Tissue distribution of lycopene in ferrets and rats after lycopene supplementation

To determine lycopene uptake and tissue distribution in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and F344 rats, we supplemented orally 4.6 mg/(kg body wt-d) lycopene in a tomato oleoresin-com oil mixture (experimental groups). After 9 wk of supplementation, the animals were killed and blood and organs were collected. Plasma and tissue carotenoids were extracted and measured using HPLC. Mean concentrations of lycopene (nmol/kg wet tissue) in saponified tissues of ferrets were as follows: liver 933, intestine 73, prostate 12.7 and stomach 9.3. Levels of lycopene (nmol/kg wet tissue) in saponified tissue of rats were as follows: liver 14213, intestine 3125, stomach 78.6, prostate 24 and testis 3.9. When these organs were extracted without saponification, the lycopene levels were lower, except for rat testis. All-translycopene was the predominant isomer found in tomato oleoresin and in the majority of rat tissues, whereas cislycopenes were predominant in rat prostate and plasma. This pattern was reversed in ferrets. The results show the following: 1) lycopene from tomato oleoresin is absorbed and stored primarily in the liver of both animals; 2) saponification generally improves the extraction of lycopene from most tissues of both animals; 3) cis-lycopene and all- translycopene are the predominant isomers in ferret and rat tissues, respectively; and 4) rats absorb lycopene more effectively than ferrets.

Full-color phosphors from amine-functionalized crosslinked hybrids lacking metal activator ions

Sol-gel derived hybrids that contain OCH2CH2 (polyethylene glycol, PEG) repeat units grafted onto a siliceous backbone by urea, -NHC(=O)NH-, or urethane, -NHC(=O)O-, bridges have been prepared. It is demonstrated that the white light PL of these materials results from an unusual convolution of a longer lived emission that originates in the NH groups of the urea/urethane bridges with shorter lived electron-hole recombinations occurring in the nanometer-sized siliceous domains. The PL efficiencies reported here (maximum quantum yields at room temperature of ≈ 0.20 ± 0.02 at a 400 nm excitation wavelength) are in the same range as those for tetramethoxysilane-formic acid, and APTES-acetic acid, sol-gel derived phosphors. The high quantum yields combined with the possibility of tuning the emission to colors across the chromaticity diagram present a wide range of potential applications for these hybrid materials.

Sodium and chloride requirements of young broiler chickens fed corn-soybean diets (one to twenty-one days of age)

Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) nutritional requirements, dietary electrolyte balance (DEB), and their effects on acid-base balance, litter moisture, and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) incidence for young broiler chickens were evaluated in two trials. One-day-old Cobb broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replicates, and 50 birds per experimental unit. Treatments used in both experiments were a basal diet with 0.10% Na+ (Experiment 1) or Cl- (Experiment 2) supplemented to result in diets with Na+ or Cl- levels of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 ,0.30, or 0.35%, respectively. In Experiment 1, results indicated an optimum Na+ requirement of 0.26%. Sodium levels caused a linear increase in arterial blood gas parameters, indicating an alkalogenic effect of Na+. The hypertrophic area of growth plate in the proximal tibiotarsi decreased with Na+ levels. The TD incidence decreased with increases in dietary Na+. Litter moisture increased linearly with sodium levels. In Experiment 2, the Cl- requirement was estimated as 0.25%. Chloride levels caused a quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.01) on blood gas parameters, with an estimated equilibrium [blood base excess (BE) = 0] at 0.30% of dietary CT-. No Cl- treatment effects (P ≥ 0.05) were observed on litter moisture or TD incidence. The best DEB for maximum performance was 298 to 315 mEq/kg in Experiment 1 and 246 to 264 mEq/kg in Experiment 2. We concluded that the Na+ and Cl- requirements for optimum performance of young broiler chickens were 0.28 and 0.25%, respectively.

Coordination of Eu3+ ions in siliceous nanohybrids containing short polyether chains and bridging urea cross-links

Infrared and photoluminescence spectroscopies have been used to investigate the local environment of the Eu3+ ions in luminescent sol-gel derived materials-di-ureasils-based on a hybrid framework represented by U(600). This host is composed of a siliceous backbone grafted, through urea cross-links, to both ends of polymer segments incorporating 8.5 oxyethylene repeat units. The active centers have been introduced as europium perchlorate, Eu(ClO4)3. Samples with compositions n = 232, 62, 23, 12, and 6 (where n denotes the ratio of (OCH2CH2) moieties per lanthanide ion) have been examined. The combination of the information retrieved from the analysis of characteristic bands of the FTIR spectra-the perchlorate and the Amide I/Amide II features-with that obtained from the photoluminescence data demonstrates that at compositions n = 232 and 62 the anions are free, whereas the Eu3+ ions are complexed by the heteroatoms of the polyether chains. At higher salt concentration, the cations are bonded, not only to the ClO4 - ions, but also to the ether oxygen atoms of the organic segments and to the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the urea linkages. The dual behavior of U(600) with respect to cation coordination has been attributed to the presence in this nanohybrid of strong hydrogen-bonded urea-urea structures, which, at low salt content, cannot be disrupted, thus inhibiting the formation of Eu3+-O=C(urea) contacts and promoting the interaction between the lanthanide ions and the (OCH2CH2) moieties. The present work substantiates the claim that the activation of the coordinating sites of the di-ureasil framework can be tuned by varying either the guest salt concentration at constant chain length or the length of the.organic segments at constant salt concentration. This relevant property opens challenging new prospects in the fields of application of this class of hybrids. © 2001 American Chemical Society.

Amostragem seqüential (presença-ausência) para Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) na cultura do milho

The sequential sampling of insect pests (presence-absence) has become important in the last years, specially when the insects are difficult to be quantified. To solve this problem in relation to Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), a sequential sampling plan was developed. The sample unit was evaluated considering the presence or absence of the insect, independently of its total number. The experiment was conducted in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil, in three fields of 0.5 ha divided in 100 plots of 50 m2 (5 × 10 m). Each plot was identified with a number from 1 to 100. A threshold level of 20% was assumed to set the sampling plan. The analyzed data allowed two lines to be generated: the superior one, representing the condition in chemical control is recommended (S1=1.7095+0.1452N); and the inferior one, when chemical control is not recommended (S0=-1.7095+0.1452N). The sequential sampling was efficient to indicate if control of S. frugiperda on corn crop was necessary or not.

Magnetic sol-gel derived poly(oxyethylene)-siloxane nanohybrids

The magnetic and structural properties of sol-gel derived organic/inorganic nanocomposites doped with Fe(II), Fe(III), Nd(III) and Eu (III) ions are discussed. These hybrids consist of poly(oxyethylene)-based chains grafted onto siloxane nanodomains by urea cross-linkages. Small angle X-ray scattering data show the presence of spatial correlations of siloxane domains embedded in the polymer matrix. The magnetic properties of rare-earth doped samples are determined by single ion crystal-field-splitted levels (Eu3+ J=0; Nd3+ J=9/2) and the small thermal irreversibility is mainly associated to structural effects. Fe2+ -doped samples behave as simple paramagnet with residual antiferromagnetic interactions. Fe3+-doped hybrids are much more complex, with magnetic hysterisis, exchange anisotropy and thermal irreversibility at low temperatures. Néel temperatures increase up to 14K for the highest (∼5.5%) Fe3+ mass concentration.

Comparação de sistemas de avaliação de dietas para bovinos no modelo de produção intensiva de carne. Confinamento de tourinhos jovens

Thirty 3/4 Canchim + 1/4 Nelore young bulls with 417 kg of body weight and 15 months of age, were confined during 84 days. The animals were fed with diets composed with corn silage, corn grain, cottonseed meal, soybean meal, whole soybean and mineral mix, adjusted in agreement with the recommendations of the Metabolizable Protein System (MP), Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) and Intestine Digestible Protein System (PDI), for predicted body weight gain of 1.3 kg/head/day. The daily body weight gain did not differ among treatments CNCPS, MP and PDI, with 1.51; 1.48; and 1.13 kg/head, respectively. The economic analysis revealed net profit of R$116.25; R$148.30; and R$108.51/head for CNCPS, MP and PDI systems, respectively. The diets adjusted by CNCPS and MP systems provided superior animal performance than that expected, while the diet adjusted by PDI system did not allow the predicted body weight gain.

Maize germ recovery and quality using the intermittent milling and dynamic steeping process

The intermittent milling and dynamic steeping (IMDS) process is an alternative method developed for wet milling of maize. In this process, the steeping stage can be reduced to 5 h by soaking maize in water at 60°C for 2 h and cracking the kernels to remove solution components diffusional barriers with minimum germ damage. Maize was dynamically steeped in solutions with 0.0, 0.1, and 0.2% sulphur dioxide (SO2) and 0.00, 0.55% lactic acid. Germ recovery, germ damage, fibre in germ, oil content and uncracked kernels were determined. A conventional steeping procedure was also performed. Germ recovery was higher for all tests using both SO2 and lactic acid than for the others with best germ yield for concentrations of 0.2% SO2 and 0.55% lactic acid. Germ damage ranged from 7.4 to 18.2% for all tests. The presence of lactic acid in the steeping solution decreased the amount of fibre in germ fraction. Germ oil content ranged from 39.3% (0-0% SO2, 0.55% lactic acid) to 44.0% (0.2% SO2, 0.55% lactic acid) for all treatments using IMDS. The smallest difference was 5.5% between IMDS (0.2% SO2, 0.55% lactic acid) and the conventional 36 h steeping process. An average of 1.3% of kernels remained uncracked after IMDS process. © 2002 Silsoe Research Institute. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Short-chain di-ureasil ormolytes doped with potassium triflate: Phase diagram and conductivity behavior

Di-urea cross-linked poly(oxyethylene)/siloxane hybrids, synthesized by the sol-gel process and containing a wide concentration range of potassium triflate, KCF3SO3, have been analyzed by x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The pseudo-phase diagram proposed has been taken into account in the interpretation of the complex impedance measurements. The xerogels prepared are obtained as transparent, thin monoliths. At room temperature the highest conductivity found was 2 × 10-6 Ω-1 cm-1.

Room temperature visible/infrared emission and energy transfer in Nd3+-based organic/inorganic hybrids

The photoluminescence features and the energy transfer processes of Nd3+-based siloxanepoly(oxyethylene) hybrids are reported. The host matrix of these materials, classed as di-ureasils, is formed by a siloxane backbone covalently bonded to polyether chains of two molecular weights by means of urea cross-links. The room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of these xerogels show a wide broad purple-blue-green band (350-570 nm), associated with the emitting centres of the di-ureasil host, and the typical near infrared emission of Nd3+ (700-1400 nm), assigned to the 4F3/2 → 4I9/2,11/2,13/2 transitions. Self-absorptions in the visible range, resonant with intra-4f3 transitions, indicate the existence of an energy conversion mechanism of visible di-ureasil emission into near infrared Nd3+ luminescence. The existence of energy transfer between the di-ureasil's emitting centres and the Nd3+ ions is demonstrated calculating the lifetimes of these emitting centres. The efficiency of that energy transfer changes both with the polymer molecular weight and the Nd3+ concentration.

Dietary electrolyte balance for broiler chickens under moderately high ambient temperatures and relative humidities

Cobb male broiler chicks (1,000) on new litter were used to evaluate effects of dietary electrolyte balance [DEB; Na+K-Cl, milliequivalents (mEq) per kilogram] under tropical summer conditions. Corn-soybean meal-based mash diets had salt (NaCl) alone or in combination with one or more supplements: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). A completely randomized design, with five starter and grower feed treatments (control: 145, then 130 mEq/kg; or 0, 120, 240, or 360 mEq/kg throughout) and four replicate pens (1.5 x 3.2 m) per treatment (50 chicks per pen), was used. Diets were analyzed for Na, K, and Cl for confirmation. There were no significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatments on mortality or processing parameters. Water intake increased linearly with increasing DEB, giving higher litter moistures and lower rectal temperatures. Blood HCO3 and pH increased with the highest DEB (360 mEq/kg) causing respiratory alkalosis. The DEB of 240 mEg/kg gave best weight gain and feed conversion ratio, and ideal DEB predicted by regression analyses were 186 and 197 mEq/kg from 0 to 21 d of age and 236 and 207 mEq/kg of feed from 0 to 42 d, respectively. These DEB corresponded to estimated (interpolated) values in predicted optimal 186 to 197 mEq/kg starter of Na 0.38 to 0.40% and Cl 0.405 to 0.39% (K = 0.52%), in 207 to 236 mEq/kg starter, Na 0.409 to 0.445% and Cl 0.326 to 0.372% Cl (K = 0.52%), and in grower Na 0.41 to 0.445%, Cl 0.315 to 0.267% (K = 0.47%).

Dietary electrolyte balance for broiler chickens exposed to thermoneutral or heat-stress environments

Ross male broiler chicks (n = 480) on new litter were used in a randomized block design with two blocks (environmental rooms) and four treatments having four replicate pens (1.0 × 2.5 m; 15 chicks) each to evaluate dietary electrolyte balance (DEB; P < 0.05). Two rooms were 1) thermoneutral (Weeks 1 through 6, with decreasing maximum from 32 to 25°C and minimum from 28 to 19°C; relative humidity 49 to 58%) and 2) cyclic daily heat stress (Weeks 1 and 2, thermoneutral; Weeks 2 through 6, maximum temperatures 35, 35, 33, and 33°C, respectively; and minimum temperatures 23, 20, 19, and 19°C, respectively; relative humidity 51 to 54%). The DEB treatments (0, 140, 240, or 340 mEq Na + K - Cl/kg) had NaHCO3 plus NH4Cl, or KHCO3, or both added to corn-soybean meal mash basal diets with 0.30% salt (NaCl). In the thermoneutral room, DEB 240 increased 42-d weight gain and 44-d lymphocyte percentage and decreased heterophil percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio compared to the DEB 40 treatment. The DEB 240 diets had 0.35 and 0.35% Na and 0.37% and 0.29% Cl in starter (0.75% K) and grower (0.67% K) diets, respectively. No DEB treatment differences were found in the heat stress room. For combined rooms, 42-d feed intake was higher for DEB 240 than for DEB 40. The 21-d weight gain was higher for DEB 240 than for DEB 40 or 140; and 21-d feed/gain was lower for DEB 40 than for DEB 340. The predicted maximum point of inflection for 21- and 42-d weight gains were DEB 250 and 201, with highest 42-d feed intake at 220.

ZmPUMP encodes a maize mitochondrial uncoupling protein that is induced by oxidative stress

A cDNA clone (designated ZmPUMP) encoding an uncoupling protein (UCP) from maize (Zea mays) was identified by searching for homologous sequences among the expressed sequence tags of the GenBank database. The ZmPUMP cDNA contains a single open reading frame of 933 nucleotides encoding 310 amino acids. Several features identified the predicted ZmPUMP protein as a member of the mitochondrial UCP subfamily of mitochondrial carriers. Expression studies demonstrated that ZmPUMP is ubiquitously expressed in maize tissues and its transcript level is not altered in early stages of embryo germination. In contrast to known UCP genes, ZmPUMP is not responsive to cold stress. Instead its expression is increased in response to H 2O 2- or menadione-induced oxidative stress. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Desempenho e características da carcaça de tourinhos santa gertrudes confinados, recebendo dietas com alto concentrado e níveis crescentes de polpa cítrica peletizada

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comportamento do cafeeiro apoatã em consórcio com culturas anuais

This study was conducted in Adamantina, region of Alta Paulista, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 1989 to 1993. Yield of Apoatã coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner) was evaluated during four years of intercropping with five plant species: IAC 20 - cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.); cv. Tatu - peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.); IAC 165 - rice (Oryza sativa L.); cv. Guarani - castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) and IAC 100-B - corn (Zea mays L.). The crops were seeded 50 cm apart from coffee canopy. The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with five replications. Yield was significantly decreased when coffee was intercropped with castor bean, corn, cotton and peanut, but height and diameter of orthotropic branches were not affected. Linear correlation analysis showed that coffee yield was inversely correlated with the dry biomass of the intercrops.