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Lab-grown cells (also known as cell-based or cultured meat) are novel food innovations that face uncertain consumer acceptance. This review examines recent research (2020–2024) on consumer perceptions of lab-grown cells, focusing on three main areas: (1) public awareness and familiarity, (2) psychological and cultural aspects shaping perceptions, and (3) the impact of information on acceptance. Results show that the awareness of lab-grown cells varies widely across regions; in countries with high meat consumption, such as the USA and Australia, or where culinary delights are highly valued, such as France, respondents rated lab-grown cells lower than in those countries where meat consumption is now rising, for example, China or Mexico. The knowledge of lab-grown cells positively impacted attitude, while psychological barriers (e.g. food neophobia) and disgust emerged as key deterrents. The information provided to respondents significantly influenced their willingness to accept, buy, try, eat, and pay premium prices. Personal (mainly health-related) benefits significantly increased the acceptance of lab-grown cells, while societal benefits (e.g. benefits to the environment or animal welfare) had less prominent effects than expected. At the same time, information regarding production technology (high-tech, laboratory, artificial) resulted in lower ratings from respondents. The conclusion is that overlooking the positive attributes of meat and focusing on the unproven advantages of lab-grown cells may lead to misleading results. On the other hand, effective communication – especially messages highlighting personal benefits – can substantially improve the consumer openness.

This study investigates the benefits of using mine tailings (MT) to improve pea (Pisum sativum L.) growth and productivity on degraded agricultural soils in semi-arid environments. The research aims to evaluate the use of MT as an innovative soil amendment and to determine the optimal dose required to enhance the micronutrient availability of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe without affecting soil quality. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse pots with three different soil types amended with different MT doses (control and four doses). Soil samples were collected from the Doukkala region, one of the main agricultural areas in Morocco. Pea was grown in pots and monitored for 87 days until maturity. After harvest, soil and plant samples were weighed, measured and analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The experiment found that moderate doses (0.2 g/kg to 1 g/kg) applied to all soil types promoted optimal pea growth by improving plant height, root and above-ground biomass and pod number. Thus, MT can act as a biostimulant. However, nutrient antagonism negatively affected growth at the highest dose (4 g/kg). Bioconcentration and translocation factors indicated efficient micronutrient uptake and biofortification, while heavy metals remained immobilised in roots, effectively eliminating toxicity risks.

Fusarium wilt disease presents a substantial challenge to tomato production, especially in an open field environment. The peroxidase (POD) activity and total phenolic compounds (TPCs) play a crucial role in measuring the antioxidant capacity of plants. Understanding the variations in the POD and TPC levels during disease-induced stress becomes important for effectively managing Fusarium wilt and enhancing tomato production. This study investigates the impacts of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation through the root drip method on five tomato cultivars. It compares these cultivars to their non-treated counterparts when they are subjected to infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). The results showed that the level of resistance to Fol is based on the specific tomato cultivar. Notably, ‘MT26’ exhibited the lowest disease severity index (DSI), indicating a strong response, whereas ‘CLN3682F’ showed notable susceptibility. Regarding the POD and TPC activity, its exhibition differed in compatibility with the response of each tomato cultivar to Fusarium wilt disease. The resistant cultivars increased the POD activity after the Trichoderma induction before the Fol inoculation, and this activity was further boosted when exposed to disease conditions. Consequently, enhancing the POD and TPC levels during the initial stages could potentially serve as a systemic defence mechanism of tomatoes against the Fusarium wilt disease.

The somatic cell count (SCC) in raw milk is an important indicator of health and hygienic quality. Artificial reduction of the SCC (ARSCC) in milk, for the apparent improvement of milk quality for commercial reasons, is an undesirable phenomenon and a violation of authenticity both in the factual sense and legislatively. Analytical methods need to be developed to identify ARSCC as well as to assess the effects that ARSCC may have on milk. The aim of the work was to quantify the effects of ARSCC on cow’s milk as a food raw material. The results presented are some of the first on the given problem. Raw bulk tank cow milk was sampled in two experiments, each time for the whole year (2021–2022 and 2023–2024, n = 66 and n = 53, respectively) from herds of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein cows, 1 : 1. ARSCC in experiment 1 (n = 66) slightly reduced the fat content, in experiment 2 (n = 53) it did not, otherwise the milk indicators with the exception of SCC were almost (1) and completely (2) identical. All samples were negative for the presence of inhibitory substance residues. ARSCC under the specified technological conditions reduced SCC (1) from 772 ± 906 10³/ml to 376 ± 630 10³/ml, by –51.3% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 592 ± 798 10³/ml to 304 ± 468 10³/ml, by –48.5% (P < 0.001). Under these circumstances, the milk fermentation ability improved (1) from 28.52 ± 4.72 °SH to 31.0 ± 4.65 °SH, by 8.66% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 32.51 ± 2.61 °SH to 33.80 ± 2.88 °SH, by 3.97% (P < 0.001). Curd firmness was better for SCC ≤ 400 10³/ml compared to higher SCC by 5.26% (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, it is not possible, for hygienic and health reasons, to allow such milk for human consumption and it is necessary to find effective identification analytical methods for ARSCC.

Volume models are essential tools for quantifying timber stocks and optimising forest utilisation. This study aimed to develop additive volume systems based on one- and two-entry simultaneous equations for Pinus ayacahuite Ehrenb. ex Schltdl. and Pinus douglasiana Martínez. Destructive sampling of 55 P. ayacahuite trees and 65 P. douglasiana trees was conducted in the communal forest of Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, southern Mexico. The additive systems were fitted using non-linear seemingly unrelated regression to estimate tree-volume components: stem and branch volumes, with whole-tree volume being the sum of both. The systems were evaluated using the relative ranking method, considering statistical indicators of accuracy, variability, and relative errors. Additionally, the predictive capacity of the equations was assessed through linear regression between observed and predicted values for each volume component, and the biological consistency was verified. The results indicate that two-entry additive systems provide greater accuracy in estimating stem, branch, and whole-tree volumes for both species. These equations are based on the Schumacher-Hall model, and their recommended range of application for both species is for diameter at breast height (DBH) between 9 cm and 75 cm, and for total height (H) between 9 m and 34 m. Therefore, their application is recommended for forest inventories and the planning of sustainable forest management.

Conservation grassland significantly reduces soil erosion risk in agricultural landscapes, as shown by a nationwide analysis of over 1.9 million Farmer’s blocks (DPBs) records from the Czech Republic (2016–2022). A logit regression model revealed that grassland establishment lowers the likelihood of erosion events by about 64%, with erosion risk strongly influenced by altitude, land use, and management practices. Spatial mapping and soil suitability classification identified nearly 240 00 hectares – mainly along 33 000 concentrated runoff pathways – as suitable for targeted grassland conversion. Despite its soil-protective function, high opportunity costs hinder uptake in economically productive regions. Cluster analysis across EU Member States confirmed a strong link between low permanent grassland share and high erosion exposure. The findings underscore the need for regionally tailored policies, long-term financial support, and flexible land management options to enhance soil resilience and promote sustainable agriculture.

This study investigated the effects of slaughter weight and breed on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and technological properties in purebred Balkan and F1 crossbred (Balkan × Saanen) male goats. A total of 48 animals, divided into four slaughter weight groups (10, 15, 18, and 22 kg), were analysed for carcass composition, muscle traits, and fat distribution. ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed significant effects of weight and breed on key carcass and meat quality parameters. Heavier animals exhibited higher intramuscular fat and primal cut yields with superior water-holding capacity (WHC), while lighter goats had leaner carcasses with less muscle pigment. Crossbred F1 goats demonstrated a more balanced muscle-to-fat ratio, whereas pure Balkan goats tended to accumulate fat more rapidly at higher weights. These findings indicate that optimal slaughter weight selection should align with market demands, such as producing leaner meat in lighter Balkan goats, or achieving increased marbling and better economic returns in heavier crossbred animals. Future research should explore genetic effects on muscle and fat deposition and assess consumer preferences to refine breeding and production strategies.

Effective weed management is crucial in the critical period of sugar beet production, but often lacks sustainability and environmental protection. Recent advancements in sensor-based weed control systems have rendered the latter a realistic prospect, which demands detailed analyses, especially under suboptimal field conditions. The present study analysed six robotic-assisted weed control systems (RAWS) in three experiments on sugar beets in 2024, conducted under dry soil and high weed pressure. The experiments included sensor-based inter-row and intra-row hoeing, spot- and band-spraying and were compared to a broadcast herbicide treatment and an untreated control. Weed control efficacy (WCE) in the intra- and inter-row areas, as well as weed species composition and crop plant damage, were assessed after treatment. The data show that intra-row WCE of two hoeing robots (Farming GT® and Robovator®) equipped with selective intra-row blades achieved up to 80%, which was higher than the broadcast herbicide control with 67% WCE. In the inter-row area, Farming GT® robotic hoeing and ARA® spot-spraying resulted in more than 90% WCE, which was equal to the broadcast herbicide application. Weed species composition was not affected by the different RAWS. Crop plants were affected by all hoeing treatments with maximum non-lethal burial rates of 33%. The highest lethal uprooting of crop plants occurred after Farming GT® robotic hoeing, at 5.5% overall. The results demonstrate the great potential of robotic weeding to replace broadcast herbicide applications.

This study investigates the effect of varying concentrations of potato fibre (PF) (1, 2, and 3%) on wheat flour (WF) dough rheological properties and the resultant pan bread quality. Chemical analysis, physical characteristics (weight, loaf volume, and specific volume), and colour attributes were estimated to assess bread quality. The impact of PF on bread sensory evaluation was estimated. The addition of PF significantly affected the properties of the dough. Moreover, the data indicated a substantial increase in water absorption (P ≤ 0.05) from 57.2% for the control to 65.5, 73.3, and 77.6% with the addition of 1, 2, and 3% PF to WF, respectively. Protein, crude fibre, and ash levels significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) with higher PF ratios. Moisture and carbohydrate contents were markedly reduced (P ≤ 0.05). The specific volume considerably decreased from 3.15 cm³·g^–1 in the control to 2.9, 2.74, and 2.53 cm³·g^–1 with the addition of 1, 2, and 3% PF to WF, respectively. All replacement samples exhibited no significant alterations (P ≤ 0.05) in L* values and substantially (P ≤ 0.05) increased values of yellowness (b*) in all fortified samples relative to the control. Sensory assessments revealed that PF can be incorporated into WF at concentrations of 1% and 2% without compromising the overall acceptability of bread compared to the control.

Potassium (K) is crucial for rice yield and quality, but continuous yield increase reduces protein content, challenging the balance between high yield and quality. This study analysed 3 178 case studies (1994–2024) on K management impacts on rice yield, grain protein, and amylose content, evaluating effects of K fertiliser rates, base-topdressing ratios, planting regions, and soil properties. The results showed that K application significantly increased rice yield, protein content and amylose content by 11.6, 2.0 and 1.0%, respectively. Importantly, we identified targeted K fertilisation strategies tailored to different quality goals: optimising for eating quality, nutritional quality, or synergistic improvement of yield and comprehensive quality. This study provides a scientific basis for precision K management to help growers balance rice yield with specific quality needs.

Rice serves as a crucial staple food for nearly half of the world’s population. However, rice paddies contribute remarkably to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Prior studies often showed a trade-off between reducing GHG emissions and impairing rice yield. In this study, we explore the possibility of employing modulating probiotics to develop a win-win strategy for enhancing rice yields while reducing GHG emissions. Three paired plots of rice paddies were used in the field experiment during the spring growing season (from February to July 2022). Each pair of plots was divided into control and probiotic addition paddies to investigate the effects of modulating probiotic treatment on GHG emissions using the whole-plant chambers. Our results revealed notable reductions in GHG emissions and increases in rice yield with the probiotic treatment relative to the control. The probiotic treatment resulted in a 47.58% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, a 21.53% reduction in methane (CH₄) emissions, and an impressive 88.50% reduction in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions over the growing season. We also observed a 27.75% increase in rice yield with the probiotic treatment. These findings suggest that employing modulating probiotics has the potential to pave the way for mutually beneficial outcomes, enhancing rice productivity while mitigating the GHG emissions associated with rice cultivation.

Vegetables are considered as the major source for opportunistic and emerging pathogens due to their diverse microbiome. Utilising bacterial endophytes and other bacterial agents to control a variety of economically important plant diseases is vital for achieving sustainable agriculture. Within internal plant tissues, bacterial endophytes form colonies without apparent injury. These bacteria provide several advantages for plant systems, including the direct stimulation of plant development through the creation of metabolites or phytohormones. Importantly, bacterial endophytes play a dual role by safeguarding their plant host through the biocontrol of pathogens and induction of the plant's innate immune system. This review offers a methodical and inclusive examination of the current state of endophytic diversity of bacteria, their methods of plant colonisation and their potential functions as protective agents against plant diseases. The review concludes by proposing diverse effective strategies for applying endophytic bacteria as a biological agent aiming to safeguard vegetable crop plants and enhancing the resilience of agricultural products.

In recent years, epidemics of wheat yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) have been observed in major winter wheat-producing regions in Kazakhstan. However, there is currently very little information about the racial composition and virulence of Pst. The global emergence of aggressive and genetically diverse Pst races leads to different seasonal and geographic patterns of the pathogen, making cultivated wheat varieties vulnerable to the pathogen and potentially causing yellow rust epidemics. Three periods with different characteristic dominant Pst races were distinguished in Kazakhstan during 1985–2022. The first period covers 1985–2000, when in the southeast of the country, the main Pst races were 7E156 (31/1.5), 7E158 (A-8/5), 39E158 (X/1.5) and 86E16. In the second period (2001–2010), the crops were dominated by races 7E159, 31E159 and 47E224, which showed virulence to varieties with resistance genes Yr9 and Yr18. In the third period (2018–2022), the most dominant races in the fungal population were 7E159, 39E158, 79E73, 79E179, and 111E158, exhibiting virulence to varieties with the Yr26 and Yr27 genes. In the background of field infection, the resistance genes Yr5, Yr10, and Yr15 remain reliable in ensuring resistance; the Yr4, YrSp, and YrND sources are also highly effective against the Pst population.

Trehalose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose that can be found in various plant and animal species. Mammals are not able to synthesize trehalose but it is usually easily enzymatically broken down into 2 molecules of glucose. As a structural additive, trehalose can be used in food mainly for stabilizing proteins. Low trehalase activity (primary trehalase deficiency) leading to intolerance is rare but may appear manifest as a complication of enteropathy from other causes (celiac disease, Crohn's disease, etc.). We present the case of a young 27-year-old male with repeated tenesmus followed by enterorrhagia, weight loss, and elevated markers of inflammation caused by combined lactase and trehalase deficiency. Unique exome sequencing analysis of gene TREH was performed to distinguish between primary and secondary trehalase deficiency.

Aloe vera and A. arborescens are succulent plants widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food supplements. The objective of this study was to perform interspecific crosses and agronomically characterise three genotypes cultivated in a Venezuelan highland region (altitude 1 727 m, 13–17.9 °C). Successful hybridisation was achieved only when A. arborescens pollen (P1) was used on A. vera pistils (P2), whereas the reciprocal cross was largely unsuccessful. Hybrid seed germination reached 11.86%, and adult hybrids exhibited significant vegetative superiority over P1, particularly in leaf volume, leaf weight, and flower number. The progeny outperformed both parents in leaf base width and lateral tooth size, thereby enhancing its ornamental value. The expected 2n = 2x = 14 karyotype was confirmed in the root meristems of hybrids. The analysis of leaf pulp processing indicated that the hybrid was promising for juice production (39.8% yield, 1 203 ppm acemannan), thus highlighting its potential for agro-industrial applications in tropical highlands or comparable temperate regions. Other agronomic traits, including number, thickness, colour, and shape of leaves; sprouting of stem branches and basal suckers, flowering period, inflorescence, eggs/ovary, and details of the colour and dimensions of bracts, perianth, pedicel, and ovary, were also evaluated.

An unstructured mathematical model is proposed to describe the fermentation kinetics of growth, lactic acid production, pH and sugar consumption by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 (National Bank for Industrial Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Sofia, Bulgaria) as a function of the buffering capacity and initial dry matter concentration of pretreated biomass of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) ('Simbiotex' Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria) in the culture media. Initially the experimental data of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 fermentations in algae-based media with different buffering capacities and dry matter concentrations were fitted to a set of primary models. Later the parameters obtained from these models were used to establish mathematical relationships with the independent variables tested. The models were validated with 6 fermentations of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 in different algae-based media. In most cases, the proposed models adequately describe the biochemical changes taking place during fermentation and are a promising approach for the formulation of algae-based probiotic foods.

Since its introduction in 2019, African swine fever (ASF) has spread to all regions of the Philippines, affecting 73 out of its 82 provinces. To assess the environmental DNA (eDNA) contamination patterns of the ASF virus (ASFV) in swine transport vehicles and evaluate its measures of association, a total of 450 environmental swabs from 30 transportation vehicles were tested using qPCR. Five out of 30 vehicles (16.67%) tested positive in at least one of the following areas: cargo area or sidecar walls (6.67%), cargo area or sidecar floors (6.67%), hauling personnel’s hands (6.67%), steering wheel or handlebars (3.33%), gear shift levers (3.33%), floor mats or footpegs (3.33%), dashboards (3.33%), door handles or sidecar gate bolts (3.33%), tyres/wheels (3.33%), fenders (3.33%), and hauling personnel’s footwear (3.33%). All investigated risk factors were analysed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and odds ratio and were found to be insignificant, including the frequency of swine transportation per week, frequency of cleaning per week, cleaning materials used, disinfection practices, the number of pigs transported, and whether hauliers owned pigs (p > 0.05). This study illuminates the environmental contamination patterns of ASFV in swine transport vehicles, underscoring the need for targeted biosecurity protocols in areas with a high risk of contamination, particularly the cabin areas. More effective vehicle disinfection systems that will not damage equipment or pose health risks to hauliers are recommended to reduce the risk of ASF disease transmission between countries and geographic regions.

Moisture content regulation of root crops is crucial in post-harvest processing operations, not only in the price stipulation but also to avoid aflatoxin contamination. To prolong their storage life, they are processed into dried chips to extend their usability in feed formulations and starches. In this study, we use the capacitance-based method to evaluate the performance of an analogue-based electronic meter for the cassava, sweet potato, and taro chips. The meter was calibrated against the oven-drying method, yielding high R² values of the different root crops. The established calibration models were validated and revealed high R² values with 0.9580 for the cassava, 0.9958 for the sweet potato, and 0.9798 for the taro. The trendline equations are y = 59.44x^0.56, y = 54.38x^0.47, and y = 52.94x^0.62, respectively. The results revealed that the moisture meter is capable of reading the moisture content on a weight basis (% MC_wb) with accuracy and reliability at specified limits of 8% < x < 69% for the cassava, 15% < x < 59% for the sweet potato, and 9% < x < 57% for the taro. This study presents the performance of a portable analogue-based moisture meter as a reliable and accessible solution to small-scale operations, especially for farmers, offering an on-site rapid moisture content measurement in root crop processing.

Nanotechnology plays a vital role in enhancing plant tolerance to salt stress; however, comparative studies on zinc oxide bulk particles (ZnO bulk) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in this context remain unexplored. Since zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient involved in enzyme activation, photosynthesis, and antioxidant responses, it is important to understand how ZnO bulk and ZnO NPs influence chickpea growth under salt stress. This study investigated the morphological and physiological responses of chickpea seedlings treated with ZnO bulk (50 mg/L) and ZnO NPs (50 mg/L) under varying salt concentrations (20, 40, 80, and 120 mmol/L). Salt stress significantly inhibited chickpea growth, reducing the relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, total chlorophyll content, and potassium (K) and zinc ion levels while increasing sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline content. However, the application of ZnO bulk and ZnO NPs improved these parameters, mitigating the negative effects of salt stress. Furthermore, exogenous ZnO bulk and ZnO NPs to salt-stressed (20, 40, 80, and 120 mmol/L) chickpea resulted in decreased malondialdehyde content by 30, 32, 47, 34%, and 58, 31, 48, 47%, proline content by 4, 6, 1.6, 4% and 22, 21, 22, 28%, respectively, in comparison to the control. Notably, ZnO bulk and ZnO NPs enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. These findings suggest that foliar application of ZnO bulk and ZnO NPs helps alleviate salt stress in chickpeas, promoting better growth and physiological performance under saline conditions.

The unsustainable conversion of forest areas into agricultural land poses a serious danger to the soil eminence of Arunachal Pradesh’s environmentally delicate hilly topography. Understanding the impacts of this land-use change is crucial for preventing further degradation. This study aimed to develop soil quality indices (SQIs) for different land use types: natural forest (NF), current jhum cultivation (JC), fallow jhum land (FJC), and pineapple cultivation (PA). Samples of soil were taken at a depth of 0 to 15 cm and examined for 22 potential soil quality indicators, with 19 showing significant (P < 0.05) influence from land use, constituting the total dataset (TDS). Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed on TDS to identify the minimum data set (MDS), comprising dehydrogenase activity, diethylenetriaminpentahacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable iron, and bulk density, contributing 73%, 19%, and 8% to the overall SQI, respectively. Subsequently, different SQIs were estimated using linear/nonlinear and additive/weighted scoring functions. The results revealed substantial alterations in SQIs among the land use types, through NF exhibiting the highest soil quality. Notably, the nonlinear SQIs exhibited greater sensitivity to land use conversion compared to their linear counterparts, indicating their potential as a more robust tool for assessing soil quality changes. This study concludes that the transformation of land use in the hilly regions of subtropics of Arunachal Pradesh has led to the deterioration of soil quality. The proposed indexing framework, leveraging the sensitivity and clarity of nonlinear SQIs, can effectively evaluate and compare soil quality across different land use scenarios, thereby informing sustainable land management strategies.

Current dietary patterns in developed countries, characterised by high intakes of processed and animal-source foods, are linked to increased obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, as well as environmental burdens. This paper investigates determinants of red meat, white meat, and fish consumption across five European countries, using representative survey data from over 10 000 individuals. Our findings reveal that men consume more red meat and fish than women, though, when adjusted for body weight, women consume significantly more white meat and fish. While vegetarians are mostly people younger than 35 years, meat eaters in the same age category tend to eat more red meat than older people. Cross-country differences highlight the need for localised policy approaches. Individual values also shape dietary choices. Security-oriented people prefer red meat, while altruistic individuals consume less of it. Biospheric values, while strongly associated with being vegetarian, show no significant association with meat or fish intake. To reduce red meat consumption, policies should highlight health benefits of eating less meat, with messages tailored to specific demographic groups. Additionally, enhancing meat alternatives' affordability, taste, and appearance is essential for promoting dietary shifts.

A 12-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was referred for respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed a systolic heart murmur at the left apex and crackles in all lung fields. Thoracic radiography showed Valentine-shaped cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema, and pleural effusion. Echocardiography revealed focal thickening of the interventricular septum [11.01 mm; reference interval (RI) = 3.00–5.20 mm] and left ventricular posterior wall (7.41 mm; RI = 3.00–5.10 mm) during diastole. In the apex region, the free wall was focally thinned to approximately 1.6 mm with hypokinetic myocardial movement, indicating thin and hypokinetic myocardial segments. Additionally, decreased left atrial fractional shortening (12.5%; RI = 23.9–34.9%) and an increased left atrial-to-aortic ratio (2.87; RI = 0.88–1.43) were observed, along with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in the left atrium, indicating increased thrombotic risk. The electrocardiogram showed a left axis deviation with small R waves and deep S waves in lead II, which is consistent with a left anterior fascicular block caused by delayed conduction in the left anterior fascicle. This case report describes the coexistence of a left anterior fascicular block and thin, hypokinetic myocardial segments in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting a possible pathophysiological link.

The aim of the paper is to examine the resilience of Czech agricultural enterprises through the perceptions of farm managers and to assess the areas where these businesses perceive themselves as resilient and where they feel vulnerable. The analysis is based on data from a survey conducted by the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information (IAEI) in June 2022, involving 521 Czech agricultural managers. The study focuses on six key areas: climate change and its impacts, agricultural inputs, labour force, market outlets, land prices and availability, and changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Across all areas, managers reported that businesses were more frequently vulnerable than resilient, particularly in relation to agricultural inputs and climate change. The results also highlight differences in the perception of resilience across enterprises of varying sizes, with significant variation noted in how changes to the CAP were viewed. Contrary to the common belief that larger enterprises are more resilient, the survey found that Czech medium-sized and large enterprises (with 200 hectares or more of agricultural land) were more frequently perceived as vulnerable.

The darkness of the kernel and the lack of simultaneous ripening of the mesocarp and endocarp are among the most significant challenges in Iranian walnut orchards. The mentioned problems appear more in areas with hot and humid summers. The research focused on the quality of the kernel in terms of colour and marketability, as well as the dry matter of the kernels. Additionally, the ease of mesocarp separation from endocarp was examined. Experimental trials were designed with 27 treatment combinations to address the mentioned issues using varying concentrations of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) at different harvest dates. In this study, using 1 920 ppm of ethephon on August 22nd resulted in the best quality walnut kernels and mesocarp. Researchers in this project successfully achieved the highest quality of walnut kernels and nuts in a region where over 90% of the harvest consisted of dark-kernel walnuts.

Banana quality is influenced by many factors, including variety and level of fruit ripeness. This quality can be evaluated from various points of view, one of which is the rheological consideration. Rheological properties are very important to study because they determine the design of equipment and processes, and minimise product damage. The aim of this research was to analyse and model the effect of variety and ripeness level on the rheological properties of banana fruit by applying a creep test. This research was carried out using a factorial experimental design 3 × 3 with 5 replications. Three varieties of banana, namely Ambon (Musa parasidiaca var. sapientum L. Kunt.), Raja (Musa parasidiaca L.), and Kepok (Musa acuminata balbisiana Colla) and each in three levels of ripeness, namely mature green, half ripe, and ripe. It was found that the parameters of the rheological properties of bananas changed according to the ripeness level (P < 0.05). The values of these rheological parameters decreased as the bananas ripened. Meanwhile, the variety and the interaction between variety and ripeness had no significant influence on the rheological parameters measured (P > 0.05). The constants of the four-element Burger model changed with the ripeness in all banana varieties. The Burger model with four elements could accurately predict the strain value of bananas tested in the creep test.

Measuring the reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) is difficult and costly. Some regions can have variable microclimates and these can often be quite far from climate stations. Therefore, it is optimal to use local measurements rather than a regionally calculated ET₀. In this respect, one piece of equipment that provides cheap and reliable measurement results is ET_Gauge equipment. In this study, ET₀ values measured with ET_Gauge equipment were compared with daily and monthly ET₀ values calculated by five different commonly used empirical methods (Thornthwaite_Adj, Blaney-Criddle, Penman-Monteith = PM, Jensen-Haise and ASCE standardised Penman-Monteith = ASCE SZ PM). During the measurement period, daily ET₀ values measured with ET_Gauge varied between 0–10 mm/day and the average was determined as 4.5 ± 2.7 mm/day in the study area. In the calculations made with the empirical models, the change in Thornthwaite_Adj is 1.3–6.6 mm/day with an average of 3.8 ± 1.6 mm/day, the change in Blaney-Criddle is 1.8–7.2 mm per day with an average of 5.1 ± 1.4, the change in PM is 1.2–10.5 mm/day with an average of 5.8 ± 2.7 mm/day, the change in Jensen-Haise was 5.8 ± 2.7 mm/day with an average of 5.5 ± 2.7 mm/day, and the change in ASCE SZ PM was calculated as 1.0–10.1 mm/day with an average of 5.4 ± 2.5 mm/day. Considering the obtained results, the ET_Gauge equipment can be used safely in creating irrigation programmes.

The meat industry is actively trying to replace synthetic antioxidants with natural counterparts. Sea buckthorn is an excellent source of polyphenols and its high antioxidant properties. Various authors tested the antioxidation effect of sea buckthorn on lipids in meat products. The problem of sea buckthorn addition to food is its effect on sensory parameters. Our study incorporated sea buckthorn extract into pork sausage, stored for 21 days, and observed sensory properties and their changes. We mechanically measured the pH, colour, and textural properties of pork sausage samples with minimal variability observed. Also, sensory analysis by informed panellists was conducted on multiple storage days. Sensory evaluation revealed significant deterioration of sensory quality. Sea buckthorn remains an interesting option for the meat industry. However, further multidisciplinary research is still needed.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein linked to udder health in dairy cows. This study aimed to develop a calibration model for LF quantification using mid-infrared spectrometry (MIR-FT), with ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the reference method. Two sets of individual milk samples (A: n = 120; B: n = 91) were collected from five dairy farms in the Czech Republic. Set A included a higher proportion of samples with somatic cell count (SCC) above 300 000 cells/ml to ensure broad LF variability. After merging both sets and removing six outliers, a final calibration set C (n = 205) was created. The developed model achieved a cross-validated coefficient of determination of 0.588 7 and a standard error of cross-validation of 67.33 mg/l. Correlation analysis showed that several milk parameters correlated with LF determined by MIR-FT in patterns typical of mastitis (SCC: r = 0.450; lactose: r = –0.364; free fatty acids: r = 0.621; electrical conductivity: r = 0.442), indicating potential for MIR-FT in evaluating mammary gland health. The feasibility of using LF as an indicator of milk adulteration by artificial SCC reduction through centrifugation was also assessed. Two sample sets (n = 20 and n = 68) were analysed, each containing normal bulk tank milk and bulk tank milk supplemented with abnormal milk. Centrifugation caused minimal changes in LF determined by both HPLC and MIR-FT (maximum 3.27%) while SCC decreased by nearly 50%, suggesting that LF may serve as a marker for detecting artificial SCC reduction. However, practical application of MIR-FT for accurate LF determination is limited by the achieved validation parameters and the high expanded uncertainty (114.7 mg/l). The method is therefore more suitable for monitoring relative LF changes in milk than for determining exact LF content.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a major global oilseed crop and exhibits significant heterosis. The discovery and characterisation of novel male-sterile accessions remain fundamental for harnessing heterosis in rapeseed breeding. Previously, we developed a male sterile two-type line system 19F08AB in B. napus. In this study, anther abortion in 19F08A was characterised using the squash method. The inheritance of male sterility in 19F08A and its genetic relationship to reported male sterile accessions in rapeseed was investigated using classical genetic analysis and male-sterility-gene-specific molecular markers. Results indicated that male sterile flowers of 19F08A exhibit flat petals, reduced floral organs, short filaments, and completely degenerated stamens devoid of pollen. Pollen mother cells in 19F08A degenerated at the pre-meiotic stage and aborted completely at the tetrad stage, with no dyad or tetrad formation observed. This suggested that 19F08A represents a meiosis abnormality-type male sterility. Classical genetic and molecular marker analysis revealed that male-sterile plants 19F08A carry the genotype of pol (RfpRfpMsms), whereas fertile plants 19F08B possess pol (RfpRfpmsms). The effect of the pol cytoplasm was masked by the Rfp gene. Therefore, fertility in 19F08AB is controlled by a pair of nuclear genes (Ms/ms), with male sterility exhibiting dominance over fertility. The application prospects of this male-sterile accession are also discussed. These findings expand the pool of male-sterile resources available for B. napus hybrid breeding and contribute to plant male sterility theory.

Circular bioeconomy is rapidly gaining ground in the agricultural sector with priority given to the utilisation of more environmentally friendly materials for production and processing. Thus, in this study, biodegradable seedling pots were developed using sawdust (SD) and spent mushroom compost (SMC) as a sustainable alternative to plastic containers. Four pots composed of SMC : SD ratios of 100 : 0, 70 : 30, 60 : 40, and 50 : 50 were developed and evaluated. The mechanical properties, structural characteristics, and water absorption capacity of the pots were assessed and seedlings were made to grow in them to monitor the growth support potential. A universal tensile test machine was used to assess the indirect tensile strength (mechanical properties), while a scanning electron microscope was used to examine the morphology of the samples. Also, images of the seedling roots were segmented and analysed in ImageJ and WinRHIZO software to determine the root system architecture. The results demonstrated that the 60 : 40 ratio exhibited superior performance including having optimal water absorption capacity, indirect tensile strength, and structural properties. The 70 : 30 ratio also showed comparable tensile strength values. However, increasing the SMC content in the pot improved the root developments. This research presents a viable solution for converting agricultural waste into environmentally friendly seedling containers and suggests a potential option for reducing the dependency on plastic pots in agriculture.