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This study mainly estimates the effect of grazing on plant diversity and soil storages on the northern Loess Plateau of China. Four grazing intensities of ungrazed (UG), light (LG), moderate (MG), and heavy (HG) grassland were selected according to the vegetation utilization across the study area, in which plant diversity, heights, above- and belowground biomass, and soil carbon (C) stock were investigated. The results showed that overgrazing negatively affected plant growth and soil C stock. Plant cover, height, litter, above- and belowground productivity, as well as soil C stock significantly decreased with the increasing grazing intensity. Meanwhile, the UG and LG had higher grasses biomass together with lower forbs (P < 0.01) compared with MG and HG. The abundance of dominating grasses species, such as Stipa bungeana and S. grandis were decreased through long-term grazing as grasses species are palatable for herbivores, and the dominating forbs species, such as Artemisia capillaries and Thymus mongolicus were significantly increased with increasing grazing intensities. The results indicated that grazing exclusion or light grazing had positive effects on the sustainable development of grassland ecosystems. Therefore, a balanced use and a long-term efficient management of grasslands were better measures to counteract their local degradations.

Recycling of phosphorus (P) from municipal waste for the use as a fertiliser can be an alternative to the non-renewable resources of this element as well as a method in the management of civilisation by-products that are a burden to the environment. An innovative phosphorus suspension fertiliser, produced on the basis of ash from incineration of sewage sludge and phosphorus solubilising bacteria Bacillus megaterium was compared in field trials with spring wheat conducted in 2014 and 2015 with superphosphate and phosphorite. The new fertiliser was not inferior to the commercial fertilisers in terms of the effect on wheat yield volumes, the uptake of P by wheat and the sanitary condition of the wheat field, especially when grown protected from weeds, pathogens and pests. It is expected that such a fertiliser can be an alternative to fertilisers produced from non-renewable resources, provided it does not deteriorate the quality of agricultural production and will be safe for the environment.

Microbial quality of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk is usually ascertained by a total bacterial count (TBC) cultivation. But this is time consuming, so there is a tendency to search for faster and simpler methods. We compared three instruments, focusing on shortening the detection time and their suitability for practical use in dairy plants. Two of them, RapiScreen Dairy 1000 and Promilite III, detect microbial contamination by measuring adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence; the third, GreenLight, is based on oxygen consumption analysis. In the laboratory experiments, samples of UHT milk, were spiked with low concentration of microorganisms and then the level of microbial contamination was evaluated using the above-mentioned instruments together with cultivation method as a control. The instruments were also applied in a dairy plant to test 182 real samples. All investigated methods determined microbial quality faster than the TBC, but in some cases false positive and false negative results were obtained. Therefore, precise testing including optimizing pre-incubation time for bacteria enrichment is needed prior to industrial use.

Three dogs were evaluated due to the presence of unilateral adrenal gland masses with or without clinical signs. Case 1 showed a unilateral non-functional adrenocortical adenoma, discovered accidentally while Case 2 presented a unilateral cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenoma; a pheochromocytoma was accidentally discovered in Case 3. The adrenalectomy was the treatment of choice in all cases. The development of diagnostic imaging techniques, mainly ultrasonography, and its application to routine abdominal examinations, have allowed the detection of adrenal gland masses more frequently. However, there is no pattern of echogenicity or architecture which would help in the differentiation in a functional tumour from a non-functional tumour, a pheochromocytoma, a metastatic lesion to the adrenal or a granuloma. A complete description of history, clinical signs, laboratory analysis and imaging studies is included. Moreover, a revision of the different types of adrenal gland tumours, with their clinical presentation, a standardised diagnosis protocol and options for treatment are discussed.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the radiation exposure level of surgeons performing C-arm guided small animal orthopaedic surgery using thermoluminescent dosimeters located inside and outside personnel shielding devices at major body parts. A prospective study was conducted to measure the radiation exposure dose of individuals in three positions (first assistant, operating surgeon and anaesthesiologist) using thermoluminescent dosimeters placed inside and outside protective devices. The lead equivalent protective devices included panorama mask, thyroid shield, apron and arm shield placed at five anatomic sites (eye, thyroid, breast, gonad and hand). Radiation exposure was measured during 12 surgical procedures with mean kVp of 51 and mean mAs of 1.6. The equivalent doses for thyroid, breast and gonad (outside/inside in mSv) were 1.75/0.58, 2.01/0.13 and 3.03/0.11, respectively, for the first assistant and 1.69/1.46, 4.82/0.35 and 5.25/0.22 for the operating surgeon. The dose of eye, thyroid, breast, gonad and arm for the anaesthesiologist were 0.61/0.51, 0.35/0.3, 0.67/0.34, 0.72/0.29 and 0.62/0.35, respectively. The exposure dose to gonads outside the lead protection showed the highest values in all participants. With lead protection, there was a significant reduction in the exposure dose to the gonads (first assistant, 96%; operating surgeon, 96%; anaesthesiologist, 60%). These results suggest that a radiation shield is essential in veterinary surgery with C-arms, particularly for gonad protection. In addition, these results demonstrate that exposure dose decreases with increasing distance from the C-arm machine.

Soils of forest ecosystems can release or consume methane (CH₄) depending on their specific hydrological regime. Our study reported the consumption of CH₄ by soil in a lowland broadleaf mixed temperate forest in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). The motivation of our study was to determine the importance of CH₄ fluxes in context of carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes of a broadleaf mixed forest. CH₄ and CO₂ emissions from the soil were measured during the 2016 vegetation season on a long transect applying the chamber technique. The average daily consumption of atmospheric CH₄ by the forest soil ranged from 0.83 to 1.15 mg CH₄-C/m²/day. This consumption of CH₄ during summer and autumn periods was not significantly affected by soil temperature and soil moisture. However, during spring period the consumption of CH₄ was positively significantly affected by soil temperature and moisture. Estimated amount of carbon (CH₄-C) consumed by the forest soil makes up a very small part of carbon (CO₂-C) participated in the ecosystem carbon cycle.

Eight minor and neglected cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. were characterised according to their ampelographic and agronomic traits and discriminated by molecular analysis with SSR markers. These results are the first complete ampelographic description of these minor and neglected cultivars from the Mount Etna region. The results of this study reveal high morphological diversity of ancient grapevines growing in this region. SSR markers enabled us to discriminate the cultivars and revealed the genetic divergence between them and several autochthonous cultivars. Our efforts could contribute to a better knowledge of grape biodiversity based on morphological and molecular data and could be useful for the development of a reliable germplasm conservation strategy.

The textural characteristics of onion slices (Allium cepa L.) of 3- and 7-mm thicknesses undergoing convective drying (50, 60, and 70°C) and microwave drying (68, 204, and 340 W real effective power levels) techniques with or without pre-treatment were evaluated. Pre-treatment consisted of dipping into brine solution (8% NaCl). Texture profile analysis at 25% compression was applied and hardness, chewiness, springiness and gumminess values of onions were recorded. As the temperature (convective) or real effective power level (microwave) increased, the hardness and chewiness levels of dried onion slices were enhanced. The values of these parameters were higher in response to microwave application compared to convective drying. Pre-treatment had an additive effect on hardness and chewiness in convectively dried samples. Maximum springiness was observed in response to convective drying. Dipping in brine solution generally caused no significant changes among slices of the same thickness (P < 0.05). With respect to gumminess, the results were quite similar to those for hardness and chewiness, i.e., markedly higher in microwave-dried onions.

The efficacy of Bt maize MON 810-YieldGard^® and of Trichogramma wasp against European corn borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) was evaluated in the period of 2002-2008 in field trials on three localities in the Czech Republic. The efficacy of Bt maize on the reduction of the number of tunnels caused by ECB per 100 maize plants before harvest was always 100% and that in Trichogramma treatment was on average 50%. The mean increase of the yield of 15% and 10% was obtained in Bt maize and Trichogramma treatments, respectively in comparison with the untreated control. The damage curve and economic injury level by ECB on maize was developed for the evaluation of the yield losses and management of the pest control. The higher economic efficacy of growing Bt maize as compared to other control measures is documented.

In this case report, we describe a five-year-old, mixed-breed, neutered male cat weighing 5.7 kg, that was referred to the Near East University Animal Hospital with complaints of dyspnoea, cough and lack of appetite over the preceding two days. Clinical examination revealed marked wheezing during expiration, severe shortness of breath and associated cyanosis. A blood sample was drawn for full blood count, serum biochemical and blood gas analyses. Laterolateral and ventrodorsal radiographic images of the thorax and abdominal region were obtained. A radiopaque foreign body measuring 3 × 9 × 13 mm was detected at the carina of the trachea, aligned in the midst of the fifth-sixth intercostal space. Considering that this foreign body obstructed the tracheal lumen almost completely and had been creating pressure on the tracheal wall for at least two days and also with the aim of preventing potential complications (tracheal rupture, laceration, etc.), after repeated unsuccessful interventions to minimise the time spent under anaesthesia, the object was removed by intercostal thoracotomy. The subject was discharged on the sixth postoperative day and regained its normal state within a short time.

The objectives of this study were to estimate linkage disequilibrium (LD), describe and scan a haplotype block for the presence of genes that may affect milk production traits in Portuguese Holstein cattle. Totally 526 animals were genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, which contained a total of 52 890 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The final set of markers remaining after considering quality control standards consisted of 37 031 SNPs located on 29 autosomes. The LD parameters historical recombinations through allelic association (D') and squared correlation coefficient between locus alleles frequencies ( r²) were estimated and haplotype block analyses were performed using the Haploview software. The averages of D' and r² values were 0.628 and 0.122, respectively. The LD value decreased with increasing physical distance. The D' and r² values decreased respectively from 0.815 and 0.283 at the distance of 0-30 kb to 0.578 and 0.090 at the distance of 401-500 kb. The identified total number of blocks was 969 and consisted of 4259 SNPs that covered 159.06 Mb (6.24% of the total genome) on 29 autosomes. Several genes inside the haplotype blocks were detected; CSN1S2 gene in haplotype block 51 on BTA 6, IL6 and B4GALT1 genes in haplotype blocks 6 and 33 on BTA 8, IL1B and ID2 genes in haplotype blocks 19 and 29 on BTA 11, and DGAT1 gene in haplotype block 1 on BTA 14. The extension of LD using BovineSNP50 BeadChip did not exceed 500 kb and its parameters r² and D' were less than 0.2 and 0.70, respectively, after 70-100 kb. Consequently, the 50K BeadChip would have a poor power in genome wide association studies at distances between adjacent markers lower than 70 kb.

The present studies aim at determining the antagonistic effect of selected fungi species occurring in the soil under carrot cultivation towards Altenaria dauci (J.G. Kühn) J.W. Groves & Skolko, Alternaria radicina Meier, Drechsler & E.D. Eddy, Fusarium oxysporum E.F. Sm & Swingle, Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. The field experiment considered cover crops (oats, tansy phacelia and vetch). The control consisted of traditional carrot cultivation (without cover crops). Statistically, the smallest population of fungi was found in 1 g of soil dry weight after the application of oats, and a slightly bigger - after tansy phacelia and vetch. The largest population of fungi was obtained in the traditional cultivation of carrot. Cover crops contributed to the increase of the population of antagonistic Clonostachys spp., Myrothecium spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. in the soil. Regardless of the experimental treatment, those antagonistic fungi were the most effective in limiting the growth of S. sclerotiorum, A. dauci and A. radicina. The effect of those fungi was a little smaller towards F. oxysporum and R. solani. Oats as a cover crop had the best effect on the antagonistic activity of the studied fungi occurring in the soil environment of carrot.

Several sets of soil samples were chosen to demonstrate the applicability of the Mehlich 3 extractant for the determination of sulphur (S) in soils. Archived samples from 139 basal soil monitoring plots (BSMS) sampled in 1995 and 2013, samples from eleven long-term field trials sampled in 1981 and 2017, 1167 soil samples from the areas vulnerable to S losses and 720 samples from the non-vulnerable areas sampled in 2010 were chosen for the experiments. Mehlich 3 clearly showed a statistically highly significant decrease in the soil S content caused by reduction of SO₂ emissions in the long-term field experiments from 33 mg/kg in 1981 to 8 mg/kg in 2017 for the median of the untreated controls. Similar results were obtained for BSMS samples, where an average decrease from 26 mg/kg in 1995 to 17 mg/kg in 2013 was found. Mehlich 3 also showed that more than 52% of samples from the areas vulnerable to S losses were in a very low content category in contrast to only 3% of soils from the other areas. Mehlich 3 clearly proved the capacity to distinguish changes in the content of soil S in all studied cases.

The paper is devoted to an analysis of the development of agrarian farms in Visegrad Group (V4) countries, primarily in terms of results and the most important production inputs of production factors and their efficiency in the period from 2004 to 2013 based on the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). The results of the analysis show that if farms in the V4 countries want to achieve the same performance as developed countries, they must invest more in purchasing intensification factors and adjust the structure of assets production specification. It will be necessary to stop the reduction in the numbers of livestock and to strive for growth in gross farm income, mainly through the processing of agricultural raw materials.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiologic agent of paratuberculosis, a disease with considerable economic impact, principally on dairy cattle herds. Animals with paratuberculosis shed viable MAP especially in their milk, faeces and semen. MAP may have a role in the development of Crohn's disease in humans via the consumption of contaminated milk and milk products. The current methods of milk pasteurization are not sufficient to kill all MAP cells present in milk and MAP has been cultured from raw or pasteurized milk and isolated from cheese. The purpose of the present study was to review the different methods used for detection of MAP in milk and milk products. We analyze the current methods for direct or non direct identification of MAP and culture and molecular biology methods that can be applied to milk and milk products.

Different solvents and extraction solutions (distilled water, NaCl, Tween 80, citrate buffer, and acetate buffer) were evaluated for enzymes recovery. The independent variables evaluated were agitation (12-348 rpm), time (4.8-55.2 min), and temperature (13.2-46.8°C) and 10 extraction cycles, using an experimental design (Central composite rotatable design 2³). Pectin methyl esterase maximum recovery by solid state culture of Aspergillus niger was 11 U/g_wm (31 U/g_dm) using NaCl (0.1 mol/l) as solvent at a 5 : 1 (v/w) ratio, 30°C for 55.2 min, at 180 rpm, with one extraction cycle.

The transport of weaned piglets is considered an important stress factor since the conditions involved in shipping affect the animals' health and welfare. The principal stressor factors that piglets experience during transport include: mixing with unfamiliar animals, overcrowding, heat, cold, temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and noise. It is well known that all these factors contribute to raising the level of stress caused by the weaning process; however, the additional effects attributable to transport immediately after weaning impact the physiology, metabolism and behaviour of piglets, predisposing them to delayed growth. For this reason, animal transport must be well-planned and take into account such aspects as preparation of the piglets, choosing the best route and vehicle type, assuring adequate vehicle design and maintenance, and providing sufficient space. Also important for assuring the welfare of the piglets during transport are sufficient rest time, appropriate access to food and water, defined measures for monitoring the animals during the trip, implementing means of disease control, and establishing the steps to be followed in case of an emergency.

The present paper summarized some knowledge of modern technologies, applied in apple (Malus domestica) genome studies. New generation sequencing allowed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip technologies for genotyping, description of functional apple genes, characterization of the evolutionary results in apple genome fragment transition, as well as phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Malus, being the confirmed progeny of M. sieviersii. Based on these technologies, newly developed putative markers may give the most important biological data such as age, geographical origins, tissue type determination, and external visible characters. The new generation genotyping platforms, representing very high efficiency, are now successfully applied for random apple genome-wide association (GWA) studies as well pedigree-based analysis and marker-assisted selection (MAS).

The avermectin and pyrantel resistance of equine parasites was monitored on four farms in the Czech Republic in 2014. The aim of the testing was to investigate the anthelmintic resistance of cyathostomins and ascarids. One hundred and eighty-six horses were included in the test, 54 of which were infected by ascarids and 174 by cyathostomins. Faecal egg count reduction tests were used to assess anthelmintic resistance. The faecal egg count reduction for ascarids was within the range of 87.9% to 100% for avermectins and 100% for pyrantel embonate. Faecal egg count reduction for cyathostomins ranged from 99% to 100% for avermectins and 89.3% to 98.2% for pyrantel embonate.

Downy mildew of sunflower is a recurrent threat for crop production and a permanent challenge for resistance breeding. Since 2016, a new pathotype of the oomycete Plasmopara halstedii has been found in fields of cutting sunflower in Southern Germany. Infection assays based on sunflower differential lines identified the pathogen as pathotype 354 which has not yet been described anywhere else. The new pathotype readily infected the host lines Ha-304, RHA-265, PM13, 803-1, and Ha-335, whereas RHA-274, PM17, HAR-4, and QHP1 remained uninfected. It is the first isolate of Plasmopara halstedii to overcome the Pl-6 resistance of sunflower in Germany.

The ribosomal protein SA (RPSA), also known as 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor/67-kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR), has been identified as a multifunctional protein, playing an important role in multiple pathologies like cancer and prion diseases. Since RPSA is involved in the binding and internalization of the prion protein, mutations in the ovine RPSA gene, influencing the RPSA-PrP^C/PrP^Sc binding, can potentially play a part in the resistance to prion diseases. Our goal was to further characterize the complex RPSA gene family and to detect structural mutations which can play a role in this disease. In a prior study, 11 ovine pseudogenes were detected experimentally. As the whole genome shotgun ovine genome became accessible, an in silico genome-wide screening was performed and 37 new pseudogenes (36 processed and one semi-processed pseudogene) were detected, bringing the total to 48 ovine RPSA pseudogenes. Additionally, the complete bovine genome was screened in silico and 56 pseudogenes were identified. Once these sequences were known, it was possible to analyze the presence of mutations in the coding sequence and exon-flanking regions of the ovine functional full-length RPSA gene without the interference of pseudogenic sequences. Nineteen mutations were found: one in the 5' UTR, a silent one in the coding region, and seventeen in the exon-flanking regions, including an interesting mutation in the SNORA62 gene, localized in intron 4 of RPSA, leading to potential ribosomal defects. Structural mutations of the RPSA gene can be ruled out to play a role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies but regulatory mutations still can have an effect on these diseases.

Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu) is an agro-energy crop of the second generation cultivated in purpose to obtain annually renewable bio-fuel produced from the aboveground biomass. Cultivation is preferred on marginal lands to avoid occupation of arable lands. Influence of fertilization and soil type Gleysol, Planosol and Technosol (open pit coal mine overburden) on yield and biomass traits of miscanthus were investigated during five years' field experiment. Among biometric characteristics: stem height, length and width of leaves, the number of leaves (dry and green) per stem and number of stems per rhizome, only the last one has a strong positive correlation with yield. Fertilization increased yield during fourth and fifth year of development on Gleysol and Technosol. The highest yield on Gleysol was 23.12 t/ha in 2014, on Planosol 10.16 t/ha, and 4.77 t/ha in 2015 on Technosol. The yield of miscanthus, beside fertilization, depends on weather conditions and weeds. Cultivation of miscanthus is possible on marginal soils with minimum application of agricultural measures only in the year of establishment. Gleysol is a type of soil that can be recommended for miscanthus cultivation.

In a two-year pot experiment, the effect of five growing media on the growth, flowering, decorative value of Pelargonium peltatum cv. Maxime as well as on their uptake of the nutrients and heavy metals were studied. The media were prepared from four composts (made from: sewage sludge 70% or 35%, potato pulp 35%, straw 30% or sawdust 30%) and peat in 1:1, V:V ratio. In the 1^st year of research 7-month-old composts and in the 2^nd year 18-month-old composts were used. Plants cultivated in 7-month-old composts showed better growth-related parameters, created more inflorescences and were more decorative than those cultivated in 18-month-old ones. The medium with compost consisting of 70% sewage sludge and 30% straw gave the best results. Composts application increased nutrients and heavy metals content in pelargonium leaves. Heavy metals content was definitely lower than the value considered toxic to plants.

Soil bacteria are critical to maintain soil fertility. In this study, soil chemical properties, enzyme activities and soil bacterial community from a long-term fertilizer experiment (37 years) were analysed to elaborate the effects of long-term mineral fertilizer application on soil enzyme activities and bacterial community composition. Compared with control treatment, bacterial community richness was reduced in low nitrogen (N) fertilizer and high N fertilizer treatments and increased in high N fertilizer and phosphorus (P), high N fertilizer and potassium (K) (N2K), and high N fertilizer, P and K (N2PK) treatments. The distribution of each phylum and genera was obviously changed and the range of the dominant phyla was not affected in all fertilization treatments. Principal component analysis showed that soil bacterial community in the N2K treatment was clearly different than in the N2PK treatment. The N2PK treatment had much higher available P, total organic carbon, invertase, urease and phosphatase activities than the N2K treatment, which might change soil bacterial community composition. In conclusion, fertilization with combined application of P, K and N in appropriate proportions is an optimum approach for improving soil quality and soil bacterial community abundance in non-calcareous fluro-aquic soils in the North China Plain.

The paper presents selected results of the sociological research focused on social inclusive activities that use and are located in the natural environment of rural areas. The paper is based on the contemporary form of the concept of a fully integrated modern society, and deals with the implementation of this concept within the strategy of social inclusion in both the European and Czech context. The authors have created, based on secondary research, a typology of social inclusive activities within Czech rural areas. Primary research, consisting of a questionnaire survey, was used to study the awareness of these issues among the rural population. Based on the selected results of both the primary and secondary research, the authors conclude that a possible path to social inclusion, is, alongside specific social services, social farming, which harmonizes the potential of the rural natural environment with the attitudes of the rural population (the actors and observers of social inclusive activities within their locality).The ongoing research is focused on monitoring barriers to the development of this business sector, which are crucial for the rural actors.

Off-flavour in soft drinks is one of the main threats to manufacturers, which can result in expensive recalls, and discredit the brand. Off-flavours can occur for a variety of reasons (e.g . chemical contamination of raw material). The presented case study has proved there is a relationship between the identification of biphenyl and its derivatives in the used preser vative (benzoate) and off-flavours in the drink . The project consisted of three phases: (1) the assessment of the probable cause of off-f lavours based on sensor y evaluation and GC-MS -Olfactometr y profiling of volatiles; (2) the quantification of biphenyls and the characterisation of their sensor y properties; (3) the screening of commercially available benzoates for the presence of biphenyls. Based on the odour threshold obtained by GC-O (0.03 mg/l for 4-methyl-1,1'-biphenyl and 0.02 mg/l for biphenyl in an aqueous solution) and the common benzoate content in soft drinks (0.14 g/l), the 'non-obser vable sensory' levels of contamination were determined to be maximally 0.143 mg/g of benzoate for biphenyl and 0.214 mg/g of benzoate for 4-methyl-1,1 '-biphenyl .

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of yeast harvest timing on the process performance, total yeast count and the content of volatile components in beer. The experiments were performed on an industrial scale with fermentation and maturation conducted in three fermentation tanks with a capacity of 3800 hl (cylindro-conical tanks - CCT). All processes were carried out using the same technological conditions. The worts were aerated with sterile air and yeast after the second fermentation (third generation) was added. The duration of the maturation phase and the processes of the yeast harvest were conducted at different times (1^st, 4^th and 6^th day) after finishing the primary fermentation process. During fermentation and maturation, changes in the contents of the extract, yeast, and volatile components were investigated. These experiments showed that the use of different times during yeast harvest had a significant impact on the course of fermentation and maturation and impact on the total yeast count during the maturation process and on the amount of volatile components in beer. With a delay in the start of yeast cropping, the content of acetaldehyde and vicinal diketones decreased and the content of esters increased. The timing of the yeast crop significantly influenced the final beer quality.

A 14-year-old neutered female Yorkshire terrier presented with a rapidly growing gluteal mass. There was a history of surgical resection of a mass diagnosed as a grade two soft tissue sarcoma in the same region a year earlier. The second mass was surgically excised and histopathologically diagnosed as grade two soft tissue sarcoma. A further relapse occurred six months after the second surgery. On that occasion, the dog was treated with metronomic chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide and piroxicam, which failed to adequately control the disease and the mass increased 2.5-fold in size in three weeks. Imatinib treatment was started, after which there was a 62% reduction in the size of the mass. The patient has remained in partial remission for five months. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the use of imatinib to treat canine soft tissue sarcoma. Imatinib might be a useful treatment for soft tissue sarcoma that recurs after surgical resection.

Lamb growth performance traits in relation to parental breeding values (BVs) for these traits were evaluated in a purebred Suffolk sheep population in the Czech Republic. The research lasted over 8 years and included 24 886 lambs. Four relevant parental BVs were observed: BV predicted for lamb live weight direct effect (BVLW-DE), BV predicted for lamb live weight maternal effect (BVLW-ME), BV predicted for lamb musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth (BV-MLLT), and BV predicted for lamb backfat thickness (BV-BT). The lamb live weight (LW; kg), musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth (MLLT; mm), and backfat thickness (BT; mm) were assessed at 100 days of age. A dataset was created using the most current parental BVs for each year (2007-2014) and subsequent growth traits of their lambs in the next season (2008-2015). Linear regressions showed an increased tendency when one point in dam BVs was associated with an increase in lamb LW (0.393 kg; P < 0.01 in BVLW-DE and 0.090 kg; P < 0.05 in BVLW-ME), MLLT (0.340 mm; P < 0.01 in BV-MLLT), or BT (0.243; P < 0.01 mm in BV-BT). Lower (but significant - P < 0.01) values on linear regression were detected for sire BVs, when 0.135 kg of LW, 0.217 mm of MLLT, and 0.214 mm of BT corresponded to 1-point increases of BVLW-DE, BV-MLLT, or BV-BT. This was confirmed by ANOVA evaluation, especially for LW and MLLT traits. Maximal differences (P < 0.05) in lamb LW were 1.84 kg or 0.88 kg regarding to dam or sire BVLW-DE groups. Similarly, the difference (P < 0.05) in lamb MLLT reached 0.82 mm in dam BV-MLLT, while 0.57 mm was detected in sire BV-MLLT groups. These results have practical implications for the objectives of selection schemes used in the Suffolk sheep population in the Czech Republic.

This 12-year study was conducted to evaluate the performance of new plum cultivars from the Czech Republic. A new cultivar, 'Stáňa', was the most productive, followed by 'Kamir' and the standard cultivar 'Stanley'. The new plum cultivar 'Stáňa' also had the highest mean yield per cubic meter of tree canopy. Next in order of production efficiency were 'Stanley', 'Amátka', 'Kamir' and 'Čačanska lepotica'. According to canopy volume, the most vigorous cultivar was 'Kamir' followed by 'Samera' and 'Stáňa'. The least vigorous was 'Dwarf', having a canopy volume distinctly smaller than 'Amátka', which was next in the order. The shape of tree canopies ranged from 'Dwarf', which had the most upright canopy, to 'Simona' with a more distinctly overhanging canopy at the opposite extreme. The highest percentages of fruiting on first and second year wood were observed on trees of 'Simona' and 'Čačanska lepotica'.