Suckler cow enterprises comprise an important segment of Czech agriculture, and the number of suckler cows has been steadily increasing in recent years. The objective of this study was to assess the ...profitability of suckler cow herds in the Czech Republic based upon data collected for 2014, 2015, and 2016 using a questionnaire covering production, reproduction, and economic traits. The average yearly costs reached 30,583 CZK per cow. When subsidies in the average amount of 14,347 CZK per cow were included, profitability of 8.3, 8.7, and 6.3 % was observed in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Feed, labour, depreciation, and overheads were the largest cost items and together comprised 66 % of total yearly costs. The data obtained proved the economy of scale. Average break-even points were determined for the number of weaned calves, calving interval, and selling price of calves (75 calves, 465 days, and 56 CZK/kg live weight, respectively). A sensitivity analysis identified the number of weaned calves, price of calves, calving interval, and amount of subsidies as the most influential parameters.
Cilj ove studije je vrednovanje glavnih pokazatelja proizvodnje mlijeka kod ukupno šezdeset stada komercijalno uzgajanih muznih krava u Republici Češkoj u razdoblju od devet godina (2006.- 2014.). ...Korištene su točke rentabilnosti i analiza osjetljivosti te je analizirana povezanost između starosti prvog teljenja (SPT), prinosa mlijeka (PM) i intervala između teljenja (IT). Kod najnižeg SPT≤749 d utvrđena je povezanost s najvišom plodnošću, najnižom smrtnošću teladi i najnižom rentabilnosti bez subvencija -2,49 %. Kod najvećeg PM≥9000 kg utvrđena je povezanost s najvišom plodnošću, najnižim SPT, najnižim troškovima za stočnu hranu i ukupnim troškovima 8,58 Kč (0,32 EUR) po litri mlijeka i stoga s najvišom rentabilnosti 2,37 %. Analiza plodnosti pokazala je da su stada s najnižim IT (≤389 d) postigla najniži pad vrijednosti krava u iznosu od 0,71 Kč (0,03 EUR) po litri mlijeka, najviše ukupne troškove 9,72 Kč (0,36 EUR) po litri mlijeka i najvišu rentabilnost 1,29 %. Točke rentabilnosti cijene mlijeka kretale su se između 7,81 i 8,75 Kč (0,29 i 0,32 EUR) po litri mlijeka u razdoblju od 2007. do 2014. Povećanje ulaznih cijena trebalo bi imati negativan utjecaj na povećanje cijene mlijeka. Povećanje cijene mlijeka za 1 % u 2014. godini uzrokovat će povećanje dobiti za 745 Kč (27,6 EUR) po kravi godišnje.
The objective of this study was to evaluate main indicators of milk production on total 60 commercial dairy herds from the Czech Republic during a 9-yr period (2006-2014). Breakeven points and ...sensitivity analysis were used and associations of age at first calving (AFC), milk yield (MY) and calving interval (CI) were analyzed. Lowest AFC≤749 d showed the highest fertility, the lowest death rate of calves and lowest profitability without subsidies -2.49 %. Highest MY≥9,000 kg showed the highest fertility, lowest AFC, lowest feed costs and total costs 8.58 CZK (0.32 EUR) per L of milk and subsequent highest profitability 2.37 %. The analysis of fertility showed that herds with the lowest CI (≤389 d) achieved lowest cow depreciation costs 0.71 CZK (0.03 EUR) per L of milk, highest total costs 9.72 CZK (0.36 EUR) per L of milk and highest profitability 1.29 %. Breakeven points for the price of milk ranged between 7.81 and 8.75 CZK (0.29 and 0.32 EUR) per L in yr 2007 and 2014. Increase in input prices should adversely affect the increase the price of milk. The increase of price of milk by 1 % in 2014 will cause an increase in profit of CZK 745 (27.6 EUR) per cow per year.
Fattened bulls are the main source of beef in the Czech Republic (CR) and in most other EU countries. Profitability of fattening operations is a fundamental prerequisite for increasing domestic beef ...production. The objective of this study was to assess the economic efficiency of bull fattening operations in CR during 2013 and 2014. Data from 17 operations were collected using a questionnaire. Major cost items were determined and the return on costs was calculated while either including or excluding support payments. In 2013, average total costs reached 24,038 CZK per bull and a 1,152 CZK loss was incurred. In 2014, total costs were similar as in 2013 but the loss was 3,238 CZK per bull as a result of a higher initial purchase price of bulls at the beginning of the fattening period. Break‑even points, defined as those points at which the operation reaches zero profitability, were estimated for daily live weight gains (1,189 and 1,290 g/day in 2013 and 2014, respectively) and for selling prices of bulls (91.19 and 96.05 CZK/kg of carcass in 2013 and 2014, respectively). A sensitivity analysis revealed that the most influential parameters were purchase and selling prices and live weight gains of bulls.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary intracranial tumor, and has a median survival of only 10 to 14 months with only 3 to 5% of patients surviving more than three ...years. Recurrence (RGBM) is nearly universal, and further decreases the median survival to only five to seven months with optimal therapy. Tumor-treating fields (TTField) therapy is a novel treatment technique that has recently received CE and FDA approval for the treatment of RGBM, and is based on the principle that low intensity, intermediate frequency electric fields (100 to 300 kHz) may induce apoptosis in specific cell types. Our center was the first to apply TTField treatment to histologically proven GBM in a small pilot study of 20 individuals in 2004 and 2005, and four of those original 20 patients are still alive today. We report two cases of GBM and two cases of RGBM treated by TTField therapy, all in good health and no longer receiving any treatment more than seven years after initiating TTField therapy, with no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence.
Background
To review our experience with morphological developments during the long-term follow-up of patients treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
Method
Between ...1995 and 1999, we treated 14 patients with marginal doses of 24 Gy (
n
= 6) and 18–20 Gy (
n
= 8). Nine of these were operated on for insufficient seizure control. We reviewed seizure outcome and magnetic resonance images in both operated and unoperated patients and also re-examined histopathology specimens.
Results
Of the nine operated patients, two were Engel IIIA, one was IVA, five were IVB, and one was Engel IVC prior to surgery. At their final visit, five cases had become Engel class IA, one patient was ID, and two were IIC. In one patient the follow-up was not long enough for classification. Of the five unoperated patients, one was Engel class IB, one was IIIA, one IIB and one IVB at their final visit. Radionecrosis developed in 11 patients, occurring more often and earlier in those treated with higher doses. Collateral edema reached outside the temporal lobe in six patients, caused uncal herniation in two and intracranial hypertension in three. During longer follow-up, postnecrotic pseudocysts developed in 9 patients, and postcontrast enhancement persisted for 2.5–16 years after GKRS in all 14 patients. In five of them we detected its progression between 2 and 16 years after treatment. Signs of neoangiogenesis were found in two patients and microbleeds could be seen in five. Histopathology revealed blood vessel proliferation and macrophage infiltration.
Conclusions
Early delayed complications and morphological signs suggesting a risk of development of late delayed complications are frequent after radiosurgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Together with its unproven antiseizure efficacy, these issues should be taken into account when planning future studies of this method.
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