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The biochemical properties of proteases from the digestive system of the fig tree skeletonizer moth, Choreutis nemorana, were determined. Gut extracts of C. nemorana larvae were analysed using different specific peptide substrates and proteinase inhibitors. The optimal pH and temperature for proteolytic activities using azocasein as substrate were obtained as pH 11 and 45°C, respectively. In the case of N-benzoyl-l-arg-p-nitroanilide as substrate, the enzyme showed the maximum tryptic activity at pH 11. The kinetic parameters of trypsin-like proteases indicated that the K_m and V_max values of trypsin in the gut of C. nemorana were 0.157 ± 0.006mM and 0.188 ± 0.005 µmol/min/mgprotein. Using specific proteolytic inhibitors, the inhibitors including phenyl methane sulfonyl fluoride, N-p-tosyl-l-lys chloromethyl ketone and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid showed the greatest inhibitory effect on total proteolytic activity. These results indicated that serine proteinases accounted for the major proteases in the gut of C. nemorana. Inhibition assays and zymogram analysis showed that only small amounts of cysteine proteases are present in the digestive system of C. nemorana.

Ejaculates and blood plasma were sampled from cocks of three laying lines: Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR), Sussex Light (SU), and Rhode Island Red (RIR). Ejaculates and blood plasma were sampled four times during the laying period of hens. The following ejaculate parameters were determined: sperm motility, concentrations of sperm cells, ejaculate volume. Sperm morphology was examined. In the blood samples, concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were analysed. The motility of spermatozoa of the cocks was 47.0% (BPR), 47.7% (RIR), and 48.3% (SU), respectively. The highest volume of ejaculate was found in BPR line (0.66 cm³), the lowest one in SU line (0.46 cm³, P ≤ 0.01); the highest sperm concentration was in SU line (2.46 × 10⁶/mm³), the lowest one in RIR line (1.96 × 10⁶/mm³, P ≤ 0.01). The number of morphologically abnormal sperm cells was similar in all lines - 47.0% BPR, 47.7% RIR, and 48.3% SU, respectively. In general, the occurrence of defective spermatozoa was high in all three lines; the most frequent were tail defects (from 20.3 to 29.7%), while sperm cells with developmental anomalies were less frequent (only 0.3 to 0.4%). Calculated phenotypic correlation between sperm motility on the one hand and the occurrence of defective sperm cells on the other was negative (r_p = -0.28, P ≤ 0.01), as well as the correlation between sperm motility and sperm numbers, and between sperm motility and ejaculate volume (r_p = -0.28, P ≤ 0.01 and r_p = -0.31, P ≤ 0.01, respectively). Negative correlations were found between the level of magnesium in blood plasma and numbers of morphologically defective spermatozoa in the ejaculate, defective heads and defective connecting pieces (r_p = -0.33, P ≤ 0.01; r_p = -0.23, P ≤ 0.05; and r_p = -0.26, P ≤ 0.05). Level of magnesium was positively correlated to sperm motility (r_p = 0.26, P ≤ 0.05). However, positive correlations existed between concentration of glucose in blood plasma of cocks and numbers of morphologically defective spermatozoa in sampled ejaculates (r_p = 0.27, P ≤ 0.01). Our finding is in accordance with the results found in mammals and other animals, and it shows an important role of magnesium as a key contributor to the quality of ejaculate in aviary species, in our case in laying lines of domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

Influence of the nitrogen injection fertilization 'controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition' (CULTAN) on winter rape yield and seed composition was studied in 2009 and 2010 at two sites with different soil-climatic conditions in the Czech Republic. Two conventional treatments consisted of fertilization using the system of divided doses applied on soil surface. Two CULTAN treatments used injection fertilization with the whole dose of nitrogen applied once in the vegetation period, in early spring at the BBCH 26 stage (6 side shoots detectable). The trial compared conventional and CULTAN treatments. The overall dose of nitrogen was 200 kg N/ha in each treatment. The seed yield in a two-year average was 4.83 t/ha at conventional and 4.80 t/ha at the CULTAN treatment. This difference was not statistically significant. The higher nitrogen content in seed was recorded mainly at CULTAN treatments at the Hněvčeves site in 2009. An inconclusively higher phosphorus content was recorded in winter rape seed fertilized with the CULTAN method at both sites in 2010. Content of K, Ca, Mg and S did not show statistically significant differences between the two treatments during both experimental years. In oiliness no differences between conventional and CULTAN methods were observed.

Mastitis is an important cause of early culling of dairy heifers. The aims of this study were to identify microorganisms that cause subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Holstein heifers in northern Jordan, to estimate the relative importance of various microorganisms, and to examine the correlation between the somatic cell count (SCC) and the isolated microorganisms. Composite milk samples were collected aseptically from 133 Holstein heifers between Days 5 and 14 postpartum for bacterial culture and somatic cell counts. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in this study was 57.1%. Seventy six (76) of the 133 cows tested had SCC of > 250 000 cells/ml. Bacteria were isolated from 36 (27.1%) cows. About sixty six percent (66.7%) of these isolates were cultured from cows with subclinical mastitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent bacteria among isolates (50%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Corynebacterium bovis and coliforms (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) (5.6% each), and Streptococcus uberis (2.8%). Interestingly, the majority of the negative-culture samples (53.6%) had elevated SCC. All isolates except for the CNS group exhibited strongly elevated SCC (> 1 × 10⁶cells/ml). However, the coagulase-negative Staphylococci did not have a distinct pattern with respect to SCCs. There was a strong correlation (P ≤ 0.05, correlation coefficient 0.213) between the results of bacterial culture (culture-positive vs. culture-negative) and SCC class but not between SCC class and the type of isolated bacteria. It is concluded that subclinical mastitis appears to be a significant health issue for dairy heifers in Jordan.

A domestic shorthair cat was referred with a history of dyspnoea and lethargy that had arisen gradually within the last few days. The cat had been hit by an automobile 10 days earlier. A thoracic radiograph suggested stenosis of the intrathoracic trachea, proximal to the tracheal bifurcation. Endoscopic examination confirmed a narrowing of the tracheal lumen due to the presence of a fibrotic ring, with remaining patent lumen of about 2 mm. A surgical treatment with a right lateral thoracotomy approach and resection of the narrowed portion of the trachea (a length of about 1 cm) was performed under endoscopic vision. The procedure was unsuccessful because of the size of the tissue removed and the laxity of the remaining tracheal tissue that caused dehiscence of sutures between the tracheal stump and tracheal bifurcation. After consultation with the cat's owners, an intraoperative euthanasia was performed.

We aimed to evaluate the extractability of different extractants for zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in soils of long-term field experiments covering different agro-ecological zones of India. The relationships between the amounts of Zn and Cu extracted by Mehlich 3, 0.1 mol/L HCl and AB-DTPA (ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) with those extracted by DTPA, the conventional extraction method widely used in soil testing laboratories in India, were elucidated. The treatments of the long-term experiments included control (no fertilizer), 100% NPK, 50%NPK + 50% N through FYM (farm yard manure) and a fallow soil. Some important physico-chemical properties of soil like pH, organic carbon, textural class, CaCO₃ content, etc. were analyzed. The NPK + FYM treatment was found to be the most effective treatment in terms of increased content of Zn and Cu in soils. The results showed that the amount of Zn and Cu extracted by Mehlich 3 were significantly correlated with that extracted by 0.1 mol/L HCl (r = 0.970** for Zn and r = 0.914** for Cu). Accordingly, Mehlich 3 and 0.1 mol/L HCl could be used effectively for estimating Zn and Cu availability in soils of India. However, Mehlich 3 was superior to all the other extractants used for the study.

The study was based on soil samples taken after the long-term fertilizer experiment (1974-2014) where different doses of nitrogen and potassium were applied. The experiment was located at the Research Station of the UTP University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz (Poland). The long-term application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers leads to changes in the concentration of mercury, soil acidification, reduction in total organic carbon, total nitrogen as well as affluence of available nutrients (P, K, Mg) and increased mobility of copper and zinc. The significant positive correlation between total mercury content in the soil and the content of N-NO₃, Zn, N-NH₄ and the hydrolytic acidity value were stated.

The interactions between probiotic bacteria and the immune system in animals are known, but particularly in rabbits have not been sufficiently documented. Therefore the present study deals with the effect of the enterocin-producing probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium CCM7420 on the growth performance and jejunal morphometry in rabbits. Forty-eight weaned rabbits of male sex (NZB breed) at 5 weeks of age were randomly divided into experimental (EF) and control group (CG) with 24 rabbits in each group. Each day of the treatment period (21 days), the rabbits in the EF group were administered a fresh culture of the E. faecium CCM7420 strain (5.0 × 10⁸ CFU/animal/day in their drinking water); for the next 21 days after probiotic cessation the rabbits had untreated drinking water (the whole experiment lasted for 42 days). All animals had access to water ad libitum. Three animals from each group were randomly selected for slaughter at days 21 and 42 of the experiment to measure morphological parameters (villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH : CD ratio) of the intestinal tissue in the proximal jejunum. The average daily gain was higher in EF group (39.49 g) than in CG (39.04 g). The jejunum VH, surface area, and VH : CD ratio increased, while CD decreased in EF group compared to CG. Inferring from these results, we conclude that administration of E. faecium CCM7420 strain to rabbits may improve weight gain due to better utilization of feed and larger absorption surface in the gut and also may positively influence the health status via enhancing the gut health in rabbits.

Caprylic acid (CA) and Yucca schidigera (YS) extract have many functional and nutritional properties that may have applications in animal nutrition. These beneficial effects include improvement of growth performance, immunity and anti-microbial activity. This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with CA and YS extract on growth performance, relative organ weight, meat quality, blood characteristics and caecal microbial shedding in broilers. In total, 672 one-day-old Ross 308 (BW of 34.05 ± 0.21 g) mixed-sex broiler chicks were allotted randomly into three dietary treatment groups with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 16 birds per pen. The experiment lasted for five weeks and dietary treatments were as follows: (1) PC, basal diet; (2) PC, basal diet + 44 mg/kg of avilamycin; and (3) CAY100 (basal diet + 100 mg/kg CA + 100 mg/kg YS extract). Chicks fed the CAY100 diet exhibited improved overall body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with those fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). Compared with the NC and PC treatments, mortality was decreased in chicks fed the CAY100 diet during the finisher phase and also overall. Broilers fed the CAY100 diet exhibited increased (P < 0.05) relative organ weight of bursa of Fabricius, compared with the PC diet and demonstrated decreased relative organ weight of the gizzard compared with those fed the NC diet. The relative organ weight of the liver, spleen, breast, and abdominal fat was unaffected by any of the dietary supplements tested. The breast meat redness (a*) was reduced (P < 0.05) in the CAY100 diet compared with the NC and PC diets. White blood cell (WBC) counts were increased in the CAY100 treatment compared with the NC treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the CAY100 diet resulted in improved lymphocyte counts compared with the PC and NC diets (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the CAY100 diet exhibited reduced caecal E. coli counts compared with those fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the CAY extract-supplemented diet improved growth performance, relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and reduced mortality rate, breast muscle a* and caecal E. coli counts in broiler chickens.

We studied effects of repeated applications of nitrogen on stem growth of mature Scots pine at four sites with yield potential around 3 - 4.5 m³ ha^‑1 yr^‑1. Treatments included control (0) and fertilization with ammonium nitrate at 100 and 200 kg N ha^‑1. Some plots were supplied with corresponding doses of urea. Applications were repeated up to five times, at five to twenty years intervals. Plot size was 22 x 22 m with buffer zones of 4 m. Measurements were made on an inner plot, 14 x 14 m. Tree ring widths usually reached a maximum two to four years after fertilization, returning to about the original level after seven to ten years. Responses were larger to 200 than to 100 kg N ha^‑1. Annual volume increment over the experimental period was 1.5 to 2.0 m³ ha^-1 larger in plots provided with 200 kg N ha^-1 than in control plots, or even more as the buffer zones of 4 m did not completely exclude tree roots from growing into neighbouring plots.

The effects of different concentrations of thyme (group T), clove (group Cl), and rosemary (group R) extracts on the microbiological, chemical, and sensory attributes of fish patty made from the bonito fish (Sarda sarda Bloch, 1793) were investigated. The numbers of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. and yeasts and moulds in group R were lower than those of the other groups during storage (P < 0.05). During the storage period, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid index (TBA-i), peroxide values, and free fatty acid content gradually increased in all groups, and significant differences were found between the groups (P < 0.05). The results of sensory evaluation showed that the shelf life of fish patties was 4 days for the control group, and 8, 10, and 14 days for the groups treated with thyme, clove and rosemary essential oil, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of essential oils showed a positive effect on the product shelf-life; and in particular, rosemary essential oil produced a remarkable effect.

Phosphorus (P) availability limits crop growth in most of cultivable soils in north-west India. The beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms such as phosphate-solubilising fungi (PSF) were found to increase P availability in soil and improve crop yields. In view of this, field experiments were conducted during 2009-2011 to evaluate the effect of seed inoculation with PSF (Penicillium bilaii) at different rates of fertilizer P on P content in leaves and grain yield of irrigated wheat in India. The soil was low in Olsen P at the Bathinda site and medium at the Ludhiana site. In no-P treatment, PSF significantly increased grain yield by 12.6% over non-inoculated control. The effect of PSF on grain yield was generally more pronounced in a soil with low Olsen-P compared to medium Olsen-P level. Inoculation of PSF along with 50% P fertilizer increased wheat yield equivalent to 100% P with no PSF. Spike density was significantly higher in PSF + 50% P than all the other treatments. There is need to study a long-term effect of Penicillium bilaii on P-fertilizer saving in wheat on soils varying in P availability, pH and P fixation capacity for different wheat-based cropping systems.

Based on a long-term fertilization experiment on a light soil, a study was conducted on the impact of varied fertilization on the levels of silicon forms available in the soil. It was shown that the exchangeable silicon content in the tested soil was very low, which can have a limiting effect on crop yields. Soil pH is a factor that significantly affects the exchangeable silicon content of the soil. Therefore, under the conditions of acidic soils, liming is a treatment that increases the level of silicon forms available to plants in the soil.

The impact of low temperatures combined with higher velocity of ventilated air in winter during severe frost in a free stall barn on the development of cold stress in Holstein-Friesian breed dairy cattle was studied. The study included measurements of outside and inside air parameters and cows' milk yield. Cold stress was evaluated in three technological groups (TG) using the WCT (Wind Chill Temperature) index. During the research, significant temperature and wind velocity differences (by up to 5°C and 0.5 m/s) were recorded in three zones of the barn occupied by the individual TG. All this resulted in different values of WCT. During most severe frosts lasting for 9 days, the average air temperature in the barn was -8.9°C (the lowest value was -17.3°C). The calculated average operative temperature for cows from all TG was as follows: -7.0°C for TG1, -11.1°C for TG2, and -12.3°C for TG3. It was also observed that animals from TG2 suffered from mild cold stress, which resulted in milk yield reduction by approximately 2 kg. It was concluded that there is a strong correlation (r = 0.72-0.89 with P < 0.05) between milk production and the WCT index. The measurements of most important microclimate parameters in the barn were conducted during winter seasons over the period of 2 years. They led to the conclusion that cattle kept in free stall barns are not vulnerable to the combination of low temperature and increased air movements. Research results of the present as well as of other authors were the basis for developing a table determining operative temperature for cows depending on the temperature of the environment and air movement velocity. Yet, the calculations and analysis of results show that there is a need to improve the applied calculation formula for operative temperature during cold weather.

Worldwide increasing energy demand is today permanently covered by a majority of non-renewable energy sources, namely by coal, crude oil and natural gas. This causes the rapid decline of their reserves and the time gets near when they will be run out. Therefore in the last years the exploitation of renewable energy sources has been permanently preferred. One of alternative fuel forms is fuel on the basis of paper waste. In this paper the results of tests are published, which were carried out using six sorts of recovered paper and board (group and grade 1.05, 1.06, 2.02, 2.05, 2.07 and 2.08 according to CSN EN 643:2002), pressed into the form of briquettes. During the tests following briquettes parameters were watched: moisture content, ash amount, gross calorific value, length and diameter, weight, density, rupture force and mechanical durability. It was proved that briquettes made from recovered paper and board compared with briquettes from wood waste are of high density, high mechanical durability and for their rupture, relatively high force is necessary. But at the same time they have high ash amount and low gross calorific value.

Water distribution in landscape is essentially influenced by the nature of the catchment rainfall-runoff process. Firstly, this paper presents an analysis of trends in the rainfall-runoff regime of the Lomnice river basin (South Bohemia, Czech Republic), using a single and double mass curve method. Secondly, the analysis of the rainfall-runoff regime is supplemented by an analysis of the evolution of temperature and snow conditions. Finally, a water balance analysis is performed for three selected years, using the Bilan hydrological model. The aim of the present paper was to find out (1) whether any changes have occurred in the trend of the rainfall-runoff regime of the catchment since 1970, and (2) to what extent these changes may have been caused by anthropogenic activities in the catchment. The results show several changes in the runoff scheme that are not related to the amount of precipitation. This statement follows from the comparison of single mass curves of precipitation and discharges. A comparison of the hydrological balance data for the Lomnice river basin, and the Otava and the Upper Vltava (a higher order stream) river basins led to the following conclusions: (1) There has been a change in the trend of the Lomnice river runoff regime. (2) The runoff regime of the Lomnice river basin differs from the regime of the higher order river basin (the Otava, the Upper Vltava). (3) The changes in the runoff regime in the Lomnice river basin were probably caused mainly by anthropogenic activities, the influence of which disappears within the larger basin (a higher order catchment area). Therefore, when planning sustainable water resources management, it is necessary to consider the impact of human activities not only globally, but also at the local scale.

The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for the haematological profile of alpacas on the basis of a large population of clinically healthy animals, and to determine the influence of sex, age and season on these indicators. Blood samples were collected from 243 alpacas (53 males and 156 females over six months of age and 34 crias - 12 males and 22 females - under six months of age). The selected farms were located in Central Europe (Czech Republic and Germany). We determined 13 haematological indicators. Comparison of the results was performed with respect to the sex of animals and for the older group also with regard to the season and to the feeding period. We found no highly significant (P > 0.001) differences between males and females. We did find highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between the group of crias under six months of age and the older alpacas (mean corpuscular volume - MCV, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration - MCHC, red cell distribution width - RDW, white blood cell count - WBC, neutrophil count). Based on our findings we suggest that for some indicators different reference intervals (esp. WBC and differential cell counts) be used for the two above mentioned age groups. We found some highly significant differences (P < 0.001) in haematological indicators in the older group of alpacas between the summer and winter feeding period (haemoglobin concentration, MCHC). Clinical laboratory diagnosis may be improved by the use of age-based and season-based haematological reference values.

Climate change, air pollution and global challenges. Understanding and perspectives from forest research R. Matyssek, N. Clarke, P. Cudlin, T.N. Mikkelsen, J.P. Tuovinen, G. Wieser, E. Paoletti Developments in Environmental Science 13. Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, 2013 622 pages, ISBN 978-0-08-098349-3. € 142.31.

The article is focused on food problem in the least developed countries, on the chosen areas where the overall situation is the most problematic. It deals with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, belonging to the low income food deficit countries with one of the world's lowest rates of the gross domestic product per capita. The paper defines the food security situation in a global connection, representing a wide complex of economic, social, demographic, technologic and political aspects of production, distribution, shift and consumption of foodstuffs. Despite some progresses in the political situation, the effects of the economic crisis and the widespread food insecurity are expected to persist. Te humanitarian assistance is now needed to support the needs of the most vulnerable. In the longer term, the countries have the significant goal of consolidating peace and security and strengthening the overall governance, while at the same time reconstructing and rehabilitating their economy.

Doubled haploidy breeding protocols have revolutionized the varietal development programmes in bread wheat, however, the protocols have not proved much efficient in durum wheat. Presently, the durum wheat × maize system is being widely followed for haploid induction but the frequency of haploid development is very poor which has limited its application in durum wheat improvement programmes. In order to formulate an efficient wide hybridization-mediated approach for haploid induction in durum wheat, different genotypes of durum wheat were subjected to hybridization with Imperata cylindrica, a wild perennial grass for the first time in this laboratory. The investigation was carried out for two seasons. During the 1^st year, the investigation was carried out on one genotype only, Langdon, in order to notice the development of haploid embryos and the factors that influence the haploid induction frequency. The most important factor influencing the embryo formation frequency was found to be the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Upon pollinating the emasculated spikes of durum wheat genotypes, various concentrations of 2,4-D were injected into the uppermost internode of wheat culm for three consecutive days after pollination to find out the most responding concentration for haploid induction. During the next year, the protocol was applied to eight durum wheat genotypes. The frequency of haploid induction parameters varied with the durum wheat genotypes as well as 2,4-D concentration used. The mean pseudoseed and embryo formation frequency over all the genotypes ranged from 30.2 to 56.3% and 1.2 to 18.4%, respectively. The average embryo formation frequency over all the genotypes was found to be highest (18.4%) at 250 mg/l 2,4-D whereas it was superior for the genotypes WH 896 and Langdon over all the 2,4-D concentrations. At the most responding 2,4-D concentration (250 mg/l), the genotype A-9-30-1 exhibited the highest embryo formation frequency (32.1%). The ploidy status of the developed embryos was identified using cytological analysis carried out on the rootlets of the tissue culture generated plantlets.

The study evaluates the effect of liming materials application in combination with NPK fertilizer and borax on macronutrient contents (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)), in an extremely acid soil and raspberry leaves and fruits during a two-year period. Liming increased soil pH, N mineral content, P, Ca and Mg soil content, while K content either increased (dolomite and borax application), or decreased (lime application). The N and P contents in raspberry leaves after liming increased significantly, but P content remained below the optimal values. Some treatments with lime caused a decrease in K content in leaves, while dolomite and borax application increased K content. Initially optimal Ca content in leaves increased significantly in the treatments with lime, but decreased after dolomite application. The Mg content in leaves increased after dolomite and borax application, but mainly remained below optimal values. Liming either did not alter or only slightly altered macronutrient contents in raspberry fruits.

This study evaluated the effects of three A. brasilense strains (i.e. Sp7, Sp7-S and Sp245) on the early seedling growth of lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Seeds were inoculated by soaking and drenching before and after sowing, respectively. Results show that inoculation effect varied greatly with plant species, inoculation methods and PGPR strains which could be dependent on inoculum concentration and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) production. Generally, the magnitude of inoculation impact on the early growth of vegetables was more pronounced with Sp7-S, followed by Sp245 and Sp7. In particular, Sp7-S and Sp245 strongly enhanced root and shoot growth, germination value and vigour of tomato when inoculated by soaking. Sp245 increased the level of endogenous plant IAA of cucumber and lettuce. Despite the diverse crop responses to inoculation methods, soaking appeared to be a better technique, and majority of the strains demonstrated more consistent beneficial effects on tomato.

An 11-year-old castrated male Persian cat was admitted to the veterinary clinic showing signs of lethargy, lack of appetite, laboured breathing, dyspnoea, and cyanosis. The echocardiogram showed a large amount of pleural effusion, fibrin, and a mass measuring 1.89 cm in diameter adhered to the parietal pericardium. Upon necropsy, several nodules were observed on the pericardium sac and pleura. Histological evaluation of the nodules and mediastinal lymph node revealed the presence of neoplastic cells of epithelial and mesenchymal origin. Immunolabelling was positive for both cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin in the primary tumour and in the mediastinal lymph node. In the present report, immunohistochemical analysis supported the diagnosis that had been obtained based on clinical signs, histopathological examination, and echocardiogram.

Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is an inherited congenital visual impairment with heterogeneous signs. The first symptoms are already visible in the early embryo. Among the most affected breeds are Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs but the disease has spread to different breeds depending on the country of origin. Dogs affected with this disease share a 7.8 kb deletion in intron 4 of the NHEJ1 gene. Inheritance of this disease is autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance. Thanks to a commercially available genetic test breeders can identify genetically affected recessive homozygotes and clinically healthy but genetic carriers of the mutation and thus select healthy parents for the next generation of dogs. However, the exact cause of the disease is not known and it is not known whether the causative mutation influences the occurrence of some other diseases (e.g. immunodeficiencies).

To avoid ecosystem degradation, forestry planning needs to be based on current information about the state of forest environment. Phytoindication is an inexpensive tool that allows tracking the environmental change at fine spatial scales. The present study uses this approach to assess changes within abiotic conditions of forests in the area of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids Mts. (Czech Republic). Phytosociological relevés collected in 2013 at 118 permanent plots were compared with records from the 1960s and 1970s. The changes were expressed using average Ellenberg's Indicator Values and units of the Czech Forest Typological System. Persisting soil acidification was detected, and linked to industrial deposition and planting of Norway spruce beyond its natural range. Conversion towards a higher share of broadleaved species was suggested to support soil recovery.

Seedlots of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) originating from three different provenance regions were collected in autumn 2012. The seed quality, namely vitality and germination rate, was assessed according to Czech conventions. There were four replications within each seedlot, i.e. twelve treatments altogether for each experimental variant. The effect of gibberellic acid on germination and vitality was studied using three treatments including a control for germination capacity and three treatments including a control for emergence rate. The data shows that the gibberellic acid did not substitute for the stratification procedure as it did not improve the germination capacity of seeds with pericarp when compared with stratified seeds; however for seeds without pericarp the gibberellic acid improved the germination capacity to the level of stratified seeds. The data also shows the positive influence of gibberellic acid on emergence rate. All variants where acid gibberellic was applied have a statistically higher emergence rate than the control. The increase was about 50% higher than in the control, i.e. without the influence of gibberellic acid.

After the official start of the Montenegrin accession negotiations with the EU in June 2012, it is important to plan a significant increase in the agricultural budget financing well ahead of the accession. Considering the structure and economic importance of agriculture for the generation of Montenegrin GDP, the balanced trade deficit, the reduction of poverty and the regional disparities in development and reversing the negative demographic trends, the proposed reformed agricultural budget of Montenegro in the period 2014-2018 outlines significantly higher levels of the funding both as a share of the state budget and the GDP. The proposed proportions of financing of the key measure groups in the subsequent tables utilize as a starting point the model defined in the Montenegrin National Program of Food Production and Rural Development 2009-2013. Some changes in the proportion of the measures are also proposed according to the agricultural sector needs and the institutional capacity building for the next phase of the EU accession negotiations. In order to prepare the Montenegrin agriculture to cope with the competitive pressures of the EU single market, the indisputable conclusion of this study is that the proposed future levels of agricultural funding in the agricultural budget should be at least near to those (in the relative terms) of the comparable economies of the Western Balkans countries.

Effect in reducing maize plant height using growth regulators ethephon, chlormequat chloride (CCC), CCC + ethephon, and mepiquat chloride + prohexadione-Ca was studied in field experiments during 2010 and 2011. It was found that maize plant height could be reduced by as much as 125 cm (49% of control) using a double application of ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) at growth stages BBCH 18-19 and BBCH 34-36. The other growth regulators displayed weak or no influence. An optimum level of shortening was achieved using ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) at BBCH 34-36 (reducing plant height by 40-90 cm), but it is necessary to count upon yield loss of 0.5-0.6 t/ha.

The flowering onset of 19 apple progeny was evaluated in 2005-2014 on a total number of 715 seedlings in comparison with their parents and grandparents. A very low flower set delays generally the onset of flowering by one day in comparison with a higher flower set. The maximum span between the first flowering onset and the last one within all the progeny of the study was 11 days. With one exception, the incidence of the first flowering dates of all the progeny fluctuated only within four days - April 28 and May 1. Among them, the great majority of the seedlings had the first flowering date span of not more than ± one day. The progeny of Pink Lady × Discovery was the most exceptional having the mean day on the April 17 and the span about two days longer. The means of the first flowering dates within seedling populations and corresponding dates of both their parents and grandparents were very highly correlated (r = 0.926 for parents and r = 0.877 for grandparents). The incidence of flowering onset dates in almost all progeny followed a typical Gaussian distribution, in which the majority of seedlings start flowering within 3 or 4 days. The maximum difference between both extremes (found only in one progeny) was 11 days. The share of seedlings in both extremes was, however, very small - less than 2%.

Low application of fertilizer potassium (K) in intensive agriculture leads to a gradual decrease and, afterwards, to a steady state of soil K determined by tests which are based on soil exchangeable K (K_exch) extraction. In this situation, non-exchangeable K (K_non-exch) is being released and therefore real plant availability does not necessarily correspond to soil test K. This incoherency was investigated in 14 agricultural soils with low K as determined by the Mehlich 3 method. Plant-available K released by exhaustive cropping of perennial ryegrass and K determined by the Neubauer seedling test were compared with 8 soil K extraction methods, with the total K content and with the relative content of soil K-bearing minerals. K determined by the ryegrass test (314 mg/kg on average) was more than 3-times higher than K based on K_exch extraction methods, but was from 2 to 3 times lower than K determined by K_non-exch extracting methods. The relative content of mixed-layer phyllosilicates was significantly related to K extracted by soil tests. The relative content of orthoclase correlated only with total K and mica-group minerals with none of the extractions. The best prediction of plant-available K in investigated soils was obtained with sodium tetraphenylboron and StepK methods.