Atividade enzimática da lipase em rã-touro na fase pós-metamórfica

The knowledge of the digestive system of bullfrogs is an important step for the determination of their nutritional requirements throughout growth phases. With the objective of evaluating the enzymatic activity of lipase in the intestinal content of bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana Shaw, 1802), 100 animals with median weight of 3.6 g were distributed in stalls under controlled temperature and photoperiod. The frogs, selected at the post-metamorphic phase, received commercial extruded diet ad libitum throughout the 87-day experiment. The collections of the intestinal content were performed by the desensitization of the frogs in ice and water at 0ºC and subsequent isolation of the small intestine. Determination of lipase activity was performed with a commercial enzymatic kit (Lipase-Bioclin, MG, Brazil), first measured in samples taken at day three (3.46 UI). During the initial phase the bullfrog possesses low lipase hydrolysis capacity was found, having a specific activity of 217 UI mg-1. In the subsequent period both lipase activity and specific lipase activity continuously increased. Lipase activity as a function of bullfrog weight fell after day twenty and reached 0.33 UI g-1, for frogs of medium weight (179 g). Feed for bullfrogs at the post-metamorphic phase weighing more than 10 g can have larger amounts of ingredients containg lipids, due to the increased digestive capacity of these frogs.O conhecimento do sistema digestório da rã-touro é um passo importante para a determinação de sua exigência nutricional nas diferentes fases de crescimento. Com o objetivo de avaliar a atividade enzimática da lipase no conteúdo intestinal da rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana Shaw, 1802), 100 animais com peso médio de 3,6 g foram distribuídos em baias-teste com temperatura e fotoperíodo controlados. As rãs, selecionadas na fase pos-metamórfica receberam ração extruzada comercial ad libitum. Durante 87 dias de experimento, 29 coletas (87 rãs) foram feitas em intervalos que variaram de um a oito dias. As rãs foram insensibilizadas em água e gelo a 0ºC para subseqüente isolamento do intestino delgado e retirada do conteúdo intestinal. Para determinação da atividade da lipase foram usados conjuntos enzimáticos da BIOCLIN. A atividade da lipase foi registrada no terceiro dia (3,46 UI). Na fase inicial, a rã-touro possui baixa capacidade de hidrólise para a lipase que teve atividade específica de 217 UI mg-1. No período subseqüente, observou-se aumento contínuo da atividade e da atividade específica da lipase. A atividade da lipase em função do peso da rã-touro depois do 20º dia apresentou redução contínua, alcançando valor de 0,33 UI g-1, registrado para rãs com peso médio de 179 g. As rações para rã-touro com peso superior a 10 g podem conter quantidades maiores de ingredientes que contenham lipídos, devido ao aumento da capacidade da digestão

Seasonal variation and host sex affect bat–bat fly interaction networks in the Amazonian savannahs

Bats are the second-most diverse group of mammals in the world, and bat flies are their main parasites. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding these antagonistic interactions, especially since diverse factors such as seasonality and host sex can affect their network structures. Here, we explore the influence of such factors by comparing species richness and composition of bat flies on host bats, as well as specialization and modularity of bat–bat fly interaction networks between seasons and adult host sexes. We captured bats and collected their ectoparasitic flies at 10 sampling sites in the savannahs of Amapá State, northeastern region of the Brazilian Amazon. Despite female bats being more parasitized and recording greater bat fly species richness in the wet season, neither relationship was statistically significant. The pooled network could be divided into 15 compartments with 54 links, and all subnetworks comprised >12 compartments. The total number of links ranged from 27 to 48 (for the dry and wet seasons, respectively), and female and male subnetworks had 44 and 41 links, respectively. Connectance values were very low for the pooled network and for all subnetworks. Our results revealed higher bat fly species richness and abundance in the wet season, whereas specialization and modularity were higher in the dry season. Moreover, the subnetwork for female bats displayed higher specialization and modularity than the male subnetwork. Therefore, both seasonality and host sex contribute in different ways to bat–bat fly network structure. Future studies should consider these factors when evaluating bat–bat fly interaction networksP.M. was supported by a master’s scholarship and currently, is supported by doctoral scholarships from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil (process number 88887.662021/2022- 00). B.S.X. was supported by doctoral scholarships from CAPES, Brazil. W.D.C. was supported by post-doctoral funding (PNPD/CAPES) until early 2020. Currently, W.D.C. is supported by “Ayudas Maria Zambrano” (CA3/ RSUE/2021-00197), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. G.L.U. was supported by Paraiba State Research Foundation (FAPESQ) under a doctoral scholarship from Grant No. 518/18 and by PDPG-Amazônia Legal (process number 88887.834037/2023-00). G.G. was supported by CNPq (process number 306216/2018) and Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. J.J.T. received a research productivity scholarship from CNPq (process number 316281/2021-22

Amylase activity in the bullfrog during the post-metamorphic phase

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade da amilase no quimo da rã-touro, Rana catesbeiana Shaw 1802 (3,6 a 200 g). Oitenta e sete animais foram distribuídos em baias-testes com temperatura e fotoperíodo controlados. As rãs selecionadas na fase pós-metamórfica receberam ração comercial extrusada ad libitum. Durante 87 dias de experimento, foram efetuadas 29 coletas em intervalos de 1 a 8 dias. As coletas do conteúdo intestinal foram feitas mediante a insensibilização das rãs em gelo e água e isolamento posterior do intestino delgado das mesmas. Para os testes da atividade da amilase, foram utilizados kits enzimáticos comerciais. A atividade da amilase foi observada a partir do terceiro dia e apresentou aumento até alcançar estabilidade, quando os animais pesavam 4,35 g. Do sétimo dia até o final do experimento, ocorreu a manutenção da estabilidade da atividade (137,44 UI) e atividade específica da amilase (14.688 UI mg-1).The objective of this work was to evaluate the amylase activity in the chime of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Shaw 1802 (3.6 to 200 g). Eighty-seven animals were distributed in test stalls with controlled temperature and photoperiod. The frogs selected in the post-metamorphic phase received commercial extruded diet ad libitum. During 87 days of the experiment, 29 samples were collected in intervals varying from one to eight days. The intestinal content samples were made by first desensitizing of the frogs in ice and water, and subsequently removing the small intestine. For the tests of amylase activity, commercial enzymatic kits were used. Amylase activity was observed since the third day and it increased until reaching stability, when the animals weighed 4.35 g. Amylase activity (137.44 UI) and specific activity (14,688 UI mg-1) remained stable from the seventh day until the end of the experiment

Avaliação nutricional de aspargo (Asparagus officinalis) e batata mandioquinha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) cultivados de maneira orgânica

La inclusión de alimentos vegetales en la dieta humana está relacionada con el mantenimiento de buenos hábitos alimenticios. Los estudios muestran que las partes no convencionales de los alimentos vegetales tienen un alto valor nutricional, siendo superiores a la parte convencional. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición nutricional (humedad, cenizas, lípidos, proteínas y carbohidratos) y determinar el valor calórico y el porcentaje de ingesta diaria de espárragos (Asparagus officinalis) y arracachia (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) cultivada a partir de forma orgánica en la sierra de Santa Catarina. Se analizaron brotes de espárragos (in natura), hojas de espárragos (base seca y húmeda), tubérculo de arracachia blanco y amarillo (in natura) y hojas de arracachia blancas y amarillas (base seco). Los resultados muestran un acentuado contenido de cenizas en las hojas de espárragos (base seca) (6,75 ± 0,19 g%) y arracachia blanca y amarilla (10,73 ± 0,02 g% y 11,51 ± 0, 05 g%). Además, las hojas en base seca de espárragos (21,71 ± 0,71 g%) y arracachia blancas (19,70 ± 1,54 g%) y amarillas (19,62 ± 0,75 g%) tienen alto contenido de proteínas, que refleja el alto porcentaje de ingesta diaria recomendada (% IDR) de estos alimentos. Por lo tanto, se verifica la importancia nutricional y ambiental de reducir los residuos agroalimentarios a través de la utilización integral de los alimentos, cuantificando los macronutrientes presentes y su relación en el porcentaje de ingesta diaria.A inserção de alimentos vegetais na dieta humana está relacionada com a manutenção de bons hábitos alimentares. Estudos demonstram que as partes não convencionais dos alimentos de origem vegetal possuem alto valor nutricional, sendo superior ao da parte convencional. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição nutricional (umidade, cinzas, lipídios, proteínas e carboidratos) e determinar o valor calórico e o percentual de ingestão diária de aspargo (Asparagus officinalis) e de batata mandioquinha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) cultivados de maneira orgânica na serra catarinense. Para isso, foi analisado o broto de aspargo (in natura), folhas de aspargo (base seca e base úmida), tubérculo de batata mandioquinha da variedade branca e amarela (in natura) e as folhas de batata de mandioquinha branca e amarela (base seca). Os resultados demonstram um teor acentuado de cinzas nas folhas de aspargo (base seca) (6,75 ± 0,19 g%) e batata mandioquinha branca e amarela (10,73 ± 0,02 g% e 11,51 ± 0,05 g%). Além disso, as folhas em base seca de aspargo (21,71 ± 0,71 g%) e batata mandioquinha branca (19,70 ± 1,54 g%) e amarela (19,62 ± 0,75 g%) apresentam elevado teor de proteína, o que reflete no alto percentual de Ingestão Diária Recomendada (% IDR) desses alimentos. Portanto, verifica-se a importância nutricional e ambiental de diminuir os resíduos agroalimentares através do aproveitamento integral de alimentos, quantificando os macronutrientes presentes e a sua relação no percentual de ingestão diária.Vegetable consumption in human diet is related with healthy eating habits. Studies show that unconventional parts of plant foods have high nutritional value, being higher than conventional part. The aim of this work was to evaluate the nutritional composition (moisture, ashes, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) and determine the caloric value and percentage daily intake of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) and peruvian carrot (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) growing by organic way in the highlands of Santa Catarina. Asparagus sprouts (fresh matter) and leaves (dry matter and fresh matter), peruvian carrot tubercle of the white and yellow variety (fresh matter) and peruvian carrot leaves (dry matter) were analyzed. The results evidenced a high ashes content in asparagus leaves (dry matter) (6.75 ± 0.19 g%) and white and yellow peruvian carrot (10.73 ± 0.02 g% and 11.51 ± 0.05g%). In addition, asparagus leaves (21.71 ± 0.71 g%) and white and yellow peruvian carrot (19.70 ± 1.54 and 19.62 ± 0.75 g%) presented a high protein content, which reflects in the high percentage daily intake of these vegetables. Therefore, it is verified the nutritional and environmental importance of reducing the food waste, using the whole parts of the vegetables, quantifying the macronutrients and their relation in the percentage daily intake

Light-Curing Units, Photoinitiators System, and Monomers on Physico-Mechanical Properties of Experimental Composite Resins

This study evaluated the physico-mechanical properties of experimental composite resins made with different resin matrix and light-curing units. Experimental composite groups were divided according to monomers (BisGMA + TEGDMA-BT and BisGMA + BisEMA + UDMA + TEGDMA-BBUT) and photoinitiator system (camphorquinone-CQ and 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-PPD). A quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) or light-emitting diode (LED) were used to light cure all materials. Knoop microhardness (n = 10) was determined using Knoop microhardness test. Compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and Young modulus (n = 7) were obtained using a universal testing machine at crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. The data were submitted to a three-way ANOVA and the Tukey post-hoc test (α = 0.05). QTH presented the highest total irradiance values and similar total radiant exposure to LED. For the compressive strength test, BT-PPD light-cured with LED group showed the lowest mean value. BT-CQ light-cured with LED group exhibited the lowest diametral tensile strength results. The BBUT-composite resins presented lowest Young modulus values, with no statistical difference between light-curing units (QTH and LED) and photoinitiators system (CQ and PPD). Application of QTH or LED in BT-based composite resins with PPD photoinitiator generated suitable results regarding the physico-mechanical properties.Keywords: Biomaterials; blends; dental composites; polymerization; shrinkag