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The phenological stages, flower characteristics, shoot growth and flower bud differentiation of sweet cherries, cv. Hongdeng and Van, were investigated in different climatic zones in China, subtropical monsoon climatic zone (Shanghai, 31°14'N, 121°29'E) and temperate climatic zone (Qingdao, 37°09'N, 121°20'E). Sweet cherry trees grown in subtropical monsoon climatic zone had earlier phenological stage and longer blooming duration than those grown in temperate climatic zone. Fruit growth periods of Hongdeng and Van in Qingdao were 38 days and 51 days, respectively, but only 29 days and 45 days in Shanghai. Both cultivars showed more abnormal flowers under subtropical monsoon climate. The percentage of fruit set under open pollination in Hongdeng and Van were 31% and 24% in Qingdao, respectively, but only 0.4% and 3.2% in Shanghai. The trees grew more vigorous in Shanghai; flower bud differentiation was delayed by high temperature and superabundant rainfall in subtropical monsoon climate zone and more easily affected by the overlap of current shoot growth.

The paper proposes a method of assessing the potential risks of the future development of stands in relation to a climatic change. To assess risks of the future development of a stand simple point scales have been worked up based on primary properties of a site and a stand according to data of the forest management plan (FMP). In assessing the health condition, the risk of damage to stands by Armillaria sp. in the felling age was evaluated on the basis of a present attack by Armillaria sp. and also defoliation of the crown primary structure assessed during a simple field examination. The evaluation was carried out in the region of the Křtiny Training Forest Enterprise (TFE) Masarykův les, ranger district Proklest, in 2002. The study was conducted in 118 Norway spruce stands aged more than 20 years. The majority of evaluated stands ranked among the category of high and medium risk from the viewpoint of site and stand risks and among the category of high Armillaria sp. attack.

In this study, the effects were evaluated of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), ascorbic acid (AA) and α-tocopherol (TO) on the stability of raw mechanically deboned chicken patties stored at -20°C for 6 months. pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), haem iron (mg/kg), metmyoglobin formation (%) and colour (L*, a*, b*, C* and h values) of patties were measured for 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage time. pH values were found to be the highest in the initial storage period. TBARS values were observed to range between 0.33 and 2.40 mg malondialdehyde/kg of sample and the L*, a*, and b* values of the patty samples during the storage period were found to range between 38.14 and 49.52, 9.01 and 20.87, and 7.28 and 14.62, respectively. The haem iron and metmyoglobin contents were found to range between 8.39 and 10.87 mg/kg and 19.26% and 45.91%, respectively. As a result, it is suggested that L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol can be added into chicken patty samples in view of the storage quality parameters mentioned above.

Exopolysaccharide (LB-gum) was produced from Lactobacillus helveticus by ethanol precipitation and gel-permeation chromatography. The structures of LB1 and LB2 were estimated by sugar composition analysis, methylation, and FT-IR analysis. The results proved the contents of glucose and galactose in molar ratio of 2:1 and 2.3:1, and molecular weights ~5.4 × 10⁵ Da and ~20.3 × 10⁵ Da, respectively. Xanthan and LB-gum were added to wheat flour during biscuits making at levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%. Rheological properties and chemical quality attributes of the biscuits during storage for six months were evaluated. The data revealed slight increases in water absorption, dough development time, and dough stability but weakening decreased about 50 %. Also, height, weight, volume, and specific volume were found to increase as xanthan and LB-gum level increased. The colour was slightly affected. There were no significant differences between the samples containing xanthan and LB-gum at different levels with respect to all parameters tested except for the taste. Shelf - life of biscuit prolonged as a result of xanthan or LB-gum addition. The best addition level to improve the biscuits quality was 1.0% of xanthan or 1.5% of LB-gum.

To estimate genetic relationships among 31 cultivated and 34 wild grape accessions originating from regions near the Caspian Sea in the Azerbaijan Republic, RAPD analysis was performed with 27 decamer primers selected from a total of 55 primers. The most discriminating primers were OPC-16, OPF-18 and OPA-17, which showed the highest values of genetic diversity (0.927, 0.914 and 0.909, respectively). The lowest values of diversity pertained to the markers OPA-1 (0.615) and V-20 (0.624). The cluster analysis representing genetic similarity among all selected samples divided the genotypes into nine separate groups at similarity index 0.508. Within the studied Azerbaijan grape populations the highest genetic diversity belonged to the population of cultivated samples originating from the Absheron peninsula, with a diversity index 0.852 and the next ranks were assigned to the wild populations originating from Nabran and Guba regions, with a diversity index 0.824 and 0.793, respectively. The lowest diversity was observed within Davachi individuals, with a diversity index 0.765. The wild population from Azerbaijan was molecularly similar to the cultivated gene pool from this area. This result supported the hypothesis that the southwest of the Caspian Sea is a region where grape was brought into culture. During the analysis a special band was observed which could be used in identifying wild and cultivated grape accessions with high or low resveratrol content. The results of this work clearly indicated that the RAPD analysis can be used to estimate genotypic similarities, genetic diversity and for clustering cultivated and wild grape accessions.

Change in the community of epigeal spiders and harvestmen (Araneae, Opiliones) was studied in an experimental apple orchard for six consecutive years. Five plots were surveyed by pitfall traps. Four of the plots were young (1-4 years); one plot was older (15-20 years). The abundance of epigeal arachnids increased with the age on the young plots, while it was constant on the older plot. There were significantly more arachnids on the young plots than on the older one. In turn, the diversity was significantly lower on the young than on the older plots. Lycosidae, Phalangiidae and Tetra-gnathidae dominated the young plots. The older plots were richer in Agelenidae, Clubionidae, Dysderidae, Gnaphosidae, Linyphiidae, Pisauridae and Salticidae. Principal species of the young and older plots were identified using multivariate analysis.

The paper analyzes the effect of whole-area site preparation by ploughing and of alternate field and forest crops on the understorey, soil biological activity and physical and chemical characteristics in the commercial forest. Another factor of the study was to assess the effect of the clearcut size on forest stands. Analyzed were 20-years-old stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur [L.]) on alluvial sites 1L9 (Fraxino pannonicae-Ulmetum). It can be deduced from the conducted analyses that after twenty years neither different site preparation nor clearcut size affected the understorey and soil biological activity. Field crops and forestry in alternation had a significantly adverse effect on porosity and water-retention capacity in the lower layer of top-soil (25-30 cm). Whole-area ploughing had a negative influence on the loss of organic substances due to accelerated mineralization. Nevertheless, the observed differences are not significant; the values did not fall below critical limits and in no case did they affect other studied site parameters or the development of root systems and aboveground parts of oak trees.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite causing bovine abortion all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate how common N. caninum infection is among dairy herds in the Czech Republic. Bulk milk samples were collected from 495 dairy herds and analysed for the presence of specific antibodies by a commercial N. caninum iscom ELISA. Five out of 495 dairy herds (1.01%) had percentage positive values ≥20 and were considered positive. In the positive herds, blood samples were collected from cows and pregnant heifers and analysed by the ELISA test. The within-herd seroprevalence ranged from 2.5 to 50%. The bulk milk ELISA could be a useful and inexpensive method for rapid screening of Neospora caninum infection in dairy herds in large areas.

The effect of increased intake of iodine at different selenium intake was studied in three groups of lambing ewes consisting of five animals and in their lambs for 76 days (from day 4 to day 80 post partum). Iodine in blood plasma, milk and urine was determined by a modified method according to Sandell-Kolthoff. Mineral supplement contained iodine and selenium in the form of I- or Se-enriched alga Chlorella. The content of iodine and selenium per 1 kg DM of experimental diet was as follows: group G1 0.7 mg I and 0.2 mg Se, group G2 0.7 mg I and 0.4 mg Se, group G3 1.3 mg I and 0.4 mg Se. The increased intake of iodine was not accompanied by an iodine increase in blood plasma until day 60 of lactation in connection with its high excretion into milk. The highest iodine content in milk was recorded on day 20 to 30 of lactation while there was a drop on day 60 of lactation. Iodine content in the blood plasma of lambs reflected iodine content in the milk of their mothers. The highest content of iodine in milk, blood plasma and urine was in the group with its highest intake (G3). Lower urinary output of iodine and higher iodine output in milk in lambing ewes of group G2 compared to group G1 document the higher retention and utilization of iodine in ewes with a higher supply of selenium. The average content of iodine in milk in group G1, G2 and G3 was as follows: 724.2 ± 485.3; 885.9 ± 460.6; and 1 126 ± 262.5 μg/l.

This study aims at testing a theoretical model explaining why people follow healthy eating habits and in particular to identify how the nutritional labels use influences this behavioural pattern. The results indicate that the individuals who utilise more often the nutritional labels follow healthier eating habits, such as avoiding snacking between meals, a lower intake of salt and avoiding the fat intake. According the factors explaining the label use, the health knowledge, the bad health status and being aware of the diet-health relation are found significant. Age and household size are the socio-demographic variables which also affect the nutritional label use and eating habits. Findings provide more evidence on the consumers' underlying motivations to pay attention to nutritional labelling, which allows evaluating the impact of the implementation of the Regulation EC 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutritional and health claims made on foods (Regulation EC 1924/2006). In addition, empirical results could help the local policy makers to establish appropriate market strategies to increase healthy eating habits by promoting the nutritional label use by consumers.

Limited water resources restrict winter wheat grain yield and quality in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of North China, and establishing optimal planting patterns according to crop water requirements is the key factor for achieving rational water use. In this paper, 4 planting patterns were applied, namely, uniform row (30 cm; traditional pattern), wide (40 cm)-narrow (20 cm) row, furrow (double lines in the furrow with 20 cm spacing, and 40 cm between furrows), and seed bed (double lines on the bed with 20 cm spacing, and 40 cm between beds). Each planting pattern was irrigated twice during the jointing and heading stages, and total irrigation water was controlled at 120 mm. Grain yield was significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher in the furrow planting pattern than in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns, by 73.4, 64.3, and 53.4 g/m², respectively, in 2004-2005 and by 54.3, 42.6, and 30.2 g/m², respectively, in 2005-2006, mainly because of a significant (LSD, P < 0.05) increase in the spike and kernel numbers. These results were caused by changes in the contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield (CDMRG); the CDMRG was higher in the furrow planting pattern than in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns by 5.1%, 4.3%, and 2.9%, respectively. Gliadin and glutenin contents in the furrow planting pattern were 4.67% and 5.85%, respectively, and were significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher than those in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns; however, the furrow planting pattern had no significant (LSD, P < 0.05) effect on albumin and globulin contents. Dough development time (DDT) and dough stable time (DST) in the furrow planting pattern were 5.6 min and 8.8 min, respectively; they were significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) improved compared to those in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns; however, there were no significant (LSD, P < 0.05) differences in dough breakdown time (DBT) between any of the planting patterns. These results suggest that the furrow planting pattern combined with deficit irrigation during the jointing and heading stages can be applied to winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of North China.

Myofibrillar protein was extracted from grass carp, a freshwater fish, and hydrolysed using five commercial proteases (papain, pancreatin 6.0, bromelain, Neutrase 1.5MG, and Alcalase 2.4 L). The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates were determined. Pancreatin 6.0 proved to be the most efficient protease for hydrolysing myofibrillar protein with a very high protein recovery (90.20%), its hydrolysates exhibiting the highest hydroxyl radical (*OH) scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 349.89 ± 11.50 μg/ml) out of all five hydrolysates. Molecular weight distribution analysis revealed that pancreatin 6.0 hydrolysate rendered a higher proportion of the 6-10 kDa fraction and a lower proportion of the 3-6 kDa fraction as compared with other hydrolysates. The maximum *OH scavenging activity for pancreatin 6.0 hydrolysate (IC₅₀ = 229.90 µg/ml) was obtained at the enzyme to substrate ratio of 0.52%, the incubation time of 7.03 h, and the incubation temperature of 50.56°C, as optimised by response surface methodology. In vitro antioxidant experiments proved that pancreatin 6.0 hydrolysates had obvious inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation and low-density lipoproteins oxidation under optimised conditions.

The accelerated laboratory tests can evaluate the properties of new biodegradable fluids under relatively short time. These test results are the ground for the continuity of the tests under operation conditions in machine. The paper presents the test of new biodegradable hydraulic fluid type "Environmentally responsible tractor transmission oil" by designed special test device. The test evaluation was realized by technical state of concrete hydrostatic pump UD 25 which is used in tractors Zetor Forterra. This pump was loaded by cyclic pressure loading during the test with tested fluid. The evaluated parameter was flow efficiency of hydrostatic pump which reached the value 7.3% after the test. The reached value hints a high quality of the tested fluid (the limit value per standard is the flow efficiency decrease - 20%).

The aim of the experiment was to compare the carcass composition of 20 Montbeliarde bulls (M) and 20 Czech Pied bulls (C). The carcass weight of the animals in one group varied minimally and was about 380 kg. The Montbeliarde bulls showed a higher growth rate, expressed by a significantly lower (P < 0.01) age at slaughter (562.6 vs. 626 days) while the live weight (682.9 vs. 690.6 kg) and carcass weight (380.4 vs. 382.6 kg) were comparable, which resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.01) daily weight gain (1.142 vs. 1.045 kg) and net weight gain (0.676 vs. 0.615 kg). The Montbeliarde bulls showed a greater (P < 0.05) height at rump (144.0 vs. 140.2 cm), worse carcass conformation according to SEUROP (3.24 vs. 2.84), lower proportion of forequarter (44.7 vs. 45.7%) and higher proportion of hindquarter (55.3 vs. 54.3%). As for the carcass composition, no significant inter-breed differences were found in weights and proportions of shanks, meat trimmings, separable fat, bones, round, loin, filet, flank with rib, flank, shoulder and chuck. The Montbeliarde bulls had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) weight and proportion of neck (10.1 vs. 11.1 kg and 5.4 vs. 5.9%) and weight of brisket and rib (17.6 vs. 18.7 kg) and proportion of brisket and rib (9.4 vs. 9.9%, P < 0.01).

In the period October 2002-September 2004 we examined 2 996 samples of faeces of piglets at the age of 2-47 days. Samples were collected as so called "composite" ones from the pen floor. Samplings were done in 8 herds in Ceske Budejovice district. One herd was kept on the slatted floor, the other herds were housed on litter. Coprological examinations were carried out within 24 hours after sampling, and Sheather's sugar solution was used. Average prevalence of the coccidium Isospora suis was 24.8%. Isosporosis prevalence in piglets was highest on day 13 of piglet age (46.3%) and at week 2 after birth (38.8%). With respect to seasonal dynamics of isosporosis the frequency of findings was highest in autumn 2002 (29.0%) and lowest in summer 2003 (20.0%). In infected piglets the presence of I. suis was detected most frequently in connection with watery diarrhoeas (39.0%) and least frequently in piglets with shaped faeces (19.0%). From the aspect of infection intensity most infections (58.2%) were weak and fewest infections (2.9%) were severe. Isosporosis occurred on all examined farms.

Four high-yielding lactating Holstein cows fitted with duodenal cannulas were used in the experiment. Cows were divided into 2 groups - control (Control) with leucine deficiency and experimental (Leucine) with a leucine supplement. The experiment was divided into 4 periods of 7 days, each consisting of a 3-day preliminary period followed by a 4-day experimental period. In the first period, 2 cows were assigned to Control and the remaining 2 to Leucine. In the subsequent period the cows were switched to the other treatment. Cows were fed individually twice daily the basal diet based on maize silage, lucerne hay and supplemental mixture. Infusions of amino acids in Leucine consisted of methionine (12.6 g/day), lysine (20.7 g/day), histidine (10.7 g/day) and leucine (19.3 g/day). The composition of amino acid infusate in Control was the same except for leucine that was replaced with monosodium L-glutamate. The intake of dry matter was not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05). No effect of leucine infusion on milk yield and composition was observed (P > 0.05), nevertheless the concentration of protein and casein in milk tended to be higher in Leucine (38.3 and 31.3 g/kg) than in Control (37.4 and 30.4 g/kg, respectively, P < 0.1). The yield of milk components was not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05). Duodenal infusion of leucine resulted in a decreased plasma level of isoleucine in Leucine compared to Control (P < 0.01). Concentrations of leucine, cysteine and citrulline tended to be higher and the concentration of tyrosine tended to be lower in Leucine in comparison with Control (P < 0.10).

The effects of high power ultrasound of 24 kHz and ultrasound bath of 24 kHz frequency on the textural and pasting properties of corn starch suspensions was examined. Suspensions were treated with different intensities and treatment times (15 min and 30 min) using an ultrasound probe set and bath. The treatments with high power ultrasound probes caused a significant lowering of the starting gelatinisation temperatures of corn starch. The ultrasound treatment caused disruption of starch granules by cavitational forces and made the granules more permeable to water. The highest viscosity was observed for the treatment with 300 W probe. Also, a statistically significant increase in solubility in water (20°C) was observed, being caused by the disruption of starch granules and molecules by ultrasound treatment. When applying more powerful ultrasound, starch granules, specifically in the amorphous region, are much more mechanically damaged. The texture profile analyses of the starch gel prepared from the suspensions that had been treated with ultrasound probe presented higher hardness and higher values of adhesiveness and cohesiveness when compared with untreated suspensions or those treated with ultrasound bath. Micrography showed an obvious impact of ultrasound on the structure of starch granules. Ultrasound treatment ruptures and mechanically damages the starch granules causing collapse of cavitation bubbles which induces high pressure gradients and high local velocities of the liquid layers in their vicinity.

Moisture-dependent engineering properties of pine nut were studied at 6.3, 8.2, 10.8, 14.5, 18.9, and 20.1% moisture content (dry basis). The length, width, thickness, and geometric mean diameter increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 21.75 to 21.85 mm, 7.39 to 7.47 mm, 6.07 to 6.14 mm, and 9.89 to 9.98 mm, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 6.3% to 20.1%, whereas the increase in sphericity from 45.49% to 45.69% was not significant. Similarly, thousand seed mass, true density, porosity, terminal velocity, and angle of repose increased (P < 0.05) from 0.85 to 0.93 kg, 1043.3 to 1071 kg/m3, 41.31% to 44.57%, 8.67 to 8.83 m/s, and 35.4° to 39°, respectively, with an increase in moisture content under the experimental condition. Moreover, the bulk density decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 612.3 to 593.6 kg/m3. Coefficient of static friction increased (P < 0.05) from 0.251 to 0.292, 0.241 to 0.271, 0.227 to 0.262, and 0.218 to 0.247 on plywood, galvanized iron sheet, stainless steel, and glass surfaces, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 6.3% to 20.1%.

The present study brings current information on providing market pigs and sows with the required iodine level up to date. The results were obtained by the determination of the iodine content in leg muscles and by the relationship between those concentrations and the iodine intake by the human population. The iodine content was assessed by the Sandell-Kolthoff method in 108 samples of leg muscles (m. gracilis) of market pigs from 18 herds in 10 districts of the Czech Republic collected during the period April 2004 to August 2004. Average iodine content in leg muscles of market pigs was 25.6 ± 15.54 μg I/kg fresh matter, median 20.2 and coefficient of variation 60.6%. Significantly higher (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) iodine levels were recorded in the leg muscles was of herds LI2, ZU, BR, FU, BU, ST and some others. Iodine level variations in the samples from respective farms were expressed in the levels range of 8.5 to 66.2 μg I/kg. The detected variations might have been caused by different iodine saturation of the pigs from different herds, their physiological requirement, manifestation of physiological ability of respective animals to utilize the iodine source, potential effect of goitrogens and environmental conditions. It is necessary to consider the iodine content in pork in the balance of the iodine supply in the shopping basket of consumers. Provided that the average annual consumption of pork is 40.9 kg with iodine content of 25.6 μg/kg(8.5 to 66.2 μg/kg), the average annual iodine intake is 1047 μg, which represents 1.4 to 2.4% of the required intake per person per year.

To improve the culture system of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, we studied the effects of activin A on developmental competence of bovine SCNT embryos during the early development stage based on the traditional culture method, and analyzed the expression level of the genes related to blastocyst hatching (Na/K-ATPase, Glut-1) and related to activin A signalling pathway (ActRII and Smad2). We generated the bovine SCNT embryo using a Holstein cow oocyte as recipient cytoplasm and a foetal ear fibroblast (Holstein cow, 120 days) as donor cell. The embryos were cultured as follows: experiment 1, the addition of activin A at the concentrations of 0 (control), 20 (M1-20), 40 (M1-40) or 80 ng/ml (M1-80) to the media during the first three days and no addition during the subsequent 5 days; experiment 2, no addition of activin A to the media during the first 3 days and the addition of activin A at the concentrations of 0 (control), 20 (M2-20), 40 (M2-40) or 80 ng/ml (M2-80) during the subsequent 5 days. The results indicated that the blastocyst formation rate and hatching rate, and total blastomere numbers as well as ICM/TE obtained in experiment 1 were not significantly different from the control group (P > 0.05). In contrast, these values obtained in experiment 2 were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the relative abundance (ratio to GAPDH mRNA) of each gene (Glut-1, ActR II and Smad2) was not significantly different among the treatments in the experiment. The expression levels of 4 genes (Na/K-ATPase, Glut-1, ActR II and Smad2) in blastocysts obtained in experiment 2 were higher than those obtained in experiment 1. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the addition of activin A to the culture media from day 4 to day 8 can enhance the developmental competence of bovine SCNT embryos.

We studied the optimal conditions for the biofilm development by Listeria monocytogenes on a model system represented by microtiter plates, and also for determined some effective disinfectant agents. Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 13932 and an industrial isolate of Listeria monocytogenes Lm-24 were compared as to their abilities to form biofilms. The starting concentration of the cells leading to the most reproducible results was 0.5 McFarland. The temperatures tested ranged between 8°C to 37°C, the optimal values to form biofilm in buffered peptone water (BPW) with 0.05% glucose were 25°C and 30°C. Under comparable conditions the persistent strain L. monocytogenes Lm-24 constituted more massive biofilm than did the reference strain. The following disinfectants were applied: Savo, Merades Alco, benzalalkonium chloride. A persistent industry in isolate Listeria monocytogenes Lm-24 was used as the model organism for these tests. Benzalalkonium chloride treatment was found to be the most efficient way to damage the biofilm. One minute treatment with 500 mg/l was lethal for the biofilm cells, and that with 125 mg/l for planctonic cells. Savo suppresed the viability of the biofilm cells only by about 20% on average while being lethal for planctonic cells. Merades Alco exhibited only a weak effect on both the biofilm and planctonic cells.

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of the time of oviposition on egg quality characteristics in two different housing systems (cages vs. litter). ISA brown hens from 20 to 64 weeks of age were housed in battery cages (550 cm²/hen, 19 526 laying hens in the house) and on deep litter (7 hen/m², 4 652 laying hens in the house). In both houses, eggs were collected daily at three oviposition times 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Every four weeks, 90 eggs for each house (30 eggs for each oviposition time) were used for egg quality assessment. The results indicated that in cages the highest percentages (P ≤ 0.001) of normal (74.47%), non-standard (0.85%) and cracked (1.80%) eggs were laid in the early morning (06:00 h). On deep litter, however, the highest percentages (P ≤ 0.05) of normal sound eggs were produced at10:00 h (35.43%) and at14:00 h (33.03%). In the cage system, the heaviest eggs (63.01 g) were laid in the early morning (06:00 h) and the highest shell percentage (10.33%) was in eggs laid in the afternoon and also at 10:00 h (10.31%). On the other hand, in the litter housing system, the time of oviposition had no significant effect on egg weight and eggshell quality characteristics except for shell thickness. Morning eggs had greater shell thickness (0.398 mm) than afternoon eggs (0.390 mm). In cages and on litter, statistically significant differences in albumen height, albumen index and Haugh Units were observed between early morning eggs and afternoon eggs and data showed a pattern of relatively higher albumen quality for eggs collected in the afternoon in both systems.

The influence of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) on histopathological changes in the small intestine and the intensity of invasion of T. spiralis in mice were investigated in this study. The animals were infected with doses of 500 and 250 T. spiralis larvae per mouse. A SCFA solution containing acetic, propionic and butyric acid (30 : 15 : 20mM) was administered orally to the mice starting from the 5^th day before infection to the 20^th day after infection (day). Fragments of the jejunum collected during dissection on the 7th and 10th day were used to prepare specimens to assess the histopathological changes. In the infected animals, the intestinal trichinellae were counted on the 7^th and 10^th day, while on the 42^nd day the muscle larvae number were determined. The strongest host reaction in the intestine was observed on the 7^th day at a dose of T. spiralis 500 larvae, and on the 10^th day at a dose of 250 larvae. Numerous inflammatory infiltrations, strong shortening of the intestinal villi, extension of the intestinal crypts, and the lowest ratio of the villi length to the intestinal crypts depth were observed. The ratio was 1.3 ± 0.3 on the 7^th day at a dose of 500 larvae, and on the 10^th day, at dose of 250 larvae the ratio reached 1.5 ± 0.5. Both values differed significantly from the control group: 3.3 ± 0.5 (P < 0.01). Administration of SCFA to the animals infected with T. spiralis caused remission of local histopathological changes resulting from the presence of the parasite in the small intestine after the mentioned periods. This manifested as limited villi shortening and reduced deepening of intestinal crypts. At the higher infectious dose, in animals receiving the acid solution, on the 7^th day the intestinal villi were considerably longer (356 µm ± 35) than in the group infected with T. spiralis but not treated with the acids (279 µm ± 57; P < 0.01). At a lower dose of parasites, on the 10^th day these values were 339 µm ± 88 and 306 µm ± 47 respectively and the observed differences were not statistically significant. The solution of SCFA also caused a decrease in the numbers of mature parasites in the intestine and the muscle larvae at a dose of 500 larvae/mouse. In animals receiving the SCFA, 24 050 ± 10 415 larvae were observed in muscles, while in the infected mice, which did not receive the acids, 32 875 ± 16 762 larvae were detected (P < 0.05). An increase in the intensity of infection accelerated the rate of host reaction to the presence of T. spiralis in the intestines (self-cure). To summarize, the administered solution of short chain fatty acids alleviated the formation of histopathological changes in the intestine in response to the parasite's presence, and lowered the intensity of T. spiralis invasion after infection with a higher dose of larvae.

One hundred and twenty (100♀ + 20♂) 30-weeks-old dual-purpose breeding hens of Gimmizah strain were housed in individual cages in a semi-open house. Birds were distributed randomly into five treatments of 20♀ + 4♂. The 1st treatment was fed a control (unsupplemented) diet (17.5% CP and 11.4 MJ per kg diet) containing 0.10 mg Se/kg (low level). The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th treatments were fed the control diet supplemented with 0.15 and 0.30 mg Se/kg from inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic (selenomethionine, as Se-yeast Selplex® Alltech, Nicholasville, USA) sources, respectively. The total concentration of Se in experimental diets was 0.25 (medium level) and 0.40 ppm (high level). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period (30-50 weeks of age). Different Se levels of the organic and inorganic form and their interaction did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect egg production percentage, and most of egg quality traits. Egg weight and egg mass significantly (P < 0.002) increased and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly (P < 0.04) improved due to Se supplementation compared with hens fed the control diet. Piped embryos and spleen percentage significantly (P < 0.05) decreased due to Se supplementation. In addition, the level of organic and inorganic Se and their interaction significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased the plasma cholesterol concentration. Tibia Ca and P percentages and yolk selenium concentration significantly (P < 0.03; P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) increased due to Se supplementation and the greatest increase was recorded by a group fed diet with the high level (0.40) of organic Se. The duodenal and intestinal mucosa of the ileum was negatively affected by the high level of inorganic Se while chickens fed the organic form showed less toxic effects in hepatic and splenic tissues than those receiving the inorganic form. In conclusion, the organic and inorganic Se supplementation at 0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg diet, which corresponded to a dietary level of 0.25 and 0.40 mg/kg diet, improved the productive and reproductive performance of Gimmizah breeding hens. A decrease in plasma total cholesterol and an improvement in the bone mineralization were observed. The level of 0.25 mg/kg diet of organic Se was adequate to enrich eggs, which may be recommended for practical application and which would improve the consumer health benefit.

Isoenzyme polymorphism was studied in 20 almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A. Webb) genotypes selected from seedling populations of unknown almond cultivars in the region of northern Serbia (Vojvodina). Fourteen enzyme systems were studied using the method of vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ten systems were polymorphic in twelve loci. This polymorphism allowed unique identification of all studied genotypes. The most useful enzyme for analysis of almond genetic variability was menadione reductase. Polymorphism identified for alkaline phosphatase, formate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and menadione reductase was reported for the first time in almond. Cluster analysis was used to construct a dendrogram on which five clusters with different number of genotypes could be identified.

Agricultural practices that reduce soil degradation and improve agriculture sustainability are important particularly for dry hilly land of Chaoyang County in the Liaoning Province, North-east China, where cinnamon soils are widely distributed and mainly for wheat production. The impacts of 10-year cropping systems (wheat-cabbage sequential cropping, wheat-corn intercrop, wheat-sunflower rotation, wheat-soybean rotation) on soil enzyme properties of surface-soil (0-20 cm) were studied. Total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur, and nine soil hydrolases related to nutrient availabilities (β-galactosidase, α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, α-glucosidase, urease, protease, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, arylsulphatase) and five enzymes kinetic characters were examined. Wheat-corn intercrop systems had higher total C, total N, total P and total S concentrations than wheat-soybean and wheat-sunflower rotation systems. Most test enzyme activities (α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, urease, protease, phosphomonoesterase and arylsulphatase) showed the highest activities under wheat-corn intercropping system. Urease, protease and phosphodiesterase activities of wheat-cabbage sequential cropping system were significantly higher than two rotation systems. The maximum reaction rates of enzymes (V_max) were higher than apparent enzyme activity, which suggests larger potential activity of enzymes, while not all kinetic parameters were adaptive as soil quality indicators in dry hilly cinnamon soil.

The effect of feed additives: antibiotic (group C), probiotic (group E1) and prebiotic (group E2) on the results of fattening and selected slaughter and pork meat quality traits of two genotypes of pigs (PLW × PL) × BL and (PLW × PL) × Dur, gilts and hogs, was determined. The results obtained for the examined traits in the feeding groups under comparison were slightly differentiated. The growth rate and feed conversion differed between the genetic groups in favour of crossbred fatteners with the proportion of Dur breed (P ≤ 0.01). The mean backfat thickness from 5 measurements and loin "eye" area in fatteners derived from Dur sires as compared to hybrids coming from BL sires were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) while the length of carcass was higher (P ≤ 0.01). The gilts were characterized by better meatiness than boars: loin "eye" area, loin weight without backfat and skin, ham weight without backfat and skin differed on the level of P ≤ 0.05, and meatiness of carcass and meatiness of basic cuts at P ≤ 0.01. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) or highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences in the proportions of acids: C_18:2, C_18:3, C_20:4, C_22:4 and PUFA in the lipid fraction of MLD were found between the feeding groups. The proportion of the above-mentioned acids was lower in group E2 and higher in group E1 as compared to C. The proportion of the acid C_18:1 was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) in group E2 as compared to E1. The demonstrated differences indicate the need of further studies in this respect. In pig fattening there is a possibility of effectively replacing feed antibiotics with other additives. The application of biostimulators - probiotic Bactocell or oligosaccharide Bio-Mos instead of the antibiotic flavomycin appeared to be favourable. From the production aspect it seems to be justified to supplement the feed rations for fatteners during the first stage of fattening with feed additives from the group of probiotics or prebiotics.

The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate months for applying albendazole (ABZ; oral suspension dose 20 mg/kg body weight) to sheep naturally infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum and kept at pasture, in order to reduce parasite egg shedding to a minimum, mainly during the cold months and, as a result, decrease pasture contamination by viable eggs. Five animal groups (G), homogeneous as regards the number of eggs per gram (EPG) in faeces, were established. The treatment months were: G1, November and January; G2, November and February; G3, November and April; G4, January; and G5 (control), April. Ten samplings (S1-S10) were carried out every 35 to 45 days to collect faecal samples from the rectum of each animal in the five groups. The sedimentation technique and McMaster egg counting chambers were used to analyze the faecal samples. Due to the effect of albendazole (ABZ) treatments, the five groups behaved differently with regard to EPG reduction and the percentage of samples positive for D. dendriticum eggs. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the EPG values obtained in G5 and the rest of the groups from November to May, but not from May onwards. The biggest reduction in egg excretion was obtained in G1, mainly in the cold period when elimination is highest and egg survival greatest, so G1 gave the best result, followed by G2, G4, G3 and finally G5 in descending order.

The alkaloids of Macleaya cordata (Papaveracae) are active components of the phytogenic feed additive Sangrovit. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Sangrovit on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis using rats as an experimental model. Thirty-five male rats were randomly assigned to a control group (Group 1, n = 5), a Sangrovit group (Group 2, n = 20) and a DSS group (Group 3, n = 10). Group 1 received standard diet and tap water for 14 days. Group 2 received 500 ppm Sangrovit in their feed for 14 days and in the second week 5% DSS was added to the tap water. The animals in Group 3 were fed for seven days with standard diet and tap water and for the next seven days with standard diet and 5% DSS added to their tap water. The rats were sacrificed on day 14 and the following parameters were measured: disease activity (body and organ weight, colon length, presence of blood in stool), colon myeloperoxidase activity, expression of colon cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2), hematological parameters, histological colitis score and selected parameters of oxidative stress. The animals treated with DSS for seven days (Groups 2 and 3) showed increases in liver and cecum weight, leukocyte count and colon shortening, decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit associated with hematochezia. In comparison with Group 3 where DSS caused mucosal edema, cellular infiltration and epithelial disruption, the Sangrovit group showed less severe damage to the colon mucosa and decreased histological colitis scores. The Sangrovit group also showed diminished expression of DSS-induced COX-2, significantly mitigated myeloperoxidase activity in colon tissue and level of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes. In conclusion, some parameters of DSS-induced colitis were modulated by 500 ppm Sangrovit added to feed.

This material describes parameterization of allometric functions applicable to biomass estimation of European beech trees. It is based on field data from destructive measurements of 20 full-grown trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) from 5.7 to 62.1 cm. The parameterization was performed for total tree aboveground biomass (AB; besides stump), stem and branch biomass, respectively. The allometric functions contained two or three parameters and used dbh either as a single independent variable or in combination with tree height (H). These functions explained 97 to 99% of the variability in the measured AB. The most successful equation was that using both dbh and H as independent variables in combination with three fitted parameters. H, as the second independent variable, had rather a small effect on improving the estimation: in the case of AB, H as independent variable improved prediction accuracy by 1-2% whereas in the case of branch biomass by about 5%. The parameterized biomass equations are applicable to tree specimens of European beech grown in typically managed forests.