When Less Is More: Sex Ratios for the Mass-Rearing of Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Anastrepha ludens (Loew) is one of the most important pests of citrus and mango crops in Mexico. A method used to control this pest is the sterile insect technique, which consists in the mass production, irradiation, and release of insects in affected areas. The production of insects begins with the establishment of colonies to produce eggs, which must be highly fertile to ensure an adequate production of larvae. However, female fecundity and fertility can be affected by adult density and sex ratio, thus an optimal sex ratio in mass-rearing cages must be used. The genetic sexing strain of A. ludens (Tapachula-7) allows the identification of the sex at the pupal stage, making it possible to establish rearing cages with different sex ratios. We determined if different sex ratios have an effect on egg production. Two sex ratios (4♀: 1♂ and 1♀: 1♂) were compared. Fecundity, fertility and survival at different ages were also determined. Higher fertility and fecundity per female were observed at a ratio of 4:1. However, females with higher fecundity had reduced survival probabilities. In conclusion, maintaining colonies with a lower proportion of males in cages ensures a greater fecundity and fertility. Further research is necessary to understand whether results can be attributed to lower male harassment in cages.

Antipredator behavior of the new mass-reared unisexual strain of the Mexican Fruit Fly.

Tephritid pests controlled through the sterile insect technique (SIT) are mass-reared and subsequently released in affected areas. Several quality parameters are currently used to test adults, but none take into account interactions with a predator. When sterile males are released in the field, they will need to avoid predators until they reach sexual maturity and survive long enough to mate with wild females. Spiders are one of the most common predators that flies may encounter in release sites. In this study, we evaluated the antipredator behavior of a mass-reared sterile unisexual strain ('Tapachula-7') of the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) against their spider predators. We sampled spiders in citrus trees to determine which families could be more common. We established the baseline activity rates of sterile Tapachula-7 (Tap-7) flies in comparison with wild flies. We also tested the behavior of the fertile and sterile bisexual strain and wild flies against hunting spiders (Family Salticidae) and orb building spiders (Family Tetragnathidae). We recorded 18 spider families, with Salticidae being the most dominant. Tap-7 flies diminished their activity in comparison with wild males at 1800 h but showed similar activity levels earlier in the day. When exposed to orb-web spiders (Leucauge venusta), Tap-7, fertile and sterile males from the bisexual strain had similar rates of survival, but Tap-7 males showed lower survival than wild males. Against hunting spiders (Phidippus audax), wild males had higher probability of defensive wing displays, but there was no difference in spider attack rates. In general, sterile Tap -7 males performed as well as males from the bisexual strain, although they had lower survival than wild males. This could be due to either mass-rearing and/or irradiation effects. We recommend the use of the defensive wing display behavior as a quality parameter and propose a rapid and effective method to evaluate fly activity. The efficiency of SIT will be improved if released sterile males have the same antipredator repertoire as their wild counterparts.

Hydraulic retention time impact of treated recirculated leachate on the hydrolytic kinetic rate of coffee pulp in an acidogenic reactor.

This study attempted to investigate the impact of HRT of treated leachate recirculation on hydrolysis solubilization rate of coffee pulp in an acidogenic reactor. Coffee pulp presents more than 70% of organic matter and around of 30% of lignin and cellulose. Five lab scale reactors of 20 litres were used. Each reactor was fed with 5 kg of fresh coffee pulp and anaerobic sludge was used as inoculate. HRT of 0.5, 1, 3 and 10 days were applied. Each experiment shows that Total, Soluble and VFA COD appear rapidly in the removed leachate. HRT have a great impact on hydrolytic rate with an optimal value of 32,000 mg x L(-1) x d(-1).Low HRT increases hydrolysis rate and in consequence reduces duration of the hydrolytic phase. Also composition and concentration of VFA are influenced by HRT. Low ones favour acetic acid production and high ones permit the production of butyric. Low HRT generates leachate more easily fermentable. Efficiency of solubilization and acidification are independent of the HRT and present average values of 78% and 65% respectively. By batch feeding solid and continuous recirculation of treated leachate, HRT and SRT could be dissociated, where solid had a very high retention without problems of load, mixing and inhibition, and liquid could be recirculated with a very high rate. Under these low HRT condition, the first reactor of a two stage anaerobic system could reduces the hydrolysis duration of organic solid waste like coffee pulp and generate an optimal leachate for the methanization process.

[Acquired partial lipodystrophy. Insulin resistance, hepatic lipase activity and small and dense LDL particles]. / Lipodistrofia parcial adquirida. Resistencia insulínica, actividad lipasa hepática y partículas LDL pequeñas y densas.

Partial lipodystrophy (PLD) is an infrequent condition characterized by symmetric loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the upper or lower part of the body, although occasionally it affects only the extremities. In all cases it appears along with acantosis nigricans (AN), insulin resistance and impairment in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. The case depicted pertains to a 49 year old female with no family history involving loss of adipose tissue in face and upper body. No fat in lower part of body was observed. The patient showed facial thinning at age 8, AN at 11 and gestational diabetes during her fourth pregnancy at 33. At present, the patient presents severe hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia with a marked insulin resistance. Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (OMS), declined C-HDL and Apo A1 and low C-LDL but with a high proportion of small and dense LDL particles were present. Non esterified fatty acids were high. Lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities are in the lower limit and increased respectively. Fraction C3 of the complement was diminished. No mutations were observed either in codons 170, 809 and 972 of the IRS-1 receptor or in codon 276 of the adrenergic beta 2 gene.

Lipodistrofia parcial adquirida. Resistencia insulínica, actividad lipasa hepática y partículas LDL pequeñas y densas. / [Acquired partial lipodystrophy. Insulin resistance, hepatic lipase activity and small and dense LDL particles]

Partial lipodystrophy (PLD) is an infrequent condition characterized by symmetric loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the upper or lower part of the body, although occasionally it affects only the extremities. In all cases it appears along with acantosis nigricans (AN), insulin resistance and impairment in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. The case depicted pertains to a 49 year old female with no family history involving loss of adipose tissue in face and upper body. No fat in lower part of body was observed. The patient showed facial thinning at age 8, AN at 11 and gestational diabetes during her fourth pregnancy at 33. At present, the patient presents severe hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia with a marked insulin resistance. Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (OMS), declined C-HDL and Apo A1 and low C-LDL but with a high proportion of small and dense LDL particles were present. Non esterified fatty acids were high. Lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities are in the lower limit and increased respectively. Fraction C3 of the complement was diminished. No mutations were observed either in codons 170, 809 and 972 of the IRS-1 receptor or in codon 276 of the adrenergic beta 2 gene.

Lipoprotein alterations, abdominal fat distribution and breast cancer.

Plasma lipid profile and abdominal obesity have been associated with breast cancer risk, however published results have been inconsistent. To clarify these associations we studied lipid and lipoprotein alterations, obesity degree and body fat distribution, in 30 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients without treatment and 30 controls matched by age and menopausal status. Both pre and postmenopausal breast cancer patients presented higher body mass index, waist/hip ratio and insulin levels than their matched controls. An increase in triglycerides and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol, especially in the HDL2 subfraction, were observed in patients with breast cancer. Besides, HDL particle from these patients showed increased apo A1/HDL-cholesterol ratio. These alterations were correlated with waist/hip ratio. The association between lipoprotein alterations and abdominal obesity independent of menopausal status, in untreated newly diagnosed breast cancer patients is reported for the first time in this study.

Valores de referencia de apoproteínas B100, A-I, A-II y E en mujeres premenopáusicas de la República Argentina / Reference values of apoproteins B100, A-I, A-II and E in premenopausal argentine women

Existe una relación epidemiológica entre el perfil apolipoproteico y el riesgo cardiovascular. Se han realizado pocos estudios en mujeres y menos aún en la mujeres premenopáusicas. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron determinar los valores de referencia en mujeres premenopáusicas clínicamente sanas de las apolipoproteínas B100, A-I, A-II y E, y correlacionarlos con los valores lipídicos de: colesterol de HDL Total (C-HDL Total), C-HDL2, C-HDL3, C-LDL y triglicéridos de VLDL (Tg-VLDL). Para ello se estudiaron 129 mujeres con perfil lipoproteico normal, de edades entre 37 y 50 años. Los valores de las apolipoproteínas fueron: apo B100: 1,17 ñ0,21 g/L (Media ñ 0,21 g/L (Media ñ DE), apo A-I: 1,34 ñ 0,24 g/L, apo A-II: 0,343 ñ 0,07 g/L y apo E: 0,065 ñ 0,017 g/L. Se obtuvieron: una media para C-HDL Total de 54,0 ñ 13,1 mg/dl, de C-HDL2 de 13,6 ñ 8,6 mg/dl y de C-HDL3 de 39,3 ñ 7,9 mg/dl. El C-LDL fue de 116,0 ñ 26,00 mg/dl. En este trabajo se informan por primera vez en Argentina los valores de referencia de concentración plasmática de apo B100, apo A-I vs C-HDL Total: 0,61 (p < 0,019), apo A-I vs C-HDL 2: 0,32 (p < 0,01), apo A-I vs C-HDL3: 0,52 (p < 0,01). La correlación de apo A-II vs C-HDL fue de 0,28 (p < 0,01). La correlación de apo E y Tg-VLDL fue de 0,25 (p < 0,025). Se calculó el índice de Breslow que evalúa el tamaño de HDL como cociente C-HDL/apo A-I + apo A-II expresados en moles, el valor obtenido fue de 21,06 ñ 4,08. Este coincide con las referencias sugiriendo que en la premenopáusica no hay cambio de tamaño en las HDL (AU)

Valores de referencia de apoproteínas B100, A-I, A-II y E en mujeres premenopáusicas de la República Argentina / Reference values of apoproteins B100, A-I, A-II and E in premenopausal argentine women

Existe una relación epidemiológica entre el perfil apolipoproteico y el riesgo cardiovascular. Se han realizado pocos estudios en mujeres y menos aún en la mujeres premenopáusicas. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron determinar los valores de referencia en mujeres premenopáusicas clínicamente sanas de las apolipoproteínas B100, A-I, A-II y E, y correlacionarlos con los valores lipídicos de: colesterol de HDL Total (C-HDL Total), C-HDL2, C-HDL3, C-LDL y triglicéridos de VLDL (Tg-VLDL). Para ello se estudiaron 129 mujeres con perfil lipoproteico normal, de edades entre 37 y 50 años. Los valores de las apolipoproteínas fueron: apo B100: 1,17 ñ0,21 g/L (Media ñ 0,21 g/L (Media ñ DE), apo A-I: 1,34 ñ 0,24 g/L, apo A-II: 0,343 ñ 0,07 g/L y apo E: 0,065 ñ 0,017 g/L. Se obtuvieron: una media para C-HDL Total de 54,0 ñ 13,1 mg/dl, de C-HDL2 de 13,6 ñ 8,6 mg/dl y de C-HDL3 de 39,3 ñ 7,9 mg/dl. El C-LDL fue de 116,0 ñ 26,00 mg/dl. En este trabajo se informan por primera vez en Argentina los valores de referencia de concentración plasmática de apo B100, apo A-I vs C-HDL Total: 0,61 (p < 0,019), apo A-I vs C-HDL 2: 0,32 (p < 0,01), apo A-I vs C-HDL3: 0,52 (p < 0,01). La correlación de apo A-II vs C-HDL fue de 0,28 (p < 0,01). La correlación de apo E y Tg-VLDL fue de 0,25 (p < 0,025). Se calculó el índice de Breslow que evalúa el tamaño de HDL como cociente C-HDL/apo A-I + apo A-II expresados en moles, el valor obtenido fue de 21,06 ñ 4,08. Este coincide con las referencias sugiriendo que en la premenopáusica no hay cambio de tamaño en las HDL

Low-density lipoprotein composition and oxidability in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize low-density lipoprotein (LDL) chemical composition and oxidability in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as compared with matched control subjects. To evaluate LDL susceptibility to oxidation, we determined the cutoff points of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) in LDL after oxidative stress, as well as its resistance to oxidation. DESIGN AND METHODS: LDL (density 1.019-1.063 g/mL) of 24 men with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (12 normolipidemic and 12 dyslipidemic patients) and 18 age-matched healthy control men. LDL chemical composition was determined and apo B/cholesterol ratio was calculated. TBARS in native LDL and after 60 and 120 min of LDL oxidation with copper were measured. The conjugated diene production kinetics during LDL incubation with copper were also studied, lag time being an oxidation resistance marker. Cutoff points for the positivity criterion of apoB/cholesterol ratio in LDL and TBARS in native and oxidized LDL were evaluated using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) graphic method. RESULTS: LDL were triglyceride-enriched, the apoB/cholesterol ratio being higher in patients than in controls, without differences between normolipidemic and dyslipidemic subgroups. We have established the following cutoff values to differentiate between patients and controls: 0.43 mg/mg for the apo B/cholesterol ratio in LDL; 3.0 nmol malondialdehyde/mg protein for TBARS in native LDL; 22 and 80 nmol malondialdehyde/mg protein after 60- and 120-min postoxidative stress, respectively. We did not find differences in the conjugated diene production kinetics between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The enrichment in triglycerides and the high apoB/ cholesterol ratio suggest the presence of an abnormal LDL particle in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic patients. This LDL particle was more susceptible to oxidation. In the ROC analysis, the TBARS plot at 120 min exhibited greater accuracy and better performance than the other LDL oxidability markers.

[Incorporation of squid oil fatty acids to plasma lipoproteins in rats]. / Incorporación de ácidos grasos de aceite de calamar a lipoproteínas plasmáticas en ratas.

There is clinical and epidemiologic evidence that long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 series, (AGPI n-3): eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) decrease the incidence of heart attack, coronary restenosis and also platelet aggregation, leukotriene synthesis and arterial pressure. They also decrease significantly the severity of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic models. Some of these results are obtained after daily intake of 3g or more of AGPI n-3. Marine oils are very rich in AGPI n-3 but rarely the amount is larger than 20%. Due to this fact there is great interest in the possibility of obtaining concentrates of AGPI n-3 with a high coefficient of intestinal absorption. EPA and DHA ethyl esters are able to be concentrated over 90% but their absorption is incomplete. For the moment AGPI n-3 can be concentrated as free fatty acids (AGL). Squid oil (Illex argentinus) is one of the natural oils with the highest concentration of AGPI n-3 (31 to 34%). In this paper, we have studied the incorporation of AGPI n-3 to plasmatic lipoproteins of rats fed during 28 days with diets supplemented with squid oil (Ac) or AGL obtained from the same oil. Both groups were compared with a control group (C, n = 5) fed on a standard diet. The composition of oil fatty acids and of AGL is almost identical: EPA 13.6% and DHA 17.7% (Table 1). Daily intake of AGPI n-3 was very similar: in the Ac group (n = 7) 80 mg/day and in the AGL group (n = 7) 90 mg/day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Incorporacion de acidos grasos de aceite de calamar a lipoproteinas plasmaticas en ratas / Incorporation of squid oil fatty acids to plasma lipoproteins in rats

Se estudió la absorción e incorporación de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga de la serie n-3 (AGPI n-3) a lipoproteínas plasmáticas de ratas. Se suplementó la dieta de 2 grupos de 7 ratas durante 28 días con aceite de calamar (Ac) n=7 o con ácidos grasos libres de aceite de calamar (AGL) n=7. Ambos preparados tenían igual composición de ácidos grasos y 13,6% de elcosapentanoico, EPA 20:5 n-3 y 17.7% de docosahexaenoico, DHA 22:6 n-3. El grupo Ac ingirió 80 mg/día de AGPI n-3 el AGL 90 mg/día. Se verificó un similar incremento del EPA y DHA plasmáticos en ambos grupos (p < 0,01), descenso del ácido araquidónico, AA 20Ñ4 n-6 (Acp < y AGL p < 0,02) e incremento del linoleico, LA 18:2 n-6 (Ac p<0,01 y AGL p<0,02) y en menor grado del dihomogammalinolénico, DHGLA 20:3 N-6 (Ac p<0,05). Las modificaciones del AA, LA y DHGLA se deberían al efecto inhibidor de los AGPI n-3 sobre las d 6 y d 5 desaturasas, que produce disminución de la síntesis endógena de AA y acumulación de sus respectivos sustratos (LA y DHGLA). A pesar de que el aporte de DHA fue mayor que el de EPA el incremento porcentual del EPA fue mayor, lo que se debería a la retroconvensión del DHA. No se verificó modificación en los niveles de ácidos grasos no esteritificados, colesterol y triglicéridos plasmáticos ni en la seudocolinesterasa, alanino-amino-transferasa y aspartato-amino transferasa séricas. Se concluyó que la absorción intestinal de AGPI n-3 como AGL es equivalente a la de los aportados como triglicéridos (AU)

Incorporación de ácidos grasos de aceite de calamar a lipoproteínas plasmáticas en ratas. / [Incorporation of squid oil fatty acids to plasma lipoproteins in rats]

There is clinical and epidemiologic evidence that long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 series, (AGPI n-3): eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) decrease the incidence of heart attack, coronary restenosis and also platelet aggregation, leukotriene synthesis and arterial pressure. They also decrease significantly the severity of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic models. Some of these results are obtained after daily intake of 3g or more of AGPI n-3. Marine oils are very rich in AGPI n-3 but rarely the amount is larger than 20

. Due to this fact there is great interest in the possibility of obtaining concentrates of AGPI n-3 with a high coefficient of intestinal absorption. EPA and DHA ethyl esters are able to be concentrated over 90

but their absorption is incomplete. For the moment AGPI n-3 can be concentrated as free fatty acids (AGL). Squid oil (Illex argentinus) is one of the natural oils with the highest concentration of AGPI n-3 (31 to 34

). In this paper, we have studied the incorporation of AGPI n-3 to plasmatic lipoproteins of rats fed during 28 days with diets supplemented with squid oil (Ac) or AGL obtained from the same oil. Both groups were compared with a control group (C, n = 5) fed on a standard diet. The composition of oil fatty acids and of AGL is almost identical: EPA 13.6

and DHA 17.7

(Table 1). Daily intake of AGPI n-3 was very similar: in the Ac group (n = 7) 80 mg/day and in the AGL group (n = 7) 90 mg/day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Incorporacion de acidos grasos de aceite de calamar a lipoproteinas plasmaticas en ratas / Incorporation of squid oil fatty acids to plasma lipoproteins in rats

Se estudió la absorción e incorporación de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga de la serie n-3 (AGPI n-3) a lipoproteínas plasmáticas de ratas. Se suplementó la dieta de 2 grupos de 7 ratas durante 28 días con aceite de calamar (Ac) n=7 o con ácidos grasos libres de aceite de calamar (AGL) n=7. Ambos preparados tenían igual composición de ácidos grasos y 13,6% de elcosapentanoico, EPA 20:5 n-3 y 17.7% de docosahexaenoico, DHA 22:6 n-3. El grupo Ac ingirió 80 mg/día de AGPI n-3 el AGL 90 mg/día. Se verificó un similar incremento del EPA y DHA plasmáticos en ambos grupos (p < 0,01), descenso del ácido araquidónico, AA 20Ñ4 n-6 (Acp < y AGL p < 0,02) e incremento del linoleico, LA 18:2 n-6 (Ac p<0,01 y AGL p<0,02) y en menor grado del dihomogammalinolénico, DHGLA 20:3 N-6 (Ac p<0,05). Las modificaciones del AA, LA y DHGLA se deberían al efecto inhibidor de los AGPI n-3 sobre las d 6 y d 5 desaturasas, que produce disminución de la síntesis endógena de AA y acumulación de sus respectivos sustratos (LA y DHGLA). A pesar de que el aporte de DHA fue mayor que el de EPA el incremento porcentual del EPA fue mayor, lo que se debería a la retroconvensión del DHA. No se verificó modificación en los niveles de ácidos grasos no esteritificados, colesterol y triglicéridos plasmáticos ni en la seudocolinesterasa, alanino-amino-transferasa y aspartato-amino transferasa séricas. Se concluyó que la absorción intestinal de AGPI n-3 como AGL es equivalente a la de los aportados como triglicéridos