Determining the 4th limiting amino acid in low crude protein diets for male and female Cobb MV × 500 broilers.

1. Four experiments were conducted to determine the 4th limiting amino acid (AA) in maize-soybean meal-based diets. 2. Deletion assay methodology was used to quantify performance and carcase trait responses to potential deficiencies in essential and conditionally essential AA caused by reductions in dietary crude protein of maize-soybean meal-based diets from 202.9 to 186.5 g/kg. 3. The deletion of Val, Phe and Gly + Pro resulted in negative effects on live performance and carcase traits for male broilers, whereas AA deletion only affected wing weights for females with no response on live performance. 4. Further experimentation could not duplicate a response to Phe or Pro in male broilers. 5. Valine was identified as the potential 4th limiting AA in maize-soybean meal-based diets and was not found to be co-limiting with Ile.

Ant and termite mound coinhabitants in the wetlands of Santo Antonio da Patrulha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

This paper reports on ant and termite species inhabiting the mounds (murundus) found in three wetland sites in Santo Antonio da Patrulha. Ants and termites were found in 100% of the mounds of two sites and in 20% of those in the third site. Colonies of Camponotus fastigatus were found inhabiting all the mounds, while colonies of Brachymyrmex sp., Linepithema sp., Pheidole sp., and/or Solenopsis sp. were collected in less than 30% of the mounds. In the mounds of the three sites, colonies of Anoplotermes sp. and/or Aparatermes sp. termites were found together with the ant colonies. Another cohabiting termite species, Cortaritermes sp., was found only in the mounds of one site. The results suggest that C. fastigatus is the species building the mounds, with the other species, whether ants or termites, being the inquilines.

Ant and termite mound coinhabitants in the wetlands of Santo Antonio da Patrulha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Neste trabalho são relatadas as espécies de formigas e de térmitas co-habitantes dos murundus em três áreas de zonas úmidas, no município de Santo Antônio da Patrulha, RS. Em todos os murundus foram encontradas colônias de formigas, sendo que Camponotus fastigatus ocorreu em 100% deles e, em menos de 30%, também havia colônias de Brachymyrmex sp., Linepithema sp., Pheidole sp. e/ou de Solenopsis sp. Co-habitando com as formigas, nos murundus das três áreas, foram encontradas colônias dos térmitas Anoplotermes sp. e/ou de Aparatermes sp. Uma terceira espécie de térmita co-habitante, Cortaritermes sp., foi encontrada apenas nos murundus de uma das áreas. Os dados obtidos sugerem que C. fastigatus seria a espécie construtora dos murundus e as demais espécies de formigas e de térmitas seriam inquilinas.

Ground-dwelling ant fauna of sites with high levels of copper.

Richness and diversity of ant species are related to environmental factors such as vegetation, soil, presence of heavy metals, and insecticides, which allow the use of the assemblage members as terrestrial indicators of environmental conservation status. This study presents the results of ground ants surveyed in Minas do Camaquã in the municipality of Cacapava do Sul (Camaquã Basin), State of Rio Grande do Sul. Collections were performed in four sites, which high levels of copper in the soil, three of which--a mine, a liquid reject, and a solid reject-, had sparse or no plant cover, and one site where Pinus has been used for rehabilitation. Parque das Guaritas was the control site, since it presented normal levels of copper and a dense savanna cover. For each site, three transect lines extending 100 m were draw, and at each 10 m sardine baits were distributed; after two hours the ants present were collected. Hand collections in all five sites were performed during one hour (capture effort). A total of 51 species belonging to 17 genera were collected. The control site was the richest in ant species (r = 45). Sites with high level of copper and poor plant cover presented the lowest richness: mine (r = 14), solid reject (r = 15), and liquid reject (r = 16). In contrast, the site planted with Pinus presented an increment in richness (r = 24) of ground-dwelling ants, suggesting a reahabilitation process.

Ground-dwelling ant fauna of sites with high levels of copper

A riqueza e a diversidade de formigas estão relacionadas a fatores como vegetação, solo, presença de metais pesados e inseticidas, o que permite usar membros das comunidades como indicadores terrestres do estado de conservação ambiental. Neste trabalho são apresentados dados sobre a fauna de formigas nas Minas do Camaquã, Caçapava do Sul (Bacia do Camaquã), Rio Grande do Sul. As coletas foram realizadas em quatro áreas com altos teores de cobre no solo, dentre as quais três - minas, rejeito líquido e rejeito sólido - apresentaram pouca ou nenhuma vegetação e uma apresentou área de recuperação com Pinus. A área controle foi o Parque das Guaritas, por apresentar teores normais de cobre e densa vegetação típica de savana. Foram traçados três transectos de 100 m por área e, a cada 10 m, foi colocada uma isca de sardinha. As iscas ficaram expostas por duas horas e, após esse tempo, as formigas presentes foram coletadas. Também foram realizadas coletas manuais, durante uma hora (esforço de captura), nas cinco áreas. Ao todo foram coletadas 51 espécies, distribuídas em 17 gêneros. A área controle apresentou a maior riqueza de espécies (r = 45), enquanto as áreas com altos teores de cobre e pouca vegetação apresentaram as menores riquezas: mina (r = 14), rejeito sólido (r = 15) e rejeito líquido (r = 16). A área plantada com Pinus apresentou aumento na riqueza (r = 24) de espécies de formigas de solo, sugerindo sua recuperação.

Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from two species of Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

The control of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants is necessary due to the severe damage they cause to diverse crops. A possibility was to control them using the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that characteristically produces insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). The ICPs have been effective in controlling lepidopterans, dipterans, and coleopterans, but their action against hymenopterans is unknown. This paper describes an attempt to isolate Bt from ants of two Acromyrmex species, to evaluate its pathogenicity towards these ants, and to test isolates by PCR. Bacterial isolates of Bt obtained from A. crassispinus and A. lundi have been assayed against A. lundi in the laboratory. The bioassays were carried out in BOD at 25 degrees C, with a 12-hour photoperiod, until the seventh day after treatment. The Bt isolates obtained were submitted to total DNA extraction and tested by PCR with primers specific to cry genes. The results showed Bt presence in 40% of the assessed samples. The data from the in vivo assays showed a mortality rate higher than 50% in the target population, with the Bt HA48 isolate causing 100% of corrected mortality. The PCR results of Bt isolates showed a magnification of DNA fragments relative to cry1 genes in 22% of the isolates, and cry9 in 67%. Cry2, cry3, cry7, and cry8 genes were not detected in the tested samples, and 22% had no magnified DNA fragments corresponding to the assessed cry genes. The results are promising not only regarding allele identification in new isolates, but also fort the assays aimed at determining the Bt HA48 LC50's, which can eventually be applied in controlling of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants.

Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from two species of Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The control of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants is necessary due to the severe damage they cause to diverse crops. A possibility was to control them using the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that characteristically produces insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). The ICPs have been effective in controlling lepidopterans, dipterans, and coleopterans, but their action against hymenopterans is unknown. This paper describes an attempt to isolate Bt from ants of two Acromyrmex species, to evaluate its pathogenicity towards these ants, and to test isolates by PCR. Bacterial isolates of Bt obtained from A. crassispinus and A. lundi have been assayed against A. lundi in the laboratory. The bioassays were carried out in BOD at 25ºC, with a 12-hour photoperiod, until the seventh day after treatment. The Bt isolates obtained were submitted to total DNA extraction and tested by PCR with primers specific to cry genes. The results showed Bt presence in 40 percent of the assessed samples. The data from the in vivo assays showed a mortality rate higher than 50 percent in the target population, with the Bt HA48 isolate causing 100 percent of corrected mortality. The PCR results of Bt isolates showed a magnification of DNA fragments relative to cry1 genes in 22 percent of the isolates, and cry9 in 67 percent. Cry2, cry3, cry7, and cry8 genes were not detected in the tested samples, and 22 percent had no magnified DNA fragments corresponding to the assessed cry genes. The results are promising not only regarding allele identification in new isolates, but also fort the assays aimed at determining the Bt HA48 LC50's, which can eventually be applied in controlling of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

Genetic variability and social structure of colonies in Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The breeding structure of both colony and population of social insects can be examined by genetic analysis. Colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Myrmicinae, Attini) were thus analyzed for isoenzyme systems MDH, a-GPDH, and AMY to describe genotype variability and social structure. A total of five loci were investigated (three for amylase and one for each other system). Ninety-seven colonies of A. heyeri and 103 of A. striatus were sampled in different localities in Southern Brazil (State of Rio Grande do Sul). The genotypes found show the occurrence of monogyny and polygyny associated or not with polyandry, which indicates that the social organization is colony-specific. The polygyny and polyandry observed are likely to be responsible for the great genotypic diversity of the colonies. The average inbreeding coefficient per colony was higher in A. striatus than in A. heyeri, which may reflect the different patterns of production of sexual individuals and nuptial flight of those two species

[Health problems among the Kaingáng (Xapecó Indigenous Reserve, Santa Catarina) and the health care system]. / Agravos na saúde Kaingáng (Terra Indígena Xapecó, Santa Catarina) e a estrutura dos serviços de atenção biomédica.

The second semester of 1999 was a transition period for the implementation of the Special Indigenous Health District on the Xapecó Indigenous Reserve in western Santa Catarina State. The health clinic in the main village provided treatment with a staff including a general practitioner/obstetrician, pediatrician, dentist, nurse, two nursing assistants, and four nursing technicians. This paper presents the preliminary results of research on the organization of these health care services, their use by the community, and the health/disease profile of the Kaingáng, using patient files as the source of information. In September 1999, a total of 222 Indians were treated (children and adults), 50.5% of whom residing in the main village. Among the Indians ages 0 to 14 years, infectious and parasitic diseases were the most frequent, supporting the idea that the Kaingáng have precarious sanitary and nutritional conditions. Use of the clinic by adults was more varied, since of the 116 who appeared for consultation, 27 were pregnant women (out of a total of 86 women). In addition, prescriptions were written up for children and adults in 85.0% and 81.8% of the consultations, respectively.

Genetic variability and social structure of Colonies in Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

The breeding structure of both colony and population of social insects can be examined by genetic analysis. Colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Myrmicinae, Attini) were thus analyzed for isoenzyme systems MDH, a-GPDH, and AMY to describe genotype variability and social structure. A total of five loci were investigated (three for amylase and one for each other system). Ninety-seven colonies of A. heyeri and 103 of A. striatus were sampled in different localities in Southern Brazil (State of Rio Grande do Sul). The genotypes found show the occurrence of monogyny and polygyny associated or not with polyandry, which indicates that the social organization is colony-specific. The polygyny and polyandry observed are likely to be responsible for the great genotypic diversity of the colonies. The average inbreeding coefficient per colony was higher in A. striatus than in A. heyeri, which may reflect the different patterns of production of sexual individuals and nuptial flight of those two species.

Immunohistochemical localization of modified C-reactive protein antigen in normal vascular tissue.

BACKGROUND: The prototypic acute phase reactant, C-reactive protein (CRP), is a serum soluble, cyclic pentameric protein, the concentration of which increases markedly within hours of any tissue-damaging, inflammatory event. However, upon dissociation of its pentameric quaternary structure, CRP subunits undergo a spontaneous and irreversible conformational change. The resulting molecule, termed modified CRP or mCRP, has reduced aqueous solubility and a propensity to aggregate into a matrix-like lattice structure. METHODS: Using monoclonal antibodies, normal human tissues were immunohistochemically screened for the presence of CRP as well as mCRP antigens. RESULTS: Significant levels of mCRP were detected in the walls of blood vessels associated with normal human tissues. These data indicate that mCRP is a naturally occurring form of CRP and that it is a tissue-based rather than serum-based molecule. SIGNIFICANCE: This report describes the localization of a stable form of CRP, mCRP, in blood vessels associated with normal human tissues.

Levels and molecular size distribution of serum laminin in adult type I diabetic patients with and without microangiopathy.

The glycoprotein laminin, a cross-shaped complex of three genetically different polypeptide chains, is a structural component of the capillary basement membrane. Serum laminin concentrations of healthy controls (n = 60) and adult type I diabetic patients (n = 170) were not age-dependent. Laminin was correlated with hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) values in normoalbuminuric patients (rs = .33, P < .0005, n = 116). Type I diabetic patients without nephropathy or retinopathy in good metabolic control had normal laminin levels. However, increasing stages of microangiopathy were associated with higher laminin levels. The molecular size distribution of serum laminin of control subjects (n = 4) and type I diabetic patients (n = 15) was analyzed by molecular-sieve chromatography. Laminin was eluted in two peaks with a molecular mass of 900 and 300 kd, most likely representing intact laminin and its P1 fragment, respectively. The areas of the two peaks were determined by two-gaussian function fitting. In patients without microangiopathy in poor metabolic control, an increase in the high-molecular weight (HMW) fraction could be detected as compared with healthy subjects and patients with acceptable metabolic control. Furthermore, the HMW laminin fraction and the ratio between the areas of the first and second peak increased with the stage of nephropathy (P < .001, Jonckheere-Terpstra test). These results provide evidence that (1) laminin concentration is increased in chronic hyperglycemia, (2) laminin may be a marker of microangiopathic lesions, and (3) elevated laminin levels may reflect an increased synthesis and/or a defective incorporation of laminin into the capillary basement membrane.

Interaction of the progesterone receptor with binding proteins for FK506 and cyclosporin A.

T47D human breast carcinoma cells and the chicken oviduct were used to study the structure of the nonactivated progesterone receptor (PR) complex. Immunoprecipitation of PR (B form) from cytosol extracts was performed using monoclonal antibody PR6, a cross-reactive antibody prepared to chicken PR. Analysis of the PR complex by sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and Western immuno-blotting revealed the presence of several specific copurifying proteins. Consistent with previous reports, the two heat shock proteins, hsp90 and hsp70, were shown to be present. A third 59-kilodalton (kDa) protein observed previously was confirmed to be p59 (also called hsp56 or FKBP52), which has been shown to bind the immunosuppressant drug FK506. Two additional PR-associated proteins were observed that had not been previously recognized with human PR. These have molecular masses of 54-kDa and 23-kDa and have been shown by Western blotting to be related to the proteins p54 and p23 that are associated with chicken PR. P23 is a novel protein of unknown function and p54 or FKBP54 has been recently shown to be another FK506-binding protein related to p59. Finally, the cyclosporin A-binding protein, CyP-40, could be detected in isolated chicken PR complexes and in PR complexes that were reconstituted in vitro, but this protein was not detected in human PR complexes, which are less stable than chicken PR complexes in cytosol extracts. The functional significance of FK506 and cyclosporin A-binding proteins to hormone action was tested using a T47D cell line that contained a progestin reporter gene, MMTV-CAT. Treatment with cyclosporin A had no effect on the basal level of CAT expression, but it caused a dramatic increase in the sensitivity and magnitude of the response to the synthetic progestin, R5020. The enhanced response elicited by drug treatment was blocked by the antiprogestin RU486 indicating that this effect was receptor-mediated. While cyclosporin A enhanced progestin action in T47D cells, it inhibited a PR/reporter gene system in L cells. The drugs FK506 and rapamycin had no effect on progestin action in T47D cells, but they stimulated glucocorticoid action in T47D cells. Thus, the effects of these immunosuppressant drugs vary with the cell type and hormonal system that is tested. Whether these drug effects relate directly to the immunophilins bound in receptor complexes remains unknown.

Heat shock protein 70 is associated in substoichiometric amounts with the rat hepatic glucocorticoid receptor.

The 70-kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) has been shown to be an important participant in several intracellular events, including protein folding and trafficking. Hsp70 binds to many, if not all, proteins during their translation and maintains its association with some protein complexes as a subunit. We have examined the possibility that hsp70 may be associated with one or more forms of the rat hepatic glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Unliganded GR was immunoprecipitated from cytosol with the anti-GR monoclonal antibody BUGR2 and then subjected to western blotting. Both hsp70 and the 90-kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) were found to be specifically associated with the GR. Hsp70 was also bound to the liganded unactivated and activated (transformed) forms of the GR complex, while as expected, hsp90 was absent from the activated GR. Immunoprecipitation of cytosolic hsp70 with the anti-hsp70 monoclonal antibody N27 resulted in coprecipitation of GR. The components of the immunopurified GR were also analyzed by laser densitometry after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Coomassie blue staining. These experiments revealed that hsp70 is bound to the GR in an approximate 1:5 ratio. Unactivated GR complexes isolated via a ligand affinity purification scheme contained hsp90 and trace amounts of hsp70. Collectively, these experiments demonstrate that hsp70 is specifically associated with several forms of the native rat hepatic GR, although its binding is substoichiometric. This is in direct contrast to hsp90, which binds as a dimeric subunit to the heteromeric unactivated GR complex.