New generation butyric-acetate copolymer of chitin (BOC) fibres with ceramic HAp and TCP nanoadditives for the manufacture of fibrous composite materials

An investigation was made of the effect of basic spinning process parameters on the structure and properties of butyric-acetate copolymer of chitin (BOC) fibres. It was found that, considering the resulting tenacity of 20.3 cN/tex simultaneously with high water sorption and retention properties, it is favourable for the BOC fibre spinning process to be carried out with 1 % HAp or TCP nanoadditive. Furthermore, when 3 % of the HAp or TCP nanoadditive is incorporated into the BOC fibre material, no significant changes in the crystal structure occur compared with fibres without the nanoadditives, formed in similar conditions. Analysis of the porous structure and the properties of the surface of BOC fibres with HAp or TCP nanoadditive shows that the parameters are favourable for their medical application.     

Risk assessment posed by diseases in context of integrated management of wheat

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Three strict field experiments (2010–2013) were conducted at the Experimental Station of Cultivar Testing in Chrząstowo in Poland...     

Isolation and Characterization of Phenol-Degrading Psychrotolerant Yeasts

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - To investigate the differential contribution of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation by fungi and...     

Transcriptomic gene profiling of porcine muscle tissue depending on histological properties

In pig, the histological profile of muscle tissue, especially the proportion of individual fiber types, is one of the main factors affecting meat quality properties. In the present research, RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) by using next generation sequencing method was applied to estimate the whole gene expression profile of Longissimus lumborum muscle of pigs (Large White breed) differing in the percentage of two fiber types (slow‐twitch (type I) fibers and fast‐twitch glycolytic (type IIB) fibers). The RNA‐seq approach allowed us to identify 355 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) indicated as significant (false discovery rate‐adjusted P < 0.05) using three types of software: DESeq2, edgeR and baySeq. Detected genes and pathways deregulated in muscle depending on tissue microstructure were associated with: metabolic processes – 158 genes; cellular processes – 122; biological regulation – 62; localization – 51; and 35 genes with developmental processes. The DEGs were included in: PI3K‐Akt; FoxO and MAPK signaling pathways, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, lysine degradation and insulin signaling pathway as well as mTOR and Hippo signaling pathways. These results highlight the mainly metabolic pathways related to glucose metabolism and contraction processes of muscle cells. Detection of genes involved in variation of fiber‐type distribution will be useful in understanding of the genetic factors affecting muscle structure, metabolic process and indirectly, meat quality traits.     

Genome analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas syringae</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">lachrymans</Emphasis> strain 814/98 indicates diversity within the pathovar

Although many Pseudomonas syringae strains have already been determined, only a few genomes of strains belonging to pathovar lachrymans have been sequenced so far. In this study we report the genome sequence of P. syringae pv. lachrymans strain 814/98, which is highly virulent to cucumber. The genome size was estimated to be 6.58 Mb, with 57.97% GC content. In total, 6024 genes encoding proteins and 92 genes encoding RNAs were identified in this genome. Comparisons with the available sequenced genomes of pathovar lachrymans as well as with other P. syringae pathovars were conducted, revealing the presence of three unique plasmids and 24 type III effector proteins (TTEs) in strain 814/98. The phylogenetic analyses of MLST loci and TTEs clearly showed the existence of two distinct clusters of strains within pathovar lachrymans, which were grouped into either phylogroup 1 or 3, supporting non-monophyly within this pathovar.     

Distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dickeya</Emphasis> spp. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pectobacterium carotovorum</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">carotovorum</Emphasis> in naturally infected seed potatoes

Detailed studies were conducted on the distribution of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Dickeya spp. in two potato seed lots of different cultivars harvested from blackleg-diseased crops. Composite samples of six different tuber sections (peel, stolon end, and peeled potato tissue 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 cm from the stolon end) were analysed by enrichment PCR, and CVP plating followed by colony PCR on the resulting cavity-forming bacteria. Seed lots were contaminated with Dickeya spp. and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), but not with P. atrosepticum. Dickeya spp. and Pcc were found at high concentrations in the stolon ends, whereas relatively low densities were found in the peel and in deeper located potato tissue. Rep-PCR, 16S rDNA sequence analysis and biochemical assays, grouped all the Dickeya spp. isolates from the two potato seed lots as biovar 3. The implications of the results for the control of Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp., and sampling strategies in relation to seed testing, are discussed.     

Semen biology of vendace (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coregonus albula</Emphasis> L.)

The objective of this study was to describe the morphometry and motility parameters of vendace (Coregonus albula) spermatozoa. Morphometric parameters of vendace sperm head and tail were of values similar to rainbow trout. The effects of pH, sodium, potassium and calcium ion concentrations on computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) sperm motility characteristics were tested. Vendace sperm was motile in a wide pH range of 6.0–10.5 with the optimum pH established at 9.0. Increases in potassium and calcium ions caused decreases in the percentage of motile sperm. The CASA parameters and erratic sperm movement pattern of vendace spermatozoa were similar to whitefish (C. lavaretus) sperm motility, suggesting that there is a coregonid-specific sperm motility pattern.     

The use of bromelain as a feed additive in fish diets: Growth performance,intestinal morphology,digestive enzyme and immune response of juvenile Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from Ananas comosus and has great potential to affect several physiological functions. The current study examined the effect of bromelain added to commercial feed at concentrations of 0 g (control), 10 g (B1) and 20 g (B2) per kg diet on growth, feed utilization, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme and immune response of juvenile Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) for 56 days. At the end of this experiment, the highest final body weight was detected in fish fed diet of B2 compared to control. The protein content of whole fish was higher in fish fed diet of B1 and B2, but the content of calcium, iron, copper and zinc was noted lower in fillets of fish fed diet of B1 and B2. Supplementation with bromelain significantly increased the height of mucosal folds, enterocytes and the supranuclear zone of the epithelial cells compared to control diet. The enzymatic activity of lipase and pepsin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in fish fed diet of B1 and B2. The highest activity of lysozyme, total protein level and total immunoglobulin and the proliferative activity of T and B cells were detected in fish fed diet of B2 compared to control, where no significant (p > 0.05) difference was found in ceruloplasmin, metabolic activity of spleen macrophages and potential killing activity of spleen phagocytes between different treatments.     

Impact of Cameraria ohridella on Aesculus hippocastanum growth and long-term effects of trunk injection with pesticides

Defoliation caused annually by Cameraria ohridella has a considerable impact on the general condition of horse chestnut trees. We investigated the consequences of tree endotherapy against this insect. Wood samples, leaves and insect specimens were collected ten years after the treatment (injection) with pesticides. Insect invasion was manifested in all investigated trees by distinct radial growth depression. Treatment resulted in a growth upturn, while non-treated trees maintained decreased growth. The overall foliage infestation level was lower in treated trees, but pupal mass and potential fecundity of insect females were not affected. Our study revealed a long-lasting, positive effect of endotherapy on trees’ appearance and growth.     

The impact of gastrointestinal parasites infection on slaughter efficiency in pigs

The aim of the present study was to determine an influence of parasites invasion on fodder consumption and slaughter yield of fatteners in three different maintenance systems. The experimental part of the study was conducted on pigs farm producing in a close cycle. The study on internal parasites of fatteners were conducted based on coproscopic methods. In order to describe the relationship between following variables: meatiness, slaughter yield, fodder consumption and mean EPG value, the principal component analysis (PCA) was used. The analysis between fodder consumption and maintenance system and fodder consumption and helminths infection did not demonstrate any significant relationship. The analysis between slaughter yield and meatiness and an infection demonstrated in turn a decrease in both parameters values in the two maintenance systems, i.e. in fatteners kept on litter meatiness decrease in infected fatteners of 4.2% and yield of 1.7%. On slatted floor meatiness decrease in infected fatteners of 6.1% and yield of 2.7%. The decreasing tendency in meat content (3.7%) and in slaughter yield (1.1%) was also observed in fatteners maintained on deep litter, however the values were not significant statistically.