Enzymatic activity of hypopharyngeal gland extracts from workers of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae)

This research presents a comparative study of enzymatic activity of the hypopharyngeal gland extracts from workers of Apis mellifera in three physiologic stages: newly emerged, nurse and forager workers, with the objective of contributing to the comprehension of the gland function. In order to determinate the enzymes present in the extracts, the Api Zym kit (Bio Mérieux) was used to test the activity of 19 different enzymes. The enzymes found in larger amounts only in the hypopharyngeal glands from certain individuals were the following: in newly emerged workers, the N-acetyl-down double arrow sign-glucosaminidase that may be digesting the chitin of some food ingested by the bee; in forager workers, the acid phosphatase that is likely acting in authophagic processes, the a-glucosidase, in the processing of nectar into honey, and the down double arrow sign-glucosidases, in the pollen digestion.

Enzymes in the hypopharyngeal gland extracts from workers of Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera, Apinae, Meliponini) related to food storing in the colony

This study reports on research of enzymes produced by the hypopharyngeal glands, which are related to food storing in the colony, from gland extracts from nurse and forager workers of S. postica. Only the presence of the saccharase was detected in the extracts from the glands of forager workers. The results were compared to the enzymatic content of similar extracts of A. mellifera taking into account the behavioral differences among the two species.

Juvenile hormone promotes changes in the expression of hypopharyngeal gland proteins of worker Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The present investigation compares the protein electrophoreses profiles of the hypopharyngeal glands of 12 and 25 day old Apis mellifera workers, some of which were experimentally treated with an analogue of juvenile hormone in the moment of the emergence while others were not treated. According to the evaluation of the presented variations by four main bands, it is concluded that the analogue juvenile hormone changes the glandular genetic expression pattern, promoting the disappearance of two from the four main bands in 25 day old workers. The effect of this hormone is discussed as an hypopharyngeal maturation inductor, in synergetic action with the bee age acting early in the glandular cycle.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises

Based on the lack of electromyographic researches on sport and programmes of physical conditioning, we can say that it is necessary to reexamine some exercises routinely used in the programmes of physical conditioning. Thus, the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles were studied electromyographically so that we could evaluate the validity in some ways of execution of the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises for the development of these muscles. We analyzed 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old, using a 2-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. For the execution of the exercise it was used a supine bench, a straight board and two bars of 40 cm made of light wood. The results showed that TS acted preferentially in standing modality and in the inclined supine modality, however with activity levels that do not justify its inclusion in physical fitness programmes.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in the rowing and frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises

The trapezius and serratus anterior muscles were studied in four modalities of rowing exercises executed with two grips, middle and closed, in comparison with the four different modalities of frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercise. It was used 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old using a 2-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. The results showed that TS acted in a higher significant way in all the modalities of rowing than in the supine lateral raise, inclined supine lateral raise and reverse supine lateral raise, dumbbells exercises, and demonstrated no standing frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells. The SI acted more significantly difference among all the execution modalities of rowing and the inclined supine lateral raise, dumbbells exercises than in all the rowing exercises; even though the activity levels do not make us suggest them as an excellent group of exercises for the development of this muscle.

The origin of lipid droplets in the post-pharyngeal gland of Dinoponera australis (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

The post-pharyngeal gland of normal and starvation ants was studied under TEM. This study showed an orgin of lipids droplets from mitochondria (named derivate mitochondria) in the normal ants and the lipids absence or reduction, in fasting ants.

A review of antifertility folkloric plants tested in laboratory animals

The use of natural active principals is widespread among a great proportion of the rural population, or by people who do not have easy access to medical assistance. These active principles are used as food or medicines, and even for purposes of contraception. It becomes necessary to establish a relationship between the folklore habits and current information on the nature of anti-fertility substances, and knowledge of their mechanisms. Anti-fertility agents may exert their actions in a number of areas, (hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, oviduct, uterus, and vagina), inhibiting synthesis and/or liberation of hormones (follicle-stimulating, luteinizing, and steroid hormones), ovulation, ovum transportation, and implantation process. Therefore, a review of literature was carried out, including of several plants used by women as abortifacient and anti-fertility agents to compare their effects with those obtained among laboratory animals.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in rowing exercises with middle grip

Because the lack of textbooks based on electromyographic studies in the area of exercises for physical conditioning, the authors proposed to study the trapezius (upper portion) (TS) and the serratus anterior (lower portion) (SI) muscles during the execution of four different modalities of rowing exercises with middle grip in 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old. For the recordings, it was used a two-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. For the movements, a supine bench and a 120 cm-long bar made of low weight wood were used. The results showed that TS acted significantly in upright, sitting and inclined rowing, justifying its inclusion in physical conditioning programmes, while SI, in spite of acting preferentially in upright and sitting rowing, presented activity levels which do not justify its inclusion.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in rowing exercises with closed grip

Because the lack of specialized textbooks, the select of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes is based on empirical knowledge. This fact led the authors to propose the study on electromyographic activity of the trapezius (upper portion) (TS) and the serratus anterior (lower portion) (SI) muscles in rowing exercises with closed grip in three different modalities. The tests were carried out with 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old, by using a two-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. For exercises execution, a long bar made of light wood was used. TS acted significantly in the three different modalities, that is, upright, sitting and bent over, while SI acted preferentially in upright and sitting rowing exercises, justifying their inclusion as basic exercises in physical conditioning programmes.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in rowing exercises with middle and closed grip

Because the lack of specialized textbooks on the select and indication of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes, an electromyographic study of the trapezius (upper portion) (TS) and the serratus anterior (lower portion) (SI) muscles in rowing exercises with middle and closed grip in three different modalities, upright, sitting and bent over was performed. The tests were carried out with 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old, by using a two-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. For exercises execution, a supine bench, a straight board and a 1,20 m-long bar made of light wood were used. The results showed that TS acted preferentially with closed grip sitting and bent over modalities, and presented no difference among the grips for upright rowing. SI acted preferentially with closed grip in all modalities, however, with activity levels that do not justify its indication for physical conditioning programmes.

Ultramorphology and histology of the ectal mandibular gland in Polistes versicolor (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The ectal mandibular gland (EMG) of wasps is homologous to the mandibular gland of ants and bees. This gland belongs to salivary system and its function stile unknown. The EMG of Polistes versicolor showed histological and ultramorphological features similar to that founded in ants and others wasps. This gland is constituted by a secretory region and a reservoir. The secretory region contains individual secretory cells that showed several nucleoli. The reservoir has a club shape and is connected to each mandible, by a duct that opens on its external side, which there are cuticular projections. The EMG of males is smaller than those of females. Our results suggested that the EMG secrete volatiles compounds that are liberated when the mandibles still open.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes IV. Analysis of the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) in frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises

The electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles deltoid - anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major - clavicular portion (PMC) was tested on 24 male volunteers using a 2 channel TEC A TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes during the execution of four different modalities of frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises. The results showed that all of the tested exercises developed high levels of action potential for both muscles. So, we jusfity the indication of all of them for physical fitness programmes for DA and PMC. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes V. The comparison of the response in the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and the pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) determined by the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells and the rowing exercises

The action potential level for shoulder muscles deltoid-anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major-clavicular portion (PMC) determined by four different modalities of execution of rowing exercises, each one with two different grips, was recorded. These were compared with the action potential level determined for the same muscles by four different modalities of execution of the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises. Twenty-four male volunteers were examined using a 2 channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. The statistic analysis showed significant (p<0,05) superiority for all the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises in comparison to all rowing exercises for the PMC, for the DA this generalized supremacy was not observed.

Enzymatic activity of the hypopharyngeal gland extract from workers and males of Scaptotrigona postica Lat. (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

The objective of this research was to contribute to elucidation of the function of the hypopharyngeal glands of S. postica in enzyme production, using the Api Zym kit (Bio Mérieux). Dealing with a comparative analysis between the enzymatic content of the hypopharyngeal gland extracts from newly emerged, nurse and forager workers, as well as, newly emerged males and males mature for mating of S. postica. The hypopharyngeal glands from nurse workers of Apis mellifera, that produce part of the royal jelly, were used for comparison. While in A. mellifera, the hypopharyngeal glands are present only in workers, in S. postica, the hypopharyngeal glands are present and functioning in all adult individuals of the colony. The higher enzymatic activity was observed in the hypopharyngeal gland extracts from nurse workers and may be related to a larger demand for energy, compared to other individuals. The occurrence of large quantities of leucine arylamidase in all individuals may mean that protein processing is happening.

Participation of the deltoid (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles in different modalities of supine and frontal elevation exercises with different grips

The muscles deltoid-anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major-clavicular portion (PMC) were analysed to establish the muscular behavior and intensity patterns, as well to evaluate the connected participation of these muscles during supine and frontal elevation exercises. Twenty-four male volunteers were examined using a 2-channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. Our results showed low levels of activity to PMC in frontal elevation exercises, whereas to DA the levels were very high. In the supine exercise, the action potential levels developed by the PMC were always lower than those presented by DA, however, with action simultaneity. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented.