Nutritional phagostimulants function as male courtship pheromone in the German cockroach, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blattella germanica</Emphasis>

Summary. Males of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, secrete a pheromonal substance from the abdominal tergal glands, which elicits a feeding response in females during the sequential courtship behavior. The nuptial secretion consists predominantly of a synergistic mixture of sugars and phospholipids. Cholesterol and a series of amino acids, which are also components of the males glandular secretion, significantly enhanced the phagostimulant activity of the sugar components. The nuptial feeding behavior of the female cockroach is therefore elicited by a complex assortment of nutritive components in the male tergal secretion, including sugars, phospholipids, cholesterol, and amino acids. These results indicate that a mixture of primary metabolites, and not of specific secondary metabolites, serves as a pheromonal cue that appeals to the females gustatory sense and effectively brings her to the precopulatory position. Although the male secretion consists of nutrients, we suggest that these compounds probably do not represent a significant nutrient investment in females and their progeny but rather function as a signal in the mating sequence of B. germanica.     

应用EM生物技术降低鸡蛋胆固醇的试验研究

应用EM生物技术饲养蛋鸡,可以降低鸡蛋胆固醇含量52.05 %?67. 78 %,同时可以保障高蛋白营养,降低脂肪含量,成为老少皆宜的 健康食品。      

用平板双分子层脂膜模拟研究锌离子跨细胞膜的传递过程

制备了氧化胆固醇-卵磷脂（脑磷脂）平板双分子层脂膜，研究了膜配方对双分子层脂膜的稳定性和离子传递性能的影响，得到了最佳制膜工艺，并建立了锌离子跨卵（脑）磷脂膜的吸附-扩散模型，其计算值与实验值基本吻合．     

Metabolic effects of diazinon on the European eel

Abstract

Eels were exposed to a sublethal diazinon concentration of 0.042 mg/L for exposure times of 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Biochemical analyses of blood composition, such as plasma glucose, total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, plasma lactate, plasma urea and uric acid, showed significant differences between treated and control animals. Plasma glucose and lactate increased after 6 hours exposure to the insecticide. Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides content decreased during 96 hours treatment. Urea levels increased at 72 hours while uric acid content decreased significantly at 24, 72 and 96 hours exposure to the pesticide.

The observed effects of diazinon on eel metabolism suggested that the treated fish was faced with a serious metabolic crisis, and the fish looked for alternative methods of metabolism to overcome the toxic stress.     

Effects of gasoline engine emissions on health status of auto rickshaw drivers at DIR (L) Khyber Pukhtunkhwa

A total of 50 blood samples were collected from auto rickshaw drivers who were exposed to environmental gasoline in different sites of Dir (L), Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in July and August, 2009. Control group was selected among the individuals who were not regularly exposed to gasoline emissions. The samples were analyzed for calcium, cholesterol, glucose, phosphorus, potassium, and triglycerides levels. A significant increase was found in the blood levels of calcium, glucose, phosphorus, and triglycerides. A significant decrease was detected in the blood levels of potassium without any significant effect on the blood levels of cholesterol and magnesium.     

竹林挥发物主要成分对疾患动物模型生理代谢指标的影响

食诱方法造模制备高脂血症SD大鼠模型,考察了α-蒎烯模拟物-松节油对造模高血脂症SD大鼠血脂代谢指标的影响,以期对竹林释放的挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)的保健、疾疗效果进行科学评价.结果表明,在实验浓度范围内,α-蒎烯模拟物-松节油对高脂血症SD大鼠的体重无显著影响;能降低其血清总胆固醇和甘油三酯并表现出数量依赖关系,...     

Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the inhabitants of a Sicilian city

Background

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health problems.

Objectives

To assess serum concentrations of several organochlorine contaminants in general population living in a city with an ancient agricultural tradition and to identify possible exposure sources in Sicily.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 individuals. Each participant answered a face-to-face questionnaire submitted by well-trained personnel and provided a serum sample which was analyzed for the concentrations of PCBs, HCB, HCHs and DDTs by using gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Results

HCB, p,p′-DDE, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 were detected in more than 80% of the study participants. The ng g⁻¹ lipid median concentrations were: 18.6 for HCB; 175.1 for p,p′-DDE; 22. for PCB 138; 32.5 for PCB 153 and 23.0 for PCB 180. PCB 153 and PCB 138, PCB 138 and PCB 180, PCB 153 and PCB 180, and p,p′-DDE and HCB showed a high correlation each other (p < 0.05). HCB and p,p′-DDE concentrations were significantly higher in subjects >49 years old (adj-p = 0.03 in 50-69 years old and adj-p < 0.001 in >69 years old, respectively) whereas PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 concentrations were higher in males (adj-p = 0.03), in subjects >69 years old (adj-p = 0.04) and in current smokers (adj-p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The present study shows that serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds detected in subjects living in a small Sicilian city with ancient agricultural tradition are similar to those found in subjects living in urban areas of other countries. However, further investigations are needed to compare data from rural/urban areas in the same country, assessing correlations between serum concentrations of several chemical compounds and potential health effects in general population.     

Baseline activities of four biomarkers in three life-stages of the amphipod,Leptocheirus plumulosus

This study investigated differences in baseline levels of four cellular biomarkers (glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPx), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and cholesterol (CHL)) in the larval, juvenile, and adult stages of the estuarine amphipod, Leptocheirus plumulosus. Glutathione, LPx, and AChE exhibited the same pattern of decreasing levels with increasing developmental stage. Cholesterol showed an inverse relationship of increasing levels with increasing developmental stages. This research provides valuable background information that may be used in future assessments of amphipod biomarker research.