Acute liver failure (ALF) is a clinical condition with very high mortality rate. Its pathophysiological background is still poorly understood, which necessitates a search for optimal experimental ALF models with features resembling those of the human disorder. Taking into consideration reproducibility of induction of ALF, adequate animal size, cost of animals, the required time gap between insult and death of animals (“therapeutic window”), potential risk to investigator and other aspects, administration of thioacetamide (TAA) in rats is currently most recommended. However, the fundamental details of this ALF model have not yet been evaluated. This prompted us to investigate, first, the course of ALF as induced by intraperitoneal TAA at doses increasing from 175 to 700 mg/kg BW per day. The animals’ survival rate, plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities, and bilirubin and ammonia levels were determined over the follow-up period. Second, we examined whether Wistar and Lewis rats exhibit any differences in the course of ALF induced by different TAA doses. We found that the optimal dose for ALF induction in rats is 350 mg.kg-1 i.p., given as a single injection. Wistar rats proved more susceptible to the development of TAA-induced ALF compared with Lewis rats. Collectively, our present findings provide a sound methodological background for experimental studies aimed at evaluation of pathophysiology and development of new approaches in the therapy of ALF., E. Koblihová, I. Mrázová, Z. Vernerová, M. Ryska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We hypothesized that hypertension-related myocardial remodeling characterized by hypertrophy and fibrosis might be accompanied by cell-to-cell gap junction alterations that may account for increased arrhythmogenesis. Intercellular junctions and expression of gap junction protein connexin-43 were analyzed in rat heart tissues from both spontaneous (SHR) and L-NAME model of hypertension. Isolated heart preparation was used to examine susceptibility of the heart to lethal ventricular fibrillation induced by low potassium perfusion. Ultrastructure observation revealed enhanced neoformation of side-to-side type while internalization of end-to-end type (intercalated disc-related) of gap junctions prevailed in the myocardium of rats suffering from either spontaneous or L-NAME-induced hypertension. In parallel, immunolabeling showed increased number of connexin-43 positive gap junctions in lateral cell membrane surfaces, particularly in SHR. Besides, focal loss of immunopositive signal was observed more frequently in hearts of rats treated with L-NAME. There was a significantly higher incidence of hypokalemia-induced ventricular fibrillation in hypertensive compared to normotensive rat hearts. We conclude that adaptation of the heart to hypertension-induced mechanical overload results in maladaptive gap junction remodeling that consequently promotes development of fatal arrhythmias., M. Fialová, K. Dlugošová, L. Okrouhlicová, F. Kristek, M. Manoach, N. Tribulová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a biblioigrafické údaje
Dlouhou dobu se předpokládalo, že populace obývající určitá území Evropy také tato území na konci doby ledové kolonizovaly jako první. Nové výzkumy však ukázaly, že v některých případech byla první příchozí populace později nahrazena jinou, pocházející z jiného glaciálního refugia. Náš článek ukazuje, že k takovému nahrazení jedné populace druhou došlo při kolonizaci Velké Británie norníkem rudým (Clethrionomys glareolus) a že při tom hrály roli fyziologické adaptace způsobené mutací v hemoglobinu., It has long been assumed that the populations that first colonized particular empty territory after the last ice age have remained there until the present day. However, recent findings in small mammals suggest that replacements involving a population from one glacial refugium at the cost of a population from another refugium may have been a not infrequent event. The article demonstrates that such population replacement took place during post-glacial colonization of Great Britain by the Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and that physiological differences conferred by haemoglobin have probably played a role in this process., and Petr Kotlík, Silvia Marková, Karolína Filipi, Michaela Strážnická, Jeremy B. Searle.
Genes for adiponectin and resistin are candidate genes of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) 45T>G and 276G>T of the adiponectin gene and 62G>A and -180C>G of the resistin gene in patients with obesity (OB), anorexia nervosa (AN) and in control healthy normal-weight women (NW) and to study the influence of particular genotypes on serum concentrations of these hormones and on insulin sensitivity. Serum adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), insulin, cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose levels were measured in 77 patients with OB, 28 with AN and 38 NW. DNA analysis was carried out by polymerase chain reaction with restriction analysis of PCR product. The presence of SNP ADP+276 G>T allele was accompanied by higher cholesterol levels in AN patients, higher adiponectin concentrations in OB patients and lower HbA1c levels in NW. SNP of the resistin gene 62G>A was associated with lower HbA1c in NW and higher cholesterol concentrations in OB group. The carriers of the minor G allele in the position -180 of the resistin gene within AN group had significantly higher BMI relative to non-carriers. We conclude that polymorphisms in adiponectin and resistin genes can contribute to metabolic phenotype of patients with obesity and anorexia nervosa., J. Křížová, M. Dolinková, Z. Lacinová, Š. Sulek, R. Doležalová, J. Housová, J. Krajíčková, D. Haluzíková, L. Bošanská, H. Papežová, M. Haluzík., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Serum levels of adiponectin were measured in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer of pT2 and pT3 stage. Adiponectin ELISA assay, immunohistochemistry, and selected metabolic and biochemical parameters measurement was performed in 25 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 43 with prostate cancer (17 patients with organ-confined and 26 patients with locally advanced disease). Serum adiponectin levels did not differ between prostate benign hyperplasia and cancer clinical stage T2, but was significantly higher in pT3 relative to pT2 group (14.51± 4.92 vs. 21.41±8. 12, P = 0.003). Tissue immunohistochemistry showed enhanced staining in neoplastic prostate glands and intraepithelial neoplasia relative to benign prostatic hyperplasia without distinction between disease grade and stage. Serum adiponectin levels are higher in locally advanced relative to organ-confined prostate cancer and may thus serve as an auxiliary marker providing further improvement for discrimination between pT2 and pT3 stages., D. Housa, Z. Vernerová, J. Heráček, B. Procházka, P. Čechák, J. Kuncová, M. Haluzík., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
High -energy intake which exceeds energy expenditure leads to the accumulation of triglycerides in adipose tissue, predominantly in large -size adipocytes. This metabolic shift, which drives the liver to produce atherogenic dyslipidemia, is well documented. In addition, an increasing amount of monocytes/macrophages, predominantly the proinflammatory M1- type, cumulates in ectopic adipose tissue. The mechanism of this process, the turnover of macrophages in adipose tissue and their direct atherogenic effects all remain to be analyzed., R. Poledne, I. Králová Lesná, S. Čejková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Ve střední Evropě (Česko, Maďarsko a Polsko) jsme zaznamenali 9 případů zajímavé adopce mláďat káně lesní (Buteo buteo) v hnízdech orlů mořských (Haliaeetus albicilla). Adoptovaná mláďata byla v dobré kondici, dospělí orli mořští se o ně starali a mláďata byla nakonec úspěšně vyvedena., Nine interesting cases of young Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) adopted in nests of White-tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in central Europe (Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary) are reviewed. The B. buteo nestlings adopted were in good condition, the adult H. albicilla fed and cared for them properly, and the young birds successfully fledged., and Ivan Literák, Jakub Mráz.
In presented work, raw, expanded and acid treated vermiculites were used as low-cost and active adsorbents for reducing of environmental pollution with heavy metals. Acid treatment was performed at elevated temperature (95°C) for 2 and 24 h in solution of HNO3. Adsorption capacity towards Fe3+ was studied in column, semi-batch and batch mode. It was shown that all samples are effective in removal of heavy metals; however adsorption mechanism is based not only on ion exchange of interlayer cations but also precipitation/deposition processes. Starting material and modified samples as well as spent adsorbents were characterized with respect to the vermiculite structure using X-ray diffraction method., Agnieszka Węgrzyn, Lucjan Chmielarz, Paweł Zjeżdżalka, Andrzej Kowalczyk, Magdalena Jabłońska, Xavier Baldrich Tolosa and Marek Michalik., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Adsorption of phenol and aniline onto original and with quaternary ammonium salts (QASs)-modified montmorillonite was described by sorption isotherms of type III and II, respectively. For the montmorillonite (MMT) modification - hydrophobisation, cetyltrimethyl- ammonium (CTMA) and tetramethylammonium (TMA ) cations were used. In comparison with phenol, aniline was adsorbed largely on original MMT but less on modified one. XRD pa tterns indicated that both aromatic compounds were intercalated in the MMT interlayer be ing perpendicularly oriented to silicate sheets. Alkyl chains of CTMA and TMA probably act as organic "pillars" stabilising the MMT tabular structure against exfoliation due to the intercalation with phenol and aniline of high concentrations., Hana Kostelníková, Petr Praus and Martina Turicová., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Phenolic compounds are common pollutants found particularly in the effluents from petroleum and petrochemical, coal conversion, and phenol producing industries. Due to their toxicity and carcinogenity, water and wastewater containing phenolic compounds must be treated before being used and discharged for receiving water bodies. There is a growing interest in using low-cost and commercially available materials for the adsorption of organic compounds. Clay minerals have great potential to remove phenols in water due to efficient sorbents which can be used as alternative adsorbents to replace the costly activated carbon. They are widely applied in many fields of adsorption technology including the removal of amines, metals, ketones, phosphates, chlorophyll, non-ionic contaminants, and organic pigments/dyes. Montmorillonitic smectites, {(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)-(OH)2.nH2O} are one of the natural clay minerals that have specific surface chemical properties. In this study, a factorial experimental design technique was used to investigate the adsorption of phenol from water solution on montmorillonite. Factorial design of experiments is employed to study the effect of three factors: pH (2.0 and 8.0), montmorillonite dosage (0.1 and 1.0 g/L) and initial low and high concentration (10 and 100 mg/L). The efficiency of phenol adsorption was determined after 60 min of treatment. Main effects and interaction effects of three factors were analyzed by using statistical techniques. A regression model was found to fit the experimental data very well. Through using the Student’s t-test, analysis of variance, F-test and lack of fit to define most important process variables affecting the percentage phenol adsorption., Feza Geyikçi and Semra Çoruh., and Obsahuje bibliografii