Fulltext search in archive

Humerus, tibia and antebrachium fractures determined in 30 dogs of different breed, age, weight and gender were treated using Type I and II external fixators. Meynard and handcuff clamps were used in the external fixators. Limited open approach was applied in 6 of the cases and closed reduction techniques in 24. In cases where closed reduction and stabilisation was done, the patients were seen to use their leg within 3-10 days post-operatively and that walking was reasonably good after 20 days. In cases to which a limited open approach had been applied, use of leg was achieved in a period close to the closed method.

The authors studied an extension of the sources of plant products for the diet in coeliac disease. This disease is induced by the components of glutenin proteins. In a collection of crops, they examined the contents of the total and protein nitrogen, the composition of protein fractions, the electrophoretic composition of reserve gluten and prolamine proteins, and the immunological determination of the gliadin amount using ELISA test. By immunological tests, gliadin content below 10 mg per 100 g of sample was found in the following species: amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus and A. cruentus) followed by quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), sorghum species - grain sorghum and sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor and S. saccharatum), millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica ssp. maxima), broadrood (Digitaria sanguinalis) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum). These species can be considered as suitable for the diet in coeliac disease. Below-limit values were found in triticale (Triticosecale) and some oats varieties; this, however, will need some other tests. The analysed samples differred by the contents of crude protein and fraction structures of the protein complex. In pseudocereals amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat, the proportion of the soluble fractions of albumin and globulin was 50-65%. In grain sorghum, their proportion was 20.5%, in sweet sorghum 7.8%. In millet, foxtail millet, and broadrood, their proportion amounted to 12-13%. The proportion of prolamines was higher in sweet sorghum than in grain sorghum. Pseudocereals and millet contained 3-6% of prolamines, Italian millet 38.7%, and broadrood 23.1%, respectively. The two latter species had, however, lower contents of glutenins. In the other species studied, the contents of glutenins ranged from 12 to 22%. Electrophoretic analysis PAGE of prolamine proteins or SDS-PAGE ISTA, developed for gluten proteins, confirmed the results of immunological tests on the suitability of quinoa, grain sorghum, sweet sorghum, buckwheat, amaranth, broadrood, millet and foxtail millet for the diet in coeliac disease. These species did not contain prolamins or the content of -prolamins was negligible in the given samples. The tested species of wheat, triticale, and oats species were manifested as substandard or unhealthy for the diet.

In 1998-2000, in a multi-factorial field experiment established by the method of split blocks and subplots, we studied the effect of three systems of beet tops management, two sowing rates and two levels of N fertilization and the effect of interactions of the factors on production and qualitative indicators of spring barley varieties Amulet and Kompakt. The evaluation shows the dominant effect of the particular year on the variability of all characters. The proportion of the effect of the year on the variability of characters ranged from 2.1 (number of plants per m2) to 80.1% (yield). The variability of quality parameters was also considerably affected by the genetic factor of the variety (grain over2.5 mmsieve 40.4%, TGW 20.5%). The level of characters was greatly variable in relation to the course of climatic conditions of the year. The highest grain yield was achieved in 1999 (7.21 t/ha), the lowest one in 2000 (5.25 t/ha). The best quality parameters were shown by grain from the 1998 harvest (yield 6.20 t/ha) with significantly highest TGW (47.76 g), a high proportion of grain over2.5 mmsieve (92.01%, 5.54 t/ha) and a favourable content of N substances in the grain (10.60%). Ploughed down beet tops supported the creation of the yield, the average differences between variants were, however, minimal being heavily affected by the course of weather in particular years. More favourable conditions for the creation of the yield (6.17 t/ha) and for the formation of mechanical properties of the spring barley grain (TGW45.55 g, grain over2.5 mmsieve 85.86%) were produced by variants with late ploughing down beet tops, the smallest accumulation of N substances occurred in variants with harvested beet tops (11.83%). Sowing rate significantly affected values of all studied characters. Variants sown 4.5 MGS (6.27 t/ha) gave higher average grain yields, grain of better quality was obtained from the stands sown 3.5 MGS (TGW45.22 g, grain over 2.5 sieve 84.41%, N substances 11.93%). Between particular varieties, significant differences were found both in the economic yield and the grain quality. The Kompakt variety showed on average 4.7% higher yield (6.37 t/ha) than the Amulet variety which, however, reached the higher average TGW values as well as the proportion of grain over2.5 mmsieve (45.87 g, 88.24%). The grain quality of the Amulet variety was negatively affected by the increased accumulation of N substances in the grain (12.49%). As compared with control, N fertilization at the rate of 30 kg/ha showed significant increase in the yield in 1998 only (by 7.5%) while in other years, an increase in the yield was not noticed. In all years under investigation, the TGW values and the proportion of grain over2.5 mmsieve decreased and the content of N substances in grain increased after application of N at the rate of 30 kg/ha.

In total the samples of blood and kidneys of 379 small rodents and 154 wild swine were analysed. The antibodies to different serovars of leptospires were determined in 12.7% of small rodents, most often in the species Mus musculus (34.4%), A. agrestis (14.8%), A. flavicolis (10.8%), C. glareolus (9.4%) and A. sylvaticus (6.5%). Most frequent were the findings of antibodies to sv. pomona (27.1%), sv. sejroe (20.8%), and sv. australis (14.6%), and the antibodies to sv. hardjo, sv. saxkoebing, sv. tarassovi, sv. grippotyphosa, sv. bataviae and sv. icterohaemorrhagiae were also established. Seventeen (4.5%) isolates were identified, belonging to the serogroups sejroe (10 isolates), pomona (4 isolates) and australis (1 isolate) and one isolate was not identified. In wild swine positive reactions were estab­lished in 26% of the blood sera analysed. Most frequently the antibodies to sv. pomona (47.5%), sv. australis (40%), sv. grippotyphosa (10%) and sv. icterohaemorhagiae (2.5%) were established. Thirteen (8.4%) isolates belonging to the serogroups pomona (10 isolates), australis (2 isolates) and icterohaemorhagiae (1 isolate) were identified.

Insensitivity to the applied gibberellic acid, indicating the presence of Norin 10 dwarfing genes, was detected in 20 of 57 (35.1%) winter wheat varieties registered in the Czech Republic in 2002. Hybrid analyses in F₂ generation showed a prevalent occurrence of Rht2 gene (in 14 varieties). Only 6 varieties were found to carry Rht1 gene. Among the recently developed Rht2 varieties, Clever possesses also a high bread-making quality which was not observed with the older materials. Rht2 varieties were found, on average, less winter-hardy, later in heading and more resistant to lodging than Rht1 varieties.

Values of modulus of elasticity E and Poisson's ratio were determined with two methods adopted from geotechnique. First approach used was a method proposed by Sawicki (1994). This type of examination was applied to estimate values of E and v for wheat and rapeseed beddings for five levels of moisture content ranging from 6% to 20%. Modulus of elasticity E of wheat was found to decrease with an increase in moisture content. With the second method values of E were determined based on measurement of shear wave velocity. Tests were performed for bedding of wheat and rapeseed under equilibrium moisture content. Values of modulus of elasticity were found to depend of hydrostatic pressure and were higher then those determined in uniaxial compression test.

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) can decrease luteinizing hormone and/or follicle-stimulating hormone levels in rat, mouse, sheep, and cattle by the direct suppression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The present study investigated polymorphisms in the GnIH genes of two dairy goat breeds and their association with litter size. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) g.1837C>G and g.3195G>A (GenBank Accession Nos. KR778885 and KR819142) were detected in the GnIH genes of Xinong Saanen and Guanzhong dairy goat breeds using DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Furthermore, the g.1837C>G and g.3195G>A loci were closely linked in both breeds (r² > 0.33). Association analysis showed that these SNPs had significant effects on the litter size of goats (P < 0.05). In both breeds, individuals with the CC/GG (g.1837C>G/g.3195G>A) genotype showed larger litter sizes in the second and average parities than individuals with the GG/AA genotype (P < 0.05). Known biochemical and physiological functions, along with our results, indicate that the CC/GG genotype may be used in marker-assisted selection to choose individuals with a larger litter size from both breeds.

This investigation is aimed at the determination of the effect of sugar alcohols sorbitol and isomalt on the sorption properties of hard candy. The equilibrium isotherms of two kinds of hard candy containing sorbitol and isomalt, respectively, were obtained by means of the static gravimetric method at a temperature of 20°C. The isomalt-containing candy proved to sorb less moisture under equal conditions. The Peleg model was found suitable for the description of the sorption isotherms of hard candy.

In 2001, raptor and owl eggs were collected for the purpose of detection of contamination by poly­chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at 15 sites in the southeastern area of the Czech Republic. In total 31 unhatched eggs of 4 raptor species and 3 owl species were examined. PCB determination was carried out by high-resolution gas chromatography. PCB content was expressed in μg per 1 kg of lipid weight for the major PCB congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, serving as indicators. In all examined eggs the indicator PCB congeners were found. The ranges of total values of indicator PCB congeners found in different raptor and owl species were as follows: kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 37.0 and 44.3 (n = 2), black kite (Milvus migrans) 28.3-40.5 (n = 3), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) 66.4 (n = 1), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 45.1 (n = 1), barn owl (Tyto alba) 20.6-46.1 (n = 17), long-eared owl (Asio otus) 32.0-41.9 (n = 6) and tawny owl (Strix aluco) 47.5 (n = 1) μg/kg of lipid weight. PCB congener 153 was the one most frequently found.

Mastitis is an important cause of early culling of dairy heifers. The aims of this study were to identify microorganisms that cause subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Holstein heifers in northern Jordan, to estimate the relative importance of various microorganisms, and to examine the correlation between the somatic cell count (SCC) and the isolated microorganisms. Composite milk samples were collected aseptically from 133 Holstein heifers between Days 5 and 14 postpartum for bacterial culture and somatic cell counts. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in this study was 57.1%. Seventy six (76) of the 133 cows tested had SCC of > 250 000 cells/ml. Bacteria were isolated from 36 (27.1%) cows. About sixty six percent (66.7%) of these isolates were cultured from cows with subclinical mastitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent bacteria among isolates (50%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Corynebacterium bovis and coliforms (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) (5.6% each), and Streptococcus uberis (2.8%). Interestingly, the majority of the negative-culture samples (53.6%) had elevated SCC. All isolates except for the CNS group exhibited strongly elevated SCC (> 1 × 10⁶cells/ml). However, the coagulase-negative Staphylococci did not have a distinct pattern with respect to SCCs. There was a strong correlation (P ≤ 0.05, correlation coefficient 0.213) between the results of bacterial culture (culture-positive vs. culture-negative) and SCC class but not between SCC class and the type of isolated bacteria. It is concluded that subclinical mastitis appears to be a significant health issue for dairy heifers in Jordan.

We studied effects of repeated applications of nitrogen on stem growth of mature Scots pine at four sites with yield potential around 3 - 4.5 m³ ha^‑1 yr^‑1. Treatments included control (0) and fertilization with ammonium nitrate at 100 and 200 kg N ha^‑1. Some plots were supplied with corresponding doses of urea. Applications were repeated up to five times, at five to twenty years intervals. Plot size was 22 x 22 m with buffer zones of 4 m. Measurements were made on an inner plot, 14 x 14 m. Tree ring widths usually reached a maximum two to four years after fertilization, returning to about the original level after seven to ten years. Responses were larger to 200 than to 100 kg N ha^‑1. Annual volume increment over the experimental period was 1.5 to 2.0 m³ ha^-1 larger in plots provided with 200 kg N ha^-1 than in control plots, or even more as the buffer zones of 4 m did not completely exclude tree roots from growing into neighbouring plots.

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of Staphylococci from swab samples of dogs with otitis externa and to determine their antibiotic resistance profiles, particularly methicillin resistance. For this purpose 116 ear swab samples were collected from 100 dogs and examined for the presence of Staphylococcus species by conventional culture methods. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined by the disk diffusion test and for methicillin resistance, by PCR. Forty Staphylococci were isolated from 37 (31.9%) of the 116 ear swabs. Among the 40 isolates, 30 of them were coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species (CPS), while 10 (25%) were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (CNS). S. pseudintermedius (n = 11), S. aureus (n = 8), other not determined Staphylococcus spp. (n = 7), S. chromogenes (n = 7), S. schleiferi coagulans (n = 3), S. hyicus (n = 1), S. hominis subsp. hominis (n = 1), S. simulans (n = 1), S. saprophyticus (n = 1) were isolated. Results of the antibiotic susceptibility tests have shown that 60% of the isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, 32.5% of them were resistant to erythromycin, 25% were resistant to clindamycin, and all isolates (100%) were sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cephazolin. The majority of isolates (97.5%) were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin which are frequently used in otitis externa treatment. It was determined that only one (2.5%) (S. hominis subsp. hominis) of the 40 isolates was resistant to methicillin and carried the mecA gene. We found 77% of Staphylococcus spp. to be resistant to one or more antimicrobial drugs, and 25% of Staphylococcus species were found to be resistant to three or more antimicrobial classes. Thus, multidrug-resistance as detected in our study should always be taken into account and close attention should be given to the antimicrobial therapy protocols of pet animals.

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) are considered amongst tree species as some of the most attractive forage for red deer (Cervus elaphus). The aim of this paper is to estimate branch and foliage mass browsing by red deer in young Sycamore maple and European ash in Central Slovakia and to analyze interspecific differences in browsing frequency and quantity. Altogether 665 ash trees and 701 maple trees were measured for height and stem diameter at the ground level. Red deer browsing, defined as leader shoot or lateral branch cropping, was recorded for all trees. A combination of the diameter of browsed branches and branch regression models allowed for the estimation of browsed (potentially consumed) mass by red deer. Results show that browsing occurred more frequently on maple (5 cases per tree) compared to ash (3 cases per tree); however, more total branch biomass was consumed in ash (10.7 g per tree) compared to maple (2.6 g per tree). This is because browsed branches were larger in ash than in maple. We assume that the difference in the size of browsed branches between ash and maple is relative to species-specific branch morphological and structural features.

Macrocybe gigantea (Massee) Pegler & Lodge is a species of edible mushrooms which has important nutritional, medicinal, and economic values. Discrimination of M. gigantea with different storage periods is helpful to guarantee the authenticity and to promote marketing of this species. We focused on the establishment of the fingerprints based on UV spectroscopy to discriminate the wild-grown M. gigantea samples stored for different years and to distinguish the wild-grown and cultured samples which were stored for the same years. The analyses of the data were performed by multivariate analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). UV spectral fingerprints showed that the major composition and content of the main components were significantly variable over time. All the M. gigantea samples which were stored for different years could be successfully grouped by PCA and CA. The results demonstrated that this qualitative assessment could be regarded as a rapid and reliable method for discrimination of M. gigantea with different storage times.

The biological efficacy of some biorational and conventional insecticides against different stages of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was evaluated under laboratory and semi-field conditions. Seven different commercial products were tested, including the biorational insecticides: Spinosad, Mectin, Fitoverm, Match, Neemix in addition to two conventional insecticides: Actara and Actellic. Data indicated that all tested insecticides showed low toxic effects to L. decemlineata eggs, but most hatching neonates died shortly after hatching. All tested insecticides at their field rates showed high toxicity to larvae of L. decemlineata. The highest mortality was obtained in earlier instars, as compared to older ones, and mortality increased with the time of exposure. Moreover, the lower concentrations (up to 25% of the field rate) of Actara, Mectin, Spinosad, and Fitoverm showed high efficacy against L. decemlineata third instar larvae. Also, Actara caused the highest mortality in L. decemlineata adults, followed by Spinosad, Mectin, and Fitoverm as compared to Actellic, Match, and Neemix. In pupal bioassay, Fitoverm caused the greatest reduction in L. decemlineata adult emergence followed by Mectin, Actara, Actellic and Spinosad. In translocation bioassays, Actara caused the highest mortality in L. decemlineata 3^rd instar larvae or adults followed by Spinosad and Mectin. The residual activity of tested insecticides against third instar larvae was also evaluated. Actara, Spinosad, and Mectin were more persistent under field conditions, consequently the mortality rates after 30 days of application were 46.67%, 44.44%, and 35.56%, respectively.

Russian wheat aphid is an important pest in many wheat growing countries of the world. Different resistance genes to the pest have previously been identified. However, some biotypes of the pest are virulent to most of these genes. Swedish wheat-rye and wheat-Leymus, consisting of 235 accessions with substitutions and translocations, were investigated for resistance to the aphid. A total of 86 accessions were shown to be either resistant or moderately resistant. Resistance was found particularly in accessions having substitutions of 1R instead of 1D [1R(1D) or 1R(1D) + 6R(6D)], in translocations to 3D or 5A (3DL.3RS and 5AL.5RS) and in accessions with introgressions of Leymus mollis. Resistances to Russian wheat aphid obtained from the hereby reported chromosomes and combinations have not previously been reported. These rye and Leymus genes can thus be useful for widening the pool of resistance genes for future breeding of cultivars resistant to Russian wheat aphid.

Taxonomical bias for the intensity of research in natural sciences is well documented but less data exists for crop protection, weed and phytopathology sciences. Here we test a hypothesis predicting a positive relationship between the number of pests recorded in various taxa ("pest-taxa") in the Czech Republic, their economic importance and numbers of persons engaged in research of crop protection, weed, and phytopathology. In contrast, we established an imbalance in the distribution of manpower and the number of pest species. The most counterintuitive result of this study was that the number of scientists was weakly inversely related to the average economic importance of particular taxa.

Low application of fertilizer potassium (K) in intensive agriculture leads to a gradual decrease and, afterwards, to a steady state of soil K determined by tests which are based on soil exchangeable K (K_exch) extraction. In this situation, non-exchangeable K (K_non-exch) is being released and therefore real plant availability does not necessarily correspond to soil test K. This incoherency was investigated in 14 agricultural soils with low K as determined by the Mehlich 3 method. Plant-available K released by exhaustive cropping of perennial ryegrass and K determined by the Neubauer seedling test were compared with 8 soil K extraction methods, with the total K content and with the relative content of soil K-bearing minerals. K determined by the ryegrass test (314 mg/kg on average) was more than 3-times higher than K based on K_exch extraction methods, but was from 2 to 3 times lower than K determined by K_non-exch extracting methods. The relative content of mixed-layer phyllosilicates was significantly related to K extracted by soil tests. The relative content of orthoclase correlated only with total K and mica-group minerals with none of the extractions. The best prediction of plant-available K in investigated soils was obtained with sodium tetraphenylboron and StepK methods.

This study compares the effect of application of digestate, straw, cattle slurry and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and soil organic matter content. Total organic carbon (C), total organic nitrogen (N), hot water soluble C, microbial biomass C and hydrophobic soil components were evaluated in soil from the field experiment in Prague-Ruzyně (Orthic Luvisol, clay loam) with winter wheat. All fertilized treatments significantly increased grain yield above the level of non-fertilized control (5.68 t/ha), and the sequence was as follows: digestate (9.88 t/ha) > NPK(9.80 t/ha) > cattle slurry (9.73 t/ha) > digestate + straw (9.35 t/ha). Average organic C content in the soil ranged from 1.668-1.704% and the effect of different fertilization was not significant. The highest increase of microbial biomass C was recorded in digestate + straw (43.2% increase compared to control). Highly significant correlations were found between hydrophobic soil components and hot water soluble C (r = 0.988; P ≥ 0.05) and microbial biomass C (r = 0.964; P ≥ 0.05). Total organic N content ranged from 0.157-0.160% and differences among treatments were insignificant. Fertilization with digestate itself brings an effect in increasing crop yield, but does not improve the level of soil organic matter significantly.

The work quality of selected tine cultivators that are suitable equally for deeper soil cultivation has been evaluated. The following implements were tested in a stubble field: Köckerling Vario 570, Simba Solo 450, Horsch Terrano 5 FX, Strom Finisher Mega 8000, Farmet Turbulent 450, Kverneland CLC 430, Väderstad TopDown 400. The cultivator evaluation criteria were the following: quantity of plant residues left on the soil surface, size distribution of clods, transverse elevation profile of the soil surface, elevation profile of the furrow bottom, cultivation depth, unit fuel consumption, travel reduction ratio, work-rate, and unit draft of a cultivator. All of the cultivators were equipped mainly with tine tools, followed further on by disc tools and either by levelling or by crumbling tools. Plant residues were well worked into the soil by Väderstad and Farmet cultivators. Horsch, Kverneland and Väderstad cultivators showed good crumbling effect. The highest work speed was reached by tractors with Strom and Horsch implements.

The interactions of different organic acids such as citric, malic, oxalic, and fulvic with aluminium were studied using ion-exchange chromatography (IC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experiments were carried out at low pH (1.5-3.1). The results of IC experiments on the interaction between Al and oxalate, citrate, and malate were compared with model chemical equilibrium calculations. The strongest effect on Al speciation was observed with oxalic acid and fulvic acid. These two ligands formed more than one type of complex with Al. In contrast, there was no significant effect of malic acid on Al speciation and a rather weak effect caused by citric acid. The studies show that the formed complexes are stable even at low pH.

Chlamydophila abortus (C. abortus) is one of the most important infectious agents causing abortion in ruminants. The bacterium is obligately intracellular, cannot grow on agar, but it needs cell culture or embryonated eggs for growth. Therefore, culture-independent detection methods such as the polymerase chain reaction are increasingly important and needed. The aim of this study was to develop a polymerase chain reaction assay with an internal control for detection of C. abortus in clinical samples. Using newly-designed two primer sets specific for C. abortus, the polymerase chain reaction assay was first tested with positive and negative control DNA and its sensitivity and specificity were determined. A new polymerase chain reaction protocol was developed by combining the new primer pair sets with bovine (12SM-FW and 12SBT-REV2) and ruminant host-specific primer sets (12S-FW and 12S-REV). In conclusion, the developed polymerase chain reaction assays can potentially be used for direct detection of Chlamydophila abortus in bovine and ruminant samples.

The J wave is a deflection immediately following the QRS complex of the surface ECG. The J wave has been observed in humans under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We describe in this paper the ratio of incidence of this phenomenon in healthy dogs and dogs with pathological disease and the effect of exercise on its size and shape. At rest, a J wave was observed at the R-ST junction of the ECG in 11 of 34 adult dogs, usually in leads I, II, III, aVR, and aVF and left lateral precordial leads. After a submaximal exercise test there were no variations in the shape or the size of the J wave.

Seedlots of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) originating from three different provenance regions were collected in autumn 2012. The seed quality, namely vitality and germination rate, was assessed according to Czech conventions. There were four replications within each seedlot, i.e. twelve treatments altogether for each experimental variant. The effect of gibberellic acid on germination and vitality was studied using three treatments including a control for germination capacity and three treatments including a control for emergence rate. The data shows that the gibberellic acid did not substitute for the stratification procedure as it did not improve the germination capacity of seeds with pericarp when compared with stratified seeds; however for seeds without pericarp the gibberellic acid improved the germination capacity to the level of stratified seeds. The data also shows the positive influence of gibberellic acid on emergence rate. All variants where acid gibberellic was applied have a statistically higher emergence rate than the control. The increase was about 50% higher than in the control, i.e. without the influence of gibberellic acid.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral head is a common cause of forelimb lameness in dogs. OCD represents the late phase of osteochondrosis (OC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful technique for detection and characterisation of this disease. The main objective of this study was to show MRI findings of OCD in the humeral head, OC like-lesions in glenoid fossa and proximal humeral metaphyses of a dog. MRI analysis revealed the extent and severity of the inflammatory changes within the subchondral bones in both the glenoid cavity and humeral head. OCD and OC like-lesions were also evaluated in histopathological studies.

The paper compares the quality of Festulolium, Dactylis glomerata and Arrhenatherum elatius at the end of the growing season over three years with the contrasting weather in the Czech Republic. The effect of pre-utilisation dates in June or July on the quality of grass forage in October, November and December (harvest dates) was investigated. In the first two years, Arrhenatherum elatius exhibited higher yields (P < 0.05) than Festulolium and Dactylis glomerata. In all treatments, differences between the species and between the years were inconsistent for organic matter digestibility (OMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) but Festulolium showed the lowest crude protein (CP) in all years and crude fibre (CF) in the first 2 years. The longer re-growth time due to earlier final cut in summer increased the yield and decreased the nutritive value in winter. Yields of DM, OMD and CP content generally declined and the CF content increased with the delay of winter harvest. Significant species harvest date interactions in some years were due to the steep increase of CF and NDF in Festulolium. Based on DM yields and nutritive value, all species have some merits as forage for use in possibly extended grazing season. Festulolium and Dactylis glomerata could be used to extend the grazing period in continental conditions. Arrhenatherum elatius had sufficient quality at both dry and warm end of the growing season due to the fact that Arrhenatherum elatius was a representative of drought-resistant species; however, intense grazing could suppress it.

The occurrence of chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) was studied in 2011-2012 at 13 locations in the main chestnut growing areas of Romania. Infections were detected at four localities. The symptoms and the fungus were detected on European chestnut (four localities) and also on oak trees (two localities). A total of 89 isolates of C. parasitica were isolated and characterised. Based on canker and isolate morphology (culture morphology and the Bavendamm test), both virulent and hypovirulent samples were isolated; hypovirulent isolates were found at only one locality. Two vegetative compatibility types corresponding to EU-12 and EU-2 were identified among isolates. Both mating types were found, with a dominance of MAT-1 in southern Romania and MAT-2 in northern Romania.

The paper presents results of 3-year field studies carried out in a split-block design in four replications in the years 2012-2014 at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Mochełek (Poland). The effect of intensification of cultivation technologies on the yield of morphologically diversified cultivars of white (Lupinus albus), yellow (L. luteus) and narrow-leafed lupin (L. angustifolius) was examined. Traditional cultivars of white and yellow lupin gave significantly higher yields than the self-completing ones, as opposed to narrow-leafed lupin in which the self-completing cultivar had higher yields. Increasing expenses on industrial production means caused an increase in the yield of all the studied species. Seed yield of white and narrow-leafed lupin was significantly the highest in high-input technology, while that of yellow lupin in high- and medium-input technology. In all lupin species, insignificant diversification was observed in the number of pods per plant in medium- and high-input technologies as well as in low- and medium-input technologies. A significant increase in the seed yield along with an increasing intensity of the cultivation of traditional and self-completing cultivars of white and yellow lupin, as well as self-completing cultivars of narrow-leafed lupin, resulted mainly from developing a higher number of pods.

The article describes the concentration process, structural changes and competitiveness in the German agri-food sector over the last decade. This descriptive analysis aims to outline the developments at the individual stages of the food chain and to identify the challenges the sector will face in the upcoming years. The study is based mainly on the data published by the German Statistical Office and the ZMP1, and the evaluation of the primary and secondary literature sources. The data shows that small and medium-sized enterprises were sustainable alongside the large ones and have played an important role in the German agriculture and food processing sectors in the recent years. Various business strategies can be expected to make the coexistence of small and large-scale enterprises also possible in the future.

Deslorelin acetate, a GnRH agonist, is commonly used to prevent folliculogenesis in several species. However, little is known of the effect of deslorelin acetate implants on the oestrous cycle of female guinea pigs. Fifteen intact healthy female guinea pigs were investigated in this study. Signs of sexual behaviour, the presence of a vaginal membrane along with plasma concentrations of oestradiol (E₂)and progesterone (P₄), were monitored during two consecutive oestrous cycles. At the beginning of the third oestrous cycle each guinea pig was administered an implant of the GnRH analogue, deslorelin acetate, (4.7 mg). When compared to the untreated state, deslorelin implantation was associated with altered signs of oestrus. The average time to opening of the vaginal membrane was delayed. After opening, the vaginas were found to be variably opened and closed. A significant reduction in P₄ (to less than 1.0 ng/ml) and cessation of P₄ cyclical variation was observed. Plasma E₂ remained high during the whole experimental period. This study shows that cessation of the oestrous cycle by the deslorelin implant might be useful in preventing pregnancy in guinea pigs.