Introduction: Glycolic changes which occur post-mortem have an impact on the physical and sensory features of beef, which in turn determine the successive processes and influence such beef quality traits as colour, tenderness, and cooling loss. The aim of this study was evaluation of the post-mortem changes in bovine meat during aging, quantitative analysis of glycogen and lactic acid, as well as examination of their impact on technological and sensory quality of selected muscles from Holstein-Friesian × Limousin breed carcasses.

Introduction: Glycolic changes which occur post-mortem have an impact on the physical and sensory features of beef, which in turn determine the successive processes and influence such beef quality traits as colour, tenderness, and cooling loss. The aim of this study was evaluation of the post-mortem changes in bovine meat during aging, quantitative analysis of glycogen and lactic acid, as well as examination of their impact on technological and sensory quality of selected muscles from Holstein-Friesian × Limousin breed carcasses.Material and Methods: The study included three muscles of different metabolic qualities and sarcomere length: m. semitendinosus, m. longissimus dorsi, and m. psoas major, collected from nine bull carcasses aged 24 ±2 months.Results: Significant correlations were found between the volume of cooling loss on individual days of aging and the pH value of muscle tissue, lactic acid and glycogen content, as well as beef lightness. However, no significant dependency between the volume of glycogen and the intensity of red and yellow colours was detected.Conclusion: The colorimetric analysis of glycogen and lactic acid can be an effective tool in predicting the quality of beef.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive examination method for the assessment of functional central nervous system (CNS) disturbances. In human medicine it has a special importance as a diagnostic tool for epilepsy. Although many studies were done on the use of EEG for diagnostics of canine central nervous system disorders, the technique is still not applied routinely. The purpose of this paper was to review the use of the electroencephalography in canine neurological disorders of central nervous system diagnosis and assess the future perspectives of this technique in veterinary medicine.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive examination method for the assessment of functional central nervous system (CNS) disturbances. In human medicine it has a special importance as a diagnostic tool for epilepsy. Although many studies were done on the use of EEG for diagnostics of canine central nervous system disorders, the technique is still not applied routinely. The purpose of this paper was to review the use of the electroencephalography in canine neurological disorders of central nervous system diagnosis and assess the future perspectives of this technique in veterinary medicine.

Introduction: The objective of the study was immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of mesenchymal stem cells from equine bone marrow and foal umbilical cords during in vitro culture.

Introduction: The objective of the study was immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of mesenchymal stem cells from equine bone marrow and foal umbilical cords during in vitro culture.Material and Methods: The mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from equine bone marrow of three horses and from foal umbilical cords of six foals. The cells were cultured in CO₂ incubators by standard procedure. Quantitative abnormalities of chromosomes, i.e. aneuploidy and polyploidy, and structural aberrations, i.e. breaks in chromosomes and chromatid, were taken into account during the study.Results: The results of cytogenetic analysis of equine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells at the third and fourth passages indicated that the level of karyotype variability of these cells corresponded to the spontaneous level of karyotype variability typical of the peripheral blood lymphocytes of this species. Equine bone marrow contained several clones of stem cells that differed in the expression of specific nuclear markers characteristic of proliferating cells.Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cells from foal umbilical cords during in vitro cultivation are characterised by quantitative abnormalities of the chromosomal apparatus.

Introduction: Several Mycoplasma species can cause severe diseases in ruminant hosts, some of which are the diseases listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The role of the Cervidae family in carrying and transmitting ruminant mycoplasma infections in Poland is unknown. Material and Methods: Antibody and antigen detection tests for the main mycoplasma species that can affect wild ruminants were performed on 237 samples (serum, nasal swab, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung) collected from 161 animals during 2011-2014. The samples were obtained from a cull of healthy population of deer which included: 96 red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus), 19 fallow deer (Dama dama), and 46 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Results: Serological screening tests revealed positive reactions to Mycoplasma bovis in one sample and to Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae in three samples; however, these three samples were negative by immunoblotting. Other antibody and antigen detection tests demonstrated negative results. Conclusion: Currently wild cervids in Poland do not play a significant role in transmitting mycoplasma infections to domestic animals, but they remain a potential risk.

Introduction: Several Mycoplasma species can cause severe diseases in ruminant hosts, some of which are the diseases listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The role of the Cervidae family in carrying and transmitting ruminant mycoplasma infections in Poland is unknown. Material and Methods: Antibody and antigen detection tests for the main mycoplasma species that can affect wild ruminants were performed on 237 samples (serum, nasal swab, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung) collected from 161 animals during 2011-2014. The samples were obtained from a cull of healthy population of deer which included: 96 red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus), 19 fallow deer (Dama dama), and 46 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Results: Serological screening tests revealed positive reactions to Mycoplasma bovis in one sample and to Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae in three samples; however, these three samples were negative by immunoblotting. Other antibody and antigen detection tests demonstrated negative results. Conclusion: Currently wild cervids in Poland do not play a significant role in transmitting mycoplasma infections to domestic animals, but they remain a potential risk.

Introduction: The main goal of the study was to investigate the effect of KATP channel modulators on development of oxidative stress in the heart of rats showing different resistance to hypoxia.

Introduction: The main goal of the study was to investigate the effect of KATP channel modulators on development of oxidative stress in the heart of rats showing different resistance to hypoxia.Material and Methods: The study has been performed on rats showing high- (HR) or low-resistance (LR) to hypoxia under modulators of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener pinacidil (0.06 mg/kg) and blocker glibenclamide (1 mg/kg) upon cobalt (Co) treatment (30 mg of cobalt chloride/kg b.w., 3 h). Changes in the oxidative stress parameters of the heart tissue, such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), level of oxidatively modified protein (OMP), and antioxidant defence system (superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase -CAT, glutathione peroxidase - GPx, glutathione reductase - GR) as well as total antioxidant activity (TAA) were analysed.Results: Co treatment caused a significant decrease in SOD and CAT activity in the heart of LR rats and GPx activity in HR rats. It also led to a decrease in OMP level in the heart of rats with HR in comparison with controls.Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that individual resistance to hypoxia plays a crucial role in Co actions and provides evidence that the effects of KATP channel opener pinacidil in the heart are mediated through different pathways of the antioxidative system, depending on the individual resistance to hypoxia. Pinacidil exerts a protective effect on the heart tissue by preventing the LPO decrease and significantly reducing OMP levels, as well as increasing TTA in rats with LR.

Introduction: The study examined the concentration of total mercury and correlation coefficients between fish size or FCF (condition factor) and the content of Hg in muscle tissue of six freshwater fish: bream (Abramis brama L.), roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.), vendace (Coregonus albula L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), and pike (Esox lucius L.). Material and Methods: The fish were caught from the Lake Pluszne located in the Olsztyn Lake District (Poland). Mercury was analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry using Milestone DMA-80 (with dual-cell). Results: The content of the element in the muscles of the examined fish was as follows: pike (0.197 mg/kg) ≈ perch (0.173 mg/kg) > vendace (0.114 mg/kg) ≈ roach (0.095 mg/kg) and roach ≈ whitefish (0.065 mg/kg), and whitefish ≈ bream (0.042 mg/kg) (p ≤ 0.05). In all cases, the content of mercury correlated positively with the body weight and total length of the fish. Only the correlation coefficients between mercury concentration and weight or length of bream were slightly higher (0.979 and 0.977 respectively, p ≤ 0.001). The length and weight relationship of the fish was also determined. Conclusion: The results showed that the levels of mercury were lower than the maximum acceptable limit established by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 629/2008 of 2 July 2008. Thus, they are safe from consumer health point of view.

Introduction: The study examined the concentration of total mercury and correlation coefficients between fish size or FCF (condition factor) and the content of Hg in muscle tissue of six freshwater fish: bream (Abramis brama L.), roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.), vendace (Coregonus albula L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), and pike (Esox lucius L.). Material and Methods: The fish were caught from the Lake Pluszne located in the Olsztyn Lake District (Poland). Mercury was analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry using Milestone DMA-80 (with dual-cell). Results: The content of the element in the muscles of the examined fish was as follows: pike (0.197 mg/kg) ≈ perch (0.173 mg/kg) > vendace (0.114 mg/kg) ≈ roach (0.095 mg/kg) and roach ≈ whitefish (0.065 mg/kg), and whitefish ≈ bream (0.042 mg/kg) (p ≤ 0.05). In all cases, the content of mercury correlated positively with the body weight and total length of the fish. Only the correlation coefficients between mercury concentration and weight or length of bream were slightly higher (0.979 and 0.977 respectively, p ≤ 0.001). The length and weight relationship of the fish was also determined. Conclusion: The results showed that the levels of mercury were lower than the maximum acceptable limit established by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 629/2008 of 2 July 2008. Thus, they are safe from consumer health point of view.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to use TaqMan real-time PCR technique to investigate Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) proviral DNA in whole blood samples of sheep, and compare the results to those of histopathological examinations. Material and Methods: Eighty blood samples from clinically healthy sheep were randomly collected before the animals were slaughtered. Ten tissue samples from each lung and associated caudal mediastinal lymph node were taken. Results: Fifteen (18.75%) blood samples were found to contain proviral DNA, and 11 (13.75%) corresponding lung samples showed microscopic changes consistent with ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. None of the samples displayed metastases to the caudal mediastinal lymph nodes. The prominent pattern of neoplastic nodules consisted of acinar (alveolar) form. Conclusion: The results indicated the higher sensitivity of real-time PCR compared to histopathological examinations in detection of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to use TaqMan real-time PCR technique to investigate Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) proviral DNA in whole blood samples of sheep, and compare the results to those of histopathological examinations. Material and Methods: Eighty blood samples from clinically healthy sheep were randomly collected before the animals were slaughtered. Ten tissue samples from each lung and associated caudal mediastinal lymph node were taken. Results: Fifteen (18.75%) blood samples were found to contain proviral DNA, and 11 (13.75%) corresponding lung samples showed microscopic changes consistent with ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. None of the samples displayed metastases to the caudal mediastinal lymph nodes. The prominent pattern of neoplastic nodules consisted of acinar (alveolar) form. Conclusion: The results indicated the higher sensitivity of real-time PCR compared to histopathological examinations in detection of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence and effects of chosen bioaccumulative substances i.e. heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on fish, as well as provide information on time trends and potential threat to human health. Chemical substances which pollute water may affect living organisms in two ways. First of all, large amounts of chemical substances may cause sudden death of a significant part of the population of farmed fish, without symptoms (i.e. during breakdown of factories or industrial sewage leaks). However, more frequently, chemical substances accumulate in tissues of living organisms affecting them chronically. Heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent substances with a long-lasting biodegradation process. In a water environment they usually accumulate in sediments, which makes them resistant to biodegradation processes induced by, e.g., the UV light. These substances enter the fish through direct consumption of contaminated water or by contact with skin and gills. Symptoms of intoxication with heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs may vary and depend on the concentration and bioavailability of these substances, physicochemical parameters of water, and the fish itself.

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence and effects of chosen bioaccumulative substances i.e. heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on fish, as well as provide information on time trends and potential threat to human health. Chemical substances which pollute water may affect living organisms in two ways. First of all, large amounts of chemical substances may cause sudden death of a significant part of the population of farmed fish, without symptoms (i.e. during breakdown of factories or industrial sewage leaks). However, more frequently, chemical substances accumulate in tissues of living organisms affecting them chronically. Heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent substances with a long-lasting biodegradation process. In a water environment they usually accumulate in sediments, which makes them resistant to biodegradation processes induced by, e.g., the UV light. These substances enter the fish through direct consumption of contaminated water or by contact with skin and gills. Symptoms of intoxication with heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs may vary and depend on the concentration and bioavailability of these substances, physicochemical parameters of water, and the fish itself.

Introduction: The current study was designed to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma), Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma putrefaciens (Mp) in sheep and goats with clinical signs consistent with contagious agalactia.Material and Methods: A total of 299 samples were collected from 55 mixed herds in Azarbaijan-e-Sharghi province, Iran. Samples were examined using PCR and culture methods.Results: The findings showed that in 40 herds at least one sample was positive by PCR or culture method. Moreover, out of 274 sheep samples, 101 were proved to be positive using the PCR technique and 76 were found positive using the culture method. Out of 25 goat samples, 10 were found positive using PCR and 9 were positive through the culture method. Less than 20% of isolated mycoplasmas were Ma. Ma was detected from almost all studied regions in the province while Mmc, Mcc, and Mp were detected only in a very limited area that was deemed by the research group the mixed infection zone.Conclusion: In vaccination or eradication projects, it would be more economical to focus on mixed infection zones. Further investigation on mixed infection zones could facilitate better understanding of contagious agalactia epidemiology.

Introduction: The current study was designed to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma), Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma putrefaciens (Mp) in sheep and goats with clinical signs consistent with contagious agalactia.

Introduction: Porcine pleuropneumonia inflicts important economic losses on most commercial herds. Detection of subclinical or chronic infection in animals still remains a challenge, as isolation and identification of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes is difficult and quantification of the bacteria on agar plates is often almost impossible. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate a serotype-specific quantitative TaqMan probe-based PCR for detection of serotype 2 in pig lungs, tonsils, and nasal swabs.Material and Methods: The primers were designed from the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis genes of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2. PCR specificity and sensitivity were evaluated using reference strains and several other bacterial species commonly isolated from pigs.Results: The real-time qPCR for detection of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 was highly specific and gave no false positives with other serotypes or different bacterial species of pig origin. The detection limit for pure culture was 1.2 × 10⁴ CFU/mL, for lung tissue and nasal swabs it was 1.2 × 10⁵ CFU/mL, and for tonsils - 1.2 × 10⁵ CFU/mL.Conclusion: The method can be used to serotype A. pleuropneumoniae isolates obtained during cultivation and to detect and identify A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 directly in nasal swabs and tonsil scrapings obtained from live pigs or lung tissue and tonsils collected post-mortem.

Introduction: Porcine pleuropneumonia inflicts important economic losses on most commercial herds. Detection of subclinical or chronic infection in animals still remains a challenge, as isolation and identification of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes is difficult and quantification of the bacteria on agar plates is often almost impossible. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate a serotype-specific quantitative TaqMan probe-based PCR for detection of serotype 2 in pig lungs, tonsils, and nasal swabs.