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The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes with fatness traits in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs. The polymorphisms of genes were investigated, which included beta-3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3), heart fatty acid-binding protein gene (FABP3), and hormone-sensitive lipase gene (LIPE) as well as lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL). The intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid composition contents in Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were measured. Results showed that ADRB3, LIPE, and LPL SNPs were associated with IMF content (P < 0.05). ADRB3 AG heterozygotes exhibited higher IMF content. LIPE A allele was associated with greater IMF content. LPL CT heterozygotes exhibited the lowest IMF content. ADRB3 c.1192G>A had highly significant association with the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (P < 0.01) and the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.01). LIPE c.442G>A was significantly associated with the contents of C12:0 and C14:0 (P < 0.05). LPL c.624C>T was significantly associated with the percentage of C16:1 (P < 0.05) and the percentage of total saturated fatty acid (SFA) (P < 0.05). The pigs with ADRB3 G allele had more MUFA, and the pigs with LPL T allele had less SFA, implying that the ADRB3 G and LPL T in pigs may be beneficial to human health. In conclusion, the results suggest that these genetic markers are important sources of the variations for the pork selection to obtain favourable meat with higher IMF levels and appropriate fatty acid composition.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of orally administered borax on milk yield and on several blood variables related to metabolism in early lactation in Austrian Simmental cows (Fleckvieh). Twenty primiparous cows were selected at parturition and then assigned to one of two groups, the control group or the borax group. The study lasted for four weeks. Borax was administered orally at 0.2 mg/kg/day (Boron group) to all treatment cows shortly after the noon milking, whereas cows in the control group were not treated. All cows consumed the same diet. All feeds in the diet were analysed for crude cellulose, protein, ether extract, ash, and dry matter according to the Weende Analysis Systems, in addition to ADF and NDF, according to Van Soest. Blood samples were collected from all cows via the vena jugularis on lactation Days 0, 7, 15, 21 and 28 and analysed for the following: serum boron (B), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), total cholesterol (TChol), high density lipids (HDL), total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (ALB), creatine (CRE), uric acid (UA), glucose (GLU), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) concentrations. Serum B concentration was higher in the borax group than in the control group at Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the experiment. Serum B concentration did not change in the control group during these weeks, but it gradually increased in the borax group week by week (P < 0.05). Borax administration increased serum TP and decreased the serum UA concentration at Week 4, and decreased serum HDL concentration at Week 3 of the experiment. Serum TChol, BHBA, and BUN concentrations increased (P < 0.05), while NEFA decreased (P < 0.05) after parturition in both groups. The BHBA concentration gradually increased in the control group, but it began to decrease in the borax group during the final week of the experiment. Moreover, milk yield did not differ between the groups for 14 weeks. The results indicate that borax administration did not have any negative effects on the health of Austrian Simmental (Fleckvieh) cows during early lactation. However, studies of longer duration are needed to reveal the effectiveness of borax administration with respect to early lactation in cows.

An eight-year-old gelding, Wielkopolski Horse was presented with a pink tumour, which filled the entire palpebral fissure of the left eye. Ultrasonography revealed it to be well-demarcated from the cornea mass, which covered its entire surface. Due to the extensive size of the lesion and the lack of owner's consent to post-operative treatment, it was decided to perform enucleation. A histopathological examination revealed corneal squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). The primary cause of the tumour has not been established. Immunohistochemistry was negative for p16 immunoreactivity which is typical for the E7 oncoprotein in PV infection, and is suspected of involvement in the aetiopathogenesis of ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Scaphoideus titanus Ball, the main vector of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma, was monitored in Slovakia during 2013 and 2014. The species was present in the vineyards of eastern Slovakia but it was rarely found in the south of central part of the country. It was also found at many locations of western Slovakia but not in the southeast of western Slovakia. Higher abundance of S. titanus was detected in the vineyards with biological control. Varietal preference of the leafhopper was not confirmed. The first nymphs were found on June 5 and the last nymphs on July 17, adults occurred from the end of June to the end of September. There is one generation of S. titanus per year in Slovakia.

Toxicity is a major limitation to successful spermatozoa cryopreservation of fish. Due to this problem, it is critical to find potential cryoprotectants which are more environmental-friendly, non-toxic, easily prepared, and available at affordable prices. Hence, the objective of the present study was to investigate several natural cryoprotectants for optimal cryopreservation of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822 (Pisces: Clariidae) spermatozoa. Three natural cryoprotectants were tested - egg yolk, glucose, and honey, while DMSO was used as a control at different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%). Sperms were diluted with coconut water at a dilution level of 1 : 20 sperm to extender (v/v). Diluted sperms were kept at 4°C for 5 min, then at 0, -4, and -79°C for 5 min respectively, and stored in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) for 45 days. The cryopreserved sperms were thawed in a water bath (37°C) for 5 min and evaluated for fertilization and hatching rates. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by comparison of means using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The fertilization and hatching rates of African catfish in all cryoprotectants improved with concentration increasing from 5 to 10% but then decreased when concentration was increased to 15%. The ANOVA test showed that the differences in cryoprotectants used significantly affected fertilization and hatching rates of African catfish. Overall, the fertilization and hatching rates were higher in DMSO for all concentrations compared to other cryoprotectants. However, 10% egg yolk resulted in higher fertilization and hatching rates compared to other natural cryoprotectants. It was concluded that 10% egg yolk was the most suitable concentration for African catfish spermatozoa cryopreservation compared to other natural cryoprotectants tested.

The structure of the dry material plant is made up of a cell tissues system. The walls of the cells are formed by cellulose and lignin, ingredients difficult to biodegrade. Therefore, the aim of the breeders performed a variety of energy plants, providing a high yield of dry matter in the green state. This applies particularly to herbs, grown on agricultural and arable land (for example cereals, maize, sorghum, hemp, amaranthus, mallow, sugar beet, potatoes, fodder crops on arable land, permanent grassland and other). The subject of the experiment was to evaluate selected varieties of maize and sorghum and to determine the suitability of the materials on the device model for anaerobic fermentation mixed with beef slurry, and ferment from the biogas plant. Among the varieties of maize there are the significant differences in the production of biogas in the same conditions. Of the three maize varieties (Fixxif, Saxxo, Benicia), the most powerful was Saxxo.

A survey was conducted in the Training Forest Enterprise called Masaryk Forest in Křtiny (TFE Křtiny) in order to determine the extent of recreational use of the area, visitors' travel costs and their willingness to pay for services provided by the forest ecosystem of TFE Křtiny in the years 2013-2014. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the partial results of the research from 2013 and 2014 which was focused on the economic assessment of the recreational potential of the TFE MF Křtiny. The busiest roads in the forest road network and bike trails located in the Bílovice nad Svitavou forest district were selected. The results can be used to assess the impact of the forest enterprise on the economic and social development of the area, to measure the attractiveness, quality and facilities offered in the forest.

For more than a century, and almost everywhere in the world, rural areas suffered a steady decline, due to the decrease of the real income from the agricultural activities, the lack of serious economic alternatives, and demographic issues. Rural tourism could contribute to the rural sustainable development through small local businesses valorising the natural, cultural and ethnographic resources. However, most of them need the financial support from private creditors (banks). The survey-based research conducted among banks' representatives has identified several strengths of small rural ventures, such as the small scale and the associated risks, the endurance to external shocks, the openness to market opportunities, as well as some of their weaknesses: e.g. a poor management experience, seasonality etc. We have also identified the actions necessary to be performed by these firms to attract financial resources from the banks' side, i.e. the diversification of income sources, the association and the adherence to recognized brands and maintaining a reasonable leverage ratio. It was found that the bank's size does not matter, but the nature of the bank's capital does: the private domestic banks are more willing to finance such businesses. The banks' involvement in co-financing the EU projects could be a way to foster and strengthen the rural businesses.

Effect in reducing maize plant height using growth regulators ethephon, chlormequat chloride (CCC), CCC + ethephon, and mepiquat chloride + prohexadione-Ca was studied in field experiments during 2010 and 2011. It was found that maize plant height could be reduced by as much as 125 cm (49% of control) using a double application of ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) at growth stages BBCH 18-19 and BBCH 34-36. The other growth regulators displayed weak or no influence. An optimum level of shortening was achieved using ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) at BBCH 34-36 (reducing plant height by 40-90 cm), but it is necessary to count upon yield loss of 0.5-0.6 t/ha.

The differentiation of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. on the species level (C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. upsalien-sis) was provided. Identification is based on different banding patterns obtained for individual species during simple multiplex PCR where regions within the 23S rRNA gene are amplified using newly designed specific forward primers.

We aimed to evaluate the extractability of different extractants for zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in soils of long-term field experiments covering different agro-ecological zones of India. The relationships between the amounts of Zn and Cu extracted by Mehlich 3, 0.1 mol/L HCl and AB-DTPA (ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) with those extracted by DTPA, the conventional extraction method widely used in soil testing laboratories in India, were elucidated. The treatments of the long-term experiments included control (no fertilizer), 100% NPK, 50%NPK + 50% N through FYM (farm yard manure) and a fallow soil. Some important physico-chemical properties of soil like pH, organic carbon, textural class, CaCO₃ content, etc. were analyzed. The NPK + FYM treatment was found to be the most effective treatment in terms of increased content of Zn and Cu in soils. The results showed that the amount of Zn and Cu extracted by Mehlich 3 were significantly correlated with that extracted by 0.1 mol/L HCl (r = 0.970** for Zn and r = 0.914** for Cu). Accordingly, Mehlich 3 and 0.1 mol/L HCl could be used effectively for estimating Zn and Cu availability in soils of India. However, Mehlich 3 was superior to all the other extractants used for the study.

The transmission of infectious agents from domestic animals to humans is a matter of particular concern at present. Inoculation can enhance the defences of each individual animal but only in the short term. Certainly, it will be of immense benefit if biotechnology and genetic techniques are applied to farm animal breeding and selection programs to improve productivity, performance and health status as well as for the construction of sustainable animal production systems and promotion of animal welfare. In recent years, efforts to drive candidate genes like cytokines, haptoglobin, complement system, C-reactive protein, a 2-macroglobulin, retinol binding protein, transcortin, and etc. associated with immune traits have successfully been studied in human and different animal species. Here, we compared the molecular structure and evaluated the expression tendency of the haemolytic complement activity (HCA) of porcine candidate genes encoding the terminal complement components (TCC) C6-9. The results suggested that (1) high homology of complement genes among mammalian species may open new ways in cure/ treatment of disease; (2) Muong Khuong animals (Vietnamese potbelly pig) have a great genetic potential to improve the health status of pigs; and (3) HCA in the classical pathway can be developed further by different activation modes, with the potential improvement of animal health.

The Vistula is the longest river in Poland. It stretches from the Silesian Beskids to the Gulf of Gdańsk. Water from the Vistula is the source of drinking water for many cities and is used in industry, and therefore its quality and microbiological purity is an important issue. The quality of water in the Vistula depends, among others, on the quality of water in its basin. The aim of this study is to assess microbiological hazard to the Vistula waters from its tributaries in the vicinity of Kraków. The analyses were carried out on 10 tributaries of the Vistula: Prądnik, Dłubnia, Drwina Długa, Drwinka, Raba, Uszewka, Szreniawa, Uszwica, Kisielina, and Dunajec. The examinations were carried out in four series, from May 2012 to March 2013. The numbers of coliforms, faecal coliforms, Enterococcus faecalis, and sulphate reducing Clostridium were determined using the membrane filtration method, while the serial dilutions method was used to determine the numbers of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, Staphylococcus and Salmonella. There was a large variation in the number of microorganisms in the examined watercourses, however in most cases the water could be classified as clean, whereas waters of the Vistula in the vicinity of Kraków are microbiologically contaminated. Thus, the examined watercourses do not pose a serious threat to the quality of the Vistula. Among the analyzed tributaries, the waters of the Prądnik were characterized by the worst sanitary condition, while the best microbiological quality was observed in the Dunajec.

We studied effects of repeated applications of nitrogen on stem growth of mature Scots pine at four sites with yield potential around 3 - 4.5 m³ ha^‑1 yr^‑1. Treatments included control (0) and fertilization with ammonium nitrate at 100 and 200 kg N ha^‑1. Some plots were supplied with corresponding doses of urea. Applications were repeated up to five times, at five to twenty years intervals. Plot size was 22 x 22 m with buffer zones of 4 m. Measurements were made on an inner plot, 14 x 14 m. Tree ring widths usually reached a maximum two to four years after fertilization, returning to about the original level after seven to ten years. Responses were larger to 200 than to 100 kg N ha^‑1. Annual volume increment over the experimental period was 1.5 to 2.0 m³ ha^-1 larger in plots provided with 200 kg N ha^-1 than in control plots, or even more as the buffer zones of 4 m did not completely exclude tree roots from growing into neighbouring plots.

To assess the residual damage a 100% inventory method was employed in pre-hauling and post-hauling, alongside skid trails and winching strips. Inventory was executed within 6 m from each side of the skid trail or winching strip centreline (12 m width). Besides the data analysis to choose the best alternative depending on residual damage the Analysis of Multiple-criteria Approval (MA) was applied. In the winching strip, our results demonstrated that depending on the density of standing residual trees the most unfriendly alternative to standing trees was a short-length method (SLM) which damaged 27.9% of the total standing trees and the best alternative was a tree-length method (TLM) (11.89%). The most unfriendly alternative to regeneration in winching and skidding operations was SLM with damaged 21% and 9% of all seedlings, respectively. In the winching strip TLM is the best alternative depending on the number of damage trees but 72% damage degree was deep. Alongside the skid trails the highest number of damaged trees occurred in TLM (44 stems) and the lowest was in the long-length method (LLM) (10 stems); according to the density of trees also the greatest damage to trees occurred in TLM (16.73%) and the lowest was in LLM (3.13%). In addition (in winching and skidding operations), 14.31, 8.79 and 18.19% of residual trees and 9, 11 and 16% of individuals of regeneration were damaged in TLM, LLM and SLM, respectively. The results of data analysis (by SPSS and MA) indicated that the friendly alternative to residual stand in the north of Iran is a long-length method.

In 2014, the journal Plant Protection Science (PPS) completes 50 years of publication (1965-2014). However, its roots extend back to the year 1921. Today, it is an international scientific journal focused on all aspects of plant protection sciences, fully published in English. This occasion offers a fitting opportunity to describe some of the most important historical stages of the journal's development. In our brief historical overview, we summarise the changes in journal title, chief-editors, and editorial policy during the last fifty years, and with an examination of its importance, scope and readership. We present analyses of the journal's development, some for the entire period of 1965-2013, while others are limited to more recent decades. The journal's present place among the world's scientific journals is documented by analyses in the international citation databases, BIOSIS CI, SCOPUS, and WOS. An analysis of three particular citation databases were made in October 2013, while the overall period 1998-2013 was conducted from All Databases/Thomson Reuters in March 2014. PPS is also included in other, important technical-literature databases, including Czech Agricultural and Food Bibliography, AGRIS/FAO database, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Current Contents, and Zoological Abstracts. Information about all of them is available in Ulrich's WEB database. In the final part of this paper, we summarise some recent achievements of the journal, and discuss some key topics related to its future development.

Long-term field experiments are important for assessing the yield response of crops to different tillage systems and pre-crops. An experiment was established in 1996 in Raasdorf (Austria) on a chernozem with four tillage treatments (mouldboard ploughing (MP), no-till (NT), deep conservation tillage and shallow conservation tillage) and two crop rotations. Winter wheat yields were generally at similar levels with all four tillage systems in most years between 1998 and 2012. Yields increased with higher amounts of rainfall during the vegetation period (from October until June) with the smallest increase among tillage treatments in NT. This indicates that MP can be superior to NT regarding yield at higher amounts of rainfall. Pre-crops considerably influenced winter wheat with higher yields after maize, soybean and winter wheat than after sugar beet. In one year with high rainfall, a tillage × pre-crop interaction showed that yields were lower after maize in NT than in other tillage systems whereas yields after sugar beet tended to be higher with NT in years with low rainfall.

The aim of the research conducted on eutric brown soil on the experimental facility of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb in 2012 and 2013, was to determine the optimal sowing density for two cultivars of white lupin (Teodora and Energy) and a cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin (Arabella). The study included three sowing densities: 60, 75 and 90 germinated seeds/m². The cultivars of white lupin achieved significantly higher seed yield, higher 1000 seed weight, higher weight of seeds per plant and higher protein content in the seed, compared to the cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin. The sowing density had no effect on seed yield, but the increase in sowing density above 60 germinated seeds/m² significantly reduced the number of pods, the number of seeds and seed weight per plant.

The impact of low temperatures combined with higher velocity of ventilated air in winter during severe frost in a free stall barn on the development of cold stress in Holstein-Friesian breed dairy cattle was studied. The study included measurements of outside and inside air parameters and cows' milk yield. Cold stress was evaluated in three technological groups (TG) using the WCT (Wind Chill Temperature) index. During the research, significant temperature and wind velocity differences (by up to 5°C and 0.5 m/s) were recorded in three zones of the barn occupied by the individual TG. All this resulted in different values of WCT. During most severe frosts lasting for 9 days, the average air temperature in the barn was -8.9°C (the lowest value was -17.3°C). The calculated average operative temperature for cows from all TG was as follows: -7.0°C for TG1, -11.1°C for TG2, and -12.3°C for TG3. It was also observed that animals from TG2 suffered from mild cold stress, which resulted in milk yield reduction by approximately 2 kg. It was concluded that there is a strong correlation (r = 0.72-0.89 with P < 0.05) between milk production and the WCT index. The measurements of most important microclimate parameters in the barn were conducted during winter seasons over the period of 2 years. They led to the conclusion that cattle kept in free stall barns are not vulnerable to the combination of low temperature and increased air movements. Research results of the present as well as of other authors were the basis for developing a table determining operative temperature for cows depending on the temperature of the environment and air movement velocity. Yet, the calculations and analysis of results show that there is a need to improve the applied calculation formula for operative temperature during cold weather.

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular and respiratory effects and the bispectral scale index (BIS) as well as the recovery period characteristics in response to treatment with a propofol/alfentanil admixture of different concentrations in dogs undergoing splenectomy. We conducted a prospective, randomised, blinded experimental trial. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained by continuous-infusion anaesthesia of propofol and alfentanil or a propofol/alfentanil admixture after premedication with acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg). Dogs were assigned to receive different concentrations of the admixture. Changes in BIS value, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), non-invasive arterial blood pressure, pulse oximetry (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations (ETCO₂) and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded at predefined time points during anaesthesia. Data [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures followed by a Dunnett's test and Student's t-test (P < 0.05) and where necessary, the Mann-Whitney U-test. No significant differences were found between groups with respect to age, body mass, SpO₂, ETCO₂, f_R, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP, DAP and MAP). BIS values were significantly lower in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 at T7, T8, T9. The HR of Group 2 was significantly lower at T2 to T9 when compared to Group 1. The propofol and alfentanil admixture provided satisfactory results in dogs undergoing splenectomy. Thus, an admixture of propofol/alfentanil may be used for total IV anaesthesia in dogs at the infusion rates determined in this study.

This study evaluated the effects of three A. brasilense strains (i.e. Sp7, Sp7-S and Sp245) on the early seedling growth of lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Seeds were inoculated by soaking and drenching before and after sowing, respectively. Results show that inoculation effect varied greatly with plant species, inoculation methods and PGPR strains which could be dependent on inoculum concentration and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) production. Generally, the magnitude of inoculation impact on the early growth of vegetables was more pronounced with Sp7-S, followed by Sp245 and Sp7. In particular, Sp7-S and Sp245 strongly enhanced root and shoot growth, germination value and vigour of tomato when inoculated by soaking. Sp245 increased the level of endogenous plant IAA of cucumber and lettuce. Despite the diverse crop responses to inoculation methods, soaking appeared to be a better technique, and majority of the strains demonstrated more consistent beneficial effects on tomato.

Physical properties of soil can be affected by machines that are used for skidding which have the potential to impact soil sustainability and forest productivity. The present study evaluated the effect of timber skidding by a rubber-tired skidder and farm tractor on the soil physical properties. The study site was located in Hafdaghanan plantation region in the north of Iran. Two treatments that consisted of skidding by HSM 904 skidder and ITM285 farm tractor equipped with trailer were applied. The trails were included in three traffic levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. Treatment effects were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with skidding machine types and traffic levels. Results indicated that machine type and traffic intensity are the effective factors on soil physical properties. The results showed that with an increase of traffic frequency, bulk density increased but total porosity and soil water content decreased. The results of the study provide clear evidence that farm tractor is a more environmentally friendly machine than rubber-tired skidder in the plantation area.

Sustainable food consumption is a core policy objective of the new millennium in the national and international agenda, as a consequence, the attention towards sustainable consumption has significantly increased in the last decade. However, the consumer attitudes and buying behaviours of sustainable food are still not completely understood. In this context, this paper aims to investigate the factors affecting consumers' attitudes towards food products with sustainable attributes. The first part of the work presents an overview of the theoretical concepts of sustainable consumption. Subsequently, the results of an empirical analysis with a sample of 300 consumers aimed at assessing factors' affecting consumer attitudes towards food products with sustainable attributes, such as Organic, Fair Trade and typical products, are presented. The results presented in this paper are valuable for both producers in the formulation of marketing strategies and for public institutions in the planning of the programs of education and information for the promotion of sustainable consumption.

Seedlings of ten Lr near-isogenic lines (NIL) and four wheat lines with enhanced resistance to Puccinia triticina were treated with overdosed neonicotinoid insecticides. The enzyme of Lr 20 gene accelerated thiacloprid degradation while Lr 29 gene accelerated thiamethoxam degradation according to NILs upper plant parts lengths reduction by 6% or 10% six days after the last of three daily treatments. Lr 27 and Lr 33 effects were intermediate on thiamethoxam but only in the driest conditions. Among other NILs the growth was increased 1-5% by N faster release of S or Cl. The accumulation of Lr 20 and Lr 9 facilitated treatment in the late grain filling period when the amount of their circled residues in seed was permissible. In semiarid regions, when thiamethoxam was applied before June, respecting the adequate leaf area duration of prevalent varieties, interaction with Lr 29 could be also practical through simultaneous release of fungi reducing elements.

Recycled paper is commonly used in food packaging industry, especially for disposable products. The material coming into direct contact with food products must not represent a source of contamination for food in accordance with the Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 containing the general requirements on all food contact materials. In the present study, the microbial purity of 31 paper-based materials with different contents of recycled matter (0-100%) was evaluated using a standard method based on the disintegration of paper. The results of the present study indicate the existing relation between the use of recycled fibers and the content of microorganisms. The increased amount of recycled fibers significantly increased the amount of bacteria in the paper samples. The highest content of microorganisms was observed in the case of paper with the highest recycled fiber content. Total counts of bacteria ranged from 5.0 × 10¹ to 1.2 × 10⁵ CFU/g. Moulds were detected only in three paper samples. As the microorganisms present in food packaging may penetrate into foodstuffs (particularly those with high contents of water or fat) and have an adverse effect on end-consumers' health, microbial criteria for food packaging should be included into the EU legislation.

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of pathogens and pesticide residues in rapeseed samples depending on integrated and organic cultivation systems and cultivars. No pesticide residue was detected in seeds coming from the organic production system. However, trace amounts of pesticide residues admissible in rapeseed protection were detected for samples from integrated pest management. Seeds from both cultivation systems were most frequently infested by fungi Alternaria brassicicola and A. alternata. The greatest number of Leptosphaeria spp. cultures was obtained from seeds from organic cultivation.

The availability of risk elements in soil can be possibly reduced by various soil additives. Among them, the attention has been recently focused on the research of unconventional soil additive - biochar. The aim of this study was (i) to observe the effect of biochar application on risk elements transport through the soil profile and (ii) to assess the availability of risk elements in biochar amended soil to willow growth. The experiment was established at greenhouse conditions and extremely contaminated soil, reaching 43 mg/kg cadmium (Cd) and 4340 mg/kg zinc (Zn), was used. To observe risk element content in leachate, the lysimeter cylinders were tested. The rates of biochar were 0 (control); 5, 10, and 15% per mass of soil. The results showed that biochar significantly increased biomass production whereas the plant Cd and Zn contents remained unchanged in most cases. In leachate, Cd and Zn content decreased by 99% at all the biochar treatments. We can summarize that biochar appears to be a very effective regulator of availability of observed risk elements and improver agent for biomass production of plants and remediation efficiency.

Respiratory and cardiovascular changes in normocapnic dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy are described in this report. To-date, changes during a standardised ventilation pattern, irrespective of end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) levels, have not been reported. This study was undertaken to describe these changes. Forty bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy were enrolled in a prospective double-blind randomised clinical trial. They were first anaesthetised with medetomidine-butorphanol-propofol and then maintained with isoflurane in oxygen-air. Ventilation pattern was pressure-controlled, volume-limited. After stabilisation, atracurium 0.4 mg/kg (ATR group, n = 20) or saline 0.04 ml/kg (SAL group, n = 20) was administered intravenously. Capnoperitoneum was then established with an intra-abdominal pressure setting of 10 mmHg. Collected data included heart rate (HR), non-invasive blood pressure, EtCO₂, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin, and tidal volume and neuromuscular blockade (train-of-four). Data were recorded before administration of atracurium or saline, and at 2, 5, and 10 min thereafter. Subsequently, insufflation of CO₂ was commenced. After capnoperitoneum was established, data were recorded at 2, 5 and 10 min. Time of capnoperitoneum induction and duration, time of ovary searching and excision and total time of capnoperitoneum and surgery were also recorded. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro Wilk test, ANOVA with repeated measures and Student's t-test for independent samples were used (P < 0.05). Significant increases in EtCO₂ were observed in patients 5 min after atracurium administration and 5 min after capnoperitoneum was established in the ATR group, when compared to the SAL group. No other differences were found. Administration of atracurium in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy with a standardised ventilation pattern did not result in clinically important differences in selected cardiovascular and respiratory variables and surgical times in comparison with non-relaxed dogs. Thus, the use of atracurium in laparoscopic ovariectomy does not result in any benefit for patients or surgeons.

Caprylic acid (CA) and Yucca schidigera (YS) extract have many functional and nutritional properties that may have applications in animal nutrition. These beneficial effects include improvement of growth performance, immunity and anti-microbial activity. This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with CA and YS extract on growth performance, relative organ weight, meat quality, blood characteristics and caecal microbial shedding in broilers. In total, 672 one-day-old Ross 308 (BW of 34.05 ± 0.21 g) mixed-sex broiler chicks were allotted randomly into three dietary treatment groups with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 16 birds per pen. The experiment lasted for five weeks and dietary treatments were as follows: (1) PC, basal diet; (2) PC, basal diet + 44 mg/kg of avilamycin; and (3) CAY100 (basal diet + 100 mg/kg CA + 100 mg/kg YS extract). Chicks fed the CAY100 diet exhibited improved overall body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with those fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). Compared with the NC and PC treatments, mortality was decreased in chicks fed the CAY100 diet during the finisher phase and also overall. Broilers fed the CAY100 diet exhibited increased (P < 0.05) relative organ weight of bursa of Fabricius, compared with the PC diet and demonstrated decreased relative organ weight of the gizzard compared with those fed the NC diet. The relative organ weight of the liver, spleen, breast, and abdominal fat was unaffected by any of the dietary supplements tested. The breast meat redness (a*) was reduced (P < 0.05) in the CAY100 diet compared with the NC and PC diets. White blood cell (WBC) counts were increased in the CAY100 treatment compared with the NC treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the CAY100 diet resulted in improved lymphocyte counts compared with the PC and NC diets (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the CAY100 diet exhibited reduced caecal E. coli counts compared with those fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the CAY extract-supplemented diet improved growth performance, relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and reduced mortality rate, breast muscle a* and caecal E. coli counts in broiler chickens.