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The effects of thermal manipulation (TM) during late ostrich embryonic development on hatchability, body weight, biochemical and hormonal changes, and the ability of hatching chicks to cope with thermal challenge in days 6-8 of age were examined. At 35 days of incubation, two hundred fertile eggs were weighed and divided into two equal groups with five replicates. The first group was exposed to 36.5°C and 25% relative humidity (RH) (control), while the second group was exposed to 38.5°C and 45% RH for 3 h daily in days 35-37 of incubation (thermal manipulation). At days 6-8 of age, the hatched chicks from each treatment were randomly divided into two groups: control group (exposed to 32 ± 1°C), and thermal challenge group (exposed to 40 ± 1°C for 3 h daily). Hatchability rate was significantly lower with high incubation temperature as compared to the normal incubation temperatures. Embryonic TM and thermal challenge in days 6-8 of age reduced significantly total protein, albumin, and triiodothyronin concentrations and elevated uric acid, creatinine, triglycerides, and glucose concentrations as compared with the control. The level of corticosterone was significantly higher in the thermal challenge group as compared to the control. In conclusion, exposing the ostrich embryos to TM (38.5°C) during late embryonic development induced physiological changes that may represent epigenetic adaptation to TM. The same mechanisms are employed for increasing the ability to improve thermotolerance post-hatch.

Grain size distribution of grist is dependent on the type of grinding mill. The most widely used crushers used for malt grinding are roll grinding machines and dispersants are the disc mills. For rating of grist fineness grists made in the two-roller mill KVM 130/150 and dispersant the disk mill Skiold SK 2500 was used. The selected types of barley malt were processed: light malt, Munich malt, caramel malt and colouring malt. Rating of malt grist fineness was made with a help of sieve analysis using a "Pfungstadt sifter". Conclusions from the measurements are as follows: by using the two-roller mill the coarsest grist is got from caramel malt and the finest malt from the light malt. The dispersant was processing grist at a speed of 1,500 rpm and 2,800 rpm. For each speed, the coarsest grist was obtained from caramel malt and the finest grist was obtained by crushing colouring malt.

Individual types of retinal dysplasia - folds, geographic and detached, have different impacts on vision ability. The purpose of this study was to undertake a qualitative and comparative evaluation of retinal activity in the individual types of the retinal dysplasia - folds, geographic and detached. Dogs (n = 24) with an ophthalmoscopic diagnosis of retinal dysplasia (rd) underwent vision testing, ophthalmologic examination and electroretinography. A three-degree scale (mild, moderate and severe) was used to describe the severity of ophthalmoscopic lesions in the rd folds and rd geographic forms. Our findings indicate that retinal folds of mild and moderate severity, and the mild geographic type of the rd, have similar effects on ERG responses, while severe retinal folds give lower ERG responses than moderately advanced geographical rd. This study confirms that electroretinography may generate a more comprehensive view of an altered retinal activity in the course of rd, which is helpful in making decisions on qualifying or excluding a given individual from the breeding program.

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra Linnaeus) is a promising species which could help to mitigate the sanitary problems. Northern red oak is also a commercial species and offers many environmental services. Northern red oak prefers rather dry acidic sites commonly found in Bohemia. The literature confirms that the species is quite fertile but acorn production is highly variable. Northern red oak seedlings develop a long tap root during their first year, which enhances their survival and performance. Different silvicultural systems are proposed and pros and cons are discussed in this review including their influences on forest floor and soil.

This paper describes clinical experiences with the use of shape memory nickel-titanium (NiTi) clips in gastrointestinal surgery in dogs. Side-to-side small bowel anastomosis was performed in eight dogs where intestinal continuity had to be restored after bowel resection. Billroth's operation I was performed in one case. Compression anastomosis clips with two-way shape memory were used in all surgical procedures. Intestinal and gastrointestinal anastomoses involving shape memory clips were effective in all patients. Anastomotic leaks were not observed, and all clips were expelled 5-7 days after surgery. The outcomes of surgical procedures performed on canine patients with the use of shape memory NiTi clips indicate that sutureless compression anastomosis is a safe, effective and simple method of restoring gastrointestinal continuity, which can be widely applied in veterinary practice.

The tulip tree aphid, Illinoia liriodendri, is reported in Slovakia for the first time. Colonies of I. liriodendri were found on tulip trees, Liriodendron tulipifera, in two locations of south-western Slovakia in 2014 and 2015. Colonies of nymphs and viviparous females fed on the underside of leaves with no significant symptoms of damage to tulip trees. In this short study, the first report of the aphid from Slovakia is presented and original illustrations with results of morphometric analysis of alate viviparous females are provided.

The aim of this study was to determine whether meat and bone meal (MBM) can be used as NP fertilizer for spring barley grown for fodder. A two-factorial field experiment was conducted in Poland. Experimental factor I was MBM dose (0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 t/ha/year) which was compared to the mineral fertilization (NPK), factor II was the year of the study (two consecutive years). MBM used in doses higher than 1.0 t/ha had a more beneficial influence on the grain yield of spring barley and grain plumpness than mineral fertilizers. The positive yield-forming effect of MBM doses 2.0 t/ha and 2.5 t/ha was statistically significant. The nitrogen (N) content of grain was similar in treatments with MBM and mineral fertilization. The two highest MBM doses contributed to a significant decrease in the phosphorus (P) content of grain, particularly in the second year of the study, in comparison with the remaining MBM doses and mineral fertilizers. Grain yield and N content were also affected by the year of the study, due to weather conditions and the residual effect of MBM. The optimal MBM dose was 1.5 t/ha, which allowed to produce 5.1 t/ha of the plumpest grain whose N and P content was consistent with the feeding standards for livestock.

Recently, transplantation of germ cells has attracted attention as a potential technique for efficient reproduction of fish. One of the well-proven techniques to deliver donor germ cells into a recipient is the transplantation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) during the blastula stage. Nevertheless, the application of such techniques so far has been limited to model fish species such as zebrafish, due to the lack of information about early development in many fish species. We propose that pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) can be a useful model species for establishing this technique in the order Perciformes, which includes commercially and ecologically important marine species. In this study, we described the important events, namely, embryonic staging, yolk syncytial layer (YSL) formation, and midblastula transition (MBT) during the blastula stage in pikeperch to obtain basic information about early embryonic development. The chorion was softened by treating with 0.2% trypsin and 0.4% urea in Ringer's solution so as to remove it easily by forceps. Although the first cleavage occurred at about 2.5 h post fertilization, blastomeres divided approximately every one hour after this at 15°C. The YSL was formed after the breakdown of marginal cells during the 512- to 1k-cell stage. Cell division analysis by 4'-6-diaminido-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining revealed that transition from synchronous to asynchronous division occurred after the 10^th cleavage (1k-cell stage). Our results indicate that zygotic gene expression (MBT) starts after this stage. Next, we performed blastodisc isolation assay to find the competent stage for embryonic manipulation. Embryos were manipulated by using a microneedle every hour from the 512-cell to the sphere stage, and then developmental rates were evaluated at the hatching stage. The highest survival rate was obtained when we performed this manipulation at the 1k-cell stage. These results clearly showed that the MBT is the best stage for transplantation of PGCs or any cells in pikeperch.

The work presents the results of phenological observations of flowering and fruit ripeness of the European hazel (Corylus avellana L.) in Slovakia in two time periods: 1964-1983, and 1994-2013. The phenological stations at elevations from 100 to 875 m a.s.l. were grouped to 7 elevation zones, each 100 m wide. In the first studied period, flowering started on 19 March on average, while in the second period it started 5 days earlier. The average duration of flowering equal to 7-9 days did not depend on the elevation, but on the air temperature and weather patterns in the different elevation zones. During the first period, the average elevation gradient of flowering was 5.6 days per 100 elevation meters, while in the second period it was reduced to 3.5 days in the entire elevation profile. In the elevation zones between 300 and 500 m, a high correlation (P < 0.01) between the onset of flowering and elevation was reduced to a moderate level of correlation due to changing environmental conditions. In 1994-2013, the ripeness of hazel nuts started on average on 30 August in Slovakia, showed low variability and moderate correlation with elevation. The phenological elevation gradient was 2.9 days per 100 m of elevation.

Many studies show that the consumption of juices rich in polyphenols may increase serum antioxidant capacity, improve blood lipid profile, and endothelial function. The relation between the consumption of chokeberry juice and changes in the antioxidant capacity, blood lipid profile, and endothelial function as important indicators in the assessment of cardiovascular risk were determined. The study was conducted on a group of 11 healthy volunteers, who consumed chokeberry juice for three weeks. The research included determination of serum antioxidant capacity, blood lipid profile analysis, and measurements of endothelial function. The 3-week consumption of chokeberry juice significantly increased serum antioxidant capacity, and the best results were observed just after one week of the experiment. However, there was no significant change in the blood lipid profile, except for the persons with a higher level of triglycerides, in whom the consumption of chokeberry juice reduced these compounds to normal values. The endothelial function was normal in all patients and did not significantly change during the study.

Six adult loggerhead turtles were found stranded and were rescued near Sicily within a period of 12 months. Macroscopically apparent lesions of the shell were present. After thorough physical examination, ketamine-dexmedetomidine-atipamezole induction and tracheal tube insertion all six patients underwent computed tomographic examination under inhalant anaesthesia with isoflurane. A vertebral lesion at the level of the 3^rd thoracic-lumbar vertebra with vertebral lamina and the vertebral body being involved without compression of the spinal cord, a vertebral lesion at the level of the 7^th thoracic-lumbar vertebra and a vertebral lesion at the level of the 8^th thoracic-lumbar vertebra were recorded in the first female. Loss of the shell near the left carapace-plastron bridge, with massive haemorrhage and compression of organs were present in the second female. The remaining four turtles had only superficial lesions with no involvement of bones and organs of the coelom. Computed tomography was proved to be a valuable non-invasive method for clinical examination of stranded sea turtles.

Toxic metals (cadmium, lead, and mercury) in the tissues of common carp fished from three reservoirs (Pilská, Domaninský, and Matějovský) in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands were measured in the period from April 2013 to September 2014 and the risk of consuming the fish from these localities was evaluated. During this project 25 fish specimens from each locality were analysed. The concentration of metals in muscle tissue and liver was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. A variation in the content of heavy metals in fish samples and fish tissues was demonstrated and discussed. Higher concentrations of cadmium in the fish tissue were found in 50 samples of carp liver. Because the fish liver is not commonly consumed, common carp from the Moravian-Moravian Highlands does not pose any health risk for consumers. Concentrations of the other monitored toxic metals in fish tissue were low and were complying with the maximum residue limit in all cases.

In 2015, we recorded the first attack of the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) on non-native Picea orientalis (L.) and Picea pungens (Engelmann) in Slovakia. To our knowledge, the occurrence of D. micans on P. orientalis in Central Europe has not been described yet. We found that D. micans preferred P. orientalis over P. pungens and other coniferous trees in urban areas. In laboratory conditions, 352 adults of D. micans emerged and only 1 predator, Rhizophagus grandis (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Monotomidae), was recorded. D. micans has a potential to become a serious pest of P. orientalis and P. pungens in urban, and in air-polluted areas.

The experiments were conducted in four locations in Serbia: Valjevo, Kucevo, Nova Pazova and Surduk in 2012 and 2013. A working hypothesis that growing conditions would not affect the rutin content in buckwheat leaves was set up. The content of rutin in leaves of buckwheat was determined by the HPLC/DAD technique, using the external standard calibration method. Out of the basic biometric parameters, average value, variance, and the variation coefficient were estimated. Results were processed by the analysis of variance for the factorial experiment. The analysis of variance showed existence of significant differences in the rutin content, over locations, but only in the first year of testing. The average content of rutin in the first and the second year was 3.30% and 2.61%, respectively, and in both years of testing it amounted on average to 2.82%. The variation in the rutin content was larger in the second year of testing. On the other hand, this variation was lower in the first year (5.3-29.0%) in comparison to the second year (16.2-28.6%). Relatively lower rutin contents were recorded in samples collected at lower-altitude locations.

Knowledge of genetic relationship is an important control mechanism for animal performance-testing schemes. Genetic relationship between and within pig herds was calculated for two dam breeds, Czech Large White (CLW) and Czech Landrace (CLA). The impacts of different field data types (production and reproduction) and various numbers of generations within the pedigrees on genetic relationship were studied. The degree of genetic relationship between analyzed herds was generally low. It ranged from 1.01% (for CLW based on reproduction data and considering three generations of ancestors within the pedigree) to 2.57% (for CLA based on production data with seven generations of ancestors in the pedigree). In contrast, relationship within herds was high and ranged from 16.62% to 44.69% (when three and seven generations within the pedigree were taken into account, respectively), both for production data of the CLA breed. When considering the type of data, an impact on the observed genetic relationship between and within herds was found. Slightly higher genetic relationship between herds was determined in both breeds when using production data (1.64%) compared to reproduction data (1.40%). In contrast, a negligible influence between herds on genetic relationship was found from the number of ancestors' generations included into the calculations. That was especially so after five or six generations. Our results show that the relationship between herds is population specific and, consequently, must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Knowledge of genetic relationship between and within herds should be taken into account in regard to the complexity of genetic evaluation.

This study was carried out to compare the most relevant biological characteristics and field resistance to economically important diseases of the new (Zlatka and Pozna Plava) and standard plum cultivars (Čačanska Lepotica and Čačanska Rodna) in the Region of Čačak. The experimental area climate belongs to the temperate type. The mean annual air temperature during the experimental period was 12.65°C, and humidity was 80.4%. The average annual rainfall was 571.2 mm. The ripening time of the cv. Zlatka occurred between August 3-23, while the cv. Pozna Plava ripened between August 26-September 25. Compared to cv. Čačanska Lepotica, cv. Zlatka had a significantly lower mean fruit weight, reducing sugars and total acids content, but a significantly higher proportion of flesh, yield and sucrose content. Compared to cv. Čačanska Rodna as the standard cultivar, cv. Pozna Plava had a significantly higher mean individual fruit weight and total acids content, but also a significantly lower orchard yield and sweetness measured as fruit soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars and sucrose content. As regards the field resistance to economically important diseases such as red leaf spot, rust, fruit root, pockets plum disease and sharka disease, both new cultivars demonstrated better results than the reference cultivars.

Analyses of root mycorrhizal samples and monitoring of fruiting bodies of macromycetes from Norway spruce stands at mountain and foothill localities in the Krkonoše and Orlické Mts. provided several data series allowing to assess and compare (albeit somewhat preliminarily) mycorrhizal conditions and macromycete incidence related to stand ages and location conditions. The overall mycorrhizal conditions in young (10 years old) and older (80 years old) stands on formerly agricultural soils are comparable to those in 80- and 90-year-old forests growing on standard forest soils, but young spruce stands in the Orlické Mts. replanted on forest soils do not surprisingly show any favourable mycorrhizal characteristics. The research documents a marked diversity of macromycete species composition in mountain spruce stands compared to foothill spruce stands on former agricultural soils. While in the younger mountain spruce stands of the Orlické Mts. the expansion of macromycete species composition began to develop in a similar fashion to that in the Krkonoše Mts., the comparison of older (80-year-old) stands on formerly agricultural soils in the Orlické Mts. foothills and Krkonoše Mts. implies that the macromycete species composition developed quite differently but with a similar success.

This research was performed to evaluate the effect of supplementing broiler diets with a probiotic containing Enterococcus faecium on growth performance, carcass characteristics, faecal microbiota, and blood profile. A total of 384 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (mixed gender) with an average initial BW of 39.2 g were used in a 35 days feeding trial. The chicks were allotted to pens with 16 birds per pen and eight replications per treatment with food and water provided ad libitum. Treatments were: (1) basal diet, (2) 0.25% probiotic, and (3) 0.5% probiotic. Results indicated that body weight gain (BWG) on Day 7 to 21, Day 21 to 35 and overall (0 to 35) increased (P < 0.05) linearly but feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected. A linear increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the relative weight of breast muscle when comparing the 0 to 0.5% concentration of probiotic, but breast meat colour was not affected by treatments. A significant impact (linear effect, P < 0.05) was observed on drip loss on Day 1. Inclusion of probiotic decreased (P < 0.05) the count of Salmonella linearly but the counts of E. coli and Lactobacillus were not affected. There was no remarkable influence on blood profile. Thus, it was concluded that inclusion of a probiotic containing Enterococcus faecium improved growth performance and altered the intestinal microbial population, without any negative effects on meat colour and blood profile in broiler chickens.

A pot experiment was carried out to examine the effect of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (originated from a soil polluted with Pb) on root mycorrhizal colonization, survival, growth and volume production of black and white poplar plants grown on polluted (Pb) and non-polluted soils. In July, mycorrhizal inoculation had no significant effect on stem growth and volume production of black and white poplar plants grown on polluted and non-polluted soils. In October, mycorrhizal inoculation improved only parameters of white poplar plants (survival on polluted soil; growth and volume production on polluted and non-polluted soils). Mycorrhizal inoculation increased the root colonization percentage of black and white poplar plants on both soils. Generally, black poplar plants had significantly better survival, root mycorrhizal colonization, stem growth and volume production than white poplar plants. Although mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants of black poplar on polluted soil had higher survival, growth and volume production than white poplar, however in white poplar mycorrhizal inoculation improved the efficiency of plants on polluted soil.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a disease of small grain cereals caused by Fusarium species. The pathogens affect spikes and kernels, resulting in reductions of yield and its quality. The present study was conducted to evaluate variation in the FHB resistance of wheat F₂ hybrids derived from 16 crosses between winter wheat cultivars of various origin and with different susceptibility to FHB. Plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension consisting of a mixture of F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum isolates. After harvest 1000-kernel weight, number of kernels per spike and kernel weight per spike were evaluated in inoculated and control plants. Disease symptoms were observed on kernels of infected plants and the percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) was calculated. The data were statistically evaluated using uni- and multivariate analyses. A significant influence of genotype and treatment on all observed characteristics was detected. Contrasts between control and inoculated plants showed that inoculation lowered the mean values of all the yield-related traits significantly (in the statistical sense). Results of uni- and multivariate analyses enabled us to find three cross combinations which exhibited a low FDK percentage and simultaneously a relatively low reduction of 1000-kernel weight after inoculation. They may be promising for breeding wheat with improved resistance to FHB.

To determine stem rust resistance genes of wheat varieties in Yunnan province, 11 Chinese strains of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici with different virulence and 1 artificial mutant strain were used in 110 wheat varieties. The results indicated that among the 45 Sr genes, Sr31, Sr5, SrTmp, Sr30, Sr36, Sr8a, Sr11, Sr24, Sr29, Sr34, Sr9e, Sr26, Sr38, Sr47, and SrTt3 were characterised in 55 wheat varieties singly or in combination. Sr5, Sr31, SrTmp, Sr36, and Sr30 were contained in 17, 16, 5, 5, and 3 cultivars, respectively. Six cultivars contained Sr24 and/or Sr34. Three plant materials likely contained one or more of Sr8a, Sr11, Sr34, and Sr23 genes as well as other unknown genes. The 16 immune or highly resistant varieties contained one or more of Sr9e, Sr26, Sr38, Sr47, SrTt3, and other unknown resistance genes. The reaction types on 22 of the tested cultivars were different from those on Sr genes tested, and their resistance genes could not be analysed. Additionally, 17 varieties were susceptible to all the tested strains, having no postulation value. Our study provides a basis for improved breeding of stem rust resistant wheat in China.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes from agricultural soils have been considered as one of the important environmental impact issue, due to their role in global warming and also its mitigation by carbon (C) sequestration in soils. Substantial scope of C sequestration with the application of inorganic fertilizers and manures has been reported, but the long-term effects of continuous application need to be critically examined. To study the effect of continuous differential application of NPK fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) in maize-wheat cropping system, CO₂ fluxes were measured via closed chambers and gas chromatography in a long-term experiment in progress for the past 42 years. The average daily CO₂ fluxes differed significantly amongst various treatments and were 55, 26 and 92% higher in NPK, N and NPK + FYM treatments over the control in the maize crop season and 43, 8 and 83% in the wheat crop season. Highly significant correlation of CO₂ emissions was found with soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in the maize and the wheat crop seasons. Although, CO₂ emissions were higher from long-term inorganic fertilizers and FYM treatments, still they are environmentally sustainable management practices, as they increased soil fertility and crop yields which consequently resulted in higher atmospheric CO₂ capture by plants and carbon sequestration in soils.

In this article, the effect of increasing dry matter content and reaction time of hydrothermal carbonization on mass yield of biochar was studied. Carbonization took place in batch experiments in a pressure vessel. Results have confirmed the assumption that the mass yield of biochar would increase with growing dry matter content in the initial solution and also with reaction time at reaction temperature of 200°C. It was found that components of the liquid product that remain in the biochar have a measurable impact on its mass yield. Mixing of the reactor proved to have a considerable effect on the mass yield as well. Biochar produced in absence of mixing had higher pore volume and higher yield. This was evident even after subtracting the equivalent liquid phase dry matter in the biochar after drying.

Weather affects the economies worldwide and all economic sectors are to some extent weather sensitive. Agriculture is traditionally highly weather sensitive. While the catastrophic impact of weather has been long recognized, studied and managed the non-catastrophic weather risk gains in importance as the climate change becomes more pronounced. Weather derivatives provide a flexible management solution for the non-catastrophic weather risk. The paper presents weather derivatives as a new weather risk management tool and reviews and discusses the effectiveness of their application in agriculture

We provide fundamental information about the future development of selected climate elements in relation to anticipated threat to forests in the Czech Republic. All analyses were carried out in relation to four elevation zones with specific potential forest vegetation - up to 350 m a.s.l. (oak dominance), 350-600 m a.s.l. (beech dominance), 600-900 m a.s.l. (beech-fir dominance), 900-1,100 m a.s.l. (spruce dominance). We found out that while the projected increase in mean annual air temperature is almost constant over the Czech Republic (+3.25-3.5°C in the distant future), the frequency of heat spells at lower elevations is expected to increase dramatically compared to higher elevations. The precipitation totals during the vegetation season are projected to increase in the near future by up to 10% and to decrease in the distant future by up to 10% over all vegetation zones. In general, drought is presumed to become a key limiting factor at lower elevations, while increased temperature along with the prolonged vegetation season at higher elevations can be beneficial to forest vegetation. Consequently, northward progression of forest tree species and retraction of the species lower distribution range are a generic response pattern. Such impacts are presumed to be accompanied by changes in the distribution and population dynamics of pests and pathogens. Mainly the impacts on two key forest pests, Ips typographus and Lymantria dispar, are discussed.

The objective of this study was to compare, in client-owned patients, the analgesic effects of the centrally acting analgesics tramadol and buprenorphine in continuous intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol. The study included forty dogs aged two to seven years and weighing 6-27 kg undergoing prophylactic dental treatment. The animals were classified into ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) I. and II. risk groups. One group of dogs received intravenous administration of tramadol (2 mg/kg) and the second one buprenorphine (0.02 mg/kg) 30 min prior to sedation induced by midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) and xylazine (0.5 mg/kg) i.v. General anaesthesia was induced by propofol (2 mg/kg) and maintained by a 120-minute propofol infusion (0.2 mg/kg min). Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen, body temperature and deep pain sensation elicited by haemostat forceps pressure on the fingers were recorded at ten minute intervals. The tramadol group of dogs showed significantly better blood pressure values (P < 0.001), minimal tendency to bradycardia (P < 0.05) and respiratory rate (P < 0.001), without any negative effects on oxygen saturation. Significantly better deep pain sensation was achieved in the tramadol group (P < 0.001). Blood gas/acid base profile analysis showed a non-significant increase in the tramadol group of dogs. In conclusion, in comparison with buprenorphine, tramadol provided significantly better results with respect to degree of analgesia, as well as the tendency towards cardiopulmonary complications arising during anaesthesia. Significantly better analgesia and a lower depressive effect of tramadol on vital functions allows better control and management of the continuous intravenous propofol anaesthesia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in coagulation tests, haptoglobin concentrations and leukocyte counts in rabbits with right-ventricle pacing medicated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Blood was collected from 35 non-anaesthetised males from the jugular vein at baseline, one and two months after pacemaker implantation. Animals were divided into two groups: non-medicated and medicated with ASA. Total leukocyte and platelet counts were measured on an automatic veterinary flow cytometry haematological analyser. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels and D-dimers were determined from citrated blood. We found significantly elevated activated partial thromboplastin times and prothrombin times in ASA in comparison to the control group, but not within the ASA group over time. We also observed a decrease in platelet counts in the control group over time, but not in comparison to the ASA group. No significant changes in total leukocyte counts and haptoglobin concentrations were detected. Medication with ASA may alter coagulation profiles in rabbits with permanent transvenous pacing.

Eggshell quality is one of the most significant factors affecting poultry industry; it economically influences egg production and hatchability. Eggshell consists of shell membranes and the true shell that includes mammillary layer, palisade layer, and cuticle. Measurements of eggshell quality include eggshell weight, shell percentage, breaking strength, thickness, and density. Mainly eggshell thickness and strength are affected by the time of egg components passage through the shell gland (uterus), eggshell ultra-structure (deposition of major units), and micro-structure (crystals size and orientation). Shell quality is affected by several internal and external factors. Major factors determining the quality or structure of eggshell are oviposition time, age, genotype, and housing system. Eggshell quality can be improved through optimization of genotype, housing system, and mineral nutrition.

The aim of this work is to determine the compatibility, the scion biomass, and the yield of the grapevine variety Welschriesling grafted onto 12 grapevine rootstocks. As an index of compatibility, the callus development and graft success were determined. Dry weight of canes was measured at the end of the growing seasons (2011-2014), while root dry weight only in the first year in the nursery. The grape yield was measured in the first production year. Welschriesling showed good compatibility with all examined rootstocks. More than 85% of grafts had a complete callus development (8BČ rootstock 100%). The average of graft success in the nursery was 67%, but the average of 5BB, G251, and G103 was above 80%. The G103 rootstock had the highest root dry weight after one season. The dry weight of canes in vineyards was above the average with 5BB, SO4, Binova, Börner, and M V rootstocks. All Georgikon rootstocks had a lower cane dry weight per vine than the others. The highest yields were recorded on SO4, G251, and Börner rootstocks.