Calsequestrin is the main calcium binding protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, serving as an important regulator of Ca 2+ . In mammalian muscles, it exis ts as a skeletal isoform found in fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscles and a cardiac isoform expressed in the heart and slow-twitch muscles. Recently, many excellent reviews that summarised in great detail various aspects of the calsequestrin structure, localisation or function both in skeletal and cardiac muscle have appeared. The present review focuses on skeletal muscle: information on cardiac tissue is given, where differences between both tissues are functionally important. The article reviews the known multiple roles of calsequestrin including pathology in order to introduce this topic to the broader scientific community and to stimulate an interest in this protein. Newly we describe our results on the effect of thyroid hormones on skeletal and cardiac calsequestrin expression and discuss them in the context of available literary data on this topic., P. Novák, T. Soukup., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Kdyby nebylo popularizátorů, pak bychom kromě úzké vědecké komunity věděli o vědě, vědcích a smyslu jejich práce velmi málo. Pokud sem tam uniknou mimo jejich společnost nějaké informace o výzkumech a pokusech zdařených i nezdařených, bývají strohé a laikům nesrozumitelné. Tudíž nevědcům je třeba je ozřejmit, jaksi polidštit. A zde nastupují populátoři vědy, lidé vládnoucí mistrnou schopností přenést do veřejnosti - ne úplně laické - to, nač vědci myslí, co tvoří a vůbec, čím se zabývají a jací jsou. Pokud nahlédneme do dějin přírodních věd, zjistíme, že jako první byla popularizována astronomie. Stalo se tak především zásluhou francouzského astronoma Nicolase Camille Flammariona., This contribution describes the life and the work of French astronomer and writer Camille Flammarion. He is well known as a pioneer in science (esp. astronomy) popularization. The introductory part of this article sheds light on Flammarion‘s professional career in the Paris Observatory and in the Bureau of Measures. The central part of the article overviews Flammarion‘s popularization work, including writing books, giving public lectures, editing several journals, and so on. Flammarion‘s views on a calendar reformation are also discussed. The article ends with a list of Flammarion‘s publications, including their Czech editions., František Jáchim., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Safranal and crocin are biologically active compounds isolated from Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron. Clinical trials confirm that saffron has antidepressant effect, thus being a potential valuable alternative in the treatment of depression. The aim of the present study was to determine, whether systemic administration of safranal and crocin can influence the metabolic activity of CYP3A, CYP2C11, CYP2B, and CYP2A in rat liver microsomes (RLM). The experiments were carried out on male Wistar albino rats intragastrically administered with safranal (4, 20, and 100 mg/kg/day) or with intraperitoneal injections of crocin (4, 20, and 100 mg/kg/day). Our results demonstrate the ability of safranal and crocin to increase the total protein content and to change the metabolic activity of several CYP enzymes assessed as CYP specific hydroxylations of testosterone in RLM. Crocin significantly decreased the metabolic activity of all selected CYP enzymes, while safranal significantly increased the metabolic activity of CYP2B, CYP2C11 and CYP3A enzymes. Therefore, both substances could increase the risk of interactions with co-administered substances metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes., G. Dovrtělová, K. Nosková, J. Juřica, M. Turjap, O. Zendulka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The eye nematode Thelazia callipaeda Railliet et Henry, 1910 (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) is a vector-borne zoonotic nematode infecting a range of wild and domestic carnivores as well as humans. It is considered to be a causative agent of emerging and neglected disease and currently invades central part of Europe. Nematodes were collected from the eye of a dog living in Prague, which never travelled outside the Czech Republic. The nematodes were identified based on their morphology and partial sequence of the cox1 gene as T. callipaeda haplotype 1. This finding represents the northernmost record of autochthonous canine thelaziosis in Europe. The insufficient control of imported animals as well as free movement of dogs and wild carnivores within Europe probably facilitates spreading of T. callipaeda throughout the continent. To better understand the spreading of T. callipaeda and to prevent its zoonotic transmissions, information about the risk of this infection in newly invaded countries should be disseminated not only among veterinarians and physicians, but also within the community of pet owners and hunters., Milan Jirků, Roman Kuchta, Elena Gricaj, David Modrý and Kateřina Jirků Pomajbíková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We observed instances of cannibalism (intraspecific predation) among intra-instar larvae of Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 while performing a bioassay of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (formerly named Bacillus sphaericus) larvicide, when the larvae were exposed to the larvicide for 48 h in the absence of food. Larvae without symptoms of poisoning attacked and devoured those visibly affected. Cannibalism was more prevalent in 1st-2nd instar larvae than in 3rd-4th instar. This phenomenon should be taken into account when interpreting the results of larvicide bioassays, especially when the exposure lasts over 24 h. The necessity of creating optimal conditions for organisms tested is emphasised., Igor Uspensky and Sergei Braun., and Obsahuje bibliografii