Oxidative and glicolytic metabolism of the frontal cortex (latero-frontal) and of the posterior cortex (latero-occipital) in relation with the sexual activity of the rat.

The authors of this paper have ascertained the glycolytic metabolism and the oxidative metabolism (intake of QO2), of the frontal and posterior cortex in female rats at different stages of the sexual cycle, as also in ovariectomized animals, by the intake of glucose and the production of lactates. The results indicate a statistically significant increase of the oxidative metabolism of the posterior cortex (latero-occipital) in the estrual and proestrual phases, in comparisons with the diestral phase. The frontal cortex (latero-frontal) did not show any significant difference; moreover, the glycolitic metabolism did not alter in any of the tissues under observation. These findings, seem to suggest possible participation of the posterior cortex (latero-occipital) on the regulation of sexual cycle of the rat. The activation of this cortex occurs through the preponderant imbricantion of the tri-carboxylic acid cycle.     

Isolation and characterization of entomopathogenic bacteria from soil samples from the western region of Cuba

The use of insect pathogens is a viable alternative for insect control because of their relative specificity and lower environmental impact. The search for wild strains against dipterans could have an impact on mosquito control programs. We have made an extensive screening of soil in western Cuba to find bacteria with larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. A total of 150 soil samples were collected and isolates were identifying using the API 50 CHB gallery. Phenotypic characteristics were analyzed by hierarchical ascending classification. Quantitative bioassays were conducted under laboratory conditions following the World Health Organization protocol in order to ascertain the toxicity and efficacy of isolates. The protein profiles of the crystal components were determined by SDS‐PAGE. Eight hundred and eighty‐one bacterial isolates were obtained, and 13 isolates with entomopathogenic activity were isolated from nine samples. Nine isolates displayed higher entomopathogenic activity against both Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti compared with the reference strain 266/2. All toxic isolates showed higher biological potency than the 266/2 strain. These isolates with high entomopathogenic activity displayed a protein pattern similar to the B. thuringiensis var. israelensis IPS‐82 and 266/2 strains. These results are a valuable tool for the control of Diptera of medical importance.     

Malnutrition in rats during pregnancy and lactation period: a study on body, spleen and thymus weights and hematologic parameters in dams and their offspring

Physiological changes in the rat dams and their offspring as sequelae of malnutrition during pregnancy and lactation and their capacity for recuperation from early malnutrition is studied. The dams were killed during the lactation period (15th and 30th days of postpartum) and the absolute and relative weights of the thymus and spleen were recorded. The following hematologic parameters were examined: red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell homoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, polimorphonuclear neutrophil, basophils. The offspring were sacrificed at 15, 30 and 90 days of age. Their body weight and the same hematic parameters and organ weights as their mothers were determined. Results indicate a highly significant decrease in body weight and organ weights in experimental dams and an important alteration in their hematic parameters, which may be an important determinant of retardation of growth in pups, whose body and organ weights were significantly smaller than those of the controls. In addition, the hematologic parameters of the malnourished offspring were modified in relation to those of the controls at all times (15, 30 and 90 days old) studied.     

Metabolic effects of galanin injections into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.

The metabolic effects of single injections of galanin into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) were investigated in an open-circuit calorimeter. Wistar rats were tested, with no food available during the tests. In the dose range of 0.03-0.3 nmol, galanin produced a very short-latency (approximately 2 minutes) and short-lasting (approximately 15 minutes) reduction in energy expenditure. Since the same doses had no effect on respiratory quotient or locomotor activity, the metabolic effect is not secondary to changes in energy substrate utilization or locomotor activity. This antithermogenic effect complements the eating stimulatory action of PVN galanin, and together these phenomena suggest a role for galanin as an anabolic neuropeptide. The similarity of galanin's effects to those of norepinephrine, with which it coexists in PVN nerve endings, further suggests the involvement of this amine and the PVN alpha2-noradrenergic system in galanin's mechanism of action.     

Effect of experimental changes in thyroid function on oxidative metabolism and glutamate dehydrogenase activity in the limbic system of the rat

The oxidative metabolism and GDH activity has been studied in the following regions of the brain: frontal cortex, as tissue control, adenohypophysis, hypothalamus and limbic system in adult male rats subjected to alterations of the thyroid function due to excess (by hyperthyroidism with L-thyroxine and thyrotoxicosis with Tri-iodothyronine) or defect (chronic hypothyroidism by thyroidectomy, 131-I treatment and low iodine diet). A different influence of the H.T. was observed in these animals according to the areas studied and the experimental situation induced. All this seems to indicate an oxidative metabolic pattern peculiar to each area of the brain following H.T. administration. On the other hand, the decrease of the QO2 in chronic hypothyroidism in the majority of the areas studied is remarkable. In GDH results activity increased or decreased depending on the absence or presence of thyroid hormones.     

燕山地区访花昆虫多样性及其影响因子

为了解燕山地区访花昆虫的群落结构及与其生境类型、干扰程度、海拔之间的关系, 本文采用样线法和灯诱法于2019年、2020年每年的7-8月对该地区湿地、森林、灌丛、草地、农田5种生境, 不同海拔梯度(0-1,200 m)的访花昆虫进行了采集。共采集访花昆虫1,306头, 隶属7目44科153种, 其中鳞翅目昆虫物种数最多, 半翅目昆虫个体数最多。灌丛生境的访花昆虫多样性最高。在中低海拔200-400 m段, Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Simpson优势度指数均最高。双变量回归结果表明, Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Margalef丰富度指数分别与最暖季降水量和年降水量显著正相关(P < 0.05)。冗余分析(redundancy analysis)结果表明, 环境因子显著影响访花昆虫多样性, 但不同测度之间存在一定差异。温度和湿度均与Pielou均匀度指数呈正相关, 与Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Simpson优势度指数呈负相关; 弱干扰和中干扰程度对访花昆虫多样性影响最小, 科学管理农牧活动是保护访花昆虫多样性的关键。     

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidences of core-particle formation in the methylotrophic Pichia pastoris yeast when expressing HCV structural proteins (core-E1).

Particulate antigens of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are reported for the first time by transmission electron microscopy in Pichia pastoris. The yeast was cloned to express the first 339 NH2-terminal amino acids of the HCV polyprotein (C-E1.339 polypeptide). The C-E1.339 polypeptide covers the putative 191 aa of the core protein (aa 1-191) and 148 aa of the E1 envelope antigen (aa 192-339). Virus-like particles (VLP) with diameters ranging from 20 nm to 30 nm were specifically observed in those cells expressing the HCV polyprotein. The VLP appeared along the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, but were fundamentally localized in vacuoles, either free or inside autophagic bodies. Clustered particles, chains of particles, high-density reticular structures, and crystalloid bodies were also detected, the last one being an orderly arrangement of particles with 20 nm diameters. The crystal-associated particles are well differentiated from the intracellular VLP because of their uniform size and shape. We argue that membrane components are retained in the architecture of the VLP, conferring to this particle certain heterogeneity. Both kinds of particles, the VLP formed after treatment with NP-40 and the crystal-associated particles, were core protein-positives. Whether they reflect mature HCV nucleocapsid or intermediary states in the viral nucleocapsid morphogenesis remains unknown. We conclude that, like mammalian cell lines, the P. pastoris yeast could be an appropriate host for the analysis of HCV polyprotein processing and, eventually, virus assembly.