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The objective of this study was to probe the relationship between prevalence of selected principal mastitis pathogens and somatic cell counts in bulk tank milk samples. The sources of milk contamination were evaluated. The samples were collected from 298 dairy herds (with approximately 32 000 dairy cows). Only 48.3% of the bulk tank milk samples were free of contamination of pathogens of interest. Approximately 38.9% of the milk samples were contaminated with only one, 12.4% with two and 0.3% with three pathogens. The arithmetic mean of logarithmically transformed data of bulk tank milk somatic cell count rise in order: pathogen free, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (5.381; 5.413; 5.495; 5.518; 5.563, respectively). The arithmetic mean differences between bulk tank milk somatic cell counts in pathogen-free and single-pathogen contaminated samples have revealed a significance for the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus groups (P < 0.01). Using binary logistic regression, a statistically highly significant relationship (P < 0.001) has been found between the number of contaminations of bulk tank milk samples with mastitis pathogens and bulk tank milk somatic cell counts. The relationship allows the determination of the probability of finding relevant mastitis pathogens in bulk tank milk samples with different levels of bulk tank milk SCC. A 63% probability can be defined at a cell count level of 400 000/ml and 20% at a cell count level of 100 000/ml. Analysis may reveal the potential sources of the bulk tank milk sample contamination, i.e. infected mammary glands or the environment. The presence of high levels of contamination along with a low bulk tank SCC may suggest an environmental source of contamination. The study clarified that a potential source of bulk tank milk contamination by relevant pathogens (the environment or the mammary gland) may be elucidated and the probability of the contamination of bulk tank milk samples with mastitis pathogens predicted by the analysis of relationship between the bulk tank milk somatic cell counts and the number of mastitis pathogen contaminations.

The aim of this study was to assess the combination of tiletamine-zolazepam (Zoletil 20^®) with three different doses of clonidine for general anaesthesia induction in rats submitted to vascular microsurgery. The evaluation of anaesthetic and analgesic effects was performed in 30 Wistar rats randomly divided into three groups and induced with Zoletil 20 [90 mg/kg Intraperitoneal (IP)] associated with three different doses of clonidine (60-90-120 μg/kg IP). Four clinical parameters were evaluated after induction: loss of righting reflex, voluntary movement, the pedal withdrawal response, and pain sensitivity tested by pinching the tail. The combination of Zoletil with 90 and 120 μg/kg of clonidine provided a surgical anaesthesia; however, 90 μg/kg of clonidine provided the most rapid anaesthesia induction, as confirmed by data obtained by clinical evaluation of the loss of the pedal withdrawal response and the absence of the tail pinch response. The increase in dose of clonidine did not lead to a more rapid action of the α2 agonist, probably due to achievement of a dose-dependent plateau.

This study was carried out to determine the influence of goat and cow milk fermented by Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 on the pathogenic Salmonella enteritidis D strain. The basic hypothesis of this study was that fermented goat milk could possibly have a stronger inhibitory effect on the growth of Salmonella enteritidis D than fermented cow milk. The correlation between the inhibitory effect and some fermentation parameters (number of viable cells of Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 and pH of fermented milk) was also analysed. S enteritidis D strains were isolated directly from the faeces of an infant with diagnosed salmonellosis. The inhibitory effects of goat and cow milk fermented with Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 were determined on Salmonella-Shigella agar after 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 h from the start of fermentation. Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 count and pH values were also measured in samples of goat and cow milk during fermentation. The results obtained have shown a considerably higher inhibitory effect of fermented goat milk on the growth of Salmonella enteritidis D as compared to that of fermented cow milk. At the same time, higher acidity and CFU of Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 were noted in fermented goat milk in all the phases of the fermentation process. The inhibitory effects of the fermented goat and cow milk on Salmonella enteritidis D growth increased rapidly with the fermentation time. The results indicated high sensitivity of Salmonella enteritidis D to acidity of both fermented milks. Consequently, a significant correlation between the inhibition degree and pH values of fermented goat and cow milk was noted.

The assessment of detection sensitivity of five microbial inhibition tests (MITs), STAR (screening test for antibiotic residues) with the test strain Bacillus subtilis BGA, Delvotest^® S P-NT, Total Antibiotics, Kalidos TB, and Kalidos MP with the test strain Bacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis to five aminoglycosides (AMGs), gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin, kanamycin, and spectinomycin in fortified milk samples were studied. The sensitivity of MITs to AMGs was evaluated on the basis of experimental determination of detection limits (LODs) of MITs for AMGs. The LODs of these tests were compared with the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established for milk by the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 37/2010. LODs of STAR for AMGs in fortified milk samples were at the levels of MRL for neomycin (1.50 µg/g), gentamicin (0.10 µg/g), streptomycin (0.20 µg/g) and kanamycin (0.15 µg/g). Spectinomycin (0.20 µg/g) was not detected at the level of MRL. The LODs determined by Delvotest^® SP-NT, Total Antibiotics and Kalidos MP were comparable, but only gentamicin and neomycin were reliably detected at the levels of MRL. Kalidos TB was more sensitive to AMGs than Delvotest^® SP-NT, Total Antibiotics and Kalidos MP. Gentamicin, neomycin and streptomycin were detected at the levels of MRL.

Arid and semi-arid regions face the risk of soils and aquifers salinization. Rainy events are rare which is characteristic of these regions. They play a significant role in the leaching of salts from topsoil to deeper layers, which increases the risk of aquifers salinization. For this reason, a plot was selected in the semi-arid region of Bou Hajla (Central Tunisia). The simulation of water and salts dynamics was carried out by Hydrus-1D. Model calibration was realised on a flood irrigation experiment during 10 days and in a depth of 4 m. The hydrodynamic parameters were determined by inverse modelling. Model validation was performed successfully during 577 days. The simulation of water and salts dynamics has allowed the analysis of two scenarios: (i) the effect of a very rainy event (> 50mm/day) on the dynamics of salts. This type of event allows leaching of the accumulated salts in the topsoil which promotes their burial in the depth; (ii) the long-term evolution of the saline profile in 20 years showed the cyclical nature of salts leaching in the topsoil, the permanent accumulation of salts in the depth of around 2 m, and a continuous leaching in the deeper layers (around 4 m), which may increase groundwater contamination risk.

The object of an experiment was inorganic and organic forms of zinc, copper and manganese applied in mineral mixtures to dairy cows. The experiment was carried out on 90 cows with average milk yield for previous lactation of about 9 500 kg milk. The cows received mineral mixtures containing inorganic or organic forms of zinc, copper and manganese for 6 weeks before calving and during the first three months of lactation. The application of microelements as bioplexes in amounts covering 30% of daily requirements of cows had a positive effect on an increase in colostrum dry matter content from 20.9 to 23.35% as well as on the concentration of protein and fat, and the level of minerals - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and copper. In cows' milk in the 2^nd and 3^rd month of lactation there were no differences in contents of minerals. However in the blood serum of cows in the 1^st and 2^nd month of lactation an increase in calcium concentration from 1.96 to 2.14 g/kg was observed while the content of phosphorus also increased average from 1.76 to 2.22 g/kg in the first trimester of lactation.

The aim of the study was to investigate the acute toxicity of 2-phenoxyethanol to sheatfish, and using the values of haematological and biochemical profiles of blood and histological tissue examinations to assess the effects of the fish exposure to that anaesthetic. The values of acute toxicity of 2-phenoxyethanol to sheatfish were found to be 10minLC50 0.77 ml/l, 10minLC0.1 0.42 ml/l, 10minLC99.9 1.90 ml/l, 96hLC50 0.29 ml/l, 96hLC0.1 0.20 ml/l, and 96hLC99.9 0.41 ml/l. The 10-min exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol at a concentration of 0.30 ml/l caused significantly higher values (P < 0.05) of packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), glucose (GLU) and albumins (ALB) immediately after anaesthesia. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the values of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were found 24 h post anaesthesia. Histological examinations showed capillary ectasia of gill filaments immediately after 2-phenoxyethanol anaesthesia. Twenty-four hours after anaesthesia, no ectasia was observed. No histopathological changes were demonstrated in other tissues (liver, spleen, cranial and caudal kidneys) following anaesthesia. The results of examinations suggest that the use of 2-phenoxyethanol at a concentration of 0.30 ml/l does not cause any irreversible damage in sheatfish.

One of the main drawbacks of using endometrial cytology in cows is the time required for sample collection and interpretation. It is recommended to count a large number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and to calculate their overall percentage. However, since counting a large number of cells is a laborious method, it would be preferable to simplify the analysis by counting the number of PMN in few microscopic fields. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether a simple test, based on calculating the average number of PMN in 10 fields at 1000×, could be a reliable technique for the diagnosis of endometritis. Two hundred and sixty endometrial samples were taken from Holstein cows at different postpartum stages using an adapted cytobrush. Smears obtained were air-dried for fixing and stained with a Romanowsky-type procedure. To evaluate the counting method, the percentage of PMN in 150 cells was calculated as well as the average number of PMN in 10 fields at 1000×. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was constructed to evaluate both methods, the percentage of PMN (used as reference) and the average number of PMN. It was observed that the area under the curve is (regardless of cut-off used) higher than 0.99 and the correspondence between both methods were 1.58 PMN/field for the cut-off value of 15% and 2.40 PMN/field for the cut-off value of 20%. These results show that this simple method could be used to determine the percentage of PMN in endometrial cytological samples and to diagnose endometritis in cows.

Selenium (Se) contamination due to industrial activities has received increasing concerns. Phytoremediation has been suggested to be an efficient and feasible way to remove Se from Se-contaminated environment. Recently, an arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. (Chinese Brake fern) was found to be a Se accumulator. This study was carried out to investigate Se accumulation mechanisms concentrating on antioxidant responses of this plant to six levels of selenite (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L). The results showed that Chinese Brake fern can accumulate a large amount of Se without any visible toxic symptoms and significant decreases in its biomass. However, the root took up more Se than the fronds. The highest concentration of Se in the roots and fronds was 1.536 mg/kg and 242 mg/kg, respectively, demonstrating a typical accumulation character to Se. Addition of 2 mg/L Se decreased, but ≥ 5 mg/L Se enhanced the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), suggesting an antioxidant role of low dosages of Se. The enzymes of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) contributed their anti-oxidative functions only under low dosages of Se, as shown by their increased activities at Se levels ≤ 5 mg/L and lowered activities at Se levels > 5 mg/L. The concentration of glutathione (GSH) and enzyme activity of glutathione reductase (GR) were stimulated by ≥ 5 mg/L Se. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was also enhanced by 20 mg/L Se. Our results suggest that SOD, GSH and GR were likely responsible for, but enzymes of POD, APX, and CAT have limited roles in Se accumulation in Chinese Brake fern.

This article describes the problem of forest reclamation of settling basins after industrial processing of manganese ore and pyritic shale at the age of 20-30 years. Soil properties of anthropogenic soil (overlaid layers, deposited sediments), nutrition state of assimilation organs, vitality of aboveground organs of tree species were investigated by instant visual evaluation using recommended macromorphological criteria and architecture of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) root system.

In this research, the growth and survival of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated during kefir fermentation. Two different levels of inoculation of the strains were conducted; the levels of 102 CFU/ml (EC-1, SA-1 and S-1) and 103 CFU/ml (EC-2, SA-2 and S-2). At 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours of kefir fermentation at 23 ± 1°C, samples were taken and the counts of E. coli O157:H7, S. typhimurium, and S. aureus were determined. EC-1 grew from 2.29 ± 0.02 log CFU/ml to 4.13 ± 0.18 log CFU/ml whereas EC-2 grew from 3.22 ± 0.04 log CFU/ml to 6.78 ± 0.99 log CFU/ml. Both S-1 and S-2 viable populations grew during the fermentation period, where sample S-1 grew from 2.37 ± 0.20 log CFU/ml to 4.64 ± 0.67 log CFU/ml and sample S-2 grew from 3.52 ± 0.07 log CFU/ml to 5.60 ± 0.10 log CFU/ml. SA-2 strains grew from 3.06 log CFU/ml to 3.64 log CFU/ml, SA-1 strains grew from 2.28 log CFU/ml to 2.66 log CFU/ml. According to the findings, E. coli O157:H7, S. typhimurium, and S. aureus can survive in kefir during fermentation.

The objective the present study was to determine the influence of a supplemental methionine analogue, the isopropyl ester of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid, commercially available as MetaSmart^TM, on lactation performance, particularly milk protein production. The effects of this preparation were compared with those of a rumen-protected form of methionine, marketed as Smartamine^TM M. Experiments were conducted according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design and included 30 high-yielding dairy cows (22 Holstein and 8 Czech Fleckvieh) randomly allocated to three balanced groups. Cows were fed a basal diet based on maize silage, lucerne silage, lucerne hay, fresh brewer's grains, and a concentrate mixture in the form of a total mixed ration ad libitum. The diet M was supplemented with MetaSmart^TM (42.5 g/day) and diet S was supplemented with Smartamine^TM M (19 g/day), while control diet C contained solvent-extracted soybean meal, which was added to achieve required levels of dietary protein. Each period lasted four weeks in total, including three preliminary weeks and one experimental week during which samples of milk and tail vein blood were taken. Supplementation of MetaSmart^TM decreased dry matter intake of cows (18.96 kg) in contrast to the diet containing Smartamine^TM M, for which dry matter intake was the highest (20.48 kg; P < 0.001). Despite decreased dry matter intake, the highest average milk yields were recorded for cows supplemented with MetaSmart^TM (31.34 kg), which produced by approximately 1.14 kg (P < 0.001) and 0.78 kg (P < 0.01) more milk than cows fed diets C and S, respectively. As expressed by greater ratios milk/DMI, FCM/DMI, and ECM/DMI, the feed efficiency was improved in cows supplemented with MetaSmart^TM.Both MetaSmart^TM and Smartamine^TM M dietary supplementation increased milk yield, milk protein concentrations, and yields and increased the prevalence of β-casein fraction in milk protein.

Small towns are defined as towns with the population not exceeding 15,000 (20,000) residents. They are organisms that can be embraced visually, mostly with the clearly demarcated area. Residents know their small town very well, the majority of buildings and structures is constructed at a reasonable scale and architectonic dominants allow easy orientation. Verdure in a small town is either a separate functional space (park, landscaped area, forest, scattered green vegetation) or it is associated with another function (residential green spaces, green spaces of housing estates, line verdure, verdure of self-retained areas - sports grounds, cemeteries, schools, etc.). The verdure of a small town is formed to make up a system. It may be realised but its functionality may be diminished by barriers of different type. Verdure significantly contributes to the image of a small town and its particular spaces. From the recreation aspect it is important to create near and easily accessible green spaces that may be used for the short- or long-time recreation of residents and visitors; the good connection of the urban verdure system with suburban landscape is desirable. To accentuate the basic landscape values and to realise the potential of the verdure system of a small town it is advisable to use the system of land-use planning while the landscape plan becomes its integral part.

Our study focuses on the phosphorus (P) balance in two long-term fertilization experiments which were carried out in characteristic soils of Hungary with four fertilization treatments and four main crops. The objectives of this study are: (1) to quantify the P accumulation rate in the upper soil layers and (2) to calibrate and validate the P-balance module of the 4M crop model. The concentration of ammonium-lactate soluble P (AL-P) increased with time in both soils. The mean AL-P accumulation rates in the 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm soil layers were 3.7, 0.7, 0.1 and 3.7, 4.3, 0.6 mg/kg/year in the chernozem and the sandy soil, respectively. The P accumulation rates in the top layers (0-20 cm) changed significantly in time as these gradually decreased from around 6.5 mg/kg/year to zero in about 26 years in both soils. The model results of the phosphorus content in different soil layers, as well as the plant phosphorus uptake were in good agreement with the observed values.

The antilisterial activity of E. mundtii 1282 strain and its cell-free neutralised supernatant was observed against five persistent L. monocytogenes strains using the agar spot method. The enterococcal metabolite was consequently characterised as a proteinaceous substance - the bacteriocin-like substance, which was heat-stable at heating to 100°C for 30 min, stable at pH 2-12, and still active after eight-week long storage at 6°C and -20°C. The bacteriocin-like substance reached the highest activity of 6400 AU/ml after ten hours of cultivation of E. mundtii 1282 strain, when it was at the stationary phase of its growth. E. mundtii 1282 strain produced the bacteriocin-like substance: in BHI broth with pH 4-6, at the cultivation temperature 12-45°C, and in BHI broth with 1-6% (w/w) NaCl.

This paper presents research results on the performance of the Timberjack 450C skidder in timber skidding at two working sites of broadleaved trees in mountainous conditions in the Hyrcanian forest. To evaluate the current skidding system in the Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran and possibility of finding out better techniques and group organization an empirical time study has been conducted. The elements of the skidding work phase were identified and 123 cycles were recorded for short-log and long-log method. The models for effective time consumption, total productivity and unit cost of skidding in short-log and long-log method were calculated. The time consumption and productivity of skidding depend on several variables such as distances and slope, number of logs per cycle and volume. The average load per cycle in short-log and long-log method was 2.77 m³ and 3.08 m³, the average one-way skidding distance was 380 and 497 m, the average slope was 18 and 20% in the short-log and long-log method, respectively. The average travel speeds of unloaded skidder were 5.74 km.h^-1 and the average speeds of loaded skidder were 7.67 and 6.16 km.h^-1 in short-log and long-log method, respectively. The average speeds of pulling the cable were 1.71 km.h^-1, and of load winching 0.72 km.h^-1 and 0.69 km.h^-1. The average outputs in short-log and long-log method were 10.86, 11.11 m³.effective h^-1. Results indicated that hourly costs of operation were higher for the short-log method than for the long-log method (12.69 vs.12.40 USD.m^-3).

Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world. Its yield is greatly influenced by global climate change and scarcity of water in the arid and semi-arid areas of the world. So, exploration of gene resources is of importance to wheat breeding in order to improve the crop ability of coping with abiotic stress environment. Wild relatives of wheat are rich repositories of beneficial genes that confer tolerance or resistance not only to drought but also to other environmental stresses. In the present study, the changes in leaf relative water content (RWC), free proline content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation of five wild wheat species including T. boeticum (YS-1L), T. dicoccum var. dicoccoides (YS-2L), T. araraticum (ALLT), and two cultivated varieties of T. turgidum ssp. durum (MXLK and 87341), with two well-known common wheat cultivars (SH6 and ZY1) possessing strong drought resistance and sensitiveness, respectively, as references were investigated during 3-day water stress and 2-day recovery, in order to assess the drought tolerance of these wild wheat species. The laboratory experiment was conducted under two water regimes (stress and non-stress treatments). Stress was induced to hydroponically grown two weeks old wheat seedlings with 20% PEG 6000. Stress treatment caused a much smaller decrease in the leaf RWC and rise in MDA content in YS-1L compared to the other wheat species. From the data it was obvious that YS-1L was the most drought tolerant among studied species having significantly higher proline and RWC while lower MDA content under water stress conditions. The order of water stress tolerance of these species according to the three parameters is: YS-1L > YS-2L > SH6 > 87341 > ZY1 > MXLK > ALLT. We speculate that the observed drought stress tolerance at a cellular level was associated with the ability to accumulate proline and high water level conservation.

In the present study, the effect of immunocastration on carcass traits, meat quality, reproductive organs development, and boar taint compounds was investigated. Male piglets (50% Duroc crosses) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: entire males (EM; n = 19), surgical castrates (SC; n = 20) and immunocastrates (IC, vaccinated with Improvac^® at the age of 79 and 142 days; n = 21). Pigs were fed ad libitum and weighed at the time of first and second vaccination and before slaughter (176 days of age). No differences between treatment groups were detected for carcass weight. In the case of backfat thickness, carcass lean meat content, and belly leanness score, IC were intermediate between EM (the leanest) and SC (the fattest), differing (P < 0.05) from both control groups. Regarding loin eye fat area, neck intermuscular fatness, ham leanness, and leaf fat weight, IC were similar to EM and were less fat than SC (P < 0.01). IC had lower intramuscular fat than SC (P < 0.01) and higher average pH 24 than both EM and SC (P < 0.01), resulting in darker colour. IC also demonstrated lower drip loss than EM (P < 0.05). Immunocastration caused a significant reduction of reproductive organs and concentrations of boar taint compounds (P < 0.01) which were comparable with the levels observed for SC.

Following measurements of dead wood (20 to 40 years) at various developmental stages of the life cycle of selected virgin forests of the 1^st to 7^th altitudinal zone the relation of its course was derived. The dynamics and course of dead wood in the life cycle of virgin forests were best represented by a polynomial of the third degree. An analysis confirmed that virgin forests consisting of stable tree species with approximately the same physical age (Boky) showed small differences between maximal increase and decrease in necromass during the whole development cycle. Virgin forests at sites rich in nutrients consisting of several tree species with various physical age had high values of necromass during their whole development cycle. Spruce stands at the upper forest boundary also had a relatively high ratio of necromass at the advanced optimum stage.

Organic nitrogen is an important but yet not very well explored component of nitrogen deposition. In this study concentrations and fluxes of organic and inorganic nitrogen in bulk precipitation in an open field (BOF) and in throughfall (THR) were evaluated at the Bílý Kříž experimental site (Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mts., Czech Republic, 908 m a.s.l.) with a young Norway spruce stand. The results of a two-year study (2008 and 2009) were compared with the results obtained during the same time period on forest plots included in ICP Forests Programme in the Czech Republic. Total nitrogen deposition in BOF at the Bílý Kříž site amounted to about 918 mg.m^-2.a^-1, the contribution of organic nitrogen was about 8%. Total nitrogen flux with THR at Bílý Kříž was about 1,305 mg.m^-2.a^-1 during the studied years and organic N accounted for 12% of this amount. The ranges of the two-year average values found for total nitrogen flux on ICP Forests plots throughout the Czech Republic were as follows: 759-1,857 mg N.m^-2.a^-1 with 7-38% contribution of organic N in BOF and 928-3,816 mg N.m^-2.a^-1 with 7-20% contribution of organic N in THR. The share of organic nitrogen in THR nitrogen fluxes at Bílý Kříž proved clear seasonality with maxima in July. A highly significant correlation between N-NH₄⁺ and N-NO₃^- concentrations in BOF suggested the common anthropogenic source of these substances at the Bílý Kříž site. No significant correlation was found either between organic N and N-NH₄⁺ or between organic N and N-NO₃^- concentrations in BOF. Cumulative deposition charts showed different behaviour of particular nitrogen deposition components while passing through the canopy.

Based on two species of Coastal Mangrove in Hainan of China, Sonneratia Apetala Buch-Ham and Sonneratia caseoli, we estimated the density of the two species to evaluate the efficiency of adaptive cluster sampling (ACS), simple random sampling (SRS) and traditional systematic sampling (SYS). Our initial experimental designs for ACS consisted of 5 unit areas, 6 initial sampling proportions, 4 initial sample sizes and 5 criterion values in 1,000 repetitions. From the aspect of factors influencing efficiency, we analysed the efficiency of ACS in various designs. We also compared the efficiencies of the three methods on the indexes of the relative error, the variance of density estimator and the relative sampling efficiencies. We found that ACS yielded smaller variance than the traditional sampling methods. ACS was a powerful sampling method when a population was spatially aggregated. We also determined the optimum unit area for the two species studied using the two estimators (HT and HH) of adaptive cluster sampling. They were 20 m² (2 × 10 m), 15 m² (3 × 5 m) for S. Apetala Buch-Ham and 25 m² (5 × 5 m), 15 m² (3 × 5 m) for S. caseolari, respectively.

The contribution demonstrates gynaecomastia in an adult, noncastrated tom-cat, caused by an antiandrogenic preparation Androcur tablets (Schering AG, BRD), administrated at the dose of 5 mg/day for one week. Two months after the treatment, the enlargement of all mammary glands was apparent and one month later (i.e. three months after the end of drug administration) the mammary chains reached the size of 30 × 15 × 20 cm. The general health state of the animal was altered due to the conspicuous enlargement and inflammation of mammary glands. Radical mastectomy was done under general anaesthesia using Isoflurane Rhone-Poulenc inh. The weight of the extirpated mammary chains was 1.75 kg. The healing of operative wounds and convalescence occurred without complications. Fibroepithelial hyperplasia of mammary glands was diagnosed histologically.

Limited information is available on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of aspirin and acetaminophen in young chicks. The purpose of the present study was to examine the pharmacokinetics of acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin) and acetaminophen in 12-day old chicks after a single intraperitoneal administration of each drug alone at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected from chicks (six/each time period) at 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 min after each drug administration. The concentrations of aspirin and acetaminophen in the plasma were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the drugs were calculated by a non-compartmental analysis. The elimination half-lives of aspirin and acetaminophen were 1.68 and 1.36 h with steady state volume of distributions 0.079 and 1.11 l/kg and total body clearances of 0.029 and 0.53 l/h/kg, respectively. The mean residence times of the drugs were 2.74 and 2.09 h and their area under the plasma concentration-time curves (0-∞) were 3486 and 188 μg/h/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the data show the pharmacokinetic profiles of single intraperitoneal doses of aspirin and acetaminophen in chicks and suggest that acetaminophen is well distributed in the body of the chicks and eliminated faster from the body compared to aspirin. These parameters should be taken into consideration in further therapeutic and toxicological studies of drugs in chickens.

The aim of this trial was to compare the effect of supplementation of goats with different forms of selenium on the metabolism of their kids at the time of weaning. The experiment was performed with 45 kids of mothers supplemented with various forms of selenium. Group C was control while the other four groups were supplemented with selenium for six weeks before (0.3 mg/goat/day) and after parturition (0.9 mg/goat/day). Group Se-I received sodium selenite while the other groups received organic forms: Se-lactate-protein complex (Se-L), Se-proteinate (Se-P) and Se-yeast (Se-Y). The kids were weaned at three months of age and samples of blood and urine were taken. Parameters monitored in the blood included Se, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Zn, Cu, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, protein, immunoglobulins, muscle enzymes, total antioxidant status, vitamin A and E. Se levels were determined In the urine. Selenium supplementation of goats from six weeks before delivery significantly influenced selenium concentrations in the blood of kids. Significant differences (P < 0.0002) were found between the control and all experimental groups and further between Se-Y and the other experimental groups (Se-Y: 243.0 ± 20.3 μg/l; Se-I: 156.3 ± 34.3 μg/l; Se-P: 152.6 ± 41.5 μg/l; Se-L: 146.7 ± 20 0 μg/l; C: 67.6 ± 13.1 μg/l). The highest concentration was found in the group supplemented with Se-yeast with a high content of selenomethionine. The other two organic forms of selenium (proteinate and lactate-protein complex) increased the concentration of Se in blood and the activity of GPx to the same extent as the inorganic form of selenium. Se supplementation did not have a negative effect on the concentration of copper and zinc in the blood serum of kids, but we found decreased concentrations of thyroxine in the experimental groups (Se-Y: 79.8 ± 12.8 nmol/l; Se-I: 66.5 ± 13.2 nmol/l; Se-P: 76.2 ± 25.7 nmol/l; Se-L: 84.5 ± 14.8 nmol/l; C: 92.7 ± 13.4 nmol/l). Significant differences were found between the group C and groups Se-I and Se-P (P < 0.05). The supplementation of mothers with Se both in organic and inorganic forms was sufficient to prevent Se deficiency in kids at the time of weaning.

Twelve clonal rootstocks of sweet cherry grafted with the cv. Lapins were tested. Each graft combination included 18 trees divided into six randomized blocks. The trees were spaced at 5 × 3 m and trained as spindles. Tree vigour, yield, fruit size, fruit quality and yield efficiency were evaluated for eleven subsequent years. According to trunk diameter, the most vigorous rootstocks were Gi 497/8, Gi 154/7, Gisela 4 and P-HL-A; 32-41% larger compared with the standard Gisela 5. The highest cumulative yield per tree and yield efficiency were recorded on the rootstocks Gi 154/7 and Gisela 4. The lowest yield was recorded on Damil, Gi 209/1, Gi 195/20, Gi 148/8 and Gisela 5. P-HL-A and Gi 523/02 gave the largest fruit weights and Gi 209/1, Gisela 5 and Gi 195/20 the smallest. Moderate tree die-back was recorded on Gi 154/7 and P-HL-A, low tree mortality on Gisela 4 and Damil. All the trees survived on Gi 497/8. Gisela 4 and Gi 154/7 produced some root suckers.

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) has high bioavailability and is an important source of soil nutrients. In order to determine the concentrations and the composition of DON in different depths (0-30 cm), and provide a theoretical basis for further deep research into the paddy soil nitrogen supply, experiments based on the lysimeter method were carried out to investigate the effect of fertilization on composition and spatial distribution of DON in paddy soil. Paddy soil was treated under chemical fertilization treatment (CT) and mixed fertilization treatment (MT). With methods of PCR-DGGE and HPLC-MS, the results of the experiments suggested that the samples in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm under MT had significantly higher bacterial diversity than those under CT except in 0-10 cm. DON had a high percentage (63.1-79.9%) in N_tot of soil solution. The results of the correlation analysis revealed that DON had a significant positive correlation with organic matter content, Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') and a significant negative correlation with pH. The possible results of HPLC-MS identification of DON from paddy soil solution were that (a) 3-(4-thiazolyl)-l-alanine; (b) 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid; (c) 4-(2, 4-difluorophenyl)-3-nitrobenzene carbaldehyde; (d) fendizoic acid.

The preparation of mango wine by yeast-mango peel immobilised biocatalyst system by repeated batch fermentation was conducted and compared to free cells fermentation at 15, 20, 25, and 30°C. The operational stability of the biocatalyst was good as the ethanol concentrations (76.0-96.0 g/l) and productivities (1.53-3.29 g/l/h) were high, showing the suitability of the biocatalyst for even low temperature winemaking. The concentration of ethyl acetate was not above 40 mg/l in all cases, and higher alcohols were low (< 330 mg/l) in wine with immobilised cells indicating an improvement in the product compared to free cells fermentation. Amyl alcohols were proved to be temperature dependent and decreased with the decrease in temperature (262.48-146.83 and 239.74-184.34 mg/l) in the case of fermentation batches with immobilised and free cells, respectively, from 30°C to 15°C. Sensory evaluation revealed fruity aroma (7.9 ± 0.73), fine taste (7.7 ± 0.24), and the overall improved quality of the wines produced by the immobilised system.

Saharan wheats have been studied particularly from a botanical viewpoint. Genotypic identification, classification and genetic diversity studies to date were essentially based on the morphology of the spike and grain. For this, the allelic variation at the glutenin loci was studied in a set of Saharan bread and durum wheats from Algerian oases where this crop has been traditionally cultivated. The high molecular weight and low molecular weight glutenin subunit composition of 40 Saharan bread and 30 durum wheats was determined by SDS-PAGE. In Saharan bread wheats 32 alleles at the six glutenin loci were detected, which in combination resulted in 36 different patterns including 17 for HMW and 23 for LMW glutenin subunits. For the Saharan durum wheats, 29 different alleles were identified for the five glutenin loci studied. Altogether, 29 glutenin patterns were detected, including 13 for HMW-GS and 20 for LMW-GS. Three new alleles were found in Saharan wheats, two in durum wheat at the Glu-B1 and Glu-B3 loci, and one in bread wheat at the Glu-B1 locus. The mean indices of genetic variation at the six loci in bread wheat and at the five loci in durum wheat were 0.59 and 0.63, respectively, showing that Saharan wheats were more diverse. This information could be useful to select Saharan varieties with improved quality and also as a source of genes to develop new lines when breeding for quality.

The freezing point (FP) was established in 48 bulk tank samples of raw and 48 samples of pasteurized goat milk that were collected in the course of lactation. Alongside, non-fat solids (NFS) content was monitored. Milk freezing point measurements were carried out using the thermistor cryoscope method in compliance with the standard CTS 570538 (1998). The mean freezing point of raw milk was found to be in an interval of -0.5513 ± 0.0046°C, variation ranged from -0.5466°C to -0.5567°C, with higher values in the spring months and a drop at the end of lactation. FP corresponded to the NFS content. The average freezing point of goat milk heat-treated on the farm to the temperature of 72°C over a period of 20 s was -0.5488 ± 0.0046°C, pasteurisation brought an average increase in FP by 0.0025°C.

During the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in rapid visual tests that could be performed outside the laboratory, for example on farms, in store houses or in food production plants. Hence, cost effective and simple screening methods are required for residual analysis of environmental and food samples on-site. Here, a simple and instrumental independent dipstick immunoassay for sulfamethazine detection is described. The polyclonal antibody was optimised in terms of coating dilution on a nitrocellulose membrane, dilution of peroxidase tracer conjugate, blocking agents and incubation times. Test results assessed by visual measurement can be available within 20 minutes. In buffer, water, skimmed milk and pig manure extract, sulfamethazine fortified at 50 and 100 µg/l has exhibited clear visual differentiation in colour development (lower intensity) in comparison to the control spot intensity (high intensity) of the dipstick.