The need to fully exploit fishing resources due to increasing production and consequent waste generation requires research to promote the sustainability of the fishing industry. Fish waste from the industry is responsible for relevant environmental contamination. However, these raw materials contain high amounts of collagen and other biomolecules, being attractive due to their industrial and biotechnological applicability. Thus, to reduce the waste from pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) processing, this study aimed to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin tissue. The extraction process used 0.05 M sodium hydroxide, 10% butyl alcohol, and 0.5 M acetic acid, with extraction temperature of 20°C. The obtained yield was 27.8%, and through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), it was determined that the collagen obtained was type I. This study showed that collagen solubility was highest at pH 3 and the lowest solubility was at concentrations of 3% sodium chloride. The denaturation temperature of collagen was 38.1°C, and its intact molecular structure was observed using the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry technique with an absorption radius of 1. The results showed that it was possible to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin at 20°C, which has the typical characteristics of commercial type I collagen. In conclusion, the procedures used may be considered to be an interesting alternative for collagen extraction, a new product obtained from the processing of fish waste.

Previous studies have reported on the glucose and lipid-lowering effects of ferulic acid (FA) but its anti-obesity potential has not yet been firmly established. This study investigated the possible anti-obesitogenic effects of FA in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. To assess the antiobesity potential of FA, 32 male Swiss mice, weighing 20–25 g (n=6–8 per group) were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD, treated orally or not with either FA (10 mg/kg) or sibutramine (10 mg/kg) for 15 weeks and at the end of this period, the body weights of animals, visceral fat accumulation, plasma levels of glucose and insulin hormone, amylase and lipase activities, the satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCH-1) were analyzed. Results revealed that FA could effectively suppress the HFD-associated increase in visceral fat accumulation, adipocyte size and body weight gain, similar to sibutramine, the positive control. FA also significantly (P<0.05) decreased the HFD-induced elevations in serum lipid profiles, amylase and lipase activities, and the levels of blood glucose and insulin hormone. The markedly elevated leptin and decreased ghrelin levels seen in HFD-fed control mice were significantly (P<0.05) reversed by FA treatment, almost reaching the values seen in ND-fed mice. Furthermore, FA demonstrated significant (P<0.05) inhibition of serum levels of inflammatory mediators TNF-α, and MCH-1. These results suggest that FA could be beneficial in lowering the risk of HFD-induced obesity via modulation of enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory responses.

Para avaliar o efeito de doses de fluazifop-p-butil no desempenho do feijoeiro consorciado com braquiária, foi conduzido um experimento em Coimbra, MG, nas safras da seca de 2007 e das águas de 2007-2008. Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial, envolvendo duas espécies de braquiária (Brachiaria brizantha e B. decumbens), seis doses de fluazifop-pbutil (0; 7,81; 15,62; 31,25; 62,50; e 125,00 g ha-1), mais o monocultivo de ambas as culturas. O feijoeiro foi plantado a 0,5 m entre linhas, com as sementes de braquiária sendo semeadas nas mesmas fileiras do feijão. Nos sistemas consorciados, além das doses de fluazifop-pbutil, utilizou-se fomesafen (125 g ha-1) e bentazon (336 g ha-1). Para o feijão solteiro foi utilizada uma mistura dos herbicidas fomesafen (125 g ha-1) e fluazifop-p-butil (100 g ha-1). Foram avaliados o estande final de plantas e o rendimento de grãos do feijoeiro com seus componentes primários. Os dados foram submetidos à analise de variância, sendo os efeitos das espécies de braquiária e das safras estudados pelo teste F, e os efeitos das doses de fluazifop-p-butil, por análise de regressão. Conclui-se que B. decumbens é mais competitiva com o feijão que B. hrizantha. Na safra da seca, a utilização de 7,81 g ha-1 de fluazifop-p-butil no consórcio com B. decumbens proporciona rendimento de grãos de feijão equivalente ao do monocultivo. O consórcio com B. brizantha dispensa o uso do herbicida. Na safra das águas, independentemente da espécie de braquiária, é necessária a aplicação de 31,25 g ha-1 de fluazifop-p-butil.

To evaluate the effect of fluazifop-p-butyl doses on the performance of bean intercropped with brachiaria species, an experiment was conducted in Coimbra, MG, during the 2007 dry season and 2007-2008 rainy season crops. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were set up in a factorial design, involving two species of grass (Brachiaria brizantha and B. decumbens), six doses of fluazifop-p-butyl (0, 7.81, 15.62, 31.25, 62.50, and 125.00 g ha-1), plus the monoculture of both cultures. The common bean plant was planted at 0.5 m between rows, with the brachiaria seeds being sown in the same row of the bean plant. In the intercropping systems, in addition to fluazifop-p-butyl, fomesafen (125 g ha-1) and bentazon (336 g ha-1) were used. A mixture of fomesafen (125 g ha-1) and fluazifop-p-butyl (100 g ha-1) was applied to the monoculture bean. The final plant stand and the bean yield were evaluated with the primary components. Data were submitted to analysis of variance; the effects of the brachiaria species and the crop were studied by the F test and the effects of the fluazifop-p-butyl doses, by regression analysis. It was concluded that B. decumbens is more competitive with the beans than B. brizantha. In the dry season, the use of 7.81g ha-1 of fluazifop-p-butyl in the intercropping with B. decumbens provides a bean yield equivalent to that of the monoculture. Intercropping with B. brizantha does not require the use of herbicide. In the rainy season, regardless of the brachiaria species, 31.25 g ha-1 of fluazifop-p-butyl must be applied.

The Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by upper limb and cardiac malformations. Mutations in the TBX5 gene cause HOS and have also been associated with isolated heart and arm defects. Interactions between the TBX5, GATA4 and NKX2.5 proteins have been reported in humans. We screened the TBX5, GATA4, and NKX2.5 genes for mutations, by direct sequencing, in 32 unrelated patients presenting classical (8) or atypical HOS (1), isolated congenital heart defects (16) or isolated upper-limb malformations (7). Pathogenic mutations in the TBX5 gene were found in four HOS patients, including two new mutations (c.374delG; c.678G > T) in typical patients, and the hotspot mutation c.835C > T in two patients, one of them with an atypical HOS phenotype involving lower-limb malformations. Two new mutations in the GATA4 gene were found in association with isolated upper-limb malformations, but their clinical significance remains to be established. A previously described possibly pathogenic mutation in the NKX2.5 gene (c.73C > 7) was detected in a patient with isolated heart malformations and also in his clinically normal father.

RESUMO A presente pesquisa foi conduzida utilizando-se 288 galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Hisex White com 32 semanas de idade, pelo período de 10 semanas, com o objetivo de estudar o enriquecimento da gema do ovo em ácidos graxos a partir de rações suplementadas com óleo de peixe (OP) ou alga marinha (AM) em cinco níveis de ácido docosahexaenóico (DHA) de 120, 180, 240, 300 e 360 mg/100 g dieta. Foi aplicado o modelo fatorial 2 x 5, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições de oito aves por tratamento, de modo a constituir os grupos: OP120, OP180, OP240, OP300, OP360, AM120, AM180, AM240, AM300 e AM360. Um grupo controle submetido à ração basal de milho e soja (CON) e outro, acrescido de AM, contendo 420 mg de DHA/ 100 g dieta (AM420) foram também utilizados. Os ácidos araquidônico (AA), linoléico e PUFAs n-6 mostraram decréscimos significativos (P < 0,05) com o aumento de OP na dieta, variando, respectivamente, de 98,71 mg, 987,70 mg e 1.108,92 mg/gema na dieta CON a 38,87 mg, 734,22 mg e 802,79 mg/gema, para o grupo OP360. Para a fonte OP, as médias de AA também mostraram linearidade (Y = -0,16X + 89,40, R2 = 0,86), decrescendo de 98,71 mg/gema (CON) para 38,87 mg/ gema (OP360) e 77,79 mg/gema (AM420), enquanto que o total de PUFAs n-6 oscilou de 1.108,92 mg/gema (CON) a 802,79 mg/gema (OP360) e 1.178,19 mg/gema (AM120). O percentual de incorporação de AA na gema dos ovos decresceu linearmente com o aumento dos níveis de DHA na ração suplementada com OP e AM, de 4,81% (CON) para 2,57% (OP360) e 3,51% (AM420). As médias de 1.572,11 mg/gema (OP) e 2.118,16 mg/gema (AM) de consumo do total de PUFAs n6 e de 3,12% (OP) e 4,30% (AM) de incorporação de AA na gema diferiram (P < 0,05) entre fontes. Um decréscimo significativo (P < 0,05) foi consignado na relação n-6/n-3, variando de 17,50 (CON) para 3,72 (OP360) e 6,36 (AM420).

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted using 288 Hisex White laying hens, 32 weeks old, for a period of 10 weeks, with the objective of studying the fatty-acid enrichment of the egg yolk of hens fed diets supplemented with fish oil (OP) or marine algae (AM) to provide five levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 mg/100 g diet for each source. A 2x5 completely randomized factorial design with three replicates of eight birds per treatment was applied in order to have the following groups: OP120, OP180, OP240, OP300, OP360, AM120, AM180, AM240, AM300 and AM360. A control group submitted to a corn/soy basal diet (CON) and another one supplemented with marine algae at the level of 420 mg of DHA/100 g diet (AM420) were also used. The arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic (AL) and n-6 PUFAs showed significant decreases (P < 0.05) with the increase of fish oil in the diet, ranging, respectively, from 98.71 mg, 987.70 mg and 1108.92 mg/yolk in the CON diet to 38.87 mg, 734.22 and 802.79 mg/yolk, for the group OP360. For the fish-oil source, the average amount of arachidonic acid also showed linearity (X + Y = –0.16 89.40, R2 = 0.86), decreasing from 98.71 mg/yolk (CON) to 38.87 mg/yolk (OP360) and 77.79 mg/yolk (AM420), while the total of n-6 PUFAs ranged from 1108.92 mg/yolk (CON) to 802.79 mg/yolk (OP360) and 1178.19 mg/yolk (AM120). The percentage of incorporation of arachidonic acid in the yolk of eggs decreased linearly with increasing levels of DHA in feed supplemented with fish oil and marine algae, from 4.81% (CON) to 2.57% (OP360) and 3.51% (AM420). The averages of 1572.11 mg/yolk (fish oil) and 2118.16 mg/yolk (marine algae) of the total consumption of n-6 PUFAs, and 3.12% (fish oil) and 4.30% (marine algae) of the incorporation of AA into yolk differed (P < 0.05) between sources. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was noted in the n-6/n-3 ratio, varying from 17.50 (CON) to 3.72 (OP360) and 6.36 (AM420).

RESUMO A presente pesquisa foi conduzida utilizando-se 288 galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Hisex White com 32 semanas de idade, pelo período de 10 semanas, com o objetivo de estudar o enriquecimento da gema do ovo em ácidos graxos, a partir de rações suplementadas com óleo de peixe (OP) ou alga marinha (AM) em cinco níveis de DHA (120, 180, 240, 300 e 360 mg/100 g dieta). Foi aplicado o modelo fatorial 2 x 5, inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições de oito aves por tratamento, de modo a constituir os grupos: OP120, OP180, OP240, OP300, OP360, AM120, AM180, AM240, AM300 e AM360. Um grupo controle submetido à ração basal de milho e soja (CON) e outro contendo 420 mg de DHA/ 100 g dieta (AM420) acrescido de AM, foram também utilizados. Quanto aos teores de DHA na gema do ovo de aves suplementadas com OP, foi observado aumento significativo de 22,64 mg/gema (CON), para 187,91 mg/gema no grupo OP360. Os PUFAs n-3 apresentaram acréscimo significativo no contraste entre CON (62,16 mg/gema) e OP360 (218,62 mg/gema). Para a fonte AM, as médias de DHA também mostraram linearidade (Y = 0,23X + 1,27, R2 = 0,86), oscilando entre 22,64 mg/gema (CON) e 149,75 mg/gema (AM420), enquanto que o total de PUFAs n-3 oscilou de 104,18 mg/gema (AM120) a 175,32 mg/gema (AM420). O percentual de incorporação de DHA na gema decresceu linearmente com o aumento dos níveis de DHA na ração suplementada com OP e AM, de 85,11% (OP120) e 65,28% (AM120) para 49,45% (OP360) e 34,06% (AM420). Melhora significativa (P<0,05) foi consignada na relação n-6/n-3, que variou de 17,50 no grupo CON para 3,72 e 6,36 nos tratamentos OP360 e AM420, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted using 288 32-week-old Hisex White laying hens for a period of 10 weeks, with the objective of studying the fatty acid enrichment of the egg yolk of hens fed diets supplemented with fish oil (OP) or marine algae (AM) to provide five levels of DHA (120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 mg/100 g diet) for each source. A 2 x 5 completely randomized factorial design with three replicates of 8 birds per treatment was applied in order to have the following groups: OP120, OP180, OP240, OP300, OP360, AM120, AM180, AM240, AM300 and AM360. A control group submitted to a corn/soy basal diet (CON) and another one supplemented with AM at the level of 420 mg of DHA/100 g diet (AM420) were also used. The amounts of DHA in the egg yolk in birds fed OP diets were significantly increased from 22.64 mg/egg yolk (CON) to 187.91 mg/ egg yolk (OP360). The egg-yolk n-3 PUFAs of the control group (62.16 mg) increased significantly as compared to the OP360 group (218.62 mg/yolk). For the AM source the DHA means were also linear (Y = 0.23X + 1.27, R2 = 0.86), ranging from 22.64 mg/yolk (CON) to 149.75 mg/yolk (AM420), while the n-3 PUFAs ranged from 104.18 mg/yolk (AM120) to 175.32 mg/yolk (AM420). The percentage of DHA incorporation into the egg yolk decreased linearly as the DHA levels increased in the diet. Thus, for the OP and AM sources, mean values of 85.11% (OP120) and 65.28% (AM120) decreased to 49.45% (OP360) and 34.06% (AM420). Significant improvement (P < 0.05) was found in the ratio n-6/n-3, ranging from17.50 (CON) to 3.72 (OP320) and 6.36 (AM420).

Avaliou-se o efeito da injeção de somatotropina bovina recombinante (r-bST) sobre o ciclo estral de cabras. Foram utilizadas 24 fêmeas da raça Toggenburg, distribuídas em dois tratamentos: T1 (n=12), cabras tratadas com r-bST; e T2 (n=12), cabras tratadas com solução salina (controle). A partir da primeira injeção do tratamento, acompanhou-se o ciclo dos animais em estro até o estro subseqüente. O comprimento médio do ciclo estral e o período interovulatório não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Foram verificados ciclos estrais de duas, três e quatro ondas de crescimento folicular. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos quanto ao número de ondas do ciclo estral. O número de folículos detectados com diâmetro >3mm nas cabras do T1 foi maior (P<0,05) que naquelas do T2 nos ciclos com duas (15,3±1,2 x 8,1±2,0), três (12,2±0,8 x 8,3±1,9) e quatro (12,7±1,7 x 8,8±2,5) ondas. O folículo dominante da segunda onda foi menor (P<0,05) que o da primeira e terceira ondas e também menor que o da onda ovulatória tanto para T1 quanto para T2. A concentração sérica de progesterona durante o ciclo estral não foi influenciada pelos tratamentos com r-bST (P>0,05). A r-bST não alterou a dinâmica folicular de cabras lactantes da raça Toggenburg, mas promoveu o aumento do número de folículos recrutados ³3mm durante o ciclo estral.

The effect of the r-bST injection was evaluated on the goats estrous cycles. Twenty-four Toggenburg does were used in two treatments: T1 (n=12) treated with r-bST; and T2 (n=12) treated with saline solution (control). After the first r-bST injection, the estrous cycles were checked between two estrus. The estrous cycle length and interovulatory period of the goats did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). Estrous cycles with two, three and four waves of follicular growth were observed. The number of waves during the estrous cycle were not affected by the r-bST treatment (P>0.05). The number of 3mm follicles was different between T1 and T2 (P<0.05) for estrous cycles with two (15.3±1.2 x 8.1±2.0), three (12.2±0.8 x 8.3±1.9) or four (12.7±1.7 x 8.8±2.5) waves. The dominant follicle of the second wave was smaller (P<0.05) than the one of the first and third waves and smaller than the one of the ovulatory wave. The progesterone concentration during the estrous cycle of the animals did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. The r-bST did not affect the ovarian response during the estrous cycle. The r-bST not affected the follicular dynamic of Toggenburg lactating does, but increased the number of emerging follicles >3mm during the estrous cycle.

Estudou-se o efeito de diferentes fontes de ácidos graxos insaturados (óleo de canola e semente de linhaça), acrescidas de diferentes teores de alfa-tocoferol nas dietas de poedeiras, sobre a composição de ácidos graxos da gema do ovo foi estudado. Foram utilizadas 288 galinhas da linhagem Babcock que receberam dietas com 6% de óleo de canola, 20% de semente de linhaça moída ou 3% de óleo de canola e 10% de linhaça moída com teores de 0, 100 e 200UI/kg de alfa-tocoferol. As dietas com 20% de semente de linhaça proporcionaram teores mais elevados de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados no ovo com aumento, em particular, dos teores de ácido alfa-linolênico e EPA (ácido eicosapentaenóico) e diminuição de ácido araquidônico na gema. Os teores de vitamina E contidos nas rações experimentais não determinaram alteração significativa na deposição dos diferentes ácidos graxos na gema dos ovos, exceto com relação aos ácidos graxos saturados.

The effect of dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids - canola oil and flaxseed - with different vitamin E supplementation on the fatty acid deposition into the eggs of 288 Babcock laying hens was investigated. Birds were fed diets containing 6% of canola oil, 20% of flaxseed or a combination of 3% of canola oil and 10% of flaxseed, enriched with 0, 100 or 200Ul of dl-alpha-tocopheril acetate. The inclusion of flaxseed in the diets increased the yolk polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly alpha-linolenic acid and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The concentration of alpha-tocopherol in the diet did not change the egg yolk, fatty acids deposition but changed the saturated fatty acids deposition.

O efeito das variáveis de extrusão de misturas de farinha de arroz polido (FAP) e de bagaço de jabuticaba (FBJ) foi estudado em função das características de adsorção de água e da estabilidade dos produtos extrusados (FME). A metodologia de superfície de resposta (MSR) do tipo 2³ foi usada para a obtenção de um modelo matemático preditivo para a estabilidade das farinhas. O desenho experimental foi elaborado para verificar o efeito de dois níveis de substituição de FBJ como fonte de fibra (15 e 25%), dois níveis de velocidade de rotação do parafuso (100 e 200 rpm) e duas condições de aquecimento na 3ª zona do extrusor (120 e 180ºC), originando oito tratamentos. As características de adsorção de água das FAP, FBJ e de suas misturas foram comparadas e estudadas por meio de isotermas de adsorção expressas como atividades de água (A W), que variaram de 0,113 a 0,973, a temperatura de 25ºC. Os dados experimentais das isotermas foram ajustados a modelos matemáticos de GAB, o que originou o coeficiente Xm (umidade de equilíbrio na monocamada) aplicada à MSR como variável resposta para avaliar a estabilidade das farinhas extrusadas. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar a importância das três variáveis durante o processo de extrusão. As curvas das isotermas apresentaram características de superfícies hidrofílicas de forma sigmoidal do tipo II. A região de umidade intermediária das isotermas revelou que a FAP adsorve maior quantidade de água por unidade de A W, seguida pelas misturas extrusadas. A FBJ mostrou ser menos higroscópica neste caso. Quanto à estabilidade das misturas extrusadas, as três variáveis de extrusão foram significativas, verificando-se um aumento com o aumento da FBJ e com o aumento da temperatura, enquanto que houve um decréscimo com a velocidade de rotação, porém, de menor efeito. A combinação de valores elevados de temperatura e porcentagem de FBJ aumentou a estabilidade das farinhas extrusadas.

It was studied the effect of extrusion variables on the water absorption characteristics of pre-gelatinized flours (FME) resulting from the extrusion of white rice (FAP) and jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) dried bagasse flour (FBJ). Response surface methodology (RSM) type 2³ was used as a predictive mathematical model to evaluate the flour stability. The experimental design was used to study the effect of two levels of FBJ replacement as a fiber source (15 and 25%), two levels of screw speed (100 and 200 rpm) and two temperatures of the 3rd heating zone (120 and 180ºC) resulting in eight treatments. The water absorption of FME, FAP and FBJ were compared by analysing the absorption isotherms water activity (Aw), which varied from 0.113 to 0.973 at 25ºC. The isotherms experimental data were adjusted to GAB mathematical model, which generated the Xm (equilibrium moisture of the monolayer) coefficient applied to RSM as a variable response to evaluate the stability of the pre-gelatinized flours. The results showed the importance of the three variables during the extrusion process. The isotherms curves presented a typical surface hydrophilic characteristic having a sigmoidal type II shape. The region of intermediate moisture revealed that FAP adsorbed higher water content per unit of Aw, followed by FME. FBJ showed the lowest hygroscopic character. Concerning the stability of pre-gelatinized flour, the three extrusion variables were statiscally significant. The stability increased with the increase of FBJ flour content and also with the extruder temperature, whereas it decreased as the screw speed reduced, although with lower effect. The combination of high temperature and FBJ content improves the stability of the extruded flours.

RESUMO O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de inseticidas granulados no controle de Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) e seus efeitos sobre vespas predadoras e parasitóides dessa praga. O experimento foi realizado em lavoura comercial cultivar Mundo Novo localizada no Município de Campo Belo, MG. Cada parcela foi composta de 4 linhas de cafeeiro com 10 plantas cada. Aplicaram-se os seguintes inseticidas: thiamethoxam (500 g i.a./ha), thiamethoxam (300 g i.a./ha), thiamethoxam + cyproconazole (250 g i.a. + 250 g i.a./ha), thiamethoxam + cyproconazole (300 g i.a. + 300 g i.a./ha) e aldicarb (4.275 g i.a./ha). Na testemunha não foi realizada aplicação de pesticidas. Realizaram-se duas aplicações: em fevereiro de 2001 e em fevereiro de 2002. Coletaram-se, quinzenalmente, 60 folhas de cafeeiro por parcela situadas no terço médio das plantas. Observou-se efetivo controle do bicho-mineiro pelos inseticidas avaliados, tendo sido constatada redução no número de ovos, na porcentagem de folhas minadas e de lagartas de L. coffeella vivas. Verificou-se tendência de redução nos índices de predação, principalmente, nos períodos de maior precipitação. Todos os produtos mostraram-se tóxicos aos parasitóides da praga, sendo que aldicarb causou o menor impacto.

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of some soil-applied granulated insecticides on the control of Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and their effects on predatory wasps and parasitoids of this pest. The experiment was carried out in a commercial crop cv. Mundo Novo located in Campo Belo, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Each plot was made up of 4 rows of coffee crop with 10 plants each. The following insecticides were applied: thiamethoxam (500 g a.i./ha), thiamethoxam (300 g a.i./ha), thiamethoxam + cyproconazole (250 g a.i./ha + 250 g a.i./ha), thiamethoxam + cyproconazole (300 g a.i./ha + 300 g a.i./ha) and aldicarb (4,275 g a.i./ ha). Two applications were done in February of 2001 and in February of 2002. At intervals of two weeks, 60 coffee leaves per plot, located in the middle third of the plants were collected. Effective control of the coffee leaf miner by the evaluated insecticides was observed. All products caused reduction in the number of eggs, in the percentage of mined leaves and in the number of live caterpillars of L. coffeella. All evaluated insecticides were shown to be harmful to the coffee leaf miner parasitoids, aldicarb being the least toxic.

We report results obtained with sera from 58 chronic chagasic patients that were evaluated for effects on heart rate and atrioventricular (AV) conduction in isolated rabbit hearts and screened for the presence of muscarinic and beta-adrenergic activity. We show that sera from 26 patients decreased heart rate, while 10 increased it and 22 had no effect. Additionally, sera from 20 of the 58 patients blocked AV conduction. Muscarinic activation seems to be involved in both effects, but is not the only mechanism, since atropine did not antagonize the decrease in heart rate in 23% of sera or AV block in 40%. Sera from patients with complex arrhythmias were significantly more effective in depressing both heart rate and AV conduction. Sera that induce increases in heart rate seem to operate exclusively through beta-adrenergic activation. Two of these sera, evaluated with respect to intercellular communication in primary cultures of embryonic cardiomyocytes were able to block gap junction conductance evaluated by a dye injection technique after 24-h exposure. The mechanisms underlying this uncoupling effect are currently being investigated.