The left and right ventricle originate from distinct parts of the cardiac tube, and several genes are known to be differentially expressed in these compartments. The aims of this study were to determine developmental differences in gene expression between the left and right ventricle, and to assess the effect of altered hemodynamic loading. RNA was extracted from isolated left and right normal chick embryonic ventricles at embryonic day 6, 8, and 10, and from day 8 left atrial ligated hearts with hypoplastic left and dilated right ventricles. cRNA was hybridized to Affymetrix Chicken Genome array according to manufacturer protocols. Microarray analysis identified 302 transcripts that were differentially expressed between the left and right ventricle. Comparative analysis detected 91 genes that were different in left ventricles of ligated hearts compared to age-matched ventricles, while 66 were different in the right ones. A large number of the changes could be interpreted as a delay of normal maturation. The approach described in this study could be used as one of the measures to gauge success of surgical procedures for congenital heart disease and help in determining the optimal time frame for intervention to prevent onset of irreversible changes., E. Krejčí, ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Microorganisms and eukaryotic human cells coexist in synergistic relationships in nearly every niche of the human body. The female genital tract consisting of the vagina, uterus with its cervix and endometrium, uterine tubes and ovaries – harbors its own typical microbiota, which accounts for 9 % of the total bacterial population in females. To this organ system, we also assigned the microbiome of the placenta, which has not been studied much until now. Among the spectrum of microbial species, the female genital tract is mainly dominated by Lactobacillus species, which are considered to be one of the simplest yet most important microbial communities. However, this relationship between macro- and micro-organisms seems to have a number of physiological functions, e.g., the vaginal and cervical microbiota have unique impact on reproductive health. The aim of this review was to provide current view on female genital tract microbiota and its role in reproductive health. We describe in detail the association of vaginal or tubal epithelium with microbiota or the role of microbiota in normal placental function.
The microcirculation, like all physiological systems undergoes modifications during the course of pregnancy. These changes aid the adaption to the new anatomical and physiological environment of pregnancy and ensure adequate oxygen supply to the fetus. Even though the microcirculation is believed to be involved in major pregnancy related pathologies, it remains poorly understood. The availability of safe and non-interventional technologies enabling scientists to study the intact microcirculation of the pregnant patient will hopefully expand our understanding. In this article we review the physiological changes occurring in the microcirculation during pregnancy and the role of the microcirculation in gestational related pathologies. We will also describe the available techniques for the measurement and evaluation of the microcirculation. Lastly we will highlight the possible fields in which these techniques could be utilized to help provide a clearer view of the microcirculation in the pregnant woman., I. Abdo, R. B. George, M. Farrag, V. Cerny, C. Lehmann., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Using some observational evidences of filament disturbances associated with microflares we point out the following results:
1. The filament destabilization begins at one of its footpoint,
2. Glose to this footpoint one of two pores are observed, they move with an anomalous velocity as seen in white light pictures.
3. Bríghtenings in Hα and in C IV overlie the location of the pores. The pores may be the signature of new emerging flux.
4. The dynamics observed in Hα filament is generally associated with heating of the filament transitíon zone.
5. The excess energy is released at different places along the filament, but this process does not seem to imply a heating conduction front.
Xenomas caused by Microgemma vivaresi Canning, Feist, Longshaw, Okamura, Anderson, Tsuey Tse et Curry, 2005 were found in liver and skeletal muscle of sea scorpions, Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen). All muscle xenomas examined were in an advanced stage of destruction. In developing xenomas found in liver, parasites were restricted to the centre of the cell, separated from a parasite-free zone by a nuclear network formed by branching of the host cell nucleus. Although xenomas were able to reach a size of several hundred microns, the surface remained a simple plasma membrane. Host reactions took the form of penetration by phagocytes and isolation by fibroblasts. Once the xenoma had been attacked, the nuclear profiles became pycnotic and the barrier between parasitized and parasite-free zones was lost. Parasite antigens cannot be exposed at the surface of intact xenomas, as the host does not recognise the enlarging cell as foreign. Breaches in the plasma membrane of the xenoma and leakage of parasite antigens are thought to be the stimuli for phagocyte entry into the cell, its isolation by fibroblasts and eventual granuloma formation.
The Scarce Large Blue (Maculinea teleius) is an endangered butterfly throughout Europe due to its special life-cycle and habitat loss. Our aims were to describe the microhabitats available to this butterfly, to test what factors influence the presence and density of M. teleius adults and to investigate the relationship between host ant species and M. teleius. The vicinities of eight fens were sampled, where there are four types of microhabitats available for this butterfly: Narrowleaf Cattail (Typha angustifolia), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris) and Purple Moorgrass (Molinia coerulea) dominated vegetation. In five transects (50 × 5 m) around each fen (running from the edge of the fen into the meadows) the number of imagos was counted twice a day during the flight period. Along the transects, the following parameters were measured or assessed: number of flowerheads of foodplant (Sanguisorba officinalis), microhabitat type, grazing intensity, soil humidity, vegetation height and host ant presence. The four microhabitat types differed significantly in soil humidity, vegetation height, foodplant density and distance from a fen. Generally the Typha microhabitat, situated closest to fens, had the highest soil humidity and vegetation height, followed by the Lythrum, Stachys and finally the Molinia microhabitat along a gradient decreasing soil humidity and vegetation height. The foodplant was most abundant in the Lythrum and Stachys microhabitats. Using linear mixed models and forward stepwise manual selection we found that microhabitat type was the most important factor determining the presence of M. teleius. The local grazing intensity had no direct effect but flowerheads of the foodplant had a positive effect on the abundance of butterflies. The number of butterflies was significantly higher in quadrats where the host ant (Myrmica scabrinodis) was present compared to those where they were absent. Our results suggest that grazing should be continued in order to maintain the current distribution of microhabitats and survival of the butterflies.
Between 1996 and 1998, microhabitat selection by three small mammal species was studied in oak-elm forest using the catch-mark-release (CMR) method. Microhabitat selection by these species was assessed by Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Apodemus flavicollis was shown to prefer dense young forest and shrubs, but the presence of dead woody material was also important. In Microtus arvalis the data confirmed a negative relationship with stands with higher tree and shrub cover and a preference for open meadows. Clethrionomys glareolus was found to prefer non-fragmented tree microhabitats, preferring sites with developed undergrowth and ample hiding places amongst fallen logs and branches. Although C. glareolus did not change its microhabitat requirements during the year (spring to autumn), within forest stands it was connected with undergrowth regardless of species composition; this highlights the importance of undergrowth for C. glareolus. Seasonal changes in microhabitat selection could not be confirmed unambiguously.
Microhabitat preference of the monogenean Discocotyle sagittata (Leuckart, 1842) was determined in late spring and late autumn in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), reared in the Isle of Man, UK. Discocotyle sagittata exhibits a preference for attachment to anterior gill arches: 29% of all worms occurred on gill arch I, 28% on II, 25% on III and 18% on IV. This distribution pattern on the introduced salmonid species is the same as reported for its native European host, the brown trout Salmo trutta (L.). Previous experimental work suggested that invasion is a passive process followed by post-invasion migration to anterior gill arches; the present work provides evidence of equivalent site selection taking place in fishes maintained under conditions promoting continuous reinfection in aquaculture. Migration may be density-dependent, since a significant inverse association was found between the intensity of mature parasites and their proportion on anteriormost gill arch I.
Microhabitat use in the endangered cyprinid species spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus and accompanying species was examined in three water courses of Slovakia to determine the species’ environmental requirements as a basis for informing conservation policy and management. In all three rivers, water velocity, water depth and substratum character were central features of spirlin microhabitat use, regardless of year or season of sampling, with only limited variation in microhabitat associations as a function of time of day. Clear differences in microhabitat use and intra-specific associations during development were observed in two of the rivers. In particular, a shift in velocity preference towards faster flowing waters appears characteristic of spirlin during their larval and juvenile development, and possibly also that of gudgeon Gobio gobio, European minnow Phoxinus phoxinus, and chub Leuciscus cephalus, which are all species that may be significantly associated with young spirlin. Disproportionate use of deeper waters tended to increase with age in spirlin, and in gudgeon and barbel Barbus barbus, but spirlin preference for substratum was less uniform, with affinities ranging from indifference to strong preference. This contrasts the clear preferences for sand in gudgeon and for cobbles in European bullhead Cottus gobio. Of particular importance to young-of-the-year (YOY) spirlin are lentic zones with some sort of ligneous debris – habitat also used by YOY gudgeon and minnow. Contrary to previous reports elsewhere, spirlin did not avoid in-stream vegetation where present, and in one river it was preferred by YOY and 1+ spirlin. To avoid declines in spirlin and accompanying stream-dwelling species, such as reported elsewhere in Europe, river management in water courses such as these should be limited to the rehabilitation of regulated sections to achieve a natural, heterogeneous channel character.