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Canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) has a high mortality rate in untreated dogs due to systemic inflammation and multi-organ dysfunction. The inflammatory process can lead to coagulation abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate the coagulation status using thromboelastography (TEG) and assess the thrombin generation (TG) and clot dissolution using TEG-derived velocity curve (v-curve) parameters in dogs with CPE. It included 21 dogs with CPE and five healthy dogs. In addition to the clinico-haemato-biochemical examinations, the coagulation status was analysed using citrated venous blood samples with TEG. All the dogs with CPE met at least two criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The comparison to healthy controls showed a statistically significant prolongation of reaction times (R time; P = 0.005) and times to the maximum rate of thrombus generation (TMRTG; P = 0.003). However, the times to the maximum rate of lysis (TMRL; P = 0.041) and total lysis (L; P = 0.024) decreased significantly. The TEG tracings showed coagulation states varying from hypocoagulation to hypercoagulation in dogs with CPE. These results showed that the v-curve derivate can be used to evaluate the coagulation in dogs with CPE, and it could be superior to the standard TEG variables for determining the low fibrinolytic activity. Thus, the v-curve parameters may provide a novel insight into the underlying mechanism and clinical treatment strategy of CPE-induced inflammation.

The objective of the presented research was to create an average image of a harvester operator in Poland and to identify factors influencing the degree of mental workload. We used a survey of environmental assessments of workload. The creation of an electronic survey and the support of a company that indirectly employs operators (State Forests) made it possible to reach a large group of surveyed people. The respondents indicated the occurrence of ailments typical of sedentary work at the researched workstation. These included mainly monotony, back pain and numbness in the upper limbs. Stress at work was felt by the majority of respondents; hence the analyses of mental stress, which also translates into other diseases, should indicate key responses to questions regarding comprehensive ergonomic assessments at the researched workstation.

Biochar plays an important role in agricultural production as it can improve soil fertility, promote nutrient adsorption and enhance plant growth. However, the distribution of biochar in the soil significantly impacts its application effect. In order to investigate the impact of non-uniform biochar distribution on soil nutrient uptake, root shape, peanut development, and the makeup of soil microbial communities, we carried out greenhouse peanut pot studies. This experiment followed a completely randomised design with four treatments, each with three replications. The four treatments were as follows: no biochar application (B0); concentrated biochar application near seeds (B1); relatively concentrated surface application of biochar (B2), and uniformly dispersed application of biochar (B3). The findings demonstrated that, compared to the no-biochar scenario, the aboveground and root nitrogen uptake was significantly (P < 0.05) improved by the B2 treatment, increasing by 42.79% and 51.39%, respectively, compared to the control group. Additionally, it reduced the concentrations of NO₃^–-N and NH₄⁺-N in the soil. The B2 treatment also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the net photosynthetic rate and aboveground dry matter weight, increasing by 196.85% and 53.96%, respectively, compared to the B0 treatment. The B1 and B3 treatments also demonstrated a higher promoting effect. The growth of the root system and the quantity of root nodules were promoted by the addition of biochar. The number of root nodules in the B2 treatment was 72.22% higher than that in the control group. In terms of microbial and bacterial communities, the addition of biochar increased the number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to a certain extent, while the relative abundance of soil bacterial communities showed no significant differences. In general, the non-uniform distribution of biochar in the soil significantly affected peanuts’ vegetative growth and developmental effects. The relatively concentrated surface application of biochar treatments contributes to improving plant nutrient uptake and root system development. This provides a more effective application method for agricultural personnel to apply biochar fertiliser in the future.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the use of biofertilizers on the degree of colonization of cucumber and tomato plant roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the number of AMF spores in the rhizosphere soil. Two experiments were carried out in containers on cucumber and tomato plants under field conditions. The plants were fertilized with standard NPK fertilizer, mineral fertilizers: POLIFOSKA 6, Super FOS DAR 40 and urea in the full recommended dose and reduced by 40%, microbiologically enriched, and only with strains of beneficial microorganisms (Bacillus spp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Paenibacillus Polymyxa, Aspergillus niger, Purpureocillium lilacinum). The experimental results showed a beneficial effect of the POLIFOSKA 6 mineral fertilizer enriched with beneficial bacteria of the Bacillus genus on increasing the colonization of the roots of tomato and cucumber plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Compared to the control, fertilization with microbiologically enriched urea at doses of 100% and 60% reduced the frequency of mycorrhizas in the roots of tomato and cucumber plants. The use of POLIFOSKA 6 100% and Super FOS DAR 40 at a dose of 60% resulted in an increase in the number of spores in the rhizosphere soil. The experimental results will allow the development of new biofertilizers as alternative methods of fertilizing plants and improving soil quality compared to standard mineral fertilization.

Feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most essential traits in dairy cattle, primarily due to the high cost of feed, which constitutes a significant portion of dairy herd expenses. Unfortunately, assessing FE in individual cows requires precise measurement of feed consumption, a labour-intensive and expensive process that is impractical for group-fed cows on production farms. Efforts have been made to predict FE or, more precisely, dry matter intake (DMI), using predictors such as a body weight (BW), milk yield (MY), and milk composition. Recently, Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy has been proposed as a tool to enhance the accuracy of DMI prediction. This paper reviews the application of FT-MIR milk spectroscopy for deriving FE phenotype in dairy cattle. FT-MIR is a reliable and widely used method for routine analysis of milk components. In FE phenotyping, predictive equations often incorporate FT-MIR alongside other traits such as BW, MY, milk composition, herd, breed, days in milk, and pregnancy. The most commonly used mathematical approaches are partial least squares (PLS) regression and artificial neural networks (ANN). Prediction accuracy varies across studies, depending on the mathematical method and model employed. Predictions based solely on FT-MIR data have demonstrated moderate accuracy (coefficient of determination), ranging from 0.19 to 0.40. However, integrating all data sources including MY, milk composition, FT-MIR, and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) is crucial and results in higher accuracy, with reported values ranging from 0.03 to 0.81.

In this study, we examine the effect of Agricultural Socialisation Services (ASS) on green grain production efficiency in Jiangsu Province, China, by using data from the China Land Economy Survey. We used the generalised random forests model in this research to address potential issues of farming household self-selection into ASS and unobserved heterogeneity in treatment effects. The results show that participation in ASS significantly improves green production efficiency, particularly for small-scale farmers. Efficiency gains are most pronounced in critical agronomic operations such as pest control, seeding and planting, whereas smaller efficiency effects are observed in plowing, harvesting and straw treatment. The findings suggest that targeted expansion of ASS could substantially enhance sustainable farming practices, especially for resource-constrained farms. This study provides important policy insights for promoting agricultural sustainability through improved access to and delivery of agricultural services, contributing to more efficient and ecofriendly grain production.

This study investigates the impact of prolonged sugarcane cultivation on the pedo-morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties of three soil types: Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols, as a basis for determining the improvement step ensuring the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia. Soil samples were collected from fields of sugarcane cultivated for 10, 20, and 30 years to analyse pedo-morphological and physicochemical properties. The results indicate that while Entisols and Inceptisols exhibited significant changes in soil properties with increasing cultivation duration, the pedo-morphology of Vertisols remained relatively stable. All soil types developed Ap horizons due to sugarcane cultivation, with anthropogenic practices leading to more dynamic changes in surface horizons. Extended cultivation reduced soil organic matter, N-total, and available nitrogen, while phosphorus and exchangeable cation availability were influenced by mineral composition. Notably, cation exchange capacity (CEC) decreased in Entisols and Inceptisols but increased in Vertisols. For productivity, Vertisols demonstrated the most stable and highest sugarcane productivity with long-term monoculture cultivation. There is a need for tailored sustainable soil management across different soil types and practices to mitigate soil degradation and maintain nutrient availability to ensure the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia.

The increasing global demand for energy and the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel exploitation have driven interest in sustainable energy solutions, such as wood. The Russian Federation, as one of the world's largest pellet producers, has an opportunity to utilise pellets domestically. This study addresses the lack of publicly available life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on pellet production and utilisation in Russia, specifically examining the environmental impact of residential heat production from locally produced wood pellets. Utilising primary data from the Northwest region, the study follows ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and employs the ReCiPe 2016 (H) Midpoint v. 1.1 method to assess environmental impacts. The results indicate that the production of pellets is the dominant contributor to the global warming impact category, marine eutrophication, and fossil resource scarcity, while transportation has the least impact across all categories. Sensitivity analyses confirm the robustness of these findings, revealing that using natural gas for pellet drying increases emissions for global warming and fossil resource scarcity, and increasing transportation distance significantly raises emissions across all categories. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance the sustainability of similar bioenergy systems.

In this study, the influence of microclimatic conditions in different seasons of the year (including the hottest months) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ejaculates of Czech Holstein bulls was assessed. Bulls were kept in the facility with no forced ventilation or air conditioning. To determine the influence, the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated based on the microclimatic parameters measured directly in the facility with the animals. Bull sperm was obtained using an artificial vagina on five occasions throughout the year, in different seasons of the year including the hottest months. Semen was assessed for its volume, sperm concentration, and motility by CASA, as well as cellular viability by using flow cytometry. In the present study no statistically significant positive correlations between values of THI and sperm degradation were observed. Obtained preliminary results give grounds to believe that Czech Holstein bulls produced high-quality sperm during the summer, the hottest months of the year.

Tomatoes are in great demand worldwide and consumed due to their nutritional and sensory qualities. Weed infestation poses a great challenge in tomato production, prompting growers to employ two to three herbicides in combinations and sequences for comprehensive control. Consequently, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin when applied individually or in sequential combinations in tomato fields. The herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry biomass and enhanced the weed control efficiency (WCE) compared to control. A tank mix spray of pendimethalin and metribuzin following glyphosate gave significantly higher WCE (80–91%) and fruit yield (88.47 t/ha). The tomato quality parameters were unaffected by the herbicides. The terminal residues in fruits were found below the safe limit of 0.1 mg/kg for glyphosate and 0.01 mg/kg for pendimethalin and metribuzin. Moreover, there was no evidence of residual carryover toxicity from the applied herbicides, as confirmed by the plant bioassay and instrumental techniques. However, continuous spraying of herbicides repeatedly in succession and in combination necessitates long-term monitoring to assess the potential development of herbicide-resistant weeds, the bio-magnification of residues in soil, their transfer to tomato fruits and the impact on the food chain.

In this study, the effects of standard fertilisation versus variable fertilisation with mineral and organomineral fertilisers on N, P, K, Ca and Mg leaching from the ploughed layer and yields of winter wheat and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were studied. The losses of calcium were the highest, and phosphorus from phosphates was the lowest of all studied nutrients when simulated rainfall and lysimeters were used after the crops were harvested. The use of variable rate fertilisation reduced nitrates leaching in all the studied plots. Nevertheless, leaching of calcium, which is present in higher concentrations in soils (and also magnesium leaching), seems to be more dependent on the used fertilisers (or their combinations) and doses. As found in different studies, we proved that variable rate fertilisation may not increase grain yields.

As the strategy for building a robust agricultural nation gains momentum and agricultural science and technology advances, the quality of agricultural products has seen significant improvement, accompanied by an increase in the economic income of agricultural producers and operators. Therefore, the fair and reasonable implementation of the revenue distribution of the agricultural supply chain is of great significance in improving the quality of agricultural products and ensuring the stable operation of the supply chain. The article focuses on the three main bodies of the agricultural supply chain, namely production and price co-integration enterprises, logistics service enterprises and sales enterprises, and utilises the matrix semi-tensor product to establish the Shapley value revenue allocation model of the interval cooperation game, so as to make the revenue allocation of the governance of agricultural products' quality in the digital supply chain more reasonable and scientific. Finally, numerical examples verify the Shapley value model, demonstrating that this revenue allocation scheme, when applied, can boost the overall supply chain's revenue through cooperative agricultural product quality management, elevate agricultural product quality and market competitiveness, and foster collaboration to ensure the stability of supply chain operations.

Green growth promotes sustainable economic development by protecting the environment and efficiently using natural resources. Supporting green growth enhances long-term sustainability, quality of life, and climate change mitigation. This article aims to propose a conceptual framework for implementing green growth indicators in Slovakia by comparing their perception with that of the Czech Republic. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 3 281 Slovak and Czech forestry enterprises [Nomenclature of Economic Activities (NACE) classification 02.10], with 1 365 responses. The findings highlight significant differences in the approach to green growth indicators between small and large enterprises and between state and non-state enterprises. Additionally, the study examines how Slovakia and the Czech Republic manage these indicators, forming the basis for a conceptual framework for their implementation in Slovakia. The research contributes to the discourse on green growth and sustainability, key concepts in the 21^st century.

The current investigation was done to study the impact of adding banana peel powder (BPP) and treatment with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) on the structure, physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory qualities of yoghurt prepared from camel milk powder during cold storage. BPP analysis showed that it contained high amounts of total phenolics, which were accompanied by strong antioxidant activity. When employed alone or with BPP, MTGase polymerises yoghurt proteins, forming a structure with a high molecular weight above the stacking gel and lacking pores. The levels of protein, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total solids, ash, and antioxidant activity (DPPH – 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) increased after the addition of BPP to yoghurt, even after 21 days of storage. Adding BPP to yoghurt initially decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which then increased with the storage time. Yoghurt made with BPP and treated with MTGase was more stable with enhanced physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory qualities during storage when compared to yoghurt made with MTGase alone. The results of the study demonstrated that MTGase is capable of cross-linking yoghurt proteins and that BPP can be applied as a stabiliser, antioxidant, and functional component in yoghurt production.

The purpose of this study was to assess the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of swamp buffalo meat (Bubalus bubalis) obtained from a local market. The extractable free amino acids and free fatty acids of raw and cooked loin (Longissimus lumborum: LL) and round (Semimembranosus: SM) buffalo meat were analysed. These experiments were performed in a 2 × 2 factorial in randomised complete block design (RCBD) and there were four treatments combinations, including raw-loin, cooked-loin, raw-round and cooked-round with five replications. The results revealed the amino acid composition for the raw-loin included leucine [4.51 mg·(100 g)^–1 sample) and isoleucine [4.56 mg·(100 g)^–1 sample], whereas methionine, aspartic acid and asparagine were the least common amino acids found in both raw and cooked swamp buffalo meat [0.002, 0.020 and 0.034 mg·(100 g)^–1] of the sample. The amino acid composition of the cooked meat decreased by 50% as compared to raw meat. Swamp buffalo meat contains 10 fatty acids, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs) such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and docosanoic acid (C22:0); monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) such as palmitoleic acid (C16:1, n-7) and oleic acid (C18:1); and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6, ω6), gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3, n-6, ω6), eicosatetraenoic acid (C20:5, n-3, ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:4, n-6, ω6). Stearic acid (C18:0) was the most abundant saturated fatty acids found in the lipid component of buffalo meat. Other medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, C22:0) contributed to around 3–4% of the total fatty acid composition. The most abundant MUFAs and PUFAs were oleic acid (C18:1) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5). The PUFA/SFA ratio, total polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3, total polyunsaturated fatty 64 acids n-6, and n-6/n-3 ratios were not significantly different between raw and cooked buffalo meat.

Resveratrol and polydatin are stilbenes with notable antioxidant and health benefits, making them important compounds in health promotion, grapevine production, and oenology. This study aimed to monitor the trans isomers of these compounds in twelve grape varieties (red and white), grown under organic production (OP) and conventional production (CP) systems. A novel high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated, demonstrating sensitivity and reliability for the quantification of the mentioned stilbenes. The method was applied to real samples, enabling the evaluation of the influence of production systems on the presence of the analysed compounds. The research included some of the most widely cultivated domestic and international varieties in the examined region. The obtained results revealed a significant impact of the production system and grape colour on resveratrol and polydatin content. OP consistently yielded a higher content of both compounds, compared to CP. Furthermore, red varieties showed higher overall stilbene levels than white ones. ‘Shiraz’ variety was an exception, with high levels of both compounds under CP. All the obtained findings highlight the role of the production system in enhancing bioactive compound content in grapes. The study provides valuable insights for optimising viticulture, supporting plant resilience, and improving the nutritional qualities of grape-derived products.

Antibiotics used in animal feeds have recently been strictly regulated to avoid antibiotic resistance in humans. Thus, scientists are compelled to find new feed additives to replace antibiotics in feed. Apart from having a zero effect on human health, new alternatives may even be able to further improve production performance. Essential oils (EOs) and organic acids (OAs) stood out as powerful and useful replacements for both animal production and human population. These are added to chicken diets and drinking water to induce a favourable growth response. Hence, enhancing the nutrient digestibility, performance, and immunity of birds, OAs and EOs are used in livestock production mainly to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and simultaneously maintain the balance of intestinal bacteria. This improves the digestion of nutrients and mineral absorption which will eventually lead to better feed efficiency. The addition of OAs and EOs also causes the intestinal lining to thin, which further enhances nutrient absorption and utilization. Not only for poultry production, the effect of OAs and EOs can also improve poultry immunity and antioxidant capacity. However, the effects will vary depending on the type of OAs and EOs because their mode of action is dependent on their pKa value. In the present review, beneficial properties of OAs and EOs, as well as various dose combinations, to promote their optimal use in poultry nutrition and production will be examined. Their effects on supporting protein digestion, faster absorption of minerals, especially microminerals, stimulating growth performance, regulating antioxidant capacity, and improving immune response will be explored.

Genetic modifications can improve the health status and disease resistance of farm animals. In the previous study, genetically modified (GM) sheep overexpressing toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) were produced. The GM sheep had stronger ability to eliminate invasive microbes compared to the wild-type (WT) sheep. Physiological status and immune homeostasis, blood parameters, body composition, and gastrointestinal microbial diversity were evaluated in this study to elucidate the effects of TLR4 overexpression. In a set of 10 GM rams, the TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells, muscle, kidney, and spleen were higher than those of the WT (n = 10; P < 0.05). No significant differences in the parameters of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and in the composition of circulating T lymphocyte subsets were observed between the GM and WT sheep (P > 0.05). Of the biochemical parameters, only total protein levels differed (were higher) in the GM sheep than in the WT sheep (P < 0.05) while no significant differences were observed for the other indices (P > 0.05). GM and WT sheep showed similar offal weights and muscle fatty acid and amino acid compositions (P > 0.05). Furthermore, TLR4 overexpression did not affect the community structure of the gastrointestinal tract microbiota. Eleven KEGG pathways associated with the TLR4 gene, physiology and biochemistry, growth and metabolism, fatty acids, and amino acids did not demonstrate significant differences between the GM and WT sheep (P > 0.05). In conclusion, TLR4 overexpression had no principal or adverse effects on the physiological development and health of sheep, except for the general mRNA and protein expression levels.

In order to provide a theoretical basis for the application of organic selenium (Se) in the production and cultivation of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. We investigated the effects of selenomethionine (SeMet) on the growth and physiological characteristics of S. ningpoensis seedlings. The results showed that SeMet significantly improved the antioxidant capacity by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the leaves of S. ningpoensis, which significantly reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as compared to the control. SeMet also significantly improved the water metabolism by increasing the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE), relative water content, and water saturation deficit of S. ningpoensis leaves. Moreover, SeMet significantly enhanced photosynthetic performance by decreasing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and increasing the soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate, PSII actual photochemical efficiency Y(II), photochemical quenching (qP), PSII photochemical effective quantum yield (F_v'/F_m') and apparent electron transport rate (ETR). Meanwhile, SeMet significantly improved the plant’s height, basal diameter, root/shoot ratio and dry weight of shoots and roots in S. ningpoensis. Various SeMet 30 and 60 mg/L SeMet concentrations demonstrated better effects on the growth and physiological characteristics of S. ningpoensis. The above results indicate that appropriate concentrations of SeMet can enhance the growth of S. ningpoensis and can be improved by increasing its antioxidant capacity, water metabolism, and photosynthetic performance. This provides a theoretical foundation for using organic selenium in growing and producing S. ningpoensis.

Powdery mildew (PM) is a fungus that causes disease in both the field and the greenhouse. Utilizing resistant cultivars is the most effective approach of disease management. To develop insertion-deletion (InDel) markers associated to this trait, the whole genomes of the PM resistant line M17050 (P1) and the PM-susceptible line 28-1-1 (P2) were sequenced. A total of 1 200 InDels, with an average of 100 markers per chromosome, were arbitrarily chosen from the sequencing data for experimental validation. One hundred InDel markers were ultimately selected due to their informative genetic bands. Further, an F₂ segregating population of melons generated from these two parents was inoculated by the PM pathogen. Based on bulk segregant analysis (BSA) using these 100 InDel markers, the powdery mildew resistance was associated with the genomic region LVpm12.1 on the melon chromosome 12. This region overlapped the previously described quantitative trait locus (QTL)-hotspot area carrying multiple PM-resistance QTLs. Moreover, conventional QTL mapping analysis was done, which located LVpm12.1 in the region between 22.72 and 23.34 Mb, where three highly polymorphic InDel markers MInDel89, MInDel92, and MInDel93 were detected. Therefore, these markers could be used to track this resistance locus in melon while the lines carrying this locus could be employed in PM melon resistance breeding programs after validation tests.

The effects of the foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs), salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (AA) were studied on yield and some qualitative traits of corn silage under drought stress in a field experiment conducted in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Khoy in two consecutive years. The experiment was performed in four replications as a split plot in a randomised complete blocks design. Irrigation treatment was in two levels, ir75 and ir150, and the foliar applications of SA and AA at seven levels (100, 200, and 300 ppm, as well as a control treatment). The amount of water consumed in ir75 and ir150 during 10 and 7 times irrigation was 6 000 and 4 200 m3/ha, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased over the plant growth period in both ir75 and ir150, but with the difference that its range was 3.72 to 12.9 nmol/g FW (fresh weight) under ir75 and 12.5–109.5 nmol/g FW under water shortage conditions. The results show that ir150 decreased plant height, forage yield, ear weight, and nitrogen uptake versus ir75. In plants treated with SA and AA, nitrogen uptake and chlorophyll content increases (45–33%) were observed compared to the control plants under ir75. In most traits, there was no significant difference between AA and SA levels, but plants treated with SA100 showed higher protein yield, dry forage yield, and ear yield.

The technological quality of the protein fraction of wheat white flour (WW) was determined by the lactic acid Solvent Retention Capacity and by the Gluten Performance Index (LA-SRC and GPI; AACC method 56-11.01). Parallelly, Perten's standard Gluten Index test (GI; AACC method 38-12.02) was performed with that wheat control. Consequently, the same methods were applied to 9 bi-composite blends mixed at ratios of 90 : 10, 80 : 20, 70 : 30, 60 : 40, 50 : 50, …, and 10 : 90 as WW replacement with one of the rye bread flours (RB), and the RB control itself. Unlike successful measurements in the case of the LA-SRC and GPI, washing gluten from the first 90 WW : 10 RB blend led to the clogging of the Glutomatic sieve, likely due to the interaction of wheat gluten with rye arabinoxylans. The discrepancy induced the development of a modification of the standard GI procedure; clogging was avoided by precipitating flour and centrifuging the swollen solid from suspension, similarly like in the SRC method. The settled residue transported to a standard sieve cassette was secondly centrifuged in the original apparatus Perten CF2015. The weighing of the overflow and underflow of the sieve and the calculation of the results were performed according to the original GI method. For the WW control, the standard GI value was 90% and the modified Gluten Index value (GI_modif) was 82%. As expected for WW-RB counterparts, the higher the portion of rye in the bi-composite blend, the lower the value of the GI_modif. For the 50 WW : 50 RB blend and the RB itself, the GI_modif values were 47% and 18% (the GPI values 0.66, 0.45, and 0.39, respectively). On the contrary, the LA-SRC demonstrated a convex course (118, 104, and 123%, respectively). In the plane of the principal components (PC), namely PC1 and PC2, the variables related to gluten quality formed 4 groups as a function of the stepwise change in the mixing ratio of WW and RB: i) flour protein content, GPI, and GI_modif; ii) LA-SRC; iii) dietary fibre content and ash content; iv) water, sucrose, and sodium carbohydrate SRCs. However, the modified test procedure should be revised in wheat varieties characterised by a wider spectrum of protein quality, mixed with different types of rye flour (especially wholegrain one).

Drunken horse grass (Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng) is a toxic perennial bunchgrass native to Northwestern China. Epichloë endophytic fungi infection could enhance the stress tolerance of drunken horse grass. However, there is a scarcity of literature regarding the effects of intraspecific competition. As a result, we anticipated that the intraspecific competitive dynamics between endophyte-infected (EI) and endophyte-free (EF) plants would become more transparent for four years by planted as the proportions of 2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2. The results showed the EI plants exhibited more biomass, seed yields, and survival rates than EF plants. Endophyte infection also facilitated a competitive advantage by enhancing photosynthesis and soil nutrition. Our findings constituted the inaugural investigation into the influence of the intraspecific competitive ability of grass infected with Epichloë endophyte fungi. EI plants caused them to become stronger and stronger, while EF became weaker and weaker by timing and planting proportion increasing, and EF drunken horse grass could be replaced by EI. These conclusions were instrumental in elucidating why the endophytic fungal infection rate of drunken horse grass is 100% observed in natural wilderness. Epichloë endophyte could reduce plant diversity and enhance the dominance of EI plants in intraspecific competition; drunken horse grass may be threatening the persistence of native plant species.

Sows are selected for their prolificacy. Therefore, assessing difficulties that can be associated with large litters is crucial. This review aims to highlight the factors that can affect reproductive performance such as breed, parity, litter size, environment, and nutrition. Understanding these factors can help producers make informed decisions about sow management and other aspects. Higher within-litter variation is the result of  a  high number of piglets born. It has been determined that large litter sizes pose a risk to animal welfare in the pig industry. Moreover, large litters bring more piglets with low birth weight leading to high pre-weaning losses. Lighter littermates struggle to get enough colostrum due to the competition with heavy littermates, which lowers their chances of survival causing high mortality. Larger litters may cause greater stress and discomfort of the sow. Therefore, applying stress-free environment and treating the sow with anti-inflammatory compounds may enhance the sow performance and consequent survival of piglets. The litter size is positively correlated with the variation in birth weight within a litter, while the average weight at birth is negatively related to litter size. Producers should therefore focus on potential management strategies that can improve piglet performance, survival and welfare such as proper supervision and adequate colostrum intake. This review highlights the historical development of the pig industry and literature on the variation in piglet weight at birth within a litter, factors influencing weight at birth, and the potential effects on the piglet performance before weaning. Also, the difficulties amongst large litters and possible strategies for managing survival in large litters were also reviewed.

This study aims to characterise the physicochemical properties and stability of confectionery glazes made from various tropical fruit seed powders during storage. Physicochemical properties were evaluated at regular intervals throughout frozen storage to monitor quality changes. The mango seed glaze is slightly acidic, and significantly darker, with tones of green and blue. The glaze has a total soluble solid content of 73.37 °Brix, a moisture content of 19%, hardness of 46.69 g, and sagging capacity of 18.33 mm, which ensures both structural integrity and sensory appeal. Its highest viscosity among formulations suggested possible thickening and improved stability. Over 28 days, significant changes occur, with the pH stabilising to a near-neutral 6.8. The hue changes over time, migrating towards reddish tone as indicated by increasing positive a* values, while maintaining a consistent preference for blue-toned hues with continuously negative b* values. Moisture levels remained stable at 18.71% during storage, with minimal total soluble solid content changes, indicating sustained quality. The findings suggest that mango seed glazing is a viable option for quality preservation during storage. This study provides essential empirical insights into the potential changes in the quality characteristics of various fruit seed glazes when subjected to freezing.

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play multiple roles in plants. As a kind of PRRs, chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (CERK1) proteins were reported to function in plant resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens, and tolerance to salt stress. In this study, a predicted cowpea CERK1 homologous gene, designated as VuCERK1, was identified by database search. VuCERK1 protein contains 618 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular mass of 67.5 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point of 5.04. VuCERK1 shows 58% and 60% sequence identity with AtCERK1 and OsCERK1, respectively. VuCERK1 also shows similar subcellular pattern with AtCERK1 and OsCERK1, suggesting VuCERK1 may function in cowpea immune responses. Gene expression assay indicated, that VuCERK1 was expressed in four different seedling tissues tested, comprising first leave, epicotyl, hypocotyl and root, and it could be induced by salt stress. Furthermore, transient expression of VuCERK1 in Nicotiana benthamiana induced obvious cell death. In addition, heterologous overexpression of VuCERK1 in Arabidopsis thaliana conferred enhanced disease resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 hrcC^- (Pto DC3000 hrcC^-).

A breeding program has been developed for the Latvian warmblood heavy type horses in Latvia, with the aim to preserve this type, because the number of these horses is small and the status of the local endangered breed has been granted. The aim of the study was to analyse the genetic structure, inbreeding and effective population size of the Latvian warmblood heavy type (LSB) horse population. Horses that were living at the time of the study on January 1, 2023 were used for the study. A total of 374 genetic resources live horses were analysed. Population structure analysis, inbreeding and effective population size were investigated. Calculations were done by POPREP (v1.0) software. The effective population size (Ne) decreased, however, since 2018 the decline in the size of the effective population has not been so rapid. In 2000, the Ne was 316 animals, and in 2020, it was 101 animals. Over the years, changes in the average inbreeding level in the LSB population were observed from year to year. In 2000, inbreeding was 1.39%, and in 2020 it was 1.47% with the average inbreeding level of 1.12%. Over the last 20 years, large changes in Ne have been observed, thus, the loss of genetic diversity in the LSB breed should be controlled.

Soil particle-size distribution or soil texture presents one of the most important physical properties. There are various systems of the classification systems for soil particle-size fractions with different boundaries. Our effort was concentrated on the mathematical approach to evaluate the existing data and convert it to the form of a reconstructed cumulative particle-size curve which will allow reading concentration of any desired particle size. Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) curves therefore represent a generalization of B-splines and Bézier curves by extending the definition by an element of rationality, which is represented by the weights of the control points, and a nodal vector of parametrization, which represents the element of uniformity. The NURBS curve was used for smooth (depending on the degree of the curve used) and as tight as possible approximation of the arranged control points, the connecting lines of which forms a convex envelope for its individual parts. The NURBS approximation curve is therefore determined by the ordered control points and their connecting lines, the weights of these points, the degree of the curve and the nodal vector of parametrization. However, the construction of the approximation curve is primarily dependent on a limited number of points of the experimentally determined particle-size distribution curves, and for curves with significant breaks in the course, one must consider either a lower accuracy of the approximation or the necessity of “improving” the approximation using the weights of individual points, inserting additional points or working with a nodal vector of parametrization. For basic approximation, the PUGIS system (Czech soil information system) offers automatic approximation using all variants mentioned in the article as well as the possibility of individual changes in the weights of control points, in their number and position, and in the nodal vector of parametrization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laying hybrid lines of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. domestica) and their age on ejaculate parameters in roosters. Parameters assessed included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), percentage of normal spermatozoa, and sperm motility. Additionally, morphological defects were observed: defects of the acrosome, head, neck, tail, and immature spermatozoa. The study included 120 roosters of the Barred Plymouth Rock, Sussex Light, Rhode Island Red, and Rhode Island White laying lines. Ejaculate was repeatedly evaluated at the ages of 34, 43, and 52 weeks. The average ejaculate volume was 0.52 ml, sperm concentration 2.53 × 10⁹ cm^–3, motility 81.1%, and defect occurrence rates were as follows: acrosome defects 0.7%, head defects 3.0%, neck defects 2.4%, and tail defects 2.9%. A statistically significant effect (P < 0.01) of the line was observed for all parameters except tail defects. Statistically significant differences between age categories were confirmed for volume, sperm concentration, TSC, immature spermatozoa, and normal spermatozoa (P < 0.01), as well as for ejaculate volume, neck, and tail defects (P < 0.05). The volume, concentration and TSC reached significantly higher values at 43 weeks of age. The incidence of normal spermatozoa and immature spermatozoa was significantly lower at 34 weeks of age. The interaction of age and line was significant (P < 0.01) for sperm concentration, TSC, motility, head, tail, and normal spermatozoa. The highest values of volume, concentration, and TSC were observed in the BPR line, which also exhibited the lowest occurrence of head defects and immature spermatozoa. The RIR line showed a higher occurrence of sperm defects. Younger roosters (34 and 43 weeks of age) had higher ejaculate parameter values and a higher occurrence of sperm defects compared to the older ones.

Sheep production represents an important source of income for farmers in Türkiye; however, reproductive inefficiencies during the anoestrus period pose a major challenge to productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable trace minerals (copper, selenium, manganese, and zinc) on the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes synchronised during the anoestrous period. A total of 200 clinically healthy ewes were randomly allocated to two groups: the trace mineral group (TRACE, n = 100), which received 2 ml of a trace mineral solution 14 days before oestrus synchronisation, and the control group (CON, n = 100), which received 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl. Oestrus was synchronised using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 days, followed by administration of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at sponge removal. Ewes were hand-mated for five days following synchronisation. Variables assessed included serum trace mineral concentrations, response to synchronisation, and reproductive outcomes (oestrus rate, pregnancy rate, lambing rate, incidence of multiple births, and dystocia). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between groups in serum concentrations of copper, zinc, or manganese. Although the duration of oestrus was significantly longer in the TRACE group compared to control (29.66 ± 0.96 h vs 26.09 ± 0.89 h; P = 0.006), all other reproductive indicators were similar between groups. These findings suggest that a single pre-synchronisation injection of trace minerals does not significantly improve the reproductive performance or mineral status in anoestrous Awassi ewes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing and dosing strategies for supplementing trace minerals in sheep.