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The optimum extraction conditions of the aqueous enzymatic extract from rice bran (AEERB) were evaluated with respect to γ-oryzanol content and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) activity by using response surface methodology. The results showed that the effect of the extraction temperature on γ-oryzanol content and FRAP activity was the most significant. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: Trypsin, 453 U/g at 56°C and pH 7.9 for 2 h at a liquid/solid ratio of 7 : 1. The corresponding γ-oryzanol content and FRAP activity were 0.1749 mg/g and 0.5043 mmol FeSO₄/g, respectively. The antioxidant activities of AEERB were comparable with 2,6-di-tert-buty-4-methylphenol (BHT) or ascorbic acid (AA) at the high concentration. Furthermore, the binding capacities of AEERB to sodium taurocholate and sodium deoxycholate were 24.96 and 13.63 µmol/100 mg, respectively. The results indicated that AEERB is a promising method for developing and applying a value-added RB product.

Assessment of seminal oxidative stress indicators is emerging as a valuable prognostic tool in assisted reproductive technology. We investigated levels of oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant enzyme defence system comprising superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in seminal plasma (SP) of common carp Cyprinus carpio and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss over the course of the spawning season. Oxidation was determined in lipids and proteins by assessing thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine carbonyl groups, respectively. Levels of SOD were assessed by the autoxidation of pyrogallol. Determination of GR and GPx was based on the rate of NADPH oxidation. We observed clear alterations in lipids and proteins over the course of the spawning season in both species. The highest levels of TBARS and CP were recorded late in the season. SOD was not significantly altered in either species. The activity of GR was higher in carp SP late in spawning compared to other times (P < 0.05), while in rainbow trout, GR significantly increased (24.13 ± 2.8 mU/mg protein) in mid-season. A significantly lower GPx activity (9.18 ± 1.32 mU/mg protein) was found in rainbow trout SP early in the spawning season, but no significant differences in GPx were observed over the course of the season in carp. These results provide further understanding of the role of fish SP antioxidants and present new data on the oxidant and antioxidant balance in SP during the spawning season that may be of value in the development of methods for artificial reproduction of teleost species.

Relieving perioperative pain can reduce postoperative suffering and improve recovery from anaesthesia in animals. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of nefopam and tramadol in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-four adult mixed-breed female dogs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8) and received their respective treatments immediately after surgery: Group T (2 mg/kg tramadol, i.v.), Group C (1 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.) and Group D (2 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.). The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured and the level of analgesia was assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF). The CMPS-SF was performed at least two days before premedication (baseline), every 2 h for the first 8 h (post-extubation), at 12 h and at 24 h. Results showed that the HR in all groups was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 2 and 6 h than at baseline. The RR in Group T was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 0 and 2 h than at baseline. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg morphine, i.v.) was provided if CMPS-SF pain scores greater than or equal to six. Four dogs required rescue analgesia: one dog in Group T at 2 h and three dogs in Group C at 2 and 6 h. No dogs in Group D required rescue analgesia. The CMPS-SF pain scores of dogs in Group C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 2 and 4 h. However, the scores in Group D were not significantly different compared with Group T. In conclusion, this study suggests that nefopam at 2 mg/kg i.v. produces better postoperative analgesia compared with tramadol at 2 mg/kg i.v. or nefopam at 1 mg/kg i.v. in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Soils harbour enormously diverse bacterial communities that interact specifically with plants generating beneficial interactions between them. This study was the first approach to assess bacterial communities before sowing with three cotton genotypes, including both transgenic and conventional ones. The structure of bacterial communities was identified using the next generation sequencing analysis, ion torrent PGM (Personal Genome Machine™) sequencer technology, based on the V2-V3 16S rRNA gene region. Quantitative insights into microbial ecology pipeline were used to identify the structure and diversity of bacterial communities in bulk soil samples collected in the northeast of Mexico. Bulk soil textures and chemical properties, including most nutrients, were homogeneous in these bulk soil samples. Relative abundance analysis showed similar bacterial community structures. Dominant taxonomic phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes and Bacteroidetes, whereas the main families were Bacillaceae, Chitinophagaceae and Rhodospirillaceae with an abundance average of BS1 (bulk soil sample), BS2 and BS3 (24.85, 19.74 and 19.71%, respectively). Alpha diversity analysis showed a high diversity (Shannon and Simpson index) and a large value of the observed species found in bulk soils samples. These results allowed establishing the previous bacterial structural community in an unused soil before sowing it with a transgenic crop for the first time.

The effects of a simple saline solution prepared using two different pH (4.4 and 8.5) on sperm motility in burbot were investigated. Results were recorded during a 96-hour chilled storage (4°C) in 24-hour intervals. Measurements were focused on the detailed characteristics of motility using 12 parameters obtained from the Computer-assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). Significantly higher progressive motility (pMOT), distance average path (DAP), distance curved line, distance straight line (DSL), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, and beat cross frequency (BCF) were observed with the activating solution buffered at pH 8.5 in comparison with pH 4.4. Already after 24 h a significant reduction was measured in pMOT (0 h: 49 ± 24%, 24 h: 12 ± 7%). Similar decreasing tendency was recorded only after 72 h in DAP (0 h: 26 ± 4 µm/s, 72 h: 19 ± 9 µm/s), DSL (0 h: 21 ± 5 µm/s, 72 h: 17 ± 8 µm/s), VAP (0 h: 59 ± 9 µm/s, 72 h: 43 ± 21 µm/s), and BCF (0 h: 28 ± 2 Hz, 72 h: 18 ± 10 Hz). The response of different investigated CASA parameters to different treatments varied in our experiments. According to our studies, numerous burbot sperm motility parameters are sensitive to chilled storage and to low pH of the activating solution. Our results could support the effective sperm quality assessment and successful artificial propagation process in burbot.

The different materials and methods used to develop biopesticides with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) still limit the quality of the final product, reducing field efficacy and complicating application strategies. Therefore, the objective of this review is to identify priority areas to improve the EPN formulation process based on the scientific and technological research developed so far. The results show great progress in the EPN survival time, from 7 days to 180 days, through two types of formulations: water dispersible granules and calcium alginate capsules. Also, EPNs formulated and applied as insect cadavers showed higher efficacy for the pest control than the EPNs applied in an aqueous solution. We consider that the priority areas of research are: automated massive formulation and exploration of new additives with better properties that may lead to increase the infectivity in the field. It is concluded that the study of these aspects requires a systemic approach with greater involvement of the invertebrate physiology and systems modelling disciplines.

To develop new natural fungicides, six monoterpenes and two phenylpropenes were tested for their antifungal activity against eight plant pathogenic fungi. The results of the mycelial growth inhibition assay showed that trans-cinnamaldehyde was the most potent compound against the eight tested fungi with EC₅₀ values ranging between 0.75 and 3.19 mg/l. This compound caused the higher mycelial growth inhibition than carbendazim. Furthermore, (-)-menthone exhibited strong antifungal activity against Alternaria solani (EC₅₀ = 9.31 mg/l), Penicillium digitatum (EC₅₀ = 16.14 mg/l), and Rhizoctonia solani (EC₅₀ = 24.69 mg/l). Likewise, eugenol showed potent antifungal activity against P. digitatum, R. solani, Fusarium solani, and A. solani, whereas EC₅₀ values were less than 30.0 mg/l. In a separate experiment, trans-cinnamaldehyde, p-cymene, eugenol, and (-)-menthone were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on pectin methyl esterase and cellulase. The tested compounds exhibited the pronounced inhibition of enzyme activities with trans-cinnamaldehyde being the most potent inhibitor for both enzymes.

The EN ISO 6579/2002 guideline was used for the detection of Salmonella in retail poultry and pork meat in the Czech Republic in 2013 and 2014. The laboratory confirmed isolates were further typed (slide agglutination, phage typing, resistance to antimicrobial agents, PCR for the detection of selected genes encoding plasmid mediated quinolone resistance). Out of 176 poultry and 223 pork meat samples, 24 (13.6%) and 6 (2.7%) were positive for the detection of Salmonella spp., respectively. In Salmonella isolates from poultry, 14 serotypes were differentiated with S. indiana, S. enteritidis and S. 6,7:-:1,5 being the most common serotypes. S. typhimurium and its monophasic variant S. 4,[5],12:i:- were predominant in pork meat. The overall resistance to one antimicrobial agent at least was high in both groups of isolates - 50% (poultry) and 71.4% (pork). No Salmonella isolate was confirmed to carry any of the selected PMQR genes. The study showed a higher prevalence of Salmonella in poultry, but pork meat also poses a risk to consumers.

The Štiavnické vrchy Mts. were strongly affected by pollution mostly from an aluminium plant in 1953-1989. This paper compares contamination of soils between Štiavnické vrchy Mts. and the neighbouring little polluted Kremnické vrchy Mts. from results of a 25-year study. After a decrease of emissions in Slovakia at the beginning of the 1990s the sulphate sulphur content, acidity and conductivity of soil water have decreased only on the surface and at a depth of 0.10 m at the study site in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts. At the depth 0.25 m the increase of sulphurization (23.68 kg/ha S-SO₄^2- per year) and acidity (pH 4.92) was observed. During the research, the total sulphate sulphur influx to this soil depth was 568.3 kg/ha. The average sulphur input in the study areas of the Kremnické vrchy Mts. decreased with depth: from 18.48 kg/ha/year in the surface humus to 6.85 kg/ha/year at a depth of 0.25 m. The maximum sulphur influx at the open plot was 24.06 kg/ha/year and in total 553.34 kg S-SO₄^2-. A small increase of acidity at soil depths of 0.25 m at some sites was observed also in the Kremnické vrchy Mts. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant influence of sulphate sulphur content in the atmospheric precipitation on the sulphur amount in the soil water. A significant correlation was also observed between the precipitation amount and the sulphur content in soil water. Data from monitoring revealed significant differences between the sulphur amounts at depths of 0.10 m and 0.25 m in these study areas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of physical exercise (marcha gait) on heart rate variability indices in Mangalarga Marchador horses. Twenty-five animals, fourteen females and eleven males, aged 6.4 ± 2.7 years and with a mean weight of 428.3 ± 24.7 kg, were used. Electrocardiograms were recorded at two different time points: rest and immediately after exercise (40 min of aerobic exercise, marcha gait). Time domain analyses of heart rate variability were made using vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) and standard deviation of normal intervals (SDNN). Variables were analysed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test and comparisons were made between T0 and T1 using the paired t-test (VVTI) or Mann-Whitney (SDNN), considering P < 0.05. The Pearson coefficient was calculated to evaluate the correlation between heart rate and VVTI and the Spearman coefficient was calculated for heart rate and SDNN. There was an increase in heart rate after exercise (P < 0.0001), from 45.7 ± 12.7 to 77.3 ± 13.5 beats/min, and a reduced VVTI (P < 0.0001), from 8.66 ± 1.45 to 4.65 ± 1.25 and a reduced SDNN (P < 0.0001), from 80.09 to 11.67 ms. No correlation was observed between heart rate and VVTI or SDNN. It was possible to conclude that the physical activity carried out by Mangalarga Marchador horses influenced the autonomic response and consequently heart rate variability indexes, suggesting the possible use of these indices for the evaluation of Mangalarga Marchador performance.

The uncontrolled release of arachidonic acid (ARA) and its metabolism by lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway can induce and aggravate cellular oxidative stress. Selenium (Se) is an integral part of some antioxidative selenoproteins and may protect cells from oxidative damage by modulating ARA release and metabolism. The present study aimed to investigate the protective response of Se against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). The BMECs were incubated for 24 h in serum-free medium and then divided into four groups randomly. The cells in groups 1 and 2 were subsequently incubated for 30 h in serum-free medium containing 0 (control) and 50 nM Se (Se treatment group). The cells in groups 3 and 4 were incubated for 24 h in serum-free medium containing 0 and 50 nM Se, and then treated with 600 μM H₂O₂ for 6 h (H₂O₂ damage group and Se prevention group). The results showed that Se attenuated the H₂O₂-induced production of reactive oxygen species and the decrease of antioxidative enzymes as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), selenoprotein P (SelP), superoxide dismutase, and catalase in BMECs. The preventive effects of Se on the decrease of selenoprotein activity were demonstrated further by the increase of mRNA expression for GPX1, TrxR1, and SelP, and protein expression for GPX1 and TrxR1. Pretreatment of cells with Se inhibited the H₂O₂-induced increase of mRNA expressions and activities for cytosolic phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase, ARA release, and 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid production. Se also blocked the H₂O₂-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not that of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. These results suggested that Se may protect BMECs against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage by increasing selenoproteins synthesis, inhibiting MAPK pathway, and then decreasing ARA release and its metabolism by LOX pathway.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vital signs of newborn puppies using the modified Apgar score after spontaneous delivery and caesarean section. The survival of puppies was monitored for up to 24 hours after birth. The experiment consisted of ten deliveries of bitches with dystocia terminated by caesarean section (C-section group) and ten bitches with spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD group). Vital signs of neonates were evaluated using a modified method of the Apgar score 5, 10 and 15 min after birth. Five evaluation criteria (colour of mucous membranes, reflex irritability, motility, heart rate and respiration) were used with puppies classified into three scoring groups: "severe distress" (0-3 points), "moderate distress" (4-6 points) and "no distress" (7-10 points). In the SVD group, 57 puppies were evaluated; 98.2% of puppies were born alive, all survived their first 24 hours of life. At the time of birth, 1.8% of puppies were dead (1/57). The Apgar scores of all foetuses were in the "no distress" category. In the C-section group (n = 37), 13.5% of puppies (5/37) were stillborn, two puppies (6.3%) died within 24 hours of delivery. The "no distress" group included 51.4% (19/37) of puppies, while 5.4% (2/37) of puppies were classified into "moderate distress" and 43.2% of puppies (16/37; P < 0.001 at 5 min, P < 0.005 at 10 min and P < 0.005 at 15 min after delivery) were classified into "severe distress". These results confirm the influence of type of delivery on the Apgar score immediately after parturition and on the short-term survival rate of puppies after parturition.

Propolis is a popular subject of research worldwide due to its therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial activity of propolis appears to be promising but depends on many variables related to its origin such as the content of phenolics and flavonoids. To address this issue with Croatian propolis, which has two major origins (Mediterranean and continental), we exposed bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and yeasts (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) to different propolis concentrations (two-fold microdilution method with TCC/formazan endpoint). Total phenolic and flavonoid content and chromatographic profile along with antioxidant activity were assessed. The majority of the 24 propolis samples tested exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus bacteria and the yeast C. albicans. Most propolis samples also exhibited robust antioxidative capacity which correlated polyphenol and flavonoid content. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in which the antimicrobial activity of Croatian propolis is correlated with its constituents.

Bísaro pig, a local endangered swine breed, has gained popularity in the recent years. A complete pedigree was used to evaluate the population structure and investigate the current breed's genetic variability in two reference populations (AlivePop and AliveBpop). Since the breed's foundation, the number of registered animals, producers, and farrowing records has increased. The mean progeny size for sires was 116.17 ± 210.81, and 3.24% of the breeding boars originated 26.54% of all registered births showing a marked unbalanced use of certain sires. The mean calculated equivalent generations was 4.54, and 98.1% of all the animals had known parents, indicating a good degree of pedigree completion and depth. Approximately half of the individuals were inbred, with average inbreeding values of 10.41, 9.02, and 8.58% for the whole and reference populations, respectively. Considering both reference populations, a low effective founder/ancestor ratio was obtained (1.12), showing a well-balanced founder/ancestor contribution, and subsequent genetic transfer. However, the effective founder/founder ratio was particularly low (0.06 and 0.12) compared with other native breeds. The founder genome/effective founder ratios were 0.37 and 0.41 for AlivePop and AliveBpop. Contrarily to the whole population, the random genetic drift weighted significantly more than the drift due to unequal founder contribution in the reference populations. The effective population size based on the increase in coancestry ranged from 62.39 and 54.66, and 16.74 and 24.84 based on the increase of individual inbreeding, for the whole and reference populations. The genetic conservation index steadily grew over the years with a mean value of 6.53 for the whole pedigree. Genetic variability losses and diffuse structuring might have occurred in the Bísaro population. Notwithstanding, the recent genetic variability indicators seem positive, yet supported by an open herdbook policy. These characteristics must be taken into account to define future mating policies and selection programs.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of colostrum quality and composition on passive calf immunity in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Twenty-four primiparous and 24 multiparous dairy cows were used in this study. Calves born from primiparous dairy cows comprised the first group and calves born from multiparous dairy cows constituted the second group. After birth, colostrum samples were immediately taken from dairy cows. Venous blood samples were collected from the calves before the first colostrum intake and on the 2^nd, 7^th, 14^th and 28^th days after the first colostrum intake. Blood and colostrum samples were analysed for biochemical parameters, immunoglobulin and mineral levels. Fat and crude protein levels in colostrum were determined using the Gerber and Kjeldahl methods, respectively. Immunoglobulin levels in the colostrum of multiparous cows were significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to primiparous cows while fat ratio, LDH activity, Ca, Mg, P and K levels were lower. There was a positive correlation among colostrum immunoglobulin, gamma-glutamyltransferase, crude protein and total protein. Serum immunoglobulin, total protein, globulin and gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in all calves were increased following the colostrum feeding. However, the serum immunoglobulin, total protein, globulin and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in the second group of calves were higher than those of the first group of calves. There was a positive correlation among serum immunoglobulin, gamma-glutamyltransferase, globulin and total protein. Fe concentrations in all calves decreased over the course of 14 days and were lower in the second group of calves compared to the first group. In conclusion, the results of this study show that the colostrum quality of multiparous cows was better than that of primiparous cows. Colostrum crude protein, total protein, gamma-glutamyltransferase along with colostrum immunoglobulin might be used to determine colostrum quality. Serum immunoglobulin, total protein, globulin and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities could be used to determine the passive transfer status of calves.

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the C-ring aiming guide for the atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation technique in toy breed dogs. Twenty-one adult canine cadavers of toy breed dogs were used in this study. The left and right sides of the cervical vertebrae were randomly assigned to two implant insertion groups: a C-ring aiming guide group and a drill guide group. A 1.2-mm Kirschner wire was inserted into each side by using either a C-ring aiming guide or a drill guide. CT scans were performed before and after surgery. The optimal safe implantation corridor angle and length, the implant insertion angle and length, the implant insertion time and the proportion of the insertion corridor to the optimal corridor were evaluated. Violations to the alar foramen and the vertebral canal also were evaluated. The implant insertion time was twice as long as that observed in the aiming guide group (P < 0.05). The proportion of the insertion angle and length to the optimal angle were not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05). With respect to precision, there was a trend toward less variability in the aiming guide group; however, this difference was not significant (P = 0.09). The violation of the alar foramen was significantly lower in the aiming guide group than in the drill guide group (P < 0.05). Violation to the vertebral canal was detected in one cadaver in the drill guide group but did not occur in the aiming guide group. The use of a C-ring aiming guide was associated with less damage to the alar foramen and the vertebral canal during atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation in toy breed dogs.

Putative strains belonging to Xanthomonas spp. causing leaf spot and blight diseases on geranium (Pelargonium peltatum and P. hortorum), begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida), anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum), Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), and English ivy (Hedera helix) growing in Turkey were isolated. All bacterial strains were classified as Gram-negative, oxidase negative, catalase, levan and starch hydrolysis positive, with hypersensitive reaction positive on tobacco and pathogenic to host plants. Identification of these strains was further confirmed by serological method using ELISA kits, conventional PCR, carbon utilisation, and FAME. Results of the identification showed that 28, 24, 10, 2, and 1 strains were identified as X. axonopodis pv. begoniae, X. hortorum pv. pelargonii, X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae, X. hortorum pv. hederae, and Xanthomonas sp., respectively. This is the first report of X. hortorum pv. hederae on English ivy in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible harmful effect of Sarcocystis parasites on bovine diaphragm meat quality. Meat samples were collected from 120 bulls aged 20-24 months. Meat quality was investigated using microbiological and physico-chemical (RP-HPLC, GC) methods 48 hours after slaughter. Sarcocystis infection was associated with increased fat content, lightness L* and drip loss, and decreased ash and protein percentages. Infection also had a significant effect on the amount of amino acids (AAs), which slowly decreased as the number of sarcocysts increased. The total amount of AAs correlated with glutamic acid content (R = 0.966, P < 0.05). Heavily infected samples contained significantly lower amounts of putrescine, histamine, spermine and spermidine (P < 0.05) and a noticeable increase in the total count of aerobic microorganisms, but no change in the numbers of E. coli and coliform bacteria in comparison with no infected samples. Sarcocysts in beef diaphragms did not cause serious changes in the technological quality of the meat, but the biological quality of infected meat was reduced.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a vitrification-warming procedure on the viability of cat embryos and blastocysts and the incidence of apoptotic changes in blastocysts subjected to vitrification and blastocyst that developed from vitrified embryos. In the first part of the experiment, post-thaw embryo development and blastocyst viability were evaluated based on morphological appearance and the ability to develop (embryos) or re-expand (blastocyst) compared to control. In the second part, blastocysts that were viable after vitrification-warming and blastocysts that developed from vitrified-warmed embryos were stained with Annexin-V and TUNEL to evaluate apoptotic changes. Most of the vitrified-warmed embryos were viable after thawing, 36.3% developed to morula, and 14.7% to the blastocyst stage. The overall re-expansion rate of blastocysts that were vitrified on day 7 was 55.6%. Vitrification significantly increased apoptotic and necrotic changes in blastocysts, but did not influence late apoptotic and necrotic changes in blastocysts that developed from vitrified-warmed embryos. The total number of blastomeres in blastocysts was similar in blastocysts that developed from vitrified-warmed embryos (99.1 ± 23.1), but lower in blastocysts vitrified on day 7 (82.1 ± 16.8), if compared to the control group (107.9 ± 24.2). These results show that the vitrification-warming procedure returns embryos capable of further development to a good quality blastocyst in vitro. Whereas, vitrification of blastocysts caused the progression of apoptotic changes in some blastomeres, however it did not affect the overall blastocyst viability.

In dairy cows, immunosuppression occurs frequently during the periparturient period and is characterised by transient neutropenia and impaired polymorphonuclear neutrophil function. As a consequence, postpartum cows are more susceptible to production-related diseases such as mastitis, retained foetal membranes and metritis. Recently, it has been shown that a double injection with recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor covalently bound to polyethylene glycol (PEG rbG-CSF) increased polymorphonuclear neutrophil number and the exocytosis of myeloperoxidase by stimulating polymorphonuclear neutrophil, which also played a role in innate uterine immune defence. The aim of this randomised clinical study was to investigate the effects of two periparturient PEG rbG-CSF injections (IMR; Imrestor^TM, Elanco Animal Health, Bad Homburg/Germany) on the incidence of acute puerperal metritis, number of antibiotic doses required for treatment of acute puerperal metritis as well as parameters of milking performance (i.e., milk yield, milk fat, milk protein, and somatic cell count on the first dairy herd improvement test day) in primiparous cows within a dairy herd with an elevated incidence of acute puerperal metritis. In total, 169 heavily pregnant heifers were randomly assigned to the treatment group (IMR: n = 82) who received 15 mg PEG rbG-CSF subcutaneously 10 ± 3 days before the anticipated calving date and within 24 hours after calving, or to the untreated control group (Co: n = 87). In total, data from 157 animals (IMR: n = 75, Co: n = 82) were analysed. Administration of PEG rbG-CSF reduced the incidence of acute puerperal metritis in primiparous cows significantly (IMR: 22.7%, Co: 43.9%, P = 0.003; relative reduction: 48.3%). Moreover, the number of antibiotic doses per calving required for treatment of acute puerperal metritis was significantly lower in the pegbovigastrim group (IMR: 0.32 ± 0.66, Co: 0.59 ± 0.75, P = 0.005). No significant differences regarding incidence of clinical mastitis, milk production or milk composition were observed. These results suggest that further research should be performed to identify herd- and animal-specific factors that can be predictors of the beneficial effects of pegbovigrastim in preventing uterine diseases.

We propose a sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of flavonoids as expressed in 'quercetin equivalent' in apple juices. The method is based on the strong emission of the aluminium(III)-quercetin complex at 480 nm with excitation at 420 nm, and it is successfully applied for the determination of flavonoids in commercial apple juices and compared with results obtained in reference spectrophotometric determination. The flavonoid content in commercial apple juices was found to range from 5.53 to 15.55 mg/l quercetin equivalent. The very good agreement between the two methods indicates the suitability of the proposed spectrofluorimetric method for the precise and accurate determination of flavonoids. In addition, the total polyphenol content was determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method and the antioxidative activity of the tested juices was tested in a DPPH assay and these values were correlated with each other. The obtained profiles of compounds with antioxidative ability lead us to conclude that fruit juice labels based only on fruit % might sometimes misinform consumers.

Chilling damage significantly reduces grain yield in rice, while exploring major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) has the potential to improve rice production. Mapping of QTLs for 5 cold tolerance-related traits at the booting stage was conducted with SSR markers and inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) approach, based on 105 near-isogenic lines derived from a backcross between Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH, cold-tolerant landrace) and Towada (cold-sensitive cultivar). Phenotype values were investigated under five cold-stress environments and analysed by the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP). Twenty-one QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 11, and the amount of variation (R²) explained by each QTL ranged from 7.71 to 29.66%, with five co-located QTL regions. Eight novel major loci (qSF-2, qSF-6a, qSF-7, qGW-6, qDGWP-4, qDSWPP-4, qDWPP-1 and qDWPP-4b) were detected in several environments and BLUP, and their alleles were contributed by LTH with R² variance from 12.24 to 29.66%. These favourable QTLs would facilitate elucidation of the genetic mechanism of cold tolerance and provide strategies for breeding high-productive rice.

This study was conducted to investigate the growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, rumen enzymes, and fattening earnings of beef cattle when substituting corn stalk silage with corn silage or corn grain in finishing rations. Forty-five Bohai Black steers were selected and fattened in a three-phase (4 weeks-4 weeks-16 weeks) way with one of three diets based on corn silage (CS), corn stalk silage (SS) without/with equivalent corn grain supplement (SSC), respectively. During the 24-week trial, individual feed intake and body weight were recorded every four weeks. By the end, blood and rumen fluid were sampled, and all the cattle were slaughtered to evaluate carcass performance. There were no significant differences found in the body weight gain, daily feed intake or feed efficiency among different dietary treatments over the whole finishing period except that the cattle fed CS achieved higher weight gain and feed efficiency in Phase 2 than those fed SS or SSC along with a lower feed intake than that of cattle fed SSC. No significant effect was found on the hot carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, dressing percentage, aging loss, loin eye area, and the weights of chuckeye, ribeye, striploin, and tenderloin. The cattle fed CS showed lower blood concentrations of ALT and glucose along with a higher ratio of AST and ALT than those fed SS. The cattle fed SSC also presented a higher activity of avicelase in the rumen fluid and their fattening earnings were approximately $27.50 less than those of the cattle fed CS or SS. These results suggest that substituting corn stalk silage with corn silage or corn grain could not improve animal performance and it is more economical to substitute corn stalk silage with corn silage rather than supplement equivalent corn grain in a high-concentrate finishing ration.

The contribution presents the results of a 5-year (2008-2012) dendroecological research in a Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) clone forest (Northern Slovakia). Due to different climatic and soil moisture conditions in the monitored years, different seasonal courses of stem increment formation were observed using band dendrometers with continuous data recording. The lack of precipitation affected growth processes mainly during the growth culmination and at the end of summer. The multiple regression analysis of the impact of individual factors on stem circumference changes on the basis of their partial correlation coefficients revealed that the individual environmental characteristics influenced daily stem radial changes with time lags of one to ten days. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the stem radial reactions to climatic and soil moisture factors were not significantly different between the clones.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of whole seeds of white lupine and different binder types in complete pelleted diets on selected haematological and plasma biochemical indicators of growing dwarf rabbits. The individual litters of Dwarf Lop rabbit kits were randomised after birth into control (n = 12) and experimental (E) groups. The young rabbits of the E group (n = 24) received an experimental pre-weaning diet containing a 25% share of white lupine seeds. At the time of weaning, the live weights of eight-week-old rabbits in the control group and E group were 727 g and 743 g, respectively. The weaned rabbits of the E group were further equally divided into two post-weaning experimental dietary groups (M = 12; G = 12); these diets contained a 20% share of white lupine seeds each and their composition only differed in the type of the binder (molasses or glycerol component). The rabbits of the control group received a commercial pet rabbit diet with no white lupine seeds during the entire experimental period. At the age of eight weeks, the diet showed a significant effect on the level of albumin (P < 0.05), A/G ratio (P < 0.05) and ALP activity (P < 0.01) in plasma of dwarf rabbit kits. Significant effects of diet were found in 15-week old rabbits in relation to the plasma level of albumin (P < 0.05), Ca (P < 0.05), A/G ratio (P < 0.05) and ALT activity (P < 0.01). The dietary inclusion of white lupine seeds resulted in beneficial health effects on certain blood indicators of rabbits, and their use in the proportion of 25% in the pre-weaning diet and 20% in the post-weaning diet can be recommended as a suitable feed additive for dwarf rabbits. The use of crude glycerol as binder in the experimental diet had no adverse effect on the blood indicators of the growing rabbits and thus it can be recommended for the manufacture of feed pellets intended for dwarf rabbits.

This study was aimed at determining the nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal digestion values of Plantago lanceolata herbage in different phenological stages. The plant samples were gathered in the vegetative, flowering and early seed stages of the plant. The crude protein, diethyl ether extract, ash, non-fibre carbohydrates, and proanthocyanidins levels of the vegetative and flowering stages were higher than those of the early seed stage (P < 0.001). Structural carbohydrate levels (P < 0.05) were determined to have a higher value in the early seed stage. Glucose, fructose, Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe and Cu concentrations decreased as the plant matured (P < 0.001), but Na, Zn, and Mn concentrations increased (P < 0.05). The asymptote gas production, gas production rate (P < 0.001), total gas production at 24 h (P = 0.002), metabolic energy, net energy lactation and organic matter digestibility values and the number of Entodinium (P < 0.001) and total bacteria count (P = 0.026) of the flowering and vegetative stages were higher than those of the early seed stage. Methane produced by 0.2 g dry matter was similar in the three phenological stages (P = 0.078). The bound condensed tannins and saponin contents of plants and ammoniacal-N, number of total protozoa and pH value of rumen fluid were similar in the three different phenological stages (P > 0.05). The present study indicates that P. lanceolata in the vegetative and flowering stages has, owing to its chemical composition, energy content and digestibility, the potential to be used as a forage source for ruminants in areas affected by drought.

Soil microbial properties are varied by growing different crops, ultimately reflecting the growth and reproduction of crops. In this study, two types of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. ZS11 and ZY821) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ZM9023) were planted in the Jianghan plain of China. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected three months after sowing. Soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial diversity were determined. The results showed that soil available phosphorus significantly increased from 25.57 mg/kg (ZM9023) to 33.20 mg/kg (ZS11) and 35.72 mg/kg (ZY821), respectively. Invertase activity of ZS821 (0.86 mg glucose/g) was significantly lower than in ZS11 (1.04 mg glucose/g). Acid phosphatase activity under planting rapes was significantly higher than that under wheat. Urease activities significantly increased from 40.88 mg NH₄⁺-N/g soil/24 h (NFP) to 49.04 mg NH₄⁺-N/g soil/24 h (FNP) and 51.28 mg NH₄⁺-N/g soil/24 h (ZM9023), 51.60 mg NH₄⁺-N/g soil/24 h (ZY821) and 52.28 mg NH₄⁺-N/g soil/24 h (ZS11), respectively. The ACE (abundance based coverage estimator) and Chao1 indexes of bacteria of ZS11 were lower than ZY821, which were similar to ZM9023. Fertilization increased soil bacterial ACE and Chao1 indexes. However, ACE and Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of soil fungi for ZS11 were significantly higher than in ZY821, which were similar to ZM9023 (except for the Shannon index).

The Smeda catchment, where the Smeda Brook drains an area of about 26 km², is located in northern Bohemia in the Jizerské hory Mts. This experimental mountain catchment with the Bily Potok downstream gauge profile was selected as a model area for simulating extreme rainfall-runoff processes, using the KINFIL model supplemented by the Curve Number (CN) method. The combination of methods applied here consists of two parts. The first part is an application of the CN theory, where CN is correlated with hydraulic conductivity K_s of the soil types, and also with storage suction factor S_f at field capacity FC: CN = f(K_s, S_f). The second part of the combined KINFIL/CN method, represented by the KINFIL model, is based on the kinematic wave method which, in combination with infiltration, mitigates the overland flow. This simulation was chosen as an alternative to an enormous amount of field measurements. The combination used here was shown to provide a successful method. However, practical application would require at least four sub-catchments, so that more terraces can be placed. The provision of effective measures will require more investment than is currently envisaged.

The present study has been done to evaluate the impact of pure ash stand and mixed stand with beech on the herb layer biodiversity and soil properties in the forests of Noor city. There is a unique stand of ash in the forests of Noor city and at 1,900-2,100 m a.s.l., which is rarely seen like that in the northern forests of Iran. Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H'), Simpson index of dominance (D), Margalef richness (R₁) and Pielou's evenness were used to analyse biodiversity. Sampling was also conducted to investigate physical and chemical properties of soil (bulk density, acidity, electrical conductivity, soil moisture, soil lime, nitrogen and organic carbon) in each sample plot and at two depths (10 and 20 cm). The total number of 26 soil samples (13 soil samples at either depth) in pure ash stand and 24 soil samples (12 soil samples at either depth) from this type of stand mixed with beech were taken. The results of plant species biodiversity showed that between the pure ash stand and the stand mixed with beech there is a significant difference at the 99% probability level in Shannon-Wiener diversity, Margalef richness, and Simpson dominance. There is also a significant difference at the 95% probability level between the two stands under study in Pielou's evenness index. The results of soil factors also showed that at the depth of 10-20 cm acidity factor showed a significant difference from its adjacent stand at the 99% probability level. There is also a significant difference at the 99% probability level in acidity (0-10 cm) and soil moisture at the depth of 10-20 cm between the two areas, but there is not any significant difference between the areas under study in electrical conductivity and lime factors at the two depths and also in moisture content at the depth of 0-10 cm. It should be noted that between the stand and soil nitrogen, organic carbon and bulk density parameters at both depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) a significant difference at the 95% confidence level is shown.

The paper describes the preparation and evaluation of phenolic extracts from waste materials - pomace (grape marc), seeds and press oil cake of the white grape variety Irsai Oliver (Vitis vinifera L.) and their addition to apple and grape juices to increase the nutritional properties. The waste samples were extracted using 50 or 80% ethanol (v/v). Some of the samples were extracted for 60 min at boiling temperature under reflux; the remainder were processed for 24 h on a shaker at room temperature. The highest antioxidant capacity (as measured using DPPH (758 ± 28 mM Trolox/kg of extracted matter)) and content of total polyphenols (74 ± 0.7 g gallic acid/kg of extracted matter) were found in the extract of the seeds obtained through extraction using 50% ethanol (v/v) at boiling temperature for 60 minutes. The press oil cake extract obtained by means of 80% ethanol (v/v) at boiling temperature for 60 min was evaluated as the best for enriching the sensory quality of apple and grape juices. The addition of 1 g of freeze-dried press oil cake extract to 1 l of juice increased the antioxidant capacity and total polyphenol content two-fold