Resumo Nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEP) das famílias Heterorhabditidae e Steinernematidae são amplamente utilizados no controle de insetos-pragas. No Brasil, os estudos relacionados a caracterização e identificação destes entomopatógenos são recentes e escassos. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi isolar NEP de amostras de solos coletadas em diferentes áreas no estado do Paraná, Brasil. Um isolado Heterorhabditis (UEL 08) detectado em amostra de solo em área de pastagem cultivada com braquiária, localizada em Londrina, Paraná, Brasil (23º34´311´´S, 050º58´298´´W), utilizando o método de “inseto-isca” com lagartas de Galleria mellonella. Para a identificação foram realizados estudos de morfometria e identificação molecular a partir da amplificação da região ITS. Algumas diferenças foram encontradas em termos de morfometria em comparação com a descrição original, entretanto, os dados moleculares demonstraram que a sequência obtida para o isolado UEL 08 é idêntica à sequência de referência de H. amazonensis (DQ665222), com a qual apresentou 100% de similaridade. Os estudos das características biológicas de H. amazonensis (UEL 08) revelaram que o isolado tem dois ciclos de vida distintos, um curto (216 h) e outro longo (288 h), sendo que ocorrem duas gerações em ambos os ciclos. O isolado UEL 08 H. amazonensis foi patogénico e virulento sobre os três hospedeiros avaliados. Notadamente, as larvas de G. mellonella e Alphitobius diaperinus foram consideradas mais susceptíveis do que os adultos do percevejo Dichelops (Diacereus) melacanthus, com percentagens de mortalidade de 100%, 85% e 46% de mortalidade, respectivamente. O ensaio de produção in vivo revelou um rendimento médio diário de 3,4 × 103 juvenis infectantes/g de larva hospedeira.

Abstract Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae families are extensively used to control insect pests. In Brazil, however, relatively few studies have identified and characterized these entomopathogens. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize an EPN isolate obtained from soil samples collected in the state of Paraná, Brazil. An isolate (UEL 08) of Heterorhabditis was detected in a soil sample collected from a pasture area cultivated with Brachiaria grass in Londrina, state of Paraná, Brazil (23°34ʹ311ʹʹS, 050°58ʹ298ʹʹW), using the insect-baiting technique with Galleria mellonella larvae as hosts. The nematode was identified through morphometric studies and molecular analyses based on amplification of the rDNA ITS region. Although we identified certain morphometric differences compared with the original description, the molecular data indicated that the ITS sequence obtained for the UEL 08 isolate is identical to the reference sequence of H. amazonensis (DQ665222) and presented 100% similarity. Thus, the findings of our morphological and molecular studies confirmed that the isolated nematode is H. amazonensis, which is the first time this species has been registered in Paraná. Study of the biological characteristics of H. amazonensis (UEL 08) revealed that the isolate has two distinct life cycles – one short (216 h) and the other long (288 h) – and produces two generations in both cycles. We observed that H. amazonensis (UEL 8) was pathogenic and virulent to the three evaluated hosts, although with different virulence against these hosts. The larvae of G. mellonella and Alphitobius diaperinus were more susceptible than adult Dichelops (Diacereus) melacanthus, with 100%, 85%, and 46% mortality, respectively. Furthermore, an in vivo production assay revealed a mean daily yield of 3.4 × 103 infective juveniles/g host larvae.

Abstract This work aimed to produce CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbBr3 films on glass substrates via the automated spray-pyrolysis technique for application as an absorber layer of photovoltaic cells. Their properties were investigated and compared by varying deposition parameters, such as the temperature (250, 300, 350, and 400 °C) and the precursor solution flow (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mL/min). Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of orthorhombic perovskite films. The most adequate temperature and solution flow were 300 °C and 0.50 mL/min for both bromine and iodide films. Morphologically, the films were uniform and free from cracks. CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbBr3 films respectively had an optical gap of 1.5 and 2.3 eV, a thickness of 4.56 and 2.35 µm, an absorption coefficient of 0.58x104 and 0.50x104 cm-1, a resistivity of 21.80 and 24.20 kΩ.m, and a figure of merit of 2.66 and 2.07. It was concluded that, between the two compounds, the CH3NH3PbI3 layer has better performance for photovoltaic applications. CHNHPbI CH NH PbI CH3NH3PbI CHNHPbBr PbBr CH3NH3PbBr spraypyrolysis spray pyrolysis cells parameters 250, 250 (250 350 40 C 0.25, 025 0 25 (0.25 050 50 075 75 0.7 mL/min. mLmin . mL min mL/min) Xray X ray 30 0.5 Morphologically cracks 15 1 5 1. 23 2 3 2. eV 456 4 56 4.5 235 35 µm 058x104 x 58x104 0.58x10 050x104 50x104 0.50x10 cm1, cm1 cm 1, cm-1 2180 21 80 21.8 2420 24 20 24.2 kΩm kΩ m kΩ.m 266 66 2.6 207 07 2.07 that compounds applications (25 0.25 02 (0.2 05 7 0. 45 4. 058x10 58x10 0.58x1 050x10 50x10 0.50x1 cm- 218 8 21. 242 24. 26 6 2.0 (2 0.2 (0. 058x1 58x1 0.58x 050x1 50x1 0.50x ( (0 058x 58x 050x 50x

This study evaluated the ingestive behaviour and performance of feedlot lambs fed saccharine sorghum and corn silages. Ten animals were randomly selected from a group of 32 uncastrated male Suffolk lambs. The four treatments consisted of diets with 50% of silage made from forage sorghum (BD 1615), two varieties of saccharine sorghum (BRS 506 and BRS 511), and corn (BRS 2223). Ingestive behaviour was observed by a scan sampling method using seven strategically positioned video cameras so as not to interfere with the usual animal behaviour. The animals were observed for three 48-hour periods at 15-day intervals, with a total of 144 hours of observation. Video recordings were then examined to identify the time spent in ruminating, eating, drinking water and idling. Times spent feeding or drinking water were not significantly affected by the treatments. Animals fed forage sorghum silage had higher neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake (0.41 kg of NDF), thus spent more time ruminating (342 min/day). Rumination time was similar for the BD 1615 and BRS 506 silages and was 85 min/day greater than for the BRS 511 and BRS 2223 silages, which were similar. Average daily gain was greater for BRS 2223 (275 g/day) than for BRS 506 and BRS 511 silages, which were similar (196 g/day). Ingestive behaviour for BRS 511 was similar to that observed for BRS 2223. Ingestive behaviour for BRS 506 was similar to that observed for BD 1615. Average daily gain was related to intake and ruminating efficiency.

Resumo A acupuntura é uma técnica terapêutica da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa, que ao longo dos anos tem sido muito difundida no Ocidente. Definida como uma técnica de tratamento com inserção de agulhas em pontos (acupontos) exatamente pré-estabelecidos sobre o organismo, para produzir uma reação fisiológica específica com o intuito de restabelecer o equilíbrio entre estados contraditórios de função e a homeostase, alternando os estados de energia e com isto mantendo a organização do órgão e do organismo. Com isso, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi mapear e descrever os principais pontos de acupuntura nas espécies Boa constrictore suas indicações para promover o equilíbrio dessa espécie. O resultado inédito do mapeamento foi à descoberta de pontos de acupuntura específicos com indicações de localização individuais sem distribuição em meridianos específicos e dispersamente distribuídos no corpo.

Abstract Acupuncture is a therapy of the traditional Chinese medicine technique, which over the years has been widespread in the West. Defined as a needle-point treatment technique (acupoints), exactly preconfigured in the body to produce a specific physiological reaction to restore the balance between the function of conflicting states and homeostasis, alternating states of energy and thus maintain the ideal organ and body organization. Thus, the objective of this study was to map and describe the main points of acupuncture in the species Boa constrictor , and their indications to promote the balance of this species. The unprecedented result of the mapping was the discovery of specific acupoints with individual location indications without distribution in specific meridians and dispersedly distributed in the body.

Objectives of this study were to evaluate effects of grazing tropical forage species and level of supplementation with grain on characteristics of lamb meat. Ninety-day-old lambs (n = 36) (22.54 ± 2.72 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of pasture types (Aruana and Marandu) and levels of concentrate supplementation (0%, 1.5% and 3% of bodyweight). Water retention capacity, shear force, weight loss after cooking, pH, colour, and intramuscular lipid content of the meat were evaluated. A panel of 145 consumers evaluated the appearance, flavour, fat flavour, odour, and softness of the meat and provided an overall assessment. Supplementation at 3% of bodyweight reduced the luminosity of the meat. The appearance of meat from lambs that grazed Aruana grass was deemed preferable to that of meat from lambs that grazed Marandu grass. Total branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) were increased when grazing Marandu grass compared to Aruana grass. Lambs supplemented with concentrate had reduced BCFA/kg of meat and its content of both monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids were increased. Supplementation with concentrate at 1.5% and 3.0% of bodyweight increased n-6 PUFAs by 16.8% and 90.0%, decreased n-3 PUFAs by 49.7% and 35.9%, and thus increased the n-6/n-3 ratio by 135.0% and 183.8%, respectively. Lambs that were finished on grass without supplementation had a more healthful fatty acid profile and received better scores for flavour and global appreciation. To improve the quality of fatty acids in the meat, the pasture system is recommended.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing soybean meal with dried brewers' grains (DBG) in intake and digestibility of the nutrients and the ruminal parameters of cattle. Four ruminal cannulated Jersey oxen with initial body weight of 662.7 ± 85.5 kg were distributed in a 4x4 Latin square design. The treatments were levels of 0%, 33%, 66% and 100% DBG replacing soybean meal in the diet. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake were not influenced by the treatments. There were linear increases in ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) intakes because of higher levels of these nutrients in diets with DBG. Non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) and total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake showed a decreasing linear effect. Dry matter and NFC digestibility decreased linearly with rising DBG levels, while EE, CP, NDF and ADF digestibilities were not affected. Ruminal pH was not influenced by DBG levels in the diet. There was a quadratic effect in ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration in the rumen, with the maximum occurring at a level of 36.7% DGB. The replacement of soybean meal with DBG in cattle diets did not alter DM intake and ruminal pH, but reduced TDN intake.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritive and microbiological composition and fermentation changes in the residue of wet cassava starch (RWCS) ensiled with different levels of urea. The experimental design was a randomized split plot 4x2, with four levels of urea added in the residue of wet cassava starch (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg as fed) allocated to plots, and the sampling positions in the silo (superficial and intermediate) allocated to the subplots. The RWCS was ensiled in air circular concrete silos with approximately 1000 kg of capacity. Urea was added to RWCS between layers at the time of ensiling and the material was kept ensiled for a period of 45 days. After the fermentation period, the silos were opened and samples were collected for the determination of temperature, pH, total nitrogen, ammonia, dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, and the population of fungi and yeasts, lactic acid bacteria and Clostridium. The urea addition to the level of 20 g/kg as fed silage for the residue of wet cassava starch with approximately 18 % of DM increases the pH, total N, NH3-N, crude protein, NDF and ADF of silage. However, this addition reduce the populations of lactic acid bacteria, fungi, yeasts and the total population of microorganisms without altering the content of dry matter, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composição do residuo úmido de fécula de mandioca (RUFM) ensilado com diferentes níveis de ureia, verificando possíveis alterações na fermentação e em seu valor nutricional, e características microbiológicas e fermentativas. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas 4x2, com os quatro níveis de inclusão de ureia no resíduo úmido de fécula de mandioca (0; 5; 10; 15 e 20 g/kg na matèria natural) alocados nas parcelas, e as posições de amostragem no silo (superficial e intermediària) alocadas nas subparcelas. O RUFM foi ensilado em silos circulares aéreos de concreto, com capacidade para aproximadamente 1000 kg. A ureia foi adicionada ao RUFM em camadas intercaladas no momento da ensilagem, e o material permaneceu ensilado por um período de 45 dias. Decorrido o período de fermentação, os silos foram abertos e foram realizadas as amostragens para a determinação da temperatura, pH, nitrogenio total, nitrogênio amoniacal, matéria seca, matéria mineral, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), celulose, hemicelulose e lignina, e da população de fungos e leveduras, bacterias ácido-láticas e Clostridium. A adição de ureia até o nivel de 20 g/kg na materia natural para a ensilagem do residuo úmido de fécula de mandioca com aproximadamente 18 % de MS aumenta o pH, N total, N-NH3, proteina bruta, FDN e FDA da silagem. Porém, esta mesma adição, reduz as populações de bactérias ácido láticas, fungos, leveduras e a população total de microorganismos sem alterar o conteúdo de materia seca, a hemicelulose, celulose e lignina.

The variations of chemical composition, and occurrence of fungi in Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay stored in the field or under shed for 30 days were evaluated. The desing used was completely randomized design with plots subdivided by time with two storage systems, four assessment periods. After 30 days, crude protein was reduced and acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP) contents increased, with low occurrence of fungi Aspergillus, Rizophus, and Cladosporium and high occurrence of Geotrichium, Phoma, Penicillium, and Diploccocum.

Avaliou-se as variações de composição quimica e ocorrencia de fungos no feno de Tifton 85 armazenado à campo ou em galpão por 30 dias. 0 delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com dois sistemas de armazenamento e quatro periodos de avaliação. Verificou-se que, dentro de um curto periodo de tempo (30 dias), houve redução da PB e aumento da PIDA com baixa ocorrencia de fungos Aspergillus, Rizophus e Cladosporium e alta ocorrencia de Geotrichium, Phoma, Penicillium e Diploccocum.

Among the molecular, biochemical and cellular processes that orchestrate the development of the different phenotypes of cardiac hypertrophy in response to physiological stimuli or pathological insults, the specific contribution of exercise training has recently become appreciated. Physiological cardiac hypertrophy involves complex cardiac remodeling that occurs as an adaptive response to static or dynamic chronic exercise, but the stimuli and molecular mechanisms underlying transduction of the hemodynamic overload into myocardial growth are poorly understood. This review summarizes the physiological stimuli that induce concentric and eccentric physiological hypertrophy, and discusses the molecular mechanisms, sarcomeric organization, and signaling pathway involved, also showing that the cardiac markers of pathological hypertrophy (atrial natriuretic factor, β-myosin heavy chain and α-skeletal actin) are not increased. There is no fibrosis and no cardiac dysfunction in eccentric or concentric hypertrophy induced by exercise training. Therefore, the renin-angiotensin system has been implicated as one of the regulatory mechanisms for the control of cardiac function and structure. Here, we show that the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor is locally activated in pathological and physiological cardiac hypertrophy, although with exercise training it can be stimulated independently of the involvement of angiotensin II. Recently, microRNAs (miRs) have been investigated as a possible therapeutic approach since they regulate the translation of the target mRNAs involved in cardiac hypertrophy; however, miRs in relation to physiological hypertrophy have not been extensively investigated. We summarize here profiling studies that have examined miRs in pathological and physiological cardiac hypertrophy. An understanding of physiological cardiac remodeling may provide a strategy to improve ventricular function in cardiac dysfunction.

Angiotensin-converting enzymes 1 (ACE1) and 2 (ACE2) are key enzymes of the renin-angiotensin system, which act antagonistically to regulate the levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang-(1-7). Considerable data show that ACE1 acts on normal skeletal muscle functions and architecture. However, little is known about ACE1 levels in muscles with different fiber compositions. Furthermore, ACE2 levels in skeletal muscle are not known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize protein expression and ACE1 and ACE2 activities in the soleus and plantaris muscles. Eight-week-old female Wistar rats (N = 8) were killed by decapitation and the muscle tissues harvested for biochemical and molecular analyses. ACE1 and ACE2 activities were investigated by a fluorometric method using Abz-FRK(Dnp)P-OH and Mca-YVADAPK(Dnp)-OH fluorogenic substrates, respectively. ACE1 and ACE2 protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. ACE2 was expressed in the skeletal muscle of rats. There was no difference between the soleus (type I) and plantaris (type II) muscles in terms of ACE2 activity (17.35 ± 1.7 vs 15.09 ± 0.8 uF·min-1·mg-1, respectively) and protein expression. ACE1 activity was higher in the plantaris muscle than in the soleus (71.5 ± 3.9 vs 57.9 ± 1.1 uF·min-1·mg-1, respectively). Moreover, a comparative dose-response curve of protein expression was established in the soleus and plantaris muscles, which indicated higher ACE1 levels in the plantaris muscle. The present findings showed similar ACE2 levels in the soleus and plantaris muscles that might result in a similar Ang II response; however, lower ACE1 levels could attenuate Ang II production and reduce bradykinin degradation in the soleus muscle compared to the plantaris. These effects should enhance the aerobic capacity necessary for oxidative muscle activity.