We aimed to compare the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors captopril (containing thiol group) and enalapril (without thiol group) on the development of spontaneous hypertension and to analyze mechanisms of their actions, particularly effects on oxidative stress and NO production. Six-week-old SHR were divided into three groups: control, group receiving captopril (50 mg/kg/day) or enalapril (50 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks. At the end of experiment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased by 41 % in controls. Both captopril and enalapril prevented blood pressure increase, however, SBP in the captopril group (121±5 mmHg) was significantly lower than that in the enalapril group (140±5 mmHg). Concentration of conjugated dienes in the aorta was significantly lower in the captopril group compared to the enalapril group. Captopril and enalapril increased NO synthase activity in the heart and aorta to the similar level. Neither captopril nor enalapril was, however, able to increase the expression of eNOS. Both ACE inhibitors increased the level of cGMP. However, cGMP level was significantly higher in the aorta of captopril group. We conclude that captopril, beside inhibition of ACE, prevented hypertension by increasing NO synthase activity and by simultaneous decrease of oxidative stress which resulted in increase of cGMP concentration., O. Pecháňová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
An overview is given of results achieved by F. Matúš on probabilistic conditional independence (CI). First, his axiomatic characterizations of stochastic functional dependence and unconditional independence are recalled. Then his elegant proof of discrete probabilistic representability of a matroid based on its linear representability over a finite field is recalled. It is explained that this result was a basis of his methodology for constructing a probabilistic representation of a given abstract CI structure. His embedding of matroids into (augmented) abstract CI structures is recalled and his contribution to the theory of semigraphoids is mentioned as well. Finally, his results on the characterization of probabilistic CI structures induced by four discrete random variables and by four regular Gaussian random variables are recalled. Partial probabilistic representability by binary random variables is also mentioned., Milan Studený., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Photosynthetic parameters and leaf carbon isotope composition (δ13C) in contrasting rice genotypes in relation to supplemental nitrogen (N) application and water management during the grain-filling period were compared. The changes in stomatal conductance (gs) and ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 mole fraction (Ci/Ca) depended on the leaf nitrogen concentration (leaf N) in both ‘Hinohikari’ (temperate japonica genotype) and ‘IR36’ (indica genotype). In ‘Hinohikari’, δ13C reflects photosynthetic gas exchange during the grain-filling period, which is indicated by the significant response of δ13C to leaf N. In contrast, in ‘IR36’ δ13C did not depend on leaf N. This varietal difference in δ13C to leaf N can be attributed to a difference in the timing of leaf senescence. In ‘IR36’, leaf N and photosynthetic parameters decreased more rapidly, indicating earlier senescence and a shorter grain-filling period in comparison with ‘Hinohikari’. The significant increase in shoot dry mass in ‘Hinohikari’ resulting from supplemental N application, compared with nonsignificant effect observed in ‘IR36’, suggests that the timing of senescence in relation to the grainfilling period has a preponderant influence on productivity., S. Shimoda., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Volumetric studies of mica spatial distribution inside samples of Westerly and Czech granites (Mrakotin, Liberec, and Brno syenite) were performed using a neutron tomography method. A significant difference in the neutron attenuation coefficients of mica and other rock-forming minerals of the granites studied yielded a large neutron radiography contrast and, as a result, allowed us to perform a detailed analysis of three-dimension structural data based on the neutron tomography reconstruction procedure. The morphology and spatial distribution of the mica phase within studied granites were obtained. Tomography data were compared to results provided by other experimental methods commonly used in rock mechanics research such as optical and electron microscopy, as well as ultrasonic shear-wave measurements. The benefits and limitations for application of the neutron tomography method for studies of granite like rocks are discussed.
We investigated the relative importance of pre-anthesis assimilates stored in plant parts, mainly in the stem, and post-anthesis photosynthesis to drought resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Hongwangmai (drought resistant) and Haruhikari (drought sensitive) subjected to two soil moisture regimes: irrigated and non-irrigated. In the irrigated treatment, soil moisture was maintained near field capacity throughout the growing season, while in the non-irrigated treatment water was withheld from 81 d after sowing until maturity. Drought stress reduced grain yield of Hongwangmai and Haruhikari by 41 and 60 %, respectively. Remobilization of pre-anthesis assimilates to the grain (remobilization) was reduced by drought in Hongwangmai but increased in Haruhikari. The contribution of pre-anthesis assimilates to the grain decreased under non-irrigated treatment in Hongwangmai. However, under water stress, Hongwangmai maintained a higher net photosynthetic rate in the flag leaf than Haruhikari. These results indicated that maintenance of post-anthesis photosynthetic rate was related to drought resistance in Hongwangmai rather than to remobilization under drought stress. and T. Inoue ... [et al.].
In many plant species that remain leafless part of the year, CO2 fixation occurring in green stems represents an important carbon gain. Traditionally, a distinction has been made between stem photosynthesis and corticular photosynthesis. All stem photosynthesis is, sensu stricto, cortical, since it is carried out largely by the stem cortex. We proposed the following nomenclature: stem net photosynthesis (SNP), which includes net CO2 fixation by stems with stomata in the epidermis and net corticular CO2 fixation in suberized stems, and stem recycling photosynthesis (SRP), which defines CO2 ling in suberized stems. The proposed terms should reflect differences in anatomical and physiological traits. SNP takes place in the chlorenchyma below the epidermis with stomata, where the net CO2 uptake occurs, and it resembles leaf photosynthesis in many characteristics. SRP is found in species where the chlorenchyma is beneath a
well-developed stomata-free periderm and where reassimilation of internally respired CO2 occurs. SNP is common in plants from desert ecosystems, rates reaching up to 60% of the leaf photosynthetic rate. SRP has been demonstrated in trees from temperate forests and it offsets partially a carbon loss by respiration of stem nonphotosynthetic tissues. Reassimilation can vary between 7 and 123% of respired CO2, the latter figure implying net CO2 uptake from the atmosphere. Both types of stem photosynthesis contribute positively to the carbon economy of the species, in which they occur; they are advantageous to the plant because they allow the maintenance of physiological activity during stress, an increase of integrated water use efficiency, and they provide the carbon source used in the production of new organs., E. Ávila, A. Herrera, W. Tezara., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The paper presents selected results of seismological observations in Silesia and northern Moravia between 01/2004 - 08/2008, which are based on interpretation of three-component digital recordings at solitary seismic stations operated by the Institute of Geonics of the ASCR Ostrava (IGN) distributed in the region under investigation. Five seismic stations had recorded local tectonic seismic events in a continuous regime until 12/2005, when the grant project GA CR No. 205/03/0999 terminated. Meanwhile, the Ostrava - Krásné Pole (OKC) seismic station have continued in operation as a part of the Czech regional seismological network since 1983 up to present. Other three stations have been operating in a so-called triggered regime. At the mid-January 2007, seismic station in Klokočov village was re-opened in continuous regime. During 55 months of observation, 90 tectonic events have been detected at one or more seismic stations mentioned above. However, database of the Institute of Physics of the Earth of the MU contains more than 640 microearthquakes during the same time. This discrepancy is caused mainly due to a higher concentration of microearthquake foci distributed all over the western part of the region under investigation where the IPE seismic stations are situated. On the other hand, the IGN seismic stations are spread predominantly within the eastern part of the territory, i.e. relatively far from the recent foci, and moreover, some stations are operated using the triggered regime., Karel Holub, Zdeněk Kaláb, Jaromír Knejzlík and Jana Rušajová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The contribution of two components (ΔpH and ΔE) of the proton motive force to photosynthesis of C. reinhardtii was studied. Valinomycin, a photophosphorylation uncoupler, decreased significantly the fast phase (related mainly to the membrane electric potential) of millisecond delayed light emission (ms-DLE) of C. reinhardtii. Nigericin, another photophosphorylation uncoupler, decreased the slow phase (related mainly to the proton gradient) and partly also the fast phase of ms-DLE. Both valinomycin and nigericin decreased the net ATP content and photosynthetic rate of C. reinhardtii, but the inhibition by nigericin was stronger than that by valinomycin. Hence both components of the proton motive force contribute to photosynthesis and although the contribution of ΔpH is larger than that of ΔE, the latter is not negligible in photosynthesis of C. reinhardtii. and Qing-Xiu Tang, Jia-Mian Wei.
The venality of priesthoods is a well-established phenomenon from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, essentially in Asia Minor. This custom, generally condemned by the Romans, was in use mainly in the cities in order to bail out the local treasury. Talmudic testify to the existence of this phenomenon in Palestine during the great crisis of the 3rd century CE, when serious economic and financial difficulties probably encouraged Jews to serve as priests in pagan temples, and the cities to sell priesthoods in an attempt to alleviate the financial und economic situation.
This paper deals with the phenomenon of the parametric anti-resonance of autoparametric systems. It is shown that parametric anti-resonance (additional parametric excitation fulfilling special conditions) can be used not only to suppress self-excited or externally excited vibrations but can also be used to stabilize the equilibrium position ot the autoparametric system. and Obsahuje seznam literatury