Agris category codes: T01 COBISS
1.02 Language: English
Microbial biosensors for environmental monitoring
David VOGRINC, Maša
VODOVNIK,
1
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
Microbial biosensors are analytical
devices capable of sensing substances in the environment
due to the specific biological reaction of the
microorganism or its parts. Construction of a microbial
biosensor requires knowledge of microbial response to
the specific analyte. Linking this response with the
quantitative data, using a transducer, is the crucial
step in the construction of a biosensor. Regarding the
transducer type, biosensors are divided into
electrochemical, optical biosensors and microbial fuel
cells. The use of the proper configuration depends on
the selection of the biosensing element. With the use of
transgenic E. coli strains, bioluminescence or
fluorescence based biosensors were developed. Microbial
fuel cells enable the use of the heterogeneous microbial
populations, isolated from wastewater. Different
microorganisms are used for different pollutants –
pesticides, heavy metals, phenolic compounds, organic
waste, etc. Biosensing enables measurement of their
concentration and their toxic or genotoxic effects on
the microbes. Increasing environmental awareness has
contributed to the increase of interest for
biomonitoring. Although technologies, such as
bioinformatics and genetic engineering, allow us to
design complex and efficient microbial biosensors for
environmental pollutants, the transfer of the laboratory
work to the field still remains a problem to solve.
Economic analysis of the organisation of a riding centre; application of the linear programming approach
1
1 Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
In this contribution, the economics
of an equestrian centre, which in addition to a variety
of riding school activities also includes breeding and
livery, are analysed. We consider the conditions for a
hypothetical holding operating in central Slovenia.
Methods of mathematical programming are applied in order
to attempt to optimise the holding’s activities. Their
use may in the given situation facilitate the evaluation
of development prospects from different perspectives and
indicate the opportunities of increasing value-added. On
the basis of maximizing the gross margin, we try to
address the various questions and challenges that arise
in managing and planning for such an equestrian centre.
The obtained results indicate that breeding is
unfavourable in the given price-cost ratio, both for the
renewal of the working horses herd and for sale. This
reflects the current adverse situation in the field of
horse breeding. Livery is an important activity on such
holdings and through opportunity perspective provides an
optimal set of activities. Activities of the riding
school for children are interesting in terms of income
diversification, as well as an additional source of
revenue. A riding school with one riding instructor and
an indoor arena needs 4.6 horses in order to cover the
costs of full-time employment.
Agris
category codes: L50 COBISS
1.01 Language:
English
Establishment of primary keratinocyte culture from horse tissue biopsates
1,
Tjaša LAPANJA, Klavdija POKLUKAR, Natalija TOMINŠEK, Peter DOVČ
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
Primary cell lines established from
skin tissue can be used in immunological, proteomic and
genomic studies as in vitro skin models. The
goal of our study was to establish a primary
keratinocyte cell culture from tissue biopsates of two
horses. The primary keratinocyte cell culture was
obtained by mechanical and enzymatic dissociation and
with explant culture method. The result was a
heterogeneous primary culture comprised of keratinocytes
and fibroblasts. To distinguish epithelial and
mesenchymal cells immunofluorescent characterisation was
performed, using antibodies against cytokeratin 14 and
vimentin. We successfully at attained a primary cell
line of keratinocytes, which could potentially be used
to study equine skin diseases, as an animal model for
human diseases, and for cosmetic and therapeutic product
testing.
Agris category codes: L01, L10 COBISS
1.01
Language: English
Analysis of backfat thickness in on-farm tested gilts in Slovenia using reaction norms
1,
Milena KOVAČ, Špela MALOVRH
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
Animals have the ability to respond
to differences in environment, which can be called
phenotypic plasticity or environment sensitivity. Robust
animal, that show little variability across
environments, are less sensitive. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to investigate genotype by environment
interaction for backfat thickness using reaction norm.
Random regression model have become common for analyzing
data on individuals over time. Reaction norms were
predicted for 239 sires. Results show how sires differ
across environments for backfat thickness..
Agris
category codes: L01, L73 COBISS
1.01
Language: English
Effect of different litter materials on foot pad dermatitis, hock burn and feather coverage in broiler chickens
1 Mirjana ŽOLGER, Mojca PESTOTNIK
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted to
evaluate the feather coverage on breast and thighs in
meat type chickens, reared on three different types of
litter materials, including wood shavings, shredded
paper and chopped wheat straw. The experiment lasted for
72 days. A total of 447 one-day-old meat type chickens
were randomly allotted to the three litter materials,
giving 149 birds per litter. On days 24, 47 and 72 of
the experimental period, feathering on the breast and
thighs was scored according to a 1–4 scale. In addition,
the severity of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) and hock burn
(HB) was evaluated at the same days by attributing
scores from 1−3. Litter characteristics (moisture
content, water absorbing capacity, bulk density, pH)
were determined at the end of the experiment. Severity
of FPD varied significantly (P < 0.016) among the litter
materials with chopped straw showing the highest
severity scores and wood shavings showing the lowest.
Litter material had no effect (P > 0.016) on the
severity of HB and on thigh feathering. Birds reared on
chopped wheat straw presented the lowest breast feather
coverage. Straw litter had the highest moisture content
and pH value. In conclusion, wood shavings proved to be
best litter material for meat type chickens rearing
among the three tested litter materials.
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to analyse
type traits in 330 Cika sires. Scoring system of Cika
cattle includes measured, individual scored and
composite scored traits. Individual scored traits are
divided into two groups, autochthonousness and form.
Three composite traits are autochthonousness,
muscularity and form. Fixed part of the model was
analysed by GLM procedure in SAS software package, which
included the effect of the year and animal age on the
scoring day as linear regression. On average, 14.6
months old sires were 117.1 cm high at withers.
Immediately, at the end of the scoring procedure all
sires were classified into Cika, Semi-Cika and Pinzgauer
type, based on the height at withers and individual
scored traits from the autochthonous group. This method
of classification does not take into account the
environmental effects. We found significant effects of
the year of scoring and animal age on type traits and
therefore on the classification into the type. Sires
classification should be carried out after the type
traits data evaluation and after the exclusion of
environmental effects.
