In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Phosphate-Based Zinc Nanoparticles

In recent years, zinc nanoparticles have captivated an attention due to their antimicrobial properties. Moreover, the advantage of nanomaterials is an ability to modify their chemical composition and influence their antibacterial properties. In this study, zinc-phosphate nanoparticles (ZnNPs) were prepared via chemical route of synthesis. Their antibacterial activity was evaluated by monitoring a bacterial growth of model microorganisms: gram-negative (G-) E. coli, and gram-positive (G+) S. aureus as well as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Obtained results have shown, the ZnNPs are the most effective against G+ S. aureus compared to MRSA or G- E. coli. The inhibition concentrations for S. aureus, E. coli and MRSA was 0.16, 1.25, 2.5 mM, respectively. To conclude, ZnNPs exhibit antibacterial activity against both G+ and G- model microorganisms, however, G- bacteria are more sensitive against ZnNPs.O

Effect of species, fertilization and harvest date on microbial composition and mycotoxin content in forage

The aim of the project was to evaluate the potential of microbial threat to feed safety in the year 2018. Analyses of the epiphytic community of several forage species (clovers, cocksfoot, fescue, festulolium, perennial ryegrass, timothy and trefoil) in variants of fertilized and non-fertilized vegetation were performed. The hypothesis is based on the fact that microorganisms are normally present on plant material during its growth all the way from the seed to the senescence; they are influenced by a plant's fitness, and they affect its harvest and utilization. Microflora was analyzed by cultivation on specific substrates, total microbial count and five specific microbial groups were observed and quantified. Forage species did not affect plant microflora. The highest risk factor of microbial contamination of feed was proved to be harvest date. Mycotoxin contamination of fresh feed was determined (deoxynivalenol and zearalenone) using ELISA. Zearalenone (ZEA) levels were negatively correlated to fertilization intensity, although these results were not statistically significant. Deoxynivalenol (DON) levels were the lowest in a moderate fertilization regime. Significant differences in mycotoxin content were found among botanical species.O

Monitoring of taurine dietary supplementation effect on parameters of Duroc boar ejaculate in summer season

The aim of this experiment was to find out whether the taurine supplementation in daily ration had an effect on quantity or quality of Duroc boar ejaculate. The experiment duration was from June to August, when it could assumed the possible occurrence of heat stress. For the study was chosen 12 Duroc boars of approximately the same age and condition. The control group of 6 Duroc boars was fed only by basic diet and the experimental group of 6 Duroc boars was fed by the same basic diet with supplementation of 15 g taurine/boar/day. Ejaculate was collected once a week by hand glowed technique. From ejaculate parameters were monitored volume of ejaculate, sperm concentration, total amount of sperm, morphologically abnormal sperm, taurine concentration and GSH/GSSH concentration. From microscopic analysis, results were statistically significant in motility in June and July (P<0.05). In biochemical results, a significant difference (P<0.05) has been found between the experimental groups in the concentrations of taurine as well as GSH/GSSG in ejaculate which indicates the effect of heat stress on boars during the experimental period.O

Effect of variety, sowing date and location on yield and nutritional characteristics of sorghum

Sorghum is a forage species important in animal nutrition with an increased potential in the upcoming difficulties in agricultural practices in regard to climate change. Therefore, this paper describes its yield and nutritional parameters depending on growing conditions simulated on two locations (humid and fertile Obora, less fertile and dry Písky), two sowing dates (29. 5. and 25. 6.), and variety (11 varieties). Fresh matter yield was determined by weighing the sample on the field immediately after harvest, Dry matter yield and nutritional content were determined in laboratory by Weende analysis from dried and homogenized samples. Nutritional parameters measured were crude fibre, fat, nitrogen and ash content. Additionally, digestibility of organic as well as dry matter was determined. No significant differences in average fresh matter yield or dry matter yield were found between the two locations and sowing dates in general. There were significant differences among varieties, the highest yields were measured in KWS Zerberus (51.57 +- 3.76 t/ha of fresh matter yield, 15.98 +- 1.34 t/ha of dry matter yield, with higher values observed on Písky). Our data suggest, that sowing date does significantly affect fat content (higher in June sowing). Other nutritional parameters were also higher in sorghum sown in June, with the exception of ash. Nutritional composition of samples did not significantly differ variety to variety, however, there were differences in digestibility of the biomass. Organic matter digestibility was 70.58-85.67%, dry matter digestibility was 73.21-86.70%, with highest digestibility in DMS 45-480. Varieties with the highest importance to farmers in the area are KWS Zerberus, KWS Tarzan and KWS Kallisto (based on dry matter yield), and Triumfo BMR, Sweet Susana and DSM 45-480 (based on digestibility). Sorghum was able to perform well even on dry sandy soil with lower fertilization, which shows the high variability and suitability of sorghum in agricultural practice.O

Zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles as a novel antibacterial agent: in vivo study on rats after dietary exposure

Background: Development of new nanomaterials that inhibit or kill bacteria is an important and timely research topic. For example, financial losses due to infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are a major concern in livestock productions around the world. Antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising alternative to antibiotics and may lower antibiotic use and consequently spread of antibiotic resistance traits among bacteria, including pathogens. Results: Four formulations of zinc nanoparticles (ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD) based on phosphates with spherical (ZnA, ZnB) or irregular (ZnC, ZnD) morphology were prepared. The highest in vitro inhibitory effect of our NPs was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibitory concentration values, IC50, ranged from 0.5 to 1.6mmol/L), followed by Escherichia coli (IC50 0.8-1.5mmol/L). In contrast, methicillin resistant S. aureus (IC50 1.2-4.7mmol/L) was least affected and this was similar to inhibitory patterns of commercial ZnO-based NPs and ZnO. After the successful in vitro testing, the in vivo study with rats based on dietary supplementation with zinc NPs was conducted. Four groups of rats were treated by 2,000mg Zn/kg diet of ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD, for comparison two groups were supplemented by 2,000mg Zn/kg diet of ZnO-N and ZnO, and one group (control) was fed only by basal diet. The significantly higher (P<0.05) Zn level in liver and kidney of all treated groups was found, nevertheless ZnNPs did not greatly influence antioxidant status of rats. However, the total aerobic and coliform bacterial population in rat feces significantly decreased (P<0.05) in all zinc groups after 30d of the treatment. Furthermore, when compared to the ZnO group, ZnA and ZnC nanoparticles reduced coliforms significantly more (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that phosphate-based zinc nanoparticles have the potential to act as antibiotic agents

Sociálne vzťahy vo vnútry skupiny paviánov dželada (Theropithecus gelada) v Zoo Zlín - Lešná

Master´s thesis deals with the issue of ethology of gelada baboon focusing on the social behaviour of a specific group. The thesis is divided into several parts. In the first part the objective was to comprehensively evaluate the available literate sources. Further was done observation of the given group of individuals focused on individual elements of behavior and their importance in social life and the hierarchical classification of animals. Observed activities where- foraging, grooming, agresion, playing, moving and resting behaviours. The observation took place during five months, a total of five observations were made. In the last part of the work the results are processed using etgrams and graphs. The largest observed part was resting 29,8%,foraging 29,3%, grooming 23,4%, playing 7,8%, moivng 7,4%, sexual behaviour 1,2% and agression 0,7%

Sociálné vzťahy medzi oboma pohlaviami u paviánov dželada (Theropithecus gelada) v Zoo Zlín - Lešná

Geladas baboons are the only representatives of the Old world monkeys. Manifestations of life and social relationships between animals are still not very explored. Therefore, this work focuses on a group of seven animals living in captivity in Zoo Zlin-Lešná. The observation focused on key social needs such as gathering food, exercise, rest, comfort behavior, sexual behavior, aggression and play. The observation started in the spring of 2014, was done in five observations. Results of observations are processed in the last part of the bachelor thesis using etograms and graphs. The observed activities were recorded in this representation: the largest part occupies the collection of food 44.2%. Further grooming 24.6%, observation of surroundings 10.4% and 8.1% movement. Followed by rating in 7.7%, manifestations of sexual behavior 2.3%, playing 1.7% and climbing trees 0.5%. The least represented is aggressive behavior 0.07%. The results observed on gelada baboons in Zoo Zlín-Lešná and approximately coincides with the prior knowledge of this kin

Effect of Species, Fertilization and Harvest Date on Microbial Composition and Mycotoxin Content in Forage

The aim of the project was to evaluate the potential of microbial threat to feed safety in the year 2018. Analyses of the epiphytic community of several forage species (clovers, cocksfoot, fescue, festulolium, perennial ryegrass, timothy and trefoil) in variants of fertilized and non-fertilized vegetation were performed. The hypothesis is based on the fact that microorganisms are normally present on plant material during its growth all the way from the seed to the senescence; they are influenced by a plant&rsquo;s fitness, and they affect its harvest and utilization. Microflora was analyzed by cultivation on specific substrates, total microbial count and five specific microbial groups were observed and quantified. Forage species did not affect plant microflora. The highest risk factor of microbial contamination of feed was proved to be harvest date. Mycotoxin contamination of fresh feed was determined (deoxynivalenol and zearalenone) using ELISA. Zearalenone (ZEA) levels were negatively correlated to fertilization intensity, although these results were not statistically significant. Deoxynivalenol (DON) levels were the lowest in a moderate fertilization regime. Significant differences in mycotoxin content were found among botanical species

The Daily Pattern of Main Activities in the Gelada Baboon (Theropithecus gelada)

The aim of this work was to observe and analyse the main daily activities in the group of geladas kept in the Zlín Zoo. The experimental group was formed by three males (one of them was a dominant alfa male) and four females who were in the reproductive cycle at the observation period. The behavioural study included five recurrent observations which took place in March 2014. The observations revealed that geladas spent most of the time feeding (44.1%) and performing comfort behaviour (24.6%). About 7.7–10.4% of the total time the geladas spent moving, resting and observing the neighbourhoods. The settled and stable social hierarchy within the group prevented greater incidence (0.7%) of aggressive behaviour. Occurrence of other types of activities was low – play (1.7%), climbing the trees (0.5%) and sexual behaviour (2.3%). The work also studied how the incidence of a particular type of behaviour changed over time within the day. A certain pattern in behavioural activities was apparent because their incidence tended to be similar on all observation days. Foraging activities were the greatest (44.80 ± 3.64 observations) between 15.00 and 16.00, resting (8.00–9.80 observations) between 12.00 and 14.00 and comfort behaviour (23.20 ± 2.82 observations) in the morning

Dose Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seed Cakes on the Digestibility of Nutrients, Flavonolignans and the Individual Components of the Silymarin Complex in Horses

Milk thistle seeds contain a mixture of flavonoids known as silymarin, which consists of silybin, isosilybin, silychristine, and silydianin. Until now, there has been no evidence of monitoring the digestibility of silymarin complex in horses. The aim of the research was to evaluate the digestibility of silymarin complex and the effect of nutrient digestibility in horses. Different daily feed doses (FD) of milk thistle expeller (0 g, 100 g, 200 g, 400 g, 700 g) were administered to five mares kept under the same conditions and at the same feed rations. Digestibility of silymarin complex was monitored by HPLC-UV. Digestible energy (DE), crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), crude ash, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) were determined according ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The biochemical profile of blood plasma (total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triacyl glyceride (TAG), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, urea, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant status (TAS), glucose, calcium, and inorganic phosphate) was investigated. Moreover, the flavonolignans of the silymarin complex in plasma were detected. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found between daily doses of milk thistle expellers in digestibilities. Our findings showed the digestibility of flavonolignans increased with the daily dose and then stagnated with the dose of milk thistle seed cakes at 700 g/day