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The contents of biogenic amines histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine in fish sauce were determined and the bacteria isolated from the samples were evaluated for their amines degradation activity. Five fish sauce samples contained 62.5-393.3 ppm of histamine, 5.6-242.8 ppm of putrescine, and 187.1-704.7 ppm of cadaverine. Thirty three bacterial isolates produced all three amines, seven isolates produced one or two amines, and one isolate did not produce any amine in differential agar media. Since the strains that produced amines were not supposed to degrade them, only eight isolates were further identified and evaluated for their amines degrading capability. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FS-05 and Staphylococcus carnosus FS-19 degraded histamine up to 59.9% and 29.1% from its initial concentration, respectively. Staphylococcus intermedius FS-20 and Bacillus subtilis FS-12 degraded putrescine and cadaverine up to 30.4% and 28.9%, respectively. Most isolates tolerated the salt concentration of up to 15% and temperature of up to 45°C. The current study provided new information on biogenic amines degrading bacteria, isolated from high-salt-content food products. The amines degradation activity of the bacteria is considered as strain rather than species specific.

Dormant tubers of two potato cultivars Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chandramukhi were treated for 7 days with 5, 10, 15 and 20% CO₂ concentrations at 18 ± 1ºC and 90-95% RH, and compared with GA treated tubers and with untreated tubers serving as control. During subsequent storage at the same temperature and RH, dormancy duration was reduced by 20 days with CO₂ treatment and by 35 days with GA treatment. In Kufri Jyoti, GA treatment caused 2.6 fold increase in the concentration of reducing sugars and 0.8 fold increase in total sugars in the apical half of the tubers leading to early release of dormancy in apical buds but this increase in sugar content was not observed in the basal half where the buds remained dormant.

Soil pollution of fluorine is a serious environmental problem in the world, and the fluorine pollution evaluation of spatial and vertical distribution study in the Karst region is quite limited. In this study, the farmland around lead-zinc mine in the Karst region was chosen as the study area. Ninety-one upper layer soil samples and two soil profiles (one in paddy field, the other one in aerated field) samples were taken. The average concentration of total fluorine of topsoil in the paddy fields is 378 mg/kg, whereas in the aerated field it is 508 mg/kg. The concentrations of total fluorine in all paddy soil samples and 97.87% aerated field soils are higher than that of the background value of Guangxi. The total fluorine contaminations in all aerated field soils are much higher than in paddy soil samples, so the aerated field is contaminated severely. The vertical distribution of fluorine is different in paddy field and aerated field. In paddy field, the content of fluorine increases from 20 to 40 cm, then it decreases rapidly from 40 to 60 cm in depth, and then increases gradually. However, in the aerated field, the content of fluorine rises gradually with the depth of the sampling point. The results of relative analysis and regression analysis between fluorine in soil and soil properties show that the spatial distribution and vertical variation of fluorine in this region are mainly affected by parent rock.

The influence of the solvent, temperature, and extraction time on the extractability of total polyphenols from milled soybeans variety Ika was investigated. The study was performed in order to select the most suitable solvent (water; 50, 60, 70, and 80% aqueous ethanol) for achieving the highest yield of total polyphenols. The most effective solvent (50% aqueous ethanol solution) was used for monitoring the kinetics and modelling of solid-liquid extraction of total polyphenols from soybeans, average particle size 0.459 mm, at solid-liquid ratio of 20 ml/g (ratio of the solvent volume per g of raw material). The total polyphenols content in the soybean extract was determined spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu micro-methods at 765 nm. The applicability of different mathematical models (Peleg, Page, and Logarithmic models) to describe the kinetics of the solid-liquid extraction process of total polyphenols from soybeans was studied as well. The results exhibited a significant influence of the solvent and temperature on the kinetics and extraction yield of total polyphenols from soybeans. The best extraction yield of total polyphenols was obtained using 50% aqueous ethanol solution at 80°C after 120 min (4.322 mg GAE/g_db). The extraction yield of total polyphenols in soybean extracts increased by increasing the extraction temperature and extending the duration of the extraction process. The mathematical models applied showed a good agreement with the experimental results, which allows their application in modelling and optimisation of solid-liquid extraction process for the extraction of total polyphenols from soybeans.

An unusual disorder occurred on spring barley seedlings in southern and central Bohemia in April 2005. Affected seedlings showed conspicuous bleached or straw-coloured areas on tips of the first leaves. There were very sharp, distinct, horizontal boundaries between the green basal and discoloured tip parts of the leaves. It was remarkable that these boundaries were at the same position on all affected first leaves of seedlings from the same field. Affected seedlings were randomly distributed in the fields, and their incidence ranged from about 20 to 70% according to location. Based on meteorological data it can be concluded that the colour abnormality in emerging seedlings was associated with specific environmental stresses, being effective in certain chronological order on sensitive plant tissues during the period from 6 to 8 days after seeding. These stresses include frosty mornings followed by clear days with high solar radiation with a high UV Index.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dihydropyridine supplementation on growth performance and lipid metabolism of broilers. A total of 480 one-day-old female Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups, each group had six replications of 20 birds. Each group was fed a maize-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine, respectively, for six weeks. At 42 days of age, body weight and feed intake were not affected by dihydropyridine, while feed efficiency was significantly increased by 8.4%, 15.0% and 12.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The percentage of abdominal fat and the percentage of liver fat were reduced by 24.5%, 25.9%, 23.3%, and 23.6%, 26.7%, 26.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The higher level of dietary dihydropyridine (200 or 300 mg/kg) increased the hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase activity in liver and abdominal fat (P < 0.05). The lipoprotein lipase activity in abdominal fat was significantly decreased by dihydropyridine (P < 0.05). The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase in liver was significantly reduced, whereas the isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in liver was not affected by dietary dihydropyridine. The content of cAMP was significantly increased by dihydropyridine, but malondialdehyde content was decreased (P < 0.05). Dihydropyridine at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg increased apolipoprotein B (P < 0.05), but 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine had no effect on apolipoprotein B compared with the control group. Triiodothyronine was significantly increased by dietary dihydropyridine (P < 0.05). There were no differences in apolipoprotein A, cholesterol, trigly-cerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, thyroxine and insulin among dietary treatments. It is concluded that supplementing dihydropyridine has a beneficial effect on feed efficiency and lipid metabolism of broilers, and that 200 mg/kg dihydropyridine supplementation is the optimum dose.

A dose-response experiment with 5 total dietary threonine (Thr) levels (0.54, 0.64, 0.74, 0.84 and 0.94%) was conducted to study the effect of dietary Thr on growth performance and carcass traits of Yangzhou geese from 0 to 8 weeks of age. Three hundred 1-day-old Yangzhou goslings were randomly allocated to 15 pens with 20 birds (10 males and 10 females) per pen according to similar pen weight. There were 5 dietary treatments, consisting of 3 replicate pens. Weight gain, feed intake and feed/gain of geese from each pen were measured at 2-week intervals from 0 to 8 weeks. At 56 days of age, four geese (2 males and 2 females) were selected randomly from each pen and slaughtered to evaluate the carcass quality. The results showed that an increase in dietary Thr resulted in an increase and then a decrease in daily weight gain in both periods. Peak daily weight gain responses appeared in geese fed the 0.74%Thr diet in both periods (36.120 and 61.96 g, respectively). Thr supplementation significantly affected feed/gain in the 0-4 week period (P ≤ 0.045) and daily feed intake in the 5-8 week period (P ≤ 0.012). No significant linear or quadratic responses from Thr supplementation were observed in growth performance and carcass traits of geese except for eviscerated carcass percentage (quadratic effect, P ≤ 0.016). The optimal Thr requirement of Yangzhou geese from 0 to 8 weeks of age was 0.726% for eviscerated carcass percentage. The results of our experiment reported herein would document that the Thr requirements suggested by NRC (1994) for geese up to 8 weeks of age are safe estimates; they may slightly overestimate the requirements but not by a large margin.

A 9-month-old Holstein heifer with a history of severely poor growth presented with diarrhoea. On physical examination, a metallic pinging sound was heard on the simultaneous percussion and auscultation of the left trunk. On the cranial abdominal radiography, the contour of a gas-filled balloon-like abomasum wall was delineated, which elevated to the dorsal abdomen. Radiopaque sand at the bottom of the abomasum had been pulled up caudodorsally by the gas-filled abomasum. After surgery, the gas-filled balloon-like appearance of the abomasum wall disappeared and the radiopaque sand was located in the normal position. To our knowledge, no reports on a displaced abomasum on plain radiographs are available. The radiographic findings described herein are characteristic imaging findings of a displaced abomasum. Abdominal radiography could be a new option as an auxiliary diagnostic approach for a displaced abomasum.

The aim of the study conducted in 2019-2021 was to determine the effect of biostimulants and growth regulators on the yield size and structure, as well as the chemical composition of edible potato tubers. The cultivar evaluated was Vineta. Asahi SL, Kelpak SL, Aminoplant, Tytanit, gibberellic acid (GA3) and Moddus 250 EC were applied in potato cultivation. The application of biostimulants Asahi SL and Tytanit increased the total and marketable tuber yield, as well as the average tuber weight. Aminoplant had a beneficial effect only on the marketable yield, while Moddus 250 EC decreased tuber yield and mean tuber weight, especially under conditions of high rainfall. Biostimulant Asahi SL caused a decrease in the number of tubers formed, while gibberellic acid stimulated tuberisation. Both preparations increased the share of deformed tubers in the total yield. The effect of biostimulants and growth regulators on the formation of the chemical composition of potato tubers was multidirectional. Tytanit increased protein content in tubers, while the remaining preparations, with the exception of the growth regulator Moddus 250 EC, decreased the amount of this component. GA3 and Moddus 250 EC decreased the content of crude fibre and, in the case of Moddus 250 EC, also the content of mineral components. The highest concentration of nitrates (V) was characteristic for potato tubers treated with Asahi SL and the lowest for those treated with Moddus 250 EC.

The cypress jewel beetle Lamprodila (Palmar) festiva is a wood-boring pest posing a major threat to the phytosanitary conditions of several coniferous trees. Its unprecedented European expansion has triggered serious plant protection concerns in several new habitats. Parts of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana injured by L. festiva were collected and analysed by computed tomography in order to study the dimensions of the cavities caused by L. festiva larvae as well as the larval positions. It is concluded that computer tomography representing a non-invasive approach is a promising tool for the visual depiction of the position and the physical parameters of the cavities formed. According to our experimental data, the penetration into the cypress caused by larvae and, inherently, its depth depends on the diameter of the branch. Additionally, the developing larvae appeared to keep distance from each other, which also depended on the diameter of the attacked branch. Our approach provides new data to the biological traits of the species. The main benefit that our imaging method furnishes is the exact, stress-free measurement method of the hidden developing stages. Its additional advantage is the indirect pest identification, which is based on the predetermined pest-specific damage characters.

Sunflower downy mildew caused by Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. et de Toni is a destructive and widespread disease. More than 50 races of P. halstedii have been recorded worldwide. In 2020, in the Russian Federation (Zernogradsky district, Rostov region), a globally new race 337 was identified for the first time. The pathogen was identified on the plants of a foreign sunflower hybrid bearing the resistance gene Pl₆. According to the five-digit racial nomenclature, its virulence profile was determined as 337 53. It is the first P. halstedii race recorded in the Russian Federation that simultaneously infects all differential lines of the 3^rd triplet, i.e., HA-R4, HA-R5 and HA-335. The sunflower lines RHA-274, 803-1, PSC8, RHA-419 and RHA-340 were resistant to it. All the collected isolates of the new race were susceptible to the fungicide mefenoxam.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-breed genetic diversity of Lithuanian Trakehner horses. The current population in Lithuania numbers 1 039 Trakehner horses. The study included the immunogenetic data analysis of 316 blood samples. Pedigree was traced back to 7-11 generations. The horses were assigned to genealogical clusters originating from East Prussian Trakehner Stud, Thoroughbred and Arab sires. The first two clusters were subdivided into nine-horse groups according to the most important ancestors. The evaluation of genetic diversity was based on six blood groups and five protein polymorphism systems. The differences between genealogical groups were confirmed by principal component analysis and applied cluster analysis. According to the allelic frequency, the Trakehner population changed very slightly through a 30-year period, and only one rare (0.013) allele Tf^RR (frequent in other Trakehner populations), has been newly found. The analysis of genetic polymorphism systems based on a very low rate of alleles Q^abc (0.093) and D^dkl (0.046), which are typical of other populations, indicated the exclusivity of the Trakehner population in Lithuania. The average expected heterozygosity by blood protein polymorphism and blood groups were 0.409 and 0.441, respectively. The genetic clustering diverged by observed heterozygosity of blood groups and by pedigree data in Pilger through Egoist, Bay Ronald through Dark Ronald and Dampfross through Hyperion subgroups. The determined distinctiveness of subdivided Trakehner horse groups suggests reconsidering the breeding strategies and conservation programme of Trakehner horses. Breeding and selection of subdivided sire lines could be among the appropriate solutions for the maintenance and extension of the genealogical structure.

This study provides the first insight into the biologically active potential (total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and antioxidant activity) of Moldavian сarob beans and pod pulp in comparison with carob grown in Algeria, Spain, and Italy. The results showed that the samples of Moldavian carob contain significant amounts (P ≤ 0.05) of biologically active compounds, the content of some of these compounds is far exceeding that of сarob from the above-mentioned regions. Thus, the total content of phenolic compounds in Moldavian carob samples is 1.4 times higher, of flavonoids 1.9 times higher compared to the imported ones. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) antioxidant activity of Moldavian carob samples proved to be about 10-12% higher than the antioxidant activity of samples from other regions. It has been proved that Moldavian carob pod pulp and beans have a high biologically active potential making them possible ingredients for functional food products.

Unstable conditions in the milk market in the Czech Republic (CR) and in the European Union (EU), mainly due to volatility of milk prices, are increasing pressure on dairy farmers to maximise production at the lowest possible production costs. Break-even point (BEP) analysis is a useful tool in dairy herd management for determining minimum requirements for profitability. BEP values for milk yield and milk price were calculated based on data obtained from 95 dairy farms in the CR. BEP values were estimated also for another eight EU countries based upon production and cost data from the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). With the milk price ranging from EUR 28 to EUR 38 per 100 L and while excluding subsidies, zero profitability would be achieved on Czech dairy farms with milk yields ranging from 6 706 L to 13 151 L per cow and from 7 450 L to 14 088 L per cow in Czech Fleckvieh (C) and Holstein (H) herds, respectively. In order to achieve 5% profitability, the milk yield would need to increase by 21%. Considerable variability exists among EU countries in estimated BEP values depending upon average milk yields, input prices, and milk prices in different countries.

Peatlands, as important global nitrogen (N) pools, are potential sources of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. We measured N₂O flux dynamics in Hani peatland in a growing season with simulating warming and N addition for 12 years in the Changbai Mountains, Northeastern China, by using static chamber-gas chromatography. We hypothesised that warming and N addition would accelerate N₂O emissions from the peatland. In a growing season, the peatland under natural conditions showed near-zero N₂O fluxes and warming increased N₂O emissions but N addition greatly increased N₂O absorption compared with control. There was no interaction between warming and N addition on N₂O fluxes. Pearson correlation analysis showed that water table depth was one of the main environmental factors affecting N₂O fluxes and a positive relationship between them was observed. Our study suggests that the N₂O source function in natural temperate peatlands maybe not be so significant as we expected before; warming can increase N₂O emissions, but a high dose of N input may turn temperate peatlands to be strong sinks of N₂O, and global change including warming and nitrogen deposition can alter N₂O fluxes via its indirect effect on hydrology and vegetation in peatlands.

Wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) is one of the most discussed game species, distributed across Europe, therefore the management of this species is considered important. This management should be based on data presented, population quality and preferences and craniometric dimensions show the development of the individual and its prosperity. A sample of 148 male and 153 female wild boar mandibles was studied to compare differences in craniometric measurements, especially to find out wild boar environmental demands and population trends. The width of the caput mandibulae and angle of the mandible showed significant difference between males and females. Measurements analysed with forest area size and other data also showed that larger craniometric dimensions were reached in hunting areas with at least 200 ha of forested area, which may be due to the wild boar's need for safety and vegetative cover in the first months of piglet development with respect to its home range. The development of young wild boar is dependent on rest and shelter in the first months of life. A forest cover of at least 200 ha appears to be sufficient in this respect. Information on habitat preferences and individual development can lead to improvements in wild boar management.

The basic chemical composition of the meat of fifteen freshwater and saltwater fish species was studied. Fourier transform-near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was applied for determination of the content of fat, protein and dry matter in the fish meat samples. The fish species analysed differed significantly in dry matter, fat, and protein content (P < 0.05). The highest fat percentage was determined in the samples of Cyprinus carpio (17.14 ± 0.53%) and the lowest value was found in the samples of Lophius piscatorius (0.06 ± 0.003%). Thunnus albacares samples had the highest content of proteins (24.26 ± 1.89%), whereas the lowest protein content was observed in Oreochromis niloticus (14.73 ± 0.87%). The results of the measured dry matter varied from the highest content in C. carpio samples (35.73 ± 0.47%) to the lowest content of L. piscatorius samples (15.64 ± 0.43%). Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted three major groups, which differentiate the analysed samples based on their protein, lipid and dry matter content. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) confirmed the use of three variables (protein, fat, dry matter) measured by FT-NIR to separate the observed fish species.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionise food systems and counter the present-day challenge of food security. It envisages taking agriculture from the era of indiscriminate natural resource use and environmental degradation to the brave new world of advanced systems with enhanced material use efficiency and targeted applications to reduce crop losses caused due to abiotic-biotic stresses as well as to give due considerations to the environment. To manage plant diseases and insect pests, pesticides are inevitably used in agriculture. However, the higher dosage of these chemicals on a per hectare basis has resulted in many environmental and health hazards. To tackle the conventional pesticide related issues, a new field of science called nanotechnology has led to the development of nanopesticides that have less active ingredients, but better efficiency. The nanopesticides contain the carrier molecule or the active nanosized ingredient with a very high surface area to the volume property that provides them unique exploitable-advantages. Several formulations, viz., nanoemulsions, nanosuspensions, nanogels, metal compound-based nanopesticides, have been developed for different modes of action and vivid applications. The biggest advantage comes due to the small size of the particles that help in properly spreading the ingredients on the pest surface and, thus, producing a better action than conventional pesticides. The use of nanoparticles in the form of nanopesticides, nanofertilisers, and nano delivery systems is on the increase day by day due to their higher efficiency and reduced dosage requirements. However, human beings and other organisms are also getting exposed to the nano-entities during the application or afterwards. The interactions of these engineered nano-entities with biological systems are relatively unknown thus far. Therefore, before their wider usage in crop production and protection, a better understanding of their interactions, and adverse effects, if any, is also crucial for a sustainable transition.

: Obesity is recognised as the most common multiffactorial nutritional disorder of pet cats. Studies from several countries have indicated that between 11.5% and 63% of cats are overweight or obese. Breed, age, sex, reproductive status, the pet-owner relationship, owners' perceptions of their cats' body condition, type of diet, frequency of feeding, and environment have all been identified as potential risk factors for the development of obesity in cats. Obesity has significant implications for feline health and welfare as it has mechanical and metabolic effects and can predispose cats to conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 2, hepatic lipidosis, lameness, oral cavity disease, urinary tract disease, dermatological disease, and neoplasia. An important aspect of preventing and managing obesity is the evaluation of body condition to determine ideal body weight and to formulate an appropriate weight loss plan. Several methods have been developed for this purpose. This review uses recent scientific literature to discuss various aspects of feline obesity, including its prevalence, proposed risk factors, pathogenesis, associated conditions, and methods of assessment.

The efficacy of potable water and antimicrobial agents, including turmeric extract, black pepper extract, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, in reducing Listeria monocytogenes on the leaf mustard (Brassica integrifolia) and iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was compared. The uncontaminated samples of two raw leafy vegetables were inoculated with L. monocytogenes at a concentration of 5 log and 7 log colony-forming units (CFU) g-1 for 1 h. At the high L. monocytogenes contamination level, the treatment with black pepper extract 0.6 mg mL-1 for 5 min was found to produce the most considerable decrease in L. monocytogenes counts, resulting in 1.44 log and 1.68 log reduction on leaf mustard and iceberg lettuce, respectively. Similarly, the black pepper extract also showed the highest L. monocytogenes reduction, approximately 0.79 log CFU g-1 on two leafy vegetables at the low contamination level. However, the odour of black pepper extract was left on the vegetables after being washed.

Due to changes in the climate and the existence of a wide range of Asparagus officinalis L. cultivars, it is necessary to identify their suitability for cultivation in Poland and investigate their susceptibility to infection by the most common pathogens. The identification of the species composition of fungi of the Fusarium genus found in green spears of edible A. officinalis cultivars and the factors contributing to their occurrence will enable the effective protection of these crops. The study was conducted on seven A. officinalis cultivars bred in different countries, which were dioecious cultivars with male and female specimens: 'Ariane' (Germany), 'Cipres' (France), 'Eposs' (Germany), as well as cultivars with male specimens only: 'Andreas' (France), 'Gynlim', 'Grolim' (Netherlands), and 'Hannibal' (Germany). The analysis of the composition of the fungi isolated from the green A. officinalis spears showed that most of the isolates belonged to the Fusarium genus (F. culmorum Wm.G. Sm., F. equiseti (Corda) Sacc., F. oxysporum Schltdl., F. proliferatum (Matsush.) Nirenberg ex Gerlach & Nirenberg, F. solani (Mart.) Sacc., and F. fujikuroi Nirenberg). Other fungal species (Alternaria, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stemphylium) were rarely isolated. The majority of the Fusarium genus isolates came from the spears of the 'Ariane' and 'Eposs' cultivars showing disease symptoms and from the spears of the 'Grolim' cultivar without showing disease symptoms. The fungi of the Fusarium genus colonised both the spears with and without disease symptoms, but there were always more isolates on the ones with disease symptoms. Fungi of the Fusarium genus occurred more often in the epidermis than in the parenchyma. F. oxysporum was the dominant fungus in the A. officinalis spears under analysis. The number of fungi isolates of the Fusarium genus collected from the green A. officinalis spears tended to increase at the consecutive harvest dates, which means that the spears harvested at the latest date (late June) were the most heavily colonised by fungi. All of the fungi isolates of the Fusarium genus collected from the spears exhibited pathogenicity against A. officinalis plants.

This paper presents the important features of indigenous wild cherry genotypes suitable for processing. The research took place between 2017-2020, having ten Romanian wild cherry genotypes as study material. The harvesting maturity was recorded in the first decade of June for the early cultivar (G10) and decades two and three of June for the other studied genotypes, all of them with a middle season maturation. The number of days between the end of the flowering and the maturation was between 54 days (G10) and 66 days (G9). The average weight of the fruit and the equatorial diameter varied between 2.1 g and 13.80 mm for G4, respectively, and 5.5 g and 21.35 mm for G10. The proportion (%) between the pulp and waste (stone and peduncle) was measured as 81.95% pulp (G4) and 93.64% pulp (G10). The values of the soluble dry substance content were between 13.1-24.0 °Brix, the titratable acidity was between 0.48-1.16 mg malic acid/100 mL juice and the total content of the polyphenols was between 229.00-720.00 mg GAE/100 mL fresh juice. In terms of the bitter taste intensity, G10 has a weak intensity, G3, G7, G8 and G9 have an average intensity and G1, G3, G4, G5 and G6 have a high intensity.

Editor-in-Chief of this book Karl Hammer, emeritus professor at Kassel University (Germany), is a leading scientist in plant genetic resources (PGR) and agrobiodiversity. His research has focused on taxonomy, plant domestication, ecology, biogeography, conservation and exploitation of PGR in plant breeding. He also performed many studies and conducted missions around the globe. His life activities, knowledge and experience created an excellent background for this book. The book involves a close collaboration with two other editors, Dr. M.Á.E Pérez (Cuba) and Prof. C. Long (China), as well as eleven additional contributors from nine countries. The book is dedicated to H. Stubbe, founding director and long-time director of the Institut für Kulturpflanzenforschung in Gatersleben (Germany).

This work deals with the study of a pre-treatment method promoting degradability of lignocellulosic biomass and hence biogas yield therefrom, as this material is challenging to decompose due to its structure. The investigated pre-treatment methods are hydrolysis of the material in NaOH (0.5% and 5%) and H₂SO₄ (0.5% and 5%) at temperatures of 90-100 °C for 2 h. This work aimed to compare the effects of these pre-treatment methods on the lignocellulosic composition of maize waste (maize stalks, leaves and cobs), rapeseed straw and wheat straw and the biogas yields from its subsequent anaerobic digestion. Pre-treatment by 0.5% NaOH increased the biogas production the most (by 159% for rapeseed straw, 240% for wheat straw and 59% for maize waste) also the degrees of solubilisation was higher, at the same time the proportions of total organic carbon (TOC) in the solid component appear to be sufficiently high, it could be assumed that there has been sufficient disturbance of the material structure. Alkaline methods have proven to be more suitable compared to acid pre-treatment methods, also the use of alkali with a lower concentration has shown to be more efficient, which is more advantageous for use in practice from an environmental and economic point of view.

This study examined the variability of reproductive and productive traits in Suffolk sheep (a commercial flock, n = 316 ewes) with regard to the dams' age or the nutritional status of sheep at mating under a year-round outdoor management. Data were collected across a 3-year monitoring period (totally 655 observations). The fixed effects of dam's age (dams grouped as: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 years and older), ewe's live weight (LW; ewes grouped as: < 72 kg; 72-83 kg; > 83 kg), and backfat thickness at mating (BT; ewes grouped as: < 7.9 mm; 7.9-10.5 mm; > 10.5 mm) were evaluated. The dam's age influenced reproductive and productive traits such that 2- and 6-year and older ewes reached the lowest values. Ewes with LW > 83 kg had significantly higher lambing rate (11.8%) compared to those with LW < 72 kg. The group of ewes with LW < 72 kg gave birth to a significantly lower number of live lambs in litter (-8.9%) in comparison with LW < 83 kg group. An increase (9.9%; P < 0.01) of total litter weight at birth or an increase (12.5%; P < 0.05) of total litter weight at 100 days of age were detected in LW > 83 kg group compared to LW < 72 kg group. BT > 10.5 mm ewes had by 8.9% lower lambing rate (P < 0.05), by 6.8% lower litter size (P < 0.05), by 14.5% lower number of live lambs in litter (P < 0.01), and by 8.6% lower total litter weight at birth compared to BT < 7.9 mm ewes. A significantly lower total litter weight at 100 days of age (-10.8%) and a significantly lower total litter gain from birth to 100 days of age (-11.5%) were detected in BT > 10.5 mm ewes in comparison to BT 7.9-10.5 mm ewes.

Uveodermatological syndrome is a widely recognised disease that continues to raise significant concern among both veterinarians and pet owners. Its aetiology, although still unclear, is believed to involve an autoimmune origin and genetic predisposition. The most common clinical signs include skin depigmentation, alopecia, poliosis, and, most frequently, granulomatous panuveitis. Affected dogs often develop secondary complications owing to persistent intraocular inflammation, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Although immunosuppressive therapy often yields a favourable response, recurrence is commonly observed. In some cases, uveodermatological syndrome presents a clinical challenge, as patients may experience adverse effects from medications, without which irreversible blindness may ensue.

Ovarian teratomas are rare neoplasms in female dogs, and they are characterised by the proliferation of tissues of embryonic origin. Most teratomas are benign, but a histological diagnosis is important for clinicians. The objective of this article is to describe a benign ovarian teratoma in a dog, which was found on the street and was appearing like pregnant. A veterinary inspection by palpation documented an enlarged abdomen with a mass of tough matter located on the right side in the abdominal-pelvic part. An ultrasound examination presumed neoplastic mass in region of ovary. A bilateral ovariohysterectomy was performed and the subsequent histological evaluation revealed a benign ovarian teratoma with a histochemically and immunohistochemically verified nervous tissue. After one year, no distant metastases were found and the dog was recognised as being clinically healthy without problems. On the basis of the ultrasonography diagnostics and histopathological analyses, we have demonstrated the occurrence of a benign ovarian teratoma in a dog.

An 11-year-old intact female Pomeranian dog was referred for jaundice, anorexia, and vomiting. The blood analysis revealed increased alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was within the normal reference range. The radiography revealed no significant findings. On ultrasound, the gallbladder was enlarged with a markedly distended common bile duct (CBD) measuring up to 6 mm in diameter. The pancreas had an irregular contour, a hypoechoic peripheral rim, multiple hyperechoic foci with acoustic shadowing, and showed increased echogenicity of the adjacent mesentery. Based on these results, an extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to the presumed chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed. The computed tomography (CT) images showed a hypoattenuating pancreatic parenchyma compared to the liver in the early phase, as well as multiple calcifications. A laparotomy was performed to reserve the patency of the CBD. The histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. While various appearances of exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma on CT have been reported in humans, CT features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma have not been well-established in dogs. The purpose of this report is to describe the atypical imaging features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma that are similar to those of chronic pancreatitis in a dog.