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The objective of this study was to explore how retinoic acid (RA) attenuates oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC). Subconfluence BMEC were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates: the control group (incubated in serum-free medium without RA or H₂O₂ for 30 h), H₂O₂ group (pre-incubated for 24 h without RA, then for another 6 h with 600 μM H₂O₂), RA group (incubated with 1 mg/ml RA for 30 h without H₂O₂), and RA + H₂O₂ group (RA prevention group, pre-incubated with 1 mg/ml RA for 24 h and then for another 6 h with 600 mM H₂O₂). The results showed that the H₂O₂ treatment significantly decreased several measured traits, including the cell viability, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and thioredoxin reductase (TRXR) activities, selenoprotein P (SELP) content, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, total antioxidant capacity, and GPX1, TRXR1, and SELP gene expression, as well as GPX1 and TRXR1 protein expression. H₂O₂ treatment also increased the malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species contents and induced a marked increase of several measured traits, including the arachidonic acid (ARA) concentration, cytosolic phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase gene expression and activity, and 15-hydroxy twenty-four arachidonic acid and hydroxy peroxide tetracosenic arachidonic acid contents. RA pre-treatment prevented corresponding increases in parameters related to ARA metabolism and increased the activity of TRXR. Moreover, RA pre-treatment attenuated the phosphorylation levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase and effectively decreased the ARA content. These results suggest that RA protected BMEC from oxidative stress by elevating TRXR activity, which inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway and led to a decreased concentration of ARA.

From the aspect of probiotic properties and bacteriocins, Enterococcus faecium belongs to the most frequently studied species among enterococci. This study deals with testing the strain of the species Enterococcus durans ED 26E/7 in broiler rabbits. The strain ED 26E/7 isolated from ewes lump cheese produces an antimicrobial substance durancin. Forty-eight post-weaned rabbits (aged 5 weeks) of both sexes were divided into experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) per 24 animals each, and kept in standard cages, two animals per cage. EG group rabbits were additionally administered the ED 26E/7 strain (500 µl/animal/day) into water for 21 days. CG group rabbits were fed a commercial feed. The experiment lasted 42 days. Faeces and blood samples were taken on days 0-1 (experiment onset), 21 (after a 3-week application), and 42 (3 weeks after ED 26E/7 strain cessation). On days 21 and 42, rabbits were slaughtered and caeca and appendix were sampled. The rabbits' digestive tract was found to be sufficiently colonized by the strain ED 26E/7; the antimicrobial effect was demonstrated in caecum and appendix (e.g. decrease in coliforms). Reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts in EG compared to CG rabbits was detected on day 21, when also a significant (P < 0.05) increase of phagocytic activity in EG was registered. Values of glutathione-peroxidase were lower in EG than in CG rabbits on day 21 implying that the ED 26E/7 application had not evoked oxidative stress. Biochemical blood parameters and quality of meat were not negatively influenced. First time tested in animals, E. durans ED 26E/7 seems to be a new candidate for use in rabbits husbandry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate intravenous anaesthesia with alfaxalone for tracheal tube insertion in three species of agamid lizards. Alfaxalone, at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg, was administered intravenously to 80 inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), 10 Rankin's dragons (Pogona henrylawsoni) and 10 Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) following 24 h of fasting. The righting reflex in inland bearded dragons, Rankin's dragons and Chinese water dragons was lost within 12-45 s (17.52 ± 8.80 s), 15-40 s (24.60 ± 9.61 s) and 12-40 s (21.70 ± 9.53 s), respectively. The mean tracheal tube insertion time for inland bearded dragons, Rankin's dragons and Chinese water dragons was 23.61 ± 10.91 s, 35.30 ± 14.71 s and 32.00 ± 14.32 s, respectively. Intravenous use of alfaxalone proved to be a suitable method for safe tracheal tube insertion and induction to inhalation anaesthesia in agamid lizards.

In this study, the presence of Arcobacter spp. was investigated in the faeces of cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and cloacal swab samples of chickens using the 16S rDNA-RFLP method. The prevalence of Arcobacter in these species was found to be 13%, 12%, 16%, 4% and 33%, respectively. On the other hand, Arcobacter spp. could not be isolated from rabbit faeces. A total of 78 (13%) Arcobacter spp. isolates were obtained from the 500 faecal samples and 100 cloacal swab samples examined in this study. From these 78 Arcobacter isolates, 24 (30.8%), 20 (25.6%), 11 (14.1%), 8 (10.7%), 4 (5.1%), 3 (3.9%) and 2 (2.6%) were identified by 16S rDNA-RLFP as A. cryaerophilus, A. butz- leri, A. skirrowii, A. cloacae, A. cibarius, A. halophilus, and A. nitrofigilis, respectively. All A. cryaerophilus (n = 24) isolates were found to be resistant to cloxacillin; all A. butzleri (n = 20) and A. skirrowii isolates were found to be resistant to penicillin/novobiocin, cefoperazone, tetracycline and cloxacillin. It was determined in this study that clinically healthy cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and chickens are reservoirs of Arcobacter spp.

The effects of defatted hemp cake added to corn grits (at ratios of 0, 5, and 10% DM), the moisture content of the mixtures (15, 20, and 25%) and the temperature in the extruder ejection zone (150, 165, and 180°C) on the physical properties of extruded products have been investigated. Statistical optimization of investigated extrusion conditions using the response surface methodology was performed. The hemp cake was completely defatted by means of a supercritical CO2 extraction. The extrusion was performed on a laboratory single screw extruder and regulated by the following parameters: temperature in the dosing and compression zone (120 and 150°C), screw compression ratio (4 : 1), round die (4 mm). The change of extrusion process conditions significantly affected the physical properties of produced snacks. The expansion ratio ranged between 1.38 and 3.11, bulk density between 0.14 and 0.49 g/cm3, hardness between 18.15 and 70.62 N, fracturability from 3.65 to 10.38 mm, and the total colour change between 3.25 and 24.73.

The effects of water restriction on rectal temperature, respiratory rate and selected blood variables in intensively reared Lacaune ewes were evaluated. The tests were carried out over the course of 28 days in spring on 30 lactating sheep divided into three groups of 10 animals each, matched by lactation status and body weight and allocated into individual boxes. The animal groups were as follows: control group W100 with drinking water for the whole day (24 h/24 h), while the two experimental groups each received 80% (W80 group) and 60% (W60 group) of the water ration of the control group, respectively. The feed, in according with physiological and production needs of the animals, was administered in three daily meals (08:00, 14:00 and 20:00 h). Water intake was recorded three times per day (at 08:00, 14:00 and 20:00 h) and the daily feed intake at 08:00 h, while the rectal temperature, respiratory rate were measured and blood samplings were carried out on Day 0, Day 14 and Day 28. In water-restriction groups (W80 and W60) a lower (P < 0.01) feed intake of meadow hay, and a lower ingestion of alfalfa hay pellet in the W60 group compared to W100 group were observed. In addition, the water restriction regimen resulted in a significant decrease of respiratory rate (P < 0.05) and an increase in serum total protein, urea, creatinine, sodium, chlorine, reactive oxygen metabolites, cortisol, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.05), red blood cell counts, and haematocrit (P < 0.01). These results show the important role of water, as limiting factor for animal breeding in low-water availability environments. Where possible, the management of low-dairy breeds should be well adapted to support the productive performance.

Epifluorescence microscopy (EFM) was used to study the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 6, 24, 30, 48, 54, 72, 78, and 96 h growth in a chamber slide system. For this purpose, the biofilm was stained with the Live/Dead BacLight, wherein live and dead cells were visualised based on the cell membrane integrity. With the use of EFM we described 8- of 9-stage biofilm characteristics after 78 h of growth, since the majority of microscopic fields were fully covered with attached cells. However, the 96-h growth resulted in the cell detachment and revealed 30% of dead cells of all those cells that remained on the surface. The susceptibility testing of planktonic and biofilm cells to two disinfectants, chlorine-based and quaternary ammonium compound-based, revealed that biofilm cells were more tolerant to a chlorine-based sanitiser than planktonic counterparts. P. aeruginosa was inhibited by lower concentrations of the quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitiser than the chlorine-based sanitiser, which on the other hand was more effective in cell inactivation, as both the MIC/MBC (inhibitory/bactericidal) measurement and the CFDA/PI (carboxyfluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide) staining indicated.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of four anaesthetics on haematological and biochemical blood profiles in burbot Lota lota L. Blood profiles of burbot were evaluated 10 min and 24 h after anaesthesia with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS 222) (100 mg/l), clove oil (33 mg/l), 2-phenoxyethanol (0.3 ml/l), Propiscin (1 ml/l) and compared to non-anaesthetized control. The tested anaesthetics had no effect on haematological profile of burbot. The exposure to clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol, and Propiscin significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the level of ammonia and glucose. The level of lactate was significantly (P < 0.01) increased following anaesthesia with 2-phenoxyethanol and Propiscin. The levels of total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, and calcium were higher (P < 0.01) with clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol, and Propiscin compared to control. The use of MS 222 showed the lowest effect on haematological and biochemical blood profile and is recommended as a suitable anaesthetic for burbot.

In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic diversity of the cecal microbiota of 3-week-old ducklings fed three diets differing in metabolizable energy. The contents of the ceca were collected from ducklings of different groups. The ceca bacterial DNA was isolated and the V3 to V4 regions of 16S rRNA genes were amplified. The amplicons were subjected to high-throughput sequencing to analyze the bacterial diversity of different groups. The predominant bacterial phyla were Bacteroidetes (~65.67%), Firmicutes (~17.46%), and Proteobacteria (~10.73%). The abundance of Bacteroidetes increased and that of Firmicutes decreased with increasing dietary energy level. The diversity decreased (Simpson diversity index and Shannon diversity index) with the increase in dietary energy level, but the richness remained constant. Notably, Brachyspira bacteria were detected with a very high relative abundance (4.91%) in ceca of ducks fed a diet with 11.30 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, suggesting that low energy content may affect their colonization in cecum.

Individual types of retinal dysplasia - folds, geographic and detached, have different impacts on vision ability. The purpose of this study was to undertake a qualitative and comparative evaluation of retinal activity in the individual types of the retinal dysplasia - folds, geographic and detached. Dogs (n = 24) with an ophthalmoscopic diagnosis of retinal dysplasia (rd) underwent vision testing, ophthalmologic examination and electroretinography. A three-degree scale (mild, moderate and severe) was used to describe the severity of ophthalmoscopic lesions in the rd folds and rd geographic forms. Our findings indicate that retinal folds of mild and moderate severity, and the mild geographic type of the rd, have similar effects on ERG responses, while severe retinal folds give lower ERG responses than moderately advanced geographical rd. This study confirms that electroretinography may generate a more comprehensive view of an altered retinal activity in the course of rd, which is helpful in making decisions on qualifying or excluding a given individual from the breeding program.

The reaction of ten winter wheat cultivars grown in the Czech Republic to inoculation with Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis was evaluated in a small plot trial. In a parallel field trial the natural occurrence of stem-base disease complex in six of the tested cultivars was assessed. Lower severity of eyespot (and/or stem-base diseases) was observed in cultivars possessing the resistance gene Pch1 (cvs Hermann, Annie, Princeps, Manager, and Rebell) in plots inoculated with Oculimacula spp. as well as in natural field conditions. A total of 468 wheat stem bases from the Czech Republic was screened by PCR to study the frequency of eyespot causal agents. The plants were colonised significantly more often by both species Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis together than separately.

Three-year strict experiments with winter rapeseed were conducted in three experimental stations. In the research, winter rape fertilization with elemental sulphur (S) in the doses: 20, 40 and 60 kg S/ha, boron (B) - in the dose of 2 kg B/ha and copper (Cu) - 5 kg Cu/ha were applied. Microelements were introduced separately, in treatments B and Cu, as well as in combination B + Cu. The experimental soils featured low content of sulphate sulphur SO₄^2--S and boron, medium and low copper content. Rapeseed fertilization with sulphur, boron and copper resulted in their increased concentration in plants. Sulphur at 40 and 60 kg S/ha doses affected the increase in oilseed rape grain yield by 11-12% compared to the not fertilized treatment. The dose of 20 kg S/ha did not show any significant influence on yield. The yield increased by more than 10% in the comparison to the treatment without B and Cu, was obtained due to boron, as well as combination of boron and copper fertilization. A significant increase in fat content, in relation to not fertilized treatment, ranking from 1.0-1.4% dry matter, was recorded after fertilization with the highest sulphur dose - 60 kg S/ha, as well as after application of boron and copper fertilization.

Utilization of waste suitable as a fuel for small combustion devices is a very important issue. Therefore, this article analyzes selected waste materials from agriculture and maintenance of municipal vegetation. The pellet samples from composting had very high ash content (22.39 and 36.85% wt.), which resulted in low values of net calorific value (12.66 and 10.24 MJ/kg), but also in bad properties of these samples in high concentration of harmful emission. Other problematic fuel samples were pellets from maintenance of city vegetation and reed canary grass, for which high concentration of carbon monoxide was measured during combustion process. The device used for these experiments is based on burner furnace. Combustion conditions could be improved by more uniform fuel supply to the burner and better control of combustion air. Boiler with advanced combustion control can reach better results during combustion process. Results in this article are valid for tested materials combusted in simple pellet burner with limited ability to control combustion process.

This study was aimed at comparing the postoperative analgesic effects of tolfenamic acid and meloxicam in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in 24 female dogs. All dogs were administered pre-anaesthetic medication comprised of 0.02 mg/kg i.m. acepromazine, and general anaesthesia was induced with i.v. propofol (4-6 mg/kg) and maintained with 1.5-2.0% isoflurane. Dogs were divided into three groups (n = 8). Following induction of anaesthesia, group C received 0.05 ml/kg sterile saline i.m.; group T received 4 mg/kg tolfenamic acid i.m.; group M received 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam s.c. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mean arterial pressure and arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin were monitored intraoperatively. Pain was assessed using the short form of the Glasgow composite pain scale (SF-GCPS) by two observers who were blinded to the treatment groups; pain was assessed at the time of pre-medication (baseline), and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after extubation. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg i.m. methadone) was administered to any dog with an SF-GCPS score of greater than or equal to six during postoperative monitoring. The pain score in group C was significantly higher compared with group T and group M at 4, 6 and 8 h, while there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. The mean pain score in group C was also higher than that in group M at 2 h. Rescue analgesia was first administered at 4 h in group C. Rescue analgesia was required by significantly more dogs in group C (n = 8) compared with groups T (n = 0) and M (n = 1), but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Thus, tolfenamic acid and meloxicam provide adequate postoperative analgesia to similar degrees over 24 h in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

In search for botanicals as an alternative remedy to synthetic chemicals in the pest control of tea plantations, ferns such as Adiantum raddianum, Asplenium aethiopicum, Cyclosorus interruptus, Dicranopteris linearis, Diplazium polypodioides, and Pteridium aquilinum were evaluated against the two major pests of tea, red spider mite Oligonychus coffeae Nietner and tea mosquito bug Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, which are the foremost seasonal pests in tea fields, causing severe crop loss. Apart from synthetic chemicals, only the neem kernel extract is recommended in tea fields. The aqueous extracts of ferns were screened at different concentrations against these pests under laboratory and field conditions. The extracts of P. aquilinum and D. linearis showed good contact toxicity at a 5% concentration to O. coffeae. The acaricidal activity was observed in the order P. aquilinum > D. linearis > C. interruptus > A. raddianum > D. polypodioides > A. aethiopicum. Under field conditions, the extract of D. linearis and P. aquilinum showed a 50% reduction in the population of red spider mite and caused no phytotoxic effect to tea leaves. But their insecticidal activity was less pronounced against H. theivora. They exhibit antifeedant activity, which was sustained only for 24 hours. The photochemical screening of extracts showed a qualitatively increased level of saponins in P. aquilinum, D. linearis, and C. interruptus. The study shows that the aqueous extracts of D. linearis and P. aquilinum can be incorporated in the mite control programme in tea.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of trehalose and cysteine on sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity during liquid storage of Merino ram semen. Ejaculates were collected using artificial vaginas from five Merino rams, microscopically evaluated and pooled at 37 °C. The pooled semen samples were diluted in a Tris-based extender, including cysteine (2 mM and 4 mM), trehalose (10 mM and 25 mM) and no antioxidant (control). Diluted semen samples were kept in tubes and cooled from 37 to 5 °C in a cold cabinet, and maintained at 5 °C. Cooled samples were evaluated for sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Extender supplemented with trehalose (10 and 25 mM) and cysteine (2 and 4 mM) led to higher motility in comparison to the control at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of liquid storage (P < 0.05). Trehalose at the doses of 10 mM, 25 mM and 2 mM cysteine led to higher viability between 24-48-72 h and at 96 h of liquid storage (P < 0.05). Further, 4 mM of cysteine improved sperm viability rates at 24 and 48 h of storage compared to the control group (P < 0.05), and resulted in improved acrosome integrity rates compared to the control group at 72 and 96 h of storage (P < 0.05). Extender supplemented with 10 and 25 mM trehalose at 24 and 72 h and 4 mM cysteine at 24 and 96 h of storage led to higher sperm mitochondrial activity rates when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study show that trehalose and cysteine provided significant protection to ram sperm parameters during liquid storage.

The effect of foliar application of selenium (Se) fertilizers (sodium selenite and selenate) in two different Se doses (10 and 20 g/ha) on grain yield, Se content and mechanical and technological parameters of winter wheat grain was investigated in the field fertilization experiment. Foliar spray application of Se was applied at the growth stage of the 2^nd node on the main stem (32 BBCH). Selenate foliar applications in dose 10 g Se per ha showed a significant increase of grain yield in comparison to control treatment without Se application. The mechanical and technological parameters of wheat grain were not significantly affected by both selenite and selenate foliar application. The average Se concentration was significantly lower in 2007/2008 (grain yield 8.72 t/ha) than 2006/2007 (yield 6.35 t/ha) growing season (0.133 versus 0.189 mg Se/kg dry matter). The grain Se absorption efficiency at foliar application of 10 and 20 g Se/ha of selenite and selenate were 1.35-1.45% and 13.24-15.14%, respectively.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of selection on the genome structure of beef cattle through identification of selection signatures reflecting the breeding standard of each breed and to discover potential functional genetic variants to improve performance traits. Genotyping data of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, Piedmontese and Romagnola) were used to perform genome-wide scans for selection signatures. The approaches applied were based on an assumption that selection leads to linkage disequilibrium or to a decrease of genetic variability in genomic regions containing genotypes connected with favourable phenotypes. Thus, the selection signatures were analysed based on Wright's F_ST index, distribution of runs of homozygosity segments in the beef genome and determination of linkage disequilibrium variability between breeds. The number and length of detected selection signals were different depending on the breeds and methodological approaches. As expected due to the breeding goals of analysed breeds, common signals were located on autosomes 2, 6, 7, 13 and 20 close to the genes associated with coat colour (KIT, KDR), muscle development (GDF9, GHRH, GHR), double muscling (MSTN), meat tenderness (CAST) and intramuscular fat content (SCD). But, across the genomes of analysed breeds, unique selection signals were found as well. The subsequent analysis of those single nucleotide polymorphism markers can be beneficial for the genetic progress of studied breeds in future.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of deslorelin acetate in the regulation of reproductive activity in captive leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Fourteen healthy adult females were separated into two groups. Under general anaesthesia, deslorelin acetate implants (4.7 mg) or placebo implants were administered into the coelom of ten female geckos and four female geckos, respectively. One healthy adult male Leopard gecko was added to each group of females (five females with GnRH implants and two females with placebo implants). The geckos were regularly monitored over two breeding seasons (visual examination, weight control). Nesting sites were checked daily. There were no postoperative complications or any other health problems during the study. Implant administration did not result in long-term suppression of reproductive function. No significant differences were found in the number of clutches between the female groups (deslorelin implants versus placebo implants) or in the number of clutches between the two breeding seasons. Deslorelin acetate implants did not interfere with ovarian activity in captive female leopard geckos. The use of GnRH agonist implants is not an appropriate method for control of reproductive function in female leopard geckos.

In order to establish a clear limit between protective and harmful effects of alcohol consumption, it is necessary to define patterns of consumption. However, there is no universally recognized quantitative classification for patterns of consumption by alcohol doses. This is because the pattern of alcohol consumption does not only describe how much alcohol was consumed, but also takes into account a number of boundary conditions. This review deals with variabilities in the definitions of standard alcohol doses and patterns of alcohol consumption. These terms are being discussed with respect to the benefits and harms associated with alcohol consumption as well as the risks intrinsic to studies of such a complex phenomenon as the effect of alcoholic beverages on human health.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the amount of nitrogen taken up from air, mineral fertilizers and soil by yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) and spring triticale (Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) in their intercropping cultivation. The factor examined in the experiment was percentage of yellow lupine seeds and spring triticale grain in sown mixtures: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100, respectively. Yellow lupine yield was reduced by spring triticale when intercropped. In the yield of both plants the percentage share of spring triticale grain was larger and that of yellow lupine seed was smaller than in the sown mixture. Land equivalent ratio informs that yield advantage under intercropping of lupine and triticale was minor. The total protein yield was the highest in lupine cultivation when sown pure, and decreased with increasing share of triticale in their intercropping. The mean percentage nitrogen share from N₂ fixation, fertilizer and soil reserves in yellow lupine mass was: 65.2, 8.8 and 26.0%, respectively, while in the mass of spring triticale it was 10.1, 23.5 and 68.8%, respectively.

To find out exactly how sowing density and sowing pattern affect soybean grain yield, quality and its components in non-traditional soybean growing regions, such as Germany, two field trials have been conducted at two locations in Bavaria in 2016 and 2017. The experiments were carried out with four sowing densities (30, 50, 70, 90 seeds/m²) and four cultivars from different maturity groups (Viola 000, Lissabon 000, ES Mentor 00, Orion 00) as randomized complete block design with four replicates. Almost all evaluated traits varied significantly depending on year × location. There was no interaction between the main factors (cultivar × sowing density). The results revealed that grain yield and height of the first pod increased with increase of sowing density. The number of pods per plant and branching decreased with increasing sowing density. At higher sowing densities at flowering leaf area index was significantly higher than at lower sowing densities. The cv. ES Mentor (00) with 70 seeds/m² has proved to be a suitable cultivar in terms of yield and quality in southern Germany (> 3.6 t/ha grain yield and 40% protein).

The promising branching agent cyclanilide [1-(2,4-dichlorophenylaminocarbonyl)-cyclopropane carboxylic acid] is not permitted in the EU and the low vigour rootstocks preferred by growers make the branching of young sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees difficult in the temperate zone production regions. To increase the number and length of new branches ("feathers") on such trees, chemical (6-benzyladenine [BA], gibberellic acid [GA_4/7]), mechanical (leaf pinching, summer notching) and various combined treatments were tested from 2015-2018. The numbers of feathers divided into three different lengths (1-10 cm, 10-30 cm and > 30 cm) were assessed as the main indicator of quality, supplemented with other morphological characteristics. Summer notching induced an insufficient number of feathers and led to some negative effects on the trees. The number of feathers from BA or BA with GA_4/7 treatment also was insufficient. The effect of pinching alone was variable. The number of all feathers generally was highest when pinching was combined with BA, regardless of the year or cultivar.

The paper presents selected results of the sociological research focused on social inclusive activities that use and are located in the natural environment of rural areas. The paper is based on the contemporary form of the concept of a fully integrated modern society, and deals with the implementation of this concept within the strategy of social inclusion in both the European and Czech context. The authors have created, based on secondary research, a typology of social inclusive activities within Czech rural areas. Primary research, consisting of a questionnaire survey, was used to study the awareness of these issues among the rural population. Based on the selected results of both the primary and secondary research, the authors conclude that a possible path to social inclusion, is, alongside specific social services, social farming, which harmonizes the potential of the rural natural environment with the attitudes of the rural population (the actors and observers of social inclusive activities within their locality).The ongoing research is focused on monitoring barriers to the development of this business sector, which are crucial for the rural actors.

In recent times, consumers and politicians from Central and Eastern Europe complain that some food products sold in their regions are of lower quality and less healthy if compared to those sold under the same brands in Western Europe. This situation, that concerns exclusively food produced and sold under even well-known multinational brands, is brought back by many food Multi-National Companies to the necessity to adapt their products to local tastes and gastronomic traditions. Many tests and studies carried out at European level prove poorer-quality products offered by Multi-National Companies to Central and Eastern Europe consumers even if with the same packaging and prices (or even more expensive) of Western countries. This is a very novel issue, and to the best of our knowledge, there is not any scientific paper yet dealing with this issue. Therefore, the aim of the study is to add new knowledge to this field and to shed light on the multiple aspects linked to dual quality food. The analysis, essentially theoretical, has pointed out that in addition to the traditional problems of market failures, there can be positive implications in terms of opportunities of competitiveness for multinational food companies.

Respiratory problems in cats have a multifactorial character. Therapy without the detection of pathogen is often ineffective. Our study was therefore focused on the detection of important feline respiratory bacterial pathogens such as Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydia felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica and viral pathogens such as Felid alphaherpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus. The goal of this study was to map the occurrence of these pathogens in cat populations in the Czech Republic with the aim of introducing rapid and highly sensitive methods into routine diagnostics and to provide consulting services to animal health professionals based on the acquired data. A total of 218 cats were investigated in the study: 69 were outdoor and 149 were indoor cats. Three groups of animals were compared: up to one year of age (60 cats), one to three years of age (68 cats) and more than three years of age (90 cats). Samples were taken from conjunctiva and/or the oropharynx. Samples originated from cats with various forms of respiratory disease or from healthy cats from different parts of the Czech Republic. Real-Time RT-PCR, multiplex Real-Time PCR, nested PCR and sequencing analyses were performed. Outdoor cats were infected more often (84 detected pathogens in 69 cats) than indoor cats (110 detected infections in 149 cats). More than one pathogen was detected in a total of 38 cats, and six cats were infected with more than two pathogens. The difference was statistically significant in the case of co-infections, but not for mono-infections (P < 0.05). Kittens and young adults up to the age of one year were the most common reservoirs of respiratory infections (only 19 cats out of 60 were negative and positive cats often harboured coinfections). The difference in age groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Concerning the site of the sampling, feline calicivirus, M. felis and B. bronchiseptica were detected more often from oropharynx than from conjunctival swabs. M. felis was slightly more common in clinically diseased animals (39.6%) than in healthy ones (26.1%). The obtained results reveal the frequency of individual pathogens and their co-infections in cats kept on the territory of the Czech Republic, data which can be used to make the treatment of respiratory infections and breeding measures more effective. Therefore, the diagnostic methods are now available to veterinary surgeons with the possibility of consultation and discussion of the results.

Conservation tillage harmonizes soil protection with demands of the crop, soil and climate. The continuous conservation tillage improves soil properties and modifies impact of weather extremes. The aim of the paper was to investigate the changes in four soil physical states affected by soil conservation tillage and to evaluate soil water content in a critical period. The study was carried out on Chernozems applying six tillage treatments, that are loosening, ploughing, tine tillage (a deeper, and a shallower), disk tillage and direct drilling. The investigation suggested that soil conservation was the major solution resulting in the balanced water content (SWC) and penetration resistance values in both treatments under peculiar weather conditions. However, the crumb ratio and the crusted area resulted in significant differences between the treatments, presumably due to the level of surface preservation. Soil water content differed significantly between months, with higher contents in spring and lower values in the end of summer. The higher SWC expected at the beginning of the growing season was reliably fulfilled, but the SWC level for workabilty differed from the optimum.

The results from 23 tasting sessions of experienced evaluators that took place during the last decade in May are presented in 4 periods which lasted 5 years except for the first one, which was seven-years long. The winner of the first testing period was 'Bohemia', 'Meteor' was the winner of the second period and 'Admiral' was the top rated in the remaining two testing periods. Across all the years, 'Meteor' had the highest total punctual value, but it was only about 0.4 points higher than 'Admiral'. In the next sequence, they were followed by the cultivars 'Andera', 'Rubin' and 'Andego'. In the aroma evaluation, 'Andera', 'Gold Bohemia' and 'Topaz' were the best. 'Admiral', 'Gold Bohemia' and 'Andera' were the top rated in flesh consistency. 'Admiral', 'Angold' and 'Andera' were the best in juiciness. 'Gold Bohemia', 'Admiral' and 'Meteor' had the highest values of the general taste. 'Admiral', 'Angold' and 'Meteor' were the most attractive.

The agricultural traceability system provides information transparency throughout the agricultural supply chain. This paper applies game theory to analyse the traceability system used by the herbal product industry in order to elucidate the strategic choices made by government authorities, farmers (e.g. producers), certification agencies, and consumers. This paper clarifies how relevant variables affect the traceability system employed in the herbal product industry. The analysis yields strong results and indicates a superior equilibrium; the observed strategic choices comprise active traceability system promotion by authorities, development of a comprehensive traceability system by farmers, maintenance of independence by certification agencies, and purchase of herbal products by consumers. The traceability system and existing herbal product safety programs must be refined because they are crucial to consumers, farmers, and people who support agricultural communities. These results contribute to the literature in the field, serving as a reference for members of the herbal product industry, government authorities, and academics.

Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau is among the most problematic rice weeds in Malaysia and is also reported to have developed multiple resistance to AHAS inhibitor bensulfuron-methyl and synthetic auxin 2,4-D. In this study, resistance across different AHAS inhibitors was characterised in a L. flava population infesting rice fields in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Dose-response experiments were conducted to determine the level of resistance to sulfonylureas, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, and pyrimidinyl-thiobenzoate. Cross-resistance across different AHAS inhibitors was observed in the resistant L. flava population, exhibiting a high level of resistance to bensulfuron-methyl, while exhibiting a moderate level of resistance to metsulfuron-methyl and a low level of resistance to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl and pyribenzoxim. However, all resistant L. flava individuals were still sensitive to imazethapyr, penoxsulam, and bispyribac-sodium. Based on the results, it is likely that resistance to AHAS inhibitors in L. flava is conferred by target-site resistance mechanisms.