Effect of annealing from traditional nixtamalisation process on the microstructural,thermal, and rheological properties of starch and quality of pozole

Eleven maize landraces were evaluated for pozole quality. The microstructural, thermal and rheological properties of annealed starch granules determine most of the quality of pozole. Annealed starch in traditional nixtamalisation has an important role in increasing gelatinisation onset (To), peak (Tp) and final (Tf) temperatures; peak, setback and final viscosity as well as the stability of the starch granule, all of which significantly affect pozole quality. Annealed starch in Cacahuacintle nixtamal (pozole end-use) increased temperatures To, Tp and Tf by >5.2, >3.8 and >4.1 °C respectively, and narrowed the range Tf − To from 13.78 to 12.62 °C. The enthalpy was reduced from 6.76 to 5.85 J/g, while the nixtamal starch in tortilla maize landraces presented fewer annealing effects. The annealing effect in nixtamal starch seems to stabilize the starch granules and avoid their collapse, compared to native starch, as shown by the X-ray diffraction peak intensity and pattern that is similar to unprocessed maize. Starch in nixtamal changes from Type A to Type V pattern in pozole. Kernel physical parameters, although important, affected the quality to a lesser extent, with the exception of the flotation index. Cacahuacintle maize landrace showed the best quality and yield as well as a short pozole cooking time.     

CLINICAL,IMAGING, AND PATHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GURLTIA PARALYSANS MYELOPATHY IN DOMESTIC CATS FROM CHILE

Gurltia paralysans is a rare metastrongylid nematode of domestic cats that is found mainly in the veins of the spinal cord subarachnoid space and parenchyma. Endemic regions for G. paralysans mainly include Chile and Argentina. The ante mortem diagnosis of gurltiosis is difficult and based primarily on neurological signs, epidemiological factors, and the exclusion of other causes of feline myelopathies. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe clinical, imaging, and pathologic characteristics in nine domestic cats naturally infected with G. paralysans. Imaging tests included radiography, myelography, computed tomographic myelography (myelo‐CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neurological signs included paraparesis, paraplegia, pelvic limb ataxia and proprioceptive deficits, pelvic limb tremors, lumbosacral hyperesthesia, and tail trembling or atony. Complete blood count findings included a decrease in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration value in eight cats. Eosinophilia in peripheral blood was observed in three cats, and thrombocytopenia was observed in three cats. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mononuclear pleocytosis in five cases. Myelo‐CT showed diffuse enlargement of the spinal cord at the midthoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions in all cats. Magnetic resonance image findings in the thoracic and lumbar region demonstrated multiple small nodular areas of T2 hyperintensity in the periphery of the spinal cord parenchyma. Localized intraparenchymal areas of increased T2 intensity were also observed in the thoracolumbar spinal cord and lumbosacral conus medullaris. In conclusion, G. paralysans should be considered as a differential diagnosis for domestic cats in endemic regions that have this combination of clinical and imaging characteristics.     

Microsatellite diversity and effective population size in a germplasm bank of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenaea courbaril</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">stilbocarpa</Emphasis> (Leguminosae), an endangered tropical tree: recommendations for conservation

Deforestation in southeast Brazil has led to the extinction of Hymenaea courbaril var. stilbocarpa and ex situ conservation has been established. In this study, the levels of genetic diversity and the effective population size of H. courbaril in a germplasm bank were investigated using six nuclear microsatellite loci. A total of 79 and 91 alleles were found in 65 seed-trees and their 176 offspring, respectively. Offspring have a higher average number of alleles per locus (A = 15.2) than seed-trees (A = 13.2), but lower observed heterozygosity (offspring: H _o = 0.566; seed-trees: H _o = 0.607). The estimate of outcrossing rate shows that the study population is perfectly outcrossed (t _m  = 0.978, P > 0.05). Significant deviations from random mating were detected through mating among relatives and correlated matings. The average variance in effective population size for each family was 2.63, with a total effective population size retained in the bank of 170.1. These results confirm that the preserved population of H. courbaril retains substantial genetic variability. Moacyr Antonio Mestriner and Ana Lilia Alzate-Marin—CEEFLORUSP Members.     

Relationship between teat-end condition, udder cleanliness and bovine subclinical mastitis

The aims of the present study were to relate intramammary infection (IMI) occurrence and somatic cell count (SCC) with teat-end condition (TEC) and udder cleanliness (UC). Milk samples from 1931 teats were evaluated according to the presence of IMI and SCC. Scores were applied to teats according to the TEC and to UC. Teats ends with a very rough ring had the largest number of IMI when compared to the other three categories, as well as animals with dirtier udders. The change in a TEC score increased by around 30% the chance of IMI. Also, the chance of the animal developing IMI increased by approximately 47% when the UC score increased. No significant association between both scores and quarter SCC was found. It can be concluded that animals with very rough teat end rings and very dirty udders have a greater predisposition to IMI.     

Effect of the inoculation and distribution of mycorrhizae in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plathymenia reticulata</Emphasis> Benth under monoculture and mixed plantation in Brazil

This paper investigates the distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spores and AMF colonization in a field study in southeastern Brazil. Response to AMF and rhizobial inoculation was studied in monocultures of Plathymenia reticulata and mixed plantations with both Tabebuia heptaphylla and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a sandy soil during two consecutive years. P. reticulata height and diameter and mycorrhizal colonization and AMF diversity were measured in dry and rainy periods. The inoculated treatment of E. camaldulensis, T. heptaphylla and P. reticulata mixed plants showed higher height and diameter growth of P. reticulata used as well as increased root colonization and AMF spore numbers. Spore populations were found to belong to five genera: Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Gigaspora and Scutellospora, with Glomus dominating. Agroforestry practices including use of leguminous tree P. reticulata effectively maintained AMF spore numbers in soils and high AMF colonization levels compared with monocultures, proving an efficient system for productivity and sustainability.     

Intercropping system of tropical leguminous species and Eucalyptuscamaldulensis, inoculated with rhizobia and/or mycorrhizal fungi in semiarid Brazil

For the purpose of reforestation and wood supply the leguminous tree Anadenanthera peregrina, a native species, was intercropped with Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a degraded semiarid area of Brazil. Single and mixed stands of these species were inoculated with Rhizobium and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The growth of all species in mixed stands did not differ from those cultivated in monoculture and land equivalent ratio (LER) exceeded unity in intercropped plots. Inoculated plants showed greater height and diameter growth and dry matter and nutrient concentration in plants of A. peregrina was higher in inoculated single plots. The distribution, composition and density of AMF species was related to the rhizosphere effect of plant species. The intercropped model where all the plants were inoculated achieved soil AMF diversity patterns similar to those of the preserved area and showed also higher soil organic matter, nutrient content as well as a reduction in soil macroporosity. This model of intercropping may be considered as an efficient system for reforestation under semiarid conditions.     

Analysis of the biodiversity of hawthorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis> spp.) from the morphological,molecular, and ethnobotanical approaches,and implications for genetic resource conservation in scenery of increasing cultivation: the case of Mexico

One hundred and forty Mexican hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) accessions from six regions are preserved at the BGT-UACH germplasm bank (Mexico), comprising the most comprehensive living collection of Mexican hawthorns with different degrees of human management. The objective of this study was to assess the biodiversity of this valuable collection from morphological, molecular (microsatellite), and ethnobotanical viewpoints in order to delineate the most adequate strategy for the conservation of the native hawthorn germplasm in the present scenario of incipient establishment of commercial hawthorn plantations, which is likely to increase. Molecular characterisation revealed that the biodiversity was chiefly (90%) placed within the regions. Morphological characterisation indicated that the group from Chiapas was the most different germplasm pool compared with the other five. This was confirmed by molecular analysis, because in spite of the lack of a phylogeographical pattern, two germplasm pools were detected: one composed mainly by accessions from Chiapas and the other mainly by accessions from the other regions. The only clear differences among the regions in the ethnobotanical study were those derived from putting hawthorns into commercial cultivation, which occurred in just one region in the centre of the country (Mexico–Puebla–Tlaxcala). As a consequence, an ex situ conservation programme is necessary for those regions shifting patterns of cultivation from traditional to commercial, regardless of whether other on-farm programmes are also implemented. The germplasm collections within each region must be exhaustive due to their high genetic diversity.