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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.

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 influence of yeast strain on the volatile profile of meads fermented from blossom honey using three different Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus strains was evaluated. Meads were analysed by methods of basic chemical analysis and gas chromatography after 15 days of fermentation. Individual yeast strains produced various metabolites in different concentrations under the same fermentation conditions which significantly influenced the final secondary aroma of mead. Higher concentrations of acetaldehyde and 1-propanol, associated with S. cerevisiae var. bayanus MM-R2 considerably distinguished this strain from the others, whereas the difference between strains S. cerevisiae var. bayanus FM-R-Fix1 and MT-R1B was characterised by the production of ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate (FM-R-Fix1), and isobutyl alcohol (MT-R1B).

The wheat cultivar Weimai 8 is a good source of adult-plant resistance to leaf rust in China. In order to understand the genetic background of the resistance genes, 179 F2:3 families derived from the cross Weimai 8 and Zhengzhou 5389 (susceptible to leaf rust) were used to construct a linkage map. Results showed that there was a major QTL on chromosome 2AS, temporarily named QLr.hbau-2AS, responsible for the resistance. QLr.hbau-2AS from the resistant parent Weimai 8 was between the SSR markers Xcfd36 and Xbarc1138, with an interval length of 2.58 cM. In the 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 crop seasons, it explained 25.79, 71.55 and 60.72% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. The location of QLr.hbau-2AS was close to the leaf rust resistance gene Lr37. However, they may not be the same since QLr.hbau-2AS has a different virulence test response from Lr37. This study identified two closely linked flanking molecular markers QLr.hbau-2AS and these molecular markers will help marker-assisted selection in breeding resistant cultivars in the future.

Silvertop is a serious disease of grasses, and severe infestations cause a great deal of damage every year (particularly to seed producers). Inflorescences of infected plants dry prematurely and are sterile. The genera Festuca, Poa, Agrostis, Trisetum, and Cynosurus are the most frequent hosts of this disease, which has newly been reported in a loloid-type intergeneric Festulolium hybrid. The disease was also observed in the genus Lolium, with only rare previous description. The suspicion that Fusarium poae is the causal agent of severe silvertop was confirmed, and the pathogen was morphologically described and confirmed by molecular analysis. The meadow plant bug (Leptopterna dolabrata) may be a vector transferring the pathogen to plants, although a direct pathogen transfer was not demonstrated. Grass colonisation by the pathogen therefore apparently occurs after plant tissues injury by sucking of the meadow plant bug.

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.

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.

Hens of the laying hybrid Shaver Starcross 288 were used in two consequential experiments. The first experiment (for 10 months) was conducted on hens at the age from 18 to 60 weeks (1^st cycle; n = 50) and moulted hens after 10 months laying from 70 to 110 weeks of age (2^nd cycle; n = 50). For the second experiment (for 8 months) in the 1^st cycle 18 weeks old hens were bought (n = 60) and hens from the first experiment after moulting were used in the 2^nd and 3^rd cycle (n = 32 and n = 28). During the experiments eggshell qualitative parameters and calcium utilisation (%) were determined. The results indicate that the percentage of eggshell decreased with the increasing number of cycles. The significant correlation of the eggshell proportion and the age of hens was higher in long, advanced cycles (P < 0.05). The shell strength in both experiments decreased slightly in relation to the age of hens and repeated laying cycles. The shell deformation had an opposite trend to the shell strength, i.e. it increased with the increasing laying. The average shell thickness showed a decrease in the repeated laying cycles, more significant in shorter cycles (P < 0.01). The specific shell gravity maintained balanced values both in cycles and by the age of hens. The shell density in all cycles in both experiments showed a decreasing tendency in relation to the age of hens. In dietary calcium utilization for the shell formation a significant decrease was recorded in the second cycles after moulting (P < 0.05).

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.

During the years 1998-2000 soil chemical (C_org, N_t, pH), textural (sand, silt clay) and microbiological (microbial biomass carbon - CMB, microbial extracellular carbon - C_EX, respiration, ammonification, nitrification) characteristics were tested on grassed chernozem [mollisol] after arable land setting-aside. Different harvest management was also tested: black and green fallow, one or two mulching per year, three cuts with plant biomass removal. For the evaluation of the influence of management and plants we have used three main criteria: (1) µg C_MB/g dry soil, (2) ratio CMB/C_org (%), (3) µg C_EX/mg CMB or eight criteria respectively: (4) ratio of measured and model values of C_MB, (5) ratio of measured and model values of C_EX/C_MB, (6) potential respiration with glucose, (7) potential ammonification with peptone and (8) potential nitrification with (NH₄)₂SO₄. According to these criteria, the best harvest management after arable land setting-aside from 5 different systems, which were tested, could be based on one or two mulching per year. It could be stressed that the two mulching was evaluated as the best in sum of dry mass yield (27.5 for mixtures, 20.1 for legumes and 14.2 for grasses - in t/ha/3 years). The use of legumes (Trifolium repens L. - Medicago lupulina L. - Lotus corniculatus L. - Medicago media Pers.) or grasses [Bromus catharticus Vahl - Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Presl - Festuca pratensis Huds - Dactylis aschersoniana Graebn.] as cover plants was more successful than the use of their mixtures.

The homeobox A11 (HOXA11) gene, a well-known transcriptional regulator, plays a critical role in normal development of the uterus. In this study, the porcine HOXA11 gene, including its promoter region, was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. KF724933). Differential expression levels of HOXA11 in the endometrium at one stage of the estrous cycle and three stages of gestation for Meishan and Large White pigs were investigated. Association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and litter size was conducted. Results suggested that expression of the HOXA11 gene was the highest on day 15 and decreased on day 26 of gestation, reaching a minimum level of expression on day 50 of gestation in Large White pigs. Expression of the HOXA11 gene tended to be consistent between day 15 of the estrous cycle and day 26 of gestation, and decreased on day 50 of gestation in Meishan pigs. Series deletion analysis and reporter expression assays identified a promoter region of the HOXA11 gene which possessed a five times higher promoter activity than the pGL3-Basic vector. Using comparative sequencing, a candidate SNP (KF724933:g.2325C>A) was identified. In a Large White pig population, this polymorphism was associated with the number of piglets. In a combined analysis containing all parity groups, sows with the AC genotype had greater total number of born (1.80; P < 0.05) and number of born alive (1.82; P < 0.05) piglets compared with the CC genotype sows. These results indicate HOXA11 may play a role in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.

In the framewort of the quantitative histologic evaluation of poultry products, the size and the number of bone fragments have been determined using the image analysis. Bone fragments were identified by their colour and analysed automatically. The samples contained 135 to 2167 bone particles the length of which varied from 5 to 2088 μm. Comparing products of the same kind, we found differences in the contents of bone fragments; this fact was possibly due to inadequate observance of the technological procedure by some producers.

Numbers of food animal carcasses classified as capable for human consumption (edible), capable for processing (conditionally edible) and condemned belong among important parameters of health status of animals both on farm level and at slaughterhouses. The figures relating to these parameters were monitored at slaughterhouses during the periods of 1989 to 1994 and 1995 to 2000. Relative numbers of food animal carcasses classified as edible increased during the period of 1995 to 2000 in comparison to the period of 1989 to 1994 in different species as follows: in cows from 77.14 to 79.48%, in heifers from 83.06 to 92.49%, in bulls from 89.62 to 95.52%, in calves from 49.20 to 63.76%, in pigs from 95.13 to 97.27%, in sheep from 93.08 to 98.08%, in goats from 68.40 to 93.08%, in horses from 64.67 to 84.41%, in chickens from 97.06 to 98.48%, in hens from 94.41 to 95.16%, in turkeys from 97.41 to 98.00%, in ducks and geese from 98.70 to 99.13% and in rabbits from 83.95 to 93.64%. The increase was proven to be statistically significant in all species, production and age groups of food animals. It can be concluded that health status of food animals at slaughter has significantly improved during the recent period in all species, production and age groups included in the study. Best health status was currently found in chickens, ducks and geese, followed by turkeys, hens, sheep, pigs, bulls, rabbits, heifers and goats. On the other hand, poor health status was found in horses, cows and especially in calves.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the possibilities of using selected allowable cut indicators in near-natural forest management by supplementing two indicators to present allowable cut indicators. Namely it is 1/30 of forest stand growing stock of the last three age classes and higher and 1/40 of forest stand growing stock of the last four age classes and higher. These indicators are compared with the allowable cut indicator 1/20 of forest stand growing stock of the last two age classes and higher which in relation to the forest law can be used in the present control of cuttings. The evaluations were carried out at selected five forest user's units where near-natural forest management is applied. The results confirmed that it is not possible to use the indicator 1/20 in environmentally sound silvicultural systems. The results demonstrated the continuity of cuttings if the indicator 1/30 was used

The cabbage-carrot juices were inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum 92H at the concentration of 8 × 106 CFU/ml and fermented in a thermostat at 24°C for 150 hours. During the fermentation, both analytical (pH, total acidity, reducing sugars, l-ascorbic acid, lactic, acetic and citric acids, biogenic amines) and sensory (appearance, colour, turbidity, sediment and taste) parameters were followed. For the evaluation of the results of the chemical and sensory (taste) analyses of these juices the multivariate statistical methods were applied. PCA and FA reduced the 7 original analytical variables to 1 independent component (factor) that accounted for 96.92% of the total variance, and CA divided samples into 2 groups according to the contents of lactic and acetic acids. PCA and FA reduced the 8 taste and mixture taste descriptors to 2 components (factors) that accounted for 97.28% of the total variance.

Possibilities are assessed of the natural regeneration of Douglas fir under conditions of Hůrky Training Forest District, Higher Forestry School and Secondary Forestry School in Písek, in stand 12C7, forest type 3K5. The stand is situated at an altitude of 430 m above sea level in an area with mean annual temperature 7.3-7.5°C and mean annual total precipitation 550-575 mm. Under the stand dominated by Douglas fir (65 years of age), natural regeneration of the mean density of 53,800 seedlings/ha appeared due to lateral light coming from the north. The highest density of Douglas fir natural regeneration was noticed under the stand 10-14 m from the stand margin. The light penetrating through the marginal stand wall was found to be of greater effect on the density of natural regeneration than the upper shading caused by the parent stand. With this method of regeneration, Douglas fir is less light-demanding than spruce. Height and height increment of advance regeneration were greater in places with sufficient light near the stand margin. Thus, natural regeneration of Douglas fir is successful there giving conditions for the origin of a new generation of the stand with a sufficient proportion of Douglas fir.

In the case of cadmium transport via soil macropores, the short-term duration of an interaction between the reactive solute in aqueous phase and soil, as well as cadmium precipitation or adsorption on particles < 10-5 m should be taken into account. Two distribution coefficients are proposed for predicting the cadmium transport in a structured soil: the matrix distribution coefficient Kdm, equal to the equilibrium distribution coefficient Kdeq and estimated using the conventional batch technique, and the macropore distribution coefficient KdM, estimated using the modified batch technique. It was found that the conventional approach (using the coefficient Kdeq only) would underestimate a penetration of the part of Cd transported in the macropores about 255-times in the loamy-sand soil in Kalinkovo, 20-times in the loam soil in Macov, and 122-times in the clay soil in Jurová in comparison with the approach proposed in this study.

The quality of eggs is tightly associated with freshness. New possibilities for the determination of egg freshness were studied. The volatile compounds of eggs and their changes during storage were followed. Three methods for extraction of volatiles were compared: dynamic headspace (Purge and Trap), static headspace (Solid Phase of Microextraction - SPME) and extraction according to Likens-Nickerson by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) with diethyl ether as organic solvent. The extracts were analysed by GC/FID. The volatiles in an extract obtained by SDE method were identified by GC-MS. The extract includes aldehydes, alcohols, acids and esters. The volatiles in an extract obtained by SPME and Purge and Trap have not been identified until now. The changes in volatiles during storage of eggs using the above mentioned methods were studied.

Effectiveness of in vitro production of embryos (IVP) is limited among other factors by the recovery rate of oocytes. Gonadotropin superstimulation can improve the recovery rate of oocytes. The effect of FSH treatment on follicular population and recovery rate of oocytes at ovum pick-up (OPU) in the growing phase of the 1st as well as the 2nd follicular wave after superstimulation was the object of our experiment. Twelve unpregnant milking cows (15-20 kg milk per day) housed on a dairy farm were used in the experiment. The cows bearing corpus luteum were synchronized by PGF₂ (day 0) and they were treated by FSH (Folicotropin inj. sicc. ad us vet., Spofa Prague, Czech Republic, single doses 80, 80, 80, 80, 40 and 40 UI) in 12 h intervals on days 12, 13 and 14. Transvaginal ultrasonographic puncture of oocytes in cows bearing a new corpus luteum was performed on day 7 (OPU 1, various phase of the follicular wave, removal of the dominant follicle) and it was repeated on days 10 (OPU 2, growing phase of the follicular wave - control), 16 (OPU 3, growing phase of the first follicular wave after superstimulation) and 20 (OPU 4, growing phase of the second follicular wave after superstimulation). All follicles > 2 mm were punctured. The ovarian follicles (ultrasonographically) and numbers and qualities of obtained oocytes (microscopically) were evaluated during and immediately after OPU. Follicular population was divided to small (FS, 2-5 mm), medium (FM, 5-9 mm) and large (FL, > 9 mm) follicles. Oocytes were classified as 1st (intact cumulus, > 3 layers of cumulus cells), 2nd (complete 1-3 layers of cumulus cells), 3rd (incomplete layers of cumulus cells, expanded cumulus mass) and 4th (absence of corona cells, degenerated oocytes) classes. Although we found the least of FS (x = 1.0) during OPU 3, significantly more FM (x = 24.7) and FL (x = 3.1) follicles were found at this procedure in comparison with others. Likewise a significantly higher number of oocytes (x = 8.1) was obtained at OPU 3 in comparison with OPU 1 and OPU 2. Significantly higher number of FM (x = 6.1) was found and non-significantly higher number of oocytes was obtained at OPU 4 in comparison with OPU 1 and 2. The results show that administration of FSH increases the number of follicles and the number of collected oocytes in the growing phase of the 1st follicular wave after superstimulation, nevertheless a higher number of follicles and a higher recovery rate of oocytes can be expected in the growing phase of the 2nd follicular wave after superstimulation as well.

A study was made of the stimulating effect of benzolinone (3-benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl)-2-benzothiazolinone in powder form (P) and its mixture with indole butyric acid (IBA), the biofungicide Supresivit and fungicide Captan 50 WP on the root formation of 17 species of ornamental plants, park and fruit woody species. Under the action of benzolinone, the yield of rooted cuttings in the category of ornamental plants amounted to 44.5% (in the Dianthus sp.) up to 83.7% (in Rosa canina), in the category of park woody species it was from l6.7 (in Magnolia stellata) to 100% (in Forsythia intermedia). In fruit trees represented by two species, viz. Actinidia arguta and cherry rootstocks, the yield was between 20 and 86.7%, and in two allochthonous species Cotoneaster horizontalis and Philadelphus coronarius it was from 96.7 to 100% in rooted cuttings. In the case of herbaceous and semi-lignified cuttings, lower concentrations of benzolinone below 0.1% were more effective, while on the contrary, higher concentrations of 0.1-0.2% proved more effective with lignified cuttings. In the species with difficult root formation, such as Magnolia stellata, Viburnum farreri and Actinidia arguta, benzolinone demonstrably stimulated both the rhizogenesis, and thereby the overall yield of rooted cuttings, and the quality of the root system. In the case of the species with naturally high rooting ability, the positive effect of benzolinone was manifest mainly in the quality of the root system. The synergistic action of the above stimulants on root formation was achieved in two and three-component benzolinone mixtures with IBA and fungicides on the basis of the active ingredients captan and Trichoderma harzianum. The most evident stimulating effects on the rooting of cuttings in Dianthus sp., Ficus schlechteri and the deciduous species Acer saccharinum Pyramidale, Prunus padus Colorata and Prunus kurilensis Brilliant was obtained in three-component mixtures.

In the nineties of the 20^th century, forest ecosystems in the Silesian Lowland were seriously disturbed by a large disaster with massive increase in the occurrence of biotic and abiotic harmful agents. The majority of old growth was cut there especially that with allochthonous spruce (Picea excelsa). Relations between the course of climatic factors (annual precipitation amount, annual average temperature) and the level of unregulated felling were studied.

The influence of ozone on some properties of fruit jams was studied. Ozone did not influence the pH value, the contents of reducing sugars and organic acids, or the sensoric properties of the fruit jams tested. It may be used as a source of sterile air over the jam surfaces in yoghurt production.

Commercial orange juices samples obtained from the Czech market were analysed in the years 1996-2001. The quality and authenticity of samples was evaluated according to the Code of Practice of AIJN (selected main analytical criteria were followed - K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, citric, isocitric and malic acid, citric acid/isocitric acid ratio, glucose, fructose, saccharose, sorbitol, formol number, flavonoid glycosides - according to Davis and HPLC procedure, refractive index and other). The approach of producers to the quality and authenticity of juices developed during the years of observation. The main cases of adulteration in 1996 were as follows: (i) lower fruit content in juice, (ii) massive addition of sugars masked with addition of citric acid, (iii) several examples of "synthetic" orange juice were found. In the subsequent years the authenticity slightly improved, the main problems in 2000/2001 were: (i) lower refractive index, (ii) pulp wash addition, (iii) lower quality of water used for juice reconstitution, (iv) undeclared addition of sugar. The deviations were found not only in the case of the juices of Czech producers, but also in several discount and low-end products of foreign producers. Possible ways of improving the quality and authenticity are discussed (e.g. the preparation of a Czech National Standard taking over the requirements for juices and nectars according to the Code of Practice of the AIJN, Participation in the European Quality Control System [EQCS], etc.).

The effect of food products on temperatures reached in the microwave heating with and without susceptors was followed in experiments with certain types of food samples. A household microwave oven (650 W), susceptors from commercial packages for microwave popcorn, samples of two commercial pizza products and two types of dough were used in the experiments together with Luxtron temperature measurement system. The temperatures reached at the end of heating on the bottom surface of samples varied between 103 and 115°C at the heating without susceptor, and between 110 and 155°C at the heating with susceptor. Not only the susceptor but also the parameters of the heated samples (the moisture content, height/weight, the initial temperature) influenced the increase of the temperature on the bottom surface of the samples. The highest temperatures were found at the end of the heating of samples from dough with a lower content of moisture. The linear correlation between the temperature at the bottom of the sample and the logarithm of the time of heating (Zuckerman & Miltz 1995) was proved only with the heating of samples from one type of dough. The application of susceptor in the microwave heating alters not only the product temperature in the places of contact with susceptor but also - to a certain extent - in other places of the product. The change in the shape of the vertical temperature profile in the heated sample was found in the experiments with susceptor heating. For the optimal results of the heating with susceptor, the optimization of certain product parameters (namely the moisture content and the dimensions) have to be made

Dark leaf and pod spot caused by Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. is a serious problem both in winter and spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in Lithuania. According to ten years' data, the spread of this disease on winter oilseed rape siliques was 31.2-100%, and the severity 3.4-25.0%. The cultivars Ceres, Accord and Kasimir were used in the trials. Through the years 1997-2001 the incidence of Alternaria blight on spring oilseed rape (cv. Star and Maskot) was 94.5-100% and the severity 1.5-20.5%. Every year the severity of the disease was highly influenced by the meteorological conditions - precipitation and temperature. Fungicides, used at the end of flowering stage (DC 69) or when the first spots of the disease appeared on pods, were effective against dark pod spot.

The consumption of food contaminated with moulds (microscopic filamentous fungi) and their toxic metabolites results in the development of food-borne mycotoxicosis. The spores of moulds are ubiquitously spread in the environment and can be detected everywhere. In this study, the presence of various moulds was determined in pork and beef used as a raw material, in salami emulsions, as well as in five kinds of fermented raw meat products. Penicillium sp., Acremonium sp., Mucor sp., Cladosporium sp., and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequently isolated genera of moulds. Flavourings added to meat during the production of fermented raw meat products were heavily contaminated with moulds. The widest spectrum and the highest counts of microscopic filamentous fungi were observed in the following spices: milled black pepper, nutmeg, garlic powder and crushed caraway. The level of contamination depended upon the season, being higher in the summer months.

An effective and fast method for determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereals and flours has been developed. The immunoaffinity column was used for the isolation of DON from wheat, corn, rice and flour extract. The determination was carried out by using the HPLC/UV method. The limit of detection was 0.02 mg/kg. The recoveries for the assay range 0.1 to 2 mg/kg were generally higher than 80%, ranging from 83 to 96% with an average relative standard deviation of 3.8%. The trueness of the method using the DON test - HPLC column was established by use of certified reference material CRM 379. The certified value was 0.67 mg/kg. The result obtained from three replicates was 0.68 ± 0.05 mg/kg. The corresponding confidence interval at 95% probability ranged from 0.63 to 0.73 mg/kg. A comparative study of the DON testTM - HPLC/UV and the Mycosep 225 - GC/ECD methods was carried out. Six naturally contaminated wheat samples were analysed by both methods. Linear regression analysis demonstrates that DON testTM - HPLC is a statistically significant predictor of the GC/ECD method using the Romer Mycosep 225 column.

Present studies aimed at flow cytometric analysis of respiratory burst in neutrophilic granulocytes in carps, at various stages of their ontogeny. Cytometric evaluation of the repiratory burst in PMN cells of carps demonstrated augmented values of the mean fluorescence channel of PMA-stimulated PMN cells, as compared to the value of the fluorescence channel noted for PMN cells which were not activated or did not respond to activation in response to the applied stimulator. Intensity of the fluorescence, compared to the mean fluorescence channel of the cells which were not stimulated by PMA, was most pronounced in 11- to 21-month old carps, average in the youngest carps aging 3 to 9 months, and the lowest in the eldest, 23- to 29-month old carps. In cases of analysis of the mean fluorescence channel in the selected fraction of PMA-stimulated PMN cells, as compared to the mean fluorescence channel of granulocytes which did not respond by the stimulation reaction, the most intense fluorescence was noted to develop in the eldest, i.e. 23- to 29-month old fish. In the remaining carps, on the other hand, the difference in the mean fluorescence channel was significantly lower. In parallel, the highest fraction of PMA-stimulated granulocytes was found in 11- to 21-month old carps, a lower fraction in the youngest carps aging 3 to 9 months and the lowest fraction of such granulocytes in the eldest carps, 23 to 29 months of age.

In 1999, the effect of increasing levels of nitrogen at the initial (13.9 mg.kg^-1) and increased (40 mg.kg^-1) level of watersoluble sulphur (S_wat) was studied in winter rape (cv. Lirajet) grown in pots. A synergetic effect of nitrogen on concentrations of Ca and Mg was demonstrated in the growth stages DC 20-29 and 31-39. Levels of P and K were balanced. In variants with a low content of S_wat in soil to 40 mg.kg^-1 of soil S concentration increased. With the increasing dose of N the content of S decreased from 1.00% to 0.78% and from 0.68% to 0.38% in DC 20-29 and DC 31-39, respectively. An increased level of S in soil changed the ratio N/S. In variants with a natural (i.e. low) content of S in soil, this ratio widened with the increasing dose of N from 8.06 to 25.15 while in variants with an increased level of S in soil it ranged from 3.24 to 5.85 in the growth stage DC 20-29. Increasing doses of N widened the ratio N/P regardless to concentration of S in plants. In individual growth stages the ratio P/S was markedly narrowed by changing contents of S in soil. The highest yields were obtained in the variant with an optimum concentration of all elements in plants and S contents above 0.6% and/or about 0.4% in growth stages DC 20-29 and DC 31-39, respectively. The obtained yields demonstrated a highly significant effect of N and S on seed yields. At a low concentration of sulphur in plants the yield of seed increased only to the dose N₃(i.e. 0.9 g N per pot); thereafter, it gradually decreased. An increased level of S in soil showed a positive effect on seed yields. Higher doses of N widened the ratio straw/seeds from 2.46 to 7.69; at higher levels of S in soil, an opposite trend was observed. In variants with a low content of S the number of branches and pods increased proportionally with increasing doses of N. On the other hand, increased levels of S reduced the number of branches and pods. At a low level of S in soil the total weight of seeds per pod decreased with the increased supply of N from 69.9 mg to 20.4 mg. At increased levels of S the weight of seeds per pod increased from 61.9 mg to 79.8 mg. Results of field experiments in four different localities corroborated a positive effect of S (in interaction with N) on its concentration in plants. The seed yield was significantly increased. In 2000, results from all localities were markedly influenced by climatic conditions; however average results of all experiments showed that S increased seed yields depending on the dose of N by 2.5 and 5.9%. An optimum nutrition of plants with all elements (including S) results in improved utilisation and increased yields.