Fulltext search in archive

A study was conducted of the kidneys of adult mole rats (Spalax leucodon) to describe the macro- and mesoscopic morphology of the renal arterial distribution and some additional anatomical features. The kidneys of the mole rat lay alongside the vertebral column in the abdominal region, the right kidney situated more cranial than the left. Covered by a thin connective tissue capsule, the kidney was bean-shaped, smooth, and reddish-brown. The mean live weight of the studied mole rats was 203.6 ± 15.05 g. The mean kidney weight was 0.636 ± 0.048 g. The mean weight of the right kidney (0.641± 0.039 g) was significantly (P < 0.01) heavier than that of the left one (0.630 ± 0.057g). Sixteen three-dimensional endocasts of the renal artery and intrarenal arteries were prepared using standard injection-corrosion techniques and examined. A single renal artery was observed in 100% of the specimens. The renal arteries divided, forming a dorsal and a ventral branch; these bifurcated forming cranial and caudal segmental branches. No anastomoses were observed between any of these branches.

The DNA of 14 probiotic supplements was isolated directly from various products without previous cultivation. The bifidobacteria composition declared by the manufacturer was determined by species-specific PCR. Such species found were in accordance with those listed on the products. This approach can be performed in less than 5 h and is applicable to other genera of probiotic bacteria. Bifidobacteria were also detected by culture-dependent analysis and MALDI-TOF MS. These methods drew the same results; however, they are more expensive and time consuming. So, we propose direct identification of bifidobacteria for routine quality control inspections of species composition in probiotic supplements.

As the climate continues to change, gaps in our understanding of how the altered environment will affect forest hosts and their pathogens widen. In some areas pathogens thought to be present for centuries are changing their behaviour. Dothistroma needle blight caused by the fungus Dothistroma septosporum in northwest British Columbia (BC), Canada, is a good example. In this area both the pathogen and the host, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia), are considered native species, but here Dothistroma has been responsible for killing mature host trees, which is unprecedented. A plausible link between warmer, wetter summers and directional climate change has been suggested as the primary driver. Those environmental conditions appear to be affecting the host/pathogen relationship for other diseases in the neighbouring central interior of BC including comandra blister rust (Cronartium comandrae). Disrupted host/pathogen relationships tend to favour the short-lived more adaptable pathogens rather than their long-lived hosts. These changes in forest health have not been well accounted for in fields of forest science that have been built on stability and predictability.

Consumption of minimally processed fruits has been increased lately mainly due to their fresh-like quality characteristics. One of the major alterations that limit the shelf-life of these products is browning caused by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity on phenolic compounds. Six yellow-flesh peach cultivars, Spring Lady, Royal Glory, Ruby Rich, Summer Rich, Ryan Sun, and O'Henry, were selected. Peaches were hygienised and then samples were processed in a clean room. Slices were washed in cold tap water, dried, packaged in modified atmosphere, and stored at 4°C during 9 days; physicochemical and other quality parameters were studied. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation study were carried out in order to evaluate the relation between variables and cultivars. In conclusion, Spring Lady, Royal Glory, and Ruby Rich cultivars were the cultivars that offered the most suitable fruits for fresh-cut processing, mainly due to their low BP and PPO activity.

In the present study, three soils (Ferralsol, Luvisol topsoil, and Luvisol subsoil) were amended with biochars (charcoal, hydrothermal carbonization coal (HTC) of bark, and low-temperature conversion coal of sewage sludge), wheat straw and a control (no amendment) and incubated over a period of 365 days. Each amendment was applied at a rate of 11.29 g C/kg soil. After incubation, the soils were analyzed to retrieve three density fractions (free fraction (FF), intra-aggregate fraction (IAF), and heavy fraction) which were analyzed for total carbon (TC) contents and scanned by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The biochars and straw significantly increased the TC contents of soils as compared to control. Among soil organic matter (SOM) density fractions, higher TC contents were documented in the FF and IAF from biochar treatments as compared to the straw. The FTIR spectra of the FF from the charcoal and HTC treatments showed the presence of aluminosilicate minerals on surfaces of SOM. There were slight changes in the FF of straw and HTC treatments as compared to spectra of original amendments. The study suggests that the stability of charcoal and HTC in soils is due to the recalcitrant nature of biochar followed by occlusion into soil micro-aggregates.

In the paper, the results of the long-term field experiment on soil depletion from potassium on yields and selected indices of nitrogen use efficiency of maize and spring barley were presented. The factors of the experiment were potassium fertilization (K plus and K minus treatment) and increasing nitrogen rates. Maize responded for soil exhausting from K in yield reduction over all the range of nitrogen rates applied in the experiment, and spring barley only through the highest rates. The greater values of nitrogen use efficiency indices were proven for barley as compared with maize. Potassium fertilization slightly increased agronomic efficiency and physiological efficiency of barley.

This paper presents the mechanical properties of soil. In order to determine the properties of soil under laboratory conditions, a special measuring device was constructed, viz. a bevameter. Two types of soil with different levels of moisture were examined and their mechanical properties were determined. Measurements were taken of non-compressed soil. A measuring network was set up, consisting of measuring and recording devices. In the course of measuring, the force and penetration depth of the pressing plate were recorded simultaneously. Three different diameters of pressing plate were used, namely 38, 50 and 70 mm. The pressure on the contact area was calculated after completion of the measurements, and the relationships between pressure and penetration depth were presented graphically.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Neospora caninum, the effect of infection on abortion and fertility parameters and the efficacy and outcomes with combination treatment in a dairy farm with high abortion rates and low fertility parameters. Four hundred and eighty-six cows were tested using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The seroprevalence of N. caninum was 19%. Sulphadiazine-trimethoprim and toltrazuril were administered to the seropositive animals. The risk of abortion increased 19-fold in animals infected with N. caninum (P < 0.05), and N. caninum-induced abortions occurred more often between the fourth and the sixth months of gestation. N. caninum infection also had an adverse influence on the number of inseminations to conception (P < 0.05) and calving to conception interval (P < 0.05). The treatment protocol improved the fertility parameters. Although, it is not a radical approach, this combination therapy may be recommended as the primary treatment in neosporosis.

A seven-month old common myna with a history of ingesting a wire was transferred to the Iranmehr companion animal clinic in Mashhad, Iran. The bird's symptoms included anorexia, retching, intermittent vomiting, a lack of vocalisation, fluffing, and nervousness lasting for two days. X-rays confirmed a radiopaque foreign body in the proventriculus. Initial attempts to remove the wire thorough the oral route were futile; however, surgical removal using ventriculotomy (ventral midline celiotomy) under general anaesthesia proved successful. Slight haemorrhaging occurred when the incision was made in the caudal aspect of the ventriculus, but overall, the procedure was performed with no serious complications. A follow-up after three month revealed no complications. Despite the negative views associated with this technique, our study shows that ventriculotomy can be recommended for the removal of ventricular and proventricular foreign bodies, at least in this species.

We summarized development and dynamics of natural regeneration in mountain spruce forests in areas affected by bark beetle gradation in the Šumava National Park. Detailed measurements of the regeneration were carried out using Field-Map technology (www.fieldmap.com) on ten permanent research plots. Research plots included the forests with decaying tree layer, stands in partial decline and stands with a generally healthy, or only partially damaged tree layer. Differences in rates of regeneration are very significant between the particular types of plots, especially in the youngest age class. Differences are also evident in the seedling height under varying treatments. The highest numbers of recruits (9,880 per ha) were found under intact overstorey canopies, while the fastest height growth occurred on clearcuts. This study also investigated and evaluated artificial regeneration done in the past.

The CULTAN (Controlled Uptake Long Term Ammonium Nutrition) system is based on one-time injection of the whole dose of nitrogen required for the vegetation period. The effect of this method on yield and grain quality of winter wheat was observed in a 2-year small-plot trial at 4 different experimental sites in the Czech Republic. The experiment comprised two treatments with the total amount of nitrogen applied during fertilization of 150 kg N/ha. At the CULTAN treatment the whole dose was applied all at once using the GFI 3A injection machine (Maschinen und Antriebstechnik GmbH Güstrow), whereas at the control treatment, the dose was divided into three applications. The average grain yield of winter wheat in 2007 was 9.56 t/ha (control) and 8.78 t/ha (CULTAN); in 2008 it was 9.91 t/ha (control) and 9.63 t/ha (CULTAN). The differences in 2008 were not statistically significant. The contents of nitrogen and gluten were significantly lower at CULTAN treatment in both years. The values of falling number, Zeleny test and bulk density were generally similar at both treatments.

Amaranth is a promising C4-crop. However, for a wider spread of the crop a better understanding of factors that are influencing yield formation is crucial for optimizing the plant phenotype and enhancing yield. The present study wanted to clarify the effects of assimilate sources and sinks on yield formation by artificially altering source or sink size. Field experiments were conducted in Eastern Austria during three years with three genotypes, applying source-sink manipulation treatments at mid flowering (control, 50% of inflorescence removed, 50% or 100% of leaves removed). At maturity we measured shoot, inflorescence and grain dry matter, thousand kernel mass and number of seeds per plant. An average grain yield level of about 3.5 t/ha dry matter on control plots indicated favorable growth conditions for amaranth in general. The removal of all leaves had a strong detrimental effect on all parameters, but severity of yield reduction due to defoliation differed between genotypes, ranging from -49% to -73%. Contrastingly, 50% flower reduction did not have any significant effects. Also with 50% defoliation no significant yield reduction was observed. We conclude that source strength of amaranth during flowering is more yield limiting than its sink capacity.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of P, Ca, S, and/or K and/or Mg application at different rates on the botanical composition, herbage yield and its nutritive value in dehesas developed on calcareous soils. In two growing seasons, 2009/10 and 2010/11, five surface-broadcast fertiliser treatments were applied once in autumn. Two grazing periods were simulated by cutting the pasture in mid-spring and late-spring. Treatment K1, with the highest amount of Ca and without K in its composition, provided higher crude protein values in the herbage than controls in 2009/10. When the effect of each nutrient was analysed separately, a strong and highly positive response of Mg application on herbage production was recorded. A surface application of fertilisers containing 25 kg Mg/ha in autumn could increase herbage yield by 40% under the studied conditions. However, Mg was not applied alone, and thus this increase could be due to an effect of Mg by itself or to a synergistic effect between Mg and other nutrients applied. The application of Ca, P and Mg may also favour the production of high-quality forage by yielding a greater cover of legumes and digestible protein.

The article discusses monitoring of the impact of tyre inflation pressure on tensile properties of forest tractors. The LKT 81 T forest tractor, manufactured byZŤS TEES, Martin (Slovak Republic) and widely used in Slovakia, was specifically chosen as the mechanised vehicle to be monitored. Tensile properties were examined using standard tensile tests, with a Tatra freight vehicle serving as the load vehicle. Actual measurements were performed on a concrete surface and on soil characterised as gravelly loam whose average moisture was 38%. The statistical methods used to verify the impact of significance from changes in tyre inflation pressure on selected tensile indicators were multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test. Even though statistical analysis failed to directly confirm significance in the impact of changes of tyre inflation pressure on selected load indicators for a forest tractor fitted with standard tyres, positive changes can be discerned in measured dependencies. The article concludes with a discussion of the results obtained and their possible application in operational practice.

Soildegradationis aserious and widespread problemin Albania. Itmanifests itselfin manyformsandcauses arange ofeffects. The aim of this study was to analyze the economic losses from soil erosion and compaction in relationship to agriculture in Albania. On-site effects of these two degradative processes affect farmers directly through reducingproductionand increasingthe costsof farming. Calculation ofeconomic losses was performed by using the replacement and lost production methods. According to our assessments, the wheat and maize yield losses due to the soil compaction are112 164 tons or US$ 40.2 million, and the plant nutrient losses due to the water erosion are 69 609 tons or US$ 98million. Economic losses from the erosion and compaction in the agricultural area in Albania are at least US$ 138.2 million per year or about 5.5% of the agricultural GDP. Based on the assessed economic losses from soil degradation, it can be concluded that the soil conservation in Albania is economically viable.

The objective of this investigation was to study the histological structure of the gall bladder in the common quail (Coturnix coturnix). Samples were obtained from six male and six female healthy adult common quail. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Histological results showed that the overall histology of the gall bladder of the common quail is similar to that in the chukar partridge except for the goblet cells. No significant sex-based differences were found. The gall bladder was composed of tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa or tunica adventitia. The tunica mucosa was mainly lined with simple columnar epithelium which was covered by a continuous striated border of microvilli. Goblet cells were observed among the epithelial cells. The tunica mucosa formed some folds which appeared to be regularly distributed over the whole gall bladder luminal surface and were mostly isometric. Deep invaginations of the surface epithelium were observed to have grown down into the underlying mesenchyme, showing a tubular gland-like appearance. The muscularis mucosa was absent. The thin lamina propria-submucosa contained loose connective tissue which consisted of numerous diffuse lymphatic tissues, but no glands were observed. The tunica muscularis consisted of a thin circular layer of smooth muscle fibres. The loose connective tissue of the tunica serosa or adventitia was made up of adipose tissues and blood vessels. It is concluded that the histological structures of the gall bladder of the common quail are similar to those of the chukar partridge except for the presence of goblet cells among the epithelial cells of the tunica mucosa.

A six-year-old intact female Lagotto Romagnolo was referred with a two-day history of purulent vulvar discharge associated with fever, lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia and signs of abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a grass awn foreign body in the vaginal fornix. Culture swabs obtained from the vagina revealed the presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis as the preponderant organism. Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and the presence of the grass awn was confirmed. A chronic-active vaginitis was found at histological examination. The dog recovered with resolution of all clinical signs. Differential diagnoses for acute vulvar discharge in bitches should include retention of vaginal foreign bodies. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a grass awn foreign body in the vaginal fornix of a dog.

Sustainability reporting is constantly paid attention by companies for its economic, environmental and social benefits. It supports making use of the wide potential for further development of enterprises and society. Individual sectors use types of indicators that correspond to their specifics. It is also the case of the forestry sector, which is especially characterized by a number of non-market outputs. However, we can find also other specific indicators that are relevant to forest management. The paper proposes indicators for sustainability reporting, which are not part of usual methodologies. These indicators will contribute not only to the formal preparation of sustainability reporting, but so that its benefits would be of significant influence on the development of forest enterprises and the forestry sector using its potential in all areas.

Food allergy is an adverse immune response to some proteins in some foods. Probiotic, health promoting bacteria have gained much importance because of their innumerable benefits, particularly in the treatment of diarrhea, hypercholesterolemia, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and gastrointestinal disorders by strengthening the immune system. The current paper reviews recent advances made in the treatment of food allergy through employing probiotic or synbiotic therapy. The results of several reports are very promising suggesting probiotics can influence the immune system to curtail the allergic responses.

The phenomenon of chromatin migration was observed during microsporogenesis in an ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) treated population of poppy, which is an important medicinal plant. Cytomixis occurred through a cytoplasmic channel or by direct fusion of pollen mother cells (PMCs); the former was more recurring than the latter. The process was associated with irregular meiosis. PMCs with differing chromosome numbers from the normal diploid number (2n = 22) through cytomixis may lead to the production of aneuploid and polyploid gametes. An increase in the concentration of EMS had a positive effect on the percentage of PMCs showing cytomixis. In addition to cytomixis, other chromosomal abnormalities were also found. Cytomixis along with the related chromosomal abnormalities largely affected the post-meiotic products resulting in some pollen sterility.

Effects of floral herbivory (grazing flowers) by slugs on production and quality of seeds of herbaceous plants have been rarely quantified. We studied consequences of grazing by an invasive slug Arion lusitanicus (Mabille) for inflorescences of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers). In May 2008, a grassy site in Prague-Ruzyně (Czech Republic) was densely populated by dandelion inflorescences. Of the 40% of the flowers grazed by the slug, 70% died before seed dispersal and seed was eaten from 10% of the closed mature inflorescences. Viability of seeds from inflorescences that survived slug grazing was not affected. In addition to seedling predation, grazing of flowers may be an important source of dandelion mortality at sites where this slug is abundant.

Four peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars (cvs. TPT-1, TPT-4, JL-24 and TMV-2) were grown in open-top chambers at 350 and 600 µmol CO₂/mol in soil amended with 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 mmol solutions of NaCl. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration (E) and dry biomass of leaf, stem and root were measured on 60 days after sowing. The plant growth and photosynthesis increased in both NaCl treated and control plants with elevated CO₂. The g_s and E decreased under elevated CO₂ and the CO₂ effect was highly significant under salt stress mitigating the adverse effect on these components in all the four cultivars tested. A positive correlation was observed between P_n and dry biomass under elevated CO₂ and salt stress. Enhanced CO₂ helps to increase growth and photosynthesis in peanut cultivars and it ameliorates the adverse effects induced by salt stress.

This study aimed to separate the respective contributions of root and microbial respiration to soil respiration in a rape field in Southwest China. The soil respiration was measured with a closed chamber technique and a regression method was used to apportion root and microbial respiration. Microbial and root respiration ranged from 70.67 to 183.77 mg CO₂/m²/h and 21.99 to 193.09 mg CO₂/m²/h, averaged 127.16 and 116.66 mg CO₂/m²/h during the rape growing season, respectively. Root respiration coefficient ranged from 0.41 to 5.39 mg C-CO₂/g C/h and was negatively correlated with root/shoot ratio, aboveground and belowground biomass, but positively correlated with root N content. The contribution of root respiration to soil respiration averaged 44.2%, ranging from 14.5% to 62.62%.

The effects of mineral and organic fertilization on the contents of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, B and Mo in soil and in the soil solution as well as on availability of these elements for crops were investigated in the long-term field trial. The highest contents of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in soil and soil solution were observed in the treatment with the lowest pH (NPK). In this same combination the content of B and Mo was the lowest. The concentration of Zn, B and Fe in the soil solution significantly increased under farmyard manure application. Liming significantly decreased contents extractable by 1 mol/L HCl forms of Mn and Zn and significantly increase the content of Mo in the soil. Regardless of fertilization applied, microelement concentrations in the soil solution are sufficient for fulfilling nutritional needs of plants cultivated during the trial.

The objective of this study was to compare the performance, egg quality, and microbial contamination of egg shells from hens maintained in different housing systems, such as conventional and enriched cages, litter, and aviaries. The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the performance characteristics. The highest egg production, lowest daily feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured in conventional cages compared to litter and aviaries. Higher egg shell and albumen qualities were observed in conventional cages, whereas hens housed in enriched cages and aviaries laid eggs with a higher yolk index (P < 0.001). The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the total count of bacteria on the egg surface and the microbial contamination of Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. The lowest values for the total count of bacterial contamination (P < 0.001) were found in eggs from conventional cages (4.05 log colony-forming units (CFU)/egg) and enriched cages (3.98 log CFU/egg). Eggs from aviaries had 5.49 log CFU per egg, and the highest level of contamination was observed in eggs that were laid on litter (6.24 log CFU/egg). The level of the microbial contamination of egg shells from litter and aviaries was by 2 log CFU higher than in eggs from cages. It could be concluded, from the viewpoint of egg safety, a more suitable substitute for conventional cages are enriched cages and aviaries than litter.

The level and structure of cigarettes taxation are considered to be very discussed field in these days by the effect of preference trends of taxation of consumption at the expense of direct taxation, stressing the health risks of consumers of tobacco products, externalities caused by this consumption and by the effect of existence of distortions in the market with the tobacco products in the EU states. It is possible to achieve various aims in the field of fiscal and agricultural policies of state, consumption of cigarettes, protection of national market and in the other field by the regulation of excise duty imposed on cigarettes in the EU states. The question is, in frame of excise duty imposed on cigarettes in the EU member state, whether this tax should be imposed through specific rate, ad valorem rate, or by their combination. The choice between these options depends on the laid down aims of tax policy in each EU member states.

Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a degenerative polyneuropathy affecting postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons. The major clinical signs relate to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and the condition is frequently fatal. EGS has been reported in different parts of the world including Europe. This paper describes the first case of equine dysautonomia in the Czech Republic. The ante mortem diagnosis was based on typical clinical signs and a positive phenylephrine eye-drop test and was confirmed at necropsy following observation of pathognomic histopathological lesions in the enteric neural system of the ileum.

During April 2012, 34 dead wild boars (Sus scrofa) were found in the Tachov region (Czech Republic) directly in the River Mze or in its close vicinity. After infectious diseases were excluded, poisoning was suspected as the cause of death. The finding of cadavers directly in or close to a river was indicative of poisoning by a substance which causes thirst. Laboratory analysis excluded dietary salt poisoning. Later, the presence of ethylene glycol was proven in the stomach contents of the wild boars using HPLC. The diagnosis was confirmed by the typical autopsy findings on the kidneys. The kidneys were firm and of a pale brown colour with scattered petechiae on the surface and haemorrhagic stripes on the cut. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of oxalate crystals in the tubules and interstitial tissue of the kidneys.

Eight individual bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and three bacteriocin-non-producing cheese starter cultures were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of six Listeria monocytogenes strains, originating from the guinea-pig lymph nodes, raw cow milk, and manufacturing dairy equipment. Results showed that either live cells or cell-free neutralised supernatant (CFNS) and/or heated CFNS of six individual LAB strains (Lcc. lactis subsp. lactis CCDM 416 and NIZO R5, Lbc. plantarum HV 11 and DC 1246, P. acidilactici HV 12, and Ent. mundtii CCM 1282) and one starter culture (DELVO-ADD^® 100-X DSF) were effective in the suppression of at least one listeria strain. Neither any individual LAB strain nor starter culture was antagonistic toward all studied L. monocytogenes strains, indicating diverse sensitivity/resistance among L. monocytogenes strains to antimicrobial compounds of LAB. The significant susceptibility of listerias isolated from raw milk and dairy equipment together with the strong antilisterial activity of DELVO-ADD^® 100-X DSF could be applied in dairy technology, where commonly used starter cultures could play both the biopreservative and fermentation role.

In this research the spruce plywood board and combined spruce-beech plywood board were prepared in laboratory conditions using two levels of processing pressure. The bending properties in perpendicular and longitudinal direction were measured and compressibility and density were specified. Considering the obtained results, there was found an overall increase of the bending properties in spruce plywood manufactured by the higher pressure and a decline of properties perpendicular to the grain in combined spruce-beech plywood board. On the other hand, combined spruce-beech plywood boards produced by the common processing pressure performed better than both types of spruce plywood.