Studie Marie Škarpové se zabývá literárními prameny a okruhy duchovních písní, které byly inspirací pro repertoár kancionálu "Jesličky, staré a nové písničky", jehož autorem byl přední český barokní básník a duchovní Fridrich Bridelius., This study deals with that portion of the repertoire of the Czech Advent and Christmas songbook Jesličky (Prague, 1658) by Fridrich Bridelius, which newly appeared in Czech hymnography thanks to this song book, and it summarizes the various results of the search for textual sources from other languages for these “new” songs in Jesličky. It points out their ties to contemporary German written hymnography (of both German and Bohemian provenience) and to Latin hymnography, i.e. to contemporary Latin songs. The text is thus not only a contribution towards discovering the ways that Czech hymnographers of the 17th century became familiar with the new, i.e. baroque, poetic language, but also, above all, an attempt to stimulate further hymnological research on baroque hymnographic works in the early modern history of Central Europe and the interconnections and relationships between them., Marie Škarpová., Rubrika: Studie, and České resumé na s. 397, anglický abstrakt na s. 377.
Cílem výzkumu bylo ověřit vztahy mezi výkonovou orientací a sebeznevýhodňováním. Výzkumný soubor sestával z 355 studentů Sakarya University v Turecku. 201 z nich byly ženy, 154 muži a průměrný věk byl 20,2 roku. Škála 2X2 výkonové orientace a škála sebeznevýhodňování byly použity jako míry. Vztahy mezi výkonovou orientací a sebeznevýhodňováním byly zkoumány pomocí korelační analýzy a mnohonásobné regresní analýzy. Výsledky ukázaly, že sebeznevýhodňování korelovalo pozitivně s cíli vyhýbat se učení a vyhýbat se výkonovým situacím a negativně s cíli přikročit k učení a přikročit k výkonovým situacím. Podle výsledků regresní analýzy bylo sebeznevýhodňování predikováno cíli vyhýbat se učení a vyhýbat se výkonovým situacím. Dále se ukázalo, že cíle přikročit k učení a přikročit k výkonovým situacím predikovaly sebeznevýhodňování negativně. Cíle přikročit k učení/vyhýbat se učení a přikročit k výkonovým situacím/vyhýbat se výkonovým situacím vysvětlily 69 % rozptylu sebeznevýhodňování., The aim of this research was to examine the relationships between achievement goal orientations and self-handicapping. The sample of study consists of 355 university students from Sakarya University, Turkey. 201 participants were female and 154 were male, the mean age was 20.2. The 2X2 Achievement Goal Orientations Scale and the Self-handicapping Scale were used as measures. The relationships between achievement goal orientations and self-handicapping were examined using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that self-handicapping correlated positively with learning-avoidance and performance-avoidance goals and negatively with learning-approach and performance-approach goals. According to regression results, self-handicapping was predicted positively by learning-avoidance and performance-avoidance goals. Further learning- approach and performance-approach goals predicted self-handicapping in a negative way. Learning-approach/avoidance and performanceapproach/ avoidance goals have explained 69% of the variance in self-handicapping. The results should not be generalized either to all university students or to other student population. Secondly, as correlational statistics were utilized, no definitive statements can be made about causality. And last, the data are self-reported., Ümran Akin., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Accelerated glycoxidation takes part in the development of diabetic complications. We determined advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in the sera of 52 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) - 18 with DM Type 1 and 34 with DM Type 2 and examined their relationship to the compensation of the disease. AGEs were estimated spectrofluorimetrically (350 nm/440 nm) whereas AOPP were determined spectro-photometrically (340 nm). AGEs were elevated only in DM Type 2 (DM2 5.11±1.15x103 AU/g vs controls 4.08±0.71x103 AU/g, p<0.001, vs DM1 4.14±0.86x103 AU/g, p<0.005, DM1 vs controls were not significant). AOPP were elevated significantly in both types of DM with higher levels in DM Type 2 (DM2 157.50±75.15 mmol/l vs healthy subjects 79.80±23.72 mmol/l, p<0.001, vs DM1 97.50±30.91 mmol/l, p<0.005, DM1 vs controls p<0.05). There was a tight correlation between AGEs and AOPP in both types of DM (DM1 r=0.75, DM2 r=0.47 (p<0.05)) and both AGEs and AOPP correlated with triglycerides. In DM Type 1 only, AGEs correlated with HbA1c r=0.47 (p<0.05) and with blood glucose. Slight but not significant differences in AGEs and AOPP levels were observed in patients with or without diabetic complications. Oxidative stress is increased in both types of DM, more in Type 2 where it contributes to the formation of glycoxidation products., M. Kalousová, J. Škrha, T. Zima., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The polymorphisms of the tumor suppressor gene p53 in exon 4 (p53 BstUI) and in intron 6 (p53 MspI) have been suggested to be associated with the genetically determined susceptibility in diverse types of human cancer. In our hospital-based case-control study, we examined the allele and genotype incidence of these polymorphisms as well as their haplotype combinations in 60 brain tumor patients (27 males and 33 females) and 183 controls without malignancies. The genotype characteristics were determined by the PCR-based RFLP method using DNA extracted from peripheral blood. In this study we show that the p53 BstUI and the p53 MspI polymorphisms are not associated with increased risk of brain tumors. Thus, we conclude that the p53 BstUI and the p53 MspI polymorphic sites within the tumor suppressor gene p53 do not represent genetic determinants of susceptibility to brain tumors., E. Biroš, I. Kalina, A. Kohút, E. Bogyiová, J. Šalagovič, I. Šulla., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Binding of beta2-GP I to anionic phospholipids is thought to be the major antigen required in the reaction of anticardiolipin antibodies to phospholipids. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of anti-beta2-GP I IgG during the first and second trimester of pregnancy and the relationship between the levels of anti-beta2-GP I and fetoplacental antigens and the correlation between anti-beta2-GP I IgG and antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein IgG (oLAb) in serum of pregnant women. We determined anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) IgG and maternal serum levels of alpha1-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and trophoblast-specific beta1-glycoprotein (SP1) in 204 pregnant women in the first and second trimester. From this group we selected 52 serum samples positive for ACA IgG and 16 samples negative for ACA IgG. In the samples of selected patients, the levels of anti-b2-GP I IgG and oLAb IgG were determined. Anti-b2-GP I IgG levels significantly decreased in the second trimester (6.2±9.3 U/ml, mean ± S.D.) in comparison with the first trimester (8.3±10.4 U/ml) (p=0.05). Multiple of median (MoM) AFP correlated negatively but not significantly in the first trimester with anti-b2-GP I (r = -0.261, p = 0.12). In the second trimester this correlation was significantly negative (r = -0.278, p = 0.04). The Spearman correlation coefficients for MoM HCG and anti-beta2-GP I were 0.158 for the first trimester and 0.174 for the second trimester. MoM SP1 also did not correlate significantly with anti-beta2-GP I in both trimesters. The correlation between anti-beta2-GP I IgG and oLAb IgG was not significant (r = -0.06). In the first trimester 40 % serum samples were positive for anti-b2-GP I IgG and negative for oLAb IgG or vice versa, while 60 % samples in the second trimester were positive only for one determined autoantibody. We can conclude that the levels of a, L. Fialová, I. Malbohan, L. Mikulíková, O. Benešová, A. Zwinger., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_Oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL) formed in vivo induce a humoral immune response. Oxidative modification of LDL renders it immunogenic and a heterogeneous population of specific anti-oxLDL antibodies is produced. These antibodies could represent a biological marker of oxidative stress and serve as markers of atherosclerosis. Autoantibodies against oxLDL (oLAb) have been detected in human subjects practically of every age. oLAb also appear in the blood of pregnant women. Some studies have shown that the levels of antibodies to oxLDL were elevated in women with established preeclampsia. The present study was aimed to estimate the oLAb IgG levels in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, we estimated the correlation between maternal serum (MS) levels of oLAb and alpha-1-fetoprotein (MS AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (MS HCG) and trophoblast-specific-beta-1-glycoprotein (MS SP1), because these proteins are determined as a part of prenatal biochemical screening for fetal congenital abnormalities. Our study deals with the oLAb changes in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. We also investigated the correlation between oLAb IgG and anticardiolipin antibodies IgG (ACA) in the serum of pregnant women. We examined 40 pregnant women attending Institute for Mother and Child Care for their antenatal care as outpatients. Routine blood samplings between the 9-13th week of pregnancy and 16-18th week of pregnancy were performed as a part of biochemical prenatal screening for fetal congenital abnormalities (Group 1). Their mean age was 27±4.1 years. Furthermore, we examined 26 women in the second or third trimester with pregnancy-induced hypertension (Group 2). Group 2 was compared with 49 pregnant women in the second or third trimester who were normotensive (Group 3)., a2_We used commercial standardized ELISA kits for determination of oLAb IgG, ACA IgG, MS AFP and MS HCG, MS SP1 was analyzed by single radial immunodiffusion. We did not find any differences in the levels of oLAb IgG in the first and second trimester in the women of Group 1. The correlation between oLAb and ACA IgG was not statistically significant (Spearman coefficient r=0.22, p=0.1). The correlation between oLAb IgG with MS AFP, MS HCG and MS SP1 was not statistically significant. Weak negative correlation for AFP and HCG was suggested both in the first and in the second trimester. The levels of oLAb IgG in the group of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension were significantly lower than in the group of normotensive women (348±388 U/ml v.s. 579±400 mU/ml, p<0.01). We can conclude that the levels of oLAb do not differ in the first and second trimester of gravidity. However, we cannot exclude the possible influence of an inverse relationship between oLAb IgG titers and the synthesis of fetoplacental antigens. This finding is important especially in the context of the results of prenatal biochemical screening. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is associated with lower levels of oLAb. Weak cross-reactivity between oLAb and anticardiolipin antibodies may exist but there is a possibility that there are two different populations of antibodies reacting with various antigens., L. Fialová, L. Mikulíková, I. Malbohan, O. Benešová, S. Štípek, T. Zima, A. Zwinger., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Studie Evy Myslivcové se zabývá korespondencí mezi hudebním skladatelem Antonínem Dvořákem a jeho blízkým přítelem Aloisem Göblem., This article introduces newly found photocopies of two letters from Antonín Dvořák to Alois Göbl with heretofore unknown and unpublished contents (newly discovered facts about Dvořák’s life and about period reception of his masterpieces – e.g. the Symphony No. 9 in E Minor “From the New World”, op. 95, and the Cello Concerto in B Minor, op. 104) and places them within the context of Dvořák’s correspondence addressed to his friend Göbl in Sychrov that has already been published in several different editions., Eva Myslivcová., Rubrika: Studie, and Německé resumé na s. 299, anglický abstrakt na s. 289.
Early consequences of lithium-pilocarpine convulsive status epilepticus (SE) were studied six days after this status had been induced in rat pups at the age of either 12 or 25 days. Studies of spontaneous EEG activity demonstrated the presence of epileptic phenomena (isolated spikes) in both hippocampus and cortex (cortical spikes were more expressed in the older group). There were no marked behavioral correlates of spikes and transition into the ictal phase was exceptional. The motor performance on a rotorod and a horizontal bar was the same in experimental and control rats of both ages. Behavior in the open field was changed in a reverse manner in the two age groups: the locomotor activity of rats with induced seizures at the age of 12 days was significantly lower than that of their control siblings, whereas animals undergoing status at the age of 25 days were hyperactive. In addition, they also exhibited increased exploratory activity (rearing) and their habituation to the open field was deranged. Nissl-stained brain sections demonstrated extensive brain damage in the older group in contrast to the negative findings in younger animals. EEG, behavioral and morphological changes induced by status epilepticus in developing rats persisted for 6 days after the status. They markedly differed according to the age of animals., L. Suchomelová, H. Kubová, R. Haugvicová, R. Druga, P. Mareš., and Obsahuje bibliografii
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
Studie Heleny Matějčkové se zabývá obchodními kontakty mezi hudebním skladatelem Antonínem Dvořákem a londýnským nakladatelem Augener & Co., In the course of research focusing on the history of publication of the works of A. Dvořák, printed editions have been discovered for five works that were issued in 1885 and 1886 by the London publishing house Augener & Co. The literature and sources concerning the life and work of A. Dvořák, however, make no mention of this publisher or of its editions of Dvořák’s music. The study maps the history and activity of the publishing house, devoting the greatest attention to describing the new sources and to consideration of the possible circumstances of their publication – Augener’s editions of Dvořák’s compositions appear to have been prepared on the basis of already issued printings by the Prague publisher F. A. Urbánek – and of aspects of publishing practice at the time, especially with regard to copyright issues., Helena Matějčková., Rubrika: Studie, and Anglické resumé na s. 265, anglický abstrakt 247.
The reports of analgesic effects of benzodiazepines are inconsistent. There is evidence of a hyperalgesic effect induced by activation of supraspinal GABAA receptors and an antinociceptive effect induced by activation of receptors located in the spinal cord (dorsal horns). The aim of the study was to discover whether the systemic administration of a benzodiazepine agent alprazolam increases the systemic analgesic efficacy of non-opioid analgesic ibuprofen. Experimental studies combining these agents have not yet been published. We used three experimental methods - writhing test (with acetic acid), tail-flick test and plantar test to assess analgesic action. The drugs were administered orally. Augmentation of the analgesic effect of ibuprofen by alprazolam was proved for the writhing test at a dose of 30 mg/kg of ibuprofen and alprazolam 1 mg/kg. The reaction time of the combination was significantly prolonged in comparison with ibuprofen alone. The results of the tail-flick test and plantar test were negative. The effect of ibuprofen was not enhanced by alprazolam in tests of acute thermal pain. Our results have demonstrated that the analgesic action of ibuprofen is only weakly enhanced by alprazolam., T. Doležal, M. Kršiak., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_Predchádzajúce výskumy naznačujú, že autenticita (pravdivosť v prežívaní a správaní) súvisí s lepším fungovaním blízkych vzťahov. Štúdia je zameraná najmä na partnerskú, resp. vzťahovú autenticitu, teda tendenciu byť autentický voči partnerovi vo vzťahu. Výskum bol zameraný na zistenie korelačných súvislostí autenticity so vzťahovou autonómiou, so sebaúctou, so spokojnosťou a mierou investícií do vzťahu, s dimenziami lásky a s mierou vnímanej prepojenosti partnerov, a to s cieľom overiť, či autenticita partnerov môže predikovať kvalitu partnerského vzťahu. V rámci partnerských dvojíc bola zisťovaná aj miera zhody medzi autenticitou žien a autenticitou mužov, a tiež to, či autenticita jedného partnera súvisí s aspektmi vzťahu sledovanými u druhého partnera (tzv. efekt partnera). Údaje boli zozbierané prostredníctvom batérie dotazníkov (Škála vzťahovej autenticity, Rolový dotazník autenticity, Dotazník autonómie v partnerskom vzťahu, Škála trojuholníku lásky, dimenzie spokojnosť a investície zo Škály investičného modelu, Rosenbergova škála sebahodnotenia a Škála zahrnutosti druhého v sebe) od 189 respondentov vo veku od 18 do 33 rokov, z toho 51 partnerských párov. Výsledky poukázali na štatisticky významné korelácie medzi partnerskou autenticitou a všetkými sledovanými aspektmi partnerského vzťahu, ako aj na nenáhodnú podobnosť partnerov v miere autenticity. Tiež sa preukázal pozitívny efekt autenticity partnera na vzťahovú autonómiu a spokojnosť druhého partnera (u oboch pohlaví). Čo sa týka dimenzií lásky, u žien bol zistený pozitívny efekt autenticity na oddanosť mužov, kým u mužov pozitívny efekt autenticity na mieru intimity žien., a2_ Určitým limitom výskumu môže byť jeho sebavýpoveďový charakter, sociálna žiaducosť sledovaných charakteristík a špecifickosť výskumnej vzorky (prevažne vysokoškolskí študenti, relatívne vysoký podiel študentov psychológie)., b1_Previous research suggests that authenticity (the truth in the experiences and behaviors) is associated with better functioning of close relationships. The study is mainly focused on the partner or relational authenticity, i.e. the tendency to be authentic towards the partner in the relationship. The research was aimed at finding out the correlations of authenticity with relational autonomy, self-esteem, satisfaction and the level of investment in the partnership, dimensions of love, and the extent of perceived connectedness between partners, to verify whether the authenticity of partners may predict the quality of partnership. Then the level of agreement between the authenticity of women and authenticity of men within the couples was assessed, as well as whether the authenticity of one partner is related to aspects of relationship of the other partner (so-called partner´s effect). Data were collected through the battery of questionnaires (Partnership authenticity scale, Role authenticity questionnaire, Autonomy in partnership questionnaire, Triangular love scale, satisfaction and investment dimensions of the Investment model scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Inclusion of other to the self scale) from 189 respondents aged 18-33 years, including 51 couples. The results showed statistically significant correlations between relational authenticity and all monitored aspects of the partnership, as well as nonrandom similarity between partners in the level of their authenticity. It was also showed the positive effect of partner’s authenticity to relational autonomy and satisfaction (in both sexes). Regarding the dimensions of love, it was found the positive effect of women’s authenticity to the men’s commitment, and positive effect of men’s authenticity to level of women’s intimacy., b2_Certain limits of the research can be its self-report character, social desirability of observed characteristics, and specificity of the research sample (mostly university students, with relatively high proportion of psychology students)., Eva Nábělková, Natália Balážová., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
We investigated the gastric response to an ulcerogenic irritant and the change in gastric functions in an experimental rat model of obstructive jaundice, with or without biliary drainage. After biliary obstruction for 14 days, rats with ligated bile duct (BDL) were randomly divided into three groups: BDL group without biliary drainage, BDL followed by choledochoduodenostomy (CD) or a choledochovesical fistula (CVF). The gastric functions were evaluated 2 weeks after the surgery. Gastric damage, induced by orogastric administration of ethanol, was evaluated 30 min later using a lesion index and microscopic scoring was then performed on fixed stomachs. Basal gastric acid secretion was measured by the pyloric ligation method.The lesion index and maximum lesion depth did not differ in the BDL and sham groups, while they were significantly reduced in the CD group. Gastric acid output and secretory volume were reduced in the BDL group compared to the sham group, while these reductions were abolished in the CD group. Afferent denervation with capsaicin further reduced the ulcer index in the later group. Our data suggest that gastric mucosal susceptibility to injury is dependent on the normal flow of bile into the duodenal lumen, which appears to be a requirement for adaptive gastric cytoprotection., A. Cingi, R. Ahiskali, B. K. Oktar, M. A. Gülpinar, C. Yegen, B.Ç. Yegen., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Studie Evy Veselovské se zabývá notovanými kodexy, které vznikly na území dnešního Slovenska od 14. do začátku 16. století a do jejichž způsobu notace se promítl vliv českého kulturního prostředí., Recent research of Slovakian medieval notated codices and manuscript fragments raised an important fact: the written culture of the late 14th and 15th centuries in Slovakia was strongly influenced by education from Czech lands. Particularly between 1370 and 1520, the direct impact of the scribal notation tradition from Czech lands to Slovak area can be detected in a number of Slovakian music sources. Codices and dozens of manuscript fragments documenting Bohemian notation in the Slovak geographical area have become the subject of research, along with the systematization, analysis and evaluation of all currently known and edited medieval notated sources from Slovakia. The main purpose of this research is to organise the information gained from these sources, and to determine the general structural features of Bohemian notation in Slovakia., Eva Veselovská., Rubrika: Studie, and Slovenské resumé na s. 376, anglický abstrakt na s. 337.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition has been reported to induce regression of hypertrophy in several models of hemodynamic pressure overload. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the ACE inhibitor captopril can reduce hypertrophy of the left ventricle induced by a chronic volume overload and modify collagen composition of the hypertrophied myocardium. Rabbits with four months lasting aortic insufficiency were divided into two groups: treated with captopril (20 mg/kg/day) for five weeks and treated with placebo. The respective control groups were represented by sham-operated animals. Aortic insufficiency induced a decrease of diastolic pressure, an increase of systolic and pulse pressure, hypertrophy of the left and right ventricle, and an increase of hydroxyproline content in the left ventricle without a change of hydroxyproline concentrations in either ventricle. Captopril treatment further enhanced pulse pressure by decreasing diastolic blood pressure. Hypertrophy of the left ventricle, hydroxyproline content and concentration in both ventricles were unaffected by captopril treatment. It is concluded that ACE inhibition did not reverse the left ventricular hypertrophy developed as a result of overload induced by aortic insufficiency. We suggest that mechanisms different from activation of the renin-angiotensin system may play a decisive role in the maintenance of hypertrophy in this particular model of volume hemodynamic overload., F. Šimko, V. Pelouch, J. Kyselovic., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) is a new tridentate Fe-chelating agent that should be very promising in many pathological states resulting from both an iron-overload and formation of free radicals. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of PIH on the cardiovascular system focusing to the regulatory protein - cardiac troponin T (cTnT). The study was carried out in two groups of Chinchilla male rabbits: 1) PIH (50 mg/kg dissolved in 10 % Cremophor i.p., once a week, 10 administrations, n=8) and 2) Cremophor (2 ml/kg i.p. in the same schedule, n=7). Plasma concentrations of cTnT (as a marker of myocardial damage) were measured using a commercial kit (Roche). cTnT was within the physiological range (i.e. < 0.1 mg/l) during the whole experiment in the Cremophor group. In the PIH group, the cTnT levels were not significantly increased when compared with the control group or with the initial values (except with those before the 5th administration). Furthermore, we analyzed the cytosolic and myofibrillar fraction of cTnT in the left ventricular myocardium. Using SDS-PAGE and Western blot we resolved three isoforms. The profiling of TnT did not differ significantly between the PIH-treated group and the Cremophor-treated group. Our data concerning cTnT support the opinion that the possible cardiotoxicity of PIH is very low., M. Adamcová, J. Macháčková, V. Geršl, V. Pelouch, T. Šimůnek, I. Klimtová, R. Hrdina, P. Poňka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_The question was addressed of how nitric oxide synthase (NO synthase) inhibition-induced hypertension in rat parents would affect the cardiovascular system in their offsprings. Two experimental groups were set up: Group I - offsprings of parents who had both been administered NO synthase inhibitor L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME 40 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks, the treatment of dams continued till week 12. Group II - offsprings fed by dams administered L-NAME after delivery only for a period of 4 weeks. Control age-matched offsprings formed the third group. Blood pressure and heart rate in parents and in 3-week-old offsprings were determined noninvasively. In the offsprings, body and heart weight were measured and the heart/body weight ratio (HW/BW) was calculated. The NO synthase activity, and also ornithine decarboxylase activity as a marker of polyamine production, were determined in the heart. The acetylcholine-induced relaxation of aortic rings was also followed. A marked blood pressure increase with a tendency to a decreased heart rate was found in the offsprings of Group I. A significant decrease in heart weight and body weight with a decreased HW/BW ratio indicated cardiac hypotrophy that contrasted with the decrease in NO synthase activity and increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in the heart. Noteworthy was also the finding of completely preserved relaxation of the aorta to acetylcholine. Offsprings of Group II were similarly characterized by significantly higher blood pressure, a tendency to decreased heart rate, a decrease in heart weight, but not of the HW/BW ratio. The contrasting findings of heart weight decrease on the one hand and NO synthase activity decrease and ornithine decarboxylase increase on the other, were also found in this group. Full relaxation of the aorta to acetylcholine was preserved., a2_It can be concluded that remarkable alterations in the cardiovascular system were found in offsprings of hypertensive NO compromised parents., M. Gerová, I. Bernátová, J. Török, M. Juráni., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Changes in extracellular space (ECS) diffusion parameters, DC potentials and extracellular potassium concentration were studied during single and repeated cortical spreading depressions (SD) in 13-15 (P13-15), 21 (P21) and 90-day-old (adult) Wistar rats. The real-time iontophoretic method using tetramethylammonium (TMA+)-selective microelectrodes was employed to measure three ECS parameters in the somatosensory cortex: the ECS volume fraction α (α = ECS volume/total tissue volume), ECS tortuosity λ (increase in diffusion path length) and the nonspecific TMA+ uptake k’. SD was elicited by needle prick. SD was significantly longer at P13-15 than at P21 and in adults. During SD, α in all age groups decreased from 0.21-0.23 to 0.05-0.09; λ increased from 1.55-1.65 to 1.95-2.07. Ten minutes after SD, α (in adults) and λ (all age groups) increased compared to controls. This increase persisted even 1 hour after SD. When SD was repeated at 1 hour intervals, both α and λ showed a gradual cumulative increase with SD repetition. Our study also shows that cortical SD is, as early as P13, accompanied by severe ECS shrinkage and increased diffusion path length (tortuosity) with values similar to adults, followed by a long-lasting increase in ECS volume and tortuosity when compared to pre-SD values., T. Mazel, F. Richter, L. Vargová, E. Syková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The role of the cortico-tectal pathways in the processing of auditory signals was investigated by recording the click-evoked responses and extracellular multiple unit activity in the inferior colliculus (IC) after functional ablation of the auditory cortex (AC) by local intracortical application of a sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX). Click-evoked IC responses (IC-ER) and multiple unit activity in response to tone bursts were recorded with implanted electrodes in the IC of rats lightly anaesthetized with xylazine. Neural activity was recorded before and after the application of TTX into the ipsilateral auditory cortex (AC) through three implanted cannulas in a total dose of 30 ng. The functional status of the AC was monitored by recording click-evoked middle latency responses from a ball electrode implanted on the AC. During inactivation of the AC, IC-ER amplitudes were either increased (48 % of the cases), decreased (32 % of the cases) or not evidently changed (20 % of the cases). Corresponding effects were observed in the firing rate of IC neurons. Functional ablation of the AC also resulted in a significant prolongation of the latencies of individual waves of the IC-ER. However, the discharge pattern of the multiple unit responses, response thresholds and tuning were not altered during AC inactivation. IC neural activity recovered within several hours, and maximally during 2 days. The results reveal principles of the interaction of cortico-tectal pathways with IC neuronal activity., F. C. Nwabueze-Ogbo, J. Popelář, J. Syka., and Obsahuje bibliografii