The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) T-786C and G894T in the gene encoding eNOS with blood pressu re variability (BPV) in man. Blood pressure was recorded beat-t o-beat at rest three times in periods of one week (5 min, Finapres, breathing at 0.33 Hz) in 152 subjects (19-24 years). Systolic (SBPV0.1r/SBPV 0.1a) and diastolic (DBPV0.1r/DBPV 0.1a) blood pressure variabilities in relative (r.u.) and absolute (mmHg2/Hz) units were determined by the spectral method as spectral po wer at the frequency of 0.1 Hz. Genotypes of both polymorphisms were detected using polymerase chain reaction and re striction analysis using enzymes Msp I and Ban II. Significant diffe rences were observed in BPV among genotypes of T-786C SNP (p<0.05; Kruskal-Wallis), and among haplotypes of both SNPs (p<0.05; Kruskal-Wallis) as well. In T-786C SNP, carriers of less frequent allele (CC homozygotes and TC heterozygotes) showed significantly greater SBPV0.1r and SBPV0.1a compared to TT homozygote s (Mann-Whitney; p<0.05). The G894T variant showed no sign ificant differences, but, both SNPs were in linkage disequilib rium (D’=0.37; p<0.01). Carriers of haplotype CT/CT (CC homozygotes of -786C/T and TT homozygotes of G894T) displaye d significantly greater SBPV0.1r, SBPV0.1a and DBPV0.1a compared to carriers of other haplotype combinations (Kruskal-Wallis; p=0.015, p=0.048, and p=0.026, respectively). In conclusion, the haplotype formed by less frequent alleles of both eNOS variants was associated with increased systolic and diastolic BPV in this study., M. Jíra ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
A predominance of small, dense low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is characteristic of the dyslipidemic state seen in type 2 diabetes. However, no study has investigated the association in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is pathophysiologically similar to type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that LDL particle size is reduced in GDM cases compared with controls. Gradient gel electrophoresis was used to characterize LDL subclass phenotypes in non-fasting intrapartum plasma from 105 GDM cases and 96 controls. All participants were free of pre-existing diabetes or hypertension. The authors used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for confounders. Women with this phenotype had a significant 4.9-fold (95 % CI: 1.1-23.2) increased risk of GDM compared with those with the large, buoyant phenotype. The magnitude of this association was attenuated when plasma triglyceride and other confounders were included in the model (OR=4.2, 95 % CI: 0.5-39.5). Mean LDL particle size in GDM cases was smaller compared with controls (270.1 vs. 272.7Å, p=0.003). The OR of GDM risk was 1.8 (95 % CI: 0.9-3.3) for every 10-Å reduction in LDL particle size. Large prospective studies are needed to evaluate the association between smaller LDL particle size in early pregnancy with subsequent GDM risk., C. Qiu, C. Rudra, M. A. Austin, M. A. Williams., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The subclass of triglyceride -rich lipoproteins - remnant -like particles (RLP) seems to be strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We eva luated the role of RLP and other risk factors (RF) with sonographically measured intima - media thickness of carotid arteries (IMT CCA) in a cohort of Czech population including women defined according to the time after menopause. We investigated relation of IMT CCA to age, weight, central obesity, plasma lipids including remnant -like particles cholesterol (RLP -C) and triglycerides (RLP -TG) in 136 men and 160 women. Using multiple linear regression analysis, significant association between IMT CCA and RLP -C was found in women 1 -7 years after menopause. In the whole group of women, only age and fasting blood glucose were independently associated with IMT CCA. In men only age significantly correlated wit h IMT CCA. Significant decrease of all plasma lipids betwe en 1988 and 1996 in men was detected, while in women significant increase in triglycerides and no change in non -HDL cholesterol was observed. RLP -C was the strongest independent RF for atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women but its as sociation with IMT CC A was limited to several years after menopause. In conclusion, women changing reproductive status could be more sensitive to atherogenic impact of remnant lipoproteins., J. Piťha, J. Kovář, Z. Škodová, R. Cífková, P. Stávek, L. Červenka, T. Šejda, V. Lánská, R. Poledne., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We assessed association between novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and conven tional factors in 40 years old subjects (208 men and 266 women) from the general population of Slovakia. FER HDL (cholesterol esterifi cation rate in HDL plasma), AIP - Atherogenic Index of Plasma [Log(TG/HDL-C)] as markers of lipoprotein particle size, and CILP2, FTO and MLXIPL polymorphisms, were examined in relation to biomarkers and conventional risk factors. Un ivariate analyses confirmed correlation between AIP, FERHDL and the most of measured parameters. Relations between AIP and CILP2, FTO and MLXIPL were not significant. However, CILP2 was significantly related to FERHDL in both genders. In multivariate analysis BMI was the strongest correlate of AIP levels. In multivariate model variability of FER HDL was best explained by AIP (R2 =0.55) in both genders with still significant effect of CILP2 SNP in men. In a model where AIP was omitted, TG leve ls explained 43 % of the FER HDL variability in men, while in women HDL-C was the major determinant (42 %). In conclusions, FERHDL and AIP related to the known markers of cardiovascular risk provide means to express their subtle interactions by one number. Our novel finding of association between CILP2 polymorphism and FERHDL supports its role in lipid metabolism., K. Rašlová ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Insulin resistance is present in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as in obese patients without diabetes. The aim of our study was to compare insulin action in diabetic and control persons with or without obesity and to evaluate the influence of serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and blood pressure on metabolic variables of insulin action. We examined 42 Type 2 diabetic patients and 41 control persons with body mass index (BMI) from 21.1 to 64.5 kg.m-2, and 33 to 71 years old. The isoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique was performed at an insulin infusion rate of 1 mU.kg-1.min-1 during 120 min. We evaluated the metabolic clearance rate of glucose (MCRG, ml.kg-1.min-1) as the most important indicator of insulin action by isoglycemic clamp. The Pearson's correlation and multiple regression models were used to compare studied factors with the insulin action. We found following predictors of insulin resistance expressed in the relationship with MCRG: BMI (r = -0.68, p<0.001), plasma glucose concentration (r = -0.66, p<0.001), cholesterol (r=-0.55, p<0.001), triglycerides (r = -0.54, p<0.001) and mean blood pressure (r = -0.38, p<0.01). From the multiple regression analysis we conclude that obesity may have even greater influence on the insulin action than diabetes mellitus itself., G. Šindelka, J. Škrha, M. Prázný, T. Haas., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Obesity in childhood increases the risk of obesity in adulthood and is predictive for the development of metabolic disorders. The fatty acid composition is associated with obesity and obesityassociated disorders. We investigated the relationship between serum fatty acids composition, adiposity, lipids profile, parameters of glucose metabolism and leptin. The study subjects were 380 adolescents aged 15.0-17.9 years. The study's variables included anthropometric measurements, levels of serum lipids and hormonal parameters. Individual fatty acids were determined in plasma by gas-liquid chromatography. Palmitoleic acid (16:1n-7, PA) significantly positively correlated with percentage of body fat. Saturated fatty acids in phospholipids (PL) positively correlated with BMI and percentage of body fat. PA content in all lipids classes positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) levels. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity positively correlated with percentage of body fat and positive correlations of SCD and PA level with leptin were found. Plasma PA content and SCD are associated with adiposity and leptin in obese adolescents. No significant correlation between PA level and insulin resistance was found. Palmitoleate positively correlated with TC, HDL cholesterol, TG and LDL cholesterol levels., P. Hlavaty, E. Tvrzicka, B. Stankova, H. Zamrazilova, B. Sedlackova, L. Dusatkova, V. Hainer, M. Kunesova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Concentrations of numerous hormones decrease with age. Some authors imply that a syndrome of partial endocrine deficiency may occur in the aging men. Among many lifestyle factors that influence hormonal status is physical activity. Especially interesting are relations between physical activity and the androgenic/estrogenic status of men. The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes of serum androgens, estradiol and SHBG in men presenting different levels of physical activity. Hormonal parameters were measured in a cohort of 387 healthy Caucasian men (aged from 24 to 72 years) from one administrative region of Poland. Their level of physical activity was determined by means of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We have found that contrary to SHBG concentration, total testosterone, free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, calculated free testosterone and estradiol were negatively associated with age in the investigated subjects. Apart from estradiol, physical activity did not influence concentrations of the studied parameters. In younger (24-48 years), physically active males estradiol was significantly higher than in subjects characterized by a low level of physical activity. The situation was opposite in older males (48-72 years). In this age group low level of physical activity was associated with lower concentration of estradiol. Undertaking physical effort increased the decline of estradiol level with age., M. Slowinska-Lisowska, P. Jozkow, M. Medras., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The upper dial-plate of the astronomical clock is an astrolabe controlled by a clockwork mechanism. It represents a stereographic projection of the celestial sphere from its North Pole onto the tangent plane passing through the South Pole. We give a survey of several astronomical mistakes that appeared on this dial throughout centuries., V letošním roce je orloji na Staroměstském náměstí v Praze právě 600 let. Před rokem 1979 byla na jeho astronomickém ciferníku nesprávně zakreslena kruhová oblast astronomické noci. V tomto článku se zmíníme o dalších významných kružnicích, jejichž rozměry a umístění na orloji by se daly ještě zlepšit., Michal Křížek, Pavel Křížek, Jakub Šolc., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The 2011 Nobel prize in physics was awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt and Adam Reiss "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae". It was expected that sooner or later the astronomy trio wil get this distinction because the authors and their teams have indeed achieved an epoch-making discovery. Writing the key papers in 1998 and 1999 required a good deal of courage from the authors, who literally risked their scientific reputation. The presented article highlights the deep roots of the discovery from the history of astronomy hence culminating to the XXth century., V říjnu 2011 oznámila komise pro udělování Nobelových cen, že Nobelovu cenu za fyziku získávají v r. 2011 tři astronomové (Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt a Adam G. Reiss) za objev zrychlujícího se rozpínání vesmíru pomocí pozorování vzdálených supernov. V tomto případě se udělení ceny za zmíněné výzkumy vcelku očekávalo; šlo vlastně jen o to, kdy se tak stane. Jde totiž o vskutku epochální astronomický objev, i když napsat příslušné publikace v letech 1998 a 1999 vyžadovalo od autorů značnou odvahu - docela přitom riskovali svou vědeckou pověst. V článku poukazují na hluboké kořeny objevu v astronomické historii zejména od počátku 20. století., Jiří Grygar., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Brachial Plexus is formed by the union of the anterior rami of cervical 5, 6, 7, 8 and thoracic 1 nerves. These nerves unite and divide to form the key nerves innervating the upper limb. Variations in the course of these nerves are clinically important to anesthetists, neurologists and orthopedicians. We report bilateral variations in the arterial and neural structures in the upper limb of a 65 year old cadaver. The muscles of the arm on one side were innervated by the median nerve with absence ofmusculocutaneous. While on the other side the musculocutaneous nerve contributed to the formation of the median nerve. There was a presence of high bifurcation of brachial artery on both sides. Knowledge of such variations in the innervations of muscles and the arterial supply of the limbs are important to remember before performing any reconstructive procedures or interventions on the limb. and V. Tomar, S. Wadhwa