temperature variations did not alter significantly the slope of the curve relating oxygen consumption and body weight in both species. © 1982.

The respiratory metabolism of the castes of two leaf cutting ants, Atta laevigata (F. Smith, 1858) and Atta sexdens rubropilosa forel, 1908

1. 1. The respiration of the different castes of two species of leaf-cutting ants, Atta laevigata and Atta sexdens rubropilosa was measured in both workers and sexed forms. 2. 2. The respiratory rates (μl O2/mg(live)/hr) were, in A. laevigata, 0.644 (gardeners), 0.594 (cutters), 0.354 (soldiers), 0.233 (males) and 0.085 (females); in A. s. rubropilosa, 0.803 (gardeners), 0.748 (cutters), 0.510 (soldiers), 0.375 (males) and 0.274 (females), significantly higher than A. laevigata. 3. 3. All castes considered, the b-values of the equation relating oxygen consumption and weight in A. laevigata (0.53) were significantly different from that in A. s. rubropilosa (0.73). © 1981.