Effect of temperature, time and wheat gluten moisture content on wheat gluten network formation during thermomolding

A plastic-like material can be obtained by thermomolding wheat gluten protein which consists of glutenin and gliadin. We studied the effect of molding temperature (130-170 °C), molding time (5-25 min) and initial wheat gluten moisture content (5.6-18.0%) on the gluten network. Almost no glutenins were extractable after thermomolding irrespective of the molding conditions. At the lowest molding temperature, the extractable gliadin content decreased with increasing molding times and moisture contents. This effect was more pronounced for the α- and γ-gliadins than for the ω-gliadins. Protein extractabilities under reducing conditions revealed that, at this molding temperature, the cross-linking was predominantly based on disulfide bonds. At higher molding temperatures, also non-disulfide bonds contributed to the gluten network. Decreasing cystine contents and increasing free sulfhydryl and dehydroalanine (DHA) contents with increasing molding temperatures and times revealed the occurrence of β-elimination reactions during thermomolding. Under the experimental conditions, the DHA derived cross-link lanthionine (LAN) was detected in all gluten samples thermomolded at 150 and 170 °C. LAN was also formed at 130 °C for gluten samples containing 18.0% moisture. Degradation was observed at 150 °C for samples thermomolded from gluten with 18.0% moisture content or thermomolded at 170 °C for all moisture contents.     

Cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis in a girdled lizard (Cordylus giganteus) caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii and successful treatment with voriconazole

The Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii was associated with dermatomycosis and high mortality in a group of captive giant girdled lizards (Cordylus giganteus). Treatment of one of the infected girdled lizards with voriconazole, which was selected on the basis of in vitro sensitivity testing of the isolate, resulted in resolution of lesions and negative fungal cultures from the skin. Three hours after oral administration of 10 mg/kg, the plasma level of voriconazole exceeded the 0.25‐μg/mL minimal inhibitory concentration tenfold. In conclusion, administration of voriconazole at 10 mg/kg of body weight once daily for 10 weeks resulted in clinical cure and was well tolerated. A longer follow‐up time and larger studies will be necessary to determine the long‐term efficacy and safety of this treatment in giant girdled lizards.     

The interaction of Cytolin and NAA on cropping red ‘Delicious’ apple

A trial, at Spreyton in north-western Tasmania, studied the effects of Cytolin and NAA sprays on the thinning and shape of ‘Delicious’ apples. Untreated control and hand thinned trees were compared with trees treated with Cytolin or NAA alone, or in combination. Cytolin was applied at 25 mg 1~‘ at the king petal (KP) stage. NAA was applied at 8 mg I“1 at full bloom (FB) and 7,10, or 15 days after full bloom (AFB). Cytolin alone had no effect on thinning, fruit weight or on pip numbers but it did improve fruit shape. The combination of cytolin and NAA at FB overthinned. Cytolin and NAA combinations applied at all times after FB significantly decreased both mean fruit weight and pip numbers and reduced the percentage of fruit > 70 mm. All Cytolin-NAA combinations and the NAA treatments applied at 10 and 15 days AFB resulted in unacceptably high percentages of apples < 45 mm in diameter (pygmy fruit). It is recommended that Cytolin and NAA should not be used in the same spray programme. NAA alone is a most effective thinner at FB or seven days AFB.     

Promoting branching in young trees of apple cv. Red Delicious using growth regulators

Summary

In two trials in the Huon Valley of Tasmania, a mixture of GA₄₊₇ and B A (Cytolin^®) was applied to one year old spur-bearing and non-spur-bearing apple trees cv. Red Delicious at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm in an effort to increase branching. No effects were evident on the non spur-bearing trees, and therefore Cytolin cannot be recommended. Spur-bearing trees had quantifiable responses to Cytolin, with a higher branching percentage, and reduced branch and leader length. Average branch angle was significantly increased using 100 ppm Cytolin, thereafter decreasing with higher Cytolin concentrations. Present evidence concludes that Cytolin should be used at 100 ppm on spur-bearing ‘Red Delicious’ to promote branches of adequate length, wider angles and sufficiently above the grafting union.     

Improved solvent extraction procedure and high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detector method for analysis of polar lipids from dairy materials

A normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detector method employing dichloromethane, methanol, and acetic acid/triethylamine buffer as the mobile phase was developed for analysis of polar lipids (PLs). This method was applicable for analysis of PLs from both dairy materials and soy lecithin. All of the PLs of interest such as glycolipids, phospholipids, and sphingomyelin were well separated with a total run time of 22.5 min and without necessitating the removal of neutral lipids beforehand. Peak retention times were stable, and the method was reproducible. In this study, a modified method of using solvents for extraction of PLs from dairy matrices was also investigated. The modified method offered higher extraction efficiency, consumed less time, and in some cases saved solvent use.     

Detection of Genetically Modified Soy in Doughs and Cookies

In many countries, including the European Union member states, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, legislation has been set up for labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed products. To comply with these regulations, reliable detection methods are necessary. If the detection is based on DNA, a GMO analysis may contain several steps where qualitative and quantitative species-specific, GMO screening, GMO construct, and GMO line-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) are used. A limit of detection (LOD) thereby defines to what extent a target molecule may be detected in a sample. In this study, cookies were made with variable levels of a soy sample containing 2 wt% Roundup Ready soy. For all PCRs described, detection limits based on dilution series and practical LODs were determined. The practical LODs are used to determine to what extent a GMO ingredient may be detected in a real food product. Results reveal that, due to the baking process, the overall DNA fragment length is reduced, rendering GMO analyses more difficult. Furthermore, Roundup Ready soy line-specific and real-time quantitative PCR are less sensitive than GMO screening PCRs, whereas just these PCRs are crucial in the decision-making process regarding the presence of GMOs in a food product. Moreover, high standard deviations and errors render the precise quantification of GMOs difficult.     

CT diagnosis of occipital condyle fracture in a dog presented for severe cervical hyperesthesia

A 9-month-old male entire Doberman Pinscher presented with acute onset of severe cervical hyperesthesia after a fall. Neurological examination revealed a normal gait with low head carriage and severe cervical hyperesthesia. A CT scan of the cervical vertebral column revealed the presence of a comminuted fracture at the dorsomedial aspect of the right occipital condyle and sclerosis of the underlying bone. Medical management was initiated consisting of an external bandage, strict rest, and pain medication. Due to the lack of clinical improvement, the dog was euthanized 2 months after diagnosis. Histopathology of the lesion was compatible with a healing fracture.     

Landscape resistance and American marten gene flow

Landscape heterogeneity can influence animal dispersal by causing a directional bias in dispersal rate, as certain landscape configurations might promote, impede, or prevent movement and gene flow. In forested landscapes, logging operations often contribute to heterogeneity that can reduce functional connectivity for some species. American martens (Martes americana) are one such species, as they are considered specialists of late-seral coniferous forests. We assessed marten gene flow to test the hypothesis that habitat management has maintained landscape connectivity for martens in the managed forests of Ontario, Canada. We genotyped 653 martens at 12 microsatellite loci, sampled from 29 sites across Ontario. We expected that if forest management has an effect on marten gene flow, we would see a correlation between effective resistance, estimated by circuit theory, and genetic distance, estimated by population graphs. Although we found a positive relationship between effective resistance and genetic distance (Mantel r = 0.249, P < 0.001), marten gene flow was better described by isolation by Euclidean distance (Mantel r = 0.410, P < 0.001). Our results suggest that managed forests in Ontario are well connected for marten and neither impede nor promote marten gene flow at the provincial scale.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of miconazole and polymyxin B against canine meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates

Background – Meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) infections are increasingly reported in dogs, and these bacteria may be isolated from ear infections. Hypothesis/Objectives – The main aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of miconazole, polymyxin B and a combination of both against 24 canine MRSA and 50 canine MRSP isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12 other antimicrobial agents were also determined. Methods – All MIC values were determined according to a broth microdilution assay. Results – Acquired resistance was found to all tested agents, except for linezolid, miconazole and polymyxin B. The MIC values for miconazole and polymyxin B against MRSA were in the range of 4–8 and 8–64 μg/mL, respectively, while the MIC values for miconazole and polymyxin B against MRSP were in the range of 1–2 and 0.25–4 μg/mL, respectively. Using a combination of miconazole and polymyxin B, there was no evidence for enhanced in vitro activity of the combination (i.e. synergy) of both products. Nevertheless, MIC₉₀ values of the combination of these antimicrobial agents and of a commercial product containing both agents were at least 1000 times lower than the concentration present in the commercial product. Conclusions and clinical importance – These results indicate that the topical use of a combination of miconazole and polymyxin B in a 43.5:1 ratio may have potential for the treatment of MRSA‐mediated and MRSP‐associated otitis externa in dogs.