TOXIC AND ALLERGENIC PLANT SPECIES IN SCHOOL GARDENS OF THE TOWN OF SAMOBOR

U razdoblju od svibnja do kolovoza 2011. godine provedena je analiza zastupljenosti otrovnih i alergenih biljnih vrsta na lokacijama odgojnoobrazovnih ustanova grada Samobora. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno devet lokacija od čega tri vrtića, četiri osnovne škole, jedna srednja škola i jedna knjižnica. Na istraživanim lokacijama zabilježeno je 15 otrovnih biljnih vrsta sa 182 determinirana primjerka te 17 alergenih biljnih vrsta sa 129 determiniranih primjeraka.In the period from May till August 2011, frequency of poisonous and allergenic plant species on locations of educational institutions in the town of Samobor was analyzed. Nine locations were included in the research: three kindergartens, four elementary schools, one high school and one library. Fifteen poisonous plant species, represented with 182 specimens, as well as seventeen allergenic plant species, represented with 129 specimens, were determined on the analyzed locations

Analitička procjena nekih varijabli u kontroli višestruke sukladnosti na stočarskim farmama u hrvatskoj

In the survey, some variables were analyzed of cross-compliance control on livestock production farms in Croatia from 2011 to 2018. Collected data covered three animal production groups: cattle, sheep and goats, and pigs, for which the following parameters were monitored: wrongly marked breed, wrong gender, incorrect labeling, no animal on the holding, and no evidence of the animal in the farm register or in the national one. A total of 621,146 animals were surveyed, and in 92,523 (14.89%) of them noncompliance was found. It ranged from 9.66% in 2012 to 26.30% in 2018. Out of 221,311 investigated cattle, 373,515 sheep and goats and 26,320 pigs, noncompliance was found in 18.74%, 13.28% and 5.58% respectively. More noncompliance was detected in 2011 when the on-the-spot control started, followed by a decrease in the amount of noncompliance observed in 2012. However, in 2013, 2014 and 2018 an increase in the proportion of noncompliance was detected (17.54%, 16.86% and 26.30% respectively), due to the introduction of new parameters, i.e. new risk factors used in monitoring, and a lack of adequate education of farmers to adapt to new conditions. The value of the correlation coefficient (r) between the proportion of a particular production group of animals in the total number of animals, and the proportion of non-compliant animals in that production group for cattle was -0.232, for sheep and goats 0.637, and for pigs -0.317. For cattle and pigs this implies a negative but very weak correlation, and for sheep and goats a positive but moderate correlation. This means that there is not sufficient evidence of a strong negative correlation between those two variables, which was the hypothesis. The most important noncompliance item in cattle was no identification in the central register (26.25%), and the wrong gender (25.00%) in sheep and goats. The findings imply that more frequent training, as well as improvement of cooperation between all stakeholders should be obligatory measures for better farm management, resulting in reduced frequency of noncompliance.U ovom su istraživanju analizirani učinci nekih varijabli kontrole višestruke sukladnosti na stočarskim farmama u Hrvatskoj od 2011. do 2018. godine. Prikupljeni podaci obuhvaćaju tri proizvodne skupine životinja: goveda, ovce i koze, te svinje, za koje su praćeni sljedeći parametri: pogrešno označena pasmina, pogrešan spol, pogrešno označivanje, životinje nema na gospodarstvu, životinja nije navedena u registru poljoprivrednog gospodarstva ili u središnjem registru. Ukupno je istraženo 621 146 životinja, a u njih 92 523 (14,89 %) utvrđena je nesukladnost. Ona se kreće u rasponu od 9,66 % u 2012. godini do 26,30 % u 2018. godini. Nesukladnost je utvrđena u 18,74 % od 221 311 istraženih goveda, u 13,28 % od 373 515 ovaca i koza te u 5,58 % od 26 320 svinja. Velik broj nesukladnosti utvrđen je 2011., kad je započela terenska kontrola, te je zatim smanjen 2012. godine. No zatim je zbog uvođenja novih parametara, tj. novih čimbenika rizika i nedostatka odgovarajuće edukacije poljoprivrednika za prilagodbu novim uvjetima, uočen porast nesukladnosti, i to 17,54 % u 2013., 16,86 % u 2014. i 26,30 % u 2018. godini. Vrijednost koeficijenta korelacije (r) između udjela određene proizvodne skupine životinja u ukupnom broju životinja i udjela nesukladnih životinja u toj proizvodnoj skupini za goveda iznosi -0,232, za ovce i koze 0,637, a za svinje - 0.317. Kod goveda i svinja korelacija je negativna, ali vrlo slaba, a kod ovaca i koza pozitivna, ali umjerena. To znači da nema dokaza o snažnoj negativnoj korelaciji između tih dviju varijabli, što je bila hipoteza. Najvažnija nesukladnost u goveda bila je nepostojanje životinje u središnjem registru (26,25 %), a kod ovaca i koza pogrešan spol (25,00 %). Rezultati upućuju na to da su učestalije edukacije i poboljšanje suradnje svih dionika u kontroli višestruke sukladnosti nezaobilazne mjere za bolje upravljanje poljoprivrednim gospodarstvima te time i smanjenje nesukladnosti

Acute toxicity of novel N-sulfonylpyrimidine derivatives in vivo

The aim of the present study was to investigate in vivo toxic effects and to find acute toxic doses (LD 50) of novel N-sulfonyl derivatives of pyrimidine nucleobases uracil and cytosine. Six N-1-sulfonyluracil derivatives (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9) and two N-1-sulfonylcytosine (4, 12) and N-1,NH-4-disulfonylcytosine (13) were evaluated in this study. All experiments were performed on 10-14- week-old male and female c57bl/6 zgr mice weighing 22-25 g at the time of treatment. The obtained data showed that derivatives 1, 2, 7, 12 and 13 cause less toxicity than derivatives 4, 6, 8 and 9. Compounds 2, 7, 12 and 13 did not cause death in mice in doses of 3000 mg/kg. Uracil derivative 8 has shown the highest toxicity, its acute toxic dose being 150 mg/kg, similar to the acute toxic dose of 5-fluorouracil. Key words: uracil, cytosine, N-sulfonylpyrimidine derivatives, mic

Uređivanje populacije gradskih golubova (Columba livia) u Ljubljani.

Results and critical standpoints regarding the actions of the feral pigeon (Columba livia) population management in Ljubljana were studied. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the methods used to manage and control the feral pigeon population in Ljubljana. The effectiveness of progesterone, ultrasound deterrent and artificial dovecots for egg collection was tested in order to evaluate different approaches to feral pigeon population management in Ljubljana. The most effective method of pigeon control was the use of contraceptives, since the number of pigeons in selected locations of the wider centre of Ljubljana decreased by 49.1% (P>0.05) in the period from 1999 to 2004. The method of ultrasound as a pigeon deterrent remains questionable, since no distinctive deterrent effects were established, even though pigeons in our experiment showed signifi cant (P0,05) u razdoblju od godine 1999. do 2004. Metoda zastrašivanja ultrazvukom vrlo je upitna, iako su golubovi u našem istraživanju pokazali određeni strah od letenja u prostoru u kojem je bio uključen ultrazvuk te značajne (P<0,001) promjene u brojnosti slijetanja, polijetanja i kretanja na građi potkrovlja vratarnice komunalne sprave. Metoda gniježđenja u osam parkovnih i dva tavanska umjetna golubinjaka, koje trenutačno istražujemo, čini se vrlo učinkovitom budući da se nakon desetomjesečnog razdoblja u njima počelo gnijezditi 62% golubova. Ta metoda ujedno omogućuje unaprjeđenje higijenskih uvjeta držanja, hranjenje iz razonode kao i sakupljanje jaja radi smanjenja broja golubova u Ljubljani. Međutim, sve navedene metode učinkovite su tek nakon cjelovite primjene različitih pristupa kontrole populacije golubova tijekom duljeg razdoblja, a pritom moraju biti popraćene informiranjem te edukacijom javnosti

Seroprevalencija meadi-visna virusa i procjena rizičnih čimbenika u populaciji ovaca u jugozapadnoj Hrvatskoj

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to detect the presence of maedi visna virus (MVV) infections in sheep in three counties in southwestern Croatia: Istria County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Lika-Senj County, and to estimate the influence of geographical location, breed, age and gender as risk factors on the prevalence rate. A total of 460 randomly selected sheep were tested using a commercially available ID Screen® MVV/CAEV Indirect screening test, VISNAS-5P (ID.VET, Grabels France) for detection of antibodies against the Maedi-Visna virus. The prevalence rate for the entire population was 10.00 % (95 % 7.26 - 12.74 %), The highest seroprevalence of MVV was found in Istria County (19.02%, CI 95% 13.35 –24.70%), followed by Lika-Senj County (5.43 %, CI 95 % 2.17- 8.70) and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County (1.07 %, CI 95 % -1.03 – 3.17) (P<0.01). When comparing the seroprevalence among breeds, statistically significant differences were observed. The largest number of positive sheep was found in the following breeds: Istrian Pramenka (22.97%, CI 95% 13.39 - 32.55%), Jezersko-Solcava sheep (23.53%, CI 95% 11.89 - 35.17%%), Pramenka (13.16%, CI 95% 2.41 - 23.91%) and Lika sheep (9.78%, CI 95% 3.71- 15.85%). Prevalence rates in other examined breeds (Krk sheep, Pag sheep and Romanov sheep) were lower than 2 % (P<0.01). No statistically significant differences in seroprevalence between sex and age were found. According to risk estimation, the main risk factors were found to be geographical location and breed. In Istria County, seroprevalence was 4.77 ( CI 95 % 2.67 – 8.54) higher than in other examined areas (OR = 5.66, CI 95 % 2.97-10.79) (P<0.01). As for breeds, significant differences were observed between Jezersko-Solcava sheep and Lika sheep (OR = 2.84, CI 95% 1.13-7.14) and Istrian Pramenka in relation to Pag sheep (OR 22.51,, CI 95% 16.99-119.73), Krk sheep (OR 19.53, CI 95% 5.80-108.27), and Lika sheep (OR 2.35, CI 95% 1.17-6.47). This cross-section study indicates the circulation of MVV in this sheep population in Croatia, and represents the first research into the risk factors for MVV in sheep in southwestern Croatia.Cilj istraživanja bio je otkriti prisutnost infekcija virusom maedi visna (MVV) kod ovaca u tri županije u jugozapadnoj Hrvatskoj - Istarskoj, Primorsko-goranskoj i Ličko-senjskoj te procijeniti utjecaj geografske lokacije, pasmine, dobi i spola kao čimbenike rizika za stopu prevalencije. Ukupno je pregledano 460 nasumično odabranih ovaca postupkom ELISE ID Screen® MVV/CAEV indirektnog testa VISNAS-5P za otkrivanje protutijela protiv virusa maedi-visna. Stopa prevalencije za cijelu populaciju iznosila je 10,00% (CI 95% 7,26 - 12,74%). Najveća seroprevalencija MVV utvrđena je u Istarskoj županiji (19,02%, CI 95% 13,35–24,70%), zatim u Ličko-senjskoj županija (5,43%, CI 95% 2,17-8,70) i Primorsko-goranska županija (1,07%, CI 95% -1,03 - 3,17) (P<0,01). Usporedbom seroprevalencije između pasmina uočene su statistički znakovite razlike. Najveći broj pozitivnih ovaca nađen je kod istarske ovce (22,97%, CI 95% 13,39 - 32,55%), zatim jezersko-solčavske ovce (23,53%, CI 95% 11,89 - 35,17 %%), pramenke (13,16% , CI 95% 2,41 - 23,91%) i ličke pramenke (9,78%, CI 95% 3,71 - 15,85%). Stopa prevalencije u ostalih istraženih pasmina (krčka ovca, paška ovca i romanovska ovca) bila je niža od 2% (P<0,01). Statistički znakovite razlike u seroprevalenciji prema spola i dobi nisu ustanovljene. Kao glavni čimbenici rizika utvrđeni su zemljopisni položaj i pasmina. U Istarskoj županiji seroprevalencija je bila 4,77 (CI 95% 2,67 - 8,54) puta veća nego u ostalim istraženim područjima (OR = 5,66, CI 95% 2,97-10,79) (P<0,01). Uočene su znakovite razlike između jezerskosolčavske ovce i ličke pramenke (OR = 2,84, CI 95% 1,13-7,14) te istarske ovce u odnosu na pašku ovcu (OR 22,51 , CI 95% 16,99-119,73), krčku ovcu (OR 19,53, CI 95% 5,80-108,27) i ličku pramenku (OR 2,35, CI 95% 1,17-6,47). Rad predstavlja prvo istraživanje seroprevalencije i rizičnih čimbenika za MVV ovaca u jugozapadnoj Hrvatskoj. Rezultati ukazuje na prisutnost MVV infekcije te na važnost daljnjeg istraživanja bolesti u Hrvatskoj

Preliminarno istraživanje učestalosti pojave bakterije Chlamydophila felis u domaće mačke u Gradu Zagrebu i na području Zagrebačke županije

This research was preliminary study of the presence and prevalence of Chlamydophila felis (Cp. felis) among domestic cats in the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County in Croatia. 48 pure and mixed breed cats were examined. 192 conjunctival and nasal swab samples were examined using a rapid immunoenzyme assay (EIA). 30 conjunctival scraping samples of 15 cats that were EIA positive were examined using DIF. Four of them were positive, while the results of two samples were inconclusive. These six samples (three nostril samples and three eye samples) were examined using a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and only two samples from the same cat were found to be positive for Cp. felis. The sequencing of the PCR product confirmed that the causative agent of the cat’s conjunctivitis was Cp. felis. By using direct immunofluorescence as well as a polymerase chain reaction procedure and sequencing, the results of the research established the existence of the bacteria Cp. felis in one out of 48 domestic cats.Cilj ovog preliminarnog istraživanja bio je ustanoviti učestalost pojave bakterije Chlamydophila felis (Cp. felis) u domaće mačke u Gradu Zagrebu i na području Zagrebačke županije. Istraživanjem je bilo obuhvaćeno 48 mačaka različitih pasmina. Brzim enzimskim imunološkim dijagnostičkim postupkom (EIA) pretraženo je 192 uzoraka obrisaka konjunktiva i nosnica te 12 uzoraka obriska sluznice rektuma. Trideset obrisaka konjuktiva s 15 mačaka, pozitivnih na EIA, pretraženo je postupkom izravne imunofluorescencije (DIF). Četiri su uzorka bila je pozitivna, a u dva je nalaz bio sumnjiv. Potom je tih šest uzoraka (tri uzoraka obriska nosne sluznice i tri obriska konjunktive) pretraženo postupkom lančane reakcije polimerazom (PCR). Dva su uzorka, podrijetlom s iste mačke, bila pozitivna. Rezultat sekvencioniranja produkta PCR dokazao je da je bolest u te domaće mačke bila uzrokovana upravo bakterijom Cp. felis. Korištenjem postupka izravne imunofluorescencije, lančane reacije polimerazom te sekvenciranjem produkta PCR dokazano je postojanje bakterije Cp. felis kao uzročnika mačje klamidioze u jedne od 48 mačaka

Utjecaj prirodnog propolisa na biokemijske parametre u serumu odbijene prasadi

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of native propolis on the growth performance of weaned piglets by monitoring changes to the selected biochemical parameters (total proteins, albumins, ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, GLU, UREA, CHOL and TRIG). Sixty piglets were divided into 2 groups. Piglets in the control group (CON-30) were fed with a standard feed mix (SFM) while the SFM of the piglets in experimental (EXP-30) group was daily enriched with propolis in a dose of 1 g/kg SFM. Feed intake, mortality and serum biochemical parameters were monitored regularly. In the EXP-30 group the levels of ALP, GGT, UREA, CHOL and TRIG increased while the concentration of albumins decreased compared to the CON-30 group. This study showed that propolis-enriched food positively influenced overall health, which may in the long-term provide faster growth of healthier and heavier animals.Svrha ovoga istraživanja bila je odrediti utjecaj prirodnog propolisa na razvoj odbijene prasadi (križanaca između pasmina švedski landras i jorkšir) praćenjem odabranih biokemijskih parametara (ukupni proteini, albumini, ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, glukoza, urea, kolesterol i trigliceridi). Šezdeset prasadi podijeljeno je u dvije skupine. Prasad u kontrolnoj skupini hranjena je standarnom krmnom smjesom za odbijenu prasad (SKS), dok je standardna krmna smjesa prasadi u eksperimentalnoj skupini svakodnevno bila obogaćena propolisom u količini od 1 g/kg krmne smjese. Obje su skupine hranjene ad libitum. Hranjenje, smrtnost i biokemijski parametri iz seruma praćeni su periodično. Dodatak propolisa nije znatnije utjecao na konačnu masu, ali je smanjio broj proljeva. U odnosu na kontrolnu, u eksperimentalnoj skupini razina ALP-a, GGT-a, uree, kolesterola i triglicerida porasla je, dok se koncentracija albumina smanjila. Istraživanje je pokazalo da propolisom obogaćena hrana pozitivno djeluje na zdravlje, što može dugoročno omogućiti brži rast zdravijih i težih životinja

Metaboličke osobitosti četveroglavog bedrenog mišića (m. quadriceps femoris) u ovaca pasmine Lička pramenka hranjenih uz dodatak plemenite pečurke (Agaricus bisporus).

The objective of this study was to verify the presence of oxidative enzymes in the quadriceps femoris muscle of Lika Pramenka sheep and to evaluate the effect of supplement from button mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus (A. bisporus), on the histochemical and morphological characteristics of the muscles. Fourteen oneyear-old Lika Pramenka sheep were randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental groups) comprising 7 animals each. The experiment was conducted over a period of 6 weeks of the winter feeding period. The control group of sheep was fed with a standard feed without antimicrobials or growth promoters. The experimental group was given the same feed but with an additional 1.5% of dry A. bisporus. During the experiment access to water and feed was ad libitum. Samples were tested for the size and type of muscle fibers, as well as for the presence of oxidative enzymes. The diameter of muscle fibers and histochemical reactions profiles were significantly greater in animals fed with the A. bisporus supplement. On the basis of the increased activity of oxidative enzymes, which resulted in pronounced cell metabolism and increased muscle mass, we conclude that A. bisporus displays growth promoter effects.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je provjeriti prisutnost oksidativnih enzima u četveroglavom bedrenom mišiću (m. quadriceps femoris) ovaca pasmine Lička pramenka te procijeniti učinak u hranu dodanog pripravka plemenite pečurke Agaricus bisporus (A. bisporus) na histokemijske i morfološke karakteristike mišića. Četrnaest jednogodišnjih ovaca bilo je nasumično odabrano i podijeljeno u dvije skupine (kontrolna i pokusna skupina) s po sedam životinja. Pokus je bio proveden tijekom 6 tjedana hranjenja. Kontrolna skupina bila je hranjena standardnom hranom, dok je pokusnoj skupini u standardnu hranu umješano 1,5% suhog pripravka A. bisporus. Tijekom cijelog pokusnog razdoblja hrana i voda bile su životinjama dostupne ad libitum. Uzorci m. quadriceps femoris ovaca u pokusu bili su analizirani s obzirom na veličinu i tip mišićnog vlakna, te na prisutnost oksidativnih enzima. Mišićna vlakna većih promjera i snažnije histokemijske reakcije zabilježena su u ovaca hranjenih s dodatkom A. bisporus. Temeljem povećane aktivnosti oksidativnih enzima, što je rezultiralo pojačanim staničnim metabolizmom i povećanom mišićnom masom ovaca hranjenih uz dodatak pripravka plemenite pečurke, možemo zaključiti da A. bisporus ima učinak promotora rasta

Usporedba seroloških postupaka za dokazivanje zaraze bakterijom Chlamydophila sp. u goveda.

In order to diagnose chlamydiosis caused by bacteria Chlamydophila sp., the humoral immunity response in domestic bovines was examined. A possible difference in titre of specific antibodies between latently, acutely and chronically infected animals was also studied. At the same time we confirmed the applicability and reliability of complement-fixation tests (CFT) and enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on the basis of their specificity, sensitivity and comparativeness. Of 276 bovines examined, originating from 10 herds on Croatian territory, CFT revealed Chlamydophila sp. specific antibodies in 14.2% of sera samples, ELISA in 35.8%, and indirect immunofluorescent test (IIF) in 27.1% sera samples. These results suggest that CFT, ELISA and IIF can be used as reliable serological methods for diagnostics of chlamydiosis, being in accordance with Office International des Epizooties (OIE) recommendations.Radi postavljanja objektivne dijagnoze klamidioze, uzrokovane bakterijom Chlamydophila sp., istraživan je humoralni imunosni odgovor u goveda. Istražena je i moguća razlika u razini titra specifičnih protutijela između latentno, akutno i kronično inficiranih životinja. Istovremeno, utvrđena je primjenjivost i pouzdanost seroloških postupaka imunoenzimnog testa (ELISA) i reakcije vezanja komplementa (RVK) na temelju specifičnosti, osjetljivosti i reproducibilnosti. U 276 goveda, koja su potjecala iz 10 različitih uzgoja s područja Hrvatske, nalaz protutijela za bakterije Chlamydophila sp. utvrđen je u 14,2% uzoraka seruma postupkom RVK, u 35,8% postupkom ELISA, a u 27,1% uzoraka postupkom neizravne imunofluorescencije (IIF). Ove bi spoznaje mogle poslužiti kao smjernice za uvođenje najpouzdanijeg od uporabljenih seroloških postupaka u dijagnostici klamidioze u Hrvatskoj

Academician Zdravko Lorković, the first head of the Department of Veterinary Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb

Akademik Zdravko Lorković je bio svjetski poznat biolog, entomolog, geneti- čar, evolucionist i ekolog (1990.-1998.). Uz ima akademika Zdravka Lorkovića veže se činjenica da je kao profesor biologije na Veterinarskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu radio od 1941. do 1951. godine. Uvidom u arhivu Veterinarskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, njegov izbor za pr- vog predstojnika Zavoda za biologiju dana 20. 05. 1942. smatra se ujedno i datumom osnutka Zavoda za veterinarsku biologiju na Veterinarskom fakultetu Hrvatskog sve- učilišta u Zagrebu. Ovaj kratki prikaz rada akademika Zdravka Lorkovića napisan je povodom 77. godišnjice osnutka Zavoda za veterinarsku biologiju na Veterinarskom fa- kultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu te obilježava- nja 20. godišnjice smrti akademika Zdravka Lorkovića.Academician Zdravko Lorković was a world-wide known biologist, entomologist, geneticist, evolutionist and ecologist (1900- 1998). He was the first professor of biology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, where he worked from 1941 to 1951. The faculty archives show that he was elected as the first chair of the Biology Department on 20 May 1942, and this date is considered the date of establishment of the Department. This short overview of the work of Academician Zdravko Lorković has been prepared regarding to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the Department for Veterinary Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, and the 20th anniversary of his death