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A traceability system is an effective tool to guarantee safety in horticultural products and to improve supply chain transparency. A direct data matrix (DM) code created with carbon dioxide laser (wavelength 10.6 µm) can be used as a trust mark on bananas. In this study, green bananas were marked with the above-mentioned CO₂ laser. Subsequently, the samples were held under storage conditions. Images of the codes on bananas were captured by using two different cameras; i.e. hyperspectral imaging camera and charge-couple device (CCD) camera. Image processing was used for evaluating print quality of 2D codes based on the ISO/IEC 15415 standard. The quality of the codes on bananas mainly depends on some parameters: laser power, laser energy, marking time per module and storage time. The best readability results were achieved by using laser power of 1.8 W and marking time of 0.09 s per data matrix module, whereby an 80-100% readability of DM codes after the storage was obtained.

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.

Transportation of tomatoes on farm and market roads causes interfacial stresses of tomatoes due to truck dynamics as affected by road and transportation conditions. These stresses may affect the shelf-life of tomatoes if they are high enough to cause damage to the fruit. This paper describes a novel method for the in situ measurement of the stresses during actual transportation of tomatoes, providing the producer information that can assist in taking decisions regarding the use of alternative routes, maintenance of existing routes or changes in packing to prevent excessive stresses onto tomatoes. The process involves measurement of the stresses using a stress-sensor that is recording the interfacial stresses continuously during transportation. These stresses can be correlated to road conditions (quantified through standard road-roughness statistics) and used to subject tomatoes in laboratory conditions to similar stresses to study shelf-life effects of transportation stresses. The paper focuses on the measurement process and first-order data analysis, and excludes a detailed study on the physiological effects of the measured stresses on tomatoes.

This paper contains the information about some principles of sustainable forestry which are still relevant in the world. In 2002, Lithuania started research on the nutrient balance in forest ecosystems when the forest fuel is harvested. The consequences of the intensive forest fuel harvesting on the forest ecosystem were analysed. At the same time, the experiment on the compensatory wood ash fertilizing was established in Lithuania. After the initial calculations, having the experimental data, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania has initiated the preparation of the Recommendations for compensating wood ash fertilization in the forests. This review briefly systematizes and analyses the main results of the related research and some ideas for the future studies are also presented.

We present a successful use of the plasmid inhibition detection and DNA isolation protocol optimisation for four food/feed samples in qPCR analysis of the sequence coding for chloroplast tRNA-Leu: two meat meal samples and two samples made of cranberries (jam and dried fruit). The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) can be inhibited by various substances and the DNA content in the sample can be underestimated. It is necessary to identify the PCR inhibition and choose an optimal DNA isolation protocol to correctly evaluate the sample. In a previous study, we have developed an assay using plasmid DNA carrying a non-homologous random sequence identifying possible inhibitors in qPCR in food/feed samples. The plasmid assay allowed to effectively reveal the PCR inhibition in all of the different sample matrices and to choose an optimal DNA isolation protocol.

Natural parasitism of the European corn borer eggs (Hübner) by Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) was assessed in sweet corn field in north-west Serbia, region Vojvodina at the localities of Ruski Krstur, from 2004 till 2007. The rate of egg parasitism in 2004 varied from 35.89% to 73.58%. The parasitism in 2005 was lower than in 2004. On four different sampling dates in 2005 parasitism varied from 28.48% to 57.05% and averaged 39.4%. In 2006 parasitism fluctuated between 9.31 and 62.9%, averaging 32.15%. In 2007 parasitism varied from 36.8% to 54.54% and averaged 43.48%. The egg parasitoid species was identified as Trichogramma evanescens (Westwood). The study showed that this natural enemy occurred constantly in sweet corn fields but its number greatly fluctuated from year to year.

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.

The indicators of follicle development with regard to the growth wave order, the first ovulation, animal parity, and also with regard to the simultaneous presence or absence of a follicular cyst were determined in cows in the course of 60 days postpartum. Follicular dynamics were monitored daily by ultrasonography. The animals were assigned to three groups based on the time of the 1^st ovulation: G1 (n = 9) - the 1^st dominant follicle (DF) ovulated, G2 (n = 10) - ovulation occurred on the 2^nd or later follicular waves, and G3 (n = 5) - no ovulation occurred during the experimental period. G1 animals showed better fertility later (no cyst, less days open, P = 0.07, less hormonal treatment, P = 0.008). The rhythm of follicular wave development was generally similar in all the animals (based on emergence of the first follicular wave, the interval from emergence to deviation, and the number of all follicular waves). Nevertheless, emergence of follicular waves and deviation occurred by 0.5-0.9 day earlier in primiparous than in multiparous cows and in G1 vs. G2, or G3, respectively (in all P < 0.05). DF development was independent of parity as well as group effects, but the maximum size and growth rate (1.2 vs. 0.8 cm/day, P < 0.05) were higher in ovulatory follicles (OF) than in regressive ones (rDF). The presence of a growing cyst decreased the probability of rDF as well as OF development (P < 0.0001). The OF growth rate was faster in the milieu of a stagnating cyst than without any cyst (P < 0.04). Therefore, the development of follicles was dramatically suppressed beyond, but nor before, deviation in the milieu of a growing cyst. Cessation of the cyst growth accelerated the development of OFs. On the contrary, a cystic structure without any significant growth can persist for weeks with no effect on successful follicular development.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of bacterial and chemical additives on the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and on fermentation indicators in whole maize silage at 1, 3, 5, 10, and 90 days of fermentation. Maize forage was harvested at approximately 34% dry matter (DM) and treated with (1) no additive (control; C); (2) bacterial inoculant (2 g/t of forage; B) containing the homofermentative LAB Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Pediococcus pentosaceus (1.5 × 10¹¹ cfu/g of inoculant); and (3) chemical additive (4 l/t of forage; CH) containing formic acid, propionic acid, ammonium formate, and benzoic acid. Both treatments decreased pH of silage at day 1 of ensiling (P < 0.05), and the lowest value of 4.34 was observed in the CH-treated silage. All silages were well fermented and had pH < 4.0 by day 10 of fermentation. The concentration of lactic acid and the lactic acid : acetic acid ratio increased over time in all treatment groups, and the highest values were 87.5 and 3.62 g/kg of DM, respectively, observed for group B at day 90 (P < 0.05). The concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrates were higher (P < 0.05) for CH compared to C and B at days 3, 5, 10, and 90 of fermentation. The CH silage had fewer LAB (P < 0.05) than did either C or B silages regardless of the days of fermentation. Both additives used in the present study improved fermentation dynamics of the whole crop maize silage.

This study evaluated the influence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation of leek (Allium porrum L.) on the leaching of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen from the experimental pots filled with either sterile or non-sterile soil mix, consisting equally of the arable soil and horticultural substrate. Leek plants were inoculated by Funneliformis mosseae, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Rhizophagus intraradices and by their combinations. Based on the obtained data, it can be concluded that: (a) the influence of AMF on nitrate leaching does not follow some simple rules, (b) the amounts of percolating nitrates can be affected also by sterilization and by the combination of AMF inocula, (c) AMF can, in general, reduce the nitrate leaching from soil even though mycorrhizal colonization of roots did not achieve extremely high rates. These conclusions may be useful in the horticultural practice and ecological sustainability of the soil quality.

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.

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%.

This study investigated changes in stem and spike characteristics resulting from breeding in Iranian wheat cultivars, and their relationship with grain yield. Eighty-one wheat cultivars released between 1930 and 2006 were examined under well-watered (WW) and terminal drought stress (DS) conditions in Karaj during 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 and under WW condition at Parsabad in Moghan region during 2010-2011. A genetic improvement over time in stem specific weight (SSW) along with significant positive correlations between this trait and grain yield were found at Karaj under DS conditions and at Parsabad, suggesting that SSW could be used as an indirect selection criterion for yield in these environments. Time-dependent changes in spike dry weight showed that the magnitude of partitioned photoassimilates to the spike during the phase anthesis - 16 days after anthesis (16 DAA) was not changed by breeding. However, during the 16 DAA ‒ maturity phase, modern cultivars had more photoassimilates allocated to the spike than the old ones. This suggests that the sink is more limited during early grain growth than during the end of grain filling.

Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, 160 sweet and sour cherry trees from a germplasm collection, orchards, and wild trees in the Czech Republic were screened for the presence of Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV) and Cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV). The viruses were detected exclusively in sweet cherry trees in the germplasm collection, with CNRMV determined in two trees and CGRMV in four trees. Using next-generation sequencing, nearly complete genomic sequences (complete ORFs) were obtained for one CNRMV and three CGRMV isolates. Their relatedness to GenBank sequences of isolates from different countries together with negative results from screening outside of the germplasm collection suggests that the viruses had been imported with accessions.

The goal of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic and computed tomographic appearance of a penile foreign body in a dog for the first time. We describe an unusual penile localisation of a grass seed awn in an 11-year-old mixed-breed dog referred for a computed tomography study after a severe haemorrhage from the penis. A fistulous tract was observed after plain and post-contrast whole-body computed tomography acquisition; the foreign body was localised with ultrasound and removed under ultrasonographic guidance, with the complete healing of the penile lesion. Grass awns are common foreign bodies in dogs and cats and are commonly localised in the ear canal, subcutaneous tissue, interdigital space, eyelid, conjunctiva and nasal or oral cavity. These foreign bodies pose a threat due to their peculiar structure, which facilitates their easy access to the affected area and their transit through the body. Clinical signs are often non-specific, and imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and computed tomography are useful techniques for localisation. Our report demonstrates that the combination of computed tomography and ultrasound techniques was crucial for the exact localisation and mini-invasive retrieval of the grass seed.

cluster weight; berry weight; soluble solids; berry composition

The study concerned the determination of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions under conventional and reduced tillage conditions. In the reduced cultivation, a soil cultivating seed drill was used for simultaneous sowing of seeds and subsurface application of fertilizer. The emission levels of the gas tested were dependent on the year of the study and the method of soil tillage, and were subject to considerable changes during the growing season. The use of reduced soil tillage significantly limited emissions of the analysed gas into the atmosphere. Depending on the year of the study, N₂O emission in the reduced tillage system was from 15% to 40% lower than in the conventional system. Low levels of easily mineralized components in soil could have been the cause of the reduction in N₂O emissions to the atmosphere.

The sensitivity analysis of key operating parameters on the average annual sub-profit in a group of three combine harvesters operating in companies providing agricultural services were analysed. Based on the results of the cost analysis, the following key operating parameters with the greatest influence on the costs were identified: the purchase price of the machine, the price of fuel, maintenance costs, personnel costs and annual performance. These parameters were used in the sensitivity analysis to investigate their effect on unit costs. Changing the above-mentioned parameters is calculated within ± 30% from their mean value. To perform a sensitivity analysis of the average annual sub-profit of combine harvesters, the unit price of mechanized work was additionally used. The results showed that greatest impact on both the average annual earnings of combines operation and on the changes in unit cost was those of the annual performance of the combine harvester, combine harvester purchase price and the cost of fuel. On the other hand, maintenance and personnel costs had a smaller influence concerning these changes of parameters.

The protection of wild animals from mutilation or being killed during haymaking is still a serious problem connected with high working speeds and widths of modern harvesting machines. That is why the main aim of this study was to test low-cost, high-speed and low-noise infrared array sensor Melexis MLX90621 for the application of wildlife detection with the potential to be used in front of the mower equipment. The tests with two different crops with or without a hidden dog were made. Results showed that the sensor is able to detect an animal hidden in the crop with very high probability. Nevertheless, direct sunlight conditions can cause the problems when using infrared technology. A simultaneous use of other sensors working on different principle than infrared technology can be thus recommended.

Prociphilus (Meliarhizophagus) fraxinifolii (Riley, 1879) (Hemiptera: Eriosomatidae) is an alien species in Europe that has been spreading quickly there. This paper presents the origin and current occurrence, classification, description, identification, and biology of this species. It also discusses the harmfulness and threats, especially the impact on host- plants and ecosystem, invasion rate and facilitating factors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vital signs of newborn puppies using the modified Apgar score after spontaneous delivery and caesarean section. The survival of puppies was monitored for up to 24 hours after birth. The experiment consisted of ten deliveries of bitches with dystocia terminated by caesarean section (C-section group) and ten bitches with spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD group). Vital signs of neonates were evaluated using a modified method of the Apgar score 5, 10 and 15 min after birth. Five evaluation criteria (colour of mucous membranes, reflex irritability, motility, heart rate and respiration) were used with puppies classified into three scoring groups: "severe distress" (0-3 points), "moderate distress" (4-6 points) and "no distress" (7-10 points). In the SVD group, 57 puppies were evaluated; 98.2% of puppies were born alive, all survived their first 24 hours of life. At the time of birth, 1.8% of puppies were dead (1/57). The Apgar scores of all foetuses were in the "no distress" category. In the C-section group (n = 37), 13.5% of puppies (5/37) were stillborn, two puppies (6.3%) died within 24 hours of delivery. The "no distress" group included 51.4% (19/37) of puppies, while 5.4% (2/37) of puppies were classified into "moderate distress" and 43.2% of puppies (16/37; P < 0.001 at 5 min, P < 0.005 at 10 min and P < 0.005 at 15 min after delivery) were classified into "severe distress". These results confirm the influence of type of delivery on the Apgar score immediately after parturition and on the short-term survival rate of puppies after parturition.

An experiment was established in the spring of 2006 in the Experimental Orchard in Dąbrowice (central Poland). The plum cultivars under assessment included: 'Avalon', 'Edda', 'Excalibur', 'Jubileum', 'Mallard' and 'Reeves'. Trees of the cv. 'Victoria' were the control combination. On the basis of the eight-year study it was found that the most vigorously growing were trees of the cultivar 'Excalibur'. The most susceptible to frost damage and infection by Chondrostereum purpureum (silver leaf) were trees of the cultivars 'Edda' and 'Excalibur'. In addition, the cv. 'Excalibur' was characterized by high susceptibility to the Plum pox virus (sharka). The highest cumulative fruit yield was shown by the cultivar 'Jubileum'. The worst fruiting were trees of the cultivar 'Mallard'. Fruits of the cv. 'Excalibur' had the highest weight. The smallest were fruits of the cv. 'Edda' characterized by early ripening time. The highest amounts of soluble solids were contained in fruits of the cultivar 'Avalon'. The cvs 'Edda', 'Reeves' and 'Avalon' proved suitable for cultivation in Polish climatic conditions.

Humic acid urea fertilizer (HA-N) is a new type of slow-release nitrogenous fertilizer that can enhance utilization rate of urea, and consequently increases crop yield. However, there were few researches about the effect of HA-N on the nitrogen absorption and utilization in sweet potato production. Hence, the effect of HA-N on nitrogen accumulation and distribution, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and yield of sweet potato was studied in the field using the ¹⁵N tracer technique. Results showed that HA-N significantly increased the number of storage roots per plant and the average fresh weight per storage root, as well as the yield increased by 29.6% compared with urea fertilizer. Furthermore, nitrogen accumulation of total plant was higher under the HA-N. In addition, HA-N significantly increased nitrogen production efficiency of fertilizer and nitrogen production efficiency. Results of a ¹⁵N tracer experiment revealed that the percentage of nitrogen absorbed by plant from fertilizer increased from 31.1% to 38.7% and NUE increased from 33.5% to 44.8% with application of HA-N when compared with single N treatment, respectively. HA-N significantly increased sweet potato storage root yield, nitrogen absorption and NUE, as well as it reduced the loss of nitrogen fertilizer.

Most Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains are capable of infecting multiple hosts. In this report, an abdominal cavity abscess associated with the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium phage type DT2 is described in a dog. A dead male dog was admitted to the Department of Pathology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Erciyes University for necropsy. Anorexia, weight loss and lethargy were the clinical symptoms that were reported by the owner of the dog. The diagnosis was made by histopathological and bacteriological examinations of the lungs, spleen, liver and heart. In addition, the content of the abdominal cavity mass was evaluated in bacteriological analysis. The serotyping, phage typing and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria were performed at the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study reporting an abscess associated with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium phage type DT2 in a dog.

Relieving perioperative pain can reduce postoperative suffering and improve recovery from anaesthesia in animals. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of nefopam and tramadol in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-four adult mixed-breed female dogs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8) and received their respective treatments immediately after surgery: Group T (2 mg/kg tramadol, i.v.), Group C (1 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.) and Group D (2 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.). The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured and the level of analgesia was assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF). The CMPS-SF was performed at least two days before premedication (baseline), every 2 h for the first 8 h (post-extubation), at 12 h and at 24 h. Results showed that the HR in all groups was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 2 and 6 h than at baseline. The RR in Group T was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 0 and 2 h than at baseline. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg morphine, i.v.) was provided if CMPS-SF pain scores greater than or equal to six. Four dogs required rescue analgesia: one dog in Group T at 2 h and three dogs in Group C at 2 and 6 h. No dogs in Group D required rescue analgesia. The CMPS-SF pain scores of dogs in Group C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 2 and 4 h. However, the scores in Group D were not significantly different compared with Group T. In conclusion, this study suggests that nefopam at 2 mg/kg i.v. produces better postoperative analgesia compared with tramadol at 2 mg/kg i.v. or nefopam at 1 mg/kg i.v. in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of storage time at +4 °C on haematological indicators in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). For this purpose, 60 Italian trout were evaluated and red blood cells, white blood cells, thrombocyte count, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were determined. After blood collection (T₀), all samples were immediately analysed using an automatic method to assess the haematological parameters and then divided into two different aliquots and stored at +4 °C. The first aliquot was refrigerated for 168 h (T₁), the second one for 336 h (T₂). Statistical analysis (one-way repeated-measures ANOVA) showed a significant effect of storage time (P < 0.05) on red blood cells, thrombocyte count, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The obtained data expand our knowledge of haematological evaluation techniques and could contribute to the development of an appropriate method for haematological analysis that is suitable for the evaluation of the health status of wild and farmed fish.

The differences in egg production traits in six laying hen genotypes (brown-egg hens Bovans Brown, Bovans Sperwer, ISA Sussex; white-egg hen Dekalb White; laying hens with tinted shells Moravia Barred and Moravia BSL) and the interactions of genotype and oviposition on egg quality were evaluated. The genotype affected the laying rate (P ≤ 0.003), mean sequence length (P ≤ 0.001), and time of oviposition (P ≤ 0.001). The brown-egg genotypes laid eggs approximately 1 h earlier than the white-egg genotypes and approximately 2 h earlier than the tinted-egg genotypes. Egg shell strength was the lowest in tinted-egg genotypes (P ≤ 0.001) and declined with the time of oviposition (P ≤ 0.002). Egg shell percentage (P ≤ 0.011) and thickness (P ≤ 0.011) were affected by the interaction of genotype and oviposition. None of the effects affected egg weight; however, the proportion of egg components was significantly influenced by the interaction of genotype and oviposition. The study confirmed that the differences in the egg production and egg quality of various genotypes are associated with the laying pattern.

Apricot is one of the oldest fruit tree crops in China and it was spread via Armenia to other areas. There are about ten species of apricot (Subg. Armeniaca Mill.) worldwide, among which nine species are native to China. Sharka disease caused by the Plum pox virus (PPV) is widely distributed in the main producing regions of apricot. In this study, linked simple sequence repeats (SSR) primers were used to detect allele variations potentially associated with PPV resistance among Chinese apricot germplasm resources, including 52 accessions belonging to Prunus armeniaca, 7 to Prunus mandshurica, 6 to Prunus sibirica, 4 to Prunus mume, 17 to other species or types. The allelic variation at loci with PPV resistance showed that these SSR markers linked to PPV resistance kept a relatively high level of diversity in Chinese apricot. The special alleles and genotypes only found in South China cultivars might reveal new PPV resistance sources. Some famous local cultivars of Chinese apricot might be considered as candidates for PPV resistance.