Textural Comparisons of Gluten‐Free and Wheat‐Based Doughs,Batters, and Breads

Studies were conducted with two newly developed gluten‐free bread recipes. One was based on corn starch (relative amount 54), brown rice (25), soya (12.5), and buckwheat flour (8.5), while the other contained brown rice flour (50), skim milk powder (37.5), whole egg (30), potato (25), and corn starch (12.5), and soya flour (12.5). The hydrocolloids used were xanthan gum (1.25) and xanthan (0.9) plus konjac gum (1.5), respectively. Wheat bread and gluten‐free bread made from commercial flour mix were included for comparison. Baking tests showed that wheat and the bread made from the commercial flour mix yielded significantly higher loaf volumes (P < 0.01). All the gluten‐free breads were brittle after two days of storage, detectable by the occurrence of fracture, and the decrease in springiness (P < 0.01), cohesiveness (P < 0.01), and resilience (P < 0.01) derived from texture profile analysis. However, these changes were generally less pronounced for the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread, indicating a better keeping quality. Confocal laser‐scanning microscopy showed that the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread crumb contained network‐like structures resembling the gluten network in wheat bread crumb. It was concluded that the formation of a continuous protein phase is critical for an improved keeping quality of gluten‐free bread.     

Persistent Frenulum of the Epiglottis in Four Foals

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Four newborn foals. METHODS: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. RESULTS: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux resolved by the second nursing attempt in 3 foals, whereas this was difficult to assess in one foal that was nursed intermittently because of the mares behavior. This foal died 2 days later. The other 3 foals have had normal epiglottic function for 2-4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis should be considered in foals with oronasal reflux from birth. With appropriate medical and surgical management the prognosis for resolution should be good.     

Benefits of using the probiotic Efinol®L during transportation of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz), in the Amazon

The objective of this experiment was to test the probiotic Efinol^®L during transportation of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz). For the transportation, fish were distributed in 18 plastic tanks, of which nine contained the Efinol^®L (10 mg L⁻¹; probiotic treatment) and the remaining had no probiotic (control treatment). Transport lasted 24 h and three different boxes of each treatment were sampled at 3, 12 and 24 h. Up to the 12-h sampling period, no significant difference in the survival was observed; on the other hand, survival was higher at the end of the transport (24 h) in the probiotic treatment. No significant difference was found in dissolved oxygen and temperature between treatments. Conductivity, pH and alkalinity increased along the transport, but without a difference between treatments. Ammonia increased in all treatments, although it was significantly lower in the probiotic group at 24 h. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in all transported fish when compared with the basal values. At 24 h, cortisol levels in control fish were significantly higher than those in the probiotic treatment. With the observed results, we are able to conclude that the probiotic Efinol^®L is efficient during cardinal transport, lowering the mortality and helping maintain water quality possibly by lowering metabolic wastes.     

Application of Two-Level Full Factorial Design for the Extraction of Fucoxanthin and Antioxidant Activities from Sargassum siliquosum and Sargassum polycystum

Two-level full factorial design was employed to identify the extraction parameters that can improve the derivation of fucoxanthin content (FC), total carotenoid content (TCC), and antioxidant from two brown seaweeds, Sargassum siliquosum (SS) and Sargassum polycystum (SP). These parameters included temperature (A: 4–45°C), time (B: 30–1,440 min), and solvent-to-solid ratio (C: 10–50 ml/g). Antioxidant activities were determined as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Results showed that all three factors were significant (p < 0.05) in providing higher FC in both species. These factors were also significant in obtaining higher TCC in SS; whereas in SP, TCC was only affected by solvent-to-solid ratio. Only temperature was found to contribute significantly to a higher TEAC in both species. However, none of the factors improved DPPH for SS, except temperature and time for SP. For SS, only time was significant in obtaining higher FRAP; whereas temperature and time were significant for SP. Hence, results indicate that a simple modification in the extraction temperature, time, and solvent-to-solid ratio will be able to improve the derivation of fucoxanthin, carotenoids, and antioxidant activities.     

Contributions of marine infrastructures to marine planning and protected area networking

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Spatial suitability assessment for vineyard site selection based on fuzzy logic

Developing a sustainable agricultural production system requires knowledge of the climate, soil, and topography of the area of interest. This is especially relevant for wine grape (Vitis vinefera L.) production. The main objective of this study was the development of a comprehensive system to aid in the selection of suitable areas for grapevine cultivation. Included in this system were several bioclimatic indices, such as Growing Degree Days (GDD), Frost Free Days (FFD), and the Huglin Index (HI) calculated over a period of 30 years using daily weather data obtained from the University of Idaho’s Gridded Surface Meteorological (UI GSM) dataset. Soil data and topographical data were also included in the system. The bioclimatic indices, soil, and topographic data were then transformed using fuzzy logic, and suitability maps with scores ranging from 0 to 1 were developed. The final vineyard-potential scores were obtained by combining the soil, weather, and topographic potential scores with a range from 0 to 1, where 0 pertained to non-suitable areas and 1 referred to optimal sites. The maps were evaluated by comparing the range of suitability scores of existing vineyards in Washington State. The evaluation indicated that 97% of the established vineyards have a vineyard-potential score that ranges from 0.8 to 1. The results of this study revealed that 11% of the total study area had a high potential for wine grape production. This study was able to successfully employ fuzzy logic to help decision-makers, growers, and others with conducting a precise land assessment for wine grape production.     

Modelling approach for the quantitative variation of sex expression in monoecious hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

Sex expression is of primary importance for the genetic improvement and production of monoecious hemp: masculinized phenotypes are associated with higher fungal sensitivity, and feminized phenotypes with higher seed yields. However, sex expression varies quantitatively among plants and nodes and with time. Here, we developed eight variables that characterize the sex expression in monoecious hemp to dissect its genetic determinism. The monoecy degree (MD), ranging from 1 (mostly male flowers) to 5 (mostly female flowers), was recorded for each node of 167 plants, at 6 times at 1‐week intervals. Two types of longitudinal variables were constructed: ‘synthesis’ (mean MD and percentages of nodes of each MD) and ‘structure’. The latter consisted of the parameters of a logistic curve describing MD as a function of the node position. An r‐square of 0.97 was obtained between the estimated and observed MD values, and the logistic parameters were weakly correlated with each other and with the synthesis variables. Therefore, we conclude that the present modelling approach is relevant for characterizing the sex expression in monoecious hemp.     

Platelet aggregation responses in clinically healthy adult llamas

Background: Limited information exists regarding hemostasis in camelids despite the importance of platelet function testing in the accurate identification of platelet disorders. As further importation of llamas to North America is restricted, variability in breeding stock will continue to decrease, potentially leading to an increase in heritable bleeding disorders. Objective: The objective of this study was to measure platelet aggregation responses in clinically healthy llamas and provide baseline data to which abnormal platelet function may be compared in the future. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 39 healthy adult llamas, citrated, and centrifuged to produce platelet‐rich plasma (PRP). Within 4 hours of the blood draw, 20 μL of each agonist reagent were added to 180 μL of PRP. Final concentrations of agonists were 2 × 10^?5 M ADP, 0.19 mg collagen/mL PRP, 1 × 10^?4 M epinephrine, and 500 μg arachidonic acid/mL PRP. Results: Llama platelets were most responsive to ADP and collagen, with a maximum percent aggregation (mean±SD) of 71.3±18.6% and 55.8±19% and aggregation rates of 9.5±3.9 and 6.7±3.7 cm/min, respectively. Llama platelet aggregation in response to epinephrine and arachidonic acid was minimal to absent. Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind to establish baseline values for platelet aggregation in healthy adult llamas.