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The aim of this paper was to verify the effect of the Z'fix (PRP Technologies, France) activator of biological transformation of manure from the viewpoint of the cowshed conditions parameters, produced manure quality, manure application effect on crop yields, and overall economics. Concerning manure production, the application of the Z'fix agent enhanced quality, structure and nutrient content (N total by 23%, P₂O₅ by 42%, K₂O by 17%) in the manure from deep litter housing. Compared to the untreated control, differences in the nutrient content of N total and K₂O were statistically significant, NH₃ emissions dropped significantly by almost 35%. The economic benefit of manure production with the use of the Z'fix agent demonstrated overall savings at the level of 1,369 CZK/LU/year. The influence of manure produced combined with the PRP Sol application was tested in terms of a boost of crop yield potential of silage maize and of winter wheat. Compared to the control, both crops reached yields higher by 0.7% to 9.8%.

The work presents the results of phenological observations of flowering and fruit ripeness of the European hazel (Corylus avellana L.) in Slovakia in two time periods: 1964-1983, and 1994-2013. The phenological stations at elevations from 100 to 875 m a.s.l. were grouped to 7 elevation zones, each 100 m wide. In the first studied period, flowering started on 19 March on average, while in the second period it started 5 days earlier. The average duration of flowering equal to 7-9 days did not depend on the elevation, but on the air temperature and weather patterns in the different elevation zones. During the first period, the average elevation gradient of flowering was 5.6 days per 100 elevation meters, while in the second period it was reduced to 3.5 days in the entire elevation profile. In the elevation zones between 300 and 500 m, a high correlation (P < 0.01) between the onset of flowering and elevation was reduced to a moderate level of correlation due to changing environmental conditions. In 1994-2013, the ripeness of hazel nuts started on average on 30 August in Slovakia, showed low variability and moderate correlation with elevation. The phenological elevation gradient was 2.9 days per 100 m of elevation.

Adapting forests to climate change involves silvicultural measures such as use of a range of species and the fostering of mixed stands. We tested these in a Sitka spruce forest in southern Scotland, employing the Ecological Site Classification to match suitability of 24 species to six climatic and edaphic variables under values of accumulated temperature and moisture deficit projected for a medium emissions scenario for the present century. Both median and 90^th percentile values were contrasted. In the first case there was a small change in species suitability with Sitka spruce, noble fir, downy birch, sycamore and aspen being the most suitable species. When the 90^th percentile values were employed, the suitability of Sitka spruce and similar conifers had declined by the 2050's due to soil moisture deficits. The actual performance of a range of species in a long-term experiment on a similar, warmer site showed several productive conifers including Sitka spruce that maintained reasonable growth when planted in mixture. Mixed plots were developing into pure stands of the most productive species. Species diversification was the most practical adaptation measure for this forest and should concentrate on areas of the greatest risk like south-facing slopes with free-draining soils.

The tolerance, accumulation and subcellular distribution characteristics of cadmium (Cd) in ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud.) were investigated using a 2-year field experiment. The results indicated that ramie has a certain extent of tolerance to soil Cd (≤ 20 mg/kg) contamination with no significant decrease in shoot biomass and fibre yield relative to control conditions. Although ramie did not hyperaccumulate Cd, it accumulated considerable amount of Cd in the aboveground parts (approximately 0.19 to 1.09 kg/ha annually). The Cd contents retained in ramie tissues were found in order of roots > stems > leaves. Further, regarding the subcellular distribution of Cd in ramie tissues, 80% of the total Cd was bound to the cell walls of the roots and stems, whereas in leaves the proportion of Cd stored in the cell wall fraction was around 60% and a lesser amount of Cd was stored in the soluble fraction (24.1-25.5%). Our collective results indicated that ramie adapts to Cd stress via the store of a large amount of Cd in cell walls, and suggested potential usefulness of ramie in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated farmlands.

The most appropriate model for genetic parameters estimation for calving ease and birth weight in beef cattle was selected. A total of 27 402 field records were available from the Czech Charolais breed. For estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and body weight, three bivariate models were tested: a linear-linear animal model (L-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 - easy; 2-4 - most difficult), a linear-linear animal model (SC-LM) in which calving ease scores were transformed into Snell scores (Snell 1964) and expressed as percentage of assisted calving (ranging 0-100%), and a bivariate threshold-linear animal model (T-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 - easy, 2-4 - most difficult). All tested models included fixed effects for contemporary group (herd × year × season), age of dam, sex and breed of a calf. Random effects included direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental effect, and residual error. Direct heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.096 ± 0.013 to 0.226 ± 0.024 and from 0.210 ± 0.024 to 0.225 ± 0.026, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.060 ± 0.031 to 0.104 ± 0.125 and from 0.074 ± 0.041 to 0.075 ± 0.040, respectively. Genetic correlations of direct calving ease with direct birth weight ranged from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 0.50 ± 0.06 for all tested models; whereas maternal genetic correlations between these two traits ranged from 0.24 ± 0.17 to 0.25 ± 0.53. Correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects within-trait were negative and substantial for all tested models (ranging from -0.574 ± 0.125 to -0.680 ± 0.141 for calving ease and from -0.553 ± 0.122 to -0.558 ± 0.118 for birth weight, respectively), illustrating the importance of including this parameter in calving ease evaluations. Results indicate that any of the tested models could be used to reliably estimate genetic parameters for calving ease for beef cattle in the Czech Republic. However, because of advantages in computation time and practical considerations, genetic analysis using SC-LM (transformed data) is recommended.

The collection of 23 coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated mainly from food in the Czech Republic were tested on the ability to form biofilms in the presence of ampicillin and vancomycin. The antimicrobial sensitivity (16 antibiotics) was determined in all strains by the standard disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar plates (NCCLS). The resistance to ampicillin was found in 16 strains (69.5%), all strains being susceptible to vancomycin. The formation of biofilm was conducted in 96-well, polystyrene microtiter plates COSTAR 3797 in tryptic soy broth (TSB) with 1% of glucose for 24 h at 30°C. Staining with crystal violet (0.1%) was used for biofilm quantification. Ampicillin (0.5, 2, and 4 mg/l) and vancomycin (32, 64 and 128 mg/l) were added: (i) direct addition of the agent to the well at zero time, (ii) after 24 h to washed well, (iii) after 24 h directly to well with the cell suspension. The tested types of ampicillin treatment did not confirm the impact of resistance on the biofilm production among the strains tested. The addition of vancomycin at zero time of cultivation effectively suppressed the biofilm production. Other types of treatment showed unequal strain dependent response. Planktonic cells demonstrated a higher sensitivity to antibiotics than the biofilm forming cells.

The objective was to determine the efficiency of utilization of lysine and to describe the responses of pullets to different digestible lysine intakes using three mathematical functions to estimate an optimal intake maximizing body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The trials were conducted using 2-6-, 8-12-, and 14-18-week-old birds and a completely randomized experimental design with eight treatments and six replicates. The digestible lysine levels ranged 3.20-10.67 g/kg (in 2-6-week-old animals), 2.24-7.48 g/kg (in 8-12-week-old animals), and 1.73-5.78 g/kg (in 14-18-week-old animals) and were obtained using a dilution technique. The efficiency of utilization was determined by a linear regression between lysine deposition and intake for pullets aged 2-4, 8-10, and 14-16 weeks. Three mathematical functions (quadratic polynomial, broken-line, and broken-line with quadratic ascending function) were used to fit the body weight gain and feed conversion responses. The optimal digestible lysine intake was obtained from the first intercept of the quadratic curve with the broken-line plateau. Based on the body weight gain, the responses obtained from the broken-line function and the broken-line with quadratic ascending were similar to those from the quadratic polynomial function. The feed conversion ratio from the first intercept of the quadratic curve with the broken-line plateau was similar to the value obtained from the broken-line with quadratic ascending function only in 2-6-week-old animals. The digestible lysine intakes required to optimize the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio responses were 202, 338, and 300 and 146, 312, and 259 mg/day and the efficiencies were 80, 76, and 80% for 2-6-, 8-12-, and 14-18-week-old animals, respectively.

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation in organic (lactate-protein complex) or inorganic (sodium selenite) forms on Se concentrations in the blood and organs of goat kids. The experiment involved nineteen male goat kids divided into three groups: C, Se-I, and Se-O. Control group C (n = 5) was without Se supplementation, group Se-I (n = 7) received sodium selenite supplement (0.30 mg Se per animal/day), and group Se-O (n = 7) received lactate-protein selenium complex (0.28 mg Se per animal/day). The supplementation started on the day of weaning and continued for 13 weeks till the day of slaughter. Blood samples for determination of Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity were collected on the day of weaning and during weeks 4, 8, and 13 thereafter. Samples of liver tissue, spleen, kidneys, lungs, heart, tongue, diaphragm, shoulder, back, and thigh muscles were taken immediately after slaughter. Significantly higher concentration of Se in group Se-O in comparison with group C was found in thigh muscles (110.4 vs 71.0 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), shoulder (105.0 vs 67.2 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), back (102.9 vs 61.7 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), and heart (180.8 vs 116.7 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01). Significantly higher concentration of Se in group Se-I in comparison with group C was found in shoulder (83.2 vs 67.2 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01) and diaphragm (93.6 vs 72.8 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01). The comparison of the groups Se-I and Se-O showed significantly higher Se concentrations in thigh muscles, heart, back, shoulder, and lungs in group Se-O. Mean Se concentration in tissues of experimental groups was 125.8% in Se-O group and 110.7% in Se-I group in comparison with group C. Our results are suggesting that supplementation of Se in the form of lactate-protein complex is more efficient in comparison with sodium selenite.

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the histomorphometric features of the skin of the Iranian native sheep (Bakhtiari breed). A total of 24 apparently healthy Iranian Bakhtiari sheep, aged 1-2 years were analysed and categorised on the basis of sex (12 females and 12 males). Samples were taken as small pieces from different regions of the skin, fixed and stained with H&E. The quantitative evaluations of different regions of skin were carried out using lattice line graticule (5 × 5) and light microscopy. The Student t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyse the data and detect significant differences. Results showed that the volume densities of different histological structures varied between sexes and among the different regions. No significant difference was observed in volume densities of sebaceous glands, arrector pili muscles and blood vessels, but the other parameters studied differed significantly among the regions. Except for the arrector pili muscle and connective tissue, the volume densities of other tissue structures were significantly affected by sex.

in recent years, great attention has been paid to the quality of eaten meat and its products. There have been launched a lot of promotional campaigns aimed at providing opportunities for the consumption of traditional products. Based on the experiment, a significantly higher protein content was found in sausages produced by large producers (24.73 ± 1.98%). The fat content was significantly higher in traditional ham (16.25 ± 14.47%), compared with local ham (4.38 ± 2.26%) and the mass (9.29 ± 5.25%). The samples of traditional and local ham had a significantly higher salt content (3.31 ± 0.72 and 2.90 ± 0.54%, respectively). No dye compounds were detected in any of the tested samples. There were no statistically significant differences in hydroxyproline and l‑glutamic acid content between traditional and conventional samples of meat products. Analysis of nitrate (V and III) showed a statistically significant difference in the average contents of these compounds. Significantly higher levels of nitrates were revealed only in traditional ham samples (12.60 ± 8.08 mg NaNO(V)/kg and 17.53 ± 27.91 mg NaNO(III)/kg of the product, respectively), wherein there was a large variation in the content of these compounds in the samples.

Thirty-nine multiparous ewes (19 Pelibuey and 20 Romanov × Pelibuey) treated with fluorogestone acetate impregnated intravaginal sponges were used to evaluate the effects of low pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) doses and genotype on their reproductive efficiency under heat stress conditions. The sponge treatment lasted for 12 days, and 24 h before sponge removal, ewes of each genotype were injected with 140 or 280 IU of PMSG. Ewes showing estrus were naturally mated twice. Reproductive performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by the dose × genotype interaction. All treated ewes presented estrus signs within a 48-h period after sponge removal. Shorter (P < 0.05) estrus interval and higher (P < 0.05) fecundity were observed in ewes treated with 280 IU of PMSG compared to those treated with 140 IU. Pelibuey ewes exhibited shorter (P < 0.01) estrus interval and greater (P < 0.01) fertility as compared with Romanov × Pelibuey ewes. The response to estrus, gestation length, prolificacy, and percentage of single and multiple lambing were not affected (P > 0.05) by dose or genotype. In conclusion, under heat stress conditions, low PMSG doses as 140 or 280 IU can be used to successfully induce and/or synchronize the estrus in Pelibuey ewes and their crosses with Romanov, regardless of reduced fertility observed in crossed Pelibuey ewes. If a more predictable and compact estrus is required, administration of 280 IU of PMSG is recommended.

The proposed research paper analyses power consumption in grinding rolls of a flour mill. The observed mill has 15 grinding passages. The hourly efficiency of grinding roll on the first passage is 3,006.72 kg/h. The specific power consumption of individual grinding rolls ranges from 4.955 to 24.26 kWh/t. The thesis also contains results of research of grinding effects on grist. The greatest effect on grist was observed on the first grinding passage, where particle size after grinding was only 12% of the original grain size, as determined by sieve analysis. On the second through fifth passage, it was 85 to 96% (or 78 to 85% with shelling) of the original size. It was discovered during scouring that, in some cases, the sieve size of particles after grinding increased from 101 to 104% of the original size. This is due to shear force causing trituration of grist.

The effects of three different ages of natural fallow vegetation on runoff and sediment loss were investigated in a part of the rainforest zone of Nigeria. Measurements of runoff amount and sediment loss were made for the months of March to November in 2012 rainy season using runoff plots of 40 m². The average runoff amount for the 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and farmland plots were 0.47, 0.26, and 0.41 mm respectively. The average sediment loss on the 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and farmland plots were 209.24, 50.54, and 124.68 kg/ha, respectively. The lowest losses for both runoff and sediment were recorded on the 3-year-old plot, while the 5-year-old plot experienced the highest losses. The variations in runoff and sediment loss among the treatments were significant at P < 0.001. The results evidently showed that rainfall was principally responsible for the erosional losses on all the fallow treatments, and that ground cover (density of herbs) and girth helped to reduce sediment loss on the 3-year-old and farmland surfaces, respectively. The high amount of erosional losses experienced on the 5-year-old fallow than on the 3-year-old fallow and farmland plots imply that fallow that is not adequately protected by ground cover experiences accelerated soil erosion. The continuous loss in topsoil rich in plant nutrients may prolong the optimal capacity of the soil to regain its loss nutrient for subsequent food crop cultivation.

The aim of the present paper was to simulate the scenarios for a maximum avoidance of inbreeding (MAI) mating strategy, and compare it with a random mating alternative, with the main focus on inbreeding and development of the genetic gain. The parameters of the simulation were based on the structure of the Slovak Pinzgau active population of 2868 animals (930 purebred cows). The selection under a total merit index (TMI) was simulated, covering the milk, survival, and live weight breeding value estimation results. The heritability of TMI (h² = 0.09) was estimated using a REML single trait animal model. Alternatives assumed a closed population structure, fixed number of mating per parent, and equal use of sires in insemination. Animals in generation 0 were set as founders without pedigree information. In separate simulation runs, the number of sires of sires was set at 2, 4, 5 or 10 mated with 40 dams of sires in all cases. The sex ratio of the offspring was assumed to be 50/50 male/female. Twenty consecutive generations were simulated for both random and maximum avoidance of inbreeding mating, which resulted in a total of 8 scenarios. Significant positive differences in genetic gain were observed in the MAI mating system with 2 (0.74**), 4 (0.24**), 5 (0.13**) or 10 (0.09**) sires in comparison to random mating design. When using MAI, significantly lower inbreeding was observed with 2 (5.44**), 4 (3.18**), 5 (2.43**) or 10 (1.16**) sires. Simulation results showed that the use of a maximum avoidance of inbreeding mating strategy would lead to significantly decreased rates of inbreeding while maintaining suitable levels of genetic gain in the

Of the grapevines grown in the Nordic countries, cv. Zilga, bred in Latvia, has proven to be very winter resistant and fast-maturing, and produces abundant harvests. In Finland, it is grown as horticultural and agricultural plant unprotected on open land even at 63 degrees latitude. In Southern Finland (60°24'10''N, 25°01'45''E), the growth cycle of cv. Zilga from bud break to harvest lasted 116 days and to leaf fall 125 days. At the beginning of the harvest, the total sugar content was 19°Bx. Tracking the phenology of the growth cycle and the environmental conditions of the growth site shows that cv. Zilga is well placed to make use of the high ambient temperatures and high solar radiation energy of Northern Europe in May, June, July and August.

The effects of adding essential oils (EO) at different levels (125, 250, 500 mg/l) on rumen fermentation and biohydrogenation were examined in a rumen batch culture study. Treatments were: control without EO (CON), control with anise oil (ANO), cedar wood oil (CWO), cinnamon oil (CNO), eucalyptus oil (EUO), and tea tree oil (TEO). Essential oils, each dissolved in 1 ml of ethanol, were added to the culture flask containing 40 ml of buffer solution, 2 ml of reduction solution, 10 ml of rumen fluid, 25 mg of soybean oil, and 0.5 g of the diet. After 24 h of incubation in a water batch at 39°C, three samples were collected from each flask and analyzed for ammonia-N, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and fatty acids (FA). Expect for CNO, the proportions of acetate, propionate, and acetate to propionate ratios were not affected (P > 0.05) by EO addition. Addition of CWO, CNO, and TEO reduced total VFA concentrations (P < 0.05) regardless of dose level. The ammonia-N concentration was greater in cultures incubated with EO regardless of dose level. Compared with the CON, the concentrations of C18:0 and trans C18:1 were reduced (P < 0.05) with EO addition regardless of dose level. Compared with the CON, the concentration of linoleic acid was greater (P < 0.05) when EO were added at 500 mg/l. EO tested in this study had no effects on VFA profile but significantly reduced the formation of biohydrogenation products (C18:0 and trans C18:1).

In our routine surveys for the powdery mildew disease in greenhouse tomatoes, we detected a new pathogen that forms pseudochains consisting of 12 conidia. To identify the original plant that dispersed this pathogen, wild plants infected with powdery mildew were monitored. The pathogen on Japanese mallotus, Mallotus japonicus, produced a similar type of pseudochain, and conidia were infectious to tomatoes. Inversely, the conidia on the tomato leaves infected M. japonicus. Infectivity assays and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenetic analyses indicated that the two pathogens on the tomato and M. japonicus were identical. These results suggest that the conidia on M. japonicus can be transmitted to greenhouse tomatoes. This work documents the ecological transmission of conidia between wild plants and greenhouse tomatoes

Mushrooms have been long valued as tasty and nutritional foods for human beings and assumed to contain beneficial fibres, so the objective of this study was to analyse 20 species of wild growing edible mushrooms for their total dietary fibre (TDF), insoluble dietary fibre (IDF), and soluble dietary fibre (SDF) contents. The TDF, IDF, and SDF contents ranged between 24-37, 12-21, and 2-4 g/100 g dry weight, respectively. The SDF as % of TDF was low in Phellinus florida (5.5%) and Phellinus rimosus (5.8%), and high in Sparassis crispa, Lentinus squarrulosus, and Lactarius sanguifluus (12.5%). Interestingly, the majority of the mushrooms had 10-11% of TDF as SDF. The TDF was high in Pleurotus djamor (37%) Cantharellus cibarius, Cantharellus clavatus, and Phellinus florida (36%), and low in Lactarius sanguifluus (24%). Also, the majority of mushrooms had average 31.6% TDF and 2.85% SDF. These results indicate that mushrooms such as Sparassis crispa, Lentinus squarrulosus, Lentinus delicious, and Cantharellus clavatus are rich sources of TDF and SDF.

A four-year-old cross-breed and neutered bitch weighing 24 kg, was presented with vaginal bleeding for one month and a vaginal mass identified two previously. An ovariohysterectomy operation was performed at two years of age; however, mating subsequently continued. Vaginal bleeding and an irregular-shaped, oedematous vaginal mass (12 × 9 × 7 cm) were detected on clinical examination. The bitch also exhibited leukocytosis and erythrocytopenia. Abundant erythrocytes together with neutrophils, lymphocytes, intermedier cells and transmissible venereal tumour cells were observed in vaginal cytology. Abdominal ultrasonography showed cystic ovarian tissue (2.42 × 1.36 cm) next to the right kidney. Chemotherapy was performed once a week for six weeks leading to a gradual declined in the size and oedema of the mass and to a stop in bleeding. Subsequently, the vaginal mass was extirpated and the ovarian remnant tissue was removed via laparotomy on the same day. The bitch was found to be healthy on examination fourmonths later.

Ante mortem and post mortem carcass condemnation records could be of use as a potential database for the study of swine diseases, epidemiology or animal welfare. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the causes of ante mortem rejections and post mortem carcass condemnation of pigs intended for human consumption during a 78-month period. The records considered for study were, date of slaughter, total pigs slaughtered and total number of ante mortem rejections (deaths during transportation and deaths in the pens) and post mortem carcass condemnations (osteomyelitis, caseous lymphadenitis, erysipelas, cachexia, pale, soft and exudative meat (PSE), bloody meat, muscular necrosis, purulent nephritis, purulent metritis, jaundice, meats from febrile pigs and peritonitis). The influence of several factors such as year, season, mandatory fulfilment of a food chain information form (FCIf) and compulsory certification of swine drivers/transporters on ante mortem rejections and post mortem carcass condemnation was also studied. A total of 161 001 pigs slaughtered resulted in 238 (0.15%) ante mortem deaths, 160 763 pigs processed for meat consumption (99.7%) and 392 (0.24%) carcass condemnations. The ante mortem rejections revealed that 146 pigs (61.3%) died during transportation whereas 92 (38.7%) were rejected due to death in pens. The main causes of carcass condemnations were osteomyelitis (38.5%), granulomatous lymphadenitis (22.7%) and pleurisy/pneumonia (21.2%). A relationship was found between the month and ante mortem condemnations (P < 0.01), death losses during transport (P < 0.01) and between compulsory certification of animal transporters and deaths by transportation (P < 0.05). During the cold season, the probability of ante mortem rejections (OR = 1.84; CI 95%: 1.32-2.59) and death in pens (OR = 1.62; CI 95%: 1.02-2.57) was higher. The compulsory fulfilment of a food chain information form was not revealed to be significantly linked with the total number of carcass condemnations although the odds of ante mortem rejections were higher (OR = 2.10; CI 95%: 1.44-3.08) when it was not mandatory. Higher post mortem condemnations compared to ante mortem condemnations can be explained by the fact that several post mortem findings are asymptomatic in live animals. A progressive decrease in losses during transport was associated with on-farm improvements in animal welfare measures in addition with compulsory training of animal transporters. However, the consistent values of deaths in pens throughout the study period, with an increase during the winter, indicate a need for an improvement in the thermal conditions of the holding area in slaughterhouse. Regarding the post mortem condemnations, the improvement in animal welfare conditions may explain the decrease in osteomyelitis condemnations while the environmental origin of granulomatous lymphadenitis may be associated with region, climate or with the presence of hosts that may explain the influence of the time of year on its variations. The FCIf was implemented as a measure to improve the transparency of food safety and animal h

This paper investigates the association between expression of CD14 and occurrence of apoptosis in blood monocytes, resident (_RESMAC) and inflammatory macrophages from heifer mammary glands after infusion of PBS (_INFMAC_PBS) or LPS (_INFMAC_LPS). Resident macrophages (_RESMAC) were obtained before, and inflammatory macrophages (_INFMAC_PBS and _INFMAC_LPS) 24 h after, induction of an inflammatory response using phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mammary glands of unbred heifers. Cell samples were analysed for differential counts, CD14 expression, apoptosis and necrosis using flow cytometry. In vitro cultivation led to a decrease in the proportion of living cells and to an increase in the proportion of apoptotic and necrotic cells in all macrophages and blood monocytes. In CD14⁺ macrophages, the proportions of live cells increased and proportions of apoptotic and necrotic cells decreased after in vitro cultivation. We observed in CD14^- macrophages and monocytes that the proportions of live cells decreased and proportions of apoptotic and necrotic cells increased after in vitro cultivation. Our experiments confirm that the expression of CD14 in bovine mammary gland macrophages and blood monocytes is associated with cell viability.

The paper examines the relationship between the use of specific knowledge and economic success among Hungarian grape growers and wine makers. In the last decade, Hungary has been left behind by world trends as represented by the increasing share of the premium and super-premium wines (which utilise higher knowledge) in the export development. According to our survey, one cause of this might be the inappropriate use and management of knowledge and skills which is 'conditio sine qua non' for wine making. The Hungarian wine regions (usually with resource-based, fordist type resource endowment) are rather knowledge users. We have found (based on the PCA estimation) that two principal components cover 77% of the total variance: 'Size' and 'Innovation capabilities'. However, although the use and spread of skills is a basic component in explaining the differences of variation among the companies, it is not unambiguous in formulating the business success measured in different indicators. Because the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have limited resources in capital accumulation and knowledge creation, they need to maintain living network connections in order to expand their constrained innovation capabilities. Instead of the 'closed' type of innovation and knowledge accumulation, they utilise the 'open' way of acquiring knowledge, where they necessarily share their specific information with their partners, but at the same time, they are supplied with new knowledge which might be vital for their own progress. The majority of the Hungarian vine- and wine makers are not open enough in the different phases of the innovation process. However, our analysis proves that if they showed up mutuality especially in knowledge sharing with their competitors, they could improve their positions significantly. We conclude that the Hungarian wine enterprises - keeping the idea generation as well as its further development, elaboration and the adequate use within the frame of the company - can achieve market success.

The most common way of pedunculate oak regeneration on the floodplain sites in the Czech Republic is artificial regeneration by clear-cutting. However, what is the real potential of natural regeneration of pedunculate oak? In our research object (3,355 ha of floodplain forest in the southern part of the Czech Republic - Zidlochovice region), we inventoried about 8 ha of successful natural regeneration of pedunculate oak with density ranging between 15,000 and 100,000 individuals per ha on the plots after final cut. All harvested oak dominated parent stands showed a lower stock density that ranged between 0.5 and 0.8. In the next analysis of the survival of oak natural regeneration spontaneously established in different light conditions under the shelter of parent stands we observed the highest occurrence of saplings closer to the forest edge. A sufficient density of regeneration (above 10,000 individuals per ha) was found at the distance up to 18 m from the edge, where more than 24% of direct and 30% of indirect site factor were discovered. In the stand with the full canopy closure (DSF about 10% on average and ISF about 24%) the oak regeneration is missing and was replaced by other tree species (especially ash and field maple). In the examined area the natural regeneration of pedunculate oak should be one of the possible alternatives of floodplain forest regeneration if certain conditions are met.

The articleanalyses the agricultural HUF and FX loans and trends between 1995 and 2012. The authors use the linear and exponential analysis in trends of loans for agriculture in Hungary. During the period of 1995-2012, the bank loan for agriculture in percentage of the total bank loan in Hungary was at the highest level, namely 9.76%, when the total loan amount was 192.1 billion HUF in 1998, and this was at the lowest level, namely 3.69%, when the total loan amount was 265.6 billion HUF in 2010. The authors draw a growing linear trend of loans until 2005, namely the loan amount was 358.8 HUF billion, after that little decreasing occurred until 2008, and the loan amount has considerably decreased since 2008, when the economic and financial crisis started; while a decreasing trend of the loan ratio was going on. The average yearly credit increase is 24.486 billion HUF. The Hungarian agricultural sector is in a better position than other sectors of the economy.

Genetic evaluation of length of functional productive life was carried out using a Weibull proportional hazard sire-maternal grandsire model. The database included 405 624 Holstein cows with 19.24% censoring. The analyzed effects were parity × stage of lactation, within-herd standard deviations of milk production, herd × year × season interaction, change of herd size with respect to the previous year, age at first calving, and sire and maternal-grandsire effects. Parity × stage of lactation had the most important influence on functional productive life. The results of the analysis confirmed more intensive selection at the beginning of each lactation, whereby the risk ratio increased with each other lactation. Heritability of functional productive life was 0.13 on the original scale. Breeding values of sires were expressed as relative breeding values with a mean of 100 and genetic standard deviation of 12.

Double fixed-time insemination after ovulation induction is commonly used in pigs to obtain in vivo produced embryos at defined stages of development for downstream biotechnological applications. However, variations in the time of ovulation and fertilisation of the ovulated oocytes by spermatozoa, mainly in one of the inseminations, can cause diversities in embryo development. The aim of the present study was to reduce embryo diversity and to achieve a 'uniform outcome' of porcine embryo stages using single laparoscopic fixed-time insemination (LIUI). Altogether, 48 puberal German Landrace gilts were included in the study. Estrus of gilts was synchronized by 15-day long altrenogest (Regumate^®) feeding and follicle development was stimulated with 850 IU eCG 24 h after the final altrenogest application. Ovulation was induced with 500 IU hCG 80 h after eCG. LIUI was performed 31 h after hCG treatment. Gilts under general anaesthesia were fixed in a dorsal position, a pneumoperitoneum was produced and three trocar cannulas were inserted into the abdomen for optics and instruments. Each uterine horn was carefully punctured 10-15 cm caudal from the utero-tubal junction with a 2.5 mm trocar. A 2.2 mm catheter was inserted about 3 cm into the uterine lumen and 20 ml of extended fresh boar semen (32.2 × 106 sperm cells/ml) were injected. Embryos were surgically flushed from the genital tract two (Day 2) and three (Day 3) days after insemination. Altogether, 778 oocytes/embryos were recovered (recovery rate 68 ± 17%); 45 of 48 gilts (93.8%) revealed fertilisation and 76.1% of the recovered embryos (n = 592) were at the 2- and 4-cell stage. On Day 2 (n = 22 gilts), a higher percentage of gilts (72.7%, P < 0.05) displayed only 2-cell embryos compared with gilts which had 2- and 4-cell (22.7%), or only 4-cell embryos (4.6%). On Day 3 (n = 23 gilts), the proportion of gilts with 2-cell, 2- and 4-cell, and only 4-cell embryos shifted to 4.3%, 0% and 95.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate high rates of fertilisation and homogenously developed embryos after single fixed-time laparoscopic intrauterine insemination in gilts. Additionally, these results were achieved by inseminating a 60% lower number of sperm cells per insemination dose compared to usual doses used for transcervical insemination. In conclusion, LIUI can be recommended for the in vivo production of embryos in a homogeneous developmental stage, and also as an alternative method for low-dose insemination.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of four anaesthetics on the haematological and blood biochemical profiles of vimba bream (Vimba vimba). The haematological and blood biochemical profiles of vimba bream were evaluated 10 min and 24 h after anaesthesia with MS 222 (100 mg/l), clove oil (33 mg/l), 2-phenoxyethanol (0.4 ml/l), Propiscin (1.0 ml/l) and compared to non-anaesthetised controls. The 10 min exposure to any of the anaesthetics did not show any effects on haematological profiles. The exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol and Propiscin significantly (P < 0.01) influenced levels of glucose and ammonia, and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase compared with the control group. The level of triacylglycerols was significantly (P < 0.01) increased and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased by exposure to MS 222. The use of clove oil showed no effects on the haematological and blood biochemical profiles and is recommended as a suitable anaesthetic for vimba bream. Other anaesthetics tested affected blood biochemical profiles to some extent.

Quantitative relationships between stand indices and carbon dioxide (CO₂) stocking are missing in the evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) in eastern China and this hinders to estimate carbon (C) budget in the subtropical region. We determined the vegetation-soil C pool and CO₂ stocking using stand indices [diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (H) and wood density] in Schima superba dominated EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park in eastern China. Vegetation biomass was determined by a non-destructive method using the tree volume and wood density approach while soil C concentration was determined using the oil bath-K₂CrO₇ titration method. Finally, multiple regression and one-way ANOVA with LSD test were used for data analysis. Results showed that total C stocks in the vegetation and the 0-20 cm surface soil were 90.53 t.ha^-1 and 116.24 t.ha^-1, respectively. The study revealed that the total amount of CO₂ stocks in the studied forest is 331.87 t.ha^-1. One-way ANOVA with LSD test showed that CO₂ stocks varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the tree growth stages. There was a significant variation in CO₂ stocking capacity within sapling and pole growth stages but no significant variation within standard stage. The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that DBH, BA and H were related to the C stocking while wood density had no significant effect. The significant amount of C stocking in EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park of eastern China showed the potential and significant C stocks by trees. As the C pool structure changes due to a change in the forest type and location, therefore this study is important to estimate C stocks and predict CO₂ stocks from stand indices in EBLFs which serve as a scientific basis for sustainable forestry operations, rational utilization of forest resources and global warming reduction in EBLFs in subtropical regions of China.

Response surface methodology-central composite rotatable design (RSM-CCRD) was applied to explore the optimum media formulation for maximising canthaxanthin (CTX) biosynthesis by Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1. The effects of three variables of enzymatically hydrolysed molasses (EHM) (16.6-33.4 g/l), sodium (Na)-citrate (21.64-28.36mM), and yeast extract (6.32-9.68 g/l) concentrations on the production of CTX, total carotenoid (TCT), and biomass dry weight (BDW) were appraised. The results showed that the quadratic effects of EHM, yeast extract, and Na-citrate contents in terms of second-order polynomial regression equations (R² = 0.968-0.986), respectively, had the most significant effects on the produced TCT and CTX. The predicted maximum accumulation of BDW (8.88 g/l), TCT (7.24 mg/l), and CTX (6.40 mg/l) under the optimum concentrations of the media variables (26.16 g/l EHM, 8.29 g/l yeast extract, and 25.86mM Na-citrate) was very close to the experimental values determined in batch experiments. The high BDW content suggested EHM and Na-citrate as very promising feedstocks for CTX bioproduction by the bacterium studied.