Relationships Between the Microstructure,Physical Features,and Chemical Composition of Different Maize Accessions from Latin America

Chemical composition (moisture, total lipids, protein, and apparent amylose) and some physical features (1,000 kernel weight, hardness, and anatomical composition) were determined in 71 accessions representing races of maize from Latin America. Their microstructural characteristics (size and compaction of endosperm cell bodies, pericarp thickness, horny‐floury endosperm ratio, and morphology and size of starch granules) were also evaluated using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Compaction was the most important microstructural feature of the maize kernels, representing kernel hardness. Highly compact kernels tended to be hard, with high protein, pericarp, and hard‐endosperm content and high pericarp thickness, but with low moisture, amylose content, and kernel weight and size. The opposite was observed in the least compact kernels. Highly compact kernels tended to have small, polygonal starch granules (<10 μm), while the least compact kernels contained large, spherical granules (>10 μm). These results suggest that microstructure is responsible for the physical features of maize kernels and that microstructure is related to chemical composition.     

7-Coumaryl permethrate and its cis- and trans-isomers as new fluorescent substrates for examining pyrethroid- cleaving enzymes

New esterase substrates were synthesized using cis-, trans- and cis-trans-permethrinic acid chloride and then used to measure pyrethroid-cleaving enzymes in insects. The new substrates, namely cis-, trans- and cis-trans-7-coumaryl permethrates (7-CP), show a structure very similar to permethrin insecticide and yield fluorescent products on hydrolysis. These substrates were hydrolyzed by a commercial porcine preparation that provided esterase-specific activity, and were stable at different pH values (5.2-7.8). Studies made with house fly, Musca domestica (L.), homogenates showed that these compounds are appropriate for determining pyrethroid hydrolysis activity on individual insects. The measured activity of house fly esterase was 870 relative fluorescence units (RFU) min(-1) with cis-7-CP as substrate, 1117 RFU min(-1) with trans-7-CP as substrate and 1423 RFU min(-1) with cis-trans-7-CP as substrate. The fluorescent substrates for pyrethroid-cleaving esterases described in this paper have advantages over methods already given in the literature. They are substrates with structures very similar to pyrethroids, the cleavage of which can be followed by an increase in fluorescence emission at 440 nm; it takes only about 5 min to measure the reaction, and moreover the high sensitivity of the fluorescence technique allows the quantification of esterase activity on individual insects.     

Magnetism on the angrite parent body and the early differentiation of planetesimals

Angrites are among the oldest known pristine basaltic meteorites and record the earliest stages of planet formation and differentiation. Our paleomagnetic analysis of three angrites found that they record a past magnetic field of approximately 10 microteslas on the angrite parent body extending from 4564 to at least 4558 million years ago. Because the angrite paleomagnetic record extends beyond the expected lifetime of the early circumstellar disk, these paleofields were probably generated internally on the angrite parent body, possibly by an early dynamo in a rapidly formed metallic core.     

Dyskeratosis congenita and cancer in mice deficient in ribosomal RNA modification

Mutations in DKC1 cause dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a disease characterized by premature aging and increased tumor susceptibility. The DKC1 protein binds to the box H + ACA small nucleolar RNAs and the RNA component of telomerase. Here we show that hypomorphic Dkc1 mutant (Dkc1m) mice recapitulate in the first and second generations (G1 and G2) the clinical features of DC. Dkc1m cells from G1 and G2 mice were impaired in ribosomal RNA pseudouridylation before the onset of disease. Reductions of telomere length in Dkc1m mice became evident only in later generations. These results suggest that deregulated ribosome function is important in the initiation of DC, whereas telomere shortening may modify and/or exacerbate DC.     

Rabies virus and Histoplasma suramericanum coinfection in a bat from southeastern Brazil

Bats are essential to the global ecosystem, but their ability to harbour a range of pathogens has been widely discussed, as well as their role in the emergence and re‐emergence of infectious diseases. This paper describes the first report of coinfection by two zoonotic agents, rabies virus (RABV) and the fungus Histoplasma suramericanum in a bat. The bat was from the Molossus molossus species, and it was found during the daytime in the hallway of a public psychiatric hospital in a municipality in São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. RABV infection was diagnosed by the direct fluorescent antibody test and mouse inoculation test. The fungus was isolated by in vitro culture. Both diagnoses were confirmed by molecular techniques. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the fungus isolate had proximity to H. suramericanum in the Lam B clade, while the RABV isolate was characterized in the Lasiurus cinereus lineage. Since the M. molossus bat was found in a peri‐urban transition area (urban/peri‐urban), the possibility of cross‐species transmission of this RABV lineage becomes more plausible, considering that this scenario may provide shelter for both M. molossus and L. cinereus. These are relevant findings since there has been an increase in bat populations in urban and peri‐urban areas, particularly due to environmental modifications and anthropogenic impacts on their habitat. Thus, the detection of two zoonotic agents in a bat found in a public hospital should raise awareness regarding the importance of systematic surveillance actions directed towards bats in urban areas.     

Evidence for ectopic neurotransmission at a neuronal synapse

Neurotransmitter release is well known to occur at specialized synaptic regions that include presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities. At cholinergic synapses in the chick ciliary ganglion, however, membrane formations and physiological measurements suggest that release distant from postsynaptic densities can activate the predominantly extrasynaptic alpha7 nicotinic receptor subtype. We explored such ectopic neurotransmission with a novel model synapse that combines Monte Carlo simulations with high-resolution serial electron microscopic tomography. Simulated synaptic activity is consistent with experimental recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents only when ectopic transmission is included in the model, broadening the possibilities for mechanisms of neuronal communication.     

Buriti pulp oil did not improve high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders in c57bl/6 mice

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are growing in many parts of the world, becoming public health problems. It is proposed that foods with functional properties can assist in the treatment of these diseases. Crude buriti pulp oil (BPO) is a food traditionally consumed by residents in the Pantanal, Cerrado and Brazilian Amazon. It is rich in oleic acid, tocopherols and carotenoids, emerging as a potential functional food. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of BPO on metabolic disorders caused by a high-fat diet. Four groups of C57BL6 mice were used, a lean group with AIN-93M diet and control oil supplementation, an obese group with a high-fat diet and control oil supplementation, and two obese groups with a high-fat diet and BPO supplementation in the amounts of 50 and 100 mg/kg. BPO worsened the metabolic state caused by the high-fat diet, worsening risk factors associated with MetS, as the abdominal circumference and retroperitoneal fat, serum levels of total cholesterol, uric acid, alanine transaminase, glucose and triglycerides, and renal fat, in addition to changes in glycaemic control and oxidative stress markers. C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet and supplemented with BPO presented a worsening in metabolic risk factors associated with MetS.     

Supplementing organic-complexed or inorganic Co,Cu, Mn,and Zn to beef cows during gestation: physiological and productive response of cows and their offspring until weaning

One hundred and ninety non-lactating, pregnant beef cows (three-fourth Bos taurus and one-fourth Bos indicus; 138 multiparous and 52 primiparous) were assigned to this experiment at 117 ± 2.2 d of gestation (day 0). Cows were ranked by parity, pregnancy type (artificial insemination = 102 and natural service = 88), body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) and assigned to receive a supplement containing: 1) sulfate sources of Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn (INR; n = 95) or 2) an organic-complexed source of Cu, Mn, Co, and Zn (AAC; Availa 4; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN; n = 95). The INR and AAC provided the same daily amount of Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn, based on 7 g of the AAC source. From day 0 to calving, cows were maintained in a single pasture and were segregated three times weekly into 1 of the 24 individual feeding pens to receive treatments. Cow BW and BCS were recorded on days −30, 97, upon calving, and at weaning (day 367). Milk production was estimated at 42 ± 0.5 d postpartum via weigh–suckle–weigh (WSW) method. Liver biopsies were performed in 30 cows per treatment on days −30, 97, upon calving, and the day after WSW. Calf BW was recorded at birth and weaning. Liver and longissimus muscle (LM) biopsies were performed in 30 calves per treatment upon calving and 24 h later, the day after WSW, and at weaning. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.49) for cow BCS during gestation, despite AAC cows having greater (P = 0.04) BW on day 97. Liver Co concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for AAC compared with INR cows, and liver concentrations of Cu were greater (P = 0.02) for INR compared with AAC cows on day 97. Upon calving, INR cows had greater (P ≤ 0.01) liver Cu and Zn concentrations compared with AAC cows. No other treatment differences were noted (P ≥ 0.17) for cow and calf liver trace mineral concentrations. Cows receiving AAC had greater (P = 0.04) hepatic mRNA expression of metallothionein 1A at calving, and their calves had greater (P = 0.04) hepatic mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase at weaning. Milk production did not differ between AAC and INR cows (P = 0.70). No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.29) for mRNA expression of LM genes associated with adipogenic or muscle development activities in calves at birth and weaning. Calf birth and weaning BW also did not differ (P ≥ 0.19) between treatments. In summary, supplementing AAC or INR to beef cows during the last 5 mo of gestation yielded similar cow–calf productive responses until weaning.