An expedition was undertaken to French Guiana in search of amphibian parasites. Of the 23 anuran species collected and screened for polystomes, the toad Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti) was the sole species found to be infected with a polystome, namely Wetapolystoma almae Gray, 1983. Of the two caecilian species collected, a new species of Nanopolystoma du Preez, Huyse et Wilkinson, 2008 was discovered from the urinary bladder of the aquatic caecilian Typhlonectes compressicauda (Duméril et Bibron). The small size of the mature worm, two non-diverticulated caeca of equal length that are non-confluent posteriorly, vitelline follicles in two dense lateral fields, a single follicular testis in the middle of the body, small ovary and a single operculated egg in utero, vaginae present and the caecilian host allowed the identification of the specimen as Nanopolystoma. Larger body size, hamulus length, egg diameter and occurrence in the caecilian family Typhlonectidae distinguishes the new species from the two other known polystomes in Nanopolystoma; thus, the description of Nanopolystoma tinsleyi sp. n. is provided within this paper.
In the present study physicochemical characterization of slate sample was carried out which was collected from slate mine in Lasbela District, Baluchistan. Slate was evaluated for its effectiveness as partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the production of Portland Pozzolana cement (PPC). The grain size analysis of crushed slate sample using ball mill revealed that maximum fraction retained on 44 μm was about 72.8 %. Sum of the major oxides (SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3) is about 90.09 % that meet the requirement as per ASTM C 618 (minimum 70.0 %). Other oxides including SO3 (<0.05), CaO (4.04), MgO (1.66), K2O (0.10), Na2O (0.16), TiO2 (0.35), MnO (<0.02) and Cl (0.12) also meet the international standard of ASTM C 618 for PPC. OPC without and with using slate sample in a ratio of 5 % and 10 % with clinker was tested to measure compressive strength, physical tests and setting time. The results showed that after 5 % and 10 % replacement, insignificant effect was observed on the physical properties, setting time and compressive strength in 2-, 7- and 28-days curing. Hence, slate can be used as natural pozzolan for manufacturing PPC. It is cost effective for the production of cement as well as to sustain the resources of limestone for long time and reducing emission of CO2 in the environment. It can also be used in the sulfate rich environment, coastal areas especially for the construction of dams and bridges.
Cíl: Převod Testu paměti pro záměry (Memory for Intentions (Screening) Test; MIST, 2010) do české verze zahrnoval standardizaci pomůcek, převod administrace a skórování, validační studii na české populaci, aby MIST bylo možné použít na české populaci. Úvod: Konstrukt prospektivní paměti (PP), tj. schopnosti si zapamatovat a realizovat záměry, je nezbytný pro uchování soběstačnosti, vykonávání aktivit denního života. V posledních letech hraje čím dál významnější roli pro diagnostiku poruch paměti. Standardizovaná a validovaná měřítka PP však v české diagnostice chybí. Metodika: Český převod MIST jsme administrovali 30 zdravým osobám. Výsledky: Celkový skór PP v testu MIST koreloval na střední úrovni s měřítky z neuropsychologické baterie zejména s retencí v paměti, mentální flexibilitou, odolností k interferenci a premorbidní inteligenční úrovní (všechna rho = 0,37–0,42, všechna p < 0,05). Reliabilita testu MIST ve smyslu vnitřní konzistence byla u základních osmi subškál nedostatečná (α = 0,50) i ve smyslu reliability obou polovin testu (split‑half reliabilita = 0,56), avšak reliabilita šesti subškál tříděných dle typu (oddálení, vodítka a modality odpovědi) byla vysoká (α = 0,88; split‑half = 0,95). Závěr: Výsledky validační studie naznačují, že český převod MIST je srovnatelný s verzí originální. Studie zpřístupňuje standardní vyšetření PP a umožňuje měření PP na klinických populacích. Klíčová slova: Test paměti pro záměry – prospektivní paměť – deklarativní paměť – validita – reliabilita – epizodická paměť <h3>Přílohy</h3> <a href="/dokumenty/CSNN2014_3_Bezdicek_prilohy_TK.pdf"> 1. Instrukce Testu paměti pro záměry (MIST)</a> <a href="/dokumenty/CSNN2014_3_Bezdicek_prilohy_TK_2.pdf">2. Test na prospektivní paměť (MIST) a jeho administrace</a>, Aim: The goal of the present study was to validate the Czech version of the Memory for Intentions (Screening) Test (MIST, 2010). We included standardized testing material, translation of administration and scoring, and assessment of normative data for the MIST in the Czech population. Introduction: Prospective memory (PM), i.e., the ability to remember and implement intentions after a delay, is essential as a subsystem of episodic memory for the maintenance of independence and execution of activities of daily living. PM assessment thus plays an important role in the diagnosis of episodic memory disorders. However, there are currently no standardized and validated PM tools in Czech language. Methods: The Czech version of MIST was administered to 30 healthy persons. Results: The MIST Summary score correlated at a medium level with a range of neuropsychological measures including memory retention, mental flexibility, and resistance to interference (all rho = 0.37–0.42; all p < 0.05). The reliability of MIST in terms of internal consistency was insufficient when analyzing the eight individual MIST trials (α = 0.50), as was split‑half reliability (split‑half reliability = 0.56). In contrast, there was a high degree of reliability between six subscales classified by type (delay, cue and mode of response; α = 0.88, split‑half = 0.95). Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the Czech version of MIST is comparable to the original English version. The study opens access to standardized PM assessment in clinical populations in the Czech Republic., Na webových stránkách: www.csnn.eu naleznete další přílohy k tomuto článku., and O. Bezdicek, S. A. Raskin, M. Altgassen, E. Ruzicka
The rockfall hazard in high hills of deccan pleatue has been one of the major disasters in western part of India. The present study aimed to assess the stability of hill cut highway slope near Khandala Tunnel along Mumbai-Pune expressway, Maharashtra, India. This study is significant as the Khandala tunnel is one of the five tunnels situated along the Mumbai-Pune expressway, which experiences frequent rockfall and slope instability, mostly in the rainy season. The assessment of slope failure in the present study performed by a combination of rockfall simulation and 2D slope stability analysis. The results of the slope analysis show that the slope is stable in dry condition having a factor of safety (FoS) 1.48. In contrast, it becomes very critical during the rainy season having FoS of 1.07. Rockfall analysis shows that the boulders came down on both carriageways with approximate maximum bounce height, total kinetic energy, and translational velocity of 9 m, 500 kJ, and 16 m/s, respectively. The preventive slope stabilisation measures suggested to minimise the failure problems and to capture the movement of falling blocks before reaching the road.
Wild boar is an autochthonous animal species of the Czech Republic that has significantly increased its population density in recent years. There are concerns that there is an associated negative impact upon agricultural crop production however, objective methods for sustainable management of wild boar, especially for estimation of its population density and intensity of regulation are still lacking. Wild boar differs markedly from the other free-living ungulates in its spatial activity and food selection, which limits applicability of the experiences and methods used for other species. Two methods of wild boar population censusing in a forest environment were tested in this study. The density of wild boar was evaluated in an area of 2256 ha, circumscribed by both natural and man-made barriers that restrict wild boar migration. Wild boar abundance was estimated using traditional snow-track counting and photo trapping data analysis. Both field methods were used in the winter season 2009-2010. Wild boar abundance as assessed by snow-track counting was 6.3 ind./km2 and by phototrapping 6.8 ind./km2. The results have revealed that if correctly performed, both of the tested methods are applicable to estimate wild boar abundance. Photo trapping seems to be more accurate; it requires special equipment and is time-consuming, however, it provides additional information on the structure of the population and requires less experience to undertake. Combination of several methods is advisable.
The increasing worldwide production of bisphenols has been associated to several human diseases, such as chronic respiratory and kidney diseases, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, behavioral troubles and reproductive disorders in both sexes. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the potential impact bisphenols A, B, S and F on the cell viability and testosterone release in TM3 Leydig cell line. Mice Leydig cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of bisphenols (0.04-50 µg.ml-1 ) during 24 h exposure. Quantification of the cell viability was assessed using the metabolic activity assay, while the level of testosterone in cell culture media was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Within the panel of substances under investigations, the higher experimental concentrations (10; 25 and 50 µg.ml-1 ) significantly (P<0.001) decreased Leydig cells viability, while the same doses of BPA and BPB also reduced testosterone production significantly (P<0.001). Taken together, the results of our study reported herein is a consistent whit the conclusion that higher experimental doses of bisphenols have a cytotoxic effect and could have a dose-dependent impact on testosterone production.
The suitability of two forest biotopes (oak and hornbeam-beech forests) for occupation by D. nitedula in Daghestan, Russia is considered. Biotopes have been characterized according to 11 parameters. All 11 vegetation parameters were significantly different between study areas. The indices of D. nitedula success in the studied biotopes demonstrated that numbers were higher in an oak forest than in a hornbeam-beech forest. Estimates of microhabitat distribution showed that D. nitedula individuals prefer to live in shrub associations and in areas with young trees in both biotopes. The body weight of adults and reproduction rate were similar in both biotopes. We concluded that in situation when the body weight and reproduction rates of individual D. nitedula were similar but the numbers of species in the both forest biotopes significantly differ, the structure of woody-shrub vegetation becomes a significant factor.
Based on survey of 257 women with nondeveloping pregnancies of various geneses, it was shown that the level of apoptosis marker P53 in the decidual tissue is increased, and antiapoptotic protein Bcl2 simultaneously is reduced, compared with similar data of women with physiological pregnancies. The morphological and histochemical investigation of apoptotic changes during NDP, by means of Bcl2 and P53, must consider the main marker in early manifestations of the dynamics of the pathological processes., Dilnoza Saidjalilova, and Literatura
The majority of the conservation strategies for threatened dragonflies are designed to protect only their aquatic habitats. Sympetrum depressiusculum is a species threatened not only by the destruction of its aquatic habitats but also by its association with a specific terrestrial environment. In this study, we aimed to identify the key elements of the terrestrial environment of adult S. depressiusculum. We used generalized linear mixed models to determine habitat preferences of adults and the particular features of habitat patches, such as vegetation cover, vegetation structure and the availability of potential prey. Our results indicate that S. depressiusculum adults preferred mainly riparian vegetation but beyond ponds they utilized only certain terrestrial habitats (abandoned fields, meadows, forest clearings). Adults responded positively to habitat patches with a high cover of vegetation and suitable vegetation structure. Adult abundance was affected also by the distance of patches from the natal site. In an agricultural landscape, the availability of such habitat patches may be limited and could influence the abundance and distribution of this species. We suggest that conservation efforts for this species should not only focus on the larval environment but also include suitable surrounding terrestrial habitats. Effective management around natal sites should concentrate on maintaining a heterogeneous landscape, which is extensively managed (e.g. leaving several fields fallow, maintaining managed hay meadows)., Michal Hykel, Filip Harabiš, Aleš Dolný., and Obsahuje bibliografii