Fulltext search in archive

The protection of wild animals from mutilation or being killed during haymaking is still a serious problem connected with high working speeds and widths of modern harvesting machines. That is why the main aim of this study was to test low-cost, high-speed and low-noise infrared array sensor Melexis MLX90621 for the application of wildlife detection with the potential to be used in front of the mower equipment. The tests with two different crops with or without a hidden dog were made. Results showed that the sensor is able to detect an animal hidden in the crop with very high probability. Nevertheless, direct sunlight conditions can cause the problems when using infrared technology. A simultaneous use of other sensors working on different principle than infrared technology can be thus recommended.

The effect of cold storage of testes and epididymides at 4 °C for 12 h on the cryopreservation capacity of epididymal feline sperm was evaluated. Ten domestic cats were castrated, and testes and epididymides collected. Specimens were randomly assigned to two groups: in Group A, epididymal samples were immediately processed and frozen in 0.25-ml straws; in Group B, both testes and epididymides were maintained in saline at 4 °C for 12 h and sperm was then processed and frozen. Motility, morphology, acrosome status, sperm viability and DNA integrity were assessed in epididymal sperm samples before freezing (baseline), at thawing (0 h) and 6 h post-thawing (6 h). Although values were lower in Group B, no significant intergroup difference was observed for any of the parameters tested either at baseline or at 0 h. However, significantly higher values (P < 0.05) were observed in Group A at 6 h for total sperm motility (29.0 ± 2.4% vs 13.0 ± 4.3%), sperm viability (35.2 ± 5.4% vs 15.4 ± 1.4%) and normal morphology (47.6 ± 0.8% vs 40.0 ± 2.1%). It was observed that motility and acrosome status of epididymal sperm are the most sensitive parameters when both types of sperm samples (from fresh epididymis or from 12 h cold-stored epididymis) are frozen-thawed. When sperm quality was assessed 6 h after thawing, spermatozoa precooled in the epididymides showed significantly lower values for motility, viability and morphology than spermatozoa from fresh epididymal samples.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the impacts of different logging intensities after five years from logging including non-logged, low (3.4 felled stems per hectare), medium (5.2 felled stems per hectare) and high (7.1 felled stems per hectare) treatments on stem density, basal area, canopy cover, and forest biodiversity indices. The study area was located in northern Iran. Data was collected on a set of 120 circular plots with 5 m radius from both non-logged and logging areas. Stem density, basal area, and percentage of canopy cover were measured. Biodiversity study was done by measuring two diversity indices including Simpson's and Shannon-Wiener's, two richness indices including Margalef's and Menhinick's and two evenness indices including Pielou's and Hill's indices. The results indicated that the treatment with the medium logging intensity was found to cause the highest amount of positive effects on stem density, basal area, and biodiversity indices. It is concluded that harvesting intensity should be limited to a medium level (approximately 5 felled trees per hectare) during each logging operation to improve forest biodiversity indices.

Sugar beet yield loss was predicted from early observations of weed density, relative weed cover, and weed biomass using non-linear regression models. Six field experiments were conducted in Germany and in the Russian Federation in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Average weed densities varied from 20 to 131 with typical weed species compositions for sugar beet fields at both locations. Sugar beet yielded higher in Germany and relative yield losses were lower than in Russia. Data of weed density, relative weed cover, weed biomass and relative yield loss fitted well to the non-linear regression models. Competitive weed species such as Chenopodium album and Amaranthus retroflexus caused more than 80% yield loss. Relative weed cover regression models provided more accurate predictions of sugar beet yield losses than weed biomass and weed density.

The influences of six different tillage treatments and five different crops on soil losses by water erosion were studied during a twenty-year period (1995-2014) on Stagnosol in central lowland Croatia. The aim of the study was to determine how the quantity of soil sediment, different tillage treatments and crops influence the particle size distribution (PSD) of soil sediment. During the studied period, total number of non-eroded soil samples was 60 and total number of soil sediments samples was 445. Significantly lower amounts of fine sand and higher amounts of clay and silt were determined in sediments compared to the non-eroded soil regardless of cover crop and tillage treatment, with the exception of bare cultivated soil. Generally, when quantities of soil sediments were higher, textural differences between non-eroded and eroded soil were lower. Very week negative correlation was determined between the quantity of soil sediment and the content of clay (r = -0.25) as well as the content of silt (r = -0.23). A very weak positive correlation (r = 0.23) was determined between the content of fine sand and the quantity of soil sediment, while non correlation (r = -0.02) was determined between the content of coarse sand and the quantity of soil sediment.

Propolis is a popular subject of research worldwide due to its therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial activity of propolis appears to be promising but depends on many variables related to its origin such as the content of phenolics and flavonoids. To address this issue with Croatian propolis, which has two major origins (Mediterranean and continental), we exposed bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and yeasts (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) to different propolis concentrations (two-fold microdilution method with TCC/formazan endpoint). Total phenolic and flavonoid content and chromatographic profile along with antioxidant activity were assessed. The majority of the 24 propolis samples tested exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus bacteria and the yeast C. albicans. Most propolis samples also exhibited robust antioxidative capacity which correlated polyphenol and flavonoid content. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in which the antimicrobial activity of Croatian propolis is correlated with its constituents.

The organic matter produced and accumulated by plants is a crucial component in the ecosystems on environmentally disturbed sites. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of initial fertilising on the aboveground and belowground tree biomass of Norway spruce. The biomass amount, distribution and chemical composition were studied in a young spruce stand growing on an acidified mountain clear-cut tract. The fertilised trees accumulated a higher amount of tree biomass. They nonetheless showed lower concentrations of P, N, and K in some root compartments than control trees, which could be ascribed to a dilution effect. As for the aboveground compartments, no significant differences in element concentrations were proved.

This article deals with comparison of composts and manure use from the viewpoint of handling, transport and application on agricultural land. The published values were established by measurements under working conditions and afterwards converted on the basis of the content of nutrients defined in laboratory. Compost contained a greater share of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and had higher dry matter content and lower volume weight. Direct consumed energy expressed by recalculation of the consumed diesel fuel in case of composts moved from 5.12 MJ/kg (potassium) up to 16.19 MJ/kg (phosphorus). In case of manure it was higher and moved from 10.49 MJ/kg (nitrogen) up to 29.79 MJ/kg (phosphorus). The greatest share in energy consumption occupies transport, which was considered uniformly at the distance of 5 km. The study confirmed the feasibility of use of compost in agriculture as a partial substitute of conventional organic fertilizers; for its handling, transport and application the standard mechanization used for manure may be utilized.

The goal of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic and computed tomographic appearance of a penile foreign body in a dog for the first time. We describe an unusual penile localisation of a grass seed awn in an 11-year-old mixed-breed dog referred for a computed tomography study after a severe haemorrhage from the penis. A fistulous tract was observed after plain and post-contrast whole-body computed tomography acquisition; the foreign body was localised with ultrasound and removed under ultrasonographic guidance, with the complete healing of the penile lesion. Grass awns are common foreign bodies in dogs and cats and are commonly localised in the ear canal, subcutaneous tissue, interdigital space, eyelid, conjunctiva and nasal or oral cavity. These foreign bodies pose a threat due to their peculiar structure, which facilitates their easy access to the affected area and their transit through the body. Clinical signs are often non-specific, and imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and computed tomography are useful techniques for localisation. Our report demonstrates that the combination of computed tomography and ultrasound techniques was crucial for the exact localisation and mini-invasive retrieval of the grass seed.

The study focuses on selected forest site units on water uninfluenced sites on limestone in Bohemian Karst. The species composition of phytocoenoses, their potential production and soil properties were assessed. Studied forest site complexes are correctly determined and they provide important information from the aspect of planning and practical nature conservation management. It is necessary to specify the criteria of categoria calcaria in detail, since it is often difficult to distinguish it from categoria mesotrophica. Water retention capacity of soils, a criterion often neglected so far, presents a useful view of forest site water budget and it is a suitable criterion in forest site classification.

The present study has been done to evaluate the impact of pure ash stand and mixed stand with beech on the herb layer biodiversity and soil properties in the forests of Noor city. There is a unique stand of ash in the forests of Noor city and at 1,900-2,100 m a.s.l., which is rarely seen like that in the northern forests of Iran. Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H'), Simpson index of dominance (D), Margalef richness (R₁) and Pielou's evenness were used to analyse biodiversity. Sampling was also conducted to investigate physical and chemical properties of soil (bulk density, acidity, electrical conductivity, soil moisture, soil lime, nitrogen and organic carbon) in each sample plot and at two depths (10 and 20 cm). The total number of 26 soil samples (13 soil samples at either depth) in pure ash stand and 24 soil samples (12 soil samples at either depth) from this type of stand mixed with beech were taken. The results of plant species biodiversity showed that between the pure ash stand and the stand mixed with beech there is a significant difference at the 99% probability level in Shannon-Wiener diversity, Margalef richness, and Simpson dominance. There is also a significant difference at the 95% probability level between the two stands under study in Pielou's evenness index. The results of soil factors also showed that at the depth of 10-20 cm acidity factor showed a significant difference from its adjacent stand at the 99% probability level. There is also a significant difference at the 99% probability level in acidity (0-10 cm) and soil moisture at the depth of 10-20 cm between the two areas, but there is not any significant difference between the areas under study in electrical conductivity and lime factors at the two depths and also in moisture content at the depth of 0-10 cm. It should be noted that between the stand and soil nitrogen, organic carbon and bulk density parameters at both depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) a significant difference at the 95% confidence level is shown.

Three moss (Pleurosium spp., Polytrichum spp., Rhytidiadelphus spp.) and two lichen taxa (Hypogymnia physodes L., Pseudevernia furfuracea L.), were exposed for four weeks in six petrol stations, two consecutive years (2015-2016), in urban area of the Prešov city (Slovakia), to assess accumulation of selected airborne elements Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Significantly highest (P < 0.01) ability to accumulate Zn, Ni, Co and Fe was found in Pleurosium spp.; Pseudevernia furfuracea was determined the best accumulator of Hg, whereas Rhytidiadelphus spp. was found as the least suitable for this purpose. No significant differences in heavy metal accumulation between moss and lichen taxonomic group were found. Samples of conifer (used as a moss/lichen bag holder) showed significantly lower content of heavy metals compared to mosses and lichens. Major content of heavy metals trapped in the air around petrol stations, did not originate from the petrol combustion, but predominantly from the car body, which is mechanically disrupted during fuelling.

Dimethyl sulphoxide has a variety of biological effects that have made it the subject of numerous pharmacological studies. The first dimethyl sulphoxide therapeutic indication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1978 was for intravesical instillation in cases of interstitial cystitis. Since then, due to its distinctive properties, it has been the subject of studies in several areas. This review describes indications, adverse effects and contraindications, as takes a critical approach to the main articles addressing the clinical use of dimethyl sulphoxide.

The efficacy of a brief exposure (1, 7, and 10 days) to a nitrogen-controlled atmosphere (N-CA) for major storagepests in a field validation study in the Czech Republic is reported. The main goal was to estimate how quickly themobile adult stages of six species of storage beetles (Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Triboliumconfusum, Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus granarius, and Sitophilus oryzae) are killed after introduction of theinfested commodity to prevent their further spread to the surrounding storage bins. The trials were conducted in ametal bin containing 25 t of seeds using the system of continual top-down nitrogen filling to replace the oxygen. Thecomposition of N-CA in the silo was measured continually. The target N-CA concentration (i.e., ≤ 1% O₂ and 99% N₂)was reached at the bottom of the silo after 12 h of the purging phase of nitrogen silo filling. A one-day exposure toN-CA corresponds to top-down filling, which initially gives higher concentrations of N2 in the upper than in the lowerpart of the silo: low efficacy was reached at the silo bottom (0-33.3%), while higher efficacy (16.7-100%) was reachedat the top of the silo bin. The mortality variation at both locations was species dependent: the most sensitive was O.surinamensis, and the least sensitive were S. granarius and S. oryzae. Seven days of N-CA exposure led to 100% mortalityof all tested species except for S. granarius (96.7% mortality at the bottom), while 10 days of N-CA exposure ledto 100% mortality of all adults located at both the bottom and the top of the silo. This experiment showed that oneday of exposure to N-CA caused significant mortality to reduce the spread of insects from the top of the silo but notfrom the silo bottom, and 10 days of exposure completely prevent the adult mobile pest stages of all tested speciesfrom spreading from the treated silo and causing cross-infestation in the storage facility.

Sulfonamides are widely used in treatment of animals and humans but pose a risk as environmental pollutants. An analysis of 1588 publications focused on sulfonamides is presented here. The review deals with environmental pollution with sulfonamides, described in papers indexed in the database Web of Science from 1938 to 2011. More in depth details are presented regarding publication activity during the last ten years in which 1255 papers have been published by authors from 1100 institutions. Papers, published during the last three years and mainly in 2011, are listed in comprehensive tables, sorted according to five criteria: reviews, contaminated niches, risk of contamination, sulfonamide transformation and methods of analysis. Key words and shortened abstracts direct the reader to the topics of interest. Hyperlinks to full papers, published in open access journals, are another aid in knowledge dissemination. This design of the review article allows easy navigation through vast amounts of information. Finally, a case report illustrates experiences from the author's laboratory with sulfamethazine determination in pig slurry by ELISA. The reported results highlight the need for updating the legal directives for environmental protection.

The purpose of this investigation was the identification of chicken, beef and sheep meat in pork sausages using PCR-RFLP and PCR with pecies-specific primers. Six dry fermented pork sausages were produced by adding beef, sheep and chicken meat to each in the amount of 1 and 5%. DNA was extracted from five regions of each sausage and PCR-RFLP together with PCR using species-specific primers was performed. PCR-RFLP analysis was successful only for chicken meat, while species-specific PCR was effective for identification of chicken, eef and sheep meat in all ratios and from all regions of the sausages. The results of our study show that discovering adulteration using PCR-RFLP is suitable only for chicken meat in the investigated products, while for detection of beef and sheep meat use of species-specific oligonucleotides is more effective.

Wheat, one of the world's major crops, is seriously affected by fungal diseases, especially in regions with high moisture and moderately warm temperatures. This paper reviews various molecular and conventional techniques that are used to identify genotypes with resistance alleles associated with Fusarium head blight (FHB) diseases. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) type II, designated as Fhb1, are frequently applied in plant breeding, and the newly recognized genes related to resistance to this fungal disease give extra insights into marker-assisted selection (MAS). Molecular markers are robust tools that may be routinely used in MAS for the mapping of resistance genes in crop breeding. FHB resistance is polygenic, and different resistance genes could be conveyed into a single genotype by MAS, which might ensure greater resistance to FHB disease. In conclusion, different researchers have used various techniques to control FHB resistance, such as MAS, gene pyramiding (through backcross), and molecular markers (association with resistance QTLs or genes).

This prospective study was aimed at testing a modified method for the measurement of the tibial plateau angle on radiographs of the stifle joint and the proximal part of the tibia. Forty-four stifle joints of 32 client-owned dogs were included in this study. Dogs were presented for hindlimb lameness and suspected cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The diagnostic procedures included radiographic examination. The mediolateral projection of the stifle joint including the tibia and the tarsal joint was used in this study. We tested the most widely used gold standard method as well as three additional methods for tibial plateau angle measurement on each joint. The tibial plateau angle, the positioning of the stifle joint and the presence of osteoarthrosis were recorded. Only 29 (66%) joints had correct position on the radiograph and were used for further study. Repeated-measures ANOVA identified significant differences in mean tibial plateau angle between the different measuring methods. Dunnett's post-hoc test identified a significant difference between the TA-2 and TA-2i methods and TA-0. No significant differences in tibial plateau angle were identified between joints with and without osteoarthrosis. The positioning of the limb significantly influenced the tibial plateau angle. One of the modified methods was found to not differ significantly from the gold standard method; thus, it can be recommended for further testing.

Potato yield is affected by an interaction between nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) supply. This hypothesis was verified in a series of field experiments conducted during 2010-2013 in Albania (AL), Czech Republic (CZ) and Poland (PL). The two-factorial experiment was founded on relative scales of K (0, 50, 100, and 150%), and N application rates (75% and 100%) of the recommended doses, which were country-specific. The average tuber yield was doubled for AL, increased by 50% for PL, and by 15% for the CZ in response to K and N interaction. These differences are caused by an increase in the apparent nitrogen efficiency (ANE), which rose significantly by the progressive Krates. Maximum average ANE of 90 kg tubers/kg N was recorded in AL; it was 2-fold lower in CZ. Top average apparent potassium efficiency (AKE) of 65 kg tubers/kg K was recorded in PL; it was 4-times lower in CZ. The relationships between AKE and ANE clearly demonstrate the tight interaction between the N and K, and its effects on potato yield. However, a sound K application management should be adjusted to the local edaphic and climatic conditions.

Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, 160 sweet and sour cherry trees from a germplasm collection, orchards, and wild trees in the Czech Republic were screened for the presence of Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV) and Cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV). The viruses were detected exclusively in sweet cherry trees in the germplasm collection, with CNRMV determined in two trees and CGRMV in four trees. Using next-generation sequencing, nearly complete genomic sequences (complete ORFs) were obtained for one CNRMV and three CGRMV isolates. Their relatedness to GenBank sequences of isolates from different countries together with negative results from screening outside of the germplasm collection suggests that the viruses had been imported with accessions.

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP1 80% O2/20% CO2 and MAP2 70% N2/30% CO2) on the selected parameters (ammonia, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances /TBARS/) and antioxidant capacity in chilled meat (2 ± 2°C) of organic chickens (breast and thigh) was evaluated. Control samples were packaged using a polyolefin film. The experiment was conducted on day 2 and repeated on day 7, 10, and 14 of storage. TBARS of samples in MAP1 were higher than in samples stored in MAP2. Ammonia in meat in MAP2 was constant during storage. In general, the DPPH inhibition percentage of meat in MAP1 was lower than that in meat in MAP2. Results of the present study indicated that MAP2 could be preferable for the packaging of organic chicken meat.

In the past decade, next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have changed the impact of sequencing on our knowledge of crop genomes and gene regulation. These techniques are today acquiring a great potential in metagenomic and agrigenomic research while showing prospects for their utilization in plant breeding. We can now obtain new and beneficial information about gene regulation on the cellular as well as whole-plant level through RNA-sequencing and subsequent expression analyses of genes participating in plant defence reactions to pathogens and in abiotic stress tolerance. NGS has facilitated the development of methods to genotype very large numbers of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Genotyping- by-sequencing and whole-genome resequencing can lead to the development of molecular markers suited to studies of genetic relationships among breeding materials, creation of detailed genetic mapping of targeted genes and genome-wide association studies. Plant genotyping can benefit plant breeding through selection of individuals resistant to climatic stress and to pathogens causing substantial losses in agriculture.

The complex interaction process of the abiotic factors (sunlight, air temperature and soil water) in regulating maize (Zea mays L.) photosynthesis has not been fully understood. Our field experiment explored the changed sensitivity (or role) of the abiotic factors in regulating maize photosynthesis under a drought development process. The experiment established a scenario with a long-term drought and an instantaneous cloud cover. The results revealed that long-term drought stress causes the sensitivity (or role) of sunlight and temperature exchanged in regulating maize photosynthesis. The maize photosynthesis was more sensitive to instantaneous sunlight rather than temperature in the absence of drought. However, a diminishing photosynthetic sensitivity to sunlight but an increasing photosynthetic sensitivity to temperature was observed with drought development process. The variable photosynthetic sensitivity indicated that the roles of temperature and sunlight in regulating maize photosynthesis were exchanged, so it is expected that higher photosynthetic rate could be achieved by adjusting temperature rather than sunlight after severe drought. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to provide more evidence and mechanism explanations.

Cortisol, which is produced in the adrenal glands, is an endogenous glucocorticoid hormone that delivers its hormonal message to cells by acting on glucocorticoid receptors. It is one of the main stress hormones responsible for stress responses in animals and humans, and its overproduction is characteristic of certain diseases. While acute stress disorder can be evaluated by means of measuring the cortisol concentration in blood and urine, chronic stress disorder can be detected by monitoring the cortisol concentration in fur or hair. Hair collection is simple, inexpensive and non-invasive, and can be performed easily and rapidly; thus, it appears to be a suitable method for determining the level of stress in dogs from shelters, abused dogs or dogs involved in different types of animal interactions. Since it is a relatively new method, monitoring cortisol in hair or fur requires further research in order to definitively prove its efficacy, and possibly to determine reference range values for different breeds of dogs.

The paper analyzes the effect of whole-area site preparation by ploughing and of alternate field and forest crops on the understorey, soil biological activity and physical and chemical characteristics in the commercial forest. Another factor of the study was to assess the effect of the clearcut size on forest stands. Analyzed were 20-years-old stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur [L.]) on alluvial sites 1L9 (Fraxino pannonicae-Ulmetum). It can be deduced from the conducted analyses that after twenty years neither different site preparation nor clearcut size affected the understorey and soil biological activity. Field crops and forestry in alternation had a significantly adverse effect on porosity and water-retention capacity in the lower layer of top-soil (25-30 cm). Whole-area ploughing had a negative influence on the loss of organic substances due to accelerated mineralization. Nevertheless, the observed differences are not significant; the values did not fall below critical limits and in no case did they affect other studied site parameters or the development of root systems and aboveground parts of oak trees.

The reaction of IR 50, TRY 3, and IR 36 cultivars of rice to R. solani challenge, the causal agent of sheath blight, and its toxic metabolite was studied. Differential response of these cultivars to the pathogen and/or toxin inoculation was observed in detached leaf sheaths and greenhouse-grown plants. The observations were based on disease scoring, electrolyte leakage, and also microscopic views of infection cushions. The Osmyb4 gene expression was studied in the tissues from all these experiments and a correlation between the level of expression and disease response of the varieties was found at least in some experiments. The mechanisms regulated by Osmyb4 might have a lower but significant contribution to the tolerance of rice cultivars to sheath blight.

For the purposes of assessment of long-term changes, two sets of Chernozems soil samples were analysed and compared in parallel: 'old' file samples obtained during the Soil Survey 1960-1970 in the former Czechoslovakia and a 'present' (2013) set of samples from exactly the same sites as the archive samples. The recently collected samples revealed worse qualitative parameters (lower humic acid to fulvic acid (HA/FA) ratios and higher colour quotient Q4/6 values) than the file samples, for all the localities. On the other side, the quantitative soil organic matter (SOM) parameters (oxidizable carbon (C_ox) and all its determined components) showed contrary results. The amount of total SOM at the same sites is higher now than it was about 50 years ago. It can be concluded that the current decline in SOM quality in Chernozems is partly compensated for by higher accumulation of SOM in the soils. All the analysed Chernozem samples were found to have much worse qualitative SOM parameters than the values mentioned for this soil type in the older literature. However, a comparison of the current data and the file data of Chernozem SOM quality can still be considered an open issue and require more complex research.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a genuine opportunistic pathogen of the skin, especially in canids. However, characterisation of virulence, antimicrobial resistance and genotypic variability in methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius isolates has not been fully explored. In this study, coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates collected from dogs of various breeds and ages suffering from dermatitis (n = 70), pyoderma (n = 7), and otitis (n = 7), from districts of Prague (Czech Republic) and surrounding areas, were characterised using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined, virulence factor genes for leukocidin (lukSF-I), exfoliatins (exi, expB, and siet), enterotoxin C (sec_canine) and enterotoxin-related genes (se-int and sel) were detected using multiplex PCR and the genotypes of S. pseudintermedius isolates were determined using SmaI macrorestriction analysis. The majority of the staphylococcal isolates (n = 84) were identified as S. pseudintermedius (n = 79) and all of them were susceptible to methicillin/oxacillin (MSSP). About half of the strains (n = 41) were resistant to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antimicrobial agents and resistance was mediated in all but one of the strains by the erm(B) gene. The genes for lukSF-I, siet, se-int, and sel were detected in the majority of the MSSP strains (96.2%, 100%, 100%, and 73.4%, respectively). Investigated canine S. pseudintermedius isolates were highly heterogeneous, which prevented the correlation of any specific lineage to a particular infection, dog breed, or region of origin.

The diversity of three non-coding plastid DNA loci (trnL/trnF spacer, trnV/16SrRNA spacer, trnL/trnL intron) was assessed in 16 Solanum L. species (135 individuals). Polymorphisms were detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and verified by direct sequencing. No intraspecific diversity and only poor interspecific diversity was detected. Unique S. mochiquense Ochoa specific length polymorphism at the trnL/trnL locus represented by duplication of an 18 bp segment was discovered. The detected DGGE interspecific trnL/trnF locus polymorphism did not specifically associate with single point mutations in the sequence confirmed by sequencing. The DGGE method was found to be a simple and cheap pre-exploring tool for mutation detection in compared DNA regions. Some identified polymorphisms can be used in the management of genetic resources.