Sound exposure and its beneficial effects on embryonic growth and hatching of broiler chicks.

1. The physical factors that involve artificial incubation determine embryonic growth and hatching of broiler chicks, and have important implications for the poultry production chain and chick welfare. This study explored the effects of sound exposure on incubation responses (hatching, embryonic development and chick quality).2. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment with the factors 'sound pressure level' (at 70 and 90 dB) and 'species-specific vocalisations' (at 75dB - 85dB) was performed in four experimental incubators (loaded with 90 eggs each) for eight consecutive cycles of incubation, totalling 2880 Cobb-500® broiler breeder eggs.3. Embryonic growth was not influenced by any experimental factor, but the highest sound pressure level (90 dB) led to earlier hatching, higher hatchability, better chick quality and lower weight at hatching. Additional effects of species-specific vocalisations were found at 70 dB noise, which caused early hatching and better chick quality.4. It was concluded that the loud noise found in commercial hatcheries (at 90 dB) can be beneficial. Furthermore, the presence of species-specific vocalisations could improve the hatching time and chick quality from experimental incubators (at 70 dB). However, this would not provide additional benefits in commercial hatcheries, due to the machinery noise masking them.

[Natural features of oviposition of Culex (Melanoconion) Group Pilosus (Diptera: Culicidae)]. / Observação sobre característica natural de oviposição de Culex (Melanoconion) Grupo Pilosus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Eggs of Culex (Melanoconion) Grupo Pilosus were found in three oviposition traps set in the toilet of a Bus Station in Joinville city, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during a surveillance study of Aedes aegypti. The intrinsic characteristic of group oviposition not directly on the water was confirmed.

[An analysis of plasma histaminase in schizophrenic patients and its relationship to clinical parameters]. / Análise da histaminase plasmática em doentes esquizofrénicos e sua relação com paraâmetros clínicos.

Previous studies have investigated putative alterations in histamine and histamine receptors in schizophrenia, and evidence in favour of the role of this amine as a neurotransmitter or as a neuromodulator was found. In the present study the activity of plasmatic histaminase was analysed, with histamine and with cadaverine as substrates, in a group of 23 schizophrenic patients and compared with that of healthy controls (n = 32). Plasma histaminase activity was determined using Gordon and Peters spectrophotometric method, and the results were expressed in mumoles of H2O2 transformed/hour/litre of plasma at 25 degrees C. Plasmatic histaminase, using histamine as substrate, was significantly increased in schizophrenic patients as a whole compared with the healthy controls. On the other hand, when cadaverine was used as substrate plasma histaminase was significantly reduced in female schizophrenics but not in males. When patients were divided according to 17 clinical characteristics it was found that the following subgroups were significantly associated to high levels of plasma histaminase (using histamine as substrate): the non mentally deteriorated schizophrenic patients compared with mentally deteriorated schizophrenic patients and those with thymic symptoms as opposed to those without thymic symptoms. An extension of this series and a prospective analysis are required to further define the clinical and biological significance of the alteration of this biochemical parameter in schizophrenia, and particularly in relation with a subgroup of schizophrenia with a more favourable course.