Interval training at 95% and 100% of the velocity at VO2 max: effects on aerobic physiological indexes and running performance

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two different high-intensity interval training (HIT) programs on selected aerobic physiological indices and 1500 and 5000 m running performance in well-trained runners. The following tests were completed (n = 17): (i) incremental treadmill test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running velocity associated with VO2 max (VVO2max), and the velocity corresponding to 3.5 mmol/L of blood lactate concentration (vOBLA); (ii) submaximal constant-intensity test to determine running economy (RE); and (iii) 1500 and 5000 m time trials on a 400 m track. Runners were then randomized into 95% vVO(2max) or 100% vVO(2max) groups, and undertook a 4 week training program consisting of 2 HIT sessions (performed at 95% or 100% vVO(2max), respectively) and 4 submaximal run sessions per week. Runners were retested on all parameters at the completion of the training program. The VO2 max values were not different after training for both groups. There was a significant increase in post-training vVO(2 max), RE, and 1500 in running performance in the 100% vVO(2 max) group. The vOBLA and 5000 m running performance were significantly higher after the training period for both groups. We conclude that vOBLA and 5000 m running performance can be significantly improved in well-trained runners using a 4 week training program consisting of 2 HIT sessions (performed at 95% or 100% vVO(2max)) and 4 submaximal run sessions per week. However, the improvement in vVO(2 max), RE, and 1500 in running performance seems to be dependent on the HIT program at 100% vVO(2 max).

Efficacy of the Bm86 antigen against immature instars and adults of the dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morphological and Histochemical Characterization of Gill Filaments of the Brazilian Endemic Bivalve Diplodon expansus (Kuster, 1856) (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Hyriidae)

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

Efeitos da carência de alguns nutrientes minerais no desenvolvimento de plantas de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv Santa Rosa)

The present work studies Ca, B and Zn omission on the development of soybean plants (Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv Santa Rosa). The experiment was carried out as hydroponic culture, with complete Hoagland & Arnon nutrient solution nr. 2 (C), lacking calcium (-Ca), lacking boron (-B) or lacking zinc (-Zn), a total of 4 treatments. Seven samplings were made to determine: total dry matter (g), root dry matter (g), stem dry matter (g) and leaf dry matter (g). Results showed that Ca and B omissions decreased dry weight. Lack of Zn did not affect dry weight.

Effect of Alternaria cassiae, Pseudocercospora nigricans, and soybean (Glycine max) planting density on the biological control of sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia)

The interactions of two fungal biocontrol agents, Alternaria cassiae and Pseudocercospora nigricans, and soybean planting density on sicklepod mortality and dry weight were studied in the field over 2 yr. The experimental field was divided into three equal areas: one without soybean and two where the soybean was sown in densities of 20 and 36 seeds per meter row with a 0.95-m row spacing. The fungi were sprayed alone or in a mixture at three growth stages of sicklepod plants grown at three levels of crop interference resulting from the three soybean planting densities. The fungal treatments were: an untreated control, A. cassiae (105 spores/m2), P. nigricans (3.3 g mycelium/m2), and the mixture of these two fungi. Sicklepod was at the cotyledonary leaf, two-leaf, and four-leaf stages when treated. Alternaria cassiae was most effective in reducing both sicklepod survival and dry weight. The mixture of P. nigricans and A. cassiae was generally comparable to but not better than A. cassiae alone in killing the weed (mortality) and reducing its growth (dry weight). Soybean density did not have significant effects on the mortality or the dry weight of sicklepod. Thus, there is no advantage to combining the highly effective biocontrol agent A. cassiae with the less effective P. nigricans or with soybean interference to control sicklepod. However, the results validate the efficacy of A. cassiae by itself as a bioherbicide.

Acurácia do teste de escada utilizando o consumo máximo de oxigênio como padrão-ouro

Objective: To determine the accuracy of the variables related to the fixed-height stair-climbing test (SCT) using maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 max) as the gold standard. Methods: The SCT was performed on a staircase consisting of 6 flights (72 steps; 12.16 m total height), with verbal encouragement, in 51 patients. Stair-climbing time was measured, the variables 'work' and 'power' also being calculated. The V̇O2 max was measured using ergospirometry according to the Balke protocol. We calculated the Pearson linear correlation (r), as well as the values of p, between the SCT variables and V̇O2 max. To determine accuracy, the V̇O 2 max cut-off point was set at 25 mL/kg/min, and individuals were classified as normal or altered. The cut-off points for the SCT variables were determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The Kappa statistic (k) was used in order to assess concordance. Results: The following values were obtained for the variable 'time': cut-off point = 40 s; mean = 41 ± 15.5 s; r = -0.707; p < 0.005; specificity = 89%; sensibility = 83%; accuracy = 86%; and k = 0.724. For 'power', the values obtained were as follows: cut-off point = 200 w; mean = 222.3 ± 95.2 w; r = 0.515; p < 0.005; specificity = 67%; sensibility= 75%; accuracy = 71%; and k = 0.414. Since the correlation between the variable 'work' and V̇O2 max was not significant, that variable was discarded. Conclusion: Of the SCT variables tested, using V̇O2 max as the gold standard, the variable 'time' was the most accurate.

Influência de fontes de nitrogênio no consumo e digestibilidade aparente total e parcial de novilhos alimentados com cana- deaçúcar

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen sources, using sugarcane supplemented with urea, corn gluten meal-60 or soybean meal. It was evaluated Intake, total and partial apparent digestibility were evaluated using four rumen and duodenal cannulated crossbred steers. The treatments were evaluated in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The total feces were collected to determine the apparent digestibility on the total intestinal tract. The indigestible acid detergent fiber (iADF) was used as marker of duodenal flux to determine ruminal and intestinal digestibility and dry matter daily flux. The DM, OM, CP, EE, DE, NDF, ADF and TC intakes and digestibility rates were influenced by nitrogen sources, and lower intake was observed in animals fed exclusively with cane sugar compared to animals fed the other experimental diets. Meanwhile the sources of nitrogen did not affect the total digestible nutrients (TDN) values. The RDP sources did not affect the total, ruminal, and intestinal nutrients apparent digestibility. However, the total, ruminal, and intestinal dry matter, and protein apparent digestibility were affected by the RDP sources.

Características de carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com grãos e subprodutos da canola

The aim of this work was to evaluate the introduction of 8% grains and by-products (meal or cake) of canola in the diets of lambs. To evaluate quantitative carcass characteristics, 24 Santa Ines lambs were used in a completely randomized design. Diets with averages of 15.4% of CP in DM and 80.2% of TDN were composed for 40% Tifton hay and 60% concentrate based on corn grain, soybean meal, whole grain canola, canola meal, canola cake and mineral mixture. The use of whole grains and by-products of canola in the diet of lambs finished in feedlot did not influence (p > 0.05) quantitative carcass characteristics. For cut dressing in relation to the CCW, no effect was observed for the analyzed variables among treatments. It was concluded that the introduction of grains and by-products of canola allow for satisfactory results, and could be recommended in the formulations of lamb diets.

Fatores antinutricionais e coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da proteína de produtos de soja para o pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

This study aimed to determine the activities of trypsin inhibitors, hemagglutinant and tannin levels in soybean meal and in raw and processed soy, as well evaluate the protein apparent digestibility coefficient for pacu juveniles. The apparent coefficients of raw, extruded, toasted and milled soy were determined using chromium oxide (0.5%) as marker. A reference diet was created with 26% crude protein and 4,352 kcal kg-1, with each feed containing 30% of the test diet. Feces were collected by abdominal pressure. All analyzed products presented anti-nutritional factors, but the lowest trypsin inhibitor activity was observed in soybean meal. Soy that received thermal treatment presented better digestibility coefficients and lower hemagglutinating activity values than raw soy. No effects of trypsin and tannin inhibitor were observed on the protein digestibility coefficient, but a negative relationship was observed between hemagglutinin levels and protein digestibility coefficient. The use of soybean meal and extruded or toasted soy is recommended for pacu feeding.

Influence of high insertion torque on implant placement - an anisotropic bone stress analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the high values of insertion torques on the stress and strain distribution in cortical and cancellous bones. Based on tomography imaging, a representative mathematical model of a partial maxilla was built using Mimics 11.11 and Solid Works 2010 softwares. Six models were built and each of them received an implant with one of the following insertion torques: 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80 Ncm on the external hexagon. The cortical and cancellous bones were considered anisotropic. The bone/implant interface was considered perfectly bonded. The numerical analysis was carried out using Ansys Workbench 10.0. The convergence of analysis (6%) drove the mesh refinement. Maximum principal stress (σ max) and maximum principal strain (ε max) were obtained for cortical and cancellous bones around to implant. Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the correlation between insertion torque and stress concentration in the periimplant bone tissue, considering the significance level at 5%. The increase in the insertion torque generated an increase in the σ max and ε max values for cortical and cancellous bone. The σmax was smaller for the cancellous bone, with greater stress variation among the insertion torques. The ε max was higher in the cancellous bone in comparison to the cortical bone. According to the methodology used and the limits of this study, it can be concluded that higher insertion torques increased tensile and compressive stress concentrations in the periimplant bone tissue.

Fluazuron-induced morphophysiological changes in the cuticle formation and midgut of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs

The present study demonstrated the effects of the arthropod growth regulator, fluazuron (Acatak®), in the formation of the integument and digestive processes of Rhipicephalus sanguineus nymphs fed on rabbits treated with different doses of this chemical acaricide. For this, three different doses of fluazuron (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg) were applied pour on to the hosts (groups II, III, and IV), as well as distilled water to the control group. On the first day after treatment (24 h), the hosts were artificially infested with R. sanguineus nymphs. After full engorgement (7 days), the nymphs were removed, placed on labeled Petri dishes, and kept in biochemical oxygen demand incubator for 7 days. The engorged nymphs were then taken for morphological, histochemical, and histological analyses. The results showed the occurrence of cytological, morphohistological, and histochemical alterations in the integument and midgut of nymphs from all the different treated groups. These alterations occurred at cuticular level in the subdivisions of the cuticle, related to the size of the digestive cells, amount of accumulated blood elements, and digestive residues, as well as the presence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the digestive cells. Thus, this study demonstrated that fluazuron acts on the integument and midgut cells of R. sanguineus nymphs fed on treated rabbits and pointed out the possibility of the use of this chemical - which is more specific, less toxic, and less harmful to the environment and nontarget organisms - in the control of R. sanguineus, at least in the nymphal stage of its biological cycle. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Morphology of the midgut of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) adult ticks in different feeding stages

The intestinal epithelial cells of ticks are fundamental for their full feeding and reproductive success, besides being considered important sites for the development of pathogens. Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks are known for their great medical and veterinary importance, and for this reason, the knowledge of their intestinal morphology may provide relevant subsidies for the control of these animals, either by direct acaricidal action over these cells or by the production of vaccines. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the midgut morphology of male and female R. sanguineus ticks in different feeding stages, by means of histological analysis. Significant differences were observed between the genders, and such alterations may refer mainly to the distinct demands for nutrients, much higher in females, which need to develop and carry out the egg-laying process. In general, the midgut is coated by a thin muscle layer and presents a pseudostratified epithelium, in which two basic types of cells can be observed, connected to a basal membrane - generative or stem and digestive cells. The latter was classified as follows: residual, deriving from the phase anterior to ecdysis; pinocytic, with vesicles containing liquid or pre-digested components of blood; phagocytic, with entire cells or remnants of nuclear material inside cytoplasmic vesicles; and mature, free in the lumen. Digestion is presumably intracellular and asynchronous and corresponds to a process which starts with the differentiation of generative cells into pinocytic digestive cells, which subsequently start to phagocytize intact blood cells and finally detach from the epithelium, being eliminated with feces. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil (Ricinus communis) on the oocyte yolk components of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Rhipicephalus sanguineus are bloodsucking ectoparasites, whose main host is the domestic dog, thus being present in urban areas and closely located to people. Eventually, this tick species parasitize humans and can become a potential vector of infectious diseases. Methods to control this type of pest have been the focus of many research groups worldwide. The use of natural products is increasingly considered nowadays, due to the low toxicity levels to the host and low waste generation to the environment. This study tested the effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil (as an potential acaricide) on the reproductive system of R sanguineus females, more specifically on the vitellogenesis process. For this, two groups were established: the control group (CG) and the treatment group (TG) with five rabbits in each (New Zealand White), used as hosts. NaCl and ester were added to rabbits' food and offered to the hosts. After full engorgement, the females were collected and had their ovaries extracted. The ticks ovaries were submitted to histochemical techniques so the effects of esters could be observed over polysaccharides, proteins and lipids yolk. Changes in the deposition of yolk components were observed. This caused modifications on elements of polysaccharide origin and on glycoprotein compounds, interfering in the final yolk synthesis and compromising the development of the future embryo. © 2012.