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The density of red deer in the area of forest ecosystems disturbed by air pollution in the Krušné hory Mts. - Klášterec nad Ohří Forest District was determined in two model hunting districts Jelení hora and Černý potok. To determine the density of red deer two methods were used, namely the clearance plot method and a method without the clearance of transects - faecal standing crop. Based on the repeated counting of faecal pellet groups on 16 marked plots (No. 1 to 16) in the research area, mean values of the estimate of the red deer population density were determined in the Jelení hora hunting district in 2007 and 2008 using the FSC method, viz 24 ± 23 individuals.km^-2 (95% CI) and the CPM method, viz 105 ± 88 individuals.km^-2 (95% CI) and in the Černý potok hunting district using the FSC method, viz 8 ± 5 individuals.km^-2 (95% CI) or 77 ± 50 individuals.km^-2 (95% CI) by the CPM method. No statistically significant differences were found out between the density of game and particular groups of similar biotopes.

The depuration of 8 heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co and Cd), total petroleum hydrocarbons and pathogenic bacteria of Paphia undulata was tested and the survival of depurated clams was evaluated. Investigated samples were collected from Ismailia, Egypt. The initial metal concentrations were significantly higher in the whole soft tissues than in water and sediment except for Mn. After 24 h depuration, Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr and Cd were significantly reduced to 44, 23, 25, 17, 61, 41, and 75%, respectively. After three days of depuration the reduction was significant only for Cu, Cr, Co and Cd (27, 15, 23 and 52%, respectively). The total petroleum hydrocarbons were reduced significantly to 72% after three days of depuration, while after 24 h they were reduced to 90% compared to their initial concentrations. Four pathogenic bacteria were identified in the soft tissues of P. undulata (Vibrio sp., Shigella sp., Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp.). After one-day depuration the results evidenced the mean microbial reduction to 75, 31, 68, and 36%, respectively, compared to their initial counts. After three days of depuration the counts of Vibrio sp. and Salmonella sp. were reduced to 3% and 8%, respectively, while Escherichia coli was not detected on the third day. Shigella sp. was increased by 22% compared to the first day of depuration. The viability and mortality were not influenced by the depurative treatment.

A model group of garden plants (shrubs) was used to observe and evaluate phenological periodicity and new ways of its practical use in landscaping. The experiment focused on the aesthetically most impressive phenophases - full bloom and full coloration, and was conducted in three independent and separate localities over a period of 4 years. While observing and evaluating the selected group of plants, we also monitored and recorded concurrent attractive phenological events in other garden plants, seeking to verify the existence of certain "vegetation waves". The experiment demonstrated that in the research localities the course of phenological periodicity, including the course of individual side-runs, tends to be similar. Our preliminary results indicate that the "vegetation waves" indeed do exist. These findings suggest new solutions for the use of our selected plants, mainly for their theme combinations with wider groups of plants which tend to behave similarly in the same time points. As a result of our study, we propose 24 preliminary phenological groups of garden plants. Each of them characterizes a certain period of the calendar year which is considered aesthetically important by landscape architects. Plants were classified into these groups according to the preliminary mean onset time of the most attractive phenophases (full bloom and full coloration) in the most typical indicative species.

We described the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanol, acetone, and water extracts of beet root pomace. Total contents of phenolics (316.30-564.50 mg GAE/g of dry extract), flavonoids (316.30-564.50 mg RE/g of dry extract), betacyanins (18.78-24.18 mg/g of dry extract), and betaxanthins (11.19-22.90 mg/g of dry extract) after solid-phase extraction were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the reducing power and DPPH scavenging activity by spectrometric metod, and hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity by ESR spectroscopy. In general, the reducing power of all the beet root pomace extracts increased with increasing concentrations. The DPPH-free radical scavenging activity of the extracts, expressed as EC₅₀, ranged from 0.133 mg/ml to 0.275 mg/ml. Significant correlation was observed between all phytochemical components and scavenging activity. 0.5 mg/ml of ethanol extract completely eliminated hydroxyl radical, which had been generated in Fenton system, while the same concentration of this extract scavenged 75% of superoxide anion radicals. In antibacterial tests, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus showed higher susceptibility than Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations of lactational and daily somatic cell scores with descriptive and linear type traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. Data were: test-day somatic cell scores and conformation evaluations of 24 599 primiparous cows, daughters of 802 sires. Cows calved from 2006 to 2007. The lactational somatic cell score was calculated as the average of four test-day somatic cell scores at least. The daily somatic cell score was the test-day somatic cell score closest to the date of type evaluation. A multi-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters. (Co)variance components were estimated by a Bayesian algorithm via Gibbs sampling. The heritability of lactational somatic cell score was 0.20 and it was much higher than that of daily somatic cell score (0.13). Heritabilities of type traits were high to moderate for height at rump (0.46), size (0.39), overall conformation score (0.30), two linear rump traits (0.28-0.29) and three linear teat traits (0.26-0.29). The genetic correlation between lactational and daily somatic cell scores was 0.84. In many cases, daily somatic cell score showed higher genetic correlations with type traits than lactational somatic cell score. Descriptive udder and feet and legs scores were genetically correlated negatively with both lactational (-0.22 and -0.20) and daily somatic cell scores (-0.28 and -0.33). Somatic cell traits were genetically correlated positively with rump angle (0.21 and 0.19) and negatively with fore udder height (-0.26 and -0.29), udder depth (-0.23 and -0.17) and central ligament (-0.14 and -0.16). Due to higher heritability, direct selection for lower lactational somatic cell score would be more effective than selection for lower daily somatic cell score. The magnitude of obtained heritabilities and the favourable genetic correlations indicate that the selection utilizing some type traits could improve the resistance to mastitis.

Hardfacing is one of the most useful and economical ways to improve the performance of components submitted to severe wear conditions. This study has been made for the comparison of microstructure and abrasion resistance of hardfacing alloys reinforced with chromium carbides or complex carbides. The hardfacing alloys were deposited onto ČNS EN S235JR low carbon steel plates by the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) method. Different commercial hardfacing electrodes were applied to investigate the effect of abrasive particle size on abrasive wear resistance. The abrasion tests were made using the two-body abrasion test according to ČSN 01 5084 standard, abrasive cloths were of grits 80, 120, 240, and 400. Microstructure characterisation and surface analysis were made using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results show the different influence of abrasive particles size on the wear rate for different structures of Fe-Cr-C system. The structures without primary carbides are of high abrasive wear rate, which increases nonlinearly with the increasing abrasive particle size. On the contrary, the structures containing primary carbides are of low abrasive rates and theses rates increase linearly with the increasing abrasive particle size.

The myostatin (MSTN) gene was studied as a candidate genetic marker for growth traits. We investigated polymorphisms of the MSTN gene in 664 individuals from four goat populations and applied PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing analysis to reveal two single nucleotide polymorphisms (DQ167575: g.368A>C (p.Lys49Thr) and g.4911C>T. At g.368A>Clocus, the frequencies of g.368A allele were 0.75-0.81, and the frequencies of g.368C allele were 0.19-0.25. At g.4911C>T locus, the frequencies of g.4911C allele were 0.76-0.82, and frequencies of g.4911T allele were 0.18-0.24. Compared to the female goats with AC genotype, those with AA genotype had superior body weight in Boer goats (15.69 ± 0.28 vs. 14.51 ± 0.31, P < 0.05) and F₁ generation of Boer × Guanzhong dairy goats (19.39 ± 0.34 vs. 18.27 ± 0.33, P < 0.05). In addition, the female goats with AA genotype (45.80 ± 0.33 cm) had greater withers height than those with AC genotype (44.78 ± 0.36 cm) in F₂ generation of Boer × Guanzhong dairy goats (P < 0.05). Hence, the biochemical and physiological functions along with the results obtained in our investigation suggest that the MSTN gene might play an important role in affecting the growth traits in goats.

Forest ecosystems of the Krušné hory Mts. affected by long-term air pollution were finally disintegrated. The tree species composition has been changed in ecosystems disturbed in this way. Liming applied for the long-term revitalization of air-polluted areas partly decreased the effects of acid depositions on soil in spite of the reduction of air pollution; however, it did not cause any expected necessary changes yet. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the chemical composition of humus horizon H and organomineral horizon Ah (soil reaction, sorption complex, C/N ratio, available nutrients) in stands of substitute tree species differently affected by liming and site preparation in the area of Klášterec nad Ohří Forest District in the Krušné hory Mts. (Czech Republic). Based on our evaluations, we found out that pH values increased by 0.3-0.5, which was evident in stands with repeated liming at sites without soil preparation and with the site/soil preparation using an excavator or bulldozer. The majority of soils always showed an unsaturated base-exchange complex (< 50%). Increasing values of the sorption complex saturation were evident in stands with repeated liming, which is related to the favourable condition of pH in H and Ah horizons. C/N ratios in the H (Ah) horizon were always below a critical limit (< 24). The content of available nutrients in the H (Ah) horizon was insufficient. Among the particular elements phosphorus content decreased, that of magnesium reached optimum or even surplus, calcium was in surplus (optimum or even surplus), potassium in optimum (surplus). Forest management in the Krušné hory Mts. will be dependent on the effectiveness of the biological and chemical revitalization of soils also in the future.

The aim of this study was to characterise the effect of storage at 8°C on the texture and microbiological stability of oil-in-water solid emulsions containing inulin (20% w/w) and rapeseed oil (20% w/w). The samples were analysed within 24 h from the production and after 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 days of storage. Whey protein isolate (3% w/w) or polyglycerol polyricinoleate (1% w/w) were used as emulsifiers and half of the samples were chemically preserved with potassium sorbate (0.2% w/w). Hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness did not change significantly (p≤ 0.05) during storage. Most of the samples were microbiologically stable. Only the application of the protein emulsifier had an effect on the intensive growth of microorganisms. The shelf-life of low-fat chemically preserved products based on inulin can be established to be two months. Chemical preservation of the products with non-protein emulsifiers is not necessary. Sensory evaluation of spreads containing inulin revealed a significant decrease in smoothness and meltability in the mouth and good spreadability comparable with commercial products without inulin.

The mineral and organic composition of seminal plasma, physical spermatological parameters and their physiological relationships were investigated in Salmo trutta macrostigma. The seminal plasma contained 121.0 ± 0.37mM/l (Na⁺), 8.18 ± 0.03mM/l (K⁺), 7.23 ± 0.03 mg/dl (Ca²⁺), 3.19 ± 0.02 mEq/l (Mg⁺⁺), 0.48 ± 0.02 g/dl total protein, 6.07 ± 0.06 mg/dl cholesterol, 6.24 ± 0.08 mg/dl triglyceride and 9.97 ± 0.39 mg/dl urea. The following physical spermatological parameters were found out: sperm volume 13.93 ± 0.84 ml, sperm motility 80.37 ± 2.36%, movement duration 81.47 ± 4.21 s, density 6.02 ± 0.46 × 10⁹/ml, total density 8.85 ± 6.12 × 10⁹ and pH 7.53 ± 0.20. Significant positive relationships were determined between motility duration and motility (r = 0.83, P < 0.01) and also between spermatocrit and motility (r = 0.536, P < 0.05). Sperm volume and total density negatively correlated with motility (r = -0.191, P > 0.05 and r = -0.087, P > 0.05, respectively). The Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- ions correlated negatively with motility (r = -0.267, P > 0.05, r = -0.152, P > 0.05 and r = -0.461, P > 0.05, respectively). On the other hand, the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions correlated positively with motility (r = 0.114, P > 0.05 and r = 0.040, P > 0.05, respectively). A significant negative relationship was found between motility and urea (r = -0.515, P < 0.05). These parameters should be considered when developing procedures for short-term storage or cryopreservation of the Salmo trutta macrostigma sperm.

We determined the disinfectant effects of benzalkonium chloride (BC) and Savo (SV), a chlorine compound, on the biofilm and planktonic cells in 23 strains S. aureus mainly food isolates. The biofilm formation was performed in a model system using microtiter polystyrene plates COSTAR 3797 in trypton-soy broth with 1% glucose at 30°C. Benzalkonium chloride (BC) at 125 mg/l, applied directly on 24 h old biofilm, was able to remove the biofilm matrix in 21 strains, and to stop the reproduction of the biofilm cells in 23 strains. BC at the concentration of 125 mg/l was lethal to planktonic cells, coincubated for 24 h or treated for 10 minutes. None of the strains studied was able to grow in SV at 1X recommended concentration, while the safety lethal concentration for planktonic cells treated for 10 min was 4X. The application of 4X concentration SV into the 24 h old suspension removed the biofilm matrix in all strains and devitalised the biofilm cells in 10 strains and inhibited the viability in 13 strains by 70%.

The paper gives information about both the genesis, and a survey of, the descriptors used for the documentation of plant genetic resources held in ex situ crop collections. The first international documentation standards were developed by the FAO in the 1950s. In 1974, a specific body for plant genetic resources, the IBPGR (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources), was established within the FAO. Since the 1970s, the descriptor lists for main crop collections have been developed, including passport descriptor sets. For the most part, the passport descriptors were common to all crops, with only slight differences. In 1997, the first attempt to create a standard set of descriptors resulted in 24 passport descriptors developed by FAO and IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) working in cooperation. In 2001, the official Multi-Crop Passport Descriptor list (MCPD) was published, including a revised standard set of 28 descriptors. The European ex situ crop catalogue (EURISCO) enlarged the standard set of passport descriptors by adding 6 additional fields in 2002; and another 2 new descriptors were added in November of 2008. A global level of data compatibility is preferred; therefore projects aimed at world-wide utilization and standardization of systems, such as GRINGlobal, and Accession-Level Information System (ALIS), are supported.

A multiple-lactation random regression model was applied to test-day somatic cell score (SCS) records from the first three lactations of Czech Holstein and Fleckvieh cows. For Holstein, the data included 26 314 cows, with 244 953, 76 188 and 26 153 test-day records in the first, second and third lactation, respectively. For Fleckvieh, the data included 24 061 cows, with 223 421, 93 358 and 31 305 test-day records in the first, second and third lactation, respectively. The linear model for SCS included the following factors (for the given parity): fixed herd-test date effect, fixed regressions on days in milk within the age-season class, random regressions for the animal genetic and random regressions for the permanent environmental effect of the cow. Third-degree Legendre polynomials were used for all regressions. Gibbs sampling was used to generate samples from the marginal posterior distributions of the model parameters. The resulting daily heritability ranged from 0.08 to 0.11 in the middle part of lactation and it increased only slightly with parity. Extremely high values (0.25, 0.21) observed especially at the beginning and end of the third lactation for Holstein might be caused by the "end-of-range" problem. The average daily heritabilities computed for the part of lactation between 45 and 255 days in milk (DIM) were in the range from 0.10 to 0.14. Daily permanent environmental variances were higher than the genetic variances and daily residual variances decreased with DIM. The residual variances in early lactation increased with lactation number. For both breeds, the highest genetic correlations computed for the part of lactation between DIM 45 and DIM 255 were obtained between the second and third lactation (0.95). The lowest daily genetic correlations of SCS in the same DIM between different lactations occurred at the beginning of lactation, especially between the first and third lactation. The permanent environmental correlations for selected DIM were lower than the respective genetic correlations.

The aim of this 3 × 3 factorial experiment on broilers was to investigate the effect of different dietary levels of potassium and chloride on chicken performance, carcass composition and dry matter content in excreta. 360 one-day-old Ross 308 chickens were allocated to 9 groups, in 5 replications of 8 birds (4 ♂ and 4 ♀). Chickens from 1 to 42 days of age were kept in cages with wire floors to enable excreta collection, and were administered water and feed ad libitum. The basal starter (days 1-14) and grower (days 15-42) diet contained in 1 kg, as analysed, 2.11 g and 2.10 g chloride, 8.6 g and 7.8 g potassium and 2.04 g and 1.93 g sodium, respectively. Basal diets were supplemented with potassium and chloride containing, as analysed, 11.1 g or 10.6 g and 11.8 g or 11.9 g K and 2.95 g or 2.58 g and 3.16 g or 2.70 g/kg Cl, for the starter or grower periods of feeding, respectively. The sum of cations (K + Na) in diets used in the experiment ranged from 309 mEq to 390 mEq in the starter diet and from 283 mEq to 388 mEq/kg in the grower diet; the dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) values varied from 219 mEq to 331 mEq and from 207 mEq to 329 mEq/kg, respectively. During the starter feeding period the body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion (FCR) were positively affected by increasing the chloride supplement and decrease of DEB values from 298 to 274 mEq/kg (P ≤ 0.001). In the grower period and throughout the feeding period, the positive effect of chloride supplementation on BWG and FCR was not confirmed but a negative effect of potassium was found out. The interaction between dietary levels of chloride and potassium found for BWG and FCR suggests a reciprocal relationship for both electrolytes. Dry matter in excreta was decreased when the K level in the diet was increased to 11.9 g/kg and DEB value to 319 mEq/kg (P ≤ 0.001) but breast meat yield (P ≤ 0.01) and relative mass of heart in carcass (P ≤ 0.05) were increased. Dietary chloride content elevated from 2.2 to 2.58 g/kg reduced pH in breast meat after 24 h (P ≤ 0.001), whereas elevated potassium content (7.8 vs. 10.6 g/kg) reduced drip loss in 24 (P ≤ 0.01) and 48 h stored meat (P ≤ 0.05).

The black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), an introduced species into the Czech Republic, is planted for its production of valuable timber. A systematic study of the black walnut growth rate at different localities and consequently the creation of standard volume tables under Central European conditions therefore appear to be of high relevance. The aim of our study was to reveal the black walnut growth pattern in its pure stands in two riparian forests along the Morava and Svratka River (Strážnice locality and Židlochovice locality, respectively). To describe and to compare relationships among diameter at breast height (dbh), tree height and age, we used a forest management plan and measured 573 and 670 trees in pure sample stands at Strážnice and Židlochovice, respectively. We found out that the measured mean DBH and mean height were consistently higher in Strážnice, however the relationships of DBH to height, age to DBH, and age to height showed the same pattern at both localities. The mean heights of trees were 16.3, 24.1, 28.7, 31.9, and 34.5 m in 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 year age classes and were consistently taller in comparison with other, mainly European, regions. Therefore our results suggest the high potential of black walnut in timber production in riparian forests in the Czech Republic, mainly in the South Moravian region.

The lipid compositions of the seed oils of some Nigella species were investigated. The total oil content of the seeds ranged from 28.0 to 36.4%. GC-MS fatty acid compositional analysis of the Nigella seed oils revealed the content of linoleic acid to be the highest (40.3-58.9%). Other prominent fatty acids were as follows: oleic (18.7-28.1%), palmitic (10.1-12.5%), 22:1 D11 (3.2-3.8%) and stearic (2.6-3.1%) acids. All the Nigella seed oils analysed exhibited differences in their tocopherol contents and the differences were estimated. The oils extracted from the seeds contained between 1.70-4.12 mg/100 g α-T, 0.97-4.51 mg/100 g γ-T, and 4.90-17.91 mg/100 g β-T3. The total tocopherol content in seeds varied between 9.15 mg/100 g to 24.65 mg/100 g. The compositions of the sterol fractions were determined by gas liquid chromatography. The total amounts of sterols ranged between 1993.07 mg/kg to 2182.17 mg/kg. The main component was β-sitosterol (48.35-51.92%), followed by 5-avenasterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol.

Introgression lines derived from Oryza minuta and O. sativa subsp. japonica var. Junambyeo were crossed for a mapping of the population composed of 112 recombinant lines to identify putative QTLs against rice blast disease using the percentage of diseased leaf area. By using 148 Sequence Tagged Site (STS) and Single Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers, five QTLs on chromosomes 6, 7, 9 and 11 and seven epistatic QTLs were identified against two blast isolates (KI307 and KI209). Of them two QTLs (qKI307-2 and qKI209-3) shared a similar position on chromosome 11. O. minuta introgression contributed the resistance allele for all of these QTLs. Combined phenotypic variations by QTL and (E-QTL) accounted for 56.9% against KI307, and 53.4% against KI209. Each QTL could account for the resistance variation between 11 and 24.6%. The resistance from wild introgressions was attributable to a combination of QTLs and epistatic effects between different loci, capable of inducing hypersensitive reactions. Our findings are in support of the strategy of pyramiding major QTLs to develop improved rice varieties with durable broad spectrum resistance against the blast fungus.

We examined defence responses in embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) elicited by intracellular protein and cell wall fractions (PF and WF, respectively) prepared from mycelia of the fungus Sirococcus strobilinus Preuss focusing on changes in (soluble and cell wall-bound) phenolic and stilbene concentrations. Treatment with both preparations induced an increase in the total contents of phenolic acids in Norway spruce cells and variations in the levels of stilbene glycosides. More rapid and intense induction of defence response was observed in cells after WF application. The contents of soluble phenolic acids (especially benzoic acid derivatives) and cell wall-bound phenolic acids (especially ferulic acid) started to increase (relative to controls) within 4 h after the addition of the WF preparation and remained high in elicited cells for 8-12 h. A moderate increase in phenolic acids in cells exposed to the PF preparation was observed within 8 h after application. However, after 24 h of WF treatment a decline of total phenolics was observed, while in PF elicited Norway spruce cells the phenolic content continued to increase. Significantly decreased concentrations of stilbene glycosides, isorhapontin, astringin and piceid, were determined in PF and WF treated Norway spruce cell cultures. The total content of stilbene glycosides decreased within 8 h after WF application to 68% of the amount determined in the control and within 12 h to 73% of the control in PF-treated cells. These results demonstrate that both PF and WF prepared from the Sirococcus strobilinus mycelium elicit changes in the metabolism of phenylpropanoids, which are involved in the defence responses of plants to pathogens.

The aim of this contribution was either to confirm or refuse the supposition that there are soils on the volcanic effusive rocks in the Bruntál district which can be assigned to the referential group of Andosols. The conditions for the genesis of Andosols are described and the diagnostic criteria of the andic process are defined both according to the principles of the WBR/FAO 2006 classification and according to the Slovak MKSPS 2000 classification system. In the Czech classification system, the diagnostics of Andosols has not yet been described or defined because their occurrence on the territory of the Czech Republic has not been confirmed till now. On the Velký Roudný volcanic dome (780 m), samples from two profiles were taken and described: one from below the summit as a sample of forest soil, and the other from the terraced, grass-covered foot of the hill, formerly used as a ploughed land. The samples from the two profiles were processed, and analyses were carried out according to both the classification systems mentioned above. The results of the analyses were subsequently evaluated. It was discovered that both evaluated profiles conformed to most of the diagnostic characteristics of andic development according to both WRB 2006 and the Slovak 2000 classification systems. Both evaluated profiles could be then classified - according to WRB 2006 - as Vitric Andosol (Dystric) and Vitric - Umbric Andosol (Dystric, Colluvic), respectivelly; according to Slovak Classification System as Andic Cambisols. The occurrence of soils with andic development in the Czech Republic was thus confirmed. The conclusion drawn by some authors (eg. in US Taxonomy) that a higher content of volcanic glass and a substrate of andesite type are not an indispensable condition for the creation of soils classified as Andosols was also confirmed. Likewise, according to the WRB criteria, a melanic humus horizon is not a necessary condition. Because of the difficulties in distinguishing the types, the Czech classification system recommends that a humic andic horizon should be evaluated as molic. We assume that in some cases it could be better classified as umbric. A preliminary proposal has been put forward to insert the Andozem soil types in Taxonomic Soil Classification System of the Czech Republic: Haplic Andosol, Vitric Andosol, Lithic Andosol, Umbric Andosol, but the properties and criteria of those soils will have to be defined precisely. One problem which will also have to be resolved is how to allocate the profiles displaying andic properties either to the proposed subtype of Cambic Andosol or to the subtype of Andic Cambisol (outside the referential class of Andsols). This issue is, indeed, not dealt with satisfactorily either by the Slovak system or the worldwide WRB 2006 classification, either.

Over a 24-month surveillance, three Cronobacter strains, NC041, NC830, and NC1006, were isolated from 77 powder infant formulas (3.90%). No Cronobacter was detected in liquid milk. The prevalence of Cronobacter in the prefinal product and packaged final product was 3.70% and 4.35%, respectively. The isolated Cronobacter strains were subjected to several lethal challenges including the pH, drying, disinfectant, and simulated infant formulas manufacturing process (SIFMP). The results indicated that they exhibited unusual resistance to the dry stress and disinfectant. In SIFMP, Cronobacter isolates were inoculated into three possible contamination entry points involving the stages prior to heating, drying, and filling, respectively. No Cronobacter could survive the heating. However, a high level (105 CFU/ml) of Cronobacter was detected in the samples after the inoculation at the drying point. Furthermore, the survival of Cronobacter was observed during the storage at 10°C after 7 days. The results support the hypothesis that Cronobacter contamination occurs at the stages of drying and filling, and highlight the need to improve the disinfecting measures in the manufacturing process.

Farmers' preference study and informal seed dissemination was carried out through farmer participatory variety selection (PVS) during 2006-2007 to 2008-2009 by the Wheat Research Centre (WRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Dinajpur, Bangladesh, in collaboration with CIMMYT. Four varieties including widely grown Shatabdi and four advance lines including Ug99 tolerant BAW 1064 were tested in mother-baby trial approach in 8 villages in each year. Mother trials were researcher designed but farmer managed. However, baby trials were designed and managed by farmers themselves. Preference scores of 30 farmers for varieties were recorded two times viz., pre and post-harvest stages. Farmers' preferred BAW 1064 owing to its 10% yield superiority over the widely grown Shatabdi variety, bolder white grains, larger grains/spike, non-lodging behaviour, earliness and resistance to diseases. This variety was found moderately resistant to Ug99 in Kenya. BAW 1064 was released as BARI Gom 26 in March 2010. After three years of PVS work, 19.4 t seeds reached informally to 969 farmers of 24 PVS villages from only 252 kg source seeds supplied for trials. In 2009-2010, seed production of this variety was done in 44 ha; 33.8 ha in 111 farmers' fields and 10.2 ha in research stations. Around 150 t seeds were produced that are being used for further testing and multiplication in 2010-2011. Seed dissemination through PVS was much faster than official approach of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC). Hence, for selection and dissemination of CIMMYT developed Ug99 tolerant lines, farmer-participatory approach is being deployed.

In three landscape zones of a permanent grassland catchment (discharge zone, D; transient zone, T; and recharge zone, R; Crystallinicum, Czech Republic), soil moisture by volume (θ) and soil biological quantity and quality parameters, e.g. oxidizable C (C_ox), hot water soluble C (C_hws), microbial biomass C (C_mic), nitrification (NITR), aerobic N mineralization (MIN) and basal respiration rates (R_bas), metabolic quotient (qCO₂: R_bas/C_mic) and microbial quotient (C_mic/C_ox) were estimated in the surface soil layer. We found out positive correlation of C_mic and C_mic/C_ox with θ, or NITR, MIN, R_bas and C_mic with C_hws, but no relationship between θ on the one hand and NITR, MIN, R_bas or C_ox on the other. The wettest zone D with extremely low pH displayed the highest C_mic and C_mic/C_ox (1081 mg/kg, 5.29%) and the lowest qCO₂ (31 µgC/day/mgC_mic). Soil drought in zones T and R reduced C_mic and C_mic/C_ox (939, 1029, and 3.72, 3.83, respectively) and augmented qCO₂ (42; 51). Rainfall following a prolonged dry period reduced MIN and NITR in permeable zone R as a result of fast microbial regeneration (average in D: 2.24; 2.48 kg N/ha/day, T: 2.62; 2.82 kg N/ha/day, R: 1.51; 1.95 kg N/ha/day).

The composition and selected physical and chemical parameters of 44 samples of fresh goat cheeses produced on a farm in the Czech Republic were determined. The following average values were obtained for the parameters analysed: pH 4.87 ± 0.14, titratable acidity (SH) 98.09 ± 4.93, dry matter 46.83 ± 1.57%, fat in dry matter 52.74 ± 5.24%, sodium chloride (NaCl) 2.08 ± 0.54%, and a_w 0.979 ± 0.007. All samples showed excellent sensory characteristics and their compositions corresponded to those declared by the producer. Microbiological tests were used for the detection of Enterobacteriaceae spp., lactic acid bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. Under the applicable regulations, the analysed fresh goat's cheeses were microbiologically safe and had the appropriate physical and chemical characteristics.

Anthocyanin pigments in the fruit of waxberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.), were extracted with 0.1% HCl in ethanol, and the crude anthocyanin extract was purified by C18 Sep-Pak cartridge open-column chromatography. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array detection (PAD) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was applied for the separation and identification of anthocyanins in the fruit of waxberry and their aglycones resulting from acid hydrolysis. Three anthocyanins were found in the fruit of waxberry and identified as Cyanidin 3-O-β-galacopyranoside (14.8%), Cyanidin 3-O-β-gluco-pyranoside (60.5%), and petunidin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (24.7%), respectively, using spectroscopic methods (UV-Visand MS). The three anthocyanins were isolated and purified by preparative HPLC, and their chemical structures were further characterised by H¹ NMR. On the basis of chromatographic data, the total anthocyanin content was 286 mg/g in fresh fruit of waxberry.

This paper evaluates the impact of long-term supplementation of different forms of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on the content of these substances in the blood and hair of goats. Two analogous supplementation experiments were performed. 37 goats divided into four groups were used in the first trial with the Zn supplementation. Group A (n = 10) was a control group (with no Zn administered). A further three groups (B, C, D) were supplemented with Zn in various forms. Group B (n = 9) with zinc oxide, Group C (n = 9) with zinc lactate and Group D (n = 9) with zinc chelate. The second trial with Se supplementation was carried out on 20 goats divided into four groups. Group E (n = 5) was a control group. The other three groups were administered Se. Group F (n = 5) was supplied with a selenium lactate-protein complex, Group G (n = 5) with sodium selenite and Group H (n = 5) with selenium yeast. Three months later blood and hair samples were taken from all animals and Zn and Se concentrations were determined in whole blood, plasma, and hair. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was determined in the Se supplementation trial group. At the end of the trial the Zn concentrations in plasma and whole blood were without major differences between the groups. The plasma concentration of Zn did not increase from the initial value at the start of the trial. In hair the average concentration of Zn was 95.2-100.0 mg/kgin all groups. No conclusive relation was confirmed between the values of Zn in hair and its concentration in blood. The Se concentration in whole blood (µg/l) at the end of trial in supplemented groups (F - 188.8 ± 24.6; G - 197.2 ± 10.9; H - 190.1 ± 26.3) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in the control group (E - 103.1 ± 23.5). Similarly, the activity of GSH-Px (µkat/l) was significantly higher in all supplemented groups (F - 872.3 ± 94.8; G - 659.5 ± 176.4; H - 839.8 ± 150.8) than in the control group (E - 379.1 ± 63.5). Se content in hair (µg/kg) was higher also in all trial groups (F - 242.3 ± 41.5; G - 200.5 ± 46.9; H - 270.0 ± 106.8) than in the control group (E - 174.7 ± 38.0). However, it was significantly (P < 0.05) higher only in Group F. A conclusive correlation was identified between the Se concentration in whole blood and its content in hair (r = 0.54; P < 0.05; n = 20). Based on the results it can be concluded that none of the supplemented forms of Zn increased its concentration in blood, plasma and hair. On the other hand, the administration of Se led to an increase in the Se concentration in blood, increased the activity of GSH-Px in whole blood and the Se content in hair. Based on the proven correlation and regression relation between the Se concentration in blood and its content in hair, hair can be considered as a suitable material for the diagnosis of long-term Se status in goats. Goats with sufficient Se status are those that have more than 160 µg/kg of Se in hair dry weight.

The aim of this study was to investigate histology characteristics in the small intestine of Santa Ines lambs fed bovine or ovine colostrum. At 0 and 6 h of life, 12 newborn lambs received 250 ml of first milking bovine colostrum (BC) and another 12 animals received 250 ml of first milking ovine colostrum (OC). Samples of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected at 24 and 72 h of life. Six animals were sampled at birth, without colostrum intake (0 h). The histomorphologic analysis revealed differences between BC and OC groups in the jejunum and ileum segments. BC group had higher amounts of colostrum-filled vacuoles in the intestinal epithelium compared to OC group and the latter group had a higher number of empty vacuoles. However, at 72 h of life both groups revealed the end of the intestinal colostrum absorption. Regardless of the treatment, apical nuclei and vacuoles were mainly observed in the villi of animals at 0 and 24 h of life, and at 72 h the enterocytes had basal nuclei and cytoplasm without the presence of vacuoles. An interaction between treatment and period was observed in villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.05). In this segment, BC group showed the lowest villus height at 24 h of life (710.37 ± 115.79 µm) while OC group had the larger villus height (883.79 ± 207.24 µm) at 24 h than at 0 h of life (791.43 ± 129.19 µm) (P < 0.05). Lambs from BC group showed the deepest crypts at 72 h (157.15 ± 41.81 µm), followed by 24 h (100.08 ± 23.40 µm) and 0 h (84.89 ± 21.10µm), and in OC group the deepest crypts were observed at 0 h (84.89 ± 21.10 µm), without the colostrum ingestion (P < 0.0%). The effects of treatment on the crypt depth were observed in the ileum (P < 0.05), crypts in BC group were deeper than in OC group (92.67 ± 21.47 and 83.12 ± 13.85 µm, respectively). The histological changes related to the ingestion of bovine colostrum did not apparently determine any consequences for enteric physiology. Thus, the results concerning the histologic and histomorphometric aspects confirm a possibility of successfully using bovine colostrum as a substitute for ovine colostrum in newborn lambs.

This article is focused on the determination of the mechanical behaviour of several layers of plant seeds namely; garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) seeds under compression loading. The results from the experiment showed that during compression plant seeds may change their mechanical behaviour that is deformation characteristic ceases to be a function of growing and beginning to resemble that of trigonometric functions and this behaviour is called the "wave effect". Also the strain value at which there is no further change of the mechanical behaviour is actually a local maximum of deformation characteristic and this is called the limit deformation. Exceeding this value can cause vibration of the presser including other negative factors which influences the process of pressing. The amounts of the limit deformation, strain energy and volume energy for jatropha, common bean, common sunflower and garden pea were determined in this experiment. From the calculated amounts of the volume energy, garden pea had the best resistance to change in the mechanical behaviour due to the fact that its change in the mechanical behaviour was not discovered. The other plant seeds; common beans, common sunflower and jatropha with respect to resistance to change in the mechanical behaviour followed in that order of magnitude.

For monitoring the occurrence of MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and MR-CNS (methicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci), cow's, goat's, and sheep's milks (bulk milks and individual samples) were investigated. Human nasal and throat swabs of the farm staff and nasal swabs of animals were also investigated as well. In total 1729 samples were examined and 634 strains were isolated by means of the cultivation method and used in this study. Generic identification of the staphylococci isolates was done performed by biochemical tests and all S. aureus and CNS isolates were checked by the PCR method for the presence of mecA gene which is responsible for methicillin resistance. The presence of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) and genes encoding toxic shock syndrome toxin (tst) was detected in all strains confirmed as MRSA. The species were also examined for antimicrobial susceptibility by using disk diffusion method with antibiotic disks. S. aureus was the most frequently identified species from the samples tested (n = 557; 32.2%), followed by S. haemolyticus (n = 32; 1.9%), S. chromogenes (n = 24; 1.4%), S. epidermidis (n = 20; 1.2%), and S. caprae (n = 1; 0.16%). Among the resistant staphylococci (n = 49), S. aureus (n = 25; 51%) was found the most frequently, followed by S. epidermidis (n = 17; 34.7%), S. chromogenes (n = 6; 12.2%), and S. haemolyticus (n = 1; 2%). The resistant Staphyloccocus sp. occurred mainly in cow's milk (MRSA, S. epidermidis, S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus) and in animal's swabs (S. epidermidis). One MRSA was also found in goat's milk and one was isolated from human swab. No resistant strains were found in sheep's milk. The negative results of the analysed genes presence (pvl, tst) were identical with all MRSA tested. The staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) was classified as type IV or V.

The production of xylanase (XylA) by Aspergillus niger JL-15 in solid-state fermentation (SSF) on orange peel was optimised by the response surface methodology (RSM). The results revealed that four factors had significant effects on the XylA production (P < 0.05), that is the concentrations of the added glycerin and ammonium sulfate, the moisture content, and fermentation time. Exploying orange peel as the solid substrate, maximum xylanase activity (917.7 U/g dry fermentation product) was obtained at 4.2% glycerin, 3.1% (NH₄)₂SO₄, 61% moisture content, and 73.4-h fermentation, this activity being close to the predicted one and 3.2 times higher than that of the basic medium (218.5 U/g). Optimum temperature and pH for XylA activity were 55°C and pH 5.0, respectively. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass of XylA was about 30.0 kDa. XylA exhibited K_m and V_max values of 9.24 mg/ml and 54.05 μmol/min/ml, respectively. XylA liberated mainly xylotriose from birchwood xylan and wheat bran, respectively. XylA was an endo-acting xylanase with transglycosylation activity, with the ability to hydrolyse, xylobiose, xylotriose, xylotetraose, xylopentaose, and xylohexaose.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic training (16 weeks - T1 and 24 weeks - T2) on oxidative stress biomarkers. To this end, GSH, GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activity were analysed in plasma. Nine bulls (3-4 years), were included in this work. The exercise training protocol was performed in a track ("taurodromo") three days per week for 24 weeks and consisted of 400 m warming up, 1200 m to 4-5 m/s, two minutes' resting, 1200 m to 4-5 m/s and, finally, 400 m walking. The results reflected that GSH-Px activity was higher at T1 (6.18 ± 0.45) than at baseline (T0; 2.31 ± 0.08) while the GSH level (2.98 ± 0.37) was lower vs. T0 (14.59 ± 3.40). Moreover, there were significant increases in GSH-Px (18.23 ± 1.36) and CAT (2.52 ± 0.04) activities and the recovery of basal values in GSH (11.75 ± 2.84) in T2. In conclusion, the type of training carried out in this study involved two well-defined stages: (i) a period of perturbation, followed by (ii) adaptation. The former stage was characterised by the induction of oxidative stress manifested as a decrease in the GSH, and the latter (T2) by the recovery of this non-enzymatic antioxidant.