ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare carcass traits, meat quality and sensory attributes in two different genotypes of geese according to age and sex.MethodsThe experiment was carried out on 160 birds of two genotypes of geese: the Czech Goose (CG) breed and a Eskildsen Schwer (ES) hybrid. One-d-old goslings were divided into four groups according to genotype and sex. Two dates for slaughtering (at 8 and 16 wk of age of goslings) were undertaken.ResultsThe slaughter weight, cold carcass weight and dressing percentage were affected by all the studied factors, and significant interactions between age, genotype and sex were detected in the slaughter weight (p<0.001) and cold carcass weight (p = 0.004). The pH was not affected by any of studied factors, whereas in terms of meat colour parameters there were observed significant effects of age on L* and b* value and a significant effect of sex on a* value. The meat fat content was higher (p = 0.002) in ES. Higher score for overall acceptance of goose meat was recorded for ES at both ages compared to CG.ConclusionES had higher dressing percentage and better sensory attributes, whereas CG exceled in the favourable nutritional value of the meat.

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OBJECTIVES: The most promising strategy for managing COVID-19 pandemic is achieving suffi cient vaccination rate worldwide. The question is how many people will be willing to get vaccinated. STUDY DESIGN: We systematically reviewed peer-reviewed manuscripts monitoring people´s intention to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. METHODS: Up to December 28, 2020 we identifi ed 62 relevant peer-reviewed articles in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and GoogleScholar. RESULTS: Total sample size was 118 855 respondents with overall average COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 72.5% which is "just" the level estimated to be suffi cient for reaching herd immunity threshold. Surprisingly, healthcare workers showed smaller interest in receiving the vaccine when compared to general adult population and university students. On the other hand, their attitude to vaccination did not change over time. In case of general adult population, the longer the pandemic lasts, the smaller proportion of population wants to get vaccinated. Vaccination intentions were independent of gross domestic product and human development index. CONCLUSION: Willingness of population to receive COVID-19 is just at the herd immunity threshold and it is decreasing over time (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 110).

A group of 240-day-old Ross cockerels were used in a 4-week experiment to assess the effect of the fat type on the intestinal digestibility of fatty acids (FAs), the FA profiles of breast meat and abdominal fat, and the mRNA expression of six hepatic lipid-related genes. Experimental diets were supplemented with rapeseed oil, pork lard or palm oil at 60 g/kg. In the control diet, wheat starch was substituted for the fat source. The highest ileal digestibility of the fat and all FAs (except stearic acid) was observed in chickens fed lard. The content of fat in the breast meat of chickens was not significantly influenced by the fat supplements. The FA profiles of breast meat and abdominal fat reflected the FA composition of the diet. In the meat of chickens fed rapeseed oil, oleic acid was the predominant FA. Palmitic acid was the most abundant FA in the meat of chickens fed lard or palm oil. Oleic acid was the most abundant FA in the abdominal fat of all chickens. The highest mRNA expression of desaturases (Δ5-, Δ6- and Δ9-) was observed in chickens fed palm oil. The mRNA expression of hepatic FA synthase was higher in chickens fed palm oil or lard than in chickens fed rapeseed oil. The expression of HMG-CoA reductase was higher in chickens fed palm oil than in those fed rapeseed oil or lard. It can be concluded that rapeseed oil and lard are better sources of lipids than palm oil. These former two sources contain more digestible fatty acids and provide a lower concentration of SFAs in the meat and fat of chickens.

SummaryVaccination againstNeisseria meningitidisis not part of routine immunization schemes in any country; instead, targeted vaccination of groups at the highest risk is recommended during outbreaks and epidemics. After a long period of sporadic occurrence of meningococcal invasive disease, a new clone ofNeisseria meningitidisC: 2a: P1.2, ET-15/37, occurred in the Czech Republic, and caused local outbreaks in two neighbouring districts, Olomouc and Bruntal, in spring 1993. In Olomouc, a mass campaign was conducted during which 6191 students were vaccinated (5·6 % of the total population of this locality and 96% of all students in the age group 15–19) within 2 weeks in June 1993. In Bruntal district, no such campaign was organized. In Olomouc, the incidence of invasive disease caused byNeisseria meningitidisC in the age group 10–24 decreased from 57 to 0 per 100000 (P < 0·001) during the post-vaccination period (July 1993–August 1994), but no such decrease was observed in Bruntal. Although other factors can affect the frequency of disease, these results support the current recommendations of targeted vaccination in outbreaks of meningococcal disease.

Vlčková J., Tůmová E., Ketta M., Englmaierová M., Chodová D. (2018): Effect of housing system and age of laying hens on eggshell quality, microbial contamination, and penetration of microorganisms into eggs. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 63, 51-60.Hens of the laying hybrid ISA Brown were used in the study with the objective to evaluate eggshell quality, microbial contamination of eggshells, and penetration of microorganisms into the egg content in different housing systems (enriched cage: 60 hens, 10 hens per cage, 750 cm 2 per hen vs free range: 60 hens, 9 hens per m 2 ) and at different hen ages (26 vs 51 weeks) during storage time (0, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days). A significant interaction between the housing system and age was observed in egg weight and most of eggshell quality measurements. However, microbial contamination and penetration were affected mostly by the housing system and storage time. The numbers of Escherichia coli (P < 0.001, 4.51 vs 2.75 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P < 0.001, 2.56 vs 1.11 log cfu/eggshell), and the total number of microorganisms (P < 0.001, 5.04 vs. 3.65 log cfu/eggshell) were higher in free range eggs compared to enriched cage eggs, respectively. The counts of Escherichia coli (P < 0.001, 4.23 vs 2.91 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P < 0.001, 2.31 vs 1.27 log cfu/eggshell) decreased with storage time. A positive correlation between the total number of pores and penetration of Escherichia coli in both housing systems was observed in the albumen. It can be concluded that the housing system and age of laying hens significantly affected eggshell quality. Microbial contamination presumably affects the penetration of microorganisms. The correlation between the number of pores and penetration is assumed to be affected by the microbial species.

The Czech Republic benefits from its geographical location, relatively cheap and educated labour force, industrial tradition, high economic growth, and political stability. During the last two decades, Czech-Chinese relations have intensified mainly in terms of trade but also in investment and, in more recent years, also at the political level. In this paper, we assess existing trade and investment relations between the two countries, the Czech Republic’s potential for Chinese trade and investment presence in the EU in comparison to other V4 countries, and also explore the future opportunities and threats for more intensified relations. The trade analysis reveals that the fragmentation of world production has enabled more Chinese value added exports to reach the EU western markets through processing in the Czech Republic. Mutual cooperation can be beneficial for both sides as long as both countries avoid corruption, bridge cultural differences, deal with profit repatriation and prevent misconduct in property rights.

ABSTRACT:The objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of different levels of phytase (0, 150, 250, and 350 phytase units (FTU)/kg; F) produced by Aspergillus niger in the diets of hens fed decreased contents of non-phytate phosphorus (1.8 and 2.1 g/kg; NPP) on the hen performance, egg quality, digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the ileum, and representation of bacterial species in the ileum and caecum. The diet with 2.1 g/kg of NPP and 350 FTU/kg significantly decreased egg weight (P < 0.001) and egg mass production (P < 0.001). However, this treatment had the highest values for shell percentage (P = 0.002), shell thickness (P = 0.006), and shell index (P = 0.003). The supplementation with F at 350 FTU/kg to the diet with 1.8 g/kg of NPP increased the shell quality to a level that was comparable with the eggs from the hens fed the diet with only 2.1 g/kg of NPP. With the addition of F (350 FTU/kg) to the mixed feed with 1.8 g/kg of NPP, the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the ileum increased by 6.1% and 7.4%, respectively, although the increases were not significant. Additionally, the frequency of Lactobacillus spp. was higher in the ileum and caecum of hens fed the diet enriched with F than in those fed a diet without F addition. The dietary manipulations with NPP and F improved some performance and shell quality characteristics, and the addition of 3-phytase at a level of 350 FTU per kg to the low-P diet increased the digestibility of minerals and changed the microflora of the digestive tract.