Effects of pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa contact in dogs: 41 cases (2002-2006)

The pine processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, is considered an emerging pine pest in Mediterranean countries, with high medical relevance. In recent years, adverse reactions reports in humans following contact with T. pityocampa have been increasingly reported. Dogs living in pinewood areas are also frequently exposed to the caterpillar. This work consisted on a retrospective study of 41 cases of lepidopterism. All dogs presented drooling, dysphagia, submandibular lymphadenomegaly and clinical signs of pain. The animals were distributed in three groups, according to the time span from exposure to the caterpillar until presentation: up to 2 h (group 1), 2-5 h (group 2) and more than 5 h (group 3). All animals from groups 2 (n = 5) and 3 (n = 9), and eight dogs from group 1 (n = 27) developed lingual necrosis. Lepidopterism coursed through a predictable clinical pattern. The evolution was mainly dependent on the time span between exposure to the caterpillar and medical intervention, which should take place earlier than 2 h from exposure.     

Effect of top-dressed potassium fertilization on the yield and quality of cucumber

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of top-dressed potassium (K) application on the production of hybrid cucumber “Sapphire.” The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with five blocks of 0.80 × 0.40 m² each and eight replicate plants per block. The five fertilization rates of K used were 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg K₂O ha^?1. Data collection consisted of the estimation of fruit diameter, fruits length, fruit fresh and dry weights, the number of fruits per plant, and the weight of fruits per plant. The number of fruits per hectare and the fruit fresh weight per hectare were calculated. Fruit tissue was analyzed for determination of macronutrient concentrations, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, sugar contents, and protein content. The data were statistically analyzed using regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant effect of the fertilization rate of K on fruit diameter, fruit fresh and dry weights, macronutrients concentrations in fruits, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and reducing sugars. A quadratic equation was adjusted for the number of fruits per plant and per hectare; fruit yield per plant and per hectare, with maximum top-dressing doses, was estimated to be between 60 and 95 kg K₂O ha^?1. A linear increase was obtained in the pH. An increase in the K fertilization rate caused a linear decrease in the fruit length.     

Crude protein levels in diets for two growth stages of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a biofloc system

Biofloc technology (BFT) provides an additional feed source for aquatic organisms through the conversion of waste in microbial flocs. Because of this, the suitable protein level in a diet for animals in this system could be different from those in conventional systems. Our objective was to determine the suitable protein level in the diet of Nile tilapia juveniles reared with BFT. Two experiments were carried out with tilapia weighing ~10 g (first experiment) and about 50 g (second experiment) during 61 and 98 days respectively. Five crude protein (CP) levels (within 17% and 33%) were tested. The increment of CP resulted in a reduction in dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity and an increase in dissolved phosphorus, total suspended solids and total ammonium nitrogen. The crude protein level had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on animal performance. The linear response plateau model was the best fit for the final weight and weight gain data in the two growth phases. In conclusion, tilapia juveniles of 10–60 g and 60–230 g in biofloc can be fed on diets with 28% of CP (26% of digestible protein) and 22% CP (20% of digestible protein) respectively.     

Chemical composition of Eucalyptus spp. essential oils and their insecticidal effects on Lutzomyia longipalpis

The chemical composition of essential oils from three species of plants belonging to the Eucalyptus genus was determined and, their insecticidal effects on egg, larva and adult phases of Lutzomyia longipalpis were assessed. The insects were collected in the municipality of Sobral in the State of Ceará, Brazil. Five treatments with different concentrations were performed along with two negative controls, distilled water and Tween 80 (3%), and a positive control, cypermethrin (0.196 mg/ml). The tests were carried out in plastic pots internally coated with sterile plaster and filled with a substrate made of rabbit feces and crushed cassava leaves. The eggs, larvae and adults were sprayed with the oils. The hatched larvae were counted for 10 consecutive days and observed until pupation. Insect mortality was observed after 24, 48 and 72 h. E. staigeriana oil was the most effective on all three phases of the insect, followed by E. citriodora and E. globulus oils, respectively. The major constituents of the oils were Z-citral and alpha-citral (E. staigeriana), citronellal (E. citriodora) and 1,8-cineole (E. globulus). The Eucalyptus essential oils constitute alternative natural products for the control of L. longipalpis since the median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values revealed relevant action as compared with other natural products, some of their chemical constituents are already known for their insecticidal activity and these oils are produced in commercial scale in Brazil.     

水杨酸诱导下人参培养物差异表达基因片段的克隆

本研究以人参愈伤悬浮细胞为材料,在其生长的第28天添加1×10^-3mg／L水杨酸,测定水杨酸添加后,过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶等3种酶在72h内的变化及皂苷含量,结果表明：水杨酸添加后对过氧化物酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶的活力影响最大,分别在24h和48h达到最大峰值,在18h开始影响多酚氧化酶的活力,培养物生长的第28天添加水杨酸可以明显提高人参愈伤组织中皂苷的合成。确定添加水杨酸后24h提取总RNA,进行cDNA-RDA分析,筛选差异片段。确定差异基因并在GenBank中注册,注册号为FE900130。为探讨水杨酸作为诱导子对人参次生代谢的影响奠定基础。     

Effect of mitochondrial uncoupling and glycolysis inhibition on ram sperm functionality

Studies have demonstrated the importance of mitochondria to sperm functionality, as the main source of ATP for cellular homoeostasis and motility. However, the role of mitochondria on sperm metabolism is still controversial. Studies indicate that, for some species, glycolysis may be the main mechanism for sperm energy production. For ram sperm, such pathway is not clear. Thus, we evaluated ram sperm in response to mitochondrial uncoupling and glycolysis inhibition aiming to assess the importance of each pathway for sperm functionality. Statistical analysis was performed by the SAS System for Windows, using the General Linear Model Procedure. Data were tested for residue normality and variance homogeneity. A p < .05 was considered significant. Groups treated with the mitochondrial uncoupler Carbonyl cyanide 3 chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) showed a decrease in the percentage of cells with low mitochondrial activity and high mitochondrial membrane potential. We also observed that the highest CCCP concentration promotes a decrease in sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Regardless the lack of effect of CCCP on total motility, this substance induced significant alterations on sperm kinetics. Besides the interference of CCCP on spermatic movement patterns, it was also possible to observe such an effect in samples treated with the inhibitor of glycolysis (2‐deoxy‐d ‐glucose, DOG). Furthermore, treatment with DOG also led to a dose‐dependent increase in sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Based on our results, we suggest that the glycolysis appears to be as important as oxidative phosphorylation for ovine sperm kinetics as this mechanism is capable of maintaining full motility when most of the cells have a low mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, we found that changes in the glycolytic pathway trough glycolysis inhibition are likely involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and sperm oxidative unbalance.