Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Viçosa published in 1995"

Diet Formulation for Broilers Based on Total Versus Digestible Amino Acids

Abstract: A number of true amino acid digestibility assays were conducted in adult roosters on a range of feedstuffs. Using these feedstuff batches, different broiler starters and growers were formulated. A corn-soy positive control diet with high amino acid digestibility (HD) was compared to another diet using various by-products to partially replace corn and soybean meal. This second diet with low amino acid digestibility (LD) was formulated to contain the same levels of total lysine and total sulfur amino acids as diet HD. A third diet (LD + AA) was similar to diet LD, but with L-lysine•HCl and DL-methionine added to obtain levels of true digestible amino acids equal to diet HD. All three treatments consisted of a starter diet fed to 21 days and a grower diet fed to 42 days of age. Diet LD significantly depressed growth, feed efficiency, and breast meat yield compared to control diet HD. Balancing digestible amino acid contents by additional L-lysine•HC1 and DL-methionine essentially restored growth performance and carcass quality to the level of the control diet. This result demonstrates the potential benefit of switching diet formulation from total to digestible amino acids. The analysis of feed cost per kg broiler weight or per kg breast weight revealed considerable benefits from cheap by-products when diets were properly balanced in their digestible amino acid contents.

Higher incidence of Gastrospirillum sp. in swine with gastric ulcer of the pars oesophagea.

Abstract: Gastric ulcer in swine is characterized by an area of acid-peptic digestion, occurs usually in the pars oesophagea of the stomach, and has unknown etiopathogenesis. The present work was camed out to investigate the prevalence of the newly described spiral-shaped microorganism Gastrospirillum sp. ("Gastrospi- rillum suis") in stomachs of abattoir pigs with and without gastric ulcer. Stomachs were removed from 32 consecutive pigs presenting apparently normal mucosa and from 32 additional consecutive pigs presenting frank, chronic gastric ulcer of the pars oesophagea. Fragments of antral, oxyntic, cardiac and pars oesophagea regions were taken from each stomach and processed for histology and for identification of Gastrospirillum sp. in tissue sections. The microorganisms were identified mainly in the mucous layer and in gastric foveolas of the antral and oxyntic mucosa. Forty pigs (62.5%) were positive for Gastrospirillum sp.; among them, 27 (67.5%) had gastric ulcer, and 13 (32.5%) had no ulcer. Twenty-four pigs (37.5%) were negative for Gastrospirillum sp.; among them, five (20.8%) presented with gastric ulcer, and 19 (79.2%) had no ulcer. There was a significant difference between pigs with and without gastric ulcer in regard to the presence of Gastrospirillum sp. (P < 0.0 1). The spiral-shaped microorganism Gastrospirillum sp. that inhabits the stomach of pigs should be con- sidered a possible factor connected with the etiopathogenesis of swine gastric ulcer.

Abundância, riqueza e diversidade de abelhas Euglossinae (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em florestas contínuas de terra firme na Amazônia Central, Brasil

Abstract: The fauna of Euglossinae bees were studied in two areas of "terra firme" continuous forest in the Central Amazon. Brazil. During one year (september/1989-august/1990) the collections were done fortnightly, using traps with eight kinds of seents baits. The traps were placed in the understory and in the tree crowns. The continuous forest of "terra firme" near Manaus are among those with the highest speeies richness of Euglossinae in the Neotropics. The species richness was higher than that found in other studies carried out in Brazil also. One study area had higher species richness and abundance, while species diversity was higher in another one. The diversity was different significally between the two areas.

Heterogeneidade estrutural e diversidade de pequenos mamíferos em um fragmento de mata secundária de Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract: The aim is to determine the relationship between the diversity of small mammals and the structural heterogeneity and/or secondary successional stages in an Atlantic forest fragment at Vicosa (Minas Gerais). We used Sherman and hook live traps to sample this fauna, monthly from may 1992 to april 1993 in three areas: an abandoned plantation of Melinis minutiflora (campo) and two distinct forest areas (capoeira and mata). The structural heterogeneity was determined as a function of the presence of dead trees, pioneer species, epiphytes, the distances between trees, the tree height and basal area measured by a modified quadrant sample method (Cottam & Curtis 1945). lt was sampled a total of 340 individuals belonging to 17 species. The homogeneous plantations had the highest diversity (H' = 1,67). Among the two forests stands the less heterogeneous capoeira had similar diversity (H' = 1,19) than the more heterogeneous stand, the mata (H' = 1,13). The unexpected higher diversity and species richness in the more homogeneous habitat may be explained by some hidden factor which decrease the competition for resources in this community.

Effect of the size of worker brood cells of Africanized honey bees on infestation and reproduction of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni Oud

Abstract: La parositose par Varroa jacobsoni est un probleme grave pour l'apiculture. Cependant, au Bresil, ou l'apiculture est basee sur l'utilisation de l'abeille africanisee, l'epidemie n'a pas atteint un niveau alarmant, et il n'y a pas eu de pertes de colonies dues exclusivement a l'acarien. Puisque l'abeille africanisee est plus petite que l'abeille europeenne, a la fois au stade adulte et aux stades larvaires, nous avons analyse l'influence de la taille des cellules de couvain d'ouvrieres d'abeilles africanisees sur l'infestation et la reproduction du parasite. Des morceaux de rayon construits par des abeilles africanisees (petites cellules) et de race italienne (grandes cellules) ont ete places dans le meme cadre. Une seule reine a pondu au cours de chacun des 16 essais. La frequence des cellules de couvain infestees (tableau I) a ete significativement plus elevee dans les grandes cellules (15,7%) que dans les petites (7,3%). Le nombre de femelles de Varroa a ete legerement superieur dans les grandes cellules (298/258 = 1,15 femelle adulte par cellule) que dans les petites (120/115 = 1,04 femelle adulte par cellule). Le nombre de deutonymphes a ete 2,6 fois plus grand dans les grandes cellules. Le poids plus grand des nymphes elevees dans les grandes cellules (108,2 mg) par rapport a celles elevees dans les petites cellules (99,2 mg) suggere que les ouvrieres nourrices s'occupent davantage des premieres, ce qui augmente donc la probabilite d'apporter des acariens au contact des larves. Les donnees obtenues dans ce travail, sur l'effet de la taille des cellules, le nombre de cellules infestees et le temps de developpement du couvain d'ouvrieres d'abeilles africanisees, aussi bien que les donnees de la litterature concernant le comportement de nettoyage, les conditions climatiques et la regulation thermique de la colonie, contribuent a expliquer la plus grande resistance des abeilles africanisees a Varroa jacobsoni au Bresil et dans d'autres regions tropicales et sub-tropicales, par rapport aux races europeennes.

Biological efficacy and absorption of DL‐methionine hydroxy analogue free acid compared to DL‐methionine in chickens as affected by heat stress

Abstract: 1. The net absorption and the biological efficacy of DL‐methionine and of DL‐methionine hydroxy analogue free acid (MHA‐FA) were evaluated in chickens under heat stress. 2. In a growth assay, finishing broilers 21 to 42 d of age were fed on diets containing graded amounts of the two supplements; the basal diet was composed of practical ingredients. 3. From slope‐ratio analysis, equimolar efficacy of MHA‐FA relative to DL‐methionine was determined to be 83% (confidence limits 61 to 115%) from weight gain responses, and 67% (47 to 91%) from food conversion responses. This indicates that the relative efficacy of MHA‐FA is close to previous estimates of about 75% obtained under thermoneutral conditions. 4. In a balance study with caecectomised cockerels, net absorption (intake—excretion in faeces and urine) of DL‐methionine and of MHA‐FA, respectively, were determined to be 97.2 and 90.8%. The net absorption of MHA‐FA was significantly lower than that of DL‐methionine.

Fractal patterns for cells in culture

Abstract: The present study aims to understand the growth of human malignant tumours in vitro, using the geometry of fractals as a method of analysis. The fractal dimensions of HN-5 and MDCK cell growth patterns have been measured. The first results may suggest the possibility of distinct growth processes characterized by different (time-dependent) effective fractal dimensions for MDCK and HN-5 cells. If this is true, the fractal dimension may yet prove to be a useful discriminant for comparing different diagnostic categories.

Accumulation of proline and quaternary ammonium compounds in mature leaves of water stressed coffee plants (Coffea arabica and C. canephora)

Abstract: SummaryWater stressed coffee plants of five genotypes of C. arabica and one of C. canephora were compared with watered controls for their accumulation of proline and quaternary ammonium compounds. These solutes, mainly proline, accumulated in mature leaves under water stress, their concentration being related to the osmotic potential at zero turgor and to the osmotic adjustment either in well watered or droughted plants. Proline accumulated to a greater extent than quaternary ammonium compounds under water stress.

A fauna de formigas em povoamentos de eucalipto e mata nativa no estado do amapá

Abstract: This survey of the ant fauna in a native forest and in three plantations of Eucalyptus of 6, 20 and 106 months of age was conducted in August 1992. Sampling consisted of two 100 m transects per area along which 10 pitfall traps were placed for 7 days, after which they were replaced for traps baits with sardines, crackers and sugar laid during one hour per day. In addition hand collecting was performed on soil, litter, trees and shrubs for five non consecutive hours in each area. A total of 121 species belonging to 5 subfamilies and 50 genera was collected. The calculated Hill indices have indicated that in the native area there was a lower dominance and a higher species diversity. In the eucalipt there was a tendency towards reduced dominance and increased diversity as the stands grew older.

A simple epithelial cell line (mdck) shows heterogeneity of desmoglein isoforms, one resembling pemphigus vulgaris antigen

Abstract: The epidermal blistering disease, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), is caused by circulating autoantibodies that react with a desmosomal glycoprotein desmoglein (Dsg3). This antigen is expressed only in stratified epithelial tissues. Here we show that the simple epithelial canine kidney cell line, MDCK, expresses at least two desmoglein isoforms recognised by different monoclonal antibodies. One of these isoforms is a 130 x 10(3) M(r) polypeptide that is recognised by both PV autoantisera and a monoclonal antibody reactive with a cytoplasmic domain of human Dsg3. Antibodies in PV sera bind to the surface of MDCK cells but not cause loss of intercellular adhesion. This is the first demonstration of the expression of a polypeptide related to human PV antigen by a simple epithelial cell type.

Avaliação de substratos para cultivo de crisântemo(Crysanthemum morifolium Ramat. - Compositae) 'White Polaris' em vasos.

Abstract: ln order to obtain the best plant growth and flowering, 'White Polaris' chrysanthemum plants were cultivated in pots containing the following substrates: soil:sand: carbonized rice husk, soil:sand:non carbonized rice husks, soil:sand:coffee shell, soil: sand:sawdust and soil:sand: vermiculite in four volumetric ratios 1:0.5:1; 1:0.5:2; 1:1:2; 2:0.5:2 with densities varying from 0.6 to 0.7 g/ cm3 and soil:sand in only one ratio (1:0.5). Results were evaluated on the basis of fresh matter production of the whole plants, of the shoots and of the roots, and also, on percentage of flowers in three specific phases: buds, half-opened buds and fully opened flowers. The best responses of growth and flowering for 'White Polaris' chrysanthemum plants were obtained with the use of soil:sand: carbonized rice husks in the volumetric ratios of 1:0.5:2 and 2:0.5:2.

Mycosphaerella gracilis and other species of Mycosphaerella associated with leaf spots of Eucalyptus in Indonesia

Abstract: Collections of Eucalyptus leaves throughout the forested regions of Indonesia have revealed three species of Mycosphaerella associated with prominent leaf spot symptoms. A new species Mycosphaerella grac- ilis and its anamorph Pseudocercospora gracilis are de? scribed here, the connection between the anamorph and teleomorph having been confirmed by cultural studies. Similarly, Stenella parkii is described as the anamorph of Mycosphaerella parkii, and an additional species of Mycosphaerella is recorded.

Aspectos biológicos do parasitóide Chelonus insularis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) criados em ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Abstract: Biological aspects of Chelonus insularis (Cresson, 1865) an egg-larval parasitoid reared on Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) eggs Chelonus insularis (Cresson. 1865) has been cited in the international literature as a promissing biological control agent against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797). Its field occurrence in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais (Brasil) has been increasing in the last years. For these reasons this experiment was conducted in the laboratory, at the National Corn and Sorghum Research Center, of EMBRAPA, under temperature of 25oC. RH of 73% and photophase of 12 hours. Ten couples of the parasitoid were individually placed in a glass jar (5 liters capacity). They were fed on a 10% sugar solution. Each couple received one fall armyworm egg mass to oviposit during a 24-hour period. After hatching, the larvae were fed on artificial bean diet, up to the death caused by the parasitoid larvae. The total biological life cycle was 26.61 days on the average (larval period of 20.42 and pupal period of 6.19 days). The average weight of two days - old pupae was 0.02g. The adult longevity was on average. 10 days (8.4 days for males and 11.6 days for females). The greatest rate of parasitism occurred when the female was three days old, with a maximum of 92 eggs parasitized in that day.

Emprego do metaraminol no bloqueio da hipotensão produzida pelo uso da levomepromazina em cães

Abstract: The aim of this work was evaluate the possibility of the use of the metaraminol bitartarate to blockade the decrease of the blood pressure produced by levomepromazine HCL in dogs To this 20 crossbreed adult dogs, males and females, with average weight from 8 to 12 kg, were separated in two groups with 10 dogs each (GI and G1I) To the GI was administered, intravenously, 2 mg/kg of levomepromazine Fifteen minutes after was administered, by the same way, 05 ml of saline solution (09%) The systolic blood pressure (PA), heart rate (FC), respiratory frequency (FR), body temperature (T) and eletrocardiographic analysis (Dll) was evaluated before and after the administration of the levomepromazine at 15 minutes of intervals, during 60 minutes To the GII was applied the same method but the saline solution was replaced by the metaraminol at 01 mg/kg, administered by the intravenous way The numeric data was evaluated by the profile analysis as statistic method The results showed that the metaraminol increase the blood pressure and decrease the heart rate The respiration and the body temperature were not changed with the use of metaraminol and the drugs administered did not produce eletrocardiographic alterations The conclusion is that the use of metaraminol is indicated after the use of levomepromazine in dogs

Protein--protein interactions within the endoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses protein–protein interactions within the endoplasmic reticulum. The translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the initial transport step for proteins with ER, Golgi, lysosomal, vacuolar, or extracellular destinations. The process of protein translocation into the ER involves a complex series of events and interactions among numerous proteins, including the nascent polypeptide, signal recognition particle, signal-sequence receptor, signal peptidase, and several ER-resident proteins. Recent work in yeast, animal, and plant systems has implicated ER-resident proteins in the folding, assembly, and modification of proteins translocated into the ER. Most seed storage proteins are transported through the ER en route to specialized storage organelles. This chapter focuses on the identification of protein–protein interactions within the ER and ER-derived protein bodies. Successful detection of the interaction between two polypeptides requires a relatively stable protein–protein complex, steric availability of recognizable epitopes upon protein association, and no cross-reactivity between antibodies and associated proteins.