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Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) cause multisystemic, degenerative and chronic disease in sheep and goats. There are five genotypes (A, B, C, D and E), of which A and B are the most widespread. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serotyping efficiency of the Eradikit SRLV Genotyping ELISA and the molecular typing efficiency of a newly developed nested real-time PCR targeting the long terminal repeat–gag (LTR-gag) region using samples from animals infected with subtypes of SRLV known to circulate in Poland.

Maedi-visna virus and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus are two closely related lentiviruses which cause multisystemic, progressive and persistent infection in goats and sheep. Because these viruses frequently cross the species barrier, they are considered to be one genetic group called small-ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). They have in vivo tropism mainly for monocytes and macrophages and organ tropism with unknown mechanisms. Typical clinical signs are pneumonia in sheep, arthritis in goats, and mastitis in both species. Infection with SRLV cannot currently be treated or prevented, and control programmes are the only approaches to avoiding its spread. These programmes rely mainly on annual serological testing and elimination of positive animals. However, the high genetic and antigenic variability of SRLV complicate their early and definitive diagnosis. The objective of this review is to summarise the current knowledge of SRLV genetic variation and its implications for tropism, the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the effectiveness of control and eradication programmes.

The objective of this study was to present a comparative analysis of the antimicrobial activity of methanolic leaf extracts from seven Juniperus L. species, together with a tentative analysis of their total flavonoid and o-dihydroxyphenolic acids content. The chemical analyses were performed by colorimetric methods and the antimicrobial activity was assessed via broth microdilution. The studied extracts showed total content of o-dihydroxyphenols in the range of 26 to 34 µg of caffeic acid equivalent/mg DE and total flavonoid content of 13 to 24 µg of quercetin equivalent/mg DE. The sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria to the studied extracts differed significantly with the following order of activity: J. sabina var. balkanensis > J. communis ‘Laxa’ > J. formosana > J. pinchotii > J. ashei > J. excelsa ≈ J. sibirica. Weak activity was observed for all extracts against Gram-negative bacteria and Candida strains. The analysis of the MBC/MIC ratio showed that the extracts exhibited bactericidal effect against Gram-negative bacteria (MBC/MIC≤4), while bactericidal or bacteriostatic action (MBC/MIC>4) was determined towards Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, these extracts showed fungicidal (MFC/MIC≤4) or fungistatic effect (MFC/MIC>4). Best antibacterial activity was registered for the J. sabina var. balkanensis leaf extract. The multivariate data analyses were carried out by SIMCA 16 (v16.0.2) software. The hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, based on phytochemical and antimicrobial data, classified the studied juniper species into four groups: 1. J. ashei; 2. J. excelsa, J. sibirica; 3. J. sabina var. balkanensis, J. communis Laxa, J. formosana; 4. J. pinchotii.

Previous gag and env sequence studies placed Polish small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) isolated from sheep and goats in subtypes B1, B2, A1, A5, A12, A13, A16–A18, A23, A24 and A27. This study extended the genetic/phylogenetic analysis of previously identified Polish SRLV strains by contributing long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences.

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) is an enteric pathogen causing porcine epidemic diarrhoea and acute gastroenteritis in pigs of all ages. Previous analysis of the viral genome of PEDV in Poland was only based on the spike protein (S) gene sequences and no analysis of other genes has been performed. The aim of this study was to analyse the envelope (E), membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) protein and open reading frame 3 (ORF3) gene sequences.

Apocrine sweat gland carcinomas (ASGCs) are rare malignant skin tumours in dogs and humans. The literature published so far focuses mostly on the clinico-epidemiological aspect of these tumours, but little is known about their pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to determine whether the p53 gene is involved in the carcinogenesis of the apocrine sweat gland in dogs and whether ultraviolet radiation (UV) is related to it.

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) of the Coronaviridae family causes significant economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. Wild boars contribute to the transmission of different viral, bacterial and parasitic infections to livestock animals and humans. However, their role in the maintenance and transmission of PEDV has not been established.

Replacing the gluten network to produce high quality pasta is a great technological challenge. One of known solutions to the problem is the addition of xanthan gum. This paper focuses on the possibility of obtaining a new type of gluten-free maize-field bean pasta and explores the characteristics of phenolics content, antioxidant activity, cooking quality, textural and thermotropic behavior as well as the microstructure of pasta products with the various levels of added xanthan gum. The obtained results revealed that 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% addition of xanthan gum to pasta did not have significant influence on its phenolics content and antioxidant activity, whereas 1.00% addition caused a decrease in the tested parameters. On the other hand, the opposite effect of gum addition on the cooking quality, texture characteristic and microstructure was observed. The addition of xanthan gum to the formulation improved pasta quality while reducing the leaching of its components into the cooking water. Pasta prepared with 1.00% xanthan gum showed the lowest cooking loss, the highest firmness, and the lowest adhesiveness. These results revealed a significant influence of xanthan gum content on pasta properties as confirmed by the thermal analysis and SEM microstructure observations.

Chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) is known for its antioxidant properties and generally beneficial impact on human health. The aim of the research was to produce innovative corn porridge with a different content of chokeberry fruit percentage-wise and to test it to determine the content of polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and individual free phenolic acids, and determine the antioxidant properties of analysed extracts. One of the objectives was also to identify the optimum porridge production parameters, including, among other things, the rotational speed of the extruder screw during the extrusion process.

This paper offers a comparison of Muriella decolor specimens from different geographical regions and habitats (limestone caves in Poland and ice denuded areas near the Ecology Glacier, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctic). Morphological and cytological variability, ecology and life strategies of M. decolor were studied in fresh samples, and also in cultures grown on agar plates. The complete life cycle, with detailed ultrastructural (LM and TEM) analysis are presented. The electron microscopic observations prove that materials identified as M. decolor collected in Poland and the Antarctic have distinct ultrastructural features. These include the chloroplast lamella arrangement, mitochondrial cristae structure and the cell wall thickness.

The study included a sheep flock comprising five genetic groups. The ELISA was applied to perform constant monitoring (every six months) for the infection of ewes with small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV). The research results demonstrated a negative effect of SRLVs infection on lamb rearing that, depending on the genetic group, proved to be lower 1.3%-1.4% compared to the seronegative mothers. At relatively equal fertility (94%-100%) and more differentiated prolificacy (179%-198%) in all the examined groups (except the Suffolk breed), a rearing index was higher in the seronegative animals 6.8%-24.1% compared to the seropositive mothers. The Suffolk breed proved to be the genetic group most susceptible to SRLV infection. A prolificacy of infected ewes was 10% lower, a lamb rearing rate was 13% lower , and a general reproductive performance was 18% lower in comparison to healthy ewes.