The Spider Book

Changes in chemical interactions and protein conformation during heat-induced wheat gluten gel formation.

Background: Dogs are the most common pet animals worldwide. They may harbour a wide range of parasites with zoonotic potential, thus causing a health risk to humans. In Nigeria, epidemiological knowledge on these parasites is limited. Methods: In a community-based study, we examined 396 dogs in urban and rural areas of Ilorin (Kwara State, Central Nigeria) for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths. In addition, a questionnaire regarding knowledge and practices was applied to pet owners. Results: Nine ectoparasite species belonging to four taxa and six intestinal helminth species were identified: fleas (Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans), mites (Demodex canis, Otodectes sp., Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis), ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes sp.), and lice (Trichodectes canis); and Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp., Trichuris vulpis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenidae and Strongyloides sp. Overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 60.4% and of intestinal helminths 68.4%. The occurrence of C. canis, R. sanguineus, T. canis, Ancylostoma sp. and T. vulpis was most common (prevalence 14.4% to 41.7%). Prevalence patterns in helminths were age-dependent, with T. canis showing a decreasing prevalence with age of host, and a reverse trend in other parasite species. Knowledge regarding zoonoses was very limited and the diseases not considered a major health problem. Treatment with antiparasitic drugs was more frequent in urban areas. Conclusion: Parasites of importance for human health were highly prevalent in Nigerian dogs. Interventions should include health education provided to dog owners and the establishment of a program focusing on zoonotic diseases.

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Parasites of importance for human health in Nigerian dogs: high prevalence and limited knowledge of pet owners.

Gelatinisation and retrogradation of starch-whey mixtures were studied in water (pH 7) using the Rapid Visco-Analyser (RVA). The starch:whey ratios ranged from 0:100 - 100:0. Wheat starch, and whey protein concentrate (about 80% solids basis) and isolate (about 96% solids basis) were used. Mixtures with whey isolates were generally more viscous than those with whey concentrates, and this was attributed to fewer non-protein milk components in the former. Whey protein concentrates and isolates reduced the peak, trough and final viscosities of the mixtures, but the breakdown and setback ratios of the mixtures were increased. The gelatinisation temperature increased with whey substitutions indicating that whey protein delayed starch gelatinisation. The temperature of fastest viscosity development decreased as the amount of whey was increased. Whey protein isolate generally exercised a lesser effect than the concentrate. At between 40 - 50% whey substitutions, the dominant phase changed from starch to protein irrespective of the source of the whey protein. An additive law poorly defined selected RVA parameters. Both macromolecules interacted to define the viscosity of the mixture, and an exponential model predicted the viscosity better than the additive law. The results obtained in this study are discussed to assist the understanding of extrusion processing of starch-whey systems as models for whey-fortified snack and ready-to-eat foods. Copyright ©2006 The Berkeley Electronic Press. All rights reserved.

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Macromolecular interactions during gelatinisation and retrogradation in starch-whey systems as studied by rapid visco-analyser

During 2005, 31 uk veterinary practices participated in a survey of flea infestation, during which 2653 dogs and 1508 cats were examined for evidence of flea infestation and skin disease compatible with flea allergy dermatitis (fad). The prevalence of flea infestation in the cats was 21.09 per cent, significantly (P<0.001) higher than in the dogs (6.82 per cent). The prevalence of skin lesions compatible with fad in the cats (8.02 per cent) was also significantly (P<0.001) higher than in the dogs (3.32 per cent). Flea infestations were more common in households with cats and with more than one pet. Of 467 fleas identified from the cats, 462 (98.93 per cent) were Ctenocephalides felis, one was Ctenocephalides canis, one was Archaeopsylla erinacei, two were Pulex irritans, and one was Spilopsyllus cuniculi. Of 336 fleas identified from the dogs, 313 (93.15 per cent) were C felis, five were C Canis, 12 were A erinacei, five were P irritans, and one was Ceratophyllus (Nosophyllus) fasciatus. Almost half of the owners of the dogs and cats were unaware of their pet's flea infestation. The overall prevalence of fleas and/or skin lesions that could potentially be compatible with fad was 7.46 per cent in the dogs and 22.28 per cent in the cats.

Survey of flea infestation in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom during 2005.

Ectoparasitic species from Canis familiaris (Linné) in Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

Whey protein concentrate (WPC)-cassava starch (CS) gels were prepared by heating WPC-CS dispersions (0-12.5% protein-0-4.2% starch, w/w; pH 3.75 and 4.2). Gels were characterized by measures of water-holding capacity (WHC), estimation of the relative size and/or density distribution of the gel particles, and light microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of WPC-CS dispersions was also performed. Results show that CS increased the WHC of gels. Mixed gels presented separate zones of gelatinized starch and aggregated protein and a higher proportion of large/high-density particles. DSC assays showed that starch gelatinization preceded protein denaturation during heating. Starch gelatinization shifted to higher temperatures in dispersions containing WPC, due to the presence of whey proteins, lactose, and calcium.

Gelation of Whey Protein Concentrate−Cassava Starch in Acidic Conditions

This study analyzes predation by adult females of Misumenops pallidus (Keyserling 1880) on pairs of prey items representing non-pest insects and potential pests. The phenology of the potential pests was such that each insect guild peaked sequentially, while non-pest herbivorous and insectivorous insects were present during the entire period. Field experiments were made in a commercial 50-ha soybean plot during two successive years. Ten cages 1 3 1 3 0.5 m were placed in peripheral furrows of a soybean commercial plot. The pest species were preyed on differentially, with the order from the most favored species to the least with respect to non-pest herbivorous and insectivorous insects was as follows: defoliating lepidopterous larvae, seed feeding pentatomids in their early nymphal instars, stem boring lepidopterous larvae, and seed feeding pentatomids in older nymphal and adult instars. Adult females of M. pallidus fed on all the insect species offered, but in the presence of defoliator larvae, they hardly accepted alternative prey, whereas in the presence of other prey, they maintained a more generalized diet.

Predation by Misumenops pallidus (Araneae: Thomisidae) on insect pests of soybean cultures in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

The Iife cicle of Latrodectus variegatus from cocoons collected in Bariloche, Argentina, is described. In stage IV (first free stage) 361 individually bred spiders were isolated and fed Drosophila melanogaster in the juvenile stage and Musca domestica after wards. "Stage 1" is the stage following eclosion. For the study of survival, and average Iife expectancy, a week wa

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Desarrollo postembrionario de Latrodectus variegatus (Araneae: Theridiidae)

In March 2020, in the context of the pandemic produced by the covid-19 outbreak that also affected higher education, using the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to resolve the situation. The impact, which caused the adjustment to virtuality, had obstacles and difficulties, as well as challenges and new competences, for teachers and students. In this work, the responses of first-year students of annual course, of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum-UNLP, to the survey carried out at the end of the course, are analyzed. This analysis allows us to know the perceptions they had during the course in virtual mode, since, being the first time of this experience, it is important to know the opinions that allow us to improve teaching practices. This new form of teaching put into practice due to the particular health situation opens up a range of possibilities, A. Armendano, S. E. González, N. B. Camino, S. Martorelli, “Percepciones estudiantiles sobre la cursada virtual de una asigna tura de primer año de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (UNLP),” pp. 409-413 410 TE&ET N°28 Especial | Marzo 2021 | ISSN 1850-9959 | UNLP Facultad de InformáticaSecretaría de Postgrado including the possible implementation of a bimodal course.

Sandra Elizabeth González

Papers

Ectoparasitic species from Canis familiaris (Linné) in Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

Gelation of Whey Protein Concentrate−Cassava Starch in Acidic Conditions

Predation by Misumenops pallidus (Araneae: Thomisidae) on insect pests of soybean cultures in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Desarrollo postembrionario de Latrodectus variegatus (Araneae: Theridiidae)

Percepciones estudiantiles sobre la cursada virtual de una asignatura de primer año de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (UNLP)