The bush Karoo rat Otomys unisulcatus on the Cape West coast

In the Postberg Nature Reserve, coastal Western Cape Province, bush Karoo rats Otomys unisulcatus build dome-shaped stick shelters or lodges, with a mean height of 1,45 m and a mean volume of 0,61 m3, usually with Exomis microphylla var. axyrioides as a supporting shrub. Sticks and twigs utilized are from 10 to 517 mm long, 3,5 mm thick, and with a mean length up to 117 mm per lodge, interwoven to form intricate structures. These are criss-crossed with passages and contain two nests and two latrines each. More than 13 000 sticks can be used to build a lodge; this involves travelling total distances of up to 16,5 km to gather building material. A network of paths interconnects lodges and leads to shrubs providing sticks and food. Most lodges are inhabited by one or two individuals. The species is diurnal and crepuscular

Attitudes and acceptance of South African urban consumers towards genetically modified white maize

The introduction of genetically modified (GM) food products to food markets around the world, has led to considerable controversy. In many cases consumer attitudes and perceptions of GM food products were revealed as fears, concern for, and avoidance of the new technology. The importance of GM foods in South Africa is increasing, even though the GM Food debate lags behind many other (often more developed) parts of the world. This paper investigates the knowledge, attitudes and acceptance of urban South African white-grain maize consumers regarding GM maize. Conjoint- and cluster analysis were used to develop clusters/market segments among the urban consumers of white maize. A range of additional questions was used to develop profiles of the identified market segments. These aspects covered demographics, GM knowledge aspects as well as GM attitude aspects. Four distinct clusters/market segments were identified with specific characteristics: "Anti-GM, Brand aware" cluster (35% of valid responses), "Brand unaware, Farmer sympathetic" cluster (20%), "GM consumer benefit, Brand aware" cluster (25%) and the "Brand aware, Pro-GM" cluster (20%). The most significant differences between the clusters were based on the consumers' attitudes towards GM food products.Consumer/Household Economics,

Investigating consumer perceptions towards red meat classification

The South African carcass classification system for lamb, mutton, beef and goat (in use since June 1992) is based on the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act 119 of 1990) R 342 – Regulations Regarding the Classification and Marking of Meat. The carcass classification system could be viewed as a common language for all role-players in the value chain. It is an essential part of efficient animal production and plays a role in meat price determination. It also forms a basis for the utilisation of price differences and assists the industry in maximising consumer satisfaction through more consistent and specifically defined meat quality. From a consumer perspective the red meat classification system could enable consumers to select meat that aligns to their needs and preferences according to the characteristics within a specific class.https://journals.co.za/journal/vp.stockam2021Animal and Wildlife Science

A consumer perspective of the South African red meat classification system

The South African consumer market is characterised by socio-economic and cultural diversity. Food expenditure patterns, behaviour and preferences differ significantly between the various socio-economic sub-groups. Packaging information, including red meat classification information, could be an important tangible resource used by consumers to gauge product quality. The first objective of the research reported in this paper is to investigate the red meat knowledge, usage and perceptions regarding beef and sheep meat classification and related quality parameters among South African consumers. Consumer perceptions of red meat classification were extracted from a comprehensive consumer survey among stratified representative samples of South African low-, middle- and high-income consumers (n = 165, n = 171 and n = 249). The paper also briefly reports on an in-store ‘observational’ research project that was conducted to develop an understanding of the communication of carcass classification to consumers through fresh red meat product labels at independent butchers and large retailers across South Africa (n = 60). Low-income consumers had very limited understanding and gave little attention to red meat classification. Even though middle-class and wealthy consumers also have a limited understanding of red meat classification, about half of these consumers check for a classification mark. Red meat classification was not mentioned by consumers as a major concern regarding red meat, but related aspects were important such as quality, fattiness, tenderness, juiciness, taste, freshness, smell and appearance. Purchase considerations for beef and mutton/lamb focussed largely on safety, appearance, price and eating quality. Labelling information observed at retail outlets gave very little attention to classification. There is a definite need for consumer education relating to the red meat classification system and for the development of an appropriate front-of-pack labelling system to communicate red meat classification.The authors The Red Meat Research and Development South Africa (RMRDSA), and the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Well-being, University of Pretoria.http://www.sasas.co.za/am201

Consumer acceptability and perceptions of maize meal in Giyani, South Africa

This study examined the acceptability and perceptions of traditionally prepared maize meal porridge, cooked from commercial roller-mill white maize meal and hammer-mill white and yellow maize meal (with and without fibre), among female Tsonga consumers in Giyani in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used sensory evaluation tests, followed by focus group discussions to gather supportive information about consumer attitudes, perceptions and practices regarding the consumption of maize meal porridge prepared from these maize meal types. Giyani consumers preferred commercial roller-mill white sifted fortified and white super-fortified maize meal, but, contrary to popular belief, were also willing to accept hammer-mill yellow maize meal, mainly for its nutritional value.National Research Foundation.http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/0376835x.as

Возможность прогнозирования клеточного типа увеальных меланом без использования инвазивных методов диагностики

Резюме. С помощью дискриминантного анализа установлена возможность определения клеточного типа меланомы увеального тракта в процессе проведения комбинированного (фотокоагуляция + брахитерапия) лечения. Разработана высокозначимая (l = 0,08; р = 0,002) дискриминантная модель, включающая ряд клинических (степень пигментации, пол, скорость роста меланомы) и иммунологических (количество Т- и В-лимфоцитов, процент Т-хелперов и др.) показателей. Особое место в модели занимают признаки, в наибольшей степени отражающие биологические особенности увеальных меланом различного клеточного состава, а именно — скорость изменения размера опухоли в процессе лечения и изменение показателей клеточного иммунитета. Ключевые слова: увеальная меланома, клеточный тип, клинико-морфологические, иммунологические показатели, дискриминантный анализ.Summary. Application of the discriminant analysis shows that it is possible to define the cell type of melanoma of uveal tract of the eye in the process of combined (photocoagulation + brachytherapy) treatment. A highly reliable (l= 0,08; р = 0,002) discriminant model was elaborated, involving a number of both clinical (pigmentation level, gender, melanoma growth rate) and immunological (number of T and B lymphocytes, T helper rate, etc.) indicators. In this model, especially important are those traits that most pronouncedly reflect the biological peculiarities of uveal melanomas of various cellular compositions, namely — the pace of tumor size growth in the process of treatment and changes in cell immunity indicators. Key Words: uveal melanoma, cell type, clinical and morphological, immunological indicators, discriminant analysis

Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean genera, Niveomyces (Cordycipitaceae) and Torrubiellomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani

During surveys in central Florida of the zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani, which manipulates the behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus, two distinct fungal morphotypes were discovered associated with and purportedly parasitic on O. camponoti-floridani. Based on a combination of unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement, we discovered that these morphotypes comprise two novel lineages of fungi. Here, we propose two new genera, Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces, each including a single species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae, respectively. We generated de novo draft genomes for both new species and performed morphological and multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. The macromorphology and incidence of both new species, Niveomyces coronatus and Torrubiellomyces zombiae, suggest that these fungi are mycoparasites since their growth is observed exclusively on O. camponoti-floridani mycelium, stalks and ascomata, causing evident degradation of their fungal hosts. This work provides a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycopathogens and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses

Prospective analysis of circulating metabolites and endometrial cancer risk

Background: Endometrial cancer is strongly associated with obesity and dysregulation of metabolic factors such as estrogen and insulin signaling are causal risk factors for this malignancy. To identify additional novel metabolic pathways associated with endometrial cancer we performed metabolomic analyses on pre-diagnostic plasma samples from 853 case-control pairs from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Methods: A total of 129 metabolites (acylcarnitines, amino acids, biogenic amines, glycerophospholipids, hexoses, and sphingolipids) were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Conditional logistic regression estimated the associations of metabolites with endometrial cancer risk. An analysis focusing on clusters of metabolites using the bootstrap lasso method was also employed. Results: After adjustment for body mass index, sphingomyelin [SM] C18:0 was positively (OR1SD: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05-1.33), and glycine, serine, and free carnitine (C0) were inversely (OR1SD: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99; OR1SD: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79-1.00 and OR1SD: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.81-1.00, respectively) associated with endometrial cancer risk. Serine, C0 and two sphingomyelins were selected by the lasso method in >90% of the bootstrap samples. The ratio of esterified to free carnitine (OR1SD: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.28) and that of short chain to free acylcarnitines (OR1SD: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.25) were positively associated with endometrial cancer risk. Further adjustment for C-peptide or other endometrial cancer risk factors only minimally altered the results. Conclusion: These findings suggest that variation in levels of glycine, serine, SM C18:0 and free carnitine may represent specific pathways linked to endometrial cancer development. If causal, these pathways may offer novel targets for endometrial cancer prevention