Fulltext search in archive

We provide fundamental information about the future development of selected climate elements in relation to anticipated threat to forests in the Czech Republic. All analyses were carried out in relation to four elevation zones with specific potential forest vegetation - up to 350 m a.s.l. (oak dominance), 350-600 m a.s.l. (beech dominance), 600-900 m a.s.l. (beech-fir dominance), 900-1,100 m a.s.l. (spruce dominance). We found out that while the projected increase in mean annual air temperature is almost constant over the Czech Republic (+3.25-3.5°C in the distant future), the frequency of heat spells at lower elevations is expected to increase dramatically compared to higher elevations. The precipitation totals during the vegetation season are projected to increase in the near future by up to 10% and to decrease in the distant future by up to 10% over all vegetation zones. In general, drought is presumed to become a key limiting factor at lower elevations, while increased temperature along with the prolonged vegetation season at higher elevations can be beneficial to forest vegetation. Consequently, northward progression of forest tree species and retraction of the species lower distribution range are a generic response pattern. Such impacts are presumed to be accompanied by changes in the distribution and population dynamics of pests and pathogens. Mainly the impacts on two key forest pests, Ips typographus and Lymantria dispar, are discussed.

Earlier breeders used phenotypic selection based on morphological characteristics to improve tree varieties. These selections often take many cycles of breeding and backcrossing in order to place desired characteristics. But today the knowledge has paved the way for a much deeper understanding of the mechanics of cell biology and the hereditary process itself. Breeders are presented with numerous possibilities of altering the behaviour of existing varieties. Linkage between molecular markers can be translated to genetic linkage maps, which have become an important tool in plant genetics. They may choose to use marker-assisted approaches in order to facilitate the selection of favourable combinations of genes that occur naturally within a tree species.

The morphology and biology of immature stages and the distinguishing characters of generations in summer are briefly reviewed. The time of migration of the overwintered generation and the use of the median flight time are given. The longevity of overwintered adults, and the start and course of oviposition by overwintered females were observed mainly during June and July. The interval between adult emergence and flights from carrots appears to be very short, 2-3 days. Departure from developmental summer host plants culminates at the beginning of September. The sex ratio of the overwintered generation is not persistent, since it is usually female-biased. In emerged adults in summer the ratio is 50:50, with weak protandry. The systemic action of sucking for the curling of leaves was found by Láska already in 1964. Inliterature records, both subspecies of Daucus carota dominate as developmental hosts, more recently Coriandrum sativum was shown to be more suitable than Petroselinum hortense. Norway spruce, and to a lesser extent other conifers, are predominantly mentioned as overwintering shelter plants. It is not clear how overwintering occurs in regions without coniferous forests, and only undefined shrubs or trees are given in the literature. The first damage was reported inDenmark about in 1896, spreading from about 1918 over just a few years to the other Fennoscandian countries, and later in some other European countries. The spring migration is discussed, which occurs in central and northern Europe on the same date, perhaps explicable by the orientation of this pest or its particular populations to long days, despite the climate and phenology of each region. It is hypothesised that a particularly aggressive race evolved inSjaelland (Denmark) at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century, which later spread to other regions of northern and centralEurope.

Sheath rot of rice and leaf blight of wheat caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae are the important bacterial pathogens of rice and wheat in Iran. The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was used to investigate the genetic diversity of 60 strains of P. s. pv. syringae obtained from rice and wheat in different growth stages. Cluster analysis by UPGMA method showed that strains were grouped into two clusters. The AMOVA analysis indicated that about 18% of the total genetic variation existed between two populations of rice and wheat, which showed the lack of host specialization in P. s. pv. syringae strains among rice and wheat. We confirmed that high genetic heterogeneity existed in the P. s. pv. syringae strains which are detectable by RAPD analysis, and that molecular and statistical analysis of RAPD fragments can be used both to distinguish between strains and to determine relatedness between them.

The effect of thickening agents - methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and xanthan gum - solutions on the sensory viscosity was investigated in the concentration range of 0-0.8%. The perceived viscosity was proportional to the logarithm of kinematic viscosity in the presence of citric and malic acids. The viscosity was inversely proportional to the acidity at the viscosity levels higher than 10 mm²/s. A liquid of high viscosity thus possess lower acidity than aqueous or low-viscosity solutions. No significant differences were found between the effects of different thickening agents.

In this contribution actual results of the Czech national ring tests of disease resistance in wheat are presented that are performed at 3-5 locations each year. Special attention was paid to possibilities of increasing resistance to rusts, powdery mildew, Fusarium head blight and brown leaf spot diseases. New sources of resistance to the above-mentioned diseases were detected and described. Achievements and prospects of wheat breeding for resistance to these diseases, as well as to other important diseases and pests (common and dwarf bunt, eyespot and stem base diseases, barley yellow dwarf virus, orange wheat blossom midge) are discussed.

Fruit quality attributes were studied for two consecutive years in seven blackberry cultivars grown in a Serbian climate and on acidic soil. Physical parameters [berry weight (BW), size and shape] and chemical parameters [soluble solids content (SSC), acidity, total phenolic (TPH) and flavonoid content (TFC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were evaluated. A high variability was found in the set of the evaluated blackberry cultivars and significant differences were found among them in all studied quality attributes. Year-by-year variations were observed for all quality traits, except berry length (L) and berry shape index (BSI). A high correlation was found among TPH and TAC. In addition, most of cultivars had good adaptation capability and respectable fruit quality attributes, and also had good potential as a commercial crop for fresh and processing markets and future breeding programs.

The developmental toxicity of two anaesthetics, 2-phenoxyethanol and clove oil, used in aquaculture was evaluated using the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay: Xenopus (FETAX) and the results were compared to outcomes in fish. Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to 50, 100, 300, 500, 700 and 1000 mg/l of 2-phenoxyethanol or 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/l of clove oil. Values of 96 h LC50, 96 h EC50 (malformation) and teratogenic index (ratio of 96 h LC50 and 96 h EC50) were determined and the types and severities of the induced malformations and minimal concentration inhibiting the growth of embryos were estimated. Teratogenic index values for 2-phenoxy-ethanol and clove oil were estimated at 1.69 and 0.61 respectively. The most frequently observed malformations produced by 2-phenoxyethanol were axial flexure and oedema and for clove oil, axial flexure, gut malformation, microphthalmia and oedema. 2-phenoxyethanol was found to induce growth inhibition of frog embryos at concentrations above 300 mg/l and clove oil at concentrations above 20 mg/l. In summary, both 2-phenoxyethanol and clove oil affected the growth of Xenopus embryos, while only 2-phenoxyethanol represented a teratogenic risk.

The paper presents the evaluation of data on precipitation totals and on SO₄^{2 -}concentrations and S-SO₄^{2 -} fluxes in lysimetric waters in a submontane beech stand. The records cover continually a 19-year period. The site is situated in the Kremnické vrchy Mountains, belonging to the West Carpathians Mountains. The material was sampled on two plots. The first had been clear cut immediately before the research started (1989), the second was covered with the original forest stand. In total, the highest SO₄^{2 -} concentrations on the open plot were measured four years after the intervention (1993) at the soil depth of 0.25 m (40.50 mg.l^-1). The lowest values were recorded in 1989 on the control plot at the soil depth of 0.25 m (4.54 mg.l^-1). The sulphate sulphur deposition was the highest in 1995 in the surface humus layer on the open plot (51.8 kg.ha^-1.year^-1). A very significant influence of precipitation totals on sulphur amounts deposited in the particular soil horizons was also confirmed. No interannual differences in SO₄^{2 -} concentration and S-SO₄^{2 -} fluxwere proved.

The antimicrobial activity of six plant extracts from Ocimum basilicum (Sweat Basil), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Eucalyptus chamadulonsis (Eucalyptus), Datura stramonium (Jimsonweed), Nerium oleander (Oleander), and Allium sativum (Garlic) was tested for controlling Alternaria solani in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study the leaf extracts of D. stramonium, A. indica, and A. sativum at 5% concentration caused the highest reduction of mycelial growth of A. solani (44.4, 43.3 and 42.2%, respectively), while O. basilicum at 1% and 5% concentration and N. oleander at 5% concentration caused the lowest inhibition of mycelial growth of the pathogen. In greenhouse experiments the highest reduction of disease severity was achieved by the extracts of A. sativum at 5% concentration and D. stramonium at 1% and 5% concentration. The greatest reduction of disease severity was achieved by A. sativum at 5% concentration and the smallest reduction was obtained when tomato plants were treated with O. basilicum at 1% and 5% concentration (46.1 and 45.2 %, respectively). D. stramonium and A. sativum at 5% concentration increased the fruit yield by 76.2% and 66.7% compared to the infected control. All treatments with plant extracts significantly reduced the early blight disease as well as increased the yield of tomato compared to the infected control under field conditions.

Numerous studies show the slaughter yield and also basic chemical composition of pheasant meat. The results reveal a higher biological value of the meat of pheasants which were fed naturally, in comparison to the meat of pheasants fed with commercial mixtures. In many countries, the pheasant is selected with the aim of producing high quality meat with very desirable nutritional values. There are only few publications on amino acid composition of pheasant meat. The knowledge of amino acid composition of pheasant meat can be used to determine its potential nutritional value. The amino acid compositions were compared of the meats of wild and farm pheasants. In the study, the following amino acids were determined: Asp, Thr, Ser, Glu, Pro, Gly, Ala, Val, Ile, Leu, Tyr, Phe, His, Lys, Arg. An improved amino acid profile was found in the breast muscle of pheasants kept at the farm in comparison with that of wild pheasants.

In 2009-2011 virulence of the wheat leaf rust population was studied on Thatcher near-isogenic lines with Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr11, Lr13, Lr15, Lr17, Lr19, Lr21, Lr23, Lr24, Lr26 and Lr28. Samples of leaf rust were obtained from different parts of the Slovak Republic. A total of 122 wheat leaf rust isolates were analysed. Resistance gene Lr19 was effective to all tested isolates. Virulence to Lr9 was found, however only in one isolate. Gene Lr24 conditioned resistance to almost all rust collections. A lower frequency of virulence to Lr2a and Lr28 was also observed. Nineteen winter wheat cultivars grown in Slovakia were tested with 8 leaf rust isolates. Winter wheat cultivar Bona Dea was resistant to all isolates applied in the greenhouse test. Presence of Lr genes was estimated according to the reactions of the tested cultivars. Presence of Lr10, Lr26, Lr34 and Lr37 was studied by molecular markers.

A field experiment was conducted to illustrate the different degree and dynamics of microbial community structure and function in the rhizosphere across four growing stages (before plantation and three growth stages) using a combination of biochemical (enzyme assay and microbial biomass carbon) and molecular approaches of qPCR and PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). Rice plant cultivation promoted higher enzyme activities (invertase and urease), microbial biomass carbon (C_mic), bacterial (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS rRNA) genes abundances in the rhizosphere compared to unplanted soil. Principal component analyses of PCR-DGGE profile also revealed that structures of bacterial and fungal communities of rice planted soil were well distinct from unplanted soil. Moreover, enzyme activities showed a significant positive correlation with the total microbial biomass in the rhizosphere throughout growth stages of rice plant. Relative fungal: bacterial ratios were significantly higher in rice planted soil compared to unplanted soil, suggesting rice plantation enhanced the fungal community in the rice rhizosphere environment. These results further suggest a significant linkage between the microbial community dynamics and function in the rhizosphere associated with rice plant over time.

This study was carried out to detect the distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes in Escherichia coli isolates from slaughtered commercial chickens in Iran by PCR. The investigated genes included aadA1, tet(A), tet(B), dfrA1, qnrA, aac(3)-IV, sul1, bla_SHV, bla_CMY, ere(A), catA1 and cmlA. According to biochemical experiments, 57 isolates from 360 chicken meat samples were recognized as E. coli. The distribution of antibiotic-resistance genes in the E. coli isolates included tet(A) and tet(B) (52.63%), dfrA1, qnrA, catA1 and cmlA (36.84%) and sul1 and ere(A) (47.36%), respectively. Nine strains (15.78%) were resistant to a single antimicrobial agent and 11 strains (19.29%) showed resistance to two antimicrobial agents. Multi-resistance which was defined as resistance to three or more tested agents was found in 64.91% of E. coli strains. The results indicate that all isolates harbour one or more of antibiotic resistance genes and that the PCR technique is a fast, practical and appropriate method for determining the presence of antibiotic-resistance genes.

Uric acid has stronger pro-oxidant than antioxidant properties during equine endurance events and thus, limits performance and has serious repercussions on health. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in uric acid, leucocytes, plasma biochemical parameters and heart rate in metabolic endurance horses. Thirty Arabian endurance horses were physically examined and blood samples were collected pre and post-race. After physical examination, the successfully completed (n = 10) and metabolic disordered (n = 20) endurance horses were identified. Blood samples in heparinised vacutainer tubes were used for the determination of uric acid, triglyceride, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, packed cell volume, lactate, total protein and plasma protein. Blood sample in ethyl diaminotetra-acetic acid vacutainer tubes were used for the analysis of leucocytes. The age, body weight, heart rate, humidity and ambient temperature were also recorded. One way Analysis of variance and pairwise correlations were used for the analysis. A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered as significantly different. The mean values of uric acid, lactate, leucocytes, plasma protein, total protein, heart rate, creatine pinase and Packed cell volume were significantly different between the successfully completed and metabolic disordered endurance horses P < 0.0001), respectively. The mean values of aspartate transaminase and triglyceride were significantly different between the successfully completed and metabolic disordered endurance horses: P < 0.0130 and P < 0.0004, respectively. There were significant positive correlations between uric acid and lactate (r = 0.5196; P < 0.0271), between uric acid and plasma protein (r = 0.6025; P < 0.0175), between uric and Packed cell volume (r = 0.5206; P < 0.0268), between uric acid and triglyceride (r = 0.5541; P < 0.0170) and between uric acid and heart rate (r = 0.5629; P < 0.0150) in the metabolic disordered endurance horses. In conclusion, heart rate, triglyceride, blood lactate and packed cell volume were significantly associated with uric acid, a biomarker of oxidative stress. Therefore, uric acid could be used to evaluate performance and health status in endurance horses during training and endurance events.

The research was aimed to estimate above- and below-ground carbon stock in Tankawati natural hill forest of Bangladesh. A systematic sampling method was used to identify each sampling point through Global Positioning System (GPS). Loss on ignition and wet oxidation method were used to estimate biomass and soil carbon stock, respectively. Results revealed that the total carbon stock of the forest was 283.80 t.ha^-1 whereas trees produce 110.94 t.ha^-1, undergrowth (shrubs, herbs and grass) 0.50 t.ha^-1, litter fall 4.21 t.ha^-1 and soil 168.15 t.ha^-1 (up to 1m depth). The forest in the study area is a reservoir of carbon, as it has a good capacity to stock carbon from the atmosphere. To realize the forest sector potentiality inBangladesh, the carbon sequestration should be integrated with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) carbon trading system of the Kyoto Protocol.

The susceptibility to five new insecticide mixtures: chlorosan, feroban, cygron, engeo, and kingbo was studied in the 2^nd and 4^th instar larvae of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). The efficiency and residual effects of these compounds against S. littoralis under field conditions were also investigated. Obtained results revealed that feroban was the most effective compared with the other toxicants, while engeo was the least toxic insecticide in both instars after 2 and 5 days from treatment. Data also indicated that feroban had the longest half-life (Lt₅₀) while engeo recorded the shortest one. Biochemical analysis showed that the tested compounds caused pronounced changes in acetyl cholinesterase and phenol oxidase.

Non-destructive and rapid monitoring methods for crude protein content (CPC) in rice grain are of significance in nitrogen diagnosis and grain quality monitoring, and in enhancing nutritional management and use efficiency. In this study, CPC and canopy spectra in rice were measured based on rice field experiment. Key spectral bands were selected by principal component analysis (PCA) method, and the predicted models were built by multiple linear regressions (MLR), artificial neural network (ANN) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). The results showed that there is a significant correlation between CPC content and key spectral bands. The results of prediction for the three models were in order of PLSR > ANN > MLR with correlation values of 0.96, 0.92 and 0.90, respectively, for the validation data. Therefore, it is implied that CPC in rice (grain quality) could be estimated by canopy spectral data.

Mongolian × Versicolor and common pheasants were investigated. Birds were kept in a confined, environmentally controlled facility without outdoor access and fed ad libitum commercial diets for slaughter pheasants. Body weight was determined at the end of 6, 10 and 13 weeks of rearing, and body weight and body measurements were determined in 16-week-old pheasants. At 16 weeks, 20 pheasants were taken from each genetic group for slaughter. After slaughter, pH₁₅ of muscles was determined and carcasses were dissected. Samples of breast and leg muscles were collected to determine water holding capacity, colour, and sensory properties of meat. Compared to common pheasants, Mongolian × Versicolor hybrids were characterized by similar body weight and body measurements except for length of trunk with neck in females. The carcasses of Mongolian × Versicolor pheasants of both sexes contained more breast muscles, leg muscles, skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat. Differences in the values of these traits were not significant. Significant differences in the composition of carcasses from the groups under comparison were only found for the content of skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat content in females, which were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in Mongolian × Versicolor females. The leg muscles had significantly higher pH₁₅ in Mongolian × Versicolor females and significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) redness (a*) in males. Compared to the common pheasants, the breast muscles of Mongolian × Versicolor pheasants received lower scores for aroma and tenderness and higher scores for taste, whereas leg muscles had higher scores for intensity of aroma and taste, and lower scores for taste and tenderness.

An experiment with laying hens and broiler breeders of two ages (young 22 vs. 36 weeks, old 83 vs. 64 weeks) and at temperatures of 20 and 28°C was carried out to evaluate the interactions between oviposition time (7:30; 11:30, and 15:30 h), age, and temperature on the one hand and egg quality on the other. A significant interaction (P ≤ 0.011) was determined in oviposition time. The highest number (25.8%) of eggs was laid at 7:30 h by young laying hens kept at 20°C and the lowest (3.7%) by young layers at 15:30 h kept in the same temperature. Time of oviposition was delayed by age and a higher temperature. Egg weight was significantly influenced by production type (P ≤ 0.001; 60.5 vs. 68.1 g), age (P ≤ 0.001; 59.4 vs. 69.3 g), oviposition (P ≤ 0.001; 66.5, 63.7, 62.8 g), and temperature (P ≤ 0.022; 65.1 vs. 63.6 g). The significant three-way interaction of age, oviposition, and temperature in Haugh unit score (P ≤ 0.013) and four-way interaction of production type, age, oviposition, and temperature (P ≤ 0.05) in specific gravity show that rather than by a single factor the valuable characteristics of egg quality are considerably affected by a combination of factors.

Toxoplasma gondii is zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes infections in many vertebrate species. The present study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in goats from the Czech Republic. Serum samples were collected from 251 healthy adult goats in the Czech Republic during the years 2006 to 2009. Sera samples were tested for serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with cut off equal to or higher than 50% S/P. The same samples were tested for serum antibodies to Neospora caninum by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with cut off equal to or higher than 30% inhibition; positive sera were confirmed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test with cut-off titre equal to or higher than 40. Sera positive in both tests were marked as positive. In total, 166 (66%) and 15 (6%) goat sera reacted positively for T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies, respectively. All sera positive for N. caninum antibodies were simultaneously positive for T. gondii antibodies. This is the first detection of N. caninum antibodies in goats in the Czech Republic. Our findings indicate that goats in the Czech Republic are frequently exposed to T. gondii, but less frequently to N. caninum.

The aim of the study was to examine for the first time the various aspects of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) presenting in a Middle Eastern country. Medical records of 164 dogs diagnosed with CAD were evaluated. Associations between signalment, lifestyle, clinical signs and allergens were evaluated statistically. Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd dog, Boxer, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever and Shar-Pei breeds were presented more frequently than the regular hospital population (P < 0.0001), and had an earlier disease onset time (P < 0.01). In 22 dogs (13%) signs of CAD were noticed at less than six months of age. Most dogs (75%) lived indoors. Most dogs (83%) had lesions on the ventral part of the body and 68% had foot lesions. After excluding flea allergy dermatitis by implementing strict flea control, 60% of the dogs presented with dorsal distribution of skin lesions. Dogs with ventral lesions were younger when clinical signs first appeared (P < 0.05). Most of the dogs were allergic to dust and/or dust mites (75.6%), with weeds and trees as the next most common allergens. CAD is similar worldwide, but geographic differences may be attributable to genetic pools and allergen loading. This study also shows that early onset of clinical signs, especially in breeds predisposed to CAD and with a dorsal distribution of skin lesions, should not rule out the diagnosis of CAD.

A road network in forest lands provides easy access to forest resources for extraction, regeneration, protection and recreation activities. Erosion from forest roads and skid trails is a major concern in forest management due to the capability to cause adverse environmental effects. The objective of this paper is to introduce two methods for reducing erosion on forest roads and skid trails: water diversion and vegetation cover. Factors affecting erosion on forest roads and skid trails are climate, quality of forest road surfacing material, traffic, slope and vegetation cover. There are several management practices to mitigate the impact of logging and forest road and skid trail construction on stream water quality. Sediments delivered to streams from roads and skid trails lead to a number of dramatic effects on water quality and aquatic life. These management practices were found to be effective in controlling and reducing the runoff volume and soil erosion. Therefore, management and maintenance of forest roads and skid trails are essential elements to mitigate erosion.

Field experiments were conducted at two different locations (Barani Agricultural Research Institute Chakwal and farm field Talagang, district Chakwal) for two crop-growing seasons in northern rainfed Punjab, Pakistan to assess the yield and micronutrient uptake of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). The treatments were four combinations of two levels of sulfur (15 and 30 kg/ha) from two sources (gypsum and ammonium sulfate) and a no-sulfur control. Application of sulfur resulted in a significant increase in seed yield up to 17% over control. Ammonium sulfate was a more efficient source of sulfur as compared to gypsum at both the locations. Sulfur application resulted in a significant increase in micronutrient uptake by plant; however effect of sulfur application on soil pH at the end of experiment was not significant. Availability of soil zinc and copper increased with sulfur application at the end of two year experiment. Tissue copper and iron and soil available copper and iron correlated negatively with soil pH. Sulfur should be applied to chickpea grown under rainfed conditions in order to increase seed yield, to improve nutritional composition of product and to enhance efficiency of other fertilizers.

In association mapping, haplotype-based methods are generally regarded to provide higher power and increased precision than methods based on single markers. For haplotype-based association mapping most studies use a fixed haplotype effect in the model. However, an increase in haplotype length raises the number of parameters in the model, resulting in low accuracy of the estimates especially for the low-frequency haplotypes. Modeling of haplotype effects can be improved if they are assumed to be random effects, as only one parameter, i.e. haplotype variance, needs to be estimated compared to estimating the effects of all different haplotypes in a fixed haplotype model. Using simulated data, we investigated statistical models where haplotypes were fitted either as a fixed or random effect and we compared them for the power, precision, and type I error. We investigated five haplotype lengths of 2, 4, 6, 10 and 20. The simulated data resembled the Danish Holstein cattle pedigree representing a complex relationship structure and QTL effects of different sizes were simulated. We observed that the random haplotype models had high power and very low type I error rates (after the Bonferroni correction), while the fixed haplotype models had lower power and excessively high type I errors. Haplotype length of 4 to 6 gave the best results for random model in the present study. Though the present study was conducted on data structure more frequent in livestock, our findings on random vs. fixed haplotype effects in association mapping models are applicable to data from other species with a similar pedigree structure.

The objective of the study was to determine the relationships between age of the goat and faecal egg counts, liver enzymes, and minerals in the wet and dry seasons in male and female Nguni goats of South Africa. Fifty-six female and forty male Nguni goats were used for the study. Faecal and blood samples were collected once in the dry (August) and wet (January) season. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were determined by the modified McMaster technique while trematodes were determined by the sedimentation method. Blood was analyzed for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels. Faecal egg counts were significantly higher in the wet compared with the dry season. Most (P < 0.05) of the goats were within the reference values for calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in both seasons. Phosphorus concentrations were significantly affected by age with higher levels in the young (2.1 ± 0.06) compared to the adult (2.0 ± 0.03) goats. Alkaline phosphate was significantly affected by age with higher levels in young than in mature goats. Higher AST, CK, and GGT concentrations were recorded in the wet compared to the dry season (P < 0.05). Higher CK and AST were recorded in male than in female goats while for ALP, the values were higher in female than in male goats. Linear negative relationships (P < 0.05) existed between age and ALP, phosphorus, and FEC, while quadratic relationships existed between age and strongyles and Strongyloides egg counts. Calcium was linearly related (P < 0.05) to FEC, while CK was related to FEC in a quadratic fashion. Age of the Nguni goats can be used to predict faecal egg counts, phosphorus, and ALP levels.

A three-year-old intact female Great Pyrenees underwent total knee replacement for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The dog contracted septic arthritis 10 weeks following the procedure. Treatments including implant subtraction, debridement of tissue, and insertion of bone cement with antibiotics into the joint space were completed in the joint cavity. A temporary external skeletal fixator was used to stabilise the joint for four weeks. A second attempt at total knee replacement failed due to severe muscle contracture and bone loss. Therefore, it was decided to perform arthrodesis as a salvage procedure. At the 17 month follow-up examination, the patient was able to use the limb while standing and at all gait speeds. Based on these findings, two-stage arthrodesis can be a viable salvage procedure for infected total knee replacements.

Compression loading test was performed to determine the dependency between force and deformation of jatropha, sunflower and rape seeds with respect to different pressing seed volume. Parameters such as max. deformation and energy were measured. The results which were statistically significant at (P < 0.05) show that rape seed with lower deformation values utilized greater energy than the seeds of jatropha and sunflower which obtained higher deformation values in that order of magnitude. The energy (J) was determined by the area under the force-deformation curve while deformation (mm) was obtained directly from the compression test. Based on the statistical analysis, the energy and deformation with respect to the different pressing seed volume of jatropha, sunflower and rape approximately showed linear relationship.

Studies were undertaken to investigate the composition, structure and diversity of four different types of North Mongolian montane forest near the southern border of the taiga. These forest types, classified as willow-poplar, larch-birch, spruce-fir and Siberian-pine forests, were found to be significantly different with respect to the elevational gradient. In the study area, two fire regimes could be distinguished at lower and drier elevations, frequent surface fires resulted in less diverse forests comprising coniferous species, which in their adult form were found to be fire-resistant, burn-colonizing and light-demanding deciduous tree species. In contrast, the forests colonizing the moist, higher elevations and shaded slopes had a higher diversity of tree species with greater basal area, higher proportion of deadwood, and more regenerating trees; here the coniferous shade trees experienced infrequent but destructive treetop fires. Overall, our results showed that the four forest types differed in composition according to the tree species, diameter and height classes.