Addition of Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate to Corn and Sorghum Starch Extrudates Enhances the Performance of Pregelatinized Beer Adjuncts

Double mashing for wort production is a time‐consuming process that can be reduced if pregelatinized adjuncts are used. Optimal extruding conditions were determined to obtain brewing adjuncts from corn and sorghum starch. For corn starch extrusion, a Box–Behnken design was devised in which moisture, screw speed, temperature of the barrel, and concentrations of sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL) were varied, and sorghum starch was extruded according to a 2³ model in which the modified variables were moisture, SSL concentration, and temperature. The aim was to maximize starch damage and minimize resistant starch and final viscosity as determined with a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The treatments that satisfied these requirements were mashed, and wort extract yield was determined. Glucose, maltose, and maltotriose concentrations in the resulting worts were determined by HPLC with a refractive index detector. Feedstock tempering and SSL content were the most important factors affecting the response; for corn starch, treatments with lower moisture (20%) and middle levels of SSL (0.5%) or with high levels of both moisture (40%) and SSL (1%) produced the most desirable samples for mashing, whereas for sorghum starch the best treatment was tempering to 20% moisture and containing middle levels of SSL (0.5%). No statistical differences were found between these experimental treatments and the control.     

The long-term effects of fire regime on primary production of montane grasslands in South Africa

Natural grasslands deliver essential ecosystem services through plant production, which enhances water supply, nutrient cycling, soil retention and greenhouse gas mitigation. Although the condition of montane grasslands for provision of ecosystem services is maintained by regular annual or biennial burning, controversy exists over the impact of different frequencies and seasons of burning on grassland productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of different burning regimes on primary production and quality of the montane grasslands of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. There were no significant differences in the mean standing live mass between 30 years of annual winter and biennial spring burning. However, in unburnt areas productivity was 20% lower (118.2?g m?2) than in regularly burnt grassland (144.7–154.5?g m?2). Crude protein did not vary between the annual winter and biennial spring treatments (95–113?kg ha?1), but was significantly lower in unburned areas (45?kg ha^?1). However, an infrequent fire in a protected area caused a temporary spike in crude protein (16%) compared with regular burning (5–10%), which can benefit wildlife. We conclude that montane grasslands can be burnt annually or biennially in the dormant season to promote long-term productivity.     

CORRELATIONS AMONG ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF OPTIC NERVE SHEATH DIAMETER,AGE, AND BODY WEIGHT IN CLINICALLY NORMAL HORSES

Early diagnosis of high intracranial pressure (ICP) is critical for minimizing progressive brain injury due to reduced cerebral perfusion. In people, detecting enlargement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by transpalpebral ultrasonography has been found to be an accurate test for high ICP. Aims of this prospective, observational, cross‐sectional study were to test hypotheses that (1) ultrasonographic measurement of ONSD would be repeatable in horses, (2) have acceptable interobserver agreement, and (3) would be correlated with age and body weight. The sample population included 48 horses without clinical signs of high ICP and with varying ages and body weights. Two observers independently performed ONSD measurements in both eyes. All measurements ranged from 2.6 to 6.5 mm. The mean difference of repeated measures within observers was ≤0.1 mm and the coefficients of variation ranged from 5.0% to 8.8%. The mean difference of measures between observers was ≤0.2 mm. After correcting for performing multiple tests, no significant rank correlation (all r < 0.4 [absolute value]) was detected between ONSD and age or body weight. However, we observed smaller ONSD in foals versus adults (all P ≤ 0.002). In the foals, all observed measures of rostrocaudal and dorsoventral ONSD were <5 mm. In the adults, all observed measures of rostrocaudal and dorsoventral ONSD were ≤6.5 mm. Findings indicated that ultrasonographic ONSD measurement is a feasible test for use in horses of varying ages and sizes. Further investigation of this ultrasonographic measure as a clinical test for horse with suspected high ICP is warranted.     

A retrospective review of treatment and response of high‐risk mast cell tumours in dogs

This retrospective case series evaluates survival outcome of 94 dogs with high metastatic risk mast cell tumours (MCT). Patients were treated with a cytotoxic chemotherapy protocol or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor masitinib, in the presence of gross disease or as an adjunct to surgical resection of the primary tumour. In patients presenting with metastatic disease, surgical resection of the primary tumour with adjunctive therapy with any chemotherapy incurred a significant survival advantage [median survival time (MST): 278 days] compared to patients receiving chemotherapy without surgical excision of the primary tumour (MST: 91 days, P < 0.0001). Patients with a surgically excised Patnaik grade II tumour and high Ki‐67 in the absence of metastatic disease treated with vinblastine and prednisolone showed a significantly longer survival (MST: 1946 days) than those treated with masitinib (MST: 369 days, P = 0.0037). Further prospective case‐controlled clinical trials of high‐risk MCTs are required to make precise evidence‐based treatment decisions for individual patients.     

Genetic monitoring of ex situ African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) populations in South Africa

The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) has suffered population declines and is listed in the IUCN Red List as Endangered. The species is endemic to the coast of southern Africa, and breeding colonies are distributed on the south-western coast of Africa. Currently, African Penguins are being kept in zoo and aquarium facilities throughout South Africa. In this study, molecular genetic data based on 12 microsatellite markers from 1 119 African Penguin samples from four facilities were generated in order to determine the level of genetic variation, population structure and differentiation, and effective population size to assist in the development of an effective captive management plan. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.57 to 0.62, and allelic richness from 4.2 to 5.1. However, based on differences between first- and second-generation captive birds, we conclude that the ex situ population is at risk of losing genetic variability in the future and management programmes should include exchange of birds between captive facilities in order to induce gene flow and increase effective population size. Adding individuals from in situ populations should also be considered in the future in cases where these birds cannot be rehabilitated. Molecular genetic analyses of wild penguin populations should be carried out for comparison, and to ascertain to what degree ‘in situ genetic diversity’ is represented among ex situ populations. With regular resampling and analyses, the extent of the effect of processes such as genetic drift on diversity in the ex situ penguin populations will become evident.