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An investigation was made into the effects of various egg white products and sweeteners on the stability and organoleptic properties of egg white foams. 12 foam products were prepared from egg white and sweeteners. The egg white was produced in the following forms: raw liquid egg white, pasteurised liquid egg white, liquid egg white treated at 55°C for 24 h, and spray-dried egg white powder. Three different sweeteners were used: sucrose, fructose-glucose syrup, and fructo-oligosaccharide syrup. The storage stability, firmness, adhesiveness based on the texture profile analysis, and organoleptic properties of the foams were evaluated. The flow curves of raw materials were also determined by means of a rotational viscometer. The results indicated that sucrose among the sweeteners and egg white powder among the egg white products are the most suitable for producing egg white foam and enhancing its stability. However, liquid egg white heat treated at low temperature also proved to be an appropriate choice for making stable egg white foams for the confectionery industry.

The levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), and composition of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in 515 dogs were examined. Of these sample cases, 33 cases were diagnosed as immune-mediated fever that presented with high C-reactive protein (CRP), 31 cases were diagnosed with Hansen's Type 1 disc herniation and the remaining 415 cases were clinically healthy dogs, and served as controls. In the cases diagnosed with immune-mediated fever, 84% of the dogs tested positive to either RF or ANA (RF positive 60.6%; ANA positive 24.2%). By contrast, 16.2% of the healthy dogs were positive for either RF or ANA (RF positive 14.9%; ANA 1.3%). The CD4/CD8 ratio for peripheral lymphocyte was high for all analysed cases diagnosed with immune-mediated fever, and was significantly higher than those of healthy controls. These results indicate that the abnormal levels of lymphocytes may be an effective indicator for immune-mediated disease coupled to immune-mediated fever.

The preparation of mango wine by yeast-mango peel immobilised biocatalyst system by repeated batch fermentation was conducted and compared to free cells fermentation at 15, 20, 25, and 30°C. The operational stability of the biocatalyst was good as the ethanol concentrations (76.0-96.0 g/l) and productivities (1.53-3.29 g/l/h) were high, showing the suitability of the biocatalyst for even low temperature winemaking. The concentration of ethyl acetate was not above 40 mg/l in all cases, and higher alcohols were low (< 330 mg/l) in wine with immobilised cells indicating an improvement in the product compared to free cells fermentation. Amyl alcohols were proved to be temperature dependent and decreased with the decrease in temperature (262.48-146.83 and 239.74-184.34 mg/l) in the case of fermentation batches with immobilised and free cells, respectively, from 30°C to 15°C. Sensory evaluation revealed fruity aroma (7.9 ± 0.73), fine taste (7.7 ± 0.24), and the overall improved quality of the wines produced by the immobilised system.

A survey of viruses on capsicum plants in the Czech Republic was carried out in the years 2006-2010. Altogether, 375 leaf samples with symptoms suggesting viral infection were collected both from open fields and greenhouses. These samples were examined for the presence of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Broad bean wilt virus-1 (BBWV-1), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) by ELISA. Viruses detected in the samples were AMV, BBWV-1, CMV and PVY. The most prevalent were CMV and PVY which were present in 24 and 29% of tested samples, respectively. In some cases a complex infection of two viruses was detected. Gene sources of resistance against CMV and PVY are mentioned. The relation of virus occurrence on aphid incidence is discussed.

Amazingly, despite the 24 143 papers on mycobacteria, indexed in the Web of Science database during the last six years, published by 67 008 authors from 13 128 organizations located in 166 countries or territories, internationally accepted legal directives on how to control the public health risk associated with environmental mycobacteria have yet to be developed. Mycobacteria are human and animal pathogens, causing not only tuberculosis and leprosy, but mycobacterioses of skin, soft tissues and lung. Due to their cell wall composition and their adaptability mycobacteria can survive in different habitats for years. Their immunomodulatory ability has been recognised for more than 50 years and hundreds of papers published during the last two decades have demonstrated that small chemical products derived from mycobacterial cells participate in inflammatory pathways involved the pathogenesis of important human diseases like Crohn's disease, asthma, type 1 diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, arthrosis, Blau syndrom, sarcoidosis, autism etc. Mycobacteria can influence inflammatory pathways not only as live organisms, but also by means of components derived from dead cells. Pasteurisation or cooking does not affect this ability. Hence, how many mycobacterial cells are ingested, what factors play a role concurrently, and how long the harmful effect persists become important questions. This paper presents only a short review based on selected papers about mycobacteria in water, soil, plants and air with the aim of attracting attention to this significant global problem and of making the first steps towards protection of people. Selected bibliographic references of published data from 2007 to 2012 are presented in easy-to-navigate tables.

The sera from 690 slaughtered fattening pigs from 15 farrow-to-finish swine herds (12 herds of unknown Salmonella status, 3 herds known as latently infected) in the Czech Republic were examined for Salmonella antibodies in a cross sectional study using an ELISA test. Salmonella seroprevalence ranging from 0% to 20% was found in 14 herds. Seroprevalence of 73.9 was found in 1 herd with previously unknown Salmonella status. A longitudinal study of the three previously identified latently infected herds found seroprevalence ranging from 23.9% to 83.4% in sows after farrowing. Salmonella findings from faeces in the farrowing sections ranged between 1.8 and 24.5, and in the environmental samples between 0 and 25. In weaned piglets, Salmonella findings from faeces ranged from 6.3 to 48.0, and in environmental samples from 0 to 90%. The most prevalent serotypes were S. Derby (56.8) and S. Typhimurium, phage type DT104 (18.5). The seroprevalence comparison in sows and slaughtered fattening pigs revealed variations in the course of Salmonella infection in swine herds.

Hepatic lipidosis and ketosis are frequent metabolic disorders in dairy cows during the transition period. The 2-methyl-2-phenoxy propionic acid (MFPA) is an activator of energy metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of MFPA 10 days prepartum to day 36 postpartum on serum lipid profile, ovarian reactivity, and milk yield. Fifty seven multiparous Holstein cows were divided into four groups. The groups 1 (n = 14) and 2 (n = 14) had body condition score (BCS) above 4; BCS of the groups 3 (n = 15) and 4 (n = 14) was between 3.25 and 3.75 at calving. The solution containing 10 mg/kg MFPA was injected intramuscularly (IM) to cows of groups 1 and 3, 10-7 days prepartum and 6 h postpartum. The groups 2 and 4 received 50 ml of 0.9% NaCl as placebo in the same way. Blood samples for serum lipid profile were collected from all cows 10 days before calving without treatment, 2 days after the first administration of MFPA and postpartum at days 2, 10, and 21 after the second administration of MFPA. At days 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 postpartum, blood samples were obtained for plasma progesterone determination. Milk yield was registered daily during 60 days postpartum. Prepartum free fatty acids (FFA) were mildly increased without difference among all the groups (P > 0.05). b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was increased only at day 10 after calving in cows of group 1 treated with MFPA (P < 0.05) due to higher number of postpartum diseases. In cows from groups 3 and 4 (BCS normal), BHB was mildly increased, not indicating subclinical ketosis. The serum concentrations of triacylgycerols, cholesterol, albumin, activities of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were within the limits of reference values, indicating adequate liver integrity and function. Cows of normal BCS treated with MFPA presented better milk production but without significant difference among four groups (P > 0.05). Ovarian reactivity was present at day 21 in all groups of cows without difference (P > 0.05). The administration of MFPA had no effect on serum lipid profile and ovarian activity in this study.

We calculated high-power forwarder productivity in regeneration felling with the objective to set long-term work plans. Based on the time studies of the forwarder operator's work operation the operation time consumption was calculated and operation standards for the studied type of forwarder were designed. The standard values were determined based on the volume weight of harvested timber and the forwarding distance. The resulting time consumption required for forwarding 1 m³ of timber, whose mean tree volume is 0.30-0.99 m³.stem^-1, and upon forwarding distance of 100-1,000 m ranges from 0.05-0.09 Nh.m^-3.

The contemporary regional economics sees clusters as geographically close groups of companies and other connecting organizations that work together while they also mutually compete. Despite the fact that the naturally born clusters exist for centuries and their formation is driven primarily by market factors, there has been prevailing in the recent decades a positive view of the controlled and driven development of clusters in developed countries. Organized clusters are being called the cluster initiative. In recent years, there was a relatively rapid development of cluster initiatives also in the territory of the Visegrad countries due to the national programs and subsidies from the EU structural funds. This paper reacts to the situation. The aim of the paper is to identify clusters currently existing in the tourism, agriculture and food sector in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia and to analyze their regional dispersion, structure and activities.

The transport of weaned piglets is considered an important stress factor since the conditions involved in shipping affect the animals' health and welfare. The principal stressor factors that piglets experience during transport include: mixing with unfamiliar animals, overcrowding, heat, cold, temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and noise. It is well known that all these factors contribute to raising the level of stress caused by the weaning process; however, the additional effects attributable to transport immediately after weaning impact the physiology, metabolism and behaviour of piglets, predisposing them to delayed growth. For this reason, animal transport must be well-planned and take into account such aspects as preparation of the piglets, choosing the best route and vehicle type, assuring adequate vehicle design and maintenance, and providing sufficient space. Also important for assuring the welfare of the piglets during transport are sufficient rest time, appropriate access to food and water, defined measures for monitoring the animals during the trip, implementing means of disease control, and establishing the steps to be followed in case of an emergency.

In this case report, three different crossbreedings of pet rabbits were performed producing affected as well as healthy bunnies. All affected rabbits were smaller and had local alopecia, exophthalmus, and limb deviations compared to their healthy littermates; thus, a homozygous form of Pelger-Huet anomaly was suspected. This anomaly was confirmed by blood examination in which granulocytes with oval nuclei and a very coarse chromatin pattern, as well as lymphocytes with micronuclei were noticed. Karyotype analyses of the lymphocytes revealed many chromosomal aberrations in affected rabbits. Moreover, severe arterial abnormalities in the pelvic cavity and proximal part of the pelvic limbs were also found in these rabbits. Our findings suggest a multigenic origin of Pelger-Huet anomaly in rabbits, because only male and female offspring with the otter colour of fur were severely affected by this congenital disorder.

Immunomodulatory products have been used for years in veterinary medicine. Inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO) is currently used in equine medicine as an immunomodulator to improve the immune system and as a prophylactic treatment to prevent or treat infectious diseases. This study was designed to determine the effects of iPPVO on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function (phagocytosis and intracellular killing activity) and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of PMNLs in horses. Twenty-four healthy English thoroughbred horses with an average age of 11 years were included in the study. Venous blood samples (10 ml) were taken before (agent-free controls) and after the administration of iPPVO (2 ml i.m. injection on Days 1, 3, and 5). PMNLs (1 × 10⁷ cells/ml) were isolated from venous blood containing EDTA (0.1 g/ml) with Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. Cellular phagocytosis and intracellular killing activities were assayed using a modification of Alexander's method before and after treatment with iPPVO. MPO activity was also measured. The administration of iPPVO significantly increased the phagocytic, intracellular killing, and MPO activities of equine PMNLs (P = 0.0058, P = 0.0050, and P = 0.0070, respectively). This study demonstrates a strong correlation between MPO activity and PMNL function. The administration of iPPVO to horses has a supportive effect on their cellular immunity and an immunomodulatory effect against equine viral infections.

Effects of floral herbivory (grazing flowers) by slugs on production and quality of seeds of herbaceous plants have been rarely quantified. We studied consequences of grazing by an invasive slug Arion lusitanicus (Mabille) for inflorescences of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers). In May 2008, a grassy site in Prague-Ruzyně (Czech Republic) was densely populated by dandelion inflorescences. Of the 40% of the flowers grazed by the slug, 70% died before seed dispersal and seed was eaten from 10% of the closed mature inflorescences. Viability of seeds from inflorescences that survived slug grazing was not affected. In addition to seedling predation, grazing of flowers may be an important source of dandelion mortality at sites where this slug is abundant.

The stability of olive and sunflower oils for domestic uses after frying cow steak or only heating were evaluated in the presence or absence of the carvacrol-rich essential oil of Thymbra capitata. The treatments consisted of sunflower and olive oils either enriched with 200 mg/l of T. capitata oil or without it, heating at 180°C for 20 min, or frying 100 g cow steak at the same temperature and for the same period of time. In all assays, acid, peroxide, and p-anisidine values were followed over time. The fatty acid profile was estimated before heating or frying as well as at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the type of fat as well as the type of treatment (frying or heating) was determinant for the acid, peroxide, and p-anisidine values found. The presence of the essential oil also demonstrated to affect those values depending on the type of the oil as well as on the type of the treatment (frying or heating). In contrast, the fatty acid profile did not change greatly.

The effects of mineral and organic fertilization on the contents of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, B and Mo in soil and in the soil solution as well as on availability of these elements for crops were investigated in the long-term field trial. The highest contents of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in soil and soil solution were observed in the treatment with the lowest pH (NPK). In this same combination the content of B and Mo was the lowest. The concentration of Zn, B and Fe in the soil solution significantly increased under farmyard manure application. Liming significantly decreased contents extractable by 1 mol/L HCl forms of Mn and Zn and significantly increase the content of Mo in the soil. Regardless of fertilization applied, microelement concentrations in the soil solution are sufficient for fulfilling nutritional needs of plants cultivated during the trial.

The aim of study was to compare the effect of farming methods on soil microbial communities and dehydrogenase activity (DHA). During 2008-2013, in the five-field crop rotation the following treatments were carried out: ORG - organic; ORGFYM - organic with cattle manure; CONFYM - conventional (cattle manure, mineral fertilizers and pesticides were used). From the treatments soil samples in three replicates were taken for microbiological tests in September yearly. Total bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria were determined as a number of colony forming units per g of dry soil. Soil DHA was determined in accordance with Tabatabai (1982). Solid cattle manure applied in the ORGFYM rotation increased significantly (P < 0.05) the number of total bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria (by 19.4% and 45.3%, respectively), and DHA by 22.7%. There appeared no clear and significant differences in effects between ORGFYM and CONFYM treatments, as an average of experiment period. In some cases, the use of certain pesticides in CONFYM treatment significantly affected the microbe numbers and soil DHA.

The CD9 cell surface molecule has been found to be important for the fertilization process of mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether the molecule CD9 is expressed on bull sperm during the spermatogenesis and maturation of spermatozoa as well as in bull reproductive organs and their secreta. The expression of bovine CD9 was examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. The histochemical studies using an anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody showed strong staining in the myeloid and collagenous tissue layer of testis and epididymis. Strong reaction was observed in the lumen of epididymal duct (the fluid of the duct) but the clumped spermatozoa in the lumen of the duct remained unstained. Intensive tissue staining was observed in the range of epithelial microvilli of epididymis (body and tail) and in the fluid content of tubules. The Western blot analysis showed the 24kDa molecule in sperm protein extracts of ejaculated sperm and also in the protein extracts of the sperm obtained from the head, body, and tail of epididymis but the localization of CD9 on the sperm was not directly confirmed. However, the obtained data could be considered in the interpretation of the role of CD9 in spermatogenesis and sperm-oocyte interactions.

The effects of several pre- and postharvest factors on apple cv. Braeburn browning disorder (BBD) incidence using a nine-factor experimental design has been investigated. The design allowed the determination of the effects of single factors as well as their interaction with growing season and storage time. BBD increased in severity with storage duration. BBD incidence was reduced with calcium and potassium fertilizers application, while it was increased when triazoles were used. Delayed controlled atmosphere (DCA) application resulted in less BBD in storage, while treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) increased BBD incidence. More BBD was observed in fruit stored at above optimal CO₂ levels. BBD incidence was increased when O₂ concentration in CA was increased from 1 kPa to 3 kPa (optimum CA) or 6 kPa. Finally, the various factors showed a different effect for different growing seasons and storage time. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the development of BBD. Further work should focus on extending the experimental design to include the interactions between the different pre- and postharvest factors.

The development of Podzols is conditioned by many factors. One of them is vegetation cover. The aim of this study was to examine in detail special chemical properties, micromorphological features and water retention ability of Podzols under two different vegetation covers (spruce forest and grass). The study was performed in the Jizerské hory Mts., which were strongly influenced by atmospheric acidificant depositions in the past. The study was focused on the assessment of a 30-year grass amelioration impact on soils on the former forest land. It was shown that larger differences in the studied chemical properties (pH_KCl, pH_H2O, eCEC, content of Ca, Mg, Al_KCl, Al_H2O, Al(X)¹⁺, Al(Y)²⁺ and Al³⁺ species) were in the surface organic horizons and decreased with depth. Podzolization intensity was higher under the spruce forest than under the grass cover. Higher amounts of potentially dangerous Al forms were detected in the soils under the spruce forest than under the grass. Grass expansion on clear-cut areas (former forest) as a natural amelioration step results in the particular restoration of soil conditions. The micromorphological features studied on the soil thin sections using the optical microscope and soil water retention curves measured on the undisturbed 100 cm³ soil samples showed a significant influence of the organic matter presence on the soil structure and retention ability of H and Bhs horizons. Soil under the grass cover had denser structure (e.g. greater fraction of small capillary pores) and higher retention ability than soil under the spruce forest. Very similar retention curves were measured in the Ep and Bs horizons under both vegetation covers. Micromorphological features studied on the thin soil sections clearly documented a podzolization mechanism (e.g. organic material transport and its accumulation, weathering process and Fe oxidation and mobilization).

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.

A 6-week trial was conducted to investigate the effects of animal skin protein sources from swine and cattle on growth performance, body condition and blood characteristics in growing pigs. A total of 96 pigs (23.50 ± 0.61 kg) were randomly allotted into four dietary treatment groups as follows: (1) basal diet (BD); (2) basal diet with 1.5% hydrolysed render meal (HRM); (3) basal diet with 1.5% swine skin meal (SSM); (4) basal diet with 1.5% cattle hide meal (CHM). There were six replicate pens per treatment with four pigs per pen. The average daily gain (ADG) was improved in response to SSM treatment compared with other treatments (P < 0.05). Pigs fed with HRM, SSM and CHM diets showed increases in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased gain-to-feed (G : F) ratios compared with pigs fed with BD (P < 0.05). There were no differences in dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and energy (E) digestibility among treatments. The backfat thickness and lean percentage of pigs was unaffected by the treatments. Similarly, there was no difference in blood characteristics among treatments. In conclusion, the supplementation of SSM in growing pig diets improved the growth rate and Feed Intake (FI), but its usage in swine diets is limited by the poor protein quality.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protected organic acid blends including medium chain fatty acids and different nutrient density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and faecal noxious gas content in growing pigs. A total of 80 crossed [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] growing pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 22.61 ± 2.32 kg were used in a six-week trial. Pigs were randomly allocated into one of four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of nutrient density (high and low) and protected organic acid (0% and 0.1%) according to their sex and BW (five replicates with two gilts and two barrows per pen). Pigs fed high nutrient density diets had increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG0 and gain: feed (G : F) than those fed low nutrient density diets. Likewise, pigs fed protected organic acid diets exhibited increased (P < 0.05) ADG compared with pigs fed no additional protected organic acids. An interactive effect (P = 0.03) between organic acid and nutrient density was observed on feed conversion by pigs. Dry matter (DM) digestibility tended to improve (P = 0.08) in pigs fed high nutrient density diets compared with low nutrient density diets. However, nitrogen (N) and energy (E) digestibility was not influenced by the nutrient density. Likewise, protected organic acid supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) DM, N or E digestibility. Organic acid supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) H₂S content from faeces on Day 1, Day 3, Day 5 and Day 7 of incubation. Low nutrient density diets led to a reduction (P < 0.05) in H₂S gas content on Day 1 of incubation. No interactive effect on faecal noxious gas content was observed between nutrient density and organic acid. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of protected organic acids with a high nutrient diet improved growth performance and reduced H₂S acid emission.

The efficacy of twelve sodium salts as possible alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of onion basal rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae was evaluated. In vitro tests showed that there were significant differences between the inhibitory effects of sodium salts on the mycelial growth (P ≤ 0.05) and 2% (w/v) concentrations of sodium metabisulfite and sodium fluoride completely inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus, while other salts did not. Sodium metabisulfite and sodium phosphate monobasic had lower pH values than the other salts. Unlike sodium metabisulfite, sodium phosphate monobasic could not decrease the mycelial growth. The ED₅₀, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values indicated that sodium metabisulfite was more inhibitory to the fungus compared to sodium fluoride. In soil tests, inhibitory effect of sodium metabisulfite on the fungus was higher than that of sodium fluoride, where sodium metabisulfite completely inhibited mycelial growth at even 0.4% concentration.

Consumption of minimally processed fruits has been increased lately mainly due to their fresh-like quality characteristics. One of the major alterations that limit the shelf-life of these products is browning caused by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity on phenolic compounds. Six yellow-flesh peach cultivars, Spring Lady, Royal Glory, Ruby Rich, Summer Rich, Ryan Sun, and O'Henry, were selected. Peaches were hygienised and then samples were processed in a clean room. Slices were washed in cold tap water, dried, packaged in modified atmosphere, and stored at 4°C during 9 days; physicochemical and other quality parameters were studied. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation study were carried out in order to evaluate the relation between variables and cultivars. In conclusion, Spring Lady, Royal Glory, and Ruby Rich cultivars were the cultivars that offered the most suitable fruits for fresh-cut processing, mainly due to their low BP and PPO activity.

We conducted field experiments since 2006 to determine the effect of tillage practices and rate of nitrogen fertilization on soil properties and crop yield. Four tillage practices and five N rates were used. The results showed that the year-round total yield of wheat and maize under harrow tillage (HT) and rotary tillage (RT) was not significantly different from that of conventional tillage (CT, moldboard tillage) but was higher than that of no-tillage (NT). Reduced tillage (HT and RT) with straw returned and rate of nitrogen (157.5 kg/ha for wheat and 202.5 kg/ha N for maize) were suitable to increase the yield and adjust the soil carbon and nitrogen situation for the winter wheat-summer maize cropping system.

To assess the effects of long-term fertilization on soil available micronutrients in farmland, this study examined diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in surface soil with monoculture of corn (Zea mays L.) with a 30-year filed fertilization experiment established in Northeast China. Treatments included no fertilization (CK); nitrogen only (N); nitrogen and phosphorus only (NP); NP and potassium (NPK); NPK plus cornstalk (SNPK), and NPK plus farmyard manure (MNPK). Results showed that DTPA-Fe and Mn were significantly increased with chemical N application, and DTPA-Cu and Zn were significantly increased with farmyard manure amendment, while micronutrients were not significantly different between treatment SNPK and CK. DTPA-Fe and Mn were about twice to threefold in treatments N, NP, and NPK as much as in treatments SNPK, MNPK and CK. DTPA-Cu and Zn in treatment MNPK were about 3.9 and 6.5 times as much as in CK. DTPA-Fe and Mn decreased with the increasing of soil pH and cation exchange capacity, while DTPA-Cu and Zn increased with the increase of soil organic carbon and electrical conductivity.

The ribosomal protein SA (RPSA), also known as 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor/67-kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR), has been identified as a multifunctional protein, playing an important role in multiple pathologies like cancer and prion diseases. Since RPSA is involved in the binding and internalization of the prion protein, mutations in the ovine RPSA gene, influencing the RPSA-PrP^C/PrP^Sc binding, can potentially play a part in the resistance to prion diseases. Our goal was to further characterize the complex RPSA gene family and to detect structural mutations which can play a role in this disease. In a prior study, 11 ovine pseudogenes were detected experimentally. As the whole genome shotgun ovine genome became accessible, an in silico genome-wide screening was performed and 37 new pseudogenes (36 processed and one semi-processed pseudogene) were detected, bringing the total to 48 ovine RPSA pseudogenes. Additionally, the complete bovine genome was screened in silico and 56 pseudogenes were identified. Once these sequences were known, it was possible to analyze the presence of mutations in the coding sequence and exon-flanking regions of the ovine functional full-length RPSA gene without the interference of pseudogenic sequences. Nineteen mutations were found: one in the 5' UTR, a silent one in the coding region, and seventeen in the exon-flanking regions, including an interesting mutation in the SNORA62 gene, localized in intron 4 of RPSA, leading to potential ribosomal defects. Structural mutations of the RPSA gene can be ruled out to play a role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies but regulatory mutations still can have an effect on these diseases.

The aim of the study was to evaluate egg shell quality characteristics, mineral content in the egg shell, and serum mineral concentration during the egg formation process as influenced by oviposition time and ambient temperature at the beginning and end of the laying cycle in laying hens and broiler breeders. Egg shell quality deteriorated significantly at the higher temperature and was lower in broiler breeders than in laying hens. The Ca (P = 0.047) and P (P = 0.018) contents of the egg shell were significantly higher at the higher temperature. The highest (P = 0.028) shell Ca content (352 g/kg) was in eggs laid in the morning, but the highest P (P = 0.030; 1.43 g/kg) and Mg (P = 0.001; 3.88 g/kg) contents were in eggs laid in the afternoon. Broiler breeder egg shells contained significantly more P (P = 0.004) and Mg (P = 0.001) than did those from laying hens. Serum Ca and P levels remained constant throughout the day whereas serum Mg and Zn levels decreased, the rate of decrease in Zn content being the same in all treatments, but with the amounts being greater in laying hens than broiler breeders. The results demonstrate that shell quality characteristics are more severely affected by different factors implemented in this trial compared to the shell mineral composition and especially compared to the serum mineral content.

The aim of this study is to identify a period of time over which smaller, less costly tree transplants can reach the height of larger tree transplants and thus offset their performance. The following Central European native tree species were used: Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Acer campestre L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Tilia cordata Mill. and Prunus avium L. In the period after planting, the best growth was observed for small tree transplants. These transplants reached the height of the medium-sized tree transplants for all species except C. betulus. However, the large transplants of A. campestre, F. excelsior and P. avium were still significantly taller than the medium-sized transplants ten years after planting. In contrast, slow growth was observed for the large tree transplants of C. betulus and Q. robur. During the monitoring period, the height of the medium-sized transplants of C. betulus even exceeded the height of the large transplants of this species. These differences suggest that the differences in the establishment rates of individual species are reflected in the growth rates of their plantations during longer periods after planting.

Patterns of biomass allocation were determined for seedlings of five provenances of Quercus castaneifolia from west to east of the Hyrcanian forest along a rainfall gradient. Experimental design was executed under controlled conditions at seven different light levels (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100% full light). We quantified the biomass allocation patterns to leaves, stems and roots. For all provenances total mass increased with irradiance at low light levels, reaching an optimum at an intermediate level but decreasing at a high irradiance level. As results show, in drier provenances and at high light levels, the seedlings invest more biomass into root mass to facilitate water uptake and to alter their leaf size to prevent overheating. In contrast, at wetter provenances and low light levels, towards increased light interception, more biomass is allocated proportionally to leaves and the stems but, accordingly, less to roots. The leaf to root ratio (L/R) was negatively correlated with light, with high correlation at wetter provenances compared to drier ones. In contrast, the relationship between the root to shoot (R/Sh) ratio and light was positively correlated with light, but it was weak at drier provenances and became gradually stronger at wetter ones. Such relationships indicated that chestnut oak seedling growth strategies are different along a rainfall gradient to irradiance levels. Despite similar growth conditions in the greenhouse, different growth strategies may be the result of genetic adaptation to the ecological conditions, especially when precipitation regimes prevail in the native habitat.