Duration of the Flaxseed Supplementation Affects Antioxidant Defence Mechanisms and the Oxidative Stress of Fattening Pigs.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the duration of a flaxseed diet on fattening pigs' antioxidant defence mechanism in blood and tissues. Eighteen 20-week-old Landrace breed fattening pigs (BW 76.61 ± 2.30 kg) were divided into three groups of six animals. The control group was fed a basal diet. The FS3 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 10% flaxseed for 3 weeks. The FS6 group received the same basal diet with flaxseed for 6 weeks. The total antioxidant capacity of the blood, measured as the total antioxidant status (TAS), total plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and total antioxidant capacity (PAT), was not affected by the flaxseed diet. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were significantly decreased in the FS3 pigs in the heart (p < 0.05). However, in the FS3 group, the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity significantly increased compared to the control, but in the FS6 group, the activity was inhibited (p < 0.05). In the muscle, the CAT and GST activity was significantly decreased in the FS3 group (p < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content was significantly reduced in the brain, muscle and heart in the FS3 group(p < 0.05). In FS6, the TBARS content significantly increased in the heart and brain (p < 0.05). Our results showed that the health effect of a flaxseed diet is significantly conditioned by the length of the flaxseed addition.

Molecular Detection of Nosema spp. in Three Eco Regions of Slovakia.

Microsporidia are unicellular obligate intracellular parasitic fungi that infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. There are two known species of microsporidia infecting honey bees in Slovakia- first Nosema apis and also Nosema ceranae. Our aim was to examine samples of honey bees collected from bee queen breeders in three ecoregions of the Slovak Republic in 2021 and 2022. First, microscopic diagnostics were used, and then randomly selected samples were examined using molecular methods. There were 4018 samples examined using microscopic diagnostics and the positivity was demonstrated in 922 samples. From the microscopically diagnosed positive samples, 507 samples were randomly selected, and using molecular methods, the positivity was proved in 488 samples. After sequencing the positive PCR products and comparing the sequences (BLAST) with the sequences stored in the gene bank, the Nosema ceranae species was detected in all positive samples.

The effects of sage extract feed supplementation on biochemical parameters, weight of internal organs and Salmonella counts in chickens.

We investigated the effects of dietary addition of sage extract on the biochemical parameters, weight of some body organs and changes in the counts of Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 (SE) in experimentally infected chickens. The following diets were used: basal diet, basal diet with addition of an extract of Salvia officinalis L. (S), basal diet and SE, and basal diet and S and SE (SSE). Compared to the SE group, sage extract in the SSE group decreased activities of ALP and ALT and concentrations of glucose and bilirubin on the 4th day post inoculation (p.i.). However, on the 18th day p.i., lower levels of bilirubin and ALT activity only were detected. Addition of sage extract to the diets decreased the counts of Salmonella in the liver, spleen and caecum at both sampling times, along with lower production of mucus in the chickens' intestines. Our results suggest that the addition of sage extract to the diet could be effective in protecting SE-infected chickens.

The elimination of Salmonella typhimurium in sewage sludge by aerobic mesophilic stabilization and lime hydrated stabilization.

This study observed the effects of two methods, aerobic mesophilic stabilization and lime hydrated stabilization of sewage sludge upon the survival of Salmonella typhimurium. Raw (primary) sludges from the mechanical biological municipal sewage treatment plant were used. Aerobic stabilization and lime hydrated stabilization were carried out in a laboratory fermentor. Aerobic stabilization was carried out in the mesophilic temperature range (from 25.70+/-0.40 to 37.82+/-1.38 degrees C). Lime hydrated was used at an amount of 10 kg/m(3) for the stabilization. Sludge samples were inoculated with a broth culture of S. typhimurium. Quantitative and qualitative examinations of the presence of S. typhimurium were carried out. Aerobic mesophilic stabilization caused elimination S. typhimurium within 48 h. The T(90) value of S. typhimurium was 6.66+/-0.20 h. During the lime hydrated stabilization pH values significantly increased from 5.66+/-0.07 to 12.12+/-0.02 (P<0.01). S. typhimurium was inactivated within 1h and the T(90) value was 0.19+/-0.01 h. Our study confirmed that the treatment of sewage sludge with lime hydrated was significantly more effective than the aerobic mesophilic stabilization, (P<0.01).