Fulltext search in archive

This article describes osteomyelitis of the sphenoid skull bone in a maltanese dog due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans infection. The affected dog was subjected to physical and neurological examinations. Complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, lymph node biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were also performed. This case report describes abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination as well as the histhopathologic lesions of the skull bones and neurological symptoms of the dog.

We have tested the effect of water, methanol and dichloromethane extracts from the leaves of several species of Impatiens (I. noli-tangere, I. parviflora, I. glandulifera) on germination of seeds Leucosinapis alba and Brassica napus. All of the tested extracts had inhibitory effects to seeds of all studied plants (except the dichloromethane extracts). The highest activity revealed methanol extract and extract from I. glandulifera.

Investigations were carried out at the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb in the growing seasons 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 with the aim to determine the influence of seeding rate and fungicide treatment upon the yield and yield components of spelt (Triticum spelta L.). The trial included two spelt cultivars: Nirvana and Ostro, three seeding rates: 200, 300, and 400 germinated seeds/m2, and a fungicide treatment (tebuconazole). Cultivar Nirvana produced a significantly higher grain yield in both trial years, higher number of spikelets per spike, higher grain number and mass per spike. Cultivar Ostro had a significantly higher grain crude proteins content, higher 1000 grain weight, and also a higher number of sterile spikelets per spike. No significant effect of seeding rate on grain yield was determined while the fungicide treatment had a significant effect on grain yield only in the warmer year 2008/2009.

Resistance of 31 winter wheat varieties (bred in 6 European countries) to Fusarium head blight (FHB) was evaluated in field trials lasting for three years (2007, 2008, 2009) after artificial inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. The data on deoxynivalenol (DON) content were supplemented by symptom scores and determination of % of Fusarium damaged grains and % reductions of thousand-grain weight and grain weight per spike due to infection. These varieties and also 120 advanced breeding lines from the Úhřetice Breeding Station, SELGEN company were examined for the presence of gibberellic acid (GA) insensitive semi-dwarfing genes to evaluate their effect on FHB. The conditions of experimental years highly influenced the performance of all characters. The highest production of DON occurred in 2008 at a high temperature and high moisture content during the infection period. In all years the moderate resistance to accumulation of DON (at the level of Swiss variety Arina) was detected in the Czech varieties Bakfis, Federer, Baletka, Samanta and Sakura. Among these varieties, Federer showed a low accumulation of DON at a relatively higher symptom expression and greater reduction of grain weight per spike, but the other four varieties and the reference variety Arina expressed resistance in all the examined traits. The varieties Pitbull, Cubus, Kodex and Bagou were found to be highly susceptible to FHB. The presence of the dwarfing allele Rht-D1b resulted in a significantly higher mean symptom score and also in a higher affection of the other traits. Nonetheless, the analysis of frequency distributions in symptom scores showed the presence of resistant lines also among the GA insensitive lines, but with a lower frequency than in the group of GA sensitive genotypes. A relatively greater effect on manifestation of the disease had plant height, and therefore it is suggested that the adverse impact of Rht-D1b on FHB resistance could be to a high degree excluded by opting for taller Rht-D1b genotypes.

The objective of this study was to compare the metabolic and electrolytic profile as well as the morphological appearance of the umbilical cord and newly born piglets' weight that failed the vitality test scale compared to those who passed. Newborn piglets were divided into three groups according to the vitality with a modified Apgar score at birth: Group 1, failing with a score < 5 (G₁: n = 218), Group 2 had a score of 6 to 7 (G₂: n = 439) and Group 3 had scores > 8 (G₃: n = 464). Results showed significant differences among groups (P < 0.05) in the physio-metabolic pH, PCO₂, PO₂, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, glucose, lactate and bicarbonate values. Regarding weight, temperature and latency to connect the maternal teat, there were also significant differences (P < 0.05) among groups; it took 23.38 min for G₃ while neonatal piglets from G₁ took 30 min longer (P < 0.05) to make the first teat contact. The neonates from the latter group had a higher percentage (75.68%) of broken umbilical cords, with higher birth weight (+200 g, P < 0.05), showed higher than normal blood glucose concentrations, and had lower body temperature at birth (-0.7°C, P < 0.05) and PO₂ in comparison with the other groups of neonates that passed the vitality score. A novel point of this study is the profile characterization of piglets that failed and passed the vitality score; we expect that the data provided may be applicable as reference values of metabolic and electrolyte blood profiles in newborn piglets according to their vitality. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that low vitality newborn piglets had clearly undergone through perinatal asphyxia. Potential indicators increasing this condition are: high birth weight, low body temperature, vitality score ≤ 5, and the presence of the broken umbilical cord at birth.

The paper summarizes the main characteristics of a mixed stand during 80-year transformation to the mixed stand with permanent selective structure. The initial main stand was mostly composed of conifers with group arrangement, broadleaves as the reserved trees created the upper storey. Partial opening by thinnings prepared the stand for regeneration. Heavy thinning in 1959 (22% of the growing stock) opened the main stand and released the advance growth of broadleaves. Subsequent stand development was negatively affected by air pollution. Mainly fir and spruce responded to air pollution by deteriorated health condition and increment reduction. Beech and other broadleaves gradually increased their proportion in the stand (64% of the growing stock in 2008). Initial diameter distribution was sinistral, reserved trees affected the frequency of thick trees. Final diameter distribution resembled the model curve for selective forests, the number of thin trees was below the model curve for broadleaved forests with selective structure in these types of localities. Mean increments of individual species changed according to their stand position. Low fecundity of trees, weed infestation and game damage limited natural regeneration, artificial regeneration dominated for the whole time. The complicated structure corresponding to selective forest occurred rarely during the monitored period, the stand was differentiated mainly by spatial arrangement.

The present study has been done in order to determine the risks inherent in the milk production in Turkey. For that objective, factors such as the milk yield, the gross revenues realised, and the price levels as reflected to the producer's benefits, have been taken into account. Upon the calculation of the measures for variables, fluctuations were found in the milk yield, prices, and gross revenues. Based on the hypothesis that the information possessed by the producer on the economic and technological developments is scarce and restrained, the variable coefficient has been calculated as 10.81% for yield, 23.26% for prices, and 30.01% for gross revenues, respectively. With the hypothesis that the producers are aware of and informed on the economic and technological developments, these ratios, that is to say, the fortuitous variable coefficients would be, respectively, 2.07%, 15.96%, and 16.07%. According to the conclusions reached, an environment in which the producers can take rational decisions concerning the milk production can be said not to exist. For this reason, the government intervention through efficient measures for the dairy production will be necessary. Furthermore, the producers should be given informational support through the published studies in the agricultural extension.

Grape anthocyanins not only play an important role in the colour quality of red wines but they also have many beneficial effects on human health, e.g., reduction of coronary heart disease incidence, or anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. Therefore, a rapid and efficient extraction technique prior to chromatographic analysis is of primary interest. Pressurised Fluid Extraction (PFE) presents a fast, effective, and environmentally friendly extraction method for the analysis of red grape pigments. In this study, PFE in static mode was utilised for the extraction of 3-monoglucoside anthocyanins from the grape skin of highly pigmented variety Alibernet. The effects of the type of the extraction solvent and the extraction temperature were studied. The identification of the above given compounds were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) based on Synergi C-12 column separation. The wavelength was set at 520 nm. All compounds were determined and identified during 50 minutes.

The aim of this study was to determine the total phenolic (TP) content and antioxidant activity (AA) in yellow (cvs. Impala, Karin, Dita, Saturna) and purple-fleshed (cvs. Valfi, Violette) potatoes grown in the Czech Republic in 2004 in four locations in precise field trials. TP content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau assay and AA by DPPH assay both in freeze-dried tuber matter. Results showed a statistical significant difference in TP content and AA between yellow and purple-fleshed potatoes. Purple-fleshed cultivars showed higher TP content (by 60%) than yellow-fleshed cultivars; AA in purple-fleshed cultivars was twice as high as in yellow-fleshed potatoes. A medium linear correlation between TP and AA was found ( r² = 0.747). Average TP content in yellow-fleshed cultivars was 2.96 GAE (g of gallic acid per kg dm); in purple-fleshed cultivars it was 4.68 GAE. Average AA in yellow-fleshed cultivars was 11.26 EAA (mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g dm) and in purple-fleshed cv. 24.79 EAA. Purple-fleshed potatoes showed a lower variation among localities (only 6%). Hence, regarding a relatively high potato intake by Czechs (72 kg per capita a year), contribution of potatoes, especially purple-fleshed, to total antioxidants intake should be considered.

The distribution of Plum pox virus (PPV), Prune dwarf virus (PDV), Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Apple chlorotic ringspot virus (ACLSV) and Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in naturally growing shrubs of blackthorn and road-bordering trees of plum and myrobalan, and of PPV, PDV, PNRSV and Cherry leafroll virus (CLRV) in sweet and sour cherry trees were investigated. The most widely distributed viruses were PPV in plums (74% of the investigated trees were infected); PPV, PDV, and PNRSV in myrobalans (26%, 11% and 18%, respectively), PDV in blackthorns (27%), and PDV and PNRSV in cherries (25% and 22%). PPV was not detected in sweet and sour cherries. The incidence of ACLSV and ApMV was negligible in individually growing trees of the genus Prunus in the Czech Republic.

The aim of this project was to study changes in the content of trans-resveratrol in berries and leaves of grapevine (Vitis sp.) infested by fungal diseases, especially by Botryotinia fuckeliana Whetzel, called as grey mildew, Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl & De Toni, called downy mildew and Uncinula necator (Schw.) Burr, called powdery mildew. In our experiments two white and two blue varieties were used. Contents of trans-resveratrol were determined in healthy and infested leaves and in healthy berries. Infested leaves of white varieties contained more trans-resveratrol than those of blue varieties. The content of trans-resveratrol in berries was lower than that in leaves.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of the feeding of 80 g/kg (R8) and 100 g/kg (R10) of untreated rapeseed (RS) on egg quality including sensory quality in comparison with a control diet without rapeseed (R0). The addition of iodine (I) was also evaluated (1 mg/kg (R10) vs. 3 mg/kg (R10+I)). "Double zero" RS was used. The contents of energy and crude protein were almost the same in the diets. Laying hybrid ISABROWN was used in the experiment. The quality of eggs was analyzed 11 times every 28 days, from 19 to 64 weeks of age. 30 eggs per each group were always analyzed. Boiled eggs were assessed twice around the peak of egg production. Egg weight decreased (P < 0.001) with the increased level of RS (62.9 g, 61.8 g and 60.7 g, respectively). A reduction in egg weight in R8 and R10 diets resulted in the lower weight of albumen and eggshells. The addition of I to R10 diet increased (P < 0.001) egg weight (62.1 g vs. 60.7 g). The yolk proportion in egg weight was the highest (26.0%, P < 0.001) and the albumen weight ratio was the lowest (64.2%, P < 0.001) in group R8. Iodine supplementation improved (P < 0.001) yolk weight (15.7 g vs. 15.3 g). The proportion of RS in the diet did not affect the eggshell strength. An increase in the level of I improved (P < 0.001) eggshell quality (strength 36.1 N vs. 34.0 N and thickness 0.386 mm vs. 0.363 mm). Taste and overall acceptability were lower (P < 0.05) in eggs of hens fed RS. The addition of I did not affect flavour, odour, taste or overall acceptability.

The Karkas mountainous region is a very interesting area for its big game wildlife and rare species in the Irano-Touranian biogeographic region. It is essential to study the plant communities and the impact of environmental factors, to protect and rehabilitate these ecosystems. The studied region is located in the Isfahan province, central Iran, with the area of about 92 100 ha. The aim of the study was to identify the plant communities of the Karkas Hunting-Prohibited Region. Vegetation cover was sampled using a stratified random sampling method and the entities were preliminarily segmented with the physiognomic-floristic-ecologic method. 10 × 10 m quadrates (100 m²) were used to estimate the species cover, litter, stone, gravel and bare soil percentages. Plant communities were classified using cluster analyses and denderogram construction. The results confirmed the importance of the climatic and topographic factors that affect the establishment of the plant communities. Plant habitats in the region are mosaics and cause ecoton formations, so diversities in species combinations increase. The species diversity of the communities was measured using the Shannon coefficient; it varied from 2.26 to 0.39. According to cluster analyses, there are 15 different plant communities, but when the second dominant species were considered, some communities were further divided into sub-communities.

Sixty-four apple cultivars and selections of potential interest to apple producers and plant breeders in the Czech Republic were tested for their relative resistance to the fire blight pathogen over six years. Level of fire blight resistance was evaluated according to the extent of lesion development on the shoots tips after artificial inoculation in experimental plots under insectproof nets. Cultivars Quinte (resistant) and Yellow transparent (high susceptible) were included in the tests. Of 64 apple cultivars and selections tested, none were high resistant, 3.1% were evaluated as resistant, 10.9% moderately resistant, 57.8% moderately susceptible, 21.9% susceptible and 6.3% high susceptible. Resistant apple genotypes, showing blight necrosis of shoots of 11-12%, were only cultivars Selena and Quinte. Moderately resistant genotypes (blight necrosis 13.1-25.0%) were Kordona, Golden Smoothee, Julia, HL 323, Melodie, HL 421 and S 634/3. High susceptible genotypes (blight necrosis more then 80.1%) were comprised cultivars Vesna, Topas, Yellow transparent and Vanda. The remaining genotypes were moderately susceptible (blight necrosis 26.1-60.0%) and susceptible (blight necrosis 60.1-80.0%). During six experimental years, quantitative variability was recorded in the blight score. Differences between cultivars in susceptibility to fire blight were often statistically significant.

White wines of Debina cultivar were made from musts clarified by flotation using nitrogen as foaming agent. Flotation using air as the foaming agent (must hyperoxidation), without SO₂ addition, was also applied. Turbidity and suspended solids were lower in must clarified by flotation using nitrogen than in that clarified by sedimentation (control). Flotation with hyperoxidation led to a reduction of must phenolics. All experimental wines exhibited similar gross compositions (alcohol, reducing sugars, total acidity, and volatile acidity). Wines made from musts clarified by flotation using nitrogen had similar total phenolic content, browning capacity, and organoleptic quality as the control wines. Wines made from musts clarified by flotation using air had lower total phenolic contents and browning capacity than were those in control wines. These wines were of well acceptable quality but exhibited a slightly oxidised aftertaste. The results indicate that flotation using nitrogen can be effective in the production of typical Debina wine, while flotation using air may be useful in that of table wine without SO₂ addition. Orange juice was clarified by flotation using nitrogen or air as the foaming agent. Orange juice clarified by flotation using nitrogen as the foaming agent exhibited lower turbidity and a similar pulp content to that clarified by centrifugal separator (control). It had an acceptable taste and aroma. Juice clarified by flotation using air as the foaming agent, along with pectolytic enzyme treatment, exhibited much lower turbidity and pulp content compared to control. The clear juice had an acceptable taste but no aroma. The fermented clear juice was averagely rated, exhibiting a pleasant aroma and only a slightly bitter taste. The results indicate that flotation using nitrogen can be effective in the production of natural orange juice, while flotation using air may be useful in the production of orange drink.

Levels of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs, including those with 20 and 22 carbon-chains, in concentrate-fed Asturiana de los Valles (AV) yearling bulls with and without the double muscling gene (mh/mh = 24, mh/+ = 26, +/+ = 25) were measured to examine if this gene influences the pattern of PUFA deposition in different adipose tissues. Fatty acid compositions of muscle tissue (longissimus thoracis) and intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues were determined by gas chromatography. The composition of intramuscular fat was unique compared to the other two adipose tissues which were similar in composition. In general, n-6 and n-3 fatty acid elongation and desaturation products were affected by AV genotype and this effect was most evident in n-3 PUFAs of the intramuscular fat of mh/mh (n-6/n-3 = 11.8 and 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 = 25.3) compared to mh/+ and +/+ animals (mean values of n-6/n-3 = 9.86 and 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 = 15.5). PUFA elongation and desaturation end products did not accumulate to any great extent in intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Beef from mh/mh cattle showed greater deposition rates of n-3 elongation and desaturation products but their absolute content of total n-3 fatty acids was lower (21 mg/100 g meat) in comparison with mh/+ and +/+ cattle (mean value of 25 mg/100 g meat).

Antioxidant activity and free radicals were studied in various parts of Vitis vinifera plant in vivo and in wines using EPR spectroscopy. Antioxidative properties of polyphenolic substances play an important role for the evaluation of quality of natural products. Determination of antioxidant activity of experimental samples by EPR method was based on measuring the changes of EPR spectrum of stable nitroxide radicals as a result of their interaction with antioxidants. In the leaves of Vitis vinifera vine varieties for the production of red wines there was observed a higher decrease in free Tempol radicals as compared to the leaves of varieties used for the production of white wines. For all monitored wines there was established a clear decrease in free Tempol radicals to the average value of 75.5 ± 15.6% as compared to the original EPR spectrum. A higher antioxidant activity was observed in yeast sediments from the production of red wines than in those from white ones.

: The bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar PBW65 has shown hight levels of resistance to the most frequent and highly virulent Indian race 77-5 of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina). The infection type and disease severity indicated a non-hypersensitive type of resistance against the race 77-5 in PBW65. The cultivar PBW65 was crossed with the leaf rust susceptible cultivar WL711 to determine the mode of inheritance of the resistance. The segregation for resistant and susceptible plants in the F₂ and F₃ generations revealed, that two genes, each showing additive effects, were likely to confer resistance to leaf rust in PBW65. Intercrossing of PBW65 with Cook (Lr34), RL6058 (Lr34) and HD2009, possessing a similar resistance level like PBW65, revealed that the genes for leaf rust resistance in PBW65 were non-allelic to Cook (Lr34), RL6058 (Lr34) as well as to the gene(s) in HD2009. It is concluded that the cultivar PBW65 is a novel source of non-hypersensitive leaf rust resistance.

The live weights of 8 243 performance-tested bulls from 100 to 400 days of age were analysed using random regression (RR) and single-trait animal models. Evaluations were done for live weight at 400 days of age and gains from 100 to 400 days of age at various monthly intervals. Estimates of variance components differed depending on the trait definition and model of analysis. Systematic environmental effects explained a higher proportion of variability in the RR for gains than for other definitions of growth. The expected average reliability of estimated breeding values was similar for all methods from 0.42 to 46, but the rankings of animals differed. Determinations (r²) of breeding values between methods ranged from 0.64 to 0.94. Correlations of the breeding values of progeny at performance-test stations with parents were highest for the evaluation of gains in consecutive intervals evaluated by RR. Correlations of the breeding values of sires from their growth at performance-test stations with the breeding values of groups of progeny at progeny-test stations were from 0.26 to 0.38. Correlations were the highest for RR evaluations of gain using consecutive short intervals. Evaluation of the growth of animals according to daily gains in short consecutive intervals was preferred because more animals and more observations per animal were included in the evaluations, and the growth curve was separated into genetic and non-genetic parts. Simple evaluation of growth according to the final weight or daily gain in a long interval is not entirely correct, since environmental compensatory growth can occur.

The main chemoprotective polyphenolic compounds in the Vitis vinifera berries, rachis, and pedicels of 10 cultivars classified for the production of wine and growing in Southern Moravian vineyards, the Czech Republic, were studied. The following compounds were determined in the frozen fresh berries: gallic acid (1.8-13.3 mg/kg), catechin (70.3-659.1 mg/kg), epicatechin (67.1-237.2 mg/kg), trans-resveratrol (0.1-1.5 mg/kg), and pterostilbene (in traces); in the freeze-dried rachis and pedicels: rutin (10.5-68.6 mg/kg), isoquercitrine (29.8-218.3 mg/kg), catechin (283.7-2227 mg/kg), epicatechin (47.2-215.2 mg/kg), trans-resveratrol (2.6-37.1 mg/kg), and pterostilbene (0.01-0.13 mg/kg), respectively. The contents of polyphenolic compounds were different in various cultivars. The highest levels of catechin and epicatechin were found in the grapes of cv. Blauer Burgunder (3195 mg/kg), in which the second highest content of trans-resveratrol (33.2 mg/kg) was also found. The content of pterostilbene in the whole berries or stems was estimated for the first time. The rachis and pedicels could serve as a prospective source of polyphenolic compounds.

Experimental samples simulated the composition of vermouths. In all experiments, 0.01% quinine was used as a standard bitter substance. Sucrose increased the acceptability in the concentration range of up to 14%, remaining constant at higher concentrations, both in aqueous and 16% ethanolic solutions. A decrease of bitterness was observed in water but not in 16% ethanol. Ethanol did not affect the sweetness appreciably at the concentrations of up to 16%, but 32% ethanolic solutions appeared less sweet. Ethanol enhanced the bitterness only at high concentrations; interactions were similar in the samples containing 10% and 16% sucrose. Aspartame and Neotame sweetness increased the acceptability and decreased the bitterness similarly to sucrose, both in aqueous and in 16% ethanolic solutions.

A precise design of the equipment for thermal sterilisation of rice, potato starch, and oat flakes by dry heat requires the knowledge of the relevant values of physical properties of these products. Water activity and enthalpy are presented as functions of temperature and humidity. Water activity was measured as a function of the moisture content and temperature in the desorption process that reproduces the real conditions existing during dry heat processing in the pilot rotating steriliser equipment. The heat of evaporation can be predicted from these data as a function of the moisture content of these products. DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) method was used for measuring the enthalpy of these products as a function of temperature during desorption of moist products starting from various levels of the moisture content. The total energy Ec necessary for heating the product and evaporation of the given amount of water can be calculated.

The microbiological quality of the final product and the safety of the production procedures were screened in an ice cream factory, after implementation of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. We analysed 30 vanilla (IC1), 30 strawberry (IC2), and 30 chocolate flavoured (IC3) samples of ice cream; 30 of water; 90 of personnel's hands flora; 150 of plastic ice cream containers flora; 50 of sanitised equipment-surfaces flora. After HACCP introduction, Staphylococcus aureus was not further detectable in ice cream and Escherichia coli was mostly less than 10 CFU/g, while the spoilage markers (total coliforms - TC, aerobic plate counts - APC) in ice cream and the environment were reduced by 20-35%. Mean log CFU/g, for IC1: TC from 2.20 reduced to 1.57, APC from 4.58 reduced to 3.62. For IC2: TC from 2.29 reduced to 1.65, APC from 4.61 reduced to 3.49. For IC3: TC from 2.67 reduced to 1.76, APC from 5.08 reduced to 3.81.

Fluorescent Maillard compounds measurement provides more specific information on the extent of the Maillard reaction than other unspecific tools to monitor the reaction, and is suitable, as the first approach, to assess the nutritional quality of foods as related to protein damage. This work presents an optimised laboratory procedure for the measurement of total fluorescent intermediate compounds (FIC) associated with Maillard reaction, described and evaluated in a cereal-based product. Total FIC are evaluated using increased pronase E concentrations and different incubation times for the enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as three different sample clean-up steps after the enzymatic digestion. The effects of basic/acid media are considered for the stability of the fluorescent compounds. The standardised procedure is finally applied to breakfast cereals as a model of cereal-based products, analysing the correlation between total FIC production and fibre and protein contents. It is demonstrated that fluorescent compounds are mainly linked to the protein backbone in ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Fluorescence measurement is presented as an inexpensive, rapid and accurate procedure to study the extent of Maillard reaction in breakfast cereals.

The material of the present study was composed of 30 eyes with luxatio lentis occurring in 20 dogs. Unilateral lens luxation was determined in a half of the animals while bilateral luxation was determined in the other half. Lenses in 19 of the 30 eyes were luxated in the anterior direction (63.3%), three were luxated in the posterior direction (10%) and eight were subluxated (26.6%). The distribution of patient dogs based on the breeds showed that the incidence of lens luxation was higher in Terrier, Cocker Spaniel and crossbreed dogs compared to the other breeds. The results of etiological classification of the diseases which are generally seen in older dogs (on average 7.2 years old) were as follows: congenital in two patients, primary luxation in four patients, and secondary luxation in 14 patients. Secondary luxations diagnosed in 14 animals were determined to have developed as a result of trauma in two dogs, glaucoma in one dog, uveitis in one dog, and senile degeneration and/or cataract in 10 dogs. Bilateral (two dogs) and unilateral (five dogs) intracapsullar lens extraction (ICLE) was applied to these animals. The primary disease was to be kept under control by treating those with secondary lens luxation for uveitis or glaucoma. A severe progressive intraocular inflammation developed in one patient. Enucleation was conducted on this patient due to buphthalmus developing in a short time. These results may be helpful to small animal veterinarians dealing with this disease which results in blindness unless early diagnosis and surgical treatment are conducted.

Polyphasic chlorophyll α fluorescence represents a promising tool for detection of plant tolerance to various environmental stresses. In pot vegetation experiments, plants of seven winter wheat varieties were screened for their drought tolerance. The drought stress was initiated in plants by withholding water at the beginning of anthesis. While water content was measured continuously as relative water content (RWC), fast chlorophyll α fluorescence kinetics was measured and analysed on dehydrating intact leaves by the JIP-test (analysis of O-J-I-P fluorescence transient). Maximum quantum efficiency of PS II photochemistry (F_V/F_M) parameter was almost unaffected by dehydration until the severe water stress occurred. In contrast to this a continuous decrease of performance index (PI_abs) parameter (Strasser et al. 1995) was observed from the very beginning of dehydration following the decrease of RWC. Statistically significant differences were also found in the PI_abs parameter among all tested varieties. The results show that PI_abs may serve as an index of plant/variety vitality and/or sensitivity to water stress reflecting their different drought tolerance.

The purpose of this study was to assess the volume increment diversification of selected provenances of grand fir growing under mountain conditions of Poland. The mean increment was determined on the basis of volume reached by the respective provenances when trees were 30 years old while the current increment was calculated from a difference between the volume when trees were 30 years old and the volume when they were 26 years old. It was found that the productive (increment) potential of tested grand fir partial populations is determined by the genotype (provenance). Among the tested provenances grand fir from Salmon River on Vancouver Island in Canada is characterized by the greatest productive capacity.