János Posta

Breeding value estimation in the Hungarian Sport Horse population.

The aims of this study were to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters for a range of traits in Hungarian Sport Horses, and to compare several methods of estimating breeding value (BV) in this breed. The analyses were based on the Hungarian Sport Horse Studbook, results of self-performance tests (SPTs) and show-jumping competition results. An SPT comprises subjective judgement of conformation traits, movement analysis traits and free-jumping performance, assessed via ordinal scores. Genetic parameters of SPTs were estimated with an animal model. Different measurements of the competition performance were compared using the same repeatability model. Estimates of BV for sport were made with random regression models using a first-order Legendre polynomial. Heritability was found to increase and permanent environmental variance to decrease continuously with age. BVs can be estimated at different ages and from these a composite BV index can be computed. It is possible to weight BVs for the specific age of a horse.

Random regression model estimation of genetic parameters for show-jumping results of Hungarian Sporthorses

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for show-jumping competition performance of Hungarian Sporthorses using a random regression model. There were 21,210 records from 739 horses collected in Hungary between 1996 and 2004. Performance was expressed as shifted Blom normalized ranks and as the difference between fence height and fault points. The random regression model (RRM) included fixed effects for sex, year, location, and obstacle height and random effects for animal, rider and permanent environment. Regressions for the random effects in the RRM were modelled with Legendre polynomials from first to fifth order of fit. The model focused on performance of horses from 4 to 11 years of age, with heterogeneous residual variances considered. The heritabilities were low to moderate for both variables. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between different ages decreased with increasing distance between the ages.

Seasonal changes in scrotal circumference, the quantity and quality of ram semen in hungary

Abstract. In this study, the quantitative and qualitative traits of semen were studied in seven rams of different breeds (Prolific Merino, Cokanski Tsigai, Barbados Blackbelly, Babolna Tetra, Awassi, Ile de France and Suffolk), bred in Hungary. The semen parameters (density, volume, pH, mass motility, % motility, thawing and heat resistance), freezability of semen and the factors influencing these parameters were evaluated with respect to breed and season. The fresh and post-thawing quality of semen varied greatly with the breed and the season. The postthawing motility of semen cells was outstandingly high for Awassi rams in three seasons. During the test period, the smallest scrotal circumference was measured for Barbados Blackbelly, except for the summer when it increased by 12.5 cm. The reintroduction of artificial insemination could lead to a significant advancement of the sheep sector in Hungary. To promote this, we have provided useful and new information for breeders and organisations.

Evaluation of the length of competitive life in Hungarian sport horses

The aim of this study was to analyse the duration of the competitive life of jumping horses in Hungary to assess the potential for genetic evaluation and to get information about the risk factors affecting jumping performance of sport horses. The data set included lifetime performance in jumping competitions for 8475 horses born from 1992 onwards with records between 1996 and 2011 (32.7% were right-censored). Longevity was measured as the number of years spent in the competition. Discrete time survival model included fixed effects of gender, age at first competition, and the time-dependent effect of competition level. All fixed effects were highly significant (p < 0.001). The highest risk of ending the race career was estimated for horses competing in the lowest level (category 1) events. The smallest risk was found in horses competing in the highest category. The culling risk for stallions was 15% higher, for geldings 20% lower when compared to mares. As the age at the first competition result increased, the risk ratio also increased. Risk ratios of horses starting as 8 years old or older were 56% higher than those of 5-year-old horses. The longest time in sport tracks belonged to horses starting their career as 4 years old. Their culling risk was 20% lower than those of 5-year-old horses. The heritability of the length of competitive life was 0.17. Breeding values were predicted for each animals, and 47 showed an accuracy greater than 0.60. The clear benefit of the analysis was shown by comparison of offspring to extreme stallion groups.

Characteristics and heritability analysis of head scales of the Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis, Méhely 1893)

The objective of our research was to determine the heritability of head scale numbers of Vipera ursinii rakosiensis. 430 specimens (177 males and 253 females) were included in the analysis, most of which were born and raised in the Hungarian Meadow Viper Conservation Centre between 2004 and 2008. Due to the controlled breeding conditions, the dams of the offspring were known, and the sires were known in 51% of the cases. Only the ancestors of the wild caught specimens were unknown, but these animals were included as parents in the analysis. Photographic identification was used to identify and characterise the specimens, the majority over consecutive years. We counted the following scales: loreal-, circumocular-, apical-, and crown (intercanthal- and intersupraocular-) shields, as well as presence-absence data of other characteristics which are detailed further in the article. The variance and covariance components were determined via the restricted maximum likelihood method. The repeatability animal model consisted of the year of birth and the sex of the snakes as fixed effects, the dam as permanent environmental, and the animal as random effects. Heritability values varied between 0.32 and 0.70. We also report scale numbers and statistics of differences between scale numbers of sexes.

Drug residues in syringes and other injecting paraphernalia in Hungary

The appearance and spread of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is a phenomenon seen throughout Europe since 2008. Synthetic cathinones, a group of NPS, have been self-reported as the drug injected by the vast majority of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Hungary. This study aims at updating our knowledge of what exactly are the compounds injected by PWID. This multi-site study analysed residues from used injecting drug paraphernalia collected from PWID via low-threshold services and from public places in Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Szeged, Békéscsaba and Pécs between March 2015 and February 2016. The paper describes the results of the chemical analysis of 2985 analytical samples created out of the 22 005 objects collected in this period. Active agents and their occurrences (compound cases) were identified using GC-MS. The study detected 161 different compounds, mostly synthetic cathinones (29%), non-psychoactive compounds (14%), amines (12%), non-psychoactive medications (12%) and other substances (32%). Of the 12 762 compound cases, 50% were cathinones, 18% substitution medications, 9% non-controlled psychoactive substances and 24% other substances. Among compound cases, the most frequent cathinones were pentedrone (21%) and α-PHP (12%). Among substitution medications, most were methadone (93%), and non-controlled psychoactive substances were caffeine (74%) and nicotine (21%). Overall, the most prevalent substances were methadone (16%), pentedrone (10%) and caffeine (7%) with considerable variation detected among participating cities. Our results are consistent with previous self-reported data showing a high prevalence of synthetic cathinone injection among PWID in Hungary. We also detected a large-scale misuse of methadone by PWID.

Diverted medications and new psychoactive substances—A chemical network analysis of discarded injecting paraphernalia in Hungary

BACKGROUND Until about 2010, people who inject drugs (PWIDs) injected almost exclusively heroin and amphetamines in Hungary. After 2010, self-reported studies have indicated a dominance of new psychoactive substances on the drug market for injectable drugs. METHODS Between March 2015 and February 2016, we collected used and discarded injecting paraphernalia. We utilized chemical analysis to assess and UCINet to visualize the connections between the most prevalent main substances and their respective co-occurring additional components at 7 locations in Hungary. RESULTS The samples (n=2977) contained a mean of 4.5 components (SD=3.1, range: 1-18); 422 contained only one component. We found that the most common main components were the diverted substitution medication methadone (32%) and cathinones: pentedrone (18%), mephedrone (13%), alpha-PHP (8%), and alpha-PEP (5%). While these main substances also occurred among the top co-occurring additional components, caffeine and benzoic acid (a preservative) also frequently co-occurred. CONCLUSION A large number of co-occurring additional components indicate either common reuse of injecting paraphernalia or the common addition of additives or both. While caffeine may indeed be an adulterant, the high prevalence of benzoic acid may be difficult to explain. The preference of methadone despite the availability of a wide array of drugs may indicate a preference for opioids during the current heroin drought and/or a true demand for opioid substitution therapy.

GHB-involved crimes among intoxicated patients

INTRODUCTION In recent years, the involvement of GHB in drug facilitated sexual assaults has been one of the most frequently studied aspects of GHB in both clinical and non-clinical settings. GHB-involved acquisitory crimes, however, can be mentioned as understudied research topics, as well as the poisoning severity properties of GHB. MEASURES The medical reports of Péterfy Sándor Street Hospital Clinic and Casualty Centres 408 GHB-intoxication cases (352 patients) were reviewed and registered. Analyzed data consisted of epicrisis, serum and urine concentration of various substances (including GHB), scores of Glasgow Coma Scale and Poisoning Severity Score. RESULTS Majority of the patients were males, in their twenties. GHB was detected in 34.1% and it was solely consumed in 27.7% of all the cases. Ethanol was found to be the most frequently co-ingested substance. A higher rate of severe poisonings was observed among males. We found significant difference in the frequency of enduring sexual assaults and acquisitory crimes between intentional and unintentional GHB intake cases. Among unintentional GHB intake cases, 6.5% endured GHB-involved sexual assaults, whereas 21.7% endured an acquisitory crime. Among recurrent GHB intoxication cases generated by the same patients, voluntary and sole GHB consumptions were more frequently observed, however, enduring any crime was less characteristic. DISCUSSION Our results regarding demographic and substance use characteristics and the frequency of GHB-facilitated sexual assaults are in line with former findings. Enduring acquisitory crimes due to unintentional GHB intake was found to be more inherent than enduring sexual assaults. Authors emphasise that the victims of these acquisitory crimes were typically males. CONCLUSION GHBs role in drug facilitated acquisitory crimes seems to be significant, although the decrease in GHBs popularity is observed among intoxicated patients as well. The need for further research on GHBs impact on cognitive impairment and on sexual correlates of intentional GHB use is addressed by the authors.

Pedigree Analysis of Mangalica Pig Breeds

Abstract An effective gene conservation programme requires the knowledge of genetic variability of the population. The genetic structure of Mangalica pig breeds (Blonde, Red and Swallow-bellied) was studied from pedigree records. Herdbook data available up to 2011 of registered Mangalica pig breeds (Blonde, Red and Swallow-bellied) were analysed. The number of complete generations was 6 for Blonde and 5 for Red and Swallow-bellied Mangalica whereas the average complete generation equivalent was between 3.51 and 6.01. The average level of inbreeding of the reference population was low (4.07–5.87%). The investigated breeds could be considered as small populations based on the probability of gene origin. The most important ancestor contributed between 9 and 16% of the gene pool of the reference populations. The longest generation interval was found for the sire-to-son pathways whereas the shortest for dam-to-daughter pathways for each breed.

The productive lifetime of sows on two farms from the aspect of reasons for culling

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the productive lifetime (PLT) of sows kept on two farms, from the aspect of reasons for culling. The study was based on data from animals from two breeding farms in Hungary, using the data of 3493 crossbred Dutch Large White and Dutch Landrace sows (DLW × DL) between their first farrowing until the time of culling (2006 and 2012). For six years, the annual culling rate for both farms averaged 45%. The most frequent reasons for removal on both farms were reproductive problems (40%, 51%), leg problems (29%, 23%) and mortality (19%, 15%). There was a significant difference between the distributions of reasons for culling on the two farms (χ2=41.7, P≤0.001). The distributions of reasons for culling differed in three periods of sow breeding (Farm A: χ2=264.7, P≤0.001; Farm B: χ2=511.1, P≤0.001). The percentage of main removal reasons decreased, whereas the frequency of culling due to age increased. Using survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model), significant differences were identified between the PLT of sows culled due to reproductive problems (P≤0.001), leg problems (P≤0.001) and old age (P≤0.001). Reproductive problems (HR: 1.34, P≤0.001) and leg problems (HR: 1.39, P≤0.001) were higher and culling due to old age (HR: 0.44, P≤0.001) was lower on Farm A compared to Farm B. There were no significant differences between the two farms in terms of mortality (HR: 0.99, P=0.923). Overall, the results can be useful for breeders of crossbred (DLW × DL) sow populations in more accurately defining their culling systems.