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Nitrogen and carbohydrate (soluble sugars and starch) reserves were analysed in twig samples of 'Red Beaut' and 'Showtime' Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars cultivated in two similar experimental orchards under organic and conventional management. 'Red Beaut' is a vigorous cultivar while 'Showtime' is a middle to low vigorous cultivar. Both cultivars exhibited delayed flowering and premature defoliation under organic management. In general, there were no differences in the concentration of reserves between the two types of management for either of the two plum cultivars, and, likewise, no differences were observed between cultivars, regardless of their vigor. Additionally, reserves were also analysed in plantlets of 'Mariana 2624' rootstock (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh × Prunus munsoniana W. Wight & Hedrick) grown in a growth chamber that simulated conditions of spring and autumn periods and subjected to organic or mineral fertilisation. Plants subjected to organic fertilisation were smaller and defoliated earlier, but the sizes of carbohydrate and nitrogen reserves were similar to that of plants grown with mineral fertilisation.

This paper assesses the effects of the performance of the OECD national economies and agricultural sectors on the farm producer support for the years 1986 to 2009. The study is complementary to the large amount of microeconomic research that highlights the importance of support to agricultural industry. Data for the analysis are taken from the OECD Producer and Consumer Support Estimates database and the World Bank World Development Indicators 2010 database. The Producer Support Estimate - PSE (expressed in absolute value, in percent of the total farm revenues and per 1 hectare of agricultural land) was taken as the dependent variable, whereas the selected indicators describing the performance of the economies (e.g. GDP per capita, unemployment, fiscal balance, government debt, government expense and tax revenue, exchange rate, agriculture share in GDP and employment, agricultural raw materials exports and imports) were the independent variables. Utilizing these variables, a simple linear regression analysis was conducted and resulted in many significant associations. In the period analyzed, there was a wide gap between the most and least farm supporting countries in terms of the annual average percentage PSE and the PSE per hectare. Substantial differences between the countries in the variability of the PSE over the time occurred. The empirical results obtained from the regression models reveal, among other, that when the countries were becoming richer, the percentage PSE was generally decreasing. Mixed results were obtained for the relationship between the percentage PSE and unemployment, as in some countries it was negative, while in the others positive. Expansionary fiscal policy exerted opposite effects on the PSE in different countries. Labour productivity in agriculture was inversely correlated with the percentage PSE.

The Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) methodology is well-known. A great variety of studies in the field of manufacturing and production process use it, but there are few applications of this methodology in the area of the supply chain management. In the paper, the philosophy of the SMED methodology is applied to the part of the supply chain that includes the spare parts and fixtures in the food sector. This involves studying the relationship with the supplier of the installation of spare parts and fixture on the machine. The study shows how the spare parts management has several phases: the coordination and purchase of the spare parts to the supplier, the storage of these spare parts, the coordination of these spare parts and the scheduled maintenance, and the installation of these spare parts on the machine. The implantation of the developed working methodology has obtained a relevant improvement in the coordination and management of the spare parts. In such a way, that storage time has been reduced (inside the company's storages) and the performance has been increased, focusing on and detailing the maintenance task and scheduling the available resources.

Adapting forests to climate change involves silvicultural measures such as use of a range of species and the fostering of mixed stands. We tested these in a Sitka spruce forest in southern Scotland, employing the Ecological Site Classification to match suitability of 24 species to six climatic and edaphic variables under values of accumulated temperature and moisture deficit projected for a medium emissions scenario for the present century. Both median and 90^th percentile values were contrasted. In the first case there was a small change in species suitability with Sitka spruce, noble fir, downy birch, sycamore and aspen being the most suitable species. When the 90^th percentile values were employed, the suitability of Sitka spruce and similar conifers had declined by the 2050's due to soil moisture deficits. The actual performance of a range of species in a long-term experiment on a similar, warmer site showed several productive conifers including Sitka spruce that maintained reasonable growth when planted in mixture. Mixed plots were developing into pure stands of the most productive species. Species diversification was the most practical adaptation measure for this forest and should concentrate on areas of the greatest risk like south-facing slopes with free-draining soils.

Athletes, including equine athletes need high intensity training in order to achieve high performance. However, continuous high intensity training often results in injuries to the locomotive system. The buoyancy of water reduces the force born on joints; therefore, training in water has been used for rehabilitation purposes both in humans and horses. The few studies dealing with water treadmill training of horses suggest that the fitness of horses can be improved using this training method, but none tested the subsequent performance of horses after water training. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the effect of water training of varying intensity on the fitness-related parameters of show jumpers during training and after competition. Four similarly trained show jumper sport horse (aged between 7-11 years) competing at the same level (110 cm) were selected. Horses were subjected to 44-min deep water treadmill training with three intensities (9, 11, 13 km/h maximum speed) three times a week in addition to their normal training. At the conclusion of the week, horses participated in a two-day indoor show jumping event. Blood samples (4 ml) were taken from the jugular vein during the third water training and before and after the completion of the show jumping course on each day. From the blood plasma, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, as well as lactate, glucose and triglyceride levels were determined. Data analysis was carried out with SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, USA) using the GLM procedure and Duncan's new multiple range test. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the same blood parameters from different sampling times. No interactions were detected between training intensity and sampling time during water training. Plasma lactate and glucose levels were decreased during the water training, while values increased afterwards. In contrast, heart rate, triglyceride and cortisol levels were elevated as a result of water training. Increasing the maximum speed of the water treadmill had no influence on the average heart rate of horses subjected to the training. Plasma lactate levels decreased with the increased maximum speed of the water trainer. Activities of AST, CK, LDH, and levels of cholesterol, cortisol and bilirubin decreased when the maximum speed of the treadmill was set to 11 km/h compared to the 9 km/h training. Water training resulted in lower heart rate measured right after completing the show jumping course when horses were subjected to medium intensity water training. The AST, CK and LDH activities measured before and after water training had only weak to moderate positive correlations with values measured after competition. In conclusion, our results indicate that deep-water training alters the biochemical processes and can improve the aerobic energy supply of show jumpers. Water training is a strenuous exercise, which initially leads to increased muscle damage. However, this initial phase is followed by subsequent adaptation.

The first record of vanda thrips (Dichromothrips corbetti [Priesner, 1936], Thysanoptera, Thripidae) in Slovakia is presented. An economically important pest with heavy infestations on flowers of Phalaenopsis orchids was recorded as introduced most probably from North African plantations. Potential infiltration of this exotic species into Central European glasshouses refers to the globalisation of trade in biological commodities.

The aim of this paper was to verify the effect of the Z'fix (PRP Technologies, France) activator of biological transformation of manure from the viewpoint of the cowshed conditions parameters, produced manure quality, manure application effect on crop yields, and overall economics. Concerning manure production, the application of the Z'fix agent enhanced quality, structure and nutrient content (N total by 23%, P₂O₅ by 42%, K₂O by 17%) in the manure from deep litter housing. Compared to the untreated control, differences in the nutrient content of N total and K₂O were statistically significant, NH₃ emissions dropped significantly by almost 35%. The economic benefit of manure production with the use of the Z'fix agent demonstrated overall savings at the level of 1,369 CZK/LU/year. The influence of manure produced combined with the PRP Sol application was tested in terms of a boost of crop yield potential of silage maize and of winter wheat. Compared to the control, both crops reached yields higher by 0.7% to 9.8%.

Effects of immersing seeds in water and X-ray imagining on germination of Corylopsis seed were investigated. Seeds that sank or floated were collected after immersing in water for 5 min, 4 h or 16 h, and germinated with or without 5°C cold stratification (CS). In C. coreana and C. sinensis var. calvescens, 52% and 89%, respectively, of seeds that sank immediately developed embryos and cotyledons germinated. Germination of C. sinensis var. calvescens seeds that sank after 16 h increased to 45% after the first CS treatment, as compared to 12% without CS. Immersing seeds in water for 16 h to collect full and mostly full seeds is recommended. X-ray imaging coupled with immersion is effective technique to select viable seeds. Dormancy could be partially released by immersing seeds in water for 16 h; however, germination was improved after CS.

This paper describes the results of a retrospective study performed on 385 cats with feline lower urinary tract disease. The study was conducted to obtain epidemiological data and to evaluate clinical symptoms and the results of laboratory tests in a population of Polish cats with symptoms of lower urinary tract disease. The analysed population comprised feline patients of the veterinary clinic at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn who had not been treated prior to admission. Medical history was obtained for all patients. Urine samples were collected mostly, but not solely, by cystocentesis. Feline idiopathic cystitis was diagnosed in most cats (60.7%), while urinary tract infections were noted in only 7.8% of patients. Urethral obstruction caused by mucus plugs was observed in 17.4% of animals. Urolithiasis was observed in 13% of cats, 5% of whom were also diagnosed with urinary tract infections. Hyperplastic changes were identified in only 1% of the studied population. In 59% of cats, feline lower urinary tract disease was accompanied by urethral obstruction. Cats with feline idiopathic cystitis were the youngest animals in the analysed population, and the risk of urinary tract infections and neoplasia increased with age. Our results, obtained over a period of six years in a Polish feline population, show that sex, neutering, age, living conditions and diet influence the type of urinary tract disease, data which are consistent with those obtained in other countries.

The objective of this study was to evaluate potential changes in intraocular pressure in spontaneously breathing dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy with capnoperitoneum. Twenty bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. The dogs were under general anaesthesia and were breathing spontaneously throughout the entire period of the procedure. Capnoperitoneum was then established with an intra-abdominal pressure setting of 10 mmHg. Collected data included intraocular pressure, pupil size, heart rate, respiratory frequency, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, end-tidal CO₂, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and tidal volume. Data were recorded 5 min before starting CO₂-insufflation (baseline), after capnoperitoneum establishment (T0), and at further 5-min intervals (T5, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30). Compared to baseline, pupil size was increased at T30 (P = 0.03) and respiratory frequency at T25 (P < 0.01) and T30 (P = 0.02). No other significant changes were found regarding intraocular pressure. Our data show that the induction of an intra-abdominal pressure of 10 mmHg for a 30-min laparoscopy with the use of medetomidine-butorfanol-propofol-isoflurane in spontaneously breathing dogs in the horizontal position does not result in any important changes in intraocular pressure or end-tidal CO₂.

Sixty-five Czech Meligethes populations were tested against lambda-cyhalothrin and chlorpyrifos-ethyl in 2014. In 2015, totally sixty Meligethes populations, some of which sampled also in Slovakia, were tested against the two insecticides. Adult vial tests by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) were used for testing (No. 011 v. 3 for lambda-cyhalothrin and No. 025 for chlorpyrifos-ethyl). For each of the tested populations the LC₅₀, LC₉₀, and in 2015 also LC₉₅ values were determined for both these insecticides. Correlation analyses were made with transformed (log10 transformation) LC values. No significant correlation was recorded between the LC₅₀ values. Contrary to that, significant (P < 0.05) negative (r values for negative) correlations were recorded between the LC₉₀ and LC₉₅ values. Pyrethroid resistance in pollen beetle populations should indicate their slightly higher susceptibility to chlorpyrifos-ethyl.

The paper presents the results of a laboratory experiment aimed at the assessment of N₂O emissions, NO₃^-, NH₄⁺ and carbon (C) leaching from agricultural soils subjected to long-term mineral and organic fertilization. Our results show that long-term treatment impacts the N₂O emissions from loamy-sand Luvisols to a greater extent than the recent single application of mineral or organic fertilizers. The N₂O fluxes from soils with higher C_org content that results from long-term organic fertilization exceed those from soils with lower C_org content subsequent to long-term mineral fertilization. Our research confirms previous reports that the intensity of N₂O emission is related to soil moisture. The NO₃^- leaching depended on the recent application of fertilizers with a stronger influence of single application of NH₄NO₃ than farmyard manure. Long-term fertilization did not impact the NO₃^- leaching.

Potato yield is affected by an interaction between nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) supply. This hypothesis was verified in a series of field experiments conducted during 2010-2013 in Albania (AL), Czech Republic (CZ) and Poland (PL). The two-factorial experiment was founded on relative scales of K (0, 50, 100, and 150%), and N application rates (75% and 100%) of the recommended doses, which were country-specific. The average tuber yield was doubled for AL, increased by 50% for PL, and by 15% for the CZ in response to K and N interaction. These differences are caused by an increase in the apparent nitrogen efficiency (ANE), which rose significantly by the progressive Krates. Maximum average ANE of 90 kg tubers/kg N was recorded in AL; it was 2-fold lower in CZ. Top average apparent potassium efficiency (AKE) of 65 kg tubers/kg K was recorded in PL; it was 4-times lower in CZ. The relationships between AKE and ANE clearly demonstrate the tight interaction between the N and K, and its effects on potato yield. However, a sound K application management should be adjusted to the local edaphic and climatic conditions.

This study investigates the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in horses from seven villages in the province of Kars in north-eastern Turkey. A total of 189 serum samples from clinically healthy, local crossbred horses were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using the Sabin-Feldman dye test. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 39 (20.6%) horses, with specific titres of 1 : 16 (27), 1 : 64 (11) and 1 : 256 (1). The 95% confidence interval for the population proportion ranged from 13.3 to 27.9%. The number of seropositive horses in Yucelen village (40%) was considerably higher than in other villages, whereas in the villages of Caglayan (8%) and Cerme (10.5%) the seroprevalence was lower than elsewhere. However, the differences in seroprevalence between the seven villages were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In contrast, the overall seroprevalence in the province of Kars was significantly higher than that reported previously in studies carried out on army and private horse stud farms elsewhere in Turkey (P < 0.05). The relevance of these findings to the epizootiology of toxoplasmosis in Kars and Turkey is discussed.

Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini is an important pathogen of pine needles. In addition to different species of pine, M. pini was found in blue spruce Picea pungens in the proximity of infected Pinus nigra in the region of southern Moravia about 20 km SE of Brno.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cadmium (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg Cd/kg of soil) contamination in soil with the application of different substances (compost, brown coal, lime and bentonite) on the intake of nitrogen by some plants. The correlations between the nitrogen content in the plants and the cadmium concentration in the soil, as well as the plant yield and the content of micro- and macroelements in the plants were determined. Plant species and cadmium dose determined the effects of soil contamination with cadmium on the content of nitrogen. Large doses of cadmium caused an increase in nitrogen content in the Avena sativa straw and roots and in the Zea mays roots. Soil contamination with cadmium resulted in a decrease of nitrogen content in the Avena sativa grain, in above-ground parts and roots of the Lupinus luteus, in the above-ground parts of the Zea mays and in the above-ground parts and roots of Phacelia tanacaetifolia. Among the experimental different substances, the application of bentonite had the strongest and a usually negative effect on the nitrogen content in plants. The greatest effect of bentonite was on Avena sativa grain, above-ground parts Zea mays and Lupinus luteus and Phacelia tanacaetifolia. The content of nitrogen in the plants was generally positively correlated with the content of the macroelements and some of the microelements, regardless of the substances added to the soil.

The effects of reducing fat level (9% and 12%), substituting pork fat with olive oil and adding locust bean/xanthan gum on emulsion stability, jelly and fat separation, cook loss, and hardness of frankfurters were investigated and compared with control sample elaborated with 20% of fat content. Results showed that addition of locust bean/xanthan gum produced a significant increase in hydration/binding properties, characterised by lower cook losses, increasing yield, better emulsion stability and lower jelly and fat separation. The substitution of fat pork by olive oil did not affect these parameters. Multivariate comparison between elaborated low-fat products and commercial frankfurters (normal and low-fat) were carried out using a factorial analysis. Results showed that addition of locust bean/xanthan gum results in products similar to commercial frankfurters with higher fat contents.

Tested soils (1991-2002) were defined by chemical, textural and microbial characteristics. From the tests which describe cambisols, the following parameters have to be stressed. The higher level of C_org (1.20-1.76%), which resulted in quite high microbial biomass carbon content (396-625 µg/g dry soil), high control respiration (0.45-0.80 mg CO₂/h/100 g dry soil) and potential nitrification with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (6.7-18.4 mg N-NO₃/8 days/100 g dry soil). Studied luvisols reached typical levels: C_org (0.97-1.22%), C_MB (398-503 µg/g dry soil), control respiration (0.46-0.57 mg CO₂/h/100 g dry soil), potential nitrification with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (3.2-9.9 mg N-NO₃/8 days/100 g dry soil). Lower levels of organic carbon and a medium level of microbial biomass raised in higher ratio C_MB/C_org (average 4.0%). Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) between cambisols and luvisols were determined for C_org, N_t, pH(KCl), C_MB, C_MB/C_org, C_E, control respiration and potential nitrification, while the difference in potential ammonification with peptone was at level p < 0.05. With the exemption of ratio C_MB/C_org all cambisol characteristics were higher than luvisol ones. Studied soils were evaluated by six biological criteria (C_MB; ratios: C_MB/C_org, C_E/C_MB, potential/control respiration, potential/control ammonification, potential/control nitrification). These criteria distinguished tested soils into three groups. The first one includes two localities in the mountain region (Červená Voda 809, 810; altitude 565-590 m) defined as stagnic cambisols with higher content of C_org (1.40, respective 1.76%) and simultaneously with the highest biomass of micro-organisms from all tested soils (C_MB,625, respective 621 µg/g dry soil). It is not surprising that microbial activities (respiration, nitrification) at these localities were also high. The majority of the studied localities (one eutric cambisol and four luvisols) belongs to the medium group. The third group includes two localities (Neumětely - haplic luvisol, Čistá u Rakovníka - eutric cambisol) where biological criteria was mostly the worst. In the period 1993-2002 microbial biomass carbon was for both sites in the range of 357-458 µg/g dry soil which are not so bad values, but in comparison with localities in mountain wet region they are low. This status was issued in the lower ratio C_MB/C_org (2.71-3.77%).

The aim of this paper was to analyse alternatives of Pinzgau breeding program. Alternatives were optimised for genetic gain of selection index composed of parameters of milk efficiency traits and increase in inbreeding per generation. A scheme using the mating of 70% old proven sires led to a lower increase in inbreeding per generation from 0.248% to 1.903% than a young sires scheme with 0.313-2.177% or 0.303-2.18% without MOET when 2, 5, 10 and 20 proven sires were used in the population. Schemes using 70% mating of young sires resulted in a shorter generation interval of 3.46 years in comparison with proven sires scheme with 4.06 years. Young sires breeding program yielded lower genetic gain from 420.1 SKK per year when 20 proven sires were used to 578.44 SKK per year when 2 proven bulls were selected in the population. Proven sires breeding program led to higher genetic gain from 400.17 SKK (with 20 proven bulls) to 629.72 SKK (2 proven bulls). In a group with 20 proven bulls young sires breeding program with MOET resulted in genetic gain 466.38 SKK comparable to young sires breeding program without MOET with 10 proven sires. In groups with 10 or 5 proven bulls this alternative led to the highest genetic gain 515.45 SKK and 565.25 SKK, respectively. A group with 2 proven bulls in MOET scheme achieved similar genetic gain (629.14 SKK) like the proven sires scheme.

An increased incidence of tuberculous lesions in head and mesenteric lymph nodes from slaughtered pigs weighing about 115 kg was recorded in a herd of pigs kept in two farms A and B in the CzechRepublic. Tuberculous lesions were more frequently (P < 0.01) diagnosed in pigs from Farm A (10.4%) than from Farm B (1.1%). The follow-up investigation of potential sources of infection on Farm A revealed that the piglets were fed kaolin from a nearby mine as a supplement. Among 20 samples from the pigs' environment, atypical conditionally pathogenic mycobacteria (ACPM) were detected in four samples as follows: dust (n = 2), pig faeces (n = 1) and kaolin fed as a supplement (n = 1). Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis of genotype IS901- and IS1245+ and serotype 8 was isolated from kaolin and pig lymph nodes, M. fortuitum from stable dust and pig faeces and other ACPM from stable dust. When kaolin feeding to piglets ceased, the incidence of tuberculous lesions in these pigs at slaughter 5-6 months later decreased from 16.1% to 3.4%. No ACPM was detected on Farm B in 27 samples from the environment. An investigation of surface kaolin mines did not detect mycobacteria in non-extracted kaolin. However, surface water (three isolates among 13 samples) from the pond used for kaolin levigation and 23 batches of the final product of kaolin (10 samples from each batch, i.e. a total of 230 samples were examined) were contaminated with ACPM. Among the latter, ACPM were isolated from three samples originating from three different batches. ACPM were likely to survive during transport of the kaolin, as a suspension through the pipeline, and during its further processing to the final product (sedimentation, addition of colloid substances, drying and other procedures).

In 2002, height and diameter growth of spruce was investigated in the Orlické hory Mts. (the Czech Republic). The aim was to confirm and to quantify a growth increase in stands of different age, and to reveal the relation between growth and climate, and level of nitrogen deposition. Stem analyses of ten sample trees of mature spruce stand (average age 163 years) confirmed a significant increase in height and diameter growth since the mid-eighties of the 20^th century. Nearly 75% of radial increment variability could be explained by climatic factors. Growth in the last 10 years corresponded well to weather conditions. Analysis of the growth - nitrogen deposition relationship showed negative correlations, but the results were not statistically significant. Comparison of the height growth curves of young stands (11-47 years) proved that the younger the stand, the steeper the growth curve. The height of the youngest stands was on average the double of the height of older stands at the same age. The values of the height growth of young stands significantly overreached the yield table values in all the age classes analyzed.

Extract of red bean seeds was prepared using 80% acetone. Crude extract was applied onto a Sephadex LH-20 column. Fraction I of low molecular weight phenolic compounds was eluted from the column by ethanol. Fraction II of tannins was eluted from the column using water-acetone (1:1, v/v) as a mobile phase. Phenolic compounds present in the extracts and in the fractions I and II showed antioxidant and antiradical properties investigated using a β-carotene-linoleate model system, and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Crude extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in a β-carotene-linoleate model system. However, tannins fraction was the strongest scavengers of DPPH radical. The content of total phenolics in the fraction II was found the highest (139 mg/g).

The effect of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) on the growth of radish and the content of As compounds in roots and leaves of the radish were investigated. Radish was grown in pots in three soils (Fluvisols, Chernozems and Luvisols) amended with 20 mg As/kg of soil in form of DMA. Behavior and transformations of DMA in the soils differed depending on the individual soil type. In the first season, plants grew up at Luvisols only. In the second season the plants were able to grow at Luvisols and Chernozems, too. The roots and leaves of radish from Luvisols had DMA as the dominant arsenic compound present (~ 90% in the extract) in the first season. In the roots of the subsequently growing radish DMA accounted for 20% and arsenite for most of the total arsenic in the extract. In the leaves of the second-crop of radish DMA remained the dominant arsenic compound (~ 60% in the extract) with arsenate and arsenite for the remaining 40%. Roots and leaves of radish grown in Chernozems and Luvisols had a similar pattern of arsenic compounds. Soil properties significantly affected transformation of As species in the soils. At Fluvisols was the lowest As immobilization and about 98% was found as DMA after two years of experiments in the other two soils was higher As immobilization and DMA was recovered to inorganic As (V) - 31% in Luvisols and 78% in Chernozems.

In the course of the 20^th century, the production of beer was substantially changed. Economic pressures led to the concentration, modernisation and automation of the beer and malt production. These changes were reflected in a new view of malting barley varieties' quality. In two last decades, the varieties possessing a strong enzymatic activity, high extract contents and high final attenuation have been promoted. Due to historical reasons, the traditional production of pale lager has been preserved in the Czech brewing. For the production of the Czech-type beer, those varieties of malting spring barley are suitable that enable the production of beer with a higher level of residual extract, strong and full palate, excellent foaming power, and relatively lower alcohol content.

An in vitro method was used to determine ruminal degradability of starch (IVRDS) in a set of cereal grains. The set included 9 feed samples, including 2 samples of ground wheat, 2 samples of wheat treated with sodium hydroxide, ground barley, barley treated with sodium hydroxide, 2 samples of ground oats and ground maize. Ruminal degradability of starch was assayed by the feed fermentation for 2, 4, 6, 16 and 24 hours. A significant difference in starch degradability was found between treated and untreated ground samples after 2-hour fermentation (13.73 ± 3.12 vs. 32.77 ± 8.17; P < 0.001), 4-hour fermentation (33.44 ± 7.31 vs. 60.30 ± 16.71; P < 0.001) and 6-hour fermentation (42.63 ± 7.13 vs. 74.20 ± 6.38; P < 0.001). On the basis of the rate of ruminal degradability of starch the order of cereal grains was as follows (from the highest to the lowest value): ground oats, ground wheat, ground barley, ground maize, wheat and barley treated with sodium hydroxide.

A prediction map of tularemia was constructed on the basis of factors identified as contributing to the existence of current natural foci of tularemia in the CzechRepublic. The geographic distribution of a total of 6 different factors was evaluated with respect to their suitability for harbouring natural foci of tularemia. These factors included habitats of alluvial forests, geographic areas of up to 200 m above the sea level, 8.1-10.0°C of mean annual air temperature, 450-700 mm of mean annual precipitation, 1 801-2 000 and 2 001-2 200 h of mean annual sunshine duration and the highest population densities of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The whole territory of the Czech Republic was divided into 1 814 unit areas of 5.1 × 8.5 km characterised by the presence or absence of the specific conditions stated above. Analytical tools of the KORMAP GIS program and its capability of combining spatial data to construct a new map were used. There are two main territories of conditions favourable for tularemia in the Czech Republic, i.e., Southern Moravia and Central Bohemia. Areas of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 factors favourable for tularemia cover 18 120.30, 27 960.75, 15 259.20, 7 933.05, 5 245.35, 3 337.95 and 780.30 km², respectively, of the total area of 78 636.9 km² of theCzechRepublic. The prediction modelling of possible occurrence of a zoonosis seems to be an economical way of selecting areas of study and research.

Dietary habits reflect both the recent economic possibilities and the cultural history of individual human populations. They may influence endocrine systems and thus affect the health of the respective populations in several manners: (1) People consuming exclusively local products may lack certain micronutrients. This is important especially in areas with low levels of iodine and/or selenium in the environment. Thyroid gland insufficiency resulting from the iodine deficiency was widespread in many areas of Central Europe until the introduction of iodine supplementation in the second half of 20^th century. Iodine deficiency is still a serious problem in many areas of Africa and Asia. (2) Numerous cultural plants contain compounds able to influence important metabolic pathways. Iodine deficiency is usually worsened by thyroidal peroxidase inhibitors, so-called goitrogens. Phenolic and terpenoid compounds may interfere in the metabolism of steroid hormones. Glycyrrhetinic acid from licorice is a potent inhibitor of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Isoflavonoids from legumes (e.g. genistein and daidzein) and their metabolites (e.g. equol) were found to inhibit the following enzymes: aromatase, 5alfa-reductase, 7alfa-hydroxylase, 3beta-hydroxysteroid and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, etc. Isoflavonoid sulphates influence local availability of steroids by inhibiting sterol sulphatases. (3) Plant-derived compounds are able to interact with nuclear receptors and act either as hormone agonists or as antagonists. Recently, the attention has been paid namely to the phenolic substances interacting with oestrogen receptors so-called phyto-oestrogens.

A vegetation pot experiment was established to explore the effect of two doses of nitrogen (0.6 and 0.9 gN in the form of ammonium sulphate) and two doses of sulphur (20.6 and 30.6 mg/kg of soil) on the yields and quality of spinach and pepper in comparison with a natural level (7.85 mg/kg). The results of the experiments confirmed that the application of sulphur by means of (NH₄)₂SO₄ in combination with nitrogen had a positive effect on yields and also on the quality of the vegetables. In the sulphur-free variants of spinach the effect was statistically significant and also when the levels of S in the soil were higher. Lower doses of nitrogen under increased levels of sulphur increased the yields statistically significantly (on average by 47%) and the sulphur concentration in the plants increased. The N:S ratio became narrower in proportion with the level of sulphur, particularly under a lower N level. The nitrate content in spinach corresponded with the applied dose of nitrogen and the nitrogen concentration. The sulphur level did not influence the content of C vitamin, but had a positive effect on the content of the essential amino acids cysteine and methionine. A mean level of S₁ in combination with a N₁ dose significantly increased pepper yields, narrowed the N:S ratio and was reflected in dry matter production per 1 g of N. The highest pepper yields were achieved with a dose of S₁, which resulted in the highest dry matter production in the fruit per1 g of N under both levels of N. At the same time increasing the sulphur level reduced the content of nitrate and increased the level of cysteine from 0.11 to 0.305 g/kg.

The virulence frequencies to powdery mildew resistance genes possessed by winter barley cultivars registered and newly tested in the Czech Republic were studied in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Random samples of the populations originating from winter and spring barley fields were obtained from the air by a mobile version of a jet spore sampler mounted on a car roof. Conidia were sampled by driving across the Czech Republic. Fourteen differentials, carrying 18 out of 20 currently identified resistance genes present in winter barley cultivars, were used. High virulence frequencies (85-100%) to most resistance genes were found. Lower virulence frequencies (14.1-40.1%) were found to only three resistance genes that have not been described yet; their preliminary designations are Ml(Va), Ml(Dt) and Ml(Ca). The importance of resistance of winter barley cultivars is discussed with respect to limiting the speed with which the pathogen adapts to genetic resistances possessed by commercial cultivars of both winter and spring barley, and to the necessity of lowering the costs for powdery mildew control in barley.

Fat blends for manufacture of trans isomer-free emulsified fats are prepared by blending of 20-30% of structured fat with vegetable oil. Structured fats on the base of trisaturated triglycerides are produced by basic or enzymatic catalyzed transesterification of fully hydrogenated coconut oil with fully hydrogenated palmstearine or low erucic rapeseed oil. Physical properties of transesterificated structured fats produced by enzymatic reaction using immobilized sn-1,3 specific lipase Lipozyme TL IM or by randomization are similar. The replacement of palmitic acid with stearic acid without any changes in the ratio between medium chain FA and long chain FA was observed too. Fat blends contain mixture of β` and β crystals, the replacement of palmitic acid with stearic acid in structured fat does not influence neither crystalline modification nor SFC profiles but it has a significant effect on fat blend consistency.