Metabolic syndrome is a prevalent, complex condition. The search for genetic determinants of the syndrome is currently undergoing a paradigm enhancement by adding systems genetics approaches to association studies. We summarize the current evidence on relations between an emergent new candidate, zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (ZBTB16) transcription factor and the major components constituting the metabolic syndrome. Information stemming from studies on experimental models with altered Zbtb16 expression clearly shows its effect on adipogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, lipid levels and insulin sensitivity. Based on current evidence, we provide a network view of relations between ZBTB16 and hallmarks of metabolic syndrome in order to elucidate the potential functional links involving the ZBTB16 node. Many of the identified genes interconnecting ZBTB16 with all or most metabolic syndrome components are linked to immune function, inflammation or oxidative stress. In summary, ZBTB16 represents a promising pleiotropic candidate node for metabolic syndrome., O. Šeda, L. Šedová, J. Včelák, M. Vaňková, F. Liška, B. Bendlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The data derived from rat models and the preliminary results of human studies provide strong indices of involvement of common ZBTB16 variants in a range of cardiovascular and metabolic traits. This cross-sectional study in the Caucasian cohort of 1517 Czech adults aimed to verify the hypothesis that ZBTB16 gene variation directly affects obesity and serum lipid levels. Genotyping of nine polymorphisms of the ZBTB16 gene (rs11214863, rs593731, rs763857, rs2846027, rs681200, rs686989, rs661223, rs675044, rs567057) was performed. A multivariate bidirectional regression with the reduction of dimensionality (O2PLS model) revealed relationships between basal lipid levels and anthropometric parameters and some minor ZBTB16 alleles. In men, the predictors - age and presence of minor ZBTB16 alleles of rs686989, rs661223, rs675044, rs567057 - were associated with significantly higher body mass index, waist to hip ratio, body adiposity index, waist and abdominal circumferences, higher total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and explained 20 % of variability of these variables. In women, the predictors - age and presence of the rs686989 minor T allele - were also associated with increased anthropometric parameters and total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but the obtained O2PLS model explained only 7.8 % of the variability of the explained variables. Our study confirmed that the selected gene variants of the transcription factor ZBTB16 influence the obesity-related parameters and lipid levels. This effect was more pronounced in men., B. Bendlová, M. Vaňková, M. Hill, G. Vacínová, P. Lukášová, D. Vejražková, L. Šedová, O. Šeda, J. Včelák., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The trans-border area of the Sudetes between Žďarky and Pstrążna has attracted Prussian/German, Austrian, Czech and Polish geologists since the middle of the 19th century. The history of mapping of this area reflects the scientific development of geological centres in Berlin, Vienna, Prague and Wrocław. This paper presents a description of the oldest geological maps of Lower Silesia in the context of changing knowledge on the Carboniferous and Cretaceous stratigraphy and on the tectonics of the region. On the basis of DEM and field studies the author presents his own geological map of the area of the Pstrążna Elevation together with a description of the local structural geology. A regional structural model is suggested, that explains all the local elevations as having developed in response to a dextral strike-slip activity of the Žďarky-Jakubowice Fault during late Tertiary to Recent times, at an eastern extension of the Poříčí-Hronov Fault Zone., Jurand Wojewoda., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Forty years ago, the first person set his foot on the surface of the Moon. Astronaut Neil Armstrong made the first step on the Moon from Apollo 11’s landing craft designated named the Eagle on July 20, 1969. He summed up this monumental event with his well-known prediction: “That is one small step for [a] man; one giant leap for mankind”. The moon landing is seen as the highest point of U.S. space program motivated by a long-running space race with the former Soviet Union. Twelve years before the Apollo 11 mission, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into the Earth’s orbit. and Antonín Vítek.
The order grebes (Podicipediformes) is an archaic group of birds, morphologically and ecologically well adapted to the aquatic life style, including breeding in floating nests in the littoral zone of water bodies. Four grebe species are breeding in fishponds in the Czech republic. Annually during the breeding season, these birds have to overcome many problems to successfully breed. In the incubation period, the most important mission for parents is to protect the eggs from predation. and Jan Sychra.