Every autumn and winter period, game animals - elk (Alces alces), deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) - provide an excellent input in the diversification of many consumer meals. In the recent years, consumption and assortment of game meat products has significantly increased. At the moment there are only few biochemical composition investigations of the game meat. The meat of wild animals is more favourable for human health, because it has a lower content of saturated fatty acid, but a higher content of protein. Therefore the aim of our investigation was to compare biochemical composition of the game meats hunted in Latvia. Investigations were carried out in different regions of Latvia. In the studied samples, protein, intramuscular fat, fatty acids and cholesterol were determined. The biochemical analysis of 54 samples was carried out. The results of the analysis showed that protein content in all types of the meat samples was 22.36 - 22.92%, which is not statistically significant. The fat content, on the other hand, was significantly lower: 1.33 ± 0.88% in elk meat samples, and 1.59 ± 0.59% in roe deer meat samples. Content of cholesterol varied from 64.41% to 95.07% in the ruminant meat samples of different species. From the dietetic point of view, the meat samples of roe deer had the best composition of fatty acids.

The present study describes situation of antimicrobial resistance of animal pathogens and resistance trends in Estonia in years 2006-2009. Bacterial strains isolated during period 2006-2009 were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), collected from healthy pigs faeces as well as from diagnostic submissions of pig samples. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolates originated from cows with clinical mastitis and Staphylococcus pseudointermedius (S. pseudointermedius) isolates from dogs with pyoderma or otitis externa. Antimicrobial susceptibility was detected by microdilution method. Normal enteric microflora from health y pigs had resistance against streptomycin, tetracyclin, sulfametoxazol and trimethoprim. E. faecalis and E. faecium were resistant to erythromycin, tetracyclin, streptomycin and kanamycin. Multiresistance occured mainly against kanamycin, streptomycin and tetracyclin. E. coli strains isolated from pathological material showed high resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, sulphonamides and trimethoprim. Multiresistance was detected between 60–73% during study years. In 2009, one ESBL (extended spectrum betalactamase) producing isolate was observed. S. aureus strains isolated from clinical mastitis samples were mainly penicillin resistant (58–86%). Meticillinresistant S. aureus was not found during the study. In 2009, resistance to lincomycin (30%) and fucidinic acid (22%) was detected. In S. pseudointermedius strains isolated from canine skin samples the prevalence of resistance to penicillin as high as 53–81% was found. Multidrug resistance was relatively stable being 38% in 2006, 29% in 2007 and 25% in 2009. In conclusion, antimicrobial resistance of animal pathogens in Estonia was high. Further improvement of prudent use of antimicrobials and infection control is needed.

The aim of this study was to find out the biointegration of innovative vascular prosthesis, made in Riga Technical University (RTU), in dog’s abdominal aorta. The research is being performed in Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Latvia University of Agriculture since July 19. 2011. We used 9 female gender and 1-3 years old Beagle dogs in this study. The research is approved by the Latvian Republic Food and Veterinary Service. The study is carried out in the frame of European Social Fund co-financed project ‘Establishment of interdisciplinary research groups for a new functional properties of smart textiles development and integrating in innovative products’ (ESF No. 2009/0198/1DP/1.1.1.2.0./09/APIA/VIAA/148). 5-8 mm in diameter, 8 mm - 18 mm in length RTU produced aortic grafts were implanted retroperitoneal in dogs. Before the surgery the diameter of abdominal aorta was measured in cross sections, afterwards – cranial and caudal from the prosthesis, as well cross-section diameter of vascular graft was measured. Blood pressure was measured before the surgery and after the procedure on regular basis. Results are the following: there are no significant differences in aortic and graft diameter before and 1-2 months after the operation, there are no significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and four months after the surgery at significance level α = 0.05. The study shows that the innovative aortic prostheses don’t change in diameter, and surgery like abdominal aorta transplantation doesn’t cause significant variations in blood pressure. The study is being continued to find out later reactions to synthetic vascular graft.

One of the biodiesel production problems is occurrence of a significant quantity (about 10%) of the by-product – glycerol. This problem is offered to solve by adaptation of bacteria Zymomonas mobilis, which is notable for ethanol production facilities. To be able to process glycerine into ethanol using Z.mobilis bacteria, the bacteria must be modified. At the same time, computer modelling analysis is required to assess specific modification affectivity in interconnection with other processes in bacteria. Computer model results of simulated experiment to understand and predict that the cells and biological processes are essential to reduce the number of experiments. This in turn reduces the necessary financial resources and time, bio-medical biotechnology, pharmaceutical and environmental problems. The model describes conversion of glycerol into bioethanol in Z.mobilis bacterial cell. First phase of model creation is creation of a structure model based on biochemical reactions using computer software CellDesigner. On the second phase of model creation, kinetic parameters which are available in literature were identified. Using the databases KEGG, SABIO-RK, BRENDA, reactants, kinetic parameters and reaction equation types were defined. Dynamic model of Z. mobilis biochemical network was created using computer software Copasi. The dynamic model describes conversion of glycerol into bioethanol in Z.mobilis bacterial cell. In this time simulation data of the computer model of natural organisms are not to confirm laboratory experimental data. Simulation data of the computer model are not correct to prevent this problem is required parameter estimation in computer software COPASI.

Heterobasidion spp. is an important pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere, causing root and butt rot mainly in conifers. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is one of the most common tree species infected by Heterobasidion spp. In Latvia, 22.9% of Norway spruce stumps are infected. Heterobasidion spp. decreases timber quality, but what impact it has on Norway spruce growing in understory of dominant stand is not known. The aim of the study was to evaluate incidence of Heterobasidion spp. on understory Norway spruce in Myrtillosa forest type and impact on radial growth of trees. In autumn of the year 2011 in a sample plot located in forests of Kalsnava district a total number of 258 trees were examined for presence of Heterobasidion spp. Results showed that 54% of examined trees were rotted. In 30% of trees Heterobasidion spp. was detected. It is concluded that Heterobasidion spp. does not impact radial growth on understory Norway spruce trees.

Distribution and status of common juniper (Juniperus communis L.) in Lithuanian Pine stands are investigated in the study. The research was conducted in pure pine stands on sites with normal humidity and poor fertility in South – South Eastern parts of Lithuania. 40 stands were selected for data collection. Temporary rectangular sample plots with area of 10 square m were selected. According to method of underbrush evaluation, diameter root neck level, height and state index was measured for 3 juniper individuals located near the centre of sample plots. The number of sample plots depended on the area of each stand, but it was not lower than 10 in each stand. Average diameter of junipers was 3.03 cm, average height – 2.03 m. It was determined that average density of juniper individuals is 5055 individuals per hectare, and separately in vacciniosum and vaccinio – myrtilosum forest types - 4844 and 5282 individuals per hectare respectively. Average state index of juniper individuals in 6 grade scale was 2.96, which is near to grade 3 (slightly damaged). Results of the study show that distribution, status and dendrometric characteristics of junipers are different in adjacent regions of pine provenance.

In the 30ies of the 20th century stump extraction was identified as one of the most prospective technologies of forest sector to secure deliveries of solid biofuel. Now we are returning to the same challenges having the same targets – to secure energy independence and competitiveness of forest sector. MCR 500 is the prototype of combined stump extraction and mounding bucket for caterpillar excavator produced in Latvia by the LSFRI Silava and engineering company Orvi SIA. The device is made for extraction of stumps with diameter up to 50 cm. Additional benefit of the device is its ability to prepare soil for the forest regeneration by making mounds. The article summarizes results of productivity trials of stump extraction using the MCR 500 head and following forwarding of the material. Data from earlier studies are used to characterize comminution and road transport of stumps and chips. In total 3.5 ha were extracted during the studies. A harvested amount of stumps was estimated using biomass equations. It will be updated in further comminution studies. Average stock of extractable biomass (stumps and coarse roots) on the experimental sites was 28 tons ha-1. Productivity of stump extraction was 2.4...3.4 tons per efficient hour. Consumption of efficient time for scarification of soil was 3.4...4.3 hours per ha. Forwarding took 30 min per load (2.6 tons per efficient working hour). Prime cost of chips according to biomass equations is 9.78 Ls LV mE-3, according to expert judgement based harvested stock is 6.38 Ls LV mE-3.

In society, discussions occasionally raise whether current level of wood cutting in Latvia is not too high to maintain sustainable forest industry and biodiversity. Cutting volumes for the state owned forests are calculated based on the model whose aim is to even the timber stock of each tree species in a long term period. The wood resource extraction in the private forests takes place according to free market conditions and depending on market prices. Therefore amount of round wood delivered from private forests can shift in a large range. The research had two main tasks. First task was to survey primary wood processing companies in Latvia and gather information about their round wood processing volumes, how their processing volumes divides between softwoods and hardwoods, dimensions of round wood companies demand for production and assortment of produced materials. Second task was to evaluate round wood utilization balance in the territory of Latvia and estimate if current use of timber resources in Latvia corresponds to amounts that are sustainable. Research results showed that consumption of softwood timber in Latvia is close to maximum to perform sustainable forestry, but consumption of hardwoods is possible to increase at least by 20–25%. Survey of primary wood processing companies showed that round wood processing volumes in Latvia vary from 6 to 7 million m3 annually and that large enterprises, which count only for 4% from total number of primary wood processing entities, process two thirds from annual round wood volume in country.

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) samples from three different provenances in Canada were investigated. All trees were the same age and had been grown in Latvia in similar conditions. Lodgepole pine of Summit Lake provenance had higher wood density (503 kg m-3) and a higher late wood content (46%) in comparison to Fort Nelson and Pink Mountain provenances. Investigation of chemical composition of wood indicated Summit Lake provenance wood as superior in cellulose content (49.7%), but no differences in lignin and extractives content were found between samples. Kraft pulp yield of Summit Lake samples (48%) was the highest, but the handsheet strength properties were relatively higher for pulp from Pink Mountain provenance pine wood.

This research was carried out to start the discussion on the amount of harmful emissions that are emitted in producing building and insulation materials for roof constructions. Usually, for the improvement of energy efficiency of buildings and reduction of the embodied thermal energy, effective thermal insulation solutions for the external building envelope have to be provided. From the buildings available for the analysis, in Latvia there were selected multi-apartment buildings of separate series with a uniform composition of roof constructions. Within the context of renovation works, the reports of energy audit for the buildings contain recommendations referred to improvement of the thermal performance of roofs. Using mutually comparable energy efficiency report data, there was drawn up an averaged model of a five-storey multi-apartment residential house. There were taken into account legislative documents relating to thermal engineering of buildings: LBN 002-01 ‘Heat engineering of building boundary constructions’ and LVS EN ISO 6946: 2007 ‘Building components and building elements – Thermal resistance and thermal transmittance’, and moisture regime according to LVS EN ISO 13788: 2001 ‘Hygrothermal performance of building components and building elements – internal surface temperature to avoid critical surface humidity and interspatial condensation – calculation methods’, which states that the roof constructions should be free from possibility of water vapour condensation. In this study, there were calculated energy savings obtained by improving thermal resistance of the roof constructions and the opposite primary energy consumption for the production of building materials. As a result, there is obtained environmentally friendly roof construction.