Investigations of the maintenance system of the Konik Polski horse and its effects on fecal microbiota activity during the winter and summer seasons

Gastrointestinal microbiota play a key role in the nutrients digestion and hence maintaining animal health and welfare. The diet offered to the animals in captivity may differ considerably from that on natural pastures. In a stabled maintenance system, horses have a limited choice of habitat and feed. Time spend for feeding is relevant for equine welfare because the reduction of the time devoted for foraging may be responsible for inducing gastric inflammation and ulceration. Therefore, in the present study, it was hypothesized that fecal bacterial fermentative processes differ between free-roaming and stabled Konik Polski Horses (KPHs) with respect to microbial enzymatic activity, and thus the fecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which can be further utilized for assessing the feeding behavior and welfare in free-roaming versus stabled horses. The SCFA concentration and profile, as well as the extracellular and intracellular activities of selected bacterial enzymes, were characterized in horse feces collected during the winter and summer feeding seasons. The results showed higher enzymatic activity and SCFA production in the feces excreted by free-roaming versus stabled horses, especially during summer. An increase in pasture plant diversity may be beneficial for the gastrointestinal microbiota and hence for maintaining health and welfare.     

Effect of an entomopathogenic nematode,Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser (Nematoda,Steinernematidae), on carabid beetles in field trials with annual legumes

Two species of carabid beetle:Bembidion properans Steph. andPterostichus cupreus L. were the most often captured into pitfall traps in the spring period on plots with various cultivars of annual legumes. The greatest density ofP. cupreus population in the field with annual legumes was observed in May, in the feeding and eggs laying period by pea weevilSitona lineatus L. (Col. Curculionidae) — the main legumes pest. In June the most frequent carabid wasB. properans, the small beetles destroying the eggs or young larvae ofSitona lineatus. No effect of usingS. carpocapsae nematodes to infect nontarget carabid species was found in case different doses of invasive larvae on the soil surface into traps, although the mortality of captured ground beetles was high. The length of life of Carabidae collected from traps with nematodes were not significantly decreased in comparison with the control group.

---

Zusammenfassung Zwei Carabiden-Arten,Bembidion properans Steph. undPterostichus cupreus L. waren die beiden häufigsten Arten, die im Frühjahr in Bodenfallen in verschiedenen Kulturen einjähriger Leguminosen gefangen wurden. Die größte Dichte vonP. cupreus wurde im Mai festgestellt während der Fraß- und Eilege-Periode des Haupt-Leguminosenschädlings, des ErbsenrüßlersSitona lineatus L. (Col., Curculionidae). Im Juni warB. properans der häufigste Laufkäfer, der die Eier und Junglarven vonSitona lineatus zur Beute nahm. Die Hinzugabe invasiver Larven des NematodenSteinernema carpocapsae in mit gefangenen Laufkäfern besetzten Bodenfallen erbrachte keine gesicherte Infektion, obgleich die Carbadiden-Dichte in den Gefäßen hoch war. Die Lebensdauer von Carabidae in mit Nematoden besetzten Gefäßen unterschied sich nicht von jener in Kontrollgefäßen.

---

---

With 2 figures and 2 tables     

Über den Befall einjähriger Leguminosen durch den Erbsenrüßler,Sitona lineatus L. (Col., Curculionidae)

In early spring period early field pea and other cultivars of pea were most attractive plants forS. lineatus adults in comparison with bean cv. In May, in egg laying period, bean cv appeared to be the most preferable. These field studies are the first step on further experiments on determining the effect of host plant on susceptibility of the weevils to infection by entomopathogens. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A0135136 00002     

Protothecosis as a cause of chronic diarrhoea in a dog

The clinical form of the protothecosis in animals is most commonly observed in countries with a warm and moist climate, only a few reports describing cases of this infection in cooler areas of the word exist. In the case of large bowel infection in dogs, organisms colonise the lamina propria and submucosa causing severe necrotizing ulcerative or haemorrhagic enterocolitis. In this report the intestinal form of protothecosis in 1.5-year-old, male, mongrel dog with chronic hemorrhagic diarrhoea is described. History revealed that the dog spent some time in the countryside and afterwards diarrhoea with fresh blood appeared. The results of morphological and biochemical blood analysis were normal and stool examination did not reveal the presence of parasites. Treatment with anti-inflammatory doses of prednisone, metronidazole and enrofloxacin followed by sulphasalazine resulted in a short period of improvement, but was followed by deep deterioration of animal status. Because of the relapse diagnostic laparotomy was performed and tissue samples of the colon and jejunum were obtained for histopathology. On the basis of the clinical signs, exploratory laparotomy findings and histopathology the diagnosis of canine intestinal prototecosis was made and medical treatment was recommended.     

Controlling Properties and Cytotoxicity of Chitosan Nanocapsules by Chemical Grafting

The tunability of the properties of chitosan-based carriers opens new ways for the application of drugs with low water-stability or high adverse effects. In this work, the combination of a nanoemulsion with a chitosan hydrogel coating and the following poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafting is proven to be a promising strategy to obtain a flexible and versatile nanocarrier with an improved stability. Thanks to chitosan amino groups, a new easy and reproducible method to obtain nanocapsule grafting with PEG has been developed in this work, allowing a very good control and tunability of the properties of nanocapsule surface. Two different PEG densities of coverage are studied and the nanocapsule systems obtained are characterized at all steps of the optimization in terms of diameter, Z potential and surface charge (amino group analysis). Results obtained are compatible with a conformation of PEG molecules laying adsorbed on nanoparticle surface after covalent linking through their amino terminal moiety. An improvement in nanocapsule stability in physiological medium is observed with the highest PEG coverage density obtained. Cytotoxicity tests also demonstrate that grafting with PEG is an effective strategy to modulate the cytotoxicity of developed nanocapsules. Such results indicate the suitability of chitosan as protective coating for future studies oriented toward drug delivery.     

The effect of inulin supply to high‐fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids on pork quality and profile of sarcoplasmic protein in meat exudate

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of inulin supply to high‐fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA) on pork quality and profile of sarcoplasmic protein in drip loss. At 50 days of age, twenty cross‐bred pigs (gilts) were randomly allotted to four groups: the control (C) group fed a standard diet, and three experimental (D1, D2 and D3) groups fed a high‐fat diet rich in SFA. Moreover, pigs from the groups D2 and D3 consumed an extra inulin supply (7% of daily feed intake) from 85 to 120 days of age (for 5 weeks) and from 50 to 120 days of age (for 10 weeks) respectively. The addition of inulin to the diet reduced meaty odour and flavour significantly, improved tenderness and overall sensory quality of pork and additionally influenced ultimate pH, L* colour parameter, lactate level and protein content in meat. The diets also affected the profile of sarcoplasmic proteins. Significant effects were observed for the following enzymes—PK/PGI (pyruvate kinase/phosphoglucose isomerase) and ALD (aldolase), which are related to the intensity of post‐mortem glycolysis. Presented data indicate that long‐term inulin supply to high‐fat diet has a positive effect on technological and sensory quality as well as protein profile of pork.     

Effects of maternal treatment with β‐hydroxy‐β‐metylbutyrate and 2‐oxoglutaric acid on femur development in offspring of minks of the standard dark brown type

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the diet, mother type and sex of the offspring on the mechanical and geometric parameters of long bones as well as bone tissue density in minks. Primiparous and multiparous dams were supplemented with β‐hydroxy β‐methylbutyrate (a metabolite of leucine, at the daily dosage of 0.02 g/kg of body weight) and/or 2‐oxoglutaric acid (a precursor of glutamine, at the daily dosage of 0.4 g/kg of body weight) during gestation. The diet did not influence bone tissue density and the length of the humerus. An increase in the length of the femur was noted in male offspring delivered by multiparous dams. The diet resulted in an increase in the weight of the humerus in males from multiparous dams and a decrease in offspring from primiparous dams. Heavier femora were noted in male offspring delivered by both types of dams. The maximum elastic strength of the humerus was higher in the offspring delivered by multiparous than primiparous dams, irrespective of the offspring sex. The diet resulted in reduction in the ultimate strength of the femur in the male offspring delivered by primiparous dams. Only females born by multiparous dams, irrespective of the diet, showed a significant increase in the cross‐sectional area of the humerus, while a significant decline was noted in males delivered by multiparous dams and in all the offspring delivered by primiparous dams. An increase in the cross‐sectional area of the femur was noted in the offspring delivered by multiparous dams, while reduction was observed in the offspring delivered by primiparous dams. These results have shown for the first time that the presence of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate or 2‐oxoglutaric acid in the diet of pregnant primiparous or multiparous dams unambiguously affects the geometry and mechanical properties of offspring's long bones.     

Effect of dose rate and mixtures of fungicides on selection for QoI resistance in populations of Plasmopara viticola

Resistance to QoI fungicides (strobilurins, famoxadone and fenamidone) in populations of Plasmopara viticola (Berk & Curt) Berlese & de Toni developed soon after their introduction in France and Italy. Current resistance management strategies include limitation of the number of applications, use of mixtures and alternation of fungicides with different modes of action. The selection pressure resulting from QoI fungicides applied alone or in mixtures with non-QoI fungicides was investigated in whole plant experiments under controlled conditions. QoI-resistant populations of P. viticola gradually reverted to full sensitivity following consecutive transfers to untreated plants, suggesting that resistant phenotypes were less competitive than sensitive ones. When cycled on QoI-treated plants, reduction in sensitivity was greater for the QoI fungicide which had greater intrinsic activity on P. viticola. Sensitivity decreased at each subsequent cycle, resulting in almost full resistance after four generations. Mixture experiments indicated that selection pressure was affected most by the dose of the QoI fungicide and the nature of the partner fungicide. Folpet delayed selection pressure most effectively when it was associated with famoxadone or azoxystrobin. Mancozeb was least effective at reducing the rate of selection compared with the QoI alone, and fosetyl-aluminium was intermediate. Higher rates of selection were recorded when the dose of the QoI fungicide, solo or in a mixture, was increased from 1 to 4 microg ml(-1). Increasing the dose of the non-QoI partner fungicide in the mixture from 10 to 30 microg ml(-1) resulted in reduced selection pressure. These results suggest that the choice of the fungicide partner and its dosage in the mixture can significantly affect the success of QoI resistance management strategies under practical conditions.     

Effect of Metal Ions on the Entomopathogenic Nematode Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora Poinar (Nematoda: Heterohabditidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

The effect of sixteen metal ions: Al, Cd, Co(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Fe(III), Li, Mg, Mn(II), Mo(VI), Ni(II), Pb(II), Se(IV), V(V), and Zn on the mortality and infectivity ofHeterorhabditis bacteriophora were observed over a 96 hr period. All ions except Pb(II) even at naturally unrealistic concentrations did not cause the mortality of the nematodes. A weak vitalizing effect could eventually be observed with Mn(II), Mg, Fe(III) and Ni(II) (Table 1). However, such treatment generally lowered infectivity of the nematodes with respect to wax moth caterpillars.Galleria mellonella. This effect was particularly significant with Ni(II) and Pb(II).     

Iron oxides as weathering indicator and the origin of Luvisols from the Vistula glaciation region in Poland

Purpose

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of lithogenic and pedogenic processes on the formation of Luvisols from the area of Vistula glaciation on the base of profile distribution of iron oxides and total iron in relation to texture and physicochemical properties. The indices of weathering of the soil material in genetic horizons were calculated, and changes in the content and forms of iron oxides were evaluated.

Materials and methods

The predominant type of soil in the study area is Luvisols under agricultural use, formed from silt formations on loam. The analyses were made applying the following methods: grain size composition using the sieve method and hydrometer method, the interpretation of the results was performed according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources classification, the pH of soils was measured with the potentiometric method, C-organic with the Walkley-Black dichromate method, the content of the following iron forms was determined (total iron (Fe_t) after the mineralization of soils in the mixture of HF and HClO₄ acids), free iron oxides were extracted using dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate method, and amorphous iron oxides after the ammonium oxalate extraction (using the Philips 9100PU apparatus). The clay mineralogy was estimated by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Results and discussion

It was observed that total iron enrichment occurs in argic horizons accompanied by iron depletion in luvic horizons, while the profile distribution of iron is similar to the distribution of clay. The (Fe_d/Fe_t) ratio indicates a low degree of weathering; the highest values were observed in argic (Bt) horizons, which confirms the effect of the process of pedogenesis on the value of that index. In the soils investigated, crystalline iron oxides generally dominate over the amorphous forms. The mineralogical composition of clay fraction separated from the upper part of soils was different as compared to the underlying material.

Conclusions

The results of the study showed that iron contents (together with the other indicators) and its forms can be used to distinguish soil layers of different origin. The depth distribution of Fe_d, Fe_o and Fe_t within soil profiles indicates that the soil material may be of different lithogenic origin in the studied pedons.