ORAL RUTIN SUSPENSION INTERVENE IN HEPATIC HYPERPLASIA IN RATS

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Rutin is a flavonol glycoside that can be found in a wide variety of vegetables and has activity, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of rutin oral administration on Wistar rats submitted to hepatic hyperplasia after partial hepatectomy (PH). METHODS: To achieve this, we considered the analysis of hepatic hyperplastic and plasma biochemical activity of Wistar rats, subjected to treatment with rutin 40 mg/kg/day for 10 days in group 1 (G1) or saline in group 2 (G2), followed by partial hepatectomy. RESULTS: The results indicated an increase in the number of mitoses after 24 hours and 48 hours (P=0.0022 and P=0.0152, respectively) of PH in the group that received rutin, as well as an increase in AST serum levels after 24 hours (P=0.0159) and 48 hours (P=0.0158) and alkaline phosphatase after 24 hours (P=0.015) in the same group, in relation to the respective controls. The group that received rutin showed a more evident variation than the control group when comparing the 24 hour and 48 hour results regarding AST, number of mitoses and number of apoptosis (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that rutin intervened in hepatic hyperplasia after 24 hours and 48 hours of PH, favoring hepatic hyperplasia.

RELATIVE IMPACTS OF DIFFERENT SEASONS ON THE QUALITIES ERISILK COCOONS AND ERI SILK YARN OF FOUR DIFFERENT MUTANTSTRAINS OF PhilosamiariciniBsd.

The relative impacts of different seasons of ericulture namely May-June,July-Aug., Sep.-Oct. and Nov.-Dec on the qualities of erisilk cocoons and erisilk yarn of four different mutant strains of PhilosamiariciniViz; Yellow plain, Yellow zebra, G.B. plain and G.B. zebra have been evaluated under the reeling parameters. Results obtained indicate that the reeling performances of G.B. plain mutant strain is best in the season May-June (summer)followed by July-August (Rainy) and are relatively better in respect of qualities of eri cocoons and eri silk yarn in comparison to two other seasons namely September-October and November-December. The said variations are probably on account of the fact that May-June followed by July-August seasons provide relatively better and conducive eco-friendly environment to mutant strain than two other seasons of eri culture in respect of cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length of eri silk yarn, rate of eri silk tenacity of fibre and elongation percentage of fibre. The significant variations in relation to four different seasons in the qualities of eri cocoons and eri silk yarn of yellow plain mutant strain of Philosamiaricini (the popular eri silkworm among the four mutant strains) also have been found relatively better in respect of qualities of eri cocoons and eri silk yarn in all the seasons in spite of evident variation on account of genetic variabilities and differences in the genetic make-up of mutant strains.

On the immature stages of the crazy ant Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille 1802) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The ant Paratrechina longicornis is a cosmopolitan ant species that has been accidentally spread by commerce around the world, and now is a pest of houses and hospitals. The morphology of its larval stages has been previously described without knowledge of the number of instars. The present study revisits the original description of P. longicornis larvae by adding differences observed among the three larval instars. Compared to other Paratrechina species studied so far, P. longicornis presents smaller larvae, less evident variation in mandible morphology, and clear variation in the morphology of head hairs between the analysed specimens of the second and third instar larvae. Ultrastructural images of the eggs, larval spiracle ornamentation, and pupae are also presented for the first time.

Pattern of Mandibular Morphology in Anostraca With Some Taxonomical Remarks

Occasional reports on mandibular morphology in some Anostracans by means of optical (Ocioszynska-Bankierowa, 1933; Lynch, 1937; Linder, 1941; Mahoon, 1960; Fryer, 1966) and SEM microscopy (Tyson & Sullivan, 1981; Fryer, 1983; Schrehardt, 1987; Mura, 1991; Mura & Del Caldo, 1992, 1993) posed the question whether this character might be taxonomically relevant. This view was supported by the findings of Edwards (1980) on cladocerans, and of Martin (1988) on conchostracans, thus suggesting to perform a wider inquiry. This SEM study examined the morphology of the molar surfaces in a large number of representatives of the 8 existing Anostraca families, in order to obtain further information. The results are contrasting, and vary depending on the families considered. The observed differences, when present, are detectable only at the genus level and never extend to species, except on rare occasions (for example in the branchinectids). The observations concern both shape and ornamentation (number of teeth and spines at the posterior tips and on the dorsal margins, texture of the transition area, extension of the antero-ventral area, and so on). The most evident variation was expected between non-related genera, but this was shown to be invalid in many cases, and did not depend on the systematic position of the taxa examined. Moreover, even within a family, intergeneric diversity was frequently not observed (like in chirocephalids and branchipodids). Finally, intraspecific variation was also recorded, at least for those species where a great number of specimens was available for study.

Geographic-Variation in Seedling Morphology of Acacia auriculiformis A-Cunn ex-Benth

Seedlings from 30 provenances from Papua New Guinea, Queensland and the Northern Territory, Australia, (and two from Thailand) were raised under common glasshouse conditions. Seventeen attributes were measured for each seedling and the resultant data subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Provenance differences were evident; variation amongst families within provenances was generally small. The Papua New Guinea, Queensland and Northern Territory material clustered into three distinct groups. There was a suggestion that the Queensland and Northern Territory populations were more closely related to each other than to those from Papua New Guinea. The Thai populations possibly came originally as seed from Queensland.

Brackish-water plankton and their environment in the Werribee River, Victoria.

A plankton and water sample were taken at each of 10 stations on 7 April, 22 September, and 30 October 1970. Surface chlorophyll a values as high as 1220 mg/m³ were recorded, although normally they were less than 100 mg/m³. The horizontal and temporal distribution of 16 species of calanoid and cyclopoid copepods is presented, together with their observed salinity tolerances. Four major species-Sulcanus conflictus, Gladioferens pectinatus, Gippslandia estuarina (all estuarine), and Acartia clausii (marine) -accounted for most of the copepod numbers. Evidence is outlined suggesting that the males of A. clausii can penetrate upstream more readily than the females. Zooplankton numbers varied markedly with time, the influence of river flow being quite evident. Variation in egg number and body size in G. pectinatus was studied, and the importance of rate of water renewal on egg number in an estuarine population is discussed. The results are compared with those obtained from two other Victorian ecological studies. Aspects of the Australasian genus Gladioferens are discussed.