The present study was performed to evaluate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-derived nitric oxide (NO) during the developmental phase of hypertension in transgenic rats harboring the mouse Ren-2 renin gene (TGR). The first aim of the present study was to examine nNOS mRNA expression in the renal cortex and to assess the renal functional responses to intrarenal nNOS inhibition by S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline (L-SMTC) in heterozygous TGR and in age-matched transgene-negative Hannover Sprague-Dawley rats (HanSD). The second aim was to evaluate the role of the renal sympathetic nerves in mediating the renal functional responses to intrarenal nNOS inhibition. Thus, we also evaluated the effects of intrarenal L-SMTC administration in acutely denervated TGR and HanSD. Expression of nNOS mRNA in the renal cortex was significantly increased in TGR compared with HanSD. Intrarenal administration of L-SMTC decreased the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and sodium excretion and increased renal vascular resistance (RVR) in HanSD. In contrast, intrarenal inhibition of nNOS by L-SMTC did not alter GFR, RPF or RVR and elicited a marked increase in sodium excretion in TGR. This effect of intrarenal L-SMTC was not observed in acutely denervated TGR. These results suggest that during the developmental phase of hypertension TGR exhibit an impaired renal vascular responsiveness to nNOS derived NO or an impaired ability to release NO by nNOS despite enhanced expression of nNOS mRNA in the renal cortex. In addition, the data indicate that nNOS-derived NO increases tubular sodium reabsorption in TGR and that the renal nerves play an important modulatory role in this process., L. Červenka, H. J. Kramer, J. Malý, I. Vaněčková, A. Bäcker, D. Bokemeyer, M. Bader, D. Ganten, K. D. Mitchell., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Studie je vnitřně soudržnou interpretací Rortyho pojetí poznání, jak je lze rekonstruovat na základě knihy Filosofie a zrcadlo přírody. Ačkoli Rorty kritizuje v podstatě všechny teorie poznání, lze ukázat, že sám pracuje s jistou pozitivní představou nejen o tom, v čem poznání nespočívá, nýbrž také o tom, oč v něm pozitivně jde. Studie popisuje podstatné ohledy Rortyho pojetí poznání (poznání jako praxe zdůvodňování, poznání jako popis, poznání jako upravování teorie, poznání jako zvládání) a předvádí Rortyho kritiku epistemologie s pozitivní oporou v konceptu sebeurčení. Závěr studie tematizuje otázku, jakým způsobem Rorty může zdůvodnit odmítnutí epistemologie a přijetí hermeneutického hlediska., This study is a systematic interpretation of Rorty’s conception of knowledge as it can be reconstructed on the basis of the book Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature. Although Rorty is sweeping in his criticism of theories of knowledge, it can still be shown that he himself works with a certain positive conception not only of what knowledge does not consist in, but also of what it positively concerns. The study describes the basic points of Rorty’s conception of knowledge (knowledge as the practice of justification, knowledge as description, knowledge as the modification of theory, knowledge as coping), and it presents Rorty’s critique of epistemology in favour of the concept of self-determination. The conclusion of the study looks at the question of how Rorty is able to justify the rejection of epistemology and the acceptance of a hermeneutical viewpoint., and Martin Ritter.
The Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASL) manages a significant collection of books on aeronautics. The collection was assembled by the collector Eduard Langer more than a hundred years ago. Its part kept in the ASL consists of 67 printed books in 61 volumes. These are rarely preserved books from the 18th and 19th centuries in Italian, French, English, German and Latin. No other such extensive collection on this topic has been found in domestic libraries, and, although it is only a part of Langer’s original collection, it bears comparison even with collections of world-famous institutions. The text presents this remarkable collection in terms of provenance, authors and genres and is complemented by a list of printed books. and Andrea Jelínková.
Studie Vojtěcha Kyase se analyticky zabývá originálním zpracováním částí mešního textu Gloria, konkrétně Domine Deus a Agnus Dei, v mši Es dur, D 950, hudebního skladatele Franze Schuberta, This study focuses on the question of Schubert’s handling of the Mass text in the Gloria of his Mass in E-Flat Major, D 950. Schubert adapts the text of the Mass to his compositional and conceptual intent. Contrary to usual practice during that period, he joins the section Domine Deus, Agnus Dei together with the qui tollis peccata mundi into a single unit, attempts to make it sound as dramatic as possible, and understands it as a breaking point. This extensive musical passage of 86 measures differs from the surrounding music with its own tempo, meter, and tonal center. At the conclusion of the article, the author also makes reference to the importance of so-called historical concerts held at the home of the music historian R. G. Kiesewetter, which Schubert appears to have attended already before the year 1820., Vojtěch Kyas., Rubrika: Studie, and České resumé na s. 138, anglický abstrakt 131.
a1_Young intact (18 days of age) and adult ovariectomized (OV-X, ovariectomized between 21 to 24 days of age) C3H/Di mice were used to measure the estrogenicity on the basis of the growth response of mammary epithelial structures and weight of the uterus. The percentage area of the mammary fat pad occupied by mammary epithelial structures was progressively increased by 17ß estradiol from dose 0.001 µg.d-1. The maximum effective dose of estradiol was 0.01 µg.d-1 and the dose 10 µg.d-1 of estradiol decreased mammary size to control levels (inverted-U-shaped dose-response curve). Progesterone alone progressively stimulated mammary growth in young intact females from dose 125 µg.d-1, in adult OV-X animals from dose 1000 µg.d-1. Both in young intact and adult OV-X animals, uterine weight progressively increased during estradiol treatment. Progesterone alone had no effect on uterine weight in young intact animals; in adult OV-X animals, uterine weight was increased starting from dose 250 µg.d-1. Progesterone acted synergistically with estradiol to produce higher mammary growth than that in females treated with estradiol alone. The effects of a combination of estradiol plus progesterone in the mammary gland were mimicked by norethindrone acetate and inhibited by cortisol in both young intact and adult OV-X animals. Testosterone inhibited estradiol plus progesterone stimulated growth of mammary gland only in OV-X animals, but stimulated uterine weights in both young intact and adult OV-X animals. Spleen weight and size of mammary lymph nodes were not affected by estradiol, progesterone, norethindrone acetate or testosterone, but were decreased by cortisol. Cortisol also decreased the percent area of the mammary fat pad occupied by mammary epithelial structures, but had no effect on weight of the uterus. These results show that bioassay of estrogenicity in females is not specific., a2_Mammary and uterine growth is stimulated not only by estrogens but also by progesterone and testosterone, respectively. ., J. Škarda., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_Young intact (18 days old) and adult castrated males of CBA and C3H/Di mice were used for measuring the estrogenicity on the basis of growth response of mammary epithelial structures and the weight of seminal vesicles. It was demonstrated that heavier young males had disproportionally heavier seminal vesicles (sex steroid-responsive organs) than small animals at day 33 of age (that is on the day when experimental animals were killed and organs dissected). However, the weight of the spleen (sex steroid-nonresponsive organ) was proportionally related to body weight. To minimize variability in hormone responsiveness, all animals were weighed at the age of 18 days and only males weighing 8±1 g were used for hormone treatment. The percentage area of mammary fat pad occupied by mammary epithelial structures was progressively increased by 17ß estradiol from dose 0.01 µg.d-1. The maximum effective dose of estradiol was 0.1 µg.d-1 and dose 10 µg.d-1 of estradiol decreased mammary size to control level (inverted-U-shaped dose-response curve). Progesterone alone stimulated mammary growth only in high doses (500 µg.d-1 and higher) in young intact males, but had no effect on mammary growth in adult castrated animals. In young intact males, estradiol alone, or progesterone alone decreased the weight of seminal vesicles. No such inhibitory effect of these hormones was noted in adult castrated males. Progesterone acted synergistically with estradiol to produce higher mammary growth compared to that in males treated with estradiol alone. In the presence of progesterone seminal vesicles weight was decreased by estradiol given in such low doses as 0.001 µg.d-1 of estradiol, which is 10 times lower than that effective in animals treated with estradiol alone. On the other hand, in the adult castrated males a combination of estradiol plus progesterone stimulated seminal vesicles weight., a2_The effects of a combination of estradiol plus progesterone in the mammary gland were mimicked by norethindrone acetate (a synthetic steroid exhibiting progestantial and estrogenic activities) and inhibited by both testosterone and cortisol. Estradiol, progesterone, norethindrone acetate, or testosterone did not affect spleen weight and size of mammary lymph nodes. However, cortisol significantly decreased not only spleen weights but also size of mammary lymph nodes. These results show that simultaneous evaluation of mammary gland growth, seminal vesicles, and the spleen weight in the same animal is suitable for bioassay of estrogenicity as well as for detection of androgenic and antiandrogenic activities., J. Škarda., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_The decreased oxidizability of plasma lipoproteins is related to the increased vitamin E intake and its association with a relatively lower incidence of coronary heart disease has been proposed. We investigated the effect of the in vivo vitamin E supplementation on the oxidizability of serum lipids in patients with ischemic heart disease and a moderate hypercholesterolemia. Thirty-two patients (16 males and 16 postmenopausal women) participated in this placebo-controlled, randomized trial. They were treated with 400 mg vitamin E/day for 6 weeks. The copper-induced serum lipid oxidizability ex vivo was assessed by measuring conjugated diene formation at 245 nm. We also measured vitamin E, malondialdehyde (MDA) and uric acid concentrations in the plasma. Because of observed significant differences in parameters of serum lipid oxidizability (lag time and maximal rate of oxidation), plasma a-tocopherol and MDA levels between male patients and postmenopausal women supplemented with vitamin E, the results were compared between both genders. Six weeks of vitamin E supplementation significantly increased plasma vitamin E levels (by 87 %) in male patients but in postmenopausal women only by 34 %. Concomitantly with increased plasma levels of vitamin E the decrease in plasma MDA levels was observed in male patients (decrease by 20 %; p=0.008), but in postmenopausal women the decrease did not attain statistical significance. Plasma uric acid levels were not apparently changed in placebo or vitamin E supplemented groups of patients. The changes in ex vivo serum lipid oxidizability after vitamin E, supplementation have shown a significantly prolonged lag time (by 11 %; p=0.048) and lowered rate of lipid oxidation (by 21 %; p=0.004) in male patients in comparison with postmenopausal women., a2_Linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between plasma vitamin E levels and the lag time (r=0.77; p=0.03) and the maximal rate of serum lipid oxidation (r=-0.70; p=0.05) in male patients. However, in postmenopausal women the correlations were not significant. We conclude that 400 mg vitamin E/day supplementation in patients with ischemic heart disease and a moderate hypercholesterolemia influenced favorably ex vivo serum lipid oxidation of male patients when compared with postmenopausal women. The observed differences between both genders could be useful in the selection of the effective vitamin E doses in the prevention of coronary heart disease., A. Nagyová, V. Mongiellová, Z. Krivošíková, P. Blažíček, V. Spustová, M. Gajdoš, R. Dzúrik., and Obsahuje bibliografii
It was previously shown that 4 hours´ lasting inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by administration of an L-arginine analogue, the NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) changed the affinity of the Na-binding site of Na,K-ATPase thus resulting in elevation of enzyme activity especially at higher concentrations of sodium. Using the same experimental model, we focused our attention in the present study to the question of binding of ATP to the enzyme molecule in the left ventricle (LV), ventricular septum (S) and the right ventricle (RV) of the dog heart. Activation of the enzyme by increasing concentrations of ATP revealed a significant increase of the Vmax only in septum (by 38 %). The KM increased significantly in septum (by 40 %) and in left ventricle (by 56 %) indicating an altered sensitivity of the ATP-binding site of Na,K-ATPase in the hearts of NO-deficient animals. The alterations of Na,K-ATPase in its ability to bind and hydrolyze ATP are localized to the tissue surrounding the cavity of the left ventricle., N. Vrbjar, M. Strnisková, O. Pecháňová, M. Gerová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Studie se zaměřuje na definici a operacionalizaci konceptu školní šikany za účelem měření jejího výskytu ve školních kolektivech. Autoři poukazují na nejednotnost operacionalizace kritérií šikany, která je jedním z hlavních faktorů výrazně omezujících porovnání zachycené prevalence. Předkládají rozbor jednotlivých kritérií šikany a aplikují je na formy, jimž byla dosud věnovaná nedostatečná pozornost, jako jsou vztahová či psychická šikana a sociální exkluze. V návaznosti na to předkládají metodologická doporučení pro vyšetření školní šikany a pro zveřejňování nálezů., The paper focuses on the definition and operationalization of the concept of school bullying for the purpose of the prevalence measurement in school groups. It draws attention to the current disagreement concerning the defining criteria of bullying, which is one of the important factors that considerably limit the analyses of bullying prevalence. The authors examine the defining criteria of school bullying and apply them to the forms of bullying that have so far been under-researched, such as relational/psychological bullying and social exclusion. As a conclusion, specific methodological recommendations for the prevalence measurement of school bullying and the publication of research findings are presented., Pavlína Janošová, Lenka Kollerová, Kateřina Zábrodská., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Studie si klade za cíl analyzovat vztahy mezi sociálně-psychologickými faktory a stavem zdraví se zaměřením zejména na onemocnění rakovinou prsu. Soustřeďuje se na mapování vztahu sociálně-psychologických faktorů a fyzického a psychického zdraví jedince. Shrnuje významné zahraniční a české výzkumy od počátku 90. let do současnosti. Ojediněle jsou citovány významné zahraniční studie z 80. let. V mnoha studiích zjištěný pozitivní účinek sociální opory na zdraví je obvykle vysvětlován „nárazníkovým“ modelem nebo modelem přímého účinku. Dále jsou podrobněji analyzovány výzkumy zabývající se vlivem sociální opory u žen s rakovinou prsu. V případě rakoviny prsu dosavadní studie poměrně systematicky dokumentují pozitivní vztah mezi sociální oporou a průběhem nemoci či pravděpodobností přežití. Včasná psychosociální léčba může snížit pravděpodobnost recidivy onemocnění. V českém prostředí nejsou dosud nicméně zkoumaná témata propracovaná tak, jak je tomu v západoevropském či anglosaském světě, také zde neexistuje ucelená koncepce věnující se komplexnímu výzkumu zdraví a nemoci a sociálních faktorů., The study aims to analyze the relationship between socio-psychological factors and state of health, with a particular focus on breast cancer. The first part of the study focuses on mapping the relationship of socio-psychological factors and physical and mental health of an individual. The study summarizes the major foreign and Czech studies since the early nineties to the present. The positive effect of social support, which was observed in many studies, is usually explained by a “buffer model” or by “models of direct effect”. In the second part of the study, surveys on the impact of social support among women with breast cancer are analyzed. Previous studies document the positive relationship between social support and breast cancer progression or survival probabilities. Early psychosocial treatment can reduce the likelihood of illness recurrence. However, in the Czech Republic the research topics are not yet explored and elaborated sufficiently, as in the case of Western Europe or English-speaking world. There is also no existing coherent concept dealing with the comprehensive, Kristina Březinová, Dana Hamplová, Jitka Buriánková., and Obsahuje seznam literatury