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ObjectiveThe cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is an enzyme involved in the oxidative biotransformation of various widely used drugs, including paroxetine, a substrate and strong inhibitor of the enzyme. The aim is to report on a case of protracted intoxication with paroxetine after a single overdose in a genotype-predicted intermediate CYP2D6 metabolizer.ObservationA 49-year-old man was receiving chronic treatment for more than 6 years with paroxetine 60 mg/day for an indication of agoraphobia. The patient ingested fifty 20 mg tablets of paroxetine in a suicide attempt. The toxic plasma level, accompanied by delirium, persisted for approximately 1 month after the overdose. According to the genotype profile, the patient was evaluated as an intermediate metabolizer with reduced CYP2D6 enzyme activity.ConclusionAs a consequence of the suicide attempt with overdose and the chronic paroxetine treatment that preceded it, phenoconversion to a poor metabolizer with very low CYP2D6 enzyme activity is suggested as contributing to an extremely long intoxication accompanied by delirium. Prolonged monitoring over a standard 24 h of both physical symptoms and drug plasma levels, together with a genetic profile assessment and phenoconversion consideration, is recommended after a single overdose in patients chronically treated with paroxetine.

Objective: The cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is an enzyme involved in the oxidative biotransformation of various widely used drugs, including paroxetine, a substrate and strong inhibitor of the enzyme. The aim is to report on a case of protracted intoxication with paroxetine after a single overdose in a genotypepredicted intermediate CYP2D6 metabolizer. Observation: A 49-year-old man was receiving chronic treatment for more than 6 years with paroxetine 60 mg/day for an indication of agoraphobia. The patient ingested fifty 20 mg tablets of paroxetine in a suicide attempt. The toxic plasma level, accompanied by delirium, persisted for approximately 1 month after the overdose. According to the genotype profile, the patient was evaluated as an intermediate metabolizer with reduced CYP2D6 enzyme activity. Conclusion: As a consequence of the suicide attempt with overdose and the chronic paroxetine treatment that preceded it, phenoconversion to a poor metabolizer with very low CYP2D6 enzyme activity is suggested as contributing to an extremely long intoxication accompanied by delirium. Prolonged monitoring over a standard 24 h of both physical symptoms and drug plasma levels, together with a genetic profile assessment and phenoconversion consideration, is recommended after a single overdose in patients chronically treated with paroxetine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheese is one of the most important products of dairy industry from the economic and nutritional points of view that demands the high processing technology and production hygiene. The aim of the study was to evaluate microbiological quality of traditional Slovak cheese “Parenica” produced from sheep milk. The coliforms, enterococci, lactic acid bacteria and microscopic filamentous fungi were detected in cheese samples. MALDI-TOF MS was applied for identification of isolates. In group of lactic acid bacteria three genera were identified: Lactococcus and Leuconostoc. Lactobacillus spp. was the most abundant genus, which was found in 25, Leuconostoc in 10 and Lactococcus in 7 samples. Lactobacillus was mostly represented with four species: Lactobacillus plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. ultunensis, L. casei. Another bacterial isolates included Gram-positive and Gram-negative Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus, Raoutella ornithinolytica and Klebsiela oxytoca. Our study shows that MALDI-TOF MS could serve as an important method for identifying microorganisms for dairy industry needs.

Fungi as a group are some of the most resilient spoilage microorganisms and are capable of overcoming the control strategies utilized by the food industry. Various fungal propagules are rapidly dispersed by water and air, survive under extreme conditions, and sustainably increase in biomass. The aim of this study were isolation and identification of microscopic filamentous fungi from traditional cow cheese. Altogether, 40 samples of Slovak traditional cheese “Parenica“ were examined. The samples included non-smoked and smoked cheese samples. Microscopic fungi were cultivated on Malt extract agar. Microscopic fungi count was from 1.89 log cfu.g-1 to 2.65 log cfu.g-1. A total of 129 isolates of microscopic fungi were identified in our study. Alternaria and Penicillium (50%) were the most abundant microscopic fungi. Also Aspergillus (45%) and Cladosporium (45%) were frequently identified. Alternaria sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp. were isolated from non-smoked and smoked cheese.

Different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) could be identified in cheeses made in accordance with national recipes. This strains of LAB are not within the starter cultures used in the dairy industry. The aim of the present study was to identify LAB in traditional cow’s milk cheeses of Slovakia. An amount of 40 samples of cheese were produced in the four regions of the Slovakia. LAB were cultured on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe media for 48 h at 37 °C microaerophilically. The of LAB were confirmed with MALDI-TOF. LAB colonies were subcultured on TSA and 166 cultures were used for further confirmation. The following genera and species were identied with mass spectrometry method: Lactococcus spp., including L. lactis and L. garvieae; Lactobacillus spp., including L. curvatus, L. delbrueckii, L. fermentum, L. papacasei, L. paraplantarum, L. plantarum and L. sakei; Enterococcus spp., including E. durans, E. faecalis, E. faecium and E. italicus; Leuconostoc spp., including L. mesenteroides; Pediococcus spp. with P. pentosaceus and Streptococcus spp. with S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus.

To generate a comprehensive profile of viable yeasts on cheese as it is purchased by consumers, 40 samples of locally produced cheese were obtained from four Slovakian farms and sampled. The samples were cultured on Malt extract agar with bromocresol green and cultivated for 5 days at 25 °C. Selected colonies were cultured overnight on TSA agar aerobically and used for identification. Pure cultures were obtained and identified by mass spectrometry, as well as growth characteristics and colony morphology. The yeast Candida kefyr was the most abundant yeast, present in 90 % of all cheese samples. From the non-smoked and smoked cheese a total of 10 species of 5 yeast genera were identified with MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry.

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Background: Failures in controlling Myzus persicae by pyrethroids and carbamates have been observed in Czechia since 2018. Eleven populations collected from Czech oilseed rape fields during 2018–2021 were tested for susceptibility to 11 insecticides. The presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) leading to knockdown resistance in M. persicae populations was screened using allelic discriminating quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The presence of mutations related with the resistance of M. persicae to pyrethroids and carbamates was detected by sequencing paratype voltage‐gated sodium channel and acetylcholinesterase 2 genes, respectively. Results: Resistance to alpha‐cypermethrin and pirimicarb was detected in most of the tested populations. The L1014F mutation was detected in 44.5% of M. persicae individuals surviving the field‐recommended dose of alpha‐cypermethrin. Sequencing of partial para gene for paratype voltage‐gated sodium channel detected five different SNPs leading to four amino acid substitutions (kdr L1014F; s‐kdr M918L; s‐kdr M918T; and L932F). No pyrethroid‐sensitive genotype was detected. The S431F amino acid substitution conferring resistance to carbamates was detected in 11 of 20 individuals with different pyrethroid‐resistance genotypes. Conclusion: Resistance of M. persicae to both pyrethroids and carbamates was detected in nine of 11 populations. High resistance of M. persicae was correlated with mutations of the sodium channel. Sulfoxaflor, flonicamid, and spirotetramat are proposed as effective compounds to control pyrethroid‐ and carbamate‐resistant populations of M. persicae. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When observing consumer behaviour, we find that the consumer carries out the process of purchasing decisions under the influence of several factors. These factors come from the external environment, from its individual characteristics, and also from the specific purchasing situation. The above facts show that consumer preferences and understanding of the behaviour is a very demanding process. This is mainly because consumers may behave differently, i.e. they may have different consumer behaviours that depend on their needs and desires. Therefore, it is necessary to know the factors that influence consumer behavior or the purchasing decision for certain market commodities. The presented research document is focused on the issue of consumer behavior and decision-making in sheep's milk and its products. Sheep's milk has a long tradition and is one of the basic building elements of human food. Consumer behaviour is constantly evolving, their needs and desires are changing as well as factors that influence their shopping behaviour. The main goal of the research is to draw attention to the personality of the consumer, to selected personality characteristics and social factors, and, subsequently, to evaluate their impact on purchasing behaviour and making purchasing decisions on the market of sheep's milk products. Primary data were obtained from a survey conducted on a sample of 796 respondents. Most of the respondents were classified in the sanguine group based on temperament - an emotionally stable extrovert. When buying sheep's milk and its products, they make emotional decisions (57.17%). The most important factor in buying these products was their quality (47.16%). Assumptions were formulated for deeper analysis, which was subsequently verified by the means of a statistical test - Chi-square of the square contingency. The degree of dependence between the examined variables was determined by the means of the Cramer contingency coefficient.

The aim of our study was to describe microorganisms which occur in the traditional Slovak cheese „Bryndza“. There were a total of 60 cheese samples collected from ten different farms during May 2019. The microbiota studies included the total bacterial count, coliforms, enterococci, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and microscopic fungi. The total bacterial counts were cultivated on plate count agar at 30 °C in aerobic conditions, lactic acid bacteria on MRS at 37 °C in anaerobic conditions, coliform on VRBL and VRBG at 37 °C in aerobic condition, yeasts and microscopic fungi on MEA at 25 °C under aerobic condition. Gram-positive, Gram-negative and yeasts isolates were identified with MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper. Totally, a number of 1175 isolates of G-, G+ and yeast were identified with score higher than 2 and moulds. Escherichia coli and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were the most frequently identified species of Gram-negative and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis from Gram-positive bacteria. Yarrowia lipolitica and Kluyveromyces lactis were the most distributed yeasts. Lactic acid bacteria group was represented by Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc and Pediococcus. The most abundant genera of lactic acid bacteria were Lactobacillus with 11 species. This study describes the indigenous microbiota of the traditional ewe's milk cheeses from Slovakia.

The increasing problem of plastic pollution from food packaging created a new market potential for inventing environmental-friendly packaging in the food market including edible food packaging. The main objective of the study was to identify attitudes and perceptions of young people toward edible food packaging. Primary research was conducted via a questionnaire survey. The research sample involved 22 respondents between 19 and 30 years from Slovakia. A questionnaire survey was interconnected with sensory analysis where respondents tested 23 samples of edible food packaging. The results showed that consumers perceive as the most important aspect of food packaging the possibilities of their recycling, followed by the protective function and ecological aspect, while the least important aspect was the design of the packaging. The best rating based on the taste was obtained by sample no. 22 (Mentha × Piperita) while the worst rating was obtained by sample no. 3 (Zingiber officinale). The majority of tested edible food packaging had an indifferent taste.

Research background: In recent years, special attention has been given to the research direction regarding the study of economic, social, and demographic aspects of regional development. This direction is especially important for transition countries, including Ukraine. Despite that, there is a lack of research studies in which interdependencies of economic and demographic indicators of Ukraine’s regions are investigated. Purpose of the article: The paper assesses the relationships between the selected indicators of Ukrainian regions (export of goods per capita, foreign direct investment per capita, and the average resident population) and gross regional product per capita. Methods: Research results were compared in the periods before and during the military conflict in the eastern part of the country, based on regional data for 2010 and 2015. We used a multiple linear econometric model and tested multicollinearity. Findings & Value added: The analysis confirms that there is a positive correlation between export of goods and gross regional product and between foreign direct investment and gross regional product. That is why it is necessary to pay attention to the effective use of existing trade opportunities, especially within the framework of the Ukraine — EU Association Agreement, and to elaborate directions for further expansion of export activities. It is important to provide simpler and more understandable conditions in order to attract foreign investments in Ukrainian regions. Our study also shows that there is no influence of the average resident population on gross regional product. In many aspects, the interaction between demographic and economic components takes place through the labour market. This situation indicates that insufficient attention is given to regional employment issues, and the quantitative and structural imbalance is observed on the labour market at the regional level. In our opinion, to improve the situation, targeted activities should be elaborated on in the frame of regional development programmes.

The aim of the present study was to describe the microbial groups of the traditional Slovak cheese Parenica during rippening. The microbial group included the total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, enterococci, lactic acid bacteria, and microscopic filamentous fungi, which may affect the organoleptic characteristics of this product. A total of 42 cheese samples were collected from four different farms during three months. The total bacterial counts were cultivated on Plate count agar at 30 °C, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on MRS, APT and MSE at 37 °C, coliform bacteria on VRBL at 37 °C. Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS profiling. Bacillus sp. and Enterococcus faecium were the most frequently identified species of bacteria. Candida kefyr was the most distributed yeast according to microbiological methods. Lactic acid bacteria group was represented by Lactobacillus helveticus, L. jensenii, L. alimentarius, L. crispatus, L. curvatus, L. fermentum, L. suebicus, L. delbrueckii ssp. lactis, L. paracasei ssp. paracasei, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Leuconostoc lactis and Le. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides . This report describing the indigenous microbiota of the traditional raw milk cheeses from Slovakia. Our results provide useful information on occurrence of valuable microbial strain for the industrialization of producing of the traditional dairy products in Slovakia.

The present paper deals with the issue of food waste in selected European countries, in which we have tried to analyze the socioeconomic rations. The main aim of our research was to analyze food waste quantity and compare the amount of wasted food in European Union countries (except Cyprus due to the unavailability of food waste data). The analysis was based on a dataset provided through the Food Waste Index Report 2021 by the UN environment program and complemented by socioeconomic variables obtained from EUROSTAT. For a deeper analyses of the obtained results, we formulated three assumptions, which have been tested with the use of several statistical methods—Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear regression, the distance from a fictitious object method, and hierarchical clustering. Our results show that the amount of food wasted in different sectors (retail, food, households) is not correlated, and any of the analyzed socioeconomic variables do not influence the ranking of countries by the crucial variable.

Honey and all bee products have very good biological and chemical properties. They have been used in medicine for a long time. In our study we evaluated twenty polyfloral honey samples, the first ten were commercial honeys from a selected supermarkets with country of origin indicated "blend of EU and non-EU honeys" and represented imported honey. The second ten honeys were from a local beekeepers (Nitra region) and represented the Slovak origin. The aim of the study were to analyze chemical, microbiological, antioxidant, antimicrobial profile of honey and recommend marketing strategies for honey producers by applying nutrition marketing. From chemical point of view, the study examined mineral profile of honeys, antioxidant properties as antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, flavonoid and phenolic acid content and from microbiological view the study evaluated a total count bacteria, coliform bacteria and microscopic filamentous fungi. Results of minerals showed that the most dominant element in commercial honeys is sodium (30 mg.100g-1) followed by calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Iron, arsenic and selenium are present only in trace amounts. In local honeys the most dominant element is potassium (84.181 mg.100g-1) followed by calcium, phosphorus, sulfur and magnesium. The presence of hazardous heavy metals (cadmium, lead and chrome) was not detected in either of the samples. Moreover, antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH method was slightly higher in local polyfloral honeys and vice versa the content of total polyphenol, flavonoid and the phenolic acid content was slightly higher in commercial polyfloral honeys. From the microbiological point of view, the total count of bacteria was found only in commercial polyfloral honeys while local honeys were without detectable microorganisms. The best antimicrobial activity was found against gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli in both concentrations of honeys, and the local honeys reached better antimicrobial activity. All in all, honey has very good biological properties and mineral composition which opens opportunities for beekeepers to apply nutrition marketing and target new segments of consumers, e.g. sportsmen, people in convalescence, consumers following healthier lifestyle or seeking functional food. Moreover, educating consumers from a nutritional point of view will foster daily intake of honey and will increase annual consumption of honey in the future.

The growing popularity of honey among consumers has caused many frauds and cases when honey of high quality is adulterated by cheap imported honey of very low quality. The aim of this research paper was to study consumer perception of honey quality based on sensory attributes such as taste, aroma, colour and consistency. The primary research comprised the sensory blind test conducted as a part of questionnaire survey at selected shopping mall and at university. Research sample reached 400 respondents living in the Nitra region between 18 and 70 years. Respondents tested sensory attributes of two samples. Sample A represented Slovak honey from a local beekeeper and sample B was honey purchased from selected supermarket with country of origin „blend of EU and non - EU honeys" and represented imported honey. Besides descriptive statistics, the following statistical tests were applied: Fisher's Exact Test, Chi-Square Test of Independence, Cramer´V coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test. Results showed significant differences in perception of honey quality across age cohorts. Respondents older than 40 years (Generation X and Babyboomers) evaluated better the local honey from a beekeeper (sample A) than younger generations (Generation Y and Generation Z). Imported honey from selected supermarket (sample B) obtained the best evaluation in case of colour in both age cohorts while sample A obtained it in terms of aroma. The majority of respondents in both age cohorts mostly decided their preference according to taste, however there exist some differences. While Generation X and Baby boomers took into consideration also aroma, the generations Y and Z considered consistency. More interesting observation appealed in case of aroma where more than 90% of respondents, who decided according to aroma, preferred sample A - local Slovak honey. According to physico-chemical analysis, both samples fulfilled standard of EU legislation, however better parameters were reached in sample A. All in all, better perception of honey quality through sensory attributes in older age cohorts could be caused by the deeper experience in honey consumption as well as due to the fact that younger cohorts consume more semiproducts and industrial food products characterised by intensive, sweet taste which could confuse their assessments.

Consumers' buying behavior and preferences are affected by many factors such as the product quality, price, labeling and country of origin. The objective of this paper was to examine the opinions of the Slovak consumers about the purchase and consumption of eggs and identify their preferences at egg purchase. The input data were obtained using a questionnaire survey. The method of descriptive statistics and selected methods of measuring dependence or associations were used. The existence of statistically significant relationships was verified by the Pearson chi-square test or by the Fisher's exact test. The statistical proof of relationships was evaluated based on the significance of the test characteristic (p-value). The existence of dependence between the most important factor affecting purchasing of eggs - a price of eggs, and the age of the respondent - was confirmed. Further, the relationship between the preferred place of buying eggs and the classification criterion was also proved, i.e. whether a respondent is a breeder of the egg type of hens or not. The relationship between the preferred place of buying eggs and the gender of a respondent was confirmed as well. There was determined the dependence on the gender of a respondent in the question related to eggs consumption.

In addition to advanced brain imaging techniques and growing interest in the study of consumer reactions with influence of marketing stimuli a new interdisciplinary study has developed on a borderland of neuroscience, economic and psychological studies – neuromarketing. Despite a certain form of insecurity whether the brain imaging technologies provide useful information for control of marketing, more and more marketers identify with their application in conventional market research. The main aim of this contribution is to clarify the influence of a selected advertising spot on the final emotional state of consumers by researching a brain activity of respondents and activity of somatic nervous system, specifically the face expressions. Cortical brain activity was detected by 16channel wireless electroencephalograph by Epoc and changes of mimic muscles were monitored by a biometric device the Facereader by Noldus. The subject of the research is the dissonance of the selected neuroscience techniques with influence of chosen advertising emotional appeals like fear, disgust and sadness. In the end of our contribution, the way of using the neuroscience technology and psychology for detection of consumer emotional involvement of consumers is explained.

The growing interest of consumers in the products of organic farming is currently considered as a trend on the food market. The aim of the submitted paper is to characterize organic farming, the production, the offer of organic food in Slovak retails and the position of consumers on the organic food market in Slovakia. For evaluating the situation of organic farming in Slovakia, secondary data from the database of Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics and Central Institute of Control and Testing in Bratislava were used. The primary data were obtained through two survey questionnaires. The aim of the first of them was to find out the offer of organic food in retail stores in Slovakia. Based on the results, we can state that most of the addressed retailers sell organic food and the most widespread are dairy products and bakery products. Nowadays, the offer of organic food is the same as the most desirable products by consumers. 40 % of the surveyed Slovak retails have specially labelled products of organic farming placed among conventional foods. The second conducted questionnaire survey, which aim was to determine buying behaviour of young consumers on the Slovak market. Based on the results, it could be stated that consumers mostly purchase organic food in specialized stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and they mainly decide according to the quality and origin of the food.

Beekeeping sector plays an essential role in agriculture for two main reasons: the process of pollination and the production of honey and other apicultural products. The aim of the paper was to analyse and compare beekeeping sectors between Slovakia and Romania in terms of honey production, market competitiveness and EU funding budget allocation. The secondary data used in the analysis were provided by European Commission reports, the Romanian Institute of Statistics, Slovak statistics, Central Register of Hives in Slovakia, Faostat and Trademap. The competitiveness in honey market was calculated using RCA indices and the Michaely index. Results show that the number of hives as well as honey production increased, while market competitiveness decreased. In conclusion, national beekeeping programmes provide financial support for beekeepers and foster the whole sector, therefore the European Union should continue implementing these programmes to stabilize this sector and increase production capacities in both countries.

Abstract Milk and dairy products are an essential food and their position has been strengthened due to current trends and consumers’ lifestyles. The objective of this paper was to examine dairy consumption trends in Slovakia and to study consumer behavior of dairy products. Dairy consumption trends were analyzed based on secondary data obtained from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. Primary data were obtained from an online survey conducted on a sample of 1,138 respondents. The results showed that annual dairy consumption is at a level of approximately 190 kg per capita. Slovak consumers consider dairy products to be healthy foods, and the older generations consume them relatively often. The importance of functional dairy products is constantly growing, and they are preferred by the younger consumers. Moreover, freshness, quality, taste, health effects and a type of product are key factors determining the purchase and consumption of functional dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is devoted to estimation of impact of selected economic indicators (gross regional product per capita, foreign direct investment per capita, and the average monthly nominal wage of the regular employee) on export of goods per capita of regions of Ukraine. It is based on the data of State Statistics Service of Ukraine for 2010-2015. The prepared regression model confirms that all above-mentioned indicators have a positive impact on export trade activities at a regional level of the country. Though, the level of influence of the indicators on export of goods per capita is different. The results of the paper show that the impact of foreign direct investment on export activities was not statistically significant. Gross regional product positively affects this indicator. The lowest influence on the export of goods per capita is observed for the average monthly nominal wage of the regular employee.