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This study was designed to test the hypothesis that pre-analytical treatment of relatively fragile cells is more important for their viability and function than shear forces and decompression shocks on a flow cytometric sorter. Human neutrophils were enriched using different techniques (sedimentation, hypotonic or ammonium chloride-mediated erythrocyte lysis) and their function was evaluated by measuring their capability of mounting oxidative burst. In contrast to other isolation techniques, neutrophils enriched by spontaneous sedimentation were found to be intact both in terms of their function and relative numbers within the leukocyte population; such preparations were thus run on a FACSAria cell sorter using 70, 85 and 100 µm nozzles and the corresponding internal pressure values. The viability and function of sorted neutrophils with or without subsequent cultivation were re-evaluated using phagocytosis assays. Independent of the nozzle size and internal sorter pressure, the capability of neutrophils of responding to E. coli stimulation was impaired after sorting while phorbol myristate acetate stimulation remained intact. In tested samples, only 20 h incubation of sorted cells confirmed the expected influence of the nozzle size on the sorted cell function. We conclude that pre-analytical treatment is more important for cell function than conditions during sorting.

The effects of yeast-derived protein (YP) on growth performance, intestinal health, and oxidative status of weanling piglets were investigated. A total of 80 weaned piglets (PIC 327 × 1050, 26 ± 2 days old, 6.20 ± 0.10 kg) were randomly allocated into 2 groups, 5 pens per each group and 8 piglets per each pen, receiving control diet and diet with inclusion of 4% YP at the expenses of fish meal (YP diet) for a period of 28 days. The diets were formulated to contain similar nutrient levels. Compared with control, piglets fed YP diet had markedly higher overall average daily growth (+14%, P < 0.05) and lower final feed conversion ratio (-8%, P < 0.01). Concentrations of serum serine, cystathionine, histidine, hydroxyproline, and urea were decreased in piglets fed YP diet (P < 0.05), whereas alanine and aspartate were increased (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase) was markedly increased (+19%, P < 0.01) in piglets fed YP diet relative to piglets fed control diet. In addition, feeding YP diet considerably (P < 0.05) increased the copy numbers of lactobacilli and total bacteria in the colon of piglets at the end of the experiment. Furthermore, the mRNA abundance of innate immunity-related genes (TLR4, NF-κB1, and IL-6) was increased (P < 0.06) in the ileum of piglets fed YP diet. Collectively, results of this study indicated that diet with the inclusion of YP improved growth performance and partially enhanced anti-oxidative capability as well as intestinal innate immunity of weaning piglets.

The research aimed at the assessment of N₂O emission from agricultural soils subject to different fertilization conditions. It was carried out on a long-term experiment field in Skierniewice in Central Poland maintained with no alterations since 1923 under rye monoculture. The treatments included mineral (CaNPK), mineral-organic (CaNPK + M) and organic (Ca + M) fertilization. Measurements were conducted during the growing periods of 2012 and 2013. N₂O emissions from the soil were measured in situ by the means of infrared spectroscopy using a portable FTIR spectrometer Alpha. N₂O fluxes over the measurement periods showed high variability with range 0.13-11.20 g N₂O-N/ha/day (median 2.87, mean 3.16) from mineral treated soil, 0.23-11.06 g N₂O-N/ha/day (median 3.64, mean 3.33) from mineral-organic treated soil and 0.25-12.28 g N₂O-N/ha/day (median 3.14, mean 3.55) from organic treated soil. N₂O fluxes from manure-treated soils were slightly higher than those from soils treated exclusively with mineral fertilizers. N₂O fluxes were positively correlated with soil temperature, air temperature, and content of both, NO₃^- and NH₄⁺, in the soil (0-25 cm) and, to a lesser degree, negatively correlated with soil moisture. Based on the measured N₂O flux and its relationship with environmental factors it can be concluded that both, nitrification and denitrification the are important sources of N₂O in mineral soils of Central Poland, where the average soil water-filled pore space during the growing period range from 22-35%. Under the climate, soil and fertilization conditions in Central Poland, the N₂O emission from cultivated soils during the growing period is approximately estimated as 0.64-0.73 kg N/ha.

Quantitative relationships between stand indices and carbon dioxide (CO₂) stocking are missing in the evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) in eastern China and this hinders to estimate carbon (C) budget in the subtropical region. We determined the vegetation-soil C pool and CO₂ stocking using stand indices [diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (H) and wood density] in Schima superba dominated EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park in eastern China. Vegetation biomass was determined by a non-destructive method using the tree volume and wood density approach while soil C concentration was determined using the oil bath-K₂CrO₇ titration method. Finally, multiple regression and one-way ANOVA with LSD test were used for data analysis. Results showed that total C stocks in the vegetation and the 0-20 cm surface soil were 90.53 t.ha^-1 and 116.24 t.ha^-1, respectively. The study revealed that the total amount of CO₂ stocks in the studied forest is 331.87 t.ha^-1. One-way ANOVA with LSD test showed that CO₂ stocks varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the tree growth stages. There was a significant variation in CO₂ stocking capacity within sapling and pole growth stages but no significant variation within standard stage. The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that DBH, BA and H were related to the C stocking while wood density had no significant effect. The significant amount of C stocking in EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park of eastern China showed the potential and significant C stocks by trees. As the C pool structure changes due to a change in the forest type and location, therefore this study is important to estimate C stocks and predict CO₂ stocks from stand indices in EBLFs which serve as a scientific basis for sustainable forestry operations, rational utilization of forest resources and global warming reduction in EBLFs in subtropical regions of China.

The relationships between intrinsic viscosity and some properties of amylose and amylopectin were investigated. The intrinsic viscosities determined by Ubbelohde viscometer for rice, maize, wrinkled pea and potato amyloses were 46.28 ± 0.30, 123.94 ± 0.62, 136.82 ± 0.70, and 167.00 ± 1.10 ml/g, respectively; and the intrinsic viscosities of rice, maize, wrinkled pea and potato amylopectins were 77.28 ± 0.90, 154.50 ± 1.10, 162.56 ± 1.20 and 178.00 ± 1.00 ml/g, respectively. The thermal and retrogradation properties of amylose and amylopectin were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Results showed that the thermal enthalpy (ΔH_g) was positively correlated with intrinsic viscosity, however, the onset and peak temperatures were not related to the intrinsic viscosity. The amylose and amylopectin retrogradation enthalpy values were negatively related to intrinsic viscosity, while the onset and peak temperature values of retrograded amylose and amylopectin were not related to the intrinsic viscosity during storage (except one-day storage). Furthermore, the onset and peak temperatures and retrogradation enthalpy of amylose and amylopectin changed slowly during storage at 4°C.

An evaluation of the effects of soil structural heterogeneity on maize (Zea mays L.) root system architecture was carried out on plants grown in boxes containing fine soil and clods. The clods were prepared at two levels of moisture (0.17 and 0.20 g/g) and bulk density (ranges 1.45-1.61 g/ml and 1.63-1.79 g/ml). Soil moisture directly affected the probability of clod penetration by maize roots. Primary roots inside the clods manifested morphological deformations in the form of bends. We observed a significant increase of bends per root length at lower soil moisture (P = 0.02). Root diameter and branching density increased, and lateral root length decreased considerably inside the clods. However, once emerging out of the clods and into free soil, values of all three characteristics remained low. While changes in root diameter were caused mainly by clod moisture (P < 0.05), length of lateral roots was related to bulk density (P < 0.01). Branching density was modified exclusively by an interactive effect of both factors (P < 0.05).

The objective of this study was to investigate the capability of radish to extract lead from soils contaminated with lead resulting from air pollution. A randomized block experiment design was performed. The soil was contaminated with PbNO₃ and the treatments consisted of 180 (standard), 250, 350, 450, 800 and 1000 mg/kg lead. After development, plants were harvested and divided into shoots and roots. The lead content of each plant part as well as the soil-lead were measured. The results indicated a non-linear positive relation between the lead concentrations in soil and that accumulated in plant roots and shoots. By increasing the lead concentration in soil, its accumulation in plant tissues was also increased. Most of the extracted lead was accumulated in the roots (208.1 mg/kg) compared to shoots (27.25 mg/kg). Since radish can be seeded up to five times a year, and its yield may reach up to 20 t/ha, it can be used to remediate lead-polluted topsoils (0-10 cm).

The possibility of sweet sorghum cultivation with different inter-row distances (20, 50, 75 cm) was verified in small scale plots with 3 cultivars (Bovital, Goliath, Sucrosorgho). The maize cv. Atletico (rows 75 cm) was used as a control. The influence of row width and cultivar on fresh and dry biomass, methane and biogas production per area was statistically significant. The methane and biogas production was evaluated in laboratory, via fermentation in Oxi Top Control Merck bottles. Generally, sorghum was more productive than maize. The highest biogas production per hectare was found in case of 25 cm row spacing. Goliath was the most yielding cultivar (in all parameters). The experiment proved possibility to produce biomass from sorghum in narrow rows for biogas stations in the Czech Republic.

The extraction of capsanthin and capsaicin from red pepper (Capsicum annum L.) was studied using a three-liquid-phase system (TLPS) of acetone/K₂HPO₄/n-hexane. When the system consisted of 22% (w/w) acetone/20% (w/w) K₂HPO₄/10% (w/w) n-hexane, capsanthin was extracted into the top n-hexane-rich phase, yielding a recovery of 98.15% at a temperature of 25°C. Meanwhile, capsaicin was mainly distributed in the middle acetone-rich phase, less than 0.01% in the top phase, and undetectable in the bottom salt-rich phase. The yields of capsanthin and capsaicin were 105 and 88% of those of the conventional solvent extraction, respectively. Thus, capsanthin and capsaicin were separated through a single step at a low cost.

We determine the total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidative potential (AOP) in external and internal leaves of different cultivars of chicory, both before and after storage. We analysed the red cultivars Leonardo, Trevisio, Mesola, Verona, and Chioggia, the red-spotted cultivar Castelfranco, and the sweet cultivars Jupiter, Uranus, and Mercurius. The chicories were stored at temperatures from 0.1°C to 0.8°C and relative humidity from 90% to 95%. Cultivar and leaves significantly influenced TPC and AOP, while storage influenced AOP only. The outer leaves showed significantly higher TPC and AOP. The TPC in chicory ranged from 20 mg/100 g to 400 mg/100 g fresh weight and the AOP ranged from 0.20 μmol/g to 0.85 μmol/g fresh weight.

Several different fungi can cause tar leaf spot diseases in maple trees, including three fungi of the genus Rhytisma. Rhytisma acerinum (Pers.) Fries is an ascomycete that forms black stromata known as tar spot on the adaxial surface of the leaves of Acer species. The tar spot (R. acerinum) disease has been increasing in incidence and severity in maples of Hyrcanian forests, northern Iran, in recent years. One of the best ways to manage infestations by R. acerinum is through adequate biotechnical techniques. The isolation of fungal spore colonies was evaluated using different dosages of Oxywet 10% (50, 100, 200, 500 µl), Gentamicin 5% (100, 200, 400; 1,000 µl), and Amoxicillin antibiotics 20% (25, 50, 100, 250 µl) in 100 ml of distilled water in each treatment. All possible combinations of single doses were applied using light and dark treatments. In light conditions, it appears that the Oxywet (200 µl) had the significant effect on controlling R. acerinum. Reduced fungal growth, coefficient and inhibition of fungal growth were observed in the light treatment. The other antibiotics (Gentamicin, Amoxicillin) were not so effective in controlling this pathogen. Results of spore germination showed a significant difference between all treatments. All treatments were tested in pure cultures in the laboratory only. The results obtained cannot be expected of the same effectiveness in open field trials.

The present work was carried out to investigate the correlation between viral load and the cytokine profile and virus specific antibody levels at five day intervals up to 25 days post infection (dpi) in various tissues of chicks infected with chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) at six weeks of age (sub-clinical infection) (dpi). For determining the viral load in the various tissues, recombinant plasmid vp2-pet32b was prepared and serially diluted tenfold for the generation of a standard curve using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cytokine fold changes in mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-12 in the spleen and IFN-γ, IL-12 in freshly collected whole blood were determined. The results showed that peak viral load occurs between 10-20 days post infection in the lymphoid tissues viz., thymus, spleen, liver, bone marrow, bursa and also blood, being highest in blood followed by thymus. A varied response in the expression levels of individual cytokines was observed during all the intervals post infection. The IFN-γ increased two to five fold in blood and spleen while IL-2 decreased in the splenic tissue during the same period. Peak IFN-γ coincided with peak viral load in the spleen at 10 dpi while in blood it peaked earlier at five days post infection and remained high during the peak viral load at 10-20 dpi. Virus specific antibodies were significantly higher at 15 dpi and were thereafter found to be strongly associated with viral load regression although higher concentrations of virus remained in the blood and thymic tissues until 25 dpi, indicating a role of other immune components in virus clearance. In conclusion, this study reports a negative correlation of viral load and the progression of the antibody response and IFN-γ cytokine expression in chicks infected with CIAV during their sub-clinical infectious stage. However, cytokine expression from the various individual immune cells like monocytes, heterophils, CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T cells and others during the pathogenesis of this immunosuppressive poultry pathogen remains to be elucidated.

Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is one of the most prevalent and costly infectious diseases of livestock, particularly sheep and cattle herds. The aim of this study was to estimate true animal, within-herd, and between-herd prevalence of Map antibodies in sheep herds of the Kars Region in the Northeast part of Turkey. A seroprevalence study was carried out using a commercial ELISA kit. Twenty six sheep herds, non-vaccinated against Map, were randomly selected in different regions and in total 450 sheep aged 24 months and more were sampled. Herds were declared positive if one or more sheep in the herd tested positive for Map antibodies. The animal, within-herd, and between-herd apparent prevalences were calculated as 6.2% (95% CI = 4.3 to 8.8%), 10.2% (95 CI = 7.1 to 14.3%) and 57.7% (95% CI = 38.9 to 74.5%), respectively. True prevalences were estimated by conversion from apparent prevalences via the Rogan-Gladen estimator. True animal, within-herd, and between-herd prevalences were calculated as 8.3% (95% CI = 4.7 to 11.8), 14.6% (95 CI = 8.9 to 20.2) and 90% (95 CI = 59.8 to 120.1), respectively. The results provide useful information regarding the prevalence of Map infection in sheep herds in the Kars Region and will hopefully attract the special attention of veterinarians and promote the establishment of an efficient control programme.

The effect of egg collection time, genotype and housing system on egg quality characteristics was evaluated in an experiment with laying hens of ISA Brown, Hisex Brown and Moravia housed on litter and in conventional cages. The experiment was conducted from 20 to 64 weeks of age. Eggs were collected and recorded daily at 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Once every four weeks, two days in row, all eggs laid from each pen or cage at each oviposition time were used for egg quality analyses (total 1 694 eggs). Egg collection time was dependent on genotype. Significantly more eggs were laid at 06:00h by ISA Brown while Moravia laid eggs mainly at 10:00 and 14:00 h. Housing on litter postponed the time of oviposition. The highest egg weight (62.09 g) was recorded in Hisex Brown genotype placed in cages and at 06.00 h. Interactions of all factors were determined also in Haugh units (P ≤ 0.041). Eggshell strength was affected by housing system, genotype and egg collection time (P ≤ 0.049). It was higher in cages than on litter, and lower in the Moravia genotype in comparison with the other two strains.

The investigation was carried out in 2005, on 30 plots chosen in the Central-Eastern part of the Emilia Romagna region, and cultivated with pear, grapevine and vegetable crops under the organic management system. For each crop, 5 plots with a level of calcium carbonate > 10% and 5 plots with a level of calcium carbonate < 3% were selected. For pear and vine, soil analyses were performed at the depths of 0-20 cm and 20-50 cm, for vegetable at the depth of 0-50 cm. Organic matter content was higher in pear-cultivated plots, followed by grapevine and vegetable crops. Copper application rate, from 1998 to 2004, was higher in pear and grapevine than in vegetable plots. Soil total and DTPA-extractable Cu were higher in pear and grapevine than in vegetable-cultivated plots. Soil DTPA-extractable Cu concentration was higher in the upper horizon than at 20-50 cm soil depth. The increase of total Cu in pear and vine-cultivated plots was combined with the increase of soil inactive Cu.

Soil management is aimed at the maintenance of optimal soil physical quality for crop production. In order to explore the effects of tillage practices on soil physical properties, a study was conducted to compare the effects of no tillage (NT), moldboard plow (MP) and ridge tillage (RT) on soil bulk density (BD), soil penetration resistance (SPR), soil water content (SWC), soil macroporosity (MAC) and soil air-filled porosity (AFP) in Northeast China. Results showed that both NT and RT led to significant BD increment than MP at 0-20 cm (P < 0.05). Compared with MP, NT and RT increased SPR at the depths of 2.5-17.5 cm (P < 0.05). SWC of 0-10 cm layer was significantly higher in NT and RT than MP soils (P < 0.05). NT showed a significantly lower MAC than MP and RT at 0-20 cm soil depths (P < 0.05). All AFP values were above the limit of 0.10 cm³/cm³ under all tillage treatments. RT improved the soil physical quality as evidenced by decreased BD and SPR, and increased SWC, MAC and AFP relative to NT.

Consumption of wine in the Czech Republic has a growing tendency, representing 15.4 litres per capita in 1995 and 20.0 litres per capita in 2012. The goal of this paper is an analysis of the development of consumer demand for wine in the Czech Republic based on the estimation of elasticity coefficients derived from the constructed dynamic model. The overall development in the period 1948-2012 is demonstrated through the linear trend: QCW_T = -340.77 + 0.1788×T + u_T. The growing consumption of wine was examined in relation to the development of the prices of wine, beer, and rum in the period 1991-2012. The achieved negative values of the own price elasticity coefficients (ranging from -0.2957 to -0.1624) suggest, that there worked normal price reactions. Cross price elasticity coefficients of the gross demand for wine showed complementarity between the consumption of wine and beer or wine and rum. The cross price elasticity of the gross demand for wine related to the price of 10° beer was -0.2757 in average, and -0.2074 in the case of rum.

One of the most useful agricultural machinery is power tiller; this kind of tractor is widely used in small fields. The operators of this kind of machinery are exposed to high level of vibration. Long time working with these machinery causes dynamic disorders, damaging different parts of the body, digestion disorders and vascular diseases. In this research, vibration acceleration of 13hppower tiller was collected in 5 levels of engine speed and 6 kinds of consumed fuel blends investigating the power tiller vibration exposure time. The data were analyzed by factorial tests with completely random design. The results showed that reciprocal effect of fuel and engine speed are prominent in 1% level. The working conditions of the power tiller operator fall into the highest class of risk according to ISO 5349-2 (2001) and in less than 4 years White Finger Syndrome may have induced in 10% of operators. Results of experiments revealed that the exposure time decreases with increase in engine speed especially in 1,800 and 2,200 rpm. The reason is the vibration intensification that happened in handle of power tiller in 1,800 rpm engine speed so it reduced the exposure time severely. The latency period for the appearance of vibration-induced White Finger Syndrom in biodiesel 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively, so using diesel fuel can be replaced by these three kinds of fuel in power tillers.

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the air heating efficiency in heliocollectors with different surface forms developed in order to justify their use in equipment for active ventilation of grain and feed raw materials.

The objective was to determine the efficiency of utilization of lysine and to describe the responses of pullets to different digestible lysine intakes using three mathematical functions to estimate an optimal intake maximizing body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The trials were conducted using 2-6-, 8-12-, and 14-18-week-old birds and a completely randomized experimental design with eight treatments and six replicates. The digestible lysine levels ranged 3.20-10.67 g/kg (in 2-6-week-old animals), 2.24-7.48 g/kg (in 8-12-week-old animals), and 1.73-5.78 g/kg (in 14-18-week-old animals) and were obtained using a dilution technique. The efficiency of utilization was determined by a linear regression between lysine deposition and intake for pullets aged 2-4, 8-10, and 14-16 weeks. Three mathematical functions (quadratic polynomial, broken-line, and broken-line with quadratic ascending function) were used to fit the body weight gain and feed conversion responses. The optimal digestible lysine intake was obtained from the first intercept of the quadratic curve with the broken-line plateau. Based on the body weight gain, the responses obtained from the broken-line function and the broken-line with quadratic ascending were similar to those from the quadratic polynomial function. The feed conversion ratio from the first intercept of the quadratic curve with the broken-line plateau was similar to the value obtained from the broken-line with quadratic ascending function only in 2-6-week-old animals. The digestible lysine intakes required to optimize the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio responses were 202, 338, and 300 and 146, 312, and 259 mg/day and the efficiencies were 80, 76, and 80% for 2-6-, 8-12-, and 14-18-week-old animals, respectively.

In this research cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae, BGA) were isolated, identified, multiplied and used as an inoculum in pot rice experiment. The pH, moisture and algal population were measured in four seasons. The highest and lowest pH (6.7, 6.2), moisture of soil (43%, 34%) and algal population (12, 20 Colony-Forming Units/50 ml on A and B medium and 4, 5 Colony-Forming Units/50 ml on A and B medium) were recorded in spring and winter, respectively. The only heterocystous cyanobacteria were found in soil samples identified as Anabaena with four species (A. spiroides, A. variabilis, A. torulosa and A. osillarioides). The germination of rice seeds treated with cyanobacteria was faster than control. The result of pot experiment were: increase of 53% in plant height; 66% in roots length; 58% in fresh leaf and stem weight; 80% in fresh root weight; 125% in dry leaf and stem weight; 150% in dry root weight; 20% in soil moisture; 28% in soil porosity and a decrease of 9.8% in soil bulk density and 4.8% in soil particle density. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in pot treated with BGA as compared with control.

Somatic embryogenesis is conveniently utilized for the preparation of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) transgenic clones by means of Agrobacterium. The establishment of successful transformation protocol requires to determine the tolerance of growing embryogenic tissue to antibiotics in culture and selective media. In 5 Norway spruce lines (genotypes) differences in the tolerance of embryogenic tissues to penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin, carbenicillin, and ticarcillin), carbapenem antibiotic (meropenem) used for the Agrobacterium growth prevention, and aminoglycoside antibiotic (kanamycin) used in selective media were determined. Of the penicillin derivatives, amoxicillin was optimally tolerated in all lines and, in addition, its highest concentration accelerated growth in more rapidly growing lines. Ticarcillin was similarly tolerated but no growth acceleration was observed in any line. As regards carbenicillin, only the lowest concentration was observed to be well tolerated by all lines whereas all concentrations of meropenem were well tolerated in all lines except for slowly growing line 28, the growth of which was retarded by the concentration of 20 mg/l. The aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin was well tolerated by the embryonic tissue of all lines in the concentration of 10 mg/l and less in the concentration of 25 mg/l. The concentrations of 50 mg/l and 100 mg/l appeared as intolerable in all lines. Toxicity of kanamycin manifested at first in the browning and later in the growth cessation of embryogenic tissue.

Cockchafers are among the most dreaded insect pests in many European countries, causing economic losses in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. In forests of south-western Germany, populations of the forest cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani) and also the field cockchafer (M. melolontha) have been increasing during the past three decades and, therefore, monitoring of these populations has been intensified. In the present field study, data on adult emergence from the soil, male swarming flights and female oogenesis, collected at three infestation sites by visual inspection, with soil eclectors and with light traps in early spring 2009-2011, are presented and discussed in the context of the current knowledge of cockchafer biology. Furthermore, three air temperature sum models for the prediction of the onset of the swarming flight period in spring, published in the early/mid 20^th century, were validated in view of their applicability in forestry practice.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of diets for market pigs with 20% inclusion of lupine seeds, cv. Amiga, on the performance, health status, carcass characteristics, fatty acids (FA) profile of meat lipids and nutritional and sensory parameters of meat. Another purpose was to increase the nutritional value of a cereal-lupine diet (E1) by supplementation with lysine, methionine, threonine (E2) or fat (E3) and to perform a comparison with control diets containing animal protein (C1) or soy (C2). The experiments were performed on 50 pigs (50% males, 50% females) with initial body weights of 35.6 ± 2.2 kg, fed isonitrogenic and isoenergetic diets partly ad libitum for 90 days. Feed intake was not adversely affected by lupine inclusion. The daily body weight gain (BWG) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group E3 in comparison with the cereal-lupine diet group (E1) and the other groups by 12.6 to 15.9% during the initial 30 days of experiment. The highest BWG (0.88 ± 0.07 kg/kg) during the entire experimental period was obtained with the fat containing diet (E3); that was non-significantly higher by 2.3 to 10.0% in comparison with the other diets. The feed conversion rate was reduced in groups E3 and E2 (2.55 and 2.58 kg/kg BWG) by 3.1 to 7.6% in comparison with groups C1, C2 and E1. No adverse effect of the lupine containing diet was observed on the carcass characteristics or the nutritional quality of the meat. Optimum content of linolenic acid in lupine seeds had a favourable effect on n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated FA ratio in meat lipids of group E3 in comparison with groups C1 and E1 (P < 0.05). By sensory meat analysis, significantly better characteristics were found for texture, juiciness (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and taste in E3 in comparison with groups C1, C2 and E1. The obtained results indicate that animal and soy protein may be replaced with lupine, tested in the present study, in case a diet is supplemented with amino acids and fat.

The present study was aimed at investigating the role of in ovo administered amino acids: lysine, arginine, threonine or methionine plus cysteine (Met+Cys) in 14-day embryos on expression profile of growth (chicken growth hormone (cGH), insulin like growth factors (IGF) I and II, and mucin) and immunity related genes (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ). On incubation day (ID) 18, higher (P < 0.01) cGH and mucin gene expression was observed in lysine, threonine, arginine or Met+Cys injected embryos, while IGF-II expression was higher in threonine, arginine or Met+Cys injected embryos on ID 20. Expression of growth genes was down regulated (P < 0.01) on day of hatch in most of the amino acids injected chicks. On day 7 post-hatch (PH), threonine or arginine exhibited higher expression of cGH, IGF-I, and IGF-II but higher mucin gene expression only on day 14 PH. Threonine or Met+Cys injected birds had higher expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, while arginine injected birds had higher TNF-α expression. Lysine, threonine or Met+Cys injected birds had higher IL-2, but lower of IL-12 and IFN-γ gene expression. It is concluded that arginine and threonine enhanced the expression of growth related genes, while threonine and Met+Cys modulated expression of immune genes in broiler chickens.

The study aimed at evaluating and comparing changes provoked by the water deficit on water relations and nitrogen fixation in two Vigna unguiculata cultivars, as well as at indicating which cultivar is more tolerant under water deficiency. The experimental design used was entirely randomized in factorial scheme, with 2 cultivars (Pitiuba and Pérola) and 2 water regimes (control and stress). The parameters evaluated were the leaf relative water content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, nodule number, nodule dry matter, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, ureide concentration and leghemoglobin in nodule. The stomatal conductance of the Pitiuba and Pérola cultivars under water deficit were 0.20 and 0.01 mmol H₂O/m²/s, respectively. The nitrate reductase activity of the plants under stress was significantly reduced in both cultivars. The leghemoglobin in the Pitiuba and Pérola cultivars under water stress had the concentrations of 58 and 41 g/kg dry matter, respectively. The parameters investigated in this study suggest that the Pitiuba cultivar under water deficit suffers from smaller changes, when compared with Pérola cultivar.

The cabbage armyworm (Mamestra brassicae L.) and the bright-line brown-eyes moth (Mamestra oleracea L.) are polyphagous insect species. From 2008 to 2010, we monitored the seasonal dynamics of both pests in two locations in Slovenia, Ljubljana and the Nova Gorica region. Pheromone traps (VARL + type) were used to precisely determine the occurrence of adults, i.e., the beginning and end of generations and the peaks of the populations. This allowed us to examine the relationship between the quantity of pests, average daily air temperature and average daily precipitation. Our results established that there were two generations of Mamestra brassicae per year in both locations; however, the seasonal dynamics of Mamestra oleracea was not as clear due to low trap catch. During 2008-2010 in Ljubljana, the average temperature during the peaks of the first generation of M. brassicae ranged from 16-19°C (sum of effective temperatures (SET) from 250°C to 375°C) and 20°C (SET from 986°C to 1,290°C) during the peaks of the second generation. We found no correlation between the average number of cabbage armyworm adults during the peaks of both generations and the mean air temperature 35 and 70 days prior to the peaks.

The changes were studied in microbiological, chemical, and sensory properties of Pacific oysters stored at 10°C, 5°C, and 0°C. Pseudomonas (22%) and Vibrionaceae (20%) species were dominant in raw oysters. The dominant bacteria found in the spoiled samples were Pseudomonas regardless of the storage temperature. During storage, rapid increases in aerobic plate count (APC) values of the samples stored at 10°C and 5°C were observed, while no obvious lag phases were detected. With the samples stored at 0°C, a decrease in APC value during the first 4 days and a lag phase of about 6 days were observed. The APC values of the samples stored at 10°C, 5°C, and 0°C reached the level of 10⁷ CFU/g on day 6, 10, and 18, respectively. All the tested samples stored at different temperatures revealed a slight decrease in pH and a significant increase of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) during storage. The average TVB-N concentration of about 22.0 mg N/100 g was observed at the end of the shelf-life as determined by APC. Combined with the sensory assessments, the shelf-life of 6-7, 10-11, and 17-18 days for oysters stored at 10°C, 5°C, and 0°C, respectively, was determined.

We used the discriminant analysis of curd cheese during storage by Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy method (FT-NIRs). Olomouc curd cheese samples were stored at 5 and at 20°C during seven weeks. The spectra of samples were measured at the integration sphere in reflectance mode with the use of a compressive cell in the spectral range of 10 000-4000 cm^-1 with 100 scans. Ten principal components were used for all the calibration models. Great similarity between the samples stored at 5 and 20°C was found. Twelve samples stored at 20°C for 1 week and 2 samples stored at 20°C for 2 weeks were classified as samples stored at 5°C. Different results were found out by comparing the storage time. 100% variability was described between the spectra scanned in different weeks of storage at 5°C and 99.9% variability was obtained for the samples stored at 20°C. Thus, the discriminant analysis of Olomouc curd cheese by FT-NIRs is a suitable method for the determination of ripening time.

The knowledge of forest development after disturbances, particularly anthropogenic disturbances, is of major importance for forest management. Many areas of mountain forests in Europe have been affected by human activities such as felling and livestock grazing in the past and then left for natural succession. Those forests provide several ecosystem services (e.g. soil or avalanche protection) and therefore it is vital to know their developmental processes. The Norway spruce forest stand in the area of Medvědí Mt. (Šumava National Park, Czech Republic), known as the Jewish Forest, is considered an example of succession after anthropogenic disturbances. This study aimed to: (1) analyse the history of disturbances which affected the locality, (2) describe the subsequent process of forest succession which led to the development of the present forest formation. We conducted a dendrochronological analysis and a spatial analysis. The main cohort was established after a period of disturbances in the first half of the 20^th century. Both natural (windstorm) and anthropogenic (logging and livestock grazing) disturbances coincided during this period. Regeneration of low density was restricted to a short period after the disturbance and was likely dependent on the occurrence of proper microsites. Later, regeneration was probably obstructed by lack of convenient microsites and high competition of the herb layer. Nowadays, new regeneration emerges together with proper microsite at decaying wood and near mature trees. We conclude that anthropogenic disturbances can limit the density and heterogeneity of regeneration, which leads to the establishment of sparse stand. This structure can persist for decades before proper microsites accumulate and enable regeneration.