Overexpression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) induces a hypoxic response in Nicotiana tabacum leaves

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

Influência da infecção por patógenos na escolha química de parceiros em tilápia-do-Nilo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise energética de sistemas de produção de etanol de mandioca, cana-de-açúcar e milho

The objective of this work was the analysis of the energetic ethanol production systems using as source of carbohydrates, manioc, sugar cane and maize crops. The searches were carried from the field in the Paranapanema River Valley, state of Sao Paulo in the operations of cultivation and industrial processing of raw materials for analysis. The expenditure of energy concerning the agricultural part was made by the energy consumption of stage production of one hectare of sugar cane, cassava and corn, tillage and planting procedure, inputs, driving the crop, harvest, transport industry and energy draining. The expenditure of energy referring to the part was made by the industry energy consumption of stage processing of one tonne of sugar cane, cassava and corn, in the operations of disintegration / milling, hydrolysis / treatment of the broth, fermentation, distillation and maintenance of equipment. Under the system of agronomic production of raw materials, manioc presented an energy expenditure below that of sugar cane and maize (9,528.33 MJ ha-1; 14,370.90 MJ ha-1 and 15,633.83 MJ ha-1, respectively). For the ethanol produced, the operations of cultivation has consumed 1.54 MJ l-1 with manioc; MJ 1.99 l-1 with sugar cane, and 7.9 MJ l-1 with the corn. In the industrial processing of a ton of raw material, sugar cane presented an energy cost less than the cassava and maize (1,641.56 MJ t-1; 2,208.28 MJ t-1 and MJ 3,882.39 t-1, Respectively), however, showed a higher cost than when they related to ethanol produced (19.38 MJ l-1; 11.76 MJ l-1 and 11.76 MJ l-1, respectively). In the final energy balance for each megajoules of energy invested in sugar cane were required 1.09 MJ (9%), for each megajoules of energy invested in manioc were required 1.76 MJ (76%) and for each megajoules energy invested in maize were required 1.19 MJ (19%). Overall, it appears that the manioc consumes less energy than sugar cane and corn crops in the process of agribusiness obtaining ethanol.

Análise metabolômica do cérebro de abelhas (Apis mellifera) submetidas a ensaio de Reflexo de Extensão de Probóscide (REP)

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

Atividade física e uso de drogas entre estudantes de ensino fundamental e médio

The research examines the relationship between drug use and physical activity in school. We used an anonymous self-questionnaire among students in elementary and middle school in a Brazilian city. The mean age was 15.1 ± 1.5 years. There was no significant difference between energy expenditure and drug use, crack use except in life that related to significantly higher values of energy expenditure and habitual for the past thirty days, cocaine use was associated with higher energy expenditure habitual (p <0.05). We emphasize the need investigations addressing specific features of involvement in school and extracurricular activities, physical activity, drug use and their contributions to school health.

Análise Energética do processo experimental de produção de Biodiesel a partir do óleo de frango

There is a great global concern about the depletion and the high cost of fossil fuel reserves exploitation, more than ever, it is necessary to make a profound study and take advantage of alternative sources that can be used as energy efficiency with an appropriate pricing and low environmental impact. Brazil, which has highlighted using alternative energy sources as the use of ethanol and, in recent years, has been encouraging the expansion of its energy matrix in which the biodiesel will have a strategic importance within the agrobusiness area. Biodiesel is a fuel that can replace the diesel, which is a petroleum derivative. It is an ester, produced in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oils and animal greases, in an alcohol with an additional catalyst, are converted into fatty acids and result in esters with glycerol as sub products. The objective of this study was to estimate the final energy balance for the process biodiesel production from oil chicken waste. The energy balance estimation was quantified in calorific value according to the energy expenditure by calorimetric bomb method. The relationship between input and output of energy was around 0.97. In a first evaluation, the procedures adopted should be improved enough, so the process can become energetic and economically viable.

Custos energéticos do agroecossistema pinhão-manso e milho: comparativo entre o sistema de condução sequeiro e o irrigado

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise das eficiências energética e econômica de dois diferentes sistemas de produção de leite bovino em explorações familiares

This study aimed to analyze the energy efficiency ratings and cost of farming families producing milk in the city of Pardinho (SP). The hypothesis that guides the study is that energy expenditure may be coincident with the economic expenditure showing that there is a relationship between these flows, which can be sustainable or not. To better define the producers studied criteria were used in the official system of rural credit FEAP. Through primary data obtained by the speeches, the itineraries were reconstituted technical detailing the operations employed. Thus, we found two producers with different technical routes. The producer was the one who got one of the highest efficiencies 8.66 and 1.48 respectively. Related to the efficiency, we can see that are close related and when there is a broader idea of the allocation of energy resources and, thus, a better view of the sustainability of the agro ecosystem.

Avaliação energética econômica do agroecossistema algodão: uma abordagem entre sistemas familiares de produção do Paraguai e do Brasil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the energy and economic efficiency indexes per unit of cotton agro-ecosystem area in family production systems of Paraguay and Brazil; and, to establish a relationship between the energy and economic. Typologies presented by the Program to Support Small Cotton Holdings (Paraguay), and by the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (Brazil). Family systems of the two countries were identified; these are located from Paraguay (San Juan–CA) and from Brazil (Leme–SP). To construct the energy expenditure structure of the cotton agro-ecosystem, as well as to assess the economic efficiency, the mean values obtained were considered, when they presented similarities in production systems and they were within the typology proposed in this study. From the technical itinerary observed the Paraguayan agro-ecosystem depended (fossil fuel 56.76%) and industrial source (35.99%). Thus, the energy balance of the agricultural stage was established, which attained a value of 17,740.69 MJ ha-1; an energy efficiency of 5.28, and a cultural efficiency of 3.04. The Brazilian agro-ecosystem depended on energy from industrial source (insecticides 39.82%) and from fossil fuel (33.59%); it reached an energy balance of 19,547.88 MJ ha-1; an energy efficiency of 2.12, and a cultural efficiency index of 0.71. In the economic and energy indicator ratio, with regard to the months referring to the harvest time, that is to say, March, April, and May, the maximum economic efficiency indicator of paraguay was attained in the month of May (1,00), and from Brazil in the month of May (1,71). Both production systems analyzed were presented efficient, however, dependent of external circumstances and non-renewable energy sources.

Valiação energética e econômica do agroecossistema algodão: uma abordagem entre sistemas familiares de produção do Paraguai e Brasil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the energy and economic efficiency indexes per unit of cotton agro-ecosystem area in family production systems of Paraguay and Brazil; and, to establish a relationship between the energy and economic. Typologies presented by the Program to Support Small Cotton Holdings (Paraguay), and by the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (Brazil). Family systems of the two countries were identified; these are located from Paraguay (San Juan–CA) and from Brazil (Leme–SP). To construct the energy expenditure structure of the cotton agro-ecosystem, as well as to assess the economic efficiency, the mean values obtained were considered, when they presented similarities in production systems and they were within the typology proposed in this study. From the technical itinerary observed the Paraguayan agro-ecosystem depended (fossil fuel 56.76%) and industrial source (35.99%). Thus, the energy balance of the agricultural stage was established, which attained a value of 17,740.69 MJ ha-1; an energy efficiency of 5.28, and a cultural efficiency of 3.04. The Brazilian agro-ecosystem depended on energy from industrial source (insecticides 39.82%) and from fossil fuel (33.59%); it reached an energy balance of 19,547.88 MJ ha-1; an energy efficiency of 2.12, and a cultural efficiency index of 0.71. In the economic and energy indicator ratio, with regard to the months referring to the harvest time, that is to say, March, April, and May, the maximum economic efficiency indicator of paraguay was attained in the month of May (1,00), and from Brazil in the month of May (1,71). Both production systems analyzed were presented efficient, however, dependent of external circumstances and non-renewable energy sources.

Eficiência energética da produção de café orgânico na região sul de Minas Gerais

In this study, organic coffee production systems energy efficiency was estimate. So, an itinerary technical was built since the deployment phase up to the organic coffee production. The inputs used (labor, machine hours, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) converted into energy units, quantified the energy input, while the production of organic coffee beans benefited was constituted the energy output. Data collection was based on an intentional and non-probabilistic sampling. Nine farmers were interviewed whose main source of income was the coffee production and had keep records of the culture data. The balances were positive, with an energy yield of 626.465MJ.ha-1, compared to an energy expenditure of 112.998MJ.ha-1 during the crop cycle. It is concluded that organic coffee production is energy efficient.

Custo energético durante a prática do Kendō e proposição de protocolo específico para avaliação da aptidão aeróbia em praticantes

Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento Humano e Tecnologias - IBRC

Methods of body-mass reduction by combat sport athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the methods adopted to reduce body mass (BM) in competitive athletes from the grappling (judo, jujitsu) and striking (karate and tae kwon do) combat sports in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. An exploratory methodology was employed through descriptive research, using a standardized questionnaire with objective questions self-administered to 580 athletes (25.0 +/- 3.7 yr, 74.5 +/- 9.7 kg, and 16.4% +/- 5.1% body fat). Regardless of the sport, 60% of the athletes reported using a method of rapid weight loss (RWL) through increased energy expenditure. Strikers tend to begin reducing BM during adolescence. Furthermore, 50% of the sample used saunas and plastic clothing, and only 26.1% received advice from a nutritionist. The authors conclude that a high percentage of athletes uses RWL methods. In addition, a high percentage of athletes uses unapproved or prohibited methods such as diuretics, saunas, and plastic clothing. The age at which combat sport athletes reduce BM for the first time is also worrying, especially among strikers.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor restrains accentuated activity of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor and brainstem tyrosine hydroxylase neurons in endotoxemia-induced hypophagia in rats

It is well known that endocannabinoids play an important role in the regulation of food intake and body weight. Endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors are found in the hypothalamus and brainstem, which are central areas involved in the control of food intake and energy expenditure. Activation of these areas is related to hypophagia observed during inflammatory stimulus. This study investigated the effects of cannabinoid (CB1) receptor blockade on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hypophagia. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with rimonabant (10 mg/kg, by gavage) or vehicle; 30 min later they received an injection of either LPS (100 mu g/kg, intraperitoneal) or saline. Food intake, body weight, corticosterone response, CRF and CART mRNA expression, Fos-CRF and Fos-alpha-MSH immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus and Fos-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the brainstem were evaluated. LPS administration decreased food intake and body weight gain and increased plasma corticosterone levels and CRF mRNA expression in the PVN. We also observed an increase in Fos-CRF and Fos-TH double-labeled neurons after LPS injection in vehicle-pretreated rats, with no changes in CART mRNA or Fos-alpha-MSH immunoreactive neurons in the ARC. In saline-treated animals, rimonabant pretreatment decreased food intake and body weight gain but did not modify hormone response or Fos expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem compared with vehicle-pretreated rats. Rimonabant pretreatment potentiated LPS-induced hypophagia, body weight loss and Fos-CRF and Fos-TH expressing neurons. Rimonabant did not modify corticosterone, CRF mRNA or Fos-alpha-MSH responses in rats treated with LPS. These data suggest that the endocannabinoid system, mediated by CB1 receptors, modulates hypothalamic and brainstem circuitry underlying the hypophagic effect during endotoxemia to prevent an exaggerated food intake decrease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Central Control of Food Intake'. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PPAR gamma activation attenuates cold-induced upregulation of thyroid status and brown adipose tissue PGC-1 alpha and D2

Festuccia WT, Blanchard PG, Oliveira TB, Magdalon J, Paschoal VA, Richard D, Deshaies Y. PPAR gamma activation attenuates cold-induced upregulation of thyroid status and brown adipose tissue PGC-1 alpha and D2. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 303: R1277-R1285, 2012. First published October 24, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00299.2012.-Here, we investigated whether pharmacological PPAR gamma activation modulates key early events in brown adipose tissue (BAT) recruitment induced by acute cold exposure with the aim of unraveling the interrelationships between sympathetic and PPAR gamma signaling. Sprague-Dawley rats treated or not with the PPAR gamma ligand rosiglitazone (15 mg.kg(-1).day(-1), 7 days) were kept at 23 degrees C or exposed to cold (5 degrees C) for 24 h and evaluated for BAT gene expression, sympathetic activity, thyroid status, and adrenergic signaling. Rosiglitazone did not affect the reduction in body weight gain and the increase in feed efficiency, VO2, and BAT sympathetic activity induced by 24-h cold exposure. Rosiglitazone strongly attenuated the increase in serum total and free T4 and T3 levels and BAT iodothyronine deiodinase type 2 (D2) and PGC-1 alpha mRNA levels and potentiated the reduction in BAT thyroid hormone receptor (THR) beta mRNA levels induced by cold. Administration of T3 to rosiglitazone-treated rats exacerbated the cold-induced increase in energy expenditure but did not restore a proper activation of D2 and PGC-1 alpha, nor further increased uncoupling protein 1 expression. Regarding adrenergic signaling, rosiglitazone did not affect the changes in BAT cAMP content and PKA activity induced by cold. Rosiglitazone alone or in combination with cold increased CREB binding to DNA, but it markedly reduced the expression of one of its major coactivators, CREB binding protein. In conclusion, pharmacological PPAR gamma activation impairs short-term cold elicitation of BAT adrenergic and thyroid signaling, which may result in abnormal tissue recruitment and thermogenic activity.