Annaes do Parlamento Brazileiro. Tomo I [1887]

Anais do Parlamento Brasileiro, 1887.

Growth performance and energetic metabolism of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887), fed diets supplemented with ammonium metavanadate

Vanadium compounds mimic most of the metabolic effects of insulin, suggesting that it might be useful to improve utilization of dietary carbohydrate. This work evaluated the effect of dietary ammonium metavanadate (H(4)NO(3)V) on the growth performance and energy metabolism of pacu, an omnivorous South America characin. Two hundred and eighty-eight fish were distributed into four blocks according to the body weight (21.8 +/- 1.7, 28.5 +/- 2.0, 28.4 +/- 1.9, 35.7 +/- 1.9 g), stocked in 24 plastic tanks and fed twice daily with isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing six levels of H(4)NO(3)V (0, 10, 50, 100, 300 and 1000 mg kg(-1)) for 60 days. Increasing levels of dietary ammonium metavanadate did not improve growth (P > 0.05), and the highest level of inclusion (1000 mg kg(-1)) reduced performance (P < 0.05). Blood glucose levels decreased (P < 0.05) in fish fed 300 and 1000 mg kg(-1) H(4)NO(3)V, but no differences were observed in other blood metabolites. A slight increase in muscle lipid content was observed in fish fed a diet containing 300 mg kg(-1) H(4)NO(3)V. Based on the results of this study, there is no benefit in supplementing pacu diets with metavanadate.

Leukocytes respiratory burst and lysozyme level in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887)

Respostas imunológicas inatas são úteis para determinar o estado de saúde de peixes e avaliar o efeito de substâncias imunomoduladoras no cultivo destes animais. A atividade respiratória de leucócitos foi medida em pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) através de ensaio de quimioluminescência e ensaio de redução do nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). O ensaio de redução do nitroblue tetrazolium pareceu mais adequado que o ensaio de quimioluminescência para determinação da atividade respiratória de leucócitos, uma vez que foi difícil isolar com êxito os leucócitos do sangue para o ensaio de quimioluminescência. Lisozima sérica e plasmática foram medidas por meio de ensaio turbidimétrico. Com o objetivo de inativar as proteínas do sistema complemento, as amostras de soro e plasma foram aquecidas (56 ºC por 30 minutos). Porém, este procedimento provocou a turvação das amostras de plasma e interferiu nos resultados. A atividade de lisozima no soro foi maior que no plasma, sugerindo que amostras de soro são mais apropriadas para esta análise. Este estudo estabeleceu protocolos que podem ser utilizados como ferramentas no estudo de mecanismos imunológicos do peixe tropical pacu.

A LEITURA NA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE ÉVORA: UM CONTRIBUTO PARA A HISTÓRIA DA LEITURA EM PORTUGAL (1887-1921)

A Biblioteca Pública de Évora é uma das mais importantes bibliotecas patrimoniais de Portugal, quer pela sua colecção quer por ter sido uma das primeiras bibliotecas a abrir as portas aos leitores. Neste trabalho analisam-se os dados sobre a leitura na Biblioteca Pública de Évora, entre 1887-1921, em particular o número de lei- tores em cada ano, os livros requisitados, as temáticas mais populares, a leitura de jornais e a comparação entre a leitura pública e a alfabetização da população. Como fontes utilizam-se os dados publicados pelo Anuário Estatístico de Portugal, os livros de registo de leitores e visitantes, os relatórios dos bibliotecários e verbetes de leitura. Esta análise tem como objectivo traçar o perfil do leitor da Biblioteca Pública de Évora e contribuir para a caracterização do público leitor em Portugal na transição do século XIX para o século XX.Abstract: The Public Library of Évora is one of the most important heritage libraries of Portugal, both for its collection either by being one of the first libraries to open the doors to readers. This paper analyzes the data on reading at Public Library of Évora, between 1887-1921, in particular the number of readers in each year, the required books, the most popular themes, reading newspapers and the comparison between the public reading and literacy of the population. It is use as sources the data published by the Statistical Yearbook of Portugal, readers and visitors registration books, reports from librarians and reading entries. This analysis aims to draw the profile of reader at the Public Library of Évora and contribute to the characterization of the reading public in Portugal in the transition of the nineteenth century to the twentieth century.

Lisboa olhando o Rio: vestígios da coleção fluminense de Gastão Penalva (1887-1944)

Oficial da marinha brasileira, cronista e crítico, Gastão Penalva (1887- 1944) foi um coleccionador de cerâmica e profundo admirador de Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro (1846-1905), artista que conheceu muito jovem e lhe causou uma impressão inextinguível. Orgulhava-se de ter reunido no Rio de Janeiro o maior número de peças de cerâmica da Fábrica de Faianças das Caldas da Rainha fora de Portugal e afiançava que grande parte da colecção tinha o selo que correspondia ao tempo em que Bordalo foi seu Director Artístico. Tanto quanto se conseguiu apurar até ao momento, a memória desta colecção não se fixou de forma particular, nem de um lado, nem do outro do Atlântico. Em Lisboa existem alguns vestígios em cartas inéditas e fotografias que aqui se publicam pela primeira vez, testemunhando a relação entre museus e coleccionadores.

Comentario de “La huelga de los Tútiles, 1887-1889. Un capítulo de nuestra historia social, de Oscar Aguilar B”

Introducción En las dos últimas décadas la historia de la clase trabajadora costarricense ha ido lentamente a partir de los trabajos de De la Cruz, Fallas Monge y Oliva  Medina. No obstante, es mucho mayor lo que desconocemos que lo que sabemos. Así, a  pesar de que dicha historia ha estado jalonada por algunos movimientos huelguísticos importantes, pocos de tales conflictos han sido objeto de una investigación histórica detallada. En este sentido, la obra que comentamos constituye una útil contribución a este campo del saber histórico en nuestro país.

Avaliação do teor e da estabilidade de vitaminas do complexo B e vitamina C em bebidas isotônicas e energéticas

Vitamin C stability and concentration was evaluated in isotonic beverages and B group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6) in power beverages. The amount of vitamins was found to be above of that declared on the labels, even after the shelf life had been exceeded. A small decrease in the amount of B group vitamins was observed during the shelf life of the products. In the case of vitamin C this decrease was slightly higher. The present research shows the need of increased quality control and inspection.

Simultaneous determination of B-Group vitamins in enriched cookies

The objective of this research was to determine the levels of enrichment of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B3 in different types and brands of enriched cookies. The chromatographic separation was performed in a C18 column with gradient elution and UV detection at 254 and 287 nm. The results show that only 5 of the 24 brands evaluated are in accordance with the Brazilian legislation with respect to the vitamin content declared on the labels. However, consumption of approximately 100-150 g of most of the brands supplies the recommended dietary intake for children and adults of the vitamins evaluated.

Evaluation of the performance of different plastics used to seal nylon cDNA arrays

cDNA arrays are a powerful tool for discovering gene expression patterns. Nylon arrays have the advantage that they can be re-used several times. A key issue in high throughput gene expression analysis is sensitivity. In the case of nylon arrays, signal detection can be affected by the plastic bags used to keep membranes humid. In this study, we evaluated the effect of five types of plastics on the radioactive transmittance, number of genes with a signal above the background, and data variability. A polyethylene plastic bag 69 μm thick had a strong shielding effect that blocked 68.7% of the radioactive signal. The shielding effect on transmittance decreased the number of detected genes and increased the data variability. Other plastics which were thinner gave better results. Although plastics made from polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride (both 13 μm thick) and polyethylene (29 and 7 μm thick) showed different levels of transmittance, they all gave similarly good performances. Polyvinylidene chloride and polyethylene 29 mm thick were the plastics of choice because of their easy handling. For other types of plastics, it is advisable to run a simple check on their performance in order to obtain the maximum information from nylon cDNA arrays.

Farelo de canola em dietas para o pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1987): efeitos sobre o crescimento e a composição corporal

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da inclusão de farelo de canola em dietas de juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) sobre parâmetros de crescimento e composição corporal. Um total de 192 alevinos (9 a 15g) foram estocados em 24 tanques de cimento, de 100l de capacidade, durante 103 dias. O farelo de canola foi utilizado em quatro proporções: zero; 9,5%; 19% e 38% da dieta, com ou sem farinha de peixe (12%/dieta), totalizando oito tratamentos. A presença de farinha de peixe não afetou os parâmetros de crescimento avaliados. A inclusão de 38% de farelo de canola na dieta diminuiu o ganho de peso dos peixes, valores médios de 28,74g a 50,70g, e piorou a conversão alimentar aparente, de 1,66 para 2,85. A taxa de eficiência protéica também foi menor nos peixes alimentados com 38% de farelo de canola. As várias proporções de farelo de canola das dietas alteraram os teores de umidade, proteína bruta e lipídios dos peixes. A presença da farinha de peixe, nas dietas, somente influiu no teor de lipídios dos peixes alimentados com dietas contendo 9,5% de farelo de canola. Conclui-se que até 19% de farelo de canola pode ser adicionado às dietas de juvenis de pacu, sem que seu desenvolvimento seja prejudicado.

A revision of the Neotropical Solenopsidini ant genus Oxyepoecus Santschi, 1926 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae): 2. Final. Key for species and revision of the Rastratus species-group

In the first paper of this series (Albuquerque & Brandão, 2004) we revised the Vezenyii species group of the exclusively Neotropical solenopsidine (Myrmicinae) ant genus Oxyepoecus. In this closing paper we update distribution information on the Vezenyii group species and revise the other Oxyepoecus species-group (Rastratus). We describe two species (Oxyepoecus myops n. sp. and O. rosai n. sp.) and redescribe previously known species of the group [O. daguerrei (Santschi, 1933), O. mandibularis (Emery, 1913), O. plaumanni Kempf, 1974, O. rastratus Mayr, 1887, and O. reticulatus Kempf, 1974], adding locality records and comments on the meagre biological data of these species. We also present an identification key to Oxyepoecus species based on workers.

Vocalizations and comments on the relationships of Hypsiboas ericae (Amphibia, Hylidae)

The vocalizations of Hypsiboas ericae (Caramaschi & Cruz, 2000) are described and new information on the external morphology and osteology of the species are presented. H. ericae presents a bony spine in the prepolex and the individuals can present green or brown dorsal color, as other species of the Hypsiboas pulchellus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) species group. The vocalizations of H. ericae are similar to the vocalizations of Hypsiboas bischoffi (Boulenger, 1887), Hypsiboas guentheri (Boulenger, 1886), and other species in the H. polytaenius (Cope, 1870 "1869") clade of the H. pulchellus species group, but some osteological aspects are different to those found in the majority of the species of this group.

Allopatric speciation in ticks: genetic and reproductive divergence between geographic strains of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Background: The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, economically impact cattle industry in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The morphological and genetic differences among R. microplus strains have been documented in the literature, suggesting that biogeographical and ecological separation may have resulted in boophilid ticks from America/Africa and those from Australia being different species. To test the hypothesis of the presence of different boophilid species, herein we performed a series of experiments to characterize the reproductive performance of crosses between R. microplus from Australia, Africa and America and the genetic diversity of strains from Australia, Asia, Africa and America. Results: The results showed that the crosses between Australian and Argentinean or Mozambican strains of boophilid ticks are infertile while crosses between Argentinean and Mozambican strains are fertile. These results showed that tick strains from Africa (Mozambique) and America (Argentina) are the same species, while ticks from Australia may actually represent a separate species. The genetic analysis of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA and microsatellite loci were not conclusive when taken separately, but provided evidence that Australian tick strains were genetically different from Asian, African and American strains. Conclusion: The results reported herein support the hypothesis that at least two different species share the name R. microplus. These species could be redefined as R. microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (for American and African strains) and probably the old R. australis Fuller, 1899 (for Australian strains), which needs to be redescribed. However, experiments with a larger number of tick strains from different geographic locations are needed to corroborate these results.

Impaired Innate Immunity in Tlr4(-/-) Mice but Preserved CD8(+) T Cell Responses against Trypanosoma cruzi in Tlr4-, Tlr2-, Tlr9- or Myd88-Deficient Mice

The murine model of T. cruzi infection has provided compelling evidence that development of host resistance against intracellular protozoans critically depends on the activation of members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family via the MyD88 adaptor molecule. However, the possibility that TLR/MyD88 signaling pathways also control the induction of immunoprotective CD8(+) T cell-mediated effector functions has not been investigated to date. We addressed this question by measuring the frequencies of IFN-gamma secreting CD8(+) T cells specific for H-2K(b)-restricted immunodominant peptides as well as the in vivo Ag-specific cytotoxic response in infected animals that are deficient either in TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 or MyD88 signaling pathways. Strikingly, we found that T. cruzi-infected Tlr2(-/-), Tlr4(-/-), Tlr9(-/-) or Myd88(-/-) mice generated both specific cytotoxic responses and IFN-gamma secreting CD8(+) T cells at levels comparable to WT mice, although the frequency of IFN-gamma(+)CD4(+) cells was diminished in infected Myd88(-/-) mice. We also analyzed the efficiency of TLR4-driven immune responses against T. cruzi using TLR4-deficient mice on the C57BL genetic background (B6 and B10). Our studies demonstrated that TLR4 signaling is required for optimal production of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) in the spleen of infected animals and, as a consequence, Tlr4(-/-) mice display higher parasitemia levels. Collectively, our results indicate that TLR4, as well as previously shown for TLR2, TLR9 and MyD88, contributes to the innate immune response and, consequently, resistance in the acute phase of infection, although each of these pathways is not individually essential for the generation of class I-restricted responses against T. cruzi.

Modulation of doxorubicin-induced clastogenesis in Wistar rat bone marrow cells by vitamin B(6)

Vitamin B(6) has shown to be a potentially effective antioxidant agent, and dietary antioxidants are also frequently valuable inhibitors of clastogenesis and carcinogenesis. The purpose of the present work was to study the clastogenicity of different doses of vitamin B6 and to examine the possible modulating effect of this vitamin on chromosomal damage induced by the antitumor agent doxorubicin in Wistar rats. Experimental groups were set up for pre-and simultaneous treatment with vitamin B6 alone or in combination with DXR. The data obtained from administering diVerent doses of vitamin B(6) (12.5-100 mg/kg b. w.) showed no signigicant increase in total chromosomal aberrations when compared with the negative control. The administration of two doses of 25 mg/kg b. w. or one dose of 50 mg/kg b. w. of vitamin B6 before doxorubicin injection seemed equally effective in protecting cells against doxorubicin clastogenicity. The anticlastogenic effect of vitamin B(6) on DXR-induced chromosomal damage could be ascribed to its antioxidant properties. Vitamin B6 was not clastogenic or cytotoxic in rat bone marrow cells and it plays a role in inhibiting the clastogenicity induced by DXR.